Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Photos: Honeycomb Clouds "Communicate," Rain in Unison
Like blinking fireflies, some marine clouds "communicate" with each other, forming, raining, and re-forming in unison, a new study says. ...
Dispersed BP oil may still harm organisms
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Oil droplets now scattered in sediment along the Gulf of Mexico floor, following the BP spill, may still pose a risk to...
Climate Extremes: Beyond Loaded Dice
A climatologist proposes a new way to convey how a warming climate will affect extreme weather.
Toxic Pesticide Banned after Decades of Use
A farm chemical with an infamous history – causing the worst known outbreak of pesticide poisoning in North America – is being phased out under an agreement...
Chalk River makes 1st isotopes in 15 months
The first medical isotopes in 15 months have been produced at the nuclear reactor in Chalk River, Ont., Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. announced.
Gulf surface cleaner, but questions lurk far below
(AP) -- Researchers are warning that the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is a bigger mess than the government claims and that a lot of crude is lurking deep...
Should the NHS budget be ring fenced?
Is the government's decision to ring fence NHS funding fair? Two experts debate the issue on bmj.com today...
Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #3
Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #3 The NSIDC has just issued an update report for August - August 17, 2010North by Northwest The end of summer is approaching in the Arctic; temperatures...
Australia looks to ocean waves for energy
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Researchers say ocean waves off the southern coast of Australia have the potential to generate as much as half of the country's current electricity...
Ancient Roman map puzzle may get new pieces
Several pieces of the world's oldest and largest unsolved jigsaw puzzle, a 2,200-year-old map of Rome made of thousands of marble fragments, could be unearthed next year following construction work...
Disease decimates salmon farms in Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Struggling to recover from a devastating health crisis, the once-booming salmon farming industry in Chile faces an uncertain future, experts say. ...
Two previously unknown Northwest quake faults ID'd
Seismologists have identified two previously unknown and potentially active faults near the capital of Washington state. Washington - United States - Washington D.C. - Earthquake...
Forecasters see active hurricane season
MIAMI, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The "meanest" stretch of the hurricane season, from mid-August to early October, is here, and "now the game starts," says a weather expert. ...
Asia's rice production threatened
LOS BANOS, Philippines, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Asia's rice production is in danger from rising temperatures due to climate change, a new study says. ...
On Land, Air and Sea, a Retrofit Mission
The secretary of the Navy outlines plans to slash the fossil fuel dependence of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Indonesian glaciers 'to melt within few years'
The ice fields in Indonesia might be gone within a few years, melting away the record of past climate in the region, say researchers.
On Our Radar: Pakistan's Climate Debate
Some are cautious about drawing firm conclusions about recent flooding, but most agree that patterns are changing.
Mass Die-off at Coral Reef Triggered by 93-Degree Ocean
Warmer ocean waters linked to climate change likely to blame.
U.K. gas storage plans closer to reality
LONDON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A city council in northeast Britain approved a measure to start planning for a giant offshore gas storage facility, a gas company announced. ...
Chevron finds huge gas pay in Australia
SAN RAMON, Calif., Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A new natural gas discovery off the coast of Western Australia is the most significant find in the area, U.S. oil and...
Louisiana gets oil spill assistance
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Washington issued a $30 million grant to Louisiana to help protect the coastal habitat in the ongoing response to the BP oil spill, an...
U.S. goes local for green energy plans
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Local U.S. officials representing some 87 million people signed onto a climate protection agreement to help push green energy alternatives, officials said. ...
Aussie Academy: Warming Is Real, Dangerous
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—In the run-up to national elections on 21 August, the country's top science...
BP takes stronger position in Azerbaijan
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- The acquisition of a stake in a Caspian Sea oil field lays the foundation for a strategic position in Azerbaijan, officials at British...
A Fuel That Doesn’t Go to Waste
In the ultimate "closed loop" energy project, a garbage truck fleet near San Fransisco runs on the methane produced by decomposing landfill trash. ...
A Greenland Glacier Has Lost a Behemoth Chunk of Ice. What Does That Mean?
Petermann Glacier Breakup NASAIs the August 5 breakup of the Petermann Glacier a symptom -- or just a symbol -- of climate change? Earlier this month, a city-sized ice island broke off...
Vancouver tree trimmings to heat B.C. campus
New biomass generating technology will be installed at the University of British Columbia to convert tree trimmings from Vancouver residents into heat and electricity.
Coal Executive Pushes Back
Don Blankenship, the chief executive of one of the nation's largest coal companies, Massey Energy, spoke with reporters about global warming, renewable energy and the environmental impact of the coal...