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60 st / July 2014 www.sea-technology.com Three Rolex Underwater Scholars Chosen for 2014 Since 1974, founding partner Ro- lex Watch U.S.A. has been the Our World-Underwater Scholarship So- ciety's partner in education, with the society annually selecting three Rolex Scholars—one each from North Ameri- ca, Europe and Australasia—to receive fnancial and logistical support to fur- ther their understanding of the career possibilities relating to researching the depths of the sea. The 2014 Scholars are: Ana Sofía Guerra (North America), Elena Salim Haubold (Europe) and Courtney Anne Rayes (Australasian). Specialists will host diving-related experiences for the scholars in the ar- eas of marine biology, oceanography, medicine, physiology, research, pho- tography and business. The scholarships are open to appli- cants between the ages of 21 and 26 at the time of the December 31 ap- plication deadline. Each must have a valid citizenship for the relevant Rolex Scholarship (North America, Europe, and Australasia); not have earned a graduate degree by April 1 of the schol- arship year; not yet chosen a clearly de- fned career path; be of high academic standing; fuent in English; and be cer- tifed as a Rescue Diver or equivalent with a minimum of 25 dives logged in the past two years. The application is available online beginning October 1 for the following year. Full details are available at www.owuscholarship.org/ scholarships/how-and-when. Genetic Testing Could Shed Light On Dolphin Die-Off in Atlantic Scientists with Florida Atlantic Uni- versity's Harbor Branch Institute's Pop- ulation Biology and Behavioral Ecolo- gy program believe genetic testing may be the key to solving many mysteries surrounding dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and beyond. Their research, involving the genetic testing of more than 600 dolphins sampled both within the lagoon and along the adjacent Atlantic coastline, sheds new light on the population structure and dispersal patterns of the dolphins that inhabit the IRL. The study examined two different types of genetic markers, or parts of the genome, in dolphins— one from the mother and the other from both parents. Scientists found distinct genetic differences between dolphins in the IRL and those in the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers also uncovered dis- crepancies in the theory that the IRL dolphin population is a closed popula- tion, meaning all IRL dolphins stay in the lagoon and do not interact with At- lantic dolphins. Several of the dolphins sampled in the IRL had full Atlantic ge- netic profles, despite, in some cases, being sighted and tracked within the lagoon for more than a decade and sampled during lagoon health assess- ments. Scientists discovered several dol- phins with a genetic background likely indicating one IRL parent and one At- lantic parent. The DNA also revealed dramatic differences between dolphins in Mos- quito Lagoon and the IRL proper. It appears that movements of dol- phins between Mosquito and the At- lantic Ocean may be highly dynamic, versus that of movement between the IRL proper, suggesting the Mosquito Lagoon estuary functions differently than the rest of the IRL. The fndings from this study could help to provide new answers for health and management issues surrounding the recent mass die-off of dolphins spanning the entire Atlantic eastern seaboard. Study of Mussel Stickiness Could Lead to Better Adhesives Researchers reported in Langmuir a clearer understanding of how mussels stick to surfaces, which could lead to new classes of adhesives that will work underwater and even inside the body. Mussels have a knack for cling- ing onto solid surfaces underwater. Some types of mussels can even plug up drinking water pipes. Mussels also can stick to materials with nonstick coatings. Although researchers have already developed mussel-inspired glues, they still don't have a full under- standing of exactly how these critters stick so well to underwater surfaces. Researchers determined that one part of the mussel "glue" molecule, called catechol, pushes water mol- ecules out of the way to bind directly to a wide variety of surfaces. The study provides a clear picture of the frst step of mussel adhesion, which could pave the way for better adhesives for many applications, such as for use in surger- ies. The adhesives can be nontoxic and biocompatible. Sonardyne Offers 20 Percent Academic Discount Partnership Sonardyne (Yateley, England) is of- fering eligible U.S. academic and oceanographic institutions a 20 per- cent discount on equipment across its extensive product line up, including long-range target tracking systems, sea- bed sensors and through-water com- munication instruments. The discount is expected to now bring Sonardyne's award-winning 6G technology plat- form within fnancial reach of a wide range of U.S.-based scientists for the frst time. "Our Academic Discount Partner- ship agreement is recognition of the valuable work undertaken by univer- sities, research institutes and private, not-for-proft foundations in furthering our knowledge of the world's oceans and the diverse factors that impact them," said Dr. Ralph Rayner, nonex- ecutive chairman of Sonardyne. To enroll an organization in the dis- count program, contact Kim Swords at 281-890-2120. UK NOC Partners With IMarEST for Consulting Work U.K.'s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) announced a two-year partnership with the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST). The partnership will build on NOC's existing work with IMarEST, consulting on government and interna- tional bodies such as the Intergovern- mental Oceanographic Commission and International Maritime Organiza- tion. It will also enhance career devel- opment for NOC staff. "NOC values being able to work with a highly regarded international professional body to jointly address the great challenges facing the ocean, to beneft from a closer working re- lationship with marine professionals in industry, and to encourage more people to consider a future in marine science, engineering and technology," said Steve Hall of NOC. n ocean research