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While bats are predominantly insectivores, with around 70% of species consuming vast quantities of insects, recent studies reveal that some spiders also prey on these flying mammals. Historically, instances of spiders consuming dead bats were attributed to necrophagy, but a 2013 study documented over 50 cases of live bat predation by spiders across all continents except Antarctica. Notably, orb-weaving spiders from the Nephilidae family, particularly the giant golden orb-weavers, are the most frequent bat predators, utilizing their exceptionally strong silk to ensnare their prey. Other spider families, including tarantulas and hunting spiders, have also been observed capturing bats. However, the nature of these encounters varies, with some bats dying in webs without being consumed, raising questions about the distinction between predation and accidental capture. This phenomenon highlights the complex interactions within ecosystems, where even larger vertebrates can fall victim to arachnid hunters. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 7 ameznews.inMoss spores have successfully reproduced after nine months of exposure to the harsh conditions of space on the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone as the first land plant to demonstrate such resilience. Conducted by Professor Tomomichi Fujita and his team from Hokkaido University, the experiment involved attaching spreading earthmoss (_Physcomitrium patens_) spores to the ISS, where they faced extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and vacuum. Remarkably, 86% of the spores germinated upon return, with survival rates increasing to 97% for those shielded from UV exposure. This research suggests that moss could potentially pioneer life on other planets, such as Mars, although challenges remain regarding the suitability of Martian soil. The findings, published in *iScience*, highlight the intrinsic mechanisms that allow these spores to endure space conditions, paving the way for future extraterrestrial ecosystems.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a significant milestone for the nuclear energy sector, California-based startup Valar Atomics has achieved cold criticality with its NOVA Core reactor at the Nevada National Security Site, marking the first instance of a venture-backed company reaching this stage. The event, which occurred on November 17, 2025, demonstrates a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction without generating heat, allowing engineers to test the reactor's core functionality safely. Valar Atomics, supported by $130 million in funding from prominent tech investors and technical assistance from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, views this achievement as a pivotal moment in American nuclear engineering. CEO Isaiah Taylor described it as "the dawn of a new era," aligning with the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program aimed at accelerating advanced nuclear reactor development. This initiative, part of a broader effort dubbed "Manhattan Project 2.0," seeks to revitalize the nuclear industry and achieve criticality in multiple startups by mid-2026.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 4 ameznews.inNew research reveals that Greco-Roman sculptors aimed to engage all the senses, including smell, in their artworks. Dr. Cecilie Brøns, the study's author, highlights that ancient texts frequently describe the practice of anointing statues with fragrant oils and perfumes, such as rose-scented myron rhodion. Notable figures like Cicero and Kallimachos documented rituals where statues, including those of the goddess Artemis and Queen Berenice II, were adorned with aromatic substances. Two methods of applying these scents were identified: ganosis, which involved mixing waxes and oils, and kosmesis, which used protective oils. Brøns emphasizes that these practices were not merely metaphorical but part of actual rituals. Additionally, these statues were often brightly colored and adorned with jewelry, enhancing their sensory appeal. Ultimately, the use of perfumes aimed to evoke the essence of life, allowing viewers to imagine the scents that would accompany these lifelike representations.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inAn international team of scientists has uncovered ice core samples from the Allan Hills region of East Antarctica, dating back 6 million years, making them the oldest directly dated ice samples on Earth. These ice cores, which contain tiny bubbles of ancient air, provide a unique glimpse into the planet's atmospheric conditions during a time when Earth was significantly warmer. Lead researcher Sarah Shackleton described the cores as "time machines," allowing scientists to explore the distant past. The team drilled between 100 and 200 meters deep to retrieve these samples, which revealed a cooling trend of approximately 12°C over the past 6 million years. This discovery surpasses initial expectations of finding ice only up to 3 million years old, highlighting the region's potential for uncovering even older climate records. The findings are detailed in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.
Published: Nov 20 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking 1981 patent, inventor William O. Holmes proposed a novel use for toilets in emergency situations, particularly during high-rise hotel fires. Inspired by the dangers of toxic smoke inhalation, which is the leading cause of death in house fires, Holmes suggested that a tube inserted through the water trap of a toilet could provide trapped individuals with access to fresh air. The design involves a snorkel-like mouthpiece connected to a filter, allowing users to breathe while flushing the toilet to clear sewer gases. This system could potentially buy precious minutes for occupants until help arrives, as the toilet's built-in fresh-air vent, typically extending through the roof, could further enhance air quality. While unconventional, Holmes's invention highlights the importance of innovative thinking in life-saving scenarios, demonstrating that even toilets can play a critical role in survival during emergencies.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inRat-tailed maggots, the larval stage of certain hoverfly species, are often spotted in decaying environments like compost heaps and ponds. Characterized by a long breathing tube resembling a tail, these maggots thrive in oxygen-poor, organic-rich substrates, feeding on decomposing material. According to Dr. Erica McAlister from the London Natural History Museum, this larval stage is crucial for nutrient recycling and lays the groundwork for their transformation into adult hoverflies, which are vital pollinators. After pupation, they develop into various hoverfly species, including the batman hoverfly. While generally harmless, rat-tailed maggots can cause myiasis if they enter the human body, though such cases are rare. Experts advise leaving these maggots undisturbed, as both their larval and adult forms play significant roles in ecosystems, including controlling aphid populations and facilitating plant pollination across vast distances.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inA remarkable discovery in Italy has reshaped our understanding of Neanderthal anatomy, particularly their nasal structure. Researchers studying the well-preserved nasal cavity of the Altamura Man, a Neanderthal skeleton embedded in rock in the Lamalunga cave system, found that the previously assumed adaptations for cold climates—such as specific nasal features—do not exist. This revelation contradicts long-held beliefs about Neanderthal facial anatomy, which suggested unique traits for cold adaptation. Instead, the inner nasal cavity of the Altamura Man closely resembles that of modern humans, leading researchers to conclude that Neanderthals had their own distinct adaptations for managing airflow in cold environments. Study author Costantino Buzi emphasized that these findings eliminate the need for certain diagnostic traits previously attributed to Neanderthals, providing new insights into their evolutionary biology. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn a bizarre revelation, documents from the US's Advanced Aerospace Weapons System Application Program (AAWSAP) suggest a plan to detonate nuclear devices on the Moon to search for "negative mass." This concept, which lacks experimental evidence, proposes that negative mass could revolutionize space travel by reducing inertia. The AAWSAP, operational from 2007 to 2012, explored unconventional ideas, including warp drives and manipulating extra dimensions. The documents claim that if negative mass exists in the Moon's core, it could be mined through a nuclear tunnel, potentially leading to lighter spacecraft. However, the scientific community remains skeptical, as negative mass has not been observed, and the proposal leans heavily into speculative science fiction. Despite the audacious nature of the plan, experts agree that the Moon is safe from nuclear experimentation for now.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 3 ameznews.inA recent study by theoretical astronomer Brian C. Lacki explores the feasibility and detectability of "Dyson swarms," hypothetical megastructures designed to harness energy from stars. While these swarms could be detectable around certain star types, the research raises concerns about their potential impact on surrounding lifeforms. Lacki notes that if such structures were abandoned, they could lead to catastrophic collisions, resulting in a "collisional cascade" that would reduce the swarm to debris within thousands to billions of years, depending on the star's characteristics. For instance, a Dyson swarm around a Sun-like star could disintegrate in about 41,000 years. The study suggests that advanced civilizations might need to relocate planets to maintain these swarms, potentially leading to barren systems devoid of life. This grim prospect highlights the dual nature of Dyson swarms as both a sign of advanced technology and a harbinger of ecological destruction, raising questions about the implications of detecting such structures in the universe.
Published: Nov 21 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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