New observations by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, or WISE, show there are significantly fewer near-Earth asteroids in the mid-size range than previously thought.

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Recent geologic mapping of the Medusae Fossae Formation on Mars—an intensely eroded deposit near the northern edge of the cratered highlands—has revealed a wider distribution of its western component than was previously recognized.

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In August astronomers announced that the nearby star Proxima Centauri hosts an Earth-sized planet (called Proxima b) in its habitable zone. At first glance, Proxima […]

The post Proxima Centauri Might Be More Sunlike Than We Thought appeared first on Smithsonian Insider.

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Earth's magnetic field seems steady and true -- reliable enough to navigate by. Yet, largely hidden from daily life, the field drifts, waxes and wanes. The magnetic North Pole is currently shifting toward Siberia, forcing the Global Positioning System that underlies modern navigation to update its software sooner than expected. Every several hundred thousand years, the magnetic field dramatically shifts and reverses its polarity. Magnetic north flips to the geographic South Pole and, eventually, back again. This reversal has happened countless times over Earth's history, but scientists' understanding of why and how the field reverses is limited. The researchers find that the most recent field reversal 770,000 years ago took at least 22,000 years to complete, several times longer than previously thought. The results call into question controversial findings that some reversals could occur within a human lifetime.

Image credit: Brad Singer

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The Maya of Central America are thought to have been a kinder, gentler civilization, especially compared to the Aztecs of Mexico. At the peak of Mayan culture some 1,500 years ago, warfare seemed ritualistic, designed to extort ransom for captive royalty or to subjugate rival dynasties, with limited impact on the surrounding population. Only later, archeologists thought, did increasing drought and climate change lead to total warfare -- cities and dynasties were wiped off the map in so-called termination events -- and the collapse of the lowland Maya civilization around 1,000 A.D. (or C.E., current era). New evidence unearthed by National Science Foundation-funded researchers call all this into question, suggesting that the Maya engaged in scorched-earth military campaigns -- a strategy that aims to destroy anything of use, including cropland -- even at the height of their civilization, a time of prosperity and artistic sophistication. The finding also indicates that this increase in warfare, possibly associated with climate change and resource scarcity, was not the cause of the disintegration of the lowland Maya civilization.

Image credit: Francisco Estrada-Belli/Tulane

Darkly colored, carotene-rich fruits and vegetables -- such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli -- provide the body with half as much vitamin A as previously thought.

The effects of seafloor trawling can extend further than the immediate fishing grounds, affecting delicate deep-sea ecosystems, new research suggests. In this Mediterranean study, the researchers demonstrated that clouds of sediment from trawling reached deeper habitats, increasing water-borne sediment particle concentrations to a hundred times that of background levels.

The largest ice sheet in the world, the east Antarctic ice sheet, may succumb to climate change faster than thought, according to recent research. Warming ocean currents, triggered by shifting wind patterns, could accelerate melting of the ice sheet, leading to a rise in sea levels, say the researchers.

Methane gas emissions could have a larger warming effect on climate than has been previously thought. A recent study has found that the interactions between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and aerosols in the atmosphere can change the impact of various emissions, and that mitigation policies should take these effects into account.

Fine particles in the air produced by road transport trap more radiation in the earth's atmosphere than previously estimated, and therefore may contribute more to global warming than realised, according to new research. In contrast, the impact of particles from shipping appears to reflect more radiation than previously thought, whilst the effect of particles from aviation is comparatively small.

Gas flaring and residential combustion are significant sources of soot, or black carbon, pollution in the Arctic, but their role has been underestimated until now, according to a recent study. The research indicates that flaring from oil and gas developments is the largest source of this pollutant, responsible for 42% of black carbon pollution in the Arctic.

Nitrification inhibitors are thought to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions of nitrous oxide — a potent greenhouse gas — from land. However, they may not be as effective as once thought, a new study suggests. The researchers found that, while inhibitors decrease emissions of nitrous oxide, they can increase emissions of ammonia — which is later converted to nitrous oxide. They recommend these effects are considered when evaluating inhibitors as a mitigation technology.

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo will recommend ending a ban on most horizontal drilling, according to reports. Here are three quick things to consider about the plan.

Archaeologists have uncovered new evidence that could push the date of human habitation in Australia back possibly as far as 80,000 years ago.

Neanderthals might be extinct, but their genes still live on inside of us.

A study explored 50 million laser images from a NASA satellite to calculate the shrinking depth of the ice sheets, finding the edges to be particularly thin.

Cards are piling up for the man whose heart literally broke when his dog died.

If you're a fan of humanely raised, sustainable beef, you may want to become a 'steakholder.'

Competitors from around the world line up on an Arctic ice floe to tackle one of the world's most difficult 26.2-mile races.

Research found no major difference in asthma rates of inner-city kids and those in other communities.

A new study says commuting to work by car may be far more harmful to your health than previously believed.

The giant bug, Lord Howe Island stick insect, was rediscovered in the early 2000s, and now scientists have confirmed it's in fact them.

The predators burn energy 1.6 times faster than previously thought, a study finds, helping explain why the loss of sea ice hits them so hard.

Like the flu, some ideas get a foothold in our heads and then we propagate it. And now with social media, you subject yourself to everyone's thought germs.

How exactly does turning a pillow into a big fluffy gadget help us disconnect from the world?

In large part to gas wells and cow farms, the United States is spewing 50 percent more methane than regulators thought.

Scientists have found a 'world-class' helium gas field in East Africa. That's a big deal, and not just because squeaky voices are funny.

The Ozark chinquapin tree was believed to have been wiped out by blight, but it has slowly resurfaced.

The elusive Bahama nuthatch was found in limited numbers on the island Grand Bahama amid concerns it had been wiped out in 2016.

When you buy these presents, stocking stuffers and hostess gifts, you're also giving to charity.

These gift ideas are perfect for the people in your life who love nature and the great outdoors.

By studying particles on the ocean floor, scientists conclude that Earth supports one-third less life than originally thought.

Melting Arctic sea ice has contributed considerably more to warming at the top of the world than previously predicted by climate models.

The glacier-carved inlets play an outsized role in the global carbon cycle, a new study reports.

Q: I’m a 17-year-old guy faced with gift-giving conundrum of the most urgent order: I want to outshine my older, perpetually brown-nosed siblings this Father'

Environmental cartoonist Jay Mohr gives his interpretation of the request to change the name of high fructose corn syrup to corn sugar

A recent Harvard study finds that neural activity is a new player when it comes to human aging.

A new international study finds most people would rather be entertained by others.

Startling new research suggests that dark energy might be nothing more than a simple measurement mistake.

The Hidden Key To Creating Reality WIth Your Mind.

It is a fact that one's belief system is ultimately responsible for whether they live a successful life or not.

This article gives the views on complications between pregnancy and asthma medication.

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What to look for in choosing a new puppy. Some tips to help you pick out the right dog or puppy for your family.

Health and lifestyle experts tackle the challenge of staying healthy during Corona Virus isolation and beyond.

Looking for the perfect wedding or honeymoon gift? EnchantedInfinity.com proudly presents the Honeymoon Keepsake Kit! Limited stock available, available November 2019.

A new movie called How Thoughts Become Things is bringing new insights into the Law of Attraction with a lot of the original cast of The Secret.

Ashley Brinton aka Aye B release of newest Rap single "Wednesday Thought"

Now This Nashville Recording Artist Releases a New Single "Cumberland Falls" and Hopes She Can Survive a Pandemic by Bringing Her Projects to Life from Home