James A. Foley

Rural Economies Set to Benefit Most from Bioenergy

A grid of rural power plants fueled by biomass could prove to be an energy solution for farmers while also reducing strain on the national power grid, according to a University of Missouri researcher.

Details of 'Crocodile Hunter' Steve Irwin's Death Revealed by Cameraman [VIDEO]

Justin Lyons, the cameraman who witnessed the death of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, has spoken out about the tragic incident for the first time.

US Marijuana Use Up, Cocaine Use Down, Americans Spend $100 Billion Annually on Illegal Drugs

Americans are using less cocaine and more marijuana than before, according to new data on illegal US drug use.

NASA's WISE Survey Reveals No 'Planet X' but does Find a Wealth of New Stars

For years, astronomers have suggested that a so-called "Planet X" exists in our solar system beyond the orbit of Pluto, but after an exhaustive search that involved hundreds of millions of celestial objects astronomers have found no evidence of of this theoretical planet. However, a wealth of previously undocumented stars were found in the search.

Sea Sponges May Have Led Way to Ocean Oxygenation and Animal Evolution

The first animals to live on Earth may have oxygenated the planet's oceans, according to a group of scientists, who present a view contrary to the traditional belief that a rise in oxygen is what led the way to the first animals.

Grassland Biodiversity can be Maintained by Grazing Herbivores

Fertilizing plots of land can limit the diversity of plants that grow there as species less-able to tolerate a lack of sunlight are literally overshadowed by plants that react quickly to the fertilizer. But a new study has found that by allowing herbivores to graze on the land, they can offset the loss of plant biodiversity.

Safety of US Nuclear Reactors Called into Question in New Report

A new report by the influential non-profit group National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) suggests that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is still not adequately protecting American nuclear reactors from the risk of hydrogen explosions such as the ones that crippled the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear campus three years ago.

Elephants Alert Group to Human Presence with Unique Alarm Call [VIDEO]

Elephants trumpet a low, rumbling alarm call specifically when they detect approaching humans, according to new research from wildlife biologists working in Africa.

Airborne Radar Could be Used to Predict Sinkholes

According to NASA, if the right type of airborne radar data is collected regularly, scientists may be able to predict sinkholes before they occur.

As Global Temperature Rises, Europe Will Be Warmer than Global Average

If global surface temperatures rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the majority of Europe will experience higher levels of global warming than other places around the globe, according to a new study.

Chaotic Comet Collisions around Star Suggest Presence of Unknown Planet

A puzzling build-up of carbon monoxide around the nearby star Beta Pictoris revealed to astronomers a stellar phenomenon: the splattered remains of comets colliding together around the star. The researchers believe they are observing this cosmic comet destruction in real-time at a rate of one comet per five minutes, and that it may be caused by an unknown planet in orbit around the star.

Cape Cod Dolphin Stranding Leaves One Dead, Four Rescued [VIDEO]

One dolphin died and another four were rescued and released back to sea Thursday after they became stranded along the coast of Provincetown Harbor in Cape Cod, Mass.

Scientists Call for Collaborative Effort to Study Marine Ecosystem Damage Caused by SE Asian Fires

Systemic burning of cropland and forests in Southeast Asia can create thick plumes of smoke that pose a health threat to many people, but little is known about how the smoke affects marine and coastal ecosystems. Now, a new study proposes ways to study the unseen impacts of biomass burning.

Badgers Can Carry Tuberculosis Across Great Distances, Study Finds

European badgers make rare, long-distance moves than can contribute to the spread of bovine tuberculosis, or bTB, according to a new study.

California Orca Welfare Bill Would Stop Killer Whale Shows at SeaWorld

Riding a wave of momentum built by the 2013 documentary "Blackfish," a California lawmaker will propose a bill Friday that would ban SeaWorld from using killer whales (orca) at shows in its San Diego theme park.