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NASA's Lunar Trailblazer mission, aimed at mapping water on the Moon's surface, is facing significant challenges after the spacecraft lost communication shortly after its launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon rocket on February 27. Part of NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, the mission seeks to enhance understanding of the Moon's water cycle and identify potential resources for future crewed missions. Despite the setback, telemetry data suggests the spacecraft may be in low power mode and slowly spinning, with hopes that it could eventually re-establish contact as its solar panels receive sunlight. Although it has missed its initial opportunity to engage its thrusters for lunar orbit, NASA is exploring alternative maneuvers. Nicky Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate, emphasized the team's commitment to restoring communication, highlighting the mission's high-risk, high-reward nature in pursuit of groundbreaking lunar science. 
Published: Mar 07 2025, 12 ameznews.inA new study has revealed that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a crucial component of Earth's climate system, has significantly slowed since the mid-1990s. This slowdown could lead to colder winters in Europe and accelerated warming in tropical regions. Researchers, led by Dr. Alexey Mishonov from the University of Maryland, utilized temperature and sea surface height data to assess AMOC's strength, finding a 20% reduction in warm water transported by the Gulf Stream since 1994. While the North Atlantic is warming overall, subpolar regions are warming more slowly, indicating reduced warm water transport. The study does not confirm predictions of an impending AMOC collapse but raises concerns about potential climate impacts and oxygen depletion in deep-water ecosystems. The findings underscore the need for increased attention to AMOC's functionality, as significant changes could lead to unpredictable climate consequences. The research is published in *Frontiers in Marine Science*.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 3 ameznews.inOn January 23, 1556, the Shaanxi province of northwest China experienced a catastrophic earthquake, believed to be the deadliest day in human history, with an estimated death toll of 830,000. The quake, caused by the slipping of the Weinan and Huashan faults, had its epicenter near Huaxian. While records indicate that about one-third of the victims died from collapsing structures and landslides, many others succumbed to disease and famine in the aftermath. Despite its magnitude of 8 to 8.3, the Shaanxi earthquake is not the strongest recorded but remains the deadliest, surpassing the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed around 655,000. Given the global population of less than half a billion in 1556, the relative loss of life on that day is unparalleled. Nearly 500 years later, no single day has matched the devastation of that fateful Thursday.
Published: Mar 05 2025, 9 ameznews.inSurgeons at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in Vancouver have successfully performed the first stage of a groundbreaking procedure known as osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis, or "tooth-in-eye" surgery, aimed at restoring vision in patients with severe corneal blindness. This innovative operation involves removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with tissue from the patient's cheek, while also crafting an implant from one of the patient's teeth, which is then placed in the cheek for three months to develop a blood supply. The second stage will see the tooth implant inserted into the eye, allowing light to pass through a plastic lens, potentially restoring sight. Dr. Greg Moloney, who led the surgeries, emphasized the procedure's advantages, including a reduced risk of rejection since it uses the patient's own tooth. The first patient, Gail Chapman, expressed hope for regaining her sight after a decade of blindness. While a first for Canada, this technique has been in use since the 1960s.
Published: Mar 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 1985, British biochemist Dr. Helena Greenwood was murdered in her California home, a crime that remained unsolved for 14 years until advancements in DNA technology led to her killer's conviction. Greenwood, who had been working on pioneering DNA fingerprinting techniques at Gen-Probe, was assaulted by David Frediani, a burglar who had previously attacked her. Despite initial investigations yielding no results, the case was reopened in 1999 as part of a project to utilize new DNA methods on cold cases. Forensic analysis of genetic material found under Greenwood's fingernails ultimately linked Frediani to the crime, with a staggering one-in-2.3 quadrillion chance that the DNA belonged to anyone else. He was convicted of first-degree murder, highlighting the profound impact of DNA technology in delivering justice long after the crime occurred. "All these years, Helena pointed from her grave at her murderer," remarked a colleague, underscoring the tragic yet redemptive nature of the case.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn January 1992, a storm in the Pacific Ocean led to the accidental release of 28,800 plastic bath toys, including rubber ducks, frogs, beavers, and turtles, from a shipping container. This unexpected event provided oceanographers, particularly Curtis Ebbesmeyer, with a unique opportunity to study ocean currents. Dubbed the "Friendly Floatees," the toys began washing ashore in Alaska later that year, with their movements tracked using a computer model called OSCAR, which analyzed weather data to predict their paths. Over the years, some toys reached as far as Japan and the UK, while others became trapped in Arctic ice. Ebbesmeyer coined the term "Flotsametrics" to describe the study of these floating objects, which has since informed ocean science and inspired further research into plastic pollution. The story of the Friendly Floatees has even been featured in David Attenborough's _Blue Planet II_, highlighting their impact on our understanding of ocean connectivity.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study has shed light on the burial of the Lapedo Child, a prehistoric skeleton discovered in Portugal in 1998, which exhibits both Neanderthal and modern human traits. Researchers have now dated the child's death to between 27,800 and 28,500 years ago, long after Neanderthals went extinct. This finding suggests that the child belonged to a population formed through extensive interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans. The burial site, initially a butchering camp, was abandoned for over 2,000 years following the child's interment, possibly due to a social taboo surrounding the death. The study also clarified the role of animal bones found in the grave, indicating that while a rabbit skeleton was likely a burial offering, red deer bones were used to position the body. These insights, published in *Science Advances*, enhance our understanding of human evolution and social practices in prehistoric times.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 2 ameznews.inA recent study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed that undergoing surgery on a Friday significantly increases the risk of complications and death compared to other days of the week. Analyzing data from nearly 430,000 patients in Ontario, Canada, the research found a 5% rise in adverse postoperative outcomes for surgeries performed just before the weekend. This "weekend effect" was particularly pronounced in elective procedures and aligns with previous studies that reported even higher mortality rates for Friday surgeries. Researchers attribute this increased risk to reduced staffing levels and the presence of less experienced surgeons on Fridays, which may hinder timely responses to complications. The findings highlight the need for healthcare systems to reassess surgical scheduling and resource allocation to ensure consistent patient care throughout the week.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable conservation milestone, rare black wolves have been filmed in Poland for the first time, captured by a camera trap initially set up to monitor beavers. The footage, recorded by the SAVE Wildlife Conservation Fund Poland, features both black and gray wolves crossing a stream, dispelling local folklore that suggested the existence of these elusive creatures. Once nearly extinct due to hunting, Poland's wolf population has rebounded since a nationwide hunting ban in 1998, with current estimates suggesting around 2,000 wolves now roam the country. The two black wolves, likely siblings aged about a year, are believed to carry a genetic mutation linked to domestic dogs. The charity aims to analyze their droppings to learn more about their DNA. Joanna Toczydłowska, project coordinator for SAVE, emphasized that black and gray wolves belong to the same species, highlighting the genetic diversity within Poland's wolf population.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 9 pmeznews.inG.H. Hardy, the renowned Cambridge mathematician, famously regarded number theory as "one of the most obviously useless branches" of mathematics. However, since his passing in 1947, the field has proven invaluable, underpinning essential technologies like public-key encryption and error correction algorithms. A particularly practical application of number theory is the use of check digits, which help verify the accuracy of various identification numbers, such as driver’s licenses, ISBNs, and barcodes. For instance, Florida driver’s licenses incorporate a check digit based on the holder's birth date, while ISBNs and Universal Product Codes (UPCs) utilize more complex algorithms to ensure data integrity. Although not foolproof, check digits significantly reduce errors in data entry and enhance security, demonstrating the profound impact of number theory in everyday life. Hardy's dismissal of the discipline seems increasingly misplaced as its applications continue to grow.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inColossal Biosciences has unveiled the "Colossal woolly mouse," a genetically engineered rodent that showcases traits reminiscent of the extinct woolly mammoth, as part of their ambitious plan to resurrect the species by 2028. By targeting seven specific genes linked to mammoth characteristics, the team has created mice with orange, wavy fur up to three times longer than that of typical mice, alongside altered lipid metabolism. This innovative approach allows for rapid testing of genetic edits, as mice have a much shorter gestation period than Asian elephants, the mammoth's closest living relatives. The project aims not only to explore de-extinction but also to restore ecological balance by reintroducing traits that could positively impact modern ecosystems. Colossal's efforts represent a significant step toward understanding and potentially reviving extinct species, with the ultimate goal of enhancing biodiversity and environmental health.
Published: Mar 04 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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