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A recent study from Johns Hopkins University has explored the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis, challenging its historical classification as a hallucinogen. Researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial where volunteers inhaled varying doses of vaporized THC. One participant, identified as H.C., experienced significant impairment after inhaling 25 milligrams of THC, struggling to respond to questions and maintain consciousness. He later reported hallucinogenic sensations, including visual distortions and an out-of-body experience, although these effects differed from those typically associated with classic hallucinogens. The study suggests that the presence of other cannabis components, such as cannabidiol (CBD), may mitigate some of THC's adverse effects, indicating a complex interaction within the cannabis plant that warrants further investigation. The findings highlight the need to reassess the understanding of cannabis and its effects on cognition and perception. 
Published: Mar 18 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe belief that the brain reaches full maturity at 25 is a simplification, as research indicates that brain development is a complex and ongoing process. While the prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational thought and cognitive control, is notably slower to mature, it does not signify that brain development halts at this age. A 2013 study highlighted that the prefrontal cortex continues to evolve beyond 25, with individual variations in development timelines. Recent research involving extensive MRI scans has shown that while certain brain properties peak early in life, changes persist throughout adulthood. Experts Dr. Richard Bethlehem and Dr. Jakob Seidlitz emphasize that the mid-twenties is significant for brain volume but does not mark the end of brain plasticity. Thus, while cognitive abilities may improve with age, the brain remains adaptable well beyond the age of 25, challenging the notion of a definitive "adult" brain.
Published: Mar 17 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking study, researchers have uncovered dormant seed banks in South Africa's critically endangered Cape Flats Sand (CFS) Fynbos, revealing seeds that have remained viable for over 130 years. Located primarily in Tokai Park, part of Cape Town's Table Mountain National Park, this unique ecosystem has suffered from invasive tree species introduced during colonial times. The team, motivated by previous observations of fynbos resurgence following fires, collected soil samples from various park locations to assess the viability of the seeds. Remarkably, exposure to smoke prompted germination, confirming that these seeds, dating back as far as 130 years, can still grow. The findings suggest that ecological restoration of the fynbos is possible, but researchers caution that these seed banks will not last indefinitely, urging immediate action to preserve this vital biodiversity. The study is published in the journal *Plants, People, Planet*.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 4 ameznews.inA recent meta-analysis of over 100 studies has debunked the long-held myth that women's cognitive abilities fluctuate during their menstrual cycle. Despite common beliefs suggesting that menstruation impairs mental performance, the research found no consistent evidence supporting this notion. The study, published in PLOS One, highlights that while hormonal changes occur throughout the cycle, they do not significantly impact cognitive functions such as attention, creativity, and intelligence. Some minor differences in memory and spatial abilities were noted, but these were deemed non-robust and likely specific to the studied groups. The authors emphasize the need for further research to address existing gaps in understanding menstruation's effects on cognition, as many questions remain unanswered. Ultimately, the findings suggest that any cognitive changes related to the menstrual cycle are negligible, challenging societal perceptions of menstruation as a debilitating condition.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 2 ameznews.inA striking video from Hormuz Island, Iran, has gone viral, showing rain cascading down a cliff and turning the beach and sea below a vivid blood red. The footage, shared by a local tour guide, highlights the island's aptly named Red Beach, attracting over a million likes on Instagram. The phenomenon is not due to "blood rain" or divine displeasure, but rather the result of the island's unique geological composition. Hormuz Island, known as "rainbow island" for its colorful mineral deposits, features a salt dome that contains layers of red soil rich in hematite and iron hydroxides. When it rains, this soil interacts with water, creating the striking red hue. While the soil is mined for various uses, including cosmetics and food, its heavy metal content raises health concerns. Locals, however, incorporate the soil, known as 'Gelak', into traditional dishes, including a local bread called 'tomshi'.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 11 pmeznews.inBeneath Colorado's Cheyenne Mountain lies a fortified settlement designed to withstand catastrophic events, including nuclear, electromagnetic, and biological attacks. Constructed during the Cold War, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex is one of the United States' most secure military installations, buried under 760 meters of granite. Its impressive 23-ton blast doors can endure impacts from a 30-megaton nuclear bomb, such as the B41, but would likely falter against the 50-megaton Tsar Bomb, the most powerful nuclear weapon ever tested. The facility, which has been operational since April 20, 1966, houses military and civilian operations, including air and space surveillance and missile defense. The complex's doors were sealed on September 11, 2001, and will close again in response to serious threats, ensuring the safety of approximately 300 personnel inside. The Cheyenne Mountain Complex remains a critical hub for coordinating military responses in times of crisis.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 12 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that nomadic tribes in Central Asia, around 2,000 years ago, utilized diamond drills to create intricate jewelry from semi-precious stones. Researchers analyzed 51 stone beads from the Rabat Cemetery in Uzbekistan, dating from the second century BCE to the first century CE, which were part of the Yuezhi culture. Notably, 41 of these beads exhibited markings indicative of diamond drilling techniques, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of the material. The study found that ancient jewelers employed both single and double diamond drills to perforate the beads, which were likely passed down through generations. This evidence challenges previous assumptions that the beads were imported from the Indus Valley, indicating instead that diamond drilling techniques were locally developed in Bactria. The findings underscore the widespread use of diamond drilling across southern and central Asia long before the technology was documented elsewhere. The research is published in *Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences*.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 9 pmeznews.inAs the spring equinox approaches on March 20, skywatchers may have another opportunity to witness stunning aurora displays, thanks to the Russell-McPherron effect. This phenomenon, which peaks during the equinoxes, occurs when the magnetic fields of the Earth and Sun align in opposite directions, enhancing the capture of charged particles from the solar wind that create auroras. Geophysicist Dr. Ciaran Beggan explains that this alignment maximizes the interaction between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field, leading to increased geomagnetic activity. This year, the potential for spectacular auroras is heightened by the current solar maximum, a phase in the Sun's 11-year cycle characterized by heightened solar activity, including sunspots and solar flares. If significant solar events coincide with the equinox, observers could be treated to an even more impressive display than last year's, when auroras were seen much farther south than usual.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 6 pmeznews.inTwo independent research teams have found that Uranus emits more internal heat than previously recorded by Voyager 2, suggesting it generates some of its own heat rather than solely reflecting sunlight. The findings, which are pending peer review, align Uranus more closely with other gas giants, challenging earlier assumptions that it lacked significant radioactive isotopes. Using data from the Hubble Space Telescope and other advanced instruments, the teams estimated excess heat emissions of 12.5% and 15%, respectively, although both figures are still significantly lower than those of Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn. The discrepancy may stem from Voyager 2's timing during Uranus's equinox, leading to potential miscalculations. Despite these revelations, Uranus remains an outlier among gas giants, with its unusual axial tilt contributing to seasonal heat variations. Future missions, such as a proposed flagship mission, could provide further insights, though funding and timing remain uncertain.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 10 pmeznews.inChina is embarking on an ambitious project to construct a deep-sea laboratory, the "Cold Seep Ecosystem Research Facility," aimed at studying unique underwater ecosystems and advancing scientific research. Announced by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, the facility will be located in Guangzhou and is expected to be completed within five years. It will feature a manned submarine laboratory capable of operating at depths of 2,000 meters, accommodating up to six scientists for extended underwater stays. The research will focus on cold seeps, where hydrocarbon-rich fluids emerge from the seafloor, supporting unique ecosystems and playing a crucial role in the deep carbon cycle. The initiative not only aims to enhance scientific understanding but also seeks to translate discoveries into industrial applications, positioning China as a leader in deep-sea science and contributing to its goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. This development reflects China's broader strategy to assert its influence in maritime research and technology.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 8 pmeznews.inPalaeontologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Morocco, unearthing the world's oldest known cerapodan dinosaur, identified by a distinctive femur dating back approximately 168 million years. This find, located in the El Mers III Formation, is significant as it sheds light on the early evolution of cerapodans, small, plant-eating dinosaurs that later spread globally during the Cretaceous. Prior to this, evidence of ornithopod evolution was limited to fossilized trackways, but this femur represents the oldest body fossil of its kind, surpassing the previous record holder from Leeds, England, by two million years. Dr. Susannah Maidment from the Natural History Museum emphasized the importance of the femur's unique anatomical features, which confirm the diversification of these dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic. The discovery highlights Morocco as a vital site for further exploration of this period in dinosaur history, with the El Mers III Formation also yielding other ancient species.
Published: Mar 18 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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