Latest science news in Earth & Climate
Hurricane forecast becomes more extreme
STATE COLLEGE, Pa., June 21 (UPI) -- The 2010 hurricane season may be more intense than previously predicted and will probably impact the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, AccuWeather.com...
Comprehensive look at human impacts on ocean chemistry
Numerous studies are documenting the growing effects of climate change, carbon dioxide, pollution and other human-related phenomena on the world's oceans. But most of those have studied single, isolated sources...
Oceanographers call for more ocean observing in Antarctica
Rutgers' Oscar Schofield and five colleagues from other institutions have published in Science, calling for expanded ocean-observing in the Antarctic, particularly in the Western Antarctic Peninsula, or WAP...
What makes the giant freak wave 'stable'
The dreaded giant freak wave that can appear on the open sea out of nowhere, can now for the first time be theoretically calculated and modelled. Researchers at Umea University...
Carbon dioxide has played leading role in dictating global climate patterns
Increasingly, the Earth's climate appears to be more connected than anyone would have imagined. El Nino, the weather pattern that originates in a patch of the equatorial Pacific, can spawn...
Volcanic eruptions in North America were more explosive in ancient past
Millions of years ago, volcanic eruptions in North America were more explosive and may have significantly affected the environment and the global climate. So scientists report in this week's issue...
Polar oceans key to temperature in the tropics
'Our results show that the polar oceans play a key role in the global climate, and that one outcome of a rise in global temperature could be an increase in...
Posidonia meadows reflect pollution levels in the Mediterranean
'Posidonia oceanica can act as an environmental tracer, reflecting different levels of local and regional pollution,' Antonio Tovar-Sanchez, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Global Change...
Battle of the bugs leaves humans as collateral damage
It's a tragedy of war that innocent bystanders often get caught in the crossfire. But now scientists at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oxford have shown how...
Russian vs. Belarus on gas shipments
MOSCOW, June 17 (UPI) -- Russia's Gazprom has threatened that Belarus has until June 21 to clear its gas debts or face supply restrictions.
Could Putting Bacteria In Oil Wells Turn Oil to Natural Gas While It's Still in the Well?
Natural Gas Power If we could sequester all that waste CO2 and pump it back into the ground with carbon eating bacteria that turn it into methane, we could take at least...
Odd Figure-8 Bridge to Merge Left vs. Right Side Traffic
A Dutch architectural firm has proposed a bridge shaped like a figure '8' to switch the sides of the road driven on by cars traveling between Hong Kong and mainland...
Hunting for Fossils on Europa
Jupiter's moon Europa has a salty ocean where life could exist. A thick ice shell separates the ocean from our exploration vehicles, and it`s not known how far down we`d...
UF marine researchers rush to collect samples as oil threat grows
(PhysOrg.com) -- GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- In a race against time, University of Florida marine researchers are hurrying to collect underwater marine algae samples in the Florida Keys while an ever-growing...
Domestic auto quality beats imports in J.D. Power study
For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, the U.S. auto industry edged out import brands in the study on initial quality. 'This is a landmark,' says J.D. Power official....
China leads international effort to study Pacific Ocean
A collaborative project is aiming for a better understanding of the Pacific Ocean's impact on the Asian monsoon and climate.
ADB program tackles polluted Songhua
MANILA, Philippines, June 17 (UPI) -- The Asian Development Bank announced it would provide equity and loans of up to $146.6 million to improve the water supply and wastewater...
There's Room on His Plate, 9/11 Mediator Says
Lawyers for the about 10,000 ground zero rescue and cleanup workers met with their clients Wednesday night in a town hall meeting to explain the terms of a new settlement...
BP Chief Expresses Contrition to House Panel
BP’s embattled chief executive, Tony Hayward, is telling Congress on Thursday that he was “deeply sorry” for the oil disaster in the gulf.
NOAA, FDA continue ramping up efforts to ensure safety of Gulf of Mexico seafood
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are taking additional steps to enhance inspection measures designed to ensure that seafood from the Gulf...
One More Proposal to Plug the Oil Leak, But Can We Afford To Make Things Worse?
And the Spill Continues U.S. Coast Guard As BP sits down for a not-so-friendly back and forth with Congress this morning it seems the oil giant is resigned to let the Gulf...
UK government's environment adviser wins major international green award
Professor Bob Watson, science adviser to the environment ministry, chosen alongside Nasa's James HansenOne of the government's leading science and environment advisers today won a prestigious international green award, the Blue Planet Prize.Professor...
Two Win Blue Planet Prize for Bridging Science and Policy
The value of climate change science, under scrutiny following the release last fall of...
Scientist uses geological observatories to monitor the health of soils
Humans need plants to survive, and plants need soil. But what happens when human, geological and climatic activity alters soil composition and structure and diminishes the amount of fertile land...
Fungus gold rush on Tibetan plateau
Amid the wreckage of the devastating earthquake that ripped through this corner the Qinghai province, local people are rebuilding their livelihoods with one of the world's most ghoulish parasites –...
As Web privacy concerns rise, Foursquare tries to carve a niche
Now you can ping your friends to get together at a restaurant or bar. Or just shout at them.
Record Sail by Reid Stowe to End on 1,152nd Day
When Reid Stowe sails his 70-foot schooner, the Anne, into Manhattan, he will have completed a journey of 1,152 days.
Our Towns: Thankfully, No Rush to Approve Gas Drilling
Although proponents say that Pennsylvania has enjoyed many benefits from extracting natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, New York legislators see reasons to wait.