This fingernail-sized killer 100 times deadlier than a cobra is haunting Australian waters in the ‘off-season'
Irukandji jellyfish
may be tiny, often no bigger than a fingernail, but it's one of the most venomous marine creatures in the world. Found primarily in the waters off northern Australia, this transparent predator can deliver a sting that leaves even strong swimmers in excruciating pain.
A swimmer was stung by it at Cable Beach in late July, outside the usual wet season risk period. The incident has drawn interest from overseas academics at the University of Hawaii, who will study the species further. It has also renewed interest in public safety.
Productivity Tool
Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide
By Metla Sudha Sekhar
View Program
Finance
Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory
By Dinesh Nagpal
View Program
Finance
Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code
By CA Rahul Gupta
View Program
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel
By Neil Patel
View Program
Finance
Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading
By Kunal Patel
View Program
Productivity Tool
Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide
By Study at home
View Program
Artificial Intelligence
AI For Business Professionals Batch 2
By Ansh Mehra
View Program
While they are most common from November to April, former CSIRO marine biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin told ABC there is no completely safe season in Broome. Stings have been recorded in every month of the year.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You
Villas In Dubai | Search Ads
Get Rates
Undo
What is the Irukandji jellyfish?
The
Irukandji
jellyfish belongs to the
box jellyfish
family and is notorious for its size-defying potency. Measuring just a few centimeters across, it is nearly invisible in the water, making it extremely hard to spot.
There are 16 known Irukandji species worldwide, six of which are found in WA. Two occur in Broome, Malo maxima and Carukia shinju. Each has a body about the size of a thimble and long, fine tentacles.
Live Events
They are found in tropical waters around Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef, which extends from Broome to Queensland.
They typically inhabit deeper waters near reefs, usually between 10 and 20 meters (33 to 66 feet) deep, but due to currents, they can come closer to shore.
While common in Australian waters, they have also been spotted in other tropical regions like the Caribbean and Hawaii.
How venomous is the Irukandji jellyfish?
Its venom is designed for rapid prey capture but can devastate humans. The toxins target the cardiovascular and nervous systems, triggering an extreme reaction known as 'Irukandji syndrome.'
Scientists believe this venom is among the most powerful in the animal kingdom, possibly evolved to bring down larger, faster prey with a very tiny amount.
The venom of the Irukandji jellyfish is often described as 100 times more potent than that of a cobra.
Frequency of stings
Stings are uncommon but not rare, as Kimberly Australia reported 159 stings over a five-year period. According to the Medical Journal of Australia, six have been recorded at Cable Beach in the past five years. This is far fewer than the 88 cases treated between 2001 and 2003.
Earlier WA Health reports also showed higher sting numbers in the past. Between 2001 and 2006, Broome recorded the highest Irukandji sting rates in Australia, with some cases causing life-threatening complications.
Symptoms and treatments
While the sting itself might cause only mild discomfort at first, symptoms can escalate within minutes to hours. Common signs include: intense back, muscle, and chest pain, severe nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
In some cases, victims experience feelings of impending doom, a well-documented effect of the venom's neurological impact.
There is no specific antivenom for Irukandji stings, so treatment focuses on symptom relief and stabilizing the patient., Immediate medical attention is crucial. First-aid steps include:
Rinsing the sting area with vinegar to neutralize the venom
Seeking emergency medical care without delay
Pain management and blood pressure monitoring in hospital settings
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 minutes ago
- Time of India
Air Canada cancels flights: What do we know about strike of Canada's largest carrier?
Air Canada is cancelling flights from Thursday, as the country's largest carrier winds down service ahead of a looming Saturday strike by its more than 10,000 flight attendants. Montreal-based Air Canada said on Wednesday it plans to cease flying on Saturday after its flight attendants' union served a 72-hour strike notice due to stalled contract talks over pay. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge carry about 130,000 customers a day. A strike would hit the country's tourism sector during the height of summer travel. Air Canada is also the foreign carrier with the largest number of flights to the U.S. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program The standoff is testing the country's Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney, which was asked by Air Canada to impose arbitration on both sides. Representatives of Carney and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu did not respond to requests for comment on whether they would take action, such as imposing arbitration that would stop a strike. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canada is looking for skilled immigrants from Jamaica! Canadian Visa Professionals Sign Up Hajdu on Tuesday encouraged both parties to remain at the table until a deal is reached. The dispute hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most airlines have traditionally paid attendants only when planes are in motion. But flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks such as boarding passengers and waiting in the airport. The strike by flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees is set to begin at 12:58 a.m. EDT (0458 GMT) on Saturday. Air Canada has said customers would be fully refunded for cancellations, which could hit lucrative routes between Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. The airline also issued a lockdown notice beginning 32 minutes after the strike. It had declared a deadlock in negotiations on Tuesday, after the union rejected its proposal for binding arbitration. Live Events The carrier had offered a 38% increase in total compensation for flight attendants over four years, with a 25% raise in the first year. However, the union said the offer would raise actual wages by 17.2% over four years and was below inflation. Air Canada had offered to compensate flight attendants for some unpaid work, but only at 50% of their hourly rate. A union spokesperson said its negotiators are awaiting a response from Air Canada after it made a new proposal Tuesday night. Flight attendants have negotiated with more confidence, encouraged by improved airline earnings in 2024 and bumper pay deals for pilots since the pandemic. Such concessions would raise labor costs for Air Canada, which reported a drop in second-quarter profit, weighed down by weak passenger traffic to the U.S. FAQs Q1. Which airline has cancelled flights? A1. Air Canada is cancelling flights from Thursday. Q2. How many passengers Air Canada carry on a daily basis? A2. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge carry about 130,000 customers a day.
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bitcoin's throne is wobbling, and Ethereum could be king soon - here's the story no one is talking about
Bitcoin vs Ethereum : The crypto world is buzzing and for good reason because for the first time in a long while, Bitcoin's long-held dominance is showing real cracks, and Ethereum is stepping up in a big way, as per a report. Bitcoin Slips as Ethereum Surges As of this week, Bitcoin's market dominance has dropped to 59.87%, reported Benzinga. It might still be in the lead, but that number has people talking, especially considering it was as high as 66% earlier this year, according to the report. At the same time, Ethereum's dominance has jumped to 13.62%, riding a stunning 51.68% price surge in just the last month, as reported by Benzinga. Ether is now trading at $4,486.75, far outpacing Bitcoin's modest 1.70% monthly gain, according to the report. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program ALSO READ: Red flags for the economy: Economist points to 3 warning signs of an imminent recession in US by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo Vitalik Buterin Returns to Billionaire Status Ether frenzy comes following an August 11 Cointelegraph report, that highlighted that Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum's co-founder, has officially rejoined the billionaire ranks due to ETH's recent climb, which proved to be a testament to its skyrocketing value, as reported by Benzinga. His comeback sparked a wave of enthusiasm across social media, with many pointing to his recent comments about Ethereum outperforming after it exceeded expectations due to its tech upgrades and booming ecosystem, as per the Benzinga report. Live Events ALSO READ: Stock plunge at sends shockwaves - here's the troubling reason you need to know Pro-Crypto Reforms Push ETH Forward There's also been a big shift on the regulatory front, as on July 31, SEC Chair Paul Atkins revealed a series of pro-crypto reforms that gave Ethereum an unexpected boost, according to the report. The announcement positioned Ethereum as a serious player in the future of US financial infrastructure and the market responded, as per the Benzinga report. Ethereum ETFs Make Big Splash Ethereum ETFs have since made headlines, bringing in a record $2.12 billion in daily inflows, compared to just $138 million for Bitcoin, according to a CoinDesk report from July 21. ALSO READ: Is it AI or Trump's policies? US sees brutal 140% layoff spike in July, worst surge since early COVID chaos Bitcoin Struggles to Keep Up Meanwhile, Bitcoin, despite its high price of $119,367.90, seems to be losing some steam as investors may be taking profits or shifting their attention to altcoins, and Ethereum is reaping the benefits, according to the Benzinga report. While Bitcoin's pace has slowed, Ether's ecosystem, powered by DeFi and NFT, is pulling in capital, according to the report. ALSO READ: Giant Wyoming data center to guzzle 5x more power than residents, but the user remains secret FAQs Is Bitcoin in trouble? Not exactly, but its dominance is slipping, and Ethereum is gaining ground, as per the Benzinga report. Why is Ethereum gaining popularity now? Tech upgrades, a booming ecosystem, and strong support from new SEC reforms are all driving it, as per the Benzinga report.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Europe finally embraces air conditioning, amid heat waves
As Europe sweats through another summer of record-high temperatures, much of the continent is undergoing a rapid and often tense transformation. Once seen as an American excess or Mediterranean necessity, air conditioning is becoming a fixture of life in places where it was long considered a luxury or even unwelcome. The shift reflects a new climate reality: Extreme heat is no longer rare across much of Europe. It's increasingly the new norm. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Europe might not be prepared to cope. Power grids - many designed for milder climates - are already under strain. On the hottest days, electricity demand spikes and often outpaces what renewables can supply. Governments are now facing a tough question: how to keep their countries cool without driving up emissions or triggering blackouts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Best Method for a Flat Stomach After 50 (It's Genius!) Lulutox Undo The evolution is apparent in France's Medoc region, where the city of Bordeaux hit a record-high 41.6C (106.9F) this week. Historic buildings like the Chateau Monbrison - a centuries-old wine estate - have been forced to adapt. This spring, the owners installed air conditioning - discreet Mitsubishi Compact+ units mounted against the exposed stone walls to preserve the chateau's traditional charm. Live Events The trend tracks across Europe. Cooling systems, once reserved for the most scorched parts of Italy and Spain, are an increasingly common sight further north, in places like the Netherlands and the UK. Residential AC purchases have doubled in Europe since 2010, according to Daikin Industries , one of the continent's biggest manufacturers. Electronics marketplace Galaxus recently reported record sales in Germany and Austria, and Samsung Electronics Co. is boosting its training budget in Europe for AC installations by an average of 10% each year. France has now overtaken Italy and Spain as the fastest-growing air conditioning market in Europe for Hitachi . Household AC penetration there rose to 25% by 2020, from 14% in 2016, the company said. By 2035, about half of French homes are expected to have a unit. The boom in business is anchored by a troubling fact: Europe is warming at twice the global average. Cooling degree days - or how often and how intensely buildings require cooling - have more than tripled in Paris over the past two decades, according to data from Eurostat. France's capital now experiences heat comparable to Barcelona in the late 1990s. Berlin's temperatures mirror those historically recorded in Turin. And the climate in Brussels resembles what parts of Croatia were like 25 years ago. Even countries long considered too cold for cooling are changing their ways. The market for air conditioning in Scandinavia, once tiny, is registering measurable growth. "Cooling used to be a luxury," said Simon Pezzutto, a researcher who has tracked cooling demand in Europe for over a decade. Today, "it's a commodity of primary necessity." Governments are searching for a path forward. Austria's latest national energy plan explicitly cites rising cooling demand as a risk to grid stability. France, too, has warned of future peaks during the summer because of unchecked AC use. These aren't theoretical concerns. As a heat wave gripped southern Europe in June, electricity grids in Italy buckled, leading to blackouts in several regions. "That synchronized spike in demand - sometimes compressed into a matter of hours - puts immense pressure on national grids," said Isabella Nardini, Manager of International Affairs at the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies. Part of the problem relates to consumer preferences. Many shoppers are opting for small, portable units, which are more affordable and easy to install, but less energy-efficient than other models. Globally, the International Energy Agency says that space cooling already accounts for 10% of electricity consumption in buildings, and Europe's share is only expected to rise. In response, fossil fuel plants - especially gas and coal - are increasingly fired up to meet surging demand. "Rising air conditioning use is propping up fossil fuel generation during times when renewables underperform," said Sabrina Kernbichler, lead power analyst at Energy Aspects. Even if Europe's needs are met, adapting the continent's aging building stock poses another logistical challenge. Many older homes were designed to retain heat. That's an advantage in winter, but a problem in today's longer, hotter summers. Every year, only about 1% of buildings are renovated.
