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An Australian man, Emmanuel Lidden, 24, faces potential jail time after attempting to collect all elements of the periodic table, including a small sample of plutonium, which triggered a major hazmat alert in Sydney. In August 2023, Lidden imported the radioactive material from the US to his parents' home, prompting a response from the Australian Border Force, firefighters, and police. Although he and his family were unharmed, Lidden has become the first person charged under Australia’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, facing a possible 10-year sentence. His defense describes him as an "innocent collector" and "science nerd," arguing that his actions stemmed from naivety rather than malicious intent. Prosecutors, however, contend that his collection of illegal materials poses a risk. Lidden, who lost his job as a train driver due to the investigation, is set to be sentenced on April 11. 
Published: Mar 26 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe classic game Tetris, often dismissed as simplistic by younger generations, has garnered attention for its profound psychological effects, known as the Tetris Effect. This phenomenon occurs when prolonged gameplay leads players to visualize the game's colorful blocks even in their peripheral vision or during sleep, influencing their real-world behaviors, such as organizing objects. Research indicates that this effect challenges traditional views of memory and perception, suggesting that our brains actively interpret and adapt information rather than merely storing it. Furthermore, Tetris has been explored as a potential tool for preventing post-traumatic stress symptoms, with studies showing that engaging with the game shortly after a traumatic event can reduce intrusive memories. Professor Emily Holmes emphasized the promise of using such behavioral interventions to alleviate post-traumatic suffering, highlighting the need for further research. Ultimately, Tetris not only entertains but may also offer significant cognitive benefits.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe winners of Nikon's 2022 Small World Photomicrography Competition have been revealed, celebrating the intricate beauty of microscopic life. Grigorii Timin, under the guidance of Dr. Michel Milinkovitch at the University of Geneva, clinched the top prize for his remarkable image of an embryonic Madagascar giant day gecko's hand, showcasing its complex structures in vivid colors. Timin's work involved an extensive scanning process, resulting in over 200 GB of data. Second place went to Dr. Caleb Dawson for his depiction of breast tissue, while Satu Paavonsalo and Dr. Sinem Karaman secured third for their image of blood vessel networks in a mouse's intestine. This year's competition attracted nearly 1,300 entries from 72 countries, highlighting the intersection of art and science, as noted by Nikon's Eric Flem. The event continues to inspire both seasoned and emerging photomicrographers worldwide.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inLake Victoria, Africa's largest lake and a vital resource for over 47 million people, is facing a severe ecological crisis as it turns green due to harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by eutrophication. This phenomenon, driven by over a century of human activity—including agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste—has been exacerbated by climate change, which promotes cyanobacterial growth. Researchers have identified the presence of _Microcystis_, a toxic algae that poses serious health risks, including liver damage, to humans and wildlife. The lake's deteriorating health threatens not only drinking water supplies but also the fish populations that many communities rely on for food. Some areas of the lake have become "dead zones," devoid of oxygen and life. Experts suggest that improved agricultural practices, better water treatment infrastructure, and reforestation could help mitigate nutrient runoff and protect this critical ecosystem.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report, which analyzed data from 193 countries, noted that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, a slight increase from 2022. Alarmingly, 87% of infections were concentrated in just 30 countries, with India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan accounting for over half of the cases. While TB is curable in about 85% of cases, it remains a major health threat, particularly for untreated individuals. WHO emphasizes the urgent need for action to meet the UN's goal of ending the global TB epidemic by 2030, highlighting a significant funding shortfall for prevention and research efforts. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the ongoing toll of TB an "outrage," urging countries to fulfill their commitments to combat the disease.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that brain aging accelerates significantly starting around the age of 44, peaking at approximately 67, before plateauing by the age of 90. Researchers analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from over 19,000 individuals, identifying a critical midlife window where neuronal insulin resistance contributes to this rapid decline. Lead author Lilianne R. Mujica-Parod emphasized the importance of this period, suggesting that providing alternative fuel sources, such as ketones, could help restore brain function. A clinical trial involving 101 participants indicated that those aged 40 to 49 experienced the most significant benefits from ketone supplementation, while older participants showed limited improvement. Although the findings are promising, further research with larger cohorts is necessary to explore potential interventions for delaying brain aging and related diseases. The study, published in PNAS, marks a significant shift in understanding brain aging prevention strategies.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA physicist at Vanderbilt University, Lorenzo Gavassino, claims to have addressed the infamous "grandfather paradox," suggesting that time travel to the past may not be inherently impossible. The paradox posits that if one were to kill their grandfather before their parent was born, it would create a logical inconsistency, as the time traveler would not exist to commit the act. While Stephen Hawking proposed the chronology protection conjecture to argue against time travel, Gavassino's research explores the concept of "closed timelike curves" (CTCs), where spacetime could theoretically loop back on itself. His findings indicate that while entropy must increase during such a journey, it could revert to its original state, erasing any memories of the trip. This self-consistency principle, derived from established quantum mechanics, suggests that time travel would not resemble typical science fiction narratives, as thermal fluctuations would obliterate causation and memory. The study is published in *Classical and Quantum Gravity*.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn navigating life's significant decisions, such as choosing a partner or a home, many face the challenge of "analysis paralysis." However, mathematicians propose a solution known as the "37 Percent Rule," derived from the "Secretary Problem," which suggests that to maximize the chances of selecting the best option, one should initially reject the first 37% of choices encountered. After this point, the next option that surpasses all previously seen should be accepted. This strategy offers a 37% probability of success, a notable improvement over random selection, which yields only a 5% chance when considering 20 potential partners. While the rule is mathematically sound, it does come with risks, such as potentially missing out on the best option if it appears early. Adjusting expectations can enhance outcomes; for instance, aiming for the top 5% of choices increases success rates to 57% by rejecting the first 22%.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study published in *Royal Society Open Science* reveals that ancient relatives of plesiosaurs may have suffered from tuberculosis (TB), marking the oldest known evidence of the disease. Researchers examined rib fossils from a large marine reptile that lived approximately 245 million years ago during the Middle Triassic, before the emergence of dinosaurs. The presence of lesions on the ribs suggests a severe pulmonary infection, potentially linked to TB, as similar blebs are observed in humans with the disease. While the exact cause of the lesions remains uncertain, the analysis ruled out fractures, cancer, and scurvy. The fossil, identified as an eosauropterygian, shares characteristics with modern seals, which are notably susceptible to TB. This connection raises questions about the lifestyle of these ancient creatures and their vulnerability to such infections, highlighting a long-standing relationship between TB and marine life.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 4 pmeznews.inEarth is known to have one moon, but it also occasionally captures quasi-moons—temporary celestial bodies that share its orbit without being gravitationally bound. Additionally, Earth may host "ghost moons," or Kordylewski clouds, which are accumulations of dust located at stable Lagrange points in the Earth-Moon system. Lagrange points are positions in space where gravitational forces create areas of attraction and repulsion, with five such points identified, two of which are stable. While previous attempts to detect these ghost moons yielded no results, a 2018 study successfully identified polarized light from dust at the L5 Lagrange point, confirming the existence of Kordylewski clouds. Researchers noted that these clouds could be transient due to gravitational perturbations from the Sun and other planets. The findings were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThis week, significant scientific advancements have emerged, including the first capture of auroras on Neptune by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), confirming auroral activity on all planets in the Solar System after 36 years of speculation. In paleontology, a newly identified therizinosaur species, _Duonychus tsogtbaatari_, dating back 90 million years, has surprised researchers with its unique two-fingered anatomy, diverging from the typical three-fingered structure of its relatives. Additionally, new evidence suggests that the ancient giant organism _Prototaxites_ may belong to an extinct lineage, necessitating a reevaluation of its classification. Meanwhile, psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, is gaining traction in modern medicine, with ongoing clinical trials potentially leading to FDA approval. These discoveries highlight the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry and the ongoing quest for understanding in various fields.
Published: Mar 29 2025, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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