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A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

A deadly fungus that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide probably originated in East Asia, new research suggests.

Carbon prices on both North American coasts stalled this week as participants found little incentive to trade ahead of the next round of quarterly auctions.

Historically, small landowners have had a difficult time accessing carbon markets in which to sell their forest-based offsets.

Glowing blue algae have transformed California's coast.

Rapidly dropping temperatures, rain and wind are hitting south-eastern Australia, due to a perfect combination of warm seas and low-pressure systems. Adam Morgan, Senior Meteorologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cutting Nasa's research jeopardises the ability to measure climate change progress, a journal reveals.

Scientists tested nine different masks bought from Beijing, with variable results

We are all familiar with images of Beijing citizens wearing masks, but do they work? Scientists from Edinburgh’s Institute for Occupational Medicine tested nine different masks bought from Beijing shops. Generally, the filter in each mask worked well, the best stopped over 99% of the particle pollution and the worst stopped 70% to 80%. Next, volunteers wore the masks in a test chamber filled with diesel exhaust. Pollution inside the mask was measured as they walked, nodded and talked. One mask stopped 90% of the particle pollution while others offered almost no protection. The tightness of fit was crucial. Facial hair prevents a good seal and the fit also depends on the shape of the user’s face. If it fits well then breathing through a mask is not easy. Wearing a mask could therefore pose problems for people who already have breathing or heart difficulties. So, face masks are not the answer to our problems. Walking alongside quiet instead of busy roads can help, and generally you will experience less pollution if you walk or cycle rather than sit in a car, but the best route to clean air is not masks. We need reduce the pollution in our cities.

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Development could transform how one of the world’s most common materials is made

Technology has been unveiled that could drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions from aluminium production, in a development that could transform the way one of the world’s most common materials is made.

Aluminium is used to make cars, construction materials, industrial machinery, electrical products, drinks cans, foil packaging and much more. But its production relies on processes that have changed little since the 1880s when the first smelting processes were pioneered.

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Scientists have isolated the gene responsible for temperature-controlled sex determination in turtles.

Governments have agreed to hold an extra week of negotiations on international emissions trade and other rules under the 2015 Paris Agreement, as two weeks of UN climate talks in Bonn ended Thursday yielding little progress.

Removing too much trackside vegetation harms the environment, wildlife charities say.

A bill to expand Connecticut’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and revise the state’s energy plan passed a final floor vote in the House on Wednesday, but not before some legislators unsuccessfully tried to put forth an amendment amidst backlash from environmental groups.

Green group The Nature Conservancy and insurance company XL Catlin have teamed up to develop ‘Blue Carbon Resilience Credits’ for marketing the benefits of ecosystems that combine carbon sequestration and climate change resiliency.

Italian utility Enel reported a more advanced hedging position in Q1, continuing its accelerated rate from the previous quarter as EUA prices rose.

Climate talks in Bonn officially suspended as countries fail to resolve differences about the Paris agreement.

Water broke through the banks of the Patel dam in Solai, northern Kenya, on Wednesday night, killing at least 38 people and forcing hundreds from their homes. Up to 40 people were rescued from the mud and taken to hospital in rescue operations conducted by the Kenya Red Cross and Nakuru county disaster management teams. But many more are feared to be trapped under debris and mud, which have submerged homes over a radius of nearly 1.2 miles

• Dozens killed and many more feared trapped after Kenya's Patel dam bursts

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Researchers have developed a device that could make objects appear invisible to sonar detection.

Photojournalist Carolina Arantes documented Brazil’s thriving cattle industry and witnessed how farmers work with genetics companies to improve the performance and profitability of their herds

Jabriel is an awesome, imposing creature. His humped figure, size and weight represent everything that is prized and revered in a bull. He is quite literally the top of the pyramid in Brazil’s vast, complicated and money-driven cattle industry.

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EU carbon prices hit a fresh seven-year high on Thursday, posting a third day of strong gains in the past four amid a supply-starved week and as the wider European energy complex marched higher.