Oceanography

Dolphins at sunset along the Indian River Lagoon (Photo courtesy of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University)

Dolphins and Their Social Networks

May 7, 2015September 2, 2015 Science Connectedanimals, aquaculture, biology, earth science, freshwater biology, veterinary science, zoology

By Kate S. They don’t have Twitter accounts, but dolphins are able to form highly complex and dynamic networks of friends, according to a recent study by scientists at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University. Indian River Lagoon Dolphins Dolphins are known for being highly social animals, so the research team took a closer look at the interactions between bottlenose dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon and discovered how they mingle and with whom they spend their time. The Indian River Lagoon is a narrow 156-mile long…

Numerous distinct methane streams emanating from the seafloor at an upper slope (< 500 m water depth) cold seep site, offshore Virginia. (Photo courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition)

Biology Climate Change Oceanography

Methane-Munching Microbes Limit Global Warming

March 17, 2015May 24, 2021 Science Connectedclimate change, microbiology

Holes in the sea floor release methane gas. Microorganisms that live near the holes protect our air by eating 75 percent of the methane.

Bluefin Tuna at the Hopkins Marine Station, Monterey Bay Aquarium in California (©Monterey Bay Aquarium/Randy Wilder)

Biology Oceanography Zoology

Tuna Stay Warm with Cold Hearts

February 9, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedaquaculture, fish, marine biology

The heart of a bluefin tuna keeps pumping during extreme temperature changes that would stop a human heart, according to a joint team of scientists from the University of Manchester and Stanford University. Pacific bluefin tuna are top predators renowned for their epic migrations across the Pacific Ocean. They are also unique amongst bony fish as they are warm bodied (endothermic) and can raise their core body temperature to 20°C above that of the surrounding water. They can also dive down into much colder water 1000 meters or more below…

Biofuel: Inforgraphic courtesy of Eric Taylor, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Biology Engineering Environment Oceanography

Fish Food Turned into Two New Biofuels

January 29, 2015September 4, 2015 Science Connectedalternative energy, biofuel, chemistry, energy, materials engineering

By Kate S. A common algae commercially grown to make fish food could become a future source of biofuel, according to a new study. The research team, led by Greg O’Neil of Western Washington University and Chris Reddy of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has pioneered a technique that uses a single species of algae called Isochrysis to make both biodiesel and jet fuel. The scientists believe that the ability to produce two types of biofuel from one algae holds some promise for future commercialization. They stress that this is only…