eznews.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 pmeznews.inThe first clinical trial of "enteral ventilation," colloquially known as "butt-breathing," has yielded promising results, marking a significant advancement in medical treatment for patients with respiratory issues. Inspired by certain Australian turtle species that extract oxygen through their cloaca, Dr. Takanori Takebe from the Institute of Science in Tokyo has developed a method using a liquid called perfluorodecalin, which can hold significantly more oxygen than water or blood. In the trial, 27 healthy Japanese men were administered the liquid rectally, with 20 successfully holding it for 60 minutes, experiencing only mild discomfort. While this initial study focused on safety rather than effectiveness, it paves the way for future trials involving oxygenated versions of the liquid, particularly aimed at aiding newborns with underdeveloped lungs. With millions of critically ill patients requiring ventilation annually, this innovative approach could offer a vital alternative to traditional methods. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inRecent viral posts have suggested that the "52 hertz whale," often dubbed the world's loneliest whale, has found companionship. However, this claim lacks new evidence and likely references a 2010 incident where sensors detected a similar whale call off California, indicating the possibility of multiple singing whales. The 52 hertz whale, first identified in 1989 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, emits a unique call at a frequency much higher than that of known whale species, leading to speculation about its identity, possibly as a hybrid. Despite its solitary reputation, experts like Christopher Clark from Cornell University suggest that the whale may not be as isolated as believed, as other whales can recognize its song. A 2021 documentary revealed a potential sighting of a blue-fin whale hybrid, hinting at a more complex social life for this enigmatic creature. 
Published: Oct 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking conservation effort, Chester Zoo has successfully microchipped 80 critically endangered achoque salamanders, native to Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico. These elusive amphibians, also known as Lake Pátzcuaro salamanders (_Ambystoma dumerilii_), are notoriously difficult to identify visually, making individual tracking a challenge. Project lead Adam Bland highlighted the unique biology of these creatures, which can absorb or expel microchips, complicating tagging efforts. The initiative received support from the Monasterio de la Virgen Inmaculada de la Salud, where nuns have been breeding the salamanders after their numbers dwindled. Following a successful implantation process, the team monitored the salamanders for four months, finding no adverse health effects. This innovative approach aims to enhance conservation strategies for the species, which is believed to have only 150 adults remaining in the wild, while also raising awareness of their cultural significance to local communities. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 10 pmeznews.inFor nearly 35 years, the Kryptos sculpture at the CIA's Langley headquarters has concealed a cryptic message, with only three of its four parts decoded. Created by artist Jim Sanborn, the sculpture features a jumble of letters that have stumped cryptographers since its installation in 1990. Recently, researchers Jarett Kobek and Richard Byrne claimed to have uncovered the plaintext of the elusive fourth section, K4, through archival research at the Smithsonian Institution. However, they emphasize that their discovery was not a result of cryptographic skill but rather a consequence of mishandled paperwork. The Smithsonian has since sealed the archives until 2075 to protect Sanborn's intellectual property, and the researchers have no plans to disclose their findings. While some argue that the mystery remains unsolved due to the lack of knowledge about the encoding method, others believe the puzzle's complexity may never be fully unraveled. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA United Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX, operating flight UA-1093 from Denver to Los Angeles, was diverted to Salt Lake City on October 16 after its windshield cracked mid-flight. Initial speculation suggests the damage may have been caused by space debris, although this remains unconfirmed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, gathering data and examining the damaged windshield. While a pilot reportedly observed an object approaching, alternative theories include a meteorite or ice fragment. The likelihood of aircraft being struck by space debris is extremely low, with a 2023 FAA report estimating a risk of 0.36 in a trillion for individual casualties. However, as the number of satellites in orbit increases—now over 15,600, primarily from SpaceX's Starlink—the risk of collisions may rise, prompting calls for a reassessment of safety protocols regarding space debris. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inOutside the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a 12-foot copper sculpture named Kryptos has baffled cryptographers and enthusiasts for over three decades. Created by artist Jim Sanborn, the sculpture features four encrypted passages, three of which have been deciphered using various ciphers, including the Vigenère cipher. The first passage reveals a message about the nuances of illusion, while the second discusses an invisible transmission involving the Earth's magnetic field, providing coordinates linked to a buried secret. The third passage, echoing Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, describes a moment of revelation. However, the fourth passage remains unsolved, despite Sanborn offering clues over the years, including hints that the letters "NYPVTT" translate to "BERLIN" and "MZFPK" to "CLOCK." Should the code remain unbroken before Sanborn's passing, he plans to auction the solution, with proceeds benefiting climate science. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to undergo a significant test of the controversial "alien mothership" hypothesis as it approaches solar conjunction and perihelion on October 29. Discovered on July 1, 3I/ATLAS has exhibited unusual chemical properties and an anti-tail, leading some, notably Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, to speculate about its potential artificial origins. Loeb has suggested that if the comet is not natural, it could perform an "Oberth maneuver" using the Sun's gravity to alter its trajectory. However, most scientists, including NASA's Tom Statler, assert that the evidence overwhelmingly supports its classification as a natural comet. As 3I/ATLAS nears perihelion, it will be out of view from Earth, but observations from Mars and potentially Jupiter may provide insights into its behavior. The outcome of this event could either validate or debunk the alien hypothesis, with implications for our understanding of interstellar objects. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 6 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
