“I wanted to write a very heavy metal song about pyjamas”

When a fisherman caught a lump of “seaweed,” he picked it up and discovered it was alive. Having never seen anything like it, he recorded the find on social media. The lump of “seaweed” is a sea creature called a basket star. @mat_jahan Mungkin ada yg belum pernah tgk basket stars,kalau ada pun mungkin xpernah pegang,kalau pernah pun mungkin xde video..nahhh aku share dgn korg salah satu spesis tapak leman yg cantik..aku pon first time tgk dan pegang…dah mcm sotong.. #livebasketstars #jigginglife #memori2023 #livecreatures ♬ original sound – Mat Jahan – Mat Jahan Although the caption is in Malaysian, a quick trip through Google Translate helps decipher it. The original poster states he is sharing the video for those who have never seen a basket star. He says it is like an octopus as it moves in his hand. What Is A Basket Star? The basket star has an appropriate name. It curls into a large “basket” to catch food by extending its tendrils. The small animal is an echinoderm. This family includes more commonly known animals such as sea stars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. These critters can thrive in all oceans and seas, including cold, deep regions and tropical waters. Image from Wikimedia Commons. The arms extend from a central disc that can grow up to five inches in diameter. This central area contains the animal’s internal organs and mouth. They use their arms to trap their food. The arms can also be helpful to deter predators. By wrapping its arms in a tight ball around the body, they can protect themselves. When fully extended, the arms of a large basket star can reach four feet in diameter. The tendrils have spines and hooks. When a basket star traps prey, it wraps it in mucus and then moves it with its arms toward its mouth. The basket star regurgitates non-digestible parts because the little critters are lacking an anus and can’t poop. What a fascinating creature! Mother Nature can be amazing! Please share if this is your first glimpse of this unique creature. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Fisherman Discovers Strange “Seaweed” — Then Realizes It’s Alive! appeared first on InspireMore.

The post How to Make a Cat Feel Better After Vaccines: 3 Vet-Approved Tips by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead  Tips to Make Your Cat Feel Better After Vaccines Side Effects How Often Do Cats Need Vaccinations? Vaccines are vital for any cat’s long-term well-being and quality of life, but for a short period after receiving them, shots can cause several irritating side effects. Mild pain is typical, as is mild tiredness. Depending on your cat’s personality the stress of the vet visit could contribute to their signs. Though recovering from vaccines is usually quick and easy, some cats can use the extra help to recuperate as fast as possible over the ensuing 2 to 3 days. Keeping your cat comfy isn’t complicated, and you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that they’re safe, healthy, and content. We’ll show you how to make your cat feel better after getting vaccinated quickly and easily with these three tips for post-shot care. The 3 Tips to Make Your Cat Feel Better After Vaccines 1. Give Your Cat a Soft Bed in a Safe Area If your cat is sore and tired after getting vaccinated, they’ll appreciate a cozy bed where they can rest. Provide a soft, warm sleeping area where your cat can easily access their litter box and food bowl. It isn’t uncommon for cats to withdraw a little after getting shots, so you should consider their desire for privacy as you arrange their comfy space. Set it up in a quiet, out-of-the-way area in a bedroom or spare room with less traffic to help your cat feel secure. Image Credit: Iva Vagnerova, Shutterstock 2. Watch for Signs of Agitation and Give Your Cat Space The vaccination process, from the trip to the vet to the soreness following the shots, can leave cats feeling edgy, which you may interpret as aggressiveness or distrust. While this will generally fade after a day or two as your cat settles back into the routine, you should be aware of their body language and allow them to engage you rather than force interactions. Give your cat space if they want it, and offer gentle affection when they want to snuggle with you. You can also try calming pheromone sprays or supplements to help relax your cat. 3. Check on Your Cat Frequently Although you’ll give your cat their necessary alone time to let them rest, relax, and recover, you should also keep tabs on them to ensure they’re comfortable and making steady progress. Check on your cat frequently for signs of discomfort or unwanted reactions to the shots. Keep the water and food bowls clean, filled, and accessible, but don’t worry if your cat isn’t overly hungry. Image Credit: Aleneza Ozerova, Shutterstock What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Vaccine Shots? Adverse reactions to vaccines are uncommon, as one survey found they occurred in only 0.52% of cats within 30 days after vaccination. Cats around a year old are the most at risk of experiencing issues. Adverse reactions become more likely as cats receive more vaccines in one visit. The most common adverse reactions cats experience after a vaccination include: Lethargy Loss of appetite Fever Inflammation at the injection site Cats may also experience mild to severe allergic responses causing facial swelling, breathing difficulty, itchiness, vomiting, or collapse. Anaphylaxis typically occurs within 20–30 minutes after vaccination. Owners must seek immediate veterinary care if their cats show signs like these. Innate responses cause many common adverse effects and are expected consequences of the vaccine stimulating the body’s immune system. Image Credit: Garna Zarina, Shutterstock Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma Feline injection-site sarcoma (FISS) is a rare occurrence and one of the most severe vaccine-associated adverse effects. The malignant tumors may appear anywhere from a few months to several years after cats receive an injection and, if left untreated, can be fatal as the cancer metastasizes to other organs in 10-28% of cases. Swelling or lumps at the injection site may occur in vaccinated cats, usually disappearing within several days. Vets often advise clients to follow the 3-2-1 rule in assessing swelling after vaccinations. Masses need further investigation if they meet any of the following criteria: They persist for longer than 3 months They become larger than 2 centimeters in diameter They grow in size a month after vaccination Your cat may need a biopsy for a FISS diagnosis, potentially alongside imaging such as CT scans. Complete surgical removal of the mass is more likely when it is small, so timely investigations can save your cat’s life. Allowing the mass to grow and potentially spread worsens the prognosis. Following surgery, radiation or immunotherapy can improve your cat’s chances. Image Credit: Corina P, Shutterstock How Often Do Cats Need Vaccinations? Cats generally receive vaccinations starting 6–8 weeks after birth. Vets then time additional vaccinations every 4 weeks until the cat reaches 16–20 weeks old. The core vaccines recommended for all cats include: Feline panleukopenia virus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus vaccines combined into one (FPV/FHV-1/FCV) Rabies Healthy cats typically need vaccine boosters every 1-3 years, depending on the vaccine and the cat’s risk of infectious disease. Vets assess individual exposure risks to form vaccination plans and may recommend non-core vaccines, such as those for feline leukemia virus, Bordetella, and chlamydia, depending on the cat’s environment, health status, medical history, and lifestyle. Conclusion Vaccinations rarely cause any adverse effects in cats, and for those who feel a little tired or under the weather, the benefits still vastly outweigh the risks. Monitor your pet for the few days after they get their shots, and don’t hesitate to follow up with your vet if they show abnormal swelling or other signs or reactions. Otherwise, keep your cat comfy; they will feel better faster and be ready for the next round of shots. Sources Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Viruses Vaccines for Veterinarians Salmonella in Domestic Animals   Featured Image Credit: Prostock studio, Shutterstock The post How to Make a Cat Feel Better After Vaccines: 3 Vet-Approved Tips by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

At some point in your life, you may have wondered why manhole covers are round, and what the markings all over them mean.Why are manhole covers round?This question has been used as an interview question by Microsoft. While it doesn't have a definitive answer, there are a number of reasons why round manholes are preferred around the world. One reason is geometric. Circular manhole covers – designed to be slightly bigger than the lip that holds them in place – cannot fall down the manhole, no matter which way you turn them. Squares and rectangles, meanwhile, can be rotated and dropped inside diagonally. Being circular also makes them easier to transport, as you can roll them along their edge, and square manhole covers have a larger surface area when made to the same width as a circular manhole cover, making them less cost-effective. There are other practical concerns, too."Manholes are in essence man-made holes," Josh Nelson, an associate professor in the Department of Design at San Jose State University in California, told Live Science, "and these are typically made from rotational tools, which tend to make circular shapes. So, a circular shape covering the manhole would be the best fit in terms of functionality. Anything else would be more complicated and less economical." What do the markings on manhole covers mean?Some manhole covers can be surprisingly decorative or useful, with Seattle's containing – among other creations – city maps.     IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.Japan, meanwhile, has taken them to a whole other level.    Less decorative manhole covers vary from country to country, but generally display some sort of information about what they are for. In some places, such as Nashua, New Hampshire, triangular manhole covers are used to point in the direction of the subsurface water flow.The cross-hatch pattern, or other bumps, are there to reduce noise as vehicles drive over them, as well as slippage. Though it varies by country, they will usually indicate what utility lies beneath, and sometimes the word “adjustable” or “auto-adjustable” to let workers know how the manhole cover can be removed and replaced when necessary.All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current.  

The first astronauts heading to Mars will venture further than any human before them, and should any of them encounter medical problems on their journey – perhaps “cosmic kidney disease” or a bacterial infection – they will be almost entirely alone to deal with them. Adding to those challenges, a new study has identified another problem; medications brought along on the mission will expire before the astronauts return to Earth. On the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts have access to a variety of medications that can be replenished by resupply missions if depleted or expired. However, a trip to Mars will take around nine months each way, with an extra three months spent on the Red Planet waiting for Earth and Mars to be in a suitable position for the return journey. That's 21 months in total, with no new supplies.NASA does not routinely disclose medication used on the ISS, but the new study's authors used a Freedom of Information Act Request to obtain a list, assuming that a Mars-bound mission would have a similar stock. The researchers, from the Duke University School of Medicine, then assessed how long each drug would be expected to last in its original packaging. This too raises a problem, as shelf-lives are based on the drugs being kept in their original packaging, but drugs sent to the ISS are repackaged before launch.On top of that, we don't know how long these drugs last in space. It's possible that they will degrade more quickly due to radiation.The good news is that the shortest shelf life (for an ophthalmic lubricant) is 18 months, posing a "minimal risk" for extended missions to the Moon – but for longer missions, astronauts could see their drugs become less effective."Using the maximum labeled shelf-life across all sources for each medication, we found that 14 medications will expire by 24 months: one ophthalmic lubricant, one advanced life support medication, one anaphylaxis treatment medication, one benzodiazepine, one antiangina medication, two corticosteroids, one local anesthetic, one topical urinary jelly, two antibiotics, one antipsychotic, one inhaler, and one ear wax removal medication," the team writes in their study. "Furthermore, over half [...] of the entire 2023 ISS formulary will expire by 36 months."Using more conservative estimates of efficacy based on each medication’s minimum labeled shelf-life, 97.8 percent of medications taken aboard the ISS expire within 36 months.Drug manufacturers assure the effectiveness of their medication up to the expiration date, but beyond that, they may become less effective. “It doesn’t necessarily mean the medicines won't work, but in the same way you shouldn’t take expired medications you have lying around at home, space exploration agencies will need to plan on expired medications being less effective,” Daniel Buckland, assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine and aerospace medicine researcher said in a statement."Ultimately, those responsible for the health of spaceflight crews will have to find ways to extend the expiration of medications to the complete mission duration," the team concluded, "or accept the elevated risk associated with administration of an expired medication."The study is published in the journal npj Microgravity.