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Why "Eleven" and "Twelve" Instead of "Oneteen" and "Twoteen"?

The peculiar naming of the numbers eleven and twelve, distinct from the "teen" suffixes of subsequent numbers, can be traced back to historical influences of base 12, or the duodecimal system. While modern counting predominantly uses base 10—likely due to the ten fingers on human hands—evidence suggests that our ancestors may have utilized base 12 for its divisibility advantages. The terms "eleven" and "twelve" derive from Old English words meaning "one left over" and "two left over," respectively, reflecting a counting method that acknowledged ten as a base. Linguistic studies indicate that early Germanic languages also exhibited this base 12 influence, with the Old Norse term "hundrað" originally signifying 120, or twelve groups of ten. This historical context highlights the enduring legacy of duodecimal counting in our numerical language, despite the predominance of the decimal system today. sources

Published:
Jun 12 2025, 4 am

Why We Haven't Found a Twin Solar System Yet

The Copernican principle asserts that Earth and humanity do not occupy a unique position in the universe, yet the Solar System's distinct organization raises questions. With over 5,920 exoplanets identified across approximately 4,550 planetary systems, astronomers note that this is a mere fraction of the estimated 100 billion stars in the Milky Way. Many discovered exoplanets, such as lava worlds and hot Jupiters, differ dramatically from those in our Solar System, suggesting that planetary formation can lead to chaotic outcomes. While the Solar System appears stable, the search for similar systems is hampered by observational biases and the limitations of current detection methods. Techniques like the transit and wobble methods require extensive observations, making it challenging to confirm the existence of distant planets. However, advancements in technology and analysis may soon yield more Earth-like systems, potentially revealing a Solar System twin in the vast cosmos. sources

Published:
Jun 16 2025, 6 pm

FBI Discovers Disturbing Experiments at Arizona Body Donation Facility

FBI agents uncovered a disturbing scene at the Biological Resource Center (BRC) in Phoenix, Arizona, during a 2014 raid, revealing a warehouse filled with human remains, including a refrigerator stocked with penises, buckets of limbs, and a head sewn onto another body in a "Frankenstein" manner. The BRC, a for-profit body donation company, was implicated in a nationwide criminal investigation, leading to former owner Stephen Gore pleading guilty to illegal control of an enterprise in 2015. He now faces a civil lawsuit from at least 33 plaintiffs who allege their loved ones' remains were mishandled. Court documents revealed a price list for body parts, with the BRC distributing over 20,000 body parts from more than 5,000 donations. The body-broking industry remains largely unregulated in the U.S., with Arizona previously lacking licensing requirements until a law was enacted in 2017. sources

Published:
Jun 13 2025, 5 am

Measles Denier Fined €100,000 for Disputing Virus Evidence

Stefan Lanka, a German man who controversially claims that measles is a psychosomatic condition rather than a viral disease, has been ordered by a court to pay €100,000 ($106,000) to Dr. David Barden for proving the existence of the measles virus. Lanka, who has taken anti-vaccination beliefs to an extreme, initially offered the reward to challenge the scientific consensus on measles. However, after Barden presented substantial research evidence, a regional court ruled in his favor. Lanka plans to appeal the decision, although legal fees may surpass the amount he owes. This legal battle comes amid a significant measles outbreak in Germany, which has seen its worst cases in a decade, highlighting the serious public health implications of vaccine misinformation. The issue is further underscored by recent tragic cases, including the death of an 18-month-old boy in Berlin. sources

Published:
Jun 16 2025, 8 am

Burmese Python Caught Eating Reticulated Python: A First!

In a groundbreaking observation, researchers have documented a Burmese python preying on a reticulated python in Bangladesh, marking the first recorded instance of such predation. The Burmese python, measuring over 3 meters (10 feet), was seen consuming the tail of the reticulated python, a process that took approximately two hours. Both species inhabit Bangladesh, with the Burmese being more widespread, while reticulated pythons are primarily found in Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions. The encounter occurred at Akiz Wildlife Farm in Bandarban District in October 2020, where the Burmese python coiled around its prey and swallowed it tail-first, despite the reticulated python's attempts to defend itself. This event highlights the competitive dynamics between these skilled predators, which share similar diets. The findings are detailed in a paper published in *Reptiles & Amphibians*, contributing to the understanding of interspecies interactions among pythons. sources

Published:
Jun 15 2025, 5 pm

Humans and Neanderthals' Interactions: Exact Locations Revealed

Recent research has pinpointed the Zagros Mountains as the likely site of interbreeding between _Homo sapiens_ and Neanderthals during the Late Pleistocene. This mountain range, spanning modern-day Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, provided a diverse environment conducive to stable human populations and served as a migratory corridor during climatic shifts. Archaeological evidence, including the renowned Shanidar Cave, supports this theory, showcasing remains of both species and significant burial practices. The Zagros region's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa facilitated encounters between the two human species. Since the sequencing of the Neanderthal genome in 2010, it has been established that 1 to 4 percent of the genomes of all non-African humans today carry Neanderthal DNA, influencing various traits and health conditions. The findings are detailed in a study published in *Scientific Reports*. sources

Published:
Jun 15 2025, 10 am

US Downs Fourth Object, Alien Theory Still Possible

The White House has dismissed speculation regarding extraterrestrial involvement in the recent downing of four unidentified flying objects over North America, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating there is "no indication of aliens." The latest object, described as an "octagonal structure" with strings, was shot down by F-16 fighter jets over Lake Huron on February 12, after being detected over Montana. This incident follows the downing of a Chinese high-altitude balloon on February 4, which China claimed was for meteorological purposes, while the US alleged it was for espionage. The military has initiated a task force to recover and analyze the debris from the latest object, which poses a potential hazard to civil aviation. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and China have escalated, with China accusing the US of violating its airspace with high-altitude balloons, leading to the postponement of a planned visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. sources

Published:
Jun 15 2025, 5 pm

Recipe for Unique Lithium-Rich Mineral Unveiled at Last

Jadarite, a unique lithium-rich mineral discovered in 2004 in Jadar, Serbia, has garnered significant interest due to its potential role in the energy transition away from fossil fuels. With enough lithium to power up to 90% of future European electric vehicles, its extraction is complicated by political tensions between Serbia and the European Union. Researchers have now elucidated the precise conditions required for jadarite's formation, which involves a rare combination of lithium-rich volcanic glass, alkaline terminal lakes, and specific clay minerals. Dr. Francesco Putzolu from the Natural History Museum in London likened the process to baking a cake, emphasizing the need for exact conditions. While jadarite remains unique, understanding its formation could help scientists identify other potential deposits globally. As demand for lithium surges, jadarite's extraction could significantly impact renewable energy efforts, according to co-author Dr. Robin Armstrong. The findings are detailed in a recent publication in *Nature Geoscience*. sources

Published:
Jun 13 2025, 10 pm

"Rising Penis Size: A Concern for Health?"

A comprehensive study analyzing penis sizes from 1942 to 2021 has revealed a notable increase in average erect penis length over the past three decades, while flaccid lengths remained unchanged. The meta-analysis, which included data from 55,761 males globally, found that erect length rose by 24 percent, from 12.3 centimeters (4.8 inches) to 15.2 centimeters (6 inches). Lead researcher Michael Eisenberg from Stanford Medicine suggested that this increase may be linked to environmental factors, such as chemical exposure that disrupts hormonal systems, rather than a decline in reproductive health, which has been observed in other studies. The research highlights the need for further investigation into the implications of these changes on male reproductive health, as the rapidity of the increase suggests significant underlying influences. The findings were published in the World Journal of Men's Health. sources

Published:
Jun 14 2025, 6 pm

Unvaccinated Individuals 48% More Likely to Have Traffic Accidents

A comprehensive study published in the American Journal of Medicine has revealed a surprising correlation between COVID-19 vaccination status and traffic accident involvement. Analyzing data from over 11 million individuals in Ontario, Canada, researchers found that unvaccinated individuals, who comprised 16% of the study population, accounted for 25% of traffic accidents requiring hospitalization. The study indicated that unvaccinated individuals faced a 48% higher risk of traffic accidents, comparable to the risks associated with sleep apnea. While the authors caution against inferring causality, they suggest that a general resistance to public health guidelines may extend to road safety practices. Possible explanations for this correlation include distrust in government, misconceptions about risks, and socio-political factors. The study highlights the need for unvaccinated adults to exercise caution both in public health settings and on the roads, despite its limitations in examining the underlying causes of vaccination hesitancy and driving behavior. sources

Published:
Jun 16 2025, 7 am

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