The CIRTESU at the Universitat Jaume I develops an experimental modular robotic fish prototype for aquaculture use that reduces fish stress

Experimental results have confirmed the feasibility of UJIFISH-I, demonstrating high manoeuvrability and reliable target detection accuracy

Universitat Jaume I

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The Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU) at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló has developed an experimental modular, bio-inspired robotic fish prototype (UJIFISH) for inspection, hybrid teleoperation and sensor deployment in aquaculture. Its innovation lies in a functional design that eliminates stress factors such as propellers and high-intensity lighting, while maintaining high standards of modularity and interoperability.

The biomimetic platform has been designed to minimise environmental disturbance and reduce stress in fish by using bio-inspired undulatory propulsion, which lowers mechanical noise, hydraulic turbulence and physical disruption. The system is equipped with a modular sensing system for real-time data acquisition and image transmission, with hybrid communication capabilities via cable or acoustic modem. It features a panoramic vision system with a 180-degree field of view and can operate at depths of up to 20 metres, with remote control ranges of up to 150 metres vertically and 500 metres horizontally.

UJIFISH incorporates sensors for continuous measurement of water temperature and depth, with the option to integrate additional sensors to monitor parameters such as salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and gases. It enables direct inspection of net structures and monitoring of environmental conditions around fish, and includes a deployment system for transporting and releasing auxiliary components at specific locations. Its geometry and movement have been scaled to match adult fish, producing smoother hydrodynamic profiles and reducing acoustic disturbance.

Experimental results have confirmed the prototype’s functional viability, demonstrating high manoeuvrability and reliable target detection accuracy in controlled tests involving net inspection, teleoperation, data collection and sensor deployment. According to the research team, the flexibility of UJIFISH-I is essential in aquaculture environments, where monitoring requirements and technological constraints vary depending on species, infrastructure and environmental conditions.

UJIFISH-I represents a significant step forward in precision aquaculture and underwater robotics, supporting environmentally responsible operations and reducing the need for human intervention in hazardous underwater environments. Future developments will focus on improving autonomy, endurance and sensing capabilities, including the integration of advanced sensors and an artificial swim bladder system for active buoyancy control, enabling greater depth ranges and improved energy efficiency.

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Credit: CIRTESU Universitat Jaume I of Castellón

The Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU) at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló has developed an experimental modular, bio-inspired robotic fish prototype (UJIFISH) for inspection, hybrid teleoperation and sensor deployment in aquaculture. Its innovation lies in a functional design that eliminates stress factors such as propellers and high-intensity lighting, while maintaining high standards of modularity and interoperability.

The biomimetic platform has been designed to minimise environmental disturbance and reduce stress in fish by using bio-inspired undulatory propulsion, which lowers mechanical noise, hydraulic turbulence and physical disruption. The system is equipped with a modular sensing system for real-time data acquisition and image transmission, with hybrid communication capabilities via cable or acoustic modem. It features a panoramic vision system with a 180-degree field of view and can operate at depths of up to 20 metres, with remote control ranges of up to 150 metres vertically and 500 metres horizontally.

UJIFISH incorporates sensors for continuous measurement of water temperature and depth, with the option to integrate additional sensors to monitor parameters such as salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and gases. It enables direct inspection of net structures and monitoring of environmental conditions around fish, and includes a deployment system for transporting and releasing auxiliary components at specific locations. Its geometry and movement have been scaled to match adult fish, producing smoother hydrodynamic profiles and reducing acoustic disturbance.

Experimental results have confirmed the prototype’s functional viability, demonstrating high manoeuvrability and reliable target detection accuracy in controlled tests involving net inspection, teleoperation, data collection and sensor deployment. According to the research team, the flexibility of UJIFISH-I is essential in aquaculture environments, where monitoring requirements and technological constraints vary depending on species, infrastructure and environmental conditions.

UJIFISH-I represents a significant step forward in precision aquaculture and underwater robotics, supporting environmentally responsible operations and reducing the need for human intervention in hazardous underwater environments. Future developments will focus on improving autonomy, endurance and sensing capabilities, including the integration of advanced sensors and an artificial swim bladder system for active buoyancy control, enabling greater depth ranges and improved energy efficiency.

The project is part of the ThinkInAzul programme, supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the European Union NextGenerationEU funds and the Generalitat Valenciana. The prototype has been tested at CIRTESU’s water tank facilities and at Port Castelló.

Article 

Andrea Pino, Alejandro Solís, Max Puig, Sergio Balaguer, Rosario Vidal, Pedro J. Sanz, Raúl Marín. UJIFISH-I: A modular and bioinspired robotic fish for inspection, hybrid teleoperation and sensor deployment in aquaculture, Ocean Engineering, Volume 354, Part 2, 2026, 124917, ISSN 0029-8018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.124917.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029801826007511

A experimental modular robotic fish prototype for

 aquaculture use that reduces fish stress [VIDEO] 

The Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU) at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló has developed an experimental modular, bio-inspired robotic fish prototype (UJIFISH) for inspection, hybrid teleoperation and sensor deployment in aquaculture. Its innovation lies in a functional design that eliminates stress factors such as propellers and high-intensity lighting, while maintaining high standards of modularity and interoperability.

The biomimetic platform has been designed to minimise environmental disturbance and reduce stress in fish by using bio-inspired undulatory propulsion, which lowers mechanical noise, hydraulic turbulence and physical disruption. The system is equipped with a modular sensing system for real-time data acquisition and image transmission, with hybrid communication capabilities via cable or acoustic modem. It features a panoramic vision system with a 180-degree field of view and can operate at depths of up to 20 metres, with remote control ranges of up to 150 metres vertically and 500 metres horizontally.

UJIFISH incorporates sensors for continuous measurement of water temperature and depth, with the option to integrate additional sensors to monitor parameters such as salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and gases. It enables direct inspection of net structures and monitoring of environmental conditions around fish, and includes a deployment system for transporting and releasing auxiliary components at specific locations. Its geometry and movement have been scaled to match adult fish, producing smoother hydrodynamic profiles and reducing acoustic disturbance.

Experimental results have confirmed the prototype’s functional viability, demonstrating high manoeuvrability and reliable target detection accuracy in controlled tests involving net inspection, teleoperation, data collection and sensor deployment. According to the research team, the flexibility of UJIFISH-I is essential in aquaculture environments, where monitoring requirements and technological constraints vary depending on species, infrastructure and environmental conditions.

UJIFISH-I represents a significant step forward in precision aquaculture and underwater robotics, supporting environmentally responsible operations and reducing the need for human intervention in hazardous underwater environments. Future developments will focus on improving autonomy, endurance and sensing capabilities, including the integration of advanced sensors and an artificial swim bladder system for active buoyancy control, enabling greater depth ranges and improved energy efficiency.

Credit

CIRTESU Universitat Jaume I of Castellón

nal

Ocean Engineering

DOI

10.1016/j.oceaneng.2026.124917 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

UJIFISH-I: A modular and bioinspired robotic fish for inspection, hybrid teleoperation and sensor deployment in aquaculture

Article Publication Date

1-May-2026

 

Scientists explore whether plastic particles could be linked to significant rises in liver disease

University of Plymouth

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There is considerable evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics are present in the livers of humans, and wild animal populations on land and in the ocean.

Now experts in environmental and human health are investigating whether the presence of these tiny plastic particles in the liver is driving disease and directly contributing to the soaring global rates of liver disease.

Published in the journal Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the article has been produced by researchers from the University of Plymouth’s newly-established Centre of Environmental Hepatology.

Through a wide-ranging review of existing studies, they say there is clear evidence that exposure to micro- and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis and inflammation in animals, features that resemble those of advanced liver disease in humans.

With the liver acting as the body’s first major firewall, processing and detoxifying everything humans consume, there is a clear potential for these particles to enable the transporting of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance determinants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and carcinogenic additives into the human system.

The scientists have used that to introduce the concept of plastic-induced liver injury, and to call for increased research into whether it can accelerate the progression of alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, which affects more than 1 in 3 people worldwide.

The article’s lead author is Professor Shilpa Chokshi, Professor of Experimental Hepatology and Director of Centre of Environmental Hepatology, who has been driving research to develop therapeutics for chronic liver disease for more than two decades.

Professor Chokshi said: “Liver disease is rising globally and is now responsible for 1 in 25 deaths worldwide. While established risk factors such as obesity and harmful alcohol use remain central, they do not fully explain the scale or pace of this increase. This has led us to consider additional environmental factors, including micro- and nanoplastics, which may interact with existing disease processes and amplify liver injury. There is already strong evidence that plastics can accumulate and cause harm in the livers of animals, raising an important question – why should humans be any different?”

In the review, the researchers have highlighted critical methodological bottlenecks, key knowledge gaps and unmet research priorities, as well as a number of technical challenges that are presently hindering the search for further evidence of plastic-induced liver injury.

They have also provided a detailed assessment of the priority research required to fully quantify the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the liver, and the emphasised the importance of health and environmental experts working in tandem to address that.

Professor Chokshi added: “What this article shows is that we now have a growing body of evidence that plastics can accumulate in human tissues, and have been implicated in a range of medical conditions. From my perspective, having spent over two decades developing therapeutics for liver disease, the liver acts as the body’s gatekeeper – processing and detoxifying what we are exposed to. In an increasingly plastic-laden world, where plastics are closely associated with our food, water and air, these exposures may not only reach the liver but also interact with existing disease processes and amplify harm. If this is the case, it is something we need to investigate in much greater detail.”

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, is another of the article’s co-authors. He is Head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University of Plymouth and a co-coordinator of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, and has spent the past three decades examining the sources and effects of microplastics and calling for a global consensus to prevent their future production.

“This is further evidence that plastic pollution is, without question, a global environmental and health challenge,” he said. “While some uncertainties about the absolute level of harm to the human liver remain, the fact that plastics are present at all – and the wider evidence of harm caused by plastic pollution – necessitates urgent action. The solutions unquestionably lie in ensuring the plastic products we make bring essential benefit to society and that those essential plastic products are safer – for example, in terms of their chemical composition – and far more sustainable, shedding fewer micro- and nanoparticles than is currently the case.”

Identifying the harm plastics may cause to the liver

Environmental hepatology is a rapidly emerging discipline that examines how the environments we live in – our air, water, soil, diet, and consumer products – influence liver health across the lifespan.

The Centre of Environmental Hepatology (CEH) brings together scientists, clinicians and environmental researchers to generate evidence that can inform prevention, improve patient outcomes, and support policies that reduce harmful exposures.

Among its projects are an ongoing investigation into how plastics and their associated chemicals, alcohol and dietary lipids interact to injure the liver and accelerate the progression of disease.

Using human liver samples, it will define the cellular and molecular events triggered by plastic exposure under healthy and disease relevant conditions and examine how plastics alter hepatocyte function, disrupt the gut barrier, activate inflammation and promote fibrosis.

Read more about the Centre of Environmental Hepatology.

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Journal

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology

DOI

10.1038/s41575-026-01188-7 

Method of Research

Commentary/editorial

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Microplastics, nanoplastics and liver disease: an emerging health concern?

Article Publication Date

27-Apr-2026

COI Statement

Richard Thompson is an unremunerated co-coordinator of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. All other authors declare no competing interests.

Community essential for native bats

Murdoch University

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Gould's wattled bat (Chalinolobus gouldi)

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Credit: Photo: David Cuddihy

Community help is no longer just nice to have in the world of bat conservation, it is essential to large-scale bat monitoring and the protection of threatened and understudied species, according to new research.

 

Research from Murdoch University’s School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences has revealed that collaboration between universities, not for profits, government agencies and community members is the key to ensuring data collection is accurate, and that it flows into policy and practice.

 

“Citizen science is playing an increasingly important role in bat research in Australia, helping us better understand our bats and support conservation efforts,” said lead researcher and ecologist Kelly Sheldrick.

 

“Citizen contributions are essential for advancing our understanding of bat ecology globally, particularly where large geographic areas and long-term data collection are involved.

 

“Large-scale data collection on bat distribution and seasonal activity, for example, can guide habitat protection efforts, inform adaptive land-use planning and improve early detection of population declines, enabling timely conservation interventions.

 

“Bats can get a bad rap, but they play important ecological roles, and the value of bats often goes unrecognised.”

 

Bats comprise about 25% of all mammal species and are found on every continent except Antarctica. They help to control insect populations, providing a natural form of pest control, benefiting agriculture and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

 

They also play key ecological roles in pollination and seed dispersal, helping to maintain healthy ecosystems.

 

Findings of the scoping review revealed a growing number of citizen science projects across the globe in bat research and conservation, with recent research expanding geographic coverage, making advances in acoustic monitoring technology, and having stronger links to conservation outcomes.

 

The most common methods used in citizen science bat projects were acoustic surveys, however observations such as bat roost emergent counts, technical field research, desktop analyses of existing datasets such as iNaturalist, interviews, questionnaires and bat box monitoring also played key roles.

 

“Bats face multiple anthropogenic threats, including habitat clearing, collisions with wind turbines and persecution, often driven by fear or misinformation,” Ms Sheldrick said.

 

“Yes, they can sometimes find their way into roofs, sheds, chimneys, or other parts of buildings, but with a little care and education, we can coexist safely with our wildlife neighbours, while still enjoying the benefits of a healthy local ecosystem.

 

“It might not always be possible for everyone to get involved in a citizen science program, but every one of us can help by learning more about bats and how to support them.

 

“If you find a bat in your roof or house, don’t panic and don’t touch it. There are some simple steps you can take to help, like leaving an exit option open, turning off overhead fans and dimming the lights so they feel more comfortable to fly away.”

 

Members of the community can find more information about what to do if they find a bat on their property on the Australian Bat Society website, where they can also stay up to date with opportunities to get  involved in community events and bat conservation.

 

Citizen science surveys were undertaken with relevant permits and under the supervision of trained ecologists.

 

The full research Citizen science for bat research and conservation: An international scoping review is available in The British Ecological Society Journal.

Ecologist measuring Gould's wattled bat Chalinolobus gouldi

Credit

Photo: David Cuddihy

Journal

Ecological Solutions and Evidence

DOI

10.1002/2688-8319.70225 

Method of Research

News article

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Citizen science for bat research and conservation: An international scoping review

ADHD and chronic pain, an overlooked connection

ADHD-related traits may intensify chronic pain through anxiety and negative thinking

University of Tokyo

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A theoretical model of the correspondence between ADHD and chronic pain, based upon previous research in the field. ©2026 Kasahara et al. Adapted from Battison et al. (2023), licensed under CC BY 4.0

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Credit: Adapted from Battison et al. (2023), licensed under CC BY 4.0

A new study, led by researchers from the University of Tokyo, involving nearly 1,000 patients in Japan suggests that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related traits may be associated with and may contribute to chronic pain. The connection seems solid but indirect: ADHD-related traits appear to impact how people perceive pain through increased anxiety, depression and negative thought patterns. This research presents potential avenues for new tailored treatments and rehabilitation for those with ADHD and chronic pain. 

Chronic pain is long-lasting pain that evades common treatments and affects millions of people around the world. Among the issues relating to it is the fact that pain is not a purely physical phenomenon, so treatments may involve multiple modes of intervention and need to be highly tailored to an individual. To aid this way of treating chronic pain, researchers look at it from different angles, including how specific groups of people may face it. This has led to some research on potential impacts of neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD. 

“In our latest study, we looked at patients with severe chronic pain who were being treated at specialized pain centers across Japan, and examined how often ADHD- and autism-related traits were present in this population,” said Dr. Satoshi Kasahara from the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Relief Center at the University of Tokyo Hospital. “We found that ADHD-related traits were more common in these patients than in the general population, about 2.4 times higher. These traits were also closely linked to pain severity, as well as to psychological factors such as anxiety, depression and negative ways of thinking about pain.” 

Their findings support the idea that pain is not merely physical in nature, but that mental and neurological traits may play a bigger role than thought. There’s also a strong implication that ADHD has been overlooked in this context. Many adults with ADHD are undiagnosed and don’t often get diagnosed even when attending diagnosis for things like chronic pain. Kasahara and his team think that their research could be useful for clinicians, as a positive or negative ADHD diagnosis may help narrow down avenues for treatment for chronic pain patients. 

“This research began from everyday clinical experience. In our practice, we frequently encounter patients with chronic pain who do not respond well to conventional treatments. Among these patients, many show characteristics commonly seen in ADHD, such as inattention, hyperactivity or impulsivity, and difficulties with emotional regulation,” said Kasahara. “This led us to consider whether ADHD-related traits might be more common in this population than previously recognized, and whether they could be contributing to the persistence and severity of pain.” 

As researchers and clinicians, the team aim to move beyond simply identifying associations and wish to examine if and how treating ADHD can help reduce chronic pain. They are considering conducting prospective and interventional studies for this. Appropriately identifying and addressing ADHD in patients with chronic pain may also help improve a patient’s overall condition. 

“For example, approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and rehabilitation programs that include exercise have been widely used, and are considered effective in improving anxiety, depression and negative ways of thinking about pain, which in turn can help reduce chronic pain,” said Kasahara. “In addition, some patients with ADHD-related traits may not fully recognize these traits themselves, and this can contribute to difficulties in daily life and interpersonal relationships. In such cases, psychoeducation, helping patients understand their own characteristics and learn how to better manage their behavior, can also play an important role. These kinds of approaches may be just as important as medication, and a comprehensive approach that combines medical, psychological and rehabilitative care is likely to be the most effective.” 

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Journal: Satoshi Kasahara, Shuichi Aono, Kozue Takatsuki, Shin-Ichi Niwa, Shoji Yabuki, “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Chronic Pain: A Study in Japanese Pain Centers”, Scientific Reports.

Funding: This research was funded by the Health and Labor Sciences Research Grants, 19FG2001. 

 

About The University of Tokyo: 

The University of Tokyo is Japan's leading university and one of the world's top research universities. The vast research output of some 6,000 researchers is published in the world's top journals across the arts and sciences. Our vibrant student body of around 15,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate students includes over 5,000 international students. Find out more at www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/ or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @UTokyo_News_en. 

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Journal

Scientific Reports

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Chronic Pain: A Study in Japanese Pain Centers

Article Publication Date

23-Apr-2026