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On March 28, a powerful earthquake struck Mandalay, Myanmar, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities and thousands more injured, with tremors felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. Geologists have identified the quake as a "supershear" event, occurring along the Sagaing Fault, where the fault ruptured faster than seismic waves could travel, leading to a rapid and violent release of energy. Seismologist Frederik Tilmann noted that the rupture accelerated to speeds of approximately 5 km/s, with a total length exceeding 400 kilometers, possibly reaching 500 kilometers. The earthquake's shallow epicenter, just 10 kilometers below the surface, contributed to the intensity of the shaking, causing widespread destruction. However, significant questions remain regarding the earthquake's data collection, as only two of Myanmar's five seismic stations reported information, leaving uncertainties about the overall impact and response capabilities following the military coup in 2019. 
Published: Apr 05 2025, 1 pmeznews.inEarth's magnetic north pole is undergoing significant and accelerating movement, drifting eastward from Canada towards Siberia at an increasing rate. Since the 1830s, it has shifted approximately 2,250 kilometers (1,400 miles), with the pace of movement rising from less than 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) per year in 1990 to around 50 to 60 kilometers (31 to 37 miles) annually by 2005. If this trend continues, the pole could move an additional 660 kilometers (410 miles) in the next decade, potentially causing compasses to point east of true north by 2040. Meanwhile, the south magnetic pole is also drifting eastward over Antarctica. These changes are attributed to the dynamics of Earth's molten outer core, which generates the planet's magnetic field. While the shifting poles are unlikely to affect daily life, they necessitate recalibrations of GPS and satellite navigation systems. Scientists continue to study these phenomena, as the last complete pole reversal occurred 780,000 years ago.
Published: Apr 05 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA Tasmanian woman, Jenny Forward, experienced excruciating pain after being spurred by a platypus while attempting to rescue the animal from a roadside gutter. Describing the agony as "worse than childbirth," Forward recounted how the creature, which she initially thought was injured, impaled her hand with its venomous spurs. The incident occurred near Kingston, Tasmania, and Forward struggled to detach the platypus from her hand due to the intense pain. While platypus venom is not lethal to humans, it can cause severe and lingering discomfort, as evidenced by past medical cases. Despite her ordeal, Forward remains committed to wildlife conservation and plans to advocate for the protection of platypuses, which are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and pollution. She expressed her intention to collaborate with local authorities to safeguard the species and its environment.
Published: Apr 05 2025, 10 ameznews.inThe tiny handles on maple syrup bottles, often deemed impractical for pouring, have sparked curiosity about their purpose. These features are believed to be skeuomorphs—design elements that mimic older objects without serving a functional role. Dating back to the 1930s, the handles were likely introduced as a marketing strategy during the Great Depression, evoking nostalgia for larger stone jugs once used for various liquids, including liquor and molasses. Jean-François, curator at the Canada Museum of History, noted that syrup companies aimed to connect their product with the romanticized image of 19th-century crocks. This trend mirrors other skeuomorphic examples, such as the floppy disk icon for saving files and the shutter sound in digital cameras. Ultimately, the handles serve as a reminder of a bygone era rather than a practical addition to modern syrup packaging.
Published: Apr 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn 1962, geologist Michel Siffre embarked on a groundbreaking experiment in the Scarasson cave of the French Alps, intending to study a glacier for 15 days. However, he extended his stay to 63 days, living in complete darkness and isolation, devoid of any timekeeping devices. This unique experience led Siffre to discover that the human body possesses an internal clock independent of the sun's rhythm, significantly altering his perception of time. His findings revealed that, without external cues, his sleep-wake cycle extended from 24 hours to as much as 48 hours. Despite facing skepticism and criticism for his unconventional methods, Siffre's work laid the foundation for the field of human chronobiology, influencing research on sleep patterns, jet lag, and even cancer development. His experiments garnered attention from military organizations, highlighting their relevance during the Cold War. Siffre's legacy continues to resonate in scientific exploration today.
Published: Apr 02 2025, 5 pmeznews.inRobot gliders have successfully scouted the waters around the now-dissolved iceberg A-68a, providing scientists with vital insights into the effects of melting icebergs on ocean ecosystems. A-68a, which calved from Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf in July 2017, was the largest iceberg on Earth, covering 5,800 square kilometers. By April 2021, it had fragmented beyond tracking. In February 2021, a team from the British Antarctic Survey deployed two robotic gliders to monitor the iceberg's impact, despite challenges posed by its unpredictable movement and remote operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The gliders collected data on ocean conditions, revealing that A-68a's melting disrupted a cold water layer, allowing nutrient-rich waters to rise and support marine life. This research is crucial as climate change increases the frequency of such mega-bergs, affecting ocean biodiversity and the global climate system. The findings are published in *Nature Geoscience*.
Published: Apr 05 2025, 12 ameznews.inChina has announced a significant oil discovery in the South China Sea, with the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) revealing that the Huizhou 19-6 oilfield contains over 100 million tons of proven reserves. Located approximately 170 kilometers off the coast of Shenzhen, the site was drilled to a depth of 5,415 meters, yielding 413 barrels of crude oil and 2.41 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from its test well. This discovery comes amid ongoing territorial disputes in the resource-rich South China Sea, where multiple nations, including Vietnam and the Philippines, assert competing claims. While the find bolsters China's energy security, it raises environmental concerns regarding the risks of deep-sea drilling and its implications for global climate commitments, as China aims for carbon neutrality by 2060. The impact of this discovery on regional tensions and energy stability remains to be seen.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study involving female mice aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 37 days has shed light on the effects of microgravity on bone density, crucial for understanding human health during extended space missions. NASA estimates that bone density in weight-bearing areas decreases by at least 1% per month in space, alongside a significant muscle mass loss. The research revealed that bone loss is site-specific; for instance, the femurs of the mice experienced greater loss compared to their spines, indicating that microgravity affects weight-loaded bones more severely than those influenced by muscle activity. Previous studies on medaka fish had shown that microgravity disrupts the balance between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-degrading osteoclasts, with the latter becoming more active in space. Interestingly, some bones, like the mandibles, showed increased density, potentially linked to changes in blood pressure during the initial days in orbit. The findings were published in the journal PLOS One.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 8 pmeznews.inCERN is exploring the Future Circular Collider (FCC), a proposed particle accelerator that would surpass the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in size and capability. The FCC is envisioned to be 90.7 kilometers in circumference—over three times that of the LHC—and will be situated at an average depth of 200 meters, with eight surface sites and four experimental areas. A recent feasibility study examined over 100 scenarios for its construction, aiming to minimize environmental impact while maximizing scientific benefits. The project, estimated to cost 15 billion Swiss francs (approximately $17.5 billion), is set to begin in the 2030s, initially allowing electron-positron collisions, with potential upgrades for proton-proton collisions by the 2070s. CERN plans to engage with local communities regarding the project, which aims to be a sustainable research infrastructure, utilizing heat from the LHC's upgrades to benefit nearby villages. A final decision on the FCC is expected by 2028.
Published: Apr 05 2025, 11 ameznews.inA tragic case has emerged from Belgium, where a 20-year-old student died after consuming five-day-old pasta that had been left at room temperature. The student, who prepared meals weekly to save time, reheated the spaghetti and attributed its odd taste to a new tomato sauce before heading out to play sports. Within half an hour, he experienced severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting but chose not to seek medical help. His parents found him unresponsive the next morning, and an autopsy revealed liver necrosis and signs of acute pancreatitis. Tests confirmed the presence of *Bacillus cereus*, a bacteria linked to food poisoning, particularly from improperly stored rice and pasta. This incident highlights the dangers of poor food hygiene practices, as *Bacillus cereus* poisoning is not uncommon, with previous cases resulting in severe illness and even death.
Published: Apr 01 2025, 8 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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