KARACHI (PPI) - The date of March 6, 2009 set a landmark in the history of Pakistan and will always be remembered as the "Day of the dolphin stranding", being the first of its kind ever to be reported on the coast of Pakistan at Gadani beach. Around 250 dolphins were reported to be stranded on the coast, all of them being Spinner dolphins. All the animals were rescued. This mass stranding could; however, have been due to a number of reasons, says a press release of WWF issued here on Monday. It a phenomenon which has been observed in different parts of the world and continues to baffle scientists, environmentalists and policy makers. Dolphins being playful, friendly creatures and social and inhabited the sea for centuries. This social behaviour could have been a possibility of the stranding. One single dolphin coming to the shore and getting stranded would have evoked a social response "a call for help" whistling (a mode of communication) enticing the schools of dolphins in a nearby are for stranding. Another reason could have been due to the result of a phenomenon known as "red tide". This occurs due to the concentration of certain protozoan's such as dinoflaggellates, which release toxic compound accumulating all the oxygen in the area which would have had forced the dolphins to overcome the balance caused by depletion of oxygen resulting in dolphin beaching. Furthermore, this would have been due to sonar activity in the area, which remains un-investigated. Cetaceans including whales, dolphins and porpoises are very sensitive to ultra-sonic waves which damage the auditory/sensory organs often disturbing them, disorienting their migratory patterns, leaving them stranded on the beach. The sonar activity could have caused a disturbance in their migratory pattern, confusing them causing them to go off course, and ending up getting lost and end up at the beach. This however could be investigated by visuals of the stranded dolphins as they will have bleeding marks on their auditory organs like snout and mouth. If we look at the case histories of cetacean stranding, it will show this has been happening for centuries even before the sonar was introduced. These studies and research leaves us baffled though the struggle to identify the cause continues. But the incident at Gadani Beach must have awakened the concerned wildlife authorities and policy makers to place an effective watch and ward mechanism to keep an eye on such happenings in future. SCIENTISTS FIND ENZYME BEHIND CANCER SPREAD Institute of Cancer Research scientists have found that an enzyme called LOX is crucial in promoting metastasis, Cancer Cell journal reports. Cancer metastasis, where the cancer spreads from its original location, is known to be responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths said the report. "This new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the spreading of cancer," the report quoted lead researcher Dr Janine Erler. Identification of the enzyme, that helps cancer spread around the body, kindles hope for availability of drugs that may block this enzyme's action and keep cancer at bay. The researchers studied breast cancer in mice, but are confident that their findings will apply to humans with other cancer types too. LOX (lysyl oxidase) works by sending out signals to prepare a new area of the body for the cancer to set up a camp. Without this preparation process the new environment would be too hostile for the cancer to grow. Lead researcher Dr Janine Erler described the discovery as "the crucial missing piece in the jigsaw that scientists have been searching for." She said it was the first time one key enzyme has been identified as responsible for effectively allowing the cancer to spread. "If we can interrupt the body's ability to prepare new locations for the cancer to spread to, we can effectively prevent cancer metastasis," said the researcher. Dr. Erler mentioned that cancer metastasis is very difficult to treat and this new discovery provides real hope that we can develop a drug which will fight the spreading of cancer. Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's science information manager, said: "A better understanding of how cancer spreads is crucial to improving the treatment of the disease. This research takes scientists a step closer to understanding this major problem - the next stage will be to find out if the LOX protein can be switched off to stop cancer spreading."