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A recent study from MIT suggests that reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT for writing tasks may negatively impact cognitive function. The research, involving 54 college students, found that those using ChatGPT exhibited significantly lower neural activity—up to 55% less—compared to peers who wrote without AI assistance. Participants using AI struggled to recall their own work, indicating a superficial engagement with the material. Essays produced with ChatGPT were deemed technically proficient but criticized by English teachers for lacking depth and personal insight, described as "soulless." The study raises concerns about "cognitive debt," where over-reliance on AI could diminish critical thinking and creativity. As educational institutions consider integrating AI into classrooms, the findings highlight the need for a balanced approach that fosters essential cognitive skills alongside technological proficiency. The paper is currently available on arXiv, pending peer review. 
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Jun 19 2025, 10 pmeznews.inLove black olives but dislike green ones? You might want to reconsider, as they are essentially the same fruit, differing mainly in ripeness. Both are drupes, akin to peaches and cherries, with green olives being unripe and black olives fully ripe. The bitterness of green olives is due to oleuropein, which is often removed through lye treatment in mass production. While some black olives achieve their color and flavor through natural ripening, many commercially available varieties, such as "California ripe olives," are artificially darkened with chemicals like ferrous gluconate after being picked unripe. This process results in a milder taste, making them suitable for mass production but lacking the complexity of naturally ripened olives. So, whether you prefer green or black, remember that the distinction lies in their processing rather than genetic differences.
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Jul 23 2025, 1 pmeznews.inUranus has reportedly found a new orbital companion, Centaur 2015 OU194, which is believed to be in a 3:4 mean motion resonance with the planet, marking the first instance of such an orbital relationship in this region of the Solar System. This discovery, detailed in a study awaiting peer review, suggests that for every three orbits of 2015 OU194 around the Sun, Uranus completes four. The research team, utilizing data from the Subaru Telescope, indicates that this resonance has been stable for at least one million years and is expected to persist for another 500,000 years. Additionally, two other Centaurs, 2000 QC243 and 2001 XZ255, are known to be in resonance with Uranus, while another candidate, 2013 RG98, may also share a similar relationship. Meanwhile, Neptune might have its own companion, 2014 NX65, which exhibits a fluctuating resonance.
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Jul 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA new study from Swiss researchers has shed light on the complex process of waking up, revealing that the brain transitions from sleep to wakefulness in a structured manner. Analyzing over 1,000 awakenings using 256 EEG sensors on participants, the study found a consistent front-to-back wave of activation in the brain, beginning in areas linked to decision-making and spreading to visual regions. This pattern varies depending on whether one wakes from REM or non-REM sleep, with REM awakenings prompting immediate alertness, while non-REM involves a gradual increase in arousal. The findings suggest that the timing and nature of awakening significantly influence how alert individuals feel, potentially aiding future research into sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. The study, published in *Current Biology*, offers new insights into the brain's transition from sleep to consciousness, highlighting its implications for understanding sleep-related issues.
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Jul 23 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a controversial UK reality show, _Boys and Girls Alone_, ten boys and ten girls aged 11 to 12 were placed in separate houses without adult supervision, tasked with managing their own lives. The children were provided with basic necessities but were largely left to their own devices, with crew intervention only in safety concerns. The boys quickly descended into chaos, vandalizing their environment and splitting into rival groups, while the girls organized activities like cooking and a fashion show, though they also faced interpersonal conflicts, leading to two girls leaving the experiment early. Despite moments of tension, such as a neighbor's cat entering the girls' house, the overall dynamics highlighted stark behavioral differences between the genders. While the show offered intriguing insights, its findings are limited due to the artificial setting, reminiscent of real-life instances of child isolation, such as a 1965 incident involving six boys stranded on an island for 15 months.
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Jul 23 2025, 1 pmeznews.inMany people find themselves waking up at 3 AM, a phenomenon that is more common than one might think. This disruption often occurs during the natural sleep cycle, which includes light sleep, deep sleep, and REM phases, typically repeating every four hours. While waking briefly is normal, stress and anxiety can exacerbate these awakenings, leading to a spiral of worrying thoughts that feel more daunting in the stillness of night. Psychologist Greg Murray explains that the inability to address problems at this hour can intensify feelings of helplessness. To combat this, he suggests mindfulness meditation to calm the mind, or reading a book to distract from anxious thoughts. Understanding that these nocturnal awakenings are a natural part of sleep can help individuals manage their nighttime worries more effectively.
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Jul 23 2025, 4 pmeznews.inPhysicists have made a groundbreaking observation of the Transverse Thomson Effect, a phenomenon theorized over 174 years ago, which could enhance temperature management in various applications. This effect, related to the Seebeck effect used in thermoelectric generators, was first noted by Lord Kelvin in 1851, highlighting the relationship between temperature gradients and electrical currents. Researchers from two Japanese institutes successfully demonstrated the effect using a bismuth-antimony semimetal, applying a current, temperature gradient, and magnetic field at right angles. Their findings revealed that the Transverse Thomson Effect can induce uniform heating or cooling across the material, with the potential to be amplified in other substances. The study, published in *Nature Physics*, estimates this effect to be about 15% as strong as the original Thomson Effect, offering hope for advancements in the search for dark matter and other scientific applications.
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Jul 19 2025, 11 pmeznews.inChongqing, a sprawling megacity in China, holds the title of the world's largest city by area, covering over 82,400 square kilometers—comparable to the size of Ireland or Austria. With a population exceeding 32 million, it surpasses major cities like New York and Mexico City, which are significantly smaller in both area and population. Nestled at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers, Chongqing's unique geography features neighborhoods clinging to cliffs and a complex network of elevated roads and metro lines. While its vast size includes extensive rural regions, over 70% of its population resides in the urban area. Chongqing's rapid growth began in the late 20th century, driven by China's economic reforms, transforming it into a vital transportation hub with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Despite potential population declines, Chongqing remains a symbol of China's urbanization and development.
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Jul 23 2025, 2 pmeznews.inThe animal kingdom showcases a remarkable variety of reproductive organs, each with unique adaptations. The Argentine blue-bill lake duck features a corkscrew-shaped penis, measuring up to 42.5 centimeters, designed to navigate the female's similarly twisted anatomy. In contrast, the short-beaked echidna boasts a four-headed penis, resembling a rotating shaver, which is exclusively used for reproduction. Barnacles, known for their adhesive nature, possess retractable penises that can extend up to 20 centimeters, earning them the title for the longest penis relative to body size. Leopard slugs engage in elaborate mating rituals, using bright blue penises that emerge from their heads. Additionally, some species, like koalas and certain sharks, have dual reproductive organs, while humans, with comparatively larger penises and smaller testicles than other primates, stand out in the evolutionary landscape. This diversity highlights the fascinating adaptations of animal reproductive strategies.
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Jul 23 2025, 9 ameznews.inIn Utah's Fishlake National Forest, a colossal organism known as Pando, a quaking aspen (_Populus tremuloides_), spans 42.6 hectares (105.3 acres) and consists of approximately 47,000 genetically identical stems, making it one of the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth. Recent genetic analysis suggests Pando's age could range from 16,000 to 80,000 years, highlighting its remarkable longevity. Researchers found that while Pando clones itself asexually due to its triploid nature, which may enhance its fitness, the genetic variation among its stems is more complex than expected. The study revealed 4,000 unique genetic variants, indicating a mosaic of mutations rather than localized clusters. This groundbreaking research aims to deepen understanding of clonal organisms, with co-author William Ratcliff calling for further exploration of such unique life forms. Pando's resilience is particularly notable as it faces threats from deer grazing.
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Jul 20 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe king cheetah, a rare big cat found in southern Africa, challenges the conventional understanding of cheetah patterns. Unlike typical cheetahs, which have rounded black spots, king cheetahs display a unique coat with elongated spots and thick stripes along their spines. Initially thought to be a hybrid of a leopard and a hyena, or even a separate species (_Acinonyx rex_), the true nature of the king cheetah's distinctive appearance was revealed in 2012. Researchers discovered that a mutation in the _Taqpep_ gene, responsible for coat patterns in domestic cats, also accounts for the king cheetah's blotchy design. Conservationist Ann van Dyk played a crucial role in this research, maintaining detailed breeding records that supported the genetic findings. While only about ten king cheetahs are believed to exist in the wild, conservation efforts may help increase their numbers in the future.
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Jul 23 2025, 10 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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