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A new study has found that cannabidiol (CBD), often marketed as a remedy for chronic pain, is largely ineffective, with 15 out of 16 clinical trials showing no significant difference from a placebo. Despite its popularity, particularly among younger adults in the US and Canada, the evidence supporting CBD's analgesic properties remains weak. Researchers noted that many consumers spend over $140 monthly on CBD products, driven by desperation for pain relief. The study highlights concerns over the lack of regulation in the CBD market, with only 25% of products containing the advertised amount of CBD and many containing psychoactive THC or synthetic cannabinoids. The authors conclude that while CBD is marketed as a pain relief solution, it is expensive, ineffective, and potentially harmful, urging consumers to be cautious. The findings were published in The Journal of Pain. 
Published: Mar 12 2025, 2 ameznews.inA team of researchers from Graubuenden University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland has set a new world record by calculating the mathematical constant pi to an astonishing 62.8 trillion digits, surpassing previous records held by Google and Timothy Mullican. The calculation, which took 108 days and nine hours, was performed using a high-performance supercomputer at the Center for Data Analytics, Visualization and Simulation (DAViS), achieving results 3.5 times faster than earlier attempts. To print all the digits would require nearly 35 billion sheets of A4 paper, weighing about 52% of the Empire State Building and stretching over 10 million kilometers. Project leaders emphasized that the endeavor not only demonstrated advanced computational capabilities but also highlighted areas for improvement in their infrastructure. The last ten digits of pi from this record are 7817924264, although the achievement is pending certification by the Guinness Book of Records.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe discovery of _Proteroctopus ribeti_, a 165-million-year-old fossil cephalopod found in France's La Voulte-sur-Rhône Lagerstätte, has significantly advanced our understanding of octopus evolution. Initially described in 1982, this well-preserved specimen has revealed that it is a basal member of Vampyropoda, challenging previous assumptions about its classification. A 2016 study utilizing synchrotron X-ray microtomography uncovered unexpected features, including two rows of suckers on its arms—previously thought to have evolved later—and the absence of an ink sac, suggesting a different evolutionary path. Additionally, _Proteroctopus_ possessed a poorly mineralized gladius and an axial nerve in its arms, indicating a transitional form between squid-like ancestors and modern octopuses. While not the oldest octopus fossil, _Proteroctopus_ remains crucial for understanding the evolutionary history of cephalopods, as soft-bodied organisms are rarely fossilized due to their delicate structures.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inSixty-six million years ago, a 12-kilometer asteroid struck Earth, creating the Chicxulub crater in Mexico and triggering a mass extinction event, including the demise of the dinosaurs. The impact generated an earthquake exceeding magnitude 11 and produced Rayleigh waves that caused significant geological disruption in the Gulf of Mexico. Recent research led by Dr. Gary Kinsland from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette has revealed extensive "megaripples" of sediment, formed by the tsunami generated by the impact, which extend further than previously thought. These megaripples, reaching heights of 16 meters and spaced 600 meters apart, were found in fluidized marl muds, suggesting that the tsunami's high-velocity flow shaped the sediment into these formations. While the study highlights the profound effects of the Chicxulub impact, further investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the formation of these large sediment structures. The findings are detailed in the journal Marine Geology.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 5 pmeznews.inNew Zealand's quirky "Bug of the Year" competition has crowned the velvet worm (_Peripatoides novaezealandiae_) as its 2023 champion, outpacing contenders like the praying mantis and giant springtail. This ancient creature, often dubbed a "living fossil," boasts a unique appearance reminiscent of a hybrid between a slug, worm, and caterpillar, complete with stumpy legs and a velvety, orange-speckled body. Despite its seemingly benign exterior, the velvet worm is a formidable predator, ensnaring its prey with sticky slime before injecting digestive saliva and consuming the liquefied remains. While little is known about its conservation status due to its reclusive nature, velvet worms face threats from habitat loss and introduced predators. The Entomological Society of New Zealand hopes that initiatives like the Bug of the Year will raise awareness about these fascinating yet underappreciated invertebrates, encouraging further research and conservation efforts.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 7 pmeznews.inLast week, North America experienced a rare celestial event as the Moon transformed into a striking blood-red hue during a total lunar eclipse, an occurrence that happens approximately every two and a half years. This phenomenon, known as a "Blood Moon," occurs when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, blocking most sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. The red coloration results from Rayleigh scattering, where blue light is scattered more effectively by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing only red light to illuminate the Moon. Viewers in North America were advised to stay up late to witness the totality phase, which occurred around 06:26 am UTC, lasting nearly an hour. While the eclipse was visible across North and South America, only the initial phase was observable in parts of Europe and Africa. The next opportunity to see a Blood Moon will be on September 7, 2025.
Published: Mar 10 2025, 11 pmeznews.inNearly three decades ago, Dr. Carl Sagan made a strikingly prescient prediction about the future of the United States, warning of the potential rise of big tech, misinformation, and superstition. In his 1995 book, *The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark*, Sagan, renowned for his passionate advocacy of science, expressed concern that humanity's reverence for reason and rationality was waning. He envisioned a future where the U.S. would become a service and information economy, dominated by a few technological elites, with the public unable to critically engage with authority. Sagan lamented the decline of substantive media content, predicting a culture increasingly enamored with ignorance and superstition, as people turned to crystals and horoscopes instead of reasoned inquiry. His insights resonate today, highlighting the ongoing struggle between enlightenment and the allure of pseudoscience.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIndium, a rare metallic element discovered in 1863 by German chemists Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymous Richter, is notable for its unusual chewability, resembling a slightly stale stick of gum. Named after the Latin word for indigo due to its spectral properties, indium is silvery-white and remarkably soft, easily cut with a knife or scratched with a fingernail. While it produces a high-pitched noise when bent, akin to "crying," indium is considered low in toxicity, though caution is advised due to potential health risks like indium lung disease for workers exposed to indium tin oxide. Despite its chewable nature, popular YouTuber Michael Stevens likened the experience to biting into refrigerated Milk Duds, noting the lack of flavor. He cautioned against chewing indium, emphasizing that while it may be softer than other metals, it could still harm your teeth.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 9 ameznews.inA recent study utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed an unexpected pattern in the rotation of galaxies from the early universe, suggesting that we may be inside a black hole. Researchers from Kansas State University analyzed images of 263 galaxies, finding that 60% rotated clockwise and 40% counterclockwise, a discrepancy that contradicts current cosmological models predicting no preferred rotation direction. This observation raises questions about the universe's structure, with some theories proposing that it may have been born rotating, aligning with black hole cosmology. Alternatively, the findings could be influenced by the Doppler effect, which might make certain galaxies appear brighter based on their rotation relative to the Milky Way. While the study opens new avenues for understanding cosmic evolution, further observations are necessary to validate these claims and refine our understanding of the universe's dynamics. The research is published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA viral TikTok video has captured the unusual facial features of the Reeves's or Chinese muntjac deer, known for their distinctive flappy faces, which serve a crucial role in their communication. Native to southeastern China and Taiwan, these small, secretive deer have expanded their range to Europe, the western United States, and Japan due to human introduction. Muntjacs possess two sets of scent glands—preorbital glands near the eyes and v-shaped frontal glands on the forehead—used primarily for scent marking. While at rest, these glands appear as mere folds of skin, but they can flare dramatically when the deer scent mark, especially during interactions with potential mates or rivals. Males are particularly active in using these glands, marking their territory and communicating with other deer. Despite their quirky appearance, experts advise against handling these animals, as their unique features can lead to unexpected reactions.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 4 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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