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Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world, have developed an unusual coexistence with crocodilians, particularly caimans, in their native South American habitats. Despite sharing territory, capybaras are rarely preyed upon by these formidable predators, primarily due to their impressive self-defense capabilities, including large, sharp teeth that can inflict serious injury. Dr. Elizabeth Congdon, a capybara expert, notes that caimans typically prefer easier prey, such as fish, and often seen capybaras and caimans resting peacefully near one another. However, capybara babies are more vulnerable and can fall victim to various predators. While humans pose the greatest threat to capybaras through hunting, the species is also being farmed to alleviate pressure on wild populations. Despite their calm demeanor, capybaras can be aggressive if provoked, reminding us that even the most relaxed creatures have their limits. 
Published: Nov 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Hayli Gubbi shield volcano in Ethiopia, believed dormant since the last ice age, has erupted, sending a volcanic plume soaring to altitudes that could disrupt intercontinental flights. Located in the Afar region, where the Arabian tectonic plate intersects with the Nubian and Somali plates, Hayli Gubbi is part of a geologically active area that includes the continuously erupting Erta Ale volcano. While the eruption's scale appears significant, the low population density around Hayli Gubbi may mitigate potential casualties. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center has issued alerts for aircraft, noting ash clouds reaching 15 kilometers (49,000 feet). Winds are dispersing the ash northeast over the Red Sea, while volcanic lightning has also been observed within the plume. This eruption marks the first recorded activity of Hayli Gubbi, with previous geological evidence suggesting it has not erupted in over 8,200 years.
Published: Nov 25 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn a world where busy schedules often overshadow personal connections, the World Health Organization has identified loneliness as a significant global health threat. A recent study revealed that 66% of lonely Americans attribute their feelings to a lack of family time, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. Chris Hemsworth's upcoming National Geographic film, *A Road to Remember*, explores the importance of social connections through a poignant road trip with his father, Craig, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Dr. Suraj Samtani, a dementia researcher, emphasizes that maintaining regular social interactions and having a confidant can significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline. His research indicates that social frailty is a strong predictor of dementia, underscoring the necessity of nurturing relationships for brain health. The film aims to raise awareness about dementia while illustrating how reminiscence therapy can combat cognitive decline. *A Road to Remember* premieres on November 23.
Published: Nov 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inRecent studies have revealed alarming levels of "forever chemicals," or PFAS, in North Carolina's waterways, particularly in the Piedmont region. These synthetic compounds, used for their waterproof and stain-resistant properties in everyday products, have been linked to serious health risks and are notoriously persistent in the environment. Researchers from Duke University discovered that wastewater treatment practices in Burlington were inadvertently converting PFAS precursors into harmful PFAS during processing. Notably, the concentration of PFAS in wastewater surged by 50,000 to 80,000 percent from a local textile manufacturing plant, contaminating drinking water supplies. Following the cessation of the problematic treatment process, PFAS levels in the wastewater significantly decreased. This research highlights the complexities of PFAS pollution and may aid communities globally in identifying similar contamination sources, emphasizing the need for innovative detection methods in environmental analysis. The findings are detailed in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA comprehensive 40-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Minnesota has found that fluoridated drinking water does not impair cognitive abilities, with children exposed to fluoride performing slightly better in mathematics and reading than their non-fluoridated counterparts. Analyzing data from over 26,800 high school students between 1980 and 2021, researchers assessed test scores alongside fluoride exposure levels and various health and socioeconomic factors. The study concluded that the recommended fluoride level of 0.7 milligrams per liter had no adverse effects on brain function during adolescence or adulthood. This research adds to the ongoing debate surrounding water fluoridation, which has been politically contentious, particularly in the U.S. Opponents, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have raised concerns about potential health risks, but experts argue that the evidence supports fluoride's safety and efficacy in preventing tooth decay, especially for underserved communities. The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn Florida's Everglades, invasive Burmese and Indian pythons are creating a complex ecological challenge, as scientists have discovered that many of these snakes are hybrids resulting from interspecies breeding. This hybridization appears to enhance their adaptability, making them even more formidable than their parent species. Originally introduced in the 1970s, the python population surged after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, leading to a dramatic decline in native wildlife, including a 99.3% drop in raccoon numbers. A 2018 genetic study by the US Geological Survey identified at least 13 hybrid pythons, revealing a more intricate genetic landscape than previously understood. While hybrid vigor may contribute to their success, controlling this invasive population remains difficult due to the snakes' effective camouflage and secretive behavior. Researchers are now employing genetic tools to better understand their habitat preferences and improve management strategies against this growing threat.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *Nature Scientific Reports* suggests that the universe can be described using just one fundamental constant: time. This conclusion stems from a long-standing debate among physicists, initiated in 1992 at CERN, regarding the minimum number of constants necessary to measure all physical quantities. The research, led by George Matsas, explores two types of spacetime—Galilean and Minkowski. In Galilean spacetime, both time and length are needed, while in Minkowski spacetime, time alone suffices due to the interrelation of space and time. The study employs a clock experiment to demonstrate that length can be derived from time measurements, negating the need for additional constants. While this finding is intriguing, experts caution that existing constants remain useful for practical applications, as highlighted by Daniel Vanzella from the University of São Paulo.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIdentifying the quietest natural place on Earth is challenging due to various factors, including wind, wildlife, and human activity. However, the Haleakalā Crater in Hawaii, situated 3,055 meters above the Pacific Ocean, is often cited as the quietest national park in the U.S. The National Park Service notes that ambient sound levels in the crater can drop to as low as 10 decibels, allowing visitors to hear their own heartbeat. In contrast, the title of the quietest place overall belongs to the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis, which has recorded sound levels as low as -24.9 decibels. This chamber, designed to absorb 99.99% of sound, has garnered three Guinness World Records for its extreme quietness. While myths about the chamber's effects persist, visitors often report disorientation and heightened awareness of bodily sounds during their stay.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAs the Northern Hemisphere enters the flu season, concerns are mounting over a potentially severe outbreak, particularly due to the emergence of a new variant known as subclade K, a strain of H3N2 influenza. This season was initially predicted to be milder than the previous one, which saw the highest pediatric flu deaths in a non-pandemic year since 2004. However, early data from Japan and the UK indicate an alarming rise in cases, especially among schoolchildren, with UK lab tests showing a significant increase in positive results compared to last year. While the current vaccine may not perfectly match the circulating subclade K strain, it still offers substantial protection, particularly for children, with effectiveness rates of 70-75% against hospitalization. Health experts emphasize the importance of vaccination to mitigate the impact of this evolving virus, underscoring that while the vaccine is not flawless, it significantly reduces the risk of severe illness.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), operational from October 2007 to mid-2022, has made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe, particularly through its study of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the afterglow of the Big Bang. Recently, the ACT team published its final data release, reinforcing concerns over the Hubble Tension, a discrepancy in the measurement of the universe's expansion rate. While two methods—galaxy distance and recession velocity versus CMB data—yield conflicting values, ACT's findings align with those from the European Space Agency's Planck satellite, further complicating the issue. Notably, ACT's data has effectively ruled out 30 extended cosmological models previously proposed to resolve this tension. Enhanced polarization maps from ACT, due to its larger size and sensitivity, provide deeper insights into the early universe, although questions about the fundamental nature of cosmic expansion remain unresolved.
Published: Nov 24 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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