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Wild orcas will sometimes offer food to humans

Wild orcas will sometimes offer food to humans

Yahoo01-07-2025
Orcas (Orcinus orca) don't appear to be big fans of yachts, but some of them may be curious about humans themselves. According to a study published on June 30 in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, cetology researchers have confirmed dozens of instances of killer whales intentionally approaching people and offering them food—a behavior they typically reserve for building bonds between orca pods.
'Orcas often share food with each other—it's a prosocial activity and a way that they build relationships with each other,' Jared Towers, a study lead author and executive director of the British Columbia-based research organization Bay Cetology said in a statement. 'That they also share with humans may show their interest in relating to us as well.'
Towers collaborated with Vanessa Prigollini at Mexico's Marine Education Association along with killer whale expert Ingrid Visser at the Orca Research Trust in New Zealand to collect incidents of the apex predators voluntarily meeting people. They ultimately confirmed 34 events spanning the last two decades. In total, 11 instances involved orcas approaching humans swimming in water, 21 cases occurred while people were on boats, and another two examples were recorded from shore.
However, the researchers didn't simply take witnesses at their word. In order to be included in the study, a potential documentation needed to meet stringent criteria after reviewing any video and photographic evidence, as well as subject interviews. In each event, the orcas must have approached humans of their own volition, then dropped an item in front of them. The whales varied in both age and sex, but all except one appeared to wait for a reaction. In some cases, they even reattempted their food offers—a mix of fish, mammals, invertebrates, birds, as well as one reptile and one piece of seaweed.
'Offering items to humans could simultaneously include opportunities for killer whales to practice learned cultural behavior, explore or play and in so doing learn about, manipulate or develop relationships with us,' the researchers wrote in the study. 'Giving the advanced cognitive abilities and social, cooperative nature of this species, we assume that any or all these explanations for, and outcomes of such behavior are possible.'
The team added these may be the first in-depth descriptions of non-domesticated animals behaving in ways that are usually reserved for household pets like cats and dogs. They may also mark the first accounts of wild predators purposefully employing prey and other objects to 'directly explore human behavior.' If true, these instances 'may highlight the evolutionary convergence of intellect between highest order primates and dolphins.'
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Zymeworks Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for ZW251, a Novel Glypican 3-Targeted Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitor Antibody-Drug Conjugate
Zymeworks Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for ZW251, a Novel Glypican 3-Targeted Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitor Antibody-Drug Conjugate

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time44 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Zymeworks Announces FDA Clearance of Investigational New Drug Application for ZW251, a Novel Glypican 3-Targeted Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitor Antibody-Drug Conjugate

Second antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) to progress into clinical development utilizing our proprietary payload and optimized antibody Preclinical results demonstrate strong anti-tumor activity and favorable tolerability profile Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating ZW251 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) expected to be initiated in 2025 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zymeworks Inc. (Nasdaq: ZYME), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a diverse pipeline of novel, multifunctional biotherapeutics to improve the standard of care for difficult-to-treat diseases, including cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disease, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the investigational new drug (IND) application for ZW251, a novel glypican-3 (GPC3)-targeted ADC incorporating the company's proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPO1i) payload, ZD06519, for the treatment of HCC. 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First Hydrogen Expands SMR Design Collaboration with Renewable Thermal Laboratory at the University of Alberta to Advance Nuclear SMR Technology
First Hydrogen Expands SMR Design Collaboration with Renewable Thermal Laboratory at the University of Alberta to Advance Nuclear SMR Technology

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

First Hydrogen Expands SMR Design Collaboration with Renewable Thermal Laboratory at the University of Alberta to Advance Nuclear SMR Technology

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 28, 2025) - First Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: FHYD) (OTC Pink: FHYDF) (FSE: FIT) ("FIRST HYDROGEN" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to the Company's news release of June 9, 2025, the addition of Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) design in the collaboration with Professor Muhammad Taha Manzoor from the University of Alberta. The project will focus on fuel reactor materials, reactor design and reactor design optimization taking into consideration the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. SMRs offer some key benefits compared to traditional nuclear reactors: SMRs are compact and can be installed in remote locations, can be factory-fabricated and shipped to the site, scale incrementally with demand, are safer due to its simplified designs, potentially use fuels other than enriched uranium, longer periods between refueling and have lower upfront costs. Canada is globally recognized for its exceptional nuclear expertise, notably through its renowned CANDU (Canadian Deuterium-Uranium) reactors, widely considered among the safest and most reliable nuclear technologies in the world. Leveraging SMRs, First Hydrogen aims to deliver stable, cost-effective, and efficient process for producing green hydrogen, addressing the growing demand for clean energy solutions worldwide. By integrating advanced nuclear technology with green hydrogen production, the Company is positioned to meet rising global demand for clean energy. The Company is currently reviewing potential sites in Canada and Europe. First Hydrogen believes Canada's strong nuclear expertise and proven track record position its technologies as a leading choice for SMR development. Prime Minister Carney has endorsed SMR technology as crucial to ensuring energy independence and transforming the country into a leading energy superpower. As per the Government of Canada (January 8, 2025), there are currently five nuclear power plants situated in three provinces housing 22 nuclear power reactors. These power plants produce 15% of Canada's electricity. Notable Canadian SMR projects include Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) Darlington SMR initiative aiming to build four reactors, New Brunswick's focus on fourth-generation SMRs including ARC Clean Energy's development at Point Lepreau, and Saskatchewan's active exploration into SMRs for grid-scale power generation. Goldman Sachs projects that artificial intelligence will drive a 160% increase in data center power demand by 2030, reshaping global energy consumption. Unlike previous years when efficiency improvements offset growing workloads, AI's heavy computational needs-like a ChatGPT query using nearly 10× the electricity of a Google search-are overwhelming those gains. Currently responsible for about 1-2% of global electricity, data centers could reach 3-4% by decade's end, with AI accounting for 19% of that demand by 2028. U.S. utilities needing $50 billion in new generation capacity and Europe facing over $1.7 trillion in grid and renewable investments. (AI is poised to drive 160% increase in data center power demand | Goldman Sachs) Dr. Manzoor commented, "We are pleased to see our collaboration with First Nuclear expanding, as they broaden their small modular reactor (SMR) approach by integrating design elements and committing additional support to this challenging yet exciting endeavor. SMR design is a complex, multidisciplinary problem that requires assembling a diverse team of experts. We look forward to deepening our partnerships across Canadian academia and industry in the years ahead." About First Nuclear Corp. ( First Hydrogen Corp. is committed to developing and commercializing advanced clean energy solutions, including green hydrogen produced by state-of-the-art Small Modular Reactors. The Company aims to provide scalable, sustainable, and economically viable alternatives to meet global climate goals and enhance energy security. About First Hydrogen Corp. ( First Hydrogen Corp. is a Vancouver, Montreal, Germany and London UK-based company focused on zero-emission vehicles, green hydrogen production and distribution. The Company has designed and built two hydrogen- fuel-cell-powered light commercial vehicles ("FCEV"). The FCEV are road-legal in the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) with 6,000 km of testing completed and have achieved a range of 630+ kilometres on a single refueling. The vehicles have successfully been trialled in real-world conditions with fleet operators in the United Kingdom. On behalf of the Board of Directors of FIRST HYDROGEN CORP."Balraj Mann"Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Contact:Balraj MannFirst Hydrogen Corp.604-601-2018investors@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains information or statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward looking information may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, milestones, strategies and outlook of First Hydrogen, and includes statements about, among other things, future developments and the future operations, strengths and strategies of First Hydrogen. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. The forward-looking statements made in this news release are based on management's assumptions and analysis and other factors that may be drawn upon by management to form conclusions and make forecasts or projections, including management's experience and assessments of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Although management believes that these assumptions, analyses and assessments are reasonable at the time the statements contained in this news release are made, actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Examples of risks and factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from forward-looking statements may include: the timing and unpredictability of regulatory actions; regulatory, legislative, legal or other developments with respect to its operations or business; limited marketing and sales capabilities; early stage of the industry and product development; limited products; reliance on third parties; unfavourable publicity or consumer perception; general economic conditions and financial markets; the impact of increasing competition; the loss of key management personnel; capital requirements and liquidity; access to capital; the timing and amount of capital expenditures; the impact of COVID-19; shifts in the demand for First Hydrogen's products and the size of the market; patent law reform; patent litigation and intellectual property; conflicts of interest; and general market and economic conditions. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of First Hydrogen as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. First Hydrogen undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio

MrBeast Makes Astronomer Joke After Gwyneth Paltrow Video
MrBeast Makes Astronomer Joke After Gwyneth Paltrow Video

Newsweek

timea day ago

  • Newsweek

MrBeast Makes Astronomer Joke After Gwyneth Paltrow Video

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. MrBeast, who was recently named the top content creator in the world by Forbes, has reacted to one of the year's most viral stories, the Astronomer Coldplay "kiss-cam scandal." In a post on X, formerly Twitter, MrBeast responded to the company's recent marketing video, which featured Gwyneth Paltrow. Newsweek has reached out to a representative for MrBeast via email for comment. Why It Matters MrBeast's social media post comes after a split-second clip of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his colleague Kristin Cabot was shared on social media and promptly broke the internet. The video, first shared by instaagraace on TikTok, has been viewed over 128 million times as of time of writing. Left, MrBeast speaks onstage during YouTube Brandcast 2025 at David Geffen Hall in New York City on May 14, 2025. Right, Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica,... Left, MrBeast speaks onstage during YouTube Brandcast 2025 at David Geffen Hall in New York City on May 14, 2025. Right, Gwyneth Paltrow attends the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, on April 5, 2025. More Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/for YouTube In the clip, the jumbotron lands on the pair and they promptly sprang apart. Coldplay's lead singer Chris Martin, says: "Either they're having an affair or they're just really shy." The pair were later identified as Byron, CEO of the tech firm Astronomer, and Cabot, the company's head of Human Resources. Both have now resigned. What To Know On July 26, Astronomer shared a light-hearted marketing video which capitalizes on the attention that has been brought to the company since the now infamous Coldplay canoodling. The video features Paltrow, Martin's Oscar-winning ex-wife, as a "very temporary spokesperson." MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, responded to this on X. In a post that has been viewed over 230,000 times, he wrote, "Can I be CEO." Astronomer's board of directors have announced that they will start a formal search for their new chief executive. Company co-founder Pete DeJoy has taken over as interim CEO. He said on Monday that Astronomer has faced an "unusual and surreal" amount of attention in recent days. Astronomer is a New York-based company that helps companies develop, grow, and analyze products using artificial intelligence. MrBeast, whose YouTube channel boasts over 416 million subscribers, is the owner of multiple companies, including Feastables and MrBeast Burger. He has previously shared posts on social media expressing interest in buying the social media platform X from Elon Musk. In June, as part of their list of Top Content Creators, Forbes reported that MrBeast had earnings of $85 million. Back in 2022, Forbes reported the 27-year-old could become the world's "first YouTuber billionaire," reporting at the time that he had a net worth of $500 million. What People Are Saying An Astronomer spokesperson previously told Newsweek in a statement: "Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met." What's Next The search for Astronomer's new CEO is ongoing.

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