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In a recent viral Reddit post, Greg Pagel effectively countered flat-Earther claims about the horizon appearing flat by using Google Maps and basic geometry. Pagel examined the horizon from his coastal hometown, calculating the distance between two land points to be 13.5 kilometers (8.4 miles). He explained that, given the Earth's circumference of approximately 24,140 kilometers (25,000 miles), the expected curvature over that distance would be a mere 0.12 degrees—too subtle for the naked eye to detect. This demonstration highlights that the horizon appears flat not because the Earth is flat, but due to its vast size. Pagel's findings echo long-standing arguments against flat-Earth theories, including the observable phenomenon of boats disappearing below the horizon, which would not occur if the Earth were flat. His post serves as a reminder of the simple yet effective ways to debunk flat-Earth claims. 
Published: Dec 25 2024, 7 ameznews.inNikola Tesla, the renowned inventor and physicist, once believed he had intercepted radio signals from intelligent extraterrestrial life in 1899. While working alone in his laboratory, he recorded a series of mysterious beeps that he felt suggested an intelligent source, leading him to theorize that he might have heard a greeting from another planet. Despite his excitement, Tesla's claims were met with skepticism, as early analyses indicated the signals likely originated from Earth rather than outer space. However, a 2003 study revisiting Tesla's findings suggested that the signals could have been intense kilometric emissions from Jupiter, indicating that Tesla may have indeed detected planetary signals. The researchers noted that Tesla's equipment was ideally suited for capturing these emissions, highlighting a fascinating intersection of early 20th-century science and modern astrophysics.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 ameznews.inScromiting, a term derived from "screaming" and "vomiting," refers to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a distressing condition increasingly observed among chronic cannabis users, particularly in states like Colorado where marijuana has been legalized. This syndrome manifests in two phases: initial symptoms include morning nausea and abdominal pain, while later stages can lead to severe vomiting, loss of appetite, and persistent nausea. Reports indicate a rise in CHS cases following cannabis liberalization, with emergency department visits for cyclic vomiting nearly doubling. Although the exact cause remains unclear, symptoms often improve with warm baths and cease upon stopping cannabis use. While treatment is effective, scromiting can lead to dehydration and, in some cases, death, as evidenced by several documented fatalities linked to severe dehydration from the condition. As cannabis use becomes more accepted, awareness and understanding of CHS are crucial for public health.
Published: Dec 23 2024, 9 pmeznews.inA new study from Utrecht University and the University of Manchester challenges the notion that massive volcanic eruptions contributed significantly to the extinction of dinosaurs. While some experts have suggested that the Chicxulub meteorite impact was merely the final blow to an ongoing extinction caused by volcanic activity, researchers analyzed ancient fossil peats to reconstruct temperature changes leading up to the K-Pg boundary. They discovered a cooling event of 2-5°C occurring thousands of years before the meteorite impact, likely linked to volcanic activity, but concluded it was insufficient to cause mass extinction. The study emphasizes that while volcanic eruptions had environmental impacts, they occurred too early to be the primary cause of the dinosaurs' demise. Instead, the asteroid impact is credited with triggering catastrophic events, including wildfires and an "impact winter," which ultimately led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 1 ameznews.inIn a remarkable case from Croatia, a woman with predominantly XY chromosomes, typically associated with biological males, successfully gave birth, challenging conventional understandings of sex development. At 17, she sought medical help due to a lack of breast development and menstruation, leading to the discovery of her 46,XY karyotype, indicative of Swyer syndrome. Despite having a hypoplastic uterus and non-functioning ovaries, she underwent hormone replacement therapy and was raised as a girl. Intriguingly, her mother also had a 46,XY karyotype, with her ovaries predominantly containing XY chromosomes. The mother, who appeared female and had two pregnancies, demonstrated normal ovarian function, a phenomenon deemed unprecedented by medical experts. While individuals with Turner syndrome can occasionally conceive, this case marks a rare instance of natural conception in someone with predominantly XY ovarian cells, suggesting that similar cases may exist undetected.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 11 ameznews.inBurt, the iconic saltwater crocodile and star of the 1986 film _Crocodile Dundee_, has passed away at approximately 90 years old, as announced by Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, where he resided since 2008. Known for his independent spirit and fiery temperament, Burt was a beloved figure, embodying the raw power of his species. His fame extended beyond the film, as he inspired digital effects in the 2007 movie _Rogue_ and famously predicted France's victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Captured in the 1980s from the Reynolds River in Australia, Burt grew to an impressive 5.1 meters (16 feet 8 inches) and weighed 700 kilograms (1,543 pounds). As the largest living reptile, he represented the majesty of saltwater crocodiles, a species native to various regions including northern Australia and Southeast Asia. His legacy as a "force of nature" will be fondly remembered.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 6 ameznews.inAs the holiday season approaches, many families are gearing up for competitive board game marathons, a tradition that has persisted for centuries. In a special episode of "The Big Questions," host Laura Simmons engages with neuroscientist and physicist Kelly Clancy, author of _Playing with Reality: How Games Shape Our World_, to explore the deep-rooted human affinity for competition. Clancy discusses how gameplay not only entertains but also fosters connections and reveals insights about ourselves and our relationships with others. This episode delves into the psychological and social aspects of competitive gaming, shedding light on why such activities remain a beloved pastime. Listeners can tune in and subscribe to the podcast on various platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music, to further explore these intriguing themes.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 5 pmeznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the world's deadliest infectious disease, surpassing COVID-19, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths globally, significantly higher than the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, with the majority of cases concentrated in 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 WHO emphasizing the urgent need for action to meet the UN's goal of ending the epidemic by 2030. While TB-related deaths have generally declined, funding for prevention and research remains critically low, with only $5.7 billion allocated last year against a target of $22 billion. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively.
Published: Dec 21 2024, 5 ameznews.inThe concept of negative time, often misconstrued as a form of time travel, has emerged as a fascinating topic in quantum physics. Recent research from the University of Toronto suggests that under certain conditions, atoms can exhibit a "negative time" phenomenon when emitting light. In a study published on the preprint server arXiv, scientists observed that as light passes through a cloud of atoms, the time spent in an excited state can be measured as less than zero. Co-author Josiah Sinclair explained that this could mean a hypothetical quantum clock would move backward in such scenarios. However, the findings are still awaiting peer review and have drawn skepticism from experts like theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, who cautioned that this does not imply a new understanding of time itself but rather reflects the complex behavior of photons. Despite the intrigue, Einstein's theory of relativity remains intact, and the research may have practical applications in fields like optical fibers.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 11 pmeznews.inThe stereotype that blondes are less intelligent than brunettes is a manifestation of the "halo effect," a cognitive bias where a single positive or negative trait influences overall perceptions of a person. This phenomenon, first identified by psychologist Edward Thorndike over a century ago, suggests that if someone is liked for one reason, they are often rated more favorably across various unrelated attributes, such as intelligence or reliability. Research shows that even when individuals are made aware of this bias, they often remain convinced their judgments are objective. The halo effect can lead to superficial evaluations based on physical appearance, impacting social and professional opportunities. To counteract this bias, experts recommend consciously maintaining objectivity and creating structured criteria for evaluations, particularly in high-stakes situations like job interviews or dating, to ensure fairer assessments beyond mere first impressions.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 5 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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