Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Scientists Go Cloud-hopping In The Pacific To Improve Climate Predictions
A 20-strong -team of cloud and climate experts from the UK’s National Centre for Atmospheric Science are setting off for Chile to investigate how massive swathes of clouds that hang...
Which Grass Is Greener? Study To Select Northeast Grasses That Can Power The Bioenergy Era
Talk about a field of dreams. Cornell bioenergy plant experts are learning which field grasses are the best candidates for "dedicated energy" crops in the Northeast, considering the region's climate...
'Magnetic Death Star' Fossils: Earlier Global Warming Produced A Whole New Form Of Life
An international team of scientists has discovered microscopic, magnetic fossils resembling spears and spindles, unlike anything previously seen, among sediment layers deposited during an ancient global-warming event along the Atlantic...
Impacts Of Climate Change On Lakes
Climate change will have different effects on lakes in warmer and colder regions of the globe. This is the conclusion reached by Japanese and German researchers following studies of very...
Feature: Sustaining our iconic north
At first glance the flooding rains of Australia's north may look appealing to the water-hungry populations in the south. But a closer look reveals a complex and fragile iconic landscape...
Opinion: The threat to and the dangers of coal
Carbon capture and sequestration is unlikely to be available before 2020, so coal will continue to pollute for a while yet, writes Mike Pope.
Macadamia industry is 'carbon friendly'
Research has found that macadamia trees store significantly more carbon dioxide than they emit each year, making the industry sustainable.
Opinion: Climate - urgent challenge, great opportunity
The current global financial crisis must not be allowed to detract Australia’s attention from the serious deterioration of the Earth’s atmosphere with its potential effects on future generations, believe Dr...
Study: Fertilizers threaten sea life
BALTIMORE, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A Johns Hopkins University study of land around the Chesapeake Bay area suggests a nitrogen cycle imbalance is damaging water quality and fish.
Nanomaterials May Have Large Environmental Footprint
Environmental gains derived from the use of nanomaterials may be offset in part by the process used to manufacture them, according to research published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology.
International science community to establish global virtual library for scientific data
The existing networks for collecting, storing and distributing data in many areas of science are inadequate and not designed to enable the inter-disciplinary research that is necessary to meet major...
Palin Backed Shipping Natural Gas To Japan
On the campaign trail, Sarah Palin says repeatedly that America must tap its own natural gas and oil reserves to become energy-independent. But she has also pushed for allowing a...
Smart Materials: Textile That Change Phase, Intelligent Molecules That Absorb Shocks, And More
Norway's most elaborate travel-wear keeps the body cool in hot helicopter cabins, but transforms into a heat-retaining suit if the helicopter should fall into the sea.
Fluid Density and You
If you've ever been in the ocean in the vicinity of large breaking waves and have been unfortunate enough to get steamrolled by a wall of whitewater, you may have...
Nitrous oxide emissions respond differently to no-till depending on the soil type
The practice of no-till has increased considerably during the past 20 yr. The absence of tillage coupled with the accumulation of crop residues at the soil surface modifies several soil...
VIDEO: Deforestation Fear in Indonesia
The environmental group Greenpeace warns that if Indonesia doesn't eliminate rapid deforestation in the country, its forests could be gone in 10 years.
How Oil Drilling Could Power the Future
Offshore drilling is mostly what we hear about, but America has a lot of oil that might one day prove useful.
Jennifer Swift: Amendments to the human fertilisation and embryology bill have been slipped in at the last moment
Jennifer Swift: Amendments to the embryology bill have been slipped in at the last moment, paving the way for experimentation without permission
Scientists 'can help Africa adapt to climate change'
African nations should heed scientific advice when deciding on climate change issues, says a scientist at a symposium in Africa.
Huge mountain range shouldn't be there
An Antarctic mountain range that rivals the Alps in elevation will be probed this month by an expedition of scientists using airborne radar and other Information Age tools to virtually...
Diatom Genome Helps Explain Success In Trapping Excess Carbon In Oceans
Diatoms have profound influence on climate, producing 20 percent of the oxygen we breathe by capturing atmospheric carbon and countering the greenhouse effect. These photosynthetic wonders have come to acquire...
Missouri Botanical Garden sets a record
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- The 149-year-old Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, one of the world's largest botanical collections, has received its 6 millionth herbarium specimen.
Pakistan launches task force on climate change
The effects of climate change on Pakistan's agriculture, economy and natural resources are the focus of a newly formed task force.
Simulated Seismic Signals Could Help Save Lives
Imagine if a city could prepare its residents before a volcanic eruption, resulting in fewer fatalities and much less property damage. An international team working out of the University of...
Report: EPA Failing On Waterway Pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency is failing to stem the pollution washing into waterways from cities and suburbs, the National Academy of Sciences reported.
Mining for data
Stephen Baker spoke to CBC News about the Numerati - a powerful force shaping both our world and us.
Northwest Climate Change Is Target of $3.2 Million in Grants to Oregon
Climate change in the Northwest is the focus of two federal grants totaling $3.2 million awarded to two University of Oregon researchers. They will work together on a pair of...
Scientist at Work | Nathan Wolfe: Deep in the Rain Forest, Stalking the Next Pandemic
Nathan Wolfe hopes his research will result in staving off global pandemics before they happen.