Press releases: 2006

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The climate change challenge

18 Dec 2006
NERC's Chief Executive has challenged climate sceptics to debate their views on climate change. The climate change challenge

Business planning for ideas in science

5 Dec 2006
A team of young scientists from Cranfield University have scooped first prize in the first Environment Young Entrepreneurs Scheme competition. Business planning for ideas in science

Global map shows new patterns of extinction risk

1 Nov 2006
New research identifies hotspots for endangered birds and mammals. Global map shows new patterns of extinction risk

Stern review on the economics of climate change

30 Oct 2006
The most comprehensive review ever carried out on the economics of climate change was published today. Stern review on the economics of climate change

RAPID climate change conference

20 Oct 2006
Press invitation - The Natural Environment Research Council's RAPID Climate Change Conference in Birmingham 24-27 October. RAPID climate change conference

New experiment to investigate cosmic connection to clouds

20 Oct 2006
A novel experiment, known as CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets), begins taking its first data today. New experiment to investigate cosmic connection to clouds

New Chairman for NERC

4 Oct 2006
From 1 January 2007, Edmund Wallis will take over as Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council. New Chairman for NERC

Leicester scientists watch Mother Nature breathing

22 Sep 2006
Earth Observation scientists at the University of Leicester have, for the first time, been able to measure from space signals showing the amount of carbon dioxide taken up by plants. Leicester scientists watch Mother Nature breathing

Concerned about the environment?

21 Sep 2006
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. Concerned about the environment?

Satellites reveal green means rain in Africa

21 Sep 2006
Scientists from the NERC-funded Climate and Land Surface Interactions Centre have found that the presence of green vegetation has a major influence on the amount of rain that falls in the Sahel region of Africa. Satellites reveal green means rain in Africa

New Director of NERC Centre for Population Biology appointed

19 Sep 2006
Georgina Mace FRS has been appointed Professor of Conservation Science and Director of the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) Centre for Population Biology at Imperial College London, it is announced today. New Director of NERC Centre for Population Biology appointed

NERC appoints a new member

8 Sep 2006
Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science & Innovation, has appointed a new council member to the Natural Environment Research Council. NERC appoints a new member

The nutrient time bomb

1 Sep 2006
Nitrates and phosphorous from agricultural chemicals and fertilizers are contaminating many rivers and groundwater in the UK - and will continue to do so for the next 70-80 years, even if tight restrictions are put in place now. The nutrient time bomb

Biodiversity: what on earth is it?

29 Aug 2006
World-leading experts speak at a public discussion and interactive exhibition. Biodiversity: what on earth is it?

Early Spring in Europe matches recent climate warming

25 Aug 2006
Conclusive proof that Spring is arriving earlier across Europe than it did 30 years ago is published today in the journal Global Change Biology. Early Spring in Europe matches recent climate warming

More fires, droughts and floods predicted

15 Aug 2006
As temperatures rise with global warming, an increased risk of forest fires, droughts and flooding is predicted for the next 200 years. More fires, droughts and floods predicted

Pipefish population explosion will not save starving seabirds

15 Aug 2006
An unexplained population explosion of snake pipefish is occurring in the seas around northern Britain. Pipefish population explosion will not save starving seabirds

National Centre for Earth Observation announced

1 Aug 2006
Environmental science and climate change research get a boost today with the announcement of a new National Centre for Earth Observation. National Centre for Earth Observation announced

Wild bees and the flowers they pollinate are disappearing

21 Jul 2006
The diversity of bees and of the flowers they pollinate, has declined significantly in Britain and the Netherlands over the last 25 years. Wild bees and the flowers they pollinate are disappearing

Grow fast, learn slow

18 Jul 2006
Scientists have found that accelerated growth following an initial diet of poor quality food can result in slower learning in adulthood. Grow fast, learn slow

Planet Earth wins national award

6 Jul 2006
Planet Earth has just scooped the best external magazine award from the largest public relations institute in Europe - the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Planet Earth wins national award

Judgement on Bangladesh case

5 Jul 2006
The House of Lords today, 5 July 2006, dismissed an appeal by Mr Binod Sutradhar against the Natural Environment Research Council. Judgement on Bangladesh case

Into the Unknown - Science Under the Ice

23 Jun 2006
The achievements of Autosub, the Natural Environment Research Council's unmanned, self-propelled research submarine, was celebrated on Monday 26th June. Into the Unknown - Science Under the Ice

NERC Chairman receives knighthood

19 Jun 2006
The Chairman of the Natural Environment Research Council, Robert John Margetts, has been awarded a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to science and business. NERC Chairman receives knighthood

Breaking down barriers for climate prediction work

13 Jun 2006
A workshop on 14-15 June aims to help application and exchange of climate change research that could guide government policy and business decisions. Breaking down barriers for climate prediction work

Farewell to Royal Research Ship Charles Darwin

9 Jun 2006
RRS Charles Darwin makes her final voyage as a royal research vessel on Monday, 12th June 2006. Farewell to Royal Research Ship Charles Darwin

Farm animals keep vole army at bay

24 May 2006
Giving a mix of farm animals a controlled 'right to roam' may help to improve biodiversity and solve a vole conservation dilemma in upland Britain. Farm animals keep vole army at bay

Blog will chart sea-change in acid experiment

16 May 2006
An online journal gives a public window onto an experiment investigating the rising levels of acidity in seawater to find out what it might do to marine life. Blog will chart sea-change in acid experiment

Malaria study goes to the desert

16 May 2006
Scientists studying malaria-carrying mosquitoes and the effects of the disease on people are about to undertake a unique experiment in West Africa. Malaria study goes to the desert

Scientists reveal fate of Earth's oceans

11 May 2006
Scientists at the University of Manchester have uncovered the first evidence of seawater deep inside the Earth. Scientists reveal fate of Earth's oceans

Wasps queue for top job

11 May 2006
Scientists at UCL (University College London) have discovered that even wasps are driven by their status. Wasps queue for top job

Meteorite fragment makes an impact

10 May 2006
A fragment from a giant meteorite that crashed to Earth millions of years ago could lead to a re-think about the effects of asteroid collisions with our planet. Meteorite fragment makes an impact

Science may hold the clue to an ancient riddle

28 Apr 2006
A project to enhance carbon dating accuracy and the remains of an olive tree may help resolve the chronology of ancient Greece. Science may hold the clue to an ancient riddle

Urgent help for landslide research

27 Apr 2006
Survivors of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake in Pakistan could soon be at risk from landslides during the rainy season. Urgent help for landslide research

Discovery of Antarctic subglacial rivers may challenge excavation plans

20 Apr 2006
Plans to drill deep beneath the frozen wastes of the Antarctic may have to be reviewed following the discovery of subglacial rivers. Discovery of Antarctic subglacial rivers may challenge excavation plans

High flyers get ACTIVE down under

20 Apr 2006
A project high in the sky above Australia is the first to have examined important aspects of the huge tropical thunderstorms that form in the region. High flyers get ACTIVE down under

Yummy Mummies

12 Apr 2006
New discovery of young amphibians eating their mother alive. Yummy Mummies

New Director for the British Geological Survey

6 Apr 2006
Dr John Ludden has been appointed the next Director of the British Geological Survey. New Director for the British Geological Survey

Nitrogen hotspots pose global pollution threat to plants

5 Apr 2006
Nitrogen from human activities has become a potential threat to a high proportion of the world's valuable plant species. Nitrogen hotspots pose global pollution threat to plants

International Polar Year as big as the moon landings

14 Mar 2006
International Polar Year (2007-2008), funded in the UK by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), can be compared to NASA's mission to the moon, according to leading polar scientists in London today. International Polar Year as big as the moon landings

Press releases: 2006

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