Dynamic Skeletal Structure of Coral

Coral reefs have received increased attention due to the fear global warming will decimate this fragile ecosystem. Currently, the skeletal shape of coral, such as branching, is used to distinguish one species from another. In 2009, an article published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, proved this method to be inaccurate. Instead, the skeletal shape of reef building coral may change due to divergent evolution or reproductive isolation. Being able to distinguish between two species is crucial for scientists. Marine biologists strive to learn which species may coexist and possibility interbreed, as they may apply this knowledge to rebuilding coral reefs. In response to this dilemma, researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology carried out molecular studies to further understand biodiversity as well as the evolution of coral. With the reef building coral genus Porites, receiving the most attention. By using genetic markers, it was determined some corals which appeared to be phenotypically different were nearly genetically identical. Team leader Zac Forsman, hopes this novel research will recognize the loss of coral life and conserve its biodiversity.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223221343.htm

Iron rich soil in Australia plays a part in the growth of destructive Algal blooms

Australians are well aware of how algal blooms negatively effect their economy. Many scientists are studying how Australia's iron rich soil contributes to the growth of this foul smelling, fish killing algae. It is known that iron is a factor in the growth of these algal blooms, but the mechanism is not entirely understood. Scientists are approaching this question with a team of microbiologists, geochemists, and hydrologists using each of their fields to understand the growth of the destructive algae. Microbiologists are studying two types of bacteria in the water that feed on iron. One type of bacteria changes the iron into a dissolved state and the other oxidizes the iron into an insoluble form that can settle on the bottom of a creek. The oxidizing bacteria seems to make the iron less available as a contributor to the algal blooms. The two bacteria usually balance each other, but sometimes this balance is upset. This is still under investigation. Geologists are studying the iron content in the soil in search for possible mechanisms that contribute to algal growth. Hydrologists are studying the water flow to figure out how the iron gets from the soil into the water and the chemical reactions that take place when the soil hits the water. The efforts to understand the mechanism behind algal growth and how iron rich soil contributes to it may help improve Australia's economy as well as aquatic life.


Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100128101855.htm

Shark repellent

If you're a shark freak like me, you have already seen the movie Jaws. You have probably also heard that the best way to fend off a shark is to "punch it on the nose". But if you think like me, you also believe that by the time the shark is close enough to punch, you're probably already dead. That got me to thinking, "But what if there is a way to keep sharks away from you altogether?"


I knew that sharks can "zero in" on their prey by sensing electrical currents. I figured that meant that maybe, if you can mess with that process, you can drive them away instead of allowing them to get closer. I started my search with these things in mind.

Well, it turns out there is a way...but it isn't quite what I had in mind.

Eric Stroud and Robert Brill, a scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, has come up with a disk that emits electric volts, repelling sharks. But, Brill says, "This alloy is not meant to protect humans from sharks, this is meant to protect sharks from humans." More specifically, it is designed to be attached to fishing gear to repel sharks, leaving only game fish such as tuna and swordfish on the lines. (Statistics show that 4.3 people die of unprovoked shark attacks on average each year, while humans kills an estimated 73 million sharks each year.)

The half-dollar-sized metal alloy reacts with saltwater to let off a 60 cm radius of 1.2 to 1.5 volts of electricity for up to 72 hours. So far, it has been shown to reduce shark by-catch by 64%.

The disk is very effective because the ampullae of Lorenzini on a shark's nose are extremely sensitive. "The shark was expecting the electrical impulse from a heart beat," Stroud says, "and we are giving it eight or nine times what it was expecting. It's like shining a flashlight into their eyes."

However, Bill also notes that the device does have drawbacks.

• It works best on solitary and slow-moving species such as the sand bar shark. It won't be much use against a high-speed, visual predator like a great white shark.
• Effectiveness also decreases as the number of sharks around that area goes up.

But just because it wasn't designed for personal use doesn't stop a few people.
"We don't advocate personal use," said Stroud, "but people do buy them online and modify them for personal use."

Well, that's what I would use it for.

For the original article, click here.

Blue Crabs and the Possible Reasons Populations are Declining

The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, population is declining because of different pathogens such as viruses and bacteria which are limiting their metabolic processes.

Tests have been formulated to be run using NMR spectroscopy to test the effects of different bacteria and chemicals on the ability of crabs to take up oxygen. These bacteria and specific chemicals were injected into the crabs in order to determine what the effect(s) would be.

Based on these experiments, it was determined that these bacteria and chemicals have an effect on the oxygen uptake of the blue crabs. The NMR tests are useful because some of these pathogens have subtle effects and are not easily detected by normal anylsis procedures. The NMR spectroscopy helps to be able to more easily detect these metabolic effects.

Photo courtesy of the Science Daily website.

The website that I used to obtain this information is listed below as well as the site for the full report that it was adapted from.

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100126175917.htm
• http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=hp25084063qn7010&size=largest

Old Theory rejected by Modern Science

It was hypothesized that life in the ocean originated from "primordial soup", which was a mixture of organic compounds which fermented and the cells germinated. The fermentation process provided the ATP energy needed for growth. This theory has been accepted for many years, but scientists are now taking a second look.

Current research has proven that this hypothesis is not possible at all. The current thinking is cells harnessed geothermal energy from gasses leaking from the earth's crust. The geothermal energy provided an energy gradient for harnessing ATP.

Because of energy constraints on the earliest forms of life the energy must have been harvested through chemiosmosis, because sufficient ATP cannot be made during fermentation.

New Research Rejects 80-Year Theory of 'Primordial Soup' as the Origin of Life

The meaning of Biodiversity

Tom Zeller Jr. published an article in the New York Times in the Global Business section on January 31, 2010, where he discussed the current topic of biodiversity and the failed efforts in protecting biodiversity. The year 2010 is the Internaitonal Year of Biodiversity whcih many people do not know this, as well as myself. Most people do not even understand what the word means or have not ever heard the word before. There is a lot of evidence that shows how society is losing it's connection with the natural world by not being able to recognize different organisms all around their enviromnment such as beetles and certain trees. According to Ahmed Djoghalf who is the executive secretary of the Convention of Biological Diversity, understanding biodiversity can have positive affects on our world such as "medical discoveries, economic development, and adjusting to new challenges as climate change." Djoghlaf and his team are trying to find achieveable goals for the nation in fixing the "significant reduction" in biodiversity loss. In the end, a continueds loss of biodiversity will lead to major consequences for our planet and how it works, but only us as humans can make a change in fixing this problem.




Reading the full article will show how Ahmed Djoghlaf and his team are planning to achieve their current goals for the nation on saving biodiversity and show efforts that other environmentalists are taking to fix the biodiversity problem.

• Failed Efforts in Protecting Biodiversity
  

Gaint Squids off the coast of Orange County, California

Starting on Friday, January 29th the elusive Humboldt squid invaded the waters off the coast of Newport Beach.

Dosidicus gigas or the Jumbo squid is a very aggressive squid that hunt in packs of up to 1,200 according to the national zoo's website. Around 400 of the squid have been caught by fishermen.

Also according to the Smithsonian's web page on the species it is speculated that over fishing of the squid's predators has lead to its ability to increase the area in which they live and hunt.



The squids currently in the waters of Orange County range from 40 to 60 lbs, but some have been weighed in at 90lbs. The species can grow up to 6ft, and weight up to around 100lbs.

The only impact so far of the appearance of the squids has been to increase tourism in the area, and sport fishing.

The cause of the sudden appearance is unknown.


Photo from the Associated press

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Invertebrates/Facts/cephalopods/FactSheets/Humboldtsquid.cfm
http://sciencedude.freedomblogging.com/2010/01/31/fishing-frenzy-grows-over-feisty-squid/84187/