Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Tropical depression may form near Puerto Rico
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The tropical wave over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico could become a tropical depression any time Friday as the system moves west or west-northwest, the...
Climate Change Caused Widespread Tree Death In California Mountain Range, Study Confirms
Warmer temperatures and longer dry spells have killed thousands of trees and shrubs in a Southern California mountain range, pushing the plants' habitat an average of 213 feet up the...
Anthrax scientist Bruce Ivins slipped under the radar because of FBI obsession
Records show that agents overlooked a series of early clues pointing to Ivins as the source of the 2001 deadly anthrax mailings and that the investigation remained locked on an...
Southern Ocean Seals Dive Deep For Climate Data
Elephant seals are helping scientists overcome a critical blind-spot in their ability to detect change in Southern Ocean circulation and sea ice production and its influence on global climate.
Pesticide Spills Common When Farmers Transfer Highly Concentrated Liquids Into Spray Tanks
Scientists in Sweden are cautioning about the need for further research as more countries embrace a popular method for preventing pesticide spills. Researchers point out that pesticide spills are common...
Feature: Jump-starting environmental monitoring
There has been a critical decline in Australia's capability to monitor environmental changes. Experts say there is now a need for a new, national approach to form the basis of...
Aphids Are Sentinels Of Climate Change
Aphids are sentinels of climate change, researchers have shown. One of the UK's most damaging aphids -- the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) -- has been found to be flying two...
Keeping The Crunch In The Crust
Scientists in the Netherlands report an advance toward unraveling one of the culinary world's long-standing puzzles: How to maintain the crispy quality of bread crust. The findings could help prolong...
New research hopes to bolster Canada's Arctic claim
New data could help Canada stake claim to a highly disputed area of the Arctic seabed, according to scientists.
Alaska Airlines cancels 44 flights over volcanic ash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Ash from a remote volcano that started erupting last week has scrambled flight schedules for Alaska and may do so for at least a few more...
Thousands rally to mark 'death' of Australian river
Thousands of people rallied in southern Australia Sunday to protest the dwindling water levels in one of the country's greatest rivers, claiming the loss was causing an environmental disaster.
Small Ways to Fix a Big Problem
It’s easy to feel deflated by the ever-growing raft of ecological problems out there. According to a recent MIT report, even if I were the most frugal of consumers—say a...
Bush to relax protected species rules
(AP) -- Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne is defending proposed changes to the endangered species law, saying they will ensure the statute is not used as a "back door" to...
Wis. trying to restore rattlesnakes
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Conservationists in Wisconsin said they're trying to restore the state's Massasauga rattlesnake population.
Scientists monitor pollution from Beijing
LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists are taking advantage of the Summer Olympics by monitoring what occurs when a densely populated region curbs everyday emissions.
Research helps to unlock key to Australian plate movement
(PhysOrg.com) -- New UQ volcano research is helping to unlock the mystery surrounding one of the world's most important tectonic events.
N.C. drought even worse than last year
WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The United States Geological Survey says drought conditions in Western North Carolina are even worse than they were last year.
Officials: Lead may be in urban gardens
BOSTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Environmental officials have warned that dangerous levels of lead may exist in urban gardens throughout the United States.
Successful series of measurements in Arctic sea ice
The German Research Vessel Polarstern had to prove its ice breaking capabilities in Arctic waters to gain data on two series of long-term research measurements. After working in regions up...
Feature: The quest to rescue 'stranded' gas fields
A new research collaboration is taking the first steps to extend the reach of Australia's natural gas operations to distant, deep-ocean fields, reports Jason Major.
21 US cities will measure and disclose their CO2 emissions
Twenty-one US cities, including New York and New Orleans, have announced they will measure their greenhouse gases emissions, in a joint effort to seek ways to halt and reverse global...
Intel's new chip to be called Core i7
(AP) -- Intel Corp. said Sunday it plans to sell its new generation of chips for desktop computers under the established "Core" brand, with the first chips of the...
Marburg Journal: German City Wonders How Green Is Too Green
A town’s decision to require solar-heating panels has prompted a debate over ecological good citizenship.
Tropical Warming Tied to Flooding Rains
Rising temperatures around the globe are linked to extreme downpours and flooding, researchers said on Thursday.
A Tall, Cool Drink of ... Sewage?
In the world’s driest places, the future of drinking water may flow from a wastewater-recycling plant.
Letter: Denial lies at the heart of climate change policy
Letter: Warning that Britain should prepare for global warming of four degrees should not lead to defeatism
Biologist: Tundra change is 'alarming'
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- The rate at which the tundra in Alaska is changing in relation to the altering climate is "alarming," a biologist studying such...
Beijing to remain humid and hazy for coming week
Beijing will remain hazy, hot and humid with a possibility of showers during the first week of Olympic competition, weather reports for the capital predicted Saturday.