Articles tagged with Coral
A new discovery expands the impact footprint of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, with multiple coral communities impacted up to 22 km from the spill site and at depths over 1800 meters. The study used a 'fingerprint' model to identify damage in newly discovered coral communities.
Tropical Cyclone Ita developed near the Solomon Islands and strengthened into a tropical storm on April 5. NASA satellite imagery revealed strong convection and thunderstorms surrounding its center of circulation near Papua New Guinea.
Tropical Cyclone Gillian made its first landfall in the northwestern coast of the York Peninsula, while Tropical Cyclone Hadi lingered off the eastern coast. Gillian is expected to re-emerge in the Gulf of Carpentaria and make a second landfall near the Northern Territory/Queensland border.
A new study by University of Miami biologist Floria Mora-Kepfer Uy explores the acceptance of non-related individuals in highly organized and adaptable societies. Young, unfamiliar individuals were accepted more frequently than old ones and those in late-stage colonies, suggesting that social context and immediate needs mediate accepta...
The Global Invertebrate Genomic Alliance (GIGA) aims to promote comparative genomics and bioinformatics research on non-insect/non-nematode invertebrates. The consortium will facilitate comparisons of genomic studies across multiple labs, improving understanding of animal diversity and the tree of life.
A recent study published in Nature has found a significant increase in Pacific nitrogen content over the past 1,000 years, tied to climate change. The research uses deep-sea corals as natural recorders of changes in biogeochemical cycles, revealing a dramatic long-term shift in the Pacific ecosystem.
A study by University of California, Santa Cruz researchers found a significant shift in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre's food web since 1850, driven by changes in nitrogen sources. The shift may be related to the expansion and warming of open ocean gyres, which limits nutrient delivery to surface waters.
Researchers have developed a new sea coral-based material that considerably improves the outcome of bone grafts in 16 patients. The material, called coralline hydroxyapatite/calcium carbonate (CHACC), has been shown to biodegrade after two years and promote natural bone healing.
Scientists have identified two new gorgonian soft coral species in the eastern Pacific, adding to the genus Eugorgia's range. The newly described species, E. beebei and E. mutabilis, exhibit vibrant white coloration, with the latter displaying a unique color-changing ability.
Tropical Storm Pewa has passed over Wake Island, located just north of the Marshall Islands. The storm was captured on NASA satellite imagery and is expected to intensify again while moving northwest, potentially becoming a typhoon over the next five days.
Researchers tracked thresher shark activity and analyzed instances of tail-slapping to stun or kill sardines. The study highlights the diversity of shark hunting strategies in the ocean, where top predators adapt to prey's evasion behaviors.
A new study reveals two beautiful and colourful species of soft corals alongside a new genus of octocorals in the North Eastern Pacific Ocean. The discovery highlights the remarkable diversity of octocorals, with around 3400 species described worldwide.
A study found that airborne particles from volcanic activity and air pollution slow coral growth in the Caribbean. Coral skeletons preserve records of growth, which corresponded closely to sea surface temperatures and light levels.
Cyclone Tim has matured into Tropical Storm Tim over the Coral Sea, with NASA tracking its movement and predicting intensification. The storm is expected to pass east of Willis Island and then head toward Queensland Australia's east coast.
A University of Miami graduate student has been awarded a grant to study the effects of climate change on staghorn corals, which have experienced an 80% decline in populations over the last 30 years. The research aims to identify markers for resilience to climate change.
Scientists analyzed fossil corals to expand El Nino-Southern Oscillation information, helping assess accuracy of climate models for 21st century change in the tropical Pacific. The study detected a modest increase in 20th century ENSO strength, but also found higher levels of variability 400 years ago.
Research found that injured coral colonies in The Bahamas still produced low numbers of eggs four years after damage, and sperm-producing factories were also scarce. This suggests that damaged corals may divert resources away from reproduction towards growth and injury repair.
A team of researchers has identified the bomb-pulse of uranium-236 in corals from the Caribbean Sea, revealing information on ocean currents. The findings suggest that southern hemispheric waters carry uranium-236, which helps investigate inter-hemispheric water exchange and global heat transport.
A new species of hermit crab, Areopaguristes tudgei, has been discovered on the barrier reef off the coast of Belize by American University biologist Christopher Tudge. The species was named in his honor due to his unique contributions to knowledge of hermit crab reproductive biology.
Researchers at University of Guam identify new coral reef-associated alga, Rhipilia coppejansii, in Guam waters. The discovery highlights the island's underestimated marine algal diversity and its cultural significance.
Researchers used mapping technique to examine disease clustering and determine the cause of recent coral disease increase in the Caribbean. The study found that coral diseases are stress-related and likely caused by warming seas due to climate change.
Researchers have found coral 'hotspots' in deepwater canyons off the northeastern US coast, with a new model helping predict their locations. The discovery is expected to aid fishery management and increase knowledge about deep-sea life in the region.
Biologist Robert van Woesik is studying contagiousness of coral diseases, testing for clustering and transmissibility in two Caribbean locations. Understanding the etiology can inform human intervention to reduce disease prevalence.
Researchers found that coral-dwelling crabs and snapping shrimp are more effective when fighting together than alone, with a 65% reduction in coral eaten by two pairs of crustaceans compared to one pair. This phenomenon, called the Multiple Defender Effect, highlights the importance of biodiversity in ocean conservation.
Researchers discovered numerous coral communities covered in brown flocculent material and showing signs of tissue damage near the Macondo Well, 4,000 feet from the surface. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography analysis confirmed oil from the spill was the source, revealing a serious impact on deep-sea animal communities.
Researchers find stressed corals and brown flocculent material at depths of up to 4,300 feet, contradicting initial assumption that such ecosystems are immune to surface spills. The study's findings suggest the Deepwater Horizon spill had a more far-reaching impact than previously thought.
Genoveva Gonzalez Mirelis analyzed over 2 million map tiles in Kosterhavet National Park to create a spatial distribution of benthic communities, including deepwater corals and Norway lobster. This method can help preserve environments and species for future generations by informing marine planning and regulations.
A research team has identified human sewage as the source of the coral-killing pathogen that causes white pox disease in Caribbean elkhorn coral. The bacterium, Serratia marcescens, is also a pathogen of humans, causing respiratory and urinary tract infections.
The study investigated the relationship between epidermal vacuolar pH and factors affecting color, finding that corals have the highest pH suitable for producing blue hues. This data suggests targeting corals for transformation to create new blue flowers.
NASA's Aqua satellite reveals Tropical Storm Dianne is getting organized, with bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the center indicating strengthening. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects Dianne to intensify and move south on Feb. 18 while remaining well west of the Australian coast.
Two low-pressure areas, System 99S and System 97S, are developing near the Northern Territory and Western Australia, posing a threat to the region. These tropical systems have consolidated convection patterns and are expected to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to coastal areas.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm 10S, showing very cold clouds and powerful thunderstorms over the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm quickly strengthened into a tropical storm and affects Western Australia's northern coast.
A new species of parasitic wasp, Eurytoma erythrinae, has been released in Hawaii to combat the invasive Erythrina gall wasp, which harms endemic wiliwili trees. The parasite's high success rate has led to significant declines in tree damage.
Researchers studying coral in Puerto Rico's Vega Baja area are using the site to assess potential damage from the Gulf oil spill. The team is analyzing enzyme presence, contaminant chemical signatures, and sediment samples to determine stressors and sources of harm.
Mediterranean red coral populations thrive in three decades-old Marine Protected Areas, but future conservation efforts may be needed to ensure species resilience. The areas have proven effective in conserving this slow-growing species.
Recent AGU research finds prolonged low solar activity will not offset global warming, with a potential temperature decrease of only 0.3 degrees Celsius in 2100. Heat waves have also increased in the Mediterranean region since 1960, with significant increases in number, length, and intensity.
Red and pink coral are in steep decline due to overharvesting; governments failed to grant trade protection despite scientific evidence. Conservationists urge the jewelry and design industries to act where governments have failed.
Scientists are conducting three expeditions to Haiti to assess the potential threat of more large earthquakes and understand which segments of the fault ruptured during the Jan. 12 quake. The expeditions aim to collect valuable geologic evidence and provide insights to prepare communities for future hazards.
Tropical Storm Cleo formed in the southern Indian Ocean after experiencing rapid strengthening due to low wind shear and warm ocean waters. The storm was centered approximately 425 nautical miles east-southeast of Diego Garcia at maximum sustained winds near 52 mph.
In a surprising finding, some marine organisms like crabs, shrimp, and lobsters build more shells when exposed to ocean acidification caused by elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. This may be due to the increased availability of dissolved inorganic carbon, which is beneficial for their skeleton formation.
A team of biologists found that a rare species of algae proliferated in corals during a period of high sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Ocean. The results suggest that this species may save some corals from bleaching, but its long-term impact on coral health is uncertain.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that high CO2 levels in water lead to abnormally large ear bones in fish, a vital structure for sensing orientation and acceleration. The study suggests potential implications for the survival and behavior of affected fish.
Researchers have found ancient coral beds off the coast of Hawaii that are over 4,200 years old, making them some of the oldest living creatures on Earth. The discovery was made using carbon dating methods and has significant implications for the protection of these reefs.
Researchers have determined that deep-sea corals from Hawaii are much older than previously thought, with some species estimated to be around 2,740 and 4,270 years old. The longest-lived coral is believed to be the deep-water black coral, which has been continuously growing its skeleton for millennia.
Scientists identified seven new species of bamboo coral, potentially representing entirely new genera. The discoveries highlight the importance of deep-sea corals supporting diverse ecosystems and their vulnerability to ocean acidification.
Researchers discovered at least three new species of sea life, including a carnivorous sea squirt and a new species of barnacles. The team also collected over 10,000 fossilized coral samples, which will help study the impact of climate change on oceans.
A new marine-based reconstruction shows that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has become more variable over the past century, swinging wildly between cold and warm periods. The research suggests that climate warming is linked to this increased variability, with potential implications for extreme weather events and droughts.
Researchers have identified a specific type of dinoflagellate that renders corals more susceptible to disease. The study found that this particular symbiont produces less food for the coral, leading to starvation and increased disease risk.
A new study shows that shallow water corals originated from deep-sea animals that invaded and diversified in shallow waters. The researchers found evidence of this transition in DNA and fossils, revealing an arms-race between corals and their predators as they built skeletal defenses.
Researchers analyzed GPS data and coral growth bands to understand strain buildup between earthquakes. They found that locked fault zones store strain, which releases during future large earthquakes. The study aims to improve earthquake models and tsunami risk assessment.
Researchers found that a geological province previously thought to prevent giant earthquakes broke through, potentially increasing the risk of more severe quakes like those occurring in Cascadia Subduction Zone. This discovery could have significant implications for earthquake preparedness and response worldwide.
Scientists analyze lessons from cod collapse to advocate sustainable tuna management, including MSC certification and public awareness. Innovative research using data-logging tags can help protect bluefin tuna populations.
Studies show that stylasterids, or lace corals, diversified in deep waters before launching successful invasions of shallow water habitats. This contradicts the long-established theory that corals and other marine animals evolved in shallow water.
Deep-sea coral samples reveal ancient ocean conditions and carbon dioxide absorption, shedding light on past climate change. Scientists urge protection from harvesting and deep-sea fishing.
Three species of Galapagos corals and 74 seaweeds were listed as threatened or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to climate change and over-fishing. The study highlighted the urgent need for marine conservation practice to address these environmental pressures.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has launched a new lab to study the effects of climate change on corals, using controlled temperature and carbon dioxide conditions. The lab aims to understand how corals will respond to increased ocean acidity and warming in the next 50-100 years.
Researchers found that plastic morphometric characters are associated with branch level and fixed traits with colony level in Stylophora pistillata corals. This adaptive plasticity allows the formation of species-specific architecture through variable developmental routes.
A new study by Smithsonian scientists suggests that environmental changes in the Caribbean led to extinctions 2 million years after the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The research found that most coral and snail species died off a good 2 million years after the environmental change that caused their demise.
Deep-sea fishing has been linked to habitat destruction and population declines of long-lived fish species. Eliminating government fuel subsidies could render fleets economically unviable and relieve pressure on vulnerable ecosystems.
Researchers modeled Martian radiation environment to determine if life can survive; three-dimensional models improve predictions for glacial isostatic adjustments. A new method using seismic noise images volcanoes in three dimensions, offering improved volcanic hazard assessment.