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On November 24, 1974, Donald Johanson and his graduate student Tom Gray stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery at Hadar, Ethiopia, while mapping the area. Initially finding only fragments of antelope and monkey fossils, their fortunes changed when Johanson spotted a small bone that turned out to be part of a hominid. Over the following weeks, they unearthed around 40% of a skeleton belonging to a previously unknown species, later named Australopithecus afarensis, and affectionately nicknamed "Lucy" after The Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds." This discovery, which revealed that Lucy walked upright, significantly advanced our understanding of human evolution, suggesting bipedality preceded brain expansion. Despite initial skepticism from some in the scientific community, Lucy has become an iconic figure in anthropology, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the study of our ancestral lineage. As the 50th anniversary of her discovery approaches, researchers continue to explore the implications of her existence. 
Published: Dec 18 2025, 11 ameznews.inA comprehensive analysis of nearly 20,000 pregnancies in Canada has underscored the significant benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for both pregnant individuals and their babies. Conducted during the Delta and Omicron variant waves, the study found that vaccinated pregnant people faced a 60% lower risk of hospitalization and a 90% reduced likelihood of requiring critical care compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. Additionally, vaccination was linked to a decreased risk of preterm birth, with the most pronounced benefits observed in those vaccinated during pregnancy. Dr. Deborah Money from the University of British Columbia emphasized the overwhelming evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, while lead author Dr. Elisabeth McClymont highlighted the unique opportunity for preventive health during this vulnerable period. The findings bolster public health recommendations for vaccination, amidst ongoing debates about vaccine guidance in various regions, including the U.S.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 11 ameznews.inA recent brain-imaging study has revealed that the psychoactive compound psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, induces a significant shift in brain activity, making it less organized and more random. This chaotic connectivity, observed in seven participants who underwent multiple MRI scans before, during, and after their psychedelic experience, may contribute to enhanced cognitive flexibility, potentially explaining the therapeutic effects of psychedelics in treating depression and other mental health issues. Researchers noted that while individual brain connectivity patterns were distinct prior to ingestion, they became indistinguishable post-trip, suggesting a temporary loss of personal identity. The study highlighted a persistent loosening of connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) for up to three weeks after the experience, which is associated with a reduction in habitual mental chatter and an increased ability to reshape thought patterns. The findings, published in *Nature*, underscore the potential of psychedelics as a lasting therapeutic intervention.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 9 ameznews.inThe European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled one of the first images captured by its new Copernicus Sentinel 1D satellite, showcasing the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. This development comes as ESA commits to enhancing its Earth monitoring capabilities, receiving a budget increase to €22.069 billion over the next three years. ESA aims to bolster its efforts in climate protection, solar observations, and planetary defense, with plans to create a digital twin of Earth to better understand its complex systems. Meanwhile, the future of Earth monitoring in the US appears uncertain, as proposed budget cuts threaten NASA and NOAA's critical missions, including those studying climate and space weather. ESA's Director General, Dr. Josef Aschbacher, emphasized the agency's commitment to independent action and international collaboration amidst these challenges.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 12 pmeznews.inSrinivasa Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematician from a small village in India, is celebrated for his extraordinary contributions to mathematics, particularly in analytic number theory. Despite lacking formal training, his groundbreaking results, including insights into the Zeta-function and rapid calculations of pi, astonished the mathematical community. His correspondence with renowned mathematician G.H. Hardy in 1913 marked a turning point, leading to Ramanujan's eventual scholarship to Cambridge. However, his time in England was marred by health issues and cultural challenges, ultimately leading to his untimely death at 32. Recent research from the Indian Institute of Science highlights how Ramanujan's work unexpectedly intersects with modern physics, particularly in conformal field theory, revealing the profound relevance of his ideas decades after his passing. His legacy continues to inspire mathematicians and physicists alike, as they uncover the depth of his insights into the universe.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 7 ameznews.inLuminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) are enigmatic cosmic phenomena characterized by bright blue flashes lasting a few days, with distinct ultraviolet signatures and faint X-ray and radio emissions. The latest LFBOT, designated AT 2024wpp, has provided new insights, suggesting the involvement of a black hole that is destroying a companion star rather than consuming gas, as previously thought. This event is 100 times brighter than an average supernova, indicating that traditional stellar explosions cannot account for its energy output. Researchers, including UC Berkeley's Natalie LeBaron, emphasize that AT 2024wpp challenges existing models of stellar explosions. The study of LFBOTs could enhance understanding of black holes and their formation, as they offer a unique perspective on the dynamics within galaxies. Previous LFBOTs, like AT 2018cow, were significantly less bright, further highlighting the exceptional nature of AT 2024wpp.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 10 ameznews.inMicrobialites, often mistaken for ancient rocks, are thriving communities of microbes in South Africa that are growing at an unexpectedly rapid pace and sequestering significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Traditionally viewed as remnants of Earth's past, new research reveals that these structures, particularly stromatolites, can grow 13-23 millimeters annually and capture 9-16 kilograms of CO2 per square meter each year—far exceeding rates observed in other ecosystems like tropical rainforests. This growth occurs even at night, suggesting that microbialites utilize chemical energy for carbon processing, akin to deep-sea vent ecosystems. Despite their remarkable resilience and carbon storage capabilities, the limited habitats of microbialites mean they cannot single-handedly mitigate global CO2 emissions. The findings challenge previous assumptions about microbialite behavior and highlight the importance of diverse scientific perspectives in uncovering new ecological insights. The study is published in *Nature Communications*.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn 2016, a team of geologists in a Canadian mine discovered flowing water estimated to be over 2.6 billion years old, making it the world's oldest water. This remarkable find surpassed a previous discovery by the same team in 2013, during which lead researcher Professor Barbara Sherwood Lollar famously tasted the water, describing it as "very salty and bitter," much saltier than seawater. While tasting ancient water may seem unconventional, Sherwood Lollar noted that it can provide clues about its age, with saltier water typically indicating greater age. The 2016 discovery revealed a significant scientific insight: analysis of the water's sulphate content indicated the presence of ancient microorganisms, suggesting that life has existed in these fluids over geological timescales. Despite its unappetizing flavor, this ancient water offers valuable evidence of microbial life from billions of years ago, highlighting its scientific importance.
Published: Dec 18 2025, 4 pmeznews.inInterstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is set to make its closest approach to Earth on December 19, coming within 270 million kilometers (168 million miles). As it nears, observatories have been capturing stunning images and new data, revealing a notable color change from reddish to green, attributed to the release of gases like diatomic carbon. The Gemini North telescope recently provided fresh images, while the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton and XRISM telescopes have made significant X-ray observations, marking a first for an interstellar comet. These X-ray emissions occur when gas from the comet interacts with solar wind, offering insights into its composition. The public has been engaged in the research through a program called Shadow the Scientists, allowing them to participate in real scientific experiments. As 3I/ATLAS continues its journey out of the Solar System, it remains a captivating subject for both professional and amateur astronomers alike.
Published: Dec 15 2025, 8 pmeznews.inFlat-Earthers continue to promote their unconventional theories, often resorting to dubious experiments to support their claims. Recently, a viral Reddit post by Greg Pagel challenged one of their key assertions: that a flat horizon indicates a flat Earth. Pagel analyzed the horizon from his coastal hometown, calculating that the curvature of the Earth over a distance of 13.5 kilometers should produce an arc of approximately 0.12 degrees—too subtle to detect with the naked eye. He emphasized that the horizon appears flat not because the Earth is a disc, but due to its immense size. Critics quickly pointed out that the existence of satellite imagery from Google Earth further undermines flat-Earth claims. Additionally, the phenomenon of boats disappearing below the horizon reinforces the spherical nature of our planet, as such an occurrence would be impossible on a flat surface.
Published: Dec 19 2025, 9 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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