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In 2013, six-year-old Nathan Woessner became trapped beneath 3.35 meters of sand at Mount Baldy in Indiana Dunes National Park when a sinkhole unexpectedly opened. After three hours, he was rescued by emergency workers, with geo-scientist Erin Argyilan, who was studying wind speeds nearby, witnessing the incident. Argyilan later investigated the phenomenon, noting that the dune, formed around 4,500 years ago, had enveloped a forest, leaving stable hollows where trees once stood. Her research revealed that decayed tree trunks, combined with calcium-carbonate-rich cement, could create hidden voids beneath the surface, posing a potential hazard in popular natural areas. The study suggests that Nathan survived due to an air pocket, preventing him from sliding to the bottom of the hole. The findings highlight the need for further investigation into similar geological features in other dune areas. 
Published: Jul 22 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe giant short-faced bear (_Arctodus simus_), the largest mammalian carnivore to have ever roamed North America, lived during the Pleistocene around 2 million years ago. Standing over 3.3 meters (11 feet) tall on its hind legs and weighing up to 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds), it dwarfed modern bears like the Kodiak and polar bears. Remarkably, it could run at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers (40 miles) per hour, aided by its unique toe structure. While often considered a carnivore, the short-faced bear was likely an omnivore and scavenger, consuming a varied diet based on availability. It went extinct around 11,000 years ago, coinciding with the decline of other megafauna and the arrival of humans in North America, with factors such as climate change and the loss of large herbivores potentially contributing to its demise. Its closest living relative is the spectacled bear, primarily herbivorous and found in South America.
Published: Jul 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA new study from physicists at The University of Arizona suggests that some asteroids, particularly 33 Polyhymnia, may contain heavy elements beyond the current periodic table, classified as Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs). These asteroids exhibit mass densities exceeding that of osmium, the densest naturally occurring element. The researchers explored theoretical elements with atomic numbers higher than 110, predicting that those near atomic number 164 could possess mass densities between 36.0 and 68.4 g/cm³, potentially explaining the density of 33 Polyhymnia. While elements beyond the periodic table are typically unstable, the possibility of discovering stable superheavy elements within dense asteroids has sparked interest among physicists and space mining enthusiasts alike. The findings, published in The European Physical Journal Plus, highlight the potential for new materials in our Solar System, with implications for both scientific research and future resource exploration.
Published: Jul 19 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe concept of infectious cancer, while reminiscent of dystopian fiction, has been observed in nature, particularly in animals. Notably, the canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) has been documented since 1876, primarily affecting dogs and transmitted during mating. This tumor, characterized by ghastly red growths, responds well to chemotherapy, leading to high survival rates, although it remains prevalent among stray and wild dogs in less developed regions. In contrast, the Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), first identified in 1996, has decimated up to 90% of the Tasmanian devil population, as it is nearly always fatal and often goes undetected by the immune system. Other rare instances of transmissible tumors have been noted in laboratory hamsters and soft shell clams, the latter presenting a unique mystery as the clams do not interact physically. Currently, humans remain unaffected by such transmissible cancers.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inSilky anteaters, the world's smallest anteaters, are remarkable creatures that thrive in the challenging environments of Central and South America, from Southern Mexico to Brazil. Known for their adorable golden fur, these elusive hunters possess formidable claws and unique adaptations, such as a prehensile tail for stability and unusual forelimbs designed for breaking into ant nests. Recent research has revealed significant genetic diversity among populations, suggesting the existence of up to seven distinct species, some of which are at risk due to habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion, particularly in Brazil's Amazon Basin. Despite their small size—averaging just 20 centimeters in length—silky anteaters are adept at evading predators and can consume up to 5,000 ants daily. Their survival strategies highlight the complexities of rainforest life, where even the tiniest creatures can wield surprising power in their ecosystems.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNASA's Juno spacecraft has unveiled a previously unseen type of plasma wave around Jupiter's north pole, marking a significant discovery in planetary science. Researchers identified "underdense" plasma behaving uniquely, likely influenced by high-energy particle beams first detected nine years ago. Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, boasts a magnetic field 16 to 54 times stronger than Earth's, with its magnetosphere extending over 3 million kilometers. This complex environment, shaped by solar wind, volcanic activity from its moon Io, and interactions with icy moons like Europa and Ganymede, generates powerful ultraviolet and X-ray auroras. Juno's findings reveal a transition from Alfvén waves, which oscillate perpendicularly to magnetic field lines, to Langmuir waves, where plasma oscillates parallel to these lines. This research, published in *Physical Review Letters*, enhances our understanding of plasma dynamics in Jupiter's atmosphere.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAstronomers have discovered that the Milky Way, along with 400 other galaxies, is being drawn towards an enigmatic region of space known as the Great Attractor, which spans 300 million light-years. This phenomenon was first hinted at in 1929 when the redshift of galaxies indicated an expanding universe. However, the Great Attractor remains largely obscured by the "Zone of Avoidance," an area of the sky blocked by our galaxy's plane and cosmic dust. Despite its invisibility, the gravitational pull of this massive structure is evident, as galaxies tend to cluster into superclusters. The Milky Way is part of the Virgo Supercluster, which is likely within an even larger structure called the Laniakea Supercluster, home to around 100,000 galaxies. While the Great Attractor serves as a central gravitational point for local galaxies, the universe's expansion will eventually isolate these clusters from one another.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAs weekends often bring dreary weather after a week of fair conditions, researchers have identified a phenomenon known as the "weekend effect," suggesting that weather patterns may indeed follow a weekly rhythm. This trend, attributed to a buildup of air pollution from weekday traffic and industrial activity, peaks by Friday and drops sharply over the weekend, potentially altering cloud properties and increasing rainfall. A 1998 study highlighted consistent cycles in air pollution and rainfall along the US Atlantic coast, with variations observed globally. While some regions experience drier weekends, others, particularly in Europe, see increased rainfall. Additionally, temperature patterns have been documented, with aerosol pollution affecting daily temperature ranges. However, not all scientists agree on the causal relationship, arguing that the complexity of weather systems makes it challenging to definitively link human activity to these observed patterns, necessitating further research for clarity.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA recent study by scientists at the University of Göttingen has revealed surprising findings about gold and other metals in ancient Hawaiian rocks formed from volcanic eruptions. While over 99.999% of Earth's gold is believed to be trapped in the metallic core, the researchers discovered that the lava contained significant amounts of gold and a specific isotope of ruthenium, 100Ru, which is more prevalent in the core than the crust. This suggests that material from the core is leaking into the mantle and reaching the surface, challenging the long-held belief that the core is geochemically isolated. The study indicates that vast quantities of super-heated mantle material, originating from the core-mantle boundary, contribute to the formation of ocean islands like Hawai'i. This research not only enhances our understanding of Earth's composition but also highlights the potential for gold and other valuable minerals to be found in volcanic activity. The findings are published in the journal Nature.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inMany people find themselves waking up at 3am or 4am, often spiraling into anxious thoughts about various worries, from jellyfish stings to personal concerns. This phenomenon is quite common, as most individuals experience brief awakenings throughout the night due to natural sleep cycles that include light sleep, deep sleep, and REM phases. While stress does not directly cause these awakenings, it can exacerbate them, leading to heightened anxiety during the night when rational thinking is diminished. Psychologist Greg Murray suggests that practicing mindfulness meditation can help calm the mind and facilitate a return to sleep. If mindfulness fails, he recommends reading a book to distract oneself from intrusive thoughts. Understanding that these nocturnal awakenings are normal may also alleviate some of the anxiety associated with them.
Published: Jul 19 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a significant challenge to the cosmological principle, which posits that the universe is uniform and isotropic at large scales, researchers have discovered a second colossal structure in close proximity to the previously identified Giant Arc. The newly named Big Ring, measuring 1.3 billion light-years in diameter and located 9.2 billion light-years away, is only 12 degrees apart from the Giant Arc, which spans 3.3 billion light-years. Alexia Lopez, a graduate researcher from the University of Central Lancashire, expressed astonishment at the existence of these two massive structures, as current cosmological theories suggest that such formations should not exceed a size limit of 1.2 billion light-years. The findings, presented at the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society, highlight the need for further observations to understand the implications of these extraordinary structures on our comprehension of the universe.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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