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A groundbreaking gene therapy has shown promise in restoring hearing for children and adults with a genetic form of deafness, according to a new study published in *Nature Medicine*. The therapy, which employs a synthetic virus to deliver a functional copy of the faulty _OTOF_ gene to the inner ear, resulted in significant hearing improvements within a month for most of the 10 participants, aged one to 24, and all experienced notable enhancements within six months. The average sound perception improved dramatically from 106 decibels to 52, akin to the difference between a motorcycle and rainfall. This marks the first successful application of the therapy in teenagers and adults, with no serious side effects reported during a year-long follow-up. Researchers are optimistic about expanding this treatment to other genetic causes of deafness, potentially benefiting the estimated 200,000 individuals affected globally by _OTOF_ mutations. 
Published: Jul 04 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the XENON Collaboration reported an unexpected event in 2019 while searching for dark matter. Their device, designed to detect elusive particles, observed the decay of a xenon atom with a staggering half-life of 18 billion trillion years—over a trillion times longer than the universe's current age. This rare occurrence, described as the rarest event ever recorded, challenges conventional notions of radioactive decay, which typically involves much shorter half-lives. The team, utilizing a detector containing two metric tons of xenon, recorded only nine decay events over 177 days, highlighting the difficulty of observing such infrequent phenomena. While theories suggest protons may also decay, no evidence has yet been found, indicating their half-life could exceed 1.67 billion trillion trillion years. The findings were published in the journal *Nature*, underscoring the complexities of studying atomic decay on such an extraordinary timescale.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 4 ameznews.inFor years, Steven Kilburn experienced an unsettling feeling while driving a stretch of road in Maryland, which he attributed to a sense of being watched. This unease culminated in May 1978 when psychologist Dr. Girard Franklin hypnotized him, revealing a traumatic memory of an alleged alien abduction. Kilburn's account, detailed in Budd Hopkins' 1981 book *Missing Time*, sparked widespread interest in alien abduction narratives, leading to a surge of similar claims. However, many experts argue that these experiences may stem from suggestive hypnosis rather than actual encounters, highlighting the malleability of memory. The phenomenon has been linked to psychological factors such as fantasy-proneness and sleep paralysis, while folklorists suggest that modern abduction stories echo ancient myths. Ultimately, these narratives may fulfill deep-seated psychological needs, offering a sense of wonder and connection to something greater in an increasingly secular world.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 2 ameznews.inOn December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami triggered by a massive undersea earthquake off Indonesia claimed around 230,000 lives, yet some communities, notably the Moken tribe of sea nomads in the Andaman Islands, emerged largely unscathed. Their survival can be attributed to traditional knowledge passed down through generations, particularly their understanding of the "Laboon," a cultural warning of impending disaster. This incident highlights the growing recognition among scientists of the value of Indigenous knowledge in disaster preparedness and environmental management. As climate change intensifies, integrating Indigenous practices, such as fire management and community resilience strategies, is increasingly seen as essential. For instance, the Māori in New Zealand utilize communal gathering sites for support during crises, showcasing the importance of social infrastructure. As researchers and policymakers begin to appreciate these insights, the hope is to foster collaboration that respects and enhances Indigenous knowledge rather than exploiting it.
Published: Jul 03 2025, 12 ameznews.inMathematicians have unveiled the Bille, a groundbreaking monostable tetrahedron that always rests on the same side, a concept long theorized but never realized. First proposed by mathematician John Conway in the 1960s, the challenge of creating a four-sided monostable shape seemed insurmountable until Gábor Domokos and student Gergő Almádi embarked on a quest using modern computational methods. After extensive trials, they constructed the Bille using ultra-light carbon fiber for its frame and tungsten carbide for weight, overcoming initial setbacks that resulted in two stable equilibria. This innovative shape could have practical applications, particularly in space exploration, where self-righting mechanisms are crucial for landers that may tip over. The Bille not only addresses mathematical inquiries but also represents a significant achievement in geometric modeling, showcasing the intersection of theory and engineering. The findings are detailed in a preprint paper awaiting peer review.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA report published in The Lancet warns that President Trump's decision to slash US funding for foreign humanitarian aid could lead to over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, primarily affecting children. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the world's largest humanitarian funding agency, has played a crucial role in providing essential services, including antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients and disaster relief efforts. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an 80% cut to USAID programs, citing wasteful spending, a move condemned by humanitarian organizations. Current legal challenges to these cuts leave their future uncertain, but if implemented, they could severely impact maternal and child health, epidemic monitoring, and family planning initiatives. Researchers estimate that without reversing these funding cuts, millions of preventable deaths could occur, jeopardizing decades of humanitarian progress and undermining global efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 1 ameznews.inJonathan the tortoise, the world's oldest living land animal, is set to celebrate his 193rd birthday later this year, having been estimated to have been born on December 4, 1832. This Seychelles giant tortoise arrived in Saint Helena in 1882 as a gift for the territory's future governor, William Grey-Wilson, and has since lived through an astonishing 40 U.S. presidents, from Andrew Jackson to Donald Trump. Despite his advanced age, Jonathan maintains a keen appetite for snacks like banana, lettuce hearts, and cabbage, although he has lost much of his sight and sense of smell due to cataracts. His daily routine is described as "very relaxed," enjoying sunbathing on mild days and seeking shade during heat. Remarkably, Jonathan still exhibits a lively interest in mating with his companions, Emma and Fred, showcasing that age is just a number for this remarkable tortoise.
Published: Jul 03 2025, 9 pmeznews.inHumans have never established permanent settlements in Antarctica, a continent once teeming with rainforests and dinosaurs, but too inhospitable for ancient humans. While Māori legend suggests that Polynesian explorer Hui Te Rangiora may have reached its icy shores in the seventh century CE, the first confirmed sighting occurred in 1820 by Russian explorer Thaddeus von Bellingshausen. However, a remarkable discovery in the 1980s by Chilean scientist Daniel Torres Navarro revealed human remains of a young woman, believed to have died between 1819 and 1825, on Yámana Beach. Initial findings indicated she was likely from Chile, raising questions about her presence in Antarctica. Torres Navarro hypothesized that she could have been abandoned by 19th-century sealers or died at sea, with her remains washed ashore and scattered by scavenging birds. To date, no additional human remains have been found in the area.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThis week, stargazers may have caught a glimpse of a "V" and "X" shape on the Moon's surface, a phenomenon created by the interplay of sunlight and lunar craters. While that opportunity has passed, another celestial event is set for Friday, July 4, when the "Eyes of Clavius" will become visible. This effect, a result of the Clair-Obscur phenomenon, occurs when sunlight strikes the rims of Clavius crater's satellite craters, creating two bright rings that resemble eyes. Observers will need a small telescope to see this effect, which is best viewed around 11am EDT (3pm UTC). Additionally, a second chance to witness the "Eyes of Clavius" may arise on July 16, just before the third quarter phase of the Moon. The unique visibility of these features is attributed to the shadows cast near the lunar terminator, enhancing the perception of depth and structure on the Moon's surface.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a controversial UK reality show, _Boys and Girls Alone_, ten boys and ten girls aged 11 and 12 were placed in separate houses without adult supervision, tasked with managing their own lives. The children were provided with basic necessities but were largely left to their own devices, with the crew stepping in only for safety concerns. The boys quickly descended into chaos, vandalizing their environment and splitting into rival groups, while the girls organized activities like cooking and a fashion show, though they also faced interpersonal conflicts, leading to two girls leaving the experiment early. Despite moments of tension, such as a neighbor's cat causing a stir among the girls, the overall dynamics highlighted stark behavioral differences between the genders. While the experiment offered intriguing insights, its artificial setting limits the applicability of its findings, echoing real-life instances of child isolation, such as a 1965 incident involving six boys stranded on an island for 15 months.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 2 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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