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Astronomers have been investigating a perplexing phenomenon where stars seem to vanish without a trace, with the Vanishing and Appearing Sources during a Century of Observations (VASCO) project identifying around 100 such cases over the past 70 years. A new study suggests that massive stars may collapse directly into black holes without the expected supernova explosion, a theory supported by observations of the binary star system VFTS 243 at the Milky Way's edge. Researchers found evidence indicating that the black hole formed with minimal baryonic ejecta, implying a total collapse scenario. This could explain the sudden disappearance of some stars, as they might extinguish without any visible explosion. Co-author Alejandro Vigna-Gómez noted that such collapses could render a star invisible in the night sky. The findings, published in *Physical Review Letters*, mark a significant step in understanding stellar evolution and the mechanisms behind these mysterious disappearances. 
Published: Jul 20 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new trend known as "vabbing" is gaining traction on social media, particularly TikTok, where users apply vaginal secretions to their skin as a form of perfume, claiming it enhances attractiveness. The practice, popularized by influencer Mandy Lee, involves using two fingers to collect fluids and then applying them to pulse points like the wrists and neck. Advocates, including sex educator Shan Boodram, suggest that these secretions may contain copulins, which could stimulate sexual arousal in potential partners. While some studies indicate that natural body odors can influence attraction, scientific evidence supporting the existence of human pheromones remains weak. Despite the lack of definitive proof, the trend continues to attract attention, with many users sharing their experiences and promoting the idea that vabbing could serve as a "love potion." However, experts caution against the practice, highlighting the need for further research into its efficacy and safety.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 6 ameznews.inIn a novel approach to combat the invasive Burmese python population in Florida's Everglades, researchers are deploying vibrating robot bunnies as bait to lure the snakes. Robert McCleery, a professor at the University of Florida, explained that traditional methods have struggled to address the ecological devastation caused by these pythons, which have led to a dramatic decline in local wildlife, including a 99% drop in raccoon numbers. The robot bunnies, designed to mimic real rabbits with mechanical components and warmth, aim to attract pythons for trapping and removal. This initiative follows other measures, such as the annual Florida Python Challenge and the use of scout snakes to locate breeding females. While the effectiveness of the robot bunnies remains to be seen, conservationists hope they will contribute to a multi-faceted strategy to restore native animal populations in the Everglades.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 12 ameznews.inRockets navigate the vacuum of space by utilizing Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Unlike movement on Earth, where one pushes against a surface, rockets propel themselves by expelling mass—specifically, exhaust gases—backward, which in turn pushes the rocket forward. This principle is akin to a person on a skateboard throwing a bowling ball, resulting in movement in opposite directions. Unlike jet engines that rely on atmospheric oxygen, rocket engines carry their own oxidizers, allowing them to function in space. While this method has successfully enabled missions to the Moon and beyond, it requires significant fuel, leading scientists to explore alternative propulsion methods, such as solar sails and relativistic electron beams, to reduce fuel dependency and costs. For now, however, the expulsion of mass remains the primary means of propulsion in the cosmos.
Published: Jul 24 2025, 6 ameznews.inAlba, the world's only recorded albino orangutan, has been released into the Borneo jungle after nearly two years in captivity. Rescued from an Indonesian village in 2021, the five-year-old primate was suffering from stress, dehydration, and a parasite infection. Under the care of the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, she made a remarkable recovery and formed a bond with another rescued orangutan, Kika. Despite concerns about her albinism making her vulnerable to predation and human threats, experts deemed her ready for release. On December 19, Alba and Kika were transported to the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, where they were released into the wild. Field crews will monitor their adaptation over the next six months, while anti-poaching patrols will be conducted to protect them from potential threats.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 2 ameznews.inNASA's Galileo probe, launched in 1989, marked a significant milestone in our exploration of Jupiter, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit the gas giant. After gaining a gravity assist from Venus, Galileo arrived at Jupiter in 1995, embarking on a 23-month mission that included 35 encounters with its major moons. The probe provided groundbreaking insights, revealing intense volcanic activity on Io, a subsurface ocean on Europa, and the magnetic field around Ganymede. Notably, it also witnessed the impact of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter. In a dramatic highlight, Galileo deployed a descent probe that transmitted crucial atmospheric data before succumbing to extreme conditions. The mission concluded in 2003 when NASA intentionally crashed Galileo into Jupiter to prevent any potential contamination of Europa, which may harbor conditions suitable for life. The data collected has significantly enhanced our understanding of the planet's composition and evolution within the Solar System.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 3 ameznews.inBing's AI chatbot has reportedly propagated misinformation originally generated by Google's Bard, highlighting concerns over the reliability of large language models. Following Bard's public launch, which faced criticism for its accuracy, a user discovered that Bard falsely claimed it had been shut down due to a lack of interest, citing a joke from Hacker News as its source. This error, although quickly rectified, was subsequently misinterpreted by Bing, which began informing users that Bard had indeed been discontinued. This incident underscores the potential for AI chatbots to not only generate false information but also to amplify inaccuracies from other sources, raising alarms about the spread of misinformation as reliance on these technologies grows. As the landscape of AI chatbots evolves, the implications of such errors could become increasingly significant.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 2 ameznews.inA new paper has sparked debate over the controversial idea of deliberately introducing life to Enceladus, one of Saturn's icy moons, to study how life might proliferate in a previously lifeless but habitable environment. Researchers argue that if future missions reveal no existing life in Enceladus' subsurface ocean, inoculating it with microbes could provide insights into the origins and spread of life, akin to early Earth conditions. While the authors suggest that current technology could facilitate such an experiment, they emphasize the profound ethical implications, questioning humanity's right to alter an extraterrestrial biosphere. The discussion extends to other ocean worlds, such as Europa and Titan, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences of our cosmic explorations. The study, published in *Space Policy*, calls for a timely dialogue on the responsibilities that accompany our quest to understand life beyond Earth.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 3 ameznews.inNew research has revealed that a segment of the human genome previously deemed "junk" may play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, particularly during early human development. An international team of scientists has focused on transposable elements (TEs), or "jumping genes," which make up about 45% of the human genome. Initially identified by cytogeneticist Barbara McClintock in the 1940s, TEs were long considered genetic remnants. However, the researchers developed a novel classification system for TEs, specifically the MER11 family, based on evolutionary relationships. This approach uncovered previously hidden patterns of gene regulation, with MER11_G4 sequences showing significant potential to activate gene expression. The study found that these sequences have evolved distinct regulatory motifs that influence gene response to developmental signals, suggesting their role in speciation. The findings, published in *Science Advances*, challenge the notion of "junk" DNA and highlight its importance in genetic regulation.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 12 ameznews.inA study conducted by psychologists from the University of Florida, Carroll University, and Marquette University has revealed that "cat people" tend to exhibit higher intelligence and creativity compared to "dog people." The research, which surveyed 418 undergraduate students, found that cat enthusiasts scored better in reasoning, abstract thought, and self-reliance, while dog lovers were characterized by extroversion, warmth, and a strong sense of duty. The study noted that the majority of participants identified as dog people, with 352 preferring dogs over just 66 who favored cats. Despite these differences, no significant variations were found in anxiety or neuroticism levels between the two groups. The researchers suggest that the personality traits associated with creativity, such as open-mindedness, align closely with those of cat lovers, while dog lovers often exhibit traits that promote conformity and conscientiousness.
Published: Jul 26 2025, 1 ameznews.inThe African crested rat (_Lophiomys imhausi_), a unique rodent resembling a blend of a rat, skunk, and porcupine, possesses a remarkable defense mechanism: it is the world's only poisonous rodent. This maned creature harbors toxins from the arrow poison tree (_Acokanthera schimperi_) within its distinctive black and white fur, a trait that was scientifically confirmed only in 2011. Local superstitions about the rat's bite, believed to be fatal, were validated by research showing that the rats chew the plant's bark and anoint themselves with the toxins, which they appear to tolerate without adverse effects. A 2018 study further corroborated these findings, revealing that many crested rats engage in this behavior. Despite their toxic capabilities, researchers describe them as largely herbivorous and social, likening them to "rat-shaped little cows" that spend their time eating, grooming, and interacting.
Published: Jul 25 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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