Pollution :: Study suggests morning pollution pall for Manchester commuters
Early findings from a new urban pollution study suggest that commuters in Manchester inhale their biggest daily dose of harmful traffic fumes during the morning rush hour.
Climate
Ecology :: Impact of climate change in Africa
Africa is the continent that will suffer most under global warming. Past history gives us lessons on the likely effects of future climate change. Of greatest concern are the ‘large infrequent disturbances’ to the climate as these will have the most devastating effects.
Icelandic volcano caused historic famine in Egypt, says Rutgers-based team
An environmental drama played out on the world stage in the late 18th century when a volcano killed 9,000 Icelanders and brought a famine to Egypt that reduced the population of the Nile valley by a sixth. A study by three scientists demonstrates a connection between these two widely separated events, and is the first to conclusively establish the linkage between high-latitude eruptions and the water supply in North Africa.
Historic volcanic eruption shrunk the mighty Nile River
Volcanic eruptions in high latitudes can greatly alter climate and distant river flows, including the Nile, according to a recent study funded in part by NASA.
Scientists find safer ways to detect uranium minerals
The threat of “dirty” bombs and plans to use nuclear power as an energy source have driven Queensland University of Technology scientists to discover a new, safer way of detecting radioative contamination in the ground. Scientists from QUT have found a way of identifying, from a remote location, uranium deposits that have leached into the soil and water.
Avian Flu :: UNH research uses satellite observation to track avian flu
An international, interdisciplinary team of researchers led by professor Xiangming Xiao of the University of New Hampshire is taking a novel scientific approach in an attempt to understand the ecology of the avian influenza, develop better methods of predicting its spread, and provide an accurate early warning system.
Climate :: Innovative climate protection strategies – Bayer
The Bayer Group has long assigned climate protection top priority and is continuing its activities to improve its greenhouse gas performance. The company welcomes the goal of current government negotiations in Nairobi to achieve a successful global climate protection policy once the commitment period defined in the Kyoto Protocol has come to its conclusion in 2012.
Carnegie Mellon’s Granger Morgan pens op-ed
Carnegie Mellon University international engineering and environmental policy expert M. Granger Morgan is challenging U.S. federal and state officials to take the lead in eliminating dangerous carbon dioxide emissions that fuel global warming.
Bacteria :: Microorganisms one part of the solution to energy problem, says report
The answer to one of the world’s largest problems — the need for clean, renewable sources of energy — might just come from some of the world’s smallest inhabitants — bacteria — according to a new report, “Microbial Energy Conversion,” released by the American Academy of Microbiology.
Ecology :: Climate change threatens peace & population – UN update
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said the impact of global warming threatens peace and the world’s population.