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A recent study of a 30-meter sediment core from the Great Blue Hole, located in Lighthouse Reef Atoll off the coast of Belize, reveals a troubling increase in hurricane activity over the past 5,700 years. Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt found evidence of 574 storm events, indicating a rise in tropical storms and hurricanes in the southwestern Caribbean, with projections suggesting up to 45 storms could occur this century alone. The sediment layers, resembling tree rings, highlight distinct tempestites caused by storm surges, contrasting with calmer periods. The study attributes this surge in storm frequency to human-driven climate change, exacerbated by rising sea temperatures and shifts in the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The findings underscore the urgent need to address climate change, as the region faces a stormier future. The research is published in the journal Science Advances. 
Published: Apr 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAt a meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1871, Lord Kelvin, also known as William Thomson, posed a provocative question about the origins of life on Earth, suggesting that life may have arrived from outer space rather than emerging spontaneously. He argued against supernatural explanations, proposing that life could have been transported to Earth on fragments from other planets, a concept now known as "Panspermia." This theory posits that microorganisms could survive the harsh conditions of space, potentially hitching rides on asteroids or comets. While the mainstream scientific view leans towards abiogenesis—the natural emergence of life from non-living matter—Panspermia remains a contentious yet intriguing hypothesis. As space exploration advances, the debate continues, raising philosophical questions about the implications of seeding life on other planets and the nature of our own origins. Despite its challenges, Panspermia invites further inquiry into the mysteries of life in the universe.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 3 ameznews.inResearchers have made a significant advancement in the quest to understand dark matter, a mysterious substance that is believed to outweigh regular matter by five to one. A leading hypothesis suggests that dark matter could be composed of axions, extremely light particles that interact weakly with light. In a groundbreaking study, scientists at Harvard created a quasiparticle, termed the dynamical axion quasiparticle (DAQ), which mimics the properties of axions. This quasiparticle was discovered in a manganese, bismuth, and tellurium material, MnBi2Te4, known for its unique magnetic characteristics. The DAQ oscillates at a frequency of 44 gigahertz, which can be adjusted using a magnetic field, potentially allowing researchers to detect axion dark matter through resonance. While the existence of axions remains unproven, Dr. David Marsh from King’s College London expressed optimism that ongoing and future experiments could lead to their discovery within the next two decades.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA recent study from Michigan State University reveals a significant shift in attitudes towards parenthood in the U.S., with the percentage of nonparents who do not wish to have children rising from 14% in 2002 to 29% in 2023. Concurrently, the number of nonparents planning to have children has dropped from 79% to 59%. Key reasons for this trend include concerns about the state of the world, environmental issues, negative family experiences, and a simple preference for not having children, cited by 57% of respondents aged 18 to 49. This demographic shift indicates that many individuals are choosing to remain childfree rather than being unable to have children. As this group grows, it poses challenges for policymakers and service providers, who must adapt to the needs of childfree adults, including long-term contraception and retirement planning. The findings underscore the complexity of modern family planning and the evolving societal landscape.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that an ancient tribe of hunter-gatherers on the south Texas coast may have created music using modified human bones, specifically a musical rasp made from a humerus. Dr. Matthew Taylor from Augusta University analyzed 29 human bone artifacts from the Late Prehistoric period, all dating from 1300 to 1528 AD, and found that 27 were crafted from arm or leg bones using a labor-intensive "groove-and-snap technique." While such artifacts are often linked to ancestor worship or war trophies, Taylor notes a lack of evidence for these practices in South Texas. The discovered rasp, featuring 29 notches and geometric designs, resembles the omichicahuaztli instruments used by pre-Hispanic cultures in central Mexico, suggesting a cultural exchange between the Aztecs and local tribes. Taylor emphasizes that the handling of human remains was not viewed as taboo, although the study does not confirm or deny cannibalism. The findings are published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a bizarre case from 2014, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after injecting himself with mercury in a misguided attempt to gain superpowers inspired by a character from the _X-Men_ franchise. The child arrived at a trauma center with large ulcers on his forearm, which had persisted for over two months. Initially suspected of substance abuse, he later revealed to psychiatric staff that he had taken mercury from a broken thermometer and a sphygmomanometer, motivated by a character named "Mercury" from the comics. Although the doctors misidentified the film and character, they confirmed elevated mercury levels in his urine. Fortunately, the boy had injected the substance subcutaneously, limiting potential harm. After surgical removal of the mercury and necrotic tissue, he was discharged in good health. The case is notable as most mercury injection incidents are linked to suicide attempts, but this boy was deemed mentally healthy despite his unusual actions.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inA new study from the University of Melbourne and the University of California, Berkeley, has examined the relationship between language and environmental concepts, particularly focusing on the often-cited claim that Inuit languages have over 50 words for "snow." Analyzing a dataset of 616 languages, researchers found that Eastern Canadian Inuktitut indeed has a rich vocabulary for snow, with terms like _kikalukpok_ (noisy walking on hard snow) and _apingaut_ (first snowfall). Other languages, including Scots, also feature numerous snow-related terms. The study revealed that while snowy regions have extensive vocabulary for snow, this does not apply to rain, which is crucial for survival. Additionally, oceanic languages tend to have more words for smell, and smaller societies often have a richer vocabulary for dance. The authors caution that their findings could reinforce stereotypes and urge careful interpretation of the data. The study is published in PNAS.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inYouTuber and science communicator Steve Mould, known for his engaging physics demonstrations, has explored the intriguing notion that running uphill on a treadmill might be easier than on an actual hill. Contrary to his expectations, Mould's experiments revealed that running on a treadmill requires about 9 watts of power, while running up a ramp demands around 10 watts, prompting him to reflect on the discomfort of receiving unexpected results. Drawing parallels to flat-Earthers, Mould expressed newfound empathy for those grappling with contradictory evidence, despite firmly rejecting their beliefs. He speculated that factors like wind resistance and slipping on the treadmill could explain the discrepancy in his findings. Mould concluded that further refinement of his experiments is necessary to fully understand the dynamics at play, emphasizing the importance of scientific inquiry in addressing unexpected outcomes.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe world’s population growth has dramatically slowed, with many countries experiencing a peak and subsequent decline. In 2024, the global population reached eight billion, but UN forecasts suggest only an additional two billion will be added over the next 60 years, peaking at 10.3 billion in the 2080s before dropping to 10.2 billion by century's end. This shift is largely attributed to a significant reduction in fertility rates, now below the replacement level of 2.1 in over half of all nations, with nearly 20% experiencing "ultra-low fertility" rates of fewer than 1.4 births per woman. Countries like China, Russia, and Japan are among those projected to see a population decrease of about 14% by 2054. As industrialization progresses, women are having fewer children, leading to an aging population where those over 65 are expected to outnumber those under 18 by 2070.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study by researchers Michael J. Rosenfeld and Katherina Roesler has examined the evolving predictors of divorce in the United States since the 1950s, revealing significant shifts influenced by economic and social inequalities. Analyzing data from 10 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth, which included 47,390 women and 14,236 divorces, the study found that while divorce rates between Black and non-Black women converged post-Civil Rights movement, they have widened again since 2000, aligning with the "Diverging Destinies" hypothesis. The research highlights that educational attainment remains a protective factor against divorce, with a growing gap in rates between women with and without university degrees. Additionally, marrying at a younger age has increasingly correlated with marital instability. Despite some limitations, the study underscores the profound impact of widening inequality on marital dynamics, as published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking moment for marine biology, a juvenile colossal squid has been filmed alive in its natural habitat for the first time, marking a significant milestone after a century of elusive sightings. The footage was captured on March 9 at a depth of 600 meters off the South Sandwich Islands by researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel, _Falkor (too)_. Dr. Kat Bolstad, a cephalopod biologist, expressed excitement over the discovery, noting that previous encounters with the species were limited to remains found in the stomachs of predators. The filmed squid, measuring just 30 centimeters, is a member of the glass squid family and can grow up to 7 meters in length. This discovery coincides with the 100th anniversary of the species' formal identification, which began in 1925 when parts were found in a sperm whale's stomach. Scientists hope this footage will enhance understanding of the colossal squid's behavior and life cycle.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 6 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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