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A solitary bottlenose dolphin, nicknamed Delle, has been observed in the Baltic Sea engaging in vocalizations typically used for communication, despite being alone for four years. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark recorded Delle's sounds, discovering he produced a variety of vocalizations, including three distinct whistles, which raises questions about whether he is inventing imaginary companions or if the traditional understanding of dolphin communication needs reevaluation. The study suggests that Delle's vocal behavior may stem from an intrinsic need for social interaction, with possibilities ranging from emotional signaling to alternative communication functions. Identified as individual #1022 from a Scottish pod, Delle's unique situation offers insights into the social dynamics of dolphins, highlighting the complexities of their communication even in isolation. The findings were published in the journal *Bioacoustics*. 
Published: Nov 21 2024, 11 am ISTeznews.inThe red wolf (_Canis rufus_), one of the world's most endangered wolf species, now survives only in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina. Once widespread across the eastern and south-central United States, red wolves faced severe population declines due to extensive hunting and government predator control programs, leading to their extinction in the wild by 1980. Although captive breeding programs have helped maintain a population of around 290 wolves, the wild population is critically low, estimated at just 17 to 19 individuals. These wolves, characterized by their reddish-brown fur and wolf-like appearance, face numerous threats, including poaching, vehicle strikes, and hybridization with coyotes. The US Fish and Wildlife Service continues efforts to recover the species, but the future of the red wolf remains uncertain as it is classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Published: Nov 17 2024, 1 am ISTeznews.inDespite the Sun's powerful gravitational pull, planets in the Solar System, including Earth, are gradually drifting away from it at a rate of approximately 1.5 centimeters per year. This phenomenon is not due to dark energy, which only affects unbound cosmic objects, but rather a result of the Sun losing mass through nuclear fusion and solar wind. As the Sun converts hydrogen into helium, its mass decreases, leading to a reduction in gravitational attraction and an expansion of planetary orbits. Interestingly, while planets are moving away now, they may eventually be engulfed by the Sun when it evolves into a red giant, a process expected to occur in about five billion years. This complex interplay of gravitational forces and stellar evolution highlights the dynamic nature of our Solar System.
Published: Nov 16 2024, 9 pm ISTeznews.inThe Dyatlov Pass Incident, which resulted in the mysterious deaths of nine hikers in 1959, may have found a plausible explanation in a new study published in *Communications Earth & Environment*. The hikers, who set out from the Ural Polytechnic Institute aiming for Gora Oterten, perished on Kholat Syakhl Mountain, with their tent found cut open from the inside and footprints leading away into the snow. While numerous theories have emerged over the years—including alien encounters and secret military operations—a team of researchers now suggests that a rare type of slab avalanche could have caused the chaos. They argue that a combination of the hikers' tent placement and katabatic winds may have triggered the avalanche, despite previous investigations finding no evidence of such an event. The study aims to provide a scientific basis for understanding the tragic incident, which has captivated and puzzled the public for decades.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 9 am ISTeznews.inLinear A, the enigmatic writing system of the Minoan civilization, remains undeciphered despite its significance as one of Europe’s earliest forms of writing. Flourishing on Crete from 3100 to 1100 BCE, the Minoans are often regarded as the continent's first literate society, leaving behind a wealth of artifacts, including the famed Palace of Knossos. Linear A consists of approximately 75 symbols representing syllables or ideograms, primarily used for religious texts and trade records. While it shares some similarities with the later Linear B script, which has been partially deciphered, Linear A is believed to have little connection to early Greek. Recent research suggests that the two scripts may be more closely related than previously thought, with ongoing studies and AI technology offering hope for future breakthroughs. However, without a "Rosetta Stone" to unlock its secrets, Linear A continues to baffle scholars.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 6 am ISTeznews.inNASA's Curiosity rover is set to explore a new area on Mount Sharp, known as the "boxwork," which features a striking spider web-like structure formed by ancient water activity. This region, located within Gale Crater, showcases intricate patterns created as water flowed off the mountain, depositing minerals in surface fractures that later hardened. Over time, erosion from Mars' thin atmosphere revealed these hardened minerals, creating the unique formations. The boxwork spans 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) and presents a promising site for Curiosity to search for signs of ancient life, as the minerals may have crystallized in warmer, salty liquid water environments similar to those on early Earth. This exploration adds to the intrigue of Martian geology, complementing other features like the "spiders" observed at the planet's South Pole, which are linked to current ice processes.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 1 am ISTeznews.inIn a record-breaking November, Southeast Asia has been simultaneously impacted by four tropical storms—Yinxing, Toraji, Usagi, and Man-Yi—causing significant destruction across the Philippines. Satellite imagery from NASA revealed this unprecedented occurrence on November 11, marking the first time such a phenomenon has been recorded in November. Typhoon Yinxing (locally Marce) struck Luzon on November 7, followed by Typhoon Toraji (Nika) on November 11, and Super Typhoon Usagi (Ofel) just three days later. The final storm, Super Typhoon Man-Yi (Pepito), made landfall on November 14, bringing winds of up to 240 km/h. This surge of storms has resulted in over 160 fatalities and forced more than a million evacuations. Experts suggest that the increasing frequency and intensity of these typhoons may be linked to climate change, although this connection remains unconfirmed.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 2 am ISTeznews.inArchaeologists have discovered a 60,000-year-old glue-making oven in Vanguard Cave, part of the Gorham's Cave complex in Gibraltar, challenging the stereotype of Neanderthals as primitive beings. The hearth, dating between 67,000 and 60,000 years ago, features a circular structure with channels and thick walls, indicating advanced construction techniques. Chemical analysis revealed traces of resinous plant material, suggesting it was used to produce birch tar, a substance employed for hafting tools and weapons. Researchers replicated the process, successfully creating tar from local plants, which underscores Neanderthals' understanding of combustion and basic chemistry. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence that Neanderthals possessed significant intelligence, complex cultural practices, and emotional depth, contradicting outdated perceptions of them as mere brutes. The study is published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews.
Published: Nov 21 2024, 12 am ISTeznews.inDespite the allure of "bottomless lakes," no lake on Earth is truly without a bottom. Often, lakes are mischaracterized as bottomless due to their remarkable depths or unique geological features. The deepest lake, Lake Baikal in Siberia, reaches 1,642 meters (5,387 feet) and holds about 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater. Similarly, Lake Tanganyika, at 1,436 meters (4,710 feet), is the second-deepest and spans 660 kilometers, showcasing rich biodiversity. Other bodies of water, like cenotes and sinkholes, can create the illusion of depth; cenotes, common in Mexico, are formed by cave collapses, while the Great Blue Hole in the Caribbean plunges 124 meters (407 feet). In New Mexico, Bottomless Lakes State Park features nine sinkholes, whose murky waters contributed to their "bottomless" reputation. Ultimately, while these lakes may not be bottomless, they offer valuable insights into ancient ecosystems and Earth's history.
Published: Nov 20 2024, 6 pm ISTeznews.inYellowfin tuna is a highly nutritious fish, rich in protein, fatty acids, and essential vitamins, but it poses significant health risks due to its high mercury content. The FDA estimates that tuna contains between 0.126 and 0.689 parts per million of mercury, comparable to other high-mercury fish like sharks and swordfish. Canned albacore tuna has about three times more mercury than canned light tuna. This mercury accumulation occurs through a process called bioaccumulation, where smaller fish absorb mercury from the environment, which then concentrates in larger predators like tuna. Despite a decline in global mercury emissions, levels in tuna remain stable, likely due to "legacy" mercury from deeper ocean layers. While the EPA advises limited consumption, healthy adults can safely eat up to 25 cans of tuna weekly, though some studies indicate concerning mercury levels in frequent consumers, particularly among students.
Published: Nov 20 2024, 9 pm IST
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