Articles tagged with Mussels
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A University of Guelph study finds that introducing invasive round goby fish does not help conserve endangered native mollusks, but rather hampers their reproduction. The research team discovered that the fish essentially 'wastes' mussel larvae, further threatening the species' survival.
The first comprehensive survey on freshwater mussel species in Europe reveals declining stock sizes and habitat degradation. Mussels play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, filtering water and maintaining ecosystem balance.
Research reveals significant disparities in data quality and quantity among European countries and species, hindering effective conservation efforts for the region's 16 recognized freshwater mussels. The study highlights the need for standardized monitoring and management protocols to conserve this vulnerable group and its habitats.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have designed a synthetic material that combines the key functionalities of interfacial mussel foot proteins, creating a single, low-molecular-weight, one-component adhesive. This breakthrough technology demonstrates record-high wet adhesion up to 10 times more effective than previous materials, with app...
Researchers at University of Akron develop soybean oil-based adhesives that work in wet conditions, addressing a billion-dollar industry's need for sustainable materials. The new adhesives mimic mussel proteins' ability to stick even in harsh marine environments.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara improve a small molecule called siderophore cyclic trichrysobactin (CTC) to create an adhesive that sticks well in aqueous environments. The discovery reveals the importance of lysine and catechol in creating a favorable environment for adhesion.
Rising sea temperatures and decreased salt concentration are predicted to significantly impact mussel health, favoring disease-causing bacteria that produce toxins. This could threaten the rapidly-growing tropical shellfish industry in South-West India, which is already under pressure from urbanization.
Robert McMahon, a renowned expert on aquatic invasive mollusks, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Invasive Species Council. He is recognized for his decades-long work in preventing and managing invasive species, including zebra mussels, Asian clams, and apple snails.
A new study reveals three regional mysteries about blue mussels in the Northeast coast, including generation gaps and predator activity. The research suggests that mussels can be a good sentinel species for rocky shores but requires more knowledge about their behavior in different estuarine settings.
Researchers detected Giardia duodenalis in mussels near coastal areas where California Sea Lions lounge, suggesting a potential public health risk. The study highlights the importance of testing filter-feeding shellfish to detect waterborne pathogens.
Researchers found three durable foul-release coatings showing promise in managing quagga and zebra mussel attachment. Silicone coatings, when properly applied, can be easily cleaned without damaging the surface.
A new study reveals five high-risk Ponto-Caspian species, including the quagga mussel and killer shrimp, have established themselves in Britain. The invasion is expected to lead to devastating consequences for native species, with up to twenty additional species projected to arrive in the near future.
Researchers at MIT engineered bacteria to produce hybrid materials combining naturally sticky mussel proteins with bacterial curli fibers, creating stronger underwater adhesives. These adhesives were found to bind strongly to various surfaces and are the strongest biologically inspired protein-based adhesives reported to date.
Researchers found that mussels on restored oyster reefs can filter up to two-fold more plankton than oysters alone, significantly enhancing water quality. This discovery could increase the 'return on investment' for oyster-reef restoration projects.
Researchers have discovered a clearer understanding of how mussels attach themselves to surfaces, which can lead to new classes of adhesives that work underwater and inside the body. The technology is based on the properties of catechol, a molecule found in mussel glue.
A new study estimates that the global management of freshwater mussels, clams, and other clinging animals costs $277 million U.S. dollars annually due to their economic impact on shipping, power generation, and water treatment. Biofoulers are filter-feeders that readily colonize pipes and channel walls, causing extensive coverage and o...
Scientists at Wayne State University are working to identify a chemical found in algae that may inhibit spawning in invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The research aims to develop an ecological-scale control strategy to disrupt reproduction and reduce mussel populations.
Researchers at Grand Valley State University found a link between zebra mussels and increased risk of algae blooms in Muskegon Lake and Bear Lake. The invasive mussels stimulate nutrient releases, while native chironomids increase oxygen levels, making the lakes more prone to toxic blooms.
A team of marine biologists has discovered that previously unrecognized species diversity was hiding some corals' ability to respond to climate change. The researchers found that two separate lineages of coral, which look deceivingly similar, have different genetic makeup and survival strategies.
The invasive zebra mussel is unaffected by blue-green algae toxins, which may be harming native Unio mussels. This resilience allows the zebra mussel to outcompete and dominate freshwater ecosystems, posing significant costs to industries.
Researchers have unraveled the secrets of mussels' clinginess, discovering that their byssus threads can withstand impact forces nine times greater than stretching in one direction. The unique distribution of stiffness along the threads enables them to absorb nutrients while minimizing damage from waves.
Researchers found that warmer ocean temperatures weaken mussels' fibrous threads, making them more prone to detachment. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web and commercial mussel farming.
New materials mimic mussel adhesive proteins to deliver self-setting antibacterial hydrogels, seal fetal membrane defects, and target cancer cells with precision. Researchers collaborate on in-vivo testing of these innovative biomedical applications.
A new adhesive, iCMBAs, adheres well in wet environments, has controlled degradability, improved biocompatibility, and lower manufacturing costs. The bioahesives are non-toxic, control inflammation, and can be tailored to degrade over specific periods.
Researchers have developed a new substance inspired by mussels' adhesive, which can rebuild both enamel and dentin on teeth. Laboratory tests show that the gooey material promotes simultaneous remineralization of enamel and dentin, offering a potential solution for millions suffering from tooth sensitivity.
Researchers have created a gel that can be painted onto blood vessel walls to form a protective barrier, potentially preventing rupture and inflammation. The gel's 'sheer strength' could shore up weakened vessel walls and prevent the formation of blood clots.
A new invasive species of sea crab, Dyspanopeus sayi, has established itself in the Western Mediterranean Coast, particularly in the Ebro Delta. The crabs are well-established and reproducing in the area without problems, with both sexes captured along with ovigerous females carrying eggs.
A UBC study reveals that climate-driven warming and predation are causing significant losses in marine biodiversity, with mussels losing 51% of their habitat due to rising temperatures. Removing predators through exclusion cages allowed prey species to occupy hotter sites, resulting in a doubling of species richness.
Carla Atkinson, a University of Oklahoma graduate student, received the EPA's STAR Fellowship to study freshwater mussels in North America. Her research will explore the role of mussels in altering riverine ecosystems and their impact on human well-being.
Researchers have assembled a comprehensive data set to reconstruct the phylogeny of mollusks, revealing a close relationship between snails and mussels. The study confirms an old hypothesis that molluscs are divided into two subphyla, but with unexpected results, including the sister taxa status of snails and mussels.
Researchers found that the circadian cycle, regulating day-night rhythms, drives gene expression in mussels more than previously thought. The tidal cycle's influence was less significant, with 80-90% of genes showing rhythmic expression linked to the circadian cycle.
Researchers from Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources discovered a freshwater mussel species, Quadrula mitchelli, thought to be extinct in the San Saba River. The find indicates that small populations may exist and is a significant discovery for conservation efforts.
Researchers have discovered hydrogen-powered symbiotic bacteria in deep-sea mussels, which use hydrogen as an energy source. The ability to harness hydrogen is widespread in hydrothermal vent symbioses, with one mussel population consuming up to 5000 liters of hydrogen per hour.
California mussels are vulnerable to acidification due to climate change, which can weaken their shells and reduce body mass. This decline could have significant impacts on other organisms that rely on them for food and habitat.
The study found that ocean acidification has a strong impact on shell strength and size in mussel larvae, leading to reduced survival rates and ecosystem balance disruption. The findings suggest that increased CO2 levels could affect the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems.
Researchers at USDA's Agricultural Research Service are investigating the use of high-pressure processing (HPP) to inactivate viruses and bacteria in oysters, clams, and mussels. The technique, already used in pasteurizing juices and meats, has shown promise in inactivating 99.9% of hepatitis A virus in mollusks.
The spread of non-native zebra and quagga mussels in the Great Lakes has caused significant ecological changes, stripping lakes Michigan and Huron of life-supporting algae. This has resulted in a remarkable transformation and threatens multibillion-dollar U.S. fisheries.
Scientists have developed a synthetic version of the self-healing sticky substance used by mussels to anchor themselves to rocks. The new material exhibits both strength and reversibility through metal bonds, allowing it to repair tears within minutes.
A new shellfish marker developed by University of California, San Diego researchers enables the detection of toxin-producing dinoflagellates in shellfish. The marker reveals fluorescent tags on dinoflagellates, indicating potential food poisoning risks, and can be used to develop early warning systems for aquaculturists.
Researchers from Arizona State University have discovered a calcium-driven pump mechanism in endolithic cyanobacteria, which dissolves carbonate substrates. This finding has implications for coral reefs and mussel aquaculture, addressing a long-standing geochemical paradox.
A Purdue University-led research team has uncovered the chemical components of oyster adhesive, which could aid in boosting dwindling oyster populations and creating non-toxic materials to prevent marine fouling. The findings also have implications for dentistry and construction.
Recent climate change causes blue mussels to shrink their range from North Carolina to Delaware due to rising temperatures. As a result, populations north of the new limit experience higher mortality rates.
The Asian shore crab has found a hospitable niche in its new environment, coexisting with native species in the cobbled beach ecosystem. The cordgrass-ribbed mussel environment provides a stable habitat for the crabs, allowing them to thrive without crowding out native species.
A new understanding of marine ecology has emerged, revealing that mussel populations are connected across vast distances through communication. This discovery has significant implications for the design of marine reserves and fisheries management.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have successfully boosted the endangered freshwater mussel population through a 12-year cultivation project, releasing over 300 mussels into the wild. The conservation team can track the mussels using Passive Integrated Transponders, allowing for relocation and monitoring of the animals.
Researchers have discovered that the byssal cuticle of mussels is a protein-based polymeric scaffold stabilized by dopa-iron complexes, enabling its unique hardness and extensibility. The cuticle's mechanical behavior allows it to dissipate energy from crashing waves while resisting abrasive damage.
Biodiversity in Oklahoma's rivers is declining due to environmental changes like water pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. Freshwater mussels play a crucial role in biofiltration and ecosystem services, highlighting the need for sustainable water management.
A mussel-inspired sealant has been developed for repairing defects in human fetal membranes, showing promise as a biocompatible and effective solution. The sealant, inspired by the sticky properties of mussels, can seal tiny holes in the membrane without causing cell death.
Research by Suzanne Peyer reveals that zebra mussels' ability to produce strong 'byssal threads' enables them to attach securely in fast-moving waters, outperforming quagga mussels. This adaptation allows zebra mussels to thrive in rivers and streams, whereas quagga mussels are more commonly found in calm lake waters.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received the first-ever Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her work developing successful culture systems and feeding regimes for endangered freshwater mussels. The award recognizes Mair's extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation ...
A new NOAA report reveals widespread contamination of US coastal waters with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), a common flame retardant used in commercial goods since the 1970s. Elevated levels were found near urban and industrial centers, posing health concerns to humans and aquatic life.
Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute have identified a tiny algal species, Azadinium spinosum, as the producer of azaspiracid toxin, causing severe poisoning in human consumers of mussels. The discovery provides an effective early warning system for mussel farms.
Researchers have developed new medical adhesives using marine mussel glue and inkjet technology that are non-toxic, biodegradable and precise, promising improved wound repair and reduced scarring in surgeries. The adhesives could replace traditional sutures, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
The rapid decline of Diporeia due to quagga mussel invasion in Lake Michigan has significantly impacted the lake's food web. Fish populations are facing reduced food options as quagga mussels displace more energy-rich prey sources.
Queen's University Belfast is conducting a 3-year study to map and monitor horse mussel reefs in Strangford Lough. The project aims to restore and conserve the reefs, which are crucial for water quality and habitat for other species.
Scientists found that mussels alternate between eating and growing genes in response to changing environmental conditions. The study suggests that mussels use a survival strategy similar to circadian rhythms, allowing them to separate physiological processes and reduce damage from free radicals.
Mussels have an active physiological barrier in their gills that protects them from harmful substances in the water. The two recently discovered proteins, both ABC transporters, ensure that substances that don't belong in the cell are transported out again.
A CU-Boulder study suggests that growing numbers of dams and impoundments are facilitating the spread of invasive species into natural lakes. The research team found that such species can create 'stepping-stone habitats' for further invasion, posing risks to lake ecosystems.
Diporeia, a small crustacean, has declined dramatically in Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes, threatening the ecosystem and $4 billion sport fishing industry. Researchers are exploring possible causes, including invasive mussels and pollutants like pesticides and PCBs.
A 20-year study by NOAA reveals a positive trend in reducing contaminant levels in U.S. coastal waters, despite ongoing concerns about metals and industrial chemicals. The report highlights decreasing trends for pesticides like DDT and industrial chemicals PCBs, but notes continued issues with oil-related compounds and flame retardants.