eznews.inA recent editorial highlights a concerning lack of awareness and engagement among the American public regarding the threat of bird flu, based on a survey of 10,000 residents. The study, led by Rachael Piltch-Loeb, revealed that many individuals are unaware of basic precautions to reduce their risk of exposure to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which has recently affected dairy cows in 17 states, raising fears of potential spillover to humans. While the CDC currently assesses the risk to the general public as low, 70 human cases have been confirmed, including one fatality. Alarmingly, over a quarter of respondents expressed reluctance to modify their diets or receive vaccinations, particularly among rural populations and those identifying as Republican or Independent. The authors stress the need for targeted health communication strategies to effectively address these attitudes and engage agricultural communities in prevention efforts. The findings are published in the American Journal of Public Health. 
Published: Apr 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA remarkable fossil of an ancient ant, entombed in stone for 113 million years, has been identified as the oldest known ant specimen, belonging to the extinct subfamily Haidomyrmecinae, commonly referred to as hell ants. Unearthed from Brazil's Crato Formation, this new species showcases highly specialized anatomical features, including a forward-extending jaw and unique facial projections, suggesting advanced predatory behaviors distinct from modern ants. Study author Anderson Lepeco from the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo emphasized the significance of this discovery, which challenges existing assumptions about the evolution of complex adaptations in ants. The fossil's resemblance to relatives found in Myanmar indicates a broader prehistoric distribution, hinting at the ecological dynamics of the Cretaceous period. The findings are detailed in the journal Current Biology, shedding light on the evolutionary history of these formidable insects.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 3 ameznews.inGoogle, the world's second most popular website, can be a double-edged sword, offering invaluable information while also leading users to unsettling content. A recent discussion highlights several terms that should be avoided in searches due to their disturbing implications. For instance, "oral myiasis" refers to a condition where insect larvae invade the mouth, often resulting in a foul odor, as documented in medical literature. Another alarming term is "degloving," which describes a severe injury where skin is removed from the underlying tissue, often illustrated with graphic images to deter risky behavior. Additionally, "krokodil," an opioid known for causing severe skin damage, and "Fournier's gangrene," a life-threatening infection affecting the genitals, are also cautioned against. Other terms, such as "harlequin ichthyosis," a rare genetic skin disorder, further illustrate the potential horrors lurking in a simple search. Users are advised to seek medical advice rather than rely on online searches for sensitive health issues.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 11 pmeznews.inArchaeologists are unraveling the mystery behind a chilling discovery of 38 headless skeletons found in a prehistoric pit near Vráble, Slovakia, dating back to between 5250 and 4950 BCE. The remains, all lacking skulls except for one child, were unearthed in a disordered ditch, complicating the identification process, as noted by Professor Dr. Martin Furholt. Initial assumptions suggested a violent massacre, but researchers are considering alternative explanations, including a potential "death cult" practice involving the careful removal of skulls for cultural or spiritual reasons. Dr. Katharina Fuchs highlighted that some bones appear to have been repositioned, indicating a more complex burial sequence. Ongoing investigations, including DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, aim to shed light on the identities of the individuals, their origins, and any possible diseases, ultimately seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding this enigmatic site.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 4 ameznews.inMathematicians have finally solved a 46-year-old puzzle regarding Möbius strips, intriguing geometrical shapes with only one side. The Halpern-Weaver Conjecture, proposed in 1977, suggested a minimum length-to-width ratio for these strips, specifically that a strip with a width of 1 centimeter must be at least the square root of 3 centimeters long. While previous attempts to prove this for smooth, non-intersecting strips were unsuccessful, Brown University mathematician Richard Evan Schwartz recently corrected an earlier mistake and provided a solution. His findings, detailed in a preprint paper, involve understanding the geometry of sliced Möbius strips, which he discovered form trapezoidal shapes rather than parallelograms. Schwartz expressed his astonishment at the breakthrough, stating he spent days refining his work. The preprint is now available on ArXiv, marking a significant advancement in the field of mathematics.
Published: Apr 23 2025, 10 ameznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success by winning 14 times. His strategy involved purchasing every possible combination of numbers in lotteries where the jackpot exceeded three times the cost of buying all combinations. Initially successful in Romania, Mandel moved to Australia and later targeted the Virginia lottery, which had only 7,059,052 combinations due to its limited number range. When the jackpot reached $15.5 million, his team managed to buy 6.4 million tickets, ensuring they held the winning combination. Despite facing scrutiny from the FBI and CIA, Mandel's method was not deemed illegal. His winnings, amounting to millions, allowed him to retire comfortably in Vanuatu, leaving behind a legacy of strategic lottery play that blurred the lines of conventional gaming ethics.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn 2022, the death of Queen Elizabeth II brought attention to the peculiar traditions surrounding royal funerals, notably the use of lead-lined coffins. Despite her small stature, the Queen's coffin was notably heavy due to this practice, which has been employed for centuries to preserve royal bodies. This method, dating back to a time before modern preservation techniques like formaldehyde became available in 1869, helps slow decomposition by keeping moisture out and preventing the release of gases and odors. Historical accounts, such as the unfortunate fate of William the Conqueror, highlight the importance of this practice; his body decomposed so severely that it exploded during burial, creating a scandalous scene. Today, lead-lined coffins remain a symbol of dignity for royals, ensuring their remains are preserved longer than in standard coffins, a necessity for those interred above ground in the UK.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inNASA astronaut Don Pettit returned to Earth on his 70th birthday, April 21, after a remarkable 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During his time in orbit, Pettit, alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, completed 3,520 orbits of Earth, covering 150.2 million kilometers. His research focused on enhancing in-orbit metal 3D printing, advancing water sanitization, exploring plant growth, and studying fire behavior in microgravity, all vital for future space missions. Notably, Pettit is NASA's oldest living astronaut, although he is not the oldest in history; that title belongs to John Glenn, who flew at 77. While NASA has no age restrictions for astronaut candidates, the European Space Agency imposes a maximum age limit of 50. After landing in Kazakhstan, Pettit was reported to be in good health as he prepared to return to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Published: Apr 21 2025, 7 pmeznews.inScientists at Westlake University have successfully tattooed tardigrades, tiny eight-legged creatures known for their remarkable survival abilities, in a groundbreaking study that could have significant medical applications. Tardigrades, or water bears, can endure extreme conditions by entering a cryobiotic state called a tun. In this experiment, researchers dehydrated the tardigrades, then applied a protective organic compound, anisole, before using an electron beam to create intricate tattoos on their bodies. Remarkably, the tattoos remained intact even after the creatures were revived and returned to their normal state. While about 60% of the tardigrades died during the process, the team aims to improve survival rates. This innovative technique could pave the way for integrating biosensors with living organisms, potentially leading to tiny cyborgs capable of detecting cancer cells or infections. The findings are detailed in the journal Nanoletters.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe concept of false vacuum decay, a theoretical scenario that could lead to the end of the universe, has captured the imagination of scientists and enthusiasts alike. This phenomenon hinges on the stability of the Higgs Field, which is crucial for giving mass to particles. If the Higgs Field is not in its true ground state but rather in a false vacuum, it could spontaneously collapse, triggering a catastrophic change in the laws of physics. This bubble of change would propagate at the speed of light, potentially altering or obliterating matter as we know it. While the likelihood of such an event is debated, researchers are conducting experiments with ultracold atoms to simulate conditions akin to those of the early universe. Despite the theoretical risks, experts like Dr. Lucien Heurtier emphasize that the chances of a sudden collapse are extremely low, suggesting that the universe remains stable for the foreseeable future.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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