[Science] Scientists Report Faster Warming in Antarctica

Scientists Report Faster Warming in Antarctica
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/24/science/earth/west-antarctica-warming-faster-than-thought-study-finds.html
West Antarctica has warmed much more than scientists had thought over the last half century, new research suggests, an ominous finding given that the huge ice sheet there may be vulnerable to long-term collapse, with potentially drastic effects on sea levels.

Astronomers find planets in our cosmic backyard
http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/astronomers-discovery-earth-like-planet-right-next-to-our-solar-system/
As Catholic Online reported last week, a new astronomical discovery has the scientific community abuzz. Five more planets have been discovered around a star that closely resembles our sun.

SpaceX's newest rocket hovers above launch pad in test flight
http://www.crazyengineers.com/spacex-grasshopper-takes-off-lands-vertically-video/
Outside of a science fiction movie, it's a little strange to see a rocket fire up its engines, blast off, and then hover in the air.

Don't mark your doomsday calendars: 2040 asteroid won't hit Earth
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Nasa-plan-Seize-asteroid-make-it-refuelling-station/articleshow/17750839.cms
For those of you disappointed that the world didn't end last week, there's more bad news: The world probably won't be ending in 2040, either - not from a certain giant asteroid, anyway.

Kerry expected to elevate climate change as secretary of state
http://www.desmogblog.com/2012/12/23/swiss-re-tallies-huge-costs-climate-inaction
Secretary of State nominee John Kerry, with 20 years of concern about climate change, is expected to push the issue to center stage as a slow-motion crisis in need of a global solution.

Volunteers are needed for Katy area bird count on New Year's Day
http://www.modbee.com/2012/12/24/2507520/wind-rain-cant-dampen-spirits.html
New Year's Eve isn't a big night for west Houston resident Frank Farese, but New Year's Day, that's another story.

Jupiter, Moon Align in Christmas Skywatching Treat
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57560744/jupiter-moon-align-in-christmas-skywatching-treat/
As darkness falls on Christmas night, check out the east-southeast sky. Shining brilliantly to the upper left of the bright, nearly full moon will be a silvery "star" with a steady glow.

Hawaiian island 'dissolving' say scientists
http://www.tgdaily.com/general-sciences-features/68296-hawaiian-island-dissolving-say-scientists
Scientists have discovered that mountains on the Hawaiian island of Oahu are dissolving from within. Oahu, the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, is well known for its two shield volcanoes: Waiʻanae and Koʻolau.

Local bird watchers take part in Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/22/3978298/annual-bird-counts-give-scientists.html
Members of the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society, including CJ Goin, left, Donna Simonetti and Barbara Rodriguez, quietly look through camera viewfinders and binoculars Saturday as they bird watch in the Mesilla Park area for the annual Christmas Bird ...

CotFG: Winter Solstice 2012
http://www.readthehorn.com/events/69910/cotfg_winter_solstice_2012
"The winter solstice is the solstice that occurs in winter. It is the time at which the Sun is appearing at noon at its lowest altitude above the horizon.

US delivers message to storks: you're no longer endangered
http://www.islandpacket.com/2012/12/24/2322102/us-delivers-message-to-storks.html
COLUMBIA -- Wood storks were once rare in South Carolina, but the gawky wading birds now routinely call the Palmetto State home. It's a similar story in other Southeastern states -- and why the U.S.

Alaska considered lawsuit over ESA listing of bearded, ringed seals
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/21/3977125/federal-government-lists-2-ice.html
Alaska is considering a legal challenge to an Endangered Species Act listing of bearded and ringed seals. The National Marine Fisheries Service says the two species are threatened by the loss of Arctic sea ice.

Hadfield records Christmas song from space
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2012/12/20121224-153813.html
Chris Hadfield International Space Station crew member Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield waves as he boards the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft at the Baikonur cosmodrome on December 19, 2012.

Free e-books give you the cosmos
http://thespacereporter.com/2012/12/nasa-develops-free-ebook-for-space-enthusiasts/
days. ago. Free e-books give you the cosmos. STScI. NASA and the Space Telescope Science Institute are offering free e-books about space telescopes.

Copahue Volcano's Activity Raises Threat Level
http://www.latinospost.com/articles/8605/20121224/copahue-volcanos-activity-raises-threat-level.htm
(Photo : Reuters) Local residents watch a column of smoke and ash rise from the Copahue volcano, located on the Chilean-Argentine border, from Caviahue in the Argentina patagonian province of Neuquen Dec. 22.

Wading Bird Nesting Dips In South Florida, Raising Environmental Concerns
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/23/south-florida-wading-birds-nests-drop_n_2354838.html
South Florida's wading bird population suffered during 2012, with nesting on the decline due to the return of too much water too fast for herons, Wood Storks, ibises and egrets.

Nature coalition plants to restore Ala. fire tower
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/12/birminghams_highest_point_ruff.html
Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition officials have announced plans to restore a historic mountaintop fire tower that could offer visitors panoramic views of greater Birmingham from 1,300 feet above the ground.

Mines professor receives science fellowship
http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/mines-professor-receives-science-fellowship/?id=141622
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A professor at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has been awarded a fellowship by American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The first goat genome sets a good example for facilitating de novo assembly of ...
http://phys.org/news/2012-12-goat-genome-good-de-novo.html
In a collaborative study published online today in Nature Biotechnology, researchers from Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, BGI, and other institutes, have completed the first genome sequence of domestic goat by a robust ...