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NASA's Voyager spacecraft, now in their twilight years, are gradually shutting down instruments to conserve power while continuing to gather scientific data. In March, the cosmic ray subsystem on Voyager 1 and the low-energy charged particle instruments on Voyager 2 were deactivated, following the earlier shutdown of their power-hungry cameras. Voyager 2 had already turned off its cameras in 1989 to prioritize data collection on the solar wind, while Voyager 1 captured its last images, including the iconic "Pale Blue Dot" of Earth, in 1990. This historic "Solar System Family Portrait" remains unique, as no other spacecraft has replicated such a distant view of our solar system. Unfortunately, NASA has confirmed that reactivating the cameras is unlikely due to the removal of necessary software and the harsh conditions the instruments have endured. Nevertheless, both spacecraft continue to provide valuable scientific insights from the edge of our solar system. 
Published: Jun 19 2025, 7 pmeznews.inOn July 14-15, 1965, NASA's Mariner 4 made history as the first spacecraft to successfully fly by Mars, capturing the first close-up images of the Red Planet and marking a pivotal moment in space exploration. This mission laid the groundwork for numerous subsequent missions to Mars and beyond, with various space agencies now actively studying the planet from orbit and the ground. The rapid advancements in space exploration, from the launch of Sputnik in 1957 to Mariner 4's success, highlight a remarkable era of scientific achievement. While the focus of the 1960s was on lunar missions, both American and Soviet programs sought to explore other planets, with Mariner 4 ultimately succeeding where earlier missions had failed. Originally intended to last eight months, Mariner 4 operated for over three years, contributing valuable data and setting the stage for future interplanetary exploration.
Published: Jul 16 2025, 9 ameznews.inA recent study from Johns Hopkins University reveals that despite the ubiquitous presence of the letter "g," many people struggle to recognize its two distinct forms, particularly the "looptail" g commonly found in print. Researchers conducted experiments with 38 volunteers, who were largely unable to recall or accurately reproduce the looptail g, with only two participants able to write it correctly. When asked to identify the letter from similar-looking options, only seven out of 25 succeeded. The findings suggest that the lack of formal instruction in writing the looptail g may hinder recognition, particularly for children raised in a digital environment where they are less likely to practice handwriting. This raises concerns about potential reading disadvantages linked to the prevalence of screen-based learning. The study highlights the complexities of letter recognition and the impact of educational practices on literacy. The research is published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study of olms, rare cave-dwelling salamanders native to the Balkans, has revealed their astonishingly sedentary behavior in the wild. Researchers from Eötvös Loránd University and the Devon Karst Research Society tagged and monitored 26 olms in a Bosnian cave between 2010 and 2018, discovering that these creatures moved an average of just 5 meters (16 feet) per year, with one individual remaining completely still for over seven years. Unlike their more active counterparts in laboratory settings, these olms exhibit a lifestyle that conserves energy, as they can survive for years without food and have a long lifespan of up to 100 years. While the population studied showed little genetic variation, suggesting this behavior may not represent the species as a whole, the findings underscore the importance of observing animals in their natural habitats to gain deeper insights into their behavior.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe World Health Organization (WHO) is now monitoring a new COVID-19 variant named Stratus, or XFG, which is a recombinant variant formed from the merging of two other variants, LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. First detected in Canada, Stratus is part of the Omicron lineage, which has over 1,000 sublineages. Like its predecessor Nimbus, Stratus is highly transmissible and tends to cause less severe illness compared to earlier variants, although it can evade existing immunity. Symptoms associated with Stratus include cough, congestion, fatigue, and notably, hoarseness. As of late June, Nimbus, Stratus, and LP.8.1 are classified as "variants under monitoring" by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to remain effective against these variants, making vaccination crucial for protection against severe illness.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a "Blood Moon," will occur on the nights of September 7 and 8, 2025, marking the second such event of the year. This celestial phenomenon happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, casting the Moon entirely into Earth's shadow, resulting in a reddish hue due to sunlight filtering through the atmosphere. The upcoming eclipse will last 5 hours and 27 minutes, with totality lasting approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes, making it the longest since 2022. Most of Asia, parts of East Africa, and Western Australia will have the best views, with nearly 60% of the global population able to witness the entire event. In the UK, the peak will occur at 19:11 BST, although the Moon will be below the horizon at that time. Unfortunately, much of North America will miss the spectacle, as it will take place during daylight hours.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA new digital reconstruction of Ötzi the Iceman's ribcage reveals features that may have aided his seasonal migrations to the Alpine peaks, challenging previous assumptions about the ribcage structure of early humans. Researchers compared Ötzi's thorax with those of other ancient humans, including specimens from Egypt, Israel, and Moravia, alongside Neanderthal and Homo erectus fossils. The findings indicate that the ribcage of Dolní Věstonice 13 was nearly as large as that of Neanderthals, suggesting some early Homo sapiens may have had stockier builds suited for cold climates. Ötzi's ribcage, while larger than some contemporaries, exhibited a mix of features that could have been advantageous for his lifestyle between temperate lowlands and frigid mountains. This study, published in *Communications Biology*, underscores the complexity of human evolution and adaptation to diverse environments.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success across multiple countries, including Romania, Australia, and the US. Rather than relying on luck, Mandel identified that in certain lotteries, the jackpot could exceed the cost of purchasing every possible combination of numbers. This insight led him to create algorithms for generating and printing tickets, allowing him to buy millions of combinations when jackpots were sufficiently high. His most notable win came from the Virginia lottery, where he secured 6.4 million of the 7 million combinations needed to guarantee a victory, ultimately winning a $15.5 million jackpot. Despite facing scrutiny from the FBI and CIA, Mandel faced no legal repercussions. Over his career, he won 14 lotteries, amassing significant wealth before retiring to a beach house in Vanuatu.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable tale of self-experimentation, entomologist Piotr Naskrecki allowed botfly larvae to grow beneath his skin while living in Belize, documenting the unusual experience. After being bitten by mosquitoes, he discovered a moving structure in one of his wounds, which turned out to be a breathing tube of a botfly larva. Rather than removing it, Naskrecki chose to observe the larvae's development, which lasts 5-10 weeks, during which they feed on the host's tissue. He described the experience as both fascinating and challenging, noting instances of public embarrassment and pain. Despite the discomfort, he developed an unexpected fondness for his "guests," reflecting on the nature of parasitism and humanity's perception of creatures like botflies compared to more revered predators. Naskrecki's unique perspective raises questions about our relationship with the natural world and the often-overlooked role of parasites.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA small red bump on your skin, particularly after a mosquito bite, could signal an unwelcome guest: the human botfly, or _Dermatobia hominis_. Found primarily in Central and South America, these parasites have a unique reproductive strategy known as phoresy, where a female botfly attaches her eggs to a mosquito, which then inadvertently delivers them to a human host. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the skin, feeding on human tissue for about six weeks before emerging to continue their life cycle. While the adult botfly poses no direct threat, its larvae can cause irritation and require medical removal, often through minor surgery or by applying substances like Vaseline to coax them out. Despite their unsettling nature, the botfly's reproductive method showcases a fascinating, albeit gruesome, aspect of the natural world.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Amazon rainforest, a source of inspiration for innovative solutions, was the site of Henry Ford's ambitious venture, Fordlândia, in the 1920s. Seeking to bypass the high costs of Asian rubber, Ford envisioned a self-sufficient industrial utopia in Brazil, complete with infrastructure and jobs. However, the reality was starkly different; the town, located along the Tapajós River, faced logistical challenges, harsh working conditions, and a lack of understanding of the Amazon's ecology. Ford's monoculture approach led to devastating blight and infestations, while workers suffered from disease and malnutrition. Despite the initial promise, the project was abandoned by 1945, resulting in a loss of approximately $350 million today. Although the forest has since reclaimed much of the area, Fordlândia now hosts a small population of 2,000 to 3,000 residents, serving as a poignant reminder of the Amazon's inherent biodiversity and resilience against human exploitation.
Published: Jul 15 2025, 3 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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