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Boost Your Comfort: How to Add Probiotics to Your Underwear

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Recently, New Scientist editor Catherine de Lange highlighted an intriguing development. We couldn’t resist sharing this, especially considering Kat’s many requests to avoid publishing potentially problematic content.

Kat forwarded a press release from Under Days without any sarcastic remarks—a positive sign indicating genuine intrigue in what follows.

Under Days offers innovative underwear infused with beneficial bacteria designed to enhance your skin’s microbiome. According to their press release, “The most intimate wear just got smarter.” We briefly considered whether bacteria could possess IQ, but opted to focus on the broader discussion at hand.

The press release suggests that “prebiotics and probiotics can permeate the fabric, benefitting the skin throughout the day.” This may help “support the microbiome,” “fortify the skin barrier,” and “promote a healthier appearance.”

These garments promise significant time-saving benefits: “No creams, no serums, no extra steps. Simply dress and integrate your skin care.” Who wouldn’t want more efficiency in their morning routine?

However, questions arise. What occurs when you wash these probiotic-infused garments? We understand the necessity of regularly washing underwear, but could high temperatures and detergents eliminate the beneficial bacteria?

To investigate, I switched to private browsing and visited the Under Days website. Upon exploring their FAQ page, it became clear that while their underwear isn’t a substitute for your usual skin care regimen, they are meant to complement it. This realization casts some doubt on the touted time-saving claims.

So, what’s the washing protocol? They recommend washing underwear in a garment bag with cold water, not exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and air drying it out of direct sunlight. Users are advised to use a gentle cycle at 30 degrees Celsius, ensuring the probiotics last “up to 40 washes.”

Under Days has yet to clarify the scientific underpinnings of how this works. The phrase “up to 40 washes” leaves room for interpretation.

Exploring Unique Locations

Following visits to Foraminifera Sculpture Park (April 11) and Moss Garden (May 9), we continue to uncover unique scientific locations.

Carolyn Smith confirmed our suspicions about selective beach pebble locales. “We have two shell museums here along the north Norfolk coast,” she mentions. “While there may be no competitive spirit, she confidently asserts that the best collection belongs to the Seashell Museum in Grandford.”

Carolyn didn’t point to any other specific museums, perhaps due to their limited reputation, but their existence adds depth to our feedback. The Peter Coke Shell Gallery features an array of “almost 200 stunning seashell art sculptures” in Sheringham.

In Australia, Katrin Carlin shared memories of growing up in Maffra, Victoria, home to a museum dedicated to sugar beet cultivation. While skeptics may find this hard to believe, the Sugar Beet Museum does exist, although Katrin noted she only visited once as a child.

Katrin advises that the museum is open only once a month for three hours—specifically from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month from February to November.

Be sure to plan your visit!

Navigating Parking Challenges

Many struggle with parking properly. Feedback has recently been inundated with irritation stemming from a situation involving a vehicle occupying two spaces. Clear guidance on parking etiquette is evidently needed.

B. Evans discovered confusing instructions in a car park in Devon, England. The sign read: [that first bit is underlined] “Do not park outside the bay.”

Evans expressed confusion over this new grammatical tense, referring to it as a “negative imperative.” With perplexity, he attempted to comply by not parking forward. Feedback wonders if Evans inadvertently achieved some form of vehicular quantum state.

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Email your contributions to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your address. You can find this week’s and previous feedback on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Unlocking Longevity: How Rapamycin Could Add Years to Your Life – A High-Stakes Gamble

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Illustration of rapamycin molecule

Rapamycin Molecule: Potential for Life Extension

Science Photo Library

The lifespan benefits derived from fasting and rapamycin usage resemble a lottery rather than a guaranteed outcome. While significant lifespan increases have been observed within a year, reanalysis indicates that results can vary significantly among individuals.

Talia Fulton, a researcher at the University of Sydney, mentions, “[They] may enhance your lifespan marginally [they] could dramatically increase it.”

The 2025 study examined 167 research papers across eight non-human species, including fish, mice, rats, and rhesus macaques. Fulton and her team discovered that when these animals were treated with rapamycin, a promising anti-aging compound, alongside calorie restriction — known for fostering longevity — they exhibited a longer lifespan on average. This suggests the same potential could extend to humans.

Current research has investigated the varied responses to longevity interventions in individual animals, revealing significant variability in benefits. Fulton notes that while taking rapamycin or implementing dietary restrictions appears “likely to be advantageous, the degree remains uncertain.”

According to her, “Some may experience considerable lifespan extension, while others may see minimal impact, or not outlive their expected lifespan.” This variability creates a somewhat unpredictable environment, meaning these treatments cannot guarantee lifespan extension for all individuals.

Fulton emphasizes that the objective of longevity interventions is to balance the population size with life expectancy through a squared curve. This implies that more individuals could lead longer lives, contrasting with the current trend of fewer individuals achieving longevity. “Squaring the survival curve means a larger number will lead extended and fulfilling lives until around 100, at which point mortality becomes almost certain,” she elaborates.

Current findings indicate that dietary restrictions and rapamycin do not effectively square this longevity curve. In this context, Fulton advises holding off on high expectations until further research clarifies who stands to benefit most from these approaches. “We aspire to decode individual genetic variables and life histories, ultimately determining ‘This is precisely what you need to achieve maximum longevity,'” she states.

Researchers like Matt Kaeberlein from the University of Washington stress that squaring the curve does not inherently mean enhanced health profiles. A more compelling consideration, he argues, is whether longevity initiatives, such as exercise, influence “healthspan inequality.”

Originally developed as an immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients, rapamycin inhibits the mTOR protein, essential for cell growth and division. At lower doses, it has demonstrated the potential to extend lifespan in species like flies and mice, potentially by safeguarding against DNA damage.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Four Wheels Are Fun, But Why Not Add Thrills with a Cycling Game? | Games

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I dedicated a week to the quest of saving the universe. Leading a quirky team of seasoned veterans, I launched an assault on an intergalactic tyrant’s base, while also tackling a series of well-crafted tasks aimed at enhancing my warrior magician to vanquish the ancient, malevolent god of hope.

I accomplished this through a straightforward bike race. Sounds absurd? Welcome to Wheel World.

When your joy comes from saving the world by leaping on mushrooms or watching a chatty sneaker-wearing hedgehog, critiquing the absurd plot of video games becomes a mere reflection of the game’s essence. After all, he even led Arbroath FC to the final match of the Championship Manager’s European Cup. Yet, the narrative of Wheel World feels awkwardly jumbled. I suspect 10% of the code could simply be Blu-Tack.

Your bike is accompanied by a spirit resembling a skull, aptly named Skully. That’s just how this game rolls. You must defeat the cyclist who possesses them to recover seven missing pieces of his legendary bike. This allows Skully to access Soul Sewer, ascend Mount Send, conduct a grand ritual, and venture to the moon to save the cosmos. Just entering this plot makes my fingers tingle with its clumsiness; it’s like a lo-fi hipster rap trap. It didn’t have to turn out this way.

10% Blu-Tack…Wheel World. Photo: Annapurna Interactive

The original storyline, initially dubbed ghost bike, featured a roadside memorial commemorating a fallen cyclist. It sounds far more compelling, but was abandoned for a lighter narrative. Now, Mark Essen, the head of Messhof Studio states, “There’s some silly lore out there, the creation myth, and people pray, but it’s take it or leave it.”

What would I think if the game developers didn’t care about the story?

But who even cares? This is a racing game: does it require a plot? It’s all about thrilling excitement and keeping the audience on edge.

Yet, this isn’t the case.

It’s not a dreadful game by any means. While it could easily be likened to Tony Hawk, placed on two wheels with a Jet Set Radio aesthetic, it’s decent and “free” with an Xbox Game Pass. It passed the “sitting and thinking when I’m not playing it” test. However, each time I returned, my enthusiasm was palpably low, not high. There are no weapons or outrageous power-ups, no multiplayer mode, and you can’t force other cyclists off their bikes (it doesn’t involve crashing like in a car). I finished the game, briefly captivated, but it was just gripping enough. It utilized 14 bicycle parts—out of over 170 games available.

Get your skates… Tony Hawk’s professional skater. Photo: Activision

It doesn’t provide enough escapism for me since much of what you can do in this game can be duplicated in real life. Right now, I’m cycling and racing another cyclist, ringing my bell, saying, “Hey, lonely wolves, I challenge you to a race,” just like in Wheel World. In reality, things could be even more exhilarating; other cyclists might retaliate if they feel provoked.

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I’m yearning for a game that lets me experience things outside the realm of reality.

I never owned a bike but reveled in Road Rash on the Mega Drive. I can play soccer, yet I can’t replicate the players and tricks seen in FIFA. Apologies for my lack of ambition, but I’ll probably never be a spaceship captain—I cherished games from Elite to Mass Effect.

Of course, not all games revolve around smart bombs and dragons. I grasp the allure of farm, train, and bus simulators. They provide engagement and interactivity. While many people may aspire to be rail operators in real life, spending two hours a day doing so might seem fair play. Just as long as you don’t mind wearing a special hat.

I can’t shake the feeling that we’re overdue for a fantastic bike game. Pedal mechanics can feel inadequate and unrealistic on consoles, but spinning the thumbstick to boost speed, as seen in track and field games, can be quite frustrating (and painful).

What I crave is a Cycle Courier version of Crazy Taxi, or a game that captures the joy of riding a bike as a child. Until then, I’ll have to settle for reminiscing about Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX on PlayStation.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Diet for Longevity: How Changing Your Eating Habits Can Add Decades to Your Life

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I've seen my future and it's full of beans, both literally and figuratively. In addition to increasing the amount of beans, eat a lot of vegetables, no meat, avoid long periods of hunger and almost no alcohol. But in return for this dietary discipline, my future will also be longer and brighter. I'm 52 years old and can expect to live another 29 years with my current diet. But if I change now, I can earn another 10 years and live a healthy life until I'm 90.

This “longevity diet” is not just the latest fad, but the result of scientific research that extends beyond the human lifespan. And it's not just designed to prevent disease, it's actually designed to slow the aging process – that's the claim, anyway.

Of course, it makes sense to say that your diet can change your lifespan. Millions of people around the world still die prematurely each year due to lack of calories and nutrients. On the other hand, the estimate is 11 million people die every year from too many calories And the wrong kind of nutrients. Unnecessary ridicule inevitably leads to obesity and its obesity. cardiovascular diseasediabetes and cancer. The typical Western diet is high in sugar, refined starches, saturated fat, and low in whole foods, which can hinder your metabolism and make injuries even worse. This includes excessive release of insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and directly affects aging. Suffice it to say that the Western diet is not pushing the longevity levers in the right direction. But is it really possible to dig yourself into a later grave?…

Article modified on June 29, 2022

Revised step 5 of longevity diet.

Article modified on July 20, 2022

Fixed the main target of amino acid restriction.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Add Some Sugar for Deadly Research on Tea and Coffee

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Even if it's sweet, it's over
Most people die when they get old.
Roughly speaking, that short sentence can summarize the Dutch/Danish/British study called “.Coffee and tea sugar use and long-term mortality risk in older Danish adult men: 32 years of follow-up in a prospective cohort study”.
The study states: “A total of 2,923 men (mean age at participation: 63±5 years) were included, of whom 1,007 (34.5%) had added sugars. Over 32 years of follow-up, 2581 participants ( 88.3%) died, 1677 (87.5%) in the non-sugar group and 904 (89.9%) in the sugar group.
The nifty and parsimonious summary of the feedback is reminiscent of Yoshiro Nakamatsu's speech at the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. (Nakamatsu, also known as Dr. Nakamatsu, won the Ig Nobel Prize in Nutrition in 2005 for photographing and retrospectively analyzing every meal he consumed over a 34-year period; (This will continue into 2024.) Mr. Nakamatsu said: Speeches should be short. ”
shocking news
Practicing mindfulness allows you to focus on one thing at a time. A 10-year-old study called “The Role of Mindfulness-Based Psychological Support in the Process of ECT'' has been attracting attention and feedback has continued.
ECT is an acronym for electroconvulsive therapy. This study was one of the most successful attempts, and perhaps the only one, to intentionally combine mindfulness with this therapy.
The researchers reported that after receiving the electric shock, the patients “remained cognitively functional enough to participate in simple mindfulness-based psychotherapy, with no evidence of difficulty recalling new information.” are doing.
They (researchers), then at the Mid-Central District Health Board in Palmerston North, New Zealand, came to a multisyllabic conclusion.
They write: “This study confirms the benefits of Ultrabrief Pulsed ECT in reducing adverse cognitive effects…but also proves that psychological interventions and physical treatments are not mutually exclusive.”
take care of the dishes
Just one year later, American researchers published a study called “.Washing dishes to wash dishes: Brief instruction in informal mindfulness practices.”. They had a goal in mind. “We found that compared to a control condition, participants who received mindful dishwashing instruction reported higher levels of mindfulness, perceived attention, and positive We hypothesized that it would show emotion,” they wrote.
They tested their hypothesis on 51 college students and reported that the test was successful. Their study ended with the big-picture recognition that “the implications of these findings are wide-ranging.”
Be mindful of mindfulness
You can also become aware of mindfulness. Three researchers (two at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and one at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia) took a close look at the large body of research published on mindfulness and found out what they thought they saw. Published research. Their research isExploring the past, present, and future of the field of mindfulness: A multi-technique bibliographic review” and are more or less dissatisfied that many people are not paying attention to these studies.
The researchers explain why so few people are paying attention to mindfulness research: “Low citation rates may simply indicate that the document pertains to a narrow field of research. Therefore, it should not be misinterpreted as evidence of poor quality.”
resistance to antibiotics
David Gordon added his non-normative perspective to the collection of professional opinions on feedback on whether “medicine equals entertaining the patient while nature influences healing” .
“Every intervention comes with potential side effects, so it makes sense to avoid unnecessary interventions. As a retired family physician, I try to control the fear caused by symptoms and treat self-limiting and primarily viral infections.” By explaining the natural history of acute respiratory tract infections, we have significantly reduced antibiotic prescriptions, especially for mothers with young children.
“These principles can sensibly be applied to other medical scenarios. Unfortunately, this is not good for business, nor for doctors, nor for the pharmaceutical companies who unavoidably act as proxies.” The number of “re-examinations” to deal with undiagnosed anxiety is decreasing. More importantly, in the long run, patients are denied the belief that all illnesses require a prescription. ”
loss of power
Superpowers are not all permanent, even the little things readers add to their feedback summaries. Grainne Collins reveals: “I had a superpower: I could look at any list or table of numbers and immediately see that there was a mistake.” It might take him 10 minutes to figure out what was wrong. But I was always right. Unfortunately, since my dyslexia has been cured (I can now tell the difference between “shape'' and “kara'' without studying), my superpower has also been cured! ”
Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.
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Source: www.newscientist.com