Phenomenon, often seen around Britain’s coast at this time of year, is caused by a combination of algae and weather
At this time of year a sinister-looking substance can often be sighted around Britain’s coast: a frothy foam piled up along the shoreline or appearing in long ribbons offshore. People sometimes assume this foam is the result of pollution or sewage dumping. In fact it is a common natural phenomenon produced by a combination of algae and weather.
Sea algae start to grow in April as conditions warm. The most common sort, phaeocystis, is not toxic and forms part of the marine food chain. When the algal bloom dies it leaves a brown scum of organic material with surfactant properties, which, like soap, lowers the surface tension of the water.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
05/21/2026 - 23:00
npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 22 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00207-z
The surf ecosystem as an emerging framework for managing coastal and marine resources
05/21/2026 - 18:01
Cancer Research UK figures show number diagnosed with most serious form of skin cancer has risen above 20,000 for first time
The number of cases from the most serious form of skin cancer have reached a record high across the UK, according to analysis by a leading cancer charity.
Melanoma cases in the UK have risen above 20,000 for the first time ever, with 20,980 people being diagnosed with the form of cancer in 2022, according to analysis of the latest figures by Cancer Research UK.
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05/21/2026 - 15:00
Conservationists say population rebound demands rethink of retention zones that allow thousands of the animals to remain in the park
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Feral horse numbers in the Kosciuszko national park have surged, with new survey data estimating populations climbed by thousands after the New South Wales government paused aerial culling in 2025.
Conservation advocates say the rebound in numbers demands an urgent rethink of retention zones that allow thousands of horses to remain in the park.
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05/21/2026 - 13:00
Research led by WHO predicts hotter climate will lead to more contact between humans and venomous snakes
The risk of snakebites is increasing across the world as reptiles shift their habitats to cope with rising temperatures and growing human pressures, a study of venomous snakes has found.
Spitting cobras in Africa, vipers in Europe and South America, cottonmouth moccasins in North America and kraits in Asia are coming into greater contact with people as a result of climate disruption and landscape change, according to the research, which was led by the World Health Organization.
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05/21/2026 - 10:00
Climate change denial has become untenable yet Hanson’s party digs in – with conspiracy theories, cherrypicking and claims that are easy to refute
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As the populist rightwing One Nation surges in the polls, its position on climate change is fixed firmly on the denial of decades of evidence showing the planet, and Australia, are getting hotter.
The science linking the burning of fossil fuels to rising temperatures is 130 years old and, as the evidence has stacked up, Australians are feeling it with increasing weather extremes.
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05/21/2026 - 09:34
EPA is loosening Biden-era rule that requires US businesses to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment
The Trump administration is set to loosen a federal rule that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment, in what officials say is a push to lower grocery costs.
The head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, said the Biden-era rule imposes costly restrictions that limit the type of refrigerants US businesses and families can use.
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05/21/2026 - 05:39
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Democrats belatedly publish 2024 election autopsy report: ‘It won’t meet your standards’
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Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democrats spoke held a news conference, ahead of the vote-a-rama Thursday morning.
“The Republican agenda is one big broken promise,” said Schumer, criticizing the Republican budget bill. “We still haven’t seen the bill, because they are fighting with each other.”
Trump v Cook: Donald Trump’s case for firing Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, as he continues to exert greater control over the US central bank.
Trump v Slaughter: A case which examines the legality of Trump’s firing of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) member, Rebecca Slaughter.
Trump v Barbara: In which the court will decide if the administration’s attempts to restrict birthright citizenship are unconstitutional.
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05/20/2026 - 23:00
npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 21 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00198-x
Three challenges to marine carbon dioxide removal
05/17/2026 - 23:00
npj Ocean Sustainability, Published online: 18 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s44183-026-00199-w
Sizing blue carbon risks and benefits from bivalve aquaculture
