Carbon nanotubes can be toxic to aquatic animals

The researchers urge that care be taken to prevent the release of carbon nanotubes into the environment.

How did zebras get their stripes?

The exquisite stripes on zebras have been explained in many ways. A recent explanation involves blood-sucking horseflies.

Mississippi river well below normal in 2012

Two space images of the Mississippi River - one from August 2012 and the other from August 2011. You can see that the riverbed is drier in 2012.

How you can help scientists study earthquakes

The Quake Catcher Network is looking for volunteers to use motion sensors on their computers to capture seismic data from earthquakes.

July 2012 was fourth-warmest July globally since 1880

July 2012 was the fourth straight month in which the Northern Hemisphere set a new monthly land temperature record. It was the fourth-warmest July globally.

American eels benefit from dam removal in Virginia

The declining American eels population are starting to recover after the removal of the Embrey Dam on the Rappahannock River in Virginia.

52-Hertz song of world’s loneliest whale

The loneliest whale in the world, the 52-Hertz whale, sings a song no other whale will answer and travels the oceans alone.

Global tropical cyclone update for August 15, 2012

A look around of the global tropical cyclone activity. Only immediate threat for now is across southeast China as Tropical Storm Kai-tak pushes to the northwest.

Earthquake strikes in ocean north of Japan

A very strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in the deep ocean east of Russia and north of Japan. No injuries or casualties reported. No tsunami warning.

Sandpipers succeed by choosing sex over sleep

In sun-soaked tundra summers, restless birds like sandpipers are more likely to score.