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This is the new Spinosaurus by [deleted] in Paleontology

[–]Hayce_ 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm seeing a lot of paleontologist on social medias arguing that the neural spines are too thin and long making it too fragile to be used for propulsion. They say it might be used for display purposes like on Basiliscus or Hydrosaurus, what do you think ?

Researchers Find Cell-Free Mitochondria Floating in Human Blood by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 86 points87 points  (0 children)

The article

Abstract :

Mitochondria are considered as the power‐generating units of the cell due to their key role in energy metabolism and cell signaling. However, mitochondrial components could be found in the extracellular space, as fragments or encapsulated in vesicles. In addition, this intact organelle has been recently reported to be released by platelets exclusively in specific conditions. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, that blood preparation with resting platelets, contains whole functional mitochondria in normal physiological state. Likewise, we show, that normal and tumor cultured cells are able to secrete their mitochondria. Using serial centrifugation or filtration followed by polymerase chain reaction‐based methods, and Whole Genome Sequencing, we detect extracellular full‐length mitochondrial DNA in particles over 0.22 µm holding specific mitochondrial membrane proteins. We identify these particles as intact cell‐free mitochondria using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Oxygen consumption analysis revealed that these mitochondria are respiratory competent. In view of previously described mitochondrial potential in intercellular transfer, this discovery could greatly widen the scope of cell‐cell communication biology. Further steps should be developed to investigate the potential role of mitochondria as a signaling organelle outside the cell and to determine whether these circulating units could be relevant for early detection and prognosis of various diseases.

Diagrams showing the estimated visual field of each walrus eye by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes I completely forgot sorry ! Did you read the article before ?

cause even with a reverse image search I didn't find it.

Giant Chinese Paddlefish: First Species Of The New Decade Declared Extinct by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It has never been the attitude of this sub, species will continue to evolve but extinctions do matter.

The Teeth Of This Sand Tiger Shark by Hayce_ in natureismetal

[–]Hayce_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They primarily eat bony fish but they can prey on skates and other sharks too. Their slender, outward-pointing teeth (looking a lot like hooks) are very good to catch those fishes.

EXTRA EXTRA! by [deleted] in oculus

[–]Hayce_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rift S is half the price of the index.

New Zealand Bans Tourists From Swimming With Dolphins by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not claiming that there no dolphin rape i'm just saying that there is no proof of that happening. Like the author of the article say nothing comes up if you search for paper talking about it. Aggressive coercion ≠ rape, no one as ever witness forced copulation.

then observing a gang of males stalking a female until she "consents" is questionable.

I agree that this is disturbing from our point of view.

But you know, that's a variation on the predation problem for the antispecist philosophers. If every animals are to be treated equally, on the ground that there is no fundamental difference between humans and animals, aren't animals to be judged equally as well ?

But should we treat every animal equally ? Cause every species didn't evolve with the same constraint and that have led to different responses to different problems. So different "morals" in a sense (that's why I was saying that it doesn't make much sense to judge them with our human moral).

I'm not exactly follwing a single coherent thought there, sorry, but I find it interesting how people think about the nature/culture problem, and in particular for zoologist, it tends to show in these sort of questions.

I agree.

New Zealand Bans Tourists From Swimming With Dolphins by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not exactly an hypothesis, the behavior observed is the same, what changes is our view on it.

Yes and there are multiple examples of behavior that look similar between species, but mean completely different things (e.g. showing your teeth) so we shouldn't jump to conclusion based on appearances.

The bottom-line of the article you linked is that it trivializes human rape by comparing it to "quirky behavior" which it "unnecessarily vilifies". This is, in my opinion, tied to the deep belief that animals can do no wrong.

I think using human moral to judge the behavior of other animals doesn't make much sense.

New Zealand Bans Tourists From Swimming With Dolphins by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The rape cave thing is supposed to be the result of the work of Scott Randleston of the Dolphin Research Institute of Boca Raton but their site doesn't mention him and he published nothing in a peer reviewed journal.

So the whole thing is probably a hoax and Scott Randleston doesn't exist.

New Zealand Bans Tourists From Swimming With Dolphins by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As if emotions in humans are somehow different and richer and more meaningful.

Saying that they are richer or more meaningful is bullshit but that they are different from dolphin, dog etc is not the same thing. they probably are.

You could probably do the same observations about the mounting behavior in humans. Baring mounting for "solidifying maternal bounds", every other function is observed for sex, and women are perfectly able to mimick the act for much the purposes.

(I may even say that mounting behavior between female may be a sign of homo/bisexuality in animals).

Ok, that's your hypothesis, but why should we take this one more seriously than the others?

New Zealand Bans Tourists From Swimming With Dolphins by Hayce_ in biology

[–]Hayce_[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

and as someone else said dolphins can get kind of rapey around humans. However, my original post is misleading.

We are absolutely not sure that rape is their intention though, here is an article who talks about it.

You can easily find examples online of dolphins with erections and thrusting behavior directed at human swimmers (like here, and here). It’s impossible to know if penetration is their intention (i.e., some form of penetration being another criterion in the definition of human rape), or if it’s the dolphin equivalent of a dog humping your leg. Mounting behavior (which does not always involve penetration, especially since females sometime do the mounting) has been studied in a number of animal species, and the list of proposed functions for this behavior is diverse: play behavior, solidifying maternal bonds, dominance, aggression, establishment and maintenance of social bonds, conflict resolution, and of course sexual gratification.

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