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Featured Stories

Dive into the world of science! Read these stories and narratives to learn about news items, hot topics, expeditions underway, and much more. Use an RSS reader, browser extension, or software to get updates when new Featured Stories are posted.

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Mapping the National Parks

Mapping the National Parks

The national parks of the United States are often compared to, and indeed inspire, works of art. In fact, the USGS has been regularly contributing new...
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Wildlife Disease Science in the National Parks

Wildlife Disease Science in the National Parks

From striking craggy pinnacles to cavernous underground lairs, the national parks are renowned for their grand wildernesses. However, the inhabitants...

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Not Just for Kissing: Mistletoe and Birds, Bees, and Other Beasts

Not Just for Kissing: Mistletoe and Birds, Bees, and Other Beasts

Perhaps some of you have already experienced a sweet holiday smooch or two under the Christmas mistletoe, enjoying this fairly old kissing ritual for...
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Pardon Me, Mr. President, I’m Just a Wild Turkey

Pardon Me, Mr. President, I’m Just a Wild Turkey

At the founding of this nation, Benjamin Franklin wrote his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Bache, endorsing the turkey as the national bird. He believed the...
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Using the Markets for Environmental Science

Using the Markets for Environmental Science

he invisible hand of the market might seem a strange player for environmental science, but it’s an emerging force for regulators and land managers. It...
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Free Data Proves Its Worth for Observing Earth

Free Data Proves Its Worth for Observing Earth

Since late 2008, when Landsat earth observation images were made available to all users free of charge, nearly 30 million Landsat scenes have been...

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The Nation Prepares for Extreme Space Weather

The Nation Prepares for Extreme Space Weather

A severe solar storm could disrupt the nation’s power grid for months, potentially leading to widespread blackouts. Resulting damage and disruption...
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Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake in Afghanistan

Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake in Afghanistan

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 26, 2015 at 09:09:32 UTC.
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A Nation Parched for Research on Ecological Drought

A Nation Parched for Research on Ecological Drought

While prolonged drought with widespread impacts on food and water supplies for people is among the oldest stories in human history, ecological drought...

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Visit the Moon Without Leaving Your Desk

Visit the Moon Without Leaving Your Desk

Ever wonder what it would be like to wander around the Moon? Sky gazers can now journey there without leaving their desk.
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Birds in the Bakken: Oil Development Can Affect Critical Habitat

Birds in the Bakken: Oil Development Can Affect Critical Habitat

Many grassland bird species in the Bakken shale region, including some seriously declining populations, are displaced from their habitats as a result...

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Get Ready to ShakeOut on October 15

Get Ready to ShakeOut on October 15

Do you know what to do the moment the ground starts shaking? Drop, Cover, and Hold On! Be prepared and join millions of people participating in the...
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