The Columbian

Rae-Ann Eifert, a lake monitor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, braved sub-freezing temperatures to gather buckets of water for testing off a Lake Michigan breakwater in Racine, Wis., on Feb. 28, 2024, as part of an effort across the Great Lakes to understand the effects of an iceless winter. Unseasonable warmth has left the Great Lakes all but devoid of ice, leaving scientists scrambling to understand the consequences as climate change accelerates.

Fewer fish and more algae? Scientists seek to understand impacts of historic lack of Great Lakes ice

March 17, 2024, 6:00am Life

Michigan Tech University biologists have been observing a remote Lake Superior island’s fragile wolf population every winter since 1958, but they had to cut this season’s planned seven-week survey short after just two weeks. Read story

The Appalachian cottontail is very “elusive” because of its isolated populations in the mountains and its striking similarities to the Eastern cottontail rabbit, according to North Carolina wildlife officials.

Getting the poop on shy rabbit; Researchers use critter’s scat to learn more about species

March 15, 2024, 6:03am Life

Research in North Carolina involving rabbit poop could help protect a vulnerable species in the state, wildlife officials said. Read story

People gather to watch SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship launch it’s third test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Thursday, March 14, 2024.

SpaceX comes close to completing test flight of mega rocket but loses spacecraft near end

March 14, 2024, 11:04am Business

SpaceX came close to completing an hourlong test flight of its mega rocket on its third try Thursday, but the spacecraft was lost as it descended back to Earth. Read story

A montage of some of the front pages of Britain’s newspapers, in London, Tuesday, March 12, 2024. The Princess of Wales has apologized for “confusion” caused by her altering of a family photo released by the palace. The image of Kate and her children was intended to calm concern and speculation about the princess’s health, but had the opposite effect. Several news agencies that initially published the photo, including The Associated Press, withdrew the image over concerns about digital manipulation.

Delete a background? Easy. Smooth out a face? Seamless. Digital photo manipulation is now mainstream

March 13, 2024, 7:48am Business

It’s been a common refrain when seeking proof that someone’s story or some event actually took place: “Pics, or it didn’t happen.” Read story

FILE - The progression of a total solar eclipse is seen in a multiple exposure photograph taken in 5-minute intervals, with the moon passing in front of the sun above Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia, 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Phnom Penh, on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1995.

April’s total solar eclipse is a month away. Here’s why it’s worth the watch and how to stay safe

March 13, 2024, 6:00am Latest News

The sun is about to pull another disappearing act across North America, turning day into night during a total solar eclipse. Read story

Science & Technology

Fewer fish and more algae? Scientists seek to understand impacts of historic lack of Great Lakes ice

Getting the poop on shy rabbit; Researchers use critter’s scat to learn more about species

SpaceX comes close to completing test flight of mega rocket but loses spacecraft near end

Delete a background? Easy. Smooth out a face? Seamless. Digital photo manipulation is now mainstream

April’s total solar eclipse is a month away. Here’s why it’s worth the watch and how to stay safe

Four astronauts from four countries return to Earth after six months in orbit

Whale long extinct in Atlantic seen near Massachusetts

Can humans help sunflower sea stars rebound?

Stone tools date back 1 million years

Europa might have less oxygen than expected