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🏚️ 100s of earthquakes shake Santorini, material turns floors into energy generators, mantis shrimp’s .22 caliber bullet punch shock

Plus: World’s first gene-edited polo horses unleashed in Argentina for speed supremacy

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Santorini, a famous Greek tourist destination, has declared a state of emergency following a 5.2-magnitude earthquake recorded on Wednesday evening.

The tremors, described as near-constant and unprecedented, have raised concerns about a potential tsunami. The Athens Geodynamic Institute reported that seven successive quakes, each above 4.0 magnitude, struck early Thursday.

The Greek Civil Protection Ministry responded by placing the island under emergency status until March 3. Let's take a closer look at this Must Read.

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The ongoing seismic activity has puzzled researchers. Experts have yet to determine when the tremors will subside.

Since January 26, more than 6,000 tremors have been recorded in the Aegean Sea, affecting Santorini, Amorgos, Anafi, and Ios. The Greek government is fully mobilized, with spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stating that authorities are preparing for “any eventuality.”

Amid concerns over the seismic events in Greece, Israel’s National Security Council has alerted emergency teams about a possible tsunami reaching its shores.

Researchers at the University of Guelph have made a significant breakthrough using a novel slime-like material, which is capable of generating electricity when subjected to compression.

Their findings, revealed during experiments using the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan, highlight the material’s diverse potential applications.

The unique material may be incorporated into flooring systems, allowing it to generate clean energy when walked upon.

Mantis shrimp are colorful creatures with an incredibly powerful punch — comparable to a .22 caliber bullet. This punch is strong enough to shatter shells and even glass.

Luckily, mantis shrimp remain protective from the force of their own blows, thanks to shock-absorbing armor.

Researchers at Northwestern University have finally unlocked the mystery of the mantis shrimp’s punch, revealing a sophisticated defense mechanism that filters out harmful sound waves.  

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