Press Release By Date

Doctors and public health officials are concerned about the growing number of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, better known as MRSA, and Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, as well as more common, yet still dangerous, bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Now, doctors and public health officials may have a surprising ally in the fight against these bacteria: natural clays. According to a new study, clays with antibacterial properties found near Crater Lake in Oregon could eventually lead to new agents in the fight against these bacteria.
Monday, December 29, 2014 - 12:04
The vaguely familiar, yet primeval landscape of New Zealand served as the backdrop for the blockbuster film adaptations of the entire “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “The Hobbit” trilogy, the third and final installment of which opens widely this week. The geology that created this landscape is front and center in EARTH’s February cover story, “The Geology of Middle-earth.”
Monday, December 15, 2014 - 16:09

To enter the 2015 competition, applications must be postmarked by January 20, 2015. The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and a travel grant of $1,000 to attend the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Annual Conference in March 2015 in Chicago to accept the award.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 - 15:39
The discovery of hundreds of methane seeps on the seafloor along the U.S. East Coast suggests that hydrocarbon reservoirs may be more common along passive margins than previously thought. The release of such methane globally may have a significant influence on climate, scientists say.
Monday, December 8, 2014 - 11:53
AGI’s Center for Geoscience and Society is pleased to be a partner with the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Center for Science Education on a public awareness program about energy and climate literacy that was announced today by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - 16:00
EARTH’s 2014 year-end issue will continue a tradition begun last year, in which EARTH’s editorial team and several of our regular contributors offer short commentaries on topics that caught their fancy this year. The topics are quite varied and personal, although many of the contributions seem to tie into one of two themes: lists and family.
Monday, December 1, 2014 - 12:26
Hurricane Sandy struck the U.S. East Coast in October 2012, leaving about $65 billion of damage in its wake and raising the question of how to mitigate the damage from future storms. It’s a question that arises in the wake of most natural disasters: What steps can society take to protect itself from storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions? But the question itself illustrates the complexity of preparing for natural disasters.
Friday, November 21, 2014 - 12:36
News items on how AGI Member Organizations are working with the broader public, helping shape the workforce, creating innovative educational experiences, and bringing their scientists to Washington, D.C. to interact with their elected officials.
Friday, November 14, 2014 - 14:50
Congratulations to the winners, finalists, and hundreds of students and others who entered. Each first-place winner receives $300 and a copy of AGI’s The Geoscience Handbook. Entries submitted by winners and finalists are posted online at http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/2014. Meet this year's winners!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014 - 12:56
On March 13, 1989, a geomagnetic storm spawned by a solar outburst struck Earth, triggering instabilities in the electric-power grid that serves much of eastern Canada and the U.S. The storm led to blackouts for more than 6 million customers and caused tens of millions of dollars in damages and economic losses. More than 25 years later, the possibility of another such catastrophe still looms, and the day-to-day effects of space weather on electrical systems remain difficult to quantify. Now, a new study correlating electrical insurance claims with geomagnetic data suggests that even moderate space weather may play a significant role in destabilizing the power grid.
Monday, November 10, 2014 - 12:00
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) encourages U.S.-based geoscience professionals, faculty, students and enthusiasts to sign up and receive their own free lapel pin stating “I’m a Geoscientist.” Enter in mailing information at the following link: http://www.americangeosciences.org/be-a-part and be part of increasing the visibility and diversity of the profession.
Thursday, November 6, 2014 - 10:21
The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is accepting a for the Edward C. Roy Award for Excellence in Earth Science Teaching. Given annually, this award is presented to one full-time K-8 teacher in the U.S. or U.K. whose excellence and innovation in the classroom elevates students’ understanding of the Earth and its many processes.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - 11:02
Earth’s abundant silicate minerals are degraded over time by exposure to water, chemical dissolution, and physical and chemical weathering by tree roots and even insects such as ants and termites. Such weathering plays a significant role in decreasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as carbon dioxide is consumed in chemical weathering reactions and the resultant carbonate becomes sequestered in the form of limestone and dolomite.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014 - 10:49
The American Geosciences Institute has released the 2014 Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates, which highlights the impact of booming enrollments and the challenges for students face in matching their education to the demands of the current hiring in the geoscience-related industries.
Monday, October 27, 2014 - 15:24
The American Geosciences Institute cordially welcomes new officers from the 2014-2015 year: Dr. Scott Tinker as AGI President-Elect, Mr. William Siok as Secretary and Dr. Paul M. Bertsch as the Member-At-Large.
Friday, October 24, 2014 - 13:09
The American Geosciences Institute welcomes Dr. Eric M. Riggs as its President for the 2014-2015 year. With him, Riggs brings a passion for geoscience, geoscience education and the desire to create an inclusive and diverse geoscience community.
Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 14:58
The American Geosciences Institute has awarded this year’s William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI to the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), AGI Member Organization, for its generous financial support and leadership of AGI programs.
Thursday, October 16, 2014 - 11:24
This year the American Geosciences Institute is recognizing David R. Wunsch, Ph.D. with its Outstanding Contribution to the Understanding of Geoscience award. Through numerous outreach efforts, such as helping New Hampshire residents understand the collapse of the “Old Man on the Mountain,” educating the U.S. public on the importance of groundwater and helping support the authorizing of the SECURE Water Act his accomplishments have been numerous and valuable to the U.S. public interest.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 - 15:19
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is famously effusive: Low-viscosity lava has been oozing out of the main caldera and two active rift zones along the southern shore of the Big Island since 1983. But scientists suspect that Kilauea’s eruptions haven’t always been so mild. In the past 2,500 years, at least two cycles of explosive eruptions lasting several centuries each have rocked the island. The switch from effusive to explosive is likely to occur again, scientists say, but probably not anytime soon.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 - 11:43
You are invited to join in celebration of the 5th Annual National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 15, 2014.
Thursday, October 9, 2014 - 16:05

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