Latest Science News

In unusual orca sighting, tour spots at least 20 killer whales off San Francisco

Jun. 08, 2023 14:20 PM EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An uncommonly large grouping of orcas for Northern California — roughly two dozen killer whales — were spotted by a whale watching tour off the coast of San Francisco last month, likely gathered together to celebrate a successful hunt for sea lions or seals. ...

Here comes El Nino: It's early, likely to be big, sloppy and add even more heat to a warming world

Jun. 08, 2023 09:01 AM EDT

An early bird El Nino has officially formed, likely to be strong, warp weather worldwide and give an already warming Earth an extra kick of natural heat, meteorologists announced. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday issued an El Nino advisory, announcing the...

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, begins erupting after 3-month pause

Jun. 07, 2023 22:31 PM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting on Wednesday after a three-month pause, displaying spectacular fountains of mesmerizing, glowing lava that's a safe distance from people and structures in a national park on the Big Island. A...

Air pollution cloaks eastern US for a second day. Here's why there is so much smoke

Jun. 07, 2023 21:57 PM EDT

Intense smoke blanketed the northeastern United States for a second day Wednesday, turning the air a yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed. The smoke was flowing from dozens of wildfires in several Canadian provinces. Much of the air...

Campaigners want fossil fuel firms to pay into climate calamity fund; diplomats dubious

Jun. 07, 2023 15:36 PM EDT

BONN, Germany (AP) — Environmental campaigners called Wednesday for fossil fuel producers to contribute to a new fund intended to help poor countries cope with climate disasters. The so-called loss and damage fund was a key achievement of last year's U.N. climate summit in Egypt....

Poland, Germany discuss avoiding repeat of deadly river pollution but ready for all scenarios

Jun. 07, 2023 15:05 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The environment ministers of Poland and Germany met on the border of the two countries on Wednesday to discuss protection of a river against a repeat of deadly pollution that killed hundreds of tons of fish last year. Polish Environment Minister Anna Moskwa...

Three U.S. biologists win Spanish Asturias award for scientific and technical research

Jun. 07, 2023 07:21 AM EDT

MADRID (AP) — U.S. biologists Jeffrey Gordon, Peter Greenberg and Bonnie Bassler won Spain’s Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific and Technical Research for 2023 on Wednesday. The Princess of Asturias Award jury said the three were chosen for their contributions to research...

US Army Corps revokes permit for Minnesota mine, cites threat to downstream tribe's water standards

Jun. 06, 2023 20:25 PM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday it has revoked a crucial federal permit for the proposed NewRange Copper Nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, a project popularly known as PolyMet, saying the permit did not comply with the water quality standards set by a...

US judge blocks Florida ban on trans minor care in narrow ruling, says 'gender identity is real'

Jun. 06, 2023 18:25 PM EDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge temporarily blocked portions of a new Florida law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that bans transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers, saying in a Tuesday ruling that gender identity is real and the state has no rational basis for...

Just keep swimming: SoCal study shows sharks, humans can share ocean peacefully

Jun. 06, 2023 17:23 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — You're gonna need a bigger ... drone. That's right, “Jaws” fans. Researchers at California State University, Long Beach-based Shark Lab used drones to study juvenile white sharks along the Southern California coastline and how close they swim to humans in the...