Articles tagged with 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 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.
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.
A new study found that pink sea urchin species are less vulnerable to climate change than other urchin species. The species is abundant at depths similar to spot prawn fishers and produces edible roe during winter. Legalizing fishing of pink sea urchin as bycatch could relieve pressure on vulnerable species.
Researchers at the University of Sydney conducted an experiment involving over 500 aquarium visitors, showing a decrease in shark fear and blame after understanding shark behavior. The study challenges perceived public support for lethal measures, advocating for a conservation focus instead.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers shows that marine organisms can break down a single plastic carrier bag into 1.75 million microscopic fragments. The presence of a biofilm accelerates the process, suggesting that marine life may be contributing to the spread of microplastics.
Scientists at the University of Konstanz have created a more durable cement based on the nanostructure of sea urchin spines, which is significantly more resistant to fractures. The new material's elastic properties are comparable to those of mussel shells and reach values of up to 200 megapascals.
A new study using citizen science data predicts that warmer waters will cause fish to extend their ranges further from the equator, leading to a decline in the diversity of invertebrates such as crabs and lobsters. This change is expected to affect food webs and ecosystems worldwide.
Researchers found that 57 rivers worldwide contribute significantly to ocean plastic pollution, with the top 10 accounting for 88-95% of global loads. Halving plastic waste in these 10 waterways could potentially reduce total ocean contribution by 45%.
A NASA scientist is developing an instrument to search for signs of life on Jupiter's moon Europa, leveraging experience from building a Mars instrument. The Ocean Worlds investigation will analyze molecular biosignatures in surface and subsurface samples.
Scientists from the University of Exeter found that a 183 million-year-old oceanic oxygen depletion event ended after one million years due to increased atmospheric oxygen and rising fire activity. This study highlights the critical need to limit carbon emissions to prevent future anoxic events in the modern ocean.
The Frontiers Spotlight Award recognizes outstanding research on topics such as brain augmentation, ocean conservation and child development through motor skills. The US$100,000 prize will support the winning team's international conference in 2018.
A new study reveals that ocean acidification can overwhelm benefits to nitrogen-fixing bacteria, hampering essential services for marine life. Trichodesmium cyanobacteria, which contributes up to 50% of marine nitrogen fixation, shows negative impacts under acidic conditions and with limited iron availability.
Scientists have discovered that sea urchins extract calcium ions from seawater through a process where they drink in water and manipulate the ions within their cells. This method is more energy efficient than previously thought, but presents new challenges for understanding how these cells concentrate and expel ions.
Researchers have developed a degradable bone scaffold from sea urchin spines that promotes bone formation and easily degrades, overcoming limitations of current bioceramics. The study's findings could lead to the design of new bone repair materials with improved strength and properties.
A study by Oregon State University researchers found that long-term ecological and environmental studies (LTEES) are disproportionately valuable compared to short-term research, yet receive limited funding. The collaboration of 36 researchers highlighted the growing demand for LTEES in policymaking and scientific communities.
African Lake Kivu's unique chemistry suggests more nitrogen in ancient oceans, enabling marine organisms to thrive during multi-cellularity emergence. This finding implies phosphorous limitations shaped early ocean life, paving the way for Eukaryote evolution.
A new fossil site in Canada has yielded exceptionally preserved Jurassic marine fossils, including soft-bodied species that rarely fossilize. The site, known as a Konservat-Lagerstätte, offers a unique snapshot of life in the Early Jurassic Panthalassa Ocean.
Typhoon Nock-ten generated significant rainfall in the Philippines and South China Sea. The NASA GPM mission provided estimated rainfall totals of up to 350 mm, highlighting the storm's intense precipitation.
NASA's Aqua and GPM satellites observed strong storms developing in Vardah's remnant low pressure area, with convective thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall rates of over 6.1 inches per hour.
After the 2011 tsunami, Japanese researchers found that small fish with short lifespans recovered first, followed by larger fish with longer lifespans, stabilizing populations and increasing body lengths. The study also discovered a brief invasion period, but ultimately, cold-water species began to prey on invading species.
Sea urchins and microorganisms have been found to 'drink' seawater, extracting calcium ions through a network of bubbles within their cells. This method may be more energy-efficient than previous theories, but also presents challenges in manipulating ions in the sea water.
Researchers at MIPT have synthesized an antitumor compound that can target and kill chemoresistant ovarian carcinoma cells. The new agent was found to destroy microtubules, which are involved in cell division, making it a potential treatment for this aggressive form of cancer.
The study found that sunflower sea star populations dropped dramatically after the disease outbreak, while other species such as leather stars and certain sea urchins increased in number. The virus outbreak is expected to have lasting effects on the ecosystem, potentially leading to more browsing on kelp.
A study found dramatic declines in sunflower sea star populations due to sea star wasting disease, affecting the Salish Sea ecosystem's balance. The disease has effectively disappeared these key predators from the area.
The University of New Hampshire will study ocean ecosystems using underwater acoustic technology in the mid- and south Atlantic Ocean. The research aims to understand patterns and trends in regional ocean soundscapes and processes, including climate change.
A new study by the University of Adelaide found that nutrient pollution from cities and agricultural land is altering marine sounds, including snapping shrimp and sea urchin noises. This degradation may negatively impact fish populations and their ability to find sheltering habitats.