eznews.in
A powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia at 11:25 am local time on July 30, marking it as the sixth strongest earthquake recorded. The quake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, affecting regions from Alaska to Japan and South America, prompting the evacuation of millions, including two million in Japan alone. Waves of up to 4 meters (13 feet) were reported in Severo-Kurilsk, approximately 550 kilometers from the epicenter, although most warnings have since been downgraded. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties from the earthquake, tsunami, or the subsequent volcanic eruption of Klyuchevskaya Sopka, which began shortly after the quake. This seismic event highlights the ongoing activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high volcanic and earthquake activity, which accounts for a significant portion of the world's seismic events. 
Published: Jul 31 2025, 7 ameznews.inA new study led by scientists at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan reveals that COVID-19 vaccines saved an estimated 2.5 million lives between 2020 and 2024, equating to 14.8 million years of life saved globally. With over 13 billion doses administered, 67% of the global population had received a complete primary series by the end of 2023. The analysis highlights that 82% of lives saved were among individuals vaccinated before exposure to the virus, with 57% of these lives saved during the Omicron wave, predominantly among those aged 60 and over. While the success of COVID vaccines is notable, the authors caution that their impact on life-years saved is significantly lower than that of other vaccines, such as measles. They express concern over increased vaccine hesitancy stemming from the pandemic, which could complicate future vaccination efforts. The findings are published in JAMA Health Forum.
Published: Jul 28 2025, 11 pmeznews.inFor nearly 800 years, the Shroud of Turin has been at the center of a heated debate regarding its authenticity as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. First appearing in 1354, the shroud gained reverence after being presented by a French knight, but its legitimacy has been increasingly questioned. Radiocarbon dating in the late 1980s suggested it was created between 1260 and 1390 CE, long after Jesus's death, a finding accepted by the Archbishop of Turin. Recent studies have further undermined its credibility, with bloodstain analyses revealing unrealistic patterns and discrepancies in the figure's proportions. A controversial 2022 study proposed that the shroud could date back to 55-74 CE, but this relied on debatable assumptions. A new study using 3D simulations indicates that the markings resemble a flat painting rather than a human imprint, reinforcing the view that the shroud is likely a medieval artwork, though true believers remain unconvinced.
Published: Jul 30 2025, 8 pmeznews.inWhile hyenas are often associated with their cackling, meat-eating reputation, the aardwolf (_Proteles cristatus_) stands out as a unique member of the family. Its name, meaning "earth wolf" in Afrikaans, reflects its burrowing habits. Resembling the striped hyena, the aardwolf has a distinctive bristled mane and a diet that sets it apart: it primarily consumes termites, using a long, sticky tongue to gather up to 300,000 of them nightly. Unlike their more social relatives, aardwolves are solitary creatures, coming together only during mating season. After a gestation period of about 90 days, females give birth to two to five cubs, which are weaned on regurgitated termites. Despite their elusive nature, aardwolves are classified as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN, thriving across southern and eastern Africa, though their termite prey may not share the same fortune.
Published: Jul 28 2025, 8 pmeznews.inWhile scientists delve into cosmic enigmas like dark matter and the universe's missing matter, TikTok users have been grappling with a more terrestrial puzzle: how mirrors work. In a series of viral videos, users expressed confusion over how mirrors can "see" objects obscured by paper. The explanation, while seemingly straightforward, eludes many. When light strikes an object, it absorbs certain wavelengths and reflects others, which is why we see colors. A white piece of paper reflects all colors, while a perfect mirror would reflect all wavelengths, appearing white but often having a slight green tint due to its material properties. The key difference lies in surface smoothness; mirrors reflect light at the same angle with minimal scattering, allowing reflections of unobscured objects to be seen. Thus, even when an object like Mario is covered by paper, its reflection can still be perceived from other parts of the mirror.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 1 ameznews.inDeep within the Earth lies a vast reservoir of water, potentially three times greater than all the oceans combined, according to a new study examining the mantle transition zone. Researchers from the US utilized 2,000 seismometers to analyze seismic waves from over 500 earthquakes, revealing the presence of ringwoodite, a water-containing mineral formed under extreme pressure approximately 700 kilometers below the surface. This mineral can trap water within its structure, leading scientists to estimate that even 1% of the transition zone's rock could hold immense quantities of water. The study also suggests that water may be transported into the Earth's interior through the subduction of oceanic plates, contributing to a "whole-Earth water cycle." While the origins of this deep water remain debated, the findings provide crucial insights into the geological processes that may recycle water back to the surface over geological timescales. The research is published in *Communications Earth & Environment*.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inResearchers at MIT have conducted a groundbreaking double-slit experiment, providing further evidence that Albert Einstein's interpretation of light's behavior may be incorrect. The original double-slit experiment, first performed by Thomas Young in 1801, revealed light's wave-like nature through an interference pattern, contradicting the particle theory proposed by Isaac Newton. Einstein believed that with the right experimental setup, it would be possible to detect a photon's path without disrupting this pattern. However, subsequent experiments, including MIT's latest study involving ultracold atoms, have consistently shown that detecting the path eliminates the interference pattern. By cooling over 10,000 atoms to microkelvin temperatures and manipulating them with laser beams, the researchers demonstrated that the "fuzziness" of the atoms, rather than the detection method, is crucial in determining light's behavior. Their findings align with quantum mechanics predictions, suggesting that Einstein's views on this phenomenon may need reevaluation. The study is published in *Physical Review Letters*.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inAn alarming die-off of common murres in Alaska has been reported, with estimates suggesting that up to four million birds are missing from colonies, marking the worst single species decline in modern history. This catastrophic event, linked to a phenomenon known as "The Blob," a mass of warm water in the North Pacific, has severely disrupted marine ecosystems since its emergence in 2014. Researchers noted a significant drop in murre populations between 2014 and 2016, with many birds unable to find sufficient food, leading to starvation and reproductive failures. By the end of 2016, over 62,000 carcasses had been found along the Gulf of Alaska, but the true toll is believed to be much higher. Despite the Blob dissipating in 2016, murre populations have shown little sign of recovery, leaving these coastal birds increasingly vulnerable to environmental pressures and predators. The findings were published in the journal *Science*.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn a striking revelation, the African social spider (_Stegodyphus dumicola_) has been filmed engaging in a gruesome form of parental care known as matriphagy, where the mother willingly allows her offspring to consume her. This behavior, documented for the first time in the BBC's new series _Parenthood_ narrated by Sir David Attenborough, showcases the extreme lengths some species go to ensure their young survive. As the mother becomes increasingly sluggish, her movements mimic those of trapped prey, signaling to her hungry spiderlings that it’s time for their meal. While only about 40% of female spiders reproduce, the non-reproductive "virgin females" assist in caring for their sisters' young. This brutal strategy not only boosts the offspring's weight but also enhances their hunting abilities, allowing them to tackle larger prey. The series, which explores diverse parenting strategies in the animal kingdom, premieres on August 3 on BBC One.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 7 pmeznews.inBronze-Age communities in Thailand utilized psychoactive betel nuts for enhanced alertness, relaxation, and euphoria, with evidence suggesting their use in religious practices dating back 4,000 years. While now demonized and banned in urban areas due to health concerns, betel nuts continue to be consumed ritualistically in rural regions. Recent research from the Nong Ratchawat archaeological site revealed the oldest known evidence of betel nut consumption through dental plaques from six skeletons, including traces of psychoactive compounds in one individual. Ethnographic interviews indicate that ancient Southeast Asians may have associated betel nut chewing with healing and agricultural rituals. Study author Piyawit Moonkham emphasized the cultural significance of such plants, advocating for a reevaluation of their role in society. Despite its prohibition since the 1940s, which has diminished traditional practices, the study highlights the enduring human-plant interactions and the need to reconsider our relationship with psychoactive substances.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 7 pmeznews.inGeologists have proposed that an area of unusually hot rocks, located 200 kilometers beneath the northern Appalachian Mountains, may be linked to the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea during the age of dinosaurs. Known as the Northern Appalachian Anomaly (NAA), this thermal feature, which spans approximately 400 kilometers, has puzzled scientists due to its location in a tectonically stable region for the past 180 million years. Researchers, led by Professor Tom Gernon from the University of Southampton, suggest that mantle waves—hot, dense rock that travels beneath tectonic plates—could explain the anomaly's origins. This process may have caused the NAA to migrate from its original position between Canada and Greenland. The findings indicate that such thermal anomalies could influence the uplift of ancient mountain ranges like the Appalachians, suggesting a more complex geological history than previously understood. The study is published in the journal Geology.
Published: Jul 30 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact