Articles tagged with Marine Biology
A team of scientists used a robotic vehicle to track and image white sharks in the ocean, providing critical data for conservation efforts. The research revealed that great whites hunt seals from below, using the clear waters off Guadalupe Island to ambush their prey.
A study found that leopard sharks with impaired smell took longer and more tortuous paths than those with intact smell during ocean navigation. This suggests that olfaction plays a significant role in guiding these fish through the ocean.
Sea spray from oceans sends aerosols into the atmosphere, affecting cloud formation and duration. The unique ice nucleating particles in sea spray initiate the formation of ice in clouds, impacting their composition.
A new study by Colorado State University's Paul DeMott confirms that sea spray aerosols from oceans have a unique impact on cloud formation and duration. These particles initiate the formation of ice and affect the composition and radiative properties of clouds, which in turn influence climate and precipitation.
Lakes are warming at an average rate of 0.34 degrees Celsius per decade, posing significant threats to drinking water and aquatic habitats. The study predicts a 20% increase in algal blooms and a 5% rise in toxic algae, with methane emissions projected to rise by 4% over the next decade.
A team of scientists has constructed the most complete look at the evolutionary family tree of cardiid bivalves, including clams and cockles. The study reveals that much of their diversification was localized over time and that some species need to be re-classified.
Scientists have discovered that certain fish use microscopic structures called platelets in their skin cells to reflect polarized light, allowing them to camouflage themselves from predators. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective materials and technologies for ocean camouflage.
A University of Adelaide study finds that warmer oceans and increased CO2 levels will dramatically impact sharks' hunting ability, leading to reduced growth rates and changes in food webs. This loss of top-down control could accelerate shark extinction rates.
Researchers reveal that jellyfish and lampreys suck water towards themselves to move forward, contrary to previous assumptions. By studying the motion of these ancient creatures, scientists gain insights into fluid dynamics, potentially improving human-made technologies such as submarines and ships.
Dolly Varden trout retire permanently from ocean migration at around 12 inches in length, relying on expanded digestive organs and unique relationship with sockeye salmon. Climate change could impact their life history patterns, potentially forcing them to seek new feeding patterns.
Researchers have discovered that cell division mechanisms involve an excitable cortex that participates in the process. This excitable state allows for precise control of contractile proteins and enzymes to assemble at the right place and time during cell division, enabling accurate and adaptive management of the cell's shape.
A new method estimates fish movements using ocean heat content images, revealing detailed movements not apparent with surface temperature data. The analysis shows large migratory fishes have affinities for ocean fronts and eddies, similar to hurricanes.
Despite recent advancements, only 3.5% of the ocean has protection, compared to 15% of terrestrial areas, highlighting a need for accelerated action. Seven key findings from researchers suggest that full protection, networks, and smart planning can enhance biodiversity and economic benefits.
A new study finds that Chesapeake Bay surface water temperature is increasing rapidly, with trends detected in over 92% of the Bay. The study suggests that warming waters signal spawning time for fish and exacerbate eutrophication and algal blooms.
Allan D. Pierce, Professor Emeritus at Boston University, has been awarded the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) Distinguished Service Citation for his outstanding service to the organization. Pierce received the citation in recognition of his 15-year tenure as Editor-in-Chief.
Scientists have found that local structures in liquid water persist for longer than a picosecond, contradicting the general perception of water as a solvent. This discovery was made using ultrafast vibrational spectroscopies and has significant implications for understanding chemical and biological reactions on Earth.
The study found regions with high multi-species genetic diversity could be included in marine reserve design to help species adapt to climate change. Understanding patterns within species is also key to understanding how species form and evolve.
Researchers at MIT have developed a family of materials that can emit light of precisely controlled colors and respond to external conditions. The materials, made from rare-earth elements and polymers, show promise for detecting chemical and biological compounds, mechanical changes, and thermal conditions.
Researchers at UMass Amherst aim to develop a reliable, predictive computational framework for designing better-performing materials with reduced development costs. The new approach will address challenges in handling complex systems with millions of variables, rare events, and multi-scale features.
A newly discovered species of eurypterid, a giant 'sea scorpion', has been found in Iowa, measuring over 1.5 meters long and dating back to 460 million years ago. The fossil provides unique insights into the anatomy and behavior of these ancient predators.
A landmark paper recommends monitoring beach sand to safeguard human health. The study, based on data from beaches in the US, UK, Portugal, and other countries, identifies key indicators and methods to assess public health risks from pathogens in the sand.
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current began its eastern flow through the Southern Ocean 30 million years ago, driven by the Tasmanian gateway's alignment with mid-latitude westerly wind bands. This massive ocean current transports heat and salt around the world, shaping regional climates.
A two-week research expedition collects sea floor sediments and water samples at the site of Mexico's 1980 IXTOC blowout to project the impact of the Deepwater Horizon spill. The study aims to better predict long-term environmental effects of oil spills.
A team of polymer physicists and chemists at Harvard developed a way to create an ultra-soft dry silicone rubber by eliminating entanglements. The material features tunable softness to match various biological tissues, opening new opportunities in biomedical research and engineering.
A UGA researcher is urging the academic community, federal responders, and the oil and gas industry to collect more baseline data in the world's oceans to establish critical environmental baselines. This data is essential for documenting anthropogenic perturbations, such as oil spills, and preparing for future disaster response.
Researchers aim to restore streams to their natural state with minimal cost and time investment. They will examine various restoration methods and sites to determine which techniques work best to achieve ecological benefits.
A study by the University of California, Davis found that ocean changes are affecting the survival rates of Coho and Chinook salmon, causing them to become more synchronized. This loss in biodiversity can't be addressed through freshwater management alone.
A new study found that marine species with wide-ranging habitats and high adult mobility are best able to adapt to warmer waters, with fish exhibiting the largest range shifts. Meanwhile, small-ranged species are in increased jeopardy as oceans continue to warm.
Researchers found that the risk of white shark attack for individual ocean users in California has fallen strikingly by over 91 percent since 1950. Information on coastal population growth, seasonal and weekly beach going, surfing, scuba diving, and swimming empowers ocean users to avoid large predators.
Researchers have discovered a crucial role for Cav3.1 calcium channels in healthy sleep patterns, which helps regulate slow-wave sleep and overall brain activity. The absence of this channel leads to abnormal brain function, including difficulties with falling asleep and staying asleep.
The Mediterranean loggerhead and green turtle populations are threatened by human-induced threats, with a bycatch rate of up to 200,000 loggerheads per year. Researchers emphasize the importance of rescue centers and first-aid stations, calling for improved communication and collaboration among existing centers.
The first species of Yeti Crab, Kiwa tyleri, has been discovered in the East Scotia Ridge hydrothermal vents of Antarctica. This unique crab thrives in high densities at extremely low temperatures and relies on bacteria for nutrition.
A recent study published in Science finds that warmer ocean temperatures will increase marine animals' demand for oxygen, while reducing its availability. As a result, habitats will shift away from the equator, displacing up to 26% of current ranges.
A new study by University of Gothenburg researchers shows that species migration across the Isthmus of Panama began about 20 million years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. This early exchange enhanced the region's extreme biodiversity.
Scientists at MBL and Brown University have developed a system to measure plant photosynthesis over large areas by analyzing spectral signals from satellite sensors. The system uses solar-induced fluorescence in leaves, allowing for the detection of photosynthesis on a canopy scale.
Researchers found that young sea turtles (6-18 months old) swim actively and disperse through ocean currents, reaching favorable habitats. This discovery has huge implications for understanding early sea turtle survival and behavior.
Research in the Bay of Biscay found liver pathologies, tumors, and other health problems in deep-water fish, linked to human-caused pollution. The study also discovered the first case of an intersex condition in a deep water fish species.
Researchers document leatherback sea turtles' ability to maintain specific headings while traveling through the subtropical gyre, unaffected by current drift. The study suggests that turtles may use a magnetic and/or solar compass to navigate.
Researchers develop 'dynamic ocean management' to integrate real-time data and crowd-sourced reports into ocean industry applications. This approach aims to protect vulnerable ecosystems while promoting sustainable resource use, in line with industries' profitability.
Scientists observe blue crabs, commercially important species, in the Gulf of Maine, north of their native Cape Cod. Warming ocean temperatures allow them to move further north, expanding their range.
Alyson Santoro's research focuses on understanding archaea, essential components of nutrient cycles in the ocean. She aims to uncover how these microorganisms affect the earth's climate by studying areas with low oxygen zones. Her work has the potential to make substantial contributions to marine microbiology.
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has selected 126 outstanding early-career scientists as recipients of the 2015 Sloan Research Fellowships. These fellowships honor innovative research in eight fields, including chemistry, computer science, economics, and physics.
A recent study led by Simon Fraser University biologist Isabelle Côté suggests that closing the high seas to fishing would have little impact on global fish catches. Most fish stocks are already shared between the high seas and exclusive economic zones, reducing the financial implications of such a closure.
Dynamic MPAs can move in time and space to protect migratory species, while CCAMLR's success in Antarctica offers a model for high seas conservation. Closing the high seas to fishing could lead to increased catch and more equitable distribution through EEZs.
Scientists at USF have developed a handheld sensor that can debunk fraudulent seafood species claims, helping ensure consumers get what they pay for. The QuadPyre RT-NASBA technology is accurate enough to detect grouper substitution on cooked fish at the point of restaurant service.
Mercury contamination is affecting fish populations worldwide, with yellowfin tuna concentrations doubling by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Human activity is driving the increase in mercury levels, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce pollution.
Researchers have determined that seahorses are more permanent residents of the western mid-Atlantic Ocean than previously thought. The study used genomic data to infer three genetically divergent subpopulations, strongly supporting Virginia Province inhabitants as a historically persistent ancestral gene pool.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that mercury concentrations in Hawaiian yellowfin tuna increased at a rate of 3.8% per year from 1998 to 2008, likely due to rising atmospheric mercury levels. This increase is consistent with global trends and highlights the need for stricter policies to reduce mercury emissions.
Researchers at Emory University and Nagoya University developed a novel concise entry to dictyodendrins, a family of natural products with potential cancer chemotherapy and treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study demonstrates sequential C-H functionalization can streamline the construction of complex structures.
A study by biologists at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that ingestion of microplastic particles does not mechanically affect marine isopods. In a feeding experiment, researchers offered isopods artificial food supplemented with plastic particles, which were traced through the digestive system using various microscopy techniques.
The future ocean will be warmer, with reduced ice extent, higher sea levels, more acidic, and lower oxygen levels. Research must focus on understanding marine systems' responses to cumulative pressures.
Climate change may be causing fiddler crabs to move further north in the US East Coast, with one scientist discovering a crab nearly 50 miles north of its usual range. This warming trend could lead to changes in ecosystems as new species are introduced.
Researchers from Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences propose a controlled experiment to test the risks and benefits of solar radiation management, aiming to reduce uncertainty in climate engineering. The 'stratospheric perturbation experiment' would involve a tiny amount of material to measure key aspects of atmospheric ...
A new study published in PLOS ONE shows that the bladderwrack's defense system against bacterial foulers works even at high temperatures and long periods of darkness. The seaweed's production of defensive compounds decreases under changed light or temperature conditions, but the overall defense remains effective.
The November issue of Frontiers in Ecology and Environment presents research on connectivity cost calculations for conservation corridors, agricultural companions that improve yields, and the consequences of growing jellyfish populations for human well-being.
Scientists have developed a novel probe that uses tarantula venom to visualize electrical activity in neurons and other cells. This breakthrough could help researchers better understand ion channel dysfunctions leading to conditions such as epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers have developed a novel probe that reports on the electrical activity of cells using tarantula toxin, allowing for the observation of voltage-activated ion channels in live cells. This breakthrough has the potential to help scientists understand the function of specific ion channels and identify drug targets for neurological...
A new study shows that jellyfish falls are rapidly consumed by deep-sea scavengers, revealing the importance of gelatinous material to food webs. The research challenges previous negative assessments and suggests that jellyfish blooms may provide essential nutrients to deep-sea ecosystems.
Researchers found that individual sharks possess social personalities, determining how they interact with group mates in the wild. The study revealed that socially well-connected individuals remained connected under different habitats, while less social individuals camouflaged alone.
A new computational method suggests that Darwin's 'jump dispersal' theory is supported by strong evidence, especially for island species. The study found that jump dispersal can explain the biogeography of Hawaiian Islands and other archipelagos with a greater statistical probability than vicariance methods.