The Guardian · 5 Oct, 05:19
A breeding program has successfully released 11,000 wētāpunga, the world's heaviest insect, into the wild, leading to a recovery in their population and an improvement in their conservation status from 'nationally endangered' to 'nationally recovering'.
A breeding program for the wētāpunga, New Zealand's endemic and world's heaviest insect, has been successful in recovering their population. The program, which started 15 years ago, has overseen the release of 11,000 insects into the wild across 45 separate translocations. The insects were bred at Butterfly Creek and Auckland zoo, and their young were fed a diet that included fresh foliage, fish flake protein, and leaf litter. Monitoring on two islands has shown that wētāpunga have established self-sustaining populations.
Why it matters: The success of this breeding program is significant because it demonstrates a large-scale conservation effort that has led to the recovery of a species. New Zealand is particularly vulnerable to species decline due to its high rates of endemism and problems with introduced pests. The program's success may encourage other institutions to develop similar breeding programs for threatened species.
11,000 (insects released into the wild), 15 years (duration of breeding program), 70 (number of wētā species), 10cm (body length of wētāpunga), 20cm (leg span of wētāpunga), 1990s (decade when wētāpunga were considered endangered)
The future of wētāpunga is looking bright
The Guardian · 5 Oct, 05:02
A juvenile humpback whale swam 11km upstream in the Clarence River in New South Wales, Australia, and later died, prompting a shark warning in the area. The whale's body was towed out to sea on Sunday.
A juvenile humpback whale swam into the Clarence River on the mid-north coast of New South Wales on Saturday afternoon and became grounded on a sandbar in shallow water. Within 30 minutes, observers reported that the whale had died. The whale's body was towed out to sea on Sunday. The incident prompted a shark warning in the surrounding area, with beachgoers advised to avoid surfing, swimming, or diving at nearby beaches.
Why it matters: The incident is significant because it is unusual for a whale to swim so far upstream in a river. While not unprecedented, experts say that whales exploring rivers and estuaries can be a result of misadventure, curiosity, or ill health. The incident also highlights the importance of monitoring and responding to marine wildlife in unusual locations.
11km, 50,000
Right now the main bulk of the east and the west coast populations are heading south to Antarctica. They’re on their way back for their summertime extended Christmas dinner where they’ll be going to Antarctica to feed on krill.
The Guardian · 5 Oct, 05:52
A co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv studied at RMIT University in Melbourne but left without completing his engineering course. The incident occurred on September 30 and involved 182 people.
Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national and co-pilot of a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, allegedly attempted to hijack the plane on September 30 using a crash axe. The pilot was stabbed mid-air, but passengers and crew intervened to stop the attack. The flight had 182 people onboard. Al-Hammami studied at RMIT University in Melbourne but did not complete his engineering course, leaving Australia in 2017.
Why it matters: The incident highlights concerns about aviation security and the potential for individuals with extremist views to obtain employment in the aviation industry. The investigation into al-Hammami's background and connections to Australia is ongoing, involving multiple agencies including the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
182, 2014, 2017, 2019
Ars Technica · 5 Oct, 04:00
New forensic evidence suggests that some servants and officials may have been sacrificed and buried with the earliest pharaohs of the First Dynasty to serve them in the afterlife. The evidence comes from re-analysis of skulls excavated from tombs in the 1920s.
A new study published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology re-examined a collection of skulls excavated from tombs in the 1920s. The study found that over one-third of the skulls showed evidence of blunt force trauma. This suggests that they may have been victims of 'retainer sacrifice,' a form of human sacrifice where servants and officials were buried with pharaohs to serve them in the afterlife. The study was conducted by bioarchaeologist Roselyn Campbell, who used advanced forensic techniques to analyze the remains.
Why it matters: This discovery is significant because it provides new evidence for a long-debated topic in Egyptology. The practice of retainer sacrifice has been a subject of interest for many years, but there has been little concrete evidence to support it. This study's findings shed new light on the burial practices of the earliest pharaohs and may change our understanding of ancient Egyptian culture.
over one-third
People tend to fall into one of two camps. Either retainer sacrifice definitely happened, end of discussion, or it definitely didn't happen, end of discussion. But nobody's actually looked at the bones in a very long time.
Ars Technica · 4 Oct, 15:34
National Geographic has released a new documentary series called 'Africa: Earth's Wild Home', which showcases the diverse wildlife and ecosystems of Africa. The series took four years to complete and features narration by Wunmi Mosaku.
National Geographic has launched a new documentary series called 'Africa: Earth's Wild Home', which consists of seven episodes and took four years to complete. The series features wildlife and ecosystems from nearly 30 different African countries, including jungles, deserts, plains, mountains, and islands. Each episode focuses on a specific ecosystem and highlights the work of scientists, photographers, and NatGeo explorers. The final episode focuses on local conservation leaders and researchers working to preserve Africa's biodiversity.
Why it matters: The series aims to showcase the rich biodiversity of Africa and highlight the importance of conservation efforts. By featuring local conservation leaders and researchers, the series also aims to raise awareness about the work being done to protect Africa's wildlife and ecosystems. The series is part of a larger franchise that will document the wildlife and environmental ecosystems of all seven continents.
7 episodes, 4 years, 30 countries
"I was incredibly honored that they even know my name at Nat Geo... As someone who was born in Nigeria and raised in England, I'll take any opportunity I can to reconnect and celebrate this incredible continent where life is so diverse and so extreme and beautiful and relentless and peaceful." - Wunmi Mosaku
NPR News · 5 Oct, 00:17
Brazil's presidential race will proceed to a runoff between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro after the first round failed to produce a clear winner.
The first round of Brazil's presidential race did not produce a clear winner, leading to a runoff election between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro. The runoff is set to take place on October 25. The first round did not fully energize voters, setting the stage for a more polarized contest.
Why it matters: This runoff is significant because it will determine the next president of Brazil, a country with a large and influential economy. The outcome is being closely watched by Washington, suggesting that it may have implications for international relations or global politics.
NPR News · 4 Oct, 21:52
Brazil is holding an election with President Lula da Silva facing off against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Bolsonaro, in a tight race.
Brazil is holding an election with President Lula da Silva facing off against Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the jailed former president Bolsonaro. If neither candidate wins more than half of the votes, they will face each other again in a runoff election. The runoff election is scheduled for October 25.
Why it matters: This election is significant because it pits the current president against the son of a former president, and the outcome will determine the future direction of Brazil.
October 25
NPR News · 4 Oct, 15:41
Cornell University president Michael I. Kotlikoff addressed allegations of gang rape, calling them 'deeply disturbing'.
Cornell University president Michael I. Kotlikoff released a video statement regarding allegations of gang rape at the university. Kotlikoff described the allegations as 'deeply disturbing'. He emphasized that the university 'must do better' and that 'this is a defining moment in Cornell's history'. The article does not provide further details about the allegations or any actions taken.
Why it matters: The allegations and the president's response are significant because they highlight the serious issues of sexual violence that can occur at educational institutions. The president's acknowledgment of the problem and the need for improvement suggests a recognition of the university's responsibility to address these issues.
This is a defining moment in Cornell's history
Ars Technica · 4 Oct, 11:05
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a report on the global move toward electrification, highlighting that for the first time, energy security, economic viability, and cleanliness are aligned.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report on the global shift towards electrification. The report's findings were discussed by Fatih Birol, head of the IEA, at the United Nations. The discussion centered on how electrification can meet multiple energy objectives simultaneously.
Why it matters: This alignment of objectives is significant because it suggests that transitioning to electrification could simultaneously address energy security, economic concerns, and environmental goals. This could have substantial implications for how economies structure their energy usage.
We have to make choices, we have to make trade-offs but when we look at the world today, for the first time in years, all of these three objectives are getting aligned.