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Picking up a feather found on the ground may seem harmless, but it is, in fact, illegal in the United States due to historical overexploitation of birds for fashion. In the late 1800s, extravagant hats adorned with feathers and even entire birds became a trend, leading to the slaughter of over five million birds annually to meet demand. This unsustainable practice pushed many species, including snowy egrets, to the brink of extinction. Activists Harriet Hemenway and Minna Hall raised awareness through campaigns that ultimately led to the establishment of the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the enactment of the Lacey Act in 1900, followed by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. These laws prohibit the killing, capturing, or possession of migratory birds and their parts, including feathers, with some exceptions for legally hunted species and cultural uses by Native Americans. Collecting feathers in national parks is also strictly forbidden. 
Published: Oct 28 2025, 4 pmeznews.inHurricane Melissa has officially become the strongest storm of 2025, reaching Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of approximately 280 km/h (175 mph) as it approaches Jamaica. The storm, which intensified rapidly while moving toward the Caribbean, is expected to make landfall today, potentially causing catastrophic damage. The National Hurricane Center has warned of life-threatening storm surges, destructive waves, and significant rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding and landslides across the island. A recent mission by NOAA's Hurricane Hunters to gather data from within the storm had to be aborted due to severe turbulence. Experts note that slow-moving hurricanes like Melissa often result in the most destruction, with predictions indicating this could be Jamaica's worst storm in a century. The ongoing trend of increasingly powerful hurricanes is linked to climate change, raising concerns about future storms of similar intensity.
Published: Oct 29 2025, 3 ameznews.inA new study suggests that the search for extraterrestrial life should focus on "purple planets" rather than the traditional green or blue worlds. Researchers, led by Dr. Lígia Fonseca Coelho from Cornell University, argue that purple bacteria, which thrive in low-oxygen environments, are likely to dominate life on many alien planets, particularly those orbiting red dwarf stars. While life on Earth has predominantly been green due to chlorophyll, purple bacteria can survive under a variety of conditions and may be more common in environments where competition from green plants is minimal. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive database of potential biosignatures to ensure that telescopes can detect life forms that do not resemble those on Earth. Although identifying these purple planets will be challenging, the findings suggest that if such worlds are discovered, it could indicate that life is more prevalent in the universe than previously thought.
Published: Oct 28 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA new report by Survival International reveals that at least 196 uncontacted Indigenous groups worldwide face severe threats, described as a “moment of legislated genocide.” The majority, around 95%, reside in the Amazon Basin, particularly Brazil, where they live self-sufficiently and thrive in challenging environments. However, these communities are increasingly endangered by resource extraction activities, including logging and mining, as well as encroachment from agribusiness and infrastructure projects. The report also highlights emerging threats from social media influencers and missionaries seeking to make contact for profit or conversion. Indigenous activist Célia Xakriabá emphasized that the destruction of their land equates to collective death for their people. Survival International calls for stronger land protections and enforcement of Indigenous rights to prevent further exploitation and ensure the survival of these vulnerable groups. Without immediate action, up to half of these uncontacted communities could face extinction within the next decade.
Published: Oct 28 2025, 9 pmeznews.inResearchers have discovered that shiitake mushrooms can function as organic memristors, capable of remembering past electrical states and processing data. This innovative approach could lead to more energy-efficient computers that are cheaper and easier to dispose of, addressing the growing electricity demands of data centers driven by AI. The team, led by Dr. John LaRocco from Ohio State University, dehydrated the mushrooms' mycelium and connected them to electric circuits, demonstrating that the mushrooms could switch electrical states nearly 6,000 times per second with an accuracy of around 90%. The use of mushrooms not only reduces reliance on rare earth materials but also minimizes electronic waste, as they are biodegradable. While challenges remain in scaling this technology, the potential applications in robotics and space exploration are promising, suggesting a future where fungi could play a crucial role in computing. The findings are detailed in a study published in PLoS ONE.
Published: Oct 27 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAlex the African gray parrot, who passed away in 2007, significantly altered our understanding of animal intelligence through his remarkable cognitive abilities. Acquired by animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg in 1976, Alex mastered over 100 words and demonstrated self-awareness by asking questions, a rare trait among non-human animals. Notably, during a mirror interaction in 1980, he inquired about his reflection, showcasing his capacity for complex thought. His training, documented in Pepperberg's 1999 book *The Alex Studies*, revealed his ability to identify objects, colors, and quantities, prompting debates among scientists about the nature of animal consciousness. While some dismissed his skills as mere performance, others, like Dr. Donald Griffin, acknowledged the groundbreaking implications of Alex's abilities. His poignant last words, "You be good. I love you. See you tomorrow," encapsulated his unique bond with Pepperberg, leaving a lasting legacy in the study of animal cognition.
Published: Oct 28 2025, 7 pmeznews.inMen are, on average, 13 centimeters (5 inches) taller than women, a difference attributed to sex hormones and growth genes, though the genetic mechanisms behind this gap remain poorly understood. A new report highlights the role of hormones like testicular androgens in promoting male height from puberty, yet the interplay between these hormones and genetic factors is still unclear. Previous attempts to identify a male-specific growth gene on the Y chromosome have failed, leading researchers to focus on the _SHOX_ gene, present on both X and Y chromosomes. Their findings indicate that _SHOX_ is more active in men, potentially explaining the height disparity. Supporting evidence from a study of over 928,000 individuals shows that an extra Y chromosome correlates with a 3.1-centimeter height increase, while abnormalities in _SHOX_ lead to a greater height reduction in men than women. The research suggests _SHOX_ plays a significant role in height regulation, though other unidentified genes may also contribute.
Published: Oct 28 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study from the University of Cambridge and Meta Reality Labs has raised questions about the value of ultra-high-definition (UHD) televisions, which boast resolutions like 4K and 8K. As technology rapidly advances, consumers often find themselves purchasing devices that quickly become outdated. The research focused on the limitations of human vision, specifically examining how many pixels can be effectively perceived. Findings revealed that while the average resolution limit for greyscale images is 94 pixels per degree (PPD), this drops significantly for color images, with PPD values as low as 53 for certain colors. Professor Rafał Mantiuk noted that our brains struggle to process fine details in color, suggesting that UHD TVs may offer more resolution than the average viewer can appreciate. This insight could guide manufacturers in creating technology that meets the needs of the general population rather than catering to exceptional visual capabilities. The study is published in *Nature Communications*.
Published: Oct 27 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA staggering 635 million kilograms (1.4 billion pounds) of cheese is currently stored underground in the United States, a remnant of government intervention dating back to the 1970s. Amid a dairy shortage and soaring inflation, the U.S. government, under President Jimmy Carter, invested $2 billion to support the dairy industry, leading to an overproduction crisis. By the early 1980s, the government was left with 227 million kilograms of cheese, which became a symbol of waste as it was distributed to food banks, often in poor condition. The government exited the cheese business in the 1990s, but by 2016, it began stockpiling cheese again, now stored in limestone caves to prolong its shelf life. This ongoing surplus reflects broader issues in the dairy industry, including environmental concerns and declining consumption, prompting farmers to seek innovative solutions to boost cheese sales.
Published: Oct 24 2025, 7 ameznews.inWhile filming off Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, whale scientist Nan Hauser experienced a life-threatening encounter with a humpback whale that appeared to be trying to protect her from a massive tiger shark. As the whale hoisted her onto its back, Hauser feared for her safety, but later realized the whale's unusual behavior was a protective instinct. After escaping the whale's grasp, she spotted the shark, which she described as "like a truck." Hauser believes the whale's actions likely saved her life, showcasing the species' known altruism. Remarkably, a year later, she was reunited with the same whale, identifiable by distinct markings. Overwhelmed with emotion, Hauser recalled the moment fondly, likening it to reuniting with a long-lost pet. "I miss him," she said, reflecting on the extraordinary bond formed during that perilous encounter.
Published: Oct 24 2025, 4 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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