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Recent genetic discoveries have reshaped our understanding of human classification, revealing that humans are not as distinct from apes as previously thought. Historically, humans were categorized in the family Hominidae, separate from other primates like chimpanzees and gorillas, which were placed in the Pongidae family. However, as research has shown our close genetic ties to these great apes, the term "hominid" has been redefined to include all great apes and their extinct ancestors. In contrast, "hominin" now specifically refers to the human lineage following our split from chimpanzees approximately seven million years ago. This new classification system places humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees in the subfamily Homininae, with humans further distinguished in the Hominina subtribe, highlighting our kinship with other primates while acknowledging our unique evolutionary path. 
Published: Jan 01 2026, 3 ameznews.inWyoming's "mummy zone" has gained attention for its remarkable dinosaur discoveries, with two newly unearthed carcasses of the duckbilled dinosaur _Edmontosaurus annectens_ marking significant paleontological firsts. These specimens, preserved with intricate details of their fleshy surfaces, were rapidly buried by floodwaters shortly after death, a process facilitated by the region's cyclical monsoon conditions. This unique preservation method, known as "clay templating," creates a thin clay mask around the carcasses, allowing for an unprecedented glimpse into the appearance of large prehistoric reptiles. Senior author Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago emphasized the importance of these findings, stating they provide a complete view of a large dinosaur for the first time. The team plans to continue searching for similarly preserved specimens in this unique area, which has yielded numerous surprises over the years. The study is published in the journal *Science*.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 8 ameznews.inHumans often pride themselves on their unpredictability, yet a fascinating linguistic phenomenon known as Zipf's law suggests otherwise. This statistical principle, first noted by George Kingsley Zipf around 80 years ago, reveals that the frequency of word usage in nearly all languages—be it English, Hindi, or Mandarin—follows a predictable pattern. For instance, the most commonly used word, "the," appears twice as often as the next most frequent word, and this trend continues down the ranks. Remarkably, Zipf's law even applies to undeciphered languages, such as those in the enigmatic Voynich Manuscript, and has been observed in the works of notable authors like Charles Darwin. While various theories attempt to explain this phenomenon, including the balance of effort minimization in communication, the exact reasons behind Zipf's law remain elusive, prompting reflection on the inherent structure of human language.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 3 ameznews.inA new study highlights the overlooked health risks posed by amoebae, single-celled organisms capable of surviving extreme conditions and causing severe human illnesses. While many amoebae are harmless and play essential ecological roles, pathogenic species like _Naegleria fowleri_, known as the "brain-eating amoeba," can thrive in warm freshwater and cause deadly infections when introduced to the brain. Another harmful species, _Entamoeba histolytica_, leads to amoebic dysentery, which can be fatal in severe cases. Researchers emphasize that amoebae can also act as "Trojan horses," protecting viruses and bacteria from disinfection methods, potentially spreading diseases like norovirus. With climate change creating more habitats for these organisms, the authors call for enhanced surveillance, better diagnostic tools, and improved water treatment strategies to mitigate the health threats they pose. They argue that addressing amoebae requires integrated solutions that encompass both public health and environmental considerations.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 6 ameznews.inThe blue whale, often regarded as the largest animal on Earth, faces competition in the length category from the lion’s mane jellyfish (_Cyanea capillata_), which boasts tentacles that can exceed 30.5 meters (100 feet). While blue whales typically reach around 27 meters (89 feet), the longest recorded lion’s mane jellyfish had tentacles measuring an impressive 36.5 meters (120 feet). Additionally, this jellyfish is recognized as the heaviest, weighing approximately 1 metric ton, comparable to an adult male American bison, though still far lighter than a blue whale's 200 tons. The title of the largest jellyfish is debated, with some suggesting Nomura’s jellyfish (_Nemopilema nomurai_) may hold that distinction. Found in colder waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans, the lion’s mane jellyfish is identifiable by its peach to deep red bell. While its sting is rarely fatal, it can cause significant discomfort, making it advisable to observe from a distance.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 1 pmeznews.inHagfish, often overshadowed by sharks, are primitive, eel-like creatures that inhabit ocean floors, scavenging for dead fish. Lacking jaws and a spine, these virtually blind animals have remained largely unchanged for 300 million years. Their unique defense mechanism involves excreting a gelatinous slime that can suffocate predators by blocking their gills and mouths. This slime is created when seawater interacts with mucin vesicles and intermediate filament threads, rapidly expanding to form a thick, elastic substance. Scientists are now exploring the potential of hagfish slime for creating innovative materials, with companies like Benthic Labs aiming to synthesize it for applications ranging from biodegradable polymers to protective clothing. The challenge lies in replicating the slime's properties without the need for seawater, but success could lead to groundbreaking uses, including airbags and advanced packaging solutions.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 1 ameznews.inIvan Pavlov, often remembered for his experiments with dogs and a bell, conducted far more invasive and distressing research than commonly acknowledged. Initially focused on the effects of eating on digestive secretions, Pavlov surgically altered his lab dogs by creating fistulas in their throats, allowing him to collect gastric juices for study. He even sold these juices as a remedy for indigestion. To gather more gastric fluids, he set up a "gastric juice factory" where dogs, harnessed and angled towards food, would eat, only for the food to fall out of their neck holes. Despite appearing to enjoy the process, the dogs suffered from starvation and injuries, leading to their premature deaths. Pavlov's observations of the dogs salivating at the sight of his assistant's lab coat led to his discovery of conditioned reflexes, although he used a metronome, not a bell, to establish this association. Today, his legacy is often sanitized, overshadowing the grim realities of his methods.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 2 ameznews.inThe Trump Administration has halted the construction of all offshore wind farms in the United States, citing "national security risks" as the reason for the sudden pause. The Department of the Interior announced that five major projects, including Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind off New York, Revolution Wind near Rhode Island, Vineyard Wind 1 off Massachusetts, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, must cease operations immediately. This decision follows a classified report from the Department of War, which raised concerns that these wind farms could be exploited by foreign adversaries to launch attacks, potentially interfering with radar systems. Developers, including Danish energy firm Ørsted, are challenging the suspension, arguing that their projects underwent extensive reviews and that the halt poses significant harm. Critics of the administration's stance suggest that the risks were already considered during the permitting process and that offshore wind farms are heavily monitored, making them unlikely targets for attacks.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 11 pmeznews.inInterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is continuing its journey away from the Solar System, with new data being relayed to Earth from NASA's Europa Clipper mission. Observations conducted on November 6, shortly after the comet's perihelion—its closest approach to the Sun at approximately 203 million kilometers—have provided intriguing insights into its composition. The Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph detected escaping gases, including hydrogen and oxygen, while also hinting at the presence of carbon. Dr. Kurt Retherford, Principal Investigator of Europa-UVS, noted that while initial findings align with expectations regarding the comet's ion and dust tails, some observations remain puzzling. The full analysis from both Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency's JUICE mission, which also observed the comet, will take several months. Despite the wait, scientists are eager to deepen their understanding of this unique interstellar visitor.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 12 ameznews.inBetelgeuse, the prominent red supergiant star, is expected to undergo a spectacular supernova explosion, potentially shining as brightly as the Moon for two weeks and remaining visible during the day for up to a year. While the exact timing of this event remains uncertain, recent observations have revealed fluctuations in its brightness, leading scientists to speculate that it could occur within a few decades. A significant breakthrough has come from a study utilizing data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, which suggests that Betelgeuse may have a companion star, named Siwarha, orbiting within its atmosphere. This companion star appears to create a "wake" in Betelgeuse's atmosphere, explaining its periodic dimming every 2,100 days. The findings provide crucial insights into the behavior of massive stars and their evolution, as astronomers prepare for further observations when Siwarha becomes visible in 2027.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 10 pmeznews.inA recent fossil discovery in Mongolia has revealed the fastest theropod trackway from the Cretaceous period, with a medium-sized dinosaur estimated to have sprinted at approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) per hour, comparable to a professional cyclist. The trackway, dating back 130 to 120 million years, consists of two isolated sets of footprints attributed to a large theropod, _Chapus lockleyi_, and an unidentified medium-sized dinosaur from the Eubrontidae family. Researchers determined the dinosaur's speed by analyzing its stride length relative to its hip height, yielding a remarkable score of 5.25, indicative of a running gait. The straightness of the trackway and deep toe impressions further support the conclusion of a high-speed run. This finding enhances our understanding of theropod locomotion and underscores the capabilities of smaller and mid-sized dinosaurs, as detailed in a study published in *Science China Earth Sciences*.
Published: Jan 06 2026, 3 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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