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A viral TikTok challenge has sparked debate over the human body's swallowing capacity, with a user claiming that individuals can only swallow 2-3 times consecutively before being compelled to stop. Comments flooded in, with some users reporting sensations of forgetting how to swallow after three attempts, while others humorously claimed to have managed up to 20 swallows by using water. This long-standing myth suggests a limit to swallowing, which becomes increasingly difficult without food or liquid. Experts explain that the challenge is complicated by the diminishing saliva production during dry swallows, which hampers the peristaltic contractions necessary for swallowing. Research indicates that wet swallows are more effective, as they facilitate smoother muscle contractions. For those struggling, the solution is simple: just add a bit of water to ease the process. 
Published: Apr 25 2025, 7 am ISTeznews.inPhysicists may be on the brink of discovering a glueball, a theoretical particle formed solely from gluons, the carriers of the strong nuclear force. Unlike other forces, the strong nuclear force operates through three "color" charges—blue, green, and red—associated with quarks, which combine to form stable particles like protons. Researchers at the Beijing Spectrometer III (BES III) have been studying the decay of the J/ψ meson, a particle made of a charm quark and its antiquark, and have identified a new particle, dubbed X(2370), with a mass around 2395 megaelectronvolts. This finding aligns with theoretical predictions for glueballs, although it does not provide definitive proof, as alternative explanations involving quark-antiquark interactions could account for the observations. Further investigation is required to confirm the glueball's existence, as detailed in a study published in Physical Review Letters.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 7 am ISTeznews.inA newly reconstructed face of a female Neanderthal, dubbed Shanidar Z, has emerged from the most complete skeleton found since 2000, dating back approximately 75,000 years. Discovered in the renowned Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, known for its controversial burial practices, the skeleton is featured in the Netflix documentary _Secrets of the Neanderthals_. The cave has yielded significant Neanderthal remains, including evidence of funerary rituals that suggest a complex understanding of death among these ancient humans. Shanidar Z, who likely died in her mid-40s, was found with her skull crushed beneath a rock, and researchers painstakingly reconstructed her face, revealing similarities to modern humans. Despite debates over the "flower burial" theory, recent findings indicate Neanderthals exhibited empathy and social care, challenging long-held perceptions of them as primitive. Professor Graeme Barker emphasized that these discoveries highlight the cognitive sophistication of Neanderthals, akin to that of modern humans.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 8 am ISTeznews.inA recent editorial highlights a concerning lack of awareness and engagement among the American public regarding the threat of bird flu, based on a survey of 10,000 residents. The study, led by Rachael Piltch-Loeb, revealed that many individuals are unaware of basic precautions to reduce their risk of exposure to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which has recently affected dairy cows in 17 states, raising fears of potential spillover to humans. While the CDC currently assesses the risk to the general public as low, 70 human cases have been confirmed, including one fatality. Alarmingly, over a quarter of respondents expressed reluctance to modify their diets or receive vaccinations, particularly among rural populations and those identifying as Republican or Independent. The authors stress the need for targeted health communication strategies to effectively address these attitudes and engage agricultural communities in prevention efforts. The findings are published in the American Journal of Public Health.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 9 pm ISTeznews.inA remarkable fossil of an ancient ant, entombed in stone for 113 million years, has been identified as the oldest known ant specimen, belonging to the extinct subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, commonly referred to as hell ants. Unearthed from Brazil's Crato Formation, this new species showcases highly specialized anatomical features, including a forward-extending jaw and unique facial projections, suggesting advanced predatory behaviors distinct from modern ants. Study author Anderson Lepeco from the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo emphasized the significance of this discovery, which challenges existing assumptions about the evolution of complex adaptations in ants. The fossil's resemblance to relatives found in Myanmar indicates a broader prehistoric distribution, hinting at the ecological dynamics of the Cretaceous period. The findings are detailed in the journal Current Biology, shedding light on the evolutionary history of these formidable insects.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 3 am ISTeznews.inGoogle, the world's second most popular website, can be a double-edged sword, offering invaluable information while also leading users to unsettling content. A recent discussion highlights several terms that should be avoided in searches due to their disturbing implications. For instance, "oral myiasis" refers to a condition where insect larvae invade the mouth, often resulting in a foul odor, as documented in medical literature. Another alarming term is "degloving," which describes a severe injury where skin is removed from the underlying tissue, often illustrated with graphic images to deter risky behavior. Additionally, "krokodil," an opioid known for causing severe skin damage, and "Fournier's gangrene," a life-threatening infection affecting the genitals, are also cautioned against. Other terms, such as "harlequin ichthyosis," a rare genetic skin disorder, further illustrate the potential horrors lurking in a simple search. Users are advised to seek medical advice rather than rely on online searches for sensitive health issues.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 11 pm ISTeznews.inArchaeologists are unraveling the mystery behind a chilling discovery of 38 headless skeletons found in a prehistoric pit near Vráble, Slovakia, dating back to between 5250 and 4950 BCE. The remains, all lacking skulls except for one child, were unearthed in a disordered ditch, complicating the identification process, as noted by Professor Dr. Martin Furholt. Initial assumptions suggested a violent massacre, but researchers are considering alternative explanations, including a potential "death cult" practice involving the careful removal of skulls for cultural or spiritual reasons. Dr. Katharina Fuchs highlighted that some bones appear to have been repositioned, indicating a more complex burial sequence. Ongoing investigations, including DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, aim to shed light on the identities of the individuals, their origins, and any possible diseases, ultimately seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding this enigmatic site.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 4 am ISTeznews.inMathematicians have finally solved a 46-year-old puzzle regarding Möbius strips, intriguing geometrical shapes with only one side. The Halpern-Weaver Conjecture, proposed in 1977, suggested a minimum length-to-width ratio for these strips, specifically that a strip with a width of 1 centimeter must be at least the square root of 3 centimeters long. While previous attempts to prove this for smooth, non-intersecting strips were unsuccessful, Brown University mathematician Richard Evan Schwartz recently corrected an earlier mistake and provided a solution. His findings, detailed in a preprint paper, involve understanding the geometry of sliced Möbius strips, which he discovered form trapezoidal shapes rather than parallelograms. Schwartz expressed his astonishment at the breakthrough, stating he spent days refining his work. The preprint is now available on ArXiv, marking a significant advancement in the field of mathematics.
Published: Apr 23 2025, 10 am ISTeznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success by winning 14 times. His strategy involved purchasing every possible combination of numbers in lotteries where the jackpot exceeded three times the cost of buying all combinations. Initially successful in Romania, Mandel moved to Australia and later targeted the Virginia lottery, which had only 7,059,052 combinations due to its limited number range. When the jackpot reached $15.5 million, his team managed to buy 6.4 million tickets, ensuring they held the winning combination. Despite facing scrutiny from the FBI and CIA, Mandel's method was not deemed illegal. His winnings, amounting to millions, allowed him to retire comfortably in Vanuatu, leaving behind a legacy of strategic lottery play that blurred the lines of conventional gaming ethics.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 12 pm ISTeznews.inIn 2022, the death of Queen Elizabeth II brought attention to the peculiar traditions surrounding royal funerals, notably the use of lead-lined coffins. Despite her small stature, the Queen's coffin was notably heavy due to this practice, which has been employed for centuries to preserve royal bodies. This method, dating back to a time before modern preservation techniques like formaldehyde became available in 1869, helps slow decomposition by keeping moisture out and preventing the release of gases and odors. Historical accounts, such as the unfortunate fate of William the Conqueror, highlight the importance of this practice; his body decomposed so severely that it exploded during burial, creating a scandalous scene. Today, lead-lined coffins remain a symbol of dignity for royals, ensuring their remains are preserved longer than in standard coffins, a necessity for those interred above ground in the UK.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 12 am IST
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