This artist’s illustration shows a planetary disk that weighs the equivalent of 50 Jupiter-mass planets. It demonstrates a first-of-its-kind feat from astronomers using the Herschel Space Observatory. The scientists were able to weigh the planet-forming contents swirling around a young star with the most precision yet. The observations revealed enough[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 31, 2013. A new study finds that a mother’s exposure to pesticides before, during and after pregnancy may increase the risk of infant leukemia diagnosed before the age of two. Researchers in Brazil found that children are twice as likely to develop the rare cancers if their mothers[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 30, 2013. As part of the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative, the Department today announced seven data-driven projects to unearth new opportunities for reducing costs and accelerating solar energy deployment in the United States. These projects – located in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Texas – will result[Read More…]

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 30, 2013. As part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to help Tribal communities across the country enhance their energy security and build a sustainable energy future, the Energy Department today announced the second round of the Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) Program, which provides federally recognized Tribal governments[Read More…]

Action Will Prevent Thousands of Accidental Exposures Among Children Each Year WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 30, 2013. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to ban the sale of 12 D-Con mouse and rat poison products produced by Reckitt Benckiser Inc. because these products fail to comply with current EPA safety standards. Approximately[Read More…]

New Study Lauds Governor’s Commitment to Sustainability Across Illinois CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–January 30, 2013. Governor Quinn today announced that Illinois has become a national leader in “green building,” according to a study released by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), which ranked the state fourth out of 50 states in new[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 30, 2013. A new report, “Late lessons from early warnings: science, precaution, innovation,” from the European Environment Agency (EEA) concludes that concerns raised by the scientific community on bee death, genetically engineered (GE) food, and nanotechnology support the need for a precautionary approach to public policy. Significantly, the[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 29, 2013. The report, Coastal Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities: A Technical Input to the 2013 National Climate Assessment, is available for download. Download PDF. According to a new technical report, the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of U.S. coastal communities’ social,[Read More…]

Clears Way for Life-saving Treatment for 1,500 Children NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–January 29, 2013. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to immediately release funds to clean up lead-contaminated villages in Nigeria will save untold lives, Human Rights Watch said today. Releasing the funds clears the way for at least 1,500 children in urgent[Read More…]

Puget Sound’s southern resident orcas targeted Seattle, WA–(ENEWSPF)–January 28, 2013. More than 136,000 concerned citizens have submitted comments opposing a California agribusiness campaign to take Puget Sound’s killer whales off the endangered species list. The comments are directed to the National Marine Fisheries Service which set a deadline of January[Read More…]