British Antarctic Survey’s Post

What's new in ocean science? Here's our highlights of this month's ocean science news! 🐙💡 1️⃣ For the first time ever, images of a newborn great white shark were caught on camera. The footage, filmed by wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and University of California, Riverside researcher Phillip Sternes, may help solve longstanding mystery in shark science: https://ow.ly/a1fu50Qwcrv 2️⃣ A new tool developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists predicts flood risk from hurricanes in a warming climate: https://ow.ly/Hn9850Qwcru 💡 The #OceanDecade Challenge 6 focuses on community resilience to ocean hazards. As part of our #Vision2030 process, we're inviting the global ocean community to contribute to the strategic implementation of each Ocean Decade Challenge. Join the open review process here: https://ow.ly/8YH250Qwcrs 3️⃣ Academics call for a better inclusion of island people in ocean sciences in a special issue of the journal The Oceanography Society: https://ow.ly/6AgX50Qwcrt 💡 To address this, the #OceanDecade SIDS Ocean Science Policy Network Pilot Project aims to provides a platform for Small Island Developing States to be active ocean science leaders. Find out more: https://ow.ly/iqes50Qwcrr #WednesdayWisdom #OceanScience

Reading [this post](https://lnkd.in/exUvDUki) on LinkedIn about a scientific research expedition made me reflect on the nature of project outcomes. In science, setting out with a hypothesis and discovering it to be incorrect doesn't equate to failure; rather, it's a vital part of the journey towards discovery. This perspective sparked a realisation about my own project at Shopify—why wasn't I applying the same logic? Stopping a project can often be seen as a setback, but whether it’s a GSD project in Shopify or a scientific expedition, it can actually signify progress, adaptability, and strategic foresight. Both scenarios underscore the dynamic nature of project management and research, where outcomes, insights, and strategic shifts are crucial in deciding whether to continue or discontinue an initiative. So I wanted to share this, and ask:  How’s your project going? If it’s not progressing as expected, could it be time to consider stopping it? This may seem counterintuitive, especially in an environment like Shopify where everything is so high-energy and forward-moving. But sometimes, the boldest move you can make is to press pause - or even stop. I recently made the decision to stop my project, Integration of Deployment Training for Developers. This decision was influenced by the evolution of learning strategies and how we have adopted learning tools like VaultBot and ChatGPT. A shift that reflects a broader trend in corporate training and development towards more agile, just-in-time learning modalities that can be more effective and less disruptive than traditional structured programs. In scientific research, the findings, whether they confirm or refute the initial hypothesis, provide valuable insights that can redirect the focus of inquiry. If NUIG's research concludes that climate change does not significantly impact the role of microorganisms in carbon absorption, it doesn't signify failure. Rather, it offers new knowledge that can change our understanding and influence future research directions. Stopping a project often involves strategic realignment with current needs and goals. At Shopify, integrating immediate, on-demand learning tools represents an adaptation to the changing landscape of workplace learning, optimizing resources to better suit the developers' and the company's needs. Regardless of the outcome, the research team’s findings might prompt a realignment of research focus towards more pressing or newly uncovered issues related to climate change and marine biology. Here, stopping and realigning ensures that resources are used where they are most needed, enhancing the overall impact of research efforts. In both worlds, stopping a project is not a marker of failure but a part of the evolutionary process of learning and adaptation. It is being responsive to new information and changing circumstances, ensuring that efforts are directed in the most effective and efficient manner. 

A research team led by University of Galway is investigating whether climate change is reducing the impact that some of tiniest organisms in the oceans have on CO2 levels in the atmosphere. The researchers spent several weeks at sea on board the Marine Institute’s Celtic Explorer in the Labrador Sea between Canada and Greenland, to record levels of phytoplankton. The expedition team are assessing the role of these tiny plants in carbon absorption from the atmosphere in the context of the threat from climate change on the seas from freshwater and meltwater in the Arctic regions. The research expedition was funded by the Marine Institute, and led by Professor Brian Ward, School of Natural Sciences, University of Galway and involved researchers from Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Ocean Frontier Institute; Memorial University Newfoundland; and the Science Foundation Ireland research centre for applied geosciences - iCRAG. Science Foundation Ireland Dalhousie University Ocean Frontier Institute iCRAG - SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciences #UniversityofGalway #Research #MarineScience #ClimateChange #Phytoplankton

🪸 Discovery of 2 Untouched Deep-Sea Coral Reefs near Galápagos Islands 🦭 📍Where? In the Galapagos Marine Reserve, hidden 300m (1,000ft) to 420m (1,378ft) deep. 📏Size? The larger reef reaches up to 800m (2,600ft) while the smaller one spans up to 250m (820ft) in length. 🥼Who? A collaborative effort of 24 scientists from 13 organisations, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Schmidt Ocean Institute, and Galapagos National Park Directorate during a 30-day expedition. 🔬How? Using Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ‘SuBastian’, advanced mapping data and interdisciplinary science teams these hidden wonders were unveiled, contributing to crucial research for better management of the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor. 🐚'Finding such deep and long-lived reefs takes us important steps closer to protecting hidden dimensions of ocean diversity and understanding the role that deep habitats play in maintaining our ocean's health.' - 💬 Stuart Banks, senior marine scientist, Charles Darwin Foundation Like 👉 The Marine Diaries for more!⁠ 📷 by Schmidt Ocean Institute #OceanOptimism #OceanNews #PositiveOceanNews #PositiveNews #GoodNews #GoodNewsStory #OceanConservation #Conservation #Ocean #Underwater #Wildlife #Nature #Environment #Biology #MarineBiology #Science #Scientist #InstaScience #Research #ScienceAndTechnology #Sustainability #Communication #ScienceCommunication #SciComm #Education #OceanEducation

#HappyEarthDay ! Let me recommend a book that will make you truly appreciate how wonderful the Earth is, by comparison to anywhere else in the universe: https://lnkd.in/gBFaeJbC A City On Mars, by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith (creator of webcomic SMBC). Something this book really drives home, in a very funny but also compelling way, is that "there is no Plan(et) B". Everywhere outside of Earth is absurdly hostile to human life. Not only does Mars lack a biosphere or a breathable atmosphere, it's also bombarded by deadly radiation (it doesn't have a magnetosphere like Earth does) and lacks usable energy sources (solar irradiance is less than half that on Earth). You could technically keep somebody alive there, in a tiny underground box, using entirely resources that they brought with them from Earth. But there's nothing there to survive on, nothing to make the colony self-sustaining, nor any resources exploitable with our current level of technology. And Mars is the best case scenario: everywhere else in space is even worse. Some people think that human space colonization could be a "backup plan" to increase the likelihood of humanity surviving if a terrible disaster befalls Earth. But one of the strongest points the book makes is that even the worst-case-scenario future Earth - devastated by nuclear war, by the maximally pessimistic runaway-climate-change scenario, or both - would still be orders of magnitude easier to survive on than any other planet. I love outer space, and I support increasing scientific research there, but we should be real - human colonization of space is not a backup plan. Maybe in a couple of hundred years our technology will advance enough that it will make sense. For now, how can we think about terraforming Mars if we can't solve the much, much easier problem of keeping Earth's systems (the terraforming we got given for free!) in a habitable state?

Dive into the enchanting world of marine biology, where the oceans become a canvas for life’s most extraordinary tales. 🌊🐠 As a marine biologist, I've been fortunate to explore the mysteries beneath the waves, discovering the beauty and complexity that define our oceans. Here's a glimpse into the captivating realm of basic marine biology: Diversity Beyond Imagination: Our oceans harbor an astonishing array of life forms. From microscopic plankton to majestic whales, the diversity of marine organisms is unparalleled. Each species plays a vital role in the intricate web of life, contributing to the health and balance of marine ecosystems. Adaptations for Survival: Life underwater has inspired incredible adaptations. Creatures have evolved specialized features for survival, like the bioluminescence of deep-sea organisms, the streamlined bodies of fish for efficient swimming, or the camouflage techniques of cephalopods. Ecosystem Marvels: Marine ecosystems are marvels of interconnection. Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," are vibrant ecosystems supporting a myriad of species. Mangroves and seagrass beds serve as crucial nurseries for many marine animals. Inspiration for Innovation: The mysteries of the ocean continue to inspire scientific discovery and innovation. Marine biotechnology, for instance, explores the potential of marine organisms for pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, and renewable energy solutions. Embracing the fundamentals of marine biology not only unveils the secrets of our oceans but also underscores the urgency of protecting these invaluable ecosystems. Together, we can contribute to a sustainable future for our planet’s greatest treasure—the oceans. #MarineBiology #OceanConservation #ExploreTheOceans #DiveDeeper #SustainableFuture

💡 New points for #SouthernOcean #policymakers ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gey5ZNEw Climate-smart Marine Spatial Planning in the Antarctic region could help build long-term resilience for ecosystems and species while balancing human activities. See the research from Catarina Frazão Santos, Lisa Wedding, Larry Crowder, et al. in #SciencePolicyForum: scim.ag/6Za University of Lisbon University of Oxford

Researchers trace the health of coral reefs through tiny organisms - University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science: A National Science Foundation grant is helping University of Miami students and faculty members to investigate the health of global coral reefs by looking at the remains of foraminifera, single-celled organisms, that live near them. https://lnkd.in/em28F4vs

Adult coral can handle more heat and keep growing thanks to heat-evolved symbionts - Australian Institute of Marine Science: Adult fragments of a coral species can better tolerate bleaching and recover faster when treated with tougher heat-evolved symbionts, new research from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the University of Melbourne indicates. https://lnkd.in/efh4iTzU

OCEAN CITIZEN PARTNER (#Germany) ~ The German Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is one of the world’s leading #polar research organizations, with research being carried out in the #Arctic and #Antarctic as well as in the high and mid latitude #oceans. It contributes to the international research on #climate, #marine and #coastal issues. It is a member of the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft / Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. In the #AWI, the Young Investigator Group ARJEL-Arctic Jellies, led by C. Havermans, focuses on the diversity and role of #gelatinous #zooplankton (#jellyfish) in polar regions. It uses state-of-the-art methods such as optical surveys, environmental DNA and #modelling to characterize #biodiversity patterns and study climate change-driven range shifts in the rapidly changing #ocean. More info on https://lnkd.in/ekkVmHhe #OceanCitizen #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #OceanLiteracy #2030Agenda #OceanDecade #biodiversity #marinescience