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In a remarkable feat of ancient science, Eratosthenes of Cyrene calculated the Earth's circumference around 240 BCE, using only a stick and observations of shadows. Despite the modern resurgence of "flat-Earthers," the spherical nature of the Earth was widely accepted in antiquity. Eratosthenes noted that on June 21, sunlight reached the bottom of a well in Syene, while in Alexandria, shadows were longer, indicating a difference in angles. By measuring this angle—approximately 7° 12'—and estimating the distance between the two cities at about 5,000 stadia, he deduced that the Earth's circumference was roughly 250,000 stadia, accurate to within 1.4 percent of today's known measurement of 40,075 kilometers. Although he made some errors, such as assuming the cities were on the same meridian, his method remains a testament to the ingenuity of ancient scholars and their understanding of the cosmos. 
Published: Dec 17 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study has revealed that the molecular movements within glass and similar materials may exhibit time-reversibility, challenging conventional interpretations of the second law of thermodynamics, which states that systems tend toward disorder. Researchers from the Technical University of Darmstadt investigated the physical aging of glass, noting that while the material appears solid, its molecules can rearrange themselves over time, affecting its properties. Using advanced laser technology, the team observed that these molecular fluctuations could be reversed, suggesting a unique "material time" that ticks differently than conventional time. However, study author Till Böhmer emphasized that this does not imply that the aging process itself can be reversed. The findings raise intriguing questions about the nature of time in materials and whether this phenomenon is universal across other substances, prompting further exploration in future research published in *Nature Physics*.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 10 ameznews.inWhile films like _Jaws_ and _Cocaine Bear_ entertain with fictional animal attacks, real-life encounters with wildlife can be deadly. Lions, weighing between 150 to 250 kilograms, are known to actively hunt humans, particularly in Tanzania, where around 50 fatalities occur annually, often involving young men returning home at night. Conservation biologist Dr. Amy Dickman highlights southern Tanzania as a hotspot for such attacks. Polar bears, though rare, have also been implicated in human fatalities, with recent incidents in Alaska and Canada attributed to nutritionally stressed males. A study from 2017 recorded 73 polar bear attacks resulting in 20 deaths from 1870 to 2014. Crocodiles, particularly Nile and saltwater species, are opportunistic hunters, with notorious cases like Osama the crocodile, who reportedly consumed 83 people in Uganda. While these animals pose risks, it’s essential to remember that human actions lead to far greater fatalities each year.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 5 ameznews.inA new preprint by David Kipping, an assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, posits a grim scenario for humanity's first contact with extraterrestrial life, suggesting it may resemble a "loud shout in the night" rather than the benevolent or malevolent encounters depicted in popular media. Kipping's "Eschatian Hypothesis" argues that the most detectable alien civilizations may be unstable and short-lived, emitting signals during a chaotic phase before their demise. This contrasts with the notion that advanced civilizations would be sustainable and thus less detectable. Kipping emphasizes that our search for alien life should focus on transient events, as these may reveal civilizations in their death throes, potentially sending out distress signals. The findings highlight the need for a broader observational approach to increase the chances of detecting these tragic cries from the cosmos. The paper is available on the preprint server arXiv.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a series of bizarre and unsettling cases, medical professionals have discovered various insects during colonoscopies, leading to a mix of horror and intrigue. Notable findings include a German cockroach, an ant, a fly, a honeybee, a moth, a yellow jacket, and even a ladybug, all of which were found in patients' colons. For instance, a 52-year-old woman had a cockroach nymph removed after it was likely ingested during a meal, while a 66-year-old man unknowingly consumed an ant at a picnic. In another case, a 63-year-old man had a fly discovered in his colon, despite only consuming clear liquids prior to the procedure. These incidents, while alarming, were ultimately harmless, as the insects were found deceased, raising questions about how they ended up in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the unsettling nature of these discoveries, the patients' procedures were otherwise uncomplicated.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn 1967, the Soviet Union marked its 50th anniversary with a space mission that tragically resulted in the death of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, who became known as "the man who fell from space." The plan involved launching Soyuz 1, piloted by Komarov, to rendezvous with Soyuz 2 for a spacewalk. However, prior inspections revealed 203 structural issues with Soyuz 1, which were not reported to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Despite warnings from friends and the risk of sending his colleague Yuri Gagarin in his place, Komarov chose to proceed with the flight. After launch, a solar panel failure left the craft powerless, leading to a catastrophic descent. As he plummeted, Komarov reportedly expressed his frustration with the spacecraft, uttering, "This devil ship! Nothing I lay my hands on works properly," before crashing to Earth. Official transcripts suggest his last words were more composed, stating, "I feel excellent, everything's in order."
Published: Dec 13 2025, 9 pmeznews.inCarl Sagan's iconic quote from the 1980 series _Cosmos_, "The cosmos is within us. We are made of star stuff," continues to resonate profoundly, even 45 years later. Despite some misquotations, the essence of Sagan's message remains intact: humans are fundamentally linked to the universe through the elements forged in stars. Following the Big Bang, only hydrogen, helium, and a trace of lithium existed, but stars have since created heavier elements through nuclear fusion and supernova explosions. These processes have produced the essential elements that make up 99% of the human body, including oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. While hydrogen originated from the Big Bang, the rest of our composition comes from stellar activity. Thus, Sagan's assertion underscores our cosmic heritage, illustrating that every living being is a product of 13.8 billion years of cosmic evolution, embodying the universe's very essence.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 5 pmeznews.inWhile humans adhere to a strict dental hygiene routine, the dental health of wild animals, such as bonobos, raises intriguing questions about their lack of tooth brushing. Peter Kertesz, a dental consultant for ZSL London Zoo and various wildlife facilities, explains that animals often do not require dental care like humans due to their natural diets, which are typically free from refined carbohydrates that contribute to tooth decay. Kertesz, who has treated a wide range of species from elephants to sloths, notes that trauma is a more common dental issue among animals than decay. In controlled environments like zoos, animals live longer and receive better nutrition, leading to unique dental challenges, particularly in older populations. Ultimately, Kertesz emphasizes that a diet closely aligned with an animal's natural habitat is crucial for maintaining their dental health, as poor diet can lead to severe health repercussions.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 3 ameznews.inA recent study highlights the growing risk of catastrophic collisions in low-Earth orbit, driven by the increasing number of satellites, particularly from megaconstellations like SpaceX's Starlink. Researchers warn that the "CRASH Clock," a new metric they propose, currently stands at just 2.8 days, indicating a critical window for avoiding disaster following a disruptive event, such as a solar storm. This is a stark decrease from 121 days in 2018, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The study emphasizes that a single collision could trigger a chain reaction, leading to the Kessler syndrome, which could render space inaccessible and disrupt vital services like GPS. The authors stress the need for improved collision avoidance measures, as the reliance on error-free operations becomes increasingly precarious. The paper, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, calls for immediate action to mitigate the risks posed by the burgeoning satellite population.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 2 ameznews.inResearch published in *Nature Geoscience* by Alfred McEwen from the University of Arizona reveals that Mars may still host free-flowing water in certain equatorial regions during specific times of the year. This finding builds on observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which captured images of dark streaks in the Martian soil that reappear during warmer months. While the thin atmosphere of Mars typically prevents liquid water from existing for extended periods, the streaks suggest the possibility of transient surface water. However, the exact source of this water remains uncertain, with theories ranging from melting subsurface ice to atmospheric condensation. The discovery raises significant implications for the potential for life on Mars, but any future missions to these areas must adhere to strict sterilization protocols to prevent contamination from Earth microbes, a process that could be prohibitively expensive.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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