Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Report: Decade warmest on record, indicators gloomy
Not only was the past decade the warmest on record, but climate indicators being tracked globally are worsening, scientists reported Wednesday in their annual "State of the Climate." ...
Video: New Priorities in the Gulf
A mile undersea the work to plug BP's well is picking up speed and there's no talk of collecting oil anymore, just stopping it for good. Kelly Cobiella reports.
Russian scientists deploy to BP spill
MOSCOW, July 27 (UPI) -- Operations to clean up the giant oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could take at least a year, Russian scientists contracted to help...
Hot topic: Improving communications to fight wildfires
Wildfires can be deadly, as well as causing millions of dollars worth of damage to homes, businesses and natural resources. Efforts to control wildfires often include a staggering array of...
Scientists test Moreton Bay as coral 'lifeboat'
An international team of scientists has been exploring Moreton Bay, close to Brisbane, as a possible 'lifeboat' to save corals from the Great Barrier Reef at risk of extermination under...
Traveling microorganisms
Every day, millions of microorganisms reach Spain from the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region — by flying. Louis Pasteur demonstrated back in 1861 that germs can move through...
Flood response in Pakistan lax
QUETTA, Pakistan, July 26 (UPI) -- Provincial officials in southwestern Pakistan warned the response to flooding in the region hasn't kept pace with the severity of the humanitarian emergency. ...
Next Steps on Climate and Energy
A new century demands new approaches to satisfy energy needs while limiting the human influence on climate.
EC Vice-President Tajani visits ESA's Centre for Earth Observation
As a strong supporter of the benefits that space industry can bring to Europe, Vice-President of the European Commission and European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, visited ESA's...
Deep science
Mini-sub crew get to the bottom of US oil spill's risk to fragile marine ecosystems
Space age sub explores slick
David Shukman takes a dive in a research sub as it investigates the effects of the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico's coral reefs.
Debate Heats Up Over Meteor's Role in Ice Age
New studies of sediment layers show that widespread fire from a meteor explosion was not the trigger for abrupt climate change 12,900 years ago.
Method developed to measure solute movement in soils
Scientists from Aarhus University and Aalborg University in Denmark have developed a new method for measuring the movement of solutes in intact soil. Improving on the existing method, the new...
Unaccounted feedbacks from climate-induced ecosystem changes may increase future climate warming
The terrestrial biosphere regulates atmospheric composition, and hence climate. Projections of future climate changes already account for 'carbon-climate feedbacks,' which means that more CO2 is released from soils in a...
Oil spill vessels return to site
Ships involved in the effort to secure the Gulf of Mexico blown-out oil well are preparing to resume work after a tropical storm weakens.
Arctic studies show dire effect of ocean acidity
The icy Arctic waters around Norway's archipelago of Svalbard may seem pristine and clear, but like the rest of the world's oceans they are facing the threat of growing acidity.
NASA Satellite Improves Pollution Monitoring
More accurate precipitation data leads to improved water quality modeling in the Chesapeake Bay
New antibacterial material for bandages, food packaging, shoes
A new form of paper with the built-in ability to fight disease-causing bacteria could have applications that range from antibacterial bandages to food packaging that keeps food fresher longer to...
Accepted theory explaining frequent eruptions at Italy’s Stromboli volcano questioned
One volcano that volcanologists believe they understand fairly well is Italy's Stromboli, which has been erupting every five to 20 minutes for thousands of years, spewing fountains of ash and...
In midst of river cleanup, supporters are divided
By BOB SALSBERG 2010-07-25T18:42:40Z LENOX, Mass. (AP) -- Federal environmental officials are trying to decide how extensively to clean...
Tropical Biodiversity Explained by Steady Temperatures
Study explains why tropics more diverse than temperate zones.
Preparations for BP well 'kill' operation move ahead
Engineers moved ahead on Sunday with preparations for a well "kill" operation that officials hope will permanently plug the oil leak causing the worst US environmental disaster.
Californians should use less delta water, report says
The State Water Board study provides new ammunition in the battle over the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a source of water for roughly two of three Californians. ...
Elk, crowds and the wild West in Yellowstone National Park and Cody, Wyoming
In Yellowstone, wildlife and Old Faithful still draw plenty of tourists. Nearby in tiny Cody, there's a taste of the Wild West. ...
Amazon dolphins being killed off
BRASILIA, Brazil, July 24 (UPI) -- The pink dolphins of the Amazon are threatened with extinction from Brazilian fisherman killing them to use their flesh as bait, scientists say. ...
Gulf of Mexico storm nears oil spill zone
A storm system moved toward the Gulf of Mexico oil spill area Saturday, forcing response crews to head inland for safety and halting work to permanently plug the ruptured BP...
Scientists Confirm Underwater Plumes Are From Spill
The conclusion was announced by University of South Florida researchers, although federal scientists had acknowledged there were clues tying plumes to BP’s well.
F.D.A. Panel Rejects Plan to Tighten Use of Painkillers
Members did not find proposal strong enough to reduce the misuse of prescription narcotics.