Author: Erica Curles

Telling people they’re getting a placebo does not stop it from working After being given a placebo and viewing negative images, people felt less distress, even though they knew their treatment had no active ingredients.

Posted on February 9, 2021April 2, 2021 by Erica Curles 168 views

Does giving a placebo require lying to a patient? This study concludes...no! Placebos still work even when the patient knows, at least for emotional distress.

What is a fish’s favorite color? Raising fish in certain colors of tanks can cause stress, aggression, or undesirable color patterns. The best color for raising fish varies by species and life stage, but some groups follow general patterns.

Posted on December 17, 2020April 1, 2021 by Erica Curles 704 views

Did you know fish prefer certain colors? When they don’t like the color of their tank, the fish may get stressed or aggressive! #aquaculture

Breeding more nutritious Pacific oysters Researchers have pinpointed several genes that could help shellfish producers breed Pacific oysters with higher amounts of healthy omega-3 fats.

Posted on July 23, 2020April 7, 2021 by Erica Curles 79 views

Researchers have pinpointed several genes that could help shellfish producers breed Pacific oysters with higher amounts of healthy omega-3 fats.

How effective are travel restrictions and social distancing? Modeling indicates that travel restrictions alone would not be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, reducing human contact is necessary. Learn about how scientists figured this out.

Posted on March 26, 2020April 7, 2021 by Erica Curles 43 views

Reality now matches what was predicted. According to models, travel restrictions alone would only delay the epidemic status of COVID-19. But when they are combined with social distancing, the two policies drastically reduce the predicted number of new cases.

Using Essential Oils to Preserve Delicate Fish Fillets Coating sashimi in essential oils before freezing can preserve the quality of fish and prevent bacterial growth.

Posted on February 25, 2020April 6, 2021 by Erica Curles 136 views

Food scientists are always on the lookout for better ways to preserve fish. Could essential oils be the key? #sashimi #essentialoils

Can Fish Help Us Understand Why We Age? Fish that age rapidly and fish that live extremely long lives are different in terms of the compounds present in their blood.

Posted on October 16, 2019April 6, 2021 by Erica Curles 188 views

What exactly causes aging at a molecular level? The answer to this question is important for understanding and potentially improving health and life itself. In order to begin to answer this question, researchers at the Institute of Biomedical Chemistry in Moscow turned to fish as their subjects. Fish display a wide…

Cyanobacteria can teach us about climate adaptation If the ocean is warm, then cyanobacteria or "blue green algae" can survive off of fewer nutrients.

Posted on August 1, 2019July 27, 2021 by Erica Curles 72 views

The oceans are warming due to climate change and this will impact all oceanic life, from the smallest plankton to the largest tuna. The web of life in the ocean is complex, and so exactly which ecosystems will be affected and how much they will change is currently being intensely researched. It is especially important…

An electric tongue helps researchers study fish flavors Researchers have pinpointed several compounds that are strongly associated with positive and negative tastes in white fish fillets.

Posted on April 2, 2019April 6, 2021 by Erica Curles 44 views

Researchers have pinpointed several compounds that are strongly associated with positive and negative tastes in white fish fillets.

We must go deeper: Submerging net cages for healthier fish Submerging fish farms may be better for fish, but how can it be done for fish that also need air?

Posted on February 25, 2019April 6, 2021 by Erica Curles 104 views

Most fish farming in the ocean uses net cages that float because it is easier to feed and remove fish at the surface and because some fish species require access to air. However, the surface of the ocean experiences a wide variety of temperatures, salinity (how salty the water is), and wave action depending on the…

When it comes to buying seafood, there are five kinds of people. Which one are you? Consumers are becoming more conscious than ever about their food, and companies are following their lead by finding out what matters to them.

Posted on January 21, 2019April 7, 2021 by Erica Curles 142 views

What makes a person choose a certain kind of fish when shopping at the grocery store? A group of German researchers surveyed shoppers to better understand their buying decisions. This makes it easier for aquaculture farmers to be profitable and consumers to be satisfied.