https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/fisheries/ Fisheries. Read the latest research on sustainable fisheries, threats to fishing, and the future of commercial fishing. en-us Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:38:22 EDT Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:38:22 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/fisheries/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401022027.htm Old canned salmon turned out to be a time capsule of ocean health. Researchers found that rising levels of tiny parasitic worms in some salmon species suggest stronger, more complete marine food webs. Because these parasites depend on multiple hosts—including marine mammals—their increase may reflect ecosystem recovery over decades. What looks unappetizing may actually be a sign of a healthier ocean. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:20:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260401022027.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260326064157.htm A sweeping global report finds that migratory freshwater fish are in steep decline, with populations down roughly 81% since 1970. These species depend on long, connected rivers, but dams and human pressures are cutting off their routes. Hundreds of species now need coordinated international protection. Experts say restoring river connectivity is critical to preventing further collapse. Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:51:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260326064157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005532.htm Two new species of black bass have been officially identified after decades of confusion with similar fish. Bartram’s bass and Altamaha bass stand out not just in appearance, but in their DNA, revealed through detailed genetic analysis of hundreds of specimens. Scientists say this breakthrough helps preserve a record of these species as habitat changes and hybridization threaten their future. What was once overlooked could soon be at risk of vanishing. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 23:19:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260323005532.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm A major breakthrough could help save the world’s bananas from a devastating disease. Scientists have discovered the exact genetic region in a wild banana that provides resistance to Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 — a destructive strain that threatens Cavendish bananas worldwide. While this wild banana isn’t edible, the discovery gives breeders a powerful genetic roadmap to develop future bananas that are both delicious and naturally protected from this deadly pathogen. Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:43:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260219040749.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025554.htm Coral reefs, worth an estimated $9.8 trillion a year to humanity, are in far worse shape than previously realized. A massive international study found that during the 2014–2017 global marine heatwave, more than half of the world’s reefs suffered significant bleaching, and many experienced large-scale coral death. Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:55:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212025554.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207232242.htm A newly discovered deep-sea creature has become an unlikely Internet star. After appearing in a popular YouTube video, a rare chiton found nearly three miles beneath the ocean surface sparked a global naming effort, drawing more than 8,000 suggestions from people around the world. Scientists ultimately chose the name Ferreiraella populi, meaning “of the people,” honoring the public that helped bring it into the scientific record. Sat, 07 Feb 2026 23:32:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260207232242.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204121542.htm Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, one of the most endangered sea turtle species on Earth, live in some of the noisiest waters on the planet, right alongside major shipping routes. New research reveals that these turtles are especially sensitive to low-frequency sounds—the same rumbling tones produced by ships and industrial activity underwater. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 07:37:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204121542.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201231230.htm As demand for critical metals grows, scientists have taken a rare, close look at life on the deep Pacific seabed where mining may soon begin. Over five years and 160 days at sea, researchers documented nearly 800 species, many previously unknown. Test mining reduced animal abundance and diversity significantly, though the overall impact was smaller than expected. The study offers vital clues for how future mining could reshape one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems. Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:22:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260201231230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035340.htm A Michigan dairy farm took a gamble on a new kind of soybean—and it paid off fast. After feeding high-oleic soybeans to their cows, milk quality improved within days and feed costs dropped dramatically. Backed by years of MSU research, the crop is helping farmers replace expensive supplements with something they can grow themselves. Demand has surged, and many believe it could reshape the dairy industry. Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:53:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260116035340.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155030.htm Overfished coral reefs are producing far less food than they could. Researchers found that letting reef fish populations recover could boost sustainable fish yields by nearly 50%, creating millions of extra meals each year. Countries with high hunger and nutrient deficiencies would benefit the most. Rebuilding reefs could turn ocean conservation into a powerful tool against global hunger. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 02:09:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260103155030.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160854.htm Coral reefs appear to run a daily timetable for microscopic life in nearby waters. Scientists found that microbial populations above reefs rise and fall over the course of a single day, shaped by feeding, predation, and coral-driven processes. Some microbes peak during daylight, while others surge at night. These rhythms offer new clues about how reefs influence their surrounding environment. Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:28:03 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/01/260101160854.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092028.htm A new economic modeling tool is helping Maine kelp farmers identify cost-saving strategies with remarkable precision. By analyzing farm design, weather, vessel types, and processing methods, it highlights how decisions ripple through overall profitability. When tested, the tool demonstrated that simple redesigns and mechanization could dramatically reduce production costs. Its findings could reshape the future of offshore kelp farming. Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:13:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210092028.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031339.htm Scientists found that kale’s prized nutrients are hard for the body to absorb unless they’re eaten with oil. Cooking doesn’t improve absorption, but adding oil-based dressings—or even more advanced nanoemulsion sauces—does. These combinations dramatically increase access to kale’s carotenoids. The research could inspire new, healthier dressings designed to supercharge everyday vegetables. Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:31:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031339.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095642.htm During years of scarce fish, African penguins crowd into the same areas as commercial fishing vessels, heightening competition for dwindling prey. A new metric called “overlap intensity” shows how many penguins are affected and is already shaping improved conservation policies. Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:56:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251117095642.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050710.htm Researchers discovered fossil evidence showing that spionid worms, parasites of modern oysters, were already infecting bivalves 480 million years ago. High-resolution scans revealed their distinctive question mark-shaped burrows. The finding highlights a parasitic behavior that has remained unchanged for nearly half a billion years. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:52:56 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251105050710.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093434.htm Long ago, some saltwater fish adapted to freshwater — and in doing so, developed an extraordinary sense of hearing rivaling our own. By examining a 67-million-year-old fossil, researchers from UC Berkeley discovered that these “otophysan” fish didn’t evolve their sensitive Weberian ear system in rivers, as long thought, but rather began developing it in the ocean before migrating inland. This new timeline suggests two separate invasions of freshwater, explaining why so many freshwater species exist today. Mon, 03 Nov 2025 23:54:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251103093434.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002851.htm Researchers at QUT uncovered how corals reattach to reefs through a three-phase process involving tissue transformation, anchoring, and skeleton formation. Differences among species reveal why some corals grow and attach faster than others. Intriguingly, corals even digest their own tissue to heal and prepare for attachment. This insight could make coral restoration projects more precise and successful. Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:08:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251029002851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023751.htm Extinction rates are not spiraling upward as many believe, according to a large-scale study analyzing 500 years of data. Researchers found that species losses peaked about a century ago and have decreased since, with different drivers shaping past and present threats. Whereas invasive species once caused most island extinctions, habitat destruction now looms largest on continents. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:32:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251027023751.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030943.htm In a stunning glimpse into the mysteries of the deep, scientists have uncovered two new marine species off Western Australia—a glowing lanternshark and a tiny porcelain crab. The discoveries, made from specimens collected during a 2022 CSIRO research voyage, highlight both the dazzling adaptations of life in the deep sea and the vast number of species yet to be described. Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:09:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251008030943.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035023.htm Scientists have identified three new species of deep-sea snailfish, including the strikingly pink “bumpy snailfish,” thanks to MBARI’s advanced technology and global collaborations. Found thousands of meters below the surface off California, these elusive fish demonstrate remarkable adaptations for life under crushing pressure and darkness. Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:31:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250926035023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225022.htm Egg-eating worms living on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs may hold the key to smarter fishery management. Once thought to be a threat, these parasites actually serve as natural biomarkers that reveal when and how often female crabs reproduce. Researchers found the worms are surprisingly resilient to varying salinity levels, meaning they can track crab spawning across the Bay. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:37:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250918225022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913112506.htm Not all barnacles just sit on rocks and ships. Some invade crabs, growing like a parasitic root system that hijacks their bodies. A mysterious group called y-larvae has baffled scientists for over a century, with no known adult stage. Genetic evidence now reveals they’re related to barnacles and may also be parasites — lurking unseen inside other creatures. Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:37:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250913112506.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031516.htm Flathead catfish are rapidly reshaping the Susquehanna River’s ecosystem. Once introduced, these voracious predators climbed to the top of the food chain, forcing native fish like channel catfish and bass to shift diets and habitats. Using stable isotope analysis, researchers uncovered how the invaders disrupt food webs, broaden dietary overlaps, and destabilize energy flow across the river system. The findings show how a single invasive species can spark cascading ecological consequences. Tue, 09 Sep 2025 18:54:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250909031516.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm Once on the brink during the last ice age, great white sharks made a remarkable recovery globally, but their DNA reveals a baffling story. Classic migration explanations fail, leaving scientists with a mystery that defies reproductive and evolutionary logic. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 12:42:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250816113505.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729231241.htm A team at the University of Florida used drones and smart modeling to accurately count over 41,000 endangered turtles nesting along the Amazon’s Guaporé River—revealing the world’s largest known turtle nesting site. Their innovative technique, combining aerial imagery with statistical correction for turtle movement, exposes major flaws in traditional counting methods and opens doors to more precise wildlife monitoring worldwide. Tue, 29 Jul 2025 23:30:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250729231241.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045712.htm Half a billion years ago, a strange sea-dwelling creature called Mollisonia symmetrica may have paved the way for modern spiders. Using detailed fossil brain analysis, researchers uncovered neural patterns strikingly similar to today's arachnids—suggesting spiders evolved in the ocean, not on land as previously believed. This brain structure even hints at a critical evolutionary leap that allowed spiders their infamous speed, dexterity, and web-spinning prowess. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about arachnid origins and may even explain why insects took to the skies: to escape their relentless, silk-spinning predators. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:35:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250723045712.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000851.htm Hawaiian coral reefs may face unprecedented ocean acidification within 30 years, driven by carbon emissions. A new study by University of Hawai‘i researchers shows that even under conservative climate scenarios, nearshore waters will change more drastically than reefs have experienced in thousands of years. Some coral species may adapt, offering a glimmer of hope, but others may face critical stress. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 23:51:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250716000851.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm A cat named Pepper has once again helped scientists discover a new virus—this time a mysterious orthoreovirus found in a shrew. Researchers from the University of Florida, including virologist John Lednicky, identified this strain during unrelated testing and published its genome. Although once thought to be harmless, these viruses are increasingly linked to serious diseases in humans and animals. With previous discoveries also pointing to a pattern of viral emergence in wildlife, scientists stress the need for more surveillance—and Pepper remains an unlikely but reliable viral scout. Sat, 12 Jul 2025 10:58:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250711224330.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250708045700.htm In the remote reaches of Arizona s Petrified Forest National Park, scientists have unearthed North America's oldest known pterosaur a small, gull-sized flier that once soared above Triassic ecosystems. This exciting find, alongside ancient turtles and armored amphibians, sheds light on a key moment in Earth's history when older animal groups overlapped with evolutionary newcomers. The remarkably preserved fossils, including over 1,200 specimens, offer a rare glimpse into a vibrant world just before a mass extinction reshaped life on Earth. Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:57:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250708045700.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250617014149.htm Scientists have uncovered that fish biofluorescence a captivating ability to glow in vivid colors has ancient roots stretching back over 100 million years. This trait evolved independently in reef fish more than 100 times, likely influenced by post-dinosaur-extinction reef expansion. The glowing spectacle is more diverse than previously imagined, spanning multiple colors across hundreds of species. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:41:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250617014149.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250612031610.htm Reef "beauty salons" staffed by tiny cleaner fish aren t just for parasite removal they may also shape the microbial life of the entire ecosystem. A fascinating new study shows these bustling fish stations influence which microbes move around the reef, possibly helping or harming coral health. Cleaner gobies, it turns out, don t just offer spa treatments to their fish clients they may also serve as tiny microbiome engineers of the sea. Thu, 12 Jun 2025 03:16:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250612031610.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250611084108.htm Sea cucumbers, long known for cleaning the ocean floor, may also harbor a powerful cancer-fighting secret. Scientists discovered a unique sugar in these marine creatures that can block Sulf-2, an enzyme that cancer cells use to spread. Unlike traditional medications, this compound doesn t cause dangerous blood clotting issues and offers a cleaner, potentially more sustainable way to develop carbohydrate-based drugs if scientists can find a way to synthesize it in the lab. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:41:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250611084108.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm Scientists analyzed almost 200 cannabis genomes to create the most comprehensive, high-quality, detailed genetic atlas of the plant to date. The atlas reveals unprecedented diversity and complexity within the species, sets the stage for advances in cannabis-based agriculture, medicine, and industry, and builds on a 10,000-year long relationship between humans and cannabis, showing that cannabis can be as important as other crops like corn or wheat. Thu, 29 May 2025 12:42:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529124215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528150650.htm This study measured the growth rate of coral reefs in Honaunau Bay, Hawaii, using on-site data gathering and aerial imagery. Researchers found that the reefs are being eroded by sea urchin populations which have exploded due to overfishing in the area. The reefs are also threatened by climate change and water pollution, and their growth rates are not fast enough to counteract the erosion caused by the urchins. Wed, 28 May 2025 15:06:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528150650.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132235.htm An analysis of data from a national health survey conducted before the pandemic found that pizza, soup and chicken are some of the main sources of sodium (salt) intake for people in all racial and ethnic groups. The study also showed clear differences among adults based on race and ethnicity. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:22:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528132235.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124317.htm Scientists have discovered cells in the skin of Atlantic salmon that offer new insights into how wounds heal, tissues regenerate, and cellular transitions support long-term skin health. Tue, 27 May 2025 12:43:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250527124317.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162700.htm New research shows how rapidly proliferating turf algae are waging 'chemical warfare' to inhibit the recovery of kelp forests along Maine's warming coast. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:27:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162700.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162546.htm Every year, total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing quotas are set across Europe through a multi-step process -- and yet many fish stocks in EU waters remain overfished. A new analysis reveals that politically agreed-upon catch limits are not sustainable because fish stock sizes are systematically overestimated and quotas regularly exceed scientific advice. In order to promote profitable and sustainable fisheries, the researchers propose establishing an independent institution to determine ecosystem-based catch limits that management bodies must not exceed. Thu, 22 May 2025 16:25:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522162546.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124747.htm Throwing a little heat on your meal might be an effective strategy for cutting back on calories, according to a new study. Thu, 22 May 2025 12:47:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250522124747.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124610.htm Antimicrobial resistance is a growing issue in aquaculture. Researchers discovered that combinations of bacteria from live-feed microalgae are capable of inhibiting pathogens. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:46:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124610.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124258.htm New research shows that dentine, the inner layer of teeth that transmits sensory information to nerves inside the pulp, first evolved as sensory tissue in the armored exoskeletons of ancient fish. Wed, 21 May 2025 12:42:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521124258.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121146.htm Yosemite’s ponds used to echo with the booming calls of invasive bullfrogs, which devoured young turtles, newts, birds, and more. Now, with bullfrogs nearly gone, native sounds are returning—and so are the northwestern pond turtles. The study shows that removing bullfrogs in critical areas could help restore the state’s only freshwater turtle. Tue, 20 May 2025 12:11:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520121146.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516165152.htm A new study reveals that heat-tolerant symbiotic algae may be essential to saving elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) -- a foundational species in Caribbean reef ecosystems -- from the devastating impacts of marine heatwaves and coral bleaching. Fri, 16 May 2025 16:51:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250516165152.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131745.htm A new study shows that seagrass ecosystems along the northern half of Florida's Gulf Coast have remained relatively healthy and undisturbed for the last several thousand years. Thu, 15 May 2025 13:17:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250515131745.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111233.htm With coral reefs in crisis due to climate change, scientists have engineered a bio-ink that could help promote coral larvae settlement and restore these underwater ecosystems before it's too late. Researchers demonstrate that the ink could boost coral settlement by more than 20 times, which they hope could contribute to rebuilding coral reefs around the world. Wed, 14 May 2025 11:12:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250514111233.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112309.htm Fungi are considered a promising source of biodegradable materials. Researchers have developed a new material based on a fungal mycelium and its own extracellular matrix. This gives the biomaterial particularly advantageous properties. Tue, 13 May 2025 11:23:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250513112309.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512172601.htm Flamingos have developed an amazing variety of techniques to create swirls and eddies in the water to concentrate and eat brine shrimp and other organisms, a biologist found. They stomp dance to stir organisms from the bottom and concentrate them in whorls. The organisms are then drawn upward by a head jerk that forms a vortex. Meanwhile, their beak is chattering underwater to create vortices that funnel prey into their mouths. Mon, 12 May 2025 17:26:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512172601.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133649.htm Pink salmon, Purple Asian clams, marine invertebrates that form spaghetti-like colonies and a nematode worm that causes extensive deaths of trees are among the new entries in experts' watchlist of invasive non-native species that could threaten Great Britain in the next 10 years. The latest version of the watchlist again includes known problem species such as the yellow-legged (Asian) hornet, raccoon and twoleaf watermilfoil. Mon, 12 May 2025 13:36:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512133649.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105157.htm Scientists have found that juvenile European green crabs can do as much damage as adults to shellfish and native sea plants, calling into question current methods to eradicate the invasive crustaceans. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:51:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105157.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122116.htm Long before modern salmon ran Alaska’s rivers, their ancient relatives thrived alongside dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Arctic. Scientists have identified three new species from 73 million years ago, including the oldest known salmonid, Sivulliusalmo alaskensis. Despite warmer global temperatures, these fish adapted to the Arctic’s dramatic seasonal shifts. The find reveals that northern waters were already shaping fish evolution millions of years before humans appeared. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:21:16 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122116.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122012.htm The marine bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis feeds on oil, multiplying rapidly in the wake of oil spills, and thereby accelerating the elimination of the pollution, in many cases. It does this by producing an 'organic dishwashing liquid' which it uses to attach itself to oil droplets. Researchers have now discovered the mechanism by which this 'organic dishwashing liquid' is synthesized. Fri, 09 May 2025 12:20:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250509122012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112717.htm Fishing pots fitted with LED lights catch significantly more shrimp and fish, new research shows. Thu, 08 May 2025 11:27:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250508112717.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130336.htm Parasites are crucial indicators of ecosystem health, and their absence can signal trouble. Once pristine, Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) now faces pollution and algal blooms that have damaged essential habitats like seagrass beds. New research finds parasite levels in the IRL are significantly lower than in comparable ecosystems worldwide -- 11% lower overall and 17% lower for larval parasites requiring multiple hosts. This sharp decline suggests a disrupted food web likely caused by pollution and habitat degradation, and a less resilient and more vulnerable ecosystem. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:03:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505204921.htm A new study links grazing halo patterns in coral reefs, as well as those in other patchy habitats, to the spatial patterns of the shelter habitat itself. The researchers found that grazing halos are distinct when the coral is clustered but merge into each other when the coral is dispersed. Mon, 05 May 2025 20:49:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250505204921.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122047.htm Scientists inserted DNA-encoding methylmercury detoxification enzymes into the genome of an abundant human gut bacterium. The engineered bacterium detoxified methylmercury in the gut of mice and dramatically reduced the amount that reached other tissues, such as the brain and liver. Mice given an oral probiotic containing the engineered microbe and fed a diet high in bluefin tuna had much lower methylmercury levels than expected, suggesting that a probiotic might eventually make it safer for people to consume fish. Researchers performed the tests using pregnant mice and found lower levels of methylmercury in both maternal and fetal tissues, and lower signs of mercury toxicity in the fetal brain. Thu, 01 May 2025 12:20:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501122047.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142252.htm The well-known salmon life cycle has long been described as going only one way at a time. Juvenile salmon hatch and swim down rivers to the ocean, where they grow and mature before returning to the same river to spawn the next generation. Turns out that many young salmon do things differently. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142252.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141832.htm In 2013, a sea star wasting syndrome decimated populations of Pisaster along the west coast of North America and along the Monterey Peninsula in California, where this study was conducted. The orange and purple stars have a hungry appetite for mussels in the rocky intertidal. Without the voracious sea stars lurking around, mussel populations exploded, expanding in cover from around five percent to more than 18 percent within three years. In the wake of the sea star die-off, mussels became a major prey surplus for sea otters, revealing a surprising link between the adjacent rocky intertidal and kelp forest ecosystems. The new research into the phenomenon shows how the loss of a keystone predator (Pisaster) in one ecosystem can impart changes to another (sea otters), linking ecosystems. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:18:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141832.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162215.htm Researchers have shown they can inexpensively nanomanufacture silk microneedles to precisely fortify crops, monitor plant health, and detect soil toxins. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:22:15 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429162215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429112831.htm Researchers have developed a foolproof recipe for cacio e pepe, based on their findings studying the physics of mixing cheese in water and determining the mechanism that causes the cheese sauce to go from creamy to clumpy. The team found that a 2%-3% starch-to-cheese ratio produced the smoothest, most uniform sauce; they recommend using powdered starch, rather than relying on an unknown amount of starch in pasta water. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:28:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250429112831.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220248.htm Many of the fish we eat play a key role in maintaining the seabed -- and therefore our climate, new research shows. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:02:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220248.htm