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For the first time, astronomers have successfully measured the mass and distance of a solitary "rogue" planet, designated KMT-2024-BLG-0792/OGLE-2024-BLG-0516, located approximately 9,785 light-years from Earth. This breakthrough was achieved through simultaneous observations from ground-based telescopes and the now-retired Gaia space telescope, overcoming the challenge of mass-distance degeneracy that complicates such measurements. The planet, estimated to be about 22% the mass of Jupiter, likely formed in a proto-planetary disk before being ejected into interstellar space. Rogue planets, which are not bound to any star, are difficult to detect due to their cold nature and lack of visible light. The findings, published in the journal Science, pave the way for future observations, particularly with the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, which is expected to identify hundreds of free-floating exoplanets, enhancing our understanding of these elusive worlds. 
Published: Jan 06 2026, 3 ameznews.inResearchers at New York University have launched an interactive "multilingual calculator" designed to help individuals assess their multilingual abilities. The tool, which covers nearly 50 languages, including American Sign Language, prompts users to answer questions about their language learning history and proficiency. Based on these responses, it generates a profile indicating the user's dominant language and overall multilingualism score, ranging from monolingual to "perfect polyglot." Senior author Esti Blanco-Elorrieta noted that many users are surprised to discover they are more multilingual than they believed, challenging the misconception that fluency must be equal across all languages. The calculator aims to provide a nuanced understanding of language experience, moving beyond simplistic labels like "monolingual" or "bilingual." The study, published in the journal Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, suggests that self-reported language proficiency is a reliable measure of linguistic ability.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe microscopic world is a realm filled with bizarre and fascinating entities, often so distant from our everyday experiences that they can be difficult to comprehend. To engage with this intriguing domain, readers are invited to participate in a quiz hosted on Playbuzz, which challenges them to identify various objects based solely on their appearances under a microscope. This interactive experience not only tests one's observational skills but also highlights the extraordinary details that lie hidden from the naked eye. For those seeking to delve deeper into the wonders of microscopy, further content is available, although it requires a subscription for full access.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 10 pmeznews.inTokyo has lost its title as the world's most populous city, with Jakarta now taking the lead, according to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report. Jakarta's population is estimated at nearly 42 million, followed closely by Dhaka at almost 40 million, while Tokyo's population stands at 33 million. This shift is attributed to a new methodology for defining urban areas, which has significantly increased Jakarta's population count. Additionally, Japan's ongoing demographic challenges, including a declining birth rate and an aging population, have contributed to Tokyo's fall from first to third place since 2000. Projections indicate that by 2050, Tokyo's population may shrink to 30.7 million, further dropping its rank among global megacities. Meanwhile, Dhaka and Shanghai are expected to experience rapid growth, with Dhaka projected to surpass Jakarta as the largest city by mid-century.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 5 pmeznews.inWhile some volcanoes, like Yellowstone, are well-known for their potential catastrophic eruptions, geologists warn that large igneous provinces (LIPs) pose an even greater threat. These vast regions, formed by massive volcanic activity over millions of years, can unleash eruptions of up to 10,000 cubic kilometers of lava, significantly altering the planet's landscape and atmosphere. Experts like Leif Karlstrom and Stephen Grasby highlight that LIPs can lead to a series of eruptions that, while individually mild, collectively create devastating environmental impacts, including mass extinctions. Historical events, such as the Siberian Traps eruption, have been linked to the greatest extinction events in Earth's history. Although LIP events are rare, with an average occurrence of every 10 million years, the current rate of carbon emissions from human activity could trigger similar catastrophic climate changes without the need for volcanic eruptions, potentially leading to severe ecological consequences in the near future.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study suggests that intimacy with a partner can accelerate the healing of physical wounds, with the effects enhanced by the hormone oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone." Researchers applied small blister wounds to the forearms of 80 heterosexual couples, dividing them into groups that received either oxytocin nasal spray or a placebo, alongside a Partner Appreciation Task (PAT) involving compliments. While oxytocin alone did not speed healing, combining it with the PAT resulted in faster recovery, particularly for couples who also engaged in sexual activity. The study found that higher sexual activity correlated with lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress may play a role in healing. Interestingly, even daily affectionate touch, when paired with oxytocin, contributed to quicker recovery, suggesting that oxytocin enhances the benefits of intimacy rather than acting independently. The findings are published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe first confirmed exoplanet discovery occurred in 1992, when astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail identified planet-sized bodies orbiting the pulsar PSR1257 + 12. This was followed by the detection of a "hot Jupiter" orbiting a Sun-like star in 1995. Since then, advancements in space-based observatories like Kepler and TESS have led to the discovery of over 6,000 exoplanets. Additionally, astronomers have identified "rogue planets," which drift through space without a host star, with surveys suggesting they may outnumber stars in the Milky Way. Detecting these rogue planets is challenging, often relying on microlensing techniques. A notable mystery, termed the "Einstein desert," highlights a lack of observed gravitational lensing events for mid-mass objects, raising questions about the dynamics of planetary ejection. Future observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Roman Space Telescope are expected to shed light on these enigmatic celestial bodies.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 7 pmeznews.inResearchers have identified key psychological traits that may predict an individual's likelihood of believing in conspiracy theories, according to a study led by Adrian Furnham from the Norwegian Business School. The findings indicate that individuals who perceive the world as fundamentally unjust and exhibit a low tolerance for ambiguity are more inclined to endorse such beliefs. The study surveyed 253 participants from various countries, revealing that younger males, particularly those with religious and right-wing views, are more susceptible to conspiracy thinking. The researchers emphasized that intolerance for ambiguity was a stronger predictor of conspiracy beliefs than demographic factors like age or education. This suggests that understanding the "cover-up" perspective inherent in many conspiracy theories is crucial for addressing these beliefs. The study highlights the need for further exploration of the psychological underpinnings of conspiracy thinking, as it increasingly influences public discourse and policymaking.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 11 pmeznews.inA recent analysis highlights a significant communication challenge for potential spacecraft traveling near light speed, revealing that maintaining contact with Earth would become increasingly difficult. Researchers David Messerschmitt and colleagues explored two scenarios involving a hypothetical spacecraft accelerating at 1g. Initially, communication would be feasible, but as the craft approaches light speed, messages from Earth would lag and eventually fail to reach it. Time dilation would also affect onboard experiences, allowing the crew to perceive a journey to the galaxy's center as taking just 20 years, despite it being 26,000 light-years away. In a second scenario, while decelerating, the spacecraft could receive accumulated messages from Earth, but these would not be timely. The study underscores the need for interstellar missions to operate autonomously, as crews would be largely isolated from Earth after a certain point.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 9 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable discovery, a male mountain gazelle with six legs has been spotted at Nahal HaBashor nature reserve in Israel, raising interest among wildlife enthusiasts. The condition, known as polymelia, results in the presence of extra limbs, which can sometimes hinder survival. Despite this anomaly, the gazelle appears to be thriving, having successfully bred with three females and produced a fawn. The mountain gazelle (_Gazella gazella_), classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, has a dwindling population of approximately 2,500 individuals, primarily found in Israel's hilly terrains. While the extra limbs do not seem to affect the gazelle's health, it still faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and predation by feral dogs. Amir Balaban, Director of Urban Nature at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, noted that the gazelle is healthy and strong, defying expectations regarding its condition.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 2 pmeznews.inEvery 300,000 years, the Earth's magnetic poles undergo a dramatic flip, a phenomenon that has not occurred for 780,000 years. The magnetic poles, which form part of the Earth’s magnetosphere—a protective shield against solar wind and cosmic radiation—are in a constant state of flux. Recent studies by the British Geological Society indicate that while the inner core of the Earth does not generate a magnetic field, it plays a crucial role in the dynamics of pole reversals. Simulations suggest that for a reversal to occur, the magnetic field from the outer core must diffuse into the inner core, a process that is rarely successful. Although there has been a slight decrease in the magnetosphere's strength over the past two centuries, scientists assert there is no immediate threat of a pole reversal. Historically, such events have not led to mass extinctions, although they could disrupt technology.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 12 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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