Doug Johnson’s Contributions:
Tidal Power’s Fickle Future
To pull power from the waves, you need a high tidal range or strong currents. Sea level rise threatens to mess with both.
Apr 17, 2023 | 1,000 words, about 5 minutes
Offshore Wind’s Turbulent Future
The realization that turbulence created by deepwater wind turbines could upset the spring phytoplankton bloom has researchers warning the rapidly emerging industry to proceed with caution.
Jul 28, 2022 | 1,200 words, about 6 minutes
Would You Live on a Cruise Ship?
As the pandemic forces cruise ships into early retirement, some want to see them converted into affordable housing.
Feb 16, 2022 | 900 words, about 4 minutes
Kelp’s Carbon Sink Potential Could Be Blocked by Coastal Darkening
Coastal darkening, an environmental threat researchers are only beginning to study, is found to dramatically reduce the productivity of kelp.
Nov 1, 2021 | 900 words, about 4 minutes
The Environmental Threat You’ve Never Heard Of
It’s called coastal darkening, and scientists are just beginning to explore it.
Feb 10, 2021 | 900 words, about 4 minutes
A Shipwreck’s Incalculable Toll on a Remote Reef
After a fishing boat ran aground on a fragile atoll, the consequences for the ecosystem were alarming—and curious.
Jun 24, 2020 | 650 words, about 3 minutes
Could Giants Lurk Beneath Europa’s Icy Shell?
For some deep-sea and polar species, gigantism proved a useful evolutionary strategy—the same may be true if life exists on Jupiter’s moon.
Apr 7, 2020 | 650 words, about 3 minutes
Australia’s Marine Animals Will Be the Fires’ Unseen Victims
Ash and silt will choke underwater ecosystems.
Jan 22, 2020 | 550 words, about 2 minutes
Scientists Want to Make Fuel and Plastic Out of Bacteria
Tiny but mighty, octillions of cyanobacteria in the ocean create diesel-like hydrocarbons in huge amounts. A team of researchers wants to know why.
Jun 21, 2019 | 850 words, about 4 minutes
Sea Cucumbers Keep Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’
Scientists have discovered the surprising way orange-footed sea cucumbers get around.
May 8, 2019 | 500 words, about 2 minutes
Floating Ice Dampens Waves, Helps Preserve Itself
New research explores how small particles floating in water sap energy from waves, weakening the ice-shattering power of the sea.
Apr 22, 2019 | 400 words, about 2 minutes