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At the Eastland County Courthouse in Texas, visitors can see the preserved remains of a Texas horned lizard, affectionately named "Ol' Rip," displayed in a velvet-lined coffin. Local lore claims that Ol' Rip lived for over 30 years entombed in a cornerstone, following a 1897 experiment by Ernest Wood, who placed his son's pet lizard inside during construction. When the cornerstone was opened in 1928, a crowd of over 1,000 witnessed the astonishing moment when the lizard appeared to revive after being sealed for decades. Despite the myth that horned lizards can survive without food or water for a century, experts suggest this tale is exaggerated, as these reptiles typically live only five to eight years. Historians later revealed that the story may involve a hoax, with a different lizard possibly being placed in the capsule shortly before its unveiling, blending fact and folklore in a uniquely Texan narrative. 
Published: Oct 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn July, astronomers were astonished by a gamma-ray burst (GRB) that repeated four times within a single day, a stark contrast to the typical brief duration of such events. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) investigated this unprecedented occurrence, identified as GRB 250702B, which is believed to have released an extraordinary amount of energy—at least 2 x 10^54 ergs—far surpassing the energy output of the Sun over 20 trillion years. This GRB, dubbed the Brightest Of All Time (BOAT), is thought to originate from beyond the Milky Way, with evidence suggesting it came from a luminous, dusty galaxy. While the exact cause remains uncertain, theories include the collapse of a massive star or a black hole consuming a white dwarf. The findings, submitted to The Astrophysical Journal Letters, highlight the ongoing mystery surrounding these powerful cosmic events and their implications for our understanding of the universe.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inVaccines are heralded as one of medicine's greatest achievements, having eradicated smallpox and significantly reduced polio and cervical cancer rates. However, the impact of the Hib vaccine, introduced in the 1980s, is often overlooked despite its crucial role in combating invasive infections caused by _Haemophilus influenzae_ type B, particularly in children. Before vaccination, Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children, with severe cases leading to high fatality rates and lifelong complications. The vaccine, which prompts an immune response without causing disease, is now a standard part of infant immunization schedules in many countries, including the UK and the US. Despite a global vaccination coverage of 78%, significant disparities remain, particularly in the WHO Western Pacific Region, where coverage is as low as 34%. As antibiotic-resistant strains of _H. influenzae_ emerge, improving vaccine access becomes increasingly critical.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study led by scientists at the University of Barcelona has revealed that red devil spiders, specifically the endemic species _Dysdera tilosensis_ found in the Canary Islands, experienced a dramatic reduction in genome size after colonizing the archipelago. Over a few million years, the genome of _D. tilosensis_ shrank to 1.7 billion base pairs, nearly half that of its mainland relative, _Dysdera catalonica_, which has 3.3 billion. This unexpected downsizing challenges the common evolutionary trend of genome expansion in isolated populations, often driven by the Founder Effect. Researchers suggest that the stable population dynamics in the Canary Islands may have maintained strong selective pressures, leading to the elimination of non-essential DNA. Despite its smaller genome, _D. tilosensis_ exhibits greater genetic diversity, indicating that a leaner genome does not necessarily hinder evolutionary potential. The findings are detailed in the journal *Molecular Biology and Evolution*.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn 1997, Santino, a male chimpanzee at Furuvik Zoo in Gävle, Sweden, gained notoriety for his unusual behavior of throwing rocks at visitors. Unlike typical primate antics, Santino meticulously gathered and stored rocks in his enclosure during quiet mornings, preparing for the arrival of guests. When the zoo opened, he would unleash a barrage of stones, prompting zoo staff to describe the scene as a "hailstorm." Cognitive zoologist Mathias Osvath noted that this behavior demonstrated advanced planning, as Santino's calm preparation contrasted sharply with his agitated state during the rock-throwing. By 1998, as his rock supply dwindled, he ingeniously began chipping away at concrete to create new projectiles. Santino's actions not only showcased his intelligence but also highlighted the complexities of chimpanzee behavior, including deception, as he concealed his rock caches to surprise visitors. His legacy has contributed to a deeper understanding of chimpanzee cognition and social behavior.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 8 ameznews.inA new analysis of the 4.4-million-year-old hominin _Ardipithecus ramidus_, or Ardi, suggests that this ancient species may have exhibited both arboreal and terrestrial locomotion, challenging previous assumptions about human evolution. Researchers examined Ardi's ankle bones, revealing that its talus aligns with modern African apes, indicating capabilities for vertical climbing and walking on all fours. Notably, Ardi also displayed features linked to bipedalism, suggesting a blend of ape-like and human-like traits. This contradicts earlier theories that distanced Ardi from African apes, proposing instead that our ancestors were more similar to chimpanzees and gorillas than previously believed. Study author Thomas (Cody) Prang emphasized that this research corrects misconceptions about Ardi's evolutionary significance, highlighting its role as a transitional species in the lineage leading to modern humans. The findings are detailed in the journal *Communications Biology*.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 4 ameznews.inComet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is currently at its best visibility, making its closest approach to Earth today, October 21. While it is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, it does not match the brilliance of notable comets like Hale-Bopp or NEOWISE. Observers in dark areas should have no trouble spotting it, while those in less optimal conditions can use binoculars or telescopes to view its thin tail and green hue. Dr. Robert Massey from the Royal Astronomical Society recommends looking for the comet in the evening sky, where it will move past the bright star Arcturus. The comet will continue to brighten as it approaches the Sun, with optimal viewing conditions expected until its closest passage on November 4. For those unable to observe due to weather, the Virtual Telescope Project plans a live stream on October 24.
Published: Oct 22 2025, 2 ameznews.inBar-tailed godwits, remarkable shorebirds, undertake the longest non-stop migration of any animal, covering an astonishing 11,000 kilometers (6,800 miles) without food or rest. These ultra-endurance aviators, which breed in the Arctic during the Northern Hemisphere summer, rely on substantial fat reserves to fuel their journey southward, departing in September as temperatures drop. Research from 1998 revealed that godwits in Alaska, just before their trans-Pacific flight, had fat comprising over 55% of their body mass, the highest recorded in birds. To accommodate this fat, they undergo autophagy, breaking down non-essential organs, which shrink significantly, while their heart and breast muscles remain robust. Remarkably, these organs regenerate upon reaching their destination. In 2022, one godwit set a record by flying 13,560 kilometers (8,435 miles) from Alaska to Tasmania in just 11 days, highlighting the extraordinary sacrifices these birds make for survival.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inIn a significant move for conservation, California has officially designated the giant garter snake (_Thamnophis gigas_) as its state snake, a decision aimed at raising awareness for this vulnerable species. The giant garter snake, which can grow up to 1.62 meters (5.3 feet), is the largest of its kind and is native to California's wetlands, including flood basins and freshwater marshes. However, urbanization, agricultural development, and water diversion have led to a dramatic decline in its habitat, with only about 5 percent remaining. Consequently, the population has plummeted by over 90 percent in the last century, prompting its classification as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The bill, authored by Senator Roger Niello and supported by conservation groups, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 9. Advocates believe this designation will enhance conservation efforts and promote public education about the importance of wetlands and biodiversity in California.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inAstronomers are abuzz over a recent discovery by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which may have identified the oldest galaxy ever observed, nicknamed "Capotauro." This object, catalogued as CEERS ID U-100588, is believed to emit light from just 90 million years after the Big Bang, a significant leap from the previous record-holder, MoM-z14, which dates back 280 million years post-Big Bang. If confirmed, Capotauro could reshape our understanding of galaxy formation, suggesting that galaxies began to form much earlier than previously thought. However, scientists caution that alternative explanations exist, including the possibility that Capotauro is a dusty galaxy or even a brown dwarf within our Milky Way. The findings, part of the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey, are pending peer review and could have profound implications for the study of cosmic evolution.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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