A new study suggests that large volcanic eruptions can disrupt the relationship between atmospheric circulations of the tropical Indian and Pacific oceans. Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions are now driving an unprecedented breakdown in inter-basin coupling, according to researchers.
A new study reveals that storm petrels deliberately seek crosswinds while flying hundreds of kilometers across the sea, slowing their flight but gaining vital information through smell. This unexpected strategy highlights the adaptability of seabirds in exploiting wind patterns to survive above the open ocean.
A new Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution study suggests that large-scale deep-sea fishing could undermine valuable tuna fisheries by reducing the food available to bigeye tuna. The research highlights the importance of ecosystem-based management and considering cross-fishery trade-offs before expanding new fisheries.
A new study demonstrates that changes in seawater microbiome adjacent to corals reveal disease presence more clearly than microbes living within coral tissue itself. This approach could form the basis of an early warning system, allowing managers to respond before disease causes irreversible damage.
Researchers used vanadium isotopes to track the rise of oxygen in ancient seas, finding that oxygen accumulated in the oceans far earlier and more rapidly than previously thought. This finding reshapes our understanding of how the planet became habitable for complex life.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and partners collected respiratory samples from 85 North Atlantic right whales using drones. The study found that the microbial matter carried valuable information about whale health, including distinct patterns linked to characteristics like robust versus thin whales.
A new study reveals that fluctuations in hydrothermal vent temperatures can indicate magmatic and tectonic processes deep beneath the seafloor. The research offers a powerful new tool for monitoring and predicting tectonic activity at mid-ocean ridges, one of the most active segments of the global ocean.
Researchers used satellite tracking to study bigscale pomfret's movements, revealing they are permanent residents of the twilight zone, migrating between depths to feed at night. Water clarity affects their migration patterns, influencing prey and susceptibility to predators.
Ancient Sumerian society harnessed tidal hydrology to irrigate crops, enabling high-yield agriculture without large-scale infrastructure. The research suggests that the early communities' dependence on dependable hydrology drove societal response and defined the golden age of Sumer.
Rising ocean temperatures are causing higher concentrations of toxic algae in Arctic food webs, threatening the nutritional and cultural well-being of Alaska Native communities. Bowhead whales serve as indicators of this change, revealing a critical linkage between warming temperatures and increased bowhead toxicity.
A new economic analysis found that developing countries get more nutrition for every dollar spent on imported seafood compared to wealthier nations. They receive more protein, fatty acids, iron, and vitamin B12 due to lower prices for frozen fish.
Researchers have discovered that dolphin brains process echolocation as a form of tactile sensation, using neural pathways similar to those found in the cerebellum. This study provides insight into the unique auditory processing abilities of dolphins, which are distinct from other marine mammals.
A global research project has identified the most critical locations in the world's oceans for better marine conservation efforts. The study found that current Marine Protected Areas only cover 8% of the ocean, highlighting the need for additional protection and mitigation strategies to conserve threatened marine megafauna.
Researchers investigate how increased warm, salty offshore water affects the cold pool on the continental shelf. Salinity measurements reveal seasonal salinification of the cold pool, shedding light on coastal ecosystem conditions.
Researchers detail how sampling and analyzing reef water microbes can provide a more immediate picture of health and details about organisms living alongside reefs. The study aims to make this knowledge accessible to various stakeholders, including marine park managers and policy makers.
Wild animals studying seals' extreme environments could provide answers to pressing problems in human reproductive health. Seals' unique physiology offers insights into managing gestational diabetes and improving IVF success rates.
A team of scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Gofar fault in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They found extremely conductive blobs beneath the seafloor on one side of the fault, which could indicate brine accumulations and magma activity.
A unique partnership between researchers and a merchant marine vessel is providing critical data for measuring ocean change, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of global systems. The project, led by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is filling gaps in observations of the Middle Atlantic Bight shelf and Slope Sea.
Compositional rock anomalies within oceanic plates caused by ancient tectonics influence the trajectory and speed of subducting plates. The findings provide a greater understanding of plate subduction, recycling surface materials deep into the Earth's interior.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution develop a novel approach to assess extinction risk for emperor penguins, revealing they meet criteria for Vulnerable to Endangered under IUCN guidelines. This change highlights the elevated risk emperor penguins face due to future changes in their Antarctic habitat.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have identified a new strain of kelp with natural adaptations to cope with heat, which could help sustainably farm food and feed. The study found that crossbreeding heat-tolerant gametophytes produced offspring with improved growth under heat stress.
Researchers discovered that a species of foraminifera thrives in dark, oxygen-free environments by utilizing chemoautotrophy to take up carbon. This process allows eukaryotes to survive in conditions similar to those during the Precambrian era.
A recent study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that the AMOC has not declined in the last 60 years, contrary to previous predictions. The research used climate models and reanalysis data to reconstruct the AMOC's past behavior, indicating a more stable system than expected.
A new study published in Marine Resource Economics found that a decline in healthy coral reefs can lead to substantial losses in fisheries. The research analyzed nine fisheries dependent on Australia's Great Barrier Reef and predicted lower fishing yields if the restoration of coral reefs is not prioritized.
Researchers discovered a diversity of novel hydrothermal vent styles on the Arctic Ocean floor, including metal-poor hydrogen- and methane-enriched fluids. This expansion has significant implications for understanding the origin of these vents and assessing their global-scale impact on the ocean and Earth system.
Researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and partners uncover a fast-swimming predatory amphipod species at depths of up to 8,000 meters. The newly discovered species highlights the importance of continued deep-ocean exploration and biodiversity discoveries in the Atacama Trench.
Scientists warn that Alaska's Arctic Coastal Plain will experience unprecedented transformation due to the compounding effects of sea level rise, permafrost thaw subsidence, and erosion. By 2100, total land loss is expected to exceed erosional losses by up to eight times, posing new challenges to coastal communities.
Scientists predict the proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay will stay in the bay for at least a month, with seasonal winds affecting its spread. The study used high-resolution ocean circulation models to simulate the plume's behavior and found that the majority of the water will come close to the shore before leaving the bay.
A recent study provides fresh insights into the ocean's role in climate during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, a period of change that began about one million years ago. The research suggests that changes in the deep ocean played an equally important but nuanced role in driving climate cycles.
Researchers found that Weddell seals strategically conduct extreme dives earlier in the day to maximize their oxygen stores and foraging success. By avoiding midday dives, the seals can spend more time underwater, taking advantage of high-light conditions, which is ideal for visual hunting.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that golfball coral larvae can be encouraged to settle when they hear the sounds of a vibrant, healthy reef. Acoustic enrichment technique showed promise in revitalize degraded sites and help repopulate marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that foamed cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrades 15 times faster than solid CDA and even faster than paper. The study's results suggest that foamed CDA could be used to replace Styrofoam plastic and single-use plastics, reducing plastic pollution and environmental impacts.
Research found that bacteria have specific dietary preferences for lipids, influencing their degradation rates and efficiency in the ocean's mesopelagic zone. This study highlights the importance of microbial interactions and community dynamics in controlling global carbon fluxes.
A new study reveals a deep-sea isopod that consumes Sargassum algae sinking from the ocean's surface, showing how closely connected the surface and deep oceans are. The isopod uses specialized adaptations to feed on this sunken source of nutrients.
An international team has recovered a nearly continuous 1,268-metre-long section of rocks that originated in the Earth's mantle, providing insights into the role of the mantle in the origins of life on Earth, volcanic activity, and global cycles. The study also reveals new information about how magma is formed and feeds volcanoes.
A massive harmful algal bloom was detected in the Bering Strait region of western Alaska in 2022, posing an unprecedented risk to human and ecosystem health. The bloom, caused by the single-celled organism Alexandrium catenella, was tracked using new technology and communicated to remote coastal communities in real-time.
Researchers discovered that Desertas Petrels follow hurricanes to take advantage of enhanced foraging conditions, where prey accumulates closer to the surface. The birds reduce their flight time and avoid injury by using the storm's wakes as a wind tunnel, providing them with an easy meal.
A new study uses satellite imagery in conjunction with phenological and behavioral models to accurately predict the number of breeding pairs and fledging chicks. The estimated counts were compared to a dataset collected over a 10-year period at a colony, highlighting the importance of long-term, systematic time series for understanding...
A new study by scientists affiliated with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that human activities account for a substantial amount of toxic thallium in the Baltic Sea. The research suggests that the amount of thallium could increase due to further anthropogenic or natural activities, posing a concern for marine life.
A new tagging method, Bioadhesive Interface for Marine Sensors (BIMS), provides a rapid, non-invasive way to track marine animal movements and behaviors. BIMS uses a soft hydrogel-based adhesive that forms strong bonds with animal tissues, allowing for long-term monitoring of fragile species.
A recent study published in Environmental Microbiology uses eDNA to analyze coral reef microbial communities, providing near-real time insights into ecosystem health. The research found that microorganisms can capture and predict stony coral tissue loss disease and hurricane disturbance impacts on US Virgin Island reefs.
Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution find strong correlation between CO2 increases and changes in seasonal sea surface temperature patterns. The study reveals distinct features, including increased warming in summer months and thinner mixed-layer depths, with implications for marine ecosystems.
Researchers used VHR satellite imagery to monitor emperor penguin global population trends, finding nearly 10% fewer birds in 2018 compared to 2009. This new monitoring methodology could help with adaptive conservation management efforts and provide insights into the causal factors behind the population trend.
Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found that replaying healthy reef sounds can encourage coral larvae to settle on degraded reefs. The study demonstrated a significant increase in settlement rates when broadcasting healthy reef sounds at distances of up to 30 meters from the speakers.
Researchers studying oceanic transform faults have found a previously unknown part of the geological carbon cycle, revealing a potentially vast sink for CO2. The study's findings suggest that magmatic degassing and melt impregnation in these faults contribute significantly to global CO2 fluxes.
A new study on Antarctic algae reveals that they can survive without vitamin B12, a finding with significant implications for climate change and the carbon cycle. The algae, Phaeocystis antarctica, has a fusion B12-independent methionine synthase protein that enables it to adapt to low B12 availability.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists found that bioplastic straws made from cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrade up to 50% in 16 weeks, projecting an environmental lifetime of 10-20 months. This rate is faster than paper straws and could be a promising alternative to conventional plastic straws.
A new approach to designing plastic products with low environmental persistence could significantly reduce the environmental costs of single-use plastics. By analyzing the environmental degradation rate of different materials, researchers have identified alternative materials like cellulose diacetate and polyhydroxyalkanoates as potent...
A new study published in PNAS Nexus reveals that deep-sea corals and sponges produce the ROS superoxide, a highly reactive compound with previously unknown effects on ocean life and chemistry. The researchers used a one-of-a-kind deep-sea chemiluminescent sensor to detect superoxide in water closely surrounding corals.
A study published in Science presents records from North Atlantic sediments that agree with recent surface and deep ocean warming and freshening. The research shows a connection between the surface and deep ocean throughout the last 1,200 years.