Science Daily News - Earth Sciences

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Title: Earth Science

Eastern North Pacific basking shark a 'species of concern'

NOAA's Fisheries Service has designated the eastern North Pacific basking shark, a "species of concern" because it has suffered a dramatic decline in population despite decreasing fishing pressure. The label "species of concern" may be given to a species when there are concerns regarding the population status.

Unusual feed supplement could ease gassy cows, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Cow belches, a major source of greenhouse gases, could be decreased by an unusual feed supplement developed by a dairy scientist.

Termites foretell climate change in Africa's savannas

Using sophisticated airborne imaging and structural analysis, scientists mapped more than 40,000 termite mounds over 192 square miles in the African savanna. They found that their size and distribution is linked to vegetation and landscape patterns associated with annual rainfall. The results reveal how the savanna terrain has evolved and show how termite mounds can be used to predict ecological shifts from climate change.

GOCE gravity mission back in action

ESA’s GOCE gravity mission has recovered from a glitch that prevented the satellite from sending its flow of scientific data to the ground. News of the recovery comes earlier than expected, thanks to the fervent efforts of a team of experts.

Irrigation's cooling effects may mask warming in some regions -- for now

Expanded irrigation has made it possible to feed the world's growing billions -- and it may also temporarily be counteracting the effects of climate change in some regions, say scientists. But some sources of irrigation water are projected to dry up in coming decades and when they do, people may face the double whammy of food shortages and higher temperatures. A new study pinpoints where the trouble spots may be.

Satellite navigation steers unmanned micro-planes

An unmanned aircraft system guided by satnav has been developed within ESA's Business Incubation Centre to provide rapid monitoring of land areas and disaster zones. The planes have already helped Spanish farmers in Andalusia to fight land erosion.

Potomac River: 10-fold increase in native submerged vegetation reflects improved water quality

The Potomac River is showing multiple benefits from restoration efforts. Reduced nutrients and improved water clarity have increased the abundance and diversity of submerged aquatic vegetation, according to an 18-year field study.

New clue to how last ice age ended

In addition to Antarctica, New Zealand was warming at the end of the last ice age, indicating that the deep freeze up north, called the Younger Dryas for the white flower that grows near glaciers, bypassed much of the southern hemisphere, according to new research.

Satellite data reveal seasonal pollution changes over India

Armed with a decade's worth of satellite data, atmospheric scientists have documented some surprising trends in aerosol pollution concentration, distribution and composition over the Indian subcontinent.

Land-use expert brings satellite data down to Earth

By integrating remote satellite imagery with revelations from door-to-door interviews, geographers are exploring the complex conditions that give rise to a broad range of land-use challenges -- from the reforestation of Vietnam to the spread of Lyme disease in Belgium.

Critically endangered whales may be fleeing Russian oil and gas boom, observers fear

Russian oil and gas company Rosneft is conducting oil and gas exploration work that may have caused the critically endangered western gray whale to flee its main feeding ground. Tests and offshore installment of equipment by Rosneft for a major seismic survey began in late August, despite repeated calls from 12 governments, NGOs, scientists and the public to postpone the survey because of potential risks to the whales.

Six times more insect species in tropical mountains than predicted

How many species of insects exist? Researchers found that in tropical mountains there are six times more insects than shown in global calculations. The insects in these areas are also highly specialized in their choice of food.

Extreme survival: 'Conan the Bacterium' reveals its recipe for success

The discovery of long-sought chemical antioxidants in the world's toughest microbe is reported in a breakthrough study. First studied nearly 50 years ago, this bacterium can survive massive exposures to gamma-radiation, ultraviolet radiation, desiccation, and other agents which kill cells by generating reactive oxygen species.

Melting rate of icecaps in Greenland and Western Antarctica lower than expected

The Greenland and West Antarctic ice caps are melting at half the speed previously predicted, according to analysis of recent satellite data.

Fears of a decline in bee pollination confirmed

Widespread reports of a decline in the population of bees and other flower-visiting animals have aroused fear and speculation that pollination is also likely on the decline. A recent study provides the first long-term evidence of a downward trend in pollination, while also pointing to climate change as a possible contributor.

Study examines turbine effects on Yukon River fish

A fisheries scientist has teamed up with Alaska Power and Telephone to study how a new power-generating turbine affects fish in the Yukon River. So far, the news looks good for the fish.

Microbial breakthrough impacts health, agriculture, biofuels

For the first time ever, researchers have discovered how microbes break down hemicellulose plant matter into simple sugars using a cow rumen bacterium as a model.

Restoring coastal wetlands? Check the soil

Researchers use soil moisture and salinity of porewater combined with other data to develop tools for restoring coastal wetlands.

Plant nutrients from wastewater

Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium -- there are valuable nutrients contained in wastewater. Unfortunately, these essential nutrients are lost in conventional wastewater treatment plants. This is the reason why researchers in Germany have been working on processes for regaining these nutrients in the form that can be used for agriculture.

Fire fuels flowers success

The high incidence of fire during the Cretaceous Period, 120 to 65 million years ago, was responsible for the spread of the earliest flowering plants, new research suggests.