Articles tagged with Mussels
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Researchers have discovered a new form of calcium carbonate that is soft and absorbent, found in mussel shells. They tested its ability to absorb oils and dyes, finding it highly effective but limited by scalability and cost, for potential use in marine pollution cleanup.
Researchers at Stockholm University found that Baltic Sea blue mussels are getting smaller due to changes in phytoplankton availability, which is linked to climate change. The study also discovered an increase in tiny mussels, which may compensate for the reduction in size but could lead to reduced water filtration rates.
A study of Maine's Swan's Island reveals declines in five species of mussels, barnacles, and snails over two decades, with young mussels experiencing the sharpest decline. The researchers attribute these changes to climate-driven ocean acidification and warming, which affect shellfish ability to thicken their shells.
Researchers exposed blue mussels to current and future levels of ocean acidification and warming, finding that warming alone led to increased shell growth, while both together resulted in decreased growth. Warming also caused increased brittleness, threatening the mussels' survival, but acidification mitigated some effects.
New research reveals laundry lint can cause significant tissue damage in Mediterranean mussels, including deformity, swelling, and digestive tubule loss. The study also finds reduced filtering ability and increased DNA strand breaks.
A NOAA study shows that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations slow down shellfish gill cilia, reducing feeding and filtration rates in blue mussels. This affects ecosystem services like energy and growth in marine ecosystems.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a novel immunotherapy platform called imuGlue, which connects mussel adhesive proteins to antibodies used in immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Researchers found that mussels form weaker attachments in iron-deficient seawater due to altered iron bioavailability. The study reveals a possible consequence of changing ocean chemistry on marine life.
A new study finds that climate warming and nutrient pollution reduce the effectiveness of quagga mussels in preventing Asian carp invasion. The researchers simulated historical conditions and projected future changes, showing that Asian carp habitat improves in warmer waters, benefiting the invasive fish.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that mussels and sediment from Hiroshima Bay contain novel bioaccumulative compounds with high toxicological effects. The researchers identified unknown mixed halogenated compounds with similar physicochemical properties to persistent organic pollutants.
Researchers found that mussel reefs slow sea water flowing over them, increasing turbulence and tripling the amount of ingested plastic. The study suggests natural reef structures are natural sinks for plastics, posing a problem for commercially valuable species like blue mussels.
A new stem cell delivery system using mussel adhesive protein has been developed to efficiently deliver mesenchymal stem cells to damaged cardiac muscular tissues. The system enables prolonged transplantation and promotes rapid integration of transplanted stem cells into surrounding tissues.
Researchers at POSTECH have discovered the key to strong underwater mussel adhesion, finding that Dopa and Lysine molecules work together in a synergistic effect. Their study used molecular biology techniques to analyze adhesive proteins in mussels and confirmed two molecules with strong adhesion even in underwater conditions.
A new study identifies 13 non-native species most likely to invade Antarctica's Antarctic Peninsula region over the next decade. The invasion could have devastating effects on fragile polar biological communities and ecosystems. Comprehensive biosecurity checks are crucial to prevent invasive species from reaching Antarctica.
A new study by University of Chicago biologists found that Mediterranean mussels with existing genetic variation can adapt to declining pH levels in seawater caused by carbon emissions. The surviving population in the low pH environment differed genetically from others, suggesting a faster adaptation process if no new mutation arises.
A study of six beaches in Brazil found a direct correlation between urbanization, metal contamination, and increased metabolic stress in mussels. The researchers suggest that this evidence should be used to inform public policy and mitigate the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed integrated pest management strategies to combat aquatic invasive species, such as quagga and zebra mussels, in California's waterways. The studies focus on using biological control methods, like sunfish, to target early life stages of these pests, reducing harm to people and the environment.
A new study has found that mussels, introduced to Australia's coastlines, have established themselves and may pose a threat to native species due to genetic pollution. However, the research also suggests that the invasive mussels may bring benefits, such as enhanced tolerance to warm conditions, which could safeguard Australian mussel ...
A new group of bacteria, Thiobarba, has been discovered in deep-sea mussels that fix carbon using the Calvin cycle. This is a surprise as most Epsilonproteobacteria use the reverse TCA-cycle instead.
A massive study of over 3,000 freshwater mussels reveals seven new mussel-associated leech species, some of which are obligate inhabitants of the mantle cavity. The association evolved over millions of years and is crucial to understanding biological threats facing imperiled animal groups like freshwater mussels.
A study published in eLife reveals that an infectious cancer has spread to two different species of mussels on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, likely due to accidental transport on ships. The cancer is believed to have originated from a single mussel with a primary cancer and has since infected multiple species across the globe.
Researchers at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center have identified suitable locations off the US northeast coast for offshore blue mussel farms. The study suggests that Long Island, north of Cape Ann in Massachusetts, and off New Hampshire are promising sites due to favorable temperature and food availability conditions.
Researchers discovered a diverse range of bacterial symbionts in deep-sea mussels, with each strain fulfilling different functions and enabling the mussel to adapt quickly to changing environments. This diversity challenges current evolutionary theories and suggests that similar symbionts can coexist.
A new study by University of Michigan researchers reveals that Asian carp can survive and grow in larger portions of Lake Michigan than previously believed. The findings suggest that the fish can thrive in various diets, including detritus, and have suitable habitat volumes throughout the water column.
Researchers are developing materials inspired by mussel threads that can remove heavy metals, organic pollutants, and pathogens from wastewater. These innovations could help mitigate environmental damage after oil spills.
Researchers have found that invasive round gobies in French Creek are consuming native freshwater mussels, posing a significant threat to their survival. The study's findings highlight the potential ecological disaster if gobies continue to spread in the watershed.
Researchers analyzed sea otter use of large rocks as 'anvils' to break open shells, leaving behind recognizable damage patterns and shell middens. The study suggests that sea otters may exhibit handedness, with a consistent pattern of striking the mussels against points and ridges on the rocks.
A new study found that microplastics reduce mussels' ability to attach themselves, potentially threatening their survival and the stability of ocean ecosystems. Mussels produce fewer byssal threads, which are essential for attachment, after exposure to non-biodegradable microplastics.
A study by researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences found that mussels readily take in microplastic fibers but quickly flush most of them out. This suggests that marine animals may play a role in mitigating the impact of microplastics on ecosystems.
Archaeologists and scientists studied ancient Maya shells and tissue samples, leading to the first molecular study of freshwater mussels in Mexico and Central America. The study provided crucial insight into North American freshwater mussel evolution and revealed that some species were overestimated due to lack of DNA data.
A study identifies marine aggregates as key to removing microplastics from the ocean surface and facilitating their transfer to food webs. Mussels were found to selectively ingest smaller particles with specific shapes, highlighting their picky eating habits.
Freshwater mussels filter water and record chemical composition in their shells, revealing elevated strontium levels downstream of fracking wastewater disposal sites. The long-term effects of fracking on sediments and aquatic life are still being uncovered.
Researchers design a functionally graded material to minimize the tradeoff between flexibility and strength, achieving optimal balance in both elasticity and rigidity. This technology has wide applications in various fields, including engineering, medicine, and soft robotics.
Researchers found that nanoplastics caused damage to the DNA and cell membranes of mussels, leading to oxidative stress and changes in gene expression. The study highlights the potential long-term consequences of consuming mussels contaminated with nanoplastics.
A study by UC Santa Cruz researchers has found that 99% of mussels collected from San Francisco Bay were contaminated with at least one algal toxin, and 37% contained four distinct kinds of toxins. The contamination exceeded regulatory guidelines for multiple toxins in previous years.
A new study by Michigan State University reveals that conserving mussels is linked to protecting their host fish species. The research found that different mussel varieties are tied to specific fish hosts and prioritize conservation efforts must protect both. This understanding will inform the development of effective conservation stra...
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that PFAS can inhibit a mussel's immune system, but the effects are reversible. The research highlights the importance of monitoring regions with high environmental concentrations of PFAS.
Research reveals California mussel shells are becoming disordered and less organized due to escalating ocean acidification, impacting their structural integrity. The study suggests this variation may offer the species a glimmer of hope through increased variability in individual traits, potentially aiding natural selection.
Researchers found that ribbed mussels were effective at removing nitrogen and other excess nutrients from the Bronx River, with an estimated 138 pounds of nitrogen removed. The study suggests that mussel farming could be a viable tool for improving water quality in urban estuaries.
Mussel larvae are sensitive to ocean acidification due to their high calcification rate and limited ion regulation capacity. Researchers found that larvae can increase pH and carbonate concentration below the shell to promote calcification, but this is reduced by increasing acidification
A study published in Ecology Letters found that natural habitats play a vital role in helping species resist heat stresses caused by climate change. For example, mussels and seaweed form habitat for coastal species, providing 'ecological air conditioning' that keeps them cool.
A team of UCSB researchers created a dry polymeric system that maintains its stretchiness while becoming stiffer and tougher with the addition of iron coordination bonds. The material has potential applications in coatings and impact-resistant materials.
UCSB researchers developed a new type of dental composite inspired by mussel mechanisms to adhere to surfaces. The material provides an extra layer of durability, potentially leading to longer-lasting fillings and crowns.
A lubricant-infused polymer coating has been developed to prevent mussel fouling, a significant problem in marine environments. The coating tricks mussels into not producing their adhesive threads, reducing the problem of fouling on ship hulls and marine pipes.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed a non-toxic, lubricant-infused coating that disrupts mussel attachment mechanisms, preventing their adhesion. The coating outperforms existing alternatives in preventing mussel biofouling.
A recent study found that Lake Michigan's altered ecosystem could better support lake trout and steelhead due to reduced Chinook salmon stocking. The lake's open-water food web dynamics have changed significantly since the 1970s, becoming less productive as a result of decreased nutrients.
A new continuous-discrete hybrid population model describes the invasive dynamics of zebra mussels in North American rivers. The model shows that population persistence is contingent upon moderate water temperatures and low flow velocities, and that upstream invasion success depends on these factors.
A research team has assembled the first complete genome of a deep-sea mussel, providing new insights into its molecular mechanisms of adaptation. The study found that modern deep-sea mussels evolved from shallow-water mussels approximately 110 million years ago.
A study by University of California - Santa Cruz researchers detected high levels of microcystin toxin in mussels from San Francisco Bay, which can accumulate in shellfish and pose a risk to human consumption. The findings highlight the need for added monitoring of freshwater toxins in coastal waters.
A new species of tiny, pea-sized crab has been found to parasitize a large date mussel in the Solomon Islands. The crab, named Serenotheres janus, features a unique characteristic plate on its carapace, similar to the two-faced Roman god Janus.
The 'robomussels' have tracked internal body temperature, enabling scientists to pinpoint areas of unusual warming and develop strategies to prevent extinction of certain species. The findings can reveal emerging hotspots, allowing policymakers and scientists to intervene before it's too late.
Researchers will study zebra mussel populations in three Texas lakes, focusing on growth rates, life spans, and impact on lake productivity. The goal is to understand causes of population collapses and inform management strategies.
A new study suggests that increased sea temperatures can enhance and accelerate radiation-induced DNA effects in marine mussels. The research found that DNA damage appeared earlier at higher temperatures compared to lower temperatures, potentially compromising the mussels' ability to defend against genotoxic insult.
Researchers discovered that mussels improve water storage around grass roots and reduce soil salinity, allowing marshes to recover from drought in less than a decade. This mutually beneficial relationship between mussels and marsh grass can help ecosystems bounce back from extreme climatic events.
A study led by University of California, Irvine ecologists found that wild blue mussel numbers have declined by over 60% along the Gulf of Maine coastline. The decline is attributed to warming oceans and increased human harvesting, which heighten physiological stress and mortality rates in the mussels.
Researchers from RIKEN successfully attach a biologically active molecule to a titanium surface, inspired by the adhesive properties of mussels. The hybrid protein showed strong binding capabilities to the metal, even when washed with water-based solutions.
Ocean acidification is threatening mussel farming industries as mussels' ability to attach themselves to surfaces weakens in acidic conditions. The pH level plays a critical role in the attachment process, and changes in ocean chemistry are expected to impact mussel communities.
Researchers have developed novel adhesives inspired by mussels to seal fetal membranes after in-utero surgery, reducing the risk of premature labor and delivery. The new glue works in wet environments, a significant improvement over existing adhesives.
Studies found that shells from California mussels (32% thicker) and Native American sites (94% thicker) were significantly thinner than modern specimens. Ocean acidification is a major driver of this decline.
A new study reveals that shellfish response to ocean acidification depends on food availability and other stressors. The study found that juvenile mussels grew fastest in locations with frequent low pH conditions and abundant food supply, while those with inconsistent food and high body temperatures were more vulnerable to predators.