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The Euphrates River, once a lifeline for millions in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, is drying up at an alarming rate, primarily due to chronic droughts and climate change, rather than apocalyptic predictions. A 2021 report from Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources warned that the river system could run dry by 2040, with satellite data revealing a significant loss of freshwater in recent years. This environmental crisis threatens the livelihoods of approximately 60 million people who depend on the river for water. As international cooperation over water management has stalled, tensions are rising, raising fears of potential "water wars" in the region. Additionally, the lack of clean water is exacerbating health crises, with increasing cases of waterborne diseases reported in Iraq. The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management in a region historically rich in resources but now facing severe scarcity. 
Published: Dec 28 2024, 12 pmeznews.inConcerns are mounting over Kessler Syndrome, a phenomenon where the increasing amount of space debris could lead to catastrophic collisions in Earth's orbit. Currently, around 13,000 satellites, including over 10,000 active ones, are orbiting the planet at speeds exceeding 6 miles per second, contributing to a growing problem of space junk. The concept, introduced by astrophysicist Don Kessler in the 1970s, suggests that collisions will generate more debris, creating a domino effect that could reach a critical mass. With the recent surge in satellite launches, particularly by SpaceX's Starlink, experts warn of the unintended consequences of such rapid expansion. The potential for even small pieces of debris to cause significant damage raises alarms for both astronauts and essential satellite functions on Earth. In response, scientists advocate for a circular space economy and responsible disposal methods to mitigate the risks associated with this crowded celestial environment.
Published: Dec 29 2024, 2 ameznews.inScientists at Northern Arizona University have issued a stark warning about the potential for a public health crisis due to antibiotic resistance, predicting that deaths from E. coli could surge by up to 46 times within five years if no action is taken. Their research, which models the impact of a hypothetical pan-resistant strain of E. coli on sepsis mortality rates, suggests a rapid and alarming increase in fatalities, contrasting with the gradual changes typically anticipated. Lead author Benjamin Koch emphasized that the emergence of such resistant strains is not a question of "if" but "when." The study highlights the urgent need for coordinated global efforts to combat antibiotic resistance, which currently causes over a million deaths annually and could double by 2050. While individual actions, such as responsible antibiotic use, are crucial, researchers are also exploring innovative treatments, including new classes of antibiotics and phage therapy, to address this escalating threat.
Published: Dec 29 2024, 3 ameznews.inIn a groundbreaking demonstration of telesurgery, a pig in Hong Kong underwent an endoscopy operated remotely from 9,300 kilometers away in Zurich, Switzerland. Researchers from ETH Zurich and The Chinese University of Hong Kong utilized advanced robotic technology and a high-speed internet connection to conduct the procedure, with doctoral student Alexandre Mesot controlling the endoscope via a PlayStation controller, experiencing only a 300-millisecond delay. The specially designed endoscope, capable of bending 180 degrees and navigating through a magnetic field, allowed for precise tissue sampling from the pig's stomach. This innovative approach could pave the way for minimally invasive procedures in humans, potentially enhancing comfort and reducing sedation needs. Professor Bradley Nelson of ETH Zurich expressed hopes for future human trials, emphasizing the technology's potential in gastrointestinal procedures. The study has been published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems, marking a significant advancement in remote surgical capabilities.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 10 pmeznews.inStarting June 17, 2025, commercial air tours over Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Northeastern Arizona will be prohibited under new conservation rules established by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This decision follows the completion of an Air Tour Management Plan aimed at safeguarding the area's natural and cultural resources, which hold significant spiritual importance for the Navajo Nation. The monument, one of North America's longest continuously inhabited regions, has been home to various Indigenous peoples for approximately 5,000 years. Park Superintendent Lyn Carranza emphasized that the ban on air tours honors the unique relationship between the Navajo Nation and the park, while preserving its archaeological landscape. Although aerial tours will cease, visitors can still explore the area through ranger-led and Navajo-guided tours.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 2 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking development for reproductive health, a baby has been born in Lima, Peru, using a pioneering technique called Fertilo, which employs ovarian support cell (OSC) technology to mature eggs outside the body. Dr. Dina Radenkovic, CEO of Gameto, the company behind Fertilo, hailed this as the world's first live birth conceived through this method, which aims to address the challenges of traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF), such as lengthy treatment cycles and significant side effects. The Fertilo method reduces the hormone injection period from 10-14 days to just three, minimizing risks like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and making the process less invasive and more affordable. With regulatory approvals in several countries and ongoing Phase 3 trials in the US, Fertilo represents a significant advancement in fertility treatment, offering renewed hope to families facing reproductive challenges.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 8 pmeznews.inGoogle has unveiled its top searches for 2024, highlighting a year marked by significant global events and concerns. Dominating the search trends were sports, particularly football and cricket, alongside notable figures like Donald Trump and Princess Kate, the latter likely due to her cancer diagnosis and a royal photo controversy. In the U.S., the election cycle was a major focus, with Trump leading searches over Kamala Harris. Worryingly, extreme weather events, including excessive heat and Hurricane Milton, topped the global news search list, reflecting growing climate concerns. The most-searched deceased individuals included Liam Payne and Toby Keith, while Google Maps revealed Central Park as the most-viewed park worldwide. The comprehensive data can be explored further on Google Trends, offering insights into public interests and anxieties throughout the year.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 8 pmeznews.inA patient in Louisiana has become severely ill from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), marking the first serious human case of bird flu in the U.S. since the outbreak began in 2024, according to the CDC. The virus has shown mutations affecting its ability to attach to cells, identified as the D1.1 genotype, distinct from strains affecting livestock. Genetic analysis revealed mutations in the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, which occurred post-infection, suggesting they arose during the patient's illness rather than prior to transmission. While the CDC acknowledges these mutations are concerning, they emphasize that the overall risk to the public remains low. The agency highlights the importance of genomic surveillance and containment measures for avian influenza outbreaks, noting that there have been 66 confirmed human cases since the outbreak began, predominantly in California.
Published: Dec 28 2024, 6 pmeznews.inThe presence of air in potato chip packets, often perceived as excessive, serves crucial purposes, primarily protecting the chips from crushing during transport and accommodating atmospheric pressure changes, especially during air travel. However, rather than regular air, manufacturers use nitrogen, which prevents oxidation and keeps chips fresh and crunchy. Despite this, artist Henry Hargreaves conducted an informal experiment suggesting that the air-filled packaging may not be as effective as claimed, finding that chips with more air were more prone to breakage. He advocates for vacuum-sealing as a more efficient method for transport, which could also reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting excess air. While the industry maintains its practices for quality preservation, Hargreaves' findings raise questions about the necessity of current packaging methods and their environmental impact.
Published: Dec 23 2024, 11 pmeznews.inGogottes, also known as concretions, are striking natural formations found primarily in the Fontainebleau region of France, where they have captivated observers with their abstract, swirling shapes. Formed approximately 30 million years ago when a layer of quartz was left behind after water receded, these unique structures emerged as silica-rich water permeated the sand, bonding it into hard sandstone over millennia. Their unusual designs have sparked pareidolia, leading people to see familiar shapes within them, further enhancing their allure. Historically, gogottes have been highly prized; King Louis XIV famously adorned the gardens of Versailles with these natural sculptures. Today, they continue to be celebrated for their geological significance and aesthetic appeal, with notable specimens displayed in institutions like the Natural History Museum in London and the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 12 ameznews.inA remarkable discovery in 1822 near Klütz, Germany, involving a white stork with a spear embedded in its neck, significantly advanced European understanding of bird migration. For centuries, theories about the winter whereabouts of birds ranged from hibernation to fantastical notions of flying to the Moon or engaging in mythical battles with pygmies. The stork, which had traveled an astonishing 3,200 kilometers to Africa before returning to Germany, provided concrete evidence of migratory behavior, debunking the bizarre beliefs that birds transformed into different species for the winter. This stork, later dubbed the "arrow stork" (_Pfeilstorch_), became a symbol of the shift in scientific understanding, although its fate was grim, as it was killed and stuffed shortly after its discovery. The incident marked a pivotal moment in ornithology, moving Europe closer to grasping the complexities of avian migration.
Published: Dec 24 2024, 5 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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