New Special Exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History

Image credit: Shutterstock, Jon Milnes

Mollusks: Shelled Masters of the Marine Realm

This special exhibit explores the amazing diversity and history of mollusks—snails, clams, squid and other invertebrates that comprise almost a quarter of all known marine species. There are more different species of mollusks than there are vertebrates. Scientists estimate the number between 2 million and 100 million.

The exhibit features the research of Professor Gonzalo Giribet, colleagues and students at Harvard University, and the Dept. of Malacology at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, this new exhibition engages the general public in mollusk evolution, ecology, and the many ways in which their lives intersect with ours. To find out more go HERE

photo: courtesy of science punk

Noise Pollution May Lead to Death for Cephlapods

According to a new study in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment finds that even low intensity noise can severely injure cephalopods, which include octopus, squid, and cuttlefish. The injuries are bad enough to possibly lead to stranding and death.  "This is the first study indicating a severe impact on invertebrates, an extended group of marine species that are not known to rely on sound for living," says Michel André, Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona.

Read more at Mongabay or go to Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment to read André's, abstract.

CONE SNAIL VENOM FOUND TO BLOCK NICOTINE CRAVINGS

Florida scientist, Dr. Christopher Armishaw, has found that one particular class of molecules - alpha-conotoxins - from the beautiful but deadly marine cone snails, can block the action of nicotine in the brain. He also found that by tweaking isolated molecules from the venomous snail, new drugs can be developed to treat withdrawal symptoms and reduce the negative side effects posed by current anti-smoking drugs. Smoking is still the leading preventable cause of death in North America.

Armishaw who began his research in nicotine addiction three years ago with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, is an assistant member in medicinal chemistry. In addition to looking at new drugs for nicotine addiction, his lab is developing novel research tools and drugs for studying pain management, depression and drug addiction.