http://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. The prickly pear cactus may not sound like a trendy cash crop, but it could become a phenomenon among farmers on the arid west side of California's San Joaquin Valley. http://phys.org/news247398492.html Space & Earth Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:50:01 EST news247398492 A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has discovered what may be an effective tool for cleaning up soils and waterways in parts of California's San Joaquin Valley: a drought-tolerant cactus. http://phys.org/news246181572.html Space & Earth Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:10:03 EST news246181572 A recent study shows that shade trees on the west and south sides of a house in California can reduce a homeowner's summertime electric bill by about $25.00 a year. The study, conducted last year on 460 single-family homes in Sacramento, is the first large-scale study to use utility billing data to show that trees can reduce energy consumption. http://phys.org/news150384050.html Space & Earth Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:20:50 EST news150384050