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The human brain, a complex organ weighing over a kilogram, has evolved significantly from its early origins, where even the development of eyes preceded that of the brain. In his upcoming BBC Two series, *Secrets of the Brain*, Professor Jim Al-Khalili explores the evolutionary journey that has led to the advanced cognitive abilities of humans compared to other mammals. He emphasizes that the evolution of intelligence was driven by survival challenges, with our ancestors needing to adapt to their environments, which required greater brain power. Al-Khalili also discusses the "social brain theory," suggesting that the complexity of social structures in primates, particularly humans, necessitated larger brains. Central to this evolution is the neocortex, unique to mammals, which facilitates high-level thinking and memory. The series promises to delve deeper into the intricacies of our brain's development and its implications for understanding intelligence. 
Published: Sep 25 2025, 4 ameznews.inScientists at CERN have reported a groundbreaking observation that may indicate new physics beyond the Standard Model. The NA62 experiment has detected an ultra-rare decay of a charged kaon into a charged pion and a neutrino-antineutrino pair, a process predicted to occur in fewer than 1 in 10 billion cases. Following extensive high-energy collisions, the team achieved a 5-sigma detection, suggesting a mere 0.00006 percent chance of a statistical error. This decay, occurring approximately 13 times in 100 billion trials, exceeds Standard Model predictions by about 50 percent, raising questions about potential new particles or phenomena. Professor Cristina Lazzeroni hailed the result as a significant milestone, while Professor Giuseppe Ruggiero emphasized the challenges of studying such rare events. The findings were presented at a CERN seminar, with further research and publications anticipated to explore these intriguing results.
Published: Sep 29 2025, 5 ameznews.inA new fossil analysis has revealed that woolly and Columbian mammoths in North America interbred over thousands of years, challenging previous assumptions about their evolutionary paths. Traditionally viewed as separate species adapted to different climates, the discovery of two hybrid mammoth teeth in Canada indicates that these Ice Age giants mingled during glacial periods. The younger fossil, dating back 25,000 years, contained 35% Columbian mammoth DNA, while the older one, approximately 36,000 years old, had 21%. This suggests long-term hybridization, which researchers believe played a significant role in mammoth evolution and adaptability to climate change. Professor Adrian Lister, a co-author of the study, emphasized that hybridization can create new species, contrasting with the traditional view of a branching evolutionary tree. The findings, published in *Biology Letters*, may also provide insights into the adaptability of modern species, including elephants, in the face of environmental changes.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 2 ameznews.inThe latest issue of CURIOUS magazine, published in October 2025, delves into the theme of fear, exploring its complexities just in time for the spooky season. The cover story poses the question, "What actually is fear?" and examines whether it is always a negative experience. Additionally, the issue features a deep dive into the practice of mummification, revealing that it extended beyond ancient Egypt. Readers can also discover which animals are deemed to have the worst table manners, with surprising results. The magazine highlights a unique location, the Silfra Fissure in Iceland, where one can swim between tectonic plates. Furthermore, an exclusive excerpt from Professor Richard Fortey's _Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind_ is included, alongside news, diary dates, and recommendations for the month. Access to the full content requires a subscription.
Published: Sep 29 2025, 3 ameznews.inThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) has identified approximately 40 circular structures at the bottom of Lake Michigan, believed to be sinkholes. Discovered during a 2022 sonar survey, these depressions range from 91 to 183 meters in diameter and are located about 22.5 kilometers southeast of Sheboygan. The sinkholes likely formed due to geological processes involving the dissolution of limestone by groundwater, a phenomenon common in karst terrain. Similar sinkholes in Lake Huron have revealed ancient microbial communities, suggesting that Lake Michigan's sinkholes may also harbor unique life forms. Researchers are eager to explore these structures further, as they could provide insights into early Earth conditions and the types of microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments. The findings underscore the ecological significance of these underwater formations and their potential to enhance our understanding of microbial life.
Published: Sep 27 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn 1981, astronomers conducting a redshift survey unexpectedly identified a significant gap in galaxy distribution, leading to the discovery of the Boötes Void, a vast region in the vicinity of the Boötes constellation. Spanning 330 million light-years, it was initially the largest known void, containing only 60 galaxies instead of the expected 2,000. This anomaly raised questions about galaxy formation theories. In 2015, researchers found an even larger void, the KBC Void, measuring 1.8 billion light-years, which also contains our Milky Way. Both voids challenge existing models of matter distribution in the universe and are linked to the "Hubble tension," a discrepancy in the observed rate of cosmic expansion. Some scientists propose that the Milky Way's position near the center of a local void could explain this tension, suggesting that our understanding of the universe's structure may need reevaluation. Further research is essential to explore these implications.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA noticeable change is underway in plastic bottles across Europe as the European Union (EU) prepares to enforce a new directive requiring that caps and lids remain attached to single-use plastic containers during use. This regulation, aimed at reducing plastic waste, stems from the EU's recognition that plastic caps are among the most common litter found on beaches. The directive, first announced in 2018 and finalized in June 2019, mandates compliance by July 3, 2024, although many consumers have already encountered bottles with tethered lids. While some praise the initiative, others express frustration over usability issues. Major beverage companies, including Coca-Cola and Nestlé, initially opposed the rule, but the EU has remained firm in its commitment. The effectiveness of this regulation will be evaluated by July 3, 2027, though it remains unclear how consumer feedback will be integrated into this assessment.
Published: Sep 28 2025, 10 pmeznews.inNASA's Psyche spacecraft has successfully demonstrated advanced optical communication by sending and receiving laser messages over a distance of 350 million kilometers (218 million miles), surpassing the average distance to Mars. This achievement, part of NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications technology, lays the groundwork for high-speed data links essential for future human missions to the Red Planet. Launched in 2023, Psyche is set to study the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, with operations beginning in 2029. The spacecraft utilizes a laser transceiver to communicate with ground stations, including Caltech’s Palomar Observatory, which decodes the faint signals. This technology, which has shown data rates comparable to household broadband, could enable real-time video streaming from Mars, enhancing exploration capabilities. NASA officials emphasize that these advancements are crucial for the future of space exploration, paving the way for a new era of discovery.
Published: Sep 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas is "anomalously massive," weighing approximately 33 billion tons, significantly more than its predecessors, ‘Oumuamua and Comet Borisov. Discovered on July 1, 2025, 3I/Atlas is moving through the Solar System at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors and features a nucleus estimated to be 5.6 kilometers in diameter. Researchers from Harvard analyzed data from 227 observatories, noting that the comet's non-gravitational acceleration was minimal, suggesting a dense nucleus that resists acceleration changes due to outgassing. This raises questions about the rarity of such massive interstellar objects, with astronomer Avi Loeb speculating on the possibility of an alien origin, although NASA has emphasized that the evidence strongly supports its classification as a natural comet. Observations of 3I/Atlas will continue, with potential insights expected from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in October 2025.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable cosmic event, a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun is set to collide with the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, which was first detected by astronomers on July 1, 2025. This comet, traveling at nearly double the speed of previous interstellar visitors like ‘Oumuamua, is estimated to have a nucleus measuring around 5.6 kilometers and a mass exceeding 33 billion tons. As it approaches the Sun, the comet has been exhibiting outgassing, confirming its classification as a comet. NASA predicts that the CME will impact 3I/Atlas on September 25, 2025, potentially altering its tail but not its trajectory. While past interactions between comets and CMEs have shown temporary effects, astronomers are eager to observe the outcome of this rare encounter. However, they face a limited observation window as the comet will soon enter solar conjunction, obscuring it from view.
Published: Sep 25 2025, 10 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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