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A recent study has revealed the remarkable navigation abilities of harbor seals (_Phoca vitulina_) in low-visibility ocean conditions. Researchers aimed to understand whether these seals rely on their vision or other senses, such as their whiskers, to determine their direction in murky waters filled with particles like sand and phytoplankton. To investigate, they created three computer simulations that mimicked different underwater environments, allowing seals named Nick, Luca, and Miro to indicate their perceived movement direction by tapping a red ball. While Nick and Luca quickly adapted to the task, Miro took longer to learn but ultimately matched their performance. The seals demonstrated a good degree of accuracy in determining their heading, although not as proficient as humans or rhesus macaques. The study highlights the cognitive capabilities of these marine mammals and sets the stage for future research on how they navigate amidst drifting particles. The findings are published in *The Journal of Experimental Biology*. 
Published: Jun 02 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking study, scientists have successfully determined the biological sex of an ancient human ancestor, _Paranthropus robustus_, which lived in Africa approximately two million years ago. Utilizing palaeoproteomics, researchers analyzed proteins from four fossil teeth discovered in South Africa's Swartkrans cave, revealing two male and two female individuals. This finding challenges previous assumptions based on sexual dimorphism, as one smaller tooth belonged to a male, suggesting significant genetic diversity within the genus. The study highlights the close genetic relationship between _Paranthropus_ and early human species like _Homo habilis_ and _Homo erectus_, while also indicating that the level of diversity within _Paranthropus_ may be greater than previously understood. Co-author Dr. Marc Dickinson emphasized the study's potential to reshape our understanding of human evolutionary history in Africa. The research is published in the journal *Science*.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 9 pmeznews.inRecent scientific research suggests that many habits often deemed "bad" may actually offer health benefits. For instance, skipping breakfast, once thought to lead to weight gain, is now associated with weight loss through intermittent fasting. Similarly, moderate coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers and improved heart health. Eggs, previously criticized for their cholesterol content, are now recognized for their nutritional value. High-fat foods, once avoided, are now recommended in moderation for their health benefits. Additionally, moderate alcohol consumption may protect against cognitive decline, while social media use can foster connections rather than harm mental health. Even short workouts, like high-intensity interval training, can be as effective as longer sessions. Lastly, napping has been shown to restore immune function and enhance problem-solving abilities, challenging the stigma around these so-called bad habits.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 6 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. Alarmingly, 87% of infections were concentrated in just 30 countries, with India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan accounting for over half of the cases. Despite being preventable and treatable in 85% of cases, TB remains a major health crisis, with WHO calling for urgent action to meet the UN's goal of ending the epidemic by 2030. Funding for TB 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: May 31 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a remarkable study, researchers observed a male common octopus (_Octopus vulgaris_) off the coast of Ibiza, Spain, which had survived a predator attack that resulted in the loss of three arms. During the regrowth process, one arm bifurcated, giving the octopus a total of nine limbs. Over several months, scientists documented the octopus's behavior, categorizing its arm usage into "safe" and "risky" behaviors. They found that the most utilized limbs were L1 and the bifurcated R1a, while more severely injured arms were less likely to be used in risky situations, suggesting the octopus may possess a form of pain memory linked to past injuries. The study highlights the adaptability of octopuses and their ability to repurpose regrown limbs, shedding light on their complex behavior and survival strategies. The findings are detailed in the journal *Animals*.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe phenomenon of shoes dangling from power lines, often referred to as "shoefiti," has various interpretations and cultural significance worldwide. One common theory suggests that it serves as a memorial for deceased individuals, a practice that has evolved over millennia. However, the act can also be linked to gang activity, marking territory or signaling messages, although experts caution that this is not a universal explanation. A notable incident involved a TikTok user who faced backlash for cutting down shoes to sell, deemed insensitive by many. Additionally, some view shoe tossing as a form of high school taunting, as the height of utility poles makes retrieval difficult and dangerous. Ultimately, the true meaning behind these suspended sneakers remains elusive, with interpretations varying widely based on context and location.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 4 ameznews.inUranus, the enigmatic ice giant of our solar system, continues to baffle scientists with its peculiarities, including a surprising abundance of methane and its unusual axial tilt of 97.77 degrees. Formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago, Uranus likely originated closer to the Sun, where it could gather sufficient material before migrating to its current distant orbit. This migration may have contributed to the formation of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The planet's unique sideways rotation is believed to result from a colossal impact with an Earth-sized object, a theory supported by simulations. This tilt leads to extreme seasonal variations, with each pole experiencing 21 years of continuous sunlight followed by an equally long winter. While alternative theories suggest the influence of a drifting moon, the impact hypothesis remains the most widely accepted explanation, highlighting the need for further exploration of Uranus to uncover its secrets.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 5 ameznews.inIn 2017, astronomers discovered ‘Oumuamua, the first confirmed interstellar visitor, as it sped past the Sun at 38.3 kilometers per second. This elongated, pancake-shaped object, measuring approximately 400 meters, exhibited non-gravitational acceleration, puzzling scientists who expected its motion to be solely influenced by gravity. While some speculated it could be an alien probe, more plausible explanations emerged, including the possibility that ‘Oumuamua is a water-rich planetesimal that lost hydrogen as it traversed the Solar System. A 2023 study suggested that cosmic radiation could have trapped hydrogen within the object, which was released upon warming, generating the observed acceleration. However, challenges to this theory remain, with some experts arguing that insufficient hydrogen could be produced to account for the acceleration. As ‘Oumuamua is now beyond the reach of current telescopes, future missions like Project Lyra aim to explore its origins and characteristics further.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn 2023, a significant landslide in Greenland's Dickson fjord triggered megatsunamis, generating seismic signals that puzzled scientists worldwide. Although no injuries were reported, the rhythmic rumbling was traced back to two tsunamis that created a seiche, or "standing wave," resonating in the fjord for a week and shaking the Earth's crust, with vibrations detected across continents for nine days. Researchers from the University of Oxford utilized advanced satellite altimetry data from the Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, achieving unprecedented accuracy in measuring wave heights. Their findings revealed cross-channel slopes with height differences of up to 2 meters, confirming the waves' movement. Lead author Thomas Monahan emphasized the importance of leveraging next-generation satellite technology to study extreme oceanic processes, particularly in remote areas like the Arctic, as climate change continues to drive new extremes. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the potential for improved monitoring of future oceanic events.
Published: Jun 04 2025, 2 ameznews.inIn 1967, the Soviet Union marked its 50th anniversary with a space mission that tragically resulted in the death of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov, who became known as "the man who fell from space." The plan involved launching Soyuz 1, piloted by Komarov, to rendezvous with Soyuz 2 for a spacewalk. However, prior inspections revealed 203 structural issues with Soyuz 1, leading to concerns that were ignored by officials. Despite warnings from friends and the risk of his friend Yuri Gagarin being sent in his place, Komarov chose to proceed with the mission. After launch, a solar panel failure left the craft powerless, and during descent, it spun uncontrollably, crashing to Earth with catastrophic force. Komarov's last words, reportedly captured by US radio, expressed his frustration with the spacecraft, while official Soviet transcripts presented a more composed final message. His tragic fate highlighted the perilous nature of early space exploration.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA comprehensive study analyzing penis sizes from 1942 to 2021 has revealed a significant increase in average erect penis length over the past three decades, while flaccid lengths remained unchanged. The meta-analysis, which included data from 55,761 males globally, found that erect length rose by 24 percent, from 12.3 centimeters (4.8 inches) to 15.2 centimeters (6 inches). Lead researcher Michael Eisenberg, a professor of urology at Stanford Medicine, suggested that this increase may be linked to environmental factors, such as chemical exposure that disrupts hormonal systems. Despite the lack of changes in flaccid or stretched lengths, the findings raise concerns about male reproductive health, particularly in light of declining sperm counts observed in recent years. Eisenberg emphasized the need for further investigation to understand the implications of these rapid changes on male physiology. The study was published in the World Journal of Men's Health.
Published: May 30 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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