eznews.inIn the late 1980s, exposure to the Elephant’s Foot, a solidified mass of molten material from the Chernobyl disaster, could have been fatal, with radiation levels reaching an astonishing 10,000 roentgens per hour. This infamous relic, formed after Reactor 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, due to design flaws and operational errors, is located in the basement of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The meltdown produced a hazardous mixture of metal, sand, and uranium, which eventually cooled into what are known as fuel-containing materials (FCMs). Over the years, the Elephant’s Foot has lost some of its potency, allowing scientists and clean-up crews to safely visit the site. Notably, Kazakhstani nuclear expert Artur Korneyev, who photographed the mass in 1996, faced health issues from his radiation exposure, underscoring the lasting dangers of this catastrophic event. Today, the material is less dense, resembling sand, making sample collection easier. 
Published: Nov 19 2025, 3 ameznews.inThe intriguing notion of launching adversaries into the Sun has been explored by Michael J. I. Brown, an associate professor of astronomy at Monash University. While the idea may seem straightforward, the physics involved complicates matters significantly. Earth’s rapid velocity of approximately 67,000 miles per hour relative to the Sun means that simply aiming a rocket at the star would result in a miss of nearly 100 million kilometers. To successfully reach the Sun, a rocket would need to counteract this sideways motion, requiring speeds of 7,000 kilometers per second—far beyond current human capabilities. NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which has approached within 6.1 million kilometers of the Sun, utilized gravity assists from Venus to adjust its trajectory. Thus, while theoretically possible, sending someone into the Sun remains a complex challenge, requiring advanced technology and careful planning.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a significant milestone for the nuclear energy sector, California-based startup Valar Atomics has achieved cold criticality with its NOVA Core reactor at the Nevada National Security Site, marking the first instance of a venture-backed company reaching this stage. The event, which occurred on November 17, 2025, demonstrates a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction without generating heat, allowing engineers to test the reactor's core functionality safely. Valar Atomics, supported by $130 million in funding from prominent tech figures and technical assistance from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, views this achievement as a pivotal moment in American nuclear engineering. Isaiah Taylor, the company's CEO, emphasized that this breakthrough heralds a new era characterized by rapid development and private-sector collaboration in nuclear technology. This accomplishment aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, aimed at revitalizing nuclear energy innovation, with a goal of having three startups achieve criticality by July 2026.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 4 ameznews.inResearchers have identified 14 new species of tarantula in the American Southwest, nearly doubling the known total for the region. Among these is a species named after music icon Johnny Cash, discovered near Folsom Prison, which inspired his famous song "Folsom Prison Blues." Dr. Chris Hamilton, the study's lead author, emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that they highlight the gaps in our understanding of biodiversity, especially amid a global extinction crisis. The research, published in the journal ZooKeys, involved over a decade of fieldwork and the collection of nearly 3,000 specimens, revealing 29 species in total, up from 15 previously documented. While many tarantulas are similar in appearance, the team utilized a combination of physical traits, behavior, and genetics for accurate identification. Some newly discovered species are limited to specific mountain ranges in Arizona, raising concerns about their conservation amid threats from urbanization and climate change.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 1 ameznews.inRecent viral posts have suggested that the "52 hertz whale," often dubbed the world's loneliest whale, has found companionship. However, these claims lack new evidence and likely reference a 2010 incident where sensors detected a similar whale call off California, hinting at the possibility of multiple singing whales. The 52 hertz whale, first identified in 1989 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, emits calls at a frequency much higher than typical blue whales, which range from 10 to 39 hertz. Despite its unique call, 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, _The Loneliest Whale: The Search for 52_, reignited interest by revealing a potential sighting of a blue-fin whale hybrid, possibly explaining the unusual calls.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking observation from British Columbia, footage has emerged suggesting that wild wolves may be exhibiting tool use for the first time. Captured by Indigenous Haíɫzaqv Nation guardians, the footage shows a female wolf swimming to a buoy linked to a submerged crab trap, pulling the line to retrieve the trap and access its bait. This behavior, recorded between May 28 and May 30, 2024, indicates a sophisticated understanding of the connection between the buoy and the hidden trap, although experts debate whether it qualifies as true tool use since the wolves did not create the traps themselves. A subsequent video from February 2025 shows another wolf interacting with a partially submerged trap, hinting at a causal understanding of the process. Researchers speculate that the wolves may have learned this skill by observing humans or through trial and error, underscoring their remarkable intelligence. The findings are detailed in the journal Ecology and Evolution.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology reveals that many American children aged 4 to 7 have misconceptions about food origins, with a notable percentage believing that hot dogs, hamburgers, and bacon come from plants. Out of 176 participants, 41% thought bacon was plant-based, while 40% misidentified hot dogs similarly. Additionally, 47% believed french fries originated from animals, and even chicken nuggets were misclassified as plant-based by 38% of the children. The researchers noted that many kids also considered cows, pigs, and chickens inedible, while 1% thought sand was edible. The study suggests that this confusion may stem from parents avoiding discussions about meat origins, potentially impacting children's dietary choices. The authors argue that addressing these misconceptions could encourage plant-based eating habits, aligning children's diets with their moral views on animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Published: Nov 19 2025, 12 ameznews.inA resident of Grays Harbor County, Washington, has tested positive for H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza previously unseen in humans, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, is currently hospitalized. Health officials believe the infection likely stemmed from the individual's domestic poultry, which had been exposed to wild birds. While the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which began in 2020, has seen 71 cases in the U.S. with one death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the public risk remains low. H5N5, while different from the more common H5N1, is expected to exhibit similar symptoms in both livestock and humans. Experts, including flu researcher Richard Webby, suggest that H5N5 may behave comparably to H5N1, emphasizing the need for vigilance among farmers and health professionals.
Published: Nov 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inOn July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong made history as he stepped onto the Moon, delivering a speech that captivated an estimated 650 million viewers worldwide. While the live broadcast showcased blurry images of this monumental event, NASA engineers at ground stations in California and Australia were privy to high-quality footage transmitted from the lunar surface. However, the need for live television led to a compromise, as the original video was degraded through scan-conversion technology. Following the mission, NASA lost the original recordings, which were part of a 200,000-tape batch that was inadvertently erased to make room for new satellite data. Despite a three-year search led by engineer Richard Nafzger, the tapes were deemed irretrievable. Fortunately, lower-quality footage has been restored and enhanced, allowing audiences to relive the historic Moon landing, albeit without the original clarity.
Published: Nov 18 2025, 6 pmeznews.inNorth America is a diverse continent comprising 23 independent countries, including not only the well-known trio of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but also nations in Central America and the Caribbean. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Jamaica, and Panama, among others. Additionally, the continent features 23 non-self-governing territories, such as Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. The definition of continents is complex and varies globally, with some arguing for as few as two continents based on geological criteria. The North American tectonic plate extends beyond the continent's political boundaries, encompassing regions like Greenland and parts of Iceland. Ultimately, the classification of continents is influenced by a mix of geological, political, and cultural factors, highlighting the intricate nature of geographical definitions.
Published: Nov 13 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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