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Quantum mechanics and general relativity, the cornerstones of 20th-century physics, have proven their accuracy but reveal limitations, particularly in understanding black holes and the Big Bang. The quest for a unified theory that reconciles quantum properties with gravity continues, with candidates like string theory and loop quantum gravity leading the charge. A recent preprint by researchers from MIT and the Kavli Institute explores the Hilbert space of quantum gravity, revealing that in a closed universe, this space is one-dimensional, suggesting the absence of an external observer. While the study does not definitively address the existence of a deity, it raises intriguing questions about the nature of existence within such a universe. Although it does not resolve the unification challenge, it may have implications for black hole physics, and its notable footnote has sparked interest in the scientific community. The preprint is available on arXiv. 
Published: Nov 25 2025, 4 pmeznews.inThe first near-Earth asteroid ever discovered, 433 Eros, will make a close fly-by of Earth this weekend, passing approximately 60 million kilometers (37.2 million miles) away on November 30, 2025. This safe distance allows for a spectacular view, as the stony asteroid, measuring around 34 × 11 × 11 kilometers, will shine brightly for several weeks and can be observed with a modest telescope. Eros will skim near the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor. For those unable to observe it in person, the Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the event at 8pm UTC. Discovered in 1898 by German astronomer Gustav Witt, Eros has been the subject of significant scientific study, including a historic landing by NASA's NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft in 2001, which conducted groundbreaking experiments on its surface. As Eros graces the night sky, it serves as a reminder of humanity's ongoing fascination with space exploration. 
Published: Nov 28 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA seemingly ordinary pink and white agate, part of London's Natural History Museum's Mineralogy Collection since 1883, has been identified as a dinosaur egg, astonishing curators. Measuring approximately 15 centimeters across, the specimen caught the attention of Robin Hansen during its display preparation in 2018. A visit to a mineral show in France sparked the revelation when Hansen encountered a similar agatised dinosaur egg. Subsequent inspections by dinosaur curators, including CT scans, suggested the specimen's thin outer layer resembled a shell, and its characteristics matched those of titanosaur eggs found in India, China, and Argentina, dating back 60 million years. The egg likely became encased in volcanic rock, with silica-rich water creating the striking agate appearance. Hansen emphasized the importance of museum collections, noting that while the specimen was cataloged as agate in 1883, its true significance has only recently been recognized. 
Published: Nov 28 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe 17th century, often overshadowed by other historical crises, is increasingly recognized as a period of profound hardship marked by widespread conflict, political instability, and environmental challenges. Known as "The General Crisis," this era, spanning from the early 1600s to the early 1700s, saw a significant decline in the global population, primarily due to numerous wars, including the devastating Thirty Years' War, which claimed up to 8 million lives. Concurrently, the Little Ice Age brought severe climate changes, leading to agricultural failures and food shortages, further exacerbating social unrest. Historical documents from the time reflect a pervasive sense of despair, with contemporaries fearing an impending apocalypse. As modern society grapples with its own crises, including climate change and geopolitical tensions, the lessons of the 17th century remind us that even the darkest periods can eventually give way to renewal. 
Published: Nov 28 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIdentifying the quietest natural place on Earth is challenging due to various factors, including wind, wildlife, and human activity. However, the Haleakalā Crater in Hawaii, situated 3,055 meters above the Pacific Ocean, is often cited as the quietest National Park in the U.S. The National Park Service notes that ambient sound levels in the crater can drop to as low as 10 decibels, allowing visitors to hear their own heartbeat. In contrast, the title of the quietest place overall belongs to the anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis, which has recorded sound levels as low as -24.9 decibels. This chamber, designed to absorb 99.99% of sound, has garnered three Guinness World Records for its extreme quietness. Visitors often report disorientation and heightened awareness of bodily sounds, challenging the perception of silence itself. 
Published: Nov 24 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a fascinating exploration of animal intelligence, researchers have revealed that certain species, including dolphins, chimps, and crows, exhibit behaviors that suggest a darker side to their smarts. Dolphins have been observed engaging in political maneuvers, such as kidnapping females to monopolize their fertility, while chimps demonstrate the ability to deceive. Crows, however, stand out for their remarkable capacity to hold grudges, with studies indicating they can remember and react to perceived threats for up to 17 years. University of Washington professor John Marzluff's experiments involved trapping crows while wearing a grotesque mask, leading to long-lasting animosity from the birds towards anyone donning a similar disguise. This collective memory and social learning among crows highlight their complex social structures and suggest that humans should tread carefully around these intelligent avians, lest they become the target of their enduring ire. 
Published: Nov 27 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn Germany, the practice of _lüften_, meaning "to air," is a cultural staple that involves regularly opening windows and doors to refresh indoor air, even in winter. This ritual, often performed twice daily, is so integral that it can be a requirement in tenancy agreements. There are various methods, including _stoßlüften_ (shock ventilation), where windows are opened simultaneously for a brief period, and _querlüften_ (cross-ventilation), which promotes airflow by opening windows on opposite sides of a room. Scientific studies support the health benefits of _lüften_, linking it to improved sleep quality, reduced depressive symptoms in older adults, and a lower risk of infectious diseases. However, experts caution that frequent ventilation can undermine energy efficiency in well-insulated buildings, as many residents may not fully utilize modern heating and air recovery systems. Authorities recommend mindful practices like _stoßlüften_ to balance health benefits with energy conservation. 
Published: Nov 25 2025, 12 pmeznews.inOn July 1, 2025, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) successfully detected a significant interstellar object, designated 3I/ATLAS, located 670 million kilometers from the Sun. Confirmed as an interstellar visitor due to its high eccentricity, which exceeds one, 3I/ATLAS is believed to have journeyed through space for approximately 10 billion years. While the scientific community is eager to study this rare comet, Harvard professor Avi Loeb has controversially suggested it could be an alien spacecraft, a claim met with skepticism from many astronomers. Despite Loeb's assertions of "anomalies" in the object's behavior, including its unusual polarization and tail, most experts, including those from NASA and SETI, classify 3I/ATLAS as a comet, emphasizing that it exhibits characteristics typical of such celestial bodies. As telescopes worldwide focus on the object post-perihelion, scientists remain committed to understanding its natural origins. 
Published: Nov 28 2025, 7 ameznews.inA new study published in *Nature* reveals that prehistoric humans began consuming milk thousands of years before they developed the genetic ability to digest it without adverse effects. Researchers analyzed animal fat residues on over 13,000 pottery fragments from 554 archaeological sites across Europe, finding evidence of significant milk consumption in Neolithic Europe from around 7,000 BCE, long before the gene for lactase persistence became common around 1,000 BCE. This challenges the previous assumption that increased milk consumption drove the evolution of lactose tolerance. Professor Mark Thomas from University College London noted the rapid spread of the lactase gene variant, suggesting it was the most selected trait in various populations over the last 10,000 years. The study also indicated that while lactose intolerance can cause discomfort, it is not life-threatening, except under conditions of famine or disease, when the ability to digest milk could provide a survival advantage. 
Published: Nov 27 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking study, researchers have fully sequenced the sex chromosomes of non-human primates for the first time, revealing significant evolutionary differences between the rapidly changing Y chromosome and the relatively static X chromosome. The study, which included complete genomes from five great apes and one lesser ape, found that while over 90% of ape X chromosome sequences align with the human X chromosome, only 14 to 27% of Y chromosomes do, indicating a high rate of mutation and change. This rapid evolution of the Y chromosome, attributed to its limited genetic exchange with other chromosomes, raises concerns about its potential extinction. However, certain genes are protected by mechanisms such as palindromic sequences, which may ensure the Y chromosome's survival. Despite fears of its disappearance, study author Kateryna Makova asserts that the Y chromosome is unlikely to vanish in the near future, providing a crucial safety net for male existence. 
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