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On November 16, 1974, the Arecibo radio telescope transmitted a groundbreaking message to the stars, marking a significant technological demonstration rather than a genuine attempt to contact extraterrestrial life. Directed towards the Messier 13 globular cluster, located over 22,000 light-years from Earth, the message is unlikely to reach any intelligent civilization, even if one exists there, for another 22,000 years. The binary-coded message, crafted by scientists including Frank Drake and Carl Sagan, conveyed fundamental information about humanity, including the numbers one to ten, key elements of DNA, Earth's population at the time, and a schematic of the solar system. Despite its simplistic design, the message has sparked ongoing debate about the implications of messaging extraterrestrial intelligence (METI), with concerns that it could attract unwanted attention from potential alien civilizations. The Arecibo telescope, which has since been damaged and decommissioned, has left a legacy that may outlast humanity itself. 
Published: Apr 10 2025, 11 ameznews.inTourists and researchers aboard a whale-watching boat off Western Australia experienced a dramatic encounter when they witnessed a pygmy blue whale being hunted and killed by a pod of over 60 orcas. The pygmy blue whale, a subspecies of the largest animal on Earth, measures around 18 meters (59 feet) and is classified as Endangered under Australian law. The intense predation lasted less than 40 minutes, as multiple orca pods collaborated to take down the whale, with marine biologist Jennah Tucker noting the involvement of at least five family groups. Following the kill, the orcas celebrated by breaching and slapping their tails in the water. This event marks only the fourth documented instance of orcas preying on pygmy blue whales, highlighting the unique marine biodiversity of Bremer Canyon, which has become a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts hoping to witness such rare occurrences.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study has shed light on the perplexing condition of Long COVID, which can persist for months or years after the initial infection. Researchers followed 24 COVID-19 patients for up to 900 days, focusing on T cells—immune cells that may play a crucial role in the condition. Unlike previous studies, this research utilized PET scans to observe T cell behavior, revealing patterns of long-term activation in various body parts, including the lungs and gut. This suggests that some individuals may harbor reservoirs of the virus, potentially explaining their ongoing symptoms. While the findings are not definitive, they represent a significant advancement in understanding Long COVID and could pave the way for targeted therapies. The study, published in *Science Translational Medicine*, highlights the urgent need for new clinical trials to address the challenges faced by millions suffering from this debilitating condition.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking study published in PLOS One, researchers from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) revealed the results of an unprecedented experiment where they dropped alligators 2,000 meters into the Gulf of Mexico to observe deep-sea scavengers. The study aimed to understand how these creatures would respond to an unusual food source, as alligators are typically found in freshwater. Remarkably, giant isopods were quick to penetrate the tough hides of the alligators, consuming one within 24 hours. Another alligator was stripped of all soft tissue in just 51 days, leading to the discovery of a new species of bone-eating worm, a first for the Gulf region. However, the fate of a third alligator remains a mystery, as it vanished along with its weights, likely taken by a large shark. The findings highlight the adaptability of deep-sea ecosystems in utilizing available food sources.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 6 ameznews.inWhale earwax, often dismissed as an unappetizing substance, is proving to be a valuable scientific resource, according to Richard Sabin, Principal Curator at the Natural History Museum in London. In the museum's new gallery, _How To Fix Our Broken Planet_, Sabin highlights how layers of earwax, or earplugs, can reveal crucial information about the whales' health and the pollutants in our oceans. These fatty deposits, which can grow up to 1.6 feet long, accumulate throughout a whale's life, preserving a record of its age, hormonal changes, and exposure to environmental toxins. Research has shown that stress hormone levels in whales peaked during the height of commercial whaling, and alarming levels of banned pollutants still persist in marine ecosystems. The gallery aims to raise awareness of human impact on the environment while inspiring visitors to advocate for change, emphasizing the need for collective action to protect our oceans and wildlife.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a thought-provoking exploration of Earth's atmosphere, NASA experts reveal that no astronaut has truly left it, as even the International Space Station (ISS) operates within its bounds. While the Kármán line, set at 100 kilometers above sea level, is commonly recognized as the edge of space, recent studies suggest that Earth's atmosphere extends far beyond this point, potentially reaching nearly 391,000 miles into space. This includes a cloud of hydrogen atoms known as the geocorona, which still contains a measurable density of particles even at lunar distances. Igor Baliukin from Russia’s Space Research Institute noted that the Moon itself traverses this atmospheric expanse. The complexity of defining where space begins is further compounded by the fact that both Earth and the Moon exist within the Sun's atmosphere, illustrating that the boundaries of our atmosphere and space are not as clear-cut as once thought.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a fascinating study on the mating habits of the Japanese rice fish, or medaka (_Oryzias latipes_), researchers have revealed that male fish can mate up to 27 times a day, significantly impacting fertilization rates. Conducted during the breeding season from April to September, the study involved placing a male with multiple females to observe mating frequency and sperm quality. Initial matings yielded a high fertilization rate of nearly 100%, but this declined sharply after the 10th mating, indicating that females may waste their eggs if they mate with overworked males. The research, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, highlights the intricate relationship between gamete production costs and sexual selection, providing new insights into the reproductive strategies of this unassuming species found in Japan's marshlands and rice fields.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inGorillas in the Republic of Congo's Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park have been observed foraging for truffles, specifically the deer truffle species _Elaphomyces labyrinthinus_, rather than the insects previously assumed. This discovery, made during daily observations of four gorilla groups in the Goualougo and Djéké Triangles, adds gorillas to the small group of animals known to seek out truffles, a behavior also seen in bonobos and some wild mammals. Researchers noted that truffle hunting may have social or cultural implications, as only certain gorilla groups engage in this behavior, which can be influenced by group migration. The study, led by Indigenous researcher Gaston Abea, highlights the importance of traditional knowledge in scientific research, emphasizing the connection between Indigenous practices and conservation efforts. Abea, the first Indigenous lead author of a peer-reviewed paper from Ndoki, aims to inspire his community to protect gorillas, reflecting a shift from hunting to conservation.
Published: Apr 18 2025, 3 ameznews.inA comprehensive study analyzing penis sizes from 1942 to 2021 has revealed a notable increase in average erect penis length over the past three decades, while flaccid lengths remained unchanged. The meta-analysis, which included data from 55,761 males globally, found that erect length rose by 24 percent, from 12.3 centimeters (4.8 inches) to 15.2 centimeters (6 inches). Lead researcher Michael Eisenberg from Stanford Medicine suggested that this increase may be linked to environmental factors, such as chemical exposure that disrupts hormonal systems, rather than a decline in reproductive health, which has been observed in other studies. The research, published in the World Journal of Men's Health, emphasizes the need for further investigation into these findings, as the rapid change could indicate significant underlying shifts in male physiology. The study's methodology focused on measurements taken by investigators, excluding self-reported data to ensure accuracy.
Published: Apr 14 2025, 6 pmeznews.inAstronomers have recently spotlighted exoplanet K2-18b, located 124 light-years away, as a potential candidate for biological activity beyond our Solar System. This sub-Neptune world, with a radius 2.6 times that of Earth, is believed to possess a hydrogen atmosphere and possibly an ocean, leading researchers to label it a "hycean" planet. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists detected gases dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in its atmosphere, which on Earth are associated with microbial life. However, the findings are not definitive; the statistical significance of the detection is at a "three-sigma" level, below the five-sigma threshold typically required for scientific claims. While the research team remains optimistic about follow-up observations confirming these gases, the complexity of planetary atmospheres necessitates caution in interpreting these results as evidence of extraterrestrial life. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 10 pmeznews.inRico, a 25-year-old Linnaeus's two-toed sloth at Chester Zoo in the UK, recently underwent a pioneering dental surgery, believed to be the first of its kind for sloths. The procedure was prompted by a swelling on his face, which a CT scan revealed to be caused by two root abscesses. Veterinary Resident Charlotte Bentley noted the challenges of sloth dentistry due to their unique teeth. With the help of endodontic experts from Newcastle University, Rico had infected tissue removed and one tooth root sealed with dental cement, allowing him to retain one of his specialized teeth essential for his leaf-based diet. Post-surgery, Rico showed no signs of recurring abscesses, and his recovery has been successful. The zoo employs gentle training techniques to facilitate health checks, ensuring that Rico can be examined without repeated anesthesia. Sloths like Rico are part of a conservation program aimed at protecting their species from habitat loss and illegal trade.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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