Latest news with #humans
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
AP PHOTOS: Cicadas swarm parts of US as the screaming insects emerge in Brood XIV's 17-year cycle
Another cicada invasion is here. The large Brood XIV, which emerges every 17 years, is making for a spectacular natural event as billions of periodical cicadas emerge across parts of the Eastern U.S., including in Georgia, southern Ohio, Kentucky, Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Long Island, New York. When spring warms the soil to 64 degrees Fahrenheit (about 18 degrees Celsius), these cicada nymphs dig their way up to the surface after their long development period. On the right night, usually after a warm spring rain, near trees showing cicada pilot holes and chimneys, they will emerge — so many that they can be heard crunching through the grass to climb up trees, plants, people or any vertical surface. There is a forceful quality about it. Once they find footing, they begin the molting process. They shed their nymphal skin, emerging soft, vulnerable and pale yellow. They have two large red eyes on the sides of the head, three small, jewellike eyes called ocelli in the center, and gossamer wings. In a few hours, their bodies harden and darken, and they fly up to the treetops. Then the screaming begins — the loud buzzing, screaming sound males make when they are looking for a mate. It leaves ears ringing. Throughout this process, cicadas serve as a source of protein for both wildlife and humans. They survive by sheer numbers. After mating, females lay eggs in tree branches and die shortly after. The hatched tiny nymphs fall and burrow into the ground, and the cycle begins again. Cicadas are part of the magic of spring when the yellow and purple irises are blooming, and the green is new and vivid. The cicada show takes place in every light of the day and the dark of night. The pull is the power and beauty of nature and time. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Digital Trends
4 days ago
- General
- Digital Trends
NASA to shut Spot the Station site. Here's how you can still track the ISS
Did you know that on a clear night, it's possible to see the International Space Station (ISS) when it passes overhead? Sunlight reflecting off the habitable satellite causes it to shine brightly as it orbits Earth some 250 miles up, making it easy to spot. For many years now, NASA has operated a service that lets you sign up for text message and email notifications that are sent out shortly before the ISS passes within sight of your registered location. Depending on its path across the sky, the station could remain visible for as long as six minutes, giving you plenty of time to gaze upward and marvel at the fact that humans are living and working aboard the distant, orbital outpost. Recommended Videos But from June 12, subscribers will no longer receive the notifications, and the ability to find sighting opportunities near you will also no longer be available on the Spot the Station website. The good news is that there's still an easy way to find out when the ISS is passing overhead. All you need to do is download NASA's Spot the Station app, which is available on iOS and Android for smartphones and tablets. The revamped mobile app offers notifications of ISS viewing opportunities in the U.S. and around the world, and also brings improvements to the user experience. For example, the Spot the Station app can be configured to provide push notifications based on your precise location at any given time. It also features an augmented reality interface that shows you the location of the space station relative to you, making it easier to locate it as it passes by. The app also offers up-to-date information on the latest science and research being conducted by astronauts aboard the facility, which has had a continuous human presence for almost a quarter of a century. Want to find out more about everyday life aboard the space station? Then check out these videos made on the ISS by visiting astronauts over the years.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Scientists date the oldest known tools made from whale bones to 20,000 years ago
NEW YORK — Scientists have pinpointed the oldest known evidence of humans making tools from whale bone. The bones, fashioned into narrow projectiles for hunting, had been uncovered in excavations dating back over a century in the Bay of Biscay near Spain and France. Scientists figured the tools were quite ancient , but many were small fragments so it was hard to determine their age.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
100,000 Apex ‘Feline' Predators Roamed The Earth In 1900 — Today, Only A Few Thousand Remain. A Biologist Explains, And Reveals The 3 Subspecies Lost Forever
Felines comprise all cat species, from domestic cats to big cats like leopards, lions, tigers and ... More jaguars. Many of these species have suffered greatly from human hunting and habitat degradation. Here's one unfortunate example. All cats are predators – they hunt and kill other animals for food. Some cats, of course, are more formidable predators than others. Among cat species, the tiger reigns as the 'apex' predator of its class. It is the largest known cat species and has no rival in the animal kingdom – save for humans. To be fair, humans were no match for tigers before the invention of modern weaponry. Even until the early 1900s, tiger populations were healthy around the world. Guns, modern agriculture and industrialization changed its fate. Here are the details on the decimation of the nine known tiger populations, with special attention paid to the three tiger lineages that have gone extinct. The Bali tiger was the smallest of all tiger subspecies and native only to the Indonesian island of Bali. It was last definitively seen in the wild in the 1930s, and declared extinct shortly thereafter. Due to its limited range and the island's growing human population, the Bali tiger suffered from deforestation, loss of prey, and hunting. Its extinction is particularly tragic because no Bali tigers were ever kept in captivity – once the last wild individuals disappeared, the subspecies was lost forever. Once widespread across Central Asia, the Caspian tiger was declared extinct in the 1970s. Once ranging across Central Asia, the Caspian tiger was a massive subspecies that inhabited riverine corridors and forested areas across what is now Turkey, Iran, and western China. Despite its imposing size and adaptability, it fell victim to widespread hunting, habitat fragmentation and Soviet agricultural projects in the mid-20th century. Officially declared extinct in the 1970s, recent genetic studies show it shared close DNA similarities with the Amur tiger, fueling conversations about potential rewilding using its closest genetic relative. The Javan tiger, native to the densely populated island of Java in Indonesia, was driven to extinction by the 1980s due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and poaching. Although there have been occasional unverified reports of sightings, no conclusive evidence has surfaced in decades, and conservationists widely consider the species extinct. The world's largest living cat, the Amur tiger survives in the Russian Far East. Also known as the Siberian tiger, the Amur tiger is the largest living cat in the world and primarily roams the Russian Far East, with a few straying into northeastern China. Once critically endangered, their numbers have rebounded to an estimated 500–600 individuals, thanks to intense conservation efforts and anti-poaching laws. However, their habitat remains under constant threat from illegal logging, infrastructure development and climate change, making their future far from secure. India's national animal, the Bengal tiger is the most numerous remaining subspecies. The Bengal tiger is the most numerous of the remaining tiger subspecies, primarily found in India but also in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Even so, only about 2,500 individuals remain in the wild. Despite being a cultural and national symbol, Bengal tigers face significant threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching for their skin and body parts, which are still valued in illegal wildlife markets. Their survival hinges on continued protection and habitat connectivity across South Asia. (Sidebar: Most Bengal tigers avoid humans — but not all. One became the deadliest man-eater in recorded history, killing over 400 people and evading capture for years. Read the full story here.) This elusive subspecies inhabits the dense forests of Southeast Asia, including parts of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. With fewer than 400 individuals left in the wild, the Indochinese tiger is particularly vulnerable due to deforestation for plantations and infrastructure, as well as poaching. Many live in isolated forest patches, making genetic diversity and breeding opportunities a growing concern for long-term survival. Critically endangered, fewer than 150 Malayan tigers remain in the wild. Discovered to be genetically distinct from the Indochinese tiger only in 2004, the Malayan tiger is found exclusively in the tropical forests of the Malay Peninsula. Its population has plummeted to fewer than 150 individuals in the wild. The main threats are poaching and extensive deforestation for palm oil plantations. While Malaysia has launched national campaigns to save its iconic tiger, conservationists warn that without urgent and sustained action, this subspecies could be the next to disappear. Often regarded as functionally extinct in the wild, the South China tiger hasn't been seen in its native habitat since the 1990s. Historically found across southern China, the subspecies was decimated during a government campaign to eradicate predators in the mid-20th century. While a small number survive in captivity, primarily in Chinese zoos, they suffer from inbreeding and lack of genetic diversity. Reintroduction efforts are underway, but without confirmed wild populations, their future is bleak. The smallest surviving tiger subspecies, found only on Indonesia's Sumatra island. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest surviving tiger subspecies and is found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. With fewer than 400 individuals left in fragmented forest habitats, it is critically endangered. Illegal logging, human encroachment and poaching have devastated its population. Nevertheless, it benefits from being a conservation priority in Indonesia, with several protected areas and growing international attention. Does thinking about the extinction of a species instantly change your mood? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale to see where you stand on this unique personality dimension.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bulldog Who's 'Had Enough' of Ducks on Her Property Proves She Means Business
Uh oh. Pancake's on patrol! The Bulldog was guarding her human's pool recently when she saw two invaders trying to weasel their way in — a pair of ducks! Well Pancake wasn't going to let that fly, nope, not at all. And now a video of the dog taking action has people cracking up online. The Bulldog was truly peeved when she came outside and realized the ducks were back. What gives! This is her home and she wasn't about to let these birds come and disturb her. The two birds were minding their own business, taking a swim in the water. Little did they know they'd be facing Pancake's fury soon enough. Pancake was really in a huff. She spotted the ducks immediately and decided that they had to leave — right now! First the Bulldog staked out her prey and then like lightning (or a Bulldog's version of lightning), she sprinted after them. Shoo, shoo! 'Pancake had enough of the ducks on her property,' the video's text overlay reads. 'So she decided to take action. Watch her predator instincts kick in.' Sadly for Pancake, she didn't get the ducks this time. But don't worry, pupper! Next time you'll get 'em good! 'What a close call,' the caption reads. People in the comments section couldn't help but laugh. 'Those ducks were almost pancakes themselves!!' joked one commenter. 'They weren't prepared for Pancake's sheer agility and speed,' teased someone else. 'We had ducks for the first time this year! Our dog chased them too! Pancake is so cute,' praised another person. 'She meant business! I can just imagine her muttering 'Yeah, you better…'' quipped another commenter. We bet those ducks won't be coming back anytime soon, not with Pancake with around. Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. Bulldog Who's 'Had Enough' of Ducks on Her Property Proves She Means Business first appeared on PetHelpful on May 22, 2025
