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Saltwater crocodiles, among Earth's apex predators, exemplify the power dynamics of the animal kingdom. Captured in a striking 2017 helicopter video, one crocodile was seen effortlessly carrying a freshwater crocodile in its jaws, highlighting its dominance in the food chain. Apex predators, defined as those without natural enemies, play crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem balance. While saltwater crocodiles can grow over 20 feet long, their survival is increasingly threatened by human activities such as poaching and habitat destruction. Other apex predators, including lions, tigers, bald eagles, and polar bears, face similar challenges, with their populations dwindling due to environmental pressures. Notably, orcas have emerged as formidable hunters, even targeting great white sharks. As these apex species navigate their precarious existence, the impact of human interference looms large, threatening the delicate balance of nature. 
Published: Nov 01 2025, 4 ameznews.inThe Mississippi River floodplains are home to the alligator gar, a remarkable fish species known scientifically as *Atractosteus spatula*, which is the largest of its kind in North America. Dr. Solomon David, an expert on these freshwater giants, recently reported capturing a record-breaking alligator gar measuring 240 centimeters (7 feet 10 inches) and weighing approximately 136 kilograms (300 pounds). This fish, likely between 50 to 90 years old, was tagged and released as part of a study on river floodplain restoration, highlighting the species' role in assessing ecological connectivity. Alligator gars are opportunistic predators, thriving in diverse habitats, but face threats from environmental changes and overharvesting. As "living fossils," they exhibit slow evolutionary rates, with recent studies revealing hybridization between alligator and longnose gars, showcasing their unique genetic history. David's research aims to deepen understanding of these ancient fish and their ecological significance.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 6 pmeznews.inConfusion has arisen regarding why flights do not speed up when flying against the Earth's rotation, particularly among some flat Earth proponents. A recent post questioned how a plane flying west at 300 mph does not reach its destination significantly faster, given that the Earth rotates eastward at approximately 1,400 mph. However, this misunderstanding stems from a flawed grasp of physics. When a plane takes off, it carries the same forward momentum as the Earth due to inertia, meaning it does not simply hover in place as the ground spins beneath it. Additionally, the atmosphere moves with the Earth, preventing the extreme wind speeds that would otherwise affect flight times. In fact, flights tend to be quicker when flying east due to jet streams, which are influenced by the Earth's rotation and atmospheric conditions. Thus, while the Earth's spin does impact flight indirectly, it does not allow for the simplistic notion of faster travel against its rotation.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inNew fossil evidence has revealed that hippopotamuses thrived in central Europe much later than previously believed, surviving until approximately 47,000 to 31,000 years ago, well into the last ice age. Previously, it was thought that these mammals went extinct around 115,000 years ago due to unfavorable climatic conditions. The findings, based on the analysis of 19 hippo fossils from the Upper Rhine Graben in Germany, indicate that these hippos belonged to the same species as modern African hippos (_Hippopotamus amphibius_) and exhibited low genetic diversity, suggesting a small, isolated population. Researchers emphasize that this discovery challenges existing assumptions about the extinction timeline of hippos in Europe and highlights the need for further examination of other fossil records attributed to the last interglacial period. The study, published in *Current Biology*, underscores the complexity of ice age environments across Europe.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNearly three decades after the Chernobyl disaster, research reveals that radioactive contamination continues to hinder ecological processes in the region, particularly affecting decomposers like microbes and fungi. A study led by Timothy Mousseau from the University of South Carolina found that litter mass loss in contaminated areas was 40% lower compared to less affected sites, with the forest floor accumulating thicker layers of dead leaves. The research involved placing 572 mesh bags filled with dry leaves in various locations around Chernobyl, revealing that the most contaminated sites had significantly less decomposition. While soil invertebrates contributed to some breakdown, the study highlighted that microbes and fungi were crucial for litter decomposition. This disruption in nutrient recycling may explain the slower growth rates of trees in the area, as essential elements remain locked in undeterred plant material. The findings were published in the journal *Oecologia*.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 8 ameznews.inA groundbreaking study suggests that tree species from the Amazon rainforest have been continuously migrating to the Atlantic rainforest by utilizing rivers as a "hidden highway," rather than only during historical wetter periods. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh analyzed the genetics of 164 _Inga_ tree species, revealing 16 to 20 instances of successful migration from the Amazon to the Atlantic, while only one or two species moved in the opposite direction. This ongoing dispersal highlights the interconnectedness of these ecosystems, which transcend national borders and have significant implications for conservation efforts. With only 20% of the Atlantic rainforest remaining intact, experts stress the importance of protecting both the forests and the rivers that facilitate this vital ecological connectivity. The findings, published in the journal *Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences*, underscore the need for long-term habitat preservation strategies.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a historic milestone for space exploration, NASA's Voyager 1 is set to become the first human-made object to reach a distance of one light-day from Earth, expected to occur on November 13, 2026. Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 has traveled approximately 25.9 billion kilometers (16 billion miles) and is currently about 169.5 astronomical units from our planet, with signals taking nearly 23 hours and 30 minutes to reach it. At its speed of 61,198 kilometers per hour, the spacecraft will take over a year to achieve this light-distance. After this point, Voyager will continue its journey through the Oort Cloud and eventually encounter the star Gliese 445 in about 40,000 years. Despite the vast distances, Voyager's mission will persist until it runs out of power in the early 2030s, leaving it to drift through interstellar space, carrying the Golden Records as a testament to humanity.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 10 pmeznews.inBirds often perch on power lines, taking advantage of the unobstructed views they provide for spotting predators and prey. While it may seem surprising that they don’t get electrocuted, the reason lies in their ability to avoid completing an electrical circuit. Birds perched on a single wire are safe because they are not grounded; they do not create a path for electricity to flow. However, larger birds, such as raptors, are at risk of electrocution if they touch two wires or a wire and a grounded object simultaneously. Studies estimate that millions of birds are killed by electrocution in the U.S. each year, with bald and golden eagles being particularly vulnerable. The phenomenon highlights the complex relationship between wildlife and human infrastructure, as well as the importance of understanding electrical safety in nature.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe question of why humans ride horses but not zebras has intrigued many, leading to a deeper exploration of horse domestication. Initially, prehistoric humans hunted horses for meat, but around 4000 BCE, evidence from the Botai culture in Kazakhstan suggests the beginning of horse domestication, marked by signs of wear on horse teeth and artifacts indicating human interaction. While the Kurgan hypothesis proposed an early domestication timeline, recent genomic studies indicate that domestication likely occurred later in the Black Sea steppes. In contrast, zebras, which diverged from horses millions of years ago, have evolved traits that make them unsuitable for domestication, including a strong flight response and natural aggression. Although there are rare instances of individual zebras being tamed, their size and temperament render them impractical for riding or heavy transport, solidifying horses' unique role in human history.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study has identified five distinct sleep profiles among young adults, revealing that sleep quality is influenced by various factors beyond mere duration. Researchers analyzed over 700 participants, finding that the first profile, characterized by poor sleep and associated mental health issues, explained nearly 90% of the correlation between sleep disturbances and mental health disorders. In contrast, a second group exhibited resilience to sleep difficulties despite facing attention problems. The third profile highlighted individuals who manage sleep issues with medication, while the fourth and fifth profiles were marked by insufficient sleep and disturbances, respectively. These findings underscore the complexity of sleep and its significant links to mental health, cognition, and brain function, suggesting that a holistic approach is essential for effective treatment and assessment. The study, published in PLOS Biology, emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider the multifaceted nature of sleep in their evaluations.
Published: Nov 05 2025, 4 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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