Science Wrap: OceanGate submersible implosion, lab-grown meat, and algae killing sea lions

The recovery and subsequent implosion of the ill-fated OceanGate submersible Titan has been dominating science news this week. However, there have also been some updates on the side like dead sea creatures being washed off at an alarmingly high level and American lab-grown meat gaining more legal traction. 

Let’s dive in (with condolences to the uber-rich passengers of Titan).

1- OceanGate submersible undergoes a high-pressure implosion 

Titan, the OceanGate submersible vessel with 5 personnel on board that went missing on June 18, 2023 during its mission to the Titanic disaster in the Atlantic Ocean, was recovered in parts by the US Coast Guard on Thursday afternoon.

ALSO READ: What is a catastrophic implosion that killed 5 people onboard Titanic submersible?

The Titan had 96 hours of oxygen, thus Thursday was the last day for transferring it and maybe saving the people within. With a catastrophic implosion being described as the primary cause of its passengers’ deaths, it is worth noting the haunting nature of such implosion.

A catastrophic implosion basically occurs when an object collapses suddenly and violently due to an overwhelming internal force. When the hull of a submersible or underwater vessel collapses or is broken, the vessel is crushed by the high water pressure.

It's unclear when the implosion happened. If it happened near the Titanic's wreckage, the air pressure would be 5,600 pounds per square inch; many hundred times the pressure we experience on Earth's surface.

2- Lab-grown meat gets the greenlight for consumption in US 

The United States has become the world's second country to authorize lab-grown chicken meat for public consumption. The US Department of Agriculture has given the final approval to two California-based companies, Upside Foods and Eat Just, to commence commercial manufacture and sales in the US. The only other country that has authorized lab-grown or cultured meat is Singapore. 

ALSO READ: US okays lab-grown meat for public consumption, only second country to do so

According to the corporations, lab-grown beef will soon be accessible in select eateries. The judgment comes just a few months after the US FDA declared lab-grown beef safe to eat.

But this is only the start as we are still a few years away from the commercial possibilities of lab-grown meat (that too only in America as of now). Reports say that it will be at least 7-10 years before consumers see cultured meat widely available in the market.

According to reports, cultured meat will not be widely available to customers for at least 7-10 years.

3- Hundreds of dolphins and sea lions are dying. Who’s to blame? Algae. 

Hundreds of sea lions and dolphins are being killed by toxic algal blooms along California's southern shores.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 1,000 marine animals became ill or perished in June.

Sea birds, dolphins, and specifically sea lions are falling unwell as a result of the rapid proliferation of some algae species, which create a poison known as domoic acid.

Experts suggest that algal blooms are a seasonal concern but climate change may exacerbate the problem. Every day, rescue organisations receive around 200 complaints of distressed marine creatures.