Research & Developments is a blog for brief updates to provide context for news that impacts science and scientists today. If you have a tip, email us at [email protected].
Geoengineering Fears on Display at Congressional Hearing
Misunderstandings and disinformation abounded at a 16 September hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency about geoengineering—efforts to alter Earth systems for the purpose of mitigating climate change.…
EPA Proposes That Major Polluters No Longer Report Their Emissions
The EPA proposed today that approximately 8,000 polluting facilities, including oil refineries, power plants, and steel mills, should no longer be required to report their greenhouse gas emissions.
Tracking Science Policy Across the U.S. Administration
The new administration has taken an array of decisive actions with far-reaching consequences for Earth and space scientists. Use our new tool to help sort them out.
Living Near an Indigenous Forest Could Reduce the Risk of Disease
An analysis of 20 years of health data in eight Amazonian countries, published today in Communications Earth and Environment, shows that protecting Indigenous-managed forests may help reduce various kinds of…
Perseverance Sample Shows Possible Evidence of Ancient Martian Microbial Metabolisms
A sample collected in July 2024 by NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover may be “the closest we’ve actually come to discovering ancient life on Mars,” according to Nicky Fox, the science…
USDA Moves to Rescind Roadless Rule Protecting 45 Million Acres of Wild Area
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing rescinding the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which protects about 45 million acres (182,000 square kilometers) of National Forest System lands from…
FEMA Puts Dissenting Staff on Indefinite Leave
More than a dozen FEMA staff, all signatories of that Katrina Declaration, were placed on indefinite administrative leave.
Public Speaks Out Against EPA Plan to Rescind Endangerment Finding
Advocates, scientists, doctors, members of Congress, kids, parents, and other individuals spoke out in a series of hearings last week to let the Environmental…
Glacial Lake Outburst Causes Record River Crest in Juneau
The Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, reached a record-breaking crest Wednesday morning thanks to a glacial outburst flood (GLOF) from Suicide Basin. At 16.65…