Comet Landing A Success: European Craft Makes 'Fairly Gentle Touchdown'
Millions of miles from Earth, the Philae robotic lander has settled on the comet's surface, the European Space Agency says.
Science
40 Percent Of The World's Cropland Is In Or Near Cities
Just how much of the world's cropland can we really call urban? That's been a big mystery until now.
What Exactly Are 'Monster Storms' And 'Bomb Cyclones'?
The northern U.S. is getting a blast of unseasonably cold weather, thanks to what has been dubbed a "bomb cyclone." The Washington Post's Jason Samenow explains that and other odd weather terms.
Successful Comet Landing A Major Step For Space Exploration
The European Space Agency on Wednesday successfully landed a probe on the surface of a comet — something that has never been done before. But scientists say the lander may not be fully secure.
For U.S.-China Deal On Greenhouse Gases, The Devil Is In The Details
Scientists say a new deal between the U.S. and China on greenhouse gases is a positive move toward new models for controlling emissions, but that it won't keep the Earth from dangerous levels of warming.
Tennis Players Are Getting Their First Servings Of Sabermetrics
Players and managers in major team sports have leveraged sophisticated data analyses for years to improve game-time performance. Now one-on-one athletes are picking up Moneyball tactics, too.
Regulators Ban Cod Fishing In Gulf Of Maine As Stocks Dwindle
The federal government is shutting down cod fishing in the Gulf of Maine for the next six months. But fishermen, who now face an uncertain future, dispute the government's cod counts.
Massive Volcanic Eruption Is Making Iceland Grow
The eruption has been going for weeks. So far it hasn't been catastrophic, but it has been creating new ground.
These X's Are The Same Shade, So What Does That Say About Color?
Never mind the physics. Color isn't just a particular wavelength of light, it turns out. It's a fascinating mix of context and what's happening outside and inside your head.
How A Tilt Toward Safety Stopped A Scientist's Virus Research
The U.S. government has stopped some experiments with dangerous viruses, saying the risks need to be reconsidered. Key work in one scientist's lab has been halted.