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Articles on Hypoxia

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The majestic St. Lawrence River, a jewel of economic, historical and environmental importance, reminds us of the need to preserve this essential ecosystem. (Ludovic Pascal)

Oxygen in the St. Lawrence Estuary is decreasing – and having a major impact on small animals living there

The waters of the St. Lawrence are running out of breath and bottom-dwelling organisms are already feeling the effects. Here’s how ecosystems are reacting.
When fish like this netted cod are exposed to mercury, it accumulates in certain organs, including the lenses of their eyes. Yvette Heimbrand

The lenses of fishes’ eyes record their lifetime exposure to toxic mercury, new research finds

A new study shows that a time stamp can be put on mercury that accumulates in fish eyes, offering a window into their lifetime exposure.
The Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence is one of, if not the largest estuarine system on Earth. It plays an intrinsic role in the history of Canada and is the cradle of Quebec’s economy, and its identity. (Gwénaëlle Chaillou)

Why the St. Lawrence estuary is running out of breath

Climate change is causing the deep waters in parts of the St. Lawrence River to lose their oxygen, and it’s damaging the health of the ecosystem.
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, seen here after competing in the women’s free skate program at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, tested positive for a banned substance. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Russian Olympic figure skater Kamila Valieva’s drug test: The substances and their potential performance effects

A doctor and lifelong figure skater explains what was found in Valieva’s drug test, what effects the substances might have and how performance enhancements might benefit a figure skater.
A part of the brain called the lateral parabrachial nucleus regulates pain, anxiety and breathing. Aleksei Morozov/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Pain and anxiety are linked to breathing in mouse brains – suggesting a potential target to prevent opioid overdose deaths

Opioids can cause death by slowing breathing to dangerously low levels, or stopping it altogether. Examining one area of the brain may eventually lead to safer painkillers.
Valerio Micaroni

Sponges can survive low oxygen and warming waters. They could be the main reef organisms in the future

Sponges are ancient marine animals and have already shown robustness against stresses from climate change. New research now shows they can also tolerate low-oxygen conditions.
Alfred Nobel made his fortune through the invention of dynamite. Paramonov Alexander/Shutterstock.com

Discovery of how cells sense oxygen levels earns Nobel Prize

Oxygen is vital for life, so much so that cells can sense when there isn’t enough and adapt almost instantly. So how do they do it? The winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize for Physiology figured it out.
Climate change could further stress species such as Atlantic cod that already are threatened by overfishing. Vladimir Wrangel/Shutterstock

How is climate change affecting fishes? There are clues inside their ears

Tiny calcified formations inside fishes’ ears can be used to trace a fish’s life history – and potentially, how climate change has affected its growth and development.

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