Oceanography

Many fish species survive by eating tiny zooplankton that drift over the reef. Studies have shown that these fishes can have a measurable effect on the numbers of zooplankton on the downstream side of the reef. Photo credit: NOAA's Coral Kingdom Collection, Bonaire 2008: Exploring Coral Reef Sustainability with New Technologies.; NOAA/OAR/OER

Zooplankton Make Mini-Migrations All Day Long

August 30, 2021August 23, 2021 Science Connectedphytoplankton, zooplankton

Every night, tiny animals called zooplankton migrate from the deep sea to the surface. Just before sunrise, they return to the ocean depths. Why?

Ecology Environment Oceanography

Tracing the Origins of Ocean Garbage Patches

April 5, 2021June 8, 2021 Science Connectedplastic in ocean, plastic pollution

Where do garbage patches come from, what garbage is in them, how do they form, and how can we clean them up once and for all?

Ecology Environment Marine and Freshwater Biology Oceanography

Plankton Predict Red Sea Fishing Success

March 30, 2021September 2, 2021 Science Connectedfishing, oceans, phytoplankton

Phytoplankton blooms hold the key to setting sustainable and fair fishing quotas each year—a win-win situation for the economy and the ecosystem.

Marine and Freshwater Biology Oceanography Zoology

Abundant Life Found on Deep Sea Mountains

January 11, 2021May 24, 2021 Science ConnectedDeep sea

Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa show us what ocean life is like atop a deep sea mountain.

Environment Oceanography

Ocean Plastic Mounts Despite Cleanups

August 25, 2020April 24, 2021 Science Connectedocean plastic, pollution

Ocean plastic is accumulating rapidly, but reducing plastic waste and improving surface cleanup technology can make a difference in the future.

Sea turtle photographed by Lorianne DiSabato at the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Environment Oceanography Zoology

To Sea Turtles, Ocean Plastic Smells Like Food

April 8, 2020April 8, 2020 Science Connectedanimal behavior, ocean plastic, pollution, sea turtles

Sea turtles may eat plastic found in the ocean because it builds up a layer of microorganisms and smells the same as their food, a new study finds.

Diversity in Science Engineering Health Mathematics Oceanography

Our Diverse Scientific Superstars

March 30, 2020March 25, 2020 Science Connecteddiversity, Women in STEM

From Computer Science to Engineering, women continue making waves with their accomplishments. meet more diverse scientific superstars.

A disco clam shows off it's bright red tissue and flashing display. Lindsey Dougherty, University of Colorado at Boulder

Biology Oceanography

Disco Clam, Colorful Mystery

January 2, 2020January 3, 2020 Science Connectedcoral reef

By Neha Jain (@lifesciexplore) Dazzling bright-red tentacles first lured Lindsey Dougherty to the study of disco clams, which are found in coral reefs in the tropical waters off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. In a recent study, Dougherty’s research team found that the disco clam’s colorful tissues are noxious (unpleasant or distasteful) and are involved in its chemical defense against one of its predators. This is the first study to demonstrate that bivalve tissues can chemically deter predators. Most bivalves, such as clams, mussels, and oysters, are dull in…

Marine and Freshwater Biology Oceanography

Marine Mammals Need a Voice in the Fishing Industry

October 28, 2019April 5, 2021 Science Connectedfishing, marine mammals, oceans, seafood, whale

Marine mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, and whales are often injured or killed by commercial fishing. New policies are needed to reduce the harm. By Neha Jain (@lifesciexplore) You might feel satisfied with your consumer choice after buying fish with a “dolphin-friendly” label. But you might want to look closer. It is likely that your tuna fishery is not actually friendly to dolphins, because most “sustainable” fishing labels do not consider the welfare of marine mammals, an issue that has long been neglected from fishing policies. The well-being of marine…

Environment Oceanography Paleontology

The Forgotten Mass Extinction

October 14, 2019October 11, 2019 Science Connectedbiodiversity, biology, ecosystem, mass extinction

By Jacqueline Mattos (@mattosjacq) Yes, we are in a mass extinction event Recent research has spotted a new major mass extinction, termed the “end-Guadalupian (259.8 Ma),” according to a scientific paper in the journal Historical Biology. Previously, scientists knew of only five mass extinctions in the history of Earth: the end-Ordovician (443.8 Ma), the Late Devonian (372.2 Ma), the end-Permian (251.9 Ma), the end-Triassic (201.4 Ma), and the end-Cretaceous (66 Ma). Our current biodiversity crisis has been called the sixth mass extinction, but with these new findings it will probably…