A monkey crosses a line with its baby.
(B A Raju/BCCL Chennai)
These are the top stories for the week.
Science
Monkeys can also choke under stress in unfamiliar situations, just like humans!
These are all common signs of succumbing under pressure. A study has shown that monkeys are affected by pressure. Read the full story.
Male Song Sparrows Win Females by Mixing up Their Musical Repertoire. It’s a lot like shuffling on a music app!
Who would have thought we would find an animal kingdom equivalent to wooing girls by showing off your music collection? Recent research revealed that male song sparrows also shuffle and mix their song repertoire to keep things interesting. Continue reading.
Space
#SpaceTrends – Netizens Amazed By Dindigul Residents Amazing Video of ISROs New Launch
Monday saw ISRO launch its first launch in 2022. Three satellites were aboard the PSLV-C52 rocket, which was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre and SHAR, Sriharikota. Even neighbouring countries saw glimpses of India’s indigenous powerhouse rocket after the take-off. Here are some amazing images from the ground of the rocket.
Environment and Wildlife
A zebrafish.
(Pixabay, CC0 Public Domain)
Genetically-Engineered Glowing Zebrafish Are Invading Waterbodies Across Brazil!
The brightly-coloured, glowing zebrafish have escaped from the fish farms in southeastern Brazil and are now multiplying in the creeks in the Atlantic Forest. They have also become one the first transgenic animals to accidentally escape and thrive in natural environments. Find out more about them.
Conserving Cuteness: Australia Upgrades Conservation Status for Iconic Koalas From Vulnerable To Endangered
Over the past decades, Australia’s cute Koala species has been the victim of many natural disasters. The once abundant species are now disappearing at alarming rates. Australia has taken action by elevating the Koalas conservation status to endangered from vulnerable. More details here.
Dinosaur Special
An ornithopod found in the jaws a Cretaceous Crocodilian.
(Illustration by Julius Csotonyi
Monstrous Crocodilian Feeds on a Baby Dinosaur Its Fossil Helps to Study Ancient Animal Behavior 95 million years Later
The fossils of a 95 million-year-old crocodilian were discovered in eastern Australia a while back. Surprisingly, it also contained a partially-digested and nearly-complete dinosaur inside. These rare remains help us to understand ancient animal behaviour better. Learn more.
Dinosaur Dollys die from a fatal disease: A Palaeontologist finds the first evidence of respiratory illness in an ancient giant’s fossil
Chronic respiratory diseases have existed since the beginning of time, with COVID-19 a recent addition to this list. But this history of respiratory diseases is not limited to humans. Scientists have discovered evidence that this affliction didn’t affect even giant dinosaurs who lived hundreds of million years ago. Learn more.
New Armless Dinosaur Found in Argentina With Terrifying Predatory Skills
The excitement surrounding the most terrifying creatures on Earth has grown exponentially, from Jurassic Park 1993 to the most recent Jurassic World Dominion. Researchers have discovered a new species of dinosaur: an armless giant dinosaur from Argentina. Learn all about it.
Travel
Snow Replica of Taj Mahal
(M Altaf/Twitter: @Kashmir_Weather)
Gulmargs new attraction: First-ever snow replica of the Taj Mahal melts tourist hearts
Gulmarg, a Kashmiri town, has recently been voted India’s top travel destination. It has added a snow sculpture depicting the Taj Mahal, which was created for the first-time in history. It is now on a long list. Find out more.
COVID-19
Study Findings: COVID-19 Vaccines May Improve Your Mental Health.
A study has shown that COVID-19 vaccinations are not only effective in doing what they were meant to do but also play a significant role in improving psychological well-being among populations. It showed a significant drop in COVID-related risks perception and psychological distress among those who received their dose. Learn more.
Climate Change
Darjeeling has learned a lot from this: Climate Change is real and it’s time to stop using fossil fuels
Saad Amer, a climate activist and the CoFounder at Plus1Vote (a nonprofit organization dedicated to mobilizing youth votes on climate change, justice, and voting rights), writes about the impacts of climate change in Darjeeling. You can read it here.
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