After a flood, most people rely on officials to test public water sources. Private well owners are on their own, with little data to guide testing and treatment. New research seeks to change that.
culture & policy
Mercury-Based Gold Mining Haunts Peruvian Rain Forests
In Peru, gold mining harms rain forests and human health. Satellite data can now track forest recovery in protected areas and the migration of informal miners to less regulated areas.
Midwest Livestock Operations Linked to Rise in Ammonia Pollution
For the first time, scientists have linked high-density animal operations in the U.S. Midwest to rising air pollution from ammonia, suggesting need for increased regulation from the EPA.
Indigenous Communities Outline Their Climate Data Priorities
Native American tribal communities are actively engaged in adapting to climate change. What information and data will help them build resilience to the new normal?
Una nueva herramienta crea rápida y gratuitamente mapas de inundaciones para el sur global
Un nuevo programa en línea puede trazar rápidamente los contornos de inundaciones pasadas, permitiendo que los países con escasez de datos se preparen para futuros desastres.
Geoscientists Can Help Reduce the Threat of Nuclear Weapons
A nuclear war would claim many lives from its direct impacts and cause rapid climate change that would further imperil humanity. Scientists can help shape policies to put us on a safer path.
Quit Worrying About Uncertainty in Sea Level Projections
Emphasizing uncertainty in model projections of long-term sea level rise is a misguided approach. Instead, we should focus on communicating what we do know while improving model confidence.
How the Armero Tragedy Changed Volcanology in Colombia
The deadly eruption of Nevado del Ruiz in 1985 made Colombian volcanologists realize that studying natural phenomena was irrelevant if they could not share their knowledge to avoid predictable tragedies.
Microplastics Morph Cell Metabolism
Microplastics get into our bodies, potentially altering how certain cells convert sugar into energy, especially in the gut. Continued ingestion could cause chronic problems.
Air Pollution Poses Inequitable Health Risks in Washington, D.C.
Certain health risks are greatest in neighborhoods with higher proportions of people of color and lower levels of income and education.