eznews.inAmphibians, particularly the tree toads of Tanzania, exhibit a fascinating reproductive strategy by giving birth to live young instead of following the typical egg-to-tadpole metamorphosis. This unique trait was first noted in 1905 by German researcher Gustav Tornier, who identified the Nectophrynoides genus as live-bearing. Recent research has revealed three new species—Nectophrynoides luhomeroensis, Nectophrynoides uhehe, and Nectophrynoides saliensis—through "museomics," which analyzes DNA from museum specimens. These brightly colored toads inhabit the biodiverse Eastern Arc Mountains, now threatened by habitat fragmentation. While live birth may enhance embryo survival, it is energetically costly and results in fewer offspring compared to egg-laying species. Conservation efforts must consider the specific ecological needs of these unique amphibians to prevent further extinctions, as highlighted by study author Christoph Liedtke. The findings are detailed in the journal Vertebrate Zoology. 
Published: Nov 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA team of astronomers has unveiled the first polarimetric observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing it exhibits extreme negative polarization. Discovered on July 1, 2025, this comet is travelling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors, with an estimated nucleus size of 5.6 kilometers and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. As it approached the Sun, the comet displayed outgassing and a distinctive green tinge, but has since vanished from view, likely due to a coronal mass ejection. The polarimetric data indicates that 3I/ATLAS does not fit into existing categories of comets, suggesting it may share characteristics with trans-Neptunian objects. The findings, which highlight a unique negative polarization behavior, could expand our understanding of interstellar bodies. The research has been submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Letters and is currently available on the preprint server arXiv.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn June 2024, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore found themselves unexpectedly stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months due to a malfunction of their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, far exceeding their planned eight-day mission. While they accepted the potential for delays, their extended stay highlighted the risks of space travel. Meanwhile, three astronauts aboard China's Tiangong space station—Wang Jie, Chen Zhongrui, and Chen Dong—are facing a similar predicament after their Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was reportedly struck by space debris, prompting the China Manned Space Agency to postpone their return, originally scheduled for November 5. This incident underscores the growing concern over space debris, which poses significant risks to spacecraft and could lead to catastrophic chain reactions in orbit, known as the Kessler Effect. As the astronauts await their return, they can at least enjoy barbecued meals thanks to a new oven delivered to the station.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking digital map, named Itiner-e, has been developed to illustrate the extensive road network of the Roman Empire, revealing 299,171 kilometers (186,000 miles) of ancient routes from the British Isles to the Middle East. This new resource significantly enhances previous mapping efforts, such as the Barrington Atlas, by providing a more detailed and geographically accurate representation of Roman roads, including adaptations for mountainous terrain. Researchers, led by Dr. Tom Brughmans from Aarhus University, utilized archaeological and historical sources, along with modern mapping techniques, to identify and digitize these routes. The map indicates that 34.58 percent of the roads are classified as main routes, crucial for Roman administration and military movement. However, only 3 percent of the roads' precise locations are known, highlighting the need for further archaeological exploration. Brughmans believes this data will transform studies of ancient pandemics, migrations, and the spread of early Christianity.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA recent study suggests that a star cluster named LAP1-B, observed approximately 800 million years after the Big Bang, may represent the first generation of stars, known as Population III (Pop III) stars. These stars, formed from primordial hydrogen and helium, are believed to be the building blocks of the universe, lacking the heavier elements produced by earlier stellar generations. Researchers from the University of Toledo and Columbia University argue that LAP1-B meets three criteria indicative of Pop III stars: a halo with minimal metals, high temperatures, and a specific mass range. While LAP1-B contains some oxygen, its presence could be explained by supernova activity or rapid stellar rotation, suggesting it might still be largely pristine. This discovery, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, could provide crucial insights into the early universe and the formation of stars.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 1977, NASA launched the Voyager probes to explore the outer Solar System and interstellar space. Both spacecraft encountered a "wall of fire" at the Solar System's boundary, recording temperatures between 30,000 and 50,000 kelvin (54,000 to 90,000 degrees Fahrenheit) as they crossed the heliopause, the boundary where the solar wind meets the interstellar medium. Voyager 1 became the first to cross this boundary on August 25, 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018. The heliopause's location varies with solar activity, akin to a lung expanding and contracting. Despite the extreme temperatures, the probes survived due to the sparse particle density in that region. Recent findings from Voyager 2 confirmed that the magnetic fields beyond the heliopause align with those inside the heliosphere, providing new insights into the nature of interstellar space. The Voyager probes continue to send valuable data nearly 50 years after their launch.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the lush jungles of Madagascar, Darwin's bark spider (_Caerostris darwini_) has captured attention with its extraordinary web-spinning abilities. First described in 2010, these spiders create massive orb webs that can stretch up to 25 meters (82 feet) across rivers, making them some of the largest ever recorded. Named in honor of Charles Darwin, their silk is remarkably strong—over twice as resilient as any other spider silk and ten times stronger than Kevlar—thanks to unique proteins and specialized spinning anatomy. The species exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism, with females measuring up to 22 millimeters and weighing 14 times more than their male counterparts, who are less than 6 millimeters long. This size disparity leads to unusual mating behaviors, including sexual cannibalism and self-castration, with males even observed performing oral sex on females, a behavior rarely seen outside of mammals.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 6 ameznews.inNew research challenges the long-held belief that Type Ia supernovae serve as reliable "standard candles" for measuring cosmic distances, crucial for understanding the universe's expansion. A study led by Dr. Chul Chung from Yonsei University reveals that the brightness of these supernovae is influenced by the age of their progenitor stars, with younger stars producing fainter explosions. This finding, supported by a 5.5 sigma confidence level, suggests that the universe may not be accelerating in its expansion as previously thought, but rather entering a phase of deceleration. This paradigm shift could reshape our understanding of dark energy, which has been viewed as a constant force driving expansion. The implications are significant, potentially resolving the Hubble Tension and enhancing our grasp of cosmic evolution. Future tests using data from the Vera Rubin Observatory aim to further validate these findings, emphasizing the intricate link between stellar astrophysics and cosmological measurements.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe ubiquitous calorie count on food labels, often perceived as a standard measure of daily energy needs, is based on flawed data and misconceptions. The figure of 2,000 calories, mandated by the FDA, was not derived from scientific research or nutritional guidelines but rather from self-reported dietary surveys, which are notoriously inaccurate. Studies have shown that individuals tend to underreport their calorie intake, leading to a misleading benchmark. In fact, the average daily calorie consumption is higher, with men needing about 3,050 calories and women around 2,400 to maintain stable body weight. The FDA's choice of 2,000 calories was influenced by public feedback, aiming for a memorable and simplified guideline rather than a scientifically sound recommendation. Consequently, this figure is often inadequate for most adults, highlighting the need for a more personalized approach to dietary intake.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 6 ameznews.inConcerns have emerged regarding the potential health risks associated with storing potatoes in poorly ventilated areas, particularly claims that they can emit noxious solanine gas. A recent social media post highlighted an 8-year-old girl storing potatoes behind her bed, prompting warnings about the dangers of rotting potatoes. While it is true that potatoes can become toxic when they turn green or sprout due to light exposure, the primary risk comes from ingestion rather than inhalation. Medical literature indicates that cases of potato poisoning are rare and typically linked to eating affected tubers. Although there are anecdotal reports of fatalities attributed to gas from rotting potatoes, experts suggest these may be exaggerated or misattributed to other causes, such as asphyxiation. To mitigate risks, it is advisable to store potatoes in dark, cool places and avoid keeping them in bedrooms.
Published: Nov 06 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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