eznews.inHumanity's capacity for significant change, both positive and negative, is evident in various contexts, from the climate crisis to the successful eradication of smallpox. A recent study has revealed that our activities, particularly the use of very low frequency (VLF) radio waves, have inadvertently influenced the Earth's radiation environment. The Van Allen belts, discovered in the 1950s, act as a protective shield against harmful cosmic rays and solar winds, and new findings indicate that VLF signals, used in submarine communications, can alter the motion of charged particles within these belts. This interaction has created a sort of barrier around Earth, pushing the inner Van Allen belt outward, which could potentially deflect cosmic radiation. Ongoing tests are exploring the feasibility of using VLF emitters to safeguard specific regions from solar storm particles, highlighting humanity's unintentional impact on our planet's protective mechanisms. 
Published: Jan 03 2026, 6 pmeznews.inFor 140 years, the reproductive habits of Antarctic sea spiders, known for their impressive size due to a phenomenon called "polar gigantism," remained a mystery. However, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have made a breakthrough by observing these creatures in their natural habitat. They discovered that unlike other sea spider species that carry their eggs, Antarctic sea spiders (_Colossendeis megalonyx_) attach their eggs to the rocky seabed, where they develop over several months, camouflaged by microscopic algae. This finding, described by PhD student Aaron Toh as a stroke of luck, not only resolves a long-standing enigma but also suggests that these sea spiders could provide insights into the evolution of paternal care in arachnids. Professor Amy Moran noted that the simpler care methods employed by male sea spiders may illuminate the evolutionary transition towards more complex parental behaviors. The study is published in the journal Ecology.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that the critically endangered Apennine brown bear (_Ursus arctos marsicanus_), found in central Italy, has evolved to exhibit unusually calm behavior, diverging from its more aggressive European counterparts. With only about 50 individuals remaining, this subspecies has been isolated for 2,000 to 3,000 years, leading to higher inbreeding rates and unique genetic traits. Researchers from the University of Ferrara sequenced the genomes of 12 bears, finding evidence of natural selection favoring reduced aggression, likely due to historical human interactions where calmer bears survived encounters with people. Despite their adaptability, the bears face ongoing threats from habitat loss and a genetic mutation affecting their mitochondrial function, which hampers energy production. The findings underscore the complex relationship between human activity and wildlife evolution, suggesting that even negatively impacted populations may possess valuable genetic traits for conservation efforts.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 10 pmeznews.inEarth's magnetic poles have flipped several times over the past 160 million years, with the last reversal occurring approximately 780,000 years ago. This phenomenon, known as magnetic pole reversal, involves the north and south poles swapping places and typically happens every 300,000 years. The magnetic field, generated by molten metal movements in the Earth's outer core, is unstable and constantly changing, making reversals unpredictable. While a weakened magnetic field during a reversal could allow more solar and cosmic radiation to reach Earth, historical evidence suggests no direct link between these events and mass extinctions or human development. However, potential impacts include increased vulnerability of technology to solar storms and disruptions to the navigation systems of animals like birds and sea turtles that rely on the magnetic field. Despite these concerns, the atmosphere provides significant protection against harmful radiation.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 7 pmeznews.inFlat-Earthers continue to promote their unconventional theories, often resorting to dubious experiments to support their claims. Recently, a viral Reddit post by Greg Pagel challenged one of their key assertions: that a flat horizon indicates a flat Earth. Pagel analyzed the horizon from his coastal hometown, calculating that the curvature of the Earth over a distance of 13.5 kilometers should produce an arc of approximately 0.12 degrees—too subtle to perceive with the naked eye. He emphasized that the horizon appears flat not because the Earth is a disc, but due to its immense size. Critics quickly pointed out that the existence of satellite imagery from Google Earth further undermines flat-Earth claims. Additionally, the phenomenon of boats disappearing below the horizon reinforces the spherical nature of our planet, as such an occurrence would be impossible on a flat surface.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 3 pmeznews.inThe common crane, the UK's tallest bird, is making a remarkable comeback after facing extinction in the 16th century, thanks to conservation efforts that include the creation of nesting "runways" at RSPB Lakenheath in Suffolk. With 30 breeding pairs now recorded, the restoration of wetlands has significantly aided their recovery. Other notable conservation successes include the establishment of a vast nature reserve at RSPB Geltsdale, which has seen a surge in bird populations, and the eradication of invasive rats on Ramsey Island, leading to a dramatic increase in Manx shearwater numbers. Additionally, RSPB Frampton Marsh has become a vital habitat for over 25,000 wintering waterbirds, while peatland restoration in the Cairngorms has supported the recovery of rare species like the capercaillie. Despite ongoing environmental challenges, the RSPB emphasizes the importance of these achievements in fostering hope for wildlife and natural ecosystems.
Published: Jan 02 2026, 8 pmeznews.inTeachers have been marking students' work with red ink for over 4,000 years, as evidenced by an Ancient Egyptian writing board currently housed at The Met in New York. Dating back to the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, this gessoed board allowed for reuse, similar to slate tablets used in classrooms until the early 20th century. The writing on the board is in hieratic, a cursive form of Egyptian script developed around 3000 BCE, which was more practical than traditional hieroglyphics. The board belonged to a student named Iny-su, who practiced writing a formal letter to his brother, invoking the gods of Thebes in the process. However, his master scribe found several errors in his phrasing and spelling, leading to corrections in red ink. Despite the critiques, Iny-su's effort in mastering this complex task is commendable, earning him at least an A for effort.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 12 pmeznews.inHumans often pride themselves on their unpredictability, yet a fascinating linguistic phenomenon known as Zipf's law suggests otherwise. This statistical principle, first noted by George Kingsley Zipf around 80 years ago, reveals that the frequency of word usage in nearly all languages—be it English, Hindi, or Mandarin—follows a predictable pattern. For instance, the most commonly used word, "the," appears twice as often as the next most frequent word, and this trend continues down the ranks. Remarkably, Zipf's law even applies to undeciphered languages, such as those in the enigmatic Voynich Manuscript, and has been observed in extensive texts, including Charles Darwin's _On the Origin of Species_. While various theories attempt to explain this phenomenon, including the balance of effort minimization in communication, the exact reasons behind Zipf's law remain elusive, prompting deeper reflection on the nature of language and human expression.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 3 ameznews.inA recent study has identified the year 536 CE as potentially the worst time in human history, primarily due to extreme weather events that led to widespread famine. Researchers, examining ice cores from the European Alps, suggest that a volcanic eruption—likely from Iceland—created a "mystery cloud" that obscured the sun, triggering a "volcanic winter." This climatic shift resulted in crop failures across the globe, with reports of snow in summer in China and severe droughts in Peru. Historical accounts, including those from Byzantine historian Procopius, describe a pervasive dread caused by the sun's obscuration. The aftermath of this environmental catastrophe contributed to significant social upheaval, including the collapse of empires and political instability across Eurasia. The findings underscore the profound impact of climate events on human societies, marking the century following 536 CE as a particularly grim period in history.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 10 ameznews.inDNA analysis from over 100 individuals buried in Çatalhöyük's East Mound suggests that the ancient inhabitants had a matrilocal social structure, where women played a significant role in household formation. This Neolithic settlement, one of the oldest known, thrived for at least 1,200 years, yet little is known about its civilization due to a lack of written records. The research indicates that kinship ties were less relevant in burial practices, with bodies in close proximity showing only slight genetic relatedness. Dr. Eva Rosenstoick from the University of Bonn noted that female lineages were more prominent than male ones, hinting at a society where women held greater status. While the findings challenge previous notions of a matriarchal society, they do suggest that women had more influence compared to later settlements. The study, published in *Science*, also revealed that genetic diversity increased over time, likely due to extensive trade.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 7 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact