Articles tagged with Marine Biology
A world-first study has mapped the global distribution and evolutionary relationships of brittle stars, revealing their quiet migration across entire oceans over millions of years. The research highlights the interconnectedness of deep-sea communities, particularly at temperate latitudes.
Researchers discovered a compound, EPS3.9, produced by deep-sea bacteria that triggers pyroptosis to inhibit tumor growth and exhibit potent anti-cancer effects. The study highlights the importance of exploring marine microbial resources for developing new drugs.
Researchers discovered that approximately 436-million-year-old brachiopods formed a non-random, checkerboard-like pattern due to their tiny setae, which allowed them to maintain optimal spacing. This study provides rare evidence of ancient communities being shaped by biological interactions.
Researchers used benthic foraminifera to study the link between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength and oxygen content in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. The study found that weaker AMOCs are associated with more oxygen in the oxygen-minimum zone, which has implications for marine ecosystems.
A recent study found that the 2014-2016 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave caused unprecedented ecological disturbance, resulting in widespread kelp and seagrass declines and mass mortality events. The research highlights cascading impacts on species interactions, plankton communities, and offshore ocean productivity.
Researchers have discovered two new species of wart sea slugs from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, including Phyllidia ovata and Phyllidia fontjei. The discoveries were made possible by citizen science contributions and add to the region's rich biodiversity.
Research reveals key differences in how ocean viruses affect carbon flow, with potential climate implications. RNA viruses disrupt carbon and nutrient recycling, making it harder for bacteria to break down organic matter.
Researchers will study how ocean currents and nutrients from land influence the health and productivity of MCEs, which support diverse marine life and important fisheries. The project aims to fill critical knowledge gaps and provide science-based solutions for environmental protection and sustainable growth in the gulf region.
Located in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Caprera Canyon is home to a high concentration of cetacean species. The canyon's unique geography supports a diverse array of marine life, including whales and dolphins.
A new international study reveals that Skagerrak likely serves as a nursery area for young Greenland sharks, contrary to common associations with Arctic waters. The research also confirms that newborn sharks are born in undisturbed deep-sea areas near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, south of Iceland.
Researchers discovered Polarella, a type of dinoflagellate, in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean, which contributes significantly to global primary production. The study found increased stress response genes and opportunistic lifestyle in Polarella, suggesting its ecological and biogeochemical role in tropical oceans.
A new study reveals that fish hovering in place consumes roughly twice the energy of resting, challenging the scientific community's long-held assumption. By analyzing fin movements and body shape, researchers found species with greater separation between their centers of mass and buoyancy use more energy when hovering.
A new study found that domesticated carp have lower chronic stress levels than their wild counterparts, despite regular angling capture. The researchers compared scale cortisol data from domesticated and wild carp and found that the former had significantly lower levels of chronic stress.
A new study found that hermit crabs with more sensory hairs on their claws recover faster from a startle response, indicating they are bolder. The research suggests a link between sensory ability and behavior, proposing a hypothesis called sensory investment syndrome.
A groundbreaking study of 7000-year-old fossilized coral reefs reveals that human fishing has transformed Caribbean reef food webs. Shark populations have declined by 75%, while prey fish species have doubled in abundance and grown 17% larger on modern reefs.
A study reveals that decades of overfishing have significantly altered the genetic composition of Eastern Baltic cod, leading to reduced growth rates and smaller sizes. The researchers found a correlation between slower growth and increased survival under high fishing pressure.
Stanford researchers measured biomass of ocean life over the past half-billion years, finding a generally increasing trend. The study aligns with evidence for a rise in marine biodiversity and suggests an evolutionary connection between biomass and biodiversity.
A new study found that individual leopard seals specialize in specific diets, significantly impacting local prey populations. The research highlights the need to examine individual hunting behaviors in apex predators.
A new study reveals that global marine biodiversity data is heavily biased towards shallow waters and vertebrates, with vast areas of the deep sea and invertebrates poorly represented. The findings highlight the need for prioritized sampling to fill these gaps and support sustainable ocean management.
Research shows that island rivers shape reef passes, allowing seawater and nutrients to flow in and out. The locations of reef passes align with where rivers funnel out from an island's coast, providing circulation throughout the reef.
The Barents Sea system – gateway to the changing Arctic book documents six years of interdisciplinary research on the Barents Sea. Researchers used various platforms, including drones, satellites, and underwater robots, to collect data and make predictions about future changes.
A recent study documents the discovery of over 100 new ribbon worm species off Oman's coast, highlighting a significant underestimation of global marine biodiversity. The finding underscores the importance of exploring lesser-studied regions, such as the tropics, to uncover the full extent of oceanic diversity.
A recent study has gathered the first video evidence of anchoring and chain damage in Antarctic waters, highlighting a critically understudied conservation issue. The research found that anchor impacts can cause localized destruction to seafloor habitats, leading to the loss of slow-growing, sessile species.
Researchers have discovered that a bacterial probiotic helps slow the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) in already infected wild corals in Florida. Applying the probiotic treatment across entire coral colonies helped prevent tissue loss, providing a more lasting protection than traditional antibiotics.
Antje Boetius joins MBARI as president and CEO, expanding collaborations globally to advance marine science and engineering. She succeeds Chris Scholin, who will focus on further advances with the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) instrument.
Diatoms, a group of photosynthetic microalgae, evolved slowly for 100 million years before experiencing an evolutionary burst 170 million years ago. This discovery could offer clues to Earth's history, including ocean changes and atmospheric oxygen levels.
A new study reveals that industrial iron from coal and steel industries is altering the North Pacific ecosystem, leading to changes in phytoplankton growth and nutrient cycles. The research found that increased iron supply boosts spring phytoplankton blooms but also depletes other nutrients, resulting in a crash later in the season.
New research from the University of Sydney reveals that while sea levels can rise without devastating the reef, environmental stressors like poor water quality and warming climates are a greater threat to its survival. The study suggests the modern Great Barrier Reef may undergo significant changes in the next 50-100 years.
Dr. Livingston reflects on her decades-long career as a fisheries scientist, overcoming biases and challenges in the male-dominated field. She notes that cultural and language barriers were common, but women's emotional intelligence helped smooth interactions with foreign skippers.
Researchers found that harbour seals can determine their heading from optic flow fields, even in cloudy or opaque water. The team created a gaming challenge for the seals, using particle simulations to show them which direction they were moving in, and found that they consistently chose the correct direction.
A multidisciplinary team will utilize cutting-edge imaging technology and underwater robotics to discover and describe exotic marine species in the deep ocean. The project aims to transform how scientists understand the ocean's vast midwater region.
The global ocean has experienced a significant reduction in the depth of its photic zones, home to 90% of all marine life, leading to widespread ocean darkening. This change could have profound implications for the planet's marine species and ecosystem services.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed jellyfish cyborgs that harness the organism's natural swimming style, predicting movement in any direction using a lightweight AI model. The findings demonstrate the potential for soft-bodied marine animals to inspire innovations in robotics and climate research
The University of Oldenburg has secured funding for three research clusters: Hearing4all, Ocean Floor, and NaviSense. These clusters aim to improve hearing loss prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as animal navigation research. The funding enables the continuation of high-quality research with social relevance.
Researchers have developed an image-analysis tool called SeaSplat that cuts through the ocean's optical effects and generates images of underwater environments with accurate colors. The team paired SeaSplat with a computational model to convert images into three-dimensional underwater worlds, allowing for virtual exploration.
The Marine Organismal Body Size (MOBS) Database catalogs size data for over 85,000 marine animal species, offering a vital tool for understanding biodiversity and ecosystem function. The database has already found that smaller marine species are more likely to be overlooked in biodiversity assessments.
A recent study found that coral fragments were low in beneficial Endozoicomonas bacteria, which is associated with coral health. This discovery highlights the importance of microbiome analysis in assessing the performance of coral outplants and may provide new insights into coral restoration efforts.
Researchers created first complete genetic activity map of a branching worm, revealing how it controls reproduction across its multiple body branches. The study highlights the unique genetic toolkit and challenges understanding of animal bodies' organization.
The observation pyramid uses different robot platforms to survey ocean areas, enabling flexible task management. Autonomous robotic organizations will reduce costs, improve mission efficiency and increase system robustness.
New study models spatial patterns of grazing halos around coral reefs and finds that halo patterns can signal reef resilience. The research suggests that stable halos exist where herbivores are limited by predators, while oscillating halos may indicate a shift in system health.
A new study published in Environmental Pollution found that plastic ingested by northern fulmars can leak chemicals that interfere with the birds' hormone systems. The chemicals, such as BPA and phthalates, can impair fertility, development, and behavior, posing a significant threat to species survival.
Researchers found that some shark bites are motivated by self-defense when sharks feel threatened or provoked. This discovery challenges the common perception of sharks as mindless predators and highlights the importance of respecting their space.
The 2025 BioOne Ambassador Award recognizes exceptional early-career researchers who are advancing public understanding of science through effective communication. The award highlights their outstanding research and commitment to sharing their work with a broader audience.
USC researchers developed a biocompatible material by adding calcium carbonate to poly (1,8-octanediol-co-citrate), an FDA-approved biodegradable material. The resulting material, POC-CC, is a safer alternative to traditional plastics and degrades in marine environments while maintaining strength.
A new study on natural oil seeps in the deep sea has found that hydrothermal processes mobilize dissolved organic matter, influencing local ecosystems and the global marine carbon cycle. The composition of released water-soluble organic molecules is strongly influenced by temperature and petroleum composition.
A new database of 400 years of sightings compiled by researchers at Colorado State University may help anticipate when and where milky seas will occur. The archive includes eyewitness reports, satellite data, and individual accounts submitted to the Marine Observer Journal.
A study published in Water Biology and Security reveals that warm temperatures induce sex reversal in ricefield eels by expressing male sex determination genes in ovarian tissues. This process depends on Trpv4, a cation channel protein that controls calcium flux into cells.
A UMaine study compares two scallop farming methods to determine which approach yields the best results. Ear-hanging culture was found to have slightly larger shell heights and up to 12% more adductor muscle weight, a key factor in market value. The research provides new insights for commercial growers aiming to maximize profitability.
A recent study published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science reveals that bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish source between 50-60% of their diet from the twilight zone. This suggests that any changes to the twilight zone's food web could have profound implications for these fisheries.
Researchers tracked hawksbill turtles migrating over 1,000km from nesting sites to foraging grounds in the Western Caribbean. The study found that turtles congregate in specific feeding hotspots despite riding with and against ocean currents.
Researchers used a novel approach to estimate megalodon's body length and shape, finding it closer in shape to a lemon shark or large whale. The study suggests the prehistoric predator may have reached about 80 feet in length and weighed an estimated 94 tons.
Researchers discovered that sulfur bacteria from the Desulfobacteraceae family work together like a team to break down diverse organic compounds. By analyzing six strains, they found similar molecular strategies and a highly energy-efficient central metabolism pathway, enabling them to thrive in oxygen-free environments.
The discovery challenges our understanding of seaweed in a changing ocean and has implications for predicting its future. The giant clone, found to be a single species with millions of individuals, thrives in low-salinity waters and provides habitat for various marine life.
The Libroscope initiative seeks to unlock and link data from scientific literature to support understanding of biodiversity. By 2035, the power of biodiversity knowledge will be fully leveraged within an open science framework.
Scientists are studying how microplastics affect microbial communities in ponds, with potential implications for carbon cycling and the global biosphere. Microbes have adapted to plastic surfaces, which could impact aquatic environments.
Citizen science data from scuba divers reveals distinct seasonal patterns among shark species, including hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks. The study also identified changes in shark populations over time, with some species increasing in abundance while others decrease.
Anemonefish provide food to bubble-tip anemones through active provisioning, which increases the host's growth rate. This symbiotic behavior is crucial for the anemonefish as it benefits them by making their hosts larger.
Researchers tracked changes in baleen whale song detection over six years, finding correlations with shifts in foraging conditions and food availability. The study's findings suggest that whale song data can provide insights into the health of marine ecosystems and inform conservation efforts.
Researchers studied pumice rafts from the 2021 Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba eruption in Japan, finding three phases of evolution involving rounding, fragmentation, and biodiversity increase. The study provides valuable information for mitigating the impact of future eruptions on shoreline communities.
A new study suggests that up to 70% of suitable habitats for the critically endangered whitefin swellshark will be lost over the next 75 years due to predicted ocean changes. The researchers believe that Australia's proactive conservation measures, such as marine protected areas, offer hope for the species' survival.