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In a thought-provoking exploration of Earth's atmosphere, NASA experts reveal that no astronaut has truly left it, as even the International Space Station (ISS) operates within its bounds. While the Kármán line, set at 100 kilometers above sea level, is commonly recognized as the edge of space, recent studies suggest that Earth's atmosphere extends far beyond this point, potentially reaching nearly 391,000 miles into space. This includes a cloud of hydrogen atoms known as the geocorona, which still contains a measurable density of particles even at lunar distances. Igor Baliukin from Russia’s Space Research Institute noted that the Moon itself traverses this atmospheric expanse. The complexity of defining where space begins is further compounded by the fact that both Earth and the Moon exist within the Sun's atmosphere, illustrating that the boundaries of our atmosphere and space are not as clear-cut as once thought. 
Published: Apr 15 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, is under monitoring by the World Health Organization after being detected in several countries, including the USA. Virologist Lara Herrero notes that this variant has rapidly increased in prevalence, comprising 10.7% of sequences by late April 2025, and is dominant in Hong Kong and China. While there is no evidence that NB.1.8.1 causes more severe disease, it may spread more easily and evade prior immunity. In a significant policy shift, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that healthy children and pregnant women will no longer be advised to receive COVID vaccines, a move that has sparked controversy and confusion among health experts. Critics argue that limiting vaccine access could jeopardize public health, especially as new variants emerge. Meanwhile, the CDC has yet to include NB.1.8.1 in its monitoring dashboard due to low case numbers. 
Published: May 30 2025, 8 ameznews.inHells Canyon, straddling the border of eastern Oregon and western Idaho, is recognized as North America's deepest river gorge, plunging to a maximum depth of 2,436 meters (7,993 feet). Recent geological research reveals that this impressive feature is relatively young, having formed approximately 2.1 million years ago due to a significant shift in the Snake River's course, which enhanced its erosive power. In contrast, the Grand Canyon, carved over 5 to 6 million years, reaches a depth of 1,857 meters (6,093 feet). The construction of the Hells Canyon Dam complex in the 1960s and '70s sparked controversy over hydroelectric power and its environmental impact, particularly on salmon migration. While Hells Canyon is often touted as the deepest gorge, a rival, the "Great Gorge" beneath Alaska's Ruth Glacier, may exceed it in depth, with estimates suggesting it could reach 2,465 meters (8,087 feet). The findings are detailed in the journal *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*. 
Published: May 30 2025, 7 pmeznews.inCocky Bennett, a sulfur-crested cockatoo from Sydney, Australia, lived an astonishing 120 years before his death in 1916, making him one of the longest-living animals on record. Born during George Washington's presidency, Cocky outlived two of his owners and spent his early years traveling the South Sea Islands with Captain George Ellis. After Ellis's death, Cocky retired with the Bowden family, eventually becoming a local celebrity at the Sea Breeze Hotel, where he entertained patrons with his humorous catchphrases. Despite suffering from a viral disease that left him nearly bald and with a twisted beak, Cocky maintained his lively personality until the end. His legacy extended beyond his life; a collection box attached to his cage raised funds for St. George Hospital, resulting in three hospital beds named in his honor. Cocky’s remarkable lifespan and vibrant character left an indelible mark on the community. 
Published: Jun 01 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA buoyancy dilemma involving a ping pong ball and an iron ball has sparked debate on Reddit, where user Veiy posed the question of which way a scale would tip when the two are placed in water. The crux of the issue lies in the principles of buoyancy and Archimedes' principle, which states that an object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. Both balls displace the same volume of water, generating equal buoyant forces. However, when suspended by strings, the ping pong ball's downward force is largely counteracted by the tension in the string, resulting in a smaller increase in the beaker's weight compared to the iron ball. Consequently, the beaker with the ping pong ball rises while the other descends. In contrast, if the ping pong ball is pushed down manually, both beakers increase in weight equally, balancing the scales. 
Published: Jun 01 2025, 6 ameznews.inA small percentage of the population has a barely noticeable hole where the top of their ear cartilage meets their face, known as a preauricular sinus. This congenital disorder affects about 0.1% of people in the US, 0.9% in the UK, and between 4% to 10% in parts of Asia and Africa, with figures in South Korea reaching up to 5%. While generally harmless, the condition can be prone to infection. The preauricular sinus arises from the first and second pharyngeal arches during embryonic development, which contribute to the formation of head and neck structures in mammals. Evolutionary biologist Neil Shubin has speculated that these holes may be remnants of fish gills, although this theory remains untested. The existence of such features, alongside tailbones and appendixes, suggests a fascinating link to our evolutionary past. 
Published: May 31 2025, 11 ameznews.inA groundbreaking study has revealed that dinosaurs may have had a softer side, specifically chubby cheeks, challenging long-held perceptions of their anatomy. Researchers examined the external skull morphology of various dinosaur species, discovering evidence of soft buccal tissue—termed "exoparia"—that connects the zygoma and mandible. This finding suggests that dinosaurs possessed a strong connective tissue structure that could stabilize their jaws during chewing, akin to mammalian anatomy. The study employed a novel methodology called THLEEP (Three-dimensional HistoLogical Enthesis Entry-angle Prediction) to analyze the orientation of these missing tissues. While no fossilized cheeks exist to confirm this hypothesis, the implications for understanding dinosaur feeding habits and skull anatomy are significant, hinting at a more complex chewing mechanism than previously thought. The research is published in the Journal of Anatomy, potentially reshaping our view of these ancient creatures. 
Published: May 30 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe WindRunner, a colossal aircraft under development by Colorado-based Radia, is poised to become the largest plane ever built, surpassing the now-destroyed Antonov An-225 Mriya. With an impressive wingspan of 80 meters (262 feet) and a length of 108 meters (354 feet), WindRunner is designed to transport oversized cargo, specifically wind turbine blades exceeding 100 meters (328 feet), which are challenging to move via traditional methods. Its innovative design features a nose that flips up for easy loading and the capability to land on short, unpaved strips, making it ideal for remote wind farm locations. Radia aims to capitalize on the growing demand for renewable energy while also exploring military applications through a partnership with the US Department of Defense. Although WindRunner is not expected to enter production until late 2027, its potential impact on both the renewable energy sector and military logistics is significant. 
Published: May 29 2025, 3 pmeznews.inA 58-year-old woman in the US succumbed to iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (iCJD), a rare prion disease linked to a hormone treatment she received as a child. The woman, who had been treated with cadaveric human growth hormone from 1971 to 1980, experienced a rapid neurological decline, marked by tremors, slurred speech, and severe movement disorders, before slipping into unconsciousness and requiring life support. Prions, misfolded proteins that can remain dormant for decades, are notorious for causing irreversible brain damage, leading to cognitive decline and death. Although cases of prion diseases are rare, with around 300 reported annually in the US, researchers caution that vigilance is necessary as some individuals may still be at risk from past medical treatments. This case highlights the ongoing implications of historical medical practices, as detailed in a study published in the CDC's journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases. 
Published: May 29 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable display of color change, the Labord's chameleon (_Furcifer labordi_) has been filmed exhibiting vibrant hues during its final moments, a phenomenon never before observed in the wild. Documentarians captured this extraordinary event using time-lapse photography for the PBS series _Big Little Journeys_ in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. The footage reveals the chameleon laying and burying her eggs, a final act of survival before succumbing shortly after due to resource depletion. The color transformation is attributed to layers of skin cells called chromatophores, which respond to nervous signals even at death, creating chaotic patterns. With a lifespan of just four to five months, the Labord's chameleon spends most of its life as an egg, adapting to Madagascar's harsh seasonal variations. This poignant spectacle highlights the unique adaptations of this species and the intricate processes behind color change in the animal kingdom. 
Published: May 29 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe term "shallowing," a relatively new concept in sexual practices, has gained attention for its potential to enhance female pleasure. Defined as focusing penetrative touch at the entrance of the vagina rather than deeper inside, this technique has been reported to be used by approximately 86% of women surveyed globally. Experts suggest that shallowing can heighten sensations due to the high concentration of nerve endings in the vulva, which is comparable to the sensitivity of the scrotum. Advocates of the technique, including sexologists, highlight its benefits, such as fostering greater awareness of one's body, increasing anticipation during sexual encounters, and providing a comfortable alternative when deeper penetration is not enjoyable. While the practice is subjective, it encourages exploration and connection, making it a noteworthy addition to discussions about sexual wellness. 
Published: May 31 2025, 12 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
