eznews.inFrom October to March, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can observe the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, a prominent star cluster in the constellation Taurus. Comprising over 1,000 stars, the brightest are hot blue stars formed around 100 million years ago. The Pleiades have inspired myths across various cultures, notably in Greek mythology, where they are depicted as the daughters of Atlas, transformed into stars by Zeus to protect them from Orion the hunter. Interestingly, Indigenous Australian stories echo this theme, featuring a male figure pursuing the Pleiades, highlighting striking similarities despite the cultures' historical isolation. Research suggests that 100,000 years ago, a seventh star, Pleione, was visible, potentially explaining the "Seven Sisters" narrative. This shared myth may date back to a time when ancestors of both cultures were telling stories around campfires in Africa, raising the possibility that it could be the world's oldest story. 
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA mathematical equation, known as the "Carter catastrophe," has sparked discussions about humanity's potential extinction by suggesting that our existence is statistically random within the timeline of human history. Developed by Australian astrophysicist Brandon Carter, the equation posits that if humanity's total population is finite, one should not assume they are living in a unique moment, such as the beginning or end of human existence. Astrophysicist J. Richard Gott applied this concept to predict the fall of the Berlin Wall and the longevity of Stonehenge, demonstrating its predictive power. Gott estimates that humanity could face extinction within 19,000 years unless birth rates decline significantly. While the equation offers a probabilistic framework for understanding our future, it remains speculative, influenced by various factors such as technological advancements and changes in life expectancy. Thus, while intriguing, the notion of impending doom should not be a cause for immediate concern.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a surprising revelation, sloths can hold their breath for an astonishing 40 minutes, far surpassing dolphins, which manage around 10 minutes. This remarkable ability stems from their exceptionally slow metabolism, which allows them to significantly reduce their heart rate and conserve oxygen while submerged. While sloths are often perceived as the slowest creatures on land, they exhibit surprising agility in water, swimming three times faster than their terrestrial pace. Their unique physiology also includes a stomach that acts as a flotation device, aiding their buoyancy. However, sloths are not the champions of breath-holding in the animal kingdom; elephant seals can last up to two hours, and the record-holder, a curved beak whale, can hold its breath for an incredible 3 hours and 42 minutes. Despite their gentle appearance, sloths are also noted for their strength, being three times stronger than the average human.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study led by scientists at the University of Barcelona has revealed that red devil spiders, specifically the endemic species _Dysdera tilosensis_ found in the Canary Islands, experienced a dramatic reduction in genome size after colonizing the archipelago. Over a few million years, the genome of _D. tilosensis_ shrank to 1.7 billion base pairs, nearly half that of its mainland relative, _Dysdera catalonica_, which has 3.3 billion. This unexpected downsizing challenges the common evolutionary trend of genome expansion in isolated populations, often driven by the Founder Effect. Researchers suggest that the stable population dynamics in the Canary Islands may have maintained strong selective pressures, leading to the elimination of non-essential DNA. The findings, published in *Molecular Biology and Evolution*, indicate that a smaller genome does not equate to reduced complexity or adaptability, as _D. tilosensis_ exhibits greater genetic diversity despite its streamlined genome.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study led by MIT's Nicole Nie has uncovered what may be the first direct evidence of materials from the "proto-Earth," challenging previous assumptions about the planet's early history. The research, published in *Nature Geoscience*, reveals a unique potassium isotopic anomaly in ancient rocks from Greenland and Canada, suggesting they may contain remnants from before the catastrophic "Great Impact" that formed the Moon. This collision, which occurred over 4.5 billion years ago, is believed to have introduced vital volatile elements necessary for life. While the findings provide a tantalizing glimpse into Earth's formative years, Nie cautions that the exact chemical composition of the early planet remains elusive, indicating that the current inventory of meteorites used for comparison is incomplete. The study highlights the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of Earth's origins and its transformation into a life-sustaining world.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn 2015, Professor Adam Zeman coined the term "aphantasia" to describe the condition of individuals who cannot visualize images in their minds. Nearly a decade later, Zeman has published a comprehensive review of over 50 studies exploring this phenomenon, which affects an estimated 1-5% of the population. He emphasizes that aphantasia is not a disorder but rather a different way of processing information, with some individuals experiencing subtypes that affect memory and facial recognition. Personal accounts, such as that of 43-year-old Mary Wathen, reveal the challenges faced by those with aphantasia, including difficulty picturing loved ones. However, Wathen also notes advantages, such as enhanced verbal communication skills. The ongoing research highlights the diversity of human imagination and the need for educational approaches that accommodate various learning styles. The findings are detailed in the journal *Trends in Cognitive Sciences*.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Earth spins at approximately 1,000 miles per hour, yet we do not feel this motion due to the effects of gravity and inertia. Unlike the sensation of being pushed outward on a spinning roundabout, which is attributed to centrifugal force, our experience on Earth is dominated by gravity, which exerts a force of about 9.8 m/s². The slight reduction in weight at the equator, caused by the Earth's bulge and rotation, is negligible compared to gravitational pull. Additionally, the atmosphere moves in sync with the Earth, preventing us from feeling strong winds. The planet's smooth rotation means we only notice changes in motion, such as during earthquakes. If the Earth were to suddenly stop, however, the forces experienced would be significant, highlighting the contrast between constant velocity and sudden acceleration.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe winners of the 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, with UK amateur photographer Ken Jensen taking the top prize for his humorous image titled “Ouch!” featuring a Golden Silk Monkey caught in a clumsy moment. Jensen captured the photograph in 2016 during a trip to Yunnan, China, where the monkey's aggressive antics led to an unexpected slip. He expressed joy at his image bringing smiles worldwide while supporting wildlife conservation. The competition, established in 2015, donates 10% of its net revenue to Save Wild Orangutans, a charity focused on protecting orangutans in Borneo. The Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award went to John Speirs for his whimsical shot of a pigeon in Scotland, while other notable winners included Chee Kee Teo and Vicki Jauron for their charming wildlife images. Additionally, ten “Highly Commended Winners” were recognized for their delightful contributions.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inJason Moore has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards for his captivating photograph titled "Air Guitar Roo," which features a female Western grey kangaroo striking a playful pose. Captured in the outer suburbs of Perth during the early morning light, Moore's image showcases the kangaroo amidst vibrant wildflowers. He described the experience as a delightful session, noting that while kangaroos are typically docile, this particular moment brought him joy and inspiration. The competition attracted over 5,300 entries from 1,842 participants across 85 countries. Other notable winners included Jacek Stankiewicz, who won the Junior Award for "Dispute," and Vittorio Ricci, awarded for "Unexpected Plunge." The awards also recognized various categories, including Creatures Under the Sea, won by Otter Kwek for an otter's graceful twirl, and the Amazing Internet Portfolio Award, claimed by Tímea Ambrus for a series of humorous squirrel images.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe winners of the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, highlighting the year's most amusing wildlife images. Jennifer Hadley clinched the top prize with her photograph titled “Not so cat-like reflexes,” capturing a lion cub's comical fall from a tree in Tanzania's Serengeti. Hadley described the moment as unexpected, noting the collective gasp from her group as the cub tumbled but ultimately landed safely. In addition to the grand prize, Hadley also won the Affinity Photo 2 People’s Choice Award for another humorous shot of two penguins titled "Talk to the Fin." This year's competition attracted 5,000 entries from 85 countries, with awards spanning various categories, including underwater and land creatures. Other notable images included a highly commended squirrel and a raccoon waving at the camera, showcasing the delightful and often humorous side of wildlife photography.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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