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Stefan Lanka, a German man who controversially claims that measles is a psychosomatic condition rather than a viral disease, has been ordered by a court to pay €100,000 ($106,000) to Dr. David Barden for proving the existence of the measles virus. Lanka, who has taken anti-vaccination beliefs to an extreme, initially offered the reward to challenge the scientific consensus on measles. However, after Barden presented substantial research evidence, a regional court ruled in his favor. Lanka plans to appeal the decision, although legal fees may surpass the amount he owes. This legal battle comes amid a significant measles outbreak in Germany, which has seen its worst cases in a decade, highlighting the serious public health implications of vaccine misinformation. The issue is further underscored by recent tragic cases, including the death of an 18-month-old boy in Berlin. 
Published: Jun 16 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully conducted its first artificial solar eclipse using the Proba-3 mission, allowing scientists to study the Sun's corona in unprecedented detail. Positioned 150 meters apart, the two spacecraft—an Occulter and a Coronagraph—achieve precise alignment to block the Sun's light, creating a shadow that enables extended solar observations. Principal Investigator Andrei Zhukov expressed excitement over the initial images, noting that the artificial eclipse can last up to six hours, compared to the fleeting moments of natural eclipses. This innovative approach not only enhances understanding of solar phenomena like solar wind and coronal mass ejections but also overcomes limitations of traditional coronagraphs that struggle with optical distortions. ESA's Director of Technology, Dietmar Pilz, highlighted the mission's technological advancements, marking Proba-3 as a pioneering effort in precision formation flying and solar research.
Published: Jun 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA particle detector operating above Antarctica has recorded unusual radio pulses from beneath the ice, raising questions about their origin. The Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment, which uses a stratospheric balloon to detect cosmic neutrinos, encountered two anomalous radio signals that appear to contradict current particle physics understanding. Stephanie Wissel, an associate professor at Penn State University, noted that the signals came from steep angles, suggesting they traveled through 6,000-7,000 kilometers of rock before reaching the ice, where they should have been absorbed. The team ruled out neutrinos as the source, as similar upward-traveling air showers were not detected by other observatories like IceCube and the Pierre Auger Observatory. Wissel speculated that the anomalies could indicate new physics, and expressed hope that future experiments, such as PUEO, might provide further insights into these mysterious signals. The findings are detailed in Physical Review Letters.
Published: Jun 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inThe Copernican principle asserts that Earth and humanity do not occupy a unique position in the universe, yet the Solar System's distinct organization raises questions. With over 5,920 exoplanets identified across approximately 4,550 planetary systems, astronomers note that this is a mere fraction of the estimated 100 billion stars in the Milky Way. Many discovered exoplanets, such as lava worlds and hot Jupiters, differ dramatically from those in our Solar System, suggesting that planetary formation can lead to chaotic outcomes. While the Solar System appears stable, the search for similar systems is hampered by observational biases and the limitations of current detection methods. Techniques like the transit and wobble methods require extensive observations, making it challenging to confirm the existence of distant planets. However, advancements in technology and analysis may soon yield more Earth-like systems, potentially revealing a Solar System twin in the vast cosmos.
Published: Jun 16 2025, 6 pmeznews.inFBI agents uncovered a disturbing scene at the Biological Resource Center (BRC) in Phoenix, Arizona, during a 2014 raid, revealing a warehouse filled with human remains, including a refrigerator stocked with penises, buckets of limbs, and a head sewn onto another body in a "Frankenstein" manner. The BRC, a for-profit body donation company, was implicated in a nationwide criminal investigation, leading to former owner Stephen Gore pleading guilty to illegal control of an enterprise in 2015. He now faces a civil lawsuit from at least 33 plaintiffs who allege their loved ones' remains were mishandled. Court documents revealed a price list for body parts, with the BRC distributing over 20,000 body parts from more than 5,000 donations. The body-broking industry remains largely unregulated in the U.S., with Arizona previously lacking licensing requirements until a law was enacted in 2017.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking observation, researchers have documented a Burmese python preying on a reticulated python in Bangladesh, marking the first recorded instance of such predation. The Burmese python, measuring over 3 meters (10 feet), was seen consuming the tail of the reticulated python, a process that took approximately two hours. Both species inhabit Bangladesh, with the Burmese being more widespread, while reticulated pythons are primarily found in Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions. The encounter occurred at Akiz Wildlife Farm in Bandarban District in October 2020, where the Burmese python coiled around its prey and swallowed it tail-first, despite the reticulated python's attempts to defend itself. This event highlights the competitive dynamics between these skilled predators, which share similar diets. The findings are detailed in a paper published in *Reptiles & Amphibians*, contributing to the understanding of interspecies interactions among pythons.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRecent research has pinpointed the Zagros Mountains as the likely site of interbreeding between _Homo sapiens_ and Neanderthals during the Late Pleistocene. This mountain range, spanning modern-day Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, provided a diverse environment conducive to stable human populations and served as a migratory corridor during climatic shifts. Archaeological evidence, including the renowned Shanidar Cave, supports this theory, showcasing remains of both species and significant burial practices. The Zagros region's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa facilitated encounters between the two human species. Since the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome in 2010, it has been established that 1 to 4 percent of the genomes of all non-African humans today carry Neanderthal DNA, influencing various traits and health conditions. The findings are detailed in a study published in *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe peculiar naming of the numbers eleven and twelve, distinct from the "teen" suffixes of subsequent numbers, can be traced back to historical influences of base 12, or the duodecimal system. While modern counting predominantly uses base 10—likely due to the ten fingers on human hands—evidence suggests that our ancestors may have utilized base 12 for its divisibility advantages. The terms "eleven" and "twelve" derive from Old English words meaning "one left over" and "two left over," respectively, reflecting a counting method that acknowledged ten as a base. Linguistic studies indicate that early Germanic languages also exhibited this base 12 influence, with the Old Norse term "hundrað" originally signifying 120, or twelve groups of ten. This historical context highlights the enduring legacy of duodecimal counting in our numerical language, despite the predominance of the decimal system today.
Published: Jun 12 2025, 4 ameznews.inThe White House has dismissed speculation regarding extraterrestrial involvement in the recent downing of four unidentified flying objects over North America, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating there is "no indication of aliens." The latest object, described as an "octagonal structure" with strings, was shot down by F-16 fighter jets over Lake Huron on February 12, after being detected over Montana. This incident follows the downing of a Chinese high-altitude balloon on February 4, which China claimed was for meteorological purposes, while the US alleged it was for espionage. The military has initiated a task force to recover and analyze the debris from the latest object, which poses a potential hazard to civil aviation. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China have escalated, with China accusing the US of violating its airspace with high-altitude balloons, leading to the postponement of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Published: Jun 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inJadarite, a unique lithium-rich mineral discovered in 2004 in Jadar, Serbia, has garnered significant interest due to its potential role in the energy transition away from fossil fuels. With enough lithium to power up to 90% of future European electric vehicles, its extraction is complicated by political tensions between Serbia and the European Union. Researchers have now elucidated the precise conditions required for jadarite's formation, which involves a rare combination of lithium-rich volcanic glass, alkaline terminal lakes, and specific clay minerals. Dr. Francesco Putzolu from the Natural History Museum in London likened the process to baking a cake, emphasizing the need for exact conditions. While jadarite remains unique, understanding its formation could help scientists identify other potential deposits globally. As demand for lithium surges, jadarite's extraction could significantly impact renewable energy efforts, according to co-author Dr. Robin Armstrong. The findings are detailed in a recent publication in *Nature Geoscience*.
Published: Jun 13 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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