An ancient mega ape's massive size — clocking in at 10 feet tall and around 550 pounds — turned into an evolutionary disadvantage as it went extinct more than 200,000 years ago, according to new study published in Nature on Wednesday.
Why it matters: The new research helps scientists resolve a longstanding mystery surrounding the legendary Gigantopithecus blacki's disappearance from what's now China.
Bottled water contains more nanoplastic particles than previously thought, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Monday.
Why it matters: The tiny plastic nanoparticles are a growing concern for human health and the environment because of their ubiquity, ability to pass through biological barriers in animals, including humans, and their potentially toxic effects on living organisms.
One in a fusillade of winter storms is still producing heavy rain, snow and high winds in parts of New England after unleashing severe thunderstorms with embedded tornadoes across the Southeast U.S. Tuesday.
The big picture: At the storm's peak,196 million people were under wind advisories, warnings and watches, including entire states from Florida to Maine, as a powerhouse cold front associated with it pushed east.
A sprawling winter storm is blasting much of the U.S. with heavy snow, rain, tornadoes and powerful winds.
The big picture: The latest in a series of "powerhouse" storm systems to hit the U.S. over the next two weeks has killed at least four people, caused major travel disruptions, widespread power outages, and prompted road closures and water rescues as multiple regions face blizzard conditions, severe thunderstorms and flooding.
