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Science Snippets

Want some fun facts and interesting snippets of science? Then you came to the right place. 

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Sea level rise could significantly impact an endangered sparrow in Florida 

Sea level rise along southern Florida’s coast could contribute to a significant decrease in the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow population in...

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New insight on sea duck hearing could help protect them from fishing nets

It’s estimated that more than 100,000 sea ducks are killed worldwide annually when caught in large fishing nets known as gillnets. A recent study...

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Volcanic explosion penetrates both upper atmosphere and upper crust around the globe

Slightly more than one year ago, a rare, enormous volcanic explosion created pressure waves in the atmosphere that pushed on the top 3.1 miles/5...

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How sea ice, ocean currents, and climate change may have affected early human migration to North America

Based on paleoclimate records and climate models, researchers have identified the most feasible time periods for early human migrations along the...

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ShakeAlert goes galactic!

Even space travelers need earthquake early warning

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Historic changes in water quality or lake surface elevation and their impact on endangered adult suckers in the Klamath Basin

Managing the Upper Klamath Basin to meet its many desired uses requires a delicate balance. The shortnose sucker (Koptu) and both lake-spawning and...

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Rocks in unusual positions hold secrets to northeastern U.S. earthquakes

USGS scientists are studying precariously balanced rocks, or rocks that seem on the brink of falling over (but haven’t yet), to estimate the strongest...

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Redwood Tree Stumps Offer Clues to Past Earthquakes

Researchers are studying slices of tree stumps to study past earthquakes.

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In Blue Water: Tracking Animals in the Open Ocean

Scientists are attaching tracking tags to marine animals at Palmyra Atoll to learn how marine protected areas can best serve diverse species. 

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Volcanic eruption? Earthquake? Stay calm and laugh on.

New research demonstrates how laughter can be an effective way to help agencies connect with the people they serve during natural hazard events, like...

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Ancient methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought

Around the world, land degradation causes significant loss of biodiversity, impacts food security and water purification. Unsustainable land-use...

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Marine Biodiversity Data: How USGS and NOAA are collaborating to make data more accessible now and into the future

USGS and NOAA have partnered through the Ocean Biodiversity Information System-USA and National Centers for Environmental Information to streamline...

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