Press releases: 2009

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£40m research investment to make ecosystem services work for the poor

4 Dec 2009
A pioneering research programme is launched today that will provide the knowledge needed to develop resilient ecosystems and help to reduce poverty in developing countries. £40m research investment to make ecosystem services work for the poor

NERC takes responsibility for Earth-related solar terrestrial physics

26 Nov 2009
Following the recommendation of the Wakeham review, funding responsibility for solar terrestrial physics research which relates to the Earth is being transferred to NERC from STFC. NERC takes responsibility for Earth-related solar terrestrial physics

Climate change science

24 Nov 2009
Three of the UK's leading scientific organisations reinforce the call for action on climate change and confirm their commitment to ensure that world leaders have access to the best possible science. Climate change science

Recognition for top class research

20 Nov 2009
Three UK institutions have been ranked in the top ten of the world's research institutions in geosciences, according to data published this week in the Times Higher Education Supplement. Recognition for top class research

Fossil fuel CO2 emissions up by 29 per cent since 2000

18 Nov 2009
The strongest evidence yet that the rise in atmospheric CO2 emissions continues to outstrip the ability of the world's natural 'sinks' to absorb carbon. Fossil fuel CO2 emissions up by 29 per cent since 2000

New funds to stimulate systematics and taxonomy research

16 Nov 2009
NERC and BBSRC have made £750k available over the next three years to kick-start research projects in this field. New funds to stimulate systematics and taxonomy research

Discovery may help manage nanoparticle wastes from consumer products

12 Nov 2009
A new discovery about nanoparticle behaviour in sewage treatment plants could improve the environmental management of nanoparticle wastes. Discovery may help manage nanoparticle wastes from consumer products

Soil moisture and ocean salinity satellite ready for launch

29 Oct 2009
A new European Earth observation satellite will be launched in the early hours of Monday morning from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Soil moisture and ocean salinity satellite ready for launch

Climate change monitoring success celebrated

22 Oct 2009
Scientists celebrate the success of three sea temperature measuring devices which have enabled them to produce accurate climate change data. Climate change monitoring success celebrated

Global demand for tropical crop could worsen air quality

6 Oct 2009
An "environmentally friendly" tropical crop could lead to hazardous increases in levels of the air pollutant ozone, say researchers. Global demand for tropical crop could worsen air quality

Acidic clouds nourish world's oceans

5 Oct 2009
Acidic clouds are feeding bioavailable iron to the oceans - a discovery which sheds light on the natural processes that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Acidic clouds nourish world's oceans

Research gives new meaning to 'green' cross code

5 Oct 2009
Pedestrians could reduce the amount of traffic pollution they breathe in simply by crossing the street, according to new research. Research gives new meaning to 'green' cross code

Sex life may hold key to honeybee survival

14 Sep 2009
The greater number and diversity of male partners a queen honeybee has could help to protect her children from disease. Sex life may hold key to honeybee survival

Drugs designed by nature could prevent heart attacks and blood clots

27 Aug 2009
Scientists have tapped into nature's medicine chest to develop a new drug that controls blood flow and prevents clotting. Drugs designed by nature could prevent heart attacks and blood clots

Should females trust showy males?

21 Aug 2009
Research suggests females should be wary of initial flashy displays by males which may not have staying power. Should females trust showy males?

Targeted investments in climate science could present enormous economic savings

20 Aug 2009
New research shows that targeted investments could lead to major benefits in reducing the costs of adapting to a changing climate. Targeted investments in climate science could present enormous economic savings

RRS James Cook rescues Atlantic rower

19 Aug 2009
The Royal Research Ship James Cook has today successfully rescued a solo rower attempting to cross the Atlantic. RRS James Cook rescues Atlantic rower

New science champions appointed

13 May 2009
New theme leaders have been appointed to champion two of the Natural Environment Research Council's seven environmental research themes. New science champions appointed

New appointment to NERC

12 May 2009
Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, has announced the appointment of Professor Julia Slingo, OBE, to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). New appointment to NERC

New plans to strengthen UK Arctic research

8 May 2009
A dedicated office to support UK scientific research in the Arctic is being established this week by NERC. New plans to strengthen UK Arctic research

100 questions to conserve global biodiversity

23 Apr 2009
Conservation experts have identified one hundred key scientific questions that, if answered, could help conserve global biodiversity. 100 questions to conserve global biodiversity

£10m initiative to tackle bee and pollinator decline

21 Apr 2009
Up to £10 million is to be invested to help to identify the main threats to bees and other insect pollinators. £10m initiative to tackle bee and pollinator decline

Carbon capture has a sparkling future

2 Apr 2009
New research shows that for millions of years CO2 has been stored safely and naturally in underground water in gas fields saturated with the greenhouse gas. Carbon capture has a sparkling future

£18 million to secure the future of UK energy research

19 Mar 2009
The Research Councils' Energy Research Programme invests in providing energy solutions for the future. £18 million to secure the future of UK energy research

Sleek probe to map Earth's gravity

16 Mar 2009
At 14:21 GMT Monday 16 March 2009 the European Space Agency will launch a new satellite to map variations in the Earth's gravity field with unprecedented accuracy. Sleek probe to map Earth's gravity

Deep-sea fish stocks threatened

11 Mar 2009
Commercial fishing in the north-east Atlantic could be harming deep-sea fish populations a kilometre below the deepest reach of fishing trawlers. Deep-sea fish stocks threatened

UK harnesses space technology to tackle global environmental challenges

5 Mar 2009
A major new centre dedicated to harnessing the full potential of space technology for environmental research is launched today. UK harnesses space technology to tackle global environmental challenges

Final frontier: mission to explore buried ancient Antarctic lake given green light

2 Mar 2009
An international team of scientists led by the UK is to explore one of the planet's last great frontiers - an ancient lake hidden deep beneath Antarctica's ice sheet. Final frontier: mission to explore buried ancient Antarctic lake given green light

Study links water pollution with declining male fertility

19 Jan 2009
New research shows how a group of testosterone-blocking chemicals is finding its way into UK rivers. Study links water pollution with declining male fertility

Earliest known bird had hearing similar to an emu

15 Jan 2009
The earliest known bird, magpie-sized Archaeopteryx lithographica, could hear just the same as a modern emu, demonstrating that it was bird-like rather than reptilian. Earliest known bird had hearing similar to an emu