eznews.inRecent discoveries from Pompeii have shed light on the ancient Roman Empire's remarkable concrete, known for its durability and self-healing properties. Researchers from MIT, who previously proposed a recipe for this "magic" material, have identified pozzolan, a volcanic ash from Pozzuoli, as a key ingredient. Their findings suggest that this ash was mixed with lime and other materials, followed by a "hot mixing" process that preserves reactive lime pockets, allowing the concrete to fill cracks over time. This contrasts with the methods described by Vitruvius, the Roman architect, who suggested a different mixing technique. The team analyzed samples from Pompeii's construction sites, confirming their theory and indicating that the Romans may have employed a more complex method than previously understood. The study, published in *Nature Communications*, highlights the potential for modern materials to emulate this ancient technology. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe camel spider, often misunderstood and sensationalized, is neither a true spider nor a scorpion but belongs to the order Solifugae, which places it between the two. Despite viral images from the 2003 Iraq war suggesting they can grow to alarming sizes, camel spiders typically measure around 5 centimeters (2 inches) in body length. They are known for their impressive jaw size, but their bites, while painful, are non-venomous. Camel spiders primarily feed on insects and small animals, using digestive fluids to liquefy their prey. Although they can run quickly, scientific sources indicate their maximum speed is around 10 miles per hour, far less than the exaggerated claims found online. Their reputation for chasing humans stems from their attraction to shadows, not aggression. Ultimately, camel spiders are more benign than their fearsome image suggests, seeking shade rather than confrontation. 
Published: Dec 11 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn 1978, archaeologists unearthed a significant pit in Andalucía, Spain, filled with charred animal remains and ancient artifacts, revealing remnants of the enigmatic Tartessos civilization, which thrived from the 9th to 6th century BCE. This ancient culture, once thought to be a mere legend akin to Atlantis, is now recognized as one of the earliest established societies in the Iberian Peninsula, with over 20 known sites. Notably, at Cancho Roano and Casas de Turuñuelo, researchers found evidence of the Tartessians' peculiar practice of burning their possessions and sealing the pits, raising questions about their motivations. The civilization's abrupt disappearance around 2,500 years ago remains a mystery, with theories suggesting natural disasters or conflicts with the Phoenicians as potential causes. Ongoing archaeological efforts aim to shed light on their trade networks and daily life, as new discoveries continue to emerge from these ancient sites. 
Published: Dec 11 2025, 1 ameznews.inResearchers have uncovered a remarkable behavior in striped marlin (_Kajikia audax_), revealing how these fast ocean predators coordinate their group hunting tactics through color changes. Utilizing drone technology, the study documented that marlin become significantly brighter in their striped patterns just before attacking schools of Pacific sardines (_Sardinops sagax_), a behavior that serves as a visual signal to their companions, warning them to avoid injury during the hunt. This rapid color change, which reverts after the attack, is a rare phenomenon among group-hunting predators. The findings, led by Alicia Burns from Humboldt University, suggest that this signaling mechanism may enhance hunting efficiency and safety among marlin. The research team plans to further explore whether marlin exhibit similar color changes when hunting alone or in other social contexts. The study is published in *Current Biology*. 
Published: Dec 11 2025, 2 ameznews.inArchaeologists have uncovered what is believed to be the earliest evidence of controlled fire-making by humans, dating back approximately 400,000 years, near Barnham in Suffolk, UK. A team from the British Museum found a patch of soil that had been repeatedly heated to over 700°C, indicating it was used as a campfire rather than a result of natural wildfires. The discovery included heat-cracked handaxes and iron pyrite, suggesting early humans actively transported materials for fire-making. This finding challenges previous timelines, which suggested complex fire use emerged only 50,000 years ago. The evidence points to early Neanderthals as the fire-makers, highlighting their cognitive and cultural sophistication. Dr. Rob Davis, the study's lead author, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating it pushes back the timeline of fire mastery by 350,000 years, marking a crucial turning point in human evolution. The study is published in the journal Nature. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn 1967, the Soviet Union marked its 50th anniversary with a space mission that tragically resulted in the death of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, who became known as "the man who fell from space." The mission involved launching Soyuz 1, piloted by Komarov, to rendezvous with Soyuz 2. However, prior to the launch, a memo detailing 203 structural issues with Soyuz 1 was reportedly ignored, as no one dared to present it to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Despite concerns from friends and colleagues, Komarov chose to fly, fearing for the safety of his friend Yuri Gagarin, who would be sent in his place. After launch, a solar panel failure left Komarov's craft powerless, leading to a catastrophic descent. His final words, captured by US radio, expressed his despair: "This devil ship! Nothing I lay my hands on works properly," before he plummeted to his death. Official transcripts, however, portrayed a different narrative of his last moments. 
Published: Dec 11 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery, Comet 3I/ATLAS has become the first interstellar object to emit X-rays, as confirmed by observations from the XRISM X-ray telescope. Unlike its predecessors, 1I/’Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov, 3I/ATLAS is faster, older, and larger, and its X-ray emissions result from interactions between solar plasma and the comet's coma, the gas and dust released as it approaches the Sun. This process generates high-energy electrons that emit X-rays, despite comets being among the coldest celestial bodies. The data, collected over 17 hours, revealed a faint X-ray glow spanning 400,000 kilometers, with signatures of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen that suggest a unique source. Observations were delayed due to the comet's proximity to the Sun, but as it moves further away, additional X-ray insights are anticipated in the coming weeks. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAmerican astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and English physicist Brian Cox have addressed the recent excitement surrounding interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, particularly the unfounded speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft. Detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on July 1, 2025, the comet is believed to be around 7 to 8 billion years old, originating from a distant star system. Cox emphasized the significance of studying such an ancient object, stating, "the reality of it... is more interesting than trying to say that it's [aliens]." Both Tyson and Cox, alongside comedian Chuck Nice, humorously dismissed the alien theory, noting that if it were a spacecraft, it would be an odd design choice, behaving just like a comet. As 3I/ATLAS approaches Earth on December 19, 2025, it offers a rare glimpse into the cosmos, underscoring the importance of scientific inquiry over sensationalism. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 10 pmeznews.inWhile Christmas Day is often associated with relaxation and family gatherings, it also marks significant scientific milestones. On December 25, 1758, German astronomer Johann Georg Palitzsch observed Halley's Comet, validating Edmond Halley's earlier prediction and marking the first successful comet forecast. In 1809, Dr. Ephraim McDowell performed the first successful ovariotomy, removing a 10.2-kilogram ovarian tumor from Jane Crawford, who remarkably survived the surgery without anesthesia. Fast forward to 1968, when the Apollo 8 mission crew, the first humans to orbit the Moon, began their return journey, famously broadcasting a reading from Genesis and capturing the iconic "Earthrise" image. Most recently, on December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope launched, becoming the most powerful space telescope, poised to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. These events highlight the day’s unexpected scientific significance amidst the holiday festivities. 
Published: Dec 10 2025, 9 pmeznews.inNew research has revealed that the black-spotted pond frog (_Pelophylax nigromaculatus_) can consume giant hornets, often dubbed "murder hornets," without suffering significant harm from their venomous stings. Conducted by ecologist Shinji Sugiura at Kobe University, the study involved placing individual frogs in a cage with various hornet species, including the formidable Asian giant hornet. Remarkably, the frogs demonstrated a high success rate in attacking and eating the hornets—93% for the yellow hornet, 87% for the yellow vented hornet, and 79% for the Asian giant hornet—despite being stung during the process. Footage captured during the experiment showed frogs with hornet stingers lodged in their mouths, yet they appeared unaffected. This extraordinary tolerance to venom suggests that these frogs could serve as a model for studying pain resistance and venom tolerance in vertebrates, prompting further investigation into their physiological mechanisms. The findings are published in the journal Ecosphere. 
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