Humpback Whales Collaborate to Catch Fish Using Bubbles
Jen Dickey/North Coast Cetacean Society
Innovative foraging behaviors are rapidly spreading among humpback whales in the fjords of western Canada, showcasing how cultural knowledge contributes to the survival of marine populations.
Bubble net feeding is a coordinated hunting method where humpback whales expel bubbles to encircle fish, then all rise simultaneously to feed.
According to Ellen Garland from the University of St. Andrews, “This is a collaborative activity characterized by a high degree of coordination and division of labor.”
This remarkable behavior has been observed for decades among humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) in Alaskan waters, with recent observations detailing their activities in the northeastern Pacific off Canada’s coast.
However, determining whether such complex behaviors stem from social learning or independent discovery among individuals remains a challenge for researchers.
In a comprehensive study, Edyn O’Mahony and a team from the University of St. Andrews analyzed field observation data from 2004 to 2023, focusing on 526 individuals in British Columbia’s Kitimat Fjord System, part of Gitga’at First Nation Territory.
Using distinct images of each whale’s tail fin, researchers identified 254 individuals engaging in bubble net feeding, with approximately 90% of these activities occurring in a cooperative setting.
This behavior surged post-2014, aligned with a significant marine heatwave in the Northeast Pacific that diminished prey availability.
“As heatwaves decrease prey availability, the whales’ adaptability in their feeding techniques is crucial for maintaining their caloric intake,” stated O’Mahony.
Whales are more likely to adopt bubble net feeding when they interact with individuals already using this technique. While bubble net feeding likely spread to the region from migrating whales, the current prevalence indicates stable groups or influential individuals spreading this knowledge through local social networks.
“After several years post-heatwave, we observe that whales previously not participating in bubble net feeding are now present in this area,” O’Mahony added.
The ability of humpback whales to share knowledge within social groups could be vital for their survival, implying that our understanding of their culture is essential for conservation efforts.
According to Ted Cheeseman, co-founder of the citizen science platform Happywhale, who did not participate in the study, “The key question is not just about the number of whales remaining but also whether the social behaviors crucial for population cohesion are restored.”
Join Dr. Russell Arnott on an Arctic Cruise to Svalbard, Norway
Experience an unforgettable ocean expedition to the North Pole with marine biologist Russell Arnott.
The latest translucent noise-cancelling earbuds from Nothing feature an innovative twist: the case includes a high-quality built-in microphone that enables you to communicate simply by pressing a button.
This so-called super microphone caters to those who desire a more direct microphone experience for improved clarity during conversations, recordings, and voice notes, even in bustling environments. It’s particularly suited for individuals who speak directly into the bottom of their phones.
However, this enhancement in the case’s functionality has led to a price increase, with Year 3 now retailing at £179 (€179/$179/AU$299), which is £50 more than the prior model’s launch price. While still competitively priced compared to leading competitors, it’s now closer to the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Apple AirPods Pro 3.
Visible magnets and other features through the earbuds’ case add an intriguing touch to the design. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Ear 3 maintains Nothing’s hallmark translucent aesthetic, introducing various small design details that set them apart from mundane earbuds, while incorporating aluminum in place of some plastic for a more polished appearance.
The earbuds have been redesigned for enhanced comfort during prolonged listening sessions. Their lightweight and secure fit ensures a snug seal in your ear. The stem features squeeze controls for playback, noise cancellation, volume adjustments, and voice assistant activation. Although somewhat limited, the controls are customizable and function effectively.
The earbuds come in a square, flip-top charging case that is compact yet noticeably heavier this year. With a battery life of 6 hours on a single charge, and with noise cancellation active, you can enjoy at least 22 hours of total playback when utilizing the case for recharging. The case itself charges in slightly over an hour via USB-C and around 2 hours using Qi wireless charging.
Activating the earbuds’ Super Microphone involves pressing and holding the “Talk” button on the case, which emits a subtle sound when the microphone is turned on. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Equipped with a capable built-in microphone, the earbuds effectively filter out ambient noise, although they may occasionally sound somewhat robotic. The Super Mic offers richer, fuller audio, making it ideal for voice memos, transcription, and calls. Nevertheless, the audio quality doesn’t quite reach the standards for a lapel microphone or similar recording devices.
Specifications
Water Resistance: IP54 (splash-proof)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
Battery Life: 5.5 hours with ANC (22 hours with case)
Earphone Dimensions: 30.5×21.5×20.8mm
Earphone Weight: 5.2g each
Driver Size: 12mm
Charging Case Dimensions: 56×55.5×22.3mm
Charging Case Weight: 61g
Case Charging: USB-C
Sound Quality and Noise Cancelling
Each earbud comes with three sizes of silicone tips for a comfortable fit and a secure seal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
These earphones utilize high-quality Bluetooth 5.4 alongside standard SBC and AAC audio formats, with support for LDAC for compatible Android devices. They also offer the capability to connect to two devices simultaneously; however, this may slow the Super Mic’s performance.
Previous models from Nothing have consistently provided excellent value, characterized by easy-to-listen sound with ample detail and clear sound separation. The Ear 3 follows this tradition, offering louder sound with a prominent bass response right out of the box. It’s well-balanced and does not overshadow the overall sound range, while the Nothing X companion app allows for extensive customization if desired.
The noise cancellation effectively reduces common ambient sounds and low-frequency commuting noises, handling higher-pitched disturbances like keyboard taps and conversations better than prior Nothing models. However, it doesn’t quite match the level of noise cancellation provided by higher-end alternatives, such as the AirPods Pro 3.
The transparency mode performs admirably, delivering a natural sound; however, neither mode excels at managing wind noise.
Sustainability
One of the microphones inside the case is adjacent to the USB-C charging port, indicated by a green LED light when active. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The earbuds and charging case are designed to maintain at least 80% battery capacity survival even after 500 complete charge cycles. Although earbuds themselves are not repairable, they can be replaced individually through service if they fall out of warranty.
The casing is made from recycled aluminum and tin, though Nothing does not provide trade-in options. The estimated carbon footprint of the earbuds stands at 2.87kg.
Price
The cost of the Nothing Ear 3 is £179 (179 EUR/$179/AU$299).
For comparison, the Ear priced at £119, the headphone price for 1 is £299, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 costs £219, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro is £219, and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 retails for £219.
Verdict
Nothing has introduced some features we haven’t previously encountered in earbuds, such as the integration of a microphone and push-to-talk button directly into the charging case. This concept is original and serves as an excellent alternative to traditional interview or video microphones, albeit lacking in certain aspects.
For non-content creators, this setup is perfect for phone calls, recording voice notes, and interacting with your phone’s AI assistant, resembling a modern dictaphone. However, personal frequency of use may vary.
The earbuds present a noteworthy offering from Nothing, delivering impressive sound quality, effective noise cancellation, robust battery life, and a comfortable fit, making them a refreshing alternative to typical earbuds.
While the price increase to £180 places them alongside some top-tier earbuds, they haven’t yet reached that elite status. Additionally, similar to many competitors in the space, these earbuds are non-repairable, which affects their overall score negatively.
Pros: Super microphone, unique design, excellent sound quality, reliable noise cancellation, comfortable fit, intuitive controls, Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint support, cross-platform app options, and impressive battery life.
Cons: Non-repairable, higher cost than its predecessor, a fairly heavy case, the Super Mic doesn’t fully substitute for a dedicated mic, and noise cancellation struggles in high-noise settings.
The Nothing Ear 3 boasts attractive design features along with a couple of unique functionalities. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Recent findings reveal that walking briskly for just 15 minutes daily can significantly lower the risk of premature death, particularly among low-income and Black populations. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine supports this claim.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 80,000 participants, discovering that active walking was linked to a 20% decrease in overall mortality rates.
This reduction is especially pronounced for deaths related to cardiovascular issues, demonstrating the distinct advantages of maintaining an active pace, independent of other physical activities.
“While the health benefits of daily walking are well-documented, there has been limited research on how variables like walking speed influence mortality, particularly in low-income and Black/African-American communities,” noted Chief InvestigatorDr. Wei Zheng from Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
“Our study indicates that a brisk 15-minute walk correlates with nearly a 20% reduction in total mortality.”
In comparison, slower walking for over three hours a day is associated with only a modest 4% decline in mortality, indicating that intensity matters.
The participants, primarily low-income and Black individuals across 12 states in the southeastern U.S., reported their average daily “slow” and “fast” walking. Their health outcomes were monitored over a median follow-up period of 16.7 years.
This study suggests that walking enhances cardiovascular efficiency and mitigates risk factors like weight. – Credit: Getty
The advantages of brisk walking persisted even after controlling for other lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Fast walking confers numerous cardiovascular benefits, including improved cardiac function and a reduction in risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
The researchers emphasized that this activity is low-cost and low-impact, making it accessible to individuals at all fitness levels and an effective intervention in communities with limited healthcare and recreational resources.
To raise awareness, Dr. Lili Liu from the Public Health Campaign and Community Programme stated, “We highlighted the significance and accessibility of brisk walking to enhance health outcomes, and the need to provide resources and support that facilitate easier and faster walking.”
“Individuals should aim to incorporate more intense physical activities into their daily routines,” he added.
WWe're disoriented and our brains are shrinking – at least our hippocampus is shrinking. These seahorse-shaped parts of the brain are about 5 cm in size, located just above the ears, and are responsible for our spatial awareness and sense of direction. London taxi drivers are famous for taking Knowledge, a test that requires them to memorize the capital's central streets, and they have life-sized hippocampi. But in 2011, neuroscientists at University College London found that taxi drivers' hippocampi shrank significantly after they retired.
Hippocampal development may also be disrupted during childhood. Children living in urban environments rarely see the sunrise or sunset and cannot distinguish between east and west. When I volunteered to go to local schools and teach directions to children, I noticed that they had a hard time distinguishing between north and south, east and west. However, you should be able to tell the difference if you are allowed to use your phone.
Ever since Google Maps was launched in 2005 with the claim that it would help users get from A to B, and three years later when the iPhone 3G was launched with “live” location, the online tech giant The first generation of today's digitally native children would not have known what it meant to be lost. But is that a good thing? Their vision and direction, like the hippocampus, is diminished by the collusion of their online providers. Over four generations, children roamed up to six miles from home, but on average only 300 yards. Even before COVID-19, three-quarters of children spent less time outdoors than prison inmates, research has found. Many parents know that the subsequent 50% increase in agoraphobia has a significant impact on children's mental and physical health. But it also drives biophobia
avoidance, and even fear of the natural world. When we become afraid of nature, the consequences are: Indifference and even hostility towards environmental conservation.
No matter where your kids travel, they're probably following a blue dot on their phone screen to guide them, regardless of the world around them. Now more than ever, mobile phones allow us to have maps in the palm of our hands, but maps can be both liberating and tyrannical. Our phones map us and collect our likes and dislikes online.
The current study focuses on this so-called Developmental topographical disorientation The same goes for mental health, as online experiences lead to digital contamination of our sense of space and place. Quite literally, we are becoming disoriented in the digital world, abandoning cognitive-enhancing tools like paper maps and magnetic compasses that allow us to move and orient ourselves in parallel to the physical world. . We have retreated from using the spatial skills that have sustained us for thousands of years. No wonder our feeling of being lost is as existential as it is directional.
To be disoriented means to be “lost in the East.” The word comes from the Latin word meaning the sun rising in the east. In ancient history, most societies were oriented primarily toward the east, the source of the sun, which gives light, heat, and life. Next we came to the west where the sun was setting. This was followed by north and south, and people determined their positions by astronomical observations of the sun's position at noon and the North Star, Polaris. Early polytheistic societies worshiped the sun rising in the east, and this tradition continues in the monotheistic Judeo-Christian faiths, which place the east at the top of the map as the place of the beginning of creation and resurrection. In the Old Testament, Creation begins in the East in the Garden of Eden. Medieval Mappa Mundi Hereford Cathedral The upper part has East, depicting Adam and Eve in Eden, and the lower part has West. This was the orientation that defined European Christianity for over 1,000 years.
In contrast, early Islamic maps placed the south at the top, as the first converts to the faith lived directly north of Mecca. The easiest way to understand their sacred direction was to orient the map so that Mecca was “up”. We still talk about going up north and going south in the UK. This is the old hangover of understanding the four points of the compass: up and down, forward and backward, or left and right, depending on our body. South serves as a cardinal direction, just as in classical Chinese science a magnetic compass pointed south rather than north. they are called this Ragyo“That which points to the south.” Australians know this. In 1979, Stuart MacArthur published a corrected map of the world with Australia at the top and facing south.
For many children growing up, Scooby Doo and Looney Tunes painted a picture of quicksand as a lurking danger. One misstep and you could face a slow and suffocating demise.
While the likelihood of being swallowed by quicksand is slim, it’s still a real phenomenon that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Quicksand can be found in various locations like beaches, riverbanks, and wetlands in the UK. It forms when sand or clay gets flooded and loses its structure. The friction between particles reduces in saturated sand, causing the surface to liquefy when disturbed, making it appear like the sand is swallowing you.
Contrary to the dramatic portrayals in horror comics, quicksand won’t suck you in and kill you. Research published in the journal Nature in 2005 showed that the density of quicksand is higher than that of the human body, and the buoyancy of the torso from the lungs prevents sinking past waist level.
The real danger lies in secondary risks associated with quicksand. People stuck in tidal areas with quicksand can be engulfed by rising water and drown, or suffer from hypothermia, dehydration, and exhaustion if not rescued promptly.
Each year, dozens of people in the UK get trapped in quicksand and require rescue missions. In 2017, four holidaymakers were stranded in quicksand in Morecambe Bay, with only minutes to be saved from the rising waters.
To stay safe around quicksand, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Stick to marked trails, never venture into unknown areas alone, check local tides if near danger spots, inform someone of your whereabouts, and carry a charged cell phone for emergencies.
If trapped in quicksand, refrain from letting others assist you to prevent them from getting stuck as well. Call 999 for the Coastguard and use the what3words app to share your location. Remain calm, avoid sudden movements, distribute your weight over a wide area, remove weight like backpacks, and move your feet slowly to create pockets of water for leverage.
This article addresses the question from Ray MacDonald via email: “How deadly is quicksand?”
Contact us at:questions@sciencefocus.com for any queries, or connect with us onFacebook, Twitter, or Instagram(include your name and location).
Explore more fun facts and fascinating science pages on our site.
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
