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A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and Johns Hopkins University is challenging long-held beliefs about the structure of axons, the nerve fibers that transmit signals between brain cells. Traditionally depicted as smooth, cylindrical tubes, the study suggests that axons actually exhibit a "pearls on a string" configuration, featuring bulbous segments interspersed with narrower connections. This finding, which could reshape our understanding of brain cell signaling, was made using advanced imaging techniques that preserve the axons' natural shape. While some experts express skepticism, suggesting that the new imaging method may influence results, the study's authors assert that this pearled structure represents the normal state of axons. They plan to further investigate human axons in future research. The study is published in *Nature Neuroscience*, marking a potential paradigm shift in neuroscience. 
Published: Dec 03 2024, 10 ameznews.inDespite the iconic images of astronauts on the Moon, none capture the stars in the background, leading to speculation about a conspiracy. However, the absence of stars in Apollo mission photographs is due to practical reasons. Astronauts landed during the lunar day when the brightness made stars invisible to the naked eye. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin confirmed they did not see stars without optical aids. The photography techniques used, including fast shutter speeds and small apertures, prioritized capturing the brightly lit lunar surface and astronauts, resulting in starless images. The only exception was Apollo 16, which utilized a telescope to observe star clusters and nebulae. Michael Collins, orbiting the Moon alone, described a profound experience of seeing stars from his command module, highlighting the stark contrast between the black void of space and the absence of the Moon's presence.
Published: Dec 04 2024, 7 ameznews.inIn a striking display of cooperative hunting, orcas have been observed preying on whale sharks in the southern Gulf of California, showcasing their remarkable intelligence and strategic skills. Researchers documented four predation events from 2018 to 2024, with a male orca named Moctezuma frequently involved. The orcas employ a unique technique, flipping the whale sharks upside down to induce tonic immobility, rendering them unable to escape. They then target the pelvic area to drain the shark's blood, allowing access to the nutrient-rich liver. This behavior highlights the orcas' adaptability and raises concerns about the future of whale sharks, which are classified as endangered. The findings underscore the complex dynamics of marine ecosystems and the potential impact of climate change on these species. The research is detailed in the journal *Frontiers in Marine Science*.
Published: Nov 29 2024, 12 pmeznews.inOn January 23, 1556, the Shaanxi province of northwest China experienced a catastrophic earthquake, believed to be the deadliest day in recorded history, with an estimated death toll of 830,000. The quake, which registered a magnitude between 8 and 8.3, was triggered by the slipping of the Weinan and Huashan faults, with its epicenter near Huaxian. Most victims perished from collapsing structures and landslides, while many others succumbed to disease and famine in the aftermath. Despite not being the strongest earthquake, it remains the deadliest, surpassing the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed around 655,000. Given the global population of less than half a billion in 1556, the Shaanxi earthquake represents the greatest relative loss of life in a single day. Nearly 500 years later, no other day has matched its tragic toll, solidifying its place in history.
Published: Dec 03 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA team of physicists has proposed that primordial black holes (PBHs), hypothetical entities formed in the universe's infancy, could become trapped within rocky planets and asteroids, potentially hollowing them out by consuming their liquid cores. Unlike stellar black holes, which form from massive stars, PBHs may have formed from dense pockets of material shortly after the Big Bang, with masses ranging widely. The researchers suggest that if PBHs exist, they could leave behind hollow structures or create straight tunnels in solid objects, such as asteroids, without causing significant damage. They propose searching for these signatures on Earth, where tiny PBHs might pass through and leave detectable tunnels in rocks or metal. While the likelihood of finding such evidence is low, the potential discovery of a PBH would be groundbreaking, prompting scientists to explore unconventional detection methods. The study is published in the journal *Physics of the Dark Universe*.
Published: Dec 04 2024, 4 ameznews.inGenghis Khan, a towering figure in world history, is often remembered for his military conquests and complex legacy, yet he is frequently associated with his prolific sex life. This notoriety has led to claims that approximately one in 200 men alive today are his direct descendants, a statistic that underscores his significant genetic impact. Despite the mixed feelings surrounding his legacy—ranging from admiration to disdain—Khan's influence on history remains undeniable. His empire, which at its height spanned much of Asia and Europe, reshaped cultures and societies. The fascination with his lineage continues to spark interest and debate among historians and geneticists alike, as they explore the implications of his extensive progeny. For those intrigued by the life and legacy of Genghis Khan, further insights can be found in dedicated articles and studies.
Published: Dec 03 2024, 9 pmeznews.inA long-elusive inscription on the ancient Arslan Kaya monument in Turkey has been deciphered, revealing a dedication to a Mother goddess, referred to as "Materan." For 2,600 years, the statue, which features eroded carvings of sphinxes and lions, has resisted interpretation due to its damaged state. Archaeologist William Mitchel Ramsay, who first documented the site in 1884, described the inscription as "hopelessly obliterated." However, Professor Mark Munn from Penn State utilized recent photographs to analyze the inscription, concluding it likely references the goddess Matar. This finding is significant as Arslan Kaya is unique among Phrygian monuments for having both an image of the goddess and an inscription naming her. Munn suggests the inscription may have originally been part of a longer text detailing the monument's creator and the goddess's epithet, contributing valuable insights into the poorly understood Phrygian language and culture. The research is published in the journal Kadmos.
Published: Dec 01 2024, 1 ameznews.inScientists have unveiled a surprising discovery beneath Antarctica's Lake Enigma, previously thought to be entirely frozen. A team from the Italian National Research Council utilized ground-penetrating radar to reveal a substantial body of unfrozen water, estimated to be at least 12 meters deep, hidden beneath up to 11 meters of ice. This unique environment, characterized by extreme cold temperatures averaging –14°C, supports a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, including previously unidentified species. Notably, the lake's microbial community features ultrasmall bacteria from the superphylum Patescibacteria, which may play distinct roles in the aquatic food web. Despite the lake's location in one of the driest regions on Earth, researchers suggest it has a hidden recharge system, as it should lose significant water annually but remains stable. The findings, published in *Communications Earth & Environment*, challenge previous assumptions about the lake's ecology and hydrology.
Published: Dec 04 2024, 1 ameznews.inElectrons, long considered fundamental particles, present a unique challenge in understanding their composition. Unlike protons and neutrons, which are made of quarks and gluons, electrons appear to have no smaller constituents, a notion supported by current evidence but not definitively proven. This raises intriguing questions about the nature of fundamental particles and their differences. While attempts to uncover any internal structure through high-energy collisions have yielded no results, electrons are understood as excitations of a field, specifically the electron field. Their properties, including mass, are influenced by interactions with other fields, such as the Higgs field. Despite the complexities of quantum physics, the idea that electrons are indivisible remains largely accepted, even as the Standard Model of Particle Physics is acknowledged to be incomplete. Ultimately, the quest to understand the essence of electrons continues, highlighting the limits of human comprehension in the face of the universe's intricacies.
Published: Nov 29 2024, 10 pmeznews.inThe International Astronomical Union (IAU) is inviting the public to vote on a name for Earth’s quasi-moon, designated (164207) 2004 GU9, which will orbit Earth until around 2600. This asteroid, measuring over 160 meters, is not gravitationally bound to Earth but will appear to circle the planet for centuries. A panel of judges, including astrophysicists and science communicators, has shortlisted seven names derived from various mythologies: Bakunawa, a dragon from Philippine folklore; Cardea, the Roman goddess of doorways; Ehaema, the Mother Twilight from Estonia; Enkidu, a companion of Gilgamesh in Sumerian lore; Ótr, a shape-shifting dwarf from Norse mythology; Tarriaksuk, shadow beings in Inuit legends; and Tecciztecatl, an Aztec lunar god. Voting is open until January 1, and the chosen name will reflect the cultural significance of the celestial object.
Published: Dec 04 2024, 2 ameznews.inA groundbreaking study suggests that gut bacteria may have significantly influenced the evolution of large brains in primates. Researchers from Northwestern University found that when germ-free mice were inoculated with gut microbes from humans and squirrel monkeys—both species with larger brains—they exhibited increased energy production compared to those receiving microbes from smaller-brained macaques, who stored more energy as fat. This experiment is the first to demonstrate a direct link between gut microbiota and brain energy metabolism, supporting the hypothesis that variations in gut bacteria could facilitate different metabolic needs associated with brain size. The findings indicate that both humans and squirrel monkeys may have independently evolved similar gut flora to support their large brains. Future research will explore microbiomes across various primate species to further understand the biological mechanisms at play. The study is published in *Microbial Genomics*.
Published: Dec 03 2024, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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