eznews.inScientists have unveiled 14 new marine species, including popcorn-like parasites and ghostly crustaceans, as part of the Ocean Species Discoveries project aimed at accelerating the documentation of marine life. This initiative seeks to address the significant knowledge gap in marine biodiversity, with estimates suggesting around 2 million species exist, yet only a small fraction have been formally described. Among the newly identified species is _Veleropilina gretchenae_, a mollusk found at a depth of 6,465 meters in the Aleutian Trench, and _Zeaione everta_, a parasitic isopod with a unique appearance resembling popped popcorn. The project emphasizes the need for faster and more efficient taxonomy, as approximately 91% of ocean species remain unclassified and over 80% of the ocean is unexplored. The findings highlight the ongoing efforts to enhance our understanding of the planet's oceans, with the study published in the Biodiversity Data Journal. 
Published: Oct 17 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Taftan volcano in southeastern Iran, a 3,940-meter stratovolcano, is exhibiting signs of volcanic unrest for the first time in millions of years, with its summit swelling by approximately 9 centimeters between July 2023 and May 2024. Previously considered faintly active, Taftan has not erupted in recorded human history, with the last major eruption estimated to have occurred around 700,000 years ago. Recent research suggests that the swelling may be due to magma being pushed upward by hot water and steam deep underground, although no specific triggering events have been identified. This unexpected activity indicates that Taftan is more active than previously thought, prompting calls for enhanced monitoring and updated geological hazard assessments in the region. The findings underscore the need for vigilance as scientists reassess the volcano's risk profile. The study is published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 11 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that lead exposure, long recognized as a modern health threat, has influenced human evolution for over two million years. Researchers analyzed fossilized teeth from ancient hominins and great apes, discovering that lead exposure was widespread across Africa, Europe, and Asia, likely due to volcanic dust and contaminated water. The study highlights that _Homo sapiens_ exhibit greater resistance to lead poisoning compared to Neanderthals, potentially explaining the latter's extinction. By examining the _NOVA1_ gene, which regulates brain response to lead, scientists found that modern humans possess a variant that offers protection against the toxin, unlike the Neanderthal version. Laboratory-grown mini-brains demonstrated that Neanderthal variants were more adversely affected by lead, disrupting genes linked to language development. This suggests that lead exposure may have shaped cognitive abilities and social behaviors, contributing to the survival of _Homo sapiens_ while hindering Neanderthals. The findings are published in *Science Advances*.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 1965, the US Air Force and MIT's Lincoln Laboratory launched the first super-high-frequency satellites, LES-1 and LES-2, designed to demonstrate military space communications. While LES-1, launched on February 11, 1965, failed to meet its objectives due to miswiring and ceased transmissions by 1967, its twin, LES-2, successfully achieved its planned orbit. Remarkably, in 2013, amateur radio astronomer Phil Williams detected a signal from the long-silent LES-1, which had become a "zombie satellite." This phenomenon, attributed to a potential electrical short, allowed the satellite to intermittently transmit signals again. The Lincoln Laboratory has since recorded these signals, highlighting LES-1's legacy in satellite communications. Navid Yazdani from the Laboratory noted the significance of LES-1's continued operation, emphasizing its role in advancing satellite technology for both military and civilian applications. The satellite remains in orbit and operational today.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA new trend known as "vabbing" is gaining traction on social media, particularly TikTok, where users claim that applying vaginal secretions to pulse points can enhance attractiveness, serving as a natural alternative to perfume. The trend was popularized by influencer Mandy Lee, who suggested using two fingers to collect fluids before applying them to areas like the neck and wrists. Proponents, including sex educator Shan Boodram, argue that vaginal fluids may contain copulins—chemical messengers that could stimulate sexual arousal, similar to pheromones in the animal kingdom. However, scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of vabbing is limited, with research indicating that while some women produce copulins, no definitive human pheromone has been identified. Despite the lack of robust scientific backing, the trend continues to flourish online, with many users sharing their experiences and promoting its supposed benefits.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 1 ameznews.inDe-extinction is emerging as a significant scientific pursuit, with companies like Colossal Biosciences aiming to revive species such as the woolly mammoth, thylacine, dodo, moa, and dire wolf, all of which faced extinction largely due to human activity. Colossal has already achieved what it terms "functional de-extinction" with the dire wolf and aims to produce a living mammoth by 2028. In a recent episode of _The Big Questions_, host Rachael Funnell engages with Colossal's co-founder Ben Lamm, chief science officer Beth Shapiro, and chief animal officer Matt James, alongside historian Professor Sadiah Qureshi, who prompts critical discussions about the implications of de-extinction and its potential to prevent future extinctions. As this innovative field develops, it raises essential questions about our responsibilities towards biodiversity and the ethical considerations of resurrecting lost species.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 9 ameznews.inA recent study has uncovered potential evidence of a galactic supernova in a 12th-century Arabic poem praising Saladin, the first sultan of Egypt and Syria. The poem, attributed to Ibn Sanā' al-Mulk and dated between December 1181 and May 1182, describes a celestial event that outshone the star Arcturus, suggesting it may refer to Supernova 1181, which was visible for 185 days in the constellation Cassiopeia. Researchers noted that the poem's vivid imagery and references to the star's brightness provide valuable insights into the supernova's characteristics, including its magnitude and visibility to laypeople and astronomers alike. This discovery adds to historical records of supernovae, complementing earlier observations by ancient Chinese astronomers. The findings, published in *Astronomical Notes*, highlight the potential for further exploration of ancient texts to uncover more about this rare astronomical phenomenon.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 8 ameznews.inThe "Purple Earth Hypothesis," proposed by Professor Shiladitya DasSarma and Dr. Edward Schwieterman, suggests that early Earth may have been dominated by purple microorganisms rather than the green life forms we see today. This theory posits that before the Great Oxygenation Event, when Earth's atmosphere was rich in carbon dioxide and methane, photosynthetic organisms utilized a simpler pigment called retinal, which absorbs green light and reflects purple. This could have given the oceans a mauve tint, as retinal-based microbes thrived in low-oxygen environments. As evolution progressed, chlorophyll-based photosynthesis emerged, allowing organisms to exploit blue and red light wavelengths, leading to the dominance of green life forms. While chlorophyll is now the predominant pigment on Earth, the hypothesis highlights the possibility that extraterrestrial life could be based on different pigments, potentially leading to a spectrum of colors beyond green in the search for habitable worlds.
Published: Oct 14 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe Movile Cave in Romania, isolated for 5.5 million years, hosts a remarkable ecosystem unlike any other on Earth. Discovered in 1986 during a search for nuclear power plant sites, the cave is now restricted to researchers due to its extreme conditions, including low oxygen levels and high concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. A 1996 study revealed 48 species, 33 of which are unique to the cave, including various invertebrates that have adapted to the darkness by losing pigmentation and eyesight. Notably, the cave's ecosystem relies on chemosynthetic bacteria for energy, drawing parallels to deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities. Despite extensive research, many species remain undiscovered, offering potential insights into evolutionary biology and the nature of life itself. The Movile Cave continues to intrigue scientists, highlighting the resilience of life in extreme environments.
Published: Oct 18 2025, 3 ameznews.inTuberculosis (TB) has reclaimed its position as the deadliest infectious disease globally, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report. In 2023, TB caused 1.25 million deaths, significantly surpassing the 320,000 fatalities attributed to COVID-19. The report highlights that 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, a slight increase from 2022, with 87% of cases concentrated in just 30 countries, particularly India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with WHO calling for urgent action to end the epidemic by 2030. While the number of TB-related deaths has been declining overall, funding for prevention and research remains critically low, with only $5.7 billion allocated last year against a target of $22 billion. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for countries to fulfill their commitments to combat TB effectively.
Published: Oct 17 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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