In a new research carried out by Binghamton University, the scientists discovered a scuba-diving tropical lizard called the&nbsp;Anolis aquaticus, which can breathe underwater and release special bubbles through its nostrils that cling to its head.

In the observational study published in&nbsp;Biology Letters, senior author Lindsey Swierk stated that water anoles&nbsp;have been well-documented.&nbsp;

“We know that they can stay underwater for a really long time, that they’re pulling oxygen from this bubble of air,” said Swierk.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/26000-year-old-human-animal-footprints-unearthed-in-spain-it-once-was-a-settlement-of-757071">26,000-year-old human, animal footprints unearthed in Spain. It once was a settlement of...</a>

“We didn’t know whether there was actually any functional role for this bubble in respiration. Is it something that lizards do that is just a side effect of their skin’s properties or a respiratory reflex, or is this bubble actually allowing them to stay underwater longer than they would, say, without a bubble?" she added.

<h2>Here's how researchers discovered tropical lizards</h2>

Swierk explained how an experiment was carried out to understand the intriguing mechanism of the tropical lizards.

She said that the anoles are “kind of like the chicken nuggets of the forest.”&nbsp;

The water anoles need to avoid the danger that comes from the skies and the ground. For this, they need to develop an impressive strategy which allows them to push themselves in the water till the time there is no threat.

In a press release, Swierk said that camouflaged water anole is able to hide underwater with the help of air bubbles.

Swierk has not been able to confirm if the bubble was a by-product of a respiratory function or if the lizards can breathe underwater.&nbsp;

Emollient&nbsp;was applied to the skin of the lizard to stop the bubble from sticking to its head to understand the role of this air bubble.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/namibia-to-cull-over-700-elephants-hippos-and-other-animals-for-meat-heres-why-754340">Namibia to cull over 700 elephants, hippos and other animals for meat. Here's why</a>

“Lizard skin is hydrophobic. Typically, that allows air to stick very tightly to the skin and permits this bubble to form. But when you cover the skin with an emollient, air no longer sticks to the skin surface, so the bubbles can’t form,” said Swierk.

“This is really significant because this is the first experiment that truly shows the adaptive significance of bubbles. Rebreathing bubbles allow&nbsp;lizards&nbsp;to stay underwater longer. Before, we suspected it – we saw a pattern – but we didn’t actually test if it served a functional role,” she added.

The study further stated that air bubbles help the reptile stay underwater for a longer duration.&nbsp;

"Anoles are kind of like the chicken nuggets of the forest. Birds eat them, snakes eat them. So by jumping in the water, they can escape a lot of their predators, and they remain very still underwater. They're pretty well camouflaged underwater as well, and they just stay underwater until that danger passes. We know that they can stay underwater at least about 20 minutes, but probably longer," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new research carried out by Binghamton University, the scientists discovered a scuba-diving tropical lizard called the Anolis aquaticus, which can breathe underwater and release special bubbles through its nostrils that cling to its head.

In a new research carried out by Binghamton University, the scientists discovered a scuba-diving tropical lizard called the Anolis aquaticus, which can breathe underwater and release special bubbles through its nostrils that cling to its head. In the observational study published in Biology Letters, senior author Lindsey Swierk stated that water anoles have been well-documented. “We know that they can stay underwater for a really long time, that they’re pulling oxygen from this bubble of air,” said Swierk. Also Read: 26,000-year-old human, animal footprints unearthed in Spain. It once was a settlement of... “We didn’t know whether there was actually any functional role for this bubble in respiration. Is it something that lizards do that is just a side effect of their skin’s properties or a respiratory reflex, or is this bubble actually allowing them to stay underwater longer than they would, say, without a bubble?" she added. Here's how researchers discovered tropical lizards Swierk explained how an experiment was carried out to understand the intriguing mechanism of the tropical lizards. She said that the anoles are “kind of like the chicken nuggets of the forest.” The water anoles need to avoid the danger that comes from the skies and the ground. For this, they need to develop an impressive strategy which allows them to push themselves in the water till the time there is no threat. In a press release, Swierk said that camouflaged water anole is able to hide underwater with the help of air bubbles. Swierk has not been able to confirm if the bubble was a by-product of a respiratory function or if the lizards can breathe underwater. Emollient was applied to the skin of the lizard to stop the bubble from sticking to its head to understand the role of this air bubble. Also Read: Namibia to cull over 700 elephants, hippos and other animals for meat. Here's why “Lizard skin is hydrophobic. Typically, that allows air to stick very tightly to the skin and permits this bubble to form. But when you cover the skin with an emollient, air no longer sticks to the skin surface, so the bubbles can’t form,” said Swierk. “This is really significant because this is the first experiment that truly shows the adaptive significance of bubbles. Rebreathing bubbles allow lizards to stay underwater longer. Before, we suspected it – we saw a pattern – but we didn’t actually test if it served a functional role,” she added. The study further stated that air bubbles help the reptile stay underwater for a longer duration. "Anoles are kind of like the chicken nuggets of the forest. Birds eat them, snakes eat them. So by jumping in the water, they can escape a lot of their predators, and they remain very still underwater. They're pretty well camouflaged underwater as well, and they just stay underwater until that danger passes. We know that they can stay underwater at least about 20 minutes, but probably longer," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

US has scuba-diving tropical lizards that breathe underwater, release bubbles through nostrils

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned on Tuesday that the promotion of new productive forces as growth catalysts must not give rise to economic bubbles or unfettered expansion as Beijing seeks to build momentum in solidifying the nation’s recovery.

Xi Jinping: China must avoid economic bubbles

A COVID-19 modeller has suggested that New Zealand’s North and South islands could become separate bubbles.

New Zealand's virus-free run since February ended last week as a Delta variant outbreak erupted in Auckland. It quickly spread to the capital Wellington.

Auckland, the largest city, where the majority of cases have been detected, will remain in lockdown until the end of the month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boko-haram-attack-kills-16-soldiers-in-southern-niger-408545">Also read |&nbsp;Boko Haram attack kills 16 soldiers in southern Niger</a>

COVID-19 modeller at the University of Auckland, Shaun Hendy, while speaking to TVNZ said, "I think at this stage, a North Island and South Island split is probably what we’d be looking at".&nbsp;

Hendy further said that in order for the alert levels to drop in the South Island, any wastewater tests would need to come back clear.

Wellington would still need to be cautious, given the 12 positive cases there, Hendy said.

A COVID-19 modeller has suggested that New Zealand’s North and South islands could become separate bubbles. New Zealand's virus-free run since February ended last week as a Delta variant outbreak erupted in Auckland.

A COVID-19 modeller has suggested that New Zealand’s North and South islands could become separate bubbles. New Zealand's virus-free run since February ended last week as a Delta variant outbreak erupted in Auckland. It quickly spread to the capital Wellington. Auckland, the largest city, where the majority of cases have been detected, will remain in lockdown until the end of the month. Also read | Boko Haram attack kills 16 soldiers in southern Niger COVID-19 modeller at the University of Auckland, Shaun Hendy, while speaking to TVNZ said, "I think at this stage, a North Island and South Island split is probably what we’d be looking at". Hendy further said that in order for the alert levels to drop in the South Island, any wastewater tests would need to come back clear. Wellington would still need to be cautious, given the 12 positive cases there, Hendy said.

New Zealand could be split into North and South Island bubbles amid a surge in cases

Authors: Co-Pierre Georg and Qobolwakhe Dube*

With the price of a bitcoin reaching record highs of more than $10,000, more and more ordinary people consider investing in the cryptocurrency. The recent price surge, however, comes with tremendous risks. Investors should be prepared for the possibility that they could lose their entire investment.

Bitcoin was launched in 2008 by an anonymous author under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto as a means of transacting among participants without the need for intermediaries. Since the beginning of this year, the price of bitcoin has increased by 1300 per cent as more and more consumers flock to it hoping to profit off its increasing popularity and the associated increase in value.

Cryptocurrencies are not currencies at all. As the Financial Times explains, bitcoin is a string of computer codes which means that new bitcoins can be created &ndash; up to an agreed limit &ndash; by computers that gain the right to do so by solving complex puzzles. Transactions are recorded in a database called a blockchain.

Bitcoin, like other assets like gold, doesn&rsquo;t yield income. You have to sell it to realise any value. And, like gold and other currencies, it can be transferred peer-to-peer.

Part of the nervousness about bitcoin is that, along with other cryptocurrencies, it challenges the traditional role of banks and central banks. In the classical world, banks act as intermediaries by providing loans out of the deposits they took and from funding from the central bank. The central bank uses the rate at which it provides this funding as a lever to ensure price stability. The introduction of cryptocurrencies threatens this model because banks are no longer necessary to intermediate funds and there is no central bank to ensure that prices are stable.

The more immediate fears about bitcoin center on the recent dramatic rise in its value. There&rsquo;s nervousness in the market that a flash crash might be imminent after the cryptocurrency tumble by more than $1,300 in minutes on the bitcoin exchange Bitfinex. It did recover to levels above $10,800.

The flash crash echoes long-standing warnings that the bitcoin party is set to end in tears. Most recently Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, one of the world&rsquo;s largest investment banks declared that he would fire any employee trading bitcoin for being stupid.

In a highly unusual alliance, his words were echoed by economics Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, who has gone even further arguing that bitcoin ought to be outlawed.

All of these are clear warning signs that the professionals do not trust the lofty promises of crypto enthusiasts.

The blockchain factor

There is no doubt that Bitcoin &ndash; and in particular blockchain, the technology behind it &ndash; has the potential to revolutionise the financial services industry.

A blockchain functions as a transparent and incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions, recorded in chronological order, that operates on a peer-to-peer network.

Fundamentally, the technology allows an exchange of value to occur in an environment of peers with conflicting interests without the need for trusted intermediaries. That, in effect, wipes out the need for banks or financial services companies which fulfil this role.

The use of the technology is not limited to financial transactions. Virtually anything of value can be traded on a blockchain.

But no matter how useful the underlying blockchain technology is, or how widely it can be applied, there are real and substantial risks involved in bitcoin.

Volatility versus returns

The first and most significant risk is that compared to any currency, share, or gold, bitcoin is extremely volatile. The volatility of bitcoin to US dollar is almost six times the volatility of the Rand to US dollar. While this is great in good times, it is potentially devastating for investors in bad times.

When professional investors decide on which assets to hold, they look at both the return and the volatility of the asset. Only investors with a healthy appetite for risk are willing to invest in risky, volatile assets. Usually these are finance professionals, for example in large investment banks or hedge funds.

Investors with a lower risk appetite, such as asset managers or pension funds, prefer assets with a somewhat lower return, but which are less volatile.

The rule of thumb is that the sophistication of an investor increases with the volatility of the asset she invests in. But with bitcoin, this rule of thumb doesn&rsquo;t hold true. More and more private investors have been flocking to bitcoin &lsquo;exchanges&rsquo; that have sprung up all over the internet and that are aggressively advertised on social media.

Overvalued

There is a huge risk that bitcoin is already overvalued.

The practical use cases for bitcoin are limited. It doesn&rsquo;t enable enough transactions to take place per second to be used as a replacement for a modern payment system. And it doesn&rsquo;t offer any functionality other than pseudonymous transactions &ndash; transactions where the true identity of the counterparties is hidden.

Bitcoin is favoured by pyramid schemes, including the infamous MMM pyramid scheme in Nigeria. In a recent article, the Financial Times called bitcoin itself a pyramid scheme, much to the dismay of crypto enthusiasts. (A pyramid scheme is usually an illegal operation in which participants pay to join and profit mainly from payments made by subsequent participants. If no new people come in, it collapses.)

Regulatory risk

The third, and possibly biggest risk is regulatory. In September 2017, the Chinese government outlawed bitcoin exchanges in mainland China, sending the price of bitcoin tumbling.

Despite the claim that bitcoin is a &ldquo;global currency&rdquo;, the reality is that 58 per cent of all bitcoin mining happens in China. If at any point the Chinese government should decide to make Bitcoin mining illegal the price is likely to plunge into oblivion.

Other countries have also voiced concern. The Russian Central Bank recently issued a warning to investors on the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies, citing concerns about a bubble. This suggests that there might be a concerted crackdown.

Cryptocurrencies are banned in India as their use is a violation of foreign exchange rules. The Australian Reserve Bank has taken a different approach. It monitors the cryptocurrency market in a bid understands the underlying technology.

The South African Reserve Bank has expressed its openness to blockchain technologies. But it has also highlighted potential risks to consumers.

A classic bubble

There are real risks that many consumers investing in cryptocurrency don&rsquo;t fully understand. Advertisements promise that bitcoin can make you rich fast. And social media is alive with stories about friends of neighbours or distant cousins who have made a lot of money through bitcoin.

Without a doubt, these cases are real, and those who invested early can reap large benefits. But this is true in every bubble &ndash; from the dotcom bubble to the tulip mania. It&rsquo;s also true in every pyramid scheme.

As always, investors should be extremely wary with any scheme that promises quick returns.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/bitcoin-is-a-highly-speculative-investment-why-caution-is-required-88440" rel="nofollow">original article</a>.

Qobolwakhe Dube: A PhD student at the African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk Management at University of Cape Town.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

The astronomic rise of the price of bitcoin over the past 12 months raises fears that the cryptocurrency is set to crash which could see many people lose money

Authors: Co-Pierre Georg and Qobolwakhe Dube* With the price of a bitcoin reaching record highs of more than $10,000, more and more ordinary people consider investing in the cryptocurrency. The recent price surge, however, comes with tremendous risks. Investors should be prepared for the possibility that they could lose their entire investment. Bitcoin was launched in 2008 by an anonymous author under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto as a means of transacting among participants without the need for intermediaries. Since the beginning of this year, the price of bitcoin has increased by 1300 per cent as more and more consumers flock to it hoping to profit off its increasing popularity and the associated increase in value. Cryptocurrencies are not currencies at all. As the Financial Times explains, bitcoin is a string of computer codes which means that new bitcoins can be created – up to an agreed limit – by computers that gain the right to do so by solving complex puzzles. Transactions are recorded in a database called a blockchain. Bitcoin, like other assets like gold, doesn’t yield income. You have to sell it to realise any value. And, like gold and other currencies, it can be transferred peer-to-peer. Part of the nervousness about bitcoin is that, along with other cryptocurrencies, it challenges the traditional role of banks and central banks. In the classical world, banks act as intermediaries by providing loans out of the deposits they took and from funding from the central bank. The central bank uses the rate at which it provides this funding as a lever to ensure price stability. The introduction of cryptocurrencies threatens this model because banks are no longer necessary to intermediate funds and there is no central bank to ensure that prices are stable. The more immediate fears about bitcoin center on the recent dramatic rise in its value. There’s nervousness in the market that a flash crash might be imminent after the cryptocurrency tumble by more than $1,300 in minutes on the bitcoin exchange Bitfinex. It did recover to levels above $10,800. The flash crash echoes long-standing warnings that the bitcoin party is set to end in tears. Most recently Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, one of the world’s largest investment banks declared that he would fire any employee trading bitcoin for being stupid. In a highly unusual alliance, his words were echoed by economics Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz, who has gone even further arguing that bitcoin ought to be outlawed. All of these are clear warning signs that the professionals do not trust the lofty promises of crypto enthusiasts. The blockchain factor There is no doubt that Bitcoin – and in particular blockchain, the technology behind it – has the potential to revolutionise the financial services industry. A blockchain functions as a transparent and incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions, recorded in chronological order, that operates on a peer-to-peer network. Fundamentally, the technology allows an exchange of value to occur in an environment of peers with conflicting interests without the need for trusted intermediaries. That, in effect, wipes out the need for banks or financial services companies which fulfil this role. The use of the technology is not limited to financial transactions. Virtually anything of value can be traded on a blockchain. But no matter how useful the underlying blockchain technology is, or how widely it can be applied, there are real and substantial risks involved in bitcoin. Volatility versus returns The first and most significant risk is that compared to any currency, share, or gold, bitcoin is extremely volatile. The volatility of bitcoin to US dollar is almost six times the volatility of the Rand to US dollar. While this is great in good times, it is potentially devastating for investors in bad times. When professional investors decide on which assets to hold, they look at both the return and the volatility of the asset. Only investors with a healthy appetite for risk are willing to invest in risky, volatile assets. Usually these are finance professionals, for example in large investment banks or hedge funds. Investors with a lower risk appetite, such as asset managers or pension funds, prefer assets with a somewhat lower return, but which are less volatile. The rule of thumb is that the sophistication of an investor increases with the volatility of the asset she invests in. But with bitcoin, this rule of thumb doesn’t hold true. More and more private investors have been flocking to bitcoin ‘exchanges’ that have sprung up all over the internet and that are aggressively advertised on social media. Overvalued There is a huge risk that bitcoin is already overvalued. The practical use cases for bitcoin are limited. It doesn’t enable enough transactions to take place per second to be used as a replacement for a modern payment system. And it doesn’t offer any functionality other than pseudonymous transactions – transactions where the true identity of the counterparties is hidden. Bitcoin is favoured by pyramid schemes, including the infamous MMM pyramid scheme in Nigeria. In a recent article, the Financial Times called bitcoin itself a pyramid scheme, much to the dismay of crypto enthusiasts. (A pyramid scheme is usually an illegal operation in which participants pay to join and profit mainly from payments made by subsequent participants. If no new people come in, it collapses.) Regulatory risk The third, and possibly biggest risk is regulatory. In September 2017, the Chinese government outlawed bitcoin exchanges in mainland China, sending the price of bitcoin tumbling. Despite the claim that bitcoin is a “global currency”, the reality is that 58 per cent of all bitcoin mining happens in China. If at any point the Chinese government should decide to make Bitcoin mining illegal the price is likely to plunge into oblivion. Other countries have also voiced concern. The Russian Central Bank recently issued a warning to investors on the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies, citing concerns about a bubble. This suggests that there might be a concerted crackdown. Cryptocurrencies are banned in India as their use is a violation of foreign exchange rules. The Australian Reserve Bank has taken a different approach. It monitors the cryptocurrency market in a bid understands the underlying technology. The South African Reserve Bank has expressed its openness to blockchain technologies. But it has also highlighted potential risks to consumers. A classic bubble There are real risks that many consumers investing in cryptocurrency don’t fully understand. Advertisements promise that bitcoin can make you rich fast. And social media is alive with stories about friends of neighbours or distant cousins who have made a lot of money through bitcoin. Without a doubt, these cases are real, and those who invested early can reap large benefits. But this is true in every bubble – from the dotcom bubble to the tulip mania. It’s also true in every pyramid scheme. As always, investors should be extremely wary with any scheme that promises quick returns. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Qobolwakhe Dube: A PhD student at the African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk Management at University of Cape Town. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Bitcoin is a highly speculative investment. Why caution is required

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