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Ships bring alien jellyfish invaders to our shores

Researchers used genetic data and computer simulations to reveal that moon jellyfish migration post-dates European global shipping and trade. The study found that up to 23% of marine species in international harbors are non-indigenous, posing threats to ecosystems and causing billions of dollars in damage.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 15, 2005

Cruise ships -- An alternative to assisted living facilities for the elderly?

A new study suggests that cruise ship living could be an attractive option for seniors who enjoy travel and require some assistance with daily activities. The research found that cruise ship living results in higher quality care over a 20-year period, despite being $2,000 more expensive than traditional assisted living facilities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 27, 2004

Major missile defense study published

A new study published by the American Physical Society finds that boosting-phase defense systems have significant limitations, making them impractical against many potential threats. The report highlights issues with timing and range, limiting the effectiveness of boost-phase defenses.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalReviews of Modern Physics·DateOct 15, 2004

Mowing back antennas

The Navy is developing a new radio frequency concept, AMRF-C, to enable a limited number of transmit and receive antennas to handle multiple communications, radar, and electronic warfare functions. The goal is to reduce costs and improve performance by leveling so-called 'antenna forests'.

Hybrids on the high seas

Fuel cells offer improved efficiency, low emissions, and design flexibility for naval vessels, slashing shipbuilding costs. The Navy's ONR is testing a diesel fuel reformer to develop a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which will be capable of between 37-52 percent efficiency.

UK needs more seafarers

A study by Cardiff University predicts a current annual shortfall of UK ex-seafarers as much as 112. This shortage could lead to higher wage bills for shipping companies, reduced quality of employment, and less incentive to train cadets. The shipping industry has traditionally supplied skilled labor to shore-based industries.

Men, mammals, and machines

A team of Marine Corps reconnaissance swimmers, Navy SEALS, Explosive Ordnance divers, dolphins, and REMUS worked together to clear mines from Iraq's port. REMUS successfully located potential targets, allowing the dolphins to inspect and report back on its findings.

Non-toxic anti-fouling coating for ships

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a non-toxic paint that effectively prevents marine fouling by creating a self-cleaning surface. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, tested by the ONR and other collaborators, deny bacteria a compatible surface to grow on, reducing fouling.

Meanwhile, back to barnacles...

The US Navy is developing new antifouling hull coatings inspired by nature, using complex nanometer-scale patterns to prevent barnacles from attaching. These coatings have shown exceptional low settlement rates in early experiments, promising a reduction in fuel costs and frequent cleaning needs for Navy ships.

Felling antenna forests

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is developing an Advanced Multi-Function Radio-Frequency Concept (AMRF-C) antenna aperture that can integrate radar and communications functions, reducing the need for separate antennas and increasing stealth.

Leaner, meaner carriers

The Navy is exploring the use of HSLA-65 steel in its next-generation aircraft carriers to reduce weight and increase service life. Preliminary calculations suggest that this new steel can provide equal or greater service life than traditional high-strength steel, but be thinner and weigh less.

Ominous signs of cryptic marine invasions

Researchers suspect that a six-armed brittlestar, common in shallow coral reefs, may have invaded the western Atlantic via ships over the past two centuries. Genetic markers indicate massive long-distance dispersal and recent mixing of populations from the Pacific and Indian Ocean, raising concerns about ecological consequences.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateMay 10, 2002

Navy's new 'gunk-o-lyzer'?

The LaserNet Fines instrument uses algorithms based on neural networking to analyze particulate matter, making accurate predictions with 97% accuracy. This technology has immense potential for improving the Navy's safety and readiness while reducing costs in multiple industries, including railroad, trucking, and construction.

Riverways create as much pollution as highways

A new study reveals that river traffic emits substantial nitrogen oxide, fine particulate matter, and sulfur oxides pollution, rivaling that of highways. The research, led by James J. Corbett, finds boat and ship emissions contribute significantly to regional air quality, particularly in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 19, 2002