Latest news with #Rainmaker1973
NDTV
08-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Watch: Killer Whales Recorded Sharing Food With Humans
Orcas, better known as killer whales, sit atop the aquatic food chain as one of the most lethal apex predators on Earth. Despite their reputation, a new study has revealed that these killer whales often offer food to humans, with scientists recording the rare event on camera. Based on observations across two decades, scientists found 34 instances where the killer whales approached a human with a range of food items, including dead fish and birds, stunned stingrays and incapacitated sharks. After offering the food, the killer whales wait for the human's reaction. In most instances, humans ignored the offering, after which the whales either recovered the item and tried to share it with the person again, shared the item with pod-mates, or swam away. A few times, the human tossed the food back to the whale, who then tossed it to the human again. The study highlighted that the sharing behaviour was reported in six different populations across four oceans, which suggests that the behaviour is widespread and not just a fad adopted by a single pod. Killer whales have started feeding people. Scientists have documented the rarest behavior of predatory dolphins: they voluntarily share their catch with fishermen. In this way, the animals want to establish contact with us. — Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) July 7, 2025 Orcas are the largest of the dolphins, immediately recognisable by their unique black-and-white complexion. Their behaviour resembles that of a wolf pack as a deadly pod can contain up to 40 individuals. They all use effective, cooperative hunting techniques, which makes them one of the deadliest creatures in the water kingdom. As per lead author Jared Towers, an ecologist at Bay Cetology in Canada, altruistic behaviours are common among orca communities. They share food with family members as a "prosocial activity and a way [to] build relationships with each other". The fact that they "share with humans may show their interest in relating to us as well." Orcas killing whale sharks In November last year, scientists documented evidence that orcas hunted whale sharks, the world's largest shark species that can grow up to 40 feet. The orca pod, using a novel and cunning technique, was found hunting and killing the whale sharks in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. After collating and analysing media footage collected between 2018 and 2024, scientists found that orcas displayed a collaborative hunting technique to kill whale sharks. They focused on attacking the pelvic area and bleeding out the whale sharks by hitting them at high speed.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
Can A Car's LiDAR Sensor Damage Your Phone Camera? Viral Video Sparks Debate
A video going viral on social media claims that pointing the phone camera directly at a car's LiDAR sensor could be an expensive affair. In the 18-second clip, the OP can be seen filming the Volvo EX90 electric SUV, which comes with LiDAR technology to make the driving experience smoother and safer. As the camera zooms into the LiDAR sensor, it is immediately peppered by a galaxy of colourful dots which form over the exact spot that flashing light from the sensor hits. LiDAR, short for light detection and ranging, is the eye of modern autonomous systems. The technology uses infrared light waves to collect information about the car's surroundings and identify the distance to objects and certain aspects of their movement or appearance. While some claimed that the video was edited, subject experts revealed that smartphone cameras can indeed be damaged when they are pointed straight at the LiDAR sensor. "Yeah, this is a real thing. As a professional videographer, it has happened to colleagues of mine," said one social media user, while another added: "People freaking out with microwave oven while they are totally fine with car Lidar which beams out high energy high frequency laser." A third commented: "So that means we probably shouldn't be looking at the car lasers with our face-eyes either, right?" Filming this car's LiDAR system breaks the phone camera — Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) May 15, 2025 Volvo warns Even Volvo, on its website, has issued an official warning, reminding people not to point their cameras or any other device at the sensor. "Do not point a camera directly at the lidar. The lidar, being a laser-based system, uses infrared light waves that may cause damage to certain camera devices. This can include smartphones or phones equipped with a camera," read the statement. Though it is not advisable to look directly into LiDAR sensors, Volvo uses 1665-nanometer lasers, which is believed to be harmless as the light cannot reach the retina at that wavelength. While Volvo uses LiDAR for its autonomous vehicles, Elon Musk's Tesla relies on a combination of cameras for navigation. The billionaire famously called LiDAR a 'crutch' for autonomous vehicles, claiming that they were expensive and not needed for the self-driving technology.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Why you feel like you are falling right before sleep? The science behind the bizarre sensation of hypnic jerks
Have you ever been lying in bed, drifting off to sleep, only to feel as though you're plummeting through the air? One moment, you're wrapped up in warmth, and the next, you're jolted awake as if you've fallen off a cliff. It's a terrifying sensation that many of us have experienced, and it leaves us wondering: What on earth just happened? #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" This unsettling feeling of "falling" is more common than you might think, and it's all part of a natural phenomenon known as hypnic jerks—or hypnagogic jerks. While the experience can be startling, the good news is that it's entirely normal and nothing to be afraid of. The Jerk Explained: What Actually Happens? So, what exactly are these mysterious jerks that seem to strike right before sleep? According to experts, hypnic jerks are sudden involuntary muscle movements that occur as you transition from wakefulness into sleep. These twitches happen most often during the first stages of sleep, specifically stages one and two, and they typically fade once you reach deeper stages like REM sleep. Medical News Today describes them as a type of " sleep myoclonus ," a scientific term for jerking movements that happen during sleep or while falling asleep. These muscle spasms are essentially a quick contraction, which is often accompanied by a vivid sensation of falling—though, in reality, you're simply experiencing a muscle twitch. It's not unusual to experience a hypnic jerk alongside a dream or nightmare. In some cases, what you're feeling may even become part of the dream itself. This phenomenon, known as dream incorporation , happens when external stimuli—like the sound of your phone ringing or an alarm going off—are seamlessly integrated into your dream, making it feel even more real. You Might Also Like: Can poor sleep age your brain faster? New study reveals shocking link to shrinking grey matter The Causes: Why Does This Happen? Hypnic jerks are far from rare, and in fact, most people experience them from time to time. While they aren't harmful, they can certainly be startling. So, what causes this strange, seemingly random event? One key factor is caffeine. If you've had one too many cups of coffee or a sugary fizzy drink before bed, your body may be more alert than it should be, leading to increased chances of twitching during sleep. Similarly, nicotine and alcohol can also disrupt your ability to relax, contributing to the jerking movements. Late-night exercise is another culprit, especially if your body is still revved up when you're trying to unwind for bed. This heightened alertness can prevent you from reaching the relaxed state necessary for peaceful sleep. — Rainmaker1973 (@Rainmaker1973) Another major trigger is stress. Whether you're dealing with work pressure or anxiety disorders, your body's stress hormone, cortisol, may be higher than usual, making it harder to settle into sleep and causing interruptions like hypnic jerks. You Might Also Like: 'Golden hour' of sleep: Experts reveal the best time to go to bed for a longer life Inadequate sleep is also a big factor. If you're staying up late scrolling through social media or dealing with insomnia, your chances of experiencing these jerks go up. Interestingly, adults are more likely to experience them than children, possibly due to the cumulative effects of lifestyle choices and stressors that increase with age. Can You Prevent the Jerking? While hypnic jerks are normal, they can be quite unsettling for some. If you're tired of feeling like you're falling in the middle of your sleep cycle, there are several steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of these jerks. The first thing to tackle is caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Avoid consuming these stimulants in the hours leading up to bedtime, and consider reducing your overall intake to minimize their impact on your sleep. Exercise earlier in the day, if possible, so your body has ample time to wind down before hitting the pillow. Keep a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day to help regulate your body's internal clock. The temperature of your room can also make a big difference. Sleep experts recommend keeping your bedroom at a comfortable 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit to optimize your sleep environment. Additionally, a dark, quiet room can help minimize sleep disruptions, letting you drift off with fewer disturbances. Lastly, screen time is a major disruptor of good sleep. We all know the drill: put down your devices an hour before bed. This gives your brain the time it needs to unwind without the blue light from screens interfering with your natural sleep rhythm. When to Seek Treatment Hypnic jerks are usually nothing to worry about. However, if these sudden jolts are impacting your sleep quality or causing you significant distress, it may be time to speak to a healthcare professional. They can help determine if there's an underlying condition or guide you toward solutions that can reduce or eliminate these jerks from your sleep routine. In most cases, though, hypnic jerks are a harmless part of the sleep process. So the next time you feel like you're falling into an abyss right before bed, remember: it's just your muscles twitching, not a sign of impending doom.
