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Biodiversity protects fish from climate change

A new study confirms that preserving marine biodiversity can benefit people as much as it benefits the oceans. Communities with more species are more productive and resilient to rising temperatures, while those with fewer species suffer significantly under fluctuating temperatures.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 16, 2016

Scientists establish first map of the sea lion brain

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a detailed map of the California sea lion's brain, highlighting its unique somatosensory system. The study revealed specific areas in the brain responsible for processing touch information from whiskers and flippers, similar to those found in mice and humans.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateApr 27, 2016

Safeguarding sturgeon

Researchers at the University of Delaware used satellite measurements to predict Atlantic sturgeon locations. They identified six seascapes that sturgeon prefer and combined them with ocean color and temperature data to create a map that can help fishermen avoid catching the vulnerable species.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalMethods in Ecology and Evolution·DateFeb 3, 2016

Climate outlook may be worse than feared, global study suggests

A new study suggests that global land surface temperatures will increase by an average of almost 8C by 2100 if significant efforts are not made to address climate change. This would have a devastating impact on life on Earth, posing risks from extreme temperatures, flooding, regional drought, and food shortages.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalEarth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh·DateDec 9, 2015

A balanced diet is good for corals too, study finds

A new study published in Limnology and Oceanography found that a nutrient-rich, balanced diet is beneficial to corals during stressful thermal events. The researchers discovered that excess nitrogen alone and zooplankton made high-temperature bleaching events worse, while a balanced mix of nutrients afforded coral resilience.

Cool summer of 2013 boosted Arctic sea ice

Researchers found that Arctic sea ice experienced a significant increase in volume after a cool summer in 2013, contrary to expected long-term decline trends. This suggests the ice pack is more sensitive to summer melting than winter cooling, enabling better predictions of future changes.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 20, 2015

Sun's activity controls Greenland temperatures

A new study suggests high solar activity in the 1950s-80s slowed down ocean circulation between the South Atlantic and North Atlantic, cooling Greenland while the rest of the Northern Hemisphere warmed. Weak solar activity could now fire up the circulation mechanism, leading to faster ice sheet melting and increased sea-level rise.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 16, 2015

How tuna stay warm with cold hearts

Researchers discovered that the heart of bluefin tuna adjusts its electrical activity and calcium cycling to maintain constant heartbeat despite temperature changes. This unique adaptation allows the fish to survive in cold waters, shedding light on how animals react to rapid environmental shifts.

Distribution of fish on the northeast US shelf influenced by both fishing and climate

Scientists studied four commercial and recreational fish stocks in Northeast U.S. waters and found that climate change affects their distribution, while fishing pressure has significant impacts on a more immediate time scale. The study shows that different species respond differently to temperature and fishing pressure.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalICES Journal of Marine Science·DateDec 22, 2014

Chesapeake Bay region streams are warming

Researchers found a significant warming trend in air and water temperatures over 51 years, with impacts on water quality, eutrophication, and aquatic life. Rising temperatures will lead to increased nutrient runoff and shifts in plant and animal distributions in the bay's freshwater rivers and streams.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalClimatic Change·DateDec 8, 2014