Hurricane frequency in Atlantic Basin is up, but not their strengthSeptember 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, researchers have concluded that the number of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic Basin is increasing, but there is no evidence that their individual strengths are any greater than storms of the past or that the chances of a US strike are up. Robert Lund, professor of mathematical sciences at Clemson University, along with colleagues Michael Robbins and Colin Gallagher of Clemson and QiQi Lu of Mississippi State University, studied changes in the tropical cycle record in the North Atlantic between 1851 and 2008.
Researchers say weak El Nino under way, forecast strengthening in fall and winterSeptember 10th, 2009 Mild El Nino continues, strengthening expectedWASHINGTON — A weak El Nino is under way and it is expected to strengthen and last through winter, government climate researchers said Thursday. The periodic climate phenomenon is marked by warming of the central Pacific Ocean and changes in wind direction and air pressure that can affect weather around the world.
American glaciers shrinking dramatically in response to global warmingSeptember 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Reports indicate that most glaciers in Washington and Alaska in the US are dramatically shrinking in response to a warming climate. During the past 50 years, USGS (US Geological Survey) scientists have measured changes in the mass (length and thickness) of three glaciers: Alaska's Gulkana and Wolverine Glaciers and Washington's South Cascade Glacier.
Obama's upcoming vacation threatened by Hurricane Bill in Atlantic OceanAugust 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - U.S. President Barack Obama's vacation plans this coming week in Martha's Vineyard may be spoilt, with a satellite image released by NASA on Tuesday showing Hurricane Bill in the Atlantic Ocean.
US economy shrinks only one percent in second quarter, Economists optimisticJuly 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - The US economy shrank at a one-percent annual rate in the second quarter of 2009, according to a preliminary estimate Friday by the US Commerce Department. The figure was better than economists expected and signals that the longest US recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s has slowed dramatically.
Invasive crabs and snails threaten oyster reefs in California coastal estuaryJuly 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a study, scientists have found new evidence of invasive species threatening native ones, in the form of oyster reefs in a once-pristine California coastal estuary devastated by invasive Atlantic Coast crabs and snails. Led by marine biologist David L.
Sex evolved as a defence against parasites, suggests articleJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Sex may have evolved in part as a defence against parasites, suggests a research article. Published in the journal American Naturalist, the article highlights the fact that when an asexual creature reproduces, it makes clones-exact genetic copies of itself.
Time taken to shed feathers limits maximum body size in birdsJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have provided evidence that maximum body size in birds is constrained by the amount of time it takes to replace the flight feathers during molt. The evidence was provided by Sievert Rohwer, and his colleagues at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington.
Sediment from North Atlantic Ocean yields climate record for past half-million yearsJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have used sediment from the deep bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean to reconstruct a record of ancient climate that dates back more than the last half-million years. The record, trapped within the top 20 meters (65.6 feet) of a 400-meter (1,312-foot) sediment core drilled in 2005 in the North Atlantic Ocean by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, gives new information about the four glacial cycles that occurred during that period.
Top 10 baby names include more boys than girls on the hurricane name listMay 9th, 2009 No hurricanes for No. 1 baby namesWASHINGTON — Emma's rise to the top of baby names for girls means one group of youngsters who won't be embarrassed by having a hurricane named for them.
Snails' natural glue can be used to develop better surgical adhesivesMay 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at Ithaca College, US, have shed new light on the nature of the adhesive mechanism that snails use to attach themselves onto slippery surfaces, which could lead to developing surgical adhesives that would bind to wet surfaces and be less invasive than suturing mechanisms. This research follows up on an earlier study that identified the key characteristics controlling this transition from a water-based gel into a powerful yet flexible adhesive.The strength of the natural adhesive comes from the way long, rope-like polymers chemically tie together, or cross link, at certain points," said Andrew Smith, associate professor of biology.
US ties with emerging world power India essential: ClintonApril 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the US relationship with New Delhi is 'essential' as it builds constructive ties with India, China and Russia, major nations that would have a lot to say in an emerging world. The US is advancing its relationship with India as part of a wide-ranging diplomatic agenda to meet today's daunting challenges topped by the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan,' she said in an appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committee Wednesday.
Airborne dust reduction linked with Atlantic Ocean warmingMarch 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Reduced presence of airborne dust and volcanic emissions over the past 30 years are linked with recent Atlantic Ocean warming and has a link to increasing number of hurricanes, according to a new study. For example, the ocean temperature difference between 1994, a quiet hurricane year, and 2005's record-breaking year of storms, was just one degree Fahrenheit.
Snail shells increase dramatically in size in less than 100 yearsMarch 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A long-term research has concluded that the shell of a particular snail has dramatically increased in size, during less than a century, thus providing a clear illustration of how fast and effectively change can occur. The research, which began in 1915, was completed by a team of biologists at the University of Pennsylvania.
Animal families with most diversity also have largest range of body sizesMarch 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has found that families of animals grouped together by a similar body plan, with the greatest diversity of species, were also those with the largest range of body sizes. The research was carried out by the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) researchers in the US, as part of an analysis of body sizes across all orders of animal life.
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