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Archaeologists excavating Emperor Nero's opulent Domus Aurea in Rome have unearthed a remarkable find: a 2.4-kilogram chunk of pure Egyptian blue pigment, comparable in size to a grapefruit. This rare artifact was discovered alongside basins containing other pigments, such as red and yellow ochre, used in the palace's lavish wall decorations. The Domus Aurea, built after the Great Fire of 64 CE, exemplified Nero's extravagant lifestyle, featuring intricately designed rooms and a rotating ceiling in its famed coenatio rotunda. Egyptian blue, a highly sought-after artificial pigment in the ancient world, was prized for its ability to create lifelike tones and enhance artistic detail. Researchers at the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum are eager to continue their work, hoping to uncover more about the use of this stunning pigment in ancient artistry. "The allure conveyed by the depth of this pigment’s blue is incredible," noted Alfonsina Russo, the park's director. 
Published: Feb 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inA tweet by user BradiusZero has sparked widespread concern after sharing a scan allegedly showing a butt plug embedded dangerously within a person's body, reportedly due to a metallic core that was not disclosed by the manufacturer. The accompanying message details a personal injury case where a client, believing their butt plug was made of "100% silicone," wore it to an MRI appointment, only to have it propelled into their chest cavity by the machine's powerful magnetic field, described in a memo as an "anal rail gun." While the story raises alarms about the risks of using metal sex toys during MRI scans, skepticism surrounds its authenticity, as the image first appeared on Reddit before being deleted. Experts emphasize the importance of avoiding metallic objects in MRI settings, given the machines' strong magnetic fields, which can pose serious dangers to patients.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe largest animal ever to exist, the blue whale, currently swims in our oceans, dwarfing even the largest land mammals like elephants. While mammals did grow larger after the extinction of dinosaurs, filling ecological niches left vacant, they are unlikely to reach sizes comparable to the colossal Brachiosaurus. Research by University of Georgia's John Gittleman indicates that various mammal lineages evolved to similar maximum sizes due to shared ecological roles. Among the largest land mammals was Paraceratherium, an ancient rhinoceros ancestor weighing up to 20 tonnes. However, biological constraints limit mammalian size; as endotherms, mammals expend significantly more energy to maintain body temperature compared to ectothermic dinosaurs. Consequently, while the conditions for giant mammals may exist, their biology restricts them from achieving the massive sizes of their prehistoric counterparts. For now, the evolution of such giants remains unlikely, though lizards may still surprise us.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe remarkably preserved mummy of Lady Dai, also known as Xin Zhui, has earned the nickname "China's Sleeping Beauty" due to her exceptional condition, despite being over 2,100 years old. Discovered in the 1960s by construction workers in Mawangdui, her tomb contained thousands of artifacts from the Han dynasty, including silk manuscripts and herbal medicines. Unlike her husband, Li Cang, and a younger male relative, Lady Dai's body remains intact, with congealed blood in her veins and soft tissues preserved. Researchers attribute her preservation to her elaborate burial, which included multiple lacquered coffins and layers of silk clothing, as well as a mysterious liquid in her coffin. However, scientific studies reveal that she lived a lavish lifestyle that contributed to her poor health, leading to her death at around 50 from a heart attack, shortly after consuming a meal of musk melon seeds. Today, her remains are displayed at the Hunan Provincial Museum, attracting visitors intrigued by her longevity.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 5 ameznews.inA recent study highlights the growing threat of misinformation, which undermines societal functions and democratic processes globally. Researchers conducted five large-scale experiments with over 11,000 participants to explore proactive measures against misinformation, likening these strategies to "booster shots" for the mind. Participants engaged with text, video, and game-based interventions, such as the browser game _Bad News_, designed to expose them to common misinformation tactics. While these interventions improved participants' ability to detect misinformation, their effectiveness waned over time—lasting about a month for text-based methods and two weeks for gamified approaches. To combat this decline, researchers advocate for regular "psychological booster shots" to reinforce memory and resistance to misinformation. This approach could enhance public education and digital literacy programs, offering a scalable solution to a pervasive issue. The findings are detailed in the journal *Nature Communications*.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 ameznews.inFive years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, a new study from Imperial College London reveals the extensive toll of the crisis, estimating a loss of 16.8 million years of life among adults aged 35 and over across 18 European countries. The research highlights that over half of these lost years would have been lived without disability, emphasizing the pandemic's underestimated impact, particularly on older populations. The study also found that 3.6 to 5.3 million years were lost due to non-COVID-related mortality and indirect pandemic effects, which persisted even after vaccine rollouts began in 2021. Variability in life years lost was noted among countries, with Estonia experiencing the highest rates. Lead author Dr. Sara Ahmadi-Abhari stressed the importance of understanding these long-term consequences to enhance future pandemic preparedness and public health strategies. The findings are published in PLOS Medicine.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 3 ameznews.inResearchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) have identified approximately 40 circular sinkhole-like structures on the floor of Lake Michigan, following their discovery during a 2022 sonar survey. These depressions, measuring between 91 and 183 meters in diameter, were located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan. The sinkholes likely formed due to geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone beneath the lake. Similar formations in Lake Huron have revealed unique microbial communities, including ancient cyanobacteria and methane-producing Archaea, which thrive in oxygen-poor environments. Scientists believe that the Lake Michigan sinkholes may host comparable life forms, potentially offering insights into conditions on early Earth. Further research is planned to explore the ecological significance of these structures and their implications for understanding microbial life in extreme environments.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 1 ameznews.inNASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has photographed a rare atmospheric phenomenon known as a blue jet sprite from the International Space Station (ISS). The image, shared by fellow astronaut Don Pettit on Reddit, showcases this elusive occurrence, which is characterized by upward-directed lightning that can reach altitudes of 75-80 kilometers (47-50 miles). Although blue jets and their counterparts, red sprites, have been reported for decades by ground witnesses and pilots, their existence was only confirmed in the late 1980s through video recordings. These phenomena arise from electrical charge build-up in clouds, but unlike typical lightning, the charge moves upwards due to a layer of negative charge above. Despite advancements in capturing these events, scientists still seek to understand the conditions that trigger sprites and their connection to gravity waves, highlighting the need for further research from both ground and space.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 3 ameznews.inGeese, often underestimated as mere farm animals, possess unique adaptations that make them formidable protectors, sometimes referred to as "Guard Geese." While they lack true teeth, their tongues feature sharp, barbed structures known as tomia, made of cartilage rather than enamel. These serrated protrusions enhance their ability to consume tough vegetation, allowing them to effectively rip roots, stems, and aquatic plants from the ground. Vanessa Amaral-Rogers from the RSPB explains that these adaptations serve a similar purpose to teeth, aiding in the clamping down on small mammals and insects. Interestingly, similar barbed structures are found in other bird species, showcasing a fascinating example of convergent evolution linked to feeding habits. Despite their lack of traditional teeth, geese's tomia are sharp and effective, making them surprisingly fierce when it comes to defending their territory.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study reveals that around 100,000 years ago, a group of _Homo sapiens_-like humans buried five individuals at Timshenet cave, accompanied by grave goods such as animal remains and red ochre. This practice coincided with neighboring archaic hominids, suggesting a cultural exchange that fostered a unified set of traditions among diverse human clans, including Neanderthal-like populations. Researchers found that these groups employed identical hunting strategies and tool-making methods, indicating a shared culture despite differing genetic backgrounds. The study highlights the Levant as a significant site for early human burials, with similar funerary practices observed across various locations, including Qafzeh and Skhul. The presence of specific stone tool technologies and symbolic elements like ochre points to advanced social behaviors emerging from these interactions. The findings, published in *Nature Human Behaviour*, underscore the complex relationships between different _Homo_ lineages during the Middle Palaeolithic.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 11 pmeznews.inHumans exhibit a remarkable array of genetic mutations, many of which are beneficial rather than harmful. Notably, blue eyes, a mutation traced back to 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, arose from changes in the HERC2 gene, affecting pigment production in the iris. Lactose tolerance, another significant mutation, emerged around 10,000 years ago among European dairy farmers, allowing some adults to continue digesting milk. Red hair, found in only 4 to 5 percent of the population, is more common in northern Europe, likely due to genetic drift. Additionally, approximately 36 percent of Northeast Asians experience "Asian flush," a reaction to alcohol linked to a mutation in the ALDH2 gene. Lastly, around 40 percent of Asians and varying percentages of other ethnic groups lack wisdom teeth, a trait believed to have evolved as human diets softened. These mutations illustrate the complex interplay of genetics and human evolution.
Published: Mar 10 2025, 6 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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