Here's today's roundup of science, nature and environment news from the Bay Area and beyond.
Astronomers Find Double-Planet, Double-Star System | Wired Science | Wired.comAstronomers have published a study revealing that NASA's exoplanet-hunting Kepler telescope has spotted two planets orbiting two suns for the first time. The find proves that circumbinary planetary systems can not only form in, but continue to withstand, the intense pressures exerted by a binary star system - until now, astronomers had only been able to identify binary star systems with one planet in orbit, a find that was confirmed in 2011 when Kepler-16b was spotted.
via Wired
Sweet! Astronomers spot sugar molecule near starBERLIN (AP) â Astronomers say that, for the first time, they have discovered one of the ingredients of life â sugar â in a gas cloud surrounding a young star. Details of the discovery at the European Southern Observatory in Chile will be published in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.
via Sfgate
High-Speed Rail Is Definitely Green | Eco Watch | The Bay Area Environment ColumnOpponents of high-speed rail contend that it's a boondoggle because of its $68 billion pricetag. But a recent UC Berkeley study provides evidence that a California bullet train might be a good investment, particularly when it comes to reducing greenhouse gases and fighting climate change.
via Eastbayexpress
Obama calls for cars to get almost 55 mpgWASHINGTON - The Obama administration announced fuel economy standards Tuesday that would require car makers to almost double the average gas mileage for passenger vehicles to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The final rules mark the latest step in a lengthy campaign by the administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption and are the highest fuel efficiency standards in U.S.
via Latimes
Not again: Another error found in Silicon Valley agency's proposed $548 million parcel tax measure - San Jose Mercury NewsSanta Clara Valley Water District scrambles to correct the dates in the measure that will go to voters in November, less than two weeks after it counted the words incorrectly, bringing threats of a lawsuit.
via Mercurynews