Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Sediments off Brazil’s Northeast coast reveal sudden changes in heat transport in the Atlantic

Researchers have found evidence of two episodes of significant Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) intensification between 17,800 and 14,800 years ago. The study suggests that the AMOC may be more dynamic than previously thought, with potential consequences for global climate patterns.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 13, 2026

Fossil reveals the earliest evidence of “right-handedness” in the animal kingdom

Researchers discovered that ancient organism Spriggina floundersi preferred to bend to the right, showing the oldest known example of lateralized behavior. This finding provides new insights into the origins of left-right asymmetry in animals and suggests that behavioral preferences emerged earlier in evolutionary history than previous...

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 9, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Fifteen million years ago, Atlantic and Pacific swapped oxygen fortunes

Scientists have found that 15 million years ago, the Atlantic Ocean had large low-oxygen zones, while the Pacific Ocean's zones were much smaller. A new study suggests that ocean circulation and continental position played a crucial role in shaping these zones, indicating that warming alone cannot explain changes in oxygen levels.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 25, 2026

New study improves scientists’ ability to reconstruct how the climate and ocean circulation changed in the past

Researchers have developed a way to improve records of past high-latitude ocean change by analyzing tiny plankton shells called foraminifera. The new calibration tool extends the key temperature tool into colder seas, enabling more accurate reconstructions of climate and ocean circulation changes.

SourceiC3 Polar Research Hub·JournalGeochimica et Cosmochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2026

New species of massive mosasaur with serrated teeth is named T. rex

Researchers describe Tylosaurus rex, a massive mosasaur with finely serrated teeth, from 80-million-year-old fossils found primarily in northern Texas. The new species is estimated to be around 43 feet long and had strong jaw and neck muscles suggesting it was a powerful predator.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalBulletin of the American Museum of Natural History·DateMay 21, 2026

New publication about the influence of Southern Hemisphere waters on the Indonesian Throughflow

A new study finds that water masses from the Southern Hemisphere have been a major contributor to the Indonesian Throughflow for over 800,000 years. The researchers measured nitrogen isotopes in sediment cores and found a remarkable long-term stability of the nitrogen cycle along the equatorial Pacific.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 20, 2026
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Climate change in the past: first indicators of resilience in tropical life, provided that global warming did not exceed 1.5 degrees

A recent study found that tropical algae were largely unaffected by periods of global warming up to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the distant past. This resilience provides valuable insights into the potential consequences of climate change and supports the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalGeology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 26, 2026

Key drivers of recurrent extinction in the Triassic

A new study in Geology suggests that massive undersea volcanism triggered at least four Triassic extinctions. Marine large igneous provinces were found to be a key driver of these events, accounting for half of the extinctions with an identifiable geological trigger.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJan 27, 2026
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Critical Atlantic Ocean currents kept going during last ice age

New research reveals that North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) was only about 1.8°C colder than today during the Last Glacial Maximum, contradicting previous assumptions of near-freezing conditions. The study supports climate model projections and suggests that weakening AMOC could have dramatic consequences for future climate.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·DateJan 21, 2026

A new temperature record challenges the extreme high-latitude warmth paradigm

A new study using fossil coccoliths suggests the North Atlantic was 9 degrees Celsius cooler than previously thought during the Miocene epoch. This finding challenges the extreme high-latitude warmth paradigm and aligns with existing climate models for this period.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 16, 2026

Swinging abyss

Researchers used clumped-isotope palaeothermometry to reconstruct large temperature fluctuations at depths of up to 4,000 meters in the Southern Ocean. These fluctuations occurred simultaneously with changes in oxygen isotopes and Earth's orbital eccentricity, suggesting a climatic forcing.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 7, 2026
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Cleveland’s famous sea monster gets a scientific update

A new study reveals that Dunkleosteus was an oddball among ancient armored fishes, with a cartilage-heavy skull and unexpected feeding behavior. The research places Dunkleosteus in proper evolutionary context, highlighting the diversity of arthrodire groups.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalThe Anatomical Record·DateNov 20, 2025

USF study: Ancient plankton hint at steadier future for ocean life

A new USF study suggests that nutrient upwelling and biological productivity remained stable despite higher global temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific. The researchers found no evidence of reduced nitrate concentrations, a key nutrient for plankton, over the last five million years.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Tracking Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation using benthic foraminifera

Researchers used benthic foraminifera to study the link between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) strength and oxygen content in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. The study found that weaker AMOCs are associated with more oxygen in the oxygen-minimum zone, which has implications for marine ecosystems.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2025
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Scientists reconstruct 540 million years of sea level change in detail

Researchers from Utrecht University and colleagues have reconstructed sea level variations on thousand-year timescales over the past 540 million years. They used geological tree rings to estimate short-term variability, which proved consistent with fossil-based reconstructions.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateJul 3, 2025

Global Declaration endorsed to advance scientific ocean drilling

The Global Declaration of Commitment for Scientific Ocean Drilling aims to promote global cooperation and collaboration in ocean science. The declaration sets out core principles for transparent access to data and samples, inclusive participation, environmental responsibility, and alignment with the UN SDGs.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·DateJun 6, 2025

Under the Pacific Ocean, ancient sediment reveals Earth’s history

Researchers uncover valuable insights into past climate scenarios and marine ecosystems through ancient sediment cores. The study highlights the need for more data to improve future climate models and transform our understanding of Earth's complex life systems.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 6, 2025

“Understanding the Ocean Below the Seafloor”: ECORD event on scientific ocean drilling at UNOC 2025

The ECORD event will explore the importance of scientific ocean drilling in understanding Earth's systems and addressing environmental challenges. Key findings include the establishment of the new International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) and its potential impact on global scientific cooperation.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·DateMay 30, 2025
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Scientists use fossils to assess the health of Florida’s largest remaining seagrass bed. Surprisingly, it’s doing well!

A new study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series reveals that seagrass ecosystems along Florida's Nature Coast have remained relatively healthy over the last several thousand years. The research, conducted by conservation paleobiologists, used fossilized mollusk shells to infer ecosystem health and found that these communities a...

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateMay 15, 2025

Timing is everything

A global program called TIMES aims to synchronize age models for geological climate records, enabling the study of past warm climate stages and their impact on future climate pathways. The project is crucial for understanding the Earth's climate dynamics and obtaining reliable information about past climate events.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·DateFeb 6, 2025

New study charts how Earth’s global temperature has drastically changed over the past 485 million years, driven by carbon dioxide

A new study reveals that Earth's surface temperature has varied more greatly over the past 485 million years than previously thought. The study, co-led by the Smithsonian and University of Arizona, confirms that carbon dioxide is strongly correlated with global temperatures across geological time.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateSep 19, 2024

Land-sea “tag-team” devastated ocean life millions of years ago reveal scientists

A team of researchers discovered that a 'tag-team' between the oceans and continents led to severe environmental crises, causing mass extinctions of marine species. The study found that chemical weathering pulses disrupted the oceans, leading to anoxic events that had profound impacts on marine ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 29, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

UMA scientists find a natural quicksand trap dated to more than one million years ago in the ‘elephant graveyard’ of Orce

Scientists at the University of Malaga have uncovered a natural quicksand trap in the 'elephant graveyard' of Orce, dated to over 1.4 million years ago. The discovery provides insights into human presence in Western Europe and competition with large carrion hyenas for meat resources.

SourceUniversity of Malaga·JournalJournal of Iberian Geology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

The Gulf Stream is wind-powered and could weaken from climate change

A new study led by UCL researchers found that the Gulf Stream was stronger during the last ice age due to more powerful winds across the subtropical North Atlantic. If climate change causes a reduction in these winds, the Gulf Stream could weaken, potentially cooling Europe and causing higher sea levels in North America.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2024

Historic iceberg surges offer insights on modern climate change

A study by Yuxin Zhou of UC Santa Barbara's Department of Earth Science found that Greenland's ice sheet retreat is not sufficient to completely derail the Atlantic circulation. The AMOC will be determined by a tug-of-war between decreasing ice flux and increasing freshwater runoff, which can disrupt the ocean current.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScience·DateMay 30, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New climate record for Italy during Roman period reveals role of climate change in social crisis, pandemic disease

A newly published study provides a high-resolution climatic record for ancient Italy, revealing phases of climatic instability that overlap with periods of social and political crisis. The marine core record also shows a strong association between episodes of rapid climate change and epidemics of infectious disease.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 26, 2024

The megalodon was less mega than previously believed

A new study published in Palaeontologia Electronica shows the Megalodon was more slender than earlier studies suggested, changing our understanding of its behavior and impact on ancient ocean life. The revised model suggests a longer digestive canal, potentially leading to less predation pressure on other marine creatures.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPalaeontologia Electronica·DateJan 21, 2024

Large swings in past ocean oxygen revealed

Scientists have found evidence of past oxygen loss in the world's oceans during glacial periods, indicating that current climate change may not be permanent. The discovery was made by analyzing seafloor sediments from the past 145,000 years, which showed a build-up of cobalt during the last ice age.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeContent analysis·DateOct 11, 2023
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Apex predator of the Cambrian likely sought soft over crunchy prey

Researchers reveal that Anomalocaris canadensis was likely a speedy swimmer targeting soft prey in the open water, rather than pursuing hard-shelled creatures on the ocean floor. The study's findings contradict previous assumptions about the predator's feeding behavior and highlight the complexity of Cambrian food webs.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateJul 4, 2023

Iron-rich rocks unlock new insights into Earth’s planetary history

New research from Rice University suggests that ancient microorganisms helped cause massive volcanic events by facilitating the precipitation of minerals in banded iron formations. The study provides insight into processes that could produce habitable exoplanets and reframes scientists' understanding of Earth's early history.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 25, 2023

Earth’s first animals had particular taste in real estate

Researchers discovered that Obamus coronatus, a half-inch long Ediacaran animal, preferred to live on specific parts of the sea floor in the company of other Obamus. This finding shows that even without modern descendants, ancient animals could exhibit sophisticated behavior and habitat selection.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPaleobiology·DateMay 9, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Climate warming reduces organic carbon burial beneath oceans

A new study reveals that climate warming can reduce the burial of organic carbon beneath the ocean, leading to increased atmospheric carbon release. Researchers analyzed over 50 years of seafloor sediment cores, finding a significant decrease in organic carbon burial during certain periods, particularly during the mid-Miocene era.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 4, 2023

Fossil-sorting robots will help researchers study oceans, climate

Researchers have developed a robot capable of sorting, manipulating, and identifying microscopic marine fossils. Forabot uses robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the tedious process of evaluating foram shells and fossils.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalGeochemistry Geophysics Geosystems·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2022

The future of marine biodiversity under global warming

A recent study by researchers at MARUM and ICBM found that plankton communities have migrated to higher latitudes since the last ice age, leading to the formation of new species assemblages. These changes occurred even after ocean temperatures stabilized, suggesting a non-uniform response to global warming.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateOct 11, 2022
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Hot on the trail of the causes of rapid ice sheet instabilities in climate history

A new study reveals that subsurface ocean warming in the subpolar North Atlantic caused Heinrich Events, which led to ice sheet instability and disruption of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The warming facilitated melting of polar ice sheets from below, resulting in accelerated shedding of icebergs.

SourceMARUM - Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 26, 2022

Research shows how Gulf of Mexico escaped ancient mass extinction

Research by University of Texas Institute for Geophysics reveals how ancient global warming affected the Gulf of Mexico's marine life and chemistry. The study found that radiolarians thrived in the Gulf due to nutrient-rich river sediments, providing valuable lessons about current climate change.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalMarine and Petroleum Geology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 1, 2022
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Huge new ichthyosaur, one of the largest animals ever, uncovered high in the Alps

Paleontologists discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs, including the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The discovery includes a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe, rivaling the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·TypeObservational study·DateApr 28, 2022

Cooler waters created super-sized Megalodon, latest study shows

A recent study reveals that Megalodon's body size was influenced by water temperature, with individuals growing larger in cooler waters. The research suggests that Bergmann's rule may have played a role in the shark's gigantism.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHistorical Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 6, 2022

Latest study reveals no one still knows what the Megalodon really looked like

A new study by DePaul University researchers has found that all previously proposed body forms of the Megalodon shark are based on speculations. The lack of scientific evidence means that the public image of a massive, monstrous shark remains unchanged, while paleontologists continue to search for clues in the fossil record.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalHistorical Biology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 6, 2022

Why did ocean productivity decline abruptly 4.6 million years ago?

Researchers from Uppsala University found that ocean productivity declined rapidly 4.6 million years ago in tropical regions, likely caused by reduced East Asian monsoon intensity and decreased riverine nutrient supply, coinciding with changes in the Earth's orbit.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 18, 2022

When variations in Earth's orbit drive biological evolution

Scientists found that variations in Earth's orbit drive cycles of higher and lower diversity in coccolithophore size and shape, with rhythms of 100 and 400 thousand years. This influence may have played a role in ancient climates and climate variations during past warm periods.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature·DateDec 1, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Expert comment: How studying fossilized parasites can contribute to knowledge of infectious diseases

Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 8, 2021

Why extinctions ran amok in ancient oceans, and why they slowed down

A new Stanford University study suggests that rising oxygen levels may have slowed down ancient ocean extinctions. The research found that oxygen levels beyond 40% of present atmospheric levels expanded viable ocean habitat and reduced extinction rates. This discovery has implications for understanding the fate of ocean creatures in to...

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 4, 2021

Major ocean current could warm greatly, new study reveals

A new study reconstructed the Kuroshio Current Extension's past behavior, finding it was sensitive to global climate change during the Pliocene era. The current's sensitivity to CO2 levels is a concern for its potential impact on ecosystems, weather patterns, and regional climates.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPaleoceanography and Paleoclimatology·DateSep 28, 2021

Volcanism drove rapid ocean deoxygenation during the time of the dinosaurs

Research from UBC and HKU Earth scientists reveals that massive volcanism played a key role in triggering oceanic anoxia, with CO2-induced environmental warming creating 'dead zones' over short timescales. The findings provide important insights into the sensitivity of the Earth system to global biogeochemical cycles and marine biology.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalGeology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.