🦅 California Birds Bounce Back & Dogs Can Smell Cancer
Our All Animal Edition brings you condors, kittens, and more...
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🐣 Thousands Watch Eagle Couple Incubate Eggs on Cam
High in the mountains of Southern California, Big Bear Lake is home to perhaps the most closely-watched bald eagle nest in the world, broadcast 24/7 online. Jackie and Shadow, the region’s famous eagle pair, have once again laid three eggs. Their towering nest is perched 145 feet up in a pine tree and is a symbol of resilience, especially after a year of devastating wildfires across the state. Californian nature lovers can now turn their attention to something hopeful: the countdown to "pip watch" from March 1 to 7, when the first signs of hatching appear.
Jackie and Shadow remain steadfast despite multiple seasons of lost clutches in recent years — braving freezing temperatures, low oxygen levels, and nest incursions. Some visitors such as Fiona the flying squirrel are just a temporary nuisance, while opportunistic birds like ravens can mean the end to their eggs.
The eagles protect the eggs by taking turns incubating, aerating the nest, and using their bodies to shield against snow and rain. As the days pass and anticipation builds, Jackie and Shadow’s journey is a reminder of nature’s perseverance. With hatch day expected in about 22 to 24 days, our eyes are on Big Bear Lake. 🤞
🦉 Condors Make Soaring Comeback
The California condor, once on the brink of extinction, is soaring again over North America’s rugged landscapes. With its nearly 10-foot wingspan, this majestic scavenger has returned to the wild, thanks to decades of dedicated conservation efforts.
This extraordinary comeback was made possible by a bold and controversial strategy: bringing the last wild condors into captivity to breed them for reintroduction. Though it seemed like a desperate measure, the effort paid off, with the first captive-bred condors taking flight in the early 1990s. Innovations in artificial incubation have helped boost their numbers, allowing more condors to be released into the wild.
Despite the clear victories for this species, there are still many challenges. These include dangers introduced by humans, such as lead poisoning from bullet fragments in carcasses that the condors scavenge from. But with a growing wild population and serious efforts to protect their habitat, the dream of a self-sustaining California condor population is closer than ever.
And, let’s face it — who wants to babysit condors forever? 😉
🐱 We’ve Served Up 18K+ Videos — With Lots of Cats
We’ve now delivered over 18,000 videos on StickTock.com, proving that privacy-respecting, censorship-free access to short videos is possible. Many of our anonymous visitors are loading funny and cute clips of pets — including a LOT of cats and kittens.
It’s no surprise that cats dominate our corner of the Internet, and StickTock.com is just one way you can share feline antics. You can post your pets on our PrivacySafe Social community and reach thousands of servers and millions of users, or send your friend a link to an anonymous note with our app PrivacySafe Link. Curiosity doesn’t have to… well, you know the rest. 🐈
🐶 Dog Noses Detect Cancer Early
Dogs aren’t just loyal companions — they’re revolutionizing cancer detection. In a groundbreaking study, specially trained pups showed they could sniff out bladder cancer in canines with up to 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity. In some cases, their noses are proving to be as powerful as high-tech diagnostics, offering a fast and non-invasive way to detect disease early.
Bladder cancer in dogs is often misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other urinary issues, making early detection crucial. Traditional tests can be invasive, expensive, and slow, but these super-sniffers provide a promising alternative.
This research builds on existing evidence of dogs detecting cancer in humans, hinting at a future where "electronic noses" could replicate their life-saving abilities. Scientists hope these findings will lead to more accessible and affordable diagnostic tools for both pets and people.
🐕 We Say Goodbye to Christopher, Our Aussie Chow
Our team has some sad news: the passing of our beloved pet and companion Christopher, a dog who is known by many of our readers and always made friends wherever he went. Christopher was a furry and fantastic doggo, a black-haired mix of Australian shepherd and chow chow with the best features of both breeds. From his fuzzy mane to his magnificent curled tail, he was a big teddy bear with a heart to match. Christopher fought a long battle with cancer and was a good boy even at the bitter end.
Christopher lived to the ripe old dog age of 16, arriving in our lives from a rescue shelter in Georgia about a decade ago. He was well-trained, loved peanut butter sandwiches, and had a happy growl that sounded like Chewbacca.
Christopher would want to see other animals happy and healthy. If you would like to honor his memory, consider donating to the Labelle Foundation’s emergency relief fund for pets affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. And don’t forget to spend a little extra time with your animal buddies today and give them a special treat. 💗
🙏 Thank You For Reading!
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Bits On Tape™ is a twice-weekly replay of science & technology stories by cyber experts. These bits are put to screen by Sean O’Brien, leading voice behind privacy and cybersecurity at Yale Law School and founder of Yale Privacy Lab, and edited by Cherise Labonte, science researcher and licensed Registered Nurse.
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