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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Biology
Slime, baby, slime!
Hagfish might look like disgusting little slime eels, but there is so much more to these jawless fishes. Read on…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Conservation
Commercial fishing in Marine Protected Areas highlights the need for careful management
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) increase biodiversity and preserve ecosystem health when they are properly managed. But researchers have detected destructive…
Biology
Can you smell that? Oil spills change stingray’s sense of smell
It may have occurred 8 years ago, but scientists are still talking about the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. This…
Biology
When having babies, is quantity or quality better?
Evolution is riddled with trade-offs. One of the classic examples is how to spread maternal resources – is it better…
