There are several different types of lung cancer, and the protective fish effect appeared to be the strongest for a type called adenocarcinoma - about 5% of all cases.

BBC: Sushi 'could prevent lung cancer'

He also used a lot of shine to convey the effect of fish scales.

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Since cesium binds to the sediment on the ocean floor, the radiation has likely had the biggest effect on bottom-dwelling fish and other animals though the consequences still aren't clear, said Tatsuo Aono, a specialist at Japan's National Institute of Radiological Sciences.

WSJ: In Japan, Relief at Radiation's Low Toll

"It is sort of like breaking a fish oil capsule over a hot fudge sundae and expecting the effect of the calories and saturated fat to go away, " she said.

NPR: Study: Fish Oil Doesn't Help Prevent Heart Attacks

Other factors that contribute to false results are small sample sizes, studies that show weak effects (such as a drug which works only on a small number of patients) and poorly designed studies that allow the researchers to fish among their data until they find some kind of effect, regardless of what they started out trying to prove.

ECONOMIST: Just how reliable are scientific papers?

Ditching meat and fish in favour of a vegetarian diet can have a dramatic effect on the health of your heart, research suggests.

BBC: Vegetarians 'cut heart risk by 32%'

The new law requiring a licence to fish within 12 miles of Guernsey's waters came into effect on 1 February.

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