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A world without color: the bleached soft corals of Bolinao
Featured Photo: Bleached Sclerophytum sp. (previously identified as Sinularia) Deep in the throes of a global pandemic, the Philippines of 2020 was no stranger to death. Through her research, soft coral scientist Christine Baran found how true this was for our ever-warming reefs as well. Published in Marine Biology Research last May 2023, “Genus and…
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Homes for the Holothurians: Optimizing sea cucumber management strategies through biophysical modeling
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan As the gastronomic demand for our marine resources grows, our natural stock can barely keep up. Luckily, ecology experts work with modellers to explore different approaches in preserving the biodiversity of our oceans. In this feature, we take a look at how computational science can help us…
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Fishing in a Vortex: How ocean currents affect biological productivity
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan Around four months a year, we experience a respite from our tropical climate when the weather starts to chill. During Christmas, we wear thick clothes as winds from Siberia and China descend upon our mornings and bring with them good — and cold — tidings. These winds prevail during…
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In Full Bloom: Predicting HAB events using A.I.
By. Mia N. Judicpa & Gabrielle A. Abrahan, MSI Contributors In 1983, many inhabitants of Samar, Masbate, Sorsogon, and even Western Visayas were gripped by symptoms like tingling, numbness, and nausea. Almost 300 cases of food poisoning were reported. The culprit was eventually identified to be the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense that affected green mussels in Maqueda Bay…