Meet Holly, a dedicated staff writer at BBC Science Focus, where she expertly manages the engaging Q&A section. With an MSc (Special Award) in Earth Sciences (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, Holly specializes in Astronomy and Earth Sciences. Before her journey with Our Media, she gained valuable experience as a geo-environmental consultant and engineer, passionately exploring exoplanets in her free time while advising on ground risk and remediation projects in Northern England.
With nearly a decade of experience as a regional editor for a popular theater website, Holly excels in curating and developing digital content. She is also a talented artist and illustrator, regularly contributing to the craft website Gathered. Her impressive portfolio includes collaborations with notable organizations such as RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot, and Brother, in addition to her work with BBC Good Food Magazine, Home Style Magazine, and Papercraft Inspiration Magazine.
Holly’s interests extend to photography and a fascination with antiques, showcasing her diverse artistic talents and love for culture.
Discover the Moon’s X: Captured from Tokyo in February 2025
Credit: Yomiuri Shimbun/AP Images/Alamy
Nearly a decade ago, my excitement surged as I captured my first telescope photo of the Moon. With a makeshift setup, I clumsily held my phone camera up to the eyepiece. After a few shaky attempts, I got a clear snapshot of the lunar surface, and shared it online with pride.
Unbeknownst to me, I had clicked the picture during a brief 4-6 hour window each month when fascinating features known as Moon’s X and V could be visible.
These lunar marks are optical illusions, revealing themselves only when sunlight strikes the rims of specific craters during the Moon’s waxing phase, perfectly aligned along the terminator.
The Moon’s X forms a bright X shape, illuminated by sunlight on the edges of three craters: La Caillou, Blanquinus, and Pulbach. Similarly, the V shape comes to life as sunlight hits the Ukert crater and nearby smaller craters.
To witness the Moon’s X and V, a telescope is essential. However, timing is crucial. The visibility of these features varies globally and is influenced by your local time zone.
The next waxing moon occurs at 5 AM GMT on January 26th. However, residents in the UK may miss it as the Moon will be below the horizon then. The best viewing opportunity on the evening of January 25th will be in New York, where the first quarter appears around midnight, enabling visibility of X and V from about 10 PM to 2 AM. In places like Sydney, the daytime blocks visibility as the first quarter falls around 3 PM local time.
For the best chance to view the Moon’s captivating X’s and V’s, ensure you’re gazing at a waxing moon during optimal hours, preferably when it’s high in the night sky. Tools like Stellarium can help you track the Moon’s visibility on specific dates.
Mark your calendars for upcoming first quarter events on February 24th, March 25th, and April 24th-25th. If you’re in the UK, you might want to target March 25th as it aligns well with evening visibility around 7 PM local time.
Understanding the intricacies that must align for the Moon’s X and V to appear, I feel fortunate to have captured my first lunar photo during such a special moment.
IBM’s Quantum System Two Unveiled at a Data Center in Germany
Quantum computing has been making headlines lately. You might have noticed quantum chips and their intriguing cooling systems dominating your news feed. From politicians to business leaders, the term “quantum” is everywhere. If you find yourself perplexed, consider setting a New Year’s resolution to grasp the fundamentals of quantum computing this year.
This goal may seem daunting, but the timing is perfect. The quantum computing sector has achieved significant breakthroughs lately, making it a hotbed of innovation and investment, with the market expected to exceed $1 billion, likely doubling in the coming years. Yet, high interest often leads to disproportionate hype.
There remain numerous questions about when quantum computers might outpace classical ones. While mathematicians and theorists ponder these queries, the practical route may be to improve quantum computers through experimentation. However, consensus on the best methodologies for building these systems is still elusive.
Compounding the complexity, quantum mechanics itself is notoriously challenging to comprehend. Physicists debate interpretations of bizarre phenomena like superposition and entanglement, which are pivotal for quantum computing’s potential.
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. But don’t be discouraged; these challenges can be overcome with curiosity.
As a former high school teacher, I often encountered curious students who would linger after class, eager to discuss intricate aspects of quantum computing. Many were novice learners in math or physics, yet they posed thought-provoking questions. One summer, a group who took an online quantum programming course approached me, surpassing my own coding knowledge in quantum applications. The following year, we delved into advanced topics typically reserved for college-level classes.
Recently, I discovered a young talent in quantum inquiry. A 9-year-old YouTuber, Kai, co-hosts a podcast named Quantum Kid, where he interviews leading quantum computing experts for over 88,000 subscribers to enjoy.
Kai’s co-host, Katya Moskvich, is not only his mother but also a physicist with extensive experience in science writing. She works at Quantum Machines, a firm developing classical devices that enhance the functionality of quantum computers. Kai brings an infectious enthusiasm to the podcast, engaging with pivotal figures who have influenced modern quantum theory.
In a recent episode, renowned quantum algorithm creator Peter Scholl discussed the intersection of quantum computing, sustainability, and climate action. Nobel laureate Stephen Chu and distinguished computer scientist Scott Aaronson also joined, exploring concepts like time travel and its theoretical connections to quantum mechanics. Additionally, physicist John Preskill collaborated with roboticist Ken Goldberg to examine the interplay of quantum computing and robotics.
Kai and Co-Host (Mother) Katya Moskvich
While The Quantum Kid may not delve deep into rigorous math, it offers a fun entry point and insight from leading experts in quantum technology. Most episodes introduce fundamental concepts like superposition and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, which you can explore further in reputable publications such as New Scientist.
The true strength of The Quantum Kid lies in Kai’s ability to ask the very questions that an inquisitive mind might have regarding quantum computers—those which seek to unpack the complex yet fascinating nature of this technology. If you’ve been curious about quantum computing but have felt overwhelmed, Kai encourages you to remain inquisitive and seek clarity. (We’re here to guide you on your quantum journey.)
Could quantum computers revolutionize space exploration or even facilitate time travel? Might they help develop advanced robotics or combat climate issues? The answers are not straightforward, laden with nuances. Kai’s engaging dialogues make complex theories accessible, ensuring clarity resonates with both young listeners and adults. Hearing Peter Scholl reiterate that current quantum systems lack the clout to change the world doesn’t dampen Kai’s enthusiasm but rather fuels it.
In the pilot episode, physicist Lennart Renner expresses optimism, stating, “We’re evolving alongside new machines that can potentially revolutionize tasks, hence we must deliberate on their applications,” setting a forward-thinking tone that reverberates throughout the series.
Adopting a blend of Kai’s wonder and imagination, coupled with the seasoned expertise of guests, will enhance any quantum learning project you embark on this year. Quantum computing, while intricate and multifaceted, remains incredibly compelling. If your child is captivated, why not explore it together?
This year will be a transformative journey of self-care inspired by the stars.
It has been 20 years since I first experienced profound envy witnessing someone’s ability to navigate the night sky. Back in 2006, while covering a conference in La Jolla, California, I had the chance to meet renowned astrophysicist Neil de Grasse Tyson. One evening, at dinner under the stars, he dazzled us with a laser pointer, mapping out constellations effortlessly. That moment ignited a promise to become a stargazer upon returning home.
Yet, I haven’t fully embraced my stargazing journey. Beyond the familiar Orion and the Big Dipper lies a vast universe I have yet to explore. One could attribute this to urban streetlights, but perhaps it’s also the realization that a love for the night sky is often nurtured during childhood. Those fortunate enough to be introduced to stargazing, typically by family, tend to develop a lasting connection and report better mental health.
Connecting with the universe promotes well-being. Research indicates that this connection is associated with numerous positive mental health benefits. In fact, studies suggest it even encourages generosity.
The term Noctocaelador, from Latin meaning “night,” “sky,” and “worship,” was coined by William Kelly in 2003 to describe the joy and mental health benefits of stargazing. Participants of his study expressed sentiments like, “I truly enjoyed gazing at the night sky” and “Stargazing uplifted my mood.”
This aligns with recent findings on Gen Z’s affinity for the night sky. Holly Brenna McNiven’s research indicates that many in this generation report a love for stargazing, attributing it to positive aspects of well-being tied to early experiences with astronomy.Her master’s project at Trinity Saint David’s, University of Wales, suggests that many young people cultivate their stargazing passion through shared experiences, particularly with familial connections.
Regrettably, I missed out on fostering a love for the stars in my early years, but it’s not too late. Nowadays, we don’t always need clear and dark nights to appreciate the universe. With the rising levels of light pollution, it’s reassuring that we can still connect through various resources. Who needs a clear sky when digital platforms like TikTok have unveiled a vibrant community of astronomers, affectionately termed “SpaceTok”?
While most users are from Gen Z, I remain grateful that even during cloudy nights, I can explore the universe through literature. Brian May’s new book, Endless Islands, offers stunning stereoscopic photographs of galaxies. For Christmas, I received Nigel Henbest’s Stargazing 2026, a comprehensive guide to this year’s celestial highlights. With a laser pointer in hand, I’ll soon be navigating the stars as effortlessly as Tyson.
Michael Brooks is a science journalist and author with a focus on physics.
Wondering who actually uses gift guides these days? You know your loved ones better than anyone else. Are you aiming to give a meaningful gift? Take a moment to reflect.
Instead of stressing over pointless suggestions, I decided to create a curated list just for you.
This season, let’s explore innovative tech that fulfills real wants and perhaps some whimsical desires, making you feel like a kid on Christmas morning.
Nike Alphafly 3 Eliud Kipchoge Edition
A fresh year brings fresh resolutions to stay fit. If I’m asking Santa for the ultimate running shoes, I want them to feel like a secret edge.
These “super trainers” are so advanced that they might even be disqualified at official races. When their namesake ran a sub-two-hour marathon wearing them, they didn’t qualify for record status!
They work like Go Go Gadget’s spring shoes, absorbing impact from your foot and adding a delightful rebound to your stride.
“How much should I spend on a kettle?” is not a question I thought I’d ponder in middle age. I’d rather be deciding between a Lambo or a Ferrari!
Sadly, that’s not the case. I find myself defending a nearly £120 investment on a kettle to my partner.
Bermuda focuses on everyday gadgets that strive for perfection. They describe their kettle as quiet, precise, and delivering a “refined experience from the first boil to the last pour.” That might sound like marketing jargon, but it seems essential for a pleasant morning routine.
Each time I leave the doctor’s office without diabetes or high cholesterol, I feel like I’ve won a prize. But eating ice cream at home, whenever I want? That’s a risky treat!
Yet, if my jolly benefactor were to deliver it, I’d be eager to whip up some delicious bread-and-butter pudding-flavored ice cream.
The CREAMi transforms any liquid you pour into it into ice cream within 24 hours. It also makes milkshakes, sorbets, and Slurpees. How about a daiquiri?
The Super73 bike is visually striking; my only worry is looking silly riding it—like a gorilla on a tricycle!
This electric bike boasts suspension, durable tires, a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), and a range of 64 to 120 km (approximately 40 to 75 miles). Plus, it even has a cup holder!
After adopting a fluffy dog, my home is a constant battle against her shedding!
Now, a $200 down payment and $500 monthly subscription don’t seem so unreasonable to keep it furry-free. This eerie humanoid robot will vacuum your home, making life easier.
However, having read my Asimov, I do worry about what happens next.
“Why do we need a hair dryer?” my partner asks. While my hair may be thinning, beauty remains essential.
Recently, I learned that drying hair improperly can cause damage. My hair needs all the help it can get!
Experts recommend drying hair on low heat from a distance, ideally with a diffuser attachment.
While many dryers can accomplish this, the Dyson stands out with its airflow sensors, temperature monitors, and RFID chip for attachment performance adjustment. Perfect for achieving various styles!
BMonths pass with minimal updates on streaming platforms surpassing traditional television. YouTube remains the leader with 2.5 billion viewers monthly. For those of us around 28 and younger, YouTube is less of an application and more of a response to the omnipresent background noise of today’s life. While my mother fills the house with Radio 4 or has BBC News flickering in the background, I’m engrossed in a video essay on Japan’s innovative urban planning. It’s not that I entirely avoid traditional TV (though I primarily access it through various streaming services), but after a long day, the thought of enduring another hour of intense programming feels overwhelming. More often than not, I gravitate towards YouTube, meaning it’s improbable that we’re viewing the same content.
When Google acquired the platform for $1.65 billion in 2006, the amount seemed outrageous. Many critics doubted whether any video platform could justify such a valuation. The reasoning was straightforward: Unless YouTube could eclipse television, it would never attain that worth. Fast forward nearly two decades, and that perspective significantly underestimates YouTube’s evolution. It hasn’t merely replaced TV; it has also pioneered entirely new content formats, such as vodcasts, vlogs, video essays, reaction videos, ASMR, and its controversial counterpart, mukbang. The platform has effortlessly adapted to emerging trends, establishing an alternate ‘online mainstream’. Long before podcasters, TikTokers, substack writers, or influencers emerged, there were YouTubers.
I began my YouTube Premium subscription during the COVID-19 lockdown when I found myself with ample time, no commute, and extra cash. Currently, it’s the only subscription I don’t question in terms of value; instead, I contemplate whether it significantly impacts my personal growth. Regrettably, my gym membership doesn’t match this criteria.
The standout advantage of a premium subscription is the absence of ads. Additionally, the smart downloads feature, which automatically curates episodes for your queue based on viewing habits, has been invaluable during lengthy subway rides. I rarely experience boredom nowadays. On my daily commute instead of staring vacantly out the window, I enjoy sports highlights or listen to podcasts. I find myself immersed in YouTube without a second thought.
Donald Trump (right) appears on Joe Rogan’s podcast on YouTube. Photo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBMoPUAeLnY
I feel a bit sheepish admitting that a random burst of short stories about guitar instructors and teenage garage bands reignited my passion for playing. It’s akin to confessing you met your significant other on Hinge. Yet, that’s precisely the point. YouTube has democratized expertise in a manner that traditional media never achieved. Moreover, it aligns with the social norms around media consumption on mobile devices. I wouldn’t dare watch a Spielberg or Scorsese film on a 6-inch screen; it feels disrespectful to the artistry. However, behind-the-scenes footage and promotional tour clips? That’s the ideal use for YouTube.
I indulge in a mix of homegrown YouTube creators, such as Amelia DiMoldenburg’s Chicken Shop Date, XXSyHighroller for NBA analysis, Tifo Football for tactical breakdowns, and Happy Sad Confused for film interviews. Additionally, I consume a steady stream of content initially designed for television and print but now reaches vast audiences through YouTube, including shows like Graham Norton, Saturday Night Live, and fellow journalists like Owen Jones and Mark Kermode. Sports highlights also thrive on the platform, providing an unparalleled convenience that traditional broadcasters struggle to offer, especially regarding paywalled sports like cricket and the NFL, which demand significant financial and temporal investment to access live.
Nevertheless, this convenience isn’t without its challenges. YouTube’s intensely personalized algorithms ensure that everyone’s viewing experience is unique. While previous generations could bond over the question, “Did you catch that last night?” now people are entrenched in their individual algorithmic bubbles. Despite the abundance of choices, we’ve lost the shared cultural experience. Even YouTube’s significant moments are splintered in a way that Saturday night television never was. When far-right politicians lament societal divisions, their focus might be better directed toward our viewing behaviors instead of immigration concerns. My enjoyment of algorithms might be more aligned with a 28-year-old in Bangalore than with the 45-year-old neighbor next door.
While this reality can be unsettling, there’s a noteworthy exception. Although YouTube intensifies viewing discrepancies across many demographics, it has forged a near-monoculture among younger audiences. Figures like Joe Rogan, Theo Von, Rex Fridman, and a revolving group of intellectuals, including podcasters aligned with President Trump and the late Charlie Kirk, have fostered a pervasive and relaxed dialogue among men in my age group. Although YouTube has democratized access to long-form discussions in enriching ways, it has also facilitated a pipeline for increasingly detrimental content. The platform’s algorithms not only highlight what piques your interest but also what captures your attention longer, which aren’t always the same. This phenomenon tends to elevate extreme viewpoints and fringe theories, leading viewers on a gradual journey from innocuous to genuinely harmful misinformation without them realizing it. Furthermore, it’s challenging for communities to self-regulate since everyone within a demographic shares a similar experience.
Recent statistics show that YouTube users consume over 1 billion hours of content daily around the globe. For better or worse, YouTube has emerged victorious, and I’m mostly okay with that. You might want to consult your outdated TV guide to figure out what’s on BBC Two at 9 PM. However, perhaps we should reassess the balance—not only between YouTube and competing platforms but also between YouTube and everything else. I’m uncertain about the solution…but I’m fairly confident there’s a video essay that can tell me what I should think.
If you’d like to read the full edition of this newsletter, subscribe to receive the guide in your inbox every Friday.
Our bodies comprise various soft, hard, and intricate components. What should we do when these components fail or don’t meet our needs? Medicine provides several solutions, including dentures, skin, heart, and hair transplants, but don’t expect an instant replacement.
In Alternative You: Adventures in Human Anatomy, popular science author Mary Roach explores the most intriguing historical and current efforts to repair, replace, or enhance our body parts.
These efforts range from dentures designed like mouth piercings, lab-grown anuses, to gene-edited pig hearts, each delivered with a humor that had me laughing, wincing, and holding my breath throughout the pages.
Roach, drawn to the “human element of exploration,” shares engaging tales as she travels the globe to meet surgeons, scientists, patients, and other individuals at the forefront of body modification.
Her bold and often cheeky questions animate these encounters. For example, during a dinner discussion about gut-derived vaginas with her surgeon, she mentions that intestinal tissue generally contracts to aid in food movement.
“That could be advantageous for partners who have penises, right?” she quips. “It’s not overly aggressive,” the surgeon replies, sipping his Chianti.
Roach embraces self-experimentation, visiting a hair transplant surgeon and persuading him to relocate hair follicles from her head to another body area. Her goal? To gaze in wonder at the few long strands that might sprout on her legs. While the transplant fails, she quickly dives into the trials of growing hair from stem cells. Spoiler: we’re not there yet.
One significant innovation Roach covers is ostomy, where surgeons create openings in the abdomen for waste drainage into an external pouch. She speaks with individuals who use stoma bags due to conditions like Crohn’s disease and colitis, which can lead to inflammation and frequent bowel movements, complicating life outside the home. Roach highlights the importance of reducing stigma around ostomies and discusses the remarkable technology supporting this procedure.
As expected from a book on body part replacement, there’s a chapter dedicated to 3D printed organs. Roach approaches this topic thoughtfully, noting that it’s not merely about feeding cells into a printer. Most organs consist of multiple cell types that must be arranged with precise specifications, and printed tissues often lack the authentic properties that remain elusive for researchers.
I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about the human body. However, be advised—some vivid surgical descriptions are included. (If that’s not your cup of tea, feel free to skip the next paragraph.) At one point, Roach compares the tubes of fat and blood pulled from patients to “raspberry smoothies.” Additionally, when a leg implant is affixed to the femur, it sounds like “tent stakes collapsing.”
Such sensory details might not appeal to everyone, but for those willing to confront the raw, sinewy, and delicate reality of our bodies, this book serves as a profound reminder of our complexity and depth. I certainly walked away feeling grateful for all that I have.
I The development of electronics that support our daily lives requires significant time, resources, and fossil fuels. The journey from mining rare earth materials to processing, manufacturing, and shipping creates immense waste. The innovations in engineering and logistics that allow consumers to buy new mobile phones annually contribute to this issue.
According to the latest Global E-Waste Monitor, the world generates 62 million tons of electronic waste each year, with projections estimating e-waste emissions could reach 82 million tons by 2030. Australia contributes 580,000 tonnes of this annually. Factors like planned obsolescence, technological advancements, and device failures are expected to escalate this figure.
It’s estimated that 23 million mobile phones are unused and gathering dust in drawers across Australia, some of which are truly non-functional. Research indicates that the average Australian produces around 22kg of e-waste annually, nearly three times the global average, according to recent studies from the Productivity Commission.
“It’s the fastest growing waste stream, but it’s also the most valuable,” states Anne Stonier from the Australia New Zealand Recycling Platform (ANZRP). “Electronics also contain substantial amounts of hard plastics. Recycling can help ensure these materials are managed responsibly, contributing to a more circular economy.”
Wondering where to dispose of your old phone? Concerned about keeping your sensitive data safe? Here are some things to consider when recycling your old device.
Discover Local Recycling Programs
Recycling e-waste is more complex than merely putting it in the yellow bin. The first step is to identify local options available to you. For instance, local councils often have designated collection points and e-waste recycling programs. The locations may vary, and e-waste is banned from landfills in Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Additionally, several major retailers run recycling initiatives. Officeworks, for example, collects and recycles batteries, computer accessories, printer cartridges, and mobile phones. Their drop-off days apply to many other electronic products as well. Bunnings also offers collection bins for batteries and larger electronics like TVs, computers, and printers. The Mobile Muster program, run by the Australian telecommunications sector, collects a variety of devices, including mobile phones and streaming devices.
Many manufacturers also have take-back programs, allowing customers to trade in their old devices for discounts or credits on future purchases. If you’re thinking of upgrading, explore the options available to you.
Some charities accept donations of electronic devices, such as DV Safe Phone and Reconnection Project, which refurbish used devices and distribute them to those in need.
Disposing of Devices that Store Personal Information
Devices, whether it be a smartwatch tracking your daily runs or a tablet previously used for work, often store sensitive personal information.
Before disposing of electronic items, remember to back up or transfer any important files to another device or storage option (like an external hard drive or cloud service) and remove any identifying marks or stickers from the device.
What happens next depends on the device. For most smartphones, tablets, and smart devices, a factory reset will suffice. For computers, laptops, hard drives, and USBs, reformatting the drive and restoring factory settings should be enough. Don’t forget that fax machines, printers, and scanners may retain copies of printed documents, so perform a factory reset on those as well.
Finally, ensure you unpair your old device from any remaining computers or gadgets.
If your device is so outdated that it won’t power on and can’t connect to your computer, there’s not much you can do. Just make sure to remove any external memory cards before recycling.
What If My Device Contains Highly Sensitive Information?
Physically destroying a device, like drilling holes in a hard drive, is usually ineffective and counterproductive to the recycling process. It may also pose dangers, especially with devices featuring non-removable batteries, which could cause explosions and health hazards.
For devices containing highly confidential information you want to ensure is irretrievable, consider using data sanitization software to reformat your device and encrypt the hard drive. Secure data erasure services are also available, though their offerings and prices can differ widely. Some companies may provide free data destruction for donated hard drives so they can be repurposed, while other services are geared toward larger enterprises.
Some specialized recyclers also offer data destruction services, Stonier mentioned. “If you’re worried about your information falling into the wrong hands, it’s best to wipe it,” she advises. “Better safe than sorry.”
What Happens If I Don’t Take Any Action?
The severity of potential threats can vary. A hard drive filled solely with family photos poses less risk than one containing sensitive financial data. For the majority, it’s improbable they would be specifically targeted unless there’s a clear motive or pre-existing vulnerability.
Criminal activity is often opportunistic, and taking basic precautions can prevent future issues and anxieties.
Next month, climate negotiators, advocates, and global leaders will gather in Belem, Brazil, for COP30, this year’s United Nations climate change summit.
For those who have attended a COP summit or observed it from a distance, the experience can be quite overwhelming. Numerous negotiation sessions occur at once, filled with intricate topics and jargon—everything from “dialogue” and “consultations” to “informal informal” discussions.
To an onlooker, it may seem like a bustling marketplace, steeped in its unique customs and largely disconnected from the outside world. Fortunately, the insights of Peter Betts, a well-respected figure in COP circles, offer clarity.
While many outsiders may not recognize Betts, he was the former chief climate change negotiator for the UK and EU, instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Paris Agreement and guiding the negotiations that culminated in 2015.
Sadly, Mr. Betts passed away from a brain tumor in October 2023. His posthumously published book, Climate Diplomats: A Personal History of the COP Conference, released in August of this year, provides a comprehensive view of the inner workings of the climate summit and chronicles the modern history of these events, starting from Betts’s appointment as head of UK international climate policy in 1998.
One key revelation is that while COPs are often set in exotic locales—from Peru to Paris, and Durban to Dubai—the life of a climate negotiator is anything but glamorous. Teams spend years preparing negotiating strategies for the two-week summit, yet they often find themselves confined to windowless temporary structures, finalizing crucial details.
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Amid the chaos, negotiators must find a way to get everyone to the table and reach agreement “
During COP17 in Durban, Betts recounted how delegation offices were set up in a parking garage basement that “reeked of petrol and diesel,” while at COP15 in Copenhagen, meals consisted solely of large circular bread rolls filled with bland paste. Clearly, climate diplomats are not drawn to a life of luxury; their dedication to addressing the climate crisis is evident.
Through his writing, Betts guides readers on a whirlwind journey of how COP summits function, explaining the rules governing these meetings as well as the goals and positions of each participating nation.
The scale of the challenges is immense. Some countries prioritize securing increased financial assistance for development, others aim to commit nations to ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions, while some seek to maintain the status quo. Domestic politics, economic circumstances, and cultural perspectives further complicate negotiations.
In the midst of chaos, negotiators are tasked with uniting all parties to agree on next steps in combating climate change. This is no small feat.
Betts possesses a knack for clear communication and often employs dry humor, even when discussing the complex intricacies of multilateral climate finance. Through his narratives, readers begin to understand the meticulous crafting of a balanced agenda that aims to bring nations together towards a shared goal.
Things become particularly engaging when readers are granted behind-the-scenes access to pivotal summits like Copenhagen, Paris, and Glasgow. Betts shares anecdotes of prime ministers and presidents “eating biscuits like robots” during high-stress meetings, creating headlines at unplanned “damaging” press conferences, retreating into VIP areas to avoid their teams, and “erupting” in frustration when outcomes don’t align with their desires.
There’s no shortage of gossip about influential figures in Whitehall to keep British politicians intrigued, along with insights into the pitfalls of climate change advocacy efforts, which have, at times, hindered progress in emission reductions.
Despite criticisms suggesting that summits merely function as prolonged spectacles, evidence indicates they play a significant role in spurring global climate action. Before the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, projections suggested a potential increase of 5°C in global temperatures by the end of this century. Now, a decade later, that trajectory has shifted to approximately 2.7°C—still excessive but far from the dire future we once faced.
Diplomacy has the power to reshape the world. In this enlightening book, Betts unveils the intricate mechanisms behind this transformation.
Over the years, I’ve evaluated countless smart devices, yet the few that have found a permanent spot in my home were not my initial selections. They often provide convoluted solutions for issues that barely existed initially. Ensure you’re not just acquiring a novelty that will end up in storage shortly after purchase.
While numerous smart home gadgets may not be the best investment, some can significantly enhance your home. From robot vacuums and smart bulbs to smart locks and video doorbells, I’ll spotlight five smart home devices that have genuinely simplified my life.
The Roborock Saros 10 takes care of all your floor cleaning needs. It’s not merely a vacuum and mop; it empties its own dust bin and cleans its mop, allowing for weeks of hassle-free operation. With a tangle-free brush, vibrating warm water mop, and unmatched suction power, your floors will be sparkling clean.
Setting it up goes beyond just plugging it in and connecting it to your phone. Initially, you’ll take it around your home to map the floor plan, and when it transitions onto carpet, you can keep the mopping pad docked or store it automatically.
The only manual tasks required are filling the clean water tank, emptying the dirty water tank, and replacing the large dock dust bin when necessary. Depending on your home’s size and dirtiness, you’ll typically need to address the aquarium weekly, while the dust bin can go months before needing a change.
Though it’s the priciest item on this list, for those with a busy lifestyle, it’s worth every cent.
Smart bulbs are a cost-effective (and fun) introduction to the world of automation. Wyze bulbs stand out due to their competitive pricing, dependable performance, and extensive color options.
They simulate a sunrise effect every morning, gently illuminating your space until it’s bright enough to wake you.
At night, you can turn off the lights via your phone—no need to navigate a dark bedroom or step on a wayward dog toy. I even use Wyze bulbs in my home theater to create the perfect ambiance for movie nights, whether cozy or creepy.
You may perceive smart locks as just a fad, but my experience over the years has turned me into a loyal enthusiast. The Yale Assure Lock 2 allows me to enter without a physical key. Simply enter a passcode on the keypad when stepping out for a jog. You can also generate temporary codes for guests that expire after their visit (just remember to keep the main code private).
If you ever forget whether you’ve locked the door, you can quickly check your phone for the door’s status. The app not only shows whether the door is open or closed, but it also indicates its lock status. There’s also a door history feature, letting you see when the door is locked or unlocked.
Various models of the Yale Assure Lock 2 are available (including key-free options and those compatible with Apple Wallet), making it straightforward to find one that fits your lifestyle. If remote access is essential, make sure to choose one with WiFi.
It seems like everyone in the neighborhood has a Ring Video Doorbell— and with good reason. They offer utilities that you might not realize until you own one. Do you need to monitor package deliveries when away? Want to communicate with your pets while you’re out? Looking to capture amusing videos for social media? The Ring doorbell is versatile.
I personally have an older model (the Wired Doorbell Plus) that has treated me well for four years, and the newest models, like the Wired Doorbell Pro, appear even better. All of them provide motion alerts to your smartphone whenever movement is detected, notifying you of doorbell rings and allowing you to converse with guests via two-way audio without opening the door.
The Aera Smart Diffuser addresses a common issue: unpleasant odors. If you live in a compact area like I do, with the kitchen, gym, bathroom, and main living area all close together, it becomes essential.
Unlike candles that require constant oversight and often compromise air quality, the Aera operates discreetly and hypo-allergenically. After inserting a fragrance capsule, you can set a schedule for the diffuser, ensuring a delightful scent permeates your home throughout the day. It can also be controlled remotely so that when you come home from travel, a pleasing aroma welcomes you.
While the initial investment is steep (the diffuser retails for $199), the $60 fragrance capsules tend to last around three months, making it more economical than continually purchasing premium candles. This makes it one of my favorite smart home devices, solving a frustrating problem with minimal maintenance.
Jon Bitner is a writer covering travel, outdoor activities, and technology for publications like GameSpot, Digital Trends, and Islands. An avid hiker, he relishes exploring the Rocky Mountains from his home in Boulder, Colorado.
For numerous students, ChatGpt has become an essential tool akin to a notebook or calculator.
With its capabilities to refine grammar, organize revisions, and create flashcards, AI is swiftly establishing itself as a dependable ally in higher education. However, educational institutions are grappling to adapt to this technological shift. Are you utilizing it for comprehension? That’s fine. Do you intend to use it for your assignments? Not permitted.
As per Recent Reports from the Institute for Higher Education Policy, nearly 92% of students are now using generative AI in some capacity, a notable rise from 66% the preceding year.
“To be honest, everyone is using it,” states Magan Chin, a master’s student in technology policy at Cambridge. She shares her preferred AI research techniques on TikTok, ranging from chat-based learning sessions to prompts with insightful notes.
“It has progressed. Initially, many viewed ChatGpt as a form of cheating, believing it undermined our critical thinking abilities. But it has now transitioned into a research partner and conversational tool that enhances our skills.”
“People just refer to it as ‘chat,’” she noted about its popular nickname.
When used judiciously, it can transform into a potent self-study resource. Chin suggests feeding class notes into the system and asking it to generate practice exam questions.
“You can engage in verbal dialogues as if with a professor and interact with it,” she remarked, adding that it can also produce diagrams and summarize challenging topics.
Jayna Devani, International Education Leader at OpenAI, ChatGpt’s US-based developer, endorses this interactive method. “You can upload course materials and request multiple-choice questions,” she explains. “It aids in breaking down complicated tasks into essential steps and clarifying concepts.”
However, there exists the potential for overreliance. Chin and her peers employ what they call “push-back techniques.”
“When ChatGpt provides an answer, consider what alternative perspectives others might offer,” she advises. “We utilize it as a contrasting view, but we acknowledge that it is just one voice among many.” She encourages exploring how others might approach the topic differently.
Such positive applications are generally welcomed by universities. Nevertheless, the academic community is addressing concerns regarding AI misuse, with many educators expressing significant apprehensions about its effect on the university experience.
Graham Wynn, Principal of Education at Northumbria University, asserts that while it can be used for assistance and structuring assessments, students should not depend on AI for knowledge and content. “Students can easily find themselves in trouble with hallucinations, fabricated references, and misleading content.”
Northumbria, similar to numerous universities, employs AI detectors that can flag submissions indicative of potential overdependence. Students at the University of the Arts London (UAL) are required to keep a log of their AI usage and integrate it into their individual creative processes.
As with most emerging technologies, developments are rapid. The AI tools utilized by students today are already prevalent in workplaces where they will soon enter. However, universities focus on processes, not merely outcomes, reinforcing the message from educators: support AI in learning but do not substitute it.
“AI literacy is an essential skill for students,” states a UAL spokesperson.
Fermented foods like kimchi can support your body and brain
Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images
fermentation Tim Spector (Jonathan Cape (UK); US publication date TBC)
Humans are drawn to fermentation for two primary reasons: preservation and pleasure. Before the advent of refrigeration, fermentation allowed beverages like meads to be stored for months when untreated water could pose dangers. Additionally, milk that would spoil within a day could be transformed into yogurt or cheese, lasting for weeks. This evolution led us to develop a taste for these tangy flavors. The microorganisms responsible for creating these delights not only produced unique drinks but also offered numerous health advantages.
Today, foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are mostly solid. However, Dr. Tim Spector asserts in his upcoming book Fermentation: The Power of Microorganisms to Change Your Life that this trend is not novel; we have evolved to incorporate these items into our diets.
He begins with the fundamentals, explaining that fermentation is essentially the transformation of food by microorganisms. This process is complex, affecting not only the taste and durability of food but also our health. Even inactive microbes can influence our bodies and minds.
Fermentation closely ties to our microbiota. Fermented foods provide substrates for intestinal microorganisms, transforming into nutrients and active compounds like short-chain fatty acids that assist in regulating nutrition and immune responses. These foods bolster the beneficial microbes that uphold the gut’s mucosal barrier and reduce inflammation.
Fermented foods also introduce millions of probiotics to our bodies. Spector notes that a diverse microbiota correlates with better health, supported by numerous studies. He suggests that enhancing this diversity through fermented foods could even influence the efficacy of cancer treatments.
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Improving gut microbiota diversity may even play a role in how well cancer treatments work “
The most compelling aspect of Fermentation is its exploration of this “microbial pharmacy,” with preliminary studies indicating that fermented products are tied to improvements in everything from irritable bowel syndrome to anxiety and immune health.
Spector’s own investigations, reflecting trends in nutritional studies, suggest that those who consume fermented products regularly report approximately 14% less severe symptoms compared to individuals taking other supplements.
This book includes fascinating information. For instance, despite attempts to cultivate around 30 distinct microorganisms found in natural kefir grains (ideal for making kefir), laboratories haven’t successfully replicated them.
Throughout Fermentation, it becomes apparent how crucial microorganisms are to our lives, merely scratching the surface of their interactions with us. Access to Spector’s health data often supports further research, although his company’s gut supplements are mentioned, potentially hinting at marketing motivations.
At its best, the book strikes a balance between science, medical anecdotes, and Spector’s personal fermentation journey, offering practical advice. During these moments, the writing appears genuine and accessible, especially when guiding readers on food choices, like opting for kefir made from whole milk grains, which include numerous microorganisms and yeast.
Nevertheless, Fermentation can occasionally feel repetitive, and knowledge sometimes overshadows storytelling. Despite Spector’s caution against overgeneralizing animal studies, the infancy of research in this area means he often relies heavily on his own conclusions. Still, this is a compelling and meticulously researched work. The final chapter is particularly intriguing, and I eagerly anticipate a future rich with understanding individual microorganisms— for instance, how cheese or yogurt might aid in alleviating depression or managing menopause.
Initially hesitant to ferment at home, I was encouraged to embark on my own experiments by around page 40. By the book’s conclusion, I had a jar of kombucha and some sauerkraut stashed away in my pantry.
Helen Thomson is a London-based author
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It’s clear that dogs excel at comprehending our emotions and behaviors. But how deeply does this understanding go, and what signals do they pick up on?
The dogs who live alongside us are often more astute in their observations than we might think. In many ways, they act like anthropologists, dedicating time to study us and uncovering connections between our actions that even we may be unaware of.
At home, you might notice their ability to differentiate between standing up to leave and simply heading to the fridge.
Research has shown that dogs are capable of reading stress, discerning detecting fear, and even identifying the presence of disease in us. While their extraordinary sense of smell plays a role, their understanding goes beyond physical cues, acknowledging our emotional and physiological states.
When interpreting emotions, humans typically focus on the face—and dogs do the same. They are adept at reading our facial expressions.
Studies on how dogs perceive human emotions indicate that they can differentiate between neutral, angry, and happy expressions. Interestingly, they can also associate vocalizations with the corresponding emotional tone of these expressions.
Discover more about canine science:
Dogs can interpret a person’s expression when approaching an object (such as joy or disgust) to gauge whether they should get closer themselves. They can even process images of just the upper half of a face, showing that they can understand emotions even when part of the face is obscured, like by a mask.
Moreover, they recognize our voices and can differentiate the genders of unfamiliar voices.
Recent studies confirmed that dogs are perceptive to fear, able to identify shirts worn by individuals who watched a scary movie from those worn by those who were watching something neutral.
They can also recognize changes in our body language that indicate fear and stress. One study revealed a correlation between human testosterone levels (influenced by a sports team’s performance) and a dog’s cortisol levels, indicating their sensitivity to our emotional states.
Having spent countless hours observing us from their cozy spots in the living room, dogs have developed an acute awareness of our intentions and feelings.
For instance, research found that dogs can discern between intentional actions (like deliberately placing an object out of reach) and unintentional incidents (like unintentionally dropping something).
Studies confirm that even when we’re out of sight or simply turning away, they are aware of when we sneak a snack forbidden from their reach. They also notice when our attention is diverted, like when we’re glued to a book or staring at a screen, indicating a window for them to grab that tempting treat.
More broadly, they’re adept at assessing whether individuals possess knowledge about hidden food sources.
Finally, and most impressively, dogs have a remarkable ability to detect illness. Initial reports of pet dogs identifying melanoma by scratching their owners’ skin have led to research where dogs have been trained to identify various cancers through scent, as well as monitoring blood sugar levels and even recognizing glycation.
Conceptual image of a spacecraft navigating near a black hole
Liuzishan/Getty Images
An interstellar spacecraft designed to explore a black hole could transmit data back to Earth in roughly 100 years.
Cosimo Bambi from the University of Hudang in Shanghai has devised a framework for such missions utilizing technologies projected to be available within the next 20 to 30 years.
By approaching a black hole, we can validate Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity and uncover the behavior of fundamental physical constants in extreme gravitational fields.
The nearest well-known black hole is approximately 1500 light years away. However, within our Milky Way galaxy, there is estimated to be one black hole for every 100 ordinary stars. This suggests a significant likelihood of locating a black hole within 20 to 25 light years, says Bambi.
Identifying a black hole poses challenges, as these entities do not emit light; astronomers must infer their existence by observing their gravitational influence on surrounding stars.
Reaching a black hole within 25 light years of our solar system will require advanced technological developments, but according to Bambi, “it’s achievable.” Within a century, spacecraft could be minuscule, featuring sails that cover 10 square meters and propelled by light. Such crafts could theoretically accelerate to about one-third the speed of light through pulses from high-powered lasers.
“Currently, light sails and nanocrafts appear to be the most viable options for interstellar travel since they can achieve speeds approaching that of light,” Bambi states. However, he estimates that the power required for an effective laser system could reach approximately 1 trillion euros today.
To validate predictions concerning general relativity, it may be necessary to dispatch two miniature spacecraft or release a secondary probe as the primary nanocraft nears a black hole. The secondary craft would venture closer to the black hole, while the primary craft remains at a safe distance, gathering data and relaying it back to Earth.
Gerlan Lewis from the University of Sydney acknowledges that while the challenges are significant, the proposal is far from impossible.
However, the extensive time frame for the proposed mission introduces a possibility that nanocrafts could become outdated by the time they reach their destination. Lewis remarks, “Considering 100 years of technological advancement, can we truly predict what kind of propulsion system might exist then?”
“A mission to black holes would likely resemble this proposal, akin to how we might imagine the advancements of the 20th century, 500 years in the past,” he adds.
Lewis points out that Bambi’s plans do not address how to decelerate the nanocrafts upon arrival at the black hole. Bambi suggests that the simplest approach is to not slow the vehicle at all, but rather deploy a probe to transmit data back to the main craft for Earth delivery.
“In such scenarios, the probes won’t stop around the black hole; they will merely pass by. Some may be drawn into the black hole, which should provide sufficient data to analyze the black hole’s gravitational field,” he explains.
Sam Baron at the University of Melbourne describes Bambi’s framework as one of the most “speculative” research papers he has encountered, but notes that a century ago, the construction of the Large Hadron Collider would have seemed like science fiction.
“I believe utilizing small-scale technologies is likely the way forward,” he observes. “The question remains whether we can indeed engineer something that meets all the criteria outlined in this paper.”
Bambi emphasizes that human beings cannot personally venture to black holes due to the extreme accelerative forces—around 10,000 g—that nanocraft would need to endure. “Unless we discover a wormhole in the fabric of space-time to provide a shortcut,” he notes.
“We really need a nearby wormhole like in the movie Interstellar” to facilitate human missions,” he concludes. “Unfortunately, my assessment is that wormholes are purely theoretical at this point.”
Astronomy Hub: Chile
Discover the astronomical wonders of Chile. Explore some of the most advanced observatories in the world and enjoy breathtaking views of the night sky from one of the clearest locations on Earth.
The Perseid meteor shower is set to be one of the most prominent displays of 2025, providing a fantastic opportunity to gaze at the night sky.
These meteor showers are famous for their high meteor velocities, reaching up to 100 per hour under ideal conditions.
Moreover, if you wake up early to witness the meteor shower in the pre-dawn hours, you may catch another astronomical sight. On August 13th, Jupiter and Venus, the two brightest objects in the night sky after the moon, will make their closest approach of the year.
This guide has everything you need to enjoy the 2025 Perseid meteor shower to the fullest.
When will the Perseid meteor shower occur in 2025?
The Perseids will be active from July 17th to August 24th, peaking on the evening of August 12th.
This period will see the highest number of meteors, but if clouds or timing prevent you from witnessing the peak, you can still enjoy a good show between August 9th and 15th.
The best viewing times for the Perseids are from midnight until about an hour before dawn. However, even in the late evening, you might still spot a few meteors.
The Zenital Hourly Rate (ZHR) for the Perseids is estimated at 100-150 meteors per hour, but that doesn’t guarantee a large number of visible shooting stars.
“The ZHR represents the expected rate under ideal conditions, which are seldom met,” explains Pete Lawrence, an expert astronomer and presenter for Night Sky.
“Consequently, the actual number of visible meteors, or the visual hourly rate, is often lower. Nevertheless, a high ZHR indicates that good activity is possible.”
Where is the best place to view the Perseid meteor shower?
Meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so your best bet is to find a clear area with as wide a view as possible.
While following the trails of the Perseid meteors, you’ll notice they all originate from the same point known as the Radiant in the constellation Perseus.
It’s advisable not to look directly at the Radiant; instead, gaze away from it to catch meteors with their long tails.
Finding Perseus is worthwhile as the constellation rises just as the sun sets and remains visible throughout the night in the northern sky.
The easiest way to locate it is to look for the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia, which consists of prominent stars positioned higher in the sky; Perseus lies just below it.
What is the ideal location for observing meteor showers?
The prime spot to observe the 2025 Perseid meteor shower is a dark area with an unobstructed view of the sky.
Light pollution can wash out dim meteors, so it’s best to escape the urban sprawl and find a truly dark site. Ensure the location is safe and secure.
If you can’t get far, don’t fret; simply find a sheltered spot free from direct lighting. This could be your backyard or a local park where you can block out harsh streetlights.
Whenever possible, escape to a Dark Sky Site – Credit: Getty Images
How can I best view the Meteor Shower?
The optimal way to experience the meteor shower is to lie back and take in as much sky as possible.
Avoid using telescopes or binoculars as they limit your view; it’s best to watch with your own eyes.
Once you’re settled, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. This process takes about 30 minutes, although you’ll start noticing changes before that.
Be cautious — a single bright light can ruin your night vision, so ensure security lights are off and switch your phone to red light mode.
Does the moon affect visibility?
One uncontrollable form of light pollution is the moon.
The moon will be waxing in the days leading up to the August 9th peak of the 2025 Perseid meteor shower. On peak night, it will be about 88% illuminated and prominent throughout the night.
If possible, position yourself so that buildings or trees block the moon’s glare.
The moon rises in the east and ascends higher into the sky as the night progresses.
Top tips for enjoying the Perseid Meteor Shower
Choose a dark location. Whether it’s a designated dark sky area or a secluded part of your backyard, find a spot far from artificial light while enjoying unobstructed views of the sky.
Use red light on your phone. Red lights help preserve your night vision. Some phones can be set to red light mode, while others may need an app.
Dress warmly. Even in August, sitting still can get chilly at night. Layers will help you accommodate changing temperatures.
Make yourself comfortable. Staring at the sky can strain your neck. A sun lounger could support your head. Alternatively, lying on the ground with a blanket can provide cushioning and warmth.
Give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. This takes about 20-30 minutes; the longer you wait, the more meteors you’ll likely see.
What triggers the Perseid meteor shower?
“A meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through sparse dust particles scattered along a comet’s orbit,” notes Lawrence.
In the case of the Perseids, the comet is 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which completes an orbit around the solar system every 133 years, last passing in 1995.
“The density of dust is greatest in the center of the stream and thins out in the outer regions,” adds Lawrence.
The dust grains, about the size of sand particles, travel through Earth’s atmosphere at an astonishing speed of approximately 215,000 km/h (130,000 mph).
This rapid motion causes the air to heat up to extreme temperatures, resulting in brilliant streaks of light across the sky.
The peaks of meteor showers occur when Earth traverses the densest parts of the dust stream.
“Earth will start to intersect with the broad dust stream of 109P/Swift-Tuttle around July 14th and continue through September 1st,” says Lawrence.
Your brain communicates with your body through a network of 12 critical neural pathways that travel down your spine and extend throughout the body. Among these, the vagus nerve stands out as perhaps the most vital. This nerve influences digestion, heart rate, reflexes, and respiration.
This is why researchers are particularly fascinated by the vagus nerve’s functions, especially regarding how these bodily activities can influence your mood. Consider it a superhighway linking our brains and bodies.
Vagus nerve function
Unlike the quick “fight or flight” reactions managed by the sympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve triggers a slower, restful, and digestive response associated with the parasympathetic nervous system. This nerve comprises two thick cords of neurons (nerve cells) that originate from the brain.
The majority of the neurons in the vagus nerve are sensory (around 100,000 on each side of the body), relaying information from the organs to the brain, activated by sensory stimuli from the surrounding environment. The remaining neurons are motor neurons, transmitting signals from the brain to various organs, directly influencing muscle activity.
The vagus nerve is a vital component of the parasympathetic nervous system, influencing various bodily functions including respiration, heart rate, swallowing, sneezing, digestion, appetite, immune responses, and even orgasm.
This wide-ranging capability results from its diverse neuronal cell types that enable the detection of various sensory signals from different organs. Some neurons respond to chemical signals like blood oxygen levels or bacterial secretions in the gut, while others pick up mechanical signals from blood vessels and the stretching of intestines.
Consequently, vagus nerve neurons mainly relay information to the brain about the body’s status, enabling the brain to process this information and respond to maintain balance. However, some neurons transmit signals in reverse, facilitating communication between the brain and intestines, as well as controlling certain mouth and throat muscles involved in speech and gag reflexes.
The vagus nerve’s roles are numerous, and there may be functions we’re yet to discover. However, we know some ways to leverage its activity. For instance, doctors sometimes recommend “Valsalva Maneuvers” to activate the vagus nerve and decelerate rapid heart rates. Activities like coughing, bearing down as if on the toilet, or even handstands can be effective.
Read more about stress:
Long, twisty nerves
The term “vagus” translates to “wandering” in Latin, which aptly describes the vagus nerve. It extends from the brain down to the base of the spine and colon, branching out to critical organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines along its path.
As the longest cranial nerve in the human body, it plays a key role in the parasympathetic nervous system, regulating automatic functions like digestion while the body is at rest. Historically, it was termed the pneumonia nerve, due to its connections to both the lungs and stomach.
How is the vagus nerve connected to our happiness?
In stressful situations, our sympathetic nervous system triggers “fight or flight” responses for quick reactions, whereas the parasympathetic system operates more gradually to foster relaxation. It’s crucial for recovering calmness following stress.
Thanks to the vagus nerve, our brains can detect changes in breathing and heart rate, facilitating a balancing act between the two nervous systems. Although the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems don’t always sync perfectly, they can operate independently or in harmony. Disruptions in their balance may lead to digestive issues or mental health disorders. Chronic stress is linked to an overactive sympathetic response, a phenomenon noted in individuals suffering from depression.
Vagus nerve and heart
A key metric often utilized is heart rate variability, which measures the intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Healthy heart rhythms typically exhibit slight variations; low variability may indicate an overactive sympathetic nervous system, indicating the body remains in a persistent state of combat or flight, while the vagus and parasympathetic responses struggle to keep pace.
Despite being a popular tool, questions regarding the true effectiveness of heart rate variability as an indicator of balance between the two systems continue to emerge. Heart rate monitors can supply this data, yet it’s best not to become overly fixated on the figures.
Historically, stomach ulcers were often treated by severing the vagus fibers beneath the ribcage, based on the belief that the vagus nerve significantly contributes to acid production in the stomach, resulting in pain. Today, with advancements in medication, such surgical procedures are less common, yet they illustrate the repercussions of damaging a nerve with extensive branches.
Cutting the vagus nerve can eliminate its supply to the stomach, pancreas, small intestine, and portions of the colon. Without further surgical intervention, patients may find it difficult to pass solid waste. Those with gastroparesis face similar challenges, generally due to vagus nerve damage caused by diabetes, medications, or infections.
Moreover, more severe damage higher up the vagus nerve may lead to different consequences. For example, the chickenpox virus can attack the nervous system and rarely cause vagus nerve lesions, resulting in the inability to swallow, headaches, and ear inflammation. Preliminary research from Spain indicates that some of the symptoms associated with long COVID may also relate to vagus nerve damage, encompassing respiratory, vocal, and gastrointestinal issues.
Should I get a vagus nerve stimulator?
Current evidence indicates that devices designed for vagus nerve stimulation are generally safe. However, researchers express concerns about the rising tendency for home use of neurostimulators.
Individuals seeking alternatives to technology may opt for activities like yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, and deep breathing exercises, believed to enhance the parasympathetic nervous system’s function and bolster vagus nerve activity. Additionally, there’s evidence suggesting that cold exposure through swimming or bathing can stimulate the vagus nerve, activating the parasympathetic system. Splashing cold water on your face may also have a similar effect.
While using an inexpensive device or signing up for a yoga retreat may appear to be a convenient fix when you’re not feeling well, consulting with your doctor for serious health concerns is always a wise approach.
Read more about how to relax:
What is vagus nerve stimulation?
The vagus nerve stimulation concept originated in the late 19th century when neurologist James Leonard Corning created an electrical stimulation device for treating epilepsy. Although it was initially set aside, it has evolved to help over 100,000 patients with epilepsy via implants or adjustments for brain lesions.
Several studies suggest that some individuals can reduce seizure frequency by as much as 75% with implants, with longer use amplifying benefits. Devices developed by US medical company Cyberonics are also approved for severe depression and chronic headaches.
However, surgical implantation isn’t the only form of nerve stimulation. You can access the vagus nerve via ear and neck branches, using devices like TENS machines commonly utilized for labor pain relief. Ear clips, such as those developed by Nurosym, offer stylish neuromodulators intended for individuals seeking relief from anxiety, depression, or fatigue.
Research on vagus nerve stimulation is rapidly growing, with ongoing trials exploring its efficacy in conditions like burns, obesity, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and tinnitus. The well-documented link between the vagus nerve and gut function also suggests potential therapeutic applications for common gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. However, accumulating evidence to support these treatments must take time.
It is the longest cranial nerve that extends from the brain to the large intestine, transmitting signals bidirectionally through neurotransmitters and gut hormones.
The vagus nerve fibers harbor 200,000 sensory nerve cells, with the ears being the sole area where these fibers reach the body’s surface.
The vagus nerve’s “bypass,” which enables direct impulses between the uterus and brain, may allow women with spinal injury to achieve orgasm.
Vagus nerve stimulation influences gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters associated with ADHD, hinting at potential therapeutic applications.
The medical term for fainting is vasovagal syncope, occurring when the vagus nerve is overstimulated, leading to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure.
Read more about the human body:
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IT concluded a few years back, yet Westworld seems to be fading into a TV footnote. I scarcely recall a mid-2010s reimagining of the Yul Brynner film from the 70s. HBO’s robotic cowboy saga endured four underwhelming seasons before its cancellation.
Nonetheless, when it debuted, Westworld generated a lot of buzz. It was HBO’s sci-fi equivalent to Game of Thrones. The series boasted high production values along with a visually striking cast, including Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Tandiwe Newton, and Jeffrey Wright, led by the talented duo of Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan. At that moment, this project held significant promise in a period flooded with repetitive content. There was genuine apprehension about a show that “makes it up as they go along” (as a devoted fan, I must assert that “they haven’t made it up as they go along,” but that’s a discussion for another newsletter).
However, even the most elaborately planned television shows can unravel. The first hint that Westworld might not ascend to greatness came when forum/social media platform Reddit users began accurately predicting plotlines. Redditors anticipated the twists and turns of the first season, often well in advance and even familiar with the show’s rhythm and patterns. Things escalated to such an extent that in the second season, Joy and Nolan had to rewrite the script to divert the course already hinted at by Reddit users. This not only indicated Westworld’s fragility but also highlighted the formidable influence of Reddit and its community, capable of shaking seasoned showrunners.
Of course, Reddit has since eclipsed Westworld. This month marks the site’s 20th anniversary, though often mischaracterized as an “internet front page.” Celebrated this February, the anniversary brings to mind the more seismic debut of YouTube in 2005. The impact of YouTube on popular culture has been quite significant, even surpassing traditional television.
Reddit’s emergence coincided with an era marked by intense fandom and parasocial relationships. Dedicated fan forums existed prior to Reddit, from band and solo artist message boards to TV show discussions. However, Reddit streamlined and amplified these communities, fostering an environment where niche musical microgenres and discussions could flourish openly under one large digital umbrella.
Simon Quarterman and Tandiwe Newton from Westworld Season 2. Photo: HBO
This newfound freedom and openness, however, comes at a cost. Reddit has faced heavy scrutiny for misogyny, racism, conspiracy theories, and threats of violence. In contrast to many other social media platforms today, Reddit has made substantial strides in community moderation over the past decade. Pop culture discussions can sometimes spiral into more troubling territory, as seen in the long and complicated history surrounding the Rick and Morty subreddit.
Yet, discussions surrounding Reddit often focus too heavily on its negative aspects, neglecting what a surprisingly positive space it can be. With dedicated moderation efforts, it’s one of the last bastions of the old internet—quirky, supportive, and a bit eccentric. As The Atlantic aptly puts it, Reddit is “both niche and vast.” This duality allows it to be explored superficially and in depth, like communities such as Build a Gurdy. In many ways, it represents a mainstream obsession where hyper-specific communities are no longer hidden away but are easily accessible under one broad Reddit umbrella.
I wouldn’t classify myself as a prominent member of this community. At best, I am a Reddit lurker—not bold enough to engage actively and post—but as someone chronicling pop culture, I find it endlessly beneficial. Whether I’m delving into the puzzling narrative threads of a show through its insightful subreddit or seeking out an obscure 70s paranoid thriller, I turn to R/Movie Suggestions. And I can’t even count the number of bands I’ve discovered on major boards like r/indieheads (boasting 3.6 million members and growing). The last time I visited r/indieheads, a user had commemorated Brian Wilson’s death, sharing everything I wanted to hear in a lively, informed exchange.
That essence prompts me to wonder whether some level of concern could tarnish the site, despite the stock market’s buoyancy. Perhaps one day this fear will dissipate, or perhaps not. Maybe Reddit is simply too significant, too unique, and too defiantly independent to be tamed by large corporations. I hope we can celebrate it again in another twenty years as it continues to cover yet another pedestrian TV series.
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Email accounts have evolved beyond a traditional communication method; they are now central to the digital experience, as users access countless services ranging from shopping to social media. Therefore, forgetting a password or having your email compromised can lead to significant issues.
If you find yourself in such a situation, follow these steps to regain access to your email and secure other linked accounts.
What to do as soon as you discover your account has been compromised
Attempt to change your password from a device where you are still logged in.
Utilize familiar devices that you often use to access your email, such as your home computer or Wi-Fi-connected phones. It’s advisable to use the same browser if you have multiple installations.
Follow the account recovery process provided by your email service: Google or Microsoft. If possible, leverage your account or phone to access.
Even partial answers to recovery questions can be helpful, so provide as much information as you can, including any old passwords you may recall. Both Google and Microsoft offer guidance for this process. It may take up to 24 hours for account verification for recovery.
If all else fails, create a new email account to facilitate swift migration of your logins across various platforms and services.
Once you regain access to your account or create a new one, take the following steps
Create a unique, strong password for your email account. It should contain a minimum of 12 characters, with a mix of letters, numbers, and special symbols. Consider using Random Word Combinations or memorable lyrics and quotes, avoiding simple or easy-to-guess combinations. Use a password manager to keep track of it and other vital information.
Enable two-step verification using an app for generating codes instead of SMS text messages. Ensure you store the backup code securely.
Consider using a PassKey for authentication, which leverages devices or biometrics instead of traditional passwords, making it harder to compromise.
If you encounter issues logging in, set up a recovery email address and phone number to assist in regaining access.
It’s advisable to establish as many security questions as your account permits and answer them comprehensively. Make a note of your answers in a secure location.
Headphones are common accessories for many people, but they have also become a prime target for thieves. Whether they’re snatched from your head or taken from your bag, here’s how to handle it.
What to Do If Your Headphones Are Stolen?
Check the headphone management app on your phone. Many have features that show where the headphones were last connected, allowing you to track them down.
Be sure to check Bluetooth models like Apple’s AirPods, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds, and Google’s Pixel Buds. They often have a “find my device” option, in case someone finds them.
Report the theft to the police using the non-emergency number 101, providing details such as make, model, color, and serial number.
Reach out to your insurance company to find out if your headphones are covered under any policy.
What to Do As Soon As You Get a New Pair
Getting replacements or new headphones can alleviate concerns about future theft or loss.
Install a headphone management app on your phone and enable location tracking.
Add your headphones to the “find my” feature on Apple or Google if they’re compatible.
Consider using Bluetooth trackers like Apple’s AirTag, Tile, or Samsung SmartTag with your headphones or their case.
Note down your headphones’ make, model, and serial number, keeping this information safe along with your proof of purchase.
Think about having your headphones engraved with your name; this option is often available at the time of purchase.
Explore where to wear your headphones and utilize noise-cancelling features that might help you notice if a thief tries to take them while you’re using them.
Eta Aquarius Meteor Shower as seen in Sri Lanka in 2024
Thilina Kaluthotage/ Nurphoto/ Getty Images
The Lyrids and ETA Aquarids Meteor showers will soon appear in the night sky. This year, bright lyrids peaked on the nights of April 21st to April 22nd, during the night of May 5th and dawn, and they begin to be visible within a few days of each other in April.
What is Lyrids Meteor Shower?
Lilid is attributed to the fact that fragments from Thatcher’s comet interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, eventually collapse, becoming bright stripes of light found in the night sky. The meteor shower radiation – the place in the night sky where meteors appear to emit – is located in the northern hemisphere constellation Lila, which includes the bright star Vega. People have been finding Lyrid for at least 2700 years. “Lilid is probably the smallest of the major showers.” Margaret Campbell Brown At Western University in Canada. “The rate isn’t as high as most other meteor showers, but sometimes there are a lot of bright meteors.”
When is the Lyrids Meteor Shower?
This year, Lilid will be active from April 17th to April 26th. Their peak activity occurs on the night of April 21st, and is the most visible just before dawn on April 22nd.
How can you increase your chances of seeing Lilid?
Lilids are best seen from the Northern Hemisphere of Earth in the dark moment just before dawn. Meteors usually look like fast stripes of light, and can sometimes create bright flashes. On a typical night, you can see around 5-6 meteors every hour, up to 10-20 meteors at peak times. The constellation Lyra is below the horizon for most viewers in the Southern Hemisphere, but Lilids may still be seen in a more limited number. “We have a little moon this year, but if there are a lot of bright meteors that aren’t that important,” Campbell-Brown says.
What is the ETA Aquarido meteor shower?
The ETA aquarid meteor is a icy rock fragment originally submerged by Halley’s comet, which eventually reaches Earth’s atmosphere and collapses in a fiery nighttime display. The shower radiation is located near Eta Aquarii, one of the brightest stars in the constellation Aquarius. “They are very interesting showers and have produced strong explosions for several years,” Campbell-Brown said. But she says she will probably do more moderate activities this year.
When is the ETA Aquarido meteor shower?
This year, ETA Aquaridos can be seen between April 20th and May 28th. The best viewing times are during the peak period from midnight to dawn on May 5th.
How can you increase your chances of seeing ETA aquarido?
The Southern Hemisphere offers the perfect viewing opportunity for ETA Aquarido. It is also visible in the Northern Hemisphere, but is much lower in the night sky, so the sky watchers there must look towards the horizon to see the meteor. “Shower radiation only rises a few hours before dawn in the Northern Hemisphere. By the time the sky is high, there are only small windows for observers to see the meteors,” says Campbell-Brown. ETA aquaridos can sometimes leave behind a sparkling dust train that appears to be visible for seconds or minutes, she says. It is expected that approximately 10-30 meteors per hour can be seen from the Northern Hemisphere and approximately 30 meteors per hour from the Southern Hemisphere.
Meteor spawning tips from astronomers
Your best bet is to get out of town and find the darkest sky possible, Campbell Brown says. She recommends bringing a star map to help you find the constellations where each meteor shower will occur. You don’t move around much, so wearing warm clothes is also a good idea.
“It’s not important to see where in the sky. If you look at the radiation, you may get a little higher rate. Both of these showers rise in the east, but the sky is dark and clear,” she says.
Keep in mind that some of the meteors you see are not necessarily from the shower of these specific meteors. But for both meteor showers, the best viewing opportunities happen well after the hours of sunset before dawn, says Campbell-Brown.
The Mystery of the Universe: Cheshire, England
Spend a weekend with some of the brightest minds of science. Explore the mystery of the universe in an exciting program that includes an excursion to see the iconic Lovell telescope.
Skywatchers in the northeastern United States, eastern Canada, and parts of Europe are eagerly anticipating a rare astronomical event this spring. On the morning of Saturday, March 29th, 2025, a partial solar eclipse will grace the sky, coinciding with a spectacular “double sunrise.”
Here is all you need to know about the partial solar eclipse, including where to watch, what to expect, and how to safely observe it.
When is the Partial Solar Eclipse in 2025?
The first and only solar eclipse of 2025 will occur on March 29th, starting at 8:50am GMT (4:50am EDT) and ending at 12:43 PM GMT (8:43am EDT). The maximum solar eclipse will take place at 10:47 AM GMT (6:47AM EDT).
In the US, the solar eclipse will begin at 6:13 AM EDT and end at 7:17am EDT, with the exact times varying based on location. The most dramatic views and longest duration of the eclipse, with 85% of the sun obscured, will be experienced in some areas.
In England, the solar eclipse will begin in London at 9:56am GMT, reach its peak at 11:03 AM, and end at 12:00 PM GMT. The extent of the eclipse may vary slightly depending on location, with Scotland witnessing over 40% obscuration in cities like Glasgow.
Where to Watch the Partial Solar Eclipse?
This partial solar eclipse will be visible across a wide area of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Northeastern United States, Eastern Canada, most of Europe, and northwest Africa.
Fourteen US states, including Washington DC, will witness a partial solar eclipse, with Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia among them.
The point of greatest obscuration will occur in Nunavique, Quebec, where 94% of the sun will be hidden at the peak of the solar eclipse.
Global map of partial solar eclipse shadow paths for March 29, 2025. A yellow curve tracks the extent of the partial eclipse and the proportion of each of these curves, giving the maximum area of the moon-covered sun during the eclipse. -NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio
What is a Partial Solar Eclipse?
A partial solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun but does not fully block the Sun. Instead, it covers only a portion of the solar disk, creating the appearance of the moon taking a bite out of the sun.
This results in a deep but incomplete solar eclipse, with the sun taking on a crescent shape. Unlike a total solar eclipse, where the sky goes completely dark, daylight remains during a partial solar eclipse, albeit with a dim and eerie quality.
What is a Double Sunrise?
“Double Sunrise” is a rare and stunning visual effect that can occur when a solar eclipse coincides with the rising sun.
From parts of eastern Canada and northeastern United States, the sun may appear as a crescent on the horizon during a partial solar eclipse. The tip of the crescent moon, often called the “devil’s horn,” may also be visible, giving the illusion of two separate sunrises.
Maine and parts of Quebec, Canada, offer the best chance to witness this phenomenon.
After the double sunrise, the sun will continue to rise as a thin arc in the sky.
How to Safely Watch a Partial Solar Eclipse
Unlike a total solar eclipse, partial solar eclipses should never be viewed directly with the naked eye, even when most of the sun is covered. Even small slivers of the sun can cause permanent eye damage.
If possible, obtain eclipse glasses that are certified to ISO 12312-2 international safety standards.
Crowds gather around Bryant Park in New York City, wearing eclipse glasses to witness a partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
If using binoculars, cameras, or telescopes, ensure they are equipped with a solar filter on the front end (not the eyepiece).
If you are unable to find glasses or filters, indirect viewing methods are still possible. By creating a small hole (1-2mm) in a card, you can project sunlight onto a flat surface to observe the solar eclipse safely.
Weather plays a significant role in eclipse visibility. A clear sky offers the best viewing conditions, but even in cloudy weather, you may still experience a dimming effect as the moon passes in front of the sun.
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse 2025 Online
If you are unable to witness the partial solar eclipse in person, don’t worry. You can watch it online. The Royal Observatory Greenwich in the UK will be live streaming the event starting at 10am GMT.
As the sun returns and the winter blues float away, it’s almost time to adjust the American clock. Daylight Saving Time (DST), a practice of changing your clock twice a year, has a long history full of controversy, diplomacy, and some unique quirks depending on where you live.
Despite its routine nature, DST means longer evenings to enjoy the sun in the end. So, as the date approaches, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know, including when to change the clocks, why it happens, and why some want to do away with DST altogether.
When will the clocks change in March 2025?
For Americans, the time changes on Sunday, March 9th. It will happen at 2 am local time, moving forward by one hour.
This marks the start of DST, but the transition may vary depending on your location. Here’s how it looks in major cities:
Los Angeles: Along with other West Coast cities like Seattle and San Francisco, will shift from standard Pacific time to daylight Pacific time. The sunrise will move from 6:15 am to 7:15 am, and the sunset from 5:54 pm to 6:54 pm.
Chicago: Will transition from Central Standard Time to Central Daylight Time. The sunrise will change from 6:17 am to 7:17 am, and the sunset from 5:47 pm to 6:47 pm.
New York and Washington DC: Will switch from Eastern Standard Time to Eastern Daylight Time. This will shift the sunrise from 6:22 am to 7:22 am, and the sunset from 5:53 pm to 6:53 pm.
How does daylight saving time work?
The concept of Daylight Saving Time is fairly simple. Every year, we adjust our clocks by adding or subtracting an hour. This occurs twice a year and alternates between the two.
These time changes are known as Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time. DST begins in March, moving us forward an hour, ends in November, and then moves back an hour.
On the surface, this may seem strange, but it serves a purpose. DST aims to make better use of sunlight and save energy by providing more daylight in the evening, allowing for more time to enjoy the sun and reducing electricity demands at home.
What is the history of daylight saving time?
The history of Daylight Saving Time dates back quite a long time. While often attributed to Benjamin Franklin in 1784, the actual origins can be traced back before 1907.
William Willett, an advocate for more daylight hours, proposed changing how we view time. This proposal, involving moving the clock forward by 80 minutes in four increments of 20 minutes each Sunday at 2 am, eventually led to the establishment of Daylight Saving Time.
Since then, the system has been refined and simplified. Despite initial resistance, DST eventually became a standard practice in 1966.
Why do some people want to abolish daylight saving time?
Aside from the inconvenience of changing the clock annually, there are reasons why some advocate for the abolishment of DST.
Studies suggest that clock changes can have a negative impact on health, with an increased risk of heart attacks following the spring time change. Additionally, the economic cost of DST changes is estimated to be significant, affecting productivity.
Another important reason is the impact on pets. It’s recommended to gradually adjust your pet to the time change to avoid disruptions to their routines.
tA few days before his inauguration as US president, Donald Trump made an extraordinary move. He launched Trump, a so-called meme coin that fans and speculators can buy in the hopes of gaining value. Initially, $Trump surged from a value of $75 to $75 per coin in a day, according to Crypto’s price tracking website CoinMarketCap. Two days later, it fell to about $40. Just like the next First Lady Melania Trump launched her own meme coin, $ Melania. Even the pastor at Trump’s inauguration, Lorenzo Swell, promoted the $Lorenzo edition the same afternoon, sweeping it out into a frenzy of memecoin.
So, what exactly is a meme coin? And why are everyone and their pastors suddenly involved? Memecoin is a type of digital assets based on memes. Usually it becomes a virus online. Best known is Dogecoin, inspired by a popular meme featuring a wave dog talking in the cartoon Sands. However, Dogecoin is a bit different from the many recent memecoin masses, according to Simon Peters, Crypto analyst at trading platform Etoro. DogeCoin, released in 2013, has its own blockchain. This is a decentralized ledger technology that supports cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. The majority of other meme coins are “tokens.” In other words, it runs on an existing blockchain, so it is rarely necessary for technological development methods.
These tokens are very easy to make. There are millions. The only real purpose of most meme coins is speculation. Users create or buy in the hope that their value will rise and they can make more money very quickly.
Sounds advantageous, what is the catch? In reality, the majority of people lose money. Most meme coins are volatile and short-lived. Peters also says they are susceptible to what is called a “pump and dump” scheme or “ragpull.” This allows creators to keep many tokens themselves, hype their projects on social media to attract other buyers, increase value, throw away all tokens, flood the market and crash prices. “Then everyone moves on to another person,” says Carol Alexander, a professor of finance at the University of Sussex. Given that the crypto market is largely unregulated, investors can hardly rely on them when something goes wrong.
The First Lady also launched her own meme coin, $ Melania. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/Shutterstock
There are no regulators or guardrails. All of this hasn’t put off people, and there’s been a boom in memecoin over the past year. Alexander compares it to previous trends around the NFTS. There are several reasons for recent interest. In January 2024, Pump.Fun, a platform that allows anyone to easily create meme coins, was launched (although it was blocked in December, but Warnings from Financial Conduct Authorities). The crypto-friendly Trump election may have encouraged the community as well. But the key drivers of the meme coins are “wanting to try out young men, disillusioned and rich people quickly,” says Alexander.
That would explain why they are based on internet jokes and pale humor… surely. At the time of writing, I will refer to some top meme coins. Shiba inu variety is a specific touch point. Others include Pepe tokens based on cartoon frog memes related to Alt-right, and Gigachad tokens that refer to the “alpha male” meme. Meme subjects also tried to push the viral fame into the profits of the code: In December, Harry Welch is known as “Hawk Tou Girl,” after a viral video referring to oral sex, but $hok Tokens have been released. Losing 95% of its value).
Bitcoin and meme coins Is it essentially the same? Meme Coins has the foundation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, but early Bitcoin developer Mike Hearn says it has little to do with the original Crypto Vision. He left the Bitcoin community in January 2016. Because he disagreed with the direction it was heading. He wanted to see cryptocurrencies that are used as real alternatives to traditional finances, rather than just speculative assets. The meme coins are a continuation of this trend, he says: “They are basically in the form of gambling, like a more uplifting version of the stock market, but they have little to do with anything concrete. There is none.”
To me it doesn’t sound as crazy as an online betting site… Next, consider the story of Andy Ayrey, a New Zealand-based artist who trains an AI language model and sets up an X account @truth_terminal. Ayrey explains that bots are like teenagers “without a social awareness of when, when, or not.” Truth Terminal especially enjoyed posting about Goatse, an unsafe work meme that became part of early internet lore.
After interacting with X’s Crypto account, AI became interested in Meme Coins, and Ayrey set up a Crypto wallet for that. Then things got weird. Inspired by the bot’s post, strangers – Irey says who doesn’t know – created a yads-themed token with pump.fun and sent it to the true device. Truth Terminal promotes the token on its account, and “all hell was unleashed,” says Ayrey. The market capitalization of the token – the total value of all tokens – shot. According to Coinmarketcap, it reached over $1.2 billion, about a month after its launch.
AI later became involved in another meme coin, Faltcoin, based on a rather relevant meme (again, Early says he doesn’t know who the creator is). Fartcoin has reached a peak market capitalization of over $2.3 billion.
So Was Irey a quids? It’s not that simple. Through the overall experience, Ayrey introduced some of the issues with Meme Coins. He discovered that the value on paper covers a lot of what he can actually get because of the low liquidity. As soon as you sell a token, its value decreases and it will have a negative effect on others who have the token. Ultimately, he signed private contracts with several investors based on not throwing Falzcoin into the market. He admits it is interesting to have to talk to finance and tax authorities about “far liquidation.” He believes this is part of the appeal of Meme Coin fans. “The more people get mad about it, the more people are, the more people find it interesting and the more fatcoin is, the higher the fatcoin,” he says.
Who is making money? According to Alexander, the main people who make money from crypto are institutional investors, trading companies that use strategies that are not permitted in regular stock trading. “All the big professional traders are making billions to come, and ordinary people are losing money,” she says.
And Trump? Alexander thinks his meme coins are slightly different from many coins. It’s a potential alternative to speculation, and users buy it to show support for the President. This is similar to a “fan token” just like something produced by sports teams and athletes. The Trump Token has attracted criticism due to conflicts of interest. Among other concerns, Trump Owns one of the entities that collect transaction fees. Alexander believes that the coin’s motivation is simple. “It just shows that he can do this,” she says. “He can do whatever he likes and he knows that.”
Ice crystals cannot stick to the fur of the polar bear
Asifphotographer1/Shatte Rstock
Anyone who saw a wildlife documentary did not stick to the skin on polar bears.
This has been known for a long time by the Arctic indigenous residents who have used this fur, but is now attracting attention and studying by scientists. Bodyl holst Norwegian University in Bergen and her colleagues indicate that the ice resistance of the arakugen's fur is not the characteristics of the fur itself, but the natural oil secreted by the hair.
Holst is a physicist who studies the surface characteristics. She started when she saw a polar bear on her fur, because she was very well insulated while watching a TV quiz program, she was barely insulated. In other words, the temperature of the outward fur is under freezing, but Horst was realized, but she had never seen a wildlife film coated with ice.
“And why did I don't think freezing is a problem? Why does ice do not accumulate in fur under these circumstances?” She says.
After all, this is a problem for many other land mammals in cold environments, from cows in Musuku to growing beards. Holst asked a researcher at Polar Research Institute in Norwegian why he knows why the arco is on ice. I didn't do anything, but I decided to investigate together.
Horst and her colleagues obtained a sample of polar bears from the Norwegian Subarbird and compared them with human hair. They discovered that the power needed to remove ice from the polar bears was one -quarter of the human hair. In other words, bears can easily shake the ice.
Washing polar bears removes ice resistance, suggesting that oil -based coating on the hair is the key to its characteristics. This substance, known as sebum, is secreted by glands connected to the hair.
There are no substances called squalene, which are commonly found in sebum, especially in aquatic mammals, especially in aquatic mammals. It also contains some abnormal fatty acids. These may be unique to polar bears, but we can't be convinced of it because there are few research on animal sebum composition.
Unlike the methods used in other fur, the Arctic people, such as Inuit, have traditionally prepared polar bears by storing sebum. They also use fur in a way to use ice resistance.
For example, the Greenland Inuit Hunter is known to have stopped sticking to ice by placing a small part of the portrogle fur under the legs of a stool used by the hunter. They also tied the pacifier's fur into the boot sole while stalking animals to avoid the noise made of ice -covered surface.
The Holst team is currently investigating potential applications, such as creating an environment -friendly ski wax, which is currently used to prevent ice, which is used for long -term full -term fluorocarbon compounds.
Hair wax based on polar bears can help people who work in a cold environment. “I didn't think about the application, but it should definitely work,” says Horst. “I think you just gave me a new idea.”
I I’ve spent many years of my life online. I almost crashed my car because I was composing a message. Losing my data connection caused me to have a panic attack. I scrolled for hours and couldn’t remember anything I saw during that time. I chose screens over conversations, scenery, books, a good night’s sleep, and moments of quiet reflection.
I mean, I owned a smartphone.
In my early 20s, I worked as an online art influencer. That was my job. I documented every aspect of my life on Instagram for an audience of about 200,000 people. Nothing was off-limits: creative endeavors, mood swings, love affairs, hospitalization.
My life was a one-woman tabloid generating traffic for my art business. As much as I needed money, I also needed attention. I had very few friends. I had a lot of followers. That balance was not sustainable.
I became isolated and addicted to social media, two conditions that lasted forever. One day I broke down and deactivated my account. Everything changed when I ordered my old Nokia.
The impact of giving up my smartphone was immeasurable and truly life-changing. It takes sober judgment to know how distracted you are, how anxious you are, how easily you get bored, and how much you resist silence, presence, pain, and other natural human states did.
The benefits of the downgrade accumulated gradually over many months of withdrawals and adjustments. Years after my downgrade, I am still noticing new advantages in myself that have finally emerged from beneath the shadow of my technology addiction.
Now you will never be bored. All of them are interesting. I read long books. I go for long walks without headphones. When I have to wait, like when the bus is late or a friend goes to the bathroom, I just sit there. When I’m at my computer, I check my email etc. I’ve found that I don’t really care about the Internet when it’s out of reach.
Illustration: August Lamb
The most easily quantifiable benefit of downgrading is time. When you stop scrolling, your daily time returns. You can use that time to be healthy, social, or productive, or you can use it to do nothing. Laziness is a lost art, and in my opinion, laziness is essential to mental health and creativity. I spend a good portion of my day flipping through periodicals, drinking tea, and awkwardly pecking away at the piano. I believe that if you give your all, you won’t be able to waste your time.
If you’re interested in switching to a dumbphone, you may have questions about how practical or even possible it is. How do we live without Google Maps, calls over Wi-Fi, and two-factor authentication? These questions can make downgrading difficult to understand.
But remember that people have lived without smartphones for thousands of years. With time, patience, and smart workarounds, we can all find our way back to normal.
Here are my answers to some of the most common questions I receive.
How do I use two-factor authentication?
For security reasons, certain online platforms may require you to confirm your login through a smartphone app. There are several ways to deal with this depending on the platform you are using.
Purchase a physical security device Connect to your computer during authentication. One popular option is Ubikey.
Ask if you can receive SMS verification, If you work or study somewhere with an IT department. This means that you can get an authorization code sent to your dumb phone, and in some cases you can even enable this manually, but be aware that this is a less secure method.
some stupidMobile phones have a browser function One that supports two-factor authentication.
Use a spare phone (This may seem to defeat the purpose of downgrading at first; more on this later).
If you find yourself stuck on this particular problem, you are not alone. This is one of the most difficult and most important smartphone features to recreate. You can also check online forums such as: danphon subreddit) See more ideas.
How can I stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues?
After downgrading, you can still send text messages and make calls on your new phone. The only potential complication is that many of us use online messaging to keep in touch, especially internationally.
Luckily, you can access almost all of them from your desktop computer, including iMessage, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. And while laptops are internet-connected devices, they don’t prey on your attention like smaller handheld devices.
In my experience, the only people you really need to contact while you’re out are the people you’re coordinating with. What time are you there? or I’m going to be late – That’s emergency information.
Less urgent are group chats, messages to friends and family overseas, and DMs to social media acquaintances. These things may be feel But once you step away from them, you may realize that that sense of urgency was a product of software engineering, your own insecurities, or a combination of both.
How do you get around without a map app?
You may not realize it, but most Danphones come with a map app. In fact, unlike the bricks of the early 2000s, some modern Danphones come with Bluetooth, MP3 players, and even tiny, hard-to-use search engines.
If you feel you need these amenities, be sure to find a Danphone that offers them. (I used to have a flip phone with Google Maps, but I recently downgraded to an even less capable phone because I use the map feature obsessively and my estimated walking time is I was checking the arrival time every few blocks to see if it was going to happen.
But it’s also possible to live without digital navigation tools. I personally look up directions before leaving home, check posted traffic maps, ask for help from strangers, and get to know the area well enough to navigate intuitively. I like to move things in combination.
Interestingly, I found that I almost never needed to refer to the hand-drawn map. The process of writing down directions helps embed them in your brain. Over time, knowledge of local geography and transportation has accumulated, allowing you to travel without a map in most cases.
A hand-drawn map that August used on her trip to London and Berlin. She wrote them down before going out for the day.
What about listening to music or podcasts?
Even before the advent of smartphones, people were listening to audio on the go. Older MP3 players are available cheaply online, and certain dumbphones come equipped with audio players.
However, you’ll need to find a way to download what you want to listen to. The library is a great resource for CDs and audiobooks. Podcasts are free to download and listen to offline through Apple. If you’re looking for more recent releases, I highly recommend buying them on Bandcamp and using the money you save on your phone plan (not to mention the phone itself) to support musicians.
That being said, downgrading will certainly reduce your need for audio stimulation. You will soon find that you can happily move through the world with only recreational thoughts.
What about taking photos?
I carry a film camera with me wherever I go. Receiving film scans is the highlight of my month. The photos are of high quality and feel much more special than the 60,000 photos I took on my phone before I downgraded.
The film is not the only important difference. You may prefer a digital camera, and I know many dumbphone users who prefer digital cameras. Either way, using a real camera is a completely different experience for two reasons. One, the friction of ejecting another device makes taking a photo a more intentional act, and the single-purpose nature of the camera makes it distracting and intrusive while in use. That never happens. that.
Are there any things you can’t use without a smartphone?
Although I am a strong advocate of the feasibility of living without a smartphone, it is my opinion that there are some things that are simply not possible without a smartphone, namely when you are on the go, away from your computer and internet connection. I have to admit that. .
These include WhatsApp, Spotify, tickets to certain concerts and sports matches, electric car charging, location sharing, and more. It’s easy to obsess over these losses, but instead, I encourage you to think about all the things you gain in the process: time, presence, and peace of mind. Is there anything wrong with such things?
…Do you need a backup phone?
A spare phone is a smartphone that should ideally be turned off and put away except in special circumstances. Many dumbphone users keep their smartphones in a drawer or at a friend’s house in case they need them for authentication. There are certain services and applications that rely on everyone having access to a smartphone, and the complexity involved in getting around these obstacles may not be worth it.
So if you feel like you need a spare phone, there’s no shame in keeping it for the moment you need it (for example, if you own an electric car and need to charge it. ).
However, for other mundane tasks, the less accessible they are, the less urgent they will feel. Do you really need to check your email on the train? Do you really need to buy concert tickets at the hospital? Or can these things wait until you’re in front of your computer?
It’s easy to tally up the inconveniences associated with downgrading. Instead, I recommend thinking about what you can gain, although it is difficult to quantify. Isn’t your newfound presence, attention, and free time worth missing an email or being late to an event every once in a while?
There are certainly downsides, and you might be tempted to see that as a good reason to go back. In such a case, think back to your original motivation for downgrading. Who did you want to be? Isn’t it worth it?
It’s been years since I downgraded, but I was so completely adapted to Danphone that I forgot all about it until someone reminded me of it. “Do you miss your smartphone?” they ask, and I remember the height of my addiction. How could I miss that moment? I was hardly there.
In fact, procrastination (defined as voluntarily and unnecessarily delaying work) is so prevalent that scientists have even found evidence of it in pigeon behavior.
So why do so many people procrastinate? What causes it? And most importantly, how can you stop procrastinating?
Don’t put off answering these questions any longer. In collaboration with Durham University Professor Fuschia Sirois, a researcher who has dedicated 20 years to the subject, presents a beginner’s guide to the psychology of procrastination.
What causes procrastination?
It would be easy, as your mom probably did, to attribute procrastination to poor time management, or worse, to being just plain lazy. However, science does not support this.
“There’s no convincing scientific evidence that procrastination is the result of poor time management, but it’s easy to say it’s all about mood management,” Sirois says.
“The essence of procrastination is an inability to control one’s moods and emotions. Many people think that impulsivity and self-control are the problems, but they are actually contributing factors, but at the root of the problem… There is a lack of emotional response.”
Read more about psychology:
Why are some people perfectionists?
Your motivation is at rock bottom. How neuroscience can help
This article is scientifically proven to improve willpower
Sirois explains that everyone faces stressful situations that require them to perform tasks that trigger brain activity that involves an area of the brain known as the amygdala. And it’s the amygdala that processes emotions and signals threats, which can prompt the “fight or flight” response that leads to procrastination.
“Interestingly, people who say they are chronic procrastinators tend to have more gray matter in their amygdala,” says Sirois.
“This means they become more sensitive to the potential negative consequences of their actions, leading to more negative emotions and procrastination.”
Another factor that is strongly associated with procrastination is time thinking. To put it more simply, it means how close you think your current self is to your future self.
If you’re a normal person, chances are you have trouble thinking in terms of time. It really sucks. In fact, according to a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, you probably Imagine yourself in the future as a completely different person.
Using functional MRI scans, researchers found that different parts of the brain are activated when we process information about our current and future selves. And when we imagine our future selves, the same areas of the brain are activated as when we think about strangers.
“This is important because when you perceive your future self in this way, you’re more likely to do something that could be harmful to that person, leaving them with a bigger job than you would do yourself now.”, Sirois explains.
“While your future self may feel psychologically distant to you now, you may also see them as some kind of superhero.’ You might say, ‘I’ll come up with ideas,” or ‘In the future, I won’t have any obstacles in my way as a writer.'”
“But the truth is, in the short term, we won’t change much.”
If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re probably familiar with this fallacy. But fortunately, there is some evidence to suggest that there are simple ways to improve your temporal thinking. It’s about doing it more often.
The researchers concluded that such practices were “effective in increasing altruistic motivation.” [a future self]Mainly by reducing your current procrastination.”
Is procrastination bad for your health?
In short, procrastination can cause far more problems than missing deadlines. Sirois has spent decades studying the effects of chronic procrastination on human health, and the results are alarming at best and downright frightening at worst.
“People who are chronic procrastinators, people who have a habit of procrastinating, have higher levels of stress. more acute health problems. You’re more likely to have headaches, insomnia, and digestive problems. It also makes you more susceptible to influenza and colds.”
As you may have already realized, procrastination big problem. But fortunately, psychologists know this and have been looking for effective ways to address it.
First, there are many ways to quickly solve procrastination. For example, persuasive psychological science The paper describes how larger time metrics (think 48 hours instead of 2 days, or 10,950 days instead of 30 years) can be downsized. Make events look more immediateinvite people to participate in upcoming tasks.
But for Sirois, there are two main ways to reduce the root cause: procrastination. self-pity and cognitivereframing.
“People believe that procrastinators, especially chronic procrastinators, very Be strict with yourself before and after work. And instead of putting in the work, they just sit idle and idle,” she says.
“My advice is to not be too self-aware and take that frustration too far. Step back from that for a second and admit that you’re not happy with yourself. And before you Proceed.
“Basically, it’s about recognizing that everyone makes mistakes. You’re not the first to procrastinate, and you won’t be the last. Welcome to humanity.”
Data increasingly supports this theory. For example, in a survey of 750 people, Sirois found the following companies: The link between procrastination and low levels of self-compassion (They are more likely to judge themselves harshly, believing they are the only ones suffering from the problem).
Read more about psychology:
Nudge Theory: 10 Subtle Pushes to Change Your Mindset
Why you can’t multitask (and why it’s a good thing)
How to build resilience: 3 science-backed tips
But what does this actually mean? First of all, as Sirois claims, mindfulness practice is associated with increased self-compassion and lower levels of procrastination. I’m doing it.
As an example of research published in International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology People were found to have completed just three minutes of mindfulness exercises (including “audio instructions aimed at promoting non-judgmental awareness and attention to current bodily sensations, including breathing”). After that, I was less likely to procrastinate..
“These exercises will help you gain a little perspective and prevent you from going down the bad path of negative emotions that lead to procrastination,” Sirois explains.
Sirois also points to recent, unpublished research conducted by doctoral students. Sisi Yang. In an experiment with students who had a task they were procrastinating on, or who predicted they would procrastinate, they divided the participants into several groups.
One group was encouraged to think about happy thoughts by engaging in a specific activity (think watching a video of kittens). Another group was asked to reframe the upcoming task as meaningful, pondering questions such as:
How is achieving this goal valuable in your own perspective?
What value will achieving this goal have in terms of how others see you?
What value will achieving this goal be to my personal growth?
Interestingly, when observing all participants’ activities over the next few days, the second group procrastinated less.
“It’s about reappraisal. Seeing something as more meaningful. And when you create meaning, you create a connection to the task,” Sirois says.
“Finding meaning in your work, whether it’s in your relationship with yourself or with other people, is really, really powerful. And it starts a process of reappraisal, and it starts a process of reappraisal, of negative emotions. It’s a great way to alleviate some or at least make it more manageable.”
Read more about psychology:
Pop psychology: 8 myths that are probably wrong, or at least very simplistic.
“We are hungry for face-to-face communication. Psychology shows that virtual contact is just as good, if not better.”
Prepare yourself with a coat, warm socks, and a chair to witness the spectacle of the night sky. The Geminid meteor shower is approaching, offering a breathtaking display of colorful meteors painting the heavens. While this year may not be as spectacular as the previous one, the shooting stars are still worth observing.
So, when will the 2024 Geminid meteor shower occur? The peak is set for the late hours of Friday, December 13th, continuing into the early hours of Saturday, December 14th. This prime time presents the best opportunity to witness these shooting stars, visible to the naked eye with their vivid hues.
According to Dr. Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astroparticle physics and cosmology at King’s College London, the optimal viewing time is around 2 a.m. local time. However, the meteor shower can be observed from the evening onwards. The shower will remain active from December 4th to December 20th, allowing for extended viewing opportunities.
No special equipment is needed to enjoy the meteor shower, just warm clothing, a sense of adventure, and your eyes to gaze at the spectacle.
However, with a full moon on Sunday, some of the fainter meteors may be obscured, as noted by Professor Don Polacco, an astrophysicist at the University of Warwick.
Despite suboptimal conditions this year, the Geminid meteor shower is always worth witnessing. So, if weather permits, grab your warm attire, settle into your chair early Saturday morning, and behold the wonder above.
Looking up to observe the meteor shower, locate the constellation Gemini, the radiant point of the shower. Find Orion the Hunter and then spot Castor and Pollux above and to the left for a guide to Gemini’s location in the sky.
The Geminid meteor shower has been known to produce 120 to 150 meteors per hour during its peak, offering a dazzling display of bright meteors streaking across the sky.
These meteors exhibit varying colors, from white, yellow, and green to red, orange, and blue, depending on the metals present in the debris and their interaction with Earth’s atmosphere.
The Geminid meteor shower was particularly bright in 2023 – Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor
The Geminid meteor shower is unique as it originates from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, referred to as a “rocky comet.” These denser fragments result in a more spectacular show than typical comet debris. The close proximity of the shower’s orbit to the Sun also adds to its distinctive qualities.
Get ready to witness the magic of the 2024 Geminid meteor shower and enjoy the celestial spectacle it has to offer.
It’s not just called go juice. Caffeine is the most popular performance-enhancing drug in the world. It’s not a nutrient, but a drug, and it’s the most widely consumed psychoactive stimulant by humanity.
In the UK, 98 million cups of coffee are consumed every day. Apart from kickstarting your morning, it has been shown to enhance motor skills like muscle strength and endurance, as well as cognitive skills such as attention, reading speed, and problem-solving abilities.
“There’s a long list of substances believed to enhance performance,” says James Betts, Professor of Metabolic Physiology at the University of Bath. “But I would put caffeine at the top of that list because its effects are so powerful and consistent, affecting almost every tissue in the body.”
Fun fact: Coffee beans are actually seeds from the fruit of the coffee tree – Credit: Sam Brewster
These effects are driven by a diverse biology. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, increases adrenaline, reduces fatigue, promotes fat burning for energy, and helps conserve glycogen stores, thus improving endurance.
Additionally, it blocks adenosine receptors, a neurotransmitter promoting sleep. This is why coffee makes us feel alert and energized. However, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to irritability, anxiety, and insomnia.
It’s important to time your caffeine intake correctly for optimal effects. Research by Betts suggests that consuming strong coffee after a night of poor sleep can impair blood sugar control over time.
Poor blood sugar control can increase the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of strategic caffeine consumption.
For improved performance during workouts or activities, Betts recommends consuming coffee 45 to 60 minutes before starting. The effects of caffeine are long-lasting, lasting up to one to two hours in heavy consumers and four to six hours in moderate consumers.
In the 16th century, coffee was banned in Mecca because it was believed to stimulate radical thinking – Photo credit: Getty
While caffeine can enhance cognitive tasks, excessive consumption can lead to poor academic performance due to disrupted sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.
Overall, Betts believes caffeine consumption, especially in the morning, is beneficial for waking up and functioning well throughout the day. It has been linked to preventing various diseases and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.
About our experts
James Betts is a Professor of Metabolic Physiology at the University of Bath with expertise in nutrition, exercise, and metabolism.
When it comes to buying something you love, planning ahead is key. Take the time to carefully consider and prepare before making a purchase, especially when buying something second-hand. Monica Marriott Mills, a TikTok user who shares insights on vintage clothing styles, suggests starting by creating a detailed list for each person you need to buy gifts for.
“I create a profile for each person, noting their preferences, favorite colors, and any items they have mentioned wanting, like a photo frame for their wedding anniversary,” she explains. “By jotting down this information on your phone, you can stay focused while shopping at thrift stores or antique shops.”
Marriott Mills, like many others her age, buys 50% of her Christmas presents second-hand. According to a report from the resale app Vinted, more than half of people under 45 buy used items at least once a month, compared to 43% of all consumers.
If you’re short on time, online second-hand marketplaces like eBay, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective are convenient options to explore. You can browse and shop from the comfort of your own home.
Shopping for second-hand items can potentially allow you to purchase gifts that may have been out of reach if bought new. For example, a beginner in sewing might appreciate a sewing machine. While John Lewis sewing machines start from £135 when new, you can find similar working models on eBay starting at just £10 through bidding or £45.99 for an instant purchase, complete with a box.
Please Wake Up Early
Shoppers at the Red Brick Market in Liverpool, England. Keep an eye out for bargains in charity shops and markets. Photo: Chris Hellier/Alamy
If you know someone is selling household items or electronics, consider checking charity shops, flea markets, antique stores, car boot sales, and online marketplaces for hidden gems.
Marriott Mills suggests researching the delivery schedules of used furniture stores as a strategy to score great deals. “The second-hand furniture store from British Heart Foundation in my area opens on Tuesdays, so I try to visit on that day,” she shares.
“Being one of the first shoppers can be advantageous, but consider going early on Saturdays or during your lunch break.” If you can’t shop in person, many of these stores have online platforms as well.
Also Look for Children’s Gifts
eBay, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace are excellent sources for finding gently used toys that make perfect gifts for children. Some items are even new and still in their packaging.
For example, LOL dolls typically cost around £25 each when new, but you can find bundles of dolls in good condition on eBay for as low as £4. If you’re looking for larger items like playhouses or kitchens, check out Facebook Marketplace where prices range from £10 for brand new items that normally cost between £60 and £200.
However, be mindful of the seller’s location when purchasing larger items, as they may only be available for local pickup. Shipping costs could offset any savings you make.
Designer Goods Search Filter
“You’ll find a plethora of designer items on Vinted and Depop,” Marriott Mills suggests. “Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a gift is brand new or gently used.”
You can refine your search by specifying “New with Tags” in the search bar to find brand new items. For instance, Ralph Lauren beanies typically cost between £80 and £110 when new, but you can snag one in like-new condition on Vinted for as low as £25.
Check for Safety
When purchasing a used toy, it’s important to check for loose parts or signs of damage. Photo: PhotoAlto/Alamy
For electronics and lighting products, try to test them out before purchasing to ensure they are safe and functional. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, recommends performing checks like verifying the presence of a genuine safety certification label on the product.
“Also, check if the product comes with a 3-pin UK plug containing a fuse. Foreign plugs and adapters may not offer the same level of protection as a 3-pin plug,” he adds.
When buying a used toy, inspect for loose or damaged parts, wear and tear, and signs of damage. While many charity shops sell battery-operated and electric toys, they may not always be tested for safety. Watch out for obvious signs of damage, such as battery leakage, that could pose a safety hazard. If you’re satisfied with the item, check the return policy before making a purchase and test it out once you get home. Keep your receipt handy, as returns are typically allowed within 28 days.
Shopping online from platforms like Vinted or eBay requires sellers to disclose the working condition of the toy. If the item arrives and doesn’t function as described, buyers are usually protected by a warranty that offers a refund.
Parents can refer to a used toy buying guide to ensure the safety of toys, as some older toys may contain traces of harmful chemicals like chromium, selenium, and lead. Look out for recalled toys, which can often be identified through a quick online search. Safety and quality marks like the Lion Mark and CE Mark indicate compliance with safety standards.
It’s crucial to sanitize toys before gifting them. Soft toys can be washed in the washing machine, while plastic and wooden toys can be cleaned with soap and water.
Beware of Scams
Shopping online comes with risks of potential scams, but there are precautions you can take to avoid falling victim. “Before making a purchase, always check reviews,” recommends Marriott Mills. Be cautious if a seller has few reviews or if the reviews are negative. Positive reviews can provide assurance of a legitimate transaction. For designer items, consider using authentication websites like Legit Grail.
Look out for sellers who include the original receipt with the item, as this can help verify authenticity. Familiarize yourself with hallmarks and engravings to authenticate jewelry or tableware. “I gave my mom a silver bracelet stamped with 925. I knew it was genuine,” says Marriott Mills. “Don’t hesitate to double-check. You can even Google it right there in the store or at an antique shop.” Depop, eBay, and Vinted offer buyer protection guarantees, ensuring a refund if the item significantly differs from the description.
Present Them Well
Cardboard gift boxes make any gift look great. Photo: Purestock/Alamy
While many second-hand gifts may not come in their original packaging, you can present them beautifully with some extra care and thoughtful wrapping. Cardboard gift boxes are a versatile option to elevate the presentation of your gifts. Additionally, consider repurposing items you have at home, such as a shoebox for a makeshift basket or an old perfume box for stocking stuffers.
a■ As Democrats consider how to counter the Trump administration, they need to accept a very simple lesson from the past eight years. Big tech and corporations are part of the opposition forces working on behalf of Donald Trump, not allies of the Democratic Party working against Trump and Trumpism.
One would think there is no need to point out what appears to be an obvious fact. Still, some Democrats are trying to get closer to big tech companies and downplaying the importance of antitrust policy regarding authoritarian risks. For example, a few days ago, the largest Democratic superpack, Priorities USA, held a large resistance strategy session sponsored by “friends of google“.
As another example, Adam Jentleson, political writer and former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, writes: recent works The New York Times particularly criticized the fight against monopolies as a “niche issue.” He argued that there was a dichotomy between table issues and challenging corporate power, and that the focus should be on the former.
The belief that big technology, and big business more broadly, serves the Democratic Party has already been tested and turned out to be untrue.
When Trump was elected in 2016, one of the central pillars of Democratic resistance was to use big tech platforms as a counterbalance. If you remember, Google’s CEO also Participated in anti-Trump demonstration. Google, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and pre-Elon Musk’s Twitter have been reprimanded for using technology that enables extremism, but Democrats are pushing for changes to regulation of algorithm design, liability rules, or Instead of moving aggressively to split, it focused on encouraging platforms on editorial policy.
The assumption was that they would be able to defeat Trump and Maga-ism and corral them into a set of “correct” editorial practices that would help limit the scope of his rhetoric in the short term. This is the context in which the “misinformation and disinformation” framework arose.
We use this phrase all the time, but it’s worth thinking about how strange it is. Misinformation can refer to inadvertent lies and disinformation can refer to intentional lies, but the term can also encompass information that is factually correct but misleading, such as information about Barack Obama. there is. claimed In 2022, “suppression of true information” will occur if such suppression is carried out for purposes such as “political gain” or “targeting people you don’t like.”
These new categories not only infuriated those caught up in broad and vague definitions, but also diverted Democratic attention away from issues of power. The misinformation/disinformation framework is partially compatible with partnering with big tech companies as an anti-fascist alliance. We, the science-based Democratic Party, will succeed in working with the world’s largest technology companies to protect America.
Eight years later, Democrats lost the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Major tech platforms are full of extremist content. Big tech companies should no longer look like allies. Not only is Mr. Musk fully entrenched at the top of the power table, right next to Mr. Trump, but the CEOs of Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Amazon all reached out to Mr. Trump before the election. He probably took it seriously. his threat Mark Zuckerberg would go to jail if he opposed it, but he’s probably just recognizing that Trump is the titan of deregulation.
musk He is said to have participated in Recent phone conversation between President Trump and Google CEO. It is expected that dozens of such meetings at the highest level will occur and strong relationships will emerge. And instead of repeatedly claiming that the tech giants have too much power, we have spent eight years arming them with language they can use to suppress dissent.
repetitionvote It turns out that voters actually hate corporate monopolies, and that antitrust politics is very popular. I don’t want to overstate this point – for 30 years, from 1980 to 2020, antitrust politics disappeared in America. It’s fair to argue that we can do more experimentation with how we talk about anti-monopoly policy, especially towards big tech companies. that. But we should be very concerned about its content.
Facebook, Google, and Amazon have destroyed local journalism, a real bulwark against authoritarian leaders, while coddling real dictatorships. They currently dominate the digital advertising industry. According to a recent study, if news organizations were paid the profits they made by acting as intermediaries between readers and writers, Expected to be delivered between $12 billion and $14 billion One year. The very journalists and news organizations we rely on for fact-checking and fact-checking fear being shadowbanned. Jeff Bezos’ fear of President Trump shows how it affects editorial content.
Thankfully, thanks to the work of the Department of Justice under Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Cantor, Google has been officially recognized by the courts as an illegal monopoly, and other antitrust cases involving Facebook and Amazon have The case is pending in court. But even if Google is forced to sell Chrome, which seems possible, it now seems grotesque that Democrats in power can’t bring serious tech-disruption legislation to a vote. He didn’t seem to be trying to stop the emerging power couple of Trump and tech.
As experts try to sort out the lessons of how Kamala Harris lost an election she looked like she could win, we look back further and remember the real lessons of 2016. That would be good. The idea is that to align with the big tech oligarchy is to align with the state. Democratic Party and the Destruction of Democracy.
Zephyr Teachout is a professor at Fordham Law School and author of Break ‘Em Up: Recovering Our Freedom from Big Ag, Big Tech, and Big Money.
When it comes to meteor showers, the Leonids are known as one of the best. Famous for its fast and bright fireball meteors, the Leonid meteor shower aims to put on an impressive show.
And in unusual circumstances, the shower can turn into a full-fledged storm, and thousands of meteors can pass in front of you in an hour. Although it is not expected to reach storm-level conditions this year, it is still a sight to behold. Additionally, the Leonid meteor shower can be seen with the naked eye, so anyone can observe it without the need for binoculars or a telescope.
So when should you look up to the sky? And what should you expect from this year’s Leonid meteor shower? We’ve got all the important information below.
When is the Leonid meteor shower?
The 2024 Leonid meteor shower will reach its peak on the night of November 17-18. During this period, 10 to 15 meteors are expected to cross the night sky per hour.
Shooting star activity is expected to peak during this period, but meteors from the Leonid meteor shower are expected to be visible until November 30th.
For the best viewing, you need to find a spot with dark skies and good visibility. It also helps avoid light pollution in big cities and towns. Light from the last supermoon of the year, November’s Beaver Moon, which peaks on Nov. 15, could obstruct visibility.
Where should you look to see the Leonid meteor shower?
Pinpointing the source of the shower will give you better visibility. The Leonid meteor shower’s name comes from its constellation, Leo, where it is believed to have originated. More specifically, the Leonid meteor shower originates from a star pattern called the Sickle within the constellation Leonid.
To find the sickle, first find Ursa Major’s plow. This is a distinctive signpost to many astronomical spots (we have a complete guide on how to find it).
Look to the edge of the pot in “The Plow” to find two bright stars: Dubhe and Merek. If you draw an imaginary line between the two, going in the opposite direction, it will point in the direction of Polaris, Polaris, and the Sickle of Leo.
You don’t need to worry too much about tracking this exact location. Meteors cover most of the sky, so your best bet is to see as much of the sky as possible.
The best way to see as much of the sky as possible is to lie on your back and look up, but it’s November and nighttime temperatures in places like the UK can be below freezing, so it’s best to dress warmly or bring warm clothing. Please wear it. Find a comfortable place to cover yourself with a blanket or sleeping bag. Be patient and stay a while to let your eyes adjust to the darkness and have the best chance of catching the Leonid meteor shower.
Where did the Leonid meteor shower come from?
Meteor showers occur when the Earth, in its orbit around the sun, passes through regions of space filled with debris left behind by comets and asteroids.
In this case, the culprit is Comet Tempel-Tuttle. It is a relatively small comet that was discovered twice in separate events. It was first created by Ernst Tempel in 1865 and then by Horace Tuttle in 1866.
How many Leonid meteors can we see?
The exact number of meteors is difficult to determine. The number changes each year, but the average number of meteors is about 15 per hour. In some years, this value can be even higher, especially if there is a meteor storm.
Approximately every 33 years, a shower turns into a storm. This classification is reached when more than 1,000 meteors occur per hour. Back in 1966, viewers experienced the unique Leonids meteor shower, where thousands of meteors appeared in just 15 minutes.
The last Leonid storm occurred in 2002, so a storm in 2024 is unlikely.
These fireballs have long trails that are blue and greenish. Meteors can be missed, but they leave a long vapor train in the sky that looks like a smoke ring for several minutes.
The Leonid meteor shower is also fast, traveling at 44 miles per second (71 kilometers per second). These are considered some of the fastest meteors we can see.
This year, we have been treated to various stunning celestial events by the moon, and now the grand finale is approaching with the last supermoon of 2024 known as the Beaver Moon.
But what exactly is a supermoon? How can you witness its beauty at its peak? And why is it called the Beaver Moon? Whether you plan to observe it from your backyard or venture to a remote location for clearer skies, here is everything you need to know to make the most of this year’s final significant lunar event.
When will the Beaver Moon be visible in 2024?
The UK, US, and the rest of the world will witness the full Beaver Supermoon on November 15, 2024. Following this date, the moon will appear full for several consecutive nights.
“A full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun in the sky at a precise moment down to the second,” explains Dr. Darren Baskill, an astronomer and astrophotographer from the University of Sussex.
“To the naked eye, the moon appears full or nearly full for two to three days from the exact moment of the full moon.”
In the UK, the moon will rise around 3:30 pm local time. In Los Angeles, it will rise at 3:30 PM local time, and in New York, it will be approximately 4:29 PM ET.
Fun fact: The moon is slowly moving away from Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm every year. – Photo credit: Getty
“For the most spectacular views, try capturing photographs just after sunset or just before sunrise. This is when the moon appears largest and most dramatic against the horizon,” said Shyam Balaji, a researcher in astronomical particle physics and cosmology from King’s College, London.
Why is it called the Beaver Moon?
The supermoon in November is named after the beaver as beavers are often observed during this period.
Leading up to winter, beavers prepare for the cold months and build food storage in case their ponds freeze over.
What causes a supermoon?
During a supermoon, the moon’s surface appears 7 percent larger (and 15 percent brighter) in the sky compared to an average full moon. This is because the moon is closer to Earth than usual (approximately 363,700 km or 226,000 miles away).
Due to the moon’s elliptical orbit around Earth, there is a point where the moon naturally approaches Earth (perigee). Conversely, there is a point (apogee) where the moon moves away from us. When a full moon coincides with perigee, a supermoon occurs. The timing of the full moon allows for multiple supermoons in a row.
This discrepancy in cycles allows for repeated occurrences of supermoons. The moon’s elliptical orbit gradually changes alignments, resulting in multiple supermoons in succession.
“Gravitational forces from Earth, the sun, and other planets influence the moon’s orbit, leading to these fluctuations and the impressive phenomenon of supermoons,” explained Balaji.
Specifically, a supermoon requires the moon to complete a lunar cycle and be at its closest point to Earth in its orbit.
A supermoon occurs when the moon is closest to Earth, appearing larger and brighter in the sky. In contrast, a micromoon occurs when the moon is at its furthest away, making it appear smaller and darker. – Photo credit: Getty
Where is the best place to see the Beaver Supermoon?
To get the best views, escape the city lights and head to areas with minimal light pollution. For a truly remarkable experience, visit the coast and observe how the supermoon affects tides.
“When the moon is at its closest point to Earth (perigee) and is full, the gravitational pull on Earth’s oceans is stronger,” Balaji noted.
“Expect to witness more significant tidal fluctuations, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides than usual.”
The annual Taurid meteor shower is back and it’s a two-part shooting star spectacle. The first half, Southern Taurus, already occurred in September. But if you missed it, the northern Taurid meteor shower is here!
This event is known for its bright and impressive fireball meteors that light up the sky. Learn how to accurately observe the Taurid meteor shower and discover more about its origins.
When will the Taurid meteor shower occur in 2024?
The Northern Taurid meteor shower will peak on the night of November 11, 2024 in the UK, US, and other countries. This is the time to see the most fireball shooting stars.
In 2024, Taurus in the North will be active from October 20th to December 10th. The closer you are to the peak, the more shooting stars you will witness.
Where should I look to see a fireball?
You can see Taurid meteors streaking across the sky, so lie down and look up. The shooting stars originate from the constellation Taurus, visible in winter near Orion.
To locate Taurus, look towards Orion’s belt and find Aldebaran. Use astronomy apps for guidance and view from a location with minimal light pollution for the best experience.
How many meteors can you see?
Most years, the Taurid meteor shower is weak, with only a few meteors visible per night. However, there can be more under perfect conditions, with up to five meteors per hour. These meteors often produce dramatic fireballs.
The Taurid meteor shower is a gamble – each night can bring a few small meteors or a display of fireballs.
What causes the Taurid meteor shower?
The Taurid meteor shower originates from Comet Encke, with the northern variation likely from an Encke offshoot known as 2004 TG10. Earth passes through the remains of asteroid 2004 TG10, creating the spectacle we see in the sky.
Comet Encke is believed to be a fragment of a larger comet that broke up thousands of years ago.
Whether you're roasting a chicken in the oven, browning onions in a skillet, or choosing a spread for your toast, oil is at the heart of our culinary endeavors.
The choices are dizzying. Around 30 different oils are currently used in cooking, from sunflower to flaxseed, avocado to coconut. Deciding which one to use can have a big impact on your health, including your cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of cardiovascular disease.
If the headlines are to be believed, palm oil is obsolete, sunflower oil is in limbo, and there seems to be no end to the benefits extra virgin olive oil can bring to our plates. But are these claims backed by solid science, and how do the health impacts of these products compare to their environmental costs?
Saturated or unsaturated?
First, let's talk about chemistry. Edible oil contains fat, which is made up of long chains of carbon atoms. Saturated fats found in red meat and dairy products are so named because each carbon atom is connected to the next carbon atom by a single bond. The remaining electrons of each carbon atom are available to form bonds with hydrogen atoms, and the molecule becomes completely “saturated” with this element. This structure makes these fats very hard and stable, which is why butter and lard are solid at room temperature.
Unsaturated fats, which are commonly found in plants and fatty fish, have at least one double bond between adjacent carbon atoms, which reduces the number of bonds.
Loading plates has never been more complicated. While we urge people to avoid ultra-processed foods and ‘bad’ fats, we are also exposed to a growing number of sometimes contradictory dietary advice. Not only is it confusing, but it’s difficult to determine what difference these choices will actually make in the long run.
Social media is full of people talking about the health benefits of what they eat, and diets that promise to improve hormonal balance, for example, are rapidly gaining popularity. It goes without saying that any nutrition advice shared on TikTok should be taken with a pinch of salt, but some people get carried away by the excitement and begin to believe that there must be a grain of truth to such claims. I tend to put it away.
Then there are fermented foods that are often sold as dietary panaceas. Do we really need to consume a lot of kimchi and kombucha to be healthy?
Even nutrition can be confusing. The more we hear about the latest discoveries, such as reducing chronic inflammation, improving health and weight by eating at specific times, and choosing what to eat based on personal preferences, It seems like you can adjust your diet to focus on the results. reaction to food.
Not only is it confusing, but it’s hard to tell what difference these choices actually make
To help you navigate this minefield, we’ve put together a delicious special issue. new scientist We highlight seven of today’s hottest nutrition trends and teach you how to eat better.
This revealed some surprising things. For example, recent research shows that snacking, long generally demonized as a bad thing, may actually be good for your health and waistline.
Plus, there are the surprisingly wide-ranging health benefits of dietary fiber, which we already know is good for your gut. Unlike many ingredients touted as superfoods, this one lives up to its promise, and most of us don’t get enough of it.
So check out our feature on science-based guides on what you should actually do to increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life.
Amazon has been attempting to enter the gaming industry for quite some time. Despite having abundant resources and hiring top designers, progress has been slow. However, in recent times, Amazon has found success in releasing massively multiplayer online games. First came New World in 2021, a fantasy game focusing on survival and player-built settlements. This was followed by Lost Ark in the next year, developed by SmileGate from South Korea, blending MMO elements with Diablo-style combat. While reviews were mixed, both games found popularity among players. Now, Amazon is launching its third MMO in four years, Throne and Liberty, also developed in Korea. Here’s what you need to know about this latest offering.
What is Throne and Liberty?
A large, detailed world… Throne and Liberty. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty is an MMO set in a fantasy world akin to World of Warcraft. Players create characters and embark on adventures, either alone, with friends, or as part of a guild. The game offers main storylines, cooperative dungeon battles, and player-versus-player combat for territory control.
The game had a prolonged development, initially announced in 2011 as an expansion of the Lineage series. It was released in South Korea in December after facing delays, technical changes, and leadership shifts. Amazon is the global publisher, having acquired the rights in February the previous year.
How is Throne and Liberty different?
Traditional MMO combat combined with action-game dodging and parrying for real combat. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty offers unique elements, such as the ability to transform into various animals for faster travel. Combat and character progression stand out; instead of fixed classes, character abilities revolve around weapon usage. With six different weapons and customizable combinations, players can create unique playstyles.
Is Throne and Liberty worth playing?
A unique world… a massive floating whale in the sky. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty offers engaging exploration and combat mechanics, blending MMO and action elements. However, it lacks depth in storytelling and character development. Crafting and upgrading systems may feel complex and tedious. Overall, the game is free-to-play and provides a decent gaming experience without requiring excessive time investment.
Should I try Throne and Liberty?
Fashionable style… Characters resembling a mix of wizards, warriors, orcs, and goblins. Photo: Amazon Games
Throne and Liberty is recommended for casual play, offering basic yet enjoyable gameplay. However, if choosing between Amazon’s Korean MMOs, Lost Ark may be a better choice due to its more engaging combat and storytelling. Both games are free-to-play, providing diverse experiences for players.
aWith school starting back up, the pressure is on for parents to get their kids their first mobile phone, and when you decide the time has come, there are plenty of options: a smartphone, a basic phone, or upgrading to something new.
From the phone to the mobile services that come with it, key parental controls, to how well the phone fits with the devices you already use, here are some things you need to know before you buy, including which model is best for you.
Your best option might be the phone you already have, especially if you plan on replacing it in the near future. As long as it’s given a thorough cleaning, a new battery, a new case, and the software support is still there, a hand-me-down might be the best way to give your child a phone, while also being kind to the planet and your wallet.
A battery replacement will usually cost between £50 and £150 depending on the model and the shop. If you know how to use your mobile phone well, it will be easier to wipe the battery and set it up for your child.
The Nokia 3210 is one of HMD’s latest retro revival phones. Photo: Linda Nylind/The Guardian
Mobile operator EE recently advised parents not to give smartphones to primary school-aged children. So if your only purpose is to make and receive calls and texts, or to arrange a pick-up or make an emergency call, a basic “dumb” phone would be the solution. However, be aware that these phones only support SMS, not messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.
The downside is that many lower spec phones still have limited access to the internet, and only a handful have basic parental controls that lock the camera, browser and picture messaging (MMS). The lack of restrictions on things like calls and text contacts may also be a turn off, so check the manufacturer’s help documentation to see what’s possible before you buy.
Nokia makes a range of feature phones for around £30 to £60, such as the 110 4G and 225. For more fun there are nostalgic models such as the remake of the Nokia 3210, or film tie-in models such as the recently released HMD Barbie phone. Whatever model you choose, make sure it’s 4G compatible with most 3G services in the UK. Shutdown by the end of 2024.
Nokia 110 4G, £39.99 Argos
Nokia 225, £59.99 Argos Home page
Nokia 3210, £59.99 Argos Home page
The Moto G34 comes with 5G, Android 14, and will support security updates until January 2027. Photo: Motorola
Affordable Android phones are a good starting point; there are a variety of models available in the £80 to £180 price range. They usually have large screens and good battery life, although the cameras aren’t the best and apps can be slow to open and use.
Avoid models with Android Go or without access to the Play Store or Google services. Check the remaining time for software support; phones at this level usually only get updates for 2-3 years from the initial release, not at the time of purchase. Kids drop their phones more than adults, so a sturdy case with some water resistance is a good idea.
HMD sells a range of Android devices, either under its own brand or the Nokia brand, and offers longer software support than many others: the HMD Pulse costs under £100, runs Android 14 with security updates until May 2027, and if anything breaks you can fix it at home.
Motorola offers some great value products. Moto G34 Equipped with 5G, large battery, large screen, Android 14, and security updates Until January 2027.
If you’re in the Samsung family, the Galaxy A15 might be a better choice: it costs around £170, runs Android 14 with security updates until January 2029, and has a range of first- and third-party case options to ensure protection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing MPOX (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak in Central and West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This is the second time in two years that the disease has spread sufficiently to prompt a WHO declaration. On August 15, Swedish health authorities confirmed the first cases of infection outside of Africa with the MPOX strain currently causing the outbreak.
What is mpox?
Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus in the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. It spreads regularly among animals such as rodents and monkeys in Central and West Africa, but occasionally infects humans, causing small-scale epidemics.
There are two distinct lineages of mpox. Lineage I and Lineage IILineage I is associated with more severe disease and a higher risk of death. A subtype of lineage I, lineage Ib, is driving the current epidemic, while the 2022 and 2023 global MPOX epidemics were driven by a lineage II subtype.
So far, there is no evidence to suggest that lineage Ib is more dangerous than the original lineage I strains, he said. Jonas Alvarez This was said in a statement by the UK’s Pirbright Institute.
How many cases of MPOX were there in 2024?
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Reported on August 13th There are more than 17,000 suspected cases across the continent, “and this is just the tip of the iceberg, given the many weaknesses in surveillance, testing and contact tracing,” the agency said in a statement.
According to the WHO, the Democratic Republic of Congo alone has reported 15,664 cases and 537 deaths so far — more than the entire 2023 total. statement WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on August 15.
Where was mpox found?
The current outbreak began in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). MPOX variants have now spread to at least 11 other African countries, including four where MPOX had not previously been reported (Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda), and one patient in Sweden has also been found to have MPOX.
What is the survival rate for mpox?
More than 99.9 percent of people survive infection with lineage II, but up to 10 percent of MPOX outbreaks caused by lineage I die. Children, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to severe illness.
What are the symptoms of MPOX?
The first symptom of MPOX is usually a rash, which begins as flat sores that later develop into itchy, painful blisters. The rash begins on the face and then spreads throughout the body, including the hands and feet. Lesions may also appear inside the mouth, genitals, and anus.
The rash or lesions usually last for 2-4 weeks and are often accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle and back pain, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually appear within a week of exposure to the virus, but can appear anywhere from 1 to 21 days after exposure. However, some people can be infected with the virus without experiencing any symptoms.
How does mpox spread?
Mpox is transmitted through close contact with a person who has the disease. Usually, this occurs through skin-to-skin contact, such as sexual intercourse, kissing, or touching. The virus can also be transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated materials, such as sheets, other linens, and sharp objects, such as needles. You remain infectious until all wounds have healed.
Mpox is spread through contact with infected animals via bite or scratch, or when people hunt or eat the animals.
Young people and children are being hit hardest by this outbreak, a trend not seen in the 2022-2023 outbreak. In some provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children under the age of 15 are the most affected. 69% of suspected cases.
How is mpox treated?
Treatment consists mainly of managing symptoms and preventing complications such as secondary infections. Some of the antiviral drugs developed to treat smallpox have also been used to treat smallpox in the past. However, recent trials of the antiviral drug tecovirimat, used in previous outbreaks, have shown that Found to be ineffective against clade I virusesPeople with MPOX should self-isolate, wear a mask and avoid scratching wounds, which can prevent wounds from healing and increase the risk of secondary infections, which can spread to other parts of the body.
Is there an MPOX vaccine?
The mpox vaccine provides maximum protection when given in two doses. Smallpox vaccines are also known to protect against mpox, but it is not clear whether any of these vaccines are effective against the new mpox variants.
It is only recommended that people get vaccinated if they are at high risk of contracting MPOX. For people in areas not affected by the current outbreak, the risk remains very low.
African countries currently have little to no vaccine supplies, but estimates say the region needs 10 million doses. Jimmy Whitworth Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said in a statement.
Looking for a good laugh? Check out the subreddit LinkedIn Lunatics. Trust me, it’s worth a visit.
On this subreddit, you’ll find a Financial Expert advocating for the moderation of porn consumption as a healthy practice to share with friends and community. There are also critics using cultural events like the Olympic Games to teach life lessons and even a Marriage agency mistaking LinkedIn for a dating platform.
The subreddit features stories like a social media company’s creative director who almost missed his flight but learned the valuable lesson of taking risks and a guy who learned important life lessons after a tangerine incident. It’s a mix of humor and bizarre LinkedIn encounters.
All this craziness happened in just one week, making it a rollercoaster of absurdity. Despite the entertainment, the main mission on LinkedIn is to focus on work and professional networking.
LinkedIn is a vital platform for business professionals, especially in B2B sales, like myself. However, it can be overwhelming with the constant stream of “visionary leaders” and “strategic innovators” flooding the feed. It’s a mix of greatness and embarrassment, where professionals love and hate the platform simultaneously.
Many users echo the sentiment that LinkedIn needs a revamp. As a dedicated user, I propose two radical changes:
1. Embrace Reddit Over Facebook
Encourage users to post in LinkedIn groups for longer, more engaging content, similar to Reddit’s format. This shift would enhance the user experience and encourage meaningful discussions.
2. Revise Monetization Strategies
LinkedIn should differentiate between serious members and casual users, potentially by raising fees. Additionally, introducing a nominal fee for every accepted connection request could deter spammy behavior.
Adding a “dislike” button could provide constructive feedback and reduce unwanted solicitations. These changes aim to improve the platform’s quality and user experience.
LinkedIn is at a crossroads, where the balance between professionalism and absurdity is tipping. It’s essential to adapt to evolving user needs to maintain relevance and utility.
The annual Perseid meteor shower will peak between Sunday night and dawn on Monday, giving skywatchers around the world the chance to enjoy one of the most spectacular shooting star shows of the year.
The Perseid meteor shower is usually one of the most anticipated stargazing events of the year due to the high incidence of shooting stars. If the weather is good, you may be able to see up to 100 meteors per hour from a dark location.
“Not only is this shower rich in bright meteors and fireballs (the most so far in the world, in fact), it also peaks when it's still warm and comfortable in mid-August,” says Bill Cook, director of the Meteor Environment Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. NASA said in a blog post.
Experts predict that conditions will be favorable for this year's meteor show, especially since the moon will set around 11:30 p.m. local time, meaning bright moonlight will not obscure the shooting stars.
If the weather is good, it's best to choose an unobstructed viewing location under the darkest possible sky, away from city lights and other light pollution.
In the Northern Hemisphere, stargazing is best done between midnight and dawn. NASA recommends giving your eyes about 45 minutes to adjust to the darkness and avoiding looking at bright screens, such as cell phones.
While the peak of the meteor shower is when you'll have the highest chance of seeing meteors, the Perseids have been visible for several weeks and should continue to be visible after this weekend. The meteor shower occurs annually from mid-July to late August.
This occurs as Earth passes through a cloud of dust particles and debris left behind by a comet known as 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. The light streaks are caused when the debris impacts the atmosphere, vaporizes, and leaves a bright trail as it disintegrates.
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