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A steady pulse

A multiyear global assessment by researchers from NCEAS found that the world's oceans have a health record with stable overall health but declining trends in various indicators such as water quality and food provision. Countries taking concrete actions to protect their oceans, like Indonesia and Mexico, are seeing notable improvements.

Researchers identify genes that help trout find their way home

Scientists have identified key genes involved in the homing behavior of rainbow trout, which use Earth's magnetic field to navigate back to their birthplace. The study found that changes in gene expression are triggered by disruption of the fish's internal compass, pointing to a possible role for iron-based magnetite particles.

SourceDuke University·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 26, 2017

Canary in the kelp forest

Researchers found that bryozoans quickly dissolved in warmer waters exposed to acidity, changing their chemical composition to build higher levels of magnesium in their skeletons. This predisposes these animals to dissolve in ocean acidification, which is becoming more common due to climate change.

Evidence disproving tropical 'thermostat' theory

Research by Matthew Huber at Purdue University suggests that the tropics warmed significantly during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, which would have made it difficult for some organisms to survive. The findings provide new insights into the Earth's climate history and challenge long-held assumptions about tropical temperatures.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 6, 2017