Freeze-dried dung gives clue to Asian elephant stress

"Collecting fresh faecal samples is not as easy as it may sound," says researcher Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel.

But her efforts have helped scientists in India devise a unique, non-invasive way to monitor the physiological health of wild elephants.

The key has been freeze-drying dung in the field to preserve the elephant's hormones.

As a result, scientists found stress levels in females were more conspicuous than in male elephants.

Over five years, Sanjeeta and her colleagues collected more than 300 samples from 261 elephants in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats area.

She explained her technique: "I used to hide and observe till the elephant defecated and moved away."

She told the BBC: "These samples mean a lot to me.-read more

SIR BRUCE FORSYTH R.I.P A TRUE TV LEGEND

Bruce Forsyth

Page issues

Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson CBE (22 February 1928 – 18 August 2017)^[2] was an English television presenter and entertainer whose career spanned more than 75 years. In 2012, Guinness World Records recognised Forsyth as having the longest television career for a male entertainer.^[3]

Sir
Bruce Forsyth
CBE

Forsyth in 2006

BornBruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson
22 February 1928
Edmonton, Middlesex, EnglandDied18 August 2017(aged 89)^[1]ResidenceLondonNationalityBritishOther names

Bruce JohnsonBoy Bruce, the Mighty Atom

BruceySir BruceyOccupationTelevision presenter, actor, comedian, singer, dancer, entertainer, screenwriterYears active1939 – 2015Television

Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1958–1964)The Bruce Forsyth Show (1965–1973)The Generation Game (1971–1977, 1990–1994, 2007)Bruce Forsyth's Big Night (1978, 1980)Play Your Cards Right (1980–1987, 1994–1999, 2002)The Price Is Right (1995–2001)You Bet! (1988–1990)An Audience with... (guest)Strictly Come Dancing (2004–2014)

Spouse(s)

Penny Calvert (m. 1953–73)Anthea Redfern (m. 1973–79)Wilnelia Merced (m. 1983–2017)

Children6RelativesJoseph Forsyth Johnson
(great grandfather)
William Forsyth
(4x great grandfather)

Forsyth came to national attention from the mid-1950s through the ITV series Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Since then he has hosted several game shows, including The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right and You Bet!. He co-presented Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013.^[4] Forsyth was known for his catchphrases, "Nice to see you, to see you nice" and "Didn't he (/she/they) do well?".

Bats living in triceratops in Devon

A triceratops at Combe Martin Wildlife

Sixty-six millions years after they were believed to have become extinct, life has been discovered once more in the body of a huge dinosaur in Devon.

While the giant lizards once roamed the prehistoric lands of a supercontinent known as Pangea, this time the dinosaur in question is to be found near Ilfracombe, North Devon.

This startling claim began to make more sense when it was found that the 'life' in question actually belonged to a colony of lesser horseshoe bats.

Wildlife researchers have recently discovered that the bats are actually living in the belly of a giant fibre-glass triceratops, one of a range of large, replica dinosaurs on display at the popular Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park.

The finding was made by The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project. In 2017 more than 400 volunteers have undertaken night time surveys using ultrasonic bat detectors in an attempt to map the places where the nocturnal mammals live in Devon. It was after a tip off of an unusual bat roost that the dinosaur location was revealed.

Ruth Testa manages the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, an initiative which is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

Ruth said: "Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park generously allowed us to visit and have a look for bats in the park after we were alerted to the possible presence of a roost. When we arrived we didn't know what species they would be and we could never have guessed where they would be living. To find them hanging out inside a model of a triceratops came as a big surprise."

The four metre high dinosaur is one of the older models found in the park and it's thought that the bats made their home there after discovering a hole in the underside of the triceratops' belly.

A Lesser Horseshoe Bat

Ruth added: "Bats will seek out safe and dry places they can rest up during the day before venturing out at night to look for food. The stomach of this dinosaur obviously fitted the bill. The surveys our volunteers undertake are giving us a unique insight into how bats behave. With this knowledge we can then ensure that our landscapes become more bat-friendly in the future."

Louisa Bartlett, Senior Primate Keeper at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, said: "It is fantastic to discover we have bats living in a triceratops, we always knew we had wild bats on site but never really knew where. The fact that they have decided to live in a dinosaur just makes it even more exciting.

We have 94,000 visitors every year and recently installed six brand new animatronic dinosaurs. You never know, one day the bats may decide to move residence into one of our new dinosaurs, if they feel like upgrading."

Lesser horseshoe bats are described as 'rare' and like many species of bat their numbers have declined in the UK over recent decades due mainly to changes in our countryside such as the loss of hedges, falling insect prey numbers and the destruction of their roosts.

Becky Wilson, of the national charity Bat Conservation Trust, reacted to the find with surprise.

She said: "We get to hear of some very unusual bat roosts and are always pleased to hear of new ones. But a fibreglass triceratops is definitely a first for us."

To guard against disturbance Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is now asking its visitors to give the bats and their triceratops some space.

Wellness membership at 1610 Holsworthy leisure centre

I have recently  decided to go  to gym more often to improve my overall health so  this wellness membership was a great option so i hope othrr will give it a go.Exercise referral gym staff will work closely to ensure you get the best on-going support and guidance Exercise Prescription for medical practitioner or self-referralAccess to fitness suite, exercise classes and swim sessions (restrictions apply) for those with health issues that physical activity could improveMonday - Friday until 5pmFull weekend access
https://www.1610.org.uk/memberships/pricing/?centre=holsworthy-leisure-centre

APPOINTMENT DISAPPOINTMENT.

On thursday 10th august 2017 i did a round trip of over 80 miles to go from holsworthy  to exeter  and back home to see a consultant near exeter hospital.I arrived i was shown to a depressing corridor of the waiting room i then went to room to see the consultant and some students and preceded to do varies tests and at end of session i was informed i was being affected by anxiety and depression and needed help with my balance due to loss of confidence .To say  i was pissed off would be understatement to say the least as i have had al tests asked to do even got in writing that i had mild small vessel disease of brain which affects my cognitive skills with global decline so it made me think i was just making it up but i was heartened by article read to say that my illness does cause depression ,mood swings ,memory problems perhaps i may be low down on the ladder in stages of illness by it does affect my life and i going to keep trying to find out out more .

NEW STUDY CONFIRMS WE CAN INDEED LEARN IN OUR SLEEP — BUT THERE’S A CATCH

It’s the dream of any kid too lazy to study: put on a set of earphones when you go to bed and learn while you’re sleeping. The good news? According to a new study, this is absolutely a possibility. The bad news? It’s not quite as simple as that.

The research, published in the journal Nature, shows that new auditory memories can be formed as we sleep, although these are only laid down during particular phases of our slumber. In an experiment, sleeping subjects were exposed to white noise incorporating a recurring tonal pattern. Using electroencephalographic (EEG) and behavioral response analysis, the researchers demonstrated that subjects learned the sound patterns during cycles of REM sleep. This refers to the sleep phases characterized by rapid eye movements, which involve more dreaming, body movement, and faster breathing. Some learning also takes place during the N2 sleep phase, referring to the first unequivocal stage of sleep, during which muscle activity decreases, as does awareness of the outside world.

Interestingly, while learning is possible in these phases, in the deeper slow-wave N3 -read more

Meet Patagotitan mayorum, Biggest Animal Ever to Walk Earth

Life reconstruction of Patagotitan mayorum. Image credit: Jorge Gonzalez.

Patagotitan mayorum roamed the Earth about 101.6 million years ago during the Albian, the uppermost subdivision of the Early Cretaceous epoch.

The fossil remains of at least six individuals were discovered in 2012-13 at a single site in the Province of Chubut, Patagonia, Argentina.

“When first news of the finding came out in 2013, the dig was still active,” said Dr. José Luis Carballido, of the Museo Egidio Feruglio (MEF).

“We had seen many bones on the field that showed certain features that indicated this was a new species and, apparently, the largest one found until then. From that moment, numerous field trips were carried out to unearth the fossils, which were later prepared in MEF labs.”

“It was only then that we could start studying the material to determine exact features that would allow us to identify this new species.”

“We found three different levels with bones in the same excavation, all of them belonging to one same species,” Dr. Carballido said.-read more

Bristol zoo gives rare spiders a leg-up with breeding programme

n what is believed to be a world first, one of the rarest spiders has been bred in captivity at Bristol Zoo Gardens. More than 1,000 Desertas wolf spiderlings, classed as critically endangered, have hatched. Keepers hand-reared some from tiny eggs as they are so precious. At birth, they measure 4mm across, but they will grow to 12cm, with a 4cm body.

The species is found in a single valley on Deserta Grande, one of the Desertas islands near Madeira, Portugal. There are about 4,000 adults left in the wild and it is hoped that some of the spiderlings can be returned to their home.

Mark Bushell, curator of invertebrates at Bristol zoo, travelled to Deserta Grande last year and collected 25 of the spiders to breed. “Because this was the first time this species had ever been taken into captivity to breed, it was a steep learning curve,” he said. “After some of the female spiders were mated, it was an anxious wait to see if they would produce egg sacs. We were thrilled when they did, and to see the tiny spiderlings emerge was fantastic – a real career highlight.”

Close encounters of the furred kind: alien butt spider and friends – in pictures

 

View gallery

The spiders are classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species. They are under threat from habitat loss due to invasive grass binding the soil where they burrow and blocking their shelters. Bristol zoo has joined forces with the Instituto das Florestas e Conservação de Natureza and the IUCN to develop a strategy to -read more

UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZES SIGN LANGUAGE.

If you wish to entry university college of London you are required to hold a grade a c grade at g.s.c.e in another language or study one as part of degree and British sign language is among them.

NEANDERTHALS MORE OLDER THAN CURRENT THOUGHT.

A new claim by scientists is suggesting neanderthals  were tens of thousands instead of 1,000 in current thought.In a new way to examine ancient d.n.a they found neanderthals and denisovans  diverged from each other early than believed.

Cannibals engraved bones of the dead

TA series of zig-zag marks on a human bone found in a UK cave is evidence of a cannibalistic ritual that took place some 15,000 years ago.

Scientists have long recognised that cannibals operated at Gough’s Cave in Somerset, but were unsure whether the practice of eating other people had any symbolic significance.

Reporting in the journal Plos One, researchers say the unusual cuts on a forearm bone are deliberate.hey are not simple butchery markings.

Nor are they teeth marks.

What is more, the zig-zags appear to match designs used on other engraved objects from the same time period.

"The engraved motif on the Gough's Cave bone is similar to engravings observed in other Magdalenian European sites," said Silvia Bello from London’s Natural History Museum.

"However, what is exceptional in this case is the choice of raw material (human bone) and the cannibalistic context in which it was produced.

"The sequence of modifications performed on this bone suggests that the engraving was a purposeful component of the cannibalistic practice, rich in symbolic connotations.

"Although in previous analyses we have been able to suggest that cannibalism at Gough's Cave was practiced as a symbolic ritual, this study provides the strongest evidence for this yet."

Gough's Cave is situated in the Cheddar Gorge, a deep limestone canyon on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills.

Palaeo-investigations first started there more than 100 years ago. It is famous for the discovery in 1903 of "Cheddar Man", the complete skeleton of a male individual dating to about 10,000 years ago.

In 2011, Dr Bello and colleagues presented three skull cases that they said could have been used as drinking vessels.

The braincases had been fashioned in such a meticulous way that their use as bowls to hold liquid seemed the only reasonable explanation.

That interpretation looks even more likely now given the latest research.

The forearm comprises two large bones - the radius and the ulna. In this case, it is a radial bone that the scientists have been studying.

It shows signs of being disarticulated, filleted and chewed - but the zig-zags look nothing like the damage you would expect from these action

Acid attack first aid: What you need to do immediately to help victims

If you are the victim of an acid attack or witness one taking place, it’s important to act as quickly as possible to minimise damage to the eyes, skin and surrounding tissues.

Urgent first aid advice has been issued by ambulance officers after a corrosive substance was thrown over five people in 90 minuteslast night in London.

One of the victims suffered “life-changing” facial injuries due to chemical burns caused by the acid, police said.

READ MORE

• Men on mopeds carry out five acid attacks in 90 minutes
• Residents' shock at 'gruesome' moped acid attacks on their doorstep
• May hints at change in law after 'horrific' London acid attacks

The first step to take if someone has been read more

A STORY

Once upon a time in the wilds of the west a small group of people live whom wanted just the quiet life .In total just three in number -2 men and 1 woman their moved to a rural town of hol  were their came across a group of bullies who were once otters but  now wewards  who like to weild power over the land and were rud and abrupt and somewhat up thier arse.After a 2 years the three decided to ingore the wewards as not worth it.

Alien stinging catfish in UK river

image: http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2017/08/Still-of-catfish-533x400.jpg

TAGS:alien speciescatfish

Eight clarias catfish, also known as walking catfish, were recovered from the River Tonge by the Environment Agency.

The shock find came after a woman was stung by one when she was fishing near Radcliffe Road in Darcy Lever near Bolton.

They have spines that can penetrate the skin and they can also ‘walk’ using their pectoral fins.

The African species can also breathe air through their mouths and not via their gills.

They use their front pectoral fins to move between different bodies of water on land, in almost a walking fashion and can survive out of water for upwards of 30 minutes.

Angler stung on finger by alien catfish

Gaynor Greene, aged 33, was fishing on Thursday when she encountered a large number of the fish and when she touched it was caught by one of its spines.

Read more at http://www.anglersmail.co.uk/news/catfish-that-sting-and-walk-found-in-uk-river-75275#vVOBpjXjWPmJxeMS.99

Facebook shuts down robots after they invent their own language

Facebook shut down a pair of its artificial intelligence robots after they invented their own language.

Researchers at Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research built a chatbot earlier this year that was meant to learn how to negotiate by mimicking human trading and bartering.

But when the social network paired two of the programs, nicknamed Alice and Bob, to trade against each other, they started to learn their own bizarre form of communication.

The chatbot conversation "led to divergence from human language as the agents developed their own language for negotiating," the researchers said.

-read more

A Mysterious Emu Gene Could Help Humans With Health Abnormalities

Emus are big, fluffy, flightless birds found only in Australia. They are also the biggest dufuses in the animal kingdom, and are constantly getting themselves caught up in all sorts of tomfoolery, which is documented in obscure subreddits. Now, Australian researchers at Monash University might have found another reason to love these giant goofballs - a gene that appears to control their wing development may one day help humans born with limb abnormalities.

Emus come from a group of running birds called ratites, which includes the oldest modern living birds. While they have wings — just eight inches (20 cm) in length — the big birds don't use them for flying. According to Parks Victoria, emus use their wings for cooling down in the Australian heat.-read more

Caterpillars turned into 'exploding zombies' by bug

Caterpillars are being killed by a bug which turns them into "exploding zombies", a wildlife expert has said.

Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside Wildlife Trust said the skins of insects have been found on Winmarleigh Moss, near Garstang.

The baculovirus drives caterpillars on a "death march" to the top of plants, then when it dies the bug bursts out to seek other victims.

The trust's Dr Chris Miller said it was "gruesome - like a zombie horror film".-read more

Bert makes appeal to raise money for charity dementia uk

https://youtu.be/oJAKfJFubsE

SIMON SMITH PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR INTERVIEW.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU?

I guess what inspired me was the publication of "The Unexplained magazine" also people that inspired me were Arthur.C.Clarke,Harry Price and James Randi. WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS?                                         Aims are to satisfy mine and others curiosity regarding the paranormal and to collect as much evidence as I can,to help us understand all things paranormal more. WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?                     aims are to provide people with the best evidence I can collect and to try and stay as open minded as I can but at the same time exhaust as many possible explanations and trying to be impartial.

https://www.facebook.com/simonsmithpi/

GARDEN ORNAMENTS TEA PARTY

This is in aid of dementia uk to raise awareness and money with a bit of fun inspired by the mad hatter  tea party. So if it makes you  smile  please  give by text HGOP62 1.00 to 70070.
Hi Mark,

 

Thank you for your email, its great to hear that you would like to fundraise for us again J

 

With the summer upon us – we thought it could be a great opportunity for those that can, to hold a garden party style fundraiser.

There are different things you could in order to fundraise such as, ticket sales/entry charge – and then provide nibbles, a raffle/tombola (you could speak to local businesses to see if they would donate prizes), have a theme/fancy dress, afternoon tea style food or a bbq?

 

Did you have any ideas with what you wanted to do?

 

Look forward to hearing from you & thanks again for your support!

 

Best wishes,

Lauren

 

 

Lauren Stevens

Community and Events Fundraising Assistant

t: 020 7697 4052

 

lauren.stevens@dementiauk.org | www.dementiauk.org

 

Dementia UK, Second Floor Resource for London

356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA

 

Connect with us

 

 

If you’re caring for someone with dementia or if you have any other concerns or questions, please call or email the Admiral Nurses on our Helpline for specialist support and advice.

 

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm

Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm

 

 

To: fundraising
Subject: How do i get my garden involved

 

 

Live in Holsworthy and would like to get involved  in fundraising ty

 

 

Hi Mark,

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Its great to hear that you want to do this for us and for those around you – thank you!

Will you be holding this in your own garden? And do you have a date for when you are hoping to hold the event?

 

We have a letter of authority we can send you which you can show to people to say you are fundraising for us. We also have lots of different materials to help make your event look great on the day such as balloons, posters, banners, stickers etc. Let me know if you would like me to send you some of these.

 

Did you also do an event for us in February this year?

 

Thanks for your support Mark,

Lauren

 

 

Lauren Stevens

Community and Events Fundraising Assistant

t: 020 7697 4052

 

lauren.stevens@dementiauk.org | www.dementiauk.org

 

Dementia UK, Second Floor Resource for London

356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA

 

Connect with us

 

 

If you’re caring for someone with dementia or if you have any other concerns or questions, please call or email the Admiral Nurses on our Helpline for specialist support and advice.

 

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday, 9am – 9pm

Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 5pm

 

 

 

From: mark antony raines aka 
To: Lauren Stevens
Subject: My idea

 

I would like  to do  a garden view with an garden ornaments tea party to bring on a smile and help raise  funds for  dementia. I myself have mild small vessel disease of the brain which affects my cognitive skills. Ty for replying to  previous email. Could you please send me a link or material which shows that raising money for you. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/gardenornamentsteaparty/