The axolotl is renowned for its extensive ability to regenerate organs and body parts, including its spinal cord. Studies on spinal cord regeneration, however, have focused on axolotl cells next to an injury site, leaving the brain’s role in regeneration a relative mystery. A new study from researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), Woods Hole, reveals that activating a specific group of neurons in the axolotl brain is essential for tail regeneration. Their findings point to the possibility that a comparable group of neurons impacts regenerative responses in mammals. The study, led by MBL Associate Scientist Karen Echeverri, was published last week in npj Regenerative Medicine. 

Purdue University researchers have developed a metamaterial comprising of carefully arranged plates that trap air within and act as guides for the sound. With their metamaterial in place, sound from monopile installation can be reduced by 40 decibels, an improvement over the 25-decibel reduction of other methods. The material is modular and foldable, making its transport and deployment easy and inexpensive. Junfei Li will present on the work at the 188th ASA Meeting.

Freshwater under the Ocean – in the 1960's scientists were quite surprised when they looked at their data: it clearly showed that there was fresh or freshened water under the ocean floor. How did it get there? How long has it been there? Scientists have been trying to find answers to these questions since their intriguing discovery. Starting in May, an international team of scientists has embarked on an expedition to take a closer look at, and take samples, of this freshened water stored beneath the ocean floor. Prof Karen Johannesson of University of Massachusetts Boston and Prof Brandon Dugan of Colorado School of Mines are the Co-Chief Scientists of this international expedition. Samples will be collected using the Liftboat Robert, which departed from the port of Bridgeport on May 19.

Using synchrotron X-ray nanotomography with detailed 3D imaging and in-situ mechanical testing, researchers are peering inside shark skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing a microscopic “sharkitecture” that helps these ancient apex predators withstand extreme physical demands of constant motion. After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, scientists can now finally see how shark cartilage works at the nanoscale – and learn from them.

Corals are the architects of reefs throughout tropical seas, providing protection and sustenance for the species that depend on them. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storm surge, put tourist dollars in coffers, and provide cultural richness in the way of food and fishing practices.

The loss of coral ecosystems is a critical problem that has propelled coral scientists into action to save species that may not survive the rapid pace of climate change and environmental degradation.

A recent publication by University of Guam Marine Laboratory scientists, Restoration innovation: Fusing microbial memories to engineer coral resilience, suggests a novel framework that pairs fundamental biology with applied biology to innovate in restoration ecology.

Marine Lab scientists have witnessed extreme bleaching events in Guam waters and are on the forefront of coral restoration. With ocean warming trends causing detrimental effects on coral reefs, researchers are working feverishly to unravel the complexities of these marine communities to protect them. They are finding there are massive unknowns in the basic biology of corals.