World
The New Captain of the Endurance Shipwreck Is an Anemone
![The New Captain of the Endurance Shipwreck Is an Anemone The New Captain of the Endurance Shipwreck Is an Anemone](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/11sci-endurance-animals-promo-facebookJumbo.jpg)
Huw Griffiths, a marine bio-geographer on the British Antarctic Survey, was consuming pancakes when information broke that the wreck of the Endurance — the famed ship helmed by Ernest Shackleton that sank in an expedition in 1915 — had been found.
Dr. Griffiths discovered himself way more within the footage than his breakfast. His first thought was that the ship appeared nearly faux, contemplating how eerily pristine it remained 106 years after sinking to the underside of the Weddell Sea close to Antarctica. His second thought: What was dwelling on it?
Through the years, the ship had develop into as lush as a backyard. In a Twitter thread, Dr. Griffiths zoomed in on the wreck footage to highlight creatures that he acknowledged: anemones, sponges, sea squirts, sea stars and a lemon-yellow sea lily. Different tenants had been extra mysterious — white tendrils, clear blobs and a mysterious feather-shaped creature.
Christopher Mah, a sea star researcher on the Smithsonian Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past, stated he anticipated a “wealthy bonanza of critters dwelling in and among the many wreck of the Endurance.” Within the deep sea, the place meals is scarce and the panorama is generally a mushy sludge, a shipwreck is treasured actual property.
The wreck gives insights into the sorts of life within the Weddell Sea that reside on arduous constructions, in accordance with Louise Allcock, a zoologist on the Nationwide College of Eire Galway. “There’s been plenty of work within the Weddell Sea however totally on delicate bottoms,” Dr. Allcock stated. “There’s a likelihood there are new species, if solely due to an absence of wanting,” she added.
When Katrin Linse, a marine biologist with the British Antarctic Survey, scanned the wreck footage in her workplace, she admired the anemones, worms, sponges and even a brilliant pink amphipod, maybe a species within the genus Eurythenes, that was swimming away from the wreck. Then she noticed one thing completely stunning, perched by a porthole. “There’s a crab,” Dr. Linse stated. “It shouldn’t be there.”
Dr. Linse, who helped uncover the primary hydrothermal vents within the Southern Ocean, has an eye fixed for white crabs. The ghostly white creatures within the deep-sea mud can point out the presence of vents close by.
Dr. Linse messaged Dr. Griffiths, asking why he had not instructed her in regards to the crab.
He had missed the animal totally, its presence within the video merely a leggy white speck. A crab could also be mundane in lots of locations, however a crab had by no means been noticed earlier than within the Weddell Sea. When Dr. Linse watched the video once more, she discovered three extra crabs.
The overall absence of decapods — which incorporates shrimp, crabs and lobster — within the Antarctic has “intrigued polar biologists for therefore a few years,” Paula Rodríguez Flores, a researcher learning deep-sea squat lobsters at Harvard College’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, stated in an electronic mail.
Scientists had at one time hypothesized that decapod crabs had been pushed out of Antarctica tens of millions of years in the past and have solely just lately returned due to local weather change, so “crabs within the Antarctic are nonetheless very thrilling to search out,” Dr. Linse stated
Dr. Griffiths questioned if the crab noticed on the wreck could possibly be a species within the household Kiwaidae, which features a bushy white yeti crab that lives by vents off Antarctic. However a more in-depth look revealed the crustacean was not a crab however a deep-sea squat lobster within the genus Munidopsis, Dr. Rodríguez Flores stated.
There is just one squat lobster species recorded in Antarctic waters. “That is for positive a special species,” she stated, including {that a} nearer examination would set up its id.
The crustacean’s presence opens up many new questions. “How did they get there?” Dr. Linse requested. “Is that this a Munidopsis new species?” Dr. Rodríguez Flores requested. “Is it consuming the ship?” Dr. Griffiths requested.
Though the crab is presumably free to scuttle in regards to the Endurance, most of the ship’s different inhabitants are passive feeders like crinoids, glass sponges and anemones. These creatures are seemingly subsisting on the sprinkling of waste known as marine snow, which right here incorporates lots of krill feces, Dr. Griffiths stated. The ship’s elevation above the seafloor permits these largely motionless creatures to reap the benefits of water currents for feeding, Dr. Mah stated.
Though the video high quality prevents a more in-depth identification of many of those species, some inhabitants stood out, particularly close to the wheel of the ship. Dr. Mah recognized a snaking six-armed sea star as a brisingid sea star, both Freyastera or Belgicella. These stars prolong their spiny arms into the water to seize small crustaceans and different meals, he added.
Scientists are divided over whether or not a creature sitting close to the wheel — which resembles an ostrich feather crossed with a Christmas tree — is a hydroid or a black coral. Dr. Allcock is workforce hydroid, noting the stem didn’t look straight sufficient for black coral. Joan J. Soto Àngel, a researcher on the College of Bergen in Norway, stated it didn’t resemble the hydroids identified from such depths, however added he was “100% positive there should be a number of species of hydroids rising on the wreck.”
The Endurance wreck is taken into account a historic monument underneath the phrases of the Antarctic Treaty. “Nobody is allowed to the touch it,” Dr. Griffiths stated. Nonetheless, higher-resolution movies may assist scientists decide which species reside on the wreck, and if any of them are new.
For Estefanía Rodriguez, a curator on the American Museum of Pure Historical past in New York who research anemones, clearer movies may not be sufficient for species identification. The Endurance is studded with the tentacled stalks of anemones, from fats white ones to slenderer orange ones. However many anemone species look the identical on the skin, which means researchers want to chop them open to determine them.
“After greater than 20 years learning this group, if somebody exhibits me an image and asks what that is, I can solely say ‘anemone,’” stated Dr. Rodriguez. “It’s not as a result of I’m ineffective at my job.”
With excessive warning, Dr. Rodriguez urged the fats white anemone belongs to the household Actinostolidae and the orange ones to the household Hormathiidae.
Though Dr. Rodriguez was pleased to see the wreck discovered, she was even happier to see the outdated ship’s hull dominated by anemones, which she stated are understudied animals. “The group is about 600 million years outdated. That’s what fascinates me,” Dr. Rodriguez stated. “How they endure: They’re powerful issues.”
For now, it’s troublesome to say how outdated the Endurance’s invertebrate crew is — what number of moved in quickly after the sinking 106 years in the past or extra just lately. However glass sponges can reside for 1000’s of years, and anemones for a lot of a long time.
From what’s seen within the video, the biggest dwelling factor behind the wheel of the Endurance is an anemone (species unidentifiable).
“The outdated crew acquired off alive, and that is who’s moved in,” Dr. Griffiths stated. “Who is aware of the place that sea anemone is taking it?”
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
World
Federal investigators start probe of bus crash in Mississippi that killed 7, injured dozens more
BOVINA, Miss. (AP) — Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board on Sunday were at the scene of a bus crash in Mississippi that killed seven people and injured dozens of others.
They plan to look at how well the tires were maintained, NTSB member Todd Inman said at a news conference late Saturday. The NTSB previously said the crash was caused by tire failure.
The 2018 Volvo bus was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 near Bovina in Warren County early Saturday morning when it left the roadway and overturned, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. No other vehicle was involved.
Six people aboard were pronounced dead at the scene and another died at a hospital, according to a highway patrol news release. Thirty-six people were taken by ambulance to hospitals.
The highway patrol did not immediately have an update on their conditions Sunday.
The dead included a 6-year-old boy and his 16-year-old sister, according to Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey. They were identified by their mother. Authorities were working to identify the other victims, he said.
The bus was traveling from Atlanta to Dallas with 41 passengers and two drivers, the highway patrol said.
Inman said the NTSB will also look at the carrier’s safety record and protections for bus occupants.
The bus was operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos. A woman who answered the phone at its Laredo, Texas, office said it was aware of the crash, but she didn’t answer questions or provide her name.
The transit company says it has 20 years of experience providing cross-border trips between 100 destinations in Mexico and the U.S. Its website promotes “a modern fleet of buses that receive daily maintenance,” and offers “trips with a special price for workers.”
World
American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF
![American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 5 others 'brutally murdered' by Hamas right before rescue: IDF](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/hersh.png)
Hamas terrorists killed six hostages Saturday, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, as Israel Defense Forces closed in for a rescue attempt in the tunnels deep below Gaza’s Rafah.
Goldberg-Polin’s family confirmed his death early Sunday. His body was one of six recovered on Saturday. The IDF revealed that Hamas killed the hostages, who had been held for nearly 11 months, just as they were on the brink of freedom.
“According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them,” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack against the Jewish State. He lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. His body was recovered Saturday in the tunnels under Rafah, along with Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino.
DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS ISRAEL MUST ‘WIDEN THE GOALS’ OF WAR TO RETURN RESIDENTS TO THE NORTH
Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has been confirmed dead. (Israel’s Minister of Defense)
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said, “He who murders abductees – does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn.”
“Along with all the citizens of Israel, I was shocked to the core by the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our abductees.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he “embrace[s] their families with all my heart, and apologize[s] for failing to bring them home safely.”
A dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, Goldberg-Polin immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 at the age of seven, according to a statement from his family. He leaves behind his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and his two sisters.
Goldberg-Polin’s family and friends traveled the world demanding his release and met with world leaders, including officials in the Biden administration.
President Biden said he is “devastated and outraged” by the news of Goldberg-Polin’s death.
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Vice President Harris, also the Democratic nominee for president, said her prayers are with Goldberg-Polin’s loved ones as they mourn his loss.
“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization,” Harris said. “With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world. From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas’ depravity is evident and horrifying.”
ISRAEL KILLS PALESTINIAN COMMANDER MUHAMMAD JABER ‘ABU SHUJAA’ AS FIGHTING INTENSIFIES: IDF
![Hersh Goldberg-Polin](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/09/1200/675/polin.png?ve=1&tl=1)
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. (IDF)
“The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza,” she added. “The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
“A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones had been located by IDF troops in an underground tunnel in Rafah,” IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.
World
Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes
![Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes Photos: Mass polio vaccination drive kicks off in Gaza amid Israeli strikes](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AFP__20240901__36F32UL__v1__Preview__PalestinianIsraelConflictHealth-1725178114.jpg?resize=1200%2C630)
Palestinian health authorities and United Nations agencies on Sunday began a vaccination drive against polio in the Gaza Strip, hoping to prevent an outbreak in the territory ravaged by nearly 11 months of Israeli bombardment.
Authorities plan to vaccinate children in central Gaza until Wednesday before moving to the more devastated northern and southern parts of the Strip, aiming to inoculate about 640,000 children. On Saturday, a few children were vaccinated before the formal start of the campaign.
“This is the first few hours of the first phase of a massive campaign, one of the most complex in the world,” said Juliette Touma, communications director of UNRWA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency.
“Today is test time for parties to the conflict to respect these area pauses to allow the UNRWA teams and other medical workers to reach children with these very precious two drops. It’s a race against time,” Touma told the Reuters news agency.
Israel and Hamas, which have so far failed to conclude a deal to end the war, said they would cooperate to allow the campaign to succeed.
The World Health Organization said on Thursday that Israel has agreed to limited pauses in its military operations to facilitate the campaign. There were initial reports of Israeli strikes in central Gaza early on Sunday, but it was not immediately known if anyone was killed or wounded.
Hospitals in Deir el-Balah and Nuseirat confirmed that the campaign had begun on Sunday. Israel said on Saturday that the vaccination programme would continue through September 9 and last eight hours a day.
The vaccinations will be held at some 160 sites across the territory, including medical centres and schools. Children below 10 years of age will receive two drops of oral polio vaccine in two rounds, the second to be administered four weeks after the first.
Gaza recently reported its first polio case in 25 years – a 10-month-old boy, now paralysed in the leg. The WHO says the presence of a paralysis case indicates there could be hundreds more who have been infected but are not showing symptoms.
Most affected children do not experience symptoms and those who do usually recover in a week or so, the UN health agency said. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented. When polio causes paralysis, it is usually permanent. The disease can be fatal if the paralysis affects breathing muscles.
The vaccination campaign faces a host of challenges, from ongoing war to devastated roads and hospitals shut down by the war. About 90 percent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have been displaced within the besieged territory, with hundreds of thousands crammed into squalid tent camps.
Health officials have expressed alarm about disease outbreaks as rubbish piles up and the bombing of critical infrastructure has sent putrid water flowing through the streets. Widespread hunger has left people even more vulnerable to illness.
“We escaped death with our children and fled from place to place for the sake of our children, and now we have these diseases,” said Wafaa Obaid, who brought her three children to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah for vaccination.
-
Connecticut1 week ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Politics1 week ago
2024 showdown: What happens next in the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump face-off
-
News1 week ago
Who Are Kamala Harris’s 1.5 Million New Donors?
-
Politics1 week ago
Vivek Ramaswamy sounds off on potential RFK Jr. role in a Trump administration
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump taunted over speculated RFK Jr endorsement: 'Weird as hell'
-
World7 days ago
Portugal coast hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake
-
Politics1 week ago
With 13 days until voting starts, 'election season' kicks off sooner than you think
-
Politics7 days ago
Why won't Pennsylvania voters have results on Election Night?