A Single Rapey Dolphin May Be Terrorizing Japan

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A spike in beachgoer injuries in Japan’s Wasaka Bay has reportedly been linked to a single, particularly aggressive dolphin, with experts suggesting sexual frustration might be driving erratic behavior.

No less than 47 people have sustained injuries from dolphin attacks in this region from 2022 to the present, prompting marine researchers to investigate the cause of these unusual encounters, according to The New York Times (NYT). A maritime expert told the outlet that one Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin — a male — may be responsible for the alarming rise in incidents.

This conclusion reportedly came after a thorough review of photos and videos capturing the incidents, according to Director Ryoichi Matsubara of Fukui’s Echizen Matsushima Aquarium. He told the outlet that the aggressive behavior may be attributed to mating urges.

Matsubara told the NYT this particular dolphin was sighted attempting “to press his genitals against people.” However, he reportedly added that the dolphin bit some individuals following them approaching it or even making physical contact. (Read more from “A Single Rapey Dolphin May Be Terrorizing Japan” HERE)

Human Remains Reveal Shocking Truth of What Happened After Western Roman Empire Collapsed

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Just when you thought the Roman Empire couldn’t get any more exciting, a study published mid-August detailed how DNA shifted among elites once their civilization collapsed.

The Roman Empire collapsed around the 5th century, A.D., when power was decentralized from Rome and a whole new sociological makeup emerged throughout Europe and North Africa, according to the study published in the journal PNAS. DNA evidence suggests elite Romans were key to rebuilding a new society after theirs collapsed, and a big part of their process was enhancing the genetic diversity of their people throughout Medieval Europe.

“Analyzing 28 new genomes with 24 previous ones revealed that the site was formed around biologically and socially connected high-ranking groups. The community also integrated newcomers and embraced individuals with diverse genetic ancestries,” the authors wrote in the study. At first, families of higher social status had distinct genetic ancestries, but over time, these families diversified significantly into their local communities.

Could it be that these individuals were welcomed, or were they necessary to quell the impacts of inbreeding? The authors argued that elites must have acted from a perspective of “(political) agency rather than belonging to biologically homogeneous groups.” This suggests our ancestors knew that real power comes from politicking and not nepotism. (Read more from “Human Remains Reveal Shocking Truth of What Happened After Western Roman Empire Collapsed” HERE)

Life-Changing Breakthrough Offers New Hope for Heart Failure Patients

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In a groundbreaking medical achievement, the first fully mechanical heart developed by BiVACOR has been successfully implanted in a human patient. This milestone marks a significant advancement in the field of cardiac care, offering new hope for those awaiting heart transplants.

The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) is a compact, titanium-constructed device about the size of a fist. Despite its small stature, it packs a powerful punch. It can pump blood at a rate of 12 liters per minute, which is enough to support an adult male during exercise.

Unlike other artificial hearts that rely on flexible polymer diaphragms to pump blood, the BiVACOR TAH uses a magnetically levitated rotor. This design eliminates the wear and tear associated with traditional mechanical hearts, potentially increasing their longevity.

The primary purpose of the BiVACOR TAH is to serve as a bridge-to-transplant solution. According to the OPTN/SRTR 2022 annual data report, the number of heart transplants in the United States has been on the rise. Since 2011, adult heart transplants have increased significantly by 85.8%. This device could be a lifeline for many of those patients.

On July 9, 2024, history was made at the Texas Heart Institute when the first patient received the BiVACOR TAH as part of an FDA-approved early feasibility study. This procedure was carried out at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in the Texas Medical Center. (Read more from “Life-Changing Breakthrough Offers New Hope for Heart Failure Patients” HERE)

Doc, 84, Couldn’t Hear Colonoscopy Patient Screaming in Agony Because He Wasn’t Wearing His Hearing Aids: Complaint

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A Florida gastroenterologist has been disciplined after two recent colonoscopy procedures went awry on his watch, including at least one where he couldn’t hear an improperly-sedated patient’s screams because he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids.

Dr. Ishwari Prasad, 84, has been placed on probation by the Florida Board of Medicine after the botched procedures, according to a state Department of Health administrative complaint viewed by USA Today.

Both colonoscopies took place on June 5 last year at the Tampa Ambulatory Surgery Center.

During the first, Prasad is said to have “improperly delegated” medical tasks to a surgical tech who did not have a license to practice medicine, the complaint reads.

The tech was instructed by Prasad to perform “at least one” task from a list including scope insertion, scope manipulation, manipulating an instrument over polyps or tissue or removing polyps or tissue. (Read more from “Doc, 84, Couldn’t Hear Colonoscopy Patient Screaming in Agony Because He Wasn’t Wearing His Hearing Aids: Complaint” HERE)

Moronic Tourist Under Investigation After Dumping Water on ‘Historically Significant’ Ancient Cave Paintings for Social Media

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. . .A dim-witted tourist dumped water on ancient cave paintings to snap better photos for social media — and is now under investigation after posting the shots of the damaged historic art, according to cops.

The unidentified 39-year-old man from Los Villares, Spain, wanted “clearer” and brighter images of the priceless works, which were sketched in the country’s Sierra Sur de Jaén mountain range thousands of years ago, local law enforcement said.

To get the perfect shot, he tossed the liquid on the precious paintings — part of a site that’s been deemed “historically significant” by the country’s heritage group — and later posted the wet images on Facebook, according to Guardia Civil’s nature protection force.

The ancient art is made on limestone, which contains water-soluble salts that dissolve in liquid, leaving a crust that causes “irreparable damage” to the paintings, officials said, according to The Daily Beast. (Read more from “Moronic Tourist Under Investigation After Dumping Water on ‘Historically Significant’ Ancient Cave Paintings for Social Media” HERE)

Polar Bear Dies at Zoo in Freak Accident With Fellow Bear

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A polar bear drowned at a Canadian zoo Friday after his throat was crushed by a fellow bear while the pair were roughhousing.

The incident occurred at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada when Baffin, a 7-year-old bear, was playing around with another bear, 8-year-old Siku, according to a zoo press release. Siku apparently bit down on Baffin’s trachea while playing.

Though the bite didn’t pierce through the bear’s skin, its impact crushed his trachea, zoo senior veterinarian Sandie Black told The Associated Press (AP).

“It is presumed that Baffin lost consciousness underwater due to the tracheal injury and subsequently drowned,” the press release stated.

Baffin was submerged in the pond of the exhibit and did not return to the surface, the outlet reported. Visitors reportedly watched the interaction unfold. (Read more from “Polar Bear Dies at Zoo in Freak Accident With Fellow Bear” HERE)

Night Owls Have Cognitive Advantage Over Early Risers

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Scientists at Imperial College London found that people who stay up late score better on tests that measure intelligence, reasoning, reaction time and memory. This new finding contrasts previous research that links being a night owl to increased risk for diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues.

According to The Guardian, the researchers studied more than 26,000 men and women. They examined how their duration of sleep, quality of sleep and chronotype (which determines the time of day an individual performs best mentally), affects brain performance.

The results showed that people who stayed up later at night or moderately late scored higher in cognitive performance than those who went to bed early. In addition, people who went to bed later were more likely to be creative types, like artists or musicians, according to the study. However, sleep duration was very important for brain function and researchers found that individuals who enjoyed seven to nine hours of sleep each night were the best performers on cognitive tests.

“We found that sleep duration has a direct effect on brain function, and we believe that proactively managing sleep patterns is really important for boosting, and safeguarding, the way our brains work,” said the study authors. (Read more from “Night Owls Have Cognitive Advantage Over Early Risers” HERE)

Archaeologists Unearth ‘Mysterious’ Monolith At Ancient Temple

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A press release published Monday detailed the discovery of a “mysterious” 4000-year-old monolith in Cyprus.

The Erimi Archaeological Team at the University of Siena described the large monolith as having a “circular motif of cups in the center,” which “tells the story of a distant era of an artisan community in Cyprus.” It stands roughly 7.55 feet tall and is part of a sprawling Bronze Age community complex, according to Ancient Origins.

The site has also revealed dyeing vats, warehouses and workshops, suggesting it was the site of a significant textile industry. The monolith was uncovered inside a room in the western wing of the complex.

(Read more from “Archaeologists Unearth ‘Mysterious’ Monolith At Ancient Temple” HERE)

Man Killed by Exploding Firework Mounted on His Head

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A South Carolina man died Thursday after the fireworks mounted on his head exploded, New York Post reported.

Allen Ray McGrew, a 41-year-old father, was fatally injured when a firework he placed on his head exploded, according to the New York Post. McGrew, who was reportedly attempting to entertain neighbors at a local block party with a fireworks show, died instantly from head injuries caused by the accident. . .

“He was holding this firework over his top hat,” the wife told the New York Post. “I thought he was just showboating before he set it on the ground. I didn’t realize he had already lit it.” (Read more from “Man Killed by Exploding Firework Mounted on His Head” HERE)

‘Never Seen Anything Like This Before’: New Factor Blamed for Fentanyl Deaths

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Although the huge number of drug overdose deaths in America saw its first slight decrease last year, fentanyl remains largely responsible for “poisoning” America, especially its young people. Indeed, for Americans age 18-45, fentanyl overdose remains the leading cause of death – thanks, experts say, to Mexican cartels, an open border … and social media.

Reported by the National Center for Health Statistics as the first annual decrease since 2018, drug overdose deaths in the United States reached 107,543 in 2023. This amounts to a 3% reduction from the number of deaths reported in 2022. However, in both years, nearly 69% of the deaths were attributed to the presence of synthetic opioids – primarily fentanyl.

WND spoke to Keith Talamo, chief medicolegal death investigator at the Lafayette Parish Coroner’s Office in Lafayette, Louisiana, who said fentanyl deaths have also been on the rise each year in Lafayette Parish with the exception of 2023. In 2015, he said, there were no overdose deaths associated with fentanyl. Eight years later, 66 of 108 deaths involved fentanyl.

Having worked as an investigator since November 1999, Talamo told WND, “We’ve never seen anything like this before,” and considering the steady rise in deaths attributed to fentanyl, he added, “I don’t see an end in sight.” He explained that fentanyl is very inexpensive to produce, adding that “it takes very little to get addicted and very little to kill you.” According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially lethal dose.

Adding an additional and extremely perverse dimension to what is already an unprecedented drug-death epidemic, Talamo shared that fake pills containing deadly amounts of fentanyl are increasingly prevalent today. (Read more from “‘Never Seen Anything Like This Before’: New Factor Blamed for Fentanyl Deaths” HERE)