Earth & Space
An exoplanet with glowing water reveals its nature
Space-based observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope are providing valuable insights into the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, known as "exoplanets". We have recently used Hubble to uncover the most compelling evidence to date for a stratosphere layer on one such exoplanet,... click to read more
The escape of the Sun’s fraternal twin
Roughly half of all stars are in multiple systems (binaries, triples etc), which means that two or more stars orbit each other because of their mutual gravitational pull. For stars of about the mass and age of the Sun, the average separation between companion stars... click to read more
For polar bears the cost of living is rising
A warming Arctic is causing reductions in sea ice thickness and increasing its drift speed. Compositional and dynamic changes in sea ice could have impacts on the ability of ice-dependent vertebrates to acquire and amass energy needed for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. Knowledge of how... click to read more
Global contamination of honey by insecticides
Bees and other pollinators provide indispensable ecosystem services and are essential for the cultivation of one third of crops worldwide. Yet, this free service may be threatened by the use of insecticides among which neonicotinoids. There is currently a strong debate about banning these pesticides.... click to read more
The climate's barrier to coastal hurricanes
Hurricanes are tremendously dangerous to lives and property, particularly when they approach land. In the Atlantic, hurricanes go through periods of higher- and lower-than-normal activity, and these periods can last 30 years or more. For example, we have been in an active period since around... click to read more
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