eznews.inA TikTok video by creator @zachdfilms3 has sparked interest in the historical fact that the English alphabet once included 27 letters, with the ampersand ("&") recognized as the 27th. In the video, zachdfilms3 explains that the ampersand, which signified "and," was taught to be pronounced as "per se" when reciting the alphabet, resulting in the sequence "Q R S T U V W X Y Z &." Although the ampersand was part of the alphabet until the late 19th century, it has since fallen out of use, despite its early presence in nursery rhymes. The evolution of the English language has seen the loss of other letters, such as thorn (þ) and wynn (ƿ), while letters like U and J were only added in the 1500s. Experts suggest that while standardized spelling may prevent further losses, the simplification of English orthography remains a possibility. 
Published: Dec 08 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe world of parasites is home to some truly disturbing examples, showcasing nature's darker side. One of the most notorious is *Cymothoa exigua*, a parasitic isopod that invades fish, eventually replacing their tongues by sucking their blood. Another grim example is the guinea worm (*Dracunculus medinensis*), which inflicts excruciating pain on humans as it emerges from the skin after maturing inside the body. Fungi like *Ophiocordyceps* manipulate ants into seeking ideal growth conditions, leading to their demise, while horsehair worms induce crickets to leap into water, ensuring the worms' reproduction. Additionally, parasitoid wasps, such as *Glypatapanteles*, lay eggs in caterpillars, which then protect the larvae at the cost of their own lives. Lastly, filarial worms can cause debilitating conditions like elephantiasis in humans, highlighting the often-harrowing impact of these parasitic organisms.
Published: Dec 03 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA thick blanket of radiation fog, specifically tule fog, has enveloped California's Central Valley for several days and is expected to persist. This type of fog, which forms during clear, calm nights when the ground cools rapidly, is not related to nuclear activity but is a natural phenomenon common in fall and winter. Following heavy rains in late November, the region's damp valleys have created ideal conditions for the fog, which stretches approximately 400 miles from Bakersfield to north of Sacramento. The National Weather Service has issued Dense Fog Advisories due to visibility dropping to as low as 10 feet, prompting warnings for motorists. While the fog can cause hazardous driving conditions, it also plays a crucial role in agriculture by helping crops enter their winter dormancy, essential for their growth in spring. Concerns remain about a decline in winter fog in the region, but this week's weather highlights its ongoing significance.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn a striking example of genetic diversity, twin sisters Lucy and Maria, now 18, showcase how siblings can appear remarkably different despite sharing the same womb. Lucy, with fair skin, blue eyes, and red hair, contrasts sharply with her sister Maria, who has darker skin, brown eyes, and black curls. Their mother, Donna, is of Jamaican descent, while their father, Vince, is white, leading to the twins being fraternal rather than identical. This means they share about 50% of their DNA, similar to regular siblings. The unique appearance of the twins can be attributed to the chance inheritance of genes from their mother, who carries traits for both black and white skin. Such genetic outcomes, while unusual, highlight the complex interplay of ancestry and genetics, particularly among individuals of mixed heritage in Britain, where many with Afro-Caribbean roots have European ancestry.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 1959, Russian scientist Dmitry Belyayev embarked on an ambitious project to domesticate the silver fox, a wild animal known for its fur and natural hostility towards humans. Critics doubted the feasibility of achieving such a transformation within a human lifetime, yet Belyayev's breeding program yielded remarkable results: within 20 generations, foxes were bred to be tame enough to live as household pets. This experiment revealed unexpected traits associated with domestication, such as shorter faces and floppy ears, leading to the concept of "domestication syndrome." While earlier theories linked these changes to genetic networks, recent research suggests that domestication may result from the loss of wild traits due to altered living conditions, such as reduced predation and consistent food supply. Ultimately, the evolution of domesticated animals reflects a complex interplay between human influence and natural selection, underscoring the profound impact of domestication on human civilization.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 6 pmeznews.inA second individual has shown no detectable HIV in their blood for 18 months following a stem cell transfusion, a treatment that mirrors the case of Timothy Ray Brown, the "Berlin Patient," who was functionally cured of HIV twelve years ago. This new case, referred to as the "London Patient," involved a double Δ32 stem cell transfusion after the patient was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. While researchers, including Professor Ravindra Gupta from University College London, express optimism that this case indicates the treatment's potential, they caution against declaring it a definitive cure, as the virus may still be dormant in the body. The treatment's complexity and the rarity of suitable donors limit its widespread application, prompting hopes for alternative methods, such as gene therapy, to modify CCR5 receptors and combat HIV more safely. Currently, 37 million people are living with HIV globally, with drug-resistant strains on the rise.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a significant breakthrough in HIV research, scientists have announced that a second individual, known as the "London patient," has been functionally cured of HIV-1, as detailed in a new report published in *The Lancet HIV*. Following a stem cell transplant from donors with an HIV-resistant gene, the patient has remained in remission for 30 months without antiretroviral therapy, leading researchers to express high confidence in the likelihood of lifelong remission. This case mirrors that of the "Berlin patient," who was cured in 2008 using a similar method. While remnants of the virus's DNA persist in the London patient's tissue, researchers describe these as harmless "fossils." However, experts caution that such high-risk treatments are only suitable for patients with life-threatening cancers and are not a widespread solution for all HIV patients, who can effectively manage the virus with existing medications. The London patient, Adam Castillejo, aims to inspire hope through his journey.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 5 pmeznews.inThe Atacama Desert in Chile, known as the driest place on Earth, has recently transformed into a vibrant spectacle of color following an unusual rainfall earlier this year. This phenomenon, referred to as _desierto florido_ or flowering desert, occurs when approximately 200 desert plant species germinate due to increased moisture, typically seen from September to November. Scientists attribute this rare weather event to the El Niño phenomenon, which enhances rainfall in South America. Normally receiving less than 3 millimeters of rain annually, the Atacama's landscape, often likened to Mars, becomes a popular tourist destination during this brief blooming period, showcasing a stunning array of purple, yellow, white, and green flowers. The striking contrast of life against the arid backdrop captivates visitors, highlighting the desert's extraordinary beauty and ecological resilience.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 7 ameznews.inSkywatchers were treated to a stunning Supermoon last night, marking the last full Moon of the year. This month promises more celestial delights, with a notable event occurring on Sunday, December 7, when the Moon will be in conjunction with the bright planet Jupiter, visible all night. The Royal Observatory Greenwich encourages observers to enjoy this spectacle with the naked eye or through binoculars and small telescopes, where they may even glimpse Jupiter's four Galilean moons. Additionally, early risers can catch Mercury at its westernmost elongation before dawn. December also features the peak of the Geminid meteor shower on the weekend of December 13-14, potentially offering 40-50 meteors per hour, despite the bright gibbous Moon. Finally, on December 19, interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth, providing a rare opportunity to observe an object from another solar system.
Published: Dec 06 2025, 8 ameznews.inIn a remarkable display of color change, the Labord's chameleon (_Furcifer labordi_) has been filmed for the first time in the wild during its final moments, showcasing a vibrant array of hues as it lays eggs in Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. This unique chameleon, which has a lifespan of just four to five months, was documented using time-lapse photography for the PBS series _Big Little Journeys_. Producers Valeria Fabbri-Kennedy and herpetologist Chris Raxworthy expressed their amazement at the footage, noting that the chameleon's skin cells, triggered by nervous signals, create chaotic color patterns as it nears death. The species spends most of its life as an egg, developing for nine months before hatching, and the rapid aging process is believed to be an adaptation to Madagascar's harsh seasonal variations. The colorful spectacle serves as a poignant reminder of the chameleon's brief yet vibrant existence.
Published: Dec 08 2025, 4 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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