A new robot, created by researchers from University of California San Diego, mimics squids by propelling itself with jets of water that it generates with its flexible elastic body. It is hoped this new design could revolutionise coral reef monitoring. As we seek to better explore our oceans and learn more about the creatures that … More New ‘squidbot’ explores coral reefs using jet propulsion
A new study using artificial sea turtle eggs containing GPS loggers (known as InvestEGGators) has successfully revealed local poaching activity in Costa Rica, whilst also highlighting the effectiveness of this novel technology for future use. In today’s oceans sea turtles are faced with a long list of issues that pose a threat to their survival, … More Fake turtle eggs used to track poachers via GPS
A new testing kit created by researchers from Australia can detect the coral killing crown-of-thorns starfish in a similar way to a home pregnancy kit. Using a special dipstick researchers can detect microscopic amounts of their DNA at the surface, which could help control their destructive population outbreaks below. For well over 50 years the … More New ‘pregnancy-style tests’ can detect destructive crown-of-thorns starfish on GBR
Scientists from Stanford University have created a revolutionary new device which can study individual plankton movements in simulated oceanic conditions. It is hoped it will open up a whole new field of research into these microscopic organisms and the crucial roles they play in global systems. Despite their microscopic size, plankton are one of the … More New device could unravel the microscopic mysteries of plankton
A new technique by researchers in Germany allows for a special antibiotic compound in sea whips to be re-created without the need for harvesting or destroying the soft corals it is found in. In addition to helping treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis, this process could also be used to create other useful medicines. Sea whips (also … More Chemical in sea whips can be re-created to treat multi-drug resistant TB
A new study using satellite mapping technology has revealed there are nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica than was previously thought, which will help scientists accurately monitor the iconic seabirds in the future. Using Earth-orbiting satellites to locate and track marine animals is becoming an increasingly important study tool for researchers who are … More Scientists discover new penguin colonies from space
Written by Owen Harris Increasing awareness about anthropogenic climate change and mounting public pressure has led to many countries committing to reduce their use of fossil fuels and increase their development of renewable energy sources. Although the switch to renewable energy will have an overall positive effect on the global climate and natural world, the … More The effects of offshore wind farms on marine life
Two new studies from the University of Gothenburg, utilizing novel research techniques involving tagged elephant seals and robotic gliders, have uncovered new small-scale ocean currents in the Southern Ocean and highlighted their big importance. As the technology available to researchers has improved over time, the only limiting factor to what can be uncovered about our … More Satellite-tagged seals and underwater robots uncover new ocean currents
A team of researchers, in association with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, have completed an in depth 46-day scientific exploration of the Coral Sea Marine Park in Eastern Australia, all from the comfort of their own homes during the coronavirus lockdown. Over the past few months most of the world has stayed at home as we … More Scientists finish first completely remote ocean expedition during lockdown
A new paper by researchers from MBARI has revealed the true extent of the famous Endeavour Segment of hydrothermal vents in the Pacific Northwest. Their high resolution map of 572 chimneys has changed what we know about this region and hydrothermal vents in general, as well as opening up new possibilities for researchers. Hydrothermal vents … More New map gives us our best look yet at hydrothermal vents
Marine Madness 