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A recent study involving over 7,000 individuals has revealed that certain Neanderthal gene variants may influence pain sensitivity in modern humans. Researchers found that individuals carrying three specific variants of the _SCN9A_ gene, which encodes proteins involved in pain perception, exhibited heightened sensitivity to skin pricking, particularly after exposure to irritants like mustard oil. These variants, more prevalent in populations with significant Native American ancestry, were linked to a lower pain threshold. The study, which analyzed genetic samples from diverse Latin American populations, suggests that Neanderthals may have had greater pain sensitivity, potentially as a survival mechanism. While the findings highlight the genetic legacy of interbreeding between Neanderthals and early humans, further research is needed to understand the evolutionary advantages of these traits. The study is published in the journal *Communications Biology*. 
Published: Jun 04 2025, 5 pmeznews.inResearchers have pinpointed the location where Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred during the Late Pleistocene, revealing the Zagros Mountains as a key site for these encounters. This mountain range, spanning modern-day Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, provided a diverse environment conducive to sustaining large human populations and served as a corridor for migration during climatic shifts. The findings align with archaeological and genetic evidence, confirming the presence of both species in the region. 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 such as physical appearance and susceptibility to certain health conditions. The study, published in *Scientific Reports*, sheds light on the complex interactions between these two human species.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a surprising turn of events in Florida's Everglades, a decapitated Burmese python has sparked hope for the local ecosystem, indicating that native wildlife may be mounting a defense against this invasive species. The Burmese python, originally from Southeast Asia, has wreaked havoc on the Everglades since its introduction in the late 20th century, leading to the near extinction of small mammals like marsh rabbits and raccoons. However, a recent incident involving a bobcat, which was observed returning to the site of a python attack, suggests a potential shift in the balance of power. Biologists from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida tracked a male python named Loki, discovering it had been mauled, likely by the bobcat. While the python population remains alarmingly high, estimated between 30,000 and 300,000, this incident offers a glimmer of hope that native species are beginning to fight back against the invasive threat.
Published: Jun 06 2025, 6 ameznews.inSatellite images of Scotland reveal the Great Glen Fault, a significant geological feature that runs diagonally from northeast to southwest. This strike-slip fault, formed during the Caledonian Orogeny around 430 to 390 million years ago, marks the boundary where two blocks of the Earth's crust have slid past each other. The fault aligns with the Great Glen, a 100-kilometer valley that includes famous lochs such as Loch Ness. The rugged terrain surrounding the fault has historically influenced human activity, fostering the dominance of Scottish clans in isolated regions and serving as a strategic battleground during the Jacobite uprisings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Fortresses like Fort William and Fort Augustus were established along this natural divide. While the fault remains geologically active, with minor earthquakes still occurring, the region is now much quieter, both militarily and geologically.
Published: Jun 02 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs the BA.5 subvariant of COVID-19 surges globally, scientists are noting a potential new symptom: night sweats. This variant, a sibling of Omicron, now accounts for approximately 65% of cases in the US and is similarly prevalent in the UK. Professor Luke O’Neill from Trinity College Dublin highlighted that night sweats may arise from genetic changes in the virus and the immune system's response, suggesting a shift in symptomatology. While BA.5 appears to cause less severe illness than earlier variants like Delta, its ability to reinfect individuals raises concerns. Current data from the ZOE COVID Study app indicates that common symptoms among vaccinated individuals now include runny nose, headache, and sore throat, while traditional symptoms such as loss of smell and fever have become less frequent. O’Neill emphasized the importance of vaccination to mitigate severe outcomes from the infection.
Published: Jun 05 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA submarine volcano off the West Coast of the US, the Axial Seamount, is showing signs of an impending eruption, with geologists predicting a potential event between July 2024 and the end of 2025. Located approximately 480 kilometers from Oregon, the seamount last erupted in 2015, releasing lava and debris across a vast area. The Ocean Observatory Initiative has been monitoring the site since 2016, providing livestream footage of its unique marine life, including hot spring deposits and various organisms. While the volcano is building pressure, it poses no threat to human life, as it is unlikely to trigger tsunamis or earthquakes. However, when it does erupt, it could significantly alter local ecosystems, covering the seafloor with fresh lava and impacting marine habitats. Livestreams of the seamount will be available for viewers at specific times throughout the day.
Published: Jun 05 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFor the first time, solar astronomers have captured unprecedented images of striations on the Sun's surface, revealing intricate "magnetic curtains" at a resolution of just 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) using the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawai’i. These stripe-like features, which form at the edges of solar granules, are influenced by surrounding magnetic fields, causing variations in brightness and color. Lead author Dr. David Kuridze from the National Solar Observatory described these striations as "fingerprints" of fine-scale magnetic field variations. The Sun's magnetic field can be thousands of times stronger than Earth's, and these findings enhance our understanding of magnetism in astrophysical contexts. The Inouye telescope's capabilities have led to significant advancements in solar research, underscoring its role in studying the small-scale physics that drive space weather events affecting technology on Earth. The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Published: Jun 06 2025, 5 ameznews.inBill Gates has warned that the world is unprepared for the next potential pandemic, which could mirror the devastating 1918 influenza outbreak, potentially killing 30 million people within six months. Speaking at a discussion on epidemics, Gates emphasized that the next disease might not even be a flu but a novel pathogen, urging global leaders to approach pandemic preparedness with the same urgency as military threats. He highlighted the increasing likelihood of new diseases emerging due to population growth and environmental encroachment, as well as the risk of bioweapons being developed by non-state actors. While acknowledging advancements in antiviral treatments and the pursuit of a universal flu vaccine, Gates stressed the need for improved rapid diagnosis and better coordination between governments and the private sector to effectively combat emerging health threats. He remains optimistic that with concerted effort, humanity can enhance its pandemic response capabilities.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 2 pmeznews.inA remarkable image captured during NASA's LADEE spacecraft launch on September 7, 2013, features an unexpected photobomber: a frog. The photo, taken by a sound-activated camera at Virginia's Wallops Flight Facility, shows the amphibian soaring through the air as the rocket ascends, although the frog's fate remains uncertain. The LADEE mission aimed to study the lunar atmosphere and the effects of lunar dust, marking a significant step in space exploration. Wallops, the oldest continuous rocket launch site in the U.S., has been operational since 1945 and coexists with local wildlife, highlighting a unique relationship between advanced space technology and nature. For instance, NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida borders the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to diverse species. This unusual coexistence underscores the potential for protected habitats amidst the noise of rocket launches, proving that even in the realm of space exploration, life finds a way.
Published: Jun 06 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn 2001, French snowboarder Marco Siffredi made history by becoming the first person to snowboard down Mount Everest after summiting the peak at 8,848 meters. Initially planning to descend via the Hornbein Couloir, he switched to the Norton Couloir due to insufficient snow. Siffredi's record was later challenged by Stefan Gatt, who reached the summit first but had to complete part of his descent on foot due to adverse conditions. In 2002, Siffredi returned to attempt the Hornbein Couloir, known for its steep slopes of 45 to 55 degrees. Despite warnings from his team of sherpas about deteriorating weather, he began his descent late in the day with one oxygen tank. He was never seen again, and while avalanches and sheer drops posed significant risks, his body has never been recovered. Over 310 climbers have died on Everest, making it the mountain with the highest absolute death count, though its fatality rate is lower than some other peaks.
Published: Jun 06 2025, 12 ameznews.inGreat white sharks (_Carcharodon carcharias_), renowned apex predators, are rarely seen in aquariums due to significant challenges in captivity. Despite their size not being the sole issue—since orcas are kept in captivity—great whites have a history of failing to thrive in artificial environments. Notable attempts include a 2016 effort at Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, where a shark died after just three days, and earlier attempts at Marineland and SeaWorld, which also ended in failure. The Monterey Bay Aquarium managed to keep one alive for several months in 2004, but this remains an exception. Key factors contributing to their poor performance in captivity include their specific dietary needs, the necessity to swim continuously for oxygen, and the overwhelming stimuli of a tank environment. Additionally, changing public perceptions about marine life in captivity, influenced by documentaries like _Blackfish_, suggest that a live great white exhibition would no longer attract the same interest as in the past.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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