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Astronomers have made significant strides in understanding the universe's composition, revealing that ordinary matter constitutes only about 5% of its total matter-energy content, with the remainder being dark matter and dark energy. For years, over a third of ordinary matter was unaccounted for, believed to exist in the intergalactic space. Recent studies utilizing Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) have confirmed the presence of this elusive matter, as the radio signals are affected by intergalactic gas, allowing researchers to estimate its quantity. This work was corroborated by X-ray observations from the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton and Japan’s Suzaku telescopes, which measured hot gas in the Shapley Supercluster, a massive structure containing over 8,000 galaxies. The findings align closely with existing cosmic models, enhancing our understanding of the universe's structure and the distribution of matter within it. The research was published in *Nature Astronomy* and *Astronomy & Astrophysics*. 
Published: Jul 24 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe concept of infectious cancer, while reminiscent of dystopian fiction, has been observed in nature, notably in dogs and Tasmanian devils. The most studied case is the canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT), first identified in 1876, which spreads primarily through mating among canids, including dogs and wolves. CTVT tumors, characterized by ghastly red growths, respond well to chemotherapy, leading to high survival rates, particularly in Western countries. In contrast, the Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease (DFTD), identified in 1996, has devastated up to 90% of the devil population, as it is nearly always fatal and often goes undetected by the immune system. Other rare instances of transmissible tumors have been noted in laboratory hamsters and soft shell clams, the latter presenting a unique mystery as the cancer spreads without direct contact. Currently, humans remain unaffected by such transmissible cancers.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 6 pmeznews.inResearchers at CERN's Antimatter Factory have achieved a significant milestone by creating the first quantum bit, or qubit, using an antiproton, a particle with an opposite charge to protons. This breakthrough, part of the BASE collaboration's efforts, aims to explore the mysteries surrounding the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance. While the antiproton qubit was stable for only 50 seconds, it allowed scientists to conduct coherence spectroscopy to measure the antiproton's magnetic moment, potentially revealing differences that could challenge existing particle physics theories. Although the current setup is primarily for research rather than practical quantum computing applications, it opens avenues for more precise measurements in future experiments. The team plans to transport the produced antimatter to a less congested lab in Germany for further testing. The findings were published in the journal *Nature*, highlighting the ongoing quest to understand fundamental physics.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA team of computer scientists has made a significant breakthrough in solving the Distinct Elements Problem, a long-standing challenge in computer science that involves counting unique items. Led by Vinodchandran Variyam from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, along with colleagues from the Indian Statistical Institute and the University of Toronto, the researchers developed a new algorithm, known as the CVM algorithm, which simplifies the counting process using a sampling strategy. This innovative approach drastically reduces memory requirements, making it particularly useful in the era of big data. The algorithm's effectiveness and simplicity have garnered attention from experts, including Donald Knuth, who praised its potential to become a standard topic in computer science education. Since its introduction in January 2023, the CVM algorithm has been recognized for its practical applications in fields such as network analysis and bioinformatics, with ongoing efforts to refine and teach the method in academic settings.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 1 pmeznews.inGold, while chemically unremarkable due to its low reactivity, captivates humanity with its rarity and lustrous appearance, making it a preferred currency and a popular choice for jewelry. The unique shine of gold can be explained through quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of relativity. Despite having a similar electron configuration to silver, gold's heavy nucleus, containing 79 protons, exerts a stronger pull on its innermost electrons, causing them to move at relativistic speeds. This contraction of electron shells results in a lower energy requirement for electrons to transition to higher energy states when exposed to light. Consequently, gold absorbs blue light while reflecting the reds and greens, giving it its distinctive yellow hue. This phenomenon highlights the intricate relationship between atomic structure and the visual properties of elements, underscoring why gold remains so highly valued.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers have successfully counted over 41,000 giant South American river turtles (_Podocnemis expansa_), marking the largest known turtle nesting site globally, located on the Guaporé River sandbanks between Brazil and Bolivia. This annual congregation occurs from July to August, but has diminished due to overexploitation for meat and eggs. Utilizing a combination of aerial imagery and innovative modeling techniques, the team employed drones to capture thousands of images of the nesting site. To address the challenge of turtle movement, they marked over 1,000 turtles with white paint, allowing for more accurate tracking. The study revealed significant discrepancies in population estimates when comparing traditional counting methods with their model, highlighting the importance of accurate data for conservation efforts. The findings, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, suggest that this methodology could be adapted for monitoring other wildlife species in the future.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 12 ameznews.inAstronomers have been investigating a perplexing phenomenon where stars seem to vanish without a trace, with the Vanishing and Appearing Sources during a Century of Observations (VASCO) project identifying around 100 such cases over the past 70 years. A new study suggests that massive stars may collapse directly into black holes without the expected supernova explosion, a theory supported by observations of the binary star system VFTS 243 at the Milky Way's edge. Researchers found evidence indicating that the black hole formed with minimal baryonic ejecta, implying a total collapse scenario. This could explain the sudden disappearance of some stars, as they might extinguish without any visible explosion. Co-author Alejandro Vigna-Gómez noted that such collapses could render a star invisible in the night sky. The findings, published in *Physical Review Letters*, mark a significant step in understanding stellar evolution and the mechanisms behind these mysterious disappearances.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA remarkable late Cretaceous trackway discovered in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada, reveals the footprints of at least nine dinosaurs from four species, including two large tyrannosaurs. While the exact interactions between these predators and other dinosaurs remain unclear, the evidence suggests that different prey species may have moved together, akin to modern herding behaviors seen in animals like zebras and wildebeests. Dr. Phil Bell, who has studied the area for nearly two decades, noted the significance of the footprints, which include those of ceratopsians and potentially ankylosaurs, indicating a possible communal movement towards a waterhole. The study highlights the potential benefits of multispecies herding in evading predators, although it remains uncertain whether this behavior was common among dinosaurs. Researchers are optimistic that further exploration of the park will yield more insights into dinosaur interactions and behaviors. The findings are detailed in a study published in PLOS ONE.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inHumanity has successfully landed probes on Mars and Venus, but missions to Mercury pose challenges due to its proximity to the Sun. While gas giants Jupiter and Saturn are unsuitable for soft landings due to their hydrogen and helium composition, probes have been sent to crash into them to protect moons like Europa from contamination. NASA's Galileo spacecraft, for instance, entered Jupiter's atmosphere at nearly 108,000 miles per hour, transmitting data for about an hour before its demise. In contrast, the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, primarily composed of gases and fluids under high pressure, also lack solid surfaces. Although they may have rocky cores, any probe attempting to descend would be crushed by extreme conditions. Space agencies are exploring ways to send probes to these distant worlds, with ongoing efforts to develop thermal protection systems capable of withstanding their harsh atmospheres.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 4 ameznews.inFor the first time in 80 years, a new generation of aspen trees has emerged in Yellowstone's northern range, attributed to the reintroduction of wolves in the 1990s, according to a study by Oregon State University. After wolves were eradicated in the early 20th century, elk populations surged, leading to overgrazing that hindered young trees' growth and negatively impacted other wildlife. The return of wolves has reportedly initiated a "trophic cascade," allowing aspen sapling density to increase by over 152-fold between 1998 and 2021. Lead researcher Luke Painter hailed this as a significant ecological restoration, with one-third of aspen stands now showing abundant saplings. However, some scientists caution that the effects of wolf reintroduction may be overstated, suggesting that while important, apex predators alone may not swiftly restore ecosystems. A 2024 study from Colorado State University found limited evidence of immediate ecological changes following the wolves' return.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inResearchers at the University of Florida have developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that could pave the way for a "universal" cancer vaccine, enhancing existing cancer treatments. Tested in mice, the vaccine demonstrated a robust antitumor response when combined with immunotherapy, notably a PD-1 inhibitor, without targeting specific tumors. Senior author Elias Sayour highlighted the unexpected finding that a non-specific mRNA vaccine could still elicit tumor-specific effects. This approach differs from traditional cancer vaccines, which typically target specific proteins or are personalized for individual patients. The study suggests that this innovative vaccine could stimulate the immune system broadly, potentially leading to an "off-the-shelf" solution for various cancers. Co-author Duane Mitchell emphasized the profound implications of this research, which could revolutionize cancer treatment. While still in early stages, the findings, published in *Nature Biomedical Engineering*, signal significant advancements in mRNA technology's application in oncology.
Published: Jul 22 2025, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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