Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Summer Solstice 2010: Why It's the First Day of Summer
Find out why the summer solstice is the first day of summer, and why it's the longest day of the year—but not the hottest. ...
2 people killed in Del Taco shooting are identified
Coroner's officials on Sunday released the identities of the man and 6-year-old boy who were shot and killed Saturday at a Del Taco fast-food restaurant in San Bernardino.
London's 'somewhat unusual' new research centre
Britain plans £600-million biomedical facility for young investigators.
Twin car bombs kill at least 18 in Baghdad
The cars were parked a few hundred yards apart near a government agency, the telephone exchange building and a state-run bank. ...
Barges OK'd to Block Oil Spill from La. Bay
Plan Calls for 60 Barges to be Anchored Together, Tied End-to-End to Stretch 7,000 Feet Across Entrance to Barataria Bay
Tiger Woods moves into contention at U.S. Open lead
The world's top-ranked golfer fires a third-round 66 to move to one under par and within striking distance of leader Graeme McDowell. ...
California's drought may be over, but no one's rushing to lift restrictions
Precipitation has been above average this year and many state reservoirs are nearly full. But the long-term concerns that politicians and water districts have harped on for years aren't going...
90 dead as China endures severe flooding, landslides
About 1.4 million are evacuated as harsh weather lashes several provinces including Fujian, where 31 are said to have died. Torrential rains in southern and central China are forecast for...
Military drills spur worry for Fundy whales
A major military exercise underway along Canada's Eastern Seaboard has raised concerns about conflicts between ships and whales in the Bay of Fundy.
Like fireflies, earthquakes may fire in synchrony
In nature, random signals often fall mysteriously in step. Fireflies flashing sporadically in early evening soon flash together, and the same harmonic behaviour can be seen in chirping crickets, firing...
Bloated EU tuna fleet heads back to port after doing a month's fishing in a week
The huge over-capacity of Europe's tuna fleet was graphically illustrated today as boats were called back to port at midnight tonight, after catching in a week their total allocations for...
Ben Goldacre: Predictions are fine, but there are better ways to protect a population
Last year's earthquake in Abruzzo in Italy shows it is impossible to predict certain tragedies – but that hasn't stopped the seismologists being blamedOn 6 April 2009, an earthquake registering 6.3 on the...
BP Captures Largest Amount of Leaking Oil Yet
BP also said that the drilling of one of the relief wells, expected to be the means of sealing the well completely, came within 200 feet of the damaged well.
Little hope for 53 missing miners in Colombia
Families hold vigils outside the coal mine entrance after an explosion that killed at least 19 in Amaga. The government plans to investigate 'irregularities' at Carbones San Fernando mine. ...
Going Green on the Roof
A green roof is covered with a waterproof membrane, a growing medium and vegetation. Environmentalists have long touted the benefits of green roofs, which they say include cooling the...
Brazil presses on with offshore fields
RIO DE JANEIRO, June 18 (UPI) -- Brazil seems to be pressing ahead with plans for deep-water exploration of pre-salt oil reserves, even after the worst environmental disaster in...
Halocarbon Emissions Change With The Seasons
Environmental Pollutants: Summertime spikes in emissions of banned chemicals may skew nationwide estimates.
The Western Mediterranean has warmed for more than a century
The longest sequences of temperature and salinity data analyzed (from 1900 to present), have confirmed the gradual warming of the waters of the western Mediterranean.
While Oil Gushes, Invisible Ocean Impacts Build
Growing and long-lasting human impacts on the oceans are exacting harms, but incrementally.
Bangladesh seeks Swedish energy investment
DHAKA, Bangladesh, June 18 (UPI) -- Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking Swedish investments in Bangladesh's energy and power sectors.
Utah firing squad execution highlights death penalty debate
Utah banned the practice in 2004 because of a belief it overshadowed the victim and the crime. Yet some death penalty experts say the method used to kill Ronnie Lee Gardner is...
NASA Tests New GPS-Based Tsunami Prediction System
Parking Lot, Pago Pago, 2009 USGS A team of NASA researchers has successfully completed the first demonstration of a prototype tsunami prediction system. Using global and regional real-time data from hundreds of GPS...
Expert: Detroit mayflies mean clean water
DETROIT, June 18 (UPI) -- A wildlife refuge manager in the Detroit area said the early mayfly season, which brought a high population of the bugs to the region,...
Lebanon and Syria discuss potential offshore oil riches
BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 18 (UPI) -- Lebanese President Michel Sleiman held discussions with Syrian President Bashar Assad over their land and sea borders and their potential offshore oil wealth.
Wet past for red planet
Researchers say equal elevation of dry valleys and river deltas points to an ancient Martian ocean
Turks cancel project to sell Israel water
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 18 (UPI) -- Israel may be celebrating the discovery of giant offshore gas fields that are expected to transform its economy, but its hopes of...
Dutch researcher develops catalysts for clean drinking water
Jitendra Kumar Chinthaginjala of the University of Twente, The Netherlands, has developed a catalyst that can efficiently remove nitrite and nitrate from drinking water. These two toxic substances are increasingly...
From Small Businesses to Small Animals: Experts on Oil Spill Impacts
As efforts to address the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continue, University of Alabama experts are available to comment on areas ranging from the needs of small...