Me. I'm a mad scientist.

(Paul Noth cartoons)

🦈Four shark attacks have now been recorded off NSW beaches in 48 hours, with authorities closing more than 20 beaches. A man surfing at Point Plomer is reported to have only minor injuries after a shark bit through his board, following a series of attacks that left a man and a 12-year-old boy in critical condition. An 11 year old also had his board bitten by a shark at Dee Why.

In response to the attacks, Dr Rebecca Olive from RMIT University says, "Shark encounters are an unavoidable possibility of using oceans for leisure and recreation."

But what can we do to avoid future incidences?

Professor Culum Brown from Macquarie University explains that we can "First, avoid swimming on your own - this is a general rule for safe swimming, but it equally applies to sharks. If someone gets bitten, you need to seek help as fast as possible.

Second, avoid swimming at dawn and dusk - this tends to be a time when sharks are more active.

Third, don't swim after heavy rainfall, especially in and around estuaries. Sharks, especially bulls, are drawn to freshwater flushes to feed on fish and dead animals as they drift down from rivers. Analysis of bull shark catches close to shore always shows an effect of rainfall.

Fourth, don't swim in murky water (also associated with high rainfall). Sharks' vision for finding prey will be impeded, and they will be attracted to disturbances in the water. They are more likely to accidentally bite a person, thinking it is prey (sharks do not eat people)."

Professor Jodie Rummer from James Cook University says that it's important to note "First and foremost, any injury in the ocean is confronting, and it is important to approach this conversation with care and respect for those affected by these very serious shark-human interactions. It is also important to frame these as shark-human interactions rather than deliberate attacks. Sharks do not target people."

Read the full comments, and more (including those from The University of Adelaide and Swinburne University of Technology), on Scimex.

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https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/expert-reaction-four-shark-attacks-off-nsw-beaches

#science #sciencenews #research #stem #facts #knowledge #sciencefacts #shark #sharkattack

Hello aus.social members

A quick reminder that the Code of Conduct encourages using Content Warnings (CW) and/or appropriate hashtags when posting about political matters such as party and electoral politics. This includes posting memes or reacting to current events. Suggested hashtags/CWs are things like Auspol, USpol.

Using CWs and hashtags enables people to choose to engage with or filter out posts. Hashtags will also help others who want to talk about these topics find your posts. Occassionally we'll ask members to take into consideration events or topics that can be contentious, or when a flood of posts can become a burden on others.

Australia Day is always a contentious topic/day, and posts referencing it should always be hashtagged or behind a CW. With rallys being promoted for this Australia Day, by people who are pushing racist agendas, it is even more essential that you use CWs and/or a hashtag this year.

As you are aware, First Nations people are often subject to increased racist abuse and cultural burdens in the lead up to that public holiday. So please carefully consider what you post, boost or quote. Many First Nations people instead acknowledge that day as Survival Day or Invasion Day. Please consider carefully before you use those hashtags if you aren't Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, because they probably don't need to see your outsider opinions about a day of memorial for them. It's heavily suggested that you instead use CWs.

Lastly, a reminder that racism is not tolerated on Aus.Social, and is against CoC. Be kind, and never punch down.

Thanks,
Aus social mods

What to take when you leave. Evacuation planning from those who know.

#bushfire #victoria

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/19/you-cant-think-straight-lessons-from-six-households-who-evacuated-before-the-harcourt-bushfire?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other