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Astronomers have made groundbreaking polarimetric observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing it exhibits "extreme negative polarization," a characteristic markedly different from all known comets, both interstellar and those within our Solar System. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is traveling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and is estimated to have a nucleus of about 5.6 kilometers and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. Its unique polarimetric behavior suggests it may share more similarities with trans-Neptunian objects than traditional comets. The comet's negative polarization is significantly deeper than that of known comets, indicating a distinct composition and structure. While initial imaging has confirmed the presence of a diffuse coma, further observations are necessary to fully understand this unusual object, which is currently out of view and will not return until later this year. The findings have been submitted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 
Published: Oct 02 2025, 12 ameznews.inPaleobiologists have re-evaluated the evolutionary significance of the ancient microbe _Saccorhytus_, previously thought to be a potential ancestor of humans due to its unique anatomy, which included a large mouth but no anus. Recent discoveries of well-preserved specimens in China's Shaanxi Province have led researchers to conclude that _Saccorhytus_ is not related to humans or other deuterostomes, a group that includes vertebrates and starfish. Using advanced synchrotron imaging, scientists found that what were believed to be gills were actually remnants of spines used for capturing prey. This reclassification places _Saccorhytus_ within the protostome group, specifically as an ecdysosoan, which includes insects and crustaceans. Co-lead author Professor Shuhai Xiao emphasized the need to identify the earliest deuterostome, as the search continues following this unexpected evolutionary twist.
Published: Oct 05 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study has shed light on the evolutionary origins of the anus, suggesting it may have evolved from a reproductive opening used for sperm release. Researchers focused on the marine worm *Xenoturbella bocki*, which possesses a single opening for both feeding and waste expulsion, akin to jellyfish. The study posits that the male gonopore in these organisms could be homologous to the anus in more complex animals, indicating a potential evolutionary link. By examining gene expression patterns, scientists found that genes associated with the hindgut are also present around the male gonopore, hinting at a genetic connection. While the hypothesis remains to be thoroughly investigated, it raises intriguing possibilities about the evolutionary history of the anus, suggesting that what we now know as a butthole may have originally served a different purpose. The findings are available on the pre-print server bioRxiv, pending peer review.
Published: Oct 05 2025, 6 ameznews.inResearchers analyzing data from NASA and the German Aerospace Center's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) have identified a significant gravity anomaly over the Atlantic Ocean, which may be linked to a global phenomenon known as a "geomagnetic jerk." This anomaly, detected between 2006 and 2008, spans approximately 7,000 kilometers and features a steep gravity gradient, with areas of strong and weak gravity. Initial attempts to explain the anomaly through surface water movements proved insufficient. The team, led by geophysicist Charlotte Gaugne Gouranton, suggests that the anomaly may stem from rapid mass redistributions at the core-mantle boundary, where the mineral bridgmanite undergoes a phase transition due to extreme pressure and heat. This research could shed light on how such changes affect core flow dynamics and the geomagnetic field, with further investigations planned to explore these connections. The findings are detailed in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Published: Sep 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAstronomers have discovered a significant ripple, dubbed "the Great Wave," traversing the Milky Way, evidenced by the movement of stars at the galaxy's edge resembling a wave in a stadium. Utilizing data from the European Space Agency's Gaia observatory, researchers tracked the motion of approximately 17,000 young giant stars and 3,400 classical Cepheids, revealing vertical shifts of up to 650 light-years. This ripple extends horizontally for at least 30,000 light-years, potentially up to 65,000 light-years. The findings suggest that the warp and corrugation of the Milky Way's disk may be influenced by interactions with nearby galaxies. Dr. Eloisa Poggio from the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics emphasized the need for further investigation to understand the origins of these features. As Gaia's operations concluded, scientists anticipate that upcoming data releases will enhance their understanding of the galaxy's complexities.
Published: Sep 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, a slight increase from 2022, with 87% of cases concentrated in just 30 countries, particularly India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with WHO calling for urgent action to eliminate the epidemic by 2030. While the number of TB-related deaths has been declining overall, funding for prevention and research remains critically low, with only $5.7 billion allocated last year against a target of $22 billion. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively.
Published: Sep 30 2025, 11 pmeznews.inScientists from the LIGO-Virgo collaboration have proposed that the gravitational wave event GW190521, detected on May 21, 2019, may indicate the existence of another universe connected to ours via a hypothetical wormhole. The signal, lasting just 0.1 seconds, is unusual due to its lack of the typical precursor signals associated with black hole mergers. The researchers suggest that this could represent a unique gravitational wave echo from a black hole merger in a different universe, passing through a "throat" of a wormhole. While their analysis shows potential for this interpretation, it does not currently surpass the binary black hole merger explanation. The team emphasizes the need for further modeling to explore the wormhole scenario, especially in light of a recent similar event, GW231123, detected in November 2023. The findings are detailed in a pre-print paper awaiting peer review.
Published: Oct 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 2024, orcas have captured attention for their remarkable behaviors, including predation on whale sharks, the world's largest fish. Researchers have documented a group of orcas in the southern Gulf of California employing sophisticated hunting techniques to target these gentle giants, which can grow up to 18 meters long. The orcas, particularly a male named Moctezuma, have been observed attacking the pelvic area of whale sharks, causing them to bleed out and allowing access to their nutrient-rich livers. This cooperative hunting strategy involves stunning the sharks and flipping them upside down, inducing a state of tonic immobility that prevents escape. While this predation highlights the orcas' intelligence and adaptability, it raises concerns about the sustainability of their diet, as whale sharks are classified as endangered and may be threatened by climate change. The findings underscore the complex dynamics of marine ecosystems and the challenges facing both orcas and whale sharks.
Published: Oct 04 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that sponges, among the earliest forms of animal life, may have existed over 541 million years ago, significantly earlier than previously thought. Researchers analyzed "chemical fossils" in rocks, identifying special 30-carbon sterols linked to demosponges, a class of sea sponges. This evidence suggests that these simple, soft-bodied organisms were likely some of the first animals on Earth, living in ocean environments without complex organs or systems. The findings build on earlier hypotheses regarding the presence of sterols as indicators of complex life, reinforcing the notion that sponges played a crucial role in the evolution of multicellular organisms. The study, published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, utilized geological samples from Oman, India, and Siberia, and synthesized sterols in the lab to support their conclusions, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of early animal life.
Published: Oct 04 2025, 3 pmeznews.inScientists investigating the processes surrounding whale carcasses in the South China Sea were surprised to encounter eight Pacific sleeper sharks (_Somniosus pacificus_), marking the first recorded sighting of the species in this region. The research team, led by Han Tian from Sun Yat-sen University, had dropped a cow carcass at a depth of 1,629 meters to simulate a natural event. Video footage revealed the sharks displaying unusual behaviors, including a polite queuing system for feeding, suggesting a competitive yet cooperative survival strategy. Larger sharks, measuring over 2.7 meters, exhibited more aggressive feeding behaviors, while smaller ones were more cautious. The study also noted the presence of copepod parasites on some sharks and highlighted the ecological significance of this finding, raising questions about the species' distribution and potential range expansion due to climate change. The research is detailed in the journal Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research.
Published: Oct 04 2025, 3 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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