New soil tester to assess earth's healthOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Our planet has a fever. But global warming's effects on farming and water resources is still a mystery.
Scientists make 'thermometer' to assess Earth's healthOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel have developed what is literally a 'thermometer' for the Earth, which would assess the health of our planet. Known as the "Optical Soil Dipstick" (OSD), the instrument has been developed by Professor Eyal Ben-Dor of TAU's Department of Geography, along with his team.
Humans may have pushed Earth's system beyond 3 of its biophysical thresholdsSeptember 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new international research, scientists have determined that human activities have already pushed the Earth system beyond three of the planet's biophysical thresholds, with consequences that are detrimental or even catastrophic for large parts of the world. The research was conducted by 29 European, Australian and US scientists.
Lawn fertilizer ban improves water quality in USAugust 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has presented evidence which indicates that water quality in the United States (US) has improved after the ban on lawn fertilizers. In an effort to keep lakes and streams clean, municipalities in the US are banning or restricting the use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers, which can kill fish and cause smelly algae blooms and other problems when the phosphorus washes out of the soil and into waterways.
Ozone and nitrogen change the way rising CO2 affects Earth's waterJuly 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of NASA-funded researchers have found that future concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone in the atmosphere and of nitrogen in the soil are likely to have an important but overlooked effect on the cycling of water from sky to land to waterways. With the help of a modeling experiment, the researchers concluded that models of climate change may be underestimating how much water is likely to run off the land and back into the sea as atmospheric chemistry changes.
Mars had a wetter and warmer climate in the recent pastJuly 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Findings by NASA's Phoenix Mars mission indicates that the Red Planet had a wetter and warmer climate in the recent past, and could again in the future. Phoenix ended communications in November 2008 as the approach of Martian winter depleted energy from the lander's solar panels.
El Nino climate condition could develop this summer, forecasters sayJune 8th, 2009 Forecasters say El Nino may be developingWASHINGTON — A new El Nino could be approaching. Sea-surface temperatures have been warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean, suggesting the potential for the development of the El Nino climate phenomenon this summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Now, effects of changing climate on sheep can be mathematically predictedMay 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, it has been proven that the effects of a changing climate on a population of bighorn sheep can be mathematically predicted. Researchers from Germany, the US, and Mexico studied a population of bighorn sheep introduced to Tiburon island, Mexico, in 1975.
Dual nutrient strategy vital to improve aquatic ecosystemsMay 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A scientist has stressed on the need for a dual nutrient strategy to improve aquatic ecosystems. Excess phosphorus and nitrogen produced by human activities on neighboring land is making its way into coastal waters and degrading both water quality and aquatic life.
Fire an integral part of global climate change, say scientistsApril 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists have determined that fire must be accounted for as an integral part of global climate change. The study identifies significant contributions of fire to climate change and identifies feedbacks between fire and climate change.
Yangtze River in China threatened by climate change and water conservation projectsApril 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new report has determined that climate change and major water conservation projects are a major risk to the long-term "health" of the Yangtze River in China. The Yangtze Conservation and Development Report 2009, compiled by the China Academy of Science (CAS), states the basin of China's longest waterway has been hit by a yearly reduction in rain since 2006, brought on by global warming.
Biofuels could hasten climate changeApril 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has found that biofuels can hasten climate change, and it will take more than 75 years for the carbon emissions saved through the use of biofuels to compensate for the carbon lost when biofuel plantations are established on forestlands. If the original habitat was peatland, carbon balance would take more than 600 years.
Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of 'deliberate and reckless' white phosphorus use in GazaMarch 26th, 2009 JERUSALEM - Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of "deliberately and recklessly" firing white phosphorus shells into densely populated areas of Gaza, that killed and wounded civilians earlier this year. In a detailed report, the HRW said that this was a clear "evidence of war crimes", as the Israeli military knew white phosphorus's lethal capacity to cause intense burns.
Scientists describe novel strategy for phytoplankton growth in nutrient-poor areas of seaMarch 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An international team of scientists has described a novel strategy for phytoplankton growth in the vast nutrient-poor habitats of tropical and subtropical seas. Until now, it was thought that all cells are surrounded by membranes containing molecules called phospholipids - oily compounds that contain phosphorus, as well as other basic elements including carbon and nitrogen.
Amazon could shrink by 85 percent due to global warmingMarch 12th, 2009 LONDON - A new research has predicted that global warming will have a devastating effect on the Amazon rainforest, shrinking it by 85 percent if there is a rise of 4 degree Celsius in the temperature. According to a report in the Guardian, the research, by some of Britain's leading experts on climate change, shows that even severe cuts in deforestation and carbon emissions will fail to save the emblematic South American jungle.
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