Articles tagged with Marine Biology
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.
The study reveals that the mutated huntingtin gene activates JNK3 enzyme, inhibiting axonal transport and leading to neuronal cell death. The mechanism explains the late onset of the disease, as young neurons have a robust transport system that gradually declines with age.
Researchers developed a statistical model to measure extreme wave heights, revealing seasonal variations in different locations. The study's findings have vital importance for coastal management, marine construction, and understanding biological processes.
The Woods Institute has awarded grants to four Stanford faculty teams tackling environmental challenges globally. The recipients will focus on desert grasslands in Australia and mountain meadows in California, among other areas.
Researchers found that cells use controlled dissolution and condensation to localize subcellular structures called P granules. These liquid droplets transition between dissolved and condensed states, eventually forming germ cells in newly fertilized embryos.
Researchers have discovered a massive family of green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) in a primitive sea animal, revealing their unexpected role as antioxidants. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution and functions of GFPs across the animal kingdom.
A study by Marine Biological Laboratory scientists found that common levels of arsenic exposure can compromise the immune response to influenza A (H1N1) infection. Arsenic exposure, even at low levels, disrupts both the innate and endocrine systems, leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
A new analysis by the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model suggests that climate change could be twice as severe as initially estimated, with a median probability of surface warming of 5.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The study found that improved economic modeling and newer data on emissions are contributing to this increased risk.
A team of UC San Diego-led researchers made the first-ever direct detection of biological particles within ice clouds. Analysis revealed that half were mineral dust and about a third contained nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon, the signature elements of biological matter.
Gary Borisy, MBL director and CEO, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for his distinguished contributions to cell biology. He is a pioneer in the field, having discovered protein tubulin and provided insights into chromosome movement, cell motility, and microtubule dynamics.
The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.
A University of Iowa biologist is studying how picoeukaryotes, tiny ocean plants, adapt to changing environments in response to climate change. The research found that despite sharing similar morphology, these organisms have distinct gene pools and unique genetic features that allow them to thrive in different ocean regions.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genomes of two tiny marine algae, revealing unexpected genes with functions similar to those found in land plants and bacteria. The findings highlight the complexity of these organisms and their potential role in shaping marine food webs and carbon cycling.
Scientists from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School and University of Oxford have analyzed data to identify details of the major plate boundary event that destroyed 90% of Pisco, Peru. The study reveals maximum intensity and damage occur few tens of kilometers south of the epicenter.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that snail shells in the Atlantic Ocean have increased in size due to changes in local conditions, such as wave exposure and invasive species
Tiny, toxic protein particles severely disrupt neurotransmission and inhibit delivery of key proteins in Alzheimer's disease. The particles inhibit neurons from communicating with each other and with other target cells in the body.
Snail shells have increased in size by 22.6% over the past century, impacting the marine ecosystem, as warmer waters and reduced predatory fish allow snails to grow larger. The study suggests that these changes could affect the entire intertidal food chain.
A new study by Cornell University uses advanced tracking technologies to monitor declining fish populations. The research reveals that mixing of stocks is a major issue in unsustainable fishing practices, highlighting the need for updated management strategies.
Stanford researchers developed a computer simulation to predict the movement of fish farm waste in the ocean. The model, called SUNTANS, reveals that wastes can travel greater distances and in higher concentrations than previously assumed.
Changing ocean conditions and food scarcity are forcing Magellanic penguins to travel farther for food, threatening their survival. Climate variability, oil pollution, and overfishing are major contributors to the decline of the colony.
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.
A new study by UC Berkeley and Harvard researchers finds that the hottest day of the year has shifted nearly two days earlier, with summer temperatures warming more than winter. The shift is related to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns and may be caused by human activity contributing to climate change.
Researchers have identified three broad classes of camouflage body patterns in animals, including uniform, mottled, and disruptive coloration. These patterns are used by cephalopods to dynamically produce a wide range of visual disguises, making them one of the most changeable animal groups on earth.
The four-eyed spookfish uses mirrors to focus light in its eyes, producing bright and high-contrast images. This unique adaptation gives the fish an edge in the deep sea, where spotting brief flashes of bioluminescent light can mean the difference between eating and being eaten.
Scientists have discovered that transporting juvenile salmon downstream can hinder their ability to migrate back to their breeding grounds as adults. The study found that transported juveniles had lower survivorship and were less likely to find their way home, due to being disoriented by the boat journey. This can reduce the genetic fi...
The annual bonefish census reported a modest decrease in population numbers to 321,000, attributed to increased participation among counters. The survey found that the population is relatively stable, with no significant difference year-over-year.
Marine biologists propose that animals learn the unique magnetic signature of their home area early in life and retain it to navigate back to their birthplace for reproduction. The theory suggests that magnetic imprinting helps animals distinguish their home location from others, allowing them to return years later.
Research published in AGU journals reveals a significant decrease in Saharan dust due to increased rainfall, boosting ocean heating. The coastal Southern Ocean also acts as a powerful carbon sink, with Antarctic shelf waters showing high biological productivity and extensive winter sea ice cover.
Undergrads are enlisted by lecturers to tackle DNA annotation challenge using innovative Annotathon approach. This teaching method trains students as apprentice bioinformaticians to analyze unknown metagenomic DNA fragments and gain confidence in bioinformatics.
A study found that antibiotic treatment can cause pervasive and persistent changes to the human gut microbiota, affecting the balance of bacteria in the gut. The researchers identified over 3,300 different types of bacteria in the human distal gut and found that antibiotic treatment influenced the abundance of about a third of those taxa.
Researchers measured chemical tracers in ancient fish scales and bones to estimate ancient ocean circulation patterns during greenhouse climates. Their findings contradict previous models, proposing sinking of warm waters and enhanced mixing in the Late Cretaceous North Atlantic Ocean.
A classic Miller-Urey Synthesis experiment produced fewer organic molecules than its unpublished sibling study. The reanalyzed vials from the latter experiment revealed a wider variety of amino acids and amines.
A $4 million NIH-funded project led by OHSU aims to discover biologically active molecules from bacteria associated with marine mollusks in the Philippines. The project will catalog and preserve over 10,000 mollusk species, targeting potential central nervous system, cancer, and antimicrobial drugs.
A group of scientists is advocating for science-based policy in the emerging global biofuels industry to avoid costly mistakes and environmental regrets. Sustainable practices are crucial to mitigate problems associated with agriculture, including soil erosion and depletion, nitrogen fertilizer pollution, and biodiversity decline.
Researchers found that juvenile bluefin tuna from both regions return to their birthplace to spawn, contradicting previous assumptions about fish migration patterns. This study has significant implications for managing bluefin tuna fisheries in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
Scientists have discovered a new Pacific iguana species in central Fiji, Brachylophus bulabula, which joins only two other living species. The study found that each of the 13 islands where living iguanas were sampled showed distinct genetic lines not seen elsewhere, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
The UCSD Socrates Fellows Program pairs high school science teachers with PhD students in active research labs, enhancing both teacher's and student's learning experiences. The project aims to boost teamwork, problem-solving skills, and broaden professional outlook among graduate students.