eznews.inComet 3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar visitor to our Solar System, is providing valuable insights into its formation conditions as it traverses space. Recent observations reveal an unusual abundance of nickel compared to iron, with 3I/ATLAS emitting more nickel than Solar System comets and its interstellar counterpart, Comet 2I/Borisov. A preliminary study indicates the comet is releasing hydrogen cyanide, a common prebiotic molecule, while NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has detected hydroxyl (OH) gas, a chemical marker for water, suggesting the comet emits approximately 40 kilograms of water per second. This high level of activity implies that 8% of its surface is active, indicating it may be billions of years older than the Solar System and likely originates from the thick disk of the Milky Way. As researchers continue to study this enigmatic object, they anticipate further revelations about the nature of interstellar comets. 
Published: Oct 10 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA new study challenges the long-held classification of Uranus and Neptune as "ice giants," suggesting they may instead be "rocky giants." These two planets, the most distant in our Solar System, have only been visited once by Voyager 2 over 30 years ago, leaving much about their composition and structure unknown. Traditional models have relied on indirect observations, but researchers have developed new random models that align more closely with current data, indicating a rockier internal structure. The authors emphasize the need for dedicated missions to these planets to gather more accurate data and refine our understanding of their interiors, which could explain their unusual magnetic fields. Professor Brian Cox advocates for such missions, highlighting the overwhelming case for further exploration. The study, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, underscores the complexity of these enigmatic worlds and the necessity for improved observational data. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inSince the advent of nuclear weapons, the threat of global annihilation has loomed large, with studies indicating that as few as 100 warheads could trigger a nuclear winter, potentially resulting in the deaths of up to 1 billion people. As of 2023, the world is home to approximately 12,500 nuclear warheads, held by nine nations: Russia, the USA, China, the UK, France, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and India. Notably, the US has lost track of six nuclear weapons, raising concerns about accountability. A humorous yet misleading graphic once suggested that "Jeff" was the tenth largest nuclear power, but this refers to the Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion Project, an international nuclear data initiative, rather than an individual. While the notion of a person named Jeff possessing nuclear arms is unfounded, it highlights the complexities and quirks surrounding nuclear data management. 
Published: Oct 10 2025, 3 pmeznews.inMarie Curie, celebrated for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity, remains a pivotal figure in science, having won two Nobel Prizes and earning the title of the "mother of modern physics." Alongside her husband Pierre, she discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium in 1898, which contributed to her Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903. Curie's subsequent Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 recognized her isolation of pure radium, significantly advancing cancer treatment. However, her relentless work with radioactive materials led to her death from aplastic anemia in 1934, a condition linked to radiation exposure. Curie's remains were so radioactive that she was interred in a lead-lined coffin, a fact only revealed after her exhumation in 1995. Today, many of her personal belongings, including laboratory notes, remain highly radioactive, stored under strict safety measures, serving as a lasting testament to her extraordinary yet perilous legacy. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 1 ameznews.inAs winter approaches, health experts emphasize the importance of annual flu vaccinations due to the ever-evolving nature of influenza A and B viruses. The best time to receive the vaccine is late September to early October, allowing for optimal protection as flu season peaks between December and February. While most adults receive an injectable vaccine, nasal spray options are available, particularly for children, though not suitable for everyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone aged six months and older get vaccinated annually, as flu shots not only protect individuals but also help safeguard vulnerable populations. Recent guidelines suggest using single-dose vaccines without the preservative thimerosal, which has faced scrutiny despite evidence of its safety. As flu season nears, individuals are encouraged to consult healthcare providers to determine the best vaccination strategy for their circumstances. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking development, the first evidence-based dietary guidance for adults suffering from chronic constipation has been released, challenging traditional advice. While a high-fiber diet has long been recommended, recent findings indicate it may not be effective for constipation specifically. Instead, the kiwi fruit has emerged as a key dietary ally, alongside rye bread and high-mineral-content water. The guidance, supported by the British Dietetic Association, also suggests magnesium oxide supplements, psyllium, and certain probiotic strains as beneficial. Chronic constipation affects approximately 16% of adults globally, significantly impacting daily life and leading to complications such as hemorrhoids and fecal impaction. Dr. Eirini Dimidi, the study's lead author from King’s College London, emphasized the need for more high-quality trials to further validate these findings. The study aims to empower both health professionals and patients with effective dietary strategies to manage this common condition, ultimately improving quality of life. 
Published: Oct 13 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA mathematical equation, known as the "Carter catastrophe," has sparked discussions about humanity's potential extinction. Developed by Australian astrophysicist Brandon Carter, the equation suggests that humans should not assume they occupy a unique moment in time, similar to the Copernican principle in space. By estimating the total number of humans that could ever exist, Carter's model implies that we might be closer to the end of humanity than previously thought. Astrophysicist J. Richard Gott applied this reasoning to historical events, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, predicting its demise within a specific timeframe. Current estimates suggest that humanity could face significant population limits in the near future, with projections indicating that we may only have around 19,000 years left unless birth rates decline drastically. While the equation offers intriguing insights, it remains probabilistic and subject to various uncertainties, including advancements in medicine and technology. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 3 ameznews.inThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially declared several species extinct in its latest update to the Red List of Threatened Species, which monitors the conservation status of over 172,000 species globally. Among the newly extinct are the slender-billed curlew, Christmas Island shrew, and three Australian marsupials: the Shark Bay bandicoot, south-eastern striped bandicoot, and Nullarbor barred bandicoot. The slender-billed curlew, once common across Europe and North Africa, has not been seen since 1995, with habitat loss and hunting cited as potential causes of its extinction. While the report highlights alarming declines, such as 61% of bird species facing threats, it also notes some positive developments, including the green sea turtle's recovery from Endangered to Least Concern status, underscoring the effectiveness of conservation efforts. However, the overall picture remains troubling, with many species continuing to decline. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe hirola, or _Beatragus hunteri_, a unique antelope known for its "four-eyed" appearance due to preorbital glands, is teetering on the brink of extinction, with its population plummeting from around 15,000 in the 1970s to fewer than 500 today. Once thriving in the grasslands near the Kenya-Somalia border, the decline began in the 1980s due to a rinderpest epidemic, which decimated 85 to 90 percent of the population. Although rinderpest has been eradicated, the hirola has struggled to recover, facing habitat degradation and competition from livestock. Conservationists, including the Hirola Conservation Program, are now working to restore over 404,686 hectares of grassland and create new habitats to support the remaining hirola. While significant challenges remain, ongoing conservation efforts aim to revive this rare species and restore its numbers. 
Published: Oct 13 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAs October heralds the Nobel Prize season, scientists in fields such as physics, chemistry, and medicine eagerly anticipate recognition for their groundbreaking work. However, mathematicians remain notably absent from this prestigious list, a situation that has sparked much speculation. Contrary to popular belief, Alfred Nobel did not exclude mathematics due to personal grievances; rather, his will focused on practical sciences that he believed would benefit humanity. Nobel, a chemist and inventor, prioritized tangible discoveries over abstract theories, which may explain the omission of mathematics, along with other fields like engineering and biology. While the Nobel Prizes occasionally acknowledge related scientific advancements, mathematicians have their own accolades, such as the Fields Medal and the Abel Prize, and take pride in the foundational role their work plays in the achievements celebrated by the Nobel community. 
Published: Oct 14 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
