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Science classes often overlook a curious feature of human anatomy: the small hole located on the bottom of the eyelid, known as the lacrimal punctum. This tiny, almond-shaped opening, typically about 2 millimeters from the inner corner of the lower eyelid, is entirely normal and varies in size among individuals. Contrary to popular belief, the punctum does not produce tears; instead, it serves as part of the eye's drainage system, channeling tears from the eye to the lacrimal sac and ultimately into the nose, which explains the runny nose that often accompanies crying. Interestingly, medical procedures can involve inserting tiny plugs into these holes to alleviate dry eyes. However, the drainage system can malfunction, causing tears or even blood to escape from the punctum, leading to unusual "party tricks." Despite its small size, the lacrimal punctum plays a significant role in eye health and function. 
Published: Jul 04 2025, 12 ameznews.inA recent study has shed light on a long-obscured inscription at Arslan Kaya, a 2,600-year-old monument in Turkey, believed to be a dedication to an ancient Mother goddess. The statue, which has suffered significant erosion and damage over the centuries, features an inscription in "tall narrow Phrygian characters" that had previously eluded deciphering. Mark Munn, a Professor of Ancient Greek History at Penn State, utilized new photographs to analyze the inscription, concluding it likely refers to "Materan," a title for the goddess Matar. This finding is significant as Arslan Kaya is unique among Phrygian monuments for having both an image of the Mother goddess and an inscription naming her. Munn suggests the inscription may have originally been part of a longer text detailing the monument's creator and the goddess's epithet, contributing valuable insights into the poorly understood Phrygian language and culture. The research is published in the journal Kadmos.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 5 pmeznews.inMathematicians have long grappled with the elusive nature of prime numbers, which are defined as integers greater than one that have no divisors other than one and themselves. The ancient Greek mathematician Eratosthenes devised a "sieve" method to identify primes, a technique that remains effective today. However, a recent breakthrough by a team of mathematicians, including Ken Ono from the University of Virginia, has revealed a novel connection between prime numbers and integer partitions, suggesting that these partitions can detect primes in infinitely many ways. This discovery, which earned Ono recognition as a finalist for the 2025 Cozzarelli Prize, could reshape understanding in number theory and has implications for cryptography, particularly as quantum computing advances. While the immediate security of online transactions remains intact, the mathematical community is preparing for potential challenges posed by future developments in computing technology.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 9 pmeznews.inThe catastrophic nuclear events of the 20th century—Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan and the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine—differ significantly in their aftermath and long-term effects on human habitation. In August 1945, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in an estimated 129,000 to 226,000 deaths, primarily among civilians, and subsequent health issues like leukemia and developmental disabilities among survivors. Conversely, the Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in April 1986 due to a reactor explosion, released over 400 times more radioactive material than the bombs, leading to long-lasting environmental contamination. While immediate casualties were lower, the long-term health impacts are still being assessed, with the UN predicting thousands of future deaths from radiation exposure. The key difference lies in the nature of the explosions and the amount of fissile material involved, rendering Chernobyl uninhabitable due to its persistent radioactive waste.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 6 pmeznews.inArchaeologists have uncovered a remarkable collection of ancient footwear at Magna, a site near Hadrian's Wall in northern England, suggesting the presence of unusually large individuals in the Roman Empire around 2,000 years ago. Elizabeth Greene, an Associate Professor of Classics, noted that the newly discovered shoes are significantly larger than those previously found at Vindolanda, with some soles exceeding 30 centimeters (12 inches) in length, including a record size of 32.6 cm (12.8 inches). This discovery, part of a larger excavation yielding around 5,000 shoes, highlights the diversity of the population along the Roman frontier. However, experts warn that climate change poses a threat to these organic finds, which are crucial for understanding historical variations in culture and physicality. Andrew Birley, CEO of the Vindolanda Charitable Trust, emphasized the importance of preserving such artifacts to appreciate the rich tapestry of past societies.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers from the Leonardo DNA Project claim to have identified six living descendants of the Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci, as detailed in their new book, _Genìa Da Vinci. Genealogy and Genetics for Leonardo’s DNA_. The authors, Alessandro Vezzosi and Agnese Sabato, reconstructed a family tree spanning nearly 700 years and 21 generations, revealing 15 male-line descendants linked to da Vinci's father and half-brother. Genetic analysis conducted by David Caramelli and forensic anthropologist Elena Pilli confirmed that all six descendants share matching Y chromosome segments, suggesting an unbroken male lineage for at least 15 generations. However, the research is not peer-reviewed, and confirmed DNA from da Vinci himself has yet to be identified. While da Vinci is not believed to have had children, the study aims to explore his biological legacy and its potential links to his extraordinary creativity and health.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 7 ameznews.inOn March 20, 1995, a coordinated attack by the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo in Tokyo's underground system marked a grim milestone in terrorism, as five men released sarin gas, killing 13 and injuring thousands. The cult, founded in the mid-1980s by Chizuo Matsumoto, who later proclaimed himself a divine messenger, evolved from a yoga group into a violent organization advocating for an apocalyptic vision. Despite initial failures in their chemical weapon efforts, the attack demonstrated their capacity for mass destruction, raising global concerns about the potential for non-state actors to wield chemical weapons. In the aftermath, international efforts intensified to regulate chemical weapons and enhance counterterrorism measures. While Aum Shinrikyo's leaders were arrested and executed, the group persists under new names, prompting ongoing scrutiny. Experts warn that the threat of chemical attacks remains, particularly with advancements in technology that could facilitate their use.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 1 pmeznews.inNASA's Voyager spacecraft, now in their twilight years, are gradually shutting down instruments to conserve power while continuing to gather scientific data. In March, the cosmic ray subsystem on Voyager 1 and the low-energy charged particle instruments on Voyager 2 were deactivated, following the earlier shutdown of their power-hungry cameras. Voyager 2 had already turned off its cameras in 1989 after capturing groundbreaking images of Neptune, while Voyager 1 took its last photographs in 1990, including the iconic "Pale Blue Dot" image of Earth. This historic portrait of the Solar System remains unique, as no other spacecraft has replicated such a view. Although the cameras cannot be reactivated due to the removal of necessary software and the harsh conditions in space, both Voyagers continue to send valuable scientific data, including insights into the extreme temperatures at the edge of our Solar System.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 1 ameznews.inA kick to the testicles is notoriously painful, akin to a severe migraine for those without them, but can it be fatal? While the short answer is yes, such outcomes are exceedingly rare and typically occur under exceptional circumstances. Historical records, including a case from 1843 in Germany, document instances of death resulting from testicular injuries, often linked to severe trauma or lack of medical intervention. More recent cases illustrate that complications, such as Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome following an injury, can lead to death if untreated. Another case involved a man who died from a scrotal hematoma after being struck by a car. Experts emphasize that while testicular injuries can have serious long-term effects, they are generally not life-threatening, and prompt medical evaluation is crucial to prevent severe complications. Overall, fatalities from such injuries remain rare, and seeking medical advice is advisable for any concerning symptoms.
Published: Jul 06 2025, 9 ameznews.inJanuary 23, 1556, is marked as the deadliest day in recorded history, primarily due to a catastrophic earthquake in Shaanxi province, northwest China. The quake, with a magnitude estimated between 8 and 8.3, struck near Huaxian and is believed to have resulted in approximately 830,000 fatalities. Most victims perished from collapsing structures and landslides, while many others succumbed to disease and famine in the aftermath. Despite not being the strongest earthquake, its death toll represents the highest relative loss of life for a single day, given the global population at the time was under half a billion. Comparatively, the second deadliest earthquake occurred in 1976, claiming around 655,000 lives. While other disasters, such as the Yangtze-Huai River floods of 1931, have higher overall death tolls, none have matched the sheer scale of loss experienced on that fateful January day.
Published: Jul 05 2025, 6 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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