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Flying foxes, or _Pteropus_, are among the largest bats globally, boasting a cat-sized body and an impressive wingspan that can rival that of eagles. This genus includes around 65 species, primarily found across East Africa, the Indian Ocean, South and Southeast Asia, Australia, and some Pacific islands. Unlike many bats, flying foxes do not use echolocation; instead, they rely on keen eyesight and smell to forage for nectar, blossoms, and ripe fruit, playing a crucial role as pollinators and seed dispersers in their ecosystems. Notably, they have evolved a high-sugar diet without the risk of diabetes due to their unique metabolism. However, nearly half of these species face conservation challenges, particularly those on islands threatened by human encroachment. While generally shy, flying foxes can carry viruses like Hendra, which pose risks to humans and horses. The giant golden-crowned flying fox, once classified as _Pteropus_, is now recognized as the largest bat, highlighting the diversity and vulnerability of these remarkable creatures. 
Published: Sep 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inRecent claims circulating online and in tabloids suggest that Nostradamus predicted Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine would lead to World War III. One passage, interpreted as foreseeing a "Great War" lasting seven months, has sparked concern, particularly given the potential for nuclear escalation involving major powers like the U.S. and Russia. Nostradamus's earlier predictions, including a famine so severe that people might resort to cannibalism, have also been linked to current global tensions. However, experts argue that Nostradamus's prophecies are often vague and can be retroactively applied to various events, a phenomenon known as "postdiction." This means that while his writings may seem prophetic in hindsight, they lack specificity and accuracy when considered beforehand. Ultimately, the consensus is that Nostradamus did not predict the current geopolitical crisis involving Ukraine and Russia.
Published: Sep 13 2025, 12 ameznews.inRussia has announced plans to send humans to the Moon by 2031, as stated by Vladimir Solntsev, CEO of the rocket company Energia, in a report by TASS. The ambitious timeline includes an unmanned spacecraft orbiting the Moon in 2026, followed by another unmanned mission to practice landing in 2027, and a further flight in 2029. The initiative aims to establish a lunar space station and potentially a base on the Moon, supported by the development of a new heavy-lift rocket and a manned spacecraft named Federation. While the timeline has shifted from previous goals, with a 2029 manned landing initially proposed, Russia is now collaborating with the European Space Agency and possibly NASA. Additionally, discussions are ongoing regarding the future of the International Space Station, with a potential extension of its operational life until 2028.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Moon, formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago from a collision between Earth and a planet named Theia, has been gradually drifting away from our planet at a rate of about 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) per year, as confirmed by the Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment initiated during the Apollo missions. This ongoing recession means that in around 600 million years, Earth will witness its last total solar eclipse, a phenomenon currently possible due to the coincidental sizes and distances of the Sun and Moon. Historical evidence, including rock and coral layers, suggests that the Moon was much closer to Earth in its early history. While the Moon will continue to appear smaller in the sky, it will remain gravitationally bound to Earth until the Sun evolves into a red giant, ultimately engulfing both bodies.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn the second century, Syrian satirist Lucian of Samosata introduced a groundbreaking genre of fiction with his novel _A True Story_, featuring space travel and extraterrestrial beings, igniting humanity's fascination with the possibility of life beyond Earth. While popular culture often depicts aliens as organic beings, astronomers like Seth Shostak argue that any intelligent extraterrestrial life we encounter may be synthetic, potentially powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Given the vast distances between stars, biological life forms may struggle to traverse space, making AI a more viable option for interstellar exploration. Shostak suggests that advanced AI could evolve rapidly, surpassing human intelligence, and may not share our biological needs or motivations. Consequently, if AI-driven aliens were to visit Earth, they might find us uninteresting or irrelevant, as their existence would not be constrained by the same evolutionary pressures that shape human behavior.
Published: Sep 13 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the remote Australian Red Center, approximately 1,500 kilometers from the nearest city, lies the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, a highly secretive military communications base operated by Australia and the United States. Established in 1966 during the Cold War, it was initially presented as a space research facility but has since been revealed to be a key site for the CIA's intelligence operations, particularly in monitoring Soviet missile capabilities. Today, the base employs around 1,000 personnel, split between Australians and Americans, and remains off-limits to the public, with strict security measures in place. Pine Gap is believed to play a crucial role in global surveillance and military coordination, notably during conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. Despite ongoing protests and calls for its closure, the facility continues to be vital for U.S. intelligence operations in the Asia-Pacific region, while also attracting conspiracy theories akin to those surrounding Area 51.
Published: Sep 13 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA voice and speech expert has utilized a replica of a Neanderthal's vocal tract to explore what their sounds might have been like, considering anatomical features such as a large nasal cavity and a heavy skull. This innovative approach aims to shed light on the vocal capabilities of Neanderthals, who lived alongside early humans. The research suggests that their unique physical characteristics could have influenced the pitch and tone of their vocalizations, potentially leading to a higher-pitched voice than previously assumed. While the findings are intriguing, the full details of the study remain behind a paywall, prompting interested readers to subscribe for complete access. For those curious about the subject, additional videos are available on the BBC's Curiosity platform, offering further insights into the vocalization theories surrounding Neanderthals.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery in 1964, physicists Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson detected a persistent background noise in their radio telescope, initially thought to be interference. After ruling out various sources, they identified it as the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the remnant radiation from the Big Bang, providing crucial evidence for the Big Bang theory and earning them a Nobel Prize. While this model remains the most widely accepted explanation for the universe's origins, alternative theories persist, including the cyclical universe concept, which posits that the universe undergoes endless expansions and contractions, and Roger Penrose's Conformal Cyclic Cosmology, suggesting a series of "aeons" without a big crunch. Additionally, the idea of eternal inflation proposes that while some regions of the universe expand indefinitely, others form distinct "bubble universes." Despite these intriguing alternatives, the Big Bang theory continues to dominate cosmological discourse, pending further evidence.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 2 ameznews.inOn September 15, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a G3 geomagnetic storm warning due to increased solar winds from a large coronal hole on the Sun. Over the weekend, the northern lights were visible as far south as Maine and Connecticut, attributed to this moderate storm, which is classified as "strong" on the NOAA Space Weather Scale. The storm, resulting from a 500,000-kilometer coronal hole, can cause issues for satellites, including surface charging and navigation problems. Experts noted that while no coronal mass ejections were detected, the storm's effects could still disrupt satellite operations and power grids. The phenomenon is part of the solar cycle, which influences the frequency and intensity of such storms, particularly around the equinoxes when solar wind coupling with Earth's magnetic field is maximized. Infrastructure operators have been alerted to mitigate potential impacts while the public is encouraged to enjoy the auroras.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 1 ameznews.inA stunning total lunar eclipse captivated over 7 billion viewers last week, but this week’s solar eclipse presents a stark contrast, as it will be only a partial event, visible to around 16 million people. The lunar eclipse on September 7 saw the Moon completely engulfed by Earth’s shadow, while the upcoming solar eclipse on September 21 will see the Moon cover approximately 80% of the Sun, with Sydney experiencing just over 1% for five minutes. The best viewing location is Invercargill, New Zealand, although many will need to rely on online streams due to the eclipse's timing and location. The event peaks at 19:43 UTC, offering a perfect excuse for a late start to the workday. Future eclipses include a total solar eclipse across Europe next August and an annular eclipse in South America next February, with the longest eclipse of the century expected in August 2027.
Published: Sep 16 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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