The global ocean that covered the Earth 3.4 billion years ago was far cooler than has been thought, according to Stanford researchers who analyzed isotope ratios in rocks formed on that ancient ocean floor. Instead of a hot primordial soup, much more tepid temperatures prevailed. Cooler temperatures may have had effects on the evolution of the early atmosphere and could also have opened the door to an earlier spread of photosynthetic life forms across the planet.

Tagged: Environment & Sustainability, Humanities & Sciences

Four decades after publication of "The Population Bomb," professor of ecology Paul Ehrlich remains an influential player on the environmental scene. "Americans should go childless, or limit themselves to a single offspring, as an act of patriotism," he said before heading to Spain to receive the Margalef Prize.

Tagged: Environment & Sustainability, Humanities & Sciences

A tracking study of white sharks in the northeastern Pacific Ocean shows they adhere to a rigid route of migration across the sea, returning to precisely the same spot along the California coast each time they come back. Over time, this behavior has made the population in the northeastern Pacific genetically distinct from other white shark populations.

Tagged: Environment & Sustainability, Humanities & Sciences

Preventing acute respiratory diseases in Bangladesh, creating biodegradable composite materials for the building industry, reducing the social and environmental impact of Chile’s salmon farming industry – these are the crucial interdisciplinary research projects funded by Stanford's Environmental Venture Projects program.

Tagged: Environmental Research, Environment & Sustainability, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Humanities & Sciences

Chile's once-fledgling salmon aquaculture industry is now the second largest in the world.  But that massive economic growth has had equally massive environmental and social effects, say researchers.

Tagged: Environmental Research, Environment & Sustainability, Humanities & Sciences

The wonder of Hawaii's coral reefs brings thousands of awed tourists to the islands every year.  But pollution from a variety of human activities is threatening to ruin this economic and ecological lifeblood of the Hawaiian Islands.

Tagged: Environmental Research, Hawaii, Environment & Sustainability, Engineering

Paleoanthropologist David DeGusta's analysis of 4-million-year-old fossils helps explain how human ancestors came down from the trees and began walking.

Tagged: On Campus, Humanities & Sciences

Stanford students team with their peers at Makerere University in Kampala to examine their preconceptions of each other.

Tagged: Africa, dance, Arts & Creativity, Humanities & Sciences