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 --...
Images of remote Amazon tribe released
RIO DE JANEIRO, May 31 (UPI) -- Brazil's National Indian Foundation released photos Friday of an indigenous tribe that is believed to have had almost no contact with...
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...
Which U.S. Cities Contribute Most to Global Warming? [News]
If you care about reducing your emissions of greenhouse gases, then you might want to move to Honolulu, Los Angeles or Portland, Ore., according to a new study from The...
Massachusetts approves Oceans Act
BOSTON, May 30 (UPI) -- Massachusetts lawmakers approved a law Thursday requiring a comprehensive plan to manage its ocean waters.
New Climate Report Foresees Big Changes
A new federal report says the rise in levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide is influencing climate patterns and will produce an uneven national map of harms and benefits.
5 Countries Agree to Talk Over the Arctic
The United States, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark aimed to defuse tensions over the likelihood that global warming will open northern waters to shipping, energy extraction and other activities.
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.
Killer Algae's 'Fingerprints' Wrap Up The Case
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that are the base of the food chain in oceans and lakes. Some phytoplankton can produce toxins that are harmful to other marine organisms, including fish....
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....
Strong earthquake rocks Iceland
A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 hits southern Iceland, 50km (30 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik.
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...
Climate change might affect British wine
LONDON, May 29 (UPI) -- A British scientist says his research suggests parts of the United Kingdom might become too hot to grow vines for making certain wines...
Scientists issue politicians with 'false optimism' climate warning
Scientists urge politicians to deliver 'stringent emissions cuts and major adaptation efforts' to minimise damage
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.
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...
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.
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."