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Blue eyes, a relatively recent phenomenon in human evolution, emerged from a genetic mutation in the _HERC2_ gene around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, leading to a reduction in melanin production in the iris. This mutation, which does not completely deactivate the _OCA2_ gene responsible for brown eye pigment, allows light to scatter in a way that makes the eyes appear blue, a phenomenon known as the Tyndall effect. Initially attributed to a single ancestor, recent studies have pushed back the timeline, suggesting that light eye color appeared in Ice Age Europe around 14,000 to 17,000 years ago. Despite misconceptions about their potential extinction, blue eyes remain prevalent, with approximately 10% of the global population possessing the necessary recessive genetic variants to sustain this trait. Eye color is influenced by multiple genes, making it a complex trait rather than a simple binary classification. 
Published: Jun 24 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA mysterious metallic orb has been discovered in Mexico, sparking speculation about its origins, including theories of extraterrestrial involvement. The orb, described by meteorologist Isidro Cano as potentially made of a hard plastic or metal alloy, was found atop a tree near Veracruz after witnesses reported it falling from the sky with a noise but no fire. Cano warned the public to avoid contact, suggesting it might be radioactive, and noted a code on its surface, urging that it should not be opened. He further claimed that the orb could eventually open on its own to reveal valuable information. On Monday, a specialized team removed the object for further examination. While some speculate it could be space debris, particularly following the recent re-entry of China's Long March 5B rocket, others remain intrigued by the orb's enigmatic nature.
Published: Jun 20 2025, 12 pmeznews.inFor nearly 48 years, NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 have explored the Solar System and interstellar space, but they were not the first missions designed for such journeys. That distinction belongs to Pioneer 10 and 11, launched in the early 1970s, which became the first spacecraft to image Jupiter and Saturn and to achieve escape velocity from the Solar System. Notably, Pioneer 10 carried the iconic Pioneer plaque, a message intended for extraterrestrial life, featuring depictions of humans and the Solar System's location. Despite their earlier launch, the Pioneers are now outpaced by the Voyagers, with Pioneer 10 last communicating in 2003 and Pioneer 11 in 1995. Both probes experienced the "Pioneer anomaly," a mysterious deceleration attributed to thermal effects from their onboard systems. These pioneering missions laid the groundwork for future explorations, influencing subsequent missions like Voyager and New Horizons.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 8 ameznews.inAt approximately 124 years old, Henry is recognized as the world's oldest known crocodile, having lived a remarkable life that includes fathering over 10,000 offspring since arriving at Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa in 1985. Measuring over 5 meters (16 feet 5 inches) and weighing 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds), Henry far exceeds the average size of a Nile crocodile, which typically grows to 4.5 meters (14.7 feet) and weighs around 410 kilograms (900 pounds). Born around 1900 in Botswana's Okavango Delta, Henry's exact birth date remains uncertain, but his birthday is celebrated on December 16. Captured in 1903 by an elephant catcher named Sir Henry, he now shares his habitat with another elderly crocodile, Colgate, aged 90. While crocodiles can live over a century in captivity, some scientists suggest they may exhibit negligible senescence, allowing them to avoid biological aging.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inNASA's Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 until its dramatic end in 2017, provided unprecedented insights into the gas giant and its moons. Launched in 1997, Cassini's mission followed earlier brief encounters with Saturn by Pioneer 11 and the Voyager spacecraft. Over its 13-year mission, Cassini conducted extensive studies of Saturn's rings, magnetosphere, and its many moons, including Titan, which scientists believe shares similarities with early Earth. The mission culminated in the "Grand Finale," where Cassini made 22 daring dives between Saturn's rings and atmosphere, gathering vital data before its intentional plunge into the planet to protect its moons from contamination. On September 15, 2017, after sending back its final images and data, Cassini disappeared into Saturn's atmosphere, marking the end of a groundbreaking exploration that has significantly advanced our understanding of the Saturnian system.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inScientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a genetically modified strain of _Escherichia coli_ that can convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic, into paracetamol, the widely used pain reliever. This innovative process, which resembles fermentation used in beer production, yields 90% paracetamol with virtually zero carbon emissions, presenting a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods reliant on fossil fuels. Professor Stephen Wallace, the study's lead author, emphasized that this breakthrough demonstrates PET's potential to be repurposed into valuable products rather than being discarded as waste. While further refinement is needed before commercial production can begin, the research highlights the promise of engineering biology in creating a circular economy and reducing environmental impact. Collaborations with companies like AstraZeneca are being sought to advance these findings into practical applications, as detailed in the journal *Nature Chemistry*.
Published: Jun 25 2025, 3 ameznews.inMathematicians have long grappled with the elusive nature of prime numbers, which are defined as integers greater than one that have no divisors other than one and themselves. The ancient Greek mathematician Eratosthenes devised a "sieve" method to identify primes, a technique that remains relevant today. Recently, a breakthrough by a team of mathematicians, including Ken Ono from the University of Virginia, has revealed a surprising connection between prime numbers and integer partitions, a concept from combinatorics. Their research suggests that integer partitions can detect primes in infinitely many ways, offering new insights into these fundamental numbers. This discovery, which earned Ono recognition as a finalist for the 2025 Cozzarelli Prize, could pave the way for advancements in number theory and cryptography, although experts assure that current security measures remain intact. The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Published: Jun 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inDespite extensive exploration of the RMS Titanic wreck since its rediscovery in 1985, no human remains have ever been found, a mystery that continues to intrigue the public. Over 1,500 people perished when the ship sank in 1912, primarily due to immersion hypothermia, yet the absence of skeletons can be attributed to several factors. Many victims wore lifejackets, which, while ineffective for flotation, kept bodies buoyant and likely swept them away from the wreck site. Additionally, deep-sea scavengers and the extreme depth of the wreck, which lies below the calcium carbonate compensation depth, contribute to the dissolution of bones. Deep-sea explorer Robert Ballard noted that once flesh is consumed, bones dissolve in the calcium-poor waters. While some speculate that sealed areas of the ship may still harbor preserved remains, the likelihood of finding recognizable bodies diminishes with each passing year.
Published: Jun 23 2025, 9 ameznews.inA Kansas family lived in a home infested with 2,055 brown recluse spiders for over five years, according to a recent case report. The family, which included two children, discovered the presence of the venomous spiders in 2001 after moving into the 19th-century house in 1996. Researchers conducted a six-month study, collecting and killing the spiders, with 842 captured via sticky traps and 1,213 through manual sampling. Despite the alarming number of spiders, including an estimated 488 capable of envenomation, the family reported no bites or health issues. The findings suggest that medical professionals may misdiagnose skin lesions as spider bites in areas where brown recluse populations are not established. The study highlights the need for verification of spider involvement in such cases, as bites are often less severe than commonly believed. The research was published in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have successfully created mice with two fathers capable of producing offspring, marking a significant advancement in mammalian reproduction research. Led by Yanchang Wei from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the team injected two sperm cells into an egg cell, employing epigenome engineering to reprogram the sperm DNA. Out of over 250 embryos implanted in female mice, only two male mice survived to adulthood, both of which were fertile and fathered their own offspring. This success follows previous attempts to create mice with two fathers, which were hindered by genomic imprinting—a process that affects gene expression. While the research offers insights into the genetic barriers of unisexual reproduction, experts caution that translating these findings to humans remains a distant prospect due to practical challenges and low success rates. Nonetheless, the study enhances our understanding of reproduction and could have implications for future reproductive technologies.
Published: Jun 24 2025, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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