eznews.inOn July 1, 2025, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) successfully detected a significant interstellar object, designated 3I/ATLAS, located 670 million kilometers from the Sun. Confirmed as an interstellar visitor due to its high eccentricity, which exceeds one, 3I/ATLAS is believed to have journeyed through space for approximately 10 billion years. While the scientific community is eager to study this rare comet, Harvard professor Avi Loeb has controversially suggested it could be an alien spacecraft, a claim met with skepticism from many astronomers. Despite Loeb's assertions of "anomalies" in the object's behavior, including its unusual polarization and tail, most experts, including those from NASA and SETI, classify 3I/ATLAS as a comet, emphasizing that it exhibits characteristics typical of such celestial bodies. As telescopes worldwide focus on the object post-perihelion, scientists remain committed to understanding its natural origins. 
Published: Nov 28 2025, 7 ameznews.inA new study published in *Nature* reveals that prehistoric humans began consuming milk thousands of years before they developed the genetic ability to digest it without adverse effects. Researchers analyzed animal fat residues on over 13,000 pottery fragments from 554 archaeological sites across Europe, finding evidence of significant milk consumption in Neolithic Europe from around 7,000 BCE, long before the gene for lactase persistence became common around 1,000 BCE. This challenges the previous assumption that increased milk consumption drove the evolution of lactose tolerance. Professor Mark Thomas from University College London noted the rapid spread of the lactase gene variant, suggesting it was the most selected trait in various populations over the last 10,000 years. The study also indicated that while lactose intolerance can cause discomfort, it is not life-threatening, except under conditions of famine or disease, when the ability to digest milk could provide a survival advantage.
Published: Nov 27 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking study, researchers have fully sequenced the sex chromosomes of non-human primates for the first time, revealing significant evolutionary differences between the rapidly changing Y chromosome and the relatively static X chromosome. The study, which included complete genomes from five great apes and one lesser ape, found that while over 90% of ape X chromosome sequences align with the human X chromosome, only 14 to 27% of Y chromosomes do, indicating a high rate of mutation and change. This rapid evolution of the Y chromosome, attributed to its limited genetic exchange with other chromosomes, raises concerns about its potential extinction. However, certain genes are protected by mechanisms such as palindromic sequences, which may ensure the Y chromosome's survival. Despite fears of its disappearance, study author Kateryna Makova asserts that the Y chromosome is unlikely to vanish in the near future, providing a crucial safety net for male existence.
Published: Nov 28 2025, 7 ameznews.inBarnacles often hitch rides on whales due to a combination of factors, according to Professor Geoffrey Boxshall from the Natural History Museum London. Whales frequent nutrient-rich surface waters, providing ample food for barnacles, while their large size offers a substantial surface area for attachment. Additionally, the social behavior of many whale species, which often travel in groups for mating and feeding, increases the chances for barnacle larvae to find a host. Despite their presence, barnacles are not harmful to whales; they are not parasitic and do not cause significant damage. Some whale species, like gray whales, can carry substantial barnacle loads, while others, such as blue whales and orcas, have fewer due to their slick skin and grooming behaviors. This relationship between whales and barnacles likely dates back millions of years, evolving alongside specific whale species.
Published: Nov 28 2025, 8 ameznews.inA satirical story about a diver who allegedly got his penis stuck in a giant clam has resurfaced, highlighting the importance of being cautious with one's anatomy. The fictional tale, published by the satirical site World News Daily Report in March 2018, describes a character named Sean Madison, who, under the influence of drugs, attempts this ill-fated encounter, only to suffer a severe allergic reaction afterward. Despite the humorous premise, the article serves as a cautionary reminder to avoid such risky behavior. The accompanying image, which depicts a young man with a swollen face, is actually of Austin Hatfield, who was hospitalized after attempting to kiss a cottonmouth snake. This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions, particularly involving one's genitals, and reinforces the message: leave the clams—and other hazardous creatures—alone.
Published: Nov 28 2025, 1 ameznews.inDomestic cats can trace their lineage back to North African wildcats, with the first domestication occurring around 2,000 years ago, significantly later than previously believed. Earlier theories suggested that cats were domesticated during Neolithic times in the Levant, supported by archaeological findings of ancient cat burials. However, recent genomic analysis of 70 ancient cats revealed that specimens older than 2,000 years were actually European wildcats, not domestic cats. Researchers, including study author Marco de Martino, concluded that while early humans coexisted with wildcats, true domestication did not occur until the emergence of cats descended from North African wildcats. By the first century BCE, these domestic cats had rapidly spread throughout the Roman Empire, reaching as far as the British Isles. This research, published in the journal Science, shifts the timeline of cat domestication from thousands of years ago to a much more recent period.
Published: Nov 28 2025, 1 ameznews.inIn a thought-provoking study, researchers from Loughborough University and the University of Zurich have highlighted the disconnect between humanity's ancient biology and modern life, echoing Edward O. Wilson's assertion that we possess "Palaeolithic emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology." The study reveals that the chronic stressors of contemporary urban living—such as traffic, social media, and constant notifications—trigger the same biological responses as ancient threats like predators, but unlike those fleeting dangers, modern stressors persist, leading to a state of continuous tension. This unrelenting stress is linked to various health issues, including infertility, compromised immune function, and cognitive decline. As urban populations are projected to rise significantly by 2050, the researchers advocate for a reevaluation of our relationship with nature, suggesting that integrating natural spaces into urban environments could mitigate these health risks and enhance well-being. The findings are published in the journal Biological Reviews.
Published: Nov 26 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe enduring myth that microwaves heat food by targeting the "resonant frequency" of water has persisted for nearly 78 years since the first commercial microwave was introduced. In reality, microwaves, produced by a magnetron, heat food through dielectric heating, where the electric field causes water molecules and other food components to vibrate, generating heat. The frequency of 2.45 GHz is not specifically tuned to water but is effective for heating a variety of substances, including fats and proteins, due to its penetration depth and ease of production. Experts clarify that microwaves do not cook food from the inside out; rather, they heat the exterior first, with heat then conducting inward. Additionally, ice can absorb microwaves, but its hydrogen bonds limit molecular rotation, causing it to heat more slowly. Understanding these principles dispels common misconceptions about microwave cooking.
Published: Nov 28 2025, 2 ameznews.inA thought-provoking question posed on Reddit by user gothreepwood101 has sparked a discussion about the physics of a hypothetical metal pole stretching from the English to the French coast. The query revolves around whether pulling one end of the pole would cause the other end to move instantly. Contrary to initial assumptions, the answer is no; such movement cannot occur faster than the speed of light, which is the universe's ultimate speed limit. Instead, when one end is pulled, the force travels through the pole as a wave at the speed of sound in the material, which is significantly slower. For instance, if the pole were made of iron, the force would take approximately 6.43 seconds to reach the other end, while light would cover the same distance in just 0.00011 seconds, highlighting the vast difference in speed between sound and light.
Published: Nov 27 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe East Antarctic Plateau holds the title of the coldest place on Earth, with temperatures at Russia's Vostok Station plummeting to -89.2°C (-128.6°F) on July 23, 1983. Recent satellite data from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, covering 2004 to 2016, revealed even lower temperatures of around -98°C (-144.4°F) in the region during the polar night, particularly at altitudes of 3,800 to 4,050 meters (12,467 to 13,287 feet). These extreme conditions are exacerbated by a strong Antarctic polar vortex, which traps cold air. While these temperatures are naturally occurring, scientists have achieved even colder conditions in laboratory settings, nearing absolute zero. In 2021, German researchers set a record by cooling rubidium atoms to 38 picokelvins, a state where atomic movement is nearly halted, showcasing the bizarre phenomena of quantum physics.
Published: Nov 27 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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