Jul 09 U.N. warns world could hit 1.5-degree warming threshold by 2024 By Nadine Achoui-Lesage, Frank Jordans, Associated Press The U.N. weather agency says the world could see average global temperatures rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average for the first time in the coming five years. The 1.5-C mark is the level to which countries have… Continue reading
Jul 09 Analysis: Retractions and controversies over coronavirus research show the scientific process is working By Mark R. O'Brian, The Conversation Severe scrutiny of two major papers, including one about the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, is part of science's normal process of self-correction. Continue reading
Jul 08 How a coronavirus vaccine will get to market By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas Here's a look at some of the top contenders in the effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the challenges public health officials will face when that vaccine is finally ready for use. Continue reading
Jul 06 Fossils reveal dinosaur forerunner smaller than a cellphone By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Named Kongonaphon kely, which means tiny bug slayer, the creature looked like a dinosaur but scampered the Earth earlier, predating both dinosaurs and flying pterosaurs. Continue reading
Jul 02 Fish more vulnerable to warming water than first thought By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Thursday's study shows that by the end of the century with moderate man-made warming, 40% of the fish species may be in water that's just too hot for them in key stages of life. Continue reading
Jul 01 Astronomers still don’t know exactly what the sun is made of By Ken Croswell, Knowable Magazine For two decades, astronomers have argued over how much carbon, nitrogen and especially oxygen lie within our closest star — a dispute with implications for the entire universe. Continue reading
Jul 01 NASA delays Mars rover launch again with 2 weeks left to fly By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press The good news is that NASA is working to eke out more time in this summer's launch opportunity, now lasting until at least Aug. 15. The chance to fly to Mars comes up only every 26 months, when Earth and… Continue reading
Jun 29 Worldwide slowdown in fishing unlikely to save rare species By Patrick Whittle, Christina Larson, Associated Press The amount of commercial fishing worldwide has dipped since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but scientists and conservation experts say it's unclear if the slowdown will help jeopardized species of marine life to recover. Continue reading
Jun 25 Analysis: How deforestation helps deadly viruses jump from animals to humans By Amy Y. Vittor, Gabriel Zorello Laporta, Maria Anice Mureb Sallum, The Conversation Yellow fever, malaria and Ebola all spilled over from animals to humans at the edges of tropical forests. The new coronavirus is the latest zoonosis. Continue reading
Jun 25 This environmental justice activist breaks down deep ties between racism and climate change By Beth Gardiner, Yale Environmental 360 Activist Elizabeth Yeampierre has long focused on the connections between racial injustice and the environment and climate change. In the wake of George Floyd’s killing and the outsized impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, she hopes people may finally… Continue reading