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Bonaire: A Diver's Paradise

Glassfish with large colony of purple tube sponges and sea rods at Bonaire

A Caribbean island nestled in the Leeward Antilles, warm and sunny Bonaire is a diver’s paradise with lots of shore diving and easy-to-reach fringing reefs, attracting divers at all levels who wish to explore and enjoy its beautiful reefs and marine life. Matthew Meier shares his adventure there.

Apple to pull Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 this week due to ITC ban

Apple to halt sale of dive computer Apple Watch in the US

In a move impacting tech enthusiasts and divers alike, Apple has announced the cessation of sales for its Apple Watch Series 9 and the dive computer-equipped Ultra 2 models in the United States. This decision, effective from December 21st, 2023, arises from a patent dispute with medical device maker Masimo.

Innovative AI technique enhances real-time tracking of manatees

The conservation of endangered species receives a technological boost as scientists at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) devise an artificial intelligence (AI) method that accurately counts manatee populations in real-time. 

Counting challenges and AI solution 

Counting manatees has long presented a challenge due to their herding behaviour, weather conditions, time of day and environmental factors that obscure their visibility. Water reflections can also hinder the counting process. 

Recent research reveals that wildfires impact not only terrestrial but also aquatic ecosystems.

Wildfires can affect aquatic ecosystems

Led by the laboratory of Professor Jonathan Shurin at the School of Biological Sciences, the research examines how aquatic systems respond to burnt plant matter, including its effects on food webs. Published in the journal Global Change Biology, two studies by the researchers highlight several key findings. They demonstrate that wildfires chemically alter plant debris, fundamentally shifting the role of aquatic ecosystems in the carbon cycle. Additionally, the research underscores the importance of these ecosystems as carbon sinks, storing carbon in their sediments.

Ricard Buxo: Pioneer of Diving in Raja Ampat

Undeniably one of the world’s extraordinary destinations, Raja Ampat blends breath-taking, above-water landscapes with a staggering abundance of marine biodiversity, into a remarkable combination that draws divers from all corners of the globe. Don Silcock writes about one of the pioneers of diving in this region, Ricard Buxo.

Fossil plants turn out to be turtle hatchlings

In a surprising twist of paleontological detective work, two fossils categorised as ancient plants turned out to be the fossilised remnants of baby turtles. 

This revelation is set to redefine the legacy of specimens collected by Colombian priest Padre Gustavo Huertas.

Mistaken Identity: Plant or Turtle?

Initially classified as a fossil plant called Sphenophyllum colombianum, the two specimens were discovered by Huertas near a town called Villa de Levya, in Colombia, where he collected rocks and fossils in the 1950s to 1970s.