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NASA's Opportunity rover, which operated on Mars for nearly 15 years, has officially concluded its mission following a severe dust storm that cut off communication in June 2018. Launched in 2004, Opportunity was designed to explore the Martian surface and search for signs of past water, ultimately providing evidence that Mars could have supported microbial life. The rover far surpassed its expected lifespan of 90 sols, traveling over 45 kilometers and becoming the first rover to complete a marathon on another planet. Despite extensive efforts to re-establish contact, NASA declared the mission over in February 2019. Opportunity's last transmission, an incomplete image taken on June 10, 2018, depicted a darkened sky, symbolizing the end of its groundbreaking exploration. NASA hailed the mission as one of the most successful feats of interplanetary exploration, laying the groundwork for future Mars missions. 
Published: Jul 11 2025, 5 pmeznews.inResearchers have identified a new lifeform, dubbed "ShipGoo001," from a mysterious goo discovered during maintenance of the research vessel Blue Heron in Cleveland. The vessel, part of the largest US academic fleet on the Great Lakes, was undergoing repairs when the goo was found oozing from its rudder shaft. Initially expecting to find nothing, scientists from the University of Minnesota Duluth were surprised to discover thriving microbes in the oxygen-less environment. Lead researcher Cody Sheik noted that the DNA was surprisingly intact, leading to the identification of this previously unknown species. The microbes appear to thrive in the unique ecological niche created by the ship's grease, raising questions about their origins and potential impact on the vessel's metal components. The team plans to further investigate the organism's metabolic processes and make their findings publicly available, highlighting the importance of exploratory research in science.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe seemingly wobbly end of a tape measure is not a design flaw but a clever feature intended to enhance measurement accuracy. According to Stanley, the tool manufacturer, the movement of the hook compensates for its thickness, ensuring precise readings. When measuring, if the hook is placed on the outside of an object, the tape's measurements account for the space the hook occupies, preventing overestimation. Conversely, when measuring from the inside, the hook's thickness is also factored in, allowing for accurate readings. This ingenious design means that the wobble, often mistaken for a defect, actually serves to prevent measurement errors, ensuring that users can rely on their tape measures for precise results, whether in construction or crafting.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 11 pmeznews.inOrcas, or killer whales, are easily identifiable by their striking black-and-white coloration, featuring a distinctive "eye patch" that resembles a masked supervillain. This unique pigmentation serves a crucial evolutionary purpose: the white underbelly camouflages them against the sunlit water from below, while the black top blends into the ocean depths from above, a strategy known as countershading. Additionally, the contrasting patches, such as the grey "saddle patch" and the eye patch, exemplify disruptive patterning, which helps them stealthily approach prey rather than evade predators. Notably, orca pigmentation varies significantly across global populations, allowing researchers to identify and track different pods based on their unique markings. For instance, orcas in the North Atlantic exhibit distinct eye patch shapes, while those in the Southern Ocean are classified into several ecotypes, each with unique behaviors and territorial ranges, underscoring their status as apex predators in marine ecosystems.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 8 pmeznews.inTaman Negara National Park, once home to Malaysia's densest population of Malayan tigers, now serves as a crucial corridor for the critically endangered species, whose numbers have plummeted due to poaching. In Apple TV+’s new series _The Wild Ones_, filmmakers Vianet Djenguet, Declan Burley, and Aldo Kane venture into this remote wilderness to gather vital data on the tigers and raise awareness about their plight. Their efforts reveal a heartbreaking reality when a camera trap captures footage of a male tiger with only three feet, a victim of poaching snares. Conservationist Liang Song Horng emphasizes the importance of such imagery in galvanizing public support for tiger protection. The series also highlights the discovery of tiger cubs, offering a glimmer of hope for the species. The team collaborates with local authorities, including the Crown Prince of Pahang, to advocate for enhanced protections for these majestic animals.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe evolution of dogs from their wolf ancestors has long intrigued scientists, revealing a complex history of domestication that predates agriculture. Contrary to the belief that modern dogs descended directly from gray wolves, research indicates that dogs originated from at least two distinct wolf populations, with domestication occurring in multiple regions, including Europe and Asia. The oldest known remains of a pet dog, dating back 14,000 years, suggest that early humans formed emotional bonds with dogs, treating them as companions rather than mere utilitarian animals. This relationship likely began when wolves scavenged near human camps, leading to a mutually beneficial partnership. Over time, as humans transitioned to settled agricultural lifestyles, the distinctions between wolves and dogs became pronounced. The Victorian era marked a significant shift in dog breeding, prioritizing appearance over function, as society's needs evolved from utilitarian to companionship, shaping the modern perception of dogs as beloved pets.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA new five-part documentary series titled *Human*, presented by palaeoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi, is set to explore 300,000 years of human evolution, showcasing newly imagined images of four early human species, including *Homo floresiensis*, often referred to as "the hobbit." The series, which premieres on July 14 on BBC Two and iPlayer, promises to provide the most scientifically accurate 3D models of these ancient relatives, created using advanced photogrammetry techniques. Al-Shamahi highlights her experiences visiting significant fossil sites, including the discovery of a Neanderthal and *Homo sapiens* hybrid in Romania and one of the earliest human fossils in Ethiopia. The documentary aims to shed light on the behaviors of these species, emphasizing the remarkable journey of *Homo sapiens*, who emerged as the last surviving human species despite the impressive capabilities of their predecessors. The series will also air on PBS Nova starting September 17.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 4 pmeznews.inResearch into the DNA of Greenland sled dogs, potentially the world's oldest breed, has unveiled a rich tapestry of Arctic history spanning 1,000 years. These dogs, known as _Qimmeq_ in Greenlandic, have been integral to Inuit life for nearly a millennium, but their population has plummeted from 25,000 in 2002 to just 13,000 in 2020, largely due to climate change and the rise of snowmobiles. A team led by Tatiana Feuerborn sequenced the genomes of 92 dogs, revealing a distinct genetic lineage linked to ancient Arctic canines, including a 3,700-year-old Alaskan dog. This genetic continuity suggests that Inuit migration to Greenland occurred 200 years earlier than previously believed, predating Norse settlements. The findings highlight the need for conservation efforts to preserve the genetic diversity of these remarkable dogs, which remain largely unaltered by European breeds. The study is published in *Science*.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Moon illusion, a perplexing optical phenomenon that has intrigued thinkers from ancient Greece to modern scientists, causes the Moon to appear larger when it is near the horizon compared to when it is high in the sky. Aristotle speculated that this effect was due to the Earth's atmosphere magnifying the Moon's light, but contemporary understanding attributes it to the human visual system's misperception of size and distance. Theories suggest that nearby objects, such as trees and buildings, create a context that makes the Moon seem closer and larger, while its elevation in the sky removes these reference points, leading to a perception of reduced size. Despite various explanations, including comparisons to the Ponzo illusion, the exact cause remains elusive. NASA acknowledges the mystery but encourages people to appreciate the beauty of the Moon, regardless of whether it is a trick of the mind or a genuine spectacle.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 6 ameznews.inAn explosive eruption at Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on July 7 has generated an ash cloud soaring 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the sky, marking the volcano's second eruption in less than a month. The eruption, which occurred at 11:05 AM Central Indonesia Time, was accompanied by a loud explosion and pyroclastic flows extending up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) to the north and northeast. Observations prior to the eruption indicated rising emissions and lava filling the crater. While no casualties have been reported, authorities have advised residents to stay at least 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) away from the volcano and to wear masks due to falling ash. The volcano has been on high alert since a previous eruption in June, and ongoing seismic activity suggests that further eruptions may be imminent, as magma continues to rise towards the surface.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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