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In a rare encounter filmed in Everglades National Park, an alligator and a crocodile were seen tussling over a prime basking spot on March 19. The footage, captured by Taylor Bonachea, shows the two reptiles exchanging hisses and snaps, but fortunately, neither was harmed. The alligator ultimately retreated to the water, allowing the crocodile to claim the sunny spot. This inter-species scuffle is notable as South Florida is the only region where the ranges of the American crocodile (_Crocodylus acutus_) and the American alligator (_Alligator mississippiensis_) overlap. While alligators are typically found in freshwater environments across the southeastern US, crocodiles inhabit coastal areas of southern Florida and parts of the Caribbean. The video highlights the crocodile's more aggressive nature and preference for brackish waters, contrasting with the alligator's affinity for freshwater habitats, illustrating the complexities of their coexistence. 
Published: Mar 25 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have recorded the first sounds made by sharks, specifically New Zealand rig sharks (_Mustelus lenticulatus_), challenging the long-held belief that these creatures are silent. The sounds, described as clicking noises, were captured accidentally during behavioral hearing tests, leading the team to consider them as a form of communication rather than mere artifacts of captivity. Lead author Carolin Nieder from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution expressed surprise at the findings, suggesting that sound production may play a more significant role in shark behavior than previously understood. While the exact mechanism behind the clicks remains uncertain, the researchers hypothesize that the sharks' unique teeth may be involved. This revelation could reshape our understanding of shark ecology and behavior, prompting further investigations into the acoustic capabilities of these ancient fish, particularly in an increasingly noisy ocean environment. The study is published in *Royal Society Open Science*.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 9 pmeznews.inCentipedes, often dismissed as creepy crawlies, are not insects but belong to the class Chilopoda, distinguished by their predatory nature and numerous legs. With a lineage spanning over 400 million years, they are among the oldest known venomous animals. Centipedes possess venom delivered through modified legs, not fangs, and their venom composition varies significantly across five different orders, reflecting a complex evolutionary history. A 2019 study revealed that their venom has evolved independently at least five times, becoming increasingly sophisticated over time. Notably, some giant Australasian centipedes boast up to 48 toxin families in their venom. Interestingly, centipedes have also acquired venom components from bacteria and fungi through horizontal gene transfer, enhancing their venom's potency. Thus, the next time you encounter a centipede, remember its remarkable evolutionary journey and the intricate biology that makes it a formidable predator.
Published: Mar 28 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn a remarkable discovery from the mid-Cretaceous period, scientists have unearthed amber fossils of an extinct parasitic wasp, _Sirenobethylus charybdis_, which sported a unique anatomical adaptation resembling a Venus flytrap. This peculiar structure, located around its waist, was likely used to capture agile hosts, such as flying insects or cicadas, for laying its eggs. Researchers, including Dr. Lars Vilhelmsen from the Natural History Museum of Denmark, expressed astonishment at the find, initially mistaking the structure for an air bubble. The study, which analyzed 14 specimens, suggests that early parasitoid wasps may have been more sophisticated and adaptable than previously believed, indicating a greater diversity in their prey capture strategies. This discovery not only sheds light on the evolutionary history of parasitic wasps but also highlights the creativity of nature during a time when dinosaurs roamed a lush, temperate Antarctica. The findings are detailed in the journal BMC Biology.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn the quest to identify technologically advanced alien civilizations, researchers emphasize the importance of understanding the signals we emit, such as radio waves and biosignatures. However, as history shows, intelligent societies often abandon detectable technologies as they evolve. This raises the possibility that extraterrestrial civilizations may have developed advanced megastructures, like Dyson Swarms—collections of smaller structures designed to harness energy from stars. While full Dyson Spheres are deemed unstable, swarms could provide significant energy for ambitious projects. A team from Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute suggests that humanity could feasibly construct a Dyson Swarm using materials from Mercury, although the process would be complex and time-consuming, potentially taking over a century. This exploration into megastructures not only highlights our technological aspirations but also raises questions about the existence of other civilizations, as we ponder why we have yet to encounter them.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe longest mountain range on Earth is not found on land but beneath the ocean, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The mid-ocean ridge system, a continuous chain of underwater volcanoes, stretches nearly 65,000 kilometers (40,390 miles) around the globe, resembling the seams of a baseball. These peaks average about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) below the ocean's surface, dwarfing the Andes, the longest continental range at 7,600 kilometers (4,700 miles). The mid-ocean ridge comprises several separate underwater ridges formed at tectonic plate boundaries, where magma rises to fill gaps. Notably, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs from the Arctic to the Antarctic and is one of the few sections that surface above water in places like Iceland, where visitors can experience this remarkable geological feature firsthand.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIsraeli archaeologists have unveiled a remarkable discovery in the Judean Desert: a massive pyramid dating back to the Ptolemaic era, when Israel was under the rule of pharaohs. Led by Matan Toledano, Dr. Eitan Klein, and Amir Ganor, the excavation, supported by citizen scientists, has already yielded significant finds, including ancient Greek papyri, bronze coins from the Ptolemaic and Seleucid periods, and well-preserved artifacts such as wooden tools and fabrics. The pyramid, constructed from hand-hewn stones, raises questions about its purpose—whether it served as a guard tower along a vital trade route or as a monumental grave marker. The ongoing excavation is part of an eight-year effort to protect the region's archaeological treasures from tomb raiders. While researchers remain cautious about making definitive claims, the discovery highlights the rich historical significance of the area.
Published: Mar 28 2025, 12 ameznews.inA colossal iceberg, A-84, the size of Chicago, has calved from Antarctica's George VI Ice Shelf, unveiling a previously hidden seafloor ecosystem rich in diverse marine life. Scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's _R/V Falkor (too)_ seized the opportunity to explore this newly exposed habitat, which had been sealed beneath 150 meters of ice for centuries. Over eight days, the team utilized the remotely operated vehicle _ROV SuBastian_ to document an array of organisms, including icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopuses, thriving in this unique environment. Dr. Patricia Esquete, co-chief scientist, expressed astonishment at the ecosystem's beauty and diversity, suggesting that these life forms may have survived by relying on nutrients from ocean currents rather than the typical organic matter from the sunlit surface. The expedition highlights the serendipitous nature of marine research, revealing the untouched wonders of our planet.
Published: Mar 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inResearchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed a novel method to simulate complex quantum properties of solid states using sound waves and a specially designed metamaterial. This metamaterial, composed of 16 "acoustic atoms," allows scientists to probe quantum probability waves without disrupting them, a challenge in traditional quantum mechanics. By sending sound frequencies through the metamaterial, the team can explore phenomena akin to quantum superposition, famously illustrated by Schrödinger's cat experiment. Lead researcher Mathieu Padlewski noted that the setup could be expanded to investigate the macroscopic properties of solid materials and has potential applications in telecommunications and energy harvesting. The findings, published in *Physical Review B*, suggest that this acoustic system could serve as a versatile platform for studying various quantum-inspired phenomena, effectively creating a "playground" for researchers to explore beyond the limitations of quantum mechanics.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 10 pmeznews.inResearchers have developed a method to create semi-transparent wood, a breakthrough that could have significant applications in construction and electronics. While cellulose, a component of wood, is naturally transparent, the presence of hemicellulose and lignin typically obscures this quality. Professor Bharat Baruah and undergraduate Ridham Raval removed these components from balsa wood using a combination of chemicals, then infused the remaining cellulose with a biodegradable mixture of rice and egg whites, curing it with diethylenetriamine. Their tests revealed that windows made from this innovative material could insulate better than traditional glass, maintaining temperatures 5 to 6 °C cooler under heat exposure. Additionally, by incorporating silver nanowires, the wood can conduct electricity, although Baruah is exploring biodegradable alternatives for future applications. The research was presented at the American Chemical Society's spring meeting in San Diego, highlighting the potential for sustainable materials in modern technology.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAstronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have made a surprising discovery regarding the galaxy JADES-GS-z13-1, located approximately 33 billion light-years away. This galaxy, with a redshift of 13.0, emits a strong Lyman-alpha signal, indicating the presence of hydrogen, which was unexpected so soon after the Big Bang, around 330 million years ago. Traditionally, it was believed that the early universe was obscured by a thick fog of neutral hydrogen until a process called reionization cleared it about a billion years post-Big Bang. The unexpected clarity of JADES-GS-z13-1's emission challenges existing theories of galaxy formation and reionization. Researchers speculate that this anomaly could be due to a unique population of massive stars or an accreting supermassive black hole. Further observations are needed to unravel the implications of this finding, which has been published in *Nature*.
Published: Mar 27 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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