eznews.in
The hirola, or _Beatragus hunteri_, a unique antelope known for its "four-eyed" appearance due to preorbital glands, is teetering on the brink of extinction, with its population plummeting from around 15,000 in the 1970s to fewer than 500 today. Once thriving in the grasslands near the Kenya-Somalia border, the decline began in the 1980s due to a rinderpest epidemic, which decimated 85 to 90 percent of the population. Although rinderpest has been eradicated, the hirola has struggled to recover, facing habitat degradation and competition from livestock. Conservationists, including the Hirola Conservation Program, are now working to restore over 404,686 hectares of grassland and create new habitats to support the remaining hirola. While significant challenges remain, ongoing conservation efforts aim to revive this rare species and restore its numbers. 
Published: Oct 13 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially declared several species extinct in its latest update to the Red List of Threatened Species, which monitors the conservation status of over 172,000 species globally. Among the newly extinct are the slender-billed curlew, Christmas Island shrew, and three Australian marsupials: the Shark Bay bandicoot, south-eastern striped bandicoot, and Nullarbor barred bandicoot. The slender-billed curlew, once common across Europe and North Africa, has not been seen since 1995, with habitat loss and hunting cited as potential causes of its extinction. While the report highlights alarming declines, such as 61% of bird species facing threats, it also notes some positive developments, including the green sea turtle's recovery from Endangered to Least Concern status, underscoring the effectiveness of conservation efforts. However, the overall picture remains troubling, with many species continuing to decline.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 2 ameznews.inAs October heralds the Nobel Prize season, scientists in fields such as physics, chemistry, and medicine eagerly anticipate recognition for their groundbreaking work. However, mathematicians remain notably absent from this prestigious list, a situation that has sparked much speculation. Contrary to popular belief, Alfred Nobel did not exclude mathematics due to personal grievances; rather, his will focused on practical sciences that he believed would benefit humanity. Nobel, a chemist and inventor, prioritized tangible discoveries over abstract theories, which may explain the omission of mathematics, along with other fields like engineering and biology. While the Nobel Prizes occasionally acknowledge related scientific advancements, mathematicians have their own accolades, such as the Fields Medal and the Abel Prize, and take pride in the foundational role their work plays in the achievements celebrated by the Nobel community.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with Cambodian authorities to investigate two confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu, including the death of an 11-year-old girl, marking the first human case in Cambodia in nine years. Her father has also tested positive, raising concerns about potential human-to-human transmission, although experts assert that such transmission remains unlikely. The WHO describes the situation as "worrying," particularly given the virus's prevalence in birds and recent cases in mammals. Despite the alarming context, health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public is low, as human infections typically occur through direct contact with infected birds. Antivirals and vaccines are available but would need updating to match the current strain. The WHO stresses the importance of monitoring the virus closely to detect any mutations that could facilitate human transmission, while advising the public to avoid contact with potentially infected birds.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe Chinese National Health Commission (NHC) has reported the first human case of the H3N8 bird flu, involving a four-year-old boy from Henan province who fell ill earlier this month. The child developed symptoms on April 5 and was hospitalized on April 10, with tests confirming the H3N8 strain on April 24. While the virus is common in animals like horses and dogs, it has never been documented in humans before. Experts express concern over potential mutations that could enhance its ability to infect humans, although the NHC assesses the risk of a widespread outbreak as low, noting that close contacts of the boy tested negative. The boy had been in close proximity to various bird species, which may have contributed to the infection. The NHC advises the public to avoid contact with sick or dead poultry and to maintain good hygiene practices.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA rare case of H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in a resident of South West England, marking the first human infection of this strain in the UK. The individual, who has had regular contact with infected birds, is reported to be in good health, and health authorities have assessed the risk to the public as very low. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has traced all contacts of the infected person, who is currently self-isolating, with no evidence of further transmission. Experts emphasize that while avian flu can occasionally jump to humans, such occurrences are extremely rare, and human-to-human transmission is even less common. Professor Isabel Oliver from UKHSA reassured the public, stating that robust monitoring systems are in place to detect and manage such cases. Scientists agree that the current strain does not show signs of being capable of efficient human transmission, underscoring the need for a calm and measured response.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant surge in measles cases globally, with nearly 17,338 cases recorded in January and February 2022, marking an 80% increase from the same period in 2021. This alarming rise is attributed to weakened health systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, and disruptions in routine immunizations, which left 23 million children without essential vaccines in 2020. Countries like Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Ethiopia have been particularly affected, with fears that the war in Ukraine could exacerbate the situation. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the urgent need to restore immunization services, warning that the repercussions of these disruptions could lead to resurgences of other preventable diseases in the future. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell echoed these concerns, highlighting the critical gaps in global immunization coverage that vulnerable children face.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Loch Ness monster, affectionately known as Nessie, continues to intrigue enthusiasts worldwide, with theories ranging from plesiosaurs to giant eels. The Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register has recorded only three sightings this year, bringing the total to 1,163. Recent reports include unusual wave patterns and sightings of long, thin shapes in the water, leading some to speculate whether these could be misidentified animals. Ecologically, Loch Ness is deep and cold, home to species like European eels and Arctic char, but unlikely to support a prehistoric marine reptile. A 2019 study from the University of Otago found abundant eel DNA but no evidence of larger creatures like sharks or sturgeons. While seals occasionally swim upstream, they are rare visitors. The loch's geological history suggests that while it may harbor unique species, the existence of a legendary monster remains highly improbable.
Published: Oct 12 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a dramatic surge in global measles cases, with over 110,000 infections recorded in the first quarter of 2019—an alarming increase of nearly 300% compared to the same period last year. This rise is attributed to various factors, including stagnant vaccination rates, with only 85% of children receiving the first dose of the measles vaccine, far below the 95% needed for herd immunity. Outbreaks are particularly severe in Madagascar, Brazil, Yemen, and Ukraine, with Madagascar alone reporting 69,000 cases and over 1,200 deaths since October 2018. The WHO highlights that misinformation about vaccines, exacerbated by the digital age, poses a significant threat to public health, leading to increased vaccine hesitancy. As a result, anti-vaccine sentiment has been identified as one of the top ten global health threats, underscoring the urgent need for improved vaccination efforts worldwide.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 7 ameznews.inSixty-six million years ago, a massive asteroid impact marked the end of the dinosaurs, yet some survived and evolved into modern birds. Researchers are now exploring the anatomical changes that occurred during this transition, employing a technique known as "reverse evolution." A recent study published in the journal *Evolution* details how scientists at the University of Chile successfully induced chicken embryos to grow dinosaur-like leg bones by manipulating the expression of a gene called Indian Hedgehog (IHH). By inhibiting IHH, the researchers observed that the fibulae of the chickens continued to grow, resembling those of the ancient *Archaeopteryx*. This study builds on previous work that enabled chickens to develop dinosaur-like features, although these modified embryos were not allowed to hatch. The findings shed light on the genetic factors that have shaped the evolution of bird anatomy from their dinosaur ancestors.
Published: Oct 13 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact