Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Damage to atom smasher forces 2-month halt
The world's largest atom smasher -- which was launched with great fanfare earlier this month -- has been damaged twice and will be out of commission for at least two...
Estrogen 'Flooding Our Rivers,' Montreal Study Finds
A water treatment plant from Canada's second biggest city, Montreal, is dumping 90 times the critical amount of certain estrogen products into the river. It only takes one nanogram (ng)...
Global Warming's Ecosystem Double Whammy
Plants and soils act like sponges for atmospheric carbon dioxide, but new research on the cover of this week's Nature finds that one abnormally warm year can suppress the amount...
Latest greenhouse gas projections
Annual 2006 greenhouse emissions projections show that Australia will achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next six years.
New Link To Tropical African Climate Proposed
Scientists have proposed a new link to rainfall and temperature patterns in southeast Africa. Examining data from African lake core sediments covering the past 60,000 years, the researchers report in...
Poisoned milk scandal widens in China, top dairies implicated
China's latest tainted product crisis widened Friday after tests found the industrial chemical melamine in milk produced by three of the country's leading dairies.
Drinking Water: The Need For Constant Innovation
Most western countries' drinking water is of excellent quality, but there is no room for complacency. The challenges are growing: undesirable contaminants are found in rivers, lakes and groundwater. Climate...
Even If Greenhouse Gas Emissions Hold Steady, Warmer World Faces Loss Of Biodiversity, Glaciers
Even if greenhouse gas emissions are fixed at 2005 levels, a new analysis shows that irreversible warming will lead to biodiversity loss and substantial glacial melt.
Study shows nitrate up in U.S. groundwater
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A recently completed 16-year U.S. ground water study shows statistically significant increases in concentrations of nitrates in seven of 24 well networks.
Texas Weathers Ike
Many chemical plants, academic institutions remain shut down in hurricane's wake
Impacts of Climate Change on Chicago Expected to Increase in Coming Decades
Risk of consequences depends on heat-trapping gas emissions.
Financial Fiasco: Can America Recover This Time?
Some experts worry that future generations could be worse off economically than their parents.
Environmentalists balk at drilling off NJ coast
(AP) -- With oil and gas drilling heating up as an issue in the presidential race, environmentalists and the governor reiterated their opposition to tapping reserves off the state's...
Earth Hot Spots Spark Alien Ideas
Researchers found hydrothermal vents supporting an extremophile ecosystem.
P. E. Clapp, Environmental Advocate, Is Dead at 54
Mr. Clapp was an early and vigorous voice in the movement raising concern about global climate change.
Native trees may survive climate change
SYDNEY, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Australian researchers said hardy eucalyptus trees exposed to high levels of carbon dioxide grow larger and use less water.
CO2 storage option for UK seabed
Parts of the sea-bed between Northern Ireland and Scotland could become a storage facility for carbon dioxide, according to a new study.
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107 cholera cases in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Iraqi health officials said 107 cases of cholera have been confirmed in the central and southern regions of the country.
Sophisticated monitoring array to address mystery of uranium plume
Scientists have puzzled for years about why uranium contamination in groundwater continues to exceed drinking water standards in an area located at the south end of the Hanford Site. The...
Robotic 'vacuum' offers shipping industry a cleaner solution
(PhysOrg.com) -- An automated robotic cleaning system that removes marine growth from the hull of a ship is being pioneered at Newcastle University.
Swollen with success
For a different perspective on the 2008 indicators from the US National Science Foundation, take a look at 's cartograms. Words and maps by Declan Butler.
Iranians deplete aquifers, land is sinking
TEHRAN, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Researchers say increasing demand for groundwater in Iran is depleting that nation's water supplies, resulting in land surface deformations.
Norway joins fight to save Amazon
Norway pledges $1bn to a new fund to help Brazil preserve its Amazon rainforest and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientist concedes 'honest mistake' about weaponized anthrax
Peter B. Jahrling, who aided the federal probe of the 2001 mailings, says he erred when he told White House officials that material he examined probably had been altered to...
India approves biofuel rise
New policy will increase biofuel production and the proportion of bio-ethanol and biodiesel in India's fuels.
'Calm before storm' may foreshadow climatic tipping point
(PhysOrg.com) -- Abrupt climate change has occurred on earth many times over the past millions of years. Climate scientists hypothesize that these sharp transitions may be caused when the earth...
Arctic Sea Ice Shrinkage Grows
NASA has issued a preliminary report confirming environmentalists' fears of disappearing sea ice at the Arctic.