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Giant cracks in the Earth's surface, termed "gullies," are emerging as a significant geo-hydrological hazard, particularly threatening urban populations in the Global South, according to a new study focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Researchers mapped 26 cities and identified nearly 3,000 gullies, some large enough to engulf homes and roads, exacerbated by rapid urbanization and unstable soils. Between 2004 and 2023, these erosion scars displaced approximately 118,600 people, with the number of residents in gully-prone areas doubling from 1.6 million to 3.2 million in just over a decade. The study warns that climate change could worsen the situation, predicting a 10 to 15 percent increase in rainfall intensity in tropical Africa, which could accelerate gully formation. Experts advocate for preventive measures, such as improved drainage systems, to mitigate this growing urban hazard, which may soon rival more recognized climate risks. 
Published: Aug 29 2025, 5 pmeznews.inAs summer wanes in Iceland, a unique tradition unfolds in the Vestmannaeyjar islands, where locals assist baby puffins, or "pufflings," on their perilous journey to the sea. With around 830,000 breeding pairs nesting in the area—20% of the global puffin population—these chicks often become disoriented by city lights, straying inland and risking predation. To combat this, dedicated rescue teams and volunteers scour towns each night, collecting pufflings and gently tossing them off cliffs the following morning. This act of conservation is crucial, as the Atlantic puffin is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. While the rescue efforts can be physically demanding, with risks of injury, volunteers find immense satisfaction in saving these birds. As one rescuer noted, the experience of holding a puffling and ensuring its safe flight is profoundly rewarding, embodying a deep connection to nature and wildlife preservation.
Published: Aug 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed a hidden hierarchical pattern in Earth's geological history, challenging the long-held belief that the boundaries between epochs, periods, and eons are randomly distributed. Researchers, led by Professor Andrej Spiridonov from Vilnius University, employed mathematical modeling to analyze global and localized geological data, uncovering that these boundaries cluster in a way that reflects the planet's significant fluctuations over time. The findings suggest that intervals between major events, such as mass extinctions and biodiversity surges, follow a multifractal logic, indicating a structured variability rather than chaotic randomness. This new understanding could enhance predictions about Earth's future changes, as it highlights the need for comprehensive geological records spanning hundreds of millions of years. The study, published in *Earth and Planetary Science Letters*, underscores the importance of recognizing these patterns to better comprehend both past and future planetary dynamics.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 12 ameznews.inAt Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre in New Zealand, a rare sighting of a white kiwi named Mapuna has captured public attention, as he was filmed returning to his burrow during daylight hours, a behavior unusual for the typically nocturnal species. Mapuna, a North Island brown kiwi, is one of only two known white kiwis, the other being his late sister Manukura, who gained fame as the first of her kind born in captivity. Both birds exhibit leucism, a genetic condition resulting in partial pigment loss, distinguishing them from albinos. North Island brown kiwis are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with their population declining significantly since 1900 due to predation from introduced species. Pūkaha's Operation Nest Egg has successfully raised and released 131 kiwi chicks into the wild over the past decade, aiming to bolster the dwindling population.
Published: Aug 27 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn the 1990s, Romanian-Australian economist Stefan Mandel devised a systematic approach to winning lotteries, achieving remarkable success by winning 14 times. Initially applying his method in Romania, Mandel used his winnings to bribe officials and relocate to Australia, where he refined his strategy. Recognizing that certain jackpots exceeded the cost of purchasing every possible ticket combination, he mobilized investors to fund his ambitious plans. By creating algorithms to generate and print tickets, Mandel's team targeted lotteries with fewer combinations, notably the Virginia lottery, which had only 7,059,052 possible outcomes. When the jackpot reached $15.5 million, they purchased 6.4 million tickets, ultimately securing the winning ticket. Despite investigations by the FBI and CIA, no wrongdoing was found, and Mandel retired to a beach house in Vanuatu, having amassed millions for himself and his investors.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study has revisited the enigmatic "Wow!" signal, originally detected on August 15, 1977, at Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope, suggesting it may indeed have an extraterrestrial origin and was more powerful than previously thought. The signal, which lasted 72 seconds and prompted astronomer Jerry Ehman to exclaim "Wow!" in the margin of the printout, has long eluded explanation. Researchers have now analyzed decades of data using modern techniques, finding strong evidence against terrestrial interference and ruling out satellites as a source. The team proposes that the signal could stem from a superradiance event in cold hydrogen clouds, possibly triggered by a magnetar flare. While the study does not confirm extraterrestrial intelligence, it enhances understanding of the signal and aims to refine future searches for technosignatures. The findings are available on the preprint server arXiv and await peer review.
Published: Aug 27 2025, 5 ameznews.inScientists at South China Agricultural University have achieved a remarkable breakthrough by injecting phosphor particles into succulent plants, resulting in vibrant, glow-in-the-dark foliage reminiscent of scenes from _Avatar_. The research, led by Shuting Liu, revealed that these micron-sized particles could diffuse uniformly across the leaves of Echeveria ‘Mebina’, a feat previously thought impossible due to the restrictive nature of plant tissues. The glowing succulents can recharge in sunlight and emit light comparable to a night light for up to two hours after just a few minutes of exposure. This innovative method, which balances particle size for optimal diffusion and brightness, could pave the way for sustainable plant-based lighting solutions. While further testing is needed to assess long-term effects, Liu envisions potential applications in decorative pieces and solar-rechargeable night lights, expanding the possibilities for visually engaging and calming home environments. The findings are detailed in the journal Matter.
Published: Aug 29 2025, 7 ameznews.inIn a lighthearted yet insightful paper, scientists Peter Gutmann and Stephan Neuhaus have critiqued notable quantum factorization achievements, suggesting that many of these results rely on specific numbers or simplified problems, which they term "sleight of hand." They humorously demonstrated their point using an array of tools, including a 1981 computer, an abacus, and even a dog named Scribble, who barked to indicate the number of factors for small integers like 15 and 21. The researchers highlighted the challenges of factorizing larger numbers, such as the RSA-2048, which is solvable through specific methods due to its unique properties. Their findings underscore the complexities of quantum computing, which, despite its potential to revolutionize cryptography, still faces significant hurdles before becoming practically viable. The full study is accessible via the Cryptology ePrint Archive.
Published: Aug 30 2025, 9 ameznews.inA 30-year-old man, referred to as "Mr. X," was hospitalized after injecting a homemade "mushroom tea" made from magic mushrooms, leading to severe health complications. His family brought him to the emergency department due to confusion, following his cessation of prescribed bipolar medication and subsequent mood swings. Mr. X had researched the therapeutic effects of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, but opted to inject the tea rather than consume it orally. After the injection, he developed jaundice, nausea, and organ failure, ultimately requiring intensive care. Alarmingly, cultures taken from his blood revealed that the fungus was growing within his veins. While the exact impact of the fungal infection on his mental state remains uncertain, medical professionals emphasized the need for public education on the dangers of misusing drugs outside of prescribed methods.
Published: Aug 26 2025, 4 pmeznews.inNew research has shed light on the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine (_Thylacinus cynocephalus_), suggesting that genetic factors may have played a significant role alongside human hunting and competition with dingoes. Once native to Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, the thylacine's population dwindled to around 5,000 by the early 1800s, with the last known specimen dying in 1936. Researchers utilized palaeogenomic data to identify the loss of four crucial genes—SAMD9L, HSD17B13, CUZD1, and VWA7—over a span of 13 million to 1 million years ago, prior to human interference. These genes are linked to immune function and overall species fitness, and their loss may have compromised the thylacine's health and adaptability. The study highlights the importance of genetic diversity in understanding extinction and offers a framework for future research into the evolutionary processes affecting both extinct and extant species.
Published: Aug 29 2025, 3 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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