See more of the story

More than half of Southern California's beaches could completely erode back to coastal infrastructure or sea cliffs by the year 2100 as the sea level rises, according to a new study. Using a computer model to predict shoreline effects caused by the rise of sea levels and changes in storm patterns from climate change, the research found that with limited human intervention, 31 percent to 67 percent of the beaches could vanish over the next eight decades with sea-level rises of 3.3 feet to 6.5 feet. Human efforts will likely need to increase to preserve the beaches, lead study author Sean Vitousek said.

Egg masses from rare frog discovered

A discovery involving a rare California frog has researchers hopping for joy. Nine egg masses from the California red-legged frog were discovered in a creek in the Santa Monica Mountains, which stretch from Los Angeles westward along the Malibu coast into Ventura County. The threatened species hasn't been seen naturally in the mountains since the 1970s and the National Park Service has been trying to rebuild the population by transplanting eggs from a population in the nearby Simi Hills. The discovery of new egg masses indicates that after four years of effort, the population is showing signs of sustaining itself without human help, although transplants will continue, the park service indicated.

Whale exhales spray an array of bacteria

When the mighty orca breaks to the surface and exhales, the whale sprays an array of bacteria and fungi in its breath, scientists said, some good, and some bad such as salmonella. The findings raise concerns about the potential role of infectious diseases as another major stress factor for the struggling population of endangered Puget Sound orcas. Those orcas' breath samples revealed microbes capable of causing diseases. Some were resistant to multiple antibiotics frequently used by people and animals, suggesting human waste contaminating the marine environment, according to the study published online in the journal Scientific Reports.

Scientists track the wonders of the ocean

The research vessel Okeanos Explorer is exploring the 370,000 square miles of ocean covered by the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, collecting data and videos on the ocean and some of the astonishing creatures that live there. Scientists on board are trying to establish a baseline for parts of the vast monument area so that they can monitor the effects of ocean acidification and climate change.

News services