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Author: Ashley Marranzino

I received my Master's degree from the University of Rhode Island where I studied the sensory biology of deep-sea fishes. I am fascinated by the amazing animals living in our oceans and love exploring their habitats in any way I can, whether it is by SCUBA diving in coral reefs or using a Remotely Operated Vehicle to see the deepest parts of our oceans.
Massive icefish breeding colony discovered in Antarctica
Biology

Massive icefish breeding colony discovered in Antarctica

Scientists on an Antarctic research expedition unexpectedly discovered an icefish nesting ground that appears to be the largest known fish…
January 24, 2022January 25, 2022 Ashley Marranzino
Feasting whales fuel ocean ecosystems
Ecology

Feasting whales fuel ocean ecosystems

Baleen whales eat a lot. Can their appetites help marine ecosystems recover from overfishing?
November 24, 2021December 22, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
Sea otter digging promotes eelgrass resilience
Ecology

Sea otter digging promotes eelgrass resilience

We don’t appreciate furry friends disrupting our gardens, but in the ocean, otters may be key for eelgrass ecosystem health.
October 29, 2021October 28, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
How Extreme Wildfires Made the COVID Pandemic Deadlier
Human Health

How Extreme Wildfires Made the COVID Pandemic Deadlier

Wildfires in California have been causing COVID-19 cases and deaths to skyrocket, and El Niño may be playing a role.
June 12, 2021June 11, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
What do octopuses dream of when they take a little octopus snooze?
Behavior

What do octopuses dream of when they take a little octopus snooze?

Sleep is critical to a healthy lifestyle for humans and other animals. New research shows that even octopuses cycle through…
April 1, 2021April 2, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
Schooling fish inspire underwater robot communication
ocean engineering

Schooling fish inspire underwater robot communication

Scientists and engineers frequently draw inspiration from the natural world around them. Swarms of insects and birds inspired the development…
February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
Damselfish farmers domesticated mysid shrimp
Ecology

Damselfish farmers domesticated mysid shrimp

Farming and animal domestication are trademarks of establishing stable human civilizations. But we are not the only species to develop…
January 4, 2021January 6, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
Under pressure: Amphipod uses aluminum to survive in the deep sea
Biology

Under pressure: Amphipod uses aluminum to survive in the deep sea

Crushing pressures and freezing temperatures prevent many animals from surviving in the deepest depths of our oceans; yet, somehow, a…
November 2, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Fishermen help scientists uncover the secret life of cod
Fisheries

Fishermen help scientists uncover the secret life of cod

Fishermen and scientists often butt heads when it comes to cod fisheries. But when the two groups work together, they…
October 2, 2020October 1, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Ocean Noise Pollution Changes How Fish Grow
Human impacts

Ocean Noise Pollution Changes How Fish Grow

The noise we make pollutes natural soundscapes and can impede how animals communicate, move, and behave. Researchers now have evidence…
September 3, 2020September 2, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Bottom trawling may irreparably damage seamount habitats
deep sea

Bottom trawling may irreparably damage seamount habitats

Destructive fishing practices like bottom trawling damage seafloor habitats. To see how detrimental this fishing technique might be on fragile…
August 5, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Pros and cons of conservation: how rebounding sea otter populations impact local economies
Economy

Pros and cons of conservation: how rebounding sea otter populations impact local economies

Growing sea otter populations are seen as a conservation victory. These cute, charismatic marine mammals are rebounding from near extinction,…
July 3, 2020July 3, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Slime, baby, slime!
Biology

Slime, baby, slime!

Hagfish might look like disgusting little slime eels, but there is so much more to these jawless fishes. Read on…
June 3, 2020June 2, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
How scientists use our nuclear past to understand whale shark life history
Biology

How scientists use our nuclear past to understand whale shark life history

To properly conserve and manage species, scientists need to understand how they live, grow, and age. But even figuring that…
May 11, 2020May 10, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
How could putting 3-D glasses on cuttlefish change the way we think about vision?
Evolution

How could putting 3-D glasses on cuttlefish change the way we think about vision?

3-D glasses-wearing cuttlefish can show us more than just the latest fashion trends. They can also teach us about evolution…
March 10, 2020March 10, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Invasive Species

Could a novel disease help curb the lionfish invasion?

Since the first sighting in the 1980s, lionfish have rapidly invaded the waters of the Western Atlantic, the Caribbean, and…
February 10, 2020September 26, 2021 Ashley Marranzino
Deadly neurotoxin may help de-stress pufferfish
Behavior

Deadly neurotoxin may help de-stress pufferfish

The flesh of many pufferfish is laced with a deadly neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin. This toxin successfully wards off pufferfish predators,…
January 13, 2020January 13, 2020 Ashley Marranzino
Larval fish foraging grounds inundated by plastic pollution
Human impacts

Larval fish foraging grounds inundated by plastic pollution

If the adage "you are what you eat" holds true, we may be in some big trouble. A recent study…
December 3, 2019December 3, 2019 Ashley Marranzino
How the anglerfish gets its light
Biology

How the anglerfish gets its light

Deep-sea anglerfishes are known for their prominent glowing lure extending from their heads. Bacteria are behind the scenes, enabling anglerfish…
October 8, 2019October 7, 2019 Ashley Marranzino
Could sponges replace expensive ocean tech?
Methodology

Could sponges replace expensive ocean tech?

The ocean is a big place and trying to study all of the animals living there can take a lot…
September 10, 2019September 9, 2019 Ashley Marranzino

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