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Astronomers have reported unprecedented polarimetric observations of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing it exhibits "extreme negative polarization," a characteristic markedly different from all known comets, both interstellar and solar-bound. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/ATLAS is traveling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and is estimated to have a nucleus measuring approximately 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. As it approached the Sun, the comet displayed a distinctive green hue and a dusty coma, but has since vanished from view, likely due to a coronal mass ejection. The polarimetric data suggests that 3I/ATLAS may share more similarities with trans-Neptunian objects than traditional comets, indicating a potential new category of interstellar bodies. Further observations are anticipated once the comet reappears later this year. 
Published: Oct 21 2025, 12 pmeznews.inWestern Australian police have discovered a burning object on an access road to a mine in the Pilbara region, prompting speculation about its origins. Space junk expert Professor Steven Tingay from Curtin University noted that images suggest the object was on fire upon landing, raising concerns about the potential risks associated with increasing space debris. While the likelihood of being struck by space junk is low, Tingay warned that a flaming object could ignite a bushfire if it landed in a dry area. Dr. Alice Gorman from Flinders University suggested it might be the fourth stage of a Jielong rocket launched in late September, but Tingay cautioned against speculation without further evidence. He emphasized the need for better monitoring of space debris, as the rapid rise in space launches could lead to more incidents like this. The source of the object remains unconfirmed, and no nation or company has claimed responsibility.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 3 pmeznews.inResearch presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025 indicates that cancer patients receiving immunotherapy were twice as likely to survive three years if they had received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine within 100 days of starting treatment. Led by Dr. Adam Grippin from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, the study analyzed over 1,000 patients treated between August 2019 and August 2023. The findings suggest that mRNA vaccines can enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer, particularly in patients with "immunologically cold" tumors, where survival rates improved nearly five-fold. The study highlights the potential of low-cost mRNA vaccines to significantly boost the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors, which have transformed cancer therapy. While the research is promising, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these results and explore the mechanisms involved.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia has revealed significant molecular changes in adult transgender women undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy, aligning their protein profiles more closely with those of cisgender women. The research, which analyzed 5,279 blood proteins before and after six months of treatment with estradiol and either cyproterone acetate or spironolactone, found that 36 of the top 100 proteins typically differing between sexes shifted towards a "female" form. These hormonal changes could influence health risks, potentially increasing susceptibility to autoimmune diseases while reducing heart disease risks. The findings underscore the malleability of human biology and suggest that monitoring protein levels could enhance personalized treatment approaches for transgender individuals. However, the study's small size and focus on feminizing hormones indicate a need for further research, particularly regarding transgender men and non-binary individuals. The study is published in *Nature Medicine*.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 6 ameznews.inA recent study from Macquarie University suggests that women can accurately assess men's attitudes towards casual sex based on facial structure, while men struggle to do the same with women. The research involved 123 participants who completed questionnaires about their sexual relationship preferences and were then photographed. A separate group of 65 volunteers evaluated these photographs, successfully identifying men more open to casual relationships but failing to do so for women. The study's authors, Ian D. Stephen and Joe Antar, noted that specific facial features, such as longer faces and larger eyes, were linked to men's willingness for casual encounters, potentially influenced by testosterone levels. However, the study has limitations, including a small, homogenous sample size, which may not reflect broader demographics. Further research is needed to explore these findings and their implications for understanding sociosexuality.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 10 ameznews.inA recent study published in the journal *Brain, Cognition and Mental Health* suggests that the parasite *Toxoplasma gondii*, commonly spread by cats, may enhance the attractiveness of its human hosts. The research involved 35 infected individuals and 178 non-infected participants, with "raters" assessing their perceived attractiveness based on various metrics, including body mass index and facial symmetry. Results indicated that infected individuals were generally rated as healthier and more attractive, with infected men displaying more symmetrical faces and women having lower BMIs and more sexual partners. This aligns with previous findings in rats, hinting that the parasite may alter host characteristics to boost mating opportunities. While some studies suggest increased testosterone levels in infected males could explain these changes, further research is needed to fully understand the cellular mechanisms at play. The authors emphasize the significance of this work in exploring the interactions between parasites and human hosts.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a remarkable display of tolerance towards nature, Australian resident Jake Gray has welcomed a gigantic huntsman spider, affectionately named Charlotte, into his home for over a year. Sharing his experience on a Facebook spider identification page, Gray explained that the spider has become a part of the family, helping to control pests like cockroaches without the use of toxic chemicals. Despite the initial shock that such a large spider might evoke, Gray reassured his children by naming her and even expressed hopes for her continued growth. While huntsman spiders, known for their speed and size, can appear intimidating, experts note they are generally harmless and prefer to flee rather than bite. With a bite that typically results in mild effects, these spiders serve as natural pest controllers, making them more of a housemate than a threat in Australian homes.
Published: Oct 21 2025, 8 ameznews.inA new genetic analysis of ancient teeth has challenged the long-held belief that Native Americans descended from the Jōmon people of Japan, who lived from around 14,000 to 300 BCE. This theory, based on similarities in stone tools, suggested that the First Peoples migrated from Japan to North America via the Bering Land Bridge approximately 15,000 years ago. However, a study led by Professor Richard Scott from the University of Nevada-Reno found minimal genetic links between Native Americans and the Jōmon population, indicating that the former likely originated from Siberia instead. The research, published in *PaleoAmerica*, revealed that only 7% of Jōmon teeth samples were associated with non-Arctic Native Americans. Additionally, recent discoveries of ancient footprints in New Mexico, dating back 23,000 to 21,000 years, suggest that humans arrived in the Americas much earlier than previously thought, further undermining the Japan-origin theory.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 9 pmeznews.inResidents of the US West Coast have long anticipated a catastrophic earthquake known as "The Big One," but new research suggests a more complex scenario involving a potential "Big Two." A study led by paleoseismologist Chris Goldfinger from Oregon State University indicates that a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone could trigger a subsequent quake along the San Andreas fault. The Cascadia zone, stretching from Vancouver to northern California, is capable of producing magnitude 9+ earthquakes, which could set off a chain reaction affecting Southern California. Goldfinger's team discovered evidence of "doublet events" in sediment cores, suggesting that earthquakes on these faults may synchronize. While this raises concerns about simultaneous disasters impacting major cities like San Francisco and Seattle, Goldfinger notes that there could be a significant time gap between the two events, providing a potential early warning. However, he emphasizes the need for improved preparedness in the region.
Published: Oct 19 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn 2015, Professor Adam Zeman coined the term "aphantasia" to describe the condition of individuals who lack a mind's eye, a phenomenon that affects 1-5% of the population. Nearly a decade later, Zeman has published a comprehensive review of over 50 studies exploring aphantasia, revealing its complexities and subtypes, including variations in face recognition and autobiographical memory. While those with aphantasia may struggle to visualize images, they often excel in verbal communication and emotional depth, as noted by 43-year-old Mary Wathen, who discovered her condition through conversations with other parents. Zeman emphasizes that aphantasia is not a disorder but rather a different way of processing information, which can have both advantages and disadvantages. The ongoing research aims to raise awareness about diverse imaginative experiences, highlighting the need for inclusive educational approaches that accommodate various learning styles. The findings are published in the journal *Trends in Cognitive Sciences*.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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