Through new research, experts at the University of Plymouth aimed to provide the first assessment of the extent and diversity of the brachyuran land crab trade on a global level. They believe knowing the extent to which various species are traded will allow conservationists and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding legislation that monitors global imports and exports, and the wild catch of such species.

Newcastle University researchers have demonstrated that plastic bottles attached to fishing nets can help dolphins detect and avoid being caught and killed in the deadly gear.

How did a large crab end up trapped inside a plastic bottle with an opening smaller than its body? Hiroshima University researchers investigated this unusual marine mystery, revealing a lesser-known impact of marine plastic pollution on crustaceans.

We report a novel marine polysaccharide-based biomimetic bilayer scaffold, d-ACT@MIC/SIM, featuring a dense upper layer serving as a barrier layer and a porous lower layer mimicking the native bone matrix microenvironment. This sophisticated architecture, coupled with the programmed co-delivery of minocycline and simvastatin, endowed the scaffold with a multifaceted therapeutic armamentarium. In vitro assessments identified its significant antibacterial efficacy and osteoinductive potential. Animal experiments further validated its capacity to suppress inflammatory cytokine expression and facilitate alveolar bone regeneration. The integrated strategy of a structurally biomimetic, dual drug-releasing scaffold thus offers a significant advancement over conventional therapeutic modalities for periodontitis by concurrently addressing infection, inflammation, and tissue regeneration. As such, this innovative bilayer asymmetric bionic drug-carrying scaffolds emerge as a compelling and prospective therapeutic option for advancing periodontitis treatment.

Tufts University is advancing this mission through a new collaboration with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, Maine, giving graduate students direct access to immersive real-world ocean research.