eznews.inIn a recent episode of the podcast _We Have Questions_, Dr. Selena Wisnom explores the ancient practice of liver divination, a method once employed by the Assyrians and Babylonians to predict the future by examining the livers of sheep. While modern scientists may view this practice with skepticism, Wisnom argues that it offers valuable insights into the early intersections of science and spirituality. This ancient technique, which sought to unveil divine intentions regarding personal and societal matters, is highlighted as a fascinating aspect of Mesopotamian history. Interestingly, Wisnom notes that liver divination has even been credited with predicting significant contemporary events, such as the election of Donald Trump. The episode invites listeners to reflect on the historical significance of such practices and their role in shaping early scientific thought. The full discussion is available on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 
Published: Dec 14 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe common swift, a remarkable bird, has been confirmed to fly for nearly ten months without landing, a feat first suggested by Welsh ornithologist Ronald Lockley in the 1970s. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden tracked 13 adult swifts using data loggers, revealing that these birds spend over 99.5% of their time in the air, only landing for about two months to breed. Notably, three swifts managed to remain airborne throughout their entire migration from Sweden to the Sahara and back. The study suggests that differences in feather molting may explain why some swifts land while others do not. Common swifts have evolved to be highly efficient flyers, with streamlined bodies and long wings that minimize energy expenditure. While it remains uncertain if they sleep while flying, their extraordinary endurance has garnered admiration, earning them a new fanbase. The findings were published in *Current Biology* in 2016.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 7 ameznews.inThis weekend marks the peak of the Geminids meteor shower, renowned for its spectacular display, with an anticipated rate of 150 meteors per hour. The visibility will be enhanced by a waning Moon, making it an ideal time for stargazers. The Geminids originate from the peculiar asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which behaves more like a comet, moving closer to the Sun than any other known asteroid. Initially thought to be a dead comet, Phaethon may be releasing sodium rather than water vapor, contributing to its comet-like tail. Notably, it has the highest light polarization in the Solar System and spins rapidly on its axis, though its rotation is gradually slowing. Discovered in 1983, Phaethon is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, but poses no threat to Earth for at least the next 400 years.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAmerican astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and English physicist Brian Cox have addressed the recent excitement surrounding interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, particularly the unfounded speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft. Detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on July 1, 2025, the comet is believed to be around 7 to 8 billion years old, originating from a distant star system. In a discussion on the podcast StarTalk, Cox emphasized the significance of studying such an ancient object, arguing that its natural history is far more intriguing than the notion of extraterrestrial involvement. Both Tyson and Cox humorously dismissed the alien theory, noting that if it were a spacecraft, it would be an odd design, behaving just like a comet. As 3I/ATLAS approaches its closest point to Earth on December 19, 2025, the scientists encourage a focus on its scientific value rather than sensational claims.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study presented at the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting in 2018 has unveiled a vast ecosystem of microorganisms thriving miles beneath the Earth's surface. Researchers estimate that around 70% of the planet's total microbial population resides underground, contributing approximately 15 to 23 billion tonnes of carbon—significantly surpassing the carbon mass of all humans. This subterranean ecosystem, dubbed the "subterranean Galapagos," showcases a genetic diversity that may rival or exceed that of surface life, primarily consisting of bacteria and archaea, with some eukarya, including a newly discovered nematode found over 1.4 kilometers deep in a South African gold mine. Despite the extreme conditions of heat, pressure, and nutrient scarcity, this deep biosphere could provide insights into the limits of life on Earth and beyond. Researchers emphasize the need for further exploration to fully understand the interactions between subsurface and surface life.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA recent trip to Loch Ness, famed for its legendary creature Nessie, sparked a deeper inquiry into the implications of potentially discovering the elusive cryptid. While the journalist remains skeptical about Nessie's existence, the journey raised intriguing questions, particularly regarding the so-called Nessie Contingency Plan, a whimsical yet serious guideline from NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, designed to protect any newly discovered species in the loch. Although the agency clarified that such protections are not currently in place, the idea of safeguarding a "lost" species resonates with conservationists like Dr. Barney Long, who emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unexpected discoveries. With ongoing sightings reported in 2025, local sentiment leans towards keeping any potential findings secret to ensure the creature's safety. Ultimately, the article suggests that harnessing the fascination with cryptids could be better directed towards conservation efforts for known endangered species.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 2 ameznews.inAstronomers have released a timelapse of the newly discovered exoplanet HD 143811 AB b, a Tatooine-like world six times the size of Jupiter, as it orbits two stars. This young planet, estimated to be just 13 million years old and nearly twice as hot as Venus, offers valuable insights into the formation and evolution of binary star systems. Unlike most exoplanets, which are detected indirectly, HD 143811 AB b was directly imaged due to its size and heat, making it one of the coolest exoplanets captured in such detail. The planet orbits at a distance twice that of Neptune, suggesting it formed around the stars rather than being a captured rogue. The discovery, made by a team led by Dr. Jason Wang and PhD student Nathalie Jones, highlights the rarity of such planets, with only a handful known to exist in binary systems. Their findings are published in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters*.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe alignment of the three "norths"—true north, magnetic north, and grid north—over England is set to drift away, according to the British Geological Survey. This unique convergence, which has been observed near Langton Matravers in Dorset since November 2023, will exit the country at Berwick-upon-Tweed on December 13, 2025, after travelling 576 km in just over three years. True north remains fixed at the geographic North Pole, while magnetic north is constantly shifting due to the movement of molten iron in the Earth's outer core. Although this alignment is a significant geospatial event, experts emphasize it will not impact daily navigation, as the variations between magnetic and true north will continue to exist. The next occurrence of this alignment over land will not happen until late 2026 in Scotland, and it may take centuries for it to return to England.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 7 ameznews.inLeeches, once a staple of medical practices worldwide, faced near extinction due to a 19th-century craze that saw their demand skyrocket. This obsession was fueled by Parisian physician François-Joseph-Victor Broussais, who promoted leeches as a cure-all for various ailments, leading to hospitals using millions of them annually. However, the intense collection methods and habitat destruction caused their populations to dwindle significantly. By the late 19th century, leeches were nearly extinct in Europe, prompting conservation efforts. Despite their decline, leeches have recently regained favor in medicine, particularly in reconstructive and plastic surgery, where they assist in blood flow management. The story of medicinal leeches illustrates the long-lasting impacts of medical fads and the delicate balance between human health practices and ecological sustainability.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe English alphabet once comprised 27 letters, including the ampersand (&), which represented the word "and." This symbol, derived from the Latin "et," was commonly used in early English alphabets, often appearing at the end, following Z. Historical records, such as those from the monk Byrhtferth over a millennium ago, show the ampersand's presence alongside other letters. It remained part of the alphabet until the 1800s, when children would recite it as “& per se and,” indicating its standalone meaning. However, its decline coincided with the popularization of the ABC song, copyrighted in 1835, which omitted the ampersand. While the exact reasons for its removal from the alphabet remain unclear, the ampersand continues to be used today, primarily for stylistic purposes in various contexts, such as branding and titles.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 10 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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