Here's today's roundup of science, nature and environment news from the Bay Area and beyond.
Jupiter-bound spacecraft makes key maneuverAlong with another engine firing set for next week, the maneuver is intended to direct Juno toward Earth's orbit for a 2013 fly-by, where it will use the planet's gravity to accelerate toward the outer solar system. Soon after launch, it glanced back and snapped a rare picture of Earth and the moon.
via Sfgate
Drakes Bay review inconclusive on harmA legal and philosophical slugfest over the fate of a popular oyster farm in the picturesque estuary where Sir Francis Drake landed more than four centuries ago is winding toward a final decision, and not even the National Academy of Sciences can resolve the dispute.
via Sfgate
More birds with West Nile virus discovered in East Bay - San Jose Mercury NewsAs West Nile virus continues its spread across the U.S. this summer, several East Bay cities are reporting for the first time this year finding dead birds carrying the virus, including Fremont, Newark, Concord, Clayton and Discovery Bay.
via Mercurynews
Spineless creatures under threat, from worms to bees-studyOSLO (Reuters) - The vital tasks carried out by tiny "engineers" like earthworms that recycle waste and bees that pollinate crops are under threat because one fifth of the world's spineless creatures may be at risk of extinction, a study showed on Friday.
via Reuters
Curtain rises on California's planned carbon marketEvery year at the Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) processing plant in Woodland, Calif., half a million tons of tomatoes are sliced, diced, canned, boiled, and shipped to grocery stores nationwide. The operation is driven by steam, lots of it, which comes from a suite of massive natural-gas-powered boilers.
via Grist