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In a humorous yet chilling analysis, Dr. Daniel Funnell, an intensivist, explores the potential fatal consequences of the booby traps set by young Kevin McCallister in the beloved Christmas film _Home Alone_. While the movie is a festive classic, Funnell suggests that the injuries inflicted on the Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv, could have been life-threatening. From a paint can to the face, which could cause severe brain trauma, to a nail through the foot risking tetanus, the film's comedic violence raises questions about the plausibility of survival. Funnell highlights the dangers of burns, scrotal injuries, and abdominal trauma, noting that while the film is entertaining, the reality of such injuries could lead to serious medical emergencies. Ultimately, he humorously advises against replicating Kevin's security measures, emphasizing that the holiday season should not include the specter of fictional corpses. 
Published: Dec 11 2025, 9 pmeznews.inNASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) orbiter has lost communication with Earth following an unspecified anomaly that disrupted its connection with the Deep Space Network. Launched in November 2013 and entering Mars's orbit in September 2014, MAVEN has spent over a decade studying the Martian atmosphere and its interactions with solar wind, providing crucial data on atmospheric loss processes. Recently, it made significant discoveries, including the first direct observations of "sputtering," a phenomenon contributing to atmospheric loss, occurring at a rate four times higher than previously estimated. Despite its successful mission, which was extended until September 2025, contact was lost on December 6, with NASA stating that all systems were functioning normally before the orbiter passed behind Mars. While the situation is under investigation, NASA remains hopeful of reestablishing contact, drawing on past experiences with similar communication losses in deep space missions.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA recent study suggests that intimacy with a partner can accelerate the healing of physical wounds, with the effects enhanced by the hormone oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone." Researchers applied small blister wounds to the forearms of 80 heterosexual couples, dividing them into four groups to assess the impact of oxytocin nasal spray and a Partner Appreciation Task (PAT), which involved exchanging compliments. While oxytocin alone did not significantly affect healing, the combination of oxytocin and the PAT resulted in faster recovery, particularly among couples who also engaged in sexual activity. Notably, increased sexual activity correlated with lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress may further aid healing. The study highlights that daily affectionate touch can also promote recovery, suggesting oxytocin enhances the benefits of intimacy rather than acting independently. These findings, published in JAMA Psychiatry, deepen our understanding of the interplay between emotional connection and physical health.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe longest mountain range on Earth is not found on land but rather beneath the ocean, known as the mid-ocean ridge. Stretching approximately 65,000 kilometers (40,390 miles), this extensive underwater chain outlines the Earth's tectonic plates and resembles the seams of a baseball. In contrast, the Andes, the longest continental range, measures a mere 7,600 kilometers (4,700 miles). The mid-ocean ridge comprises several interconnected underwater ridge systems formed at tectonic plate boundaries, where magma rises to fill gaps. These submarine ridges, averaging 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) below the ocean surface, include notable features like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extends from the Arctic to the Antarctic. The continuous nature of these ridges highlights the dynamic processes of plate tectonics, making the mid-ocean ridge a remarkable geological phenomenon.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 5 pmeznews.inScientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by capturing fish at depths exceeding 8 kilometers (4.8 miles) below the ocean's surface, specifically in the Izu-Ogasawara trench, where they filmed an unknown species of snailfish, _Pseudoliparis_, at 8,336 meters (27,350 feet). This finding surpasses the previous record of 8,178 meters (26,830 feet) set in the Mariana trench. Led by Professor Alan Jamieson from the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre, the expedition revealed that the warmer conditions and higher productivity of the Izu-Ogasawara trench create a more hospitable environment for life compared to the colder Mariana trench. The snailfish, which typically inhabit shallower waters, have adapted to these extreme depths, feeding on small crustaceans that rely on organic material sinking from above. Jamieson noted that this discovery challenges the notion that little is known about deep-sea ecosystems, emphasizing the rich biodiversity present even at such depths.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 10 ameznews.inA seemingly random number, 13,532,385,396,179, has emerged as a significant counterexample to a long-standing mathematical conjecture proposed by the late mathematician John Horton Conway. The conjecture posited that every number eventually "climbs" to a prime through a specific process of prime factorization. However, this particular number, when subjected to the climbing process, reveals a unique property: it loops back to itself, thus never reaching a prime. Tony Padilla, a professor at the University of Nottingham, explained that the number's prime factorization leads back to the original number, confirming it is not prime. Interestingly, the discovery of this number was made by James Davis, an amateur mathematician, who stumbled upon the problem through a blog post. As a result, Conway's challenge to prove his conjecture wrong may cost him $1,000, as Davis's finding stands as a testament to the unexpected nature of mathematical exploration.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a remarkable display of color change, the Labord's chameleon (_Furcifer labordi_) has been filmed for the first time in the wild during its final moments, showcasing a vibrant array of hues as it lays eggs in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. Documentarians Valeria Fabbri-Kennedy and herpetologist Chris Raxworthy captured this poignant spectacle using time-lapse photography for the PBS series _Big Little Journeys_. The chameleon's color transformation is attributed to layers of skin cells called chromatophores, which respond to nervous signals even as the creature nears death. This species, with a lifespan of just four to five months, invests its energy in egg production before succumbing shortly after laying. Experts suggest this brief life cycle helps the chameleon adapt to Madagascar's harsh seasonal variations, making its final colorful display a poignant reminder of its unique existence.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn an upcoming Christmas special on December 11, Dr. Gustav Kuhn, a psychologist and magician, will explore the intersection of magic and psychology during a live event hosted by IFLScience. The event will showcase the work at the MAGIC Lab at Plymouth University, which Dr. Kuhn founded to investigate human behavior and cognition through the lens of magic. Attendees will delve into topics such as misdirection, the placebo effect, and even mind-reading robots. Dr. Kuhn, who has a rich background in both magic and psychology, aims to bridge the gap between these fields, revealing how the principles of magic can illuminate psychological concepts. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Dr. Kuhn during the event, which will be streamed on YouTube. For those unable to attend live, a recording will be available afterward.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 1 ameznews.inRecent discoveries from Pompeii have shed light on the ancient Roman Empire's remarkable concrete, known for its durability and self-healing properties. Researchers from MIT, who previously proposed a recipe for this "magic" material, have identified pozzolan, a volcanic ash from Pozzuoli, as a key ingredient. Their findings suggest that this ash was mixed with lime and other materials, followed by a "hot mixing" process that preserves reactive lime pockets, allowing the concrete to fill cracks over time. This contrasts with the methods described by Vitruvius, the Roman architect, who suggested a different mixing technique. The team analyzed samples from Pompeii's construction sites, confirming their theory and indicating that the Romans may have employed a more complex method than previously understood. The study, published in *Nature Communications*, highlights the potential for modern materials to emulate this ancient technology.
Published: Dec 10 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe camel spider, often misunderstood and sensationalized, is neither a true spider nor a scorpion but belongs to the order Solifugae, which places it between the two. Despite viral images from the 2003 Iraq war suggesting they can grow to alarming sizes, camel spiders typically measure around 5 centimeters (2 inches) in body length. They are known for their impressive jaw size, but their bites, while painful, are non-venomous. Camel spiders primarily feed on insects and small animals, using digestive fluids to liquefy their prey. Although they can run quickly, scientific sources indicate their maximum speed is around 10 miles per hour, far less than the exaggerated claims found online. Their reputation for chasing humans stems from their attraction to shadows, not aggression. Ultimately, camel spiders are more benign than their fearsome image suggests, seeking shade rather than confrontation.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 4 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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