Latest science news in Earth & Climate
South Atlantic map plots Falklands claims
Researchers at Durham University have drawn up new maps to show the competing claims of Argentina and the UK for resources in the South Atlantic and Southern Oceans.
No-till farming improves soil stability, research finds
A new study across the central Great Plains on the effects of more than 19 years of various tillage practices shows that no-till makes soil much more stable than plowed...
Federal investment in basic research yields outsized dividends
(PhysOrg.com) -- Investment in basic scientific research may be one of the best ways to foster long-term economic growth locally and nationally, according to a report released this week by...
Balls Appear to Roll Uphill: Amazing Ramp Illusion
Japanese scientist Kokichi Sugihara creates the illusion of wooden spheres rolling uphill as if attracted by a "wood magnet" in the Best Illusion of 2010 contest.
India’s GHG emissions up by 58 per cent
While India’s greenhouse gas emissions are rising, its s GHG intensity has declined, suggesting improved efficiency.
'Tsunami' video sheds light on struggling pupfish
To most people in the southwestern U.S., the April 4 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake felt like a rocking of the ground. But on a group of inch-long fish that exist nowhere...
China drought highlights future climate threats
Yunnan's worst drought for many years has been exacerbated by destruction of forest cover and a history of poor water management.
Time travel? Maybe
Imagine that you're a science-fiction writer on a tight schedule. You'd like to play in the vast expanses of the universe, but you have too much scientific integrity to conjure...
Oregon grasshopper plague expected again
ROARING SPRINGS, Ore., May 11 (UPI) -- Oregon scientists and farmers are predicting a devastating plague of grasshoppers this summer, perhaps worse than western U.S. states experienced last year.
Scientists make statements on concentration of ash particles after volcanic eruption
Some German airlines levelled their criticism against the forecasts of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London on the spread of the ash cloud over Europe, as these forecasts...
Marine protected areas conserve Mediterranean red coral
A team of Spanish and French researchers has undertaken a pioneer analysis of red coral populations in the oldest Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the Mediterranean and the impact that...
Will Gulf Fish Get a Break?
While the uncontrolled oil leak caused by the blowout of a BP-leased offshore rig presents a sensational image of environmental harm, the battle over the red snapper is a telling...
AccuWeather: Bad hurricane season possible
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 11 (UPI) -- The upcoming hurricane season may be a very active period for the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coastlines according to AccuWeather.com's chief hurricane...
Europe looking at bigger CO2 cut
Europe's climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard is to set out the case for a unilateral 30% EU cut in CO2.
Joining the dots to put pollution on the map
(PhysOrg.com) -- Air pollution monitors tell us a great deal about their immediate locations -- and not much about the wider area. To fill the gaps on the map, European...
Tree-ring patterns are intellectual property, not climate data | Michael Baillie
Ancient woodland would not have the same response to climate factors, such as temperature or rainfall, as oak trees today• Climate sceptic wins landmark data victory 'for price of a stamp'In April, the...
California storm cleanup, repair costs could top $45 million, officials say
Federal and state officials have identified 350 recovery and repair projects arising from California's winter storms and mudslides that will cost an estimated $45 million.
20 killings last week in L.A. County, 3 in Long Beach
Coroner's officials reported 20 killings between May 4 and early Monday, bringing the year-to-date total to 242, according to data collected for the Times' Homicide Report database.
Official to push for splitting controversial offshore-drilling agency in two
In the wake of the BP oil spill, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is set to call for breaking the Minerals Management Service into two agencies. The MMS was implicated in a series...
Live-Blogging the Senate Hearing on Offshore Drilling
Green live-blogs a Senate hearing on offshore oil drilling and the BP oil accident in the gulf.
Montana State grad student to study unique soil around Yellowstone hot springs
A Montana State University graduate student has received a fellowship to study soil crusts unlike any he has ever seen.
Active Volcano Holds Clues to Violent Landslides
Research team surveys damage from volcanically-trigged landslides on seabed.
Lake basins studied in plankton disease
BLOOMINGTON, Ind., May 11 (UPI) -- U.S. biologists say they've discovered the shape of a lake basin is a key factor in supporting plankton disease epidemics in Midwestern states.
Munitions cleared soon, Nord Stream says
ZUG, Switzerland, May 11 (UPI) -- Munitions left in the Baltic Sea from World War II should be cleared from the Nord Stream pipeline route by the end of...
Qatari gas reserved for domestic use
DOHA, Qatar, May 11 (UPI) -- Officials in Qatar inaugurated the second phase of a natural gas project, though reserved much of the supplies for domestic consumption, official said.
Nut harvests 'risk fresh growth'
A study examining the dispersal of Brazil nuts suggests intensive harvests could threaten future regeneration of the trees.
Dolphins bully porpoises
Why are dolphins killing porpoises? Researchers are hoping a listening device could solve the mysteryIt's a cold, sunny spring day as our boat heads out of the little town of New Quay...
5 killed as tornadoes flip mobile homes, toss cars
The Oklahoma City area is hit hard in a daylong onslaught that injures dozen. Baseball-size hail breaks windshields. ...