Thursday, December 4, 2008

Whales to Humans: Turn Down the Volume

· Whales and dolphins are being threatened in the world's oceans because the songs they use to communicate with one another are being drowned out by human-made noises, experts said yesterday.

The mammals use songs to orient themselves and find mates. But they are becoming confused by noise from ships, military sonar and other sources, said experts at a United Nations conference in Rome. Marine mammals are beaching themselves because of noise pollution, they said.

· Researchers say they found what appears to be the oldest imprint of a prehistoric insect.

The imprint of the dragonfly-like creature was discovered in Massachusetts. It is believed to have been made by an insect about three inches long standing in mud about 312 million years ago.