Researchers found that increased Labrador water transport due to Gulf Stream movement actually decreases primary productivity, contrary to expected outcomes. This phenomenon may be linked to nutrient supply and influence large-scale climatic effects on the carbon cycle.
A recent study by URI graduate student found that off-road vehicles significantly impact beach ecosystems, with a 30-50% decrease in invertebrate populations on beaches where driving is allowed. The research highlights the importance of protecting the wrack line, which serves as a crucial habitat for many species.
Regime shifts occur when changes in ocean conditions, such as warming, affect plankton production and propagate up the food chain. Overfishing can also force a regime shift, changing population dynamics of an entire ecosystem.
Dr. Ballard and his team will map the ship and conduct scientific analyses of its deterioration, assessing the impact of manmade factors on natural decay. They'll also study microbial research and examine the effects of tiny microbes on the ship's hull.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography have received a $1.1 million NSF grant to study the impact of Earth's rotation on ocean circulation and mixing. The grant will be used to simulate the rotation of the earth and investigate horizontal stirring in the ocean caused by small eddies.
Scientists can now spend an unlimited amount of time on the bottom of the ocean, sharing observations in real-time with colleagues worldwide. Internet2 technology was tested during a Black Sea expedition, allowing for the transmission of underwater video images and acoustic signals.
A researcher at the University of Rhode Island is studying small hydromedusae in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, to understand their impact on plankton communities. The study aims to quantify the feeding ecology and behavior of these jellyfish and its effects on coastal ecosystems.
A new guide, developed by NOAA Fisheries and Rhode Island Sea Grant, aims to increase species-specific identifications without associated mortality. The guide focuses on external characteristics and uses photographs to aid in identification, helping users distinguish among 44 highly migratory shark species.
A study found that warmer water temperatures increase shrimp predation rates on juvenile winter flounder, leading to local extinction. The warming trend may explain the failure of winter flounder stocks to recover in affected areas.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island are using virtual reality technology to educate students about the impact of volcanic eruptions on human populations and the environment. The virtual field trip will feature interactive simulations, including footage from a historic eruption and excavated cities like Pompeii.
Researchers discovered that the oldest Toba eruption, 788,000 years ago, may have triggered a glacial period rather than contributing to it. The study suggests that factors other than volcanism played a more significant role in governing glacial to interglacial transitions over the last 3 million years.
The University of Rhode Island has been awarded a four-year, $3.5 million grant from the NIAAA to develop an Environmental Management approach for reducing college drinking. The research team, led by Associate Professor Mark Wood, will work with top student life officials and community members to create a program that addresses environ...
Researchers mapped out circulation patterns using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to enhance understanding of the Bay-RIS system. The study provides detailed spatial images of circulation, showing that water predominantly enters the Bay through the East Passage and is supplied by the southeast during summer.
Dr. S. Bradley Moran and his team will conduct field and modeling studies to assess and improve POC tracing methods, focusing on Th-234's variability in estimating export flux. The research aims to provide accurate information on mechanisms of estimating upper ocean POC export flux using thorium-234.
Dr. Ginis receives two-year grant to improve hurricane forecasting model and enhance storm prediction capabilities. The model, developed in collaboration with NOAA scientists, aims to better understand and predict extreme winds and heavy rain causing $5 billion in annual damages.
The URI Metcalf Institute has awarded fellowships to two minority journalists, Rodriguez and Ortiz, to develop story ideas and receive scientific training in marine and environmental science. The fellowship aims to increase the number of minority journalists trained in science who report on science-based news.
Research by Scott McWilliams at the University of Rhode Island shows that birds' digestive systems adapt to meet changing energy demands during migration. Birds need sufficient protein to build their digestive tract, which can impact habitat management at key stop-over sites.
The Egyptian Mediterranean Sea fishery has recovered due to increased phosphorus and nitrogen in urban waste water, changing the ecosystem's productive engine. This shift has important consequences for lower food web structure and larval fish.
Researchers evaluating environmental impact of common nightcrawler on forest ecosystem in the Northeast. The invasive earthworm species is feeding on leaf litter and duff layers, affecting native plant seeds and animals.
The University of Rhode Island's Teacher Research and Mentoring Armada program recruits master teachers for summer research experiences, mentoring, and standards-based curricula implementation. The program also enables researchers to incorporate teachers into their projects, disseminating results to the broader educational community.
The URI Oceanography team is conducting a two-year research expedition off the coast of Africa to investigate horizontal ocean mixing. The deployment of 92 subsurface RAFOS floats will help scientists understand eddy stirring and mixing in this poorly understood region.
Marine geologists will study Kick'em Jenny, a highly active volcano in the Caribbean, using advanced instrumentation and technologies. The two-week research cruise will investigate the volcano's acoustic signals, biological communities, and geological features.
Researchers use bio-ferrography to capture tiny particles in synovial fluid, enabling the creation of a diagnostic atlas for orthopedic surgeons. The atlas will help identify potential problems with implants prior to revision surgery.
The KESS research team will use cutting-edge technology to study the dynamical and thermodynamical processes controlling the Kuroshio Extension and its recirculation gyre. The study's findings will have significant implications for fisheries, climate research, and understanding storm tracks.
Phytoplankton communities fix carbon half as fast at pH 9, while dinoflagellates correlate strongly with high pH levels. Increased nutrient loading increases pH variability, affecting coastal ecosystems.
The URI Office of Marine Programs has been awarded a Sloan Grant to support the Census of Marine Life, a global research effort to study marine biodiversity. The program will create an international education platform, provide networking resources for scientists and communicate the importance of ocean conservation.
Scientists find that northern right whales in Grand Manan Basin are exposed to substantial amounts of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins, which can cause chronic impairment and death. The toxins may affect diving capabilities, leading to poorer condition, reduced calving rates, and increased susceptibility to disease.
A team of scientists at the University of Rhode Island tested shallow marine systems' response to increased nutrients, focusing on eelgrass survival. They found that rapid leaf elongation and low root growth can indicate a poor prognosis for bed survival in these ecosystems.
Researchers investigate how warmer waters impact the interaction between sand shrimp and juvenile winter flounder, finding that increased water temperature allows more sand shrimp to survive and prey on vulnerable young fish. The study aims to understand the effects of global warming on marine ecosystems.
A URI biologist will monitor salt marshes in national parks for long-term ecosystem changes, enabling resource managers to anticipate detrimental changes and design management strategies. The study sites were selected based on aerial photography, field visits, and interviews with park staff.
A geophysicist has developed a cost-effective method for finding underground contaminants by measuring voltage between metal spikes inserted into the ground. The technique shows promise in detecting organic compounds like cancer-causing substances that don't conduct electricity, potentially streamlining remediation processes.
Dr. Jennifer Specker's three-year grant researches how cortisol and thyroid hormones regulate stomach development in summer flounder, a process influenced by environmental changes. The study aims to understand the relationship between fish, environment, and climate change.
Researchers used radium isotopes to measure seasonal changes in groundwater supply, finding highest input in summer and lowest in winter. This study provides valuable data on groundwater supply, crucial for addressing increasing water demands.
Researchers found that less than two feet of water can noticeably reduce landfall decay in hurricanes. However, surface roughness significantly reduces wind speed and evaporation, which fuels a hurricane's intensity.
Researchers will analyze data to predict and control harmful algal blooms and red tides in Narragansett Bay, affecting marine life and local aquaculture. The study aims to enhance understanding of bay ecology needed for effective management and use of resources.
Researchers at URI Graduate School of Oceanography have been awarded a $35,000 grant from the Vetlesen Foundation to investigate pathways for transport of copepod Calanus finmarchicus and its relation to climatic variations.
Researchers develop heat-sensitive polymers that change color at various temperatures, providing a safety application to prevent burns, food poisoning, and accidents. The polymers can be added to products such as plastics, paints, inks, and rubbers, enabling smart packaging that warns consumers of potential hazards.
Researchers compiled a list of 46 phytoplankton species potentially toxic to humans and marine life, highlighting the need for monitoring programs. The study's findings emphasize the economic cost of harmful algae blooms and their potential impact on global climate modification.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island have developed a novel treatment using thiourea and thyroxine to synchronize the settlement and growth of summer flounder. This method reduces cannibalism and increases the profitability of flounder aquaculture, saving culturists time and effort in fish grouping.
University of Rhode Island researchers, Thomas Mather and David Nelson, are developing a new Lyme disease vaccine using tick saliva genes. They have received $2.3 million NIH grant to identify promising genes over five years.
Recent URI study reveals two oceanic provinces of deeply buried microbial activity, with high activity found along continental margins where methane and sulfate intersect. Microbial respiration rates differ vastly between open-ocean and continental margin environments.
A team of scientists from the University of Rhode Island and several institutions will develop new models to predict the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems. The Partnership for Advancing Interdisciplinary Global Modeling (PARADIGM) aims to create global ocean models that can predict future states of the ocean.
A new water mold fungus, Sudden Oak Death, is killing oaks in California and poses a threat to Eastern US forests. The fungus can spread through plant transportation or infected mud, and has already killed over 100,000 trees.
A study published in Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science found that restored salt marshes provide similar energy resources to undisturbed sites. The research team compared the diets of mummichog fish in both habitats and found no significant differences.
The global obesity epidemic is spreading rapidly, with an estimated 300 million obese adults and 22 million children worldwide. Scientists attribute the rise to industrialized lifestyles, urbanization, and decreased physical activity levels, particularly among developing countries.
Researchers studied right whales' feeding grounds, finding they use prior experience, environmental cues, and tactile clues to locate dense zooplankton patches. This understanding may help address the decline of North Atlantic right whale populations by revealing key mechanisms for their survival.
A $46,000 grant will aid in identifying and addressing environmental issues facing ten National Park units. Mary-Jane James-Pirri will conduct field assessments and compile literature to create a comprehensive document on wetland health and management.
Researchers studied the 1883 Krakatau eruption's tsunamis, identifying distinctive pumice deposits that provide clues to the source of volcanic material. The analysis helps scientists interpret coastal deposits in areas of active explosive volcanism and assess volcanic hazards.
Researchers will track subsurface floats to measure temperature, pressure, and oxygen in a region extending thousands of miles west of Africa. By studying these dynamics, they aim to better understand ocean mixing processes and improve climate models.
The University of Rhode Island Oceanographers have been awarded a grant to develop a new RAFOS float, which will improve the measurement of ocean currents. The new float will be constructed at GSO's Narragansett Bay Campus and will meet the needs of other RAFOS float users while keeping production costs low.