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Sloths, often perceived as the slowest animals on Earth, possess a remarkable ability to hold their breath for up to 40 minutes, surpassing even dolphins, which can manage around 10 minutes. This extraordinary skill aids them in swimming, where they can move three times faster than on land, despite their overall sluggishness. Their slow metabolism, which can take a month to digest a single leaf, allows them to significantly reduce their heart rate, extending their underwater endurance. Additionally, their stomachs, filled with gas from fermenting leaves, act as natural flotation devices. While sloths may not hold the record for breath-holding—an elephant seal can last up to two hours and a curved beak whale holds the record at 3 hours and 42 minutes—they are also impressively strong, being three times stronger than the average human, showcasing their unique adaptations beyond their gentle demeanor. 
Published: Sep 23 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAmid speculation on the Internet regarding scientists' views on extraterrestrial life and UFOs, recent studies reveal a significant interest within the scientific community. A survey from Durham University found that 86.6% of astrobiologists believe basic extraterrestrial life likely exists, while 67.4% think intelligent life is also probable. Despite a historical reluctance to discuss UFOs and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), a 2023 University of Virginia survey indicated that nearly 19% of academics reported witnessing something unexplained. While the stigma surrounding UFOs persists, interest in the subject is growing, bolstered by recent U.S. government hearings and NASA's ongoing investigations into UAPs. Although NASA has not confirmed any extraterrestrial origins for these phenomena, it remains committed to exploring the unknown, emphasizing transparency in its findings. Overall, scientists are keen to delve deeper into these mysteries, regardless of the outcomes.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 12 ameznews.inA recent study led by Dr. Jennifer Corbett at Brunel University London has shed light on the reasons behind gamers' preferences for inverted versus normal controller settings. Contrary to popular belief, the research found that players' choices were not influenced by their gaming history or specific experiences with certain games. Instead, the study revealed that preferences for inversion are linked to how individuals perceive spatial orientation and their ability to mentally rotate objects. Participants who excelled in mental rotation tasks and overcame the "Simon Effect"—where responses are quicker when stimulus and response align—were less likely to prefer inverted controls. Interestingly, while non-inverting players were faster in tasks, inverting players demonstrated slightly higher accuracy. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about gaming preferences and suggest a need for further investigation into the cognitive processes behind them. The study is published in *Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications*.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 1 ameznews.inA new probability puzzle circulating online has sparked intrigue, reminiscent of classic brainteasers like the Monty Hall problem. The puzzle, shared on Reddit, involves three boxes: one containing two gold balls, another two silver balls, and the last one a gold and a silver ball. After randomly selecting a box and drawing a gold ball, participants are asked to determine the probability that the next ball drawn from the same box will be silver. Many instinctively answer 50 percent, reasoning that only boxes A or B remain. However, the correct probability is actually 33 percent. This is due to the need to consider the three possible scenarios after drawing a gold ball, which includes the possibility of drawing from box A or B. This puzzle highlights the complexities of conditional probability, a concept that has even perplexed renowned mathematicians like Paul Erdős.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 12 ameznews.inScientists at CERN's CLOUD experiment are investigating the crucial role of aerosols in cloud formation, a process often simplified in elementary education. While clouds form from water vapor condensing in the atmosphere, aerosols—tiny suspended particles—are essential for this process. The CLOUD project, involving over 12 international institutes, aims to understand how galactic cosmic rays influence aerosol nucleation and the impact of trace gases on this phenomenon. Since 2011, research has established a link between cosmic rays and aerosol formation, as high-energy particles create ions that serve as building blocks for clouds. By recreating atmospheric conditions in a large cloud chamber and simulating preindustrial gas compositions, researchers are gaining insights into how industrialization has altered nucleation processes. This research is vital for understanding the human impact on climate change, as increased aerosols can lead to more cloud formation, which may contribute to cooling the Earth.
Published: Sep 21 2025, 8 ameznews.inA newly identified predatory dinosaur species, _Joaquinraptor casali_, has been unveiled from fossils discovered in Patagonia, Argentina, dating back approximately 70 million years. This formidable creature, with a thumb claw that dwarfs the human hand, likely preyed on crocodiles, as suggested by the discovery of its jawbone in proximity to a crocodile leg bone. The name _Joaquinraptor_ honors the son of the lead author, while "casali" recognizes Dr. Gabriel Andrés Casal for his contributions to Cretaceous research. The well-preserved partial skeleton, found in the Lago Colhué Huapi Formation, indicates that _J. casali_ was about 7 meters long and weighed over 1,000 kilograms. As a top predator in its humid floodplain habitat, it played a significant ecological role, although its reign ended with the mass extinction event 66 million years ago. The findings are detailed in the journal *Nature Communications*.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 9 pmeznews.inNew York City's brown rats (_Rattus norvegicus_) exhibit unique vocalizations and social behaviors shaped by their urban environment, akin to a distinct "accent" influenced by the city's noise and chaos. Researchers from the Basis Research Institute, in a pre-peer-reviewed study, analyzed public data and deployed sensors across Manhattan to observe these rodents. Their findings revealed that NYC rats produce shorter, varied ultrasonic vocalizations compared to lab rats, even in non-stressful situations, suggesting a different communication system. For instance, rats emitted high-frequency calls while foraging, a behavior not seen in laboratory settings. This adaptability extends beyond vocalizations; previous studies indicated that NYC rats have genetically evolved traits suited for urban life, including dietary and behavioral changes. The research highlights how these city-dwelling rodents have not only adapted physically but also culturally, navigating the complexities of their bustling habitat.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 10 pmeznews.inBirds often perch on power lines, taking advantage of the unobstructed views they provide for spotting predators and prey. While many birds do get electrocuted—an estimated 0.9 to 11.6 million annually in the U.S.—most avoid this fate due to their ability to fly. Birds perched on a single wire are safe because they do not create a circuit with the ground. Will Babb from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources explains that touching a power line while grounded completes the circuit, leading to electrocution. Larger birds, particularly raptors like bald and golden eagles, are at higher risk as they may touch two wires or a wire and a grounded object simultaneously. Understanding these dynamics highlights the delicate balance birds maintain while navigating their environment amidst human infrastructure.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA significant artifact from the Aztec Empire, the Sun Stone, sheds light on the civilization's apocalyptic beliefs and their methods to avert disaster. Contrary to popular misconceptions about Mesoamerican apocalypse myths, the Aztecs were deeply concerned about impending doom, particularly linked to solar eclipses. Susan Milbrath, a curator at the Florida Museum of Natural History, argues that the central image of the Sun Stone, long thought to depict the sun deity Tonatiuh, actually symbolizes the death of the sun during an eclipse, an event the Aztecs believed could trigger global catastrophe. To prevent this, they performed human sacrifices during the 4 Olin date, a ritual aimed at appeasing the sun god. Interestingly, Milbrath suggests that the Aztecs cleverly ensured that 4 Olin would never coincide with an eclipse, indicating a sophisticated understanding of astronomy and a strategic approach to their apocalyptic fears.
Published: Sep 23 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable tale of love and adventure, Slavc, an 18-month-old Eurasian wolf, embarked on a 1,600-kilometer journey through the Alps in 2011, leaving his family behind in search of a mate. His trek, monitored by researchers from the University of Ljubljana, took him across treacherous terrain and busy motorways, ultimately leading him to northern Italy, a region devoid of wolves for a century. There, he encountered Juliet, a female wolf, and their union resulted in the birth of a litter of pups, marking a significant resurgence of wolf populations in the area. This extraordinary story, chronicled in Adam Weymouth's book *Lone Wolf*, highlights the unexpected paths of wildlife and the enduring power of love, as the wolf population in this part of Italy has since grown to over 100. Slavc's journey remains a testament to the lengths one might go for love, even in the animal kingdom.
Published: Sep 19 2025, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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