Since 2001, trained snorkelers, freedivers, and scuba diver volunteers (collectively called EcoDivers) have been recording data on the distribution, abundance, bathymetric range of 43 selected key marine species along Mediterranean Sea coasts using Reef Check Underwater Coastal Environment Monitoring (RCMed U-CEM) protocol. The taxa, including algae, invertebrates, fishes, were by a combination...

Major invasions of Indo-Pacific lionfish ( Pterois volitans and P. miles ) are underway in the Western Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean Sea. While establishment is perhaps most well-studied marine fish invasion to date, rapidly expanding more recent has received less attention. Here we review synthesize successes failures from two decades management give policy recommendations for their Mediterrane...

1277 larger volumes. As cryptosporidiosis is very common in bovine species ordinary colostrum from some cows may be effective. Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is safer than most drugs, which is a consideration when treating debilitated patients, and, should microbial contamination of colostrum pose a problem in immuno-deficient individuals, it could be gamma irradiated without affecting the immuno...

Post-mortem radiology and autopsy findings in a series of six diving-related deaths are presented. The cases had different causes of death but essentially similar radiological findings. We propose that the so-called classical radiological features of cerebral arterial gas embolism more likely represent "off-gassing" (gas coming out of solution into intra-vascular spaces due to pressure changes)...

Abdominal compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency caused by a raised intra-abdominal pressure, which may lead to respiratory, cardiovascular and renal compromise. It is most commonly seen in post-operative and trauma patients and it has a variety of causes. Tension pneumoperitoneum (TP) is a rare cause of abdominal compartment syndrome most often seen after gastrointestinal endoscopy with...

The Behavior Exchange is an AgentSheets-based forum employing the web for the collaborative creation of SimCityTM-like interactive simulations. While initially the Behavior Exchange was geared to empower geographically distant users to build and exchange simulation pieces it turned out to be just as useful in facilitating collaboration between kids working in the same class room. Example applic...

Underwater sampling needs to strike a balance between time-efficient and standardized data that allow comparison with different areas times. The roving diver survey involves divers meandering actively searching for species has been useful producing fish lists but seldom implemented benthic taxa. In this study, we used non-destructive technique register associated kelp forests at the sub-Antarct...

BACKGROUND Scuba diver fitness is paramount to confront environmental stressors of diving. However, the diving population is aging and the increasing prevalence of diseases may be a concern for diver fitness. PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to assess the demographics, lifestyle factors, disease prevalence, and healthcare access and utilization of Divers Alert Network (DAN) members and co...

BACKGROUND Recreational scuba diving involves the use of complex instruments and specialized skills in an unforgiving environment. Errors in dive preparation in such an environment may lead to unsafe conditions, mishaps, injuries and fatalities. Diving mishaps can be major and minor based on their potential to cause injury and the severity of the resulting injury. The objective of this study is...

During the last decades, number of observations basket star Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) in Mediterranean Sea has significantly grown, thanks to SCUBA diver and ROV sightings, citizen reports, as well particularly large catches by artisanal fishery. Having been generally considered rare many areas basin, such a long-term increase records might assign this putative role winner specie...