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A viral TikTok challenge has sparked debate over the human body's swallowing capacity, with a user claiming that individuals can only swallow 2-3 times consecutively before being compelled to stop. Comments flooded in, with some users reporting sensations of forgetting how to swallow after three attempts, while others humorously claimed to have managed up to 20 swallows by using water. This long-standing myth suggests a limit to swallowing, which becomes increasingly difficult without food or liquid. Experts explain that the challenge is complicated by the diminishing saliva production during dry swallows, which hampers the peristaltic contractions necessary for swallowing. Research indicates that wet swallows are more effective, as they facilitate smoother muscle contractions. For those struggling, the solution is simple: just add a bit of water to ease the process. 
Published: Apr 25 2025, 7 ameznews.inThe role of the US President, often described as the world's toughest job, comes with a substantial salary of $400,000 annually, placing the holder among the top 5 percent of earners in the country. In addition to this salary, the President receives a $50,000 expense allowance, a $100,000 travel budget, and $19,000 for official entertainment, with any unspent funds returned to the Treasury. The President and their family also reside rent-free in the White House, a 55,000-square-foot residence featuring numerous amenities. While the presidential salary has seen nominal increases since the 1999 amendment, its value has diminished when adjusted for inflation. Notably, some Presidents, including Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy, have opted to forgo their salaries, with Trump donating his earnings to various government agencies while still generating significant income from his business ventures.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 5 ameznews.inA new study has shed light on the phenomenon of "mind blanking," where individuals suddenly find themselves devoid of thoughts. Led by Athena Demertzi and a team from France, Australia, and Belgium, the research analyzed 80 studies, including brain activity recordings of participants reporting moments of "thinking of nothing." Findings indicate that people experience mind blanking 5-20% of the time, with those having ADHD reporting it more frequently. The study highlights that mind blanking often occurs after intense focus, sleep deprivation, or physical exertion, and is linked to various neurological and psychiatric conditions. Brain imaging revealed that during these episodes, the brain may enter a "local sleep" state, characterized by slow waves and reduced activity in key areas. The researchers emphasize the need for further exploration of this complex experience, which varies significantly among individuals, to enhance our understanding of consciousness. The study is published in *Trends in Cognitive Sciences*.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 9 pmeznews.inPhantom traffic jams, often referred to as "ghost jams," occur without any visible cause, leaving drivers perplexed as they navigate through seemingly clear roads. Mathematician Benjamin Seibold explains that these jams are emergent phenomena, where minor disturbances, such as a driver braking slightly, can trigger a chain reaction of stop-and-go waves that propagate backward through traffic. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent when vehicle density exceeds 35 meters apart, leading to significant slowdowns, especially at merging points or on uninterrupted roads. Research indicates that these stop-and-go waves can travel for miles, with average durations of 4 to 20 minutes and lengths of 2.5 to 5 kilometers. Despite the frustrations they cause, better driving practices, such as maintaining adequate space between vehicles, can help mitigate their occurrence. However, even optimal driving cannot fully prevent these jams once traffic density reaches a critical threshold.
Published: Apr 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inBetween 1914 and 1917, Sir Ernest Shackleton led an ambitious but ultimately doomed expedition to cross Antarctica, a journey that became a testament to human endurance. In 1915, Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice, forcing the crew to undertake a perilous trek across treacherous terrain to reach safety on Elephant Island and later South Georgia. During this harrowing experience, Shackleton reported a phenomenon known as "Third Man syndrome," where he felt accompanied by an unseen presence, a sensation echoed by other explorers like Frank Smythe during their own survival challenges. This phenomenon, popularized by John Geiger's book _The Third Man Factor_, remains largely unexplained, though it is thought to be a psychological response to extreme stress, potentially serving as a coping mechanism in dire situations. While scientific understanding is limited, the notion of an imagined companion providing guidance in moments of crisis offers a fascinating glimpse into the human psyche.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 2 pmeznews.inMing, an ocean quahog clam (_Arctica islandica_), lived an astonishing 507 years, making it the oldest documented non-clonal animal. Dredged off the coast of Iceland in 2006, scientists from Bangor University initially estimated its age at 405-410 years, but further analysis revealed its true age. Named after the Ming dynasty, which was still thriving when it was born in 1499, Ming witnessed significant historical events and figures, from Christopher Columbus to Martin Luther King Jr. Unfortunately, the clam likely died after being frozen during collection in 2006, prompting outrage from the public, with some accusing researchers of "clam murder." Despite its untimely demise, Ming's study has provided valuable insights into oceanic changes and biological aging, with researchers noting its low metabolism and genetic factors as contributors to its longevity. Ming's legacy continues to inform scientific understanding, even as it rests in peace.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 7 ameznews.inScientists have unveiled a groundbreaking synthetic food source for honeybees, designed to combat the alarming decline in bee populations crucial for global agriculture. Developed through a collaboration between Washington State University and APIX Biosciences, this innovative "Power Bar" can be placed directly into bee colonies, providing essential nutrients without relying on natural pollen, which has become increasingly scarce due to urban expansion and climate change. Field tests demonstrated that colonies fed this new diet, enriched with isofucosterol—a vital nutrient found in pollen—showed significant improvements in health and survival rates compared to those receiving standard feeds. This advancement could revitalize beekeeping practices, particularly in crops like blueberries, where traditional pollination has become challenging. However, experts caution that while this solution addresses one aspect of the crisis, broader environmental threats continue to jeopardize bee populations and biodiversity. The findings are published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Published: Apr 24 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA newly discovered species of caterpillar in Hawaii, dubbed the "bone collector," exhibits extraordinary behavior by adorning itself with the body parts of its prey, which include insects from six different families. This carnivorous caterpillar, which has yet to receive a scientific name, consumes dead or dying insects and decorates its silk case with their remains, potentially to intimidate rivals or camouflage itself from spiders in whose webs it resides. Researchers from the University of Hawai'i have observed that these caterpillars meticulously select and modify the trophies they wear, rejecting non-prey items when offered alternatives. Despite their unique adaptations, the bone collectors are at risk of extinction, with only 62 individuals recorded in a limited area over 22 years. The authors emphasize the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this ancient lineage, which has likely existed for millions of years, predating the formation of the Hawaiian Islands.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 9 ameznews.inPhysicists may be on the brink of discovering a glueball, a theoretical particle formed solely from gluons, the carriers of the strong nuclear force. Unlike other forces, the strong nuclear force operates through three "color" charges—blue, green, and red—associated with quarks, which combine to form stable particles like protons. Researchers at the Beijing Spectrometer III (BES III) have been studying the decay of the J/ψ meson, a particle made of a charm quark and its antiquark, and have identified a new particle, dubbed X(2370), with a mass around 2395 megaelectronvolts. This finding aligns with theoretical predictions for glueballs, although it does not provide definitive proof, as alternative explanations involving quark-antiquark interactions could account for the observations. Further investigation is required to confirm the glueball's existence, as detailed in a study published in Physical Review Letters.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 7 ameznews.inA newly reconstructed face of a female Neanderthal, dubbed Shanidar Z, has emerged from the most complete skeleton found since 2000, dating back approximately 75,000 years. Discovered in the renowned Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, known for its controversial burial practices, the skeleton is featured in the Netflix documentary _Secrets of the Neanderthals_. The cave has yielded significant Neanderthal remains, including evidence of funerary rituals that suggest a complex understanding of death among these ancient humans. Shanidar Z, who likely died in her mid-40s, was found with her skull crushed beneath a rock, and researchers painstakingly reconstructed her face, revealing similarities to modern humans. Despite debates over the "flower burial" theory, recent findings indicate Neanderthals exhibited empathy and social care, challenging long-held perceptions of them as primitive. Professor Graeme Barker emphasized that these discoveries highlight the cognitive sophistication of Neanderthals, akin to that of modern humans.
Published: Apr 25 2025, 8 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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