For knife-toothed kukri snakes, the tastiest parts of a frog are its organs, preferably sliced out of the body cavity and eaten while the frog is still alive. After observing this grisly habit for the first time in Thailand, scientists have spotted two more kukri snake species that feast on the organs of living frogs and toads. The new (and gory) observations suggested that this behavior is more widespread in this snake group than expected. Two snakes also eventually swallowed their prey whole, raising new questions about why they would extract the living animals' organs first. The scientists documented a Taiwanese kukri snake ( Oligodon formosanus ) and an ocellated kukri snake ( Oligodon ocellatus ) pursuing amphibian organ meals, tearing open frogs' and toads' abdomens and burying their heads inside, according to the studies. O. formosanus would even perform "death rolls" while clutching its prey, perhaps to shake the organs loose. As the snakes swallowed the organs … [Read more...] about Snakes insert their heads into living frogs’ bodies to swallow their organs (because nature is horrifying)
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This complex microbial warfare is taking place in a single drop of water
By Elizabeth Pennisi Feb. 25, 2021 , 12:15 PM Deep in the churning pools of a wastewater treatment plant, microbiologists have uncovered stealth alliances and intrigue that rival human guerilla warfare. The instigator is a microscopic fungus, and its target is rotifers, tiny common aquatic animals that also thrive in wastewater sludge. Using light and electron microscopes, as well as techniques for staining bacteria, DNA, and other substances, the team has pieced together how the fungus, Zoophagus insidians , does its dirty work. Viewed in a single drop of water (seen above), the fungus first forms a net of thin threads called mycelia, which form a web that sprouts short, lollipop-shaped branches that trap rotifers. Bacteria gather on and inside these threads, concentrating at the tops of the lollipop surfaces, and phages and some of their DNA coat this film. Prepped for the rotifer ambush, this sticky concoction prevents the rotifer’s escape. In what seems like a … [Read more...] about This complex microbial warfare is taking place in a single drop of water
Galaxy S21, Galaxy Watch3, Buds Live : le site Samsung en promotion pour la Galaxy Week
Samsung célèbre l’arrivée du printemps en avance cette année. Du 24 février au 9 mars 2021 prochain , c’est la Galaxy Week sur la Samsung Shop. L’occasion de profiter d’un smartphone Samsung Galaxy ou encore d’une Galaxy Watch à prix mini. Mais attention, les offres de la Galaxy Week ne sont valables que dans la limite des stocks disponibles et depuis le Samsung Shop. Alors n’attendez pas pour en profiter et retrouvez dans cet article les meilleures offres à ne pas rater. TOUTES LES OFFRES DE LA GALAXY WEEK Jusqu’à 310€ de réduction sur le Galaxy Note20 pour la Galaxy Week Pour mieux s’y retrouver parmi la multitude d’offres proposées pour la Galaxy Week, nous avons séparé les promotions en 3 catégories : smartphone, tablette et objet connecté. 1 - Les offres Galaxy Week sur les smartphones : - 210€ de remise immédiate + 100€ de bonus reprise + un SmartTag offert pour l’achat d’ un Galaxy Note20/20 Ultra 5G . - 30% de remise sur les accessoires associés + 100€ … [Read more...] about Galaxy S21, Galaxy Watch3, Buds Live : le site Samsung en promotion pour la Galaxy Week
Snakes disembowel toads and feast on the living animal’s organs one by one
Pity the toads that encounter Asian kukri snakes in Thailand. These snakes use enlarged, knifelike teeth in their upper jaws to slash and disembowel toad prey, plunging their heads into the abdominal cavities and feasting on the organs one at a time while the toads are still alive, leaving the rest of the corpse untouched. While you're recovering from the horror of that sentence, "perhaps you'd be pleased to know that kukri snakes are, thankfully, harmless to humans," amateur herpetologist and naturalist Henrik Bringsøe, lead author in a new study describing the gruesome technique, said in a statement . This grisly dining habit was previously unknown in snakes ; while some rip chunks from their prey, most snakes gulp down their meals whole. Scientists had never before seen a snake Bury its head inside an animal's body to slurp up organs — sometimes taking hours to do so, Bringsøe and his colleagues reported. Related: Beastly feasts: Amazing photos of … [Read more...] about Snakes disembowel toads and feast on the living animal’s organs one by one
Gaming chairs or work-from-home chairs? Ars tests two under $500
One of the most important accessories of every home office frequently gets overlooked: the chair. With this year's COVID-19-related social distancing and mandatory remote work, many of us are spending a lot more time behind a desk at home than before—and without the right chair, that extra time can translate into discomfort or outright back pain. I've never had much luck with "cheap" office chairs—a $350 mid-back office chair frequently turns into a throne of pain without sufficient extended breaks to get up and move around. Trendy Aeron chairs provide somewhat better ergonomic support for extended periods of seated work—but their $1,100 and up price tag is a little hard to swallow for many of us. This leaves the home office worker's secret weapon—the gaming chair. It has been my experience that you get more—and more comfortable—chair for your money when you shop for gaming chairs. They're designed for maximum comfort and ergonomic support for long seating periods, and they're … [Read more...] about Gaming chairs or work-from-home chairs? Ars tests two under $500