Press releases: 2003
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UK scientist scoops top international Japan prize
17 Dec 2003
Professor John Lawton, Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council, has today been named as a laureate of the prestigious 2004 Japan Prize. UK scientist scoops top international Japan prize
New Environment Centre for Wales
4 Dec 2003
A new Welsh centre of excellence for environmental science has been given the green light. New Environment Centre for Wales
Old bones and new buildings
4 Dec 2003
Researchers at the University of Durham are helping to preserve major historical sites. Old bones and new buildings
Investing in the environment
2 Dec 2003
A £13m research initiative aimed at securing a sustainable future for our planet has been launched by NERC. Investing in the environment
New centre of excellence in environmental sustainability for Aberdeen
27 Nov 2003
A proposal for a new Aberdeen Centre for Environmental Sustainability (ACES) has today been given the go ahead by NERC, one of the partners in the initiative. New centre of excellence in environmental sustainability for Aberdeen
What would you do with £270m?
25 Nov 2003
People in Aberdeen will have the chance this week to find out how decisions are made for funding environmental science and give their views on how they think a £270m budget should be spent. What would you do with £270m?
Polar bears' habitat threatened by thinning of Arctic sea ice
21 Oct 2003
The only natural habitat of the polar bear is under increasing threat as a consequence of the dramatic thinning of the Arctic sea ice. Polar bears' habitat threatened by thinning of Arctic sea ice
GM crop farm-scale evaluation results
16 Oct 2003
GM crop farm-scale evaluation results published today. GM crop farm-scale evaluation results
First national study to quantify GM hybrids across the UK
9 Oct 2003
Pioneering research that quantifies cross-fertilisation between crops and their wild relatives will help to assess the risk of hybridisation associated with growing GM crops in the UK, according to a report published today in the journal Science. First national study to quantify GM hybrids across the UK
First results from the 'Earth Simulator' supercomputer
25 Sep 2003
The first results from British and Japanese researchers working with the world's largest computer, the gigantic Earth Simulator supercomputer in Japan, are being showcased at a climate workshop which starts today at Cambridge University. First results from the 'Earth Simulator' supercomputer
Health check for environmental science
25 Sep 2003
More research into the environment and human health; improvements in training; and more commercialisation of environmental science are just some of the recommendations in the 'Review of UK Environmental Science' . Health check for environmental science
Tagged turtles in the eye of the storm?
19 Sep 2003
A NERC-funded researcher is tracking a number of migrating marine turtles which could be sent off-course or washed ashore by Hurricane Isabel. Updates on the turtles' progress can be followed on the web. Tagged turtles in the eye of the storm?
Science Prize for British-French collaboration
16 Sep 2003
Collaborative research based at NERC's Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) in Banchory, near Aberdeen, has led to a prestigious prize being awarded to a French researcher this week. Science Prize for British-French collaboration
Invasion of the ocean body snatchers
14 Aug 2003
A paper in Nature today (14 August) reveals that certain ocean viruses invade the cells of cyanobacteria (known as blue-green algae) and use the energy the cells produce through photosynthesis for their own purposes. Invasion of the ocean body snatchers
West Nile Virus infections detected in Britain
18 Jul 2003
A paper in the Journal of General Virology today reveals that evidence of West Nile virus infections has been found in birds in Britain. West Nile Virus infections detected in Britain
Pollutant threat to oyster industry
17 Jul 2003
A study published today reveals that a common industrial chemical causes sexual deformities in oysters, producing large numbers of hermaphrodite animals. Pollutant threat to oyster industry
House of Commons Science & Technology Committee Report - NERC's response
16 Jul 2003
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) welcomes the publication today of the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee Report, The Work of the Natural Environment Research Council. House of Commons Science & Technology Committee Report - NERC's response
New research on depleted uranium in the environment
7 Jul 2003
NERC has today advertised for research proposals from scientists wishing to study the effect of depleted uranium on the environment. New research on depleted uranium in the environment
Eat junk, look good, die young
27 Jun 2003
A study published today by Glasgow University scientists shows that finches given a poor diet briefly in early life become adults that can't cope with ageing. Eat junk, look good, die young
The Pied Piper of fish
3 Jun 2003
Fishy noises could be the answer for improved reef fisheries management according to an international team of researchers. The Pied Piper of fish
This is Planet Earth...
2 Jun 2003
Some of the UK's best environmental science stories are featured in the latest issue of Planet Earth, the quarterly magazine from the Natural Environment Research Council. This is Planet Earth...
Historic Bidston lighthouse to be preserved in development plan
2 Jun 2003
A property company has been chosen to potentially develop the site of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) at Bidston. Historic Bidston lighthouse to be preserved in development plan
Bangladesh claims: latest news
8 May 2003
NERC is being sued by two Bangladeshi residents who allege that it was negligent in not testing for the presence of arsenic in groundwater while carrying out some research in 1992. Bangladesh claims: latest news
Radical changes at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
3 Apr 2003
Radical changes are on the way at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). CEH is revamping the way it delivers its science and runs its business. Radical changes at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Sexy birds: why females prefer males with red beaks
1 Apr 2003
Nine out of ten female zebra finches prefer males with the reddest beaks, according to new research findings. Not only are these males more attractive, they are also healthier. Sexy birds: why females prefer males with red beaks
Fuming about transport
28 Mar 2003
How can we balance the personal convenience of the car, cheap flights and the needs of businesses with our local and global environment? Fuming about transport
New centres are launched to monitor and predict climate change
21 Mar 2003
Two new Centres of Excellence in Earth Observation are announced today - £4m over 5 years is being invested by NERC in the two centres. New centres are launched to monitor and predict climate change
Bangladesh claims: latest news
28 Feb 2003
NERC is being sued by two Bangladeshi residents who allege that it was negligent in not testing for the presence of arsenic in groundwater while carrying out some research in 1992. Bangladesh claims: latest news
UK may get as cold as Iceland within 20 years
16 Jan 2003
You may be feeling a bit warmer than you were last week but you might have to get used to a climate more like Iceland's in the future. UK may get as cold as Iceland within 20 years
Press links
Recent press news
- New Director for the British Antarctic Survey
- Plans to strengthen UK-Indian collaboration in Earth sciences and environmental research
- CryoSat-2 mission reveals major Arctic sea-ice loss
- UK and USA collaborate in airborne climate science projects
- New capital investments for NERC
- Innovations in soil science will grow the solutions to global food security
- New Year Honours
- Professor Seymour Laxon
- Antarctic lake mission called off
- New genetics project could help save the ash tree