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When you close your eyes, you may notice swirling patterns and flashes of light, known as "phosphenes." These visual sensations occur even in darkness due to the ongoing activity of cells at the back of the eyes, which generate weak internal signals mimicking light. Katrina Schmid, an Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, explains that these patterns arise from random activity in the retinal cells, which the brain interprets as visual stimuli. While phosphenes are typically harmless, they can also indicate underlying issues such as retinal detachment or neurological conditions, especially if the patterns change or become more pronounced. Applying pressure to the eyeball can also induce phosphenes, but caution is advised. If you experience persistent or altered visual disturbances, consulting a medical professional is recommended. 
Published: Apr 27 2025, 10 ameznews.inChina's Guizhou province is set to unveil the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, which will become the world's highest bridge upon its completion in June 2025. Rising 625 meters (2,051 feet) above the canyon floor and spanning 1,420 meters (4,659 feet) without support struts, the bridge showcases advanced suspension design, with massive cables anchored deep into the ground. This engineering marvel aims to enhance Guizhou's status as a tourist destination and is part of China's broader expressway expansion, which has significantly improved connectivity across the nation. The bridge will feature a tourist center and a glass elevator leading to a café atop its south tower. Safety is paramount, with cables designed to withstand temperatures up to 1,100°C (2,012°F) for an hour. Guizhou already boasts more high bridges than any other region globally, reflecting China's rapid advancements in bridge construction since the 1990s.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 11 ameznews.inA new genetic analysis of ancient teeth has challenged the long-held belief that Native Americans descended from the Jōmon people of Japan, who lived from around 14,000 to 300 BCE. Previously, archaeological evidence suggested that the First Peoples arrived in North America from Japan approximately 15,000 years ago, using the Bering Land Bridge. However, a study published in *PaleoAmerica* led by Professor Richard Scott found minimal genetic links between Native Americans and the Jōmon population, indicating that the origins of Native Americans likely lie elsewhere, possibly in Siberia. The research also noted that only 7% of Jōmon teeth samples were related to non-Arctic Native Americans. Additionally, the discovery of ancient human footprints in New Mexico, dating back 23,000 to 21,000 years, suggests that humans migrated to the Americas much earlier than previously thought, further undermining the Japan-origin theory.
Published: May 01 2025, 12 pmeznews.inRoyal honey, a blend of regular honey and royal jelly, is marketed as a health food and aphrodisiac, but its claims are under scrutiny. While honey has been valued for its sweetness and potential medicinal properties for centuries, royal honey gained notoriety in 2022 when the FDA discovered some products contained undisclosed erectile dysfunction medications, raising safety concerns. Royal jelly, a nutrient-rich substance secreted by worker bees, is essential for bee fertility and contains vitamins that may benefit human health, though its effects are limited at typical consumption levels. Studies suggest royal jelly may enhance sperm count and mobility in men, but there is no evidence of similar benefits for women. Despite its touted properties, the aphrodisiac effects of royal honey are largely considered a placebo, prompting consumers to weigh the high cost against the potential risks and limited benefits.
Published: May 01 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe Soviet Union's Kosmos 482 spacecraft, a failed mission from 1972 intended to study Venus, is predicted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the coming weeks, specifically around May 10, 2025. Launched as part of a successful series of probes that included the historic Venera missions, Kosmos 482 malfunctioned shortly after launch, resulting in its separation into four pieces, with two remaining in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft has since been in a decaying orbit, and while it poses minimal risk due to its small size of approximately 480 kilograms, its re-entry could be intriguing. Experts suggest it may survive the descent intact, similar to a meteorite impact, with potential landing sites across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia, or Africa, though a watery end is most likely. Satellite analyst Marco Langbroek will continue to monitor its trajectory as the date approaches.
Published: May 01 2025, 7 ameznews.inGorillas, despite their impressive size and strength, possess the smallest penises relative to body size among mammals, measuring just 3 centimeters (1.1 inches) long. This surprising fact is linked to their social structure, which is hierarchical and polygynous, allowing dominant males to mate without the need for larger genitalia. Unlike their chimpanzee relatives, who live in multi-male groups and require larger testes to produce more sperm for competition, gorillas rely on physical dominance to secure mating rights. Research indicates that gorilla sperm is not only low in quantity but also less effective, with poor motility and function. Interestingly, genetic similarities between gorillas and humans suggest that some traits associated with low sperm counts in men may have evolved from gorilla genetics. This raises questions about the evolutionary pressures shaping human reproductive traits, where social status and intelligence may play a more significant role than physical attributes.
Published: May 01 2025, 6 ameznews.inA new study from Aalto University suggests that the notoriously challenging video game _Dark Souls_ may have a positive impact on players' mental health. Despite its reputation for punishing difficulty, the game has been reported by players to help them cope with depression. The research, which analyzed self-reported experiences from Reddit users, found that the game's structure encourages acceptance of failure, a valuable life lesson. Players identified the game's "hollowing" mechanic, which symbolizes the struggle with depression, as particularly resonant. This mechanic reflects the loss of humanity and vulnerability, yet can be reversed, mirroring real-life recovery. Additionally, the game's online community fosters support and encouragement, contributing to its therapeutic value. The findings challenge the often negative portrayal of video games, highlighting _Dark Souls_ as an example of how gaming can enhance well-being and provide coping mechanisms for life's challenges. The study was presented at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems.
Published: May 01 2025, 4 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking study published in PLOS One, researchers from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) revealed the results of an unprecedented experiment where they dropped alligators 2,000 meters onto the ocean floor to observe deep-sea scavengers. The study, conducted in February 2019, aimed to understand how marine creatures in the Gulf of Mexico would respond to an unusual food source. Contrary to expectations, giant pink isopods swiftly penetrated the alligator hides within 24 hours, while another alligator was completely stripped of soft tissue in just 51 days, revealing a new species of bone-eating worm, a first for the Gulf. The fate of a third alligator remains a mystery, as it vanished along with its weights, likely taken by a large shark. This research highlights the adaptability of deep-sea ecosystems and the importance of unexpected food sources in these environments.
Published: May 01 2025, 2 ameznews.inAstronomers have made a surprising discovery regarding the Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest galactic neighbor, revealing that most of its satellite galaxies are oriented towards the Milky Way. This finding challenges the standard model of galaxy formation, which posits that satellite galaxies should be randomly distributed due to gravitational interactions. Instead, nearly 80% of Andromeda's 37 satellites lie within a 107° arc facing our galaxy, a configuration that occurs in less than 0.3% of similar systems in cosmological simulations. The study, published in *Nature Astronomy*, suggests that this unusual alignment may indicate a unique accretion history for Andromeda, possibly linked to a significant merger event two to three billion years ago. While the results raise questions about current cosmological models, further observations of fainter satellites are necessary to confirm these findings and explore alternative explanations.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 10 pmeznews.inGenetic analysis of hundreds of mammoths has shed light on their evolutionary history, revealing how these Ice Age giants adapted to environmental changes. Researchers from Stockholm University and the Centre for Palaeogenetics sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of 34 previously unexamined mammoths from North America and Siberia, some dating back over 129,000 years. By comparing these mitogenomes with over 200 existing samples, the study traced significant branches in the mammoth family tree to major climatic shifts and population dynamics during the Pleistocene Epoch. Notably, a population bottleneck around 285,000 years ago likely reduced genetic diversity, followed by a surge in new lineages. The findings suggest Siberia as the original homeland for mammoths and indicate that three genetic groups emerged in the Late Pleistocene, all sharing a common ancestor approximately 780,000 years ago. This research highlights the importance of mitogenomes in understanding mammoth evolution and diversity.
Published: Apr 30 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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