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In a bold response to a public health crisis and polluted waterways, Chicago authorities reversed the flow of the Chicago River in 1900, diverting wastewater away from Lake Michigan and towards the Mississippi River basin. This monumental engineering feat, achieved through the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, aimed to protect the city’s drinking water from contamination caused by industrial waste and sewage. While this move improved water quality for Chicagoans, it angered residents downstream, particularly in St. Louis, who found themselves facing a surge of pollution. Legal challenges ensued, but the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the project. Although the river remained dirty for much of the 20th century, recent environmental efforts have led to a resurgence of wildlife, with reports of fish, turtles, and even organized swims in the river, marking a significant turnaround from its polluted past. 
Published: Nov 13 2025, 8 ameznews.inA hydrothermal explosion occurred in Yellowstone National Park's Biscuit Basin, prompting a temporary closure of the area and damage to boardwalks, though no injuries were reported. Captured on video by visitors, the explosion, which took place near Sapphire Pool, involved the violent ejection of boiling water, steam, and rock fragments. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reassured the public that this event is unlikely to signal a larger volcanic eruption, as other geological activities remain normal. Hydrothermal explosions, while less dangerous than magmatic eruptions, can still pose significant risks, as demonstrated by the incident. Research geologist Lisa Morgan noted that these explosions are poorly understood and can occur with little warning, often triggered by sudden pressure drops. Smaller hydrothermal explosions happen annually in Yellowstone, but this event's location and timing, near a popular tourist spot, heightened its impact. 
Published: Nov 13 2025, 12 pmeznews.inRecent research has revealed that sea urchins, often dismissed as simple creatures due to their lack of a centralized brain, possess a surprisingly complex "all-body brain." Traditionally thought to have only a rudimentary radial nervous system, a study mapping the purple sea urchin (_Paracentrotus lividus_) has uncovered a diverse array of neuronal cell types, some expressing genes typically associated with vertebrate brains. This suggests that their neural organization is integrated throughout their bodies rather than centralized. Additionally, light-sensitive cells similar to those in human retinas were found scattered across their surfaces. Dr. Jack Ullrich-Lüter, a lead author of the study, argues that this challenges our understanding of intelligence and the evolution of nervous systems, urging a reevaluation of how we perceive intelligence in creatures that do not conform to human-like neurological structures. The findings were published in *Scientific Reports*. 
Published: Nov 12 2025, 11 pmeznews.inGoogle has introduced a new "Preferred Sources" feature, allowing users in the US and India to customize their news feeds by prioritizing their favorite media outlets, including IFLScience. This initiative aims to enhance user experience by enabling readers to receive more relevant science news while filtering out less pertinent content. To add IFLScience as a preferred source, users can follow a simple process involving a search for any news topic and selecting IFLScience from the options provided. This feature not only benefits readers by ensuring access to accurate and engaging science reporting but also supports smaller publishers like IFLScience in reaching dedicated audiences amidst a challenging media landscape marked by AI-generated content and declining trust in news. By encouraging users to take control of their news consumption, Google aims to foster a more informed public while helping quality outlets thrive. 
Published: Nov 13 2025, 10 ameznews.inA Kansas family lived in a home infested with 2,055 brown recluse spiders for over five years, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology. The family, which included two children, only identified the spiders as _Loxosceles reclusa_ in 2001, prompting researchers to conduct a collection effort. Over six months, they captured or killed 2,055 spiders, including 488 capable of envenomation, yet remarkably, no bites were reported among the occupants. The study suggests that the presence of such a high number of spiders without envenomation may indicate that medical professionals often misdiagnose skin lesions as spider bites, particularly in areas where brown recluse populations are not established. The findings challenge the perception of the brown recluse as a significant health threat, highlighting that bites are rarely severe and often result from secondary infections rather than venom. 
Published: Nov 09 2025, 8 pmeznews.inOn June 28, 2009, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking hosted a unique experiment at the University of Cambridge to test the possibility of time travel by inviting guests to a party, sending out the invites only after the event had occurred. The absence of attendees led to speculation that time travel to the past may not be feasible or that potential time travelers have more pressing interests. Following Hawking's lead, a team of physicists sought evidence of time travelers by searching the Internet for references to future events, such as the discovery of Comet ISON in 2012 and the election of Pope Francis. Despite their efforts, which included a public call for time travelers to come forward, no prescient communications were found. The researchers concluded that time travelers might be unable to leave traces or may choose to remain hidden, leaving the question of time travel unresolved. 
Published: Nov 13 2025, 12 ameznews.inDrug tests vary significantly in their ability to detect substances, as not all drugs leave detectable traces in the body for the same duration. Upon ingestion, drugs are metabolized, producing byproducts that can be identified in blood, urine, and hair. While hair tests are the most reliable, detecting substances like alcohol and morphine for up to 90 days, blood and urine tests have more limited windows. For instance, heroin is typically undetectable in urine after three to five days, while substances like LSD and MDMA can be found for three to six days. Marijuana, however, can remain detectable in urine for up to 30 days. This variability highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of different drug testing methods, as many advertised tests may not provide the comprehensive results they claim. 
Published: Nov 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA peculiar story from China has emerged, claiming that a woman lost a decade's worth of memories after straining excessively while using the toilet. According to Hong Kong's Sky Post, the woman, who had been suffering from severe constipation, experienced acute memory loss for eight hours following her bathroom visit. Her family reported that she was unable to recall anything from the past ten years, prompting a hospital visit where doctors found her physical and mental health to be stable. By the next morning, her memory had returned, but the eight-hour gap remained a mystery. While the reliability of such tabloid accounts is questionable, medical experts suggest that excessive straining could lead to vasovagal syncope, causing temporary fainting and potential amnesia due to reduced blood flow to the brain. However, the authenticity of this incident remains uncertain, leaving room for speculation about its veracity. 
Published: Nov 12 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe fishing cat (_Prionailurus viverrinus_), a semi-aquatic wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia, has adapted uniquely to its watery habitat, thriving in wetlands, rivers, and mangroves. Slightly larger than domestic cats, they possess a robust build, shorter legs, and semi-webbed paws, enabling them to swim proficiently and hunt underwater. Their diet primarily consists of fish, but they also consume shellfish, birds, and small mammals. Recent studies reveal their surprising ability to climb trees, allowing them to hunt waterbird chicks during monsoon seasons when fishing becomes challenging. However, fishing cats face significant threats from habitat loss and human conflict, as they are often seen as competitors for local resources. Classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN, conservation efforts are urgently needed to protect this unique species and its wetland ecosystems, with experts advocating for strategies that benefit both the cats and local communities. 
Published: Nov 08 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe Sun has unleashed its most powerful solar flare of 2025, an X5.1 eruption, resulting in significant radio blackouts across Europe and Africa. This event, which occurred on Tuesday, follows two earlier flares recorded on November 9 and 10, categorized as X1.7 and X1.2, both linked to an active sunspot, AR4274. The accompanying coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are expected to reach Earth tonight, potentially triggering a severe G4 geomagnetic storm. This could allow the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, to be visible at unusually low latitudes, including as far south as Alabama and northern California. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that strong geomagnetic storms may persist until November 14, with the potential for further disruptions to radio communications as the charged particles interact with the Earth's magnetic field. 
Published: Nov 12 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
