eznews.in
A prominent systems theorist, Nafeez Ahmed, has posited that humanity stands on the verge of a transformative "giant leap" towards a "networked superabundance," driven by advancements in renewable energy and technology. In his latest study, Ahmed argues that industrial civilization is in a state of inevitable decline, potentially paving the way for a more advanced "postmaterialist" society. He outlines a four-stage life-cycle of civilizations—growth, stability, decline, and transformation—suggesting that we are nearing the decline phase, with the potential for a significant transformation in energy, food production, and transportation. However, he warns that the rise of nationalist populism and authoritarian politics, exemplified by the incoming Trump administration's focus on fossil fuels, could derail this progress. Ahmed emphasizes the need for responsible governance of emerging technologies to avoid regression and ensure a sustainable future. His findings are detailed in the journal *Foresight*. 
Published: Jan 22 2025, 12 pmeznews.inPolynesian storm-petrels have made a remarkable return to Kamaka Island, a French Polynesian site from which they vanished over a century ago due to invasive rats. This comeback follows a concerted, multi-organizational effort to restore the island's ecosystem, which included the successful eradication of the invasive rodents in 2022. To attract the seabirds back, conservationists employed a "social attraction" strategy, utilizing recorded sounds of storm-petrel colonies and solar-powered sound systems, alongside nesting boxes. Within a month of these installations in March 2024, the first storm-petrel was spotted, with multiple birds visiting by June. With only 250 to 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild, this development offers hope for the species' recovery. Conservationists believe that establishing a secure breeding population on Kamaka will not only benefit the storm-petrels but also enhance the island's broader ecosystem.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA physicist, Dr. Melvin Vopson, has proposed a controversial new law of physics called the "second law of infodynamics," derived from his study of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Vopson suggests that this law could imply we live in a simulated universe and challenges the randomness of genetic mutations, positing that they are governed by a deterministic process. His research indicates that while physical entropy increases, information entropy decreases, which he argues is essential for understanding genetic evolution and the universe's structure. Vopson's findings, based on extensive data from the COVID-19 pandemic, could revolutionize fields like genetic therapy and evolutionary biology. However, he acknowledges that extraordinary claims require substantial evidence, and further experimental validation is needed to explore the implications of his theory, including the potential mass of information itself. While intriguing, Vopson's ideas remain speculative and await rigorous scientific scrutiny.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe "Forbidden Experiment," a concept that raises ethical alarms in modern academia, involves isolating a child from social interactions to explore the nature versus nurture debate regarding human development. Historical accounts, albeit dubious, suggest attempts to conduct such experiments, including Egyptian Pharaoh Psamtik I's directive to a shepherd to raise two infants in silence, leading to the belief that Phrygian was humanity's original language. Similarly, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II's efforts to raise children with mute caregivers aimed to uncover innate language abilities but failed due to the children's need for social interaction. American psychologist Winthrop Kellogg's experiment with a chimpanzee named Gua and his son Donald sought to study behavioral development but yielded no significant insights. Experts like Professor Sandra Swart argue that these experiments have not only proven ethically problematic but have also failed to answer fundamental questions about human nature, often serving as projections of societal issues rather than genuine scientific inquiries.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 9 ameznews.inA study by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed that ants can outperform humans in collective problem-solving tasks under certain conditions. The team investigated "collective cognition" by comparing the performance of the ant species _Paratrechina longicornis_ and humans in a task known as the "piano movers puzzle," where both groups had to navigate a T-shaped object through a maze. While humans excelled individually, ants demonstrated enhanced performance in larger groups, exhibiting what the researchers termed "emergent collective memory." This allowed the ants to coordinate effectively, unlike human groups, which often resorted to "greedy" strategies that hindered their progress. The findings suggest that ant colonies function as a cohesive unit, or "super-organism," where cooperation prevails over competition, contrasting with human group dynamics that do not necessarily enhance cognitive abilities. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 7 ameznews.inAn alarming die-off of common murres in Alaska has been reported, with an estimated four million birds missing from colonies, marking the worst single species mortality event in modern history. Triggered by "The Blob," a mass of warm water in the North Pacific, this phenomenon disrupted marine ecosystems and food sources for these seabirds between 2014 and 2016. Researchers noted a significant decline in murre populations, with many birds failing to breed due to malnutrition. By the end of 2016, over 62,000 carcasses had been found along the Gulf of Alaska, but the true toll is believed to be much higher. Despite the Blob dissipating in 2016, no signs of recovery have emerged in monitored colonies, with the die-off accounting for approximately 50% of Alaska's murre population. Experts warn that the future remains bleak for these birds, as reduced numbers increase their vulnerability to predators and environmental challenges.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe "H" in "Jesus H. Christ" is often misunderstood, but it does not stand for a middle name like Hector. According to Dr. Dan McClellan, a Biblical scholar at the University of Birmingham, the initial likely originates from a Christogram, a monogram that combines letters and symbols to represent Jesus. This practice of using Christograms is prevalent in various artifacts, including artworks, coins, and gravestones, and even appears in ancient tattoos. The "H" serves as a symbolic representation rather than a literal name, highlighting the rich tradition of Christian symbolism throughout history. For a deeper understanding, Dr. McClellan elaborates on this topic in a video available online.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe colour of nasal mucus, or snot, can provide valuable insights into an individual's immune health, according to researchers from York St John University. Clear mucus is typical of a healthy state, while white mucus often indicates congestion and the onset of an infection. Yellow mucus suggests that the immune system is actively combating an infection, as white blood cells release enzymes that change its colour. A green hue indicates a heightened immune response, often associated with bacterial infections. Pink or red mucus may signal the presence of blood due to irritation, while brown or orange can result from environmental debris or dried blood. Rarely, black mucus may indicate serious conditions like fungal infections. Understanding these variations in mucus can help differentiate between viral and bacterial infections, highlighting the body's complex defence mechanisms at work.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 5 ameznews.inPallasite meteorites, rare and stunning extraterrestrial rocks, are characterized by their unique composition of olive-green olivine crystals embedded in metal. With only about 300 known specimens among over 60,000 recognized meteorites, they are rarer than diamonds and offer valuable insights into the Solar System's history. Formed from differentiated asteroids, pallasites are believed to originate at the boundary between the core and mantle, although some scientists propose that collisions in the early Solar System may have mixed these materials. The Imilac meteorite, one of the largest and oldest pallasites at over 4.5 billion years, exemplifies their beauty and scientific significance. Found in Chile, it is not only a collector's gem but also a stable specimen for ongoing research, providing clues about the Earth's interior and the processes that shaped our planet.
Published: Jan 22 2025, 6 ameznews.inPolish researchers have unveiled a stunning new map that intricately details supernatural stories from Polish and German folklore, particularly along the Polish-German border. Designed to resemble Renaissance maps, it highlights various mythical beings such as devils, spirits, gnomes, and dragons, based on 1,500 accounts collected in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Of these, 600 stories are linked to specific landscape features, showcasing the cultural significance of these narratives. The map is part of a broader study that employs modern Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to spatially analyze folklore, merging artistic elements with contemporary research methodologies. The project aims to preserve intangible heritage and offers insights into the socio-cultural context of these tales. The map and accompanying research are published in the Journal of Maps, contributing to the growing field of Computational Folkloristics.
Published: Jan 21 2025, 2 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact