A mysterious gelatinous ball has puzzled and fascinated researchers after undersea photographer Rudolf Svensen spotted it while diving at the mouth of the Matre fjord in Hordaland, western Norway. On Oct. 1 Rudolf and his brother Erling were diving when he spotted the unusual object. "It was 50-70 centimeters in diameter and looked like a huge beach ball. It was transparent but had a kind of thick, red cord in the middle."
Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by H. G. Wells, an expert has said. Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass to emerge. The human race would peak in the year 3000, he said – before a decline due to dependence on technology.
A picture that took nine years to obtain and was almost deleted at the last minute has won the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year award. Goran Ehlme's shot of a walrus feeding on clams on the sea floor is a whirl of grey; the animal's face is seen poking through a cloud of disturbed sediment.
Singer Katie Melua has entered the record books by playing the world's deepest underwater concert. Melua and her band performed for workers on a gas rig 303 metres below sea level on the Statoil Troll oil rig in the North Sea. "This was definitely the most surreal gig I have ever done," Melua said.
The one that got away: Loch Ness Monster
(Sep 29, 2006)
Start looking into the phenomenon of the Loch Ness Monster and you cannot help but stir up controversy. Nessie is one of the most iconic symbols of Scotland and every year thousands of tourists make the trip to the banks of Loch Ness. But the question of what is, or isn't, beneath the deep mysterious waters of the loch has given rise to feuds, rivalries, forgeries and even bombings.
Discoveries of hugely diverse fish and coral species in the Indonesian archipelago have amazed researchers. The Bird's Head region in Papua may be the most biologically diverse in all the oceans, say scientists from Conservation International (CI). Among 50 species believed to be new are bottom-dwelling "walking" sharks and "flasher" wrasse, which feature colourful male courting displays.
Fairies have been dancing in the garden of a Staverton couple, according to ancient English folklore. A large fairy circle has appeared in the lawn of Tom and Sue Gaylard's home in School Lane. Mrs Gaylard, 85, said: "It amazed me. I had never heard of it or seen anything like it before and I couldn't believe it." The perfect ring of mushrooms, know as a fairy or pixie circle, first appeared about three years ago and has re-appeared annually, each time getting bigger.
