ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News

Impact of tsunami on the Columbia River Posted: 19 Feb 2015 10:31 AM PST Engineers have completed one of the most precise evaluations yet done about the impact of a major tsunami event on the Columbia River, what forces are most important in controlling water flow and what areas might be inundated.

Climate change may dramatically reduce wheat production, study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2015 08:24 AM PST In the coming decades, at least one-quarter of the world's wheat production will be lost to extreme weather from climate change if no adaptation measures are taken, researchers warn.

Clearing up Europe's air pollution hotspots Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST Europe cannot achieve the WHO air quality guidelines without strictly controlling emissions from coal and wood burning for home heating, road traffic, and other sources such as industrial-scale factory farming, according to new research.

Global impact of debris on marine life studied Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST Nearly 700 species of marine animal have been recorded as having encountered humanmade debris such as plastic and glass according to the most comprehensive impact study in more than a decade.

Cattle damage to riverbanks can be undone Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:14 AM PST Simply removing cattle may be all that is required to restore many degraded riverside areas in the American West, although this can vary and is dependent on local conditions, researchers have found after comparing repeat photographs to assess rehabilitation of Oregon wildlife refuge. The team analyzed photographs to gauge how the removal of grazing cattle more than two decades ago from Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in eastern Oregon has helped to rehabilitate the natural environment.

Flame retardants found to cause metabolic, liver problems, animal study shows Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:13 AM PST Chemicals used as synthetic flame retardants that are found in common household items such as couches, carpet padding, and electronics have been found to cause metabolic and liver problems that can lead to insulin resistance, which is a major cause of obesity, according to new research.

Does dark matter cause mass extinctions and geologic upheavals? Posted: 19 Feb 2015 05:58 AM PST New research concludes that Earth's infrequent but predictable path around and through our Galaxy's disc may have a direct and significant effect on geological and biological phenomena occurring on Earth. Scientists conclude that movement through dark matter may perturb the orbits of comets and lead to additional heating in the Earth's core, both of which could be connected with mass extinction events.

Methane leaks from three large US natural gas fields in line with federal estimates Posted: 18 Feb 2015 04:20 PM PST Tens of thousands of pounds of methane leak per hour from equipment in three major natural gas basins that span Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Pennsylvania, according to airborne measurements published today. But the overall leak rate from those basins is only about one percent of gas production there -- lower than leak rates measured in other gas fields, and in line with federal estimates.

Cheap solar cells made from shrimp shells Posted: 18 Feb 2015 04:17 PM PST Researchers have successfully created electricity-generating solar-cells with chemicals found the shells of shrimps and other crustaceans for the first time.

Fearless birds and big city spiders: Is urbanization pushing earth's evolution to a tipping point? Posted: 18 Feb 2015 04:15 PM PST That humans and our cities build affect the ecosystem and even drive some evolutionary change is already known. What's new is that these evolutionary changes are happening more quickly than previously thought, and have potential impacts on ecosystem function on a contemporary scale. Not in the distant future, that is -- but now.

Turning smartphones into personal, real-time pollution monitors Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:13 AM PST As urban residents know, air quality is a big deal. When local pollution levels go up, the associated health risks also increase, especially for children and seniors. But air pollution varies widely over the course of a day and by location, even within the same city. Now scientists have used smartphone and sensing technology to better pinpoint where and when pollution is at its worst.

For the first time, spacecraft catch solar shockwave in the act: 'Ultrarelativistic, killer electrons made in 60 seconds Posted: 18 Feb 2015 11:13 AM PST On Oct. 8, 2013, an explosion on the sun's surface sent a supersonic blast wave of solar wind out into space. This shockwave tore past Mercury and Venus, blitzing by the moon before streaming toward Earth. The shockwave struck a massive blow to the Earth's magnetic field, setting off a magnetized sound pulse around the planet.

Researchers devise new system to enhance sustainability in smaller ports Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:16 AM PST Researchers have created an 11-point checklist which they believe could become a vital tool in enabling the UK's small ports to ensure they are working sustainably.

New device will change how florida monitors sea level rise, water quality, hurricanes and more Posted: 18 Feb 2015 07:15 AM PST Small wireless computing devices, ranging from the size of a matchbox to the size of a dime are going to change the way Florida monitors its water quality, sea level rise, hurricanes, agriculture, aquaculture, and even its aging senior population.