
Study contends Grand Canyon as old as dinosaur era
The awe-inspiring Grand Canyon was probably carved about 70 million years ago, much earlier than thought, a provocative new study suggests — so early ...

NKorea speculation overshadows SKorean rocket
South Korea on Thursday scrapped an attempt to fire its first satellite into orbit from its own soil amid speculation that North Korea was preparing ...

Arctic sea ice larger than US melted this year
An area of Arctic sea ice bigger than the United States melted this year, according the U.N. weather agency, which said the dramatic decline ...

Rhino killings for horns rapidly rise in S. Africa
By the time ranchers found the rhinoceros calf wandering alone in this idyllic setting of scrub brush and acacia, the nature reserve had become yet ...

Brazil deforestation hits record low
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest has dropped to its lowest level in 24 years, the government said Tuesday. Satellite imagery showed that ...

UN climate scientist: Sandy no coincidence
Though it's tricky to link a single weather event to climate change, Hurricane Sandy was "probably not a coincidence" but an example of the extreme ...

AP Exclusive: Graph suggests Iran working on bomb
Iranian scientists have run computer simulations for a nuclear weapon that would produce more than triple the explosive force of the World War II bomb ...

US twin astronaut, Russian to spend year in orbit
A former space shuttle commander whose twin brother is married to former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will attempt the longest spaceflight ever by an ...

US defends 'enormous' climate efforts at UN talks
Anticipating an onslaught of criticism from poor nations, the United States claimed "enormous" strides in reducing greenhouse emissions at the opening ...

AP IMPACT: Will NYC act to block future surges?
Think Sandy was just a 100-year storm that devastated New York City? Imagine one just as bad, or worse, every three years. Prominent planners and ...

UN to launch new round of talks on global warming
As nearly 200 countries meet in oil-and-gas-rich Qatar for annual talks starting Monday on slowing global warming, one of the main challenges will be ...

Will US role at climate talks change after storm?
During a year with a monster storm and scorching heat waves, Americans have experienced the kind of freakish weather that many scientists say will ...

Scientists: Galapagos tortoise can be revived
Lonesome George, the late reptile prince of the Galapagos Islands, may be dead, but scientists now say he may not be the last giant tortoise of his ...

Qatar set to host major climate talks
When the tiny desert nation of Qatar was chosen to host the latest round of United Nations climate change negotiations, environmentalists were stunned

Extreme weather tough on transportation system
Wild weather is taking a toll on roads, airports, railways and transit systems across the country. That's leaving states and cities searching for ways ...
NASA scientists eyeing regional dust storm on Mars
NASA is tracking a regional dust storm on Mars, but says it has not affected the operations of its two rovers on the surface. The space agency said ...

US roads, airports unready for extreme weather
The nation's lifelines — its roads, airports, railways and transit systems — are getting hammered by extreme weather beyond what their builders ...

Study: Distant dwarf planet has no atmosphere
Astronomers say Pluto's icy more distant sister seems even more alien than thought because it doesn't have an atmosphere. Scientists gained that bit ...

Macau grapples with booming casino economy
In a nondescript building around the corner from the world's biggest casino, students at the Macau Polytechnic Institute are in class. Huddled at a ...

Myanmar says it's ready to sign nuclear agreement
Little noticed in the warm glow of President Barack Obama's landmark visit to Myanmar was a significant concession that could shed light on whether ...

New Zealand volcano erupts; dozens of hikers safe
A New Zealand volcano erupted with a brief blast of dark ash Wednesday, canceling flights but causing no significant damage. Schoolchildren and dozens ...

Dark matter detector nearing activation in SD mine
Scientists hoping to detect dark matter deep in a former South Dakota gold mine have taken the last major step before flipping the switch on their ...

Book explores space between disability, identity
Gay, dyslexic and the survivor of near-death depression, writer Andrew Solomon has been acutely aware of his differences for most of his 49 years.

Guide to TV DVD sets as holiday gifts
A TV show DVD set represents more than a holiday gift that's easy to wrap. It also demonstrates respect: you know the recipient is mentally fit and ...

UN says greenhouse gases at record high in 2011
The main global warming pollutant reached a record high level in the air in 2011, the U.N. weather agency said Tuesday. Concentrations of ...