A study published on Friday in the journal Science suggests that common low-dose pesticides may be responsible for the rapid decline of bee populations in the United States and Europe. Scientists found that bees consuming pesticides suffered an 85% loss in the number of queens their colony produced and a doubling in the number of bees that failed to return to the nest. It was the first bee-decline study to be conducted in a natural environment. "People had found pretty trivial effects in lab a... Read More
A Californian man says a bear saved him from an attacking mountain lion while he was hiking on Monday near the northern California town of Paradise. Robert Biggs, 69, had been watching a mother bear and two cubs shortly before a mountain lion pounced on him from behind, seizing clawing at his backpack. Biggs fought back with a rock pick and only escaped when the mother bear attacked the lion. Biggs says he is on good terms with the bears, even interacting with one of the cubs last year. In tha... Read More
Micah True, the runner known as Caballo Blanco who gained fame in Chris McDougall's book Born to Run, is missing in New Mexico's Gila National Forest. True, 60, left from the forest's Wilderness Lodge for a 12 mile run on Tuesday morning and has not been heard from since. A search and rescue operation that includes units from the New Mexico State Police and the National Guard is underway. A native of Boulder, Colorado, True is the race director of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, in northern ... Read More
On Thursday, surfing legend Michael Peterson, 59, died of a heart attack at his home in Australia. Considered one of the greatest surfers of all time, Peterson developed a reputation as a fierce competitor as the sport evolved in the 1970s. The surf classic Morning of the Earth features a scene of Peterson riding the surf break at Kirra Point, Queensland. Peterson became involved with drugs during his career and withdrew from the sport in the 1980s as he battled mental illness. He was eventual... Read More
Eleven California state parks that were slated to close this summer will remain open for at least a year, California parks officials announced Tuesday. Deals to keep open at least 35 more parks are in the works, meaning that as few as 15 parks of an expected 70 will actually be shut down. New operating agreements with funding from private donors, foundations, and government entities will keep the 11 confirmed parks open at least through 2013. Most of the parks slated to close are in Northern C... Read More
