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Discovered in 1994, the Xiaozhai Tiankeng, or Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit, located in Fengjie County, Chongqing Municipality, China, is the world's deepest sinkhole, measuring approximately 537 meters in diameter and plunging between 511 and 662 meters into the Earth. With near-vertical walls, it boasts a volume of 119.349 million cubic meters. The sinkhole features a double-nested structure, comprising two distinct bowls, each over 300 meters deep. At its base, an underground river flows for about 8.5 kilometers, culminating in a 46-meter waterfall. The Xiaozhai sinkhole supports a unique ecosystem, home to 1,285 plant species, including the rare Ginkgo biloba, and endangered animals like the clouded leopard. Formed over the last 128,000 years from Triassic limestone, the Xiaozhai Tiankeng exemplifies the rare geological phenomenon known as "tiankeng," which requires specific conditions for formation, with China housing the majority of these structures. 
Published: Sep 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA newly discovered plant species, _Vincetoxicum nakaianum_, has captivated scientists by mimicking the distress signals of ants to attract pollinators, marking a first in botanical mimicry. Described just last year, this dogbane species cleverly exploits the behavior of grass flies, which prefer to scavenge injured prey. When an ant is attacked, it emits a signal that alerts other ants and attracts grass flies. The plant mimics this signal, luring the flies to its flowers under the false pretense of an easy meal, resulting in pollination. Ko Mochizuki from the University of Tokyo, who stumbled upon this phenomenon while conducting unrelated research, emphasized the serendipitous nature of the discovery. This finding not only highlights the intricate relationships within ecosystems but also suggests that many forms of floral mimicry may still be undiscovered, prompting further investigation into the evolutionary dynamics of such adaptations. The study is published in *Current Biology*.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inEarth is a dynamic planet, constantly reshaped by tectonic movements, as illustrated by a new study from Australian and Chinese geologists. They have created a one-minute video showcasing the movement of Earth's tectonic plates over the past 1.8 billion years, beginning with the present-day continents and tracing back to the formation of supercontinents like Pangaea and Rodinia. Contrary to the notion of a "boring billion" years of geological stability, the study suggests this period was marked by significant tectonic activity. Looking ahead, Africa's colossal rift may eventually split the continent, potentially forming a new ocean in 5 to 10 million years. Furthermore, projections indicate that a new supercontinent could emerge in about 200 million years, with scenarios including "Amasia," where continents cluster around the North Pole, or "Aurica," where they gather at the equator. The findings are detailed in the journal Geoscience Frontiers.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 3 ameznews.inA new fossil analysis has revealed that woolly and Columbian mammoths in North America interbred over thousands of years, challenging previous assumptions about their evolutionary paths. Traditionally viewed as separate species adapted to different climates, the discovery of two hybrid mammoth teeth in Canada indicates that these Ice Age giants mingled during glacial periods. The younger fossil, dating back 25,000 years, contained 35% Columbian mammoth DNA, while the older one, approximately 36,000 years old, had 21%. This suggests long-term hybridization, which researchers believe played a significant role in mammoth evolution and adaptability to climate changes. Professor Adrian Lister, a co-author of the study, emphasized that hybridization is a crucial factor in evolution, potentially applicable to understanding other extinct species. The findings, published in *Biology Letters*, could provide insights into how ancient animals responded to environmental shifts, with implications for modern species like elephants.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inNASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully demonstrated advanced optical communication by sending and receiving laser messages over a distance of 350 million kilometers (218 million miles), surpassing the average distance to Mars. This achievement, part of NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications technology, lays the groundwork for high-speed data links essential for future human missions to the Red Planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche is set to study the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche starting in 2029. The spacecraft utilizes a laser transceiver to communicate with ground stations, with data being decoded at Caltech’s Palomar Observatory. This technology, which has shown data transmission rates comparable to household broadband, could enable real-time video streaming from Mars, enhancing exploration capabilities. NASA officials emphasize that these advancements are crucial for the future of space exploration, paving the way for a new era of discovery.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAs schools reopen for the new academic year, the rise of respiratory viruses, including new COVID-19 variants, is a growing concern. The latest variant, named Stratus (XFG), is a recombinant strain that emerged from the fusion of two other variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2, and was first identified in Canada before spreading globally. Stratus is believed to be a significant contributor to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States, where the CDC has classified SARS-CoV-2 activity as "Very High" in 19 states. Similar to its predecessor Nimbus, Stratus is part of the Omicron lineage and is characterized by high transmissibility and milder symptoms, including cough, congestion, and notably, hoarseness. While current vaccines are expected to remain effective against these variants, health authorities are reassessing vaccination strategies, and individuals are encouraged to take precautions such as wearing masks and improving indoor ventilation.
Published: Sep 20 2025, 8 ameznews.inNASA has unveiled an updated timeline for its Artemis II mission, which aims to return humans to the Moon in early 2026, earlier than anticipated. In a press conference, officials confirmed that the mission will send four astronauts, including the first woman, on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking humanity's first lunar flyby since Apollo 17 in 1972. The launch window opens on February 5, 2026, with a firm commitment to launch by April 26. The mission will utilize a "free-return trajectory," leveraging gravitational forces to ensure a safe return without extensive course corrections. Following a high-speed reentry, the crew will splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. NASA emphasized that safety remains its top priority, having postponed the mission from its original schedule due to damage to the Orion capsule's heat shield during a previous test. A lunar landing is projected for as early as 2027.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn March 2013, a tragic incident unfolded in Seffner, Florida, when 37-year-old Jeff Bush was swallowed by a sinkhole that opened beneath his bedroom while he slept. The sinkhole, measuring approximately 6 meters (20 feet) across and deep, was heard by his brother Jeremy and his partner Rachel, who rushed to the scene after hearing Jeff's screams. Despite Jeremy's desperate attempt to rescue him, he was pulled back to safety by a deputy sheriff as the ground continued to collapse. Rescuers were unable to locate Bush's body, which, along with bedroom furniture, was lost in the sinkhole. The following day, engineers deemed the site too dangerous for further rescue efforts, leading to the demolition of the house and the filling of the sinkhole with gravel. Florida's geology, rich in limestone, makes it particularly prone to such sinkholes, which occur when underground caverns collapse.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 6 pmeznews.inChinese researchers have detected equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) over the Pyramids of Giza using a radar system from 8,000 kilometers away on Hainan Island. EPBs, which are hot pockets of superheated gas that form at low latitudes after sunset, can disrupt satellite communications and navigation. While such bubbles are common in the region, the ability to observe them in real-time from such a distance is groundbreaking. The Low Latitude long Range Ionospheric Radar (LARID) has significantly improved its detection range, now reaching 9,600 kilometers. The researchers propose that establishing a network of similar radars could enhance global monitoring of EPBs, which are influenced by seasonal changes and solar activity. This advancement could help mitigate disruptions to satellites that play crucial roles in communications and navigation, impacting daily life worldwide. The findings are detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Published: Sep 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inScientists monitoring whale sharks along the US coast have identified an individual with a unique spinal deformity, believed to be kyphoscoliosis, marking the first recorded case of such a condition in a whale shark. Spotted initially in 2010 by NOAA researchers in the Gulf of Mexico, this 6-meter-long shark was re-encountered in 2013, when a satellite tag was attached to track its movements. Over 98 days, it traveled 2,062 kilometers, demonstrating that the deformity did not hinder its natural migratory behavior. The whale shark, a gentle giant and the largest known fish species, was observed feeding on fish eggs, similar to its peers. While spinal deformities are noted in various shark species, this case is unprecedented for whale sharks. Researchers speculate the condition is congenital, as no signs of trauma were evident during observations. The findings are detailed in the Journal of Fish Biology.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 3 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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