Dartmouth Black Lab Astro Turns Three Years Old
Baby Anemonefish Can Rapidly Change Their Genes To Survive In The Sea
It's been just about 20 years since Finding Nemo was released in theaters and the lost "little clownfish from the reef" swam his way into our hearts. However, there is way more to coral reef fish than their beautiful scales and fictional tales.
[Related: This rainbow reef fish is just as magical as it looks.]
A study published May 11 in the open access journal PLOS Biology found that some of the fish that live in anemones and reefs go through intense physiological changes when they switch from speedy swimming in the open ocean as larvae to settling down to life on the reef.
Nemo and his young sea turtle pal named Squirt may have had a bit more in common than their age. Like sea turtles, many coral reef fish spawn away from where the animals will eventually settle and live. Adult coral reef fish spawn their larvae in the open ocean and the larvae swim against strong currents to get back to the reef where they will live as adults. Other bottom dwelling marine organisms like sea stars, corals, and urchins also follow this pattern.
"These first weeks of life can be the most vulnerable for coral reef fishes, and if they don't make it, that means they cannot grow up to be healthy adults and contribute to coral reef ecosystems," co-author and James Cook University marine biologist Jodie L. Rummer told PopSci.
All of this swimming demands a lot of energy from the tiny fish, but then once they are settled on the reef floor, they must drastically switch gears and survive in a low-oxygen, or hypoxic, environment at night.
To learn more about how this adjustment works, the team collected daily measurements of the cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) larvae's swimming speed, oxygen update, and hypoxia tolerance. They observed them in a laboratory setting from the time that they hatched until when they settled down, usually around day nine of life.
"Coral reef fishes, including anemonefishes, as larvae are swimming among the fastest relative to their body size," study co-author Adam Downie told PopSci. Downie is currently an animal physiologist at the University of Queensland in Australia and conducted the research as part of his PhD at James Cook University. "In our study, maximum speeds were over 12 centimeters [4.7 inches] per second, but for a fish that is the size of your pinky finger nail, that is 10-12 body lengths per second. Comparatively, relative to their size, larval coral reef fishes, including clownfish, outcompete most other marine life in a swimming test and all humans!"
Additionally, they saw that their hypoxia tolerance in the fish increased around day five while their oxygen intake decreased. To investigate how their bodies cope with these lack of oxygen, they sequenced mRNA from larvae of different ages to look for changes in gene activity that occurs during development. These physiological changes were correlated to areas of the gene where hemoglobin are produced and the activity of 2,470 genes changed during development.
[Related: Invasive rats are making some reef fish more peaceful, and that's bad, actually.]
"These baby fish can change the expression patterns of certain genes that code for oxygen transporting and storage proteins just in time to cope with such low oxygen conditions on the reef," said Rummer. "These proteins, like hemoglobin and myoglobin, are found in our bodies too and are important in getting oxygen from the environment and delivering it to the muscles, heart, and other organs. Indeed, timing is everything!"
The study found that relative to their body size, cinnamon anemonefish (also called cinnamon clownfish) larvae have the highest oxygen uptake rate of any bony fish currently measured. The genetic changes they can make to take in more oxygen underpin how reef fish can swim at speeds that would make even the most decorated Olympians envious. According to Downie, some studies have clocked clownfish at up to 50 body lengths per second, compared with Michael Phelps' just under two body lengths per second.
Since the effects of climate change threatens all marine life, the team believes that warmer ocean temperatures could impair clownfish swimming since the energy demands are so high. The warming waters put reef ecosystems at even more risk, in addition to coral bleaching, ocean acidification, disease, and more.
"Next steps would be to see how different climate change stressors, such as temperature and pollutants may impact swimming performance of larval clownfishes and their ability to successfully transition from the open ocean to coral reefs," said Downie.
JWST Spots Biggest Water Plume Yet Spewing From A Moon Of Saturn
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has spotted Saturn's moon Enceladus spraying out a huge plume of water vapour, much bigger than any previously seen there. This enormous cloud might contain the chemical ingredients of life, escaping from beneath the moon's icy surface.
In 2005, a NASA spacecraft called Cassini discovered icy particles squirting from Enceladus's subsurface ocean through cracks in the moon's surface. But JWST shows that material is spraying much farther than previously thought — many times deeper into space than the size of Enceladus itself.
"It's immense," said Sara Faggi, a planetary astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on 17 May at a conference at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. She declined to provide further details, citing a scientific paper that will be published soon.
Rare ocean worldEnceladus excites astrobiologists because it is one of the few 'ocean worlds' in the Solar System, making it one of the best places to look for extraterrestrial life. The salty ocean that lies beneath Enceladus's outer covering of ice is a possible haven for living organisms, which could be sustained by chemical energy at hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
The material that squirts out of Enceladus, primarily through fractures known as tiger stripes around the moon's south pole, is a direct link to that potential extraterrestrial ecosystem. The plumes seen by Cassini contained silica particles that were probably carried up from the sea floor by churning fluids. Cassini flew many times through Enceladus's plumes, measuring ice grains and life-friendly chemicals such as methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia.
But it took JWST, a telescope located 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, to discover something that Cassini could not see from its ringside seat. Whereas Cassini could spot ice grains that do not travel far from the surface, JWST has a wider perspective and sensitive instruments that can capture faint gas signals around Enceladus.
Enceladus at a glanceOn 9 November 2022, JWST peeked briefly at Enceladus. Just 4.5 minutes' worth of data revealed the enormous, very cold plume of water vapour. The forthcoming paper will quantify how much water is spraying out and its temperature, Faggi said. But the plume is likely to be of low density, more like a diffuse, cold cloud than a damp spray. That's not great news for anyone looking to grab samples from the plume and hoping to find life, because the signs of life might be too sparse to detect. Ice grains seen by Cassini much closer to Enceladus are more likely to have high concentrations of organic particles, says Shannon MacKenzie, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.
JWST also analysed the spectrum of sunlight reflecting off Enceladus and found evidence of many chemicals, including water and possibly other compounds that could hint at geological or biological activity in the moon's ocean. "We have many more surprises," Faggi said.
Researchers are already planning how to follow up on the discovery. Last week, JWST organizers released a list of the observations to be taken in the telescope's second round of operations — and it includes another project to study Enceladus. That work will look at Enceladus for six times longer than the first JWST study, and will aim to find chemical compounds associated with habitability, such as organic compounds and hydrogen peroxide. "The new observation will give us our best shot yet at searching for habitability indicators on the surface," says project lead Christopher Glein, a geochemist at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas.
Moon-scouting snake robotJWST's findings provide more grist for a possible NASA mission to Enceladus to search for signs of life there. Proposals under consideration include an 'orbilander' mission that would orbit the moon for a year and a half before landing at its south pole. Another proposal calls for the development of an autonomous snake robot that could slither beneath Enceladus's ice to explore the ocean.
Other icy moons in the Solar System are also getting attention from JWST. At the conference, Geronimo Villanueva, a planetary scientist at Goddard, reported that the telescope had detected carbon dioxide on Jupiter's moon Europa. That excites scientists because carbon and oxygen are key building blocks for life on Earth. NASA is launching a mission to Europa next year that will explore that ocean world in more detail. "This is definitely a new era in the exploration of the Solar System," Villanueva said.
This article is reproduced with permission and was first published on May 18, 2023.
Boston Calling 2023: Live Updates From The Festival
Believe it or not, Memorial Day weekend is already upon us, which means Boston Calling 2023 is here. The city's premier music festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, with Foo Fighters, The Lumineers, and Paramore headlining a stacked lineup at the Harvard Athletic Complex from May 26-28.
Whether you're heading to your first Boston Calling or your tenth, we've got all the information you'll need to make the most of your festival experience. Even if you're not going to make it to Lower Allston this weekend, Boston.Com will be at the festival grounds all three days providing live updates on the best performances, the must-try food, the forward-thinking fashion, and more.
Be sure to check back throughout the weekend as we add photos, videos, and interviews featuring all your favorite artists at Boston Calling 2023.
Read more about Boston Calling: Zolita energizes crowd at Boston Calling 2023 with representation and charismaFriday, 3:30 p.M.
Zolita, whose 2:15 p.M. Set at Boston Calling 2023 kicked off the weekend's lineup at the Blue Stage, went viral in 2020 for her music video for the song "Explosion."
Three years later, Zolita spoke to an energized crowd of colorful claw-clip-wearing fans about the importance of LGBTQ representation in music.
Her setlist, including songs such as "Ashley" — which she tenderly dedicated to her girlfriend — was peppered with introspective questions and encouragement for the crowd.
The singer spoke about listening to love songs written by men about women, which could then be covered by female singers.
"And when they wouldn't change the pronouns, it meant so much to me," she said to the crowd.
To emphasize her point, Zolita tweaked her cover of Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" to "Before She Cheats," earning big cheers from the crowd.
Everything you need to know for Boston Calling 20231 p.M., Friday
To kick the weekend off, we're compiling a quick guide to some of the most frequently asked questions and important information about Boston Calling 2023.
Who are some of the top bands and artists at Boston Calling 2023?
© Provided by Boston.Com Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters. There's an emphasis on rock at Boston Calling 2023 this year, with all three headliners falling somewhere on the rock spectrum. Alternative rockers Foo Fighters top the bill on Friday, while folk-rock group The Lumineers and alt-indie rockers Paramore will headline Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Besides the headliners, top-billed performers include former One Directioner Niall Horan, '90s indie rock icon Alanis Morrissette, psychedelic rock group Flaming Lips performing the entirety of hit concept album "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots," and experimental Aussie rock group King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, who had to bow out of Boston Calling 2022 at the last minute due to COVID-19.
Speaking of last minute-cancellations due to illness, unfortunately indie rock group Yeah Yeah Yeahs will no longer be appearing at the festival, with Boston-bred rockers Dropkick Murphys replacing them in Friday's lineup.
Who are some of the local bands and artists at Boston Calling 2023?
© Provided by Boston.Com Singer-songwriter Ali McGuirk. Boston Calling 2023 has another strong lineup of local artists, with 20 having ties to New England. The majority of them will play on the Tivoli Audio Orange Stage, but you'll find them on all four stages throughout the weekend.
Retro-rock group Coral Moons and singer-songwriter Ali McGuirk (whose set was bumped last year due to weather delays) will return to the festival this year. Joining them is femme queer punk trio Sorry Mom, hip-hop artist and rapper Brandie Blaze, and Americana musical act Workman Song.
For a full rundown of local artists at the festival and when they'll be performing, check out our comprehensive guide to New England-based artists at Boston Calling 2023.
What should I eat or drink while at Boston Calling 2023?
© Provided by Boston.Com Smoke Shop BBQ's meat cone at Boston Calling. As is typically the case, Boston Calling 2023 has assembled an enviable lineup of food and drink options, highlighting some of the best local restaurants across a variety of cuisines.
Making their debut at the festival will be 10 new vendors, including dessert options from Blackbird Doughnuts and Flour Bakery and Cafe; comfort food from Lily P's Fried Chicken and The Broadway; and tacos from El Jefe's Taqueria.
Among the returning options from prior festivals worth checking out are delicatessen Mamaleh's, offering latke fries topped with pastrami, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing; healthy restaurant Farmacy Café, selling rice and salad bowls as well as its not-so-healthy "naughty" waffles; and Andy Husbands' Smoke Shop BBQ, serving the highly portable (and highly delicious) Ultimate BBQ Cone, filled with pimento mac and cheese, pit beans, burnt ends, coleslaw, and pickled jalapeños.
For a full list of vendors and more info on each of them, check out our comprehensive Boston Calling 2023 food and drink guide.
What items can and can't be taken through security at Boston Calling 2023?Even though Boston Calling is an outdoor festival, zero cigarettes, cigars, lighters, or tobacco of any kind will be allowed through security. Organizers say the festival is a nonsmoking event in order to minimize damage to Harvard's Astroturf fields. And while marijuana use may be legal in a private residence in Massachusetts, it will not be permitted at Boston Calling.
The Boston Calling bag policy has two different size limits, depending on whether the bag is clear or not. If it isn't clear, the size limit is 6×9 inches — about the size of a small clutch purse or fanny pack. If the bag is clear, the maximum size is 12x6x12 inches. Bags with multiple pockets are prohibited. Hydration packs (like a Camelbak) do not have to be clear, but must be emptied of all liquids before entry.
Other banned items include vape pens, illegal substances, professional cameras and recording devices, squirt guns and spray bottles, laser pointers, chairs, strollers, picnic blankets, and umbrellas.
For a full list of prohibited items, check out the Boston Calling website.
What are the Boston Calling 2023 set times?The easiest way to keep track of set times and the artists performing at Boston Calling 2023 is via the festival's app, which will push any last-minute changes directly to your phone. You can also check out the Boston Calling 2023 interactive lineup on the festival's website.
As of Friday, here is the full list of artists performing at Boston Calling 2023, along with the set times and stages for each performance.
Friday, May 26Foo Fighters, 8:40-10:40 p.M., Green Stage
Niall Horan, 7:40-8:40 p.M., Blue Stage
The National, 7:05-8:35 p.M., Red Stage
Little Fuss, 6:55-7:35 p.M., Orange Stage
Dropkick Murphys, 5:55-6:35 p.M., Green Stage
Teddy Swims, 5:50-6:50 p.M., Blue Stage
Blue Light Bandits, 5:20-5:50 p.M., Orange Stage
Chelsea Cutler, 4:45-5:45 p.M., Red Stage
TALK, 4:35-5:20 p.M., Blue Stage
Summer Cult, 4:05-4:35 p.M., Orange Stage
The Beaches, 3:55-4:40 p.M., Green Stage
GA-20, 3:20-4:05 p.M., Blue Stage
Celisse, 3-3:50 p.M., Red Stage
Brandie Blaze, 2:50-3:20 p.M., Orange Stage
Razor Braids, 2:20-2:55 p.M., Green Stage
Zolita, 2:15-2:50 p.M., Blue Stage
Saturday, May 27The Lumineers, 9-10:40 p.M., Green Stage
The Flaming Lips, 7:35-8:50 p.M., Blue Stage
Alanis Morissette, 7:15-8:45 p.M., Red Stage
Najee Janey, 6:55-7:30 p.M., Orange Stage
Noah Kahan, 6:05-7:05 p.M., Green Stage
Fletcher, 5:50-6:50 p.M., Blue Stage
Actor Observer, 5:20-5:50 p.M., Orange Stage
Mt. Joy, 4:55-5:55 p.M., Red Stage
Decla McKenna, 4:35-5:20 p.M., Blue Stage
Coral Moons, 4:05-4:35 p.M., Orange Stage
Joy Oladokun, 3:55-4:50 p.M., Green Stage
Welshly Arms, 3:25-4:05 p.M., Blue Stage
The Aces, 3-3:50 p.M., Red Stage
chrysalis, 2:55-3:25 p.M., Orange Stage
The Q-Tip Bandits, 2:20-2:55 p.M., Blue Stage
Loveless, 2:20-2:55 p.M., Green Stage
Neemz, 1:45-2:15 p.M., Red Stage
Sunday, May 28Paramore, 9-10:40 p.M., Green Stage
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, 8:30-10 p.M., Blue Stage
Couch, 7:40-8:20 p.M., Orange Stage
Queens of the Stone Age, 7:25-8:50 p.M., Red Stage
The Walkmen, 6:40-7:35 p.M., Blue Stage
Maren Morris, 6:15-7:15 p.M., Green Stage
Ali McGuirk, 5:55-6:35 p.M., Orange Stage
Genesis Owusu, 5:05-5:50 p.M., Blue Stage
Bleachers, 5:05-6:05 p.M., Red Stage
Sorry Mom, 4:30-5 p.M., Orange Stage
070 Shake, 4-4:55 p.M., Green Stage
Brutus, 3:45-4:25 p.M., Blue Stage
Workman Song, 3:05-3:40 p.M., Orange Stage
The Linda Lindas, 3-3:50 p.M., Red Stage
Wunderhorse, 2:25-2:55 p.M., Green Stage
Mint Green, 2:20-2:55 p.M., Blue Stage
Juice, 1:45-2:15 p.M., Red Stage
Can I still buy tickets to Boston Calling 2023?You can still purchase tickets for any of the three days on the Boston Calling website. Single-day general admission tickets for Saturday are sold out, but are available for Friday or Sunday for $159.99 plus fees. Single-day VIP tickets for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are $419.99 plus fees, while single-day Platinum tickets for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are $1099.99 plus fees.
Three-day general admission passes are now sold out, but can buy GA Plus passes for $559.99 plus fees, three-day VIP for $1,049.99 plus fees, or three-day Platinum for $2,099.99 plus fees.
There are also a number of tickets available below those price points on secondary ticket resale websites like StubHub. Though StubHub offers a moneyback guarantee for fraudulent tickets, the festival says that it cannot guarantee the authenticity of any tickets not purchased directly through its website.
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The post Boston Calling 2023: Live updates from the festival appeared first on Boston.Com.
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