Articles tagged with Marine Life
A study found that sea otters in Monterey Bay are maintaining patches of healthy kelp forest despite a decline in overall kelp forests along the California coast due to an outbreak of sea urchins. Sea otters increase their consumption of urchins in the remaining kelp patches, but ignore those in barren areas with low nutritional value.
The Northern California kelp forest ecosystem has collapsed due to an abrupt loss of a key predator, the sunflower sea star, which was wiped out by sea star wasting disease. The area covered by kelp forests has dropped by over 95%, with only isolated patches remaining.
Researchers studied sea star shapes and found that their unique shape creates a
Researchers explore co-culture strategies to activate silent gene clusters in microorganisms, leading to the discovery of novel bioactive natural products with diverse and novel structures. These compounds exhibit various bioactivities, including extensive antimicrobial activities and potential cytotoxic activities.
The parasitic dinoflagellate Hematodinium infects marine crustaceans globally, resulting in mortalities due to organ malfunction. The pathogen has developed into an emerging epidemic threat to China's sustainable crab culture and wild populations.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered a link between ancient cyanobacteria and the Great Oxygenation Event. The study suggests that these single-celled organisms played a crucial role in transforming the planet's chemistry, producing oxygen gas that paved the way for life on Earth.
A study at the Weizmann Institute of Science reveals microplastics are swept up into the atmosphere and carried on the wind to remote parts of the ocean. The findings suggest these minuscule fragments can harm marine environment and affect human health through the food chain.
The sunflower sea star, a key predator in kelp forests, has suffered a dramatic 90.6% decline due to sea star wasting syndrome, resulting in an estimated 5.75 billion animal deaths and nearly complete population loss in the contiguous US and Mexico.
Researchers found that mass extinctions of land-dwelling animals, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, coincide with major asteroid impacts and devastating volcanic outpourings of lava. The study suggests that these periodic events may be triggered by comets and are linked to the Earth's orbit in the Galaxy.
A fleet of deep-diving ocean robots will investigate how marine life captures and stores carbon from the atmosphere. The research, called SOLACE, aims to improve our understanding of the 'carbon pump', a process responsible for pumping large volumes of carbon into the ocean.
An international team of scientists is calling for a dedicated decade-long programme to greatly advance discovery in the remote regions of the world's oceans. The programme, named Challenger 150, aims to generate new data through global cooperation and application of new technology.
Researchers used advanced technology to study fish communities residing on two World War II shipwrecks off the North Carolina coast. The study found large predatory fish thriving on the wrecks, challenging current understanding of how they find such remote habitats.
Researchers at Stanford University and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory propose a new explanation for the source of powerful eruptions on Europa's icy surface. The model suggests that water pockets embedded in the ice shell itself could be the origin of these eruptions, rather than the subsurface ocean.
The webinar, titled 'The first carnival of the animals: Causes and consequences of the diversification of Early Palaeozoic marine life', will be presented by leading palaeontologists Professor David Harper and Professor Renbin Zhan. It will examine how major biotic events such as the Cambrian Explosion influenced life on Earth.
Researchers aim to quantify tyre particle concentrations in rivers and oceans, exploring their impact on sea life. The TYRE-LOSS project uses advanced techniques to model dispersal and estimate risks to marine life at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Research published in Science Advances by a University of Saskatchewan-led team reveals an explosion of ancient life on the ocean floor nearly 540 million years ago. The study found evidence of animals actively engineering their ecosystem, constructing diverse burrows that may have laid the foundation for greater diversity in marine life.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant's stored contaminated wastewater contains multiple radioactive isotopes with varying levels of risk. These include tritium, a relatively short-lived isotope, and other isotopes like carbon-14, cobalt-60, and strontium-90, which pose more complex hazards to humans and the environment.
Researchers found that Europa's ocean could have been formed by tidal forces or radioactive decay, leading to a potentially habitable environment. The team's models suggest that the ocean's composition became more Earth-like, with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and calcium, making it suitable for life.
A new study found that seasonal growth and destruction of sea ice in the Southern Ocean enhances marine life present in the sea around Antarctica, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The researchers analyzed data from a period when atmospheric carbon dioxide levels plateaued at 240 ppm 14,600 years ago.
The BlueSwell program provides a comprehensive early-stage incubator for bluetech innovations, offering $35,000 in grants and mentorship from industry experts. The initiative aims to foster sustainable use of the ocean through innovative solutions in offshore renewable energy, sustainable seafood, and more.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed a smart sponge that selectively soaks up oil in water, leaving clean water and unaffected marine life behind. The sponge can absorb more than 30 times its weight in oil and can be reused many dozens of times without losing effectiveness.
Scientists have developed a new model for studying developmental biology by creating sea urchins with reduced breeding cycles. The breakthrough uses CRISPR technology to edit genes responsible for pigment production, resulting in albino sea urchins that can thrive in the lab.
DNA scientists have found genetic traces of species like the Brazilian cownose ray and Gulf kingfish in New Jersey's Barnegat Inlet, defying predicted migration patterns. The study used a harmless and economical method to monitor marine life movements, diversity, distribution, and abundance.
Current regulatory standards for coastal waters have not kept pace with scientific understanding of hypoxia and acidification, putting important fisheries worldwide at risk. Aging policies fail to account for the combined effects of low dissolved oxygen and pH levels on marine life.
Researchers surveyed remote South American kelp forests for the first time in 45 years, finding relatively unchanged ecosystems despite global threats from climate change and human activities. No signs of destructive sea urchin grazing were observed, but fish populations varied by location within the study area.
A study of 170 species found that waves and tides have a bigger impact on marine life in Swansea Bay than human activity. This comprehensive picture will help planners understand the Bay's ecosystem and make informed decisions about ecological impact.
Researchers found that warmer waters increase the frequency and intensity of snapping shrimp sounds, which could dominate coastal ocean soundscapes. This might impact fish communication, human sonar instruments, and even Navy mine detection systems.
A new study by the University of Miami Rosenstiel School found that the Deepwater Horizon oil spill spread beyond the known satellite footprint, impacting a wider range of marine wildlife. The research team developed a new framework to better manage future oil spills, taking into account invisible and toxic oil.
Marine biologists found that redundancy in urchin predators and protection afforded to them help keep sea urchin populations in check, particularly in protected areas. The study highlights an underappreciated benefit of marine reserves and offers a new perspective on strategies to manage ecosystems for resilience.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering discovered how sea stars synchronize their motion through a global directionality command and localized responses to stimuli. This decentralized nervous system can inspire more efficient robotics systems with hierarchical learning and communication.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an effective method to use underwater robotic gliders to measure sound levels over broad areas of the sea. The gliders can conduct repeated surveys of a region, providing real-time measurements of changing noise levels and helping scientists track ocean sound pollution.
A new study warns against a rush to exploit deep seafloor resources, emphasizing the importance of conservation of ecosystems. The international community is urged to develop a legal framework that considers the common heritage of mankind status, ensuring sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
A study found that a perfect storm of events led to the decline of California's bull kelp forests, resulting in the loss of over 90% of kelp and 96% of red abalone. Purple sea urchin populations exploded, devouring all available food sources. However, researchers are exploring urchin ranching as a potential solution to restore kelp beds.
Tropical Storm Ema formed near Hawaiian Islands on October 12 and passed over NASA's Terra satellite on the following day. The satellite captured strong convection limited to the area north of the storm's center, indicating wind shear effects
Researchers used multifactor models to examine the impact of climate change on marine species in the US Northeast Shelf. The study found that more than 50% of species would experience a decline in habitat space, posing serious trouble for certain species like the Atlantic cod.
Pink sea urchin teeth are specially equipped to sharpen themselves through a controlled chipping mechanism, maintaining their sharp edge. The unique structure of the teeth, consisting of ceramic composites and calcite fibers, allows for this self-sharpening process, which is also relevant for designing synthetic materials.
Researchers found exoplanet oceans with efficient upwelling rates could host globally abundant and active life. The discovery suggests that Earth might not be optimally habitable and life elsewhere may enjoy a more hospitable planet.
A Stanford-led study identifies shifting weather patterns and ocean conditions as contributing factors to the collapse of Mexico's jumbo squid fishery. The research found that warmer waters led to smaller, less profitable squid, shutting down the entire industry in the Gulf of California.
The Exploring Ocean Worlds project aims to determine the potential of ocean worlds to harbor life, focusing on Europa and Enceladus. A new Network for Ocean Worlds will facilitate nationwide research coordination.
A global survey of ocean viruses has identified nearly 200,000 species, exceeding prior estimates by 13,000. The findings have significant implications for understanding climate change, evolution, and the impact of microorganisms on the atmosphere.
A new species of extinct sea cucumber named Sollasina cthulhu has been discovered, revealing a monstrous relative of modern sea cucumbers with long tentacles and an inner ring-like form. The fossil, 430 million years old, provides crucial information on the evolution of soft-bodied creatures.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a 430 million-year-old fossil as a new species related to living sea cucumbers, named Sollasina cthulhu. The creature had 45 tentacle-like tube feet and was small, about the size of a large spider.
A newly identified species of 150 million-year-old marine crocodile has given insights into how a group of ancient animals evolved. The fossil, named Cricosaurus bambergensis, features distinguishing characteristics in its jaws and tail, aiding greater understanding of the metriorhynchid family.
A new SDSU study reveals that California sheephead and spiny lobsters play a crucial role in controlling sea urchin populations in Southern California kelp forests. The research provides valuable insights into the complex predator-prey relationships in these ecosystems, which are essential for maintaining the health of kelp forests.
A new study finds that a sea star wasting disease and warmer sea surface temperatures led to the dramatic decline of sunflower starfish in both nearshore and deep waters. This collapse has broader effects on kelp beds and other marine ecosystems.
The combination of ocean warming and an infectious wasting disease has devastated populations of large sunflower sea stars along the West Coast. The loss of these sea stars has caused a cascading effect on the ecosystem, with urchin populations expanding and threatening kelp forests and biodiversity.
Researchers at UIC aim to recreate Titan's oceanic conditions in a laboratory growth chamber to detect potential biosignatures of life on the moon. They plan to grow microorganisms under high pressure and extreme cold to identify characteristic chemical and biological signatures.
The NASA Astrobiology Program has awarded a $7 million grant to the Oceans Across Space and Time (OAST) alliance to search for life in present and past oceans on Mars, Jupiter's moon Europa, and Saturn's moon Enceladus. The team aims to develop technologies that can detect signs of life in various environments.
A 2012-2015 field study in north central California found that the sea star Pisaster ochraceus experienced 81% mortality, leading to shifts in allele frequencies among surviving adult and juvenile individuals. These changes may persist in future generations of sea stars, with implications for conservation efforts.
Researchers at Lund University have found that sea urchins can perceive objects within a limited range of sizes, up to 30-70 degrees around them. This ability is sufficient for the animal's basic needs and behavior, despite having poor eyesight compared to humans.
Sea urchin researchers found that understanding local dynamics can make fishing resource management more effective. The study quantified the relationship between uni quality and fishermen's behavior, revealing a predictable pattern that links seasonal reproductive cycles to fishing patterns.
A new study of marine fossils from Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand and South America reveals that sea lilies remained in shallow waters until around 33 million years ago. The results provide conclusive evidence that this change happened at different times in different parts of the globe.
Researchers found that humans generate significant underwater noise when swimming, kayaking, or scuba diving, affecting marine life. Different activities produce distinct sounds, with some being loud enough for animals to detect.
Researchers found that changing water temperature and algal blooms affected sea urchin populations, leading to abnormal development of their larvae. The study provides valuable insights into the importance of long-term monitoring for detecting ecological changes and understanding their causes.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will study the ocean's twilight zone using next-generation robotic vehicles and sensors. The project aims to understand the region's ecosystem, its potential benefits for humanity, and its impact on climate regulation.
The Digital Life team has released animated 3D models of loggerhead and green sea turtles, created using photogrammetry and software like Capturing Reality and Blender. The models can be used for educational purposes, scientific research, and conservation efforts, with over hundreds of hours invested in their animation.
Researchers analyzed sea star populations along the US west coast and found severe declines in southern California and the Channel Islands. Juvenile sea star mortality increased by approximately 90 percent, while ochre sea stars are a keystone species crucial to intertidal ecosystems.
Researchers at Cornell University propose a new broad nomenclature to describe the complex connections between viruses, environment, and wasting diseases among sea stars in the Pacific Northwest. Climate change remains a suspect factor in the disease outbreaks.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria, crucial to ocean life, can change color to adapt to different light conditions. This ability allows them to photosynthesize and thrive in various parts of the world's oceans.
Researchers found that sea urchins sculpt medium-grain sandstone rock 37 times quicker than granite, with excavation rates varying greatly by rock type. The study estimated that on medium-grain sandstone reefs, sea urchins might produce almost 200 tonnes of sediment per hectare per year.