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Humans are living longer than ever, yet reaching the age of 100 remains rare, with fewer than 250 supercentenarians worldwide, and only three over 115. A recent analysis, not yet peer-reviewed, sheds light on the biology of longevity through the study of Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to 117. Researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of her genomic and biological markers, discovering that many indicators of aging were surprisingly youthful, including her telomere length, which was greater than that of individuals in their 30s. Genetic variants linked to disease resistance were also identified, alongside a healthy lifestyle characterized by a Mediterranean diet and active social engagement. The findings suggest that extreme longevity may arise from a unique combination of genetic and environmental factors, challenging the notion that aging and disease are always linked. Branyas Morera's life exemplifies the potential for healthy aging, underscoring the importance of lifestyle choices. 
Published: Mar 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study from Ohio State University reveals a paradox in the gaming community, where 69 percent of gamers admit to "smurfing"—creating new accounts to play against less skilled opponents—despite expressing disdain for the practice when faced with it themselves. The term originated in 1996 when two skilled players of Warcraft 2 adopted the names PapaSmurf and Smurfette to avoid being recognized. While 97 percent of participants believe they encounter smurfs regularly, the study highlights a complex view of smurfing, with gamers differentiating between motivations for the behavior. Some justify smurfing to play with friends, while others do it to dominate weaker players. The findings suggest that gamers assess smurfing on a case-by-case basis, indicating a nuanced understanding of blame in online interactions. The research, published in *New Media & Society*, aims to shed light on broader social dynamics in digital environments.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAs concerns over nuclear conflict resurface, a study highlights survival strategies in the event of a nuclear detonation, specifically referencing a hypothetical 10-kiloton blast in downtown Washington, D.C. The research indicates that immediate devastation would occur, with a fireball incinerating everything within its vicinity and a subsequent shockwave causing widespread destruction. Predictably, 90,000 fatalities would occur within the first 10 minutes, escalating to nearly 279,000 over 48 hours if no action is taken. However, the study reveals that survival rates improve significantly if individuals remain sheltered for at least 12 hours. Conversely, those who venture out to find loved ones increase their risk of exposure to radiation, leading to higher mortality rates. The findings suggest that prioritizing personal safety and minimizing movement during the critical aftermath of a nuclear event could enhance survival chances.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a surprising revival of a quirky behavior, orcas have been spotted once again donning dead salmon on their heads after a 37-year hiatus. This trend, which first emerged in 1987 when a female orca in Puget Sound began the unusual practice, has resurfaced among members of the J pod in October 2024. Observers suggest that the orcas may be using their heads as storage for excess salmon, capitalizing on the current abundance of the fish. While this playful behavior highlights the cultural traditions of these intelligent marine mammals, it contrasts sharply with more destructive tendencies, such as recent attacks on boat rudders. Experts note that orcas often exhibit temporary fads, which can vary by population and age group, leaving researchers uncertain about the longevity of this latest salmon hat trend. As the orcas continue to engage in these behaviors, the reasons behind them remain a topic of intrigue within the scientific community.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inBarnard 68, a dark nebula located 400 light-years from Earth, has been mischaracterized as an "empty void" in space, with claims suggesting one could travel through it for over 752 million years without encountering anything. However, this assertion overlooks the fact that the nebula is densely packed with stars, obscured by dust that renders it opaque in visible light. Images captured by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope reveal the hidden stars when viewed in infrared. In contrast, the Boötes Void, known as the Great Nothing, is a genuine cosmic void spanning 250 to 330 million light-years, containing significantly fewer galaxies than expected. Discovered in 1981, it has since revealed around 60 galaxies, far fewer than the estimated 2,000 that should exist in such a volume, prompting intriguing questions about galaxy formation and the nature of the universe.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 11 ameznews.inAstronomers have identified the most distant and earliest known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0, whose light dates back to when the universe was less than 300 million years old. Despite being smaller than the Milky Way, this galaxy is a hub of star formation, and two research teams have detected oxygen within it—the farthest detection of this element to date. The presence of oxygen, which forms in evolved stars, indicates that JADES-GS-z14-0 is more chemically mature than previously believed, suggesting rapid galaxy formation and evolution. The galaxy was discovered by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and further analyzed using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA), revealing it contains ten times more heavy elements than expected. These findings challenge existing theories about galaxy formation in the early universe and highlight the significant role of ALMA in understanding cosmic evolution. The studies are published in *The Astrophysics Journal* and *Astronomy & Astrophysics*.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inWednesday, May 30, marks World Otter Day, a celebration often filled with adorable images of otters. However, beneath their charming exterior lies a darker reality, as otters exhibit aggressive and violent behaviors. Sea otters, for instance, engage in brutal mating rituals, with males often drowning females and even attacking pups. Disturbingly, they have also been documented forcing themselves on baby harbor seals, leading to severe injuries or death. Additionally, instances of necrophilia have been observed, where male otters copulate with deceased females. The giant otter, a lesser-known species, is particularly fearsome, growing up to 1.7 meters and preying on various animals. Furthermore, otters have been known to kill other creatures, as seen in incidents at zoos where they drowned monkeys. While attacks on humans are rare, otters can carry diseases like Valley Fever, posing a hidden threat to those who interact with them.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 9 ameznews.inNew research indicates that Neanderthals, who survived in Eurasia until around 40,000 years ago, experienced a significant decline in population approximately 70,000 years before their extinction, leading to reduced genetic and physical diversity among their final representatives. This study, published in *Nature Communications*, involved a detailed morphological analysis of the inner ear structure of various Neanderthal populations, revealing that early Neanderthals from Krapina exhibited greater variability than their predecessors from Sima de los Huesos, suggesting an increase in diversity between 430,000 and 120,000 years ago. However, classic Neanderthals showed a marked reduction in morphological variation, indicating a population bottleneck likely occurred after the Krapina period. The findings challenge previous assumptions about the timing of this bottleneck, with researchers noting that the pre-Neanderthals displayed diversity levels comparable to early Neanderthals, complicating the narrative of their evolutionary history.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 5 ameznews.inJanuary 23, 1556, is marked as the deadliest day in recorded history, primarily due to a catastrophic earthquake in Shaanxi province, northwest China. The quake, with a magnitude estimated between 8 and 8.3, struck near Huaxian and is believed to have resulted in approximately 830,000 fatalities. Most victims perished from collapsing structures and landslides, while many others succumbed to disease and famine in the aftermath. Despite not being the strongest earthquake on record, its death toll represents the highest relative loss of life for a single day, given the global population of less than half a billion at the time. Comparatively, the second deadliest earthquake occurred in 1976, claiming around 655,000 lives. Nearly 500 years later, no other day has matched the sheer scale of tragedy witnessed on that fateful Thursday in January.
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Published: Mar 21 2025, 6 ameznews.inA striking photograph of a cougar submerged in a lake, covered in algae and sediment, has sparked widespread debate online, with some speculating it depicts the early stages of fossilization. Taken by Park Ranger Ryan Peruniak, the image captures the cougar in a serene pose on the riverbed, likely having fallen through the ice while crossing the river. Peruniak, who had to wade into icy waters to secure the shot, explained that the cougar's remains were removed to prevent them from being collected by others. While the idea of the cougar becoming a fossil is intriguing, experts note that true fossilization requires specific conditions and time—typically at least 10,000 years. The photo serves as a reminder of nature's decomposition processes and the rarity of fossilization, highlighting the delicate balance between preservation and decay in the natural world.
Published: Mar 20 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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