eznews.inLuminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) are enigmatic cosmic phenomena characterized by bright blue flashes lasting a few days, with distinct ultraviolet signatures and faint X-ray and radio emissions. The latest LFBOT, designated AT 2024wpp, has provided new insights, suggesting the involvement of a black hole that is destroying a companion star rather than consuming gas, as previously thought. This event is 100 times brighter than an average supernova, indicating that traditional stellar explosions cannot account for its energy output. Researchers, including UC Berkeley's Natalie LeBaron, emphasize that AT 2024wpp challenges existing models of stellar explosions. The study of LFBOTs could enhance understanding of black holes and their formation, as they offer a unique perspective on the dynamics within galaxies. Previous LFBOTs, like AT 2018cow, were significantly less bright, further highlighting the exceptional nature of AT 2024wpp. 
Published: Dec 19 2025, 10 ameznews.inMicrobialites, often mistaken for ancient rocks, are thriving communities of microbes in South Africa that are growing at an unexpectedly rapid pace and sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Traditionally viewed as remnants of Earth's past, new research reveals that these structures, particularly stromatolites, can grow 13-23 millimeters annually and capture 9-16 kilograms of CO2 per square meter each year—far exceeding rates observed in other ecosystems like tropical rainforests. This growth occurs even at night, suggesting that microbialites utilize chemical energy for carbon processing, akin to deep-sea vent ecosystems. Despite their remarkable resilience and carbon storage capabilities, the limited habitats of microbialites mean they cannot single-handedly mitigate global CO2 emissions. The findings challenge previous assumptions about microbialite behavior and highlight the importance of diverse scientific perspectives in uncovering new ecological insights. The study is published in *Nature Communications*.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn 2016, a team of geologists in a Canadian mine discovered flowing water estimated to be over 2.6 billion years old, making it the world's oldest water. This remarkable find surpassed a previous discovery by the same team in 2013, during which lead researcher Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar famously tasted the water, describing it as "very salty and bitter," much saltier than seawater. While tasting ancient water may seem unconventional, Sherwood Lollar noted that it can provide clues about its age, with saltier water typically indicating greater age. The 2016 discovery revealed a significant scientific insight: analysis of the water's sulphate content indicated the presence of ancient microorganisms, suggesting that life has existed in these fluids over geological timescales. Despite its unappetizing flavor, this ancient water offers valuable evidence of microbial life from billions of years ago, highlighting its scientific importance.
Published: Dec 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inInterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, coming within 270 million kilometers (168 million miles). As it nears, observatories have been capturing stunning images and new data, revealing a notable color change from reddish to green, attributed to the release of gases like diatomic carbon. The Gemini North telescope recently provided fresh images, while the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton and XRISM telescopes have made significant X-ray observations, marking a first for an interstellar comet. These X-ray emissions occur when gas from the comet interacts with solar wind, offering insights into its composition. The public has been engaged in the research through a program called Shadow the Scientists, allowing them to participate in real scientific experiments. As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey out of the Solar System, it remains a captivating subject for both professional and amateur astronomers alike.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFlat-Earthers continue to promote their unconventional theories, often resorting to dubious experiments to support their claims. Recently, a viral Reddit post by Greg Pagel challenged one of their key assertions: that a flat horizon indicates a flat Earth. Pagel analyzed the horizon from his coastal hometown, calculating that the curvature of the Earth over a distance of 13.5 kilometers should produce an arc of approximately 0.12 degrees—too subtle to detect with the naked eye. He emphasized that the horizon appears flat not because the Earth is a disc, but due to its immense size. Critics quickly pointed out that the existence of satellite imagery from Google Earth further undermines flat-Earth claims. Additionally, the phenomenon of boats disappearing below the horizon reinforces the spherical nature of our planet, as such an occurrence would be impossible on a flat surface.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe National Park Service (NPS) issued a warning after a guest inadvertently left a bag of Cheetos in Carlsbad Caverns, highlighting the potential ecological impact of such litter. The bag, discarded in the Big Room—North America's largest cave chamber—created a conducive environment for microbial life and fungi, which in turn attracted cave crickets, mites, and other organisms, disrupting the delicate cave ecosystem. Rangers spent 20 minutes removing the trash and mold, emphasizing the importance of minimizing human impact in natural settings. The NPS noted that while a single snack bag may seem insignificant, it can have profound effects on cave biodiversity. This incident underscores a broader issue of waste in U.S. national parks, where 300 million visitors generate nearly 70 million tons of trash annually. Caves, being isolated ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to such disturbances, as evidenced by the damage caused to the Lascaux Caves in France due to increased human activity.
Published: Dec 18 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe title of the world's largest rock is contested, primarily between Uluru and Mount Augustus in Australia. Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a sandstone monolith that rises 348 meters (1,142 feet) and spans 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) around its base, making it an iconic symbol of Central Australia. Formed around 550 million years ago from seabed deposits, Uluru's distinct shape emerged through erosion. In contrast, Mount Augustus, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) north of Perth, stands at 860 meters (2,820 feet) and covers 4,795 hectares (11,850 acres), making it the world's largest monocline—a geological structure formed by folded layers of rock. While Uluru is a more uniform monolith, Mount Augustus's complexity disqualifies it from being a simple "rock." Additionally, the largest freestanding boulder, Giant Rock in California, measures 5,800 square feet and stands seven stories high, adding another layer to the debate.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 ameznews.inNASA has appointed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as its new administrator, following a tumultuous nomination process influenced by his ties to the private space sector and Elon Musk. Initially nominated after the 2024 election, Isaacman's candidacy faced setbacks due to a feud between Musk and Donald Trump, leading to a temporary withdrawal of his nomination. However, he was renominated and confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 67-30. Isaacman aims to advance NASA's scientific programs, despite concerns over potential reductions in public investment and his past legal issues, including a brief arrest for fraud. The Trump administration's budget proposals threaten significant cuts to NASA's ambitious Moon landing plans, including the Lunar Gateway project. As Isaacman takes the helm, the agency's future and its role in space exploration remain uncertain amid ongoing ideological challenges.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 2 ameznews.inIn a surprising revelation, dogs living near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant have shown rapid evolutionary changes over the past 40 years, according to a recent study. Researchers found that these dogs exhibit distinct genetic differences compared to their counterparts in less radioactive areas, suggesting a unique adaptation to their harsh environment. Elaine Ostrander, a geneticist involved in the study, noted that the DNA profiles of these dogs allow for their identification as a separate population. While the specific health implications of these genetic variations remain unclear, other species in the area, such as wolves and tree frogs, have also shown signs of adaptation, including potential cancer resistance and darker pigmentation, respectively. The study highlights how environmental changes, particularly radiation exposure, can drive swift evolutionary processes, although the exact mechanisms behind these adaptations require further investigation.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 2 ameznews.inEarth is a dynamic planet, constantly reshaped by tectonic movements, as illustrated by a new study from Australian and Chinese geologists. They have created a one-minute video showcasing the movement of Earth's tectonic plates over the past 1.8 billion years, beginning with the present-day continents and tracing back to the formation of supercontinents like Pangaea and Rodinia. Contrary to the notion of a "boring billion" years of geological stability, the study suggests this period was marked by significant tectonic activity. Looking ahead, Africa's Great Rift could eventually split the continent in two, potentially forming a new ocean in 5 to 10 million years. Furthermore, projections indicate that a new supercontinent may emerge in about 200 million years, with scenarios including "Amasia," where continents cluster around the North Pole, or "Aurica," where they gather at the equator. The findings are detailed in the journal Geoscience Frontiers.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 3 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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