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A newly discovered Jurassic fossil, _Breugnathair elgolensis_, has added complexity to the evolutionary history of snakes, leaving researchers intrigued. Unearthed in 2016 on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, this partial specimen exhibits a blend of lizard and snake characteristics, featuring a short body and limbs akin to a lizard, alongside snake-like jaws and curved teeth reminiscent of pythons. Dating back 167 million years, _B. elgolensis_ has been classified in a new family, Parviraptoridae, which may represent some of the earliest ancestors of snakes. Lead author Roger Benson from the American Museum of Natural History noted the fossil's primitive yet specialized features, suggesting that the evolutionary paths of snakes may be more unpredictable than previously thought. The research team, which has spent nearly a decade analyzing the fossil, believes it was a 40-centimeter-long predator of small lizards and early mammals, further complicating our understanding of snake evolution. 
Published: Oct 04 2025, 4 ameznews.inAlbert Einstein, the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, famously expressed discomfort with the high regard for his work, suggesting he felt like an "involuntary swindler," a sentiment that resonates with the phenomenon known as imposter syndrome. While Einstein grappled with self-doubt, many other Nobel Prize winners have exhibited what is termed "Nobel disease," a tendency to adopt unscientific beliefs post-award. This includes notable figures like Pierre Curie, who delved into paranormal investigations, and Kary Mullis, who espoused skepticism about climate change and claimed to have encountered a talking raccoon. Experts suggest that the pressure of newfound fame may lead laureates to stray beyond their expertise, resulting in cognitive errors and pseudoscientific beliefs. Despite these intriguing cases, researchers caution against labeling this trend as a true "disease," emphasizing the importance of maintaining rigorous scientific standards.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Byford Dolphin Accident, which occurred on November 5, 1983, in the North Sea, is regarded as one of the most catastrophic diving incidents in history. During a routine operation involving saturation diving, a diver mistakenly unlatched a diving bell before it had been depressurized, resulting in a catastrophic decompression event. The diving bell was violently expelled, killing the diver who had released the clamp almost instantly. Tragically, three other divers inside the saturation chamber suffered horrific injuries as their bodies rapidly decompressed, leading to fatal hemorrhaging and dismemberment. Autopsy reports detailed the gruesome aftermath, with one diver's remains found in multiple bags across the rig. Following the incident, the families of the victims campaigned for 26 years, ultimately revealing equipment failures as the cause of the divers' tragic deaths. The accident remains a stark reminder of the dangers associated with deep-sea diving.
Published: Oct 07 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe Xerces blue butterfly, once native to the San Francisco Peninsula, holds the grim distinction of being the first insect species in North America to be driven to extinction by human activity. Last observed in 1941, genetic analysis conducted in 2021 confirmed its status as a unique species, dispelling doubts about its extinction. Urban development and habitat loss are believed to have contributed significantly to its decline. Recent advancements in genetic sequencing have sparked discussions about the potential for de-extinction, with experts noting that the Xerces blue could be a viable candidate due to its relatively recent disappearance. As scientists emphasize the importance of protecting existing insect populations amid a broader ecological crisis, they highlight the critical role insects play in maintaining biodiversity and healthy ecosystems. The Xerces blue serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of human impact on the environment.
Published: Oct 03 2025, 6 ameznews.inAn amateur astronomer analyzing data from NASA's Perseverance rover may have identified interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed by Mars on October 3, 2025. Discovered on July 1, 2023, 3I/ATLAS is traveling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and is estimated to have a nucleus of about 5.6 kilometers and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. While the comet has now vanished from Earth's view, it was closely monitored during its approach to Mars, where NASA and the European Space Agency had planned observations. Despite a government funding lapse preventing NASA from releasing new data, Perseverance continues to send raw images to the public. Some believe they have spotted the comet in these images, although experts suggest it may be a Mars orbiter instead. Confirmation of the comet's sighting from Mars awaits further analysis, as the astronomical community remains hopeful for clarity soon.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inUsing advanced telescopes, scientists have observed light from the galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, which left 13.5 billion years ago, highlighting our ability to explore the cosmos. However, viewing the atomic scale remains a challenge due to the limitations of visible light, which cannot resolve objects smaller than its wavelength of 400 to 700 nanometers. Purdue University explains that to visualize an object, its size must be at least half the wavelength of the light used, making atoms, which measure around 0.1 to 0.3 nanometers, invisible to visible light. Instead, X-rays and electrons, which possess shorter wavelengths, are employed for atomic imaging. Recent advancements, such as Cornell University's record-resolution imaging of a praseodymium orthoscandate crystal, demonstrate the potential of electron microscopy. Despite these breakthroughs, experts caution that we may have reached the ultimate limit for atomic resolution, necessitating innovative techniques for further exploration.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable rescue operation in 1985, approximately 2,000 beluga whales trapped by thick ice in the Chukchi Peninsula were saved thanks to a Russian icebreaker, the _Moskva_. Initially, local residents attempted to sustain the whales by feeding them frozen fish and maintaining air holes, but as conditions worsened, a more drastic solution was needed. The _Moskva_, equipped with a powerful diesel-electric engine, was enlisted to break through the ice. After assessing the dire situation, the crew decided to play music, recalling that whales respond to melodies. Classical music proved particularly effective, enticing the beleaguered belugas to follow the ship as it carved a path through the ice. By the end of February, the whales successfully returned to the open ocean, marking a costly yet triumphant mission that underscored the profound connection between music and marine life.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study has reignited the debate over the potential link between menstrual cycles and lunar phases, suggesting that periods may have once been synchronized with the Moon but have since been disrupted by the advent of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Researchers analyzed data from 176 women in the Northern Hemisphere, finding that those whose menstrual records predated 2010 showed significant alignment with the lunar cycle. However, lead researcher Charlotte Helfrich-Förster cautioned that while a correlation exists, a causal link remains unproven. Critics highlight limitations, including the small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, which may not account for other influencing factors like aging or environmental changes. Experts also question the gravitational effects proposed in the study, suggesting that further controlled research is necessary to validate these findings. The study, published in *Science Advances*, underscores the complexity of understanding the interplay between biological rhythms and environmental influences.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAstronomers have recorded the second-closest asteroid fly-by ever, with the recently discovered asteroid 2025 TF passing Earth at a distance of just 6,790 kilometers (4,330 miles) early on October 1. This measurement, taken from the Earth's center, translates to approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) above Antarctica, a height comparable to that of the International Space Station. The asteroid, estimated to be between 1 and 3 meters in diameter, was first detected by the Catalina Sky Survey hours after its closest approach. While objects of this size pose no significant threat, the incident highlights ongoing challenges in tracking near-Earth objects, as warnings remain unreliable. Despite the U.S. government shutdown preventing NASA from issuing statements, the European Space Agency confirmed the fly-by, underscoring the need for improved detection capabilities, especially for larger asteroids that could pose a greater risk.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn the quest to identify the animal with the worst breath, anecdotal evidence suggests several contenders, though scientific literature on the topic is scarce. Bad breath in animals can stem from poor oral hygiene and the consumption of foul-smelling foods. Humpback whales, for instance, are notorious for their breath, which has been described as a pungent mix of fishiness and flatulence, largely due to their krill-heavy diet. Sea lions also rank high on the list, with their fishy diet contributing to their notorious halitosis. Vultures, known for scavenging rotting carcasses and often vomiting to deter predators, produce an equally unpleasant odor. Lastly, Tasmanian devils, with their diet of decaying meat and musky scent glands, complete the roster of animals with notably foul breath. In comparison, a morning breath after garlic bread seems far more manageable.
Published: Oct 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inMary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking work on peripheral immune tolerance, a crucial mechanism that prevents the immune system from attacking the body itself. The prize, valued at 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.17 million USD), will be equally shared among the winners. Their research, which began in the 1990s, revealed that while central tolerance eliminates self-reactive immune cells in the thymus and bone marrow, some can escape into circulation, potentially leading to autoimmune diseases. Sakaguchi's discovery of a new class of immune cells, along with Brunkow and Ramsdell's findings on the _Foxp3_ gene, has opened new avenues in immunology, paving the way for innovative treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer, including promising clinical trials for an "inverse vaccine" aimed at reversing autoimmune symptoms.
Published: Oct 06 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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