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The Galileo spacecraft has identified a unique shape on Europa, initially likened to an asterisk but now more closely resembling a spider, named Damhán Alla by researchers. This discovery, located in Manannán Crater, could provide insights into the moon's icy shell and the processes beneath it. Professor Lauren Mc Keown and her team propose that the shape results from an impact that melted salty water beneath the ice, leading to eruptions that deposited darker ice in a spider-like formation. To support their hypothesis, the researchers studied similar formations, known as "lake stars," on Earth, which occur when ice cracks under pressure, allowing warmer water to rise and create distinct patterns. Their findings suggest that such surface features could indicate the presence of brine pools below Europa's surface, with future missions like Europa Clipper expected to provide clearer images to confirm these theories. 
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 ameznews.inLandslides, defined as the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope, can occur anywhere on Earth and even on other celestial bodies, such as Mars. They are a form of "mass wasting," driven by an imbalance between gravity and friction, often exacerbated by factors like heavy rainfall, erosion, and human activities. The most significant landslide in recorded history occurred at Mount St. Helens in Washington State in 1980, triggered by a magnitude-5 earthquake. This catastrophic event resulted in a massive debris avalanche that released pressure from the volcano, leading to a violent lateral blast and a Plinian eruption. The landslide, averaging 46 meters deep and reaching speeds of up to 180 mph, devastated the surrounding area, destroying homes and infrastructure, and altering river systems. The effects of this eruption are still felt today, with increased sediment transport posing ongoing challenges for flood management and local ecosystems.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 9 ameznews.inIn a significant conservation breakthrough, nine nests of green (_Chelonia mydas_) and hawksbill turtles (_Eretmochelys imbricata_) have been discovered along a remote Cambodian coastline, marking the first such findings in a decade. These nests, containing hundreds of eggs, offer hope for the survival of these threatened species, particularly the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, which plays a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. The Fauna and Flora team, in collaboration with the Cambodian Navy and local volunteers, has been conducting patrols to monitor turtle activity in the area. The recent discoveries, including two nests that have already hatched, underscore the dedication of the volunteers and are expected to influence future conservation policies in Cambodia. "Witnessing sea turtle nests in Cambodia for the first time is a wonder," said Chea Bona, a volunteer from the Cambodian Navy, highlighting the importance of this milestone for marine conservation efforts.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 5 ameznews.inRecent genetic discoveries have reshaped our understanding of human evolution, revealing that humans are closely related to great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans. Historically, humans were classified as hominids, a term that encompassed modern humans and extinct members of the _Homo_ lineage, such as Neanderthals and _Homo erectus_. However, as research progressed, it became clear that humans belong to the same family, Hominidae, as these apes. Consequently, the term "hominid" now includes all great apes and their ancestors, while "hominin" specifically refers to the human lineage after our split from chimpanzees approximately seven million years ago. This new classification highlights our kinship with other primates, with humans and chimpanzees sharing the subtribe Hominina, distinguishing us from gorillas and orangutans.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 3 ameznews.inIn 1977, NASA launched the Voyager probes to explore the outer Solar System and interstellar space. Both spacecraft encountered a "wall of fire" at the Solar System's boundary, recording temperatures between 30,000 and 50,000 kelvin (54,000 to 90,000 degrees Fahrenheit) as they crossed the heliopause, the boundary where the solar wind meets the interstellar medium. Voyager 1 became the first to cross this boundary on August 25, 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018. The heliopause is not a fixed edge but fluctuates with solar activity, which was confirmed by the different distances at which the probes encountered it. Despite the extreme temperatures, the probes survived due to the sparse particle density in that region. Recent findings from Voyager 2 have confirmed that the magnetic fields beyond the heliopause align with those inside the heliosphere, providing new insights into the nature of interstellar space.
Published: Dec 27 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn the realm of food storage, three essential rules emerge: be kind, wash your hands, and never store tomatoes and potatoes together. This advice stems from the effects of ethylene gas, a plant hormone crucial for ripening, which is produced by many fruits, including tomatoes. While ethylene promotes ripening in climacteric fruits, it can adversely affect ethylene-sensitive vegetables like potatoes and onions, leading to rapid spoilage. Potatoes, when exposed to ethylene, may sprout or turn green, becoming toxic. The article highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between different fruits and vegetables to prolong their shelf life and prevent waste. For those keen to maintain their produce, a comprehensive list of ethylene-sensitive and producing items is available from US Foods, offering guidance on optimal storage practices.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 2 ameznews.inIn 1962, French geologist Michel Siffre emerged from Scarasson, a glacial cave in the Alps, after spending 63 days in isolation, devoid of natural light and timekeeping devices. Initially intending to study the glacier for just 15 days, Siffre extended his stay to explore the effects of prolonged darkness on human physiology. His experience revealed that the human body possesses an internal clock independent of the Sun, leading to significant alterations in his sleep-wake cycle. Siffre's findings, which included a psychological time distortion and a shift from a 24-hour to a 48-hour cycle, laid the groundwork for the field of human chronobiology. Despite facing skepticism and criticism for his unconventional methods, his research has had lasting implications, influencing areas such as sleep science and military operations. Siffre's pioneering work continues to resonate in scientific circles, highlighting the mysteries of human biology and the potential for discovery in the depths of darkness.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a surprising twist to the recovery of Mount St Helens after its catastrophic 1980 eruption, researchers have found that a brief visit from local gophers significantly accelerated the regrowth of plant life in the devastated landscape. Initially, the area was left barren, with ash and pumice hindering plant roots from accessing essential nutrients. However, a team from the University of California Riverside discovered that the gophers, often deemed pests, played a crucial role by digging up old soil and bringing it to the surface, fostering a thriving ecosystem. Remarkably, six years post-visit, over 40,000 plants flourished in the gopher-affected areas, while surrounding regions remained desolate. The study also highlighted the vital role of mycorrhizal fungi in aiding tree regrowth, as they efficiently transported nutrients from fallen needles, contradicting earlier fears of prolonged forest recovery. The findings, published in *Frontiers in Microbiomes*, underscore the unexpected resilience of nature.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA declassified CIA report from 1983, titled "Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process," has resurfaced on social media, sparking interest in its claims about altered states of consciousness potentially transcending space and time. The 29-page document, part of Cold War-era investigations into mind control and hypnosis, explores the "Gateway Process," a technique developed by the Monroe Institute aimed at synchronizing brainwaves through meditation and sound, known as "hemi-sync." While the report suggests that achieving this state could allow individuals to connect with a higher realm of consciousness, it does not substantiate the popular "Law of Attraction" theory, which posits that positive thoughts yield positive outcomes. Critics caution that, despite its scientific jargon, the report's ideas are largely untestable and blend legitimate science with pseudoscience, urging readers to approach its conclusions with skepticism while exploring the mysteries of consciousness.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 12 ameznews.inScientists have revised their eruption forecast for the Axial Seamount, a massive underwater volcano off the Oregon coast, now predicting it may erupt in 2026 instead of 2025. Bill Chadwick, a research associate at Oregon State University, noted that the volcano's inflation rate has changed, complicating predictions. While Axial is the most monitored submarine volcano globally, with real-time data on seismic activity and surface growth, the current inflation levels have not reached the threshold necessary for an eruption. Despite surpassing the inflation levels seen before its last eruption in 2015, the volcano has exhibited low seismic activity, with fewer than 1,000 earthquakes per day, far below the expected levels before an eruption. Researchers are now exploring a new physics-based model for eruption forecasting, hoping it will yield more accurate predictions. Until then, the timeline for Axial's next eruption remains uncertain, with 2027 also a possibility.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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