Press releases: 2005

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Europe's newest weather satellite launched on Solstice Night

22 Dec 2005
The Meteosat Second Generation satellite MSG-2 was successfully launched on 21 December 2005 at 10.30pm GMT from French Guiana. Europe's newest weather satellite launched on Solstice Night

Centre of the Earth revealed

15 Dec 2005
Findings published on the 15 December in Nature help explain a region deep in the Earth's interior that has puzzled scientists for decades. Centre of the Earth revealed

Bio-archaeologists pinpoint oldest Northern European human activity

15 Dec 2005
Scientists at the University of York used a 'protein time capsule' to confirm the earliest record of human activity in Northern Europe. Bio-archaeologists pinpoint oldest Northern European human activity

Oil depot explosion - update

14 Dec 2005
NERC continues to provide high level support to the emergency response team following the explosion in Hemel Hempstead. Oil depot explosion - update

Could the Atlantic current switch off?

1 Dec 2005
The Atlantic circulation largely responsible for Europe's temperate climate appears to have slowed by nearly one third since 1957. Could the Atlantic current switch off?

Alien fish continue to spread in UK rivers

30 Nov 2005
An invasive fish species has been found in rivers and lakes across England and Wales. Alien fish continue to spread in UK rivers

NERC launches flood risk research programme

24 Nov 2005
Fierce storm and flood predictions to be aided by new £6m research programme due to be launched on Monday 28 November. NERC launches flood risk research programme

Scientists to explore the 'Grand Canyon' of the oceans

4 Nov 2005
The deepest, darkest, most inhospitable place on Earth is the focus of a new £2 million research project. Scientists to explore the 'Grand Canyon' of the oceans

Tropical cloud 'dust' could hold the key to climate change

26 Oct 2005
Manchester scientists set off for Australia this week to study how particles in tropical clouds affect climate change and ozone layer depletion. Tropical cloud 'dust' could hold the key to climate change

Northern birds make better mates

21 Oct 2005
Research from Queen's University Belfast, published today in the journal Science, has given new meaning to the 'north-south divide'. Northern birds make better mates

CryoSat satellite lost due to launch failure

10 Oct 2005
CryoSat, the European Space Agency's Earth observation satellite has crashed into the northern Arctic Ocean. CryoSat satellite lost due to launch failure

CRYOSAT - Climate change at the poles

4 Oct 2005
Reports of record lows for the extent of Arctic sea ice precede the launch of CryoSat, the European Space Agency satellite. CRYOSAT - Climate change at the poles

Record Arctic sea ice loss

30 Sep 2005
The Arctic and the Amazon are predicted to warm the most by the end of the century according to the Hadley Centre climate model. Record Arctic sea ice loss

Countdown to CryoSat launch

27 Sep 2005
Latest details on CryoSat with press release to follow shortly Countdown to CryoSat launch

What environmental issues matter to you?

26 Sep 2005
People will have the chance next week to meet members of the UK's leading environmental research organisation, find out how funding decisions are made and give their views on what issues matter to them. What environmental issues matter to you?

Killer methane burps caused massive global warming

19 Sep 2005
Findings from research published in Nature could provide vital clues about the climate change we are experiencing today. Killer methane burps caused massive global warming

Greater horseshoe bats keep it in the family

19 Sep 2005
A study, published in this week's Nature, reveals unusual breeding patterns in the Greater Horseshoe Bat. Greater horseshoe bats keep it in the family

NERC appoints two new Council members

8 Sep 2005
Two new appointments to the Natural Environment Research Council have been announced by Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science & Innovation. NERC appoints two new Council members

Puffins dig their own graves

1 Sep 2005
Puffins on Craigleith are being forced out by invasive tree mallow growing in the manure-rich burrow entrances and preventing the puffins from breeding. Puffins dig their own graves

Teamwork makes bacteria more effective

25 Aug 2005
The number of species of bacteria, rather than any particular type, plays a crucial role in breaking down pollutants and waste. Teamwork makes bacteria more effective

Head of National Marine Facilities announced

19 Aug 2005
Commodore David Lewis CBE, RN will be Head of National Marine Facilities at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. Head of National Marine Facilities announced

Conservation targeting called into question

18 Aug 2005
Ecologists may need to reconsider methods of targeting conservation effort in species rich biodiversity hotspots such as rainforests. Conservation targeting called into question

Giant virus could give health benefits

12 Aug 2005
Researchers at PML and the Sanger Institute have unravelled the genetic code of a virus that could be developed for use in anti-ageing and cancer-inhibiting therapies. Giant virus could give health benefits

DNA traces the evolution of extinct sabretooth cats

9 Aug 2005
By analysing ancient DNA, an international team of researchers has obtained data that increases our knowledge about large prehistoric predatory cats. DNA traces the evolution of extinct sabretooth cats

Reappointments to the Natural Environment Research Council

4 Aug 2005
Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury has announced three reappointments to the Natural Environment Research Council. Reappointments to the Natural Environment Research Council

China and the UK study the impact of climate change

18 Jul 2005
Leading climate change experts from the UK and China meet in Beijing to look at the latest computer model predictions. China and the UK study the impact of climate change

Owls and hawks can help conservationists

18 Jul 2005
Conservationists wanting to choose a good area for preserving biodiversity should look for places where birds of prey live and breed. Owls and hawks can help conservationists

Global science into global policy: combating 'dangerous' climate change

14 Jul 2005
Following the G8 summit, NERC is seeking the best ways to produce the science to help and inform government on this issue. Global science into global policy: combating 'dangerous' climate change

A warm Atlantic linked to hot summers over Europe and US

1 Jul 2005
The Atlantic Ocean plays a much larger role in controlling summer climate in Europe and North America than previously thought. A warm Atlantic linked to hot summers over Europe and US

Faster climate change predicted as air quality improves

30 Jun 2005
Global warming may proceed more quickly and be more severe than previously predicted according to research about to be published in the scientific journal ""Nature"". Faster climate change predicted as air quality improves

New law discovered in a hole in a tree

29 Jun 2005
Researchers have discovered a new universal biological law whilst looking in holes in trees near Oxford. New law discovered in a hole in a tree

A better understanding of gene flow: media briefing

23 Jun 2005
Scientists will today explain to a meeting in London how their research has greatly improved our understanding of the flow of genetic material between organisms in the environment. A better understanding of gene flow: media briefing

Stealth Parasite threatens European Fish

23 Jun 2005
A new deadly disease, carried by an invasive fish species, is threatening European fish diversity. Stealth Parasite threatens European Fish

Queen's Birthday Honours

22 Jun 2005
NERC staff receive awards in the Queen's Birthday Honours list this year. Queen's Birthday Honours

Press Release: Summer Drought

17 Jun 2005
Rainfall in England and Wales over the past seven months is the lowest it has been for over 30 years. Press Release: Summer Drought

Press Release: Too many sheep spoil the eggs

15 Jun 2005
Too many sheep in Britain's uplands could be responsible for the decline of some native birds. Press Release: Too many sheep spoil the eggs

Press Release: A better understanding of gene flow

14 Jun 2005
Media Briefing on the outcomes of the Gene Flow in Plants & Micro-organisms Initiative, and free public event in London on Thursday, 23 June 2005. Press Release: A better understanding of gene flow

Press Release: Climate change sceptics out in the cold

6 Jun 2005
Human activities are causing ocean temperatures to rise, according to a paper published in the American journal Science on 3 June, 2005. Press Release: Climate change sceptics out in the cold

Press Release: Out of the blue...

24 May 2005
Deep-sea microbiology could soon be helping to restrain antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA. Updated (25 May) with additional press coverage. Press Release: Out of the blue...

Press Release: Fossil fish challenge gene theory

20 May 2005
Scientists question theory of 'evolutionary leaps' between species. Press Release: Fossil fish challenge gene theory

Press Release: Health forecasts and climate prediction

20 May 2005
Knowing something about the climate of the forthcoming winter could help the NHS to plan ahead. Research was presented at a London conference in May. Press Release: Health forecasts and climate prediction

Press Release: Biodiversity: what on earth is it?

18 May 2005
Biodiversity provides us with food, medicines, fuel, timber, clean air and water. Some scientists believe we are losing biodiversity at mass extinction rates. Does this matter? Press Release: Biodiversity: what on earth is it?

Press Release: A new era for ocean and earth sciences in the UK

4 May 2005
Southampton Oceanography Centre is renamed the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton on 1 May. Press Release: A new era for ocean and earth sciences in the UK

Press Release: New Director for NCAS

15 Apr 2005
Professor Stephen Mobbs will become Director of the NERC Centres for Atmospheric Science on 1 July 2005. Press Release: New Director for NCAS

Press Release: Partners in the business of science

7 Apr 2005
Isis Enterprise has joined with NERC to support technology transfer from NERC's four wholly-owned research centres. Press Release: Partners in the business of science

Press Release: Hunt for the Harlequin

15 Mar 2005
Britain's best-loved bug, the ladybird, is under threat from the world's most invasive ladybird species - the Harlequin ladybird. Press Release: Hunt for the Harlequin

Press Release: New Director for the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

14 Mar 2005
Professor Andrew Willmott has been appointed the next Director of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in Liverpool. Press Release: New Director for the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

Press Release: Weather in the Oceans

1 Mar 2005
UK ocean experts pool their knowledge to launch the National Centre for Ocean Forecasting in Exeter on 4 March 2005. Press Release: Weather in the Oceans

Press Release: Autosub trapped under the Antarctic Ice Shelf

18 Feb 2005
The vehicle is some 17km from the edge of the ice shelf beneath ice over 200m thick. Press Release: Autosub trapped under the Antarctic Ice Shelf

Press Release: An invisible threat could change Britain's landscapes

14 Feb 2005
People and farm animals are helping an invisible pollutant to change the types of plants that grow in Britain, particularly in remote and rural regions such as the Lake District. Press Release: An invisible threat could change Britain's landscapes

Press Release: Scientists from the British Geological Survey take action after tsunami conference

4 Feb 2005

Press Release: Bleak first results from the world's largest climate change experiment

27 Jan 2005

Press Release: Bangladeshi claim - update

26 Jan 2005

Press Release: Climate Science for the 21st Century

18 Jan 2005
UK and Japanese scientists will join forces at the British Embassy in Tokyo to formalise a unique and powerful collaboration that will significantly advance the science of predicting climate change for the 21st Century. Press Release: Climate Science for the 21st Century

Press Release: New Chief Executive for NERC

10 Jan 2005
Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury, has today named Professor Alan Thorpe as the new Chief Executive and Deputy Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Press Release: New Chief Executive for NERC

Indian Ocean Tsunami

7 Jan 2005
Scientists at many of the Natural Environment Research Council's Research Centres have been very busy providing information and advice in the days immediately following the earthquake in the Indian Ocean, and are now involved in developing follow-up actions. Indian Ocean Tsunami

Press Release: A change in understanding of Earth's early history

6 Jan 2005
Scientists studying volcanic activity in New Mexico, USA, have overturned a longstanding view of the origin of gases deep within our planet, according to a paper published in Nature this week. Press Release: A change in understanding of Earth's early history

Press releases: 2005

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