The Columbian

Science & Technology

Hawaii Pacific University graduate student Drew McWhirter, left, and Raquel Corniuk, a research technician at the university's Center for Marine Debris Research, pull apart a massive entanglement of ghost nets May 12 in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The two are part of a study that is attempting to trace derelict fishing gear that washes ashore in Hawaii back to the manufacturers and fisheries that it came from.

Study seeks origins of Hawaii ghost nets

June 6, 2021, 6:02am Life

“Ghost nets” from unknown origins drift among the Pacific’s currents, threatening sea creatures and littering shorelines with the entangled remains of what they kill. Read story

This image shows the planet Venus made with data from the Magellan spacecraft and Pioneer Venus Orbiter. On Wednesday, NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced two robotic missions to the solar system's hottest planet.

NASA eyes return to inhospitable Venus

June 3, 2021, 6:04am Life

NASA is returning to sizzling Venus, our closest yet perhaps most overlooked neighbor, after decades of exploring other worlds. Read story

In this image taken from Roscosmos video, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitsky, left, and Pyotr Dubrov, members of the crew to the International Space Station (ISS), perform their first spacewalk on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, to replace old batteries outside the International Space Station. Two Russian members of the International Space Station crew are conducting a spacewalk. Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov are scheduled to conduct technical works before the arrival of a new Russian module. The duo is set to prepare for undocking and disposal of the Pirs docking compartment, which will be replaced later this year by the new Nauka (Science) multipurpose laboratory module.

Russians end 7-hour spacewalk at International Space Station

June 2, 2021, 8:24am Life

Two Russian cosmonauts ventured for more than 7 hours outside the International Space Station to prepare for the arrival of a new Russian module. Read story

Hybrid beachgrass could mean trouble for Northwest coast

June 1, 2021, 6:33pm Life

Scientists at Oregon State University have confirmed that two widespread, invasive beachgrasses are now genetically mixing, which could present additional challenges to communities and Pacific Northwest dune restoration. Read story

In this Oct. 7, 2020, photo provided by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, a live Asian giant hornet with a tracking device affixed to it sits on an apple in a tree where it was placed, near Blaine, Wash. Washington state officials say they were again unsuccessful at live-tracking an Asian giant hornet while trying to find and destroy a nest of the so-called murder hornets. The Washington State Department of Agriculture said Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, that an entomologist used dental floss to tie a tracking device on a female hornet, only to lose signs of her when she went into the forest.

State to trap Asian giant hornets in Whatcom County

June 1, 2021, 1:24pm Latest News

Scientists will set 1,200 traps for Asian giant hornets this summer as part of ongoing efforts to keep the invasive pests from becoming established in Whatcom County and the rest of Washington state. Read story

The sun sets behind a smokestack June 26 in Kansas City, Mo.

Forecast raises temperature alarm

June 1, 2021, 6:30am Life

There’s a 40 percent chance that the world will get so hot in the next five years that it will temporarily push past the temperature limit the Paris climate agreement is trying to prevent, meteorologists said. Read story

A bear helps itself to a birdfeeder in a backyard. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Tom Moats contends that if you are feeding birds in bear country during the spring, you are bound to draw bears. Birds have plenty of wild food available in the spring.

Bears and fawns, oh my: Washington expert says leave baby deer alone, discourage bruins

June 1, 2021, 6:03am Clark County Life

This the time of year when humans encounter wildlife. Deer and other animals are having babies, and bears are emerging from their winter dens hungry. The bears are desperately seeking sources of food, and are drawn to bird feeders, trash cans and pet food near homes. Also, deer are having… Read story

The Monterey Bay coastline in Northern California. The area has seen an increase in great white sharks in recent years as water temperatures have warmed.

N. California waters see more great white sharks

June 1, 2021, 6:03am Life

You’re still far more likely to see them in movies or TV shows than in person, but the number of great white sharks appears to be increasing along the Northern California coast, say scientists who tracked hundreds of the toothy predators by their distinctive fins. Read story

This illustration provided by General Motors and Lockheed Martin in May depicts astronauts and concepts of lunar rovers on the surface of the moon. On May 26, Lockheed and GM announced that they would combine their technological and manufacturing expertise to build the electric vehicles for NASA's Artemis program, named after the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology.

GM, Lockheed team on rover

June 1, 2021, 6:02am Life

General Motors is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to produce the ultimate off-road, self-driving, electric vehicles — for the moon. Read story

A stranded beluga whale was found dead in the mudflats near Potter Marsh in Alaska.

Beluga whale found dead in Alaska will help scientists better understand the endangered animals

May 31, 2021, 6:01am Life

A stranded beluga whale found dead in the mudflats near Potter Marsh on Tuesday will likely help scientists untangle more information about the critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga population. Read story