Environment

Chemistry

Explainer: All about carbon dioxide

Animals and other life on Earth exhale carbon dioxide, which plants use for photosynthesis. But too much of this gas can perturb Earth’s climate.

Environment

Microplastic pollution aids viruses and prolongs their infectivity

The tiny plastic bits give these germs safe havens. That protection seems to increase as the plastic ages and breaks into ever smaller pieces.

Earth

Scientists Say: Drought

A drought is a shortage of rain or snow in a particular area.

Environment

This chemist uses online videos to teach about the perils of microplastics

Imari Walker says her journey as a scientist and science communicator lets her talk about and advocate for her passion.

Environment

Bacterial ‘living wires’ could help protect the seas and climate

Long, thin bacteria that conduct electricity may be able to help clean up oil spills and reduce emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

Earth

Analyze This: Wildfires are pumping more pollution into U.S. skies

Researchers wanted to study the health effects of wildfire smoke. But they realized they didn’t know where it was and how much exposure people had.

Environment

‘Forever’ chemicals show up in students’ school uniforms

Researchers found PFAS “forever chemicals” in kids’ school uniforms and other clothing. Studies have linked these compounds to health risks.

Materials Science

Let’s learn about microplastics

Microplastics have turned up everywhere from the highest mountains to the bottom of the ocean — and even inside animals and people.

Climate

Warming temps could turn some blue lakes green or brown

Slightly warmer summers could cause thousands of blue lakes to become a murky green or brown, according to a tally of color in 85,000 lakes worldwide.

Health & Medicine

Wildfire smoke seems to pose its biggest health risk to kids

New studies, some of them in young monkeys, point to vulnerabilities affecting kids' airways, brains and immune systems.

Environment

Western wildfire smoke poses health risks from coast to coast

As wildfires become more common, their hazardous smoke is sending East Coast residents — especially children — to emergency rooms.

Chemistry

Simple process destroys toxic and widespread ‘forever’ pollutants

Ultraviolet light, sulfite and iodide break down these PFAS molecules faster and more thoroughly than other methods.