Articles tagged with Marine Biology
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin found that lookdown fish can manipulate polarized light to create a more effective camouflage system, surpassing the traditional 'mirror' strategy. This discovery has implications for the development of new materials and technologies inspired by nature.
A new study reveals that squid are vulnerable to acidic conditions in the ocean, which could have far-reaching effects on the ecosystem. The research found that squid reared in more acidic seawater were smaller, had misshapen statoliths, and took longer to develop.
A new study shows that shark ecotourism generates over $314 million annually and is expected to more than double to $780 million in the next 20 years. The landed value of global shark fisheries has been declining for the past decade, with an estimated 38 million sharks killed per year to feed the fin trade.
A new study in the Amazon finds that deep, permeable soils can act as a natural buffer against the negative impacts of crop fertilizer on nearby streams. The research suggests that these soils can absorb excess nutrients and reduce pollution, but warns that changes in land use may lead to increased nutrient runoff in the future.
Researchers created a sea turtle-inspired robot to study flipper-based locomotion on complex surfaces. The 'Flipperbot' demonstrated improved movement using a free wrist, which reduced disturbance to the ground, similar to real-life observations of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles.
Research finds that a significant proportion of black carbon in soil dissolves into rivers and flows to the ocean, undermining efforts to use soil as a carbon sink. The study estimated that 27 million tons of black carbon flow from rivers to oceans annually.
A new study reveals that white sharks occur in Hawai'i waters across a broader annual cycle than previously thought, with observations recorded every month except November. The research also identifies a simple method to distinguish between white sharks and close relatives like mako sharks based on the shape of their head.
Researchers are using fossilized tree pollen and mammal fossils to understand how plants and animals responded to past climate changes. They aim to develop better models to predict forest responses to future climate changes.
A study by New York University researchers found that the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) seafood certification process is too lenient and discretionary. The study examined 19 formal objections to MSC certifications and found that many fisheries did not meet the organization's sustainability principles.
Dr. Cecilia Bitz, an associate professor at the University of Washington, will receive the Rosenstiel Award for her contributions to climate and climate change research, particularly in high-latitude regions. Her work focuses on climate modeling, sea ice predictability, and geoengineering perspectives.
Researchers found that the sticky nature of opaline, not its chemical composition, is responsible for reducing sensory responses in lobsters. The study suggests that sea hares can escape predation by using opaline to inactivate a lobster's sense of smell and ability to feed.
A £3.2 million research study will investigate how climate warming affects North West Europe's shelf seas and their role in the global carbon cycle. The study aims to improve modeling systems for understanding ocean climate change, particularly focusing on the capacity of shelf seas to store carbon.
The California chromodorid sea slug, declared extinct in Southern California in the 1980s, has begun to reappear in local waters. Marine scientists attribute its resurgence to improved water quality, mainly a result of stricter pollution regulations.
A study by behavioral ecologist John Hoogland found that prairie dogs are more likely to disperse in the absence of nearby close kin. This unique pattern is attributed to the benefits of cooperation with close kin, including shared resources and defense against predators.
Scientists at MBL have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, in the sea lamprey genome. The discovery will accelerate research on spinal cord injury recovery, as lampreys can regenerate their nervous system after injury.
The symposium explores the leading edge of interdisciplinary collaboration in microscopy, featuring experts who are developing new techniques to visualize life processes at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The goal is to advance the visualization of life from the scale of a single molecule to the whole organism., Research...
Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.
Scientists have discovered a long-running conflict between SAR11 bacteria and viruses that constantly kill them off. The ongoing battle affects the planet's carbon cycle and has significant implications for ocean biology.
Researchers found that sockeye salmon imprint on the magnetic field they experience when first entering the sea as juveniles, using it as a homing mechanism. This discovery has practical applications for predicting salmon distribution and understanding the impact of environmental changes on their navigation.
A study found that salmon use the geomagnetic field as a navigational aid, with changes in intensity correlating with their migration route. The results suggest that the fish imprint the magnetic field during their juvenile stage and use it as a proxy for geographic location when returning as adults.
Researchers have discovered that female hawksbill turtles mate at the beginning of the season and store sperm for up to 75 days, laying multiple nests on beaches. The study also found that these turtles are mainly monogamous, with females pairing up with a single male throughout the breeding season.
A new study provides a geological timeline for ice loss in West Antarctica, shedding light on the recent rapid melting of glaciers and improving predictions for future sea-level rise. The research reveals that exceptional changes in glacier retreat may occur only rarely over the past 10,000 years.
Recent media reports have created a perception of a global increase in jellyfish. However, a new study suggests that these trends may be overstated. The research found that global jellyfish populations undergo concurrent fluctuations with successive decadal periods of rise and fall.
The MBL physiology course fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation among students, leading to the generation of 23 research papers and 59 meeting abstracts. The course's unique approach combines cell biology and physical sciences, and encourages students to think beyond their comfort zones.
Research suggests that cooler climates led to increased biodiversity in marine fauna, while warmer temperatures caused species to become extinct. The study's findings indicate that climate fluctuations played a significant role in the emergence and extinction of species.
Researchers investigate four hydrothermal vent sites off Antarctica's coast to understand animal communities and their unique ecosystems. The team uses a deep-diving ROV to study the interactions between animals and the vents, which are super-heated to around 300 degrees Centigrade.
A prospectus published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A outlines key issues and research directions for UK marine science over the next two decades. The publication provides a vision for each field, addressing scientific challenges and technological advances necessary to meet them.
A new study found that feeding probiotics to baby zebrafish accelerated their development and increased their chances of survival into adulthood. The researchers discovered that the probiotics helped promote growth, including bone and vertebrae development, by reducing stress on the fish's gastrointestinal tract.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is funding 16 top scientists for pioneering research in marine microbial ecology, exploring interactions between trillions of microscopic organisms and their environment. This funding aims to make new discoveries and advance our understanding of ocean ecosystems and climate change.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a biocompatible gel-based sponge that can be molded to any shape, loaded with drugs or stem cells, and delivered via injection. The sponge pops back to its original shape once inside the body, gradually releasing its cargo before safely degrading.
A network of marine zones in the Pacific Ocean could significantly improve numbers of heavily overfished bigeye tuna and local economies. The study found that restricting longline fishing in tuna-spawning areas and managing fish-aggregating devices are key measures to effectively conserve Pacific bigeye tuna.
Biologists have recorded a significant increase in plastic litter on the seabed of the Arctic deep sea, with quantities doubling over the past decade. The main victims of this contamination are deep-sea inhabitants, which can suffer injuries, impaired breathing, and reduced reproduction due to contact with plastic.
A new study projects a 14-20% decline in maximum fish body weight by 2050, with the tropics being most impacted. The research highlights the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions and monitor changes to ocean ecosystems.
Researchers found that both biological organisms and electronic devices use similar approaches to change reflective colors, but biology outperforms electronics in efficiency, scalability, and sophistication. Human-made technology excels in speed and color range, but lags behind nature's complex adaptations.
New investigation reveals surprising flexibility in finches' beak development, with different species sharing same developmental pathways yet producing unique shapes. This discovery offers new insight into the adaptability of birds to fill various ecological niches.
AZTI-Tecnalia coordinates two €1.5M research projects on bluefin tuna to study population structure, migrations, growth, and reproduction. These projects will inform ICCAT's conservation efforts in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Researchers found that nerves in squid skin control the animal's spectrum of shimmering hues, as well as their speed of change, creating spectacular optical illusions. The study provides evidence for neural control of iridescence in an invertebrate species.
Researchers found that both high and low mating rates are detrimental to female sea slug fitness, suggesting indirect benefits to traumatic mating. The study suggests that there may be additional fitness benefits beyond reproduction.
A third of Earth's organisms live in rocks and sediments, but their lives have been a mystery. Scientists have now shed light into this dark world by studying methane-exhaling microbes in hot undersea volcanoes. The research reveals that these microbes thrive in environments with low hydrogen levels and have symbiotic relationships bet...
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new coating called SLIPS that can prevent the formation of biofilms on surfaces. The technology, which is smooth and slippery due to an immobilized liquid layer, has been shown to reduce the formation of disease-causing bacteria by up to 96%.
Biologists present a simple way to estimate maximum sustainable yield (MSY) using catch data and species resilience. The new method has been tested on 148 fish stocks with excellent agreement compared to traditional methods.
The University of Miami's Rosenstiel School awarded over $11,000 to five graduate students pursuing research projects on marine conservation and climate change. Christine Beggs will study invasive lionfish in the Florida Keys, while Katinka Bellomo will investigate cloud radiative forcing at the Max-Planck Institute. Dominique Lazarre ...
A recent study by NOAA researchers reveals a drastic decline in white abalone populations, which have dwindled by approximately 78% over the last ten years. The species' ability to reproduce is being questioned, with scientists suggesting that a captive breeding program may be necessary to enhance populations and prevent extinction.
The Kiel Cluster of Excellence 'The Future Ocean' has secured funding for its second phase, focusing on natural resources, biological diversity, and gas exchange. This will enable the team to provide a scientific basis for sustainable ocean management and engage in dialogue with decision makers.
Scientists will analyze satellite pictures, airplane data, and tree core samples to determine how trees respond to longer growing seasons. This study aims to understand whether faster-growing trees are taking more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a positive factor in combating global warming.
A team of researchers discovered that dolomite crystals form under specific conditions in biofilms created by marine bacteria. The study provides new insights into the reconstruction of fossil dolomite deposits and their connection to past environmental conditions.
A study led by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists found that even low levels of arsenic in drinking water can disrupt lipid metabolism, leading to nutrient deficiencies in breast milk and growth deficits in offspring. The researchers also discovered that exposure to arsenic increases the risk of fatty liver disease.
Researchers found that terrestrial species are less responsive to warm temperatures than marine species, which allows them to expand their ranges towards the poles. Climate change is also causing rare heat waves to set boundaries on where species can live.
Marine scientists discovered that deep-sea limpets can survive extreme pressure changes when transported by submersibles. This finding highlights the potential risk of human-driven change to hydrothermal vent ecosystems.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst used miniaturized satellite tags to track young Atlantic bluefin tuna, revealing their dispersal patterns and habitat use. The study provides the first fishery-independent data on bluefin tuna migration and behavior, shedding light on the ecology and management of wild stocks.
A new software tool called Acacia has been developed to correct errors in DNA sequencing, allowing biologists to accurately interpret genetic information. The tool, created by CSIRO PhD student Lauren Bragg, uses statistical theory to analyze code for DNA bases and improve accuracy.
Research reveals that salmon raised in hatcheries can harm wild populations through competition for food and habitat. This has significant implications for long-term survival of wild salmon species, highlighting the need for caution and further research to ensure sustainable fisheries management.
A new study reveals that juvenile steelhead trout are more likely to die when water levels are low in California's wine country. The researchers found that the amount of vineyard acreage upstream is linked to higher death rates, with only 30% survival rate in dry summer seasons.
A new study reveals a 100-fold surge in small plastic debris in the North Pacific Ocean Subtropical Gyre, altering marine habitats and changing natural ecosystems. The influx of plastic has led to an increase in sea skater egg densities, potentially affecting animals across the food web.
New research from USC reveals a 100-fold decrease in lead and 400-fold decrease in copper and cadmium in Southern California's coastal waters over the past four decades. The cleaner water is attributed to improvements in sewage treatment regulations and phasing out of leaded gasoline.
A team of researchers has proposed standardised guidelines for the recording and characterisation of microplastic particles in the sea. By analysing 68 scientific publications, they found that the results are difficult to compare due to varying methods used. However, they discovered that using a net with a mesh of 85 micrometres can fi...
Rachael Heuer, a University of Miami graduate student, has received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to investigate how Gulf toadfish cope with ocean acidification. Her research findings indicate that toadfish exposed to elevated CO2 levels lose base from their bodies, affecting their pH balance and health.
A new study reveals a large number of emperor penguins in Antarctica, with 595,000 birds estimated, providing an important benchmark for monitoring environmental change. The research uses high-resolution satellite images to differentiate between birds and ice, allowing for accurate estimates.
Shrimp fishermen are assisting biologist Kai Wätjen in monitoring rare fish species in the North Sea. They are using cameras to document catches and a data logger to record water temperature and depth information.
Scientists have found highly similar signaling centers in the acorn worm that direct the formation of its embryonic body plan. This discovery provides unexpected insight into the evolution of vertebrate development and genetics, revealing complex mechanisms for establishing body plans in distant relatives.