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A groundbreaking study has revealed that modern North Africans can trace their ancestry to a distinct population that thrived in the Sahara during its lush, green phase, known as the African Humid Period, approximately 11,000 to 5,000 years ago. Researchers sequenced the genomes of two 7,000-year-old mummies from Libya's Takarkori rock shelter, finding no genetic links to sub-Saharan populations, indicating their isolation. This lineage shares connections with ancient hunter-gatherers from Morocco, suggesting a long-standing genetic separation from southern Africa. The study challenges previous assumptions about North African history, positing that pastoralism likely spread through cultural exchange rather than migration. The mummies also exhibited small amounts of Neanderthal DNA, linking them to some of the earliest modern humans outside Africa. While today's interconnected world has diluted this ancient lineage, traces remain in the genomes of contemporary North Africans, underscoring their unique genetic heritage. The findings are published in the journal Nature. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 11 pmeznews.inTexas stands as the epicenter of America's oil industry, producing an impressive 6.3 million barrels of crude oil daily, which accounts for over 42% of the nation's total output. The state's oil wealth is largely derived from the Permian Basin, a geological formation rich in oil deposits formed millions of years ago from ancient marine life. The modern oil boom began in 1901 with the Spindletop Oilfield gusher, which unleashed 100,000 barrels per day and attracted significant investment, leading to the establishment of major oil companies. Innovations in extraction techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, have further propelled Texas's production capabilities. However, this success comes with environmental costs, as the region is known for high greenhouse gas emissions and significant wastewater production. Despite growing climate concerns, Texas's oil production is expected to continue rising, underscoring the state's enduring role in the fossil fuel landscape.
Published: Apr 09 2025, 7 ameznews.inGold mining is exerting significant pressure on the Amazon rainforest, but researchers have discovered that tree rings may serve as a valuable tool for tracking the environmental impact of these activities. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining, often illegal and unregulated, releases mercury emissions that trees absorb, embedding them in distinct layers of wood. A study by scientists from Cornell University and the University of Toronto analyzed tree cores from _Ficus insipida_ in the Peruvian Amazon, revealing higher mercury concentrations near mining sites compared to remote areas. This method could effectively monitor the spatial and temporal footprint of mercury pollution linked to gold mining. The findings highlight the urgent need to address the environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining, which has led to deforestation, water pollution, and violent conflicts with Indigenous communities. The study underscores the potential of trees as a cost-effective biomonitoring network for assessing mercury emissions in the region.
Published: Apr 09 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn a significant study presented at the ESC Preventive Cardiology 2025 congress, researchers have confirmed the health benefits of the Planetary Health Diet (PHD), developed in 2019 to promote both human health and environmental sustainability. Comparing the PHD with the well-established Mediterranean diet, the study found that adherence to either diet is linked to a notable reduction in mortality rates—22% for the PHD and 21% for the Mediterranean diet among the highest adherents. The research, which involved 11,488 participants from Spain, assessed dietary habits and their impact on cardiovascular health. While both diets emphasize plant-based foods, the PHD focuses on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, with limited red meat, whereas the Mediterranean diet prioritizes grains and includes moderate dairy and fish. The findings underscore the dual benefits of these diets for individual health and the planet, with the PHD showing slightly lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Published: Apr 09 2025, 3 ameznews.inA recent brain-imaging study has revealed that the psychoactive compound psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, induces a significant and lasting change in brain connectivity. Researchers observed that after participants consumed psilocybin, their brain activity became less organized and more chaotic, resembling a temporary loss of individual neural patterns. This phenomenon, described as an "entropic" brain state, particularly affected the default mode network (DMN), which is crucial for self-referential thought and introspection. While connectivity within the DMN largely returned to normal after the effects of the drug wore off, it remained looser for up to three weeks, potentially contributing to the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in alleviating conditions like depression. The findings suggest that this desynchronization may enhance cognitive flexibility, offering a promising avenue for future mental health treatments. The study is published in the journal Nature.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 10 ameznews.inA team of physicists from the University of Pennsylvania has optimized the pour-over coffee brewing method, appealing to coffee enthusiasts who value precision in their brewing rituals. Pour-over coffee, known for its simplicity and affordability compared to espresso setups, relies on the effective mixing of water and coffee grounds. The researchers found that using a gooseneck kettle, which produces a strong, laminar water jet, enhances the brewing process by creating an "avalanche" effect that ensures better saturation of the grounds. This contrasts with thinner jets that break into droplets, leading to uneven extraction. The study, published in *Physics of Fluids*, underscores the potential for scientific exploration in everyday activities, suggesting that the kitchen can be a source of unexpected discoveries. As climate change threatens coffee production, the findings may help coffee lovers maximize the flavor from their beans.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inNew research has revealed that the dramatic collapse of the stablecoin TerraUSD and its associated cryptocurrency LUNA in April-May 2022 was not merely a result of market volatility but rather a coordinated effort by a small group of traders. The crash saw valuations plummet from $3.5 billion to nearly zero, triggered by extensive short-selling and subsequent panic among investors. Dr. Richard Clegg and his team from Queen Mary University employed advanced analytical techniques to uncover unusual trading patterns, indicating that a few individuals controlled the market, undermining the coins' value. This coordinated action was crucial, as TerraUSD's substantial reserves could have absorbed individual short-selling attempts. While the findings may not prompt regulatory action unless laws were broken, the research highlights the potential for using similar analytical tools to enhance transparency and safety in cryptocurrency markets, which have been criticized for their lack of oversight.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 6 pmeznews.inThe Mariana Trench, one of the ocean's most inaccessible depths, is home to a diverse array of bizarre and uniquely adapted species. With pressures exceeding 16,000 PSI, creatures like the blobfish and goblin shark have evolved to thrive in these extreme conditions. The black seadevil, a frightening anglerfish, uses bioluminescence to attract prey, while the deep-sea dragonfish boasts transparent teeth to remain stealthy. The dumbo octopus, known for its ear-like fins, and the barreleye fish, with its see-through head, showcase the trench's peculiar adaptations. Other notable inhabitants include the frilled shark, with its ancient lineage, and the gelatinous snailfish, the deepest living fish known. Additionally, zombie worms, which consume whale bones, highlight the trench's unique ecological roles. These extraordinary species illustrate the remarkable ways evolution has enabled life to persist in one of Earth's most extreme environments.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inResearchers at USC Dornsife have identified ammonium chloride as a potential sixth basic taste, alongside the traditional five: sweet, savory, sour, bitter, and umami. Known for its sharp flavor in salty licorice, particularly popular in Nordic countries, ammonium chloride activates the OTOP1 receptor on the tongue, which also detects acidity. This discovery, published in *Nature Communications*, highlights how the receptor responds to both ammonium chloride and acid, suggesting a shared evolutionary mechanism to avoid toxic substances. While ammonium chloride is generally perceived as aversive, humans can learn to enjoy it, similar to spicy or acidic foods. The study adds to ongoing debates about taste classification, with some scientists advocating for "oleogustus," a taste for fat, as another contender for a basic taste. The findings underscore the complexity of taste perception and its evolutionary significance in detecting harmful substances.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4, which captured global attention since its discovery in December, has been downgraded from a potential threat to Earth, with new observations indicating a 3.8% chance of impacting the Moon instead. Initially deemed a significant risk, preparations were made to mitigate its potential collision with Earth on December 22, 2032. Planetary scientist Dr. Andrew Rivkin from Johns Hopkins University noted that improved orbital data shifted the asteroid's trajectory away from Earth but closer to the Moon. If it were to strike, it could create a new crater approximately 1 kilometer wide, visible from parts of the Americas and Asia. Rivkin emphasized the scientific value of such an impact, which could provide insights into lunar geology. Further observations using the James Webb Space Telescope are planned for late April or early May to refine our understanding of 2024 YR4's characteristics and trajectory.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inRecent scans of the Titanic wreck, which sank in April 1912, reveal compelling evidence that supports eyewitness accounts of the ship's final moments. As the wreck continues to deteriorate due to natural processes, including rust and bacteria, researchers are racing against time to document its condition. A team has utilized Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) and photogrammetry to create a detailed 3D model of the wreck, capturing over 700,000 images. Notable findings include a porthole likely smashed by the iceberg, corroborating survivor reports of ice entering cabins, and concave boilers suggesting that engineers, led by Joseph Bell, kept the ship's lights on to aid evacuation. These insights may help clarify the circumstances of the sinking, as simulations indicate that the iceberg caused damage across six compartments, exceeding the ship's design limits. The ongoing research aims to deepen understanding of the Titanic disaster for future generations.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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