Articles tagged with Coral
The California Academy of Sciences has made over 100 new marine discoveries in the Philippines, showcasing the country's remarkable biodiversity. The expedition focused on the Verde Island Passage, where scientists collected rare and colorful sea slugs, barnacles, and heart urchins.
Researchers found that corals and fish are migrating towards Earth's poles in response to climate change, with habitats shrinking as a result. Coral species can only nest in shallower depths at higher latitudes, limiting their range, while fish habitats will contract by about 20% due to decreased oxygen abundance.
Tropical Cyclone Solo, forming in the Coral Sea, is triggering watches in Solomon Islands due to its powerful thunderstorms and expected high winds. The storm's cloud top temperatures are as cold as 210 kelvin, potentially generating heavy rainfall.
A study published at Temple University reveals that the dispersant used in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is more toxic to cold-water corals than the spilled oil. The researchers found that a lower concentration of dispersant was lethal to the corals, highlighting the potential risks of using these chemicals to clean up oil spills.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn is predicted to make landfall near Cape Cuvier, Western Australia, bringing sustained winds of 20-25 meters per second. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds were reported as 65 knots on March 12, making it a Category one hurricane.
Researchers at MIT and LBNL reveal that magnesium concentration affects surface energy, leading to the formation of either calcite or aragonite. The discovery could lead to controlled synthesis of new materials with desired properties.
A recent study found significant variation in eastern diamondback rattlesnake venom linked to geography, highlighting the need for tailored antivenom production. In contrast, coral snakes' venom is uniform across their range.
Fossil corals on Seychelles islands suggest rapid Antarctic ice sheet retreat led to sea-level rise around 125,000 years ago. The study suggests the Antarctic ice sheet may partially collapse again due to warming temperatures.
A large-scale survey of venom variation in two snake species reveals no local co-adaptations in eastern coral snakes, challenging traditional views on venom evolution. The consistent venom mix across Florida will aid antivenom development and inform conservation efforts for the declining eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
New research suggests that Pacific trade winds played a key role in twentieth-century climate variation, coinciding with globally warming temperatures. The study found that weaker winds allowed warming to accelerate, while stronger winds prevented it. This natural process has been linked to the current slowdown in global warming.
Scientists found high variability in mid-depth Atlantic Ocean currents around 2,000 years before the last Ice Age ended. The team analyzed neodymium isotopes in coral fossils to gain insight into ocean circulation during the Ice Age.
A new study using coral samples from a remote Pacific island in Kiribati reveals the ocean has warmed over the last sixty years, priming it for stronger El Niáo events. This warming trend could have a major impact on Australia's weather, particularly during El Niáo events when warm waters move eastward and bring droughts.
A NOAA-led research team discovered a new species of deep-sea coral and a catshark nursery area in the underwater canyons off the Sonoma coast. The team used innovative technologies to explore and film marine life in areas reaching 1,000 feet deep.
Researchers at UCSB and WHOI have identified a 1,250-square-mile patch of the deep sea floor where 2-16 percent of the discharged oil was deposited. The oil fell in thin deposits most intensive to the southwest of the Macondo well.
Researchers have discovered the path the remaining 2 million barrels of oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster followed to its resting place on the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. The study found that the oil is concentrated in a thin layer at the sea floor, with deposits most extensive to the southwest of the Macondo Well.
Researchers have discovered a high level of biodiversity in the 'Coral Triangle', a region in the central Indo-Pacific Ocean known for its coral reefs. At least nine previously unreported species of zoantharians were identified, highlighting the need for further exploration and analysis of marine life in this area.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that coral trout are as proficient as chimpanzees in determining when to collaborate and selecting the most effective partner. The study showed that the fish can learn quickly and make informed decisions about their collaborators, mirroring human-like abilities.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.