Wired Science reports that in the journal Animal Behavior, a study suggests individual sperm whales may have discrete individual identifiers within their call. In non-technical terms this means they can identify each other by their calls. Luke Rendell of St. Andrew’s University, Scotland said:

“The findings are preliminary, based on observations of just three whales, so talk of names is still speculation. But it’s very suggestive,” and he goes on to say, “they seem to make that coda in a way that’s individually distinctive.”

The study looked at the click sequences, or codas, used by sperm whales to communicate across miles of deep ocean. In these sequences is a group of five consecutive clicks called 5R, and these seem superficially to be identical in each whale. Analyzed closely, however, variations in click timing emerge and in the study group, each of the researchers’ whales had its own personal 5R riff. (Image by Tony Wu)

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Job opportunity: Gates Underwater Products are seeking a CNC machinist to join the company. The successful applicant will be machining housings and parts for Gates underwater housings. They are looking for someone skilled in the CNC machining process, and that has the ability to solve problems creatively. Full job specifications are on the next page.

If you are interested, please contact Gates directly.

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In an interview, Tim Smith from Canon has hinted that Canon may use its propriety MPEG2 50mbps codec in the new SLR models they plan to release this year, rather than the industry standard H264. Similarly, it is reported on Canon Rumours that the new codec will be based on the one used by the XF305, will have a 4-2-2 color space and that bitrates will be variable up to 50mbit.

The reason for the change is being cited as an unwillingness to pay the licensing fees for the AVCHD/H264 formats. Adobe and Apple have already taken up the new format, so compatibility should not be a problem. There are also lots of rumours that Canon are looking into Apples new Thunderbolt high-speed peripheral connection technology and that they will release the much-awaited 5D MkIII SLR sometime in the early part of this year.

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As many of you will know now, Japan was hit by an earthquake of 8.8 magnitude at 2.46 local time today (Friday). It has triggered a tsunami, that has already hit Northern Japan and is now travelling out across the Pacific.  Officials warn of the potential for a 6 meter (18 feet) wave.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been or are in the path of this cataclysm, we hope you and your loved ones are holed up somewhere safe and that the waters do not cause devastation to your homes and property.

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A group from the Solmar V live-aboard were diving at San Benedicto when they came across a dolphin tangled up in fishing line and having trouble swimming. It actually came over to the divemaster, Rey, as if to to ask for assistance. Rey says that he could clearly feel the dolphin communicating with him and asking for help. While he was assisting her, she turned belly up and patiently allowed him to unwrap the line from around her fins and tail. At one point, the dolphin even swam to the surface for more air and then returned to Rey so he could finish the job.

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