Latest Articles

This scientist summed up the 2,200-page IPCC report in haiku

NOAA oceanographer Greg Johnson made you illustrated Cliffs Notes!

Did you miss the No-Pants Subway Ride? Here are the (t)highlights

Watch this recap of the 13th annual No-Pants Subway Ride while reclining pantless in the comfort of your own home.

Native sun: In the Deep South, a solar farm rises on a former cotton plantation

The entrepreneur bills the project as the largest solar farm in the country owned by an African American, and it's in North Carolina of all places.

Light rail on a diet equals better mass transit

I often write about the key role the federal government plays in infrastructure. Ultralight rail is one small example of the role national governments can play in advancing or bottlenecking infrastructure change. The state of today’s light rail: when extensively used it saves energy compared to cars. Another advantage: light rail has lower capital costs. […]

Fracking chemicals may make oil extra explosive

Recent train explosions have involved crude from the Bakken formation in North Dakota, perhaps because flammable fracking fluids contaminated the oil.

Christie’s bullying fails to push pipeline through nature preserve

The governor was twisting arms to get a natural-gas pipeline built through the New Jersey Pinelands, but after the bridge scandal broke, that effort may have backfired.

Millipedes are natural insect repellant — and natural hallucinogens

Unlike many invasive creatures, yellow-banded millipedes don't seem to be causing too many problems.

President Obama’s Chemical Safety Panel Must Heed Senator Obama’s Warnings

In the wake of the April 2103 West, Texas, chemical plant explosion, which killed 15 people and injured 160 more, President Obama issued an executive order directing federal agencies to improve the safety of our industrial chemical plants.  Right now, a working group of federal officials is conducting “listening sessions” around the country to hear […]

Google just spent $3 billion on smart thermostats

We've long been fans of the company Nest, and it turns out Google is, too.

Tree disease is threatening orange juice

Despite millions in funding, scientists still have no clue how to stop the incurable bacterial infection plaguing citrus trees. YIKES.