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In a fascinating exploration of how humanity is represented visually, the Pioneer plaque, designed by Carl Sagan and his team in the 1970s, featured a nude male and female figure to symbolize our species for potential extraterrestrial civilizations. This image briefly served as the face of humanity on Wikipedia from 2003 to 2008, but it sparked significant debate among editors who criticized it for being unrepresentative and overly simplistic. Concerns included its portrayal of racial features and the lack of clothing, which many argued is a fundamental aspect of human culture. After years of contentious discussions and various proposed alternatives, the image of an Akha couple from Thailand was ultimately chosen as a more inclusive representation. This photograph, depicting both genders and showcasing human tools, has since remained the symbol of humanity on Wikipedia, reflecting a broader and more accurate depiction of our species. 
Published: Apr 07 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA recent study from Michigan State University reveals a significant shift in attitudes towards parenthood in the U.S., with the percentage of nonparents who do not wish to have children rising from 14% in 2002 to 29% in 2023. Concurrently, the number of nonparents planning to have children has dropped from 79% to 59%. Key reasons for this trend include concerns about the state of the world, environmental issues, negative family experiences, and a simple preference for not having children, cited by 57% of respondents aged 18 to 49. This demographic shift indicates that many individuals are choosing to remain childfree rather than being unable to have children. As this group grows, it poses challenges for policymakers and service providers, who must adapt to the needs of childfree adults, including long-term contraception and retirement planning. The findings underscore the complexity of modern family planning and the evolving societal landscape.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 1 ameznews.inA recent study has revealed that an ancient tribe of hunter-gatherers on the south Texas coast may have created music using modified human bones, specifically a musical rasp made from a humerus. Dr. Matthew Taylor from Augusta University analyzed 29 human bone artifacts from the Late Prehistoric period, all dating from 1300 to 1528 AD, and found that 27 were crafted from arm or leg bones using a labor-intensive "groove-and-snap technique." While such artifacts are often linked to ancestor worship or war trophies, Taylor notes a lack of evidence for these practices in South Texas. The discovered rasp, featuring 29 notches and geometric designs, resembles the omichicahuaztli instruments used by pre-Hispanic cultures in central Mexico, suggesting a cultural exchange between the Aztecs and local tribes. Taylor emphasizes that the handling of human remains was not viewed as taboo, although the study does not confirm or deny cannibalism. The findings are published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a bizarre case from 2014, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after injecting himself with mercury in a misguided attempt to gain superpowers inspired by a character from the _X-Men_ franchise. The child arrived at a trauma center with large ulcers on his forearm, which had persisted for over two months. Initially suspected of substance abuse, he later revealed to psychiatric staff that he had taken mercury from a broken thermometer and a sphygmomanometer, motivated by a character named "Mercury" from the comics. Although the doctors misidentified the film and character, they confirmed elevated mercury levels in his urine. Fortunately, the boy had injected the substance subcutaneously, limiting potential harm. After surgical removal of the mercury and necrotic tissue, he was discharged in good health. The case is notable as most mercury injection incidents are linked to suicide attempts, but this boy was deemed mentally healthy despite his unusual actions.
Published: Apr 17 2025, 12 ameznews.inA new study from the University of Melbourne and the University of California, Berkeley, has examined the relationship between language and environmental concepts, particularly focusing on the often-cited claim that Inuit languages have over 50 words for "snow." Analyzing a dataset of 616 languages, researchers found that Eastern Canadian Inuktitut indeed has a rich vocabulary for snow, with terms like _kikalukpok_ (noisy walking on hard snow) and _apingaut_ (first snowfall). Other languages, including Scots, also feature numerous snow-related terms. The study revealed that while snowy regions have extensive vocabulary for snow, this does not apply to rain, which is crucial for survival. Additionally, oceanic languages tend to have more words for smell, and smaller societies often have a richer vocabulary for dance. The authors caution that their findings could reinforce stereotypes and urge careful interpretation of the data. The study is published in PNAS.
Published: Apr 15 2025, 5 pmeznews.inYouTuber and science communicator Steve Mould, known for his engaging physics demonstrations, has explored the intriguing notion that running uphill on a treadmill might be easier than on an actual hill. Contrary to his expectations, Mould's experiments revealed that running on a treadmill requires about 9 watts of power, while running up a ramp demands around 10 watts, prompting him to reflect on the discomfort of receiving unexpected results. Drawing parallels to flat-Earthers, Mould expressed newfound empathy for those grappling with contradictory evidence, despite firmly rejecting their beliefs. He speculated that factors like wind resistance and slipping on the treadmill could explain the discrepancy in his findings. Mould concluded that further refinement of his experiments is necessary to fully understand the dynamics at play, emphasizing the importance of scientific inquiry in addressing unexpected outcomes.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 10 pmeznews.inThe world’s population growth has dramatically slowed, with many countries experiencing a peak and subsequent decline. In 2024, the global population reached eight billion, but UN forecasts suggest only an additional two billion will be added over the next 60 years, peaking at 10.3 billion in the 2080s before dropping to 10.2 billion by century's end. This shift is largely attributed to a significant reduction in fertility rates, now below the replacement level of 2.1 in over half of all nations, with nearly 20% experiencing "ultra-low fertility" rates of fewer than 1.4 births per woman. Countries like China, Russia, and Japan are among those projected to see a population decrease of about 14% by 2054. As industrialization progresses, women are having fewer children, leading to an aging population where those over 65 are expected to outnumber those under 18 by 2070.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 8 pmeznews.inA recent study by researchers Michael J. Rosenfeld and Katherina Roesler has examined the evolving predictors of divorce in the United States since the 1950s, revealing significant shifts influenced by economic and social inequalities. Analyzing data from 10 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth, which included 47,390 women and 14,236 divorces, the study found that while divorce rates between Black and non-Black women converged post-Civil Rights movement, they have widened again since 2000, aligning with the "Diverging Destinies" hypothesis. The research highlights that educational attainment remains a protective factor against divorce, with a growing gap in rates between women with and without university degrees. Additionally, marrying at a younger age has increasingly correlated with marital instability. Despite some limitations, the study underscores the profound impact of widening inequality on marital dynamics, as published in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 5 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking moment for marine biology, a juvenile colossal squid has been filmed alive in its natural habitat for the first time, marking a significant milestone after a century of elusive sightings. The footage was captured on March 9 at a depth of 600 meters off the South Sandwich Islands by researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel, _Falkor (too)_. Dr. Kat Bolstad, a cephalopod biologist, expressed excitement over the discovery, noting that previous encounters with the species were limited to remains found in the stomachs of predators. The filmed squid, measuring just 30 centimeters, is a member of the glass squid family and can grow up to 7 meters in length. This discovery coincides with the 100th anniversary of the species' formal identification, which began in 1925 when parts were found in a sperm whale's stomach. Scientists hope this footage will enhance understanding of the colossal squid's behavior and life cycle.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking achievement for astronomy, a new AI tool named Bright Transient Survey Bot (BTSbot) has successfully detected, confirmed, and classified a supernova, marking a significant advancement in automated astronomical research. The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) identified a candidate supernova, SN2023tyk, on October 3, and within two days, BTSbot analyzed the data, deemed it worthy of further investigation, and coordinated with another robotic telescope to collect its light spectrum. This spectrum was analyzed by a second algorithm, confirming it as a Type Ia supernova. The discovery was publicly announced on October 7, showcasing the potential of AI to streamline the identification process, previously reliant on human effort. Researchers estimate that BTSbot could save thousands of hours previously spent on manual inspections, allowing scientists to focus on deeper analysis of supernovae and their cosmic implications. The project involved collaboration among several prestigious institutions, including Northwestern University and Caltech.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAn international research team is on a quest to uncover the elusive colossal squid (_Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni_) in its natural habitat by 2025, marking the centenary of its discovery. Despite multiple expeditions to Antarctica between December 2022 and March 2023 aboard the _Ocean Endeavor_, equipped with a deep-sea camera system, the team has yet to locate an adult specimen. However, they captured footage of a small glass squid, potentially a juvenile colossal squid or an unknown species, which is currently under analysis. Marine scientist Matt Mulrennan emphasized the colossal squid as a symbol of the ocean's mysteries, while Dr. Aaron Evans noted the significance of the footage in understanding the Cranchiidae family. The team also documented over 80 other deep-sea species, highlighting the rich biodiversity of Antarctica's depths and the importance of ocean conservation.
Published: Apr 16 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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