Great White Shark Photo courtesy of NOAA

Why Did 'Nicole' Cross the Ocean?

A great white shark called Nicole swam from South Africa to Australia and back, a distance of 12,100 miles (19,300 km). Nobody is sure why.

Hatchery Released Disease-Infected Trout

A private fish hatchery has been convicted of releasing trout infected with whirling disease into at least 72 locations in rivers in New Mexico, Utah and Colorado between 1997 and 2003. The disease is passed on by spores from a parasite, so there is nothing that can be done once fish are released into the wild. The owner was ordered to pay $30,000.

17 Die of Legionnaire's Disease in Canada

N. Zealand Students See Coconut Oil As Fuel

The students say that unmodified vehicles could run on pure coconut oil or a diesel/coconut oil mix, and that production would be simpler than for most bio-diesels.

Satellite to Study Polar Ice to Launch

The European Space Agency was to launch a satellite, CryoSat, Saturday to gather data about polar ice.

House Passes Bill to Boost Refineries

By extending the vote by 40 minutes, the Republican majority managed to get passed legislation encouraging the construction of new oil refineries passed in the House by 212-210 (HR 3893). President Bush said, "I commend the House for passing legislation that would increase our refining capacity and help address the cost of gasoline, diesel fuels and jet fuels." Democrats said the legislation was a sop to oil companies and that it would eliminate many blends now designed to reduce air pollution.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita stories

Surveyors Map Katrina's Storm Surge

Hurricanes push storm surges in front of them. How high they are depends not only on the wind strength and air pressure, but also the size of a storm's eye, how far the hurricane force winds extend from the centre, the speed at which it comes ashore, the shallowness of the water off the coast, and the angle at which it hits. Surveyors are mapping the storm surge from Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. Whilst less powerful than the category 5 Hurricane Camille, Katrina was much larger with an unusually large eye. Katrina's storm surge may have been up to 35 feet at its highest.

Dems Seek Penalties for Gas Price-Gougers

In the Democrats' weekly radio address Saturday Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut said that price gougers should face tough criminal penalties. Concerned that people would not be able to heat their homes this winter and in the future and by America's dependence on foreign oil, she called for tax credits for hybrid vehicles, higher vehicle efficiency standards and investment in alternative fuel technologies.

La. Senators Fight Over Aid for Katrina

Louisiana senators Democrat Mary Landrieu and Republican David Vitter differ as to the best way of meeting the state's immediate needs such as paying essential workers. Vitter wanted a $1m loan for essential services out of hurricane relief funds, and to prohibit the federal government from forgiving the loans. Landrieu wanted $15 billion without that provision.

Could Casinos Cure Hurricane Woes?

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin plans to allow casino-type gambling in New Orleans' largest hotels as way of economic recovery.

What can we do to reduce the damage that earthquakes do?

Index of topics in this series.

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