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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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Parliament, not the courts, should discuss the problem of electronic voting: Mandokhel, Justice

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The constitutional bench rejected a petition about the electronic voting system at a Supreme Court hearing, stating that it was ineffectual.

The technique was employed in the 2018 by-elections, according to the Director-General (Law) of the Election Commission, and a report had been sent to Parliament.

Insisting that the Senate Committee take up the issue, Justice Jamal Mandokhel underlined that such issues ought to be discussed in Parliament.

The necessity for correction was emphasized as he questioned why the hearing went on even after the case was over.

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Punjab starts a youth skills program to help people find work in the Gulf markets.

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CM’s Skilled Punjab Program-International Placement is a ground-breaking program that the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) has developed with the goal of providing Pakistani youth with access to the world.

By giving young Pakistanis the skills they need to succeed overseas, the program will improve both their prospects and the country’s economy.

Their crucial influence in the country’s economy is demonstrated by the fact that remittances accounted for a substantial 21% of Pakistan’s GDP in 2021 (Source: Asian Development Bank).

Given this, PSDF has determined that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Saudi Arabia in particular, is a crucial market for Punjab’s young people. PSDF will support this ambition by offering skill development that is in line with the unique requirements of the global labor market.

Ten thousand young people in GCC markets will receive demand-driven skill training and be placed in foreign jobs during the program’s first phase. The initiative will also address the rising demand for skilled workers worldwide in industries including retail, construction, healthcare, and hospitality. In addition to promoting remittance inflows, this two-year scheme will aid in Pakistan’s overall economic expansion.

During the meeting, Chairperson of the CM Task Force on Skills Development, Adnan Afzal Chattha, stated, “We have carefully identified specific trades in which Punjab’s youth will be trained to enhance their chances for international placement. This program is intended to give learners thorough instruction in a variety of fields, greatly increasing their chances of landing a job abroad.

Additionally, by facilitating the sharing of best practices and technological know-how, this enhanced engagement will improve information flow and promote international innovation.

In addition to giving young people financial security, the initiative seeks to improve resource allocation and lessen the nation’s fiscal burden. Increasing the number of qualified professionals working overseas can also benefit Pakistan by generating remittances that can boost the country’s economy.

“This initiative can enhance Pakistan’s international standing as a provider of highly qualified talent, thereby drawing additional international cooperation and investment,” stated Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF.

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The Silk Road Culture Centre ushers in a new era of cross-cultural interaction.

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According to Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the Belt and Road Initiative is reimagining the historic Silk Road, which was a 7,000-kilometer trading corridor.

Speaking during the Silk Road Cultural Center’s opening ceremony in Islamabad, Ahsen Iqbal underlined the center’s critical role in bridging people and cultures throughout the region.

Additionally, he emphasized the value of the creative industries as an essential part of cultural and economic advancement, pointing out that such endeavors improve Pakistan’s standing internationally.

The Silk Road Culture Centre officially opened in a grand event attended by diplomats, ambassadors, and cultural enthusiasts from across Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The Silk Road Culture Centre marks a new chapter in cultural exchange.

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