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Excavations at the thermal baths of San Casciano dei Bagni, near Siena, Italy, have unearthed a remarkable trove of artifacts dating back over 2,300 years, including two dozen statues and thousands of coins. Initially uncovering minor items, the archaeological team, led by Emanuele Mariotti, was astonished to find well-preserved statues depicting Graeco-Roman deities, buried in a sacred site following a lightning strike in the 1st century CE. This discovery highlights a significant cultural transition between the Etruscans and Romans, with inscriptions in both languages found on the statues. The site, known for its therapeutic properties, served as a healing sanctuary, reflecting a blend of cultural practices. Plans are underway to establish a new museum and archaeological park in San Casciano, which Mayor Agnese Carletti believes will drive cultural and economic development in the region, offering a unique opportunity to reshape the understanding of ancient art and history. 
Published: Apr 27 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA small, often overlooked hole in the lower eyelid, known as the lacrimal punctum, plays a crucial role in the eye's drainage system. Located about two millimeters from the inner corner of each lower eyelid, this almond-shaped opening does not produce tears but instead drains them into the lacrimal sac, which connects to the nose. This explains why crying can lead to a runny nose. Interestingly, medical procedures can involve inserting tiny plugs into these holes to alleviate dry eyes by preventing excessive fluid drainage. However, the drainage system can sometimes malfunction, causing tears or other substances to squirt out, a phenomenon that has led to unusual party tricks, including a world record for milk-squirting from the eye. While the lacrimal punctum may seem insignificant, it is a fascinating aspect of human anatomy with important functions.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study from the George Washington University Computational Biology Institute has validated the "Grandmother Rule" of washing, highlighting the importance of cleaning often-neglected areas of the body. Researchers examined the skin microbiome of 129 students, focusing on regions like behind the ears, between the toes, and in the navel, compared to more frequently washed areas. The findings revealed that these neglected spots harbored less diverse and potentially less healthy microbial communities. Keith Crandall, the study's lead, noted that while dry skin areas showed richer microbial diversity, the balance of helpful and harmful microbes is crucial for skin health, with imbalances linked to conditions like eczema and acne. This research underscores the need for further exploration into the relationship between microbiome health and overall well-being, serving as a reference for understanding healthy skin microbiomes in adults. The study is published in *Frontiers in Microbiology*.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 4 pmeznews.inSpider crickets, also known as cave crickets or land shrimp, are harmless insects belonging to the Rhaphidophoridae family, which includes over 1,100 species found worldwide, except in Antarctica. Characterized by their long legs and wingless bodies, these insects thrive in dark, humid environments like caves and basements. Despite their spider-like appearance, they are true insects, more closely related to grasshoppers and crickets. A recent study suggests that spider crickets have existed for 138 million years, evolving alongside dinosaurs. While they may startle homeowners by jumping when disturbed, they pose no threat as they lack fangs and venom. To manage spider cricket populations, experts recommend sealing entry points, controlling humidity, and decluttering dark spaces indoors, while outdoors, relocating woodpiles and maintaining lawn care can help deter them.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 5 ameznews.inLake Chagan, located near Semey in northeastern Kazakhstan, stands as a stark reminder of the Cold War's nuclear legacy, earning the moniker "Atomic Lake." Created by a 1965 Soviet nuclear test that formed a 100-meter deep crater, the lake is part of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, where the USSR conducted 456 nuclear tests from 1949 to 1989, including 116 above ground. Despite its remote location, nearby villages and the city of Semey, home to over a million residents, were exposed to radioactive fallout, leading to increased risks of chronic diseases, including cancers and congenital malformations. Studies since the late 1980s have highlighted the health impacts on local populations, with reports of chronic radiation sickness symptoms in 22% of individuals assessed in 1958. The site, now closed, symbolizes the enduring dangers of nuclear technology and continues to be a focus for research into its long-term health effects.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 8 pmeznews.inContrary to popular belief, oil does not originate from dinosaurs but rather from ancient algae and plankton. Geologist Reidar Müller from the University of Oslo clarifies that these microscopic organisms, which thrived in oceans millions of years ago, died and sank to the seabed, where they were buried under layers of sediment. Over time, in a high-pressure, low-oxygen environment, this organic matter underwent a transformation into crude oil. While the notion of "dinosaur oil" persists, it is highly unlikely that any dinosaur remains contributed to oil formation, as their bodies would have been consumed by smaller marine creatures before they could be buried. Instead, the oil we rely on today is a product of the decomposition of trillions of tiny organisms, highlighting the complex geological processes that have shaped our planet's fossil fuel resources.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn Florida's Everglades, invasive Burmese and Indian pythons are interbreeding, resulting in hybrids that are better adapted to the local environment than their parent species. Originally introduced in the 1970s, the python population surged after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, leading to a dramatic decline in native wildlife, including a 99.3% drop in raccoon numbers. A 2018 genetic study by the US Geological Survey revealed that at least 13 captured pythons were hybrids, showcasing a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor, which enhances adaptability. Despite ongoing efforts to control the invasive population, the snakes' effective camouflage and secretive behavior complicate detection. Researchers are now leveraging genetic tools to monitor these pythons, aiming to better understand their habitat preferences and improve management strategies against this ecological threat.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 12 ameznews.inStunning new maps from Grasshopper Geography reveal the intricate drainage basins of the world's rivers, illustrating how they flow into various oceans, including the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, and Indian. Robert Szucs, the digital cartographer behind the project, spent months compiling and editing data to create these vibrant visualizations, which serve both artistic and educational purposes. The maps highlight the complexity of river systems, particularly in countries like Syria, Ethiopia, and the United States, where rivers drain into multiple oceans. Notably, the U.S. features rivers flowing into the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans, while the Great Basin stands out as an endorheic region, isolated from oceanic drainage. The maps challenge the common belief that all rivers eventually reach the sea, showcasing the diverse and often surprising pathways of global waterways.
Published: Apr 28 2025, 1 ameznews.inThe latest issue of CURIOUS magazine, Issue 34, is now available, featuring a captivating cover story that explores the enduring human affinity for nostalgia. This edition delves into a range of intriguing scientific topics, including a deep dive into the complexities of plant consciousness and an examination of the adorable colossal woolly mouse, a potential step towards de-extincting the woolly mammoth. Additionally, readers can discover the unique geological features of Rainbow Island in Iran, where rainwater transforms into striking blood-red streams. The issue also includes an exclusive interview with author Jack Ashby, alongside excerpts from his new book, *Nature’s Memory*. With a wealth of news, diary dates, and recommendations for what to see, watch, and read, CURIOUS continues to provide insightful content for science enthusiasts.
Published: Apr 27 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA hidden message has been discovered on the 3,300-year-old Luxor obelisk in Paris, revealing new insights into its ancient past. Egyptologist Jean-Guillaume Olette-Pelletier identified the previously undocumented inscription while examining the obelisk during renovations in December 2021. The hieroglyphs, which can only be read in 3D, were designed to convey specific messages to visitors during the reign of Ramses II. Positioned near the obelisk's golden tip, the inscriptions were obscured through a cryptographic technique, making them difficult to decipher today. Olette-Pelletier explained that the messages, visible from a specific angle along the Nile, served as propaganda to exalt Ramses II and encourage offerings to appease the gods. His findings, which highlight the obelisk's historical significance, are set to be published in the journal ENiM. The Luxor obelisk continues to captivate scholars and visitors alike, revealing secrets long hidden in its hieroglyphs.
Published: Apr 26 2025, 12 pmeznews.inThe Mariana Trench, one of the ocean's most inaccessible depths, is home to a diverse array of unique and bizarre species, many of which have adapted to extreme conditions of pressure and darkness. With more humans having ventured into space than to the trench's depths, the trench remains largely unexplored, suggesting many undiscovered species may exist. Notable inhabitants include the blobfish, which appears deformed at surface pressure, and the goblin shark, a rare predator with a lineage dating back 125 million years. Other fascinating creatures include the black seadevil anglerfish, the deep-sea dragonfish with transparent teeth, and the gelatinous snailfish, the deepest known fish. The vampire squid, with its cape-like webbing, thrives on a low-calorie diet, while zombie worms feast on whale bones, showcasing the trench's remarkable biodiversity and the evolutionary adaptations that allow these animals to survive in such extreme environments.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 6 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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