Articles tagged with Marine Biology
A widely used biodiversity indicator in fisheries is found to be an ineffective guide to trends in marine ecosystems, according to a new study published in Nature. The researchers recommend more direct monitoring and the development of trend-detection methods to better assess the impacts of fishing on marine biodiversity.
Researchers found a wide range of biological activity, including microbes degrading hydrocarbons and fixing carbon, in the deepest layer of ocean crust. The discovery has significant implications for carbon storage and fixation, and may provide a new concept for reducing carbon emissions.
Chris Wood, a professor at McMaster University and University of Miami, is recognized for his immense impact on the field as a scientist and mentor. He has attracted over 100 postdocs and grad students to his labs, with many now holding faculty positions worldwide.
A University of Washington biologist has built 120 'condominiums' for Galapagos penguins in a bid to boost their dwindling numbers. The new nests, designed to provide shaded breeding grounds, were completed ahead of La Niña conditions that bring plentiful food to the penguins.
USDA-funded scientists in Hawaii have developed new fish feeds using discarded fish parts that can attract shrimp and boost their growth, similar to studies on Alaskan pollock and cod. Researchers are now refining these practical feeds for nutritional balance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental safety.
Researchers developed the FishSmart program to improve fisheries management, involving stakeholders in the decision-making process. The program resulted in more conservative harvest measures for king mackerel in the Southeast United States, protecting both commercial and recreational interests.
A new study reveals that fish shoals and krill swarms share a unique, irregular crystal-like shape across different locations. Researchers used multibeam sonar to record the three-dimensional structure of Antarctic krill swarms, finding a fixed surface area-to-volume ratio, similar to studies on fish from diverse locations.
Researchers used imaging mass spectrometry to map signaling molecules between organisms, discovering metabolites involved in bacterial cannibalism. SDP and SKF were found to be essential for identifying and killing genetically identical cells.
A recent study by Brown-MBL researchers estimates that reducing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon state could lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that achieving a goal of 89% reduction in deforestation rates by 2020 would result in lower net emissions, with up to 6.3 billion metric tons of CO...
The University of Hawaii's School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology completed a three-year study of Sea Disposal Site Hawaii Number 5, finding over 2,000 munitions on the seafloor with no detected chemical agents or explosives. The investigation also found that sediment and water samples showed little influence from human activities.
Researchers have confirmed the nucleolinus's role in cell division by associating it with structures required for separation of chromosomes. The discovery provides insight into recent studies suggesting a critical role for the nucleolus in cell cycle regulation.
NOAA has selected Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, to lead a new research partnership, CIMEC, to study climate change and coastal ecosystems. The institute will focus on ecosystem-based management of fisheries and continue the longstanding work of JIMO in climate and ocean sciences.
Underwater gliders are being tested for tracking tagged fish in Alaska, providing a new method for scientists. The technology allows researchers to follow the movements of tagged fish over long distances and gather oceanographic information simultaneously.
Navrotsky's research reveals that particle size significantly affects the energy needed for oxidized reactions, with implications for applications such as hydrogen production and battery efficiency. The study sheds light on how nanoparticles react under different temperatures and conditions.
Researchers discovered sharks can detect small delays in odor detection to navigate, using bilateral detection to orient towards the strongest scent. This finding refutes previous theories on scent trail following and may lead to improved underwater robots for chemical leak detection.
Researchers compiled a comprehensive history of Arctic ice using sediment cores and proxy data, concluding that the current extent is at its lowest point for at least the last few thousand years. The study's findings suggest the volume of ice is shrinking much faster than its surface area, highlighting a troubling trend in climate change.
The University of Miami has been selected by NOAA to lead the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) in the southeastern US. The five-year partnership will focus on improving climate change research, hurricane modeling, and sustainable coastal development.
The MBARI AUV is equipped with 'gulper' samplers that can collect up to ten 1.8-liter water samples while traveling through the water or within an oil plume. The vehicle's AI software helps it map boundaries and take samples outside the plume.
Four new gorgonea species have been discovered in the Antarctic region, including Tauroprimnoa austasensis and Digitogorgia kuekenthali. The study found distinct characteristics among these species, such as differences in scale pattern and ramification of colonies.
A Queen's University study found that Arctic seabirds' diets can funnel toxic ocean metals to terrestrial ecosystems, affecting other organisms. The research analyzed sediment cores from two Canadian Arctic ponds and linked bird diets to specific metal contaminants.
A new study shows that hammerheads evolved from a large ancestor, but their distinctive head shape changed over time due to selective environmental pressures. Small hammerheads likely evolved independently twice, and their smaller size may have led to increased energy investment in reproductive activities.
Amy Bower, a physical oceanographer at WHOI, created an expedition website and made herself available to Perkins students as a role model. Her partnership has greatly benefited the students, providing them with hands-on science experience and access to her research.
A University of Oregon study of 585 elementary school students found that students' willingness to take intellectual risks in science decreases with age. However, students who were interested in science and felt supported by their teachers were significantly more likely to engage in intellectual risk-taking. The study suggests that tea...
A new study published by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that 20 major US streams and rivers have experienced statistically significant long-term warming, with increases averaging 0.02-0.14°F per year. This trend is most pronounced in urbanized areas, posing a threat to aquatic biodiversity and ecosyst...
Small algae consume more bacteria than specialized predators, gaining a competitive survival edge in the open ocean. This finding supports the idea that bacteria are a crucial nutrient source for these microorganisms.
Dr. Jose L. Jimenez receives the 2010 UM Rosenstiel Award for his pioneering work on aerosol measurement techniques, addressing critical questions regarding climate change and air quality. His research group has participated in numerous field measurement missions with airborne and ground site deployments of instruments.
Researchers at University of Leeds assess the impact of a proposed EU fishing discard ban on North Sea gannet success. Gannets have developed specialized feeding habits, with some relying heavily on discards, making a ban potentially harmful to their breeding.
A team of researchers, including UC San Diego's Richard Norris, presents new evidence linking an asteroid impact to the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and other organisms 65.5 million years ago. The study highlights a unique layer of debris in deep-sea sediments that correlates with abrupt environmental changes.
Cyanobacteria build miniature factories inside themselves that turn carbon into fuel, with spatial organization improving efficiency. The discovery may help create designer bacteria for producing carbon-neutral fuels like biodiesel and hydrogen.
Atlantic longarm octopuses have evolved expert camouflage capabilities, including mimicking the appearance and swimming speed of peacock flounders. Researchers observed uncanny similarities in coloration, form, and movement between the two species, demonstrating an unusual form of disruptive camouflage.
Researchers have identified genomic regions that enabled an ocean-dwelling fish to adapt to freshwater environments in several independently evolved populations. The study, combining new technologies, found similar gene regions across different lakes and populations.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has selected six papers for the 2009 Cozzarelli Prize, acknowledging originality and scientific excellence across physical and mathematical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and applied biological sciences. The award recog...
A study by Harvard University researchers reveals that changes in beak length and depth can explain the morphological diversity of Darwin's finches. The team used mathematical models and genetic analysis to show that scaling transformations, shear, and gene expression are key factors in shaping the birds' beaks.
The new journal, published online-only, focuses on interdisciplinary limnology and oceanography research exploring the link between fluid dynamics and aquatic system processes. ASLO members receive free access, with select articles available open-access.
Cornel Sultan's research aims to develop new controllable structures with 'tensional integrity' using insights from cell biology. This could lead to improvements in tissue and organ reconstruction, energy harvesting and robotics applications.
Researchers have found that hair cells in the inner ear amplify even the faintest sounds, a phenomenon also observed in the vestibular system. This discovery sheds light on how our brains interpret head movements and balance, revealing a shared amplification mechanism between auditory and vestibular systems.
A team of scientists has discovered that rare microbial organisms, once thought to be undetectable, dominate the ecosystem in a unique hydrothermal vent field. The study, led by William Brazelton at the University of Washington, found that microorganisms can remain rare for long periods before becoming dominant when ecosystems change.
A recent increase in winter mortality among Atlantic puffins could be attributed to worsening North Sea conditions, according to a new study. Geolocation technology tracked puffins from the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, revealing that some birds make long trips into the Atlantic during winter.
The discovery of massive methane pits in the Hudson Canyon has significant implications for the region's marine ecosystem. The pits, found by Rutgers University and NOAA researchers using a robotic underwater vehicle, are believed to be related to the dissolution of gas hydrates and could support a diverse range of fish species.
Researchers Arnie Miller and Michael Foote analyzed fossil data from epicontinental seas and open-ocean-facing coastlines during three 'Big Five' mass extinction events. They found higher extinction rates in open-ocean settings, indicating these environments were more susceptible to mass-extinction-causing agents.
A team of scientists used satellite and acoustic tags to study white shark migration patterns in the North Pacific, revealing a genetically distinct population that has separated from other sharks worldwide. This finding suggests the possibility of long-term population assessment and monitoring, which could help ensure their protection.
Fossil land snail shells found on the Canary Islands show a decrease in relative humidity over 50,000 years, with a peak around 15,000-20,000 years ago. This suggests an overall increase in dryness, resulting in the current semiarid conditions.
A new study finds that a global biofuels program could result in twice as much carbon loss from displaced food crops and pastures as the CO2 emissions from land dedicated to biofuels production. Increased fertilizer use for biofuels production also causes significant nitrous oxide emissions, potentially surpassing CO2 emissions by 2100.
Researchers tracked the migration of 11 Eleonora's falcons, discovering they cross the Sahara Desert and Equator during day and night. The birds fly over 9,500km from Balearic Islands to Madagascar before returning to Europe via a different route.
The Forsyth Institute has received highly competitive Challenge Grants totaling over $6 million from the NIH's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This funding will support innovative projects addressing various oral health challenges, including inflammation and bone resorption in oral diseases.
The Geological Society of America has awarded Judge John E. Jones III the prestigious President's Medal for his role in defending the teaching of evolution in schools. As part of a 5-member panel discussion on Darwin Day, he will explore issues related to presenting scientific knowledge and accommodating challenging concepts.
The OceanScope Working Group aims to collect high-resolution data on ocean interior dynamics and its impact on climate. Representatives from academia, industry, and government agencies are working together to establish a global network of ocean observation platforms on commercial ships.
Researchers studying Idaho's Clearwater River have found that temperature differences and slow-moving water can delay the migration of juvenile salmon, allowing them to grow larger before reaching the Pacific Ocean. This delayed migration could help the fish survive better when they finish their ocean-bound trek.
Researchers tracked fish movements through telemetry to better understand their life histories, including habitat preferences and vulnerability to fishing. The study found that certain fish gravitate to specific bottom types, such as limestone ledges, which can help prioritize reef areas for management.
Sharp declines in freshwater species are often overlooked, affecting watershed planning and ecosystem restoration. Historical records suggest that species abundances were much greater than today, leading to underestimated effects of European colonization and habitat destruction.
Oceanographers at University of Hawaii at Manoa found that deeper pelagic fish have higher mercury concentrations due to their unique diets. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights the importance of understanding the open ocean ecosystem to sustainably manage fish populations.
Marine biomedicine researchers have deciphered the structure of a naturally produced ocean-based compound hoiamide A, which offers a novel template for drug development. The findings suggest that hoiamide A may interact with neurons in different ways, potentially leading to therapeutic effects for diseases such as epilepsy and neurodeg...
A 14-year study found that young lemon sharks born at the Bimini islands in the Bahamas tend to stay near their coastal birthplace for many years. This knowledge could be crucial for conservation efforts, as it suggests that local management measures can protect these intermediate-aged sharks from overfishing and habitat destruction.
A recent coastal shark survey from Florida to Delaware caught 1,675 sharks from 19 different species, with sandbar sharks being the most common. The survey provides valuable data on shark populations and their role in marine ecosystems.
Researchers from seven nations installed a new deep-sea observatory in the Norwegian Arctic to study mud volcano eruptions and their effects on the environment. The observatory will provide insights into the dynamics of gas eruptions and their consequences for biological communities on the seafloor.
The Harvard research team aims to advance micro-manufacturing, ultra-low-power computing and multi-agent coordination using nature as inspiration. They will create artificial sensors and coordination algorithms to mimic the collective behavior of a bee colony.
At Station ALOHA, ocean acidification rates have been documented over two decades, with surface acidity growing more acidic at the expected rate from chemical equilibration. However, year-to-year changes vary on seasonal and inter-annual timescales, driven by climate-induced changes in ocean mixing.
Researchers discovered prominent faults beneath the Salton Sea that transfer tectonic strain away from the San Andreas Fault. This new understanding of the fault system could inform predictions of future earthquakes along the southern San Andreas Fault.
Researchers studied 35 ancient tetrapods to understand anatomical changes during the transition from fish to amphibians. They found that bones changed size at different rates, resulting in reshaping of body shape over time. This study supports the idea that modern amphibians evolved through paedomorphosis and miniaturization.
The Socrates Fellows program, a federally funded initiative, pairs graduate students with high school science teachers and their students to promote science education. After its first full year of operation, the program is deemed a success by participating grad students, teachers, and high school students.