Basic Research

Half of the world's sandy beaches are at risk from climate change

By Frank Jordans, Associated Press

Nations such as the Gambia, Pakistan and the Comoros islands could lose more than half their beaches. Big countries like Australia, the United States and China will lose the most in absolute terms.

How a WWI war helmet outperformed modern gear in a new study

By Vika Aronson, Gretchen Frazee

Your great-grandfather’s World War I helmet that’s stuffed in the back of the closet could be just as effective at preventing brain injury from some blasts as a modern-day military helmet, a recently published study from Duke University researchers suggests.

Mars lander confirms quakes, aftershocks on red planet

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

NASA's newest Mars lander has confirmed that quakes and even aftershocks are regularly jolting the red planet.

How Native tribes are taking the lead on planning for climate change

By Nicola Jones, Yale Environment 360

With their deep ties to the land and reliance on fishing, hunting, and gathering, indigenous tribes are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Now, native communities across North America are stepping up to adopt climate action plans to…

Last month was hottest January on record, U.S. scientists say

By Associated Press

The global average land and ocean surface temperature in January was 2.05 degrees F above the average January temperatures for the 20th century, due to the changing climate.

WATCH: Astronaut Christina Koch discusses her record-long spaceflight

By Isabella Isaacs-Thomas

Watch astronaut Christina Koch discuss her record-breaking 328 day space walk for the first time from NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Solar Orbiter blasts off to capture first look at sun's poles

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

Europe and NASA's Solar Orbiter has rocketed away on an unprecedented mission to capture the first pictures of the sun's poles.

Why clouds are key to new climate change projections

By Fred Pearce, Yale Environment 360

Recent climate models project that a doubling of atmospheric CO2 above pre-industrial levels could cause temperatures to soar far above previous estimates. A warming earth, researchers now say, will lead to a loss of clouds, allowing more solar energy to…

Preliminary data records Antarctica's hottest temperature on record

By Associated Press

World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis, citing figures from Argentina's national weather service, said the Esperanza base recorded 18.3 degrees C elsius ( 64.9 Fahrenheit) on Thursday — topping the former record of 17.5 degrees tallied in March 2015.

NASA's record-setting Koch returns safely from space

By Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press

Christina Koch wrapped up a 328-day mission on her first flight into space, providing researchers the opportunity to observe the effects of long-duration spaceflight on a woman.