How male contraceptive drug RISUG works — and how it's different from a vasectomy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
A livestream of deep sea creatures transfixes Argentina and sparks calls for refunding science
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Transparent-faced fish drift through dusky waters. Snowlike flecks of dead plants sift down from the world above. Soft sponges peek through the soot of the seafloor. Only occasional mutters among marine biologists break the thick silence. And somehow, this livestream of sea life in the South Atlantic feels like it has everyone in Argentina watching — or talking and making memes about it. The group of Argentine and American researchers behind this remotely operated vehicle filming life-forms 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) undersea told The Associated Press on Monday that they couldn't have imagined that their expedition would become such a sensation. It has attracted more than 1.6 million views a day on YouTube, dominating TV news broadcasts and even sparking a national conversation about the defunding of Argentine science under libertarian President Javier Milei. 'It was a huge surprise for us,' said expedition leader Daniel Lauretta. 'It's something that fills our hearts because we want to spread the word. Perhaps there are young people who are learning, maybe we're awakening some scientific curiosity.' The vast array of creatures glimpsed via high-definition camera include a placid starfish so orange it evokes Patrick of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' cartoon fame, a sea cucumber reminiscent of a sweet potato, a deep sea crab that looks like a hairy spider. The images have created a sense of collective wonder at the mysteries of the deep sea — and with it, a hearty dose of anthropomorphism as viewers assign zodiac stars to invertebrate and take social media quizzes along the lines of 'Which deep sea creature are you based on how you handle stress?' (If you ignore the world you're a translucent squid, if you explode with anger you're apparently a pistol shrimp). Often peaking at 50,000 simultaneous viewers, the livestream began last week and runs everyday until Aug. 10 for up to 10 hours as the scientists map the little-researched submarine gorge off the coast of Buenos Aires, collecting samples and identifying scores of new species. 'The clarity was incredible. The colors, the zoom capability — that really amazed me,' Lauretta said. 'I think that feeling reached the public too.' The project is a collaboration between scientists mostly from Conicet, Argentina's leading scientific funding and research body, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute Foundation, a nonprofit set up by Google's former executive chairman Eric E. Schmidt to advance oceanographic research. The expedition has also inspired pride in Argentine research at a time when Milei is slashing spending on science in a drive to eliminate Argentina's chronic fiscal deficit. Researchers and fellows from Conicet have sought to seize on the attention by calling for a 48-hour nationwide strike Wednesday. 'Argentines are very passionate about everything that happens in Argentina,' said Georgina Valanci, 40, who seemed mesmerized by the livestream while crocheting on Monday. 'I think it represents a bit of the pride that something like this is being done in our country.' Milei dissolved the Ministry of Science and Technology after coming to power in late 2023. Conicet suffered a 21% budget cut in real terms last year. Salaries for Conicet researchers have lost 35% of their value in recent months. Industry estimates show state-funded science and technology organizations losing 3,400 jobs in the last year and a half. Each day as the video shows sea stars regenerating arms or amoeba engulfing prey, comments pop up expressing support for Conicet in real time. 'Long live Conicet!' several users posted on Monday.
Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Patrick Star and 'Drag Queen' crab: underwater robot livestream captivates Argentines
Published Aug 02, 2025 • 3 minute read The broadcast of this dark, cold, and vibrant underwater universe has gone viral Photo by Handout / Schmidt Ocean Institute / ROV SuBastian/AFP MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina — A robot explores the dark, cold, deep sea floor of the South Atlantic, transmitting images of vibrant coral and fish never seen before as scientists give live commentary via YouTube. And Argentines can't get enough of it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Argentine-American scientific mission is for the first time exploring the Mar del Plata canyon, a submarine gorge which plunges nearly 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) deep, off the coast of the seaside resort of the same name. The awed conversations between scientists leading the expedition and the explanations they give to viewers allow the public a rare insight into the hidden wonders of marine biology. In one instance, the camera on the SuBastian underwater robot shows a weird-looking, little white animal. One of the scientists on the team can be heard asking her colleagues, 'Do we want it?' 'Yes, yes, we want it!' reply dozens of messages in the livestream chat before the image shows the suction device being activated to suck up the specimen for study. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Oh, I love these little creatures,' says one user. 'I'm obsessed!' comments another. 'Don't take the little one away!' pleads a third. The livestream began a week ago and exceeded one million views per day since Thursday, when it also began to be broadcast on television. 'There are cold-water corals with the same colours as those in the Caribbean. How can that be? At a depth of 3,000 metres!' Pablo Penchaszadeh, a marine biologist and painter who is on board the expedition as an artist, told AFP. Patrick Star The 20-day expedition 'Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon' involves 25 scientists — most of them from the Argentine research agency CONICET. Part of the GEMPA deep sea study group, with support from the U.S. Schmidt Ocean Institute, it will end on Aug. 10. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's 'Falkor (too)' ship, scientists remotely operate the robot, which can descend to a depth of 4,500 metres (14,700 feet). They collect biological samples with its robotic arms and other instruments, and send back high-definition images. 'The fact that anyone can connect from home and see what we are seeing live is a unique opportunity,' explains expedition leader Daniel Lauretta in a statement. 'Science is no longer something distant or inaccessible, but becomes part of everyday life.' This week, social media users were delighted when an orange starfish with two symmetrical bumps resembling buttocks appeared on the livestream. It quickly prompted comparisons with Patrick Star, from the popular animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Memes circulated joking that 'Patrick is Argentine,' marine biology became a trending topic on social media, and the broadcast reached the screens of hundreds of thousands of captivated viewers. 'I came to see the big-bottomed star, is it here?' asked one user upon entering the YouTube chat. Spectators also gave other sea creatures nicknames: a king crab was dubbed 'Drag Queen,' and sea cucumber was fondly called 'Sweet Potato.' 'Beacon of light' This is the first time that human eyes — albeit remotely — have seen this underwater oasis in real time, where the cold, nutrient-rich Malvinas current and warm, salty Brazil current converge. The confluence is 'one of the most energetic regions in our global Ocean,' according to the website of the Schmidt Institute, with the temperature difference creating an area teeming with marine wildlife and flora. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are already seeing incredible things: animals that have never been recorded in this area, underwater landscapes that look like something from another planet, and behaviors that surprise even the most experienced scientists,' said Lauretta. But funding for such expeditions is under threat in Argentina. CONICET, the government's scientific research arm, has been severely underfunded by libertarian President Javier Milei, who has implemented draconian cuts to public spending with his infamous 'chainsaw.' Its budget fell by 21% last year, salaries have plummeted by 35% since the Milei took office in December 2023, and the cuts have led to an exodus of scientists. As a result, in between 'oohs' and 'aahs' of wonder, messages of support are flooding the livestream's chat: 'Long live Conicet!' 'Seeing people being passionate about their job is attractive,' said Tomas Atilio Luppi, a biologist at the CONICET-affiliated marine and coastal research institute in Mar del Plata, who is not directly involved in the campaign. 'This is happening at a very difficult time,' he told AFP of the popular broadcast. 'Science is in a very complicated position, both financially and in terms of support and human resources.' 'The fact that this craze is happening is like a beacon of light.' Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Columnists
Globe and Mail
29-07-2025
- Globe and Mail
Krish Dhir Lights Up Omni News TV During Men's Mental Health Month – An Exclusive Coverage by CB Herald
Krish Dhir, Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, champions awareness and support for South Asian Mental Health. Toronto, Canada - As conversations surrounding men's mental health continue to gain urgency, Krish Dhir was recently featured on Omni News TV during Men's Mental Health Month on June 13th, 2025. Additionally, he was asked to contribute to another special topic, centered on a new study released in Canada, which focuses on the importance of social connections in buffering the harms associated with discrimination, on July 25th, 2025. The Daily — Study: The role of social connections in mitigating the harms associated with discrimination, 2023/2024 The televised feature underscores Krish's ongoing efforts to destigmatize mental health struggles among men, particularly high-achieving professionals, and provide culturally competent, trauma-informed therapy across Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. Krish is the Clinical Director of Krish Dhir Social Work & Psychotherapy Services, a practice he founded in 2022 to fill a critical gap in services for professionals and men and meet the surging demand for psychotherapy in the post-pandemic era. His mission is rooted in creating safe, goal-oriented therapeutic environments where clients can explore their emotional worlds without fear of judgment or stigma. "Men are often socialized to be stoic, to bottle up emotions, and to equate vulnerability with weakness," Krish shared during the Designer Practice Podcast interview with host Kayla Das. "But we know that suppressing emotions has a profound impact on mental well-being, often leading to anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and even substance use.' Listen to the full podcast interview on YouTube: Positive Masculinity: Redefining Men's Mental Health with Krish Dhir. A Personalized, Empowering Approach to Therapy With over 13 years of clinical experience, Krish provides therapy for professionals across a wide spectrum of industries, including healthcare workers, government employees, executives, teachers, first responders, entrepreneurs, and creatives. His evidence-based methods are uniquely tailored to the complexities of high-functioning individuals who often suffer in silence. Krish's approach integrates multiple therapeutic modalities, including CBT, ACT, DBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, and CPT, alongside culturally sensitive care for racialized and BIPOC communities. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, allowing him to connect with clients both linguistically and culturally, fostering deeper emotional understanding and trust. "My goal is to normalize help-seeking behavior among men," says Krish. "Therapy is an investment in yourself and your future. Every session is about equipping you with the tools to overcome personal and professional challenges with clarity and confidence." Addressing the Men's Mental Health Crisis Men's mental health remains a public health crisis in Canada and globally. According to the World Health Organization, men account for 75% of suicide deaths globally, and suicide remains one of the top causes of death among Canadian men under 50. Despite this, men are far less likely to seek professional help due to harmful gender norms, lack of awareness, and systemic barriers. Krish's advocacy and therapeutic practice tackle these issues head-on by: Debunking myths such as 'men don't cry,' 'men don't suffer from eating disorders,' and 'men are strong.' Promoting positive masculinity that embraces emotional depth, accountability, and authentic connection. Offering practical, goal-driven therapy that resonates with the logical, results-oriented mindset many men relate to. Educating clients about nervous system responses, trauma triggers, and self-compassion is an often unfamiliar but essential concept for male clients. Bridging Therapy and Community Krish's private practice is dedicated to aligning each client's mental health goals with sustainable and structured change. Clients working with Krish receive a customized therapy plan focused on reclaiming balance, improving relationships, and achieving personal growth. Therapy services offered include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Internal Family Systems (IFS) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Brainspotting (BSP) Now Accepting Clients in Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia Krish Dhir is now accepting new clients, including referrals, in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia. His services are available both in person in Vaughan, ON, and via secure virtual telehealth platforms, accommodating busy professionals across Canada. To learn more about Krish Dhir Social Work & Psychotherapy Services or book a consultation, visit: or e-mail: info@ About Krish Dhir, BSW, MSW, RSW Krish Dhir is a multi-licensed Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist with degrees in Business and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Toronto. He is a member of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers and holds telepractice licenses with the Alberta and Nova Scotia Colleges. With over a decade of experience across hospital settings, primary healthcare, and private practice, Krish is a passionate advocate for men's mental health, executive stress management, and inclusive therapy for diverse populations.
