NatureNews - Earth and Environment - nature.com science feeds

Nature - the world's best science and medicine on your desktop

Food: The global farm

With its plentiful sun, water and land, Brazil is quickly surpassing other countries in food production and exports. But can it continue to make agricultural gains without destroying the Amazon? Jeff Tollefson reports from Brazil.

Amazon drought raises research doubts

Studies highlight uncertainties over effects of climate change.

Geoengineering can't please everyone

Adding aerosols to the atmosphere will not counter global warming in all regions.

Freedom of spill research threatened

Scientists call for impartial funding and open data as BP and government agencies contract researchers.

First light for Solar Dynamics Observatory

'Treasure trove' of data reveals the anatomy and evolution of solar flares.

Muddying the waters on Gulf oxygen data

Independent researchers claim oxygen depletion in the Gulf of Mexico is real, but a US government report advises caution.

Food: An underground revolution

Plant breeders are turning their attention to roots to increase yields without causing environmental damage. Virginia Gewin unearths some promising subterranean strategies.

Mexican 'climate migrants' predicted to flood US

A tenth of Mexico's population could surge north to escape climate-triggered crop failures, study claims.

Ecologists shun the urban jungle

Only one in six papers tackles inhabited areas.

Ocean greenery under warming stress

A century of phytoplankton decline suggests that ocean ecosystems are in peril.

Report maps perils of warming

Degree-by-degree breakdown of climate effects published.

The lost legacy of the last great oil spill

Some ecosystems bounced back after the 1979 Ixtoc I oil spill, but research quickly withered.

Arctic Ocean full up with carbon dioxide

Loss of sea ice is unlikely to enable Arctic waters to mop up more carbon dioxide from the air.

US seeks solar flair for fuels

Energy department launches initiative to commercialize artificial photosynthesis.

Seismology: The secret chatter of giant faults

An imminent swarm of tiny quakes beneath western North America could help seismologists prepare for a big one — but only if they can learn to interpret the tremors, finds Naomi Lubick.