Scientists predict slump in Falklands squid stocks
Record low numbers of highly-prized squid have devastated the Falkland Islands fishery this year. Less than 10,000 tonnes have been caught so far, making this the worst year since the fishery began in 1987. As described in this week`s SCIENCE British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists believe unfavourable oceanographic conditions in squid spawning... view more... (2002-05-08)
Squid Skin Reveals Hidden Messages
In the animal world, squid are masters of disguise. Pigmented skin cells enable them to camouflage themselves-almost instantaneously-from predators. view more (2006-09-22)
Squid 'sight': Not just through eyes
It's hard to miss the huge eye of a squid. But now it appears that certain squids can detect light through an organ other than their eyes as well. view more (2009-06-02)
URI researcher sheds light on 'man-eating' squid; finds them timid, non-threatening
News reports last week about scuba divers off San Diego being menaced by large numbers of Humboldt's or jumbo squid have raised the ire of University of Rhode Island biologist Brad Seibel. view more (2009-07-24)
Superconducting sensor helps detecting gravitation waves
To be able to detect gravitation waves in space, physicist have to measure truly minimal displacements: ten billion times smaller than the size of an atom. An improved superconducting sensor is a suitable candidate for this job, Martin Podt of the University of Twente now states in his PhD thesis. He has improved the sensitivity of a so-called... view more... (2003-01-15)
Tentacles of venom: new study reveals all octopuses are venomous
Once thought to be only the realm of the blue-ringed octopus, researchers have now shown that all octopuses and cuttlefish, and some squid are venomous. The work indicates that they all share a common, ancient venomous ancestor and highlights new avenues for drug discovery. view more (2009-04-15)
Scientists find that squid beak is both hard and soft, a material that engineers want to copy
How did nature make the squid's beak super hard and sharp -- allowing it, without harm to its soft body -- to capture its prey? view more (2008-03-28)
Single gene lets bacteria jump from host to host
All life - plants, animals, people - depends on peaceful coexistence with a swarm of microbial life that performs vital services from helping to convert food to energy to protection from disease. view more (2009-02-02)
Symbiotic microbes induce profound genetic changes in their hosts
Though bacteria are everywhere - from the air we breathe and the food we eat to our guts and skin - the vast majority are innocuous or even beneficial, and only a handful pose any threat to us. What distinguishes a welcome microbial guest from an unwanted intruder? view more (2008-07-29)
Brain power goes green
Our brains, it turns out, are eco-friendly. A study published in Science and reviewed by F1000 Biology members Venkatesh Murthy and Jakob Sorensen reveals that our brains have the amazing ability to be energy efficient. view more (2009-10-15)
Migrating squid drove evolution of sonar in whales and dolphins, researchers argue
Behind the sailor's lore of fearsome battles between sperm whale and giant squid lies a deep question of evolution: How did these leviathans develop the underwater sonar needed to chase and catch squid in the inky depths" view more (2007-09-06)
Tracking sperm whales and jumbo squid
The sperm whale and its large prey, the jumbo squid, are among the deepest divers in the ocean, routinely reaching depths of 3,000 feet or more. view more (2007-03-09)
Persistent Man-made Chemical Pollutants Found in Deep-sea Octopods and Squids
New evidence that chemical contaminants are finding their way into the deep-sea food web has been found in deep-sea squids and octopods, including the strange-looking "vampire squid". These species are food for deep-diving toothed whales and other predators. view more (2008-06-10)
Squid-inspired design could mean better handling of underwater vehicles
Inspired by the sleek and efficient propulsion of squid, jellyfish and other cephalopods, a University of Colorado at Boulder researcher has designed a new generation of compact vortex generators that could make it easier for scientists to maneuver and dock underwater vehicles at low speeds and with greater precision. view more (2006-12-13)
Structure of enzyme against chemical warfare agents determined
The enzyme DFPase from the squid Loligo vulgaris, is able to rapidly and efficiently detoxify chemical warfare agents such as Sarin, which was used in the Tokyo subway attacks in 1995. view more (2009-01-29)
Going Ballistic: Soft Structures Could Spell The End For Slow Shrimps
Many animals are able to rapidly extend their tongues to catch prey. In fact, the chameleon extends its tongue at an acceleration rate of 500 metres per second square - generating 5 times the G force experienced by an F-16 fighter during its most demanding maneouvre! New research presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in... view more... (2002-04-09)
Deep-sea exploration beneath hurricane Katrina's wake
Despite having to evade hurricane Katrina, a team of scientists from Harbor Branch and other institutions is returning to port this Sunday with new tales from the deep after completing their second annual Deep Scope expedition. view more (2005-09-02)
Winner of 2004 EMBO Science Writing Prize Announced
The winner of the 2004 EMBO Science Writing Prize is Matthew Bottomley of the Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare in Rome, Italy. The winning piece, entitled "From Hawaii with Love", takes a novel and entertaining look at the use of quorum-sensing systems in transcriptional regulation of bacteria. view more (2004-08-30)
Fishing trade helps Africa
Eating fish imported from poor African countries can help rather than harm those economies according to new research by scientists at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, working in partnership with the University of East Anglia. view more (2006-09-06)
Role of noise in neurons
Addressing a current issue in neuroscience, Aldo Faisal and Simon Laughlin from Cambridge University investigate the reliability of thin axons for transmitting information. They show that noise effects in ion channels in the brain are much larger than previously assumed - meaning the fidelity of transmission is compromised. view more (2007-05-04)
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