Articles tagged with Marine Life
A new set of ocean observing data enhances the ability to track probable paths of victims and drifting survivor craft, improving search and rescue efforts. The data feeds into Coast Guard servers to improve environmental observations and supports oil spill response, harmful algal bloom monitoring, and water quality assessments.
Researchers discovered that the teeth contain crystals of magnesium calcite, which are smaller, harder and denser than those of pure calcite. The unique arrangement of these crystals in two different arrays allows them to be self-sharpening as they wear down.
Researchers use Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) to observe mass migrations of hundreds of millions of fish, revealing critical population density triggers synchronized movement. This breakthrough confirms theories about large groups of animals and provides valuable information for conservation of marine ecosystems.
A University of Minnesota-led study connects iron sources from extreme depths to surface life, shedding light on nutrient cycling. Researchers found that hydrothermal vents release rusty iron, which can provide essential nutrients for sea life.
A team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges the long-held assumption about oceanic iron cycles. They found that organic compounds can capture some iron spewed by hydrothermal vents, enabling it to be carried away in seawater and reaching the surface, where it can nourish marine life more efficiently.
A comprehensive 'inventory' of life in Antarctica has revealed over 1200 known marine and land species, including sea urchins, free-swimming worms, crustaceans, and birds. The study found surprising high biodiversity in the region, with many temperate and tropical species present.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast trace the family tree of octopuses, revealing a link between climate change and their global distribution. The study suggests that many deep-sea species evolved from Antarctic ancestors, highlighting the impact of thermohaline circulation on marine biodiversity.
Researchers successfully tracked juvenile Pacific salmon from their release in freshwater to distant ocean destinations, providing insights into their life experience and decline. The study also found that survival rates were comparable between dammed and un-dammed rivers.
A team of earth scientists found ocean floor geysers in the Pacific Ocean that warm flowing sea water. This discovery suggests possible marine life in a previously barren area.
A study by Swedish researchers found that acidification reduces sea urchin fertility by 25%, affecting larval development and population growth. The findings highlight the devastating impact of ocean acidification on marine animal life, with far-reaching consequences for commercially and ecologically important species.
Researchers are studying how climate change affects early life stages of fish in two ocean environments off the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island. Using real-time data and advanced technology, they are developing models to aid fisheries research and management, with a focus on habitat effects and growth.
A symposium in the Biological Bulletin highlights the powerful advantages of using gene catalogs to infer biological function in marine animals, including the sea urchin and tubeworm. By comparing their genomes with those of other organisms, researchers can gain new clues about how physiological systems evolved.
Researchers mapped large arc-shaped depressions on Jupiter's moon Europa, indicating a shift of 80° in its rotational axis. The findings suggest the presence of an internal liquid ocean, which could support life, and provide independent evidence for this possibility.
Researchers found a significant delay in the evolution of animal life due to low levels of oxygen and molybdenum in ancient deep oceans. This discovery provides new insights into the environmental conditions that led to the emergence of animal life.
An international team of scientists has discovered a crucial clue to the delay of animal life on Earth, suggesting that oxygen and molybdenum deficiencies in ancient oceans may have hindered complex life's evolution. The research, published in Nature, sheds light on the development of early life and its connection to ocean chemistry.
A UC Riverside-led study tracked biogeochemical signatures in ancient sedimentary rocks to establish the nature and timing of oxygenation in Earth's atmosphere. The research suggests that a molybdenum-depleted ocean may have retarded the development of complex life for nearly two billion years.
Researchers design a mathematical model to describe circumstances where generalists can endure and even thrive in what is typically expected to be a specialist-only society. The study's findings suggest that having individuals with diverse skills can safeguard against the possibility that specialists don't complement each other.
Researchers found that individual sea otters specialize in particular prey types when food is limited, while populations with abundant resources share similar diets. This specialization can help understand disease mortality and inform wildlife management.
New research brings scientists closer to exploring Jupiter's moon Europa, discovering potential for life in its ice-covered ocean. Refined methods and data analysis reveal a habitable environment, with improved measurements potentially detecting compounds indicative of life.
Scientists studying ancient fish bones in Scandinavia have discovered that warm-water species like anchovies and black sea bream are returning to Danish waters as temperatures rise. This finding suggests that sustainable cod populations can be maintained in the North Sea even during climate change, but with reduced fishing pressure.
A new hypothesis suggests that life emerged in the confined spaces between mica layers in ancient oceans. This model provides a more plausible explanation than existing prebiotic and 'pizza' hypotheses, explaining how early biomolecules formed and evolved.
Historians detail a burst of fishing from 1900 to 1950 that preceded the decline of bluefin tuna populations in the North Atlantic. The research suggests high fishing pressure played a key role in the species' disappearance.
A recent study published in Nature reveals the discovery of over 700 new species in the Antarctic deep sea, including carnivorous sponges and crustaceans. The research suggests that the glacial cycle led to an intermingling of species from shallow and deep water habitats, redefining our understanding of ocean evolution.
The LA Times reporters were recognized for their outstanding journalistic achievement in raising public awareness about human-caused ocean microbiological changes. Their 5-part series, Altered Oceans, explained how overfishing and waste dumping are creating a biological imbalance in the world's oceans.
A team of international scientists has discovered a new group of microscopic organisms in the Arctic Ocean, which have diverged from known organisms more than land plants and animals. These 'picobiliphytes' are highly fluorescent and transform light into biomass, highlighting the ocean's complex biodiversity.
The sea urchin genome shares significant similarities with the human genome, including genes associated with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases. The discovery could hold key insights into developing new treatments and therapies.
Researchers have sequenced the sea urchin genome, revealing a powerful model system for studying embryonic development and immunity. The study's findings could lead to new insights into human skeletal formation and immune system function.
The completed sea urchin genome reveals an 'extraordinarily complex innate immune system' that could provide new tools against infectious diseases. The genome also holds secrets to understanding aging and chemical threats, with potential implications for human health.
The sea urchin genome sequencing project reveals a surprising relationship between sea urchins and humans, sharing more genes and biological pathways than previously suspected. The analysis provides novel insights into the structure and function of human genomes.
The sea urchin genome reveals 23,300 genes and a sophisticated innate immune system. Humans share genes associated with diseases like muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease with these eyeless animals, which can sense light through their feet.
Researchers sequenced the purple sea urchin genome, detecting an unusually large number of innate immunity genes and early components of adaptive immune system. The findings suggest that complex genetic regulatory circuits were assembled in a late evolutionary event.
Scientists discover 20,000+ kinds of rare bacteria in 1 liter of seawater using new DNA sequencing tools, challenging previous estimates of marine microbial diversity. The 'rare biosphere' plays an important role in ecological processes and evolutionary history.
A new study reveals that removing top predator species from kelp forests has a profound impact on the ecosystem, while organic coastal run-off has minimal effect. The research suggests California is on the right track with fishing limits to protect the delicate food chain.
Researchers have discovered a dichotomy in sea turtle migration patterns in the eastern Atlantic, revealing two distinct foraging strategies. The study found that adult turtles occupy different habitats and diets, with coastal adults being larger and feeding on arthropods, while oceanic adults are smaller and feed on floating plants.
A massive marsh planting project is set to begin in coastal Alabama and Mississippi, aiming to restore salt marshes and their ecosystem services. The project, led by Dr. Cebrian, will focus on restoring black needlerush and other plant species, and will involve the coordinated efforts of researchers, resource managers, and volunteers.
Scientists used ancient sea creature shells to uncover a monumental reversal in deep-ocean circulation patterns around the world. The shift was triggered by global warming and led to drastic climatological and biological changes.
Researchers discovered a surprisingly active innate immune system in sea urchins that utilizes previously unrecognized mechanisms. The study's findings have implications for understanding innate immunity in vertebrates and may lead to the discovery of novel immune diversity in other animals.
Researchers found that sea lilies move by shedding stalk ends and using feathery arms to crawl. This defense strategy helps them evade sea urchins, which prey on them. The discovery sheds light on the evolution and ecology of deep-sea creatures.
A recent study found that green turtles in Nicaragua have a mere 50% chance of survival due to heavy fishing. WCS researchers urge drastic reductions in fishing levels to prevent the turtles' extinction.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have found lower oxygen levels in the dead zone area of the Gulf, which could lead to more severe hypoxia and fish kills if physical conditions continue. The team studied an area between Southwest Pass, La., and the Calcasieu ship channel.
The Bridging the Rift project is a unique collaboration between Arab and Israeli scientists, with 40 researchers from Israel, Jordan, and the US working together. They conducted a joint biological field survey in January, collecting microbes and plants that thrive in the harsh desert environment.
Researchers found a gene that produces peroxide to 'stitch' together proteins surrounding the egg, hardening it into a protective barrier. This process helps prevent polyspermy and protects fertilized eggs from damage.
Researchers analyzed three of Iris Murdoch's works, including her final novel, to study the effects of Alzheimer's on language. The findings suggest a decline in vocabulary and simplified language in her final novel, consistent with early stages of the disease.
The International Census of Marine Microbes project aims to understand the diversity and distribution of single-celled organisms in the world's oceans. The project will collect data on microbial diversity, evolutionary processes, and ecological relationships, with a focus on marine microorganisms that account for 90% of ocean biomass.
Fossil discovery reveals ancient sea spiders are related to land spiders and scorpions, with the new species Haliestes dasos dating back 35 million years. The preserved specimens provide valuable insights into their unique body form and behavior.
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has broken up, with hypoxia moving further offshore and marine life returning to previously low-oxygen areas. Strong coastal currents and eddies are thought to be key factors in this change.
A new portable field laboratory will enable researchers to sample subsurface life from diverse marine environments, including estuaries and deeply buried sediments. The facility will aid in the training of young scientists and enhance existing research on extremophilic communities.
Sea urchin research sheds light on fertilization among mammals, revealing a key role for carbohydrate molecules in regulating reproduction. The discovery could lead to new approaches to contraception and a better understanding of human reproductive issues.
A new hypoxic event has been detected off the Oregon coast, causing a massive die-off of fish and invertebrate marine species. Dissolved oxygen levels are significantly lower than those seen in the past 40 years, suggesting a major change in ocean circulation patterns.
Researchers from Oregon State University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found red sea urchins can live for over 200 years, defying previous seven-15 year lifespan estimates. The study used two techniques to determine ages, producing consistent results that show no signs of senescence until death.
Researchers have identified a receptor on sea urchin eggs that regulates the species-specific adhesion of sperm, preventing cross-fertilization between different species. The discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of gamete interactions and could shed light on how new species evolved.
A study revealed 253 Caribbean marine species are endemic, with many having tiny ranges making them susceptible to extinction. Destructive fishing practices and development threaten these micro-endemic species.
The Defying Ocean's End conference aims to reverse the ocean's decline through a science-based international effort. The plan includes promoting a World Ocean Public Trust, expanding global marine parks, assessing conservation priorities, creating an ocean ethic, and implementing bold action steps.
Researchers found that channeled whelks, a species of marine snail, have distinct feeding behaviors along the Pacific coast. Genetic analysis revealed that these differences are likely due to genetic isolation and regional variations in prey availability.
Researchers Scott Curtis and Bob Adler found a significant pattern of alternating rainfall for El Niño since 1979. This discovery may help scientists improve rainfall forecasts around the globe during an El Niño event.
The URI Office of Marine Programs has been awarded a Sloan Grant to support the Census of Marine Life, a global research effort to study marine biodiversity. The program will create an international education platform, provide networking resources for scientists and communicate the importance of ocean conservation.
Researchers are studying Europa's icy shell to understand its composition and potential for supporting life. A computer model suggests organisms could thrive beneath the thick cap of ice, while another analysis reveals cracks and ridges formed by Jupiter's tides.
Researchers at Oregon State University found extremely low oxygen levels in the lower water column, leading to mass die-offs of rockfish, Dungeness crabs, sculpins, and other marine life. The unusual event is attributed to coastal upwelling and wind patterns, not human activities.
A team of scientists from the University of Maine discovered a slow-growing sea urchin variety that never reaches legal size for harvesting in Maine's coastal waters. This finding suggests that harvesting legal-sized urchins could cause a shift in the population towards non-harvestable stocks.
Researchers suggest deploying vibration-sensitive acoustic sensors on Europa's surface to probe the interior structure and search for signs of life. Massive ice fractures generate unusual cracking sounds that could penetrate the thick ice layer and propagate through the underlying ocean.