eznews.inAt the Eastland County Courthouse in Texas, visitors can see the preserved remains of a Texas horned lizard, affectionately named "Ol' Rip," displayed in a velvet-lined coffin. Local lore claims that Ol' Rip lived for over 30 years entombed in a cornerstone, following a 1897 experiment by Ernest Wood, who placed his son's pet lizard inside during construction. When the cornerstone was opened in 1928, a crowd of over 1,000 witnessed the astonishing moment when the lizard appeared to revive after being sealed for decades. Despite the myth that horned lizards can survive without food or water for a century, experts suggest this tale is exaggerated, as these reptiles typically live only five to eight years. Historians later revealed that the story may involve a hoax, with a different lizard possibly being placed in the capsule shortly before its unveiling, blending fact and folklore in a uniquely Texan narrative. 
Published: Oct 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn 1997, Santino, a male chimpanzee at Furuvik Zoo in Gävle, Sweden, gained notoriety for his unusual behavior of throwing rocks at visitors. Unlike typical primate antics, Santino meticulously gathered and stored rocks in his enclosure during quiet mornings, preparing for the arrival of guests. When the zoo opened, he would unleash a barrage of stones, prompting zoo staff to describe the scene as a "hailstorm." Cognitive zoologist Mathias Osvath noted that this behavior demonstrated advanced planning, as Santino's calm preparation contrasted sharply with his agitated state during the rock-throwing. By 1998, as his rock supply dwindled, he ingeniously began chipping away at concrete to create new projectiles. Santino's actions not only showcased his intelligence but also highlighted the complexities of chimpanzee behavior, including deception, as he concealed his rock caches to surprise visitors. His legacy has contributed to a deeper understanding of chimpanzee cognition and social behavior.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 8 ameznews.inA new analysis of the 4.4-million-year-old hominin _Ardipithecus ramidus_, or Ardi, suggests that this ancient species may have exhibited both arboreal and terrestrial locomotion, challenging previous assumptions about human evolution. Researchers examined Ardi's ankle bones, revealing that its talus aligns with modern African apes, indicating capabilities for vertical climbing and walking on all fours. Notably, Ardi also displayed features linked to bipedalism, suggesting a blend of ape-like and human-like traits. This contradicts earlier theories that distanced Ardi from African apes, proposing instead that our ancestors were more similar to chimpanzees and gorillas than previously believed. Study author Thomas (Cody) Prang emphasized that this research corrects misconceptions about Ardi's evolutionary significance, highlighting its role as a transitional species in the lineage leading to modern humans. The findings are detailed in the journal *Communications Biology*.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 4 ameznews.inComet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is currently at its best visibility, making its closest approach to Earth today, October 21. While it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, it does not match the brilliance of notable comets like Hale-Bopp or NEOWISE. Observers in dark areas should have no trouble spotting it, while those in less optimal conditions can use binoculars or telescopes to view its thin tail and green hue. Dr. Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society recommends looking for the comet in the evening sky, where it will move past the bright star Arcturus. The comet will continue to brighten as it approaches the Sun, with optimal viewing conditions expected until its closest passage on November 4. For those unable to observe due to weather, the Virtual Telescope Project plans a live stream on October 24.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 2 ameznews.inBar-tailed godwits, remarkable shorebirds, undertake the longest non-stop migration of any animal, covering an astonishing 11,000 kilometers (6,800 miles) without food or rest. These ultra-endurance aviators, which breed in the Arctic during the Northern Hemisphere summer, rely on substantial fat reserves to fuel their journey southward, departing in September as temperatures drop. Research from 1998 revealed that godwits in Alaska, just before their trans-Pacific flight, had fat comprising over 55% of their body mass, the highest recorded in birds. To accommodate this fat, they undergo autophagy, breaking down non-essential organs, which shrink significantly, while their heart and breast muscles remain robust. Remarkably, these organs regenerate upon reaching their destination. In 2022, one godwit set a record by flying 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to Tasmania in just 11 days, highlighting the extraordinary sacrifices these birds make for survival.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant move for conservation, California has officially designated the giant garter snake (_Thamnophis gigas_) as its state snake, a decision aimed at raising awareness for this vulnerable species. The giant garter snake, which can grow up to 1.62 meters (5.3 feet), is the largest of its kind and is native to California's wetlands, including flood basins and freshwater marshes. However, urbanization, agricultural development, and water diversion have led to a dramatic decline in its habitat, with only about 5 percent remaining. Consequently, the population has plummeted by over 90 percent in the last century, prompting its classification as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The bill, authored by Senator Roger Niello and supported by conservation groups, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 9. Advocates believe this designation will enhance conservation efforts and promote public education about the importance of wetlands and biodiversity in California.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inAstronomers are abuzz over a recent discovery by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which may have identified the oldest galaxy ever observed, nicknamed "Capotauro." This object, catalogued as CEERS ID U-100588, is believed to emit light from just 90 million years after the Big Bang, a significant leap from the previous record-holder, MoM-z14, which dates back 280 million years post-Big Bang. If confirmed, Capotauro could reshape our understanding of galaxy formation, suggesting that galaxies began to form much earlier than previously thought. However, scientists caution that alternative explanations exist, including the possibility that Capotauro is a dusty galaxy or even a brown dwarf within our Milky Way. The findings, part of the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey, are pending peer review and could have profound implications for the study of cosmic evolution.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe first clinical trial of "enteral ventilation," colloquially known as "butt-breathing," has yielded promising results, marking a significant advancement in medical treatment for patients with respiratory issues. Inspired by certain Australian turtle species that extract oxygen through their cloaca, Dr. Takanori Takebe from the Institute of Science in Tokyo has developed a method using a liquid called perfluorodecalin, which can hold significantly more oxygen than water or blood. In the trial, 27 healthy Japanese men were administered the liquid rectally, with 20 successfully holding it for 60 minutes, experiencing only mild discomfort. While this initial study focused on safety rather than effectiveness, it paves the way for future trials involving oxygenated versions of the liquid, particularly aimed at aiding newborns with underdeveloped lungs. With millions of critically ill patients requiring ventilation annually, this innovative approach could offer a vital alternative to traditional methods.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inRecent viral posts have suggested that the "52 hertz whale," often dubbed the world's loneliest whale, has found companionship. However, this claim lacks new evidence and likely references a 2010 incident where sensors detected a similar whale call off California, indicating the possibility of multiple singing whales. The 52 hertz whale, first identified in 1989 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, emits a unique call at a frequency much higher than that of known whale species, leading to speculation about its identity, possibly as a hybrid. Despite its solitary reputation, experts like Christopher Clark from Cornell University suggest that the whale may not be as isolated as believed, as other whales can recognize its song. A 2021 documentary revealed a potential sighting of a blue-fin whale hybrid, hinting at a more complex social life for this enigmatic creature.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking conservation effort, Chester Zoo has successfully microchipped 80 critically endangered achoque salamanders, native to Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico. These elusive amphibians, also known as Lake Pátzcuaro salamanders (_Ambystoma dumerilii_), are notoriously difficult to identify visually, making individual tracking a challenge. Project lead Adam Bland highlighted the unique biology of these creatures, which can absorb or expel microchips, complicating tagging efforts. The initiative received support from the Monasterio de la Virgen Inmaculada de la Salud, where nuns have been breeding the salamanders after their numbers dwindled. Following a successful implantation process, the team monitored the salamanders for four months, finding no adverse health effects. This innovative approach aims to enhance conservation strategies for the species, which is believed to have only 150 adults remaining in the wild, while also raising awareness of their cultural significance to local communities.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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