http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa The latest stories from the Science & Environment section of the BBC News web site. en-gb Wed, 22 May 2013 17:05:18 GMT Copyright: (C) British Broadcasting Corporation, see http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/help/rss/4498287.stm for terms and conditions of reuse. http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/bbc_news_120x60.gif http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment/#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa 120 60 15 Fungi live all over the human body but their favourite spots are the heel, under toenails and between the toes, according to a US study. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22622689#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22622689 Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:21 GMT The Solar Impulse plane, which holds records including the longest manned zero-fuel flight, sets off on the second leg of a bid to cross the US. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22624702#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22624702 Wed, 22 May 2013 11:53:11 GMT Abrupt climate change in Africa helped trigger technological and cultural advances in early modern humans, according to new research. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22630912#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22630912 Wed, 22 May 2013 16:58:31 GMT A stocktake of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species studied have declined in the past 50 years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22609000 http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22609000 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:23:06 GMT UK fruit growers could enjoy a much better harvest of apples and pears this year, following the dismal crop in 2012, experts believe. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575545#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575545 Tue, 21 May 2013 23:07:52 GMT Plans for the world's largest commercial wave farm off the Western Isles move forward after minister give full consent for the project. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-22611317#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-22611317 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:14:43 GMT Mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy could be dimming the intellect of some babies born in the UK, say researchers who studied 1,000 families. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22607161#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22607161 Wed, 22 May 2013 06:53:03 GMT Fifty five beaches in England meet tough new EU standards on water quality to achieve Blue Flag awards. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22614601#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22614601 Wed, 22 May 2013 09:29:15 GMT Vitamin C can kill multidrug-resistant TB in the lab, scientists reveal. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22614522#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22614522 Wed, 22 May 2013 09:58:41 GMT The underwater prowess of the penguin may have cost the bird its ability to fly, scientists believe. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22601223#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22601223 Tue, 21 May 2013 05:25:54 GMT A study showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22598821#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22598821 Tue, 21 May 2013 06:49:23 GMT A vaccine to protect sheep and cattle from a livestock virus spread by midges has been approved by government vets. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596562#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596562 Mon, 20 May 2013 23:08:26 GMT Scientists have used plant samples collected in the 19th Century to identify the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596561#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596561 Tue, 21 May 2013 03:05:28 GMT A scientist who has developed a genetic test to identify pure Scottish wildcats says the species could be extinct within two years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22610869#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22610869 Tue, 21 May 2013 11:53:33 GMT Nasa's Curiosity Mars rover drills a second sample of Martian rock to deliver to its onboard laboratories for analysis in the coming days. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22612819#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22612819 Tue, 21 May 2013 12:57:54 GMT UK astronaut Tim Peake is to fly to the International Space Station, launching on a Soyuz rocket in November or December 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22579023#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22579023 Mon, 20 May 2013 08:26:51 GMT The prospect of a deep sea "gold rush" opening a controversial new frontier for mining on the ocean floor has moved a step closer. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22546875#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22546875 Sat, 18 May 2013 01:27:03 GMT A $15m computer that uses "quantum physics" effects to boost its speed is to be installed at a Nasa facility. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22554494#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22554494 Thu, 16 May 2013 11:54:33 GMT Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield says he could not resist sharing his life in space on social media, in his first public appearance since landing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22558062#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22558062 Thu, 16 May 2013 18:21:12 GMT Human cloning is used to produce early embryos, marking a "significant step" for medicine, say US scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22540374#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22540374 Wed, 15 May 2013 18:02:07 GMT The latest data on EU bathing water quality is released, showing that 93% of more than 22,000 sampled locations meet the minimum standards. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575544#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575544 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:31:28 GMT A nesting crane lays the first egg laid by that breed of bird in southern Britain in more than 400 years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22593559#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-22593559 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:22:51 GMT Strengthening biosecurity at UK borders and a plant health risk register would help protect the nation's trees from pests and diseases, a report concludes. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575543#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22575543 Mon, 20 May 2013 12:20:23 GMT Global temperature rises will be slower in the coming decades say researchers but the long term picture is consistent. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22567023#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22567023 Sun, 19 May 2013 17:31:29 GMT GPS data could provide faster and more accurate early warning systems for tsunamis, a German team of scientists suggest. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22572096#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22572096 Fri, 17 May 2013 13:51:29 GMT Scientists get their hands dirty as they attempt to unravel the mystery of giant Ice Age beasts like the sabretooth cat. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22508888#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22508888 Fri, 17 May 2013 04:52:20 GMT A "stocktake" of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species have declined in the past 50 years - and one in 10 could end up disappearing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22621086#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22621086 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:28:26 GMT The UK's spring butterflies are being welcomed by enthusiasts, but weeks later than they usually arrive. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22546675 http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22546675 Fri, 17 May 2013 06:49:20 GMT A three-month long study to determine the puffin population on the Farne Islands in Northumberland gets under way. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22562731#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22562731 Fri, 17 May 2013 03:21:02 GMT David Attenborough examines news that a "stocktake" of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species have declined in the past 50 years - and one in 10 could end up disappearing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22621524#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22621524 Wed, 22 May 2013 08:45:45 GMT The first crane egg in southern Britain in more than 400 years has been laid by a nesting bird. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22605767#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22605767 Tue, 21 May 2013 08:18:40 GMT Detailed slow-motion footage showing how ants tunnel their way through confined spaces could aid the design of search and rescue robots, say scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22604193#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22604193 Mon, 20 May 2013 19:58:40 GMT Colin Pillinger, famous for the "Beagle 2 Mars" mission, says the value of sending astronaut Tim Peake into space "should not be underestimated". http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22593316#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22593316 Mon, 20 May 2013 09:25:17 GMT East Anglia is spearheading the fight to beat Ash Dieback fungus with a planting scheme designed to develop resistance. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22599036#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22599036 Mon, 20 May 2013 14:27:30 GMT Roboticist Will Jackson of Engineered Arts gives a tour of his robot factory in Cornwall, and talks about recent developments in the industry. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22556987#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22556987 Thu, 16 May 2013 23:01:13 GMT Hundreds of birds and marine animals wash up on the Chilean coast, raising fears fishermen might be flouting a ban on blast fishing. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22570090#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22570090 Fri, 17 May 2013 23:18:55 GMT Students in Ghana launch a model of a satellite attached to a balloon for the first time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22571681#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22571681 Fri, 17 May 2013 23:23:42 GMT Oklahoma tornado is upgraded to an "EF5" level - but what does that mean? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22622769#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22622769 Wed, 22 May 2013 14:11:37 GMT How gunboat diplomacy led to attempts at land reform http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22553418#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-22553418 Tue, 21 May 2013 23:59:48 GMT Can China harness its millions of cheap graduates? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22449179#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22449179 Wed, 22 May 2013 00:52:36 GMT Digs shed light on one of world's oldest civilisations http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596270#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22596270 Tue, 21 May 2013 01:43:07 GMT What we know - and cannot know - about Tornado Alley http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22607522#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22607522 Wed, 22 May 2013 07:19:35 GMT Getting ready for the "Full English" in orbit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22598341#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22598341 Mon, 20 May 2013 11:48:34 GMT The raw power of the Sun as it unleashes the strongest radiation storms yet seen in 2013 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22556750#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22556750 Fri, 17 May 2013 06:17:41 GMT Rush to join Arctic Council reflects growing importance of the region http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22527822#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22527822 Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:36 GMT