Researchers are creating a high-resolution, 3D online catalog of fishes using MRI technology, allowing for the digital dissection of preserved specimens. The Digital Fish Library project will image at least one fish family per 482 families worldwide, promoting biodiversity research and education.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program provides mid-career academic scientists with critical skills to communicate effectively with decision makers and the media. The fellowship program, founded in 1998, aims to improve policymaking through sound information conveyed clearly and accurately.
The Digital Fish Library project will create a high-resolution online catalog of fishes, enabling researchers and the public to digitally probe and dissect specimens. The project aims to develop new methods for data analysis and visualization to penetrate through soft body tissue and provide 3-D images of physiological structures.
The HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) provides long-range weather prediction, enhances ocean current understanding, and supports real-time maritime operations. This innovative tool enables accurate forecasts and tracking of pollution, algal blooms, and oil spills.
Dr. Worcester is recognized for his pioneering work on acoustical oceanography and tomographic inverse methods, as well as his tireless efforts to develop responsible permitting structures for scientific sound use. He is the eighth recipient of the Munk Award, a testament to his groundbreaking research and leadership in the field.
Dr. Peter Worcester is being recognized for his contributions to acoustical oceanography, tomographic inverse methods, and leadership in the US ocean acoustics community. He has led numerous experimental programs to develop and use tomography, including notable experiments north of Hawaii and in the Greenland Sea.
The world's first marine mining companies are assessing the economic potential of undersea deposits of polymetallic sulphides. Deep-sea robotics and technology are being developed to extract ore from watery depths, with potential benefits including reduced environmental impact compared to terrestrial mining.
Researchers found evidence of increased clay mineral deposition in the oceans during a 200 million year period, which preceded the first animal fossils about 600 million years ago. The study suggests that an increase in oxygen concentration in the atmosphere was necessary for animal life to arise.
Marine scientists are investigating the world's coral reefs to assess biodiversity, identify species, and predict reef collapse. The CReefs project aims to answer key questions about reef dynamics, species survival, and conservation strategies.
Scientists have found evidence of an abrupt ocean circulation reversal in the deep ocean, which they believe was triggered by global warming. This phenomenon, known as overturning, is critical for regulating global climate conditions and could have lasting effects on deep ocean circulation.
Scientists used ancient sea creature shells to uncover a monumental reversal in deep-ocean circulation patterns around the world. The shift was triggered by global warming and led to drastic climatological and biological changes.
The use of underwater listening devices has yielded surprising discoveries about the movements and calling behavior of endangered large whales in Alaskan waters. These devices have enabled scientists to detect and recognize whale calls over tens of miles, providing new insights into the seasonal habits of these marine mammals.
Marine biogeochemists have shown that microbes degrading organic carbon respond differentially to temperature changes, affecting organic matter breakdown efficiency. This finding suggests that global climate change could influence the efficiency of organic carbon recycling and burial.
Research reveals that ice sheets scoured the sea floor, erasing whole communities of animals. Seafloor organisms may have emigrated to the deep sea or recolonised the Antarctic shelf during warm periods following ice ages.
John Hobbie, a renowned marine biologist, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on decomposition and productivity in aquatic ecosystems. With over 40 years of research experience, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of estuaries and coastal ecosystems.
Researchers sequenced goby DNA to find evidence of invasion; genetic analysis suggests Atlantic gobies invaded during warm period 150,000 years ago. Warmer climate may lead to further expansion of marine species beyond cold water barriers.
Researchers discovered that pockets of water wedge themselves into the subtropical gyre, preventing deep-ocean nutrients from reaching the surface where plants can thrive. The study found that this phenomenon reduces primary productivity and supports the food chain.
Researchers found that small oyster shell reefs are effective in slowing erosion on low wave energy shorelines, but less effective in higher wave energy environments. This study suggests that oyster reefs could be a useful tool for coastal managers to stabilize shorelines under low energy conditions.
Researchers used reflected seismic waves to image the structure of the lower crust, finding evidence of multiple magma sills forming at different levels. The study suggests that the base of the oceanic crust is formed from several smaller sources of magma rather than a single large pool.
Researchers used seismic data to create images of solidified lenses and sills embedded in the Earth's crust/mantle boundary, suggesting a complex formation process. The findings imply that the lower oceanic crust is generated from multiple smaller magma sources rather than a single large source.
A two-year, $1.5 million project will provide fundamental information about sediment translocation in Venice lagoon, using a multidisciplinary approach to analyze geochemical, physical, microbial, toxicological, and ecological science. The research aims to assess the effects of sediment movement on the lagoon's ecosystem.
The new Web-based modules, developed by COMET, will acquaint forecasters with the physics behind rip currents and help them use wind and wave forecasts to produce outlooks of rip-current risk. The modules include animated depictions of rip-current evolution in three dimensions.
Researchers estimate that excess fresh water entered the North Atlantic Ocean, causing salinity changes and potentially slowing the ocean conveyor. The study suggests that a freshening threshold could be reached in a century, affecting heat transport and climate.
Deep-sea organisms rely on 'sinkers', discarded mucus nets of larvaceans, as a vital food source. Researchers found that these cast-off 'houses' carry large amounts of detritus and tiny animals towards the seafloor.
Scientists have discovered a new underwater volcano near Samoa, dubbed Nafanua, which has rapidly formed since its last expedition in May 2001. The volcano's growth rate averages eight inches per day, and researchers found an unusual biological community of eels inhabiting the area.
Scientists developed a new method to image the earth's rupture during the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean earthquake, providing a fresh perspective on the massive event. The technique uses first-arriving seismic waves to create detailed images in under 30 minutes, which could be used for public-warning and tsunami-alert systems.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has been awarded a 10-year contract to manage the International Ocean Drilling Program's Site Survey Data Bank, transforming it into an interactive tool for researchers. The new system will support proposal reviews and operations at sea with cutting-edge data.
Scientists on a research cruise are assessing ocean temperatures and collecting water samples to identify levels of carbon dioxide. The study suggests that the jet stream's strength influences both weather patterns and ocean state, leading to recent major temperature changes in the Atlantic.
A team of scientists from Israel, US, and Germany have found that tiny ocean animals called zooplankton can 'treadmill' against strong vertical currents to keep their depth. This remarkable behavior has significant implications for the survival of predators and humans.
A significant gap exists in understanding Earth's energy balance, crucial for accurately determining climate change. Scientists call for improved research observations and models to describe the overall energy balance of Earth's system.
A team of scientists used a 3D acoustic imaging system to track the swimming behavior of zooplankton in the Red Sea, revealing that they 'treadmill' against upwelling and downwelling currents. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind zooplankton patchiness and its ecological implications for predators.
Research on Earth's albedo is facing a lack of funding and resources, hindering scientists' understanding of its effects on climate change. Albedo makes up half the equation for understanding the planet's energy budget, but its impact could be off by as much as 100 percent.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have found lower oxygen levels in the dead zone area of the Gulf, which could lead to more severe hypoxia and fish kills if physical conditions continue. The team studied an area between Southwest Pass, La., and the Calcasieu ship channel.
A new study reveals that overfishing of sharks triggers a domino effect of changes in abundance, contributing to the degradation of Caribbean reefs. The researchers found that sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the ecosystem, and their removal can lead to a decline in plant-eating fish populations.
Researchers aboard the drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution recovered rocks from over 4,644 feet below the sea floor, providing valuable information about the composition of the Earth. The effort missed its target of reaching the Earth's mantle by less than 1,000 feet, but will still provide important clues on how ocean crust forms.
Two UW ocean-diving gliders, Seagliders, have set a new record by traveling across the Pacific Ocean. They were deployed in September and traveled over 1,860 miles in 191 days. The gliders' autonomous technology allows them to collect oceanographic measurements without propellers, setting a precedent for the longest range of any autono...
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program has moved to Stanford University and awarded new fellowships to 19 environmental scientists in 2005. The fellows will receive training on communicating environmental science to policymakers, media, business leaders, and the public.
Researchers found conditions unfavorable for methane gas hydrate formation in the northern Gulf of Mexico due to salt domes and hot sediments. The study suggests deposits may be thin or non-existent, contradicting previous estimates.
UCSB scientists investigate seafloor hydrothermal fluid discharge to uncover insights into the origins of life on Earth. By studying subseafloor microbes and geological formations, researchers aim to understand how early life survived in a challenging environment.
El Nino forecasting can aid in managing high-yield fisheries with boom-and-bust cycles, controlling tropical diseases like mosquito-caused malaria, and protecting marine mammals and other ocean species. By predicting ENSO events nine months in advance, scientists can deploy resources effectively.
Researchers have discovered that older fish produce exponentially more larvae, which are crucial for the survival and growth of younger fish. Removing these older fish can lead to a 'Darwinian debt' for future generations, where evolutionary damage is difficult to repair.
Research on Neoproterozoic low-latitude sedimentary rocks reveals that tropical oceans were likely very cold during the Cryogenian period, leading to widespread sea ice. In contrast, a Cretaceous alluvial sequence provides evidence of long-term amplification of the global hydrologic cycle and greenhouse climate signals.
Researchers discovered a correlation between the deepening of the Pacific Ocean's CCD and global cooling approximately 34 million years ago. The study suggests that prolonged absence of warm summers inhibited summer snow melt, leading to ice sheet growth.
The study aims to understand the complex linkages between environmental change, whale population dynamics, and human societies in Alaska's Arctic ecosystem. Collaborators will investigate climate variability, ice reduction, and its impact on local whaling practices and global commerce.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have cloned a gene from the marine invertebrate Bugula neritina, which may prove key in developing new cancer drugs. The cloned gene, bryA, is thought to be involved in the production of bryostatin, a family of chemical compounds with potential as anticancer pharmaceuticals.
Researchers discovered a genetic set of keys that unlocks the mystery of why some people can eat fatty foods without suffering from heart disease. The study found significant variations in genes associated with sugar and fat metabolism, which explain much of the variation in cardiac metabolism.
The international Argo program has reached a milestone with 1,500 ocean-traveling float instruments now operating, providing valuable data on climate and weather phenomena. This coverage represents half of the target 3,000-float array, enabling scientists to monitor the planet's oceans and gain insights into ocean processes.
The study found that eelgrass significantly increased survival of silversides, tautog, and cunner even at low shoot densities. Macroalgae did not provide a similar benefit.
Scientists on a research cruise off the Alaskan coast have identified previously undiscovered deep-sea habitats and sparked debate about the causes of a devastating 1946 tsunami. The expedition used cutting-edge technology to map the seafloor, collect sediment samples, and probe the region with an ROV.
The CBLAST-Hurricane project is using new ocean probes to collect data on water conditions before, during, and after hurricanes. This information helps scientists develop better models to predict a hurricane's development, which can inform the size of storm surges that pose a threat to ships in port.
The study combined three computer models to investigate the effect of surface waves and wind on hurricane dynamics. The team found a new characterization of the effect of surface waves on air-sea momentum under hurricane wind forcing, which is necessary for accurate predictions of track and intensity.
The $4.1 million award will enable Dr. Virginia Armbrust to study the importance of phytoplankton in mediating global warming through their genomic sequences and community interactions. This research aims to understand how changes in the environment impact phytoplankton abundance, which is crucial for predicting climate change effects.
Sea levels have been rising worldwide for at least 10,000 years. Rising ocean temperatures and glacial runoff could lead to a 90-centimeter increase by 2100, overwhelming coastal structures like barrier islands and tidal wetlands. Local geography and geology also play a role in estimating effects of rising seas.
The diatom genome project provides insight into the vital role that diatoms play in mediating global warming by absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen. Diatoms also have a unique urea cycle to reduce their dependence on nitrogen, enabling them to thrive in changing ocean conditions.
Researchers are building a cyberinfrastructure to link communities of oceanographers via high-speed wireless and optical networks to observatories in the Northeast Pacific and offshore Southern California. The prototype grid will enable routine ocean access to researchers, educators, students, and the general public.
The NSF has awarded over $130 million to 120 new projects tackling various topics including interactive ocean observatories, stress corrosion cracking, and secure access to confidential social science data. The funding aims to advance science and engineering, economic prosperity, and national security.
The genomic map of Thalassiosira pseudonana reveals surprising insights into its nitrogen, fat, and silica usage, as well as an unusual urea cycle that may reduce its dependence on nitrogen. The research provides new understanding of the diatom's role in mediating global warming.
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has broken up, with hypoxia moving further offshore and marine life returning to previously low-oxygen areas. Strong coastal currents and eddies are thought to be key factors in this change.
Researchers have found that rock-dwelling micro-organisms can photosynthesise and store carbon just as much as plants in the polar regions. The discovery suggests that even the most inhospitable places may harbor surprising habitats for life, including other planets like Mars.
A new portable field laboratory will enable researchers to sample subsurface life from diverse marine environments, including estuaries and deeply buried sediments. The facility will aid in the training of young scientists and enhance existing research on extremophilic communities.