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Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar visitor to our Solar System, is set to make its closest approach to Mars on October 3, coming within 29 million kilometers (18 million miles) of the planet. While Earth will miss the best view, numerous spacecraft, including the European Space Agency's Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, as well as NASA's rovers, are poised to observe the comet. 3I/ATLAS is notable for its speed, traveling at 58 kilometers per second (about 130,000 mph), and its unique origin, believed to be from the thick disk of the Milky Way, unlike its predecessors, 1I/’Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. As the comet approaches the Sun, it will become increasingly difficult to study from Earth, but missions like the European JUICE will continue to monitor it in November, providing valuable insights into the nature of comets across the galaxy. 
Published: Oct 02 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Greenland shark, known for its remarkable longevity, is the longest-living vertebrate, with lifespans reaching around 400 years. However, it is outdone by the ocean quahog clam, which can live over 500 years, making it the oldest known non-colonial animal. Other contenders for extreme longevity include a massive sponge discovered off Hawaii, estimated to be over 2,300 years old, and the "immortal" jellyfish, which can revert to its juvenile form, though it is not invulnerable to death. Notably, Ming the quahog clam, who witnessed centuries of history, met its end due to accidental freezing by researchers. Among terrestrial animals, Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, holds the title of the oldest land animal at 190 years. These extraordinary lifespans challenge our understanding of aging and survival in the animal kingdom.
Published: Oct 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Red Sea, a vital waterway between Africa and Asia, has a tumultuous geological history that predates its biblical significance. Formed approximately 30 million years ago by the rift between the Arabian and African Plates, it initially thrived with marine life, evidenced by fossil reefs along Saudi Arabia's northern coast. However, around 16 million years ago, rising salinity due to evaporation led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity, coinciding with the Messinian salinity crisis that also affected the Mediterranean Sea. The Red Sea's desiccation ended with a monumental flood from the Indian Ocean about 6.2 million years ago, restoring its connection to global oceans. Recent research from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has shed light on this extreme environmental event, highlighting ongoing challenges such as rising temperatures threatening the region's coral reefs. The findings are detailed in the journal *Communications Earth & Environment*.
Published: Oct 01 2025, 7 pmeznews.inFour rare Barbary lion cubs have recently been born at a Czech zoo, captivating visitors with their energetic antics and distinctive spotted coats. Unlike adult lions, whose spots fade, these cubs exhibit spots that serve a crucial purpose: camouflage. According to The Big Cat Sanctuary, the spots help the young lions blend into their surroundings, providing protection from predators while their mothers hunt. As they mature and become more capable of defending themselves, the need for such disguise diminishes. This phenomenon is not unique to lions; cougar cubs also display spots that fade by six months of age, aiding in their survival. Interestingly, while cheetahs are typically known for their spots, the rare king cheetah features a unique blotchy pattern, leading to initial misconceptions about its classification. The birth of these cubs marks a significant conservation success for the endangered Barbary lion species.
Published: Oct 01 2025, 6 pmeznews.inHells Canyon, straddling the border of eastern Oregon and western Idaho, is recognized as North America's deepest river gorge, reaching a maximum depth of 2,436 meters (7,993 feet), surpassing even the Grand Canyon's 1,857 meters (6,093 feet). Recent geological research indicates that this impressive gorge is relatively young, having formed approximately 2.1 million years ago due to a significant shift in the Snake River's path, which enhanced its erosive power. In contrast, the Grand Canyon was carved over 5 to 6 million years. The construction of the Hells Canyon Dam complex in the 1960s and '70s sparked controversy over hydroelectric power and its environmental impact, particularly on salmon migration. While Hells Canyon is often touted as the deepest gorge, a feature beneath Alaska's Ruth Glacier, known as the "Great Gorge," may rival it, with estimates suggesting it could be deeper. The findings are detailed in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*.
Published: Oct 05 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is "anomalously massive," weighing approximately 33 billion tons, significantly more than its predecessors, ‘Oumuamua and Comet Borisov. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is moving through the Solar System at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and features a nucleus estimated to be around 5.6 kilometers in diameter. Researchers from Harvard analyzed data from 227 observatories, noting that the comet's non-gravitational acceleration is surprisingly low, suggesting a dense nucleus that resists changes in acceleration due to outgassing. While some scientists, including Avi Loeb, have speculated about the possibility of an alien origin, NASA has emphasized that the evidence overwhelmingly supports the object being a natural comet. Observations of 3I/ATLAS will continue, with a closer look expected in December 2025 after it briefly disappears from view during its closest approach to the Sun.
Published: Oct 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inResearchers have uncovered the molecular reasons behind the liver's inability to regenerate after long-term alcohol abuse, even after cessation of drinking. A study led by University of Illinois biochemistry professor Auinash Kalsotra and Duke University hepatologist Anna Mae Diehl revealed that liver cells affected by alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis become trapped in a state between damage and regeneration. Unlike healthy livers, where damaged cells revert to a regenerative state, diseased cells remain in a quasi-progenitor state, leading to liver failure. The team found that this dysfunction is linked to improper splicing of messenger RNA, which prevents essential proteins from reaching their functional locations within the cell. This splicing issue is exacerbated by inflammation caused by alcohol-related liver diseases. The findings, published in *Nature Communications*, may pave the way for new diagnostic markers and treatments aimed at restoring liver function.
Published: Oct 01 2025, 7 pmeznews.inPaleobiologists have re-evaluated the evolutionary significance of the ancient microbe _Saccorhytus_, previously thought to be a potential ancestor of humans due to its unique anatomy, which included a large mouth but no anus. Recent discoveries of well-preserved specimens in China's Shaanxi Province have led researchers to conclude that _Saccorhytus_ is not related to humans or other deuterostomes, a group that includes vertebrates and starfish. Using advanced synchrotron imaging, scientists found that what were believed to be gills were actually remnants of spines used for capturing prey. This reclassification places _Saccorhytus_ within the protostome group, specifically as an ecdysosoan, which includes insects and crustaceans. Co-lead author Professor Shuhai Xiao emphasized the need to identify the earliest deuterostome, as the search continues following this unexpected evolutionary twist.
Published: Oct 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study has shed light on the evolutionary origins of the anus, suggesting it may have evolved from a reproductive opening used for sperm release. Researchers focused on the marine worm *Xenoturbella bocki*, which possesses a single opening for both feeding and waste expulsion, akin to jellyfish. The study posits that the male gonopore in these organisms could be homologous to the anus in more complex animals, indicating a potential evolutionary link. By examining gene expression patterns, scientists found that genes associated with the hindgut are also present around the male gonopore, hinting at a genetic connection. While the hypothesis remains to be thoroughly investigated, it raises intriguing possibilities about the evolutionary history of the anus, suggesting that what we now know as a butthole may have originally served a different purpose. The findings are available on the pre-print server bioRxiv, pending peer review.
Published: Oct 05 2025, 6 ameznews.inAstronomers have made groundbreaking polarimetric observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing it exhibits "extreme negative polarization," a characteristic markedly different from all known comets, both interstellar and those within our Solar System. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is traveling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and is estimated to have a nucleus of about 5.6 kilometers and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. Its unique polarimetric behavior suggests it may share more similarities with trans-Neptunian objects than traditional comets. The comet's negative polarization is significantly deeper than that of known comets, indicating a distinct composition and structure. While initial imaging has confirmed the presence of a diffuse coma, further observations are necessary to fully understand this unusual object, which is currently out of view and will not return until later this year. The findings have been submitted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Published: Oct 02 2025, 12 ameznews.inResearchers analyzing data from NASA and the German Aerospace Center's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) have identified a significant gravity anomaly over the Atlantic Ocean, which may be linked to a global phenomenon known as a "geomagnetic jerk." This anomaly, detected between 2006 and 2008, spans approximately 7,000 kilometers and features a steep gravity gradient, with areas of strong and weak gravity. Initial attempts to explain the anomaly through surface water movements proved insufficient. The team, led by geophysicist Charlotte Gaugne Gouranton, suggests that the anomaly may stem from rapid mass redistributions at the core-mantle boundary, where the mineral bridgmanite undergoes a phase transition due to extreme pressure and heat. This research could shed light on how such changes affect core flow dynamics and the geomagnetic field, with further investigations planned to explore these connections. The findings are detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Published: Sep 30 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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