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Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice

Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice

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Seals help Japanese researchers collect data under Antarctic ice
  • Project leader said such research helps scientists trace the animals’ behavioural patterns and ecology.
  • Each seals had travelled as far as 633km (393 miles) from the coast of Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica.
  • These seals were equipped with the head-mounted conductivity, temperature and depth sensor.

A seal wearing a helmet with an antenna might look unusual, but eight Weddell seals, each with a 580g monitoring device on their heads, have been helping Japanese researchers survey the waters under the thick ice sheet in Antarctica.

Tapped for a research project between March and November 2017 – winter in Antarctica – these seals were equipped with the head-mounted conductivity, temperature and depth sensor, which allows scientists to collect observation data, such as water temperatures and salt levels, in areas with extremely harsh environmental conditions.

Project leader Nobuo Kokubun said such research helps scientists trace the animals’ behavioural patterns and ecology.

“During the summer, we can go to Antarctica on icebreakers to conduct actual research activities, so that we can collect data there. But during the winter, such things cannot be done in so many places,” Kokubun said during an interview with Reuters on Friday.

“However, even in such a situation, many animals such as seals are living in the area of Antarctica, so I thought we should have them collect the data,” Kokubun added.

The data successfully gathered from seven seals showed one of them had travelled as far as 633km (393 miles) from the coast of Japan’s Showa Station in Antarctica, while another had descended to a depth of 700m (2,297 ft).

Kokubun said the scientists also learned from the data that warm seawater from the upper layer in the open sea reached Antarctica from March through winter that year. The water flowed below the ice, bringing in sea creatures like Antarctic krill, a major food source for seals.

Aiming to examine further the impact of global warming on Antarctic coastal areas, Kokubun next hopes to make the device small enough to fit on other animals at the South Pole such as penguins.

“The advantage with penguins is that they come back to the same place and we can collect the data from them immediately. Also, we can use the devices on a large number of penguins so they can cover a wide area,” he said.

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Large-scale raid at the airport in Islamabad

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A travel attempt is blocked by FIA immigration, and two suspects are released.

At Islamabad Airport, the immigration squad of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stopped two travelers from using forged documents to fly outside.

Wajid Ali and Irfan Khan were the two people who were trying to get to Poland.

Both travelers, who were from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, were removed from the aircraft when their fake visas were found. Fake visas were discovered affixed to the suspects’ passports while they were aboard a private airline.

After the discovery, the suspects were sent to Islamabad’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for additional examination.

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National Action Plan: Coordinating Meeting Reviews with Provinces and NACTA

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In Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi, the federal interior minister, presided over a crucial National Action Plan Coordination Committee meeting.

It was agreed at the meeting that NACTA and the provinces should coordinate better, and a National Fusion Center has been set up to facilitate efficient communication in this area.

According to information presented to the meeting, 206 terrorists were killed during the 7984 intelligence-based operations carried out up until October of this year.

The meeting decided that comprehensive measures will be taken to prevent the activities of banned terrorist organizations on social media, and accounts of terrorist groups will be blocked with the cooperation of PTA.

The provinces will implement a comprehensive plan to stop the issuing and blocking of unauthorized SIM cards.

Due to recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, the interior minister instructed top authorities to show an efficient counterterrorism mechanism at the upcoming meeting.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would receive full assistance from the federation to enhance local counterterrorism agencies’ capacities, according to the interior minister.

The frontier constabulary will be reinforced, he stated, and the police and Frontier Corps will deal with terrorists.

He gave the Interior Ministry a week’s notice to receive a report from each agency outlining their needs. NACTA will be a key player in the war against terrorism, he declared.

The interior minister gave the order to put the infallible security plan into action for the protection of Chinese nationals after the meeting evaluated the provisions made for their safety.

He stated facilities will be made available to Coast Guards to stop drug smuggling along the coast.

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New Operational Difficulties: COAS Visits Troops Taking Part in Field Training

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In the vicinity of Narowal and Sialkot, soldiers engaged in a field training exercise were inspected by General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Army Staff.

The aims and conduct of the exercise, which sought to hone professional abilities and battlefield procedures necessary for tackling new operational problems, were thoroughly explained to him.

Several elements, including armor, infantry, mechanized infantry, artillery, air defense, army aviation, and anti-tank guided missile units, carried out integrated fire and maneuver operations during the exercise. In a contemporary military setting, the exercise also showed how to effectively use information operations and electronic warfare capabilities to thwart enemy communications and counter misinformation tactics.

COAS accompanied the troops in the field for the day and praised their strong morale, operational preparedness, and training standards. He stressed the vital need of remaining constantly ready to combat any threats that opponents may offer throughout his conversation with the attendees.

The COAS confirmed that the Pakistan Armed Forces, with the nation’s unwavering support, are fully capable of protecting our beloved motherland’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from any threats.

The Commander Gujranwala Corps and the Inspector General of Training and Evaluation had earlier greeted COAS when he arrived at the training field.

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