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A team of astronomers has identified a potential candidate for the elusive Planet Nine, a hypothetical ninth planet in our Solar System, located far beyond Neptune. This follows a 2016 study by Caltech astronomers who suggested that several distant objects were being influenced by a massive, unseen gravitational force. While the existence of Planet Nine remains unconfirmed, it could help explain various anomalies in the orbits of Kuiper belt objects and align our Solar System with the more common planetary configurations observed in other star systems. The researchers analyzed decades of data from two infrared sky surveys, initially identifying 13 candidates before narrowing it down to one promising object. However, further observations are necessary to determine its orbit and confirm whether it is indeed Planet Nine. The findings are detailed in a pre-print paper available on arXiv, pending peer review. 
Published: Apr 29 2025, 5 pmeznews.inSouth Sudan, the world's youngest country, is set to celebrate its 14th anniversary on July 9, 2025, after gaining independence from Sudan following a 2011 referendum where 99% voted for secession. Covering approximately 644,329 square kilometers, South Sudan is bordered by several nations and has a youthful population of around 12.7 million, with an average age of just 18.7 years. However, it may soon lose its title to Bougainville, an autonomous region of Papua New Guinea, which voted for independence in a 2019 referendum with nearly 98% support. Bougainville's path to nationhood has been complicated by a history of conflict and a peace agreement that allows for a potential independence declaration between now and 2027. The future of Bougainville as a sovereign state remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about its status and governance.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBolivia's Uturuncu volcano, dubbed a "zombie" volcano, remains active despite last erupting 250,000 years ago. Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, the University of Oxford, and Cornell University have conducted a study revealing that the volcano still exhibits signs of unrest, including gas emissions and ground deformation. Utilizing seismic tomography and rock analysis, the team discovered that volcanic liquids and gases are likely accumulating in reservoirs beneath the crater, causing the volcano's distinctive "sombrero" shape. Fortunately, their findings suggest a low risk of eruption. The study aims to apply these methods to other dormant volcanoes, potentially identifying more "zombie" volcanoes worldwide. Notable examples include Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone, both of which have experienced long dormancies before reawakening. The research is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inArchaeologists are unraveling the mystery behind a chilling discovery of 38 headless skeletons found in a prehistoric pit near Vráble, Slovakia, dating back to between 5250 and 4950 BCE. The remains, all lacking skulls except for one child, were unearthed in a jumbled mass within a 15-square-meter ditch, complicating the identification process. Initial assumptions suggested a violent massacre, but researchers, including Professor Dr. Martin Furholt, are considering alternative explanations, such as a unique "death cult" practice involving the careful removal of skulls for cultural or spiritual reasons. Dr. Katharina Fuchs noted that the positioning of some bones indicates a more complex burial sequence, possibly involving previously skeletonized bodies. Ongoing investigations, including DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, aim to shed light on the identities and circumstances of these individuals, potentially revealing whether they were locals or outsiders and if disease played a role in their deaths.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 4 ameznews.inLiverpool FC's recent Premier League victory, marked by a decisive 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, has sparked an intriguing mathematical observation. This triumph, only Liverpool's second title since the league's inception in 1992, aligns with the Fibonacci sequence, a pattern where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones. The win totals of the top clubs—Blackburn Rovers (1), Leicester City (1), Liverpool (2), Arsenal (3), Chelsea (5), Manchester City (8), and Manchester United (13)—mirror this sequence. While some may speculate about a deeper mathematical connection to football dynamics, experts suggest the occurrence is likely coincidental, reflecting humanity's tendency to find patterns. The Fibonacci sequence, historically linked to natural phenomena and the Golden Ratio, continues to captivate mathematicians and enthusiasts alike, though its appearance in football remains a curious anomaly.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 10 pmeznews.inContraline, Inc. has announced a significant milestone in the development of ADAM™, a non-hormonal male contraceptive, as it successfully demonstrated safety and efficacy during its first human clinical trials at the two-year mark. The injectable hydrogel works by temporarily blocking sperm transit through the vas deferens without affecting ejaculation or sexual sensation. Following this promising outcome, the company is set to advance to Phase 2 trials, with hopes of bringing ADAM™ to market by 2028. Notably, two participants have shown azoospermia, indicating the absence of viable sperm, while no serious adverse effects have been reported. With a waiting list of over 15,000 men expressing interest, Contraline's CEO Kevin Eisenfrats believes that ADAM™ could revolutionize male contraception, offering a long-lasting, reversible option that contrasts with traditional methods like vasectomy. The demand for such alternatives reflects a growing societal readiness for male contraceptive solutions.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking move for sustainable luxury fashion, a new partnership between VML, The Organoid Company, and Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. aims to create a cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather using fossilized _Tyrannosaurus rex_ collagen. This innovative material, dubbed _T. rex_ leather, promises to replicate the durability and tactile qualities of high-end leather while addressing ethical concerns associated with conventional leather production, which is linked to significant environmental damage, including deforestation and biodiversity loss. The process involves engineering cells with synthetic DNA, allowing them to merge freely, resulting in a product that goes beyond mere imitation. VML describes _T. rex_ leather as a pioneering step in sustainable materials, inspired by ancient biology. As the fashion industry seeks alternatives to fossil fuel-derived vegan options, the prospect of _T. rex_ leather raises excitement for eco-conscious consumers looking to make a stylish statement amid the climate crisis.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIceland's government has lifted its summer 2023 suspension on commercial whaling, allowing hunting to resume under new regulations aimed at improving animal welfare. Initially announced in June by Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the suspension followed a report highlighting the prolonged suffering of whales during hunts. The new rules restrict hunting to within 25 meters of boats and prohibit killing whales accompanied by calves, while banning controversial methods like electrification. However, animal rights advocates have criticized the decision, arguing that no method can render whaling humane. Kate O’Connell from the Animal Welfare Institute expressed disappointment, stating that the regulations would still lead to unnecessary suffering. With only one commercial whaling company, Hvalur, remaining in Iceland, there is cautious optimism that future hunting permits may not be issued, as advocates continue to push for an end to the practice altogether.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe reopening of King Casimir IV Jagiellon's tomb in 1973 has sparked intrigue and concern, as a team of archaeologists discovered a hazardous environment teeming with potentially dangerous fungi. Following the death of the Polish king in 1492, the tomb became a breeding ground for pathogens, leading to a grim outcome for the researchers; of the twelve scientists present, ten died shortly after the excavation. This incident echoes the infamous "Curse of the Mummy," popularized by the death of Lord Carnarvon after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, which some attribute to fungal spores. A 2015 study highlighted the presence of various molds, including Aspergillus and Penicillium, in the crypt, raising alarms about the health risks posed to those who work in such environments. While the supernatural elements of tomb curses may be exaggerated, the biological threats from ancient crypts appear to be very real.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a controversial move following a devastating bushfire, the Victorian government has euthanized between 600 to 700 koalas in Budj Bim National Park, sparking public outrage and political backlash. Officials argue that the mass cull was a necessary measure to prevent prolonged suffering among the animals, many of which were left severely injured or sick after a lightning strike ignited the fire in March, destroying their habitat and food sources. Critics, including animal welfare advocates, question the ethics of using helicopter snipers for such a drastic action, suggesting that more humane alternatives could have been explored. They also highlight concerns over transparency and the ongoing clearing of blue gum plantations, which has exacerbated koala overpopulation in the park. However, some experts, like Associate Professor Desley Whisson, defend the decision as a compassionate response to prevent a slow, painful death for the surviving koalas.
Published: Apr 29 2025, 6 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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