How microscopic plankton explain the opening of the Northwest Passage
How microscopic plankton explain the opening of the Northwest Passage avatar

By , on February 8th, 2011 Leave a comment   Climate Change   , , , , ,  

For centuries, mariners sought the Northwest Passage, a route through the Canadian ice that connected the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Today, the Arctic ice has melted so much that the Northwest Passage exists – there’s already multinational wrangling over shipping rights. Why is the Arctic melting so fast? There are a number . . . → Read More: How microscopic plankton explain the opening of the Northwest Passage

How microscopic plankton explain the opening of the Northwest Passage avatar

Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on Diatoms and X-ray Whosamagidgets
Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on Diatoms and X-ray Whosamagidgets avatar

By , on January 21st, 2011 Leave a comment   Adaptations, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Microbes, New Research, Organisms   , , ,  

In a recent paper, de Jonge et al used x-ray fluorescence tomography to give us a new perspective on how diatoms put together those phenomenally intricate frustules of theirs. “X-ray whosamagidget” you say? My thoughts exactly. Let’s break it down. First: X-rays. High-energy waves that help doctors see our bones. Check. Second: fluorescence. Fluorescence is . . . → Read More: Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on Diatoms and X-ray Whosamagidgets

Scientist In Residence: Danny Richter on Diatoms and X-ray Whosamagidgets avatar

The Great Thing About Being a Marine Biologist Is
The Great Thing About Being a Marine Biologist Is avatar

By , on May 13th, 2009 3 comments   Organisms, Scientist!   , , , ,  

I get to sit around this morning drinking coffee at a beautiful location and listen to talks about Komokiacea (see here, here, and here also for published artiicles) and Loricifera (see here also). The biodiversity of the deep sea is truly a beautiful thing.