eznews.inDetermining the richest country in the world is complex, as it depends on the metrics used. According to the UBS Global Wealth Report 2023, the United States leads in total household wealth, boasting nearly $140 trillion, significantly outpacing China’s $84 trillion. However, when measuring average wealth per capita, Switzerland takes the top spot, with citizens averaging over $685,000, compared to the U.S. average of $551,000. Luxembourg also ranks highly, with an average of about $586,000. In terms of median wealth per capita, Belgium leads with just under $250,000, while the U.S. falls to 13th place. The U.S. and China vie for the most billionaires, with the U.S. having 813 and China 814, though the latter is losing billionaires annually. Notably, Slovenia boasts the lowest poverty rate, attributed to policies like free kindergarten education, highlighting a different aspect of wealth distribution. 
Published: Nov 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAntarctica, covered by ice that blankets 98 percent of its land, is now being revealed in unprecedented detail thanks to advanced imaging technology. The Bedmap2, created in 2013 from extensive data collected by NASA and the British Antarctic Survey, showcases the continent's rugged terrain, including mountain ranges and deep gorges. Notably, the lowest point beneath the Byrd Glacier reaches 2,870 meters below sea level. This detailed mapping is crucial for understanding how ice distribution and melting are influenced by the underlying topography, particularly in the context of climate change. Current estimates indicate that Antarctica holds 27 million cubic kilometers of frozen water, which could raise sea levels by 58 meters if melted. As the ice sheets continue to thaw at alarming rates, contributing to a global sea-level rise of 4 millimeters annually, scientists are now working on the next-generation map, Bedmap3, to further explore this hidden landscape.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn 1977, NASA launched the Voyager probes to explore the outer Solar System and interstellar space. Both spacecraft encountered a "wall of fire" at the Solar System's boundary, recording temperatures between 30,000 and 50,000 kelvin (54,000 to 90,000 degrees Fahrenheit) as they crossed the heliopause, the boundary where the solar wind meets the interstellar medium. Voyager 1 became the first to cross this boundary on August 25, 2012, followed by Voyager 2 in 2018. The heliopause is not a fixed edge but fluctuates with solar activity, which was confirmed by the differing distances at which the probes encountered it. Despite the extreme temperatures, the probes survived due to the sparse particle density in that region. Recent findings from both Voyagers revealed that the magnetic fields beyond the heliopause align with those within the heliosphere, providing new insights into the nature of interstellar space.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThis week in science, a remarkable 126,000-year-old fossil of a rock hyrax, showcasing the world's first recorded "butt-drag," has been unveiled, providing unique insights into ancient animal behavior. In medical advancements, a 71-year-old man in China became the first living recipient of a genetically modified pig liver transplant, surviving for 171 days post-surgery, marking a significant step towards the viability of xenotransplantation. Meanwhile, a new study challenges the long-held belief that tooth-picking is the oldest human habit, suggesting that evidence from dental notches in primate teeth may not support this claim. Additionally, a rare two-headed reptile fossil, dating back 125 million years, has been described as "truly exceptional" due to the rarity of bicephalism in both modern and fossilized species. These discoveries highlight the ongoing exploration and understanding of both ancient life and contemporary medical innovations.
Published: Oct 29 2025, 1 pmeznews.inPrime numbers, the building blocks of mathematics, remain one of the most intriguing and complex subjects in the field, with many fundamental questions still unanswered. Despite their simple definition as indivisible numbers, the mysteries surrounding primes have captivated mathematicians for centuries. Notable unsolved problems include Legendre’s conjecture, Goldbach’s conjecture, and the twin prime problem, but the Riemann Hypothesis stands out as the most significant challenge. This hypothesis concerns the distribution of prime numbers and posits a hidden structure that could revolutionize our understanding of primes. Recent advancements, particularly in sieve methods and probabilistic approaches, have brought mathematicians closer to resolving these issues, with some progress on the twin prime conjecture. Experts remain optimistic about the Riemann Hypothesis, suggesting that a proof could unlock new mathematical tools and insights, fundamentally altering the landscape of number theory.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 6 ameznews.inThe tiny handles on maple syrup bottles, often overlooked during pouring, have sparked curiosity about their purpose. These handles, which date back to at least the 1930s, are believed to be a skeuomorph—an ornamental feature that mimics a design from the past without serving a practical function. This design choice likely originated as a marketing strategy during the Great Depression, aiming to evoke nostalgia for larger stone jugs used historically for storing various liquids, including liquor and molasses. Jean-François, curator at the Canada Museum of History, noted that syrup companies sought to connect their product with the imagery of 19th-century crocks, despite the handles being impractical for modern use. Thus, the handles remain a charming relic of marketing ingenuity rather than a functional element of syrup bottles.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 2 pmeznews.inResearchers have shed light on the purpose of stabilimenta, the zigzag silk decorations commonly found in spider webs, particularly in orb-weaving species like the wasp spider (_Argiope bruennichi_). While previous theories suggested these structures might aid in temperature regulation, water collection, or predator deterrence, new findings indicate they play a crucial role in enhancing a spider's ability to detect vibrations from trapped prey. By analyzing the webs and conducting numerical simulations, scientists discovered that the shape and position of stabilimenta significantly influence how vibrations propagate through the web. For instance, decorations aligned with the web's threads improved vibration detection across a larger area. This research not only deepens our understanding of spider behavior but also inspires potential applications in designing advanced materials with tunable properties. The study, published in PLOS One, emphasizes the need for further investigation into the complex functions of these silk structures.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 10 ameznews.inResearchers have unveiled the secrets behind the vibrant colors of ammolite, a rare gemstone formed from fossilized ammonite shells. A team led by Hiroaki Imai from Keio University utilized electron microscopy to analyze vivid ammolite specimens from Alberta, Canada, comparing them to paler samples from Madagascar and modern nacre from abalone and nautilus. The study revealed that the most dazzling ammolite features aragonite plates of uniform thickness with 4-nanometer-wide gaps, which enhance light interference and produce vivid colors. In contrast, variations in plate thickness or gap size lead to paler specimens. The findings not only elucidate the aesthetic qualities of ammolite but also hold potential for developing new optical devices and long-lasting colored paints. This research, published in *Scientific Reports*, highlights the intersection of ancient biology and modern technology, showcasing how the natural world can inspire contemporary innovations.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 12 pmeznews.inIn a thought-provoking proposal, astrophysicist Professor Cosimo Bambi from Fudan University suggests that as technology advances, we should consider sending nanocrafts to black holes, not just exoplanets. Current missions, like Project Starshot, aim to accelerate lightweight spacecraft to 20% of the speed of light, potentially reaching Proxima Centauri in about 25 years. However, the challenge remains in identifying nearby black holes, as many are undetectable unless they are actively feeding. While the closest known black holes are over 1,500 light-years away, future telescopes may uncover nearer candidates. A mission to a black hole could take 60 to 80 years, but it would provide a unique opportunity to test general relativity in extreme conditions. Bambi emphasizes that such ambitious projects are not just for immediate results but for the benefit of future generations of scientists. The study is detailed in the journal *iScience*.
Published: Oct 30 2025, 6 pmeznews.inUsing advanced telescopes, scientists have observed light from the galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, which left 13.5 billion years ago, highlighting our ability to explore the universe's distant past. However, viewing the atomic scale remains a challenge due to the limitations of visible light, which cannot resolve objects smaller than its wavelength of 400 to 700 nanometers. Purdue University explains that X-rays, with wavelengths between 0.01 and 10 nanometers, can effectively image atoms through diffraction patterns created when X-rays interact with crystallized molecules. Electron microscopy also plays a crucial role, utilizing the wave-particle duality of electrons to achieve high-resolution imaging. Recent advancements, such as Cornell University's record-setting imaging of a praseodymium orthoscandate crystal, have pushed the boundaries of atomic resolution. Despite these breakthroughs, experts caution that we may have reached the ultimate limit for atomic imaging without new techniques.
Published: Nov 01 2025, 10 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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