Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Study: Antarctica had no ice 40M years ago
CARDIFF, Wales, July 30 (UPI) -- Welsh scientists studying marine fossils say they've determined Antarctica 40 million years ago had warmer seas and little or no ice.
Ethanol yield from grass, yard waste hiked
ATHENS, Ga., July 30 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've created a technology that can dramatically increase ethanol yield from non-food crops, such as grasses and even yard...
Study: Cover crops good for tropical soils
MANHATTAN, Kan., July 30 (UPI) -- U.S., Brazilian and French scientists say no-till farming combined with a winter cover crop is most effective in retaining tropical soil nutrients.
Submarines explore Lake Baikal
MOSCOW, July 29 (UPI) -- Two Russian mini-submarines explored the depths of Siberia's Lake Baikal -- the world's deepest lake -- this week, scientists said.
Soil's Carbon Storage Capacity Investigated
Three new studies explore the potential roles of soils as a carbon sink in different regions in the Western Hemisphere. Scientists have investigated soil carbon balance in distinct agroecosystems under...
Helping China's Pandas Recover
From the earthquake which devastated southern china, home to one of China's main panda research centers, had five workers killed, and terrified pandas had to be rescued as buildings collapsed,...
Green Roofs Differ in Building Cooling, Water Handling Capabilities
(PhysOrg.com) -- The first study to compare the performance of different types of green roofs has been completed by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas...
Canada regulator, nuke firm blasted over isotopes
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Widespread sloppiness at both Canada's nuclear regulator and government-owned Atomic Energy Canada Ltd prompted the damaging closure of a reactor which made medical radioisotopes, a report said...
Hypnosis shown to reduce symptoms of dementia
A scientist at the University of Liverpool has found that hypnosis can slow down the impacts of dementia and improve quality of life for those living with the condition.
Incredible fish armor could suit soldiers
African fish that have trolled for prey in murky freshwater pools for nearly 100 million years sport the best of the best in body armor. Now a team of engineers...
Rock Reunites Antarctica and North America
Geologists find rock in Antarctica similar to band of rocks in North America.
Scientists Test System To Forecast Flash Floods Along Colorado's Front Range
People living near vulnerable creeks and rivers along Colorado's Front Range may soon get advance notice of potentially deadly floods, thanks to a new forecasting system being tested this summer...
US campuses deny trays to hungry students to cut cafeteria costs
The cafeteria tray is being elbowed out of US university canteens as campuses change the way students collect their food and look for savings in tough economic times.
Floods strip Midwest of tons of valuable topsoil
(AP) -- Jim Lankford's corn crops used to stretch to the White River. Now the river has stretched itself through his crops. The river eroded a new route for...
Region Hit Hard By 1993 Floods Showed Economic Resiliency, Study Indicates
With the first wave of clean-up efforts behind them, residents of communities affected by this year's Midwest floods may find hope in a new study on the economic impact of...
New Piece Of Climate Change Puzzle Found In Ancient Sedimentary Rocks
Researchers have added a new source of carbon dioxide to the complex climate change puzzle by showing that ancient rocks can release substantial amounts of organic matter into Earth's rivers...
Paying To Save Tropical Forests Could Be A Way To Reduce Global Carbon Emissions
Wealthy nations willing to collectively spend about $1 billion annually could prevent the emission of roughly half a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year for the next 25...
Explosion In Marine Biodiversity Explained By Climate Change
A global change in climate could explain the explosion in marine biodiversity that took place 460 million years ago. Researchers have now found evidence of a progressive ocean cooling of...
Japanese sushi rage threatens iconic Mediterranean tuna
The rage for sushi and sashimi, Japan's raw fish dishes that overtook the West and have now spread to increasingly prosperous China, risks wiping out one of the Mediterranean's most...
Opinion: Meeting the carbon challenge? The place of your house in the city
Expecting to meet the carbon challenge without adjusting our cities is like telling your doctor you want a lung cancer cure without giving up smoking, writes Juris Geste.
Dolly harkens back to deadly Texas storm
While Dolly is expected to cause serious flooding, it is unlikely to be anything like the deadliest hurricane ever to strike the United States, one that struck Galveston, Texas, more...
Fan seriously injured in fall at Shea Stadium
A fan was seriously injured after plunging 25 feet from the handrails of an escalator at Shea Stadium during Saturday’s New York Mets game, police and team officials said.
Ocean Surface A Boon For Extreme Event Forecasts, Warnings
For humans in the path of destructive hurricanes and tsunamis, an accurate warning of the pending event is critical for damage control and survival. Such warnings, however, require a solid...
3 swimmers dead, 3 missing in N.Y.
Authorities say three swimmers drowned and three are missing in two days of treacherous ocean currents at Long Island and New York City beaches. At least three more have been...
Calif. fire flares near Yosemite Valley
Authorities say a wildfire is threatening several hundred homes near the main entrance road to Yosemite National Park.
UK scientists hit out at new coal station plans
Power plants to be built without technology to cut emissions will accelerate global warming, experts claim
Robin McKie: Actions speak louder than a lot of government hot air
Robin McKie: Melt our ice-caps and you release forces you cannot control
Senate approves housing-rescue bill
The Senate passed a housing rescue aimed at sparing homeowners from foreclosure and bolstering mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.