News Feature Channel: Marine Science

Elephant Seal Colony Declines One Year After Avian Flu Outbreak

Wildlife Conservation Society — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:15:58 EST

The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Peninsula Valdes, Argentina--but it's quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000 elephant seals, including about 97% of their pups, scientists estimate that only about a third of the elephant seals normally expected here returned.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution names Diane Foster Vice President for Academic Programs and Dean

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:00:27 EST

Foster comes to WHOI after an extensive national search and brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

Study Reveals Acceleration in Pacific Upper-Ocean Circulation Over Past 30 Years, Impacting Global Weather Patterns

University of Miami — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:45:58 EST

A critical ocean layer for El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics.

Multi-Omics: Effective and Efficient Tools in Nanoplastic Toxicity Research

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:20:41 EST

A pivotal study has unveiled the deep-reaching molecular effects of nanoplastics on aquatic organisms, underscoring the pressing need to unravel their toxicity pathways. Using advanced multi-omics analysis, the research highlights how nanoplastics interact at the cellular level across various species, presenting a critical call to understand these interactions to safeguard ecosystem health.

Researchers, U.S. Military Install Concrete Modules With Self-Healing Oyster Reef Structure In Florida Panhandle Bay To Protect Base

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 13:30:35 EST

U.S. Air Force officials installed a new kind of structure in the waters of St. Andrew Bay on the shore of the Tyndall U.S. Air Force Base in Northwest Florida on Oct. 30 - the first section of a Rutgers University-designed "self-healing" reef made of custom-designed concrete modules and living oysters. The reef is designed to protect the base and its people from hurricanes and tidal surges.

WHOI and Brazil-Based NGO Partner to Save West Indian Manatee

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:05:38 EST

A new study shines light on the role of currents in marine mammal conservation

Grassroots Movement Protects 200 km² of Puerto Rico's Ocean Ecosystems

Wildlife Conservation Society — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:40:48 EST

After 16 years of grassroots efforts, local communities in northern Puerto Rico are celebrating the creation of a new marine protected area (MPA) - Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manati.

FAU Awarded DOE Grant to Test Ocean Current Energy Offshore Palm Beach County

Florida Atlantic University — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:30:55 EST

FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance ocean energy technologies. Collaborating with various experts and organizations, SNMREC will conduct a pioneering feasibility study for an ocean current test facility off Palm Beach County, marking a first in leveraging top marine energy expertise. The project's end goal is to improve the nation's competitiveness in marine energy technology, encourage domestic manufacturing, and create jobs while helping to achieve the nation's energy goals.

Weddell Seals in the Antarctic Strategically Time Their Most Extreme Dives to Maximize Foraging

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:10:37 EST

New research from WHOI and partners sheds light on a novel dive foraging strategy.

Giant Clam Declared Critically Endangered After the Latest Assessment

University of Colorado Boulder — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:10:44 EST

Once abundant, the massive, colorful clam is now locally extinct in many regions, with a critical drop in population due to overfishing and climate change.

GCOOS Fall Meeting Features Updates on the Gulf's Ocean Observing Community

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System-Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:35:14 EST

The Fall Members' Meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System -- taking place virtually -- will feature updates from the U.S. IOOS, information on new projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Gulf's high-frequency radar system and more.

Tire-Wear Particles Pose Health Risks to Aquatic Organisms

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:40:01 EST

A recent study highlights the hepatotoxicity of tire-wear particle (TWP) leachates in aquatic environments, impacting gut-liver axis and inducing oxidative damage. The findings suggest potential health risks for aquatic organisms.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Researchers Use the Sounds of Healthy Coral Reefs to Encourage Growth of a New Species of Coral Larvae

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:50:24 EST

Using successful techniques from an earlier study, acoustic enrichment continues to show promise

Ocean Pavilion Partners Release COP29 Baku Ocean Declaration in Advance of UN Climate Conference

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:00:24 EST

Declaration calls for renewed focus on global ocean observations to support goals of the climate, biodiversity, and desertification efforts worldwide

Century-old Ocean University: Innovation and Achievements in Ocean Engineering

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:10:47 EST

China Ocean University is a comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education, with a complete range of disciplines and distinctive marine and fisheries disciplines. It is a key university constructed under the "211 Project" and "985 Project", and was selected as a "World-Class University Construction University" (Class A) by the state in 2017. The university's motto is " Ocean Embraces Streams All and Exploring Promises Reaching Far". The university was founded in 1924 and was renamed China Ocean University in 2002.

New Tools Unveil the Role of Actinobacteria in Freshwater Ecosystems

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 09:40:46 EST

Scientists at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) have developed genetic engineering tools to better understand the role of actinobacteria in freshwater environments. Their findings are published in the paper "Genome Editing in Ubiquitous Freshwater Actinobacteria," featured in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (AEM).

The Ocean Pavilion Returns to International Climate Conference for a Third Year

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 12:00:09 EST

Leading science institutions and partners will make the case for greater inclusion of the ocean at COP29

Identifying the Genes That Viruses 'Steal' From Ocean Microbes

Ohio State University — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:10:58 EST

A new study gets scientists closer to more fully understanding where viruses fit into the global ocean picture of cycling nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and, of particular interest, carbon.

WHOI Scientists Discover Fastest Degrading Bioplastic in Seawater

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:10:00 EST

After years of testing, a new version of CDA was found to be the fastest degrading bioplastic material tested in seawater--and it's a promising replacement for other foam plastic materials, like Styrofoam, which can linger in the environment for many years.

Two Rescued Southern Sea Otters Make Public Debut at the New York Aquarium

Wildlife Conservation Society — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:00:11 EST

Two female southern sea otters are debuting at the New York Aquarium.