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T Coronae Borealis, known as the Blaze Star, is anticipated to undergo a nova explosion, a phenomenon that occurs approximately every 80 years. Recent research has suggested potential dates for this eruption, with the first being March 27, 2025, followed by November 10, 2025, and June 25, 2026, although the event could extend into 2027. Unlike supernovae, which destroy the star, T Coronae Borealis is a binary system where a white dwarf siphons material from a red giant, leading to a thermonuclear reaction that dramatically increases its brightness. Historical records indicate previous eruptions in 1787, 1866, and 1946, with a possible earlier event noted in a medieval manuscript from 1217. The unpredictability of such stellar explosions adds to the intrigue, prompting both professional astronomers and citizen scientists to monitor the star closely in hopes of refining future predictions. 
Published: Mar 21 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA groundbreaking study led by geneticists Professor Michel Milinkovitch and postdoctoral researcher Rory Cooper has shed light on feather evolution by manipulating the Sonic Hedgehog (_Shh_) pathway in chicken embryos. This pathway, crucial for embryonic development, was inhibited, resulting in the temporary emergence of primitive feather structures resembling those of certain dinosaurs. The embryos initially developed simple, tube-like proto-feathers instead of the typical complex feather buds, suggesting the _Shh_ pathway's significant role in feather evolution. However, by two weeks post-manipulation, feather development began to revert to normal, with some chicks hatching with patches of bare skin but eventually growing normal feathers by seven weeks. Milinkovitch noted that while altering foot scales can lead to permanent feather development, disrupting feather growth itself is more challenging, highlighting the robustness of genetic networks in feather evolution. The findings are detailed in the journal PLOS Biology.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 10 pmeznews.inVaccines have never been linked to autism, a fact supported by extensive scientific research. The myth originated from a discredited 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, published in *The Lancet*, which falsely suggested a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Despite the paper's retraction in 2010 due to serious ethical violations and data falsification, the damage was done, fueling vaccine hesitancy and leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles. Numerous studies, including large-scale research involving hundreds of thousands of children, have consistently found no association between vaccines and autism. The ongoing misinformation, largely propagated by Wakefield, continues to influence public perception, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Vaccines remain crucial in preventing serious illnesses, and the resurgence of diseases like measles underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect public health.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA man living in Australia under the alias John Vincent Damon has been identified as escaped US prisoner William Leslie Arnold, thanks to DNA evidence gathered by US Marshals in Nebraska. Arnold, who at 16 murdered his parents and buried them in their backyard, was sentenced to two life terms in 1959. After escaping from the Nebraska State Penitentiary in 1967, he lived a seemingly normal life in the US and later Australia, where he raised a family and passed away in 2010. His family, unaware of his dark past, believed him to be an orphan until a DNA test submitted by his son led to the revelation of his identity. The investigation, initially considered a cold case, was revived in 2020 when Deputy US Marshal Matthew Westover took it on, ultimately leading to the discovery of Arnold's true identity and the shocking history behind it.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 1 pmeznews.inThe Great Dismal Swamp, straddling southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, has evolved from a site associated with colonization and slavery to a thriving wildlife refuge. Historically, Indigenous peoples utilized the swamp for hunting and farming until European colonists arrived, leading to the displacement of many Indigenous groups and the establishment of settlements by escaped slaves, known as "maroons." These communities, which flourished from the late 1600s to the Civil War, provided a semblance of freedom from the harsh realities of slavery. Despite attempts to exploit the swamp's resources, significant commercial activity persisted, often relying on enslaved labor. However, following a series of federal land acquisitions in the 1970s, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established, now encompassing approximately 45,700 hectares. It is home to diverse flora and fauna, including rare species, showcasing the swamp's transformation from a "dismal" past to a vibrant ecosystem.
Published: Mar 22 2025, 5 ameznews.inResearchers at the University of Michigan's Computational Autonomy and Robotics Laboratory (CURLY Lab) are exploring a novel approach to robotics by training machines to skateboard, rather than merely performing household tasks or playing chess. Sangli Teng, a PhD student and coauthor of a new paper, highlights the need for robots to engage in complex, contact-rich interactions, which traditional quadrupedal locomotion methods often overlook. Their innovative framework, Discrete-Time Hybrid Automata Learning (DHAL), employs reinforcement learning to enable robots to autonomously identify when to switch between different movement styles without prior knowledge of transition states. This advancement allows robots to perform intuitive actions, such as mounting skateboards and navigating skate parks. While current capabilities are limited, the team envisions broader applications for DHAL in areas like dexterous manipulation, potentially enhancing robots' decision-making and interaction with their environments. The research is currently awaiting peer review.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a controversial move, President Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, prompting widespread condemnation globally. During his speech, Trump made several contentious claims, suggesting that the agreement unfairly disadvantaged the U.S. economically and allowed countries like China to continue polluting while America was held back. Critics pointed out that by exiting the pact, the U.S. risks losing its competitive edge in the burgeoning clean energy market, which could lead to job losses and increased costs associated with climate change. Trump also dismissed the agreement's potential impact on global temperatures, misrepresenting its scientific basis. He framed the decision as a means to protect American interests, yet many argue it isolates the U.S. on the world stage, undermining both environmental progress and international cooperation. The president's remarks have been met with skepticism, particularly regarding his understanding of climate science and economic implications.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 5 ameznews.inDr. Kathy Sullivan, a pioneering figure in exploration, holds a unique distinction as the only person to have both spacewalked and descended to Challenger Deep, the ocean's deepest point. As the first American woman to achieve the former and the first woman to reach the latter, Sullivan's career spans significant contributions, including deploying the Hubble Space Telescope and leading the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In a recent interview, she reflected on her experiences, likening the preparation for spaceflight to rigorous expeditions, and expressed a desire to return to space. Sullivan emphasized the importance of NOAA in connecting scientific knowledge to societal needs, advocating for greater awareness of our planet's interconnected systems. As she prepares to speak at the Edinburgh Science Festival, she highlighted the exciting yet challenging landscape of the "New Space Age," marked by increased commercial activity and the need for regulatory frameworks in space exploration.
Published: Mar 21 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe US government is set to reopen oil and gas leasing in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with the Department of the Interior announcing plans to make 82% of the reserve available for energy development. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the need to harness Alaska's resources to boost the economy, following President Trump's executive order aimed at reversing former President Biden's drilling permit suspensions. However, the initiative faces skepticism, as previous lease sales in the Arctic Refuge attracted minimal interest, and environmental groups warn of potential harm to wildlife and Indigenous communities. Critics, including the Alaska Wilderness League, argue that there is no economic justification for expanding drilling, citing failed bids and a lack of funding from major financial institutions. The move is likely to encounter political resistance, with Alaska's state government already suing the federal administration over leasing decisions.
Published: Mar 22 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe Sahara Desert, often depicted in films as a vast sea of sand dunes, is surprisingly only 25% sandy, with the remaining 75% comprising rocky plateaus, gravel plains, and dry valleys. Covering an area of 9.4 million square kilometers, this means approximately 2.35 million square kilometers are sandy, including the expansive Grand Erg Oriental, the largest dune sea. The Sahara is also home to around 90 major oases, such as the Guelta d'Archei in Chad, though these are sparse. Historically, the region experienced wetter periods, notably between 8000 and 3000 BCE, when it was lush and supported cattle farming. Recent extreme weather events, like an October 2024 cyclone, have even led to rare flooding, temporarily transforming parts of the desert into lakes. Despite its harsh conditions, the Sahara's diverse landscape challenges common perceptions of this iconic desert.
Published: Mar 19 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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