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Ivan Pavlov, often remembered for his experiments with dogs and a bell, conducted far more invasive and distressing research than commonly acknowledged. Initially focused on the effects of eating on digestive secretions, Pavlov surgically altered his lab dogs by creating fistulas in their throats, allowing him to collect gastric juices for study. He even sold these juices as a remedy for indigestion. To gather more gastric fluids, he set up a "gastric juice factory" where dogs, harnessed and angled towards food, would eat, only for the food to fall out of their neck holes. Despite appearing to enjoy the process, the dogs suffered from starvation and injuries, leading to their premature deaths. Pavlov's observations of the dogs salivating at the sight of his assistant's lab coat led to his discovery of conditioned reflexes, although he used a metronome, not a bell, to establish this association. Today, his legacy is often sanitized, overshadowing the grim realities of his methods. 
Published: Jan 07 2026, 2 ameznews.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 arthropods. Professor Amy Moran noted that the simpler care methods employed by male sea spiders may illuminate the evolutionary transition to more complex parental behaviors. The study is published in the journal Ecology.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 pmeznews.inA recent discovery of 773,000-year-old human remains in Morocco may illuminate a crucial chapter in the human evolutionary story, potentially representing a population of hominins that lived just before the divergence of modern humans from Neanderthals and Denisovans. Unearthed at the Grotte à Hominidés site near Casablanca, these fossils include partial jawbones and vertebrae, showcasing a blend of ancient and modern traits. This find challenges previous theories that suggested the common ancestor of these lineages resided in Eurasia, as all known early _Homo sapiens_ fossils prior to 90,000 years ago have been found in Africa. Professor Jean-Jacques Hublin, who led the research, posits that these remains could represent a late form of _Homo erectus_, hinting at an African origin for modern humans. The study, published in *Nature*, underscores the significance of Africa in the early stages of human evolution.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 4 ameznews.inOn April 23, 1972, NASA's Apollo 16 mission saw astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke depart the Moon's surface, carrying 95 kilograms of lunar rock back to Earth. Their journey was not without challenges; a malfunction in the Command Module's engine forced pilot Ken Mattingly to delay the lunar landing while he worked to restore the correct orbit. Despite the setback, Young and Duke successfully explored the Moon, although they had to cancel one planned excursion, including a lighthearted "Moon Olympics" event. Duke left behind a family photograph, a piece of beta cloth, and a medallion as mementos, intending to inspire his children by saying they could "go to the moon" with him. These items remain on the lunar surface, a testament to the mission's legacy and the personal touch of the astronauts involved.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 6 pmeznews.inThe Simulation Hypothesis, a concept suggesting that our reality may be a computer-generated simulation akin to a video game, has gained traction among some prominent figures, including Elon Musk and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who posits that the odds of living in a simulation are "better than 50-50." However, critics argue that the hypothesis lacks scientific validity, as it cannot be confirmed or disproven, rendering it more a form of pseudoscience than a legitimate theory. Rooted in philosophical skepticism, the idea echoes René Descartes' Evil Demon hypothesis, which questions the nature of reality. Swedish philosopher Nick Boström's statistical reasoning further popularized the notion, suggesting that simulated consciousnesses could outnumber real ones. Yet, experts like theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder contend that the hypothesis is vague and lacks a coherent framework, likening its appeal to religious beliefs that posit a higher power controlling our fates.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 2 ameznews.inA groundbreaking study from Stanford Medicine has established a link between the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting over 5 million people globally. The research reveals that while EBV infects fewer than 1 in 10,000 B cells in healthy individuals, this figure rises to 1 in 400 in lupus patients. The study identifies a "molecular switch" gene activated by EBV in infected B cells, triggering a cascade of pro-inflammatory responses that lead to the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues. Senior author William Robinson emphasized the significance of this finding, suggesting it could apply to all lupus cases. However, the study notes that not all EBV-infected individuals develop lupus, indicating that specific strains of the virus may be responsible for this transformation. The findings, published in *Science Translational Medicine*, could also have implications for understanding other autoimmune diseases linked to EBV, such as multiple sclerosis.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 4 ameznews.inResearchers at New York University have launched an interactive "multilingual calculator" designed to help individuals assess their multilingual abilities. The tool, which covers nearly 50 languages, including American Sign Language, prompts users to answer questions about their language learning history and proficiency. Based on these responses, it generates a profile indicating the user's dominant language and overall multilingualism score, ranging from monolingual to "perfect polyglot." Senior author Esti Blanco-Elorrieta noted that many users are surprised to discover they are more multilingual than they believed, challenging the misconception that fluency must be equal across all languages. The calculator aims to provide a nuanced understanding of language experience, moving beyond simplistic labels like "monolingual" or "bilingual." The study, published in the journal Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, suggests that self-reported language proficiency is a reliable measure of linguistic ability.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 9 pmeznews.inThe microscopic world is a realm filled with bizarre and fascinating entities, often so distant from our everyday experiences that they can be difficult to comprehend. To engage with this intriguing domain, readers are invited to participate in a quiz hosted on Playbuzz, which challenges them to identify various objects based solely on their appearances under a microscope. This interactive experience not only tests one's observational skills but also highlights the extraordinary details that lie hidden from the naked eye. For those seeking to delve deeper into the wonders of microscopy, further content is available, although it requires a subscription for full access.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 10 pmeznews.inTokyo has lost its title as the world's most populous city, with Jakarta now taking the lead, according to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report. Jakarta's population is estimated at nearly 42 million, followed closely by Dhaka at almost 40 million, while Tokyo's population stands at 33 million. This shift is attributed to a new methodology for defining urban areas, which has significantly increased Jakarta's population count. Additionally, Japan's ongoing demographic challenges, including a declining birth rate and an aging population, have contributed to Tokyo's fall from first to third place since 2000. Projections indicate that by 2050, Tokyo's population may shrink to 30.7 million, further dropping its rank among global megacities. Meanwhile, Dhaka and Shanghai are expected to experience rapid growth, with Dhaka projected to surpass Jakarta as the largest city by mid-century.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 5 pmeznews.inWhile some volcanoes, like Yellowstone, are well-known for their potential catastrophic eruptions, geologists warn that large igneous provinces (LIPs) pose an even greater threat. These vast regions, formed by massive volcanic activity over millions of years, can unleash eruptions of up to 10,000 cubic kilometers of lava, significantly altering the planet's landscape and atmosphere. Experts like Leif Karlstrom and Stephen Grasby highlight that LIPs can lead to a series of eruptions that, while individually mild, collectively create devastating environmental impacts, including mass extinctions. Historical events, such as the Siberian Traps eruption, have been linked to the greatest extinction events in Earth's history. Although LIP events are rare, with an average occurrence of every 10 million years, the current rate of carbon emissions from human activity could trigger similar catastrophic climate changes without the need for volcanic eruptions, potentially leading to severe ecological consequences in the near future.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 4 pmeznews.inA recent study suggests that intimacy with a partner can accelerate the healing of physical wounds, with the effects enhanced by the hormone oxytocin, often dubbed the "love hormone." Researchers applied small blister wounds to the forearms of 80 heterosexual couples, dividing them into groups that received either oxytocin nasal spray or a placebo, alongside a Partner Appreciation Task (PAT) involving compliments. While oxytocin alone did not speed healing, combining it with the PAT resulted in faster recovery, particularly for couples who also engaged in sexual activity. The study found that higher sexual activity correlated with lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress may play a role in healing. Interestingly, even daily affectionate touch, when paired with oxytocin, contributed to quicker recovery, suggesting that oxytocin enhances the benefits of intimacy rather than acting independently. The findings are published in JAMA Psychiatry.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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