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Jupiter's moons could be warming each other

Researchers discovered that moon-moon interactions may be responsible for more tidal heating than Jupiter alone, potentially leading to the melting of ice or rock internally. The study suggests that tidal resonance occurs when tides generated by other objects in the system match a moon's resonant frequency, resulting in increased heating.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 10, 2020

Microplastic hotspots

Researchers discovered a substantial concentration of microplastics in the Delaware Bay, accumulating in hotspots driven by tidal, wind, and buoyancy variations. The study used field sampling and modeling to simulate microplastic distribution and found high concentrations near salinity fronts where surface currents converge.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 3, 2020

Strange new species of duck-billed dinosaur identified

A new species of primitive hadrosaurid, Aquilarhinus palimentus, has been identified from a complete skull found in Big Bend National Park, Texas. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of duck-billed dinosaur snouts and suggests that there may have been multiple lineages before the main radiation of hadrosaurids.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·DateJul 15, 2019

Exploiting green tides thanks to a marine bacterium

Scientists have identified a marine bacterium that can break down the polysaccharide ulvan from sea lettuce into fermentable monosaccharides. This discovery opens up new possibilities for biotechnological exploitation of ulvan, particularly in the agrifood and cosmetics industries.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 8, 2019

Solved: How tides can trigger earthquakes

Researchers discovered that tidal fluctuations cause the magma chamber to expand, forcing the lower block of earth to slide up the fault, resulting in earthquakes. Even small stresses can trigger tremors, making it difficult to predict when an earthquake will occur.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2019

Tulane study says seas may be rising faster than thought

A new Tulane University study questions the reliability of sea-level rise measurement in low-lying coastal areas, suggesting higher rates of relative sea-level rise due to subsidence. The research, published in Ocean Science, calls for a rethinking of how sea-level rise is measured in rapidly subsiding coastal lowlands.

SourceTulane University·JournalOcean Science·DateJan 30, 2019

Cautious prawns win battle for food

Research by University of Exeter scientists found that cautious rockpool prawns are better at controlling a limited resource than bolder counterparts. This may be due to their risk-averse strategy, which involves staying near a food source rather than exploring new areas and risking competition with stronger rivals.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateJun 1, 2018

UNH research finds dramatic increase in flooding on coastal roads

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found a dramatic increase in flooding on coastal roads along the East Coast, with 90 percent more frequent high tide floods occurring over the past 20 years. The study estimates that tidal nuisance flooding will cause over 3.4 billion hours of delays by 2100.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateMar 28, 2018