Latest science news in Earth & Climate
"Barren" Seafloor Teeming with Microbial Life
Seafloor bacteria are more abundant and diverse than previously thought, appearing to "eat" the planet's oceanic crust, according to a new study in Nature. The findings pose intriguing questions about...
Nitrogen Loss In Seagrass Fields Is Retained By Animals And Microorganisms In Ecosystem
The nitrogen cycle plays a major role in seagrass fields. A Dutch researcher studied the nitrogen dynamics of seagrasses in Indonesia. He discovered that the interaction between seagrasses, animals and...
Scientists Remove Thousands of Aspens to Glimpse Forest's Future
Armed with chainsaws and pry bars, University of Michigan researchers and their colleagues recently hastened the end for nearly 7,000 mature aspen and birch trees in a large-scale, long-term experiment...
Tidal Cycle Could Amplify Global-warming Related Sea-level Rises
The results of several scientific studies conducted since 1993 have confirmed a 3.2 cm sea level rise. Although this variation might appear negligible, it has in fact turned out to...
Farm groups clash over moving foot-and-mouth research
(AP) -- One of the nation's oldest farm groups said Thursday a proposed foot-and-mouth disease research laboratory on the U.S. mainland, near livestock, could be an inviting target for...
McDonald's cooking fries in trans-fat-free oil
(AP) -- McDonald's french fries are now trans-fat-free in all its restaurants in the United States and Canada, the fast-food restaurant chain said Thursday.
Charles Brenner, Psychoanalyst, Dies at 94
Dr. Brenner reigned for nearly a half-century as the dean of American psychoanalysis, working to clarify, refine and fiercely defend its core principles.
Rapid acidification puts marine life in grave danger
Increased CO2 levels are to blame for the increased acidity, which could have a catastrophic impact on marine ecology
Scorched Earth millenium map shows 'fire scars'
A geographer from the University of Leicester has produced for the first time a map of the scorched Earth for every year since the turn of the Millennium.
Education 'top priority' for new AU commissioner
The African Union's new commissioner has placed education at the top of his agenda for advancing science and technology on the continent.
Scientists Imagine California's "Big One"
Earthquake forecasters say the unzipping of California's San Andreas Fault would result in a 7.8-magnitude quake, shaking Los Angeles like jelly.
Opinion: The plight of the Great Barrier Reef
By 2050 the Great Barrier Reef will be unrecognisable. Bacterial slime, largely devoid of life, will be everywhere, writes Charlie Veron.
Taming toxic waste
Queen's University researchers have developed a way to neutralize toxic material in chemical weapons and pesticides.
US city to charge polluting firms
The US city of San Francisco passes new rules requiring businesses to pay for the amount of CO2 they emit.
The 10 Worst U.S Natural Disasters
Throughout modern history, the failure to prepare and cope with Mother Nature has resulted in catastrophic consequences, from wrecked economies to thousands of lives lost. Even as modern technology improves...
Review of APOCALYPSE: Earthquakes, Archaeology, and the Wrath of God
In the middle of the fourth century AD, a series of earthquakes struck the port of Kourion on the southern coast of Cyprus. The town had no doubt experienced its...
Canadian magazine makes history using special paper
Canadian Geographic is making publishing history by printing its annual environment issue on paper made from wheat straw.
Invasion Of Gigantic Burmese Pythons In South Florida Appears To Be Rapidly Expanding
The invasion of gigantic Burmese pythons in South Florida appears to be rapidly expanding, according to a new report from a researcher who's been chasing the snakes since 2005. The...
EERC Director Initiates Long-Term Relationship with Israel to Address Critical Energy, Environmental Challenges
Dr. Gerald Groenewold, Director of the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota, has announced a personal commitment to developing a long-term working partnership between...
Alps hit by two-decade decline in snowfall
A forthcoming study has added to worries that the Alpine ski industry will be badly affected by global warming, the British weekly New Scientist reports on Wednesday.
Brazil says Amazon deforestation rising
(AP) -- Destruction of the Amazon is again on the upswing despite a recent crackdown on illegal logging, Brazil's new environment minister said Wednesday.
Call to settle ocean care dispute
Governments are urged to agree measures to protect oceans and the sea floor at a UN conservation meeting.
Researcher strives for watershed moment
According to the World Health Organization, water scarcity affects four out of every 10 people around the world and population growth, urbanization and increased domestic and industrial water use are...
Global warming may increase kidney stones
DALLAS, May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. urologists say rising global temperatures might lead to an increase in kidney stones.
Tool to improve ocean aquaculture
A tool has been created to help sea cage aquaculture managers make sustainable decisions about their sites' locations and the number of fish that can be farmed.
Plague of kangaroos threatens one of Australia's last remaining original native grasslands
Australian Department of Defence is currently culling hundreds of kangaroos on the outskirts of the capital Canberra that have produced heated discussions and hit international headlines. Australia's iconic animal has...
Senate panel votes to overturn EPA on Calif. waiver
(AP) -- A Senate panel has narrowly voted to overturn EPA's decision to block California and more than a dozen other states from limiting greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
Ozone Might Help Make Bee Hives Cleaner And Safer
Ozone, which is already used to sanitize drinking water and swimming pools, might help make hives cleaner and safer for America's beleaguered honey bees. Entomologist tested ozone's effects on two...