The artistic concept shows NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft operating in a new mission profile called K2. Using publicly available data, astronomers have confirmed K2’s first exoplanet discovery proving Kepler can still find planets. Image Credit: NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech/T Pyle Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft makes a comeback with[Read More…]
Science
Rising Air and Sea Temperatures Continue to Trigger Changes in the Arctic
Arctic is warming at twice the rate of anywhere else on Earth Polar bears depend on sea ice for dens, food and mating. The loss of sea ice is affecting some polar bear populations and health. (Credit: Kathy Crane, NOAA) Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. A new NOAA-led report shows that[Read More…]
New NOAA Spacecraft Readies for Launch Next Month
DSCOVR will ensure high accuracy space weather warnings DSCOVR mission logo. (Credit: NOAA) Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. NOAA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), scheduled to launch in five weeks, will give forecasters more reliable measurements of solar wind speed, improving their ability to monitor harmful solar activity, and replace an[Read More…]
EPA Announces 2014 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results
WASHINGTON – (ENEWSPF)—December 18, 2014. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its annual enforcement and compliance results reflecting a focus on large cases driving industry compliance and that have a high impact on protecting public health and the environment. “By taking on large, high impact enforcement cases, EPA[Read More…]
Despite Risks, Benzodiazepine Use Highest in Older People
National Institutes of Health-supported study examines prescribing patterns Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. Prescription use of benzodiazepines — a widely used class of sedative and anti-anxiety medications — increases steadily with age, despite the known risks for older people, according to a comprehensive analysis of benzodiazepine prescribing in the United States.[Read More…]
Study Finds Genetic Clue to Menopause-like Condition in Young Women
NIH-funded research may also contribute to understanding normal menopause Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. Six young women with a disorder that mimics menopause have gene alterations that hamper the repair of damaged DNA, report researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. The mutations, occurring in women with primary ovarian insufficiency[Read More…]
Chronic High Blood Sugar May Be Detrimental to the Developing Brain of Young Children
NIH study shows young children with type 1 diabetes have significant difference in brain development Bethesda, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. Young children who have long-term high blood sugar levels are more likely to have slower brain growth, according to researchers at centers including the National Institutes of Health. Researchers did not[Read More…]
Memo to President Cites New Evidence of Climate Impacts of Proposed Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
Market realities show that the pipeline would significantly boost tar sands production and associated carbon emissions WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014 – President Obama should reject the proposed Keystone XL pipeline because there is new data that shows it would dramatically expand development of dirty tar sands oil, turbo-charging climate change by[Read More…]
Diverse Group of 67 Organizations ask Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic Governors and Governors-Elect to Capture the Economic, Environmental, and Public Health Benefits of Electric Vehicles
BOSTON, MA –(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. A broad coalition of sixty-seven businesses and organizations, including utilities, other private companies, business groups, electric vehicle advocacy groups, and environmental groups, urges the Governors and Governors-Elect in the eleven Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states to make policies that support electric vehicles (EVs) a top priority for[Read More…]
Lawsuit Challenges EPA’s Failure to Regulate Nanomaterial Pesticides
Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2014. Beyond Pesticides joined Center for Food Safety (CFS) in filing a lawsuit late Tuesday against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the agency’s failure to regulate novel nanomaterial pesticides. In 2008 more than 13 organizations filed a legal petition demanding the agency take action on this[Read More…]
