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A new study led by scientists at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan reveals that COVID-19 vaccines saved an estimated 2.5 million lives between 2020 and 2024, equating to 14.8 million years of life saved globally. With over 13 billion doses administered, 67% of the global population had received a complete primary series by the end of 2023. The analysis highlights that 82% of lives saved were among individuals vaccinated before exposure to the virus, with 57% of these lives saved during the Omicron wave, predominantly among those aged 60 and over. While the success of COVID vaccines is notable, the authors caution that their impact on life-years saved is significantly lower than that of other vaccines, such as measles. They express concern over increased vaccine hesitancy stemming from the pandemic, which could complicate future vaccination efforts. The findings are published in JAMA Health Forum. 
Published: Jul 28 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA new preprint study from the Vanishing & Appearing Sources during a Century of Observations (VASCO) project has revealed a potential link between transient astronomical objects observed before the launch of Sputnik and nuclear tests. The researchers, Stephen Bruehl and Beatriz Villarroel, analyzed data from the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, identifying short-lived transients that appeared between 1949 and 1957, coinciding with at least 124 above-ground nuclear tests conducted by the US, Soviet Union, and Great Britain. They found that these transients were 45% more likely to occur during nuclear test windows, suggesting a possible atmospheric phenomenon triggered by the blasts. Additionally, a smaller correlation with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) was noted, particularly when multiple transients were observed. While the findings are intriguing, the study has yet to undergo peer review, and further investigation is needed to confirm the results and their implications.
Published: Jul 28 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA new species of manta ray, named _Mobula yarae_, has been officially identified in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the third species alongside the giant oceanic manta (_Mobula birostris_) and the reef manta (_Mobula alfredi_). This discovery, which follows a 15-year suspicion, is attributed to Dr. Andrea Marshall, co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, who previously split the known manta ray species in 2009. Marshall, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2024, had been working on the formal description of _M. yarae_ with her team, which combined genetic analysis and morphological studies. The new species is characterized by distinct “V” shaped white shoulder patches and lighter facial colors, reaching sizes of 5-6 meters. Recognizing _M. yarae_ is vital for conservation efforts, as both the oceanic and reef mantas are currently classified as endangered or vulnerable, respectively. The findings are published in *Environmental Biology of Fishes*.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe world's largest lava lake, located within Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), measures approximately 250 meters across and reaches depths of 600 meters. Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Virunga National Park, near Goma, Nyiragongo is one of Africa's most active volcanoes, alongside Nyamuragira, contributing to two-fifths of the continent's historical eruptions. The volcano's highly fluid basaltic lava can flow at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour, posing significant dangers, as evidenced by the catastrophic 2002 eruption that killed dozens and displaced nearly 500,000 people. Scientists monitor Nyiragongo closely due to its activity and proximity to human settlements. Despite its perilous nature, the volcano offers stunning views, surrounded by rich biodiversity, including chimpanzees and unique chameleons, attracting hikers eager to experience its breathtaking landscape.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 2 pmeznews.inOn February 7, 1984, astronaut Bruce McCandless II made history as the first person to conduct an untethered spacewalk, a feat accomplished aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Alongside fellow astronaut Bob Stewart, McCandless donned a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) and ventured into the void of space, hurtling at nearly 28,900 kilometers per hour (18,000 miles per hour). Despite the daunting speed, the astronauts experienced a gentler pace due to the MMU's nitrogen thrust. McCandless recalled the tension felt by those watching from mission control, including his wife, and humorously referenced Neil Armstrong's famous moon landing quote, saying, "It may have been a small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me." For McCandless, the experience was a blend of personal elation and professional pride, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking demonstration of avian mimicry, science and music YouTuber Benn Jordan has successfully stored an image of a bird within a bird, which a starling then reproduced at an estimated rate of 2 megabytes per second. While parrots are often celebrated for their vocal talents, starlings are equally impressive, capable of mimicking a wide range of sounds, including human speech and environmental noises. Jordan's experiment involved converting an image into sound, which he played back to the starling, hoping it would replicate the sound and reveal the original image in a spectrogram. To his surprise, the starling emulated the sound accurately, transferring approximately 176 kilobytes of data. This innovative approach highlights the potential of birds to store and transmit information, although practical applications remain limited. Jordan's findings underscore the remarkable capabilities of starlings and their complex vocalizations, challenging our understanding of animal communication.
Published: Jul 31 2025, 11 ameznews.inAround 2.3 million years ago, early human species like _Homo rudolfensis_ and _Homo erectus_ underwent a significant dietary shift, utilizing their advanced cognitive abilities to create digging tools for accessing carbohydrate-rich tubers, despite their teeth being ill-suited for such starchy foods. A recent study analyzing carbon and oxygen isotopes in fossilized teeth revealed that it took an additional 700,000 years for their molars to adapt to this new diet, supporting the theory that behavioral changes can drive evolutionary adaptations. Researchers found that humans began consuming herbaceous plants around 3.8 million years ago, but a notable increase in the intake of underground storage organs occurred about 1.5 million years later, coinciding with brain expansion and tool development. This dietary transition, while advantageous, highlighted the adaptability of early humans, who thrived on foods their bodies were not initially designed to process, ultimately influencing the trajectory of human evolution. The findings are detailed in the journal *Science*.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inAn Ohio couple has made headlines after welcoming Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, a baby born from an embryo frozen for an astonishing 30.5 years, setting a new world record for the oldest baby. Thaddeus, who is less than a week old, surpasses the previous record held by twins born from 30-year-old embryos in 2022. The embryo was created in May 1994 by Linda Archerd during her struggle with infertility. After having one successful pregnancy, Archerd opted for an "embryo adoption" agency to ensure her remaining frozen embryos would not be discarded. Despite the challenges of using older embryos, two were successfully thawed and implanted in Lindsey Pierce's uterus, leading to Thaddeus's birth. The couple expressed their joy, with Pierce noting, "We are in awe that we have this precious baby!" Since the first IVF baby in 1978, over 13 million babies have been born through assisted reproductive technologies.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 6 pmeznews.inDavid Phillip Vetter, known as the "Boy in the Bubble," was born in September 1971 with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a condition that left him without an immune system. His birth was meticulously planned via caesarean section to protect him from germs, and he spent his entire life in a sterile environment, isolated from the outside world. Despite his challenging circumstances, David displayed remarkable intelligence and development, but he struggled with social skills and understanding his surroundings. After 12 years, a breakthrough in medical science offered hope for a bone marrow transplant from his sister, but it led to tragedy when Epstein-Barr virus from the transplant caused cancerous tumors. David died shortly after leaving his bubble in 1984. His life, while tragic, contributed to significant medical advancements in treating SCID, ensuring that future generations would not endure the same fate.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAstronomers have proposed a plan to potentially intercept the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS using NASA's aging Juno spacecraft, which is currently in orbit around Jupiter. A pre-print paper by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb and colleagues suggests that by executing a Jupiter Oberth maneuver, Juno could alter its trajectory to meet the comet on March 14, 2026. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is notable for its size and speed, and may originate from a different region of the galaxy, making it a subject of significant scientific interest. However, the comet will be on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth at its closest approach, complicating observations. While Juno's instruments could provide valuable data, NASA faces budget cuts and competing priorities, including a mission to Mars, which may hinder the feasibility of this ambitious plan.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe Mariana Trench, one of the ocean's deepest and most enigmatic environments, is home to a diverse array of uniquely adapted creatures, including the black seadevil anglerfish, goblin shark, and dumbo octopus. The trench's extreme pressure—over 16,000 PSI—has shaped these species, allowing them to thrive in conditions where few humans have ventured. For instance, the black seadevil, with its bioluminescent lure, captures prey in the dark depths, while the goblin shark, a relic from 125 million years ago, uses its specialized sensory system to detect prey. Other fascinating inhabitants include the transparent barreleye fish, which can see above it through its see-through head, and the gelatinous snailfish, the deepest living fish known. These remarkable adaptations highlight the creativity of evolution in one of Earth's most challenging habitats, showcasing the extraordinary life forms that inhabit the Mariana Trench.
Published: Aug 01 2025, 10 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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