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The Fountain of the Lions, an iconic feature of the Alhambra in Granada, has sparked intrigue over its potential function as a water clock, a theory supported by historical poetry and advanced engineering principles. Constructed between 1362 and 1391 during the reign of Nasrid Sultan Muhammad V, the fountain features twelve lions that spout water into a dodecagonal basin, with the number twelve echoing the hours of the day. While the original design has been altered over centuries, evidence suggests it may have operated as a clock, with a marble cylinder and intricate piping system regulating water flow. Historical accounts describe the fountain's remarkable engineering, including a mechanism that could halt water flow by closing a lion's mouth. Although the water clock hypothesis remains unconfirmed due to the fountain's modifications, its design reflects the sophisticated hydraulic knowledge of Islamic engineers, leaving a legacy of wonder and speculation. 
Published: Apr 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA new study from Aalto University suggests that the notoriously challenging video game _Dark Souls_ may have a positive impact on players' mental health. Despite its reputation for punishing difficulty, the game has been reported by players to help them cope with depression. The research, which analyzed self-reported experiences from Reddit users, found that the game's structure encourages acceptance of failure, a valuable life lesson. Players identified the game's "hollowing" mechanic, which symbolizes the struggle with depression, as particularly resonant. This mechanic reflects the loss of humanity and vulnerability, yet can be reversed, mirroring real-life recovery. Additionally, the game's online community fosters support and encouragement, contributing to its therapeutic value. The findings challenge the often negative portrayal of video games, highlighting _Dark Souls_ as an example of how gaming can enhance well-being and provide coping mechanisms for life's challenges. The study was presented at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
Published: May 01 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking study published in PLOS One, researchers from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) revealed the results of an unprecedented experiment where they dropped alligators 2,000 meters onto the ocean floor to observe deep-sea scavengers. The study, conducted in February 2019, aimed to understand how marine creatures in the Gulf of Mexico would respond to an unusual food source. Contrary to expectations, giant pink isopods swiftly penetrated the alligator hides within 24 hours, while another alligator was completely stripped of soft tissue in just 51 days, revealing a new species of bone-eating worm, a first for the Gulf. The fate of a third alligator remains a mystery, as it vanished along with its weights, likely taken by a large shark. This research highlights the adaptability of deep-sea ecosystems and the importance of unexpected food sources in these environments.
Published: May 01 2025, 2 ameznews.inAstronomers have made a surprising discovery regarding the Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest galactic neighbor, revealing that most of its satellite galaxies are oriented towards the Milky Way. This finding challenges the standard model of galaxy formation, which posits that satellite galaxies should be randomly distributed due to gravitational interactions. Instead, nearly 80% of Andromeda's 37 satellites lie within a 107° arc facing our galaxy, a configuration that occurs in less than 0.3% of similar systems in cosmological simulations. The study, published in *Nature Astronomy*, suggests that this unusual alignment may indicate a unique accretion history for Andromeda, possibly linked to a significant merger event two to three billion years ago. While the results raise questions about current cosmological models, further observations of fainter satellites are necessary to confirm these findings and explore alternative explanations.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 10 pmeznews.inGenetic analysis of hundreds of mammoths has shed light on their evolutionary history, revealing how these Ice Age giants adapted to environmental changes. Researchers from Stockholm University and the Centre for Palaeogenetics sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of 34 previously unexamined mammoths from North America and Siberia, some dating back over 129,000 years. By comparing these mitogenomes with over 200 existing samples, the study traced significant branches in the mammoth family tree to major climatic shifts and population dynamics during the Pleistocene Epoch. Notably, a population bottleneck around 285,000 years ago likely reduced genetic diversity, followed by a surge in new lineages. The findings suggest Siberia as the original homeland for mammoths and indicate that three genetic groups emerged in the Late Pleistocene, all sharing a common ancestor approximately 780,000 years ago. This research highlights the importance of mitogenomes in understanding mammoth evolution and diversity.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA coalition of experts in vaccine science and policy has launched the Vaccine Integrity Project, led by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). The initiative aims to protect vaccine use in the U.S. by ensuring it is based on sound science and free from external influences. The steering committee, co-chaired by former FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg and Dr. Harvey Fineburg, includes notable figures such as former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Dr. Anne Zink from Yale. Funded by a donation from philanthropist Christy Walton's Alumbra foundation, the Project responds to growing skepticism about vaccines, exacerbated by misinformation from influential figures, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Project will engage stakeholders to gather information and may review government messaging to ensure clarity and evidence-based guidance on vaccination, addressing concerns about declining vaccination rates and the resurgence of diseases like measles.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 10 pmeznews.inChongqing, a sprawling megacity in China, holds the title of the world's largest city by area, covering over 82,400 square kilometers—comparable to the size of Ireland or Austria. With a population exceeding 32 million, it surpasses major cities like New York and Mexico City, which are significantly smaller in both area and population. Nestled at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, Chongqing's unique geography features neighborhoods clinging to cliffs and a complex network of elevated roads and metro lines. While its vast size includes extensive rural regions, more than 70% of its population resides in the urban area. Chongqing's rapid growth began in the late 20th century, driven by China's economic reforms, transforming it into a vital transportation hub with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Despite potential population declines, Chongqing remains a symbol of China's urbanization and development.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 11 pmeznews.inNearly 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster, new research suggests that large areas of farmland near the Exclusion Zone in northern Ukraine may be safe for cultivation. Following the 1986 nuclear accident, significant amounts of harmful radionuclides contaminated the environment, leading to the establishment of a 4,200-square-kilometer exclusion zone. However, a study by UK and Ukrainian scientists found that radiation levels in the soil are now below Ukraine's safety limits and lower than natural background radiation. Their findings indicate that cesium-137 levels are sufficiently low for safe crop growth, with a trial site in Zhytomyr demonstrating a reliable method for assessing soil contamination. The researchers propose that up to 20,000 hectares of the "Zone of Obligatory Resettlement" could be farmed, although certain crops, like legumes, would remain off-limits due to higher radionuclide absorption. The study aims to help local communities reclaim the land, with previous projects even producing safe vodka from the area.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inRecent viral posts have suggested that the "52 hertz whale," often dubbed the world's loneliest whale, has found companionship. This unique whale, first detected in 1989 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, emits calls at 52 hertz, significantly higher than the typical range of blue whales. Despite its unusual frequency, which has led to speculation about its species—possibly a hybrid—the whale has survived for decades without apparent detriment. While the recent claims of a friend likely reference a 2010 detection of similar calls, no new evidence has emerged in the past 12 years. Experts, including Christopher Clark from Cornell University, suggest that the whale may not be as isolated as believed, as other whales can recognize its calls. A 2021 documentary hinted at a potential sighting of a blue-fin whale hybrid, adding a layer of intrigue to the story of this enigmatic creature.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA hidden message has been discovered on the 3,300-year-old Luxor obelisk in Paris, revealing new insights into its ancient past. Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier identified the previously undocumented inscription while examining the obelisk during renovations in December 2021. Located near the obelisk's golden tip, the hieroglyphs can only be read in 3D and were designed to convey specific messages to visitors during the reign of Ramses II. This cryptographic technique obscured the meanings, making it challenging for modern scholars to interpret. The messages, intended for nobles arriving by boat at the Luxor Temple, exalt Ramses II and encourage offerings to appease the gods, serving as propaganda to legitimize his divine rule. Olette-Pelletier plans to publish his findings in the journal ENiM, further illuminating the obelisk's historical significance.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 12 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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