Latest news with #stingray
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Incredible discovery at market after common fish purchase
Next time you're shopping for fresh fish, it might be worth taking a second look at the face of the animal you're selecting for your meal. Because it could be a wild creature that's never been described before. Researchers shopping at a small market in Fiji tested one commonly traded stingray and discovered it was an entirely new species. Dr Kerstin Glaus, a research fellow at the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership, tested the animal's DNA and took detailed measurements of its body parts, focusing on the eyes, tail and fins. 'It stands out with its broad, angular snout, long claspers in adult males, and a row of thorn-like spines running from the neck to the base of the tail,' she said. 'The ray's brown back is decorated with dark mask-like markings across the eyes, two large blotches behind the spiracles, and numerous small black spots — especially around the face.' Fish confused with other similar species The newly described Fiji maskray has regularly been confused with similar-looking species like the blue-spotted stingray, which is found at the bottom of coral reefs in Australia, and the Coral Sea maskray. But it has never been described in detail until now. The animals were bought at Suva Fish Market after they were caught by local fishermen, and not killed directly for the study. Until recently, all maskrays were grouped under one scientific name, Neotrygon kuhlii, but there are now 17 species, with most described since 2016. The animal found in Fiji's fish markets has been named Neotrygon romeoi, in honour of Glaus's father Romeo. Dead scientist's 'time capsule' in vault key to resurrecting declining spiders Rare frog with less than a thousand in the wild tracked down Irreplaceable 6.5-hectare forest protected for future generations Similar delineations are being made across numerous other animal types, particularly reptiles and invertebrates, as DNA and physical analysis methods improve. This is important because if they're not described, entire species can be wiped out without anyone knowing they existed. 'Properly identifying and naming the species is a critical step toward managing its population and ensuring sustainable use,' Glaus said. Neotrygon romeoi is only found in Fiji, and because of its limited range and high-catch rate, Glaus has recommended it be protected under the nation's protected and endangered species act. The species discovery has been chronicled in the Journal of Fish Biology. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jaw-dropping moment ray launches itself out of the water to avoid hammerhead shark after being chased into the shallows
A fisherman has captured the breath-taking moment a ray leapt out of the water while it was being hunted by a hammerhead shark. Brody Sutton was fishing off the coast of Cape York in Queensland last week when he spotted the shark set its sights on the ray. He pulled out his camera and began filming as the hammerhead swam through the shallows on pursuit of its prey. In a stunning moment, the ray propelled itself out of the water in order to evade the clutches of the fierce predator. The unexpected movement caused the shark to become disoriented and saved the ray's life. 'It was great to watch,' Mr Sutton told Yahoo News. 'I've seen it many times just not that close to the boat.' Mr Sutton's jaw-dropping clip has gone viral around the world with commentators as far as the UK and US amazed by the ray 'taking flight'. One commented: 'Never thought I'd see something flying while swimming at the same time!!! Like literally flying under the water!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brody sutton (@ 'Athlete of the year goes to..... Flying Stingray,' another remarked. A third said: 'That shark was BAMBOOZLED.' 'Since when could stingrays jump? Or even swim that fast,' someone else added. Mr Sutton confirmed the ray evaded the shark for good by seeking shelter under his boat. 'The ray escaped under my boat,' he said. Lawrence Chlebeck, a marine biologist from Humane World for Animals, explained the ray is likely a cownose or mobula ray. These species are known to use their fins like wings as opposed to a stingray which stays close to the seafloor. He explained the ray's flying move helps to break the hammerhead's line of vision. 'By quickly exiting the water, it can break that focus that the shark has, and you can tell the predator loses it shortly after because of it,' Mr Chlebeck explained.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Call The Midwife's Helen George has VERY rude response as stingray divebombs her crotch while filming new challenge series
Helen George was left shrieking on ITV 's brand new challenge series as a stingray took aim at her nether regions in an unfortunate attack. The Call The Midwife fan-favourite, 40, who is taking part in Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, which hits screens this Monday, had an awkward run-in with sea resident. The new series, which will coincide with 50th anniversary of Jaws, will see a bunch of famous faces, who are terrified of the sea, face their fears head on by taking a plunge surrounded by the scary predators. While she was submerged in the ocean off the Bahamas, a stingray took a keen interest in Helen. The Sun report the actress said during the encounter: 'Jesus Christ, it's coming right at my vagina! It's there. 'It gave me a tickle. I've never been tickled by a stingray before... it was actually quite pleasant.' She added: 'Didn't Steve Irwin die of a stingray?' Helen was referring to the conservationist and TV star who died in 2006 and was affectionately known as The Crocodile Hunter. The BBC actress, who plays nurse Trixie in Call The Midwife, previously revealed she has a lifelong phobia of the ocean. She told how she had only 'been up to her knees' in the water in the last 20 years after an incident when she was younger. Helen previously explained: 'When I was very young I was at a swimming party. I remember going underwater, looking up and foam mats had been chucked where I was coming up. I couldn't get out.' Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters also stars Rachel Riley, 39, Lucy Punch, 47, Dougie Poynter, 37, Ade Adepitan, 52, Sir Lenny Henry, 66, and Ross Noble, 48. Teasing what's to come, a ITV said: 'The show will dare a group of ocean-phobic celebrities to confront their greatest fear – sharks. 'Throughout their adrenaline-fueled, challenge-heavy journey in the Bahamas – the shark capital of the world – these A-listers will push past their limits to come nose to nose with nature's 'villains.' The BBC actress, who plays nurse Trixie in Call The Midwife, previously revealed she has a lifelong phobia of the ocean 'Their firsthand experiences will provide immeasurable excitement and new perspective. 'They'll come to appreciate sharks' valuable place on the food chain and in our ecosystem, recognizing that a world devoid of these notoriously terrifying creatures is downright frightening. 'Those taking part will be getting up close and personal with a number of different breeds of sharks throughout filming.' Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters starts Monday July 14 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
TV actress reveals shocking moment stingray attacked her CROTCH on new celebrity shark show
COMING face to face with terrifying man-eaters wasn't the biggest problem for Helen George on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters. The Call the Midwife actress instead had the trickiest time with a stingray that kept burying itself in her crotch. 6 6 The ITV show, which starts on Monday, sees famous faces plunge into the ocean off the Bahamas to face one of their greatest fears. But Helen is targeted by a stingray and blurts out: 'Jesus Christ, it's coming right at my vagina! It's there. It gave me a tickle. I've never been tickled by a stingray before . . . it was actually quite pleasant.' Then, referring to the Aussie conservationist who died in 2006 after one of the creatures struck him in the chest, she adds: 'Didn't Steve Irwin die of a stingray?' Helen, who plays nurse Trixie on the BBC One medical drama, has a lifelong phobia of the ocean. At the show's Bafta launch, she said: 'I have a fear of the sea. I've been up to my knees in the last 20 years. The challenge is to get my head under water and to stay under water to even see a single fish. 'When I was very young I was at a swimming party. I remember going underwater, looking up and foam mats had been chucked where I was coming up. I couldn't get out. 'There's a fear there that if you go underwater I can't make my way back out. I feel deeply pathetic and embarrassed.' A second series is being planned already and will see another batch of celebrities coming face to face with giant WHALES in Mexico. Karen Plumb of Plimsoll Productions, who produced Shark! said: 'Yes, we are talking all the time now about the next shark adjacent show and we have been looking at making one with whales in Mexico. Plucky celebs to star in Celebrity Shark infested waters 'At the production company we are focusing on making entertainment shows combining horror and natural history.' I suspect the celebs would say it's more horror than natural history. 6 6 Richard dodges ITV cuts 6 GOOD Morning Britain's showbiz guru Richard Arnold will keep his job amid ITV's savage cuts to daytime. It comes as around 220 staff on shows Lorraine, Loose Women and This Morning face redundancies as the channel streamlines operations. Richard, who has fronted GMB's showbiz news since it launched in 2014, has been told he will remain. His team – known as 'RAP' for Richard Arnold production – are also all safe. A source said: 'Richard is one of ITV Daytime's best-loved faces, never mind on GMB. 'Viewers enjoy his slots and he remains part of the furniture.' The changes are part of ITV's efforts to save money and reinvest in other programming areas. The cuts are expected to save ITV up to £50million. Tommy's hint to Molly 6 BOXER Tommy Fury has a message for fiancee Molly-Mae Hague and their baby daughter Bambi in the trailer for his new documentary. He is seen working out and pumping iron in the snapshot of the upcoming BBC Three series, Tommy: The Good. The Bad. The Fury. He makes sure he's seen feeding Bambi and talks about the woman who he's been in a rocky relationship with over the past 18 months. Not only did they split up for much of 2024, Tommy also suffered a hand injury that saw him out of action. In the trailer released yesterday, he is heard saying: 'I'm having the worst year of my life because I can't box. . . 'I just want to show Bambi and Molly, I'm back.'
Android Authority
27-06-2025
- Android Authority
Android 16 can warn you if a fake cell tower is trying to spy on you
TL;DR Android 16 is adding a new security feature to warn you when your phone connects to a fake or insecure mobile network known as a 'stingray.' This feature alerts you to unencrypted connections or when the network requests your phone's identifiers, which helps protect against surveillance. Due to new hardware requirements, this protection will likely only be on new devices launching with Android 16, such as the upcoming Pixel 10. There are many simple things you can do to keep your private information safe, like using strong passwords, scrutinizing app permissions, and only installing apps from trusted sources. However, some attacks are much harder to protect yourself against, as they're so sophisticated and stealthy that they can happen without you ever noticing. One such attack tricks your phone into connecting to a fake, insecure mobile network, which is difficult for the average person to detect. Fortunately, the new Android 16 update has a feature that can warn you when someone is using this tactic to snoop on you. This type of attack uses a device called a 'stingray.' An attacker sets up this device near a target they want to surveil, and it mimics a legitimate cell tower. The stingray tricks nearby mobile devices into connecting to it, allowing the attacker to collect unique identifiers (like the IMEI) and even force them onto an older, more insecure communication protocol. These identifiers allow attackers to target specific devices for analysis, while switching protocols can let them intercept unencrypted text messages and phone calls. These 'stingray' devices are notoriously used by law enforcement agencies, but their technology can also be acquired by malicious actors. While some argue they are a necessary tool for surveilling criminals, their potential for abuse is significant, as they can be used to covertly collect data on ordinary people. Because of this, Google has been working on ways to warn Android users or prevent them from sending communications over insecure cellular networks. With the release of Android 12, for example, Google added support for disabling 2G connectivity at the modem level. In Android 14, the company followed up by supporting the disabling of connections that use null ciphers — a form of unencrypted communication. More recently, Android 15 added support for notifying the OS when the network requests a device's unique identifiers or tries to force a new ciphering algorithm. These features directly counter the tactics used by commercial 'stingrays,' which trick devices into downgrading to 2G or using null ciphers to make their traffic easier to intercept. Blocking these connections and notifying the user about these requests helps protect them from surveillance. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The toggle to disable 2G networks in Android 16 on a Pixel 9a. Unfortunately, only one of these three features is widely available: the ability to disable 2G connectivity. The problem is that implementing these protections requires corresponding changes to a phone's modem driver. The feature that notifies the OS about identifier requests, for example, requires a modem that supports version 3.0 of Android's IRadio hardware abstraction layer (HAL). This dependency is why these security features are missing on current Pixel phones and other devices, and it's also likely why Google delayed launching the dedicated 'mobile network security' settings page it planned for Android 15. Since upcoming devices launching with Android 16 will support version 3.0 of Android's IRadio HAL, Google is reintroducing the 'mobile network security' settings page in the Safety Center (Settings > Security & privacy). This page contains two subsections: Notifications This subsection contains a ' Network notifications ' toggle. When enabled, it allows the system to warn you if your device connects to an unencrypted network or when the network requests your phone's unique identifiers. This toggle is disabled by default in Android 16. Network generation This subsection features a ' 2G network protection ' toggle that enables or disables the device's 2G connectivity. This is the same toggle found in the main SIM settings menu, and it is also disabled by default in Android 16. Google The 'Mobile network security' page will only appear on devices that support both the '2G network protection' toggle and the 'network notifications' feature. This is why it doesn't appear on any current Pixel devices running Android 16, as they lack the necessary modem support for notifications. When the 'Network notifications' feature is enabled, Android will post a message in the notification panel and the Safety Center whenever your device switches from an encrypted to an unencrypted network, or vice versa. It will also post an alert in both places when the network accesses your phone's unique identifiers, detailing the time and number of times they were requested. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you connect to an unencrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when you reconnect to an encrypted cellular network. Message in the notification panel and Safety Center when a cellular network accesses your device's unique identifiers. Now that Google has relaunched this security page in Android 16, it won't be long before we start seeing it on new devices. However, due to the Google Requirements Freeze (GRF) program — a policy that allows OEMs to lock in hardware-related requirements for devices at launch — it's unlikely that any current devices will be updated to support the notifications feature. We will most likely have to wait for upcoming devices that launch with Android 16, such as the Pixel 10 series, to see this protection fully implemented. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
