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Flamingos have been revealed as active hunters rather than passive filter feeders, employing sophisticated techniques to trap prey in water, according to a new study led by Dr. Victor Ortega Jiménez from the University of California, Berkeley. The research highlights how these pink birds create tiny tornadoes in the water using their uniquely shaped feet and the chattering of their bills, significantly increasing their catch of brine shrimp and other small organisms. By filming flamingos feeding underwater and developing computer models, the team demonstrated that the birds' webbed feet stir up sediment and create vortices that direct food towards their beaks. This method enhances their feeding efficiency, allowing them to capture prey seven times more effectively. The findings not only shed light on flamingo feeding behavior but may also offer insights into water dynamics that could aid in environmental cleanup efforts, such as removing microplastics. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 
Published: May 14 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe White House has dismissed speculation about extraterrestrial involvement in the recent downing of four flying objects over North America, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating there is "no indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity." The latest object, described as an "octagonal structure" with strings, was shot down by F-16 fighter jets over Lake Huron on February 12, after being detected over Montana. This incident follows the January 28 sighting of a Chinese high-altitude balloon, which the US and Canada claim was for espionage, while China insists it was for meteorological purposes. The military has launched a task force to recover and analyze the debris from the latest object, which poses a potential hazard to civil aviation. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China have escalated, with China accusing the US of violating its airspace with high-altitude balloons, leading to the postponement of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Published: May 12 2025, 8 ameznews.inA group of independent researchers from the US is focusing on the Durupınar site in eastern Turkey, a geological formation resembling a ship, which they believe may be the resting place of Noah's Ark. First identified in 1948, the site gained attention in the late 20th century through claims by amateur archaeologist Ron Wyatt, who asserted it was the Ark's landing site, alongside other biblical locations. However, experts, including Joe Zias from the Israel Antiquities Authority, have dismissed Wyatt's assertions as lacking scientific credibility. Despite multiple geophysical surveys conducted by private groups, no conclusive evidence has emerged, leading many to view the site as a natural formation. The California-based Noah’s Ark Scan team plans to conduct further non-invasive studies before considering excavation, emphasizing the need for careful planning and preservation. While the notion of a global flood lacks scientific backing, the prevalence of flood myths across cultures raises intriguing questions about their origins and meanings.
Published: May 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA video shared by Republican Congressman Tim Moore showcasing a hidden passageway beneath the Lincoln Room in the US Capitol has sparked concern online regarding potential security risks. In the footage, Moore highlights the historical significance of the passage, claiming it may have been used by British soldiers during the War of 1814 when they attacked Washington, although this remains unverified. The post elicited mixed reactions, with some users cautioning against revealing such information, fearing it could compromise security. Moore later clarified that the staircase is a sealed-off exit, not a tunnel, and has been closed for decades, emphasizing that it is public knowledge. The Lincoln Room, named in 2019, was once the House post office during Lincoln's congressional tenure, serving as a vital meeting place for the future president.
Published: May 14 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking experiment, researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Japan have successfully stimulated cicadas to perform Pachelbel’s Canon in D, showcasing the potential of insect cyborgs. By using electrodes similar to muscle-toning devices, the team created a biological speaker that allowed the cicadas to produce music before flying away unharmed. This innovative approach falls under biomimetics, which seeks to solve human challenges by mimicking nature. The cicadas, capable of reaching volumes of 120 decibels with minimal electrical input, could serve as low-power acoustic actuators for disaster signaling or environmental monitoring. Authors Yuga Tsukuda and Naoto Nishida emphasized the importance of maintaining the insects' natural agency, noting that their unpredictable variations added a unique charm to the performance. While the applications remain experimental, the research hints at a future where cicada cyborgs could play a vital role in communication and safety.
Published: May 10 2025, 4 ameznews.inA photo of a massive huntsman spider, affectionately named Charlotte, has gone viral, prompting mixed reactions online, with some questioning its authenticity and others suggesting drastic measures. The spider, which has been living with Australian homeowner Jake Gray for a year, is indeed real and has become a part of the family. Gray explained that they tolerate huntsman spiders due to their appetite for cockroaches and avoid toxic pest control methods. Despite its intimidating appearance, the Banded huntsman, or Sydney huntsman, is generally harmless, preferring to flee rather than bite. Experts advise that if one encounters such a spider, the best approach is to remain calm, use a container to capture it, and release it outside, as bites are rare and typically non-venomous. Gray even hopes Charlotte will continue to grow, highlighting the unique relationship some Australians have with these large arachnids.
Published: May 12 2025, 4 pmeznews.inDMT, a powerful psychedelic drug, has gained notoriety for inducing vivid encounters with mysterious entities, often described as "self-transforming machine elves" by ethnobotanist Terrence McKenna. Researchers, including Dr. David Luke from Greenwich University, are investigating these common experiences reported by users worldwide. While encounters with various beings, such as "little people" and emotionless "giant praying mantises," are frequent, studies indicate that most users perceive these entities as benevolent. A Johns Hopkins University survey revealed that 78% of participants encountered "sacred" beings, with many reporting feelings of joy and trust. Interestingly, over half of the atheists surveyed shifted their beliefs post-experience. Despite the neurobiological basis for these encounters, Luke notes that typical experiences, like emotional harvesting by mantises, challenge simple explanations. He advocates for an open-minded approach to understanding the nature of these DMT-induced phenomena.
Published: May 14 2025, 10 ameznews.inA new study suggests that the universe may decay significantly faster than previously estimated, potentially ending 10^22 years sooner than the earlier prediction of 10^100 years. Researchers from Radboud University in the Netherlands focused on Hawking radiation, the phenomenon where black holes lose mass through thermal radiation, and found that stellar remnants, such as neutron stars and white dwarfs, also emit this radiation. Their findings indicate that these objects could evaporate in about 10^78 years, rather than the previously thought 10^100 years. This accelerated decay raises the possibility of detecting fossil remnants from previous universes within our own. The study highlights the role of spacetime curvature in radiation production, suggesting that even objects without event horizons, like neutron stars, could eventually evaporate. While the universe's end is now projected to occur much sooner, researchers emphasize that this still spans an incredibly long timescale.
Published: May 13 2025, 6 pmeznews.inJupiter's magnetic field, an astonishing 20,000 times stronger than Earth's, generates spectacular auroras visible across a spectrum from X-rays to infrared. Recent observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble have revealed new insights into these auroral phenomena, particularly focusing on the trihydrogen cation (H3+), a common ion in the universe. Researchers discovered that Jupiter's auroras change more rapidly than previously believed, with variations occurring in mere seconds rather than over longer periods. This unexpected dynamism was highlighted in data collected on December 25, 2023. Additionally, a puzzling discrepancy emerged between JWST's infrared signals and Hubble's ultraviolet readings, suggesting the presence of both high-energy and low-energy particles impacting Jupiter's atmosphere. The complexity of Jupiter's magnetosphere, which extends millions of kilometers and is influenced by solar storms, adds to the ongoing mystery of these celestial phenomena. The findings are detailed in the journal *Nature Communications*.
Published: May 14 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study from the University of Wollongong challenges long-held perceptions of Neanderthals as primitive toolmakers, revealing their sophisticated craftsmanship in stone tool production. The research focuses on the Levallois technique, a method used by Neanderthals between 200,000 and 400,000 years ago, which involves shaping a stone core to produce usable tools. Previous assumptions suggested that the quality of the tools was primarily determined by the core's initial preparation. However, the study demonstrates that the angle at which the core is struck significantly influences the resulting tool's morphology. By 3D printing glass cores based on Levallois designs, researchers found that striking the core at a more perpendicular angle yields larger, heavier flakes. This finding not only highlights the cognitive control Neanderthals likely possessed but also offers insights into the variations observed in Levallois artefacts. The study is published in *Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences*.
Published: May 09 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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