Hey Flipper! Dolphins Use Names to Reunite

Dolphins call to each other using distinctive whistles that serve as names, new research suggests.

Each dolphin makes its own unique whistle, and close friends or family will reply with the same sound. The findings, published today (July 22) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest the dolphins use the whistles like names. Past research showed individual dolphins had personal whistles, but it wasn't clear that other members of their group learned that whistle.

"These are learned individual calls animals can sometimes copy to label or address one another," said study co-author Stephanie King, a marine mammal scientist at the University of St. Andrews in the United Kingdom.

The findings also reveal parallels between dolphin whistles and human language acquisition. [7 Ways Animals Are Like Humans]

"As humans, we are able to learn new sounds, and dolphins and parrots can also learn new sounds," King told LiveScience.

Signature whistles

Dolphins use an amazing repertoire of buzzes, whistles and clicks to communicate with each other and hunt for prey. Past studies revealed that dolphins had signature whistles, and they used those whistles as personal calling cards to invite other dolphins to play.

But it wasn't clear that these sounds truly functioned as names that others could use to call to them. To see whether that was the case, King and her colleague Vincent Janik, also of the University of St. Andrews, used underwater recorders to track the signature whistles of bottlenose dolphins in St. Andrews Bay off the coast of Scotland.

The team then played those unique whistles back to the owner of that whistle as well as to other dolphins. Dolphins repeatedly called back when they heard their own "name," as if to reply to a friend's call. Stranger dolphins didn't reply, but friends in the same group? possibly mother and calf or males with strong alliances ? occasionally called back using the same exact whistle.

Dolphins probably call back in response because "there's a strong motivation to reunite with those individuals," King said.

The findings suggest that dolphin signature whistles act somewhat like names, and that other dolphins can learn them. Scientists knew dolphins could learn specific vocalizations in captivity, but this is the first time they've shown this ability in wild dolphins.

Whereas human babies are given a moniker at birth, dolphin infants may essentially grow into their names; they likely begin making a unique whistle, and over time, that whistle becomes their "name," King said.

As a follow-up, the researchers want to see whether dolphins can learn other sounds in similar ways.

Follow Tia Ghose on Twitterand Google+.?Follow?LiveScience @livescience, Facebook?& Google+. Original article on?LiveScience.com.

Copyright 2013 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/hey-flipper-dolphins-names-reunite-190333224.html

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MILITARY SEXUAL ASSAULT

By Michael Hartwell

MediaNews

WASHINGTON -- Military defense lawyers are using words President Barack Obama spoke against sexual assault in the military to dismiss charges against those accused of sexual assault, but U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, said there are bigger problems to address.

During a May 7 news conference Obama made the following comment about sexual assault in the military:

"The bottom line is: I have no tolerance for this ... and I expect consequences. So I don't just want more speeches or awareness programs or training but ultimately folks look the other way. If we find out somebody's engaging in this, they've got to be held accountable -- prosecuted, stripped of their positions, court-martialed, fired, dishonorably discharged. Period. It's not acceptable."

The president is the commander in chief of the of the military, and military defense attorneys are saying that his words amount to an "unlawful command influence" and could be seen as instructions to judges and influence sentencing in military courts.

The New York Times noted several sexual-assault cases that have been complicated by this argument, including the trial of an Army officer in South Carolina in which charges were dismissed. A Navy judge in Hawaii ruled that two sailors accused of sexual assault could not be discharged if found guilty because of command influence from Obama and other military leaders. Additional motions to dismiss have been made in other

cases, such as the one against Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, who is accused of sexually assaulting a female officer with whom he previously had an affair.

"I think that the president was simply highlighting that this is a serious crime and it has to be dealt with in a serious manner," said Tsongas, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and has introduced several bills intended to combat sexual assault in the military.

Tsongas said she can understand how defense attorneys will use any defense strategy available to them to dismiss charges.

When asked if the president deserves any blame for the new difficulties in prosecuting and punishing military sexual-assault cases, Tsongas repeated that the president was saying that members of the armed services who commit sexual assault need to be held accountable for their crimes. She said she was glad the president has taken an interest in the matter.

A Pentagon survey estimated that 26,000 men and women in the military were sexually assaulted last year. Tsongas said she first became aware of the issue while hearing congressional testimonies on the matter.

She couldn't believe how big the problem was and ended up asking a military nurse she encountered if it were true. The woman said it had never happened to her, but she had heard plenty of stories and kept a hidden knife with her for protection while she worked.

Tsongas said the nurse was more afraid of American troops than the enemy.

It's not just a women's issue, Tsongas was quick to point out. The Pentagon reports that 53 percent of the victims are men, mostly from other men. Women make up 14 percent of the armed services and are proportionally more likely to be targeted.

"There are many issues that have to be addressed," said Tsongas. "No. 1 is how we prevent these terrible crimes."

Other concerns are how the command structure deals with reported cases, how service members can report sexual assaults without facing retaliation from superior officers and how the Department of Veterans Affairs deals with survivors.

Tsongas is working on establishing an independent review panel to evaluate the military's structure and suggest changes. She's also working to get new language in the next defense bill that would make dishonorable discharges mandatory when someone is found guilty of sexual assault.

"The military is a profession," she said, "People are entering it prepared to give their lives. The last thing anyone should expect is harm from their own."

When asked if she is frustrated that some of the cases that have gone to trial have now been dismissed because of the unlawful command influence angle, she said she's more concerned that military structure is discouraging people from reporting them in the first place.

"The instances of cases coming forward are too few," said Tsongas.

Leominster trial attorney John M. Dombrowski said the chances of the president's remarks affecting sexual-assault cases in the civilian trial court system are "remote."

"I don't think it's going to make any difference whatsoever," said Dombrowski.

"It's probably something the president shouldn't be commenting on. It's not something within his jurisdiction," he added.

Dombrowski said under the separation of powers of the three branches of government, federal judges are appointed so they can make decisions without the influence of the executive branch.

Follow Michael Hartwell at facebook.com/michaelhartwell or on Twitter @sehartwell.

Source: http://www.nashobapublishing.com/breakingnews/ci_23714206/military-sexual-assault?source=rss_viewed

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How to travel on the cheap

Should you fly, drive, or take a train to your destination? Hamm breaks down your options.

By Trent Hamm,?Guest blogger / July 22, 2013

An American Airlines Boeing 757 passenger jet takes off from Miami International Airport in Miami, Fla. in 2012. Whether you should take a car, train, or airplane to your destination depends on how many people you are travelling with, how much luggage you're bringing, and what your time constraints are, Hamm says.

Wilfredo Lee/AP/File

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Next month, I?m traveling from Des Moines to Indianapolis and making a return trip about five days later.

Skip to next paragraph Trent Hamm

The Simple Dollar is a blog for those of us who need both cents and sense: people fighting debt and bad spending habits while building a financially secure future and still affording a latte or two. Our busy lives are crazy enough without having to compare five hundred mutual funds ? we just want simple ways to manage our finances and save a little money.

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At first glance, it makes a lot of sense to fly. It would take me from Des Moines through Chicago to Indianapolis in about four and a half hours. Alternately, I could drive this trip and it would take eight hours. The same is (essentially) true of the return flight, as my total flying time would add up to about ten hours whereas driving time would add up to sixteen. Flying saves me six hours of travel time.

Also, I could get a round trip ticket for this route for about $130.

If I were to drive, the full round trip would put about 1,000 miles on my vehicle. Assuming it gets about 20 miles to the gallon (which is a good estimate), that would be 50 gallons of gas, which, at $3.50 per gallon, adds up to $175 right there. That doesn?t even include the maintenance costs and depreciation.

Flying is a no-brainer, right?

Not necessarily.

For starters, I am able to carpool on this trip. I have four people who will be riding with me and sharing the driving costs. Let?s say each of them contributes $40 toward gas, which is reasonable. That adds up to $160 off of the fuel cost, dropping my personal fuel cost down to $15. Of course, there?s maintenance and other expenses on top of that, but that?s a significant reduction.

Another factor is that I now have plenty of space to bring food items for the trip. I?ll be taking along breakfast and lunch foods for the entire time I?m in Indianapolis. It would be difficult to do this if I were flying, as it would require additional luggage. I would almost certainly have to check a bag to pull this off.

Bringing along my own food to cover most of the meals will save me at least $20 a day while I?m there, adding up to $100. That savings would be significantly reduced if I had to pay to check a bag.

Car travel also has the bonus of flexibility. If the group decided by consensus that it would work better for everyone to leave two hours earlier or later, then it can easily be done. Not so with a flight.

For these reasons, car travel seems like the best option for this trip. However, it?s not the best option for every trip.

What about train travel? Not only would I have to drive at least an hour to the nearest train station, there are no tickets that get me to Indianapolis in less than eleven hours each way. It?s substantially slower than car travel and, although it saves me a little bit of money, it doesn?t save me much as compared to other travel options. For this trip, given the availability of carpooling, travel by car wins out.

Here are my rules of thumb when it comes to figuring out how to travel.

Airplanes are the best option if you?re traveling alone, your trip can be planned far in advance, the distance is significant (more than a few hundred miles), and every hour is vitally important.

Trains are the best option if cost is the top factor and time is a small factor. If you don?t mind taking a long time to get there, trains can be very cheap.

Cars are the best option if you?re traveling with a small group, a bit of extra storage space is really useful, and a balance of time and money is desired.

Each trip is different, so it?s worth looking at all of the options and figuring out which one best meets your needs. I have used all three options in the past for various trips and each option has advantages and disadvantages.

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best economy-related bloggers out there. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here. To add or view a comment on a guest blog, please go to the blogger's own site by clicking on www.thesimpledollar.com.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/JJBv-P2fLH8/How-to-travel-on-the-cheap

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Filibuster fight could prompt tougher battles

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The threat by majority Democrats to change Senate rules to make confirmation easier for some nominees could open up two cans of worms that could weaken the chamber's minority party for years to come.

Exasperated by what he considers excessive Republican efforts to block some of President Barack Obama's appointments, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is threatening to use his muscle to change the rules so only simple majority votes are needed to approve top-level federal agency jobs.

Currently, opponents can thwart those appointments with filibusters. Since those delaying tactics take three-fifths majorities to end, Reid currently needs the votes of 60 of all 100 senators to push those nominations through his chamber ? a high hurdle since Reid generally controls only 54 votes, including two usually loyal independents.

If Reid prevails, that could encourage Republicans to broaden the exception whenever they recapture the Senate, experts say, perhaps also eliminating the 60-vote margin needed to end filibusters on legislation. Republicans have pointedly said would make it easier to establish a nuclear waste depository at Nevada's Yucca Mountain, which Reid has thwarted for years.

Several experts said the change would be the biggest since 1975, when the Senate reduced the threshold needed to end filibusters from 67 votes to 60.

Another issue is Democrats saying they will change the rule by a simple majority vote.

Currently, opponents of a rules change can start a filibuster that special rules say can be ended by a two-thirds majority of voting senators ? 67 if all 100 lawmakers vote.

Yet over the years, the Senate has used simple majority votes to overrule its own presiding officer and change how its rules are applied.

Combined, the two moves would make the Senate similar to the House, where the majority rules and the minority party enjoys little leverage.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/filibuster-fight-could-prompt-tougher-battles-210430941.html

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Built By Ex-Googlers, Viewfinder Is A Cross Between Photo Organization & Mobile Social Networking

New York and Seattle-based?Viewfinder?is officially debuting a?mobile application?which aims to serve as something between a photo organization utility and private social network. Built by a team of ex-Googlers and others, the app offers a way for users to start private chats, quickly share their photos with friends who can then comment on the items, un-share photos as needed, as well as efficiently search back through their photo history.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Ve4n1FLU1l8/

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Stop ... India sends its last telegram

NEW DELHI (AP) ? India's last telegram went out late Sunday, marking the end of a service that millions of Indians had relied on for fast communication for more than 160 years.

Hundreds of people thronged the 75 telegraph offices remaining in the country to send their last telegrams to friends or family as a keepsake.

The company canceled holidays for staff at the offices to handle the rush, Shameem Akhtar, general manager at the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., which runs India's telegram service, said Monday.

The company says declining revenues forced it to end the service, which had become obsolete in an age of email, reliable landlines and ubiquitous cellphones.

Some of the last-day users sent telegrams to Kapil Sibal, India's minister for telecommunications, pleading for the service to be continued.

"The losses were mounting. It was not viable to have kept it going much longer," Akhtar said. That was especially true as the number of cellphone users exploded, with 867 million subscribers as of April.

The telecommunications ministry said it lost $250 million in the last seven years and that it was time to put an end to the service.

India's telegram service began in 1850, when the first telegram was sent from the eastern city of Kolkata to Diamond Harbor, a southern suburb nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the city center.

Over the next few decades, telegraph offices proliferated, wiring the vast subcontinent with a network that became known for its speed and dependability.

At its peak in the mid-1980s, more than 45,000 telegraph offices dotted the country, with tens of thousands of telegraph workers and delivery men dispatching more than 600,000 telegrams a day. From birth and death announcements, to college admissions, job appointments and court summons, the telegram was the main way tens of millions of Indians __ in the remotest parts of the country and in its teeming cities __ received important news.

Until recently, the government used telegrams to inform recipients of top civilian awards and for court notices. India's armed forces even recognized telegrams from troops extending vacations or from soldiers' families requesting their presence at home for a funeral.

It was not immediately known what mode of communication the government will choose to replace the telegram for these types of announcements, but officials said since a lot of work was now done electronically, government departments will likely opt for email.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stop-india-sends-last-telegram-083505162.html

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London mayor says there is "no evidence" expanding Heathrow would be cheaper than building new hub

London mayor Boris Johnson has outlined his plans for a new London airport to boost the UK?s air capacity as the country falls "further and further behind" in the global aviation race: a four-runway hub on the Isle of Grain as proposed by architect Lord Foster.

Speaking at a press conference, Johnson proposed the inner estuary hub as an alternative to an expansion of Heathrow. He said the government should also consider his original pet project, an outer estuary airport designed by Gensler and dubbed "Boris Island", and an expansion of Stansted airport in Essex as other options.?

Johnson said the Isle of Grain plan has some slight advantages, situated near the London Gateway - a deepwater port and logistics hub on the north bank due to open in December - and with its potential for close links to the capital - the plan includes a new train line that would take passengers into Waterloo in 26 minutes. However, he has not yet given up on Boris island.

The London mayor has been a vocal opponent of expansion at Heathrow. He said Britain's largest airport is limited by noise, pollution and congestion and that there is "no evidence" a third or fourth runway at Heathrow would be cheaper than a new hub.

The Isle of Grain project would cost around ?65bn, would support 375,000 jobs by 2050, and eventually cater for 180m customers per year. Under current plans, the airport would open in 2029. But speaking to BBC Radio Kent, Huw Thomas of Foster and Partners said that the project could take just seven years from the first shovels in the ground to completion.

For the alternative argument on why we should expand Heathrow, here's Mark Bostock's take in City A.M.

Source: http://www.cityam.com/blog/london-mayor-says-there-no-evidence-expanding-heathrow-would-be-cheaper-building-new-hub

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