Nature & Environment

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Jun 10, 2013 07:52 AM EDT

The World's Most Dangerous Oceans: Deadly Seas Identified by WWF

It turns out that some of our oceans are pretty dangerous. Massive storms tear across the seas, forming waves that can swamp ships and leave them sinking. Unfortunately, these conditions are only going to worsen as the climate warms. Now thanks to the World Wildlife Fund, we know exactly which ocean...

Jun 08, 2013 08:45 AM EDT

NASA Discovers Unmapped Wildfire Destroying Amazon Rainforest

NASA has revealed that unknown understory fires are destroying several times more Amazon rainforest than has been lost through deforestation in recent years.

Jun 07, 2013 02:50 PM EDT

Gray Wolves No Longer to be Protected: Mammals Taken off Endangered Species List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that it plans to drop all federal protections for grey wolves in the lower 48 states by taking them off the endangered species list.

Jun 07, 2013 01:12 PM EDT

Social Cost of Carbon Estimates Jump: Pollution is More Expensive

How expensive is carbon dioxide? It turns out that the costs may be more serious than we first expected. The EPA and other federal agencies are now using a higher social cost for carbon when it comes to creating new legislation.

Jun 07, 2013 12:43 PM EDT

Tropical Storm Andrea: More Rain Expected on East Coast

Various weather reports indicate that the storm will continue to move north up along the East Coast on Friday and Saturday, with heavy rain, gusty winds and an increased chance of flooding in many areas.

Jun 07, 2013 11:12 AM EDT

Cave Stalagmites in Tropical Borneo Reveal Over 100,000 Years of Climate Events

Ice cores and temperature readings aren't the only ways to find out about climate change. Researchers have now used cave stalagmites collected from tropical Borneo to learn a little bit more about past climate events and how to potentially prepare for them in the future.

Jun 07, 2013 10:44 AM EDT

Horses Should Be Vaccinated Against the West Nile Virus, Tricky Symptoms to Look Out For (Video)

The West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne virus with potentially fatal health consequences, could be a growing concern particularly for horses in Iowa.

Jun 07, 2013 10:34 AM EDT

Predatory Sea Slug Learns What Not to Eat by Putting Everything in its Mouth

A certain predatory sea slug is a bit like a human toddler; it will put anything and everything in its mouth--whether it's good for it or not. Now, researchers have discovered that this sea slug learns from its mistakes, remembering to avoid dangerous prey in the future.

Jun 07, 2013 04:47 AM EDT

Scientists Explain How Male Birds Lost Their Penises

In the animal kingdom most of the bird species have lost the organ that is considered essential to breeding i.e. 'Penis'. The bird species such as chicken grow a penis in the early embryo and once their hatched it withers away. Scientists have been mystified with this evolution for years, which comp...

Jun 06, 2013 02:07 PM EDT

Sturgeon are Some of the Fastest-Evolving Fish on Earth: 'Living Fossils' a Myth

Sturgeon look prehistoric with their ridged backs and long "noses." While the species may look like "living fossils," though, the reality is that they've evolved quite a bit over the years. Now, researchers have revealed that sturgeon may just be one of the fastest-evolving fish on the planet.

Jun 06, 2013 01:14 PM EDT

Ireland's Cold Winters Linked to Volcanic Eruptions: Ancient Texts Reveal Extreme Weather

It turns out that not only did Ireland have a volcanic past, but the eruptions may have been linked to cold weather. Medieval chronicles have given researchers clues that have helped them assess how volcanic eruptions affected the weather in Ireland 1,500 years ago.