Michelle Mueni
Stories (3/0)
Floods in Libya After 8 months of rain wait
The narrative opens with another tragic natural catastrophe striking North Africa, occurring mere days after the devastating earthquake that rocked Morocco. Libya now faces a significant crisis in the form of severe flooding, resulting in the destruction of major villages and reportedly claiming the lives of thousands. Video footage from the region vividly illustrates the aftermath: buildings reduced to rubble, cars submerged, and torrents of water inundating the streets. Libyan authorities, including the National Army and health officials, report a death toll of over 2,000 people, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 individuals missing. However, the accuracy of these figures remains challenging to verify due to numerous areas still being inaccessible and without communication infrastructure. Among the worst-affected areas is the city of Derna, which suffered the most. Two bridges collapsed, three others were destroyed, and phone lines remain non-functional. The storm system unleashed approximately eight months' worth of rainfall in a single day, compounding the already catastrophic situation. Just last week, Greece experienced similarly devastating flooding, with images depicting the sheer scale of destruction.
By Michelle Mueni7 months ago in Humans
How Baby Sharks survive in a dangerous world
Sharks, despite being formidable predators known for their size and speed, exhibit surprising vulnerability during their first year of life. To survive, they display remarkable adaptability, including the ability to move out of water, inhabit rivers, and even cannibalize their siblings in their struggle to survive as baby sharks. Sharks have evolved over a staggering 450 million years into fearsome hunters of the seas, like the great white shark, capable of leaping 10 feet into the air, or the Mako shark, reaching speeds exceeding 45 miles per hour. However, their journey starts with them being preyed upon, with around 80 percent of some shark species failing to reach adulthood. Adult sharks do not provide any care to their offspring, treating baby sharks as just another item on their menu. Consequently, some pregnant sharks, like the one shown in the video, migrate to shallow waters to give birth, where larger predators can't access them. The precise locations where sharks are born remain mostly mysterious, making footage of a shark birth extremely rare.
By Michelle Mueni7 months ago in Earth
Debunked Myths about the brain
The notion that we only use 10% of our brains is a pervasive myth, but it's far from accurate. In reality, we utilize our entire brain, albeit not all at once. This misconception can be traced back to the early 1800s when researchers were trying to understand why injuries to different parts of the brain led to specific disabilities. Some psychologists proposed the idea that we only employ about 10% of our brains, suggesting that smarter individuals used more of their brains. However, modern neuroscience and advanced imaging techniques like PET MRI and functional MRI have debunked this myth. These technologies allow us to observe the brain in action and have revealed that various brain regions serve distinct functions.
By Michelle Mueni7 months ago in Education