Technologies

Scientists in disbelief over discovery of world’s largest fish-breeding area

Researchers estimate 60 million icefish are hanging out in one ocean region of Antarctica.

Antarctica’s hottest club is on the floor of the Weddell Sea, where all the cool icefish hang out. About 60 million of them. And they’re there for a primal reason: making more icefish.

The Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) of the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Germany announced the discovery of the world’s largest known fish breeding area in a statement on Thursday. A team aboard the research vessel Polarstern found the mind-bogglingly massive icefish breeding colony while surveying the seabed with a camera system in February 2021.

The Polarstern footage showed a seemingly endless expanse of icefish (Neopagetopsis ionah) nests. AWI described a sense of growing excitement and finally disbelief as the nests kept appearing. The researchers calculated an extent of 93 square miles (240 square kilometers) and an estimated population of 60 million fish.

The team published its findings in the journal Current Biology this week, describing the colony as having a «globally unprecedented extent.»

«The idea that such a huge breeding area of icefish in the Weddell Sea was previously undiscovered is totally fascinating,» said AWI biologist Autun Purser, lead author of the study.

Each nest can contain 1,500 to 2,500 eggs guarded by an adult fish. Images and video from the seafloor show the distinctive round nests with their guardians in attendance. Using data from trackers, the researchers found the icefish colony is also a popular destination for seals that are likely making snacks of the residents.

The researchers are urging the establishment of a regional marine protected area in Antarctica to prevent fishing or invasive research and preserve the extraordinary habitat.

Said AWI director Antje Boetius, who was not directly involved in the study, «So far, the remoteness and difficult sea ice conditions of this southernmost area of the Weddell Sea have protected the area, but with the increasing pressures on the ocean and polar regions, we should be much more ambitious with marine conservation.»

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Oct. 26

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 26.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I thought 4-Down was a bit tricky, but read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Rubber ducky’s «habitat»
Answer: BATH

5A clue: Coin in Cannes
Answer: EURO

6A clue: Go «Grrrr …»
Answer: GROWL

8A clue: «The other thing I wanted to say …»
Answer: ALSO

9A clue: Street sign in a school zone
Answer: SLOW

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Plead
Answer: BEG

2D clue: Vibes, in Gen Z speak
Answer: AURAS

3D clue: Social media menace
Answer: TROLL

4D clue: «Oh, yeah? Explain that to me»
Answer: HOWSO

7D clue: Like a phone battery under 20%
Answer: LOW

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 26, #398

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 26, No. 398.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one. That purple category — oof, it’s a typical Connections brain-buster. If you’re struggling but still want to solve the puzzle, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Bunch of players.

Green group hint: College division.

Blue group hint: Knock it out of the park.

Purple group hint: You’ll find a hidden word in these four team names.