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Despite being a common experience, the phenomenon of tickling, or gargalesis, remains one of the greatest mysteries in science, perplexing thinkers for over 2,000 years. Researchers, including neuroscientist Konstantina Kilteni, highlight the lack of understanding surrounding why certain body areas are more sensitive, why some enjoy tickling while others do not, and why we cannot tickle ourselves. Existing studies suggest that individuals with autism perceive ticklish sensations differently, potentially offering insights into neurological differences. The evolutionary purpose of tickling is also questioned, as it appears to be a behavior shared among various species, including apes and rats. Kilteni's innovative tickling lab aims to standardize research methods, allowing for a deeper exploration of the brain's response to tickling. This research could not only clarify the mechanics of tickling but also enhance our understanding of brain development and social bonding. The findings are detailed in a recent publication in *Science Advances*. 
Published: May 29 2025, 11 pmeznews.inSwimming with orcas in Mexico is technically illegal, yet a legal loophole has led to a surge in tourist activities in La Ventana Bay, where visitors can swim with these marine mammals. While the Official Mexican Standard NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010 prohibits swimming and other activities during whale-watching trips, it does not explicitly mention orcas, allowing for their inclusion in tours. This has raised concerns among experts, who warn of potential risks to both tourists and orcas, as increased human interaction could disrupt the whales' natural behavior and feeding patterns. In response, marine biologists and tour operators are collaborating on a management plan that would require permits for boat tours, limit daily interactions, and focus on educating guides about safe practices. This proposal is currently under review by the Mexican government, with a decision anticipated this summer.
Published: May 31 2025, 6 ameznews.inGreat white sharks, known for their size and predatory prowess, are rarely seen in aquariums due to a combination of factors that make their captivity challenging. Despite attempts dating back to the 1950s, including a notable effort at Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in 2016, these sharks often die within days of capture. Their diet poses a significant issue, as they typically refuse to eat anything but live prey, complicating feeding in a controlled environment. Additionally, great whites require vast swimming spaces to thrive, with some traveling over 20,000 kilometers in the wild, making it impractical to replicate their natural habitat in a tank. The artificial environment can also confuse their acute electroreception abilities. As public sentiment shifts against keeping large marine animals in captivity, the prospect of exhibiting great white sharks has become increasingly unpopular, reflecting a broader change in attitudes towards animal welfare.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inA new simulation suggests that Earth faces a 1-in-100,000 chance of being ejected from the Solar System due to the gravitational influence of passing stars. As the Sun nears the end of its life in about 5 billion years, it will expand into a red giant, likely consuming Mercury and possibly Venus and Earth. However, the study, published in the journal *Icarus*, indicates that interactions with nearby stars could destabilize the Solar System much sooner. The simulation predicts approximately 19 stellar encounters per million years within 1 parsec of the Sun, with a 2% chance of losing a planet. Mercury is particularly vulnerable, with a 50-80% increased risk of instability, while Pluto has a 5% chance of becoming unstable. Mars also faces a 0.3% risk of collision or ejection. Fortunately, no stars are expected to approach us for a considerable time, allowing humanity to seek solutions.
Published: May 31 2025, 9 ameznews.inResearchers at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have unveiled a pioneering technology that can transform cancer cells into a state resembling normal cells without killing them, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment. This innovative approach, known as cancer reversion, aims to restore the differentiated characteristics of cancer cells, which often lose their specialized functions. By reactivating differentiation-associated genes, the team successfully converted colon cancer cells back to a normal-like state, confirmed through molecular and cellular experiments on animal subjects. The study highlights the identification of "master regulators"—specific genes that control this differentiation process—enabling scientists to manipulate cancer cells more effectively. Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho emphasized the significance of this systematic method, which could lead to new reversible therapies applicable to various cancer types. The findings, published in *Advanced Science*, mark a significant step towards developing alternative cancer treatments that minimize side effects and resistance risks.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA grade eight student from Ontario, Canada, Brenden Sener, has made significant strides in resolving a historical debate surrounding Archimedes' legendary "death ray," a weapon purportedly used to incinerate Roman ships during the Siege of Syracuse in 213-212 BCE. Sener constructed a scaled-down version of the device, employing concave mirrors and LED lamps, and demonstrated that the concept could indeed work. His experiments revealed that using multiple mirrors could significantly increase the temperature of a target, supporting claims made by previous researchers, including a 2005 MIT study. While some scholars have dismissed the death ray as myth, Sener's findings suggest that, with a powerful heat source and properly angled mirrors, combustion could be achievable. For his innovative work, Sener received several accolades, including the Matthews Hall Annual Science Fair Gold Medal and the London Public Library Award for inspiring interest in science and technology.
Published: May 29 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe distinction between a million and a billion can be challenging to grasp, particularly when contextualized with real-world examples. A million seconds equates to approximately 11.57 days, while a billion seconds spans an astonishing 31.7 years. Historically, the term "billion" originated in the 1600s, initially denoting one million million (1,000,000,000,000) before French mathematicians shifted its meaning to one thousand million (1,000,000,000). This change was adopted by the United States and gradually gained traction in English-speaking countries, including the UK, where the term officially transitioned to the shorter scale in 1974. Despite this, confusion persists, as some regions still adhere to the long scale, where numbers increase by a factor of one million. Consequently, the interpretation of a billion can vary significantly across different cultures, highlighting the complexities of numerical language in a global context.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 2 ameznews.inA performance of Johann Strauss II's iconic waltz, _The Blue Danube_, was transmitted into space over the weekend, reaching NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft, which is currently 24.9 billion kilometers away. Recorded by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, this "interstellar concert" was facilitated by the European Space Agency (ESA) using a 35-meter satellite dish in Spain. The signal took approximately 23 hours to reach Voyager 1, with the music continuing its journey into interstellar space at light speed. Despite its popularity, particularly as an "unofficial space anthem" featured in Stanley Kubrick's _2001: A Space Odyssey_, _The Blue Danube_ was notably absent from the Voyager Golden Record launched in 1977. The recent performance, organized by Vienna Symphony Orchestra director Jan Nast, aimed to rectify this omission, highlighting music's universal ability to convey hope and joy, a sentiment that may resonate with any future extraterrestrial listeners.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 3 ameznews.inA recent Reddit thread has revealed surprising insights from zookeepers about the often-overlooked dangers of working with animals, particularly chimpanzees, which one user described as capable of inflicting severe harm. The discussion, initiated by a user seeking the "inside scoop" on zoos, highlighted various unsettling realities, including emergency protocols that prioritize animal welfare over human safety during crises. Zookeepers shared anecdotes of animal behavior, such as a chimpanzee killing a groundhog in front of schoolchildren, and the grim necessity of having a "kill on sight" list for certain animals. Additionally, the thread touched on the bizarre aspects of animal care, including the collection of sperm from dolphins for breeding programs. These revelations paint a complex picture of zoo life, where the line between education and the harsh realities of animal behavior often blurs, leaving visitors with a mix of awe and discomfort.
Published: May 31 2025, 1 ameznews.inNew research suggests that the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies may not collide as previously thought, with a 50% chance of them missing each other over the next 10 billion years. Historically, estimates indicated a merger within 5 billion years, but this study, led by Dr. Till Sawala from the University of Helsinki, incorporates the influence of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) on the Milky Way's trajectory. Utilizing data from Hubble and the European Space Agency’s Gaia, the team conducted over 100,000 simulations, revealing that in many scenarios, the gravitational pull of the LMC alters the Milky Way's path, reducing the likelihood of a merger with Andromeda. While a collision remains possible, it is now projected to occur in 8 to 10 billion years, with only a 2% chance of happening within the next 5 billion years. The findings, published in *Nature Astronomy*, highlight the evolving understanding of our galaxy's future.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 12 ameznews.inThe Garden of Eden, a central symbol in Christianity and Judaism, is often speculated to have a real-world counterpart, particularly in the region where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converge in modern-day Iraq. Biblical descriptions in Genesis suggest that Eden was nourished by four rivers, two of which are identifiable today. While some theologians have linked the other two rivers, Pishon and Gihon, to the Ganges and Nile, this theory has been challenged due to geographical inconsistencies. Despite numerous claims by pseudoarchaeologists asserting the discovery of Eden, these often lack credible evidence. Conversely, from a scientific perspective, the origins of humanity trace back to Africa, particularly in regions like South Africa and Ethiopia, which could be considered a more plausible "Garden of Eden" in terms of human evolution. However, the mythical garden remains steeped in symbolism, with its true location still a matter of debate.
Published: Jun 03 2025, 12 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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