The Majestic Opah Is The World's First Truly Warm Blooded Fish!The Opah is a striking fish species that can grow as large as 7-feet in diameter and weigh over 100 pounds. Also referred to as moonfish, the giants that can be found in both temperate and tropical seas reside at depths of 150 to 1,300-feet where the waters can be extremely chilly. Scientists have often wondered how the fish can withstand the temperatures given that they lack typical deep sea dweller characteristics like a large heart. Now thanks to some curious California researchers that mystery has finally been solved - The Opah has warm-blood!...
Read news articleOakland-Based Imperfect Will Sell Only "Ugly" Fruits And VegetablesSimilar to humans, produce comes in different shapes and sizes. Yet, chances are you have probably never encountered a gnarly looking carrot or an apple with "character" at your local grocery store or farmers market. That's because any fruit or vegetable that looks different from what is considered "normal" is deemed undesirable and automatically tossed out!...
Read news articleGerman Car Manufacturer Audi Creates Fuel From Air And WaterCreating a "green" or carbon neutral fuel to replace gasoline has been the holy grail for scientists for many years. However, while there has been some progress with inventions like electric batteries and biofuel, most options are either too expensive or not commercially viable to compete effectively with the fossil fuel. Now automobile manufacturer Audi is stepping up to the challenge with diesel made from carbon dioxide and water....
Read news articleGiant Sinkholes Along The Shores Of Dead Sea Cause ConcernThough there are numerous saltwater lakes around the world, none can compare to the Dead Sea. Located between Israel and Jordan in the Middle East, the water of this landlocked lake boasts salt levels almost ten times that of oceans. The unusual salinity can be attributed to the fact that there is no outlet for the minerals to leave, causing them to accumulate. The same is not true of the water level, which remains constant due an almost even inflow from the Jordan River and loss through evaporation....
Read news articleMeet Sudan, The World's Last Known Northern White Male RhinoOver the years, numerous animal and bird species have become extinct. However, it is rare for the entire world to witness one as it is happening. This could very well be the case with the northern white rhinos given that there are currently only five known specimens left. What's worse is that only one, a 42-year-old named Sudan is male! If he passes away without producing an offspring, the rhino sub-species will soon disappear....
Read news articleVideo Of The Week - Elephant Seals Need Hugs Too!When Canadian resident Charlene Fritz joined an expedition to Snow Hill Island in the Antarctic Peninsula she was expecting to see many exotic animals. What she did not plan on was receiving a cuddle from one of them!...
Read news articleResearchers Unveil Three New Species Of Colorful 'Miniature Dragons'Researchers recently reported the discovery of three new species of dragons in the Andean cloud forests of Ecuador and Peru. However, don't run for cover yet, for these are not fire-breathing beasts that kidnap fair maidens and battle knights in shining armor. Instead, they are just tiny wood lizards that are often referred to as 'miniature dragons' thanks to their close resemblance to the mythical creatures....
Read news articleThe Goldfish Invasion That Is Threatening A Colorado Lake's EcosystemFor the casual visitor, Teller Lake in Boulder, Colorado looks like a delightful fishbowl filled with thousands of gorgeous orange, black, and white goldfish floating around. However, to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department they are a group of invasive species that could end up disrupting the lake's entire ecosystem if not removed soon....
Read news articleLewis Pugh Swims Antarctica's Icy Ross Sea To Save Pristine EcosystemEnvironmentalists use different tactics to raise public awareness. Some organize rallies, others set up petitions, and then there is Lewis Gordon Pugh. This activist and adventurer highlights the planet's woes by swimming in the vulnerable ecosystems of some of the world's coldest waters. If that sends a chill down your spine, consider this - the activist swims wearing only a Speedo swimsuit!...
Read news articleEngineering Students Use Sound Waves To Extinguish FiresWater, foam, sand, blankets, and even baking soda are well-known solutions to putting out flames. But sound waves? That has to be a first. But that is exactly what two young engineers from George Mason University are using to douse small fires....
Read news articleIt's Almost Earth Day! What Are You Going To Do To Help The Planet?On April 22, 1970, twenty million people across the United States took to the streets to ask government officials to take preventive measures to protect the environment. Today, it is a global movement that is observed by billions of people and celebrated with rallies, environmental clean-up events and pledges to undertake "green" initiatives to help the planet....
Read news articleRetired NYC Subway Cars Transform Into "Luxurious Condominiums" For FishWhile the sight of an 18-ton subway car being dumped into the Atlantic Ocean may appear like an ecological disaster, it is quite the opposite. Instead of harming marine life, the sturdy steel structures submerged deep into the Atlantic Ocean have transformed into perfect artificial reefs that provide comfortable homes for all kinds of sea creatures....
Read news articleHi-Tech Fabric Charges Devices On The Run - Literally!Over the past few years, researchers have come up with many innovative ways to use human kinetic energy - from powering soccer fields to playgrounds and classroom lights. Now some scientists want to take it to the next level with a new fabric that harnesses everyday motion to power personal devices!...
Read news articleDisabled Friends Demonstrate The Power Of TeamworkThis is a tale of two friends - one is blind, the other, a double amputee. On their own, the two are "disabled". But together, they are a formidable force that have transformed the plains north of Yeli Village in North China's Hebei Province from a wasteland to a lush, green, tree-filled stretch of land. Meet 53-year-old Chinese residents Jia Haixia and Jia Wenqi!...
Read news articleScrunchies May Save Birds From Nature's Fiercest Predator - Your Cat!Did you know that nature's deadliest predator is probably lurking in your neighborhood? Odds are, you may be even harboring it in your home. Confused? We are talking about your pet cat. Though they may appear cuddly and innocent, they are known to wreak havoc on their local ecology, killing birds, small mammals, and reptiles at an alarming rate....
Read news articleCalifornia Governor Imposes First-Ever Mandatory Water Restrictions To Deal With DroughtOn April 1st, California's Governor Jerry Brown did what his predecessors have been doing for over 65 years - trek to Echo Summit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to measure the snowpack. The only difference? Instead of ski gear he was wearing a light windbreaker and hiking shoes. That's because for the first time since the tradition began there was no snow to ski upon....
Read news articleThe Ingenious Stork's Bill Seed Plants Itself!Plants typically use one of three methods to disperse seeds - wind, water, or animals. Not the Erodium cicutarium or as it is often called "stork's bill." This dynamic plant uses a powerful mechanism called "ballistic dispersal," to transport its seeds over 500 yards away. Though that is certainly impressive what happens after, is even more so....
Read news articleCan "Operation Wonka" Save The World From Running Out Of Chocolate?Most of us could probably survive without spinach, kale, or broccoli, but a world without chocolate? Now that would be hard! But if some of the world's largest candy manufacturers are to be believed, it could happen if we don't act soon....
Read news articleIt's Almost Earth Hour! Use Your Power To Help The PlanetToday the world will celebrate Earth Hour. This means that millions of people across twenty-four time zones and six continents will switch off all lights and turn off all electronics for an hour, from 8.30-9.30 pm local time. While it may seem trivial, this small action will make more than a symbolic difference in our battle against climate change....
Read news articleButterfly Wings: More Than Meets the EyeFor humans seeing butterflies fluttering around with their beautiful brightly colored wings is a joyful sight. However not for their natural predators like lizards, spiders, and birds. To them, the vibrant hues are a reminder of a bad-tasting species that are best avoided. For those not easily duped, some butterflies also have eyespots on their wings. According to researchers, this tricks would-be predators into thinking that the insect is a larger animal, like an owl....
Read news articleSmart Beehive Is The Latest 'Buzz' Among Beekeepers!Honey, the rich gold liquid that we all love is the miraculous creation of industrious honey bees. However, while the delicious sweetener has been used for over 8,000 years, extracting it is still a laborious process that is stressful for both humans and bees....
Read news articleTiny Wood Frogs Survive Winter By Partially Freezing Their BodiesMost animals that hibernate during cold winter months have thick coats of fur or layers of fat to protect them. However, the Rana sylvatica species of the wood frog that can be found in Alaska and the Arctic Circle has neither. Therefore this tiny amphibian has adapted by freezing and thawing itself depending on the external temperature....
Read news articleFossil Discovery in Kenya Reveals Modern-Day Hippos Evolved In AfricaResearchers have long suspected that hippos evolved from a family of plant-eating, semi-aquatic mammals called anthracotheres. The ancient animals that roamed freely all the way from North America to Asia inhabited Earth about 40 million years ago. However, scientists could never verify the theory since the only fossils of ancient hippos discovered thus far, dated back just 15 million years. Now thanks to Fabrice Lihoreau, there is finally some proof....
Read news articleFinally, A Smart Marker That Captures, Digitizes and Streams Whiteboard Notes!While whiteboards are great tools for educators and other speakers to use when explaining a concept, they can be distracting. That's because instead of paying attention to the speaker, the audience is often busy jotting down what's on the board before it is erased. Now, thanks to the ingenious Equil Smartmarker, the notes can be digitally captured and transmitted to a smart device, enabling the audience to focus their full attention to what's being said....
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