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Google Translate has inadvertently become a source of amusement for flat-Earthers by translating the phrase "I am a flat-earther" into French as "je suis un fou," which means "I’m a crazy person." This unexpected translation has sparked laughter and ridicule among those who identify with the flat-Earth movement, which has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past decade. Google attributes the translation error to its statistical machine translation system, which learns from vast amounts of text and reflects common perceptions, leading to the inaccurate output. The issue was highlighted on Reddit and persists despite Google's acknowledgment and promise to address it. Other languages also produce amusing translations, such as "I'm a flat spider" in Romanian and "I'm a straight robber" in Azerbaijani. Meanwhile, flat-Earthers recently gathered in the UK for their first public convention, where they shared their beliefs and research. 
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Mar 20 2025, 9 ameznews.inResearchers at the University of Michigan's Computational Autonomy and Robotics Laboratory (CURLY Lab) are exploring a novel approach to robotics by training machines to skateboard, rather than merely performing household tasks or playing chess. Sangli Teng, a PhD student and coauthor of a new paper, highlights the need for robots to engage in complex, contact-rich interactions, which traditional quadrupedal locomotion methods often overlook. Their innovative framework, Discrete-Time Hybrid Automata Learning (DHAL), employs reinforcement learning to enable robots to autonomously identify when to switch between different movement styles without prior knowledge of transition states. This advancement allows robots to perform intuitive actions, such as mounting skateboards and navigating skate parks. While current capabilities are limited, the team envisions broader applications for DHAL in areas like dexterous manipulation, potentially enhancing robots' decision-making and interaction with their environments. The research is currently awaiting peer review.
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Mar 21 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a controversial move, President Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, prompting widespread condemnation globally. During his speech, Trump made several contentious claims, suggesting that the agreement unfairly disadvantaged the U.S. economically and allowed countries like China to continue polluting while America was held back. Critics pointed out that by exiting the pact, the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge in the burgeoning clean energy market, which could lead to job losses and increased costs associated with climate change. Trump also dismissed the agreement's potential impact on global temperatures, misrepresenting its scientific basis. He framed the decision as a means to protect American interests, yet many argue it isolates the U.S. on the world stage, undermining both environmental progress and international cooperation. The president's remarks have been met with skepticism, particularly regarding his understanding of climate science and economic implications.
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Mar 21 2025, 5 ameznews.inDr. Kathy Sullivan, a pioneering figure in exploration, holds a unique distinction as the only person to have both spacewalked and descended to Challenger Deep, the ocean's deepest point. As the first American woman to achieve the former and the first woman to reach the latter, Sullivan's career spans significant contributions, including deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and leading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In a recent interview, she reflected on her experiences, likening the preparation for spaceflight to rigorous expeditions, and expressed a desire to return to space. Sullivan emphasized the importance of NOAA in connecting scientific knowledge to societal needs, advocating for greater awareness of our planet's interconnected systems. As she prepares to speak at the Edinburgh Science Festival, she highlighted the exciting yet challenging landscape of the "New Space Age," marked by increased commercial activity and the need for regulatory frameworks in space exploration.
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Mar 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe US government is set to reopen oil and gas leasing in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with the Department of the Interior announcing plans to make 82% of the reserve available for energy development. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the need to harness Alaska's resources to boost the economy, following President Trump's executive order aimed at reversing former President Biden's drilling permit suspensions. However, the initiative faces skepticism, as previous lease sales in the Arctic Refuge attracted minimal interest, and environmental groups warn of potential harm to wildlife and Indigenous communities. Critics, including the Alaska Wilderness League, argue that there is no economic justification for expanding drilling, citing failed bids and a lack of funding from major financial institutions. The move is likely to encounter political resistance, with Alaska's state government already suing the federal administration over leasing decisions.
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Mar 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe Sahara Desert, often depicted in films as a vast sea of sand dunes, is surprisingly only 25% sandy, with the remaining 75% comprising rocky plateaus, gravel plains, and dry valleys. Covering an area of 9.4 million square kilometers, this means approximately 2.35 million square kilometers are sandy, including the expansive Grand Erg Oriental, the largest dune sea. The Sahara is also home to around 90 major oases, such as the Guelta d'Archei in Chad, though these are sparse. Historically, the region experienced wetter periods, notably between 8000 and 3000 BCE, when it was lush and supported cattle farming. Recent extreme weather events, like an October 2024 cyclone, have even led to rare flooding, temporarily transforming parts of the desert into lakes. Despite its harsh conditions, the Sahara's diverse landscape challenges common perceptions of this iconic desert.
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Mar 19 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA recent online discussion has shed light on the purpose of the lines found on towels, known as the "dobby border." Initially sparked by a curious social media user, the inquiry prompted a flurry of responses, ranging from humorous theories to serious speculation. While some suggested the lines serve as a "face/butt delineation," the consensus points to their practical benefits. The dobby border enhances the towel's absorbency, prevents fraying, and maintains an even structure, ensuring the towel remains soft and lightweight. According to Towel Hub, this feature not only improves durability but also adds an aesthetic touch, making towels more efficient for drying and visually appealing. With this mystery resolved, attention may now shift to other intriguing questions, such as the nature of dark energy or the purpose of screensavers.
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Mar 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe World Happiness Report 2025 reveals a troubling decline in happiness for several Western nations, with the US plummeting to 24th place, its lowest ranking since the report's inception. The UK follows closely at 23rd, while Australia and Canada also see drops, now ranking 11th and 18th, respectively. In contrast, Mexico and Costa Rica have made significant gains, entering the top 10 for the first time, with Costa Rica at 6th and Mexico at 10th. Finland retains its title as the happiest country for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Denmark and Iceland. The report emphasizes that happiness is influenced by factors beyond wealth, such as social trust and community connections, highlighting a concerning rise in solitary dining in the US, which may reflect broader social isolation. Experts stress the importance of fostering trust and connection to enhance overall wellbeing in communities worldwide.
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Mar 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inNew research has debunked the long-held belief that a series of dinosaur footprints in South Texas belonged to a "swimming brontosaur," suggesting instead that the tracks can be explained by the animals walking on soft sediment. The study, led by Dr. Thomas Adams from the Witte Museum, examined the famous trackway discovered by Roland Bird in 1940, which previously suggested that sauropods waded using their front feet. The team found that the absence of hind prints was likely due to the weight distribution of the dinosaurs, which caused deeper impressions from their front feet. Additionally, they discovered two other trackways, confirming that the tracks were made simultaneously in shallow water. While the idea of sauropods swimming remains plausible, the findings highlight the complexities of interpreting dinosaur locomotion. The research not only advances scientific understanding but also serves as a valuable educational resource for students.
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Mar 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inKanzi, a groundbreaking bonobo known for his remarkable ability to communicate using symbols, has died at the age of 44 at the Ape Conservation and Cognition Initiative (ACCI) in Des Moines, Iowa. Born on October 28, 1980, Kanzi gained fame for his spontaneous use of a lexigram board, developing a vocabulary of around 3,000 words and demonstrating an understanding of complex commands that even surpassed that of human toddlers. His unique linguistic skills sparked debate among researchers regarding the nature of his communication. Kanzi's unexpected death on March 18 occurred after a normal morning spent foraging and playing, with no prior signs of illness. While the cause of death is pending necropsy results, he had been receiving treatment for heart disease. The ACCI expressed its commitment to supporting Kanzi's bonobo family and caregivers during this difficult time, mourning the loss of their beloved companion.
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Mar 21 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable encounter filmed in December 2023, an octopus was spotted riding on the back of a shortfin mako shark in the Hauraki Gulf near Kawau Island, leaving scientists both amused and intrigued. The University of Auckland (UoA) research team, initially observing feeding frenzies, captured the unusual sight of the octopus, described as an "orange blob," on the shark's back. Professor Rochelle Constantine noted that the octopus may have experienced quite the thrill, given that shortfin makos are the fastest sharks in the ocean, capable of reaching speeds up to 50 km/h. This unusual pairing is particularly fascinating as octopuses typically dwell on the seabed, while makos inhabit open waters. The incident raises questions about whether the octopus was seeking adventure or if the shark was simply sporting an unexpected accessory, echoing a similar trend seen in orcas wearing salmon hats in the past.
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Mar 21 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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