From Monsoons to Microbes: Understanding the Ocean's Role in Human Health

by National Research Council (U. S.)

• ISBN13: 9780309065696
• ISBN10: 0309065690
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: NATL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

Summary

Explores the oceans and examines the links among physical oceanography, public health, epidemiology, marine biology, and medicine in understanding how the oceans affect our health. DLC: Marine pollution--Health aspects.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary	1	(8)
Introduction	9	(6)
PART I: HAZARDS TO HUMAN HEALTH FROM THE OCEANS	15	(56)
Climate and Weather, Coastal Hazards, and Public Health	17	(26)
The Physical Ocean Environment: Circulation and Stratification	17	(2)
Public Health and Problems Caused by Tropical Storms and Other Marine Natural Disasters	19	(4)
Forcasting Tropical Storms	23	(4)
Estuaries and the Coastal Ocean	27	(6)
Climate Variability and Global Climate Change	33	(6)
New Technologies for Ocean Environmental Observation	39	(2)
Conclusions	41	(2)
Infectious Diseases	43	(16)
Waterborne Diseases	43	(10)
Vector-borne Diseases	53	(3)
Conclusions	56	(3)
Harmful Algal Blooms	59	(12)
Harmful Algal Bloom Hazards in Food	60	(8)
Research Requirements Aimed at Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Prevention	68	(1)
Conclusions	69	(2)
PART II: VALUE OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY TO BIOMEDICINE	71	(56)
Marine-Derived Pharmaceuticals and Related Bioactive Agents	73	(10)
The Marine Environment as a Source of Chemical Diversity	74	(1)
The Discovery and Development of Marine Pharmaceuticals: Current Status	75	(2)
Marine Microorganisms as a Novel Resource for New Drugs	77	(2)
The Marine Environment as a Source of Molecular Probes	79	(1)
The Ocean as a Source of New Nutritional Supplements	80	(1)
Conclusions	81	(2)
Marine Organisms as Models for Biomedical Research	83	(14)
Sea Stars, Sea Urchins, Tunicates, and Sharks: Their Role in Understanding How the Body Fights Infection and Disease	84	(3)
Sea Urchin and Clam Eggs: Their Role in Understanding Cell Biology and Biochemistry	87	(2)
Marine Organisms: Their Role in Physiological Studies Pertaining to Fluid and Ion Transport, Renal Function, and Volume Regulation	89	(2)
The Toadfish: Its Role in Unraveling the Neural Control of Balance and Equilibrium	91	(1)
Horseshoe Crabs: Their Role in Understanding Retinal Function and How Eyes See	92	(1)
Aplysia: Its Role in Discovering the Molecular Basis of Learning and Memory	92	(1)
The Squid Giant Axon: Its Role in Establishing How Nerve Impulses are Conducted	93	(1)
Use of Fish as Models for Human Diseases	94	(1)
Conclusions	95	(2)
Literature Cited	97	(30)
Appendixes
A Committee and Staff Biographies	115	(4)
B Acronyms and Abbreviations	119	(4)
C Program for the Workshop on the Ocean's Role in Human Health	123	(4)
Index	127