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Medieval texts reveal false Royal Navy origins

Research by Flinders University PhD candidate Matt Firth challenges long-held assumptions about the Royal Navy's origins, finding evidence that a tradition of defensive naval action existed before Alfred the Great's reign. The study also sheds light on medieval burial ships and cultural contact between England and Scandinavia.

SourceFlinders University·JournalThe International Journal of Nautical Archaeology·DateAug 23, 2020

Improving the monitoring of ship emissions

A German-French research team is developing a new sensor network to monitor ship emissions and improve the monitoring of pollutants in the marine environment. The project aims to provide a tool for observing the extent of pollution arising from ship collisions, affecting coastal populations' health.

Behind the dead-water phenomenon

Researchers from CNRS and University of Poitiers have explained the 'dead water' phenomenon in ships, where waves create drag, slowing down or stopping vessels. The study reveals waves act like an undulating conveyor belt, causing speed oscillations in trapped boats.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2020

Towable sensor free-falls to measure vertical slices of ocean conditions

Researchers at MIT and WHOI have developed a lightweight instrument that can measure both physical and biological features of the ocean's vertical layers. The EcoCTD uses a combination of sensors to capture data on temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll content, providing insights into nutrient cycles and carbon sequestration.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·DateMay 21, 2020

Ship noise hampers crab camouflage

Research shows that ship noise affects shore crabs' ability to change color and behave normally, reducing their camouflage effectiveness. The study found that juvenile crabs exposed to ship noise changed color half as quickly, making them less camouflaged.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 9, 2020

Correcting historic sea surface temperature measurements

Researchers from Harvard University and the UK's National Oceanography Centre corrected historic sea surface temperature measurements, identifying two new key causes of warming discrepancies in the North Pacific and North Atlantic. The study suggests that changes in Japanese records, particularly truncation of data, contributed to the ...

Weapons trade reveals a darker side to dark web

Research published in Deviant Behavior found that the dark web is a hub for anonymous handgun sales, with 64% of products advertised being handguns. The study sheds light on a niche market where buyers can circumvent stricter gun laws, highlighting the need for further investigations and potential regulation.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalDeviant Behavior·DateApr 19, 2019

'X-ray gun' helps researchers pinpoint the origins of pottery found on ancient shipwreck

Archaeologists used a portable X-ray fluorescence detector to analyze ceramic pieces from the Java Sea Shipwreck, pinning their origins to specific kiln sites in southeastern China. The findings reveal complex trade networks between Asia and Africa in the 12th and 13th centuries, challenging traditional Eurocentric views of globalization.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateFeb 8, 2019

Lubricant for oil tankers

Scientists propose using high-tech coatings that can retain air for weeks to reduce drag and fuel consumption of ships. This technology has the potential to save up to 20% of fuel and reduce global CO2 emissions by almost one percent.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (A )·DateJan 24, 2019

Looking and listening for signals of navy test explosions off Florida coast

A team of researchers analyzed seismic and acoustic data from US Navy explosions off the Florida coast to better understand the relationship between local magnitude and charge weight. They found that both types of data can be used to identify underwater explosions, with seismic signals providing clearer evidence.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 16, 2018

Study identifies which marine mammals are most at risk from increased Arctic ship traffic

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that narwhals, beluga, and bowhead whales are most vulnerable to vessel traffic in the Arctic. The researchers identified two 'pinch points' where ships and animals are most likely to intersect, including the Bering Strait and Lancaster Sound.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 2, 2018