Oceans Gasping for Breath
During the Jurassic, global warming and severe environmental change led to the extinction of many species. One of the most intriguing effects was that the oceans became starved of oxygen.

Building a Super Greenhouse
Scientists have shown that biological productivity may have been responsible for super greenhouse episodes during the Cretaceous and Eocene. The finding provides important insights into the links between the biosphere and our planet's climate.

Viruses Keep Us Breathing
New research shows that viruses infecting microorganisms in Earth's oceans might ultimately be responsible for much of the oxygen produced on our planet. The study highlights important links between life and the global climate of Earth.

Tiny Pieces of Time
Three-billion-year-old microcrystals are teaching scientists about planetary evolution and the processes that formed the continents of Earth. The crystals are incredibly resistant to change, and contain geological 'records' of their movements through and around the planet.

A Question of Climate
At its birth, our young planet was a ball of molten hot rock. How long did it take to cool down? The answer could indicate the conditions necessary for life to arise, and provide insight into the evolutionary history of life on Earth.

Bacteria Take Earth's Temperature
By reconstructing proteins from ancient organisms, scientists have discovered that the Earth underwent a massive period of cooling between 3.5 billion and 500 million years ago. The finding highlights how the evolution of life on Earth is intricately linked to the planet's climate.

Calcium Carbonate Fingerprints
Researchers studying microbes in hot springs have made a surprising discovery about the geological record of life and the environment of Earth. The discovery may even affect how scientists search for evidence of life on other planets.

Weird Water
Liquid water is essential for life as we know it, and the water molecule has many characteristics that scientists have long thought were unique. Now, scientists are studying a new hypothetical 'model molecule' that behaves much like water in computer simulations.

Liquid Locked in Ice
A team of scientists has begun exploring an ancient lake hidden 3.2 km beneath Antarctica's ice sheet. Lake Ellsworth could harbor unique microbial life and might provide clues about climate change on Earth.

A History of Starts and Stops
Scientists have found that plate tectonics on Earth may have ground to a halt in our planet's past - and may do so again. Plate tectonics are responsible for creating geologic features like mountains and ocean basins, and play an important role in maintaining Earth's climate.