Antarctic trek reveals new octopus species

Researchers working in Antarctica in 2007 discovered four new species of octopus with venom that works at sub-zero temperatures, according to Reuters.

The discovery, made during a six-week expedition to Antarctica three years ago, may translate into medical uses, according to one of the researchers, Bryan Fry, of the University of Melbourne.

The study, conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Melbourne, the Norwegian University of Technology and Science and the University of Hamburg, provides the first insight into the properties of Antarctic octopus venom, according to ScienceDaily.

Audit request misses bigger picture

Rep. Bakari Sellers is pushing for the SC Legislative Audit Council to review the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism’s involvement with the National Heritage Corridor.

Sellers, D-Denmark, said he wants to be certain his region of the corridor, which includes Bamberg and Orangeburg, receives its proper share of revenue from the federal tourism program, according to the Orangeburg Times and Democrat.

“At a time of economic stagnation, I want to make sure that our counties are not being shut out,” he told the publication. “Tourism is important to our area for economic development.”