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Jonathan 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.inA 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.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 pmeznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, with 87% of cases concentrated in just 30 countries, particularly India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with nearly half of untreated patients succumbing to the disease. WHO emphasizes the urgent need for action to meet the UN's goal of ending the global TB epidemic by 2030, noting that funding for prevention and research remains critically low. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively.
Published: Jun 30 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a perplexing case that captivated Germany, the investigation into a series of murders believed to be linked to a mysterious serial killer known as "The Phantom of Heilbronn" was ultimately revealed to be a monumental error. The saga began in 1993 with the strangulation of 62-year-old Lieselotte Schlenger in Idar-Oberstein, where police found DNA from an unknown woman. Over the years, this DNA appeared at numerous crime scenes, including a second murder in Freiburg in 2001, leading authorities to suspect a serial killer. The phantom's DNA was found at 40 crime scenes across Germany, Austria, and France, prompting a €300,000 reward for information. However, in 2009, it was discovered that the DNA contamination stemmed from a woman working in a medical supply packing center, debunking the myth of a serial killer and highlighting a significant failure in forensic practices.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 12 pmeznews.inSix months after their birth, two genetically modified wolves, Romulus and Remus, along with their sister Khaleesi, are thriving under the care of Colossal Biosciences. Weighing over 90 pounds, the six-month-old brothers are about 20% larger than typical gray wolves, showcasing traits from their extinct dire wolf ancestors. Khaleesi, at 35 pounds, is also larger than standard gray wolves. However, the project has faced criticism, as these animals are not true dire wolves but rather hybrids created through genetic modifications. Experts argue that true de-extinction would require cloning, which is currently unfeasible due to DNA preservation issues. Despite the controversy, Colossal's work aims to aid conservation efforts, including the cloning of endangered species like red wolves and the potential revival of the northern white rhino. While the ethical implications of such projects are debated, they represent significant advancements in genetic research and conservation.
Published: Jun 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inRecent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have provided further insights into the enigmatic nature of dark matter and its role in the universe. Regular matter constitutes only about 5% of the universe's total content, with approximately 70% attributed to dark energy and the remainder to dark matter, which interacts only through gravity. The Bullet Cluster, a collision of two galaxy clusters, serves as a key example, revealing a separation between the hot gas observed in X-rays and the distribution of dark matter inferred through gravitational lensing. Researchers, including Kyle Finner and James Jee, emphasize that these findings support the existence of dark matter, as it can explain specific cosmic phenomena that alternative theories, like Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), cannot. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggests a more complex understanding of the Bullet Cluster's dynamics than previously recognized, highlighting the ongoing quest to unravel the universe's mysteries.
Published: Jul 02 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA new study led by Dr. Marina Weiler at the University of Virginia has revealed common factors among individuals who have experienced out-of-body experiences (OBEs), a phenomenon where people perceive the world from outside their bodies. Surveys indicate that 10 to 20 percent of the population has encountered OBEs, which can occur during moments of tranquility or extreme stress. The research, involving 545 adults, found that 80 percent of OBE experiences were spontaneous, with others linked to meditation or psychoactive substances. Notably, those who reported OBEs exhibited higher levels of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and were more prone to dissociation. The study suggests that OBEs may serve as a coping mechanism for past trauma rather than indicating mental illness. The authors call for a more nuanced understanding of OBEs within mental health contexts, emphasizing the need for further research into their underlying mechanisms.
Published: Jul 01 2025, 7 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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