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In a groundbreaking discovery off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, scientists studying porbeagle sharks have documented the first known predation event involving these sharks, revealing that a pregnant female was consumed by a larger predator. The research team, which had tagged the 2.2-meter shark with satellite devices, found that after 158 days, the tag surfaced in Bermuda, indicating a sudden change in the shark's diving patterns and temperature data consistent with predation. Lead author Dr. Brooke Anderson noted that the evidence pointed towards either a great white or shortfin mako shark as the likely culprits, with the data suggesting the former due to its hunting behavior. This incident not only highlights the predation risks faced by porbeagles, particularly pregnant females, but also raises concerns about their population stability, as the loss of such individuals impacts future reproductive potential. The findings are detailed in the journal *Frontiers in Marine Science*. 
Published: Dec 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn mythology, the belly of a whale symbolizes death and rebirth, but in reality, the chances of being swallowed by one are exceedingly slim. The blue whale, the largest animal ever, primarily consumes tiny krill and lacks the physical capacity to swallow a human due to its narrow throat and absence of teeth. Toothed whales, like sperm whales, could theoretically ingest a person, as they prey on giant squid. However, such incidents are rare; the most famous tale involves a whaler named James Bartley, who allegedly survived being swallowed, though this story is widely regarded as a myth. More credible accounts involve near misses, such as lobster diver Michael Packard, who was briefly caught in a humpback whale's mouth in 2021, and kayaker Adrián Simancas, who experienced a similar incident in 2025. These encounters highlight the increasing overlap between human activities and whale habitats, posing risks to both parties.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Long-Term Evolution Experiment (LTEE), initiated by Richard Lenski in 1988, has reached a remarkable milestone of 80,000 generations of _Escherichia coli_ bacteria, making it the longest-running evolution study in history. Conducted in 12 distinct lines from a common ancestral colony, the experiment meticulously tracks the bacteria's evolution through daily transfers into fresh nutrient solutions. This setup allows researchers to explore fundamental questions about natural selection, adaptation, and mutation rates. Notably, findings indicate that fitness can increase indefinitely, albeit at a slowing rate, and that some populations have evolved into "hypermutators," significantly altering their mutation rates. The LTEE serves as a powerful demonstration of adaptation by natural selection, providing insights that challenge traditional views on evolutionary processes. With no plans to conclude the study, the LTEE continues to yield valuable data on the dynamics of evolution in a controlled environment.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAstronomers have unveiled the peculiar exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b, discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star known as a pulsar. This planet, roughly the mass of Jupiter, orbits its pulsar in just 7.8 hours at a distance of only 1% of the Earth-Sun gap, resulting in a unique lemon-like shape due to the pulsar's intense gravitational pull. Most astonishingly, its atmosphere is composed of helium and pure carbon, with carbon likely crystallizing into diamonds at deeper layers—an unprecedented finding among the 150 exoplanets studied so far. Researchers are puzzled by this unusual composition, as it contradicts known planetary formation theories. Possible explanations include the idea that PSR J2322-2650b may be the stripped core of a star, raising intriguing questions about its origins and the nature of its atmosphere. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Published: Dec 17 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn 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 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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