Daily we hear of the damage humans inflict on nature. Climate change, desertification, over-fishing and pollution to name a few. Sometimes, however, a drop of good news contrasts with the bucket of bad. And this week brings us two stories about the persistence of wildlife, against all the odds.
In the US a new species of frog has been discovered, not in some rural backwater but right in New York City, that prime icon of urbanism. And in this country, an implausible fish that walks on land and breathes air, last seen in the UAE 35 years ago, has been spotted again.
Walton's mudskipper, a pop-eyed predator, likes the edges of coastal lagoons, The National reports today, and its reappearance puzzles naturalists because that's just the sort of environment that has been dredged, developed and otherwise "improved" in so many places.
Meanwhile the Rutgers University doctoral candidate who found the new frog in New York's Staten Island borough has received confirmation that it is distinct from its cousins, leopard frogs. That any species could survive undetected in such a place is a true mystery of nature.
To be sure, happy little stories like these are consistently overwhelmed by news of looming extinctions and environmental degradation. But heartening reports can induce us all to marvel at, respect, and encourage the diversity and persistence of life.
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.