Trending Science

Listen as Radio

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Visible to Amateur Telescopes!

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is now visible from Earth, offering a unique opportunity for amateur astronomers to observe this ancient celestial body. After recently passing its closest point to the Sun, the comet can be spotted in the eastern sky before dawn, positioned near Venus and the star Spica. It is expected to reach a brightness of magnitude 10, making it visible through standard telescopes or good binoculars. Dr. Franck Marchis from the SETI Institute encourages stargazers to use Venus or Spica as reference points and suggests utilizing stargazing apps for guidance. As the comet's brightness may fluctuate, November is deemed an ideal time for observation. Additionally, a global network of citizen astronomers, in collaboration with the SETI Institute, will collect data on the comet's composition and trajectory, contributing to ongoing research. For those unable to observe it directly, the Virtual Telescope Project plans to stream live observations in the coming weeks. sources

Published:
Nov 03 2025, 11 pm

Horses' Sweating Method Disappoints Many People

A recent revelation about horse sweat has left many internet users both intrigued and slightly grossed out. In a viral video, a horse owner unveiled a foamy layer of sweat beneath their horse's blanket, prompting questions about this unusual phenomenon. Unlike most mammals, which sweat primarily for skin health and scent, horses, zebras, and donkeys sweat to cool down, thanks to a unique protein called latherin. This detergent-like substance helps wet their fur, facilitating evaporative cooling, which is crucial given their thick coats. While humans and a few primates also sweat for thermoregulation, the composition of horse sweat differs significantly, being low in protein and high in electrolytes. Experts note that the factors influencing latherin production remain unclear, but the foamy appearance is a natural response to help horses manage heat, not a sign of any secret shampooing skills. sources

Published:
Nov 03 2025, 10 pm

New Man O' War Species Found Due to Warming Oceans

A new species of Portuguese man o' war, named *Physalia mikazuki*, has been discovered in the waters off northeast Japan by a student-led research team. This unprecedented find, made in the Tohoku region, raises concerns about the shifting distributions of marine life attributed to climate change. Yoshiki Ochiai, a second author of the study, stumbled upon the jellyfish while conducting unrelated research in Sendai Bay. The species is named after the crescent moon design of the helmet worn by the region's historical feudal lord, Date Masamune. Previously, it was believed that only one species, *Physalia utriculus*, inhabited Japanese waters. However, DNA analysis revealed that *P. mikazuki* had been present all along but was only identified when found in a new area. The research suggests that changing ocean currents, particularly the Kuroshio Current, may have facilitated its northern migration, posing potential ecological risks. sources

Published:
Nov 03 2025, 7 pm

Why Was 536 CE Such a Terrible Year?

The year 536 CE is often cited as one of the most calamitous periods in human history, marked by a mysterious volcanic eruption that plunged the Northern Hemisphere into darkness and triggered a dramatic climate shift. While the exact volcano remains uncertain, evidence suggests eruptions in either El Salvador or Iceland caused a "volcanic winter," leading to plummeting temperatures and agricultural collapse. Historical accounts from figures like Roman statesman Cassiodorus and Byzantine historian Procopius describe a sun obscured by a foggy haze, resulting in widespread famine and disease, including the bubonic plague. This period also heralded the onset of the Late Antique Little Ice Age, which contributed to the decline of the Eastern Roman Empire and prompted migrations in Central Asia. Conversely, the Arabian Peninsula experienced increased rainfall, setting the stage for the rise of the Arab Empire by the seventh century. sources

Published:
Nov 03 2025, 8 pm

New Important Method for Counting Discovered by Scientists

In a surprising breakthrough, computer scientists have developed a new algorithm to tackle the long-standing Distinct Elements Problem, which involves counting unique items in a dataset—a task that humans find simple but has historically challenged computers. The new method, known as the CVM algorithm, simplifies the counting process by employing a sampling strategy that significantly reduces memory requirements, making it particularly useful in the era of big data. The algorithm operates on a probabilistic basis, allowing for efficient estimation of distinct elements, as demonstrated through an example involving Shakespeare's *Hamlet*. Since its introduction in January 2023, the CVM algorithm has garnered attention from the computer science community, with experts predicting it will become a standard topic in introductory courses. Its simplicity and effectiveness have led to widespread admiration, including praise from Donald Knuth, a prominent figure in algorithm analysis. sources

Published:
Oct 30 2025, 6 am

Unraveling the Myth of the 15-Meter Congo Snake

A curious legend circulates online about a colossal 15-meter (50-foot) snake in Central Africa, allegedly known for lunging at helicopters. This tale gained traction from Belgian Air Force Colonel Remy Van Lierde, who recounted his 1959 encounter with the creature during a 1980 interview on the British TV show _Mysterious World_, hosted by Arthur C. Clarke. Van Lierde claimed the snake, spotted in the Katanga Province, raised its neck and appeared ready to strike as his helicopter hovered nearby. Despite his credibility as a war veteran, experts remain skeptical, noting that the largest local snake, the African Rock Python, typically reaches only 3 to 6 meters (10 to 20 feet). The story echoes other cryptids like mokele-mbembe, a creature resembling a long-necked dinosaur, often dismissed as misidentified wildlife. As technology advances, the potential for new hoaxes in cryptozoology looms large. sources

Published:
Nov 03 2025, 7 pm

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Returns, Not an Alien Craft

Comet 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar visitor to our Solar System, has re-emerged from the Sun's glare following its perihelion, the closest approach to the Sun, which occurred yesterday. The PUNCH mission, a group of small satellites studying solar phenomena, captured images of the comet as it became more active, displaying a peculiar anti-tail and a possible jet. Despite speculation surrounding its nature, including unfounded theories suggesting it could be an alien spacecraft, the comet has maintained its expected trajectory. As it moves beyond the orbit of Mars, the European Space Agency's JUICE mission is set to observe 3I/ATLAS from deep space on November 2 and 25, although data will not be available until February 2026. The comet will be visible to both professional and amateur astronomers in the pre-dawn sky, particularly near Venus, with its closest approach to Earth on December 19, at a distance of 269 million kilometers. sources

Published:
Oct 30 2025, 9 pm

Unique Black Tiger Population Found in One Indian Reserve

India is home to approximately three-quarters of the world's tiger population, which has rebounded from near extinction due to conservation efforts, doubling between 2006 and 2018. However, the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) has seen a rise in black or pseudomelanistic tigers, a result of a genetic mutation known as melanism. This phenomenon, first reported in the 1970s, has led to nearly half of the STR's tiger population exhibiting this rare trait, raising concerns about inbreeding due to limited genetic diversity. The mutation is traced to a single gene and is not found in tigers outside the STR, indicating isolation. A proposed safari for melanistic tigers has sparked controversy among conservationists, who fear it may exacerbate inbreeding. As habitat fragmentation continues to threaten genetic diversity, conservationists aim to introduce new genetic material to these isolated populations to ensure their long-term survival. sources

Published:
Oct 30 2025, 4 am

Tiny Triceratops Was Its Own Species, Not Baby T. Rex

Paleontologists Dr. Lindsay Zanno and Dr. James Napoli have reignited a long-standing debate regarding the classification of certain Cretaceous fossils, proposing that they belong to a distinct species, _Nanotyrannus lancensis_, rather than being juvenile _T. rex_ specimens as previously thought. Their findings are based on a fossil known as the "Dueling Dinosaurs," which depicts a small tyrannosaur engaged in combat with a _Triceratops_. Analysis revealed that this small predator exhibits significant anatomical differences from _T. rex_, including more teeth and longer forearms, and was likely an adult around 20 years old. This challenges the notion of a juvenile _T. rex_ and suggests a more complex ecosystem with diverse predatory strategies at the end of the Cretaceous. The study, published in *Nature*, indicates that dinosaur diversity was thriving prior to the mass extinction event, contradicting earlier beliefs of a decline. sources

Published:
Oct 30 2025, 10 pm

Vaquita Babies Found, Bringing Hope for Rare Marine Mammal

In a promising development for the critically endangered vaquita, recent surveys in the Gulf of California have confirmed sightings of between seven and ten individuals, including the birth of new calves. This marks a notable improvement from previous years, where the population had plummeted from 560 in 1997 to just 10 in 2018, prompting the International Whaling Commission to issue its first extinction alert for the species. Conservation efforts, including a ban on gillnets and enhanced monitoring techniques, have been crucial in this recovery. The latest survey, conducted from May to September by various agencies and conservation groups, utilized acoustic monitoring and advanced binoculars to minimize disturbance to the vaquitas. While the species remains at risk, the findings suggest that conservation strategies are effective, providing hope for the future of the vaquita and underscoring the importance of continued protective measures. sources

Published:
Nov 01 2025, 6 pm

For the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews

End of news stories. Come back in an hour!