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The discovery of _Proteroctopus ribeti_, a 165-million-year-old fossil cephalopod found in France's La Voulte-sur-Rhône Lagerstätte, has significantly advanced our understanding of octopus evolution. Initially described in 1982, this well-preserved specimen has revealed that it is a basal member of Vampyropoda, challenging previous assumptions about its classification. A 2016 study utilizing synchrotron X-ray microtomography uncovered unexpected features, including two rows of suckers on its arms—previously thought to have evolved later—and the absence of an ink sac, suggesting a different evolutionary path. Additionally, _Proteroctopus_ possessed a poorly mineralized gladius and an axial nerve in its arms, indicating a transitional form between squid-like ancestors and modern octopuses. While not the oldest octopus fossil, _Proteroctopus_ remains crucial for understanding the evolutionary history of cephalopods, as soft-bodied organisms are rarely fossilized due to their delicate structures. 
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inRhnull, or "golden blood," is an extraordinarily rare blood type, with fewer than 50 known cases worldwide. Identified first in 1961 in an Indigenous Australian woman, Rhnull lacks all Rh antigens due to mutations in the _RHCE_ gene, making it invaluable for transfusions among individuals with rare blood types. While it is considered universal for those with Rh-related blood types, finding a compatible donor can be challenging, as any other blood type contains Rh antigens that could trigger an immune response. This blood type is also linked to health complications, as the absence of Rh proteins can lead to structural abnormalities in red blood cells, making them prone to rupture. Despite its rarity, Rhnull has significant potential in biomedical research, particularly in developing treatments for conditions like Rhesus Disease, where maternal antibodies attack fetal blood cells.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Grand Canyon, shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years, currently holds a staggering volume of approximately 4.17 trillion cubic meters, equating to around 4.17 quadrillion liters of water, according to the National Park Service. This immense capacity raises a whimsical question: how long would it take to fill the canyon with liquid? Inspired by a viral video, a thought experiment reveals that if all 8 billion people on Earth contributed their daily urine output of about 1.89 liters, it would take nearly 800,000 years to fill the canyon. While the idea of filling the Grand Canyon with various liquids—be it beer, orange juice, or even whale milk—remains purely hypothetical, it highlights the canyon's vastness and the abundance of water on Earth, estimated at 1.386 billion cubic kilometers. However, the article emphasizes the importance of respecting natural wonders like the Grand Canyon.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA recent study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights the growing concern over ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which account for over half of the calories consumed in US homes. UPFs include not only fast food and snacks but also items like infant formula and store-bought bread, characterized by numerous additives. The study aimed to assess the feasibility of a behavioral intervention to reduce UPF intake among 14 overweight or obese participants, who attended weekly meetings focused on meal planning and mindfulness. Over eight weeks, participants reported an average weight loss of 3.5 kilograms and a reduction in daily calorie intake. While the results indicate potential benefits, the small sample size and self-reported data limit generalizability. The authors emphasize the need for broader public health policies alongside individual interventions to effectively tackle UPF consumption in the long term. The findings are published in the journal Obesity Science and Practice.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn March 2013, a tragic incident unfolded in Seffner, Florida, when 37-year-old Jeff Bush was swallowed by a sinkhole that opened beneath his bedroom. The sinkhole, approximately 6 meters (20 feet) wide and deep, was heard by his brother Jeremy and his partner Rachel, who rushed to the scene after hearing Jeff's screams. Despite Jeremy's desperate attempt to rescue him, he was pulled to safety by a deputy sheriff as the ground continued to collapse. Rescuers were unable to locate Bush's body, which, along with bedroom furniture, was lost in the sinkhole. The following day, engineers deemed the site too dangerous for further rescue efforts, leading to the demolition of the house and filling of the sinkhole with gravel. Florida's geology, rich in limestone, makes it particularly prone to such sinkholes, which occur when underground caverns collapse.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 12 ameznews.inA team of researchers from Graubuenden University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has set a new world record by calculating the mathematical constant pi to an astonishing 62.8 trillion digits, surpassing previous records held by Google and Timothy Mullican. The calculation, which took 108 days and nine hours, was performed using a high-performance supercomputer at the Center for Data Analytics, Visualization and Simulation (DAViS), achieving results 3.5 times faster than earlier attempts. To print all the digits would require nearly 35 billion sheets of A4 paper, weighing about 52% of the Empire State Building and stretching over 10 million kilometers. Project leaders emphasized that the endeavor not only demonstrated advanced computational capabilities but also highlighted areas for improvement in their infrastructure. The last ten digits of pi from this record are 7817924264, although the achievement is pending certification by the Guinness Book of Records.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inSixty-six million years ago, a 12-kilometer asteroid struck Earth, creating the Chicxulub crater in Mexico and triggering a mass extinction event, including the demise of the dinosaurs. The impact generated an earthquake exceeding magnitude 11 and produced Rayleigh waves that caused significant geological disruption in the Gulf of Mexico. Recent research led by Dr. Gary Kinsland from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has revealed extensive "megaripples" of sediment, formed by the tsunami generated by the impact, which extend further than previously thought. These megaripples, reaching heights of 16 meters and spaced 600 meters apart, were found in fluidized marl muds, suggesting that the tsunami's high-velocity flow shaped the sediment into these formations. While the study highlights the profound effects of the Chicxulub impact, further investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the formation of these large sediment structures. The findings are detailed in the journal Marine Geology.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inNew Zealand's quirky "Bug of the Year" competition has crowned the velvet worm (_Peripatoides novaezealandiae_) as its 2023 champion, outpacing contenders like the praying mantis and giant springtail. This ancient creature, often dubbed a "living fossil," boasts a unique appearance reminiscent of a hybrid between a slug, worm, and caterpillar, complete with stumpy legs and a velvety, orange-speckled body. Despite its seemingly benign exterior, the velvet worm is a formidable predator, ensnaring its prey with sticky slime before injecting digestive saliva and consuming the liquefied remains. While little is known about its conservation status due to its reclusive nature, velvet worms face threats from habitat loss and introduced predators. The Entomological Society of New Zealand hopes that initiatives like the Bug of the Year will raise awareness about these fascinating yet underappreciated invertebrates, encouraging further research and conservation efforts.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA new study has found that cannabidiol (CBD), often marketed as a remedy for chronic pain, is largely ineffective, with 15 out of 16 clinical trials showing no significant difference from a placebo. Despite its popularity, particularly among younger adults in the US and Canada, the evidence supporting CBD's analgesic properties remains weak. Researchers noted that many consumers spend over $140 monthly on CBD products, driven by desperation for pain relief. The study highlights concerns over the lack of regulation in the CBD market, with only 25% of products containing the advertised amount of CBD and many containing psychoactive THC or synthetic cannabinoids. The authors conclude that while CBD is marketed as a pain relief solution, it is expensive, ineffective, and potentially harmful, urging consumers to be cautious. The findings were published in The Journal of Pain.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 ameznews.inLast week, North America experienced a rare celestial event as the Moon transformed into a striking blood-red hue during a total lunar eclipse, an occurrence that happens approximately every two and a half years. This phenomenon, known as a "Blood Moon," occurs when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, blocking most sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. The red coloration results from Rayleigh scattering, where blue light is scattered more effectively by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing only red light to illuminate the Moon. Viewers in North America were advised to stay up late to witness the totality phase, which occurred around 06:26 am UTC, lasting nearly an hour. While the eclipse was visible across North and South America, only the initial phase was observable in parts of Europe and Africa. The next opportunity to see a Blood Moon will be on September 7, 2025.
Published: Mar 10 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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