Nature & Environment : Science World Report

Feb 21, 2012 07:50 AM EST

El Hierro Submarine Volcano Eruption

Four months after it began, the underwater volcanic eruption off El Hierro Island persists. This natural-color satellite image, collected on February 10, 2012, shows the site of the eruption, near the fishing village of La Restinga.

Feb 20, 2012 06:08 PM EST

Rainforest Plant Combats Multi-resistant Bacterial Strains

Aggressive infections in hospitals are an increasing health problem worldwide. The development of bacterial resistance is alarming. Now a young Danish scientist has found a natural substance in a Chilean rainforest plant that effectively supports the effect of traditional treatment with antibiotics.

Feb 20, 2012 04:47 PM EST

Does History Repeat? Using the Past to Improve Ecological Forecasting

To better predict the future, Jack Williams is looking to the past. "Environmental change is altering the composition and function of ecological communities," says the Bryson Professor of Climate, People, and the Environment in the University of Wisconsinâ€“Madison geography department. Willia...

Feb 20, 2012 04:36 PM EST

Flooding in Southeastern Australia

Along the border between the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales, several communities were flooded in early February 2012. By mid-month, the flood waters had moved west. On February 19, online news source NineMSN reported that as many as 10,000 residents of northeastern New South Wal...

Feb 20, 2012 04:05 PM EST

Preparing for the Flood: Visualizations Help Communities Plan for Sea-level Rise

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have produced computer visualizations of rising sea levels in a low-lying coastal municipality, illustrating ways to adapt to climate change impacts such as flooding and storms surges.

Feb 20, 2012 02:37 PM EST

Glaciers: A Window into Human Impact on the Global Carbon Cycle

New clues as to how the Earth's remote ecosystems have been influenced by the industrial revolution are locked, frozen in the ice of glaciers. That is the finding of a group of scientists, including Robert Spencer of the Woods Hole Research Center. The research will be published in the March 2012 is...

Feb 20, 2012 11:53 AM EST

Yosemite's Alpine Chipmunks Take Genetic Hit from Climate Change

Global warming has forced alpine chipmunks in Yosemite to higher ground, prompting a startling decline in the species' genetic diversity, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

Feb 20, 2012 08:59 AM EST

Cutting-edge Science Creating Solutions for African Agriculture

We are frequently reminded of the complex challenges Africa faces when it comes to feeding its population, particularly in the sub-Saharan region. Dealing with hunger and famine â€“ let alone broader food security issues â€“ is paramount and needs a global effort. Overcoming these challeng...

Feb 20, 2012 08:47 AM EST

Better Models Needed to Track Atmospheric Pollution's Impact on Health, Climate

The past decade has witnessed a significant growth in Asian air pollution, causing a great concern for air quality and climate. If government policy makers hope to contain the problem, they will need increased research and better computer models of black carbon and other aerosol pollutants, also kno...

Feb 20, 2012 07:46 AM EST

Southwest Pueblo-dwellers Key to Modern Climate Policy?

Vulnerability to climate change presents policy challenges to local, state, regional, national and international entities, particularly at a time when the public and policy-makers still struggle conceptually with the complexities of rising ocean levels, falling water tables and shifting ecoclines. H...

Feb 20, 2012 06:16 AM EST

As Climate Change Increases Forest Fires, Smoke Forecasting Could Help Protect Public Health

Satellite images, air quality measurements and smoke forecasting models are useful tools to help individuals and public health professionals prepare for smoke episodes in areas at risk from forest fire smoke, according to University of British Columbia researcher Michael Brauer.

Feb 18, 2012 05:30 PM EST

Launch of New System for Observing the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean plays a key role in the climate and ecosystem functioning of the whole planet, but understanding has long been hampered by lack of data. The science community has established the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) to address this.