What?? The...Science News??? Whoa.

So....I'm back. For today.

Last night, my band and I had our first show. Which was awesome.

We opened for some awesome people who deserved an opening act, and everyone who played was fantastic.
Huzzah!

And now, I find that I have a little while to spend writing about science.
I've been so busy lately that all I've been able to do is read about it. And it kills me.

So here we go. Excitement.



So the International Union for Conservation of Nature is very close to approving a 'Red List' for endangered ecosystems globally, as discussed at the World Conservation Congress.
This would highlight the areas that are most susceptible to irreversible change in the not so distant future.
Which is extremely important to say the least. These ecosystems are home to unique species who would not be able to just pack up and find a new home.
Goodness.
Just protect them, I say!
If we can protect an ecosystem first, the endangered species will follow. So...you know, just do it.

Madagascar. The brown areas are deforested land. So...the whole island basically.

http://news.yahoo.com/red-list-endangered-ecosystems-proposed-205905728.html?_esi=1


Examples of endangered ecosystems:


http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/134-8-of-the-worlds-most-endangered-places.html









Once again, humans annoy me.
Alaska is big.
So is Antarctica, but whatever.
There were plans to create a marine sanctuary the size of Alaska in Antarctica, but whatever.
If New Zealand politicians want to reject it like weirdos, whatever.
It just makes me sad.
If you want to read more about it you can, but it will make you sad too.
Whatever.

Ice rift, Ross Sea in Antarctica.

http://news.yahoo.com/plans-giant-antarctic-marine-sanctuary-falter-061625488.html?_esi=1









Giant.
Viruses.
Are.
Forms of life?

Mimivirus infecting an amoeba.

http://news.yahoo.com/giant-viruses-ancient-living-organisms-study-suggests-034707251.html?_esi=1

Ocean's largest?

http://www.livescience.com/8811-newfound-virus-giant-lifelike-properties.html









You know what's amazing?
Fish.
You know what else is amazing?
People who love fish.
And take pictures of them.

Check out Wayne Davis!


http://news.yahoo.com/whales-sharks-above-fish-spotters-amazing-tale-135822265.html?_esi=1

This is a cool story, but I found it weird that they didn't put more of his photos into the article.
Link.

http://oceanaerials.com/







Whew. That was fun. Goodness.

Well, I hope to do this again as soon as possible, and I have really missed all this blogging business.





P.S. If you want to check out my band, we have two fantastic homepages.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Quicksand-Rescue-Squad/219196041528229?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/QRSquad


P.S.P.S. If you just love me, I also have homepages.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Mooseeu?feature=mhee

https://twitter.com/Mooseeu

Sciiiiiiience.

Busy Girl is Busy.

My goodness. School has made me a busy person. Posts soon.



I promise.

A Faux-Post.

Well, I feel like it has been far too long since I have blogged, but I am pressed for time.

I am indeed at a super-swagtastic board game convention right now, and there's gaming to be done.

So, without further ado, I am going to give you a few wondrous links to follow to keep you updated on the scientific world of awesomeness.



On the conservation front:


Conservation. Do it.

http://www.treehugger.com/ocean-conservation/rebuilding-global-fisheries-would-make-them-5x-more-valuable-while-improving-oceanic-health.html



On the biological front:


Bottlenose dolphins are yet again in trouble due to humans' stupidity.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0041155


We also have some cool critters from hydrothermal vents! Huzzah!

http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-videos/hydrothermal-vent-creatures



On the weird and random news front:

Ummmmmm-kay.

http://www.news.com.au/national/live-sheep-exports-blamed-for-wa-shark-attacks/story-fndo4e3y-1226429751498?sv=28579b4d15297c7502cc09869c2c9170#.UAhfN80olv4.twitter

Science...links.

A Healthy Lack of Motivation Breeds Procrastination.

I know, I know.
That Marley has just lost all her motivation and is a complete failure in the eyes of the world.


And you may be right.


But I...


am still here.
Lurking in the shadows, waiting for my moment to start informing people of interesting tidbits again.


So just... bear with me.

*Sigh*

I'll write again soon.

...Science.

Rebels, Oceans, Acid, and Death. The R.O.A.D. to discovery....and sadness.

Good afternoon!
Let's get our science on.
Fo' shiz.






Ecocide.
(And the people who strive to end it.)
Bluefin tuna are a largely targeted species in our society today, and trapping is a major problem.
In Europe especially, governments do virtually nothing to stop trappers going above and beyond the regulations.
This is where the awesome people come in.
It takes a lot of guts to go in and cut the lines that will destroy a population against the will of their captors, and that is exactly what is happening.
Maybe right now.
Oooo.

A Sea Shepherd cuts the line of destiny.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2012/jul/13/activists-tuna


More on ecocide:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/09/ecocide-crime-genocide-un-environmental-damage


More from excellent environmental blogger George Monbiot:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot










Well, sci-guys, prepare to be amazed.
There is a global, subsurface ocean on Titan, one of Saturn's moons.
Whoa.
But don't get too excited, Titan.
One of Jupiter's Galilean moons, Europa, had one first.
Space pwned.

http://science.kqed.org/quest/2012/07/13/deep-dark-waters-of-titan/










Yep. The oceans are getting hotter.
They're also getting more and more acidic.
This is, of course, due to human activities such as the mass burning of fossil fuels.
Bad.
Unfortunately, I could not read this entire article, due to my lack of subscription.
Eh.
You get the idea, right?

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2012/07/rising-acidity-brings-an-ocean-o.html










Chalk.
That most sinister of substances and dastardly of doodlers.
Meh.
Now I have more than just my weirdness to make me not want to buy chalk.
(I have never liked the stuff. It's just...so...powdery...and.... ugh. *shudder*)
Anyway.
Reading this article, I was wondering just what organism could the title have advertised?
Scrolling down, I observed a picture of a single cell.
A single, unmistakable cell.
It was EHUX, colleagues.
COCCOLITHS.
PHYTOPLANKTON.
THE VERY BUILDING BLOCK OF EVERY OCEANIC ECOSYSTEM.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Okay. I'm okay. Just...
I mean...
Ugh.
It doesn't even matter that they're dead! Why would I want to crush their poor little skeletons for my own amusement?!?
A note to my kids:
I WILL NEVER BUY YOU CHALK, DON'T ASK.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/07/12/156629934/thinking-too-much-about-chalk

Las ciencias!

TITANOBOA REX. Yeah, no... But still. TITANOBOA.

News, news, news...the science news!!!





TITANOBOA.
Titanoboa Cerrejonensis.
Whoa.
So, this magnificently extinct creature's remains were found in a Columbian coal mine, and, Oh Boy!
Is it a big one.
Up to 50 feet long and weighing over 2,000 pounds, this serpent could take on anything that crossed its path.
Whew.
This stuff's pretty cool.

It's TITANOBOA!!!

This should help show the scale of this beast when compared with puny humans... Sheesh. That is so boss.

This is a close-up of the exhibit... look how cute Titanoboa is devouring that crocodile.
Awwwwww.

http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/site/sn/show.do?show=140671










Rescue programs make me happy.



Monterey Bay Aquarium releases snowy plover chicks at the beach.


http://montereybayaquarium.tumblr.com/post/27055280255/go-free-did-you-know-that-we-rescue-raise-and










More information on how to help out coral reefs can be found in this article!
Gosh. I just love people who do things like this...



Bleached coral in West Papua, Indonesia.


http://blog.conservation.org/2012/07/bold-action-needed-to-save-coral-reefs/






Petition:



http://www.thepetitionsite.com/713/963/713/tell-oceanographer-sylvia-earle-you-support-ocean-exploration/?cid=FB_Share


Dr. Sylvia Earle needs our help!
Save the oceans through exploration.

Science. Boom.

Interstellar Awesomesauce, Photographic Awesomesauce, and Ambiguously Honorous Awesomesauce.

Whoa. I just got back from The Amazing Spiderman.
It was super awesome. Go see it.

And now?
Some news.




Well, friends, we're either going to Mars, a comet, or Titan (one of Saturn's moons).
Excitement.

http://www.nature.com/news/nasa-set-to-choose-low-cost-solar-system-mission-1.10982









New species! New species!
Amazing pictures! Ama-
Yeah, you get it.

http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2012/07/arctic-sea-creatures/?pid=2707










Well. I guess this is an... honor... sort of.
Bob Marley has a new namesake (besides the swag-bucket that is meself)!
So, woo-hoo! He deserves namesakes!
But....uh.... It's a marine parasite.
Sooooooo.
Not sure what to make of this one, sci-guys.

Gnathia marleyi. A bloodsucking marine parasite. From the Caribbean, of course.

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/10/12664350-gnarly-tribute-to-bob-marley-parasite-named-for-reggae-star?lite



More on these Irie lil' dudes:


http://theblogaquatic.org/tag/gnathia-marleyi/













An interesting tidbit!  About the Aquarius Reef Base! Check it out!!

http://aquaviews.net/ocean-news/saving-aquarius/


You can follow Aquarius on Twitter! ------>     @ReefBase

Science! To the rescue!!!



 

I am back. Corn is evil. Sign this.

Well, hello again.
I got back from the glorious city of Charleston a couple of days ago!

(This is a happy thing, and a sad thing.)

Anyway, I lost my Internet connection yesterday, and that is why your minds are not whirring with inspiring and sometimes horrible science news.

Let us rectify this!



Quirky.
That is just such a great word.
Shark Week.
The best week of the year.
Discovery Channel is doing a top ten list of quirky sharks (just for me, obviously) before Shark Week starts August 12th.
Huzzah!
#4, the Hammerhead shark.

I guess it is pretty quirktastic.

http://dsc.discovery.com/sharks/hsw/top-10-quirkiest-sharks-07.html#mkcpgn=fbdsc1







When sea turtles wash up on shore (usually a result of tangling in something) they are often exhausted and usually need medical care.
Sea turtle wash back programs in Saint Augustine, Florida, is in need of volunteers.
More information below:

http://www.historiccity.com/2012/staugustine/news/florida/2012-sea-turtle-wash-back-program-27748







And yet again, corn is behind the destruction of the world in general.
(More on this in the other blog, where I will soon type out and publish the first chapter of a memoir I'm writing.
Yes. The first chapter is about corn.)

Pollutants (namely nitrate) are emptying out of farms (CORN.) and properties into the Missouri River, which slowly makes its way into the Gulf of Mexico.
What this nitrate does is suck the oxygen out of the water causing a massive low-oxygen area (hypoxia).
The result of this is death (or immediate flight) for...ummm...everything in its path... and eventually this deadly pesticide by-product filters down into what has become the aptly named "Dead Zone" of the Gulf.
Bad.
And the nitrate levels along the Missouri have increased by 75% since 1980.
Worse.
Oh, and uhhh... scientists can't figure out how to stop it.
Catastrophic.

So, yeah.
That needs to happen.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=dead-zone-pollutant-grows-despite-decades-work







Last but not least, we have a gorgeous photo by NASA, captured yesterday off the coast of Iceland.
It features (from left to right) a swirl of sea ice, a phytoplankton bloom (a lighter blue than the bulk of the ocean) and of course, the (ironically) green terrain of Iceland.
Enjoy!

Petition:

http://signon.org/sign/navy-under-water-sound?source=mo&id=45595-21172192-H1GMSzx

(End the Navy's use of underwater equipment that is damaging to whales and dolphins!)

In honor of my long absence, let's add some zing to my weekly sign-off!

Science, biznitches.

Charleston! And Science!

Hey there, sci-guys!


Yes. I have indeed been missing for...several days.
But. That is a thing of the past.
Hehe.


So, I'm in Folly Beach, just outside of Charleston, in my hotel room.
I'd like to point out that I would definitely be in the pool if it weren't for an unfortunate mystery-bug bite on the back of my knee.
Don't judge, it's the size of a golfball.
And it huuuuuurts.


Anyways, updates!
Today we toured the Magnolia Plantation on the mainland.
Oooo. It was fun.
(The swamp was scary, though! In some places the path is level with the water, but there are no fences around it.
And there are alligators in the water.
Also my camera is broken. Ew.
Bonus!
In three days I will visit College of Charleston! Yay.
I am going to get a cream soda!
Also yay.


Now.
Down to business.



Definitely a must-check-out for our current environmental situation:

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680100/5-simple-ways-to-drastically-reduce-our-plastic-consumption







The U.S. opening statement at the 64th meeting of the International Whaling Commission:

http://iwcoffice.org/sc64docs/Opening%20Statements/_64-OS-USA.pdf







As the heat rises along the west coast, the endangered Leatherback turtles are in grave danger.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120701191511.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fmarine_biology+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Plants+%26+Animals+News+--+Marine+Biology%29




Sorry this post was so short compared to the others, but I have been... very busy.
*whew*
So. I'm not sure when I shall return this week, but rest assured it will be soon.

Science. 

The Beach, and Hardcore Science News.

My goodness.
I'm almost packed for our departure tomorrow morning...
And that means that in a little over 24 hours, I will be gazing upon Folly Beach, South Carolina.

*hyperventilates*




The South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary (or SAWS) is being voted on next Monday by the IWC.
This is a huge deal! Go Greenpeace!
This would protect the whales in the southern hemisphere from whaling.
Amazing!
Fingers crossed!

Humpback whale.

http://en.mercopress.com/2012/06/28/greenpeace-asks-iwc-for-historic-whale-sanctuary-in-the-south-atlantic







The U.S. resolves to take the lead in whale conservation?
This title's awesomeness speaks for itself.

Minke whale.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-resolves-to-take-the-lead-in-whale-conservation-2012-06-29







Scientists are just now thinking of this?
Yes, there are more fish than humans.
Yes, when they breathe they release C02 into the atmosphere.
Yes, they respirate more rapidly when they are in hotter temperatures, same as we do.
All of this information has led scientists to a rather obvious conclusion:
The fish of the world, by breathing more rapidly as a result of global warming, are making the situation worse.

Fish respiration.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120620133155.htm







GCA! GCA! GCA! GCA!
Ohhh my goodness.
The Global Conservation Act was passed today by both the House and the Senate.
This is the first global conservation strategy the U.S. has taken on.
I mean, wow.
Just wow.
Protecting our global environment is the most important thing the government could be doing, and this just makes me happy (as happy as when they passed the Shark Conservation Act in 2010).

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-conservation-act-introduced-on-capitol-hill-2012-06-29







Whale sharks. They're amazing.
Whoa.
Here are some pictures and information on a recent tagging expedition off the coast of Indonesia!

http://blog.conservation.org/2012/06/tagging-giants-studying-whale-sharks-in-cendrawasih-bay/







This is a (sort of) lovely tidbit from Ocean Conservancy.
If you wish, you may go and participate in their latest poll on ocean issues.
As for me, I couldn't choose...
It seems incredibly ridiculous to try and choose between "cleaning up trash", "protecting marine ecosystems like the Gulf of Mexico", "rebuilding fish populations", and "establishing marine protected areas"....
Because they are all part of the same issue:
THESE DANG HUMANS ARE DESTROYING THE OCEANS.

Baby Leatherback turtle.

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/ocean-conservancy-wants-to-hear-from-you/







It's bad enough that there is oil drilling in the Arctic to begin with.
Now, the government is moving ahead with their offshore drilling program without properly understanding the vast and intricate ecosystem it really is.
*Sigh*

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/now-more-than-ever-we-need-better-arctic-science/







Over 70 green sea turtles have washed up on the coast of Queensland, Australia for unknown reasons since last Friday.
62 of them were confirmed dead, and all of them were found in Upstart Bay.
No evidence of parasites or disease has been found.

http://phys.org/news/2012-06-mystery-mass-deaths-green-turtles.html






Pyura chilensis.
An interesting name for an interesting creature.
Pyura is the genus for a group of sessile ascidians (or sea squirts - a marine invertebrate that filter-feeds for sustenance) that live in low-depth coastal areas. 
This strange, rock-like sea creature is found off the coast of Chile and Peru.

http://grist.org/list/crazy-living-rock-is-one-of-the-weirdest-creatures-weve-ever-seen/

Sciiiiiience.

Big things...they keep happening.

Big things are always happening.
Whether those things are good or bad is up to us.
Seriously.
I don't mean to sound weird, but we could stop all of this bad shiz from happening to our planet.
So let's make that happen!



In other news, I'm going to South Carolina this Saturday! Huzzah!
'Twill be fun.




So yeah. Science.
The Gulf of Mexico!  That one place...that was very nearly destroyed by the Deepwater Horizon fiasco?
Whoa, yeah!
Oh, there's an act in Congress that will work towards the ultimate restoration of le Gulf?
Well, that's nifty.

Shrimp boats skimming oil after Deepwater Horizon.

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/28/dont-miss-this-major-step-toward-gulf-restoration/










A trash-free lifestyle.
Sounds hard, but it's definitely worth it.
Here are some tips and inspirational examples!
Happy re-using!

http://theblogaquatic.org/2012/06/27/how-did-you-live-trash-free/










The Environmental Protection Agency really is a wondrous thing.
And what with the Court of Appeals upholding their right to regulate greenhouse emissions and all, they're definitely gaining momentum.
This is a good thing.
Applause.

http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2012/06/28/epas-co2-regulation-upheld-as-unambiguously-correct/











The Maldives may have an upcoming wonderland of marine reserves, but as of last week, Australia has the largest network of marine protected areas (44 individual areas), including the entire Coral Sea.
Ummm, whoa.
This. is. amazing.
However, where there is amazingness, there is usually some notsome.
Follow the link for pro's and con's of this miracle.
Buzzkill.
Sheesh.

Clownfish de Queensland. Daww. (:

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/blog/oceans/big-step-forward-our-oceans-20120628











Sci-guys!
ALERT.
25 new reef fish have been discovered!
Ahhhhhgggghhhh!!!
Checkitout.

Fairy goby (:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/pictures/120628-coral-reefs-fish-species-new-oceans-animals-conservation-science-scorpionfish-eel-flounder











So...pollutants.
We all know that they're bad for marine life in general, right?
Please tell me you all know that.
I mean, really.
Ah, well.
Gaze upon this article if you will...learn of a certain pollutant that threatens five species of sea turtles.
Not that other pollutants don't, but... you know.
It's still bad.

Hawksbill turtle.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120628164635.htm#.T-zKboPaYC9.twitter











Gahhhhhhh.
This is literally the most adorable thing I have ever seen.
aslskjfvoijfoiuthoamchuibynoituvma,cpoei,p[iotumapoi,cncinmiumpoimv
WHOA.

Brookesia micra.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/02/pictures/120215-smallest-chameleons-new-species-madagascar-science/








Videos! My goodness!


http://vimeo.com/42619545

(Conservation)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FT9ZUL6Ls28#!

(Animal rescue)

Science.....whoa.