Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Marine Chemist Says 'Not So Fast' To Quick Oil Detection Method
A new method for assessing environmental contamination after oil spills is in danger of being applied in situations where it doesn't work and might produce false conclusions.
Fish Scales From Norway Show Ocean Fate Of Atlantic Salmon
Since 1983, sports fishermen from the Drammen River in Norway have been saving the scales of Atlantic salmon, caught as they return from years at sea to spawn in fresh...
Scientists Discover Stinging Truths About Jellyfish Blooms In The Bering Sea
A new study helps explain a cyclic increase and decrease of jellyfish populations, which transformed parts of the Bering Sea -- one of the United States' most productive fisheries --...
Forest canopies help determine natural fertilization rates
In this week's issue of Science, a team of researchers from the United States and Sweden report on a newly identified factor that controls the natural input of new nitrogen...
Massachusetts approves Oceans Act
BOSTON, May 30 (UPI) -- Massachusetts lawmakers approved a law Thursday requiring a comprehensive plan to manage its ocean waters.
Under Pressure, White House Issues Climate Change Report
The Bush administration, bowing to a court order, has released a fresh summary of research pointing to harmful impacts in the United States from human-caused global warming.
Big Bangs: 'Stirring' Secrets Of Deadly Supervolcanoes Uncovered
Researchers have simulated in the lab the process that can turn ordinary volcanic eruptions into so-called "supervolcanoes." Supervolcanoes are orders of magnitude greater than any volcanic eruption in historic times....
Species disappearance puzzles scientists
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., May 29 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they are baffled by the disappearance of Diporeia, a shrimplike major food source for fish in the Great...
Scientists call for swift emission cuts
WASHINGTON, May 29 (UPI) -- A group of top U.S. scientists and economists called Thursday for immediate cuts in heat-trapping emissions linked to global warming.
New EU states want CO2 revision
Hungary leads a push by several new EU member states to get the EU's CO2 emission targets recalculated.
Ecstasy more deadly in hot clubs
New research has found that ecstasy is more dangerous when taken in warm environments, as users ignore danger signs and blame their high body temperature on their surroundings.
New Zealand tries to save 2 endangered dolphins
(AP) -- The New Zealand government banned coastal net fishing and announced new marine mammal sanctuaries Thursday in a bid to prevent the extinction of two indigenous dolphin species.
Stress Buildup Precedes Large Sumatra Earthquakes: When Can We Expect The Next One?
The island of Sumatra, Indonesia, has shaken many times with powerful earthquakes since the one that wrought the infamous 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Now, scientists from the California Institute of...
Putin vows spending spree on drained sciences
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday promised to spend $25 billion on science institutions in Russia between 2008-10 to help stop a decades-old brain drain and restore...
Giant methane belch could doom Earth
An abrupt release of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from ice sheets that extended to Earth's low latitudes some 635 million years ago caused a dramatic shift in climate, scientists...
Recycled water gains acceptance
Despite initial concerns, a community using recycled water in South Australia has become happy with the water, according to a recent survey.
Mud volcano 'on brink of collapse'
Geologists warn that world's largest mud volcano shows signs of 'catastrophic collapse'
Japanese researchers develop tiny toxic smog sensor
Japanese researchers say they have developed a smog sensor the size of a finger nail that could be carried around and used to measure pollution in the air that people...
Researchers: City residents produce less carbon
(AP) -- While cities are hot spots for global warming, people living in them turn out to be greener than their country cousins.
Can the ecohackers save us from climate change?
Many scientists now believe the Earth can be altered to tackle global warming. But are these geoengineers being overly optimistic? Danny Bradbury investigates
Feature: Making every drop count
In the world’s driest inhabited continent it may seem incredible that much of our most important resource is washed down the drain. Catherine Madden reports on the next generation of...
Preservationists: Gas drilling threatens carvings
WELLINGTON, Utah (AP) -- Along Utah's Nine Mile Canyon lies what some call the longest art gallery in the world - thousands of prehistoric rock carvings and paintings of bighorn...
China Races to Open Roads, Stop Floods in Quake Zone
As troops worked to keep roads open and drain dangerous lakes, the government warned that rebuilding quake-devastated Sichuan Province would be "arduous."
Getting warmer: Researchers uncover information on new superconductors
The world of physics is on fire about a new kind of superconductor, and a group of researchers at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory led...
Ambulance New Brunswick defends its service in Simonds
Ambulance New Brunswick says it's meeting its service commitments to the Simonds area, despite accusations of extended response times.
Prof to Participate in G8 Summit in Japan
Jochen Lauterbach, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Delaware, will represent the United States on a scientific panel focusing on the impact of catalysis on energy and the...
Wisconsin governor signs Great Lakes compact
(AP) -- Gov. Jim Doyle has signed legislation making Wisconsin the fifth state to approve an interstate compact aimed at protecting the Great Lakes.
Exxon to cut funding to climate change denial groups
The oil giant has admitted that its support for lobby groups that question the science of climate change may have hindered action to tackle global warming