"I told you not to wake me up early."
Funny Animal Photos by Ty Buchanan
Two New Species Carrying Irukandji Found in Australia
It never fails to amaze me how new things are discovered on our doorstep when the majority of people think everything is known about nature. This is particularly true in Australia where a low number of people live on a vast continent. Some places have not even been visited by humans for thousands of years.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin has identified two species of jellyfish that can carry Irukandji syndrome. The new species are Keesingia gigas and Malo bella. Doctor Gershwin works for CSIRO. There are now 16 species that can cause Irukandji.
Keesingia can grow to 50 cm in bell height. This is by far the largest jellyfish. Juvenile leatherjacket fish safely live in its subumbrellar cavity as with the more common medusas.
The two newly documented species have been generally known for some time. However, they have not been found in Australian waters before. They could have been present for a long time or maybe they are new, moving here due to climate change and the warming ocean.
Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin has identified two species of jellyfish that can carry Irukandji syndrome. The new species are Keesingia gigas and Malo bella. Doctor Gershwin works for CSIRO. There are now 16 species that can cause Irukandji.
Keesingia can grow to 50 cm in bell height. This is by far the largest jellyfish. Juvenile leatherjacket fish safely live in its subumbrellar cavity as with the more common medusas.
The two newly documented species have been generally known for some time. However, they have not been found in Australian waters before. They could have been present for a long time or maybe they are new, moving here due to climate change and the warming ocean.
Biology by Ty Buchanan
Bitcoin is an Asset According to the Australian Tax Office
If you have millions of these things when there value increases you will have to give part of it to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) if you reside in Australia. Don't think that this is the end - it is just the beginning. Other countries are looking at making bitcoins taxable income.
BitPos an Australian company which arranges an exchange and purchasing service for people dealing in bitcoins say owners have to pay the Goods and Service Tax (GST) on the full value of coins not just on the fee. This is when buying the actual "currency" itself.
Because dealers say bitcoin it is not a currency it opens the door for countries to interpret it as they like. It is possible some jurisdictions will class it as currency and capital investment. Indeed, some countries could make bitcoins illegal. This would throw a spanner in the works.
The ATO has issued a warning to businesses that purchases of goods and services with bitcoins must be recorded in the books and the government is planning to collect GST on it. Essentially, the currency is going to be taxed twice. Banks praise this because bitcoin is a treat to them.
Businesses do not know whether it is legal to charge the GST at the moment. It could be levied on them when they have not collected it from customers. This is a gray legal area at present. Charging for GST when it not yet payable could be classed as price gouging, a trick to charge more.
Businesses do not know whether it is legal to charge the GST at the moment. It could be levied on them when they have not collected it from customers. This is a gray legal area at present. Charging for GST when it not yet payable could be classed as price gouging, a trick to charge more.
✴ Economics by Ty Buchanan ✴
New Chinese Theme Park for Australia?
It is aimed more at Chinese tourists than Australians. A panda paradise, thanksgiving temple and treasure ship are expected to draw the customers. A massive half a billion dollars is dedicated to the project.
The rather odd name of "Chappypie China Time" is being put forward as the preferred choice by Chinese developers. This choice will not go down well with Australians. It is awkward and doesn't translate well into Australian culture.
It will based on "old" China, not the present totalitarian state. Things such as a copy of the Forbidden City, thousand-hand Guanyin and dragon boats will be the main theme. Developers say it will rival Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. However, these are thing quintessentially Australia. How can a Chinese project be marketed as an Australian icon?
The Wyong Shire Council insisted that the park must have rides to make it relevant to Australian customers. Disney has also said that legal action will follow if the word "Disney" is in the park's name. The move by the Chinese consortium comes as a bit of a shock to Disney which says there is no local market there for such a huge investment.
Such a project could be a ruse to build a thanksgiving temple. This will be the first thing constructed. It could also be the last. Local people would not want such as large temple built near to them. Councillors should be wary of the "easy out" clause in the contract.
Culture by Ty Buchanan
Zebrafish Stem Cell Discovery
A lot of work is going into stem cells research. Anything we can learn about them is important for future human transplants. There have been some claims that have been proved wrong. However, we are moving forward in understanding how organs can be created from them.
A significant breakthrough has been made in Australia while investigating zebrafish. Scientists have found out how hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) important in bone marrow and blood are made. The stem cells replenish immune cells in the blood.
At present hematopoietic stem cells are used to treat leukemia and myeloma. It will probably be possible to treat other cancers in blood vessels, muscle and bone. Furthermore, diabetes, spinal problems and degenerative disorders cold also be treated.
The discovery is important. "Buddy" cells were observed while the hematopoietic stem cell were being created. Ironically, the scientists were investigating muscle development when they noticed the "helper" cell. Other scientist will take this further.
Science by Ty Buchanan
Egyptian Mummification Began in Tribal Times
Scientists put all the facts together about a subject then reach a decision on what is truth. This decision is agreed upon by the majority of specialists in the area and becomes fact that is put forward in books and education. Unfortunately, time sometimes proves these "facts" to be wrong.
Australian researchers using the latest findings have changed their view on the age of Egyptian mummies. The artifacts are now believed to be 1,500 years older than was put forward in the scientific literature.
Mummification began as far back as 3,500BC. The original claim of 2,200BC was wrong. Even in prehistoric tribal times Egyptians embalmed their dead. Evidence from objects on show in Bolton Museum, England, proved the thesis. They were analysed and the shock discovery was made. Chemicals from an old embalming process were identified.
This preservation of mainly the hands and heads of deceased people with high status began before written language was developed. Of course, this belief about language could also be proved wrong in the future.
Science by Ty Buchanan
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
