Wolf Culkier, a 17-year-old high school student, was working on the task of examining data from a telescope to look for signs of planets outside our solar system. He spent some time scanning graphs on a computer screen.
Then, on his third day of the job, he spotted a planet orbiting two stars. Culkier did not see the planet itself, but he recognized explicit evidence of its existence. Changes in the light of the two stars called binary stars caught his attention. He described this sight as similar to the eclipse visible on Earth as it obstructs some of the sun’s light from the telescope. This kind of data shows up as a dip in graphs.

According to Culkier, he had a hundred of targets but this one was remarkable. The distant planet he discovered sits 1,300 light-years from Earth.

According to scientists, jellyfish are unique creatures as they navigate underwater by contracting their muscles. As part of the study, a 2-centimeter long electronic device was inserted into a moon jellyfish. The device prompted the jellyfish to move three times than usual. The researchers emphasized that the creature did not manifest any stress reactions despite undergoing the procedure. In fact, the jellyfish swam around normally when the device was uninstalled.

After the initial step’s success, the team is looking into controlling where the jellyfish travel. Developing sensors that could function even in the deeper parts of the ocean is one of their options. Bionic jellyfish are expected to perform deep dives, observe natural phenomena, and look out for signs of climate change underwater.

The scientists target the “Midnight Zone” of the Indian Ocean where light can no longer penetrate but life still flourishes. Most sea animals that live below 1,000 meters are believed to be bioluminescent, which means they glow in the dark. Sensors and mapping technology will be used to find new organisms and observe the seabed. Plastic pollution and the effects of climate change will be part of the study.

Limiting Factor, an advanced deep-sea submarine, will be used in this exploration. This submarine is designed to hold out against the huge pressure in the deepest corners of the ocean. It also carries sufficient emergency oxygen that can last up to 96 hours. The said expedition will run for about five weeks.

Pectoral fins are composed of several tiny bones that appear like fingers. This bone structure would have enabled the fish to hold its weight with its fins to move on land. According to the researchers, this goes to show that human beings came from a long line of evolution, just like Elpistostege watsoni.

In addition, the researchers stressed that this kind of development they had observed in the study was essential not only for human beings but for all living things.

An experiment that focused on domesticated dogs was conducted by the University of Porto in Portugal. The study compared aversive and reward-based dog training methods. In the former method, punishments such as shouting, pushing, or pulling the dog are given in response to the animal’s negative behavior. As for the latter method, rewards like treats and praises are given whenever the animal performs accordingly.

The research showed that the aversive training method causes stress-related behaviors in dogs. Higher levels of a stress-causing hormone called cortisol are also observed in the first group. Later in the experiment, the researchers added that the dogs that were trained using the aversive method showed cynical behaviors, unlike the dogs that were given reward-based training.

Moreover, other studies proved that food is the best form of reward for dogs. Researchers found out that petting and praising the animal are not as effective as food reward.

Initially, they discovered that fish are likely to return after hearing the sounds of a healthy coral which is significantly loud as It is composed of various sounds produced by sea creatures. When looking for habitat, fish usually look for those kinds of sounds.

Human-caused pollution induces coral damage which makes reefs to be substantially quiet. In addition, dead corals emit unpleasant smells which dispel fish and other creatures underwater.

According to a fish biologist, Mark Meekan, having fish come back to the damaged reefs is the first step in reviving the current condition of the coral reef ecosystem.

While underwater sounds can alleviate reef damage, scientists believe that other major detrimental factors such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change should also be solved.

The said cave art shows a total of eight creatures that resemble humans carrying spears and ropes who seem to be hunting six animals. These creatures are called “therianthropes”. They are believed to have both human-like and animal-like characteristics. These creatures appear in myths and are believed to be supernatural beings by the locals. Moreover, some of the animals in the painting appear to be local species of buffaloes and warty pigs.

However, a few of these cave paintings have been damaged, according to experts. They added that It would be unfortunate to lose this ancient artwork.