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A groundbreaking study has revealed that the molecular movements within glass and similar materials may exhibit time-reversibility, challenging conventional understandings of the second law of thermodynamics, which states that systems tend toward disorder. Researchers from the Technical University of Darmstadt investigated the physical aging of glass, noting that while the material appears solid, its molecules continuously rearrange themselves, affecting its properties. Using advanced laser technology, the team observed that these molecular fluctuations could be reversed, suggesting a unique "material time" that ticks differently than conventional time. However, study author Till Böhmer emphasized that this does not imply the aging process can be reversed. The findings raise intriguing questions about the potential universality of this time-reversibility in other materials and its implications for the fundamental laws of physics. The study is published in *Nature Physics*, and further research is anticipated to explore these phenomena. 
Published: Feb 12 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study by psychologist Karl R. Gegenfurtner from Giessen University reveals how supermarkets use colored net bags to manipulate consumer perception of fruit, particularly oranges. The red or orange nets enhance the appearance of the fruit's color, making unripe oranges look more appealing and ripe. This technique is rooted in the "confetti illusion," where surrounding colors influence the perception of an object's hue. For instance, lemons in yellow nets appear more vibrant, while those in red nets may look unappealingly orange. Gegenfurtner's personal experience highlighted this deception, as he discovered that the oranges he bought, which looked ripe in the net, were actually green when removed. The study emphasizes how our brains process color and visual information, suggesting that this marketing strategy may effectively influence purchasing decisions, although further research is needed to confirm its impact on sales. The findings are published in the journal i-Perception.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe Silk Road, a network of trade routes that flourished from the second century BCE to the mid-15th century CE, connected diverse regions of Eurasia, facilitating not only the exchange of goods but also ideas, cultures, and diseases. Named after the luxurious silk produced in China, which was a closely guarded secret for millennia, the Silk Road's origins trace back to the Han Dynasty's expansion into Central Asia. General Zhang Qian is often credited as its pioneer. The routes spanned approximately 6,400 kilometers, traversing harsh terrains and fostering settlements along the way. Key exports included silk, tea, and gunpowder, while Europe traded artwork and precious metals. The Silk Road also played a role in the spread of religions and ideas, with figures like Marco Polo documenting its significance. However, by the 15th century, the rise of the Ottoman Empire and European exploration marked its decline, though its legacy endures, inspiring modern initiatives like China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 12 pmeznews.inGeese, often underestimated as mere farm animals, possess unique adaptations that make them formidable protectors, sometimes referred to as "Guard Geese." While they lack traditional teeth, their tongues feature sharp, barbed structures known as tomia, made of cartilage rather than enamel. According to Vanessa Amaral-Rogers from the RSPB, these serrated protrusions enhance their ability to consume tough vegetation, allowing them to effectively rip roots and stems. Additionally, the tomia help geese grip small mammals and insects, showcasing their versatility as feeders. This adaptation is not exclusive to geese; similar barbed tongues are found in other bird species, reflecting convergent evolution linked to their dietary needs. Despite their non-traditional dental features, geese's tomia serve a crucial role in their survival, proving that these birds can be more intimidating than they appear.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 10 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking initiative, the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census has unveiled 866 new marine species over 16 months, marking a significant advancement in our understanding of ocean biodiversity. Among the discoveries are a new species of guitar shark, found off the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, and a venomous marine gastropod, _Turridrupa magnifica_, located in the South Pacific, which may hold potential for pain relief and cancer treatment. The census, which has conducted ten global expeditions using divers and submersibles, highlights the urgent need for collaboration in marine research, as only about 10% of marine life is currently documented. With an estimated 1-2 million species still undiscovered, the initiative aims to accelerate species identification through workshops and innovative methods. Experts emphasize that understanding these new species is crucial for marine conservation and climate adaptation efforts.
Published: Mar 13 2025, 10 ameznews.inAfter five years of genetic research, a mummified skeleton discovered in Chile's Atacama Desert, once thought to be extraterrestrial, has been confirmed as human. The specimen, nicknamed Ata, measures just 15 centimeters and exhibits unique deformities, including bone malformations and dwarfism, attributed to mutations in seven genes. A study published in *Genome Research* reveals that Ata, a female of South American descent, likely suffered from severe skeletal dysplasia and a bone-aging disorder, suggesting she was a pre-term birth who died at six to eight years old. The skeleton was unearthed in 2003 from an abandoned church in La Noria, sparking sensationalist theories about its origins. Researchers, including Stanford's Garry Nolan and UCSF's Atul Butte, concluded that Ata's genetic anomalies may be linked to prenatal nitrate exposure in the mining town, leaving the exact cause of her mutations an open question.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 10 ameznews.inQuantum computing firm D-Wave has announced it has achieved "quantum supremacy" by solving a complex magnetic materials simulation more efficiently than traditional supercomputers, claiming this task would take nearly one million years on conventional systems. Using their Advantage2 prototype, D-Wave's researchers assert that the insights gained could enhance materials in various fields, including superconductors and medical imaging. CEO Dr. Alan Baratz hailed the achievement as a significant milestone for quantum computing, distinguishing it from previous claims that lacked practical applications. However, skepticism remains, with some experts arguing that classical computers can achieve similar results. Dries Sels from New York University noted that his team had performed comparable calculations on a conventional laptop. In response, D-Wave's Dr. Andrew King emphasized the breadth and depth of their simulations. The findings are detailed in a study published in the journal Science, highlighting the growing impact of quantum technology.
Published: Mar 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe giant wood moth (_Endoxyla cinereus_), the heaviest moth in the world, is a remarkable yet elusive creature primarily found in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Female moths can reach a wingspan of 23 centimeters (9 inches) and weigh up to 30 grams (1.1 ounces), comparable to a standard AA battery. In contrast, males are significantly smaller, highlighting the species' sexual dimorphism. Despite their size, these moths are poor fliers; females often crawl up trees to await male suitors. The majority of their lives are spent as larvae, known as witchetty grubs, which burrow deep within trees for two to three years before emerging as adults. Once they metamorphose, females live only a few days, during which they mate and lay eggs before dying, making sightings of these giants in their adult form quite rare.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 8 ameznews.inNASA astronaut Butch Wilmore has captured a striking image of a blue jet sprite, a rare atmospheric phenomenon recently confirmed by scientists. The photograph, shared by fellow astronaut Don Pettit on Reddit, showcases what Pettit describes as "upward directed lightning" (UDL), which occurs at altitudes of 75-80 km (47-50 miles) near the edge of space. While blue jets and red sprites have been reported for decades by ground witnesses and pilots, their existence was only scientifically validated in the late 1980s through video recordings from the space shuttle. Unlike typical lightning, these phenomena result from a build-up of electrical charge that travels upwards, creating vibrant columns of light when interacting with nitrogen in the atmosphere. Despite advancements in understanding, questions remain about the conditions that trigger sprites and their connection to gravity waves, highlighting the need for further research from both terrestrial and extraterrestrial perspectives.
Published: Mar 11 2025, 3 ameznews.inResearchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) have identified approximately 40 circular sinkhole structures on the floor of Lake Michigan, following their discovery during a 2022 sonar survey. These depressions, measuring between 91 and 183 meters in diameter, were located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan. The sinkholes likely formed due to geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone beneath the lake. Similar sinkholes in Lake Huron have revealed unique microbial communities, including ancient microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments. Scientists believe that the Lake Michigan sinkholes may harbor comparable life forms, potentially offering insights into early Earth conditions. Further research is planned to explore the ecological significance of these structures and the types of microbial life they may support, as noted by GLERL scientists in discussions with local media.
Published: Mar 12 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn a fascinating exploration of heavy water, scientists Harold Urey and Klaus Hansen ventured into uncharted territory by tasting this unique substance, which is heavier than regular water due to its deuterium content. Urey, who won a Nobel Prize for proving the existence of heavy water, organized a blind taste test with colleague Gioacchino Failla, concluding that heavy water tastes indistinguishable from ordinary distilled water. Meanwhile, Hansen, a pharmacologist, conducted self-experiments to assess the safety of high concentrations of heavy water, reporting a "burning dry sensation" but ultimately surviving the trials. While low levels of heavy water can be safely absorbed by the body, toxicity risks arise at around 20 percent concentration, with fatal effects possible at 35 percent. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that heavy water may possess a distinctly sweet taste compared to its lighter counterpart, adding another layer to its intriguing profile.
Published: Mar 15 2025, 6 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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