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Researchers from Occidental College and the California Institute of Technology have discovered three new species of _Sericosura_ sea spiders off the US coast, which have developed a unique survival strategy in the deep seafloor's dark, cold environment. These spindly creatures cultivate methane-eating bacteria on their exoskeletons, which they consume for nutrition. The team collected specimens from California and Alaska using the submersible _Alvin_, revealing that the spiders utilize chemosynthesis to derive energy from methane gas seeping from the ocean floor. Lead author Shana Goffredi noted that the spiders graze on the bacteria, much like eating breakfast. This symbiotic relationship not only aids the spiders' survival but may also play a role in trapping climate-warming methane, highlighting a previously unknown interaction between marine life and methane-oxidizing microbes. The findings, published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, underscore the complex dynamics of deep-sea ecosystems. 
Published: Jun 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe catastrophic nuclear events of the 20th century—Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine—differ significantly in their aftermath and long-term effects on human habitation. In August 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in an estimated 129,000 to 226,000 deaths, primarily among civilians, and subsequent health issues for survivors, including increased cancer rates. Conversely, the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986 was an accident that released vast amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, leading to immediate fatalities and long-term health risks for cleanup workers. While the bombings caused immediate destruction with less lingering radiation, Chernobyl's ground-level explosion dispersed over 400 times more radioactive material, rendering the area uninhabitable due to the long half-lives of its nuclear by-products. This stark contrast explains why Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been rebuilt, while Chernobyl remains a desolate zone. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent online stir has left many puzzled over the inclusion of "Jeff" on a list of nuclear powers, suggesting it possesses as many warheads as North Korea. However, "Jeff" is not a person but an acronym for the Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion (JEFF) Project, an international initiative aimed at compiling nuclear data. This confusion likely stems from a data error that mistakenly placed JEFF on a chart, ranking it as the tenth largest nuclear weapons holder. As of 2023, there are nine recognized nuclear-armed nations: Russia, the USA, China, the UK, France, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and India, totaling approximately 12,500 warheads globally. While the notion of a nuclear-armed "Jeff" sparked curiosity, experts assure that there is no need for alarm, as the name refers to a data project rather than an actual nuclear threat. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 11 ameznews.inWhen photographing the Sun daily at the same time, one can observe a figure-eight pattern known as an "analemma," a phenomenon resulting from the Earth's axial tilt and elliptical orbit. This pattern illustrates the discrepancy between local time and mean solar time, as the Sun's position in the sky varies throughout the year. The Stanford Solar Center notes that the Sun reaches its highest point during summer and its lowest in winter, with the analemma's shape differing based on geographic location and time of day. While textbooks often attribute the analemma's horizontal displacement to Earth's orbital eccentricity, research indicates that this is an oversimplification. The analemma's figure-eight shape persists even if Earth's orbit were circular. Other planets exhibit unique analemma shapes; for instance, Neptune and Uranus also form figure-eights, while Venus and Jupiter create ellipses, and Mars and Saturn produce teardrop shapes. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 8 ameznews.inWhile dolphins are often celebrated for their intelligence and sociability, recent incidents have highlighted their potential for aggression towards humans. A notable case involved 28-year-old Claire Bye, who suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a pink river dolphin in Bolivia, leaving her foot partially severed. This incident follows other alarming encounters, including a dolphin attempting to drown its trainer at Miami Seaquarium and a British girl being attacked in Cancun. Despite these rare occurrences, dolphins are generally not considered a threat to humans in the wild, with no recorded cases of orcas hunting people outside captivity. However, the perception of dolphins as friendly creatures can lead to dangerous interactions. Tragically, dolphins face greater threats from human activities, with over 100,000 killed annually due to unsustainable fishing practices, underscoring the need for better protection of these marine mammals. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn an unusual twist on waste management, the non-profit organization OpenBiome is offering individuals the chance to earn up to $13,000 a year by donating stool samples to aid in the development of fecal transplant treatments for patients suffering from _Clostridium difficile_ infections. This bacteria, which can lead to severe diarrhea and hospitalization, affects around 250,000 Americans annually and is notoriously difficult to treat due to its resistance to antibiotics. OpenBiome collects and processes these samples into frozen capsules that can be administered to patients, boasting a success rate comparable to traditional methods. Potential donors must meet specific health criteria and reside near OpenBiome's lab in Medford, Massachusetts, and are compensated $40 per donation, with additional bonuses for frequent contributions. The initiative not only provides financial incentives but also plays a crucial role in advancing medical treatments for a challenging condition. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inAstronomers have unveiled a breathtaking new map of the Sculptor Galaxy, located 11 million light-years away, using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope. Discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783, this spiral galaxy is currently undergoing a vigorous phase of star formation, and the new map showcases thousands of colors, revealing intricate details of its structure. Utilizing over 50 hours of observations with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), researchers identified around 500 planetary nebulae—an unprecedented number for a galaxy outside our local group. These nebulae are crucial for determining the galaxy's distance and understanding its evolution. The study allows scientists to examine star formation processes at an unprecedented scale, with plans to further investigate gas flows and their role in star creation. The findings are detailed in a paper published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of complex galactic systems. 
Published: Jun 18 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable feat of scientific achievement, CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) set a record in 2012 by generating an astonishing temperature of 5 trillion Kelvin, surpassing previous records and creating conditions akin to those just moments after the Big Bang. This temperature is approximately 100,000 times hotter than the core of the Sun, showcasing human ingenuity in manipulating extreme heat for scientific exploration. The LHC, a 27-kilometer circular accelerator located in Switzerland, achieves these temperatures by colliding lead ions at nearly the speed of light, resulting in a quark-gluon plasma—a state of matter theorized to have existed in the early universe. While the LHC's record was officially recognized in August 2012, the initial achievement occurred in 2010, highlighting the complexities of measuring such extreme conditions. This groundbreaking work not only advances our understanding of the universe's primordial state but also underscores the collaborative efforts of physicists worldwide. 
Published: Jun 18 2025, 6 pmeznews.inTachysensia, a little-known phenomenon characterized by distorted perceptions of time and sound, has gained attention through a Reddit community of over 5,000 members who share their experiences. Described as feeling time speeding up while sounds become amplified or muffled, many individuals report episodes lasting between five to ten minutes, often beginning around puberty. Clinical associate professor Osman Farooq has been researching the condition, suggesting it may be linked to migraine presentations. Some parallels have been drawn between tachysensia and Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS), which also involves altered perceptions, though opinions on their connection vary within the community. Despite the intriguing nature of tachysensia, formal research remains scarce, prompting calls for greater scientific inquiry into this phenomenon, which could offer valuable insights into neurology. As awareness grows, experts hope to uncover more about this enigmatic condition. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that the Chinese giant salamander, long considered a single species, may actually comprise up to nine distinct species, prompting renewed calls for enhanced conservation efforts for this critically endangered group. Previously, in 2019, researchers identified three species, with the South China giant salamander recognized as the world's largest amphibian, reaching lengths of up to 1.8 meters. The latest findings, based on genetic analysis, indicate that while these salamanders appear similar, they have genetically diverged into at least seven distinct species, with the possibility of nine. The original species, _Andrias davidianus_, is critically endangered due to overexploitation and habitat loss. Conservation measures currently in place do not automatically extend to the newly identified species, highlighting the urgent need for further research and legislative recognition to prevent the loss of these unique amphibians. The study is published in the *Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society*. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
