Information superhighway
There is one in our genes. And scientists are surprised at the distance signals can travel along DNA strands
Peppered by pain
Latest findings in tests with rats could lead to the development of new pain-killing drugs
Droughts in Western US fuel emissions, here’s how
Between 2012 and 2016, a drought-induced spike in fossil fuel generation cost California more than $5 billion in damages
Atmospheric rivers over California’s wildfire burn scars raise fears of deadly mudslides
Wildfire burn scars are particularly risky because wildfires strip away vegetation and make the soil hydrophobic — meaning it is less able …
Reaping rainwater
The innovative use of stormwater drains to harvest water has meant a new lease of life for water-starved Chennai
How to reverse global wildlife declines by 2050
Biodiversity loss is a disturbing threat with few parallels. Of the nine greatest threats to the world ranked by the World Economic Forum, six …
Hydrogen fuel is hostile to stratospheric ozone
By using hydrogen fuel cells -- the best alternatives to fossil fuels -- we may be heading towards another environmental disaster
A changing climate, growing human populations and widespread fires contributed to the last major extinction event − can we prevent another?
The past teaches us that the ecosystems we depend upon are vulnerable to collapse when stressed by multiple intersecting pressures
Biomonitoring breastmilk
In april this year, California became the first us state to introduce a bill to biomonitor breast milk. Activists and researchers hope that once …
California drought: valleys sinking faster than ‘ever before’
Increased subsidence in fifth consecutive year of drought can damage surface and underground infrastructure
Is America redeeming itself vis-à-vis its First Nations?
The country appointed its first Native American poet laureate and apologised for the genocide of aborigines in its largest and richest state on …
Climate change will cause a cascade of catastrophes in the future: study
New study says that if something isn't done to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, people could be forced to cope with three to six …
Scientists tag Loggerhead sea turtle off the US west coast
Adult turtles have been tagged earlier. Small transmitters have been recently made so that they can be attached to juveniles also
The Microsoft way
Wherein an Indian firm using pirated Microsoft software here is sued in the US by California state for using unfair trade advantage
Climate change and wildfires – how do we know if there is a link?
Global warming does not cause wildfires. Rather, global warming exacerbates the conditions and raises the risk of wildfire
Cancer-stricken man first to win case against Monsanto’s weed killer
A California court awarded a compensation of $289 million to him as he got cancer from using Monsanto's herbicide
Fog can be deadly, says study
Fog water contains 20 times more monomethylmercury, the most neuro-toxic form of mercury, than rain water
California finds huge groundwater reserves; experts urge caution
The study has led to a debate in the scientific community over the utilisation of these groundwater resources in the drought-hit state
Time for some ‘sustainable charity’
Water and electricity wasted because of the Ice Bucket Challenge could have provided water to 17,777 households and lighted up 16 million households
Plight of the vaquita forces International Whaling Commission to issue first extinction alert
There are just 10 vaquita, a type of porpoise, left in the world; all in the northern part of the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez
‘Futures trading can bring efficiency to California’s water sector’
Michael Kiparsky from the University of California tells Down To Earth that fears about futures trading in water commoditising it are …
California's new climate solution
Make Californians drive less, We have known this always. California can make technology work to its impossible and hitherto unknown potential.
California looks at building one of world's largest recycled water programmes
Drought has put burden on traditional sources of drinking water and water managers are looking at expanding recycling systems to increase supply
Stumbling blocks
The Gujarat earthquake struck at the very foundation of urban India. The disaster highlighted the haphazard manner in which the country's towns …
Amid hurricanes and wildfires, Trump gives science a cold shoulder
“I don’t think science knows actually. It’ll start getting cooler,” US President Donald Trump said during a briefing on …