International

"A microscopic pathogen and pesticides embedded in old honeycombs are two major contributors to the bee disease known as colony collapse disorder."

"Secretary General Ban ki-moon today announced plans to fly from Norway out over the Arctic Ocean to the Norwegian research vessel Lance near the North Pole on September 1. The planned excursion is part of his efforts to prod world leaders to take meaningful steps on global warming in treaty talks in Copenhagen in December."

"The great outdoors is a dangerous place for animals, who often die from hunger, predator attacks, or infections. But cancer can also be a culprit, and human pollution may be making it worse."

The tobacco industry sees its future in recruitment of new smokers, some very young, in the Third World.

"Is it possible that the long performance of the 'You first, sir,' vaudeville routine by the Alphonse and Gaston of the global greenhouse is drawing toward a close?"

"A chemical [DEHP] used in many plastic products and already under scrutiny for potential health risks is suspected of raising the risk of liver problems in premature babies, according to a new study."

"The world's ocean surface temperature in June rose to its warmest since 1880, breaking the previous high mark set in 2005, according to a preliminary analysis by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville."

As scientists watch the 11-year cycle of increasing and decreasing sunspots, they are finding that the Sun seems to be in an unusually calm period. The observation raises questions about the Sun's influence on climate.

Scientists are finding what seems to be a global decline in caribou populations.

The Food and Drug Administration tested electronic cigarettes -- whose makers (most Chinese) tout them as safer than ordinary cigarettes. The FDA found that some e-cigarettes contained cancer-causing chemicals.