eznews.inInterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, known for its two distinct tails—the curved dust tail and the straighter ion tail—may soon be crossed by two spacecraft: NASA's Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency's Hera. While Hera is positioned to enter the ion tail from October 25 to November 1, it lacks the necessary instruments for in-situ measurements. In contrast, Europa Clipper, equipped for such observations, could sample the ion tail if solar wind conditions are favorable between October 30 and November 6. However, uncertainty surrounds its ability to conduct these observations, potentially impacted by a government shutdown and internal restructuring at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. If neither spacecraft succeeds, ESA's JUICE mission will observe the comet on November 2 and 25, providing valuable scientific data despite not capturing samples. The findings are detailed in a paper accepted for publication in Research Notes of the AAS. 
Published: Oct 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA recent social media inquiry has sparked widespread curiosity about the purpose of the lines found on towels, known as "dobby borders." Initially dismissed as trivial, the question gained traction after users speculated on their function, with some humorously suggesting they serve as "face/butt delineation lines" or "racing stripes." However, experts clarify that these woven strips serve multiple practical purposes, including enhancing absorbency, preventing fraying, and maintaining the towel's structure. According to Towel Hub, the dobby border helps balance thickness and performance, ensuring towels remain soft, lightweight, and efficient for drying. Additionally, these borders contribute to the towel's aesthetic appeal, making them a durable and visually pleasing choice for both personal and commercial use. With this mystery resolved, attention may now shift to more complex enigmas, such as the nature of dark energy.
Published: Oct 20 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking study, Japanese researchers have successfully transferred a courtship behavior from one species of fruit fly to another through a single gene modification. By altering the gene known as "FruitlessM" in the common fruit fly, *Drosophila melanogaster*, the team induced a unique courtship ritual previously observed only in *Drosophila subobscura*, where males regurgitate food as a mating gesture. This research highlights how minor genetic changes can lead to significant behavioral shifts, revealing that the courtship centers in the brains of these closely related species have evolved differently over 30-35 million years. The study demonstrated that activating insulin-producing neurons in *D. melanogaster* created new neural connections, enabling the expression of this vomit-gifting behavior. The findings suggest that behavioral evolution may not require new neurons but can arise from the reconfiguration of existing neural circuits, contributing to species differentiation. The study is published in the journal *Science*.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inWednesday, May 30, marks World Otter Day, a celebration often filled with adorable images of otters engaging in playful antics. However, beneath their charming exterior lies a darker reality, as otters exhibit aggressive and violent behaviors. Sea otters, for instance, are known for their brutal mating practices, where males can drown females and even attack pups. Disturbingly, they have also been documented engaging in forced copulation with baby harbor seals, leading to severe injuries or death. Additionally, instances of necrophilia have been observed, with males copulating with deceased females. The giant otter, a lesser-known species, is particularly fearsome, growing up to 1.7 meters and preying on various animals. Furthermore, otters have been implicated in violent incidents, such as drowning monkeys in captivity. While attacks on humans are rare, southern sea otters can carry pathogens that may cause serious illness, highlighting the complex nature of these seemingly cute creatures.
Published: Oct 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), established in 1974, has processed over 180,000 reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) in the United States. Initially relying on a hotline, NUFORC launched its website in 1995, allowing the public to report sightings, which are then reviewed and graded based on their credibility. Common misidentified objects include Starlink satellites, rocket launches, and bright planets like Venus and Jupiter. Research indicates that UFO sightings are more frequent in western states such as Arizona and Nevada, attributed to clearer skies and cultural connections to UFO lore. The U.S. Department of Defense has rebranded UFOs as UAPs to encourage reporting without stigma, emphasizing the importance of understanding aerial phenomena for national security. Despite the often blurry and vague nature of reports, the fascination with the unknown continues to draw public interest.
Published: Oct 16 2025, 5 ameznews.inThe noble false widow spider (_Steatoda nobilis_), an invasive species first described in 1875, has spread across Europe, western Asia, and the Americas, thriving due to its cold tolerance, longevity, and prolific breeding, producing up to 1,000 offspring annually. Notably, a recent observation in southern England marked the third instance of this spider preying on a protected vertebrate, specifically a pygmy shrew (_Sorex minutus_). The spider was seen ensnaring the shrew in its web and later wrapping it in silk, only releasing the remains three days later. This behavior highlights the spider's ability to overpower prey much larger than itself, aided by its potent venom and strong silk. Researchers emphasize the importance of public observations in understanding the ecological impact of this species, as noted by Dr. John Dunbar from the University of Galway. The findings are detailed in the journal *Ecosphere*.
Published: Oct 16 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study has challenged long-held beliefs about the evolution of leaf arrangements in plants, particularly the prevalence of the Fibonacci sequence. Traditionally, it was thought that this mathematical pattern, evident in many modern plants, originated in early species. However, the extinct clubmoss _Asteroxylon mackiei_, dating back over 400 million years, exhibits a leaf arrangement that defies Fibonacci classification. Found in Scotland's Rhynie Chert, this ancient plant's cross-sections were reconstructed using 3D printing technology, revealing that many of its leaves grew in rings rather than spirals. Researchers, including Dr. Sandy Hetherington, suggest that the evolution of Fibonacci spirals in contemporary plants may not stem from ancient species like _Asteroxylon mackiei_, indicating a separate evolutionary path for early clubmosses. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide new insights into plant evolution and the diversity of leaf arrangements.
Published: Oct 19 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRecent research from the University of California, Irvine, has revealed that Botox injections can alter how the brain interprets emotions, supporting the "facial feedback hypothesis." This hypothesis posits that mimicking facial expressions, such as frowning or smiling, helps individuals understand and experience emotions. In a study involving 10 women aged 33 to 40, researchers injected Botox to temporarily paralyze the glabellar muscle, responsible for frowning, and monitored brain activity via fMRI scans before and after the procedure. Findings indicated changes in the amygdala and fusiform gyrus when participants viewed emotional faces, suggesting that Botox disrupts the brain's processing of emotional expressions. Previous studies have also linked Botox to impairments in emotion perception and slower reading of emotional language. Interestingly, while Botox may hinder emotional recognition, it has shown potential benefits for patients with depression, although further research is needed to clarify these effects. The study is published in *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Oct 20 2025, 4 ameznews.inAstronomers at the W. M. Keck Observatory have made intriguing discoveries regarding interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, which was first detected on July 1, 2025. This comet, the third interstellar object identified, exhibits an unusual "anti-solar tail," a phenomenon where the tail points towards the Sun, potentially due to large dust grains ejected from its sunlit side. The team also confirmed the presence of nickel and cyanide in the comet's coma, with nickel being more concentrated near the nucleus. This finding raises questions about the comet's composition, as the high temperatures required to vaporize metals like nickel and iron are not present at its observed distances. The study, which has not yet undergone peer review, suggests that 3I/ATLAS may serve as a time capsule from an earlier era of the universe, offering insights into the primordial materials of distant stellar systems.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inNew research challenges the validity of the so-called "obesity paradox," which suggests that overweight individuals may have better survival rates after heart failure. A study conducted by the University of Glasgow found that when using waist-to-height ratio instead of body mass index (BMI) to assess body fat, the correlation between higher BMI and improved post-disease outcomes vanished. The study involved over 8,000 patients hospitalized for heart failure and revealed that while higher BMI was initially linked to better survival, this relationship collapsed when adjusted for more accurate measures of body fat and heart failure biomarkers. The findings indicate that BMI is a poor indicator of obesity-related health risks, prompting calls for healthcare professionals to consider alternative metrics. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, underscores the need for more precise measurements in obesity research.
Published: Oct 20 2025, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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