eznews.inOn September 26, 1983, the world narrowly avoided a nuclear catastrophe, thanks to the quick thinking of Soviet engineer Stanislav Petrov. While on duty at the Serpukhov-15 nuclear early-warning center, Petrov received an alert indicating that the United States had launched a single nuclear missile towards Moscow. Instead of escalating the situation by notifying his superiors, Petrov suspected a system malfunction, reasoning that the U.S. would not initiate a nuclear strike with just one missile. His decision ultimately averted a potential retaliatory strike that could have led to widespread devastation. This incident is one of many near-misses in the nuclear age, highlighting the precarious balance of power and the potential for catastrophic misunderstandings. Despite the presence of sophisticated fail-safes, history shows that miscommunication and errors can bring nations to the brink of disaster, underscoring the ongoing risks associated with nuclear weapons. 
Published: Dec 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inNew research has revealed that the black-spotted pond frog (_Pelophylax nigromaculatus_) can consume giant hornets, often referred to as "murder hornets," without suffering significant harm from their venomous stings. Conducted by ecologist Shinji Sugiura at Kobe University, the study involved placing individual frogs in a cage with various hornet species, including the formidable Asian giant hornet (_Vespa mandarinia_). Remarkably, the frogs demonstrated a high success rate in attacking and eating the hornets—93% for the yellow hornet, 87% for the yellow vented hornet, and 79% for the Asian giant hornet—despite being stung during the process. Unlike mammals, which can suffer severe consequences from similar stings, the frogs appeared largely unaffected, suggesting they possess a unique tolerance to hornet venom. This discovery could pave the way for further research into venom resistance in vertebrates, as published in the journal Ecosphere.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 7 pmeznews.inCrashing sardine stocks off southern Africa have led to a catastrophic decline in African penguin populations, with an estimated 62,000 breeding birds—nearly 95% of the population—perishing between 2004 and 2011. Research from the University of Exeter and South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment highlights how environmental changes and overfishing have decimated sardine numbers, which fell below 25% of their historical maximum. This decline has severely impacted penguins, particularly during their annual moult when they cannot hunt. The situation has prompted the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reclassify African penguins from "Endangered" to "Critically Endangered" in 2024, with extinction possible by 2035 if trends continue. Experts advocate for improved fisheries management to mitigate the crisis, emphasizing the need to reduce sardine exploitation during periods of low biomass.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 3 ameznews.inAstrobiologists face the challenge of predicting what alien life might resemble, relying solely on Earth's biodiversity as a reference. While some speculate about silicon-based life, carbon remains the more plausible foundation due to its ability to form complex molecules essential for life. Research into extremophiles, such as lichens, suggests that life could thrive in harsh extraterrestrial environments, similar to those found on Earth. Additionally, examining evolutionary traits that have repeatedly emerged on our planet, like eyes and streamlined bodies, may provide insights into potential alien adaptations. Some scientists propose that extraterrestrial beings could share similarities with humans due to the universal principles of natural selection. Furthermore, studies of exoplanets indicate that life could take on unexpected forms, such as purple organisms thriving around red dwarf stars. Ultimately, while alien life may follow familiar biological principles, its appearance and characteristics could be vastly different from what we know.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a recent episode of the podcast _We Have Questions_, Dr. Selena Wisnom explores the ancient practice of liver divination, a method once employed by the Assyrians and Babylonians to predict the future by examining the livers of sheep. While modern scientists may view this practice with skepticism, Wisnom argues that it offers valuable insights into the early intersections of science and spirituality. This ancient technique, which sought to unveil divine intentions regarding personal and societal matters, is highlighted as a fascinating aspect of Mesopotamian history. Interestingly, Wisnom notes that liver divination has even been credited with predicting significant contemporary events, such as the election of Donald Trump. The episode invites listeners to reflect on the historical significance of such practices and their role in shaping early scientific thought. The full discussion is available on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe common swift, a remarkable bird, has been confirmed to fly for nearly ten months without landing, a feat first suggested by Welsh ornithologist Ronald Lockley in the 1970s. Researchers from Lund University in Sweden tracked 13 adult swifts using data loggers, revealing that these birds spend over 99.5% of their time in the air, only landing for about two months to breed. Notably, three swifts managed to remain airborne throughout their entire migration from Sweden to the Sahara and back. The study suggests that differences in feather molting may explain why some swifts land while others do not. Common swifts have evolved to be highly efficient flyers, with streamlined bodies and long wings that minimize energy expenditure. While it remains uncertain if they sleep while flying, their extraordinary endurance has garnered admiration, earning them a new fanbase. The findings were published in *Current Biology* in 2016.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 7 ameznews.inThis weekend marks the peak of the Geminids meteor shower, renowned for its spectacular display, with an anticipated rate of 150 meteors per hour. The visibility will be enhanced by a waning Moon, making it an ideal time for stargazers. The Geminids originate from the peculiar asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which behaves more like a comet, moving closer to the Sun than any other known asteroid. Initially thought to be a dead comet, Phaethon may be releasing sodium rather than water vapor, contributing to its comet-like tail. Notably, it has the highest light polarization in the Solar System and spins rapidly on its axis, though its rotation is gradually slowing. Discovered in 1983, Phaethon is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, but poses no threat to Earth for at least the next 400 years.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAmerican astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and English physicist Brian Cox have addressed the recent excitement surrounding interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, particularly the unfounded speculation that it could be an alien spacecraft. Detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on July 1, 2025, the comet is believed to be around 7 to 8 billion years old, originating from a distant star system. In a discussion on the podcast StarTalk, Cox emphasized the significance of studying such an ancient object, arguing that its natural history is far more intriguing than the notion of extraterrestrial involvement. Both Tyson and Cox humorously dismissed the alien theory, noting that if it were a spacecraft, it would be an odd design, behaving just like a comet. As 3I/ATLAS approaches its closest point to Earth on December 19, 2025, the scientists encourage a focus on its scientific value rather than sensational claims.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study presented at the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting in 2018 has unveiled a vast ecosystem of microorganisms thriving miles beneath the Earth's surface. Researchers estimate that around 70% of the planet's total microbial population resides underground, contributing approximately 15 to 23 billion tonnes of carbon—significantly surpassing the carbon mass of all humans. This subterranean ecosystem, dubbed the "subterranean Galapagos," showcases a genetic diversity that may rival or exceed that of surface life, primarily consisting of bacteria and archaea, with some eukarya, including a newly discovered nematode found over 1.4 kilometers deep in a South African gold mine. Despite the extreme conditions of heat, pressure, and nutrient scarcity, this deep biosphere could provide insights into the limits of life on Earth and beyond. Researchers emphasize the need for further exploration to fully understand the interactions between subsurface and surface life.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA recent trip to Loch Ness, famed for its legendary creature Nessie, sparked a deeper inquiry into the implications of potentially discovering the elusive cryptid. While the journalist remains skeptical about Nessie's existence, the journey raised intriguing questions, particularly regarding the so-called Nessie Contingency Plan, a whimsical yet serious guideline from NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, designed to protect any newly discovered species in the loch. Although the agency clarified that such protections are not currently in place, the idea of safeguarding a "lost" species resonates with conservationists like Dr. Barney Long, who emphasizes the importance of being prepared for unexpected discoveries. With ongoing sightings reported in 2025, local sentiment leans towards keeping any potential findings secret to ensure the creature's safety. Ultimately, the article suggests that harnessing the fascination with cryptids could be better directed towards conservation efforts for known endangered species.
Published: Dec 14 2025, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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