Blowfish poisoning sends 7 to hospital in Japan

2:13PM Wednesday Jan 28, 2009 Tiger Blowfish which have had their toxic livers removed sit on ice at a Japanese market. Photo / Wikimedia Commons image from the user Chris 73 TOKYO – Blowfish testicles prepared by an unauthorised chef made seven diners in northern Japan ill, and three remain hospitalised after eating the poisonous [...]

What’s big, brown and thrives in the surf zone…

Environment Story from Radio New Zealand National Afternoons with Jim Mora – Tuesday, 27 January 2009 What’s big, brown and thrives in the surf zone on rocky shores in the south of New Zealand? Giant bull kelp. Alison Ballance interviews students from the University of Otago’s Zoology Department. Listen to the interview (13’38″) at 15:45 [...]

Shark yarns make me yawn

By LINLEY BONIFACE The Dominion Post | Monday, 26 January 2009 I never thought I’d say this, but I am bored with sharks. This summer, it has been impossible to open a newspaper or turn on the TV without being subjected to yet another daring shark escape story. On closer inspection, these yarns have invariably [...]

Fish digestions help keep the oceans healthy

Posted Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:26am AEDT Researchers from the University of British Columbia say the digestive systems of fish play a vital role in maintaining the health of the oceans and moderating climate change. Computer models showed how bony fish produced a large portion of the inorganic carbon that helps maintain the oceans’ acidity [...]

Bizarre mysteries of the ultra-deep

4:00AM Monday Jan 19, 2009 Xavier La Canna A deep-water ascidian, or carnivorous sea squirt that traps fish. Photo / AP Bizarre carnivorous sea squirts, large spider-like creatures and an ancient fossilised coral reef have all been found in a voyage into ultra-deep Australian waters. The scientific examination Chronology of the Tasman Fracture, a 4km-deep [...]