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Ilya Ivanovich, a Russian biologist born in 1870, made significant strides in artificial insemination, famously inseminating 500 mares with a single stallion's semen. His curiosity led him to experiment with hybridization, creating various animal hybrids, including a zedonk and a rat-mouse. In 1910, he proposed the controversial idea of creating a human-ape hybrid, or "humanzee," which gained traction after the Russian Revolution. With funding from the Soviet government, Ivanov attempted to inseminate chimpanzees with human sperm but faced repeated failures. His plans took a disturbing turn when he suggested inseminating African women with chimpanzee sperm without their consent, a proposal that was ultimately rejected by authorities. Despite recruiting volunteers for his experiments, Ivanov's work was halted when the Soviet Academy withdrew support, leading to his exile and subsequent death, leaving his ambitious hybridization dreams unrealized. 
Published: Mar 25 2025, 1 pmeznews.inA recent study challenges the long-held belief that infants cannot form episodic memories due to an underdeveloped hippocampus. Researchers at Yale University employed functional magnetic resonance imaging to observe the brain activity of awake infants as they engaged in a simple memory task involving familiar images. The findings revealed that infants, particularly those over one year old, exhibited increased hippocampal activity when recognizing previously seen images, suggesting that the ability to encode individual memories emerges earlier than previously thought. While the study confirms that infants can form memories, it raises questions about their long-term retention, with researchers speculating that these memories may be short-lived or inaccessible in adulthood. The study, published in *Science*, indicates that "infantile amnesia" may be more about retrieval difficulties than a lack of memory formation, prompting further investigation into the durability of these early memories throughout childhood.
Published: Mar 22 2025, 3 ameznews.inA groundbreaking study led by geneticists Professor Michel Milinkovitch and postdoctoral researcher Rory Cooper has shed light on feather evolution by manipulating the Sonic Hedgehog (_Shh_) pathway in chicken embryos. This pathway, crucial for embryonic development, was inhibited, resulting in the temporary emergence of primitive feather structures resembling those of certain dinosaurs, known as proto-feathers. While normal feather development resumed after two weeks, the findings underscore the _Shh_ pathway's significant role in feather evolution and its remarkable resilience against genetic disruptions. Milinkovitch noted that while altering foot scales can lead to permanent feather development, disrupting existing feather growth is more challenging. The research highlights the complexity of genetic interactions that have evolved to facilitate the emergence of new morphological traits. The study is published in PLOS Biology, marking a significant step in understanding the evolutionary history of feathers.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA new report from the independent think tank InfluenceMap reveals that up to 80 percent of carbon emissions since 2016 can be attributed to just 57 companies, including nation-states and major corporations involved in fossil fuel extraction and cement production. The top five emitters are China's coal production, Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, Coal India, and the National Iranian Oil Company. Western firms like Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, and Shell also feature prominently. Tzeporah Berman, International Program Director at Stand.earth, criticized these companies for profiting while obstructing climate policy and called for stronger government action and international cooperation through a Fossil Fuel Treaty. The report highlights a significant increase in emissions from state and state-owned producers since the 2016 Paris Agreement, particularly in Asia's coal sector, overshadowing progress made in Europe and North America. Historically, 122 producers have been responsible for 72 percent of global fossil fuel and cement CO2 emissions since the Industrial Revolution.
Published: Mar 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inT Coronae Borealis, known as the Blaze Star, is anticipated to go nova soon, with predictions suggesting potential eruption dates of March 27, 2025, November 10, 2025, and June 25, 2026. This binary star system, comprising a red giant and a white dwarf, experiences periodic brightness increases approximately every 80 years due to the white dwarf siphoning material from its companion. As this material accumulates, it eventually triggers a thermonuclear reaction, resulting in a dramatic explosion that can make the star visible to the naked eye. Historical records indicate previous eruptions in 1787, 1866, and 1946, with a possible earlier event noted in a medieval manuscript from 1217. While the exact timing of the next nova remains uncertain, ongoing observations by astronomers and citizen scientists aim to enhance understanding of such phenomena and improve future predictions.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA giant blue swirl in the sky caused confusion across Europe last night, with many speculating about its origins. The phenomenon, lasting several minutes, is attributed to the launch of SpaceX's classified NROL-69 mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1:48 p.m. ET on March 24. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) oversees this mission, which aims to develop a network of satellites for Earth imaging. Witnesses described the swirl as resembling a "huge Catherine wheel," prompting thoughts of unidentified flying objects. The Met Office confirmed that the spiral was likely the result of the Falcon 9 rocket's exhaust plume, which reflected sunlight as it spread across the atmosphere. Geophysicist Don Hampton noted that similar patterns have been observed in past launches, typically caused by the spinning motion of rocket stages and the freezing of water vapor at high altitudes.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 5 ameznews.inBirdwatchers in Michigan are intrigued by a snowy owl spotted in Huron County, which has unusual orange feathers instead of the typical white and black. Amateur photographer Julie Maggert captured images of the bird, sparking various theories about the cause of its unusual coloration. One prominent theory suggests that the owl may have been contaminated with de-icing fluid from a nearby airport, as some formulations are red-orange. Dr. Scott Weidensaul from Project SNOWstorm supports this idea, while others speculate that a genetic mutation could be responsible for the color change. Professor Kevin McGraw noted that environmental factors, such as toxins or pollutants, might have influenced the bird's pigmentation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is aware of the owl but has no plans to capture it, leaving the mystery of its orange feathers unresolved.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 12 ameznews.inGreenland has seen its coastline expand by approximately 1,620 kilometers (1,000 miles) over the past two decades, primarily due to the melting of glaciers rather than traditional means of territorial gain. An international team of scientists utilized satellite imagery to assess changes in the Northern Hemisphere's marine-terminating glaciers, revealing that around 2,466 kilometers of new coastline emerged between 2000 and 2020, with Greenland accounting for up to 66 percent of this increase. The study highlights the Zachariae Isstrom glacier, which alone contributed over 81 kilometers (50 miles) of new coastline. Additionally, the glacial retreat has unveiled 35 new islands, 29 of which are in Greenland. This phenomenon underscores the impact of climate change on global geography and the potential for geopolitical tensions as nations vie for access to newly exposed resources in the Arctic, a situation that has drawn attention from countries like the US, Canada, and Russia. The findings are detailed in the journal *Nature Climate Change*.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 4 ameznews.inSince their discovery in 1843, the classification of _Prototaxites_ has sparked debate among scientists, with theories suggesting they could be early land plants, giant fungi, or even a new kingdom of life. While most now agree they are a type of fungus, a recent study of _Prototaxites taiti_ fossils from the well-preserved Rhynie chert in Scotland challenges this view. Researchers found that _P. taiti_ lacks key structural components typical of fungi, such as chitin and beta-glucan, and exhibits unique features not seen in any known living fungi. This led them to propose that _P. taiti_ represents a distinct lineage of multicellular life, separate from existing groups, which thrived for millions of years before extinction. The study, currently under peer review, suggests that the ecosystems surrounding _Prototaxites_ were composed of different life forms, indicating a complex prehistoric environment.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 2 ameznews.inWhile the notion that storing eggs pointy side down can prolong their freshness during long voyages is widely circulated, scientific evidence supporting this claim remains elusive. The theory suggests that this method may help keep harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella, away from the yolk, as the egg's porous shell allows for gas and microbial entry. Typically, bacteria accumulate in the air pocket at the rounded end, which can increase pressure on the albumen as the egg ages. By positioning the egg upside down, the air pocket is kept at the top, potentially reducing the risk of bacteria reaching the yolk. However, experts caution that this technique lacks scientific validation, and recommend proper refrigeration at temperatures below 4.4°C (40°F) for safe egg storage. For sailors concerned about egg freshness at sea, installing a fridge may be the most reliable solution.
Published: Mar 26 2025, 1 ameznews.inThe concept of ley lines, proposed by antiquarian Alfred Watkins in 1925, suggests that ancient monuments like Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Giza, and Machu Picchu are connected by invisible pathways. Watkins theorized these alignments facilitated direct routes for prehistoric traders, but the archaeological community quickly dismissed his claims due to the impracticality of straight paths in the varied terrain. The idea gained traction in the 1960s, with some suggesting extraterrestrial connections, yet scientific investigations, such as the Dragon Project, found no evidence supporting the existence of these so-called Earth energies. Critics argue that the abundance of ancient sites in the UK allows for arbitrary connections, akin to drawing lines between random points on a map. While some cultures, like the Incas and ancient Chinese, did create intentional alignments, the broader notion of ley lines remains largely unsubstantiated, with experts like Dr. Robert Wallis deeming it a fantasy.
Published: Mar 25 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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