Nature : Science World Report

Jan 23, 2015 10:19 AM EST

Arctic Ice Cap Slides into the Polar Ocean

An Arctic ice cap may be sliding into the ocean. Satellite images have revealed that the ice cap has thinned by more than 50 meters since 2012, which is about one sixth of its original thickness, and is now flowing 25 times faster.

Jan 23, 2015 10:02 AM EST

Australia's Great Barrier Reef May Decline to Less Than 10 Percent of its Extent

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. Now, though, scientists have found that this reef could decline to less than 10 percent of its extent if ocean warming continues.

Jan 22, 2015 11:41 AM EST

Nightmare-like, 'Prehistoric' Frilled Shark Caught Near Australia

It looks like something that shouldn't exist outside of someone's nightmare: the frilled shark. This prehistoric-looking creature can be found in the deep ocean and is rarely seen near the surface. Now, though, a fishing trawler off Australia's coast has caught one of these rare sharks.

Jan 22, 2015 11:03 AM EST

Whales Sharks Receive New Protections from Tuna Fishing

Whale sharks are some of the largest living fish in the world and now, they may be getting a little help. The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) adopted a resolution that prohibits the placement of a purse seine net around whale sharks.

Jan 22, 2015 10:00 AM EST

Asteroid Impact Didn't Cause a Global Firestorm that Wiped Out the Dinosaurs

What caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? Scientists have long thought that an asteroid might have helped but now, new research has debunked the theory that a massive impact also caused vast global firestorms that led to a global mass extinction.

Jan 22, 2015 08:38 AM EST

Endangered Chimpanzees are at Risk of Dramatic Habitat Loss in Just 5 Years

Dramatic habitat loss could threaten the population of the world's most endangered chimp subspecies. Scientists have found that by 2020, these chimps may face extinction.

Jan 22, 2015 07:57 AM EST

Subglacial Lakes Beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet Refill with Meltwater

Scientists have made a surprising discovery beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet. While building the highest-resolution map yet of this ice sheet, they found two lakes of meltwater that pooled beneath the ice and rapidly drained away.

Jan 22, 2015 07:00 AM EST

New Biological Safety Lock Prevents GMOs from Escaping the Lab

When it comes to genetically modified organisms, testing is crucial. Because they're biological, it's important to contain them both physically and genetically. Now, scientists have created a method to cause genetically modified biological organisms to die if released from the lab into the "wild."

Jan 21, 2015 11:57 AM EST

New Species of Predator Crocodile Preceded the Dinosaurs

Scientists may have discovered a new species of predator crocodile that actually preceded the dinosaurs. They've uncovered a new species called Nundasuchus, a nine-foot-long carnivorous reptile with steak knifelike teeth.

Jan 21, 2015 11:09 AM EST

Warming Climate May Drastically Change Northern Forests

A warming climate may just change northern forests. Scientists have found that in the coming decades, we'll probably see a very different set of trees due to climbing temperatures.

Jan 21, 2015 08:44 AM EST

Atmospheric Rivers May Add Snowy Mass to Antarctica's Melting Ice Sheet

Extreme weather phenomena called atmospheric rivers may be behind the intense snowstorms that were recorded in 2009 and 2011 in East Antarctica.

Jan 21, 2015 07:39 AM EST

Scientists Study the Evolution of Silk-Weaving Ant Behavior

Scientists are taking a closer look at silk-weaving ants, and have made a discovery that may change our understanding of how all creatures work together. Researchers have found that the insects could evolve and abandon and then re-evolve the practice of building nests from silk.