Skip to content
oceanbites

oceanbites

Ocean science for everyone!

  • About oceanbites
    • Style Guide
  • Our authors
  • Oceanbites Out Loud
  • Write for oceanbites!
  • Other science bites sites

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.
Commercial fishing in Marine Protected Areas highlights the need for careful management
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…
December 24, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Can you smell that? Oil spills change stingray’s sense of smell
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…
November 28, 2018November 27, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
When having babies, is quantity or quality better?
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…
September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
You are Now Entering the Twilight Zone: Exploring the Unique Realm of Mesophotic Reefs
Human impacts

You are Now Entering the Twilight Zone: Exploring the Unique Realm of Mesophotic Reefs

200 feet below the surface of the ocean, light slips away from view. But even here, in the mesophotic zones,…
August 13, 2018August 14, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Losing Coral Reefs Will Cost Us More Money
Economy

Losing Coral Reefs Will Cost Us More Money

Coral reefs are extremely important ecosystems. Sadly, climate change, pollution, and various other threats are causing us to lose some…
July 24, 2018July 24, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Sleeping with one eye open: fur seals may help us understand sleep patterns
Biology

Sleeping with one eye open: fur seals may help us understand sleep patterns

Most mammals need to catch their zzz’s to function properly. Fur seals appear to naturally go through prolonged periods of…
June 13, 2018June 13, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Big Momma: bigger fish are better moms
Fisheries

Big Momma: bigger fish are better moms

What makes a fish a good mom? Read here to see why scientists now think that big fish moms are…
May 17, 2018May 16, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Tracking Global Fisheries with the Help of Computer Neural Networks
Fisheries Human impacts

Tracking Global Fisheries with the Help of Computer Neural Networks

Fisheries are vital to global economies and to the billions of people who rely on fish for their primary source…
March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
Plastics increase disease risks for corals
Conservation Coral Human impacts Plastic Pollution

Plastics increase disease risks for corals

You have probably heard about the troubles coral reefs are facing and about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution in…
February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 Ashley Marranzino
The backbone of an ecosystem: bone-eating zombie worms control biodiversity at deep-sea whale falls
Biology deep sea Ecology

The backbone of an ecosystem: bone-eating zombie worms control biodiversity at deep-sea whale falls

Zombies are real - but they are nothing like the ones from The Walking Dead. No, these zombies are worms…
December 27, 2017December 26, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
That idea doesn’t suck: Hitchiking fish inspires a robotic suction disk
technology

That idea doesn’t suck: Hitchiking fish inspires a robotic suction disk

How do scientists build better suction cups? Turn to nature's hitchikers for inspiration! Read on to see how remoras inspired…
November 28, 2017November 30, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
Science Behind the Scenes: A Tour of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus
deep sea Methodology Ocean Exploration Science Communication

Science Behind the Scenes: A Tour of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus

What is it really like to do research out at sea? Last month oceanbites writers Megan Chen and Ashley Marranzino…
September 28, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
Shark Week For Scientists III: Notes from the Annual Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Conference

Shark Week For Scientists III: Notes from the Annual Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

Love watching Shark Week to see how scientists study sharks? I just returned from the annual Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists…
July 28, 2017July 28, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
ocean engineering

Ocean Tech: Using Robots to Conduct Deep-Sea Research

The deep sea is the largest habitat on Earth, but with freezing water and high pressures it is difficult for…
May 15, 2017May 16, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
deep sea Evolution

Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: Using an Invisibility Cloak for Deep-Sea Camouflage

You may not have to go to Hogwarts to find an invisibility cloak of your own. Although, the trip to…
March 23, 2017March 23, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
Biology deep sea Hazards Pollution Toxicology

Manmade Pollutants Plague Deep-sea Organsims

Scientists have found an alarming accumulation of certain persistent organic pollutants in an environment previously thought pristine and untouched by…
February 25, 2017February 26, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
Behavior Biology Natural History

Heroic Humpbacks: Orcastrate an Escape

While watching a pod of killer whales attacking their prey, scientists noticed a small group of humpback whales come to…
January 31, 2017January 31, 2017 Ashley Marranzino
Biology Genetics genomics Methodology

Exciting strides for eDNA: Insights into whale shark population genetics

In the past few decades scientists have found new and exciting ways to use DNA to answer scientific questions. There…
December 29, 2016December 28, 2016 Ashley Marranzino
Archaeology deep sea Human impacts Ocean Exploration

The Rebirth of the “Mighty-I”

Happy Halloween! This is the true, spooky tale of life, death, and rebirth beneath the waves. To end off OceanBites’…
October 31, 2016 Ashley Marranzino
Behavior Biology

The Manta in the Mirror: Are Manta Rays Self-Aware?

Fish are not typically thought of as the most intelligent animals. Yet, new research on manta rays may revolutionize the…
September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 Ashley Marranzino

Posts navigation

Older Posts
Newer Posts

Search oceanbites

our sister sites

astrobites
astrobites en español
astrobites in Farsi
envirobites
reefbites
evobites
chembites
particlebites
oncobites
softbites
BitesSci K12 education
PERbites
immunobites

oceanography on the web

UNder the C
ClimateSnack
Southern Fried Science
Deep Sea News
Inner Space Center
Exploration Now
Consortium for Ocean Leadership

affiliated institutions

URI GSO
WordPress Theme: BlogGrid by TwoPoints.