eznews.inIn the icy expanse of Antarctica, gentoo penguins navigate extreme conditions while engaging in unique courtship rituals centered around pebble collection. Males select a nesting site and gather pebbles to attract females; if successful, the pair collaborates to build a nest that can reach up to 20 centimeters tall and 25 centimeters wide. These nests, primarily made of pebbles, provide insulation for eggs and hatchlings, which typically emerge after about 35 days. Interestingly, both gentoo and Adélie penguins sometimes pilfer pebbles from each other's nests, leading to playful disputes. This nesting behavior has even been mirrored in captivity, as seen at Edinburgh Zoo, where penguins return to their chosen nests year after year. The concept of "pebbling" has also inspired a trend in human social media, where the term is used to describe sharing thoughtful gestures with friends. 
Published: Nov 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inCuttlefish, renowned for their remarkable polarization vision, possess a unique W-shaped pupil that has intrigued scientists for years. Initially thought to serve as camouflage or aid in distance perception, a 2012 study revealed that this distinctive pupil shape only appears in bright light, expanding into a circular form in dim conditions. This adaptation helps cuttlefish navigate their shallow aquatic habitats, where light intensity varies significantly. The W-shaped pupil reduces glare from sunlight, creating a more uniform visual field that enhances their ability to detect predators and prey lurking in darker areas. Researchers concluded that this pupil shape not only improves contrast sensitivity but may also provide camouflage and assist in focusing on objects at varying distances. While cuttlefish eyes are certainly unusual, they are part of a broader spectrum of diverse ocular adaptations found across the animal kingdom.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking advancement for organ transplantation, researchers in China have successfully altered the blood type of a donor kidney from type A to type O before transplanting it into a brain-dead recipient, marking a significant step in addressing the critical shortage of donor organs. The procedure, which involved using an enzyme to remove A antigens, resulted in the new organ being well tolerated with no immediate signs of rejection. This innovative approach builds on previous work by a team from the University of Cambridge, which demonstrated similar success with kidneys and other organs. With over 100,000 people awaiting transplants in the U.S. alone, this research could pave the way for more compatible organ donations, potentially transforming the landscape of transplantation. The findings, published in *Nature Biomedical Engineering*, highlight the importance of translating scientific discoveries into practical medical solutions.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 9 pmeznews.inBlue and violet are among the rarest colors found in nature, with blue appearing in a limited range of flowers, birds, and frogs, while violet is even scarcer. The rarity of these colors stems from the physics of light and evolutionary factors. Blue light, with its short wavelength and high energy, is typically absorbed by pigments rather than reflected, making it challenging for organisms to produce. Many that do appear blue rely on structural coloration, a complex process that scatters light. Violet, with an even higher frequency than blue, poses even greater challenges for organisms, as producing it through pigments is energetically demanding and requires precise microscopic structures. Historically, the scarcity of these colors has influenced human culture, with blue and purple often associated with power and prestige, a trend that persists despite modern advancements in dye production.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 7 ameznews.inRecent research is challenging the long-held belief that _Homo erectus_ was the first hominid to hunt and consume meat, suggesting that our ancestors may have engaged in carnivory much earlier. Traditionally, the narrative linked _H. erectus_, which emerged around two million years ago, to the development of meat-eating, particularly due to the concentration of cut-marked animal remains found in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge. However, a systematic review of East African archaeological sites indicates that hominids were processing animal carcasses as far back as 2.6 million years ago, with evidence of earlier butchery at sites like Kanjera South and the Bouri Formation. The oldest known butchery, dating between three million and 2.6 million years ago, was discovered at Nyayanga, where an unidentified hominin species processed hippopotamus remains. This evidence suggests that meat consumption likely predates _H. erectus_, complicating the narrative of meat's role in human evolution.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 4 ameznews.inDetermining the mass of the Earth has a storied history, beginning with Isaac Newton's 1687 proposal of the universal law of gravitation, which laid the groundwork for understanding gravitational forces. However, it wasn't until 1798 that the mass could be accurately calculated, following the establishment of the Royal Society's “Committee of Attraction” in 1772. Early attempts to measure Earth's density involved observing the gravitational pull of Schiehallion, a Scottish mountain, on pendulums. The breakthrough came when scientist Henry Cavendish, using equipment from the late Reverend John Michell, measured the gravitational force between two metal spheres. This experiment, combined with the newly established gravitational constant (G), allowed Cavendish to calculate Earth's mass at approximately 5.97 x 10^24 kilograms. This monumental achievement not only satisfied scientific curiosity but also provided a basis for understanding the mass and density of other celestial bodies in the Solar System.
Published: Nov 23 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe question of why humans ride horses but not zebras has intrigued many, leading to a deeper exploration of horse domestication. Initially, prehistoric humans hunted horses for meat, but around 4000 BCE, evidence from the Botai culture in Kazakhstan suggests the beginning of horse domestication, marked by signs of wear on horse teeth and artifacts indicating human interaction. While the Kurgan hypothesis proposed an early domestication timeline, recent genomic studies indicate that domestication likely occurred later in the Black Sea steppes. In contrast, zebras, which diverged from horses millions of years ago, have evolved traits that make them unsuitable for domestication, such as a strong flight response and natural aggression. Attempts to tame zebras have largely failed, with only rare instances of individual zebras being domesticated. Additionally, their smaller size compared to horses limits their utility for riding or transporting goods.
Published: Nov 25 2025, 6 pmeznews.inVladimir Demikhov, a Soviet scientist born in 1916, is often remembered for his controversial "two-headed dog" experiments rather than his pioneering contributions to organ transplantation. Raised in a peasant family, Demikhov showed an early interest in biology, leading to his groundbreaking work in the 1930s, including the first total artificial heart prototype. His career was interrupted by World War II, but he later achieved significant milestones, such as the first successful heart-lung transplant and coronary bypass operation in dogs. However, his most infamous work involved head transplants, where he grafted the head of one dog onto another, resulting in a creature that displayed reflexive behaviors. Despite the ethical outrage and skepticism from the medical community, Demikhov continued these experiments for five years, achieving a maximum survival time of 29 days. While he eventually gained recognition for his contributions to transplantation, his legacy remains overshadowed by his controversial experiments.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 3 pmeznews.inGray whales off the Oregon coast have been the focus of a seven-year study revealing their remarkable foraging behaviors, including acrobatic headstands. Researchers utilized drone footage to observe that older, larger whales are more likely to perform headstands—seen in 56.4% of sightings—while younger whales prefer side-swimming techniques. This behavior appears to be learned, as calves struggle to replicate it. The study, led by Clara Bird from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, highlights the connection between the whales' age, body condition, and feeding strategies, particularly when targeting mysid shrimp in reef habitats. Additionally, the research uncovered that larger whales use "bubble blasts" to maintain buoyancy while foraging in shallow waters. These findings enhance understanding of gray whale behavior and habitat use, aiding in conservation efforts. The research is detailed in the journals Animal Behavior and Ecology and Evolution.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 1 pmeznews.inVermont botanists have made a remarkable discovery by rediscovering the false mermaid-weed (_Floerkea proserpinacoides_), a floodplain plant not seen in the state since 1916. The elusive species, which is small and has pinhead-sized flowers, was spotted by Molly Parren, a turtle technician from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, during a visit to a streamside area. Her colleague, botanist Grace Glynn, confirmed the find after examining a photo Parren sent her. The plant's historic populations are believed to have been decimated by floods, invasive species, and development. However, the newly found specimens in Addison County highlight the importance of conservation efforts. Glynn expressed hope that further studies will help ensure the species' future in Vermont, as it only blooms for a short period each year, necessitating a more detailed survey next year.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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