Animals
Whale blowholes don’t keep out seawater
Whales’ blowholes aren’t as protective as scientists had thought. They not only can let in water but also pollutants.
By Rasha Aridi
Environment
More Stories in Environment
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EnvironmentBusy beavers may be speeding thaw of Arctic permafrost
As climate change continues, busy beavers are expanding their range in Alaska. Their dams could further speed the loss of permafrost there and promote local warming.
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Health & MedicineDust can infect animals with flu, raising coronavirus concerns
Dust particles kicked up from some virus-contaminated surface can become a source of new infections, rodent data show.
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SpaceScientists Say: Solar
What do solar energy, the solar year and solar flares have in common? They’re all related to the sun.
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EnvironmentPesticides contaminate most food of western U.S. monarchs
Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweeds. A new study finds widespread pesticide use has tainted these plants across the insect’s western U.S. breeding grounds.
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EcosystemsScientists Say: Deforestation
Trees slurp up carbon dioxide and help keep our planet cool. But deforestation cuts those trees down in large numbers.
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EnvironmentAustralian wildfires pumped smoke to record heights
Wildfires in Australia in late December and early January spurred an unusual smoke plume that still hasn’t fully dispersed.
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EnvironmentLet’s learn about hurricanes
Hurricanes are huge, terrifying storms that form over warm ocean waters — and waters are getting warming.
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EcosystemsScientists Say: Prairie
Prairies are flat, fertile grasslands in North America. They are their own unique ecosystem.
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EnvironmentLet’s learn about rain
People need rain for their crops and their drinking fountains. But there sometimes can be too much of a good thing.