eznews.inEarth's magnetic field, a protective shield for at least 3.7 billion years, may have formed even earlier, though evidence remains contentious. Research from the University of Oxford, examining iron-rich rocks in Greenland's Isua Greenstone Belt, indicates that the magnetic field had a strength of at least 15 microteslas during this time, comparable to today's 30 microteslas. The field is generated by molten iron and nickel in the outer core, driven by the planet's rotation and convection, a process known as the geodynamo. While some studies suggest the magnetic field could date back to 4.2 billion years, later research has cast doubt on this due to geological alterations. The magnetic field is crucial for life, shielding Earth from cosmic radiation. Notably, it undergoes geomagnetic reversals every 200,000 to 300,000 years, with the last occurring 780,000 years ago, indicating we may be overdue for another flip. 
Published: May 09 2025, 2 pmeznews.inGenghis Khan, born Temüjin near Lake Baikal, is a historical figure renowned for uniting Mongolia and establishing an empire stretching from China to the Adriatic Sea. Despite his military prowess, he is often remembered for his extensive lineage, with studies suggesting that approximately 8% of men in the former Mongol Empire share a Y-chromosomal lineage linked to him, translating to about 16 million descendants worldwide. This conclusion stems from a 2003 genetic study that identified a unique Y-chromosome pattern among men across Asia, attributed to Khan's cultural and military dominance, which decimated local populations and favored his lineage. While Khan's recognized heirs were limited, he reportedly had numerous wives and concubines, contributing to his vast progeny. Other historical figures, such as Niall of the Nine Hostages, have also been linked to significant descendant lineages, but none rival Khan's genetic legacy, which remains unverified due to the absence of his DNA.
Published: May 06 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe resurgence of interest in fungi, spurred by the second season of _The Last of Us_, coincides with groundbreaking research revealing that fungal spores can survive in the harsh conditions of the Earth's stratosphere. Scientists from the University of Geneva and Agroscope have developed a low-cost sampling device to collect these spores, which can endure extreme temperatures and radiation. Their research, conducted between October 2023 and June 2024, successfully identified 235 genera of fungi, including pathogenic species that affect both plants and humans. The device, which ascends via a meteorological balloon, captures spores at altitudes of up to 35,000 meters before parachuting back to Earth for analysis. This study highlights the importance of monitoring airborne fungal spores, as understanding their biodiversity could aid in tracking potential disease outbreaks and contribute to broader climate change and astrobiology research. The findings were presented at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2025.
Published: May 08 2025, 8 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 missing skulls except for one child's, were unearthed in a jumbled mass within a 15-square-meter ditch, complicating the identification process. Initial assumptions suggested a violent massacre, but researchers, including Professor Dr. Martin Furholt, are exploring alternative theories, such as a unique "death cult" practice involving the careful removal of skulls for cultural or spiritual reasons. Dr. Katharina Fuchs noted that the positioning of some bones indicates a more complex burial sequence, possibly involving previously skeletonized bodies. Ongoing investigations, including DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating, aim to shed light on the identities and origins of the individuals, as well as any potential diseases or injuries, ultimately seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding this enigmatic site.
Published: May 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA significant study has raised alarms about the need for closer monitoring of cats as migratory birds carrying the H5N1 bird flu virus pose an increasing risk of human transmission. The virus has evolved to infect various non-human species, including domestic and larger cats, which can act as a conduit for spillover to humans. Researchers from the University of Maryland found 607 cases of bird flu in cats across 18 countries, resulting in 302 deaths, yet cats are rarely tested for the virus, leading to underreporting of infections. Cats can contract the virus through various means, including consuming infected birds or contaminated food. While human cases remain rare, with a 50% fatality rate among those infected, experts warn that the potential for human-to-human transmission could rise as the virus spreads. Future research aims to assess the prevalence of bird flu in high-risk cat populations to safeguard both humans and pets.
Published: May 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is investigating the effects of heavy ion collisions, primarily to explore the quark-gluon plasma from the early universe. Notably, these collisions can lead to nuclear transmutation, where lead atoms, composed of 82 protons, can be transformed into gold by removing three protons. While the LHC's primary focus is not on this process, collisions at 99.999993% of the speed of light can generate brief pulses of light capable of facilitating this transformation. The ALICE team has successfully detected the production of gold, along with other elements like thallium and mercury, using advanced detectors. Although gold production occurs at a rate of 89,000 nuclei per second, the total yield is minuscule, preventing any gold rush at CERN. The findings, published in *Physical Review C*, also enhance theoretical models related to electromagnetic dissociation, crucial for optimizing LHC performance.
Published: May 09 2025, 3 ameznews.inEnglish speakers often adhere to an unspoken rule regarding the order of adjectives, which follows a specific sequence: Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Color, Origin, Material, Purpose, and then the Noun. While native speakers may not consciously recognize this structure, it can significantly enhance fluency and naturalness in speech. For instance, the phrase "a beautiful small old round yellow Italian leather handbag" flows more smoothly than "a yellow old beautiful Italian leather round small handbag." This grammatical quirk, highlighted in a viral 2016 social media post referencing Mark Forsyth's book _The Elements of Eloquence_, poses challenges for non-native speakers. Unlike English, other languages, such as French, exhibit more flexible adjective placement. The reasons behind this rigid order remain unclear, with theories suggesting a progression from subjective to objective descriptors. Additionally, English features other unwritten rules, such as ablaut reduplication, which can further complicate language learning.
Published: May 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe enigmatic "Sea Peoples," a coalition of nomadic seafarers, are often cited as key players in the collapse of several ancient Bronze Age civilizations, including the Mycenaeans and Hittites, around the late 13th and early 12th centuries BCE. While their existence is documented in Egyptian records, notably on the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses III, they left no material culture or written accounts, leading to ongoing debates among historians about their origins and impact. The temple fresco depicts a fierce battle against these marauders, identified as tribes such as the Peleset and Shekelesh, believed to have come from regions like Sicily and Anatolia. Despite their eventual defeat in Egypt, the Sea Peoples' raids may have contributed to the broader Late Bronze Age Collapse, a phenomenon attributed to various factors, including climate change and disease. However, the lack of concrete evidence leaves their true role in history shrouded in mystery.
Published: May 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Wollemi pine, often dubbed the "dinosaur tree," is a critically endangered conifer that once thrived alongside dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. Long thought extinct, this ancient species was rediscovered in 1994 in a remote gorge of Wollemi National Park, New South Wales, Australia. Standing up to 40 meters tall, the Wollemi pine is characterized by its needle-like leaves and deeply furrowed bark. With only about 100 specimens remaining in the wild, the trees face threats from diseases and wildfires, particularly following devastating bushfires in eastern Australia from 2019 to 2020. Conservationists are now working to breed genetically diverse Wollemi pines, distributing them to botanic gardens worldwide to safeguard the species against climate change. Recent successes include a Wollemi pine in England that has begun producing seeds, marking a hopeful step towards the preservation of this living link to the prehistoric past.
Published: May 06 2025, 7 ameznews.inA recent study led by Dr. Ulrike Bingel has revealed that the nocebo effect—where negative expectations exacerbate pain—operates more strongly and persistently than the placebo effect, which alleviates pain through positive expectations. The research involved 104 participants who experienced varying levels of pain while being misled about the effects of a sham electrical device. Results showed that those anticipating increased pain rated their discomfort significantly higher than those in the control group, with nocebo effects lasting longer than placebo effects. On the first day, nocebo participants reported an average pain increase of 11.3 points, compared to a 4.2-point decrease for placebo participants. The findings underscore the importance of healthcare professionals' communication, as negative expectations can impair treatment efficacy and increase side effects. The study, published in eLife, highlights the need for further exploration into the brain mechanisms behind these effects.
Published: May 09 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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