Crab Spider Camouflage in Yuan Province Rainforest

Crab Spider Camouflage in Yuan Province Rainforest

• Chinese scientists observed a male and female crab spider mimicking a flower in a Yuan Province rainforest.
• The male resembled the flower's pistils and stamens, while the female resembled the petals.
• The successful camouflage initially perceived them as a single entity.
• Female crab spiders commonly camouflage themselves with flowers, often adjusting their color to match.
• This male-female cooperation is the first documented instance of "cooperation mimicry" in any species.
• This adaptation requires both participants for the deception to work.
• Researchers believe this cooperative behavior improves survival and hunting chances.
• This behavior was observed on March 1, 2024.

New Ichthyosaur Species Discovered

• A new, massive ichthyosaur species, Ichthyotitan severnensis, was discovered.
• Discovered by a father-daughter team, Justin Reynolds and Ruby Reynolds, during fossil hunting at Blue Anchor Beach, Somerset, England.
• Initially found a small oval fossil, followed by a larger bone fragment.
• Dr. Dean Lomax confirmed the fossils belonged to an ichthyosaur.
• Extensive search for additional fossil pieces resulted in reconstructing the lower jaw.
• An estimated 80 feet long (equivalent to two buses parked end to end), making it one of the largest marine animals ever.
• Discovery helped by similar ichthyosaur's remains from 2016.
• Ruby Reynolds and Justin Reynolds are co-authors of a study published in PLOS One (April 17, 2024).
• Ruby, now 15, continues to advocate for youth involvement in science.

Periodical Cicada Emergence

• Sixteen US states are experiencing a rare simultaneous emergence of two cicada broods.
• Brood XIX (13-year cycle) and Brood XIII (17-year cycle) are overlapping.
• This last occurred 221 years ago and will not happen again until 2245.
• Cicadas emerge to reproduce and die subsequently.
• Primarily black, shrimp-sized bugs with red, beady eyes.
• Cicadas spend most of their lives underground, feeding on tree roots.
• Emergence expected to peak for two to three weeks, starting mid-May.
• Highest overlap projected for Illinois and Iowa.
• Cicadas are harmless to humans.
• Produce a loud, high-pitched drone (approaching 90 decibels).
• They cause damage to young trees by laying eggs on slender twigs or vines, potentially stunting or killing young fruit or nursery trees.
• Covering trees with nets is recommended to prevent damage.
• Cicadas die soon after laying eggs, providing food and nitrogen to trees.
• Eggs hatch within 4-6 weeks, restarting the 13 or 17-year cycle underground.
• Cicada emergence cycles are prime numbers, to avoid predators with shorter lifespans.

2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

• The 2024 Summer Olympics will include four new sports: breaking, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.

Breaking (Breaking Dance)

• Breaking, an urban dance style, will make its Olympic debut in Paris.
• Two events (one each for men and women).
• Sixteen athletes per event will perform judged routines on style, flair, and mandatory moves.

Surfing

• Surfing, debuting in Tokyo 2020, will return in Paris.
• Tahiti will host the competitions from July 27 to August 5, 2024.
• Competitors judged on maneuver variety, speed and flow, and difficulty of tricks.

Skateboarding

• Skateboarding is returning to the Olympics after Tokyo.
• Two disciplines: park and street.
• Park: three 45-second runs judged on the best, navigating obstacles.
• Street: five tricks in two 45-second runs on a flat urban street with obstacles.
• Evaluated on board control, trick diversity, and style.

Sport Climbing

• Sport Climbing returns for its second Olympics in Paris.
• Three events: bouldering, speed climbing, and lead climbing.
• Bouldering: unroped climbs up 4.5 m walls, highest score in fewest attempts.
• Speed Climbing: competitors climb the wall rapidly.
• Lead Climbing: climb a 15 m wall without route knowledge within a six-minute time limit.
• Paris Olympics combine bouldering and lead climbing scores, and speed climbing will have its own medal.

Sumatran Orangutan Wound Treatment

• A Sumatran orangutan, named Rakus, treated a cheek wound with a medicinal plant, liana.
• 35-year-old male orangutan in Gunung Leuser National Park, northern Sumatra, Indonesia.
• Researchers noticed the wound on June 22, 2022, likely from a fight.
• Three days later, Rakus was observed chewing on liana leaves and applying the juice to the wound, preventing flies.
• Wound fully healed in five days.
• This is the first known instance of a wild animal actively treating a wound with a medicinal plant.
• The study, published in Scientific Reports on May 2, 2024, notes Rakus' excellent patience, returning to the plant and resting more to aid healing.
• Sumatran orangutans, critically endangered at about 14,600, are only found in northern Sumatra.
• Rainforest conversion to palm oil plantations and hunting are major threats.
• Females give birth to one infant every eight to nine years, making populations vulnerable to hunting.

Tornadoes

• Tornadoes can strike the United States year-round, peaking from March to July.
• "Tornado Alley" (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, and Ohio) is most susceptible.
• April activity averages around 182 tornadoes, but saw over 300 in 2024.
• A significant outbreak occurred from April 25-28.
• 30 tornadoes in Oklahoma, at least two dozen in Iowa, 20 in Texas, 16 in Missouri, 15 in Kansas, and 13 in Nebraska.
• Marietta, Oklahoma, was hit by an EF-4 tornado on April 27, causing one death and significant damage, including to a hospital and nursing home.
• Minden, Iowa, experienced a powerful storm that destroyed 48 homes and damaged over 300 structures on April 26.
• May 2024 saw at least 133 reported tornadoes, concentrated around Oklahoma, Michigan, Tennessee, and even Florida (Tallahassee, struck by three tornadoes on May 10).
• Thousands remained without power in Florida after these events.
• While 2024 numbers are historically high, previous records remain far higher (1287 in 2011 by May 7).
• A tornado is a powerful rotating column of air starting at a thunderstorm cloud's base.
• Supercells, severe rotating storms, are necessary for tornado formation (cold, dry polar air meeting warm, moist tropical air).
• As warm air rises, winds create rotation, and a low-pressure area sucks in more air.
• Tornadoes can linger for hours, unlike ordinary thunderstorms (30-60 minutes).
• The U.S. experiences approximately 1,200 tornadoes annually.
• Tornado Alley's geography (Rocky Mountains dry air, Gulf of Mexico humid air, Arctic air) creates optimal storm conditions.

NASA's X-59 QueSST Aircraft

• NASA's X-59 aircraft aims to revolutionize supersonic travel.
• Designed for supersonic flight without sonic booms.
• Part of the US Space Agency's Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) mission.
• Supersonic speed exceeds the speed of sound, approximately 768 mph (1,236 km/h).
• Sonic booms, disruptive noises, from supersonic flight hindered the Concorde.
• The X-59's unique design breaks up shock waves, reducing noise.
• The cockpit's forward-facing window is removed for advanced camera-based flight.
• The engine is positioned on top for noise redirection.
• Testing is planned for late 2024 in California, with community feedback in select US cities.
• This data could persuade airline officials to permit supersonic flights over land, potentially leading to commercial supersonic aircraft by 2030.

Rising Sea Levels and Floating Cities

• Rising sea levels, fueled by global warming, are escalating at an alarming rate, putting coastal communities worldwide at risk.
• Experts predict nearly 300 million people living in coastal areas will face annual flooding by 2050.
• Japan's N-Ark plans a floating city, Dogen City, to combat climate change.
• Dogen City will be roughly 1 mile (1.58 km) in diameter and 2.5 miles (4 km) in circumference.
• Its circular shape protects residents from tsunamis.
• The two-layered design includes a self-sufficient maritime city on top and a sea-cooled data center below for city management, healthcare, and drug discovery.
• Dogen City will accommodate 10,000 residents and up to 40,000 visitors.
• It will have food production facilities, schools, hospitals, sports areas, offices, and parks.
• New farming technology will enable residents to produce 7,000 tons of food annually using seawater.
• Advanced healthcare assessments and medical care will be available.
• A dedicated space tourism launch and landing zone is included.
• Completion is planned for 2030, but location and cost are undisclosed.
• South Korea's Busan has also planned a sustainable floating metropolis, potentially housing 100,000 people.
• The Netherlands has a thriving Schoonship neighborhood with 46 homes, 100 residents, since 2021, serving as a model for self-sufficient, eco-friendly floating cities.

Cancer Vaccines

• Scientists are developing personalized cancer vaccines to fight each person's unique cancer.
• Dr. Catherine Wu and her team at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are pioneering this research.
• This is based on using the body's immune system, inspired by how bone marrow transplants help leukemia patients.
• The initial study involved six melanoma patients.
• Personalized vaccines containing each patient's unique cancer proteins were created.
• Through a seven-shot course in 2015, four showed no recurrence by 2017.
• The two with more advanced cancer saw tumor disappearance after four more doses.
• All six patients were declared cancer-free by 2021.
• Though the sample size was small, the research shows personalized vaccines' effectiveness.
• This research earned Dr. Wu the Sjöberg Prize in February 2024 ($1 million).

Explore the fascinating observation made by Chinese scientists Shi-Mao Wu and Jiang-Yun Gao about crab spider mimicry in Yuan Province. This quiz delves into the cooperative camouflage strategies of male and female spiders mimicking flowers, highlighting the first documented instance of 'cooperation mimicry' in any species. Test your knowledge on this remarkable adaptation and its implications for survival and hunting.