Observatory - Plants Near Chernobyl Adapt to Contaminated Soil

In April 1986, a nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine exploded and sent radioactive particles flying through the air, infiltrating the surrounding soil. Despite the colossal disaster, some plants in the area seem to have adapted well, flourishing in the contaminated soil.

Field Research Around the Globe - Scientist at Work Blog

Noah Snyder-Mackler The view from the scientists’ back porch. From left: Clay, Noah, David and Eila.
Sunday, Sept. 19
We arrived in the Simien Mountains National Park today. Back in the States, I have an office in the psychology department at the University of Pennsylvania. It is located in the Solomon Laboratories building, which was probably built shortly after Ben Franklin founded the university in the late 18th century. I share my office with another graduate

Green Column - Asia Begins Embracing Solar Power - NYTimes.com

HONG KONG — Developing nations in Asia, it seems, are finally seeing the light.

In May, the Asian Development Bank started a major drive to promote solar power across the region. Last year, the Indian government approved an ambitious National Solar Mission, which seeks a huge increase in the country’s solar-energy capabilities. Bangladesh, with the support of the World Bank, is aiming to have one million remote rural homes supplied with solar panels by the end of 2012.

Two New Dinosaur Species Are Discovered in Southern Utah

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Scientists said Wednesday they've discovered fossils in the southern Utah desert of two new dinosaur species closely related to the Triceratops, including one with 15 horns on its large head.

Sizing Up Consciousness by Its Bits

Lou Beach
By CARL ZIMMER
One day in 2007, Dr. Giulio Tononi lay on a hospital stretcher as an anesthesiologist prepared him for surgery. For Dr. Tononi, it was a moment of intellectual exhilaration. He is a distinguished chair in consciousness science at the University of Wisconsin, and for much of his life he has been developing a theory of consciousness. Lying in the  ...

A Perk of Our Evolution - Pleasure in Pain of Chilies

William P. O'Donnell/The New York Times
By JAMES GORMAN
Late summer is chili harvest time, when the entire state of New Mexico savors the perfume of roasting chilies, and across the country the delightful, painful fruit of plants of the genus Capsicum are being turned into salsa, hot sauce and grizzly bear repellent.

Critic’s Notebook - In Arabian Desert, a Sustainable City Rises

Duncan Chard for The New York Times
The terra-cotta-like exterior of a residential building in Masdar, a visionary city being built 20 miles from Abu Dhabi. More Photos »
By NICOLAI OUROUSSOFF
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Back in 2007, when the government here announced its plan for “the world’s first zero-carbon city” on the outskirts of Abu

NATO Carries Out Airstrikes in Pakistan - NYTimes.com

ISLAMABAD (AP) — NATO helicopters based in Afghanistan carried out at least two airstrikes in Pakistan that killed more than 50 militants after the insurgents attacked a small Afghan security outpost near the border, spokesmen said Monday.

Japan Will Ask China to Pay for Crash

TOKYO — Chinese-Japanese tensions over the arrest of a Chinese trawler captain re-escalated on Monday when Japan said it would ask China to pay for repairs to two coast guard ships damaged by the trawler.

Efforts Meant to Help Workers Batter South Africa’s Poor

Greg Marinovich for The New York Times
Emily Mbongwa, 52, a factory worker who lost her job in Newcastle, South Africa, now takes care of other people’s children.
NEWCASTLE, South Africa — The sheriff arrived at the factory here to shut it down, part of a national enforcement drive against clothing manufacturers who violate the minimum wage. But women working ...