Add BrightSurf on Google Email

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

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

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

Global warming may be delayed by increase in ocean silica

Boston College scientist Kevin G. Harrison proposes the Silica Hypothesis, which suggests that increasing ocean silica levels can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing global warming. This mechanism may be responsible for decreased atmospheric CO2 levels during glacial times and could be relevant to today's climate change.

SourceBoston College·JournalPaleoceanography·DateJun 18, 2000