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Archive for April 26th, 2010
Living world: the shape of life to come
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
New Scientist: The United Nations has made 2010 its Year of Biodiversity. While there could be as many as 30 million species on this teeming planet, so far fewer than 2 million have been identified. That includes a staggering 114,000 catalogued in the past three years alone. Our exploration of life is just beginning. No wonder the UN is keen that this year should be one of celebration. It is also time to take stock, though. Human activities are causing a mass extinction, but the right action now ...
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Sugar Rises Most in Week on U.S. Quota Increase, China Drought
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
Bloomberg: Raw sugar rose the most in a week after the U.S. increased its import quota and on speculation that drought in China will curb production and tighten global supplies. An additional 200,000 short tons (181,437 metric tons) will be added to the original quota of 1.23 million tons for the year ending Sept. 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on April 23. Drought in Guangxi and Yunnan, China's top producing regions, reduced output, Liu Xiaonan, an official at the National ...
Spread of Gulf oil spill puts fragile Louisiana Coast on alert
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
Christian Science Monitor: Mon Apr 26, 5:46 pm ET Recovery crews are racing to shut down or at least contain oil pouring from the well of a destroyed oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico to prevent it from reaching the fragile Louisiana coastal wetlands. The US Coast Guard reported Sunday that as many as 1,000 barrels of oil a day – or 42,000 gallons – could be leaking into the water from about 5,000 feet below the surface. The Deepwater Horizon, a oil tanker operated by BP, sank Thursday after an explosion two ...
Canada: Ancient artifacts revealed as northern ice patches melt
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
ScienceDaily: High in the Mackenzie Mountains, scientists are finding a treasure trove of ancient hunting tools being revealed as warming temperatures melt patches of ice that have been in place for thousands of years. Tom Andrews, an archaeologist with the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife and lead researcher on the International Polar Year Ice Patch Study, is amazed at the implements being discovered by researchers. "We're just like children opening Christmas ...
Dead Sea pipeline plan an ‘ecological disaster’
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
Ecologist: Simple water conservation rather than a multi-billion pound pipeline project would be the best way to save the Dead Sea from disappearing, say environmentalists The future of the Dead Sea in the Middle East is in grave danger. Its water level is dropping at an alarming rate of one metre per year and by 2050, if no urgent action is taken, the saltiest lake at the lowest point on earth will be reduced to little more than a large pond. Five years ago this month, in recognition of ...
Court turns down Michigan over Great Lakes carp
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on April 26th, 2010
Reuters: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a legal request by Michigan aimed at keeping voracious Asian carp out of the Great Lakes where they are considered a threat to fisheries. Two species of Asian carp -- the Bighead and Silver carp, which can grow to five feet in length and weigh 100 pounds (45 kg) -- are seen as a danger to the lakes' $7 billion fisheries. Scientists fear they would consume plankton and other small life forms, crowding out other fish species. The action ...