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Rachel Fritts, Science Writer

Rachel Fritts

Rachel Fritts is a science writer specializing in ecology, sustainability, and Earth science. Her work has appeared in a number of publications, including Ars Technica, Science News, Science, Mongabay, and Hakai Magazine. She also writes scripts about evolution for the PBS Digital Studios channel Eons. Rachel is currently completing a master’s degree in science writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Two researchers in white lab coats conduct a flash Joule heating experiment.
Posted inNews

Extracting Rare Earth Elements from Waste with a Flash of Heat

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 14 March 202215 March 2022

A method called flash Joule heating could offer a more sustainable way to source essential components of electronics from coal fly ash.

A building and a street flooded in Norristown, Pa.
Posted inResearch Spotlights

ICON Principles Underused as a Natural Hazards Research Tool

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 1 March 202214 June 2022

Scientists identify barriers to and opportunities for applying integrated, connected, open, and networked research strategies to natural hazards studies.

A child holds his hand out to the rain.
Posted inResearch Spotlights

Climate Change Could Reshape Pathogen Profile of Diarrheal Disease

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 27 January 20229 September 2024

An illness caused by rotavirus could recede as temperatures warm, whereas wetter conditions might favor some bacterial competitors.

La Selva Biological Station, located in Costa Rica.
Posted inResearch Spotlights

Drop in Rain Forest Productivity Could Speed Future Climate Change

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 12 January 20227 July 2022

As temperatures rise, tropical forests will become more stressed and photosynthesize less.

A line of giant stone moai from Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
Posted inNews

Settlement of Rapa Nui May Have Been Doomed by a Dearth of Dust

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 16 December 202127 March 2023

Rapa Nui and Hawai‘i offer a tale of two island settlements: Hawai‘i was close enough to Asia for continental dust to help replenish soil nutrients depleted by agriculture. Rapa Nui wasn’t.

A farmer carries forage for his mule in southwestern Ethiopia.
Posted inNews

To Understand Hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa, Consider Both Climate and Conflict

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 17 September 202129 March 2023

Warfare exacerbates the impacts of drought to produce food insecurity crises that last long after the drought has passed, new research documents.

HI-SEAS Mars analogue mission
Posted inNews

Podcast: What’s It Like Pretending to Live on Mars?

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 20 April 202126 January 2022

We spoke with science writer Kate Greene about her experiences on a 4-month-long Mars analog mission.

Lightning flashes over Cape Town, South Africa.
Posted inNews

More Acidic Water Might Supercharge Lightning

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 1 February 20212 September 2022

New research suggests ocean acidification could make lighting more intense.

Watery mud accumulates between rows of crops.
Posted inNews

European Colonists Dramatically Increased North American Erosion Rates

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 11 January 202124 February 2022

Around 200 years ago, when conversion of land for agriculture became more widespread, the amount of sediment accumulating in riverbeds across the continent jumped tenfold.

Satellite image of Hurricane Harvey swirling over the Texas coast
Posted inNews

To Make Better Hurricane Models, Consider Air Pollution

Rachel Fritts, Science Writer by Rachel Fritts 23 December 20203 November 2022

New research uses Hurricane Harvey as a case study to demonstrate the devastating power of aerosols to supercharge tropical storms.

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