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New research has revealed that the distinct facial features of Neanderthals, including their prominent jaws and large noses, can be traced to minor genetic variations in a region of the "dark" genome, which regulates gene activity. Despite being 99.7% genetically similar to modern humans, Neanderthals' unique appearance is linked to just three nucleotide differences in enhancer cluster 1.45 (EC 1.45), which influences the SOX9 gene associated with facial development. By inserting both human and Neanderthal versions of EC 1.45 into zebrafish DNA, researchers observed that the Neanderthal variant exhibited heightened activity during early craniofacial development, leading to larger jaw formations. This study not only sheds light on the evolutionary divergence between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens but also aims to enhance understanding of genetic factors in facial conditions in modern humans. The findings were published in the journal *Development*. 
Published: Nov 11 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a fascinating discovery, researchers have revealed that the ant-mimicking spider, *Toxeus magnus*, exhibits a form of maternal care akin to that of mammals by producing a nutrient-rich "milk" for its young. After the spiderlings hatch, they rely entirely on this milk, secreted from the mother’s epigastric furrow, for sustenance until they reach the subadult stage. This behavior, observed in a breeding nest containing both adults and juveniles, suggests a form of social living previously unrecognized in this species. The study indicates that such lactation-like provisioning may have evolved in response to ecological pressures, such as predation risk and food scarcity, prompting mothers to adapt their physiology and behavior to ensure the survival of their offspring. Remarkably, the spider milk contains nearly four times the protein of cow's milk, highlighting the unique evolutionary traits of this invertebrate.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 2 ameznews.inDuring the lockdown in 2020, many sought companionship in pets, including the author, who was tempted by a wild mouse that wandered into their home. However, they refrained from adopting the mouse, knowing it would likely lead to chaos. Fast forward five years, and the author now has a domesticated animal curled up on their desk, prompting a reflection on the domestication process. Unlike simply keeping wild animals, domestication involves mutual benefits between species, as seen with wolves evolving into dogs and cats adapting to human settlements. A recent study suggests that ancient South American hunter-gatherers may have kept foxes as pets long before dogs arrived, evidenced by a burial site in Patagonia. Additionally, a 1959 experiment on silver foxes demonstrated rapid domestication through selective breeding for tameness. However, not all animals can be domesticated due to specific traits, leaving some, like house mice, better suited for urban environments than companionship.
Published: Nov 11 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA new study suggests that auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia may stem from "noisy" signaling in the brain's motor system rather than solely from the auditory system. Researchers found that while patients with schizophrenia often struggle to distinguish their thoughts from external voices, the underlying issue may involve a misfiring of a signal known as the efference copy (EC). This signal, which typically directs precise auditory feedback during speech, was found to be imprecise in patients experiencing hallucinations, leading to misinterpretations of sounds. Using electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity in 40 schizophrenia patients, the study confirmed that those who hear voices exhibited a noisy EC, activating unrelated neural responses. This breakthrough suggests that treatment approaches should focus on the connections between motor and auditory systems, marking a potential paradigm shift in understanding and addressing auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. The findings are published in PLOS Biology.
Published: Nov 12 2025, 3 ameznews.inA recent study from École Normale Supérieure in Paris has revealed that the brain employs distinct mechanisms when recalling familiar images compared to viewing them in real-time. Researchers, led by Anthony Clement and Dr. Catherine Tallon-Baudry, examined 28 volunteers using EEG technology while they visualized a map of France and focused on specific regions. The findings indicated that different brain areas were activated during mental imagery tasks, particularly in the left inferior frontal gyrus, which is linked to language processing and internal attention. This contrasts with the brain's response during direct visual perception, suggesting that spatial attention in mental imagery does not rely on the same neural pathways as visual attention. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, raises questions about the evolutionary reasons behind these differing processes and their implications for understanding conditions like aphantasia, where individuals lack the ability to visualize.
Published: Nov 07 2025, 4 pmeznews.inAfrica is home to the world's largest land animals, including the African bush elephant, the ostrich, and the eastern gorilla, as well as the tallest land animal, the giraffe. This abundance of megafauna can be attributed to Africa's unique evolutionary history, which saw its large species evolve alongside early human ancestors, unlike other regions that experienced significant megafauna extinctions. A recent study indicates that animals in the Paleotropics, which includes Sub-Saharan Africa, had lower extinction rates compared to those in other areas, particularly islands and regions with large-bodied species. The coevolution of humans and African megafauna led to adaptations that made these animals more cautious and better equipped to survive human interactions. This dynamic has allowed Africa to retain a remarkable diversity of large species, despite the pressures of human expansion and environmental changes.
Published: Nov 11 2025, 10 pmeznews.inA recent study suggests that multilingualism may serve as a protective factor against accelerated aging. Researchers analyzed data from 86,149 individuals aged 51 to 90 across 27 European countries, revealing that those who spoke multiple languages were about half as likely to experience accelerated aging compared to monolinguals, who were twice as likely to face such decline. The study posits that engaging with different languages may enhance neurological flexibility, thereby slowing cognitive and physical deterioration. While the link between language proficiency and health is not fully understood, it remains significant even when accounting for various factors like age and health status. This research is particularly relevant for predominantly English-speaking nations, where monolingualism is common, and aging populations are on the rise. The findings could inform public health and educational policies aimed at improving cognitive health in older adults. The study is published in *Nature Aging*.
Published: Nov 10 2025, 11 pmeznews.inArizona, often overlooked as a modern-day analog to Ancient Egypt, boasts intriguing parallels, including vast deserts, rivers, and a state-endorsed affinity for turquoise. Central to this comparison is Hunt’s Tomb, a 20-foot pyramid in Papago Park, built as a burial site for Governor George Wiley Paul Hunt and his family in the 1930s. While its design reflects the Egyptian influence popularized by the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, Hunt’s Tomb has faced vandalism and theft over the years. Arizona is also home to other pyramid-like structures, such as the tomb of Charles Debrille Poston. Rumors of Egyptian artifacts and mummies in the Grand Canyon have circulated for over a century, fueled by a fabricated expedition story involving the Smithsonian Institution. However, experts assert that these claims are unfounded, emphasizing that no evidence supports the idea of Ancient Egyptians ever inhabiting the region.
Published: Nov 10 2025, 8 pmeznews.inBangkok, the capital of Thailand, is not just a bustling metropolis with over 11 million residents and 22 million annual international visitors; it also holds the Guinness World Record for the longest place name. While the city is widely known as Bangkok in the English-speaking world, locals refer to it as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, meaning "great city of angels." This name was officially recommended in 2022 by the Royal Society of Thailand, although the Romanized version remains in common use. The full ceremonial name, which consists of 111 letters, translates to a grand description of the city, including phrases like "city of immortality" and "great city of the golden palace." To help Thai schoolchildren remember this lengthy name, a nursery rhyme is taught, making the challenge of pronunciation a little more manageable.
Published: Nov 11 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers using non-invasive techniques have detected two significant anomalies within Egypt's Menkaure Pyramid, suggesting the potential existence of a long-lost passageway. The Menkaure Pyramid, the smallest of the Giza pyramids, has remained less studied compared to its larger counterparts. The anomalies, identified as A1 and A2, are believed to be air-filled voids located behind polished granite blocks on the pyramid's eastern face. Anomaly A1 measures approximately 1.5 meters by 1 meter, while A2 is smaller at 0.9 meters by 0.7 meters. The findings, supported by ground-penetrating radar and electrical resistivity tomography, indicate that these voids could represent a second entrance to the structure. The research team, part of the ScanPyramids project, emphasizes that while the results are promising, further investigation is necessary to confirm the hypothesis. The study has been published in NDT & E International.
Published: Nov 11 2025, 9 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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