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Research shows drones can deliver certain items faster and with less environmental impact than trucks – but there are drawbacks

Drones invoke varying perceptions, from fun gadget to fly in the park to deadly military weapons. In the future, they may even be viewed as a handy tool in the battle to fight climate change.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport of goods could be cut if drones replace trucks in some instances, researchers have found, providing an environmental edge to the push by companies such as Amazon and Google to expand drone deliveries.

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Study of an Amazon fish has challenged ideas about how DNA gathers deadly mutations over time.

A few thousand fake ducks, a group of experienced wildlife spotters and a drone have proven the usefulness and accuracy of drones for wildlife monitoring. Jarrod Hodgson, PhD Candidate, University of Adelaide Aleks Terauds, Senior Research Scientist / Section Head, Australian Antarctic Division Lian Pin Koh, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The crossing, unassisted by an icebreaker vessel, marks a milestone as thawing polar ice opens up Russia’s northern coastline, reports Climate Home News

An LNG tanker designed for icy conditions has become the first commercial ship to travel the Arctic’s northern sea route in winter.

It marks a milestone in the opening up of Russia’s northern coastline, as thawing polar ice makes industrial development and maritime trade increasingly viable.

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Research shows that pace of melting in Antarctica and Greenland has accelerated

Melting ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are speeding up the already fast pace of sea level rise, new satellite data shows.

At the current rate, the world’s oceans will be on average at least 60cm (2ft) higher by the end of the century, according to research published in Monday’s Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.

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A heartwarming image of a gorilla in the arms of her rescuer won this year’s award, after 20,000 nature fans voted on a shortlist of 24 images

• The picture will be displayed in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum until 28 May
  

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Readers around the UK have been getting in touch after noticing blooming and blossoming ahead of time

Spring has come early in the form of blooming flowers and butterflies, according to readers around the UK who responded to our callout.

Related: Spring flowers in autumn, birdsong in winter: what a freak year for nature

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Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex: This is no idle flyover – the peregrine falcon is focused, intent, trying to single out possible targets

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AGL seeks another 500MW of wind capacity as it gears up to replace Liddell coal plant with mix of renewables, storage and gas.

A website and Facebook page called "Energy in Australia" has emerged over recent months. If you ever wanted an example of "fake news" loaded with myths masquerading as facts, here it is.

The compounds are called malacidins and can kill several stubborn infections, including superbug MRSA.

Government says it has no information on extent of clearing under new, less-restrictive laws

Prosecutions in New South Wales for illegal land clearing have dropped by 80% in the past three years, according to data released under freedom of information laws.

The information, obtained by the NSW Labor opposition, shows the Berejiklian government claims not to have any information about how much clearing has occurred under new laws that came into force in August 2017 aimed at making land clearing easier.

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Schism among Australia's energy elite deepens as Frontier's Danny Price attacks AEMO, saying it is a "danger" to investors and should be abolished.

Upon completion, the power station, which will reduce contamination levels and promote local renewable energy development profoundly, will be the largest of its kind in Israeland the 5th largest in the world .

New green loan scheme backed by Clean Energy Finance Corporation to offer cheaper finance to buy and lease low and zero emissions vehicles.

Critics argue EVs charged with fossil fuelled electricity are as dirty, if not dirtier than conventional ICE cars. We put that to the test.

Mr Trump's proposed budget includes funds to transition the space station from public to private.

Footage shows the iceberg scientists hope will reveal an Antarctic realm hidden for thousands of years.

Company pledges to introduce free drinking water facilities in many of nation’s busiest stations

Network Rail has pledged to install water fountains in the majority of its 17 managed UK stations by the end of the year.

Related: Bottled water is a nonsense. Just ban it and fill our towns with drinking fountains | Sonia Sodha

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Hundreds of Australian animals are endangered, and while they could be saved, government intervention is urgently needed
• ‘A national disgrace’: Australia’s extinction crisis is unfolding in plain sight

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