Fish talk to each other, researcher finds

The undersea world isn't as quiet as we thought, according to a New Zealand researcher who found fish can "talk" to each other.

Fish communicate with noises including grunts, chirps and pops, University of Auckland marine scientist Shahriman Ghazali has discovered according to newspaper reports Wednesday.

"All fish can hear, but not all can make sound -- pops and other sounds made by vibrating their swim bladder, a muscle they can contract," Ghazali told the New Zealand Herald.

Fish are believed to communicate with each other for different reasons, including attracting mates, scaring off predators or orienting themselves.

The gurnard species has a wide vocal repertoire and keeps up a constant chatter, Ghazali found after studying different species of fish placed into tanks.

On the other hand, cod usually kept silent, except when they were spawning.

"The hyopothesis is that they are using sound as a synchronisation so that the male and female release their eggs at the same time for fertilisation," he said.

Some reef fish, such as the damselfish, made sounds to attempt to scare off threatening fish and even divers, he said.

But anyone hoping to strike up a conversation with their pet goldfish is out of luck.

"Goldfish have excellent hearing, but excellent hearing doesn't associate with vocalisation -- they don't make any sound whatsoever," Ghazali said.

He was to present his findings to the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society conference on Wednesday.

Amazing jellyfish lake in Philippines

Philippines boasts of a lake full of jellyfish, offering to people from around the world a recreational spot.

With the sun’s first rays, Jellyfish Lake, located 550 miles east of the Philippines in the island nation of Palau, comes alive. As the sky brightens in the east, the golden jellies turn and swim toward a solar beacon.

Jellyfish Lake is one of the famous tourist attractions on the Pacific island of Eil Malk in Palau. This type of jellyfish is not dangerous for humans and tourists like to swim among them. Jellyfish Lake is one of Palau's most famous dive sites.

It is notable for the millions of golden jellyfish which migrate horizontally across the lake daily. Jellyfish lake is around 12,000 years old.

Women change 104 hairstyles during lifetime

Researchers found the typical female will have her hair layered, shortened or coloured twice a year between the ages of 13 and 65 – or 104 times in her life.

The main reasons for a shift in style are "boredom'" with their current look or the end of a relationship.

It also emerged the average female tries out three different colours over the years, while one in four experiments with up to five shades.

The statistics were uncovered in a report commissioned by award-winning hairdresser Andrew Collinge.

He said: "Women have always used their hair as a way of altering their appearance as it often has the greatest impact visually.

"My feeling is that women are changing their looks little and often rather than dramatic changes.

"For example, you can add modern texture without altering the length just by adding some layers or by drying and styling differently – think Jennifer Aniston.

"Hopefully, with the help and advice of their hairdresser they are making these smaller changes to a style which already suits them – hence reaching almost 100 styles.

"This could also be the impact of trends from the catwalk or celebrities, inspiring women to change their hair in the same way they may adopt a fashion trend.

"In my salons we certainly see women bringing in pictures of the latest look which inspires them."

The study of 3,000 women revealed 44 per cent changed their hair style or colour simply because they were bored, while 61 per cent admit they 'just wanted a change'.

Another 25 per cent did it to "reinvent" themselves while 38 per cent did it to feel more confident.

Sixteen per cent opted for a new cut or colour to mark a milestone birthday while 15 per cent treated themselves to a new look before or after giving birth.

Almost a third of women change styles or dye their hair following a relationship break-up or divorce, while 17 per cent did it to conceal grey hairs.

But the change is not always for the better, with almost three quarters of women admitting they regretted at least one of their hairstyles in the past.

Twelve per cent said they changed styles because they were getting too old to carry off their old look.

The study also found long hair with a fringe is the most popular hairstyle with 69 per cent adopting this look at some point in their lives.

Two thirds have styled their hair into a bob while 61 per cent have gone with long layers.

Short hair with a fringe, long curls and a perm are also popular choice of cuts over the years.

Dark brown is the colour of choice for 56 per cent of women who have modelled this tint, followed by a dark honey blonde hue.

Fifty-eight per cent also admitted they were planning to change their current style in the near future while 56 per cent said they would seek the advice of their hairdresser before taking the plunge.

The study also found one in ten women have even sported ten or more hues over their adult life.

Andrew Collinge added: "With our modern, everyday stresses and hectic lifestyles, often a restyle or a new colour is an effective and easy way to boost a woman's confidence.

"Also a new hair style can help a woman through a life-changing event, either by making them feel better about themselves after breaking up with a partner, or to celebrate reaching a big birthday."