Cats podcast

Curiosity Daily Podcast: Flirting Cats, Walking Sharks, Preventing Cerebral Palsy
We discuss a new app that can translate a cat’s meow into human languages, how the Epaulette shark is teaching us about climate change, and a potential treatment that might prevent cerebral palsy.

Flirting Cats

“Did My Cat Just Hit On Me? An Adventure in Pet Translation” by Emily Antheshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/29/science/cats-pets-ommunication-artificial-intelligence.html
“Melody matters: An acoustic study of domestic cat meows in six contexts and four mental states” by Susanne Schötz​​, Joost van de Weijer​, and Robert Eklundhttps://peerj.com/preprints/27926/
“The Animal Translators” by Emily Antheshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/30/science/translators-animals-naked-mole-rats.html



Walking Sharks

“These Sharks Can Walk, and They Might Help Us Understand More About Climate Change” by Orlando Mayorquinhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/08/25/walking-epaulette-shark-climate-change/7879031001/
“Aquatic Walking and Swimming Kinematics of Neonate and Juvenile Epaulette Sharks” by Marianne E Porter, Andrea V Hernandez, Connor R Gervais, and Jodie L Rummerhttps://academic.oup.com/icb/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/icb/icac127/6650877?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false



Preventing Cerebral Palsy

“Study offers hope for preventing cerebral palsy” by University of Aucklandhttps://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/966360
“Tumour necrosis factor blockade after asphyxia in foetal sheep ameliorates cystic white matter injury” by Christopher A. Lear, Benjamin A. Lear, Joanne O. Davidson, Jialin Sae-Jiw, Johanna M. Lloyd, Simerdeep K. Dhillon, Alistair J. Gunn, and Laura Bennethttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36087304/
“Cerebral Palsy Facts and Statistics” by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/research/facts-and-statistics/#:~:text=Around%20764%2C000%20people%20in%20the,with%20cerebral%20palsy%20each%20year.
What is Cerebral Palsy?https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/facts.html#:~:text=Cerebral%20palsy%20(CP)%20is%20a,problems%20with%20using%20the%20muscles. 

Courtesy: https://www.discovery.com/

Ladybugs

 Ladybugs, also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles, are a group of insects that are popular among people due to their bright red and black coloration. They are considered beneficial insects as they feed on aphids and other small insects that can damage plants. In Asia, ladybugs are found in many different habitats, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields.

In Asia, different species of ladybugs are found. The most common species are the seven-spotted ladybug and the Asian ladybird. The seven-spotted ladybug is native to Europe and is known for its seven black spots on a bright red background. The Asian ladybird is native to Asia and is known for its orange coloration with black spots. Both these species are beneficial for agriculture as they feed on aphids, which can damage crops.

Ladybugs play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. They are prey for many different animals including birds, spiders, and other insects. In addition to their ecological importance, ladybugs are also considered a symbol of good luck in many cultures. They are often featured in children's books and are a popular subject for art and photography.

In recent years, ladybugs have been in decline due to habitat loss and the use of pesticides. To protect these beneficial insects, it is important to protect and restore natural habitats, reduce the use of pesticides, and promote sustainable agriculture practices. By doing so, we can help ensure that ladybugs and other beneficial insects continue to play an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem in Asia.

Source: AI and UNH 

Ladybug

Coccinellidae

Ladybugs, ladybirds, or lady beetles—whatever one calls them—are favored by farmers as voracious pest-eaters.

Photograph by Raul Touzon

Many people are fond of ladybugs because of their colorful, spotted appearance. But farmers love them for their appetite. Most ladybugs voraciously consume plant-eating insects, such as aphids, and in doing so they help to protect crops. Ladybugs lay hundreds of eggs in the colonies of aphids and other plant-eating pests. When they hatch, the ladybug larvae immediately begin to feed.

Ladybugs are also called lady beetles or, in Europe, ladybird beetles. There are about 5,000 different species of these insects, and not all of them have the same appetites. A few ladybugs prey not on plant-eaters but on plants. The Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle are destructive pests that prey upon the crops mentioned in their names.

Ladybugs appear as half-spheres, tiny, spotted, round or oval-shaped domes. They have short legs and antennae.

Read full here...http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/ladybug/