EU–(ENEWSPF)–29 January 2013. ESA’s Venus Express has made unique observations of Venus during a period of reduced solar wind pressure, discovering that the planet’s ionosphere balloons out like a comet’s tail on its nightside. The ionosphere is a region of weakly electrically charged gas high above the main body of[Read More…]
Environmental
Triclosan and Its Toxic Breakdown Products Found Polluting Freshwater Lakes
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 29, 2013. A new study has discovered the anti-bacterial chemical triclosan and several of its toxic derivatives in sediment samples taken from freshwater lakes. Research published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology reveals the chemical to be present in increasing concentrations since it was first invented in[Read More…]
Common Agricultural Pesticides Threatens Frog Populations
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 28, 2013. Research published Thursday indicates that pesticides widely used on farms are highly toxic to frogs. Researcher Carsten Brühl, Ph.D., at the University of Koblenz-Landau in Germany called the results “alarming” with the potential for “large-scale effects” on amphibians. Two chemicals commonly used in orchards and on[Read More…]
Both Houses of Congress Partner to Address Climate Crisis
Partnership will push for strong federal policy tackling climate change Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–January 24, 2013. Today Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced a partnership between both chambers of Congress to push for and defend stronger federal policies that will address pollution causing climate change. The U.S. Capitol[Read More…]
NASA Joins ESA’s ‘Dark Universe’ Mission
Euclid EU–(ENEWSPF)–24 January 2013. NASA has officially joined ESA’s Euclid mission, a space telescope designed to investigate the mysterious natures of dark matter and dark energy. To be launched in 2020, Euclid’s 1.2 m-diameter telescope and two scientific instruments will map the shape, brightness and 3D distribution of two billion[Read More…]
NASA Telescope Observes How Sun Stores and Releases Energy
WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 24, 2013. A NASA suborbital telescope has given scientists the first clear evidence of energy transfer from the sun’s magnetic field to the solar atmosphere or corona. This process, known as solar braiding, has been theorized by researchers, but remained unobserved until now. Researchers were able to witness this[Read More…]
Funds from Atrazine Class Action Lawsuit Distributed
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 24, 2013. Checks are now being sent to 1,085 community water systems across the U.S. in the final phase of a $105 million settlement with Syngenta, the largest manufacturer of the toxic weed killer atrazine. The class action settlement, City of Greenville v. Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc., Case[Read More…]
Designer Babies May Explain Insect Sociality
UK–(ENEWSPF)–23 January 2013. Being able to choose the sex of their babies may be the key to the complex societies built by ants, bees, and wasps, according to Oxford University scientists. The researchers calculated the evolutionary costs and benefits to insect mothers of choosing the sex of their offspring and[Read More…]
Galileo’s Search and Rescue System Passes First Space Test
Galileo search and rescue repeater signal EU–(ENEWSPF)–23 January 2013. The first switch-on of a Galileo search and rescue package shows it to be working well. Its activation begins a major expansion of the space-based Cospas–Sarsat network, which brings help to air and sea vessels in distress. The second pair of[Read More…]
Toxic Contamination Remains Widespread In the Chesapeake Bay
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–January 23, 2013. A new federal report finds toxic contamination remains widespread in the Chesapeake Bay, with severe impacts in some places, which health and environmental advocates say lends support to their push in Maryland for legislative action on pesticides and other hazardous chemicals. In spite of some cleanup,[Read More…]
