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A recent TikTok video by creator @zachdfilms3 has sparked interest in the historical fact that the English alphabet once included 27 letters, with the ampersand ("&") recognized as the 27th. The video explains that the ampersand, which signified "and," was taught to be pronounced as "per se" when reciting the alphabet, resulting in the sequence "Q R S T U V W X Y Z &." This symbol was part of nursery rhymes and was officially recognized in the English language by 1835, but it fell out of use by the late 19th century. The evolution of the English language has seen the loss of other letters, such as thorn (þ) and wynn (ƿ), while letters like U and J were only added in the 1500s. Experts suggest that while standardized spelling may prevent further losses, changes in language are always possible. 
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe World Magnetic Model 2025 has been released, marking a significant update on the shifting position of Earth's magnetic north pole, which is now closer to Siberia than Canada. This model, valid until late 2029, is crucial for navigation systems like GPS, as the magnetic north pole has been moving at an accelerated rate, now shifting approximately 50 to 60 kilometers per year. Since the 1830s, the pole has relocated about 2,250 kilometers across the Northern Hemisphere. The new model offers improved spatial resolution, enhancing accuracy for users reliant on the Earth's magnetic field. Dr. William Brown from the British Geological Survey noted that the current behavior of the magnetic north is unprecedented, with a recent deceleration in its movement observed. This timely update is particularly relevant as the holiday season approaches, ensuring accurate navigation for various sectors, including shipping and aviation.
Published: Jan 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inA recent study conducted by researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine has found a surprising correlation between nose size and penis length, suggesting that one might be able to infer a person's penis size by examining their facial features. The study, which analyzed 126 male corpses aged 30 to 50, measured various anatomical features, including the length of the nose and the "stretched penile length," a method used to estimate erect size post-mortem. The findings indicated that larger noses were associated with longer stretched penises, although no strong correlation was found with flaccid length. While the research offers intriguing insights into human anatomy, the authors noted that the results have limited forensic applications and warrant further investigation to understand the underlying biological mechanisms. The study was published in the journal Basic and Clinical Andrology.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 8 pmeznews.inArchaeologists remain hesitant to open the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, due to fears of damaging the site and the potential dangers posed by ancient booby traps and toxic mercury. Discovered in 1974 near Shaanxi province, the Terracotta Army was created to protect the emperor in the afterlife, but the tomb itself has remained untouched for over 2,000 years. Concerns about invasive excavation methods damaging vital historical information echo past mistakes, such as those made by Heinrich Schliemann during the Troy excavations. While non-invasive techniques, like using muons to peer inside, have been proposed, progress has been slow. Historical accounts suggest the tomb is rigged with traps, including crossbows and a flood of mercury, which recent studies indicate may still be present in hazardous concentrations. For now, the tomb remains sealed, holding secrets that may one day be revealed through scientific advancements.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 2 ameznews.inTahlequah, the orca renowned for her profound display of grief, has been spotted once again carrying the body of her deceased calf, J61, just days after giving birth. The female calf, observed in Puget Sound on December 20, 2024, tragically died on New Year’s Eve, only 11 days after her birth. The Center for Whale Research (CWR) noted that J61's death is particularly devastating as she was a female who could have contributed to the population's future. Concerns have been raised about Tahlequah's health, as she had previously shown signs of poor condition. This heartbreaking behavior mirrors her actions in 2018, when she carried another dead calf for 17 days, covering over 1,600 kilometers. Experts suggest this behavior reflects the strong maternal bond in orcas, while the CWR continues to monitor Tahlequah's well-being during this difficult time.
Published: Jan 06 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe "blue seven phenomenon" suggests a surprising predictability in human choice, with many people likely to select "blue" as a color and "seven" as a number when prompted. Research dating back to the 1970s, notably by William Simon, found that a significant number of participants—nearly one in three for seven and over two in five for blue—consistently made these selections, indicating a potential innate preference. While blue is widely favored across cultures, associated with positive feelings and lacking taboos, the number seven stands out due to its cultural significance and perception as a "random" choice. However, subsequent studies have questioned the connection between the two, revealing that while both preferences exist, they do not necessarily correlate. Thus, while many may choose "blue" and "seven," the likelihood of selecting both simultaneously is less certain than previously thought.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA physicist from Vanderbilt University, Lorenzo Gavassino, has proposed a solution to the infamous "grandfather paradox," suggesting that time travel to the past may not be impossible within the framework of known physics. The grandfather paradox posits that if one were to kill their grandfather before their parent was born, it would create a logical inconsistency. While Stephen Hawking's chronology protection conjecture suggested that undiscovered laws of physics would prevent such time travel, Gavassino's research explores the implications of "closed timelike curves" (CTCs) in spacetime. He argues that while traversing a CTC, entropy must increase, but the universe would return to its initial state, erasing any memories of the journey. His findings indicate that time travel, if it exists, would not resemble typical science fiction narratives, as thermal fluctuations would disrupt causation and memory retention. The study is published in *Classical and Quantum Gravity*.
Published: Jan 10 2025, 12 ameznews.inScientists have identified the oldest equatorial dinosaur, _Ahvaytum bahndooiveche_, dating back 230 million years, making it North America's oldest dinosaur. Discovered in Wyoming, which was once near the equator on the supercontinent Laurasia, this chicken-sized dinosaur challenges previous assumptions about the timeline of dinosaur presence in the northern hemisphere. Researchers, led by Dave Lovelace from the University of Wisconsin, determined its age through radioisotopic dating of the surrounding rocks, revealing it as an early relative of sauropods. The name _Ahvaytum_, meaning "long ago" in the Shoshone language, reflects its ancient lineage and marks a significant collaboration with Indigenous communities, aiming to foster a more reciprocal research relationship. Amanda LeClair-Diaz, a co-author and member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, emphasized the importance of this partnership in reshaping research dynamics within Indigenous contexts. The findings are published in the *Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society*.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study led by Dr. Volker Nehring from the University of Freiburg reveals that black garden ants (_Lasius niger_) possess the ability to remember past encounters with rival nests, leading to increased aggression towards those they have previously clashed with. The research involved exposing ants to members of their own nest and two rival nests over five days, demonstrating that aggression escalated with repeated encounters. Notably, ants that had prior negative interactions with a rival nest were more aggressive towards them than those with no history. This behavior suggests an evolutionary advantage, as frequent encounters likely indicate competition for resources. The findings challenge the notion that insects act solely on instinct, highlighting their capacity for learning and memory. The study draws parallels to human behavior, where conflicts often arise among close neighbors rather than distant foes, suggesting deeper insights into social dynamics across species.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe US Space Force's X-37B spaceplane has marked over a year in orbit since its launch on December 28, 2023, although its specific activities remain largely undisclosed. This experimental vehicle, designed by Boeing and managed by the US Air Force, is known for its long missions, having previously completed a record 908 days in orbit during its sixth flight in 2022. Recently, the X-37B successfully executed a novel aerobraking maneuver to dispose of some module components, contributing to efforts to manage space debris. While the military describes its mission as focused on "risk reduction, experimentation, and concept development for reusable space technologies," the true purpose of the X-37B continues to spark speculation, with some suggesting it could serve as a spy plane or weapon. However, its visibility during re-entry and tracking capabilities have largely dispelled these theories.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe United States' failure to adopt the metric system can be traced back to an unfortunate incident involving pirates in the late 18th century. Following its independence, the US sought a unified measurement system, with Thomas Jefferson advocating for the French metric system. In 1793, France sent a kilogram weight and scientist Joseph Dombey to assist in this transition. However, their ship was captured by British-backed privateers in the Caribbean, leading to Dombey and his crew's demise in captivity. The kilogram was later auctioned off and eventually ended up at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. While other factors, such as costs and public resistance, have hindered metric adoption, this pirate-related mishap remains a notable historical footnote in the story of America's measurement systems. Today, the US continues to use its customary units, developed in the wake of this lost opportunity.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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