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In a groundbreaking development, Peru has become the first country to grant legal rights to an insect, specifically the native stingless bee, which plays a crucial role in pollinating over 80% of Amazonian flora. The Provincial Municipality of Satipo approved Municipal Ordinance No. 33-2025-CM/MPS, recognizing the bees' inherent rights to exist, thrive, and maintain healthy populations, as well as to a pollution-free habitat and stable climatic conditions. This historic legislation, supported by the Earth Law Center and local Indigenous groups, aims to protect these vital pollinators from threats such as deforestation and climate change. The bees, cultivated for centuries for their medicinal honey, are essential not only for biodiversity but also for global crops like coffee and chocolate. Advocates believe this pioneering ordinance could inspire similar initiatives worldwide, marking a significant shift in environmental law and our relationship with nature. 
Published: Dec 31 2025, 9 pmeznews.inFaces are integral to human interaction, serving as key indicators of identity and emotion, while also being a focal point for social judgments. A recent review highlights the historical use of facial disfigurement as a form of punishment across various cultures, from ancient Egypt to modern times. This practice, often targeting women, has roots in societal norms surrounding beauty and morality, with disfigurement seen as a means to humiliate and mark transgressors. Evidence of intentional facial mutilation dates back to Neolithic times, with methods evolving to include acid attacks in contemporary contexts. The motivations behind such acts are complex, often linked to gender dynamics and personal vendettas rather than legal transgressions. The authors of the study advocate for further research into the social and cultural factors driving facial disfigurement, suggesting that understanding these motivations could inform public health and judicial policies to better address this issue.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe Surinam toad (_Pipa pipa_), often mistaken for a squashed fruit due to its unremarkable appearance, exhibits a remarkable and somewhat unsettling reproductive process. Males attract females by producing a metallic sound with their hyoid bone, leading to a mating embrace known as amplexus. Following fertilization, the female's back becomes a nursery for the developing offspring, which remain embedded in her skin until they fully mature into toadlets. This unique birthing method can trigger trypophobia—a condition characterized by an aversion to clusters of holes—affecting 10 to 18 percent of the population. Individuals with this aversion may experience intense disgust or sensations akin to skin crawling when confronted with the toad's honeycomb-like back. Researchers suggest this reaction may serve as an evolutionary defense against parasites, highlighting the complex interplay between human psychology and the natural world.
Published: Dec 29 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn Bangkok, the award-winning restaurant Wattana Panich serves a unique beef and goat soup that has been continuously brewed for 49 years, a culinary tradition maintained by three generations of chefs. Each night, the remaining soup is stored and replenished with fresh ingredients, creating a "delicious and aromatic" dish that has garnered numerous accolades, including recognition from the Michelin Guide. Similarly, Tokyo's Otafuku restaurant has been serving a constantly replenished stew called oden since 1945, with its origins dating back to 1916, though the original was lost during World War II. These perpetual soups are deemed safe to eat, as they are regularly heated to temperatures that eliminate harmful bacteria. While the concept may evoke the philosophical "Soup of Theseus," diners can enjoy these age-old recipes without concern, provided that no harmful ingredients are introduced.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAristotle's assertion that humans possess five senses has long been challenged, with modern research suggesting a far more complex sensory system. Notably, a study from Duke University has identified a "neurobiotic sense" that connects gut microbes to the brain, influencing appetite regulation through the detection of flagellin, a protein released by gut bacteria. Additionally, researchers have discovered a "remote touch" sense in humans, akin to that of shorebirds, allowing individuals to detect objects hidden in sand with surprising precision. This finding could enhance the development of assistive technologies and advanced robotics. The late Professor Sir Colin Blakemore emphasized the importance of understanding senses in a multisensory context, arguing that experiences like taste involve the interplay of multiple senses. As research continues, the potential for recognizing up to 33 senses opens new avenues for understanding human perception.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAbout 50 kilometers south of Saudi Arabia's Tayman Oasis lies Al Naslaa, a striking geological formation featuring a massive boulder, approximately 9 meters across, split perfectly down the middle. This unusual divide, appearing as if cut by a laser, has sparked speculation about extraterrestrial involvement, though geological explanations abound. The rock, which also features ancient petroglyphs depicting Arabian horses and ibexes, is believed to date back thousands of years. Theories regarding its split include natural processes such as fault line activity, freeze-thaw weathering, or even human intervention using metal tools. The boulder rests on pedestals known as mushroom rocks, formed by weathering. Al Naslaa serves as both a natural wonder and a potential archaeological site, inviting visitors to explore its mysteries in the Tayma Oasis, near the Al Knanafah Wildlife Sanctuary.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA promising new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, named NU-9, has demonstrated the ability to halt neurodegeneration in mice before symptoms manifest, raising hopes for future human trials. Unlike existing medications that target amyloid-β, NU-9 works by neutralizing a toxic subtype of this protein, identified as ACU193+ oligomers, which contributes to early cellular dysfunction and inflammation. Researchers emphasize the importance of early intervention, as many clinical trials fail due to late-stage treatment initiation. The study, led by neurobiology professor William Klein, highlights NU-9's potential to reduce neuroinflammation and levels of another protein linked to cognitive decline, TDP-43. While the challenge remains to diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier in humans, advancements in blood tests may pave the way for timely treatment. Further animal studies are planned to explore NU-9's efficacy in models that better reflect human Alzheimer’s progression. The findings are published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 pmeznews.inCrater Lake, located in Oregon, is the deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of 592 meters (1,943 feet), deep enough to submerge six Statues of Liberty. Formed approximately 7,700 years ago by the collapse of Mount Mazama after a significant volcanic eruption, the lake is filled solely by rainfall and snowmelt, resulting in its strikingly clear blue waters. The lake features two islands, Wizard Island and Phantom Ship, the latter resembling a ghostly vessel. Notably, the "Old Man of the Lake," a 9-meter tree stump, has been bobbing vertically for over a century. Crater Lake National Park, home to diverse wildlife including elk and bald eagles, is also significant to the Klamath Tribes, who have lived in the area for over 13,000 years and regard the lake as sacred. The lake rarely freezes, with the last occurrence recorded in 1949, and occasionally displays natural pollen on its surface during summer.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 pmeznews.inRecent viral posts have suggested that the "52-hertz whale," often dubbed the world's loneliest whale, has found companionship, but these claims lack substantial evidence. The 52-hertz whale was first identified in 1989 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, which noted its unique call at a frequency much higher than that of any known whale species. Despite its solitary reputation, experts like Christopher Clark from Cornell University suggest that the whale may not be as isolated as believed, as other blue whales could potentially recognize its calls. While past studies indicated the possibility of multiple whales producing similar sounds, no new evidence has emerged in the last decade. A 2021 documentary hinted at a potential sighting of a blue-fin whale hybrid, which could explain the unusual calls, adding a layer of intrigue to the ongoing narrative of this enigmatic creature.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 6 pmeznews.inChina's ultra-high-speed maglev train, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), has set a new speed record, reaching over 623 kilometers (387 miles) per hour during a recent test on a full-scale track in Datong, Shanxi province. This achievement surpasses the previous record and demonstrates the effectiveness of maglev technology, which uses magnetism for propulsion and levitation, significantly reducing friction. The test was conducted in a low-vacuum tube, further enhancing speed by minimizing air resistance. CASIC has ambitious plans to develop trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) per hour, with future aspirations of achieving 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) per hour. While maglev trains are costly and energy-intensive, they represent a significant advancement in transportation technology, contrasting with the stalled Hyperloop projects outside China.
Published: Dec 31 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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