Latest

Samples of carbonate rocks from the Del Mar East Methane Seep Field, USA
Samples of carbonate rocks from the Del Mar East Methane Seep Field, USA

Deep-sea bacteria release carbon into the atmosphere

Researchers made the discovery when they studied sulfur-oxidising bacteria in methane seeps on the ocean floor at the Del Mar East Methane Seep Field, USA. These seeps contain collections of limestone that trap large amounts of carbon.

They then observed that in the process of oxidising sulfur, the bacteria creates an acidic reaction that dissolves the rocks and this causes the carbon trapped inside the limestone to be released.



Their findings was published in the The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology

Long Beach Scuba Show 2021 Cancelled

Last year, we told you that there was "no way to responsibly hold an event of this size with people from around the world for the foreseeable future." When we wrote that, we never would have guessed the "foreseeable future" would extend well over a year.

To bridge the gap, we are working on a resource for divers - for you. Information from our exhibitors with videos, specials, new products, travel and more.

A deep dive into the diving talks

The objective of the DIVING talks organization is to ramp up a different type of event. A much more immersive experience with spaces and moments where the show happens: speakers and attendees network, and brands communicate.

The "Talks" won't be confined to the classic in-room format; speakers can present their talks in one of the different "stages" available.

  • PORTUGAL DIVE
  • UNITED BY THE SEA
  • BESTEMOTIONS

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Diveheart partners with Tourism Malaysia for Moscow Dive Show 2021
Diveheart partners with Tourism Malaysia for Moscow Dive Show 2021

Diveheart partners with Tourism Malaysia for Moscow Dive Show 2021

The exhibition is an excellent opportunity to connect with divers in Russia and Eastern Europe and widen the adaptive diving community, according to Jim Elliott, founder of Diveheart.

“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the life-changing power of scuba diving. There really are no boundaries to what we can achieve, and we have seen time and time again how educational scuba therapy has built confidence and transformed the lives of people with disabilities all over the world,” said Elliott.

Steve Tippetts, Doug Ebersole, Danny Graham, Innerspace, Grand Cayman, rebreather diving, Rosemary E Lunn, Roz Lunn, XRay Mag, X-Ray Magazine, ccr safety news, scuba diving news
From left to right: Steve Tippetts, Doug Ebersole and Danny Graham getting ready to dive at Innerspace 2012, Grand Cayman

RTC advice—use checklists!

After such a long lay-off out of the water, it is not surprising that several agencies are issuing safety statements as Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns are relaxed, and divers around the world get ready to resume diving.

The latest piece of advice has been issued by the Rebreather Training Council

A checklist is probably the cheapest piece of life support equipment a technical diver will own, but it will look after you, dive after dive. RTC

Photo by Jesper Risløv
EUF Lavanchy Award was presented to X-Ray Mag founder Peter Symes.

EUF Lavanchy Award presented to X-Ray Mag's founder

Nowadays, digital publications are common, but back in 2003, when Peter Symes had the vision to establish and produce X-Ray Mag—the first digital dive publication—this was not the case. “Peter has created a publication that the whole world reads, because it covers the many aspects of our sport in depth: destinations, science, media, safety, research, equipment, people, places, etc,” stated the EUF in a press release.

Afloat just after being launched at the Federal Shipbuilding Company yard, Kearny, New Jersey, 25 October 1941

Wreckage of USS Juneau a long-lost WWII cruiser located off Solomon Islands

The Research Vessel R/V Petrel’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) first identified the ship in its side scan sonar on March 17. Upon analysis of the sonar data, the Petrel crew deployed its remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) on March 18 to verify the wreckage through its video capabilities.

With Covid-19 tests being part of the travel landscape for the near future, IATA is putting their endorsement behind rapid antigen tests.

Airlines start dropping pandemic-specific rules

As more people get their first shots of Covid-19 vaccine, some airline industry traditions are coming back. Airlines are slowly returning to their old boarding policies, while quietly re-adding change fees to certain tickets.

According to Travel Weekly, the majority of major airlines will go back to assessing fees on Basic Economy fares by April 1, 2021.

Interview with Bruce Partridge: Founder of Shearwater Research

Bruce Partridge, founder of Shearwater Research. Photo courtesy of Bruce Partridge.
Bruce Partridge, founder of Shearwater Research. Photo courtesy of Bruce Partridge.

Bruce Partridge is the founder of Shearwater Research, which makes high-quality dive computers, trimix computers and electronic control systems for rebreathers, with simple and intuitive user interfaces and a reputation for being reliable, user-friendly and easy to read underwater.

Cetaceans have developed mechanisms against diseases such as cancer

Why whales don't seem to get cancer

Cetaceans were not limited by gravity in the buoyant marine environment and evolved multiple giant forms, exemplified today by the largest animal that has ever lived: the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus).

There are tradeoffs, however, associated with large body size, including a higher lifetime risk of cancer due to a greater number of somatic cell divisions over time.  The largest whales can have ∼1,000 times more cells than a human, with long lifespans, leaving them theoretically susceptible to cancer.