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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Source: www.newscientist.com

When Should You Turn Off the Fan? Understanding Safe Temperatures for Comfort

Fans Don’t Always Keep You Cool

Scott Barbour/Getty Images

As Europe battles a severe heat wave, keeping cool is critical for survival. Many individuals rely on fans instead of air conditioning, but it’s essential to recognize that at extreme temperatures, fans can transition from cooling to warming your body.

How hot is too hot? The British government cautions that fans may not prevent heat-related illnesses above 35°C (95°F), while the World Health Organization states that the shift from cooling to heating occurs at 40°C (104°F). Some studies suggest varying thresholds, but various factors complicate the situation.

Importantly, as you age, your ability to sweat diminishes, causing fans to become less effective at lower temperatures than they do for younger individuals. You can counteract this by spraying yourself with water or dampening your clothes.

In the shade, typical skin temperature ranges from 35°C to 37°C (99°F). When the air temperature is lower than this, heat is dissipated into the air, promoting cooling. Conversely, when the air temperature exceeds skin temperature, heat is absorbed from the air. Using a fan accelerates this heat transfer.

Historically, it was believed that 35°C was the temperature where fans ceased their cooling effects, according to George Havenith, Loughborough University. However, this figure overlooks the benefits of evaporative cooling.

When water evaporates, it efficiently removes heat from the skin, helping keep you cool even when the air temperature is higher than your skin temperature. However, in overly dry or humid conditions, a fan may not effectively cool your skin.

In dry heat, sweat evaporates quickly, and a fan’s airflow can actually transfer more heat to your skin. Research indicates that at 15% humidity and 45°C, turning on a fan may increase discomfort.

Conversely, elevated humidity can slow evaporation, which affects the cooling efficiency of a fan. When sweat drips, it indicates that it’s coming out faster than it can evaporate, making a fan useful in such conditions, up to around 60% humidity and 38°C.

As humidity levels rise further, evaporation slows down, diminishing the fan’s effectiveness.

“Humidity plays a significant role,” Hebnis explains. “That’s why we often analyze the climate in various regions.”

Your age remains a critical factor, too. Aging decreases both body and skin temperatures, leading to delayed sweating and diminished output. Thus, fans may begin to warm you at lower temperatures if you’re older.

Wearing damp clothing or using a spray can mitigate these challenges by promoting sweating without increasing dehydration risks.

Many variables, including clothing type and body acclimatization to heat, influence cooling. Ultimately, if you’re in a hot building during a heat wave, temperatures can surpass the threshold at which fans are helpful, even with water sprays.

“At that point, finding a cooler environment outside is likely your best option,” Hebnis warns. “Because situations like this can be dire.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2 Review: The Pinnacle of Comfort in Noise-Canceling Headphones

Bose has enhanced its flagship noise-cancelling headphones, introducing the longest battery life, USB-C audio support, and premium materials, making it an even more appealing choice for commuters.


The second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones carry a hefty price tag, starting at £450 (€450/$450/AU$700), which surpasses many of its competitors, including the Sony WH-1000XM6.

They exude an air of luxury and comfort. With a refined sliding aluminum arm and updated color, they maintain the same design, weight, and fit as their predecessor, resulting in some of the most elegant and comfortable headphones available.




Available in bolder color options. Composite: Bose

Controls for noise cancellation, immersion mode, and playback are intuitive and user-friendly. A touch-sensitive volume slider also serves as a shortcut for features, such as activating your phone’s voice assistant or starting music from apps like Spotify.

The battery offers up to 30 hours of playback with noise cancellation, providing an additional six hours compared to its predecessor, ensuring it stands toe-to-toe with the best competitors. This duration is ample for one or two flights. A new feature allows lossless music listening on devices while charging via Bluetooth, headphone cable, or USB-C.




Button and slider controls are located on the back of the right earcup, while USB-C and headphone ports are available on the left. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

It supports Bluetooth 5.4 and can pair with two devices simultaneously, like a smartphone for calls and a laptop for music. In addition to the standard SBC and AAC audio formats, Bose includes Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive for enhanced audio quality. Compatible Android device or a Bluetooth dongle.

Specifications

  • Weight: 250g

  • Size: 195×139×50.8mm

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint, 2.5/3.5mm, USB-C audio and charging

  • Bluetooth codec: SBC, AAC, aptX compatible

  • Battery life: 30 hours

Excellent Sound and Noise Cancellation




The headphone arms fit snugly against your head, with deep and well-cushioned ear cups offering a plush fit. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Bose is a pioneer in noise cancellation technology, consistently delivering exceptional performance. The new Ultra headphones include advanced noise reduction features that effectively handle sounds from airplanes, commutes, and more. While they may not completely eliminate higher-pitched noises like background chatter, they are still highly effective.

A refined transparency mode enables the headphones to dampen sudden loud noises, allowing for awareness of surroundings while retaining comfort. Call quality is impressive as well, ensuring clear communication in both quiet and noisy environments.




The Bose app for Android and iPhone manages settings, updates, and custom options. Composition: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

These headphones excel in everyday listening, boasting a bass-heavy profile tailored to modern music. The bass is impactful yet well-balanced, ensuring clarity across the musical spectrum. While some may find Bose’s sound to be overly clean or lacking in grit, the excellent tonal separation and sound management provide a pleasant listening experience, making them ideal for travel, commuting, and work.

New with the Ultras is Bose’s immersive sound system, Cinema Mode, which emulates surround sound for movies and TV shows. It functions effectively across all connected devices, making it versatile for users with various brands of electronics. This complements the standard immersive audio mode that simulates a stereo speaker setup.

Sustainability




Bose combines luxury with durability, making it travel-friendly. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery can withstand over 500 full charge cycles and is replaceable by Bose. The headphones are generally repairable, with replaceable components like ear cushions available. They do not include recycled materials. Bose has a trade-in program and offers refurbished products, but individual environmental impact reports are not available.

Price

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) retail for £449.95 (€449.95/$449.99/AU$699.95).

For context, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is priced at £399, the Sonos Ace is £299, the Beats Studio Pro costs £349.99, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is £199 and the Fairbuds XL is priced at £219.

Verdict

The second-generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones represent a high-quality choice, delivering the brand’s trademark exceptional sound, leading noise cancellation, and luxurious comfort.

While the Sony WH-1000XM6 may have surpassed it in noise cancellation effectiveness, these remain among the most comfortable headphones available, perfect for both travel and extensive listening sessions.

They fold neatly for compact storage, boast a long battery life of 30 hours, and offer connectivity options through Bluetooth, an analog headphone cable, or USB-C, making them versatile for any device.

Although priced quite high, it aligns with competitors, and prices may decrease during sales. Replacement ear cushions and other components can be obtained from Bose or third parties, ensuring long-term value for your investment.

Pros: Extremely comfortable, leading noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, immersive/spatial audio capabilities, excellent connectivity (including Bluetooth multipoint and USB-C or analog audio), foldable design for travel, a comprehensive app for multiple platforms, and long battery life.

Cons: It is quite expensive, and while the sound and noise cancelling features are superb, the microphone cannot be used with an analog connection.




The headphones can be compactly folded and stored in their case. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

No Reviews Yet: Headphones 1 | Thoughtful Designs for Your Comfort

lThe latest headphones from London-based Nothing feature an eye-catching design that breaks away from the typical aesthetics of noise-canceling models, offering a striking appearance reminiscent of both the Walkman and the Doctor Who Cybermen of the ’80s.


The large, translucent design certainly makes a statement, marked by intricate details, dot matrix printing, and physical buttons. However, it lacks any flashy LED elements that could be found on the company phone.

Priced at £299, these unconventional headphones enter a competitive market, challenging top names like Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser.




The visible components through the clear plastic exterior are purely decorative. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Striking, translucent ear cups extend from a sleek aluminum body, attached via adjustable black steel arms to ensure a perfect fit.

Weighing in at 329g, they are reasonably heavy but offer effective clamping that holds them securely without excessive pressure. The ear cushions are slim yet exceptionally comfortable, ideal for warm days, though the headband padding is somewhat lacking, potentially leading to discomfort after prolonged listening.

The right ear cup features five buttons and two ports: a power switch, USB-C port, and headphone jack at the base, along with a concealed Bluetooth pairing button on the inner edge. A rolling button controls volume and pauses playback, also toggling the noise-canceling feature.




The buttons and control levers are beautiful and tactile, providing a clear sense of touch. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Below the roller, there’s a paddle that moves from side to side. The last button outside the ear cup activates your smartphone’s voice assistant, but it can be adjusted for other functions like noise cancellation. Having multiple tactile buttons is a refreshing change from the touch or single-button setups common in many headphones.

Battery life offers 30-35 hours with noise cancellation on, or up to 80 hours without, which aligns with competitors and is sufficient for a week of commuting or travel. A full charge takes just 2 hours.

These headphones support Bluetooth 5.3 and can connect to two devices simultaneously. Additionally, they feature a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio playback via USB-C.

Specifications

  • Weight: 329g

  • Dimensions: 189.3 x 173.9 x 78mm

  • Driver: 40mm

  • Connectivity: Multipoint, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3 with USB-C charging and audio

  • Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC

  • Rated battery life: 35 hours ANC

Sound by KEF, Noise Cancellation by Nothing




Thin yet comfortable memory foam ear cushions provide a sound-friendly seal. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Partnering with KEF, a renowned British speaker manufacturer, has resulted in well-tuned audio for the Headphone 1 model. The sound profile is fairly balanced, delivering a punchy low-end while maintaining clarity in the mids. The sound stage is relatively wide, showcasing decent detail and great separation.

These headphones perform best with noise cancellation off; enabling it can narrow the sound stage and obscure more complex tracks. While they may not compete with the top-tier models for fine nuances, they offer a pleasant listening experience across various genres.

The noise cancellation is reasonably effective but lags behind the best in the industry. It handles lower frequencies well but struggles with higher pitches, particularly voices, even at maximum noise cancellation settings, lacking an option for focusing on a specific environment.

The transparency mode sounds natural but can be overly intrusive, amplifying ambient noise too much, which, while good for awareness, detracts from the music. Call quality is satisfactory, providing clarity even in noisy environments.

The Nothing x App, available on Android and iPhone, allows users to adjust settings, complete updates, and access comprehensive equalizers. Users can enable spatial audio for a more immersive movie-watching experience.

Sustainability




The physical power switch is well-positioned next to the USB-C and 3.5mm audio ports. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

These headphones are repairable, with replacement ear cushions available through customer service, but they are not constructed from recycled materials.

Price

The Nothing Headphone 1 retails for £299 (or equivalent in Euros/US Dollars at $299/$549) and is available in both white and black options.

In comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is priced at £399, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is available for £350, Sonos Ace for £399, Beats Studio Pro costs £350, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless retails for £199, and Fairbuds XL is priced at £219.

Verdict

The Nothing Headphone 1 distinguishes itself in a sea of similarly styled noise-canceling headphones. However, its bold design, particularly in white, tends to attract more attention than some may prefer.

While they deliver decent sound quality, their noise-cancellation capabilities don’t quite measure up to competitors at this price point. Additionally, the headband lacks adequate padding for long listening sessions.

With impressive battery life, excellent connectivity, and a robust app, they are certainly usable. However, additional physical buttons for playback and other controls would enhance the overall experience.

At the £300 price mark and its equivalents, there are better options available that combine superior sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort. Thus, these headphones may suit those looking for a distinct visual statement rather than purely performance.

Pros: Striking design, superb button controls, excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, well-designed apps for Android and iPhone, impressive spatial audio, 3.5mm and USB-C compatibility, Bluetooth multipoint, and a decent case.

Cons: The headband padding is somewhat thin, they are relatively heavy, not foldable for transport, average noise-cancellation performance, attract significant attention, and are priced on the higher side.




The headphones can rotate flat but do not fold for easy storage or travel. A larger case is provided. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com