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The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has reported that 2024 is likely the first year to exceed a global temperature increase of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, marking a significant setback in efforts to combat climate change. The global mean near-surface temperature reached approximately 1.55°C above the 1850-1900 average, making it the warmest year on record. This alarming milestone threatens the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. Experts attribute the temperature rise to increased greenhouse gas emissions and the transition from a cooling La Niña to a warming El Niño. The report highlights record levels of carbon dioxide, ocean heat, and significant losses in Arctic and Antarctic sea ice, alongside accelerated sea-level rise. Climate scientists express deep concern over the findings, urging immediate global action to address the escalating climate crisis, as the window for effective intervention narrows. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 ameznews.inA new study by astronomer Michael Garrett from the University of Manchester proposes a chilling perspective on the Fermi Paradox, suggesting that the "Great Filter"—a barrier preventing civilizations from advancing to a detectable stage—may lie ahead of humanity. The paradox questions why, despite the vast number of stars and potential habitable planets, we have yet to find evidence of extraterrestrial life. Garrett argues that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to the self-destruction of civilizations before they achieve interstellar communication. He warns that as AI becomes weaponized, it could escalate conflicts, potentially resulting in catastrophic events like nuclear war. Furthermore, once AI reaches superintelligence, it may prioritize computational efficiency over biological life, posing existential risks. Garrett estimates that civilizations adopting AI may only last 100-200 years, significantly reducing the likelihood of contact with other intelligent life forms. His findings, published in Acta Astronautica, suggest that humanity's greatest challenges may still lie ahead.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 2 pmeznews.inAstrophotographers Angel An and Shuchang Dong have captured an extraordinary display of red sprites—brief flashes of red-orange light occurring at altitudes of 50 to 90 kilometers—over the Himalayas, documenting over 100 instances in a single event. These elusive atmospheric phenomena, resembling upside-down jellyfish, are triggered by electric charges interacting with nitrogen and are notoriously difficult to observe due to their fleeting nature. The duo's footage, recorded near Pumoyongcuo Lake, also includes secondary jets and Asia's first documented ghost sprites. Professor Gaopeng Lu from the University of Science and Technology of China noted that the sprites were linked to powerful cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive convective system, indicating that Himalayan thunderstorms can produce some of the most complex upper-atmospheric electrical discharges on Earth. This remarkable event marks the highest number of sprites recorded in South Asia, rivaling those seen in the American plains and European storms.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 5 ameznews.inHalf a century ago, acid rain emerged as a dire environmental threat, resulting from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides released by industrial activities, which led to severe ecological damage and health issues. While significant legislative efforts have largely mitigated acid rain in the West, a new crisis has arisen: the pervasive presence of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," which do not break down and have contaminated air, soil, and water globally. These substances, linked to serious health risks including cancer and reproductive issues, are now found in rainwater at levels exceeding safety guidelines. Additionally, microplastics have infiltrated the atmosphere, constituting a significant portion of rainfall, raising concerns about their environmental and health impacts. Experts warn that both PFAS and microplastics pose long-term challenges, with limited solutions available, highlighting the urgent need for global action to address these modern pollutants.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 3 ameznews.inThe famed Aztec crystal skulls, often linked to theories of alien craftsmanship and mystical powers, are now largely considered to be modern forgeries, possibly crafted by a 19th-century French conman, Eugène Boban. Initially introduced to the public in 1856, these artifacts have been housed in various museums, including the British Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. Despite their supposed pre-Columbian origins, extensive analysis has revealed that the skulls were likely made using contemporary tools and materials, with no evidence of their existence in archaeological digs in Mexico. Notably, a 2008 study confirmed that the quartz used in the skulls originated from regions outside of Aztec trading routes, such as Brazil or Madagascar. Boban, who was not a trained archaeologist, capitalized on the public's fascination with Aztec culture, leading to the widespread acceptance of these dubious relics as genuine artifacts.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 ameznews.inAntarctica, often misconceived as merely a floating ice mass, is a solid continent with mountains and active volcanoes hidden beneath its icy surface. A groundbreaking map, Bedmap3, developed by the British Antarctic Survey and international scientists, has unveiled this hidden landscape in unprecedented detail. Utilizing over 60 years of data from satellites, planes, and other sources, the map incorporates more than 82 million data points, revealing features such as deep valleys and rocky mountains with remarkable clarity. Recent technological advancements and expeditions, particularly in East Antarctica, have significantly enhanced the mapping process. This detailed representation is crucial for understanding the Antarctic ice sheets' past and future, especially in the context of climate change, which poses a risk of substantial sea-level rise. Experts indicate that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thicker and more vulnerable than previously thought, highlighting the urgency of ongoing research in this remote region.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn an unusual twist on entrepreneurship, a reality TV star gained notoriety for selling her farts in jars, reportedly earning $45,000 a week. However, her unique business venture led to a hospital visit, prompting her to pivot to a safer occupation—selling "boob sweat." The science behind the smell of farts reveals that sulfur-containing compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide, are primarily responsible for their odor. While hydrogen sulfide is relatively stable in a sealed environment, it reacts with oxygen, which is present in the fart itself, diminishing the smell over time. Studies suggest that the half-life of hydrogen sulfide in air ranges from 12 to 37 hours, meaning that any fart stored in a jar would lose its pungency significantly within days. Ultimately, the notion of preserving a fart's aroma for decades is impractical, as the scent fades rapidly, making fresh farts the preferred option for collectors.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 1 ameznews.inOn March 20, 1995, a coordinated attack by the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo's underground system marked a grim milestone in terrorism, as five men released sarin gas, resulting in 13 deaths and thousands of injuries. The cult, founded in the 1980s by Chizuo Matsumoto, who proclaimed himself a divine messenger, evolved from a yoga group into a violent organization advocating for an apocalyptic vision. Despite initial failures in their chemical weapon efforts, the attack shocked Japan and the world, highlighting the potential for non-state actors to wield such deadly means. In response, global security measures were tightened, leading to the establishment of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 1997. While Aum Shinrikyo's leaders were executed in 2018, the group persists under new names, raising ongoing concerns about the threat of chemical weapons in future terrorist activities.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 2 ameznews.inA Russian physicist, Alexander Berezin, has proposed a troubling explanation for the Fermi Paradox, which questions why we have not yet encountered extraterrestrial civilizations. His theory, dubbed the “First in, last out” solution, suggests that advanced civilizations, once capable of interstellar expansion, may inadvertently eliminate other life forms in their quest for growth. Berezin likens this to a construction crew demolishing an anthill, as these civilizations may prioritize their expansion over the existence of others. He posits that humanity might not be the ants but rather the potential destroyers of countless civilizations, as we are among the first to reach an interstellar stage. While his hypothesis is grim, Berezin expresses hope that we might discover alien life before embarking on a destructive path, suggesting that our future could hinge on our ability to coexist rather than conquer.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a bid to explore sustainable living on other planets, the ambitious Biosphere 2 project aimed to create a self-sustaining ecosystem for humans, costing between $150-200 million. Located in the Arizona desert, the 2.75-acre facility housed eight individuals alongside 3,800 species of plants and animals. However, the experiment faced immediate challenges, including a serious injury to a crew member and insufficient food production, leading to weight loss among the residents. As oxygen levels plummeted to dangerous lows, the crew struggled with health issues and morale declined, exacerbated by the facility's transformation into a tourist attraction. Despite attempts to maintain the project, including secret food supplies, the situation deteriorated further when Steve Bannon took over management. Ultimately, the experiment ended prematurely in 1994 when former crew members breached the biosphere to restore outside air, highlighting the unexpected complexities of creating a viable extraterrestrial habitat.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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