Basic Research

International Space Station 'largely isolated' from tensions over Ukraine

By Alex Sanz, Associated Press

In 2020, the space station marked two decades of people continuously living and working in orbit. Russia kept station crews coming and going after NASA's Columbia disaster in 2003 and after the space shuttles retired in 2011.

Climate change is causing more wildfires and governments are unprepared, says U.N.

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

A warming planet and land use changes mean more wildfires will scorch large parts of the globe in coming decades.

Experts say Brazil's deadly mudslides reflect poor planning in the face of climate change

By Diane Jeantet, Associated Press

Authorities have long blamed extreme rainfall as responsible for the many tragedies that have hit the region. But experts, former and current public servant disagree.

A new report predicts more frequent, destructive flooding. What drives sea level rise?

By Jianjun Yin, The Conversation

A sea level scientist explains the two main ways climate change is threatening the coasts.

U.S. sea levels could rise more than a foot over the next 30 years

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

A federal report warns that America's coasts will be hit hard by ever faster sea level rise between now and the year 2050.

Western states face a bleak future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years

The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the…

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How Galileo's groundbreaking works got banned

By Dr. Howard Markel

Born on this day 458 years ago, Galileo refused to be silent about how the solar system worked.

West's megadrought worsens to driest in at least 1,200 years

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Monday's study says the megadrought is now the worst-case scenario officials and scientists worried about in the 1900s. The drought deepened so much in 2021 that it is 5 percent worse than the old record in the late 1500s.

How heat waves, exacerbated by climate change, will be worst for the world's poorest nations

By Mojtaba Sadegh, John Abatzoglou, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, The Conversation

The risk from heat waves is about more than intensity – being able to cool off is essential, and that’s hard to find in many low-income areas of the world.

NASA's new space telescope sees 1st starlight, takes selfie

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

Officials for the James Webb Space Telescope said Friday that all 18 segments of the primary mirror seem to be working properly 1 1/2 months into the mission.