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FBI Decodes Zodiac Killer's 340 Cipher, Reveals Message

The FBI has confirmed that a team of codebreakers has successfully deciphered the notorious 340 cipher used by the Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer active in California during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Zodiac Killer, who claimed at least five victims, sent cryptic messages to the press, with the 340-character cipher remaining unsolved for over 51 years. The breakthrough was achieved by David Oranchak, Sam Blake, and Jarl Van Eycke, who utilized software to analyze the cipher's structure, revealing phrases such as "I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me" and references to the gas chamber. While the FBI acknowledged the solution, they emphasized that the investigation into the Zodiac Killer remains ongoing, and the deciphered message did not provide any new leads on the killer's identity. The team expressed disappointment that the cipher contained no actionable information, describing it as "attention-seeking garbage." sources

Published:
Dec 21 2025, 9 am

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS: Abundant Life-Related Molecules Found

Astronomers have detected the third interstellar visitor, comet 3I/ATLAS, which contains vital molecules for life, including methanol and hydrogen cyanide. Discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System on July 1, 2025, this comet is believed to be older than the Solar System itself, having traveled through space for billions of years. As it approaches its closest point to Earth, scientists are racing to study its unique chemistry, which shows an unusually high abundance of methanol—around 8% of its vapor—compared to just 2% in typical Solar System comets. While these molecules are not direct evidence of life, they are considered essential building blocks for forming complex organic compounds. The findings suggest that interstellar objects like 3I/ATLAS could provide insights into the origins of life on Earth and the potential for similar building blocks existing elsewhere in the galaxy. sources

Published:
Dec 20 2025, 8 pm

Listen Closely: You Can Hear a Bee Ejaculate

In a striking revelation about bee reproduction, researchers have found that the mating process of male drones is not only explosive but also fatal. When a queen bee, after reaching sexual maturity, embarks on a nuptial flight, she emits pheromones that attract eager drones. During copulation, the male's endophallus violently ejects into the queen, producing a sound audible to humans, but this act ultimately leads to the drone's demise as it becomes paralyzed and dies after mating. Alarmingly, extreme heatwaves have been shown to exacerbate this issue, causing drones to "explosively ejaculate to death." Experts suggest that simple interventions, such as providing cooling stations or insulating hives, could mitigate these risks. As the plight of these drones highlights the harsh realities of nature, it underscores the importance of ensuring their survival in a changing climate. sources

Published:
Dec 21 2025, 10 am

Giant Shark's Satellite Tag Found in Unexpected Location

In a groundbreaking study off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, scientists have documented the first known predation of a porbeagle shark, revealing a grim tale of survival in the ocean's depths. Researchers had tagged a pregnant female porbeagle shark, measuring 2.2 meters, to track her movements. However, after 158 days, her tag surfaced in Bermuda, indicating a sudden change in her diving patterns and temperature data, suggesting she had been consumed by a larger predator. The investigation pointed to either a great white or shortfin mako shark as the likely culprits, with evidence favoring the great white due to its consistent depth patterns. This predation event is particularly concerning as it not only eliminates a reproductive female but also her developing pups, highlighting a previously unrecognized threat to the porbeagle population, which already faces challenges due to its slow reproductive rate. The findings were published in *Frontiers in Marine Science*. sources

Published:
Dec 17 2025, 6 pm

Africa May Split into Two Continents and New Ocean

Africa is slowly undergoing a geological transformation that could eventually see part of East Africa break away, potentially forming a new ocean. This process is linked to the East African Rift System (EARS), a significant rift zone stretching across several countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. The African tectonic plate is gradually splitting into the smaller Somalian plate and the larger Nubian plate, moving apart at a rate of mere millimeters per year. While a crack in Kenya in 2018 sparked speculation about an imminent split, it was merely a localized manifestation of ongoing rifting. Over the next 5 to 10 million years, the EARS may lead to a dramatically altered landscape, with East Africa becoming isolated by a new sea. This slow but inevitable geological change is part of Earth's dynamic history, reminiscent of the ancient separation of South America and Africa. sources

Published:
Dec 21 2025, 3 am

40 Circular Structures Discovered Beneath Lake Michigan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) has confirmed the discovery of approximately 40 circular structures at the bottom of Lake Michigan, identified as sinkholes. These depressions, ranging from 91 to 183 meters in diameter, were first detected during a 2022 sonar survey and further examined in an August expedition. Located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan, the sinkholes likely formed due to geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone by groundwater. Similar sinkholes in Lake Huron have revealed ancient microbial communities, suggesting that Lake Michigan's sinkholes may also harbor unique life forms. Scientists are eager to study these structures further, as they could provide insights into early Earth conditions and the types of microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments. sources

Published:
Dec 21 2025, 1 am

Is It Possible to Drill Through the Earth?

Eight years ago, an interactive map captured public imagination by showing where one would emerge if they dug straight through the Earth, often landing in an ocean. While the idea is whimsical, the reality of such a feat is daunting. China is currently attempting to drill a 10,000-meter hole to explore Cretaceous rocks, but this will not surpass the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia, which reached 12,263 meters. The Kola project revealed unexpected wet rocks and challenged existing geological theories. However, both projects fall short of penetrating the Earth's lithosphere to reach the mantle, which varies in thickness from 6 to 100 kilometers. Drilling deeper presents extreme challenges, including immense pressure—over 1.1 trillion hPa—and temperatures exceeding 5,200 degrees Celsius. These conditions would likely destroy drilling equipment, making the prospect of digging through the Earth a near-impossible task. sources

Published:
Dec 20 2025, 8 pm

Moon Crash, Prehistoric Bees in Fossils, and More This Week

This week, significant discoveries in paleontology and space exploration have made headlines. A 120-million-year-old dinosaur trackway has unveiled the fastest Cretaceous theropod, capable of sprinting at approximately 45 kilometers per hour, akin to a professional cyclist. Meanwhile, the fossil known as "Little Foot," one of the most complete early hominin skeletons, may represent an unidentified human relative, challenging existing evolutionary classifications. In a notable shift for NASA, billionaire Jared Isaacman has been confirmed as the agency's new administrator, following a tumultuous nomination process. Additionally, a rare event was captured as astronomers observed a flash of light on the Moon, likely caused by a collision with an unidentified object. Lastly, astronauts shared their thoughts on the best fictional spaceships, highlighting the enduring fascination with space travel in popular culture. sources

Published:
Dec 20 2025, 10 pm

New Top Infectious Killer Emerges, Not COVID-19

Tuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, a slight increase from 2022, with 87% of cases concentrated in just 30 countries, particularly India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with WHO calling for urgent action to eliminate the epidemic by 2030. While TB-related deaths have generally declined since 2021, funding for prevention and research remains critically low, with only $5.7 billion allocated last year against a target of $22 billion. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively. sources

Published:
Dec 20 2025, 11 pm

What Is the Oldest City in the U.S.?

St. Augustine, located in northeastern Florida, holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. This predates the establishment of Roanoke and Jamestown by 20 and 42 years, respectively, marking a significant chapter in American history often overshadowed by English narratives. Menéndez's expedition aimed to establish a Spanish settlement and displace a French fort nearby, leading to the city's founding on August 28, the feast day of Saint Augustine, after whom the city is named. Over the centuries, St. Augustine has transitioned through British and Spanish rule before becoming part of the United States, yet it has remained continuously settled. The city's rich history reflects the diverse European influences that shaped early American settlements, challenging the dominant English-centric historical perspective. sources

Published:
Dec 20 2025, 8 pm

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