An environment is a complex of surrounding circumstances, conditions, or influences in which a thing is situated or is developed, or in which a person or organism lives, modifying and determining its life or character.

• In biology, ecology, and environmental science, an environment is the complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors that surround and act upon an organism or ecosystem.

• The natural environment is such an environment that is relatively unaffected by human activity.
  • environmentalism is a concern with the preservation of the natural environment, especially from human pollution, and the ethics and politics associated with this.

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NEWS.com.au | In-Depth | Science and Nature

Magnetic discs could kill cancer
Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:42:00 -0000
TINY magnetic discs just a millionth of a metre in diameter could be used to kill cancer cells, according to a study.
Ban drives 'biotech industry to its knees'
Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:18:00 -0000
CHANGING Australian law to explicitly rule out patents being applied to human genes would drive research jobs and investment dollars offshore, an expert panel says.
Fiddler crabs 'exchange favours for sex'
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:01:00 -0000
SCIENTISTS have found that, just like some people, crustaceans offer protection in return for sex.
Snows of Kilimanjaro 'could vanish'
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:57:00 -0000
THE snows capping Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak, are shrinking rapidly and could vanish altogether in 20 years.
Volcanic eruptions 'may split Africa'
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:38:00 -0000
VOLCANIC activity may split the African continent in two owing to a recent geological crack in northeastern Ethiopia.
Chimps prove grief not just for humans
Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:12:00 -0000
PRIMATES show that "higher" emotions may not just be the preserve of the human species.
Sting-free honey bee gets federal funding
Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:14:00 -0000
THE winners of this year's Australian Research Council's competitive grants scheme have been announced, with 1145 projects to receive $394 million.
Scientist creates 'Shroud of Turin' in lab
Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:10:00 -0000
AN Italian scientist says he has proven beyond all doubt that the linen Christians revere as Jesus Christ's burial cloth is a fake.
'We're going to need a lot more food'
Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:42:00 -0000
ONE of mankind's greatest challenges over the next 50 years is how to feed everyone, as a study warns we'll eat more food in the next five decades than in all of human history.
Can you name these creepy crawly critters?
Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:20:00 -0000
MORE than 800 species have been discovered in outback Australia, but half of them need to find a name.

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