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Giant Jellyfish Invasion
Are aliens attacking the Sea of Japan? Not exactly. But these gigantic blobs are unwelcome visitors from another place. Called Nomura's jellyfish, the wiggly, pinkish giants can weigh up to 450 pounds (204 kilograms)—as heavy as a male lion—and they're swarming by the millions.
The supersize sea creatures—normally found off the coasts of China and North and South Korea—occasionally drift east into the Sea of Japan to feed on tiny organisms called plankton. But now one hundred times the usual number of jellyfish are invading Japanese waters. And local fishermen are feeling as if they are under siege.
The fishermen's nets are getting weighted down, or even broken, by hundreds of Nomura's. The jellies crush, slime, and poison valuable fish in the nets, such as the tuna and salmon that the fishermen rely on to make a living.
No one knows for sure what's causing this jellyfish traffic jam. It's possible that oceans heated by global warming are creating the perfect jellyfish breeding ground. Another theory is that overfishing has decreased the numbers of some fish, which may allow the jellies to chow down without competition for food. For now, all the fishermen can do is design special nets to try to keep the jellies out. Some of them hope to turn the catastrophe into cash by selling jellyfish snacks. Peanut butter and jellyfish, anyone?
Fast Facts
Baby Nomura's jellyfish change from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a washing machine in six months or less.
Jellyfish are 95% water.
Jellyfish aren't actually fish, they're invertebrates—animals without backbones.
Text by Ruth A. Musgrave Are aliens attacking the Sea of Japan? Not exactly. But these gigantic blobs are unwelcome visitors from another place. Called Nomura&... more -
Boost in China's Panda population
Four giant panda cubs have been born within 14 hours in China, boosting the population of the endangered species.
The cubs were born at the Chengdu Panda Breeding Research Centre in south-west Sichuan province, state media reported.
A pair of female twins was born to nine-year-old Qiyuan late on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.
About an hour later, eight-year-old panda Chenggong gave birth to another cub, while Zhuzhu, also eight, gave birth on Sunday.
The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species, because of the destruction of its forest habitat and lack of contact between isolated populations.
According to experts only about 1,600 pandas remain in the wild, mostly in Sichuan and neighbouring Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.
Another 180 pandas are being raised in captivity in China. Four giant panda cubs have been born within 14 hours in China, boosting the population of the endangered species. ... more -
Mexico's cueva de los cristales (cave of crystals)
Mexico's cueva de los cristales, discovered by two minors in 2000, contains some of the largest crystals ever found measuring up to 36 feet (11 meters) long and weighing up to 55 tons. The cave has been a mystery until scientists discovered that "the crystals thrived because they were submerged in mineral-rich water with a very narrow, stable temperature range—around 136 degrees Fahrenheit (58 degrees Celsius)." Mexico's cueva de los cristales, discovered by two minors in 2000, contains some of the largest crystals ever found measuring up ... more
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Giant prehistoric fliers hunted dinosaurs on foot
Can you imagine having one of these chasing you - flying or on foot? Can you imagine having a giant beak biting you and then swallowing you like storks swallow fish?
From the report:
"...the largest flying creatures ever to have lived preferred to hunt baby dinosaurs and similar-size snacks on foot, scientists say.
A new study of a group of pterosaurs called azhdarchids suggests that, even though they had wingspans of more than 10 meters (33 feet), they stalked their prey on the ground like modern-day storks." Can you imagine having one of these chasing you - flying or on foot? Can you imagine having a giant beak biting you and then swallowin... more -
Ten questions with Shepard Fairey
A quick insight of Giant/Obey, Mr. Fairey. - ‹ OMG posters ›
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World's biggest horse is very... big
A colossal shire horse in Australia has been proclaimed the biggest horse in the world by its owner, beating the current Guinness World Record by several inches. The giant five-year-old, from Australia, measures r 2.057m tall and weighs over 1.3 tonnes - about the same as a small car - and is still growing. A colossal shire horse in Australia has been proclaimed the biggest horse in the world by its owner, beating the current Guinness Worl... more
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Bigger small car for tallest man
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko presents world's tallest man with a customised car.
Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk is too tall to use normal transport. The Ukrainian says his height has been a burden rather than a blessing. His spectacular growth began when he was about 10 years old. He is reluctant to discuss it but local media say a brain operation set off hormonal problems that kept him growing.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri reports. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko presents world's tallest man with a customised car. ... more -
Comically large things
It is what it says. Simple and straightforward, these things are just big.
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Giant spiders found in Antarctica
Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said Tuesday they have collected mysterious creatures including giant sea spiders and huge worms in the murky depths.
"Gigantism is very common in Antarctic waters," Martin Riddle, the Australian Antarctic Division scientist who led the expedition, said in a statement. "We have collected huge worms, giant crustaceans and sea spiders the size of dinner plates." Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said Tuesday they have collected mysterious creatures including giant sea spider... more -
Giant anatomically correct sock monkey
"Over the years, I’ve crafted dozens of sock monkeys - always making sure that they were anatomically correct."
Well, you know. It's a hobby. "Over the years, I’ve crafted dozens of sock monkeys - always making sure that they were anatomically correct." ... more -
Can I Supersize my Casket?
uuummm giant casket anyone?
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New giant dinosaur discovered
It's name is futalognkosaurus, and at 105 feet long, it's an appropriate name!
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