Latest science news in Earth & Climate
China defends role at Copenhagen
China has defended its role at this month's climate change talks in Copenhagen, saying Premier Wen Jiabao played a key part in sealing an accord, after critics blamed Beijing for...
Ski runs are not created equal
Building a new ski run by bulldozing a mountainside, rather than only cutting its shrubs and trees, is far more damaging ecologically, yet might offer only a week's earlier start...
Dye used to study world's thinnest sheet
EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The world's thinnest material is being studied with a dye used to stain the Chicago River green on St. Patrick's Day, scientists in...
Dried distillers grain proposed for bread
BROOKINGS, S.D., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Dried distillers grain from corn could be used to fortify a flat bread eaten by millions in Asia, a scientist at South Dakota...
Climate debate: What's warming us up? Human activity or Mother Nature?
A major analysis of the climate debate concludes that the majority of scientists agree that global warming is primarily man-made, although a vocal minority of sceptics is holding onto the...
Study analyses risks, benefits to Israel of increasing reliance on natural gas
Israel can make natural gas usage a bigger part of its energy portfolio without jeopardising its security, but even more importantly, the nation needs to make conservation measures a priority...
Nobel Physics laureates undeserving, colleagues say: report
Former colleagues of two American scientists who won the 2009 Nobel physics prize say the winners, Willard Boyle and George Smith, did not deserve the award, Canada's Globe and Mail...
China's Lenovo to build research centre in Taiwan: report
Chinese high-tech giant Lenovo plans to set up a research and development centre in Taiwan as the firm tries to take advantage of warming cross-strait ties, a report said Tuesday.
Toxic Calif. Town Threatens Court Suit
Residents of Mostly-Latino Kettleman City Demand Halt to Expansion Plans of West's Biggest Toxic Dump
A good decade – but much more to do
There have been notable successes in science for development over the past decade but still insufficient follow-through for key commitments.
World Briefing | Europe: Switzerland: Geologist Is Acquitted
A geologist whose drilling in search of clean energy caused earthquakes in Basel was acquitted Monday because he had not deliberately damaged property or acted carelessly.
Global Update: Brazil and India Join the Top Ranks of Governments Supporting Research
Brazil and India are now among the top five government supporters of research into third-world diseases, according to a study.
Fertilizer use not always helpful in revegetation efforts
Revegetation efforts in a subarctic Quebec community show that not all plants respond favorably to the use of fertilizers. Agricultural researchers used organic and mineral fertilizers on three different species...
France was once home to the Atlantic sturgeon, previously unknown on its territory
Until now, only one species of sturgeon was known in France: the European sturgeon. Biologists have just shown, for the first time, that another species previously unknown in France used...
What are the amounts of greenhouse gases released in your area and what are the sources?
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has developed a high resolution digital view of artificial greenhouse gas emissions for any 10-by-10-kilometer area in the world. Using JRC's work on...
Cornellians build computer climate-change model
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers are contributing to a new model of climate change that may give more accurate predictions of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in Earth's...
Gas Seen As Key To Global Warming Fight
Experts Say Recent Spurt In Gas Discoveries May Only Be The Start Of A Golden Age for Drillers
Highlight: California, Nevada Lakes Warming Rapidly
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new JPL study examines the impact recent variability in climate is having on the surface temperatures of large lakes in California and Nevada.
Copenhagen's failure belongs to Obama | Naomi Klein
The American president has been uniquely placed to lead the world on climate change and squandered every opportunityContrary to countless reports, the debacle in Copenhagen was not everyone's fault. It did not happen...
Headwater stream nutrient enrichment disrupts food web, study finds
Human activity is increasing the supply of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to stream systems all over the world. The conventional wisdom -- bolstered by earlier research -- has...
Statoil fined $4.2M for 2007 spill
STAVANGER, Norway, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Norwegian energy giant Statoil announced it was fined $4.2 million for an oil spill from the Statfjord A oil field in early December...
Nano filter could deliver big results on clean water
An Indian water filter that uses low-tech rice waste and high-tech nanoparticles could provide clean water to millions of families.
Germany grants Nord Stream permit
ZUG, Switzerland, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- German authorities delivered a permit for the construction of a 31-mile section of the Nord Stream pipeline in its waters, the Nord Stream...
Iran plans more output from South Pars
TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Development at two additional phases of the South Pars gas field will add 1.7 billion cubic feet of gas to Iran's production capacity, executives...
'Hopenhagen' turns into 'Flopenhagen'
By STEFAN NICOLAUPI Europe CorrespondentBERLIN, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- World leaders failed to put aside their national interests to save the climate at an utterly chaotic U.N. conference...
Protesters attempt Newcastle coal disrupt
SYDNEY, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Protesters attempted to shut down Newcastle, Australia's main coal export terminal, Sunday, for what they say is the failure of the Copenhagen climate-change talks...
Climate accord offers some grounds for hope, say analysts
Amid the general developing country gloom at the Copenhagen climate conference outcome, there are some reasons for hope, say experts.
Modern tests demonstrate soundness of old iron bridge
An unusual bowstring truss iron bridge that carried traffic across Roaring Run in Bedford County, Va. for almost 100 years is now a picturesque footbridge at the I-81 Ironto, Va....