Press releases: 2011

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Violent storms provide testing conditions for research scientists

15 Dec 2011
A team of researchers has been flying a research aircraft into the powerful storms battering Britain to obtain the data needed to help predict extremely stormy weather. Violent storms provide testing conditions for research scientists

Win for young entrepreneurs

9 Dec 2011
After an intense competition, a team of four budding environmental research entrepreneurs from the University of East Anglia have emerged as the winners of this year's Environment Young Entrepreneurs Scheme. Win for young entrepreneurs

British butterfly is evolving to respond to climate change

1 Dec 2011
A new study aims to understand the role of evolution in helping a species to successfully track ongoing climate change. British butterfly is evolving to respond to climate change

NERC appoints new Chief Executive

22 Nov 2011
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable today announced the appointment of Professor Duncan Wingham as Chief Executive of the Natural Environment Research Council. NERC appoints new Chief Executive

Frog trade link to killer fungus revealed

9 Nov 2011
The global trade in amphibians may have accidentally helped create and spread a deadly fungal disease which has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. Frog trade link to killer fungus revealed

Climate shifts could leave some species homeless, new research shows

4 Nov 2011
Rising temperatures will force many species of animals and plants to move to other regions and could leave some marine species with nowhere to go. Climate shifts could leave some species homeless, new research shows

Research Centre highlighted as leading UK institute for ecology

20 Oct 2011
NERC's Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is highlighted as a leading UK institute for ecological research in a new report launched this week. Research Centre highlighted as leading UK institute for ecology

Tyrannosaurus rex grew twice as fast as previously thought

13 Oct 2011
A new study using highly accurate 3D laser scans of real skeletons has revealed that T. rex grew much faster and became much heavier than previously estimated. Tyrannosaurus rex grew twice as fast as previously thought

Engineering team heads to Antarctica to explore hidden lake

11 Oct 2011
Next week a British engineering team begins the first stage of an ambitious scientific mission to collect samples from a lake buried beneath three kilometres of solid ice. Engineering team heads to Antarctica to explore hidden lake

Deforestation reduces rainfall in Africa

19 Sep 2011
A new study shows that changing land use from forest to crops reduces rainfall over neighbouring trees by around half. Deforestation reduces rainfall in Africa

The SPICE project: a geoengineering feasibility study

14 Sep 2011
Preparations are underway for a unique test of engineering technology that could, if needed in the future, open up new ways to reduce atmospheric temperatures caused by climate change. The SPICE project: a geoengineering feasibility study

A spot of summer fun: make your mark on ladybird maps

11 Aug 2011
Scientists are asking families for help this month by counting and photographing ladybirds they find in their gardens, parks and fields, to create ladybird maps for the UK. A spot of summer fun: make your mark on ladybird maps

Fool's gold gives scientists priceless insight into Earth's evolution

22 Jul 2011
Scientists are recreating ancient forms of the mineral pyrite - dubbed fool's gold for its metallic lustre - that reveal details of past geological events. Fool's gold gives scientists priceless insight into Earth's evolution

Wildfires hold key to improving air pollution forecasts

7 Jul 2011
Researchers are setting off for Canada this weekend in a bid to understand how emissions from wildfires affect pollution levels in the atmosphere. Wildfires hold key to improving air pollution forecasts

UK researchers to take the lead in international partnerships

5 Jul 2011
Almost £1.5 million is once again being made available this year under a scheme that encourages international collaboration. UK researchers to take the lead in international partnerships

NERC appoints an interim Chief Executive

27 Jun 2011
Dr Steven Wilson takes on the role of Chief Executive for an interim period this week, whilst a successor is recruited to replace NERC's outgoing leader. NERC appoints an interim Chief Executive

UK joins the earthquake risk reduction 'task force'

13 Jun 2011
NERC has today joined the Global Earthquake Model Initiative, in a bid to improve knowledge and reduce loss of life, property damage and disruption from earthquakes. UK joins the earthquake risk reduction 'task force'

Cruise to investigate impacts of ocean acidification

8 Jun 2011
A team of researchers sailed this week aboard the RRS Discovery, on the first research cruise specifically to study ocean acidification in European waters. Cruise to investigate impacts of ocean acidification

Report puts a value on nature

3 Jun 2011
For the first time the health and social benefits we enjoy from our natural environment have been valued as being worth billions of pounds to the UK economy. Report puts a value on nature

Grimsvotn eruption

23 May 2011
A year on from the Eyjafjallajokull eruption, another Icelandic volcano is spewing a plume of hot ash into the atmosphere. Grimsvotn eruption

New appointments to NERC Council

17 May 2011
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, has announced four new appointments to the Natural Environment Research Council. New appointments to NERC Council

Distribution of British soil bacteria mapped for the first time

20 Apr 2011
Results from the most comprehensive study of a country's soil biodiversity to date are published today. Distribution of British soil bacteria mapped for the first time

Antarctic Ice Sheet's erratic behaviour

30 Mar 2011
A team of researchers has returned from the Antarctic Peninsula with exciting new information about the behaviour of the giant Antarctic Ice Sheet. Antarctic Ice Sheet's erratic behaviour

Massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan

11 Mar 2011
Japan has been rocked by a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake, the biggest in the region for many years. It struck off the north east coast, around 375km from Tokyo, at 14:46 hrs local time (05:46 GMT). Massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan

Biodiversity in Britain's landscapes

1 Mar 2011
Announcing a UK-wide research programme examining the role that biodiversity - which is vital for human life - plays in the ecosystems provided by Britain's landscapes. Biodiversity in Britain's landscapes

Earthquake strikes Christchurch, New Zealand

22 Feb 2011
An earthquake of 6.3 magnitude struck Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island at 12:51 local time (23:51 GMT) yesterday. Earthquake strikes Christchurch, New Zealand

Research strategy launched to help meet food security challenge

11 Feb 2011
The UK's major public funders of food-related research have published their coordinated plan for research to help the world avoid a potential food security crisis. Research strategy launched to help meet food security challenge

Caterpillar defence methods affect lifespan and offspring numbers

25 Jan 2011
Caterpillars regularly using a defence mechanism to deter predators not only produce fewer eggs but also grow more slowly and often die earlier. Caterpillar defence methods affect lifespan and offspring numbers

Transatlantic partners to analyse environment and health risks of manufactured nanomaterials

20 Jan 2011
Scientists from the UK and the USA are to examine what these risks might be, and provide the scientific evidence needed to inform government and industry policies. Transatlantic partners to analyse environment and health risks of manufactured nanomaterials

Warming climate means red deer rutting season arrives early

17 Jan 2011
Scientists believe the annual rutting season on the Isle of Rum could be changing because of warming spring and summer temperatures. Warming climate means red deer rutting season arrives early

Dramatic ocean circulation changes revealed

14 Jan 2011
New research shows that as the last Ice Age came to an end, the formation of deep water in the Northeast Atlantic repeatedly switched on and off, causing centuries of climate warming and cooling. Dramatic ocean circulation changes revealed