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"Holiday heart syndrome," a term coined nearly 50 years ago, refers to a dangerous condition where excessive alcohol consumption during festive periods leads to cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. Blake Smith, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, notes that binge drinking is often linked to increased hospitalizations around weekends and holidays. Symptoms include sudden palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain, typically resolving within 12 to 24 hours. However, experiencing this syndrome raises the risk of future episodes, especially with continued heavy drinking. Additionally, a diet high in saturated fats and sodium can also contribute to heart issues during the holiday season. Experts recommend moderation, hydration, and regular physical activity to mitigate risks, advising no more than one drink per day for women and two for men to maintain heart health. 
Published: Dec 23 2024, 6 pmeznews.inThe Svalbard Reindeer (_Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus_), native to the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, is a small, fluffy species measuring about 1.5 to 1.6 meters in length. These wild reindeer exhibit thick, light grey or yellow-white fur in winter, transitioning to darker coats in summer. Both sexes grow antlers, with males shedding theirs in early winter. Typically found in small groups, they face challenges from climate change, which has led to food scarcity and instances of starvation, particularly during mild winters that create ice layers over vegetation. Despite a historical decline due to hunting, their population has rebounded to around 22,000. While warmer temperatures may enhance plant growth and diversify their diet, the Svalbard Reindeer remains a resilient symbol of Arctic wildlife, adapting to survive in one of the planet's harshest environments.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 11 pmeznews.inA new study suggests that the Earth may harbor trillions of metric tons of natural hydrogen, potentially revolutionizing the energy landscape. Researchers, using modified geological models, estimate that up to 5.6 million metric tons of hydrogen could lie beneath the surface, primarily in regions like Mali, France, and the United States. While hydrogen is seen as a key player in achieving net-zero emissions due to its clean energy potential, current production methods, particularly "green" hydrogen, are costly and limited. The study highlights the possibility of harnessing hydrogen produced through natural geological processes, although much of it may be too deep or inaccessible for economic recovery. Even a mere two percent of this estimated reserve could meet global hydrogen demand for the next 200 years, offering a significant energy source. However, uncertainties remain regarding the actual availability and implications of tapping into these vast reserves. Further research is deemed essential to clarify these findings.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 4 ameznews.inA remarkable discovery in 1822 near Klütz, Germany, involving a white stork with a spear through its neck, revolutionized European understanding of bird migration. For centuries, theories about avian winter behavior ranged from hibernation to fantastical notions of flying to the Moon or engaging in mythical battles with pygmies. The stork, which had traveled 3,200 kilometers to Africa before returning to Germany, provided concrete evidence of long-distance migration, as the spear was identified as being made from African wood. This finding, along with subsequent discoveries of similar "arrow storks," debunked the bizarre theories of transformation and confirmed that birds undertake extensive journeys during seasonal changes. Unfortunately, the stork's discovery led to its demise, as it was killed and stuffed, but it marked a significant turning point in ornithological science, paving the way for a better understanding of migratory patterns.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 5 pmeznews.inA peculiar plant fossil, named _Othniophyton elongatum_ and dubbed the "alien plant," has been reclassified as the sole representative of an unknown plant family, rather than a member of the ginseng family as previously thought. Discovered in the Green River Formation in Utah in 1969, the 47-million-year-old specimen was recently examined alongside a new fossil, revealing distinct features that do not align with any known modern or extinct species. Steven Manchester, curator of palaeobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, noted that the fossil's unique characteristics, including the presence of stamens alongside fruits—an anomaly in modern plants—highlight the challenges of palaeobotany. Despite extensive analysis, the team could not definitively categorize _Othniophyton_, suggesting its lineage may have gone extinct. The findings, published in the journal *Annals of Botany*, underscore the ongoing mysteries of ancient plant life.
Published: Dec 21 2024, 7 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking development, researchers have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation over fiber optic cables that also carry conventional Internet traffic. This achievement, led by Professor Prem Kumar and his team at Northwestern University, challenges the long-held belief that the noise from classical data would disrupt the transmission of entangled photons. By selecting a wavelength of 1290 nanometers, far removed from the heavily used C-band, the team managed to maintain the delicate entanglement over a distance of 30.2 kilometers while simultaneously transmitting 400 Gbps of Internet data. Although the current setup is not yet practical for widespread use, it paves the way for secure quantum communication and the potential networking of quantum computers without the need for new infrastructure. The findings, published in the journal Optica, suggest that classical and quantum communications can coexist effectively, opening avenues for advanced quantum applications.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 9 pmeznews.inKīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, has erupted again, captivating onlookers with spectacular lava fountains reaching heights of up to 90 meters (300 feet). The eruption began around 2:20 AM local time on December 23, as reported by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Lava has already covered approximately 2.6 square kilometers (1 square mile) of the caldera, with depths reaching 1 meter (3.3 feet). While the Volcano Alert Level remains at Watch and the Aviation Color Code is Orange, indicating limited hazard risk, the volcano is emitting high levels of volcanic gas, particularly sulfur dioxide, which poses health risks to vulnerable individuals. Despite these warnings, crowds have flocked to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the event. Kīlauea, known for its frequent eruptions, has a history of activity dating back to 1983, and is also home to the endangered nēnē goose, which is currently in its mating season.
Published: Dec 25 2024, 12 ameznews.inSince 1912, the US Postal Service's Operation Santa has been a cherished tradition, ensuring that children's letters to Santa Claus receive heartfelt responses rather than ending up in the Dead Letters Office. Initially established by Postmaster General Frank Hitchcock, the program began with USPS employees replying to letters, but it expanded in the 1940s to include volunteers from charities and the public who could adopt letters and send gifts. In recent years, the program has adapted to modern technology, allowing children to message Santa online while still maintaining the classic option of writing to his North Pole address. Similar initiatives exist globally, with the UK's Royal Mail and New Zealand's postal service also responding to Santa's correspondence. Despite challenges like postal strikes in Canada, Canada Post remains committed to delivering letters addressed to Santa in time for Christmas. For those curious about Santa's journey, NORAD offers a Santa tracker.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study by geoscientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has revealed that three geological sites—Clearwater Mountains in Alaska, Kluane Lake in Yukon, and the Coast Mountains near Juneau—were once part of a unified feature before being separated by approximately 997 kilometers due to tectonic activity along the Denali Fault. This 2,011-kilometer fault, which runs through Alaska and into Canada, was instrumental in the final stages of landmass formation in North America, particularly involving the Wrangellia Composite Terrane. The research, published in the journal *Geology*, utilized monazite mineral samples to demonstrate that these sites experienced inverted metamorphism under similar conditions, indicating they formed concurrently. Lead author Sean Regan emphasized that this study enhances understanding of lithospheric growth and the geological processes that stitched together distant landmasses to the North American plate.
Published: Dec 23 2024, 11 pmeznews.inIn 1967, during the Soviet Union's 50th anniversary celebrations, cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov tragically became the first human to die in spaceflight due to a disastrous mission involving Soyuz 1. Despite warnings of 203 structural issues with the spacecraft, which were documented in a memo that went unreported to Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, Komarov chose to fly, fearing for the safety of his friend Yuri Gagarin, who would have been sent in his place. After launch, a solar panel failure left the craft powerless, leading to a chaotic descent. As the capsule spun uncontrollably, Komarov reportedly exclaimed, "This devil ship! Nothing I lay my hands on works properly," before crashing to Earth with the force of a meteorite. Official transcripts suggest his last words were more composed, stating, "I feel excellent, everything's in order," before communication was lost.
Published: Dec 22 2024, 5 ameznews.inThe colour of nasal mucus, or snot, can provide valuable insights into an individual's immune health, particularly during illness. Clear mucus is typical of a healthy state, while an overproduction of clear mucus may indicate allergies or early viral infections. White mucus suggests congestion and the onset of an infection, whereas yellow mucus indicates that the immune system is actively combating an infection, with white blood cells contributing to its colour. Green mucus often signals a heightened immune response, potentially linked to bacterial infections. Pink or red mucus may contain blood due to irritation, while brown or orange hues can result from dried blood or environmental debris. Rarely, black mucus may indicate serious conditions like fungal infections. Understanding these variations in mucus can help differentiate between viral and bacterial infections, highlighting the immune system's critical role in maintaining health.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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