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Tokyo has lost its title as the world's most populous city, with Jakarta now taking the lead, according to the United Nations' World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report. Jakarta's population is estimated at nearly 42 million, followed closely by Dhaka at almost 40 million, while Tokyo's population stands at 33 million. This shift is attributed to a new methodology for defining urban areas, which has significantly increased Jakarta's population count. Additionally, Japan's ongoing demographic challenges, including a declining birth rate and an aging population, have contributed to Tokyo's fall from first to third place since 2000. Projections indicate that by 2050, Tokyo's population may shrink to 30.7 million, further dropping its rank among global megacities. Meanwhile, Dhaka and Shanghai are expected to experience rapid growth, with Dhaka projected to surpass Jakarta as the largest city by mid-century. 
Published: Jan 07 2026, 5 pmeznews.inAn international research team, led by the University of Vienna and including institutions such as the University of Tartu and the University of Cambridge, has reconstructed ancient genomes of herpesviruses from nearly 4,000 human skeleton samples across Europe. This study focused on two common herpesviruses, HHV-6A and HHV-6B, which have been found to infect a significant portion of the human population. The researchers discovered these viruses in medieval remains from England, Belgium, and Estonia, as well as ancient samples from Italy and Russia, indicating their long-standing presence in diverse human societies. Notably, some individuals in England carried forms of HHV-6B integrated into their DNA, suggesting a deep evolutionary relationship with humans. The findings, published in *Science Advances*, provide the first concrete evidence of these viruses' existence dating back over 2,500 years, highlighting their co-evolution with humans since our migration out of Africa.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 7 pmeznews.inA new study from Australian researchers warns that the trend of "diet stacking," where individuals combine multiple dietary strategies, can pose serious health risks. Dr. Caroline Tuck, a senior lecturer in dietetics, highlighted that while many diets have individual benefits, layering them can lead to nutritional inadequacies and exacerbate gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease. Such practices may worsen symptoms, reduce diet quality, and increase the risk of disordered eating, potentially leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease and obesity. The study emphasizes the importance of proper medical guidance when managing dietary restrictions, particularly for those with existing health conditions. Tuck advocates for education and collaboration with accredited dietitians to ensure safe dietary practices, cautioning against the obsession with diet culture prevalent on social media. The findings are published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Open.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 5 pmeznews.inA recent study has revealed that the ability to conduct mass hunts, a significant factor in the survival of _Homo sapiens_ over Neanderthals, likely emerged around 50,000 years ago. Researchers examined the Nesher Ramla site in Israel, where numerous aurochs bones, dated to approximately 120,000 years ago, were found. Contrary to expectations of a coordinated mass hunt, the analysis indicated that these bones belonged to individual animals rather than a single herd, suggesting that the hominins at the site engaged in multiple small-scale hunting events instead. This finding implies that these ancient hunters lacked the sophisticated communication and cooperation skills necessary for large-scale hunts, potentially placing them at an evolutionary disadvantage compared to the more adept _Homo sapiens_. The study underscores the importance of social organization in human evolution and is published in the journal *Scientific Reports*.
Published: Jan 05 2026, 2 ameznews.inIn a quirky twist on scientific inquiry, researcher Craig Bennett's decision to scan a dead Atlantic salmon has sparked significant debate in the field of neuroscience. Initially intended as a light-hearted experiment to test new MRI protocols, the salmon was subjected to brain scans while "performing" a task involving human emotions. Surprisingly, the data revealed clusters of activity in the salmon's brain, suggesting it was "thinking" about the images, despite being deceased. This unexpected finding led to a broader discussion on the challenges of multiple comparisons correction in fMRI studies, highlighting the risk of false positives in data interpretation. While the study was initially met with skepticism, it ultimately contributed to important conversations about the reliability of fMRI research, earning Bennett and his team an Ig Nobel Prize in 2012. As Bennett noted, the salmon's legacy may positively influence neuroimaging practices moving forward.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 5 ameznews.inA newly identified hominin species, _Homo juluensis_, has been discovered in northern China, dating back approximately 140,000 to 230,000 years, during the same period as the Denisovans and another species known as _Homo longi_, or "Dragon Man." Unearthed in Hebei Province in the 1970s but only named in 2024, _H. juluensis_—meaning "Large-Headed Man"—has been the subject of conflicting dating methods, with some suggesting ages as old as 500,000 years and others as recent as 69,000 years. A recent study employing uranium-series dating has clarified its timeline, indicating coexistence with _H. longi_. While the exact relationship between these two hominins remains uncertain, both may belong to a sister lineage of modern humans, with _H. longi_ confirmed to have Denisovan ancestry. The findings highlight the complex and poorly understood Middle Pleistocene era of human evolution in China.
Published: Jan 07 2026, 7 ameznews.inSnoring can be a source of frustration for bed partners, but research reveals why some snorers remain blissfully unaware of their own noise. According to Dr. Manish Shah, a general practitioner and dentist, while some snorers do wake themselves up briefly, many do not recall these disturbances due to their brain's filtering mechanism. The thalamus prioritizes restfulness, allowing the brain to ignore familiar sounds, such as one's own snoring. Studies indicate that snorers experience more sleep disturbances, yet often remain in a sleep state during these episodes. To mitigate snoring, experts recommend sleeping on one’s side and avoiding back sleeping, which can exacerbate the issue. Ignoring snoring can be dangerous, as it may indicate sleep apnea, leading to serious health risks. For those diagnosed with sleep apnea, CPAP machines can help, though they may initially seem disruptive.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 12 pmeznews.inIn a remarkable episode during the Third Mithridatic War, a Roman military column was ambushed and decimated by enemy forces using a hallucinogenic substance known as "mad honey." This honey, produced by bees along the Black Sea coast, contains neurotoxins that induce severe disorientation and nausea. Historical accounts, notably from the ancient historian Strabo, detail how the Heptacomitae, allies of King Mithridates VI of Pontus, strategically placed bowls of this intoxicating honey in the path of advancing Roman soldiers. As the legionaries consumed the honey and succumbed to its effects, they became easy targets for the attackers. Despite the effectiveness of this tactic, the victory was short-lived, as the Roman army ultimately defeated Mithridates, leading to the fall of the Pontic Kingdom. Ironically, Mithridates, known for his immunity to poisons, failed in a suicide attempt by poison after his defeat, requiring assistance from his bodyguard to complete the act.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 10 ameznews.inAntarctica, the coldest and most remote continent on Earth, is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, established in 1959, which prohibits territorial claims, military activity, and resource extraction, designating the region for peaceful scientific research. Despite this, seven countries—Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK—have made formal claims, leading to geopolitical tensions, particularly among Argentina, Chile, and the UK. While the US and other nations maintain a presence through research stations, they do not recognize these claims, eyeing potential future resources, including an estimated 200 billion barrels of oil beneath the ice. The Treaty’s provisions can be renegotiated in 2048, raising concerns about future exploitation. Unique methods of claiming territory include passport stamps and even surgical procedures, such as appendix removals for those stationed there, highlighting the extreme conditions of life in this icy expanse.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 6 ameznews.inNASA has released a stunning 40-second video showcasing the expansion of Kepler's supernova remnant, which has been under observation for 25 years. This supernova, first spotted by astronomer Johannes Kepler in 1604, was so bright it could be seen during the day for over three weeks. Initially lost to view, it was rediscovered in 1941, and recent observations from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have provided new insights into its behavior. Graduate student Jessye Gassel, who led the research, emphasized the significance of watching the remnants collide with previously ejected material, highlighting the ongoing story of this cosmic event. Kepler's supernova is classified as a type Ia, resulting from a white dwarf star drawing material from a companion. Understanding supernovae is crucial, as they produce elements essential for the formation of stars and planets, shedding light on our cosmic history, according to NASA's Brian Williams.
Published: Jan 08 2026, 1 ameznews.inFor 140 years, the reproductive habits of Antarctic sea spiders, known for their impressive size due to a phenomenon called "polar gigantism," remained a mystery. However, researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa have made a breakthrough by observing these creatures in their natural habitat. They discovered that unlike other sea spider species that carry their eggs, Antarctic sea spiders (_Colossendeis megalonyx_) attach their eggs to the rocky seabed, where they develop over several months, camouflaged by microscopic algae. This finding, described by PhD student Aaron Toh as a stroke of luck, not only resolves a long-standing enigma but also suggests that these sea spiders could provide insights into the evolution of paternal care in arthropods. Professor Amy Moran noted that the simpler care methods employed by male sea spiders may illuminate the evolutionary transition to more complex parental behaviors. The study is published in the journal Ecology.
Published: Jan 03 2026, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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