UK's Deepest Diving Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Ready For 'Hostile And Rugged Terrain'
Southampton, U.K. - Oct 28, 2009 21:13 EST
The United Kingdom’s deepest diving Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Autosub6000, has been put through its paces during an extremely successful engineering trials cruise on the RRS Discovery, 27 September to 17 October 2009. Autosub6000 was working in regions of the...

What Are Coral Reef Services Worth? Experts Say $130,000 To $1.2 Million Per Hectare, Per Year
Paris, France - Oct 16, 2009 18:18 EST
Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the “ecosystem services” of biomes like forests and coral reefs – including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation. Undertaken to help...

German Photog Snaps Great White Shark Calendar; 'Hardly Anyone Is Interested In Protecting These Animals'
Illingen, Germany, - Oct 15, 2009 15:15 EST
Underwater photographer Klaus Jost has been pursuing his fascination with great whites, tiger sharks and bull sharks many for years and follows these impressive animals up close in their natural habitat. His incentive, however, is not just to share his...

Study: Rising Sea Levels Are Increasing The Risk Of Flooding Along The South Coast Of England
Southampton, U.K. - Oct 9, 2009 17:38 EST
A new study by researchers at the University of Southampton has found that sea levels have been rising across the south coast of England over the past century, substantially increasing the risk of flooding during storms. The team has conducted a...

Scientists: 'Man Made Pollution' Nourishing World's Oceans; 'a Previously Unknown Source Of Bioavailable Iron'
Leeds, U.K. - Oct 7, 2009 19:19 EST
Scientists at the University of Leeds have proved that acid in the atmosphere breaks down large particles of iron found in dust into small and extremely soluble iron nanoparticles, which are more readily used by plankton. This is an important finding...

Scientists: 'Man Made Pollution' Nourishing World's Oceans; 'a Previously Unknown Source Of Bioavailable Iron'
Leeds, U.K. - Oct 7, 2009 19:19 EST
Scientists at the University of Leeds have proved that acid in the atmosphere breaks down large particles of iron found in dust into small and extremely soluble iron nanoparticles, which are more readily used by plankton. This is an important finding...

Brit Scientists Track Green Turtle’s 900km Migration Through The Caribbean; 'A Great Educational Tool'
Exeter, UK - Oct 3, 2009 18:10 EST
University of Exeter scientists are part of the first team to monitor a sea turtle’s journey from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The adult female green turtle, named ‘Suzie’ by local fishermen, was fitted with a satellite transmitter tag. She has visited...

Unlocking The Secrets Of The 'Deep Biosphere': The Future Of Scientific Ocean Drilling Discussed At 'historic' Meeting
Bremen, Germany - Sep 29, 2009 22:04 EST
Close to 600 scientists from 21 countries met Sept. 23 – 25 2009 in Bremen, Germany, to outline major scientific targets for a new and ambitious ocean drilling research program. The scientific community envisions that this program will succeed the...

Research: Single Gene Makes Fish Less Colorful, Less Attractive To Members Of The Opposite Sex
London, England - Sep 28, 2009 21:57 EST
There may be plenty of fish in the sea but the medaka knows what it likes. A new study published in the open access journal BMC Biology shows how a single gene mutation that turns Japanese Killifish a drab grey...

Mediterranean Nations Defer EU Decision On Bluefin Tuna Trade Ban; 'Blinkered Attitude'
Brussels, Belgium - Sep 21, 2009 21:10 EST
Opposition from Mediterranean governments at a meeting of EU national representatives in Brussels today has postponed a decision on whether to place bluefin tuna on an endangered species list and effectively ban its trade. EU environment ministers are now expected...

Keeping An Eye On The Oceans: Scientists Plan Long-term Future Of Ocean Observation Systems
Darmstadt, Germany - Sep 20, 2009 16:46 EST
In the last ten years, scientists have set up a global observing system to monitor the world's oceans. The observation system works by combining satellite observations with data from in-water recording devices such as buoys, tide gauges and an array...

Scientists Digging Deeper Below Antarctica's Lake Vida; 'The Main Goal Is To Get Into That Brine Pocket'
Chicago, Illinois - Sep 14, 2009 21:36 EST
Antarctica's Lake Vida, a geologic curiosity that is essentially an ice bottle of brine, is home to some of the oldest and coldest living organisms on Earth. Perpetually covered by more than 60 feet of ice, the brine below --...

'Lucky Luke' Of The Seas: How Ambush-feeding Zooplankton Capture Prey
Copenhagen, Denmark - Sep 3, 2009 16:50 EST
Could you filter 100,000 cubic metres of syrup every day to find food in a concentration of two grains of rice per cubic metre? This is what zooplankters, such as copepods, do every day, gathering microscopic food particles (algae etc.) from...

TV Scuba Secures Placement In Top 48 Channel Global Delivery Deal; 'From Strength To Strength'
Brighton, U.K. - Sep 3, 2009 15:45 EST
TV Scuba has secured a place, alongside 47 other channels, to be delivered worldwide via the recent partnership between Global Digital Broadcast (GDBTV) and Verismo Networks. TV Scuba is the first dedicated television channel to showcase the very best in...

Robotic Applications Eyed As Scientists Decode Mathematics Behind Fish's Lateral-line System
Munich, Germany - Aug 28, 2009 18:29 EST
Fish and some amphibians possess a unique sensory capability in the so-called lateral-line system. It allows them, in effect, to "touch" objects in their surroundings without direct physical contact or to "see" in the dark. Professor Leo van Hermmen and...

Researcher: Risks Involved With Transgenic Fish; Should Be Bred In Closed Systems On Land
Gothenburg, Sweden - Aug 27, 2009 14:55 EST
Fast growing transgenic fish can revolutionise commercial fish farming and relieve the pressure on overexploited fish stocks. But what happens in the natural environment if transgenic fish escape? Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have studied transgenic fish on behalf...

Research: Warming Oceans Triggering Release Of Greenhouse Gases From Seabed
Southampton, U.K.e - Aug 14, 2009 17:28 EST
The warming of an Arctic current over the last 30 years has triggered the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from methane hydrate stored in the sediment beneath the seabed. Scientists at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton working in collaboration...

'Doctor Fish' Help Heal Psoriasis In Greek Hot Spa Pool
Sivas, Greece - Aug 10, 2009 22:09 EST
Garra rufa obtusas, also known as "doctor fish", swim around the face of a man as he relaxes in a hot spa pool in Kangal, 105 kilometers (65 miles) south of the central Anatolian city of Sivas August 9, 2009....

Research: Bowhead Whales Sing Love Songs In Different Voices; 'Part Of The Eternal Struggle To Obtain A Mate'‎
Copenhagen, Denmark - Aug 3, 2009 22:43 EST
It is now generally accepted that the bowhead whale is the longest lived mammal on the planet, with a lifespan of over 200 years. But that it can sing with "more than one voice" and that it changes its repertoire...

Research: Iron Isotopes Has Potential As A Tool In Oceanography; 'We Are Excited By Our Findings'
Southampton, U.K. - Jul 31, 2009 17:53 EST
New research involving scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) highlights the potential utility of iron isotopes for addressing important questions in ocean science. The findings are published in the August edition of the journal Geology. Large regions of the...

Scientists: North Atlantic Could Be Massive CO2 Sink; 'Iron Limitation Hypothesis' Test Result 'Extremely Exciting'
Southampton, Hampshire - Jul 8, 2009 21:32 EST
Southampton scientists have demonstrated an unexpected role of iron in regulating biological production in the high-latitude North Atlantic. Their findings have important implications for our understanding of ocean-climate interactions. Tiny plant-like organisms called phytoplankton dominate biological production in the sunlit surface...

Underwater Archaeologists Race To Preserve The World’s Oldest Submerged Town
Nottingham, UK - May 12, 2009 12:30 EST
The oldest submerged town in the world is about to give up its secrets — with the help of equipment that could revolutionise underwater archaeology. The ancient town of Pavlopetri lies in three to four metres of water just off...

Scientists Analyze Effects Of Underwater Noise On Sperm Whales; 19% Lower Buzz Rate 'non-conclusive'
Fife, Scotland - May 7, 2009 17:58 EST
Scientists are investigating whether or not noise generated by the oil and gas industry might affect the day-to-day behaviour of sperm whales. Dr Patrick Miller from the University of St Andrews and colleagues have undertaken deep-sea research to investigate whether or...

Researchers Gain Key Insight Into Fish Disease Devastating UK's Farmed Fish Stocks
Wiltshire, U.K. - May 4, 2009 18:32 EST
Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have gained a key insight into a disease that is devastating the UK’s fish farming industry. The researchers have discovered that fish can harbour and spread proliferative kidney disease...

Researchers Develop Underwater Robot With A Sense Of Touch; Strain Gauge Key To 'tactile Capability'
Munich, Germany - May 4, 2009 17:53 EST
Maintenance of offshore drilling rigs or underwater cables, taking samples of sediment – underwater robots perform a variety of deep-sea tasks. Research scientists now aim to equip robots with tactile capability so that they can orientate themselves better under the...

WWF: European Fleet Implicated As Excessive Cod Bycatch Stalls Recovery Of Grand Banks
Halifax, Nova Scotia - May 2, 2009 19:35 EST
Cod bycatch was at least 70 per cent higher than target levels on the southern Grand Banks near Canada, holding back recovery of one of the world’s best known fisheries following its spectacular collapse and closure in the early 1990s. Information...

Gender Bending Shrimps Help Researchers To Find Sex Genes; 'Completely New Territory For Scientists'
Portsmouth, U.K. - Mar 19, 2009 17:49 EST
A scientist at the University of Portsmouth has won a half a million pound grant to further his research on the mysterious ability of some shrimp to change sex. Dr Alex Ford from the Institute of Marine Sciences will lead the...

No Ordinary Lobster: Fossil Fragments Reveal 500-million-year-old Monster Predator With 'Large Carapace'
Uppsala, Sweden - Mar 19, 2009 17:15 EST
Hurdia victoria was originally described in 1912 as a crustacean-like animal. Now, researchers from Uppsala University and colleagues reveal it to be just one part of a complex and remarkable new animal that has an important story to tell about...

Experts: Deep Sea Fishing Impacts Greater Than Thought; 'Deep-water Fisheries Are Unsustainable'
Glasgow, Scotland - Mar 12, 2009 14:59 EST
Scientists have long known that commercial fishing affects deep-water fish numbers, but its effects appear to be felt twice as deep as previously thought. Dr David Bailey of the University of Glasgow, who led the study - published in the journal...

New Antarctic Fish Discovered In The Bellingshausen Sea; 'Completely' Unknown
Barcelona, Spain - Mar 5, 2009 15:05 EST
The new species of Antarctic fish, Gosztonyia antarctica, has been discovered at a depth of 650 metres in the Bellingshausen Sea in the Antarctic Ocean, an area which has not been studied since 1904 and where the fauna is 'completely'...

Oldest Fossil Brain Found In Kansas And Imaged In France; 'It Is Really Bizarre'
Paris, France - Mar 2, 2009 20:46 EST
When Alan Pradel of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris CAT scanned a 300-million-year-old fossilized iniopterygian from Kansas, he and his colleagues saw a symmetrical blob nestled within the braincase. This turned out to be the oldest brain found...

Researchers Expose Sherlock Holmes Of The Marine World; 'Physiological Basis For Color Vision'
Brisbane, Australia - Feb 25, 2009 21:27 EST
Scientists from The University of Queensland have revealed a coral reef fish has been successfully living incognito by using its colour-changing ability. Lead author of the study Dr Karen Cheney, from UQ's School of Biological Sciences, said the blue-striped fangblenny...

Research: Oceanic Seesaw Links Northern And Southern Hemisphere During Abrupt Climate Change
Cardiff, Wales - Feb 25, 2009 18:44 EST
Very large and abrupt changes in temperature recorded over Greenland and across the North Atlantic during the last Ice Age were actually global in extent, according to an international team of researchers led by Cardiff University. New research, published in the...

The Underwater Channel.tv Launches Contest To Find 'The Face Of Australia'
London, England - Feb 9, 2009 11:42 EST
A new international competition has been launched by The Underwater Channel.tv and PADI to find an experienced and knowledgeable Aussie diver with bags of confidence and charisma to join The Underwater Channel.tv's team of presenters. The new presenter would...

Study: Fish Show No Such Thing As A 'Born Leader'; Social Feedback Eyed As Key Factor
Cambridge, UK - Jan 29, 2009 14:28 EST
Followers are just as important to good leadership as are the leaders themselves, reveals a new study of stickleback fish published online on January 29th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication. By randomly pairing fish of varying degrees of "boldness,"...

Review Clears Controversial Southern Ocean Iron 'Fertilization' Experiment; 'Germany Remains A Reliable Partner'
Bremerhaven, Germany - Jan 28, 2009 17:52 EST
After an extensive scientific review, a controversial "ocean fertilization" experiment has the OK to procede. The German science ministry had earlier suspended a planned Indo–German ocean fertilization experiment in the Southern Ocean, and asked the German research institute behind...

Researchers: Unchecked Global Warming Would Lead To Dramatic Expansion Of Dead Zones In The Oceans
Copenhagen, Denmark - Jan 25, 2009 19:26 EST
Unchecked global warming would leave ocean dwellers gasping for breath. Dead zones are low-oxygen areas in the ocean where higher life forms such as fish, crabs and clams are not able to live. In shallow coastal regions, these zones can...

Study Links Water Pollution With Declining Male Fertility; 'Anti-androgens' From Drugs, Pesticides Inhibit Testosterone
Exeter, U.K. - Jan 19, 2009 18:08 EST
New research strengthens the link between water pollution and rising male fertility problems. The study, by Brunel University, the Universities of Exeter and Reading and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, shows for the first time how a group of...

Slow Growing Cave Sponges Play Surprising Role In Coral Reef Health
Groningen, The Netherlands - Jan 16, 2009 17:15 EST
Tropical oceans are known as the deserts of the sea. And yet this unlikely environment is the very place where the rich and fertile coral reef grows. Dutch researcher Jasper de Goeij investigated how caves in the coral reef ensure...

Research: Fish Poop Helps Balance Ocean's Acid Levels; 'A Long-standing Puzzle Facing Marine Chemists'
Exeter, U.K. - Jan 15, 2009 15:21 EST
Research published today reveals the major influence of fish on maintaining the delicate pH balance of our oceans, vital for the health of coral reefs and other marine life. The discovery, made by a team of scientists from the UK, US...