Articles tagged with Marine Biology
Vorticella's contractile fiber bundle, the spasmoneme, uses calcium as fuel and a powerful centrin-based mechanism to generate enormous forces. Researchers identified centrin as the key component, which is also found in filamentous structures of other organisms.
Marine biogeochemists have shown that microbes degrading organic carbon respond differentially to temperature changes, affecting organic matter breakdown efficiency. This finding suggests that global climate change could influence the efficiency of organic carbon recycling and burial.
Researchers discovered that two proteins in HDLs work synergistically to kill the Nagana parasite in humans. This finding contradicts a long-held hypothesis and provides new information for treatments of parasitic infections like malaria.
The Squid Genome Project aims to identify genes in squid that are essential for understanding debilitating neurological diseases. Researchers hope that this information will aid in the development of new treatments and therapies.
John Hobbie, a renowned marine biologist, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work on decomposition and productivity in aquatic ecosystems. With over 40 years of research experience, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of estuaries and coastal ecosystems.
Experts from the American Institute of Biological Sciences assess dredge-and-fill programs to protect coastlines, highlighting flaws in current practices. The studies aim to identify areas for improvement and promote more effective ecological monitoring.
Researchers have invented a backpack that converts mechanical energy from walking into electricity, generating up to 7.4 Watts of power. The Suspended-load Backpack can power various devices simultaneously, reducing the need for heavy replacement batteries.
Research reveals bdelloid rotifers' unique ability to evolve without sex lies in their efficient handling of DNA transposons. These 'junk DNA' snippets are often a burden for species that reproduce asexually, but bdelloids handle them with relative ease.
A Rutgers University-led consortium found Amchitka seafood to be safe for now due to low levels of radionuclides. The study provides a baseline for future testing and aims to reassure subsistence fishermen and commercial fishing interests in the region.
The US National Science Foundation has awarded the highest national honor to 20 young researcher-educators who have made significant contributions to science and engineering. These award recipients will lead the nation in these fields, inspire students, and promote diversity in STEM education.
Scientists have discovered a new underwater volcano near Samoa, dubbed Nafanua, which has rapidly formed since its last expedition in May 2001. The volcano's growth rate averages eight inches per day, and researchers found an unusual biological community of eels inhabiting the area.
Scientists have uncovered a submarine volcano growing in the summit crater of another larger underwater volcano, Vailulu'u. A unique hydrothermal community of hundreds of slithering eels was found surrounding the eruption site.
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has been awarded a 10-year contract to manage the International Ocean Drilling Program's Site Survey Data Bank, transforming it into an interactive tool for researchers. The new system will support proposal reviews and operations at sea with cutting-edge data.
The study highlights substantial risks of farm salmon escapes into the North Atlantic and other regions, threatening native fish populations. Escapes lead to interbreeding, loss of fitness, and genetic diversity, as well as parasite transmission to wild stocks.
A study by researchers from Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium found that Atlantic bluefin tuna have a complex migratory life cycle, with two distinct populations in the western and eastern Atlantic. Tighter restrictions on commercial fishing are needed to protect their feeding and breeding grounds.
A Royal Society study found that Antarctic fish can compensate for the initial negative impact of elevated temperatures and regain their original performance levels despite being several degrees warmer. The study suggests that rising temperatures do not necessarily have a long-term negative impact on biodiversity.
The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program has moved to Stanford University and awarded new fellowships to 19 environmental scientists in 2005. The fellows will receive training on communicating environmental science to policymakers, media, business leaders, and the public.
The study found that one gene, Eda, controls the armor-plating trait in stickleback fish, which evolved rapidly after ocean fish colonized new environments. This suggests that evolution can occur quickly with just a few genes changing slightly, allowing newcomers to adapt and populate new habitats.
A study found that individual transferable quotas decreased discard rates for most species, contrary to economic models. In British Columbia waters, the system reduced marketable fish discards to negligible amounts due to 100% observer coverage. The US West Coast fishery, however, experienced higher discard rates despite trip limits.
A Florida Tech scientist has received a $1.7 million NSF grant to develop an integrated science teaching enhancement partnership, which will help design and pilot learning modules linking earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics
Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the mechanism behind African sleeping sickness by discovering a new protein called JBP2. This protein is believed to play an important role in regulating the production of base J, a unique modified DNA base that enables trypanosomes to evade the human immune system.
Researchers found that large groups can make accurate decisions even when no individuals are leaders and few have information. The study's results may be useful in understanding human behavior in crowds and designing robots for remote exploration.
Researchers found that small male cuttlefish that change their appearance to look like females are successful in fertilizing eggs at a rate of 60 percent. The study used DNA fingerprinting and observed the cuttlefish's behavior over ten days, revealing this unique mating strategy
A scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory has published a study showing that a combination of pollutants bromoform, chloroform, and tetrachloroethylene can alter nerve cell growth in clam embryos. The study found increased production of an enzyme involved in neural development, which may be linked to neurological disorders such a...
The Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has unveiled a new comparative toxicogenomics database, integrating gene sequences, chemicals, and references to provide insights into gene-chemical interactions. This resource will help predict toxicity and understand the genetic basis of differences in responses to chemical exposures amon...
Researchers found that warming swordfishes' eyes allows them to process visual information faster than cooled eyes, giving them a significant edge over prey. By heating their eyes, swordfishes retain the ability to spot quickly moving objects, enabling successful hunts in cold water.
The study found that eelgrass significantly increased survival of silversides, tautog, and cunner even at low shoot densities. Macroalgae did not provide a similar benefit.
A Stanford University study reveals that common household fragrances, such as synthetic musks, can compromise the defense system of aquatic animals, leading to long-term effects. The researchers found that even short-term exposure to these chemicals could have lasting impacts on marine organisms.
A team of US marine scientists has discovered a new cluster of hydrothermal vents in the Lau Basin, a geologically unique back-arc basin. The vents are expected to hold secrets about the origin of life on Earth, and the discovery is part of an unprecedented research effort that includes multiple expeditions over the next two years.
The USGS and NASA have surveyed the islands, providing detailed elevation maps of the 'first line of defense,' which is less than half the average east coast elevation. The maps show that up to 70% of the first line of defense would be inundated by storm surge associated with Categories 1-5 hurricanes.
A new study reveals that recreational fishing accounts for nearly a quarter of the total take of overfished populations, including many economically valuable species. Recreational catches outstrip commercial landings in specific depleted populations, such as red snapper and gag in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Ellison Visiting Scholars Program brings African scientists to the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) to study infectious diseases, including the African trypanosome that causes human sleeping sickness. The program aims to develop strategies for combating these diseases with the help of MBL's cutting-edge facilities and expertise.
An international team of scientists has successfully sequenced the entire clam genome, providing crucial insights into the organism's active DNA. This breakthrough information will enable researchers to create antibodies for studying cellular processes involved in various diseases.
Researchers aim to create implantable human hair cells that can grow and repair damaged hearing. The work involves expanding adult stem cells isolated from mouse inner ear, a step towards restoring hearing in humans. The collaboration between Corwin and Heller at the Marine Biological Laboratory is an important breakthrough.
A new research program will focus on improving evidence acquisition and analysis for weapons of mass destruction in marine environments. The program aims to develop sensors and technologies to detect signs of WMDs, enhancing coastal security and national infrastructure protection.
The Panama Biological Survey (1910-1912) tracked fish migration between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes of Panama's Isthmus. New research finds that dispersal played a key role in increasing species richness in local freshwater fish assemblages, even after many generations.
New radiocarbon dates show that mammoths became stranded on St. Paul Island about 13,000 years ago due to rising sea levels. The island's small size limited the ability of mammoths to sustain a permanent population, contributing to their eventual extinction.
A Marine Biological Laboratory researcher and science teacher embark on a two-week research trip to Siberia, studying the Lena River's freshwater runoff. They collaborate with students via virtual experiences, teaching science concepts like convection currents and watersheds.
Researchers at Emory University Health Sciences Center have identified a genetic sequence for the anti-bacterial protein Escapin found in sea slugs. The protein prevents bacteria from growing on surfaces, making it a potential solution for preventing biofilm formation and associated problems.
A research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has found evidence that sea turtles can read geographic position from subtle variations in the Earth's magnetic field. Older turtles use this ability to pinpoint their location relative to specific target areas, effectively having a biological equivalent of GPS.
The Woods Hole COHH will research how oceanic processes affect human pathogens, focusing on temperate coastal ocean distribution and persistence. The center aims to address public health threats from harmful algal blooms and contaminated coastal waters.
The Madison/Swanson and Steamboat Lumps marine reserves in the Gulf of Mexico have been given a new life after a two-year extension. Larger fish with greater egg-producing potential were found within the protected sites than outside them, indicating the reserves are working as designed.
Researchers at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography have received a $1.1 million NSF grant to study the impact of Earth's rotation on ocean circulation and mixing. The grant will be used to simulate the rotation of the earth and investigate horizontal stirring in the ocean caused by small eddies.
A study led by University of Central Florida researchers found that loggerhead sea turtles are laying eggs 10 days earlier than in the past, with near-shore ocean temperatures increasing by nearly 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit between 1989 and 2003. This change raises concerns about the turtles' food supplies and hatchling survival rates.
Research at UC Davis explores the effects of ocean nanoparticles and vehicle emissions on atmospheric conditions. The study aims to develop models for measuring and predicting nanoparticle transients in the atmosphere.
The Pacific leatherback turtle's population has declined by 97% since 1982, with fewer than 3,000 females remaining. A two-pronged approach is needed to save the species, including stronger protections for nesting beaches and safer fishing practices.
A new guide, developed by NOAA Fisheries and Rhode Island Sea Grant, aims to increase species-specific identifications without associated mortality. The guide focuses on external characteristics and uses photographs to aid in identification, helping users distinguish among 44 highly migratory shark species.
Participants discussed three options for restoring ocean health: education and regulation, investing in technologies, and accepting environmental stress. A majority favored education and regulation, while some believed a combination of all three options was the best approach.
A study found that warmer water temperatures increase shrimp predation rates on juvenile winter flounder, leading to local extinction. The warming trend may explain the failure of winter flounder stocks to recover in affected areas.
Scientists found a possible link between increasing greenhouse gases and European heat waves, while also studying the transfer of energy from earthquakes through Earth's formations. Additionally, research revealed the Amazon River's strong impact on tropical Atlantic carbon levels and new insights into Martian drainage basins that may ...
Pelagic shark assemblage declines drastically, with oceanic whitetip shark declining by over 99%, yet no conservation attention is given to these species.
Researchers have discovered a new deep-sea jelly, Stellamedusa ventana, which uses its bell and oral arms to capture prey. The jelly's unique feeding strategy is unlike other species, as it prefers larger prey, with some individuals capturing creatures up to 5 cm across.
Scientists have discovered that snakes made their debut on land, not in the ocean, as they evolved from their lizard ancestors. The research resolves a long-debated question about the origin of snakes and provides evidence for why they lost their limbs.
Researchers identify four copies of a target gene on separate chromosomes, eliminating possibility of sexual reproduction. This confirms that the ancient microbe has evolved without sex for tens of millions of years.
A recent study found no change in methylmercury levels in yellowfin tuna over a 27-year period, suggesting that high mercury levels in these fish may not be caused by pollution. The research suggests that natural sources, such as hydrothermal vents and deep ocean sediments, could be responsible for the mercury accumulation.
Researchers found a physical interaction between herpes virus and amyloid precursor protein (APP), suggesting a potential clue to Alzheimer's disease. The discovery may lead to further investigations into the role of the virus in the disease.
Researchers mapped out circulation patterns using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to enhance understanding of the Bay-RIS system. The study provides detailed spatial images of circulation, showing that water predominantly enters the Bay through the East Passage and is supplied by the southeast during summer.
Dr. S. Bradley Moran and his team will conduct field and modeling studies to assess and improve POC tracing methods, focusing on Th-234's variability in estimating export flux. The research aims to provide accurate information on mechanisms of estimating upper ocean POC export flux using thorium-234.
Jane Lubchenco, a leading marine ecologist, has received the Scripps Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest. The prize honors her work promoting ocean sciences and preserving all living things in our oceans.
A recent study published by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that consuming large quantities of seafood during pregnancy does not pose a detectable risk to children. The study, which followed 300 children from birth in 1989 and 1990, found no adverse effects from low levels of mercury in fish.