Despite their massive size, a new study from the University of Georgia says that these terrifying, large spiders are actually “gentle giants” and that they’re rather timid when it comes to dealing with stress. The new study was conducted by researchers who tested the responses of more than 450 spiders to see how they would react to stressful encounters.
The results of that research show that most spiders would return to their normal activities after less than a minute. However, the Joro spider remained motionless, frozen almost, for more than an hour after the stressor was introduced.
Image source: LemonMyrtle / Adobe
This discovery is intriguing because, by all rights, the terrifying appearance of this spider makes it seem as if it would attack anything that came within its range. However, we’ve always known that this particular type of spider is unlikely to bite unless cornered, and even then, its fangs are usually not large enough to break human skin.
The researchers say they tested more than 30 garden spiders, as well as marbled orb weavers and banded garden spiders, and used data from previously published and peer-reviewed papers to see how other spiders reacted to stress. The researchers say that the only other species that exhibited any kind of motionless freezing was the golden silk spider, which is from the game genus of the Joro spider.
The stressor in this particular instance was two puffs of air from a turkey baster, which was released directly on the spiders, according to SciTechDaily’s report on the study. Finding this particular survival trait on the Joro spider, which looks to be more terrifying than it is, is intriguing, though, and will no doubt only drive the interest that scientists have in these particular creatures.
Previously scientists have tried to learn more about spiders, including going so far as to translate spider webs into mesmerizing music. You can read the latest study on the Joro spiders in the journal Arthropoda. The researchers also say that Joro spiders are so good at living with humans that it’s unlikely that they’re going away anytime soon.
The Succession finale will air on Sunday, May 28th, and HBO will deliver a massive 90-minute episode that will finally answer the question we've had from the moment we started watching HBO's big hit. Just like the Game of Thrones finale did all those years ago.
The big difference is that the final Succession season is miles better than that of Thrones. By the time I got to the Thrones finale, I was already annoyed. With Succession, I'm already happy with how the series ends, and the finale isn't even out.
Before I tell you why, I'll warn you that some mild spoilers will follow below. Still, you'll want to catch the entire season 4 on — god, how I hate this new name — Max before you see the finale.
Champagne is a very fancy drink, and part of what makes it so fancy is the way that it bubbles so elegantly. For decades scientists have wondered why the drink bubbles the way it does, those bubbles often rising in straight lines. Now, new research claims to finally figured out the science behind champagne bubbles and what makes them rise so beautifully.
We all know how fizzy drinks work, creating bubbles in the liquid that quickly rises to the top. We see it in sparkling water when the bubbles explode like fireworks in the night sky. We also see it in beer when the bubbles clump up, spreading across the surface area of the liquid. But champagne has always been a bit different. Instead of clumping up or exploding, it bubbles up in straight lines, almost like an assembly line.
The researchers also determined that you can control how the bubbles move by changing how many surfactants are in the liquid. This new research is finally giving scientists the answers to why this happens. Understanding the science behind champagne bubbles might seem silly, but scientists say it could help us better understand how bubbles work in areas like near deep-sea vents.
HyperFocal: 0 Image source: hiro.y / Adobe
According to the new study, the bubbles – and how they travel upward – in champagne react this way because of their increased amount of soap-like components. These compounds are known as surfactants, which are fatty acids that are also part of what makes champagne so palatable, Science Alert reports.
Understanding the science behind champagne bubbles is a funny thing to write about. But as I noted above, there are many reasons why this kind of research is important. Not only does it answer a curious question that has baffled scientists for a long while, but understanding why champagne bubbles the way it does could help us determine why other substances bubble how they do.
I mentioned deep-sea vents above, which often release methane bubbles into the ocean and make it dangerous to get close to so that they can gather samples. With this research, they can possibly determine the surfactant levels without having to take direct samples just by looking at how the bubbles move. We could also see this method used in other ways, like monitoring the tanks in water treatment systems.
The findings of the science behind champagne bubbles are detailed in a study published in Physical Review Fluids.
Google's Gmail is one of the most popular email clients. Having a Gmail account also means the same username/password combination can log you into the various Google apps you might use under your Google account. You can find and manage your contacts from Gmail via Google's separate Contacts app, but you can also do it inside Gmail.
Since email is an inescapable chore, Gmail is a good place to start to manage your contacts. And since you might be using Gmail on iPhone and Android, having your contacts saved in your main Google account makes sense. Therefore, Gmail might also be the best place to find contact information for people in your life.
As we wind down the month of May, the newest batch of Netflix releases that we have to look forward to includes our final goodbye to Manifest (for real this time), plus a host of new comedies, international titles, and much more -- highlights of which we'll get into below as part of our latest weekend look-ahead.
And in addition to the new recommendations of what to watch below, don't forget to check out some of our other recent Netflix coverage highlights if you need more ideas, including:
Moving right along, let's start with the reminder that Netflix show cancellations are an increasingly common occurrence these days, with the streaming giant frequently angering large and disparate fandoms that are left reeling when the company pulls the plug on a show. It's much less common for the streamer to bring a show back from the dead -- though there are plenty of high-profile exceptions to that rule.
Manifest, from creator Jeff Rake, is perhaps the best example of this.
Melissa Roxburgh and Matt Long in "Manifest." Image source: Netflix
A show that ran for three seasons on NBC originally, before the network abruptly cancelled it (leaving the story unresolved), Manifest'slegion of fans drawn to the show's potent mix of drama, sci-fi, and spirituality mounted a grassroots campaign to revive the show -- organizing themselves to such a degree that they turned it into a surprise Netflix hit, and gave Netflix no choice but to bring it back to life for one more season.
On June 2 -- a key date, of course, that Manifesters know as the Death Date for passengers on Flight 828 -- Netflix is releasing the final 10 episodes of Manifest, just one of many instances where Netflix got fully on board, no pun intended, with the mythology around the show. Netflix announced the release date for this final batch of episodes, for example, back on April 7, which was the date in 2013 when the Montego Air Flight 828, so central to the show's storyline, took off from Jamaica.
"I couldn’t be more excited for June 2nd," Rake wrote on Twitter. "I wish I could be with all of you as you watch the final batch. This is our story. This is our ending. Thanks to you. Enjoy."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gNzLjYwCE
What else to watch
I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (Season 3): Comedian Tim Robinson's zany sketch show returns with six episodes that showcase the SNL vet's zany and off-the-wall comic sensibilities, with guest stars this time around, including Jason Schwartzman, Tim Meadows, Fred Armisen, Will Forte, and Beck Bennett, to name just a few. Release date: May 30.
The Days: Netflix's version of the HBO masterpiece Chernobyl revisits the nuclear accident that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant over seven days in 2011. The catastrophe was set in motion by a powerful earthquake, followed by a tsunami. Release date: June 1.
Blood and Gold: World War II movies don't get much more violent and pulse-pounding than this quasi-homage to Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds, from director Peter Thorwarth. The plot: "At the bitter end of WWII, a German deserter and a young woman are drawn into bloody battle with a group of Nazis hunting for hidden gold." Now streaming.
Mixed by Erry: Music, nostalgia, and ambition combine to form a gem of an Italian-language Netflix original film, about an aspiring DJ and his two brothers. They go from smuggling self-made mixtapes in the Naples of 1980 to being record producers wanted by the law. Release date: May 31.
One more Netflix new release to check out
This final Netflix release coming next week that I want to mention isn't a piece of original content from the streamer, like the titles above. I want to spotlight it, regardless, because this third-party action thriller also hits Netflix next week (on June 1) -- and I remember it getting my pulse racing when I saw it in the theater years ago.
The Kingdom, from 2007, stars Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, and Jennifer Garner, and it's about a team of US government agents sent to destroy a terrorist cell in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia (the titular kingdom).
Ignore the critics on this one (The Kingdom has a 51% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes) and add it to your list anyway when Netflix releases it in just a few days. There's a reason The Kingdom has a much stronger 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on more than a quarter million user reviews. It's got a decent story for fans of military thrillers, and the protracted gun battle and rescue mission over the final, eh, 30 minutes or so of the movie basically had me on the edge of my seat and my heart racing nonstop.
Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote will take place on June 5. The company recently announced that the press conference will start at 10 a.m. PDT. Here's everything you need to know about where to watch the Apple event and all the in-depth sessions for developers.
Apple website: It will be possible to watch the WWDC keynote at apple.com/events;
Apple Developer app: The Developer app, which is available for the iPhone, Apple TV, iPad, and Mac, will stream WWDC. It also lets you explore all WWDC 2023 has to offer, including sessions, videos, activities in Slack, 1-on-1 labs, and more;
Apple TV app: On your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV, you can find the Apple event on June 5 on the TV app. The special keynote will be highlighted on the day of the event.;
After the conclusion of the stream, you will be able to rewatch the archived stream of the keynote online as well. In addition, the company has invited some developers, media, and other guests to watch the pre-recorded keynote from Apple Park.
Apple will hold in-depth sessions from June 6-9 following the keynote address. Developers will be able to watch up to 175 in-depth session videos about the WWDC 2023 keynote announcements with the latest tools and technologies to give developers a chance to learn how they can create the next generation of apps and games.
What to expect from Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote
Apple will preview the latest operating system updates for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Mac. It's also possible that Apple will unveil the operating system for its rumored mixed-reality headset. BGR has guides for all of these likely announcements:
Besides that, Apple could use WWDC 2023 to announce new products, including the headset. Click the link below for more on what we expect from the event.
Early last year, a massive underwater volcano erupted, creating a powerful shockwave of plasma bubbles that were strong enough to disrupt radio communications in space, a new study has revealed. The 2022 Tonga volcano eruption hit in January when the large, cone-shaped, undersea volcano erupted with a very violent explosion of force.
The eruption generated massive, record-breaking volcanic plumes, one of which Space.com reports reached over 35 miles tall. The eruption also triggered a series of tsunamis throughout the oceans as far as the Caribbean. It’s considered the most powerful natural explosion in over a century, with reports that it rivaled the strength of a large U.S. nuclear bomb.
While prior research into the 2022 Tonga volcano eruption found that it created atmospheric waves powerful enough to disturb the ionosphere, this new research showcases just how far those waves reached, and just how devastating they were to satellite signals orbiting our planet.
Image source: JohanSwanepoel / Adobe
It has long been speculated that powerful volcanic eruptions and other volcanic activity could disrupt the F-region of the ionosphere. This region of the atmosphere contains the highest concentration of ions found in the atmosphere. When the Tonga volcano erupted last year, it appears the eruption was so strong it created “equatorial plasma bubbles” in the ionosphere, essentially creating holes GPS and communication signals couldn’t break through.
This new research, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports. But the researchers didn’t just prove that eruptions like the 2022 Tonga volcano eruption can create these bubbles in the atmosphere. They also showcased that these bubbles can extend far beyond what was previously speculated, with the researchers noting that they reached an altitude of at least 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).
The scientists also discovered that the eruption created a sudden rise in the density of electrons and an increase in the ionosphere’s height, which appeared hours before the initial shockwave hit. This fast response, they believe, may be tied to the atmosphere waves created from the eruption interacting with the electrically charged ions found within the ionosphere.
Fantastic Four is one of the most exciting MCU projects when it comes to rumors and speculation. And it's for the most unexpected reason too. People aren't discussing the film's plot or the Fantastic Four's place in the grander story. The main topic is the mysterious Fantastic Four cast, which Marvel has yet to reveal. I have high hopes that Marvel will announce the actors playing the four superheroes at Comic-Con, but there's no guarantee it'll happen, especially if Marvel delays multiple MCU projects.
But we have plenty of Fantastic Four cast rumors, including a report that says Marvel has chosen its actors. All sorts of interesting names are part of these Fantastic Four rumors, but they can also be confusing. And it looks like Elizabeth Olsen, whose character already killed John Krasinski's Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is also somewhat confused. Some spoilers might follow.
JWST Discovers a Supermassive Black Hole is 'Far Larger Than Expected' The Guardian reports that a supermassive black hole discovered at the center of an ancient galaxy "is five times larger than expected for the number of stars it contains, astronomers say."
Researchers spotted the immense black ho
PyPi is Reducing Stored IP Address Data The PyPi registry of open source Python packages "began evaluating ways to reduce the amount of identifying information that it stores," reports the Register, "even before the U.S. Justice Department came asking for data on suspec
Fans Book One Last Stay at Disney World's 'Star Wars' Hotel Yes, that expensive Star Wars-themed hotel at Walt Disney World is closing September 30th — after opening barely one year ago. But Sfgate spoke to a couple who's already been three times, and before it closes are "currently
Are We Headed to a Future With Autonomous Robot Soldiers? A CBS News video reports the U.S. military "is now testing an autonomous F-16 fighter jet, and in simulated dogfighting, the AI already crushes trained human pilots." And that's just one of several automated systems being develope
SoylentNews May Not Be Shutting Down June 30th After announcing a shutdown, SoylentNews' NCommander has "had very long discussions with a member of the community...who has been negotiating to try and keep SoylentNews operational, and help provide a realistic plan for both rebu
It’s been 66 years since the EU first introduced the principle of equal pay for male and female employees conducting work of equal value. Yet, the gender pay gap stubbornly persists in the bloc. Women earn, on average, around 13% less than men, with significant variations among member states. To narrow this gap, the European Parliament and Council recently approved a set of new rules that establish binding pay transparency measures. For the first time in the union’s history, this legislation also tackles intersectional discrimination (on the combined basis of ethnicity, race, religion, etc.) and addresses the rights of non-binary…
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, really wants AI regulation. Truly, madly, deeply, he wants it. Because of safety and stuff. Unless, of course, it’s the type of regulation that he doesn’t want. If that’s the case, he’ll threaten to withdraw his services instead. Altman issued the warning this week during a tour of European regulators. He said OpenAI could “cease operating” in the EU if it can’t comply with the bloc’s impending AI Act. The 38-year-old is particularly worried about the plans for “high-risk” systems. Under the current proposals, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and GPT-4 models would both be designated high-risk,…
BMW has partnered with Swiss gaming platform AirConsole to bring in-car gaming to its new all-electric 5 Series. Drivers and passengers can play the games to kill time while the vehicle is charging, for example. Sadly, but probably for the best, you can’t play while the car is moving. In addition to the new BMW 5 Series, which debuted this week, the AirConsole app will be rolled out in other BMW vehicles. The service has been available on TVs for some time, but this is the first time it has been available in a car. To use the gaming…
Dutch aviation startup ELECTRON Aviation has inked an agreement with Twente Airport, in the next step of its plans to launch a zero-emissions short-haul flight service from 2027. The startup’s planned fleet of electric air taxis will transport up to four passengers at a time to various European cities within a 500km radius of the airport. “To be clear, that gets you to Berlin, London, or Paris, all in under 2 hours,” said Josef Mouris, CEO and co-founder of ELECTRON. The startup’s Electron5 plane, which is still in the prototype phase, will fly at around 300km/h with a max range…
Over a decade ago, a cycling accident left Gert-Jan Oskam paralysed after causing him a spinal cord injury. Now, he’s able to stand and walk again thanks to an innovative brain-spine interface (BSI) developed by a team of Swiss neuroscientists. To walk, the brain must send a command to the region of the spinal cord that’s responsible for movement control. But a spinal cord injury interrupts this communication. “Our idea was to reestablish this communication with a “digital bridge”, an electric communication between the brain and the region of the spinal cord that is still intact,” said Professor Grégoire Courtine,…
GDPR turned five this week — and celebrated in customary style: by slapping Meta with another eye-watering fine. At a record-breaking €1.2bn, the punishment was the perfect self-gift for the EU regulation. For Meta, however, it marks another miserable anniversary. According to research by Privacy Matters, Mark Zuckerberg’s demonic brainchild has accrued over half of the €4bn in total GDPR fines. After amassing a staggering €2.5bn across seven separate penalties, it’s safe to say that Meta won’t be attending the birthday party. But it wasn’t likely to have got an invite anyway. The social media behemoth has been feuding with…
London has been named the world’s most high-tech city, according to Z/Yen Group’s seventh edition of the Smart Centres Index, published today. The British capital secured the top spot for its world-leading financial services, deep talent pool, quality of its business environment, and international reputation. Climbing from second place, London was joined in the top five by New York, San Francisco, Zurich, and Lugano. Oxford came in seventh place, putting four European cities in the top 10. The news that London has taken the top tech title from New York will undoubtedly be welcomed by British PM Rishi Sunak, who…
You might already know that humans are planning to permanently settle on Mars sometime in the near future. When and how that will happen is anyone’s guess, but scientists at the University of Birmingham believe some of the answers could lie beneath our feet. The researchers have set up a laboratory 1.1km underground in Britain’s deepest mine to investigate how scientific and medical operations would take place in the challenging environments of Mars and the Moon. The lab is located in a 3,000m3 tunnel network adjacent to the Boulby Underground Laboratory, a deep underground research facility in Yorkshire focused on…
