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Tahlequah, the killer whale known for carrying her deceased calf for 17 days in 2018, has given birth to a new female calf, J61, observed traveling with her pod in Puget Sound since December 20. While the Center for Whale Research confirmed J35 (Tahlequah) as the mother, concerns have arisen regarding the calf's health. Experts from NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center noted troubling behaviors, suggesting J61 may be premature and that Tahlequah appeared in poor condition last October. Observations indicate the calf has been struggling to stay active and may be nursing inadequately. Conservationists stress the critical need for a healthy salmon supply to support the survival of both mother and calf, as the Southern Resident killer whale population faces high mortality rates among newborns. As the community hopes for a positive outcome, the situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by these iconic marine mammals. 
Published: Dec 26 2024, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking medical achievement, the UK has successfully performed its first double lung transplant using the innovative "lungs in a box" technology, known as ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). The procedure took place at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, where 49-year-old Daniel Evans-Smith received the transplant after suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The EVLP system allows for the reconditioning of marginal donor lungs outside the body, significantly enhancing their viability for transplantation. This method, already in use in the US and Europe, could potentially increase the number of available lungs for patients on the transplant waiting list. Following the surgery, Evans-Smith reported a remarkable improvement in his health, stating he can now walk further and climb hills without difficulty. The success of this operation marks a significant advancement in lung transplant technology in the UK, offering hope to many awaiting similar procedures.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmeznews.inAsteroid 33 Polyhymnia may harbor elements beyond the current periodic table, according to a study by physicists at The University of Arizona. The research suggests that the asteroid's mass density exceeds that of osmium, the densest known stable element, indicating the potential presence of Compact Ultradense Objects (CUDOs) with unknown compositions. The team explored theoretical elements with atomic numbers higher than 110, predicting that superheavy metals could exist within dense asteroids like Polyhymnia. They noted that while familiar elements could not account for the asteroid's density, those theorized near atomic number 164 might be plausible candidates. The findings, which excite both physicists and space mining enthusiasts, suggest that if these superheavy elements are stable, they could be sourced from within our Solar System. The study is published in The European Physical Journal Plus.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 11 ameznews.inIn a world where the shortest distance between two points is deemed a perfectly straight line, the reality of nature reveals a different story, as even the straightest structures exhibit imperfections. While light beams, crystal edges, and spider silk are often cited as examples of linear precision, they are not immune to flaws. Light, for instance, is subject to diffraction, causing it to bend slightly as it travels, which is evident in the asterisk-shaped points of stars captured by the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. Similarly, crystals, despite their geometric forms, contain countless defects due to their formation processes and external influences. This notion extends to human-made objects, which, while crafted with high precision, still harbor minute imperfections. Ultimately, perfectly straight lines exist only as theoretical concepts, with the physical universe consistently showcasing the beauty of imperfection.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 3 ameznews.inIn a remarkable tale from Australia, Jake Gray has shared his experience of cohabiting with a giant huntsman spider named Charlotte for the past year. Initially spotted a year ago, Charlotte has grown significantly and has become a part of the family, helping to control the cockroach population in their home. Gray explained that they avoid toxic pest control methods, opting instead for natural solutions. To ease the fears of his children, he named the spider Charlotte, and the family has even enjoyed watching her hunt, including a memorable moment when she caught an Asian house gecko. While huntsman spiders can appear intimidating, experts note they are generally harmless and prefer to flee rather than bite. With a size of up to 15 centimeters, these spiders serve as effective pest controllers, making them a unique, albeit unsettling, housemate for the Gray family.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 10 ameznews.inRecent research has raised concerns about the potential release of micro- and nanoplastics from polymer-based tea bags, which could enter consumers' bodies and the environment. A study conducted by Spanish and German scientists tested three types of commercially available tea bags—made from nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose bio-based polymer—revealing that polypropylene bags released an alarming 1.2 billion particles per milliliter when steeped in hot water. While cellulose bags released 135 million particles per milliliter, nylon-6 was less prolific, emitting 8.18 million particles. Although the study found no immediate harmful effects on human intestinal cells, the long-term implications of ingesting these particles remain unclear. The findings highlight the need for consumers to consider the materials of their tea bags, with a suggestion to opt for loose-leaf tea. Despite these concerns, previous studies have indicated health benefits associated with moderate green tea consumption. The study is published in the journal Chemosphere.
Published: Dec 23 2024, 7 pmeznews.inThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded Breakthrough Therapy designation to the cancer drug dostarlimab, marketed as Jemperli, for its promising results in treating locally advanced mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) rectal cancer. The designation accelerates the drug's development and review process, following a remarkable 100% clinical response rate observed in an ongoing phase II trial involving 42 patients. Jemperli, a PD-1-blocking monoclonal antibody, enhances the immune system's ability to target cancer cells, potentially eliminating the need for traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which often carry significant side effects. This innovative therapy not only aims to improve patient outcomes but also represents a significant shift in the treatment landscape for rectal cancer, which accounted for over 152,000 new cases in the US in 2024.
Published: Dec 23 2024, 9 pmeznews.inResearchers at the University of Science and Technology of China have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in quantum physics by creating a "quantum cat" state that lasted an unprecedented 1,400 seconds, or 23 minutes and 20 seconds. This record-setting superposition of 10,000 ytterbium atoms, cooled to near absolute zero and manipulated with light, could pave the way for advancements in high-precision measurements and quantum computing. The experiment builds on the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment, illustrating how quantum states can exist in multiple forms simultaneously. Experts believe that with improved vacuum systems, the duration of such states could be extended even further. Barry Sanders from the University of Calgary highlighted the significance of this stable atomic system for probing interactions in quantum mechanics. This achievement follows other recent milestones in quantum research, indicating rapid progress in the field. The findings are detailed in a preprint paper available on ArXiv.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 1 pmeznews.inA study by researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed that ants can outperform humans in collective problem-solving tasks, particularly in navigating complex environments. The research focused on "collective cognition," comparing the performance of ants (_Paratrechina longicornis_) and humans in a task known as the "piano movers puzzle," where both groups were required to move a T-shaped object through a maze. While humans excelled individually, ants demonstrated enhanced performance in larger groups, exhibiting what researchers termed "emergent collective memory." This allowed them to coordinate effectively, unlike human groups, which often resorted to "greedy" strategies that hindered their progress. The findings suggest that ant colonies function as a cohesive unit, or "super-organism," where cooperation prevails over competition, contrasting with human group dynamics that do not necessarily enhance cognitive abilities. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 3 ameznews.inThe Earth's magnetic field, which can flip over long timescales, last underwent a significant reversal approximately 781,000 years ago during the Brunhes–Matuyama event. Unlike the consistent alignment of geographic north, the magnetic north pole has drifted north-northwest by over 600 miles since its precise location was first recorded in 1831. While the magnetic field has weakened by about 9% globally in the past 200 years, it remains stronger than it has been in the last 100,000 years. Reversals can occur randomly, with intervals ranging from 10,000 to 50 million years, and can lead to magnetic poles shifting as far south as the equator. Recent studies indicate that the magnetic north pole's movement has accelerated towards Siberia, prompting scientists to monitor its unpredictable behavior closely. The complexities of these magnetic shifts continue to intrigue researchers, as they explore their potential impacts on Earth's climate and life.
Published: Dec 27 2024, 4 ameznews.inAs the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials are increasingly concerned about the potential rise of infectious diseases, particularly malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, which collectively claim around 2 million lives annually. Among emerging threats, the H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu, is drawing significant attention due to its recent spread among birds and livestock, including dairy cattle in the US and horses in Mongolia. With 61 human cases reported in the US this year, a notable increase from previous years, the virus poses a serious risk, especially given its 30% mortality rate in humans. Although H5N1 currently does not transmit easily between people, a single genetic mutation could change that, prompting governments to prepare for potential outbreaks. The UK has already secured 5 million doses of a vaccine to bolster its pandemic readiness, highlighting the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in combating future threats.
Published: Dec 26 2024, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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