Environment

Fires in South Africa found to have a surprising cooling effect on the atmosphere

Smoke aerosols in clouds reflect more solar radiation back into space, which results in less solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, says a new study.

Mar 7, 2018

Genetically modified tobacco crop consumes 25% less water

Scientists say the method could lead to more water efficient farming methods in a future where there is greater climate instability.

Mar 7, 2018

Tundra polygons on Alaska's North Slope. As permafrost thaws, this area is likely to be a source of atmospheric carbon before 2100

Northern Arctic permafrost no longer shielded from global warming, may unleash carbon within decades

If the thawing continues, total carbon emission from the Northern Arctic permafrost by 2300 could be 10 times more than all fossil fuel emissions in 2016.

Mar 6, 2018

Watch: Cheetah hugs and licks man in a heart-warming reunion

Dolph C Volker said that his friendship with Gabriel the Cheetah has fulfilled his very old dream of befriending a wild predator.

Mar 5, 2018

Super colony of 1.5 million Adélie penguins unaffected by climate change spotted from space

Scientists used drones to take pictures of the massive Adélie penguin colony in the Danger Islands, which had at least 1.5 million birds.

Mar 3, 2018

Watch: Mother bear protects her cub from tiger who attacks them for stepping into its territory

The fight between the tiger and the sloth bear took place at Tadoba National Park in India's western state of Maharashtra on February 28.

Mar 2, 2018

World's last male northern white rhino seriously ill, conservationists hope IVF will save extinction

Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino, recently developed another serious infection following an age-related infection on his back right leg.

Mar 2, 2018

Nature's wonder: Phenomenal photos show blue ice on Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas

The natural blue ice phenomenon has appeared after seven years on Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, according to a local photographer.

Mar 1, 2018

New species of elephants discovered: How understanding their genome could aid conservation

The African elephants can be classified into those that live in forests and those that roam the savannas and there's no proof of interbreeding between the two.

Feb 28, 2018

Climate Change prompts $12.7m upgrade to doomsday Arctic seed vault

The doomsday Seed Vault is getting a major upgrade in time for its 10th anniversary.

Feb 28, 2018

The sun sets on the Atacama desert in the Huasco region.

Is life on Mars a possibility? Microbes discovered in Earth's driest desert offer hope

The soil on the surface of the Atacama Desert in South America is equally hostile and inhospitable as that of the surface of Mars.

Feb 27, 2018

Will king penguins become extinct due to climate change? Study says majority of the birds may disappear soon

A study has found that over 70 percent king penguins may be forced to relocate their breeding grounds or face extinction before the end of the century.

Feb 27, 2018

Tasmanian tigers that went extinct 80 years ago can be brought back to life, claim scientists

Scientists at the University of Melbourne in Australia scanned 13 juvenile Tasmanian tigers that they collected from museums all around the world.

Feb 23, 2018

Russian fisherman posts pictures of alien-looking creatures from deep sea, says some are 'tender and tasty'

Russian fisherman Roman Fyodorov shares pictures of these terrifying creatures on his Instagram.

Feb 22, 2018

The loneliest tree in the world bears sign of new geological age

Lonely juvenile tree with clear radioactive trace in its wood bears sign of new geological age

A strange lonely tree has revealed that an entirely new epoch called the Anthropocene began between October and December in 1965.