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As the holiday season approaches, many indulge in festive excess, only to embark on New Year’s resolutions and Dry January. However, a notable shift is occurring, particularly among younger generations. A recent Gallup poll reveals that the percentage of American adults consuming alcohol has dropped to a 90-year low, with only 54% reporting they drink, down from 62% in 2023. This trend is echoed globally, with young Australians born between 1997 and 2012 being 17 times more likely to abstain from alcohol compared to Baby Boomers. In the UK, average alcohol consumption has also decreased significantly. Researchers attribute this decline to heightened health awareness, rising living costs, and a cultural shift that reduces the pressure to drink. Interestingly, while alcohol consumption wanes, cannabis use among the 18-34 age group has nearly doubled since 2013, indicating changing preferences in recreational substances. 
Published: Dec 25 2025, 7 pmeznews.inGorillas, despite their impressive size and strength, possess the smallest penises relative to body size among mammals, measuring just 3 centimeters (1.1 inches). This surprising fact is linked to their social structure, where a dominant male typically mates with multiple females, reducing the need for larger genitalia. Unlike their chimpanzee relatives, who live in multi-male groups and require larger testes to compete for female attention, gorillas rely on physical dominance rather than sperm competition. Interestingly, research suggests that certain genetic traits in gorillas may correlate with low sperm counts in humans, challenging the notion that size equates to reproductive success. Humans, with larger penises but smaller testes, exhibit a unique evolutionary paradox, where social and cognitive factors play a more significant role in mating strategies than physical attributes. Ultimately, the evolution of human mating systems highlights the importance of social dynamics over mere anatomical features.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA recent study led by an international team of researchers has unveiled the "cosmic dipole anomaly," suggesting that the universe may be "lopsided," which poses a significant challenge to the standard cosmological model. Professor Subir Sarkar from the University of Oxford highlighted that this anomaly contradicts the widely accepted Copernican and cosmological principles, which assert that the universe is isotropic and homogeneous. The anomaly is evidenced by temperature variations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), where one hemisphere of the sky is hotter than the other, contradicting expectations of uniformity. While the findings do not outright dismiss the Lambda-CDM model of the universe, they indicate a failure of the "Ellis-Baldwin test," which correlates CMB variations with matter distribution. As researchers await further data from upcoming astronomical projects, the implications of this anomaly could necessitate a reevaluation of our understanding of the cosmos.
Published: Dec 24 2025, 12 ameznews.inA new mRNA flu vaccine developed by Pfizer has demonstrated a 34.5% higher efficacy in preventing influenza A compared to existing vaccines, according to a clinical trial involving over 18,000 participants. While the vaccine was associated with more side effects, severe adverse events remained rare. This modRNA vaccine, which incorporates modified nucleosides for improved performance, showed a robust immune response against H1N1 and H3N2 strains but was less effective against influenza B. Notably, the trial did not include participants over 65, a demographic particularly vulnerable to flu complications. Current flu vaccines have an effectiveness of 44-54% for those under 64, while the new vaccine could potentially increase this to 60-67%. As flu seasons become increasingly severe, advancements in vaccine technology are crucial. The trial results are published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 3 pmeznews.inNew research published in the *Annals of Internal Medicine* suggests that longer, sustained walking sessions are more beneficial for heart health and reducing mortality risk than shorter, frequent bursts of activity. Analyzing data from 33,560 participants in the UK Biobank, the study found that those who walked in sessions lasting 15 minutes or more had significantly lower risks of all-cause mortality (0.8%) and cardiovascular events (4.39%) compared to those who walked in shorter bursts of less than five minutes, who faced a 4.36% mortality risk and a 13.03% risk of cardiovascular issues. While the study accounted for factors like age and BMI, it noted that correlation does not imply causation, and other health factors may influence these outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of longer walking sessions, particularly for individuals with sedentary lifestyles, challenging the widely accepted 10,000-steps-a-day guideline.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 2 pmeznews.inGeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery by analyzing ancient salt crystals formed 1.4 billion years ago in a now-dry saline lake near Black Sturgeon Lake, Ontario. These crystals trapped air from a time before significant photosynthesis, providing a rare glimpse into the Earth's early atmosphere. Using custom-built equipment, researchers led by Professor Morgan Schaller and graduate student Justin Park reconstructed atmospheric conditions, revealing oxygen levels at 0.78 percent and carbon dioxide at 0.28 percent—far lower than today's levels. This data challenges the notion of the "boring billion," a period between 1.8 and 0.8 billion years ago characterized by little apparent change, suggesting it may have laid crucial groundwork for the emergence of complex life. The findings, published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, highlight the importance of direct observational data in understanding the evolution of Earth's atmosphere and the origins of life.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 6 ameznews.inAir fryers have gained popularity for their perceived health benefits, but culinary experts like Jay Rayner argue that nothing compares to the rich taste of deep-fried food. However, the environmental impact of disposing of used cooking oil poses significant challenges. Pouring oil down drains can lead to fatbergs, while landfill disposal of hardened oil is not a sustainable solution. National Geographic highlights a new alternative: oil solidifiers, which convert liquid oil into solid "fat pancakes" that can be safely discarded. These solidified oils can be composted in small amounts or sent to facilities for larger quantities. Additionally, they can be repurposed for biodiesel, candles, or soap, offering a creative solution for managing cooking oil waste. As the debate over cooking methods continues, finding environmentally friendly disposal options remains crucial for both food lovers and the planet.
Published: Dec 25 2025, 11 pmeznews.inWater can exist as a liquid at temperatures well below freezing, particularly as a thin layer on ice, a phenomenon first noted by Michael Faraday in 1842. Despite its historical significance, explanations for this "premelting" effect have remained incomplete until now. A team from Peking University has identified a new amorphous ice layer (AIL) that forms at temperatures as low as -153°C (-244°F), differing from the previously recognized quasiliquid layer. Their research, utilizing machine learning and atomic force microscopy, suggests that disorder among protons at the ice surface leads to vacancies that weaken molecular binding, resulting in the AIL. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of ice but also has implications for cloud formation, skating on ice, and preserving biological materials. The study, published in *Physical Review X*, highlights the challenges of studying surface structures, which have historically hindered scientific progress in this area.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 11 pmeznews.inIn a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have identified the kitefin shark (_Dalatias licha_) as the largest bioluminescent vertebrate known to science, measuring nearly 1.8 meters (6 feet) long. This remarkable species, along with the blackbelly lanternshark and southern lanternshark, was studied in a dark seawater tank aboard a deep-sea trawler, where the kitefin's glowing display captivated scientists. The bioluminescence, which produces a soft blue-green light, may enhance the sharks' hunting abilities or serve as a camouflage technique in the murky depths of the ocean, although further research is needed to confirm these theories. The study highlights the significance of bioluminescence in the deep sea ecosystem, suggesting that light production plays a crucial role in the survival of various marine species. Researchers are eager to explore the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, as current analyses have not revealed the presence of luciferins or bioluminescent bacteria in the sharks' skin.
Published: Dec 26 2025, 11 ameznews.inRecent research suggests that the innate immune systems of all complex life forms, including humans, may trace their origins back to ancient microbial ancestors known as Asgard archaea. The study identified 2,610 complete defense systems within these single-celled organisms, highlighting two crucial proteins—viperins and argonautes—that play significant roles in immune responses. Viperins detect and edit foreign DNA, while argonautes chop up DNA, both serving to inhibit viral replication. The researchers concluded that eukaryotic versions of these proteins are closely related to those found in Asgard archaea, reinforcing the idea that these microbes contributed to the evolution of antiviral defense mechanisms. The findings, published in *Nature Communications*, underscore the evolutionary significance of Asgard archaea in shaping the complexity of eukaryotic life and its immune systems, with implications for understanding how these defenses have been conserved throughout evolution.
Published: Dec 25 2025, 7 amFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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