Climate change and ocean deoxygenation within intensified surface-driven upwelling circulations.

Ocean deoxygenation often takes place in proximity to zones of intense upwelling. Associated concerns about amplified ocean deoxygenation arise from an arguable likelihood that coastal upwelling systems in the world's oceans may further intensify as anthropogenic climate change proceeds. Comparative examples discussed include the uniquely intense seasonal Somali Current upwelling, the massive upwelling that occurs quasi-continuously off Namibia and the recently appearing and now annually recurring 'dead zone' off the US State of Oregon.

DNA-PK, ATM and MDR proteins inhibitors in overcoming fludarabine resistance in CLL cells.

Aim: To perform the comparative study of the effects of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) inhibitors vanillin and NU7026, ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM)/ ATM and Rad3 related (ATR) kinase inhibitor caffeine and multidrug resistance (MDR) protein modulator cyclosporine A (CsA) on fludarabine resistant and sensitive lymphocytes from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients.

Methods: Cells sensitivity in vitro was determined with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). DNA-PKs and ATM expression in CLL cells was evaluated using Western blotting.

The jellyfish joyride: causes, consequences and management responses to a more gelatinous future.

Human-induced stresses of overfishing, eutrophication, climate change, translocation and habitat modification appear to be promoting jellyfish (pelagic cnidarian and ctenophore) blooms to the detriment of other marine organisms. Mounting evidence suggests that the structure of pelagic ecosystems can change rapidly from one that is dominated by fish (that keep jellyfish in check through competition or predation) to a less desirable gelatinous state, with lasting ecological, economic and social consequences. Management actions needed to stop such changes require tactical coping strategies and longer-term preventative responses based on fundamental and targeted research on this understudied group.

Massive emissions of toxic gas in the Atlantic.

Recurrent eruptions of toxic hydrogen sulphide gas in the waters along the Namibian coast off southwestern Africa have been considered to be local features with only limited ecosystem-scale consequences. But satellite remote sensing has revealed that these naturally occurring events are much more extensive and longer-lasting than previously suspected, and that the resultant hypoxia may last for much longer. The effects on the marine ecology and valuable coastal fisheries of this region are likely to be important.