eznews.inLonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise, became an enduring symbol of conservation after his death in 2012 at the age of over 100. Discovered in 1971 by Hungarian scientist József Vágvölgyi, George was the sole survivor of his subspecies, which had been decimated by human activity, including whaling and the introduction of invasive goats. Despite efforts to find a mate, George never produced offspring, leading to the extinction of his subspecies. Following his passing, scientists collected tissue samples in hopes of using them for cloning or stem cell research. His genome has since been sequenced, revealing genetic relatives still exist. George's taxidermized body now resides in the Galápagos Islands, serving as a poignant reminder of biodiversity's fragility and the importance of conservation efforts, as highlighted by Galápagos Conservancy President Johannah Barry. 
Published: Dec 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inA professor from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Wolfgang Goymann, explores the duality of human nature, likening it to ancient deities that embody both creation and destruction. He argues that while humans possess unparalleled intelligence, this has not shielded us from folly, making us potentially the smartest yet most reckless species. Goymann highlights that intelligence is not exclusive to humans, citing the cognitive abilities of insects and birds, which can perform complex tasks like mathematics and selective reproduction. He raises concerns about humanity's role in potentially causing a sixth mass extinction, a fate not unique to us, as past extinctions were also triggered by living organisms. However, he emphasizes that our awareness of this threat sets us apart. Goymann concludes with a hopeful note, suggesting that redirecting resources from military spending to environmental solutions could help avert disaster, underscoring the potential for human ingenuity to address pressing global challenges.
Published: Dec 11 2025, 4 pmeznews.inResearch from the University of East Anglia reveals that polar bears are genetically adapting to climate change, though this development raises concerns about their survival. Analyzing blood samples from 17 polar bears in Greenland, scientists found significant differences in gene activity between those in warmer southeastern regions and their colder northeastern counterparts. The study highlighted changes linked to heat stress, aging, and metabolism in the warmer population, suggesting a rapid genetic response to environmental challenges. Dr. Alice Godden, the lead researcher, emphasized that while this adaptation offers a glimmer of hope, it does not mitigate the species' risk of extinction. The findings underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts and global action to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the study points to broader trends, such as the interbreeding of polar bears and grizzlies due to habitat overlap, further complicating the species' future.
Published: Dec 13 2025, 1 ameznews.inSrinivasa Ramanujan, a self-taught mathematician from a poor 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, caught the attention of prominent mathematician G.H. Hardy in 1913. Hardy recognized Ramanujan's genius, comparing him to historical greats like Euler. Their collaboration flourished at Cambridge, but Ramanujan faced significant personal challenges, including health issues exacerbated by cultural misunderstandings and racism in England. Tragically, he died at just 32, yet his work continues to influence modern physics, with recent studies revealing connections between his formulas and contemporary theories in quantum mechanics and string theory. Ramanujan's legacy endures, as mathematicians still explore the depths of his "Lost Notebook" and other discoveries, underscoring the timeless beauty of his mathematical insights.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 7 ameznews.inSheep, along with other prey animals like goats and deer, possess a unique rectangular pupil shape that enhances their survival instincts. Unlike humans, who have round pupils, sheep's horizontal pupils allow for nearly 360-degree vision, crucial for spotting predators. According to Marty Banks, a principal investigator at UC Berkeley, this design lets in more light, improving their ability to see their surroundings, particularly when fleeing danger. The narrow vertical shape of their pupils also sharpens horizontal contours, aiding in navigation as they escape threats. While most predators have vertical slit pupils, the animal kingdom showcases a variety of pupil shapes, with cats and humans having circular and vertical pupils, respectively. Interestingly, the mongoose defies this trend, possessing horizontal pupils despite being a predator, highlighting the complexity of evolutionary adaptations in vision across species.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 2 pmeznews.inIn a regrettable incident in 1964, graduate student Donald R. Currey inadvertently felled Prometheus, a bristlecone pine that would later be confirmed as the oldest tree ever dated, estimated at 4,900 years old. Currey, intrigued by the tree's potential for his research on glacial features in Great Basin National Park, sought to extract core samples to study its growth rings, which provide valuable climate data. However, when traditional coring methods failed, he received permission from the US Forest Service to cut down the tree. It was only after counting the rings from the cross-section that Currey realized the monumental age of Prometheus, which had been alive for nearly five millennia. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the unforeseen consequences of scientific inquiry, leaving only a stump in its original location, while a slab of the tree can be viewed at the Great Basin Visitor Center.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 11 pmeznews.inResearchers are sounding the alarm on the climate crisis, emphasizing the need to monitor potential tipping points that could trigger irreversible changes. In a groundbreaking expedition in 2022, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named Ran was deployed beneath the Dotson ice shelf in West Antarctica to map the region using sonar technology. Lead author Anna Wåhlin, a Professor of Oceanography at the University of Gothenburg, highlighted the significance of combining remote sensing with oceanographic data to better predict ice shelf melting. The ROV traveled over 1,000 kilometers, revealing unusual underwater features resembling sand dunes, shaped by the Coriolis effect. Unfortunately, Ran went missing during a subsequent dive in January 2024, with searches proving fruitless. Wåhlin expressed hope for the submersible's legacy, stating it would be better to be lost in the field than left unused. The findings are detailed in the journal *Science Advances: Oceanography*.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 3 ameznews.inNASA's Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, are on a long journey out of the Solar System and into interstellar space. Voyager 1 is set to reach a significant milestone on November 13, 2026, when it will be one full light-day away from Earth, nearly 50 years after its launch. The spacecraft is expected to cross the Oort Cloud, a theoretical region of icy bodies surrounding the Solar System, which could take centuries to enter and tens of thousands of years to traverse. Currently, Voyager 1 is 164.7 astronomical units from Earth, traveling at approximately 38,027 mph relative to the Sun. While the distance between Earth and the Voyagers fluctuates due to Earth's orbit, Voyager 1 will never again come within a day's light travel from Earth after its 2026 milestone, marking a significant point in its historic journey into the cosmos.
Published: Dec 12 2025, 5 ameznews.inBermuda, an island formed from a volcano active 30-35 million years ago, presents a geological puzzle as it lacks the typical features of volcanic islands. Researchers Dr. William Frazer and Professor Jeffrey Park have discovered a unique subsurface structure beneath Bermuda, revealed through seismic wave analysis, which suggests a layer of less dense material approximately 20 kilometers thick. This layer, about 1.5% less dense than the surrounding upper mantle, appears to support the island, countering previous theories that attributed its formation to mantle plumes or intermittent upwellings. Unlike other volcanic islands, Bermuda shows no recent volcanic activity or elevated heat flow, indicating a stable geological foundation. The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, raises questions about the origins of this unusual layer, with possibilities including the island's high carbon volcanic rocks or unique mantle interactions.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 12 ameznews.inA recent study from King’s College London suggests that moderate coffee consumption may offer surprising benefits for individuals with severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Researchers found that drinking up to four cups of coffee daily is linked to longer telomeres, which are indicators of biological aging, potentially making these individuals biologically five years younger than non-coffee drinkers. The study, which involved 436 adults, highlights the need to consider lifestyle factors like coffee intake in discussions about biological aging, particularly for those whose lifespans are often shortened by age-related diseases. While the findings indicate a correlation, researchers caution that further studies are needed to confirm causality and understand the underlying mechanisms, such as potential antioxidant properties of coffee. The study emphasizes a balanced view of coffee consumption, acknowledging both its potential benefits and risks, particularly regarding sleep quality.
Published: Dec 16 2025, 1 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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