World’s oldest fossils unearthed
Remains of microorganisms at least 3,770 million years old have been discovered – providing direct evidence of one of the oldest life forms on Earth.
Environment News
Shining a light on the darkness of soot in air pollution
Researchers are a step closer to understanding the relationship between the colour of soot particles and the effect of such atmospheric pollution on climate.
Carbon uptake by Amazon forests matches region's emissions
Carbon emissions across all nine Amazon nations have been fully matched by carbon absorption by mature Amazon forests since the 1980s, new research shows.
Importance of British food producers
A new report is calling for the UK to be more self-sufficient in food production, in the wake of continued global uncertainty and reliance on food produced elsewhere in the world.
Study breathes new life into 2.3bn-year-old ‘Great Oxidation Event’
New research based on Precambrian rocks provides insight into how life evolved alongside changes in the chemistry of Earth’s surface.
Improving the accuracy of essential African weather forecasts
A comprehensive new handbook about weather forecasting in West Africa could help safeguard lives and resources in the region.
Tests reveal major variation in flood risk models
The first ever comparison of six of the major global flood risk monitoring computer models has revealed wide discrepancies between the information they provide.
Climate policies alone will not save Earth's most diverse tropical forests
A focus on policies to conserve tropical forests for their carbon storage value may imperil some of the world’s most biologically rich tropical forests.
World’s largest tropical peatland discovered in Congo swamps
A vast peatland in the Congo Basin has been mapped for the first time, revealing it to be the largest in the tropics.
New study estimates frequency of volcanic eruptions
Holidaymakers concerned about fresh volcanic eruptions causing flight-disrupting ash clouds might be reassured by a study setting out the first reliable estimates of their frequency.