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Jumbo Squid Following Low-Oxygen Zone

By Christina Johnson, January 28, 2008
jumbo squid Carlo Injecting
Jumbo squid are active predators on small fish such as the lanternfish in the lower left corner of this photograph. Credit:2003 MBARI. This photograph shows a pair of jumbo squid hunting in Monterey Bay. Jumbo squid are often attracted to the bright lights of MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles and follow the robot submarines as they descend through the water column. Credit: 2003 MBARI.

In the last six years, California has seen a huge increase in the number of jumbo squid off the coast. Though there are several competing theories as to why this invasion has occurred, a Stanford biologist believes the jumbo squid are following the spread of a mid-depth layer of oxygen-poor water. Read More

First Live-Attenuated Vaccine for S. Iniae in Development

By Christina Johnson, January 14, 200
Bacterial pathogen Carlo Injecting
The bacterial pathogen Streptococcus iniae grows on a blood agar plate. S. iniae is closely related to the Strep A and B bacteria that commonly infect children. Credit: Jeff Locke Carlo Milani, a former graduate student in the Nizet lab, injects a juvenile hybrid striped bass with S. iniae at Kent SeaTech’s research facility in San Diego, Calif. Credit: Jeff Locke
In preliminary trials, researchers have for the first time demonstrated the feasibility of using a live-attenuated vaccine to prevent the deadly Streptococcus iniae infection in fish. Read More