Environment
Rubbish on our beaches up 10 per cent to worst ever levels, prompting calls for a ‘litter tax’
Litter on Britain's beaches is up 10 per cent in just one year to its worst ever levels, prompting calls for a tax on waste. More than 700 bits or rubbish were found, on average, on every 100 metres cleaned as conservationists accused many people of treating our shores as a "big dustbin." A shock report shows that litter levels recorded in an annual survey were at record levels, with food and drink waste accounting for one in five pieces...
The site of Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 54BC has been discovered – in Kent
The landing site for Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain more than 2,000 years ago has been identified for the first time - in Kent. His ships arrived at Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet at the north east point of the county, a spot never previously suspected because it was separated from the mainland. But the location matches Caesar's own personal account with three clues about the landscape being consistent with the amazing discovery. These were its visibility from...
Five rhino calves reintroduced into the wild with help from bighearted Scots
These moving pictures show the release of five orphaned rhino calves back into the South African wild -- thanks to the help of kindhearted Scottish volunteers. The calves were all victims of poaching –- their mothers murdered for their horns -- and were rescued by charity Rhino Revolution. Through the UK arm of the charity, passionate Scots volunteers have been banding together to fundraise for the project. Five orphan rhino's that have been dehorned. These moving pictures show the release...
New species can develop in as little as two generations
New species can develop in as little as two generations and the findings would have left Charles Darwin excited , researchers revealed. Scientists say the arrival 36 years ago of a strange bird to a remote island in the Galapagos provides direct genetic evidence of their claims. The newcomer, which belonged to one species, mated with a member of another species on the small island of Daphne Major in the Pacific Ocean. This produced a new species, known as the...
Is Britain Suffering an Energy Cost Crisis?
The price of energy is a topic which has caused great controversy in the UK in recent years. Many believe it to be overpriced, and with utilities serving as one of the main overheads for UK businesses, it is safe to assume that they are paying a fortune for their electricity. With so many different energy sources, including imported energy, nuclear, renewables and fossil fuels such as coal and gas, the cost of energy can differ depending on its source....
Copy of first atlas of England and Wales sells for more than £100,000
A rare copy of the first ever atlas of England and Wales has sold for more than £100,000 at auction. Christopher Saxton was a Yorkshire-born surveyor who is known as the ‘father of English cartography’. And in the 1570s he spent seven years travelling around England and Wales for Thomas Seckford, who was the master of requests to Queen Elizabeth. His maps were engraved and printed between 1574 and 1578 and were first issued in atlas form in 1579. This...
X-rays reveal the incredible truth about parrotfish teeth
X-Rays have revealed the source of the destructive power behind parrotfish teeth. Researchers have found an Interwoven crystal structure is the key to their coral-crunching ability. The hardy gnashers of the parrotfish allow it to chomp on coral all day long, ultimately chewing and grinding it up through digestion into fine sand. A single parrotfish can produce hundreds of pounds of sand each year. Now, a study has revealed a chain mail-like woven microstructure that gives parrotfish teeth their remarkable...
Surgeons and medical staff at struggling hospitals told to bring in their own MUGS to save cash
A cash-strapped NHS Trust has told surgeons and theatre staff to bring their own MUGS and drinks to work - in a bid to cut costs. Health chiefs have even withdrawn polystyrene cups from water dispensers which has sparked outrage from workers claiming even patients are going thirsty. The move comes as Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust aims to cut £5.5 million from its £29 million deficit. Theatre staff at Alexandra Hospital, Kidderminster Hospital, and Worcestershire Royal Hospital, have now...
Scientists warned that artificially cooling the planet could have “devastating impact”
Proposals to reduce the effects of global warming by imitating volcanic eruptions could have a devastating effect on global regions prone to either tumultuous storms or prolonged drought, new research has shown. Geoengineering – the intentional manipulation of the climate to counter the effect of global warming by injecting aerosols artificially into the atmosphere – has been mooted as a potential way to deal with climate change. However new research led by climate experts from the University of Exeter suggests...