eznews.in
Astronomers have revised their understanding of Uranus, suggesting it may contain significantly more methane than previously believed. Traditionally classified as an ice giant, Uranus and its neighbor Neptune are thought to be composed mainly of icy materials like water, methane, and ammonia surrounding a rocky core. However, new models indicate that the interior of Uranus could consist of at least 10% methane, potentially even more than water, challenging earlier assumptions based on the elemental composition of the solar system's outer regions. The research posits that chemical reactions involving carbon-rich planetesimals during the planet's formation may have produced this methane. This finding raises questions about the planets' formation in a region rich in organic materials but poor in water. To confirm these theories, further observations of Uranus are essential, as the planet has only been visited once by NASA's Voyager 2. 
Published: Jan 05 2026, 7 ameznews.inAs the vacation season approaches, airport workers are advising travelers to avoid tying ribbons to their suitcases, a common practice intended to make luggage easier to identify. A baggage handler at Dublin Airport explained that these ribbons can obstruct the scanning process, leading to potential misplacement of bags. If a suitcase cannot be scanned automatically due to the interference, it may require manual processing, increasing the risk of it not making the flight. Additionally, travelers are urged to remove old stickers and tags, which can also confuse scanners. In a further tip, the handler cautioned against packing marzipan, as its density resembles that of certain explosives, potentially triggering security alarms. These insights highlight the often-overlooked details that can impact the travel experience, reminding passengers to be mindful of their luggage preparation.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 9 ameznews.inThe title of the world's largest rock is contested, primarily between Uluru and Mount Augustus in Australia. Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a sandstone monolith that rises 348 meters (1,142 feet) and spans 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) around its base, making it an iconic feature of Central Australia. Formed around 550 million years ago from seabed deposits, it has been sculpted by natural elements over millennia. In contrast, Mount Augustus, located over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) north of Perth, is technically a monocline, standing 860 meters (2,820 feet) tall and covering 4,795 hectares (11,850 acres), making it larger in area but geologically distinct. While Uluru is a uniform mass of rock, Mount Augustus consists of multiple folded layers. Additionally, the largest freestanding boulder in the world, Giant Rock in California, measures 5,800 square feet and has a unique cultural history.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 12 pmeznews.inNew research has revealed that female European common frogs (_Rana temporaria_) employ several strategies to avoid unwanted mating during the spring's explosive breeding season. Traditionally viewed as passive participants, these females exhibit three key avoidance behaviors: rotation, release calls, and tonic immobility, or feigning death. The study, led by Dr. Carolin Dittrich from the Natural History Museum of Berlin, found that smaller females were more adept at escaping male advances, with 83% using rotation and nearly half employing release calls to trick males into letting go. Tonic immobility was observed in 33% of females during mating attempts. These tactics may not only serve to evade mating but could also indicate the strength of potential mates, suggesting a complex interplay between stress responses and reproductive strategies. The findings challenge previous assumptions about female passivity in frog mating behaviors and highlight the need for further research into their stress levels and natural behaviors.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 1 pmeznews.inFor the first time, astronomers have successfully measured the mass and distance of a solitary "rogue" planet, designated KMT-2024-BLG-0792/OGLE-2024-BLG-0516, located approximately 9,785 light-years from Earth. This breakthrough was achieved through simultaneous observations from ground-based telescopes and the now-retired Gaia space telescope, overcoming the challenge of mass-distance degeneracy that complicates such measurements. The planet, estimated to be about 22% the mass of Jupiter, likely formed in a proto-planetary disk before being ejected into interstellar space. Rogue planets, which are not bound to any star, are difficult to detect due to their cold nature and lack of visible light. The findings, published in the journal Science, pave the way for future observations, particularly with the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, which is expected to identify hundreds of free-floating exoplanets, enhancing our understanding of these elusive worlds.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 3 ameznews.inA groundbreaking discovery of enormous shark fossils in northern Australia has reshaped our understanding of the evolution of these apex predators. Previously believed to have first emerged around 100 million years ago in North America and Europe, new research indicates that gigantic lamniform sharks actually originated approximately 115 million years ago in the Southern Hemisphere. The fossils, found in the Darwin Formation, include vertebrae from a massive Cardabiodontid shark, estimated to measure between 6 to 8 meters and weigh over 3 tons. This suggests that these early sharks occupied top predator roles alongside marine reptiles like *Kronosaurus*. The findings challenge long-held beliefs about the evolutionary timeline of lamniform sharks and highlight their significant presence in ancient marine ecosystems. The study, published in *Communications Biology*, underscores the importance of Australia in the history of these formidable creatures.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 8 pmeznews.inSaltwater crocodiles, the largest living reptiles with the strongest bite force of any animal, have long puzzled researchers regarding their ability to traverse vast distances across the South Pacific. A study conducted by a team from the University of Queensland, which included the late Steve Irwin, tracked 27 adult crocodiles using sonar transmitters over a year, yielding 1.2 million data points. The findings revealed that these crocodiles exploit changing tides to "surf" ocean currents, allowing them to travel significant distances—over 590 kilometers (367 miles) in some cases—by resting on riverbanks during low tides. This behavior not only explains their successful colonization of numerous islands but also suggests that crocodilians may have historically crossed major marine barriers. Notably, one crocodile journeyed 590 kilometers in 25 days, demonstrating their remarkable adaptability despite being poor swimmers.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 8 ameznews.inResearchers have uncovered a cave in Spain, known as Des-Cubierta, that appears to have held ritual significance for Neanderthals, who repeatedly returned to stash horned animal skulls over generations. The site contains 35 crania from species such as aurochs and steppe rhinoceroses, alongside Neanderthal teeth and stone tools, indicating a symbolic function for the skulls, possibly as trophies or ritual items. Although attempts to date the skulls have been unsuccessful, uranium-series dating of charcoal suggests they were collected between 135,000 and 50,000 years ago. The skulls are dispersed within several meters of sediment, indicating a prolonged practice rather than a single event. Researchers emphasize that this behavior reflects a culturally motivated tradition among Neanderthals, although the exact purpose of the skull collection remains uncertain. The findings are detailed in the journal *Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences*.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 5 ameznews.inAround 3,200 years ago, the Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa, and Near East thrived with interconnected civilizations, marked by advancements in trade, culture, and technology during the Bronze Age. However, this prosperity abruptly ended in the 12th century BCE, leading to what is known as the "Bronze Age Collapse." Major societies, including the Assyrian Empire, New Kingdom of Egypt, and Mycenaeans, faced a period of stagnation and decline, characterized by wars, rebellions, and the loss of writing systems. Various theories have emerged to explain this collapse, including invasions by the enigmatic "Sea Peoples," internal political instability, and environmental changes that caused droughts and food shortages. Archaeologist Eric Cline suggests that a combination of these factors created a "perfect storm" of calamities, illustrating that even the most advanced civilizations are vulnerable to collapse.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 2 pmeznews.inAs winter sets in, many cat owners are experiencing a surprising phenomenon known as "cat zapping," where petting their feline companions results in a small electric shock. This occurs due to the principles of static electricity, particularly the triboelectric effect, which generates static charges when two surfaces, like a hand and a cat's fur, rub against each other. A recent study led by Laurence Marks from Northwestern University sheds light on this process, explaining that the uneven distribution of electric charges during petting leads to these shocks. The frequency of zaps increases in colder months, primarily due to lower humidity levels, which prevent static charges from dissipating. As indoor heating further dries the air, both humans and cats become more susceptible to static electricity, making those unexpected shocks more common. So, if you find yourself zapping your cat this winter, rest assured, it’s a natural consequence of the season.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 7 pmeznews.inThe Earth, which currently rotates on its axis every 24 hours, may one day become tidally locked to the Moon, resulting in one hemisphere permanently facing the lunar body. While this scenario is unlikely to occur within our lifetimes, it raises intriguing questions about the future of our planet. If the Earth were to suddenly stop spinning, the consequences would be catastrophic, with debris and water being flung eastward at speeds of up to 1,600 kilometers per hour, potentially leading to a molten surface. Currently, the Earth's rotation is gradually slowing, primarily due to tidal friction caused by the Moon, which is drifting away at approximately 4 centimeters per year. NASA estimates that this slowing could accelerate due to climate change, potentially leading to a day length increase of up to 2.62 milliseconds per century. However, any significant changes will take millions of years, and the Earth is expected to be engulfed by the Sun in about 7.6 billion years, long before tidal locking occurs.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact