A fleet of deep-diving ocean robots will investigate how marine life captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. The research, called SOLACE, aims to improve our understanding of the 'carbon pump', a process responsible for pumping large volumes of carbon into the ocean.
A new study found that ocean warming will alter Antarctic krill growth habitats, with a moderate impact across 85% of the Southern Ocean. Krill are expected to move further south and shift in seasonal conditions, affecting conservation efforts and the management of the fishery.
A new study led by Dr. Asta Audzijonyte found that changes in water temperature drive changes in average fish species sizes across time and spatial scales. Tropical species tend to get smaller at warmer end of their distribution ranges, while larger species tend to increase in size.
A new study reveals that phytoplankton in the tropics absorbed high levels of CO2 during Ice Ages due to iron-rich dust. This discovery explains almost all of the additional CO2 transported into oceans via the biological pump, improving climate models and understanding ocean processes.
A study found that plastic ingestion can have a significant negative impact on seabirds, causing reduced blood calcium levels, body mass, and kidney function. The research also revealed that the simple presence of plastic is enough to cause negative consequences, regardless of the amount.
Researchers present a treatment program to guide effective control of sarcoptic mange disease in wombat populations, building on lessons learned from a previous outbreak at Narawntapu National Park. A longer-lasting treatment and improved delivery are proposed to improve capacity for controlling the disease.
A new study found that seismic air gun signals can damage the sensory organs and righting reflexes of rock lobsters. The research, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, reveals that exposure to these signals can cause lasting harm to lobsters' statocysts and ability to function in the wild.
A new study published in Evolutionary Applications suggests that Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) and Devil Facial Tumour 2 (DFT2) are confined to the Channel region of Tasmania. The research credits the cooperation of local residents for identifying the geographic footprint of DFT2.
A new study found that despite increased technology and motorization, modern fishing vessels take only one fifth of the catch per unit of effort compared to the 1950s. This reflects growing pressure on marine resources and a fall in fish abundance, with Asia's fishing fleet expansion outpacing fish stocks' capacity.
The survey found an estimated 414 million pieces of plastic debris on the islands' beaches, including single-use consumer items like shoes and toothbrushes. The total volume dwarfs that found on Henderson Island, indicating a need for urgent action to reduce plastic production and consumption.
Scientists have developed a novel mission to collect year-round measurements of the ocean near Antarctica, revealing that deep water driving melting at the Totten Glacier is warmer and thicker in winter than summer. The study suggests the glacier might melt more rapidly in winter, with potential implications for future sea level rise.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for ocean carbon storage, known as particle injection pumps (PIPs), which move just as much carbon as the biological gravitational pump. The study, published in Nature, provides a breakthrough solution to understanding how carbon reaches the deep ocean and its impact on the global climate.
Researchers measured the area impacted by humans in Antarctica for the first time, finding that 81% of buildings are located within 0.44% of ice-free land, which supports diverse flora and fauna.
A new study found that balloons are the most lethal marine debris for seabirds, with a single piece killing 20% of seabirds and nine pieces killing 50%, while blockages or infections caused by gastrointestinal obstructions were leading causes of death
A study published in Nature Sustainability identified 226 food production shocks across 134 nations over a 53-year period. The research found that extreme weather events and geopolitical factors are major drivers of these shocks, posing a growing danger to global food production.
Researchers have discovered that adult Antarctic krill are largely unaffected by ocean acidification levels predicted within the next 100-300 years. The long-term laboratory study found that krill can survive, grow and mature in acidic conditions.
A recent study reveals that the marine heatwave had a significant impact on fish and invertebrate communities across the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. The loss of coral was only part of the story, with changes also occurring in other animal populations.
Researchers have found that ocean surface pH has fallen ten times faster than in the past 300 million years, impacting ecosystems, economies, and communities globally. The economic cost of Ocean Acidification is projected to reach over $300 billion annually, highlighting the need for international collaboration and adaptation.
A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that a multi-strategic intervention called RedUSe significantly reduced psychotropic medication use in Australian residential aged care facilities. The intervention, which included education and drug audits, resulted in a 40% reduction in antipsychotic or benzodiazepine me...
A new study reveals a previously undocumented process where melting glacial ice sheets further accelerate ice melt and sea level rise by making the ocean's surface layer less salty and more buoyant. Fresh glacial meltwater prevents deep mixing in winter, allowing warm water at depth to retain its heat and cause further glacial melting.
Scientists have discovered that sarcoptic mange causes significant loss of body heat and increased metabolic rate in Tasmanian wombats, leading to reduced foraging and increased mortality. The research suggests that dietary supplementation may help address these issues, offering new hope for the management of wombat mange.
A research team has developed a model that predicts biodiversity on the Antarctic seafloor using satellite data and ocean currents. The model's predictions have been verified by physical sampling of seafloor sediments, providing valuable insights for conservation and management.
A team of researchers has uncovered rare, living stromatolites in a remote Tasmanian valley, revealing a unique ecosystem that thrived due to mineral-rich groundwater. The discovery is significant as stromatolites are rare globally and not previously known from Tasmania except as ancient fossils.
A study analyzing 1460 scats from breeding sites found that jellyfish are a common prey of black-browed and Campbell albatrosses. Jellyfish were present at seven of the eight sites sampled and comprise 20% of the DNA sequences identified.
A new study using citizen science data predicts that warmer waters will cause fish to extend their ranges further from the equator, leading to a decline in the diversity of invertebrates such as crabs and lobsters. This change is expected to affect food webs and ecosystems worldwide.
University of Tasmania researchers found that taking a 2-week break during dieting can lead to greater weight loss and less weight regain. The study showed participants who alternated between dieting and regular eating for 30 weeks lost an average of 8 kg more than those who continued with continuous dieting.
An international study has shown that immunotherapy can cure Tasmanian devils of the deadly devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The treatment successfully triggered the devil's immune system to recognise and destroy established DFTD tumours, with tumours shrinking and disappearing over three months.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found that extreme fire events are associated with anomalous weather patterns, such as droughts and strong winds. The research suggests that the global footprint of extreme fires is expanding, particularly in regions like Australia's east coast and the Mediterranean region.