Results from a long-term study of fish communities in the Bay of Somme in the English Channel show that numbers of cold-water fish, such as dab and plaice, have been dropping since 1998, as sea temperatures have risen. The researchers say this is evidence of ‘tropicalisation’ in an English-Channel ecosystem. The findings may have implications for conservation policies in the Bay, which is a Marine Protected Area1 designated under the Natura 2000 programme, as well as other marine sites affected by warming.

Insect numbers in west German nature reserves have fallen by more than 76% in just 27 years, according to a new study. The fall was even higher in the summer months, with 82% on average fewer insects being recorded. The reasons for this dramatic fall are unclear. The researchers ruled out changes in weather, plant cover and local landscape playing a significant role in the observed decline, but suggest that intensive agriculture and pesticides in fields near to the reserves could be responsible. Whatever the cause, the catastrophic fall in insect numbers will inevitably lead to knock-on effects on ecosystems in the long term, particularly due to their essential role as pollinators and their position in the food web. The researchers say that preserving and protecting insects should now be a priority for conservation policies.

A new study suggests that Earth’s ongoing mass extinction episode is more severe than generally perceived. Rather than focusing on the complete extinction of entire species, researchers analysed the losses and declines of populations in a sample of 27 600 vertebrate species. Population declines and losses are often a prelude to species extinctions. Researchers also conducted a more in-depth analysis of population losses between 1900–2015 in 177 mammal species. The results reveal that rates of population loss and decline in vertebrates are extremely high, even in common “species of low concern”. The data indicates that, in addition to significant species extinction rates, the Earth is experiencing a huge episode of population decline and loss, which will have a significant effect on ecosystem functioning and services. The researchers warn that the window for effective action is closing rapidly and emphasise the need for an urgent response.

To estimate the losses of wild pollinators across Great Britain, a study mapped records of 353 wild bee and hoverfly species, collected across the country from 1980 to 2013. It found that a third of species decreased, while a tenth increased. On average, the geographic range of bee and hoverfly species declined by a quarter, which equates to a net loss of 11 species from each 1km grid square (with uncommon species more harshly affected), highlighting a significant risk to biodiversity, pollinators, and their ecosystems.

The warmer, drier conditions expected under on-going climate change will reduce the rates at which soil fauna and microbes decompose plant litter, suggests new research from Germany. This may have important implications for agriculture and natural ecosystems worldwide, as litter decomposition is a key process in cycling and distributing nutrients throughout ecosystems.

UV treatment does not always turn hazardous water pollutants into harmless substances. Recent lab tests suggest that the toxicity of the antibiotic linezolid to microorganisms appeared to increase post-treatment. This research did find, however, that UV treatment successfully reduced the antimicrobial activity of four other antibiotics tested, plus four artificial sweeteners.

Rare earth elements (REE) are used to make many low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles and wind turbines. Mining and processing of REE, which mostly takes place in China, has a reputation for causing environmental damage. A new study presents a method for evaluating the environmental impacts of REE production based on life-cycle assessment (LCA: a way of determining a product's overall impact during some or all of its journey from extraction to end-of-life). The researchers applied the method to a prospective REE mine in Malawi, south-east Africa, to reveal the most environmentally impactful stages of production, and the greenest source of energy.

Overall concentrations of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil have declined, according to research conducted in Norway and the UK. The researchers suggest that there has been a reduced influence of primary sources of some POPs on soils for these two countries in recent years.

Air quality standards worldwide are facing increasing scrutiny as countries struggle to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) air-quality guidelines (AQGs), particularly regarding ozone (O₃) and particulate matter (pollutant particles with diameters of less than 10 or 2.5 micrometres — PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 respectively). A new study aimed to evaluate whether WHO guidelines are being met in Europe; the researchers focused on Portugal, using recent data alongside climate change and background air pollution predictions. At present, Portugal frequently exceeds legislated values for ozone and PM₁₀.

A new analysis calls for clear policy guidelines to be adopted in developing countries to direct the development of genetically modified crops which could help contribute to greater food security in developing countries.

Grey published a vlog, Myke is back to Mega Office, and they both know what day starts the week.

CBS San Antonio

Zillow web traffic on for-sale listings and requests to connect with Premier Agents have ticked up recently after slowing in the early days of the U.S. coronavirus pandemic in mid-March

Farmers have been thrown a lifeline – but this time it’s to help them cash in on what could be one of their best years.

FAIRFAX - Drivers on I-66 between Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Route 243 (Nutley Street) should expect delays and plan to use alternate routes during...

SALEM – The left lane of southbound Route 220 is closed due to a slope failure in the median just south of the Franklin County line. The lane closure begins approximately one mile prior to  the Roanoke County and Franklin County line and just north of the intersection with Route 613 (Naff Road).   Drivers should prepare for travel delays and plan accordingly. Message boards are in place to alert motorists of the closure. The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently investigating to determine what repairs need to be made. The lane will remain closed until further notice.   For updates on this lane closure, visit www.511Virginia.org .

Significant traffic delays are possible for about two weeks beginning Monday, November 5, on Route 602 (East Point Road/Maryland Avenue) at the bridge over the South Fork Shenandoah River. These traffic restrictions are needed during the final phases of rehabilitation of the bridge, which is at the Rockingham-Page county line near the town of Shenandoah.

It set 2020 capital outlays at $800 million, 33 percent below previous guidance and the first sub-$1 billion budget since 2016.

New research from the University of Kansas finds that ride-booking apps have helped to free up ambulances.

Much of the world will be able to witness a rare skywatching event on June 5, as Venus crosses the face of the sun in a spectacle that will not be visible again

The AAP clarified their child car seat guidelines to make them easier for parents to follow.

From the neurobiology of attraction to the hard truth about online dating, these five books offer fresh takes on our quest for love.

The demand for gasoline in the United States reached a new high in March with an average of 9.3 million barrels of gasoline being produced per day.

New rules will require breeders who sell pets online to have a USDA permit. They also must pay an annual licensing fee and consent to random inspections.

Foods that are healthy also tend to be sustainable. Should the USDA guidelines reflect that?

New dietary guidelines put a limit on added sugar, and changed their tune on dietary cholesterol. Good news for egg lovers.

On the heels of the government's dietary guidelines, Environmental Working Group releases its own version, free from food industry interference.

A petition to to the USDA to allow food stamps to be used online could make affordable, healthy foods easily available to people in food deserts.

SNAP recipients in certain states will be able to buy groceries from designated retailers during the 2-year pilot.

New study finds most of the breast milk sold on the Internet is contaminated with bacteria.

New study reveals that as many as 10 percent of samples were diluted with cow's milk.

Nissan is taking reservations for its Leaf battery car starting April 20, two days before Earth Day. Will the 115,000 "hand wavers" sign up, pay $99, and get in

The latest Nissan Leaf commercial examines what life would be like if everything was powered by gasoline.

An accident in Montana is the latest in a long and troubled line of pipeline incidents in America.

Narrator Daryl Hannah, filmmaker Leslie Iwerks and others discuss the Keystone XL pipeline battle in 'Pipe Dreams.'

Climate scientist James Hansen was arrested on Feb. 13 outside the White House while protesting the Keystone Pipeline.

Protesters celebrate in North Dakota as the Army halts the Dakota Access pipeline, but many of them still aren't leaving.

Likely not, but it's fun to imagine zipping along a train-less Tube.

Pipeline spills aren't good for the environment and they aren't good for politics. They are especially bad for business.

Expansion of the TransCanada pipeline is coming with a few complaints — not what the company wants to hear these days.

A year ago, it seemed that the construction of a 1,700-mile pipeline connecting northern Alberta with the United States was all but a certainty. Now, it feels l

Environmental groups sue State Department about contact that Clinton and a pipeline lobbyist (and former aid) may have had.

Five Nebraska lawmakers say there is no rush to approve a massive pipeline that could damage the environment.

Daryl Hannah landed in jail Tuesday while protesting a planned oil pipeline that would stretch from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The actress has been released

Actress partners with Natural Resources Defense Council, asking people to join her in opposing the $7 billion project.

An environmental group obtains emails that it says show "bias and complicity" in a government review of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

The State Department has denied the proposed oil pipeline from Canada, heading off a congressionally mandated deadline of Feb. 21.