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The Jerusalem cricket, often referred to as the potato bug, is a large, flightless insect that is neither a true cricket nor a bug. This nickname can also apply to other species, including the Colorado potato beetle and the roly-poly. Jerusalem crickets belong to two genera, _Ammopelmatus_ and _Stenopelmatus_, and while their bites are not venomous, they can be painful enough to draw blood. Notably, the nymphs of the _Stenopelmatus_ genus exhibit violent cannibalistic behavior, consuming their own kind during their development. The term "potato bug" is a broad label that encompasses various unrelated species, including the Colorado potato beetle, a significant pest for potato crops, and the common pill bug. This confusion highlights the complexity of common names in the animal kingdom, where one label can refer to multiple distinct creatures. 
Published: Dec 03 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma's pod has developed a unique technique for hunting great white sharks, specifically targeting their livers. This brutal method involves ramming the sharks to induce a state of tonic immobility, flipping them upside down to immobilize them before extracting their nutrient-rich livers. A recent study has confirmed that these orcas are regularly preying on juvenile great whites, raising concerns about how younger sharks are adapting to this predation. While adult sharks have learned to flee from orcas, researchers are investigating whether juvenile sharks possess similar anti-predator instincts or if they remain vulnerable due to a lack of experience. The study highlights the orcas' sophisticated hunting strategies and the potential impact on shark populations, as they exploit the energy reserves stored in the sharks' livers, which can weigh over 600 kilograms.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 8 ameznews.inNew research has revealed that hippopotamuses roamed central Europe much later than previously believed, surviving until between 47,000 and 31,000 years ago during the last ice age. Fossil analysis from the Upper Rhine Graben in Germany indicates that these ancient hippos, belonging to the same species as modern African hippos (_Hippopotamus amphibius_), thrived during a milder climatic phase, contradicting earlier assumptions that they had vanished around 115,000 years ago with the onset of harsher conditions. The study, published in *Current Biology*, highlights the low genetic diversity of this isolated population and suggests a need to reassess other European hippo fossils attributed to earlier periods. Researchers emphasize that this finding underscores the complexity of ice age climates, prompting further investigation into other heat-loving species from that era.
Published: Dec 02 2025, 9 ameznews.inRoman military officials stationed at the Egyptian port of Berenike had a notable fondness for exotic pets, particularly Indian macaques, which they treated with great affection, akin to children. A recent study documented the remains of 36 monkeys, dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, found in an animal cemetery alongside artifacts indicating their ownership by army officers. Unlike previously discovered North African Barbary macaques, these monkeys were imported from southern India and the Indus Valley, marking them as the first pets in a Roman context sourced from beyond the empire. Their burials included cherished items such as piglets, sea shells, and even a rag doll, suggesting a deep emotional bond. Despite signs of malnutrition among the monkeys, owning one conferred social status, allowing military officers to showcase their connections to exotic lands. The findings are detailed in the Journal of Roman Archaeology.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn recent weeks, the notion of visiting the Titanic has sparked surprise among many, revealing it as an exclusive experience for the wealthy. While numerous shipwrecks, particularly military vessels, are off-limits to explorers and salvagers, the Titanic, resting in international waters, is protected by UNESCO and a US-UK treaty aimed at preserving its integrity. Nonetheless, those with sufficient resources can obtain permits to dive and explore the wreck, with RMS Titanic Inc. being the sole company authorized to salvage items. Among the few who have made the journey is a couple who famously married on the ship's deck in 2001, a move that drew criticism from historians. Following the tragic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible, descendants of Titanic victims have intensified calls to cease visits to the site, emphasizing the need for respect for those who perished in the disaster.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 6 ameznews.inSeals, often seen flipping onto their backs and slapping their bellies, engage in this seemingly playful behavior as a sophisticated form of communication. These marine mammals utilize a range of vocalizations, including grunts and whistles, to coordinate hunts and socialize. A 2020 study revealed that male seals can clap their flippers underwater, producing a loud, high-frequency sound that serves as a "show of strength" to deter rivals and attract mates, akin to a gorilla's chest-beating. While the purpose of belly slapping on land remains unclear, it may also convey confrontational messages. Interestingly, seals share a close genetic relationship with dogs, both belonging to the Caniformia suborder, and their behaviors, though not as cognitively advanced as dogs, exhibit similar complexity. This highlights the nuanced communication methods of seals, which extend beyond mere playfulness.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 7 ameznews.inSkywatchers are in for a treat as the last full Moon of 2025, a supermoon, will illuminate the night sky on Thursday, December 4. This celestial event occurs when the Moon is at its closest point to Earth, just 357,219 kilometers (221,965 miles) away, making it appear larger and brighter than usual. This December supermoon follows two others in October and November, a rare occurrence as they all fall within the same season. The next supermoon will occur on January 3, 2026, but will be slightly farther away. While there is no formal definition of a supermoon, it is generally accepted that it occurs when a full Moon is within 90% of its closest approach to Earth. The Moon's elliptical orbit means its distance varies, leading to noticeable differences in size and brightness, with increases of up to 14% and 30%, respectively, according to NASA.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 2 ameznews.inA new study from the University of Montreal, published in JAMA Pediatrics, reveals a nuanced relationship between screen time and teenage mental health. While excessive use of social media and television correlates with increased depressive symptoms among adolescents, video gaming and computer use show no such association. The research, which tracked 3,826 seventh graders over four years, found that social media exposure can lead to feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, primarily due to "Upward Social Comparison" and "Reinforcing Spirals." These concepts suggest that social media fosters negative self-esteem by showcasing idealized lifestyles and creates echo chambers that exacerbate depressive feelings. Conversely, the study found that time spent gaming did not negatively impact mental health, indicating that not all screen time is detrimental. Lead author Elroy Boers emphasized the role of algorithm-driven content in perpetuating depressive states among teens.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 3 ameznews.inChina Eastern Airlines is set to launch the world's longest scheduled air route, connecting Shanghai and Buenos Aires, with the inaugural flight scheduled for December 4. The journey spans approximately 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) across the Pacific, featuring a 2-hour 25-minute stopover in Auckland. The total flight time from Shanghai to Buenos Aires is 25 hours and 55 minutes, while the return trip will take 29 hours, departing Buenos Aires at 02:00 local time. This new service will operate every Tuesday and Thursday, reflecting China's efforts to enhance international air links, particularly with Argentina, a key supplier of beef, soy, and lithium. While many airlines have claimed to offer the longest flights, this route is notable for its regular scheduling. The current record for the longest commercial flight is held by Singapore Airlines, which operates a route from Singapore to New York covering 15,349 kilometers (9,537 miles).
Published: Dec 02 2025, 9 pmeznews.inDespite the rise of streaming services, compact discs (CDs), invented in 1979 and popularized in the early 1980s, continue to showcase sophisticated technology. Operating through a laser that reads digital information etched in tiny pits and lands on their surface, CDs convert these patterns into electrical signals, allowing playback of music and video. While DVDs utilize a similar principle with smaller pits for greater data storage, CD-RWs enable users to "burn" their own data onto discs using a photosensitive dye. This process, akin to vinyl records that use a stylus to read grooves, highlights the enduring appeal of CDs, even as vinyl enthusiasts celebrate the warm sound quality of their preferred medium. As technology evolves, the compact disc remains a testament to innovative design, prompting renewed interest among music lovers who appreciate its unique capabilities.
Published: Dec 01 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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