Uncategorized Archives

Underwater crustaceans could solve missing plane mystery

As authorities continue to debate the topic, marine science expert Brian Helmuth explains how barnacles on a recently discovered fragment of an airplane wing could help investigators determine if the debris came from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

by Derrick Henry March 30, 2018

Carnivorous conchs to blame for oyster decline

David Kimbro, a marine and environmental science professor at Northeastern University, has solved the mystery of why reefs in Florida inlets were experiencing large numbers of oyster loss. Drought and subsequent high salt levels in water led to a population spike in one of the oysters’ main predators: conchs.

by Derrick Henry March 30, 2018

Marine biologists develop portable kit to preserve coral DNA at sea

Coral DNA could improve ocean conservation and reveal secrets about our own evolutionary history. Researchers at Northeastern’s Marine Science Center have made it easy to extract coral tissue aboard a ship and preserve the DNA for analysis.

by Derrick Henry March 30, 2018

Researchers discover new digestive strategy in shipworms

An international research team led by Dan Distel, director of the Ocean Genome Legacy at Northeastern University, has discovered a novel digestive strategy in a wood-boring clam. The breakthrough, the researchers say, may also be a game-changer for the industrial production of clean biofuels.

by Derrick Henry March 30, 2018

Rare biorepository finds new home at Marine Science Center

A collection of DNA samples featuring some of the world’s most rare, strange, and remarkable ocean creatures will move to Northeastern’s world-class coastal research facility later this year

by Derrick Henry March 30, 2018

July 15, 2014 - Geoff Trussell is Professor and Chair of the Marine and Environmental Sciences Department (MES) at the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant, MA.

Marine Science Center works to protect oceans’ ‘vital role in sustaining life on earth’

In honor of World Oceans Day, we spoke with Marine Science Center director Geoff Trussell about ocean conservation and what the MSC is doing to help protect our marine ecosystem.

by Derrick Henry March 29, 2018

New York, USA: United State Headquarters with the members flags erected on the poles.

Professor to speak at UN General Assembly on climate change, sustainable development

Climate change biologist Brian Helmuth will speak today at a high-level meeting at the United Nations headquarters, where he will highlight his research and participate in a discussion on efforts worldwide to address climate change and meet global sustainable development goals.

by Derrick Henry March 29, 2018

‘Unicorn’ shipworm could reveal clues about human medicine and bacterial infections

Northeastern professor Daniel Distel and his colleagues have discovered a dark slithering creature four feet long that dwells in the foul mud of a remote lagoon in the Philippines. They say studying the giant shipworm could add to our understanding of how bacteria cause infections and, in turn, how we might adapt to tolerate—and even benefit from—them.

by Derrick Henry March 28, 2018

Marine Science Center to celebrate 50th anniversary at annual open house

Where can you see markings from the world’s oldest mollusks, learn about oyster diseases, and meet a scuba diver—all in the same day? At the Marine Science Center’s free open house on Saturday, which will coincide with the center’s 50th anniversary.

by Derrick Henry March 27, 2018

Students learn the concept of animal stranding and why it happens during the High School Marine Science Symposium

Inspiring the next generation of marine scientists

Northeastern hosted some 250 area high school students last week for the Boston High School Marine Science Symposium. The event, presented by Northeastern and the Massachusetts Marine Educators, stays with the young participants “long after the event is over,” said the symposium coordinator.

by Derrick Henry March 16, 2018

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