Articles tagged with Marine Biology
Researchers found that the risk of white shark attack for individual ocean users in California has fallen strikingly by over 91 percent since 1950. Information on coastal population growth, seasonal and weekly beach going, surfing, scuba diving, and swimming empowers ocean users to avoid large predators.
Researchers have discovered a crucial role for Cav3.1 calcium channels in healthy sleep patterns, which helps regulate slow-wave sleep and overall brain activity. The absence of this channel leads to abnormal brain function, including difficulties with falling asleep and staying asleep.
The Mediterranean loggerhead and green turtle populations are threatened by human-induced threats, with a bycatch rate of up to 200,000 loggerheads per year. Researchers emphasize the importance of rescue centers and first-aid stations, calling for improved communication and collaboration among existing centers.
The first species of Yeti Crab, Kiwa tyleri, has been discovered in the East Scotia Ridge hydrothermal vents of Antarctica. This unique crab thrives in high densities at extremely low temperatures and relies on bacteria for nutrition.
A recent study published in Science finds that warmer ocean temperatures will increase marine animals' demand for oxygen, while reducing its availability. As a result, habitats will shift away from the equator, displacing up to 26% of current ranges.
A new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows that species migration across the Isthmus of Panama began about 20 million years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. This early exchange enhanced the region's extreme biodiversity.
Scientists at MBL and Brown University have developed a system to measure plant photosynthesis over large areas by analyzing spectral signals from satellite sensors. The system uses solar-induced fluorescence in leaves, allowing for the detection of photosynthesis on a canopy scale.
Researchers found that young sea turtles (6-18 months old) swim actively and disperse through ocean currents, reaching favorable habitats. This discovery has huge implications for understanding early sea turtle survival and behavior.
Research in the Bay of Biscay found liver pathologies, tumors, and other health problems in deep-water fish, linked to human-caused pollution. The study also discovered the first case of an intersex condition in a deep water fish species.
Researchers document leatherback sea turtles' ability to maintain specific headings while traveling through the subtropical gyre, unaffected by current drift. The study suggests that turtles may use a magnetic and/or solar compass to navigate.
Researchers develop 'dynamic ocean management' to integrate real-time data and crowd-sourced reports into ocean industry applications. This approach aims to protect vulnerable ecosystems while promoting sustainable resource use, in line with industries' profitability.
Scientists observe blue crabs, commercially important species, in the Gulf of Maine, north of their native Cape Cod. Warming ocean temperatures allow them to move further north, expanding their range.
Alyson Santoro's research focuses on understanding archaea, essential components of nutrient cycles in the ocean. She aims to uncover how these microorganisms affect the earth's climate by studying areas with low oxygen zones. Her work has the potential to make substantial contributions to marine microbiology.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected 126 outstanding early-career scientists as recipients of the 2015 Sloan Research Fellowships. These fellowships honor innovative research in eight fields, including chemistry, computer science, economics, and physics.
A recent study led by Simon Fraser University biologist Isabelle Côté suggests that closing the high seas to fishing would have little impact on global fish catches. Most fish stocks are already shared between the high seas and exclusive economic zones, reducing the financial implications of such a closure.
Dynamic MPAs can move in time and space to protect migratory species, while CCAMLR's success in Antarctica offers a model for high seas conservation. Closing the high seas to fishing could lead to increased catch and more equitable distribution through EEZs.
Scientists at USF have developed a handheld sensor that can debunk fraudulent seafood species claims, helping ensure consumers get what they pay for. The QuadPyre RT-NASBA technology is accurate enough to detect grouper substitution on cooked fish at the point of restaurant service.
Mercury contamination is affecting fish populations worldwide, with yellowfin tuna concentrations doubling by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Human activity is driving the increase in mercury levels, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce pollution.
Researchers have determined that seahorses are more permanent residents of the western mid-Atlantic Ocean than previously thought. The study used genomic data to infer three genetically divergent subpopulations, strongly supporting Virginia Province inhabitants as a historically persistent ancestral gene pool.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that mercury concentrations in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna increased at a rate of 3.8% per year from 1998 to 2008, likely due to rising atmospheric mercury levels. This increase is consistent with global trends and highlights the need for stricter policies to reduce mercury emissions.
Researchers at Emory University and Nagoya University developed a novel concise entry to dictyodendrins, a family of natural products with potential cancer chemotherapy and treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study demonstrates sequential C-H functionalization can streamline the construction of complex structures.
A study by biologists at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that ingestion of microplastic particles does not mechanically affect marine isopods. In a feeding experiment, researchers offered isopods artificial food supplemented with plastic particles, which were traced through the digestive system using various microscopy techniques.
The future ocean will be warmer, with reduced ice extent, higher sea levels, more acidic, and lower oxygen levels. Research must focus on understanding marine systems' responses to cumulative pressures.
Climate change may be causing fiddler crabs to move further north in the US East Coast, with one scientist discovering a crab nearly 50 miles north of its usual range. This warming trend could lead to changes in ecosystems as new species are introduced.
Researchers from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences propose a controlled experiment to test the risks and benefits of solar radiation management, aiming to reduce uncertainty in climate engineering. The 'stratospheric perturbation experiment' would involve a tiny amount of material to measure key aspects of atmospheric ...
A new study published in PLOS ONE shows that the bladderwrack's defense system against bacterial foulers works even at high temperatures and long periods of darkness. The seaweed's production of defensive compounds decreases under changed light or temperature conditions, but the overall defense remains effective.
The November issue of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment presents research on connectivity cost calculations for conservation corridors, agricultural companions that improve yields, and the consequences of growing jellyfish populations for human well-being.
Scientists have developed a novel probe that uses tarantula venom to visualize electrical activity in neurons and other cells. This breakthrough could help researchers better understand ion channel dysfunctions leading to conditions such as epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers have developed a novel probe that reports on the electrical activity of cells using tarantula toxin, allowing for the observation of voltage-activated ion channels in live cells. This breakthrough has the potential to help scientists understand the function of specific ion channels and identify drug targets for neurological...
A new study shows that jellyfish falls are rapidly consumed by deep-sea scavengers, revealing the importance of gelatinous material to food webs. The research challenges previous negative assessments and suggests that jellyfish blooms may provide essential nutrients to deep-sea ecosystems.
A new computational method suggests that Darwin's 'jump dispersal' theory is supported by strong evidence, especially for island species. The study found that jump dispersal can explain the biogeography of Hawaiian Islands and other archipelagos with a greater statistical probability than vicariance methods.
Researchers found that individual sharks possess social personalities, determining how they interact with group mates in the wild. The study revealed that socially well-connected individuals remained connected under different habitats, while less social individuals camouflaged alone.
Brazilian researchers have discovered a new genus and species of freshwater flatworm that is exclusively found in caves, shedding light on the region's unique biodiversity. The species, Hausera hauseri, is believed to be an oceanic relict, originating from marine environments.
Scientists have discovered that a single genetic change in the Bmp6 gene is associated with an increase in tooth number in freshwater sticklebacks, which can lead to cleft palate deformities. The study suggests that regulating this gene may hold the key to replacing human teeth and improving tooth formation.
A new study published in Journal of Evolutionary Biology found that natural oceanic barriers significantly influence linguistic diversity by reducing contact between speech communities. As a result, spatially isolated languages gradually diverge from each other.
Researchers from Louisiana State University have confirmed the existence of microbial life in a subglacial lake beneath the West Antarctic ice sheet. The discovery sheds new light on the potential for life in other extreme environments and has implications for our understanding of the planet's biosphere.
Researchers from Monash University discovered that graphene oxide sheets can change structure to become liquid crystal droplets spontaneously. This opens up possibilities for its use in drug delivery and disease detection, potentially paving the way for new methods of detecting toxins.
The University of Chicago is creating a new professorship in tissue engineering, supported by a $3.5 million donation from the Millicent and Eugene Bell Foundation. This endowed chair will foster scholarship on tissue engineering at the MBL and Institute for Molecular Engineering.
Researchers deciphered structural components of fluorescence brightness in a primitive sea creature, known as lancelets or amphioxus. The study found that changes in stiffness around the chromophore pocket enable the animal to emit different brightness levels.
Researchers tracked Chilean devil rays using satellite tags, finding they dive as deep as 2,000 meters in search of food. The study reveals a new link between the surface and deep ocean, shedding light on these majestic creatures' habits.
A new study reveals that ancient Arctic sand tiger sharks were able to tolerate brackish water conditions 50 million years ago, unlike modern sand tiger sharks which require much higher salinity levels. This finding has significant implications for how today's sharks might fare in a warming Arctic region.
A new study finds Emperor penguins in peril, with all colonies projected to decline by more than 50% by the end of the century due to sea ice concentration changes. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts and potential refuges to preserve populations, with implications for international conservation paradigms.
Scientists propose using eDNA sampling to monitor invasive species, save endangered ones and inform policy. The technique has the potential to overcome traditional sampling methods' limitations, including expense and focus on single species.
A new species of moth has been identified and named after the Cherokee Nation, in honor of Chief Attakullakulla's legacy. The species, Cherokeea attakullakulla, is a small, inconspicuous moth found in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
A new report ranks climate engineering approaches in terms of feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Researchers conclude that reducing greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon energy sources and behavioral changes is still the most effective way to confront climate change.
The opening of new Arctic shipping routes poses significant risks to the north Atlantic and north Pacific coasts from invasive species. Scientists warn that unchecked commercial shipping could drastically alter the exchange of invasive species across the region.
A study reveals that bottom trawling causes intensive biological desertification of sedimentary seabed ecosystems, leading to a 50% decrease in meiofauna abundance and 25% decline in nematode species. The practice also depletes organic matter and carbon content, threatening ecosystem functioning.
A new species of sea bass was discovered off the coast of Curacao after DNA barcoding revealed a match between its larval stage and adult, previously unknown species. The discovery highlights the importance of exploring underexplored deep-reef ecosystems in the southern Caribbean.
In a rare observation, butterflies and bees were seen drinking the tears of a spectacled caiman in northeastern Costa Rica. Researchers have found that this behavior is more common than previously thought, with many instances recorded by wildlife enthusiasts and scientists.
Researchers found that anammox, a crucial environmental process, is almost completely absent in Narragansett Bay but present in Rhode Island Sound. This disparity suggests that bay sediments lack the necessary conditions to activate anammox.
A recent study by Simon Fraser University geographer Lance Lesack discovered that warmer springs with unexpected snowfall declines are driving earlier-than-expected ice breakup in great Arctic rivers. This finding is significant as it challenges previous assumptions about the effects of climate change on Arctic ice systems.
The Ocean Health Index assesses ocean health across 10 categories, with Brazil scoring lowest in Natural Products and Food Provision. The index provides a framework for strategic management of ocean resources, with opportunities for improvement identified in various states.
Researchers found that sensory cells use protons to transmit information on head orientation relative to gravity, providing a long-lasting and energy-efficient way to sense low-frequency stimuli. This nonquantal transmission is unusual and could explain how the inner ear senses tonic signals like gravity in a robust manner.
The Frank R. Lillie Research Innovation Awards will fund two years of research for $125,000 per award, supporting novel collaborative projects at the Marine Biological Laboratory that aim to transform our understanding of fundamental biological processes and human health.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has selected six papers for the 2013 Cozzarelli Prize, honoring originality and excellence in scientific disciplines. The award recipients include studies on planetary formation, task-related 'cortical' bursting, and honey bee pathogen replication.
The study found that Lapita inhabitants of Vanuatu relied primarily on foraging for food, with a diet including reef fish, marine turtles, fruit bats, and domestic land animals. The analysis of nitrogen and carbon isotopes in human bones also suggests a diet rich in plants, but with significant amounts of protein from animal sources.
Researchers have discovered that the Plastisphere, a community of microorganisms living on ocean plastic, can pose significant risks to invertebrates and humans. The study found that certain bacteria thrive on these plastic islands and may cause diseases in animals and humans.
Researchers found that two Chilean barnacle species, Jehlius cirratus and Notochthalamus scabrosus, coexist without strong competition, even in different temperatures. The study's surprising non-finding may have implications for understanding the biological future of major coastlines.
The Baltic Sea's unique stratification affects the fate of fish stocks, with different species occupying distinct salinity layers. This research highlights the importance of considering regional conditions in fisheries management, as individual stocks do not necessarily benefit from each other.
Scientists studying jellyfish robots found common bending rules for wings, fins, and other propulsors across various animal species. These rules improve propulsion efficiency by increasing thrust.