WHOI News Releases

New Robotic Instruments to Provide Real-Time Data on Gulf of Maine Red Tide

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A new robotic sensor deployed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Gulf of Maine coastal waters may transform the way red tides or harmful algal blooms (HABs) are monitored and managed in New England. A second such instrument will be launched later this spring.

The Black Sea is a Goldmine of Ancient Genetic Data

Mon, 06 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

When Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) marine paleoecologist Marco Coolen was mining through vast amounts of genetic data from the Black Sea sediment record, he was amazed about the variety of past plankton species that left behind their genetic makeup (i.e., the plankton paleome).

'Dark Oxidants' Form Away from Sunlight in Lake and Ocean Depths, Underground Soils

Thu, 02 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Breathing oxygen... can be hazardous to your health? Indeed, our bodies aren't perfect. They make mistakes, among them producing toxic chemicals, called oxidants, in cells. We fight these oxidants naturally, and by eating foods rich in antioxidants such as blueberries and dark chocolate. All forms of life that breathe oxygen—even ones that can't be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria—must fight oxidants to live.

WHOI to Host Public Event on Fukushima and the Ocean

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) will host a free, public forum exploring the impact of Fukushima on the ocean and human health on May 9, 2013, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Redfield Auditorium, 45 Water Street, Woods Hole.

Experts Call for Network to Monitor Marine Biodiversity

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A group of oceanographic experts is calling for the establishment of a national network to monitor the diversity of marine life, a key bellwether of ocean and human health. Their work is described in the April 11 issue of BioScience.

Research Enables Fishermen to Harvest Lucrative Shellfish on Georges Bank

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

New scientific understanding of toxic algal blooms on Georges Bank, along with an at-sea and dockside testing protocol, has allowed fishermen to harvest ocean quahogs and surf clams in these offshore waters for the first time in more than two decades. The Georges Bank surf clam and ocean quahog fishery has an estimated annual value of $10 – 15 million.

An Ancient Biosonar Sheds New Light on the Evolution of Echolocation in Toothed Whales

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

New research, led by WHOI postdoctoral fellow Frants Havmand Jensen, shows that freshwater dolphins produce echolocation sounds at very low sound intensities compared to marine dolphins, and that the endangered Ganges river dolphins echolocate at surprisingly low sound frequencies.

Explorer and Filmmaker James Cameron Gives DEEPSEA CHALLENGER Sub to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

On the one-year anniversary of Explorer and filmmaker James Cameron’s unprecedented solo dive to the Challenger Deep in the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible, Cameron and WHOI announce he will transfer the sub to Woods Hole. The transfer is part of a newly formed a partnership to stimulate advances in ocean science and technology and build on the historic breakthroughs of the 2012 DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition.

Researchers Issue Forecast for 'Moderate' New England Red Tide in 2013

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

New England is expected to experience a “moderate” red tide this spring and summer, report NOAA-funded scientists studying the toxic algae that cause blooms in the Gulf of Maine. Red tide is caused by an alga Alexandrium fundyense, which produces a toxin that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Red tide occurs annually along some portions of the Gulf of Maine coast. This outlook is similar to the 2012 red tide which was moderate.

Scientists Reveal Quirky Feature of Lyme Disease Bacteria

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Scientists have confirmed that the pathogen that causes Lyme Disease—unlike any other known organism—can exist without iron, a metal that all other life needs to make proteins and enzymes. Instead of iron, the bacteria substitute manganese to make an essential enzyme, thus eluding immune system defenses that protect the body by starving pathogens of iron.

Glaciers Contribute Significant Iron to North Atlantic Ocean

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A new study by biogeochemists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identifies a large, unexpected source of iron to the North Atlantic – meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets, which may stimulate plankton growth during spring and summer. This source is likely to increase as melting of the Greenland ice sheet escalates under a warming climate.

New Study Reveals How Sensitive U.S. East Coast Regions May Be to Ocean Acidification

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A continental-scale chemical survey in the waters of the eastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico is helping researchers determine how distinct bodies of water will resist changes in acidity. The study, which measures varying levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other forms of carbon in the ocean, provides a better picture of acidification status on the east coast of the U.S.

Study Provides New Insights on Drought Predictions in East Africa

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

New research published in the journal Nature helps explain the mechanisms at work behind historical patterns of aridity in Eastern Africa over many decades -- findings that may help improve future predictions of drought and food security in the region.

Scientists Use Marine Robots to Detect Endangered Whales

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Two robots equipped with instruments designed to “listen” for the calls of baleen whales detected nine endangered North Atlantic right whales in the Gulf of Maine last month. The robots reported the detections to shore-based researchers within hours of hearing the whales (i.e., in real time), demonstrating a new and powerful tool for managing interactions between whales and human activities.

WHOI Research Projects Awarded $5.2 M to Support Marine Microbial Research

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

There are more microbes in a bucket of seawater than there are people on Earth. Despite their abundance, humans are only just beginning to fathom the complex role marine microbes play in the ocean ecosystem.

Study Looks at Gray Seal Impact on Beach Water Quality

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

An analysis by WHOI biologist Rebecca Gast examines water quality data to determine whether a growing population of gray seals along Cape Cod beaches can be blamed for beach closures.

WHOI Scientist Receives Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Marine Microbiology Initiative Investigator Award

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

WHOI biogeochemist Mak Saito has been selected for a Marine Microbiology Initiative (MMI) investigator award by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Saito is one of 16 scientists who will receive funds from a total of up to $35 million to pursue pioneering research in the field of marine microbial ecology.

WHOI Biologist Ketten Named AAAS 2012 Fellow

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

WHOI biologist Darlene Ketten has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her contributions to the understanding of the biophysics of hearing in mammals and for development of ultra-high resolution imaging for diagnosis of hearing impairments. Darlene is among 702 members awarded this honor in 2012 by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

New Research Consortium Brings Scientists, Fishermen, and Managers Together to Address Seal Issues in the Northeast

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:00:00 GMT

People come from miles away to see the seals off the shores of Cape Cod and surrounding regions, but the animals are creating some challenges for local fishermen. Recent increases in local seal abundance have led to concerns about fisheries interactions. The urgency of documenting, understanding, and mitigating these interactions has become more apparent.

Fishing for Answers off Fukushima

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Japan fisheries data provides insight into the fate and impacts of radionuclides from Fukushima 18 months after the worst accidental release of radiation to the ocean in history.