Light Reading

Happy Friday! This week's light reading includes electric eels, king penguins, and whale poop. Enjoy!

Declines in whales, fish, seabirds and large animals disrupt Earth's nutrient cycle
University of Vermont. Science Daily (26 October 2015)

Distressed damsel fish cry for help
ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies. Science Daily (27 October 2015)

El Niño forces king penguins to swim 130km further for fish
Olive Heffernan. New Scientist (27 October 2015)

Electric eels curl up to double their voltage
David Shultz. Science (28 October 2015)

Harmful algal blooms and climate change: Preparing to forecast the future
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. Science Daily (26 October 2015)

Marine reserves will need stepping stones to help fish disperse between them
Boston University. Science Daily (27 October 2015)

Ocean’s hidden green plankton revealed by fixing glitch in model
Michael Slezak. New Scientist (26 October 2015)

Only four percent of the ocean is protected, research shows
University of British Columbia. Science Daily (26 October 2014)

Scientists finally reveal mysterious migration of American eels
Sid Perkins. Science (27 October 2015)

When whales disappear, so does their ecosystem-sustaining poop
Emily DeMarco. Science (26 October 2015)

Of course, it wouldn't be a light reading post without some non-marine science related articles.

Even giant mammoths weren’t safe from prehistoric predators
Viviane Callier. Science (26 October 2015)

First cancer-fighting virus approved
Heidi Ledford. Nature (28 October 2015)

How to make the most of carbon dioxide
XiaoZhi Lim. Nature (28 October 2015)

Swarms of pumpkin-like robots could explore and map the oceans
Anna Nowogrodzki. New Scientist (28 October 2015)

Journal of the Week: Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology focuses on the science and practice of conserving Earth's biological diversity. Topics covered include anything relating to the conservation of Earth's ecosystems or geographic regions, with priority given to papers with relevance to conservation that transcend the particular ecosystem, species, or situation described.

Some interesting articles published so far this year include:

Candan U. Soykan and Rebecca L. Lewison (2015) Using community-level metrics to monitor the effects of marine protected areas on biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Volume 29, Issue 3,  775–783 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Ellen C. Garland, Anne W. Goldizen, Matthew S. Lilley, Melinda L. Rekdahl, Claire Garrigue, Rochelle Constantine, Nan Daeschler Hauser, M. Michael Poole, Jooke Robbins and Michael J. Noad (2015) Population structure of humpback whales in the western and central South Pacific Ocean as determined by vocal exchange among populations, Conservation Biology, Volume 29, Issue 4, 1198–1207 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Georgina G. Gurney, Robert L. Pressey, Natalie C. Ban, Jorge G. Álvarez-Romero, Stacy Jupiter and Vanessa M. Adams (2015) Efficient and equitable design of marine protected areas in Fiji through inclusion of stakeholder-specific objectives in conservation planning, Conservation Biology, Volume 29, Issue 5, 1378–1389 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Kristin L. Laidre, Harry Stern, Kit M. Kovacs, Lloyd Lowry, Sue E. Moore, Eric V. Regehr, Steven H. Ferguson, Øystein Wiig, Peter Boveng, Robyn P. Angliss, Erik W. Born, Dennis Litovka, Lori Quakenbush, Christian Lydersen, Dag Vongraven and Fernando Ugarte (2015) Arctic marine mammal population status, sea ice habitat loss, and conservation recommendations for the 21st century, Conservation Biology, Volume 29, Issue 3, 724–737 Link to Abstract/Full Text

P.R. Sutcliffe, C.J. Klein, C.R. Pitcher and H.P. Possingham (2015) The effectiveness of marine reserve systems constructed using different surrogates of biodiversity, Conservation Biology, Volume 29, Issue 3, 657–667 Link to Abstract/Full Text

The most recent issue of this journal is Volume 29, Issue 5, published in October 2015. AIMS staff interested in reading more or browsing the journal can click here. As the AIMS Library is currently subscribed to Conservation Biology, staff should be able to access the full text of all articles. 

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Light Reading

A little late today, but here are your weekly light reading articles! Enjoy.

Climate cycles didn’t shape ocean’s abyssal hills
Carolyn Gramling. Science (15 October 2015)

Cuba forges links with United States to save sharks
Jeff Tollefson. Nature (21 October 2015)

How do marine mollusks process food without teeth?
AVS: Science & Technology of Materials, Interfaces, and Processing. Science Daily (19 October 2015)

Lathering up with sunscreen may protect against cancer -- killing coral reefs worldwide
University of Central Florida. Science Daily (20 October 2015)

New species of giant tortoise brings Galapagos tally to eleven
Henry Nicholls. New Scientist (21 October 2015)

Ocean heat content reveals secrets of fish migration behaviors
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, Science Daily (21 October 2015)

Scientists find some thrive in acid seas
James Cook University. Science Daily (20 October 2015)

Unmanned hexacopter monitors health of endangered Southern Resident killer whales
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. Science Daily (21 October 2015)

Video: Giant guitarfish eye gymnastics
Emily DeMarco. Science (16 October 2015)

When the water gets too hot, this fish heads to shore
Sid Perkins. Science (20 October 2015)

And, as usual, a couple of non-marine related articles:

Antiaging protein is the real deal, Harvard team claims
Jocelyn Kaiser. Science (21 October 2015)

Hunting the Godzilla El Niño
Quirin Schiermeier. Nature (20 October 2015)

Man gets seizures from sudoku
Nala Rogers. Science (19 October 2015)

AIMS Publications: October 2015

There are a few new articles from AIMS staff and students being published this month:

Adrian Lutz, Jean-Baptiste Raina, Cherie A. Motti, David J. Miller, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen (2015) Host Coenzyme Q Redox State Is an Early Biomarker of Thermal Stress in the Coral Acropora millepora, PLoS ONE, Volume 10, Issue 10, e0139290 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Christopher J. Thomas, Tom C.L. Bridge, Joana Figueiredo, Eric Deleersnijder and Emmanuel Hanert (2015) Connectivity between submerged and near-sea-surface coral reefs: can submerged reef populations act as refuges? Diversity and Distributions, Volume 21, Issue 10, 1254–1266 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jeroen A. J. M. van de Water, William Leggat, David G. Bourne, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Bette L. Willis, Tracy D. Ainsworth (2015) Elevated seawater temperatures have a limited impact on the coral immune response following physical damage, Hydrobiologia, Volume 759, Issue 1, 201-214 Link to Abstract/Full Text

AIMS authors are indicated in bold. Anyone interested in seeing more publications from AIMS staff dating back to 1974 can browse the AIMS Publications page (a link can also be found in the right hand sidebar of this blog).

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Journal of the Week: Ecology

Ecology, as the name suggests, focuses on research in basic and applied ecology. Published monthly by the Ecological Society of America (ESA), it includes articles on evolutionary, population, physiological, community, and ecosystem ecology, as well as paleoecology and biogeochemistry.

Some interesting articles published so far this year include:

Alastair M. M. Baylis, Rachael A. Orben, John P. Y. Arnould, Fredrik Christiansen, Graeme C. Hays, and Iain J. Staniland (2015) Disentangling the cause of a catastrophic population decline in a large marine mammal, Ecology Volume 96, Issue 10, 2834–2847 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Brian C. Hong and Jonathan B. Shurin (2015) Latitudinal variation in the response of tidepool copepods to mean and daily range in temperature,  Ecology, Volume 96, Issue 9, 2348–2359 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Joleah B. Lamb, David H. Williamson, Garry R. Russ, and Bette L. Willis (2015) Protected areas mitigate diseases of reef-building corals by reducing damage from fishing, Ecology, Volume 96, Issue 9, 2555–2567 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Neil Hammerschlag, Annette C. Broderick, John W. Coker, Michael S. Coyne, Mark Dodd, Michael G. Frick, Matthew H. Godfrey, Brendan J. Godley, DuBose B. Griffin, Kyra Hartog, Sally R. Murphy, Thomas M. Murphy, Emily Rose Nelson, Kristina L. Williams, Matthew J. Witt, and Lucy A. Hawkes (2015) Evaluating the landscape of fear between apex predatory sharks and mobile sea turtles across a large dynamic seascape, Ecology, Volume 96, Issue 8, 2117–2126 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Peter A. H. Westley, Andrew H. Dittman, Eric J. Ward, and Thomas P. Quinn (2015) Signals of climate, conspecific density, and watershed features in patterns of homing and dispersal by Pacific salmon, Ecology, Volume 96, Issue 10, 2823–2833 Link to Abstract/Full Text

The most recent issue of this journal is Volume 96, Issue 10, published in October 2015. AIMS staff interested in reading more or browsing the journal can click here. As the AIMS Library is currently subscribed to Ecology, staff should be able to access the full text of all articles. 

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Light Reading

Friday again! This week's articles include information on the global coral bleaching event, a look at whether fish are the greatest athletes on the planet, and the use of mathematics in marine science. 

A long look back at fishes' extendable jaws

Cell Press. Science Daily (8 October 2015)

Are fish the greatest athletes on the planet?

ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies. Science Daily (5 October 2015)

Billions of juvenile fish under the Arctic sea ice

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research. Science Daily (13 October 2015)

Global coral bleaching event: What you need to know

Michael Slezak. New Scientist (9 October 2015)

Global marine analysis suggests food chain collapse

University of Adelaide. Science Daily (12 October 2015)

Marine mathematics helps to map undiscovered deep-water coral reefs

University of Plymouth. Science Daily (13 October 2015)

Rising seas will drown mangrove forests

University of Queensland. Science Daily (14 October 2015)

Sea turtles face plastic pollution peril

University of Exeter. Science Daily (9 October 2015)

Self-regulating corals protect their skeletons against ocean acidification

ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies. Science Daily (6 October 2015)

Shhh ... To make ocean conservation work we should keep the noise down

Elsevier. Science Daily (8 October 2015)

Student collaboration leads to first results describing sick sea star immune response

University of Washington. Science Daily (7 October 2015)

What does it take to escape the water? Plankton have clues

Virginia Tech. Science Daily (14 October 2015)

For your non-marine science reading pleasure, we've listed a few articles below. 

Elephants almost never get cancer thanks to multiple gene copies

Sam Wong. New Scientist (8 October 2015)

Lab-grown guts show promise in mice and dogs

Nala Rogers. Science (14 October 2015)

Teeth from China reveal early human trek out of Africa

"Stunning" find shows that Homo sapiens reached Asia around 100,000 years ago.

Ewen Callaway. Nature (14 October 2015)

Focus On: Crown of Thorns Starfish

Crown of Thorns Starfish have been one of the leading causes of coral cover losses in the Great Barrier Reef over the past 27 years. They occur naturally on reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region, but can reach plague proportions and devastate hard coral communities when the conditions are right.

AIMS runs a major Crown-of-Thorns Starfish monitoring program on the Reef, to determine the current state of outbreaks along the Reef, which factors influence the likelihood of a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish outbreak, and how long it takes coral to recover after an outbreak. For more information on this program, visit the Monitoring Crown-of-Thorns Starfish on the Great Barrier Reef page on the AIMS website. 

All articles below are from journals that AIMS is subscribed to, and should therefore be freely accessible by AIMS staff.

Please note the publication dates on these articles as many are older articles. 

C Johnson (1992) Settlement and recruitment of Acanthatser planci on the Great Barrier Reef: questions of process and scale, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 43, Number 3, 611-627 Link to Abstract/Full Text

David W. Souter, Ann M. Cameron, R. Endean (1997) Implications of sublethal predation, autotomy and regeneration: pigment bands on their spines can not be used to determine the ages of adult specimens of the corallivore Acanthaster planci, Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 48, Number 4, 321-328 Link to Abstract/Full Text

D Fisk (1992) Short Communication: Recruitment of Acanthaster planci over a five-year period at Green Island Reef, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 43, Number 3, 629-633 Link to Abstract/Full Text

D. J. Barnes, R. W. Brauer and M. R. Jordan (1970) Field and Laboratory Observations of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci: Locomotory Response of Acanthaster planci to Various Species of Coral, Nature, Volume 228, 342–344 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Elisabetta B. Morello1, Éva E. Plagányi, Russell C. Babcock, Hugh Sweatman, Richard Hillary, André E. Punt (2014) Model to manage and reduce crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks. MEPS, Volume 512, 167-183 Link to Abstract/Full Text

E Wolanski (1993) Facts and numerical artefacts in modelling the dispersal of crown-of-thorns starfish larvae in the Great Barrier Reef, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 44, Number 3, 427-436 Link to Abstract/Full Text

G. De'ath, P.J. Moran (1998) Factors affecting the behaviour of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) on the Great Barrier Reef:: 1: Patterns of activity, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 220, Issue 1, 83-106 Link to Abstract/Full Text

G. De'ath, P.J. Moran (1998) Factors affecting the behaviour of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) on the Great Barrier Reef:: 2: Feeding preferences, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 220, Issue 1, 107-126 Link to Abstract/Full Text

JAH. Benzie, K. P. Black, P. J. Moran, and P. Dixon (1994) Small-Scale Dispersion of Eggs and Sperm of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster planci) in a Shallow Coral Reef Habitat, Biol Bull, Volume 186, 153-167 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jairo Rivera-Posada, Ciemon F. Caballes, Morgan S. Pratchett (2013) Lethal doses of oxbile, peptones and thiosulfate-citrate-bile-sucrose agar (TCBS) for Acanthaster planci; exploring alternative population control options, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 75, Issues 1–2, 133-139 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jairo Rivera-Posada, Leigh Owens, Ciemon F. Caballes, Morgan S. Pratchett (2012) The role of protein extracts in the induction of disease in Acanthaster planci, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 429, 1-6 Link to Abstract/Full Text

John K. Keesing, Andrew R. Halford, Karina C. Hall, Carina M. Cartwright (1997) Large-scale laboratory culture of the crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci (L.) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), Aquaculture, Volume 157, Issues 3–4, 215-226 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jon Brodie, Katharina Fabricius, Glenn De’ath, Ken Okaji (2005) Are increased nutrient inputs responsible for more outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish? An appraisal of the evidence, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 51, 266-278 Link to Abstract/Full Text

JP Scandol, MK James (1992) Hydrodynamics and larval dispersal: a population model of Acanthaster planci on the Great Barrier Reef, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 43, Number 3, 583-595 Link to Abstract/Full Text

J. S. Lucas and M. M. Jones (1976) Hybrid crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci x A. brevispinus) reared to maturity in the laboratory, Nature, Volume 263, 409–412 Link to Abstract/Full Text

L. G. Johnson and C. M. Cartwright (1996) Thyroxine-Accelerated Larval Development in the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci, Biol Bull, Volume 190, 299-301 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Martin J. Lourey, Daniel A. J. Ryan, Ian R. Miller (2000) Rates of decline and recovery of coral cover on reefs impacted by, recovering from and unaffected by crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci: a regional perspective of the Great Barrier Reef, MEPS, Volume 196, 179-186 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Morgan S. Pratchett (2001) Influence of coral symbionts on feeding preferences of crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster planci in the western Pacific, MEPS, Volume 214, 111-119  Link to Abstract/Full Text

Peter D. Walbran, Robert A. Henderson, A. J. Timothy Jull, and M. John Head (1989) Evidence from Sediments of Long-Term Acanthaster planci Predation on Corals of the Great Barrier Reef, Science, 847-850 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Peter J. Vine (1970) Field and Laboratory Observations of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci: Densities of Acanthaster planci in the Pacific Ocean, Nature, Volume 228, 341–342 Link to Abstract/Full Text

PJ Moran & G De'ath (1992) Suitability of the manta tow technique for estimating relative and absolute abundances of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) and corals, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research , Volume 43, Number 2, 357-379 Link to Abstract/Full Text

PJ Moran, G De'ath, VJ Baker, DK Bass, CA Christie, IR Miller, BA Miller-Smith, AA Thompson (1992) Pattern of outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci L.) along the Great Barrier Reef since 1966, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 43, Number 3, 555-567 Link to Abstract/Full Text

RC Babcock, CN Mundy (1992) Reproductive biology, spawning and field fertilization rates of Acanthatser planci, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 43, Number 3, 525-533 Link to Abstract/Full Text

R. F. G. Ormond, A. C. Campbell, S. H. Head, R. J. Moore, P. R. Rainbow & A. P. Saunders (1973) Formation and Breakdown of Aggregations of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci (L.), Nature, Volume 246, 167–169 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Richard J. Moore and Carol J. Huxley (1976) Aversive behaviour of crown-of-thorns starfish to coral evoked by food-related chemicals, Nature, Volume 263, 407–409 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Richard Kenchington (1987) Acanthaster Planci and Management of the Great Barrier Reef, Bulletin of Marine Science, Volume 41, Number 2, 552-560 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Richard Randolph Olson (1987) In situ culturing as a test of the larval starvation hypothesis for the crown-of-thoms starfish, Acanthaster planci, Limnology and Oceanography, Volume 32, Issue 4, 895–904 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Steven Victor (2008) Stability of reef framework and post settlement mortality as the structuring factor for recovery of Malakal Bay Reef, Palau, Micronesia: 25 years after a severe COTS outbreak. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, Volume 77, Issue 1, 175-180 Link to Abstract/Full Text

T. Ayukai (1996) Ingestion of Ultraplankton by the Planktonic Larvae of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci, Biol Bull, Volume 186, 90-100 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Toshiaki Teruya, Kiyotake Suenaga, Tomoyuki Koyama, Yoshikatsu Nakano, Daisuke Uemura (2001) Arachidonic acid and α-linolenic acid, feeding attractants for the crown-of-thorns sea star Acanthaster planci, from the sea urchin Toxopneustes pileolus, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Volume 266, Issue 2, 123-134 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Journal of the Week: Journal of Phycology

The Journal of Phycology is a leading international journal published by the Phycological Society of America. The journal covers all aspects of basic and applied research on algae as well as research that emphasizes algal interactions with other organisms and the roles of algae as components of natural ecosystems.

Some interesting articles published so far this year include:

Catriona L. Hurd (2015) Slow-flow habitats as refugia for coastal calcifiers from ocean acidification, Journal of Phycology, Volume 51, Issue 4, 599–605 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Jie Chen and Daniel C.O. Thornton (2015) Transparent exopolymer particle production and aggregation by a marine planktonic diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii) at different growth rates, Journal of Phycology, Volume 51, Issue 2, 381–393 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Shuang Li, Jilin Xu, Ying Jiang, Chengxu Zhou, Xuejun Yu, Yingying Zhong, Juanjuan Chen and Xiaojun Yan (2015) Lipidomic analysis can distinguish between two morphologically similar strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica, Journal of Phycology, Volume 51, Issue 2, 264–276 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Vanessa R. Marcelino and Heroen Verbruggen (2015) Ecological niche models of invasive seaweeds, Journal of Phycology, Volume 51, Issue 4, 606–620 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Wendy A. Nelson, Judith E. Sutherland, Tracy J. Farr, Darren R. Hart, Kate F. Neill, Hee Jeong Kim and Hwan Su Yoon (2015) Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of New Zealand coralline algae: Corallinapetra Novaezelandiae gen. et sp. nov. and recognition of the Hapalidiales ord. nov., Journal of Phycology, Volume 51, Issue 3, 454–468 Link to Abstract/Full Text

The most recent issue of this journal is Volume 51, Issue 4, published in August 2015. AIMS staff interested in reading more or browsing the journal can click here. As the AIMS Library is currently subscribed to the Journal of Phycology, staff should be able to access the full text of all articles. 

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Light Reading

Friday again! The weekend is ahead, but until then here are some interesting articles to tide you over.

A balanced diet is good for corals too, study finds

Researchers examine nutrient enrichment, bleaching resilience in Red Sea corals

University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. Science Daily (1 October 2015)

Bacteria in the world’s oceans produce millions of tons of hydrocarbons each year

University of Cambridge. Science Daily (5 October 2015)

Corals worldwide hit by bleaching

Warm ocean waters combine with El Niño to turn reefs a stark white.

Alexandra Witze. Nature (8 October 2015)

Gains in Antarctic ice might offset losses

Thickening in East Antarctica does not lessen worry about rapidly thinning glaciers elsewhere.

Alexandra Witze. Nature (2 October 2015)

Holland's giant wavemaker has splashy debut

Martin Enserink. Science (1 October 2015)

How sea turtles keep their legs warm

Sid Perkins. Science (6 October 2015)

NOAA declares third ever global coral bleaching event

Bleaching intensifies in Hawaii, high ocean temperatures threaten Caribbean corals

NOAA Headquarters. Science Daily (8 October 2015)

The predator survives – but the ecosystem crashes

Linköping Universitet. Science Daily (6 October 2015)

Researchers design 'biological flashlight' using light-producing ability of shrimp

University of North Carolina Health Care System. Science Daily (2 October 2015)

Researchers in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands finds highest rates of unique marine species

NOAA Headquarters. Science Daily (1 October 2015)

Sensory feedback shapes individuality to provide equal space for behavioral excellence

Case Western Reserve University. Science Daily (1 October 2015)

This machine produces the largest humanmade waves in the world

Martin Enserink. Science (2 October 2015)

To breathe or to eat: Blue whales forage efficiently to maintain massive body size

Blue whale feeding strategy targets highest-quality prey, maximizing energy gain

NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region. Science Daily (2 October 2015)

Undersea robot learns to ferret out the unusual and interesting

Aviva Rutkin. New Scientist (2 October 2015)

And a couple of non-marine related articles, as usual. 

Gene-editing record smashed in pigs

Researchers modify more than 60 genes to enable organ transplants into humans.

Sara Reardon. Nature (6 October 2015)

How scientists fool themselves – and how they can stop

Humans are remarkably good at self-deception. But growing concern about reproducibility is driving many researchers to seek ways to fight their own worst instincts.

Regina Nuzzo. Nature (7 October 2015)

Mars once hosted lakes, flowing water

Sid Perkins. Science (8 October 2015)

Journal of the Week: Integrative and Comparative Biology

Integrative and Comparative Biology focuses on integrating the varying disciplines within the field of biology. Formerly American Zoologist, the journal is published monthly from July to December.

Some interesting recent articles include:

Aline J. Cote and Paul W. Webb (2015) Living in a Turbulent World—A New Conceptual Framework for the Interactions of Fish and Eddies, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Volume 55(4), 662-672 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Kathleen E. Hunt, Rosalind M. Rolland, and Scott D. Kraus (2015) Conservation Physiology of an Uncatchable Animal: The North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis), Integrative and Comparative Biology, Volume 55(4), 577-586 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Kathryn L. Van Alstyne, Timothy A. Nelson, and Richard L. Ridgway (2015) Environmental Chemistry and Chemical Ecology of “Green Tide” Seaweed Blooms, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Volume 55(3), 518-532 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Ryan P. Ferrer, Elias T. Lunsford, Camillo M. Candido, Madison L. Strawn, and Karisa M. Pierce (2015) Saxitoxin and the Ochre Sea Star: Molecule of Keystone Significance and a Classic Keystone Species, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Volume 55(3), 533-542 Link to Abstract/Full Text

Terrie M. Williams, Lee A. Fuiman, and Randall W. Davis (2015) Locomotion and the Cost of Hunting in Large, Stealthy Marine Carnivores, Integrative and Comparative Biology, Volume 55(4), 673-682 Link to Abstract/Full Text

The most recent issue of this journal is Volume 55, Issue 4, October 2015. AIMS staff interested in reading more or browsing the journal can click here. As the AIMS Library is currently subscribed to Integrative and Comparative Biology, staff should be able to access the full text of all articles. 

Please Note: The full content of AIMS online subscriptions are not available to the general public. Use of electronic journals is subject to copyright laws. Use and copy for individual and collaborative research is expected; however, systematic downloading and/or redistribution to non-subscribers is prohibited. Users must read and observe the terms and conditions of use as published on the websites of the publications concerned.

Light Reading

A quieter week in marine science this week, but we still have an interesting selection of articles for you to read.

Deep-diving whales could hold answer for synthetic blood

Study shows how marine mammals pack muscle cells with oxygen-holding protein

Rice University. Science Daily (25 September 2015)

Gone fishing: Loss of ocean predators has impact on climate change strategies

Keeping large fish populations intact is crucial for carbon capture and long-term storage, new research says

Griffith University. Science Daily (28 September 2015)

I've got your back: Fish really do look after their mates

ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies. Science Daily (25 September 2015)

Novel tag developed for squid, jellyfish

ITAG links animal behavior, environmental conditions

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Science Daily (28 September 2015)

Pacific bluefin tunas' favorite feeding spots discovered

Stanford University. Science Daily (26 September 2015)

Plastic in the food chain: Artificial debris found in fish

Karl Gruber. New Scientist (25 September 2015)

This week's episode of Insight on SBS focused on the topic of sharks and prevention of shark attacks. With input from scientists, marine ecologists, surfers, fishermen, and concerned local community members, this episode asks the question, what might actually work to keep people safe in the water? If you're interested, you can watch the whole episode here: Shark! What can be done to prevent more shark attacks?

And in further, non-marine science related news, test your face recognition skills below, read about the discovery of salt water on Mars, or check out the new micropigs created in a Chinese genomics institute!

Digital badges aim to clear up politics of authorship

Machine-readable system seeks to clearly explain who did what for a research paper.

Dalmeet Singh Chawla. Nature (28 September 2015)

Gene-edited 'micropigs' to be sold as pets at Chinese institute

The pigs are endearing but scientists warn that they may be a distraction from more serious research.

David Cyranoski. Nature (29 September 2015)

Our knack for remembering faces is a highly evolved skill

Clare Wilson. New Scientist (29 September 2015)

---Test your own face recognition skills here!

Salty water seen flowing on Mars, not far from Curiosity rover

Sam Wong. New Scientist (28 September 2015)

Shell abandons oil exploration in Alaska but stays in the Arctic

Andy Coghlan. New Scientist (29 September 2015)

HydroScheme 2015-2018

The Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS) has published its new national charting and surveying programme, HydroScheme 2015-2018. 

HydroScheme details hydrographic surveying and charting activites planned in the Australian Charting Area over the next three years, as well as upcoming projects and innovations undertaken by the AHS. 

If you would like more information on HydroScheme, or would like to read a copy of HydroScheme 2015-2018, click here. For more information about the AHS itself, click here.