A study published in the Geophysical Research Letters suggests that hurricanes or even just really strong storms can trigger seismic events called “stormquakes” in the nearby ocean. Researchers from Florida State University (FSU), the University of California, San Diego and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts analyzed more than a decade of seismic and oceanographic records. They found a strong correlation … Continue reading Weird Nature and stormquakes: Hurricanes or strong storms can trigger seismic events in nearby oceans, report scientists
Long-term exposure to chemical ingredients in sunscreen is lethal to freshwater organisms, warn scientists
For a lot of people, beach trips and lake excursions are never complete without a tall bottle of sunscreen to smother their skin with before going off for a swim. However, a recent report found that chemical ingredients in sunscreen that leach off of the skin while swimming might be detrimental to freshwater organisms. In a … Continue reading Long-term exposure to chemical ingredients in sunscreen is lethal to freshwater organisms, warn scientists
Underwater espionage: Can fish be used for underwater surveillance?
If the Pentagon is going to get its way, then chances are, it’s Nemo who’ll soon do the finding for the U.S. military. According to a statement published in its website, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) – the Department of Defense‘s experimental research arm ?– says it is looking to recruit fish and other forms of undersea … Continue reading Underwater espionage: Can fish be used for underwater surveillance?
Arsenic is toxic to humans, but these microbes live and breathe it
Researchers from the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington have discovered how some microorganisms that live in portions of the ocean where oxygen is almost absent manage to thrive. Called marine oxygen-deficient zones (ODZs), these regions are sandwiched between the oxygen-rich surface and the deep layers. In their study, which appeared in the journal PNAS, they … Continue reading Arsenic is toxic to humans, but these microbes live and breathe it
Single-use no more: Plastic bottles can be upcycled to more durable materials
Single-use plastics cause plastic pollution, a problem that affects rivers, lakes, and oceans. To address this concern, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a recycling process that turns various materials made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into other useful products that will last longer. NREL’s research was published in the journal Joule. What is polyethylene terephthalate (PET)? Polyethylene terephthalate … Continue reading Single-use no more: Plastic bottles can be upcycled to more durable materials
Experts call for the protection of mangrove patches, no matter how big or small, to preserve “incredibly important ecosystems”
Scientists fear that the continued decline in mangrove forests could significantly impact the world’s biodiversity. In a statement, which they made during the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and published in the journal Science, they called the attention of governments from all over the globe to provide stronger protection for small but crucial swathes of mangroves. The case for protecting mangroves … Continue reading Experts call for the protection of mangrove patches, no matter how big or small, to preserve “incredibly important ecosystems”
Scientists have found ANOTHER major problem with the plastic pollution in the oceans: It harbors bacteria that can be transferred up the food chain
Experts predict that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next century — a serious problem, considering there’s still a lot to be explored in their depths. The adverse effects of plastic pollution have been the subject of many studies, but according to marine scientists from the National University of Singapore, their … Continue reading Scientists have found ANOTHER major problem with the plastic pollution in the oceans: It harbors bacteria that can be transferred up the food chain
Follow these tips to reduce plastic pollution
It’s official: We’re heading toward a “plastic world” – and we’re not talking about credit cards. Plastic – the ubiquitous polymer found in nearly all consumer products – is part of just about every aspect of our lives. For the most part, it’s a versatile material that has been part of many significant innovations, such as in … Continue reading Follow these tips to reduce plastic pollution
It’s a simple chain of cause-and-effect: Toxic green algae in Florida is the result of man-made pollution
An organism that has plagued Florida waters since 2017, bringing an assault of toxic green algae and red tide blooms, is finally disappearing, according to a report released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The announcement was made a few weeks after marine scientists observed that Karenia brevis, the microscopic algae responsible for the harmful blooms, … Continue reading It’s a simple chain of cause-and-effect: Toxic green algae in Florida is the result of man-made pollution
All our bodies are filled with plastic
Experts estimate that at least 70 percent of all plastic is not recovered or recycled, and that more than eight million tons of it end up in our oceans each year. With over 150 million tons of plastic in the oceans right now, unless drastic steps are taken there will be more plastic than fish … Continue reading All our bodies are filled with plastic
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 