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At the recent European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council, astronauts shared their favorite space-themed films, highlighting the intersection of cinema and human space exploration. Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti praised Stanley Kubrick's 1968 classic _2001: A Space Odyssey_ for its early impact on science fiction. Meanwhile, Spanish astronaut Pablo Álvarez Fernández and Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois favored the realistic portrayal of space in Ron Howard's _Apollo 13_. German astronaut Alexander Gerts opted for _The Martian_, appreciating its near-future setting, while British astronaut Rosemary Coogan expressed excitement for the upcoming adaptation of Andy Weir's _Project Hail Mary_. In a broader poll conducted by IFLScience, James Cameron's _Aliens_ emerged as the top choice among nearly 10,000 votes, followed closely by _Interstellar_. The diverse opinions reflect both the astronauts' unique insights and the public's enduring fascination with space cinema. 
Published: Dec 09 2025, 3 ameznews.inAs Christmas approaches, the debate over the existence of Santa Claus reignites, with some dismissing him as a mere "holiday folk myth." However, IFLScience presents five compelling arguments from various scientific and philosophical perspectives asserting Santa's reality. The first argument employs logic, suggesting that if the claim "everything in this list is false" is true, it leads to a contradiction, thus affirming Santa's existence. Quantum physics offers another explanation, positing that Santa could exist in a superposition of states, allowing him to deliver gifts undetected. Cosmologically, Santa's presence is linked to the Orion Nebula, where a massive cloud of gas resembles his visage. Archaeological evidence points to the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, while philosophical reasoning questions the plausibility of a global conspiracy denying Santa's existence. Ultimately, these arguments challenge skeptics to reconsider the jolly figure's place in holiday lore.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study by demographers, including David Atance from Universidad de Alcalá, has revealed a global trend of increasing life expectancy and a narrowing longevity gap between genders. Analyzing historical data from the United Nations and projections for 194 countries from 1990 to 2030, the researchers identified five distinct clusters of countries based on mortality indicators, which sometimes shifted due to factors like war and political instability. Notably, all clusters showed rising life expectancy and reduced mortality disparities between males and females, indicating a convergence in longevity patterns. Projections for 2030 suggest these trends will continue, although the researchers caution that future outcomes remain uncertain. The study highlights the U.S. as a case in point, where the number of centenarians is expected to quadruple in the next three decades, with a notable decrease in the gender disparity among them. The findings are published in the journal PLoS One.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed alarming impacts of deep-sea mining on biodiversity in the eastern Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone, where hundreds of previously undiscovered species were found before mining operations began. Researchers observed a staggering 37% decline in animal numbers and a 32% drop in species diversity following the arrival of heavy machinery that scrapes the seabed for polymetallic nodules containing critical metals for green technologies. The study, which monitored the area for two years prior to and two months after mining commenced, documented over 4,350 animals, including marine worms and crustaceans, many of which are new to science. Scientists emphasize the urgent need for further research to assess the potential biodiversity loss in these poorly understood ecosystems, as the demand for deep-sea resources continues to rise amid the global transition away from fossil fuels. The findings were published in *Nature Ecology & Evolution*.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA comprehensive study involving nearly half of France's population has revealed that young and middle-aged individuals vaccinated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are 74% less likely to die from the virus. Furthermore, vaccinated individuals showed a 25% lower risk of dying from any cause over the following four years compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. Conducted by researchers from the French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines, the study analyzed health data from 28.7 million people, focusing on those aged 18 to 59 who received their first mRNA vaccine dose between May and October 2021. The findings contradict recent claims made by FDA officials regarding vaccine-related deaths, reinforcing previous research that highlights the safety of mRNA vaccines. While the study acknowledges potential confounding factors, it suggests that the benefits of vaccination extend beyond COVID-19, casting doubt on anti-vaccination narratives. The results are published in JAMA Open.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA 2000 study asserting the safety of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, has been retracted following revelations of undisclosed corporate ghostwriting by Monsanto staff. Internal emails disclosed during a US court case indicated that the authors, Gary M. Williams, Robert Kroes, and Ian C. Munro, may have received undisclosed financial compensation and relied heavily on unpublished studies conducted by Monsanto. The retraction, announced by the journal *Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology*, raises significant ethical concerns about the integrity of the research, which has been cited 781 times and has influenced ongoing debates about glyphosate's safety. The World Health Organization previously classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans," and the US Environmental Protection Agency is currently reassessing its safety. The retraction does not comment on glyphosate's carcinogenicity but emphasizes adherence to publication ethics. The controversy surrounding glyphosate and corporate influence in scientific research continues.
Published: Dec 09 2025, 12 ameznews.inA TikTok video by creator @zachdfilms3 has sparked interest in the historical fact that the English alphabet once included 27 letters, with the ampersand ("&") recognized as the 27th. In the video, zachdfilms3 explains that the ampersand, which signified "and," was taught to be pronounced as "per se" when reciting the alphabet, resulting in the sequence "Q R S T U V W X Y Z &." Although the ampersand was part of the alphabet until the late 19th century, it has since fallen out of use, despite its early presence in nursery rhymes. The evolution of the English language has seen the loss of other letters, such as thorn (þ) and wynn (ƿ), while letters like U and J were only added in the 1500s. Experts suggest that while standardized spelling may prevent further losses, the simplification of English orthography remains a possibility.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe world of parasites is home to some truly disturbing examples, showcasing nature's darker side. One of the most notorious is *Cymothoa exigua*, a parasitic isopod that invades fish, eventually replacing their tongues by sucking their blood. Another grim example is the guinea worm (*Dracunculus medinensis*), which inflicts excruciating pain on humans as it emerges from the skin after maturing inside the body. Fungi like *Ophiocordyceps* manipulate ants into seeking ideal growth conditions, leading to their demise, while horsehair worms induce crickets to leap into water, ensuring the worms' reproduction. Additionally, parasitoid wasps, such as *Glypatapanteles*, lay eggs in caterpillars, which then protect the larvae at the cost of their own lives. Lastly, filarial worms can cause debilitating conditions like elephantiasis in humans, highlighting the often-harrowing impact of these parasitic organisms.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA thick blanket of radiation fog, specifically tule fog, has enveloped California's Central Valley for several days and is expected to persist. This type of fog, which forms during clear, calm nights when the ground cools rapidly, is not related to nuclear activity but is a natural phenomenon common in fall and winter. Following heavy rains in late November, the region's damp valleys have created ideal conditions for the fog, which stretches approximately 400 miles from Bakersfield to north of Sacramento. The National Weather Service has issued Dense Fog Advisories due to visibility dropping to as low as 10 feet, prompting warnings for motorists. While the fog can cause hazardous driving conditions, it also plays a crucial role in agriculture by helping crops enter their winter dormancy, essential for their growth in spring. Concerns remain about a decline in winter fog in the region, but this week's weather highlights its ongoing significance.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a striking example of genetic diversity, twin sisters Lucy and Maria, now 18, showcase how siblings can appear remarkably different despite sharing the same womb. Lucy, with fair skin, blue eyes, and red hair, contrasts sharply with her sister Maria, who has darker skin, brown eyes, and black curls. Their mother, Donna, is of Jamaican descent, while their father, Vince, is white, leading to the twins being fraternal rather than identical. This means they share about 50% of their DNA, similar to regular siblings. The unique appearance of the twins can be attributed to the chance inheritance of genes from their mother, who carries traits for both black and white skin. Such genetic outcomes, while unusual, highlight the complex interplay of ancestry and genetics, particularly among individuals of mixed heritage in Britain, where many with Afro-Caribbean roots have European ancestry.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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