eznews.inInterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which recently made its closest approach to the Sun in possibly 10 million years, is exhibiting signs of "cryovolcanism," suggesting it may be a primitive carbonaceous object akin to those found in the outer solar system. A new preprint study indicates that its spectral characteristics closely match pristine carbonaceous chondrites from NASA's Antarctic meteorite collection, hinting at a composition enriched in native metals and water ice. The research team posits that the comet's activity, including the development of a diffuse coma, aligns with expected behaviors of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) during solar encounters. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of 3I/ATLAS but also offers insights into planetary formation processes across the galaxy. The team advocates for future missions, such as ESA's Comet Interceptor, to directly sample interstellar visitors and further unravel the mysteries of these ancient celestial bodies. 
Published: Dec 02 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA viral video of a "racist" soap dispenser, shared by Nigerian tech worker Chukwuemeka Afigbo, has sparked discussions about the lack of diversity in the technology industry. The dispenser, which dispenses soap for white hands but fails to recognize darker skin tones, highlights a significant oversight in product testing that often neglects varied skin colors. This incident is not isolated; similar issues have arisen with tech giants like Google and Flickr, which faced backlash for racially insensitive image tagging, and voice recognition systems that struggle with female voices due to biased training data. The tech sector's diversity problem is evident, with companies like Google reporting a workforce that is predominantly white and Asian. These examples underscore the necessity for diverse teams in tech, as inclusive design leads to better functionality for all users, revealing that the implications of such "screw-ups" extend far beyond humor.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn the remote Australian outback, approximately 1,500 kilometers from the nearest city, lies the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, a highly secretive military base operated by Australia and the United States. Established during the Cold War in 1966, Pine Gap was initially presented as a space research facility but has since evolved into a crucial hub for intelligence gathering, particularly for the CIA, monitoring global military and civilian activities. The base, which houses around 1,000 personnel, remains off-limits to the public, with strict security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access. While it has been linked to various military operations, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan, Pine Gap has also become a focal point for conspiracy theories, with some speculating about hidden UFOs and government cover-ups. Despite calls for its closure, the facility continues to play a vital role in U.S. surveillance strategies across the Asia-Pacific region.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 10 ameznews.inAcrylamide, a chemical formed during high-temperature cooking of starchy foods, has resurfaced in public discourse amid concerns about its potential health risks, particularly its association with cancer. This odorless, water-soluble compound is produced through the Maillard reaction, which gives browned foods their flavor. Major sources include fried potatoes, toast, cookies, cereals, and coffee. While animal studies indicate acrylamide may be genotoxic and carcinogenic, evidence linking dietary acrylamide to cancer in humans remains limited. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the risk, concluding that current dietary exposure levels are not a significant concern for public health, although further research is warranted. In contrast, some U.S. health organizations express concern over its potential risks. To minimize acrylamide intake, experts suggest cooking starchy foods to a golden yellow color and opting for certain food types, though the overall risk remains unclear.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 11 ameznews.inThe elusive seven-arm octopus, also known as the "blob octopus," has made a rare appearance in Monterey Bay, as captured by researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Research Institute (MBARI). Weighing up to 75 kilograms (165 pounds), this deep-sea giant is seldom seen alive, with this sighting marking MBARI's first encounter in 40 years. The octopus, scientifically named *Haliphron atlanticus*, typically has eight arms, but males are known for shedding a specialized arm during mating, leading to its seven-arm moniker. The recent sighting, filmed at a depth of approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) using a remote-operated vehicle, showcased the octopus clutching a crimson red helmet jelly. This observation highlights the intricate dynamics of deep-sea ecosystems and the feeding habits of these fascinating creatures, which are known to prey on gelatinous animals.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 9 ameznews.inBioluminescence, the ability of certain animals to produce their own light through a chemical reaction, is particularly prevalent in the ocean's twilight zone, where sunlight fails to penetrate. Among the bioluminescent creatures discovered are jellyfish, squid, and fish, with the kitefin shark (_Dalatias licha_) emerging as the largest known luminous vertebrate, measuring nearly 1.8 meters (6 feet). This species, along with the blackbelly lanternshark and southern lanternshark, was detailed in a 2021 study published in *Frontiers in Marine Science*. Researchers observed the kitefin's glowing display during experiments aboard a deep-sea trawler, sparking excitement among scientists. While the exact purpose of this bioluminescence remains uncertain, it may aid in hunting or camouflage. The study emphasizes the significance of bioluminescence in deep-sea ecosystems and calls for further research to unravel the mysteries of these glowing sharks.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 7 ameznews.inScientists from the British Geological Survey (BGS) have seized a rare opportunity to study rock core samples from the Great Glen Fault, the UK's largest fault zone, which stretches approximately 1,000 kilometers from Ireland to Norway. Extracted during SSE Renewables' engineering work for a pumped hydro storage scheme at Loch Lochy, the samples, taken from depths of up to 650 meters, mark the first time such cores have been retrieved from this significant geological feature. BGS geologist Romesh Palamakumbura described the experience as a career highlight, emphasizing the samples' potential to enhance understanding of geological processes, including fluid movement within rocks and fault behavior. The research could inform various applications, from renewable energy projects to seismic hazard modeling. Ultimately, the core samples will be made available to the wider scientific community, paving the way for future research into Earth's geological history and processes.
Published: Dec 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inChicken has become a staple in the American diet, with the average person consuming around 45 kilograms (100 pounds) annually, according to the National Chicken Council. The domestication of chickens, believed to have originated in the Indus Valley around 2000 BCE, was facilitated by their docile nature and proximity to humans. Initially bred for cockfighting, chickens eventually became a popular food source, particularly during World War II when red meat was scarce. Unlike other birds, such as pigeons and swans, chickens are easier to farm and more palatable, contributing to their dominance in the poultry market. Genetic studies reveal that domestic chickens are hybrids, primarily descended from the red junglefowl. Their slow, non-flying nature has made them particularly amenable to domestication, ensuring their place as a favored food source across cultures.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a remarkable discovery deep within the Amazon rainforest, scientists have identified a new bird species, the slaty-masked tinamou (_Tinamus resonans_), the first new tinamou species in over 75 years. Found in the mountain forests of the Serra do Divisor, Brazil, this bird, roughly the size of a chicken, is characterized by its cinnamon-tinged plumage and large, beady eyes. Brazilian researchers first heard its distinctive call in 2021, but dense vegetation hindered their efforts to observe it until a playback lure successfully revealed the bird in November 2024. Notably, the slaty-masked tinamou exhibits a concerning lack of fear towards humans, reminiscent of the dodo, raising alarms about its vulnerability as plans for economic development in the region loom. Lead researcher Luis Morais warns that the bird's naive behavior could lead to a similar fate as the dodo, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study suggests that the peculiarities observed by Voyager 2 during its historic flyby of Uranus in 1986 may be attributed to an unusual solar wind event rather than the planet's inherent strangeness. Voyager 2, the only spacecraft to visit Uranus, captured images and data that revealed intense electron radiation belts, which puzzled scientists for decades due to a lack of expected plasma sources. Researchers now propose that a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) in the solar wind was passing over Uranus at the time, potentially vacating plasma from its magnetosphere. By comparing Voyager's data with modern observations of Earth's magnetosphere, scientists believe that chorus waves, which can accelerate electrons, may explain the unexpected energy levels detected. The findings underscore the need for a new mission to Uranus to further investigate its magnetosphere under typical conditions, with implications for understanding similar systems like Neptune.
Published: Dec 05 2025, 6 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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