Mountain Lions in Los Angeles Are Turning Nocturnal Due to Humans Encroaching Their Habitat, Study Finds

Mountain lions in Greater Los Angeles are becoming increasingly nocturnal as a response to human recreational activities, according to a study published on November 15 in the Biological Conservation journal. The research highlights how these large predators, also known as pumas or cougars, are adapting their natural activity patterns to minimise encounters with humans who frequent their habitats for hiking, cycling, and jogging. These behavioural shifts show and highlight the challenges faced by wildlife coexisting with urban populations.

Study Reveals Shifts in Activity Patterns

The study, led by Ellie Bolas, a doctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis, analysed data collected from 22 GPS-collared mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains between 2011 and 2018. Using exercise activity data from the online platform Strava, the team compared human recreational patterns with the movements of the collared mountain lions.

The findings revealed that mountain lions in areas with higher human activity shifted their peak activity times from dawn and dusk to night. This behavioural flexibility allows the predators to avoid human presence while continuing to hunt and carry out other essential behaviours.

Broader Implications for Wildlife and Coexistence

The phenomenon of animals becoming more nocturnal to evade humans is not exclusive to mountain lions. There have been similar trends observed before globally among other mammals. Research conducted in 2019 indicated that even the sound of human voices could deter mountain lions, demonstrating the deep-seated wariness of humans among these animals due to historical persecution.

Mountain lions in urban areas like Los Angeles face additional pressures, including habitat fragmentation, wildfires and low genetic diversity. The study highlights recreational activities as a potential stressor, affecting the energy they expend on hunting and survival.

Bolas emphasised the importance of recognising these adaptations, stating that coexistence relies on the flexibility exhibited by wildlife. Despite the challenges, mountain lions continue to adjust to human activity, demonstrating resilience in shared landscapes.

 

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Blue Origin Targets November 22 for Next Space Tourism Flight NS-28

Jeff Bezos' aerospace venture, Blue Origin, has confirmed plans to launch its ninth crewed mission, NS-28, on Friday, November 22, 2024. The suborbital spaceflight will take off from the company's West Texas facility during a designated window starting at 10:30 a.m. EST. Viewers can watch the live broadcast via Blue Origin's official channels or Space.com, with coverage beginning 30 minutes before launch.

NS-28 Mission Details and Crew

The NS-28 mission will carry six passengers, including Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-educated engineer, science communicator, and author. The flight also includes Marc and Sharon Hagle, a married couple who previously flew on the NS-20 mission in March 2022. Austin Litteral, a giveaway winner sponsored by the shopping platform Whatnot, entrepreneur James (J.D.) Russell, and businessman Henry (Hank) Wolfond will complete the crew.

In conjunction with the mission, Sharon Hagle's nonprofit organisation, SpaceKids Global, has arranged an educational programme for young students. The "SpaceKids Global Press Squad," comprised of eight children aged 8 to 12, will report on the mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and receive a tour of Blue Origin's facilities.

Overview of Blue Origin's Suborbital Programme

The New Shepard rocket-capsule system will make its 28th launch during this mission, marking the ninth crewed flight for the autonomous suborbital vehicle. The trip is expected to last approximately 10 to 12 minutes, offering passengers several minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth against the vastness of space.

Although Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of its tickets, its primary competitor, Virgin Galactic, has previously announced a $600,000 price tag per seat. Virgin Galactic, however, is currently on hiatus as it develops a new fleet of Delta-class spaceplanes, anticipated to resume commercial operations in 2026.

 

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The Sabarmati Report OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?

The much-anticipated drama-thriller The Sabarmati Report, starring Vikrant Massey, premiered in cinemas on November 15, 2024. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film delves into the aftermath of the tragic Godhra Train Burning of 2002, examining the incident through the perspective of the media. The production, backed by Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films Production, has garnered attention for its gripping narrative and stellar performances. Its OTT release is expected soon, with Zee5 likely to host the film in the coming weeks.

When and Where to Watch The Sabarmati Report

The film, distributed by Zee Studios, is anticipated to make its OTT debut on Zee5. Although an exact release date has not been announced, it is expected to stream between late December 2024 and early January 2025. This timeline aligns with the industry standard of releasing films on streaming platforms 4–8 weeks after their theatrical release. Viewers are encouraged to monitor Zee5's official announcements for further updates.

Official Trailer and Plot of The Sabarmati Report

The trailer of The Sabarmati Report offers a glimpse into its emotionally charged storyline. Inspired by the Godhra Train Burning, the film portrays the loss of 59 lives in the Sabarmati Express incident and its broader societal implications. The narrative is presented through the lens of investigative journalism, highlighting the challenges faced by reporters as they navigate themes of justice, courage and societal divide. The film aims to strike a balance between historical authenticity and compelling storytelling.

Cast and Crew of The Sabarmati Report

The film boasts a diverse cast, including Vikrant Massey in the lead role, alongside Raashii Khanna, Riddhi Dogra and Barkha Singh. Supporting roles are portrayed by Nazneen Patni, Hella Stichlmair and others. Directed by Dheeraj Sarna, the film benefits from the backing of production houses Balaji Motion Pictures and Vikir Films Production.

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Apple’s AirTag 2 to Launch in 2025 With Better Chip, Privacy Improvements: Mark Gurman

Apple's AirTag 2 has been in the rumour mill for quite some time now. As we wait for Apple's official confirmation, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has claimed that the company is preparing to release its second-generation smart tracker next year. It is said to come with an updated design and a new wireless chip. Apple is expected to build some privacy improvements into its next AirTag. The company released the AirTag in April 2021. The device, which sparked privacy concerns, has not received any hardware updates since then.

Apple's AirTag 2 Is Coming in 2025

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, in this weekly Power On newsletter, claimed that Apple was gearing up to launch the AirTag 2 around the “middle of next year.” The new device, codenamed B589, is reportedly "progressed in manufacturing tests" and the iPhone maker is preparing to bring it to market.

The AirTag 2 would likely sport a similar design to the current model but reportedly offer better range and an upgraded onboard wireless chip. The current model has an Ultra-Wideband (U1) chip and the second-generation model is expected to use a U2 chip with improved connectivity,

Gurman added that Apple would bring some privacy improvements to the next-generation AirTag, including making it more difficult for someone to remove the speaker from the tracker. First-generation AirTag has had issues with privacy since its launch and has been misused for stalking. Apple's decision to adopt privacy-focussed changes for AirTag 2 will likely address those concerns. "Apple is contending with lawsuits over the device, and it's in everyone's interest to make the new model more tamper-proof," Gurman said in his newsletter.

Apple will reportedly also launch a new smart home display alongside the next-generation AirTag next year. The company is also said to release updated versions of the iPad Air, entry-level iPad, MacBook Air, Mac Pro, Mac Studio, and iPhone SE in 2025. Apple is also expected to refresh the iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook Pro lineup next year.

The first generation AirTag was released in April 2021 with a price tag of Rs. 3,190 for a single piece and Rs. 10,999 for a pack of four. It has an IP67-rated build and a built-in speaker. 

 

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Oppo Reno 13 Series Launch Date Set for November 25; Tipped to Feature MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Chipset

Oppo Reno 13 series will launch in China soon. The company has announced the launch date of the lineup in the country. It has also revealed the smartphones' design, RAM and storage configurations, and a single colourway. The series is expected to comprise a base model and a Pro variant, which will succeed the Oppo Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro, respectively. Meanwhile, one of the upcoming handsets has been spotted on a benchmarking website, giving us a look at its chipset. The global launch timeline of the lineup has also been leaked by a tipster.

Oppo Reno 13 Series Launch Date

The Oppo Reno 13 series will launch in China on November 25 at 7pm (4:30pm IST), according to a Weibo post by the company. The phones will be available in a Butterfly Purple colourway, while other colour options will likely be confirmed in the days leading up to the launch. Notably, the Oppo Pad 3 and Oppo Enco R3 Pro TWS earphones will be unveiled alongside the smartphones.

The Oppo China e-store listing for the base Oppo Reno 13 suggests that the phone will be available in five RAM and storage configurations — 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 256GB, 16GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB.

According to a post by X user @chunvn8888, the Oppo Reno 13 series will launch globally in January 2025. Previously, a leak also claimed that the Reno 13 handsets may arrive in India around that time.

Global release in Jan, powered by Dimensity 8300 on both vanila and Pro https://t.co/qfYjdPZSj0

— yawn (@chunvn8888) November 15, 2024

Oppo Reno 13 Series SoC (Expected)

Both the vanilla and Pro variants of the Oppo Reno 13 are expected to be equipped with MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipsets. Earlier leaks suggested that the Oppo Reno 13 Pro could feature a yet-to-be-released MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset.

Meanwhile, an Oppo handset with the model number PKK110, expected to be the Chinese version of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro, was spotted on Geekbench. The CPU and GPU configurations suggest that it could have the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 SoC. The phone is said to support 16GB of RAM and run on Android 15.

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iQOO Neo 10 Pro Confirmed Launch in China on November 29; Will Feature MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Chipset

iQOO Neo 10 series is expected to make its debut in China this month, with two models set to be introduced: iQOO Neo 10 and iQOO Neo 10 Pro. Ahead of the anticipated launch, the company has revealed details about the processor which powers the Pro model. The SoC is confirmed to be a flagship chipset sourced from MediaTek, built on TSMC's fabrication process. The launch date of the purported series has also been confirmed, in addition to its colourways and pre-order offers.

iQOO Neo 10 Series Launch Date

In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, iQOO announced that its latest smartphones, the iQOO Neo 10 series, will debut in China on November 29 at 4 pm local time (approximately 3:30 am IST). The lineup will launch in three colourways: black, orange, and white.

According to the Chinese smartphone maker, prospective buyers can pre-reserve the smartphone series at CNY 2267 (roughly Rs. 26,000). They will be offered additional benefits, such as a Bluetooth speaker, customised tempered glass, and better trade-in offers.

iQOO Neo 10 Pro Chipset (Confirmed)

iQOO Neo 10 Pro is confirmed to be powered by the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, which also powers the Vivo X200 series. The processor features eight cores, comprising a single Arm Cortex-X925 prime core, three Arm Cortex-X4 mid-cores, and four Arm Cortex-A720 efficiency cores. It has support for LPDDR5X RAM and the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) features.

The SoC will be paired with an independent Q2 supercomputing chip. The company boasts that its upcoming smartphone will utilise a blue crystal chip technology stack, which is claimed to deliver high performance with low power consumption.

Further, it will also be equipped with Blue Volt technology for longer endurance and faster charging. iQOO Neo 10 Pro will leverage AI features courtesy of the BlueLM AI model.

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Realme GT 7 Pro to Launch in India With a Smaller 5,800mAh Battery Compared to China Variant

Realme GT 7 Pro is confirmed to launch in India on November 26, weeks after its debut in China. Ahead of the official launch, the company has teased the upcoming handset's battery capacity and charging speed. As per the details shared on social media, the Realme GT 7 Pro will launch with a smaller battery compared to the model launched in China. Notably, the smartphone maker recently confirmed other details about the handset, such as its chipset, build and camera specifications.

Realme GT 7 Pro Battery Capacity

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Realme India detailed the battery specifications of the upcoming Realme GT 7 Pro. It is confirmed to launch in India with a 5,800mAh battery. Meanwhile, the handset's China variant is equipped with a 6,500mAh battery, translating into a difference of approximately 700mAh.

Say goodbye to battery anxiety!

120W SUPERVOOC charging + 5800mAh mega battery = All-day power that keeps up with your lifestyle. #realmeGT7Pro

Know more:https://t.co/4o7hvqbnKb https://t.co/5jeSo3hvgZ#DarkHorseofAI #GT7ProFirst8EliteFlagship

— realme (@realmeIndia) November 16, 2024

This revelation suggests that there might be slight differentiation in terms of specifications between both models.

On the other hand, the Indian variant of the Realme GT 7 Pro will still feature 120W SuperVOOC fast charging support, similar to its Chinese counterpart.

Realme GT 7 Pro Specifications (Confirmed)

Realme GT 7 Pro is confirmed to be India's first smartphone to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It is said to have an AnTuTu benchmark score of over 30,00,000. For optics, the upcoming handset will sport a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 50-megapixel Sony IMX906 primary sensor, a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and 120x digital zoom, and an 8-megapixel wide-angle shooter.

The company claims Realme GT 7 Pro will support underwater photography with a dedicated mode, courtesy of its IP69-rated build which helps it withstand depths of up to 2 metres for 30 minutes. It also gets a sonic water-draining speaker that ensures no water is retained.

Other confirmed features of the smartphone include Live Photo Capture, AI Snap Mode, and an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

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