Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Staying safe in snow
The inviting expanse of shimmering snow contrasts with the benign blue sky above. The ski instructor briefly goes over the planned run, his first charge glides off into the distance......
Echinoderms contribute to global carbon sink
The impact on levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere by the decaying remains of a group of marine creatures that includes starfish and sea urchin has been significantly...
Coral can recover from climate change damage
A study by the University of Exeter provides the first evidence that coral reefs can recover from the devastating effects of climate change. Published Monday 11 January in the journal...
Most Ancient Hebrew Biblical Inscription Deciphered
A breakthrough in research of Hebrew scriptures has shed light on the period in which the Bible was written. Prof. Gershon Galil of the University of Haifa has deciphered an...
Where did SF Bay's sea lions go? Try Oregon Coast
(AP) -- Hundreds of sea lions that abruptly blew out of San Francisco Bay's Pier 39 last Thanksgiving have apparently found a new home at another tourist attraction -...
Ski Sports: Simulating gliding effects to develop super fast skis
In ski sports, it's often only a second that separates the winners from the losers. Using equipment made of the right materials can therefore make all the difference. Researchers are...
Polar bears near shore as ice vanishes
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A 27-year study of polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea showed them spending more time on land and open water as ice...
Where do puffins go in the winter?
A recent increase in winter mortality in Atlantic puffins could be due to worsening conditions within the North Sea, according to new findings. The study used geolocation technology to track...
Copenhagen shows the shape of things to come
There were many disappointments at the climate conference, but at least it revealed the new political setting within which climate change must be fought.
How high can a climber go?
The maximum time an athlete is able to continue climbing to exhaustion may be the only determinant of his/her performance. A new European study, led by researchers from the University...
New record in the area of prime number decomposition of cryptographically important numbers
An international team of scientists from EPFL (Switzerland), INRIA (France), NTT (Japan), CWI (The Netherlands) and Bonn University (Germany), has obtained the prime factors of the RSA challenge number RSA-768,...
New wind farm zones are announced
Successful bids for nine new offshore wind farm zone licences within UK waters have been announced.
Earth from Space: A ‘fish’ in water
This image captures the rugged and remote Kamchatka Peninsula on Russia's East Coast. The 1250-km long peninsula lies between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Okhotsk...
2 NASA satellites see Edzani power up in clouds and rainfall
The latest satellite imagery from NASA's Aqua and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellites have provided forecasters with signs in clouds and rainfall that Edzani is strengthening in the Southern Indian...
Warmer climate could stifle carbon uptake by trees, says CU-Boulder study
Contrary to conventional belief, as the climate warms and growing seasons lengthen subalpine forests are likely to soak up less carbon dioxide, according to a new University of Colorado at...
Pressure builds against mountaintop coal mining
The Obama administration, which has pledged to heed scientific expertise on the issue, should reject all new mountaintop removal permits, scientists say, citing environmental and health effects. Mountaintop coal mining, which involves blowing...
Zircons and their message from the Earth’s mantle
Zircon is a mineral that exists in nature from colorless to reddish-brown, yellow, green or blue. Zircon may also be transparent making its visual appearance similar to a diamond. Zircon...
The Cold War's Ecological Benefits
When people think of the Cold War they tend to dwell on all negatives that came with it: totalitarian governments, proxy wars, a nuclear arms race, and so on. But...
As Rainier's glaciers recede, debris chokes rivers
The fallout from Mount Rainier's shrinking glaciers is beginning to roll downhill, and nowhere is the impact more striking than on the volcano's west side.
EPA Proposes Tighter Restrictions On Smog-Causing Emissions
The changes could cost industry $90 billion, and substantially improve Americans' health In a move to curb smog, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed the tightest regulations ever on ground-ozone-causing emissions. The...
Southern Winds Help Stash Earth's Carbon Dioxide
Process removes greenhouse gases but could be vulnerable to climate change [Read more]
China replaces Saudi Arabia in Caribbean oil storage deal
KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- China has taken over from Saudi Arabia the lease of a giant crude oil storage facility in the Caribbean that gives Beijing unprecedented...
Reluctant hero? Cleaner fish show it pays to be selfless
Putting yourself in the line of fire is shown to reap huge rewards, in a new study. Researchers have discovered that male cleaner wrasse are quick to play the hero...
Parks Canada planning N.L. moose cull
Parks Canada is planning to cull moose in two of Newfoundland and Labrador's national parks in order to deal with a threat to trees.
Floods linked to San Andreas quakes
Historical record underscores connections between reservoirs and seismic activity.
Ecology: Wish you were here
An annual excursion to an exclusive Caribbean island has yielded an impressive body of ecological fieldwork. Just don't call it a holiday, says Mark Schrope.
China chill prompts power rationing
BEIJING, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Some provinces in east and central China have resorted to power rationing, amid increased demand due to record cold temperatures.
Whatever Happened To Global Warming?
Despite Cold Winter, 2009 To Rank Among 10 Warmest Wears On Earth Since 1880