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Texas officials are warning residents to be vigilant for the invasive apple snail, particularly its striking pink egg masses, which contain a potent neurotoxin called perivitellin-2. These eggs, which are unpalatable to most predators except red fire ants, pose a significant environmental threat as adult snails consume aquatic plants and outcompete native species. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has prohibited all apple snail species, except for the spiketop variety, due to their destructive nature. Additionally, apple snails can host the rat lungworm parasite, which can infect mammals, including humans, potentially leading to eosinophilic meningitis. Residents are encouraged to report sightings and can safely remove the pink egg masses by scraping them off and destroying them to prevent hatching. The advice is clear: avoid these seemingly harmless pink orbs, as they represent a serious ecological risk. 
Published: Apr 25 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFor the first time, scientists have captured live footage of the elusive painted swellshark (_Cephaloscyllium pictum_), previously known only from specimens found in Indonesian fish markets. Filmed in November 2024 during a National Geographic-supported survey off the coast of Timor-Leste, the shark was spotted at depths of 536 and 570 meters. Lead author Louw Claassens, a zoologist at Rhodes University, noted that the discovery highlights the rich biodiversity yet to be explored in Timor-Leste. The identification of the species required expertise from shark specialists Dr. Dave Ebert and Dr. William White, as distinguishing between similar species can be challenging. This footage extends the known range of the painted swellshark by approximately 1,100 kilometers, suggesting it may not be as rare as once thought. The study underscores Timor-Leste's potential as a marine biodiversity hotspot, a significant finding for the young nation emerging from a turbulent history.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA newly discovered species of caterpillar from the Hawaiian island of Oahu, dubbed the "bone collector," exhibits extraordinary behavior by adorning itself with the body parts of its prey, which include various insects. This unique adaptation allows the caterpillar to camouflage itself within spider webs, where it primarily feeds on partially consumed insects left by spiders. Researchers from the University of Hawai'i, who have observed only 62 individuals over 22 years, suggest that this behavior may serve as a deterrent to potential threats, including rival caterpillars and spiders. The bone collector's lineage is believed to date back at least six million years, predating the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. However, the species faces extinction risks due to habitat changes and the introduction of non-native spider species. The authors emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this remarkable and ancient lineage, as detailed in their study published in *Science*.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inAntarctica, known for its frigid temperatures and vast ice sheets, is also home to significant volcanic activity, particularly in West Antarctica and Marie Byrd Land, where a 2017 study identified 138 volcanoes. While most are dormant, eight or nine are active, with Mount Erebus being the most notable. This towering volcano, the southernmost active one on Earth, features a persistent lava lake and emits gas laden with tiny gold crystals, estimated to release around 80 grams of gold daily. The volcano gained notoriety following the tragic 1979 Air New Zealand Flight 901 disaster, which resulted in the deaths of all 257 passengers when the plane collided with its icy slopes, obscured by a "whiteout." As climate change accelerates ice melt, scientists warn that reduced pressure on magma chambers could trigger eruptions, potentially exacerbating ice loss and contributing to rising sea levels, highlighting the complex interplay between volcanic activity and climate dynamics in the region.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRecent claims circulating online and in tabloids suggest that Nostradamus predicted Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine would lead to World War III. These interpretations reference a passage that ominously mentions "seven months of the Great War," which some speculate could relate to the ongoing conflict. Additionally, Nostradamus is said to have foreseen a famine so severe that it would drive humanity to cannibalism, with soaring wheat prices as a catalyst. However, experts argue that Nostradamus's predictions are often vague and open to interpretation, allowing for "postdictions" that seem relevant only after events occur. For instance, a passage linked to Hitler's rise is similarly ambiguous, demonstrating how easily Nostradamus's words can be retrofitted to fit historical events. Ultimately, analysts conclude that Nostradamus did not accurately predict the current geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the interpretative nature of his writings.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 5 ameznews.inA small, often overlooked hole in the lower eyelid, known as the lacrimal punctum, plays a crucial role in the eye's drainage system. Located about two millimeters from the inner corner of each lower eyelid, this almond-shaped opening does not produce tears but instead drains them into the lacrimal sac, which connects to the nose. This explains why crying can lead to a runny nose. Interestingly, medical procedures can involve inserting tiny plugs into these holes to alleviate dry eyes by preventing excessive fluid drainage. However, the drainage system can sometimes malfunction, causing tears or other substances to squirt out, a phenomenon that has led to unusual party tricks, including a world record for milk-squirting from the eye. While the lacrimal punctum may seem insignificant, it is a fascinating aspect of human anatomy with important functions.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study from the George Washington University Computational Biology Institute has validated the "Grandmother Rule" of washing, highlighting the importance of cleaning often-neglected areas of the body. Researchers examined the skin microbiome of 129 students, focusing on regions like behind the ears, between the toes, and in the navel, compared to more frequently washed areas. The findings revealed that these neglected spots harbored less diverse and potentially less healthy microbial communities. Keith Crandall, the study's lead, noted that while dry skin areas showed richer microbial diversity, the balance of helpful and harmful microbes is crucial for skin health, with imbalances linked to conditions like eczema and acne. This research underscores the need for further exploration into the relationship between microbiome health and overall well-being, serving as a reference for understanding healthy skin microbiomes in adults. The study is published in *Frontiers in Microbiology*.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSpider crickets, also known as cave crickets or land shrimp, are harmless insects belonging to the Rhaphidophoridae family, which includes over 1,100 species found worldwide, except in Antarctica. Characterized by their long legs and wingless bodies, these insects thrive in dark, humid environments like caves and basements. Despite their spider-like appearance, they are true insects, more closely related to grasshoppers and crickets. A recent study suggests that spider crickets have existed for 138 million years, evolving alongside dinosaurs. While they may startle homeowners by jumping when disturbed, they pose no threat as they lack fangs and venom. To manage spider cricket populations, experts recommend sealing entry points, controlling humidity, and decluttering dark spaces indoors, while outdoors, relocating woodpiles and maintaining lawn care can help deter them.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 5 ameznews.inLake Chagan, located near Semey in northeastern Kazakhstan, stands as a stark reminder of the Cold War's nuclear legacy, earning the moniker "Atomic Lake." Created by a 1965 Soviet nuclear test that formed a 100-meter deep crater, the lake is part of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, where the USSR conducted 456 nuclear tests from 1949 to 1989, including 116 above ground. Despite its remote location, nearby villages and the city of Semey, home to over a million residents, were exposed to radioactive fallout, leading to increased risks of chronic diseases, including cancers and congenital malformations. Studies since the late 1980s have highlighted the health impacts on local populations, with reports of chronic radiation sickness symptoms in 22% of individuals assessed in 1958. The site, now closed, symbolizes the enduring dangers of nuclear technology and continues to be a focus for research into its long-term health effects.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inContrary to popular belief, oil does not originate from dinosaurs but rather from ancient algae and plankton. Geologist Reidar Müller from the University of Oslo clarifies that these microscopic organisms, which thrived in oceans millions of years ago, died and sank to the seabed, where they were buried under layers of sediment. Over time, in a high-pressure, low-oxygen environment, this organic matter underwent a transformation into crude oil. While the notion of "dinosaur oil" persists, it is highly unlikely that any dinosaur remains contributed to oil formation, as their bodies would have been consumed by smaller marine creatures before they could be buried. Instead, the oil we rely on today is a product of the decomposition of trillions of tiny organisms, highlighting the complex geological processes that have shaped our planet's fossil fuel resources.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 3 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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