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Astronomers studying interstellar object 3I/ATLAS have observed unexpected changes as it nears perihelion, including a second color shift and signs of non-gravitational acceleration. Initially spotted on July 1, 2023, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, this comet has been confirmed as the third interstellar visitor to our Solar System, following 1I/'Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov. Recent observations indicate that 3I/ATLAS has brightened significantly, now visible with small telescopes, and exhibits a distinctly bluer hue. The comet's acceleration, measured at 1.36 astronomical units from the Sun, suggests it is losing mass due to outgassing, a typical cometary behavior. While some speculate about extraterrestrial origins, most astronomers dismiss these claims. As the comet continues its journey, further observations are anticipated to clarify its unusual characteristics and behavior, with the European Space Agency's Juice spacecraft poised to gather more data in November. 
Published: Nov 04 2025, 6 pmeznews.inWhile the Big Bang model remains the dominant explanation for the universe's origins, alternative theories continue to intrigue cosmologists. The Big Bang was supported by the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1964, which earned them a Nobel Prize. However, historical perspectives included the notion of a static universe, which was prevalent before Edwin Hubble's observations of distant galaxies. Among the alternatives are the "Big Bounce" theory, suggesting a cyclical universe of expansions and contractions, and Roger Penrose's Conformal Cyclic Cosmology, which posits repeated cycles of universe creation without a big crunch. Another idea, eternal inflation, proposes that while some regions of the universe undergo rapid inflation, others develop into bubble universes with distinct physical laws. Despite their appeal, these theories currently lack robust evidence, leaving the Big Bang and inflation as the most substantiated models of cosmic evolution.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA 60-year-old man, referred to as RFS, has lost the ability to recognize the digits 2 to 9 due to a rare degenerative brain disorder, yet he can still identify letters and the numbers 1 and 0. Initially noticing symptoms in late 2010, RFS became completely unable to comprehend these digits by August 2011, perceiving them instead as abstract scribbles. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, studying RFS's brain activity, discovered that he was processing visual information without awareness; for instance, he could not identify a face embedded in a number, but his brain still recognized it. This case challenges previous assumptions about visual awareness, suggesting that detection and conscious recognition are separate processes. Lead author Teresa Schubert emphasized the importance of this study in understanding unusual cognitive deficits, highlighting RFS's resilience in adapting to his condition.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inResearchers studying magnetic deposits from the Ediacaran Period, which spanned from 630 to 541 million years ago, have identified a pattern in the rocks of Morocco's Anti-Atlas Mountains that suggests rapid shifts in the Earth's magnetic field rather than random fluctuations. This period was characterized by a significant weakening of the magnetic field, sometimes to one-tenth of its usual strength, coinciding with the emergence of the first large, mobile Ediacaran animals. Yale's Professor David Evans and his team employed a new statistical analysis method to reveal that changes in magnetic orientation occurred over thousands of years, challenging previous assumptions about the stability of the magnetic field. Their findings indicate that the magnetic poles may have flip-flopped rather than shifted around the planet's axis, raising questions about the underlying causes of these anomalies. The study aims to enhance understanding of tectonic movements and magnetic behavior throughout Earth's history.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Maldives has made history by becoming the first nation to implement a generational tobacco ban, effective November 1, which prohibits anyone born on or after January 1, 2007, from purchasing, using, or selling tobacco products. The Ministry of Health hailed the ban as a significant step towards safeguarding public health and fostering a tobacco-free generation. Tobacco use, linked to numerous health issues including cancer, stroke, and heart disease, claims over 7 million lives annually, according to the World Health Organization. While the Maldives leads in this initiative, it follows New Zealand's earlier attempt to introduce a similar law, which was repealed in 2022 due to financial concerns. Other countries, including the UK and Massachusetts in the US, are also exploring generational tobacco bans, reflecting a growing global movement to combat tobacco-related health risks.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 ameznews.inPsychedelic drugs are gaining attention for their potential in treating depression and other mental health issues, yet their more unusual effects remain largely unexplored. A recent study published in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology categorizes various "anomalous experiences" associated with psychedelics, which often defy conventional scientific explanations. Author David Luke highlights phenomena such as synesthesia, where senses intertwine, and "extradimensional percepts," which reveal geometric forms beyond normal perception. Out-of-body experiences are reported by 44% of users, while near-death experiences occur in about a third of 5-MeO-DMT users. Additionally, 70% of ayahuasca users report interspecies communication, often conveying ecological messages. The study also notes that 19-40% of users experience mediumistic phenomena, such as spirit possession. While the research does not validate these experiences, it underscores the vast and largely misunderstood effects of psychedelics.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) has reported the first human case of the H3N8 bird flu, involving a four-year-old boy from Henan province who fell ill earlier this month. The child developed symptoms on April 5 and was hospitalized on April 10, with tests confirming the H3N8 strain on April 24. While the virus is common in animals like horses and dogs, it has never been documented in humans before. Experts express concern over potential mutations that could enhance its ability to infect humans, although the NHC assesses the risk of a widespread outbreak as low, noting that all close contacts of the boy tested negative. The NHC advises the public to avoid contact with sick or dead poultry and to maintain good hygiene practices. This case highlights ongoing concerns about zoonotic diseases as human encroachment into wildlife habitats increases.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 6 ameznews.inA rare case of bird flu has been confirmed in a resident of the South West of England, marking the first human infection with the H5N1 strain in the UK. The individual, who has had regular contact with infected birds, is reported to be in good health, and health authorities have assessed the risk to the public as very low. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has traced all contacts of the infected person, who is currently self-isolating, and found no evidence of further transmission. Experts emphasize that while bird-to-human transmission of avian flu is uncommon and typically requires close contact with infected birds, the situation is being closely monitored. Professor Isabel Oliver from UKHSA reassured the public that robust systems are in place to detect such cases early, and there is currently no indication that this strain can spread between humans.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 7 ameznews.inA staggering 99 percent of people carry "forever chemicals," or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in their bodies, raising concerns over potential health risks. These synthetic compounds, used for their waterproof and stain-resistant properties in everyday items like non-stick cookware and fast food packaging, are designed to persist in the environment and human tissue. A recent study by researchers from UC San Francisco and the University of Colorado uncovered internal documents from DuPont and 3M, revealing that these companies were aware of the dangers of PFAS but chose to conceal this information, mirroring tactics used by the tobacco industry. Despite evidence of toxicity and links to birth defects, the companies misled the public and regulators, claiming safety. The findings highlight significant regulatory failures in the U.S. as countries worldwide seek to limit PFAS production amid growing health concerns.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn the Gulf of California, a pod of orcas known as Moctezuma's pod has developed a unique technique for hunting great white sharks, specifically targeting their livers. This brutal method involves ramming the sharks to induce a state of tonic immobility, flipping them upside down to immobilize them before extracting their nutrient-rich livers. A recent study has confirmed that these orcas are regularly preying on juvenile great whites, raising questions about how these younger sharks are adapting to this new threat. While adult sharks have learned to flee from orcas, researchers are investigating whether juveniles possess similar anti-predator instincts or if they remain vulnerable in nursery areas. The study highlights the orcas' sophisticated hunting strategies and the potential impact on shark populations, as they exploit the energy reserves stored in the sharks' livers, which can weigh over 600 kilograms.
Published: Nov 04 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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