Articles
M.I.T. scientists design a robotic fish to track ocean health
Scientists at M.I.T. have developed a robotic fish, which they revealed yesterday, to someday be used to monitor fish and ocean health. The maiden voyage occurred in Fiji and proved that the robot was capable of autonomously swimming up to a depth of 60 feet. The robot is named “SoFi”, like Sofie, but actually short for Soft Robotic Fish.
Wreck of USS Juneau discovered in Solomon Islands
The final resting place of the World War II ship U.S.S. Juneau was discovered by Paul Allen’s research vessel at more than 2.5 miles deep off the coast of the Solomon Islands. The U.S.S. Juneau was hit by a Japanese torpedo and sunk on November 13, 1942 killing 687 people aboard, among them the five Sullivan brothers: George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al. Allen’s research vessel has been surveying many locations throughout the Pacific to find other wrecks such as the U.S.S. Lexington, U.S.S. Ward and U.S.S. Indianapolis.
Nikon announces D850 Filmmakers Kit
Nikon USA has announced their D850 Filmmaker’s Kit. It consists of a D850 camera body, NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED, and AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lenses, Atomos Ninja Flame recorder/monitor, E-1 and ME-W1 microphones and a spares EN-EL15 battery.
Florida may be on track for highest year of manatee deaths on record
Florida may be on track to have the highest year of recorded manatee deaths on record. The number collected up to March 2nd is at 166, with 51 of those due to cold, while the remaining are due to red tide and boat collisions. Manatee deaths in the state are progressively on the rise up from 472 in 2016 to 538 in 2017. While it is true that manatee populations are on the rise, they face rising threats posed by ever increasing human populations in the state.
BBC India features whale shark rescuer
BBC India has reported on the remarkable story of Dinesh Goswami of the Prakruti Nature Club, Gujarat, India who has saved over 500 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) by persuading local fishermen and politicians to protect them. When sharks become inadvertently tangled in fishing nets, Dinesh and his team record the animals statistics and the GPS location, before cutting the nets to release them.
Acquapazza announces housing for Sony a7 Mark III
Acquapazza has announced that their new housing for the Sony a7 Mark III camera is now available. The housing has an optional angled LCD window and can be used with either the Sony HVL-F20M flash for TTL strobe triggering or a battery pack to extend the camera’s battery life for video shooting.
U.S. Embassy lifts Cozumel ferry restrictions
The US Embassy in Mexico has lifted the ban on its employees using ferries between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, reopened its consular office in the latter town, and removed the restriction on embassy employees visiting 5 neighborhoods which included downtown Playa del Carmen.
Snapping shrimp are the honeybees of the sea
Snapping shrimp, whose several different species are known for their pistol-like pincher movement, have another more interesting bit of trivia about them: they are eusocial. These shrimp are one of the only known marine species to share the responsibilities of raising young. This characteristic is most recognizable in honeybees. Colonies of snapping shrimp most typically live in sponges and have one queen. Scientists have recently focused on their social network.
Recent News
- Highway Discovery: New Whale Species Discovered Under Freeway (via DivePhotoGuide)
- Viewpoint: Farm virus spreads to deer (via BBC)
- Explaining the Optical Low Pass Filter (via DivePhotoGuide)
- Inon seeks input into label designs for their Z240 strobe (via )
- Bees sense flowers’ electric signals (via BBC)
- Unfulfilled Expectations (via DivePhotoGuide)
- Glowing shark’s ‘lightsaber’ warning (via BBC)
- Tracking Europe’s alien invasion (via BBC)
- iPhone in i-Pix Housing Review (via DivePhotoGuide)
- Audio slideshow: Exploring Arabia (via BBC)