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Blowing Bubbles Allows Sperm Whales to Sleep Soundly Beneath the Waves, Reveals Study

Blowing Bubbles Allows Sperm Whales to Sleep Soundly Beneath the Waves, Reveals Study

Resting sperm whales – Credit: Stéphane Granzotto / SWNS

New research shows that blowing bubbles helps sperm whales to sleep soundly, hidden beneath the waves.

It actually stops them from floating to the surface during nap time.

While little is known about how sperm whales sleep, researchers believe that the ocean giants doze underwater for 10 to 15 minutes at a time with their heads facing upwards.

They keep away from the choppy waters of the surface while still remaining close enough to get a breath of fresh air if the need arises.

However, one issue has puzzled scientists. A sperm whale's head is massive—taking up nearly a third of its body—and filled with oil, wax and air.

Those materials float, so how does the species stay underwater without popping to the surface like a cork while they sleep?

Now we know, after researchers from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, dug into the question with high tech underwater equipment.

Resting sperm whales blowing bubbles Credit: Stéphane Granzotto / SWNS

They used devices that would allow them

Lynx Rescued in War-torn Ukraine Walks on Grass for the First Time (WATCH)

Lynx Rescued in War-torn Ukraine Walks on Grass for the First Time (WATCH)

Ursa's first steps – Credit: Big Cat Sanctuary / SWNS

A Eurasian lynx rescued from misery in Ukraine took her first steps on grass —and soon rolled over onto her back—after being rescued by a UK animal sanctuary.

The big cat named Ursa was found seriously ill in January after being illegally kept as a private pet in Kyiv.

She was moved to a wild animal rescue centre in the Ukrainian capital while the war raged and bombs continued to fall in the surrounding area.

The effort was supported in England by the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, Kent, which raised the required $180,000 (£134,000) needed to evacuate Ursa to a new home in Britain.

Staff called it a "high risk" mission that included navigating complex border crossings, and an active war zone.

After flying her back to safety in February she was then moved into a temporary enclosure while a specially-built new one could be constructed.

This week she got to go outdoors and feel the grass under her paws for the first time as the nature-filled enclosure was finally completed.

Mars Rover Discovers Mysterious Field of Honeycomb Textures on Red Planet: ‘Took Our Breath Away’

Mars Rover Discovers Mysterious Field of Honeycomb Textures on Red Planet: ‘Took Our Breath Away’

Honeycomb pattern on Mars – Curiosity rover / NASA

As NASA's Curiosity rover ascended the Martian valley named Valle Grande back in June, it sent back images of a landscape covered in honeycomb-like textures.

"We've seen a lot of fascinating landscapes through Curiosity's eyes, but this sea of polygons took our breath away," said the mission's project scientist, Ashwin Vasavada of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

Called polygonal fractures, small patches of these geometric shapes have been spotted several times before, but nothing at the scale discovered in Valle Grande.

In a 360-degree panorama that the rover captured on June 19-20, the polygonal shapes spread in all directions for as far as the rover can see. They even wrap around the sides of a nearby butte nicknamed "Miraflores," which stands 20 feet tall (6 meters) and is topped with a thick cap of sand.

"We measured their shapes and chemistry carefully and are hopeful there are clues in the data as to how these features formed."

A variety of processes can contribute to these honeycomb textures. Some of the polygons the rover has spotted in the past

Good News in History, August 2

Good News in History, August 2

83 years ago today, in combat with the Japanese during the Solomon Islands Campaign in World War II, Patrol torpedo boat PT-109 was rammed by the Japanese Destroyer Amagiri. Its commanding officer, a certain Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, undertook almost single-handedly to rescued his crew of 12 men, saving all but two in the process, while being seriously injured. The event won Kennedy multiple decorations for bravery, and made him a bona fide war hero. READ how the event unfolded… (1943)

Lt John F. Kennedy as skipper aboard PT-109 – public domain

Inquirers and historians generally do not find the then-future president at fault for the collision. It happened that Kennedy had received orders, along with other patrol boats, to continue patrol operations after dark. Kennedy was idling PT-109 on a single engine to avoid detection by enemy aircraft.

Eventually he realized they were in the path of the destroyer Amagiri, which was returning northward after dropping off supplies and soldiers on Kolombangara. Patrol torpedo boats were not very maneuverable, and with only one engine, there was little time to escape the fast Japanese warship, which Kennedy had not been warned about on

World’s Oldest Cat Drinks Only Spring Water as She Celebrates 31 Years Old

World’s Oldest Cat Drinks Only Spring Water as She Celebrates 31 Years Old

Millie the cat is 31 – Leslie Greenhough / SWNS

An Englishman says he lives with the world's oldest cat—a tortoiseshell born in 1995, making her 31 years-old.

The puss named Millie was first owned by Leslie Greenhough's late wife, who took her in as a 3-month-old kitten.

Leslie told SWNS news agency that Millie's long lifespan is a result of giving her only natural mineral water for the past decade—alongside "lots of treats" and "cuddles on the sofa".

The family from Greater Manchester celebrated her birthday earlier this year, treating her to a bowl full of chicken.

"I am very proud she has made it to 31," said the 71-year-old owner. "She is a real trooper."

Guinness needs more proof

Leslie says his 'life ambition' is to get her in the Guinness Book of records, but sadly he can't prove her age.

"Unfortunately, the only person who can do that is my late wife."

And the only item of proof he has is an image taken in 1995 of Millie eating out of a food bowl his wife took.

A unique story explains how spring water became the cat's drink of choice.

Stranger Gives His Truck to Rock Band to Finish Their Tour, Driving 500 Miles and Back Again (WATCH)

Stranger Gives His Truck to Rock Band to Finish Their Tour, Driving 500 Miles and Back Again (WATCH)

Credit: Michele Kaunitz via Autumn Kings Facebook Page

A touring rock band almost met disaster in the middle of nowhere, until a 60-year-old stranger reminded them that there's still a magical thing called 'Midwest Nice'.

The Autumn Kings trio had just finished performing at the annual Rock Fest Wisconsin in Chippewa Valley when their van broke down on a rural highway.

They called every mechanic in the area but it required two days to fix the engine—yet they only had ten hours to make it to their next gig, the Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 500 miles away.

Just then, the band witnessed "one of the biggest acts of kindness of their lives," according to their agent, Brandy Robidoux.

A complete stranger, Ernie, stopped to see if he could help, and ended up giving the band the keys to his Ford Explorer to use for several days—to drive over a thousand miles—so they could finish out their tour.

"The kindness of this one man restored our faith in humanity," said the band on Facebook.

"With all the things you hear, about how the world is always going to

16-yo Rookie Lifeguard Leads Heroic Ocean Rescue–With Viral Video of Harrowing Effort

16-yo Rookie Lifeguard Leads Heroic Ocean Rescue–With Viral Video of Harrowing Effort

Lifeguard rescue in Santa Cruz surf – Courtesy of Scott Vander Dussen / @santacruznow on Instagram

The rookie lifeguard didn't flinch.

A giant wave slammed into the California shore and a 10-year-old boy was instantly swept up.

Luckily, a 16-year-old lifeguard ran to help, rushing toward a rescue that would go viral on social media, earning Ryder Williams praise across the internet.

It's Ryder's first summer working as a lifeguard, scanning the shores at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California, where the surf often pounds.

Last week, a sudden sneaker wave surged up the shore, knocking over the little boy and pulling him into the surprising surf. But, Ryder arrived in seconds.

"That's when I turned the camera on and started to document it," California photographer Scott Vander Dussen, who happened to be nearby, told the Los Angeles Times. "I had no idea it was going to be that intense…I've seen lots of interventions and rescues. I have never seen something like this."

Tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean were producing unpredictable powerful waves and dangerous currents all over the California coast. The massive 8-10 foot wave that

Chihuahua Won’t Stop Pawing at Her Until Owner Finds the Breast Cancer She Smelled

Chihuahua Won’t Stop Pawing at Her Until Owner Finds the Breast Cancer She Smelled

Kristine Richards and her dog Flag – SWNS

A dog owner says her pooch saved her life, by repeatedly pawing at her armpit, which eventually alerted her to breast cancer.

The 61-year-old says her chihuahua Flag started the odd behavior years ago, constantly hitting the underside of her arm with his paw.

She originally dismissed the behavior, until she spotted a small lump under her breast and started to suspect her pup was trying to tell her something.

Kristine Richards, the retiree from Wellington, Somerset, went to an oncologist and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of hormone sensitive lobular breast cancer, which had already spread to her lymph nodes.

But, after a year of intense treatments, Kristine is now cancer free, and says that this is down to Flag's detecting skills – because there were no other symptoms, even though the disease was advanced at the time.

"It was very annoying, I must say, at the time, but then I started to wonder… I had heard that dogs could tell if there was cancer.

Kristine finally went to the oncologist, who said it is quite common for dogs to sniff these

Good News in History, August 3

Good News in History, August 3

On this day 100 years ago, Tony Bennett, the famed jazz and pop singer, who passed away just last year, was born. Winner of 19 Grammys, he grew up in a poor family of Italian immigrants, but his uncle was a vaudeville tap dancer, giving Tony an early window into show business.

After singing in restaurants for money at age 13, he had three No.1 pop hits in the 50s—Because of You, Cold, Cold Heart, and Rags to Riches—but moved on to jazz and became the first male pop vocalist to sing with Count Basie. His 1962 cover, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, won two Grammys and became Bennett's signature song—along with If I Ruled the World. WATCH a spine-tingling song recorded in his home during lockdowns… (1926)

Dwight McCann, CC license

A World War II veteran, Bennett has sold over 50 million records worldwide, including his MTV Unplugged platinum LP that won the top prize, Album of the Year.

In concert, Bennett always sings one song (usually Fly Me to the Moon) without any microphone or amplification, demonstrating

Okefenokee Swamp Clinches World Heritage Status, Joining Ranks of Top Natural Wonders

Okefenokee Swamp Clinches World Heritage Status, Joining Ranks of Top Natural Wonders

Okefenokee terrain – credit, public domain, via UNESCO

Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp is the latest wild wonder of the USA to make UNESCO's hallowed World Heritage Site list.

It joins the Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Everglades, and Yellowstone national Parks on the same list, and reflects the stunning biodiversity of American "blackwater" swamps.

Most of the Okefenokee Swamp is included in the 403,000-acre (163,000 hectare) Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the most-visited NWR east of the Mississippi.

Conservation in the swamp dates all the way back to 1918, by which time 1 million cubic meters of timber had already been logged. The federal government acquired most of the swamp for refuge purposes in 1936, and designated it an NWR a year later.

It would go on to collect the designations of Federal Wilderness and Wetland of International Importance under RAMSAR, before the Georgia organ of the National Parks Service announced in 2023 it would be nominated to be the state's first ever prospective entry on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Okefenokee Swamp is the largest, lowland, freshwater peatland in the subtropical zone worldwide, and one of the largest and most intact ecosystems within the North

Canada’s Newest Nickel Mine Will Store 1.5 Millions Tons of Carbon Every Year During Operation

Canada’s Newest Nickel Mine Will Store 1.5 Millions Tons of Carbon Every Year During Operation

The Nickel Rim Mine in Ontario, the only other Western source for Nickel – credit, P199 via Wikimedia, CC 3.0.

On July 31st, mine developer Canada Nickel Company announced it had received final permitting approval from the Ontario government for its gargantuan nickel mining/carbon capture project

The approval is the first issued under Canada's amended Impact Assessment Act, a reform of extractive industry regulations designed to allow the highest-quality projects to be permitted fast.

Financing for the project will come in part through the sale of carbon credits, as Canada Nickel develop what is now a proprietary carbon storage method that allows it to store atmospheric carbon within the milled stone out of which the nickel is separated.

Needed for stainless steel, plating, high-quality allows, and emerging as a must-have for next-generation EV batteries, the market for nickel as a globally-traded commodity is sequestered almost entirely within Indonesia, where poor tropical soils make mining nickel easy.

Some 67% of nickel is mined in the country, a greater share of market control than OPEC has over global oil production. Additionally, in 2024, nickel mining was identified as a primary national

After Stranger Gives Boy a Piano, a ‘Mozart Level’ Is Revealed in Spite of Autism


From Colorado comes the story of a child prodigy pianist whose career was kick-started by a jaw-dropping donation from a complete stranger.

Brought to us via CBS News “On the Road” with Steve Hartman, the story began on the mock ebony and ivory of an unused electric keyboard forgotten in a basement 5 years ago.

It was found, one fateful day, but Jude Kofie, then a tender 9 years old and son of Ghanaian immigrant and father of 4, Isiah. This autistic boy put his hands on the keys and was changed forever; a Mozart-savant style talent had lain hidden his whole life.

As Jude began to express his “miracle” talent, he made the headlines of the local paper in Aurora, which is where Bill Magnuson, a local piano tuner, first read about the boy. Intrigued, the piano lover came to a talent show and saw first hand what Jude could do.

“He’s beyond special,” Magnuson told Hartman in an interview. “He’s Mozart level. It’s coming from somewhere beyond.”

Hearing of his father Isiah’s life story as an immigrant who raises 4 children and routinely sends remittances to family

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