Hungry Shark

An underwater photographer got the fright of his life when a shark snatched the camera from his hands.

The diver was left shaking while the tiger shark swam off with the camera between its teeth.

The 2m creature later dropped the camera several meters away on the sea bed off the Bahamas.

Full Story

Squid May Alter Body Coloration to Communicate with Others

Many squid are able to change the appearance of their skin in order to camouflage themselves when they encounter predators. It’s been suggested that the polarization of light on the skin of squid may be a form of communication. Now, for the first time, researchers have uncovered evidence for this property among the longfin inshore squid:

While the notion that a few animals produce polarization signals and use them in communication is not new, Mäthger and Hanlon’s findings present the first anatomical evidence for a “hidden communication channel” that can remain masked by typical camouflage patterns. Their results suggest that it might be possible for squid to send concealed polarized signals to one another while staying camouflaged to fish or mammalian predators, most of which do not have polarization vision.
Mäthger notes that these messages could contain information regarding the whereabouts of other squid, for example. “Whether signals could also contain information regarding the presence of predators (i.e., a warning signal) is speculation, but it may be possible,” she adds.

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Cats' amazing drinking skills

Mystery of how cats drink finally solved

It took a team of researchers with high-speed video cameras to unlock the feline secret.  

Anti-gravity elegance 

Also: 

• More feline science
• Cat's drinking trick
• Baby dolphin rescued

Mountain lion trapped up tree by Jack Russell

A mountain lion found it was no match for a Jack Russell terrier which trapped it up a tree on a farm in the US state of South Dakota. The dog's owner, Chad Strenge, heard frantic barking near the family's farm in Colman, Moody County.

He discovered the 150lb (68kg) male lion, also known as a cougar, clinging to the top of a tree with 17lb (8kg) terrier Jack at the bottom. Mr Strenge, helped by his dog, chased the mountain lion and shot it dead. "He trees cats all the time," Mr Strenge said. "I suppose he figured it was just a cat."

Photo from here.

Professor Jonathan Jenks, an expert on cougar migration, said hunters usually needed two or three hounds to chase a lion up a tree. He said the cougar was probably not hungry enough to attack Jack. "It very well could have lost a territory and decided to take off from the Black Hills and head this way," he said.

Arden Petersen, of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department, told said that no charges would be filed for shooting the animal. People in South Dakota have the right to kill mountain lions which they feel are a threat to themselves, their livestock or their pets. The lion was taken to South Dakota State University, where it will be studied.

The Daily Drift

The Daily Drift

Today's horoscope says:
Do you wish your town had a Ferris wheel?
Because you'd love to head out to it on autumn evenings, go up in the sky in those brightly colored seats, maybe see the moon rise over a cornfield, perhaps feel a crisp breeze in your hair -- and, once in awhile, take somebody to hold hands with you while you're up there?
Petition the mayor!
And if you're having some other great idea, do what it takes to make that a reality too.

Some of our readers today have been in:

Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Paris, Ile-De-France, France

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand

Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany

La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sittard, Limburg, Netherlands

London, England, United Kingdom

Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Kallax, Kronobergs Lan, Sweden

Edithvaile, Victoria, Australia

as well as Serbia & Montenegro, Gibraltar, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Russia, Slovenia, India, Colombia, Brazil and in cities across the United States such as Tellico Plains, Gretna, Ephrata, Aberdeen and more.

Today is:

Today is Thursday, November 11, the 315th day of 2010.

There are 50 days left in the year.

Today In History November 11

Today's unusual holiday or celebration is:

Origami Day.

Don't forget to visit our sister blog!

Today we remember ...

This is Veterans Day in the US, Remembrance Day in Canada.

Man in wheelchair comes to aid of threatened clerk

A man in a wheelchair is being hailed as a hero after he wrestled a would-be thief to the ground for threatening a Vancouver convenience store clerk. Larry Skopnik says he was just doing the right thing when he saw the man charge behind the counter of the Food Stop on Commercial Drive. "Just because I'm in a chair doesn't mean I can't stand up and do what's right," Skopnik said.

Skopnik has been in a wheelchair since an ATV accident 10 years ago in Chetwynd. He was shopping in the Food Stop on Saturday night when a man tried to pass off a suspicious $50 bill. The clerk, Cindy Grewal, said the man became enraged when she wouldn't take the money. "He started using filthy language," said Grewal. "He comes behind the counter and came at me and everything."

Surveillance video shows the man grabbing at some of the counter items and coming at the clerk before she pushes him back. Skopnik rolled towards the counter and put the would-be thief in a headlock. The pair wrestled for a few seconds, and then Skopnik held the man by the torso until both of them fell to the ground. "I'm pretty sure I can defend myself," said Skopnik. "Her not getting hurt was the important thing."

Other store patrons held the man until the police arrived several minutes later. "I didn't know exactly what was going down, but I knew it wasn't right," said one of the patrons, Nick Dubeau. Police officers arrived after a few minutes and arrested the man. "Larry's a hero, honest to God," said Grewal. "I think (the thief) learned the lesson the hard way," said Grewal. "He won't come back. He saw the stars. It's a lesson that no good citizens will tolerate that."

The joke is relative

Paper plane's space pics

Paper plane takes photos from outer space

British space buffs successfully launch a toy airplane 23 miles above ground using a helium balloon.

The images 

Also: 

• Astronauts honor vet
• Private space flights
• Surprise moon discovery

Demolition goes awry

Tower topples wrong way during demolition

No one was hurt after a falling 275-foot smokestack at an Ohio power plant sent spectators scrambling.

Watch 

Also: 

• Building implosions
• Nuclear plant back online
• Public project spending

Eleven Prisons Turned Into Hotels

Prisons make the perfect hotels?  One wouldn’t think so but here are some examples of hellish old prisons from around the world that have been converted into hotels.  Ranging from your basic hostels to ultra luxurious accommodations.  Talk about your haunted hotel! 

 Full Story

Perilous lives on U.S. border

Perilous lives of Americans on the border

Living in towns straddling the U.S. and Mexico means coping with growing drug violence.  

'Nothing but gunshots' 

Also: 

• Cartel member arrested
• Plea to NRA for gun help
• Human smugglers busted

The truth be told

Repugican Plans Laid Bare

What did you expect

Debt panel pleases no one

National debt proposal pleases no one

Liberals and wingnuts are finding fault with a bipartisan commission's suggestions.

What's being said 

Also: 

• Senator urges action
• More on U.S. budget
• Poll mixed on repugican plans

Plan to delay retirement age

Panel leaders urge retirement age of 69

The heads of Obama's deficit-cutting commission also suggest smaller Social Security benefits.

Bold proposals 

Also: 

• Social Security ID theft
• Tax moves to make
• Social Security health

On The Job

Seven hot careers through 2018

These fields are likely to offer good pay and job security in coming years.

Salaries up to $85,000 

Also: 

• Recession-proof fields
• How to keep your job
• Find resumé advice

Secrets of HR departments

What HR departments won't tell you

Background checks have gone beyond Web searches on an applicant's name.  

90 seconds to make a good impression 

Also: 

• Five well-paid dream jobs
• Is work hurting your body?
• Write a perfect resumé

'Free' money from your bank

Now at your local bank: 'Free' cash

Some banks are offering up to $300, but before taking the money, be sure you know these traps.

A tax surprise lurks 

Also: 

• Savings account flaws
• 0% credit cards return
• Avoiding bank fees