Paleontology
New species of ancient whale discovered in Egypt
Forty-three million years ago, ancient semi-aquatic whales roamed coastal seas which have since transformed into the deserts of present-day Egypt.…
Author: Julia Zeh
I am a PhD candidate at Syracuse University studying marine mammal communication. My research focuses on analyzing underwater recordings of whale calls in order to better understand whale behavior. I'm also interested in education, outreach, and science communication. When I'm not listening to whale sounds, you can find me curled up with a good book or complaining about how much it snows in Syracuse.
Conservation
North Atlantic right whales are getting smaller
With fewer than 400 individuals left on the planet, the situation for North Atlantic right whales is dire. Beyond the…
Sea Turtles
Where do baby sea turtles go?
Where do baby sea turtles go after hatching on the beach and heading out towards sea? New tracking technology is…
technology
The bionic walking octopus
Standing at about 5 inches tall and walking on two suction-cup lined tentacles, a new octopus-inspired robot has the potential…
Behavior
Sperm whales learned from each other to avoid 19th century whalers
Is it possible to learn about how whales behaved 200 years ago? A combination of whaling logbooks and mathematical models…
Behavior
There and back again: Uncovering the mysteries of gray whale migration
Gray whales undertake one of the longest migrations of any animal, swimming 12,000 miles round-trip between their northern feeding grounds…
Human impacts
Are marine mammals susceptible to COVID-19?
Humans aren't the only ones susceptible to COVID-19 and as the virus continues to spread, concern for wildlife is growing.
Behavior
Surprising fin whale songs in Hawaii
After sifting through thousands of hours of recordings, a team of naval researchers is bringing the previously hidden complexities of…
Policy
Holistic management: the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in conservation on the high seas
This Indigenous Peoples' Day, consider the role of indigenous and local communities in marine conservation and policy. International governing bodies…
Behavior
The view from a sperm whale’s nose
What happens if you place a microphone on the tip of a sperm whale’s nose? Putting anything on the nose…
Paleontology
An ancient dolphin gives a glimpse of the past
What can fossilized dolphin skeletons tell us about how whales transitioned from land to sea millions of years ago? New…
Conservation
VaquitaCPR: Trying to save the world’s most endangered marine mammal
What do you do when the species you’ve been working to save from extinction is down to fewer than 30…
Plastic Pollution
Menacing microplastics hamper hermit crab choices
How can little bits of plastic in the ocean impact a hermit crab's ability to make decisions? Microplastics can be…
Behavior
Minke Boings: A 50-year mystery and the science of listening in the ocean
Whale sounds are weird and fascinating, but for a long time scientists weren't even sure that whales made sounds. The…
Ecology
Arctic Unicorns: Understanding the past, present, and future of narwhals and their mysterious tusks
Why do narwhals have tusks that make them look like unicorns? As climate change continues, what is the fate of…
Behavior
A round of underwater applause: Scientists record gray seals clapping underwater
How do you get someone else’s attention underwater? It turns out some seals may clap their flippers together the same…
Conservation
Of Wildfires and Oceans
Wildfires are all over the news, from California to Australia, but do these terrestrial events have any impact on ocean…
Conservation
Ensuring that coral reefs sound like home
What does a coral reef sound like? The answer is more important than you might think. By playing the sounds…
Behavior
Mazes aren’t just for mice: European shore crabs exhibit spatial learning
Mazes aren’t just for mice, although a scientific literature search for maze learning might lead you to think so. In…
Behavior
The story behind the story: Understanding how mother whales communicate and the challenges of studying an endangered species
How do North Atlantic right whale moms talk to their calves? A recent paper describes new quiet calls which have…