Articles tagged with Marine Biology
Researchers found that certain invasive plant species can increase blue carbon storage by boosting biomass and soil carbon, while other plant invasions have a negative impact. The study's findings provide valuable insights for ecosystem managers seeking to enhance carbon storage in coastal environments.
A Simon Fraser University study has found that steelhead trout age of migration, size, and numbers are controlled by a combination of temperature, co-occurring salmon, and other factors. In years with large pink salmon returns, steelhead migrated to sea at a younger age, producing more young fish from the river system.
Researchers found that the gene sequence for serotonin uptake is nearly identical in human and octopus genomes, suggesting serotonin regulates social behavior in both species. The study used MDMA to enhance prosocial behaviors in octopuses, mirroring its effects on humans.
Scientists studied octopus genome and behavior in response to MDMA, finding similarities with human serotonin binding transporter. Octopuses exhibited pro-social behaviors when exposed to the drug, hugging cages and displaying affectionate tendencies similar to humans.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a coalition of institutions, led by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, a five-year, $220 million contract to operate and maintain the Ocean Observatories Initiative. The OOI is an advanced system that measures various ocean properties and processes.
Researchers discovered that sea otters rely on the sensitivity of their paws and whiskers to hunt for food, distinguishing between grooves as small as 2mm with remarkable accuracy. This unique ability enables them to quickly locate prey in cloudy Monterey Bay waters.
A team of scientists is using a holistic approach to understand the causes of eelgrass wasting disease, deploying drones, artificial intelligence, and geographers to survey seagrass beds across 36 sites from San Diego to Alaska. The project aims to unravel why some eelgrasses fall victim to the disease while others resist it.
The Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health will continue to advance research on the links between oceanic processes and human health, with a focus on harmful algal blooms. The five-year funding aims to better understand public health risks associated with environmental exposures in marine coastal regions and the Great Lakes Basin.
A recent study reveals that global shark catches have more than doubled since 1960, threatening almost 60% of shark species. The Hong Kong-based research highlights the need for consumers to reject shark fin products, which are often sourced from unsustainable and illegal fisheries.
The study found that shark catches have increased by more than double since six decades ago, leading to almost 60% of shark species being threatened. Sustainable fishing practices are challenging to enforce in the high seas, particularly in unmanaged fisheries of less economically developed countries.
Biologists have discovered that amphipods carry pteropods piggyback to avoid predators, but these pteropods starve due to limited access to food. The association may provide protection for both animals, but its benefits are still unclear.
Researchers will use drones to provide high-resolution mapping and imagery of eelgrass communities, engaging the public through citizen science. The project aims to understand environmental factors contributing to wasting disease in eelgrass and predict where it's likely to occur.
Scientists found four pivotal strengthening events in the East Asian summer monsoon between 1250-1900 CE, with ocean sediments offering a more reliable record of past monsoon signals. The study provides insights into Asian monsoon dynamics and their impact on regional societies.
A new UBC study analyzed 825 marine fish species and found that 499 are projected to face very high extinction risks due to overfishing and climate change. Effective fisheries management and low greenhouse gas emissions can reduce this risk by up to 63%, saving hundreds of fish stocks from becoming endangered.
Cownose rays migrate along the Atlantic coast, with most returning to the same regions each summer. The study provides critical insights into conservation efforts, as intense fishing could wipe out genetic diversity in Chesapeake Bay populations.
A new study finds that warm-water kelp species are outcompeting cold-water species in UK kelp forests, leading to changes in ecosystem functioning. The warm-water kelps provide a continuous supply of food but also harbor less biodiversity.
Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory have identified a key molecule driving chemoattraction between sperm and egg cells in marine invertebrates. This molecule allows sodium ions to flow into the sperm cell, transporting protons out of the cell and increasing the pH, enabling the Ca2+ pulses needed for fertilization.
Researchers have discovered a method to synthesize helical biomineral structures with opposite spiral directions by adding specific amino acids, shedding light on how certain biological structures can exhibit both rotations within the same species or individual organism.
Researchers have identified elesclomol as a potential treatment for human copper metabolism disorders by restoring mitochondrial energy production. The study found that elesclomol can mimic the missing transporters of copper, providing a new opportunity to treat genetic disorders such as Menkes disease.
New studies track transshipment of fish catch worldwide, revealing key findings on vessel types, fisheries involved and seafood supply chains. The research provides a complete, global view of transshipment and demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to address critical challenges.
Researchers developed a simple body-shape analysis method to identify the geographic origins of yellowtail snapper, outperforming more costly techniques. The method detected subtle differences in fish shape between locations, allowing accurate identification of 80% of the test sample.
New research reveals kelp from Kerguelen Islands drifted 20,000km to Antarctica, highlighting potential for drifting plastics to reach the continent. The study also suggests new species can colonize Antarctica as climate warms, challenging previous notion of its biologically isolated ecosystem.
A new study reveals that foreign kelp has drifted 20,000km to reach Antarctica, challenging the long-held notion of the continent's isolation. The discovery sheds light on the science of ocean drift and its implications for climate change.
A team of scientists found kelp drifting 20,000km to reach an Antarctic beach, exposing ecosystems to global warming. The discovery challenges the idea that Antarctica is isolated and has significant implications for how ecosystems will change.
A new UBC study found that 70 of 281 seafood samples were mislabelled, with restaurants having the highest rate. The most commonly mislabelled fish was snapper, often replaced by less valuable species like tilapia.
Scientists have recorded Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a lethal fungus, for the first time in caecilians and amphibians in the Western Ghats. The fungus, Bd, causes chytridiomycosis and poses a significant threat to these species.
Previous ocean model calculations underestimated recent oxygen decline, with global warming as the main cause. The study identifies additional drivers, including changes in ocean circulation and biogeochemical processes, which were insufficiently represented in models.
A new study suggests that wild swings in oxygen levels may have sent life scrambling to adapt, leading to a major burst of diversity during the Cambrian period. The research, published in Geology, proposes that extreme fluctuations in oxygen levels, rather than gradual increases, triggered the explosion of life forms.
Steelhead trout genetically adapted to Lake Michigan's freshwater habitat over 120 years, with changes affecting osmoregulation and wound-healing. Genetic diversity was lower in the new environment than in their native range.
A new online tool, EcoCast, provides fishermen with computer-generated maps to target productive fishing spots while avoiding protected species. By predicting where different marine species are likely to be found under various ocean conditions, EcoCast aims to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries.
A new study reveals an invisible layer of biological compounds on the sea surface can reduce carbon dioxide gas exchange by up to 50 percent. This finding has major implications for predicting future climate, as it suggests slower removal of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
A female graduate student at FEFU has developed a new synthesis method for marine organic substances related to fascaplysin. The method allows for the production of compounds with higher activity than natural fascaplisin, promising for medicinal applications.
Researchers at UCLA have successfully transferred a memory from one marine snail to another by injecting RNA, creating an artificial memory. The study could lead to new ways to lessen the trauma of painful memories and restore lost ones.
Scientists have confirmed the existence of a new cryptic amphipod species, Epimeria frankei, in the North Sea. The discovery was made possible by analyzing DNA barcodes and genomic information, which revealed subtle differences between two previously thought to be one species.
Researchers at University of Southern Denmark found that flooding coastal land can create well-functioning marine ecosystems, attracting visitors and wildlife. The Gyldensteen Coastal Lagoon, a 214-hectare area in Denmark, has shown promise as a carbon sink and is developing into a diverse ecosystem.
A team of scientists has described five new species and a new genus of closely related blanket-hermit crabs, shedding light on their unique symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. The discovery reveals that these crustaceans have evolved remarkable adaptations to develop this extraordinary bond.
A UCLA-led team of biologists reports that a six-mile-wide asteroid crash 66 million years ago created an enormous evolutionary void for marine fish to diversify. Today's rich biodiversity among marine fish shows the fingerprints of this mass extinction, with six major acanthomorph groups producing almost all marine fish diversity.
Scientists at the University of Portsmouth and NREL have engineered an enzyme that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, a major contributor to ocean pollution. The discovery could lead to a recycling solution for millions of tons of plastic waste.
Researchers discovered that sweet potatoes originated over 800,000 years ago in the Americas, challenging the long-held theory of pre-Columbian contacts between Polynesia and the American continent. The findings suggest that humans did not introduce sweet potatoes to Polynesia but rather allowed them to cross the ocean naturally.
New research shows steelhead trout that spawn repeatedly have greater lifetime reproductive success than those that spawn only once. However, this strategy comes with risks, including the dangers of the ocean and predation. The study's findings could lead to more effective conservation efforts for steelhead populations.
A new study by UNC-Chapel Hill biologists found that loggerhead sea turtles genetically similar to one another nest on beaches with similar magnetic fields. The research implies that turtles can mistakenly nest at different beaches with similar magnetic fields, even if it's geographically far away from their hatching beach.
A team of researchers has found that RNA molecules recognize specific 3D shapes to condense into the same droplet. This mechanism is essential for forming RNA-protein condensates that may serve as 'crucibles' for enhancing biological reactions. The discovery provides insight into the formation of liquid droplets in cells and their pote...
Experts propose using biological essential ocean variables to assess changes in marine ecosystems and support the Sustainable Development Goals. A new global observing system could help galvanize support for implementing effective measures to address the detrimental impacts of climate change on oceans.
Researchers studying the Black Sea's oxygen-deprived waters found that chemical and biological processes similar to those in the deep ocean occur. This provides new insights into the ocean's role as a storage reservoir for carbon, helping to dampen the effects of human-driven climate change.
A study published in ZooKeys reveals that a population of guppies was introduced to an oceanic archipelago in Brazil through human activity. The researchers suggest that the species was likely brought to the island as part of an effort to control mosquito populations, but cannot rule out natural dispersal as a possibility.
Researchers found that plants in northern Alaska's tussock tundra took up nitrate at comparable rates to vegetation in nitrate-rich ecosystems. This discovery has important implications for predicting which arctic plant species will dominate as the climate warms, and how much carbon tundra ecosystems can store.
A study by the University of Plymouth reveals that exposure to moderate hypoxia can have different effects on metabolic performance in animals bred under chronic hypoxic conditions. This could result in underestimated vulnerability of species, leading to reduced biodiversity.
A Rutgers University study finds that warmer Arctic temperatures cause extreme winter swings in the US, leading to colder winters in northern Europe and snowier conditions. The research suggests a strong connection between Arctic warming and severe winter weather patterns in the eastern United States.
A new modeling study predicts that climate change will dramatically reduce global fishery yields, with declines of up to 20% globally and 60% in the North Atlantic by 2300. The study attributes these declines to a lack of ocean mixing, which would drive a decline in fish populations near the surface.
Scientists studied a species of roundnose grenadier fish, finding adaptation to depth at functional genes linked to body form and function. This 'disruptive' selection allows for the evolution of new species, even within the same geographic population.
Researchers discovered that glial cells increase the acidity of the extracellular environment when exposed to ATP, leading to a massive release of acid. This triggers a feedback loop that prevents over-excitability of neurons by inhibiting neurotransmitter release.
A team of scientists has confirmed a new species of sixgill sharks in the Atlantic Ocean, based on genetic testing. The discovery was made using mitochondrial genes and found significant differences between the Atlantic and Pacific/Oceanic species.
Researchers discovered that cuttlefish can maintain dynamic 3D skin shape for over an hour through a unique muscle tension mechanism. This physiology is thought to conserve energy while camouflaging from predators or waiting for prey.
Kurt Ingeman's project aims to coordinate predator-prey management for optimal conservation outcomes and restoration of marine food webs. He will analyze recovery trajectories of species like rockfish and lingcod using strategic modeling and partner with organizations such as NOAA and The Nature Conservancy.
Scientists created a fully-resolved family tree for shark, ray, and chimaera species to quantify their evolutionary distinctness. This research identified five priority hotspots for conservation, helping to preserve up to 26 million years of unique evolutionary history.
A new study by University of Adelaide scientists demonstrates how climate change drives the collapse of marine food webs, potentially leading to decreased food availability for top predators and negative impacts on marine species.
Scientists have observed increasing fluxes of shelf-derived materials to the central Arctic Ocean, altering its composition and potentially harming biological productivity. The study provides an estimate of Arctic shelf flux and sheds light on understudied transport processes in the region.
Scientists have discovered that the basis for photosynthesis in today's plants was set in place 1.25 billion years ago, according to a new study published in Geology. The research pinpoints the age of ancient algae fossils, which had previously been estimated between 720 million and 1.2 billion years.
Researchers developed a quantum sensor that mimics the ampullae of Lorenzini found in sharks to detect small electrical signals. The sensor performed well in ocean-like conditions and maintained its functionality despite being immersed in saltwater, making it suitable for various applications.
A team of scientists used a novel microscope to measure the orientation of integrins on cell surfaces in real-time, revealing that actin flow inside the cell aligns with external forces. The study provides new insights into how cells migrate towards wounds or pathogens, shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms of cellular movement.