The sharks never stay quiet

Hound Shark Species Mustelus lenticulatus

Paul Kaiger

At least one shark species has bark that can be chewed. Scientists report that clicks can be made.

During his doctoral studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Carolyn NeederHe was currently studying shark hearing at Woods Hole Marine Facility in Massachusetts. When dealing with sharks during the experiment, she noticed one species – a hound (a rig called a rig)Mustelus lenticulatus) – It looked like it was making a metallic click.

“The sharks weren’t supposed to make noise, so I ignored it,” Nieder says. “And that was just happening.”

The ability to intentionally produce sounds is common among terrestrial animals, as the world full of bird verticals and mammalian plagues shows. However, underwater, many fish make noises by shaving objects or vibrating muscles, and in 2022 researchers reported that relatives near sharks can sometimes click when divers interfere. The shark sounds had not yet been officially explained.

To confirm the presence of the rig’s noise, Nieder and her colleagues brought 10 boys rigs into the lab, caught up in the waters of New Zealand’s North Island. There, they were placed in the tank with sensitive sound recording instruments. The team gently handled the sharks and found that all of them were clicking accordingly. Rigs seem to be the first shark known to produce sounds that are not associated with other actions, such as feeding or bumping into something.

Researchers believe that sharks may be producing sounds by snapping their jaws together. Just like click rays, the rig flattens the teeth, which can produce sharp sounds on the impact. Please listen to the following:


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Further research may check whether the cause of clicks and whether there is a feature. Nieder points out that because rigs are small sharks and potential prey for large animals, clicks can play a role in defense when animals are bitten or gripped.

“It could be a bit confusing for predators,” she says. It is also possible that clicks play a role in hunting, she adds, including scaring and inclusive shark crustacean prey.

Rig shark teeth

Eric Palmentier

“This has been seen for a long time, but is a potentially very important area of ​​shark biology,” he says. Aaron Rice He was not involved in research at Cornell University in New York.

When healthy production is widespread among sharks, their clicks may help them study populations that often decline rapidly, says Rice. He says there is a very rich sound data recorded from fish and whale studies, and it is possible that they also shot shark sounds. These can be used to determine if a shark is in the area and add another tool to monitor at-risk predators.

“[The finding] It represents something truly new and new discoveries in basic biology,” says Rice.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Your Brain Keeps Chattering at Night (and How to Quiet it Down)

The human brain is like an electrified sphere, considered the most complex object in the universe. Sometimes, don’t you wish it would just quiet down, especially at night?

One common symptom of insomnia is a racing mind when trying to sleep. Our brains bounce thoughts around like a pinball machine due to caffeine, anxiety, or stress.

This mental perturbation includes repetitive negative thoughts that we may not even be aware of, focusing on mistakes and worrying about the future.

While this is challenging for those with mental health conditions, it affects everyone when overwhelmed with tasks or life challenges.

Insomnia affects about 1 in 3 people – Photo Credit: Getty

Psychologist Dr. Luc Beaudoin believes that cognitive shuffle, a technique that mimics the brain’s natural processes during sleep onset, can help control runaway thoughts while trying to sleep.

The cognitive shuffle involves imagining unrelated images, like a photo show, to bring light structure to racing thoughts. By focusing on connecting images related to a chosen word, it aims to quiet the mind before falling asleep.

Counting sheep may not be as effective as cognitive shuffle – Photo credit: Getty

Cognitive shuffling strikes a balance between conscious and unconscious thoughts, keeping unwanted thoughts at bay without overwhelming executive functioning.

Dr. Beaudoin’s broader sleep initiation theory, Somnolent Information Processing, explores factors that help or hinder the process, with spiritual perturbation as a common hindrance.

Cognitive shuffling is still under research, but promising results suggest it can aid sleep initiation along with other scientifically proven techniques.

About our experts

Dr. Luc Beaudoin is an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University and founder of Cogsest. He has published books on cognitive productivity and is recognized in various academic journals.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Premiere of ‘A Quiet Place’: Do the characters truly have exceptional control over their bodily functions?

We have all experienced the discomfort of hydrogen and methane accumulating in the large intestine, causing pressure and the urgent need for release. This natural bodily function does not adhere to our schedule, sometimes occurring at the most inconvenient times, like during a job interview or meeting your partner’s aristocratic parents for the first time.

Farting may seem harmless, but in a world like A Quiet Place, a sci-fi horror film featuring creatures with heightened hearing sensitivity, even a small noise could be deadly. Amidst the chaos of survival, the question arises: how long can humans hold in a fart before facing consequences?


In the third installment of the series, A Quiet Place Day 1, the movie prompts us to ponder on the taboo topic of fart retention. While scientific literature on this subject is limited, experts like Julie Thomson from the digestive health charity, Guts UK, shed light on the implications of holding in gas for prolonged periods.

On average, a person releases gas about 15 times a day, a vital bodily function that cannot be suppressed indefinitely. The accumulation of gas can lead to discomfort and potential health issues if prolonged.

Professor Clare Collins, Director of Research at the School of Health, University of Newcastle, Australia, discusses the link between gas retention and conditions like diverticulitis, emphasizing the importance of not suppressing natural bodily functions for extended periods.

While the consequences of holding in a fart might not seem severe, in a scenario akin to A Quiet Place, where noise attracts deadly beings, it’s crucial to prioritize health over momentary embarrassment.

Remember, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding gas-inducing foods, and allowing your body to function naturally are key to avoiding discomfort and potential health complications associated with suppressing flatulence.

So, whether you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic world or facing a challenging situation, prioritize your health over temporary discomfort.

This article was first published on May 28, 2021


About our experts

Julie Thomson: Information Manager at Guts UK, an organization dedicated to improving awareness of gastrointestinal diseases.

Claire Collins: Emeritus Professor at the School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia, specializing in nutritional technologies and interventions.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

The Quiet Contributors: How Anxiety and Depression Can Speed Up Cardiovascular Disease

A recent study presented at the 2023 American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions highlighted the link between mental health and cardiovascular disease. The study found that anxiety and depression can hasten the onset of cardiovascular risk factors, that cumulative stress scores are significantly associated with heart disease, and that mental health has a significant impact on heart health.

Two other studies presented at the same session also linked mental health and heart health, showing that depression and anxiety may accelerate the development of cardiovascular risk factors and critical events. According to one study conducted in Boston, people with a higher genetic susceptibility to stress developed cardiovascular risk factors at a younger age than those without the genetic marker. A separate Dallas-based study found that accumulated stress contributes to negative health behaviors such as smoking, leading to worsened cardiovascular health.

The American Heart Association emphasizes that mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress increase the risk of poor heart health. Two new studies have found that a person’s mental state may affect their health to a greater extent than previously thought.

One study examined the mechanisms by which mental state affects heart health, finding that depression and anxiety accelerate the development of new cardiovascular risk factors. Researchers found that people with depression or anxiety developed new risk factors on average six months earlier than those without mental health conditions, and were at a higher risk for major cardiovascular events. Another study showed that cumulative stress scores were significantly associated with increased risks of atherosclerosis and overall cardiovascular disease.

Researchers encouraged more frequent screenings for cardiovascular risk factors in people with depression and anxiety, and suggested that treatment for these mental health conditions may reduce the acceleration of cardiovascular risk factors.

The two studies presented at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions underscore the interdependence of mental and heart health, and emphasize the need for proactive care for mental health conditions in order to improve overall heart health.

Source: scitechdaily.com