Ancient oceans yield clues to the origins of animal life on EarthSeptember 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Analysis of a rock type found only in the world's oldest oceans has shed new light on how large animals first got a foothold on the Earth. By analysing the isotopes of chromium in iron-rich sediments formed in the ancient oceans, a scientific team, led by Professor Robert Frei at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, has found that a rise in atmospheric oxygen levels 580 million years ago was closely followed by the evolution of animal life.
Manure major contributor to rising nitrous oxide levels in atmosphereAugust 31st, 2009 SYDNEY - A new study has found manure is the major contributor to rising nitrous oxide levels since the beginning of last century. According to a report by ABC Science, the study was carried out by soil scientist and study author Dr Eric Davidson from the Woods Hole Research Centre in Massachusetts, US.
New 'snorkel' rice plant could feed millionsAugust 20th, 2009 LONDON - Scientists have come up with a new rice plant that grows "snorkels" when exposed to floods. According to a paper published in the journal Nature, the super plant could help boost the production of the staple food in Asia and Africa, where up to 40 per cent of crops are subject to flash floods or deep water.
'Rice' designed to fight allergiesJuly 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists in Japan have achieved a breakthrough in advancing towards the next generation of genetically modified rice, which will fight allergies instead of causing them. According to report in Live Science, the new transgenic rice has been designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies.
Genetically modified rice fights allergies instead of causing themJune 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists in Japan have achieved a breakthrough in advancing towards the next generation of genetically modified rice, which will fight allergies instead of causing them. According to report in Live Science, the new transgenic rice has been designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies.
Earth's sea levels may rise 25 meters by 4000 AD despite CO2 freeze (Re-Issue)June 23rd, 2009 LONDON - A new study on the effects of climate change on melting ice sheets has indicated that even if scientists could freeze-frame the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) as it is today, sea levels would still rise by 25 meters by 4000 AD. According to a report in New Scientist, Eelco Rohling of the UK National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and colleagues conducted the study.
Earth's sea levels may rise 25 meters by 4000 AD despite CO2 freezeJune 22nd, 2009 LONDON - A new study on the effects of climate change on melting ice sheets has indicated that even if scientists could freeze-frame the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) as it is today, sea levels would still rise by 25 meters by 4000 AD. According to a report in New Scientist, Eelco Rohling of the UK National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton and colleagues conducted the study.
Rise in CO2 levels 200 mln yrs ago led to sudden collapse in plant biodiversityJune 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists have found that a rise in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels 200 million years ago led to a sudden ancient collapse in plant biodiversity. The evidence for the collapse in the plant biodiversity was unearthed by scientists in the form of 200 million-year-old fossil leaves collected in East Greenland.
Developing biofuels as alternative to imported oil may damage water resourcesJune 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Rice University have warned that the US must be careful that the new emphasis on developing biofuels as an alternative to imported oil takes into account potential damage to the nation's water resources. "The ongoing, rapid growth in biofuels production could have far-reaching environmental and economic repercussions, and it will likely highlight the interdependence and growing tension between energy and water security," according to a report titled "The Water Footprint of Biofuels: A Drink or Drive Issue?"
The report, written by Pedro Alvarez, the George R.
Ingestion of sugar sends testosterone levels downJune 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has shown that post-meal surges in blood sugar can cut a man's level of circulating testosterone by about a quarter. According to study's researchers, the finding might help doctors decide to test for testosterone levels while patients are fasting.
Sea-level rise may pose greatest threat to Northeast US and Canada this centuryMay 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has suggested that the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet this century may drive more water than previously thought toward the already threatened coastlines of New York, Boston, Halifax and other cities in the northeastern United States and Canada. The researchers suggest that moderate to high rates of ice melt from Greenland may shift ocean circulation by about 2100, causing sea levels off the northeast coast of North America to rise by about 30 to 51 centimeters (12 to 20 inches) more than other coastal areas.
EPA says pesticide carbofuran poses health risk to children, bans it for use on food cropsMay 11th, 2009 Pesticide carbofuran banned for food cropsWASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule banning the use of the pesticide carbofuran on food. The insecticide is used to control pests on fruits, vegetables and other food crops, including corn and potatoes.
Tiger-human conflicts on the rise in India's SundarbansMay 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Reports indicate that constant face-offs between humans and tigers in India's Sundarbans region are on the rise, with tiger populations dwindling and rising seas pushing humans into the territory of the big cats. The 2,700-square-mile mangrove forest in the Sundarbans is the world's largest, and the region is one of the few remaining natural tiger habitats in India.
Biofuel crops can become invasive pests in tropical areasApril 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have concluded that biofuel crops proposed for use in the Hawaiian Islands are two to four times more likely to become invasive pests in Hawaii and other tropical areas when compared to a random sample of other introduced plants. The research was done by scientists with the University of Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, who examined the impact of unregulated planting of biofuel crops for their potential invasiveness and raised concerns about their impacts on Hawaii's environment.
Fossil corals show catastrophic sea-level rise about 121,000 years agoApril 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A study, which is being touted as controversial, has said that fossil coral reefs at a Mexican theme park "confirm" that sea levels rose rapidly about 121,000 years ago. Previous research on fossil reefs had shown that sea levels surged by 13 to 19 feet (4 to 6 meters) near the end of the last time period between ice ages, known as an interglacial period.
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