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Recent research suggests that dark skin, hair, and eyes were prevalent among Europeans until the Iron Age, challenging previous beliefs about the timeline of lighter pigmentation. Originating from Africa, early humans had dark features, which began to lighten as they migrated to northern Eurasia, where paler skin offered an evolutionary advantage for vitamin D production in low-sunlight areas. Professor Guido Barbujani, a study author, noted that while light skin was first observed around 15,000 years ago in the Caucasus, dark features persisted much longer than previously thought, with half of the individuals studied showing dark or intermediate skin tones well into the Copper and Iron Ages. The research, which analyzed DNA from 348 ancient humans, revealed that the transition to lighter pigmentation was gradual and uneven, with dark skin remaining dominant in Europe until the Iron Age, when a mix of skin tones became more common. 
Published: Mar 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inRecent research has revealed that gars, often dubbed "living fossils," have evolved at a significantly slower rate than other jawed vertebrates, remaining largely unchanged for tens of millions of years. This slow evolution allows them to produce viable hybrids, even with species that diverged over 100 million years ago, such as the Alligator Gar and Longnose Gar. A rare hybrid was recently caught by Kati Wright, a graduate student at Nicholls State University, coinciding with the publication of the study. The hybrid exhibits a unique morphology, combining features of both parent species. Experts believe that gars' efficient DNA repair mechanisms may explain their low species diversity and could have implications for human health research. The findings underscore the importance of these ancient fish, often overlooked, in understanding evolutionary biology and potential medical advancements.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 9 pmeznews.inSeagrasses, the only true flowering plants in marine environments, have adapted to bloom underwater, a significant evolution from their terrestrial ancestors that transitioned to the ocean around 100 million years ago. These meadows, which can form vast clones and include some of the oldest living marine plants—one estimated at 1,400 years—play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. Recent research has revealed that seagrass flowers, such as those of *Thalassia testudinum*, are pollinated not just by water currents but also by microscopic crustaceans and marine worms, dubbed "sea bees." These tiny pollinators feed on the flowers' nutritious pollen, inadvertently transferring it between plants due to a sticky mucilage that encases the pollen. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that animal-mediated pollination is absent in marine environments, suggesting that such mechanisms may have evolved independently in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Published: Mar 06 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA scuba diver off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, recently experienced an extraordinary underwater concert as he recorded the powerful songs of humpback whales. Mark Healey described the sounds as the loudest whale songs he had ever encountered, prompting him to capture the moment on a GoPro camera. Humpback whales, known for their elaborate vocalizations, use their vocal cords to produce these sounds, primarily for mating purposes, with only males singing. Interestingly, even whale calves participate in vocalizations, making various calls to communicate with their mothers, especially during nursing. Recent research has revealed that whale songs adhere to Zipf's law, a principle of human language efficiency. Each year, approximately 12,000 humpbacks migrate to Hawaii's warmer waters from November to May to mate and raise their young, providing ample opportunities for the public to witness these majestic creatures.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 6 ameznews.inNASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission, aimed at mapping water on the Moon's surface, is facing significant challenges after the spacecraft lost communication shortly after its launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon rocket on February 27. Part of NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, the mission seeks to enhance understanding of the Moon's water cycle and identify potential resources for future crewed missions. Despite the setback, telemetry data suggests the spacecraft may be in low power mode and slowly spinning, with hopes that it could eventually re-establish contact as its solar panels receive sunlight. Although it has missed its initial opportunity to engage its thrusters for lunar orbit, NASA is exploring alternative maneuvers. Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate, emphasized the team's commitment to restoring communication, highlighting the mission's high-risk, high-reward nature in advancing lunar science.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn 333 BCE, Alexander the Great famously entered Gordion, a city in present-day Turkey, where he encountered an ancient, seemingly unmovable wagon tied with a complex knot. Legend held that only a destined king could untie it, but Alexander opted for a more direct approach, slicing through the knot with his sword. This historical anecdote raises intriguing questions about the nature of knots, which are among humanity's oldest technologies. Recent scientific studies have sought to identify the strongest knots, revealing that their efficiency is measured by how much strength the rope retains when knotted. Research from MIT utilized color-changing fibers to analyze knot stability, concluding that knots like the blood knot and figure-eight are among the strongest, reducing rope strength by only 10-20 percent. This blend of empirical knowledge and modern science highlights the enduring significance of knots in various fields, from sailing to climbing.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn the realm of cryptozoology, North America boasts Bigfoot, the Himalayas the Yeti, and the former Soviet Union the Almas, a creature that has intrigued historians and scientists alike. Soviet historian Boris Porshnev, born in 1905, became captivated by reports of this giant, ape-like being in the late 1960s, proposing that these sightings were not of a cryptid but of surviving Neanderthals. His investigations, sanctioned by the Soviet Academy of Sciences, culminated in a 400-page report suggesting the Almas might inhabit the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Despite the lack of compelling evidence for living Neanderthals today, Porshnev's theories, particularly in his 1974 book _L'Homme de Néanderthal est toujours vivant_, sparked debate about the nature of these elusive beings. While modern science has debunked many of Porshnev's claims, the enduring fascination with such creatures raises questions about humanity's attraction to the unknown.
Published: Mar 05 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA submerged ancient island, known as the Rio Grande Rise (RGR), located approximately 1,200 kilometers off Brazil's coast, may be rich in rare earth elements and valuable minerals. Formed around 40 million years ago as a volcanic ridge, the RGR spans about 150,000 square kilometers of seafloor at depths of 700 to 2,000 meters. Recent soil analysis confirmed its status as an island, revealing red clay indicative of intense chemical weathering in a warm, wet climate. The sediment contained minerals typical of volcanic rock alterations, suggesting the area was once a tropical landmass. The RGR is believed to hold significant reserves of cobalt, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, crucial for advancing technologies that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. While the International Seabed Authority governs the area, Brazil has sought to extend its continental shelf to include the RGR, though such claims face legal challenges under international law.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 3 pmeznews.inResearchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have unveiled a previously unknown role of the proteasome, a cellular structure responsible for degrading unnecessary proteins, in the immune system. Their study reveals that the proteasome not only produces peptides that signal cellular distress but also generates antimicrobial peptides capable of combating bacterial infections. By analyzing extensive data on proteasome-derived peptides, the team found that some shared similarities with known antimicrobial peptides. Experiments demonstrated that human cells with inhibited proteasome activity struggled against bacterial infections, while mice treated with a specific proteasome-derived peptide showed effective infection control comparable to existing antibiotics. The proteasome's activity increases during bacterial infections, enhancing its peptide production. This discovery opens new avenues for antimicrobial development, with researchers identifying over 270,000 potential proteasome-derived peptides, paving the way for personalized treatments for infections and other medical conditions. The findings are published in the journal Nature.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 3 ameznews.inAs the Trump administration, aided by Elon Musk, intensifies its assault on scientific institutions, international organizations remain largely silent, raising concerns among scientists about the implications for global health and safety. Executive orders and budget cuts, particularly from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have jeopardized critical research and public health initiatives, including the cancellation of key vaccine policy meetings. Despite the U.S.'s pivotal role in global scientific discourse, many researchers feel unsupported, with calls for international bodies to address these challenges going largely unanswered. The Royal Society, the world's oldest scientific academy, faces scrutiny over Musk's fellowship amid his controversial statements and actions that contradict scientific integrity. Critics argue that the Society must uphold its values and advocate for the scientific community, especially as threats to research funding and safety loom large. The silence from these institutions raises questions about their commitment to defending scientific principles in a time of crisis.
Published: Mar 06 2025, 12 ameznews.inA small, often overlooked hole in the lower eyelid, known as the lacrimal punctum, plays a crucial role in the eye's drainage system. Located about 2 millimeters from the inner corner of each lower eyelid, this almond-shaped opening does not produce tears but instead drains them into the lacrimal sac, which then channels them through the lacrimal duct into the nose. This explains the runny nose that often accompanies crying. Interestingly, medical procedures can involve inserting tiny plugs into these holes to alleviate dry eyes by preventing excessive fluid drainage. However, the lacrimal punctum can sometimes malfunction, causing tears or other substances to squirt out, a phenomenon that has led to unusual party tricks, including a world record for milk-squirting from the eye. While fascinating, experts advise against attempting such stunts due to the risk of eye infections.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 11 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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