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In a rare observation, a camera trap in Green Mountain National Forest, USA, has documented moths drinking the tears of a bull moose, marking only the second instance of this behavior, known as lachryphagy, occurring outside tropical regions. The footage, captured between 1:44 am and 1:48 am on June 19, 2024, shows the moths on the moose's face, with 80 images taken from over 247,000 recorded across nearly 500 sites in the northeastern US. While most butterflies and moths typically obtain nutrients from nectar, some supplement their diet through puddling, which includes drinking from various sources. The moths involved likely belong to the Geometridae family, although their exact species remains unidentified. Experts caution that while this behavior is uncommon, it could pose a risk of disease transmission to the moose, although such occurrences have not been documented in other species. The findings are detailed in the journal Ecosphere. 
Published: Dec 23 2025, 7 pm ISTeznews.inIn 2025, significant advancements in Space, Physics, Health, and Medicine have been highlighted by IFLScience editors Dr. Alfredo Carpineti and Laura Simmons. In the realm of Space and Physics, key studies include challenges to the Standard Model of cosmology, suggesting dark energy may not be constant, and groundbreaking experiments at CERN that successfully manipulated antimatter. Additionally, the discovery of 6,000 confirmed exoplanets, including a 3D weather map of a hot Jupiter, marks a milestone in astronomy. In Health and Medicine, the five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a study revealing substantial life years lost in Europe. A promising gene therapy for Huntington’s disease showed a 75% reduction in symptom progression, while a pioneering xenotransplantation case involved a pig liver transplant, though complications arose. These developments reflect a year of remarkable scientific progress across multiple disciplines.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 4 pm ISTeznews.inA recent study from the University of Sussex has revealed that daily brain exercises can temporarily train individuals to perceive colors when reading black text, a phenomenon akin to synesthesia. While 95.6% of people experience text in standard black, the remaining 4.4% may see letters in various colors due to this sensory condition, which can also involve tasting words or hearing music while eating. Over nine weeks, 14 participants trained to associate letters with specific colors, resulting in an average IQ increase of 12 points, although this boost is likely linked to enhanced pattern recognition rather than genuine synesthetic experiences. Researchers emphasize that while their training method mimics synesthesia, it does not create true synesthetes, as the color perception fades after training. Future studies may explore the effects of this training in different languages to assess its longevity and potential clinical applications for individuals with sensory processing disorders.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 3 pm ISTeznews.inClaims that there are only one or two places on Earth where one can walk directly on the mantle are more nuanced than they appear, with two notable locations often cited: Macquarie Island in Australia and Gros Morne National Park in Canada. Macquarie Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is unique as it features intact mantle rock pushed to the surface by tectonic forces, making it the only known location where oceanic mantle-derived rock is exposed at an active plate boundary. Conversely, Gros Morne is renowned for its ancient mantle rocks, which are part of a larger geological formation. While both sites offer remarkable opportunities to study mantle material, the claim of exclusivity is debated, as other locations may also expose mantle rocks, albeit less prominently. Ultimately, while Macquarie Island and Gros Morne are the most recognized, the existence of other potential sites remains a possibility.
Published: Dec 20 2025, 7 am ISTeznews.inIn 1917, three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary, who promised to reappear on the 13th of each month for six months. On October 13, 1917, an estimated 70,000 people gathered to witness what was dubbed the "miracle of the Sun." Witnesses described the Sun appearing to dance and change colors, with some reporting sensations of darkness and unusual hues in the atmosphere. However, scientific explanations suggest that the phenomenon may have been a local event, possibly caused by atmospheric conditions like "sun dogs," or even mass hysteria and solar retinopathy from staring at the Sun. Despite the large crowd and media presence, no photographic evidence of the event exists, leading to ongoing debate about the nature of what was witnessed that day.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 10 am ISTeznews.inA recent study from Sweden has revealed that even healthy, full-term infants are at risk of severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), challenging previous assumptions that only premature or sick babies were vulnerable. Analyzing data from over 2.3 million children born between 2001 and 2022, researchers found that 1.7% were diagnosed with RSV, with 12% of those experiencing severe symptoms requiring intensive care. Notably, the median age of the sickest infants was under two months, and many had no significant health issues. Factors such as being born in winter or having young siblings increased the risk of severe illness. The study underscores the importance of broadening the definition of at-risk groups for preventive treatments, especially as new vaccines have led to a decline in RSV hospitalizations. Experts advise against kissing newborns to prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses, emphasizing the need for caution around young children.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 11 am ISTeznews.inThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) has identified approximately 40 circular structures at the bottom of Lake Michigan, believed to be sinkholes. Discovered during a 2022 sonar survey, these depressions range from 91 to 183 meters in diameter and are located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan. The sinkholes likely formed due to geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone by groundwater, a phenomenon common in karst terrain. Similar sinkholes in Lake Huron have revealed ancient microbial communities, providing insights into early Earth conditions. Researchers are eager to explore the Lake Michigan sinkholes further, as they may host unique microbial life, potentially offering a glimpse into the planet's primordial ecosystems. The findings underscore the importance of continued exploration of these underwater features to enhance our understanding of geological and biological processes.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 1 am ISTeznews.inVinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, located in Peru's Cusco region, is a stunning natural wonder that has gained fame for its vibrant, multicolored stripes, which are the result of various minerals. Rising 5,036 meters (16,522 feet) above sea level, the mountain's striking hues—ranging from fuchsia to mustard yellow—are particularly vivid after rainfall. Unlike many geological formations, Vinicunca's layers are exposed due to erosion, revealing its colorful interior. The name Vinicunca translates to "mountain of colors" in the local Quechua language, and the area is home to iconic Andean animals like alpacas and llamas. However, the mountain's popularity as a tourist destination has led to significant environmental degradation, with a 2023 study highlighting the fragile ecosystem's struggle to recover from the rapid influx of visitors, raising concerns about the sustainability of such Instagrammable locations.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 12 am ISTeznews.inIn just ten years, gravitational wave observatories have revolutionized astronomy, yielding hundreds of detections of cosmic events. A recent report highlights a groundbreaking event, GW231123, which involved the collision of two black holes, one weighing 103 solar masses and the other 137, resulting in a massive black hole of 225 solar masses. This discovery challenges existing theories, as such large black holes are not typically formed from stars. Researchers propose that the event may have been gravitationally lensed, meaning a massive object between the event and Earth could have magnified the signal. If confirmed, this would suggest the final black hole's mass is between 100 and 180 solar masses, a more plausible figure. The study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, indicates that the lensing object could be an intermediate mass black hole, potentially formed from multiple black hole collisions, further enhancing our understanding of these cosmic phenomena.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 5 am ISTeznews.inAfrica is slowly undergoing a geological transformation that could eventually see part of East Africa break away, potentially forming a new ocean. This process is linked to the East African Rift System (EARS), a significant rift zone stretching across several countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The African tectonic plate is gradually splitting into the smaller Somalian plate and the larger Nubian plate, moving apart at a rate of mere millimeters per year. While a crack in Kenya in 2018 sparked speculation about an imminent split, it was merely a localized manifestation of ongoing rifting. Over the next 5 to 10 million years, this rifting could lead to a dramatically altered landscape, with East Africa becoming isolated by a new sea. Such tectonic shifts are part of Earth's continuous evolution, reminiscent of the ancient separation of South America and Africa.
Published: Dec 21 2025, 3 am IST
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