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The phenomenon of shoes tossed over power lines, known as "shoefiti," is a global practice with various interpretations. One common theory suggests it serves as a memorial for deceased loved ones, a tradition that has evolved over millennia. However, the act can also be misinterpreted as a marker of gang territory, a notion debunked by fact-checkers but still rooted in some urban legends. For instance, a former gang member revealed that in certain neighborhoods, hanging shoes signify lost members. Additionally, the act can be a form of taunting, particularly in school settings, where tossing someone's sneakers out of reach can be a cruel prank. While the true motivations behind shoefiti may vary, its presence on power lines continues to spark curiosity and debate about its significance in urban culture. 
Published: Mar 10 2025, 12 pmeznews.inWhile many believe "antidisestablishmentarianism" is the longest word in English, it pales in comparison to others lurking in the language. The word often cited as the longest, with a staggering 189,819 letters, is the full chemical name of Titin, the largest known protein, but it is more accurately described as a "verbal formula" rather than a traditional word. For a more accepted contender, "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis," a 45-letter term for a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, is recognized in Oxford dictionaries, though its legitimacy is debated due to its contrived nature. Globally, languages like German boast lengthy words, such as "Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz," a 63-letter term related to beef labeling regulations. Meanwhile, the longest word in the world, according to Guinness World Records, is a Sanskrit term with 195 characters, transliterating to 428 letters in Latin.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study led by Professor Kenshu Shimada from DePaul University has revealed that the prehistoric Megalodon, one of the largest sharks to ever inhabit the oceans, likely gave birth to live young measuring between 3.6 and 3.9 meters (12 to 13 feet) long. This remarkable size at birth is attributed to a form of intrauterine cannibalism known as oophagy, where embryos consume their siblings in the womb. The research, which analyzed a near-complete vertebral column from Belgium, suggests that Megalodon had a slender body shape, akin to modern lemon sharks, which may have contributed to its massive size. The study also posits that competition with the more agile great white shark could have played a significant role in Megalodon's extinction, as it struggled to adapt to changing marine environments. The findings are published in the journal *Palaeontologia Electronica*.
Published: Mar 10 2025, 4 pmeznews.inIn the world of card games, the art of shuffling is crucial for ensuring a fair play. While theoretically, a standard deck of 52 cards can be shuffled into an astronomical number of permutations, practical shuffling often falls short of true randomness. The overhand shuffle, a common technique, requires around 10,000 iterations to achieve a decent mix, making it inefficient. In contrast, the riffle shuffle is far superior, needing only about seven repetitions to effectively randomize the deck. Mathematicians Dave Bayer and Persi Diaconis have highlighted the "cut-off phenomenon," where significant randomization occurs after approximately 1.4 log2 n shuffles. However, shuffling too perfectly can lead to predictability, as seen in early computer-generated card games that baffled seasoned players. Thus, for optimal randomness, players should employ the riffle shuffle seven times, but beware of overdoing it, as excessive shuffling can negate the intended randomness.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA recent trial has shown promising results for long COVID patients suffering from loss of smell, with a small group experiencing significant improvements following functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP) surgery. Typically used to alleviate breathing difficulties caused by nasal blockages, fSRP was tested on 25 adults who had similar degrees of olfactory loss post-COVID-19. Participants were divided into two groups: 12 underwent the surgery while 13 served as a control. Over six months, those who received fSRP demonstrated marked enhancements in their sense of smell, attributed to increased nasal airflow, while the control group either showed no improvement or further decline. Although the findings are encouraging, researchers caution that further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to confirm the surgery's safety and efficacy. For participants like Penelope Newman, the results have been transformative, allowing her to enjoy food and social interactions once again. The study is published in *Facial Plastic Surgery*.
Published: Mar 08 2025, 1 ameznews.inScientists have discovered a new fish species, the Xingren golden-lined fish (_Sinocyclocheilus xingrenensis_), in a cave in southwestern Guizhou Province, China. Named after a nearby city, this unique fish is characterized by its golden exterior, large eyes, and scaleless body, adaptations typical of cave-dwelling species. Researchers believe the fish is still evolving, having recently adapted to its subterranean habitat, as indicated by its genetic makeup and physical traits. The study suggests that the loss of scales in this genus may have occurred during the Pleistocene, indicating a relatively recent transition to cave life. However, the species faces potential threats from human activities, as its habitat is located in a village center, raising concerns about future urbanization and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts will be crucial to ensure the survival of this newly identified species. The findings are detailed in the journal *Zoosystematics and Evolution*.
Published: Mar 09 2025, 3 ameznews.inIn 1989, PepsiCo Inc. struck an unusual deal with the Soviet Union, reportedly acquiring a fleet of 17 submarines, a cruiser, a frigate, and a destroyer in exchange for its products, including vodka. This arrangement emerged as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev implemented "Perestroika" reforms to revitalize the struggling economy and open up to Western capitalism. PepsiCo, eager to expand its presence in the burgeoning Soviet consumer market, already operated 21 bottling plants and sought to establish 26 more. However, due to the non-convertibility of the ruble, the company agreed to receive its profits in Soviet-built ships. While the deal was touted as potentially making Pepsi the world's sixth-largest navy, the ships were largely outdated and intended for scrap. Ultimately, the agreement faltered with the dissolution of the USSR, and while some barter arrangements may have occurred, the full deal never materialized.
Published: Mar 06 2025, 5 ameznews.inSpaceX's eighth test flight of its Starship rocket ended in a dramatic explosion shortly after liftoff on March 6, just weeks after a previous test met a similar fate. The rocket launched successfully from SpaceX's Starbase in South Texas, with all 33 Raptor engines igniting as planned. However, approximately nine minutes into the flight, an "energetic event" in the aft section led to the loss of several engines, resulting in a catastrophic failure and loss of communication. SpaceX described the incident as a "rapid unscheduled disassembly," with debris visible over the Caribbean and Florida. The FAA temporarily halted flights in the area and mandated an investigation into the mishap, which SpaceX will conduct in collaboration with the agency. Despite the setback, SpaceX remains optimistic, noting that lessons learned from this test could enhance the reliability of future flights, crucial for NASA's lunar ambitions.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inOnline riddles claiming to determine if someone is a psychopath have gained popularity, but experts caution against their validity. Two notorious examples include a scenario involving a woman who kills her sister after meeting a man at her mother's funeral, and a moral dilemma about sacrificing one person to save five. While these riddles suggest that certain responses indicate psychopathic traits, they oversimplify a complex personality disorder. Psychopathy exists on a spectrum, characterized by traits such as lack of empathy, emotional detachment, and manipulativeness, rather than a binary classification. Craig S. Neumann, a psychology professor, emphasizes that psychopathy is not easily defined and is often misrepresented in media. The origins and prevalence of psychopathy remain unclear, with ongoing research needed to better understand its nuances. Ultimately, the quest for a straightforward definition of psychopathy is complicated by its dimensional nature and the lack of consensus among experts.
Published: Mar 07 2025, 10 ameznews.inA newly identified species of titanosaur, named _Chadititan calvoi_, has been discovered by palaeontologists in the Anacleto Formation of northern Patagonia. This long-necked dinosaur, meaning "titan of the salt," is characterized as a "gentle giant" with a slender build, distinguishing it from other titanosaurs. Its name pays homage to the salt flats where it was found, alongside a wealth of rare fossils, including the first records of tropical land snails _Neocyclotidae_ and _Leptinaria_. Remarkably, over 90% of the recovered fossils are freshwater turtles, a stark contrast to similar sites in North America and Europe, where turtles typically comprise less than half of the fauna. This research, part of a National Geographic-funded project, aims to enhance understanding of the Cretaceous ecosystem in Patagonia, revealing unique environmental characteristics as continents drifted apart. The findings are published in the *Revista del Museo Argentino Ciencias Naturales*.
Published: Mar 06 2025, 7 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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