eznews.inNASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has yielded groundbreaking discoveries from the 121 grams of samples collected from Asteroid Bennu, revealing nearly all the essential molecules for life on Earth. In recent studies, scientists led by Yoshihiro Furukawa from Tohoku University identified ribose and glucose sugars, crucial for forming RNA, alongside previously reported nucleotides and amino acids. This marks the first detection of these sugars in an extraterrestrial sample, bolstering theories that meteorites could have contributed to the origins of life. Additionally, researchers Scott Sandford and Zack Gainsforth uncovered a nitrogen-rich polymer, dubbed "space gum," which may represent early chemical processes on Bennu. These findings enhance our understanding of Bennu's complex history and its potential connection to the early solar system, as the asteroid is believed to have originated from a larger parent body that harbored water and heat. 
Published: Dec 07 2025, 3 ameznews.inA painting from the 1860s, "The Expected One" by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, has sparked online speculation that it depicts a time traveler due to the figure of a woman seemingly holding a modern smartphone. This theory, which has resurfaced periodically since 2017, has been dismissed by experts who clarify that the woman is actually holding a prayer book. Gerald Weinpolter, CEO of an art agency, emphasized that the interpretation of the painting has evolved with technological advancements, highlighting how modern perceptions can alter historical context. Blogger Peter Russell echoed this sentiment, noting that changes in technology significantly influence how artworks are understood. Despite the fanciful theories, the consensus remains that the painting reflects its time, with no evidence of time travel involved.
Published: Dec 07 2025, 4 ameznews.inAstronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), identifying a well-formed spiral galaxy named Alaknanda, which emerged just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. This finding, led by Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, challenges existing theories of galaxy formation, as Alaknanda exhibits structural maturity akin to galaxies billions of years older. Spanning 30,000 light-years, it features two prominent spiral arms and is currently in a vigorous star-forming phase, producing stars at a rate over 20 times that of the Milky Way. The galaxy's stellar mass is estimated at 16 billion Suns, suggesting a rapid assembly process that contradicts previous models. Jain noted that this discovery compels astronomers to rethink the efficiency of the physical processes driving galaxy formation in the early Universe. The study is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 8 pmeznews.inSelecting astronauts for a Mars mission poses significant challenges, including the risk of never returning and enduring a seven-month journey in a confined spacecraft. A recent study suggests that an all-female crew may be the optimal choice for this historic endeavor. This idea, rooted in a 1950s NASA proposal, highlights that women generally require fewer resources than men due to their smaller body size, which translates to lower oxygen and caloric needs. The study analyzed various metrics, revealing that male astronauts have significantly higher energy and resource requirements, while female astronauts show a marked reduction in these metrics as body size increases. With the push for smaller habitats on Mars, the findings indicate that female crews could enhance mission efficiency, making them a compelling option for the first human landing on the Red Planet. The study is published in *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Dec 07 2025, 1 ameznews.inCharging your phone overnight may seem convenient, but it can adversely affect battery longevity, according to experts. Manufacturers like Huawei advise against prolonged charging, recommending that users maintain their battery levels between 30% and 70% to minimize stress on lithium-ion batteries. This is because charging a nearly full battery can lead to solid electrolyte interface (S.E.I.) buildup, which reduces overall capacity. Apple echoes this sentiment with its optimized charging feature, which keeps the battery below 80%. Additionally, overnight charging poses safety risks, as devices can overheat if placed on flammable surfaces, leading to potential fire hazards. Experts recommend charging phones on stable surfaces to mitigate these risks. To enhance battery life, users should avoid letting their devices drop to 0% and reconsider their overnight charging habits.
Published: Dec 07 2025, 2 ameznews.inResearchers have discovered that the woolly umbrella plant (_Helichrysum umbraculigerum_), a South African species unrelated to cannabis, produces over 40 cannabinoids, including CBG, which shows potential for treating neurological disorders and colon cancer. Unlike cannabis, which requires intensive cultivation for its psychoactive compounds THC and CBD, the woolly umbrella is a fast-growing, commercially viable source of cannabinoids without the intoxicating effects. This discovery, detailed in a study published in *Nature Plants*, highlights the plant's potential for medical applications while avoiding the psychoactive properties that some patients find undesirable. The study's authors, including Dr. Paula Berman, emphasize the need for further research into the therapeutic uses of the newly identified cannabinoids and the ecological roles these compounds may play, as both cannabis and the woolly umbrella have independently evolved to produce them.
Published: Dec 07 2025, 12 ameznews.inA historic map, believed to have been created around 1500 CE by Juan de la Cosa, marks a pivotal moment in cartography as the first known depiction of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. While Norse Vikings reached North America around 1000 CE, systematic European exploration began with Columbus in 1492. De la Cosa, Columbus's second-in-command, crafted this map in Puerto de Santa Maria, showcasing the Americas as a vast landmass, albeit with a rudimentary coastline that lacks modern accuracy. The map suggests that the Americas were not part of Asia, a misconception held by Columbus and his crew. After being lost for centuries, it resurfaced in 1832 when acquired by French scientist Charles Walckenaer. Some scholars debate its authenticity, proposing it may have been created later, while Martin Waldseemüller's 1507 map is credited as the first to name the continent "America," after explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a controversial reality TV experiment aired on UK Channel 4, titled _Boys and Girls Alone_, 20 children aged 11 and 12 were placed in separate houses without adult supervision, tasked with managing their own lives. The boys quickly descended into chaos, vandalizing their environment and splitting into rival groups, while the girls organized themselves, cooking and even staging a fashion show. Despite some minor conflicts, such as a t-shirt being defaced, no serious injuries occurred among the boys. The girls faced their own challenges, including mild bullying and the departure of two participants. While the experiment provided intriguing insights into child behavior, critics argue that the presence of cameras and the artificial setting limit its applicability to real-life scenarios. The article also references a historical incident in 1965, where six boys stranded on an island for 15 months demonstrated resilience and cooperation in a survival situation.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that the motivation behind sharing conspiracy theories often stems from a "need for chaos" rather than genuine belief in the theories themselves. Researchers found that individuals may share such content to disrupt the political system, regardless of their partisan alignment. The study identified three motivations for sharing conspiracy theories: motivated sharing, sounding the alarm against perceived political opponents, and the desire for chaos. Notably, those with a high need for chaos were more likely to disseminate conspiracy theories, even more so than those who felt their political side was losing. The findings suggest that the urge to challenge the political order can supersede traditional partisan motivations. However, the study's limitations include reliance on self-reported data and a non-representative sample, prompting the authors to call for a more nuanced understanding of the factors driving the spread of conspiracy theories. The research was published in *Research and Politics*.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a surprising revelation, researchers have determined that Mercury, not Venus, is the closest planet to Earth when averaged over time. This finding challenges long-held beliefs about planetary distances, as Mercury, the innermost planet in the Solar System, spends more time nearer to Earth than its neighboring planets. A team of scientists conducted a simulation over 10,000 years, tracking the distances between all eight planets and concluding that Mercury is, in fact, the closest planet to all others, including Neptune. Their commentary, published in *Physics Today*, highlights a phenomenon they dubbed the "whirly-dirly corollary," which explains how the average distance between orbiting bodies decreases as the radius of the inner orbit decreases. This new understanding prompts a reevaluation of how we perceive planetary proximity in our Solar System.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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