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Surfing webcams help demystify Oregon's coastal fog

A summer beach day in Oregon often involves a cool, gray blanket of fog that not only shapes the experience of beachgoers but also affects the coastal and inland environment. Now, commercially available surfing webcams are helping scientists measure Oregon's coastal fog,

Children and monkeys share common understanding of geometry

With their ability to use tools, remember faces and even learn how to communicate with humans through sign language, nonhuman primates are considered to be among the smartest creatures on Earth. However, some concepts—geometry, for instance—have traditionally been thought of as

What explains gender pay gaps in academia?

Gender pay gaps in academia are well documented. The harder question is why they persist. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences tested several leading answers to that question.

There's no right or wrong way to say 'Appalachia'

People pronounce the word "Appalachia" differently, and much of that contrast depends on where they live. But no matter how you say it, a Virginia Tech project shows that no one way trumps all. The differences are rooted in historical and community influences.

Microplastic tire pollution found in Brisbane balcony dust

Tire particles and potentially toxic tire chemical additives have been found in dust collected from Brisbane residential balconies. University of Queensland researchers examined the balcony dust from homes across inner-city, suburban and near-road settings to see how

The Organisms That Make Earth’s Harshest Places Home

Extremophiles that thrive in the most unforgiving environments aren’t just biological curiosities. Understanding their resilience has many implications for us. The post The Organisms That Make Earth’s Harshest Places Home first appeared on Quanta Magazine

Prescribed burns may be lethal for lizards

Scientists are calling for wildlife surveys to be conducted within hours of prescribed burns after new research revealed that evidence of animal deaths can disappear in less than two weeks, significantly underestimating the true toll of fire on Australia's wildlife.

Q&A: How do federal taxes impact local schools and services?

Increases to the standard federal tax deduction implemented in 2018 were made permanent a year ago, and researchers are beginning to understand the downstream effects on state and local governments. The increased deduction meant many taxpayers received a bigger tax break by