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The winners of the 2021 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, with UK amateur photographer Ken Jensen taking the top prize for his humorous image titled “Ouch!” featuring a Golden Silk Monkey caught in a clumsy moment. Jensen captured the photograph in 2016 during a trip to Yunnan, China, where the monkey's aggressive antics led to an unexpected slip. He expressed joy at his image bringing smiles worldwide while supporting wildlife conservation. The competition, established in 2015, donates 10% of its net revenue to Save Wild Orangutans, a charity focused on protecting orangutans in Borneo. The Affinity Photo People’s Choice Award went to John Speirs for his whimsical shot of a pigeon in Scotland, while other notable winners included Chee Kee Teo and Vicki Jauron for their charming wildlife images. Additionally, ten “Highly Commended Winners” were recognized for their delightful contributions. 
Published: Oct 17 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new trend known as "vabbing" is gaining traction on social media, particularly TikTok, where users claim that applying vaginal secretions to pulse points can enhance attractiveness, serving as a natural alternative to perfume. The trend was popularized by influencer Mandy Lee, who suggested using two fingers to collect fluids before applying them to areas like the neck and wrists. Proponents, including sex educator Shan Boodram, argue that vaginal fluids may contain copulins—chemical messengers that could stimulate sexual arousal, similar to pheromones in the animal kingdom. However, scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of vabbing is limited, with research indicating that while some women produce copulins, no definitive human pheromone has been identified. Despite the lack of robust scientific backing, the trend continues to flourish online, with many users sharing their experiences and promoting its supposed benefits.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 1 ameznews.inDe-extinction is emerging as a significant scientific pursuit, with companies like Colossal Biosciences aiming to revive species such as the woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, moa, and dire wolf, all of which faced extinction largely due to human activity. Colossal has already achieved what it terms "functional de-extinction" with the dire wolf and aims to produce a living mammoth by 2028. In a recent episode of _The Big Questions_, host Rachael Funnell engages with Colossal's co-founder Ben Lamm, chief science officer Beth Shapiro, and chief animal officer Matt James, alongside historian Professor Sadiah Qureshi, who prompts critical discussions about the implications of de-extinction and its potential to prevent future extinctions. As this innovative field develops, it raises essential questions about our responsibilities towards biodiversity and the ethical considerations of resurrecting lost species.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inA recent study has uncovered potential evidence of a galactic supernova in a 12th-century Arabic poem praising Saladin, the first sultan of Egypt and Syria. The poem, attributed to Ibn Sanā' al-Mulk and dated between December 1181 and May 1182, describes a celestial event that outshone the star Arcturus, suggesting it may refer to Supernova 1181, which was visible for 185 days in the constellation Cassiopeia. Researchers noted that the poem's vivid imagery and references to the star's brightness provide valuable insights into the supernova's characteristics, including its magnitude and visibility to laypeople and astronomers alike. This discovery adds to historical records of supernovae, complementing earlier observations by ancient Chinese astronomers. The findings, published in *Astronomical Notes*, highlight the potential for further exploration of ancient texts to uncover more about this rare astronomical phenomenon.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe "Purple Earth Hypothesis," proposed by Professor Shiladitya DasSarma and Dr. Edward Schwieterman, suggests that early Earth may have been dominated by purple microorganisms rather than the green life forms we see today. This theory posits that before the Great Oxygenation Event, when Earth's atmosphere was rich in carbon dioxide and methane, photosynthetic organisms utilized a simpler pigment called retinal, which absorbs green light and reflects purple. This could have given the oceans a mauve tint, as retinal-based microbes thrived in low-oxygen environments. As evolution progressed, chlorophyll-based photosynthesis emerged, allowing organisms to exploit blue and red light wavelengths, leading to the dominance of green life forms. While chlorophyll is now the predominant pigment on Earth, the hypothesis highlights the possibility that extraterrestrial life could be based on different pigments, potentially leading to a spectrum of colors beyond green in the search for habitable worlds.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe Movile Cave in Romania, isolated for 5.5 million years, hosts a remarkable ecosystem unlike any other on Earth. Discovered in 1986 during a search for nuclear power plant sites, the cave is now restricted to researchers due to its extreme conditions, including low oxygen levels and high concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. A 1996 study revealed 48 species, 33 of which are unique to the cave, including various invertebrates that have adapted to the darkness by losing pigmentation and eyesight. Notably, the cave's ecosystem relies on chemosynthetic bacteria for energy, drawing parallels to deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities. Despite extensive research, many species remain undiscovered, offering potential insights into evolutionary biology and the nature of life itself. The Movile Cave continues to intrigue scientists, highlighting the resilience of life in extreme environments.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 3 ameznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, a slight increase from 2022, with 87% of cases concentrated in just 30 countries, particularly India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with WHO calling for urgent action to end the epidemic by 2030. While the number of TB-related deaths has been declining overall, funding for prevention and research remains critically low, with only $5.7 billion allocated last year against a target of $22 billion. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a significant move for conservation, California has officially designated the giant garter snake (_Thamnophis gigas_) as its state snake, a decision aimed at raising awareness about the species' precarious status. The largest of the garter snakes, adults can grow up to 1.62 meters (5.3 feet) and are native to California's wetlands, which have drastically diminished to just 5 percent of their original extent due to urbanization, agriculture, and water diversion. This has led to a staggering 90 percent decline in the snake's population over the past century, prompting its classification as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The bill, authored by Senator Roger Niello and supported by conservation groups, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 9. Advocates believe this designation will enhance conservation efforts and public education, emphasizing the importance of preserving California's wetlands and the ecosystems they support.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 5 ameznews.inFrom October to March, stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere can observe the Pleiades, or the Seven Sisters, a prominent star cluster in the constellation Taurus. Comprising over 1,000 stars, the brightest are hot blue stars formed around 100 million years ago. The Pleiades have inspired myths across various cultures, notably in Greek mythology, where they are depicted as the daughters of Atlas, transformed into stars by Zeus to protect them from Orion the hunter. Interestingly, Indigenous Australian stories echo this theme, featuring a male figure pursuing the Pleiades, highlighting striking similarities despite the cultures' historical isolation. Research suggests that 100,000 years ago, a seventh star, Pleione, was visible, potentially explaining the "Seven Sisters" narrative. This shared myth may date back to a time when ancestors of both cultures were telling stories around campfires in Africa, raising the possibility that it could be the world's oldest story.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA mathematical equation, known as the "Carter catastrophe," has sparked discussions about humanity's potential extinction by suggesting that our existence is statistically random within the timeline of human history. Developed by Australian astrophysicist Brandon Carter, the equation posits that if humanity's total population is finite, one should not assume they are living in a unique moment, such as the beginning or end of human existence. Astrophysicist J. Richard Gott applied this concept to predict the fall of the Berlin Wall and the longevity of Stonehenge, demonstrating its predictive power. Gott estimates that humanity could face extinction within 19,000 years unless birth rates decline significantly. While the equation offers a probabilistic framework for understanding our future, it remains speculative, influenced by various factors such as technological advancements and changes in life expectancy. Thus, while intriguing, the notion of impending doom should not be a cause for immediate concern.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a surprising revelation, sloths can hold their breath for an astonishing 40 minutes, far surpassing dolphins, which manage around 10 minutes. This remarkable ability stems from their exceptionally slow metabolism, which allows them to significantly reduce their heart rate and conserve oxygen while submerged. While sloths are often perceived as the slowest creatures on land, they exhibit surprising agility in water, swimming three times faster than their terrestrial pace. Their unique physiology also includes a stomach that acts as a flotation device, aiding their buoyancy. However, sloths are not the champions of breath-holding in the animal kingdom; elephant seals can last up to two hours, and the record-holder, a curved beak whale, can hold its breath for an incredible 3 hours and 42 minutes. Despite their gentle appearance, sloths are also noted for their strength, being three times stronger than the average human.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 1 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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