eznews.inAstronomers worldwide are closely monitoring Comet 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar visitor discovered just a week ago, which exhibits significant differences from its predecessors, ‘Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov. Initial analyses suggest that 3I/ATLAS originates from a distinct region of the galaxy, likely the thick disk, and may be older than the Solar System itself. Matthew Hopkins, who recently defended his PhD thesis on interstellar objects, is leading research efforts to understand this comet's unique characteristics, including its remarkable speed of approximately 57 kilometers per second. Observations indicate that 3I/ATLAS is redder than typical Solar System comets, hinting at its long exposure to cosmic rays. Researchers believe that as the comet approaches the Sun, it may exhibit increased cometary activity, potentially revealing more about its water content and origins. The findings, which have been submitted for peer review, underscore the excitement surrounding the study of interstellar objects and their implications for understanding planetary formation. 
Published: Sep 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has reported promising news regarding the healing of the ozone hole over Antarctica, indicating that the ozone layer is on track for full recovery by the end of this century. The 2024 ozone hole was significantly smaller than in previous years, with a peak ozone mass deficit of 46.1 million tonnes, well below the 1990-2020 average. This improvement is attributed to international efforts, particularly the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that this achievement demonstrates the power of global cooperation in addressing environmental issues. If current policies remain effective, the ozone layer is expected to fully recover by 2066 over Antarctica, 2045 over the Arctic, and 2040 globally. However, experts caution that addressing climate change presents a far more complex challenge than the successful restoration of the ozone layer.
Published: Sep 18 2025, 2 ameznews.inIn January 1992, a storm in the Pacific Ocean led to the accidental release of 28,800 plastic bath toys, including rubber ducks, frogs, beavers, and turtles, from a shipping container. This unexpected event provided oceanographers, particularly Curtis Ebbesmeyer, with a unique opportunity to study ocean currents. The toys, dubbed "Friendly Floatees," began washing ashore in Alaska later that year, and their movements were tracked using a computer model called OSCAR, which combined weather data to predict their paths. Over the years, some toys reached the coasts of Japan and the UK, while others became trapped in Arctic ice. Ebbesmeyer coined the term "Flotsametrics" to describe the study of these drifting objects, which has since informed ocean science and inspired further research into plastic pollution. The story of the Friendly Floatees has even been featured in David Attenborough's _Blue Planet II_.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a bizarre case from 1928, documented in The Indian Medical Gazette, Dr. Kubab treated a 36-year-old man bitten by a cobra using an unconventional method involving live chickens. The patient, who initially showed no symptoms beyond numbness, faced a dire situation as the doctor lacked antivenom. Instead, he resorted to an old folk remedy from the Ratnagiri district, applying the anuses of 96 chickens to the snake bite. Over three hours, 74 chickens died, while others showed signs of recovery. Despite the gruesome treatment, the efficacy of this method was questioned, with the Gazette's editor noting the improbability of extracting venom in such a manner. Modern medical experts warn against such outdated practices, emphasizing that they can cause more harm than good by delaying proper treatment and risking further injury.
Published: Sep 18 2025, 12 ameznews.inNew research challenges the long-held view of _Homo habilis_ as the first human species to dominate the food chain, suggesting instead that these early hominins were more prey than predator. Approximately 2 million years ago, _H. habilis_ is believed to have scavenged from the kills of large carnivores, but a study analyzing remains from Olduvai Gorge indicates that they were likely hunted by leopards. Using AI to examine bite marks on two _H. habilis_ specimens, researchers found a greater than 90% probability that these individuals were preyed upon by leopards, contradicting previous assumptions that they were merely scavenged by hyenas. This revelation implies that _H. habilis_ may not have been the apex scavenger it was once thought to be, with _Homo erectus_ emerging as a more likely candidate for the first hominin to successfully compete with large predators. The findings are detailed in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn recent years, scientists have been held to stringent ethical standards, largely in response to past experiments that raised serious moral concerns. Notable among these is the Little Albert experiment (1920), where psychologists John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner conditioned an infant to fear fluffy objects, causing potential long-term psychological harm. Similarly, Stanley Milgram's obedience study (1961) revealed that participants would administer what they believed were dangerous electric shocks to others under authority pressure, with 65% delivering the maximum voltage. The infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972) involved 600 Black men who were misled about their health, suffering severe consequences as researchers observed untreated syphilis. Lastly, the Stanford prison experiment (1971) demonstrated how quickly individuals could conform to abusive roles, leading to psychological trauma. These historical cases underscore the necessity for ethical oversight in research involving human subjects.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have decoded the genome of the sweet potato, revealing its complex genetic structure for the first time. This significant milestone, announced in September 2025, is crucial as the sweet potato is a vital global crop known for its resilience in extreme climates and minimal need for pesticides. Researchers focused on the "Tanzania" variety, successfully phasing its 90 chromosomes into six sets, a feat complicated by the vegetable's hybrid nature as a "segmental allopolyploid." This unique genomic architecture contributes to the sweet potato's adaptability and hardiness, allowing it to thrive in diverse environments. The findings, published in *Nature Plants*, pave the way for future enhancements in crop yield and nutritional content, with potential applications extending to other staple crops like wheat and bananas. The study underscores the importance of understanding the genetic makeup of key food sources in addressing global food security challenges.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA new study from the University of Maine challenges the traditional "March of Progress" depiction of human evolution, suggesting that our species is not at its pinnacle but rather in the midst of a significant evolutionary shift driven by culture. Researchers Tim Waring and Zachary Wood propose that humans are evolving towards a state of eusociality, akin to ant colonies, where cultural groups function as superorganisms. This shift, they argue, is evident in societal responses to crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where communities acted collectively rather than as isolated individuals. The study highlights that cultural evolution is outpacing genetic evolution, with advancements in technology and social organization enabling humans to solve problems more effectively. Waring emphasizes that our future may increasingly depend on the adaptability of our societies rather than our genetic makeup, marking a transformative phase in human evolution. The findings are detailed in the journal BioScience.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new study suggests that ancient humans may have developed long-distance hunting weaponry over 300,000 years ago, a topic that has sparked considerable debate among anthropologists. Researchers analyzed wooden spears from sites in Clacton-on-Sea, Schöningen, and Lehringen, finding that the point of balance in the Schöningen spears indicated they were designed for throwing, while the Lehringen spear was more suited for thrusting. The study challenges previous methods of determining spear function based solely on tip cross-sections, which often overlap between thrusting and throwing designs. Instead, the researchers argue that measurements of length and balance are more reliable indicators. Their findings, supported by experiments with spear replicas, suggest that the technological capability for projectile hunting existed at least 300,000 years ago, marking a significant advancement in prehistoric weaponry. The study is published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn many European and Asian bathrooms, you may encounter toilets equipped with two flush buttons, a design aimed at promoting water conservation. The larger button typically activates a "full flush" for solid waste, while the smaller button triggers a "half flush" for liquid waste, reflecting the adage, "if it’s brown, flush it down; if it’s yellow, let it mellow." This dual-flush system is a response to longstanding concerns about water usage, particularly in regions like Australia, where single-flush toilets can consume up to 12 liters per flush. In contrast, dual-flush models can reduce this to as little as 3 liters, potentially saving households around 25,000 liters of water annually. So, next time you face a dual-flush toilet, remember: choose wisely to help conserve this precious resource.
Published: Sep 17 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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