Here's today's roundup of science, nature and environment news from the Bay Area and beyond.
'God particle' does exist, scientists sayThe focus of the excitement is the Higgs boson, a subatomic particle that, if its existence is confirmed, could help explain why matter has mass, which combines with gravity to give an object weight.

This US summer is 'what global warming looks like'Scientifically linking individual weather events to climate change takes intensive study, complicated mathematics, computer models and lots of time. [...] since at least 1988, climate scientists have warned that climate change would bring, in general, increased heat waves, more droughts, more sudden downpours, more widespread wildfires and worsening storms. [...]
Most Calif. parks escape ax, but not out of woodsTwenty-five others, including Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, are in active negotiations with organizations that are prepared to provide security, parking attendants, rangers and other services, Laird said. [...] combined with $13 million in redirected bond payments, the funds bought state park officials more time to complete deals with nonprofit organizations, foundations, government agencies, regional park districts, associations and private companies willing to run a park.