It’s a concept most children learn in science class: Photosynthesis can convert solar energy to chemical energy. It’s the energy production and fuelling process that allows plants and even algae to survive and grow. But, before we get in to why photosynthesis is important, it’s time to break down the particulars of this essential biological …
In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first people to successfully summit Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth. Now their sons are warning the world about the damage that global warming is doing to the mountain, one of world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing, in an interview …
You might not think about Antarctica very often. After all, there’s not much there of immediate interest to human life — mostly just more ice than you could ever dream of. When we talk about climate change, we most often focus our attention up north on the Arctic, closer to more human settlements, and where …
Antarctic Ice Shelf Melting From the Inside Out, Which Is Not a Good Thing Read More »
Imagine a comet hurtling through the nothingness of space. It smashes into a planet, causing destruction — but also bringing life. That’s because hitching a ride on the surface of the comet were tiny traces of organic material or even alien eggs, explaining how life could spread across the cosmos and arrive on our planet. …
Panspermia: Did Alien Seeds Cause Life to Explode on Earth? Read More »
Imagine a comet hurtling through the nothingness of space. It smashes into a planet, causing destruction — but also bringing life. That’s because hitching a ride on the surface of the comet were tiny traces of organic material or even alien eggs, explaining how life could spread across the cosmos and arrive on our planet. …
Panspermia: Did Alien Seeds Cause Life to Explode on Earth? Read More »
In 2003, a skeleton was removed from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Originally buried in the ghost town of La Noria, it’s strikingly small, measuring just 6 inches, or 15 centimeters, long. The top of the skull has a distinct conical shape. It also has fewer ribs (10 pairs) than we would normally expect …
What Is the Atacama Skeleton, and Why Is It So Controversial? Read More »
Since the earliest days of astronomy, people have been fascinated by Mars. Something about the Red Planet invites wide-eyed speculation — and now the urge to explore Mars, too. Space agencies started sending unmanned missions to Mars during the Cold War. Several countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan and China have dispatched “orbiters,” “rovers” …
Under Soviet rule, Mongols couldn’t even utter Genghis Khan’s name out loud, nor visit his home province. But since the collapse of communism in Mongolia in the 1990s, citizens have reclaimed the legacy of the person the New York Times referred to as “the original bad boy of history.” This resurgence in popularity has also …
Did Genghis Khan Really Kill 1,748,000 People in One Hour? Read More »
Surprisingly enough, the title of oldest tree in the world is up for grabs. Since about 2018, a majestically gnarled bristlecone pine in California has held the designation, only to be usurped by a new up-and-comer discovered on a Swedish mountaintop. Not to be outdone, a controversial find in a Chilean forest has tree aficionados …
Bored with local motorsports events? It might be time to plan a trip to the Utah desert and the famous Bonneville Salt Flats. It’s where insane speed records are made and broken, and have been for decades. In fact, during Bonneville’s 2018 World of Speed event, which was held in September, a modified 2019 Volkswagen …
Insane Speed Records Are Broken at Bonneville Salt Flats Read More »
On Aug. 18, 2019, Iceland held a funeral for the first glacier lost to climate change. The deceased party was Okjökull, a historic body of ice that covered 14.6 square miles (38 square kilometers) in the Icelandic Highlands at the turn of the 20th century. But, in 2014, having dwindled to less than 1/15 its …
What’s the Difference Between Global Warming and Climate Change? Read More »
Discussions about climate change tend to focus on low-lying areas, like coastal cities. Yet people who live at higher elevations also feel its negative effects — including fresh water shortages. To help these folks get by, a Ladakhi inventor named Sonam Wangchuk has created a line of artificial glaciers. Called “ice stupas,” they’re storing frozen …
How Artificial Glaciers Are Hydrating the Himalayas Read More »
There are lots of ways to build a garden. You can go the traditional route, with a garden tilled right into the ground, or construct raised beds that you fill with soil. Another option, though, uses bales of straw. They’re cheap and easy to acquire, and it’s possible to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers right …
Whether it’s a garden-fresh tomato on a sandwich or corn on the cob direct from the garden to the stove, you know it’s true: Home vegetable gardens can create some pretty tasty produce. On top of that, much enjoyment comes from producing your own crisp vegetables, and it’s an activity where everyone in the family …
Starting a Vegetable Garden: Simple Yard and Container Methods Read More »
Consumers throw away more than 200 million pounds (90,718 metric tons) of trash every day in the United States. Fifteen percent of it comes from our kitchen and yard waste, and generally ends up in our landfills [source: Bailey]. Composting keeps this nutrient-rich organic matter from going to waste by turning it into fertilizer for …
Years ago, creeping buttercups were held by children under their noses to test their fondness for butter. Children were warned not to chew the flowers or the leaves, because they are capable of raising blisters. Centuries ago, beggars used the sap to ulcerate their feet to arouse pity. Creeping buttercups, originally from Europe, are now …