Experts set threshold for climate-change calamity

The world's leading climate scientists have for the first time established a limit on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be released before the Earth reaches a tipping point and predicted that it will be surpassed within decades unless swift action is taken to curb the current pace of emissions. The warning was issued Friday by a panel of U.N.-appointed climate change experts meeting in Stockholm. http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-0928-climate-change-20130928,0,2765027.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Tony Barboza

Shell Oil's Arctic drilling operations in limbo

SEATTLE — Six months after federal officials chastised Shell Oil for its faulty offshore drilling operations in the Arctic, the company has yet to explain what safeguards it has put in place or when it plans to resume exploring for oil in the vulnerable region.http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-arctic-drilling-20130926,0,4034450.story Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Maria L. La Ganga

Global warming 'hiatus' puts climate change scientists on the spot

It's a climate puzzle that has vexed scientists for more than a decade and added fuel to the arguments of those who insist man-made global warming is a myth. Since just before the start of the 21st century, the Earth's average global surface temperature has failed to rise despite soaring levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases and years of dire warnings from environmental advocates. http://www.latimes.com/science/la-sci-climate-change-uncertainty-20130923,0,791164.story Story courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Monte Morin

Drug-resistant superbugs multiplying: CDC report IDs 'urgent threats'

Thoughtless use of antibiotic medications continues to promote the growth of drug-resistant superbugs in the U.S., threatening doctors' ability to combat infections, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-cdc-antibiotic-resistance-20130916,0,2212114.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Science Now by Eryn Brown

Kids' food allergies cost U.S. nearly $25 billion a year, study finds

Children’s allergies to peanuts, dairy and other foods cost the U.S. nearly $25 billion a year, according to the first survey to come up with a comprehensive price tag for a condition that affects 8% of American kids. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-childrens-food-allergies-cost-billions-20130916,0,5862102.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times -Science Now by Karen Kaplan

How a comet impact may have jump-started life on Earth -- and elsewhere

Did life on Earth come from space? The scientific evidence is mounting. A new report suggests amino acids, the chemical building blocks necessary for life as we know it, may be scattered throughout the solar system, created when high-speed comets smacked into the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and rocky planets like our very own Earth. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-comet-impact-life-20130916,0,4729019.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Science Now by Deborah Netburn

Ocean species relocate in response to climate change, study finds

As climate change heats our oceans, you’d expect temperature-sensitive marine species to flee poleward to cooler waters. So why have some headed to warmer regions toward the equator? Scientists have solved the puzzle. For the most part, these animals are relocating to cooler waters. But since the effects of climate change can vary widely across regions, sometimes those cooler regions are closer to the poles and sometimes they’re closer to the equator. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-ocean-marine-species-fish-climate-change-20130913,0,2716234.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Melissa Pandika

Skyscraper accused of melting car

LONDON — Motorists may want to think twice about parking in front of the half-built London skyscraper known as the Walkie-Talkie. That’s because the glare off the skin of the new building is so intense that at least one Jaguar owner says it caused part of his vehicle to melt. And that’s not all: Locals say the building’s heat also burned a hole in the welcome mat of a nearby barber shop. http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/free/20130903britain-skyscraper-accused-melting-car.html Article courtesy of AZcentral.com by Associated Press

New walking shark discovered in Indonesia? It's not the first

Scientists have discovered the third known species of walking shark in Indonesia. Which means that there are, apparently, other walking shark species. And also, that sharks walk.http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-new-walking-shark-epaulette-bamboo-indonesia-20130830,0,7702612.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Science Now by Amina Khan

Fetus in womb learns language cues before birth, study finds

Fetuses exposed to fake words after week 29 in utero were able to distinguish them after being born, according to new research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-language-fetus-learns-in-utero-mozart-effect-20130826,0,694844.story Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times-Science Now by Amina Khan