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A hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park's Biscuit Basin on July 23 sent rocks flying and prompted visitors to flee, though no injuries were reported. Captured on video, the eruption was significantly larger than typical geyser activity, leading to the temporary closure of the area for safety assessments and repairs to damaged boardwalks. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that this event does not indicate an impending larger eruption, as other geological activities remain normal. Hydrothermal explosions, which occur when high-pressure fluids rapidly expand, are considered one of Yellowstone's least understood hazards. While less dangerous than magmatic eruptions, they can still pose serious risks to nearby visitors. The park has a history of such explosions, with the largest crater formed 13,000 years ago. Research continues to identify the triggers of these explosive events, which can occur with little warning. 
Published: Jul 24 2024, 7 pmeznews.inOn November 2, 1988, Robert Tappan Morris, a 23-year-old computer science student, inadvertently unleashed the Morris Worm, one of the first self-replicating programs on the early Internet, from a computer lab at MIT. Initially intended as a harmless experiment to gauge the Internet's size, the worm spread rapidly, affecting an estimated 10% of the world’s Internet-connected computers by the following morning, causing damages that ranged from $100,000 to tens of millions. Morris's programming error, which allowed the worm to replicate excessively, led to widespread panic, with many mistakenly attributing the attack to Russian hackers amid Cold War tensions. He was eventually charged under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, receiving three years of probation and a fine. The incident prompted the establishment of the Computer Emergency Response Team, fundamentally altering perceptions of Internet security. Today, Morris is a professor at MIT, reflecting on his controversial legacy.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 8 ameznews.inSnakes, with their unique physiology and hunting strategies, exhibit fascinating digestive habits that vary significantly among species. There are 15 known snake families comprising around 2,400 species, each with distinct prey preferences and defecation patterns. Active hunters, such as rat snakes, consume small prey frequently, leading to regular defecation every 2-7 days. In contrast, ambush hunters, like blood pythons, eat less often—every 10 to 14 days—and can hold waste for months, sometimes retaining up to 10% of their body weight in feces. This ability may provide balance during strikes. Snakes possess a cloaca, a multifunctional orifice for waste expulsion and reproduction, which aids in water reabsorption, resulting in dry, chalky urates. Despite their intriguing biology, much remains unknown about snake evolution and behavior, highlighting the need for further research as they gain popularity as pets and invasive species.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 9 ameznews.inDeaf individuals think in various ways, influenced by factors such as the age at which they became deaf and their personal experiences. While some may visualize thoughts in sign language, others might think in images or a combination of sounds and visuals, particularly if they lost their hearing later in life. Sign language linguist Professor Bencie Woll notes that those born deaf often think in the sign languages they know, akin to how hearing children engage in self-talk. With around 300 different sign languages globally, the specific language a deaf person uses for thought varies. Research indicates that thinking in sign language activates similar brain regions as inner speech in hearing individuals, suggesting a shared cognitive process. However, the prevalence of phenomena like aphantasia—where individuals cannot visualize thoughts—among deaf people remains largely unexplored, leaving questions about their internal thought processes.
Published: Oct 17 2024, 10 pmeznews.inA recent survey by Saucy Dates, involving 3,836 participants globally, reveals that women desire an average of 25 minutes and 51 seconds of sexual activity, while men prefer 25 minutes and 43 seconds. Notably, men in the USA exhibited the longest endurance, with Canadian men following closely. The study also indicates that UK men improve with age, peaking in their early thirties. However, contrasting findings from a separate study of 500 heterosexual couples showed that the average duration of sexual intercourse is only 5.4 minutes, with a range from 33 seconds to 44 minutes. Interestingly, the research found that factors like condom use or circumcision did not significantly impact sexual performance. While the ideal duration of 25 minutes may be unrealistic, experts suggest that intimacy can be enjoyed in various ways beyond penetration, highlighting the importance of diverse experiences in sexual relationships.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 6 ameznews.inPsychologist Dr. John Gottman, a leading expert on marital stability, identifies four key communication behaviors that significantly predict divorce, termed the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." These are contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling. Current statistics show a divorce rate of approximately 2.5 per 1,000 people in the U.S., with Gottman's research indicating that couples exhibiting these negative behaviors are likely to separate within an average of 5.6 years after marriage, compared to 16.2 years for those who are emotionally disengaged. Contempt is highlighted as the most critical predictor of divorce. To counteract these detrimental patterns, Gottman suggests couples express their feelings using "I" statements and foster a culture of fondness and admiration. While psychological factors play a significant role, divorce rates are also influenced by broader cultural, economic, and legal changes, notably the legal reforms of the 1970s that made divorce more accessible.
Published: Oct 14 2024, 10 pmeznews.inScientists have achieved a significant milestone in the quest to resurrect the extinct Tasmanian tiger (_Thylacinus cynocephalus_) by sequencing the most complete genome of the species to date, utilizing RNA from a century-old preserved head. This groundbreaking work, conducted by Colossal Biosciences and the University of Melbourne's Thylacine Integrated Genetic Restoration Research (TIGRR) Lab, boasts over 99.9% accuracy, although it still contains 45 gaps that researchers aim to address in future sequencing efforts. Dr. Andrew Pask, a key figure in the project, emphasized the potential to understand the thylacine's sensory experiences and brain function. While the findings are yet to be peer-reviewed, experts urge caution regarding claims of imminent de-extinction. The project also focuses on developing artificial reproductive technologies for marsupials, which could aid in the conservation of critically endangered species like the Tasmanian devil.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 4 ameznews.inDetermining the age of stars remains a complex challenge for astronomers, with the Sun being the only star whose age is well-established. While stars can be categorized based on their mass and the hydrogen fusion process they undergo, this does not provide a straightforward method for age estimation. Massive stars burn through their fuel quickly, while smaller stars do so more slowly, leading to a correlation between mass and age. Techniques such as the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram help estimate ages by observing clusters of stars, where the turnoff point indicates how long they have been on the main sequence. For individual stars, methods like asteroseismology, which analyzes internal oscillations, and rotation studies can provide insights into their ages. Ultimately, understanding the Sun enhances our knowledge of stellar evolution across the universe.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 2 ameznews.inIn a rare meteorological event, the Sahara Desert experienced significant flooding for the first time in decades, following an extratropical cyclone that brought unprecedented rainfall to the region. Between September 7 and 8, parts of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya received between 10 to over 200 millimeters of rain—equivalent to a year's worth in just two days. This deluge has transformed the landscape, creating lakes in areas like Iriqui National Park, which had been dry for decades. While the heavy rains may alleviate the effects of six years of drought in Morocco, they have also caused severe flooding, resulting in over 20 fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure. Experts attribute this unusual weather pattern to the cyclone's formation over the Atlantic, raising concerns about potential future storms due to increased moisture in the atmosphere.
Published: Oct 14 2024, 10 pmeznews.inThree recent studies have identified a common origin for the majority of meteorites that reach Earth, linking them to collisions among asteroids in the last 40 million years. While Earth is bombarded daily with approximately 44,000 kilograms of meteoric material, only a small fraction survives atmospheric entry. Previously, only 6% of meteorites could be traced back to their sources, primarily from Vesta, the Moon, and Mars. The new research, led by an international team including the French National Centre for Scientific Research, reveals that 70% of meteorites originate from three asteroid families: Karin, Koronis, and Massalia, formed by relatively recent collisions. Notably, the Massalia family accounts for over 20% of current meteorite falls. The studies aim to enhance understanding of potential threats from near-Earth objects and continue to investigate the origins of the remaining unidentified meteorites. The findings are published in leading scientific journals, including Astronomy & Astrophysics and Nature.
Published: Oct 18 2024, 1 ameznews.inPumpkins, celebrated for their diverse shapes and colors, can sometimes exhibit unusual warts, which can stem from various causes. Genetically, certain varieties, such as Knucklehead pumpkins, have been selectively bred for their warty appearance, a process that began with the Superfreak line developed in 2008. However, warts can also indicate problems; viral infections, particularly from mosaic viruses spread by aphids and beetles, can lead to unsightly lumps and mottled leaves. Additionally, edema, caused by excessive water absorption during cool, wet conditions, can result in wart-like scars on the fruit. Insects, notably cucumber beetles, can further damage pumpkins, creating surface scars. While warty pumpkins can still be edible, their taste may be compromised, and it’s advised not to discard them irresponsibly post-Halloween.
Published: Oct 17 2024, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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