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The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured intriguing images from Mars' southern polar region, revealing what appear to be "giant spiders" on the planet's surface. However, these formations are not actual spiders but rather patterns created by the seasonal transition from Martian winter to spring. As sunlight warms the carbon dioxide ice, gas builds up beneath the surface, breaking through layers of ice and dragging dark material upwards, resulting in dark patches that can measure between 45 meters and 1 kilometer across. This phenomenon, known as pareidolia, occurs when the human brain interprets random patterns as familiar shapes, a survival instinct that helped early humans identify potential threats. Dr. Jess Taubert from the University of Queensland notes that recognizing patterns is crucial for survival, even if it sometimes leads to misinterpretations, such as seeing spiders where none exist. 
Published: Feb 05 2025, 11 pmeznews.inWhen you close your eyes, you may notice swirling patterns and flashes of light, known as "phosphenes." These visual sensations occur even in darkness due to the ongoing activity of retinal cells, which generate weak internal signals that mimic light. According to Katrina Schmid, an Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, the brain interprets this random activity as visual stimuli, leading to the perception of colors and patterns. While phosphenes are typically harmless, they can also indicate underlying issues such as retinal detachment or neurological conditions, especially if the patterns change or become more pronounced. Applying pressure to the eyeball can also induce phosphenes, but caution is advised. If you experience persistent disturbances, consulting a medical professional is recommended to rule out any serious conditions.
Published: Feb 04 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers have uncovered fascinating insights into how various animals utilize the Earth's magnetic field for navigation and other behaviors. Birds, particularly migratory species like European robins, possess a unique ability to "see" the magnetic field through a quantum mechanism involving cryptochrome proteins in their eyes, allowing them to navigate vast distances. In contrast, mammals like dogs exhibit a more mundane use of this sense; studies show that dogs prefer to align themselves north-south when defecating, although the reason remains unclear. Other animals, such as red foxes, also demonstrate magnetoreception, using it to enhance hunting success by jumping in a specific direction. While humans may not consciously perceive magnetic fields, research suggests we retain some sensitivity to them, though the extent and practical application of this ability remain debated among scientists.
Published: Feb 04 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that wild western chimpanzees in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire, exhibit distinct "dialects" through various mating gestures, highlighting the complexity of their communication. Researchers observed four specific auditory gestures—'heel kick', 'knuckle knock', 'leaf clip', and 'branch shake'—used by male chimpanzees to attract females. Notably, the frequency of these gestures varied between neighboring communities, suggesting that these dialects are socially learned and influenced by female migration. However, the study also noted the disappearance of the 'knuckle knock' gesture in one group, attributed to human-induced demographic changes, including poaching. The researchers emphasize the importance of preserving chimpanzee culture in conservation efforts, as it not only impacts the species' survival but also offers insights into human evolutionary history. The findings are published in Current Biology, underscoring the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe medieval Wound Man, a striking surgical diagram from the 15th century, depicts a naked male figure afflicted with various weapons and injuries, serving as a visual guide for surgeons of the time. Despite the gruesome array of wounds, including signs of plague and venereal disease, the Wound Man's indifferent expression suggests a deliberate portrayal of resilience rather than suffering. This instructional figure, often accompanied by annotations linking injuries to treatments, reflects the evolving understanding of medicine during a period marked by the rise of surgery as a profession. The Wound Man also highlights the historical perception of the male body as the ideal human form, with female bodies largely absent from such medical illustrations. Ultimately, the Wound Man encapsulates the vulnerabilities of the human body and the complexities of medieval medical thought, illustrating a time when even minor infections could prove fatal.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 11 pmeznews.inTommy Thompson, a former deep-sea treasure hunter, may soon be released from prison after a judge dismissed a civil contempt charge related to his refusal to disclose the location of 500 gold coins from the SS Central America, which sank in 1857. The ship, dubbed the "Ship of Gold," was carrying an estimated 21 tonnes of gold, intended to support banks in New York, when it went down during a hurricane. Thompson has been incarcerated since 2015, incurring a daily fine of $1,000, which has now exceeded $3.3 million. Although the judge expressed doubt that further imprisonment would compel Thompson to cooperate, he will begin serving a two-year sentence for a related criminal contempt charge. Thompson claims the coins were entrusted to a Belizean trust but has not provided further details, leaving the treasure's fate uncertain.
Published: Feb 06 2025, 12 ameznews.inGoogle's parent company, Alphabet, has revised its artificial intelligence (AI) policies, removing a commitment made in 2018 to avoid using AI in ways that could cause overall harm, including weaponization and surveillance. This pledge followed employee protests against the company's collaboration with the Pentagon on military drone footage analysis. The original guidelines included a clear prohibition on technologies likely to cause harm and those violating international law and human rights. However, the updated principles now lack specific assurances against harmful applications, instead offering a vague commitment to ensure that benefits outweigh risks. In a blog post, senior executives acknowledged the rapid evolution of AI and the need for democracies to lead its development, suggesting a shift towards applications that enhance national security. While they assert that AI use will align with international law and human rights, the lack of clarity raises concerns about potential future uses of the technology.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs Donald Trump prepares for his second presidency, the scientific landscape in the United States is facing significant turmoil due to a series of controversial executive orders. These orders, deemed illegal and unconstitutional by critics, have led to immediate funding freezes at key agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), impacting both current and future grants. The NSF has been instructed to halt any projects promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, raising fears among scientists about job security and research integrity. Meanwhile, NASA and the CDC have reportedly removed references to marginalized groups and critical scientific data, prompting concerns over censorship and the potential dismantling of academic freedom. As uncertainty looms, many in the scientific community are calling for accountability and expressing fears of a broader brain drain from the country.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe question of whether Jesus was a historical figure or a myth remains a topic of debate among scholars. Most historians agree that Jesus Christ was a real Jewish preacher born in the Eastern Mediterranean over 2,000 years ago, whose life and teachings laid the groundwork for Christianity. While the New Testament provides accounts of his life, it is primarily a theological document, not a strict historical record, and contains inconsistencies due to its multiple authors. Non-Christian sources, such as the Jewish historian Josephus and Roman historian Tacitus, also reference Jesus, affirming his existence and crucifixion. However, there is no concrete archaeological evidence to confirm his life, with artifacts like the Shroud of Turin remaining contentious. Experts argue that the absence of physical remains does not negate Jesus's existence, as many individuals from that era left no archaeological trace, yet their influence endures through their ideas.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe "Monster Study," conducted in 1939 by American psychologists Wendell Johnson and Mary Tudor, remains one of the most controversial experiments in psychological history. Aimed at testing the hypothesis that negative reinforcement could induce stuttering, the study involved 22 orphaned children from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans' Home in Iowa. While ten children were already identified as stutterers, the remaining twelve were divided into groups where some were praised for their speech, while others were labeled as stutterers despite having normal speech patterns. Over several months, Tudor and the children's teachers were instructed to react negatively to speech interruptions, leading to significant anxiety and speech inhibition among the children. Although the study's results were inconclusive regarding stuttering, the psychological impact was profound, with participants reporting lasting effects on their speech and self-esteem. In 2007, a $1 million settlement was awarded to the victims, highlighting the ethical failures of the experiment.
Published: Feb 05 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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