Latest news with #MarianaTrench
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Science
- Arab News
Turning ocean preservation into an economic windfall
In 1960, my father, Jacques Piccard, reached the bottom of the Mariana Trench, almost 11,000 meters (36,000 feet) below sea level. The mission was not to make headlines, but to disprove a dangerous misconception. Some experts had claimed that no life could survive in the crushing darkness of the ocean's depths, and that assumption had led to proposals to use the deep sea as a dumping ground for nuclear waste. But my father and his team encountered living fish — a discovery that prevented a potentially catastrophic mistake. My father's mission underscores what exploration has always meant to my family. It is not about conquest and domination, but rather curiosity and understanding. Studying nature expands not only the frontiers of our knowledge, but also the scope of our responsibility as planetary stewards. Today, the ocean is under greater threat than ever. Despite decades of warnings, mankind continues to treat the ocean as an inexhaustible resource and a bottomless dumping ground. We are suffocating it with plastic, heating it with emissions, poisoning it with chemicals, and depleting it by overfishing. But the biggest danger is subtler: As was true in 1960, there is a glaring gap between what we know and what we are doing. While we speak of binding treaties and ambitious targets, our actions remain fragmented and insufficient. Even as the ocean's degradation accelerates, governments often take refuge behind the complexity of global consensus-building, using it as an excuse for inaction. As a result, fishing vessels engaged in illegal practices, such as destructive bottom trawling in marine protected areas, are still permitted to sell their catch freely in ports and markets. Although regulations exist, enforcement is weak, sporadic, or simply absent. But we cannot afford to wait for the perfect implementation of perfect treaties. Nor should we use others' failure to address the problem as an excuse for our own inaction. After all, we already know the solutions, and we have the tools to pursue them. What is missing is the will. The spirit of exploration must guide us toward regeneration, not exploitation. Bertrand Piccard At the Solar Impulse Foundation, we have identified more than 1,800 clean and profitable strategies and tools that reconcile economic growth with environmental preservation. Many focus on strengthening regenerative and sustainable practices in the blue economy — from technologies that track illegal fishing and monitor vessel movements from space, to innovations in low-carbon shipping, plastic waste prevention, and regenerative aquaculture. Our recent Ocean Opportunity Guide, mapping ocean-focused innovation, shows just how broad and mature these solutions are. From bio-enhancing concrete that supports marine life to seaweed-based alternatives to single-use plastic and traceability platforms that eliminate greenwashing in seafood value chains, these are not theoretical models; they are real tools already being deployed around the world. Behind them stands a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers. Equally, new financial mechanisms are emerging to bridge the gap between innovation and scale. Blended finance structures, results-based payments, and de-risking vehicles are beginning to unlock capital for nature-based solutions and sustainable aquaculture, particularly in vulnerable coastal economies. These developments show that diverse stakeholders, when aligned, can build an innovation ecosystem capable of solving one of the world's most complex challenges. The solutions we highlight are tested, scalable, and economically sound. They do more than protect ecosystems; they also create jobs, stimulate new markets, and reduce long-term operational risk. Clean innovation in the ocean economy is already generating competitive advantages for forward-looking companies and countries. Financial instruments that de-risk nature-based investments are helping to stabilize coastal economies and expand access to new forms of capital. And circular-economy solutions like seaweed-based packaging and marine-life-friendly infrastructure are not only reducing environmental harm, but also lowering material costs and strengthening supply-chain transparency. In short, ocean preservation is becoming an engine of industrial renewal and geopolitical resilience. As an economic development strategy, it is both future-proof and inclusive, and it appeals to investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike. But to unlock this potential, we must change the narrative. Sustainability is not about sacrifice; it is about modernization, innovation, and efficiency. Far from an environmental constraint, ocean preservation is a catalyst for a more dynamic, resilient global economy. As such, it should be recognized as the new frontier of exploration. Our task is to discover not uncharted depths, but better systems. Like the entrepreneurs featured in the Ocean Opportunity Guide, we should all be questioning what we have built and considering how it could be improved. The spirit of exploration must guide us toward regeneration, not exploitation. It must inspire us to stop waiting for others, and to start demonstrating the leadership that this moment demands.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover microplastics in SEMEN and female reproductive fluid – and warn they could spark an infertility crisis
From the depths of The Mariana Trench to the summit of Everest, microplastics can now be found almost everywhere on Earth. Now, it turns out even our most intimate moments can't escape their blight. Scientists have discovered microplastics are 'common' in both male and female reproductive fluids. And they warned of the potential implications for reproduction, as egg and sperm quality could be impaired. The team examined follicular fluid – found within the ovaries - from 29 women and the seminal fluid, found within semen, from 22 men. Analysis revealed a range of commonly-used microplastics were present in more than half of the samples. This included microplastics linked to non-stick coatings, polystyrene, plastic containers, wool, insulation and cushioning materials. Lead researcher Dr Emilio Gomez-Sanchez, from the University of Murcia, said: 'Previous studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in various human organs. 'As a result, we weren't entirely surprised to find microplastics in fluids of the human reproductive system, but we were struck by how common they were – found in 69 per cent of the women and 55 per cent of the men we studied.' Microplastics are defined as plastic particles under 5mm in size, and there is evidence that they pose a threat to environmental and public health. While this research did not directly assess how microplastics affect fertility, their detection highlights the need to explore possible implications for human reproductive health, the researchers warned. 'What we know from animal studies is that in the tissues where microplastics accumulate, they can induce inflammation, free radical formation, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and endocrine disruptions,' Dr Gomez-Sanchez added. 'It's possible they could impair egg or sperm quality in humans, but we don't yet have enough evidence to confirm that.' The scientists said the microplastics probably enter the body through ingestion, inhalation and contact with the skin. From there they enter the bloodstream, which then distributes them throughout the body – including to the reproductive organs. They plan to carry out further studies to explore the potential relationship between the presence of microplastics and egg and sperm quality. The findings, published in the journal Human Reproduction, were presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Commenting on the study Dr Carlos Calhaz-Jorge, Immediate Past Chair of ESHRE, said: 'Environmental factors influencing reproduction are certainly a reality, although not easy to measure objectively. 'The authors of this study found microplastics in over two-thirds of follicular fluids and more than 50 per cent of semen fluids from the studied patients. 'Although the significance of these findings is not yet clear, they should be considered an additional argument in favour of avoiding the generalised use of plastics in our daily lives.' Previous studies have detected microplastics in human breast milk, blood and even brain tissue. And separate research has found high levels in everyday items such as tea bags, baby bottles and chopping boards. Some scientists have urged caution when interpreting the findings of the new study. Dr Stephanie Wright, Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London, said: 'Without information on the sizes of the microplastic particles observed, it is challenging to interpret how meaningful this data is. 'There is a high potential for samples to become contaminated with microplastic throughout the sampling, laboratory processing, and analysis procedures. 'It is not a surprise that microplastics have been found – they are everywhere, even in the lab – but the data provided do not support that they are there as a result of human exposure as opposed to methodological artefact and must be interpreted with caution at this early stage.' Fay Couceiro, Professor of Environmental Pollution and Head of the Microplastics Research Group at the University of Portsmouth, said: 'The study is very interesting and considering the global reduction in fertility rates, looking at possible causes is very topical and timely. 'As the authors state, finding microplastics is not that surprising as we have found them in lots of other areas of our bodies. 'Presence is also not the same as impact and the authors are clear that while they have found microplastics in the reproductive fluids of both men and women, we still don't know how they are affecting us.' WHAT CAN MICROPLASTICS DO TO THE HUMAN BODY IF THEY END UP IN OUR FOOD SUPPLY? According to an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, our understanding of the potential human health effects from exposure to microplastics 'constitutes major knowledge gaps.' Humans can be exposed to plastic particles via consumption of seafood and terrestrial food products, drinking water and via the air. However, the level of human exposure, chronic toxic effect concentrations and underlying mechanisms by which microplastics elicit effects are still not well understood enough in order to make a full assessment of the risks to humans. According to Rachel Adams, a senior lecturer in Biomedical Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, ingesting microplastics could cause a number of potentially harmful effects, such as: Inflammation: when inflammation occurs, the body's white blood cells and the substances they produce protect us from infection. This normally protective immune system can cause damage to tissues. An immune response to anything recognised as 'foreign' to the body: immune responses such as these can cause damage to the body. Becoming carriers for other toxins that enter the body: microplastics generally repel water and will bind to toxins that don't dissolve, so microplastics can bind to compounds containing toxic metals such as mercury, and organic pollutants such as some pesticides and chemicals called dioxins, which are known to causes cancer, as well as reproductive and developmental problems. If these microplastics enter the body, toxins can accumulate in fatty tissues.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
These 65 Absolutely Mind-Blowing Photos Just Completely And Totally Shattered My Entire View Of The World Last Month
snapped the day before his death, is one of the last pictures ever taken of Pope Francis: here's what Pope Francis looked like as a young man: Popes: they were once young! Who'da thunk it. is what Niagara falls looks like from way, way above: Would ya look at that. my friends, is what a pregnant horse looks like: I am still searching for what a horse baby shower looks like. I imagine it's delightful. is what a human skeleton looks like next to a gorilla's skeleton: Feel free to pull this image up in your next "Yo Mama" debate on the playground. is Fernand Meyssonnier, France's last executioner, standing next to one of the guillotines he used on the job: Someone was executed by guillotine as recently as 1977 in France. The death penalty has since been abolished. here's a mask an executioner would typically wear: Not creepy at all. is what the USS Midway looks like compared to a person in a kayak: This makes me feel very relaxed. Just kidding. is what the bottom of the deepest trench on Earth, the Mariana Trench, looks like: Imagine being the guy responsible for the trash at the literal deepest part of the ocean. the mid-80s, the Statue of Liberty was completely covered in scafolding while being renovated: A pigeon's dream come true. 2.5 MILLION people attended Lady Gaga's show in Brazil last month. Here's what millions of people in one place looks like: I have to pee just thinking about it. Here's another angle: Again, my bladder hurts. comparison of the graphics of Grand Theft Auto V and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI has been making the rounds. The jump in graphical fidelity is incredible: What a different 13 years makes. is what an x-ray of a baby's hand looks like: A comforting thought. 1731, King Frederick I of Sweden was gifted with a lion that, after its death, he sent to be stuffed and preserved. The only issue was that the people doing the taxidermy had never actually seen a lion. This, the Lion of Gripsholm Castle, is the finished product: Juuuuuust a bit off. of terrible taxidermy and fossil reconstruction, this is the Magdeburg Unicorn, quite possibly the worst fossil reconstruction ever: It was probably done by Otto von Guericke, who thought he had found the remains of a unicorn. Turns out he'd just mixed and matched the bones of a rhinoceros, a mammoth, and a narwhal. is Steven Spielberg on top of Bruce, the animatronic shark that, well, played Jaws in Jaws: And now I'm realizing why the shark in Finding Nemo was named what it was. Here's a look at the full Jaws fake-shark rig: 2001, there was a huge dust storm on Mars that obscured the whole planet from the outside: Imagine leaving your windows open on Mars that day. is what a lizard getting a CT scan looks like: Stay strong, l'il fellah. is the one-time record holder for world's heaviest hamburger: Are the tomatoes really necessary? They're not even that heavy. scars don't sweat, so dirt doesn't stick to them: That's one way to stay clean. quarters can be very, very tiny: They were made by the Franklin Mint in the 1980s. Related: "I Know You Aren't Trying To Hurt Me." Doctors, Nurses, And First Responders Are Revealing The Most "Haunting" Last Words They've Heard From A Patient is what a World War II combat helmet looks like compared to a World War I combat helmet: Here's the other side of the helmets: I'm taking the World War II helmet for anything combat-related and the World War I helmet for anything heaping-bowl-of-soup-related. is what the first iPhone's camera looks like compared to a recent iPhone's camera: What is this... a camera for ants? is what a nuclear warhead looks like: Looks like the next water bottle TikTok is going to convince half the world to buy. 1924, a game of Human Chess was played in the Soviet Union: You know, if you weren't able to watch Babe Ruth hit 46 homeruns back then, you had to find some other way to entertain yourself. is what a four person see-saw looks like: That's a little busy. libraries let you know just how much money you save by going to them: Let's hear it for 'braries, folks. is what a golf course green that's been struck by lightning looks like: Or when my approach shot from 65 yards at hits the screen and bounces directly into the woods behind it. is what a Coke bottle from 48 years ago looked like: It was intentionally a throwback design for Coke's anniversary. original Pledge of Allegiance didn't include "under God": This was changed by Dwight Eisenhower during the Cold War, for, of course, Cold War reasons. year 2025 is the first year that's a square number since 1936: And you will almost certainly be long dead before the next one. Have a nice day! Related: 26 People Who Had Overwhelming Gut Instincts They Couldn't Were Right is "Boy Samson," the 14-year-old "strongest boy in the world" holding up a grown man on a motorcycle circa 1932: Today, that very same boy might have a Podcast. The mind reels. is how much it cost to buy a whole bunch of groceries in 1988, almost 40 years ago: Today that'll get you about two and half bell peppers. is what the first class menu looked like on the Titanic the day the ship sunk: No chicken tenders? No thanks. this is what the Second Class menu looked like that same day: Some similarities to the first class menu, but overall very, very different. for good measure, this is what the third class menu looked like that day so many of them tragically died: Literally getting served "GRUEL." is what the World Trade Center looked like at the very beginning of its construction: Construction began in 1966 and was finished in 1971. is what a fusion reactor looks like compared to a person: This particular reactor is located in China and set a record "160 million degrees celsius for 20 seconds." is Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the world's first "practical" helicopter, getting ready to take off in his contraption: This was in 1939. And here he is in the air: My guy Igor CHILLIN' up there. playgrounds have special "wheelchair only" swings: Love it! is Norwegian speed skater Oscar Mathisen pictured with his many, many, many, many awards and honors throughout the early 1900s: He set numerous world records, some even apparently lasting until the 21st century. is what a pair of maraschino cherries put through a dishwasher looks like: Now you have officially seen everything. a scientist testing out a hands-free shaving machine that used robotic arms: Okay, it was actually meant to be used with radioactive material, but shaving is a cool second use-case. my boy... strawberries can be very, very big: Nature is beautiful. dogs? Dogs can be gigantic: Who's a good... man? frogs, my boy... frogs can be very, very tiny: Now you know. Use this knowledge wisely. is a group of World War I soldiers creating a "Human Liberty Bell" at Camp Dix in 1918: This is what people did before iPhones. is 17-year-old Bryn Owen and his, frankly, ludicrous amount of mirrors on his Vespa: Every single source I've seen containing this picture points out that he used his own "pocket money." Now you know. a scene from the 1924 Olympics gold medal hockey game between the USA and Canada: Canada won 6-1. is what Meryal Waterpark, home of the world's tallest waterslide, looking like while it was under construction in Qatar: I can feel the wedgies just looking at this picture. is what Earth looks like from 3.7 billion miles away: To paraphrase the big man Carl Sagan, everyone and everything you have ever known exists on that little speck. is what the grave of HR Giger, creator of the design of the alien from Alien, looks like: Commitment to the very end. of which, the new Pope Leo went to a World Series game in 2005 and was caught on TV: Slacking off there, Leo. Should've been Pope-ing. is what caffeine looks like under a microscope: Looks about right. is Henry Behrens, at one time the world's smallest man, doing a little tango with a cat: He stood 30 inches tall, and, we can safely assume, was one heck of a dancer. is planet J1407b, a, I quote, "Super-saturn" with "over 30 rings, each stretching over tens of millions of kilometers in diameter:" It's hundreds of times bigger than the Saturn we all know and love. is what the remains of a World War I trench looks like today: These trenches date back to the Battle of the Somme and are located in Newfoundland Memorial Park near Albert, France. picture, from the early 1900s, shows an early basketball game, kneepads and all: Josh Hart would make that man CRY. another photo of a vintage basketball player, standing in front of a piano and striking fear into the hearts of his opponents: I think Jalen Brunson could put up 176 on this dude. is what Stephen Hawking's grave looks like: It reads "Here lies what was mortal of Stephen Hawking." isn't a fake picture of your worst "driving nightmare." It's the Hisashimichi Interchange, located near Tokyo, perhaps one of the most complicated roads in the world: I'll walk, thanks. is what the nerve inside a tooth looks like: (Cartoon cat slamming his finger inside a door voice) YEEEEE-OUCH! is what the knots on the outside of a tree look like on the inside: Neat! medicine used to be very, very, very strong: Add some melatonin to that baby and you might never wake up. there's a copperhead snake in this picture. Can you find it? Well, can you? Also in Internet Finds: 51 Wildly Fascinating Photos Of Disorders, Injuries, And Variations In The Human Body That I Cannot Stop Staring At Also in Internet Finds: 23 People Who Tried Their Best, But Crapped The Bed So Bad Also in Internet Finds: 27 Grown-Ass Adults Who Threw Such Unbelievable Temper Tantrums, Even The Brattiest Toddler Couldn't Compete
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Microplastics: how dangerous are they and how can we reduce our risk?
Recent headlines have raised concerns about microplastics in our bodies and the harm they may be doing. Scientists say it could be years before we have a full understanding of how these tiny plastic particles are affecting human health. But we do know they have been found from the depths of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific to the heights of Mount Everest. And we know that plastic is accumulating in our bodies, too. 'The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat – it's in it,' said Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in England who coined the term 'microplastics' in a 2004 paper. 'We're exposed.' What are microplastics? Scientists generally define 'microplastics' as pieces less than 5mm long. Nanoplastics, which measure less than 1 micrometre, are the smallest of these and the most likely to get into our blood and tissues. READ MORE Microplastics mostly come from larger plastics, which degrade with use or when they aren't disposed of properly, said Jeffrey Farner, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering. 'We use plastics in areas or in ways that lend themselves to the production of microplastics or to the breakdown over time,' Farner said – for example, in construction materials that are weathered outdoors; in tubing that generates microplastics when it is cut; and in agriculture, as plastic mulch or in irrigation systems. More than one-third of plastic produced today is for packaging, including single-use items such as food containers that largely end up as waste. A discarded plastic bag or bottle that makes its way to the ocean or a beach gets hit with ultraviolet light, heat and sand abrasion. From there, it 'is going to break down into just an enormous number of micro- and nanoplastics,' Farner said. How do they get into our bodies? These micro- and nanoplastics end up in our air, soil, water and food. The wear and tear on our car tyres, for example, produces particles that pollute the air and water. Microplastics filtered out of wastewater end up in sludge that is then used as fertiliser. Plastic cigarette filters make their way to lakes and oceans, where they degrade over time. Humans breathe in these particles and ingest them. Some research suggests plants directly take them up from the soil and incorporate them into their roots, said Christy Tyler, a professor of environmental science at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. The higher up the food chain an animal is, the greater the concentration of microplastics likely to be found inside them. Microplastics are also more common in highly processed foods, potentially because of contamination from processing machinery or even workers' clothing. Scientists have a limited understanding of whether and how microplastics might penetrate the skin, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the programme on reproductive health and the environment at the University of California, San Francisco. But, she said, some evidence suggests we can absorb microplastics – and harmful chemicals within them – from personal care products such as cosmetics and from our clothes, which shed fibres as we move. [ Microplastics are in the heart, lungs, penis, breast milk. Can we keep them out of our bodies? Opens in new window ] Our bodies appear to clear out some of these microplastics, particularly the larger ones. Microplastics have been found in human stool and urine. Jacques Robert, a professor of microbiology and immunology, and of environmental medicine, at the University of Rochester, said his own research on tadpoles fed microplastics has found that about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the plastic was excreted. (That research has not yet been published.) Other studies have suggested that the plastic not excreted in waste appears to pass out of the gut and into the blood, and from there can migrate to other organs like the liver and brain. What do we know about the health effects? Animal studies indicate that microplastics may harm reproduction, particularly sperm quality. They can also affect lung and gut functioning and may increase the risk for lung and colon cancer, said Woodruff, who conducted a review of the research. Robert's research in tadpoles has also shown that microplastics may weaken the immune system. It can be hard to extrapolate the effects on humans from animal studies, Tyler said, since the type and amount of plastics given to animals in experimental settings often differ from the chronic, low-level exposure to weathered particles that we experience. That said, there is early research in humans showing links between microplastics and preterm births, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. And there is well-established evidence that some chemicals in plastics are harmful to humans. These include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, some of which have been labelled known or likely human carcinogens. They also include bisphenol A and phthalates, which disrupt normal hormone function. How can we reduce exposure? One of the most effective steps might simply be not drinking from plastic water bottles, especially if they've been sitting out in the sun, Woodruff said. Another is to avoid heating food in plastic containers. Experts recommended switching to glass or steel containers for food storage, or at least transferring food to a glass or ceramic dish before heating. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can help, too. Packaged and highly processed foods contain far more microplastics, and the particles can also be concentrated in fish and meat. Regularly vacuuming your house and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce the amount of microplastics you inhale, Tyler said, and wiping surfaces with a wet cloth may prevent particles from getting back in the air. [ Do plastic chopping boards shed microplastics into food? Opens in new window ] Washing clothes made of synthetic fibres, such as acrylic or nylon, before wearing them the first time can also help reduce your own exposure, by clearing off microplastics left from the cutting and sewing process. (Doing so, though, also introduces microplastics into wastewater.) Clothes made of natural fibres, such as cotton or wool, sidestep the microplastics problem altogether. These measures have limitations, however. Plastic is ubiquitous and often the most affordable option. 'It shouldn't all be on the consumer to have to make those choices,' Tyler said. It's not entirely clear, either, that avoiding plastic water bottles or cutting boards will meaningfully reduce your lifetime exposure when plastic waste has accumulated in our soil, air and water. Experts said governments would have to regulate and reduce non-essential plastics to stop that accumulation. Some already have. The European Union banned the use of microbeads in cosmetics, for example, and several are phasing out styrofoam in food packaging. And 175 countries have agreed to create a United Nations treaty to end plastic pollution. Compared to 20 years ago, Thompson said, there's now 'a public appetite' for change. – This article originally appeared in the New York Times . 2025 The New York Times Company
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
‘Headless Chicken Monster' Captivates Ocean Scientists With Graceful Dance
The headless chicken monster is a type of sea cucumber. Many animals have acquired silly nicknames from amused humans. Raccoons are trash pandas. Snakes are danger noodles. Ocean dwellers aren't immune to this trend. Stingrays are sea flap flaps. But few nicknames reach the height of the headless chicken monster. One of these special animals was recently captured on camera by ocean explorers. The crew of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus spotted a headless chicken monster while surveying the Vogt Seamount east of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Seamounts are underwater mountains. The vessel deploys remotely operated vehicles to study the deep sea. One of the ship's ROVs snapped the mesmerizing footage of the chicken monster. The monster has no relation to actual poultry. It's a type of sea cucumber in the Enypniastes genus. Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied invertebrate creatures that typically scavenge for their snacks. Many of them have long, bumpy bodies that resemble the cucumbers we eat in salads. Headless chicken monsters 'are unique in that they've evolved webbed swimming fin-like structures at the front and back of their bodies,' the Nautilus team wrote. 'These semi-transparent deep-sea invertebrates are also known to shed parts of their skin to generate a glowing cloud.' The scientists providing live commentary brought some context to the sighting. The sea cucumbers are also known as Spanish dancers because they have 'nice skirts.' This feature is evident as the animal gracefully flaps through the water. The translucent animal has its guts on display. The dark hole at the top is the sea cucumber's mouth. That's where the 'headless' part of its nickname comes from. The rounded and tapered body resembles a plucked chicken. This transparent sea creature is a cucumber relative. The chicken monster isn't the only unusual sea creature in the E/V Nautilus video. 'While exploring the depths, the team also spotted a more transparent swimming cucumber relative from the Elpidiidae family with nearly translucent body cavity with orange digestive track shining from within,' the Nautilus organization said. If you thought the chicken monster was odd, wait until you hear what this transparent swimming cucumber can do. This animal is known for evading predators by shedding weight and shooting upward. It drops the weight quickly by 'doing a big poo.' The researchers also described this process as 'ballast release.' The Nautilus is exploring the Mariana Islands on an expedition funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It's an area littered with submarine volcanoes. Public outreach is a key part of the Nautilus mission. The ship sends out live video feeds of its science adventures. The translucent headless chicken monster is a highlight from one of these feeds. Previous expeditions have turned up unusual sights like a 'yellow brick road' on the ocean floor and an actual nautilus—a marine mollusk known for its artfully curved shell. The headless chicken monster is worthy of note, not just for its funny nickname, but for its jewel-like beauty and grace as a swimmer. Sea cucumbers are fascinating critters. But what do you call a group of them? According to the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom, 'Due to their fruit-like appearance, a group of sea cucumbers is known as a pickle.'
