Press news (2012)
News archive: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009
Antarctic lake mission called off
27 Dec 2012
In the early hours of Christmas Day Professor Martin Siegert of the Subglacial Lake Ellsworth experiment confirmed that the mission to drill into the lake has been called off for this season. Antarctic lake mission called off
New genetics project could help save the ash tree
21 Dec 2012
NERC-funded scientists plan to decode the ash tree's entire genetic sequence in the hope of stopping Britain's trees from being completely devastated by the Chalara ash dieback fungal disease. New genetics project could help save the ash tree
British Geological Survey team scoop top prize
13 Dec 2012
A team of budding entrepreneurs from the British Geological Survey has scooped the top prize at the Environment Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) 2012 competition. British Geological Survey team scoop top prize
Top conservation issues to look out for in 2013
6 Dec 2012
A UK-led team of researchers has identified 15 issues that could affect the diversity of life on Earth in 2013. Top conservation issues to look out for in 2013
NERC-funded researchers win Lloyd's Science of Risk Prizes
30 Nov 2012
Environmental scientists scoop top prize for Climate Change and Natural Hazards categories. NERC-funded researchers win Lloyd's Science of Risk Prizes
Reducing risk from natural hazards
27 Nov 2012
A new government Foresight report is published today and NERC announces new research to change the way natural hazards are assessed. Reducing risk from natural hazards
Win-win for Cornish farmers and South West Water in first auction to reduce river pollution
12 Nov 2012
Farmers with land close to the River Fowey in Cornwall are getting a helping hand from South West Water to make improvements to their farms that in turn will help reduce pollutants seeping into the river. Win-win for Cornish farmers and South West Water in first auction to reduce river pollution
Combined pesticide exposure linked to impaired bumblebee colony success
22 Oct 2012
Individual bees and entire colonies are affected by exposure to a combination of pesticides, new research shows. Combined pesticide exposure linked to impaired bumblebee colony success
New research and development will stimulate water industry innovation
15 Oct 2012
Grants totalling over £2.5m have been awarded for seven major collaborative research and development projects that aim to deliver innovation to help safeguard future water supplies. New research and development will stimulate water industry innovation
Watson to drive strategy at UK Energy Research Centre
12 Oct 2012
Professor Jim Watson has been appointed to the post of Research Director of the UK Energy Research Centre. Watson to drive strategy at UK Energy Research Centre
Atlantic Ocean blamed for run of dismal UK summers
8 Oct 2012
This year's dismal UK summer could be part of a run of poor summers caused by a major warming of the North Atlantic Ocean that occurred back in the 1990s. Atlantic Ocean blamed for run of dismal UK summers
Insight into snake venom evolution could aid drug discovery
18 Sep 2012
UK-led scientists have made a discovery about snake venom that could lead to the development of new drugs to treat a range of life-threatening conditions. Insight into snake venom evolution could aid drug discovery
UK scientists to revolutionise lake research in £2.5m global project
1 Sep 2012
GloboLakes consortium will create the world's first satellite-based global lake surveillance system, to monitor how lakes and reservoirs are being affected by environmental change. UK scientists to revolutionise lake research in £2.5m global project
Food prices and waste are hot topics of public survey
20 Aug 2012
Research conducted for the Global Food Security Programme has shown that many people believe that: 'food security is not an issue that affects me rather it's more a problem for people in developing countries' Food prices and waste are hot topics of public survey
Wet weather could have delivered clean Olympic Games
9 Aug 2012
The UK's appalling summer weather could have had an unexpected benefit for Olympic athletes and spectators. Wet weather could have delivered clean Olympic Games
New Director for NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
26 Jul 2012
Professor Mark Bailey takes up the role from 1 August 2012. New Director for NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
GPS backpacks reveal sheep flocking strategy
24 Jul 2012
UK researchers have shown for the first time that instead of fleeing randomly when faced with danger, sheep head straight for the centre of the flock. GPS backpacks reveal sheep flocking strategy
Flying research laboratory to appear at Royal International Air Tattoo
6 Jul 2012
The NERC / Met Office Atmospheric Research Aircraft makes its first ever appearance at the Royal International Air Tattoo this weekend. Flying research laboratory to appear at Royal International Air Tattoo
Researchers and communities at risk join forces in volcano study
2 Jul 2012
People living in the shadow of six potentially active volcanoes will take part in a £3m project to explore better ways to forecast and cope with future eruptions. Researchers and communities at risk join forces in volcano study
Opportunities for UK business that protect and value nature's services
28 Jun 2012
Twelve promising opportunities for UK business to help protect and value nature's services were identified in a report published yesterday. Opportunities for UK business that protect and value nature's services
International space weather agreement
28 Jun 2012
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the UK Government Office for Science have agreed to strengthen collaborative efforts to protect critical infrastructure from the impacts of space weather. International space weather agreement
UK environment improves as chemical climate responds to air pollution policies
20 Jun 2012
A review published today has found that the chemical climate of the UK has changed dramatically over the last 30 years, and continues to change as a consequence of UK and European policies to solve air pollution problems. UK environment improves as chemical climate responds to air pollution policies
Queen's Birthday Honours
20 Jun 2012
NERC congratulates Colin Drummond, Chair of the Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) Business Advisory Board. Queen's Birthday Honours
£9.6m joint UK-Brazilian initiative to investigate effect of tropical forest degradation
19 Jun 2012
NERC and FAPESP today announce a major £9.6m investment to investigate how changes to tropical forests affect biodiversity, ecosystem services and the climate. £9.6m joint UK-Brazilian initiative to investigate effect of tropical forest degradation
Expansion of forests in the European Arctic could result in the release of carbon dioxide
18 Jun 2012
Carbon stored in Arctic tundra could be released into the atmosphere by new trees growing in the warmer region, exacerbating climate change, scientists have revealed. Expansion of forests in the European Arctic could result in the release of carbon dioxide
The app that puts soil on the map
15 Jun 2012
Scientists have produced a new free map app of the soils of Great Britain. The mySoil app will be useful to farmers and keen gardeners who can upload information about the soil where they live. The app that puts soil on the map
NERC considers combined management of polar and marine science
7 Jun 2012
NERC is considering a merger of the scientific and logistics management of marine and polar science delivered through its National Oceanography Centre and British Antarctic Survey. NERC considers combined management of polar and marine science
Bird's head colour determines its personality
6 Jun 2012
UK researchers have shown that highly sociable Australian birds, called Gouldian finches, have different personalities according to the colour of their heads. Bird's head colour determines its personality
Arctic study of ocean acidification impacts
31 May 2012
Scientists will set sail tomorrow aboard the RRS James Clark Ross for the largest ever study of changing carbon dioxide levels in polar seas. Arctic study of ocean acidification impacts
Mars missions may learn from meteor Down Under
31 May 2012
A discovery about the make-up of the atmosphere of Mars could help inform future missions searching for life there. Mars missions may learn from meteor Down Under
3D model reveals how ancient creature got around
24 May 2012
An ancient four-limbed creature that's thought to be the first ever to walk on land couldn't actually walk at all, researchers have discovered. 3D model reveals how ancient creature got around
NERC-sponsored garden wins Gold at Chelsea
22 May 2012
The University of Leeds has scooped Gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show today with a garden based on ecosystem services research. NERC-sponsored garden wins Gold at Chelsea
NERC welcomes new Chief Scientific Adviser appointment
22 May 2012
Professor Louise Heathwaite is appointed to the Scottish Government as Chief Scientific Adviser, Rural and Environment. NERC welcomes new Chief Scientific Adviser appointment
Scientists to study risks of ocean acidification to Scotland's corals
15 May 2012
Scientists set off on a month-long research voyage in the waters around Scotland using the latest robotic technology to study the Mingulay cold-water coral reefs. Scientists to study risks of ocean acidification to Scotland's corals
UK report could pave the way for producing sustainable biofuels
14 May 2012
With the increasing appetite for 'green' energy technologies there are massive opportunities ahead for the UK in producing algal biofuels and other algae products. UK report could pave the way for producing sustainable biofuels
Researchers fly into the heart of Britain's violent storms
10 May 2012
Scientists have been flying through the turbulent storms being experienced in the UK at present to try and understand what causes such extremely stormy weather. Researchers fly into the heart of Britain's violent storms
NERC congratulates Defra's new Chief Scientist
1 May 2012
Professor Ian Boyd has been associated with NERC for many years and is currently Director of the Sea Mammal Research Unit, one of NERC's partner institutes. NERC congratulates Defra's new Chief Scientist
Earthquake hits northern Sumatra
11 Apr 2012
An earthquake of 8·7 magnitude has once again rocked northern Sumatra, but without the devastation that the region suffered in 2004. Earthquake hits northern Sumatra
New Chairman for NERC's Science and Innovation Strategy Board
4 Apr 2012
Professor Philip England from the University of Oxford stepped into the role on 1 April 2012. New Chairman for NERC's Science and Innovation Strategy Board
Science Minister returns from fact-finding visit to Antarctica
5 Mar 2012
Hear directly from David Willetts about his experiences whilst visiting the British Antarctic Survey's Rothera base. Science Minister returns from fact-finding visit to Antarctica
Welsh Language Scheme consultation
27 Feb 2012
Research Councils UK have issued a draft Welsh Language Scheme for public consultation, in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993. Welsh Language Scheme consultation
The closing date is 1 May 2012
Minister launches next generation of supercomputers for UK researchers
13 Feb 2012
The next stage of development of two giant computers, HECToR and BlueGene/Q, will allow complex computer simulations across a range of scientific disciplines. Minister launches next generation of supercomputers for UK researchers
Huge pool of Arctic fresh water could cool Europe
23 Jan 2012
British scientists have discovered an enormous dome of fresh water in the western Arctic Ocean, which could cool Europe if the wind changes direction. Huge pool of Arctic fresh water could cool Europe
New Year Honours
3 Jan 2012
NERC extends warmest congratulations to colleagues who received the Queen's New Year Honours, in recognition of their outstanding achievements. New Year Honours