Environment News
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Q&A: To Stem Africa’s Illegal Ivory Trade to Asia, Focus on Key Shipping Ports
August 27, 2014
Efforts to stop the illegal killing of African elephants should focus on ivory transshipment ports and personnel.
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Iceland's Seabird Colonies Are Vanishing, With "Massive" Chick Deaths
August 27, 2014
Global warming and ocean pollutants are to blame for huge losses of puffins, kittiwakes, and terns.
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World’s Largest Dam Removal Unleashes U.S. River After Century of Electric Production
August 26, 2014
The last section of dam is being blasted from the Elwha River on Washington's Olympic Peninsula on Tuesday.
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Tons of Emissions from Power Plants Are Already Locked In, Study Says
August 26, 2014
The world's existing power plants are locking in more than 300 billion tons of future emissions that aren't being accounted for, a new study says.
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"Zombie" Servers and Inefficiency Drive Energy Waste at Data Centers
August 26, 2014
U.S. data centers throw away billions of dollars in electricity every year because of inefficiencies in how they are run, according to a new report.
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Atop Food Chain, Ospreys Ingest Many Poisons, Revealing Environmental Dangers
August 26, 2014
As apex predators, ospreys get a mega-dose of contaminants-and help identify health threats.
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7 Biggest Earthquakes in California History—Napa's Not Even Close
August 25, 2014
Although Sunday's Napa shake-up was one of California's biggest in recent memory, the state has a history of far bigger geological rumblings.
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The 1,300 Bird Species Facing Extinction Signal Threats to Human Health
August 25, 2014
Birds, the most watched nonhuman creatures on the planet, tip us off to threats to human health.
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What Caused California’s Napa Valley Earthquake? Faults Explained
August 24, 2014
The moderate earthquake that struck California’s Napa Valley on Sunday collapsed older buildings, sparked fires and caused scores of injuries.
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Icelandic Volcano Eruption Leads to Air Travel Warning
August 23, 2014
Earthquake "swarms" under a large Icelandic volcano point to magma moving beneath the island.
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Pictures: Our Beaches—Sand, Sea, Serenity—Through Time
August 22, 2014
Summer’s almost gone, but beaches are forever.
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Q&A: Why Iceland’s Volcanoes Have Vexed Humans for Centuries
August 22, 2014
As another volcano rumbles in Iceland, author and reporter Alexandra Witze explores the nation’s long history of powerful eruptions.
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In Detroit, Water Crisis Symbolizes Decline, and Hope
August 22, 2014
As poor residents strain to pay bills, neighbors and activists step up.
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Has the Atlantic Ocean Stalled Global Warming?
August 21, 2014
The last decade was the warmest on record-but it could have been worse. New research finds the "missing heat" in the deep Atlantic.
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GPS is Tracking West’s Vanishing Water, Scientists Surprised to Learn
August 21, 2014
Scientists discover that GPS can measure how much water has disappeared from the West. It's a bucketload.
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Icelandic Volcano Rumbles Raises Eruption Fears
August 21, 2014
Earthquake "swarms" under a large Icelandic volcano point to magma moving beneath the island.
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Microbes Discovered in Subglacial Antarctic Lake May Hint at Life in Space
August 20, 2014
Biologists have discovered microbes thriving in a subglacial Antarctic lake that could be a model for life on distant worlds.
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How the Current Mass Extinction of Animals Threatens Humans
August 20, 2014
We seem indifferent to the mass extinction we're causing, yet we lose a part of ourselves when another animal dies out.
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If You Think the Water Crisis Can't Get Worse, Wait Until the Aquifers Are Drained
August 19, 2014
As drought ravages surface water supplies, we're pumping groundwater to save us. And it will-for a while.
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Coal-Dependent Arkansas Faces Stiff Emissions Target and a Running Clock
August 19, 2014
Under a proposed EPA rule, state officials will have to cut carbon emissions by nearly 45 percent—one of the highest targets in the country.
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Monarch Butterfly's Reign Threatened by Milkweed Decline
August 19, 2014
Monarch butterflies are quickly disappearing, and the loss of essential milkweed is a major culprit.
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New Energy Projects Boost the Use of Undersea Power Cables
August 18, 2014
The need to transmit power over long distances is increasing demand for submarine power cables, but the industry still faces hurdles.
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100,000 Elephants Killed by Poachers in Just Three Years, Landmark Analysis Finds
August 18, 2014
Central Africa has lost 64 percent of its elephants in a decade, while 75 percent of all African elephant populations are in decline.
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Study Sheds Light on Broadening U.S. Hunger Problem
August 18, 2014
More than 46 million Americans—including 12 million children—now rely on local food aid to get by, according to a new study that sheds light on the scope of America's hunger problem.
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California Drought Spurs Groundwater Drilling Boom in Central Valley
August 15, 2014
Drillers have more work than they can handle, as water tables fall and experts warn of long-term consequences.
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Q&A: Sylvia Earle’s Personal Journey and Why the Ocean is Vital to Life
August 15, 2014
Explorer Sylvia Earle shares her personal journey in new documentary film 'Mission Blue' and explains why the ocean is essential to life on Earth.
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Q&A: An Ecologist's Passion for Preserving the Ocean's Pristine Places
August 15, 2014
National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala leads a project that aims to identify and protect the world's most unspoiled marine environments.
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A Hundred Years Old Today, the Panama Canal Is About to Get a Lot Bigger
August 15, 2014
To accommodate today's oceangoing behemoths, the canal is getting a $6 billion makeover.
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Pictures: Record-Breaking Summer Floods Swamp Northeastern U.S.
August 14, 2014
Summer floods have transformed roadways into raging rivers in the northeastern U.S.
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Rotting Wood Responsible for Sand Dune Holes?
August 14, 2014
Decomposing trees and homes may be responsible for the sand dune hole that swallowed a boy in June 2013.
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Your Shot Pictures: Wildfires From the Front Lines
August 14, 2014
Catch a glimpse of wildfires from a rare perspective, as firefighters open a window into their world.
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Grand Canyon on the Precipice
August 14, 2014
Plans to build a gondola to the floor of the Grand Canyon reveal tensions between park protection and public access, as well as competing ideas of sacred space.
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Christopher Golden: Health of Planet, People Linked
August 14, 2014
Madagascar researcher Christopher Golden finds surprising connections between the environment and humans.
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Schoolkids Write Book to Help Save Rhinos
August 14, 2014
A PTA mom/journalist tells how an Indonesian rhino became the hero of a book by elementary schoolchildren in Brooklyn, New York.
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California Drought Launches New Gold Rush
August 14, 2014
With California rivers low, professional and hobbyist miners uncover more metals through panning, sniping, and prospecting.
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Shark Pictures: A Toothy Grin, Baby Pictures, and a Prickly Snout
August 14, 2014
Take a peek at some familiar, and not-so-familiar, sharks-from great whites to sawsharks to Greenland sharks.
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Wildfires Strike Northwest, Northern California
August 13, 2014
The Northwest and northern California have been the center of this year's fire season, despite dry conditions in the Southwest.
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Minke Whales Feast Under Antarctic Ice, Study Finds
August 13, 2014
Minke whales feast under Antarctic sea ice with frequent gulps of krill-laden water, study finds.
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Vaquita Porpoise Faces Imminent Extinction—Can It Be Saved?
August 13, 2014
A scientific team commissioned by Mexico says vaquitas could be extinct by 2018 if gillnetting isn't banned immediately.
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5 Key Threats to California From Climate Change
August 12, 2014
California is threatened by drought, wildfires, smog, diseases, storms, and loss of native fish.
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Pictures: World Elephant Day
August 12, 2014
Our relationship with elephants—from circus entertainers to loggers to black market bounties-is often complex, if not cruel.
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Beleaguered Firefighters Turn to New Technology
August 11, 2014
In the face of increasingly devastating wildfires in the arid West, firefighters are turning to new technology.
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Will Atlantic Ocean Oil Prospecting Silence Endangered Right Whales?
August 11, 2014
Companies have been cleared to seek seismic noise permits in the Atlantic, but ocean researchers fear for whales.
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Q&A: Why Farmers Markets Are Growing in the American South
August 8, 2014
<span id="docs-internal-guid-23b1d9bc-b765-706b-6a34-72236e11df9c"><br /></span><p dir="ltr"><span>Farmers markets are on the rise across the American South. </span></p>
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Exploring the Deep Sea With Filmmaker James Cameron
August 8, 2014
A new 3-D movie about filmmaker James Cameron's journey to the deepest part of the ocean touches on why we explore.
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Controversy Over "All-Female" Summit of K2—Men Aided Climb
August 7, 2014
Mountaineers debate whether an all-female team's summit of K2 counts as a first.
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The Perils of Aging: A Problem for Citizen Science?
August 6, 2014
Citizen science surveys help scientists take the pulse of bird populations-but errors creep into the data as volunteers age, according to a new study.
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Woman Whose Post-Avalanche Everest Ascent Sparked Outrage Defends Her Feat
August 5, 2014
Undeterred by an avalanche that killed 16 Nepali mountaineers, Wang Jing climbed the summit anyway. She helicoptered over the Khumbu Icefall and landed in a storm of criticism. In an exclusive interview she tells a story of a remarkable, if controversial, climb.
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New Technology Measures Snowpack Amid California Drought
August 5, 2014
NASA scientists train remote sensing on Yosemite to gauge water, using spectrometry and LIDAR through the Airborne Snow Observatory.
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Driven by Climate Change, Algae Blooms Behind Ohio Water Scare Are New Normal
August 4, 2014
Warmer waters and increased use of fertilizers are triggering more algae blooms around the world.
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Beavers Are Mysteriously Back in Britain—but Not Entirely Welcome
August 4, 2014
The British government is concerned about the mysterious return of a potentially destructive animal long thought extinct.
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Anthropology Beyond the Human: An Amazon Tribe's Deep Connection With the Rain Forest
August 3, 2014
Living with the Runa in Ecuador's rain forest is also about living with all the other kinds of beings the Runa live with.
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Q&A: Can Airlifting Rhinos Out of South Africa Save the Species?
August 1, 2014
Conservationists Dereck and Beverly Joubert are taking drastic steps in the face of rampant rhino poaching in South Africa.
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Oklahoma Grapples With Earthquake Spike—And Evidence of Industry's Role
July 31, 2014
Oklahomans and local officials are trying to understand and react to a spate of earthquakes linked to the energy industry.
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16-foot Waves Measured in Arctic Ocean Where There Was Once Only Ice
July 30, 2014
Researchers get the first measurements of wave heights in the Beaufort Sea north of Alaska, and they're big.
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New Wildfire Science Shows That Small Steps Can Save Homes, Communities
July 30, 2014
In wildfire season, a few adjustments can be the difference between a saved and a destroyed home.
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Fatal Strike a Rarity in "Lightning Proof" Southern California
July 28, 2014
A lightning strike that left one man dead and 13 injured in Venice Beach is a rare event in Southern California.
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Social Octopus Species Shatters Beliefs About Ocean Dwellers
July 28, 2014
The discovery of an octopus that lives in big groups is shattering even the most expansive ideas of known octopus behavior.
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Rising Seas: Will the Outer Banks Survive?
July 25, 2014
Storms, development, and rising seas may doom the iconic vacation spot.
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Tropical Fish Cause Trouble as Climate Change Drives Them Toward the Poles
July 25, 2014
Climate change drives sea creatures toward the Poles and into conflict with established communities.
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Opinion: It's Time to Stop Thinking That All Non-Native Species Are Evil
July 24, 2014
Have we been obsessing too much about invasive species? Is it time to stop hating them and focus on more important things-like preventing extinction?
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Video: How (and Why) to Sail a 19th-Century Whaling Ship
July 24, 2014
A modern crew learns the secrets of sailing a restored New England whaling ship.
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Dramatic Pictures of Recent Sinkholes Reveal Hazards Lurking Below
July 24, 2014
Natural and human-caused sinkholes have swallowed cars and houses in Florida, Minnesota, England, China, Latin America, and beyond.
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As Fiery Accidents Pile Up, U.S. Proposes New Rules for Oil Trains
July 23, 2014
The U.S. Department of Transportation rolled out long-promised standards on Wednesday.
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Blue Whale "Hot Spots" Overlap With Shipping Lanes, Raising Threats
July 23, 2014
Popular spots for blue whales off the California coast overlap commercial shipping lanes, a new study finds.
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Report: Gulf and Atlantic Coasts Not Prepared for Sea-Level Rise
July 23, 2014
The National Research Council warns that U.S. coasts are at risk of flooding and storm damage, thanks to climate change.
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Causes of Deadly Washington Mudslide Revealed in Scientific Report
July 22, 2014
The report says that logging in the area may have played a role.
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First Nation Tribe Discovers Grizzly Bear "Highway" in Its Backyard
July 22, 2014
Canada's Heiltsuk people discover more grizzlies living in their midst than they thought.
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What Do Wild Animals Do in a Wildfire?
July 21, 2014
As summer wildfires burn a million acres in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, some of the wild animals that live there have evolved to cope with—and even thrive after—the flames.
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The Denali Climb That Became One of the Deadliest
July 20, 2014
A 1967 expedition to the top of Denali (Mount McKinley), America's highest peak, turned tragic when seven members of a 12-man team lost their lives in a storm.
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Los Angeles River: From Concrete Ditch to Urban Oasis
July 19, 2014
It's mostly treated wastewater. The rapids aren't much. But a $1 billion restoration offers hope for the river's future.
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Malaysian Airliner Downing Hits AIDS Research
July 18, 2014
The loss of at least a half-dozen AIDS researchers in the Malaysia Airlines tragedy has hit the research field hard.
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Wildfires Intensify in Pacific Northwest as Winds Rise
July 18, 2014
Fires burn significant areas in Washington and Oregon.
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An Appreciation of the Magical Waters of Mozambique
July 18, 2014
A writer visits the coast of Mozambique, where the ocean holds one of the richest aquatic biological zones on the planet.
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Why Are Scientists Building an "Ocean" in the Middle of a Desert?
July 18, 2014
Researchers are building a miniature version of the Gulf of California in Biosphere 2.
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Can Drones Fight Illegal "Pirate" Fishing?
July 18, 2014
Conservationists test unmanned aerial vehicles in Belize and California.
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Do You Know Where Your Aquarium Fish Come From?
July 18, 2014
Finding where Nemo comes from can be an exercise in frustration, thanks to a global patchwork of aquarium trade regulations.
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Can Snowshoe Hares Evolve to Cope With Climate Change?
July 17, 2014
The North American animals, which turn white each winter, may adapt to less snow by staying brown for longer periods, researchers suggest.
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Genetic Engineering to the Rescue Against Invasive Species?
July 17, 2014
Powerful genetic engineering technology could fight invasive species-but scientists warn that battle comes with risks.
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Earthquake Maps Reveal Higher Risks for Much of U.S.
July 17, 2014
New USGS government maps extend earthquake hazard zones nationwide, including some surprising states.
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As Sea Ice Shrinks, Can Polar Bears Survive on Land?
July 17, 2014
Polar bears being forced on land by a lack of sea ice in Hudson Bay could stay alive by eating goose eggs and caribou, one scientist argues.
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Shooting Owls to Save Other Owls
July 17, 2014
Protecting habitat hasn't stopped the spotted owl's decline. Will shooting its rivals help?
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Found: 4 New Species of Gopher-Like Mammals
July 17, 2014
Researchers in southern Bolivia have discovered four new species of gopher-like rodents called tuco-tucos.
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Digging Up the Seafloor Makes Coral Reefs Sick
July 16, 2014
Digging up the seafloor—which creates plumes of sediment-is bad news for coral reefs.
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Q&A: The First-Ever Expedition to Turkmenistan's "Door to Hell"
July 16, 2014
Go along with explorer George Kourounis as he becomes the first person known to venture into Turkmenistan's fiery, gas-fueled Darvaza Crater.
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California Report Warns of Worsening Economic Impacts of Drought
July 15, 2014
Parts of the state will experience "pain and poverty" as agricultural producers are hit hard, while officials roll out solutions to California's drought.
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Why the 67 Giant Snails Seized in L.A. Are Harmful
July 15, 2014
Officials at LAX recently seized 67 giant African land snails-voracious pests that live long, breed fast, and pose a threat to U.S. agriculture.
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First of Its Kind Map Reveals Extent of Ocean Plastic
July 15, 2014
Spanish expedition maps trash in all five ocean collection zones for the first time and makes a discovery.
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Storms Get Headlines, but Drought Is a Sneaky, Devastating Game-Changer
July 15, 2014
Droughts like the one unfolding in California don't offer the drama of deadly storms, but they can change society in profound and long-lasting ways.
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Opinion: Don't Log Burned Forests—Let Nature Heal Them
July 14, 2014
Writer and environmentalist Kenneth Brower condemns plans to "salvage log" large swaths of California forest damaged during last summer's massive Rim fire, arguing that fire is a natural and necessary part of the life cycle of western forests.
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Bird Feeding Takes Wing in U.S., With Summer Meals, Designer Seed
July 13, 2014
Backyard birding is on the rise in the U.S., where designer seed and summer feeding are in. So is citizen science. But can the hobby diversify?
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Could Rare Bird on Tiny Island Be India's Ecological Canary?
July 12, 2014
Choice of a radar station over an endangered bird could signal a lower commitment to conservation.
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Dam Projects Ignite a Legal Battle Over Mekong River’s Future
July 11, 2014
Opponents say dams will disrupt fish spawning and force villagers off their land.
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As Honeybees Die Off, First Inventory of Wild Bees Is Under Way
July 11, 2014
As honeybees die off, scientists are taking a closer look at North America's wild bees. Could they be the key to saving U.S. crops?
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More Big Whales in Oceans Could Mean More Fish, Scientists Find
July 10, 2014
A new study reveals how scientists and fisheries managers have underestimated the importance of whales in ocean ecosystems.
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Last U.S. Coal-Fired Steamship Sails On, Aiming for a Cleaner Wake
July 10, 2014
Lake Michigan's S.S. Badger has drawn criticism for its coal pollution, but the venerable ship is aiming to clean up its act.
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Global Wildlife Summit: Fight Against Illegal Ivory Stalled in Thailand
July 9, 2014
Many countries are stemming the illegal trade of elephant ivory—except Thailand, conservation experts announced this week.
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Second Silent Spring? Bird Declines Linked to Popular Pesticides
July 9, 2014
A popular class of insecticides has been linked to bird die-offs-a finding that parallels Rachel Carson's concerns back in 1962.
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Plants Listen for Hungry Caterpillars, First-of-Its-Kind Study Suggests
July 9, 2014
Plants respond to the acoustic vibrations of chewing insects by producing defensive oils meant to ward off predators.
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International Report Charts Path to Deep Carbon Cuts
July 8, 2014
World's 15 largest emitters must get serious about climate change, scientists say in a new report released by 30 institutions.
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"Walking" Fish Make Annual California Appearance
July 6, 2014
Hunting, habitat loss could be taking toll on iconic grunion.
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Carbon Credit Plan Aims to Save Kenyan Trees and Elephants—and Help Villagers
July 5, 2014
A commercial project in southern Kenya is the nation's first to use carbon offsets to mitigate global warming and aid local development.
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20 Years Later, Legacy of a Deadly Colorado Wildfire Endures
July 4, 2014
In 1994, the South Canyon Fire killed 14 firefighters and changed how wildfires are fought. Then last year in Arizona, tragedy struck again.
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Study Finds "Extreme" Climate Change in National Parks
July 3, 2014
Global warming threatens visitor experience and national treasures, scientists say.
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Data Deleted From UN Climate Report Highlight Controversies
July 3, 2014
New papers in Science debate the limitations of international agreements on climate change and suggest reforms.
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Inside D.C.'s Massive Tunnel Project
July 3, 2014
A giant machine is digging a tunnel to channel storm water for treatment in an effort to clean the city's polluted rivers.
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As Mountain Gorillas Bounce Back, Rwanda Names Gorilla Newborns
July 2, 2014
Rwanda holds official naming ceremony for baby gorillas born over the past year.
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Dinosaur-Era Fossil Shows Birds' Feathers Evolved Before Flight
July 2, 2014
Feathers covered the Archaeopteryx, the flightless ancient ancestral bird from the age of dinosaurs, a newly found fossil shows.
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The Inside Story of a Landmark Environmental Lawsuit Brought Against the U.S. Navy
July 2, 2014
What caused whales that had lived off the Bahamas for 30 million years to become fatally stranded on beaches?
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8 Summer Miseries Made Worse by Global Warming, From Poison Ivy to Allergies
July 1, 2014
New NRDC report warns of summer woes worsened by climate change, from poison ivy to allergies, heat waves, and ruined vacations.
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Mosquitoes Carry Painful Chikungunya Virus to Americas
July 1, 2014
A quarter million people in the Caribbean are infected, and mosquitoes carrying the virus are expected to arrive in the United States.
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Video: Injured Sea Turtles Get Healthy in Rehab
July 1, 2014
Sea turtles face myriad problems in the wild, and rehabilitation centers can help.
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What's the Next Quinoa? Farmers, Foodies Revive Heritage Grains
July 1, 2014
Ancient grains and "orphan crops" like fonio and amaranth have advantages for farmers and consumers.
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Fierce, Furry Fishers Are Expanding Their Range—and Bulk
June 30, 2014
Two centuries after it was nearly wiped out, a fierce member of the weasel family is returning to the Northeast-and thriving in the current food chain.
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NASA Launching Replacement for Lost Carbon Observer Spacecraft
June 30, 2014
NASA plans a July 1 launch for its Orbital Carbon Observatory-2, replacing one lost in a mishap in 2009.
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Stunning Pictures: Inside Africa's Last Wetland Wilderness
June 29, 2014
Photos from Botswana's Okavango Delta, the planet's newest World Heritage Site.
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Pictures: India's Poor Risk Health to Mine Electronic "E-Waste"
June 28, 2014
Discarded electronics contain copper, gold, and toxic chemicals.
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Hefty Price Hikes for Fresh Food Amid Drought, Disease
June 27, 2014
Drought in Western states, citrus disease in Florida, and a cold winter in the Midwest are driving up food prices.
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Rare Amazon Jungle Dog Caught on Video
June 26, 2014
Scientists hoping to record vultures at a carcass in the Amazon jungle of Peru captured on video a glimpse of a super-rare wild dog.
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Great White Sharks Thriving in U.S. Waters
June 26, 2014
Great white sharks are coming back after decades of fishing pressure in U.S. waters.
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U.S. Oil Export Decision Opens New Potential Gateway for Industry
June 25, 2014
A subtle clarification on oil export policy might have major implications for producers in Texas.
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Journey of Octopus Discovery Reveals Them to Be Playful, Curious, Smart
June 25, 2014
It took Billey less than an hour to figure out how to open a childproof jar, so what can't octopuses do?
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New UN Report Puts Staggering Dollar Figures on Environmental Crime Revenues
June 24, 2014
Crimes from illegal fishing to ivory dealing yield tens of billions of dollars annually.
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Q&A: Africa's Last Wetland Wilderness Named 1,000th World Heritage Site
June 24, 2014
National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes explains the Okavango Delta's new designation as a World Heritage Site.
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5 Dire Warnings From Bipartisan Report on Climate Change's Economic Impact
June 24, 2014
"Risky Business" bipartisan report warns of climate change risks like flooding, disruption to farming, and dangerous heat.
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Fabien Cousteau Leads "Aquanauts" in Record-Breaking Undersea Expedition
June 24, 2014
Timed for 50 years after a historic Jacques Cousteau effort, Mission 31 advances ocean science and exploration.
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Global Ocean Commission Calls for Sweeping International Reforms
June 24, 2014
New report targets high seas fishing, drilling, and pollution.
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Global Warming a Significant Driver of Farmer Migration, Study Finds
June 23, 2014
Earthquakes, volcanoes and floods won't outweigh global warming as a driver for migration, suggests a study of Indonesian farmers.
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Q&A: How One Entrepreneur Set Out to Save Uganda's Forests—and Help Its Women
June 21, 2014
Sanga Moses, the founder of Eco-Fuel Africa, talks about how his fuel enterprise is preventing deforestation and improving prospects for rural families.
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Mother Yaks Are a Step Above the Rest
June 19, 2014
A new study of Tibetan yaks—close relatives of American bison-finds that mothers climb highest when seeking food or safety.
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Fish-Eating Spiders Can Catch Prey 5 Times Their Size
June 18, 2014
A new study finds there are more fish-eating spiders, in more parts of the world, than previously thought.
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Canada Approves Controversial Northern Gateway Pipeline: What Now?
June 17, 2014
Canada has approved the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, but construction hinges on overcoming steadfast opposition by First Nations.
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Several Nations Announce Massive Marine Reserves in the Pacific
June 17, 2014
The U.S., Cook Islands, Bahamas, and Palau add to protected areas.
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Nebraska's Double Tornadoes: The Science Behind Their Formation
June 17, 2014
Learn about the rare double-whammy that hit Pilger, Nebraska, on Monday night.
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Obama Announces Plan to Create World's Largest Ocean Reserve
June 17, 2014
The president also pledged to fight illegal fishing and seafood fraud.
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Startling Pictures: Twin Tornadoes Slam Nebraska
June 17, 2014
A town lies in ruins after twisters touched down in northeastern Nebraska on Monday.
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Video: Horseshoe Crabs Mate in Annual Beach "Orgy"
June 17, 2014
More ancient than the dinosaurs, horseshoe crabs show up early every summer to spawn on beaches in the eastern U.S.
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Can Parasitic Wasps Help Save America's Citrus?
June 17, 2014
In California, a tiny wasp from Pakistan is helping ward off citrus greening, a disease that threatens the U.S. citrus industry.
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Pacific Nation Bans Fishing in One of World's Largest Marine Parks
June 16, 2014
Kiribati announces "very significant" step at U.S. Our Ocean conference.
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Beloved African Elephant Killed for Ivory—"Monumental" Loss
June 16, 2014
The giant-tusked Satao, one of Kenya's most adored elephants, has been killed for his ivory-a "monumental" loss, experts say.
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Photographer Captures Drought Turning California Farms Into Kingdom of Dust
June 14, 2014
Photographer Matt Black has spent 20 years photographing his home region—California's Central Valley-as drought ravages the once fertile land of his childhood.
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Threatened Species 'Red List' Warns 90 Percent of Lemur Species Face Extinction
June 13, 2014
Experts on rare and threatened species issue a warning that lemurs and slipper orchids are at risk of widespread extinction.
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What Ate a 9-Foot Great White Shark? Another Great White?
June 13, 2014
Researchers are trying to figure out what ate a nine-foot-long great white shark off the coast of Australia.
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With Millions of Tons of Plastic in Oceans, More Scientists Studying Impact
June 13, 2014
A surprising amount of our garbage ends up in the sea. Can it ever be cleaned up?
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Can California Conserve Its Way Through Drought?
June 13, 2014
With worsening shortages, the Golden State turns to water conservation. Will it work?
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Japan's Commercial Whaling Efforts Should Resume, Says Prime Minister
June 12, 2014
The country's prime minister has said he will step up efforts to restart commercial whaling.
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Penguins That Weathered Past Climate Change Suffer This Time
June 12, 2014
Two penguin species that flourished under a past warming event aren't doing so well now.
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Oil Firm Bows to Pressure, Ends Operations in Africa's Oldest Park
June 12, 2014
Weeks after the shooting of Virunga's warden, oil company says it's ending operations in Africa's oldest national park.
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Q&A: Explorer Shivani Bhalla Helps People and Lions Coexist
June 11, 2014
National Geographic Emerging Explorer Shivani Bhalla diffuses tensions between herders and predators in Kenya's Samburu.
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Chile Scraps Huge Patagonia Dam Project After Years of Controversy
June 10, 2014
Citing environmental concerns, the Chilean government canceled the massive HidroAysén dam project in Patagonia.
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Soot and Dirt Is Melting Snow and Ice Around the World
June 10, 2014
Researchers find that soot and dust is causing snow and ice in Greenland to melt faster.
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U.S. Invites Public to Submit Nominations for Marine Sanctuaries
June 10, 2014
Obama administration hopes to protect more pristine ocean habitat by opening up nominations for new marine sanctuaries.
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Winning Google Doodle Is 11-Year-Old's Imagined Water Purifier
June 9, 2014
A New York student draws an imaginative water purifier to win Google's Doodle contest.
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Shrinking Arctic Ice Prompts Drastic Change in National Geographic Atlas
June 9, 2014
The upcoming 10th edition of the National Geographic atlas shows less Arctic ice-one of the most striking shifts in the publication's history.
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Opinion: Saving Our Future By Saving Our Oceans
June 9, 2014
In a National Geographic op-ed, John Kerry calls for acting now to save the world's oceans for tomorrow.
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Pictures: Stunning Underwater Photos on World Oceans Day
June 8, 2014
Technology has improved over the years, but the skill of the underwater photographer remains essential, as these stunning pictures reveal.
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Q&A: Author on "Rachel Carson and Her Sisters"
June 8, 2014
Women laid the groundwork for "Silent Spring" and have built on Rachel Carson's influential work.
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Hitting Mosquitoes Where It Hurts
June 7, 2014
In Maryland and the rest of the U.S., mosquito season begins with a new species, a new disease, and new strategies for pest control.
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The Battle for Africa's Oldest National Park
June 6, 2014
Virunga National Park is home to 200 of the world's few remaining mountain gorillas. But the park is threatened by powerful figures and armed groups as oil exploration begins.
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Value of the High Seas for Life on Earth Highlighted in New Report
June 5, 2014
A new report looks at the economic and ecological value of the high seas and supports shutting down fishing in the area.
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Brazil Leads World in Reducing Carbon Emissions by Slashing Deforestation
June 5, 2014
Brazil leads the world in reducing carbon emissions by slowing deforestation in a process that saw continued growth of beef and soy industries.
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U.S. Ivory Dealer Victor Gordon Sentenced to 30 Months for Smuggling
June 4, 2014
Nearly one ton of ivory seized in case against Victor Gordon of Philadelphia, sentenced today to 30 months in prison.
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Erupting Alaska Volcano Puts on Fiery Display
June 4, 2014
Pavlof Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula emits lava and giant ash clouds.
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Prepay Plans for Electricity Offer Alternative to the Usual Monthly Power Bill
June 4, 2014
Increasingly, households can pay up front for power. While some say such plans can help consumers stick to a budget and save energy, others see troubling implications for consumers.
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Opinion: Why I Climb Dangerous Mountains
June 4, 2014
Renowned mountaineer Conrad Anker argues the case against using helicopters to avoid the Khumbu Icefall.
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Forensic Technology Helps Case Against Suspected West African Ivory Dealer
June 3, 2014
Togo takes bold steps to stamp out smuggling of illegal ivory via the port city of Lome.
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Same Outfitter Loses Climbers on Mount Rainier, Everest: "Unprecedented In Our World"
June 3, 2014
Alpine Ascents loses 6 on Mount Rainier after losing 5 guides on Everest.
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National Geographic Archival Pictures: 100 Years of Climbing Mount Rainier
June 3, 2014
Photos from National Geographic's archives reveal a long fascination with reaching the top of Mount Rainier.
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Last Stand for U.S. Ocelots?
June 3, 2014
Only 50 ocelots remain in the United States. Recovery measures are under way in Texas. But they may be too little too late.
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4 Key Takeaways From EPA's New Rules for Power Plants
June 2, 2014
Landmark rules for power plants proposed Monday by the Obama Administration benefit from reductions already taking place.
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Is New Emissions Plan a Turning Point in Our Love Affair With Coal?
June 2, 2014
Obama seeks to move away from the energy source that built the modern world.
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Seabirds Can Spy Fishing Boats From 7 Miles Away, Scientists Find
June 2, 2014
The first ever study of a fishing boat's "halo of influence" reveals that a seabird species can zero in on fishing boats from a surprising 7 miles (11 kilometers) away.
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Obama Calls for 30 Percent Reduction in Power Plant Emissions
June 2, 2014
New rules announced by the Obama EPA seek to curtail carbon emissions from existing power plants.
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Six Presumed Dead on Mount Rainier Puts Focus on ‘Liberty Ridge’
June 2, 2014
The steep, remote ridge has been the scene of epic rescues and more than its share of deaths.
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Obama to Seek 30 Percent Cut in Power Plant Emissions, Reports Say
June 1, 2014
The Obama administration Monday will propose rules seeking a 30 percent reduction in power plant emissions, a signature action against climate change.
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Fungus, Climate Change Threatening Big Part of Global Coffee Supply
May 31, 2014
Farmers in Central and South America are finding that coffee—the world's second-favorite beverage—is increasingly difficult to grow.
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One Key Question on Obama's Push Against Climate Change: Will It Matter?
May 30, 2014
What are the implications of first-ever emissions standards for existing power plants expected Monday? Here's what we know—and don't know.
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$2 Billion Plan to Restore Everglades Stuck in Congressional Limbo
May 30, 2014
A massive restoration of the Everglades is ready to begin but needs congressional funding.
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Q&A: Up From the Rubble: A Red Cross Expert Weighs In on Disaster Relief
May 30, 2014
Thinking outside the box and empowering those affected as soon as possible are keys to disaster recovery, says Red Cross expert.
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California Cuts Water to Some Farms and Cities
May 29, 2014
Drought drives new restrictions on use of the Sacramento River.
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Ahead of Proposed U.S. Power Plant Rules, the Spin Scramble Begins
May 29, 2014
A final proposal to impose carbon limits on existing power plants isn't due until Monday, but advocates and opponents are already weighing in.
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Species Extinction Happening 1,000 Times Faster Because of Humans?
May 29, 2014
Species today are vanishing at a rate a thousand times higher than before humans existed. But burgeoning technology is giving conservationists new hope.
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The Science Behind Viral Video of Trailer Park Tornado
May 28, 2014
Two friends narrowly escaped an EF2 tornado that injured nine in North Dakota.
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Madagascar Could Be on the Brink of Invasion by Asian Toad
May 28, 2014
Researchers worry that the Asian toad could bring death and disease to the island's native animals.
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Northern Hemisphere Cracks 400 ppm CO₂ for Whole Month for First Time
May 27, 2014
Carbon dioxide levels across the Northern Hemisphere exceeded 400 parts per million for the month of April, a significant climate milestone.
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Colorado Mudslide Highlights Dangers of Drenched Slopes
May 27, 2014
Colorado mudslide near Collbran shows heavy rains can destabilize mountains and lead to deadly disasters.
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Rachel Carson: Google Doodle Honors Author of "Silent Spring"
May 27, 2014
Google Doodle celebrates famed author who warned about the dangers of pesticides.
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Longest Migration Among African Mammals Discovered
May 27, 2014
Research teams in Namibia and Botswana have documented a zebra migration that's longer and more direct than any other known mammal migration in Africa.
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Storm Chaser Tim Samaras: One Year After His Death, His Gift Is Unmatched
May 27, 2014
Tim Samaras, killed by the El Reno tornado in May 2013, had an unmatched gift for data collection and invention.
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Chinese Woman Becomes First to Summit Everest After Avalanche
May 25, 2014
Chinese woman defies experts and tragedy, summits Everest from Nepal side.
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Inside the Looming Food Crisis
May 22, 2014
Scientists, policymakers focus on improving the food supply against daunting odds.
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Will El Niño Knock Down 2014's Hurricanes?
May 22, 2014
Atlantic hurricanes look less plentiful this year, say federal forecasters.
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Oil Drillers' Burning of Natural Gas Costs U.S. Millions in Revenue
May 22, 2014
The flaring of waste natural gas from drilling operations is costing taxpayers millions every year, according to a new report
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Climate: Warm Pacific Gave North America Wild Winter
May 22, 2014
What made last winter so lousy? Pacific Ocean warming amplified by climate change, a climatologist suggests.
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Honeybee Dances Map Healthy Landscapes
May 22, 2014
A new study decodes honeybee dances to map the best landscapes for pollinators-which could alter land-use decisions.
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Top 10 New Species of 2014
May 22, 2014
The top ten new species of 2014 show that biodiversity is alive and well.
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New National Monument Created in New Mexico
May 21, 2014
A new national monument protects five mountain ranges in New Mexico, historic sites, and raptors including the great-horned owl.
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Strange Findings on Comb Jellies Uproot Animal Family Tree
May 21, 2014
<p dir="ltr">Comb jellies rely on a "completely different chemical language" than all other animals, meaning their lineage may have diverged first.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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World's Prettiest Tarantula Takes Best in Show 2014
May 21, 2014
Entrants from around the world brought more than 30,000 tarantulas to the English city of Coventry in hope of winning this year's first prize.
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Climate Change Threatens National Landmarks
May 20, 2014
Climate change threatens 30 historically significant sites, according to a new report.
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Desert Blocked Spread of Early Dinosaurs
May 20, 2014
An immense desert kept dinosaurs from spreading into what is now North America for millions of years, study suggests.
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Q&A: National Aquarium CEO Discusses Dolphins' Retirement
May 20, 2014
Will the National Aquarium retire its dolphins-and create the first dolphin seaside sanctuary in the U.S.?
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Myanmar's Pending Ceasefire Jeopardized by Skirmishes Over Illegal Log
May 20, 2014
Fighting around a major timber-trafficking route to China threatens to derail the peace process.
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In Brief: Deep-sea Trawling Has “Devastating” Impact, Study Finds
May 19, 2014
Deep-sea trawling threatens the seafloor's health and diversity, suggests a Mediterranean canyon study.
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Overwhelming Cause of California Wildfires: Humans
May 17, 2014
As blazes continue around San Diego, can humans do more to prevent future fires?
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Drought, Fire, and the New Normal in the American West
May 16, 2014
Half of the U.S. is in drought, and wildfire season hit early. But could the fall bring relief?
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To Protect Alien Life-Forms, Earth Spacecraft Being Sanitized
May 16, 2014
So that terrestrial bacteria don't contaminate other planets-and harm potential life-forms-spacecraft are being sanitized.
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Lone Wolf That Took Epic Journey Across West Finds a Mate
May 16, 2014
An Oregon wolf that headed west, traveling alone for hundreds of miles, is alone no longer.
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Parched: A New Dust Bowl Forms in the Heartland
May 16, 2014
Four years into an unrelentingly mean, hot drought, a new Dust Bowl engulfs the same region that was the geographic heart of the original.
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What’s Behind Early Season Winds Fueling Southern California Wildfires?
May 15, 2014
It's not clear if the Santa Ana winds fueling this week's fires are tied to climate change.
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Dolphin Exhibits May Close at the National Aquarium
May 15, 2014
Baltimore's National Aquarium studies whether to close its dolphin exhibits. Will others follow?
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Turkey Tragedy Points to Enduring Coal Mining Risks
May 15, 2014
Turkey's deadly mine disaster sparked public ire over lack of concern for workers amid the push to produce more coal.
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U.S. Honeybee Losses Not as Severe This Year
May 15, 2014
Harvard study says pesticides play a role in the die-off of U.S. honeybees, essential plant pollinators.
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Pictures: San Diego Blazes Get Wildfire Season Off to Early Start
May 15, 2014
Nine wildfires are now burning in and around communities in San Diego, California.
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Beautiful, Golden Jellyfish Invading Fisher's Nets Is a New Species
May 15, 2014
Fishers first spotted hundreds of them clogging their nets last fall off the coast of Venice, Italy.
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Pictures: Mine Blast in Turkey Kills More Than 200
May 14, 2014
Rescue efforts are still under way, but hope for survivors is fading.
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Hong Kong Set to Incinerate 29.6-Ton Ivory Stockpile in Largest Destruction to Date
May 14, 2014
Hong Kong's decision to destroy its ivory stockpile signals an attitudinal shift and sends a message that smuggling won't be tolerated.
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Typhoons Moving Toward Poles, Scientists Say
May 14, 2014
Tropical storms have migrated toward the Poles, becoming more powerful at higher latitudes.
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Monk Seal Evolution Rewritten: Dwindling Animals "Even Rarer"
May 14, 2014
Scientists have discovered a new genus of monk seal, according to a new study—the first in the modern seal family in more than 140 years.
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Opinion: Keeping Ice Sheet "Collapse" in Perspective
May 13, 2014
What is driving Antarctic ice sheet melting, how do we think about this, and what do we do?
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Shift in Antarctic Winds Drives "Collapse" of Glaciers
May 13, 2014
Melting of glaciers is accelerated by stronger winds, scientists say.
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Why Fly? Flightless Bird Mystery Solved, Say Evolutionary Scientists
May 13, 2014
Evolutionary scientists have discovered that the flightless birds of the world evolved their ground-hugging ways separately.
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Poachers Slaughter Dozens of Elephants in Key African Park
May 13, 2014
In DRC's Garamba park an estimated 33 elephants and 3 poachers—who were possibly with the Lord's Resistance Army—are dead.
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Deep-Sea Vehicle Nereus Lost 6 Miles Down
May 12, 2014
A robotic vehicle failed while exploring the second deepest trench in the world.
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Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Triggered Global Winter 66 Million Years Ago
May 12, 2014
Ancient sediments reveal that a dinosaur-killing space impact caused a global winter lasting less than a century.
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Go East, Young Men
May 12, 2014
How does food get to your door? We followed a truckload of strawberries to find out.
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The Twitter War: Social Media's Role in Ukraine Unrest
May 10, 2014
A torrent of misinformation via social media followed last week's killings in Odessa.
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As the World Warms, Part of the American Southeast Cools
May 9, 2014
There are several explanations for regional "global warming hole," scientists say.
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President Obama Unveils New Climate Actions at Walmart Visit
May 9, 2014
President Obama targets energy efficiency and green jobs in speech at Walmart.
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Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea Eyed as Fossil Fuel Gateway
May 9, 2014
Amid the North American oil and gas boom, the Salish Sea region of the Pacific Northwest is becoming prime location for fossil fuel transport.
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Canada Mauling Reflects Spike in Human-Bear Encounters
May 8, 2014
Though deadly bear attacks remain rare, maulings in the U.S. and Canada have doubled since 2010, researchers say.
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5 Dramatic Ways California Is Tackling Drought
May 8, 2014
California's drought may have been compounded by population growth and "poor planning."
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Apples of Eden: Saving the Wild Ancestor of Modern Apples
May 8, 2014
The ancestor of all apples still grows in threatened forests of Central Asia.
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High CO2 Makes Crops Less Nutritious
May 7, 2014
Climate change could make crops less rich in zinc, iron, and protein, a new study suggests.
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Can Senate Force Approval of Keystone Pipeline?
May 6, 2014
The votes might not be there, but the legal argument might be.
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Federal Climate Change Report Highlights Risks for Americans
May 6, 2014
The National Climate Assessment calls for action on global warming.
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Climate Report Provides Opportunity for Bridging Political Divide
May 6, 2014
National Climate Assessment proves problems are already here, supporters say.
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How a Few Species Are Hacking Climate Change
May 6, 2014
Can plants and animals adapt to climate change fast enough to avoid extinction?
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Federal Report to Warn Climate Change Is Already Hurting Americans
May 5, 2014
The National Climate Assessment stresses need to address global warming.
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Boycotting Tar Sands Oil: Will It Work?
May 5, 2014
The Sierra Club and others are urging companies to procure fuel from refineries that don't use oil sands crude.
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Too Hot for Coffee
May 5, 2014
Brazil produces most of the planet's coffee. Amid a drought and a reduced supply, can humanity still get its fix?
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Antarctic Ice May Be Held in Place By Small Plugs—for Now
May 4, 2014
Ice stored in one Antarctic basin can't contribute to sea level rise until the ice plug holding it back melts, scientists find.<p> </p>
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Ocean Acidification Chipping Away at Snail Shells
May 2, 2014
Researchers say that ocean acidification is dissolving the shells of a key snail species in the eastern Pacific Ocean.
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Mudslide Buries More Than 350 in Afghan Village
May 2, 2014
Hundreds of people are reported killed by a landslide in Afghanistan, in a collapse that covered much of one village.
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Scientists Warn of Quake Risk From Fracking Operations
May 2, 2014
Tremors induced by wastewater disposal are larger and harder to predict than previously thought.
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Family Farmers Hold Keys to Agriculture in a Warming World
May 2, 2014
Half a billion small-scale farmers are helping pioneer sustainable techniques.
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Cornfields Could Yield Less by Midcentury
May 1, 2014
Rising corn yields are threatened by increasing sensitivity to drought, new study says.
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Oil Train Derails in Lynchburg, Virginia
April 30, 2014
Latest incident comes amid safety debate over rail transport of crude.
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How Supreme Court Ruling May Help Clean the Air
April 30, 2014
A Supreme Court ruling will make it more difficult for factories to send pollution downwind.
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The Other Other White Meat
April 30, 2014
Ever heard of cobia? Meet tomorrow’s fish—and a new way to farm that one man wants to bring to a coast near you.
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Recent Tornadoes Highlight Vast Strike Zone
April 29, 2014
Twisters across much of the South and Midwest highlight seasonal dangers in vast strike zone.
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Pictures: Social Media Capture Tornado Destruction
April 29, 2014
As the death toll from tornadoes rises, people in affected areas in the U.S. South and Midwest flock to social media.
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A Farm Grows in Brooklyn—on the Roof
April 29, 2014
Communities are taking "locally grown" to new heights—literally—by turning urban rooftops into farms.
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Confronting Threats to Virunga, Africa's Oldest Park
April 29, 2014
A new film on Virunga National Park shows rangers risking their lives to protect the park and its wildlife.
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How Scientists Hope to Improve Tornado Forecasting
April 28, 2014
Can warnings be issued as much as 30 minutes ahead?
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Can Good Come From Maasai Lion Killings in the Serengeti?
April 28, 2014
Ritual killings by young Maasai warriors of as many as four lions in the Serengeti—and the accidental death of one of the Maasai-give new urgency to consideration of how to stop the killings.
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Tornadoes: The Science Behind the Destruction
April 28, 2014
Scientists probe the mysteries of violent twisters.
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Will Newer Wind Turbines Mean Fewer Bird Deaths?
April 27, 2014
As wind areas such as California's Altamont Pass replace old turbines, research suggests that newer ones may not be any better at preventing bird deaths.
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Should We Save the Wolves of Isle Royale?
April 27, 2014
Fewer than a dozen gray wolves remain in Michigan's Isle Royale National Park. Should humans step in to save them?
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Sherpas End the Everest Climbing Season in Nepal
April 25, 2014
Some blamed fresh avalanches for the end of climbing season in Nepal, but the real reasons are more complex.
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Blue-Footed Booby Threatened in the Galápagos
April 25, 2014
As their fishy food source has declined, so has breeding among the bright-footed birds, a new study says.
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Science Behind the "Global Warming Pause"
April 25, 2014
Climate scientists say the overall temperature trend is still rising, but the ocean appears to be absorbing excess heat.
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In Hong Kong, Kids Take Action to Stop the Illegal Ivory Trade
April 24, 2014
Through school projects, petitions, and protests, schoolchildren in Hong Kong are helping reduce demand for ivory.
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5 Ways to Help the Sherpas of Everest
April 24, 2014
These five organizations and funds assist Sherpa families in Nepal.
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Odds of NYC Flooding During a Storm Up 20-Fold
April 24, 2014
New study documents rising storm surges since the mid-19th century.
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Conflicting Reports on Whether Everest Is Open as Outfitters Pull Out
April 24, 2014
Nepali officials say Mount Everest is not closed, but teams are departing out of respect for the Sherpas.
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Climbers Continue Up North Side of Everest
April 24, 2014
The deadly avalanche on the Nepali side of Mount Everest hasn't stopped expeditions from China.
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This Land Is Your Land
April 24, 2014
Feeding nine billion—and eventually ten billion—means growing crops faster, smarter, and in new places. Do we need to find more land?
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What Happens When Oil Spills in the Arctic?
April 23, 2014
As oil companies prepare to tap into Arctic oil, a new report from the National Research Council says we're far from ready to clean up a spill.
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Charting Deaths on Everest: A History of Fatal Climbing Accidents
April 23, 2014
Sixteen Sherpas were killed in an April 18 avalanche in the deadliest single day on Everest, but there's a long history of fatalities on the mountain.
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Four Expeditions Cancel Plans to Climb Everest This Year
April 23, 2014
Climbers, guides, Sherpas, and Nepali officials are divided on what's next for Everest season.
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After Washington Mudslide, Questions About Building in Nature's Danger Zones
April 22, 2014
Washington mudslide disaster highlights the risks of building in danger zones.
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Everest's Sherpas Issue List of Demands
April 22, 2014
Sherpas submit list of demands to government for better working conditions on Mount Everest.
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Earth Day 2014: How It Became a Global Environmental Event
April 21, 2014
Gina McCarthy, EPA chief, talks about Earth Day and how it became a global environmental event that on April 22 will include a billion people.
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Why South Sudan May Face World's Worst Famine in Quarter Century
April 20, 2014
The coming weeks could determine whether tens of thousands will die in the world's newest country.
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The Aftermath of Everest's Deadly Avalanche
April 19, 2014
An experienced Everest climber assesses the impact of the deadly avalanche on climbers and the Sherpas who assist high-altitude expeditions.
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Pictures: Climbing Everest Through History
April 19, 2014
The death of 13 Sherpas in an avalanche turns attention to the history of climbing the world's highest peak.
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State Department Further Postpones Keystone XL Decision
April 19, 2014
Extending the wait for a verdict on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, the U.S. State Department says it will allow more time for federal agencies to weigh in.
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Warden Wounded in Africa's Oldest National Park Had Enemies
April 18, 2014
Emmanuel de Merode, chief warden of Virunga National Park, is recovering from gunshot wounds suffered in an attack Tuesday.
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Photographer of Sherpas: Everest Avalanche "Will Be Spoken of for Generations"
April 18, 2014
Nat Geo photographer Aaron Huey documents Sherpa villages and shares perspective on the April 18 Everest avalanche.
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Historic Tragedy on Everest, With 12 Sherpa Dead in Avalanche
April 18, 2014
The Mount Everest climbing season has begun with tragedy.
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Egypt's Population Boom Threatens Cultural Treasures
April 18, 2014
Soaring population growth in Egypt threatens historical buildings, monuments, and artifacts.
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Mount Everest's Deadliest Day Puts Focus on Sherpas
April 18, 2014
On the deadliest day of Mount Everest's history, learn about the Sherpas and their crucial role in mountaineering.
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Rescue of Ancient Ruin of Pompeii Follows New Plan
April 18, 2014
The ancient town destroyed by Vesuvius is undergoing renewed rescue efforts.
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Convicted Drug Dealer Indicted for Selling Rhino Horns
April 17, 2014
U.S. undercover investigation nets an alleged rhino horn trafficker with ties to former Medellín drug cartel.
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Can World's Rarest Bear Be Saved?
April 17, 2014
Fewer than three dozen of the desert-dwelling Gobi bears survive in one of the harshest places on Earth.
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Drunken Trees: Dramatic Signs of Climate Change
April 17, 2014
As the permafrost melts in the north, forests no longer grow straight.
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Chief Warden Shot in Africa's Oldest National Park
April 16, 2014
Belgian Emmanuel de Merode was ambushed in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Honeybees in East Africa Resist Deadly Pathogens
April 16, 2014
A new study reveals that East African honeybees are resistant to the pathogens blamed for colony collapses elsewhere.
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Amid a National Decline, Some States Are Gaining Farms
April 16, 2014
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) census released today, the U.S. lost farms and acres of farmland between 2007 and 2012. Although most states experienced a decline in number of farms, many gained farms and farmland. One surprise? The increase in desert states like Nevada and New Mexico, where popular specialty fruits and vegetables are now grown.
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Fossils Suggest Modern Sharks Are More Evolved Than Previously Thought
April 16, 2014
The image of modern sharks as "living fossils," unchanged over millions of years, needs an update, researchers say.
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Solar Chimneys Can Convert Hot Air to Energy, But Is Funding a Mirage?
April 16, 2014
A veteran balloonist is among those who want to use solar updraft towers to generate power, but funding has been elusive.
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Why Are Black Bear Attacks Up in Florida?
April 15, 2014
After a woman was attacked in her garage by a black bear and officials kill five animals, we talked to an expert about why such incidents are on the rise.
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Pollution From Asia Makes Pacific Storms Stronger
April 14, 2014
Aerosols in the atmosphere from Asia change weather in North America, says new study.Aerosols in the atmosphere from Asia change weather in North America, says new study.
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The Best Way to Deal With Ocean Trash
April 14, 2014
Scientists studying ocean garbage discuss how the world might deal with it.
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Dire UN Climate Reports Raise Questions About Global Willpower
April 14, 2014
Influential climate reports point to a pivotal moment in global warming diplomacy.
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UN Climate Report Charts Ways to Halt Global Warming
April 13, 2014
Time is running out to undertake technological and economic fixes to halt dangerous global warming, warns an international report.<p> </p>
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Is El Niño Back? Climate Scientists Forecast Its Arrival
April 12, 2014
Scientists forecast the arrival of a climate pattern that will affect weather across the globe.
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Mississippi Basin Water Quality Declining Despite Conservation
April 11, 2014
Federal scientists at the USGS and NOAA report latest stream and estuary monitoring data and highlight challenges and conservation successes.
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One in Three Fish Imported Into U.S. May Be Illegal
April 9, 2014
A new study says 20 to 32 percent of wild-caught imported seafood comes from pirate fishing around the world.
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Battle Plan for Climate Change: How to Cut Greenhouse Gases
April 9, 2014
A new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report will outline steps for cutting greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
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New Energy Frontier: Drilling Into Coal for Gas
April 8, 2014
Borrowing technology from fracking, energy companies are touting a new approach to coal—igniting it underground to produce gas. Is it cleaner, or just more risky?
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Gulf Oil Spill "Not Over": Dolphins, Turtles Dying in Record Numbers
April 8, 2014
Four years after the biggest oil spill in U.S. history, the Gulf of Mexico's wildlife species are still struggling to recover, according to a new report released today.
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Myanmar's Tourism Boom Endangers Fragile Ecosystems
April 7, 2014
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has opened its doors to tourism and all that goes with it: hotel construction, pollution, waste-and perhaps ecosystem loss.
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These 5 Foods Will Be Harder to Grow in a Warmer World
April 6, 2014
The IPCC’s New Report on Climate Change Suggests Food Crops May Be Harder Hit Than We Thought
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Plane Search Shows World's Oceans Are Full of Trash
April 4, 2014
Before Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, sea trash was not a global headliner.
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Getting to Know Afghanistan's Huge New National Park
April 4, 2014
Wakhan National Park protects mountains, snow leopards, and traditional ways of life.
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Coast Guard Blames Shell Risk-Taking in Kulluk Rig Accident
April 4, 2014
The U.S. Coast Guard blames Shell's risk-taking for the 2012 Kulluk rig grounding, findings that further complicate the oil industry's effort to advance Arctic exploration.
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New Photos of Uncontacted Amazon Tribe Stir Uproar
April 3, 2014
Pressure from loggers, gold prospectors, and land speculators endangers many of the world's last remaining uncontacted indigenous communities.
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What Caused the Chilean Earthquake? Faults Explained
April 2, 2014
What was that you felt? Faults deep underground produce different kinds of earthquakes.
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Rescue Dogs Tested by Washington Mudslide Recovery: Q&A With a Handler
April 2, 2014
After the March 22 mudslide in Oso, Washington, sniffer-dogs' efforts to find victims are hampered by packed mud, rushing water, and poor weather.
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California Snowpack Measure Shows No End in Sight for Drought
April 2, 2014
Surveyors visited the Sierra Nevadas to gauge prospects for water runoff this spring.
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Massive Chile Earthquake May Not Be the "Big One"
April 2, 2014
Scientists warn that the region around Chile has pent-up seismic energy along active faults.
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Q&A: On Her 80th Birthday, Jane Goodall Discusses Her Legacy—and What's Next
April 2, 2014
Jane Goodall's work with chimps has evolved over half a century from field research to successful advocacy.
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As Scientists Examine Landslide, Questions About Logging's Potential Role
April 1, 2014
<p dir="ltr">The Washington landslide likely had two primary causes: groundwater-weakened soil and river erosion. But scientists have many unanswered questions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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Q&A: A Kenyan Priest Talks About His Commitment to Saving Wildlife
April 1, 2014
Father Charles Odira joins a growing body of religious leaders committed to stopping wildlife trafficking and protecting nature.
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One of World's Last Sumatran Rhinos Dies at Cincinnati Zoo
March 31, 2014
The death of Suci, 10, is a "devastating blow" to her rapidly dwindling species, according to zoo officials.
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Too Many Salmon in the Sea, Pacific Study Hints
March 31, 2014
Fueled by rising sea temperatures, pink salmon have become too abundant for the good of other marine life and need to be scaled back, a seabird study argues.
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Japan Halts Whaling Program in Response to International Court Ruling
March 31, 2014
A United Nations court ruled that Japan's program to take whales in the Southern Ocean is not for scientific purposes and must stop.
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New Climate Change Report Warns of Dire Consequences
March 31, 2014
IPCC highlights risks of global warming in new Working Group II report.
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Pictures: World’s Iconic Buildings Go Dark for “Earth Hour”
March 30, 2014
Iconic buildings went dark to raise awareness around energy consumption and climate change.
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Searching for the Missing Malaysian Jet at the Ends of the Earth
March 29, 2014
Searchers scour a vast, empty Indian Ocean, with only scant clues of where to look for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
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World Not Ready for Climate Change, New Report Says
March 29, 2014
A new report to be released by the IPCC will tell the world it's not yet ready to face the risks of climate change.
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Developers and Preservationists Find Historic Common Ground in Miami
March 28, 2014
When an ancient Indian village was found under a hotel construction site in Miami, preservationists braced for a battle. But they worked out a historic solution with developers.
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Military Dolphins and Sea Lions: What Do They Do and Who Uses Them?
March 28, 2014
For all our advanced technology, nothing beats the ability of bottlenose dolphins and sea lions to find things in the ocean.
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Opinion: Killing Healthy Zoo Animals Is Wrong—And the Public Agrees
March 27, 2014
The recent deaths of four zoo lions and a giraffe, perversely justified "in the name of conservation," were easily avoidable, a scientist says.
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Washington Mudslide's Speed Led to High Death Toll
March 27, 2014
Washington State mudslide's location and speed were key to its deadliness, and its large size may hamper cleanup efforts.
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Can an Iconic Lighthouse Site Be Saved From the Sea?
March 27, 2014
Preservationists battle eroding shores on the Outer Banks' Cape Hatteras and beyond.
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Climate Change Shrinks Salamanders
March 27, 2014
Amphibians are responding to warmer, drier conditions, says new study.
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Elusive Whales Set New Record for Depth and Length of Dives Among Mammals
March 26, 2014
These elusive whales dive nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) deep off the coast of southern California.
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"Fire Tornado" in Viral Video Explained
March 26, 2014
Shifting winds caused a dramatic scene during a controlled burn in Colorado.
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3 Surprising Sources of Oil Pollution in the Ocean
March 25, 2014
Obvious oil spills, like the one in Texas waters last weekend, make up only a small fraction of the oil that pollutes North American oceans annually.
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In California, Demand for Groundwater Causing Huge Swaths of Land to Sink
March 25, 2014
Prolonged drought in California is increasing demand for groundwater, which in turn is causing lands to subside.
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"Chasing Ice" Photographer Focuses on Melting Glaciers in Antarctica
March 24, 2014
Chasing Ice photographer James Balog heads to Antarctica to chronicle melting glaciers on the southern continent.
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On 25th Exxon Valdez Anniversary, Oil Still Clings to Beaches
March 24, 2014
Today marks the start of one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history-and we're still feeling the effects.
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Galveston Oil Spill Threatening Crucial Bird Refuge
March 24, 2014
Nearly 200,000 gallons of oil that spilled into Galveston Bay could harm birds in a globally important refuge, experts say.
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Mudslides Explained: Behind the Washington State Disaster
March 24, 2014
A fatal mudslide in Washington State is a reminder of the lethal force of the fast-moving natural phenomenon.
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Shipwrecks Lost to Time That Archaeologists Would Love to Get Their Hands On
March 24, 2014
These wrecks carried everything from Bronze Age explorers to a lost Egyptian sarcophagus.
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Historic "Pulse Flow" Brings Water to Parched Colorado River Delta
March 22, 2014
A binational agreement called Minute 319 brings life to Colorado River Delta after five decades of withdrawal.
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Confirmation of Malaysian Plane Debris Would Be Only Beginning of Investigation
March 20, 2014
Ocean investigations can take weeks in the best of circumstances.
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North American Natural Gas Seeks Markets Overseas
March 20, 2014
Some 40 multibillion-dollar coastal export projects have been proposed to ship booming North American natural gas overseas. Proponents face environmental and industry opposition—and fierce competition.
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Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals?
March 20, 2014
Animal activists believe some sanctuaries undermine the very mission they're meant to serve.
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Green Fracking? 5 Technologies for Cleaner Shale Energy
March 19, 2014
As U.S. oil and gas production from fracking grows, new technologies aim to curb water and chemical use and emissions. Can hydraulic fracturing go green?
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White House Launches Website App to Visualize Climate Change
March 19, 2014
The Obama Administration has unveiled the Climate Data Initiative to demonstrate real-world risks of global warming.
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Amid Hunt for Malaysian Plane, Ocean Swims With Missing Vessels
March 19, 2014
The oceans' huge expanses and turbulent, poorly understood currents often thwart technology designed to locate lost ships.
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Salmon Farming Gets Leaner and Greener
March 19, 2014
The aquaculture industry improves its environmental footprint.
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Narwhal's Trademark Tusk Acts Like a Sensor, Scientist Says
March 18, 2014
The Arctic whale's tusk is actually a tooth that can grow more than nine feet long; it has baffled people for centuries.
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Climate Change Will Test Turtles’ Mettle
March 17, 2014
Warming oceans, rising sea levels, more frequent and violent storms-these predicted effects of climate change put sea turtles at risk. Can they rise to the challenge?
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New International Pact Aims to Protect the Sargasso Sea—Why It's Worth Saving
March 14, 2014
An international agreement signed this week aims to protect an area of the ocean some refer to as a golden, floating rain forest.
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New Science Reveals Secrets of Night-Shining Crystal Clouds
March 13, 2014
National Geographic Your Shot photographs depict the haunting beauty of noctilucent clouds. New observations reveal their secrets.
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Q&A: How Do Explosions Cause Building Collapses Like Harlem's?
March 12, 2014
Room-size explosions can collapse older brick-and-mortar buildings in rapid fashion, say structural engineers.
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East Harlem Explosion Highlights Risk of Natural Gas Leaks
March 12, 2014
A natural gas leak is suspected of causing a deadly explosion Wednesday in New York’s East Harlem. Recent studies have shown that older cities with aging cast-iron pipes are at high risk.
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Good News for Animals in Nepal: A Full Year Without Poaching
March 12, 2014
Last year more than 700 wildlife criminals were arrested in Nepal, thanks to a multilayered system of information gathering, enforcement, and swift justice.
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Were Volcanoes Ice Age Refuges for Life?
March 11, 2014
New research suggests that volcanoes and other geothermal refuges may have sheltered life in Antarctica during glacial periods.
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Why It's Taking So Long to Find Missing Malaysia Airlines Plane
March 11, 2014
The jet is now believed to have changed course after it went missing. So searchers may have been looking in the wrong place.
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Scientists Track a Great White Shark Across the Atlantic for the First Time
March 11, 2014
A white shark nicknamed Lydia is the first of her species to be tracked across the Atlantic Ocean.
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California Drought Dries Up Hydro, But Power Stays On
March 11, 2014
Drought has dried hydropower production in California, long a U.S. leader in river-driven electricity generation. But solar, wind, natural gas, and planning have kept the lights on.
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River Algae Known as Rock Snot Boosted by Climate Change?
March 11, 2014
A type of algae that's carpeting rivers and lakes worldwide is likely spreading due to our warmer climate, a new study says.
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Genghis Khan's Secret Weapon Was Rain
March 10, 2014
How did the Mongols build an empire? Tree-ring studies suggest that a run of bountiful rains gave them the resources to invade and conquer.
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What Caused the California Earthquake? Faults Explained
March 10, 2014
What was that you felt? Faults deep underground produce different kinds of earthquakes.
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Q&A: How to Make Money From Climate Change
March 7, 2014
McKenzie Funk's new book "Windfall" documents how businesses hope to make money from climate change.
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Redwood Parks Battle Bold Wood Poachers
March 6, 2014
National and state parks in California are under threat from burl wood seekers.
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Five Bald Eagle Cams to Watch Now
March 6, 2014
Bald eagles have made a comeback. See life in the nest now during peak nesting season.
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Killing Wildlife: The Pros and Cons of Culling Animals
March 5, 2014
Recently proposed culling programs that target bison, swans, geese, deer, and badgers have proponents on both sides. But is culling necessary? And does it work?
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Drone Captures Stunning Bird's-eye Video of Dolphin Superpod
March 5, 2014
Boat captain uses drone and GoPro camera to capture rare footage of a dolphin megapod off California.
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Does California Rain Mean the Drought Is Over?
March 4, 2014
A welcome new weather pattern means this won't be a record dry winter, but experts say it's "too little, too late" to avert a creeping crisis.
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First Ever Fatwa Issued Against Wildlife Trafficking
March 4, 2014
Indonesia's senior Muslim clerics issue first ever fatwa against wildlife smuggling and challenge the country's 200 million Muslims to protect threatened wildlife.
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Antarctic Research Bases Spew Toxic Wastes Into Environment
March 4, 2014
Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments on Earth, but it’s wrestling with a pollution problem.
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Nearly 200 New Species of Parasitic Wasps Discovered in Costa Rica
March 4, 2014
Nearly 200 new species of parasitic wasps were identified in a Costa Rican conservation area.
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Ancient "Giant Virus" Revived From Siberian Permafrost
March 3, 2014
The discovery of a previously unknown "giant virus" from 30,000 years ago in the Siberian permafrost is bringing researchers closer to understanding the complexity of viruses.
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Russia Raises Natural Gas Threat Against Ukraine
March 3, 2014
Russia presses Ukraine on natural gas debt and threatens price hike. Past cutoffs affected all of Europe, but a changed transit landscape leaves Ukraine far more isolated today.
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Opinion: End Illegal Wildlife Trafficking on World Wildlife Day
March 3, 2014
U.S. officials call for a crackdown on the illegal trade in wildlife, and for everyone to help.
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Pictures: Photographer Who Shot Bristol Bay Celebrates Halt of Pebble Mine
March 2, 2014
Michael Melford is celebrating an EPA decision that could stymie plans for a massive mine in the pristine region.
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Oil From the Exxon Valdez Spill Lingers on Alaska Beaches
March 1, 2014
Some beaches in the Gulf of Alaska still harbor oil from the Exxon Valdez spill. And it looks about the same as it did 25 years ago.
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High-Tech Tuna Researcher Uncovers Marvels of the Big Fish
March 1, 2014
Using cutting-edge research tools, Stanford professor Barbara Block is unraveling the mysteries and revealing the marvels of bluefin tuna.
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5 Polar Plunge Tips for Jimmy Fallon: Arctic Swimmer Lewis Pugh Shares His Advice
February 28, 2014
Arctic swimmer Lewis Pugh shares the science behind the polar plunge.
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EPA Puts Pebble Mine on Hold
February 28, 2014
Federal regulators invoked the Clean Water Act to put dumping mine waste in an Alaskan bay on hold.
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Atlantic Seismic Tests for Oil: Marine Animals at Risk?
February 28, 2014
An environmental review paves the way for seismic oil and gas exploration off the U.S. Atlantic coast. Some areas will be closed to air guns to protect marine mammals and turtles.
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"Ditch Boss" Helps Keep a Thirsty River Flowing
February 27, 2014
Frank Geminden, the boss of the Diamond S ditch, restores balance to Arizona's Verde River, in partnership with environmentalists and farmers.
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Scientists: Global Warming Likely to Surpass 2°C Target
February 27, 2014
World policymakers need to acknowledge that the world is already on track for global warming beyond 2°C, and prepare for drastic impacts, scientists say in a new commentary.
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Video Cameras Reveal Secret Lives of Reef Sharks
February 27, 2014
Video cameras reveal some surprising behaviors of reef sharks off the coast of Hawaii.
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Electric Cars Alone Won’t Drive a Drop in U.S. Emissions: Study
February 25, 2014
Electric cars alone won’t yield needed cuts in greenhouse gas, new research says. Policymakers need to cut carbon throughout the economy, especially from power plants.
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Hotels Save Energy With a Push to Save Water
February 24, 2014
A new U.S. government program called H2Otel Challenge encourages hotels to cut back on water waste, and watch energy savings rise.
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Clintons Say to End Ivory Trade, Everyone Needs to Act
February 24, 2014
Ending the ivory trade requires businesses and consumers to take up the fight, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton argue in the Financial Times.
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Biblical Waters: Can the Jordan River Be Saved?
February 22, 2014
With the swelling ranks of Syrian refugees in Jordan, an overstressed river is at risk of going dry.
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Climate Change Threatens the Future of the Winter Olympics
February 21, 2014
Many of the event's recent venues will soon be too warm for snow.
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New Dam in Turkey Threatens to Flood Ancient City and Archaeological Sites
February 21, 2014
Tigris River Dam puts wildlife and culture at risk in Turkey and Iraq, especially the city of Hasankeyf, critics say.
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Five Striking Concepts for Harnessing the Sea's Power
February 20, 2014
The ocean is an inexhaustible source of energy, but putting it to work powering the grid is a challenge. Will any of these innovations help make wave power part of the global energy mix?
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Nicaraguan Canal Could Wreck Environment, Scientists Say
February 20, 2014
Nicaragua's proposed canal threatens vital forests and wetlands, warn experts.
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Tuna Lover's Dilemma: To Eat or Not to Eat?
February 20, 2014
How'd they catch it? Is it high in mercury? A guide to the tuna that surfaces in supermarkets, eateries, and sushi bars.
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British Floods, California Drought: A Connection?
February 20, 2014
Is melting in the Arctic causing drought, floods, and ice farther south?
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Watch an Incredible Time-Lapse Video of Severe Thunderstorms
February 19, 2014
Photographer releases mesmerizing footage of dangerous thunderstorms.
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Nepal Slashes Everest Fees; Will Lower Costs Increase Crowds of Climbers?
February 19, 2014
Will the Nepal government's new fee structure for mountain climbing increase the crowds—and the danger-on Mount Everest?
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The Sixth Extinction: A Conversation With Elizabeth Kolbert
February 18, 2014
Humanity's "most enduring legacy" will be our effect on the rest of life on Earth.
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Can California Farmers Save Water and the Dying Salton Sea?
February 18, 2014
Two fast-approaching deadlines threaten to undermine the future success of the Quantification Settlement Agreement, which aimed to wean California off its overdependence on Colorado River water.
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Water in America: Is It Safe to Drink?
February 17, 2014
Yes, water in the U.S. is mostly safe to drink. But the answer is murkier than you might like.
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Pictures: Volcano Covers Indonesian Cities With Ash
February 14, 2014
Indonesia's Mount Kelud erupted this week, sending ash into the air, causing 100,000 people to evacuate and killing three.
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Is Climate Change Increasing the Disease Risk for Arctic Marine Mammals?
February 14, 2014
A changing Arctic may be increasing the disease risk for animals like beluga whales and seals.
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Keystone XL Pipeline: 4 Animals and 3 Habitats in Its Path
February 14, 2014
Climate change isn’t the only concern of environmentalists opposing Keystone XL. Its path through the Great Plains crosses key wildlife migration routes and threatened species habitats.
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Slushy Sochi: Warm Weather Shows Challenges of Subtropical Snowmaking
February 14, 2014
Some of the Olympic athletes are voicing concerns about what they say are dangerous conditions.
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Could California's Drought Last 200 Years?
February 13, 2014
Ocean temperatures, wind, and the weather pattern in the Pacific have contributed to the drought.
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Editor's Picks: Our Favorite Pictures From Latest Snowstorm
February 13, 2014
Our photo editors picked their favorite shots of the latest winter storm to blast the East Coast.
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Found: New Beetle Collected by Darwin 180 Years Ago
February 13, 2014
A beetle collected by Charles Darwin 180 years ago was declared a new species on February 12, the 205th anniversary of his birth.
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What the West's Ancient Droughts Say About Its Future
February 13, 2014
Scientists have mounting evidence of centuries-long droughts in the West's distant past. They warn that Californians are now vulnerable to a drought that is measured in decades—or even hundreds of years.
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Where Does the Amazon River Begin?
February 13, 2014
Why are researchers and explorers still arguing over where the Amazon River starts?
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London Summit Intensifies Battle Against Wildlife Crime
February 12, 2014
At a London summit, world leaders and ministers demonstrate growing political will for action against wildlife crime.
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Defending a Western River With Art and Collaboration
February 12, 2014
Kirk Klancke has watched over the Fraser River for decades. "Education is what is going to save these rivers," he says.
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Laser Facility Blasts Way to Fusion First
February 12, 2014
A federal lab reports a new record for laser fusion energy.
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The Surprising History of Road Salt
February 12, 2014
Amid "salt shortages," officials protect roads against ice with rock salt, which is mined around the country.
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Opinion: Killing of Marius the Giraffe Exposes Myths About Zoos
February 12, 2014
Are zoos the conservation sanctuaries they claim to be? In Europe, only 13 percent of the species kept in its zoos are endangered.
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Fighting Wildlife Crime: New U.S. Strategy Broadens Scope
February 11, 2014
President Obama unveils plan for curbing wildlife trafficking and combating organizedcrime in Africa.
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United States Tightens the Noose on the Ivory Trade
February 11, 2014
As part of a new national strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, the Obama Administration closes loopholes on the domestic U.S. ivory trade. Writer Bryan Christy comments.
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Germany Plans to Raze Towns for Brown Coal and Cheap Energy
February 11, 2014
Germany has ambitious renewable energy goals, but its reliance on coal is also growing. Towns like Atterwasch face relocation to feed demand for cheap brown coal.
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Where Global Warming Went: Into the Pacific
February 11, 2014
The global warming "pause" has a cause: Trade winds have been burying heat in the Pacific.
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Writer Who Exposed Songbird Slaughter Applauds Albania's Hunting Ban
February 10, 2014
National Geographic story about the slaughter of migrating birds influenced Albania's decision.
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Giraffe Killing at Copenhagen Zoo Sparks Global Outrage
February 10, 2014
A healthy male giraffe was euthanized because its genes didn't add to the diversity of the zoo population.
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New WildLeaks Website Invites Whistle-Blowers on Wildlife Crime
February 10, 2014
Whistle-blowers now have a secure venue for providing tips about wildlife and forest crime. WildLeaks leader Andrea Crosta explains.
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Keystone XL: Is It the Right Fight?
February 8, 2014
Activists battle a new report that seems to portend presidential approval of the controversial pipeline.
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Sochi Powers Up: Bringing Energy to Site an Olympic Feat
February 7, 2014
The energy systems built to power the Olympics in Russia are historic, but will they function properly amid a litany of other problems in Sochi?
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White House Announces Network of Climate Hubs. So What Are They?
February 5, 2014
Regional hubs aim to match latest climate science with farmers and ranchers.
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Greenland Glacier Races to Ocean at Record Speed
February 4, 2014
A Greenland glacier that most believe spawned the iceberg that sank the <em>Titanic</em> races toward the ocean at record speed.
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Why Pickle Brine Is a Secret Weapon Against Ice
February 4, 2014
The brutal winter weather has brought out tons of deicing salt ... and beet juice, pickle brine, and cheese brine.
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Ancient Ash Volcanoes Entombed Chinese Dinosaurs
February 4, 2014
Ashy, explosive, volcanic outbursts killed and buried the famed dinosaurs of northern China, a new study says.
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Bizarre Landslide Photos: Boulders Roll Onto Farm, Narrowly Missing House
February 4, 2014
A landslide in northern Italy sent boulders careening into a vineyard.
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Shipwrecks Removed From Protected Coral Reefs
February 4, 2014
Three shipwrecks were removed from coral reefs in the Pacific. How long will it take the reefs to recover-and what obstacles might get in the way of a return to health?
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Surviving More Than a Year Adrift at Sea Is Possible, With a Little Luck
February 3, 2014
It's possible to survive being adrift at sea for more than a year, as a fisherman claims he did.
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Is "Peecycling" the Next Wave in Sustainable Living?
February 2, 2014
Human waste can be converted into valuable fertilizer, if people can get past the "ick" factor.
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Super Bowl's Green Stadiums: MetLife and Others Tackle Energy Efficiency
February 1, 2014
MetLife Stadium, the site of this year's Super Bowl, and other facilities are leading the way for more energy-efficient game days in the NFL.
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Australia to Dump Dredged Sand in Great Barrier Reef Waters, Adding to Site's Mounting Woes
January 31, 2014
A decision to dump dredged silt and sand in Great Barrier Reef waters has sounded alarm bells among environmentalists.
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Can Natural Gas Bring Back U.S. Factory Jobs?
January 31, 2014
Abundant natural gas can drive a renaissance in U.S. manufacturing jobs, President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union address. The reality is more complex.
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Pictures: Forest Elephants Moved Across Africa in Risky Operation
January 31, 2014
The rare mammals were transported by truck to a safer home in the Ivory Coast-but two died during the risky procedure, group says.
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Stunning Electric-Blue Flames Erupt From Volcanoes
January 30, 2014
Burning sulfur forms lava-like rivers of light at Indonesia's Kawah Ijen volcano and other craters.
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Drug Trafficking Poses Surprising Threats to Rain Forests, Scientists Find
January 30, 2014
Criminals wreak havoc in forests, sparking calls for drug policy reforms.
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Keeping Super Bowl Lights On: An Extra Line, Generators in Place
January 30, 2014
After infrared imaging of stadium circuitry, installation of an extra power line, and an assist from biodiesel generators, the NFL is confident the lights will stay on at Super Bowl XLVIII.
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King Tides: What Explains High Water Threatening Global Coasts?
January 30, 2014
Periodic high tides known as king tides are brought on by special alignment of heavenly bodies.
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Good News for Bats? Species Bouncing Back in Europe
January 29, 2014
After a prolonged decline, populations of several bat species are on the rise, according to a new report by the European Environment Agency.
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Editor's Pick: Best Photos From the Southern Snowfall
January 29, 2014
Photos from the rare southern snowfall that covered states from Texas to Virginia.
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Propane Shortages Leave Many U.S. Homeowners in the Cold
January 29, 2014
Many homes are turning into iceboxes this month as heating fuel runs short and utilities urge customers to lower thermostats.
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Slaughterhouse Said to Process "Horrifying" Number of Whale Sharks Annually
January 29, 2014
Hundreds of whale sharks, basking sharks, and great white sharks are illegally hunted and processed by a factory in China.
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Migrating Monarch Butterflies in "Grave Danger," Hit New Low
January 29, 2014
The number of migrating monarch butterflies hit a record low in Mexican forests in 2013, a new report says.
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Has Obama Kept Promises on Climate of Last State of the Union?
January 28, 2014
Before the president's 2014 State of the Union, a look back at where he succeeded—and fell short—on his past promises.
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Pictures: Peru Park Boasts Highest Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles
January 24, 2014
A new survey reveals richest biodiversity, and new species, of amphibians and reptiles in Peru's Manú National Park.
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Yukon Government Opens Vast Wilderness to Mining
January 24, 2014
Canada's Yukon Territory announced Tuesday that it has opened one of the largest unbroken wilderness areas in North America to mining and mineral exploration.
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First New Species of River Dolphin Discovered in a Century
January 24, 2014
The Araguaian boto is a proposed new species in Brazil that is thought to be highly endangered.<p> </p><p> </p>
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3 Winter Words You Should Know
January 23, 2014
Bombogenesis and other weather words are enjoying a day in the sun, going from meteorological circles to the general public via social media.
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Exporting the Colorado River to Asia, Through Hay
January 23, 2014
As the West suffers long-term drought, experts look for ways to save water while still supporting local farmers.
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Government Lists 2013's Most Extreme Weather Events: 6 Takeaways
January 22, 2014
From California's record drought to Australia's record heat, the climate anomalies of 2013.
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Editor's Picks: Our Favorite Pictures of the Winter Snowstorm
January 22, 2014
Our photo editors picked their favorite shots of the latest winter storm that barreled across the East Coast this week.
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How Much Is U.S. to Blame for “Made-in-China” Pollution?
January 22, 2014
China exports more than goods to the United States; it also sends pollution across the Pacific. A new study aims to sort out responsibility for the foul air all nations share.
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Study: Planning Can Protect Whales in Seismic Energy Surveys
January 21, 2014
Scientists working with the consortium engaged in oil and gas development off Russia’s Sakhalin Island came up with a blueprint for reducing the ecological impact of seismic surveys.
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Huge Rim Fire Gives Opportunity to Restore Forest Differently
January 20, 2014
Scientists in California hope to improve the management tools of salvage logging, replanting, and controlled burns through research.
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Eye on the Tiger: Satellite Images a New Tool for Conservation
January 19, 2014
The Open Landscape Partnership Platform shows satellite images that capture threats to wildlife and natural resources.
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First Known Sea Anemone Found That Lives Upside Down in Sea Ice
January 17, 2014
A newly discovered species is the first known sea anemone to live burrowed into the bottom of sea ice.
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Behind California's January Wildfires: Dry Conditions, Stubborn Weather Pattern
January 17, 2014
Record dry conditions and a stubborn weather pattern are contributing to the state's unseasonable wildfires.
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Illinois Village Leads Charge for Tougher Oil Train Rules
January 17, 2014
The Chicago suburb of Barrington, where traffic is blocked by 20 freight trains a day, filed petition for action on weak tank cars.
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4 Ways Green Groups Say Trans-Pacific Partnership Will Hurt Environment
January 17, 2014
Green groups say the leaked draft of the free trade agreement falls short when it comes to protecting the planet.
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1,000+ Rhinos Poached in 2013: Highest in Modern History
January 17, 2014
More than a thousand of the large mammals were killed illegally, due to increasing demand for their horns, report says.
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Threats Escalate Against Rhino Hunt Winner as Debate Intensifies
January 17, 2014
Dallas Safari Club auction winner Corey Knowlton stands by hunt for conservation.
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Giant Trench Under Antarctic Ice Deeper Than Grand Canyon
January 17, 2014
A valley deeper than the Grand Canyon has been discovered beneath the ice in West Antarctica.
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Five Energy Innovations from the Detroit Auto Show
January 16, 2014
Energy innovations at this year's Detroit Auto Show are subtle, rather than revolutionary. But ideas like lightweighting and coasting mode could boost fuel efficiency.
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Zoologist Dian Fossey: A Storied Life With Gorillas
January 16, 2014
Google Doodle honors the 82nd birthday of zoologist Dian Fossey.
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What Causes an Earthquake? Faults Explained
January 15, 2014
What was that you felt? Faults deep underground produce different kinds of earthquakes.
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Mystery Solved: How Do Dolphins Swim So Fast?
January 15, 2014
Dolphins use their powerful tail to generate enough power to cut through the water at amazing speeds, a new study says.
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West Virginia Spill Reveals Threats to Drinking Water
January 14, 2014
Utilities can't afford to test for every chemical, and infrastructure is aging.
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West Virginia Chemical Spill Poses Unknown Threat to the Environment
January 13, 2014
Scant data available on spilled chemical, raising concerns about its long-term ecological effects.
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Rhino Hunt Auction Stirs More Controversy
January 13, 2014
The hunting permit sold for $350,000 on Saturday by the Dallas Safari Club, despite a broad outcry.
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First Person: How Far Will the Blackfish Effect Go?
January 13, 2014
The film Blackfish takes a sharp look at killer whale entertainment. Will it win an Oscar nomination this week?
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Q&A: Youngest Man to Ski to South Pole Is Also Fastest
January 12, 2014
Yale student treks 315 miles in 18 days, highlights climate issues, and becomes the youngest male skier to reach the South Pole.
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Scientists Find Way to Predict Heights of Volcanic Ash Clouds
January 12, 2014
Data gathered on peaks can help scientists estimate and track plume heights.
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DNA Discovery Reveals Surprising Dolphin Origins
January 11, 2014
Two different dolphin species mated to create the clymene dolphin, scientists report, in a first scientific find of such a hybrid marine mammal species.
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160-Foot Giant Squid Hoax: How Big Do They Really Get?
January 10, 2014
A fake picture of a 160-foot-long giant squid has made the social media rounds. What happened? And how big do giant squid really get?
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Death Threats Seen Over Rhino Hunt Auction
January 10, 2014
Animal activists are strongly protesting a Dallas Safari Club auction this weekend that is being promoted as a fund-raiser to support conservation.
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Are Frozen Views of Niagara Falls Unusual?
January 10, 2014
Photos of a frozen Niagara Falls are trending on Instagram and Twitter, but the ice is more common than you might think.
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What's the Chemical Behind West Virginia's River Spill?
January 10, 2014
Spill in the Elk River brings a "do not drink" advisory.
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Mount Sinabung Volcano Erupts in Indonesia, Displaces 20,000
January 9, 2014
Photo in the news: A volcano in Indonesia erupts 220 times in one week, spraying hot ash and poisonous gas on local villages.
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Pictures: Ford Solar Car at CES 2014 and Past Sun-Power Vehicles
January 9, 2014
With Ford debuting a solar concept car at the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show, we take a look at past efforts to harness the power of the sun to put vehicles into motion.
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Foreign Fisheries Contribute to Marine Mammal Deaths
January 8, 2014
Imported fish doesn't meet the same standards as domestic catches in terms of protecting marine mammals, says environmental group NRDC.
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Pictures: Fish Light Up in Neon Colors
January 8, 2014
Camouflaged fish that normally blend into a coral reef light up like a Las Vegas casino when blue light strikes fluorescent materials in their skin.
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Lions Approach Extinction in West Africa
January 8, 2014
New study paints dire picture of West African lions and outlines conservation needs.
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Opinion: Rescued Antarctic Group Aren't Heroes
January 8, 2014
Passengers of the stranded ship acted oddly entitled to rescue during their "frivolous" Antarctic expedition, writer says.
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Science Behind 3 Viral Polar Vortex Videos: Instant Snow, Ice Fog, Frozen Bubbles
January 8, 2014
Viral videos from the U.S. Midwest are showing us how water reacts to extreme cold.
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U.S. Cold Snap Inspires Climate Change Denial, While Scientists See Little Room for Doubt
January 8, 2014
The real story is that people have forgotten what cold is like, says climate expert Gavin Schmidt.
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Rare Conjoined Gray Whale Calves Wash Ashore—Could Be First for Species
January 8, 2014
Although rare among large whales—like the gray whales found in Baja California—twins and conjoined twins do occur.
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Opinion: China's Ivory Crush Is Important First Step
January 8, 2014
China is the latest country to publicize wildlife law enforcement by destroying illegal elephant ivory, but the crush needs to be backed up with action.
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Anti-Whaling Activists Put Focus on Complex Law and Bloody Tradition
January 7, 2014
Despite opposition from scientists and animal advocates, Japanese whaling continues in Antarctica, fueled by nationalism.
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Suprise! Scientists Find That Starfish Eyes Actually See, at Least a Little
January 7, 2014
After decades of wondering what starfish use their eyes for, it turns out they probably use them to stay close to home, according to a new study.
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Oldest Known Fossil of Flowering-Plant Sex Found in Amber
January 6, 2014
Amber that formed a hundred million years ago preserved a flower in the act of sexual reproduction.
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China Crushes Six Tons of Confiscated Elephant Ivory
January 6, 2014
The move is a first for the world's biggest ivory market, but sales on the black market remain rampant.
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Bizarre Earthquake Lights Finally Explained
January 6, 2014
Rare lights seen near earthquakes had long been labeled UFOs, but now geologists hope they could help predict temblors.
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U.S. Icebreaker Polar Star: Explaining the Ship in Antarctic Rescue
January 6, 2014
One of the world's most powerful icebreakers, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter <em>Polar Star</em> has been called into the effort to free two icebound ships near Antarctica.
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Behind Record U.S. Cold Snap: Canadian Air and a Jet Stream Kink
January 6, 2014
Air that chilled in northern Canada has blown into the U.S.
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Electric Cars Hit Milestone With First Grand Prix Race Ahead
January 5, 2014
The world's first electric car Grand Prix racing series has drawn big motorsports names and at least one Hollywood star. Can speed and glitz help propel EVs into the mainstream?
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Shocking News: Lightning Can Shape a Mountain!
January 5, 2014
Two South African scientists have discovered that lightning can shape a mountain.
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Who Decides to Shut Down a City for a Snowstorm?
January 3, 2014
Why do some cities close schools, airports, and offices, while others that may have more snow do not?
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Antarctic Ship Drama: What Is an Icebreaker, Really?
January 3, 2014
In the wake of the Antarctic-ship drama, a former U.S. polar ship officer weighs in on what exactly an icebreaker is.
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Editor's Picks: Our Favorite Pictures of the U.S. Snowstorm
January 3, 2014
Our photo editors picked their favorite shots of the snowstorm that barreled through the U.S. Northeast this week.
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Japan's Newest Island Is Now Eight Times Bigger
January 3, 2014
Volcanic island merged with neighbor Nishino Shima and resembles cartoon character Snoopy.
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What's the Difference Between a Snowstorm and a Blizzard?
January 3, 2014
What makes a blizzard worse than an ordinary snowstorm?
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Surprising "Lake" Bigger Than West Virginia Found Inside Greenland Ice
January 2, 2014
Scientists say the unlikely liquid water trapped inside Greenland's ice sheets may hold clues to the effects of global warming.
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Best Pictures From Dramatic Antarctic Ship Rescue
January 2, 2014
A photographer aboard the Russian vessel stranded in Antarctica captured the dramatic evacuation by helicopter.
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Antarctic Ship Rescue: 5 Lessons From the Trapped-Vessel Drama
January 2, 2014
Now that 52 passengers have been rescued from the stranded ship, experts weigh in on what we should learn from the polar drama.
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7 Ice-Trapped Ships of the Past Give Solace to Rescued Antarctica Expedition Team
January 2, 2014
Polar nautical excursions possess a long, unfortunate, and disastrous history of run-ins with sea ice.
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Climate: Cloud Mixing Means Extra Global Warming
December 31, 2013
Cloud mixing sets the globe on a path for warmer temperatures, say atmospheric scientists.
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Electrifying Photos of the Early Age of Antarctic Exploration Found
December 31, 2013
Photographic negatives found in a base camp hut in Antarctica reveal 22 never-before-seen images from the early age of exploration.
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North Dakota Oil Train Fire Spotlights Risks of Transporting Crude
December 31, 2013
The fiery crash of an oil train in North Dakota points to the risks of transporting crude oil by rail.
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Best Pictures: Photographer Trapped Aboard Antarctic Ship
December 30, 2013
From penguins to icebergs to now a ship trapped in ice—Andrew Peacock is documenting daily life aboard the <em>Akademik Shokalskiy</em>.
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Ten Biggest Energy Stories of 2013
December 30, 2013
The U.S. fracked its way to the top, Asia's smog woes mounted, Arctic exploration heated up, and other not-to-be-missed trends appear in our roundup of the year's biggest energy stories.
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Opinion: Ship Stuck in Antarctica Raises Questions About Worth of Reenacting Expeditions
December 30, 2013
Walking in the footsteps of the famous won't settle historical debates, but it may help tell us something just as important, says one historian.
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Most Shared News Stories of 2013
December 27, 2013
From animals that regrow body parts to photos of the supermoon, these stories surprised and delighted our readers the most.
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Photographer Captures Astonishing Images of Southern Right Whales
December 27, 2013
Justin Hofman's stunning photographs of southern right whales showcase their beauty and gentleness—and their enormity.
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Who's on That Russian Ship Stuck on Antarctic Ice? And Why?
December 26, 2013
The ship of a group recreating explorer Douglas Mawson's trek through the Antarctic is stuck in ice off the coast of the frozen continent.
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Will Climate Change Swamp the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?
December 26, 2013
Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are in climate change's way.
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As Solar Power Grows, Dispute Flares Over U.S. Utility Bills
December 26, 2013
As more U.S. homes install solar power, who should pay for the legacy electric grid? In California and other states, utilities are challenging “net metering” policies.
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Deep-Sea Photos: Vampire Squid, Bubblegum Coral Found
December 23, 2013
A recent deep-sea expedition studied life around a sunken shipping container and an ocean ridge never before seen by humans.
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Japan's Newest Island Triples in Size
December 23, 2013
The new volcanic island Niijima should last at least several years, scientists say.
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Solar Micro-Grid Aims to Boost Power and Food in Haiti
December 23, 2013
In Haiti, a country where 75 percent of people lack electricity, a new project combines smart meters, solar panels, and a micro-grid to power a downtown and jump-start local agriculture. Could the model work elsewhere?
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Rain Forest Warriors: How Indigenous Tribes Protect the Amazon
December 22, 2013
How did a huge island of green in the Amazon become a fortress against ranchers, loggers, and miners? Answer: indigenous tribes.
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Dolphin lllnesses Linked to Gulf Oil Spill
December 20, 2013
Dolphins living in waters affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill are showing elevated levels of lung disease and other health effects.
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Global Temperature for November Was Hottest on Record
December 20, 2013
Although parts of the world experienced cooler than normal temperatures, on average, the world experienced its hottest November yet.
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Stunning Pictures: Ten of the Rarest Animals on Earth
December 20, 2013
Photographer Joel Sartore is documenting the world's most endangered species, from the mountain pygmy possum to the Philippine crocodile.
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Schoolchildren and Musicians Boycott SeaWorld in "Blackfish" Flap
December 20, 2013
A field trip is called off and acts cancel gigs in growing controversy.
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U.S. Giant Salamanders Slipping Away: Inside the Fight to Save the Hellbender
December 19, 2013
Scientists are working to save a two-foot-long salamander called the hellbender, which is declining throughout the eastern U.S.
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4 Ways Helping People Is Saving Rare Wildlife
December 19, 2013
Want to save the snow leopard? Support local people, say conservationists who are embracing a new people-centric model for bringing back endangered wildlife.
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Tiny, Rabbit-Like Animals Eating "Paper" to Survive Global Warming
December 19, 2013
A new study probed the surprising diet of Oregon's threatened alpine pikas, which are eating mosses and conserving energy.
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Huge Magma Pocket Lurks Beneath Yellowstone Supervolcano
December 18, 2013
Scientists think it's a matter of when, not if, the Yellowstone supervolcano will erupt again.
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Reddit Science's Ban on Climate Change Denial Posts Rears Its Head Again
December 18, 2013
Reddit Science banned posts denying climate change about a year ago—here's why the discussion has heated up again.
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Photos: Art of Collection
December 18, 2013
Boston-based photographer Rosamond Purcell has made a career of diving into natural-history collections and surfacing with unforgettable images.
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World's Biggest Elephant Shrew Tracked in Tanzania
December 18, 2013
Only found in 2005, Tanzania's gray-faced sengi is good at hiding—but may not elude growing threats such as poaching and habitat loss, experts say.
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Scientist Models Deadly Volcano Eruptions With Harmless Baby Powder
December 18, 2013
The Smithsonian’s Benjamin Andrews also uses lasers in his lab’s “tank” to study the behavior of pyroclastic flows.
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Behind the Scenes at a Refuge for Earth's Rare Species
December 17, 2013
Micronesian kingfishers, scimitar-horned oryx, and brown kiwis are among the rare creatures at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia.
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U.S. Teenagers Are Driving Much Less: 4 Theories About Why
December 17, 2013
Fewer U.S. teens are driving, a factor now being incorporated into U.S. energy forecasts. But researchers don’t know if it’s a transitory economic trend, or a cultural shift.
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Why Are Corpse-Eating Beetles Being Put Back Into the Wild?
December 16, 2013
No one knows why American burying beetles are disappearing, but scientists are trying to save the unique bugs.
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20,000 Species Are Near Extinction: Is it Time to Rethink How We Decide What to Save?
December 15, 2013
Prioritizing which animals and plants to help is driven mostly by whether we like them or not. Some experts say that may not be the best approach.
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Opinion: Discover Earth's Species—Before It's Too Late
December 15, 2013
Ignorant of more than 80 percent of Earth's plants and animals, we are flying blind into an unprecedented storm of extinction, a conservationist argues.
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Unraveling the Mysterious Impacts of Lightning on the Human Body
December 15, 2013
Scientists in South Africa, in the "lightning capital of the world," study lethal strikes to improve safety.
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Washing Hands in Hot Water Wastes Energy, Study Says
December 13, 2013
The United States wastes energy equal to the fuel demand of Barbados on a practice with no proven health benefit: washing hands in hot water rather than cool, a study says.
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Earth’s ozone on bumpy road to recovery
December 13, 2013
The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk and swelled in recent years, but it’s not expected to vanish entirely until 2070.
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Video: First Volcanic Lightning Created in Lab
December 13, 2013
<p dir="ltr"><span>A </span><span>lab-made volcano reveals electrical secrets of volcanic eruptions</span></p>
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There Are 3 South Poles, So Which One Did Prince Harry Reach?
December 13, 2013
It turns out there are three of them, and they're not all in the same place—one even wanders.
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Was Your Ancestor a Ball of Jelly? Evolution Study Surprises Experts
December 12, 2013
The ancestor of all animals could have been a ball of jelly—also known as a comb jelly—according to new research.
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Predator Insurance: When Livestock Becomes Prey, Conservationists Pay
December 11, 2013
Compensation programs for endangered animals are catching speed.
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Climate Change Affects Ultrasonic Bat Signals For Better and Worse
December 10, 2013
A shifting climate will affect how bats around the world detect their prey using sound.
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New Record for Coldest Place on Earth, in Antarctica
December 10, 2013
The new lowest temperature on Earth breaks a record set 30 years ago in Antarctica.
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Three Ways U.S.-China Conflict Is Helping on Climate Change
December 10, 2013
Tension between China and the United States often has given way to progress on climate change. The world’s top two carbon polluters will discuss cooperation as top U.S. environmental official travels to Beijing this week.
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Scientist Solves Mystery of Green Lightning, Says It's Surprisingly Common
December 10, 2013
Green lightning may strike in most thunderstorms, but the phenomenon is visible only during volcanic eruptions, suggests one scientist.
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As Ice Storm Pummels U.S., Proposed Storm-Rating Index May Help People Prepare
December 6, 2013
As a major ice storm continues to lock the U.S. in a deep freeze, some areas may benefit from a system that can better predict storm severity.
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How Scientists Rescue Stranded Whales Like Those in the Everglades
December 5, 2013
Biologists use a range of techniques to help marine mammals in trouble, such as the pilot whales stuck in the Everglades.
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The 2011 Japan Tsunami Was Caused By Largest Fault Slip Ever Recorded
December 5, 2013
The largest fault slip ever seen—which touched off the Japanese tsunami—came courtesy of slippery clay that "greased the wheels," say experts.
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What Created the Rare, Breathtaking Fog Over the Grand Canyon?
December 3, 2013
A rare weather phenomenon called a temperature inversion transformed the Grand Canyon into a foggy fantasy land recently.
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Abrupt Climate Disaster Threat Raises Call for Early Warning System
December 3, 2013
Approaching climate change "tipping points" mean an early warning system for global warming-triggered disasters is needed, suggest experts.
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Mysterious Deaths Threaten a Population of Southern Right Whales
November 30, 2013
Researchers struggle to understand why hundreds of southern right whale calves have died over a nine-year period off the Argentine coast.
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Arctic Shipping Soars, Led by Russia and Lured by Energy
November 29, 2013
A season of shipping milestones is ending in the Arctic. Climate change has ushered in a new era of far north transit, focused on extraction of energy stores.
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Pictures: Locals Drill for Oil by Hand in Myanmar
November 27, 2013
Across Myanmar, independent laborers prospect for oil using grueling manual techniques. But as large energy companies eye the newly opened country, the days of drilling for small operators may be numbered.
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5 Winners and Losers on New “Red List” of World’s Rarest Species
November 25, 2013
The latest IUCN Red List has winners and losers in conservation, from sea turtles to forest giraffes.
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Photojournalist Captures Resiliency in the Philippines After Typhoon Haiyan
November 23, 2013
A major theme of David Guttenfelder's photographs is the resiliency and general good cheer of the Filipino people in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.
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Annual Polar Bear Migration Under Way: How It Works and How Climate Change is Altering It
November 22, 2013
Annual migration happening in the "polar bear capital of the world."
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Dramatic Video Shows Volcano Making New Island Off Japan
November 21, 2013
Ring of Fire tectonic activity responsible for this week's eruption about 600 miles south of Tokyo.
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Animal-Rights Activists Take Air Out of Macy's Thanksgiving Parade
November 21, 2013
PETA protests SeaWorld's orca float, pointing to the documentary Blackfish, while ranchers protest vegetarian and animal-rights activist Joan Jett.
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"Mind-Blowing" Discovery: Oldest Body of Seawater Found in Giant Crater
November 20, 2013
Scientists exploring the United States' biggest crater have tapped into the oldest body of seawater yet found.
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Winning Wood Stove Designs Announced
November 20, 2013
The Wood Stove Decathlon anointed winners this week in a competition aimed at sparking new ideas for an age-old heating method.
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Lion Hunt Photo Touches Off Heated Conservation Debate
November 19, 2013
Big game hunter Melissa Bachman sparks controversy with a photo she posted to Twitter of a lion she shot legally in South Africa.
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How Improved Tornado Forecasting Saved Lives in the Midwest
November 19, 2013
A meteorologist explains how tornado science is evolving earlier warnings.
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Poland Hosts Climate Talks, While Boosting Coal Industry
November 19, 2013
Poland is playing simultaneous host to international climate talks and a coal industry summit. The move underscores the fossil fuel challenge for climate negotiators.
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Active Volcano Found Under Antarctic Ice: Eruption Could Raise Sea Levels
November 18, 2013
The first active volcano found on the frozen continent could accelerate ice loss and raise global sea levels by a small amount, a new study says.
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Do Scores of Tornadoes Slamming Midwest Redefine “Tornado Alley?”
November 18, 2013
Death and disaster strike a handful of Midwest states over weekend, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Ohio—states not part of the traditional “Tornado Alley.”
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Oldest Clam Consternation Overblown
November 16, 2013
The demise of Ming, the world's oldest clam, has generated some consternation about marine researchers that looks a bit overblown.
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Viral Video: Why Are "Roll Clouds" So Rare?
November 15, 2013
From their backyard, a Texas couple caught a rare "roll cloud" on video.
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This Week’s Most Intriguing Discoveries
November 15, 2013
We figure out the origins of cats and dogs and look to the moon for our future dream home in this week's five most interesting discoveries.
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Q&A With Philippines Climate Envoy Who's Fasting After Super Typhoon Haiyan
November 15, 2013
Naderev “Yeb” Saño, lead climate negotiator for the Philippines, explains how the devastation wrought in his country by Super Typhoon Haiyan prompted him to embark on a fast for the duration of the two-week talks.
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Maps From Space Show World's Disappearing Forests
November 14, 2013
Satellite data show that from 2001 to 2012, the world lost forest cover, with increasing rates of decline seen in the tropics.
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Did Ancient Climate Change Spur Penguin Evolution?
November 12, 2013
An ancient cooling spell in Antarctica may have helped spur penguins to diversify into the 18 species living today.
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IEA World Outlook: Six Key Trends Shaping the Energy Future
November 12, 2013
New technologies and discoveries are redrawing the global energy map, says the International Energy Agency. But the world is slow to curb its fossil fuel dependence.
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Opinion: U.S. Ivory Crush Should Be Just a First Step
November 12, 2013
On Thursday, the American government will crush much of the ivory it has seized since the 1980s. It's a symbolic first step.
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Shutting Down the Nation's Longest Running Public Aquarium
November 12, 2013
Before the National Aquarium in Washington, D.C, closes, it must move and rehouse thousands of animals.
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Five Reasons for Nature’s Deadly Toll in the Philippines
November 12, 2013
Warm ocean waters, low-lying coasts, and poverty help explain what makes disasters like Super Typhoon Haiyan dangerous in the Philippines.
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North Dakota's Salty Fracked Wells Drink More Water to Keep Oil Flowing
November 11, 2013
North Dakota's shale oil wells may consume more water for long-term salt removal and maintenance than they required for their initial fracking, state officials say.
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Montreal Protocol Helped Slow Down Global Warming
November 10, 2013
An international treaty designed to heal Earth's ozone layer had an unintended consequence: It slowed down global warming.
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Scanning Social Media to Improve Typhoon Haiyan Relief Efforts
November 8, 2013
"Crisis mapper" Patrick Meier launched a new crowdsourcing tool that analyzes tweets, photos, and other online information called MicroMappers.
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Nature Glows With Neon Animals and Plants
November 8, 2013
Halloween might be over, but don't put away your glow sticks just yet—nature's having a glow-in-the-dark party.
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A Chinese Child’s Lung Cancer Is Linked to Pollution
November 8, 2013
An eight-year-old Chinese girl was diagnosed with lung cancer that has been attributed to pollution. It’s one more tragic case in the building evidence of how air quality can affect health.
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Supertyphoon Haiyan: Why Monster Storm Is So Unusual
November 8, 2013
The massive typhoon striking the Philippines is both big and late in the season.
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Super Typhoon Haiyan Headed Toward Philippines
November 7, 2013
The super typhoon is expected to make landfall in the central Philippines on Friday.
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What's a Typhoon, Anyway?
November 7, 2013
Whatever you choose to call them, these monster storms are powerful natural events with the capacity to wreak incredible havoc.
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Bloody Skies: The Fight to Reduce Deadly Bird-Plane Collisions
November 7, 2013
Why doesn't the FAA adopt avian radar tracking to help pilots avoid colliding with birds?
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Trees Trap Ants Into Sweet Servitude
November 6, 2013
Acacia nectar makes ants chemically dependent on the sugar of the same trees that they guard.
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Results Mixed on Colorado and Ohio Fracking Ban Initiatives
November 6, 2013
Communities displayed divisions in Election Day votes on fracking, with the Denver suburb of Broomfield heading for a possible recount of a narrow anti-moratorium vote.
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Mount Sinabung Volcano Erupts, Spews Ash 4 Miles High
November 4, 2013
Mountain rumbles to life for third time in recent months.
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Earthquake Study Points to Possible Carbon Injection Risks
November 4, 2013
The oil industry triggered a series of small earthquakes in Texas by injecting carbon dioxide underground to boost well production, a new study says.
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Death by Lightning a Danger in Developing Countries
November 2, 2013
Scientists and educators are confronting superstitions and poor infrastructure.
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Sailboats Ship Freight to Manhattan for First Time in 60 Years
November 1, 2013
In an effort to lessen their environmental impact, the Vermont Sail Freight Project and other pioneers are returning to shipping freight via sailboat.
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Ocean Warming Faster Now Than in 10,000 Years
October 31, 2013
Pacific Ocean waters warmed 15 times faster in the last six decades than they did over the last ten millennia.
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New “Flexible” Power Plants Sway to Keep Up with Renewables
October 31, 2013
As the use of renewable power on the electric grid ramps up, utilities are turning to technology that makes it easier for natural gas to smooth out the bumps in supply.
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Did a Mega-Flood Doom Ancient American City of Cahokia?
October 31, 2013
Researchers have found evidence of a massive flood around 1200 C.E. that may help explain the demise of Cahokia, then the largest city in North America.
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Best Microscopic Photos of 2013 Announced by Nikon
October 30, 2013
Nikon's photo contest winners capture a fascinating world invisible to the naked eye.
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One Year After Sandy, Fires Plague Boardwalks and Homes That Flooded
October 29, 2013
Wiring corroded by saltwater from Superstorm Sandy remains a fire hazard, experts say, because of damage to insulation.
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New Species of Dolphin Found in Australia
October 29, 2013
Hiding in plain sight, researchers find a new species of humpback dolphin living off the coast of Australia.
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Amid Superstorm Sandy's Havoc, A Win for Wildlife
October 29, 2013
A year after Hurricane Sandy smashed into the U.S. East Coast, some of the beaches and ocean areas are better for birds and marine life.
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Post-Hurricane Sandy, Need for Backup Power Hits Home
October 28, 2013
Backup power generator sales have surged in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and other big storms. Go-it-alone solutions are moving faster than needed electric grid upgrades.
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Heat Wave Prediction Pattern Identified
October 27, 2013
A weather pattern finding could lead to earlier and more accurate U.S. heat wave forecasts.
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Will U.S. Hurricane Forecasting Models Catch Up to Europe’s?
October 27, 2013
A year after Hurricane Sandy, Europe's forecasting technology is still tops. Inside the American attempt to catch up.
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Can International Mercury Treaty Cut Poison Risk?
October 26, 2013
Almost a hundred nations have agreed that mercury is a major problem for people and the environment. Can the new Minimata Treaty really end its use within 30 years?
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Year After Sandy, Rebuilding for Storms and Rising Seas
October 26, 2013
Updates in national coastal development and adaptation policy set tone for addressing sea level rise along the East Coast.
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Spectacular New Species Found in Remote "Lost World"
October 25, 2013
A spindly leaf-tailed gecko, a blotched frog, and a golden skink are new species discovered in a remote rain forest.
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"Lost World" Pictures: New Leaf-Tailed Gecko, More
October 25, 2013
Scientists have explored a remote rain forest that has been cut off for millennia and that's home to at least three new species that live nowhere else.
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Drought Led to Collapse of Civilizations, Study Says
October 24, 2013
A new study shows that drought spurred the collapse of Bronze Age civilizations on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
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Why a Killer Tornado Got Only a "3" Rating
October 24, 2013
Tornadoes are rated on a scale from one to five. The storm that struck El Reno, Oklahoma, in May and killed three storm chasers was only a three. Why?
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Grasshopper Mice Immune to Bark Scorpion Stings
October 24, 2013
Grasshopper mice feel no pain when stung by venomous bark scorpions, says a new study.
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7 Surprising Facts About the Giant River Otter
October 23, 2013
Reddit users are going crazy about giant river otters—here are seven facts you otter know about this South American critter.
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Russia Floats Plan for Nuclear Power Plants at Sea
October 23, 2013
Arctic oil and gas exploration provides the impetus for seaborne generating stations.
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Harbin Smog Crisis Highlights China’s Coal Problem
October 22, 2013
A thick layer of smog has enveloped one of China's major cities, nearly bringing it to a halt. Harbin's crisis is just the latest to spotlight the country's dependence on coal.
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Behind the Cover: Honoring Late Storm Chaser Tim Samaras
October 22, 2013
Earlier this year a tornado killed legendary storm chaser Tim Samaras. National Geographic's November cover image and story pay tribute to his remarkable life and work.
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Gold Grows On Eucalyptus Trees
October 22, 2013
Eucalyptus leaves might serve as the gold miner's best friend, with gold drawn from the depths, researchers report, draping the humble gum trees.
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5 Surprising Facts About the Oarfish That Has Been Washing Up on Beaches
October 22, 2013
Two of the deep-sea creatures have been found in less than a week in California, prompting much interest from scientists and the public.
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Why Did South Dakota Snowstorm Kill So Many Cattle?
October 22, 2013
A freak blizzard in early October killed thousands of cattle. Why was the toll so great?
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First-Ever Submarine Dive on Vancouver's "Living Fossils": Glass Sponge Reefs
October 18, 2013
Researchers take a submersible to explore a reef made of animals once thought to exist only as fossils.
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No Freeze on Winter Energy Prices, Despite Natural Gas Boom
October 18, 2013
Winter energy prices in Europe and the United States are rising. Natural gas, the favored heating fuel, is abundant but hard to move.
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Reporting the Tragic End of Storm Chaser Tim Samaras
October 17, 2013
Veteran journalist Robert Draper discusses his November cover story in <em>National Geographic</em> magazine, "The Monster Storm," with editor Victoria Pope.
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Red Sky at Night: The Science of Sunsets
October 16, 2013
An NOAA meteorologist says when it comes to sunsets, there's a lot more in the sky than meets the eye.
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The Science of Dry Ice Bombs, Like LAX’s
October 15, 2013
Two improvised explosives detonated at LAX this week rely on basic chemistry of expansion.
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Banning Lead Ammunition Could Give Condors a Chance
October 14, 2013
California bans lead ammunition for hunting in an effort to reduce wildlife exposure to the toxic heavy metal.
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Typhoon, Hurricane, Cyclone: What's the Difference?
October 13, 2013
Whatever you choose to call them, these monster storms are powerful natural events with the capacity to wreak incredible havoc.
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Pictures: Sakurajima Volcano Shoots Lava Skyward
October 10, 2013
Ongoing eruptions could escalate, threatening the Japanese city of Kagoshima.
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Name This Fish Contest: Winner Revealed
October 10, 2013
An Oregon girl's first foray into competition nets her a ten-day trip to the Galápagos.
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New Study Predicts Year Your City's Climate Will Change
October 9, 2013
Using a new metric they call "climate departure," researchers have analyzed when climate change will result in "environments like we have never seen before."
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Space View of Natural Gas Flaring Darkened by Budget Woes
October 9, 2013
New satellite technology offers a clearer view of the growing natural gas flaring problem. But the U.S. budget mess has slowed the effort to measure this source of energy waste and pollution.
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Arctic's Hudson Bay Warming Rapidly, at Tipping Point
October 8, 2013
The aquatic ecosystems around Hudson Bay, a region long spared the warming seen elsewhere across the Arctic, have reached a "tipping point" driving rapid and widespread change.
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Cockroaches Have Neighborhoods, Too
October 7, 2013
A researcher shares what he's learned from studying New York's cockroaches—and what they have in common with humans.
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Science Roundup: Swarm Intelligence, Longline Fisheries, and Insect Mating
October 4, 2013
Take a bite out of science studies looking at insect quickies, how fisheries hook olive ridley turtles, and why conflict is good for decision-making.
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After Westgate Siege, New Respect for Kenya's Indians
October 4, 2013
Long viewed with suspicion, or worse, Nairobi's Indian community gains new respect after the Westgate mall shootings.
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Is FEMA Ready for Tropical Storm Karen?
October 4, 2013
A huge Gulf storm is expected to become a hurricane and make landfall Friday or Saturday.
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Can Long-Distance Migrating Shorebird Survive?
October 3, 2013
Rufa red knots are some of the longest-migrating birds in the world, but their population has plummeted, partly due to overharvesting of horseshoe crabs.
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Everything You Need to Know About the National Park Closures
October 3, 2013
A total of 401 national parks are closed to the public until the federal government gets back to business.
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Ten Thousand Walruses Gather on Island As Sea Ice Shrinks
October 2, 2013
An estimated ten thousand Pacific walruses have huddled together on an island in the Chukchi Sea, an unusual phenomenon that's due to a lack of sea ice, experts say.
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National Parks: Shutting Down America's Best Idea
October 2, 2013
<p dir="ltr"><span>Our parks are a measure of who we are as a people, and now all 401 of them are closing as part of the government shutdown. </span></p>
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Mexico’s Bid for Energy Reform Stirs Passion on Oil Patrimony
October 2, 2013
Mexico’s president seeks to stem falling oil production by luring foreign money and technology. But the privatization drive faces nationalistic opposition.
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Demand for Bananas Puts Costa Rica's Caimans at Risk
September 30, 2013
Demand for Bananas Puts Costa Rica's Caimans at Risk
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Deadly 13th-Century Volcano Eruption: Mystery Solved?
September 30, 2013
Using ice cores, geochemistry, tree rings, and ancient texts, scientists have discovered which volcano erupted in the 13th century with worldwide effects.
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Pristine "Islands in the Sky" Are Window on Evolution
September 28, 2013
South America's tepuis, or tabletop mesas, reveal secrets of evolution, biodiversity, and more to scientists studying their toads, plants, and other species.
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How Do Earthquake Early Warning Systems Work?
September 27, 2013
An expert explains what such a system would look like, and how much good a few seconds of warning would do.
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Friday’s Big Global Warming Report: 5 Takeaways
September 27, 2013
Unpacking the long-awaited Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report out Friday, which expressed increased confidence of human link to global warming.
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MacArthur Genius: "Plants Have Souls"
September 26, 2013
Ancient plants are way cooler than old bones, says the award-winning paleobotanist.
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Marine Animals Keep Time With Multiple Clocks
September 26, 2013
Daily or circadian clocks aren't the only timers controlling the biological rhythms in some animals, new studies say.
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UN Climate Report Relevance Debated Amid Rollout
September 26, 2013
Can a long-awaited international global warming report keep up with a fast-changing climate?
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Climate Change Action Could Save 500,000 Lives Annually, Study Says
September 26, 2013
Global action to curb climate change could save 500,000 lives annually, far outweighing the projected cost of reducing fossil fuel emissions, a new study says.
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Why Scientists Were Wrong About This Year's Hurricane Season
September 26, 2013
Meteorologists say surprisingly mild year was due to dry desert air.
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New Heartbeat Detector May Save Lives After Disasters
September 25, 2013
A new device will help search and rescue teams scan wreckage for survivors following disasters such as earthquakes, scientists say.
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How Did the Pakistan Earthquake Create a Mud Island?
September 25, 2013
A mud volcano is thought to be behind a new landmass that recently rose off the coast of Gwadar, Pakistan.
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Does "Global Warming Pause" Debate Miss Big Picture?
September 25, 2013
As the IPCC prepares to release its next report on climate change, scientists and skeptics debate the impact of a recent pause in global warming.
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Global Warming to Spawn More Severe U.S. Thunderstorms: Study
September 24, 2013
Climate change could help create atmospheric conditions ripe for storms.
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Kenya's Giant Aquifer Highlights Groundwater's Critical Role
September 23, 2013
Kenya's recently discovered aquifer could help the impoverished, drought-ridden country develop. But are aquifers a sustainable source for water?
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Typhoon, Hurricane, Cyclone: What's the Difference?
September 23, 2013
Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are all the same weather phenomenon.
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For World's Oddest-Looking Antelope, Signs of a Comeback
September 20, 2013
An alliance of conservation organizations and Kazakhstan's government work to save the critically endangered saiga antelope.
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Pictures: Mexico Hurricanes Pack a Rare Double Whammy
September 19, 2013
Rare back-to-back hurricanes, Ingrid and Manuel, have caused widespread flooding and landslides, killing over a dozen people.
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Seagrass Below Sunken Cruise Ship Worries Biologists
September 19, 2013
While the <em>Costa Concordia</em> may soon leave the Mediterranean, damage may linger.
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Colorado Flooding Imperils Oil and Gas Sites, Causes Spill
September 19, 2013
Nearly 1,900 oil and gas wells have been shut down in the wake of Colorado's floods, and officials are still trying to determine the extent of the damage.
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Climate Change Spells Trouble for Anglers
September 18, 2013
New science reveals threats to prize fishing streams in warming world.
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Boston Tops Ranking of Energy-Efficient U.S. Cities
September 17, 2013
A new ranking highlights Boston's achievements in conserving energy as the Senate debates a bipartisan energy efficiency bill.
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Hawaii Molasses Spill: Better or Worse Than Oil?
September 17, 2013
It takes time and a little organic chemistry to scrub molasses from seawater.
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Pictures: Typhoon Lashes Japan
September 16, 2013
A powerful typhoon struck central Japan, bringing strong winds and heavy rains to prefectures in the Kyoto region.
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Rain Forest Plants Race to Outrun Global Warming
September 15, 2013
Tropical plants are migrating to higher ground in response to climate change, but can they move fast enough?
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Should Marathon Swimmers Suit Up Against Jellies?
September 13, 2013
As sea jellies proliferate, open-water marathon swimmers debate whether to suit up—as Diana Nyad did—or face the sting.
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Contrary to Reports, Mount McKinley Not Shrinking
September 13, 2013
Mount McKinley's summit shrinking? Not so much, say federal officials, pointing to confusion over modern mapping of North America's tallest peak.
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Huge Molasses Spill Off Hawaii: A Diver's Report
September 13, 2013
A shocking video shows the deadly effects of the molasses spill off Honolulu Harbor's Sand Island, horrifying people around the world.
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As Arctic Melts, a Race to Test Oil Spill Cleanup Technology
September 13, 2013
As ice melt opens the Arctic to exploration and shipping, researchers are testing drones, sensors, skimmers, and dispersants for tackling oil spills in icy waters.
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Watch: Scientific Breakthrough for Rare Przewalski's Horse
September 12, 2013
The first-ever Przewalski's horse born via artificial insemination may be a breakthrough for the endangered species.
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How Syria's Chemical Weapons Could Be Disposed Of
September 12, 2013
If the Assad regime agrees to hand over weapons, much will need to be done to safely remediate and dispose of the weapons.
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Panda Poop Might Help Turn Plants Into Fuel
September 10, 2013
Panda gut microbes, which break down bamboo, could help turn plant waste into economically viable biofuel, according to the results of a new study.
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Hot Science: How Investigators Determine the Causes of Fires
September 7, 2013
Forensic fire experts rely on a number of tools and observations to determine the causes of a blaze.
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Inside the Battle Over a Strip-Mine Cemetery
September 6, 2013
A mine, a family cemetery, and a struggle over heritage and jobs.
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Scientists Weigh Climate Change Role in 2012 Weather
September 5, 2013
Scientists have studied global warming's role in a dozen extreme weather events, from Superstorm Sandy to melting arctic ice.
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New Giant Volcano Below Sea Is Largest in the World
September 5, 2013
Tamu Massif in the northwest Pacific challenges traditional views of ocean science.
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Study Challenges Theory Modern Nations are Less Warlike
September 5, 2013
As the debate over whether to strike Syria unfolds in the U.S. Congress, a new paper says that modern states are as likely as ever to wage war.
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For Natural Gas-Fueled Cars, Long Road Looms Ahead
September 4, 2013
Natural gas might mean savings at the fuel pump for U.S. motorists, but vehicle options and filling infrastructure lag. Also, the environmental benefits are unclear as the science evolves.
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Can Dung Beetles Battle Global Warming?
September 4, 2013
The poo-loving dung beetle might just be a weapon in the battle against global warming, a new study says.
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The Greatest Swims
September 3, 2013
In the wake of Diana Nyad’s Cuba to Florida swim, here are five great swims from earlier times.
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Scientists: Climate Change May Offer Hurricane Help
September 2, 2013
A group of scientists say that warmer air may help push hurricanes into the Atlantic Ocean and make storms like Sandy less common.
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Opinion: African Lions Should Not Be Listed as Endangered
September 2, 2013
Recent petitions to list the African lion as an endangered species, and therefore regulate trade in its parts, are not founded, says a group of big-game hunters.
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Old Man and the River: Senator's Fight for Montana Waterway
September 1, 2013
Montana Senator Max Baucus and the fight to protect a wild gem: the North Fork of the Flathead.
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How Does a Gas Mask Protect Against Chemical Warfare?
August 30, 2013
How Does a Gas Mask Protect Against Chemical Warfare?
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Wise Old Whooping Cranes Teach Young How to Migrate
August 30, 2013
Older whooping cranes keep their young colleagues from getting lost, says a study that sheds light on the role of learning versus genetics in bird migration.
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Rim Fire: Prisoners Helping to Battle Massive Blaze
August 30, 2013
Rim Fire: Prisoners Helping to Battle Massive Blaze
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Opinion: We Sued the Oil Industry So New Orleans Can Survive
August 29, 2013
Louisiana's coast has lost nearly 2,000 square miles of land, partly because of oil and gas development. Unless industry pays to fix the problem, New Orleans is vulnerable to another Katrina.
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How Do Whales Avoid Sunburn? Hint: Some Tan
August 29, 2013
Blue, fin, and sperm whales have different strategies to avoid sun damage.
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As Coal Plants Shut Down, United Kingdom Faces a Power Crunch
August 29, 2013
The U.K. is shuttering its coal plants to meet emissions standards, but an absence of short-term replacement power could lead to a disconnect.
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Giant Canyon Discovered Under Greenland Ice Sheet
August 29, 2013
The Greenland Ice Sheet sits atop a canyon nearly twice as long as the Grand Canyon.
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Fukushima Leak's 'Level 3' Rating: What It Means
August 29, 2013
A leak of radioactive water at the Fukushima nuclear plant has been officially classified as a ‘serious incident.’
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Why Big, Intense Wildfires Are the New Normal
August 28, 2013
Why Big, Intense Wildfires Are the New Normal
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The Military Roots of Fighting Modern Wildfires
August 28, 2013
Firefighters in Yosemite and beyond are relying on World War II technology.
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England Begins Controversial Badger Cull
August 28, 2013
England is about to cull 5,000 badgers, claiming that the mammals spread bovine TB.
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What's Killing Bottlenose Dolphins? Experts Discover Cause
August 27, 2013
A virus in the same family as the human disease measles is likely responsible for hundreds of dolphin deaths along the U.S. East Coast.
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Noodle-Armed Deep-sea Squid Mystery Solved
August 27, 2013
New video solves the mystery of how deep-sea squid use their wimpy limbs to lure in dinner.
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Pictures: Battling the Yosemite Rim Fire
August 27, 2013
Firefighters battle the massive Rim Fire, one of the largest wildfires in recent California history, which menaces Yosemite National Park.
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Is Breeding Pandas in Captivity Worth It?
August 27, 2013
Experts disagree on how to save the beloved endangered species.
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How Sequoias Survive Wildfires
August 26, 2013
How Sequoias Survive Wildfires
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Six Stealthy Energy Hogs: Are They Lurking in Your Home?
August 26, 2013
These six surprising energy hogs eat up more than their fair share of household power—and many homeowners don't realize their costs.
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With Rim Fire Near, A Look Yosemite’s History with Fire
August 26, 2013
With Rim Fire Near, A Look Yosemite’s History with Fire
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How (And Why) to Build a Dune
August 25, 2013
In one Jersey Shore community, the sand stood up to Sandy.
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Battles Escalate Over Community Efforts to Ban Fracking
August 23, 2013
Many towns are at the forefront of controversy over fracking, touching off court battles with bans and moratoriums that sometimes conflict with state policy.
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National Zoo Panda Birth Spotlights Survival Challenges
August 23, 2013
The National Zoo’s female panda, Mei Xiang, gave birth on Friday.
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Fossil Insects Tweak Date of Deadly “Atlantis” Eruption
August 22, 2013
Pest insects preserved in an ancient seed jar suggest the Santorini volcanic eruption happened sometime between May to early June.
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Latest Radioactive Leak at Fukushima: How Is It Different?
August 21, 2013
The latest leakage at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant comes from a different, more contaminated water source and raises new questions about TEPCO's ability to manage the crisis.
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Supercapacitors Amp Up as an Alternative to Batteries
August 21, 2013
Recent breakthroughs have made supercapacitors a more viable and potentially safer charging option, but batteries still have advantages in cost and size.
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U.S. Dolphin Deaths Rise to 300; Cause Still a Mystery
August 21, 2013
U.S. Dolphin Deaths Rise to 300; Cause Still a Mystery
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Secrets of Whale Shark Migration Revealed
August 21, 2013
Secrets of Whale Shark Migration Revealed
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Birds Pay Attention to Speed Limits Too
August 21, 2013
Birds Pay Attention to Speed Limits Too
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Leaked Report Spotlights Big Climate Change Assessment
August 20, 2013
The United Nations IPCC's forthcoming fifth report on global warming warns of serious consequences. Why the report has become such a big deal.
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Obamas' New Pet: 5 Facts About the Portuguese Water Dog
August 20, 2013
Obamas' New Pet: 5 Facts About the Portuguese Water Dog
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Pictures of Wildlife in Korea's Demilitarized Zone
August 20, 2013
A border that severed the country of Korea into North and South 60 years ago has become a haven to some of the most endangered animals in Asia.
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Hurricane Sandy Report Warns of Rising Sea, More Storms
August 19, 2013
The federal Hurricane Sandy Recovery Task Force warns that more intense storms are on the way.
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Ecuador Scraps Plan to Block Rain Forest Oil Drilling
August 19, 2013
The plan to collect payment for not drilling had been hailed as a revolutionary way to combat climate change, save rain forests.
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Maulings by Bears: What's Behind the Recent Attacks?
August 19, 2013
A bear expert analyzes why at least six people in five states have been mauled by black and brown bears recently.
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Can an Ice Wall Stop Radioactive Water Leaks from Fukushima?
August 19, 2013
Efforts to contain an ever-growing volume of contaminated water at the crippled nuclear plant have failed. Experts say a frozen barrier might be the solution.
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Crittercams and Crowdsourcing to Solve Mystery of Hawaiian Monk Seals?
August 19, 2013
Researchers employ Crittercams, and schoolkids, to get the truth behind what Hawaiian monk seals do all day.
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New Carnivore Revealed: Photos of the Olinguito and its Kin
August 16, 2013
The world's newest carnivore, the olinguito, shares the South American treetops with other fuzzy members of the raccoon family.
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Life in Antarctica Relies on Shrinking Supply of Krill
August 16, 2013
A journey to the Antarctic island of South Georgia reveals the surprisingly important lives of krill.
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Fossil Reveals Long-Lived Mammal Group's Secret
August 15, 2013
A new Jurassic fossil from China called Rugosodon eurasiaticus provides fresh evidence of early mammal evolution.
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Mitigating the Human-Wildlife Conflict
August 15, 2013
Conservation biologist Krithi K. Karanth shows Indian farmers how to cope with wildlife.
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What We Do—and Don't—Know About Brain-Eating Amoebas
August 14, 2013
CDC scientist says infection risk for water parasite <em>Naegleria fowleri</em> remains low, despite two recent cases of illness.
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Japan Solar Energy Soars, But Grid Needs to Catch Up
August 14, 2013
Japan’s solar energy market now leads the world, thanks to a new incentive policy, but an inadequate and disconnected grid stymies power flow across the island nation.
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New Species of Naked Bone-Eating Worms in Antarctica
August 13, 2013
Researchers find two new species of "naked" bone-eating worms in Antarctica.
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Musk's Hyperloop Plan Draws Praise, Skepticism
August 13, 2013
Elon Musk has unveiled plans for a potentially revolutionary "fifth mode" of transportation.
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What Seafood Menus Reveal About Hawaii's Changing Seas
August 13, 2013
Scientists recently used historic Hawaiian menus to study shifts in the population of the state's wild fish.
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Fears of 'Testicle-Eating' Fish Overblown
August 13, 2013
Scientists say their warning for swimmers to keep their swim trunks tied wasn't meant to be taken seriously.
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Why Sinkholes Open Up
August 12, 2013
National Geographic sits down with an expert to discuss why sinkholes open up and which areas are more at risk than others.
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The Rise of Eco-Friendly Pearl Farming
August 11, 2013
Kamoka Pearl, a family business in Polynesia, shows how pearl farming can benefit marine life, while scientists work to confirm their ideas.
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With Light Pollution, Perseids Meteors Less Spectacular
August 11, 2013
Light pollution in the U.S. and Europe means most people won't see the spectacular meteor shower in all of its glory.
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Best New Space Pictures: Cosmic Nursery, Lightning Strike
August 9, 2013
A cosmic nursery and and lightning seen from the International Space Station top our list of the best space pictures taken this week.
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Pictures: Sustainable Pearl Farming
August 9, 2013
Kamoka Pearl in Polynesia shows how pearl farming can benefit marine life.
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The Kids Are Alright: Goats That Double as Lawnmowers
August 8, 2013
Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., recently rented 58 goats to eat invasive plant species.
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Subway Shark One of Many Exotic NYC Animals
August 8, 2013
Subway shark joins the ranks of parakeets, bats, coyotes, and other weird critters that have visited the Big Apple.
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From Darth Vader to Jelly Doughnuts, Weird Species Names Abound
August 8, 2013
Researchers sometimes turn to celebrities and pop culture for naming inspiration for new species, from Darth Vader to Beyoncé, Barack Obama, and beyond.
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Stunning Shipwrecks From War of 1812 Invaded by Mussels
August 8, 2013
On the bicentennial of the sinking of the armed schooners <em>Hamilton</em> and <em>Scourge</em> in Lake Ontario during the War of 1812, invasive mussels are threatening the remarkably intact shipwrecks.
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6 Animal "Commuters": Subway Sharks, More
August 8, 2013
A dead shark was found Wednesday on the subway in New York City-see the other weird ways that animals get around.
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Why Are Dolphins Dying on East Coast? Experts Alarmed
August 8, 2013
Bottlenose dolphins are washing up dead in alarmingly high numbers along the U.S. East Coast this summer—and experts say.
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World's Loudest Animals—"Power Saw" Cricket, More
August 7, 2013
A bug with a "singing" penis, a cricket with a "power saw" chirp, and a snapping shrimp—which is the loudest?
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Opinion: A Welcome Halt to Aquarium Whale Imports?
August 7, 2013
NOAA's denial of Georgia Aquarium's application to import 18 belugas from Russia has far-reaching implications for the marine parks industry.
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Giant Fatberg Found Under London Has Surprising Use
August 7, 2013
Smelly grease that piles up in sewers can be useful for producing clean energy.
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Fukushima's Radioactive Water Leak: What You Should Know
August 7, 2013
The operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has failed in an effort to control radioactive water leaking into the sea. What does it mean for people and the environment in Japan, and across the Pacific Ocean?
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The Real Megalodon: Prehistoric Shark Behind Doc Uproar
August 7, 2013
A "dramatized" documentary about megalodon has inspired public fear and annoyance. Here are the facts about the prehistoric shark.
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African Rock Pythons: Explaining Snake That Killed Boys
August 6, 2013
An African rock python that strangled two children to death is one of the world's most vicious snakes, an expert says.
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Earth's Life-Forms Collected to Aid in Genetic Research
August 5, 2013
The Smithsonian's Global Genome Initiative will freeze embryos, seeds, and other genetic samples.
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Costa Rica Closes Zoos—Where Will the Animals Go?
August 5, 2013
Costa Rica's animal-rescue facilities are facing a crunch as much of the country's captive wildlife will soon be out of a home.
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First Przewalski's Horse Born Via Artificial Insemination
August 5, 2013
First Przewalski's Horse Born Via Artificial Insemination
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Opinion: Imagining a World Without Lions
August 5, 2013
A conservationist argues that it could happen in our lifetimes, with big environmental, economic, and cultural consequences.
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Opinion: SeaWorld vs. the Whale That Killed Its Trainer
August 3, 2013
Opinion: SeaWorld vs. the Whale That Killed Its Trainer
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Cashmere Fashions Squeezing Central Asia's Big Mammals
August 2, 2013
Cashmere Fashions Squeezing Central Asia's Big Mammals
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Inside the Curl: Surfing's Surprising History
August 2, 2013
Inside the Curl: Surfing's Surprising History
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Shipwreck Yields Most Silver Ever
August 2, 2013
A remotely operated vehicle has retrieved thousands of pounds of silver from a sunken World War II-era cargo ship.
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Jane Goodall on Why We Should Help the Serengeti
August 2, 2013
Famed scientist Jane Goodall argues that the African region is crucial both for wildlife diversity and a vibrant economy.
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Pictures: Afghanistan’s Looted and Lost Heritage
August 1, 2013
Some of Afghanistan's greatest cultural treasures are out of the hands of archaeologists-and on the black market.
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Who's Stealing Afghanistan's Cultural Treasures?
August 1, 2013
The looting of archaeological sites in Afghanistan continues, despite attempts to stem the illegal practice.
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Urban Ski Slope to Raise Profile of Europe's Waste-to-Energy Drive
August 1, 2013
The Amager Bakke incinerator project under construction in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the flashiest example of Europe's effort to deploy waste-to-energy technology to cut carbon emissions.
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Wars, Murders to Rise Due to Global Warming?
August 1, 2013
Global warming-related shifts in temperature and rainfall could make the world more violent, a comprehensive new study says.
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5 Unconventional Ways to Get People Hooked on Nature
August 1, 2013
From "Treetop Barbie" to rapping science, National Geographic grantee Nalini Nadkarni thinks outside the box to get people interested in the world around them.
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Opinion: Why Are We Still Hunting Lions?
July 31, 2013
A conservationist argues that it's impossible to save lions from extinction when Americans are killing them for sport.
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Vandalized Lincoln 'Can Stand Adversity'
July 31, 2013
Removing the green paint splashed on the memorial is a painstaking task for the National Park Service.
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What Can You Do to Help Stop the Songbird Slaughter?
July 31, 2013
Conservation organizations around the Mediterranean are working hard to stop the slaughter of songbirds.
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What We Do—and Don't—Know About Brain-Eating Amoebas
July 31, 2013
CDC scientist says infection risk for water parasite Naegleria fowleri remains low, despite Arkansas girl's illness.
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Help Name This Mystery Fish
July 31, 2013
Submit a name for this colorful fish, and you could win a trip to the Galápagos.
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Isolated Tigers Travel Surprising Lands to Find Mates
July 30, 2013
Smaller populations of the big cats stay connected via undeveloped strips of land, a new genetic study says.
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Daylighting Takes Off as Cities Expose Long-Buried Rivers
July 30, 2013
The latest trend in urban renewal involves opening up underground streams, many of which support new parks.
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Wolves Identified by Unique Howls, May Help Rare Species
July 30, 2013
The call of the wild is clearer than ever, thanks to a new method that allows scientists to track wolf howls with total accuracy.
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Will Earth's Ocean Boil Away?
July 29, 2013
Yes—a billion years from now, as the sun gets brighter. But could a runaway greenhouse effect make it happen sooner through climate change?
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Rat Invaders: Islands Fighting Back Against Killer Rodents
July 29, 2013
Rat-infested islands are launching massive campaigns to kill off the rodents, which have wreaked havoc on seabirds and other wildlife.
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Fusion Energy Quest Faces Boundaries of Budget, Science
July 26, 2013
The idea of firing fusion power with lasers has hit major scientific and funding roadblocks. What does it mean for the effort to bring the energy of the stars to Earth?
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Desert Storm: Battle Brews Over Obama Renewable Energy Plan
July 25, 2013
President Obama's renewable energy drive would expand large-scale solar and wind projects on public lands. The plan is colliding with concerns over desert ecosystems.
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Pictures of Deepest Wreck Currently Under Excavation in U.S. Waters
July 25, 2013
Researchers find a treasure trove of artifacts and personal effects from three 19th-century shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Cheap, Disposable Drones Are the New Storm Chasers
July 25, 2013
Drones made from inexpensive materials may offer an option for entering dangerous environments like volcanoes and wildfires.
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Mojave Mirrors: World's Largest Solar Energy Ready to Shine
July 25, 2013
Ivanpah, the world's largest solar thermal plant, is to begin generating power this summer. Challenges included relocating a population of endangered desert tortoises.
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5 Surprising Facts on Why Cities Are Safer Than Rural Areas
July 24, 2013
A new study analyzes injury risk of car accidents, shootings, and other injuries.
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Dune May Doom "Star Wars" Set
July 24, 2013
Scientists say a fast-moving sand dune will soon bury a set built for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in the Tunisian desert.
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Long-Held Myth About Cheetahs Busted
July 23, 2013
Some say the world's fastest land mammal abandons hunts due to overheating. Not so fast, a new study says.
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Devastating Pictures From Central China Earthquake
July 23, 2013
A strong and shallow earthquake struck China early Monday morning, leaving dozens dead and several villages in shambles.
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Pictures: Jakarta Faces Flooding, Rising Seas, and Failing Defenses
July 23, 2013
Indonesia's capital and largest city could easily flood, thanks to a combination of sinking ground, rising seas, loss of green space, and aging defenses.
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Florida's Radioactive Fountain of Youth May Prolong Life
July 23, 2013
Five hundred years after Ponce de Leon explored the area, locals swear by an artesian well with unusual properties, including radioactivity and beneficial magnesium.
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Ancient Global Warming Raised Sea Levels Nearly 70 Feet
July 23, 2013
Studying the ancient sea-level rise could help us understand the effects of modern global warming.
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Freshwater Creatures Less Affected by Dino-Killing Asteroid
July 23, 2013
The same biological adaptations that some creatures evolved to deal with living in freshwater also helped them survive the asteroid impact.
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Plants Blamed for Human Deaths in Heat Waves
July 22, 2013
A new study found that plants don't absorb as much pollution when stressed by heat and dry soil.
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Bombs Dropped Add to Long List of Great Barrier Reef Threats
July 22, 2013
American fighter jets were forced to dump unarmed bombs into the Great Barrier Reef when they ran out of fuel during a military exercise.
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Opinion: Bright Nights, Big Problems
July 20, 2013
With the rapid rise of light pollution, most Americans under 40 have never known real darkness.
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Picture Archive: Wildfire Fighters, 1925
July 19, 2013
How were wildfires fought a hundred years ago?
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Invisibility Suit Aims to Protect Humans From Sharks
July 19, 2013
Invisibility Suit Aims to Protect Humans From Sharks
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Surprises on List of Cities With Comfortable Summers
July 19, 2013
A list of U.S. cities with comfortable summer weather includes some surprises.
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“Stubborn” Corpse Flower Still Hasn’t Bloomed
July 18, 2013
The U.S. Botanic Garden's famous corpse flower still hasn't bloomed, and visitors are getting anxious.
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Biggest Virus Yet Found, May Be Fourth Domain of Life?
July 18, 2013
Newfound pandoraviruses have opened up entirely new questions about microbial life as we know it, a new study says.
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A Rare Look at an Iridescent Cloud
July 18, 2013
Iridescent clouds are a beautiful phenomenon-but they're rarely seen and even less frequently photographed.
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Man Wrestles 7-Foot Shark to Nantucket Beach
July 17, 2013
Elliot Sudal caught a seven-foot sandbar shark on a Nantucket beach and then released it. Shark advocates have expressed concern about possible injury to the animal.
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California Keeps Its Energy Cool in Summer Scorcher
July 17, 2013
With nuclear power down, California kept the lights on through the July heat wave with natural gas, renewable energy, and conservation. Can the formula work elsewhere?
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GPS Reveals Hurricane Wind Speeds
July 17, 2013
GPS signals tell a lot about how fast the wind is blowing during a hurricane.
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Watch Sodium and Water Levitate and Collide
July 16, 2013
By manipulating sound frequencies, engineers levitate objects using acoustics.
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Why Predicting Sea Ice Cover Is So Difficult
July 16, 2013
Researchers still have a long way to go when it comes to figuring out how Earth's polar regions work.
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Florida Blasts Away Old Power Plant to Make Way for New
July 16, 2013
Port Everglades Power Plant in Florida was demolished Tuesday, the latest smokestacks to disappear in the U.S. drive to shut old, inefficient electric stations.
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Stop and Smell the Corpse Flower
July 15, 2013
The corpse flower is about to bloom at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. Visitors can't wait to catch a whiff.
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Volcano's "Scream" Before Eruption Explained
July 15, 2013
A new model explains why Alaska's Redoubt Volcano screams so loudly before erupting.
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How 100 Degrees Does a Number on You
July 15, 2013
Extreme heat, like we're seeing this summer, is bad news for the human body. Here's why we suffer--and what we can do to avoid dehydration and worse.
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Why Ancient Earth Was So Warm
July 15, 2013
A new 3-D model sheds light on why early Earth was so toasty even with a much dimmer sun.
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The Surprisingly Noisy Death of an Iceberg
July 15, 2013
The cracks that form during an iceberg's demise are surprisingly noisy—louder than 200 supertankers or erupting volcanoes, a new study says.
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New Map Shows Where Nature Protects U.S. Coast
July 12, 2013
An unprecedented map of the U.S. coastline shows where natural habitats can best protect people from disasters—and where they can't.
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First Killer Whale Reintroduced to Wild Has Baby
July 11, 2013
Springer, who was rescued in 2002 in Puget Sound, was recently spotted with her first baby—making her a success story, experts say.
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Climate Change Impact on Energy: Five Proposed Safeguards
July 11, 2013
A new report from the U.S. Department of Energy lists ways that the nation can reduce its energy infrastructure's vulnerability to climate change.
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Antarctic Glass Sponges Live Life in Fast Lane
July 11, 2013
A mysterious boom in glass sponge populations is challenging the notion that life in Antarctica progresses at a snail's pace.
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Fracking Wastewater Disposal Linked to Remotely Triggered Quakes
July 11, 2013
Fault zones near wastewater injection sites are prime targets for earthquakes “dynamically triggered” from remote locations.
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Oil Train Crash Probe Raises Five Key Issues on Cause
July 11, 2013
After runaway oil tanker cars led to a deadly explosion and fire in Canada, several aspects of the train's handling are being questioned.
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IEA Report Offers Prescription to Ease Urban Transit Congestion
July 10, 2013
The world’s urban streets are crowded, and getting worse. In a new report that draws from encouraging real-world examples, the IEA offers ideas for increasing cities’ transit efficiency.
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Forensic Fly Moves North
July 10, 2013
Information deduced from blowflies can help create timelines for death investigations, but climate change could be resetting the clock.
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Turtles Flourishing in Golf Course Ponds
July 9, 2013
Well-managed courses offer better habitat than some farm and park ponds.
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Shellfish Deep in Antarctic Lake? Experts Doubtful
July 9, 2013
A new study says that bacteria, fungi, shellfish, and maybe even fish live miles deep in Lake Vostok-but some experts are skeptical.
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Long Journey of Kobi the Chimpanzee Ends in Retirement
July 9, 2013
After life with Jane Goodall in Africa and then in a breeding colony for medical research in the U.S., a "tame" chimp finds new hope.
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Pictures: Mexico Volcano Spews Ash 2 Miles High
July 8, 2013
Popocatepetl, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has rumbled to life again, coating nearby regions with ash.
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Coal-Burning Shortens Lives in China, New Study Shows
July 8, 2013
A new study shows the deadly toll of air pollution from burning coal. China's social policy created a lingering north-south disparity in deaths from heart and lung disease.
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Oil Train Tragedy in Canada Spotlights Rising Crude Transport by Rail
July 8, 2013
The explosive train derailment that killed at least five people and left dozens missing in a Canadian lakeside town focused attention on North America's skyrocketing use of rail to transport its booming oil production.
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Improving 3-D Printing by Copying Nature
July 7, 2013
Through biomimicry, design based on nature, 3-D printing technology could get safer and better.
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Solar Impulse's U.S. Mission Ends This Weekend
July 6, 2013
The solar-powered plane will complete the final leg of its coast-to-coast journey in New York City.
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Despite Heat, Earth Is Farthest From Sun on Friday
July 5, 2013
Despite the heat wave in the American West, the Earth reaches aphelion—94,508,959 miles from the sun—on Friday.
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How Should We Respond When Humans and Sharks Collide?
July 4, 2013
Shark attack expert Christopher Neff says communities around the world are taking a variety of approaches to try to keep beachgoers safe.
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Pictures: Rare Views of Statue of Liberty in Time for Reopening
July 3, 2013
The Statue of Liberty reopens on Thursday for the first time since Hurricane Sandy. Take a peek at some rare views inside.
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The Physics Behind Waterslides
July 3, 2013
How do waterslides manage to be fun while keeping riders safe? The answer lies within basic scientific principles.
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Sand Rush: Fracking Boom Spurs Rush on Wisconsin Silica
July 3, 2013
It takes sand—loads of it—to open the cracks in shale rock that allow natural gas or oil to flow into hydraulic fracturing wells. To do the job, the industry is digging into the vast ancient silica reserves of Wisconsin.
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Lonesome George to Be Stuffed, Displayed at NYC Museum
July 2, 2013
Lonesome George, the iconic Galápagos tortoise who died last June, will be displayed at the American Museum of Natural History.
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New Firefighting Technologies: Drones, Super Shelters
July 2, 2013
From better fire shelters to unmanned drones, future innovations could help keep future firefighters safe.
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Nations to Designate Antarctic Marine Protected Areas?
July 2, 2013
If approved, two proposed Antarctic marine reserves will nearly double the amount of the world's ocean under protection.
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Who Are the Hotshots? A Wildland Firefighting Primer
July 1, 2013
Who are the elite hotshots, which lost 19 firefighters in a Arizona blaze on Sunday?
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World's Largest Freshwater Turtle Nearly Extinct
July 1, 2013
In June, the last known pair of the near-extinct Yangtze giant softshell turtle mated again—and, scientists hope, made babies.
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Too Much Wind Energy? Save It Underground in Volcanic Rock Reservoirs
July 1, 2013
A new study shows compressed air storage in porous geologic formations could help the Pacific Northwest manage its surplus of intermittent renewable energy.
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What’s Behind the Heat Wave: Climate Change or Weather?
July 1, 2013
A recent study found that 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011 were the hottest years in the past 600 years. How does 2013 compare?
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Cold War Radioactivity Can Date Illegal Elephant Ivory
July 1, 2013
Fallout from long-ago Cold War explosions is now a forensic tool in the illegal ivory trade.
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Europe's Largest Glacier Comes to New York
June 29, 2013
Artist Olafur Eliasson has turned an Icelandic glacier into an art exhibit to give visitors a closer look at climate change.
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Climbers Recount Murder on Famous Pakistan Peak
June 28, 2013
Ten foreign mountaineers were killed on Pakistan's second-highest peak last weekend. Two climbers share what they saw and heard the night of the attack.
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Connecting With Nature Boosts Creativity and Health
June 28, 2013
Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, explains how society can overcome nature-deficit disorder.
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Rare Breed of Killer Whale May Be New Species
June 27, 2013
A rare type of bulbous-headed Orca may be in a league of its own, a new study says.
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Beyond Ethanol: Drop-In Biofuels Squeeze Gasoline From Plants
June 26, 2013
The first commercial cellulosic biofuel plant aims to turn Mississippi wood chips into diesel fuel and gasoline that are chemically identical to petroleum products. Can homegrown "drop-in" biofuels transform transportation?
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Global Renewable Energy On Track to Soon Eclipse Natural Gas, Nuclear
June 26, 2013
Renewable power is increasingly cost-competitive and demand for them is growing globally.
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Obama Unveils Climate Change Strategy: End of Line for U.S. Coal Power
June 25, 2013
President Obama announced his long-awaited climate change policy: more clean energy, wasting less energy, and the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from coal plants.
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Fishing and Camping Top Activity List for Lightning Deaths
June 25, 2013
Fishing, camping, boating, and sports have highest rates of lightning strikes among activities; men also at much higher risk of strikes than women, says study released for National Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
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Pakistan Attack Casts Light on Troubled Climbing Zones
June 25, 2013
A weekend attack in Pakistan left ten mountain climbers dead, with the Taliban claiming responsibility.
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Five Reasons for Obama to Sell Climate Change as a Health Issue
June 24, 2013
In a speech to outline a new strategy for action on climate change, Obama will underscore the health impacts and other "social costs" of global warming.
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Biggest Dead Zone Ever Forecast in Gulf of Mexico
June 24, 2013
A New Jersey-size dead zone may put a chokehold on the Gulf of Mexico this summer, according to a forecast released this week.
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Grand Canyon Stunts Over the Years
June 21, 2013
Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda will join a small group of risk takers who were crazy enough to take on the canyon.
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Pictures: 5 New World Heritage Sites
June 21, 2013
Active volcanoes, shifting sand dunes, and fields of glaciers are included in the five newest World Heritage sites.
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Pulling Teeth
June 21, 2013
The Philippines sets a new bar for combatting global ivory crime by becoming the first non-African nation to destroy its ivory stock.
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North American Birds Declining as Threats Mount
June 21, 2013
Global warming, habitat loss, wind turbines, and cats are factors, though scientists say that some threats hog the attention.
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Catching Up With NatGeo 2008 Adventurer of the Year
June 21, 2013
The first man to trek the entire Andes chain has created an organization that helps adventurers get involved with conservation science.
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Pictures: America's Most Endangered Historical Sites
June 20, 2013
The top five most endangered historical sites in America include an iconic sports arena and a Chinatown community center.
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Fruits And Veggies Are Alive, Can Defend Against Herbivores
June 20, 2013
Fruits and veggies have circadian clocks and can adjust certain nutrients in response to light cues.
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Death of Dolphin in China Sparks Outrage—and Questions
June 19, 2013
Handling stranded marine mammals can be dangerous both to the animal and to humans.
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For Some Arctic Birds, Time of Day Is Irrelevant
June 18, 2013
When the sun never sets, the circadian clocks in four species of Arctic birds go haywire.
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Albino Gorilla Was Result of Inbreeding
June 18, 2013
A recently mapped genome of the famous albino gorilla Snowflake shows he was born to an uncle and a niece, a new study says.
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How Cities Compost Mountains of Food Waste
June 18, 2013
New York City amps up food recycling, while San Francisco shows the way.
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In Global First, Philippines to Destroy Its Ivory Stock
June 18, 2013
The country's decision was inspired by a National Geographic magazine exposé on the illegal ivory trade.
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Electrofuels: Charged Microbes May "Poop Out" a Gasoline Alternative
June 17, 2013
Run current through genetically engineered microorganisms, and they produce gasoline substitute. Can U.S.-funded electrofuels research finish the drive from lab to market?
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Does Geography Influence How a Language Sounds?
June 14, 2013
A new study is the first to show that language can be influenced by geography.
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How Diving Mammals Stay Underwater for So Long
June 14, 2013
Researchers have discovered the secret to how champion divers like sperm whales can dive for an hour or more.
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Restoring Trees to Save the World's Rarest Parrot
June 14, 2013
National Geographic explorer Steve Boyes talks about his work to pull the Cape parrot back from the brink of oblivion.
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Whisky a Go Go: Can Scotland’s Distillery Waste Boost Biofuels?
June 14, 2013
Scotland's whisky industry churns out a sobering amount of waste, but it may eventually feed a heady biofuels market if Celtic Renewables' plans succeed.
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Pictures: Light Paths Reveal Water Currents
June 14, 2013
British photographer Joel James Devlin makes haunting images of night landscapes.
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Antarctic's Ice Shelves Melting From the Bottom Up
June 13, 2013
Ice shelves lose more mass through melting where the ice meets the sea than by shedding icebergs, a new study says.
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The Ethical Flap Over Birdsong Apps
June 13, 2013
Bird-watchers are using the songs on their smartphones to lure birds. But the result could be bad karma for the birds.
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Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013: A Journalist's Appreciation
June 13, 2013
Editor in Chief Chris Johns remembers Nelson Mandela.
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Dog Disease Infecting Tigers, Making Them Fearless
June 12, 2013
A domestic dog virus is posing a new threat to endangered tigers in the wild-partly by making them less fearful of people, experts say.
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American West Becoming Increasingly Dusty
June 12, 2013
Dust storms are increasing in number in the U.S. What does having more dust in the air actually mean?
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New York's Sea-Level Plan: Will It Play in Miami?
June 12, 2013
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, New York has announced a bold plan to confront rising seas. But the threat to other cities is far worse.
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The NSA Data: Where Does It Go?
June 12, 2013
Massive data centers can store the equivalent of 250 billion DVDs. What might that look like?
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Hope for Endangered Butterfly Species
June 11, 2013
Researchers collected more than a hundred eggs from captured females of the endangered Schaus swallowtail butterfly in south Florida.
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What's Behind the New Warning on Global Carbon Emissions?
June 11, 2013
The world is on track to dangerous global warming, but some solutions could be implemented quickly, says International Energy Agency.
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Pictures From BioBlitz 2013: Bronze Frogs to Crawfish Chimneys
June 10, 2013
Scientists, schoolkids, and others swarmed across a park near New Orleans in May to observe as many species as they could find in 24 hours.
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Best Underwater Pictures: Winners of 2013 Amateur Contest
June 9, 2013
A seal in a kelp forest and lionfish on the hunt are among winning pictures of the University of Miami's annual underwater-photography contest.
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Great Barrier Reef: World Heritage in Danger?
June 8, 2013
One of the world's great natural treasures could find itself on a "list of shame" if steps aren't taken to improve its condition.
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Great Barrier Reef: Through the Lens of David Doubilet
June 8, 2013
Photographer David Doubilet recalls 30 years of experience documenting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.<br />
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What It's Like Taking Pictures Inside an Inferno
June 7, 2013
National Geographic photographer Mark Thiessen describes his experience taking pictures of wildfires.
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Mr. Badger Should Be Worried: Britain Ponders a Cull
June 6, 2013
Some Brits blame badgers for spreading TB to cattle and think a cull will help. Badger lovers (and many scientists) disagree.
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Pictures: Surprising Amount of Trash Found on Deep-Sea Floor
June 6, 2013
A new survey turns up piles of refuse off Southern California and beyond.
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Record-Breaking Mako Shark Tips Off Conservation Debate
June 6, 2013
Anglers spark controversy after hauling in a 1,300-pound shortfin mako shark in California.
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Pictures: Worst Floods in European History?
June 6, 2013
Germany and nearby countries brace themselves as record-breaking water levels burst over river banks.
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5 Surprising Drone Uses (Besides Pizza Delivery)
June 6, 2013
Drones have proved their worth in military and intelligence operations but they may make far greater contributions in civilian life. Even if they can't deliver Domino's pizza.
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First "Small Modular" Nuclear Reactors Planned for Tennessee
June 5, 2013
A U.S. government-supported project in Tennessee seeks to launch a new kind of nuclear plant—a "small modular reactor." Can downsizing address both cost and safety concerns?
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Pictures: Powerhouse Wildfire Burns Through California
June 5, 2013
The California wildfire has destroyed forest and homes in an area just north of Los Angeles.
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From Our Archives: Tornado!
June 4, 2013
Earth's most powerful storms pack winds too furious to measure. Learn when and where they form and how we detect and survive them.
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Are Storm Chasers 'Crossing the Line'?
June 4, 2013
Storm chasing began as a research tool in the 1950s. Today, many chasers-both scientists and amateurs-seem to discount the dangers they face.
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Frog Long Thought Extinct Is Rediscovered in Israel
June 4, 2013
The first amphibian to officially be declared extinct has been rediscovered in Israel.
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Opinion: Chasing Storms Is Dangerous—and Rewarding
June 4, 2013
A storm took the life of tornado researcher Tim Samaras. To some, he and his fellow storm chasers go too far. But their efforts have helped save many potential victims.
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Unpublished Pictures: Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras at Work
June 3, 2013
National Geographic photographer Carsten Peter talks about documenting storm chaser Tim Samaras at work in the field.
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Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras's Interview, Hours Before His Death
June 3, 2013
Tornado chaser Tim Samaras spoke with National Geographic Weekend shortly before he was killed in a deadly twister on May 31.
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Our Haunting Last Interview With Storm Chaser Samaras
June 2, 2013
Just days before Tim Samaras and his son died in Friday’s tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma, the storm chaser told us about the science, the thrill--and even the smells--that are part of his extraordinary work.
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Pictures of Storm Chaser Tim Samaras, Who Has Died
June 2, 2013
Storm chaser Tim Samaras and his son died on Friday in a tornado, after years spent chasing extreme weather.
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Tornado Chaser Tim Samaras Killed; Fans Pay Tribute
June 2, 2013
His son Paul was also killed in the Reno, Oklahoma tornado on Friday.
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More Midwest Twisters: Why Is Oklahoma Tornado Vexed?
June 1, 2013
Unlike earthquakes, which are often followed by aftershocks, the storms that birth tornadoes are independent of one another.
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The Great White Whale Fight
May 31, 2013
For two decades, the U.S. hasn't imported wild-caught whales or dolphins. Now the Georgia Aquarium wants to bring in 18 belugas from Russia.
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The Saddest Tweeters Live in Texas
May 29, 2013
Researchers analyzed ten million tweets to map happiness in the United States. Napa is happy. The Rust Belt is sad.
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Five Surprising Facts About Energy Poverty
May 29, 2013
The countries that have made the most progress still have far to go to bring electricity and clean energy to their populations, a World Bank-led report details.
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6 Amazing Science Pictures
May 29, 2013
Worthy of an art museum, these images were initially created as part of scientific research.
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An Embarrassing Everest Moment: 60 Years Later
May 29, 2013
When the British expedition returned from Everest, they were presented with medals in a ceremony full of awkward moments.
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Freed From a Glacier's Hold, Ancient Moss Grows Again
May 28, 2013
How does ancient moss begin to grow again? Once a glacier's ice retreated, all it took was air and sunlight.
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California's 'Dwarf' Fox Is Back From the Brink
May 28, 2013
With its main predator, the golden eagle, gone, the endangered island fox is making a dramatic recovery.
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Pictures: Oil Potential and Animal Habitat in the Monterey Shale
May 28, 2013
The Monterey shale formation offers a potential font of oil and gas for California, but new development poses a risk to rare wildlife such as the California condor.
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Monterey Shale Shakes Up California's Energy Future
May 27, 2013
In the valley that once lured gold seekers, oil prospectors are converging on the Monterey shale—a sharp new twist in California's path to cleaner energy.
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Pictures: Ethiopia’s Extreme Salt Mines
May 25, 2013
Salt from the Afar region of Ethiopia, one of the Earth's hottest places, makes its way to market.
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Pictures: Seven Energy-Smart Zoos and Aquariums
May 24, 2013
Keeping a diverse crowd of species comfortable comes with an elephant-sized energy bill for zoos and aquariums. These smart exhibits use technology, along with nature's own strategies, to cut demand.
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Is Australia the Face of Climate Change to Come?
May 24, 2013
As extreme weather seems to accelerate globally, scientists believe events Down Under can help explain what to look for-and guard against.
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Improved Models Predict Active 2013 Hurricane Season
May 23, 2013
NOAA expects up to 20 named tropical storms, which could yield as many as six major hurricanes, as it utilizes new technology to improve forecasting.
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Carnivorous Plant Keeps House With Ants
May 22, 2013
Diving ants keep nutritious fly larvae from escaping carnivorous pitcher plants.
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Tesla Motors' Success Gives Electric Car Market a Charge
May 22, 2013
Amid a decimated field of E.V. startups, Tesla Motors is riding high. But can its feats help take electric cars mainstream?
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Lessons From Joplin’s Tornado Recovery Effort
May 22, 2013
As Moore, Oklahoma, prepares to rebuild, a photographer recalls a similar effort in Joplin, Missouri.
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Chasing Tornadoes With a Camera
May 22, 2013
Storm chaser Roger Hill talks about the perils of photographing tornadoes.
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Your Pictures: The Oklahoma Tornado
May 21, 2013
Have a photo of the May 20 Oklahoma tornado? Submit it to National Geographic's Your Shot with the hashtag #tornado and our editors will consider it for this gallery.
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5 Tornado Myths Busted
May 21, 2013
A severe-weather expert shares facts and tips on staying safe in storms.
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Oklahoma Tornado Photos: 2-Mile-Wide Twister Destroys Town
May 21, 2013
See the aftermath of a two-mile-wide tornado that ripped through Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday, killing dozens.
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Oklahoma Tornado: Why So Destructive, Unpredictable?
May 21, 2013
Tornadoes like the one that devastated an Oklahoma City suburb this week are difficult to predict. Here's how they work.
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A Tornado Chaser Talks About His Science and Craft
May 20, 2013
Researcher Tim Samaras talks about why he chases tornadoes, what they smell like, and what we still don't know about these severe storms.
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Why Did Penguins Stop Flying? The Answer Is Evolutionary
May 20, 2013
Scientists say they've learned why penguin wings, now used for swimming, no longer get the birds off the ground.
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Op-Ed: Gamma Rays and the Grand Canyon
May 20, 2013
Despite a ban on any new uranium mines near the Grand Canyon, the U.S. Forest Service has authorized a Canadian company to start digging.
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Opinion: Three Ways to Avoid Another Mount Everest Fight
May 20, 2013
After last month's fight between Sherpas and Western climbers, Conrad Anker says the time is right for facing some growing tensions on Everest.
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Playing Russian Roulette With a Volcano
May 17, 2013
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens exploded with the force of 500 Hiroshimas. National Geographic’s Rowe Findley was on the scene.
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Billion-Year-Old Water Preserved in Canadian Mine
May 17, 2013
The primordial water contains chemicals that could support life without sunlight.
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Louisiana's Bayou Is Sinking: Can $50 Billion Save It?
May 17, 2013
With rising seas and sinking land, large swaths of Louisiana are disappearing. But will $50 billion reverse the trend?
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Opinion: Despite Changes, Mount Everest Is Changeless
May 17, 2013
A climber who first scaled Everest 30 years ago sees continuity and change on the world's highest peak.
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Everest Ice Shrinking Fast, Scientists and Climbers Say
May 16, 2013
The world's highest peak has been shedding snow and ice for the past 50 years, possibly due in part to global warming, new research shows.
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Wind Energy’s Shadow: Turbines Drag Down Power Potential
May 16, 2013
Wind turbines rob each other of energy if installed too closely together. But the world's fastest-growing source of renewable power still has plenty of room for expansion.
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What Gives Elite Everest Climbers Their Edge?
May 16, 2013
Researchers studying Everest climbers want to take what they learn from the elite athletes back to medical patients living at sea level.
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African Clawed Frog Spreads Deadly Amphibian Fungus
May 15, 2013
A frog historically used in human pregnancy tests likely spread a deadly amphibian fungus around the world, says a new study.
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On Mount Everest, Seeking Biogas Energy in a Mountain of Waste
May 15, 2013
Work is under way on the world's highest-elevation biogas reactor, in an effort to transform a surplus of human waste on Mount Everest into a sustainable energy source.
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Best Night-Sky Pictures of 2013 Named
May 14, 2013
Winners of the 2013 Earth & Sky photo contest capture the beauty of the night sky and highlight the issue of light pollution.
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U.N. Urges Eating Insects; 8 Popular Bugs to Try
May 14, 2013
From beetles to butterflies and from ants to stinkbugs, people in dozens of countries regularly eat insects. Here are the most popular types of edible critters.
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The Plight of the Honeybee
May 10, 2013
Bee colonies are weaker than ever. Are we doing enough to protect our natural pollinators?
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Climate Milestone: Earth's CO2 Level Passes 400 ppm
May 9, 2013
The last time the planet was such a greenhouse, our ancestors were climbing down from the trees—and sea level was tens of feet higher.
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Was Charles Lindbergh Second to Fly Across Atlantic?
May 9, 2013
The search continues for evidence that two French pilots who disappeared in a 1927 attempt to cross the Atlantic made it to North America.
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Pictures: When Snow and Ice Meet Lava
May 8, 2013
Studying what happens when lava flows meet snow and ice helps researchers track climate change through the ages.
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Philippines Volcano Deaths Raise Climbing Questions
May 7, 2013
One adventure writer describes looking into a live volcano this way: "There's nothing like it on the planet."
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Plants "Listen" to the Good Vibes of Other Plants
May 7, 2013
Plants might be able to tell good neighbors from bad ones by the sounds they emit.
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Pete Athans: Everest is a “Powder Keg”
May 6, 2013
Relations are shifting as Sherpas take on new responsibilities, an Everest veteran says.
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Solar Impulse's U.S. Expedition Begins
May 3, 2013
Solar Impulse, a solar-powered aircraft able to fly overnight, embarks on a cross-country trip—without a single drop of fuel.
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Pictures We Love: Best of April
May 2, 2013
International pillow fights and frost-covered flowers are among our photo editors' picks of the most interesting news pictures from April.
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Think Outside the Box to Find Extraterrestrial Life
May 2, 2013
We should think outside the box when considering which exoplanets to study for possible signs of life.
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Pictures: Bolivia Seeks Economic Energy in Vast Lithium Stores
May 2, 2013
In a flood-prone expanse high in the Andes, Bolivia holds the world’s largest lithium reserves. Can this crucial battery ingredient provide an economic charge?
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Everest Climber: Sherpas Tried to Kill Me
May 2, 2013
In his first extended interview, Simone Moro says he feared for his life last weekend after a Sherpa came at him with an ice ax: "They came to us with the aim to kill us."
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Pro-Environment Light Bulb Labeling Turns Off Conservative Buyers, Study Finds
April 30, 2013
Green labeling causes some consumers to shun energy-efficient light bulbs even when they know the choice could save them money, a new study finds.
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Sun Plus Nanotechnology: Can Solar Energy Get Bigger by Thinking Small
April 28, 2013
Nanotechnology could boost solar energy efficiency and cut costs. A slew of recent research is aimed at better capturing energy from the Earth's biggest power source.
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Behind-the-Scenes Pictures: Brazil's Circus of the Alley
April 27, 2013
Every Monday night in a São Paulo square, jugglers get together to put on a show and learn new tricks.
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A Tale of Two Ponds: NYC Park After the Storm
April 26, 2013
Hurricane Sandy left New York City's Gateway National Recreation Area in pieces, but there may be a silver lining to the storm.
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Jindo Sea Parting: Science Behind the 'Magic'
April 26, 2013
As locals and tourists celebrate the Jindo Sea-Parting Festival in Korea, we look at the science behind the "miracle."
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Do Whales Have Culture? Humpbacks Pass on Behavior
April 25, 2013
New feeding strategy spreads among whales gathered to gorge on fish, says a new study—but is it culture?
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A Hidden Victim of Somali Pirates: Science
April 25, 2013
Somali pirates have shut down crucial scientific research in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa.
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Reshaping Flight for Fuel Efficiency: Five Technologies on the Runway
April 23, 2013
The Boeing Dreamliner 787, poised to retake the skies soon, was one approach to more efficient flight. But aviation is looking to geared turbofan engines and radically new shapes and materials for deeper cuts in fuel consumption.
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Pictures: Extreme Algae Blooms Expanding Worldwide
April 23, 2013
Too much of a good thing? Excess nutrients, warmer temperatures, and an increasing population are causing explosions of algae worldwide.
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Rare Picture: Male Leopard Kills, Eats Cub
April 22, 2013
Pictures of a leopard killing a cub may look gruesome, but infanticide in nature is relatively common, scientists say.
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Opinion: Boston Bombings Show Muslims Between Worlds
April 22, 2013
The suspects in the Boston Marathon bombings were not at home in their new or old worlds, the author argues.
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Pictures: Strong Earthquake Strikes China's Sichuan Province
April 20, 2013
Houses crumbled and scores of lives lost as a 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck China's southwestern Sichuan province on Saturday.
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First Person: My Uncle Was First to Fly Over Everest
April 19, 2013
A love of aviation runs in the family of the man who made the first flight over Mount Everest.
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Cicada DNA Helps Explain Strange Breeding Cycle
April 19, 2013
Cicadas' puzzling timeline is written in their DNA, possibly as a way to avoid waiting predators.
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Europe’s Carbon Market Crisis: Why Does it Matter?
April 18, 2013
In a blow for global efforts to mitigate climate change, the European Union’s eight-year-old carbon market is collapsing. Is this the death knell for cap and trade, or a useful lesson?
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A Picture We Love: Feathers Fly
April 18, 2013
Feathers flew in cities around the world, as people celebrated International Pillow Fight Day.
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Coelacanth Genes Mapped, "Living Fossil" Evolved Slowly
April 18, 2013
Scientists have mapped the coelacanth genome and found that the ancient fish's genes evolved more slowly than those of other animals.
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Explosion Highlights Dangers of Anhydrous Ammonia
April 18, 2013
A stray electric or static charge is all that it takes to explode a leaky ammonia gas tank.
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Picture Archive: Baby Giant Panda Su-Lin, Circa 1936
April 18, 2013
As the National Zoo tries for a panda pregnancy, a look back at the first panda in the U.S.
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Earth Day: When It Is, How It Began, What to Do
April 17, 2013
Learn how Earth Day became a global environmental event that will include a billion people on April 22.<p><strong></strong></p>
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Healing the Ozone Layer: Chemist says Treaty is Working
April 16, 2013
Aerosol spray cans have been free of ozone damaging chemicals since the late '90s— how long will it take for the ozone to recover?
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7 Other Sports-related Attacks
April 15, 2013
Unfortunately, the Boston Marathon explosions aren't a unique occurrence. Many sporting events throughout the years have experienced similar attacks.
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Trees Call for Help—And Now Scientists Can Understand
April 15, 2013
Scientists may have learned how to identify the unique sounds made by bubbles forming inside drought-stressed trees.
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New Diseases, Toxins Harming Marine Life
April 12, 2013
Harmful organisms usually found on land are infiltrating coastal areas, wreaking havoc on marine mammals, scientists say.
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Finding the Reasons for the 2012 Drought
April 12, 2013
An unexpected combo of atmospheric events led to the driest four months in the Great </strong>Plains since the 1930s.
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Picture in the News: Karangetang Volcano Erupts
April 10, 2013
Volcanic activity creates a spectacular light show on Siau Island, Indonesia.
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New Vineyards Could Create Conservation Challenges
April 9, 2013
Winemakers are preparing for the climate and wildlife challenges global warming will bring.
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To Stem Fall in Oil Output, Alaska Seeks to Slash Industry Taxes
April 9, 2013
Facing a decline in oil production that threatens the state’s massive pipeline network, Alaska hopes a $1 billion-a-year tax break will boost the industry.
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Climate Change Could Mean Bumpier Flights
April 8, 2013
Transatlantic flights could get bumpier in the near future, according to a new study.
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Oil Spill Spotlights Keystone XL Issue: Is Canadian Crude Worse?
April 4, 2013
An Arkansas pipeline spill is focusing new attention on a question that may be decisive in the Keystone XL debate: Is oil from Canada’s tar sands more damaging than conventional crude?
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Fact Checking 6 Persistent Science Conspiracy Theories
April 4, 2013
A new national poll finds that many Americans still believe conspiracy theories that can be easily debunked by science.
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Berlin Unexploded Bomb Shines Light on Buried Threat
April 4, 2013
An unexploded World War II bomb discovered in Berlin is part of what experts say is a collection of 2,000 to 4,000 tons of explosive material in the city.
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Hundreds of Rare Pig-Nosed Turtles Rescued at Airport
April 3, 2013
Nearly 700 endangered turtles were confiscated at an airport in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 15, according to Indonesian authorities.
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Shark-Tooth Weapons Reveal "Lost" Shark Species
April 3, 2013
Shark-tooth weapons once used for warfare in the Central Pacific have revealed two locally extinct shark species, a new study says.
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Pictures: Arkansas Oil Spill Darkens Backyards, Driveways
April 1, 2013
The pipeline rupture forces an evacuation of homes in Arkansas and highlights questions about safety in the push to move tar sands oil from Canada south to U.S. refineries.
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Health Questions Key to New York Fracking Decision, But Answers Scarce
April 1, 2013
As debate rages in New York State over whether to allow fracking, researchers are attempting to shed light on its public health effects.
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New Theory for Why Antarctic Sea Ice Is Growing
March 29, 2013
Melting ice shelves are keeping warm water away from the ocean surface, giving ice a chance to build, a new study suggests.
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Scientists Say Oil Industry Likely Caused Largest Oklahoma Earthquake
March 29, 2013
The injection of wastewater from oil and gas production deep into the ground has been known to cause quakes within months, but the 2011 temblor in Oklahoma occurred after nearly two decades.
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Cicadas Coming to U.S. East Coast This Spring
March 29, 2013
Millions of the cricket cousins will soon appear across seven U.S. states.
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What's Behind Spike in Gulf Coast Dolphin Attacks?
March 29, 2013
Dead—and sometimes mutilated—dolphins have been turning up in recent months off the shores of Alabama, Florida, and Texas.
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Endangered Frogs Get Helping Hand
March 28, 2013
Researchers want to build a captive population of endangered limosa harlequin frogs as they face potential extinction.
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Baseball Spoiled by Nature: Top 10 Moments
March 28, 2013
Since baseball began, it has had a rivalry with Mother Nature. Earthquakes, heavy rain, insects ... As a new season begins, we revisit ten times when nature won.
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Trilobites Found With Mysterious Markings
March 27, 2013
These ancient arthropods may have used their spots as camouflage, a new study says.
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Pictures: Unlocking Icy Methane Hydrates, Largest Fossil Energy Store
March 27, 2013
In the first-ever offshore production of icebound methane hydrates, Japan has drawn new attention to a vast source of energy and potent greenhouse gas.
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Pictures: Auroras of February and March
March 26, 2013
Starbursts, alien landscapes, and magenta bands of light: Take a look at some of the best aurora photos from February and March.
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Is Shrinking Sea Ice Behind Chilly Spring?
March 26, 2013
Forget Punxsutawney Phil's prediction—melting ice in the Arctic may be making winters colder and longer, scientists say.
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Delaware Gets Its First National Monument
March 26, 2013
President Obama creates a national monument in Delaware, finally bringing the National Park Service to all 50 states.
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Obama Declares Monuments to Preserve Pieces of U.S. Heritage
March 26, 2013
President Obama has declared five new national monuments across the country, from Washington State to Maryland.
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Once Decimated U.S. Fish Stocks Enjoy Big Bounce Back
March 26, 2013
A new report highlights the success, and challenges, of American fisheries management.
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Earth Hour 2013 Pictures: Before and After
March 25, 2013
Iconic cities and landmarks around the world turned off their lights for one hour Saturday to show their support for the environment.
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Pictures: Green Walls May Cut Pollution in Cities
March 25, 2013
Plant-covered walls could slash air pollution in some city streets, recent research suggests.
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Earth Hour 2012: Before and After
March 22, 2013
As the world prepares to dim its lights Saturday for Earth Hour, see pictures of last year's event.
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Pictures: Apollo Rocket Engines Recovered From Seafloor
March 21, 2013
Amazon.com founder retrieves components of two F-1 rocket engines once used to launch Apollo missions to the moon.
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Pictures: Saving and Studying Tasmania's Giant Trees
March 21, 2013
As Tasmania's parliament prepares to vote on increasing protections for its native forests, scientists study some of the largest trees in the world.
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Hundreds of Sick Sea Lion Pups Wash Ashore
March 21, 2013
A mysterious tide of California sea lion pups continues to wash ashore, prompting one rescue facility to declare a state of emergency.
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Dead Whale Contains a Bounty of Life
March 19, 2013
"Snotworms" and carcass-hopping limpets are some of the creatures inhabiting the whale's skeleton.
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Shark Dies During Kmart Commercial Filming
March 19, 2013
Despite the efforts of trainers, a shark being filmed for a Kmart commercial dies.
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Rising Temperatures May Cause More Katrinas
March 19, 2013
A new study finds a link between higher temperatures and more destructive hurricanes.
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The New Truck Stop: Filling Up With Natural Gas for the Long Haul
March 18, 2013
A truck stop network is now taking shape to spur the U.S. trucking industry to switch to low-priced natural gas fuel. But the environmental and economic calculations are complex.
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Monarch Butterflies Hit New Low; "Worrisome" Trend
March 18, 2013
The king of butterflies is in a steady decline due to loss of habitat and extreme weather, a new report says.
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Pictures: Mouth-Birthing Frog to Be Resurrected?
March 15, 2013
An extinct frog that gave birth out of its mouth is "rising from the dead," scientists say.
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As U.S. Cleans Its Energy Mix, It Ships Coal Problems Abroad
March 15, 2013
U.S. coal exports hit a new record in 2012. The trend undercuts U.S. progress in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, as more carbon-intensive fuel is burned overseas.
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Pi Day Pictures: Nature's Near-Perfect Circles
March 14, 2013
On Pi Day, we explore the universe of naturally occurring circles.
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U.S. Bedbugs Evolve Multiple Ways of Thwarting Insecticides
March 14, 2013
Humans may have played a part in the recent resurgence of bedbugs in the United States.
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Smoke at the Vatican: How Do They Do It?
March 13, 2013
A pyrotechnics expert speculates on how the Vatican makes the kind of white smoke that emerged Wednesday from the Sistine Chapel, signaling a new pope.
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Proposed Lion-Meat Ban Shines Light on Wild-Animal Meat
March 12, 2013
<strong>A lion-meat ban proposed in Illinois highlights people's taste for exotic meats-especially in Asia. </strong>
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Galápagos Tortoises: Slow and Steady Migrators
March 12, 2013
Giant tortoises on Santa Cruz Island walk nearly four miles during the rainy season.
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Opinion: The Case Against Species Revival
March 12, 2013
Bringing back extinct animals distracts from conserving endangered species still alive, the author argues.
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Statue of Liberty Impatiently Awaits Repairs
March 12, 2013
Hurricane Sandy did serious harm to the Statue of Liberty's home—and there's no word on when tourists will be welcome again.
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The People of Fukushima Bounce Back
March 11, 2013
Two years after the terrible nuclear disaster, Fukushima is bouncing back in creative new ways.
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Opinion: The Case for Reviving Extinct Species
March 11, 2013
There are a lot of reasons for bringing back extinct animals, including conservation and medical benefits, argues Stewart Brand.
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Pictures of Locusts Swarming The Middle East
March 8, 2013
Officials in the Middle East gear up to deal with swarms of millions of locusts.
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A Picture We Love: I See You
March 8, 2013
A fish on a Red Sea coral reef mugs for the camera in a pic our photo editors love.
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Beware of Big Cats
March 8, 2013
Big cats in captivity have a history of attacking humans.
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San Francisco's Bay Bridge Becomes Public Art
March 8, 2013
San Francisco's iconic commuter bridge gets a new look at night as 25,000 LED lights turn it into a piece of public art.
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How to Resurrect Lost Species
March 8, 2013
Scientists propose genetic experiments to restore extinct species such as passenger pigeons, aurochs, and thylacines.
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Bees Buzzing on Caffeine
March 8, 2013
Coffee and citrus plants use caffeine to manipulate the memory of honeybees, a new study says.
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Keystone XL Pipeline Path Marks New Battle Line in Oklahoma
March 8, 2013
Opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline has united climate activists and property rights advocates in Oklahoma and Texas. Even if the oil industry wins this battle, has it lost the war of public opinion?
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How Much Heat Can One Man Handle?
March 8, 2013
Biologist and author Bill Streever discusses his quest to experience the world's steamiest places in an effort to understand heat.
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U.S.S. Monitor Sailors’ Remains to Be Buried With Honors
March 8, 2013
The sailors from the U.S. Navy's first ironclad ship perished in 1862. Now some of their descendants are heading to Arlington National Cemetery.
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Why Are Europeans Better at Predicting Weather?
March 7, 2013
Wednesday's snow no-show in Washington was another misfire by U.S. forecasters. A weather expert talks about why this doesn't happen as much in Europe.
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Hugo Chavez Leaves Venezuela Rich in Oil, But Ailing
March 6, 2013
In his 14-year rule, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez consolidated power over oil resources deemed the largest in the world. In death, he leaves behind a weakened state that must grapple with how to manage its vast petroleum stores.
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Species Revival: Should We Bring Back Extinct Animals?
March 5, 2013
Scientists are debating whether we can truly bring back vanished species—and, if so, whether we should.
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Pictures: Endangered Species “Preserved” by the Photo Ark
March 5, 2013
Joel Sartore’s photography project chronicles rare species.
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Swarming Locusts Descend on Egypt
March 5, 2013
What turns these insects into an invading army ready to devour whatever lies in its path?
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Sinkhole Science: A Primer
March 5, 2013
An expert weighs in on causes—and which areas are most vulnerable.
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Pictures: Baby Giant Armadillo Photographed—A First
March 1, 2013
Brazilian researchers recently captured the first-ever pictures of a baby giant armadillo.
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Stinkbug Threat Has Farmers Worried
March 1, 2013
With Asian stinkbugs threatening to devour more crops this year, the U.S Agriculture Department is hunting for solutions.
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Pictures: Saving Sumatra's Orangutans
February 28, 2013
A thriving pet trade and dwindling forests are driving Asia's great ape toward extinction, conservationists say.
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How Green Was the 'Green Pope'?
February 28, 2013
As Benedict heads for retirement, church watchers analyze his record on the environment.
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Six Ways Sequestration Will Hurt Parks, Wildlife
February 28, 2013
National parks will be hard hit by the looming sequestration-and visitors will be the first to feel the effects.<p> </p><p> </p>
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Why African Rhinos Are Facing a Crisis
February 27, 2013
The illegal trade in rhino horns is at an all-time high. That could bring growth of rhino populations to a grinding halt.
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Megadam Project Galvanizes Native Opposition in Malaysia
February 27, 2013
Malaysia’s ambitious hydropower plan would remake the rain forest state of Sarawak into an industrial haven. The project has ignited protest by indigenous tribes.
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A History of Balloon Crashes
February 26, 2013
Crashes have been a threat since the earliest days of ballooning. See our list of past balloon crashes.
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Sharks Warn Off Predators By Wielding Light Sabers
February 25, 2013
Glowing blue spines warn off would-be predators, according to a new study.
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U.S. Gas Price Spike: Blame the Long Road From Well to Pump
February 25, 2013
U.S. motorists face a rapid fuel price run-up, despite the nation’s surging oil production. Meanwhile, in the middle of the supply chain, refineries prosper.
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Pictures: Best News Photos from 2013 World Photo Press Contest
February 22, 2013
Winners of the 56th World Press Photo contest capture some of the most emotional, devastating, and beautiful images of 2012.
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Oldest Known Wild Bird Hatches Chick at 62
February 21, 2013
When Chandler Robbins banded a female albatross in 1956, he had no idea it would become a record-breaking bird that defied the odds.
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Turbulence Ahead for Weather Satellites
February 21, 2013
Some next-generation weather satellites may not launch in time to replace aging instruments now in orbit, researchers say.
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Pictures: Artifacts Provide Clues to Life in Early Christchurch
February 21, 2013
As quake-damaged Christchurch rebuilds, archaeologists are uncovering a wealth of clues about life during the city's earliest decades.
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Bird-friendly Farms Catching On in California
February 20, 2013
Migratory birds are taking refuge on farms in California's Staten Island as part of a conservation plan.
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Florida Python Hunt Captures 68 Invasive Snakes
February 19, 2013
The 2013 Python Challenge nabbed 68 invasive Burmese pythons-and experts are surprised that many of the elusive giants were caught.
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New Ancient Members of Whale Family Found
February 19, 2013
These ancient relatives of modern baleen whales had teeth instead of baleen, which modern whales use to filter feed.
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Severe Weather More Likely Thanks to Climate Change
February 15, 2013
Devastating events such as Super Storm Sandy and the blizzard that buried Boston more likely to happen thanks to climate change.
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Asteroid Impacts: 10 Biggest Known Hits
February 14, 2013
The asteroid 2012 DA14 will narrowly miss Earth this Friday, but meteorites have been hitting Earth for billions of years.
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Are Honeybees Losing Their Way?
February 13, 2013
Pesticides can take a toll on their memory and communication skills, and a combo of chemicals turns out to be far more hazardous.
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From Our Vault: Port Said, Egypt, Circa 1920
February 13, 2013
Under a state of emergency after riots, the port city flourished in the 1920s, thanks to the Suez Canal.
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Obama Pledges U.S. Action on Climate, With or Without Congress
February 12, 2013
President Barack Obama urges Congress to pursue a “bipartisan, market-based solution” on climate change, but says he will act if lawmakers don’t.
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Your Shot: Blizzard Photos From Our Readers
February 12, 2013
Dozens of you shared your weekend snow pictures with National Geographic’s Your Shot.
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How Bold a Path on Climate Change in Obama’s State of the Union?
February 12, 2013
President Obama is expected to outline more aggressive action on climate change in his big speech, but political and economic realities will shape his plan.
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What Killed Dinosaurs: New Ideas About the Wipeout
February 12, 2013
An asteroid slamming into Earth 66 million years ago was a contributing factor but not the only culprit in the dinosaurs' extinction.
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Biggest Crocodile Dies in Captivity
February 11, 2013
<strong>Lolong is the largest crocodile in captivity no longer—the giant reptile has died in the Philippines. </strong>
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Pictures From Historic Northeast Blizzard
February 9, 2013
The overnight storm dumped from one to three feet of snow in areas stretching from from New York to Maine.
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Recipe for a Blizzard
February 8, 2013
Experts explain what makes a blizzard worse than an ordinary snowstorm.
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Super Bowl Blackout: Was It Caused by Relay Device, or Human Error?
February 8, 2013
New Orleans' power company blames a faulty relay device for the Super Bowl power outage, but the equipment's maker says incorrect settings triggered the failure.
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Mexico's Robust Wind Energy Prospects Ruffle Nearby Villages
February 7, 2013
The breezes of Oaxaca, Mexico, harbor vast amounts of energy, but large wind farm projects in the region have divided residents of the small villages in their path.
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Severed Heads Were Sacrifices in Ancient Mexico
February 6, 2013
Archaeologists in central Mexico have uncovered a ritual site connected to pleas for rain and attempts at political power.
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Life Found Deep Under Antarctic Ice for First Time?
February 5, 2013
For the first time, scientists have found and collected microbes in an Antarctic lake hidden under more than a half-mile of ice.
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What Caused the Super Bowl Blackout at the Superdome?
February 4, 2013
This Super Bowl’s post-game analysis will be like no other, as electricity and building systems experts probe the cause of the power outage that temporarily halted the Ravens-49ers game.
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King Richard III Bones Found, Scientists Say
February 4, 2013
Months after finding skeletal remains under a parking lot, scientists say DNA and other tests confirm they belong to the long-loathed English king.
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Pictures: Super Bowl Caps Banner Season in NFL Green Drive
February 1, 2013
New Orleans will show off tree-planting, recycling, and climate change efforts as host of Super Bowl XLVII, part of the NFL's drive for greener stadiums and operations.
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Debate Continues: Did Your Seafood Feel Pain?
February 1, 2013
Before it ended up on your plate, did your seafood suffer? Scientists disagree on the answer.
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14 Pygmy Elephants Die Mysteriously in Borneo
January 31, 2013
<strong>Fourteen endangered Borneo pygmy elephants died of mysterious causes, conservationists say.</strong>
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How Drought on Mississippi River Impacts You
January 31, 2013
The drought-plagued Mississippi River is holding up barge traffic, impacting everything from Japanese feedstock to American beer.
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Will Deep-sea Mining Yield an Underwater Gold Rush?
January 31, 2013
The lure of precious minerals is provoking experiments with deep-sea mining—and causing some environmentalists to worry.
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Opinion: Sizing Up Google’s New North Korea Map
January 31, 2013
The search company's news maps of North Korea show the promise and pitfalls of citizen cartography.
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New Theory on How Homing Pigeons Find Home
January 30, 2013
Ultralow frequency sounds could be partly responsible for the birds' famed navigational skills.
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Water Demand for Energy to Double by 2035
January 30, 2013
Water consumption for power and transportation will soar due to expanding coal power and biofuel production, the International Energy Agency says.
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Hello Kitty! Please Don’t Kill Me!
January 29, 2013
A new study reveals that cats prey on billions of birds and mammals every year.
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Biochar Cookstoves Boost Health for People and Crops
January 29, 2013
Innovative nonprofits are taking clean cookstoves a step further by designing them to produce biochar, a byproduct with the potential to fortify soil and fight climate change.
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Urban Heat May Warm Faraway Places
January 28, 2013
A new study finds that areas such as New York City can affect the weather of places as far away as Siberia.
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Doomed Dolphin Speaks to New York's Vibrant Wildlife
January 27, 2013
The death of a dolphin in a city canal shines a light on the coyotes, caimans and boas that call New York home.
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Pictures: The Story Behind Sun Dogs, Penitent Ice, and More
January 25, 2013
Ice forms some weird and wonderful things—find out how Mother Nature does it.
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Deformed Dolphin Accepted Into New Family
January 23, 2013
Swimming among a pod of sperm whales in the North Atlantic is a dolphin with an S-shaped spine.
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10 Ways Obama Could Fight Climate Change
January 23, 2013
Scientists weigh in with ideas for Obama to deliver on his inaugural vow to tackle global climate change.
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Pictures: Trout vs. Trout in Yellowstone Lake
January 22, 2013
Things were going swimmingly for Yellowstone cutthroats, a species of trout native to Wyoming’s Yellowstone Lake. Then someone added a few non-native lake trout to the mix.
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Lake Trout Are Bad News for Lake Yellowstone
January 22, 2013
Ospreys, bears, and especially cutthroat trout suffer because of the non-native fish.
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Opinion: Florida’s Great Snake Hunt Is a Cheap Stunt
January 22, 2013
Florida's popular python hunt is based on a bogus and inhumane quest to banish an invasive species, Bryan Christy argues.
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Attack at Algeria Gas Plant Heralds New Risks for Energy Development
January 18, 2013
The crisis at Algeria's In Amenas gas plant changes the stakes in a country previously seen as a relatively stable site for energy exploration.
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Hunting for Quail Eggs? Mind Your Steps
January 18, 2013
Scientists have discovered that female Japanese quail deftly hide their eggs with camouflage.
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First Human Contact With Large Emperor Penguin Colony
January 18, 2013
Antarctic researchers have found a large colony of emperor penguins that had first been spotted by satellite images.
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6 Ways Climate Change Will Affect You
January 16, 2013
From the food we eat to the energy, transportation, and water we all need, a warmer world will bring big changes for everyone.
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Earliest Blooms Recorded in U.S. Due to Global Warming
January 16, 2013
In 2010 and 2012, plants in the eastern U.S. produced flowers earlier than at any point in recorded history, a new study says.
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Colorful New Lizard Identified in Vietnam
January 16, 2013
Scientists have identified a new lizard species in Vietnam. The bright-blue animal was previously misidentified.
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Bikes and Buses Propel Mexico City to Prize in Sustainable Transport
January 16, 2013
Transforming its traffic-clogged corridors by expanding alternatives for commuters, Mexico's capital wins notice for its success in reducing vehicle congestion.
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A Wild Start for Weather in the New Year
January 15, 2013
The weather in the first half of January offers more evidence that extremes are becoming the norm.
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"Fantastic" New Flying Frog Found—Has Flappy Forearms
January 14, 2013
A huge new flying frog with big webbed feet and flappy forearms has been discovered near Ho Chi Minh City, a new study says.
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In Kulluk's Wake, Deeper Debate Roils on Arctic Drilling
January 11, 2013
The drive for the Arctic’s vast oil and natural gas stores could falter, but is not likely to end, with the grounding of Shell’s drilling rig, Kulluk.
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Pictures: Civil War Shipwreck Revealed by Sonar
January 11, 2013
Shifting sands reveal a Civil War shipwreck and bring to light stories of the bravery shown by her crew as she went down.
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Sharp-Eared Robots Find Whales—And Help Them Escape Danger
January 11, 2013
Torpedo-shaped machines do their part to protect whales.
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Embryonic Sharks Freeze to Avoid Detection
January 9, 2013
Embryonic sharks still in their egg case will freeze to avoid predators.
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Pictures: Florida Wildlife Corridor to Protect Bears, Panthers
January 9, 2013
Black bears, panthers, bobcats, and more could roam freely in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a proposed strip of land running from South Florida to Georgia.
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2012: Hottest Year on Record for Continental U.S.
January 9, 2013
Last year was the warmest year on record for the continental U.S. by a wide margin, scientists say.
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Pictures: Wildfires Scorch Australia Amid Record Heat
January 8, 2013
Wildfires are raging across much of southeastern Australia, fueled by drought and the country's hottest temperatures on record.
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Pictures: Centralia Mine Fire, at 50, Still Burns With Meaning
January 8, 2013
The worst U.S. mine fire, in Centralia, Pennsylvania, passed its 50-year mark last year. As coal-powered development spreads globally, so does the risk of underground fire.
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Primitive and Peculiar Mammal May Be Hiding Out in Australia
January 7, 2013
The long-beaked echidna is thought to live only in New Guinea. But now there's evidence that Australia might also be home to the rare, egg-laying mammal.
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Wasp Larvae Practice Food Safety
January 7, 2013
Wasp larvae treat cockroach hosts with antimicrobials before digging in.
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Salt Power: Norway Project Gives Osmotic Energy a Shake
January 7, 2013
Ocean energy lurks not only in waves and tides, but also in saltiness. A Norway experiment seeks to harness renewable power in saltwater’s natural movement into fresh water.
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Scientists Seek Foolproof Signal to Predict Earthquakes
January 4, 2013
For centuries people have tried to predict earthquakes-with no success. Magnetic signals from rocks deep inside the earth are the latest prospect.
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Pictures We Love: Best of December
January 3, 2013
Mud-slathered tourists, a cabaret comeback, and a glacial "mushroom" appear in our photo editors' favorite news pictures of December.
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What Lives in Your Gut?
January 3, 2013
A citizen science project explores how diet and lifestyle affect the microbes that dwell inside us.
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Pictures: Errant Shell Oil Rig Runs Aground Off Alaska
January 2, 2013
Crews have been trying to secure the drilling rig, which broke free of its tow lines in a storm and is carrying 150,000 gallons of fuel.
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Wireless Power May Cut the Cord for Plug-In Devices, Including Cars
December 28, 2012
WiTricity, a company based near Boston, envisions a future where everything from mobile phones to vehicles can be charged without wires.
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Tigers Making a Comeback in Parts of Asia
December 28, 2012
Tigers are making a comeback thanks to strong government initiatives in India, Thailand, and Russia, scientists announced this week.
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Body Under British Parking Lot May Be King Richard III
December 28, 2012
Scientists examine a body they think may be infamous medieval monarch Richard III, who was killed in battle.
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Pictures: Race Against Time to Build a New Tomb for Chernobyl
December 27, 2012
In an unprecedented engineering endeavor, workers are replacing the crumbling structure hastily erected to contain radiation at Chernobyl, site of the world's worst nuclear power disaster in 1986.
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Pictures: Capturing the Beauty of Life Through a Microscope
December 24, 2012
Tiny claws and single-celled algae are among the top images in the 2012 Olympus BioScapes Microscopic Life Photo Contest.
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Pictures: Fungi Get Into the Holiday Spirit
December 21, 2012
One researcher coaxes mold into seasonal artwork.
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Photos: Humboldt Squid Have a Bad Day at the Beach
December 21, 2012
The bodies of hundreds of beached Humboldt squid puzzle researchers.
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Hollies Get Prickly for a Reason
December 20, 2012
When animals browse, holly trees make more spiny leaves, an example of epigenetic adaption to environmental pressure.
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Race Is On to Find Life Under Antarctic Ice
December 18, 2012
A century after explorers competed d to reach the South Pole, three countries are racing to discover life under the Antarctic ice.
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Crayfish Harbor Fungus That’s Wiping Out Amphibians
December 17, 2012
Crustacean is a reservoir for fungus responsible for worldwide amphibian declines.
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Grave Obstacle to Chinese Construction Boom
December 17, 2012
One family defies the relentless march of modernization by refusing to move tomb.
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Pictures: Eight Biggest Energy Stories of 2012
December 14, 2012
North American fossil-fuel production surged, while China grabbed for resources and India's power system teetered, in the top energy news stories of 2013.
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Venomous Primate Discovered in Borneo
December 14, 2012
Scientists unmask a new primate species—a type of slow loris called Nycticebus kayan, a new study says.
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Pictures: Five Most Overlooked Energy Stories of 2012
December 14, 2012
Auto efficiency improved, fuel waste persisted, and worry grew over the water-energy-food nexus—just a few of the overlooked energy stories of 2012.
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Trapped Tigress Rescued
December 14, 2012
When tigers come into contact with humans in parts of India, the results can be tragic for both sides.
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Pictures: Five Most Hopeful Energy Stories of 2012
December 14, 2012
Innovations helped save energy in the developed world, and bring power-starved people online in developing nations-just a few of 2012's hopeful energy stories.
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Pictures: Surveying Rain Forest Arthropods
December 14, 2012
A new survey of rain forest arthropods finds their diversity tied to plant diversity.
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Vast Diversity of Arthropods in Small Patch of Rain Forest
December 13, 2012
A huge new survey finds insect diversity linked to diversity in plants.
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Rare Singing Dog Photographed in New Guinea?
December 13, 2012
The New Guinea singing dog, an elusive canine related to the Australian dingo, may have been spotted in New Guinea.
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Gold “Mining” Termites Found, May Lead Humans to Riches
December 12, 2012
Want to know if you're literally sitting on a gold mine? Get some termites, a new study suggests.
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Who’s Watching? Privacy Concerns Persist as Smart Meters Roll Out
December 12, 2012
The drive for a 21st-century electric grid faces privacy worries. What will happen to the detailed information on home energy use that utilities will be able to collect through smart meters?
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Waste Wattage: Cities Aim to Flush Heat Energy Out of Sewers
December 11, 2012
So much hot water goes down the drain that cities worldwide are recognizing sewer heat as an untapped resource that can help cut energy costs.
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U.K. Dash for Shale Gas a Test for Global Fracking
December 10, 2012
The United Kingdom, reliant on natural gas, moves toward lifting its hydraulic fracturing ban. But here and elsewhere around the globe, fracking faces challenges.
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Meet Migaloo, World's First "Archaeology Dog"
December 10, 2012
An Australian dog specially trained to locate buried human bones by scent could aid archaeologists.
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A 110-Million-Year-Old Trash Collector
December 10, 2012
Complex hiding behavior encased in amber for 110 million years.
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Photos: Coral Species Proposed for Protections
December 7, 2012
<strong>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposes protections for 66 coral species.</strong>
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Plants Grow Fine Without Gravity
December 7, 2012
Turns out plants grow just fine on the International Space Station.<p> </p>
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Natural Gas Nation: EIA Sees U.S. Future Shaped by Fracking
December 7, 2012
The U.S. government energy outlook sees broad impact of new oil and gas abundance. Renewable energy captures a small future share without policy or technological change.
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Pictures: The Life-Giving Nile River
December 7, 2012
For more than 5,000 years, the Nile has directed the development of civilization in northern Africa, but it has also been the source of immeasurable damage and destruction.
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Best News Pictures of 2012: Nat Geo News's Most Popular
December 7, 2012
A real-life "vampire," a spider swarm, and miniature chameleons are featured in the most popular news galleries of 2012.
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Photos: Best Camera-Trap Pictures of 2012
December 7, 2012
A tiger chowing on a rhino and a sloth bear spitting at the camera are among the winning subjects of the 2012 BBC Wildlife Camera Trap Competition.
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High-Voltage DC Breakthrough Could Boost Renewable Energy
December 5, 2012
An advance in grid technology could give Thomas Edison’s favored mode of electricity delivery, DC, a chance to ramp up clean power today.
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Giant Sequoias Grow Faster With Age
December 5, 2012
Older trees beat out youngsters when it comes to bulking up, a new study says.
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Tracking California's Rivers of Rain
December 5, 2012
New weather stations are helping California forecasters better predict flooding from damaging storms called the "pineapple express."
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Scientific Results From Challenger Deep
December 4, 2012
Preliminary results from Challenger Deep give hints about destructive earthquakes, gigantic crustaceans, and the origin of life.
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The Transporter: Cloud Banks Carry Mercury
December 4, 2012
New results show that the oceans are responsible for the mercury content of coastal fog.
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Animal Overpass Helps Pronghorn Survive A Dangerous Migration
December 4, 2012
Pronghorn antelopes cross a busy Wyoming highway on an overpass built to help them navigate a dangerous bottleneck in their migration.
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Pictures: Unspoiled Rivers
December 3, 2012
How do we balance population growth and economic security with freshwater ecosystem protection?
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Photos: Kilauea Lava Reaches the Sea
November 30, 2012
Lava belched from Hawaii’s famous volcano Kilauea runs into the ocean.
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Pictures: Bakken Shale Oil Boom Transforms North Dakota
November 30, 2012
In the booming North Dakota’s Bakken Shale region, producers aren’t waiting for pipelines. In a reprise of the industry’s pioneering days, they’re loading oil on railroads.
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Pictures: Greening the Desert
November 30, 2012
From Texas to Saudi Arabia, people are finding ways to grow food and fuel in the desert—sometimes with deleterious effects.
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Grabbing Water From Future Generations
November 30, 2012
Many of the world's aquifers are being pumped dry to support unsustainable agriculture.
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Saudi Arabia Stakes a Claim on the Nile
November 30, 2012
After draining four-fifths of its massive underground aquifer for unsustainable agriculture, the Saudi Kingdom turns to verdant Ethiopia.
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Mali’s Lush Wetlands Drained by Foreign Agribusiness
November 30, 2012
Subsistence lifestyles and diverse wildlife hang in the balance in Mali's inland delta, thanks to ambitious plans to divert Niger River water for irrigation.
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Oil Train Revival: Booming North Dakota Relies on Rail to Deliver Its Crude
November 30, 2012
In the booming North Dakota’s Bakken Shale region, producers aren’t waiting for pipelines. In a reprise of the industry’s pioneering days, they’re loading oil on railroads.
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Polar Ice Sheets Shrinking Worldwide, Study Confirms
November 29, 2012
<strong>Rapid loss of ice sheets is already contributing to sea level rise, according to comprehensive roundup of satellite data.</strong>
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Blood Red Ocean: Not Exactly The End of Days
November 29, 2012
An algae bloom off the east coast of Australia turns the ocean blood red.
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Pictures: Falcon Massacre Uncovered in India
November 27, 2012
Every fall, locals in northeastern India kill hundreds of thousands of Amur falcons as the birds journey south to their wintering grounds, conservationists say.
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Car Sharing Widens the Lanes of Access for City Drivers
November 26, 2012
City dwellers are expanding their options for mobility with peer-to-peer car sharing. Can "accessing" replace "ownership" in the love affair with the automobile?
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Mount Doom's Neighbor Erupts in New Zealand
November 21, 2012
A New Zealand volcano that neighbors a mountain best known as Mount Doom of the <i>Lord of the Rings</i> films has rumbled back to life.
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Urban Grasshoppers Sing Louder
November 21, 2012
Males that dwell by busy roads boost the bass of their courtship songs to be heard above traffic, a new study says.
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Cuba's Oil Quest to Continue, Despite Deepwater Disappointment
November 19, 2012
In a drilling campaign profoundly hampered by the long-standing U.S. trade embargo, Cuba came up dry in its search for deepwater oil this year. But its quest for offshore energy will continue.
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Lonesome George Not the Last of His Kind, After All?
November 16, 2012
Maybe the late, lamented Galápagos tortoise wasn't the end of his line, after all. A DNA shocker is spurring a hunt for living cousins.
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California Tackles Climate Change, But Will Others Follow?
November 16, 2012
California launches its cap-and-trade market to curb carbon emissions. Advocates for climate change action hope the state’s approach will spread.
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Alaska's Clash Over Salmon and Gold Goes National
November 16, 2012
Mostly roadless, the Bristol Bay area doesn't look like a battlefield, yet it's become a Gettysburg of natural resource conflict.
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Second Life for Old Electric-Car Batteries: Guardians of the Electric Grid
November 16, 2012
General Motors demonstrates that "spent" Chevy Volt batteries can be deployed in communities to deliver more reliable, cleaner power to buildings.
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What Lives in Your Belly Button? Study Finds "Rain Forest" of Species
November 14, 2012
A "rain forest" of species thrive in our navels, a new study finds. Don't be alarmed, though—says one researcher, "It's quite beautiful."
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Pictures: Venice Flood Makes a Swimming Pool of St. Mark's
November 13, 2012
See how some people made the most of five-foot floods in the Italian city—donning Wellies and waders, swimsuits and makeshift gaters.
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U.S. to Overtake Saudi Arabia, Russia as World's Top Energy Producer
November 12, 2012
The United States, on track to overtake Saudia Arabia as the world's leading oil producer, moves closer to energy self-sufficiency, the International Energy Agency says.
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After Sandy: The Future of Boardwalks
November 10, 2012
After the storm, should boardwalks be rebuilt, redesigned, defended by dunes? "The big challenge is to create another vision of the shore."
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Why the Maya Fell: Climate Change, Conflict—And a Trip to the Beach?
November 9, 2012
The latest thinking suggests the mighty Maya Empire collapsed due to climate change, conflict—and maybe a trip to the beach.
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Climate Predictions: Worst-Case May Be Most Accurate, Study Finds
November 8, 2012
Scientists with their heads in the clouds say the most extreme global warming predictions also seem to be the most likely.
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The Last Drop? Climate Change May Raise Coffee Prices, Lower Quality
November 8, 2012
Wild Arabica coffee could go extinct within 70 years, increasing the price, and rarity, of a good cup of joe.
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Renault Zoe, a Low-Price Electric Car, Wins Britain's Future Car Challenge
November 8, 2012
The Renault Zoe wins Britain’s Future Car Challenge, but a bigger test is in store. With its low base price, the mini-EV aims to supercharge the European electric car market.
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Supervolcano Rained Acid on Both Poles—But Wasn't So Bad After All?
November 7, 2012
The eruption was 5,000 times larger than Mount St. Helens's 1980 blast, but evidence suggests its fallout was just shy of apocalyptic.
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Pictures We Love: Best of October
November 5, 2012
Sparks fly, tadpoles fall in line, and a sleepy Chihuahua charms in National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures from October.
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Superstorm Sandy Pictures: Top Reader Photos
November 2, 2012
See top shots from National Geographic's far-flung photo community, members of which captured scenes of Sandy's wrath from the Great Lakes to NYC.
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Can Hurricane Sandy Shed Light on Curbing Power Outages?
November 2, 2012
Nuclear plants held up, but overhead wires came down in Hurricane Sandy’s path. With millions still in darkness and cold, experts are calling for a smarter, more resilient electrical system.
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Why New York City Is the Worst Place for a Hurricane
November 1, 2012
An underwater canyon in the Atlantic, high buildings, and a flood-prone underground make New York City particularly vulnerable to storms, experts say.
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Tsunamis in the Alps?
October 31, 2012
A killer wave slammed medieval Geneva, a new study says. And it could happen again.
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Singing Sand Dunes Explained
October 31, 2012
Marco Polo and others have wondered over the centuries—why makes sand dunes sing? A new study offers a clue.
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After Sandy's New York Deluge, a Flood of Rats?
October 31, 2012
In the wake of superstorm Sandy, thousands of the rodents have been driven from flooded subway tunnels.
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Hurricane Sandy Pictures: Floods, Fire, Snow in the Aftermath
October 31, 2012
Floods, fire, and snow socked large pockets of the U.S. East during the storm—including New York, which flooded above and below ground.
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H.M.S. Bounty Sinks: Rescue and Rich Legacy in Pictures
October 30, 2012
See the replica tall ship in its glory days and during its sinking in Hurricane Sandy—200 years after the famous mutiny on its namesake.
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How Superstorm Sandy's Floods Can Make You Sick
October 30, 2012
As New York City grapples with Hurricane Katrina-like flooding, residents may be at risk of infections from stagnant water, experts say.
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Sandy Not Dead Yet: Why Storm's Still Super, Headed for New Targets
October 30, 2012
Greater than the sum of its parts, the "Frankenstorm" lurches on. Find out why it's still super, and where it's headed next.
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Hurricane Sandy Aftermath: What Happens to the Birds?
October 30, 2012
This week's devastating superstorm didn't just wreak havoc on human communities—it also damaged habitat for coastal bird species.
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U.S. Nuclear Plants Brace for Hurricane Sandy Impact
October 29, 2012
As Hurricane Sandy approaches the East Coast, preparations are under way to safeguard Oyster Creek Generating Station, the oldest U.S. nuclear plant.
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Hurricane Sandy: Why Full Moon Makes "Frankenstorm" More Monstrous
October 29, 2012
Several freak weather events make the "Frankenstorm" monstrous, and even the moon is adding to the gravity of the situation.
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Hurricane Sandy Pictures: Storm Turns Iconic Sites Ghostly
October 29, 2012
Atlantic City casinos and New York city streets and subways are ghost towns as Hurricane Sandy bears down on the East Coast in "worst-case scenario," experts say.
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U.S. Lab's "Titan" Named World's Fastest Supercomputer
October 29, 2012
The technology that animates video games enables a leap in science, as the U.S. government deploys Titan, the most powerful “hybrid” supercomputer yet.
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Why Are China and Japan Sparring Over Eight Tiny, Uninhabited Islands?
October 26, 2012
Potential energy wealth beneath the East China Sea's Senkaku Islands places them at the center of a tense territorial dispute between China and its neighbors.
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World's Oldest Primate Was a Rodentlike Climber
October 24, 2012
An "extraordinary discovery" exposes the earliest known primate as a rodentlike climber that evolved in tandem with flowers and fruit.
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Aurora Pictures: Best Fall Photos of Northern Lights
October 23, 2012
See our favorite recent photos of the northern lights, and a few southern ones too—guest-starring a fireball and a passel of penguins.
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Pictures: Best Wild Animal Photos of 2012 Announced
October 23, 2012
Bubbly penguins and pounce-primed cheetah cubs feature in some of the year's best wildlife pictures, according to a U.K.-based contest.
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High Fuel Costs Spark Increased Use of Wood for Home Heating
October 22, 2012
High oil prices are causing more U.S. households to choose wood for home heating, according to a new government analysis, but only a fraction of those are using cleaner wood pellets.
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"Lethally Hot" Earth Was Devoid of Life—Could It Happen Again?
October 18, 2012
Fossil clues point to high temperatures during one of Earth's low points. Could it happen again?
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Northernmost Lake Resurrected Due to Warming
October 17, 2012
The world's northernmost lake, situated near the coast of Greenland, is coming back to life, a new study says.
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Battery Maker A123's Bankruptcy Underscores U.S. Hurdles for Clean Tech
October 17, 2012
The bankruptcy filing this week of U.S. government-backed battery maker A123 Systems demonstrates the challenges of developing clean energy technology in a still-evolving market.
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Antarctic Sea Ice Hits Record ... High?
October 13, 2012
Just weeks after a record North Pole melt, Antarctica is surrounded by more sea ice than ever before recorded. What gives?
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Britain's Isle of Wight Aims to Lead Island Green Energy Movement
October 10, 2012
In hope of spurring the use of clean energy on the world’s islands, a project aims to turn the Isle of Wight, off England’s southern coast, into a showcase for renewable self-sufficiency.
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Pictures: Glowing Deep-Sea Creatures Found in Caribbean
October 10, 2012
A bevy of bottom-dwelling creatures—including shrimp, coral, and anemones—have been found to glow, a new study says.
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Iraq Poised to Lead World Oil Supply Growth, but Obstacles Loom
October 9, 2012
Iraq could add more than any other nation to global oil supply, but it faces challenges that could roil world energy markets, says the International Energy Agency.
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Snow Leopards Need To Be Protected ... But How?
October 9, 2012
Thinking of snow leopards as domesticated—and thus dependent on people for food—may help save the dwindling species, one conservationist claims.
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New Species Photos: Giant Millipede, Horned Frog Among Borneo Finds
October 5, 2012
Glowing fungi, a big-fanged spider, and the world's biggest moth are among species found during a recent expedition to Malaysia.
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Coal-Fired Australia, Buffeted by Climate Change, Enacts Carbon Tax
October 5, 2012
Australia launches a landmark cap-and-trade program, but the coal-dependent continent faces challenges in its bid to curb carbon emissions.
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Pictures We Love: Best of September
October 4, 2012
Flying children, a fairy tale prison, and North Korean "bodybuilders" are among our photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month.
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Fall Leaves: "Ideal Conditions" Seen for Foliage in U.S.
October 3, 2012
There may be one upside to this year's dry summer—a brilliant fall foliage season in parts of the United States.
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Pictures: Orphan Baby Gorillas Rescued From Poachers
October 2, 2012
Freed from poachers, two gorillas have found refuge in the arms of surrogate "mothers"—male caretakers who offer crucial 24-hour TLC.
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Pictures: 80 Polar Bears Throng Village in Search of Whale
October 1, 2012
Drawn by a whale carcass, the bears thronged an Alaskan village in record numbers—a possible side effect of the great Arctic melt.
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Pictures: Vampire Squid's Surprising Diet Revealed
September 29, 2012
Despite its bloodthirsty name and looks, the "vampire squid from hell" turns out to be the only known nonpredatory squid, a new study says.
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Pictures: New-Species "Heaven" Discovered in Peru
September 28, 2012
A night monkey, enigmatic porcupine, and small-eared shrew are among the unusual mammals found during a recent expedition.
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Pictures: Eleven Electric Cars Charge Ahead, Amid Obstacles
September 28, 2012
From Tesla’s futuristic Model X to the pint-sized Smart Fortwo ED, the latest electric cars are turning heads, but face challenges in their bid to transform transportation.
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Tentacled, Carnivorous Plants Catapult Prey Into Traps
September 27, 2012
A carnivorous plant in Australia has special tentacles that fling prey into its sticky trap, a new study shows for the first time.
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Panda Cub's Death Still a Mystery—Necropsy Provides Clues
September 24, 2012
A necropsy has turned up some clues in why the U.S. National Zoo's panda cub died after less than a week.
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Pictures: Flying Wind Turbines Reach for High-Altitude Power
September 24, 2012
Airborne wind energy pioneers are trying to harness the potential of high-altitude breezes, which have enough force—a new study reckons—to power all of Earth’s energy needs.
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Pictures: Drones Take on Hurricanes, Environment Work
September 24, 2012
Military-surplus Global Hawks head into the eye of new hurricanes, while smaller drones help monitor salmon habitat, seal populations, abandoned mine sites, wildfires, volcanoes, and more.
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"Liliger" Born in Russia No Boon for Big Cats
September 21, 2012
A liliger—the offspring of a liger mother and lion father—born in Russia may be cute, but it has no relevance in helping save big cats, experts say.
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Yellowstone Supervolcano Discovery—Where Will It Erupt?
September 20, 2012
The next major eruption will probably be centered in one of three parallel fault zones running north-northwest across the park, a new study says.
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Pictures: Fire "Tornado" Spotted—How Do They Form?
September 20, 2012
"Firenadoes"—such as the one filmed recently in the Australian Outback—aren't rare, just rarely reported, an expert says.
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Pictures: Seven Ingredients for Better Electric Car Batteries
September 14, 2012
To build a battery strong and cheap enough to power an electric car revolution, researchers are delving into ingredients from carbon nanotubes to oxygen.
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Religious Ivory Demand Killing Elephants by Thousands, Report Says
September 14, 2012
An active market for illegal ivory Jesuses, prayer beads, and amulets fuels thousands of elephant deaths yearly, a new report finds.
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In Uganda, Villages Reap Benefits of “Machine” Energy
September 14, 2012
The grueling processing of grain and gathering of firewood dominate life in Uganda’s Teso region. Engineers Without Borders is seeking to help power an improved harvest.
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Santorini Bulges as Magma Balloons Underneath
September 12, 2012
Scientists search for clues for when the volcano on the Greek island may erupt next.
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Pictures: Pygmy Sloth Among 100 Species Most At Risk
September 11, 2012
A chameleon named after Tarzan and a snub-nosed monkey are among the most threatened species, according to the new IUCN book Priceless or Worthless?.
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Pictures: Animal Winners and Losers of Summer's Heat Waves
September 11, 2012
See some of summer's animal-world losers and winners in the extreme-weather stakes, including anthrax bacteria and slug-eating hedgehogs.
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Arctic Sea Ice Hits Record Low—Extreme Weather to Come?
September 10, 2012
Arctic sea ice is thawing at a record rate, mostly due to global warming, scientists say.
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Sea Otters Strike a Blow for the Environment?
September 10, 2012
When hungry sea otters smack spiky urchins against rocks on their chests, the mammals may also be striking a blow against climate change.
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Ice-Breaking: U.S. Oil Drilling Starts as Nations Mull Changed Arctic
September 10, 2012
Shell begins Arctic drilling. While some focus on spill risk, summit leaders consider the wider environmental impact of opening a new industrial frontier.
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In War to Save Elephants, Rangers Appeal for Aid
September 9, 2012
In Elephant “War,” Rangers’ Plea for Help
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Ocean Energy Teams Compete for $16 Million Scotland Prize
September 7, 2012
In the roiling waters off Scotland’s coast, companies are vying to prove technology to harness the energy of the sea.
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Ancient Tomb Built to Flood—Sheds Light on Peru Water Cult?
September 6, 2012
Archaeologists find an unusual stacked grave holding pre-Inca leaders.
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Drought Withers U.S. Corn Crop, Heats Debate on Ethanol
September 6, 2012
With the U.S. corn harvest shriveled by drought, pressure builds to suspend the national ethanol mandate. But it’s not easy to turn off the biofuel pumps.
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Pictures: Supervolcano With Hexagonal Rocks Found in Hong Kong
September 6, 2012
Bristling with hexagonal rock formations, the remains of a giant volcano have been identified in, around, and under the city.
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Pictures We Love: Best of August
August 31, 2012
A stuck squirrel, a modern-day mummy ritual, and a police officer-turned-seagull feature among our favorite pictures of the month.
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Trapped Antarctic Methane Could Escape, Worsen Warming
August 31, 2012
Swamp gas trapped under miles of Antarctic ice may someday escape and further heat up the planet, a new study says.
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Glowing Cockroach Mimics Toxic Beetle
August 30, 2012
A species of cockroach glows green to trick predators into thinking it's the toxic click beetle, a new study says.
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Venezuelan Refinery Under Scrutiny After Deadly Blaze
August 30, 2012
The fires are out at Venezuela’s Amuay facility four days after the deadliest refinery accident in 15 years. But questions about exactly what happened, and why, are only beginning.
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Isaac Drives Spike in U.S. Gas Prices Ahead of Labor Day Weekend
August 30, 2012
U.S. gasoline prices are getting worse before they will get better, spurred by domestic refinery woes and the recent Gulf Coast storm.
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Black Bears Can "Count" as Well as Primates
August 29, 2012
Do black bears count in the woods? Possibly, according to a recent study that shows the mammals are as smart as primates.
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Isaac Now a Hurricane, But It's Still No Katrina
August 28, 2012
Despite similar paths and timing, the two storms are "not even comparable."
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New Genitalia-Headed Fish Is Evolutionary Mystery
August 27, 2012
It's a mystery just how the fish's reproductive organs ended up front and center, a new study says.
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Deep-Sea, Shrimp-like Creatures Survive by Eating Wood
August 27, 2012
Deep-sea, shrimp-like crustaceans caught in the Mariana Trench get big by eating sunken wood, a new study says.
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Drought Reaches New Orleans; Hurricane Isaac Could Add Insult to Injury
August 24, 2012
As the Mississippi River shrinks, the Gulf of Mexico is already making its way inland.
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Pictures: Ecuador’s Tungurahua Volcano Erupts
August 23, 2012
The 16,48-foot volcano has been erupting intermittently since October 1999, but more aggressive activity this week prompted the authorities to raise the security alert from "moderate" to "high."
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Pictures: Rare Deep-Sea Anglerfish Recorded
August 23, 2012
Rare, red, bulbous deep-sea anglerfish that can “walk” and change color are caught on camera thousands of feet below the surface.
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Photos: Aerial Survey Spots Record Number of Manatees
August 22, 2012
An aerial survey from the skies above Belize has spotted a record number of manatees enjoying clear coastal waters.
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Pictures: World’s Worst Power Outages
August 21, 2012
From weather events to human error, a range of snafus can wreak havoc for millions when they create the massive blackouts that have periodically struck regions around the world.
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Pictures: Squid Iridescence Explained
August 21, 2012
Nerve cells are responsible for squids' shimmering displays, a new study says.
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Helix Collapse Fails to Crush Hope for Vertical Wind Turbines
August 20, 2012
The failure of "rooftop” wind energy's most trumpeted start-up underscores the technology’s challenges, but believers insist vertical turbines have their place.
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Meteor Dust Boosts Night-Shining Clouds
August 20, 2012
Trails of smoke left by meteors may be seeding mysterious night-shining clouds, a new study says.
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Hurricanes Get Supercharged by River Mouths
August 20, 2012
When storms hit less dense patches of freshwater they gain strength, a new study says.
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What's Causing Extreme Weather?
August 20, 2012
Wondering what's causing all the extreme weather we've seen lately? The short answer, scientists say, is rotten luck and a warmer planet.
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Pictures: Students Design Super-Efficient Cars in Eco-marathon
August 17, 2012
High school and university students from around the world competed in the race for maximum fuel efficiency, staged this year in the United States, Netherlands and Malaysia.
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Pictures: A Rare Look Inside Carmakers' Drive for 55 MPG
August 17, 2012
Automakers must dramatically improve fuel economy to meet new standards taking hold worldwide. They’ll do it with smarter systems, sleeker profiles, better materials, and a healthy dose of electric power.
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Record Heat, Drought Pose Problems for U.S. Electric Power
August 17, 2012
This summer’s scorching heat and record drought in the United States have pressured the water-dependent electricity system.
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Night Sky to Turn Bluer?
August 14, 2012
The night may glow bluer as yellow-orange streetlights are gradually replaced by whiter, energy-saving lights, a new study says.
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Biggest Burmese Python Found in Florida—17.7 Feet, 87 Eggs
August 14, 2012
"Monstrous," egg-stuffed 17.7-footer suggests Florida life is "perfect" for the invasive snake species, experts say.
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Anti-Glacier Prayer "Worked Too Well"—Vatican Approves New Ritual
August 11, 2012
After 350 years of praying for smaller glaciers, Alpine pilgrims debut a Vatican-approved ritual for more, not less, ice.
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Largest U.S. Coal Ash Pond to Close, But Future Rules Still Undecided
August 9, 2012
The shutdown of Pennsylvania’s “Little Blue” coal ash site is a landmark event, but a decision lags on U.S. regulation of one of its largest waste problems.
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July Hottest Month on Record in U.S.—Warming and Drought to Blame?
August 8, 2012
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China Drills Into Shale Gas, Targeting Huge Reserves Amid Challenges
August 8, 2012
China launches shale gas exploration, with ambitious goals that will require the right geology, plenty of water, and foreign know-how.
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Heat Waves "Almost Certainly" Due to Global Warming?
August 6, 2012
Recent heat waves around the globe "almost certainly would not have occurred" without global warming, a NASA climate scientist says.
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Pictures: India Power Outage Darkens Cities, Stops Trains
July 31, 2012
One of history's worst blackouts darkened cities, delayed trains, and forced many to use backup generators for two days.
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India Power Outage Spotlights Energy Planning Failure
July 31, 2012
India's massive power outage raises questions about the nation's inability to map out its energy future. Protest and high costs have stymied coal and nuclear plans.
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Pictures: Floating Cities of the Future
July 31, 2012
From an underwater "oceanscraper" to floating apartments, these fantastical green building designs could be immune to sea level rise.
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Caffeinated Seas Found off U.S. Pacific Northwest
July 30, 2012
The Pacific Northwest's coffee culture may not stop at the shoreline, thanks to caffeinated human waste streaming off the coast.
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Shell Scales Back 2012 Arctic Drilling Goals
July 27, 2012
Sea ice and regulatory issues trouble Shell’s plan to drill for oil in waters north of Alaska this summer, underscoring the challenges of the Arctic frontier.
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Summer Storms to Create New Ozone Holes as Earth Warms?
July 26, 2012
A rise in summer storms due to global warming may degrade the protective ozone layer in populated areas far from the Poles, a new study suggests.
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Pictures: 10 Green-Tech City Solutions for Beating the Heat
July 26, 2012
From a solar mansion in China to a floating farm in New York, green buildings are sprouting up in cities around the world. Among their many benefits are curbing fossil-fuel use and reducing the urban heat island effect.
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"Shocking" Greenland Ice Melt: Global Warming or Just Heat Wave?
July 25, 2012
Nearly the entire ice sheet surface was slush after a few days this month—the fastest melt yet seen by satellites. What does it mean?
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Pictures: London Leaps Hurdles in Green Olympic Games Bid
July 25, 2012
Organizers for the London Olympics have made significant strides toward more energy-efficient summer games, but some of their efforts didn't make it to the finish line.
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Best Satellite Pictures: Winning "Earth as Art" Shots From NASA
July 25, 2012
Algae swirl like a Van Gogh, a blue-ribbon Mississippi unfurls, and a sand sea blows in the favorite satellite images from a new NASA contest.
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Pictures: Strange New Fish Found Deep off New Zealand
July 24, 2012
A flabby whalefish, a slickhead, and a white rattail are among the weird fish hauled up during a recent New Zealand deep-sea expedition.
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Coal Power Loses Its Luster in India as Costs Rise
July 24, 2012
India’s coal-fired power expansion plans are faltering, not over environmental concerns but due to new high costs. Some 50 projects face default.
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Sizing Up Wind Energy: Bigger Means Greener, Study Says
July 20, 2012
Larger wind turbines have a smaller carbon footprint, a European study finds. But practical limitations and local rules could place a ceiling on size.
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Pictures: Dumping Iron in Ocean & 6 More Extreme Climate Fixes
July 19, 2012
Seeding the oceans with iron has gotten a boost in a new study—though it's only one drastic fix proposed to slow global warming.
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Nuclear Restart Generates Power, Protest in Japan
July 16, 2012
Japan's restart of one of its nuclear power plants rouses an unusual display of public discontent, but the energy-short nation faces no easy choices in the wake of Fukushima.
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Giant Red Sprite Seen From Space Station
July 13, 2012
A new image conveys the size of the rarely seen electrical phenomenon "better than any picture we've ever seen," expert says.
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Pictures: First Night-Shining Clouds of 2012
July 12, 2012
Rippling clouds glow against dark night skies in one of summer's strangest sights, which may be getting more common as Earth warms.
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Americans Least Green—And Feel Least Guilt, Survey Suggests
July 12, 2012
A new global survey suggests world's the most wasteful countries feel the least guilty—and vice-versa.
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Formula One Legend Murray Sets Course for Energy-Efficient Car Design
July 11, 2012
Gordon Murray designed some of the fastest, sleekest race cars in history. He’s now tackling a greater challenge: crafting lightweight, efficient autos for the masses.
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Mystery Solved: Why We Sunburn
July 11, 2012
For the first time, science has illuminated why our skin reddens and stings when we get too much sunshine, a new study says.
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As Squeeze Tightens on Iran, Fuel Prices—for Now—Reflect Calm
July 10, 2012
Iran faces mounting pressure over its nuclear program at a time of bountiful oil supply and weak demand. But how long can low gas prices last?
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"Unusual" Pictures: Lions vs. Hippo
July 10, 2012
Newly released pictures show lions attacking and killing a young hippo in South Africa—a rarity, experts say.
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Arsenic-Life Discovery Debunked—But "Alien" Organism Still Odd
July 9, 2012
An organism that appeared to have rewritten the laws of life has been brought down to Earth by two new studies.
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Elusive Killer Ants Explained; Bop Insects on Heads
July 3, 2012
A little-seen species of trap-jawed ant is an ambush hunter that lives in giant treetop colonies, a decades-long study reveals.
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New Natural Gas Wealth Means Historic Change for Israel
July 3, 2012
Historically lacking in fossil-fuel resources, Israel now faces the challenge of managing its new huge natural gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Colorado Wildfires Threaten Water Supplies
July 3, 2012
Colorado Wildfires Threaten Water Supplies -- As fires are contained, water managers assess the damage, draw more on the Colorado River, and try to prepare for a dry future.
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Pictures: 25 New Reef Fish Found—"Beautiful" Basslet and More
June 28, 2012
Among the new species: a candy-striped clingfish and fairy goby—plus, a "bizarre" scorpionfish and an eel opening wide for flounder.
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Massive Pile of Elephant Ivory Burned in Gabon—A First
June 27, 2012
More than ten thousand pounds of elephant ivory were burned in Gabon, a fiery act intended to snuff out a recent spike in poaching.
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Photos: "Snubby" Monkey, Hula Frog Among New Most At-Risk Species
June 26, 2012
A sneezing monkey, an Amazon antbird, and a hula frog are among the species newly listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
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Slow Sharks Sneak Up on Sleeping Seals (and Eat Them)?
June 26, 2012
The world's slowest swimming shark may have evolved a slick hunting move: Sneaking up on snoozing seals.
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Lonesome George, Last of His Kind, Dies in Galápagos
June 25, 2012
The centenarian reptile, perhaps best known for his reticence to mate, was the last giant tortoise of his kind.
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Sea Levels Rising Fast on U.S. East Coast
June 25, 2012
East Coast sea levels are rising three times faster than the average—hinting at a more flood-prone future for New York and other cities.
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Pictures: Now or Never? 9 Places to See Before They Slip Away
June 25, 2012
For summer travel with lasting impact, consider destinations that are changing fast—Glacier National Park, the Everglades, and more.
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Warm Snap Turned Antarctica Green Around the Edges
June 20, 2012
A warm, wet snap about 15 million years ago thawed Antarctica, allowing abundant greenery to grow along its coasts, a new study says.
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Pictures: Jaguars Spotted on Colombian Plantation—A First
June 18, 2012
Looking "calm, playful, and healthy," jaguars have been spotted on a Colombian oil palm plantation—a first, scientists say.
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Pictures: Eleven Nations With Large Fossil-Fuel Subsidies
June 18, 2012
Governments around the world spend billions of dollars each year to keep the price of fossil fuels low, burdening state finances and encouraging wasteful consumption.
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Cities Bet They Can Curb Traffic With Games of Chance
June 15, 2012
To tackle congestion, clogged urban centers are testing the lure of prizes to persuade motorists to change their driving habits.
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Pictures: Odd Deep-Sea Creatures Found at Volcanoes, Canyons
June 13, 2012
Squat lobsters, "hairy" crabs, and "Mickey Mouse" squid are among animals spotted during a recent survey of underwater volcanoes and canyons.
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Pictures: Tsunami Dock Is "Alien Mother Ship" of Species
June 13, 2012
Teeming with invasive life-forms, the Japanese dock that recently hit the U.S. is a "dirty needle that just got stuck into our ecological arm."
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Meat-Eating Plants Getting "Full" On Pollution
June 12, 2012
Carnivorous plants in Swedish bogs are so stuffed on nitrogen pollution that they're able to eat fewer bugs, a new study says.
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Pictures: Volcano Lightning, Illuminated
June 11, 2012
Sparked by forces deep within ash plumes, volcanic lightning storms offer unprecedented views into the eruptions when monitored via radio sensors.
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Low-Cost Solar Brightens Lives in the Developing World
June 6, 2012
Cheap, small-scale solar energy devices are helping to raise living standards throughout the world.
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Pictures We Love: Best of May
June 1, 2012
From Amazon antics to a mist-shrouded Taj Mahal—see National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures from last month.
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Men's Offices Have More Bacteria, Study Finds
June 1, 2012
Your work space might harbor about as many bacteria species as a bathroom, a new study suggests—and they come mainly from your own body.
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Pictures: Mystery Shipwreck Found With Muskets, Beer Bottles
May 31, 2012
See a 19th-century wreck that has experts stumped. The site's few clues include guns, beer bottles, and copper outlines of a missing hull.
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Pictures: Solar Plane Completes First Intercontinental Flight
May 31, 2012
Fueled only by the sun glinting off its enormous wings, the Swiss experimental aircraft Solar Impulse achieves a historic intercontinental flight.
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International Agency Calls for Action on Natural Gas Safety
May 30, 2012
New environmental controls on natural gas "fracking" are both needed and affordable, the International Energy Agency says.
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Top Ten New Species: Snub-Nosed Monkey, Devil Worm, More
May 29, 2012
The biggest millipede and a Spongebob mushroom are among the ten most bizarre species of 2011, according to Arizona State University.
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Deep Creatures Hitchhike on Subs—Invading Pristine Habitats?
May 29, 2012
Despite huge pressure changes, "Energizer bunny" animals keep going and going and going—possibly invading pristine areas, experts say.
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Sunscreen in the Sky? Reflective Particles May Combat Warming
May 29, 2012
Spraying particles of titanium dioxide via balloons could help scatter enough sunlight to reduce global temperatures, a scientist says.
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Everest Climb Successful, Despite Crowds, Unrelenting Winds
May 26, 2012
Despite a tough crowd, howling winds, and even food poisoning, a National Geographic team touched the top of the world Friday.
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Nat Geo Team on Everest
May 25, 2012
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Pictures: Cars That Fired Our Love-Hate Relationship With Fuel
May 24, 2012
Today’s global demand for more efficient cars follows two centuries of shifting attitudes toward fuel-guzzling vehicles, from Model T to Rambler, from Hummer to Prius.
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Photos: Volcanic Vents, Crawling With Creatures, Found in Mexico Sea
May 23, 2012
Crawling with tube worms and crabs, the hydrothermal vents are the first found in the Gulf of California, scientists report.
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Magma Rise Sparked Life as We Know It?
May 23, 2012
Oxygen-breathing life exists on Earth today because of changes in the planet's magma 2.5 billion years ago, a new study says.
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In Wake of Everest Deaths, Another "Traffic Jam" Possible
May 22, 2012
Just days after four people died on Everest during a crowded climb, a similar "traffic jam" scenario could play out this weekend.
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Amid Economic Concerns, Carbon Capture Faces a Hazy Future
May 22, 2012
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects around the world are hitting a wall due to high costs and a lack of climate policy.
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Fossil Ink Sacs Yield Jurassic Pigment—A First
May 21, 2012
Still soft ink sacs from 160-million-year-old squidlike animals have yielded pigment matching that of modern cuttlefish.
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Giant Killer Mice Decimating Rare Seabirds
May 21, 2012
Oversize house mice are consuming millions of endangered Atlantic petrels on the bird's only known breeding area, a new study says.
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Tiles May Help Shrink Carbon Footprint by Harnessing Pedestrian Power
May 18, 2012
In areas with high foot traffic, installations of special flooring may prove that the answer to meeting energy demand lies right beneath our feet.
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Slow-Mo Microbes Still Living off Dino-era "Lunch Box"
May 17, 2012
Buried for 86 million years, a bacterial community lives so slugglishly it's still surviving on a "lunch box" from dino days, a new study says.
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Pictures: Elephant Underpass Reuniting Kenya Herds
May 16, 2012
A corridor beneath a busy highway in northern Kenya is helping isolated elephant populations reunite, conservationists say.
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Global Nuclear Retreat? Armenia, Others Aim to Keep Plants Alive
May 8, 2012
Armenia extends the life of its Soviet-style nuclear plant, despite seismic concerns. It’s one of a slew of decisions nations face on old reactors.
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Dinosaurs' Gaseous Emissions Warmed Earth?
May 7, 2012
Giant plant-eaters known as sauropods may have heated the planet by releasing huge amounts of methane, a new study says.
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Pictures We Love: Best of April
May 4, 2012
From hippo dental care to hammer time—see National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures from last month.
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Pictures: 24 New Caribbean Lizards Found
May 3, 2012
The unexpectedly large crop of Caribbean skinks is already at risk of extinction, a new study says.
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British Columbia Rethinks Its Pioneering Carbon Tax
May 3, 2012
With none of its neighbors following British Columbia’s lead in taxing to curb greenhouse gas emissions, the Canadian province reviews the economic impact.
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Yellowstone Super-Eruptions More Numerous Than Thought?
May 1, 2012
The Yellowstone supervolcano may erupt more frequently, though a bit weaker, than thought, a new study says.
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Glowing Pygmy Shark Lights Up to Fade Away
April 30, 2012
In what may sound like soggy logic, the smalleye pygmy shark hides in the dark by lighting up, a new study says.
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Supercomputing Power Could Pave the Way to Energy-Efficient Engines
April 30, 2012
Scientists believe that Titan, a massive upgrade in supercomputing power that the U.S. government is set to deploy this year, will help crack the code on energy-efficient engines.
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Everest Helicopter Rescue Saves National Geographic Photographer
April 28, 2012
Despite "not flyable" conditions, an acutely ailing Nat Geo photographer was airlifted to safety Saturday in Nepal.
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Best Underwater Pictures: Winners of 2012 Amateur Contest
April 27, 2012
From the ocean's biggest fish to tiny sea slugs with big color, the stars of an annual contest help reveal "the ocean through other eyes."
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White Killer Whale Spotted—Only One in the World?
April 25, 2012
Iceberg the Orca may be the only known all-white adult killer whale, and his strange skin color remains a mystery.
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Fish Glow Green After Genetic Engineering
April 22, 2012
A genetically engineered fish that glows green from the inside out is helping illuminate what pollutants do inside the body.
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Everest Guide Dies After 15-Story Fall Into Ice Chasm
April 22, 2012
In the first climbing fatality of the Everest mountaineering season, a Sherpa fell 150 feet into a chasm Saturday.
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Earth Day Pictures: Ten Most Threatened Forests
April 20, 2012
On the eve of Earth Day, find out which of the world's forests are on the brink.
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Pictures: Ten New Studies Show Gulf Spill Impact
April 19, 2012
Bottlenose dolphins off Louisiana’s coast are severely ill, while deep-sea corals show signs of tissue damage—just two findings in a slew of studies two years after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
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Earth Day Facts: When It Is, How It Began, What to Do
April 19, 2012
Find out more about Earth Day, which has grown into a global tradition since its not-so-humble beginnings in 1970.
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Pictures: Nature Yields New Ideas for Energy and Efficiency
April 19, 2012
Drawing inspiration from schools of fish, termite mounds, and the photosynthesis of leaves, new technologies seek to produce cleaner, more efficient energy through biomimicry.
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Emperor Penguins Counted From Space—A First
April 13, 2012
New satellite images show the population of emperor penguins in Antarctica has doubled since 1992, scientists report.
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Delhi Offers Cleaner Auto Rickshaws, but Residents Choose Cars
April 12, 2012
In India’s clogged cities, some view auto rickshaws—motorized three-wheelers—as a solution to pollution and congestion. But these “tuk tuks” struggle to compete with the allure of car ownership.
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Paint the Titanic, Wreck's Discoverer Says
April 12, 2012
Robert Ballard, the explorer who discovered the legendary wreck, has serious plans to robotically coat Titanic with fresh paint.
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"Strawberry" Leopard Discovered—A First
April 12, 2012
The rare South Africa leopard probably has erythrism, a condition that causes a pinkish coat, experts say.
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Indonesia Tsunami Pictures: Banda Aceh, Then and Now
April 11, 2012
Wednesday's earthquake struck the same Indonesian province decimated by a tsunami in 2004. See how the area is faring today.
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Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found in 4-Million-Year-Old Cave
April 11, 2012
Deep in an ancient New Mexico cave, scientists have discovered nearly a hundred types of bacteria that can fight modern antibiotics.
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No Tsunami? Why Earthquake Spared Indonesia Today
April 11, 2012
Despite a massive undersea quake Wednesday and panic in Indonesia, a regional tsunami watch saw little waves. Find out why.
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Pictures: New Suckermouth Armored Catfish Discovered
April 10, 2012
An "unusual" species of catfish likely uses its "suckermouth" to scrape algae off rocks, a new study says.
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Growing Food Demand Strains Energy, Water Supplies
April 6, 2012
In western India and around the world, agricultural growth is being stoked by unsustainable irrigation practices that sap aquifers and require huge amounts of energy.
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Cameron Exclusive: After Record Dive, Why Go Back to Mariana Trench?
April 5, 2012
With his first dive a success, James Cameron is eager for scientists to continue exploring Earth's deepest point in his custom-built sub.
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Titanic at 100: Be Among the Last to Dive to Wreck Site?
April 5, 2012
A hundred years after the Titanic sank, tourists can now go on a dive to the legendary wreck—but some experts want the "grave site" left alone.
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Pictures: Texas Tornadoes Toss Trailers, Flatten Homes
April 4, 2012
Yesterday's tornadoes peeled roofs off homes, tossed big-rigs in the air, and left flattened tractor trailers strewn along highways.
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Titanic Would Encounter More Icebergs Today?
April 4, 2012
If Titanic had sailed a hundred years later, it may have encountered many more icebergs, possibly due to global warming, scientists say.
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With Gas Prices High, U.S. Refinery Closures Hit Workers and Drivers
April 4, 2012
The economic pain of U.S. East Coast refinery closures may spread beyond job losses. Already high gas prices could climb still higher as summer approaches.
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"Lost" Long-Fingered Frog Found in Africa
April 3, 2012
In a handy stroke of luck, scientists have rediscovered a "lost" African species: the Bururi long-fingered frog.
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Pictures: China's Rare-Earth Minerals Monopoly
April 3, 2012
China’s rare-earth mining has given it dominance in the market for materials that go into everything from smart phones to electric cars, but the industry has exacted a toll on the country’s landscape and people.
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While Rare-Earth Trade Dispute Heats Up, Scientists Seek Alternatives
March 30, 2012
While nations clash with China to ease its monopoly over the rare-earth minerals critical to energy technology, scientists hunt for other options.
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Bizarre "King of Wasps" Found in Indonesia
March 27, 2012
Males of the venomous wasps have large, spiked jaws, perhaps to protect young, a new study says.
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James Cameron on Earth's Deepest Spot: Desolate, Lunar-Like
March 26, 2012
James Cameron describes Challenger Deep as a desolate, "lunar" environment, saying the dive felt as if he'd gone to another planet.
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Cameron's Historic Dive Cut Short by Leak; Few Signs of Life Seen
March 26, 2012
Despite technical challenges, James Cameron made history Monday in the Mariana Trench, which he said "looked like the moon."
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James Cameron Now at Ocean's Deepest Point
March 25, 2012
Stuffed into a "vertical torpedo," the explorer-filmmaker has become the first human to reach the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep alone.
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James Cameron Begins Descent to Ocean's Deepest Point
March 25, 2012
After years of preparation and days of uncooperative weather conditions, James Cameron is sinking fast to Earth's deepest, and perhaps most alien, realm in his futuristic sub.
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James Cameron Completes Record-Breaking Mariana Trench Dive
March 25, 2012
Filmmaker-explorer James Cameron just became the first human to reach Earth's deepest abyss alone—and the only one to explore it in depth.
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James Cameron May Dive Mariana Trench This Weekend, If "Weather Gods" Allow
March 24, 2012
After years of preparation, the filmmaker and explorer may be hours away from diving to the ocean's deepest point, if "weather gods" allow.
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Whales Have Sonar "Beam" for Targeting Prey
March 22, 2012
Precision sound "beams" let whales focus on fast prey in the dark ocean, a new study says.
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BP Oil Spill’s Sticky Remnants Wash Up Sporadically On Gulf Beaches
March 22, 2012
Tar balls from the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history continue to soil the Gulf Coast two years later, although at irregular intervals. Scientists say the tiny fragments hold clues for future understanding.
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Pictures: In Hungary, Burning Money for Fuel—Literally
March 21, 2012
Hungary is the only country to recycle its worn cash for fuel, recycling forints worth $1 billion (U.S.) each year into briquettes distributed to the poor.
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Grasslands More Diverse Than Rain Forests—In Small Areas
March 20, 2012
Sorry, tropical rain forests. Grasslands have the most plant species—at least in areas smaller than a few parking spaces.
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Vernal Equinox 2012: First-Day-of-Spring Myth Busted
March 20, 2012
Are day and night equally long today, the 2012 vernal equinox (or spring equinox)? Get the answer—and other first-day-of-spring facts and oddities.
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Pictures: Glowing Blue Waves Explained
March 19, 2012
Glittering or flashing seas have long been linked to marine microbes—and now scientists think they know how the life-forms create light.
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"Hot Bee Balls" Cook Enemy Hornets—But How Do Bees Endure the Heat?
March 16, 2012
Japanese honeybees swarm to cook enemy hornets, but how do they survive the heat themselves? A new brain study may have the answer.
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Natural Gas a Weak Weapon Against Climate Change, New Study Asserts
March 14, 2012
A new study argues that replacing all the world's coal power plants with natural gas would do little to slow global warming this century.
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Solar Energy Brings Food, Water, and Light to West Africa
March 13, 2012
For two arid villages in Benin, starvation seemed a greater problem than the lack of electricity. Solar drip irrigation tackled both issues at once.
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Photos: Where Will Next Mega-Tsunami Hit? (Japan Quake Anniversary)
March 9, 2012
One year after the great Japan earthquake and tsunami, at least six other places worldwide are vulnerable to giant killer waves. <p> </p>
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Pictures: Japan Tsunami, Then and Now
March 9, 2012
A year ago Sunday, the March 11 Japan tsunami flooded highways, tossed boats and cars, and leveled cities. See what the region looks like now.
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One Year After Fukushima, Japan Faces Shortages of Energy, Trust
March 8, 2012
By summer, no nuclear plants will be operating in Japan, where mistrust reverberates one year after the world’s second-worst nuclear accident, at Fukushima Daiichi.
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First Look: James Cameron's Sci-Fi Sub for Deepest Dive
March 8, 2012
The custom-made sub for James Cameron's dive to Earth's deepest point sports a vertical design, a robotic arm—and an eye-popping paint job.
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Pictures: Immense, Elusive Energy in the Forces of Nature
March 8, 2012
Japan’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, displayed the fearsome power in nature. Only a small fraction of Earth’s forces have been captured to fuel civilization.
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Spiderwebs Blanket Countryside After Australian Floods (Pictures)
March 7, 2012
Spiders trying to ride out floods in Wagga Wagga, Australia, are coating the town in thick webs.
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Pictures: A New Hub for Solar Tech Blooms in Japan
March 7, 2012
As Japan faces a nuclear-free future, at least in the short term, a new facility aims to develop solar technology that will create both energy and earnings at home.
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Nigeria's Rocky Effort to Wean Itself From Subsidized Fuel
March 7, 2012
Nigeria faces an uphill battle in removing fuel subsidies that kept gasoline cheap, but critically hampered the country's development.
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Alien Species Invading Antarctica via Tourists, Scientists
March 5, 2012
Antarctic tourists and scientists may be inadvertently seeding the icy continent with invasive species, a new study says.
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Photos: Pictures of the Year Announced
March 5, 2012
See this year's winners of the global photo contest that aims to "empower the world's best documentary photography."
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Spiny, Venomous New Sea Snake Discovered—"Something Special"
March 2, 2012
Mysteriously covered in spiny scales, the snake was hauled from risky seas: "The only question is which animal would kill us."
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Pictures We Love: Best of February
March 1, 2012
See the pictures we love, as chosen by National Geographic photo editors—from gravity-defying fighters to a "flaming" caterpillar.
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Rare Night Tornadoes This Week Fueled By Warm Winter?
March 1, 2012
A warm winter helped spawn an unusual nighttime outbreak of tornadoes in the U.S. Midwest early Wednesday morning, an expert says.
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Estimates Clash for How Much Natural Gas in the United States
February 29, 2012
As U.S. policymakers contemplate a new era as the “Saudi Arabia of natural gas,” a new government analysis slashes estimates for unproved shale gas reserves.
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James Cameron Headed to Ocean's Deepest Point Within Weeks
February 29, 2012
In a sci-fi sub, filmmaker and explorer James Cameron is soon to make history on a National Geographic mission to Earth's deepest point.
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Pictures: Spanish Solar Energy
February 28, 2012
Spain’s solar energy boom of the past decade has waned, but the Iberian peninsula nurtured innovative technologies that may pave the way for future large-scale renewable energy.
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Shrinking Arctic Sea Ice Linked to Snowier Winters?
February 27, 2012
Rapidly shrinking Arctic sea ice could be behind unusually snowy winters in the Northern Hemisphere, a new model suggests.
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Concern Over Rare Rhino Rouses Clean Energy Drive in Malaysia
February 22, 2012
After a fight against a coal-fired power plant that threatened one of the last sanctuaries of the Sumatran rhino, a struggle for cleaner energy continues in east Malaysia.
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Earth Spun Faster in 2009 Due to Ocean Current?
February 22, 2012
A slower Antarctic current, possibly linked to El Niño, made our planet spin slightly faster in November 2009, a new study suggests.
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Pictures: New Amphibians Without Arms or Legs Discovered
February 21, 2012
They aren't worms or even snakes. They're burrowing, limbless amphibians, and they're completely new to science, a new study suggests.
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32,000-Year-Old Plant Brought Back to Life—Oldest Yet
February 21, 2012
The oldest regenerated plant has beaten the previous recordholder by some 30,000 years, a new study says. The oldest plant ever to be regenerated has beaten the previous recordholder by some 30,000 years, a new study says.
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Uganda's Power Drive Stills Rapids at the Headwaters of the Nile
February 21, 2012
Uganda, where 90 percent of the people lack electricity, taps deeper into waterpower, by eliminating cascading rapids on the Victoria Nile.
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Pictures: See and Hear Last Speakers of Dying Languages
February 17, 2012
Faces and recorded voices tell the stories of endangered languages, thanks to new "talking dictionaries."
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Why Some Poison Frogs Taste Bittersweet When Licked
February 17, 2012
It's a discovery perhaps only a frog-licking scientist could make: Toxic frogs secrete sugars and bile acids in addition to their poisons.
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Pictures: Miniature Chameleons Discovered—Fit on Match Tip
February 15, 2012
Four new chameleon species found in Madagascar—some tiny enough to fit on a match tip—are among the smallest known reptiles.
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Best News Pictures of 2011: World Press Winners
February 15, 2012
See the painterly picture that won this year's World Press Photo Contest—plus a cliff-climbing polar bear, a record-breaking cave, and more.
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Pictures: A Rare Look Inside China's Energy Machine
February 14, 2012
A photographer gains an inside look at China’s massive power complex, and at efforts by the world’s largest energy consumer to spur cleaner future growth.
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Amid U.S.-China Energy Tension, "Clean Coal" Spurs Teamwork
February 13, 2012
China’s next president visits the White House amid tension on energy. But U.S.-China collaboration is emerging on projects to clean up coal.
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Life on Earth Began on Land, Not in Sea?
February 13, 2012
The first cellular life on Earth probably arose in vats of volcanic mud akin to Darwin's idea of a "warm little pond," a new study says.
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Shark-Attack Deaths Highest in 19 Years—Travel Trends to Blame?
February 10, 2012
U.S. fatalities down, possibly due to economic downturn.
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U.S. Oil Fields Stage "Great Revival," But No Easing Gas Prices
February 10, 2012
The shale boom centered in North Dakota lifts U.S. oil production, but the unexpected resurgence won’t lessen petroleum’s cost.
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Russian Scientists Breach Antarctica's Lake Vostok—Confirmed
February 8, 2012
Russian scientists have confirmed that they have breached the subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctica—a first.
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Huge Swarm of Gelatinous Sea Creatures Imaged in 3-D
February 8, 2012
Scientists have created a new 3-D picture of a giant swarm of tiny gelatinous sea creatures off Australia.
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New "Porta Potty" Flower Discovered
February 7, 2012
A new relative of the "corpse flower" growing in Madagascar smells like rotting meat and feces, researchers say.
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Bubble Curtains: Can They Dampen Offshore Energy Sound for Whales?
February 7, 2012
Oil and wind power companies are testing a novel technology—air bubbles—to shield marine mammals from the sound of their offshore operations.
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Pictures: "Supergiant," Shrimp-Like Beasts Found in Deep Sea
February 6, 2012
"It's a mystery" why giant, shrimp-like animals found off New Zealand are nearly three times larger than other amphipods, experts say.
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Russians "Close" to Drilling Into Antarctica's Lake Vostok
February 6, 2012
Russian scientists at Lake Vostok are "very, very close" to being the first to penetrate an Antarctic subglacial lake, news reports say.
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Iran’s Undisputed Weapon: Power to Block the Strait of Hormuz
February 6, 2012
Although Iran’s ability to throw the global economy into chaos has long been recognized, there’s no ready alternative for moving oil out of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Giant Crack in Antarctica About to Spawn New York-Size Iceberg
February 2, 2012
A vast iceberg is splitting from Antarctica, thanks to a giant crack in a glacier that's "really important" to sea level rise.
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Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil's Forecast Is In
February 2, 2012
Early spring or long winter? "Immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil has made his forecast. Get the odd facts behind Groundhog Day 2012.
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Pictures We Love: Best of January
February 1, 2012
See the pictures we love, as chosen by National Geographic photo editors—from a too plush penguin to a pantsless pedestrian.<p> </p>
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Pythons Eating Through Everglades Mammals at "Astonishing" Rate?
January 30, 2012
Invasive Burmese pythons are likely behind "dramatic" declines of the swamp's mammals—from rabbits to bobcats—new research suggests.
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Near-Extinct Monkeys Found in Colombian Park
January 27, 2012
A new population of one of the world's rarest primates has been found in a Colombian park, conservationists announced today.
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Death Valley's Big Bang: Volcano "Potentially Active"
January 25, 2012
It may be barren, but California's Ubehebe Crater is anything but dead, according to a new study.
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Green Moves: Medellin Cable Cars, San Francisco Parking Reform
January 25, 2012
Two cities renowned for hilly terrain and cable cars share in international prize for sustainable transport.
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New-Species Pictures: Cowboy Frog, Armored Catfish Among Finds
January 25, 2012
A cowboy frog, eye-licking gecko, and "Crayola" katydid are among new and known species found in a Suriname rain forest.
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Scavenging for Charcoal Fuel in the Rubbish of Manila
January 25, 2012
The plight of charcoal scavengers in the Philippines capital underscores why the United Nations declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy For All.
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Pictures: "Extinct" Monkeys With Sideburns Found in Borneo
January 20, 2012
The Miller's grizzled langur, a rare monkey species with bristly sideburns, has been "rediscovered" in a forest in northeastern Borneo, a new study says.
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Pictures: America's "Lost" National Parks
January 20, 2012
See U.S. national parks that are no more, including the second national park, a Trump pleasure palace, and more.
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Second Try: LanzaTech Grabs Failed Biofuel Refinery in Georgia Pine
January 19, 2012
A new chapter begins in the effort to brew advanced biofuel in the “Million Pines City” of Soperton, Georgia, with a startup's purchase of a failed U.S. government-backed biorefinery.
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New Island Born—Future Tourism Hot Spot?
January 19, 2012
A volcano beneath the Red Sea has given Earth a New Year's gift: a new island off the coast of Yemen.
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How Diamond-Studded Magma Rises From Earth's Depths
January 19, 2012
New experiments show how molten material can carry gems scraped from Earth's depths to the surface without destroying the precious cargo.
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Pictures: Animals That Blocked Keystone XL Pipeline Path
January 19, 2012
The U.S. government's rejection of the Keystone XL project is a reprieve for the many species that reside along the proposed route, in Nebraska's Sandhills region.
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Rare Pictures: Scott's South Pole Expedition, 100 Years Later
January 17, 2012
A century after British explorer Robert Scott reached the South Pole, "incredibly rich," rarely seen pictures give an inside look at the ill-fated expedition.
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Shale Gas: A Boon That Could Stunt Alternatives, Study Says
January 17, 2012
Abundant shale gas could muscle dirty coal out of the U.S. energy picture, but the new resource could also inhibit even cleaner technologies, new economic modeling suggests.
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First Pictures: Live Snub-Nosed Monkeys Caught on Camera
January 13, 2012
For the first time, the rare Asian species—nicknamed "Snubby"—has been photographed alive in the wild, conservationists say.
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Sharks Eating Songbirds in Gulf of Mexico
January 13, 2012
Land birds disoriented by oil-rig lights are becoming food for tiger sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, a new study says.
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Injections Could Lift Venice 12 Inches, Study Suggests
January 12, 2012
Pumping billions of gallons of water under the sinking Italian city could save it from worsening floods as seas rise, a new study says.
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Pictures: Brainless, Faceless "Fish" Among Scottish Sea Finds
January 12, 2012
See a "fish" without a face, "dancing" feather stars, and huge mussels—all found during recent surveys of Scottish marine life.
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World's Smallest Frog Found—Fly-Size Beast Is Tiniest Vertebrate
January 11, 2012
No bigger than a housefly, the new species is the smallest known animal with a backbone, a new study says.
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U.S. National Parks Free for Martin Luther King Day Weekend
January 11, 2012
More than a hundred U.S. national parks and historic sites are waiving their entrance fees in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Pictures: Deepest Ocean Vents Swarm With Heat-Vision Shrimp?
January 11, 2012
The world's deepest volcanic ocean vents—three miles down in the Caribbean—swarm with shrimp that may have heat vision, experts say.
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Cajun Crayfish Invading Africa, Eating Native Species
January 9, 2012
A popular U.S. crayfish with a voracious appetite is wreaking havoc on African plants and animals, scientists say.
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"Virgin Birth" Record Broken by Hotel Shark
January 6, 2012
A zebra shark at the "world's most luxurious hotel" has experienced four straight years of reproductive success—no male required.
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Baby Harp Seals Being Drowned, Crushed Amid Melting Ice
January 6, 2012
As global warming melts Arctic sea ice, harp seal babies are dying in record numbers, the first study of its kind confirms.
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Fish Mimics Octopus That Mimics Fish
January 5, 2012
For the first time, a jawfish has been caught one-upping a marine master of disguise (with video).
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Nuclear-Resort Pictures: Come for the Reactor, Stay for the Beach
January 5, 2012
A new Philippine destination has something for everyone: beach, karaoke, wildlife—and a real nuclear power plant (uranium not included).
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"Lost World" of Odd Species Found Off Antarctica (Pictures)
January 4, 2012
Swarms of yeti crabs and a ghostly octopus are among the new species spotted near hydrothermal vents, a new study says.
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2012 Pictures: 6 Maya Apocalypse Myths Debunked
January 3, 2012
See six good reasons why the world (probably) won't end in the new year, despite supposed warnings in the Maya calendar.
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Moss Has Cloned Itself for 50,000 Years, Study Says
December 30, 2011
A Hawaiian moss is an ancient clone that may be one of the oldest multicellular organisms on Earth, a new study says.
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Pictures: New Horned Viper Found in "Secret" Spot
December 30, 2011
A big, "beautiful" snake with olive-green eyes has been discovered in a remote forest in Tanzania, scientists say.
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Why Tornadoes Take the Weekends Off in Summer
December 29, 2011
Tornadoes and hailstorms may be more active during the week due to human-made pollution, a new study shows.
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Pictures We Love: Best of December
December 29, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—a winter swimmer, burned Egyptian treasures, and more.
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"Rapier Wielding" Shark Among New Species Found in 2011
December 28, 2011
Four new shark species—including a "rapier wielding" sawshark—were discovered in 2011 by California Academy of Sciences researchers.
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Pictures: Most Hopeful Energy Developments of 2011
December 28, 2011
While 2011 was a year of nuclear disaster and grim prognostications regarding emissions and energy demand, several bright spots stood out as well, from strides in building efficiency to new green spaces.
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The Year’s Most Overlooked Energy Stories
December 27, 2011
As the disaster at Fukushima Daiichi took center stage, it was easy to miss many other important developments in the world of energy in 2011.
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Best Travel Pictures of 2011 Named
December 23, 2011
Playful wolves, an iceberg climber, and a curious beluga are highlights of the 2011 Travel Photographer of the Year competition.
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Pictures: Satellite Views of Canada’s Oil Sands Over Time
December 22, 2011
The evolution of Canada’s oil sands industry over three decades is visible from space, as newly released NASA satellite images show its growing mark by the Athabasca River.
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Pictures: Cars Capture Solar Energy in Chilean Desert
December 20, 2011
The need for a wide, flat surface to harvest sunlight gives an otherworldly look to solar cars racing the Atacama Desert of Chile.
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Planting Wind Energy on Farms May Help Crops, Say Researchers
December 19, 2011
Wind energy may do more than improve farm income. When sited in agricultural fields, turbines’ churning of air may help crops to grow, new research indicates.
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Japan Tsunami-Debris Cruise Attracts Travelers to Ocean Garbage Patch
December 15, 2011
Tourists can pay thousands to sail through a floating field of debris from the Japanese tsunami that could be the size of California.
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Smallest Frogs Found—Each Tinier Than an M&M
December 15, 2011
Two new species of frog—each smaller than an M&M—have been discovered in Papua New Guinea, a new study says.
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Heavy Rainfall Can Cause Huge Earthquakes
December 15, 2011
Heavy rainfall can trigger devastating earthquakes in what one scientist calls "disaster triggering disaster."
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Photos: "Elvis Monkey," Cloning Lizard Among New Mekong Species
December 14, 2011
Meet a monkey with a Presleyan pompadour, a cloning lizard found on a menu, and other new species recently found in the Mekong region.
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Power Quest: Brazil Works to Wipe "Blackout" From the Lexicon
December 13, 2011
Facing domestic dismay over electricity service and new global attention as a world sporting event host, Brazil seeks energy solutions for a diverse nation.
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Pictures: A River People Awaits an Amazon Dam
December 12, 2011
The Kayapo people, whose lives and culture are intertwined with the Xingu River, face change as a massive dam project moves forward in Brazil’s Amazon.
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Three-Foot "Shrimp" Had More Than 30,000 Lenses Per Eye?
December 12, 2011
The ancient superpredator may have had more than 30,000 lenses in each eye, granting the animal enhanced eyesight, a new study says.
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Bible Accounts Supported by Dead Sea Disaster Record?
December 8, 2011
New evidence suggests the salty lake once dried out completely—and might support biblical disaster accounts.
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Pictures: National Geographic's Top Ten Discoveries
December 7, 2011
To mark the National Geographic Society's 10,000th grant, Society experts have named Nat Geo's top grant projects since 1890.
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Pictures: "Scary" Volcano Erupts in Ecuador
December 7, 2011
Ecuador's "throat of fire" volcano is once again erupting in earnest—so close to people "it's scary," one expert says.
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Pictures: Prehistoric Whale "Graveyard" Found in Desert
December 6, 2011
In what's now Chilean desert, 20 whales died five million years ago. Experts are brushing away sands of time to find out why.
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Pictures: "Lost" Leopard—And Poachers—Seen in Afghanistan
December 6, 2011
Camera traps have revealed a leopard thought locally extinct in Afghanistan, along with other big predators—and a pair of poachers.
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Pictures: Eight Ski Resorts That Give Green Energy a Lift
December 6, 2011
Ski resorts around the world, keenly aware of the climate change threat, are seeking greener ways to power their slopes.
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"Ice Shield" Experiment Aims to Cool Mongolian City
December 6, 2011
Mongolia hopes to beat global warming by boosting river ice to lower temperatures—but some experts are skeptical.
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Beam It Down: A Drive to Launch Space-Based Solar
December 5, 2011
The first demonstration of long-awaited space-based solar power technology could come in the next decade, experts say. Likely early use: Disaster relief energy.
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Best News Pictures of 2011: Your Picks From Nat Geo News
December 2, 2011
Japan's tsunami aftermath, an Area 51 spy plane, and a huge crocodile feature among the most viewed Nat Geo News photo galleries of 2011.
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"Yeti" Crabs Farm Food on Own Claws—A First
December 2, 2011
The deep-sea crabs farm bacteria on their furry arms as the crustaceans' main sources of food, scientists have discovered.
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Pictures We Love: Best of November
December 1, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—a "flying" rhino, an up-close eruption, and more.
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Pictures: Top Energy Stories of 2011
December 1, 2011
It was a year of shattered faith in nuclear power, and in the West, eroding support for renewables. But the East's relentless growth shaped the world of energy in 2011.
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Pictures: 7 Volcanoes Erupting Right Now
November 30, 2011
If you've ever wanted to see a fire-breathing volcano in person, now might be the time—as shown in our new survey of accessible eruptions.
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Japan Quake Lifted Seabed 16 Stories—Largest Recorded
November 30, 2011
The devastating Japanese earthquake in March 2010 caused the largest slip ever recorded, according to a new study.
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2011 Among Hottest Years, Marked by Extreme Weather
November 30, 2011
This year also marked by extremes—including floods, droughts, and the hottest year on record for Texas—a new report says.
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"Ocean" Creatures That Evolved in Huge Lake Under Threat
November 29, 2011
Jellyfish, snails, and other creatures in Lake Tanganyika may be at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and more, conservationists say.
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Pictures: World's Largest Marine Reserve Announced
November 29, 2011
See the ocean wonders of the Coral Sea, where Australia plans to establish a marine park bigger than Germany and France combined.
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Chilean Wind Farm Faces Turbulence Over Whales
November 29, 2011
A wind farm project on the Chilean island of Chiloé raises concerns over risk to the endangered great blue whale.
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Ten Weirdest Life-forms of 2011: Editors' Picks
November 28, 2011
A cyclops shark, a demon bat, and an albino spider are among National Geographic News's picks for the year's weirdest new life-forms.
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World's Tallest Tower Rises in Tokyo
November 28, 2011
Set to open to visitors next year, Japan's Tokyo Sky Tree already has a lofty reputation. But how can it withstand seismic activity?
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Sex With Humans Made Neanderthals Extinct?
November 25, 2011
Fleeing advancing ice, Neanderthals increasingly encountered modern humans—and interbred to the point of extinction, a new study suggests.
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Pictures: Amazing Transportation Inventions
November 23, 2011
Jet packs, magnetic levitation, magic buses: Some amazing transportation ideas are truly fiction, while others could propel us in smart new ways.
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New Ocean Pictures: Best Shots of Imperiled Sea Life Named
November 22, 2011
A hooked shark, a tuna "tree," and plastic-filled waters feature among the winning frames in a 2011 marine-conservation photo contest.
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"Great Dying" Lasted 200,000 Years
November 21, 2011
Wildfires and disappearing oxygen helped kill off 90 percent of all life some 252 million years ago—and fast, a new study says.
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Giant, Dinosaur-Age Islands Found in Deep Sea?
November 18, 2011
Together the size of West Virginia, pieces of an ancient continent from dinosaur times may have been found underwater, scientists say.
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With U.S. Natural Gas Booming, a Move to Send It Overseas
November 17, 2011
Companies are making the first moves to parlay abundant U.S. natural gas into a global business, but many worry that U.S. consumers will be hurt.
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Photos: 65-Story Eruption Spurs Explosive New Adventure
November 16, 2011
New, 65-story lava fountains are a big draw in the Congo. But travel at your own risk, officials say—despite the armed guards.
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Hundreds of Orangutans Killed Annually for Meat
November 15, 2011
Hundreds of Bornean orangutans are hunted each year in Indonesia for food or to eliminate threats to crops, a new study says.
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Pictures: Twelve Car-Free City Zones
November 15, 2011
Cities around the world find that car-free zones can cut pollution, while restoring human bustle and leisurely gait as the prime locomotion of downtown.
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Pictures: Are These the Seven Wonders of Nature?
November 14, 2011
If the Grand Canyon and Mount Everest aren't among the "New 7 Wonders of Nature," what is? See—and judge—for yourself.
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Great Energy Challenge Grantees
November 11, 2011
Learn more about the energy-saving projects being funded as part of National Geographic's Great Energy Challenge program.
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With Record Heating Oil Prices Expected, Homes Dash to Gas
November 11, 2011
Natural gas abundance in the U.S. Northeast means it’s now far cheaper than oil for home heating. Residents are making the switch, but will prices stay low?
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Pictures: The Nuclear Cleanup Struggle at Fukushima
November 11, 2011
Radioactive decay, contaminated water, soil, and hot spots pose challenges for Japan eight months after the world's second-worst nuclear accident, at Fukushima.
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IEA Outlook: Time Running Out on Climate Change
November 9, 2011
The International Energy Agency’s new world outlook has a grim prognosis; the world has only five years to make changes needed to address climate change.
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Pictures: Animal Winners, Losers in Arctic Oil Fields
November 9, 2011
Some predators thrive, while their ground-nesting prey pay the price, in the Arctic landscape that has been reshaped by Alaska's Prudhoe Bay oil development.
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Entire Mammal Genus on Brink of Extinction
November 7, 2011
For the first time in 75 years, an entire genus of mammal may go the way of the dodo—unless a new sanctuary succeeds, conservationists say.
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New Volcano Pictures: "Monstrous" Eruption in the Congo
November 7, 2011
Africa's most active volcano rumbled to life Sunday, spewing lava toward chimp habitat and turning skies orange and red.
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Coyote-Wolf Hybrids Have Spread Across U.S. East
November 7, 2011
Coyotes with wolf DNA have been found in Virginia, confirming the hybrids’ spread through the mid-Atlantic, a new study says.
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Pictures: Best Wild Animal Photos of 2011 Announced
November 2, 2011
Sparring cocks and a curious fox feature in some of the year's best wild-animal pictures, according to the results of a U.K.-based contest.
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Nigeria’s Solar Projects Yield Both Failure and Success
November 2, 2011
Solar power offers hope to villages that lack electricity, but Nigeria’s experience shows that it won’t work without adequate investment and care.
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Where Did Fall Color Go? Predicting Foliage's Final Hideouts
November 2, 2011
Experts predict foliage's final hideouts—places where the Halloween blizzard was just a headline and the leaves blaze deep into November.
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Pictures We Love: Best of October
October 31, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—a lightning-filled eruption, a bubbly beluga, and more.
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KPMG Captures Heat for Data Center Cooling
October 28, 2011
An innovative combined heat and power system at KPMG’s international headquarters in New Jersey could be a model for cutting data center energy waste.
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New Shark-Fin Pictures Reveal Ocean "Strip Mining"
October 28, 2011
Pictures taken by the Pew Environment Group in Taiwan suggest that fishers are "strip mining" the oceans of sharks, conservationists say.
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7 Billion: Will Earth Really Hit Population Milestone Monday?
October 28, 2011
The seventh-billion person will be born on October 31, according to the UN—but how do they know?
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Javan Rhino Extinct in Mainland Asia
October 27, 2011
The Javan rhino is extinct in mainland Asia, leaving just one small population in Indonesia, conservationists announced this week.
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Pictures: Best Environmental Photos of 2011 Named
October 27, 2011
See whales, penguins, fire, and fighting hummingbirds in winning pictures of this year's Environmental Photographer of the Year contest.
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Giant "Amoebas" Found in Deepest Place on Earth
October 26, 2011
For the first time, huge single-celled creatures have been spotted in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of Earth's oceans.
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Human Waste to Revive Haitian Farmland?
October 26, 2011
A new type of public toilet is helping Haitians make fertilizer from human waste, which may someday revive the country's degraded soil.
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Two Rivers: The Chance to Export Power Divides Southeast Asia
October 25, 2011
To feed escalating energy demand in China and Thailand, neighboring Southeast Asian nations weigh massive hydroelectric projects that would alter vital rivers.
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Jaguar Pictures: Record Big-Cat Numbers Spotted in Bolivia
October 24, 2011
Camera traps recently helped conservationists identify 19 jaguars in a national park—a record number for a single survey in the country.
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Turkey Earthquake Pictures: Devastation on the Day After
October 24, 2011
With the earthquake death toll now around 300, workers are racing to find survivors and shelter thousands against the cold in Turkey.
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Seeking a Pacific Northwest Gateway for U.S. Coal
October 20, 2011
A leading green energy community is now at the center of a push to move U.S. coal to energy-hungry Asian markets.
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Pictures: Undersea Volcano Erupts, Stains Seas
October 19, 2011
Lava and gas spewing from an underwater volcano off Africa is churning the sea surface and turning the water weird colors.
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Seaweed's "Chemical Weapons" Killing Corals
October 17, 2011
Some seaweeds are waging "chemical warfare" on coral reefs in Fiji—and possibly around the world, a new study says.
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Better Road Building Paves Way for Energy Savings
October 17, 2011
Greener road construction not only saves energy, it can improve the fuel economy of the cars and trucks that roll on paved surfaces worldwide.
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Pictures: Baby Gorilla Rescued in Armed Sting Operation
October 14, 2011
After an armed, undercover operation freed him from a poacher's backpack, an orphan gorilla is beginning the long road to recovery.
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Flood Photos: Water Submerges Thai Towns, Temples, Elephants
October 14, 2011
Ancient Buddhist temples, whole streets, and even an elephant have been submerged by waters in the country's worst floods in half a century.
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New Zealand Oil Spill Pictures: Beaches, Birds Coated
October 11, 2011
See beaches and birds blackened with oil after a ship ran aground off New Zealand in the country's worst environmental disaster at sea.
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Kraken Sea Monster Account "Bizarre and Miraculous"
October 11, 2011
An artistic kraken—a giant squid-like sea monster—is said to be behind a fossil graveyard. Critics call the find "fun" but "implausible."
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Illinois Team Wins Oil Spill Cleanup X CHALLENGE
October 11, 2011
With a more than threefold improvement in oil spill cleanup technology, Team Elastec of Carmi, Illinois, captures the $1 million top prize in the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X CHALLENGE.
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National Geographic 360º Energy Diet: Call for Participants
October 11, 2011
National Geographic 360º Energy Diet: Call for Participants
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Pictures: First Quadruple Rainbow Ever Caught on Camera
October 7, 2011
Rescued from the realms of theory and myth, triple and quadruple rainbows have been caught on camera for the first time.
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Armadillo Invasion: Warm-Weather Critters Expanding East
October 7, 2011
Long a denizen of the U.S. West, the adaptable, fast-breeding armadillo is expanding its range north and east, scientists say.
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Pictures: X PRIZE Contest Seeks a Better Oil Spill Cleanup Solution
October 6, 2011
Ten teams deployed new skimmer designs in the $1.4 million Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X CHALLENGE. Will the contest yield better protection for shores and seas?
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What Created Earth's Oceans? Comet Offers New Clue
October 5, 2011
The group of comets that delivered water to early Earth likely came from Pluto's home, the Kuiper belt, a new study says.
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Little Ice Age Shrank Europeans, Sparked Wars
October 3, 2011
The Little Ice Age's coldest snap, around 1600, eventually sparked upheavals across the Northern Hemisphere, a new study says.
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Pictures We Love: Best of September
September 30, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month--a tool-using octopus, a giant typhoon wave, and more.
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Storage, Biofuel Lead $156 Million in Energy Research Grants
September 30, 2011
Seeking to push high-risk energy research, the U.S. government gives a boost to heat storage, rare earth metal, and biofuel technology projects.
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Shale Oil Boom Takes Hold on the Plains
September 28, 2011
Thanks to shale beneath the grasslands, the U.S. oil industry aims to boost production with the same "fracking" technique that has unlocked so much natural gas.
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Best Wildlife Pictures: British Nature Awards 2011
September 27, 2011
From a yawning fox to a glowing jellyfish, see judges' top picks for the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards.
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New Life-Forms Found at Bottom of Dead Sea
September 27, 2011
New life-forms have been found living in freshwater springs at the otherwise barren bottom of the Dead Sea, new research shows.
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Pictures: Solar Decathlon Students Race to Renew Home Energy
September 26, 2011
Twenty college teams are competing in the U.S. government’s fifth Solar Decathlon contest to design and build affordable, appealing, and livable homes that run on energy from the sun.
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Cow Manure, Other Homegrown Energy Powering U.S. Farms
September 23, 2011
From wind to sun to cow pies, rural regions are supplying more U.S. farmers with homegrown sources of renewable energy.
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Hot New High-Tech Energy Source Is ... Wood?
September 23, 2011
Burning wood may seem backward, dirty, and environmentally hostile. But advanced power plants may hold great potential to save energy, cut costs, and even fight global warming.
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Global Warming Silver Lining? Arctic Could Get Cleaner
September 23, 2011
There's a bright side to global warming, at least in the Arctic—the changing climate could improve air quality, a new study shows.
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Smarter Trucking Saves Fuel Over the Long Haul
September 23, 2011
As truck fleets and policy makers aim to curb big rig fuel consumption, the secret weapon is driver behavior.
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Squid Males "Bisexual"—Evolved Shot-in-the-Dark Mating Strategy
September 20, 2011
In the dark ocean depths, male squid looking for "love" will mate with other males just as much as with females, a new study says.
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Sharks' Virus Killer Could Cure Humans, Study Suggests
September 19, 2011
Sharks carry a "remarkable" substance that stops viruses—a discovery that may lead to new antivirals for humans, a new study says.
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Pictures: Meowing Night Frog, Other New Species Found
September 16, 2011
Twelve new species of night frogs—plus three "lost" species—have been discovered in western India, a new study says.
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Giant Prehistoric Croc Found Near World's Biggest Snake
September 16, 2011
A fish-eating crocodile relative may have battled the world's largest snake in what's now Colombia, a new study suggests.
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New Dolphin Species Discovered in Big City Harbor
September 16, 2011
An entirely new species of dolphin has been discovered in the shadows of Australian skyscrapers, scientists say.
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Pictures: The NFL Makes a Play for Renewable Energy
September 15, 2011
New green energy installations are unveiled at two NFL stadiums this month, but the effort also highlights the renewable industry’s difficulties.
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Smart Meters Take Bite Out of Electricity Theft
September 13, 2011
Electricity theft is not only dangerous, but it weakens power delivery systems around the world. Combating the problem takes technology and determination.
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Trading Oil for Natural Gas in the Truck Lane
September 2, 2011
Some U.S. companies are finding that the cost of switching to vehicles that run on alternative fuels is worth it over the long haul.
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New Shark Species Found in Food Market
September 1, 2011
Trolling a Taiwan fish market for data, fish scientists reeled in a surprising catch—a deepwater shark unknown to science.
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Pictures We Love: Best of August
September 1, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the month—an invisible man, sardine "storm," Swiss daredevil, and more.
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Largest U.S. Dam Removal to Restore Salmon Runs
August 31, 2011
The deconstruction of two obsolete dams in the U.S. Pacific Northwest will benefit more than a hundred species, experts say.
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First New U.S. Bird Species in Decades—Already Extinct?
August 30, 2011
A new bird species has been found in the U.S. for the first time in decades—but the species may have already flown the coop for good.
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Why Irene Was More Dangerous Than It Should Have Been
August 29, 2011
Despite unexpectedly low damage assessments, the hurricane was bigger and longer lasting than it had any right to be, experts say.
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Pictures: The Energy Drain of Recreational Drugs
August 29, 2011
Marijuana, cocaine and other controlled substances have a potent effect--not just on the human brain, but on the world's natural resources.
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Hurricane Irene Pictures: Flooding, Damage in New York, Beyond
August 28, 2011
In the wake of Irene, New York, Virginia Beach, and other U.S. East Coast cities recover amid flooding and the debris of damaged homes.
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Hurricane Irene Pictures: Storm Lashes U.S. East Coast
August 27, 2011
<span>See the damage already wrought by the storm, and find out how other U.S. East Coast areas are preparing for the oncoming tempest.</span><span> </span>
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Hurricane Irene Hits North Carolina; New York Braces for Storm
August 27, 2011
As the hurricane slams the Carolina coast with high winds and flooding, New Yorkers prepare for the storm's arrival Sunday morning.
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Hurricane Irene to Cause One of Largest Power Outages?
August 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene could plunge much of the U.S. East Coast into one of the largest power outages ever caused by a storm, experts say.
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Hurricane Irene "Looking Bad" for U.S.—Moon May Make It Worse
August 25, 2011
Expected to hit the U.S. as a major hurricane, Irene seems headed for potentially unprepared towns—and the moon could make it even worse.
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Innu Nation Deal Trades Reparation for River Power
August 24, 2011
A deal to build new hydroelectric plants in Labrador includes redress for a native tribe that lost its land to a dam 40 years ago.
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Rare Earthquake Hits Virginia, Rattles U.S. East Coast
August 23, 2011
The magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck Virginia today was a rare but significant event for the region, an expert says.
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86 Percent of Earth's Species Still Unknown?
August 23, 2011
Even after centuries of effort, some 86 percent of Earth's 8.7 million species have yet to be fully described, a new study says.
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Hurricane Irene Headed for U.S. East Coast
August 23, 2011
A strengthening Hurricane Irene could make landfall on the North Carolina coast this weekend as a major hurricane, experts say.
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Is Canadian Oil Bound for China Via Pipeline to Texas?
August 19, 2011
In a global economy, sending more Canadian oil to Texas could be a modern silk route, a "Tar Sands Road" to China, economist says.
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Pictures: Huge Dust Storm Swallows Phoenix
August 19, 2011
See the dust fly as the Phoenix area gets hit by its third major dust storm, or haboob, since early July.
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A Quest to Clean Up Canada's Oil Sands Carbon
August 18, 2011
The first large-scale effort to capture carbon dioxide emissions in the Canadian oil sands is moving closer to reality, but costs are high.
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Human Feces Bacteria Jumped to Coral, Caused Die-off
August 18, 2011
A coral die-off suggests seas are becoming warmer and more polluted, making the ocean more susceptible to human pathogens, a new study says.
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Pictures: Best Marine Park? Booming Fish Leap and Swarm
August 15, 2011
From leaping rays to lazy sea lions—the "extraordinary recovery" in a Mexican marine reserve makes it Earth's most robust, experts say.
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Seeking a Safer Future for Electricity's Coal Ash Waste
August 15, 2011
New ideas are emerging for recycling fly ash. The question is how to encourage them, while protecting people and ecosystems from the hazards of one of society's largest waste streams.
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Small Squid Have Bigger Sperm—And Their Own Sex Position
August 12, 2011
"Sneaker" males' sperm has evolved for a second female reproductive reservoir, reserved just for them, a new study says.
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Texas and Antarctica Were Attached, Rocks Hint
August 12, 2011
About 1.1 billion years ago, what are now El Paso, Texas, and Antarctica appear to have existed side by side, scientists say.
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"Sea Monster" Fetus Found—Proof Plesiosaurs Had Live Young?
August 11, 2011
Like most mammals, giant, dinosaur-era marine reptiles gave birth to live young, a new fossil study hints. But did the monsters mother?
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Out of Thin Air: The Quest to Capture Carbon Dioxide
August 11, 2011
A new report casts doubt on the viability of carbon dioxide "air capture," but entrepreneurial scientists are moving forward with technology to scrub the atmosphere.
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Carbon Recycling: Mining the Air for Fuel
August 10, 2011
We recycle bottles, cans, and newspapers—why not carbon dioxide? Start-up companies and researchers are working on technology to put carbon right back into gas tanks.
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Pictures: Mount Etna Eruptions Light the Italian Night
August 9, 2011
It's proving to be an active year for the Sicilian volcano, with a new spate of eruptions unleashing 75-story flames in recent weeks.
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Major Deep-Sea Smokers Found—"Evolution in Overdrive"
August 8, 2011
A hotbed of "evolution in overdrive" the newfound volcanic vent field, which teems with odd animals, is a North Atlantic first.
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Could Seawater Solve the Freshwater Crisis?
August 5, 2011
To make much needed fresh water, just de-salt saltwater? Experts weigh in on what needs to be done to make it as easy as it sounds
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Philips Wins L Prize, but the Race Is Still on for a Better Bulb
August 3, 2011
Philips captures the U.S. government's $10 million L Prize for its LED replacement for the 60-watt bulb, but efficient lighting must still win consumers' hearts.
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Japan Earthquake Vibrations Nearly Reached Space
August 3, 2011
The Japan earthquake and tsunami were so strong that their vibrations made it to Earth's upper atmosphere, a new study says.
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Parasite Creating Deformed Frogs in Western U.S.
August 3, 2011
Amphibians with "sick and twisted" deformities remain widespread in the U.S. West, and pollution may be making it worse, new research says.
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Pictures: In Search of Green Air-Conditioning
August 3, 2011
Air-conditioning has transformed summer living, but at tremendous energy cost. Ideas for greener cooling focus on making better use of the forces of nature.
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As Sun Storms Ramp Up, Electric Grid Braces for Impact
August 3, 2011
With the sun nearing the high point in its 11-year activity cycle, grid operators are seeking to protect a vulnerable power-delivery system.
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Pictures We Love: Best of July
July 28, 2011
Slimy seas, stormy skies, a bull's ear—National Geographic photo editors eye the month's best new pictures and find ten favorites.
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Bats Drawn to Plant via "Echo Beacon"
July 28, 2011
A Cuban plant that depends on bat pollination evolved a special leaf that acts as an "amp" for bats' sonar, new research says.
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Gulf Spill's Effects Unknown For Years?
July 26, 2011
More than a year after the Deepwater Horizon spill, scientists say it could take a decade to figure out how the oil affected the Gulf of Mexico's environment.
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Photos: Thick Green Algae Chokes Beach—Swimmers Dive In
July 25, 2011
Mats of bright green algae have again coated miles of shoreline in eastern China—and locals act like it's a day at the beach.
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Heat Wave Due to "Exceptionally Strong" Air Mass
July 22, 2011
A stubborn high-pressure system is causing sweltering temperatures in much of the U.S—and there's no relief in sight, experts say.
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"Extinct" Toad Thrives in Lab
July 22, 2011
A tiny Tanzanian toad that all but disappeared after a dam reduced its waterfall habitat is being bred successfully in Syracuse, New York. Video.
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India Maps Out a Nuclear Power Future, Amid Opposition
July 22, 2011
India’s government sees nuclear power as essential for meeting its growing energy needs, but public mistrust runs deep.
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Longest Polar Bear Swim Recorded—426 Miles Straight
July 20, 2011
A polar bear has swam a record nine days straight, covering the distance between Washington, D.C., and Boston, a new study says.
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Pictures—Ten Oldest U.S. Nuclear Plants: Post-Japan Risks
July 19, 2011
As U.S. authorities weigh a safety overhaul, here’s a look at the risks unearthed at post-Fukushima inspections of the ten oldest U.S. nuclear reactors.
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War Game Exposes Grim Reality: Few Oil Crisis Options
July 14, 2011
Former U.S. government officials struggle to game out solutions in a mock oil crisis with its roots in today’s headlines.
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Giant Undersea Volcanoes Found Off Antarctica
July 14, 2011
Large undersea volcanoes off Antarctica—some Mount Fuji-size—were recently discovered via sonar, scientists say.
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To Curb Driving, Cities Cut Down on Car Parking
July 13, 2011
Despite downtown business fears, some urban centers embrace “mini-parks.”
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New Pit Viper Found—One of World's Smallest
July 13, 2011
Dubbed a "surprise gift" by scientists, a new snake species found in China is one of the littlest pit vipers in the world.
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Photos: 4 Natural Wonders Added to World Heritage List
July 11, 2011
It's not hard to see why these sites were added this year to the UN's list of global natural treasures. Plus: sites on the rebound—and the decline.
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Energy-Short Japan Eyes Renewable Future, Savings Now
July 7, 2011
The tsunami's damage and political fallout leave Japan striving to save power this summer as it charts a new energy course.
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Earth Has "Spare Tire"—And Ice Melt's Keeping It That Way
July 6, 2011
Our oblong planet's waistline bulge has stopped slimming, thanks to massive ice melt, according to new research.
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Pictures We Love: Best of June
June 30, 2011
So good we had to share—ten new images that gripped Nat Geo photo editors: "supertrees," an upside-down horse, a surfer on ice, and more.
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"Exceptional" Giant Squid Found Dying off Florida
June 30, 2011
A stirring, intact giant squid gave a fishing party a shock this week—and could give researchers new insights, scientists say.
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Pictures: Six New Natural Landmarks Named
June 28, 2011
Dinosaur footprints and a "hanging lake" are now preserved as part of six new U.S. National Natural Landmarks.
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Pictures: "Pancake" Sea Slug Among New Philippines Species
June 28, 2011
An "inflatable" shark and colorful sea slugs join hundreds of new species hauled up during a recent expedition to the Philippines.
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Hold the Champagne: Highway to Split Serengeti After All?
June 28, 2011
Were the hopeful headlines—"Serengeti Highway Canned: Victory for Animals!"—premature? Wildlife is still at risk, some experts say.
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Hybrid Cuban-American Crocodiles on the Rise
June 24, 2011
There's a new Cuban crisis—the island country's rare crocodile is being bred out of existence by its American cousin, a new study says.
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How Gulf Spill Estimates Got It So Wrong
June 23, 2011
How much oil spilled into the Gulf last year? An engineer explains how he caused estimates to rise sharply practically overnight. Video.
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A Rain Forest Advocate Taps the Energy of the Sugar Palm
June 22, 2011
Scientist Willie Smits says it's possible to provide opportunity for villages and protect tropical forests while producing biofuel—if you use the right tree.
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Pictures: Volcano Ash Smothers Lake, Buildings, Sheep
June 21, 2011
Ash from Chile's Puyehue volcano has fallen a foot deep in parts of Patagonia, choking rivers and streams and coating livestock.
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Summer Solstice 2011: Why It's the First Day of Summer
June 21, 2011
Find out why the summer solstice is the first day of summer, and why it's the longest day of the year—but not the hottest.
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Pictures: Volcano Supercharges Sunsets Far and Wide
June 17, 2011
See the silver linings of the ash clouds spewing from Chile's Puyehue volcano: fiery sunsets as far away as New Zealand.
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Arabian "Unicorn" Leaps Out of Near Extinction
June 17, 2011
The legendary Arabian oryx is alive and well in the deserts of the Middle East, conservationists say.
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Sawfish Snout Has Sixth Sense, Splits Prey in Half
June 15, 2011
Sawfish use a sixth sense based in their snouts to hunt and dismember their prey, new research shows for the first time.
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Penguins Do the Wave to Keep Warm
June 15, 2011
New video of huddling penguins shows the birds do the wave—not to show team spirit but to give each a turn in the toasty center. Video.
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Arizona Fire Threatens Hundreds of Ancient Sites
June 14, 2011
Arizona's giant Wallow Fire could scorch hundreds of archaeological sites—some dating back to the time of Christ—experts say.
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Google Creates $280 Million Fund to Finance Solar Energy
June 14, 2011
Search giant Google creates the largest fund ever to finance solar energy in the United States, hoping to break down the cost barrier to cleaner electricity.
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Pictures: Biggest Whale Shark "Swarm" Found
June 13, 2011
The biggest gathering of the world's biggest fish—the whale shark—occurred in 2009 off Mexico, a new study says.
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Pictures: Nat Geo Picks of the Week
June 10, 2011
See National Geographic photo editors' favorite news pictures of the week, including a cross-eyed opossum, an epic ashfall, and more.
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Warming to Blame for Water Crisis in U.S. West?
June 9, 2011
Heat trumps precipitation in shrinking Rockies snowpack—a primary water source for 70 million Americans—a new study says.
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Rare Video: Japan Tsunami
June 8, 2011
The March 11 earthquake and tsunami left more than 28,000 dead or missing. See incredible footage of the tsunami swamping cities and turning buildings into rubble. Video.
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Pictures: At Five Years Old, BTC Pipeline Moves Oil, Culture
June 8, 2011
Landlocked Azerbaijan forged a powerful connection to the West five years ago when its oil began flowing to Turkey through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline.
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Arizona Wildfire Pictures: Blaze Advancing on Towns
June 8, 2011
The second largest wildfire in Arizona's history has charred hundreds of miles of forest and forced more than 3,500 people from their homes.
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Coelacanths Can Live Past 100, Don't Show Age?
June 7, 2011
An ancient lineage of fish also have long life-spans, a new study suggests.
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Bike-Share Schemes Shift Into High Gear
June 7, 2011
Although they sometimes face an uphill climb to break even, bike-sharing programs glide into cities around the world.
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Pictures: Chile Volcano Plume Explodes With Lightning
June 6, 2011
Spewing an apocalyptic, lightning-strewn plume this weekend, Chile's Puyehue volcano burst back to life after a decades-long slumber.
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Pictures: Ten Best U.S. Beaches of 2011 Named
June 3, 2011
From a bird lover's paradise to the whitest sands in the world—see the best shores of 2011 as chosen by a coastal scientist.
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Millions Fewer Girls Born Due to Nuclear Radiation?
June 2, 2011
Due to nuclear tests and disasters, millions fewer females may have been born than would otherwise be expected, a new study suggests.
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Solar Eclipse Pictures: See Last Night's Midnight Madness
June 2, 2011
A solar eclipse at night? See the rare sky show enjoyed by high-north stargazers last night.
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Is Motor Oil a Renewable Resource? Re-refiners Say Yes
June 1, 2011
Green motor oil technologies can save energy—either by recycling engine lubricants or supercharging them to improve fuel efficiency.
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Photos: Shape-Shifting Cuttlefish Can Mimic Pictures
June 1, 2011
Cuttlefish use visual cues to rearrange their bodies for maximum camouflage, a new study confirms.
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Female Fish Develop "Testes" in Gulf Dead Zone
May 31, 2011
Deprived of oxygen in the polluted Gulf of Mexico, female fish are producing sterile testes, scientists say.
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3-Foot "Shrimp" Discovered—Dominated Prehistoric Seas
May 27, 2011
By far the largest ever found of its kind, the spiny fossil predator "would have made enough scampi to feed an army," one expert quipped.
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800-Mile-Wide Hot Anomaly Found Under Seafloor Near Hawaii
May 26, 2011
Hawaii's traditional birth story—that the volcanic islands were fueled directly by Earth's core—could be toast, a new study hints.
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Driving the Limit: Wealthy Nations Maxed Out on Travel?
May 25, 2011
In the world’s wealthiest nations, there are signs that oil consumption for travel may have hit a brick wall.
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Biggest Floods in History—Does Mississippi Make the List?
May 24, 2011
The Mississippi River floods are just drops in the bucket compared to known "megafloods" of the past two million years, experts say.
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Joplin, Missouri, Tornado Pictures: "WWII" Devastation
May 23, 2011
See the aftermath of tornado that killed at least 116 people and left Joplin, Missouri, in ruins Sunday.
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Joplin, Missouri, Tornado Strong but Not Surprising?
May 23, 2011
Part of a spate of deadly spring tornadoes, Sunday's Joplin twister isn't evidence that tornadoes are worsening, one expert says.
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Pictures: Iceland Volcano Spews Ash, Sparks Lightning
May 23, 2011
A 12-mile-high ash cloud rising from an Iceland volcano is creating a spectacle but isn't expected to widely disable European air traffic.
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As Jet Fuel Prices Soar, a Green Option Nears the Runway
May 20, 2011
The most eagerly anticipated biofuel for commercial flight could be certified this summer, offering hope for aviation to cut its petroleum dependence.
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Big Hurricane Season Predicted—Has U.S. Run Out of Luck?
May 19, 2011
Up to six major hurricanes could form in the Atlantic—and the U.S. may not be as lucky this year, forecasters say.
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Japan Earthquake Shifted Seafloor by 79 Feet
May 19, 2011
For the first time, scientists have directly measured how an earthquake moves land underwater.
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Species Extinctions Overestimated by 160 Percent?
May 18, 2011
Dire predictions of mass animal and plant die-offs may be overblown, but extinctions are still a critical problem, a new analysis suggests.
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Climate Scientist Fears His "Wedges" Made It Seem Too Easy
May 17, 2011
The co-creator of the widely cited "wedges" approach to a climate change solution now thinks he made the job seem too easy.
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As Vehicle Efficiency Evolves, So Do Fuel Taxes
May 12, 2011
The shift toward better fuel economy is causing governments around the world to reconsider long-standing systems for taxing road travel.
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Spain Earthquake Pictures: Buildings Fall, Dozens Hurt
May 11, 2011
Two earthquakes in Spain killed at least ten, damaged historic buildings, and fractured highways Wednesday afternoon.
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Blind, Legless Lizard Discovered—New Species
May 11, 2011
The blind, six-inch-long reptile is the first of its kind discovered in Cambodia, conservationists report.
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Mississippi Flood Flushes Snakes, Deer Into Neighborhoods
May 11, 2011
The current Mississippi floods are flushing wild animals out of their natural habitats—and into homes and neighborhoods, officials report.
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Mount St. Helens Erupts Again—This Time in 3-D
May 10, 2011
Never mind Thor—the biggest 3-D spectacle for volcano experts this week is the first accurate simulation of the 1980 mega-eruption.
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Methane on Tap: Study Links Pollution to Gas Drilling
May 9, 2011
Natural gas can migrate into drinking water as far as one kilometer from a drilling site, researchers find.
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Whales Throng New York City Area, Surprising Scientists
May 6, 2011
A lot of big whales have a taste for the Big Apple area—including the largest animal on Earth—underwater recordings suggest.
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Volcano Pictures: "Throat of Fire" Erupts
May 4, 2011
Active for years, Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano—''throat of fire'' in a local language—exploded especially violently Friday.
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Pictures: Sinkhole Opens in Beijing Road, Swallows Truck
May 3, 2011
A sinkhole big enough to swallow a truck recently opened up in a Beijing road, possibly due to subway construction, news reports say.
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While Energy Policy Falters, Plastic Bag Laws Multiply
May 3, 2011
Although the industry debates environmental and energy benefits, bans and taxes to reduce plastic bag use have swept the world.
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Giant Squid Killed by Sound?
May 3, 2011
When giant squid died in Spain, experts suspected sonar was to blame—a hunch supported by a new study that says sound harms cephalopods.
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Record Cave Dive Leaves Mystery
May 3, 2011
Even after a record dive in what may be the world's deepest coldwater cave, explorers still hunt for the source of a New Zealand river.
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While BP Eyes Return to the Gulf, Safeguards Debated
April 29, 2011
The U.S. government is issuing new deepwater drilling permits, ending a moratorium imposed after the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, even as it acknowledges the need for more changes to safety standards.
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Pictures: Cool Cars Designed by Students to Sip Fuel
April 29, 2011
Using everything from solar panels to plastic, students cobbled together some amazing, odd, super-high-mileage vehicles for the Shell Eco-marathon Americas in Houston. The grand-prize entry achieved 2,565 mpg.
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Monster Alabama Tornado Spawned by Rare "Perfect Storm"
April 28, 2011
The monster tornado that devastated Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Wednesday was spawned by unusual "perfect storm" conditions, experts say.
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Alabama Tornado Pictures: Mile-Wide "Monster" Slams Towns
April 28, 2011
Vast, violent tornadoes obliterated whole blocks in Alabama Wednesday during possibly one of the most devastating U.S. tornado outbreaks.
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Pictures: "Liquidators" Endured Chernobyl, 25 Years Ago
April 26, 2011
Robots couldn’t handle the intense radiation at Chernobyl, so the dangerous nuclear cleanup job fell to the "liquidators"—a corps of soldiers, firefighters, miners, and volunteers.
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Marijuana Trade Threatens African Gorilla Refuge
April 26, 2011
Forests in Africa's Virunga National Park are literally going to pot—sparking renewed conflicts between rangers and rebels.
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Pictures: Animals Inherit Mixed Legacy at Chernobyl
April 25, 2011
A quarter-century after the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl, the surrounding evacuated area has seen a resurgence of wildlife, but some species have weathered the disaster significantly better than others.
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Earth Day: Conservationist or Communist? Behind Google's Doodle
April 22, 2011
This year a billion people are expected to mark Earth Day, which some detractors see as an anti-capitalist campaign. Get the facts.
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Pictures: Building the Perfect Solar Car
April 22, 2011
On their journey to building a prize-winning solar prototype vehicle, a team of Drexel University students gained practical engineering experience, and had fun.
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Earth Day Pictures: 20 Stunning Shots of Earth From Space
April 22, 2011
Auroras, glaciers, and gullies feature among the most stunning pictures of Earth from space, chosen by National Geographic photo editors for Earth Day.
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Scientists "See" Ocean Floor via Sonar
April 21, 2011
Cameras and sonar technology are helping experts create a new map of the little-known seafloor near the U.S. Virgin Islands. Video.
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China's Electric Car Drive: Impressive, But Not Enough
April 20, 2011
China's electric vehicle program is the world's most ambitious, but a new World Bank report raises questions on sustainability.
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The Next Prospects: Four Offshore Drilling Frontiers
April 20, 2011
The BP spill did nothing to halt the growth of oil demand or the drive for new resources. Here are four offshore frontiers where oil rigs are heading next.
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A Year After the Spill, "Unusual" Rise in Health Problems
April 20, 2011
Health issues that continue to plague Gulf Coast communities may be connected to the Gulf oil spill, experts say.
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Migrating Birds Escaped Worst of Gulf Oil Spill
April 20, 2011
Though predictions of mass bird die-offs in the Gulf never materialized, crude is still oozing into some bird habitats, experts say.
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Why Did Huge Oil Plumes Form After the Gulf Spill?
April 20, 2011
Scientists may have figured out how huge plumes of Gulf oil spread underwater instead of rising to the surface as slicks.
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Drexel Students Take On the Solar Car Challenge
April 19, 2011
Drexel University students knew that solar energy would increase the costs and risks of their bid for a fuel-efficient car design prize. They decided to go for it.
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Odd Animal Deaths, Deformities Linked to Gulf Oil Spill?
April 19, 2011
Strangely deformed fish and a rise in deaths of marine animals may be related to the Gulf oil spill, scientists say.
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Gulf Oil Spill Surprises: 6 Things Experts Got Wrong
April 19, 2011
The Gulf oil spill delivered plenty of surprises—here's a look at some of the predictions experts got wrong.
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Gulf Oil Spill Mystery: Is Oil on the Seafloor?
April 19, 2011
A year after the Gulf oil spill, experts are finding conflicting data on whether crude coats the bottom.
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Gulf Oil Spill Anniversary: Resilience Amid Unknowns
April 19, 2011
On the first anniversary, experts note signs of recovery—but say it's too early to know the true damage.
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Gulf Spill Photos: 9 Animal Victims—Plus 2 Survivors
April 19, 2011
From the pancake batfish to the manatee—see what what's happening to animals in the Gulf a year later.
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Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Oiled Beaches Time Line
April 19, 2011
See the evolution of Florida and Alabama beaches blackened by the Gulf oil spill, from the first oiling to a spring-break-ready shore.
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Pictures: Four New Offshore Drilling Frontiers
April 19, 2011
With new technology, oil companies have exteneded the reach of their operations off the coastline and into deepwater. See four of the offshore frontiers that may be supplying tomorrow’s oil.
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Pictures: 20 Surprising Species of the Past 20 Years
April 18, 2011
From the "Yoda bat" to a "walking" shark—see 20 new and rare species spotted during two decades of "ecological SWAT team" expeditions.
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Some Arctic Coasts Eroding by a Hundred Feet a Year
April 18, 2011
Arctic permafrost is collapsing into the sea by as much as a hundred feet a year in some places, new studies say.
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Pictures: Racing to the Finish at Shell Eco-Marathon
April 18, 2011
At the Shell Eco-marathon Americas in Houston, teamwork and imagination combine to create super high-mileage vehicles.
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Breaking 2,500 mpg, Canadian Team Wins High-Efficiency Race
April 18, 2011
Québec’s Université Laval and Louisiana Tech University take the top prizes in the Shell Eco-marathon.
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Gulf Oil Spill Anniversary: Hard-Hit Beaches Mostly Oil-Free
April 14, 2011
Florida and Alabama beaches hardest hit by the Gulf oil spill are largely clean a year later—though the oil's not all gone, scientists say.
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BP Well to Stay Sealed After Gulf Spill, Experts Predict
April 14, 2011
Although the same cannot be said of all abandoned oil wells in the Gulf, experts believe BP’s Macondo well is sealed for good
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Eyes Made of Rock Really Can See, Study Says
April 14, 2011
Sea creatures called chitons can use beadlike structures made of rock to distinguish shapes of approaching predators, a new study says.
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Maya Mystery Solved by "Important" Volcanic Discovery?
April 13, 2011
Even at Maya sites far from volcanoes, ash fell frequently, an "important" find that could explain some cities' survival, experts say.
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Yellowstone's Volcanic Plume Even Bigger Than Thought
April 13, 2011
The plume of hot rock feeding Yellowstone's supervolcano is larger than thought, according to a new study of the plume's electric properties.
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Is Armenia's Nuclear Plant the World's Most Dangerous?
April 12, 2011
Japan's earthquake-triggered crisis has focused attention on the seismic risk to Armenia's aging Soviet-style nuclear plant.
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Penguin Numbers Plummeting—Whales Partly to Blame?
April 11, 2011
Penguin populations are plunging due to a shortage of krill driven by shrinking sea ice and a boom in hungry whales, a new study says.
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Volcano Pictures: First Descent Into a Magma Chamber
April 7, 2011
For the first time, scientists have descended into a volcano's magma chamber—rappelling 45 stories into Iceland's Thrihnukagigur.
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Pictures: High School 'ShopGirls' Design for the Prize
April 7, 2011
An all-girls team of high school students from Granite Falls, Washington is building a car to compete in the Shell Eco-marathon.
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All-Girls Team Seeks Record in High-Mileage Marathon
April 6, 2011
Aiming to break stereotypes and records, the first all-girls team in the Shell Eco-Marathon seeks a repeat victory that will set a new U.S. mark in fuel efficiency.
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Oil-Eating Bacteria Engineered
April 5, 2011
Scientists are experimenting with "green" microbes in the lab that could someday be used to gobble up oil spills along coastlines without damaging the environment.
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Pictures: Oil-Reliant Islands Seek Green Energy Restart
April 5, 2011
The world’s islands rely heavily on pricey, polluting diesel oil for electricity. But now some are turning to native resources of sun, water, breeze, and hot underground rock for energy.
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Alien Wasps Abduct, Drop Ants to Get Food
April 5, 2011
When competing for food with an ant swarm, a wasp will pluck an ant from the pile, fly away, and drop the insect, a new study says.
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Radiation in Japan Seas: Risk of Animal Death, Mutation?
April 1, 2011
Radiation in Japan Seas: Animal Death, Mutation Risk?If radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant continues to enter the ocean, animals could suffer "bizarre mutations" or worse.
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Substance to Stop Oil From Sticking to Birds?
March 31, 2011
Scientists are perfecting a naturally based substance that will act like a laundry detergent in oil spills to prevent the oil from sticking to bird feathers. The substance is currently in the testing phase, which is funded by the National Science Foundation.
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Pictures: Earthquake Hazard in Nuclear Power's Top Ten Nations
March 29, 2011
Among the ten nations that produce the most nuclear power, Japan is not alone in facing an earthquake hazard.
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Earth Getting Mysteriously Windier
March 28, 2011
The world has gotten stormier over the past two decades—but the reason is a mystery, a new study says.
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Earth Hour Pictures: Before and After, Around the World
March 28, 2011
See what it looked like Saturday night when hundreds of landmarks went dark—and cities went darkish—in the name of energy conservation.
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Earth Hour 2011: When Is It? What's the Point?
March 25, 2011
Saturday night millions will turn out the lights for Earth Hour, but critics say it's not such a bright idea.
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Pictures: Rare Penguins Blackened by Remote Oil Spill
March 25, 2011
A cargo ship crash has oiled hundreds of rare penguins on a remote Atlantic island—a ''grave environmental disaster,'' experts say.
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New Tsunami Pictures: Head-on View of Approaching Wave
March 24, 2011
Newly released before-and-after pictures show what it was like to be face-to-face with the tsunami.
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Pictures - A Rare Look Inside Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
March 23, 2011
Photographs from inside the Fukushima Daiichi power plant show workers as they struggle, amid peril, to stabilize the damaged reactors.
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Scientists to Drill Earth's Mantle, Retrieve First Sample?
March 23, 2011
Scientists aim to drill Earth's mantle and get samples for the first time—a feat as important, and hard, as the Apollo program, they say.
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Would a New Nuclear Plant Fare Better Than Fukushima?
March 23, 2011
Only four of the 65 nuclear plants under construction worldwide are designs with integrated “passive safety” systems that could stave off overheating when power is lost.
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First North Pole Ozone Hole Forming?
March 22, 2011
"Beautiful" clouds and cold temps are destroying protective Arctic ozone—and people as far south as New York could get burned, experts say.
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Photos: Preserving Beauty, Providing Hydropower in Scotland
March 21, 2011
Scotland harnessed power from water in the Highlands 60 years ago, amid conflicts that echo with relevance for a world still struggling to find clean and safe energy.
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First Day of Spring: Myths, Facts, and Equinox Science
March 21, 2011
Were day and night equally long on Sunday, the 2011 vernal equinox (or spring equinox)? Get the answer—and other first-day-of-spring facts and oddities.
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Fish "Walks" on Beach to Spawn
March 18, 2011
Every spring on California's beaches, thousands of tiny fish come ashore to lay their eggs—though their sandy habitat is in decline, experts say.
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Japan Reactor Crisis: Satellite Pictures Reveal Damage
March 18, 2011
New and old satellite pictures reveal just how much damage Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has sustained.
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Is Japan Reactor Crew Exposed to Fatal Radiation?
March 17, 2011
What kind of radiation are workers at Japan's stricken nuclear power plant—and everyday people—facing? What exactly is radiation sickness?
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How Is Japan's Nuclear Disaster Different?
March 16, 2011
Learn how the ongoing crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant compares to previous disasters at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island.
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Japan Tsunami, Before & After: Zoomable Satellite Images
March 15, 2011
See satellite zoom pictures of Japan before and after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake spawned a deadly tsunami.
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Oiled Gulf Beaches During & After: Zoomable Maps
March 15, 2011
Use our zoomable maps to see which Gulf of Mexico beaches were oiled during the spill—and how they're faring now.
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Japan Earthquake Shortened Days, Increased Earth's Wobble
March 15, 2011
The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck Japan last Friday was powerful enough to shorten Earth's day by 1.8 microseconds, scientists say.
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Japan Tsunami: 20 Unforgettable Pictures
March 15, 2011
A giant wave tosses cars like toys, a yacht teeters atop a building, and a refinery burns in unforgettable pictures chosen by our editors.
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Japan Earthquake Not the "Big One"?
March 14, 2011
Though Friday's earthquake was the largest in Japanese history, it struck far from where experts had predicted the "big one," experts say.
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Japan Battles to Avert Nuclear Power Plant Disaster
March 14, 2011
Amid the fight to prevent a catastrophic meltdown, competing lessons are drawn from Japan’s past experience with earthquakes exceeding nuclear plant design.
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Japan Tsunami Pictures: Nuclear Reactor and Cities Burn
March 12, 2011
The day after Japan's biggest earthquake, cities smoldered, soldiers lent helping hands, and a nuclear reactor exploded.
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Tsunami Waves Hit U.S.—Some Damage in Hawaii, California
March 11, 2011
The deadly earthquake that struck Japan Friday sent a tsunami racing across the Pacific Ocean, reaching Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and California.
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Is That a Banana in Your Water?
March 11, 2011
New science shows peels can remove heavy metals from water.
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Tsunami Pictures: Epic Waves, Earthquake Shock Japan
March 11, 2011
The biggest earthquake in Japan's history Friday sparked three-story tsunami waves, hundreds of casualties, and towering infernos.
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Range Anxiety: Fact or Fiction?
March 10, 2011
Critics say that fear of being stranded with a dead battery, or "range anxiety," will discourage people from adopting electric cars. Others say the issue is overblown.
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Gulf Oil Spill Helps Explain Air Pollution Mystery
March 10, 2011
Monitoring the Gulf aftermath revealed pollution due to heavy compounds once thought to play no role in poor air quality, a new study says.
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"Sleeping" Volcanoes Can Wake Up Faster Than Thought
March 10, 2011
Dormant volcanoes can stir to life in mere days instead of hundreds of years, according to a new volcano model.
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Crude Reality: Gas Prices Rocket Because They Can
March 10, 2011
Turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East has registered quickly at the gas pumps. In a jittery oil market, who's calling the shots?
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Pictures: Odd Stingless Stingrays Discovered in Amazon
March 9, 2011
Looking more like pancakes than fish, two new species of freshwater stingrays have been discovered in the Amazon, a new study says.
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Pictures -- Oil States: Are They Stable? Why It Matters
March 9, 2011
Whether due to monarchic rule, corruption, or economic stagnation, market anxiety is high due to perceived peril in the eight nations of the Middle East and North Africa that supply one-third of the world's oil.
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Huge Impact Crater Found in Remote Congo
March 7, 2011
A circular depression deep in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been confirmed as the first known impact crater in central Africa, a new study says.
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Kilauea Volcano Pictures: Hawaii Eruption Spurts Lava
March 7, 2011
A new vent in Hawaii's Kilauea volcano ripped open Saturday, shooting lava up to 80 feet high, scientists say.
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Pictures: Deadly Mud Volcano to Erupt for 26 More Years
March 4, 2011
Enough mud to fill 56,000 swimming pools is expected to spew from the Indonesian volcano before it simmers down, a new study says.
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Fire Tornado Seen Spinning Over Hungary
March 4, 2011
A fire tornado--a tornado with blazing innards--whirled above a burning plastic-processing plant outside Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday.
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Bolivia Landslide Photos: Neighborhoods, Cemetery Fall
March 2, 2011
During this week's Bolivian landslide, whole neighborhoods and even a cemetery split, with land falling multiple stories downhill.
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Rarest Rhino Filmed
March 2, 2011
Critically endangered and rarely seen rhinos with their calves were filmed by WWF in Indonesia with motion-activated cameras. Video.
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Dolphin-Baby Die-Off in Gulf Puzzles Scientists
March 1, 2011
An unusual number of dead young dolphins are washing up on the Gulf Coast. Puzzled scientists warn it's too soon to blame the BP oil spill.
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3 Surprising Ways Global Warming Could Make You Sick
March 1, 2011
Global warming may cause human health problems due to microbes, bacteria, and toxic algae blooms in coming decades, new research suggests.
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"Crazy Green" Algae Pools Seen in Antarctic Sea
February 28, 2011
Pools teeming with life found among remote Antarctic sea ice contain "the greenest water I've seen in the world," an expert says.
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Little Fish Exploding in Number, Models Show
February 25, 2011
There are still plenty of fish in the sea—they're just the little ones, according to new models of fish decline.
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New Brunswick Seeks Natural Gas, and a Safer Way
February 24, 2011
The province of New Brunswick on Canada’s East Coast is a frontier for shale gas development, and for a new approach to industry oversight.
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New Zealand Earthquake Spurs Giant Glacier Collapse
February 23, 2011
The powerful magnitude-6.3 temblor cast off an iceberg the size of 20 football fields from the country's longest glacier.
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Upgrading the Electric Grid With Flywheels and Air
February 23, 2011
To better integrate intermittent renewable power into the electric grid, a major expansion of energy storage projects using flywheels and compressed air is under way in the United States.
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A Cubic Foot of Tropical Forest
February 23, 2011
See what crawls, flies, and sets roots down in a cubic foot of Mo'orea's mountain trees
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Bridging Western Science and Polynesian Tradition
February 23, 2011
Elders start to work with scientists on preserving the biodiversity of Mo‘orea
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A Culture Written in Stone and Soil
February 23, 2011
Archaeologists and farmers tell the gritty story of French Polynesia
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Small Nuclear War Could Reverse Global Warming for Years?
February 22, 2011
Even a regional nuclear war could spark "unprecedented" global cooling—and famine, U.S. government scientists warn.
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Earthquake in New Zealand: Pictures From a "War Zone"
February 22, 2011
A powerful earthquake Tuesday collapsed buildings, and killed at least 65 in what the prime minister called the country's "darkest day."
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Tropical Island Infinite Photo
February 18, 2011
Our new infinite photograph features the diversity of marine and terrestrial life found on and near Mo'orea and in Biocode Project labs.
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Cutting-Edge Science Meets Centuries-Old Tradition
February 18, 2011
The waves of exploration that have washed over Mo’orea -- both Polynesian and European, cultural and scientific – have altered the landscape, natives, and research community in profound ways.
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A South Pacific Island, Under the Microscope
February 18, 2011
Mo‘orea becomes a biodiversity lab as researchers catalogue the genetic makeup of its species
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Hudson River Fish Evolve Toxic PCB Immunity
February 17, 2011
Bottom-feeding fish in the Hudson River have developed a gene that renders them immune to the toxic effects of PCBs, according to new evolution research.
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Cocaine to Blame for Rain Forest Loss, Study Says
February 17, 2011
Coca planting in Colombia has been linked to rising deforestation—and not all the damage is due to illegal activities, a new study says.
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Extreme Storms and Floods Concretely Linked to Climate Change?
February 16, 2011
New studies of severe storms and catastrophic floods help to confirm that rising greenhouse gas levels actually do increase the odds of such extreme weather events—and perhaps make them stronger.
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Protecting Health and the Planet With Clean Cookstoves
February 15, 2011
A small Ghana business is part of a wave of efforts to address the staggering global toll of death and disease from cooking smoke.
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Best News Pictures of 2010: World Press Winners
February 11, 2011
Whooper swans, a victim of the Taliban, and Bolivian wrestlers are among the winners of the 2010 World Press Photo Contest.
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Wolverine to Vanish From U.S. Due to Warming?
February 8, 2011
Built for the cold, the fierce wolverine may retreat from the mainland U.S. due to global warming, a new study says.
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Pictures: Kickoff Time for Green Stadiums
February 4, 2011
As Green Bay and Pittsburgh face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLV in the NFL's newest and largest stadium, a drive for greener design and cleaner energy is under way at arenas worldwide.
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"Killer" Winter Storm Seen From Space; U.S. Blanketed
February 2, 2011
A new NASA picture shows just how big the current U.S. winter storm is. Hitting at least 30 states, it's among the worst in 50 years.
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Oil Markets Churn Over Egypt’s Potential as Gateway for Revolt
February 1, 2011
World oil prices reached their highest levels since 2008 amid concern over Egypt--not over its role as a commodity route, but as a potential vector for political instability.
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Groundhog Day 2011: Punxsutawney Phil Sees No Shadow
February 1, 2011
With ancient origins and modern media smarts, "immortal" rodent Punxsutawney Phil rules Groundhog Day 2011. Get the surprising facts behind winter's wackiest weather prediction.
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"Extinct" Salmon Discovered in Japanese Lake
January 31, 2011
A Japanese TV host helped identify a fish from a Mount Fuji lake as the kunimasu salmon, thought to have gone extinct 70 years ago.
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UFO-Like Clouds Linked to Military Maneuvers?
January 27, 2011
Three "hole-punch clouds" recently appeared close together, sparking suspicions of a military connection—and they may not be all wrong.
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Pictures: 40-Mile "Drape" to Cover U.S. River?
January 27, 2011
See artist Christo's vision for a giant art installation over a Colorado river that has drawn opposition from a river-protection group.
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Gulf Spill Dispersants Surprisingly Long-lasting
January 27, 2011
Massive amounts of chemical dispersants pumped into the Gulf of Mexico to break up the BP oil spill lingered in the deep ocean for months, new research shows.
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Humans Left Africa Earlier, During Ice Age Heat Wave
January 27, 2011
An Ice Age heat wave gave early humans a route out of Africa much earlier than thought, an ancient tool kit and climate evidence suggest.
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"Gooey" New Mud Volcano Erupts From Arabian Sea
January 26, 2011
The "gooey" dot of land off the coast of Pakistan appeared in November but will likely wash away within a few months, experts say.
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With a Deep Dig Into Its Past, Perugia Built an Energy-Saving Future
January 26, 2011
Perugia, Italy turned its challenging geography to its advantage to show how even a small city can reap benefits of investment in smart transport and pedestrian-friendly streets.
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Guangzhou, China, Wins Sustainable Transport Prize
January 24, 2011
Guangzhou, China, wins an international sustainable transport prize for a system that integrates bicycle, bus, and rail transport, and makes the large city “more livable.”
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Photos: New Giant "Bearded" Crayfish Species
January 22, 2011
Scientists have found a new species of crayfish in Tennessee and Alabama that is twice the size of other crayfish in the southeastern U.S.
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Tough Road to Getting LED Lights on the Streets
January 20, 2011
LED streetlights can save energy, but not all power systems are set up to reward cities for choosing a more efficient nighttime glow.
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Smallest Farmers Found? Amoebas Carry, Plant "Seeds"
January 19, 2011
In lean times, amoebas can pack up "seeds," migrate, and start fresh in greener pastures, a new study says.
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Yellowstone Has Bulged as Magma Pocket Swells
January 19, 2011
Some parts of the ground around Yellowstone's simmering supervolcano rose by ten inches between 2004 and 2010, experts report.
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Scientists Make Dozens of Storms in the Abu Dhabi Desert?
January 18, 2011
A Swiss company’s claims to have created storm clouds in the desert are met with skepticism.
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Going "All The Way" With Renewable Energy?
January 17, 2011
A massive build-out, rare earth minerals, and willpower needed for a 100 percent renewable future, two U.S. researchers say.
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Pictures: Mount Etna Erupts Overnight
January 14, 2011
See this week's explosive nighttime spectacle from Europe's most active volcano—plus classic pictures from years, and centuries, gone by.
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Cholera and Cooperation Play Into Haiti Reforestation
January 13, 2011
Ambitious efforts try to dry out the charcoal business, rebuild eroded hillsides, ease flooding, and improve water quality.
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PHOTOS: Six Long-Lost Haitian Frog Species Found
January 12, 2011
On the one-year anniversary of Haiti's earthquake nightmare, scientists exploring the country's few remaining pristine forests find an abundance of frogs—including six species lost to science for nearly two decades.
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The Next Oil Spill: Five Needed Mandates to Head it Off
January 11, 2011
In an era of more dangerous drilling, major new safety investment needed, concludes U.S. commission appointed to investigate the Gulf oil spill.
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In China’s Icy North, Outfitting Buildings to Save Energy
January 7, 2011
In Harbin, China—known as “Ice City” —a government drive aims to curb the energy wasted keeping drafty homes and buildings warm.
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Photos: Unprecedented, "Biblical" Floods Inundate Australia
January 6, 2011
Queensland, in eastern Australia, suffered torrential rains after Christmas, causing severe floods to spread across an area the size of France and Germany combined.
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Gulf Oil Spill Surprise: Methane Almost Gone
January 6, 2011
Bacteria have dispatched with most of the methane released during the Gulf of Mexico spill—in just four months, a new study says.
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Photos: Huge Observatory 1.5 Miles Deep in Antarctic Ice
January 6, 2011
Just completed deep under South Pole ice, the world's largest neutrino observatory is set to search for clues to cosmic mysteries.
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"Bodies" Make Up Fake Coral Reef
January 5, 2011
Sculptures of human figures are making a home for marine life in waters near Cancun, Mexico. The art is helping preserve the world's 2nd largest barrier reef system. Video.
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Pictures: "Bodies" Fill Underwater Sculpture Park
January 5, 2011
A new underwater sculpture garden off Mexico is to help lure tourists away from fragile natural reefs, says the project's creator.
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On China's Roads (and Rails), a Move Toward Greener Transit
January 5, 2011
The market for cars in China is booming, posing severe traffic problems for a country once nicknamed the "bicycle kingdom."
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Bumblebees Taking a Nosedive in North America
January 4, 2011
A European fungus may be to blame for the rapid decline of four once common bee species in North America, experts say.
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World's Biggest Cave Found in Vietnam
January 3, 2011
Stretching more than 2.7 miles long and soaring as high as 460 feet, a cavern in Southeast Asia is the biggest single cave passage yet found, British explorers say.
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“Mining” Groundwater in India Reaches New Lows
December 31, 2010
Small-scale rainwater harvesting and new crops could fill the gap
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Can Geothermal Energy Pick Up Real Steam?
December 28, 2010
Developers say we have a new chance to mine heat from Earth’s white-hot core -- but as investment lags and environmental questions remain, they fear we'll miss the window of opportunity.
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Africa-wide "Great Green Wall" to Halt Sahara's Spread?
December 28, 2010
great-green-wall-trees-senegal-sahara-desert
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National Snow and Ice Data Center Gets a Cool Makeover
December 27, 2010
Its servers process information that's key to charting climate change, but the center had a climate problem of its own to solve.
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New Species Photos: Fangless Snake, Bald Bird Near the Mekong River
December 25, 2010
Scientists working in Asia's Mekong River Basin are finding new species of bats, birds, snakes, and more at a "staggering" rate.
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Lightning Captured by X-Ray Camera—A First
December 23, 2010
The first x-ray images of a lightning strike have been captured by a new, refrigerator-size camera, researchers say.
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Magma Chamber Surprisingly Close to Hawaii's Surface?
December 23, 2010
The source of Hawaii's copious lava has been found to be closer to the surface than any other known magma chamber, a new report says.
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Green Design Spree Aims to Trim U.S. Government's Big Energy Bill
December 23, 2010
The U.S. government, the nation's biggest energy user, aims to use $4.5 billion in stimulus funds to make federal buildings into "a proving ground for what works" in clean, efficient power.
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Fat's Chance as a Renewable Diesel Fuel
December 22, 2010
One of the world's largest meat companies, Tyson Foods, aims to make renewable diesel fuel out of an abundant waste product: Animal fat.
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African Elephant Really Two Wildly Different Species
December 22, 2010
"Big surprise": The two African elephant types seem to be as genetically different from each other as Asian elephants are from mammoths.
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Predicting the World’s Next Water Pollution Disaster
December 21, 2010
Hungary’s toxic mud disaster in October was a wake-up call, shining a spotlight on potential water pollution hot spots around the globe.
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PHOTOS: Russia's Radioactive River
December 20, 2010
Russian nuclear facilities accidentally—and intentionally—filled the Techa River with radioactive waste and turned the region into one of the world's worst toxic dumping grounds. Decades later the people along its banks are still paying the price.
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Mummified Forest Found on Treeless Arctic Island
December 17, 2010
"Surreal" remnants of a prehistoric forest have been discovered on a now treeless island in the Canadian Arctic.
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Best Pictures: Nat Geo Photo Contest Winners, 2010
December 16, 2010
From a charging buffalo to an erupting volcano—see the winning pictures of the 2010 National Geographic Photo Contest.
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New Oil—and a Huge Challenge—for Ghana
December 15, 2010
The massive Jubilee field begins producing oil this week, but with revenue from the site come concerns about the risk of corruption and environmental compromise.
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Pictures: Seven Supergreen U.S. Government Buildings
December 14, 2010
A subterranean labyrinth in the Rockies, breathing curtain walls by San Francisco Bay, and a Manhattan sky park highlight the U.S. government's drive to cut down its prodigious use of energy.
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Killer Alien Weed May Threaten Biggest Animal Migration
December 10, 2010
An invasive weed found recently in southern Kenya may kill off native vegetation that wild animals and livestock depend on for survival, scientists warn.
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Mystery of Slow Earthquakes Solved?
December 9, 2010
Unfolding over days or even months, the little-understood quakes may help prevent the big ones.
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New Chemistry, Less Energy Could Yield Greener Cement
December 9, 2010
Making cement is one of the world’s most carbon-intensive endeavors, but German researchers think they’ve mixed a better building solution.
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Ten Weirdest New Animals of 2010: Editors' Picks
December 7, 2010
A fish with "hands," a T. Rex leech, and a self-cloning lizard are among National Geographic News's picks for the weirdest new species in 2010.
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PHOTOS: "Alarming" Amazon Drought—River Hits New Low
December 6, 2010
PHOTOS: "Alarming" Amazon Drought—River Hits New Low
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Exxon Valdez Lessons Applied in Gulf Coast Cleanup
December 3, 2010
Sand oiled by the Gulf of Mexico spill is cleaned and returned to beaches, a technique used to avoid repeating mistakes made after the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. Video.
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New Biggest Volcano in the Solar System?
December 3, 2010
If a new theory holds true, Tharsis Rise on Mars is about to cast down Olympus Mons as the largest known volcano in the solar system.
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Mercury Poisoning Makes Birds Act Homosexual
December 3, 2010
Male birds that eat mercury-contaminated food show "surprising" homosexual behavior, scientists have found.
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Amazon Opportunity: Brazil Doesn't Count on Carbon Market
December 3, 2010
Climate negotiators in Cancun aim to build a framework for curbing deforestation’s global warming impact, but forest-rich Brazil doesn’t want to be the world’s carbon sink.
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Global Warming Burning Lakes?
December 2, 2010
Global Warming Burning Up Lakes?
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Ten NatGeo News Stories You Might Have Missed in 2010
December 1, 2010
See our editors' picks of the best stories of 2010 that flew under the radar, including space-time "wrinkles" and squid plastic surgery.
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Pictures: Medieval Cave Tunnels Revealed as Never Before
December 1, 2010
3-D laser scans are revealing anew the man-made caves under Nottingham, U.K., including dungeons, secret tunnels, bowling alleys, and more.
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U.S. Weighs Disclosure Rules for Natural Gas Drillers
December 1, 2010
The Obama administration wants companies to reveal chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing on public lands.
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Top Ten Discoveries of 2010: Nat Geo News's Most Popular
November 30, 2010
A time-bending earthquake, a fish with "hands," and "Yoda bat" are among National Geographic News's most visited coverage of 2010 discoveries.
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2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Oddly Active
November 30, 2010
"This was a strange, strange season," one expert says, noting that the U.S. seemed to have "hurricane repellent" during high storm activity.
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Top Ten Videos of 2010: Nat Geo News's Most Watched
November 29, 2010
You watched, we noticed. See Nat Geo News's best videos of 2010, as measured by viewer interest—a fire tornado, a vampire squid, and more.
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Climate Change Talks Hinge on “Green Growth,” says De Boer
November 26, 2010
As global climate negotiations open in Cancun, Mexico, former United Nations climate chief Yvo de Boer focuses on the role of business.
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Fighting Poverty Can Save Energy, Nicaraguan Project Shows
November 25, 2010
Modernizing electricity services in two rural Nicaraguan villages yielded major energy savings, showing how addressing poverty and climate change can go hand-in-hand, a new study says.
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"Flamboyant" New Squid Worm Surprises, Delights Experts
November 24, 2010
With head tentacles and iridescent "oars," the new sea species is "definitely flamboyant," one expert said. "I'm delighted by it."
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Sea Turtles Match Breathing to Dive Depths?
November 23, 2010
A new study shows that leatherback turtle buoyancy is likely determined by the amount of air they inhale above the surface before they dive. Video.
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How Shark Scales Give the Predators Deadly Speed
November 23, 2010
Scales on a shark's body "bristle" to reduce drag, helping the predator hunt fast-moving prey, new research suggests.
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First Fishing Bat Discovered in Europe
November 23, 2010
The long-fingered bat is the first bat species in the Mediterranean known to catch and eat fish, scientists say.
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New Satellite Pictures: "Magnificent" Views of Earth
November 19, 2010
See Earth's largest sand sea, swirling ice "galaxies," Van Gogh-ready algae, and more in a new collection of artistic satellite images.
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Brazil Ethanol Looks to Sweeten More Gas Tanks
November 18, 2010
Brazil is poised to increase its production of sugarcane ethanol, helped by foreign investment and policy flux in the United States and Europe.
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Cheap Renewable Power Key to BMW’s Electric Megacity
November 18, 2010
Lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber has long been seen as the secret—but an expensive one—for more efficient cars; BMW details a strategy for slashing the cost.
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Exotic Plant's Once-a-Century Bloom in Pictures
November 17, 2010
The rare, 40-foot-tall Queen of the Andes plant flowers just once in its 80- to 100-year lifetime, blooming for a few weeks before it dies.
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Large, "Glamorous" New Glowing Squid Species Found
November 16, 2010
The big, red new squid species—perhaps one of several—underscores the richness of undersea mountain life, experts say.
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Billion-Pixel Image Tool Probes Science Mysteries
November 12, 2010
Ultra-zoomable panoramas give scientists new tools to explore prehistoric rock art, mysterious bee die-offs, and more. <i>With interactives.</i>
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Concrete to Help Oysters?
November 12, 2010
Rings designed to attract oysters may help restore reefs diminished by overharvesting, pollution, and recent oil spill activities, experts say.
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Pictures: Worst Beach Destinations Rated
November 12, 2010
From the U.S. Gulf Coast's oil-stained shores to India's sun-and-sand hedonism, get experts' picks for the worst coastal destinations.
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Flamingos Apply "Makeup" to Impress Mates
November 10, 2010
There's a reason why flamingos are so pretty in pink: The birds apply colorful oil to impress mates, a new study says.
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Has the World Already Passed “Peak Oil”?
November 9, 2010
Higher oil prices in store as conventional crude production appears to have peaked, says the International Energy Agency.
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Polar Bears Turning to Goose Eggs to Survive Warming?
November 8, 2010
Forced ashore earlier due to global warming, the bears are finding nutritious treats on land in the form of goose eggs, studies say.
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Gulf Oil Plumes Still a Threat?
November 8, 2010
Are giant plumes of oil droplets in the Gulf of Mexico, detected by scientists in the months following the BP oil spill, still a threat to the Gulf's marine life? Video.
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Pictures: Volcano's Biggest Blast Yet Scorches Villages
November 5, 2010
Warning: graphic images. Thursday night Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano saw its biggest eruption since the mountain's October reawakening.
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Sea Turtle Herpes Tumors Linked to Sewage?
November 5, 2010
Herpes tumors that have plagued green sea turtles worldwide for decades may be caused by pollution, a new study says.
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Giant Coral Die-Off Found; Gulf Spill "Smoking Gun?"
November 5, 2010
Huge colonies of dead coral found near the Deepwater Horizon wellhead points to the Gulf oil spill as a smoking gun, scientists announced this week.
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Shining Light on the Cost of Solar Energy
November 5, 2010
Solar electricity is pricey, but policy may be as important as technology in hastening its path to parity with other fuel sources.
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Daylight Savings Time 2010: Why and When It Ends
November 5, 2010
Why do we fall back? Should daylight savings be abolished? Get the facts—and a few controversial takes on turning back the clock.
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A U.S. Cap-and-Trade Experiment To End
November 3, 2010
With no prospect of a U.S. climate bill in sight, the Chicago Climate Exchange will shut down an experimental carbon trading program. But California election results keep alive hopes for regional cap and trade.
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Citizen "Scientists" Track Birds in BP-Spill Zone
November 3, 2010
Millions of birds winter on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Now volunteers are counting the animals to help scientists determine the oil spill's effects on resident populations as well as on the migratory populations.
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Pompeiians Flash-Heated to Death—"No Time to Suffocate"
November 2, 2010
Ash may not have killed most of Vesuvius's victims after all. "There was no time to suffocate," says the lead scientist of a recent study.
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"Mind-Boggling" Pictures: Goats Scale Dam in Italy
November 1, 2010
Yes, these viral pictures of goats clinging to an impossibly steep rock face are real. Get the facts behind the Internet rumors.
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Texting Program Helps African Farmers Fight Drought
October 29, 2010
A new Kenyan "micro-insurance" program cushions small-scale farmers against weather-related crop loss using a novel, mobile phone-based approach.
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Photos: Merapi Volcano Ash Smothers Indonesian Villages
October 28, 2010
Pompeii-like scenes are proliferating on the Indonesian island of Java, where the Mount Merapi volcano's eruptions have killed dozens.
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New Video Filmed by Whale Sharks
October 28, 2010
Researchers in Australia deploy the National Geographic Crittercam on whale sharks to see if tourists swimming with the sharks are affecting their behavior. Video.
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Tsunami, Volcano Eruption in Indonesia Linked?
October 27, 2010
The two near-simultaneous events might have been triggered by the same earthquake, which may have been a rare ''slow'' temblor, experts say.
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New Snub-Nosed Monkey Discovered, Eaten
October 27, 2010
Pictured moments before humans ate it, a snub-nosed monkey represents a new species that sneezes when it rains.
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Pictures: Indonesia's Mount Merapi Volcano Erupts
October 26, 2010
One of the word's most active volcanoes, Indonesia's Mount Merapi is the bringer of life and death for a wide swath of the island of Java.
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Robots of the Gulf Spill: Fishlike Subs, Smart Torpedoes
October 26, 2010
From fishlike submersibles to smart torpedoes, meet the 'bots that illuminated deep, dark threats of the BP spill.
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Did Gulf Spill Boost "Dead Zone"?
October 25, 2010
Did the BP oil spill may sap oxygen from the Gulf of Mexico? Scientists are weighing new findings against years of "dead zone" data.
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In the Farmland, an Energy Rush
October 22, 2010
Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest reservoirs of natural gas in the world, a resource that could boost jobs and shake up the national energy equation. But can this important resource be extracted sustainably?
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Shale Gas Drilling: A Changed Environment
October 22, 2010
Shale Gas Drilling: A Changed Environment
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Faces of the Gas Rush
October 22, 2010
From farmer to supply shop owner, from scientist to job seeker, each Pennsylvanian has a separate view of the natural gas boom that has hit the state.
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A State Booms with New Energy
October 22, 2010
Hopes are high that jobs will flow as fast as the natural gas in the energy boom that has hit Pennsylvania, although locals are finding the new work is not necessarily on the drilling rig.
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The Science of Shale Gas
October 22, 2010
By combining and super-charging old oil field technologies, U.S. energy industry innovators unlocked the natural gas found in deep shale rock—paving the way for a rush on the huge Marcellus shale formation that underlies Pennsylvania.
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On Edison Bulb’s Anniversary, a Lighting Breakthrough
October 21, 2010
GE announces an advance in LED cooling technology, but its rivals race ahead to market an LED replacement bulb suitable for home living rooms.
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Winds Slowing Around the World, Study Suggests
October 18, 2010
Surface winds are slowing far and wide, a new study says. The alleged culprits: breeze-breaking new forests.
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Tsunamis More Likely to Hit California Than Thought?
October 18, 2010
Southern California, Seattle, and Taiwan are some of the places where tsunamis may be more likely than thought, a new study suggests.
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A Dream Dashed by the Rush on Gas
October 17, 2010
The shale gas industry maintains that its safeguards protect drinking water and land. But there have been accidents, and mistrust has been sown as the industrial process has moved into rural communities.
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Forcing Gas Out of Rock With Water
October 17, 2010
By combining and super-charging old oil industry technologies, the energy industry unlocked the natural gas locked in shale rock
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Parks, Forests Eyed for the Fuel Beneath
October 17, 2010
Officials realize they may not be able to protect the “Pennsylvania Wilds” and other state and national public lands from the new gas rush.
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Fuzzy Critters' Crystallized Pee Changes Climate Record?
October 15, 2010
The crystallized pee of the rodent-like rock hyrax is filling in gaps in our understanding of climate change, experts say.
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Gulf Manta Rays Affected by Oil Spill?
October 15, 2010
The little-studied manta rays of the Gulf of Mexico could be their own species—and victims of the BP oil spill, scientists say.
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Scientists Sniff-Test Gulf Seafood
October 14, 2010
In the wake of the BP oil spill, scientists are literally following their noses to determine whether Gulf of Mexico seafood is dangerous. Video.
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Natural Gas Stirs Hope and Fear in Pennsylvania
October 13, 2010
Pennsylvania sits atop one of the largest reservoirs of natural gas in the world, a resource that could boost jobs and shake up the national energy equation. But can this important resource be extracted sustainably?
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Banking on Connections to Spur Offshore Wind
October 13, 2010
Google and a team of fellow investors and energy firms aim to bring an offshore wind power revolution to the East Coast of the United States.
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Surprising Ant "Mixing Bowl" Found in Manhattan
October 13, 2010
At least 13 species of urban ants thrive along the bustling boulevards of the United States' biggest city, a new study has found.
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Pictures: Best Micro-Photos of 2010
October 13, 2010
A zebrafish nose, a wasp nest, and a mosquito heart took home top honors in the 2010 Small World Microphotography Competition.
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Toxic Mud Spill Latest Insult to Polluted Danube River
October 12, 2010
Toxic Mud Spill Latest Insult to Polluted Danube River -- National Geographic
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Giant Crystal Caves Yield New "Ice Palace," More
October 7, 2010
It looks like Superman's fortress and is nearly as hard to get into, but that hasn't kept explorers from uncovering new secrets on and around Mexico's deep, deadly Cave of Crystals.
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Photos: Canadian Rain Forest Edges Oil Pipeline Path
October 7, 2010
In the home of the elusive "spirit bear," nine Coastal First Nations people await a decision on a pipeline to carry Canadian oil to sea for export to Asia.
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Beating the White House to the Solar Punch
October 6, 2010
The island nation of the Maldives races ahead of the U.S. to capture the solar energy limelight.
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Photos: "Huge" Toxic Sludge Flood Hits Hungary
October 6, 2010
''This is huge,'' says one toxicologist of the failure of a toxic-sludge reservoir in Hungary. "If you are trapped in it, it will kill you."
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Plane Exhaust Kills More People Than Plane Crashes, Study Says
October 5, 2010
You're more likely to die from exposure to toxic pollutants in plane exhaust than in a plane crash, a new study says.
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600-Year-Old Worms Among Surprises of 10-Year Sea Survey
October 4, 2010
Six-hundred-year-old tube worms and other oddities help put the brain-boggling, just-ended, ten-year Census of Maine Life in perspective.
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Biggest Marine Census Complete
October 4, 2010
The Census of Marine Life has identified more than 6,000 potentially new species during a decade of exploring the world's oceans. Video.
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Undersea Mountain Photos: Brittlestar Swarm, More Found
October 1, 2010
Swarms of orange fish and other deep-sea creatures have been spotted during a five-year survey of the world's underwater mountain ranges.
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Replacing Oil Addiction With Metals Dependence?
October 1, 2010
China’s pivotal role as world supplier of rare-earth metals raises alarm that the new energy economy will mean the same old foreign dependence.
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Whale Snot, Cursing Away Pain Among 2010 Ig Nobels
October 1, 2010
Profanity to treat pain and whale-snot-collecting helicopters are just a few of the unusual scientific achievements awarded Ig Nobels on Thursday.
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Renewable Energy: Ontario’s New Gold Rush
September 30, 2010
Ontario is better known for majestic falls and forests than for its sun, but a one-year-old government incentive program has made the province a solar energy hotbed.
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80 Percent of Global Water Supplies at Risk
September 30, 2010
80 Percent of Global Water Supplies at Risk
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Best Environmental Photos of 2010 Named
September 29, 2010
See a hummingbird-viper face-off, swarm of devil rays, and more in these winning images from a conservation group's global photo contest.
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Walruses Swarm Beaches as Ice Melts
September 27, 2010
Thousands of walruses gathered recently on an island strip in Alaska, probably because of extreme ice melting, scientists say. Video.
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Hybrid Panthers Helping Rare Cat Rebound in Florida
September 24, 2010
Breeding rare Florida panthers with Texas cougars created tough hybrids that could save the subspecies from extinction, a new study says.
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Drug-filled Mice Airdropped Over Guam to Kill Snakes
September 24, 2010
Dead mice filled with a generic version of Tylenol are being airdropped to kill the invasive brown tree snake, U.S. officials say.
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Whale Sharks Killed, Displaced Due to Gulf Oil?
September 23, 2010
The Gulf spill fouled a stretch of feeding habitat for whale sharks, possibly killing some of the world's largest fish, new research says.
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Flooding Farms on Purpose—For the Birds
September 23, 2010
In response to the BP oil spill, U.S. farmers are flooding fields to create untainted wetland stopovers for migrating birds.
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"Sea Snot" Explosion Caused by Gulf Oil Spill?
September 23, 2010
A "blizzard" of sticky life-forms caused by the BP spill may have crippled the base of the Gulf of Mexico food chain, early results suggest.
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New Magma Layer Found Deep in Earth's Mantle?
September 23, 2010
A layer of molten rock trapped since Earth's formation may exist where the solid mantle meets the core, a new study says.
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Volcanoes Killed Off Neanderthals, Study Suggests
September 22, 2010
Eruptions may have wiped out our heavy-browed cousins, but we survived by being largely out of the line of fire, study suggests.
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Autumnal Equinox: Why First Day of Fall 2010 Is Different
September 22, 2010
Wednesday, for the first time in more than a decade, the full moon will shine over the first day of fall. Get the facts in our autumnal equinox explainer.
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The Solvable Problem of Energy Poverty
September 21, 2010
Providing universal world access to electricity and modern cooking technology is affordable, and can be done without worsening climate change, a United Nations report says
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Pictures: Toxic Foam Chokes Brazil River
September 21, 2010
An outbreak of toxic foam pollution in Brazil's Tietê River has been made worse by the driest August in decades, experts say.
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New Aurora Pictures: Sky Shows Sparked by Sun Eruption
September 21, 2010
On September 11 a NASA satellite spied a magnetic eruption on the sun. A few days later northern skies got an electric shot of sheer beauty.
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Light is the Bright IDEA for Transport
September 20, 2010
Bright Automotive aims to engineer a fuel-saving electric commercial vehicle large to appeal to the U.S. market.
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New Species of Giant Elephant Shrew Discovered?
September 20, 2010
With maroon thighs and a black rump, a two-foot-long elephant shrew found in a remote Kenya forest may be a new species, scientists say.
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Hurricane Karl Slams Into Mexico; Flash Floods Predicted
September 17, 2010
Even as Hurricane Karl makes landfall in Mexico, Hurricanes Igor and Julia are still churning out at sea, experts say.
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Giant Vacuum to Help Bugs in Oiled Marshes?
September 17, 2010
Using huge hoses, researchers are vacuuming up marsh bugs along the oiled Gulf coast. By comparing their samples to bugs collected before the spill, teams hope to determine the effects of oil on creatures near the bottom of the food web.
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Pictures: Fish Suffocated in Giant Louisiana Die-off
September 16, 2010
Thousands of dead fish found in a Louisiana marsh likely suffocated—but oil from the Gulf spill may also have played a role, experts say.
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Massive Fish Kill in Gulf Caused by "Dead Zone," Oil?
September 16, 2010
The Louisiana die-off was likely caused by annual "dead zone" conditions—but the Gulf spill may have been an added "insult," experts say.
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New Giant-Cave Photos: Surreal Formations, More in Borneo
September 16, 2010
In a vast Borneo cave system, a new expedition captured scenes of surreal formations, immense chambers, a natural "showerhead," and more.
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Hope for Stemming Wind Energy’s Toll on Bats
September 15, 2010
Wind energy projects pose a threat to migratory bats, but simple steps show promise for protecting them.
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Why the Gulf Oil Spill Isn't Going Away
September 15, 2010
As BP prepares to permanently seal the damaged well, experts warn that remnants of the Gulf oil spill are still plentiful underwater.
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Hurricane Igor Now Strongest Storm—But U.S. Spared Again?
September 13, 2010
Another lucky low-pressure system should steer Hurricane Igor—the 2010 Atlantic season's biggest so far—away from the U.S. East Coast.
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San Bruno Fire Pictures: "Hell on Earth" in California
September 10, 2010
A gas line explosion that unleashed deadly, thousand-foot-high fireballs reduced blocks of San Bruno, California, to "hell on earth" on Thursday, one resident said.
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Fire Tornado Filmed in Hawaii
September 10, 2010
While battling a blaze on the slopes of Mauna Kea in August, a Hawaii firefighter captured rare footage of a fire tornado, or fire whirl. Video.
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Warming Solution: Just Stop Cold?
September 9, 2010
The burden on the planet from today's cars and buildings is bearable, say researchers who warn that future added emissions are the real problem.
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Oil Inside Gulf Crabs May Be Shed
September 8, 2010
Blue crab larvae, collected in the Gulf of Mexico near the BP oil spill, have been found to have oil droplets inside their shells. But scientists say the oil may leave the crabs when they grow and molt.
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Mining the Truth on Coal Supplies
September 8, 2010
A view that the world’s leading electricity fuel—and worst contributor to climate change—is running out
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Photos: Few Remaining River Dolphins Indicators of River, Human Health
September 8, 2010
Photos: Few Remaining River Dolphins Indicators of River, Human Health
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How to Stem a Global Food Crisis? Store More Water
September 7, 2010
How to Stem a Global Food Crisis? Store More Water
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New Zealand Earthquake Pictures: Walls, Roads Crumble
September 3, 2010
See wrecked cars and collapsed buildings following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand, on Saturday.
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Fire-Tornado Pictures: Why They Form, How to Fight Them
September 3, 2010
Recent ''firenadoes'' in Brazil and Hawaii aren't rare, just rarely reported, an expert says: Large-scale versions occur once a year in the U.S.
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Why Hurricane Earl Weakened on Path to Cape Cod
September 3, 2010
Changes in the wall of clouds around Hurricane Earl's eye helped it diminish to a Category 1 storm as it moved toward Cape Cod, experts say.
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Oil Rig Explosion Photos: Mariner Energy Platform Burns
September 2, 2010
Just months after BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, which leaked millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, another Gulf oil rig—this one owned by Mariner Energy—exploded into flames Thursday.
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Hurricane Earl a Harbinger of Worse to Come?
September 2, 2010
Though expected to only graze the U.S. coast, Hurricane Earl is the first of many intense storms that could menace the U.S. East Coast this season, one expert says.
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Photos: Africa's Disappearing Damselflies, Fish, and Wildflowers
September 2, 2010
Photos: Africa's Disappearing Dragonflies, Fish, and Wildflowers
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Tarzan Chameleon Found in Tarzan Forest, Near Tarzanville
September 2, 2010
The discovery on Madagascar of the new species—given away by its flat snout—is a "Tarzan yell for conservation," a new study says.
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Hurricanes Could Carry Gulf "Oil" Inland
September 1, 2010
As Atlantic hurricane season heats up, storms could send toxic hydrocarbons lingering from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill surging inland, scientists say. Video.
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Can Nuclear Waste Spark an Energy Solution?
September 1, 2010
Can Nuclear Waste Spark an Energy Solution?
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Hurricane Earl May Skim N. Carolina as Strong Storm
August 31, 2010
There's an "excellent chance" Hurricane Earl, now a Category 4 storm, will keep most of its strength as far as New Jersey, an expert says.
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Hurricane Earl's Path to Skirt U.S.—No Hurricane Fiona?
August 30, 2010
As weather systems repel Hurricane Earl from the U.S. East Coast, tropical storm Fiona forms but may not become a hurricane.
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Five Years After Hurricane Katrina, Alien Rodents Return
August 26, 2010
The beaver-size, wetland-eating rodents are back—but are being kept in check by a boom in trappers, a wildlife biologist says.
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Hurricane Katrina Pictures: Then & Now, Ruin & Rebirth
August 26, 2010
Houses wiped off the map, submerged islands, and flooded cemeteries—see how sites hit by Hurricane Katrina five years ago are faring in 2010.
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For Hurricane Katrina Victims, A Solar Restart
August 26, 2010
For Hurricane Katrina Victims, A Solar Restart
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"Firecane" Myth Busted—No Danger on Katrina Anniversary
August 25, 2010
Flaming, oily hurricanes, aka firecanes, and "black rain" are no danger to Gulf residents on Katrina's fifth anniversary—or to anyone, anywhere, experts say.
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Spiders, Carnivorous Plants Compete for Food—A First
August 25, 2010
Spiders build bigger webs to catch more bugs than sundews, says the first study to show such battles between the plant and animal kingdoms.
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Trapped Chile Miners Face 4-Month Mental, Physical Test
August 25, 2010
Entombed until Christmas, miners in Chile can expect sanitation challenges, malnutrition, and a struggle for sanity and solidarity, experts say.
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Tapping into the Electric Power of Heat
August 23, 2010
Converting waste heat into electricity cuts power costs around the world. A new U.S. firm seeks to give the idea a high-tech boost.
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Ocean Garbage Patch Not Growing—Where's "Missing" Plastic?
August 20, 2010
The "soup" of plastic trash in the North Atlantic hasn't gotten thicker in two decades, says a new study that's puzzling ocean scientists.
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"Snot Otter" Sperm to Save Giant Salamander?
August 20, 2010
To save North America's biggest salamander—the hellbender, or "snot otter"—conservationists are freezing its sperm.
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Photos: Honeycomb Clouds "Communicate," Rain in Unison
August 20, 2010
Like blinking fireflies, some marine clouds "communicate" with each other, forming, raining, and re-forming in unison, a new study says.
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Giant Underwater Plume Confirmed—Gulf Oil Not Degrading
August 19, 2010
A giant plume from the Gulf of Mexico spill has been confirmed deep in the ocean—and there are signs it may stick around, a new study says.
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5 Years After Katrina, Ruins—And a Natural Wonder—Remain
August 19, 2010
On Hurricane Katrina's fifth anniversary, many Gulf Coast buildings remain damaged, but an iconic natural wonder still stands strong. Video.
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Toxic Oil Lurking Deep on Gulf Seafloor?
August 18, 2010
A signature glow detected in seafloor samples may be from Deepwater Horizon oil—and sea life may be suffering, preliminary results suggest.
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Titanic Is Falling Apart
August 18, 2010
Sunday, scientists will set sail to preserve the crumbling wreck in 3-D—and to find out just how long Titanic might last.
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Missing the Chance for Big Energy Savings
August 18, 2010
Consumers favor “low-effort” actions on energy, rather than investments that could have greater impact, a new survey shows.
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New Public Road to Split the Serengeti?
August 17, 2010
The proposed road in Tanzania would cut through the Serengeti, possibly disrupting the annual wildebeest migration, conservationists say.
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Why Antarctic Sea Ice Is Growing in a Warmer World
August 16, 2010
Experts have cracked the mystery of why Antarctic sea ice has grown despite warming—but the results suggest the trend may rapidly reverse.
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Fires Can Create "Volcanic" Thunderclouds
August 16, 2010
A strong fire can change the weather, and cast a pall over a hemisphere, scientists have discovered.
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A Fuel That Doesn’t Go to Waste
August 16, 2010
In the ultimate "closed loop" energy project, a garbage truck fleet near San Francisco runs on the methane produced by decomposing landfill trash.
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Ocean Color Can Deflect Hurricanes, Study Suggests
August 13, 2010
When seas change color, storms change direction, a new hurricane study suggests.
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Lighting a Fire Under Clean Coal
August 13, 2010
A big demo project, storage research and task force recommendations seek to advance U.S. clean coal technology, but financing remains a barrier.
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Pictures: Bushy-Bearded Titi Monkey Discovered
August 12, 2010
The "fascinating" new species of monkey mates for life—and may be critically endangered by habitat loss in the Amazon rain forest.
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Russia Fires, Pakistan Floods Linked?
August 11, 2010
The ongoing, deadly Russian wildfires and Pakistan floods may be connected by powerful atmospheric forces that are being boosted by global warming, scientists say.
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Wildfire Pictures: Russia Burns, Moscow Chokes
August 10, 2010
The worst known Russian heat wave is fueling hundreds of fires across the country and driving up Moscow's death rate. See just how bad it is.
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Gulf Spill Still Threatens Millions of Migrating Birds
August 10, 2010
Despite the BP Gulf spill cap, millions of migrating birds this fall, and for years to come, may face oil threats—starvation in particular. Video.
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Photos: Ten Most Wanted "Extinct" Amphibians
August 10, 2010
From the golden toad to the Turkestanian salamander—the quest begins for the ten likely extinct amphibian species conservationists most want to rediscover.
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Ice Island Breaks off Greenland; Bigger Than Manhattan
August 6, 2010
Four times bigger than Manhattan, a new ice chunk calved from the Petermann glacier may represent the biggest glacial collapse in recorded history.
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Oyster Herpes: Latest Symptom of Global Warming?
August 6, 2010
Don't worry—it isn't a side effect of eating oysters. But a virulent new herpes strain could continue spreading as seas warm, experts say.
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Much Gulf Oil Remains, Deeply Hidden and Under Beaches
August 5, 2010
The "vast majority" of spilled oil is gone, officials say. But some experts doubt the estimates and say much crude remains, out of sight.
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Bats May Be Wiped Out by Fungus in U.S. Northeast
August 5, 2010
Several species of North American bats may disappear if the fatal white-nose syndrome continues to spread unchecked.
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Photos: New Natural Wonders Added to World Heritage List
August 3, 2010
See the Pacific atolls, mountain forests, and other natural sites that have been named by the UN as places of universal value to humanity.
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Video: Record-Breaking Sea-Creature Surveys Released
August 2, 2010
See some of the deep-sea stars of a new "roll call"—thousands of ocean species found during recent expeditions. Video.
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Sea Discoveries Spawn Music Video
August 2, 2010
Featured in a new "roll call" of life from 25 key ocean regions, marine oddities oscillate, swim, and skitter to an ocean "chorus." Video.
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How Prospects Cooled for U.S. Global Warming Bill
July 30, 2010
How Prospects Cooled for U.S. Global Warming Bill
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Photos: Algae Blankets China Beaches; Dead Zone Brewing?
July 30, 2010
Mats of green algae have covered miles of coastline in China, creating foul odors and possibly choking life underneath the waves.
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China Oil Spill Photos: Fire, Crude, and an Inky Cleanup
July 30, 2010
Fire, crude, and an inky cleanup mark the great China oil spill of 2010—a drop in the barrel compared to the Gulf of Mexico spill.
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Pictures: Huge Jets Shoot From Dam During China Floods
July 29, 2010
China's massive Three Gorges Dam is being pushed to its limits by heavy monsoon rains that have sent water gushing through spill gates.
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Jumbo Squid Flash, Flail in First Ever Squid-cam Video
July 29, 2010
Filmed away from humans for the first time, jumbo squid light up during an expedition that also found them to have superstrong bites.
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Critical Alaska Habitat Spared From Oil and Natural Gas Development
July 28, 2010
The Obama administration’s first lease sale in the 87-year-old petroleum reserve on the North Slope leaves sanctuary for caribou and geese.
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Global Warming "Undeniable," U.S. Government Report Says
July 28, 2010
The past decade was the hottest on record, a new U.S. government report says—part of an "unmistakable upward trend."
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Plastic Bottle Catamaran Completes Epic Pacific Crossing
July 27, 2010
The Plastiki—David de Rothschild’s recycled-bottle sailboat—safely reached Sydney harbor this week, marking the end of a unique 8,000-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.
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Pictures: Creeping Lava Consumes Home
July 27, 2010
As lava from the Kilauea volcano crept closer to his Hawaiian home, resident Gary Sleik felt three years of anxiety go up in smoke.
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Global Warming Means More Mexican Immigration?
July 26, 2010
As global warming withers Mexican harvests, U.S. might see bumper crops of immigrants, according to a new study of climate change and Mexican immigration.
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Heat Wave: 2010 to Be One of Hottest Years on Record
July 26, 2010
After a sweltering spring, 2010 "will almost certainly" be one of the warmest years recorded since 1880, a new report says.
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Hundreds of Gulf Turtle Eggs Relocated
July 23, 2010
In an effort to save baby sea turtles from the BP oil spill, workers are moving up to 700 nests from the Gulf to Florida's Atlantic coast. Video.
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New Gulf Oil Seeps Linked to Another Well
July 22, 2010
Oil seeps detected near the Deepwater Horizon wellhead aren't natural, yet highlight difficulties in teasing out the cause of leaks in the oil-rich Gulf, experts say.
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"Prehistoric" Shark Seen Attacking Deep Bait
July 22, 2010
Scientists have filmed deep-sea creatures for the first time at depths of more than 4,500 feet near Australia's coast, including the deep-dwelling sixgill shark biting on bait. Video.
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Pictures: Baby Gulf Turtles Released Into Atlantic
July 22, 2010
Hatchlings from 700 Gulf sea turtle nests are being released into the Atlantic, part of a U.S. federal effort to avoid a "lost generation" due to the Gulf oil spill, experts say.
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Ethanol Future Looking for More Fuel
July 21, 2010
The government lowers ambitions for advanced cellulosic ethanol, but the industry says weak policy is holding back needed investment.
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Pictures: Walls of Fat Clog London Sewers
July 20, 2010
Nine double-decker buses' worth of congealed food waste filled a London sewer until shovel-wielding "flushers" hacked it away last week.
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30 Amphibian Species Wiped Out in Panama Forest
July 20, 2010
The "catastrophic" epidemic in Panama claimed five species that were lost before they were even identified by science, a new study says.
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Pictures: Oil "Devastated" Major Gulf Nesting Site
July 19, 2010
Only a month after teams reported the area free from oil, Raccoon Island, home to the largest waterbird nesting colonies in Louisiana, has been "devastated" by the Gulf spill.
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Relocated Gulf Pelicans "Enjoying" Texas
July 19, 2010
Some Louisiana pelicans, cleaned of oil from the Gulf spill, have been relocated to Texas—and are apparently quite happy about it. Video.
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Parasitic Wasp Swarm Unleashed to Fight Pests
July 19, 2010
A huge "army" of parasitic wasps was unleashed in Thailand on Saturday to control a devastating pest outbreak, scientists say.
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"Extinct," Pop-Eyed Primate Photographed for First Time
July 19, 2010
The pop-eyed Horton Plains slender loris has been seen for the first time in 60 years—alive and cute, if not exactly well.
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Video: Giant Undersea Volcano Revealed
July 19, 2010
See the first footage of one of the world's largest underwater volcanoes, a roiling, 10,000-foot-tall peak crawling with crustaceans near Indonesia.
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Pictures: Surprising Creatures Found Deep off Australia
July 16, 2010
See a "prehistoric" shark, a hairy anglerfish, jellyfish glowing like Avatar extras, and more—dark-adapted oddities of the Deep Australia Project.
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Prozac Pollution Making Shrimp Reckless
July 16, 2010
Shrimp exposed to traces of Prozac swim in brighter areas, making them more vulnerable to predators, a new study says.
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Pictures: New Cap Stops Gulf Oil Spill, BP Says
July 15, 2010
See the saga of the containment caps, from the removal of the old "top hat" to the installation of the new one, which BP said Thursday has finally stopped the Gulf oil spill.
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Pictures: Giant Undersea Volcano Revealed
July 15, 2010
More than 11,500 feet tall, the newly explored peak off Indonesia is home to odd creatures, spewing vents, and a potentially new squid.
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Putting a (Smiley) Face on Energy Savings
July 15, 2010
While utilities race to install smart meters, some urge a simpler approach for motivating consumers to use less electricity.
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"Miraculous" Fish Thrive Amid Jellyfish Swarm, Toxic Mud
July 15, 2010
The hardy little bearded goby is the first fish known to thrive in seas dominated by stinging jellyfish and toxic mud, a new study says.
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Video: Giant Undersea Volcano Revealed
July 14, 2010
See the first footage of one of the world's largest underwater volcanoes, a roiling, 10,000-foot-tall peak crawling with crustaceans near Indonesia.
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Photos: 2010 International Conservation Photography Awards
July 12, 2010
See some of the year's best nature pictures—winners of the 2010 International Conservation Photography Awards.
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Two New "Walking" Batfish Species Found
July 9, 2010
Two new species of bottom-dwelling "walking" fish have been found in the Gulf of Mexico—right in the path of the Gulf oil spill, a new study says.
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Photos: Leaking Nuclear Waste Fills Former Salt Mine
July 8, 2010
More than a hundred thousand barrels of radioactive waste are to be removed from "the most problematic nuclear facility in Europe"—a first.
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Photos: Glowing Oil Could Aid Gulf Spill Cleanup
July 8, 2010
A crime scene tool reveals that beached oil from the Gulf spill glows in ultraviolet light, which could be a boon to cleanup crews.
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Photos: New Species, "Living Fossils" Found in Atlantic
July 7, 2010
A recent Atlantic expedition discovered many rare sea creatures, from swimming sea cucumbers to potential, pink "missing links."
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Earth at Farthest Distance From Sun—Why the Heat Wave?
July 6, 2010
This week Earth is farther from the sun than it will be at any other time in 2010. So why the heat wave in the U.S. East?
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Gulf Oil Cleanup Crews Trample Nesting Birds
July 6, 2010
For rare shorebirds in the path of the Gulf oil spill, well-meaning cleanup crews may be doing more harm than the oil itself, experts say.
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Gulf Spill Pictures: Toxic Oil Found Just Under Beaches
July 5, 2010
Even "clean" patches of beach along the Gulf of Mexico harbor unsafe oil just beneath the surface, as new pictures from Florida show.
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Oil Found in Gulf Beach Sand, Even After Cleanups
July 2, 2010
Experts are finding oil from the Gulf spill hidden under beach sand. The hard-to-remove deposits could pose a long-lasting risk.
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Mouse Tears Are Aphrodisiacs
July 1, 2010
A pheromone in male tears makes female lab mice more receptive to mounting, a Japanese study says.
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Hurricane Alex Spawns Tornadoes, Could've Been Stronger
July 1, 2010
Alex didn't push oil inland and weakened after it hit land in Mexico Wednesday night, but the storm still proved deadly.
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PHOTOS: Amid Drought, Pakistan Prays for Rain
July 1, 2010
Sparse rainfall, surging demand, and inefficient infrastructure have combined to create devastating drought conditions across much of Pakistan.
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Pictures: Hurricane Alex Pushes Oil on "Cleaned" Beaches
June 30, 2010
Rough seas churned up by Hurricane Alex are pushing oil onto cleaned Louisiana beaches that hadn't seen oil since mid-May.
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Hurricane Alex Pushes "Worst Oil" Ashore; Cleanup Slowed
June 30, 2010
Hurricane Alex pushed "the worst oil we've seen yet" onto Louisiana beaches and shut down Gulf-spill cleanup operations.
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New Leviathan Whale Was Prehistoric "Jaws"? (Pictures)
June 30, 2010
A newfound prehistoric sperm whale with giant teeth likely attacked other whales—and possibly giant sharks, scientists say.
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Hurricanes May Be Good for Gulf Oil Spill, Experts Say
June 30, 2010
Although Alex's effects will likely be minimal, strong winds and waves from future storms may help disperse the oil slicks, experts say.
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At Gulf Oil Spill Forum, A Call for Energy Solutions
June 29, 2010
At Gulf Oil Spill Forum, A Call For Energy Solutions
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Diver "Vanishes" in Portal to Maya Underworld
June 29, 2010
An explorer "disappears" into the floor of a pool sacred to the ancient Maya, and divers find the first known fossils in Belize. Video.
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Watching "Sexy" Males Leads to Better Chicks, Study Says
June 29, 2010
Watching attractive males dance before breeding makes female Houbara bustards lay more and healthier eggs, a new study suggests.
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Alex "So Darn Large," But Oil-Storm Fears Unfounded?
June 29, 2010
Tropical storm Alex should soon be Hurricane Alex. But it shouldn't greatly affect the Gulf oil spill situation, experts say.
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Gulf's Tropical Storm Alex May Become Major Hurricane
June 28, 2010
Tropical storm Alex shouldn't affect the Gulf oil spill, but it may wallop the Texas-Mexico border as a major hurricane, forecasters say.
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Pictures: Gulf Oil Coats Popular Florida Beach
June 24, 2010
Thick pools of oil washed ashore on Pensacola Beach Wednesday, prompting officials to close a stretch of the famous white sands, according to news reports.
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Big Cats Wild for Calvin Klein Cologne?
June 24, 2010
Bronx Zoo cheetahs are attracted to Calvin Klein's "Obsession for Men," which scientists have tested to lure wild big cats close to camera traps. Video.
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Pictures: Butterfly Wing Colors Imaged in 3-D
June 24, 2010
The crystals that give butterfly wings their vibrant colors have been revealed in 3-D for the first time, a new study says.
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Sharks Carrying Drug-Resistant "Bacterial Monsters"
June 23, 2010
Our leftover medicines are spawning drug-resistant bacteria that thrive inside sharks, scientists say.
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Fungi, Feces Show Comet Didn't Kill Ice Age Mammals?
June 22, 2010
Tiny balls of fungus and feces may disprove the theory that a space rock exploded over North America, triggering an ancient cooling event.
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Summer Solstice 2010 Pictures: Fire Rites, Druids, More
June 21, 2010
Pagans play with fire, druids flock to Stonehenge, and revelers build a "friendship nest" to mark the first day of summer 2010.
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Summer Solstice 2010: Why It's the First Day of Summer
June 18, 2010
Find out why the summer solstice starts summer, and why it's the longest day of the year—but not the hottest. 2010.
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Afghanistan’s Lithium Wealth Could Remain Elusive
June 16, 2010
Afghanistan may be the Saudi Arabia of lithium—a key energy storage medium—but prosperity will not flow easily.
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Planes Create Weird Clouds—And Snow, Rain Fall Out
June 16, 2010
Airplanes, it turns out, can change the weather—at least at the hyperlocal scale, a new study says.
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Photos: Human Sacrifices Found at Ancient China Complex
June 15, 2010
How better to say "bless this house" than by sacrificing horse or human? A new dig in China sheds light on the ancient practice's beginnings.
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Divert the Mississippi to Fight Oil Spill, Experts Say
June 15, 2010
Artificially boosted, the river could act as an invisible barrier against the oil, buying time for cleanup crews in hard-hit Louisiana, scientists say.
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Pictures: Arkansas Flash Flood Aftermath
June 15, 2010
Flood-tossed RVs and mangled campsites were left behind after a flash flood ripped through a national forest in Arkansas last weekend, killing at least 20.
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"Ominous" Pre-Katrina Conditions Now in Atlantic
June 11, 2010
Ocean conditions this spring resemble those of 2005, the most active and destructive Atlantic hurricane season on record, meteorologists say.
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Pictures: 8 National Parks Threatened by Oil Spill
June 11, 2010
Eight national parks lie in the trajectory of the Gulf oil spill, putting rare animals and pristine coastlines at risk, the Park Service says.
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Jacques Cousteau Centennial: What He Did, Why He Matters
June 11, 2010
The late Jacques Cousteau's hundredth birthday is making headlines. Why is the late explorer such a legend? Here are five good reasons.
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Ecuador Puts a Price Tag on Untapped Oil
June 10, 2010
Ecuador plans to forgo drilling for oil in one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, in exchange for money from the developed world.
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Giant Sea Reptiles Were Warm-Blooded?
June 10, 2010
Giant reptiles that ruled dinosaur-era seas might have been partly warm-blooded—giving them the faster metabolism of an aggressive hunter, a new study says.
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Oil-Coated Gulf Birds Better Off Dead?
June 9, 2010
Conservationists should "kill, not clean" oil-coated birds, some say. And even euthanasia critics agree rehabbed birds face stormy skies.
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Oil Spill Threatens Native American "Water" Village
June 8, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill threatens the existence of Native Americans who literally live on, and off of, Louisiana bayou water. Video.
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Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Birds, Fish, Crabs Coated
June 8, 2010
The fallout from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is increasingly visible, with masses of oil-laden birds and other animals now on Louisiana shores.
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Crocodiles Body Surf to Hop Between Islands
June 7, 2010
Rather than swimming, the reptiles ride currents to travel long distances, according to a study co-designed by the late Steve Irwin.
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Trucks Could Be Next Electric Power Frontier
June 6, 2010
With fuel costs a driving factor, analysts see surge of hybrid electric trucks on the road in the coming years.
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Pictures: Guatemala Sinkhole Adds to World's Famous Pits
June 4, 2010
The sinkhole that opened up in Guatemala adds to the chasms—natural and human-induced—that have appeared from Alabama to Iceland.
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Inventor Turned Up Energy Savings by Dimming the Lights
June 4, 2010
Joel Spira was aiming for mood lighting when he invented the solid-state light dimmer switch. More than 50 years later, his company, Lutron, is recognized as an energy efficiency pioneer.
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Mammoth-Belch Deficit Caused Prehistoric Cooling?
June 3, 2010
By killing off woolly mammoths and other Ice Age megamammals, humans may have sparked a thousand-year cooling event, a new study says.
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Guatemala Sinkhole Created by Humans, Not Nature
June 3, 2010
Burst sewer pipes or storm drains likely carved out the cavity under Guatemala City that collapsed to form the sinkhole, a geologist says.
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Coal Firms to Strip-Mine Historic Battlefield?
June 2, 2010
In 1921, 20 miners died fighting for labor rights on West Virginia's Blair Mountain. Now coal firms want to literally open the mountain for business.
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Pictures: Giant Sinkhole Pierces Guatemala
June 1, 2010
Yes, it's real. See multiple views of the 30-story-deep sinkhole in Guatemala that swallowed a three-story building.
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Frogs Shake Booties Before Fights
June 1, 2010
In a stunning display of amphibian machismo, tree frogs boogie before they brawl in this unprecedented video.
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Photo in the News: Giant Sinkhole Swallows Guatemala Homes
June 1, 2010
Deeper than the Statue of Liberty is tall, the chasm is blamed in the deaths of three people so far.
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Sinkhole in Guatemala: Giant Could Get Even Bigger
June 1, 2010
Spurred by tropical storm Agatha, the sinkhole swallowed a three-story building in Guatemala Sunday—and it could get even bigger.
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New Pictures: Gulf Oil Rig Burning, Sinking
May 27, 2010
See exclusive, up-close pictures of the <em>Deepwater Horizon</em> oil rig—source of the Gulf oil spill—capsizing and sinking in April.
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Gulf Oil Spill Worst in U.S. Maritime History; Drilling Postponed
May 27, 2010
Amid cautious optimism that a "top kill" effort to cap the leaking well causing the Gulf oil spill is working, President Obama banned new offshore drilling Thursday until further notice.
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Hurricane Season May Be "Extremely Active"
May 27, 2010
A new U.S. government Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicts 14 hurricanes before November, with unknown consequences for the Gulf oil spill.
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Electric Ash Found in Iceland Plume Miles From Volcano
May 27, 2010
Ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano was charged even over Europe—a find that's both good and bad news for air traffic, scientists say.
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Photos: Hundreds of New Species Found off Tasmania
May 27, 2010
See photos of some of the hundred new marine species found by Australian scientists in the latest of a string of underwater discoveries.
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Oil Spill Poses Risk to Gulf Power Plants
May 27, 2010
Electricity facilities on the Gulf coast rely heavily on water and are taking steps to protect the plants should the oil come their way.
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Photos: Dracula Fish, Bomber Worm on Top New Species List
May 26, 2010
From a psychedelic fish to a "phallic" fungus, see some of the most unusual species described in 2009, as chosen by a team of taxonomists.
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Coast Pipelines Face Damage as Gulf Oil Eats Marshes?
May 25, 2010
As deep-sea oil from the Deepwater Horizon leak kills off Gulf Coast wetlands, it could disastrously expose buried coastal pipelines and other energy infrastructure.
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Orphaned "Moon Bear" Cubs "Mothered" by Scientists
May 25, 2010
A program to rehabilitate orphaned moon bear cubs is giving these threatened mammals a better chance for survival. Video.
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Pictures: Nine Fish With "Hands" Found to Be New Species
May 24, 2010
Nine fish that use handlike fins to walk, rather than swim, off Australia have been identified as new species.
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Oil Spill to Wipe Out Gulf's Sperm Whales?
May 21, 2010
If the Gulf of Mexico oil spill kills just three sperm whales, the Gulf population may be in serious risk in the long run, experts say.
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To Keep Power On, Pakistan Tries Lights Out
May 21, 2010
Pakistan calls on shops to close early and other lifestyle changes in an effort to stave off chronic power outages.
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New Nuclear Energy Grapples With Costs
May 20, 2010
The operator of the nation’s largest nuclear power fleet sees dim prospects for new reactors in the United States, but others are forging ahead with hope that global warming concerns will spur development.
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Pictures: Heavy Oil Seeping Into Louisiana Marshes
May 19, 2010
Thick pools of oil are now seeping into Louisiana's marshes, which are vital to the Gulf ecosystem and the U.S. seafood industry.
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Gulf Oil Is in the Loop Current, Experts Say
May 18, 2010
Oil from the Gulf of Mexico spill is being dragged into an eddy of the Loop Current that hugs Florida's coasts, satellite images show.
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Mount St. Helens Pictures: Before and After the Blast
May 18, 2010
From snow-capped peak to smoldering crater, see how the major eruption 30 years ago today changed the face of the famous volcano.
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Pictures: America's Ten Most Dangerous Volcanoes
May 18, 2010
Thirty years later, Mount St. Helens—which erupted 30 years ago today—holds steady at number two. See all ten of America's most dangerous volcanoes, ranked by government experts.
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Mount St. Helens Still Highly Dangerous, 30 Years Later
May 18, 2010
Thirty years after Mount St. Helens blew its top, the peak is still the second most dangerous volcano in the United States, according to government estimates.
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New Species Found in "Lost World": Pinocchio Frog, More
May 17, 2010
See the nosy "Pinocchio frog," the world's smallest wallaby, and other new species found in the tropical Indonesian mountains on New Guinea called the Lost World.
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Alpacas to Help Fight Gulf Spill?
May 14, 2010
Human hair, pet fur, and now alpaca fleece from zoo animals are being used to make booms designed to keep oil off the U.S. Gulf Coast. Video.
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Ball Lightning May Be All in Your Head
May 14, 2010
The mysterious floating orbs might simply be hallucinations caused by brains overstimulated by magnetism, a new study suggests.
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Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Oil, Tarballs Hit Beaches
May 14, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is likely behind the sticky tarballs and dead dolphins washing up on U.S. beaches, experts say.
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Mass Lizard Extinctions Looming; Global Warming Blamed
May 13, 2010
One in five lizard species are headed for extinction due to global warming, a new study says. But they won't bake; they'll starve.
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Gulf Oil Leaks Could Gush for Years
May 13, 2010
If efforts fail to cap the seafloor leaks, the continuous seep of oil could poison the Gulf's coastal habitats for decades, experts say.
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Berlin Rallies for a Tricky Oil Alternative
May 12, 2010
A coalition of energy and auto companies push for a hydrogen fuel transportation network in Germany, but it’s a tough idea to move down the road.
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A Fuel-Saving Car Engine in the Blink of an IRIS
May 12, 2010
Amid an auto industry upheaval, two Colorado brothers promote a radical new design to replace the notoriously inefficient internal combustion engine.
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Seafloor Fish Nearly Wiped Out off U.K.
May 11, 2010
The decline is so dire that Victorian sailing ships' performance blows away that of today's high-tech trawlers, a new study says.
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3 Future Oil-Spill Fighters: Sponges, Superbugs, and Herders
May 11, 2010
Sponges that sop up oil, "superbugs" that devour crude, and high-efficiency chemical herders are among emerging tech for battling spills.
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Pictures: Rare Bees Make Flower-Mud "Sandwiches"
May 10, 2010
Colorful "flower sandwiches" of mud and petals provide havens for rare solitary bee larvae, a new study says.
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Nature Fighting Back Against Gulf Oil Spill
May 7, 2010
Evaporation, dilution, and oil-hungry bacteria are already combatting the Gulf slick, experts say.
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"City of Gonads" Jellyfish Discovered
May 6, 2010
Unlike every other known jellyfish, Csiromedusa medeopolis—the new underwater wonder from down under—keeps its gonads on display.
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Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Ten Animals at Risk
May 6, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill is poised to do widespread damage to coastal wildlife, from pelicans on the shore to dolphins at sea.
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Why Deep-Sea Creatures Glow
May 6, 2010
Most of the animals in the deep sea naturally emit light known as bioluminescence, a trait that presents many mysteries to scientists. Video.
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Colorado Seeks a Renewable Energy Peak
May 5, 2010
Colorado this spring adopted one of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the country, bolstered by a unique mix of geography and politics that might be difficult to replicate.
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Whatever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
May 5, 2010
Twenty-five years later, the lingering "hole" over Antarctica is close to closing—and that may not be entirely a good thing.
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Hurricane Could Push Spilled Gulf Oil Into New Orleans
May 5, 2010
With predictions for a feisty 2010 hurricane season, experts fear that a major storm could carry oil from the Gulf spill into downtown.
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Photos: Huge Containment "Domes" for Gulf Oil Spill
May 4, 2010
Designed to be dropped onto the Gulf of Mexico's seafloor oil leaks, three building-size oil-containment chambers are nearing completion.
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Satellite Pictures: Gulf Oil Spill's Evolution
May 4, 2010
See the growth and evolution of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill, as viewed from space.
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Gulf Oil Spill a "Dead Zone in the Making"?
May 4, 2010
As the world watches for oil-covered birds, experts warn that the Gulf of Mexico spill could pose greater risks to life deep in the ocean.
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Gulf Oil Spill Could Reach East Coast Beaches
May 4, 2010
A powerful Gulf of Mexico current could whip millions of gallons of oil around Florida's tip and up the U.S. East Coast, experts warn.
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Bald Eagles May Have to Eat Toxic Seals, Study Says
May 3, 2010
Eagles on California's Channel Islands are finding fewer of their traditional prey, which may force them to scavenge DDT-laced blubber.
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Saving Fuel on the Farm by Making Hay
May 3, 2010
Farms can slash their fossil fuel use and still turn a profit, all with the help of more complex crop rotation. But will they have incentive to change?
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Gulf Oil Spill Fight Turns to Chemicals
April 30, 2010
Responders are deploying huge amounts of oil dispersant to limit onshore damage from the Gulf of Mexico, but the chemicals don’t make oil disappear.
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Pictures: Gulf Oil Spill Hits Land—And Wildlife
April 30, 2010
The first birds covered in oil have been found after the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico reached land along the Louisiana coast.
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Oil Spill Hits Gulf Coast Habitats
April 30, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill's first landfall is Louisiana's “bird’s foot” delta and barrier marshes, the habitat of the long-struggling brown pelican and other ecologically sensitive species.
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Gulf Oil Spill Pictures: Aerial Views Show Leak's Size
April 29, 2010
The spread of oil on the water's surface is a main clue being used to determine the size of the leak from the Gulf of Mexico rig disaster.
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First U.S. Offshore Wind Power Project Approved
April 28, 2010
The long-disputed Cape Wind farm in Massachusetts’ Nantucket Sound is approved, but obstacles remain to harnessing the vast coastal renewable power of the United States.
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Oil Slick May Be Burned to Help Stop U.S. Rig Spill
April 27, 2010
U.S. officials are considering a controlled burn to reduce the amount of oil in the Gulf of Mexico following last week's rig accident.
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Huge Asphalt Volcanoes Discovered Off California
April 26, 2010
Seven ancient underwater giants lurk off the Santa Barbara coast, and the biggest is as tall as a six-story building, scientists say.
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Oil Spill From Sunken Rig Site May Be Serious
April 25, 2010
An urgent effort is underway to stop the flow of oil from the site of the accident that destroyed the BP-leased rig, the Deepwater Horizon, before it reaches shore in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Oil Spill Fears Subside at Rig-Explosion Site
April 23, 2010
Oil has stopped flowing at the site of yesterday's rig sinking, but the incident may fuel opposition to a key U.S. climate bill.
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New, Deadly Cryptococcus Gattii Fungus Found in U.S.
April 22, 2010
The new, hypervirulent fungus strain has already killed six and is spreading in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, a new study says.
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Earth Day at 40: What Good Is It Now?
April 22, 2010
After 40 years, outsourced activism is replacing traditional Earth Day activities, and green's gone mainstream, experts say. So what's the point?
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Rig Explosion Shows Risks in Key Oil Frontier
April 22, 2010
The blast on the premier rig, the Deepwater Horizon, is a reminder of hazards as the oil industry searches ever deeper for new resources.
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Photos: "Ninja" Slug, Longest Insect Among New Species
April 22, 2010
In time for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a new report spotlights new species from Borneo, including a flying frog and the world's longest insect.
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Earth Day at 40: How it Began, Where It's Going
April 21, 2010
On its 40th anniversary, the once-grassroots Earth Day is now taking root on the Web. But some critics don't like it in any medium.
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Pictures: Strange Sea Species Found Off Greenland
April 21, 2010
From deep-sea "aliens" to promising seafood specimens, 38 striking fish species have been spotted off Greenland for the first time.
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Bacteria-size Babies Among Ocean's Smallest Life
April 20, 2010
An octopus in miniature is among the hundreds of larvae found in a recent Census of Marine Life survey of the tiniest creatures in the sea. Video
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First Green Supersonic Jet to Launch on Earth Day
April 20, 2010
A Navy Super Hornet fighter jet is set to take a supersonic flight on Earth Day on a mix of half biofuel, showcasing the Pentagon's efforts to reduce the military's reliance on oil.
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Iceland Volcano Pictures: Lightning Adds Flash to Ash
April 19, 2010
Intense lightning storms mixed with ash clouds to electrify the night sky over Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano on Sunday.
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Iceland Volcano Has "Quieted Down"—Ash Crisis to End?
April 19, 2010
With a lower plume and visible lava, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano could be entering a gentler phase, which "might help with the ash problem," experts say.
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Pictures: Hard-to-See Sea Creatures Revealed
April 16, 2010
From alien-looking baby starfish to snowflake-like crabs, some of the ocean's smallest life-forms have been revealed.
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Pictures: America's Next National Parks?
April 16, 2010
With U.S. National Park Week upon us, cast your eyes on potential parks of the future, from a volcano zone to the "Yellowstone of the East."
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Tiny New Sea Species Discovered—First Ever Video
April 16, 2010
Recent ocean expeditions have uncovered some of the world's smallest species—in spectacular abundance.
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Iceland Volcano Ash Plume Prompts Health Worries
April 16, 2010
To a limited extent, some experts say, though the drifting plume can also be a golden opportunity for studying Earth and the atmosphere.
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Mine Tragedy Amid Push to Produce More
April 15, 2010
Upper Big Branch Mine was one of the sites where Massey Energy was ramping up production to meet overseas demand for metallurgical coal.
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Pictures: Iceland Volcano Spews Giant Ash Clouds
April 15, 2010
See the source of the giant volcanic ash clouds that hung over much of northern Europe Thursday, grounding flights.
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Volcanic Ash Stops Europe Flights—Why Ash Is Dangerous
April 15, 2010
Volcanic ash from Iceland is spreading international travel chaos due to fears over airline safely. Find out why.
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Pictures: Iceland Volcano Erupts, Under Ice This Time
April 14, 2010
The second new hot spot on Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano is under a glacier, meaning big steam and major flooding.
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Iceland Volcano Erupts Under Glacier, Triggers Floods
April 14, 2010
The Eyjafjallajökull volcano has erupted anew, this time under a glacier, triggering floods and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
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China Earthquake Today: The Aftermath in Pictures
April 14, 2010
The "roof of the world"—the Tibetan Plateau—received a devastating jolt when a major earthquake struck Qinghai Province, China.
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Iceland Volcano Makes 27-Story "Mountain"
April 13, 2010
After weeks of fiery fountains, an Icelandic volcano has apparently quieted down—leaving behind a new, 270-foot cone, experts say.
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Lions, Hyena Killed With Poisoned Meat
April 13, 2010
A bloody bucket streaked with purple stains suggests Kenyan herders killed thelions and hyena with a controversial pesticide called Furadan, experts say.
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Prehistoric Mummies Poisoned
April 12, 2010
Arsenic-laced drinking water caused the demise of some of the world's oldest mummies, found in the harsh northern deserts of Chile, a new study says.
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Deepest Volcanic Sea Vents Found; "Like Another World"
April 11, 2010
"It was like wandering across another world," said a researcher of witnessing the hydrothermal "smokers," which may hold unknown creatures.
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Octopus vs. Sea Lion—First Ever Video
April 9, 2010
It's a first. Outfitted with a Crittercam, an Australian sea lion has filmed itself hunting, and eating, a large octopus. Video.
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Google Searches For Key To Energy Savings
April 9, 2010
Google finds that helping homeowners save electricity is harder than helping people search the Internet.
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Lightning Makes Mushrooms Multiply
April 9, 2010
Lightning strikes can more than double some mushroom crops, according to ongoing experiments that are jolting fungi with electricity.
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Offshore Energy Clash Over Undersea Sound
April 7, 2010
The Obama administration would open the Atlantic Coast to offshore drilling, but only after a debate on the impact the new seismic testing could have on marine life.
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New Giant Lizard Discovery "an Unprecedented Surprise"
April 7, 2010
It has a double penis, lives on a crowded island, and is as long as a man. So how did Varanus bitatawa go unidentified till now?
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EARTH DAY PICTURES: Quirky Ways to Mark the Day
April 6, 2010
An undersea cleaning party and the world's largest baked alaska join the ranks of oddball events that have been held on Earth Days past to draw attention to environmental causes.
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New Earth Epoch Has Begun, Scientists Say
April 6, 2010
Scientists are pushing for official recognition that humans have forced Earth into a new geologic age—the Anthropocene epoch.
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Earth Day Facts: When It Is, How It Began, What to Do
April 6, 2010
From not-so-humble beginnings in 1970, when 20 million participated, Earth Day has grown into a global tradition. Find out when it is, how it started, how it's evolved, and what you can do.
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Mexico Earthquake Zone Linked to California Faults
April 5, 2010
The magnitude 7.2 temblor was caused by the same tectonic shifts that formed the Baja Peninsula and the San Andreas Fault, geologists say.
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Iceland Volcano Pictures: Eruption Sparks Tourist Boom
April 2, 2010
A cascading "lavafall," hikes to cooling flows, and fiery fountains have helped boost tourism around Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
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Frozen Fish Help Reel in Germany's Wind Power
April 2, 2010
Renewable energy leader Germany sometimes has more wind power than it can handle, but a fishing community on the North Sea is exploring a creative solution for storing all that energy.
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Iceland Volcano Pictures: Aerial Views of the Inferno
March 31, 2010
See the ongoing eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano from space, from the air, and from the fiery mountain's icy summit.
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Solar Brings Light to Haiti
March 31, 2010
With a crucial meeting today at the United Nations on the rebuilding of Haiti, renewable energy advocates are urging donors to consider the role solar power can play in a nation that has had one of the lowest rates of access to electricity in the world.
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Gene-Altered "Enviropig" to Reduce Dead Zones?
March 30, 2010
"Enviropig," now approved for limited production, is modified to excrete less phosphorous, a key trigger of algal blooms, scientists say.
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Bulging Mutant Trout Created: More Muscle, More Meat
March 29, 2010
The genetically engineered fish boast at least 15 percent more flesh for eating—but is that good?
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Pictures: Giant Squid Get Extreme Plastic Surgery
March 26, 2010
See two giant squid corpses become "the most lifelike specimens yet"—a two-year process involving dissection, 396 gallons of silicon, and hundreds of needles.
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Earth Hour 2010: Record 121 Countries to Go Dark
March 26, 2010
Record-breaking millions of businesses, homes, and landmarks around the world will turn off their lights Saturday evening for the sake of the planet, organizers say.
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Texas Pioneers Energy Storage in Giant Battery
March 25, 2010
Texas Pioneers Energy Storage in Giant Battery
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Global Warming Making People More Aggressive?
March 24, 2010
Forget anger over leaked emails: Murders and assaults could jump by a hundred thousand cases a year in a warmer world, a new study says.
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Pictures: 7 Emergency Climate Fixes
March 24, 2010
From artificial volcanoes to sailing cloud makers, "geoengineering" may be the only option left to stop a global warming catastrophe, experts say.
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Gorillas Extinct in Ten Years in Central Africa?
March 24, 2010
Gorillas may soon go extinct across much of central Africa, due in part to Chinese timber demand, the ape-meat trade, and mining, a new study says.
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Polar Algae Forests Explored
March 23, 2010
In cold Antarctic waters, explorers comb lush seaweed forests filled with rarely seen creatures to find potential new cancer treatments. Video.
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Iceland Volcano Pictures: Lava Explodes From Ice Cap
March 22, 2010
Thirty-story-tall jets of lava exploded from an ice-capped volcano in Iceland Sunday—and they show no signs of stopping.
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Flat-headed, Web-footed Swamp Cat Dying Out
March 22, 2010
The rare flat-headed cat is disappearing as more of its swampy Asian habitat becomes palm plantations for biofuel production, experts warn.
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Turning River Current Into Electricity
March 22, 2010
Beneath the surface of the Mississippi River is a torrent of energy that developers aim to turn into electricity.
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Vernal Equinox 2010: Facts on the First Day of Spring
March 19, 2010
Will day and night really be equally long on Saturday, the 2010 vernal equinox (or spring equinox)? Get the answer—and other first-day-of-spring facts and oddities.
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To Capture Lost Power, Super Solution Sought
March 19, 2010
The steel lattice towers that help carry electricity from one place to another are not a pretty sight, but there’s also an invisible problem--the power lost due to electrical resistance. Superconducting technology may be solution.
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Vernal Equinox Pictures: First-Day-of-Spring Rituals
March 18, 2010
Druid celebrations, pyramid pilgrimages, and street fires are among the ways the world welcomes the first day of spring on the vernal equinox, or spring equinox.
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Mutant All-Black Penguin Found
March 16, 2010
An all-black king penguin—a very rare mutant—was spotted and filmed on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Video.
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Earthquake Baptism Saves Chile Family
March 12, 2010
A christening celebration saved a Chilean extended family from the devastation of the February 27 Chile earthquake. Video.
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Haiti Earthquake Pictures: Your Images of the Aftermath
March 12, 2010
See National Geographic enthusiasts' eyewitness views of recovery and ruin in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake.
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Time-Lapse: Mountaintop Mine Spreads Across Forest
March 11, 2010
Satellite views of a West Virginia coal mine show how long-term mountaintop mining can wipe out swaths of forest.
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Why Tap Water Is Better Than Bottled Water
March 11, 2010
Bottled water can be a drain on the environment and our health, but we still buy it. Find out more about why the tide may be turning to tap.
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New Frog Found—Has "Striking" Color Change
March 10, 2010
The jungle species undergoes a "striking" change from a black, yellow-spotted youngster to a peachy, blue-eyed adult, scientists say.
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Sea Spray Detected 900 Miles Inland
March 10, 2010
Sea spray has been detected in the middle of the United States, 900 miles (1,400 kilometers) from any ocean, a new study says.
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Exclusive: Chile Earthquake Aerial Pictures
March 9, 2010
See exclusive views of tsunami-tossed boats, a collapsed bridge, and a crumbled cliff—scenes of the devastating toll of the February 27 Chile earthquake.
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"Cove" Movie Assails Dolphin Hunt, Gets Oscar Boost
March 8, 2010
With its 2010 Oscar win for best documentary, the movie The Cove has reignited debate over annual dolphin hunts in Taiji, Japan.
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Photo: "Cove" Movie Seeks to End Japan's Dolphin Hunt
March 8, 2010
A dolphin hunt in Japan enrages activists. The Cove, an award-winning new movie, condemns it. So why do dolphin hunts go on elsewhere without much controversy?
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Turkey Earthquake Pictures: The Day After
March 8, 2010
A strong earthquake rattled eastern Turkey Sunday, killing at least 51 and crumbling minarets, barns, and flimsily built mud-brick houses.
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Chile Earthquake Video: Aftermath in Santa Cruz
March 5, 2010
Chile's February 27 earthquake caused an apartment building in this small city to collapse, killing 23. Video.
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World's Largest Dead Zone Suffocating Sea
March 5, 2010
Oxygen-sucking algae are blooming in the Baltic due to farm fertilizers and overfishing—and new efforts to stop the disaster may be too late, experts say.
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"Snowball Earth" Confirmed: Ice Covered Equator
March 4, 2010
But volcanoes would've made Earth more mud ball than snowball, scientists say.
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Arctic Sea Belching Tons of Methane
March 4, 2010
Permafrost lining the Arctic seafloor is leaking massive quantities of the powerful greenhouse gas into the ocean and atmosphere, fueling concerns of accelerated global warming, researchers say.
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What's Best for Kids: Bottled Water or Fountains?
March 3, 2010
As sugary sodas fizzle in schools, kids are turning to bottled water instead of tap water, which is often contaminated by lead. But that may put an added strain on the environment, experts say.
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Glowing Animals: Pictures of Beasts Shining for Science
March 3, 2010
Dogs, cats, monkeys, worms, fish: all now glow in the dark, thanks to one jellyfish and a whole lot of research. In this photo round-up of glowing animals (and the odd plant), see the gamut of what science has done with a few fluorescent proteins.
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Huge Garbage Patch Found in Atlantic Too
March 2, 2010
Akin to the Texas-size garbage patch in the Pacific, a massive trash vortex has formed from billion of bits of plastic congregating off North America's Atlantic coast, researchers say.
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Chile Earthquake Altered Earth Axis, Shortened Day
March 2, 2010
Saturday's Chile earthquake was so powerful that it likely shifted an Earth axis and shortened the length of a day, NASA announced Monday.
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Chile Tsunami Pictures: Earthquake's Other Aftermath
March 1, 2010
Far from city centers, cars and cargo containers were tossed like toys by the tsunamis sparked by the Chile earthquake. One coastal town alone saw more than 350 people perish.
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Weed Killer Makes Male Frogs Lay Eggs
March 1, 2010
One of the most common weed-killers in the United States can transform male frogs into fully functional females, a new study says.
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Pictures: Epic Iceberg Smashup Could Change Currents
March 1, 2010
A Luxembourg-size iceberg recently crashed into a glacier "tongue" in Antarctica, creating a second giant iceberg—which could spell double trouble for ocean currents and marine animals.
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Chile-Earthquake Tsunamis Smaller Than Expected—But Why?
February 28, 2010
Tsunamis that struck Japan and Hawaii following a massive earthquake in Chile were smaller than thought, and experts are only beginning to tease out the reasons why.
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Tsunami Hits Hawaii With Three-foot Waves
February 27, 2010
Tsunami Hits Hawaii With Three-foot Waves
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Tsunami Quiz
February 27, 2010
See how much you know about these walls of water.
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Chile Earthquake Pictures: Quake Spurs Tsunami Threat
February 27, 2010
Days after one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded, more than 700 people have died and survivors are left without food or running water.
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Tsunami Warning for Hawaii After Huge Chile Earthquake
February 27, 2010
Tsunami Warning for Hawaii After Huge Chile Earthquake
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Grizzly Bears Moving into Canada's Polar Bear Capital
February 26, 2010
There may now be two kings of the Canadian tundra—grizzly bear sightings are on the rise near Churchill, Manitoba, raising the small possibility of more grizzly bear-polar bear hybrids, a new study says.
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Nuclear Reactors, Dams at Risk Due to Global Warming
February 26, 2010
As climate change throws Earth's water cycle off kilter, the world's energy infrastructure is in trouble—and the U.S. is in particularly "bad shape," one expert says.
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Sharks vs. Pig Carcass: Experiments Surprise Scientists
February 26, 2010
After dropping dead pigs into the sea and watching via Webcams, researchers were "very surprised" to see marine scavengers risk low-oxygen waters for a meal.
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"Shamu" Kills Trainer--Killer Whale's Act Not Normal
February 25, 2010
The drowning of a Florida SeaWorld animal trainer by "Shamu"—the stage name assigned to multiple SeaWorld captive killer whales—is not typical behavior for the whales, scientists say.
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Bloom Box Launch Is "Big Hype"--Invention Nothing New?
February 24, 2010
How Bloom Energy's mini, green power plant works—and why its press conference today had some experts seeing red, or just plain underwhelmed.
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Bloom Box: Secret App May Be Key to Tiny Energy Plant
February 24, 2010
Set to be unveiled today, Bloom Energy's top-secret Bloom Box fuel cell system could bring cheap, green energy to U.S. homes. Experts explain how it would work—or not.
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Deadly Tsunami Swarm Hit Haiti After Quake, Experts Say
February 23, 2010
Unusual ten-foot waves hammered the Hispaniola coast shortly after the January 12 Haiti earthquake, killing three and destroying several homes.
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Volcanoes Erupt Side by Side in New Satellite Picture
February 19, 2010
Two neighboring Russian volcanoes exploded in unison last week. A geologist explains the science behind the picture.
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Deadly Bat Fungus Spreading in U.S.
February 16, 2010
A mysterious disease that has already wiped out thousands of U.S. bats is on the move, according to recent tests that confirmed the killer's presence in Tennessee.
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Giant Redwoods May Dry Out; Warming to Blame?
February 15, 2010
Some of the planet's tallest and longest-lived trees may be harmed by declining fog cover on California's coast, a new study suggests.
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Vancouver 2010 to Be Warmest Winter Olympics Yet
February 12, 2010
The Vancouver 2010 games will be the warmest Winter Olympics yet, at least within city limits, experts say. And that may actually be good news for Olympians.
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More Mega-Snowstorms Coming -- Global Warming to Blame?
February 12, 2010
Get used to heavy U.S. snowstorms, scientists say. The cause, though—global warming? El Niño?—is a subject of hot debate.
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Pictures: Undersea Volcano Erupts, May Form New Island
February 10, 2010
Spewing ash and smoke some 30 stories above the sea, a submarine volcano erupting off Japan could eventually form a new island.
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Tentacled Snake Uses Odd Appendages to Sense Prey
February 2, 2010
tentacles snakes
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Fusion Power a Step Closer After Giant Laser Blast
January 28, 2010
Using the most powerful laser system ever built, a solid gold cylinder, and a BB-size fuel pellet, scientists have brought us one step closer to nuclear fusion power, a new study says.
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Green "Volcano" to Power U.K. Town
January 27, 2010
A "big, bold" biomass power station, slated for construction by the end of the year, will create green electricity and heat for more than 100,000 homes, organizers say.
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Haiti Earthquake & Voodoo: Myths, Ritual, and Robertson
January 25, 2010
A voodoo scholar explains how Haiti's many believers may view the earthquake, why he thinks Pat Robertson's post-quake remarks were "cruel, ignorant, unforgivable"—and more.
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Fish "Engineers" Dig Up Homes for Marine Life
January 25, 2010
fish-engineers-groupers-florida
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Pictures: "Energy Oases" to Green the World's Deserts?
January 22, 2010
A high-tech energy complex designed for the desert could be a "game changer," one expert says, creating water, food, and jobs while restoring ecosystems lost to climate change and deforestation.
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Green Energy "Oasis" to Bloom in the Desert?
January 22, 2010
A research center slated to be built in 2010 as part of the Sahara Forest Project will serve as a proving ground for new technologies designed to bring green living to the desert, project managers say.
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Strongest Hurricanes May Double in Frequency, Study Says
January 21, 2010
Strongest Hurricanes May Double in Frequency, Study Says
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New Species Photos: Slug-Sucking Snake, Mini-Gecko, More
January 20, 2010
A see-through frog and a gecko the size of a pencil eraser are among rare and new species spotted in Ecuador.
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Mammals "Rafted" to Madagascar, Climate Model Suggests
January 20, 2010
The ancestors of lemurs, fossa, and other Madagascar mammals got to the island aboard natural rafts, according to a new model of the ocean currents and prevailing winds that existed 50 million years ago.
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BPA Linked to Heart Disease, Study Confirms
January 16, 2010
BPA Linked to Heart Disease, Study Confirms -- Also: FDA Announces Concern, Reversing Position
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Chemical BPA Linked to Heart Disease, Study Confirms
January 15, 2010
Chemical BPA Linked to Heart Disease, Study Confirms
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Eclipse Photos: "Ring of Fire" Shines Over Africa, Asia
January 15, 2010
The first solar eclipse of the decade, a so-called annular eclipse, was also the longest lasting of the millennium, creating a bright ring in the sky for ten minutes or more over Africa, India, and China.
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Haiti Earthquake, Deforestation Heighten Landslide Risk
January 14, 2010
The combination of widespread deforestation and the recent earthquake in Haiti could lead to more landslides in the already hard-hit country, scientists say.
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Haiti Earthquake "Strange," Strongest in 200 Years
January 13, 2010
Although earthquakes on Haiti are not uncommon, experts say, the intensity of yesterday's temblor was unusual from a historical perspective.
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Haiti Earthquake Pictures: Devastation on the Day After
January 13, 2010
The morning after a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Haiti, the capital is in rubble and thousands await aid.
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Global Warming Indigestion May Kill Gorillas, Monkeys
January 11, 2010
Global Warming Indigestion May Kill Gorillas, Monkeys
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PHOTOS: Antarctic "Time Capsule" Hut Revealed
January 11, 2010
As snows threaten to bury the base forever, more than 8,000 artifacts—including butter and ketchup—have been revealed in the hut of ill-fated British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, according to preservationists.
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SEVEN-WONDERS PICTURES: Natural-World Finalists Named
January 7, 2010
From the limestone caves to the world's tallest waterfall--'the eyes of the planet' are on the finalists from which the seven natural wonders of the world will be chosen.
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PICTURES: Tigers Butchered for Trade at "Zoos" in China?
January 7, 2010
Many Chinese tourist attractions are secretly operating as fronts for illegal tiger farming, butchering captive tigers for the multibillion-dollar black market in wildlife parts, conservationists say.
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Giant Salamanders Helped to Spawn
January 7, 2010
A new program in Japan is helping giant salamanders get past dams built to control flooding so the rare amphibians can lay their eggs upstream.
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Elusive Tree Kangaroos Fitted With Video Cameras
January 7, 2010
crittercam-tree-kangaroo-video
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PICTURES: New Cloud Type Discovered?
January 7, 2010
For the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, National Geographic News asked leading scientist for their picks of the most important fossil evidence for evolution.
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World's Smallest Orchid Discovered (By Accident)
January 7, 2010
World's Smallest Orchid Discovered (By Accident)
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Shark Fins Traced to Home Waters Using DNA—A First
January 7, 2010
Many of the hammerhead sharks butchered to feed Asian demand for shark-fin soup come from endangered populations in American waters, a new forensic study shows.
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Ten Climate Change "Flagship" Species Named
January 7, 2010
copenhagen-climate-talks-species-list
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Sharks Killed for Oil Used in Swine Flu Vaccine
January 7, 2010
sharks-liver-oil-swine-flu-vaccine
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APOCALYPSE PICTURES: 10 Failed Doomsday Prophecies
January 6, 2010
Just as some people today believe a Maya calendar pinpoints 2012 as the end of the world as we know it, people through centuries and across cultures have long forecast our collective doom.
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RARE ANIMAL PHOTOS: Giant Armadillo, Bush Dog, More
January 6, 2010
In a remote region of the Amazon rain forest, camera traps have captured new images of elusive animals, including ocelots, armadillos, and the extremely rare and little studied bush dog.
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PICTURES: "Natural Treasure" Threatened by Industry?
January 5, 2010
Mountain lions, grizzly bears, and cutthroat trout are among the Rocky Mountain animals snapped during a recent photography expedition to the Flathead region, which conservationists say is threatened by mining, logging, and drilling.
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Under Yellowstone, Magma Pocket 20% Larger Than Thought
January 5, 2010
The huge column of molten rock that feeds Yellowstone's "supervolcano" dives deeper and fills a magma chamber 20 percent bigger than previous estimates, scientists say.
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Most High-Tech Ocean Observatory Opens
January 5, 2010
Nearly 500 miles of data-transmitting cable will make NEPTUNE Canada's new Pacific Ocean observatory the largest of its kind. Underwater cameras will also capture seafloor wildlife.
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North America's Cooling Due to Natural Causes in 2008?
January 5, 2010
natural-cooling-north-america-2008
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Melting Glaciers Nourishing Oceans With Ancient Carbon
January 5, 2010
glaciers-melt-carbon-alaska
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Amazon Losing "Flying Rivers," Ability to Curb Warming
December 22, 2009
The Amazon's flying rivers"—humid air currents that deliver water to the vast rain forest—may be ebbing, in turn hampering the region's ability to help curb global warming, experts say.
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Czech Zoo Sends Four Rare White Rhinos to Kenya
December 22, 2009
Four of the world's eight remaining northern white rhinoceroses have been flown to Kenya in a last-ditch effort to save the critically endangered subspecies.
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Sucker-Footed Bat Hangs Upright Via Sweat, Not Suction
December 17, 2009
Despite its name, the sucker-footed bat of Madagascar—one of the few bats known to roost upright—actually uses "modified sweat" to cling to surfaces, a new study says.
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PHOTOS: Ten Environmental Losses of 2009
December 15, 2009
The environment—and the environmental movement—suffered significant setbacks in 2009, experts say. Among the lowlights: Lemurs became food, a lot of ice became water, and in the Caribbean some sharks became nonexistent.
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Our Atmosphere Came From Space Gases, Study Says
December 10, 2009
The gases that make up Earth's atmosphere came from a comet swarm, not from bubbling volcanoes as long thought, a new study says.
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2000-2010: A Decade of (Climate) Change
December 10, 2009
Climate change dominated the environmental discourse this decade. What will explode on the scene from 2010 on? Water and food issues, and Chinas continued economic growth, according to experts.
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Mystery Volcano Eruption Solves Global Cooling Puzzle
December 9, 2009
A newly detected 19th-century volcanic eruption may solve the mystery of a strangely cool decade in the early 1800s, researchers say—but the location of the volcano itself remains a puzzle.
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Global Warming "Marches On"; Past Decade Hottest Known
December 8, 2009
What's more, 2009 is likely the fifth hottest year on record, according to new UN data released at the Copenhagen climate conference. North America, though, was actually cooler over the past ten years.
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Top New Species of 2009: Nat Geo News's Most Viewed
December 7, 2009
Strange beasts—including a giant rat, a lungless worm, and a vegetarian spider—dominated National Geographic News's most popular new-species coverage of 2009.
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"Wired" Irish River Detects Pollution in Real Time
December 6, 2009
Nature is going wireless, as scientists outfit rivers with sensors that detect spikes in pollution and can stream the information to data centers and cellphones.
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Copenhagen Climate Conference: What You Need to Know
December 5, 2009
World leaders will gather next week to hash out a new game plan for tackling climate change. Learn what they hope to accomplish—and why experts are saying humankind has a "very narrow window of opportunity" to act.
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Watermelon Juice May Be Next "Green" Fuel
August 28, 2009
Step aside, corn: Another summertime picnic favorite might be the next big thing in ethanol production, a new study suggests.
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Cairo Slums Get Energy Makeover
August 28, 2009
Using solar panels and biogas reactors, the nonprofit Solar CITIES project is bringing rural energy solutions to the urban poor in Egypt's largest city.
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PHOTOS: The First Earth Day—Bell-Bottoms and Gas Masks
April 16, 2009
In 1970, the same year as "Bell Bottom Blues" hit the charts, bell-bottomed greens thronged the first Earth Day events, where they learned, chanted, swept—and even littered.
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First Photos: Weird Fish With Transparent Head
February 23, 2009
With a head like a fighter-plane cockpit, a Pacific barreleye fish shows off its transparent head and barrel-like eyes in the first specimen ever found alive.
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