eznews.in
On January 23, 1556, the Shaanxi province of northwest China experienced a catastrophic earthquake, believed to be the deadliest day in human history, with an estimated death toll of 830,000. The quake, caused by the slipping of the Weinan and Huashan faults, had its epicenter near Huaxian. While records indicate that about one-third of the victims died from collapsing structures and landslides, many others succumbed to disease and famine in the aftermath. Despite its magnitude of 8 to 8.3, the Shaanxi earthquake is not the strongest recorded but remains the deadliest, surpassing the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, which killed around 655,000. Given the global population of less than half a billion at the time, the relative loss of life on that day is unparalleled. Nearly 500 years later, no single day has matched the devastation of that fateful Thursday. 
Published: Apr 04 2025, 9 pmeznews.inWhite tigers, captivating audiences for centuries, are not the magical creatures many believe them to be; they are the result of a recessive gene and profit-driven inbreeding practices. These Bengal tigers, often mistaken for a separate species, are exceptionally rare in the wild, with most captive individuals tracing their lineage back to a single tiger named Mohan, captured in 1951. The striking white fur is due to a genetic mutation that inhibits pigment production, but the rarity of this trait has led to harmful inbreeding, resulting in serious health issues for many, such as heart defects and impaired vision. Despite their popularity, particularly following the Las Vegas shows of Siegfried and Roy, conservationists argue that breeding white tigers is primarily for profit, not preservation. However, a recent ban by the American Zoological Association on breeding these animals marks a shift towards more ethical practices in wildlife conservation.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 6 pmeznews.inTrack and field events, horse racing, and other sports predominantly feature athletes running counter-clockwise, a tradition that dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome. This practice reportedly began after a chariot racer accidentally struck Emperor Nero, leading to a decree that all races be run in the opposite direction. While some have speculated that the Coriolis effect might provide a slight advantage to runners in the Northern Hemisphere, evidence supporting this claim is scant. Instead, the preference for counter-clockwise running may stem from human right-side dominance, allowing athletes to utilize their stronger leg on the outside during turns. Additionally, the aesthetic appeal of this direction for spectators, who often read from left to right, may contribute to its popularity. Ultimately, standardization in sports has solidified counter-clockwise running as the norm, ensuring consistency in training and competition across the globe.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 7 pmeznews.inOn Monday, SpaceX launched its Fram2 mission, marking a historic first as four astronauts embarked on a pole-to-pole orbit, a route previously untraveled by humans. However, the mission's start was marred by space motion sickness, with private astronaut Chun Wang reporting that all crew members experienced nausea and vomiting shortly after entering microgravity. Despite the discomfort, the crew managed to conduct some activities, including a movie night and communication with Earth. As they adjusted to their new environment, they began performing scientific tasks, including taking X-ray images and studying the effects of microgravity on human health. The mission, funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, aims to conduct 22 research experiments over three to five days in orbit, ultimately contributing to our understanding of long-duration space travel. After their return, the crew plans to exit the spacecraft unaided, providing valuable data on astronaut recovery post-mission.
Published: Apr 03 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearch indicates that birthing positions such as squatting or kneeling can significantly benefit labor by widening the pelvic outlet, thereby shortening delivery times. Despite this, the majority of women in the United States still give birth on their backs, a practice that has been linked to prolonged labor and slower contractions. This position became prevalent in Western culture over the last 200 years, with its origins traced back to 17th-century France. While King Louis XIV is often cited as a catalyst for this change due to his alleged voyeuristic tendencies, it was actually the physician François Mariceau who popularized the reclining position for its comfort and accessibility for midwives. Although the king's influence on birthing practices remains debated, his promotion of this position has left a lasting legacy in modern childbirth, despite its drawbacks.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 11 ameznews.inMommy, a centenarian tortoise at Philadelphia Zoo, has made history by giving birth to four hatchlings, marking the first successful birth of the critically endangered Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise (_Chelonoidis porteri_) in the zoo's 150-year history. Both Mommy and her mate, Abrazzo, are approximately 100 years old, making Mommy the oldest known first-time mother of her species. This milestone is part of a breeding program aimed at conserving a population that has dwindled to around 3,400 individuals due to habitat loss and invasive species. The hatchlings, which are vital for genetic diversity, will be publicly introduced on April 23, coinciding with the anniversary of Mommy's arrival at the zoo. Zoo officials emphasize the importance of these births in inspiring conservation efforts and ensuring the survival of this unique species for future generations.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 2 pmeznews.inResearchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an innovative antiviral chewing gum that could significantly reduce viral loads for common infections, including influenza and herpes simplex viruses. Led by Dr. Henry Daniell, the team aimed to target viruses in saliva, where they replicate and spread. The gum contains plant-derived proteins, specifically from lablab beans, which naturally produce an antiviral protein called FRIL. In laboratory tests, the gum demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce viral loads by over 95% for influenza and effectively neutralized herpes simplex viruses. The gum remained stable and effective even after 800 days of storage. This breakthrough could pave the way for new strategies to control viral transmission, particularly in light of recent global health challenges. The research, published in *Molecular Therapy*, also aims to explore the gum's efficacy against bird flu strains in future studies.
Published: Apr 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inA new hypothesis suggests that early humans may have learned to create tools not by inventing the technique of knapping, but by utilizing naturally occurring sharp stones, termed "naturaliths." Researchers from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History propose that these naturally formed basalt specimens, found abundantly in regions like Northern Ireland and Oman, could have been used by hominins for cutting tasks before they developed the skill to intentionally shape stones. Professor Metin Eren argues that the presence of these sharp rocks likely influenced early tool use, allowing hominins to process food more efficiently. This theory challenges the traditional narrative of technological advancement, suggesting that the evolution of stone tools may have been a gradual process influenced by readily available resources rather than a sudden breakthrough. The findings, published in *Archaeometry*, call for further archaeological investigation into the use of naturaliths by our ancestors, potentially reshaping our understanding of early human innovation.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 6 ameznews.inWashington DC's cherry blossom season has reached its peak bloom, with pretty pink petals adorning the Tidal Basin. In 2025, peak bloom occurred on March 28, as defined by the National Park Service, marking the day when over 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms are open. This annual spectacle, typically occurring between late March and early April, is deeply rooted in the Japanese tradition of hanami, symbolizing the fleeting beauty of nature and new beginnings. The cherry trees were first gifted to the US in 1909 by Japan to strengthen diplomatic ties, although the initial batch was destroyed due to disease. A second donation in 1912 successfully established the trees in Washington. The cherry blossoms continue to be a cherished symbol of friendship, with Japan recently gifting an additional 250 trees in 2024, reinforcing the enduring bond between the two nations.
Published: Apr 03 2025, 4 ameznews.inEarth's magnetic field undergoes a reversal approximately every 200,000 to 300,000 years, where the North and South Poles switch places, a phenomenon evidenced by the "zebra stripes" found on the ocean floor. These stripes, formed alongside mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates diverge, are created as molten rock cools and solidifies, trapping magnetic iron oxide crystals (magnetite) that align with the Earth's magnetic field. As the field flips, the orientation of these crystals changes, resulting in alternating patterns that provide a permanent record of geomagnetic history. This discovery has bolstered the theory of plate tectonics, first proposed in the early 20th century, as scientists mapped these magnetic patterns and correlated them with known timelines of reversals. The last significant reversal occurred around 780,100 years ago, leading some to speculate that Earth may be overdue for another flip, although experts caution that an imminent reversal is unlikely.
Published: Apr 08 2025, 2 ameznews.inIn a fascinating exploration of how humanity is represented visually, the Pioneer plaque, designed by Carl Sagan and his team in the 1970s, featured a nude male and female figure to symbolize our species for potential extraterrestrial civilizations. This image briefly served as the face of humanity on Wikipedia from 2003 to 2008, but it sparked significant debate among editors who criticized it for being unrepresentative and overly simplistic. Concerns included its portrayal of racial features and the lack of clothing, which many argued is a fundamental aspect of human culture. After years of contentious discussions and various proposed alternatives, the image of an Akha couple from Thailand was ultimately chosen as a more inclusive representation. This photograph, depicting both genders and showcasing human tools, has since remained the symbol of humanity on Wikipedia, reflecting a broader and more accurate depiction of our species.
Published: Apr 07 2025, 11 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
India
World
Economy
Science
Health
Showbiz
Contact