eznews.inThe World Health Organization (WHO) is now monitoring a new COVID-19 variant named Stratus, or XFG, which is a recombinant variant formed from the merging of two other variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. First detected in Canada, Stratus is part of the Omicron lineage, which has over 1,000 sublineages. Like its predecessor Nimbus, Stratus is highly transmissible and tends to cause less severe illness compared to earlier variants, although it can evade existing immunity. Symptoms associated with Stratus include cough, congestion, fatigue, and notably, hoarseness. As of late June, Nimbus, Stratus, and LP.8.1 are classified as "variants under monitoring" by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against these variants, making vaccination crucial for protection against severe illness. 
Published: Jul 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a "Blood Moon," will occur on the nights of September 7 and 8, 2025, marking the second such event of the year. This celestial phenomenon happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, casting the Moon entirely into Earth's shadow, resulting in a reddish hue due to sunlight filtering through the atmosphere. The upcoming eclipse will last 5 hours and 27 minutes, with totality lasting approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it the longest since 2022. Most of Asia, parts of East Africa, and Western Australia will have the best views, with nearly 60% of the global population able to witness the entire event. In the UK, the peak will occur at 19:11 BST, although the Moon will be below the horizon at that time. Unfortunately, much of North America will miss the spectacle, as it will take place during daylight hours.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA new digital reconstruction of Ötzi the Iceman's ribcage reveals features that may have aided his seasonal migrations to the Alpine peaks, challenging previous assumptions about the ribcage structure of early humans. Researchers compared Ötzi's thorax with those of other ancient humans, including specimens from Egypt, Israel, and Moravia, alongside Neanderthal and Homo erectus fossils. The findings indicate that the ribcage of Dolní Věstonice 13 was nearly as large as that of Neanderthals, suggesting some early Homo sapiens may have had stockier builds suited for cold climates. Ötzi's ribcage, while larger than some contemporaries, exhibited a mix of features that could have been advantageous for his lifestyle between temperate lowlands and frigid mountains. This study, published in *Communications Biology*, underscores the complexity of human evolution and adaptation to diverse environments.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success across multiple countries, including Romania, Australia, and the US. Rather than relying on luck, Mandel identified that in certain lotteries, the jackpot could exceed the cost of purchasing every possible combination of numbers. This insight led him to create algorithms for generating and printing tickets, allowing him to buy millions of combinations when jackpots were sufficiently high. His most notable win came from the Virginia lottery, where he secured 6.4 million of the 7 million combinations needed to guarantee a victory, ultimately winning a $15.5 million jackpot. Despite facing scrutiny from the FBI and CIA, Mandel faced no legal repercussions. Over his career, he won 14 lotteries, amassing significant wealth before retiring to a beach house in Vanuatu.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable tale of self-experimentation, entomologist Piotr Naskrecki allowed botfly larvae to grow beneath his skin while living in Belize, documenting the unusual experience. After being bitten by mosquitoes, he discovered a moving structure in one of his wounds, which turned out to be a breathing tube of a botfly larva. Rather than removing it, Naskrecki chose to observe the larvae's development, which lasts 5-10 weeks, during which they feed on the host's tissue. He described the experience as both fascinating and challenging, noting instances of public embarrassment and pain. Despite the discomfort, he developed an unexpected fondness for his "guests," reflecting on the nature of parasitism and humanity's perception of creatures like botflies compared to more revered predators. Naskrecki's unique perspective raises questions about our relationship with the natural world and the often-overlooked role of parasites.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA small red bump on your skin, particularly after a mosquito bite, could signal an unwelcome guest: the human botfly, or _Dermatobia hominis_. Found primarily in Central and South America, these parasites have a unique reproductive strategy known as phoresy, where a female botfly attaches her eggs to a mosquito, which then inadvertently delivers them to a human host. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the skin, feeding on human tissue for about six weeks before emerging to continue their life cycle. While the adult botfly poses no direct threat, its larvae can cause irritation and require medical removal, often through minor surgery or by applying substances like Vaseline to coax them out. Despite their unsettling nature, the botfly's reproductive method showcases a fascinating, albeit gruesome, aspect of the natural world.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Amazon rainforest, a source of inspiration for innovative solutions, was the site of Henry Ford's ambitious venture, Fordlândia, in the 1920s. Seeking to bypass the high costs of Asian rubber, Ford envisioned a self-sufficient industrial utopia in Brazil, complete with infrastructure and jobs. However, the reality was starkly different; the town, located along the Tapajós River, faced logistical challenges, harsh working conditions, and a lack of understanding of the Amazon's ecology. Ford's monoculture approach led to devastating blight and infestations, while workers suffered from disease and malnutrition. Despite the initial promise, the project was abandoned by 1945, resulting in a loss of approximately $350 million today. Although the forest has since reclaimed much of the area, Fordlândia now hosts a small population of 2,000 to 3,000 residents, serving as a poignant reminder of the Amazon's inherent biodiversity and resilience against human exploitation.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 3 pmeznews.inFootprints dating back approximately 80,000 years, discovered in Portugal's Algarve region, reveal insights into Neanderthal family dynamics and hunting strategies. The trackways, found at Praia do Telheiro and Monte Clérigo, include prints from adults, children, and toddlers, suggesting that entire family groups participated in hunting activities. The Monte Clérigo site features footprints from an adult male, a child aged 7 to 9, and a toddler under 2, indicating a close-knit family unit. Researchers speculate that these Neanderthals may have employed ambush tactics to hunt red deer, which were also present in the area, as the coastal environment provided advantageous conditions for such strategies. The presence of infant footprints alongside those of older individuals implies that children were involved in daily activities from a young age, highlighting the importance of early skill acquisition in Neanderthal life. The findings are detailed in a study published in *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Jul 14 2025, 9 pmeznews.inNASA's Opportunity rover, a pioneering force in interplanetary exploration, officially concluded its mission in February 2019 after nearly 15 years on Mars. Launched in 2004 alongside its twin Spirit, Opportunity was tasked with investigating the planet's geology and searching for signs of past water, ultimately providing evidence that Mars could have once supported microbial life. The rover far surpassed its expected lifespan of 90 Martian days, traveling over 45 kilometers and becoming the first rover to complete a marathon on another planet. Its mission ended when a severe dust storm in June 2018 left it incommunicado, despite numerous attempts by NASA engineers to re-establish contact. The last data sent back was a haunting, incomplete image of a darkened sky, symbolizing the rover's final moments. NASA hailed Opportunity as one of its most successful missions, laying crucial groundwork for future explorations of the Red Planet.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study from the University of Lincoln has revealed that red-footed tortoises (_Chelonoidis carbonaria_) exhibit moods akin to optimism and pessimism, challenging long-held perceptions of reptiles as emotionless. Researchers conducted cognitive bias tests, traditionally used for mammals, to assess the tortoises' outlooks by placing food bowls in various locations and observing their willingness to approach ambiguous sites. The findings indicated that some tortoises displayed a positive disposition, hastening towards uncertain food locations, while others exhibited anxiety, suggesting a correlation between mood and behavior. This research, the first of its kind for reptiles, underscores the need for improved welfare standards for captive tortoises and highlights the evolutionary implications of emotional capacities across species. As reptiles gain popularity as pets, understanding their emotional states becomes increasingly vital, prompting a reevaluation of how we interact with these often-overlooked creatures. The study is published in *Animal Cognition*.
Published: Jul 11 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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