eznews.inIn 1962, French geologist Michel Siffre emerged from Scarasson, a glacial cave in the Alps, after spending 63 days in isolation, devoid of natural light and timekeeping devices. Initially intending to study the glacier for just 15 days, Siffre extended his stay to explore the effects of prolonged darkness on human physiology. His experience revealed that the human body possesses an internal clock independent of the Sun, leading to significant alterations in his sleep-wake cycle. Siffre's findings, which included a psychological time distortion and a shift from a 24-hour to a 48-hour cycle, laid the groundwork for the field of human chronobiology. Despite facing skepticism and criticism for his unconventional methods, his research has had lasting implications, influencing areas such as sleep science and military operations. Siffre's pioneering work continues to resonate in scientific circles, highlighting the mysteries of human biology and the potential for discovery in the depths of darkness. 
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a surprising twist to the recovery of Mount St Helens after its catastrophic 1980 eruption, researchers have found that a brief visit from local gophers significantly accelerated the regrowth of plant life in the devastated landscape. Initially, the area was left barren, with ash and pumice hindering plant roots from accessing essential nutrients. However, a team from the University of California Riverside discovered that the gophers, often deemed pests, played a crucial role by digging up old soil and bringing it to the surface, fostering a thriving ecosystem. Remarkably, six years post-visit, over 40,000 plants flourished in the gopher-affected areas, while surrounding regions remained desolate. The study also highlighted the vital role of mycorrhizal fungi in aiding tree regrowth, as they efficiently transported nutrients from fallen needles, contradicting earlier fears of prolonged forest recovery. The findings, published in *Frontiers in Microbiomes*, underscore the unexpected resilience of nature.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA declassified CIA report from 1983, titled "Analysis and Assessment of the Gateway Process," has resurfaced on social media, sparking interest in its claims about altered states of consciousness potentially transcending space and time. The 29-page document, part of Cold War-era investigations into mind control and hypnosis, explores the "Gateway Process," a technique developed by the Monroe Institute aimed at synchronizing brainwaves through meditation and sound, known as "hemi-sync." While the report suggests that achieving this state could allow individuals to connect with a higher realm of consciousness, it does not substantiate the popular "Law of Attraction" theory, which posits that positive thoughts yield positive outcomes. Critics caution that, despite its scientific jargon, the report's ideas are largely untestable and blend legitimate science with pseudoscience, urging readers to approach its conclusions with skepticism while exploring the mysteries of consciousness.
Published: Jan 01 2026, 12 ameznews.inScientists have revised their eruption forecast for the Axial Seamount, a massive underwater volcano off the Oregon coast, now predicting it may erupt in 2026 instead of 2025. Bill Chadwick, a research associate at Oregon State University, noted that the volcano's inflation rate has changed, complicating predictions. While Axial is the most monitored submarine volcano globally, with real-time data on seismic activity and surface growth, the current inflation levels have not reached the threshold necessary for an eruption. Despite surpassing the inflation levels seen before its last eruption in 2015, the volcano has exhibited low seismic activity, with fewer than 1,000 earthquakes per day, far below the expected levels before an eruption. Researchers are now exploring a new physics-based model for eruption forecasting, hoping it will yield more accurate predictions. Until then, the timeline for Axial's next eruption remains uncertain, with 2027 also a possibility.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 5 pmeznews.inFaces are integral to human interaction, serving as key indicators of identity and emotion, while also being a focal point for social judgments. A recent review highlights the historical use of facial disfigurement as a form of punishment across various cultures, from ancient Egypt to modern times. This practice, often targeting women, has roots in societal norms surrounding beauty and morality, with disfigurement seen as a means to humiliate and mark transgressors. Evidence of intentional facial mutilation dates back to Neolithic times, with methods evolving to include acid attacks in contemporary contexts. The motivations behind such acts are complex, often linked to gender dynamics and personal vendettas rather than legal transgressions. The authors of the study advocate for further research into the social and cultural factors driving facial disfigurement, suggesting that understanding these motivations could inform public health and judicial policies to better address this issue.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Surinam toad (_Pipa pipa_), often mistaken for a squashed fruit due to its unremarkable appearance, exhibits a remarkable and somewhat unsettling reproductive process. Males attract females by producing a metallic sound with their hyoid bone, leading to a mating embrace known as amplexus. Following fertilization, the female's back becomes a nursery for the developing offspring, which remain embedded in her skin until they fully mature into toadlets. This unique birthing method can trigger trypophobia—a condition characterized by an aversion to clusters of holes—affecting 10 to 18 percent of the population. Individuals with this aversion may experience intense disgust or sensations akin to skin crawling when confronted with the toad's honeycomb-like back. Researchers suggest this reaction may serve as an evolutionary defense against parasites, highlighting the complex interplay between human psychology and the natural world.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking development, Peru has become the first country to grant legal rights to an insect, specifically the native stingless bee, which plays a crucial role in pollinating over 80% of Amazonian flora. The Provincial Municipality of Satipo approved Municipal Ordinance No. 33-2025-CM/MPS, recognizing the bees' inherent rights to exist, thrive, and maintain healthy populations, as well as to a pollution-free habitat and stable climatic conditions. This historic legislation, supported by the Earth Law Center and local Indigenous groups, aims to protect these vital pollinators from threats such as deforestation and climate change. The bees, cultivated for centuries for their medicinal honey, are essential not only for biodiversity but also for global crops like coffee and chocolate. Advocates believe this pioneering ordinance could inspire similar initiatives worldwide, marking a significant shift in environmental law and our relationship with nature.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn Bangkok, the award-winning restaurant Wattana Panich serves a unique beef and goat soup that has been continuously brewed for 49 years, a culinary tradition maintained by three generations of chefs. Each night, the remaining soup is stored and replenished with fresh ingredients, creating a "delicious and aromatic" dish that has garnered numerous accolades, including recognition from the Michelin Guide. Similarly, Tokyo's Otafuku restaurant has been serving a constantly replenished stew called oden since 1945, with its origins dating back to 1916, though the original was lost during World War II. These perpetual soups are deemed safe to eat, as they are regularly heated to temperatures that eliminate harmful bacteria. While the concept may evoke the philosophical "Soup of Theseus," diners can enjoy these age-old recipes without concern, provided that no harmful ingredients are introduced.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAristotle's assertion that humans possess five senses has long been challenged, with modern research suggesting a far more complex sensory system. Notably, a study from Duke University has identified a "neurobiotic sense" that connects gut microbes to the brain, influencing appetite regulation through the detection of flagellin, a protein released by gut bacteria. Additionally, researchers have discovered a "remote touch" sense in humans, akin to that of shorebirds, allowing individuals to detect objects hidden in sand with surprising precision. This finding could enhance the development of assistive technologies and advanced robotics. The late Professor Sir Colin Blakemore emphasized the importance of understanding senses in a multisensory context, arguing that experiences like taste involve the interplay of multiple senses. As research continues, the potential for recognizing up to 33 senses opens new avenues for understanding human perception.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAbout 50 kilometers south of Saudi Arabia's Tayman Oasis lies Al Naslaa, a striking geological formation featuring a massive boulder, approximately 9 meters across, split perfectly down the middle. This unusual divide, appearing as if cut by a laser, has sparked speculation about extraterrestrial involvement, though geological explanations abound. The rock, which also features ancient petroglyphs depicting Arabian horses and ibexes, is believed to date back thousands of years. Theories regarding its split include natural processes such as fault line activity, freeze-thaw weathering, or even human intervention using metal tools. The boulder rests on pedestals known as mushroom rocks, formed by weathering. Al Naslaa serves as both a natural wonder and a potential archaeological site, inviting visitors to explore its mysteries in the Tayma Oasis, near the Al Knanafah Wildlife Sanctuary.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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