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A new study reveals that all North American languages can be traced back to two ancient Siberian mother tongues, introduced to the continent approximately 24,000 and 14,000 years ago. Renowned linguist Johanna Nichols from the University of California, Berkeley, analyzed 60 North American languages, identifying 16 linguistic features that helped categorize them into families. The first wave of Siberian immigrants settled along the west coast, creating a distinct group of languages characterized by unique pronouns, while the second wave, arriving after an ice-free corridor formed, contributed to the languages of the Clovis culture. Nichols' research indicates that the structural properties of these ancient languages continue to influence modern linguistic diversity in North America, underscoring the lasting impact of prehistoric migration patterns. The findings are detailed in the American Journal of American Anthropology. 
Published: Jul 07 2025, 5 ameznews.inNASA's latest simulations indicate that asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, has a 4.3% chance of impacting the Moon on December 22, 2032, a significant increase from earlier estimates. Initially, the asteroid posed a 1% risk of colliding with Earth, which has since dropped to 0.004%. If it strikes the Moon, the event could be spectacular, potentially creating a crater about 1 kilometer wide and ejecting up to 108 kilograms of lunar material, possibly leading to meteor showers visible from Earth. However, this debris could also pose risks to satellites in orbit and lunar operations, with the potential for increased meteoroid exposure. While the impact would not alter the Moon's orbit, it could release energy equivalent to 6.5 megatons of TNT. Observations of the asteroid will resume in 2028 as it approaches Earth again, allowing for better predictions of its trajectory.
Published: Jul 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent post on X by user @Kairo_Anatomika sparked widespread interest by exploring fat distribution in desert animals, notably highlighting the iconic fat humps of camels and the distinctive round rear-ends of fat-tailed sheep. These sheep, characterized by their large fatty tails that can drag on the ground, have been historically supported by wheeled carts to prevent damage. Fat-tailed sheep, which make up about a quarter of the world's sheep population, evolved this trait as an energy reserve for survival in harsh climates across the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Central Asia. Their tail fat is also prized in various cuisines. The post garnered over 47,000 likes, reflecting a broader fascination with unique animal adaptations. Additionally, the discussion touched on human anatomy, noting that our own gluteus maximus plays a crucial role in locomotion, contributing to our notable butt-to-body ratio.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 12 pmeznews.inNASA's Perseverance rover may have detected evidence of triboelectric discharge caused by a dust devil on Mars, suggesting the potential for lightning within these phenomena. Researchers presented their findings at the 2025 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, noting that dust devils on Mars, previously observed and even recorded for sound, could generate significant electric fields due to charge separation among dust particles. The SuperCam microphone on Perseverance captured a sharp signal during a dust devil encounter, which the team believes indicates an atmospheric discharge, reaching electric field levels of 25 kV/m—sufficient to exceed the Martian atmosphere's breakdown threshold. While this discovery is intriguing, it raises concerns for future missions, including the Mars sample return and crewed expeditions, as electrified dust could pose risks to rovers and equipment. Further investigations are planned to explore the implications of this phenomenon.
Published: Jul 03 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThis year promises a wealth of celestial spectacles, with the total solar eclipse on April 8 and the "Devil's Comet" among the standout events. However, enthusiasts can also look forward to the biannual phenomenon known as "lāhainā noon," or "zero shadow days," which occurs in select tropical locations. During these unique days, the Sun is positioned directly overhead, causing vertical objects to cast no discernible shadow, creating an unusual visual effect reminiscent of a glitch in a video game. Hawai'i, the only U.S. state within the tropics, experiences this phenomenon, which was named through a competition by the Bishop Museum. The subsolar point, the closest point on Earth to the Sun, passes over Hawai'i in May and July, marking these extraordinary moments when shadows vanish entirely.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 ameznews.inOn July 1, the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope announced the discovery of an interstellar object, now named 3I/ATLAS, which has been confirmed as a comet. This celestial body is moving at an impressive speed of approximately 58 kilometers (36 miles) per second, nearly double that of its predecessors, ‘Oumuamua and Comet 2I/Borisov. Initial observations suggest that 3I/ATLAS may be significantly larger than these earlier visitors, with estimates placing its size at around 20 kilometers, although further observations are needed to confirm this. Astronomers worldwide are currently studying its properties, and the comet is expected to remain visible from Earth until September before passing behind the Sun, re-emerging in December. The discovery has sparked excitement in the scientific community, with archival observations dating back to June 14 aiding in refining its characteristics. 3I/ATLAS will come closest to the Sun on October 30, 2025, at a distance of 210 million kilometers (130 million miles).
Published: Jul 03 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe red velvet mite, scientifically known as Trombidiidae, is a striking arachnid that becomes particularly visible during Texas's monsoon season, which runs from July to September and accounts for about 70% of the region's annual rainfall. Following heavy rains, these vibrant creatures emerge from their burrows to hunt for insects, including desert termites. The National Parks Service recently highlighted their arrival on Instagram, noting that these mites can grow up to 0.5 inches (1.3 centimeters) and are often referred to as "rain bugs." With their eight legs and orb-like bodies, red velvet mites are part of a larger family of true velvet mites, which includes around 300 species worldwide. While they can be spotted year-round, they are most noticeable after rain, scuttling across rocks and trees in search of prey. Their larval forms, resembling tiny red eggs, cling to hosts to feed on their juices.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 10 ameznews.inA new hypothesis has emerged regarding Leonardo da Vinci's iconic Vitruvian Man, suggesting that the key to its proportions lies in human anatomy rather than abstract geometry. Rory Mac Sweeney, a dentist, argues that da Vinci's design is rooted in anatomical principles, specifically an equilateral triangle that connects the navel to the limbs, a concept reminiscent of the Bonwill triangle used in dentistry. This triangle, which reflects optimal jaw function, aligns closely with the ratio of 1.64 found in the Vitruvian Man, indicating a sophisticated understanding of human proportions. Mac Sweeney highlights that da Vinci's notes contain explicit instructions for the figure's design, which have been overlooked. This revelation not only sheds light on the artistic genius of the Renaissance but also underscores the interconnectedness of mathematics and biology, suggesting that da Vinci's work embodies deeper mathematical principles governing human anatomy. The findings are detailed in the Journal of Mathematics and the Arts.
Published: Jul 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inHave you ever noticed that the vibrant red steak you bought has turned grey in your fridge? While many consumers equate color with freshness, the hue of meat can be misleading. Red meat, or "dark meat," derives its color from myoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in muscle cells. Freshly butchered meat appears purplish-brown, but exposure to oxygen transforms myoglobin into oxymyoglobin, giving it a rich red color. Over time, continued oxidation turns myoglobin into metmyoglobin, resulting in a greyish-brown appearance. This change does not necessarily indicate spoilage; it may simply reflect oxygen exposure in your fridge. However, if the meat is entirely grey or brown, it could signal spoilage, especially if accompanied by an off smell or slimy texture. Supermarkets often use specially designed packaging that allows some oxygen in, maintaining the appealing red color while keeping the meat fresh.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has initiated its first-ever collisions of oxygen ions, marking a significant step in the quest to understand the early universe. While the LHC is renowned for its proton-proton collisions that led to the discovery of the Higgs boson, it is also capable of colliding heavier ions to create a quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state of matter believed to have existed shortly after the Big Bang. This new phase of experiments will involve colliding lighter ions, including oxygen and neon, to explore how QGP properties emerge in relation to system size. Scientists hope to uncover insights into phenomena like "jet quenching," where high-energy particles lose energy in the QGP, and "collective flow," which describes the motion of particles from the plasma. The experiments, running from July 1-9, face challenges such as "beam pollution," but promise valuable data for understanding the universe's fundamental forces.
Published: Jul 02 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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