Science & Earth

The Environment Agency has expanded its water enforcement workforce and set up five new regulatory teams across East Anglia to inspect Anglian Water sites and tackle pollution as part of a wider increase in roles and funding.

Laboratory research reports that levetiracetam, a widely used epilepsy drug, can halt early amyloid-related protein build-up linked to Alzheimer's, and scientists are developing a longer-acting formulation because the drug is metabolised very rapidly.

A proposed Ham and Kingston bathing site on the River Thames is among 13 spots expected to open in May, and water will be regularly tested for E. coli and other bacteria.

The government has proposed designating a stretch of the Thames at Ham and Kingston as the river's first official bathing site, part of 13 new sites; sewage and other pollution mean the river still misses some legal water-quality targets.

UK property and window experts report that black mould often appears around damp windows and that lemon juice, containing about 5% acidity, is being described as an effective natural remover when used full strength.

The Met Office forecasts a rare sunny day across the UK on Saturday, February 14, with clear skies in Greater Manchester and cooler-than-average temperatures; rain, sleet and snow are expected before and after this day.

Volunteers and conservation groups are planting native cypress and tupelo trees to restore wetlands around New Orleans; organizers report progress toward a roughly 30,000-tree goal and say key plantings should finish by next year.

Krystle Hickman has photographed more than 300 native bee species and published a book on California's native bees supported in part by National Geographic; she documents living bees to record species and behaviour amid habitat loss and climate threats.

After a ceasefire halted major operations, Palestinians and heritage teams are assessing damage and recovering artifacts at historic sites including the Great Omari Mosque and the Pasha Palace.

Chester Zoo has become the first zoo in the UK to be officially recognised as an internationally important botanic garden by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and the charity cares for hundreds of plant species including five National Plant Collections.

The government has proposed 13 new designated bathing sites, including a stretch of the River Thames at Ham and Kingston that could become London's first river bathing site; designation brings regular water quality testing and public information on safety.

Protesters gathered to oppose North Yorkshire Council's plan to permanently close the historic Whitby cliff lift; the lift has been out of service since 2022 with repair costs estimated at £5.5m.

A study in Science finds that genetic testing can identify chestnut trees likely to resist blight and grow tall, which can shorten breeding cycles and help efforts to restore the American chestnut.

The EPA under President Trump has repealed the 2009 endangerment finding that allowed limits on greenhouse-gas emissions; the agency says the change will save money, while environmental groups and some state officials have announced plans to challenge the rollback in court.

A study published in Science reports that fish biomass in the Yangtze more than doubled and species diversity rose about 13% after a 2021 fishing ban.

The Winter Games mascots are stoats named Tina and Milo, and researchers say stoats are increasingly moulting to a white winter coat before snow arrives, raising predation risk. Olympic organisers have acknowledged the point but have not announced a formal plan to incorporate climate messaging into the mascots' presentation.

A small eight-week pilot study reported that 20 g/day of creatine raised total brain creatine by about 11% and was linked with modest improvements on cognitive tests, while experts say the evidence remains preliminary.

Mrinank Sharma resigned from Anthropic saying he was leaving because of concerns about AI, bioweapons and a series of interconnected crises, and said he plans to move to the UK to study poetry.

A prolonged series of storms in Portugal has killed at least 16 people and forced thousands to evacuate, prompting calls for climate adaptation and the interior minister's resignation.

WXCharts weather maps predict a five-day period of snowfall that could cover as much as 95% of the UK, with the most extensive coverage reported around February 23; the Met Office says Atlantic low-pressure systems are likely to dominate the period and could bring rain, snow on northern high ground and strong winds.

At least 46 people have died and more than 550 were reported injured after nearly three weeks of heavy snowfall in parts of Japan; authorities say the storms have caused major travel disruption and warned of avalanche and falling-ice risks as temperatures rise.

Lunar New Year 2026 begins on February 17 and the festival runs for 16 days; 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse and people born in 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 and 2026 are traditionally classed as horses, though January and February birthdays may differ because the lunar and Gregorian calendars do not align exactly.

Conservationists including Chester Zoo say they bred more than 100,000 greater Bermuda snails and have released them back into the wild after a small population was found in Hamilton, Bermuda, ten years ago.

A small limestone harbour village in Glenarm Lower, about 34 miles from Belfast, is noted for Carnlough Harbour, the Local Nature Reserve at Cranny Falls and the nearby Glenarm Castle Walled Garden.

The article reports the IEA found coal-fired generation fell in China and India, and says debate in Australia has reopened over carbon pricing as a safeguard review is due later this year.

Researchers re-examined a small copper-alloy object excavated in the 1920s and found wear patterns and leather coils consistent with a bow drill, which could be the earliest known metal drill and suggests rotary drilling was used in Egypt around two millennia earlier than previously documented.

An ETH Zurich study published in Nature Astronomy reports that the amount of oxygen present while a planet's core forms determines whether phosphorus and nitrogen remain at the surface; the authors say Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago with a balance that kept both elements available for life.

The EPA under the Trump administration plans to repeal the 2009 'endangerment finding' that underpins most federal greenhouse gas rules; the repeal is due to be released on Thursday and is expected to prompt legal challenges.

A loggerhead turtle found cold-stunned on a Jersey beach has been warmed gradually and moved to Weymouth Sea Life centre, where staff report she spent her first night in quarantine and has begun eating; rehabilitators plan months of care before a planned release into warmer seas.

Authorities confirmed nine deaths and said nearly 1,500 people were evacuated after Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar; the storm has since weakened to a moderate tropical storm moving inland.