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Headlines
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$55m infrastructure project fires up
tropical marine science
The $55
million federally funded Tropical Marine Research Facility
Project at AIMS will greatly increase understanding of
Australia’s complex marine ecosystems and support jobs,
particularly in regional areas. A major part of the project
will be the Australian Tropical Oceans Simulator, which will
enable AIMS scientists and their collaborators to conduct
experiments to understand and predict the effects of global
and local change on the marine environment. ...
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Despite fears,
coral reefs have not been overgrown by seaweed
A global survey of coral
reefs has shown that, while reefs face many threats, fears of
a takeover by seaweed have so far not been realised. AIMS
scientist Dr Hugh Sweatman and his US colleagues have
published a paper that questions a common view that many reefs
that were once lush coral communities are now overgrown by
seaweed. ... [ read more ] |
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Baby fish shaped by mothers' stress
Stressed reef fish
mothers produce highly active babies, and this affects
survival and has important implications for fish populations
in a changing environment, according to new research.
Dr Monica Gagliano, a research
fellow with the AIMS @ JCU joint venture, worked with
colleague Dr Mark McCormick from the ARC Centre of Excellence
for Coral Reef Studies on a study that deepens understanding
of how stress affects the dynamics of wild fish populations
and hence how fish may cope with increasing human-induced
stresses. ...
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The secret life of tropical sponges
comes to light
They are sea
creatures that have no neural system, just sit still in one
place, and are far less studied and understood than more
charismatic species such as corals. But a new scientific study
has revealed just how remarkable tropical marine sponges
really are – and how their young perform amazing feats to
ensure the survival of new generations. AIMS sponge ecologist
Dr Steve Whalan, with colleagues from AIMS and James Cook
University, has published a paper documenting the first ever
study of sponge larvae from release to settlement and so sheds
new light on what happens in the early stages of the
lifecycle. ...
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CReefs marine science project inspiring
BHP Billiton staff
The Australian
resources company, BHP Billiton, has a growing pool of marine
science knowledge and appreciation in its ranks, thanks to a
successful employee engagement program in the Australian node
of the international CReefs project. BHP Billiton is a partner
in the four-year $3.4 million project, along with the Great
Barrier Reef Foundation and AIMS. CReefs is the coral reef
component of the Census of Marine Life, a global scientific
initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution
and abundance of marine life....
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In brief...
AIMS appoints a new
science leader for WA. CReefs scientists take up
temporary residence at Ningaloo Station for the latest
expedition. Female whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park
are being electronically tagged to discover their migratory
pathways.
... [ read more ]
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