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A recently uncovered Sumerian myth inscribed on a 4,400-year-old tablet, known as Ni 12501, reveals a captivating narrative involving a cunning fox attempting to rescue the storm god Ishkur from the netherworld. Created around 2400 BCE in Nippur, a significant Sumer city-state in modern southern Iraq, the tablet's fragmented text hints at a story where Ishkur's capture leads to dire consequences, including drought and starvation. Dr. Jana Matuszak, a Sumerologist at the University of Chicago, highlights that the tale reflects common motifs in Mesopotamian mythology, such as the helpless deity needing rescue by a hero. Although the tablet was excavated in the 19th century, it remained largely ignored until now, with its condition contributing to its obscurity. Matuszak's analysis underscores the tablet's significance in understanding Sumerian mythology and the need for further archaeological exploration to fill in historical gaps. The findings are published in the journal *Iraq*. 
Published: Jul 23 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 ameznews.inAstronomers have identified 17 complex organic molecules around the protostar V883 Orionis, including the tentative detection of ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile, which are vital precursors to essential life components like amino acids and nucleobases found in DNA and RNA. While this discovery does not indicate the presence of life, it suggests that the building blocks of life could form in various cosmic environments. The research team, led by Abubakar Fadul from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, utilized the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) to conduct their study. They aim to gather higher-resolution data to confirm these findings and potentially uncover more complex organic molecules. Understanding the survival of these molecules during the energetic star formation process could provide insights into their incorporation into planets, ultimately shedding light on the origins of life in the universe. The findings are detailed in three papers published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and The Astronomical Journal.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 12 ameznews.inOn March 20, 1995, a coordinated attack by the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo's underground railway system marked a grim chapter in Japan's history, resulting in 13 deaths and thousands of injuries. Five cult members released sarin gas by puncturing plastic bags filled with the deadly nerve agent on crowded trains, leading to chaos as commuters inhaled the toxic fumes. Founded in the mid-1980s by Chizuo Matsumoto, who later proclaimed himself a divine figure, Aum Shinrikyo evolved from a yoga group into a violent organization, driven by apocalyptic beliefs. The attack not only shocked Japan but also raised global concerns about the potential for non-state actors to wield chemical weapons. In response, international efforts to strengthen chemical weapons regulations intensified, culminating in the establishment of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 1997. Aum Shinrikyo's leaders were arrested and executed, but the group, now known as Aleph, continues to be monitored.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 3 ameznews.inA new study suggests that aiming for 7,000 steps a day may be the optimal target for health benefits, challenging the long-held 10,000-step benchmark. Researchers reviewed 57 studies over 11 years, finding that while walking more steps correlates with improved health outcomes, the benefits significantly taper off after 7,000 steps. Compared to a baseline of 2,000 steps, achieving 7,000 steps was linked to a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 25% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, and a 37% decrease in cancer mortality. Additionally, it was associated with a 38% lower likelihood of dementia and a 22% reduction in depression risk. The study emphasizes that even small increases in daily steps can yield significant health gains, particularly for those starting from lower activity levels. Researchers advocate for a public health message that encourages walking as much as possible, rather than fixating on specific step counts. The findings are published in The Lancet Public Health.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent analysis of data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) reveals a troubling trend in the U.S., with an increasing number of emergency room visits due to mishaps involving sex toys. Over the past decade, incidents have risen, particularly among men, who are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. The most common culprits include vibrators, which accounted for 282 cases, primarily due to their lack of a flared base, making them prone to being lost in the rectum. The data shows that 69.5% of incidents involved the rectum, followed by vaginas and penises. Experts attribute the rise in accidents to the normalization of sex toys, improved accessibility, and a lack of education on safe practices. Dr. Carol Queen emphasizes the need for comprehensive sex education that includes safe anal play and toy usage to prevent these unfortunate incidents.
Published: Jul 20 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAs the Mars Sample Return program aims to bring back Martian samples in the early 2030s, a scientist has proposed that we may have inadvertently discovered life on Mars nearly 50 years ago during NASA's Viking Project, only to destroy it. The Viking landers conducted biological tests on Martian soil, yielding unexpected results, including the detection of radioactive gas after adding nutrients to the soil. However, subsequent tests failed to produce more gas, leading scientists to attribute the initial finding to perchlorate contamination. Dirk Schulze-Makuch, a professor of planetary habitability, argues that adding water to the soil may have killed any existing microbes, akin to an alien drowning a human in the ocean. He suggests that Martian life could have adapted to extreme conditions by incorporating hydrogen peroxide into its cells, which, if true, would mean we unknowingly eliminated evidence of life on the Red Planet decades ago.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a pre-peer-reviewed paper, fusion startup Marathon claims to have developed a method for transmuting mercury into gold, potentially enhancing the economic viability of fusion energy. The team argues that fusion neutrons can create high-value products, including medical isotopes and fission waste management, which could subsidize large-scale fusion energy deployment. By using mercury-198, they propose a process that knocks off a neutron to produce mercury-197, which decays into stable gold-197. Although the method may not be efficient for immediate gold production due to the need for radioactive isotopes to decay, it could double the expected value of outputs from fusion power plants, thereby attracting more investment in fusion technology. While the concept is intriguing, experts caution that practical fusion energy remains approximately 30 years away. The study is available on the pre-print server arXiv.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study from Yale University suggests that the "brain fog" experienced by some COVID-19 patients may be linked to the formation of amyloid-β plaques in the nervous system, similar to those found in Alzheimer’s disease. This research not only sheds light on the mechanisms behind long COVID symptoms but also raises important questions about Alzheimer’s disease itself. The study utilized human retinal organoids to observe the effects of SARS-CoV-2, finding increased amyloid-β levels in both the organoids and retinal tissues from COVID-19 patients without prior dementia. Notably, the accumulation of amyloid was reversible with an experimental drug, indicating potential therapeutic avenues. The findings support the hypothesis that amyloid-β may play a role in the brain's immune response to infections, suggesting that COVID-19 could be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Researchers aim to further explore these connections and the potential of NRP1 inhibitors in preventing neurological complications.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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