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  31. <title>Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own record</title>
  32. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/worlds-largest-3d-printer/</link>
  34. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Paul]]></dc:creator>
  35. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:43:12 +0000</pubDate>
  36. <category><![CDATA[Engineering]]></category>
  37. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  38. <category><![CDATA[Sustainability]]></category>
  39. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  40. <category><![CDATA[architecture]]></category>
  41. <category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
  42. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612710</guid>
  43.  
  44. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  45.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/fof-1.0-0856_inline-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Factory of the Future 1.0 3D printer with man standing in front of it" decoding="async" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The new industrial-sized 3D printer uses sustainable building materials like biobased polymers. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/04/23/umaines-new-3d-printer-smashes-former-guinness-world-record-to-advance-the-next-generation-of-advanced-manufacturing/">University of Maine</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Factory of the Future 1.0 can can construct entire homes out of sustainable polymer materials.</p>
  46. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/worlds-largest-3d-printer/">Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own record</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  47. ]]></description>
  48. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  49.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/fof-1.0-0856_inline-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Factory of the Future 1.0 3D printer with man standing in front of it" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The new industrial-sized 3D printer uses sustainable building materials like biobased polymers. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/04/23/umaines-new-3d-printer-smashes-former-guinness-world-record-to-advance-the-next-generation-of-advanced-manufacturing/">University of Maine</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  50. <p>After a five-year reign, the world’s largest 3D printer located at the University of Maine has been usurped—by a newer, larger 3D printer developed at the same school.</p>
  51.  
  52.  
  53.  
  54. <p>At a reveal event earlier this week, UMaine designers at the Advanced Structures &amp; Composite Center (ASCC) showed off their “<a target="_blank" href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/04/23/umaines-new-3d-printer-smashes-former-guinness-world-record-to-advance-the-next-generation-of-advanced-manufacturing/">Factory of the Future 1.0</a>,” aka the FoF 1.0. At four times the size of their previous <a target="_blank" href="https://composites.umaine.edu/biohome3d/">Guinness World Record holder</a> from 2019, MasterPrint, FoF 1.0 is capable of printing 96-by-32-by-18-foot tall structures and objects. Such sizable creations also require an impressive amount of building materials, however. According to its creators, FoF 1.0 can churn through upwards of 500-pounds of eco-friendly thermoplastic polymers per hour.</p>
  55.  
  56.  
  57.  
  58. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/3d-printer-eco-materials/"><strong>3D printers just got a big, eco-friendly upgrade (in the lab)</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  59.  
  60.  
  61.  
  62. <p>Global construction projects generate around 37 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from the carbon-heavy production of aluminum, steel, and cement. Transitioning to more <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sustainable-home-designs/">sustainable architecture</a> and infrastructure projects is a key component of tackling climate change, spurring interest in massive 3D printer endeavors like FoF 1.0.</p>
  63.  
  64.  
  65.  
  66. <p>But just because there’s a new printer on the block doesn’t mean UMaine’s previous record-holder is obsolete. Designers created FoF 1.0 to print in tandem with MasterPrint, with the two machines even capable of working together on the same building components.</p>
  67.  
  68.  
  69.  
  70. <p>ASCC researchers and engineers aim to utilize these industrial-sized 3D printers to help construct some of the <a target="_blank" href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/04/23/umaines-new-3d-printer-smashes-former-guinness-world-record-to-advance-the-next-generation-of-advanced-manufacturing/">estimated 80,000 new homes</a> needed in Maine over the next six years. FoF 1.0’s predecessor, MasterPrint, has already helped build the surprisingly stylish, sustainable, 600-square-foot <a target="_blank" href="https://www.engadget.com/biohome3d-university-of-maine-185514979.html">BioHome3D prototype</a> a few years back. </p>
  71.  
  72.  
  73.  
  74. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="564" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Printed-house-news-feature.jpg" alt="BioHome3D house" class="wp-image-612720"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>BioHome 3D, built in part using FoF 1.0&#8217;s predecessor, MasterPrint. Credit: <a target="_blank" href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2022/11/21/first-100-bio-based-3d-printed-home-unveiled-at-the-university-of-maine/">UMaine</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  75.  
  76.  
  77.  
  78. <p>“It’s not about building a cheap house or a biohome,” ASCC director Habib Dagher <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/biggest-3d-printer-maine-c748fc9fd70557c839c70a494e0369f3">said at this week’s event</a>. “We wanted to build a house that people would say, ‘Wow, I really want to live there.’”</p>
  79.  
  80.  
  81.  
  82. <p>With FoF 1.0’s help, those plans could potentially expand to encompass whole neighborhoods. According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.engadget.com/the-worlds-biggest-3d-printer-can-a-make-a-house-in-under-80-hours-155256122.html"><em>Engadget</em></a>’s calculations, the new machine could make “a modest single-story home in around 80 hours.”</p>
  83.  
  84.  
  85.  
  86. <p>Of course, such biofriendly projects don’t only catch the eye of sustainable architects. Funding for FoF 1.0 came in part from contributors such as the Department of Defense, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers. <a target="_blank" href="https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/04/23/umaines-new-3d-printer-smashes-former-guinness-world-record-to-advance-the-next-generation-of-advanced-manufacturing/">UMaine’s announcement</a> also notes these backers hope to harness such machines for other projects, including “lightweight rapidly deployable structures and vessel technologies.”</p>
  87.  
  88.  
  89.  
  90. <p>Going forward, ASCC researchers hope to experiment with additional bio-based polymer sources, particularly wood residuals from Maine—which just so happens to be the country’s most forested state.</p>
  91. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/worlds-largest-3d-printer/">Makers of the world’s largest 3D printer just beat their own record</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  92. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  96. </item>
  97. <item>
  98. <title>Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV review: Stunning in any setting</title>
  99. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/samsung-s95d-qd-oled-tv-review/</link>
  101. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stan Horaczek]]></dc:creator>
  102. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  103. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  104. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  105. <category><![CDATA[Home Theater]]></category>
  106. <category><![CDATA[Televisions]]></category>
  107. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  108. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  109. <category><![CDATA[samsung]]></category>
  110. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612606</guid>
  111.  
  112. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  113.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="960" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-front-view-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=960.48" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Televisions photo" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><p>Samsung's flagship OLED TV shines because glare doesn't.</p>
  114. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/samsung-s95d-qd-oled-tv-review/">Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV review: Stunning in any setting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  115. ]]></description>
  116. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  117.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="960" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-front-view-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=960.48" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Televisions photo" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  118. </div>
  119. <p>My living room isn’t well-suited for testing OLED TVs. There’s a pair of large windows off to the side of the viewing area, and when they’re not busy leaking, they’re letting in enough ambient light to wash out a typical OLED. This type of TV excels in contrast and color reproduction but can only pump out comparatively paltry max brightness levels. That makes even a moderately bright room a no-go. And let’s be honest, that’s what most of us have. So, instead of appealing just to people with perfectly treated home theaters, Samsung aimed to fix that issue with its new S95D QD-OLED TV. And after a few weeks spent watching content and gaming to the best of my very pathetic abilities, I can confirm it as a huge success. The S95D’s defining feature may have caused some controversy in the hardcore AV world (more on that later), but it’s easily one of the best TVs I’ve ever seen.</p>
  120.  
  121.  
  122. <div
  123.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  124.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  125. >
  126.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  127.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://howl.me/cl7xR8IFaoW" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  128.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  129.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-front-view-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-front-view-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Televisions photo">
  130.                      </figure>
  131.                  </a>
  132.            </div>
  133.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  134.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  135.        <p><em>Stan Horaczek</em></p>
  136.  
  137.      </figcaption>
  138.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  139.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://howl.me/cl7xR8IFaoW"
  140.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  141.      </p>
  142.      </div>
  143. </div>
  144.  
  145.  
  146.  
  147. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  148.  
  149.  
  150.  
  151. <ul>
  152. <li><strong>Resolution: </strong>4K</li>
  153.  
  154.  
  155.  
  156. <li><strong>Refresh rate: </strong>144Hz</li>
  157.  
  158.  
  159.  
  160. <li><strong>Sizes: </strong>55”, 65”, and 77”</li>
  161.  
  162.  
  163.  
  164. <li><strong>OS: </strong>Tizen</li>
  165.  
  166.  
  167.  
  168. <li><strong>HDMI ports: </strong>Four HDMI 2.1 ports</li>
  169.  
  170.  
  171.  
  172. <li><strong>Wireless: </strong>Wi-Fi 5</li>
  173.  
  174.  
  175.  
  176. <li><strong>Bluetooth: </strong>BT5.2</li>
  177.  
  178.  
  179.  
  180. <li><strong>Processor: </strong>NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor</li>
  181. </ul>
  182.  
  183.  
  184.  
  185. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  186.  
  187.  
  188.  
  189. <ul>
  190. <li>Excellent color accuracy and contrast, as you’d expect from OLED</li>
  191.  
  192.  
  193.  
  194. <li>Exceptional brightness thanks to Quantum Dot tech</li>
  195.  
  196.  
  197.  
  198. <li>Anti-glare coating works phenomenally</li>
  199.  
  200.  
  201.  
  202. <li>Ports and connectors live on a box connected to the display by a single wire for flexible installation</li>
  203.  
  204.  
  205.  
  206. <li>Built-in speakers provide clear, crisp audio that makes dialog easy to hear (credit to Samsung processing)</li>
  207.  
  208.  
  209.  
  210. <li>Low input lag</li>
  211.  
  212.  
  213.  
  214. <li>Responsive operating system</li>
  215. </ul>
  216.  
  217.  
  218.  
  219. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  220.  
  221.  
  222.  
  223. <ul>
  224. <li>Anti-glare tech comes with very slight compromises in terms of pure picture quality</li>
  225.  
  226.  
  227.  
  228. <li>While the speakers provide excellent clarity, they’re not overly powerful</li>
  229. </ul>
  230.  
  231.  
  232.  
  233. <p><strong>Verdict: </strong>Just about every OLED TV looks phenomenal in the dark, but the S95D’s ability to shine (literally) in a room full of ambient light makes it one of the most impressive pieces of TV technology to come around in years.&nbsp;</p>
  234.  
  235.  
  236.  
  237. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-i-tested-the-samsung-s95d-qd-oled-tv"><strong>How I tested the Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV</strong></h2>
  238.  
  239.  
  240.  
  241. <p>I have been writing about and reviewing TVs for roughly two decades for outlets including this one, <em>Men’s Journal</em>, <em>Sound &amp; Vision</em>, AOL, and others. For this test, I placed <a href="https://howl.me/cl7xR8IFaoW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV</a> directly in front of my typical TV to get a true real-world experience. I played regular Blu-rays, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-blu-ray-player/">4K Blu-rays</a>, and games through a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/playstation-5-ps5-review/">PlayStation 5</a>. I also connected the TV to my <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-wifi-routers/">Wi-Fi router</a> and compared content through the native Samsung apps with the most recent <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-tv-4k-2022-review/">Apple TV 4K</a> (my preferred hardware for streaming media). </p>
  242.  
  243.  
  244.  
  245. <p>We do some scientific testing on equipment like this, but we don’t publicly post the results because we don’t control the environment in a way to capture publishable results. I use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M6KPJ9K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">a Datacolor Spyder X Pro device</a> to measure brightness and color accuracy as a reference for our internal testing. Other sites provide excellent test results from labs, but that information doesn’t always reflect the real-world experience that comes from watching a TV.</p>
  246.  
  247.  
  248.  
  249. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1334" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-side-view.jpg" alt="Televisions photo" class="wp-image-612611"><figcaption><i>Stan Horaczek</i></figcaption></figure>
  250.  
  251.  
  252.  
  253. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-samsung-s95d-s-picture-quality"><strong>The Samsung S95D’s picture quality</strong></h2>
  254.  
  255.  
  256.  
  257. <p>There’s a lot about the ultra-slim S95D that’s impressive and we&#8217;ll get into the build below, but we&#8217;re here first and foremost for the panel’s picture quality. If you’re spending the extra money for <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/qled-vs-oled-vs-mini-led/">an OLED</a>, it’s for the on-screen image. </p>
  258.  
  259.  
  260.  
  261. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brightness">Brightness</h3>
  262.  
  263.  
  264.  
  265. <p>Brighter isn’t always better. Even casual TV snobs know this fact. But, the S95D changes the math on that old rule. The first time I turned on our review unit, I couldn’t believe how much light it put out. I was standing in my sunny living room at two in the afternoon, and this OLED display was blasting over the ambient light without hesitation. The S95D is noticeably brighter than its predecessor or really any OLED TV I’ve ever seen. It’s brighter than the middle-of-the-road LG TV I bought on Black Friday a few years ago to use between TV reviews. The S95D is just plain bright and truly improves its overall performance. </p>
  266.  
  267.  
  268.  
  269. <p>In addition to the increased light output, the S95D is the first TV non-<a href="https://howl.me/cl7xQxXHLnu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Frame-series TV</a> to get the full anti-glare treatment, which was a standout feature in <a href="https://howl.me/cl7xQxXHLnu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our first impressions</a> and remains one now that we’ve gotten to try the TV outside of an impromptu showroom setting. As a result, the screen has a more matte appearance than its glossy ancestors and competition—in the high-end printing world, I’d call this a pearl finish. Even with the TV off, it’s apparent just how well the surface resists reflections. Even bright objects, which would typically render as a sharp reflection on a glossy screen, wash out to a dull, nebulous blob. The turtle tank with a UV light that typically occupies a full quarter of my TV screen when it’s turned on? Pretty much gone. I’m impressed. </p>
  270.  
  271.  
  272.  
  273. <p>Even when a light shines directly onto the surface, the anti-glare surface renders it nearly invisible. This does come at a slight cost. As some other reviewers have noted, the anti-glare makes the perceived black level seem a bit brighter than a glossy screen would. Thus, the controversy mentioned in the intro. But, the benefits will drastically outweigh that tiny complaint for the majority of the TV-watching public. The anti-glare tech seriously changes the OLED game.</p>
  274.  
  275.  
  276.  
  277. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1333" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/02/samsung-OLED-light.jpg" alt="Samsung OLED with a lamp shining on it to show anti-reflective coating" class="wp-image-609206"><figcaption><i>Stan Horaczek</i></figcaption></figure>
  278.  
  279.  
  280.  
  281. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bring-on-the-content">Bring on the content</h3>
  282.  
  283.  
  284.  
  285. <p>For the early tests, I left the TV in standard mode, which doesn’t quite max out the TV’s light output, but it’s decidedly more luminous than the more subdued movie mode or Filmmaker Mode. All the typical OLED benefits shine through immediately. I popped in a Blu-ray of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Venom-Let-There-Carnage-Blu-ray/dp/B09GZ5MV8Y?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><em>Venom: Let There Be Carnage</em></a>, which isn’t a great film, but it’s a meat grind of a test for just about any TV. Its extremely high contrast, fast motion, and vivid colors quickly expose a TV’s shortcomings. The S95D handled it all with aplomb. </p>
  286.  
  287.  
  288.  
  289. <p>I like Filmmaker Mode, which is designed to depict the movie as the creators intended. But it’s typically only usable in very dark situations. I still preferred standard, or maybe movie mode for viewing content while the sun was up, but Filmmaker Mode was still totally viable. You can be a snob at any time of day.</p>
  290.  
  291.  
  292.  
  293. <p>I put on the first Timothée Chalamet <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dune-Blu-ray-Digital-Frank-Herbert/dp/B09MDHD2TP?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><em>Dune</em></a> movie out of pure curiosity. In a dark room with standard mode turned on, the jarring dark-to-bright transitions from dingy interiors to blazing desert scenery were enough to make me wince, literally. That’s the kind of impact I like to see. </p>
  294.  
  295.  
  296.  
  297. <p>Those transitions are also a great test for a TV like this. Going from bright to dark doesn’t leave any lingering brightness. Bright don’t bleed into dark areas next to them (a phenomenon called blooming) to ruin the overall clarity of the image.&nbsp;</p>
  298.  
  299.  
  300.  
  301. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-little-help-from-ai">A little help from AI</h3>
  302.  
  303.  
  304.  
  305. <p>You can’t get away from AI in the gadget world and this TV is no exception. The S95D comes toting Samsung’s latest image processing chip, which puts a heavy emphasis on AI. Multiple neural networks analyze every single image and frame to emphasize subjects, upscale the picture, and improve audio performance.</p>
  306.  
  307.  
  308.  
  309. <p>Even as a TV reviewer, I still watch streamed content more than pristine 4K Blu-rays. I imagine you’re the same way. Luckily, my review unit arrived just as the new <a href="https://www.amazon.com/The-Winning-Team/dp/B0CN4H1V9D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><em>Fallout</em></a> series premiered on Amazon Prime. Like <em>Dune</em>, the post-apocalyptic series jumps freely between dingy underground silos and sun-blasted desert landscapes. The S95D, once again, excelled. The deep blacks retain tons of detail, though just slightly less than a high-end Mini-LED (like <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-samsung-tvs/">Samsung’s own QN900/D</a>). But the inkiest blacks are why you go OLED. You want that contrast, and the S95D dishes it out in spades. The streamed image looked excellent. I again found myself defaulting to standard picture mode because it feels like it uses more of the panel’s dynamic range without losing anything. </p>
  310.  
  311.  
  312.  
  313. <p>When it comes to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/4k-vs-1080p/">4K upscaling</a>, the S95D does a great job across the board. The final result will vary depending on the bitrate and quality of the original content (don’t even try to watch <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-to-the-Hellmouth/dp/B000HCYN18?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><em>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em></a><em> </em>on Amazon Prime because no amount of AI can save that mess) but don’t expect extra artifacts or other upscaling nastiness to become apparent very often if at all. </p>
  314.  
  315.  
  316.  
  317. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaming-performance">Gaming performance</h3>
  318.  
  319.  
  320.  
  321. <p>Several features apply specifically to gaming performance, including the maximum 144Hz effective refresh rate. For this test, I jumped into <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Helldivers-2-PlayStation-5/dp/B0CJGPSXG4?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612606O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><em>Helldivers 2</em></a> on the PS5. While it’s not the pinnacle of graphical achievements in terms of gaming, it is a challenging title thanks to tons of fast-moving on-screen objects and shadowy environments. </p>
  322.  
  323.  
  324.  
  325. <p>Input lag is nearly non-existent, essential if you want a good gaming TV. Response times are also miniscule, which fares well for fast on-screen action. I died—a lot—during the test session, but I looked great doing it. The TV will automatically enable game mode when you start gaming, and you’re best served to leave it be once it makes the switch. That’s how it unlocks game-specific features like the maximum refresh rate and the lowest possible input lag.</p>
  326.  
  327.  
  328.  
  329. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1334" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-rear-speakers.jpg" alt="Televisions photo" class="wp-image-612610"><figcaption><i>Stan Horaczek</i></figcaption></figure>
  330.  
  331.  
  332.  
  333. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-samsung-s95d-s-sound"><strong>The Samsung S95D’s sound</strong></h2>
  334.  
  335.  
  336.  
  337. <p>While OLEDs often excel in terms of picture quality, their super-thin panels don’t leave much room for audio firepower. Samsung made hay with the space it had in the S95D, packing a total of eight circular <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-makes-up-a-speaker/">speakers</a> onto the back of the display. They won’t blow you away with power, especially on the low end, but Samsung has emphasized its strengths, which are clarity and understandability. The AI-powered chip enables <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-dolby-atmos-soundbars/">Dolby Atmos</a> compatibility and localized audio, which creates a discernible directional audio effect depending on which on-screen object is making noise. You can hear a spaceship zoom across the screen. It’s not nearly as pronounced as with <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-surround-sound-systems/">a true surround sound system</a>, but it’s noticeable and appreciated.&nbsp;</p>
  338.  
  339.  
  340.  
  341. <p>Even cranked to max volume, the speakers don’t offer much in terms of crackle or distortion. The voice clarification tech really does make a difference, though, which is handy for people like me who have trouble hearing words through ambient noise.&nbsp;</p>
  342.  
  343.  
  344.  
  345. <p>Overall, the sound performance is solid, but with a TV this nice, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not adding a more powerful stand-alone system to the mix. [Related: Look for our review of Samsung’s new flagship <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-wireless-surround-sound-systems/">wireless soundbar system</a>, <a href="https://howl.me/cl7wecE7IZL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the HW-Q990D</a>, coming very soon.]</p>
  346.  
  347.  
  348.  
  349. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-samsung-s95d-s-design-and-setup"><strong>The Samsung S95D’s design and setup</strong></h2>
  350.  
  351.  
  352.  
  353. <p>Another impressive aspect of the S95D is that this deep feature set fits in a strikingly shallow enclosure thanks to thoughtful design decisions. As a high-end TV, Samsung didn’t skimp on the S95D’s build quality. The panel connects via a single wire to a compact interface containing all the necessary ports and connections. The “One Connect Box” is about the size of a stand-alone DVD player and can sit horizontally or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-tv-wall-mounts/">wall mount vertically</a>. I chose to use the included stand instead of putting the display on a mount, though I could have easily mounted it thanks to VESA compatibility. The bezel is skinny. The panel is flat. The external I/O box is a nice touch. The setup and build quality really didn’t give me anything to complain about. </p>
  354.  
  355.  
  356.  
  357. <p>I can’t say quite the same thing about the remote. I love that the Samsung remote charges via the onboard solar panel, but I still find the layout annoying. The flat rocker buttons for channel and volume changes aren’t designed for my clumsy hands. The remote is also tiny and somewhat non-descript, so it’s easy to lose it in a pile of other remotes (though that may only be a problem if you’re also a reviewer with too many remote-controlled devices).</p>
  358.  
  359.  
  360.  
  361. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1334" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Samsung-S95D-OLED-TV-SolarCell-remote-control.jpg" alt="Televisions photo" class="wp-image-612609"><figcaption><i>Stan Horaczek</i></figcaption></figure>
  362.  
  363.  
  364.  
  365. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-who-should-buy-the-samsung-s95d"><strong>So, who should buy the Samsung S95D?</strong></h2>
  366.  
  367.  
  368.  
  369. <p>If you’ve been craving the contrast and color accuracy that comes with OLED but are worried your space is too bright, then your worries are over. The extra brightness and the very impressive anti-reflective coating have truly changed the game. With help from Samsung’s new AI-powered image processor, <a href="https://howl.me/cl7xR8IFaoW" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the S95D QD-OLED</a> creates one of the best viewing experiences of any TV I’ve tested.</p>
  370. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/samsung-s95d-qd-oled-tv-review/">Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV review: Stunning in any setting</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  371. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  375. </item>
  376. <item>
  377. <title>Bird flu virus traces detected in 1 in 5 pasteurized cow milk samples</title>
  378. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/bird-flu-milk/</link>
  380. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  381. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 16:18:01 +0000</pubDate>
  382. <category><![CDATA[Diseases]]></category>
  383. <category><![CDATA[Food Safety]]></category>
  384. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  385. <category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
  386. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612681</guid>
  387.  
  388. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  389.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/milk-at-store.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="white cow&#039;s milk on a grocery store shelf" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The FDA believes that the commercial milk supply remains safe. The agency's testing revealed small genetic traces of bird flu and not live virus that causes infections. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/milk-bottles-tidied-in-shelf-110782438.html">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>H5N1 has been detected in 33 herds in six states.</p>
  390. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/bird-flu-milk/">Bird flu virus traces detected in 1 in 5 pasteurized cow milk samples</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  391. ]]></description>
  392. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  393.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/milk-at-store.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="white cow&#039;s milk on a grocery store shelf" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The FDA believes that the commercial milk supply remains safe. The agency's testing revealed small genetic traces of bird flu and not live virus that causes infections. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/milk-bottles-tidied-in-shelf-110782438.html">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  394. <p>Genetic material from a particularly <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/antarctic-penguins-bird-flu-deaths/">virulent strain of bird flu virus</a> has been found in 1 in 5 samples of pasteurized milk, according to an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai">April 25 update from the Food and Drug Administration</a>. The tested milk came from a nationally representative sample and the positive results came from milk in areas with herds of dairy cows where <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bird-flu-seals/">Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or H5N1</a> infections have been detected. The FDA’s new test results indicate that the virus has spread further among dairy cows than previously indicated.</p>
  395.  
  396.  
  397.  
  398. <p>As of April 25, bird flu had been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai">detected in 33 herds</a> in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio, and Texas. This particular virus strain has caused a devastating outbreak in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/timeline/avian-timeline-2020s.htm">wild and commercial birds since 2021</a>. It first <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bird-flu-seals/">spread to mammals in 2022</a> and can occasionally infect humans. Only <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/inhumans.htm#:~:text=Two%20human%20cases%20of%20avian,reported%20in%20the%20United%20States.">two human cases</a> of HPAI have been reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).&nbsp;</p>
  399.  
  400.  
  401.  
  402. <p>The FDA <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai">used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing</a> to inspect the milk samples. While the findings are concerning, it does not necessarily mean that the milk was contaminated with live virus–which can cause infection.&nbsp;</p>
  403.  
  404.  
  405.  
  406. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bird-flu-detected-in-dairy-cow-milk-samples/#:~:text=Bird%20flu%20spreads%20through%20air,re%2Dcirculation%20in%20domestic%20poultry."><strong>Bird flu detected in dairy cow milk samples.</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  407.  
  408.  
  409.  
  410. <p>“With qPCR tests, the genetic material, not necessarily the whole active or infectious virus, is what is detected,” clinical pathologist Nam Tran <a target="_blank" href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/grocery-store-milk-tests-positive-for-bird-flu-why-the-fda-says-its-still-safe-to-drink/2024/04">said in a statement</a>. “In the case of food, the genetic material, the RNA found in the grocery store milk samples, may not be the infectious H5N1 virus, but fragments from it.” Tram is a professor at the University of California Davis and senior director of clinical pathology at UC Davis Health.</p>
  411.  
  412.  
  413.  
  414. <p>The FDA believes that the commercial milk supply remains safe, since the testing only revealed small genetic traces of bird flu and not live virus that causes infections. The virus itself was <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bird-flu-detected-in-dairy-cow-milk-samples/#:~:text=Bird%20flu%20spreads%20through%20air,re%2Dcirculation%20in%20domestic%20poultry.">first detected in dairy cows in the US in March</a> and the FDA announced on April 23 that it had found viral fragments in commercially sold milk.&nbsp;</p>
  415.  
  416.  
  417.  
  418. <p>Milk sold in grocery stores is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/pasteurization">pasteurized</a>. This process kills harmful bacteria and viruses by heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time. The viral particles detected by highly sensitive qPCR tests were likely the remnants of viruses that had already been killed during the pasteurization process.&nbsp;</p>
  419.  
  420.  
  421.  
  422. <p>To determine if any active, infectious virus remains in the milk samples, the FDA is going to perform <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai">egg inoculation tests</a>. These rests are often considered the “gold standard” for determining a virus’ viability. In these tests, scientists will inject the virus sample into a raw chicken egg to see if it replicates or not. This test provides the most sensitive results, but it will take longer than other methods.</p>
  423.  
  424.  
  425.  
  426. <p>“Virus isolation propagates viruses, and needs a live virus particle to start with,” UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine professor of clinical diagnostic virology Beate Crossley <a target="_blank" href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/grocery-store-milk-tests-positive-for-bird-flu-why-the-fda-says-its-still-safe-to-drink/2024/04">said in a statement</a>. “A virus isolation positive result of a sample would indicate a live, infectious virus is present in the sample.”</p>
  427.  
  428.  
  429.  
  430. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bird-flu-seals/"><strong>Seal pup die-off from avian flu in Argentina looks ‘apocalyptic.’</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  431.  
  432.  
  433.  
  434. <p>The World Health Organization has also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.who.int/news/item/12-07-2023-ongoing-avian-influenza-outbreaks-in-animals-pose-risk-to-humans">urged public health officials to prepare</a> for a potential spillover to humans in the future. While cases of humans getting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-in-humans.htm#:~:text=Although%20avian%20(bird)%20influenza%20(,human%20infection%20with%20these%20viruses.">infected and seriously ill from bird flu are rare</a>, the more it spreads among mammals, the easier it will be for the virus to evolve to spread.&nbsp;</p>
  435.  
  436.  
  437.  
  438. <p>Health officials continue to believe that commercial milk is unlikely to help spread the virus to humans and that pasteurization is the best line of defense. Consuming raw or unpasteurized milk is dangerous, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2024/jan/17/is-raw-milk-trend-good-bad-for-you-tiktok">no matter what the internet says</a>. Raw milk has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/raw-milk-questions-and-answers.html">no added nutritional benefits</a> and it can be contaminated with harmful germs. The CDC even considers raw milk one of the riskiest foods a person can consume.</p>
  439.  
  440.  
  441.  
  442. <p>As an evolving situation, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza">USDA</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/updates-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai">FDA</a> will continue to share updates.&nbsp;</p>
  443. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/bird-flu-milk/">Bird flu virus traces detected in 1 in 5 pasteurized cow milk samples</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  444. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  448. </item>
  449. <item>
  450. <title>A new button battery dyes kids&#8217; mouths blue if swallowed</title>
  451. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/button-battery-dye/</link>
  453. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Paul]]></dc:creator>
  454. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:42:35 +0000</pubDate>
  455. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  456. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  457. <category><![CDATA[batteries]]></category>
  458. <category><![CDATA[Children]]></category>
  459. <category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
  460. <category><![CDATA[safety]]></category>
  461. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612665</guid>
  462.  
  463. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  464.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Depositphotos_369325478_L-e1714145738163.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Little boy biting his nails on grey background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The number of emergencies involving children ingesting batteries has spiked in recent years. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/little-boy-biting-his-nails-grey-background-369325478.html">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The 'color alert technology' could save lives.</p>
  465. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/button-battery-dye/">A new button battery dyes kids&#8217; mouths blue if swallowed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  466. ]]></description>
  467. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  468.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/Depositphotos_369325478_L-e1714145738163.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Little boy biting his nails on grey background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The number of emergencies involving children ingesting batteries has spiked in recent years. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/little-boy-biting-his-nails-grey-background-369325478.html">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  469. <p>Energizer has designed a new <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Electronics-and-Electrical/Dangers-with-Button-Batteries">lithium coin battery</a> that releases a blue dye immediately upon interacting with moisture such as saliva. The marker offers parents a visible way to determine if their <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/babies-swallowing-button-batteries/">children accidentally swallowed</a> one of these toxic products.</p>
  470.  
  471.  
  472.  
  473. <p>After two decades of steady integration into everything from key fobs and remote controls to cooking thermometers and smart watches, lithium button batteries are now extremely commonplace household items. Unfortunately, their ubiquity coincides with a <a target="_blank" href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/3/e2022056709/189223/Pediatric-Battery-Related-Emergency-Department?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken%3D00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000">major, ongoing spike</a> in the number of children <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/babies-swallowing-button-batteries/">ingesting the small batteries</a>. Over 70,300 emergency doctor visits were reported for children’s battery-related issues between 2010 and 2019. Of those, nearly 85 percent involved button batteries.</p>
  474.  
  475.  
  476.  
  477. <p>Apart from the choking hazard, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Electronics-and-Electrical/Dangers-with-Button-Batteries">US Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> warns a battery’s chemicals can cause severe bodily injury, and even death, within a matter of hours if ingested. Additionally, the electric current generated by saliva’s interactions with a battery can simultaneously burn through body tissue, leading to even more potentially lethal complications. Every year, <a target="_blank" href="https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/22054/Studies-Button-battery-related-ED-visits-increase?autologincheck=redirected?nfToken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000">thousands of emergency hospital visits</a> occur because of ingesting batteries.</p>
  478.  
  479.  
  480.  
  481. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/babies-swallowing-button-batteries/"><strong>What to expect if your child swallows a button battery</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  482.  
  483.  
  484.  
  485. <p>To help address the continuing <a target="_blank" href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/3/e2022056709/189223/Pediatric-Battery-Related-Emergency-Department?autologincheck=redirected">public health concern</a>, Energizer recently partnered with the children’s safety nonprofit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reesespurpose.org/">Reese’s Purpose</a> to design a safer button battery, as well as even stronger childproof packaging.</p>
  486.  
  487.  
  488.  
  489. <p>Apart from a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.duracell.com/en-us/press/duracell-debuts-breakthrough-child-safety-feature-lithium-coin-batteries/">bitter-tasting, nontoxic coating</a> increasingly found on similar products, the company’s newest coin-shaped batteries are also wrapped in a container that requires scissors to open. But even if a child does get their hands on one, parents and caretakers will almost instantly be able to see if they need to contact emergency medical services.</p>
  490.  
  491.  
  492.  
  493. <p>Described as a “color alert technology,” the battery’s dotted, negative underside releases a nontoxic, food grade blue dye when mixed with moisture, such as spit. According to <a target="_blank" href="https://energizer.com/3in1childshield/">Energizer’s website</a>, the batteries contain about as much dye as an ounce of a flavored sports drink, and will disappear after a few water rinses or teeth brushing.</p>
  494.  
  495.  
  496.  
  497. <p>Hamsmith started the nonprofit advocacy group in honor of her 18-month-old daughter who died in 2020 after swallowing a remote control’s coin battery.</p>
  498.  
  499.  
  500.  
  501. <p>Regardless of childproofing innovations, however, caretakers should immediately take a child to medical professionals if they suspect battery ingestion. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.poison.org/battery/guideline">National Capital Poison Center</a> warns against inducing vomiting and instead suggests having any child over 12 months old to swallow honey. Doing so can coat the ingested battery, and thus help delay some chemical burning of internal tissue while en route to receiving medical attention. That said, children younger than 1-year-old shouldn’t eat honey, so rushing them immediately to the emergency room for an X-ray is the best approach.</p>
  502.  
  503.  
  504.  
  505. <p><strong><em>In the event of suspected emergencies, parents are encouraged to call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (800-498-8666) or Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).</em></strong></p>
  506. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/button-battery-dye/">A new button battery dyes kids&#8217; mouths blue if swallowed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  507. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  511. </item>
  512. <item>
  513. <title>Lab mice might be doing their own experiments</title>
  514. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/mice-mistakes-on-purpose/</link>
  516. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lauren Leffer]]></dc:creator>
  517. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  518. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  519. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  520. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  521. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612616</guid>
  522.  
  523. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  524.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/mice-mistakes.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="mice in a cave" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Over consecutive trials, the mice would turn the wheel left for a bit, then switch to turning it right, seemingly making mistakes but actually being strategic. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">E+/Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>New research suggests that mice base their decisions on more than just immediate reward. They may also make 'mistakes' on purpose.</p>
  525. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/mice-mistakes-on-purpose/">Lab mice might be doing their own experiments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  526. ]]></description>
  527. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  528.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/mice-mistakes.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="mice in a cave" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Over consecutive trials, the mice would turn the wheel left for a bit, then switch to turning it right, seemingly making mistakes but actually being strategic. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">E+/Getty</span></figcaption></figure>
  529. <p>It’s long been known that mice can be trained to perform simple tasks in exchange for a reward. Bribe a hungry mouse with a morsel of food or a thirsty mouse with a drop of water and you can encourage it to navigate a maze or click a particular button. But sometimes, mice don’t act as expected, failing to complete the task at hand. Often, researchers have dismissed these actions as simple mistakes, resulting from inattention or disengagement. Yet, <a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.04.017">a study</a> published April 26 in the journal <em>Current Biology </em>suggests, there’s more going on: mice can understand the rules of a task and still deviate in their behaviors, potentially testing their own hypotheses and attempting to learn more about their surroundings.&nbsp;</p>
  530.  
  531.  
  532.  
  533. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p><strong>“These mice have a richer internal life than we probably give them credit for. They are not just stimulus response machines. They may have things like strategies.”</strong></p></blockquote></figure>
  534.  
  535.  
  536.  
  537. <p>It appears that the decisions mice make during behavioral tests are more complicated than just basic reward-seeking choices. During human-imposed trials in the lab, mice may be continually exploring and re-testing the rules of their environment and performing their <em>own</em> small experiments.</p>
  538.  
  539.  
  540.  
  541. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/mice-mirror-test/"><strong>Mice may be able to recognize their own reflections</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  542.  
  543.  
  544.  
  545. <p>The findings expand our understanding of what’s happening inside rodent brains and indicate mice and other non-verbal animals might know more than they let on. The research could eventually help shed light on the neurological underpinnings of human behavior as well. “These mice have a richer internal life than we probably give them credit for,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://pbs.jhu.edu/directory/kishore-kuchibhotla/">Kishore Kuchibhotla</a>, senior study author and an assistant professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. “They are not just stimulus response machines. They may have things like strategies,” he adds.</p>
  546.  
  547.  
  548.  
  549. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-at-the-steering-wheel"><strong>Mice at the steering wheel</strong></h2>
  550.  
  551.  
  552.  
  553. <p>The work builds on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-10089-0.epdf?author_access_token=VGBO6M1az1R6zlI7152sftRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Mp9m1RXpYColt69LW3z3K1I1ImUwGOfjvOD3_q_KCGd762AGMF8uPxBAfhCrdovVaSwsII-KSuwTMJEWwH5BaeVpSXAs930kpVxXSZuaap5Q%3D%3D">previous research</a> that tested mice on a simple licking task and adds a level of complexity with a two-choice test to parse mouse motivations. Kuchibhotla and lead study author <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kishorelab.org/team">Ziyi Zhu</a>, a neuroscience PhD student, trained thirsty mice, restrained in place,  to spin a wheel with their front legs in a certain direction in response to a sound. One tone corresponded with turning the wheel to the right, a second tone with spinning it to the left. If a mouse responded to either of the sounds with the correct action, it would get a tiny cup of water. If it spun the wheel the wrong way or didn’t spin it at all, nothing happened. </p>
  554.  
  555.  
  556.  
  557. <p>Throughout thousands of trials involving 13 mice, the researchers tracked mouse choice, response speed, and accuracy, and they noticed several patterns. For one, mice seemed to get more accurate in their decisions as the trials progressed, indicating they were mastering the task at hand. Individual mice also seemed to have quirks and preferences when it came to picking a wheel direction. And even when mice reached an expert level of wheel-steering competency, they would still display short bouts of wrong responses–often spinning the wheel in the same direction repeatedly, regardless of which sound was played. </p>
  558.  
  559.  
  560.  
  561. <p><strong>[ <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/computer-vision-mice-pain-behavior/">Related: How video game tech, AI, and computer vision help decode animal pain and behavior</a></strong> <strong>]</strong></p>
  562.  
  563.  
  564.  
  565. <p>To better understand what was happening during these bouts, Kuchibhotla and Zhu instituted “probe” trials, where they temporarily stopped rewarding the mice for correct answers. Very quickly, mice changed course, stopped exploring, and began to respond to the right and left sound cues more accurately, in accordance with the pattern they’d been trained on–indicating the mice understood what they were supposed to do to get the cup of water, and had been purposefully forsaking reward.</p>
  566.  
  567.  
  568.  
  569. <p>“As behavioral neuroscientists who work in animal models, the onus is on us to come up with more clever and rich ways to extract meaning from nonverbal animals’ [actions],” says <a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.mountsinai.org/brian-sweis">Dr. Brian Sweis</a> PhD, a neuroscientist and psychiatrist at Mount Sinai who conducts animal behavior research but was not involved in the new study. “I think this paper did a really nice job of that… it was a beautiful deep dive into a behavioral analysis,” he adds–pointing especially to the follow-up examination of the initial trial data and the ways the researchers varied their experiments.&nbsp;</p>
  570.  
  571.  
  572.  
  573. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p><strong>“It may look like the animal is making a ton of errors, but during those errors, it’s actually getting smarter.”</strong></p></blockquote></figure>
  574.  
  575.  
  576.  
  577. <p>Using a computational model, Zhu and Kuchibhotla assessed how each trial outcome related to the ones before and after it and what factors seemed to be influencing mouse behavior. They found that reward played a big role, but so did a bias towards rotating the wheel in a preferred direction, which differed from mouse to mouse. Yet this bias wasn’t fixed–mice would switch it up, spinning to both sides over the course of many trials and when the researchers presented mice with sound prompts for exclusively their preferred direction, the mice would exhibit more periods of rotating the wheel to their non-preferred side. Taken altogether, these observations show a dynamic choice bias that the researchers hypothesize is a learning strategy.&nbsp;</p>
  578.  
  579.  
  580.  
  581. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-without-language"><strong>Learning without language</strong></h2>
  582.  
  583.  
  584.  
  585. <p>&nbsp;“Mice are surprisingly using higher-order approaches to learn even simple tasks, which may seem maladaptive. It may look like the animal is making a ton of errors, but during those errors, it’s actually getting smarter,” says Kuchibhotla. “We put these animals in these bizarre situations. They don’t know when the environment may change. They don’t know when we may change the rules on them. There’s value in having this sort of continuous exploration.”</p>
  586.  
  587.  
  588.  
  589. <p>Where humans can rely on language to understand an assignment, non-verbal animals have to find out for themselves what the rules of a particular situation are. Kuchibhotla suggests this difference could account for why mice take on this continually shifting approach to a task. “Verbal or written instructions collapse the mental space of exploration. Once you know what you’re supposed to do, there’s no need to explore. That’s one of the hypotheses we have–that in the absence of instructions humans will [also] engage in continuous exploration.” He’s currently conducting follow-up research in human behavioral trials to determine if that’s true.&nbsp;</p>
  590.  
  591.  
  592.  
  593. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-lessons-in-mouse-mistakes"><strong>Finding lessons in mouse mistakes</strong></h2>
  594.  
  595.  
  596.  
  597. <p>Other follow-up work includes tracking the mice’s neural activity as they engage in the wheel spinning task, training and testing the mice on multiple tasks at once to see how strategies change, and running cognitively impaired mice through similar tests which could ultimately reveal underlying patterns in human neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s.</p>
  598.  
  599.  
  600.  
  601. <p>There are limitations to what this single study proves. Despite all the researchers’ carefulness, something simpler than strategizing could still be at play, offers Sweis. For instance, maybe the mice changed the direction they spun the wheel in every so often because their front legs got tired. “I don’t think that negates anything [the study authors are] showing here, but physical factors could be a driver,” says Sweis. “We have to understand the brian in the context of the whole body.”</p>
  602.  
  603.  
  604.  
  605. <p>Still though, examining the choice process, he explains, “gives us insight into the many different ways the brain can work” and can clarify what’s happening when things start to go wrong. He suggests another follow-up project could look at how aging influences the exploration process and if task flexibility shifts or declines with age. There are many possible offshoots for interesting research, and the study “serves as a rich foundation for us to understand biology a little bit more.” </p>
  606.  
  607.  
  608.  
  609. <p>It reframes decades of rodent behavior results, where errors were dismissed as uninteresting failures. “Animals need to make mistakes to learn,” says Sweis–and there’s lots we can learn from them too.</p>
  610. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/mice-mistakes-on-purpose/">Lab mice might be doing their own experiments</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  611. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  615. </item>
  616. <item>
  617. <title>Early trauma can shorten a red squirrel’s lifespan</title>
  618. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/squirrel-trauma/</link>
  620. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  621. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:39:27 +0000</pubDate>
  622. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  623. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  624. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  625. <category><![CDATA[Evolution]]></category>
  626. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  627. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  628. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612636</guid>
  629.  
  630. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  631.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/red-squirrel.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a small red squirrel with perked up ears sits on a tree branch" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Red squirrels of the Yukon who survive their first year can expect to live three and a half years on average. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Ryan Taylor</span></figcaption></figure><p>Food scarcity–and food overabundance–can shape their lives forever.</p>
  632. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/squirrel-trauma/">Early trauma can shorten a red squirrel’s lifespan</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  633. ]]></description>
  634. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  635.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/26/red-squirrel.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a small red squirrel with perked up ears sits on a tree branch" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Red squirrels of the Yukon who survive their first year can expect to live three and a half years on average. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Ryan Taylor</span></figcaption></figure>
  636. <p><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/squirrel-gamble-reproduction/">Red squirrels</a> living in Canada’s Yukon territory can have a pretty hard knock life. Bitterly cold winters, resource scarcity, intense competition for habitat, threats from <a href="https://www.popsci.com/living-with-lynx-for-science/">large predators like the Canada lynx</a>, and even<a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/squirrel-gamble-reproduction/"> take big reproductive risks for their genetic fitness</a>. All of these stressors take their toll on these resilient rodents. Their early life struggles can also leave a lasting mark. The more challenges young red squirrels face in the year they’re born, the shorter their adult lifespan. The findings are detailed in a <a target="_blank" href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.2681">study published April 24 in the journal <em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</em></a> and could have some implications for humans.&nbsp;</p>
  637.  
  638.  
  639.  
  640. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-booms"><strong>Food booms</strong></h2>
  641.  
  642.  
  643.  
  644. <p>Red squirrels are <a target="_blank" href="https://yukon.ca/en/red-squirrel">about 11 inches long and weigh just over half a pound</a> on average. They are known for their rust colored fur and <a target="_blank" href="https://yukon.ca/en/red-squirrel">“scolding chatter”</a> above the trees. The new study uses data collected by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.redsquirrel.ca/">Kluane Red Squirrel Project</a>, a multi-university long-term field study. The project has tracked and studied thousands of wild North American red squirrels in the southwestern region of the Yukon for more than 30 years that individually tags and tracks individual red squirrels to learn how they deal with all that’s thrown at them&nbsp; .&nbsp;</p>
  645.  
  646.  
  647.  
  648. <p>The new <a target="_blank" href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.2681">study</a> analyzing the observations found that red squirrels that survive past their first year go on to live about 3.5 years on average. However, early life adversity like food scarcity can cut their life expectancy by at least 14 percent.</p>
  649.  
  650.  
  651.  
  652. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/medieval-strain-leprosy-found-in-red-squirrels-in-uk/"><strong>A Medieval strain of leprosy is infecting squirrels in the UK</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  653.  
  654.  
  655.  
  656. <p>&#8220;The ecosystem red squirrels inhabit in this region is unique,&#8221; study co-author and University of Arizona ecologist and evolutionary biologist Lauren Petrullo <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1042474">said in a statement</a>. &#8220;Every three to seven years, their favorite food–seed from cones of white spruce trees–is produced in superabundance during what we call a food boom.”</p>
  657.  
  658.  
  659.  
  660. <p>The team found that even though these food booms are rare, they can interrupt some biological processes for the squirrels and help shape their lifespans.</p>
  661.  
  662.  
  663.  
  664. <p>“If a squirrel had a harsh first year of life, if they were lucky enough to experience a food boom in their second year of life, they lived just as long–if not longer–in spite of early-life adversity,” said Petrullo.</p>
  665.  
  666.  
  667.  
  668. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rodents-as-proxies"><strong>Rodents as proxies</strong></h2>
  669.  
  670.  
  671.  
  672. <p>Rodents like squirrels, rice, and mats, are often <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/lab-rat-origins/">used as models for humans in a lab setting</a>. However, the laboratory environment often has limited relevance to the bigger pictures of what is going on at an ecological and evolutionary level.&nbsp;</p>
  673.  
  674.  
  675.  
  676. <p>“It can be hard to really replicate the ecological challenges that animals have evolved to cope with in a lab setting,” said Petrullo.&nbsp;</p>
  677.  
  678.  
  679.  
  680. <p>Wild red squirrels can offer scientists a chance to better study the role that early-life environment plays. Petrullo and her colleagues hope that continued observations in the wild can help them learn more about the biological mechanisms that link squirrels&#8217; early developmental conditions with their later-life survival. This could have some insights into our understanding of human resilience.&nbsp;</p>
  681.  
  682.  
  683.  
  684. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/nature-not-healing-animals-lockdown-behavior/"><strong>Nature wasn’t healing: What really happened with wildlife during pandemic lockdowns</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  685.  
  686.  
  687.  
  688. <p>&#8220;Our findings in red squirrels echo what we know about how early-life adversity can shorten adult lifespan in humans and other primates,&#8221; Petrullo said. &#8220;Humans vary widely in how vulnerable or resilient they are to challenges faced during early development. Our study demonstrates that future environmental quality might be an important factor that can explain why some individuals appear to be more, or less, susceptible to the consequences of early-life adversity.&#8221;&nbsp;</p>
  689.  
  690.  
  691.  
  692. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-born-with-a-silver-spoon"><strong>‘Born with a silver spoon’</strong></h2>
  693.  
  694.  
  695.  
  696. <p>While growing up as a young red squirrel in the Yukon can be quite difficult, there are some things that can go right.&nbsp;</p>
  697.  
  698.  
  699.  
  700. <p>&#8220;Some red squirrels have the luck of being born into gentler early environments, akin to being born with a silver spoon,&#8221; Petrullo said. &#8220;Because of this, we&#8217;ve got this really nice individual variation in early-life environmental quality across a natural ecological environment.&#8221;<br>However, as <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/climate-change-impacts-summer-2023-study/">global temperatures continue to climb</a>, this environment is expected to see a good deal of change. It’s possible that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yukonu.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/Indicators2022_FinalReport.pdf">food booms and other ecological patterns</a> could change right alongside the climate and the connections between early-life experiences and lifespan could also shift. According to Petrullo, these changes could offer more insight into how animals may continue to adapt to environments that are only getting more challenging to survive in. Future study could also help scientists learn more about what environmental factors can buffer these squirrels from ongoing environmental threats.</p>
  701. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/squirrel-trauma/">Early trauma can shorten a red squirrel’s lifespan</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  702. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
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  708. <title>Transform your 8mm and Super 8 films into timeless digital keepsakes with this Kodak digitizer and save $50</title>
  709. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-film-digitizer-deal/</link>
  711. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  712. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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  719. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612450</guid>
  720.  
  721. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  722.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person digitizing their films using the Kodak digitizer." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Preserve your memories with this innovative reel digitizer and five-inch screen.</p>
  723. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-film-digitizer-deal/">Transform your 8mm and Super 8 films into timeless digital keepsakes with this Kodak digitizer and save $50</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  724. ]]></description>
  725. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  726.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person digitizing their films using the Kodak digitizer." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  727. </div>
  728. <p>If you grew up before social media, chances are you or a family member still have <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen&amp;utm_term=scsf-594973&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uAMTIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">piles of old film eager to be preserved and revitalized</a>. The KODAK REELS 8mm &amp; Super 8 Film Digitizer, complete with a 5&#8243; screen, helps keep your reels secure for years.</p>
  729.  
  730.  
  731.  
  732. <p>On sale at $50 off and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen&amp;utm_term=scsf-594973&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uAMTIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">crafted by the renowned Kodak brand</a>, a leading figure in photography, this more-than-just-a-scanner helps bring back blasts from the past. Its ability to handle 8mm and Super 8 film formats makes it versatile for different film collections—from home videos to professional footage.</p>
  733.  
  734.  
  735.  
  736. <p>The essential KODAK REELS is meticulously designed to bring all your footage back to life for good by digitizing and preserving memories for generations to come. The digitization process converts the film into 1080p digital video at two frames per second and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen&amp;utm_term=scsf-594973&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uAMTIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">seamlessly preserves the film&#8217;s unique look while enhancing the viewing experience</a> on modern displays. Additionally, the device features adjustable brightness and color settings to improve the quality of the digital output, compensating for age-related degradation or exposure issues in the original film.</p>
  737.  
  738.  
  739.  
  740. <p>The innovative gadget also boasts a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen&amp;utm_term=scsf-594973&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uAMTIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">5-inch LCD screen that allows for real-time previewing</a> of various reels, measuring 3 to 9 inches. These old videos can be quickly transferred to an SD card for easy storage and safeguarding. The compact device is exceptionally intuitive, user-friendly, and easily transportable, enabling users to effortlessly edit and share their cherished memories digitally and bring back unforgettable memories.</p>
  741.  
  742.  
  743.  
  744. <p>Snag the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-films-digitizer-converter-with-big-5-screen&amp;utm_term=scsf-594973&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uAMTIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">KODAK REELS 8mm &amp; Super 8 Film Digitizer with 5&#8243; Screen</a> for $349.99 (reg. $399) and free shipping with no coupon code required at checkout. </p>
  745.  
  746.  
  747.  
  748. <p><em><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StackSocial</a> prices subject to change.   </em></p>
  749. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/kodak-reels-8mm-super-8-film-digitizer-deal/">Transform your 8mm and Super 8 films into timeless digital keepsakes with this Kodak digitizer and save $50</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  750. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  754. </item>
  755. <item>
  756. <title>Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels</title>
  757. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/nearsightedness-is-at-epidemic-levels/</link>
  759. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Herbert / The Conversation]]></dc:creator>
  760. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  761. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  762. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612298</guid>
  763.  
  764. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  765.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/blurry-trees.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Nearsightedness is also known as myopia." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Nearsightedness is also known as myopia. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/abstract-blurred-nature-background-with-sunlight-70327465.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The problem begins in childhood.</p>
  766. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/nearsightedness-is-at-epidemic-levels/">Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  767. ]]></description>
  768. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  769.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/blurry-trees.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Nearsightedness is also known as myopia." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Nearsightedness is also known as myopia. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/abstract-blurred-nature-background-with-sunlight-70327465.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  770. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/nearsightedness-is-at-epidemic-levels-and-the-problem-begins-in-childhood-225255">The Conversation</a>. </p>
  771.  
  772.  
  773.  
  774. <p>Myopia, or the need for corrected vision to focus or see objects at a distance, has become a lot more common in recent decades.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/519276a">Some even consider myopia</a>, also known as nearsightedness, an epidemic.</p>
  775.  
  776.  
  777.  
  778. <p>Optometry researchers estimate that <a target="_blank" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.01.006">about half of the global population</a> will need corrective lenses to offset myopia by 2050 if current rates continue–up from 23% in 2000 and <a target="_blank" href="https://myopiainstitute.org/myopia/#">less than 10% in some countries</a>.</p>
  779.  
  780.  
  781.  
  782. <p>The associated health care costs are huge. In the United States alone, spending on corrective lenses, eye tests and related expenses&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.718724">may be as high as US$7.2 billion a year</a>.</p>
  783.  
  784.  
  785.  
  786. <p>What explains the rapid growth in myopia?</p>
  787.  
  788.  
  789.  
  790. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fExMMysAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">I’m a vision scientist</a> who has studied visual perception and perceptual defects. To answer that question, first let’s examine what causes myopia–and what reduces it.</p>
  791.  
  792.  
  793. <div><lite-youtube videoid="ezP3oCRaBBQ" style="background-image: none;">
  794.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ezP3oCRaBBQ/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels">
  795.            </lite-youtube>
  796.            
  797.            <noscript>
  798. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  799. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Slow Childhood Nearsightedness in 5 Steps" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ezP3oCRaBBQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  800. </div></figure>
  801. </noscript></div>
  802.  
  803.  
  804. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-myopia-develops"><strong>How myopia develops</strong></h2>
  805.  
  806.  
  807.  
  808. <p>While having two myopic parents does mean you’re more likely to be nearsighted,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8491-2_5">there’s no single myopia gene</a>. That means the causes of myopia are more behavioral than genetic.</p>
  809.  
  810.  
  811.  
  812. <p>Optometrists have learned a great deal about the progression of myopia by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/space-perception-in-the-chick/">studying visual development in infant chickens</a>. They do so by putting little helmets on baby chickens. Lenses on the face of the helmet cover the chicks’ eyes and are adjusted to affect how much they see.</p>
  813.  
  814.  
  815.  
  816. <p>Just like in humans, if visual input is distorted, a chick’s eyes grow too large,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2006.02.065">resulting in myopia</a>. And it’s progressive. Blur leads to eye growth, which causes more blur, which makes the eye grow even larger, and so on.</p>
  817.  
  818.  
  819.  
  820. <p>Two recent studies featuring extensive surveys of children and their parents provide strong support for the idea that an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14377-1">important driver of the uptick</a>&nbsp;in myopia is that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/aos.14980">people are spending more time</a>&nbsp;focusing on objects immediately in front of our eyes, whether a screen, a book or a drawing pad. The more time we spend focusing on something within arm’s length of our faces, dubbed “near work,” the greater the odds of having myopia.</p>
  821.  
  822.  
  823.  
  824. <p>So as much as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/excessive-screen-use-eyes-myopia-1.6815857">people might blame new technologies like smartphones</a>&nbsp;and too much “screen time” for hurting our eyes, the truth is even activities as valuable as reading a good book can affect your eyesight.</p>
  825.  
  826.  
  827.  
  828. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outside-light-keeps-myopia-at-bay"><strong>Outside light keeps myopia at bay</strong></h2>
  829.  
  830.  
  831.  
  832. <p>Other research has shown that this unnatural eye growth can be interrupted by sunlight.</p>
  833.  
  834.  
  835.  
  836. <p>A 2022 study, for example, found that myopia rates <a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14377-1">were more than four times greater</a> for children who didn’t spend much time outdoors–say, once or twice a week–compared with those who were outside daily. At the same time, kids who spent more than three hours a day while not at school reading or looking at a screen close-up were four times more likely to have myopia than those who spent an hour or less doing so.</p>
  837.  
  838.  
  839.  
  840. <p>In another paper, from 2012, researchers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.04.020">conducted a meta-analysis of seven studies</a>&nbsp;that compared duration of time spent outdoors with myopia incidence. They also found that more time spent outdoors was associated with lower myopia incidence and progression. The odds of developing myopia dropped by 2% for each hour spent outside per week.</p>
  841.  
  842.  
  843.  
  844. <p>Other researchers have reported similar effects and argued for <a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000501937">much more time outdoors</a> and changes in early-age schooling to reduce myopia prevalence.</p>
  845.  
  846.  
  847. <div><lite-youtube videoid="LAkFtka3UFw" style="background-image: none;">
  848.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LAkFtka3UFw/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels">
  849.            </lite-youtube>
  850.            
  851.            <noscript>
  852. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  853. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Why so many people need glasses now" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LAkFtka3UFw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  854. </div></figure>
  855. </noscript></div>
  856.  
  857.  
  858. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What’s driving the epidemic</strong></h2>
  859.  
  860.  
  861.  
  862. <p>That still doesn’t explain why it’s on the rise so rapidly.</p>
  863.  
  864.  
  865.  
  866. <p>Globally, a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014777">big part of this is due to the rapid development</a>&nbsp;and industrialization of countries in East Asia over the last 50 years. Around that time, young people began spending more time in classrooms reading and focusing on other objects very close to their eyes and less time outdoors.</p>
  867.  
  868.  
  869.  
  870. <p>This is also what researchers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12879">observed in the North American Arctic</a>&nbsp;after World War II, when schooling was mandated for Indigenous people. Myopia rates for Inuit went from the single digits before the 1950s to upwards of 70% by the 1970s as all children began attending schools for the first time.</p>
  871.  
  872.  
  873.  
  874. <p>Countries in Western Europe,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.303">North America</a>&nbsp;and Australia have shown&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000000069">increased rates of myopia</a>&nbsp;in recent years but nothing approaching what has been observed recently in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.09.004">China, Japan, Singapore and a few other East Asian countries</a>. The two main factors identified as leading to increased myopia are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.chinasmack.com/chinese-school-desks-with-railings-prevent-near-sightedness">increased reading</a>&nbsp;and other activities that require focusing on an object close to one’s eyes and a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181772">reduction in time spent outdoors</a>.</p>
  875.  
  876.  
  877.  
  878. <p>The surge in myopia cases will likely have its worst effects 40 or 50 years from now because&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14377-1">it takes time</a>&nbsp;for the young people being diagnosed with nearsightedness now to experience the most severe vision problems.</p>
  879.  
  880.  
  881.  
  882. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Treating myopia</strong></h2>
  883.  
  884.  
  885.  
  886. <p>Fortunately, just a few minutes a day with glasses or contact lenses that correct for blur&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/s0042-6989(98)00304-6">stops the progression of myopia</a>, which is why early vision testing and vision correction are important to limit the development of myopia. Eye checks for children are mandatory in some countries,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.orthoptics.org.uk/patients-and-public/childrens-vision-screening/">such as the U.K.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://en.moe.gov.cn/news/press_releases/202404/t20240408_1124412.html">now China</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/vision-screening-requirements-by-state/">most U.S. states</a>.</p>
  887.  
  888.  
  889.  
  890. <p>People with with high myopia, however, have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142595">increased risk of blindness and other severe eye problems</a>, such as retinal detachment, in which the retina pulls away from the the back of the eye. The chances of myopia-related&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/macular-degeneration/what-is-myopic-macular-degeneration">macular degeneration</a>&nbsp;increase by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12945">40% for each diopter of myopia</a>. A diopter is a unit of measurement used in eye prescriptions.</p>
  891.  
  892.  
  893.  
  894. <p>But there appear to be two sure-fire ways to offset or delay these effects: Spend less time focusing on objects close to your face, like books and smartphones, and spend more time outside in the bright, natural light. Given the first one is difficult advice to take in our modern age, the next best thing is taking frequent breaks–or perhaps spend more time reading and scrolling outside in the sun.</p>
  895.  
  896.  
  897.  
  898. <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225255/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>
  899.  
  900. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/nearsightedness-is-at-epidemic-levels/">Nearsightedness is at epidemic levels</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  901. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  905. </item>
  906. <item>
  907. <title>Save $150 on this Apple Magic Keyboard that attaches to your iPad through April 30</title>
  908. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/apple-magic-keyboard-folio-sponsored-deal/</link>
  910. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  911. <pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  912. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
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  920.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image-2.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A magnetic keyboard attached to a 10th-generation iPad." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Don't miss this limited-time offer to upgrade your tablet.</p>
  921. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/apple-magic-keyboard-folio-sponsored-deal/">Save $150 on this Apple Magic Keyboard that attaches to your iPad through April 30</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
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  924.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image-2.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A magnetic keyboard attached to a 10th-generation iPad." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  925. </div>
  926. <p>Enjoy using your iPad but looking to get more functionality out of the device? You can currently pick up a performance-boosting accessory at a surprisingly low price by taking advantage of <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/apple-magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-gen-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=apple-magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-gen-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594563&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qgxdIAA&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">a limited-time offer on a compatible, attachable keyboard</a>.</p>
  927.  
  928.  
  929.  
  930. <p>Pick up the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for 10th-generation iPads at only $94.97 (reg. $249) with no coupon necessary through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. That&#8217;s 60% of savings on a complete QWERTY-layout keyboard that includes a built-in trackpad and 14 function keys.</p>
  931.  
  932.  
  933.  
  934. <p>Instantly gain increased efficiency from this keyboard, <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/apple-magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-gen-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=apple-magic-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-10th-gen-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594563&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qgxdIAA&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">which seamlessly and securely attaches to the iPad</a> via a magnetic connection. Its design supports front and back protection, and features an adjustable stand that allows users to customize their viewing angles.</p>
  935.  
  936.  
  937.  
  938. <p>This keyboard is considered a &#8220;New Open Box&#8221; item,&nbsp; meaning it was likely excess inventory from store shelves that was shipped back to a warehouse. Thus, the exterior container may show signs of potential wear and tear, but the product itself has been tested and cleaned before being repackaged.</p>
  939.  
  940.  
  941.  
  942. <p>This keyboard gives you the versatility for stationary work on a desk or on-the-move use in a travel setting. Weighing less than two pounds, it&#8217;s an easy addition to any work bag.</p>
  943.  
  944.  
  945.  
  946. <p>Function keys allow you to easily adjust screen brightness and volume, or play and pause media. Whether you&#8217;re working on a lengthy text document, attempting to fill out a spreadsheet or simply aim to game, this keyboard is primed to elevate your iPad experience.</p>
  947.  
  948.  
  949.  
  950. <p>This product carries a store rating of five out of five based on verified buyer reviews, including one from January 2024 that reads, &#8220;It&#8217;s a perfect companion to the iPad and gives a lot of flexibility with the touchpad. It&#8217;s like turning your iPad into a mini MacBook Air. No delay or pairing and works seamlessly with iPad.&#8221;</p>
  951.  
  952.  
  953.  
  954. <p>Get more from <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-tablet-for-kids/">your tablet</a> without breaking your budget by picking up the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for 10th-generation iPads at only $94.97 (reg. $249) through April 30 at 11:59 p.m.</p>
  955.  
  956.  
  957.  
  958. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.</em></p>
  959. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/apple-magic-keyboard-folio-sponsored-deal/">Save $150 on this Apple Magic Keyboard that attaches to your iPad through April 30</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  960. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  964. </item>
  965. <item>
  966. <title>Oura Ring Gen3 health tracker review: It’s a complicated relationship</title>
  967. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/oura-ring-gen3-health-tracker-review/</link>
  969. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abby Ferguson]]></dc:creator>
  970. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  971. <category><![CDATA[Fitness & Exercise]]></category>
  972. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  973. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  974. <category><![CDATA[Wearables]]></category>
  975. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  976. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  977. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  978. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612224</guid>
  979.  
  980. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  981.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura-Ring-Heritage-2.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Oura Ring Heritage on top of a couple of rocks." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Oura Ring is a fashionable take on a health tracker. We wore it for most of eight months to find out if it prioritizes style over substance. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</span></figcaption></figure><p>There’s a lot to like about the Oura Ring, but is it … well-rounded? Here’s a look at the features and frustrations.</p>
  982. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/oura-ring-gen3-health-tracker-review/">Oura Ring Gen3 health tracker review: It’s a complicated relationship</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  983. ]]></description>
  984. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  985.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura-Ring-Heritage-2.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Oura Ring Heritage on top of a couple of rocks." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Oura Ring is a fashionable take on a health tracker. We wore it for most of eight months to find out if it prioritizes style over substance. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  986. </div>
  987. <p>The market is absolutely flooded with devices designed to track your health, most of which reside on the wearer’s wrist. Relatively newer to the health-tracking game, though, are smart rings. The Oura Ring was first released in 2015 but didn’t gain widespread recognition and popularity until roughly 2020. Its main function at the time was sleep tracking, but it has since broadened its applications, offering general health and fitness data for those who don’t want a screen on their wrist.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  988.  
  989.  
  990.  
  991. <p>I was not exactly sold when I first heard of the Oura Ring. I didn’t understand the benefit of a smart ring when you could just wear a watch. When Oura reached out to see if I would be interested in testing one, however, I decided to see what all the hype was about. I’ve been wearing it since the end of August 2023, giving me just over eight months of time living with it. And I have developed a complicated relationship with it. </p>
  992.  
  993.  
  994. <div
  995.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  996.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  997. >
  998.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  999.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Oura-Ring-Gen3-Heritage-Tracking/dp/B0CSR92JW2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1000.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1001.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura_Ring_final_thoughts_image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura_Ring_final_thoughts_image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Fitness &amp; Exercise photo">
  1002.                      </figure>
  1003.                  </a>
  1004.            </div>
  1005.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1006.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1007.        <p><em>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</em></p>
  1008.  
  1009.      </figcaption>
  1010.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1011.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Oura-Ring-Gen3-Heritage-Tracking/dp/B0CSR92JW2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000"
  1012.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1013.      </p>
  1014.      </div>
  1015. </div>
  1016.  
  1017.  
  1018.  
  1019. <p><strong>Overview</strong></p>
  1020.  
  1021.  
  1022.  
  1023. <ul>
  1024. <li>Though bulky for a ring, the Oura Ring offers a more discreet profile than smartwatches.</li>
  1025.  
  1026.  
  1027.  
  1028. <li>The Oura Ring tracks a range of health metrics, including heart rate, temperature, sleep, and more.</li>
  1029.  
  1030.  
  1031.  
  1032. <li>The durable and waterproof design means it can stand up to the rigors of daily life.&nbsp;</li>
  1033. </ul>
  1034.  
  1035.  
  1036.  
  1037. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1038.  
  1039.  
  1040.  
  1041. <ul>
  1042. <li>Collects lots of data</li>
  1043.  
  1044.  
  1045.  
  1046. <li>Mostly accurate sleep info</li>
  1047.  
  1048.  
  1049.  
  1050. <li>App is full of helpful insights and tools</li>
  1051.  
  1052.  
  1053.  
  1054. <li>Durable and waterproof</li>
  1055.  
  1056.  
  1057.  
  1058. <li>Features specific to women’s health</li>
  1059.  
  1060.  
  1061.  
  1062. <li>Frequent updates and new features</li>
  1063.  
  1064.  
  1065.  
  1066. <li>May be eligible for FSA/HSA funds</li>
  1067. </ul>
  1068.  
  1069.  
  1070.  
  1071. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  1072.  
  1073.  
  1074.  
  1075. <ul>
  1076. <li>Needs to be removed frequently</li>
  1077.  
  1078.  
  1079.  
  1080. <li>Fairly bulky</li>
  1081.  
  1082.  
  1083.  
  1084. <li>Tethered GPS is quite inaccurate</li>
  1085.  
  1086.  
  1087.  
  1088. <li>Requires a monthly subscription to access all features</li>
  1089. </ul>
  1090.  
  1091.  
  1092.  
  1093. <p><strong>Verdict:</strong> The Oura Ring is a minimalistic health tracker that helps you better understand your sleep and overall health.  </p>
  1094.  
  1095.  
  1096.  
  1097. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-oura-ring-s-design-amp-build"><strong>The Oura Ring’s design &amp; build</strong></h2>
  1098.  
  1099.  
  1100.  
  1101. <p>The Oura ring comes in several different finishes and two different designs. <a href="https://ouraring.sjv.io/c/2536217/1408413/16760?subId1=PS-RV&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fproduct%2Frings%2Fheritage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Heritage</a>, the original Oura Ring, features a rectangular plateaued top. For an additional $50, you can opt for <a href="https://ouraring.sjv.io/c/2536217/1408413/16760?subId1=PS-RV&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fproduct%2Frings%2Fhorizon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the Horizon version</a>, which offers a typical, fully round ring. All of the rings, regardless of finish, are made with titanium on the outside, which is strong, non-allergenic, and lighter than most other metals. On the inside is a medical-grade, BPA-free molding. I’ve been wearing <a href="https://ouraring.sjv.io/c/2536217/1408413/16760?subId1=PS-RV&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fproduct%2Frings%2Fhorizon%2Frose" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the Horizon in rose gold</a>, which is manufactured using a vapor deposition (PVD) coating for added durability.&nbsp;</p>
  1102.  
  1103.  
  1104.  
  1105. <p>The ring feels like, well, a ring, albeit quite bulky compared to rings that I wear. It’s 2.55mm thick (the Heritage will be slightly thicker on the top), roughly the thickness of most wedding bands. It’s worth stating that I have tiny hands, so all but the most dainty rings feel bulky on me. The band is 7.9mm wide and, depending on the size, weighs 0.14 to 0.21 ounces.&nbsp;</p>
  1106.  
  1107.  
  1108.  
  1109. <p>There’s a subtle notch on the outside that indicates the orientation of the ring, as the sensors should be on the palm side of your finger. There are also three little bumps on the inside of the ring that sit against the finger, which aren’t noticeable at all during normal wear.&nbsp;</p>
  1110.  
  1111.  
  1112.  
  1113. <p>The Oura ring is waterproof to 330 feet, so you can wear it when you shower, swim, and snorkel. However, Oura says it doesn’t recommend the ring for scuba diving and that it shouldn’t be submerged for more than 12 hours. Even though it’s waterproof, I typically remove the ring if I’m washing lots of dishes or cleaning, mostly because water tends to get trapped under the band.&nbsp;</p>
  1114.  
  1115.  
  1116.  
  1117. <p>The rose gold finish has noticeable scratches and some patina these days, but I haven’t been super precious with it. I take it off when I’m lifting weights, at the beach, or during any other activity that requires using my hands because of the bulkiness, but otherwise live my normal life with it on. Most of the scratches are on the palm side of the ring, which makes sense as that’s the area that makes contact with things nearly constantly throughout the day. The top of the ring still looks rather shiny and smooth despite eight months of wear. </p>
  1118.  
  1119.  
  1120.  
  1121. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura-Ring-Heritage.jpg" alt="Fitness &amp; Exercise photo" class="wp-image-612245"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Oura ring is certainly smaller than <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-fitness-tracker/">a fitness tracker</a>, but it’s bulky enough that I don’t like wearing it for most activities that use my hands.  <i>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</i></figcaption></figure>
  1122.  
  1123.  
  1124.  
  1125. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensors-nbsp">Sensors&nbsp;</h3>
  1126.  
  1127.  
  1128.  
  1129. <p>Naturally, as a smart ring, the Oura Ring is built with a few sensors. The infrared photoplethysmography sensors (PPG) use LED light to measure heart rate and respiration. If you sleep with the ring, don’t be alarmed when you see your finger glowing in the middle of the night. <a href="https://ouraring.sjv.io/c/2536217/1408413/16760?subId1=-&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fblog%2Fring-technology%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Oura says</a> this sensor samples 250 times per second and is 99.9% reliable compared to a medical-grade electrocardiogram (ECG). It uses the heart rate data also to tell you your resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiration.&nbsp;</p>
  1130.  
  1131.  
  1132.  
  1133. <p>There’s also a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) sensor that measures your nighttime temperature. It won’t tell you what your actual temperature is, but will tell you how much your temperature changes overnight. It’s sensitive enough to pick up changes of just 0.1° Celsius. The temperature data is useful if you are sick, but it also helps those with cycles track what phase of their cycle they are in, as there are predictable rises and falls in temperature for each phase.&nbsp;</p>
  1134.  
  1135.  
  1136.  
  1137. <p>Finally, a 3D accelerometer detects your activity during the day. Keep in mind, though, that there is no GPS in the Oura Ring. Instead, the ring relies on tethered GPS, meaning it pulls location data from your phone. Beyond activity, the accelerometer also tracks nighttime restlessness and helps identify your sleep stages.&nbsp;</p>
  1138.  
  1139.  
  1140.  
  1141. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura_Ring_sensors.jpg" alt="Rose Gold Oura Ring Horizon sitting upright on a piece of driftwood, three interior sensor bubbles visible" class="wp-image-612291"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Despite the ring&#8217;s tiny size relative to a watch, it still packs in multiple sensors to detect a range of health metrics. <i>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</i></figcaption></figure>
  1142.  
  1143.  
  1144.  
  1145. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensor-accuracy">Sensor accuracy</h3>
  1146.  
  1147.  
  1148.  
  1149. <p>My testing process didn’t involve any lab time for testing the sensors, but I was able to compare them to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-fitness-watch/">the best fitness watches</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-heart-rate-monitors/">heart rate monitors</a> I use. I found the heart rate pretty spot on with what I get from my watches and even higher fidelity chest-based monitors. In fact, on a recent run, both my Oura Ring and Garmin HRM-Fit (chest-based strap) said my average heart rate was 153.&nbsp;</p>
  1150.  
  1151.  
  1152.  
  1153. <p>I wasn’t taking my temperature every day to compare what the Oura Ring was picking up, but I tend to get pretty sick from the COVID-19 vaccine and was wearing the ring when I got my last booster. The ring detected that my temperature was 2.3 degrees higher than normal, and sure enough, I had a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit. In terms of accelerometer accuracy, it mostly picks up when I’ve had a restless night, though not perfectly.&nbsp;</p>
  1154.  
  1155.  
  1156.  
  1157. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battery-amp-connectivity">Battery &amp; connectivity</h3>
  1158.  
  1159.  
  1160.  
  1161. <p>To use any of your data, the ring needs to sync to the phone app using <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/how-does-bluetooth-work/">a Bluetooth Low Energy connection</a>. This happens frequently in the background, but you can also open the app and prompt it to sync with the ring. The app is also how you’ll update the firmware and see all your data.</p>
  1162.  
  1163.  
  1164.  
  1165. <p>The ring uses an integrated 15mAh (US6) &#8211; 22mAh (US13) Lipo battery. In the original Heritage ring, the battery sits in the rectangular top, while the newer Horizon-style ring uses a flexible battery to maintain the fully rounded shape. Oura promises a battery life of seven days, though it does warn that having blood oxygen sensing turned on will deplete the battery faster. I have Blood Oxygen Sensing turned on and typically get about five to six days on a single charge. The app will remind you to charge the ring before bed if the battery gets low, which is helpful.&nbsp;</p>
  1166.  
  1167.  
  1168.  
  1169. <p>Luckily, charging is fairly quick. I noticed the battery was at roughly 15% before popping out for a run, so I tossed it on the charger to see if I could get enough power to track my activity. I was able to get up to 48% battery in 25 minutes of charging, which was plenty for my 30-minute run. If the battery is fully dead, a full charge takes closer to two hours. I tend to put the ring on the proprietary charger when I’m taking a shower or doing any sort of activity that isn’t conducive to wearing the ring to keep it topped off so I can always wear it to bed for sleep tracking.&nbsp;</p>
  1170.  
  1171.  
  1172.  
  1173. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura-Ring-Heritage-on-its-charging-stand.jpg" alt="Fitness &amp; Exercise photo" class="wp-image-612242"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The ring slots onto the charging stand in only one way to accommodate the sensor bumps. It features a light that tells you when it’s actively charging or fully charged.&nbsp; <i>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</i></figcaption></figure>
  1174.  
  1175.  
  1176.  
  1177. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-oura-ring-s-features"><strong>The Oura Ring’s features</strong></h2>
  1178.  
  1179.  
  1180.  
  1181. <p>The Oura ring may look simple, but it offers quite a few features. Between the data it gathers and the app, Oura makes it pretty easy to get a snapshot of your health and wellness.</p>
  1182.  
  1183.  
  1184.  
  1185. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-tracking">Sleep tracking</h3>
  1186.  
  1187.  
  1188.  
  1189. <p>One of the primary features of the Oura Ring is its sleep-tracking abilities. The ring collects heart rate, respiration, heart rate variability, and movement data throughout the night and then provides a score to let you know the quality of your sleep. It can also pick up what time you go to bed and wake up and detect naps. I fell asleep on the couch one night while watching TV, and the app asked if I took a 20-minute nap from 10:20 to 10:40 pm, which was exactly when I was asleep. That nap was then added to my sleep score since it was so close to when I went to bed.&nbsp;</p>
  1190.  
  1191.  
  1192.  
  1193. <p>Beyond tracking, there are some other helpful sleep tools in the Oura app that I’ve enjoyed. My favorites are the Body Clock and chronotype tools. To provide your chronotype (a fancy way of saying if you are a morning or night person), Oura looks at sleep, activity, and body temperature data over a three-month period of consistent use. It then gives you suggestions on when the ideal time to work out or perform certain types of tasks would be based on your chronotype. While this information is more interesting than earth-shattering in terms of how it impacts my life, it could make a difference for some.&nbsp;</p>
  1194.  
  1195.  
  1196.  
  1197. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-tracking">Fitness tracking</h3>
  1198.  
  1199.  
  1200.  
  1201. <p>Calling the Oura Ring a fitness tracker is generous, but it does have activity-tracking capabilities. It can automatically detect 40 activities, including housework, but I found the automatic detection to be very hit-and-miss. It almost always thinks I was walking as well, even though there are other options.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  1202.  
  1203.  
  1204.  
  1205. <p>Since there are no buttons or interactive controls on the ring itself, you need the app to do any tracking. Once in the app, you tap the plus sign in the bottom right corner and select “Record workout HR.” Then, you can choose between indoor or outdoor cycling, indoor or outdoor running, or walking. The record button starts tracking, and you’ll need to open the app again to end tracking.&nbsp;</p>
  1206.  
  1207.  
  1208.  
  1209. <p>While Oura relies on your phone&#8217;s GPS for anything related to distance and mapping, each company handles tethered GPS differently, resulting in various levels of accuracy. Unfortunately, Oura’s tethered GPS is the worst I’ve come across. A 30-minute run with the Oura Ring and my <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-hiking-watches/">Garmin epix Pro</a> (which has multi-band GPS and is known for accuracy) showed a distance of 0.3 miles for the ring and 2.6 miles for the watch. I know I’m no speed demon, but I definitely did more than 0.3 miles in 32 minutes while running.</p>
  1210.  
  1211.  
  1212.  
  1213. <p>Comparing two tethered devices, I wore the Oura ring along with my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Stylish-Smartwatch-Display-Patterned/dp/B0CP9BFHFB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Garmin Lily 2</a>, which also relies on tethered GPS. Both were on the left hand. Oura had my distance at 0.7, while the Garmin was 1.67. This route is one I do some variation of multiple times a day, and 1.67 is definitely very close to the correct distance. </p>
  1214.  
  1215.  
  1216.  
  1217. <p>Because of the GPS inaccuracy, I would not recommend the Oura for fitness tracking. Distance and pace data influence a handful of fitness and readiness-related tools, so inaccurate data on those items will throw a lot of stuff off. Luckily, you can connect to Strava and import that data so your Oura account can utilize more accurate information for its health and wellness features.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  1218.  
  1219.  
  1220.  
  1221. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="768" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Screenshot_20240424_093328_Strava.jpg" alt="A comparison between the Oura Ring's GPS (left) and data recorded with my Garmin Lily 2 on the same walk." class="wp-image-612322"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A comparison between the Oura Ring&#8217;s GPS (left) and data recorded with my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Stylish-Smartwatch-Display-Patterned/dp/B0CP9BFHFB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612224O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Garmin Lily 2</a> on the same walk. <i>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</i></figcaption></figure>
  1222.  
  1223.  
  1224.  
  1225. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-s-health">Women’s health</h3>
  1226.  
  1227.  
  1228.  
  1229. <p>The women’s health features appeared relatively recently in the Oura’s arsenal. The app offers the ability to track cycles and now offers pregnancy insights as well. For cycle tracking, the Oura app will prompt you to to input if you use hormonal contraceptives or other hormones. If you use hormones of any type, you won’t be able to see your cycle phases. I really wanted to see my phases, so despite having a hormonal IUD, I selected “none” for hormones.&nbsp;</p>
  1230.  
  1231.  
  1232.  
  1233. <p>It’s been very interesting to watch my temperature shift nightly over the course of my cycle. Plus, even with my hormonal birth control, Oura has been pretty spot on at predicting when my period will start and how long it will last. This information is more interesting for me than actionable, but I could see how it would be useful if something odd started happening or I had concerns that I wanted to show my doctor.&nbsp;</p>
  1234.  
  1235.  
  1236.  
  1237. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oura-app">Oura app</h3>
  1238.  
  1239.  
  1240.  
  1241. <p>The Oura Ring’s sensors collect data, which the app compiles into a more digestible, usable format. The app&#8217;s homepage has different sections showing your sleep, activity goal, stress levels, heart rate, and more. You can click into the different sections to see graphs and track trends over time. Alternatively, you can open the Trends portion of the app for a quick glance at sleep, readiness, activity, and stress trends over time.&nbsp;</p>
  1242.  
  1243.  
  1244.  
  1245. <p>On top of all your data, the app provides suggestions for activity levels based on your information. There are guided meditations and breathing exercises, and plenty of tips on improving sleep, time meals, and understanding your data.&nbsp;</p>
  1246.  
  1247.  
  1248.  
  1249. <p>Unfortunately, a subscription is required to access most features and insights in the app. You get one month free, but after that, it is $5.99 a month. Without an Oura membership, you’ll only be able to see Sleep, Readiness, and Activity scores without any in-depth analysis.&nbsp;</p>
  1250.  
  1251.  
  1252.  
  1253. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Oura-Ring-Heritage-1.jpg" alt="Fitness &amp; Exercise photo" class="wp-image-612246"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Oura Ring is a nice-looking device, blending seamlessly into daily life, even for fancier occasions.&nbsp; <i>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</i></figcaption></figure>
  1254.  
  1255.  
  1256.  
  1257. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-my-oura-ring-experience"><strong>Final thoughts on my Oura Ring experience</strong></h2>
  1258.  
  1259.  
  1260.  
  1261. <p>As a bit of a data junky, I certainly appreciate the information I get from the Oura Ring. It’s helped me understand my body a bit better, especially from a women’s health and sleep perspective. I also just think it’s fascinating to see trends over time. Plus, Oura makes it easy to export the data should you want to share something with your doctor, which is really nice.&nbsp;</p>
  1262.  
  1263.  
  1264.  
  1265. <p>My main issue is with the experience of actually wearing the ring, which is more so a personal preference. I find myself taking the ring off quite frequently. Water gets trapped underneath when washing my hands, so I at least need to take it off after to dry it. I don’t like to wear it when cooking since ingredients can get under it, and I wash my hands frequently in the process. Though it can be worn in the shower, I don’t enjoy it, so it comes off. The same goes for when I’m applying lotion. It is too bulky to wear while weight lifting or biking, so I remove it for those activities. You get the gist. Then, in all those times of taking the ring off, I am typically not the best about remembering to put it back on.&nbsp;</p>
  1266.  
  1267.  
  1268.  
  1269. <p>Despite my frustrations with constantly needing to remove the ring, I still see its benefits. There’s no denying that the Oura Ring looks nice, blending into the day-to-day more than an aggressive fitness watch. The smaller form factor is also more comfortable to sleep in, especially if you aren’t used to constantly wearing a watch. And sometimes, it’s nice to separate from a screen and smartwatch notifications while still collecting data. Plus, Oura is actively rolling out new features and researching new ways to use the ring, so investment-wise, you’ll continue to get a lot out of it.<br>Overall, like anything, there are pros and cons. There are enough pros to keep wearing the ring, and I will continue to do so even after writing this review. In my opinion, the benefits outweigh the occasional annoyance of wearing it. So, my complicated relationship with <a href="https://ouraring.sjv.io/c/2536217/1408413/16760?subId1=PS-RV&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fouraring.com%2Fproduct%2Frings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the Oura Ring</a> will continue for the foreseeable future.</p>
  1270. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/oura-ring-gen3-health-tracker-review/">Oura Ring Gen3 health tracker review: It’s a complicated relationship</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  1271. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  1275. </item>
  1276. <item>
  1277. <title>The best fans for 2024</title>
  1278. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-fan/</link>
  1280. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jordan Landsman and Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  1281. <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jun 2021 18:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
  1282. <category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
  1283. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  1284. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  1285. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  1286. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  1287. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  1288. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  1289. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  1290. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=368374</guid>
  1291.  
  1292. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  1293.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/The-best-fans-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best fans of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>Beat the heat during the sweaty season with these breezy picks.</p>
  1294. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-fan/">The best fans for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  1295. ]]></description>
  1296. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  1297.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/The-best-fans-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best fans of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  1298. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  1299.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  1300.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  1301.      <tbody>
  1302.              <tr
  1303.          class="ProductTable-product"
  1304.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  1305.        >
  1306.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  1307.            Best overall
  1308.          </td>
  1309.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  1310.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Windmill Fan on the top of a desk." class="wp-image-612044" width="264" height="165">
  1311.          </td>
  1312.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  1313.            Windmill Fan
  1314.          </td>
  1315.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  1316.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  1317.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1318.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1319.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1320.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1321.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1322.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  1323.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1324.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1325.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1326.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1327.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1328.                                  </div>
  1329.                          </div>
  1330.          </td>
  1331.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  1332.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  1333.                <span>
  1334.                  SEE IT
  1335.                </span>
  1336.            </a>
  1337.          </td>
  1338.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  1339.              <p>This sleek-looking fan is smart, powerful, and nearly silent at its lowest setting.</p>
  1340.  
  1341.            </td>
  1342.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  1343.        </tr>
  1344.              <tr
  1345.          class="ProductTable-product"
  1346.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  1347.        >
  1348.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  1349.            Best window
  1350.          </td>
  1351.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  1352.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A large all-gray fan with two twin reversible airflow blades centered on a red button and numbers on it." class="wp-image-368384" width="264" height="165">
  1353.          </td>
  1354.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  1355.            Bionaire Window Fan w/ Twin 8.5-In. Blades
  1356.          </td>
  1357.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  1358.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  1359.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1360.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1361.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1362.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1363.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1364.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  1365.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1366.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1367.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1368.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1369.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1370.                                  </div>
  1371.                          </div>
  1372.          </td>
  1373.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  1374.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  1375.                <span>
  1376.                  SEE IT
  1377.                </span>
  1378.            </a>
  1379.          </td>
  1380.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  1381.              <p>Takes in cool air while expelling hot air.</p>
  1382.  
  1383.            </td>
  1384.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  1385.        </tr>
  1386.              <tr
  1387.          class="ProductTable-product"
  1388.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  1389.        >
  1390.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  1391.            Best budget
  1392.          </td>
  1393.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  1394.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A portable all black color desk fan with an upper round shape and with flat shape under it." class="wp-image-368426" width="264" height="165">
  1395.          </td>
  1396.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  1397.            Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan
  1398.          </td>
  1399.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  1400.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  1401.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1402.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1403.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1404.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1405.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1406.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  1407.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1408.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1409.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1410.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1411.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  1412.                                  </div>
  1413.                          </div>
  1414.          </td>
  1415.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  1416.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  1417.                <span>
  1418.                  SEE IT
  1419.                </span>
  1420.            </a>
  1421.          </td>
  1422.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  1423.              <p>This small but mighty model has an aerodynamic turbo design that allows you to feel the air from 27 feet away.</p>
  1424.  
  1425.            </td>
  1426.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  1427.        </tr>
  1428.            </tbody>
  1429.    </table>
  1430.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  1431.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  1432.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  1433.    </div>
  1434.  </div>
  1435. </div>
  1436.  
  1437.  
  1438.  
  1439. <p>As the thermostat rises, having a fan on hand for your home or outdoor adventure needs makes sense before the stifling summer weather makes you too lazy to shop. In addition to cooling you down without running up your electricity bill, an efficient one can help keep you healthy by stimulating air circulation. Science has confirmed that <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science-confirms-obvious-we-hate-being-hot/">we hate being hot</a>, and a quality fan could mean the difference between a pleasant evening or a poor night’s sleep. With that in mind, we’ve compiled this handy guide to the best fans to help you chill out and find relief from the sweltering heat.</p>
  1440.  
  1441.  
  1442.  
  1443. <ul>
  1444. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Windmill Fan</a></li>
  1445.  
  1446.  
  1447.  
  1448. <li><strong>Best for large spaces: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KTGT7RB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Big Ass Sidekick Portable Fan</a></li>
  1449.  
  1450.  
  1451.  
  1452. <li><strong>Best battery-powered: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shark-FlexBreeze-Oscillating-Attachment-FA222/dp/B0CSDS34CQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Shark FlexBreeze</a></li>
  1453.  
  1454.  
  1455.  
  1456. <li><strong>Best for window: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bionaire Window Fan w/ Twin 8.5-In. Blades</a></li>
  1457.  
  1458.  
  1459.  
  1460. <li><strong>Best for desk:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-CR1-0121-06-Large-Whole-Circulator/dp/B0025QKUE8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan</a></li>
  1461.  
  1462.  
  1463.  
  1464. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan</a></li>
  1465. </ul>
  1466.  
  1467.  
  1468.  
  1469. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-fans"><strong>How we chose the best fans</strong></h2>
  1470.  
  1471.  
  1472.  
  1473. <p>Our fan recommendations are based on a combination of hands-on testing and research. When determining which fans to feature, we considered room size, fan size, and window type. </p>
  1474.  
  1475.  
  1476.  
  1477. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2--strong-the-best-fans-reviews-amp-recommendations-strong-"><strong>The best fans: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  1478.  
  1479.  
  1480.  
  1481. <p>Whether you’re looking for the best fan for your bedroom to <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fans-cooling" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keep cool at night</a>, a battery-powered <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-fan/">portable fan</a> to bring on your next camping trip, or deciding between the best window or electric fan, we&#8217;ve got cool choices for cooling down.</p>
  1482.  
  1483.  
  1484.  
  1485. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-windmill-fan"><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Windmill Fan</a></h3>
  1486.  
  1487.  
  1488. <div
  1489.    id="windmill-fan"
  1490.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1491.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1492. >
  1493.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1494.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1495.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1496.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Windmill-Fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Windmill Fan on the top of a desk.">
  1497.                      </figure>
  1498.                  </a>
  1499.            </div>
  1500.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1501.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1502.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  1503.  
  1504.      </figcaption>
  1505.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1506.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1507.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1508.      </p>
  1509.      </div>
  1510. </div>
  1511.  
  1512.  
  1513.  
  1514. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1515.  
  1516.  
  1517.  
  1518. <ul>
  1519. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 6.5 x 8 x 10.98 Inches</li>
  1520.  
  1521.  
  1522.  
  1523. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Desk</li>
  1524.  
  1525.  
  1526.  
  1527. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $79</li>
  1528. </ul>
  1529.  
  1530.  
  1531.  
  1532. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1533.  
  1534.  
  1535.  
  1536. <ul>
  1537. <li>Clean, modern look</li>
  1538.  
  1539.  
  1540.  
  1541. <li>Surprisingly quiet given its power</li>
  1542.  
  1543.  
  1544.  
  1545. <li>Useful smart features</li>
  1546. </ul>
  1547.  
  1548.  
  1549.  
  1550. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1551.  
  1552.  
  1553.  
  1554. <ul>
  1555. <li>No height adjustment</li>
  1556. </ul>
  1557.  
  1558.  
  1559.  
  1560. <p>Windmill&#8217;s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-energy-efficient-air-conditioners/">smart air conditioner</a> impressed us mightily when we tested it last year, but the company&#8217;s new smart fan—pardon the pun—blew us away. It actually improved the aesthetics of our home office desk due in large part to Windmill&#8217;s focus on circles. The base of the fan is a circle, the face of the fan is a circle, the cutout in the middle is a circle, and around the back are two additional circular housings that hold the fan&#8217;s motors and other mechanisms. Viewed from the side, the fan looks like a layer cake suspended in mid-air. While looks aren&#8217;t everything, this is an object you&#8217;re likely to keep on top of your desk for years, and it&#8217;s helpful that Windmill took this into consideration. </p>
  1561.  
  1562.  
  1563.  
  1564. <p>The Windmill Fan has five speed settings—the first three were designed for standard desk fan use, while the fourth and fifth settings allow you to use the Windmill Fan as an air circulator. On its first setting, the Windmill Fan was inaudible, providing the equivalent of a pleasant breeze without creating a buzzing sound. This is especially important if you&#8217;d like some relief while presenting on a work call from home. </p>
  1565.  
  1566.  
  1567.  
  1568. <p>The second and third fan settings provided much more airflow while increasing the amount of ambient noise it made reasonable amount. The Windmill Fan was never too loud, but you wouldn&#8217;t want to crank it up during a work call. On its fourth and fifth settings (which Windmill calls High and Boost), a jetstream from this fan could be easily felt from about 12 feet away. This is overkill for typical desk fan use but helpful if you&#8217;d like to move a lot of air around a big room very quickly.</p>
  1569.  
  1570.  
  1571.  
  1572. <p>Windmill&#8217;s fan can be controlled in three ways: by pushing a button on its base, using the included remote, or through the company&#8217;s smartphone app on iOS or Android. We&#8217;re skeptical about making every electronic object &#8220;smart,&#8221; but found the process of connecting this fan to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-wifi-routers/">our Wi-Fi router</a> simple enough. The entire setup process took about five minutes (we already had a Windmill account, which expedited it) so we could turn the fan on and adjust its speed settings from our smartphone. If you&#8217;re liable to lose the extra remote or prefer to keep the top of your desk as clean as possible, this fan&#8217;s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-smart-home-devices/">smart-home</a> functions are reasonable enough. </p>
  1573.  
  1574.  
  1575.  
  1576. <p>Our complaints about Windmill&#8217;s fan have nothing to do with what it does but rather what it can&#8217;t do. The fan has no height adjustment or oscillation function, so you&#8217;ll have to manually move it around (and potentially stack it on top of a book or two) to hit you at the correct angle. You can tilt the fan upward, which is helpful but not quite the same. As a first-generation gadget, though, it&#8217;s hard to find any significant fault with the Windmill Fan.</p>
  1577.  
  1578.  
  1579.  
  1580. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-large-spaces-big-ass-sidekick-portable-fan"><strong>Best for large spaces: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KTGT7RB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Big Ass Sidekick Portable Fan</a></h3>
  1581.  
  1582.  
  1583. <div
  1584.    id="big-ass-sidekick-fan"
  1585.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1586.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1587. >
  1588.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1589.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KTGT7RB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1590.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1591.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/22/best-portable-fans-industrial.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/22/best-portable-fans-industrial.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Big Ass Sidekick is the best portable fan for industrial purposes.">
  1592.                      </figure>
  1593.                  </a>
  1594.            </div>
  1595.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1596.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1597.        <p><em>Big Ass</em></p>
  1598.  
  1599.      </figcaption>
  1600.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1601.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KTGT7RB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1602.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1603.      </p>
  1604.      </div>
  1605. </div>
  1606.  
  1607.  
  1608.  
  1609. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1610.  
  1611.  
  1612.  
  1613. <ul>
  1614. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 27 x 55 x 59.5 inches</li>
  1615.  
  1616.  
  1617.  
  1618. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Floor</li>
  1619.  
  1620.  
  1621.  
  1622. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $2,599</li>
  1623. </ul>
  1624.  
  1625.  
  1626.  
  1627. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1628.  
  1629.  
  1630.  
  1631. <ul>
  1632. <li>Gigantic size</li>
  1633.  
  1634.  
  1635.  
  1636. <li>IPX5 rating</li>
  1637.  
  1638.  
  1639.  
  1640. <li>Comes pre-assembled </li>
  1641. </ul>
  1642.  
  1643.  
  1644.  
  1645. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1646.  
  1647.  
  1648.  
  1649. <ul>
  1650. <li>Too big for indoor use</li>
  1651. </ul>
  1652.  
  1653.  
  1654.  
  1655. <p>Cooling a big space can be challenging, so you need a powerful fan when you set out to do it. The Big Ass Sidekick Portable Fan is up for the job. This barrel fan is 48 inches wide, providing plenty of airflow from its six airfoils. Big Ass Fans says this model can move up to 15,000 cubic meters of air per minute at its highest speed. This means it&#8217;s only practical to use outdoors, but that&#8217;s perfectly fine if you live in a warmer climate year-round and have backyard space.  The Sidekick comes fully assembled, and its swivel casters make it portable and lockable. It must be kept on wheels as its 275-pound weight would make it nearly impossible to move otherwise. With <a href="https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">its IPX5</a> waterproof rating, the Sidekick can be exposed to water without damage. You should still keep it covered during intense rainstorms, but a small sprinkle shouldn&#8217;t cause concern. The Sidekick isn&#8217;t for everyone, but if you have intense fan needs in a huge space, there&#8217;s no better choice.</p>
  1656.  
  1657.  
  1658.  
  1659. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-battery-powered-shark-flexbreeze"><strong>Best battery-powered: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shark-FlexBreeze-Oscillating-Attachment-FA222/dp/B0CSDS34CQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Shark FlexBreeze</a></h3>
  1660.  
  1661.  
  1662. <div
  1663.    id="shark-flexbreeze"
  1664.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1665.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1666. >
  1667.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1668.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shark-FlexBreeze-Oscillating-Attachment-FA222/dp/B0CSDS34CQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1669.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1670.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Shark-FlexBreeze.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/23/Shark-FlexBreeze.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Shark FlexBreeze attached to its base used outdoors.">
  1671.                      </figure>
  1672.                  </a>
  1673.            </div>
  1674.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1675.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1676.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  1677.  
  1678.      </figcaption>
  1679.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1680.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shark-FlexBreeze-Oscillating-Attachment-FA222/dp/B0CSDS34CQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1681.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1682.      </p>
  1683.      </div>
  1684. </div>
  1685.  
  1686.  
  1687.  
  1688. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1689.  
  1690.  
  1691.  
  1692. <ul>
  1693. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 13.77 x 13.77 x 37 inches</li>
  1694.  
  1695.  
  1696.  
  1697. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Floor</li>
  1698.  
  1699.  
  1700.  
  1701. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $199.99</li>
  1702. </ul>
  1703.  
  1704.  
  1705.  
  1706. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1707.  
  1708.  
  1709.  
  1710. <ul>
  1711. <li>Modular design</li>
  1712.  
  1713.  
  1714.  
  1715. <li>Magnetic remote</li>
  1716.  
  1717.  
  1718.  
  1719. <li>Misting feature</li>
  1720. </ul>
  1721.  
  1722.  
  1723.  
  1724. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1725.  
  1726.  
  1727.  
  1728. <ul>
  1729. <li>Cost</li>
  1730. </ul>
  1731.  
  1732.  
  1733.  
  1734. <p>While it&#8217;s great to have a stationary fan that you can depend on, it&#8217;s also very helpful to have one you can take throughout your day. Shark&#8217;s FlexBreeze takes this concept to the next level by allowing you to detach the fan from its floor-standing base at the push of a button. Small feet at the mini-sized fan&#8217;s base fold outward, keeping it steady on top of a table. This lets you use the FlexBreeze in any situation, regardless of the size of your room or the position of your outlets. It&#8217;s perfectly reasonable to use this as <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-tower-fans/">a tower fan</a> in your living room, then take it on <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-camping-gadgets/">a camping trip</a> to provide cool comfort when you&#8217;re outdoors. This modular design is reminiscent of Shark&#8217;s vacuums, and the ability to use one fan in different contexts came in handy more than once. </p>
  1735.  
  1736.  
  1737.  
  1738. <p>Buttons that control all of the FlexBreeze&#8217;s core functions (fan speed, oscillation) can be found on top of its fan, but we found ourselves gravitating toward its included remote for one reason: it&#8217;s magnetic. A raised bump on the back of the remote fits perfectly into a slot on the back of the fan, and it&#8217;ll hold even when shaken. Including a remote is especially helpful when using a wireless fan because a big benefit is using hardware unencumbered by cables and wires. </p>
  1739.  
  1740.  
  1741.  
  1742. <p>In our tests, the FlexBreeze could blast a jet of cool air across a 12-foot room with no problem, even on its lower settings. The fan was audible at each power level, though higher ones did create enough sound to overpower other ambient noise like a clicking <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-mechanical-keyboard/">mechanical keyboard</a>. This is fine if you&#8217;re using the FlexBreeze in a loud outdoor environment like a cookout, but less so if you need a quiet desk fan that can run eight hours a day without distraction. On that note, Shark says the FlexBreeze can last up to 24 hours per charge on its first power setting and oscillation turned off. We used it for about a dozen hours at various speeds and modes after fully topping it up and never ran into any issues.</p>
  1743.  
  1744.  
  1745.  
  1746. <p>One of the FlexBreeze&#8217;s optional features is <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-outdoor-misting-fans/">a misting mode</a>, which works by clipping an attachment onto the front of the fan and the other side onto a spigot used for a garden hose. The water flows to the attachment, where it&#8217;s lightly disbursed and blown toward you. You won&#8217;t get hit with a constant spray of hard water, but it&#8217;s the equivalent of a spritz you&#8217;d experience when using a spray bottle. Shark is explicit about only using this feature outdoors and never around areas with appliances or other electrical tools. </p>
  1747.  
  1748.  
  1749.  
  1750. <p>Shark&#8217;s FlexBreeze is not only the best battery-powered fan but also one of the most inventively designed models we&#8217;ve ever seen. It&#8217;s easy to take with you regardless of where it&#8217;s needed and can serve multiple purposes when necessary.</p>
  1751.  
  1752.  
  1753.  
  1754. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-windows-bionaire-window-fan-w-twin-8-5-in-blades"><strong>Best for windows: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bionaire Window Fan w/ Twin 8.5-In. Blades</a></h3>
  1755.  
  1756.  
  1757. <div
  1758.    id="flip-it-and-reverse-it"
  1759.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1760.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1761. >
  1762.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1763.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1764.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1765.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/bionaire-twin-blades-window-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A large all-gray fan with two twin reversible airflow blades centered on a red button and numbers on it.">
  1766.                      </figure>
  1767.                  </a>
  1768.            </div>
  1769.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1770.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1771.        <p><em>Bionaire</em></p>
  1772.  
  1773.      </figcaption>
  1774.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1775.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1776.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1777.      </p>
  1778.      </div>
  1779. </div>
  1780.  
  1781.  
  1782.  
  1783. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1784.  
  1785.  
  1786.  
  1787. <ul>
  1788. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 4 x 24 x 12.8 inches</li>
  1789.  
  1790.  
  1791.  
  1792. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Window</li>
  1793.  
  1794.  
  1795.  
  1796. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $64.99 </li>
  1797. </ul>
  1798.  
  1799.  
  1800.  
  1801. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1802.  
  1803.  
  1804.  
  1805. <ul>
  1806. <li>Adjustable frame</li>
  1807.  
  1808.  
  1809.  
  1810. <li>Three speed settings</li>
  1811.  
  1812.  
  1813.  
  1814. <li>Comes with a remote</li>
  1815. </ul>
  1816.  
  1817.  
  1818.  
  1819. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1820.  
  1821.  
  1822.  
  1823. <ul>
  1824. <li>Dated look</li>
  1825. </ul>
  1826.  
  1827.  
  1828.  
  1829. <p>Bionaire&#8217;s Twin Window Fan is designed for those who want to stay cool without dedicating floor or desk space to a traditional fan or installing an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-energy-efficient-air-conditioners/">air conditioner</a>. Its most impressive technical feature is that it lets you control both blades individually, which means you can program it to bring in fresh air from outside, expel hot air from indoors, or do both simultaneously. Buttons on the fan&#8217;s face allow you to control its speed, mode, and airflow functions, but you can make adjustments wirelessly using the included remote. A small LCD screen in the center of the fan&#8217;s control panel shows the current temperature, and you can set the fan to turn on when your room gets too stuffy. </p>
  1830.  
  1831.  
  1832.  
  1833. <p>Bionaire designed its fan with adjustable sliders on the sides, which you can extend to accommodate windows up to 34 inches long. The minimum amount of space you&#8217;ll need to use this fan is two feet, so make your measurements ahead of time. While the Bionaire&#8217;s Twin Window Fan isn&#8217;t the best-looking gadget we&#8217;ve seen, it makes up for this in sheer utility. Don&#8217;t hesitate to pick one up if you&#8217;re trying to get cool and have a double-hung, vertical slider, or casement window.</p>
  1834.  
  1835.  
  1836.  
  1837. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-desk-vornado-660-large-whole-room-air-circulator-fan"><strong>Best desk: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-CR1-0121-06-Large-Whole-Circulator/dp/B0025QKUE8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan</a></h3>
  1838.  
  1839.  
  1840. <div
  1841.    id="sleek-circulation"
  1842.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1843.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1844. >
  1845.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1846.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-CR1-0121-06-Large-Whole-Circulator/dp/B0025QKUE8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1847.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1848.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/vornado-660-large-whole-room-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/vornado-660-large-whole-room-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A black fan all with a round head and empty spaces inside it as well as a flat support.">
  1849.                      </figure>
  1850.                  </a>
  1851.            </div>
  1852.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1853.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1854.        <p><em>Vornado </em></p>
  1855.  
  1856.      </figcaption>
  1857.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1858.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-CR1-0121-06-Large-Whole-Circulator/dp/B0025QKUE8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1859.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1860.      </p>
  1861.      </div>
  1862. </div>
  1863.  
  1864.  
  1865.  
  1866. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1867.  
  1868.  
  1869.  
  1870. <ul>
  1871. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 11.75 x 13.5 x 15 inches</li>
  1872.  
  1873.  
  1874.  
  1875. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Desk</li>
  1876.  
  1877.  
  1878.  
  1879. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $99.99</li>
  1880. </ul>
  1881.  
  1882.  
  1883.  
  1884. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1885.  
  1886.  
  1887.  
  1888. <ul>
  1889. <li>Reaches up to 100 feet</li>
  1890.  
  1891.  
  1892.  
  1893. <li>Vortex action airflow</li>
  1894.  
  1895.  
  1896.  
  1897. <li>Four speed settings</li>
  1898. </ul>
  1899.  
  1900.  
  1901.  
  1902. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1903.  
  1904.  
  1905.  
  1906. <ul>
  1907. <li>No remote</li>
  1908. </ul>
  1909.  
  1910.  
  1911.  
  1912. <p>The Vornado 660 packs the performance of a large box fan into a package small enough to fit on an office desk or side table. The company says the fan uses a circulator designed to use a specific airflow that can disperse air more efficiently than similarly-sized models. Similarly, the fan can push air as far as 100 feet at its top speed, providing ample relief from across a room. There are four speed settings to choose from, up from the traditional three, so you&#8217;ll have a little extra control over its power. We can quibble with the fact that this fan doesn&#8217;t have welcome extras like a remote, but that doesn&#8217;t have a huge impact on its performance. If you&#8217;re short on space but want a fan that can deliver ample cool airflow from the top of a desk, this is the one. </p>
  1913.  
  1914.  
  1915.  
  1916. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-honeywell-ht-900-turboforce-air-circulator-fan"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan</a></h3>
  1917.  
  1918.  
  1919. <div
  1920.    id="small-but-mighty"
  1921.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  1922.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  1923. >
  1924.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  1925.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  1926.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  1927.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/27/honeywell-turboforce-air-circulator-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A portable all black color desk fan with an upper round shape and with flat shape under it.">
  1928.                      </figure>
  1929.                  </a>
  1930.            </div>
  1931.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  1932.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  1933.        <p><em>Honeywell</em></p>
  1934.  
  1935.      </figcaption>
  1936.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  1937.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000"
  1938.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  1939.      </p>
  1940.      </div>
  1941. </div>
  1942.  
  1943.  
  1944.  
  1945. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  1946.  
  1947.  
  1948.  
  1949. <ul>
  1950. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 6.54 x 11 x 11.3 inches</li>
  1951.  
  1952.  
  1953.  
  1954. <li><strong>Type:</strong> Desk</li>
  1955.  
  1956.  
  1957.  
  1958. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $19.99</li>
  1959. </ul>
  1960.  
  1961.  
  1962.  
  1963. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  1964.  
  1965.  
  1966.  
  1967. <ul>
  1968. <li>Compact size</li>
  1969.  
  1970.  
  1971.  
  1972. <li>Full vertical articulation</li>
  1973.  
  1974.  
  1975.  
  1976. <li>Price</li>
  1977. </ul>
  1978.  
  1979.  
  1980.  
  1981. <p><strong>Cons </strong></p>
  1982.  
  1983.  
  1984.  
  1985. <ul>
  1986. <li>Not designed for larger rooms</li>
  1987. </ul>
  1988.  
  1989.  
  1990.  
  1991. <p>Honeywell&#8217;s HT-900 is an inexpensive, quiet fan for use in small to medium-sized rooms. It can&#8217;t oscillate, but you can pivot its head a full 90 degrees, which is significantly flexible. The fan is small and light enough that twisting and turning it occasionally as you move around a room won&#8217;t be a huge hassle. The HT-900 has all the essential settings you&#8217;ll need in a fan, including three speed settings, enough power to reach areas up to 27 feet away, and quiet operation. You&#8217;re not going to be able to use this fan to cool down large rooms, but it&#8217;s powerful and compact enough to provide relief in smaller bedrooms or a kitchen while cooking.</p>
  1992.  
  1993.  
  1994.  
  1995. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-shopping-for-the-best-fans"><strong>What to consider when shopping for the best fans</strong></h2>
  1996.  
  1997.  
  1998.  
  1999. <p>There are many factors to consider when deciding which fan is right for you. Below are the factors we considered most important when writing this guide.  </p>
  2000.  
  2001.  
  2002.  
  2003. <p>Before you search for the best fan, measure the size of the room where you plan to use it. Most have several speed settings, but you’ll want to determine in advance that the one you bring home is powerful enough for your space. Another aspect to consider is how much sound it makes. Some, especially if they’re set to full-blast, can be quite loud, while others are so silent you might even forget they’re on. If you’re very sensitive to noise, you may want to consider a bladeless fan, which tends to produce much less of a din than traditional ones. But bladeless models are often more expensive, so if you want the latest technology, expect to pay a higher price. </p>
  2004.  
  2005.  
  2006.  
  2007. <p>Not to worry, though, because there are plenty of great picks for every budget. Most are cheaper than air conditioners and use less electricity, so buying one may help you save money. Also worth considering is whether you want one with a remote control or timer. If the temperature in your bedroom dips overnight, you might prefer one that you can turn off (or that is already off) before you get out of bed. Many are battery-powered so you can take them onto the patio or out in the yard. Other models, such as window fans, will bring fresh air inside by sucking in cooler air from the outside. </p>
  2008.  
  2009.  
  2010.  
  2011. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airflow">Airflow</h3>
  2012.  
  2013.  
  2014.  
  2015. <p>If you’re looking for something that will not only make you feel cooler but actually lower your home&#8217;s temperature, window fans are the way to go. The key to making them work, however, is all about positioning. Inward-facing models bring in cool air from outside while outward-facing ones exhaust hot air from inside. To make the most out of your window unit, you might want to consider buying two of them and placing them on opposite sides of the room or house. Just be sure to put the inward-facing model on whichever side gets more shade to maximize the amount of cool air coming in. </p>
  2016.  
  2017.  
  2018.  
  2019. <p>Want even more control over airflow? Other window fans come with inward- and outward-facing blades that can be set individually. Dual window fans can help cool down any room, but they are especially helpful in the kitchen since they can expel heat and odors while bringing in fresh air from outside.</p>
  2020.  
  2021.  
  2022.  
  2023. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bladeless-fans">Bladeless fans</h3>
  2024.  
  2025.  
  2026.  
  2027. <p>Bladeless fans (also known as air multipliers) work by utilizing entrainment, meaning the air surrounding the edges of this electric option will begin to flow in the direction of the breeze. Finally, because the ring is thinner at the front than at the back, a phenomenon known as the Coandă effect occurs, creating low pressure in the inner part and causing additional air to be sucked in from behind it.&nbsp;Considering the technological wizardry behind their sleek design, it’s no surprise that air multipliers are significantly more expensive than their traditional counterparts. But if money is not your main concern, bladeless fans can&#8217;t be beaten when it comes to functionality and aesthetics.&nbsp;</p>
  2028.  
  2029.  
  2030.  
  2031. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battery-power">Battery power</h3>
  2032.  
  2033.  
  2034.  
  2035. <p>If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to fall asleep in a stuffy tent, you may want to consider buying a battery-operated fan before going on your next camping trip. Even if you’re not an outdoorsy, adventurous person, this type can still make a great addition to your next picnic or keep mosquitoes away while sitting on the porch. The best thing about battery-powered models is that they are portable, but there are advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation. </p>
  2036.  
  2037.  
  2038.  
  2039. <p>The most important things to consider before you buy are the size and weight, plus how long the batteries will last. You probably won’t want to lug around a heavier fan if you’re going on a long hike, but if you just plan on using it on your patio or you’re taking it with you in an RV, you might appreciate the extra power that a bigger design provides.&nbsp;You’ll also want to consider whether the model runs on <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/">rechargeable</a> or disposable batteries. Rechargeables are better for the environment, but if you don’t have a way to charge them, they won’t do you much good. Some battery-powered models also come with neat features such as a radio or lights, but using these add-ons will run the battery down faster.&nbsp;Need personal refreshment that takes up minimal space? Consider a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-neck-fans/">neck fan</a>.</p>
  2040.  
  2041.  
  2042.  
  2043. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-price">Price</h3>
  2044.  
  2045.  
  2046.  
  2047. <p>If you want to stay cool this summer without putting too much strain on your wallet, an inexpensive device can be a lifesaver. Mass-produced electric models have existed for over a century, and today, affordable options abound. Does anyone need an expensive bladeless fan? Not necessarily, but staying cool and circulating the air around you can make all the difference in your health. Although cheaper ones tend to lack bells and whistles like timers and remotes, if you can live without those extra features, there are plenty of models that you can pick up for a budget-friendly price point of less than $20.</p>
  2048.  
  2049.  
  2050.  
  2051. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  2052.  
  2053.  
  2054.  
  2055. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628189236163"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are bladeless fans better?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Bladeless fans are also called air multipliers because they’re specially designed to blow out more air than regular ones. But since they also come at such a steep price, whether or not they’re “better” for you will depend on your budget. Many on the market will keep you perfectly cool at a much lower price point. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628189242576"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: <meta charset="utf-8"/>What should I look for when buying a fan?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>When buying a fan, make sure it’s powerful enough to keep your space cool. The size of your room or home may dictate the best type of fan to choose. Some models are also noisier than others, so look for a quiet fan for your bedroom that won’t keep you up at night.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628189250400"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: <meta charset="utf-8"/>Which fan is best for summer?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>The best for summer depends on the space you plan to use it in and how hot it gets outside vs. inside. For example, if it’s cooler outside than inside, the best window model will help bring that cool air inside while exhausting hot air outside. </p> </div> </div>
  2056.  
  2057.  
  2058.  
  2059. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-fans"><strong>Final thoughts on the best fans</strong></h2>
  2060.  
  2061.  
  2062.  
  2063. <ul>
  2064. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Windmill-Amazon-Smart-Circulator-Remote/dp/B0CLC7XNDM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Windmill Fan</a></li>
  2065.  
  2066.  
  2067.  
  2068. <li><strong>Best for large spaces: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KTGT7RB?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Big Ass Sidekick Portable Fan</a></li>
  2069.  
  2070.  
  2071.  
  2072. <li><strong>Best battery-powered: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shark-FlexBreeze-Oscillating-Attachment-FA222/dp/B0CSDS34CQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Shark FlexBreeze</a></li>
  2073.  
  2074.  
  2075.  
  2076. <li><strong>Best for window: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bionaire-BW2300-N-Reversible-Airflow-Control/dp/B000065DKJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bionaire Window Fan w/ Twin 8.5-In. Blades</a></li>
  2077.  
  2078.  
  2079.  
  2080. <li><strong>Best for desk:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vornado-CR1-0121-06-Large-Whole-Circulator/dp/B0025QKUE8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan</a></li>
  2081.  
  2082.  
  2083.  
  2084. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Honeywell-HT-900-TurboForce-Circulator-Black/dp/B001R1RXUG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000368374O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan</a></li>
  2085. </ul>
  2086.  
  2087.  
  2088.  
  2089. <p>The best fan for you is the one that keeps you comfortable. For most people, this will come down to how powerful the model is and whether or not it is a quiet fan. Beyond that, there are plenty of extra features that you may want (such as timers, remotes, and thermostats). But those bells and whistles may not be necessary if you’re just looking for a blast of cool air. Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when shopping is to buy it <em>before</em> the temperature goes up and while a variety of popular models are still in stock.</p>
  2090.  
  2091.  
  2092.  
  2093. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  2094.  
  2095.  
  2096.  
  2097. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  2098.  
  2099.  
  2100.  
  2101. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  2102. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-fan/">The best fans for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2103. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  2107. </item>
  2108. <item>
  2109. <title>The best keypad door locks for 2024</title>
  2110. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-keypad-door-locks/</link>
  2112. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tony Carrick and Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  2113. <pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2021 17:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
  2114. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  2115. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  2116. <category><![CDATA[Smart Home]]></category>
  2117. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  2118. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  2119. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  2120. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  2121. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  2122. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=399495</guid>
  2123.  
  2124. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  2125.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/The-best-keypad-door-locks-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best keypad door locks of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>Stop fumbling with keys and upgrade your home with a keypad door lock. </p>
  2126. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-keypad-door-locks/">The best keypad door locks for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2127. ]]></description>
  2128. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  2129.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/The-best-keypad-door-locks-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best keypad door locks of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  2130. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  2131.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  2132.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  2133.      <tbody>
  2134.              <tr
  2135.          class="ProductTable-product"
  2136.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  2137.        >
  2138.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  2139.            Best Electronic
  2140.          </td>
  2141.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  2142.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Schlage Encode Century WiFi Latitude Lever on a plain white background." class="wp-image-610958" width="264" height="165">
  2143.          </td>
  2144.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  2145.            Schlage Encode Century Wi-Fi Latitude Lever
  2146.          </td>
  2147.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  2148.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  2149.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2150.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2151.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2152.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2153.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2154.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  2155.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2156.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2157.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2158.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2159.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2160.                                  </div>
  2161.                          </div>
  2162.          </td>
  2163.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  2164.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  2165.                <span>
  2166.                  SEE IT
  2167.                </span>
  2168.            </a>
  2169.          </td>
  2170.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  2171.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lots of advanced features and a sleek look make this a winner.</span></p>
  2172.  
  2173.            </td>
  2174.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  2175.        </tr>
  2176.              <tr
  2177.          class="ProductTable-product"
  2178.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  2179.        >
  2180.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  2181.            Best with Wi-Fi
  2182.          </td>
  2183.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  2184.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/16/Yale-Assure-Lock-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Yale Assure Lock 2 on a plain white background." class="wp-image-611157" width="264" height="165">
  2185.          </td>
  2186.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  2187.            Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi
  2188.          </td>
  2189.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  2190.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  2191.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2192.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2193.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2194.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2195.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2196.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  2197.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2198.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2199.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2200.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2201.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2202.                                  </div>
  2203.                          </div>
  2204.          </td>
  2205.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  2206.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  2207.                <span>
  2208.                  SEE IT
  2209.                </span>
  2210.            </a>
  2211.          </td>
  2212.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  2213.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remotely control the most important door in your home.</span></p>
  2214.  
  2215.            </td>
  2216.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  2217.        </tr>
  2218.              <tr
  2219.          class="ProductTable-product"
  2220.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  2221.        >
  2222.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  2223.            Best Electronic Deadbolt  
  2224.          </td>
  2225.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  2226.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Kwikset Powerbolt 250 on a plain white background." class="wp-image-610956" width="264" height="165">
  2227.          </td>
  2228.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  2229.             Kwikset Powerbolt 250
  2230.          </td>
  2231.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  2232.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  2233.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2234.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2235.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2236.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2237.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2238.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  2239.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2240.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2241.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2242.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2243.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  2244.                                  </div>
  2245.                          </div>
  2246.          </td>
  2247.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  2248.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  2249.                <span>
  2250.                  SEE IT
  2251.                </span>
  2252.            </a>
  2253.          </td>
  2254.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  2255.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Never forget to lock your door again.</span></p>
  2256.  
  2257.            </td>
  2258.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  2259.        </tr>
  2260.            </tbody>
  2261.    </table>
  2262.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  2263.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  2264.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  2265.    </div>
  2266.  </div>
  2267. </div>
  2268.  
  2269.  
  2270.  
  2271. <p>Keypad door locks, once popular in commercial settings, have quickly gained traction with homeowners in recent years. The devices add convenience by eliminating the need to fumble with keys to get inside and allowing homeowners to grant access to friends and family by programming temporary passcodes. The best locks can also make your home more secure. Some, for example, automatically lock the door when you or a family member forgets to flip the bolt. For even greater control, smart keypad door locks allow you to remotely lock and unlock the door, program passcodes, and even track who’s coming and going. With so many options available, it can be difficult to find the right one. This guide will review the factors you should consider when shopping for the best keypad door locks. </p>
  2272.  
  2273.  
  2274.  
  2275. <ul>
  2276. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Schlage Encode Century Wi-Fi Latitude Lever</a></li>
  2277.  
  2278.  
  2279.  
  2280. <li><strong>Best Wi-Fi:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi</a></li>
  2281.  
  2282.  
  2283.  
  2284. <li><strong>Best electronic deadbolt:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Kwikset Powerbolt 250</a></li>
  2285.  
  2286.  
  2287.  
  2288. <li><strong>Best without a keypad:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Bolt-Connect-Smart-Deadbolt/dp/B0CK62J774?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Level Bolt</a></li>
  2289.  
  2290.  
  2291.  
  2292. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt</a></li>
  2293. </ul>
  2294.  
  2295.  
  2296.  
  2297. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-keypad-door-locks-nbsp"><strong>How we chose the best keypad door locks&nbsp;</strong></h2>
  2298.  
  2299.  
  2300.  
  2301. <p>We assessed dozens of keypad door lock options, considering various factors. We considered installation to determine how easily the average DIYer could set up the lock. We also evaluated how easy it was to program (and delete) codes and how many different codes the lock supported. </p>
  2302.  
  2303.  
  2304.  
  2305. <p>A good keypad door lock shouldn’t require an IT pro to get it online and running, so we looked at how compatible the device was with smart devices, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-smart-home-devices/">smart home systems</a>, and home automation platforms—as well as ease of setup. Your lock should integrated as easily into your smart <a href="https://www.popsci.com/smart-gadget-security/">security system</a> as <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-wired-security-cameras/">wired</a> or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-indoor-security-cameras/">indoor</a> cameras. Since all keypad door locks use a battery, we considered battery life as well; these devices are supposed to add convenience, not create more work by constantly requiring <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/">battery changes</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  2306.  
  2307.  
  2308.  
  2309. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-keypad-door-locks-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best keypad door locks: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  2310.  
  2311.  
  2312.  
  2313. <p>Why a keypad door lock? We asked Erik Glassen, senior manager of brand marketing at Spectrum Brands, just that.</p>
  2314.  
  2315.  
  2316.  
  2317. <p>&#8220;The primary benefit of a keypad lock is not needing to carry around keys, which can be lost or stolen. It makes it convenient whether you are out for a jog or you have kids who no longer need to keep track of house keys,&#8221; Glassen says. &#8220;You can also give access to housekeepers or temporary guests without having to give out a key, which may or not get returned.&#8221; One of our picks should help you make the switch to the keyless lifestyle. </p>
  2318.  
  2319.  
  2320.  
  2321. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-schlage-encode-century-wi-fi-latitude-lever"><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Schlage Encode Century Wi-Fi Latitude Lever</a></h3>
  2322.  
  2323.  
  2324. <div
  2325.    id="first-impression"
  2326.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  2327.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  2328. >
  2329.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  2330.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  2331.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  2332.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Schlage-Encode-Century-WiFi-Latitude-Lever.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Schlage Encode Century WiFi Latitude Lever on a door.">
  2333.                      </figure>
  2334.                  </a>
  2335.            </div>
  2336.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  2337.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  2338.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  2339.  
  2340.      </figcaption>
  2341.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  2342.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000"
  2343.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  2344.      </p>
  2345.      </div>
  2346. </div>
  2347.  
  2348.  
  2349.  
  2350. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: Schlage&#8217;s smart keypad door lock was easy to install, connected to our home network, and had multiple forms of entry. </p>
  2351.  
  2352.  
  2353.  
  2354. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  2355.  
  2356.  
  2357.  
  2358. <ul>
  2359. <li><strong>Wi-Fi connectivity:</strong> Yes</li>
  2360.  
  2361.  
  2362.  
  2363. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 3 x 5.88 inches</li>
  2364.  
  2365.  
  2366.  
  2367. <li><strong>Battery: </strong>4 AA batteries</li>
  2368. </ul>
  2369.  
  2370.  
  2371.  
  2372. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  2373.  
  2374.  
  2375.  
  2376. <ul>
  2377. <li>Simple installation</li>
  2378.  
  2379.  
  2380.  
  2381. <li>Out-of-the-box Wi-Fi compatibility</li>
  2382.  
  2383.  
  2384.  
  2385. <li>Doesn&#8217;t require a deadbolt to install</li>
  2386. </ul>
  2387.  
  2388.  
  2389.  
  2390. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  2391.  
  2392.  
  2393.  
  2394. <ul>
  2395. <li>Not a deadbolt replacement. </li>
  2396. </ul>
  2397.  
  2398.  
  2399.  
  2400. <p>Most keypad door locks are designed to replace a deadbolt, but the technology in Schlage&#8217;s Latitude Lever is built into its handle. This allows you to install it on doors inside your home or on an outside-facing door with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-Reversible-Exterior-Entrance-Resistant/dp/B001003MUO?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">lever door handle</a>. Installing this smart door lock took about a half-hour (and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-screwdriver-sets/">a screwdriver</a>), thanks to the included instructions. This includes the time it took to remove our existing door handle. While this would qualify as a home DIY project, we can recommend it to folks who consider themselves less handy, as you won&#8217;t have to cut any new holes or deal with any significant wiring during your installation. </p>
  2401.  
  2402.  
  2403.  
  2404. <p>Once installed, we were prompted to download the Schlage Home app (available on iOS and Android) to set up its wireless functions. It took another 15 minutes or so to pair the lock with our smartphone, connect it to our home&#8217;s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-wifi-routers/">Wi-Fi router</a>, and download a new firmware update. We were pleased that Schlage took the time to design an app that&#8217;s both functional and easy to understand. From its main screen, you&#8217;re able to see the current status of the Latitude Lever, which you can change by tapping on the giant picture of a lock, and its battery life. Buttons at the bottom of the screen take you to sections of the app where you can monitor when it was last locked and unlocked and by whom. </p>
  2405.  
  2406.  
  2407.  
  2408. <p>Schlage allows you to create up to 100 entry codes—which you can delete at any time—and asks whether you&#8217;d like to receive a notification when each code was used. This can be helpful as you&#8217;re probably not interested in getting pinged each time someone you&#8217;re living with comes inside. You can still review who&#8217;s used the lock at any time by hitting the &#8220;History&#8221; button on the Schlage Home main screen. If you or someone you live with are uninterested in smart features or a keypad, you can always give them the physical key Schlage includes with the Latitude Lever. That said, the Latitude Lever is best used as a keyless entry door lock and can even be managed using Amazon&#8217;s Alexa or Google Assistant.</p>
  2409.  
  2410.  
  2411.  
  2412. <p>Overall, we were pleased with how easy it was to set up and manage Schlage&#8217;s Latitude lever and just as happy with how well it worked. We could reliably lock and unlock this keypad door lock from inside and out of our home and never had an issue with a network disturbance or other anomaly. It gave us peace of mind to know exactly when the door was locked and unlocked and by whom. This information is handy to have whether the Latitude Lever is installed on the interior or exterior of your home. If you want this same functionality in a smart deadbolt, Schlage has you covered with the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-Deadbolt-BE489WB-CAM-619/dp/B07HX9GSJM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Encode Smart Deadbolt</a>.</p>
  2413.  
  2414.  
  2415.  
  2416. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-wi-fi-yale-assure-lock-2-touch-with-wi-fi"><strong>Best Wi-Fi:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi</a></h3>
  2417.  
  2418.  
  2419. <div
  2420.    id="wireless-wonder"
  2421.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  2422.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  2423. >
  2424.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  2425.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  2426.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  2427.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Yale-Assure-Lock-2-Touch-with-Wi-Fi.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Yale-Assure-Lock-2-Touch-with-Wi-Fi.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi on a door.">
  2428.                      </figure>
  2429.                  </a>
  2430.            </div>
  2431.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  2432.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  2433.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  2434.  
  2435.      </figcaption>
  2436.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  2437.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000"
  2438.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  2439.      </p>
  2440.      </div>
  2441. </div>
  2442.  
  2443.  
  2444.  
  2445. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> Yale&#8217;s Assure Lock 2 was easy to install, maintained a rock-solid connection to our Wi-Fi network, and looked unassuming from the outside.</p>
  2446.  
  2447.  
  2448.  
  2449. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  2450.  
  2451.  
  2452.  
  2453. <ul>
  2454. <li><strong>Wi-Fi Connectivity:</strong> Yes</li>
  2455.  
  2456.  
  2457.  
  2458. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>2.5 x 3.75 inches</li>
  2459.  
  2460.  
  2461.  
  2462. <li><strong>Battery: </strong>4 AA batteries</li>
  2463. </ul>
  2464.  
  2465.  
  2466.  
  2467. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  2468.  
  2469.  
  2470.  
  2471. <ul>
  2472. <li>Easy installation</li>
  2473.  
  2474.  
  2475.  
  2476. <li>Touch-sensitive buttons</li>
  2477.  
  2478.  
  2479.  
  2480. <li>Fingerprint reader</li>
  2481. </ul>
  2482.  
  2483.  
  2484.  
  2485. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  2486.  
  2487.  
  2488.  
  2489. <ul>
  2490. <li>App has a learning curve</li>
  2491. </ul>
  2492.  
  2493.  
  2494.  
  2495. <p>If remote monitoring is a must-have keypad door lock feature, your best bet is Yale&#8217;s Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi. The keypad door lock replaces an existing deadbolt in your home and allows you to lock or unlock it using the Yale Access app (on iOS or Android), a keypad code, fingerprint, Amazon&#8217;s Alexa, Google Assistant, or key. It only took about a half-hour to disassemble our previous deadbolt and install the Assure Lock 2. </p>
  2496.  
  2497.  
  2498.  
  2499. <p>Yale&#8217;s directions were clear, and the entire installation only required a screwdriver. It&#8217;s important to note that you&#8217;ll have to pop in a standalone Wi-Fi module inside the keypad door lock (it&#8217;s included and fits snugly into a slot) to enable all its wireless functionality. Once it was set up, we headed over to the Yale Access app to configure the lock. Connecting smart home accessories to a home network can sometimes be a pain, but the Assure Lock 2 connected to our Wi-Fi network the first time. After downloading and installing a firmware update, we could finally fully configure the keypad door lock. </p>
  2500.  
  2501.  
  2502.  
  2503. <p>The Yale Access app&#8217;s home screen shows the lock&#8217;s current status (you can lock and unlock it by tapping on the circle in the middle of the screen), as well as its current Wi-Fi status. You can access other parts of the app by tapping on glyphs at the bottom of the screen, but they don&#8217;t have any text above them, so it&#8217;ll take a couple of days to be able to successfully get to the settings you want without a second thought. That said, you can access your lock&#8217;s activity (a history of when it was locked and unlocked), manage your guest list, and access a more robust settings menu in just a tap. We were pleased with how granular you can get when inviting or managing the Assure Lock 2&#8217;s guest list. You can adjust their access level by assigning them an entry code, fingerprint, or full app access. If someone you know doesn&#8217;t want to opt into the smart home lifestyle, a physical key is bundled with the Assure Lock 2. </p>
  2504.  
  2505.  
  2506.  
  2507. <p>Trusting something as important as access to your home with a gadget can seem intimidating, but we&#8217;ve had no issues with the Assure Lock 2 in the weeks since it was installed. We could always access, lock, and unlock it using our phone, key, fingerprint, or code. Its connection to our network was absolute and never cut out for any reason. Be sure to immediately check the network status of your Assure Lock 2 upon installation if your Wi-Fi router is located far away from the door (you may need to consider <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-mesh-wifi/">a mesh network</a> with <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/wi-fi-7-upgrade/">the latest Wi-Fi protocols</a>). If you need a keypad door lock that can be controlled from anywhere, Yale&#8217;s Assure Lock 2 is an excellent choice.</p>
  2508.  
  2509.  
  2510.  
  2511. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-electronic-deadbolt-kwikset-powerbolt-250"><strong>Best electronic deadbolt:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Kwikset Powerbolt 250</a></h3>
  2512.  
  2513.  
  2514. <div
  2515.    id="bolt-action"
  2516.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  2517.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  2518. >
  2519.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  2520.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  2521.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  2522.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Kwikset-Powerbolt-250.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Kwikset Powerbolt 250 on a plain white background.">
  2523.                      </figure>
  2524.                  </a>
  2525.            </div>
  2526.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  2527.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  2528.        <p><em>Kwikset</em></p>
  2529.  
  2530.      </figcaption>
  2531.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  2532.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000"
  2533.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  2534.      </p>
  2535.      </div>
  2536. </div>
  2537.  
  2538.  
  2539.  
  2540. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> Kwikset&#8217;s keypad door lock can&#8217;t be controlled remotely, but it&#8217;s still an excellent choice for those not sold on a smart home.</p>
  2541.  
  2542.  
  2543.  
  2544. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  2545.  
  2546.  
  2547.  
  2548. <ul>
  2549. <li><strong>Wi-Fi Connectivity:</strong> No</li>
  2550.  
  2551.  
  2552.  
  2553. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>2.69 x 4.59 inches</li>
  2554.  
  2555.  
  2556.  
  2557. <li><strong>Battery:</strong> 4 AA batteries</li>
  2558. </ul>
  2559.  
  2560.  
  2561.  
  2562. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  2563.  
  2564.  
  2565.  
  2566. <ul>
  2567. <li>Auto-locking mechanism</li>
  2568.  
  2569.  
  2570.  
  2571. <li>Backlit keys</li>
  2572.  
  2573.  
  2574.  
  2575. <li>Keypad can be disabled</li>
  2576. </ul>
  2577.  
  2578.  
  2579.  
  2580. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  2581.  
  2582.  
  2583.  
  2584. <ul>
  2585. <li>No smart features</li>
  2586. </ul>
  2587.  
  2588.  
  2589.  
  2590. <p>If you&#8217;re interested in living the keyless entry door lock lifestyle but don&#8217;t want to worry about smart features, Kwikset&#8217;s Powerbolt 250 is the one to get. The electric deadbolt only requires a screwdriver to install, and it 10-button keypad allows you to create customizable codes that crooks can&#8217;t crack, all without the use of a smartphone app. Kwikset says you can make up to 25 permanent user codes and five single-use codes with this model. </p>
  2591.  
  2592.  
  2593.  
  2594. <p>You can add codes by pushing a &#8220;program&#8221; button located inside the keyless door lock&#8217;s battery compartment. Once pressed, you must press the &#8220;1&#8221; button on the door lock keypad, followed by the &#8220;Kwikset&#8221; button, followed by the four- to eight-digit passcode, followed by the &#8220;Kwikset&#8221; button. Once you&#8217;ve completed that sequence, the code has been permanently saved. It may seem tedious, but adding a code should only take you about a minute.</p>
  2595.  
  2596.  
  2597.  
  2598. <p>The Powerbolt 250 may not be smart in the modern sense, but it has some useful design features beyond the ability to program two dozen codes. It can be set to automatically lock after a set period of time (up to 10 minutes), has backlit keys that illuminate when you press keys on its keypad, and has a &#8220;Vacation Mode&#8221; that disables the keypad entirely for a set period of time. When in vacation mode, you&#8217;ll only be able to unlock the Powerbolt 250 with the included key. </p>
  2599.  
  2600.  
  2601.  
  2602. <p>It&#8217;s very useful to have all of these smart features available in an electric deadbolt that doesn&#8217;t require an app to set up and manage. You won&#8217;t get advanced features like remote monitoring, but Kwikset&#8217;s Powerbolt 250 is still an excellent choice.</p>
  2603.  
  2604.  
  2605.  
  2606. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-without-a-keypad-level-bolt"><strong>Best without a keypad:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Bolt-Connect-Smart-Deadbolt/dp/B0CK62J774?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Level Bolt</a></h3>
  2607.  
  2608.  
  2609. <div
  2610.    id="easy-install"
  2611.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  2612.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  2613. >
  2614.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  2615.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Bolt-Connect-Smart-Deadbolt/dp/B0CK62J774?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  2616.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  2617.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Level-Bolt.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Level-Bolt.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Level Bolt on a plain white background.">
  2618.                      </figure>
  2619.                  </a>
  2620.            </div>
  2621.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  2622.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  2623.        <p><em>Level</em></p>
  2624.  
  2625.      </figcaption>
  2626.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  2627.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Bolt-Connect-Smart-Deadbolt/dp/B0CK62J774?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000"
  2628.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  2629.      </p>
  2630.      </div>
  2631. </div>
  2632.  
  2633.  
  2634.  
  2635. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: Level&#8217;s Bolt is the smart upgrade to your existing home security system that you&#8217;ve been waiting for.</p>
  2636.  
  2637.  
  2638.  
  2639. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  2640.  
  2641.  
  2642.  
  2643. <ul>
  2644. <li><strong>Wi-Fi connectivity:</strong> Yes</li>
  2645.  
  2646.  
  2647.  
  2648. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 3.31 x 1 inches</li>
  2649.  
  2650.  
  2651.  
  2652. <li><strong>Battery: </strong>CR2 battery</li>
  2653. </ul>
  2654.  
  2655.  
  2656.  
  2657. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  2658.  
  2659.  
  2660.  
  2661. <ul>
  2662. <li>Supports every major smart platform</li>
  2663.  
  2664.  
  2665.  
  2666. <li>No keypad to worry about</li>
  2667.  
  2668.  
  2669.  
  2670. <li>Works with your existing keys</li>
  2671. </ul>
  2672.  
  2673.  
  2674.  
  2675. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  2676.  
  2677.  
  2678.  
  2679. <ul>
  2680. <li>Price</li>
  2681. </ul>
  2682.  
  2683.  
  2684.  
  2685. <p>If you&#8217;d like to install a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-smart-lock/">smart lock</a> without a keypad, you&#8217;ll want to use the Level Bolt. The Bolt replaces your existing deadbolt and allows you to unlock your door using your existing keys, the Level Home app on iOS and Android, Amazon&#8217;s Alexa, or Google Assistant. Level says you&#8217;ll be able to install the Bolt with just a screwdriver and that it was designed to fit in standard door frames. The Bolt comes with two components: A deadbolt, which will replace the one on your door, and a bridge (wireless receiver) that needs to be plugged into an outlet. The bridge will connect your Level Bolt to your home&#8217;s Wi-Fi network, allowing you to lock and unlock it remotely. </p>
  2686.  
  2687.  
  2688.  
  2689. <p>Once it&#8217;s configured, you can use the Level Home app to see when the Bolt was locked and unlocked and create new virtual keys for different people. A big benefit of the Level Bolt is its simplicity. You&#8217;re only replacing one part of your door&#8217;s locking mechanism, which is why you&#8217;ll still be able to use the same keys. If you&#8217;re waffling on the idea of getting a smart lock without a keypad, Level offers a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Keypad-Accessory-Weatherproof-Bluetooth-Enabled/dp/B09TG1SZHW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Smart Keypad</a> accessory, so you&#8217;ll have the ability to add one to your system later on. The Level Bolt is among the most expensive keypad door locks we&#8217;re recommending, but it&#8217;s a great option if you&#8217;d like to expand your smart home without inconveniencing the people you live with. </p>
  2690.  
  2691.  
  2692.  
  2693. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-wyze-auto-lock-bolt"><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt</a></h3>
  2694.  
  2695.  
  2696. <div
  2697.    id="easy-access-for-people-that-need-it"
  2698.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  2699.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  2700. >
  2701.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  2702.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  2703.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  2704.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Wyze-Auto-Lock-Bolt.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/09/15/Wyze-Auto-Lock-Bolt.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt on a plain white background.">
  2705.                      </figure>
  2706.                  </a>
  2707.            </div>
  2708.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  2709.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  2710.        <p><em>Wyze</em></p>
  2711.  
  2712.      </figcaption>
  2713.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  2714.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000"
  2715.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  2716.      </p>
  2717.      </div>
  2718. </div>
  2719.  
  2720.  
  2721.  
  2722. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> Wyze&#8217;s durable auto-locking smart keypad lock is impossible to beat for its price.</p>
  2723.  
  2724.  
  2725.  
  2726. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  2727.  
  2728.  
  2729.  
  2730. <ul>
  2731. <li><strong>Wi-Fi Connectivity:</strong> No</li>
  2732.  
  2733.  
  2734.  
  2735. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 6.8 x 3 inches</li>
  2736.  
  2737.  
  2738.  
  2739. <li><strong>Battery:</strong> 4 AA</li>
  2740. </ul>
  2741.  
  2742.  
  2743.  
  2744. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  2745.  
  2746.  
  2747.  
  2748. <ul>
  2749. <li>Wireless connectivity over Bluetooth</li>
  2750.  
  2751.  
  2752.  
  2753. <li>IPX5 water resistant </li>
  2754.  
  2755.  
  2756.  
  2757. <li>Price</li>
  2758. </ul>
  2759.  
  2760.  
  2761.  
  2762. <p><strong>&nbsp;Cons</strong></p>
  2763.  
  2764.  
  2765.  
  2766. <ul>
  2767. <li>No Wi-Fi</li>
  2768. </ul>
  2769.  
  2770.  
  2771.  
  2772. <p>If you&#8217;re interested in a keyless entry door lock with three means of entry, water resistance, and a $70 price tag, it&#8217;s impossible to beat Wyze&#8217;s Auto-Lock Bolt. The keyless door lock allows you to enter your home using an iOS and Android app, a pre-programmed code, or your fingerprint. Wyze says replacing your existing deadbolt should only take about 20 minutes and a screwdriver. Once you&#8217;ve installed the Auto-Lock Bolt and Wyze&#8217;s app, you can pair the smart device to your smartphone using <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/how-does-bluetooth-work/">Bluetooth</a>. The Auto-Lock Bolt does not support Wi-Fi, so you won&#8217;t be able to monitor or control it remotely. You can see when your lock was unlocked (and by whom) when you&#8217;re home or return to your place.</p>
  2773.  
  2774.  
  2775.  
  2776. <p>You can use Wyze&#8217;s app to save up to 16 codes and 50 fingerprints. Wyze says the Auto-Lock Bolt can register a fingerprint in under half a second. You can set certain codes and fingerprints to only register on a certain schedule, which is helpful if you&#8217;ve got guests coming for a weekend, or have a babysitter, tutor, or tradesperson who needs limited access to your home. You can also lock or unlock your door using Amazon&#8217;s Alexa. If Wi-Fi functionality isn&#8217;t important in choosing your keypad door lock, the Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt is the best value in its category. If remote unlocking is a must-have feature, you can step up to the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Enabled-Wireless-Compatible-Deadbolts/dp/B08FSBXT99?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Wyze Lock</a>, which adds this functionality (and more), but costs over twice as much. </p>
  2777.  
  2778.  
  2779.  
  2780. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-before-buying-the-best-keypad-door-locks"><strong>What to consider before buying the best keypad door locks</strong></h2>
  2781.  
  2782.  
  2783.  
  2784. <p>The digital door lock industry is large and is only expected to <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-digital-door-lock-system-082300321.html?guccounter=1&amp;guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&amp;guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAN1NibvOcpc9oZlmnPUnI87r2kaVGynU1GDRtr8bGwTbwFP-z0k5O8Gi-pNe1dwwB50IkXRGrnJh-yy7-lpgrEIaQdZsbNlcN3w-LffMDs0j3SdKKhrn3u-e4HnqIDp4PPpjtp2EDWMHaTaxU5e58FrJRqjoNo4vPC2dmMy_IyhA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get bigger over the years</a>. That means there are a lot of options on the market—with all those options, you&#8217;ll need to know what to look out for. </p>
  2785.  
  2786.  
  2787.  
  2788. <p>&#8220;The features consumers typically look for are multiple user codes (for homeowners and guests), one-touch locking, vacation mode (keypad can be disabled when you are away), [and] backlit keypads (for nighttime or dark locations),&#8221; says Erik Glassen, senior manager of brand marketing at Spectrum Brands. &#8220;Other features are security grade [BHMA [grades] 1, 2, or 3], easy installation, and a backup keyway in case batteries are low,&#8221; says Glassen at Spectrum Brands. </p>
  2789.  
  2790.  
  2791.  
  2792. <p>Here are other helpful features you should look for in your search:</p>
  2793.  
  2794.  
  2795.  
  2796. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connectivity">Connectivity</h3>
  2797.  
  2798.  
  2799.  
  2800. <p>More and more keypad door locks have smart capability, meaning they can connect to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-is-wifi-6/">Wi-Fi</a> or a smart-home hub. Smart keypads give you greater control over the lock, allowing you to lock and unlock the locks remotely, add and remove user codes, access user logs, and even set when codes are and aren’t active.</p>
  2801.  
  2802.  
  2803.  
  2804. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battery-life">Battery life</h3>
  2805.  
  2806.  
  2807.  
  2808. <p>Most but not all keypad door locks run off of batteries. Battery life depends on the keypad lock as well as how often it is used. When shopping for a keypad door lock, consider where it will be used and how often, then check the model&#8217;s estimated battery life to determine if it’s right for the job. Many electronic keyless locks will run for between 3 and 5 years on one set of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/">batteries</a>, while others may last less than a year. While features such as auto-locking are nice to have, they do put more of a strain on the batteries. </p>
  2809.  
  2810.  
  2811.  
  2812. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extra-security-features">Extra security features</h3>
  2813.  
  2814.  
  2815.  
  2816. <p>While some keypads offer a basic setup that allows you to open a lock with a code, others offer features to enhance protection. This includes automatic locking, which flips the lock after about 30 seconds to ensure that you or a family member doesn’t accidentally leave a door unlocked. Some door locks will also disable the keypad after a set number of failed attempts or even set off an alarm to scare away would-be intruders.&nbsp;</p>
  2817.  
  2818.  
  2819.  
  2820. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keypad-vs-touchscreen-lock">Keypad vs. touchscreen lock </h3>
  2821.  
  2822.  
  2823.  
  2824. <p>Nowadays, everything operates via a touch screen. But, per Glassen, you might be better off sticking with a keypad lock.</p>
  2825.  
  2826.  
  2827.  
  2828. <p>&#8220;The benefits of a keypad lock versus a touchscreen lock are that [keypad locks] are typically less expensive,&#8221; Glassen says. &#8220;They are generally more durable and perform better in extreme weather (cold or direct sunlight). They don’t show fingerprints or smudges and can be operated with a glove/mitten on the hand. With a touchscreen, skin contact is typically needed.&#8221;</p>
  2829.  
  2830.  
  2831.  
  2832. <p>Additionally, if working with a Wi-Fi-operated lock, make sure there&#8217;s a power backup available or an option to use your keys in case of emergency. You don&#8217;t want to be left outside in a storm because the power is out, and it took the Wi-Fi with it.</p>
  2833.  
  2834.  
  2835.  
  2836. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  2837.  
  2838.  
  2839.  
  2840. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1632953297049"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How much does a keypad lock cost?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The cost of a keypad lock can vary significantly. Basic battery-powered keypad deadbolt locks run around $50, while high-end smart locks may cost as much as $300. This price difference is because smart deadbolts have built-in wireless connectivity. Mid-tier models include keypad door locks with handles, which run for about $100. <br/></p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1632953317980"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Do keypad locks have batteries?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Most but not all keypad locks use batteries. Keypad locks that automatically turn the bolt when the correct code is entered and smart keypad locks both require batteries. Manual keypad locks that require you to manually turn the bolt after entering the correct code require no power source, but we’re not recommending any of those. <br/></p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1632953347467"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are keypad door locks safe?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Keypad locks are no more or less safe than a standard lock. Since keypad locks have backup keys as a failsafe, both a keypad lock and standard lock can be picked. If you choose a model that connects to your home Wi-Fi, be sure your network is private and secure. <br/></p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713287891310"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What are the disadvantages of keypad door locks? </h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Traditionally, the main disadvantage of using a keypad door lock was that you&#8217;d need to memorize a code to enter your home. This has been mitigated in the era of smart locks because they give you the option to lock and unlock your door using an app on your phone. Many of our recommendations also feature a fingerprint reader, and some even let you use a key.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713287997000"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Do doors with keypads automatically lock? </h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes. Keypad door locks can be programmed to lock themselves after a set period of time automatically. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713288038779"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are keypad door locks hard to install? </h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">No. Our hands-on tests found that a keypad door lock can be installed in roughly half an hour with a single tool and little DIY experience. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713288095015"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How long do keypad door locks last? </h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">You should expect to get about a decade or so of use out of a smart keypad door lock, at which point it may not be supported by the software developed by the hardware manufacturer. If you use a less technically advanced model that can be programmed on its own, you should never have to replace your keypad door lock. </p> </div> </div>
  2841.  
  2842.  
  2843.  
  2844. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-keypad-door-locks"><strong>Final thoughts on the best keypad door locks</strong></h2>
  2845.  
  2846.  
  2847.  
  2848. <ul>
  2849. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Schlage-FE789WBCEN530LAT-Latitude-Touchscreen-Stainless/dp/B0BW4R8MMT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Schlage Encode Century Wi-Fi Latitude Lever</a></li>
  2850.  
  2851.  
  2852.  
  2853. <li><strong>Best Wi-Fi:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Yale-Assure-Keypad-Wi-Fi-Black/dp/B0B9HWYMV5?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi</a></li>
  2854.  
  2855.  
  2856.  
  2857. <li><strong>Best electronic deadbolt:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7LQ4SFQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Kwikset Powerbolt 250</a></li>
  2858.  
  2859.  
  2860.  
  2861. <li><strong>Best without a keypad:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Level-Bolt-Connect-Smart-Deadbolt/dp/B0CK62J774?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Level Bolt</a></li>
  2862.  
  2863.  
  2864.  
  2865. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000399495O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt</a></li>
  2866. </ul>
  2867.  
  2868.  
  2869.  
  2870. <p>If you’re looking to upgrade the locks on your front door, it’s tough to beat the quality and functionality the Schlage Camelot Keypad Deadbolt offers. It gives you added control with the ability to program numerous passcodes while also including a useful Flex Lock feature that helps ensure your door is locked when it should be. If your budget allows you to make the leap to a smart keypad door lock, Schlage’s Encode Deadbolt Smart Lock is easy to set up and is supported by a robust app that gives you refined control over access to your home.  </p>
  2871.  
  2872.  
  2873.  
  2874. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2--strong-em-why-trust-us-em-strong-"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  2875.  
  2876.  
  2877.  
  2878. <p>Popular Science<em> started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  2879.  
  2880.  
  2881.  
  2882. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  2883. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-keypad-door-locks/">The best keypad door locks for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2884. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  2888. </item>
  2889. <item>
  2890. <title>Rare quadruple solar flare event captured by NASA</title>
  2891. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/quadruple-solar-flare/</link>
  2893. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Paul]]></dc:creator>
  2894. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:18:20 +0000</pubDate>
  2895. <category><![CDATA[Internet]]></category>
  2896. <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category>
  2897. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  2898. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  2899. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  2900. <category><![CDATA[Sun]]></category>
  2901. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  2902. <category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
  2903. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612553</guid>
  2904.  
  2905. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  2906.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/SolarFlares2.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Image of sun highlighting four solar events" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Similar activity will likely increase as the sun nears its 'solar maximum.'. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA</span></figcaption></figure><p>The 'super-sympathetic flare' might affect satellites and spacecraft near Earth.</p>
  2907. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/quadruple-solar-flare/">Rare quadruple solar flare event captured by NASA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2908. ]]></description>
  2909. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  2910.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/SolarFlares2.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Image of sun highlighting four solar events" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Similar activity will likely increase as the sun nears its 'solar maximum.'. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Credit: NASA/SDO/AIA</span></figcaption></figure>
  2911. <p>Earlier this week, NASA’s <a target="_blank" href="https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/">Solar Dynamics Observatory</a> (SDO) recorded a rarely seen event—four nearly-simultaneous flare eruptions involving three separate sunspots, as well as the magnetic filament between them. But as impressive as it is, the event could soon pose problems for some satellites and spacecraft orbiting Earth, as well as electronic systems here on the ground.</p>
  2912.  
  2913.  
  2914.  
  2915. <p>It may seem like a massive ball of fiery, thermonuclear chaos, but there’s actually a fairly predictable rhythm to the sun. Similar to Earth’s seasonal changes, the yellow dwarf star’s powerful <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/what-is-space-weather/">electromagnetic fluctuations</a> follow a roughly 11-year cycle of ebbs and flows. Although astronomers still aren’t quite sure why this happens, it’s certainly observable—and recent activity definitely indicates the sun is heading towards its next “<a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-weather-forecast-2025/">solar maximum</a>” later this year.</p>
  2916.  
  2917.  
  2918.  
  2919. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/supersympathetic.gif" alt="Gif of supersympathetic solar flares" class="wp-image-612572"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em><i>C</i>redit: NASA/SDO/AIA</em></figcaption></figure>
  2920.  
  2921.  
  2922.  
  2923. <p>As <a target="_blank" href="http://spaceweather.com"><em>Spaceweather.com</em></a> notes, early Tuesday morning’s “complex quartet” of solar activity was what’s known as a “super-sympathetic flare,” in which multiple events occur at nearly the same time. This happens thanks to the often hard-to-detect magnetic loops spreading across the sun’s corona, which can create explosive chain reactions in the process. In this case, hundreds of thousands of miles separated the three individual flares, but they still erupted within minutes of each other. All-told, the super-sympathetic flare encompassed about a third of the sun’s total surface facing Earth.</p>
  2924.  
  2925.  
  2926.  
  2927. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/sun-quiet/"><strong>Why our tumultuous sun was relatively quiet in the late 1600s</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  2928.  
  2929.  
  2930.  
  2931. <p>And that “facing Earth” factor could present an issue. <a target="_blank" href="https://bgr.com/science/nasa-watched-four-solar-flares-erupt-from-the-sun-at-the-same-time-and-one-might-have-headed-toward-earth/"><em>BGR</em></a> explains “at least some” of the electromagnetic “debris” could be en route towards the planet in the form of a coronal mass ejection (CME). If so, those forces could result in colorful auroras around the Earth’s poles—as well as create potential tech woes for satellite arrays and orbiting spacecraft, not to mention blackouts across some radio and GPS systems. The effects, if there are any, are estimated to occur over the next day or so, but at least they’re predicted to only be temporary inconveniences.</p>
  2932.  
  2933.  
  2934.  
  2935. <p>Luckily, multi-flare situations like this week’s aren’t a regular occurrence—the last time something similar happened was back in 2010 in what became known as the <a target="_blank" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120102211020/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/global-eruption.html">Great Eruption</a>.</p>
  2936.  
  2937.  
  2938.  
  2939. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-weather-forecast-2025/"><strong>Hold onto your satellites: The sun is about to get a lot stormier</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  2940.  
  2941.  
  2942.  
  2943. <p>Still, these super-sympathetic flares serve as a solid reminder of just how much of our modern, electronically connected society is at the sun’s mercy. As recently as 2022, for example, a solar storm knocked around <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/spacex-loses-starlink-satellites-solar-storm/">40 Starlink satellites</a> out of orbit. The risk of solar-induced problems will continue to rise as the skies grow increasingly crowded.</p>
  2944.  
  2945.  
  2946.  
  2947. <p>While many companies continue to construct <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/what-is-space-weather/">redundancy programs and backup systems</a> for these potential headaches, astronomers and physicists still can’t predict solar activity very accurately. More research and funding is needed to create early warning and forecasting programs.</p>
  2948.  
  2949.  
  2950.  
  2951. <p>This year alone <a target="_blank" href="https://www.livescience.com/space/the-sun/4-solar-flares-simultaneously-erupt-from-the-sun-in-rare-super-explosion-and-earth-could-be-hit-by-the-fallout">has already seen</a> at least two other solar activity events—and seeing as how we still haven’t passed the solar maximum, more impressive (and maybe damaging) activity is likely on the way.</p>
  2952. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/quadruple-solar-flare/">Rare quadruple solar flare event captured by NASA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2953. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  2957. </item>
  2958. <item>
  2959. <title>Can AI help tell the difference between a good and bad sweet potato?</title>
  2960. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/sweet-potato-ai/</link>
  2962. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  2963. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:13:48 +0000</pubDate>
  2964. <category><![CDATA[Agriculture]]></category>
  2965. <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
  2966. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  2967. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  2968. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612561</guid>
  2969.  
  2970. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  2971.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/sweet-potato.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Researchers used a hyperspectral camera to create images of 141 potatoes and inspect their firmness and dry matter content." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Researchers used a hyperspectral camera to create images of 141 potatoes and inspect their firmness and dry matter content. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez">Llez/Wikimedia</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Scientists used hyperspectral imaging to sort produce.</p>
  2972. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/sweet-potato-ai/">Can AI help tell the difference between a good and bad sweet potato?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  2973. ]]></description>
  2974. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  2975.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/sweet-potato.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Researchers used a hyperspectral camera to create images of 141 potatoes and inspect their firmness and dry matter content." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Researchers used a hyperspectral camera to create images of 141 potatoes and inspect their firmness and dry matter content. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez">Llez/Wikimedia</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  2976. <p>Most grocery store patrons take for granted just what it takes to transport a humble sweet potato out of the ground and into a shopping basket. The slightly-sweet red root vegetable can come in various sizes and flavor profiles but consumers have come to expect a level of consistency. To meet that market demand, sweet potatoes are subjected to rounds of laborious and time-consuming quality assessments to root out undesirable batches that are either too firm, not sweet enough, or otherwise deemed unlikely to sell. This process is currently performed methodically by humans in a lab, but a new study suggests hyperspectral cameras and AI could help speed up that process.</p>
  2977.  
  2978.  
  2979.  
  2980. <p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168169924002461?via=ihub">study published this week</a> in <em>Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, </em>researchers from the University of Illinois set out to see if data collected by a hyperspectral imaging camera could help narrow down certain potato attributes typically determined by manual inspectors and tests. Hyperspectral cameras collect vast amounts of data across the electromagnetic spectrum and are often used to help determine the chemical makeup of materials. In this case, the researchers wanted to see if they could analyze data from the potato images to accurately determine a spud’s firmness, soluble solid content, and dry matter content—three key attributes that contribute to the vegetable’s overall taste and market appeal. Ordinarily, this process requires tedious, sometimes wasteful testing that can include leaving test potatoes heated in a 103 degrees celsius oven for 24 hours.&nbsp;</p>
  2981.  
  2982.  
  2983.  
  2984. <p>“Traditionally, quality assessment is done using laboratory analytical methods,” University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences assistant professor Mohammed Kamruzzaman said in a statement. “You need different instruments to measure different attributes in the lab and you need to wait for the results.”</p>
  2985.  
  2986.  
  2987.  
  2988. <p>The researchers gathered 141 defect-free sweet potatoes and took photos from multiple angles. Hyperspectral imaging produces torrents of data, which can be both blessing and curse for researchers looking for specific variables. To solve that problem, the researchers used an AI model to help filter down the noisy data into several wavelengths. They were then able to connect those wavelengths to the specific desirable sweet potato attributes they were looking for.&nbsp;</p>
  2989.  
  2990.  
  2991.  
  2992. <p>“With hyperspectral imaging, you can measure several parameters simultaneously. You can assess every potato in a batch, not just a few samples,” Kamruzzaman added.</p>
  2993.  
  2994.  
  2995.  
  2996. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-and-hyperspectral-cameras-could-speed-up-vegetable-inspection"><strong>AI and hyperspectral cameras could speed up vegetable inspection</strong></h2>
  2997.  
  2998.  
  2999.  
  3000. <p>The researchers argue farmers and food inspectors could use their combination of hyperspectral imaging and AI to accurately and cost effectively scan sweet potatoes for key attributes while simultaneously cutting down on food waste created as a byproduct of traditional testing. And while this particular study focused on sweet potatoes, it’s possible similar tactics could be used to find desired features in a host of other vegetables and fruits as well. Kamruzzaman says he and his colleagues eventually want to create quickly and easily scan sweet potato batches. On the consumer side, the researchers envision one-day building out an app grocery store patrons could use to scan a potato and look up its particular attributes. Such an app, in theory, could cut down on patrons awkwardly fondling their produce.&nbsp;</p>
  3001.  
  3002.  
  3003.  
  3004. <p>“We believe this is a novel application of this method for sweet potato assessment,” doctoral student and study lead author Toukir Ahmed wrote. “This pioneering work has the potential to pave the way for usage in a wide range of other agricultural and biological research fields as well.”</p>
  3005.  
  3006.  
  3007.  
  3008. <p>The agriculture industry is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20240325-artificial-intelligence-ai-us-agriculture-farming">increasingly turning to AI solutions</a> to try and ramp up efficiency and head off <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/07/27/1190476628/americas-farms-are-facing-a-serious-labor-shortage">growing farm labor shortages</a>. From autonomous <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/robots-tulips/">Tulip-inspecting machines in Holland</a> to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/john-deere-tech-evolution-and-right-to-repair/">self-driving John Deere tractors</a>, farmers across the world are hoping these new innovations can eventually drive down food prices and increase their own profitability at the same time. How exactly that will all play out, however, remains to be seen. Agriculture gains derived from AI solutions may also take longer to benefit economically developing countries, <a target="_blank" href="https://basis.ucdavis.edu/developing-countries-and-future-small-scale-agriculture">where some farming is still done by hand.</a></p>
  3009. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/sweet-potato-ai/">Can AI help tell the difference between a good and bad sweet potato?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3010. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  3014. </item>
  3015. <item>
  3016. <title>The best kitchen scales for 2024</title>
  3017. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-kitchen-scale/</link>
  3019. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Bergstein and Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  3020. <pubDate>Sat, 24 Jul 2021 11:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
  3021. <category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
  3022. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  3023. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  3024. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  3025. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  3026. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  3027. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  3028. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  3029. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=382338</guid>
  3030.  
  3031. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  3032.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/The-best-kitchen-scales.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best kitchen scales on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>As accurate as they are stylish, the best kitchen scales help ensure there are no more recipe mishaps for bakers and baristas.   </p>
  3033. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-kitchen-scale/">The best kitchen scales for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3034. ]]></description>
  3035. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  3036.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/The-best-kitchen-scales.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best kitchen scales on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  3037. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  3038.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  3039.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  3040.      <tbody>
  3041.              <tr
  3042.          class="ProductTable-product"
  3043.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  3044.        >
  3045.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  3046.            Best overall
  3047.          </td>
  3048.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  3049.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display on a plain white background." class="wp-image-609262" width="264" height="165">
  3050.          </td>
  3051.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  3052.            OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale
  3053.          </td>
  3054.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  3055.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  3056.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3057.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3058.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3059.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3060.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3061.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  3062.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3063.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3064.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3065.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3066.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3067.                                  </div>
  3068.                          </div>
  3069.          </td>
  3070.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  3071.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  3072.                <span>
  3073.                  SEE IT
  3074.                </span>
  3075.            </a>
  3076.          </td>
  3077.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  3078.              <p>If precision and accuracy are essential to creating the perfect cake or cookie, this fine-tuned kitchen scale will help you measure all your ingredients to the exact ounce.</p>
  3079.  
  3080.            </td>
  3081.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  3082.        </tr>
  3083.              <tr
  3084.          class="ProductTable-product"
  3085.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  3086.        >
  3087.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  3088.            Best splurge
  3089.          </td>
  3090.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  3091.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Penn Scale PS-50 on a plain white background." class="wp-image-609263" width="264" height="165">
  3092.          </td>
  3093.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  3094.            Penn Scale PS-50
  3095.          </td>
  3096.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  3097.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  3098.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3099.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3100.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3101.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3102.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3103.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  3104.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3105.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3106.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3107.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3108.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3109.                                  </div>
  3110.                          </div>
  3111.          </td>
  3112.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  3113.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  3114.                <span>
  3115.                  SEE IT
  3116.                </span>
  3117.            </a>
  3118.          </td>
  3119.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  3120.              <p>Whether you&#8217;re meal prepping for two or cooking dinner for the whole family, this high-capacity pick can hold up to 50 pounds.</p>
  3121.  
  3122.            </td>
  3123.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  3124.        </tr>
  3125.              <tr
  3126.          class="ProductTable-product"
  3127.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  3128.        >
  3129.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  3130.            Best budget
  3131.          </td>
  3132.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  3133.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="The Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale is the best kitchen scale for occasional bakers." class="wp-image-382357" width="264" height="165">
  3134.          </td>
  3135.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  3136.            Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale
  3137.          </td>
  3138.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  3139.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  3140.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3141.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3142.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3143.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3144.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3145.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  3146.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3147.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3148.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3149.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3150.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  3151.                                  </div>
  3152.                          </div>
  3153.          </td>
  3154.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  3155.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  3156.                <span>
  3157.                  SEE IT
  3158.                </span>
  3159.            </a>
  3160.          </td>
  3161.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  3162.              <p>Precise cooking doesn&#8217;t need to come at a high cost. This budget option can measure your ingredients by the ounce, and has multi-unit conversion for convenient cooking.</p>
  3163.  
  3164.            </td>
  3165.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  3166.        </tr>
  3167.            </tbody>
  3168.    </table>
  3169.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  3170.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  3171.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  3172.    </div>
  3173.  </div>
  3174. </div>
  3175.  
  3176.  
  3177.  
  3178. <p>A kitchen scale will elevate a regular kitchen to a cozy cafe or full-on bakery. Cooking is an art, but baking is a science. You can add a pinch of this and a fistful of that when cooking, but accurate measuring is necessary for baking cakes, bread, pastries, and pies. And tried-and-true volume measurements (gallons, cups, teaspoons, etc.) are anything but true. If you measure wrong or have some remnants stuck to the sides and bottom of your measuring device, your baked goods may turn out as baked awfuls.</p>
  3179.  
  3180.  
  3181.  
  3182. <p>Inaccuracy leads to frustration, but an electronic kitchen scale eliminates mishaps by showing accurate readings in every unit of food measurement needed. Plus, it makes it incredibly easy to use one bowl for mixing an entire recipe as you zero out the scale for each new addition to the party. Cooking scales have come a long way since the days of shaky seesaw balancing contraptions. Today’s best baking scales are digital wonders that offer rechargeable batteries, unique features, speedy measuring, and fun designs.</p>
  3183.  
  3184.  
  3185.  
  3186. <ul>
  3187. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale</a></li>
  3188.  
  3189.  
  3190.  
  3191. <li><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Penn Scale PS-50</a></li>
  3192.  
  3193.  
  3194.  
  3195. <li><strong>Best eco-friendly:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale</a></li>
  3196.  
  3197.  
  3198.  
  3199. <li><strong>Best design: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale</a></li>
  3200.  
  3201.  
  3202.  
  3203. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Digital Food Kitchen Scale</a></li>
  3204. </ul>
  3205.  
  3206.  
  3207.  
  3208. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-shopping-for-the-best-kitchen-scale"><strong>What to consider when shopping for the best kitchen scale</strong></h2>
  3209.  
  3210.  
  3211.  
  3212. <p>You could add the first kitchen scale you see into your Amazon cart, but before you assume all kitchen scales are the same, explore the newest features and styles on the market. From functions to display type, specific options may work best for your kitchen and cooking style. Or, for that matter, whether you&#8217;re investing in <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-coffee-grinder/">a coffee grinder</a> to make <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-pour-over-coffee-maker/">the best pour-over</a>. We conducted research and hands-on testing to determine the best models to recommend.</p>
  3213.  
  3214.  
  3215.  
  3216. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-kitchen-scales-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>How we chose the best kitchen scales: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  3217.  
  3218.  
  3219.  
  3220. <p>The two key issues of any great kitchen scale are functionality and style. The scale must be easy to read and understand. It should also look great, like a sleek, shiny platform that works with your kitchen decor. Take a close look at the specs and find the food weight scale you can easily understand and operate, which you’ll be proud to show off in your kitchen.&nbsp;</p>
  3221.  
  3222.  
  3223.  
  3224. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-oxo-good-grips-11-pound-stainless-steel-food-scale"><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale</a></h3>
  3225.  
  3226.  
  3227. <div
  3228.    id="professional-quality"
  3229.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3230.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3231. >
  3232.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3233.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3234.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3235.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/OXO-Good-Grips-11-Pound-Stainless-Steel-Food-Scale-with-Pull-Out-Display.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display on a counter.">
  3236.                      </figure>
  3237.                  </a>
  3238.            </div>
  3239.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3240.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3241.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  3242.  
  3243.      </figcaption>
  3244.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3245.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000"
  3246.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3247.      </p>
  3248.      </div>
  3249. </div>
  3250.  
  3251.  
  3252.  
  3253. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  3254.  
  3255.  
  3256.  
  3257. <ul>
  3258. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 9.5 x 7.13 x 1.25 inches</li>
  3259.  
  3260.  
  3261.  
  3262. <li><strong>Maximum weight capacity:</strong> 11 pounds</li>
  3263.  
  3264.  
  3265.  
  3266. <li><strong>Measurement units:</strong> Ounces, grams, pounds</li>
  3267.  
  3268.  
  3269.  
  3270. <li><strong>Power source:</strong> <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-aaa-batteries/">AAA Batteries</a></li>
  3271. </ul>
  3272.  
  3273.  
  3274.  
  3275. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  3276.  
  3277.  
  3278.  
  3279. <ul>
  3280. <li>Pull out screen</li>
  3281.  
  3282.  
  3283.  
  3284. <li>Accurate measurements </li>
  3285.  
  3286.  
  3287.  
  3288. <li>Backlit display</li>
  3289. </ul>
  3290.  
  3291.  
  3292.  
  3293. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  3294.  
  3295.  
  3296.  
  3297. <ul>
  3298. <li>Price</li>
  3299. </ul>
  3300.  
  3301.  
  3302.  
  3303. <p>If you&#8217;re ready to leave volumetric baking measurements aside for weight, OXO Good Grips&#8217; 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale is the one to get. It follows the company&#8217;s track record of elevating kitchen tools, from <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-food-storage-containers/">storage containers</a> to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-grill-accessories/">grilling tools</a>, to make them more accessible to home cooks. The big innovation with its kitchen scale is a magnetically attached display that can be moved a few inches forward. This lets you see the screen when weighing ingredients in a big bowl. In our experience, this has become an indispensable feature, making one-bowl baking recipes easier to manage.</p>
  3304.  
  3305.  
  3306.  
  3307. <p>We&#8217;ve used this scale to measure ingredients from countless <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/recipe-apps/">recipes</a>—especially when testing <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-smart-ovens/">smart ovens</a> or even <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-microwaves/">microwaves</a>—and it&#8217;s never let us down. The scale was accurate when measuring wet or dry ingredients, and we&#8217;ve even used it when weighing batters or doughs, which are a combination of both. You&#8217;ll have to pay a relatively steep price for this scale, but it&#8217;s worth it to have your recipes turn out every single time. </p>
  3308.  
  3309.  
  3310.  
  3311. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-splurge-penn-scale-ps-50"><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Penn Scale PS-50</a></h3>
  3312.  
  3313.  
  3314. <div
  3315.    id="accurate-display"
  3316.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3317.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3318. >
  3319.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3320.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3321.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3322.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Penn-Scale-PS-50.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Penn Scale PS-50 on a plain white background.">
  3323.                      </figure>
  3324.                  </a>
  3325.            </div>
  3326.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3327.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3328.        <p><em>Penn Scale</em></p>
  3329.  
  3330.      </figcaption>
  3331.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3332.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000"
  3333.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3334.      </p>
  3335.      </div>
  3336. </div>
  3337.  
  3338.  
  3339.  
  3340. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  3341.  
  3342.  
  3343.  
  3344. <ul>
  3345. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 12.7 x 10.5 x 3.4 inches</li>
  3346.  
  3347.  
  3348.  
  3349. <li><strong>Maximum weight capacity:</strong> 50 pounds</li>
  3350.  
  3351.  
  3352.  
  3353. <li><strong>Measurement units:</strong> Pounds, ounces, kilograms</li>
  3354.  
  3355.  
  3356.  
  3357. <li><strong>Power source:</strong> AA batteries, AC adapter</li>
  3358. </ul>
  3359.  
  3360.  
  3361.  
  3362. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  3363.  
  3364.  
  3365.  
  3366. <ul>
  3367. <li>Ultra-high weight capacity</li>
  3368.  
  3369.  
  3370.  
  3371. <li>Multiple power sources</li>
  3372.  
  3373.  
  3374.  
  3375. <li>HD display</li>
  3376. </ul>
  3377.  
  3378.  
  3379.  
  3380. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  3381.  
  3382.  
  3383.  
  3384. <ul>
  3385. <li>Large</li>
  3386. </ul>
  3387.  
  3388.  
  3389.  
  3390. <p>Penn Scale&#8217;s PS-50 is the only kitchen scale we&#8217;re recommending that cracks three figures, and it&#8217;s best used by bakers who make food as a side hustle rather than the typical home cook. It can measure ingredients up to 50 pounds, which is helpful if you&#8217;re making a quintuple batch of chocolate chip cookies or cakes. Dessert <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/tips-for-meal-prepping/">meal preppers</a> who want to knock out a quarter&#8217;s worth of baking at one time—or have cookie dough at the ready in case of emergencies—will benefit from the elevated weight capacity. </p>
  3391.  
  3392.  
  3393.  
  3394. <p>With its great weight city comes a great need for energy, which is why Penn Scale equipped the PS-50 with two power sources. You can use this kitchen scale portably by popping in a whopping six AA batteries (we prefer <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-rechargeable-batteries/">the best rechargeable batteries</a>) or plug it into an outlet with the included A/C adapter. The latter limits where you can use the scale but is a little more eco-friendly. Another nice feature is this kitchen scale&#8217;s HD backlit screen, which displays its measurements clearly. If you&#8217;re upgrading from another kitchen scale because it can&#8217;t handle the volume of food you&#8217;ve cooking at one time, this is the one to get.</p>
  3395.  
  3396.  
  3397.  
  3398. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-eco-friendly-etekcity-rechargeable-food-kitchen-scale"><strong>Best eco-friendly:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale</a></h3>
  3399.  
  3400.  
  3401. <div
  3402.    id="no-batteries-needed"
  3403.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3404.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3405. >
  3406.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3407.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3408.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3409.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Etekcity-Rechargeable-Food-Kitchen-Scale.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/03/Etekcity-Rechargeable-Food-Kitchen-Scale.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Etekcity Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale on a countertop.">
  3410.                      </figure>
  3411.                  </a>
  3412.            </div>
  3413.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3414.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3415.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  3416.  
  3417.      </figcaption>
  3418.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3419.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000"
  3420.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3421.      </p>
  3422.      </div>
  3423. </div>
  3424.  
  3425.  
  3426.  
  3427. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  3428.  
  3429.  
  3430.  
  3431. <ul>
  3432. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 9.1 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches</li>
  3433.  
  3434.  
  3435.  
  3436. <li><strong>Maximum weight capacity:</strong> 22 pounds</li>
  3437.  
  3438.  
  3439.  
  3440. <li><strong>Measurement units:</strong> Grams, ounces, pounds</li>
  3441.  
  3442.  
  3443.  
  3444. <li><strong>Power source:</strong> Rechargeable battery</li>
  3445. </ul>
  3446.  
  3447.  
  3448.  
  3449. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  3450.  
  3451.  
  3452.  
  3453. <ul>
  3454. <li>Runs on a rechargable battery</li>
  3455.  
  3456.  
  3457.  
  3458. <li>High weight capacity </li>
  3459.  
  3460.  
  3461.  
  3462. <li>Responsive buttons</li>
  3463. </ul>
  3464.  
  3465.  
  3466.  
  3467. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  3468.  
  3469.  
  3470.  
  3471. <ul>
  3472. <li>Requires a USB-A to USB-C cable</li>
  3473.  
  3474.  
  3475.  
  3476. <li>Flat design makes it difficult to use with big bowls</li>
  3477. </ul>
  3478.  
  3479.  
  3480.  
  3481. <p>If you&#8217;re trying to eliminate the number of batteries you have to keep around, Etekcity&#8217;s Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale is a solid, eco-friendly solution. The scale can be plugged into any <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-chargers/">battery pack</a> or power adapter with a USB-A port using the included cable to be topped up. Frustratingly, using a USB-C to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/shop/usb-c-cables/">USB-C cable</a> will not work. In our experience, this kitchen scale was accurate enough that all of our recipes turned out regardless of the ingredients we were using. Its higher weight capacity allowed us to make a double batch of some recipes without running into any issues. </p>
  3482.  
  3483.  
  3484.  
  3485. <p>This kitchen scale has a relatively low profile, which is helpful when you need to get it into a drawer but a little frustrating if you&#8217;re trying to read its display when measuring ingredients in a large bowl. You&#8217;ll get the most accurate weight measurements when your bowl is centered on the scale, so you&#8217;ll need to be aware of its circumference. This typically wasn&#8217;t a big issue, but it&#8217;s something to be aware of if you like using wide bowls to measure ingredients when baking. With that caveat aside, Etekcity&#8217;s Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale would be a great addition to any kitchen.</p>
  3486.  
  3487.  
  3488.  
  3489. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-design-escali-primo-p115c-precision-kitchen-food-scale-for-baking-and-cooking"><strong>Best design: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale for Baking and Cooking</a></h3>
  3490.  
  3491.  
  3492. <div
  3493.    id="great-color-options"
  3494.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3495.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3496. >
  3497.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3498.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3499.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3500.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/escali-primo-p115c-precision-kitchen-food-scale-baking-cooking-best-for-interior-designers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/escali-primo-p115c-precision-kitchen-food-scale-baking-cooking-best-for-interior-designers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale is the best kitchen scale for cooking and baking.">
  3501.                      </figure>
  3502.                  </a>
  3503.            </div>
  3504.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3505.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3506.        <p><em>Escali </em></p>
  3507.  
  3508.      </figcaption>
  3509.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3510.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000"
  3511.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3512.      </p>
  3513.      </div>
  3514. </div>
  3515.  
  3516.  
  3517.  
  3518. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  3519.  
  3520.  
  3521.  
  3522. <ul>
  3523. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 8.5 x 6 x 1.5 inches</li>
  3524.  
  3525.  
  3526.  
  3527. <li><strong>Maximum weight capacity:</strong> 11 pounds</li>
  3528.  
  3529.  
  3530.  
  3531. <li><strong>Measurement units:</strong> Grams, ounces</li>
  3532.  
  3533.  
  3534.  
  3535. <li><strong>Power source:</strong> AAA batteries</li>
  3536. </ul>
  3537.  
  3538.  
  3539.  
  3540. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  3541.  
  3542.  
  3543.  
  3544. <ul>
  3545. <li>Elevated scale design</li>
  3546.  
  3547.  
  3548.  
  3549. <li>Low battery indicator </li>
  3550.  
  3551.  
  3552.  
  3553. <li>Available in several colors</li>
  3554. </ul>
  3555.  
  3556.  
  3557.  
  3558. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  3559.  
  3560.  
  3561.  
  3562. <ul>
  3563. <li>Tall size may make it difficult to fit in a drawer</li>
  3564. </ul>
  3565.  
  3566.  
  3567.  
  3568. <p>The Escali scale has all the features you want in a kitchen scale: Accurate readings in 1-gram increments, long-lasting battery life, and a clear display. The scale runs on AAA batteries and will even flash an alert on its screen when they&#8217;re running low on power. What sets this popular baking scale apart from the others is the variety of color options. Tarragon Green, Pumpkin Orange, Royal Blue, Warm Red—you definitely can find an Escali kitchen scale to match your cooking space. You can also stick with the classic chrome, white, or black if you can’t decide on a funky hue. No matter what color you pick, the Escali kitchen scale is a precise tool that’s easy on the eyes.</p>
  3569.  
  3570.  
  3571.  
  3572. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-etekcity-digital-food-kitchen-scale"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Digital Food Kitchen Scale</a></h3>
  3573.  
  3574.  
  3575. <div
  3576.    id="affordable-simple-solution"
  3577.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3578.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3579. >
  3580.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3581.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3582.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3583.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/21/etekcity-food-kitchen-scale-best-for-occasional-bakers.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale is the best kitchen scale for occasional bakers.">
  3584.                      </figure>
  3585.                  </a>
  3586.            </div>
  3587.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3588.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3589.        <p><em>Etekcity </em></p>
  3590.  
  3591.      </figcaption>
  3592.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3593.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000"
  3594.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3595.      </p>
  3596.      </div>
  3597. </div>
  3598.  
  3599.  
  3600.  
  3601. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  3602.  
  3603.  
  3604.  
  3605. <ul>
  3606. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 7.3 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches</li>
  3607.  
  3608.  
  3609.  
  3610. <li><strong>Maximum weight capacity:</strong> 22 pounds</li>
  3611.  
  3612.  
  3613.  
  3614. <li><strong>Measurement units:</strong> Ounces, pounds, grams</li>
  3615.  
  3616.  
  3617.  
  3618. <li><strong>Power source:</strong> AAA batteries</li>
  3619. </ul>
  3620.  
  3621.  
  3622.  
  3623. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  3624.  
  3625.  
  3626.  
  3627. <ul>
  3628. <li>Sleek look</li>
  3629.  
  3630.  
  3631.  
  3632. <li>Slim size</li>
  3633.  
  3634.  
  3635.  
  3636. <li>Price</li>
  3637. </ul>
  3638.  
  3639.  
  3640.  
  3641. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  3642.  
  3643.  
  3644.  
  3645. <ul>
  3646. <li>Harder to read the display when bowls are on it</li>
  3647. </ul>
  3648.  
  3649.  
  3650.  
  3651. <p>This tiny, budget-friendly cooking scale is a good little kitchen tool to help amateur bakers and those looking for portion control. Accuracy and durability may slip slightly below the $15 mark. That said, it can still be useful for those needing a quick, cheap scale. It’s good for cooking but also useful <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/">DIY crafts</a> with the kids. The LCD display is clear, and the buttons are easy to use. </p>
  3652.  
  3653.  
  3654.  
  3655. <p>The 7.3-inch by 5.7-inch scale is small enough to slip into any kitchen drawer, and the battery power lasts long if you use it only once or twice a week. However, this kitchen scale&#8217;s slim design has the same downside as the company&#8217;s rechargeable model: It will be hard to read its display when measuring ingredients in wide bowls. If you don’t want to invest in top-of-the-line kitchen equipment, this affordable scale is a good addition to your culinary toolbox.&nbsp;</p>
  3656.  
  3657.  
  3658.  
  3659. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-shopping-for-the-best-kitchen-scales"><strong>What to consider when shopping for the best kitchen scales</strong></h2>
  3660.  
  3661.  
  3662.  
  3663. <p>Ready to have your mind blown? One cup of flour is not the same as another equally sized cup of flour; how you scoop and pack the flour into the measuring cup results in varying weights. And it gets even more confusing when switching between wet and dry ingredients. Volume measurements, like cups, tell you how much space an ingredient is taking up. It doesn’t tell you the weight. That imprecise discrepancy can cause big problems for baking, where accuracy makes or breaks the finished product. True bakers know the best way to measure ingredients is via weight, sometimes called mass measurement. One hundred grams of flour will always be 100 grams, whether you measure it in a cup, a bowl, a Frisbee, or a top hat.&nbsp;</p>
  3664.  
  3665.  
  3666.  
  3667. <p>Kitchen scales let you pinpoint precise weights easily, down to the gram or half-gram. You don’t need to worry about any residue left on the inside of measuring cups or spoons. You don’t need to wonder if an ingredient should be packed down or loose and fluffy. When mixing wet ingredients, you don’t need to fret over the small, convex peak caused by the liquid’s surface tension. (Yes, that matters and makes a difference.) And functions like translating ounces to grams mean you won’t need to run to the internet for conversion charts.&nbsp;</p>
  3668.  
  3669.  
  3670.  
  3671. <p>In addition, for those on strict diets who closely monitor what they eat, a food weight scale simplifies the chore of portion control. Basically, if you don’t have a kitchen scale, you’re&nbsp;making kitchen duty that much more difficult.</p>
  3672.  
  3673.  
  3674.  
  3675. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-source">Power source</h3>
  3676.  
  3677.  
  3678.  
  3679. <p>Even the most luxurious kitchens can have a wall outlet deficiency. Between plugging in <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-personal-blenders/">blenders</a>, food processors, magic pots, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-rice-cooker/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rice cookers</a>, phone chargers, and the George Foreman grill, there’s no room in the outlet for new kitchen appliances. And adding bulky power strips to the kitchen makes the room look more like a workshop than a food-safe space. On top of that, it can be a pain dealing with cords for a kitchen accessory you may only use for a few seconds at a time. Fortunately, there are high-quality battery-operated kitchen scales for those who don’t have an outlet to spare.&nbsp; Choosing a cordless kitchen scale means you can use it on any flat surface, moving it near mixing bowls and frying pans for easy reach.&nbsp;</p>
  3680.  
  3681.  
  3682.  
  3683. <p>You can find kitchen scales that use standard AA or AAA batteries. They’re great for those who don’t plan to use the scale often and don’t mind buying batteries. Most have a surprisingly long battery life, powering through more than a few months on the same batteries.</p>
  3684.  
  3685.  
  3686.  
  3687. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size">Size</h3>
  3688.  
  3689.  
  3690.  
  3691. <p>Professional bakers recommend using a kitchen scale capable of weighing at least 11 pounds. That sounds like a lot of weight, but it also accounts for the weight of your mixing bowl. Cooking accessories such as bowls can get surprisingly hefty.&nbsp;</p>
  3692.  
  3693.  
  3694.  
  3695. <p>You can go bigger and buy a kitchen scale capable of weighing items heavier than 20 pounds, but how often are you baking a bowling ball? And you can go much, much smaller with some portable kitchen scales designed to measure only between 1 and 100 grams. But those have limited uses, mostly for coffee aficionados who demand a perfect brew. If measuring anything less than 5 grams, you’ll need a jeweler&#8217;s scale, not a kitchen scale.</p>
  3696.  
  3697.  
  3698.  
  3699. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-display">Display</h3>
  3700.  
  3701.  
  3702.  
  3703. <p>Any great kitchen scale display must be easy to read. The digital font should be big enough to decipher, and the numbers should be simple to understand. Some kitchen scales display weight in fractions, some use decimals, and some do both.&nbsp;</p>
  3704.  
  3705.  
  3706.  
  3707. <p>Perhaps even more importantly, make sure you understand what the numbers mean. You may find kitchen scales that measure fluid ounces, and, as any middle-school science teacher will yell at you, “fluid ounces” are not the same as ounces. Fluid ounces are a measurement of volume. Ounces are a measurement of weight. This discrepancy can be deceiving and confusing. Make sure you understand what the scale is actually measuring. For weight, the numbers to look for are grams, pounds, and ounces.&nbsp;</p>
  3708.  
  3709.  
  3710.  
  3711. <p>What’s more, backlit displays can be helpful, but baking is usually done in a brightly lit kitchen where even non-illuminated displays can be read quickly and easily. One overlooked display factor: It should be visible even if a big mixing bowl is sitting on the platform. If the screen is blocked, look for a “hold” button that will keep the weight on-screen even when you remove the bowl.</p>
  3712.  
  3713.  
  3714.  
  3715. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taring">Taring</h3>
  3716.  
  3717.  
  3718.  
  3719. <p>Most scales offer a tare function. This simply means that with the touch of a button, the display will zero out the weight of whatever’s on the scale. For instance, start by putting a mixing bowl on the scale, then hit tare to zero out the bowl&#8217;s weight. Add your first ingredient, and hit tare again. Add your second ingredient, and so on.&nbsp;</p>
  3720.  
  3721.  
  3722.  
  3723. <p>Don’t overlook the tare function. This might be the single most important button on any kitchen scale. By taring the weight, you can use one bowl for all of your ingredients. You won’t need to clean countless measuring cups and multiple mixing bowls. Tare it up for quick, efficient baking!</p>
  3724.  
  3725.  
  3726.  
  3727. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  3728.  
  3729.  
  3730.  
  3731. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628169940008"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do I know if my kitchen scale is accurate?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">To determine whether your kitchen scale is accurate, perform a few simple tests. You can buy special 5-gram and 10-gram weights made for scale calibration. These are relatively inexpensive, but you probably don’t need the hassle. Instead, plop a stick of butter on the scale. The scale should read 0.25 pounds or 4 ounces. If it doesn’t, read the instructional manual to learn how to calibrate your scale. <br/><br/>Simply put a nickel on the scale for the lactose intolerant or butter haters. Each U.S. nickel weighs 5 grams, so the scale should display 5 grams. Use clean coins that haven’t been worn down too much. This should tell you if the scale is ready to go.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628169948634"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Q: Can you store a digital kitchen scale on its side?</h3></strong></strong></strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>No, you shouldn’t store a digital kitchen scale on its side. Any scale sensitive enough to measure grams should be stored flat. The inner workings of the digital scale are made of delicate materials that may warp and deform if not stored correctly. The result is inaccurate results. If you do store the scale upright, put it through a few calibration tests (see above) before using it for serious baking. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628169953530"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong><strong><strong><strong>Q: Are cheap scales accurate?</h3></strong></strong></strong></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Cheap scales are very accurate—if used correctly. Inexpensive kitchen scales are great for measuring food portions. Most will have a tare button and a good display for mixing recipes. The lower price usually means less functions. Cheaper scales may not be able to measure in 0.5-gram increments, which can be important for some recipes. They may also have slower read times, adding a few half seconds to the baking process. That probably won’t matter much to the average person, but if you plan to use the scale often, slow calculations can be very frustrating. And if you measure weight less than 5 grams, you don’t need a kitchen scale, you’ll need a more precise jeweler&#8217;s scale.</p> </div> </div>
  3732.  
  3733.  
  3734.  
  3735. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-kitchen-scales"><strong>Final thoughts on the best kitchen scales</strong></h2>
  3736.  
  3737.  
  3738.  
  3739. <ul>
  3740. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Pull-Out-Display/dp/B079D9B82W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips 11-Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale</a></li>
  3741.  
  3742.  
  3743.  
  3744. <li><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Scale-PS-50-Bench-Portion/dp/B01MYFS2NX?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Penn Scale PS-50</a></li>
  3745.  
  3746.  
  3747.  
  3748. <li><strong>Best eco-friendly:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Waterproof-Rechargeable-Graduation-Stainless/dp/B09HM2TN5Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Rechargeable Food Kitchen Scale</a></li>
  3749.  
  3750.  
  3751.  
  3752. <li><strong>Best design: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Escali-P115C-Precision-Lightweight-Lifetime/dp/B0007GAWRS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Escali Primo P115C Precision Kitchen Food Scale</a></li>
  3753.  
  3754.  
  3755.  
  3756. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Multifunction-Stainless-Batteries-Included/dp/B0113UZJE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000382338O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Etekcity Digital Food Kitchen Scale</a></li>
  3757. </ul>
  3758.  
  3759.  
  3760.  
  3761. <p>No matter what type of food you’re preparing, a quality baking scale makes the recipe manageable. Find an electronic scale that fits your kitchen decor, from a small, green scale highlighting your style to a more substantial stainless-steel platform telling the world you know what you’re doing. Understand the difference between volume measurements (cups, fluid ounces, and teaspoons) and weight/mass measurements (pounds, ounces, and grams). It will become second nature once you wrap your head around that for a few meal prep sessions. With the right kitchen scale, you’ll be cooking up a storm and baking up a delicate French pastry like a pro.</p>
  3762.  
  3763.  
  3764.  
  3765. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  3766.  
  3767.  
  3768.  
  3769. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  3770.  
  3771.  
  3772.  
  3773. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  3774. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-kitchen-scale/">The best kitchen scales for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3775. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  3779. </item>
  3780. <item>
  3781. <title>Gassy geysers create &#8216;spiders&#8217; on Mars</title>
  3782. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/spiders-mars-inca-city/</link>
  3784. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  3785. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:58:35 +0000</pubDate>
  3786. <category><![CDATA[Mars]]></category>
  3787. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  3788. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  3789. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  3790. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612539</guid>
  3791.  
  3792. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3793.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/spiders-inca-mars.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="left image- This rectangular image shows part of the martian surface as if the viewer is looking down and across the landscape, with the irregular, mottled ground appearing in swirled tones of brown and tan. right image- A slice of the martian surface is shown here. A rounded segment of an eroded crater basin is visible to the right. The key features seen across the image are dark spots with tendrils that are eerily reminiscent of spiders. These are visible in large numbers to the left, and scattered irregularly across the rest of the image." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Mars' Inca City formation (left) is home to Martian ‘spiders’ every spring (right). <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (left) ESA/TGO/CaSSIS (right)</span></figcaption></figure><p>ESA captures new images of the seasonal phenomenon in the 'Inca City' region of the Red Planet.</p>
  3794. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/spiders-mars-inca-city/">Gassy geysers create &#8216;spiders&#8217; on Mars</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3795. ]]></description>
  3796. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3797.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/spiders-inca-mars.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="left image- This rectangular image shows part of the martian surface as if the viewer is looking down and across the landscape, with the irregular, mottled ground appearing in swirled tones of brown and tan. right image- A slice of the martian surface is shown here. A rounded segment of an eroded crater basin is visible to the right. The key features seen across the image are dark spots with tendrils that are eerily reminiscent of spiders. These are visible in large numbers to the left, and scattered irregularly across the rest of the image." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Mars' Inca City formation (left) is home to Martian ‘spiders’ every spring (right). <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (left) ESA/TGO/CaSSIS (right)</span></figcaption></figure>
  3798. <p>It’s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/mars-spiders-dry-ice/">‘spider’ season</a> on the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/perseverance-ingenuity/">Red Planet</a>. There are no actual spiders on Mars–that we know of–but arachnid-shaped black spots dot some parts of our celestial neighbor every <a href="https://www.popsci.com/new-evidence-that-mars-has-flowing-water/">spring</a>.<br></p>
  3799.  
  3800.  
  3801.  
  3802. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/below-mars-surface-landslides-discovered/"><strong>Mars’s mascara-like streaks may be caused by slush and landslides</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  3803.  
  3804.  
  3805.  
  3806. <p>The European Space Agency (ESA) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">released new images of</a> these seasonal eruptions in a formation called Inca City in Mars&#8217; southern polar region.</p>
  3807.  
  3808.  
  3809.  
  3810. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-martian-spiders-form"><strong>How do Martian ‘spiders’ form?</strong></h2>
  3811.  
  3812.  
  3813.  
  3814. <p>Mars has <a target="_blank" href="https://sci.esa.int/web/home/-/30214-the-seasons-on-mars">four distinct seasons</a>, similarly to Earth. Each Martian season lasts roughly twice as long as a season here. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">According to the ESA</a>, these spider-like marks appear in Martian spring when sunlight falls on layers of carbon dioxide that have been deposited over the dark Martian winter. The sunlight causes <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/mars-spiders-dry-ice/">carbon dioxide ice at the bottom layer to turn into gas</a>. The gas builds up and eventually breaks through slabs overlying ice around Mars’ poles. When they burst free, the dark material is dragged up to the surface as it travels and shatters layers of ice that are up to three feet thick. </p>
  3815.  
  3816.  
  3817.  
  3818. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/mars-spiders.png" alt="A slice of the martian surface is shown here. A rounded segment of an eroded crater basin is visible to the right. The key features seen across the image are dark spots with tendrils that are eerily reminiscent of spiders. These are visible in large numbers to the left, and scattered irregularly across the rest of the image." class="wp-image-612541" width="985" height="696"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Spider-like features form when spring sunshine falls on layers of carbon dioxide deposited over the dark winter months. CREDIT: ESA/TGO/CaSSIS.</em></figcaption></figure>
  3819.  
  3820.  
  3821.  
  3822. <p>The emerging gas is full of dark dust and shoots up through cracks in the ice similar to a fountain or geyser. The gas then travels back down and settles on the surface. The settling gas creates dark spots which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">range from 0.3 to 0.6 miles across</a>. This same process creates the spider-shaped patterns that are etched beneath the ice.</p>
  3823.  
  3824.  
  3825.  
  3826. <p>The image was captured by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cassis.unibe.ch/">CaSSIS instrument</a> aboard the ESA’s <a target="_blank" href="https://exploration.esa.int/web/mars/-/46475-trace-gas-orbiter">ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter</a> (TGO). CaSSIS stands for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cassis.unibe.ch/">Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System</a> and it was built at the University of Bern in Germany. It creates high resolution images designed to complement data collected on Mars. It is made up of a telescope and focal plane system that are mounted on a rotation mechanism and has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cassis.unibe.ch/instrument/experiment_overview#pane403593">three electronics units that relay images back to the ESA</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  3827.  
  3828.  
  3829.  
  3830. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mars’ mysterious Inca City</strong></h2>
  3831.  
  3832.  
  3833.  
  3834. <p>Most of the spots in this new image are seen on the outskirts of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia18741-angustus-labyrinthus">Angustus Labyrinthus</a>–more commonly called Inca City. NASA’s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-03/top-five-space-illusions/">Mariner 9 probe first spotted Inca City in 1972</a> and its geometric-looking network of ridges reminded astronomers of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/machu-picchu-inca-genetic-diversity/">Inca ruins</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  3835.  
  3836.  
  3837.  
  3838. <p>Scientists are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">still not sure exactly how Inca City formed</a>. It may be sand dunes that have turned to stone over millennia. Materials like magma or sand could also be seeping through cracked sheets of Martian rock. The ridges could also be winding structures related to glaciers called eskers. </p>
  3839.  
  3840.  
  3841.  
  3842. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/mars-inca-city.jpg" alt="This rectangular image shows part of the martian surface as if the viewer is looking down and across the landscape, with the irregular, mottled ground appearing in swirled tones of brown and tan." class="wp-image-612542"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This oblique perspective view looks across a part of Mars nicknamed Inca City (formally named Angustus Labyrinthus). The reason for this is no mystery, with the linear network of ridges being reminiscent of Inca ruins. Traces of features known as ‘spiders’ can be seen; these small, dark features form as carbon dioxide gas warms up in sunlight and breaks through slabs of overlying ice. CREDIT: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin</em></figcaption></figure>
  3843.  
  3844.  
  3845.  
  3846. <p>Inca City also appears to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">part of a large circle</a>–about 53 miles in diameter. Scientists believe that the ‘ formation sits within a large crater that may have taken shape as a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/mars-jezero-crater-nasa-image/">rock from space crashed into Mars’ surface</a>. The impact likely caused faults to ripple through the surrounding plain. The faults were then filled with rising lava and have worn away over time.&nbsp;</p>
  3847.  
  3848.  
  3849.  
  3850. <p>Towards the middle section of the image the landscape changes somewhat, with large roundish and oval swirls creating an effect reminiscent of marble. This effect is thought to occur when layered deposits are worn away over time.</p>
  3851.  
  3852.  
  3853.  
  3854. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/mars-spiders-dry-ice/"><strong>Scientists brought ‘Mars spiders’ to Earth—here’s how</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  3855.  
  3856.  
  3857.  
  3858. <p>A few prominent steep, flat-topped mounds and hills <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">stand almost 5,000 feet above the surrounding terrain</a>. These mounds form as softer material is eroded wind, water, or ice. The harder material left behind forms these hills. Some signs of the ‘spiders’ are scattered across the dust-covered plateaus, lurking amongst various canyons and troughs.</p>
  3859.  
  3860.  
  3861.  
  3862. <p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Signs_of_spiders_from_Mars">data for these images was captured on October 4, 2020</a> during Mars’ most recent spring. The Red Planet is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.planetary.org/articles/mars-calendar">currently in its autumn</a> and its next spring equinox will be on November 12, 2024.</p>
  3863. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/spiders-mars-inca-city/">Gassy geysers create &#8216;spiders&#8217; on Mars</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3864. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  3868. </item>
  3869. <item>
  3870. <title>Newest luxury submersible offers ocean explorers champagne and blackjack</title>
  3871. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/luxury-submersible/</link>
  3873. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  3874. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:33:18 +0000</pubDate>
  3875. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  3876. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612356</guid>
  3877.  
  3878. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3879.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/submersible-AVA-UW-34.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Eight passengers and a pilot can dive up to 200 meters in Triton’s new luxury submersible." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Eight passengers and a pilot can dive up to 200 meters in Triton’s new luxury submersible. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Titron/Nick Verola</span></figcaption></figure><p>'...you feel at one with the water.'</p>
  3880. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/luxury-submersible/">Newest luxury submersible offers ocean explorers champagne and blackjack</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3881. ]]></description>
  3882. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3883.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/submersible-AVA-UW-34.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Eight passengers and a pilot can dive up to 200 meters in Triton’s new luxury submersible." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Eight passengers and a pilot can dive up to 200 meters in Triton’s new luxury submersible. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Titron/Nick Verola</span></figcaption></figure>
  3884. <p>When OceanGate’s under-tested <em>Titan</em> submersible <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/oceangate-titan-submersible/">went missing last summer</a>, it captured the attention of millions worldwide. Authorities frantically scoured the North Atlantic Ocean for days only to eventually determine the small vessel had <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/oceangate-titan-debris-confirm/">catastrophically imploded</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/europe/titan-submersible-victims-intl/index.html#:~:text=Tributes%20from%20grief-stricken%20relatives,the%20bottom%20of%20the%20ocean.">killing its five passengers instantly</a>. The tragic incident <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/12/business/dealbook/yachts-submersibles.html">doesn’t appear to have actually slowed demand or interest</a> in the vessels among its audience of passionate, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/12/business/dealbook/yachts-submersibles.html">often wealthy</a>, underwater exploration enthusiasts. The latest in ocean submersibles by a different company, Triton, recently delivered its most eye-catching submersible to date. It won&#8217;t dive as deep as some industry competitors, but it promises passengers an over-the-top, luxurious experience. </p>
  3885.  
  3886.  
  3887.  
  3888. <p>Dubbed the <em>660/9 AVA</em>, the new vessel can plunge 600 feet below the surface. (Deep-sea <a target="_blank" href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/deep-ocean.html#:~:text=The%20deep%20ocean%20is%20generally,200%20meters%20(656%20feet)">technically begins at 656 feet.</a>) The submersible will offer eight passengers and a pilot a panoramic view of the water world surrounding them. In a <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/83GbxKuwPm0?si=INoGZQ6qTJhJxa4x">video released this week</a> highlighting the submersible, Triton described the <em>660/9 AVA</em> as “a vessel of discovery crafted for extraordinary experiences.” Triton delivered its first <em>660/9 AVA</em> to a cruise company earlier this month.</p>
  3889.  
  3890.  
  3891. <div><lite-youtube videoid="dR12ckJUCU8" style="background-image: none;">
  3892.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dR12ckJUCU8/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Newest luxury submersible offers ocean explorers champagne and blackjack">
  3893.            </lite-youtube>
  3894.            
  3895.            <noscript>
  3896. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  3897. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Introduction the Triton 660/9 AVA" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dR12ckJUCU8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  3898. </div></figure>
  3899. </noscript></div>
  3900.  
  3901.  
  3902. <p>The vessel’s elongated, bubble-like design is part of what Triton describes as the world’s first “free-form acrylic pressure hull.” Occupants who can afford a trip in the glitzy submersible can explore marine life in style. Triton says passengers can engage in a variety of premium activities including “cocktail dives,” “spa treatment,” and “subsea gaming.” A render of the submersible on Triton’s website shows it equipped with a blackjack table, dining arrangements, and plenty of champagne.&nbsp;</p>
  3903.  
  3904.  
  3905.  
  3906. <p>Triton derived its first <em>660/9 AVC</em> to the firm Scenic Luxury Cruises &amp; Tours earlier this month. That specific sub has been bestowed the name “Scenic Neptune II.” Over the next two years passengers will have the opportunity to lower the submersible down for a look though ocean waters off the coasts of New Zealand, Indonesia, and even East Antarctica. </p>
  3907.  
  3908.  
  3909.  
  3910. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/AVA-Night-1.jpg" alt="Tourists can enjoy a meal or even play blackjack while exploring the ocean floor." class="wp-image-612416"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Triton delivered its first <em>660/9 AVA</em> to Scenic Luxury Cruises &amp; Tours earlier this month.  <em>Credit: Titron/Nick Verola</em></figcaption></figure>
  3911.  
  3912.  
  3913.  
  3914. <p>&#8220;The clarity of the acrylic hull once submerged is such that you feel at one with the water,” Scenic Luxury Cruises &amp; Tours Director of Discovery Operations Jason Flesher said in a statement. “Encountering the vibrant marine life of the South Pacific and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef within Scenic Neptune II will create memories to last a lifetime.”&nbsp;</p>
  3915.  
  3916.  
  3917.  
  3918. <p>Titron was founded in 2007. Since then, its fleet of various submersibles have been used for everything from deep-sea research and film making to ambitious ocean exploration. Some of the biggest celebrity names in submersible ocean exploration, like hedge fund manager Ray Dalio and acclaimed film director James Cameron, have <a target="_blank" href="https://tritonsubs.com/james-cameron-and-ray-dalio-partner-with-triton-submarines/">previously partnered with the company</a>. Both Dalio and Cameron have expressed interest in using vessels like these to discover new parts of the ocean still shrouded in darkness.</p>
  3919.  
  3920.  
  3921.  
  3922. <p></p>
  3923. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/luxury-submersible/">Newest luxury submersible offers ocean explorers champagne and blackjack</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3924. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  3928. </item>
  3929. <item>
  3930. <title>The latest battery-powered Ring doorbell is at its lowest price ever</title>
  3931. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/ring-battery-doorbell-deal-amazon/</link>
  3933. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  3934. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:08:05 +0000</pubDate>
  3935. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  3936. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  3937. <category><![CDATA[Smart Home]]></category>
  3938. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  3939. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  3940. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612475</guid>
  3941.  
  3942. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3943.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Deal-Amazon.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A tile set of Ring Battery Doorbell Deal Amazon." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brandt Ranj </span></figcaption></figure><p>If you've put off setting up a home security system, take the first step by snagging this Ring doorbell at Amazon. </p>
  3944. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/ring-battery-doorbell-deal-amazon/">The latest battery-powered Ring doorbell is at its lowest price ever</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  3945. ]]></description>
  3946. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  3947.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Deal-Amazon.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A tile set of Ring Battery Doorbell Deal Amazon." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brandt Ranj </span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  3948. </div>
  3949. <p>Nobody likes to think about why they&#8217;re beefing up their home security system, but it&#8217;s important to take some precautions against package theft (or worse) now that the technology is available and accessible. If &#8220;set up a home security system&#8221; has been on your to-do list for months, we highly recommend taking advantage of Amazon&#8217;s deal on the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, which is on sale for a limited time.</p>
  3950.  
  3951.  
  3952.  
  3953. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ring-battery-doorbell-plus-119-99-was-149-99"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Ring-Battery-Doorbell-detection/dp/B09WZBPX7K?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><strong>Ring Battery Doorbell Plus</strong></a> $119.99 (Was $149.99)</h3>
  3954.  
  3955.  
  3956. <div
  3957.    id="ring-battery-doorbell-plus"
  3958.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  3959.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  3960. >
  3961.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  3962.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Ring-Battery-Doorbell-detection/dp/B09WZBPX7K?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  3963.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  3964.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Plus.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Plus.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Ring Battery Doorbell Plus on a plain white background.">
  3965.                      </figure>
  3966.                  </a>
  3967.            </div>
  3968.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  3969.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  3970.        <p><em>Ring</em></p>
  3971.  
  3972.      </figcaption>
  3973.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  3974.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Ring-Battery-Doorbell-detection/dp/B09WZBPX7K?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000"
  3975.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  3976.      </p>
  3977.      </div>
  3978. </div>
  3979.  
  3980.  
  3981.  
  3982. <p>The 1536P camera has a motion sensor, and will send your phone alerts each time someone walks by or pushes its ringer button. A microphone and speaker system will allow you to speak with the person at your door in real time, which is helpful if whether you&#8217;d like to tell a friend you&#8217;re not home, or a stranger they&#8217;re being watched. The best part is that this model of Ring Doorbell is battery-powered, which means it requires little time and very few tools to set up. The rechargeable battery&#8217;s lifespan will depend on how often its motion sensor is triggered, but you can pick up a second one <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Rechargeable-Battery-Pack/dp/B076JKHDQT?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">for $35</a> if you&#8217;d like to have a spare on hand to swap out immediately. Whether you rent or own, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is a wise investment, especially at its current price.</p>
  3983.  
  3984.  
  3985.  
  3986. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-ring-home-security-deals"><strong>More Ring home security deals </strong></h3>
  3987.  
  3988.  
  3989.  
  3990. <ul>
  3991. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Video-Doorbell-Venetian-Bronze-2020-Release/dp/B08N5NQ69J?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ring Video Doorbell</a> $59.99 (Was $99.99)</li>
  3992.  
  3993.  
  3994.  
  3995. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/introducing-the-all-new-Ring-Indoor-Cam/dp/B0B6GLQJMV?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen)</a> $39.99 (Was $59.99)</li>
  3996.  
  3997.  
  3998.  
  3999. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Battery-security-privacy-controls/dp/B0C5QRZ47P?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ring Stick Up Cam Battery</a> $69.99 (Was $99.99)</li>
  4000.  
  4001.  
  4002.  
  4003. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Floodlight-Cam-Wired-Plus/dp/B08F6GPQQ7?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus</a> $139.99 (Was $199.99)</li>
  4004.  
  4005.  
  4006.  
  4007. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Spotlight-Cam-Plus-Battery-White/dp/B09JZ5BG26?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000612475O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ring Spotlight Cam Plus Battery</a> $129.99 (Was $169.99)</li>
  4008. </ul>
  4009. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/ring-battery-doorbell-deal-amazon/">The latest battery-powered Ring doorbell is at its lowest price ever</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4010. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4014. </item>
  4015. <item>
  4016. <title>Astronomers fight to save a major X-ray space telescope</title>
  4017. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/save-chandra/</link>
  4019. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Briley Lewis]]></dc:creator>
  4020. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4021. <category><![CDATA[Deep Space]]></category>
  4022. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  4023. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  4024. <category><![CDATA[Space Telescope]]></category>
  4025. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612487</guid>
  4026.  
  4027. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4028.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/chandra-lead.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="In about 5 billion years, our Sun will run out of fuel and expand, possibly engulfing Earth. These end stages of a star’s life can be utterly beautiful as is the case with this planetary nebula called the Helix Nebula. Astronomers study these objects by looking at all kinds of light, including X-rays that the Chandra X-ray Observatory sees." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">In about 5 billion years, our Sun will run out of fuel and expand, possibly engulfing Earth. These end stages of a star’s life can be utterly beautiful as is the case with this planetary nebula called the Helix Nebula. Astronomers study these objects by looking at all kinds of light, including X-rays that the Chandra X-ray Observatory sees. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC; Optical: NASA/ STScI/M. Meixner, ESA/NRAO/T.A. Rector; Infrared:NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Su; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk and K. Arcand</span></figcaption></figure><p>Chandra X-Ray Observatory is in trouble. Losing it could set the field back decades.</p>
  4029. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/save-chandra/">Astronomers fight to save a major X-ray space telescope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4030. ]]></description>
  4031. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4032.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/chandra-lead.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="In about 5 billion years, our Sun will run out of fuel and expand, possibly engulfing Earth. These end stages of a star’s life can be utterly beautiful as is the case with this planetary nebula called the Helix Nebula. Astronomers study these objects by looking at all kinds of light, including X-rays that the Chandra X-ray Observatory sees." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">In about 5 billion years, our Sun will run out of fuel and expand, possibly engulfing Earth. These end stages of a star’s life can be utterly beautiful as is the case with this planetary nebula called the Helix Nebula. Astronomers study these objects by looking at all kinds of light, including X-rays that the Chandra X-ray Observatory sees. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; UV: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSC; Optical: NASA/ STScI/M. Meixner, ESA/NRAO/T.A. Rector; Infrared:NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Su; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk and K. Arcand</span></figcaption></figure>
  4033. <p>One of NASA’s Great Observatories may soon meet an untimely demise. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory—an orbiting telescope launched in 1999 aboard Space Shuttle <em>Columbia</em>—is facing a major financial threat in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2025-budget-request/">NASA’s latest budget proposal</a>. Major cuts to its funding could lead to layoffs for half of the observatory’s staff by October and, according to concerned scientists, a premature end to the mission around 2026. Astronomers are worried that losing a telescope so crucial to our studies of the high-energy cosmos could set the field back by decades.&nbsp;</p>
  4034.  
  4035.  
  4036.  
  4037. <p>In an <a target="_blank" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65ef9450c5609f1ad469073d/t/660592b86451fa042ad6bd85/1711641272275/US+X-ray+Astrophysics.pdf">open letter</a>, a group of astronomers claimed that Chandra “is capable of many more years of operation and scientific discovery” and that a “reduction of the budget of our flagship X-ray mission will have an outsized impact on both U.S. high-energy astrophysics research and the larger astronomy and astrophysics community.”</p>
  4038.  
  4039.  
  4040.  
  4041. <p>“It&#8217;s a huge monetary and environmental toll to put an observatory up in space, so I think it’s really important to value that and to not treat these instruments as disposable,” adds Samantha Wong, an astronomer at McGill University. “People outside of astronomy contribute to the cost of these instruments (both literally and in terms of environmental and satellite pollution), so it’s in everyone’s best interest that we use Chandra to the full extent it’s capable of.”&nbsp;</p>
  4042.  
  4043.  
  4044.  
  4045. <p>Chandra was launched in the 90s along with the optical and ultraviolet <a target="_blank" href="https://hubblesite.org/home">Hubble Space Telescope</a>, the infrared <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/spitzer/">Spitzer Space Telescope</a> (recently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spitzer-space-telescope-ends-mission-of-astronomical-discovery/">decommissioned in 2020</a>), and the <a target="_blank" href="https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/missions/cgro/">Compton Gamma Ray Observatory</a> (the shortest lived of the bunch, ending in 2000). Much like the powerhouse Hubble, Chandra was initially meant to operate for five years—but its enduring excellent performance has cemented it as a pillar of astronomy research for the past two and a half decades. Although any piece of equipment will naturally degrade over time, Chandra continues to return excellent scientific results, deemed “the most powerful X-ray facility in orbit” from <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/resources/documents/2022-senior-review-operating-missions/">a recent NASA senior review</a>, with potential to keep going for another decade until it runs out of fuel as long as the team on the ground can continue operating it.</p>
  4046.  
  4047.  
  4048.  
  4049. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1300" height="1300" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/ar_catseye.jpg" alt="Eventually, our Sun will run out of fuel and die (though not for another 5 billion years). As it does, it will become like the object seen here, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, which is a planetary nebula. A fast wind from the remaining stellar core rams into the ejected atmosphere and pushes it outward, creating wispy structures seen in X-rays by Chandra and optical light by the Hubble Space Telescope." class="wp-image-612492"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Eventually, our Sun will run out of fuel and die (though not for another 5 billion years). As it does, it will become like the object seen here, the Cat’s Eye Nebula, which is a planetary nebula. A fast wind from the remaining stellar core rams into the ejected atmosphere and pushes it outward, creating wispy structures seen in X-rays by Chandra and optical light by the Hubble Space Telescope. <em>Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO; Optical: NASA/ESA/STScI; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Major, L. Frattare, K. Arcand</em></figcaption></figure>
  4050.  
  4051.  
  4052.  
  4053. <p>Space telescopes are huge endeavors and marvels of engineering, and each one opens up a new window to the universe. Astronomy requires seeing the universe in <a target="_blank" href="https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/multiwavelength1.html">multiple wavelengths of light</a>, far beyond what human eyes can sense, from low-energy radio waves to the highest-energy gamma rays. “It’s hard to overstate how much we’re learning about the cosmos by just putting big pieces of glass in the sky,” said Harvard astronomer Grant Tremblay <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJoeMorelle/status/1774170611805294871">in a conversation with New York Rep. Joe Morelle</a>.</p>
  4054.  
  4055.  
  4056.  
  4057. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/telescope-images/"><strong>Where do all those colors in space telescope images come from?</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  4058.  
  4059.  
  4060.  
  4061. <p>In space, X-rays can tell us about the most explosive phenomena in the cosmos: supernovae, supermassive black holes, colliding neutron stars, and more. Chandra is one of a small number of telescopes—including the European <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton">XMM-Newton</a> and Japanese <a target="_blank" href="https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xrism/">XRISM</a>—that can sense X-rays, the same high-energy light used to image human bones here on the ground. However, Chandra is unique even out of that small bunch, able to see in unparalleled detail. Observations from Chandra have also <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/AffeliaW/status/1770236027799499245">revealed fluorescence on planets in the solar system</a>, and where <a target="_blank" href="https://chandra.harvard.edu/photo/2006/1e0657/">mysterious dark matter lurks in a cluster of galaxies</a>.</p>
  4062.  
  4063.  
  4064.  
  4065. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="520" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/1e0657.jpg" alt='This composite image shows the galaxy cluster 1E 0657-56, also known as the "bullet cluster." This cluster was formed after the collision of two large clusters of galaxies, the most energetic event known in the universe since the Big Bang. ' class="wp-image-612499"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This composite image shows the galaxy cluster 1E 0657-56, also known as the &#8220;bullet cluster.&#8221; This cluster was formed after the collision of two large clusters of galaxies, the most energetic event known in the universe since the Big Bang. <em>Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/CfA/M.Markevitch et al.; Optical: NASA/STScI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.; Lensing Map: NASA/STScI; ESO WFI; Magellan/U.Arizona/D.Clowe et al.</em></figcaption></figure>
  4066.  
  4067.  
  4068.  
  4069. <p>Since the budget cuts were announced in March, astronomers have rallied together to #SaveChandra, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.savechandra.org/why">compiling their case for the observatory into a website</a>. “Together, Chandra and Hubble are amongst the most scientifically productive missions in the <em>entire</em> NASA Science portfolio,” reads the Save Chandra website. Astronomers also expect Chandra to be highly complementary to <a target="_blank" href="https://webb.nasa.gov/">the famous JWST</a> and the <a target="_blank" href="https://rubinobservatory.org/">upcoming Rubin Observatory in Chile</a>, which will scan nearly the entire sky every night. For example, Chandra can peer into the hearts of high-redshift galaxies seen by Webb, learning more about the supermassive black holes at their centers. It will also be crucial for follow up on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lsst.org/scientists/keynumbers">10 million alerts that Rubin will generate each night</a> by pinpointing short-lived, bright flashes from explosive celestial events.</p>
  4070.  
  4071.  
  4072.  
  4073. <p>Astronomers have also been advocating on social media, including sharing personal anecdotes of how important Chandra has been to their scientific careers, from <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Jennifer/status/1767741567102505033">a graduate student describing the importance of Chandra in her education</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ohdearz/status/1767733653889593508">a professor reminiscing on her first research paper in 2001</a>, which used Chandra data and led to 30 other papers related to the mission in her career.&nbsp;</p>
  4074.  
  4075.  
  4076.  
  4077. <p>One of the biggest concerns in the community is the fact that there is no replacement for Chandra on the horizons. Its successor, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lynxobservatory.com/">Lynx observatory</a>, is “unlikely to launch before the 2050s” according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dias.ie/2024/03/04/dr-affelia-wibisono/">Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies astronomer Affelia Wibisono</a>—that is, if it launches at all. NASA is considering a smaller X-ray probe mission (to be chosen from a few ideas, including <a target="_blank" href="https://strobe-x.org/">STROBE-X</a> or the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/spaces/lem#:~:text=LEM%20is%20optimized%20to%20explore,bright%20Milky%20Way%20halo%20emission.">Line Emission Mapper</a>), but none of these concepts would fill the gap left by Chandra. Plus, the resulting layoffs from Chandra’s demise would lead to a huge loss of expertise in X-ray astronomy as jobless astronomers are forced to leave the field, creating a huge gap in our ability to even do the science expected from Lynx and other future observatories. Without Chandra, “there’s little incentive or accessibility to doing high energy work for the next decade or so, which really depletes the field and makes it hard to retain momentum in the science that we’re doing,” adds Wong.</p>
  4078.  
  4079.  
  4080.  
  4081. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="863" height="596" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/25/chandra-image.png" alt="To learn more about the supernova explosion, scientists compared the Webb view of the pristine debris with X-ray maps of radioactive elements that were created in the supernova. They used NASA’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) data to map radioactive titanium — still visible today — and Chandra to map where radioactive nickel was by measuring the locations of iron. Radioactive nickel decays to form iron. These additional images show NuSTAR in blue, Chandra in purple, Webb/Spitzer in gold and green, and Hubble in yellow. Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO, NASA/JPL/Caltech/NuStar; Optical: NASA/STScI/HST; IR: NASA/STScI/JWST, NASA/JPL/CalTech/SST; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt, K. Arcand, and J. Major" class="wp-image-612510"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">To learn more about the supernova explosion, scientists compared the Webb view of the pristine debris with X-ray maps of radioactive elements that were created in the supernova. They used NASA’s Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) data to map radioactive titanium—still visible today—and Chandra to map where radioactive nickel was by measuring the locations of iron. Radioactive nickel decays to form iron. These additional images show NuSTAR in blue, Chandra in purple, Webb/Spitzer in gold and green, and Hubble in yellow. <em>Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/SAO, NASA/JPL/Caltech/NuStar; Optical: NASA/STScI/HST; IR: NASA/STScI/JWST, NASA/JPL/CalTech/SST; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/J. Schmidt, K. Arcand, and J. Major</em></figcaption></figure>
  4082.  
  4083.  
  4084.  
  4085. <p>With scientists so dedicated to the success of this mission, then, why would it be canceled by NASA?</p>
  4086.  
  4087.  
  4088.  
  4089. <p>Chandra’s plight is a symptom of a larger issue: ongoing cuts to science funding in the United States, partially resulting from the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/118/plaws/publ5/PLAW-118publ5.pdf">Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023</a> that limited non-defense spending. <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/nasa-says-spending-caps-force-hard-choices-for-its-2025-budget/">NASA’s budget was cut by 2% in the 2024 fiscal year</a>, a stark change from President Biden’s recent <a target="_blank" href="https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/biden-requests-another-big-increase-for-nasa-wants-space-tug-to-deorbit-iss/">request for a 7% increase</a> to their funding. Essentially, NASA leadership has been forced between a rock and a hard place—who would want to choose between one incredible discovery machine and another nearly equally amazing? “We acknowledge that we are operating in a challenging budget environment, and we always want to do the most science we possibly can,” <a target="_blank" href="https://aas.org/posts/advocacy/2024/04/interview-mark-clampin-director-nasas-astrophysics-division">explained NASA Astrophysics director Mark Clampin</a>.</p>
  4090.  
  4091.  
  4092.  
  4093. <p>This isn’t the only budget threat facing astronomy this year, either. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA was forced to <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/jpl-to-lay-off-8-of-workforce/">make major layoffs in February</a>, and the highly ambitious Mars Sample Return program (intended to bring rocks collected by the Perseverance rover, currently on the Red Planet, back home to Earth) is <a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/nasa-to-overhaul-mission-returning-samples-from-mars-heres-why-it-must-and-will-go-ahead-228130">undergoing major restructuring after its original budget was deemed unrealistic</a>. Even ground-based astronomy is faced with hard choices, as the National Science Foundation is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/content/article/nsf-board-approves-funding-just-one-two-proposed-giant-telescopes">now forced to decide on one next-generation telescope </a>instead of the two originally planned for construction.</p>
  4094.  
  4095.  
  4096.  
  4097. <p>Astronomy, however, is a mere sliver of the U.S.’s overall budget, and many people are hoping for a future where we can fund more of these scientific endeavors. “Science has such absurdly high national and global return on investment that you can easily advocate for the whole discovery portfolio,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/astrogrant/status/1770108764156264887">wrote Tremblay</a> in a post on X. Astronomers have also highlighted the importance of astronomy missions for inspiring the next generation of scientists, and keeping the public interested in science overall. “Continuing to operate Chandra would symbolize a renewed dedication to setting big goals,” says West Virginia University astronomer <a target="_blank" href="https://grahamdoskoch.github.io/">Graham Doskoch</a>. “That’s an idea that has relevance for everyone.”</p>
  4098.  
  4099.  
  4100.  
  4101. <p>So, what comes next for the great X-ray observatory? NASA is currently planning a “mini-review” to decide how to best operate Chandra under the new budget constraints, ideally hoping to scale back operations without completely shuttering the program. Meanwhile, Chandra advocates are encouraging people to talk to their government representatives, sign a community letter, and spread the word on social media with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.savechandra.org/act">resources available on the Save Chandra Website</a>.</p>
  4102.  
  4103.  
  4104.  
  4105. <p>“You want to #SaveChandra? The high impact way to do that is to reach out to your representatives and senators,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ohdearz/status/1768775651404681507">wrote astronomer Laura Lopez on X</a>. In this critical moment for the future of astronomy, now all eyes are on Congress to see how the budget shakes out in the coming months and years.</p>
  4106. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/save-chandra/">Astronomers fight to save a major X-ray space telescope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4107. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4111. </item>
  4112. <item>
  4113. <title>How to use emulators to play retro video games on your phone</title>
  4114. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/retro-video-games-emulators-iphone-android/</link>
  4116. <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Nield]]></dc:creator>
  4117. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4118. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  4119. <category><![CDATA[Tech Hacks]]></category>
  4120. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612413</guid>
  4121.  
  4122. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4123.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/How_to_use_emulators_to_play_retro_games_on_your_phone.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="screenshot of video games on an Android and iPhone" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">You've got access to a wealth of games on your smartphone. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Screenshots: Lemuroid, Delta</span></figcaption></figure><p>Just like the old days.</p>
  4124. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/retro-video-games-emulators-iphone-android/">How to use emulators to play retro video games on your phone</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4125. ]]></description>
  4126. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4127.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/How_to_use_emulators_to_play_retro_games_on_your_phone.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="screenshot of video games on an Android and iPhone" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">You've got access to a wealth of games on your smartphone. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Screenshots: Lemuroid, Delta</span></figcaption></figure>
  4128. <p>Video games have been around for a long, long time now. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/cortical-labs-dishbrain-pong/">Pong</a> made its debut in 1972— though back then you needed a bulky arcade cabinet to run it. Nowadays, you&#8217;ve got a much more powerful machine right in your pocket with your smartphone.</p>
  4129.  
  4130.  
  4131.  
  4132. <p>Along with all of the modern games available for Android and iOS, you can also dig deep into vast libraries of retro video games from years gone by. Games from old consoles can be brought back to life right on your phone&#8217;s screen.</p>
  4133.  
  4134.  
  4135.  
  4136. <p>What&#8217;s more, the emulators that run these retro games are now <a target="_blank" href="https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/05/app-store-guidelines-emulators-music-app-links/">available on the iPhone</a> (they&#8217;ve been available on Android for quite a while). That means more people than ever can jump into the world of retro gaming.</p>
  4137.  
  4138.  
  4139.  
  4140. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-caveat-are-emulators-legal"><strong>The caveat: Are emulators legal?</strong></h2>
  4141.  
  4142.  
  4143.  
  4144. <p>Before you get started, you should be aware that while emulator software is legal, pirating video games isn&#8217;t—in the same way that torrenting software is legal, but pirating movies isn&#8217;t. At least, that&#8217;s the case in most parts of the world, and if you&#8217;re in any doubt you should check how the law stands in your country of residence.</p>
  4145.  
  4146.  
  4147.  
  4148. <p>Copyright infringement is black and white, but there are shades of gray around its edges. As per the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-digital.html">US Copyright Office</a>, you can make backup copies of computer programs you&#8217;ve bought, as long as no one else is using them—though it&#8217;s difficult to be definitive about the rules here.</p>
  4149.  
  4150.  
  4151.  
  4152. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/01-emu64-xl.jpg" alt="screenshot of Emu64 XL on an Apple computer" class="wp-image-612428"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Emulators are now permitted on Android and iOS.<em> Screenshot: Apple</em></figcaption></figure>
  4153.  
  4154.  
  4155.  
  4156. <p>Read up around the issue, and you&#8217;ll see that video game publishers <a target="_blank" href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/02/how-strong-is-nintendos-legal-case-against-switch-emulator-yuzu/">most often take action</a> against emulators that circumvent digital rights management, or against large distributors of ROMs (Read Only Memory files), which is the name given to retro game files shared online. We&#8217;re not going to tell you how to find any ROMs in this guide, so you&#8217;re on your own in that respect.</p>
  4157.  
  4158.  
  4159.  
  4160. <p>We&#8217;ll leave it to your own personal conscience about whether or not you feel comfortable playing retro games that you haven&#8217;t paid money for in the past, and which may have been developed by software companies that no longer exist, and which may or may not be <a href="https://www.popsci.com/retro-games-on-smartphone/">still available to buy</a>. However, it&#8217;s simultaneously true that video game piracy is illegal, and that these emulators have racked up millions of downloads.</p>
  4161.  
  4162.  
  4163.  
  4164. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-emulators-on-android"><strong>Running emulators on Android</strong></h2>
  4165.  
  4166.  
  4167.  
  4168. <p>There are plenty of retro game emulators to choose from on Android. <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.retroarch">RetroArch</a> is one of the most popular picks, and emulates classic consoles including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Atari 2600, Sega Master System, and Sony PlayStation 1. Other emulators are more focused, such as the <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.dolphinemu.dolphinemu">Dolphin Emulator</a> that covers the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo GameCube.</p>
  4169.  
  4170.  
  4171.  
  4172. <p>Here we&#8217;re going to take a closer look at one of our favorite emulators for Android, <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.swordfish.lemuroid">Lemuroid</a>. It&#8217;s developed and released as an open source project, and you don&#8217;t need to pay anything for it (and you won&#8217;t come across any adverts either). Get the app installed on your Android phone, and you&#8217;ll be met with a blank screen—you then need to point the app to a folder on your phone that has games in it.</p>
  4173.  
  4174.  
  4175.  
  4176. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/02-lemuroid.jpg" alt="screenshot of a video game on android phone" class="wp-image-612429"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lemuroid in Game Boy Advance mode, with its settings. <em>Screenshot: Lemuroid</em></figcaption></figure>
  4177.  
  4178.  
  4179.  
  4180. <p>Any compatible titles in the selected folder—and we&#8217;re using a free demo ROM of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodboygalaxy.com/">Goodboy Galaxy</a> for the purposes of this guide—can then be selected from the Home tab. Lemuroid will install the necessary code for emulating the necessary game, and when you select it, you&#8217;ll see it appear with the relevant on-screen controls. The <strong>Favorites</strong>, <strong>Search</strong>, and <strong>Systems</strong> tabs give you other ways to get at your games.</p>
  4181.  
  4182.  
  4183.  
  4184. <p>The final tab in the Lemuroid app is <strong>Settings</strong>. Here you can change the folder you&#8217;re using for games, run a rescan of the folder, enable autosave (so you don&#8217;t lose your progress during a game), configure external controllers you might have connected, and manage vibrations and haptic feedback for your games. There&#8217;s also a <strong>Display filter</strong> setting you can experiment with to improve the look of older games.</p>
  4185.  
  4186.  
  4187.  
  4188. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-emulators-on-ios"><strong>Running emulators on iOS</strong></h2>
  4189.  
  4190.  
  4191.  
  4192. <p>Emulators are new to the iOS App Store, so you won&#8217;t find as many available as on Android—though the iPhone is catching up fast. One of the first to appear for Apple phones was <a target="_blank" href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/emu64-xl/id6483251916">Emu64 XL</a>, which emulates the classic Commodore 64 computer that first made an appearance back in 1982. The app has support for game graphics, sound, and even peripherals (including joysticks).</p>
  4193.  
  4194.  
  4195.  
  4196. <p>The app we&#8217;re going to look at here is <a target="_blank" href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id1048524688">Delta</a>, which emulates Nintendo consoles such as the NES, the Nintendo 64, the Game Boy Advance, and the Nintendo DS. Again we&#8217;re going to use the freely available and legally legit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goodboygalaxy.com/">Goodboy Galaxy</a> demo to show you how it works: If you like the demo, you can pay for the whole game.</p>
  4197.  
  4198.  
  4199.  
  4200. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/03-delta.jpg" alt="screenshot of a video game on iPhone" class="wp-image-612430"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Delta running a Game Boy Advance game, with controller and multiplayer settings. <em>Screenshot: Delta</em></figcaption></figure>
  4201.  
  4202.  
  4203.  
  4204. <p>Open up the app, and you&#8217;ll need to point it towards some ROM files—use the <strong>+</strong> (plus) button up in the top right corner to do this. The files can be anywhere on your iPhone, or you can sync them over from iTunes. When a recognized ROM is found, it&#8217;ll be added to your library, and Delta loads up the relevant emulator interface, complete with the appropriate on-screen controls.</p>
  4205.  
  4206.  
  4207.  
  4208. <p>Tap the <strong>Menu</strong> button in game to save or load game stats, to configure button holds, to enter cheat codes, or to head back to the main menu. You can also tap the gear icon up in the top left corner of the game library screen to access Delta&#8217;s various settings, which include visual skins for the emulators covered, external controller configurations, on-screen control opacity, and haptic feedback.</p>
  4209. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/retro-video-games-emulators-iphone-android/">How to use emulators to play retro video games on your phone</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4210. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4214. </item>
  4215. <item>
  4216. <title>Through April 30, pay only $29.97 for these highly-rated Windows and Mac Microsoft Office bundles</title>
  4217. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-office-professional-plus-home-business-deal-2/</link>
  4219. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  4220. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4221. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  4222. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  4223. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  4224. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  4225. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  4226. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612426</guid>
  4227.  
  4228. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4229.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft PowerPoint open on a Surface laptop." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Spur productivity on professional or personal projects.</p>
  4230. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-office-professional-plus-home-business-deal-2/">Through April 30, pay only $29.97 for these highly-rated Windows and Mac Microsoft Office bundles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4231. ]]></description>
  4232. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4233.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Microsoft PowerPoint open on a Surface laptop." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  4234. </div>
  4235. <p>The globally celebrated office suite Microsoft Office has quickly become an essential tool in many industries. Verified users are very impressed, with reviews reflecting an average of 4.8 out of 5-star ratings. For a limited time, enhance your workflow with crucial applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and more, and save even further on bundles for <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4&amp;utm_term=scsf-594982&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Windows</a> and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4&amp;utm_term=scsf-594982&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Mac</a>. Each is only $30 through April 30 only. </p>
  4236.  
  4237.  
  4238.  
  4239. <p><a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-professional-plus-2019-for-windows-3?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-professional-plus-2019-for-windows-3&amp;utm_term=scsf-594971&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Windows users</a> looking to upgrade their digital toolkit will find indispensable tools in Microsoft Office Professional Plus. The 2019 edition is designed for professional use, encompassing all the features of the Home &amp; Business version and additional functionalities. This extensive suite facilitates the creation of complex presentations, intricate spreadsheets, and detailed documents, supporting professional and personal project management.</p>
  4240.  
  4241.  
  4242.  
  4243. <p>Additionally, it features extra applications like Access and Publisher. Access enhances the management and creation of databases, simplifying the management of large amounts of data. Meanwhile, Publisher supports designing and producing professional-quality desktop publications, from brochures to newsletters, enabling users to craft visually appealing documents.</p>
  4244.  
  4245.  
  4246.  
  4247. <p>For <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4&amp;utm_term=scsf-594982&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Mac users</a>, the 2019 Home &amp; Business edition of Microsoft Office provides crucial tools for handling projects big and small. This package features popular applications such as Word for advanced word processing and Excel for detailed data management. It enables users to design engaging PowerPoint presentations, manage Excel spreadsheets, and easily coordinate emails and schedules using Outlook.</p>
  4248.  
  4249.  
  4250.  
  4251. <p>With this one-time purchase, you can get all the essential Microsoft apps for your PC or Mac and boost your productivity this spring. Moreover, you enjoy limited-time discounts on acclaimed lifetime packages without recurring fees and a coupon code through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. PST.</p>
  4252.  
  4253.  
  4254.  
  4255. <ul>
  4256. <li>Get <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-professional-plus-2019-for-windows-3?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-professional-plus-2019-for-windows-3&amp;utm_term=scsf-594971&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows</a> for $29.97 (reg. $229)</li>
  4257.  
  4258.  
  4259.  
  4260. <li>Get <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-office-home-business-2019-for-mac-4&amp;utm_term=scsf-594982&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uEGPIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Microsoft Office Home &amp; Business 2019 for Mac</a> for $29.97 (reg. $229)</li>
  4261. </ul>
  4262.  
  4263.  
  4264.  
  4265. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.   </em></p>
  4266. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-office-professional-plus-home-business-deal-2/">Through April 30, pay only $29.97 for these highly-rated Windows and Mac Microsoft Office bundles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4267. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4271. </item>
  4272. <item>
  4273. <title>How deep does life go?</title>
  4274. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/how-deep-does-life-go/</link>
  4276. <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Lawrence Powell / MIT Press Reader]]></dc:creator>
  4277. <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4278. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  4279. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  4280. <category><![CDATA[Ocean]]></category>
  4281. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612276</guid>
  4282.  
  4283. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4284.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/deep-blue.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="under the sea" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Microbial life may be pervasive everywhere beneath Earth’s surface under conditions long thought to be inhospitable, if not fatal. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/perfectly-seamless-of-deep-blue-and-green-ocean-waves-from-under-312074536.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Geologist James Powell chronicles the evolution of our understanding of life in the deep-sea biosphere.</p>
  4285. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/how-deep-does-life-go/">How deep does life go?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4286. ]]></description>
  4287. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4288.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/deep-blue.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="under the sea" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Microbial life may be pervasive everywhere beneath Earth’s surface under conditions long thought to be inhospitable, if not fatal. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/perfectly-seamless-of-deep-blue-and-green-ocean-waves-from-under-312074536.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  4289. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/how-deep-does-life-go/">MIT Press Reader</a>. <em>This article is excerpted from James Lawrence Powell’s book “</em><a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048927/mysteries-of-the-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mysteries of the Deep</a><em>“.</em></p>
  4290.  
  4291.  
  4292.  
  4293. <p class="has-drop-cap">When HMS Challenger set sail in 1872, some scientists still believed in the azoic theory: that life cannot exist below 300 fathoms, or 550 meters. Others thought that creatures lived in the abyss, but that the cold and dark prevented them from evolving. With no more than their dredges, the Challenger scientists soon disproved both ideas.</p>
  4294.  
  4295.  
  4296.  
  4297. <p>The exploration of life at and below the surface of the dark seafloor began with&nbsp;<a href="https://archives.datapages.com/data/bulletns/1931-37/data/pg/0020/0003/0250/0258.htm?doi=10.1306%2F3D932DB2-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a 1936 article</a>&nbsp;by Claude ZoBell and Quentin Anderson of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, who found abundant bacteria in the surface layers of sediment cores 40 to 75 centimeters long taken off the coast of Southern California.</p>
  4298.  
  4299.  
  4300.  
  4301. <p>The deep sea and its creatures became a subject of great interest in the 1930s, prompted by the invention of the deep-sea submersible,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/spherical-descent-on-the-bathysphere-and-voyages-into-the-abyss/">a sort of mini submarine built to withstand the great pressures of the abyss</a>. The most notable of these early vessels was the two-person “Bathysphere” used by famed scientist and author William Beebe (1877–1962), whose books with their photos of bizarre deep-sea creatures fascinated and inspired youngsters of an earlier time. Engineer Otis Barton designed the vessel and he and Beebe used it to make a number of deep dives off the coast of Bermuda. In 1934, the two reached a record depth of 923 meters.</p>
  4302.  
  4303.  
  4304.  
  4305. <p>The successor to Beebe’s Bathysphere was the Alvin, named for its inventor, the eponymous Al Vine, and launched in 1964 by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. It was designed to carry two scientists and a pilot 4,500 meters down and allow them to stay at that depth for nine hours. Alvin made over 5,000 dives and fostered an estimated 2,000 research publications. But it had a rocky start, to say the least. Alvin’s first dive was in 1965 to 1,800 meters. In March 1966, Alvin was used in an unsuccessful attempt to recover a hydrogen bomb that had been lost in a midair accident and fallen to the seafloor at 910 meters depth off the coast of Spain. Then in October 1966, as Alvin was being lowered over the side of its support vessel, with crew members aboard and the hatch open, the two steel cables holding it broke. The crew was able to escape, but the vessel fell to the seafloor in 1,500 meters of water. The fortunate crew members had left their lunches behind, and when Alvin was hauled up, there the food was, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/459770a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intact and with no sign of attack by snacking microbes</a>. This reinforced the view that the deep sea was inimical to significant bacterial life.</p>
  4306.  
  4307.  
  4308.  
  4309. <p>The Alvin’s most famous dive, however, was its 1986 exploration of the wreck of the ill-fated Titanic. After a complete overhaul, finished in 2014, Alvin was back on active duty at Woods Hole. In the summer of 2022, the submersible reached a record depth of 6,453 meters in the Puerto Rico Trench, meaning that Alvin could reach nearly any point on the seafloor.</p>
  4310.  
  4311.  
  4312.  
  4313. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-smokers"><strong>Black smokers</strong></h2>
  4314.  
  4315.  
  4316.  
  4317. <p>One of the key concepts of plate tectonics is that underneath the center of the oceanic ridges lie chambers of molten magma. These heat the adjacent seawater, which rises and flows out via hydrothermal vents. In 1977, scientists made 24 dives in the Alvin to study these vents along the Galápagos Rift, an offshoot of the East Pacific Rise. <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.203.4385.1073" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">They found</a> that two-thirds of the heat lost at the rift escapes via these outlets.</p>
  4318.  
  4319.  
  4320.  
  4321. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>The scientists aboard Alvin found abundant life in a variety of forms on the Galápagos Rift at a depth far below that to which sunlight can penetrate.</p></blockquote></figure>
  4322.  
  4323.  
  4324.  
  4325. <p>Prior to these dives in the Alvin, scientists believed that photosynthesis was the ultimate and indispensable source of the energy needed to support life, meaning that living creatures could not exist in the blackness of the ocean depths. Yet the scientists aboard Alvin found abundant life in a variety of forms on the Galápagos Rift at a depth far below that to which sunlight can penetrate. Where did these creatures get the energy to sustain themselves if not from photosynthesis? Scientists had answered that phytoplankton, which consists of microscopic plants and lives near the surface, die and sift down as “marine snow,” a term coined by Beebe and a process recognized by the Challenger scientists. Rachel Carson described it in her book “The Sea Around Us”: “When I think of the floor of the deep sea … I see always the steady, unremitting, downward drift of materials from above, flake upon flake, layer upon layer—the most stupendous ‘snowfall’ the Earth has ever seen.” The dead phytoplankton fall to the dark, abyssal ocean floor and provide a food source for organisms living there. According to this theory, photosynthesis would still be the ultimate energy source for the creatures of the abyss.</p>
  4326.  
  4327.  
  4328.  
  4329. <p>But the hydrothermal vents on the Galápagos Rift held a concentration of organisms thousands of times greater than the seafloor around them. Some unrecognized process within the vents—not photosynthesis—was providing the energy on which the vent ecosystem depends. It turned out to be “chemosynthesis,” in which bacteria oxidize inorganic materials, primarily hydrogen sulfide, in chemical reactions that in turn provide the energy to sustain higher life forms. Black, irregular chimneys mark some vents where chemicals that had been dissolved in the hot water have precipitated as dark sulfides when the hot vent water meets the cold ocean. Scientists subsequently found these “black smokers” in many places in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as stranded on land—for example, along the California coast where plate tectonics has lifted an old ocean floor well above sea level.</p>
  4330.  
  4331.  
  4332.  
  4333. <p>The creatures of the vent ecosystems ultimately depend on the sulfur-reducing bacteria—which we could almost say “breathe” sulfur—and include many strange denizens never before seen. None were stranger than the tube worms, which measure up to 3 meters long but are only 4 centimeters wide and live in clusters of thousands of individuals per square meter. They depend on the bacteria for energy and have no need for a digestive system. Their existence in such inhospitable conditions once again raised questions about what other life forms could exist at and below the seafloor.</p>
  4334.  
  4335.  
  4336.  
  4337. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Thomas Gold</strong></h2>
  4338.  
  4339.  
  4340.  
  4341. <p>If life can exist in the depths of the ocean, could a significant portion of all life on Earth be in those depths, rather than above them? That was the thesis of one of the most inventive and iconoclastic scientists of the second half of the 20th century. Thomas Gold was born in Austria in 1920 to Jewish parents who fled to England in 1938 after Hitler annexed Austria. Gold entered Trinity College at Cambridge, but when World War II broke out the British interned him as an enemy alien and deported him to a camp in Canada. After 15 months there, he was allowed to return to England, where he reentered Cambridge to study physics and worked on the all-important radar. Gold’s multifarious interests and accomplishments are enough to fill a book, or several. It is no surprise that he would be one of the first to explore the larger implications of the deep hydrothermal vents.</p>
  4342.  
  4343.  
  4344.  
  4345. <p>In a provocative 1992 article, “The Deep, Hot Biosphere,” and in a 1999 book of the same title, Gold extrapolated from the microbial life of the vents to propose that such life also existed in abundance beneath the seafloor. He went so far as to suggest that subsurface microbial life could be comparable in mass and volume to all life on the surface. Microbial life could be pervasive everywhere beneath Earth’s surface in the pore spaces between mineral grains—and not only on Earth but also on other bodies in the solar system: the Moon and Mars, for example. They have too little air and water to sustain life on their surfaces, but it could well exist below. Perhaps microbial subsurface life came first, protected from the surficial violence of the early solar system and using chemosynthesis, then evolved into photosynthetic life. Gold thought that microbial life might be widespread in the universe, a concept known as panspermia which goes back to the Greek philosopher Anaxagoras in the fifth century BCE. Many notable scientists have endorsed the idea, but with no way to test it, attention shifted to the possibility that the organic building blocks of life might have been present throughout the solar system at its beginning.</p>
  4346.  
  4347.  
  4348.  
  4349. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Drilling the abyss</h2>
  4350.  
  4351.  
  4352.  
  4353. <p>The detection of life beneath the seafloor was the goal of one of the earliest Deep Sea Drilling Projects (DSDP) voyages, Leg 15 in 1970, led by chief scientist Wallace Broecker of Columbia University. The crew found methane, a byproduct of microbial activity, in sediments 800 meters beneath the seafloor and tens of millions of years old. In October 1986, the crew of DSDP Leg 96 drilled the Mississippi Fan, a submarine pile of sediment in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. They found subsurface microbial activity down to 167 meters beneath the seafloor. By the end of the century, the Ocean Drilling Program had sampled 14 sites for evidence of bacterial activity. A summary of these studies found that although the number of microbes typically decreases with depth beneath the seafloor, living cells are still present down to 700 meters. The authors&nbsp;<a href="https://pure.uhi.ac.uk/en/publications/deep-bacterial-biosphere-in-pacific-ocean-sediments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">came to the remarkable conclusion</a>&nbsp;that the biomass in the top 500 meters of seafloor sediments equals 10 percent of that of the total surface biosphere. These early results suggested that living bacteria likely exist at greater depths than drilling had yet reached. This led to the first expedition designed specifically to study subsurface life.</p>
  4354.  
  4355.  
  4356.  
  4357. <p>In the spring of 2002, Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 201 drilled in two locations, one on the continental margin off Peru and the other in the equatorial Pacific. The subsurface ecosystems turned out to have a great diversity of microbes, including not only the sulfate-reducing bacteria found at the vents but a new type that got its energy from carbon reactions. The microbes were “alive” in that they engaged in metabolic activities such as repairing DNA and undergoing cell division. They included all three domains of life: archaea (one-celled organisms), bacteria, and eukaryotes (cells that have a nucleus). By this time, <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1101155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists estimated</a> that subsurface bacterial life could amount to one-third that of Earth’s total living biomass. In 2003, ODP Leg 210 drilled the seafloor off Newfoundland and upped the ante once again. It found living bacterial cells 1,626 meters below the seafloor, in rocks 111 million years old, at temperatures of 113 degrees Celsius. This <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1154545" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">led the authors to estimate</a> that bacteria in subsurface sediments may make up as much as two-thirds of total bacterial biomass.</p>
  4358.  
  4359.  
  4360.  
  4361. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>The microbes were “alive” in that they engaged in metabolic activities such as repairing DNA and undergoing cell division.</p></blockquote></figure>
  4362.  
  4363.  
  4364.  
  4365. <p>In October 2010, expedition 329 of the Integrated Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), which followed the ODP, drilled in the South Pacific Gyre, some of the deepest water on Earth. It is the largest of the five giant oceanic systems of rotation that move enormous volumes of seawater. The South Pacific Gyre rotates counterclockwise, bounded by the equator to the north, Australia to the west, South America to the east, and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to the south. Its center is the “<a href="https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geophysics/poles-of-inaccessibility.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceanic pole of inaccessibility</a>”: the location farthest from any continent. The South Pacific Gyre has one of the lowest sedimentation rates in the oceans and its bottom sediments have the lowest cell concentrations and the least metabolic activity of any. To discover the most extreme conditions under which life can exist on Earth, this is the place to go.</p>
  4366.  
  4367.  
  4368.  
  4369. <p>Aboard the&nbsp;<a href="https://joidesresolution.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JOIDES Resolution</a>, still hard at work after all these years, in water nearly 6 kilometers deep, the scientists drilled 100 meters into the seafloor. They found microbes all the way to the bottom of the cores, albeit not as many as in the richer areas closer to the surface. The scientists estimated that the deepest microbes were at least 100 million years old, making it seem they could only be fossils. Surely nothing could “survive,” whatever that means exactly, for 100 million years. But when brought back to the lab and offered nutrients,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200728113533.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the microbes began to grow and multiply</a>.</p>
  4370.  
  4371.  
  4372.  
  4373. <p>This seemingly fantastic discovery raised the question of what the microbes beneath the gyre had been doing for 100 million years. Perhaps the cells had too little food to divide, but enough to repair damaged molecules. But that “seems insane,” said Steven D’Hondt, one of the leading authorities on microbial life in the seafloor, who <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-pull-living-microbes-100-million-years-beneath-sea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wondered whether there is not another undiscovered source of energy</a>—possibly radioactivity—that could support slow cell division.</p>
  4374.  
  4375.  
  4376.  
  4377. <p>On Expedition 337 of the IODP, the Japanese drilling ship Chikyū (Earth), designed for deep-sea drilling, cored to a depth of 2,466 meters beneath the seafloor off Japan’s Shimokita Peninsula. It found microorganisms in coal and shale that resemble those in the soil of modern tropical forests. These microbial communities are thought to be relics of those that inhabited soils about 20 million years ago, rather than more modern microbes that might have migrated into the coal layers from elsewhere. To explore the upper temperature limit at which microbes can survive, on Leg 370 of the IODP, Chikyū drilled in the Nankai Trough subduction zone off Cape Muroto in south-central Japan. The drill reached 4,776 meters and the deepest core was collected at 1,177 meters, where the temperature measured 120 degrees Celsius. Microbial life was detected all the way to the bottom of the sediment column. The cells at that depth appeared to spend most of their energy repairing the damage caused by the high temperature. Several authorities had written that the temperature limit to life in the subsurface was 80 degrees Celsius, but Gold had predicted that the upper temperature limit on bacterial life would be in the range of 120 to 150 degrees Celsius—and he turned out to be right.</p>
  4378.  
  4379.  
  4380.  
  4381. <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Martians</h2>
  4382.  
  4383.  
  4384.  
  4385. <p>These findings from scientific ocean exploration suggest that microbial life may be pervasive everywhere beneath Earth’s surface under conditions long thought to be inhospitable, if not fatal. This raises the possibility that, as Gold postulated, bacterial life may have existed and may still exist on other bodies in the solar system, including Mars. This despite the Red Planet’s hellish surface conditions, continually blasted by lethal radiation from the Sun and the cosmos. The surface temperature of Mars averages negative 60 degrees Celsius and is so dry that a cup of water would vaporize instantly. A group of scientists experimented with a terrestrial bacterium called&nbsp;<em>Deinococcus radiodurans</em>, said to be the toughest on Earth according to Guinness World Records, to test whether it could survive on Mars. This creature thrives in nuclear reactors.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ast.2022.0065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">They found</a>&nbsp;that if buried 9 meters underground,&nbsp;<em>D. radiodurans</em>&nbsp;could withstand Martian levels of radiation for 280 million years.</p>
  4386.  
  4387.  
  4388.  
  4389. <p>Later this decade, the European Space Agency plans to send a spacecraft to Mars that will drill more than 2 meters below the surface and analyze the organic molecules found there. How will we humans react if, when life is discovered on another planet, it looks nothing like us, nor even little green men, but is microbial? If evidence of microbial subsurface life is found on Mars, it may have been the first lifeform in the solar system, where, protected from the surficial violence and using chemosynthesis, it could indeed have evolved into photosynthetic life and eventually, us. If Earth and Mars harbor subsurface bacterial life, why not other planets as well?</p>
  4390.  
  4391.  
  4392.  
  4393. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  4394.  
  4395.  
  4396.  
  4397. <p><em><strong>James Powell</strong> is a retired geologist and university administrator. He is the author of several books, including “<a href="https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-inquisition-of-climate-science/9780231157186" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Inquisition of Climate Science</a>” (Columbia University Press), “<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-2084-Report/James-Lawrence-Powell/9781982151188" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2084 Report: An Oral History of the Great Warming</a>” (Simon &amp; Schuster), and “<a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048927/mysteries-of-the-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mysteries of the Deep</a>,” from which this article is excerpted.</em></p>
  4398. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/how-deep-does-life-go/">How deep does life go?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4399. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4403. </item>
  4404. <item>
  4405. <title>NASA HQ picked their best photos of the year. Here are our 13 favorites.</title>
  4406. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/best-nasa-hq-images-2023/</link>
  4408. <dc:creator><![CDATA[PopSci Staff]]></dc:creator>
  4409. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:03:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4410. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  4411. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  4412. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612255</guid>
  4413.  
  4414. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4415.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="795" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/nasa_images_of_the_year.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=795.15413737155" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="three photos: a sample of rock on a microscope slide, rocket boosters firing, a rocket from below" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">2023 was a stellar year for NASA images. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Upper-right, clockwise: NASA/Keegan Barber, NASA/Bill Ingalls, NASA/Bill Ingalls</span></figcaption></figure><p>From space rock chunks to rocket launches, NASA had a big year.</p>
  4416. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/best-nasa-hq-images-2023/">NASA HQ picked their best photos of the year. Here are our 13 favorites.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4417. ]]></description>
  4418. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  4419.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="795" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/nasa_images_of_the_year.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=795.15413737155" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="three photos: a sample of rock on a microscope slide, rocket boosters firing, a rocket from below" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">2023 was a stellar year for NASA images. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Upper-right, clockwise: NASA/Keegan Barber, NASA/Bill Ingalls, NASA/Bill Ingalls</span></figcaption></figure>
  4420. <p>On September 24, 2023, a capsule from <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/osiris-rex-bennu-asteroid-sample-return-utah/">NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission floated back to Earth</a>, landing safely in the Utah desert. The mission was the first time the U.S. brought back a piece of an asteroid and a big moment for the space agency. The history-making success of OSIRIS-REx features prominently in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720313733232/">NASA HQ&#8217;S Best of 2023 photos album</a>, recently curated and shared on Flickr.</p>
  4421.  
  4422.  
  4423.  
  4424. <p>Other milestone moments documented in the photos include the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-psyche-hall-thrusters/">Psyche spacecraft</a> launch, the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nicole-mann-first-native-american-woman-space/">SpaceX Dragon</a> Endurance landing, and the Earthly return of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/frank-rubio-year-in-space/">Frank Rubio</a>, the record holder for longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut. </p>
  4425.  
  4426.  
  4427.  
  4428. <p>NASA HQ shared 100 photographs, but we&#8217;ve selected our 13 favorites. </p>
  4429.  
  4430.  
  4431.  
  4432. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1400" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/nasa-images-of-the-year-2023.jpg" alt="a large rocket shot from underneath" class="wp-image-612264"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Soyuz rocket is seen after being rolled out by train to the launch pad at Site 31, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O&#8217;Hara, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on Sept. 15. <em>Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls</em></figcaption></figure>
  4433.  
  4434.  
  4435.  
  4436. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1364" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53153681225_173dc2e28d_k.jpg" alt="a white and orange parachute with a capsule attached flies down from the sky into a sandy landscape" class="wp-image-612265"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A training model of the sample return capsule is seen during a drop test in preparation for the retrieval of the sample return capsule from NASA&#8217;s OSIRIS-REx mission, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at the Department of Defense&#8217;s Utah Test and Training Range. The sample was collected from asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft and will return to Earth on September 24th, landing under parachute at the Utah Test and Training Range. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4437.  
  4438.  
  4439.  
  4440. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1303" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53163620238_e67ac5fe39_k.jpg" alt="two people watch a space capsule load onto a ship" class="wp-image-612371"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Support teams raise the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft aboard the recovery ship MEGAN shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren &#8220;Woody&#8221; Hoburg, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev aboard in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Bowen, Hoburg, Alneyadi, and Fedyaev are returning after nearly six-months in space as part of Expedition 69 aboard the International Space Station. <em>Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky</em></figcaption></figure>
  4441.  
  4442.  
  4443.  
  4444. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1278" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53142611744_f82627d880_k.jpg" alt="a streak of white light on a black sky" class="wp-image-612266"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">In this eight-minute long exposure, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company&#8217;s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov onboard, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Also visible in this image is the entry burn and landing burn, at right, conducted by the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket as it returned to Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov launched at 3:27 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center to begin a six month mission aboard the orbital outpost. <em>Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky</em></figcaption></figure>
  4445.  
  4446.  
  4447.  
  4448. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="2048" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53191500003_f0d3160334_k.jpg" alt="fire shoots out of a rocket" class="wp-image-612267"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Soyuz rocket is launched with Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O&#8217;Hara, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. <em>Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls</em></figcaption></figure>
  4449.  
  4450.  
  4451.  
  4452. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53212062014_2c7be05c28_k.jpg" alt="two pilots from inside a cockpit" class="wp-image-612373"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Members of the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Flight Operations team are seen operating a helicopter as the sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is is en route to the cleanroom, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, shortly after the capsule landed at the Department of Defense&#8217;s Utah Test and Training Range. The sample was collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4453.  
  4454.  
  4455.  
  4456. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="686" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53211680586_c7fa257398_k.jpg" alt="photographers stand behind a glass wall as people in white hazmat suits touch a capsule" class="wp-image-612269"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Curation teams process the sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission in a cleanroom, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at the Department of Defense&#8217;s Utah Test and Training Range. The sample was collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4457.  
  4458.  
  4459.  
  4460. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1236" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53216328462_8049492c7b_k.jpg" alt="a man in a space suit waves at the camera" class="wp-image-612270"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Expedition 69 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is helped out of the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft just minutes after he Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The trio are returning to Earth after logging 371 days in space as members of Expeditions 68-69 aboard the International Space Station. For Rubio, his mission is the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut in history. <em>Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls</em></figcaption></figure>
  4461.  
  4462.  
  4463.  
  4464. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1520" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53256134668_9edde77c5e_k.jpg" alt="on a cloudy day, a rocket launches as fire shoots out. a bird flies in the foreground" class="wp-image-612271"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with the Psyche spacecraft onboard is launched from Launch Complex 39A, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will travel to a metal-rich asteroid by the same name orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter to study it’s composition. The spacecraft also carries the agency&#8217;s Deep Space Optical Communications technology demonstration, which will test laser communications beyond the Moon. <em>Image: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani</em></figcaption></figure>
  4465.  
  4466.  
  4467.  
  4468. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1363" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53307727629_1ef04254b1_k.jpg" alt="a tiny speck of rock on a microscope slide" class="wp-image-612272"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A sample from asteroid Bennu is seen prepared on a microscope slide, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington. The sample was collected from the carbon rich near Earth asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4469.  
  4470.  
  4471.  
  4472. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2047" height="1364" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53210883020_07e5cf5269_k.jpg" alt="a black capsule sits on desert sand near shrub brush" class="wp-image-612273"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The sample return capsule from NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is seen shortly after touching down in the desert, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at the Department of Defense&#8217;s Utah Test and Training Range. The sample was collected from the asteroid Bennu in October 2020 by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4473.  
  4474.  
  4475.  
  4476. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1425" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/53139348397_3d37208fb7_k.jpg" alt='a spacecraft reading "NASA" at night with a dark sky and bright moon' class="wp-image-612274"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Moon and the star Antares are seen in the sky above a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the company&#8217;s Dragon spacecraft on top is seen on the launch pad at Launch Complex 39A, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the seventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov are scheduled to launch at 3:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 26, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. <em>Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky</em></figcaption></figure>
  4477.  
  4478.  
  4479.  
  4480. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2047" height="1363" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/52742122869_f17fdb2b07_k.jpg" alt="a spacecraft floats in the water as people in helmet look from boats" class="wp-image-612275"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft shortly after it landed with with NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Anna Kikina onboard in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa, Florida, Saturday, March 11, 2023. Mann, Cassada, Wakata, and Kikina are returning after 157 days in space as part of Expedition 68 aboard the International Space Station. <em>Image: NASA/Keegan Barber</em></figcaption></figure>
  4481. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/best-nasa-hq-images-2023/">NASA HQ picked their best photos of the year. Here are our 13 favorites.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4482. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  4486. </item>
  4487. <item>
  4488. <title>The best outdoor misting fans for staying cool in 2024</title>
  4489. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-outdoor-misting-fans/</link>
  4491. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Billy Cadden]]></dc:creator>
  4492. <pubDate>Wed, 05 May 2021 14:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
  4493. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  4494. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  4495. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  4496. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  4497. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  4498. <category><![CDATA[outdoors]]></category>
  4499. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  4500. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  4501. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/story/?p=362369</guid>
  4502.  
  4503. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  4504.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best outdoor misting fans will help keep you cool." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div></figure><p>Escape your air-conditioned cave and enjoy the outdoors, even in peak heat, with these cooling devices.</p>
  4505. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-outdoor-misting-fans/">The best outdoor misting fans for staying cool in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  4506. ]]></description>
  4507. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  4508.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best outdoor misting fans will help keep you cool." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  4509. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  4510.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  4511.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  4512.      <tbody>
  4513.              <tr
  4514.          class="ProductTable-product"
  4515.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  4516.        >
  4517.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  4518.            Best oscillating
  4519.          </td>
  4520.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  4521.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Black outdoor misting fan with button control" class="wp-image-362400" width="264" height="165">
  4522.          </td>
  4523.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  4524.            NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan
  4525.          </td>
  4526.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  4527.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  4528.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
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  4532.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4533.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  4534.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4535.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4536.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4537.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4538.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4539.                                  </div>
  4540.                          </div>
  4541.          </td>
  4542.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  4543.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  4544.                <span>
  4545.                  SEE IT
  4546.                </span>
  4547.            </a>
  4548.          </td>
  4549.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  4550.              <p>This burly fan turns to throw cool air and mist in a wide pattern. It&#8217;s great for larger groups or covering more area.</p>
  4551.  
  4552.            </td>
  4553.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  4554.        </tr>
  4555.              <tr
  4556.          class="ProductTable-product"
  4557.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&th=1&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  4558.        >
  4559.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  4560.            Best overall
  4561.          </td>
  4562.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  4563.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Geek Aire makes the best outdoor misting fan overall." class="wp-image-539386" width="264" height="165">
  4564.          </td>
  4565.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  4566.            Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan
  4567.          </td>
  4568.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  4569.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  4570.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4571.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4572.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4573.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4574.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4575.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 86%">
  4576.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4577.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4578.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4579.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4580.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4581.                                  </div>
  4582.                          </div>
  4583.          </td>
  4584.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  4585.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&th=1&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  4586.                <span>
  4587.                  SEE IT
  4588.                </span>
  4589.            </a>
  4590.          </td>
  4591.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  4592.              <p>This powerful outdoor misting fan can work both on your back porch and easily travel to a campsite or jobsite.</p>
  4593.  
  4594.            </td>
  4595.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&th=1&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  4596.        </tr>
  4597.              <tr
  4598.          class="ProductTable-product"
  4599.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  4600.        >
  4601.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  4602.            Best battery-operated
  4603.          </td>
  4604.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  4605.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Yellow and black battery powered outdoor misting fan" class="wp-image-362399" width="264" height="165">
  4606.          </td>
  4607.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  4608.            RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit
  4609.          </td>
  4610.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  4611.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  4612.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4613.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4614.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4615.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4616.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4617.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  4618.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4619.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4620.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4621.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4622.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  4623.                                  </div>
  4624.                          </div>
  4625.          </td>
  4626.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  4627.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  4628.                <span>
  4629.                  SEE IT
  4630.                </span>
  4631.            </a>
  4632.          </td>
  4633.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  4634.              <p>No plug or electricity? No problem. This battery-operated portable mister has an adjustable fan, misting control, and a quiet pump for a cool that can go with you anywhere.</p>
  4635.  
  4636.            </td>
  4637.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  4638.        </tr>
  4639.            </tbody>
  4640.    </table>
  4641.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  4642.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  4643.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  4644.    </div>
  4645.  </div>
  4646. </div>
  4647.  
  4648.  
  4649.  
  4650. <p>You can&#8217;t air condition the outdoors, but an outdoor misting fan provides the next best thing. These devices push cool air carrying clean mist across large spaces in order to keep everyone chill. Whether you prefer a wall-mounted option or a portable pick, here are the best ourdoor misting fans on the market. </p>
  4651.  
  4652.  
  4653.  
  4654. <ul>
  4655. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan</a></li>
  4656.  
  4657.  
  4658.  
  4659. <li><strong>Best battery-operated: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit</a></li>
  4660.  
  4661.  
  4662.  
  4663. <li><strong>Best oscillating: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan</a></li>
  4664.  
  4665.  
  4666.  
  4667. <li><strong>Best handheld:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P43HX84?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HandFan Portable Handheld Misting Fan</a></li>
  4668.  
  4669.  
  4670.  
  4671. <li><strong>Best wall-mounted: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Oscillating-Misting-Nozzles-1000-Required/dp/B0716HTHMC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HydroMist 18-inch Shrouded Oscillating Fan</a></li>
  4672.  
  4673.  
  4674.  
  4675. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/HOMENOTE-Misting-Removable-Galvanized-Connects/dp/B08699DV23?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit for a Cool Patio Breeze</a></li>
  4676. </ul>
  4677.  
  4678.  
  4679.  
  4680. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-outdoor-misting-fans-nbsp"><strong>How we chose the best outdoor misting fans&nbsp;</strong></h2>
  4681.  
  4682.  
  4683.  
  4684. <p>A standard fan can create a nice breeze, but it can&#8217;t match the cooling power that comes from a misting fan. For this list, we&#8217;ve relied on a combination of personal experience, consumer feedback, editorial reviews, expert opinions, and spec comparisons. The list started with more than two dozen options, some of which are still great, but didn&#8217;t quite make the list. We prioritized durability, versatility, and overall effectiveness when it came to make our decisions.</p>
  4685.  
  4686.  
  4687.  
  4688. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-outdoor-misting-fans-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best outdoor misting fans: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  4689.  
  4690.  
  4691.  
  4692. <p>When it comes to cooling off, not everyone can afford <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-above-ground-pool/">an above-ground pool</a> (and they&#8217;re not very portable, anyway). Luckily, there&#8217;s an outdoor misting fan for every occasion. Depending on your budget and needs, options like a budget-friendly misting fan conversion kit or a cordless misting fan are perfect for a camping trip. For more consistent use, misting fans that use <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-garden-hose/">a garden hose</a> and electrical cord are the play. And for high-end outdoor entertainment areas that look like a Caribbean all-inclusive, you can have professionally installed outdoor oscillating fans, just like restaurants use.&nbsp;</p>
  4693.  
  4694.  
  4695.  
  4696. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-geek-aire-battery-operated-misting-fan"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan</a></h3>
  4697.  
  4698.  
  4699. <div
  4700.    id="geek-aire-battery-operated-misting-fan"
  4701.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  4702.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  4703. >
  4704.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  4705.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  4706.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  4707.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-geek-aire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Geek Aire makes the best outdoor misting fan overall.">
  4708.                      </figure>
  4709.                  </a>
  4710.            </div>
  4711.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  4712.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  4713.        <p><em>Geek Aire</em></p>
  4714.  
  4715.      </figcaption>
  4716.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  4717.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  4718.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  4719.      </p>
  4720.      </div>
  4721. </div>
  4722.  
  4723.  
  4724.  
  4725. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  4726.  
  4727.  
  4728.  
  4729. <ul>
  4730. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>10.5 inches D x 19.3 inches W x 29.5 inches H&nbsp;</li>
  4731.  
  4732.  
  4733.  
  4734. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 23.4 pounds</li>
  4735.  
  4736.  
  4737.  
  4738. <li><strong>Power:</strong> One lithium-ion battery</li>
  4739.  
  4740.  
  4741.  
  4742. <li><strong>Water supply:</strong> Tank</li>
  4743.  
  4744.  
  4745.  
  4746. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$299</li>
  4747. </ul>
  4748.  
  4749.  
  4750.  
  4751. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  4752.  
  4753.  
  4754.  
  4755. <ul>
  4756. <li>Self-contained unit with tank</li>
  4757.  
  4758.  
  4759.  
  4760. <li>Powerful</li>
  4761.  
  4762.  
  4763.  
  4764. <li>Portable</li>
  4765. </ul>
  4766.  
  4767.  
  4768.  
  4769. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  4770.  
  4771.  
  4772.  
  4773. <ul>
  4774. <li>Some users say the battery doesn’t work well</li>
  4775. </ul>
  4776.  
  4777.  
  4778.  
  4779. <p>Looking for an all-around cooling solution that you can use on the back porch and take camping? Consider the Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan. This water mister provides an impressive 1500CFM (cubic feet of airflow per minute). Plus, you can rotate the fan up to 74 degrees for maximum cooling. It’s also equipped with two nozzles and a self-contained water tank that can spray mist up to 11.5 feet away.&nbsp;</p>
  4780.  
  4781.  
  4782.  
  4783. <p>Powered by a detachable lithium-ion battery, this fan can provide continuous airflow for 3 to 23 hours, depending on whether you bring backup batteries. The included battery can also charge your other devices. This outside fan also comes with four casters that make it easy to move around your patio or job site but also locks to stay in place. Made of durable metal, this option is also a waterproof outdoor fan and can also be easily disassembled.</p>
  4784.  
  4785.  
  4786.  
  4787. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-battery-operated-ryobi-18-volt-one-bucket-top-misting-fan-kit"><strong>Best battery-operated: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit</a></h3>
  4788.  
  4789.  
  4790. <div
  4791.    id="truly-cordless-cooling"
  4792.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  4793.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  4794. >
  4795.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  4796.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  4797.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  4798.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/battery-powered-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Yellow and black battery powered outdoor misting fan">
  4799.                      </figure>
  4800.                  </a>
  4801.            </div>
  4802.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  4803.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  4804.        <p><em>RYOBI</em></p>
  4805.  
  4806.      </figcaption>
  4807.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  4808.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  4809.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  4810.      </p>
  4811.      </div>
  4812. </div>
  4813.  
  4814.  
  4815.  
  4816. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  4817.  
  4818.  
  4819.  
  4820. <ul>
  4821. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 15.75 inches H x 13 inches W x 10.4 inches D</li>
  4822.  
  4823.  
  4824.  
  4825. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 5 pounds</li>
  4826.  
  4827.  
  4828.  
  4829. <li><strong>Power:</strong> Battery</li>
  4830.  
  4831.  
  4832.  
  4833. <li><strong>Water supply:</strong> Hose or bucket (not included)</li>
  4834.  
  4835.  
  4836.  
  4837. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$129</li>
  4838. </ul>
  4839.  
  4840.  
  4841.  
  4842. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  4843.  
  4844.  
  4845.  
  4846. <ul>
  4847. <li>Provides two separate speeds and misting levels</li>
  4848.  
  4849.  
  4850.  
  4851. <li>Quiet</li>
  4852.  
  4853.  
  4854.  
  4855. <li>Backed by a 3-year warranty</li>
  4856. </ul>
  4857.  
  4858.  
  4859.  
  4860. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  4861.  
  4862.  
  4863.  
  4864. <ul>
  4865. <li>Battery and charger sold separately</li>
  4866. </ul>
  4867.  
  4868.  
  4869.  
  4870. <p>The RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan can be attached to a standard five-gallon bucket (not included) and powered with a rechargeable 18V battery (included). This portable misting fan offers an adjustable fan head with two separate high/low switches to adjust both the fan speed and the water flow. Use it on a full water bucket, or with a garden hose sitting on a level, hard surface for more flexibility (garden hose adapter included), and enjoy up to three hours of refreshment. The 1.3-amp 18V lithium-ion battery is included along with its six-hour charger.</p>
  4871.  
  4872.  
  4873.  
  4874. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-oscillating-newair-af-600-outdoor-misting-fan-nbsp"><strong>Best oscillating: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan</a>&nbsp;</h3>
  4875.  
  4876.  
  4877. <div
  4878.    id="all-metal-oscillation"
  4879.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  4880.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  4881. >
  4882.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  4883.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  4884.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  4885.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/outdoor-oscillating-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Black outdoor misting fan with button control">
  4886.                      </figure>
  4887.                  </a>
  4888.            </div>
  4889.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  4890.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  4891.        <p><em>NewAir</em></p>
  4892.  
  4893.      </figcaption>
  4894.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  4895.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  4896.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  4897.      </p>
  4898.      </div>
  4899. </div>
  4900.  
  4901.  
  4902.  
  4903. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  4904.  
  4905.  
  4906.  
  4907. <ul>
  4908. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 16.54 inches D x 20.28 inches W x 55.91 inches H</li>
  4909.  
  4910.  
  4911.  
  4912. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 21.6 pounds</li>
  4913.  
  4914.  
  4915.  
  4916. <li><strong>Power:</strong> Corded electric</li>
  4917.  
  4918.  
  4919.  
  4920. <li><strong>Water supply:</strong> Garden hose</li>
  4921.  
  4922.  
  4923.  
  4924. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$149</li>
  4925. </ul>
  4926.  
  4927.  
  4928.  
  4929. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  4930.  
  4931.  
  4932.  
  4933. <ul>
  4934. <li>Powerful</li>
  4935.  
  4936.  
  4937.  
  4938. <li>Three speeds</li>
  4939.  
  4940.  
  4941.  
  4942. <li>Easily portable&nbsp;</li>
  4943.  
  4944.  
  4945.  
  4946. <li>Comes with safety features</li>
  4947. </ul>
  4948.  
  4949.  
  4950.  
  4951. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  4952.  
  4953.  
  4954.  
  4955. <ul>
  4956. <li>Some users say some of the components arrived damaged</li>
  4957.  
  4958.  
  4959.  
  4960. <li>Power cord is short</li>
  4961. </ul>
  4962.  
  4963.  
  4964.  
  4965. <p>With three fan speeds (the highest being 2,800 CFM, or cubic feet per minute), the NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan cools 600 feet of outdoor space—that’s a patio that’s around 24 feet by 25 feet. This outdoor cooling fan can be used with or without the misting feature, adding more flexibility; this is especially helpful in outdoor dining areas where mist can cool down the food too. The all-metal design adds season-long durability, and the brown finish blends with outdoor furnishings. The wide-angle oscillation movement and an adjustable fan head allow for more cooling coverage. This large outdoor fan is 56 inches high and includes a garden hose connection. Finally, this outdoor mister features an inline GFCI electrical supply for added safety.&nbsp;</p>
  4966.  
  4967.  
  4968.  
  4969. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-handheld-handfan-portable-handheld-misting-fan"><strong>Best handheld:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P43HX84?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HandFan Portable Handheld Misting Fan</a></h3>
  4970.  
  4971.  
  4972. <div
  4973.    id="handfan-portable-handheld-misting-fan"
  4974.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  4975.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  4976. >
  4977.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  4978.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P43HX84?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  4979.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  4980.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-hand-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/05/05/best-outdoor-misting-fans-hand-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="HandFan makes the best outdoor misting fan that's handheld.">
  4981.                      </figure>
  4982.                  </a>
  4983.            </div>
  4984.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  4985.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  4986.        <p><em>HandFan</em></p>
  4987.  
  4988.      </figcaption>
  4989.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  4990.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P43HX84?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  4991.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  4992.      </p>
  4993.      </div>
  4994. </div>
  4995.  
  4996.  
  4997.  
  4998. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  4999.  
  5000.  
  5001.  
  5002. <ul>
  5003. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 1.57 inches D x 4.13 inches W x 8.07 inches H</li>
  5004.  
  5005.  
  5006.  
  5007. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 6.7 ounces</li>
  5008.  
  5009.  
  5010.  
  5011. <li><strong>Power:</strong> Battery&nbsp;</li>
  5012.  
  5013.  
  5014.  
  5015. <li><strong>Water supply:</strong> Internal tank</li>
  5016.  
  5017.  
  5018.  
  5019. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$23</li>
  5020. </ul>
  5021.  
  5022.  
  5023.  
  5024. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  5025.  
  5026.  
  5027.  
  5028. <ul>
  5029. <li>Provides three speeds</li>
  5030.  
  5031.  
  5032.  
  5033. <li>Doubles as a facial steamer</li>
  5034.  
  5035.  
  5036.  
  5037. <li>Lightweight and ideal for travel</li>
  5038. </ul>
  5039.  
  5040.  
  5041.  
  5042. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  5043.  
  5044.  
  5045.  
  5046. <ul>
  5047. <li>Doesn’t provide lots of cooling power</li>
  5048.  
  5049.  
  5050.  
  5051. <li>Only covers a small space</li>
  5052. </ul>
  5053.  
  5054.  
  5055.  
  5056. <p>When it&#8217;s hot outside, but you’ve got things to do and don’t have time to relax on the porch, HandFan’s Portable HandHeld Misting Fan can be handy. At 6.7 ounces, the plastic fan is lightweight but still provides three fan speeds. It’s foldable, so you can easily set it up on your desk or in a fitness class to provide some respite from the heat. The HandFan also comes with a clip so that you can attach it to a stroller or golf cart on a hot day.</p>
  5057.  
  5058.  
  5059.  
  5060. <p>This device is also designed with a 17-milliliter (.57-ounce) tank that you can fill with water, turning the device into a mister, personal humidifier, or facial steamer. The HandFan also comes with a USB cable that allows you to recharge it with a USB plug, PC, power bank, or car charger. And its compact size makes it easy to tuck into a carry-on bag when you’re traveling somewhere tropical.</p>
  5061.  
  5062.  
  5063.  
  5064. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-wall-mounted-hydromist-18-inch-shrouded-oscillating-fan"><strong>Best wall-mounted: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Oscillating-Misting-Nozzles-1000-Required/dp/B0716HTHMC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HydroMist 18-inch Shrouded Oscillating Fan</a></h3>
  5065.  
  5066.  
  5067. <div
  5068.    id="professional-performance-at-home"
  5069.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  5070.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  5071. >
  5072.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  5073.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Oscillating-Misting-Nozzles-1000-Required/dp/B0716HTHMC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  5074.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  5075.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/wall-mounted-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/wall-mounted-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Black stainless steel outdoor misting fan">
  5076.                      </figure>
  5077.                  </a>
  5078.            </div>
  5079.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  5080.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  5081.        <p><em>HydroMist</em></p>
  5082.  
  5083.      </figcaption>
  5084.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  5085.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Oscillating-Misting-Nozzles-1000-Required/dp/B0716HTHMC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  5086.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  5087.      </p>
  5088.      </div>
  5089. </div>
  5090.  
  5091.  
  5092.  
  5093. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  5094.  
  5095.  
  5096.  
  5097. <ul>
  5098. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>17 inches D x 20 inches W x 25 inches H</li>
  5099.  
  5100.  
  5101.  
  5102. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 27.8 pounds</li>
  5103.  
  5104.  
  5105.  
  5106. <li><strong>Power:</strong> Corded electric</li>
  5107.  
  5108.  
  5109.  
  5110. <li><strong>Water supply: </strong>Hose and pump</li>
  5111.  
  5112.  
  5113.  
  5114. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$449</li>
  5115. </ul>
  5116.  
  5117.  
  5118.  
  5119. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  5120.  
  5121.  
  5122.  
  5123. <ul>
  5124. <li>Powerful</li>
  5125.  
  5126.  
  5127.  
  5128. <li>Five misting nozzles to adjust flow</li>
  5129.  
  5130.  
  5131.  
  5132. <li>Made from durable metal</li>
  5133. </ul>
  5134.  
  5135.  
  5136.  
  5137. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  5138.  
  5139.  
  5140.  
  5141. <ul>
  5142. <li>Pump and water supply line must be purchased separately</li>
  5143.  
  5144.  
  5145.  
  5146. <li>May need professional to assemble</li>
  5147. </ul>
  5148.  
  5149.  
  5150.  
  5151. <p>The HydroMist 18-inch Shrouded Oscillating Fan is a smaller version of its 24-inch misting fan preferred by restaurants. With several metal finishes, it complements your backyard oasis. This outdoor hanging fan features three settings to move air: 3500, 4200, and 5100 CFM. You’ll feel it, but your hair shouldn’t move. In addition to airflow settings, this unit includes five misting nozzles creating the finest mist on the market. The mounted fan requires a 3/8-inch high-pressure water supply line and a 1000 psi (pounds per square inch) water pump, both purchased separately. It can be installed by an experienced DIYer, though you might prefer to hire this job out.</p>
  5152.  
  5153.  
  5154.  
  5155. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-homenote-fan-misting-kit-for-a-cool-patio-breeze"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/HOMENOTE-Misting-Removable-Galvanized-Connects/dp/B08699DV23?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit for a Cool Patio Breeze</a></h3>
  5156.  
  5157.  
  5158. <div
  5159.    id="diy-a-misting-fan"
  5160.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  5161.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  5162. >
  5163.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  5164.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/HOMENOTE-Misting-Removable-Galvanized-Connects/dp/B08699DV23?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  5165.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  5166.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/budget-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/04/30/budget-misting-fan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="White and brown outdoor patio fan">
  5167.                      </figure>
  5168.                  </a>
  5169.            </div>
  5170.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  5171.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  5172.        <p><em>HOMENOTE</em></p>
  5173.  
  5174.      </figcaption>
  5175.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  5176.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/HOMENOTE-Misting-Removable-Galvanized-Connects/dp/B08699DV23?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000"
  5177.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  5178.      </p>
  5179.      </div>
  5180. </div>
  5181.  
  5182.  
  5183.  
  5184. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  5185.  
  5186.  
  5187.  
  5188. <ul>
  5189. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 7.2 inches D x 1.77 inches W x 7 inches H</li>
  5190.  
  5191.  
  5192.  
  5193. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 8.8 ounces</li>
  5194.  
  5195.  
  5196.  
  5197. <li><strong>Power: </strong>Corded electric</li>
  5198.  
  5199.  
  5200.  
  5201. <li><strong>Water supply:</strong> Outdoor faucet or garden hose and tube</li>
  5202.  
  5203.  
  5204.  
  5205. <li><strong>Price: </strong>$17</li>
  5206. </ul>
  5207.  
  5208.  
  5209.  
  5210. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  5211.  
  5212.  
  5213.  
  5214. <ul>
  5215. <li>Inexpensive</li>
  5216.  
  5217.  
  5218.  
  5219. <li>Works with a variety of fans</li>
  5220.  
  5221.  
  5222.  
  5223. <li>Good for cooling pets</li>
  5224. </ul>
  5225.  
  5226.  
  5227.  
  5228. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  5229.  
  5230.  
  5231.  
  5232. <ul>
  5233. <li>Temporary solution</li>
  5234.  
  5235.  
  5236.  
  5237. <li>Misting power determined by water flow</li>
  5238. </ul>
  5239.  
  5240.  
  5241.  
  5242. <p>The Homenote Fan Misting Kit attaches to an existing stand fan with zip ties (included) and an outdoor water faucet (not included) to make a misting fan for under $20. The outdoor misting system features a preassembled unit with five removable misting nozzles in a ring that attaches to your existing fan with zip ties. The ring is connected to a black 16-foot-long tube that connects directly to an outdoor water faucet or another garden hose, and the flow of the water is controlled by the faucet’s pressure (with no way to adjust the flow at the fan). This is an excellent option for those needing an outdoor patio fan for occasional use, like during a temporary heat wave, or to cool off pets briefly during the summer.</p>
  5243.  
  5244.  
  5245.  
  5246. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-things-to-consider-about-the-best-outdoor-misting-fans"><strong>Things to consider about the best outdoor misting fans</strong></h2>
  5247.  
  5248.  
  5249.  
  5250. <p>The basic concept of the science of cooling starts with an electric fan and a water supply (most likely a water hose). Outdoor misting fans take tiny water droplets and emit them through nozzles directly into the fan&#8217;s airflow. Using the thermal concepts of convection, conduction, and evaporation (remember those from your high school science class), a fan with water mist creates a cooler outdoor environment.&nbsp;</p>
  5251.  
  5252.  
  5253.  
  5254. <p>When water droplets move through the air, each removes heat; this is called <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/convection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convection</a>. The opposite is felt when hot air blows in your convection oven, producing even baking. Of course, people don’t like to bake, evenly or not, while sitting on the patio. Thankfully, the water from your hose is cooler than the temperature of your skin (about 98 degrees ). So when it hits your skin, it feels cooler; this is conduction. Finally, the fine water mist evaporates off your skin, giving you a cooling effect; this is evaporation, which is why it&#8217;s such a great way to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/keep-cool-minimal-ac/">stay cool without AC</a>.</p>
  5255.  
  5256.  
  5257.  
  5258. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-portability">Portability</h3>
  5259.  
  5260.  
  5261.  
  5262. <p>Not that long ago, misting fans were only for commercial installations, like restaurants with outdoor dining areas. Now backyard BBQ kings can find a full range of outdoor misting fans on the market to extend the comfortable cookout season. For those needing a portable misting fan, consider one that needs only an outdoor water supply and an electrical outlet. Ideally, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-fan/">portable fans</a> are used on your deck, patio, or in your yard for temporary cooling relief from the heat. If you&#8217;re looking for maximum portability, then a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-neck-fans/">neck fan</a> might be the call.</p>
  5263.  
  5264.  
  5265.  
  5266. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charging">Charging</h3>
  5267.  
  5268.  
  5269.  
  5270. <p>Sometimes you end up somewhere quite hot away from home, like at a tailgating party. That’s when a battery-operated portable misting fan might fit your needs. It utilizes a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-chargers/">rechargeable battery pack</a>, cutting the cords. The fan unit is designed to sit on top of a five-gallon bucket, which you can fill with water before you leave home if it has a tight enough top. In addition, many support a garden hose as an alternate water source.&nbsp;</p>
  5271.  
  5272.  
  5273.  
  5274. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oscillation">Oscillation</h3>
  5275.  
  5276.  
  5277.  
  5278. <p>Outdoor oscillating fans bring that circulating pleasure you’ve come to know indoors and transport it to the wider areas of your yard that need relief. A fan head moves from side to side in a sweeping motion, offering more cooling coverage. These types of units can be attached to a stand or mounted to the wall.</p>
  5279.  
  5280.  
  5281.  
  5282. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-space">Your space</h3>
  5283.  
  5284.  
  5285.  
  5286. <p>If your home features a well-defined outdoor area, like an outdoor kitchen or covered patio, a wall-mounted misting fan might be your go-to product. Ideally, use this type of fan in an area with a roof to protect the fan unit, which is mounted to the wall and will require both a water and electrical supply line to operate. Also needed will be a water pump to increase the water pressure, producing the finest water mist. There’s more involved, but this is a big step-up from the portable units.&nbsp;</p>
  5287.  
  5288.  
  5289.  
  5290. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-price">Price</h3>
  5291.  
  5292.  
  5293.  
  5294. <p>For those who don’t plan on spending much time outdoors, consider a DIY conversion kit to transform any outdoor-friendly fan into a misting one. These kits are easy to test drive if you’re not ready to dive deep into the misting lifestyle. And this might be the best option for pet owners during the summer, as dogs need a cool place to hide out from the heat, but you might not want to spend hundreds. Just add a cooling mist to an area with shade and a concrete patio, and you can keep your best buddy happier outdoors if you’re away.&nbsp;</p>
  5295.  
  5296.  
  5297.  
  5298. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  5299.  
  5300.  
  5301.  
  5302. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628880534100"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Do misters work in high humidity?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Outdoor misting fans work best in dry and arid environments, like the desert. In areas with less than 40 percent humidity, ambient air temperatures can feel up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. In an area with average relative humidity (40 and 80 percent), air temperatures can feel about 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. In high humidity (more than 80 percent), the cooling effect is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628880574093"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Do misters keep mosquitoes away?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Mist can keep flying insects away since they don’t like the added moisture along wind currents. Who likes flying in a rainstorm (bugs included)? Though the water mist doesn’t kill bugs since there’s no insecticide. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628880587753"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Do misters use a lot of water?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>No, most patio misters use one to two gallons of water an hour, depending on the water setting and if your unit uses a water pump.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1683316282919"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Can I use an outdoor misting fan inside?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes, many outdoor misting fans are also designed for indoor use and can cool the air better than a fan. If it&#8217;s a corded electric model, have an outlet nearby. That said, indoor use may not be appropriate for models that get their water supply from a garden hose or outdoor faucet. </p> </div> </div>
  5303.  
  5304.  
  5305.  
  5306. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-choosing-the-best-outdoor-misting-fans"><strong>Final thoughts on choosing the best outdoor misting fans</strong></h2>
  5307.  
  5308.  
  5309.  
  5310. <ul>
  5311. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XMNSVMV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Geek Aire Battery Operated Misting Fan</a></li>
  5312.  
  5313.  
  5314.  
  5315. <li><strong>Best battery-operated: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RYOBI-18-Volt-ONE-Bucket-Misting/dp/B087F4NDZN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Bucket Top Misting Fan Kit</a></li>
  5316.  
  5317.  
  5318.  
  5319. <li><strong>Best oscillating: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/NewAir-AF-600-18-Inch-Outdoor-Misting/dp/B071FJRZQ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NewAir AF-600 Outdoor Misting Fan</a></li>
  5320.  
  5321.  
  5322.  
  5323. <li><strong>Best handheld:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P43HX84?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HandFan Portable Handheld Misting Fan</a></li>
  5324.  
  5325.  
  5326.  
  5327. <li><strong>Best wall-mounted: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shrouded-Oscillating-Misting-Nozzles-1000-Required/dp/B0716HTHMC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HydroMist 18-inch Shrouded Oscillating Fan</a></li>
  5328.  
  5329.  
  5330.  
  5331. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/HOMENOTE-Misting-Removable-Galvanized-Connects/dp/B08699DV23?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000362369O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">HOMENOTE Fan Misting Kit for a Cool Patio Breeze</a></li>
  5332. </ul>
  5333.  
  5334.  
  5335.  
  5336. <p>If you want to extend your outdoor enjoyment this summer, consider the best outdoor misting fan for your needs and your budget. With options ranging from using an existing outdoor cooling fan and a $20 conversion kit to professional units requiring a water pump, you can cool your outdoor environment this summer for you and your guests by tens of degrees. Don’t forget, your pets and plants will also benefit from a cooler outdoor environment. Who knows, your orchid plant might bloom again.&nbsp;If you&#8217;re still hot, go check out these <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/electric-fan-summer-air-conditioning/">tips for cooling down</a> until your package arrives. </p>
  5337.  
  5338.  
  5339.  
  5340. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  5341.  
  5342.  
  5343.  
  5344. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  5345.  
  5346.  
  5347.  
  5348. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  5349. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-outdoor-misting-fans/">The best outdoor misting fans for staying cool in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5350. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5354. </item>
  5355. <item>
  5356. <title>A &#8216;bionic eye&#8217; scan of an ancient, scorched scroll points to Plato&#8217;s long-lost gravesite</title>
  5357. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/vesuvius-scroll-plato/</link>
  5359. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Paul]]></dc:creator>
  5360. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:56:18 +0000</pubDate>
  5361. <category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
  5362. <category><![CDATA[Internet]]></category>
  5363. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  5364. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  5365. <category><![CDATA[culture]]></category>
  5366. <category><![CDATA[history]]></category>
  5367. <category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
  5368. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612403</guid>
  5369.  
  5370. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5371.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Depositphotos_17656859_L.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Statue of Plato in Greece" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">New imaging tools uncovered text that revises the timeline of Plato's life. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photos/plato.html?filter=all&qview=17656859">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Technology continues to reveal new details written on parchment burned by the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 CE.</p>
  5372. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/vesuvius-scroll-plato/">A &#8216;bionic eye&#8217; scan of an ancient, scorched scroll points to Plato&#8217;s long-lost gravesite</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5373. ]]></description>
  5374. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5375.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/Depositphotos_17656859_L.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Statue of Plato in Greece" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">New imaging tools uncovered text that revises the timeline of Plato's life. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photos/plato.html?filter=all&qview=17656859">Deposit Photos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  5376. <p>A research team’s “bionic eye” deciphered thousands of new words hidden within an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/new-x-ray-technique-lets-archaeologists-read-scrolls-preserved-vesuvius/">ancient scroll</a> carbonized during the eruption of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/earthquakes-pompeii-mount-vesuvius/">Mount Vesuvius</a>—and the new text points to the long-lost, potential final resting place of the philosopher Plato.</p>
  5377.  
  5378.  
  5379.  
  5380. <p>The 1,800-scroll collection, located in the estate now known as the “Villa of the Papyri,” was almost instantaneously incinerated during the historic Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE, before being buried in layers of pumice and ash. The latest discovery is part of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-scroll-scan-vesuvius/">ongoing global efforts</a> focused on the ancient Greek library believed to belong to Julius Caesar’s father-in-law.</p>
  5381.  
  5382.  
  5383.  
  5384. <p>Although rediscovered in 1792, the trove of text remained almost entirely inaccessible due to the carbonized parchment’s fragility and blackened writing. In recent years, however, contributors to projects like the <a target="_blank" href="https://scrollprize.org/grandprize">Vesuvius Challenge</a> have worked to finally reveal the charred artifacts’ potentially invaluable information. In February, the project’s organizers announced that a team successfully <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/vesuvius-scrolls-ai-deciphered/">translated 2,000 characters</a> within a scroll through a combination of machine learning software and computer vision programming. Now, a separate group’s “bionic eye” has uncovered even more.</p>
  5385.  
  5386.  
  5387.  
  5388. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/vesuvius-scrolls-ai-deciphered/"><strong>2,000 new characters from burnt-up ancient Greek scroll deciphered with AI</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  5389.  
  5390.  
  5391.  
  5392. <p>According to Italian news outlet, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ansa.it/amp/english/newswire/english_service/2024/04/23/ansaherculaneum-papyri-reveal-platos-burial-place_31291e5e-a5d3-4e31-b9dc-8bc6736f0786.html"><em>ANSA</em></a>, experts utilized infrared hyperspectral imaging alongside a relatively new approach known as <a target="_blank" href="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/plato-burial-bionic-eye">optical coherence tomography</a> (OCT) to see through the carbonized material. OCT employs cross-sectional, high-resolution imagery most often used by optometrists to photograph the back of the eye. In this case, however, combining the two tools allowed researchers to bypass the layers of carbon to read a major portion of the scroll by detecting faint evidence of handwriting that human eyes can no longer see.</p>
  5393.  
  5394.  
  5395.  
  5396. <p>Now, it appears the team helped solve a major mystery within the history of philosophy—the location of Plato’s grave. After translating the section, it appears Plato was finally buried in a garden near a shrine to the Muses at the Platonic Academy in Athens. What’s more, the text details the pivotal philosopher’s last night before reportedly succumbing to illness. Plato, suffering from a high fever, unfortunately wasn’t a fan of a nearby musician’s attempt to comfort him by playing “sweet notes” on flute. According to the scroll, he even went so far as to criticize their &#8220;scant sense of rhythm.”</p>
  5397.  
  5398.  
  5399.  
  5400. <p>The section also offers a revised timeline of Plato’s life by stating that the philosopher was sold into slavery in either 404 or 399 BCE. Before the new discovery, historians believed he was enslaved in 387 BCE.</p>
  5401.  
  5402.  
  5403.  
  5404. <p>Researchers aren’t stopping here, either. As <a target="_blank" href="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/plato-burial-bionic-eye"><em>Interesting Engineering</em></a> notes, the team will use their “bionic eye” for further scans through 2026, while the Vesuvius Challenge will pursue its own methods to discover even more insights into the scrolls.</p>
  5405. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/vesuvius-scroll-plato/">A &#8216;bionic eye&#8217; scan of an ancient, scorched scroll points to Plato&#8217;s long-lost gravesite</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5406. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5410. </item>
  5411. <item>
  5412. <title>This 400-pound prehistoric salmon had tusks like a warthog</title>
  5413. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/salmon-tusks/</link>
  5415. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  5416. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  5417. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  5418. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  5419. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  5420. <category><![CDATA[Fish]]></category>
  5421. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  5422. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  5423. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612217</guid>
  5424.  
  5425. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5426.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/spike-tooth-salmon-fossil.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a spike-toothed salmon fossil with its mouth open" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A spike-tooth salmon fossil on display at the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">University of Oregon</span></figcaption></figure><p>The ‘spike-toothed' fish was up to 10 feet long.</p>
  5427. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/salmon-tusks/">This 400-pound prehistoric salmon had tusks like a warthog</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5428. ]]></description>
  5429. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5430.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/spike-tooth-salmon-fossil.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a spike-toothed salmon fossil with its mouth open" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A spike-tooth salmon fossil on display at the University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">University of Oregon</span></figcaption></figure>
  5431. <p>About five million years ago, the North American Pacific Northwest was teeming with some pretty big fish that would have made the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/environment/alaska-pebble-mine-denied/">continent’s biggest salmon runs</a> look small. An eight to 10-feet-long prehistoric <a href="https://www.popsci.com/salmon-habitat-ear-stones-otoliths/">salmon</a> species called <em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus</em> stalked the seas and streams of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/australia-fossils-ancient-rainforest/">Miocene</a>. It weighed upwards of 400 pounds and was almost twice as long and three times heavier than today’s largest salmon species–the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-species-salmon-are-there-and-how-large-can-they-get">Chinook/king salmon</a>. </p>
  5432.  
  5433.  
  5434.  
  5435. <p><em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus </em>also sported a formidable pair of front teeth that projected out from the sides of their mouths like tusks, but not like fangs as scientists previously believed. This major dental update is detailed in a <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300252">study published April 24 in the open-access journal <em>PLOS ONE</em></a>.</p>
  5436.  
  5437.  
  5438.  
  5439. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="583" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/salmon-comparison.jpg" alt="a size comparison of a spike-toothed salmon that could reach lengths of 20 feet, compared to a king salmon, and 6 foot tall man" class="wp-image-612218"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>How the spike-toothed salmon stacks up against a king salmon and a human male. CREDIT: Ray Troll/University of Oregon.</em></figcaption></figure>
  5440.  
  5441.  
  5442.  
  5443. <p><em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus</em> was <a target="_blank" href="https://natural-history.uoregon.edu/collections-galleries/spike-toothed-salmon">first described in 1972.</a> At the time, scientists believed that its large oversize teeth pointed backwards into the month like fangs. This largest known member of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/salmonidae">Salmonidae family</a> was commonly called the “saber-toothed salmon” due to the position of its teeth. However, CT scans of some newer <em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus</em> fossils and analysis in the study confirmed that these two-inch long curved chompers were more similar to a warthog’s tusks. This makes the species <a target="_blank" href="https://natural-history.uoregon.edu/collections-galleries/spike-toothed-salmon">more of a “spike-toothed salmon.”</a></p>
  5444.  
  5445.  
  5446.  
  5447. <p>“This is all part of the scientific process. You have an idea and you get new information,” study co-author and University of Oregon paleobiologist <a target="_blank" href="https://uonews.uoregon.edu/edward-davis-department-earth-sciences-museum-natural-and-cultural-history">Edward Davis</a> tells <em>PopSci.</em> “It’s a good reminder of the humility you need to have as a scientist.”</p>
  5448.  
  5449.  
  5450.  
  5451. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/hyneria-udlezinye-gondowana-predator/"><strong>A gator-faced fish shaped like a torpedo stalked rivers 360 million years ago</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  5452.  
  5453.  
  5454.  
  5455. <p>Scientists are not exactly sure what these signature tusks were used for, but believe they were primarily used to <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300252">fight off other salmon or predators</a>. They also may have been a way for female fish to dig nests for their eggs or even to help both sexes swim upstream to spawn.</p>
  5456.  
  5457.  
  5458.  
  5459. <p>“When they&#8217;re swimming upstream, they could maybe hook the spikes on something and take a rest without having to use any energy,” says Davis<em>.</em> “It’s sort of like if you&#8217;re holding on to the side of the swimming pool.”</p>
  5460.  
  5461.  
  5462.  
  5463. <p>With these tusks, they would have been as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041599">“equally fearsome” as their male counterparts</a>, according to study co-author and professor and curator of fishes at Oregon State University Brian Sidlauskas.</p>
  5464.  
  5465.  
  5466.  
  5467. <p>Their teeth likely weren’t used for catching prey. The spike-toothed salmon may have been a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/filter-feeding-extinct-marine-reptile/">filter-feeder</a> that dined on tiny organisms called plankton. This filter feeding may have been one of the reasons they reached such titanic sizes. Their relatives the sockeye salmon as well as baleen whales and basking sharks have bony features called <a target="_blank" href="https://fishionary.fisheries.org/gill-rakers/">gill rakers</a> that they use to filter out oxygen and microorganisms from the water. According to Davis, <em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus</em> have an unusually large number of gill rakers. Filter feeding with these gill takers possibly helped them grow since it could consume larger organisms like jellyfish and get more nutrients.&nbsp;</p>
  5468.  
  5469.  
  5470.  
  5471. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/salmon-illustration.jpg" alt="An illustration of a large prehistoric salmon Oncorhynchus rastrosus. It has pink, green and white coloring and tusks on the outside of its mouth. " class="wp-image-612219" width="1022" height="1159"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An artist’s illustration of </em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus<em>. The researchers believe that their tusk-like teeth were useful when they swam upstream to spawn. CREDIT: Ray Troll/University of Oregon</em></figcaption></figure>
  5472.  
  5473.  
  5474.  
  5475. <p>They also lived in an environment with the food and water resources that could support their large bodies. In this way, studying the spike-toothed salmon can also give clues about what might be in store for the planet as temperatures continue to rise. They lived at the end of the Miocene, when the world’s oceans were much warmer than today. Global <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0130941#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20research%2C%20atmospheric,range%20as%20in%20preindustrial%20time.">carbon dioxide levels</a> were also near <a target="_blank" href="https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2019/06/data-from-earths-past-holds-a-warning-for-our-future-under-climate-change/">what Earth could see</a> in the year 2100. Like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/nature/the-salmon-life-cycle.htm">today’s salmon</a>, they hatched in freshwater, went into the ocean, and then returned back into the freshwater to spawn and die.&nbsp;</p>
  5476.  
  5477.  
  5478.  
  5479. <p>“But these fish were huge,” says Davis. “That means there had to be a lot more water in those ancient rivers than we see today, to give them the space to be able to swim all the way up into eastern Oregon.”</p>
  5480.  
  5481.  
  5482.  
  5483. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/melting-glaciers-new-homes-pacific-salmon/"><strong>The salmon of 2100 will have new habitat: the remains of melted glaciers</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  5484.  
  5485.  
  5486.  
  5487. <p><em>Oncorhynchus rastrosus </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo2813#:~:text=We%20find%20that%20a%20sustained,and%205.4%20million%20years%20ago.">went extinct as the Earth began to cool</a> towards the end of the Miocene. This change in climate likely depleted them of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/great-dying-nostrancevia/">resources</a> that they needed to sustain such large bodies.&nbsp;</p>
  5488.  
  5489.  
  5490.  
  5491. <p>In future studies, Davis and his colleagues plan to do a closer analysis of some</p>
  5492.  
  5493.  
  5494.  
  5495. <p>spike-toothed salmon specimens. While a complete skeleton has yet to be found, a number of fossils belonging to this enormous fish have been <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300252">uncovered in recent years</a>. They also hope to come up with new models to study how these tusk-like teeth were used and better understand what <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/prehistoric-poop-fungi-megafauna-biodiversity/">extinct ecosystems</a> can teach us.&nbsp;</p>
  5496.  
  5497.  
  5498.  
  5499. <p>“Cool extinct animals get people excited about science and the ancient world. But it&#8217;s important to understand that ancient world because it gives us a window into what the world could be like in future scenarios,” says Davis. “By looking at how the giant salmon lived on this much warmer Earth, we can think about what resources are going to change over the next 80 years if our Earth is returning to that warmer state.”</p>
  5500. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/salmon-tusks/">This 400-pound prehistoric salmon had tusks like a warthog</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5501. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5505. </item>
  5506. <item>
  5507. <title>Why animals run faster than their robot doppelgängers&#8230; for now</title>
  5508. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/animals-run-faster-than-robots/</link>
  5510. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  5511. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  5512. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  5513. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  5514. <category><![CDATA[Robots]]></category>
  5515. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  5516. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612357</guid>
  5517.  
  5518. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5519.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/robots-v-animals.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="robot v roach" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Animals inspired robots consistently filament outperform their organic inspirations despite often having better individual components. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.colorado.edu/lab/jayaram/">Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The sum is greater than its parts. </p>
  5520. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/animals-run-faster-than-robots/">Why animals run faster than their robot doppelgängers&#8230; for now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5521. ]]></description>
  5522. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5523.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/robots-v-animals.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="robot v roach" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Animals inspired robots consistently filament outperform their organic inspirations despite often having better individual components. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.colorado.edu/lab/jayaram/">Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  5524. <p>Modern robotics is awash with human-made machines mimicking the animal world. From <a target="_blank" href="https://www.biometricupdate.com/202309/facial-recognition-equipped-robot-dog-to-prowl-us-sporting-venue">stadium-surveying robot dogs</a> to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/spider-robot/">daddy long-legs-inspired exploration bots</a> and just about <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/winged-bird-robot-perch-landing/">everything</a> <a href="https://www.popsci.com/category/robots/page/2/">in-between</a>, there’s no shortage of mechanized animal doppelgängers roaming the world. Advancements in AI systems, new synthetic materials, and 3D printing have greatly improved these machines’ ability to run, climb, and shimmy their way around obstacles, often in the name of scientific exploration or public after.&nbsp;</p>
  5525.  
  5526.  
  5527.  
  5528. <p>But even with those technical advances and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2024/03/18/1500-robotics-startups-have-raised-90-billion-but-investment-just-cratered/">billions of dollars worth investment</a> poured into the robotics industry in recent years, mechanized machines by and large still still lag behind against their biological equals in a head-to-head race. That basic observation underpins a new study by an interdisciplinary group of researchers published this week in the journal <em>Science Robotics.&nbsp;</em></p>
  5529.  
  5530.  
  5531.  
  5532. <p>The researchers looked at five different “subsystems” associated with running and compared how they stack up better between animals and their robot counterparts. Animals, which rely on a tapestry of delicate bones and tissues, initially seem worse than machines on almost every individual component level. Their true advantage, the researchers discovered, actually lies in their complex and interconnected control over their bodies. That fluid interoperability makes animals greater than the sum of their individual parts. </p>
  5533.  
  5534.  
  5535.  
  5536. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1180" height="1190" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/jumping-robot.png" alt="TK" class="wp-image-612390"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers compared how animal-inspired robotics and their organic counterparts stacked up when compared against five different subsystems associated with running. <em>Credit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.colorado.edu/lab/jayaram/">Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab, CU Boulder</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  5537.  
  5538.  
  5539.  
  5540. <p>“The way things turned out is that, with only minor exceptions, the engineering subsystems outperform the biological equivalents—and sometimes radically outperformed them,” SRI International Senior Research Engineer and paper co-author Tom Libby said in a statement. “But also what&#8217;s very, very clear is that, if you compare animals to robots at the whole system level, in terms of movement, animals are amazing. And robots have yet to catch up.”</p>
  5541.  
  5542.  
  5543.  
  5544. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-benefit-from-biological-complexity-and-generations-of-evolution"><strong>Animals benefit from biological complexity and generations of evolution </strong></h2>
  5545.  
  5546.  
  5547.  
  5548. <p>Each of the five researchers focused on one specific subsystem associated with running in both animals and machines. These systems were broken down into power, frame, actuation, sensing, and control. Individually, machines beat out animals in almost all of these categories. In the case of frames, for example, robots with lightweight but strong carbon fiber bodies could support larger mass structures without buckling compared to animal bones. Similarly, the researchers concluded a robot&#8217;s computer-aided control system outperforms an animal’s nervous system in terms of overall latency and bandwidth.&nbsp;</p>
  5549.  
  5550.  
  5551.  
  5552. <p>But even though robots seemingly have stronger, more robust individual parts, animas are nonetheless more adept at making them work seamlessly together as a cohesive “whole.” That difference plays itself plainly when animals and robots are tested in real-world environments. While newer robots can certifiably <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/machine-learning-robot-runs-its-fastest/">accelerate quickly</a> and even perform some <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/parkour-robot/">acrobatic feats </a>they pale in comparison to their biological counterparts in terms of fluidity and adaptability. Robots sometimes navigate tough terrain, but animals can effortlessly overcome obstacles like mud, snow, vegetation, and rubble without thinking twice about what they are doing.&nbsp;</p>
  5553.  
  5554.  
  5555.  
  5556. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/can-this-robot-help-solve-a-guide-dog-shortage/"><strong>Can this robot help solve a guide dog shortage?</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  5557.  
  5558.  
  5559.  
  5560. <p>“A wildebeest can migrate for thousands of [kilometers] over rough terrain, a mountain goat can climb up a literal cliff, finding footholds that don&#8217;t even seem to be there, and cockroaches can lose a leg and not slow down,” Simon Fraser University Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology professor Max Donelan wrote. “We have no robots capable of anything like this endurance, agility and robustness.”</p>
  5561.  
  5562.  
  5563.  
  5564. <p>Animals also have another huge leg up: time. Unlike advanced robots which have only really made strides in the past few decades, animals have had millions, or in some cases, billions of years of evolution on their side. Animals, the researchers note, have a “substantial headstart over engineering.” On the flip side, robots have done an admirable job of closing that gap with staggering speed. The researchers say they are “optimistic” that robots will someday outrun animals.</p>
  5565.  
  5566.  
  5567.  
  5568. <p>“It [advances in robots] will move faster, because evolution is undirected,” University of Washington Department of Electrical &amp; Computer Engineering Associate Professor Sam Burden said. “There are ways that we can move much more quickly when we engineer robots than we can through evolution—but evolution has a massive head start.”</p>
  5569.  
  5570.  
  5571.  
  5572. <p>Researchers hope these findings could help future development of running robots. Armed with these findings, robot makers could decide to focus more of their time and effort on component integration rather than simply building ever better and stronger hardware.&nbsp;</p>
  5573.  
  5574.  
  5575.  
  5576. <p>“The lesson we take from biology is that, although further improvements to components and subsystems are beneficial, the greatest opportunity to improve running robots is to make better use of existing parts,” the researchers wrote.”</p>
  5577. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/animals-run-faster-than-robots/">Why animals run faster than their robot doppelgängers&#8230; for now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5578. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5582. </item>
  5583. <item>
  5584. <title>These birds help humans hunt for honey—but it’s not as sweet as you might think</title>
  5585. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/weirdest-thing-honeyguide/</link>
  5587. <dc:creator><![CDATA[PopSci Staff]]></dc:creator>
  5588. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:54:14 +0000</pubDate>
  5589. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  5590. <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
  5591. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  5592. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  5593. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  5594. <category><![CDATA[The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week]]></category>
  5595. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  5596. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612361</guid>
  5597.  
  5598. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5599.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/honeyguide.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The greater honeyguide is a sub-Saharan bird that literally guides humans to sources of honey." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The greater honeyguide is a sub-Saharan bird that literally guides humans to sources of honey. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">CLAIRE SPOTTISWOODE/University of Cambridge/AFP via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p>Plus other weird things we learned this week.</p>
  5600. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/weirdest-thing-honeyguide/">These birds help humans hunt for honey—but it’s not as sweet as you might think</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5601. ]]></description>
  5602. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5603.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/honeyguide.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The greater honeyguide is a sub-Saharan bird that literally guides humans to sources of honey." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The greater honeyguide is a sub-Saharan bird that literally guides humans to sources of honey. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">CLAIRE SPOTTISWOODE/University of Cambridge/AFP via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure>
  5604. <p>What’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to <em>PopSci</em>’s hit <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-02/best-science-podcasts/">podcast</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/Weirdest_Thing/"><em>The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week</em></a> hits <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weirdest-thing-i-learned-this-week/id1377843908/">Apple</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1l3aIVJ1FVrHSixsgrJ1f4?si=1bdd51aa57de4aa0">Spotify</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/BJky1USM3Ig">YouTube</a>, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of <em>Popular Science</em> can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.</p>
  5605.  
  5606.  
  5607.  
  5608. <p>Check out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdestThing/">Weirdest Thing’s new page on Reddit</a> to meet fellow Weirdos!</p>
  5609.  
  5610.  
  5611.  
  5612. <iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6L47ntcxYy0gWNiOHk5syJ?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>
  5613.  
  5614.  
  5615.  
  5616. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fact-these-birds-help-humans-hunt-for-honey-but-it-s-not-as-sweet-as-you-might-think"><strong>FACT: These birds help humans hunt for honey, but it’s not as sweet as you might think</strong></h2>
  5617.  
  5618.  
  5619.  
  5620. <p><em>By </em><a target="_blank" href="https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman"><em>Rachel Feltman</em></a></p>
  5621.  
  5622.  
  5623.  
  5624. <p>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1010414">greater honeyguide</a> is a sub-Saharan bird that engages in a behavior that’s so fascinating to people that its entire genus <em>and </em>its entire family is named for it, even though they’re the only species in the bunch that definitely acts this way.</p>
  5625.  
  5626.  
  5627.  
  5628. <p>These birds <em>literally</em> guide humans to sources of honey. Humans call to the birds for help, the birds recognize the request and start leading the way, and the humans follow them straight to a big honeycomb. <a target="_blank" href="https://scholars.duke.edu/publication/1323566">Hunter-gatherers are almost <em>six-times</em> more likely to find hives with a honeyguide assist than they are without</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  5629.  
  5630.  
  5631.  
  5632. <p>The people in question are The Hadza of Northern Tanzania. Even if you don’t recognize their name, you’ve almost certainly heard of or read research about them. If you’ve read an article about, for example, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/hunter-gatherer-gut-microbiome-diverse-fiber/">how eating a modern diet versus a traditional hunter-gatherer diet changes our microbiome</a>, it was almost certainly based on research on the Hadza.&nbsp;</p>
  5633.  
  5634.  
  5635.  
  5636. <p>Speaking of research on Hadza diets: Scientists have found that honey makes up a surprisingly large percentage of their caloric intake. It can make up around 20% of the calories they consume.&nbsp;</p>
  5637.  
  5638.  
  5639.  
  5640. <p>That’s where the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.audubon.org/news/meet-greater-honeyguide-bird-understands-humans">honeyguide bird</a> comes in with a big assist. Some researchers estimate that up to 10% of the Hadza’s total diet is foraged with the help of these birds.</p>
  5641.  
  5642.  
  5643.  
  5644. <p>Incredible, right? But a lot of popular media on the subject takes things a little too far in the Disney Princess direction.</p>
  5645.  
  5646.  
  5647.  
  5648. <p>A lot of depictions of this process—including some documentaries—suggest that this is a mutually-beneficial partnership between birds and humans. Humans ask for help, birds provide it, and humans pay the animals for their services with chunks of honeycomb full of wax and grubs for them to eat.&nbsp;</p>
  5649.  
  5650.  
  5651.  
  5652. <p>But as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-surprisingly-sticky-tale-of-the-hadza-and-the-honeyguide-bird">this feature in <em>Atlas Obscura </em>by Cara Giaimo explain</a>s, that isn’t quite true—and the sunnier portrayal of this relationship can cause trouble for the Hadza. Check out the article—and this week’s episode—for more on the (still very awesome) truth behind the misinformation.&nbsp;</p>
  5653.  
  5654.  
  5655.  
  5656. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fact-a-barber-may-have-come-close-to-launching-a-massive-revolt-until-the-civil-war-got-in-the-way"><strong>FACT: A barber may have come close to launching a massive revolt—until the Civil War got in the way</strong></h2>
  5657.  
  5658.  
  5659.  
  5660. <p><em>By </em><a target="_blank" href="https://history.ecu.edu/joel-cook/"><em>Joel Cook</em></a></p>
  5661.  
  5662.  
  5663.  
  5664. <p>On this week’s episode of <em>The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week</em>, I’m sharing one of my favorite stories from my own show, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/show/rogue-history/"><em>Rogue History</em></a>. It’s the story of a traveling barber named <a target="_blank" href="https://findingmoses.org/people/moses-dickson/">Moses Dickson</a>. This jack-of-all-trades (seriously, he opened a fine dining restaurant at one point) may have laid the groundwork for a major insurrection. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Manual_of_the_International_Order_of_Twe/7UwQAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&amp;gbpv=1&amp;dq=knights+of+tabor&amp;printsec=frontcover">Dickson claimed</a> to have recruited a vast network of enslaved people and free allies who were gearing up to revolt against their oppressors. He said the only reason it didn’t happen was that the Civil War started brewing, and he figured he’d let actual armies do the legwork instead.&nbsp;</p>
  5665.  
  5666.  
  5667.  
  5668. <p>That might sound like a convenient claim for some random barber to make, but there’s some evidence that Dickson really <em>had</em> been about to light the fuse on a huge insurrection. Learn more in this week’s episode. You can also check out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClWa8R1yU5s">the <em>Rogue History</em> episode that inspired this fact.</a></p>
  5669.  
  5670.  
  5671.  
  5672. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fact-rats-love-taking-selfies-too"><strong>FACT: Rats love taking selfies, too </strong></h2>
  5673.  
  5674.  
  5675.  
  5676. <p><em>By </em><a target="_blank" href="https://one5c.com/about-one5c/"><em>Sara Kiley Watson</em></a></p>
  5677.  
  5678.  
  5679.  
  5680. <p>What&#8217;s not to love about a selfie? Millions are taken every single day, though the reasons <em>why</em> we snap so many pics of ourselves are still up in the air. Some folks guess it&#8217;s for vanity, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230427114545.htm">research has also shown that capturing a quick selfie can help us remember deeper meanings</a> of those day-to-day events or big moments.&nbsp;</p>
  5681.  
  5682.  
  5683.  
  5684. <p>One recent project from a Paris-based professional photographer and grad student shows that humans might not be the only animals that love a cheeky self-portrait.&nbsp;</p>
  5685.  
  5686.  
  5687.  
  5688. <p>A <a href="https://www.popsci.com/1950s-experiments-attachment-unethical/">Skinner box</a>-inspired experiment showed that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/23/science/photography-rats-selfies.html">rats got a kick out of pressing a button that snapped selfies</a>. They also enjoyed viewing the resulting images—even if they weren&#8217;t lured by a treat to do so. Of course, the psychological significance of rat selfies is still a mystery, and we’ll need to do a lot more research to truly understand our shared love of self-portraits (and/or button-pushing). But in the meantime, the photos produced by these curious little critters are still cute as can be. You can see them <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/23/science/photography-rats-selfies.html">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  5689. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/weirdest-thing-honeyguide/">These birds help humans hunt for honey—but it’s not as sweet as you might think</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5690. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5694. </item>
  5695. <item>
  5696. <title>Tackle tiny trees with 30% off this mini Craftsman chainsaw at Amazon</title>
  5697. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-mini-chainsaw-garden-lawn-power-tool-amazon-deal/</link>
  5699. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Reed]]></dc:creator>
  5700. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
  5701. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  5702. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  5703. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  5704. <category><![CDATA[amazon]]></category>
  5705. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  5706. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  5707. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611997</guid>
  5708.  
  5709. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5710.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/craftsman-chainsaw-lawncare-deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Red mini Craftsman chainsaws in a pattern on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><p>Miniature versions of large things are in right now. This tiny chainsaw from Craftsman is just as practical as it is petite.</p>
  5711. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-mini-chainsaw-garden-lawn-power-tool-amazon-deal/">Tackle tiny trees with 30% off this mini Craftsman chainsaw at Amazon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5712. ]]></description>
  5713. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5714.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/craftsman-chainsaw-lawncare-deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Red mini Craftsman chainsaws in a pattern on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  5715. </div>
  5716. <p>I am currently obsessed with all things mini right now. <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@myminiaturelife/video/7058552326902107397?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Look at this video</a> of someone mopping their very tiny kitchen with a tiny heavy-duty mop. And <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lemonminiatures/video/7265421820025720097" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here&#8217;s a miniature plant room</a> complete with real wood floors, something I will never have in my own lifetime. Don&#8217;t even get me started on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/channel/mini-brands" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mini Brands reveal videos</a> and my personal favorite, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Popin-Cookin-Candy-Pack-Varieties/dp/B07PHNNGP6?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Poppin Cookin&#8217; &#8220;meals.&#8221;</a> Not everything teensy tiny happens to be usable, however. That&#8217;s not the case with this Craftsman mini <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-chainsaw/">chainsaw</a>, which is perfect for trimming smaller trees and shrubs. Why bring out the unwieldy big guy when you can get the job done with something lighter and less cumbersome?</p>
  5717.  
  5718.  
  5719.  
  5720. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-craftsman-v20-mini-chainsaw-10-inch-battery-and-charger-included-119-99-was-169"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-CMCCS610D1-Chain-Saw-Red/dp/B08T6DRN38?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN V20 Mini Chainsaw, 10 inch, Battery and Charger Included</a></strong> $119.99 (Was $169)</h3>
  5721.  
  5722.  
  5723. <div
  5724.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  5725.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  5726. >
  5727.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  5728.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-CMCCS610D1-Chain-Saw-Red/dp/B08T6DRN38?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  5729.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  5730.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/craftsman-v20-mini-chainsaw.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/craftsman-v20-mini-chainsaw.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A red Craftsman V20 mini chainsaw on a plain background">
  5731.                      </figure>
  5732.                  </a>
  5733.            </div>
  5734.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  5735.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  5736.        <p><em>Craftsman</em></p>
  5737.  
  5738.      </figcaption>
  5739.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  5740.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-CMCCS610D1-Chain-Saw-Red/dp/B08T6DRN38?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000"
  5741.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  5742.      </p>
  5743.      </div>
  5744. </div>
  5745.  
  5746.  
  5747.  
  5748. <p>This cordless chainsaw has a V20* MAX 2.0AH lithium-ion battery, so you don&#8217;t have to worry about it crapping out when in the middle of a cut. Although we joke about it being a mini chainsaw, dainty it is not: its 10-inch bar and chain can cut material that&#8217;s eight inches thick. An auto-oiling feature allows for continuous lubrication, and bolt lock chain tensioning gives you consistent bar clamping. You can also use the integrated hook to hang it directly on a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Versatrack-20-Piece-Accessories-CMST22000/dp/B07QH8DM1W?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">VERSATRACK wall organization system</a> (sold separately). Sure, it won&#8217;t take down a Redwood, but it can slice through a cursed Bradford Pear like butter.</p>
  5749.  
  5750.  
  5751.  
  5752. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-craftsman-garden-and-lawn-power-tool-deals"><strong>More Craftsman garden and lawn power tool deals:</strong></h3>
  5753.  
  5754.  
  5755.  
  5756. <ul>
  5757. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Cordless-Battery-Charger-CMCED400D1/dp/B09VD1CQDZ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN V20 WEEDWACKER String Trimmer &amp; Edger, Cordless</a> $82.98 (Was $119)</li>
  5758.  
  5759.  
  5760.  
  5761. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Cordless-Battery-Charger-CMCED400D1/dp/B09VD1CQDZ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX Edger Lawn Tool, Cordless Lawn Edger with Battery &amp; Charger Included</a> $129 (Was $159)</li>
  5762.  
  5763.  
  5764.  
  5765. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Cordless-Electric-Included-CMCPR320C1/dp/B09VD26DVJ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX Cordless Electric Pruner, Battery &amp; Charger Included</a> $99 (Was $149)</li>
  5766.  
  5767.  
  5768.  
  5769. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-CMCHT810C1-Hedge-Trimmer-Red/dp/B08T6BJ2HS?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 20 inch, Battery and Charger Included</a> $99 (Was $139)</li>
  5770.  
  5771.  
  5772.  
  5773. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-Axial-Leaf-Blower-CMCBL700D1/dp/B083X6NRWQ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611997O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CRAFTSMAN 20V MAX* Axial Leaf Blower Kit</a>&nbsp;$82.98 (Was $139)</li>
  5774. </ul>
  5775. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-mini-chainsaw-garden-lawn-power-tool-amazon-deal/">Tackle tiny trees with 30% off this mini Craftsman chainsaw at Amazon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5776. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5780. </item>
  5781. <item>
  5782. <title>NASA will unfurl a 860-square-foot solar sail from within a microwave-sized cube</title>
  5783. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-solar-sail/</link>
  5785. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Paul]]></dc:creator>
  5786. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:53:58 +0000</pubDate>
  5787. <category><![CDATA[Engineering]]></category>
  5788. <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category>
  5789. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  5790. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  5791. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  5792. <category><![CDATA[Sun]]></category>
  5793. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  5794. <category><![CDATA[news]]></category>
  5795. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612334</guid>
  5796.  
  5797. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5798.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/ACS3-Concept-Art.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ACS3 solar sail concept art above Earth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">This artist’s concept shows the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft sailing in space using the energy of the sun. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-next-generation-solar-sail-boom-technology-ready-for-launch/">ASA/Aero Animation/Ben Schweighart</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The highly advanced solar sail boom could one day allow spacecraft to travel without bulky rocket fuel.</p>
  5799. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-solar-sail/">NASA will unfurl a 860-square-foot solar sail from within a microwave-sized cube</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5800. ]]></description>
  5801. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5802.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/24/ACS3-Concept-Art.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ACS3 solar sail concept art above Earth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">This artist’s concept shows the Advanced Composite Solar Sail System spacecraft sailing in space using the energy of the sun. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-next-generation-solar-sail-boom-technology-ready-for-launch/">ASA/Aero Animation/Ben Schweighart</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  5803. <p>NASA hitched a ride aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron Launcher in New Zealand <a target="_blank" href="https://gizmodo.com/watch-live-nasa-launches-solar-sail-1851429032">yesterday evening</a>, and is preparing to test a new, highly advanced <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/solar-sail-mars-study/">solar sail design</a>. Now in a sun-synchronous orbit roughly 600-miles above Earth, the agency’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/smallspacecraft/what-is-acs3/">Advanced Composite Solar Sail System</a> (ACS3) will in the coming weeks deploy and showcase technology that could one day power deep-space missions without the need for any actual rocket fuel, after launch.</p>
  5804.  
  5805.  
  5806.  
  5807. <p>The fundamentals behind <a href="https://www.popsci.com/space/nasa-invests-diffractive-lightsail-technology/">solar sails</a> aren’t in question. By capturing the pressure <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/space/lightsail-2-update/">emitted by solar energy</a>, thin sheets can propel a spacecraft at immense speeds, similar to a sailboat. Engineers have already <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/best-of-whats-new-2019/">demonstrated the principles</a> before, but NASA’s new project will specifically showcase a promising boom design constructed of flexible composite polymer materials reinforced with carbon fiber.</p>
  5808.  
  5809.  
  5810. <div><lite-youtube videoid="rfYLnbw7iu8" style="background-image: none;">
  5811.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rfYLnbw7iu8/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Sun photo">
  5812.            </lite-youtube>
  5813.            
  5814.            <noscript>
  5815. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  5816. <iframe loading="lazy" title="NASA&#039;s Next-Generation Solar Sail Mission" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rfYLnbw7iu8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  5817. </div></figure>
  5818. </noscript></div>
  5819.  
  5820.  
  5821. <p>Although delivered in a toaster-sized package, ACS3 will take less than 30 minutes to unfurl into an 860-square-foot sheet of ultrathin plastic anchored by its four accompanying 23-foot-long booms. These poles, once deployed, function as sailboat booms, and will keep the sheet taut enough to capture solar energy.</p>
  5822.  
  5823.  
  5824.  
  5825. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/solar-sail-mars-study/"><strong>How tiny spacecraft could ‘sail’ to Mars surprisingly quickly</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  5826.  
  5827.  
  5828.  
  5829. <p>But what makes the ACS3 booms so special is <a target="_blank" href="https://newatlas.com/space/solar-sail-space/">how they are stored</a>. Any solar sail’s boom system will need to remain stiff enough through harsh temperature fluctuations, as well as durable enough to last through lengthy mission durations. Scaled-up solar sails, however, will be pretty massive—NASA is currently planning future designs as large as 5,400-square-feet, or roughly the size of a basketball court. These sails will need extremely long boom systems that won’t necessarily fit in a rocket’s cargo hold.</p>
  5830.  
  5831.  
  5832.  
  5833. <p>To solve for this, NASA rolled up its new composite material booms into a package roughly the size of an envelope. When ready, engineers will utilize an extraction system similar to a tape spool to uncoil the booms meant to minimize potential jamming. Once in place, they’ll anchor the microscopically thin solar sail as onboard cameras record the entire process.</p>
  5834.  
  5835.  
  5836.  
  5837. <p>NASA hopes the project will allow them to evaluate their new solar sail design while measuring how its resulting thrust influences the tiny spacecraft’s low-Earth orbit. Meanwhile, engineers will assess the resiliency of their novel composite booms, which are 75-percent lighter and designed to offer 100-times less shape distortion than any previous solar sail boom prototype.</p>
  5838.  
  5839.  
  5840.  
  5841. <p>Don’t expect the ACS3 experiment to go soaring off into space, though. After an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-to-hoist-its-sail-solar-sail-mission-gets-ready-for-launch/">estimated two-month initial flight</a> and subsystem testing phase, ACS3 will conduct a weeks-long test of its ability to raise and lower the CubeSate’s orbit. It’s a lot of work to harness a solar force NASA says is equivalent to the weight of a paperclip in your palm. Still, if ACS3’s sail and boom system is successful, it could lead towards scaling up the design enough to travel across the solar system.</p>
  5842. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-solar-sail/">NASA will unfurl a 860-square-foot solar sail from within a microwave-sized cube</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5843. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5847. </item>
  5848. <item>
  5849. <title>Inside the new $2 billion campus that GM hopes will launch it into the future</title>
  5850. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/gm-technology-and-design-center/</link>
  5852. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kristin Shaw]]></dc:creator>
  5853. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  5854. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  5855. <category><![CDATA[Vehicles]]></category>
  5856. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612197</guid>
  5857.  
  5858. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5859.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="759" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/GM-Technical-Center-and-Design-Center-in-Michigan-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=759.375" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an artificial lake surrounded by buildings" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">GM Technical Center and Design Center in Michigan. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">GM</span></figcaption></figure><p>Can the Technology and Design Center help make the century-old company cool again?</p>
  5860. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/gm-technology-and-design-center/">Inside the new $2 billion campus that GM hopes will launch it into the future</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5861. ]]></description>
  5862. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5863.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="759" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/GM-Technical-Center-and-Design-Center-in-Michigan-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=759.375" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an artificial lake surrounded by buildings" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">GM Technical Center and Design Center in Michigan. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">GM</span></figcaption></figure>
  5864. <p>On the floor of General Motors’ new Design West building, various concepts and work-in-progress next-generation vehicles dot the vast, open space. From a level above and behind glass, all is quiet. Everyone appears to be wearing soft-soled, comfortable shoes, as the place is huge and walking is required. It’s not until you step onto the cement floor that you hear a confluence of murmurs and sounds from hundreds of people all working toward the same goal: to propel the legacy automaker forward as quickly and efficiently as possible.&nbsp;</p>
  5865.  
  5866.  
  5867.  
  5868. <p>How do car designers peer eight to 10 years into the future to create vehicles that not only look good but will sell? In this building, GM creatives have moved into a new house, and the ideas are flowing. Here at the intersection of art, design, engineering, and technology, GM is flexing the vehicles the public already knows are coming, plus many more that very few people have seen. Except for those working in this building, of course.&nbsp;</p>
  5869.  
  5870.  
  5871.  
  5872. <p>It’s all part of a $2 billion upgrade to the Technical Center campus, a significant investment for this century-old automaking conglomerate. Already, the 2025 Buick Enclave three-row SUV was uncovered recently with a clear nod to the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/buick-transitions-to-all-electric/">Buick Wildcat EV</a> concept unveiled in 2022. Sleek and angular with aerodynamic lines that suggest speed, the Wildcat seems to be the audacious kind of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/gm-brightdrop-electric-delivery-vehicle-vr/">model inspiring future ideas</a> and encouraging a second look at what may have been a lackluster brand in the recent past.</p>
  5873.  
  5874.  
  5875.  
  5876. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1480" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/The-Buick-Wildcat-concept-is-a-big-departure-from-the-classic-brand-scaled.jpg" alt="a shiny silver car in front of an office building" class="wp-image-612201"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Buick Wildcat concept is a big departure from the classic brand. <em>Image: GM</em></figcaption></figure>
  5877.  
  5878.  
  5879.  
  5880. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-every-resource-available"><strong>Using every resource available</strong></h2>
  5881.  
  5882.  
  5883.  
  5884. <p>When the GM campus was first built in the Detroit area in 1956, arriving on site was like “driving into the future,” says a GM spokesperson during my recent tour. Today’s updates leap forward another generation while keeping tokens from the past. For example, in the new conference room that hangs over the portico, a Cadillac goddess sculpture sits on a piece of elm from a tree that had been cut to make way for this building. Sculpted wood wraps around the wall near the lobby, finely crafted by three generations of woodworkers employed by GM.</p>
  5885.  
  5886.  
  5887.  
  5888. <p>In the Design West facility, collaboration is easier than it was before, as design teams have better access to varied physical scenarios for quicker and more impactful design reviews, a GM spokesperson told me. The floor-to-ceiling windows enable more natural light, and vehicles can be more easily moved on to the courtyard for viewing outdoors.</p>
  5889.  
  5890.  
  5891.  
  5892. <p>The new Digital Design Visualization Center includes a full audio setup with capacity up to 120 decibels–basically, the noise level of a jet plane–and a nearly 56-foot-wide screen with more than 76 million pixels. Virtual tools are incorporated into each studio area to enable real-time, on-demand global design collaboration, and it seems the line between where the computers start and people stop (and vice versa) is fluid.</p>
  5893.  
  5894.  
  5895.  
  5896. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3d-modeling-still-reigns"><strong>3D modeling still reigns</strong></h2>
  5897.  
  5898.  
  5899.  
  5900. <p>Forty-four high-tech mill sites dot the surface, standing ready to carve giant blocks of clay into the desired shapes before sculptors take over with specialized tools. These are five-axis mills, capable of cutting across three distinct linear axes. At the same time, it rotates on two vertical axes to process five sides in total. Sculptors learn the software to program the mills so the process is hand in glove.</p>
  5901.  
  5902.  
  5903.  
  5904. <p>GM hasn’t completely eschewed analog techniques for vehicle creation, however. Supremely talented artisans sculpt details into clay models after the mills have completed their part of the job.</p>
  5905.  
  5906.  
  5907.  
  5908. <p>“We’ve been predicting coming off clay models for a long time,” says GM Senior Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe. “But this is an art form. By using a physical model, you have a unique reaction in three dimensions; judging proportions and scale is difficult, virtually.”</p>
  5909.  
  5910.  
  5911.  
  5912. <p>Side by side with the all-clay models are those that are partly cloaked in Di-Noc, a stretchy film used for decades in the automotive industry for wraps and color representation. Massive company 3M acquired Di-Noc in the 1960s and still uses the name. Today, GM staff in the Design West building apply it to clay models to help designers see the reflection of light on the surface as it plays on the body of the car.</p>
  5913.  
  5914.  
  5915.  
  5916. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tearing-down-the-walls"><strong>Tearing down the walls</strong></h2>
  5917.  
  5918.  
  5919.  
  5920. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="941" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/GMs-Design-West-is-made-up-of-long-hallways-enhanced-with-art-and-color-1.jpg" alt="a hallway with large windows on one side and shades of yellow and blue on the other wall" class="wp-image-612204"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">GM&#8217;s Design West is made up of long hallways enhanced with art and color. <em>Image: GM</em></figcaption></figure>
  5921.  
  5922.  
  5923.  
  5924. <p>There’s more space in the new building for show and tell, and you can bet each of the automakers–Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GM–are checking each other out. There’s a sense of peripheral inspiration over one-upmanship. Even those on the virtual modeling side are nearby under an overhang to manage the influx of light on their computer screens. If the old buildings were siloed and compartmentalized, this is the exact opposite. GM’s world is topsy turvy in the most logical, ambitious ways.</p>
  5925.  
  5926.  
  5927.  
  5928. <p>On top of the new building, refreshed technology, and updated machinery, there are about 40 art installations throughout Design West, all created by current and past GM designers, creatives, sculptors, and fabrication shop employees. There is a large collage stretching four yards or more made from fabric swatches of all colors from past and current models. A massive, heavy aluminum piece of wall art was painted with various finishes. Employees host art shows on a regular basis to showcase what the designers can do beyond industrial sketches.</p>
  5929.  
  5930.  
  5931.  
  5932. <p>I can’t tell you about everything I saw on that design floor. There’s quite a bit of which I’m sworn to secrecy; at least for now. But if Buick’s Wildcat EV concept is any indication of the daring direction GM is taking into the next decade, it looks like that billion-dollar investment will pay off in spades.&nbsp;</p>
  5933.  
  5934.  
  5935.  
  5936. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1331" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Cadillacs-Celestiq-is-one-of-many-vehicles-GM-is-prepping-for-the-future.jpg" alt="the grille of a black cadillac sedan in a large room" class="wp-image-612202"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cadillac&#8217;s Celestiq is one of many vehicles GM is prepping for the future. <em>Image: GM</em></figcaption></figure>
  5937.  
  5938.  
  5939.  
  5940. <p><em>Update: The original version of this story stated GM spent $1 billion on the new facility, but a GM representative has said the investment is now $2 billion.</em> <em>The headline and story have been updated to reflect the correct number.</em></p>
  5941. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/gm-technology-and-design-center/">Inside the new $2 billion campus that GM hopes will launch it into the future</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5942. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  5946. </item>
  5947. <item>
  5948. <title>Test your pup for allergies with this $98 DNA kit</title>
  5949. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/dog-breed-allergy-test-deal/</link>
  5951. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  5952. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  5953. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  5954. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  5955. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  5956. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  5957. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  5958. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611865</guid>
  5959.  
  5960. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5961.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A dog allergy test results sheet pulled up on a tablet." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Test your dog's DNA to learn more about its breed, allergies, potential health concerns, and more. </p>
  5962. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/dog-breed-allergy-test-deal/">Test your pup for allergies with this $98 DNA kit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  5963. ]]></description>
  5964. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  5965.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A dog allergy test results sheet pulled up on a tablet." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  5966. </div>
  5967. <p> Pets are part of the family, and we love them as such. This is why knowing the specific makeup of four-legged friends gives us the knowledge to care for them to the best of our ability. That&#8217;s why the people at DNA My Dog offer <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594976&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">three DNA test options</a> to help you get to know your best boy or girl better.</p>
  5968.  
  5969.  
  5970.  
  5971. <p>We are at the start of allergy season, and that doesn&#8217;t exclude the canines. If you suspect your pooch could be suffering from allergies, the DNA My Dog Canine Allergy Test is a good option. <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594976&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Over 120 allergens are tested</a> from a single swab, including environmental allergens and food sensitivities. </p>
  5972.  
  5973.  
  5974.  
  5975. <p>Besides being fun to learn your dog&#8217;s breed or breeds, testing them can help you care for them in ways you wouldn&#8217;t be able to otherwise. That means if you find out your pup is part of a breed known to have certain health issues, you can anticipate that and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594976&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">adjust your care accordingly</a>.</p>
  5976.  
  5977.  
  5978.  
  5979. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  5980. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Sweet Layla shows us how DNA testing is done! Taking a DNA My Dog Premium Test." width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6vpsXVEz6bI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  5981. </div></figure>
  5982.  
  5983.  
  5984.  
  5985. <p>The DNA My Dog Essential Breed ID Test can tell you your dog&#8217;s breed breakdown (from a database of 350+), any genetic health issues that you might want to look out for, unique characteristics that might be prevalent, and even tips to help you bond with your dog. The DNA My Dog Premium Breed ID Test gives you access to everything that the Premium option does, but it also can test for wolf or coyote DNA.&nbsp;</p>
  5986.  
  5987.  
  5988.  
  5989. <p>Knowledge is power. Care for your dogs armed with the knowledge of exactly who they are.</p>
  5990.  
  5991.  
  5992.  
  5993. <p>Pick up one of these discounted DNA My Dog Kits to understand your pup better:</p>
  5994.  
  5995.  
  5996.  
  5997. <ul>
  5998. <li>The <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-allergy-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-allergy-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594372&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Canine Allergy Test</a> for $97.99 (reg. $107)</li>
  5999.  
  6000.  
  6001.  
  6002. <li>The <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-essential-breed-id-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-essential-breed-id-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594977&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Essential Breed ID Test</a> for $67.99 (reg. $79)</li>
  6003.  
  6004.  
  6005.  
  6006. <li>The <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=dna-my-dog-premium-breed-id-test&amp;utm_term=scsf-594976&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000uBFKIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Premium Breed ID Test</a> for $119.99 (reg. $129)</li>
  6007. </ul>
  6008.  
  6009.  
  6010.  
  6011. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StackSocial</a><em> prices subject to change.</em></p>
  6012. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/dog-breed-allergy-test-deal/">Test your pup for allergies with this $98 DNA kit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6013. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  6017. </item>
  6018. <item>
  6019. <title>Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk</title>
  6020. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/chemical-pollutants-eczema-risk/</link>
  6022. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ian Myles / The Conversation]]></dc:creator>
  6023. <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  6024. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  6025. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612068</guid>
  6026.  
  6027. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6028.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/skin-irritated.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="skin irritated" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Chemicals involved in clothing production can be hazardous to health. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">SBenitez/Moment via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p>Certain chemicals in synthetic fabrics such as spandex, nylon, and polyester can alter the skin microbiome.</p>
  6029. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/chemical-pollutants-eczema-risk/">Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6030. ]]></description>
  6031. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6032.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/skin-irritated.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="skin irritated" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Chemicals involved in clothing production can be hazardous to health. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">SBenitez/Moment via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure>
  6033. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/chemical-pollutants-can-change-your-skin-bacteria-and-increase-your-eczema-risk-new-research-explores-how-224847">The Conversation</a>. </p>
  6034.  
  6035.  
  6036.  
  6037. <p>“We haven’t had a full night’s sleep since our son was born eight years ago,” said Mrs. B, pointing to her son’s dry, red and itchy skin.</p>
  6038.  
  6039.  
  6040.  
  6041. <p>Her son has had eczema his entire life. Also known as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/atopic-dermatitis#">atopic dermatitis</a>, this chronic skin disease affects about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.3390/life11090936">1 in 5 children</a>&nbsp;in the industrialized world. Some studies have found&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-018-0001-z">rates of</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.3390/life11090936">eczema in</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.10.009">developing nations</a>&nbsp;to be over thirtyfold lower compared with industrialized nations.</p>
  6042.  
  6043.  
  6044.  
  6045. <p>However, rates of eczema didn’t spike with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-industrial-revolution/">Industrial Revolution</a>, which began around 1760. Instead, eczema in countries such as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fjid.2013.19">the U.S.</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38448.603924.ae">Finland</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1476042/">other countries</a>&nbsp;started rapidly rising around 1970.</p>
  6046.  
  6047.  
  6048.  
  6049. <p>What caused eczema rates to spike?</p>
  6050.  
  6051.  
  6052.  
  6053. <p>I am an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/ian-myles-md-mph">allergist and immunologist</a>&nbsp;working with a team of researchers to study trends in U.S. eczema rates. Scientists know that factors such as diets rich in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.754663">processed foods</a>&nbsp;as well as exposure to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.010">specific detergents and chemicals</a>&nbsp;increase the risk of developing eczema. Living near&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade8898">factories, major roadways</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.0179">wildfires</a>&nbsp;increase the risk of developing eczema. Environmental exposures may also come from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade8898">inside the house</a>&nbsp;through paint,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2021.11.010">plastics</a>, cigarette smoke or synthetic fabrics such as spandex, nylon and polyester.</p>
  6054.  
  6055.  
  6056.  
  6057. <p>While researchers have paid a lot of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijms23105318">attention to genetics</a>, the best predictor of whether a child will develop eczema&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ian-myles/gattaca-has-fallen/">isn’t in their genes</a>&nbsp;but the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1159/000494129">environment they lived</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.13235">in for their</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-018-0383-4">first few years</a>&nbsp;of life.</p>
  6058.  
  6059.  
  6060.  
  6061. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-there-s-something-in-the-air"><strong>There’s something in the air</strong></h2>
  6062.  
  6063.  
  6064.  
  6065. <p>To figure out what environmental changes may have caused a spike in eczema in the U.S., we began by looking for potential eczema hot spots – places with eczema rates that were much higher than the national average. Then we looked at databases from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to see which chemicals were most common in those areas.</p>
  6066.  
  6067.  
  6068.  
  6069. <p>For eczema, along with the allergic diseases that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542187/">routinely develop with it</a>&nbsp;– peanut allergy and asthma – two chemical classes leaped off the page:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade8898">diisocyanates</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00500-3">xylene</a>.</p>
  6070.  
  6071.  
  6072.  
  6073. <p>Diisocyanates were first manufactured in the U.S.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126%2Fsciadv.ade8898">around 1970</a>&nbsp;for the production of spandex, nonlatex foam, paint and polyurethane. The manufacture of xylene also increased around that time, alongside an increase in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/912301/polyester-fiber-production-worldwide/">production of polyester</a>&nbsp;and other materials.</p>
  6074.  
  6075.  
  6076.  
  6077. <p>The chemically active portion of the diisocyanates and xylene molecules are also found in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=295&amp;toxid=53#">cigarette smoke</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cen.acs.org/environment/water/wildfires-contaminate-drinking-water/100/i20">and wildfires</a>. After 1975, when all new cars became outfitted with a new technology that converted exhaust gas to less toxic chemicals, isocyanate and xylene both became&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1103352108">components of</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.17179%2Fexcli2015-623">automobile exhaust</a>.</p>
  6078.  
  6079.  
  6080.  
  6081. <p>Research has found that exposing mice to isocyanates and xylene can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282569">directly cause eczema</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172460">itch and inflammation</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.12.025">increasing the activity of receptors</a>&nbsp;involved in itch, pain and temperature sensation. These receptors are also more active in mice placed on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2019.05.007">unhealthy diets</a>. How directly exposing mice to these toxins compares to the typical levels of exposure in people is still unclear.</p>
  6082.  
  6083.  
  6084.  
  6085. <p>How and why might these chemicals be linked to rising rates of eczema?</p>
  6086.  
  6087.  
  6088.  
  6089. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Skin microbiome and pollution</strong></h2>
  6090.  
  6091.  
  6092.  
  6093. <p>Every person is coated with millions of microorganisms that live on the skin, collectively referred to as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-03523-7">skin microbiome</a>. While researchers don’t know everything about how friendly bacteria help the skin, we do know that people need these organisms to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/acne-bacteria-trigger-cells-to-produce-fats-oils-and-other-lipids-essential-to-skin-health-new-research-211861">produce certain types of lipids, or oils</a>, that keep the skin sealed from the environment and stave off infection.</p>
  6094.  
  6095.  
  6096.  
  6097. <p>You’ve probably seen moisturizers and other skin products containing&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-013-0033-9">ceramides, a group of lipids</a>&nbsp;that play an important role in protecting the skin. The amount of ceramides and related compounds on a child’s skin during their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.013">first few weeks of life</a>&nbsp;is a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.19017">consistent and</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15518">significant predictor</a>&nbsp;of whether they will go on to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1111/all.15806">develop eczema</a>. The less ceramides they have on their skin, the more likely they’ll develop eczema.</p>
  6098.  
  6099.  
  6100.  
  6101. <p>To see which toxins could prevent production of the beneficial lipids that prevent eczema, my team and I used skin bacteria as canaries in the coal mine. In the lab, we exposed bacteria that directly make ceramides (such as&nbsp;<em>Roseomonas mucosa</em>), bacteria that help the body make its own ceramides (such as&nbsp;<em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em>) and bacteria that make other beneficial lipids (such as&nbsp;<em>Staphylococcus cohnii</em>) to isocyanates and xylene. We made sure to expose the bacteria to levels of these chemicals that are similar to what people might be exposed to in the real world, such as the standard levels released from a factory or the fumes of polyurethane glue from a hardware store.</p>
  6102.  
  6103.  
  6104.  
  6105. <p>We found that exposing these bacteria to isocyanates or xylene led them to stop making ceramides and instead make amino acids such as lysine. Lysine helps&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/pola.27658">protect the bacteria</a>&nbsp;from the harms of the toxins but doesn’t provide the health benefits of ceramides.</p>
  6106.  
  6107.  
  6108.  
  6109. <p>We then evaluated how&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00500-3">bed sheets manufactured using isocyanates or xylene</a>&nbsp;affect the skin’s bacteria. We found that harmful bacteria such as&nbsp;<em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>&nbsp;proliferated on nylon, spandex and polyester but could not survive on cotton or bamboo. Bacteria that help keep skin healthy could live on any fabric, but, just as with air pollution, the amount of beneficial lipids they made dropped to less than half the levels made when grown on fabrics like cotton.</p>
  6110.  
  6111.  
  6112.  
  6113. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Addressing pollution’s effects on skin</strong></h2>
  6114.  
  6115.  
  6116.  
  6117. <p>What can be done about the connection between pollution and eczema?</p>
  6118.  
  6119.  
  6120.  
  6121. <p>Detectors capable of sensing low levels of isocyanate or xylene could help track pollutants and predict eczema flare-ups across a community. Better detectors can also help researchers identify air filtration systems that can scrub these chemicals from the environment. Within the U.S., people can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://edap.epa.gov/public/extensions/TRIToxicsTracker/TRIToxicsTracker.html">EPA Toxics Tracker</a>&nbsp;to look up which pollutants are most common near their home.</p>
  6122.  
  6123.  
  6124.  
  6125. <p>In the meantime, improving your microbial balance may require avoiding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1093/intimm/dxae002">products that</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ski2.41">limit the growth</a>&nbsp;of healthy skin bacteria. This may include certain skin care products, detergents and cleansers. Particularly for kids under 4, avoiding cigarette smoke, synthetic fabrics, nonlatex foams, polyurethanes and some paints may be advised.</p>
  6126.  
  6127.  
  6128.  
  6129. <p>Replacing bacteria that has been overly exposed to these chemicals may also help. For example, my research has shown that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz8631">applying <em>Roseomonas mucosa</em></a>, a ceramide-producing bacterium that lives on healthy skin, can lead to a monthslong reduction in typical eczema symptoms&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ade8898">compared with placebo</a>. Researchers are also studying&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102002">other potential</a>&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01256-2">probiotic treatments</a>&nbsp;for eczema.</p>
  6130.  
  6131.  
  6132.  
  6133. <p>Evaluating the environmental causes of diseases that have become increasingly common in an increasingly industrialized world can help protect children from chemical triggers of conditions such as eczema. I believe that it may one day allow us to get back to a time when these diseases were uncommon.</p>
  6134.  
  6135.  
  6136.  
  6137. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  6138.  
  6139.  
  6140.  
  6141. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/585249/original/file-20240329-16-89bcoa.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"></a><em>Ian Myles is Chief of the Epithelial Therapeutics Unit at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Ian Myles receives funding from the Department of Intramural Research at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He is the author of, and receives royalties for, the book GATTACA Has Fallen: How population genetics failed the populace. Although he is the co-discoverer of Roseomonas mucosa RSM2015 for eczema, he has donated the patent to the public and has no current conflict of interest for its sales.</em></p>
  6142.  
  6143.  
  6144.  
  6145. <iframe loading="lazy" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224847/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>
  6146.  
  6147.  
  6148.  
  6149. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/585250/original/file-20240329-16-1udepr.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"></a></p>
  6150. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/chemical-pollutants-eczema-risk/">Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6151. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  6155. </item>
  6156. <item>
  6157. <title>Bioluminescence may have evolved 300 million years earlier than scientists previously thought</title>
  6158. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/bioluminescence-evolution/</link>
  6160. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  6161. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 23:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
  6162. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  6163. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  6164. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  6165. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  6166. <category><![CDATA[Evolution]]></category>
  6167. <category><![CDATA[Ocean]]></category>
  6168. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  6169. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  6170. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612045</guid>
  6171.  
  6172. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6173.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Iridogorgia-magnispiralis.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a bioluminescent coral shaped like a fan with a central hub" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The coral Iridogorgia magnispiralis. Deep-sea octocorals like this are known to be bioluminescent. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Deepwater Wonders of Wake</span></figcaption></figure><p>New findings illuminate its origin story.</p>
  6174. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bioluminescence-evolution/">Bioluminescence may have evolved 300 million years earlier than scientists previously thought</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6175. ]]></description>
  6176. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6177.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Iridogorgia-magnispiralis.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a bioluminescent coral shaped like a fan with a central hub" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The coral Iridogorgia magnispiralis. Deep-sea octocorals like this are known to be bioluminescent. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Deepwater Wonders of Wake</span></figcaption></figure>
  6178. <p>Many marine organisms–including <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-cucumbers-bioluminescent/#:~:text=According%20to%20NOAA%2C%20the%20light,as%20a%20form%20of%20communication.">sea worms</a>, some <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/new-jellyfish-venom-japan/">jellyfish</a>, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/animals/sea-pickles-bioluminescence/">sea pickles</a>, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/rare-anglerfish-caught-video/#:~:text=Anglerfish%20hunt%20with%20their%20glowing,where%20they%20are%20rarely%20spotted.&amp;text=According%20to%20the%20Monterey%20Bay,recorded%20in%20their%20natural%20habitats.">more</a>–can emit <a href="https://www.popsci.com/article/science/strange-beauty-bioluminescent-fish/">ethereal glow through a process called bioluminescence</a>. The evolutionary origins of this <a target="_blank" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/biolum.html">light production remain a mystery</a>, but an international team of scientists have found that bioluminescence may have first evolved in a group of marine invertebrates called octocorals at least 540 million years ago–nearly 300 million years earlier than they previously believed. This new timeline could help scientists unravel <a href="https://www.popsci.com/article/science/strange-beauty-bioluminescent-fish/">bioluminescence</a>’s origin story. The findings are detailed in a <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2626">study published April 23 in the journal <em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B</em></a>.</p>
  6179.  
  6180.  
  6181.  
  6182. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-bioluminescence"><strong>What is bioluminescence?&nbsp;</strong></h2>
  6183.  
  6184.  
  6185.  
  6186. <p>Bioluminescent organisms <a target="_blank" href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/biolum.html">produce light via chemical reactions</a>. This ability has independently evolved <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.12672">at least 94 times in nature</a>. Bioluminescence is involved in multiple animal behaviors including communication, courtship, camouflage, and hunting. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/list/6-bioluminescent-organisms">Fireflies, glowworms, and even some species of fungi</a> on land are also considered bioluminescent organisms.&nbsp;</p>
  6187.  
  6188.  
  6189.  
  6190. <p>“Nobody quite knows why it first evolved in animals,” Andrea Quattrini, a study co-author and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History’s curator of corals, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041494">said in a statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  6191.  
  6192.  
  6193.  
  6194. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/branched-bamboo-coral.png" alt="a red branched bamboo color with small white dots indicating bioluminsecnce" class="wp-image-612046" width="989" height="659"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The branched bamboo octocoral </em>Isidella <em>displaying bioluminescence in the Bahamas in 2009. CREDIT: Sönke Johnsen.</em></figcaption></figure>
  6195.  
  6196.  
  6197.  
  6198. <p>The earliest dated example of bioluminescence in animals was believed to be <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.12672">roughly 267 million years ago</a> in small marine crustaceans known for a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-fireflies-mating-dance/">mucus-filled synchronized mating dance called ostracods</a>, until this new research turned back the clock.&nbsp;</p>
  6199.  
  6200.  
  6201.  
  6202. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>An octocoral evolutionary tree</strong></h2>
  6203.  
  6204.  
  6205.  
  6206. <p>In the <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2626">study</a>, the team looked back into the evolutionary history of octocorals to search for clues to when it first appeared in animals. <a target="_blank" href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03mountains/background/octocorals/octocorals.html">Octocorals</a> are an ancient and frequently bioluminescent group of living animals that includes sea fans, sea pens, and soft corals. Just like hard corals,&nbsp;octocorals are <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/coral-reef-conservation/">tiny colonial polyps that build up a reef structure</a>, but they are primarily soft bodied and not stony. The octocorals that glow generally light up when they are bumped or otherwise disturbed. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041494">According to the team</a>, this makes the precise function of their ability to produce light a bit of a puzzle&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  6207.  
  6208.  
  6209.  
  6210. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bioluminescent-sea-worm-species-japan/"><strong>These newly discovered bioluminescent sea worms are named after Japanese folklore</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  6211.  
  6212.  
  6213.  
  6214. <p>“We wanted to figure out the timing of the origin of bioluminescence, and octocorals are one of the oldest groups of animals on the planet known to bioluminesce,” study co-author and&nbsp; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History postdoctoral scholar Danielle DeLeo <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041494">said in a statement</a>. “So, the question was when did they develop this ability?”</p>
  6215.  
  6216.  
  6217.  
  6218. <p>They turned to a detailed <a target="_blank" href="https://ssbbulletin.org/index.php/bssb/article/view/8735">evolutionary tree of octocorals that was built in 2022</a>. This map of evolutionary relationships–or <a target="_blank" href="https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolution-101/the-history-of-life-looking-at-the-patterns/understanding-phylogenies/#:~:text=Phylogenies%20trace%20patterns%20of%20shared,with%20other%20lineages%20%E2%80%94%20common%20ancestors.">phylogeny</a>–used the genetic data from 185 different species of octocorals. The team then placed two octocoral fossils of known ages within the tree based on&nbsp; their physical features. They were able to use the fossils’ ages and their respective positions in the evolutionary tree to determine roughly when octocoral lineages split apart to become two or more branches. The team ultimately mapped out the evolutionary relationships that featured all of the known bioluminescent species alive today.</p>
  6219.  
  6220.  
  6221.  
  6222. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/bamboo-corals.png" alt="branched bamboo corals on a reef in the pacific" class="wp-image-612047" width="990" height="557"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Bamboo corals and golden corals in the central Pacific Ocean. CREDIT: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.</em><br></figcaption></figure>
  6223.  
  6224.  
  6225.  
  6226. <p>With this evolutionary tree and branches that contained bioluminescent species labeled, the team used a statistical technique called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4942178/">ancestral state reconstruction</a> to analyze the relationships between the species.</p>
  6227.  
  6228.  
  6229.  
  6230. <p>“If we know these species of octocorals living today are bioluminescent, we can use statistics to infer whether their ancestors were highly probable to be bioluminescent or not,” said Quattrini. “The more living species with the shared trait, the higher the probability that as you move back in time that those ancestors likely had that trait as well.”</p>
  6231.  
  6232.  
  6233.  
  6234. <p>Multiple different statistical methods all reached the same result. About 540 million years ago, <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2626">the common ancestor of all octocorals was very likely bioluminescent</a>. This is about 273 million years earlier than in the ostracod crustaceans that were previously considered the earliest evolutionary example of bioluminescence in animals.</p>
  6235.  
  6236.  
  6237.  
  6238. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041494">According to the team</a>, the octocorals’ thousands of living species and relatively high incidence of bioluminescence suggests that glowing played a role in the group’s evolutionary success. While this does not exactly answer what octocorals are using bioluminescence for, the fact that it has been retailed for so long shows how important this form of communication has become for their survival.&nbsp;</p>
  6239.  
  6240.  
  6241.  
  6242. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Conservation implications</strong></h2>
  6243.  
  6244.  
  6245.  
  6246. <p>Now that the team knows that the common ancestor of all octocorals likely could already produce its own inner glow, they are interested in conducting a more thorough count of which of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/340493-Octocorallia">group’s more than 3,000 known living species</a> are still bioluminescent and which have lost the trait over time. This may have them pinpoint a set of ecological circumstances that correlate with bioluminesce and potentially shed some light on its function.&nbsp;</p>
  6247.  
  6248.  
  6249.  
  6250. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Isidella-tentaculum.png" alt="blue bioluminsecent bamoo coral" class="wp-image-612048" width="978" height="553"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The bioluminescence display of the shaggy bamboo octocoral </em>Isidella tentaculum,<em> filmed in situ by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s (MBARI) remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts. CREDIT: Copyright 2020 MBARI</em><br></figcaption></figure>
  6251.  
  6252.  
  6253.  
  6254. <p>The team is also working on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041494">creating a genetic test</a> to determine if an octocoral species has functional copies of the genes for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/luciferase#:~:text=Luciferases%20are%20enzymes%20that%20produce,are%20also%20used%20as%20reporters.">luciferase</a>–an enzyme involved in bioluminescence. Future studies could even show that bioluminescence is even more ancient and embedded in coral’s evolutionary history.&nbsp;</p>
  6255.  
  6256.  
  6257.  
  6258. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-cucumbers-bioluminescent/"><strong>Surprise! These sea cucumbers glow</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  6259.  
  6260.  
  6261.  
  6262. <p>The study also points to evolutionary insight that could help monitor and manage octocorals in today’s oceans. They are currently threatened by <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/clarion-clipperton-zone-mining-wildlife-biodiversity/">mineral mining</a>, fishing, oil and gas extraction and spills, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/coral-reef-color-larvae/">human-made climate change</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  6263.  
  6264.  
  6265.  
  6266. <p>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-confirms-4th-global-coral-bleaching-event">recently confirmed</a> that the planet is currently experiencing the fourth global <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/mass-coral-reef-bleaching-florida/">coral bleaching</a> event on record and the second in the last 10 years due to heat stress from increasingly warming oceans. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9161773/#:~:text=Like%20stony%20corals%2C%20many%20octocorals,the%20species'%20upper%20thermal%20limit.">Octocorals can bleach</a> the way that hard corals can under extreme temperatures. Understanding more about how they use bioluminescence could help scientists better identify their habitats and monitor their behaviors. Better knowledge of their <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/new-genetic-tools-have-dramatically-changed-wildlife-conservation/">genetics and what they need to survive</a> can also inform better conservation policies for these marine organisms.&nbsp;</p>
  6267. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/bioluminescence-evolution/">Bioluminescence may have evolved 300 million years earlier than scientists previously thought</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6268. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  6272. </item>
  6273. <item>
  6274. <title>US finally breaks ground on its first-ever high-speed rail</title>
  6275. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/high-speed-rail/</link>
  6277. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  6278. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 21:05:34 +0000</pubDate>
  6279. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  6280. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612181</guid>
  6281.  
  6282. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6283.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/train2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="When it’s completed, Brightline estimates its $12 billion high-speed rail could take travelers from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in just over two hours." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">When it’s completed, Brightline estimates its $12 billion high-speed rail could take travelers from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in just over two hours. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brightline</span></figcaption></figure><p>The rail could connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas by the end of the decade.</p>
  6284. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/high-speed-rail/">US finally breaks ground on its first-ever high-speed rail</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6285. ]]></description>
  6286. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  6287.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/train2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="When it’s completed, Brightline estimates its $12 billion high-speed rail could take travelers from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in just over two hours." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">When it’s completed, Brightline estimates its $12 billion high-speed rail could take travelers from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in just over two hours. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brightline</span></figcaption></figure>
  6288. <p>Builders have officially broken ground on a new $12 billion train that could zoom travelers between Las Vegas and Los Angeles in just under two hours by the end of the decade. The new train, which is considered the first “high-speed” rail in the United States, could cut down commute time for travelers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that would otherwise be emitted from cars and planes. Brightline, the firm responsible for the project, received $3 billion in support from the federal government as part of the 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure law.</p>
  6289.  
  6290.  
  6291.  
  6292. <p>Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was one of several Biden Administration officials on site for a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/secretarypete/status/1782395265078436114?s=61">described</a> the moment as a “major milestone in building the future of American rail.” The ceremony symbolically took place on Earth Day.&nbsp;</p>
  6293.  
  6294.  
  6295.  
  6296. <p>“Partnering with state leaders and Brightline West, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s transportation story that includes thousands of union jobs, new connections to better economic opportunity, less congestion on the roads, and less pollution in the air,” Buttigieg said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2024/brightline-west-breaks-ground-on-americas-first-high-speed-rail-project-connecting-las-vegas-to-southern-california">statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  6297.  
  6298.  
  6299.  
  6300. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">On behalf of the Biden administration, it was my great honor to help break ground on what&#39;s expected to be the first operating high-speed rail line in American history! <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/VJjz849t03">pic.twitter.com/VJjz849t03</a></p>&mdash; Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryPete/status/1782586501311676421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  6301.  
  6302.  
  6303.  
  6304. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">This day is a major milestone in building the future of American rail and the jobs that come with it.<br><br>Today we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Brightline West high-speed rail project, connecting Las Vegas to Southern California.</p>&mdash; Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SecretaryPete/status/1782395265078436114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  6305.  
  6306.  
  6307.  
  6308. <p>Brightline expects its trains will depart every 40 minutes from a station outside of the Vegas strip and another one in the LA suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. When it’s completed, the train will travel at 186 miles per hour, making it the fastest train in the US and comparable to Japan’s famous bullet trains. For context, Brightline’s most recently completed train connecting parts of Florida is estimated to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gobrightline.com/press-room/2023/brightline-130-mph-milestone">top out around 130 miles per hour</a>. Both of those still fall far short of the speed achieved by the world fastest commuter train in Shanghai, which can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-fastest-trains-cmd/index.html#">reportedly</a> reach a speed of 286 miles per hour. Still, the new train could complete the 218 mile trip between Sin City and a suburb of the City of Angels in just 2 hours and 10 minutes. That same trip would take about four hours by car, and that’s without substantial traffic.&nbsp;</p>
  6309.  
  6310.  
  6311.  
  6312. <p>Once built, the trains will reportedly include onboard Wi-Fi, restrooms, and food and drinks available for purchase. Brightline hasn’t provided an exact price for how much an individual train ticket will cost but has instead said they expect it to be roughly equivalent to the price of an airline flight. Brightline <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/595913ff2fa3d9001fb89bfab4e6c4d2">reportedly</a> believes the train could attract 11 million one-way passengers annually once it&#8217;s up and running.</p>
  6313.  
  6314.  
  6315.  
  6316. <p>“Today is long overdue, but the blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country,” Brightline founder Wes Edens said in a statement.&nbsp;</p>
  6317.  
  6318.  
  6319.  
  6320. <p>The US Department of Transportation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/icymi-us-department-transportation-celebrates-earth-day-every-day-climate-leadership">estimates</a> the new train could cut back 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and create 35,000 new jobs. It could also help foster new, much-needed competition. Amtrak, the nation’s primary long distance rail provider, has long held a monopoly over long distance rail in the US, but many areas still remain unserved. Prior to this project, Las Vegas, for example, did not have Amtrak service. Brightline is looking to build out more trains in the coming decade, with a focus on connecting areas that commuters find too close to fly and too far to comfortably drive.</p>
  6321.  
  6322.  
  6323.  
  6324. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-american-high-speed-rail-is-having-a-moment-finally"><strong>American high-speed rail is having a moment (finally)</strong></h2>
  6325.  
  6326.  
  6327.  
  6328. <p>US infrastructure policy has long favored automobiles over long-distance rail and mass transit, much to the consternation of climate activists who argue an over reliance on gas burning cars is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/01/suv-conquered-america-climate-change-emissions">contributing to worsening climate change</a>. But there are signs the country’s attitude toward rails is beginning to change. Brightline, the same company attempting to link Las Vegas and LA, recently completed a first-of-its-kind train linking Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach in Florida. Brightline <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/04/20/high-speed-rail-construction-california-las-vegas/">reportedly</a> claims its Florida train had 258,307 passengers in March.&nbsp;</p>
  6329.  
  6330.  
  6331.  
  6332. <p>Elsewhere, other new high-speed train routes are being considered in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/08/30/us-high-speed-rail-projects/">Texas, the Pacific Northwest and other parts of California</a>. Those efforts, if they materialize, will be made possible in part by billions of dollars worth of grants set aside for rail as part of the infrastructure law. Still, receiving funds and beginning projects are only the beginning of the battle. Rising costs and routing disputes can delay and complicate and delay actual development. One proposed rail line running roughly 300 miles between San Francisco and LA was first <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/09/us/california-high-speed-rail-politics.html">approved by voters in 2008 and has still yet to materialize</a>. As of today, nearly two decades later, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-03-21/high-speed-rail">less than a quarter</a> of that rail line has been completed. Brightline is hoping it can avoid those complications with its new high-speed rail. If it does, commuters could expect to make the trip between Sin City and Hollywood by 2028.</p>
  6333. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/high-speed-rail/">US finally breaks ground on its first-ever high-speed rail</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6334. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  6338. </item>
  6339. <item>
  6340. <title>Chopping it up with the best personal blenders for 2024</title>
  6341. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-personal-blenders/</link>
  6343. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Reed]]></dc:creator>
  6344. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  6345. <category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
  6346. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  6347. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  6348. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  6349. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  6350. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  6351. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  6352. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  6353. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611951</guid>
  6354.  
  6355. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  6356.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/best-personal-blenders-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A lineup of the best personal blenders on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Amanda Reed</div></figure><p>You don't always need a big blender. These smaller options cut down on waste and space on your counter or when stashed in a cabinet.</p>
  6357. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-personal-blenders/">Chopping it up with the best personal blenders for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  6358. ]]></description>
  6359. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  6360.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/best-personal-blenders-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A lineup of the best personal blenders on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Amanda Reed</div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  6361. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  6362.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  6363.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  6364.      <tbody>
  6365.              <tr
  6366.          class="ProductTable-product"
  6367.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  6368.        >
  6369.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  6370.            Best overall
  6371.          </td>
  6372.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  6373.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A Ninja BL660 personal blender on a plain background." class="wp-image-612163" width="264" height="165">
  6374.          </td>
  6375.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  6376.            Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender
  6377.          </td>
  6378.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  6379.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  6380.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6381.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6382.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6383.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6384.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6385.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 95%">
  6386.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6387.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6388.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6389.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6390.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6391.                                  </div>
  6392.                          </div>
  6393.          </td>
  6394.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  6395.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  6396.                <span>
  6397.                  SEE IT
  6398.                </span>
  6399.            </a>
  6400.          </td>
  6401.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  6402.              <p>Create a smoothie for one or for all with this powerful blender.</p>
  6403.  
  6404.            </td>
  6405.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  6406.        </tr>
  6407.              <tr
  6408.          class="ProductTable-product"
  6409.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  6410.        >
  6411.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  6412.            Best for making smoothies
  6413.          </td>
  6414.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  6415.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A NutriBullet NB9 personal blender on a plain background" class="wp-image-612165" width="264" height="165">
  6416.          </td>
  6417.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  6418.            NutriBullet NB9-1301K Pro
  6419.          </td>
  6420.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  6421.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  6422.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6423.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6424.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6425.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6426.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6427.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 85%">
  6428.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6429.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6430.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6431.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6432.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6433.                                  </div>
  6434.                          </div>
  6435.          </td>
  6436.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  6437.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  6438.                <span>
  6439.                  SEE IT
  6440.                </span>
  6441.            </a>
  6442.          </td>
  6443.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  6444.              <p>A large cup means more room for fruits and veggies.</p>
  6445.  
  6446.            </td>
  6447.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  6448.        </tr>
  6449.              <tr
  6450.          class="ProductTable-product"
  6451.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  6452.        >
  6453.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  6454.            Best budget
  6455.          </td>
  6456.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  6457.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A Ninja Fit personal blender on a plain background" class="wp-image-612164" width="264" height="165">
  6458.          </td>
  6459.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  6460.            Ninja QB3001SS Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender
  6461.          </td>
  6462.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  6463.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  6464.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6465.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6466.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6467.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6468.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6469.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 75%">
  6470.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6471.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6472.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6473.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6474.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  6475.                                  </div>
  6476.                          </div>
  6477.          </td>
  6478.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  6479.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  6480.                <span>
  6481.                  SEE IT
  6482.                </span>
  6483.            </a>
  6484.          </td>
  6485.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  6486.              <p>You don&#8217;t have to spend $100-plus on a great personal blender, which this cheap-but-mighty option from Ninja proves.</p>
  6487.  
  6488.            </td>
  6489.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  6490.        </tr>
  6491.            </tbody>
  6492.    </table>
  6493.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  6494.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  6495.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  6496.    </div>
  6497.  </div>
  6498. </div>
  6499.  
  6500.  
  6501.  
  6502. <p>A personal blender is perfect if you&#8217;re making smoothies, soups, and even frozen cocktails for one. They pack many of the same features as full-sized blenders in a pint-sized package that&#8217;s perfect if you&#8217;re low on counter space. As an apartment dweller who has lived in college crustzones, old buildings with no dishwashers, and slightly more suitable places, a personal blender has saved me plenty of time, space, and money. I don&#8217;t make so much smoothie that some goes to waste because I forget about it in my fridge. Plus, in my experience, personal blenders are easier to clean than their full-sized counterparts. More often than not, you can just throw in some soap and water, re-run the blender, rinse, and use it again the next day &#8230; or for your next meal. The best personal blenders fit neatly onto countertops and in cabinets without skimping on power. </p>
  6503.  
  6504.  
  6505.  
  6506. <ul>
  6507. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender</a></li>
  6508.  
  6509.  
  6510.  
  6511. <li><strong>Best design:</strong> <a href="https://our-place.pxf.io/c/2536217/1679350/19449?subId1=PS-RU&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Fsplendor-blender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Our Place Splendor Blender</a></li>
  6512.  
  6513.  
  6514.  
  6515. <li><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-RPB-100-EvolutionX-Cordless-Rechargeable/dp/B08KKB855B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart RPB-100 EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Compact Blender</a></li>
  6516.  
  6517.  
  6518.  
  6519. <li><strong>Best for smoothies:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NutriBullet NB9-1301K Pro</a></li>
  6520.  
  6521.  
  6522.  
  6523. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja QB3001SS Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender</a></li>
  6524. </ul>
  6525.  
  6526.  
  6527.  
  6528. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-personal-blenders"><strong>How we chose the best personal blenders</strong></h2>
  6529.  
  6530.  
  6531.  
  6532. <p>This isn&#8217;t our first time at the blender rodeo. We&#8217;ve taken a spin through the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-blenders/">best blenders</a> and know what makes a certain blender a cut above the rest. We made sure each personal blender had at least 700 watts of power, with a focus on anything around 900 watts. In our experience, anything in the 700-900W range is capable of crushing ice and smoothing even the most freezer-burned bananas. We conducted our own testing—I&#8217;ve consumed a lot of liquid foods in the process of researching and writing this story—and made sure also to consult the reviews to get a full picture of the personal blenders&#8217; power.</p>
  6533.  
  6534.  
  6535.  
  6536. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-personal-blenders-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best personal blenders: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  6537.  
  6538.  
  6539.  
  6540. <p>Blending something into a slurpable slop is a great way to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/how-to-eat-more-fruits-and-vegetables/">consume more fruits and vegetables</a>, and a personal blender is an easy conduit to make it happen. One of our choices should help you treat your body more like a temple and less like a garbage disposal.</p>
  6541.  
  6542.  
  6543.  
  6544. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-ninja-bl660-professional-compact-blender"><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender</a></h3>
  6545.  
  6546.  
  6547. <div
  6548.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  6549.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  6550. >
  6551.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  6552.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  6553.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  6554.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/ninja-bl660.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Ninja BL660 personal blender on a plain background.">
  6555.                      </figure>
  6556.                  </a>
  6557.            </div>
  6558.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  6559.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  6560.        <p><em>Ninja</em></p>
  6561.  
  6562.      </figcaption>
  6563.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  6564.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000"
  6565.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  6566.      </p>
  6567.      </div>
  6568. </div>
  6569.  
  6570.  
  6571.  
  6572. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  6573.  
  6574.  
  6575.  
  6576. <ul>
  6577. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 17 x 6 x 8 inches</li>
  6578.  
  6579.  
  6580.  
  6581. <li><strong>Capacity:</strong> 16-ounce personal cup; 72-ounce blender</li>
  6582.  
  6583.  
  6584.  
  6585. <li><strong>Wattage:</strong> 1,110 watts</li>
  6586. </ul>
  6587.  
  6588.  
  6589.  
  6590. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  6591.  
  6592.  
  6593.  
  6594. <ul>
  6595. <li>Powerful</li>
  6596.  
  6597.  
  6598.  
  6599. <li>Two kinds of blenders in one</li>
  6600.  
  6601.  
  6602.  
  6603. <li>Doesn&#8217;t take up much space on counter</li>
  6604. </ul>
  6605.  
  6606.  
  6607.  
  6608. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  6609.  
  6610.  
  6611.  
  6612. <ul>
  6613. <li>Blades can miss small grains like chia and flax seeds</li>
  6614. </ul>
  6615.  
  6616.  
  6617.  
  6618. <p>I am a creature of habit, and my morning breakfast has been the same for about a year. I&#8217;m a person who doesn&#8217;t love a huge meal first thing in the morning, so I tend to gravitate toward a protein-rich, fruit-forward smoothie. I&#8217;m not a gatekeeper, so my recipe is 1/2 of a frozen banana (a whole one if you want a creamier texture); <a href="https://www.instacart.com/store/aldi/products/19936005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aldi brand Cherry Berry mix</a> to my heart&#8217;s content (the best frozen fruit blend, in my opinion); a big spoonful of full-fat Greek yogurt for that magical protein (or a scoop of your favorite <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-vegan-protein-powder/">vegan protein powder</a>); and enough orange juice to get it smooth, but not liquidy, which is usually to the max fill line. That morning breakfast smoothie gets made in this Ninja BL660 Professional compact blender, which isn&#8217;t showing any signs of slowing down after a year of daily use. </p>
  6619.  
  6620.  
  6621.  
  6622. <p>It has a 1,100-watt motor, which is more than enough to demolish fruit chunks. My frozen bananas get <em>frozen</em> because of my freezer, which makes things frosty at even the lowest setting, and I&#8217;ve never had a chunky smoothie in my time making them with this blender. It comes with two personal 16-ounce blender cups and a full-sized 72-ounce blender attachment for larger meals. The cups are made of tough BPA-free plastic and are dishwasher-friendly. There are four speed settings—three presets and a pulse button—along with a separate speed button for the single-serve cups. </p>
  6623.  
  6624.  
  6625.  
  6626. <p>I would take this blender with me on an island if I had to. However, there are moments when the chia seeds in my smoothie aren&#8217;t as pulverized as I&#8217;d like them to be. The same goes for larger flax seeds. It&#8217;s not a major problem for me, but the grainy texture sometimes gives me the ick, which makes me &#8230; not finish the smoothie. I know I&#8217;m not alone in getting grossed out by that kind of texture.</p>
  6627.  
  6628.  
  6629.  
  6630. <p>If you&#8217;re also looking for something with a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-food-processor/">food processor attachment</a> on top of personal blending cups and blender, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Kitchen-BL770-Processor-Smoothies/dp/B00939I7EK?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja has a blender with all three</a> that&#8217;s similar to the BL660. </p>
  6631.  
  6632.  
  6633.  
  6634. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-design-our-place-splendor-blender"><strong>Best design:</strong> <a href="https://our-place.pxf.io/c/2536217/1679350/19449?subId1=PS-RU&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Fsplendor-blender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Our Place Splendor Blender</a></h3>
  6635.  
  6636.  
  6637. <div
  6638.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  6639.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  6640. >
  6641.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  6642.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://our-place.pxf.io/c/2536217/1679350/19449?subId1=PS-RU&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Fsplendor-blender" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  6643.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  6644.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/our-place-splendor-blender.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/our-place-splendor-blender.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A tan Our Place personal Splendor Blender on a blue tie dye background">
  6645.                      </figure>
  6646.                  </a>
  6647.            </div>
  6648.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  6649.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  6650.        <p><em>Our Place</em></p>
  6651.  
  6652.      </figcaption>
  6653.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  6654.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://our-place.pxf.io/c/2536217/1679350/19449?subId1=PS-RU&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Fsplendor-blender"
  6655.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  6656.      </p>
  6657.      </div>
  6658. </div>
  6659.  
  6660.  
  6661.  
  6662. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  6663.  
  6664.  
  6665.  
  6666. <ul>
  6667. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 5.5 x 6.1 x 8.5 inches</li>
  6668.  
  6669.  
  6670.  
  6671. <li><strong>Capacity:</strong> 750 mL for personal blender</li>
  6672.  
  6673.  
  6674.  
  6675. <li><strong>Wattage:</strong> 1,000 watts</li>
  6676. </ul>
  6677.  
  6678.  
  6679.  
  6680. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  6681.  
  6682.  
  6683.  
  6684. <ul>
  6685. <li>Stylish</li>
  6686.  
  6687.  
  6688.  
  6689. <li>Incredible blend capabilities</li>
  6690.  
  6691.  
  6692.  
  6693. <li>Easy to use</li>
  6694. </ul>
  6695.  
  6696.  
  6697.  
  6698. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  6699.  
  6700.  
  6701.  
  6702. <ul>
  6703. <li>Quality control and user experience issues</li>
  6704. </ul>
  6705.  
  6706.  
  6707.  
  6708. <p>If you&#8217;d rather have a blender meant to be shown off rather than hidden in a cabinet, the Our Place Splendor Blender is the most stylish blender we found. It comes in colorways that match Our Place&#8217;s other products, like its <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLTH987Q?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Wonder Oven</a> (which we included in our <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-smart-ovens/">smart oven roundup</a>) and the famous <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Our-Place-2-0-10-5-Inch-Toxin-Free-Lightweight/dp/B0C6S51KYD?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Always Pan</a>.</p>
  6709.  
  6710.  
  6711.  
  6712. <p>The Splendor Blender isn&#8217;t just a pretty face. It packs 1,000 watts of power that demolished even the smallest of chia seeds in less than a minute. Although it only has two settings—pulse and blend—the &#8220;blend&#8221; option ramps up speed over the course of 45 seconds. The max fill line is 16 ounces, but there is some extra wiggle room between the fill line and the blender base, so it&#8217;s more forgiving than other personal blender systems. I was reaching for this blender over the Ninja BL660 for a period of time, based on its ease of use and ultra-smooth blending abilities.  </p>
  6713.  
  6714.  
  6715.  
  6716. <p>Go deep into the reviews of the Always pen, and you&#8217;ll see complaints about the pan&#8217;s value, with customers saying it doesn&#8217;t perform the way a $145 pan should. Sadly, the Splendor Blender faces similar issues. Although I was deeply impressed with the Splendor Blender&#8217;s blending abilities, there are some quality control and user experience issues. The blade itself stuck after one month of use. This prevented me from using the blender since the blade couldn&#8217;t turn and, thus, couldn&#8217;t lock. In the process of attempting to lock the blender, the thin blender handle started to break. Additionally, the blade base got stuck in the blender cup and nothing—no hot-to-cold water switch, no amount of manpower, no internet hack—got it unstuck. The blender&#8217;s light blinks when not in use, which is annoying. You have to unplug the blender to stop this issue. There is a one-year warranty and a 100-day return window if you&#8217;re not happy with your purchase, and Our Place rectified my situation with a new unit. When the Splendor Blender works, it&#8217;s incredible; when it doesn&#8217;t, it&#8217;s disappointing. I have hope, however, that a Splendor Blender 2.0 would alleviate these pain points for an even better blending—and user—experience. </p>
  6717.  
  6718.  
  6719.  
  6720. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-portable-cuisinart-rpb-100-evolutionx-cordless-rechargeable-compact-blender"><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-RPB-100-EvolutionX-Cordless-Rechargeable/dp/B08KKB855B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart RPB-100 EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Compact Blender</a></h3>
  6721.  
  6722.  
  6723. <div
  6724.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  6725.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  6726. >
  6727.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  6728.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-RPB-100-EvolutionX-Cordless-Rechargeable/dp/B08KKB855B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  6729.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  6730.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/09/Cuisinart-RPB-100.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/09/Cuisinart-RPB-100.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Cuisinart RPB-100 portable blender on a plain background.">
  6731.                      </figure>
  6732.                  </a>
  6733.            </div>
  6734.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  6735.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  6736.        <p><em>Cuisinart</em></p>
  6737.  
  6738.      </figcaption>
  6739.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  6740.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-RPB-100-EvolutionX-Cordless-Rechargeable/dp/B08KKB855B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000"
  6741.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  6742.      </p>
  6743.      </div>
  6744. </div>
  6745.  
  6746.  
  6747.  
  6748. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  6749.  
  6750.  
  6751.  
  6752. <ul>
  6753. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 3.5 x 3.9 x 11.69 inches</li>
  6754.  
  6755.  
  6756.  
  6757. <li><strong>Capacity:</strong> 16 ounces</li>
  6758.  
  6759.  
  6760.  
  6761. <li><strong>Wattage:</strong> N/A</li>
  6762. </ul>
  6763.  
  6764.  
  6765.  
  6766. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  6767.  
  6768.  
  6769.  
  6770. <ul>
  6771. <li>Portable</li>
  6772.  
  6773.  
  6774.  
  6775. <li>Easy to use</li>
  6776.  
  6777.  
  6778.  
  6779. <li>Dishwasher safe</li>
  6780. </ul>
  6781.  
  6782.  
  6783.  
  6784. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  6785.  
  6786.  
  6787.  
  6788. <ul>
  6789. <li>Not the most powerful choice on this list</li>
  6790. </ul>
  6791.  
  6792.  
  6793.  
  6794. <p>This blender nabbed the top spot in our <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-portable-blenders/">best portable blenders roundup</a>, and it made the cut here for its cup capacity and battery power. Like others on this list, it has a 16-ounce blending cup. And, like the top-spot Ninja, you can make a smoothie with a single touch. Simply screw the blender base onto the cup, flip it over, blend, and then turn the base over and replace it with the included flip-top travel lid. </p>
  6795.  
  6796.  
  6797.  
  6798. <p>The RPB-100 can run for up to 20 minutes per charge, meaning you can make multiple smoothies per day. It takes about two hours to recharge the blender fully—I recommend charging it between meals or when you&#8217;re not home. It&#8217;s also dishwasher-safe. Use that time spent hand-washing a blender cup on &#8230;making another smoothie or more sauce. </p>
  6799.  
  6800.  
  6801.  
  6802. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-smoothies-nutribullet-nb9-1301k-pro"><strong>Best for smoothies:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NutriBullet NB9-1301K Pro</a></h3>
  6803.  
  6804.  
  6805. <div
  6806.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  6807.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  6808. >
  6809.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  6810.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  6811.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  6812.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/nutribullet-nb9.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A NutriBullet NB9 personal blender on a plain background">
  6813.                      </figure>
  6814.                  </a>
  6815.            </div>
  6816.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  6817.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  6818.        <p><em>NutriBullet</em></p>
  6819.  
  6820.      </figcaption>
  6821.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  6822.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000"
  6823.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  6824.      </p>
  6825.      </div>
  6826. </div>
  6827.  
  6828.  
  6829.  
  6830. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  6831.  
  6832.  
  6833.  
  6834. <ul>
  6835. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 7.72 x 12.01 x 15.94 inches</li>
  6836.  
  6837.  
  6838.  
  6839. <li><strong>Capacity:</strong> 32 ounces</li>
  6840.  
  6841.  
  6842.  
  6843. <li><strong>Wattage:</strong> 900 watts</li>
  6844. </ul>
  6845.  
  6846.  
  6847.  
  6848. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  6849.  
  6850.  
  6851.  
  6852. <ul>
  6853. <li>Large personal cup capacity</li>
  6854.  
  6855.  
  6856.  
  6857. <li>Lots of included accessories</li>
  6858.  
  6859.  
  6860.  
  6861. <li>Thorough blending</li>
  6862. </ul>
  6863.  
  6864.  
  6865.  
  6866. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  6867.  
  6868.  
  6869.  
  6870. <ul>
  6871. <li>Extractor blade base wide and can be hard to open</li>
  6872. </ul>
  6873.  
  6874.  
  6875.  
  6876. <p>Many sleepness nights of my childhood were spent watching Magic Bullet infomercials and being mesmerized by the ingredients turning into other food. When I struck it out on my own, I sought out a NutriBullet—Magic Bullet&#8217;s larger and more powerful sibling—after using a roommate&#8217;s for years. If you&#8217;re just looking to make smoothies for one and don&#8217;t need multiple speed settings, the NutriBullet NB9-1301K Pro is an astonishing choice. The blade&#8217;s shape blends <em>everything</em>—even small seeds—but its low profile allows you to stuff up the included cup without overflow. 900 watts is more than enough power to blend ice, frozen fruit, and the toughest of kale, and its 32-ounce cup is one of the largest on this list. The blender also comes with tons of accessories, like to-go lids, lip rings, lip rings with handles, and a recipe book. Talk about stretching your dollar. </p>
  6877.  
  6878.  
  6879.  
  6880. <p>The NutriBullet extractor blade is a little wide, and if you have small hands like mine, you might have a hard time re-opening the cup if you screw it on too tight. You can find <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blendin-Removal-Compatible-Nutribullet-Blenders/dp/B07LCXLQQ1?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">third-party lid wrenches</a> on the internet, but they might not be compatible with this particular model. However, you can use the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6XGL9oJ4ZA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">power of expansion and contraction</a> to open it.  </p>
  6881.  
  6882.  
  6883.  
  6884. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-ninja-qb3001ss-ninja-fit-compact-personal-blender"><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja QB3001SS Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender</a></h3>
  6885.  
  6886.  
  6887. <div
  6888.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  6889.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  6890. >
  6891.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  6892.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  6893.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  6894.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-QB3001SS-Ninja-Fit-.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Ninja Fit personal blender on a plain background">
  6895.                      </figure>
  6896.                  </a>
  6897.            </div>
  6898.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  6899.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  6900.        <p><em>Ninja</em></p>
  6901.  
  6902.      </figcaption>
  6903.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  6904.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000"
  6905.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  6906.      </p>
  6907.      </div>
  6908. </div>
  6909.  
  6910.  
  6911.  
  6912. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  6913.  
  6914.  
  6915.  
  6916. <ul>
  6917. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 4.3 x 4.3 x 13 inches</li>
  6918.  
  6919.  
  6920.  
  6921. <li><strong>Capacity:</strong> 16 ounces</li>
  6922.  
  6923.  
  6924.  
  6925. <li><strong>Wattage:</strong> 700 watts</li>
  6926. </ul>
  6927.  
  6928.  
  6929.  
  6930. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  6931.  
  6932.  
  6933.  
  6934. <ul>
  6935. <li>Compact</li>
  6936.  
  6937.  
  6938.  
  6939. <li>Great form factor</li>
  6940.  
  6941.  
  6942.  
  6943. <li>Easy to use</li>
  6944. </ul>
  6945.  
  6946.  
  6947.  
  6948. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  6949.  
  6950.  
  6951.  
  6952. <ul>
  6953. <li>Not the most powerful on this list</li>
  6954. </ul>
  6955.  
  6956.  
  6957.  
  6958. <p>The Ninja Fit blender is similar in concept to the NutriBullet—one setting, push to blend—at a fraction of the price. It uses a blade similar to our best overall pick, so we consider it the best of both worlds when it comes to form factor and ease of use. It clocks in at 700 watts, the lowest wattage on our list. You&#8217;ll have to run it a bit longer to get the same smoothness, but hey—think of all the money you saved in the process. However, compared to other value personal blenders—which clock in at 250-300 watts—you&#8217;re getting the most bang for your buck.</p>
  6959.  
  6960.  
  6961.  
  6962. <p>This kit comes with two single-serve cups, two travel lids, a base, and an extraction blade, which isn&#8217;t bad for the almost $70 price. Other companies would charge you that amount for one lid and cup. I love that the travel lids come with a piece that snaps over the sip opening. It&#8217;s one thing to have a travel lid, but it&#8217;s another to have one that won&#8217;t leak if it falls over or you drive over a bump.  </p>
  6963.  
  6964.  
  6965.  
  6966. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-buying-the-best-personal-blenders"><strong>What to consider when buying the best personal blenders</strong></h2>
  6967.  
  6968.  
  6969.  
  6970. <p>Getting a smooth blend for sauces, soups, and smoothies is of utmost importance when it comes to a personal blender. &#8220;Blend&#8221; is in the name! Here&#8217;s what you should look for so your foods are to your liking.</p>
  6971.  
  6972.  
  6973.  
  6974. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-wattage-and-speed">Power, wattage, and speed</h3>
  6975.  
  6976.  
  6977.  
  6978. <p>Personal blenders come in all combinations of wattages and speeds. Typically, personal blenders start at 250 watts and go up to 1,500 watts. The higher the watts, the more powerful the blender, and, in turn, the easier it will be to cut through ice and frozen fruits and veggies. </p>
  6979.  
  6980.  
  6981.  
  6982. <p>Speeds refer to the revolutions per minute (RPMs) of the blade. Although most companies don&#8217;t list the specific RPMs for each speed setting, it&#8217;s safe to assume that the higher the speed, the higher the RPMs, and the finer the food. Higher speeds lead to smooth liquids, while low speeds are better for chunky salsas and purees. </p>
  6983.  
  6984.  
  6985.  
  6986. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-container-material-and-design">Container material and design</h3>
  6987.  
  6988.  
  6989.  
  6990. <p>There is such a thing as a glass blender cup—take this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Functions-Dishwasher-58148A/dp/B00EI7DPI0?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Black and Decker blender</a>, for example. When it comes to personal blenders, we recommend sticking with plastic. Personal blender blades rest closer to the cup than regular-sized blenders. I, a raging hypochondriac, would rather deal with the threat of microplastics (everything on this list is BPA-free, for what it&#8217;s worth) than little shards of glass. Plastic is also less prone to breaking, although it can get discolored and hold odors. Most companies sell replacement cups on their site in case this happens.</p>
  6991.  
  6992.  
  6993.  
  6994. <p>Grooves and indentations direct the food, meaning food won&#8217;t stick to the sides of the blender. Wide openings make it easier to add ingredients, but a wider cup doesn&#8217;t mean it can carry more volume. The Our Place Splendor Blender has a wider circumference than the Ninja BL660, but both fill lines stop at 16 ounces to prevent overflow. </p>
  6995.  
  6996.  
  6997.  
  6998. <p>Many companies will say that their blender has a &#8220;self-cleaning&#8221; design. Technically, all cup-style blenders are self-cleaning. Simply add some dish soap to the cup, fill with water, run, rinse, and bam: Clean blender. You should still run it in the dishwasher so it doesn&#8217;t grow and create a new creature (which is another mouth you&#8217;ll have to feed). </p>
  6999.  
  7000.  
  7001.  
  7002. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blades">Blades</h3>
  7003.  
  7004.  
  7005.  
  7006. <p>Personal blender blades come in a wing, star, X-shape, or combination of any of the three. More blades mean more contact with food, which ensures for a finer, smoother blend. Blade style affects performance: X-style blades are great for cutting, and wing-style blades are perfect for crushing ice. Some companies sell separate blades for specific purposes. For example, NutriBullet sells a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bullet-NBM-BA002S-Milling-Blade-60-Pounds/dp/B07RJGD9H7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">lid designed for milling grain</a>. </p>
  7007.  
  7008.  
  7009.  
  7010. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  7011.  
  7012.  
  7013.  
  7014. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713812963456"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How long do personal blenders last?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Personal blenders last 3-5 years, depending on care and quality. Clean it according to the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions. Throwing a blender in the dishwasher when it&#8217;s hand-wash only will lessen its lifespan. Giving the motor a rest, letting the blender cool down after use, and discontinuing use if the motor overheats are other ways to lengthen your personal blender&#8217;s lifespan. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713812964673"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are more expensive blenders better?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">It depends. More expensive blenders tend to have more powerful motors, which makes blending, chopping, and pureeing easy. This gives you consistent results and a better texture. However, blade design is also important. I love the Ninja BL660, but its towered wing blender blades—a completely different design from the X-shaped personal blender blade—chops more than blends, which is fine for me, but may not be fine for you. Instead of looking at price, consider features that help create a vortex for a smooth blend. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713812965787"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are small blenders worth it?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">We think so. Traditional blender cups are too large if you&#8217;re making personal-sized blended food. They also require less clean-up than traditional blenders, and you save valuable dishwasher and sink space when you use them.</p> </div> </div>
  7015.  
  7016.  
  7017.  
  7018. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-personal-blenders"><strong>Final thoughts on the best personal blenders</strong></h2>
  7019.  
  7020.  
  7021.  
  7022. <ul>
  7023. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Professional-Countertop-1100-Watt-BL660/dp/B00939FV8K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja BL660 Professional Compact Blender</a></li>
  7024.  
  7025.  
  7026.  
  7027. <li><strong>Best design:</strong> <a href="https://our-place.pxf.io/c/2536217/1679350/19449?subId1=PS-RU&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffromourplace.com%2Fproducts%2Fsplendor-blender" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Our Place Splendor Blender</a></li>
  7028.  
  7029.  
  7030.  
  7031. <li><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-RPB-100-EvolutionX-Cordless-Rechargeable/dp/B08KKB855B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart RPB-100 EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Compact Blender</a></li>
  7032.  
  7033.  
  7034.  
  7035. <li><strong>Best for smoothies:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NutriBullet-NB9-1301K-Onyx-Black-900W/dp/B07SX5VKZY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">NutriBullet NB9-1301K Pro</a></li>
  7036.  
  7037.  
  7038.  
  7039. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-Personal-Smoothies-Blending-700-Watt/dp/B01FHOWYA2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611951O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja QB3001SS Ninja Fit Compact Personal Blender</a></li>
  7040. </ul>
  7041.  
  7042.  
  7043.  
  7044. <p>If you&#8217;re cooking for one and don&#8217;t want a full-sized blender taking up precious counter space, a personal blender is your best bet. You can make a one-size portion every time, meaning you stop food waste in the process. I&#8217;ve had plenty of homemade sauces go to waste because I made too much of it in a full-size blender and let the rest rot in the freezer. Personal blenders are easier to store and clean, with removable bases and dishwasher-safe cups. Some personal blenders even come with full-size blender cups if you&#8217;re cooking for a party. Regardless of where you&#8217;re at in life, a personal blender can keep you fueled at every step of the way.</p>
  7045.  
  7046.  
  7047.  
  7048. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  7049.  
  7050.  
  7051.  
  7052. <p>Popular Science<em> started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  7053.  
  7054.  
  7055.  
  7056. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  7057. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-personal-blenders/">Chopping it up with the best personal blenders for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  7058. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  7062. </item>
  7063. <item>
  7064. <title>How psychedelic-assisted therapies can be more effective</title>
  7065. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/how-psychedelic-assisted-therapies-can-be-more-effective/</link>
  7067. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  7068. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:37:04 +0000</pubDate>
  7069. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  7070. <category><![CDATA[Mental Health]]></category>
  7071. <category><![CDATA[Psychology]]></category>
  7072. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612061</guid>
  7073.  
  7074. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  7075.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/therapy.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Therapy session" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The efficacy of psilocybin treatment increases over the long-term when a patient feels more connected to their clinician. The clinician provides hours or preparation and also guides the patient through the experience and dissects it days and weeks later. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/cropped-photo-therapist-writing-notes-therapy-her-female-patient-199667438.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>A new study of psilocybin patients zeroes in on a crucial element of treatment.</p>
  7076. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/how-psychedelic-assisted-therapies-can-be-more-effective/">How psychedelic-assisted therapies can be more effective</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  7077. ]]></description>
  7078. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  7079.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/therapy.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Therapy session" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The efficacy of psilocybin treatment increases over the long-term when a patient feels more connected to their clinician. The clinician provides hours or preparation and also guides the patient through the experience and dissects it days and weeks later. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/cropped-photo-therapist-writing-notes-therapy-her-female-patient-199667438.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  7080. <p>In just a few short years, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/open-mind-psychedelics/">psychedelic-assisted therapy</a> involving controlled substances like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin (the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms”) have evolved from relative obscurity to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/health/pharma/psychedelics-lsd-ketamine-psilocybin-mushrooms-investing-ptsd-d8f05e58#">far edges of mainstream medical acceptance</a>. Clinical studies have shown that their medical use can have positive effects for patients living with depression and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01336-3">post-traumatic stress disorder</a>. Sometimes, these treatments prove <a target="_blank" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=clinical+studies+ketamie+and+depression&amp;rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS1085US1086&amp;oq=clinical+studies+ketamie+and+depression&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDc3MTBqMGo0qAICsAIB&amp;hl=en-US&amp;sourceid=chrome-mobile&amp;ie=UTF-8">effective where other, more widely-prescribed medications fall short</a>. But new research suggests close bonds with a trained therapist is a key element contributing to effective psychedelic-assisted treatment, specifically psilocybin.</p>
  7081.  
  7082.  
  7083.  
  7084. <p><strong>[Related: <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/open-mind-psychedelics/">4 visionaries on the history and future of psychedelic medicine</a></strong> ]</p>
  7085.  
  7086.  
  7087.  
  7088. <p>A <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/25/health/psychedelic-drug-therapy-patents.html">surge in interest in therapeutic use of psychedelics</a> has fostered a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-18/psychedelic-schools-teach-mental-health-therapists-to-be-shamans?embedded-checkout=true">burgeoning industry of startups</a> specializing in treatments. As of today, <a target="_blank" href="https://psychedelicalpha.com/psilocybin-stocks-shroom-stocks">according to</a> the psychedelics industry tracker Psilocybin Alpha, more than 50 publicly traded companies currently offer psychedelic therapy (mostly ketamine) and psychedelic retreats. Yet, the exact ways these companies administer psychedelics can vary widely. While some require patients to consume or inject the substance in the presence of a trained clinician, others lean on loose, pandemic-era health regulations to let <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/ketamine-telemedicine.html">patients take the medication at home</a>, typically as pills and lozenges. The latter method can carry risks. In some cases, the Federal Drug Administration, which <a target="_blank" href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs-medicines#:~:text=The%20FDA%20has%20also%20granted,for%20post%2Dtraumatic%20stress%20disorder">has yet to approve</a> psychedelic drugs for therapy, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/fda-warns-patients-and-health-care-providers-about-potential-risks-associated-compounded-ketamine">claims it has received reports of patients experiencing adverse health effects</a> after they’ve taken medically prescribed ketamine at home without a clinician’s supervision. There are currently no legal at-home psilocybin treatments available however individuals in Oregon were able to <a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/6e5389b090b0c50d5c90d9574b63eca5">begin accessing the compound</a> without a prescription last year.&nbsp;</p>
  7089.  
  7090.  
  7091.  
  7092. <p>A new study <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300501">published in the journal <em>PLOS ONE</em></a><em> </em>this week suggests that strong relationships between patients and their therapists could play a crucial role determining whether or not psychedelic-assisted therapy can prove useful as treatments for depression. The study, which analyzed a 2021 clinical study involving 24 patients using psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat severe depression, found that participants with stronger self-reported connections with their therapist were more likely to report a decrease in depression over time.</p>
  7093.  
  7094.  
  7095.  
  7096. <p>In other words, the efficacy of psilocybin treatment increases over the long-term when a patient feels more connected to their clinician. The clinician provides hours or preparation and also guides the patient through the experience and dissects it days and weeks later. Findings like these could help influence treatment standards for psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments, especially as the practice gains more widespread clinical acceptance and adoption.&nbsp;</p>
  7097.  
  7098.  
  7099.  
  7100. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patients-with-stronger-connections-to-their-therapists-reported-better-results-nbsp"><strong>Patients with stronger connections to their therapists reported better results&nbsp;</strong></h2>
  7101.  
  7102.  
  7103.  
  7104. <p>Researchers from Ohio State University examined data from a 2021 clinical trial where 24 adults seeking treatment for severe depression received two doses of psilocybin paired with 11 hours of psychotherapy. Patients completed survey questionnaires where they assessed the strength of the relationship with their therapists, which the researchers refer to as their “therapeutic alliance.” The patients also noted down any mystical or insightful psychological experience they had during the treatment. Researchers say at times these experiences tend to yield positive therapeutic outcomes, particularly in the short and medium term. In this case, these experiences led to positive outcomes around four-weeks after introducing the psilocybin into treatment.</p>
  7105.  
  7106.  
  7107.  
  7108. <p>Higher alliance scores, or stronger relationships with therapists, correlated with longer-term psychological insights. One year after the treatments, patients who reported strong connections with their therapist also crucially provided lower self-reported depression scores one year following treatment than those who reported weaker relationships. The research builds off of past studies that show how a strong therapeutic alliance between a therapist and a patient often leads to a more effective outcome following therapy. This new study suggests those same basic findings similarly apply to psychedelic-assisted therapy.&nbsp;</p>
  7109.  
  7110.  
  7111.  
  7112. <p>“This concept is not novel. What is novel is that very few people have explored this concept as part of psychedelic-assisted therapy,” paper senior author and Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education associate professor Alan Davis said in a statement. “This data suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy relies heavily on the therapeutic alliance, just like any other treatment.”</p>
  7113.  
  7114.  
  7115.  
  7116. <p>The findings also reinforce the role a patient’s environment and mindset, known colloquially as “set and setting” can have on influencing positive experiences. In this case, hours of preparatory psychotherapy prior to administering psilocybin, along with “supportive, no direct” therapy during the actual psychedelic experience posed to be significant variables contributing to the drug’s overall effectiveness. Patients who were more comfortable with their clinician may be more receptive to the therapy.</p>
  7117.  
  7118.  
  7119.  
  7120. <p>“That’s why I think the relationship has been shown to be impactful in this analysis–because, really, the whole intervention is designed for us to establish the trust and rapport that’s needed for someone to go into an alternative consciousness safely,” Davis added.</p>
  7121.  
  7122.  
  7123.  
  7124. <p>The study’s findings come during what could be an inflection point for psychedelic-assisted therapy research and treatment in the US. Despite still being labeled a Schedule 1 drug on the national level, several cities including Denver, Oakland, and Washington have decriminalized psilocybin. On the medical front, the FDA in 2019 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/09/05/psilocybin-mental-health-psychedelics/">approved the use of a nasal spray called Spravato</a>, which uses a derivative of ketamine, for treating depression. Just last year, the FDA <a target="_blank" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/26/fda-guidance-psychedelic-drugs-lsd-mushrooms">released its first-ever draft guidance</a> outlining considerations for researchers looking to conduct clinical trials for psychedelic treatments. An MDMA therapy from the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation could <a target="_blank" href="https://www.healthcare-brew.com/stories/2023/10/27/first-fda-approved-psychedelic-drug-potentially-2024">reportedly receive FDA approval by the end of the year</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  7125.  
  7126.  
  7127.  
  7128. <p>Ohio State University College of Medicine resident and paper lead author Adam Levin notes he and his fellow researchers’ findings could highlight the importance of maintaining strong connections between patients and physicians, especially with treatments posed to gain wider adoption in the coming years. Levin, and others critical of attempts to rush out access to psychedelic drugs without proper therapeutic support warn such an approach could lead to unintended consequences and even set back efforts to make psychedelic-assisted therapy more widely available.&nbsp;</p>
  7129.  
  7130.  
  7131.  
  7132. <p>“Our concern is that any effort to minimize therapeutic support could lead to safety concerns or adverse events,” Levin said. “…What we showed in this study is evidence for the importance of the alliance in not just preventing those types of events, but also in optimizing therapeutic outcomes.”</p>
  7133. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/how-psychedelic-assisted-therapies-can-be-more-effective/">How psychedelic-assisted therapies can be more effective</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  7134. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  7138. </item>
  7139. <item>
  7140. <title>The best Brother sewing machines according to experts</title>
  7141. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-brother-sewing-machines/</link>
  7143. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carol Benton]]></dc:creator>
  7144. <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  7145. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  7146. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  7147. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  7148. <category><![CDATA[Projects]]></category>
  7149. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  7150. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  7151. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  7152. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  7153. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  7154. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=449198</guid>
  7155.  
  7156. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  7157.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/10/brother-sewing-machines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best Brother sewing machines" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Stan Horaczek</div></figure><p>The best equipment yields the best results, and Brother sewing machines are well-known in the world of sewing, quilting, and crafting for their quality and innovative features.</p>
  7158. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-brother-sewing-machines/">The best Brother sewing machines according to experts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  7159. ]]></description>
  7160. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  7161.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/10/brother-sewing-machines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best Brother sewing machines" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Stan Horaczek</div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  7162. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  7163.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  7164.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  7165.      <tbody>
  7166.              <tr
  7167.          class="ProductTable-product"
  7168.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  7169.        >
  7170.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  7171.            Best Overall
  7172.          </td>
  7173.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  7174.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine on a plain background" class="wp-image-449207" width="264" height="165">
  7175.          </td>
  7176.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  7177.            Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine
  7178.          </td>
  7179.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  7180.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  7181.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7182.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7183.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7184.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7185.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7186.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 94%">
  7187.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7188.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7189.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7190.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7191.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7192.                                  </div>
  7193.                          </div>
  7194.          </td>
  7195.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  7196.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  7197.                <span>
  7198.                  SEE IT
  7199.                </span>
  7200.            </a>
  7201.          </td>
  7202.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  7203.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This model is a solid, mechanical sewing machine that offers automated functioning for multiple sewing purposes.</span></p>
  7204.  
  7205.            </td>
  7206.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  7207.        </tr>
  7208.              <tr
  7209.          class="ProductTable-product"
  7210.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  7211.        >
  7212.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  7213.            Best for beginners
  7214.          </td>
  7215.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  7216.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine is the best for beginners." class="wp-image-449217" width="264" height="165">
  7217.          </td>
  7218.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  7219.            Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine
  7220.          </td>
  7221.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  7222.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  7223.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7224.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7225.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7226.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7227.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7228.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 92%">
  7229.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7230.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7231.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7232.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7233.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7234.                                  </div>
  7235.                          </div>
  7236.          </td>
  7237.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  7238.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  7239.                <span>
  7240.                  SEE IT
  7241.                </span>
  7242.            </a>
  7243.          </td>
  7244.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  7245.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is a great machine that helps beginners but allows for growth as skills improve.</span></p>
  7246.  
  7247.            </td>
  7248.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  7249.        </tr>
  7250.              <tr
  7251.          class="ProductTable-product"
  7252.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  7253.        >
  7254.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  7255.            Best Computerized
  7256.          </td>
  7257.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  7258.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="The Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine on a plain background." class="wp-image-449209" width="264" height="165">
  7259.          </td>
  7260.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  7261.            Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine
  7262.          </td>
  7263.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  7264.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  7265.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7266.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7267.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7268.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7269.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7270.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 96%">
  7271.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7272.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7273.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7274.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7275.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  7276.                                  </div>
  7277.                          </div>
  7278.          </td>
  7279.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  7280.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  7281.                <span>
  7282.                  SEE IT
  7283.                </span>
  7284.            </a>
  7285.          </td>
  7286.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  7287.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A computerized machine with 165 built-in stitch options along with push-button stitch selection and automated functions.</span></p>
  7288.  
  7289.            </td>
  7290.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  7291.        </tr>
  7292.            </tbody>
  7293.    </table>
  7294.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  7295.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  7296.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  7297.    </div>
  7298.  </div>
  7299. </div>
  7300.  
  7301.  
  7302.  
  7303. <p>Even if you&#8217;ve never threaded a needle or even heard of bobbin, you&#8217;ve probably heard about Brother sewing machines. Throughout its 115-year history, Brother Industries has developed into a global leader in sewing machine design, innovation, and manufacturing. Currently, the company offers one of the most advanced line-ups of innovative machinery for home-sewing pursuits. Its models include reliable sewing machines for basic projects and state-of-the-art, computerized models designed for advanced embroidery, quilting, and crafting. Consumers rely on the best Brother sewing machines to provide quality, value, and features for both utilitarian and creative purposes. Here are our picks of the best Brother sewing machines in the company’s impressive line-up.</p>
  7304.  
  7305.  
  7306.  
  7307. <ul>
  7308. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine</a></li>
  7309.  
  7310.  
  7311.  
  7312. <li><strong>Best computerized: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></li>
  7313.  
  7314.  
  7315.  
  7316. <li><strong>Best for embroidery: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Computerized-Embroidery-SE1900-Combination/dp/B07C9RQP1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine</a></li>
  7317.  
  7318.  
  7319.  
  7320. <li><strong>Best for beginners: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine</a></li>
  7321.  
  7322.  
  7323.  
  7324. <li><strong>Best for quilting: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR3774-Full-Featured-Quilting-Instructional/dp/B00MNS60AQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR3774 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></li>
  7325. </ul>
  7326.  
  7327.  
  7328.  
  7329. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-brother-sewing-machines"><strong>How we chose the best Brother sewing machines</strong></h2>
  7330.  
  7331.  
  7332.  
  7333. <p>I drew on personal experience, peer suggestions, and public opinion in selecting six Brother sewing machines for these recommendations. I then narrowed it down to 11 different models and accessed the in-depth product details and specifications available on the Brother-USA company website. Then, we selected Brother products that are easily available and read the product descriptions, user impressions, and FAQs on retailer sites. Knowing that various readers bring an array of needs, preferences, and monetary resources to the search, we tried to assemble a diverse assortment of Brother sewing machines for our list.</p>
  7334.  
  7335.  
  7336.  
  7337. <p>I considered both computerized and mechanical <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-sewing-machine/">sewing machines</a>. Although the computerized models exhibit advanced technological features, many users prefer simple operating procedures and easy maintenance of mechanical machines. Additionally, we looked for both computerized and mechanical models that provide automated processes such as needle threading and buttonhole making, as these features make sewing easier and more pleasurable. </p>
  7338.  
  7339.  
  7340.  
  7341. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-brother-sewing-machines-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best Brother sewing machines: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  7342.  
  7343.  
  7344.  
  7345. <p>Brother Industries Ltd. (the company that manufactures <a href="https://www.brother-usa.com/home/sewing-embroidery/sewing-machines#sort=relevancy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brother sewing machines</a>) traces its history back more than 100 years. In 1908, Kanekichi Yasui founded the Yasui Sewing Machine Company, working at his home in <a href="https://www.city.nagoya.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya, Japan</a>. He repaired industrial sewing machines and manufactured machine parts for local use. When Yasui’s sons inherited his company, they changed the name to Yasui Brothers’ Sewing Machine Company, and the company title was eventually shortened to Brother.</p>
  7346.  
  7347.  
  7348.  
  7349. <p>With such a long history, Brother has engineered a sewing machine to suit every user and use case. So, to narrow them down, we searched for Brother sewing machines to meet the needs of beginning sewers, those who engage in basic sewing projects, and those with more advanced skills and experience in quilting, crafting, and fashion design. We endeavored to present Brother machines that meet the requirements of these various types of sewists.&nbsp;</p>
  7350.  
  7351.  
  7352.  
  7353. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-brother-xm2701-sewing-machine"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine</a></h3>
  7354.  
  7355.  
  7356. <div
  7357.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7358.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7359. >
  7360.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7361.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7362.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7363.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XM2701-Sewing-Machine-best-overall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine on a plain background">
  7364.                      </figure>
  7365.                  </a>
  7366.            </div>
  7367.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7368.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7369.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7370.  
  7371.      </figcaption>
  7372.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7373.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000"
  7374.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7375.      </p>
  7376.      </div>
  7377. </div>
  7378.  
  7379.  
  7380.  
  7381. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>The Brother XM2701 sewing machine offers versatility as it provides automated features and numerous built-in stitches for advanced sewists, along with ease of operation for beginners.&nbsp;</p>
  7382.  
  7383.  
  7384.  
  7385. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7386.  
  7387.  
  7388.  
  7389. <ul>
  7390. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 12.6 pounds</li>
  7391.  
  7392.  
  7393.  
  7394. <li><strong>Product dimensions:</strong> 12.1 x 5.9 x 15.3 inches</li>
  7395.  
  7396.  
  7397.  
  7398. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 27</li>
  7399. </ul>
  7400.  
  7401.  
  7402.  
  7403. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7404.  
  7405.  
  7406.  
  7407. <ul>
  7408. <li>Automatic buttonhole function</li>
  7409.  
  7410.  
  7411.  
  7412. <li>Automatic needle threader</li>
  7413.  
  7414.  
  7415.  
  7416. <li>Both decorative and straight built-in stitches</li>
  7417.  
  7418.  
  7419.  
  7420. <li>6 interchangeable feet included</li>
  7421. </ul>
  7422.  
  7423.  
  7424.  
  7425. <p><strong>Cons&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>
  7426.  
  7427.  
  7428.  
  7429. <ul>
  7430. <li>Not computerized</li>
  7431. </ul>
  7432.  
  7433.  
  7434.  
  7435. <p>The Brother XM2701 sewing machine is easy to operate, making it a viable choice for beginners. On the other hand, it boasts a wide array of stitch options and automated features that appeal to experienced sewing enthusiasts. Stitch options include multiple decorative and quilting stitches along with basic, straight stitches for seams and basting. With 27 built-in stitches and 63 stitch functions, users can create crafts, fashions, home decor items, and quilts.&nbsp;</p>
  7436.  
  7437.  
  7438.  
  7439. <p>Although not a computerized machine, the XM2701 offers several automated features to make sewing projects go more smoothly and quickly. For example, the automatic needle threader eliminates the frustration and eye strain of threading the needle by hand. An automatic, 1-step buttonhole function saves time and ensures consistent, professional-looking results. Additionally, the task of winding the bobbin is an automatic process.</p>
  7440.  
  7441.  
  7442.  
  7443. <p>Several convenient features make the XM2701 a popular and versatile sewing machine. The jam-resistant, drop-in bobbin is located on the top of the machine to speed up the sewing process. An LED light brightly lights the work area. The free arm feature also makes it easy to manipulate the fabric when sewing cuffs, sleeves, and pants.&nbsp;</p>
  7444.  
  7445.  
  7446.  
  7447. <p>The XM2701 model includes six interchangeable feet to accomplish multiple sewing tasks: Buttonhole foot; Zipper foot; Zigzag foot; Narrow hemmer; Blind stitch; and Button-sewing foot.</p>
  7448.  
  7449.  
  7450.  
  7451. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-computerized-brother-xr9550-sewing-and-quilting-machine"><strong>Best computerized: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></h3>
  7452.  
  7453.  
  7454. <div
  7455.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7456.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7457. >
  7458.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7459.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7460.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7461.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR9550-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-computerized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine on a plain background.">
  7462.                      </figure>
  7463.                  </a>
  7464.            </div>
  7465.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7466.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7467.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7468.  
  7469.      </figcaption>
  7470.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7471.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000"
  7472.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7473.      </p>
  7474.      </div>
  7475. </div>
  7476.  
  7477.  
  7478.  
  7479. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>With computerized, push-button stitch selection and automatic functioning, the Brother XR9550 sewing machine offers advanced features for quilters, crafters, and hobbyists, as well as sewing artists.&nbsp;</p>
  7480.  
  7481.  
  7482.  
  7483. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7484.  
  7485.  
  7486.  
  7487. <ul>
  7488. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 10.14 pounds</li>
  7489.  
  7490.  
  7491.  
  7492. <li><strong>Product dimensions:</strong> 20 x 13.5 x 17.9 inches&nbsp;</li>
  7493.  
  7494.  
  7495.  
  7496. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 165</li>
  7497. </ul>
  7498.  
  7499.  
  7500.  
  7501. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7502.  
  7503.  
  7504.  
  7505. <ul>
  7506. <li>Extra-wide sewing surface for large projects</li>
  7507.  
  7508.  
  7509.  
  7510. <li>Push-button stitch selection, including decorative stitches and alphanumeric fonts</li>
  7511.  
  7512.  
  7513.  
  7514. <li>Automatic needle threader</li>
  7515.  
  7516.  
  7517.  
  7518. <li>Protective hard case included</li>
  7519. </ul>
  7520.  
  7521.  
  7522.  
  7523. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  7524.  
  7525.  
  7526.  
  7527. <ul>
  7528. <li>Not the best choice for beginners</li>
  7529. </ul>
  7530.  
  7531.  
  7532.  
  7533. <p>For the avid sewist who is ready to take their craft to a more sophisticated level, the Brother XR 9550 computerized sewing machine provides numerous features to spark the imagination and facilitate creative success. The machine offers 165 built-in stitches. These include utilitarian and decorative stitches along with heirloom stitches. Choose from among eight different buttonhole styles, and the machine will automatically sew a tailored buttonhole around any button. For monogramming and personalizing projects, a selection of 55 alphanumeric stitches facilitates automatically sewing letters, numbers, and symbols onto fabrics.&nbsp;</p>
  7534.  
  7535.  
  7536.  
  7537. <p>Numerous features of this machine provide ease of operation, taking the stress and frustration out of sewing. The built-in stitches are clearly marked on the front of the machine. Simply push a button for the computerized stitch-selection function, and a backlit LCD display shows the appropriate choice. Additionally, this machine includes an automatic needle threader and a jam-resistant, top drop-in bobbin.</p>
  7538.  
  7539.  
  7540.  
  7541. <p>Quilters appreciate the drop-feed feature that facilitates free-sewing for quilting. The work surface is illuminated with a bright LED light, and the extra-wide table allows quilters to handle bulky fabrics and large projects. Alternatively, sewists can use the free arm to sew sleeves, cuffs, and trouser legs.</p>
  7542.  
  7543.  
  7544.  
  7545. <p>The XR9550 includes seven interchangeable sewing feet along with accessories: Zigzag foot; Buttonhole foot; Button-sewing foot; Overcasting foot; Blind stitch foot; Monogramming foot; Quilting foot; Protective, hard cover; and an Instructional DVD.</p>
  7546.  
  7547.  
  7548.  
  7549. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-embroidery-brother-se1900-sewing-and-embroidery-machine"><strong>Best for embroidery: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Computerized-Embroidery-SE1900-Combination/dp/B07C9RQP1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine</a></h3>
  7550.  
  7551.  
  7552. <div
  7553.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7554.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7555. >
  7556.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7557.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Computerized-Embroidery-SE1900-Combination/dp/B07C9RQP1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7558.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7559.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-SE1900-Sewing-and-Embroidery-Machine-best-embroidery.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-SE1900-Sewing-and-Embroidery-Machine-best-embroidery.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine on a plain background.">
  7560.                      </figure>
  7561.                  </a>
  7562.            </div>
  7563.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7564.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7565.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7566.  
  7567.      </figcaption>
  7568.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7569.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Computerized-Embroidery-SE1900-Combination/dp/B07C9RQP1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000"
  7570.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7571.      </p>
  7572.      </div>
  7573. </div>
  7574.  
  7575.  
  7576.  
  7577. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>Sewists can achieve artist-quality results in creative DIY projects by choosing from 138 built-in embroidery designs in the Brother SE1900 sewing and embroidery machine.</p>
  7578.  
  7579.  
  7580.  
  7581. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7582.  
  7583.  
  7584.  
  7585. <ul>
  7586. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 22.1 pounds</li>
  7587.  
  7588.  
  7589.  
  7590. <li><strong>Product dimensions:</strong> 23.19 x 11.54 x 13.43 inches&nbsp;</li>
  7591.  
  7592.  
  7593.  
  7594. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 138 embroidery designs + 240 built-in stitches</li>
  7595. </ul>
  7596.  
  7597.  
  7598.  
  7599. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7600.  
  7601.  
  7602.  
  7603. <ul>
  7604. <li>Large number of built-in embroidery designs and stitches</li>
  7605.  
  7606.  
  7607.  
  7608. <li>Built-in memory for imported embroidery designs</li>
  7609.  
  7610.  
  7611.  
  7612. <li>Built-in memory for personal, custom-designed stitches</li>
  7613.  
  7614.  
  7615.  
  7616. <li>LCD touchscreen display</li>
  7617. </ul>
  7618.  
  7619.  
  7620.  
  7621. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  7622.  
  7623.  
  7624.  
  7625. <ul>
  7626. <li>Not the best choice for beginners</li>
  7627. </ul>
  7628.  
  7629.  
  7630.  
  7631. <p>Take your sewing and crafting projects to the artist level with the Brother SE1900 computerized sewing and embroidery machine. Select from among 138 built-in embroidery designs and see them displayed on the large-size, full-color, LCD touchscreen. Alternatively, users can import new designs and save them to the machine. Additionally, the machine can combine designs and store them in its memory. Measuring 5 inches by 7 inches, the embroidery field provides ample versatility for creative sewists. A hoop is included to facilitate larger embroidery designs, so users are limited only by their imaginations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  7632.  
  7633.  
  7634.  
  7635. <p>The 240 built-in stitches inspire customizing many crafting, quilting, and garment-making activities. Among the stitch options, the SE1900 offers 11 built-in fonts for monogramming and personalizing the original projects. Additionally, 10 styles of buttonhole stitches facilitate automatic sewing of precisely sized buttonholes.</p>
  7636.  
  7637.  
  7638.  
  7639. <p>Several convenient features of this computerized machine take the effort and frustration out of sewing pursuits. The advanced, automatic needle threader eliminates threading the needle by hand. Instead, the thread inserts precisely through the eye of the needle with a simple press of a lever. The jam-resistant feature facilitates a consistent thread feed from the top drop-in bobbin, preventing the work delays that come with tangled threads. With a maximum speed of 850 stitches per minute and labor-saving features for smooth operation, sewing on the SE1900 is an enjoyable and inspiring experience.</p>
  7640.  
  7641.  
  7642.  
  7643. <p>To facilitate a broad array of sewing tasks, this machine includes eight interchangeable sewing feet: Blind stitch foot; Buttonhole foot; Button fitting foot; Zipper foot; Zigzag foot; Monogramming foot; and Overcasting foot.</p>
  7644.  
  7645.  
  7646.  
  7647. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-beginners-brother-cp60x-computerized-sewing-machine"><strong>Best for beginners: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine</a></h3>
  7648.  
  7649.  
  7650. <div
  7651.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7652.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7653. >
  7654.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7655.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7656.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7657.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-best-for-beginners.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine is the best for beginners.">
  7658.                      </figure>
  7659.                  </a>
  7660.            </div>
  7661.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7662.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7663.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7664.  
  7665.      </figcaption>
  7666.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7667.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000"
  7668.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7669.      </p>
  7670.      </div>
  7671. </div>
  7672.  
  7673.  
  7674.  
  7675. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>The easy-to-use Brother CP60X computerized sewing machine is a top choice for beginners to embark on a learning adventure in sewing, quilting, and crafting.</p>
  7676.  
  7677.  
  7678.  
  7679. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7680.  
  7681.  
  7682.  
  7683. <ul>
  7684. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 14 pounds</li>
  7685.  
  7686.  
  7687.  
  7688. <li><strong>Product dimensions:</strong> 16.26 x 6.65 x 12.21 inches&nbsp;</li>
  7689.  
  7690.  
  7691.  
  7692. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 60</li>
  7693. </ul>
  7694.  
  7695.  
  7696.  
  7697. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7698.  
  7699.  
  7700.  
  7701. <ul>
  7702. <li>Utilitarian and decorative stitches built-in</li>
  7703.  
  7704.  
  7705.  
  7706. <li>Automatic needle threader</li>
  7707.  
  7708.  
  7709.  
  7710. <li>Durable metal frame</li>
  7711.  
  7712.  
  7713.  
  7714. <li>Capable of sewing denim and thick fabrics</li>
  7715. </ul>
  7716.  
  7717.  
  7718.  
  7719. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  7720.  
  7721.  
  7722.  
  7723. <ul>
  7724. <li>Not capable of monogramming</li>
  7725. </ul>
  7726.  
  7727.  
  7728.  
  7729. <p>Use the Brother CP60X computerized sewing machine to embark on a lifelong hobby of sewing, crafting, and quilting. It offers straightforward, easy-to-use operating procedures, suitable for beginning sewers. An array of 60 built-in stitch options is prominently displayed on the front of the machine. Choose by simply pressing a button, and the information shows up on the clearly visible LCD screen. In addition to decorative and heirloom stitches, the machine offers a selection of seven auto-size, buttonhole stitches.&nbsp;</p>
  7730.  
  7731.  
  7732.  
  7733. <p>With a fixed needle bar, this machine is particularly well-suited for beginning sewers. The needle remains fixed in place to ensure clean stitching and even seam lines. Additionally, the 2-step, automatic needle threader accurately pushes the thread through the eye of the needle. It saves time and frustration so that beginners can enjoy their sewing activities.&nbsp;</p>
  7734.  
  7735.  
  7736.  
  7737. <p>The CP60X is a versatile sewing machine for multiple purposes. With its heavy-duty frame and exceptionally smooth feed system, the machine handles denim and other thick fabrics without snagging. A favorite feature of quilters, the drop-feed system allows free-motion sewing. Additionally, the machine facilitates free-arm sewing for constructing shirts, cuffs, and trousers.&nbsp;</p>
  7738.  
  7739.  
  7740.  
  7741. <p>This CP60X provides an ample collection of accessories to get started with a sewing hobby. These include a 3-piece needle set, bobbins and a bobbin cover, a quilt guide, and a bilingual instruction manual. The included supply of seven interchangeable feet facilitates multiple types of sewing tasks: Blind stitch foot; Zigzag foot; Buttonhole foot; Button sewing foot; Overcasting foot; Zipper foot; and Monogramming foot (used for decorative stitches only).</p>
  7742.  
  7743.  
  7744.  
  7745. <p>Just starting out and interested in other options? Check out our dedicated guide to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-sewing-machine-for-beginners/">the best sewing machines for beginners</a>.</p>
  7746.  
  7747.  
  7748.  
  7749. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-quilting-brother-xr3774-sewing-and-quilting-machine"><strong>Best for quilting: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR3774-Full-Featured-Quilting-Instructional/dp/B00MNS60AQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR3774 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></h3>
  7750.  
  7751.  
  7752. <div
  7753.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7754.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7755. >
  7756.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7757.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR3774-Full-Featured-Quilting-Instructional/dp/B00MNS60AQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7758.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7759.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR3774-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-for-quilting.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-XR3774-Sewing-and-Quilting-Machine-best-for-quilting.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Brother XR3774 Sewing and Quilting Machine is the best for quilting.">
  7760.                      </figure>
  7761.                  </a>
  7762.            </div>
  7763.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7764.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7765.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7766.  
  7767.      </figcaption>
  7768.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7769.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR3774-Full-Featured-Quilting-Instructional/dp/B00MNS60AQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000"
  7770.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7771.      </p>
  7772.      </div>
  7773. </div>
  7774.  
  7775.  
  7776.  
  7777. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>With built-in stitches for utilitarian and decorative applications, automatic features, and an extra-wide table that accommodates quilts, the Brother XR3774 is a standout machine for quilters.</p>
  7778.  
  7779.  
  7780.  
  7781. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7782.  
  7783.  
  7784.  
  7785. <ul>
  7786. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 15.87 pounds</li>
  7787.  
  7788.  
  7789.  
  7790. <li><strong>Product dimensions:</strong> 15.3 x 5.8 x 12 inches&nbsp;</li>
  7791.  
  7792.  
  7793.  
  7794. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 37</li>
  7795. </ul>
  7796.  
  7797.  
  7798.  
  7799. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7800.  
  7801.  
  7802.  
  7803. <ul>
  7804. <li>Wide work surface for bulky quilts and large sewing projects</li>
  7805.  
  7806.  
  7807.  
  7808. <li>One-step buttonhole function</li>
  7809.  
  7810.  
  7811.  
  7812. <li>Automatic needle threader</li>
  7813.  
  7814.  
  7815.  
  7816. <li>Jam-resistant, drop-in bobbin</li>
  7817. </ul>
  7818.  
  7819.  
  7820.  
  7821. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  7822.  
  7823.  
  7824.  
  7825. <ul>
  7826. <li>Not computerized</li>
  7827. </ul>
  7828.  
  7829.  
  7830.  
  7831. <p>Here’s a mechanical sewing machine with automated features and a large workspace for bulky projects. The large throat area and the extra-wide work table make the Brother XR3774 sewing and quilting machine a viable choice for quilters. For projects other than quilts, sewists may utilize the free arm. This feature facilitates sewing sleeves, cuffs, trousers, and skinny jeans.&nbsp;</p>
  7832.  
  7833.  
  7834.  
  7835. <p>In addition to providing ample space for quilting, this machine offers ease of use through several automated functions. The 1-step buttonhole stitch automatically turns out perfectly sized buttonholes. An automatic needle threading system eliminates the frustrating task of threading the needle by hand. Simply press a lever on the side of the machine and the thread inserts precisely through the eye of the needle. Additionally, the top drop-in bobbin winds automatically, and it’s jam-resistant to ensure a smooth, continuous feed of thread.&nbsp;</p>
  7836.  
  7837.  
  7838.  
  7839. <p>The XR3774 includes 37 built-in stitches that produce 74 stitch functions when applied to various sewing tasks. These include both utilitarian and decorative stitch options for multiple sewing and quilting purposes. The 37 pre-set stitches are prominently displayed on the front of the machine. Select a unique stitch pattern by simply turning a dial to the appropriate number.&nbsp;</p>
  7840.  
  7841.  
  7842.  
  7843. <p>This machine includes an ample supply of accessories to facilitate varied sewing and quilting activities: Walking foot; Blind stitch foot; Zigzag foot; Zipper foot; Buttonhole foot; Button sewing foot; Spring-action quilting foot; Narrow hem foot; Wide table, detachable work surface; Hard cover to protect the machine when not in use; and an Instructional DVD. Here are more of our picks for the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-sewing-machines-for-quilting/">best sewing machines for quilting</a>.</p>
  7844.  
  7845.  
  7846.  
  7847. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-brother-lx3817-sewing-machine"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/2536217/565706/9383?veh=aff&amp;sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBrother-LX3817-17-Stitch-Portable-Full-Size-Sewing-Machine-White%2F628378058&amp;subId1=PS-RU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother LX3817 Sewing Machine</a></h3>
  7848.  
  7849.  
  7850. <div
  7851.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  7852.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  7853. >
  7854.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  7855.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/2536217/565706/9383?veh=aff&#038;sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBrother-LX3817-17-Stitch-Portable-Full-Size-Sewing-Machine-White%2F628378058&#038;subId1=PS-RU" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  7856.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  7857.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-LX3817-Sewing-Machine-best-budget.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/06/09/Brother-LX3817-Sewing-Machine-best-budget.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Brother LX3817 Sewing Machine is the best for the budget.">
  7858.                      </figure>
  7859.                  </a>
  7860.            </div>
  7861.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  7862.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  7863.        <p><em>Brother</em></p>
  7864.  
  7865.      </figcaption>
  7866.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  7867.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/2536217/565706/9383?veh=aff&#038;sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBrother-LX3817-17-Stitch-Portable-Full-Size-Sewing-Machine-White%2F628378058&#038;subId1=PS-RU"
  7868.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  7869.      </p>
  7870.      </div>
  7871. </div>
  7872.  
  7873.  
  7874.  
  7875. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>The Brother LX3817 is an affordable machine for the sewing hobbyist, offering ease of operation and versatile features for basic sewing tasks and creative projects.</p>
  7876.  
  7877.  
  7878.  
  7879. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  7880.  
  7881.  
  7882.  
  7883. <ul>
  7884. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 10.36 pounds</li>
  7885.  
  7886.  
  7887.  
  7888. <li><strong>Product dimensions: </strong>17x 7 x 14 inches&nbsp;</li>
  7889.  
  7890.  
  7891.  
  7892. <li><strong>Number of built-in stitches:</strong> 17</li>
  7893. </ul>
  7894.  
  7895.  
  7896.  
  7897. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  7898.  
  7899.  
  7900.  
  7901. <ul>
  7902. <li>17 built-in stitches</li>
  7903.  
  7904.  
  7905.  
  7906. <li>4-step buttonhole function</li>
  7907.  
  7908.  
  7909.  
  7910. <li>LED light for well-lit workspace</li>
  7911.  
  7912.  
  7913.  
  7914. <li>Jam resistant bobbin</li>
  7915. </ul>
  7916.  
  7917.  
  7918.  
  7919. <p><strong>Cons&nbsp;</strong></p>
  7920.  
  7921.  
  7922.  
  7923. <ul>
  7924. <li>Not computerized</li>
  7925.  
  7926.  
  7927.  
  7928. <li>Not as many built-in stitches as other machines</li>
  7929. </ul>
  7930.  
  7931.  
  7932.  
  7933. <p>Available at a budget-friendly price, the LX3817 sewing machine provides an array of features to suit the needs of beginners, as well as experienced sewing hobbyists. It’s a full-size machine with 17 built-in stitch options. These include straight stitches, zigzag stitches, blind hem stitches, and couching stitches. The stitch choices are clearly marked on the selection dial, located on the front of the machine. Simply turn the dial to choose the desired stitch patterns for constructing garments, sewing crafts, and embellishing home decor creations.&nbsp;</p>
  7934.  
  7935.  
  7936.  
  7937. <p>In addition to the 17 stitch options, the LX3817 provides a 4-step buttonhole function. With a quick turn of the dial, users may select the appropriate stitches to produce consistent, auto-size buttonholes, lending a professional look to finished projects.&nbsp;</p>
  7938.  
  7939.  
  7940.  
  7941. <p>Several features make this machine a pleasure to use. The work area is well-lit with an LED light and the bobbin cover is transparent for visually monitoring the thread supply. The jam-resistant feature means that the thread on the drop-in bobbin does not become entangled. A convenient control dial lets users adjust the upper tension to avoid loose stitches or fabric puckering. The machine’s design also facilitates free-arm sewing for cuffs, sleeves, and trouser legs.&nbsp;</p>
  7942.  
  7943.  
  7944.  
  7945. <p>This machine includes four interchangeable feet: Zigzag foot; Zipper foot; Buttonhole foot; and Button-sewing foot. The LX3817 includes all necessary parts to ensure success on multiple sewing and crafting projects, including: Darning plate; Bobbin cover; Bobbins; Set of 3 needles; and an Instructional DVD.</p>
  7946.  
  7947.  
  7948.  
  7949. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-buying-the-best-brother-sewing-machines"><strong>What to consider when buying the best Brother sewing machines</strong></h2>
  7950.  
  7951.  
  7952.  
  7953. <p>With many options to choose from, it can be daunting for any consumer to select the most appropriate Brother sewing machine for their purposes. Here are several factors to consider before making a selection:</p>
  7954.  
  7955.  
  7956.  
  7957. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-computerized-or-mechanical">Computerized or mechanical?</h3>
  7958.  
  7959.  
  7960.  
  7961. <p>Brother Industries manufactures both mechanical and computerized sewing machines. The mechanical models tend to be easier to operate and maintain. They’re durable and reliable, offering basic sewing features for beginners and hobbyists. As an added bonus, many of the mechanical models include automatic functions for ease of use. On the other hand, some sewists prefer the advanced technological capabilities of computerized sewing machines. Especially for embroidery, crafting, and quilting projects, computerized machines can’t be beat.</p>
  7962.  
  7963.  
  7964.  
  7965. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-built-in-stitches">Built-in stitches</h3>
  7966.  
  7967.  
  7968.  
  7969. <p>As a standard feature, all Brother sewing machines include varying arrays of built-in stitches. These range in style from straight, utilitarian designs for basting and sewing seams to complex, decorative stitches for the artistic embellishment of garments, quilts, home decor, and crafts. The built-in stitches offered by the Brother sewing machines reviewed here range from as few as 17 to as many as 240 options. Advanced, computerized machines include alphanumeric fonts among their built-in stitches to facilitate monogramming and customization of sewing projects. Additionally, the Brother sewing-and-embroidery machines include built-in embroidery designs with memory capability for importing or creating additional options.&nbsp;</p>
  7970.  
  7971.  
  7972.  
  7973. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-automatic-features">Automatic features</h3>
  7974.  
  7975.  
  7976.  
  7977. <p>In addition to computerized and mechanical operating systems, shoppers might consider the availability of automatic functions on various Brother sewing machines. These features make the machines easier to use and increase the enjoyment of sewing as a pleasurable activity. Many of the Brother machines offer automatic needle threading. This function saves time, frustration, and eye strain, eliminating the need to thread the needle by hand. Additionally, including a 4-step or 1-step buttonhole function is a time-saver for sewists as it tailors a buttonhole of the precise size and shape for every button.</p>
  7978.  
  7979.  
  7980.  
  7981. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2--strong-faqs-strong-"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  7982.  
  7983.  
  7984.  
  7985. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654793976247"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do you thread a Brother sewing machine?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">You thread a Brother sewing machine by following the steps in the instruction manual. First, turn off the machine. Then raise both the presser foot and the needle. Pull up the spool pin on top of the machine and place a spool of thread on it. Pass the thread toward you in the groove on the thread guide, and a spring will catch the thread. Pass it through the take-up lever from right to left. Bring the thread behind the guide above the needle. Thread the needle from front to back.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654793987337"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are Brother sewing machines good for beginners?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Several models of Brother sewing machines are good for beginners. A beginner might enjoy learning to sew on the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">XM2701</a>, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-LX3817-Lightweight-Full-Size-Machine/dp/B0785FPSV3?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">LX3817</a>, or the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">CP60X</a> models. These machines offer versatile features with easy-to-use operating procedures. Prefer another brand? Check out the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-singer-sewing-machines/">best Singer sewing machines</a>.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654793997615"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do you use a Brother sewing machine?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">A Brother sewing machine may be used for sewing garments and home decor items from original designs or from commercial patterns. Alternatively, it can be used for creating and embellishing craft projects or making quilts. Select a Brother sewing machine that exhibits the qualities to meet your needs, Then, follow the directions in the instruction manual or DVD that comes with the machine. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654794020294"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do you set up a Brother sewing machine?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">You set up a Brother sewing machine by following the steps in the instruction manual or DVD that comes with the machine. Reading the manual or watching the DVD before setting up the machine is a good idea. Place the sewing machine on a clean, flat work surface to get started. Attach the power cord and the foot pedal cord. Place a spool of thread on the thread pin and follow the markings for the thread path, culminating in threading the needle automatically or by hand. Wind thread onto the bobbin and drop the bobbin into its case. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654794036906"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What’s the easiest sewing machine to use?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The easiest sewing machine to use is a mechanical model with clearly marked stitches, thread guides, and stitch-selector dial. Computerized models with numerous stitch options and advanced, automatic features may be more complex in their operating procedures.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654794065114"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do I choose a good sewing machine?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">You can choose a good sewing machine by deciding the type of sewing projects you wish to undertake. Perhaps you’re a beginner who wants to learn basic sewing techniques. On the other hand, you might be an experienced quilter or crafter who needs a more advanced machine. After determining your needs, research sewing machines on the manufacturers’ websites. Investigate options at a local dealer’s store, if possible. Additionally, it helps to read consumer reviews and ratings.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1654794077410"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How much does a Brother sewing machine cost?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Brother sewing machines vary in cost from approximately $130.00 for a basic, mechanical machine to $900.00 for an advanced, computerized sewing machine that creates colorful, artistic designs on fabric. Computerized machines that provide versatile features for sewing, crafting, and quilting range in price from approximately $200.00 to $400.00.</p> </div> </div>
  7986.  
  7987.  
  7988.  
  7989. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-brother-sewing-machines"><strong>Final thoughts on the best Brother sewing machines</strong></h2>
  7990.  
  7991.  
  7992.  
  7993. <ul>
  7994. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XM2701-Lightweight-Buttonholer-Instructional/dp/B00JBKVN8S?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XM2701 Sewing Machine</a></li>
  7995.  
  7996.  
  7997.  
  7998. <li><strong>Best computerized: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Quilting-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B088JDJ6MS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR9550 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></li>
  7999.  
  8000.  
  8001.  
  8002. <li><strong>Best for embroidery: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-Computerized-Embroidery-SE1900-Combination/dp/B07C9RQP1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother SE1900 Sewing and Embroidery Machine</a></li>
  8003.  
  8004.  
  8005.  
  8006. <li><strong>Best for beginners: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-CP60X-Computerized-Stitches-Included/dp/B08WJJTPV2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother CP60X Computerized Sewing Machine</a></li>
  8007.  
  8008.  
  8009.  
  8010. <li><strong>Best for quilting: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brother-XR3774-Full-Featured-Quilting-Instructional/dp/B00MNS60AQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000449198O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother XR3774 Sewing and Quilting Machine</a></li>
  8011.  
  8012.  
  8013.  
  8014. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/2536217/565706/9383?veh=aff&amp;sourceid=imp_000011112222333344&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FBrother-LX3817-17-Stitch-Portable-Full-Size-Sewing-Machine-White%2F628378058&amp;subId1=PS-RU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Brother LX3817 Sewing Machine</a></li>
  8015. </ul>
  8016.  
  8017.  
  8018.  
  8019. <p>Many sewists appreciate the straightforward operating procedures and simplified maintenance of a non-computerized sewing machine such as the Brother XM2701 model. It’s a popular, mechanical machine that provides an ample selection of built-in stitches, automatic needle threading, and buttonhole making. Overall, the XM2701 offers value and versatility for multiple sewing and crafting activities. Regardless of the Brother sewing machine you choose, you&#8217;ll feel better about working with a quality machine from a company with a long history and good reputation. </p>
  8020.  
  8021.  
  8022.  
  8023. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2--strong-em-why-trust-us-em-strong-"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  8024.  
  8025.  
  8026.  
  8027. <p>Popular Science<em> started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  8028.  
  8029.  
  8030.  
  8031. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  8032. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-brother-sewing-machines/">The best Brother sewing machines according to experts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8033. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  8037. </item>
  8038. <item>
  8039. <title>Don’t bring us the snake that bit you, Australian hospital says</title>
  8040. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/dont-bring-snake-to-hospital/</link>
  8042. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Harri Weber]]></dc:creator>
  8043. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:43:49 +0000</pubDate>
  8044. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  8045. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  8046. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  8047. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612109</guid>
  8048.  
  8049. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  8050.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/poisonous-snake.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A deadly Australia eastern brown snake" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A deadly Australia eastern brown snake. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"> WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p>'That becomes a huge disaster.'</p>
  8051. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/dont-bring-snake-to-hospital/">Don’t bring us the snake that bit you, Australian hospital says</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8052. ]]></description>
  8053. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  8054.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/poisonous-snake.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A deadly Australia eastern brown snake" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A deadly Australia eastern brown snake. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"> WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure>
  8055. <p>Subjecting hospital staff and patients to the snake that bit you won’t help your treatment–and it might even obstruct your care, doctors told the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-22/bite-victims-warned-stop-bringing-snakes-to-emergency-department/103752506"><em>Australian Broadcasting Corporation</em></a><em> </em>(<em>ABC</em>) earlier this month.</p>
  8056.  
  8057.  
  8058.  
  8059. <p>Australia is home to some of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/reptiles/deadliest-snakes">most venomous snakes</a> on Earth, including the inland taipan and eastern brown snakes, yet reports of fatal snake bites are relatively rare on the continent, with bites documented only a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8310140/">couple times per year</a>. Still, there are <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9792162/#:~:text=Up%20to%20500%20cases%20require,being%20the%20most%20populated%20states">around 3,000</a> reported snake bites per year in Australia and as many as 500 of those cases require antivenom treatment, as noted by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/australia-hospital-warns-snakebite-victims-leave-snakes-at-home-2024-4"><em>Business Insider</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  8060.  
  8061.  
  8062.  
  8063. <p>After any snake bite, <a target="_blank" href="https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/For-health-professionals/Emergency-Department-Guidelines/Snake-bite">Australian</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/2011007/Snakebite_firstaid_ANG_AVRU.pdf">health</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.redcross.org.au/firstaid/basics/snake-bite/">officials</a> say victims should immediately seek medical care; but trying to catch, kill, or photograph the snake after a bite “just puts people at risk,” said Dr. Adam Michael, the emergency medicine director at Bundaberg Hospital in the north-eastern state of Queensland.&nbsp;</p>
  8064.  
  8065.  
  8066.  
  8067. <p>“We want people to be able to get seen and assessed quickly and having a live snake in the department slows up that process,” the director told <em>ABC</em>. He spoke to the news outlet after a patient brought in a “not very well secured” eastern brown, which he said had frightened staff and ultimately caused delays.</p>
  8068.  
  8069.  
  8070.  
  8071. <p>Hospital staff aren’t trained to identify snakes, said Dr. Geoff Isbister, who leads clinical toxicology research at the University of Newcastle near Sydney. Still, the researcher told <em>ABC</em> that he’d heard of multiple incidents in which victims brought snakes along with them to the hospital after a bite. “If that snake gets out in an emergency department, that becomes a huge disaster,” Dr. Isbister said.</p>
  8072.  
  8073.  
  8074.  
  8075. <p>Instead of inspecting the snake itself, medical staff assess if victims need anti-venom “based on clinical signs, blood tests and also the snake venom detection kits that we keep here at the hospital,” Dr. Michael added.&nbsp;</p>
  8076.  
  8077.  
  8078.  
  8079. <p>Neither doctor spoke to the exact number of incidents they’d observed in which a snakebite patient brought their assailant in tow. However, local snake catcher Jonas Murphy told <em>ABC</em> that he’s personally “relocated several snakes brought into the Bundaberg Hospital,” the outlet wrote. Murphy echoed the doctors’ reasoning in a comment to <em>ABC</em>. </p>
  8080.  
  8081.  
  8082.  
  8083. <p>“You are risking a follow-up bite and you&#8217;re putting everyone around you in danger as well,” the snake catcher explained.</p>
  8084. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/dont-bring-snake-to-hospital/">Don’t bring us the snake that bit you, Australian hospital says</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8085. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  8089. </item>
  8090. <item>
  8091. <title>The best pool floats for 2024</title>
  8092. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-pool-float/</link>
  8094. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jackson Cooper]]></dc:creator>
  8095. <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
  8096. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  8097. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  8098. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  8099. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  8100. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  8101. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  8102. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  8103. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  8104. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=373107</guid>
  8105.  
  8106. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  8107.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="best pool float pink flamingo" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float.jpg 1000w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float-768x481.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Toni Cuenca, Unsplash</div></figure><p>The best pool floats help you to chill as the summer heats up.</p>
  8108. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-pool-float/">The best pool floats for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8109. ]]></description>
  8110. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  8111.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="best pool float pink flamingo" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float.jpg 1000w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/18/best-pool-float-768x481.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Toni Cuenca, Unsplash</div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  8112. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  8113.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  8114.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  8115.      <tbody>
  8116.              <tr
  8117.          class="ProductTable-product"
  8118.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  8119.        >
  8120.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  8121.            Best for pool parties
  8122.          </td>
  8123.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  8124.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Pink flamingo pool float" class="wp-image-373450" width="264" height="165">
  8125.          </td>
  8126.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  8127.            Intex Party Island Flamingo
  8128.          </td>
  8129.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  8130.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  8131.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8132.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8133.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8134.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8135.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8136.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  8137.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8138.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8139.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8140.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8141.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8142.                                  </div>
  8143.                          </div>
  8144.          </td>
  8145.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  8146.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  8147.                <span>
  8148.                  SEE IT
  8149.                </span>
  8150.            </a>
  8151.          </td>
  8152.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  8153.              <p>This fun model comes with a built-in cooler and four cup holders.</p>
  8154.  
  8155.            </td>
  8156.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  8157.        </tr>
  8158.              <tr
  8159.          class="ProductTable-product"
  8160.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  8161.        >
  8162.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  8163.            Best unicorn
  8164.          </td>
  8165.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  8166.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Girl sitting on a inflatable pool float" class="wp-image-373451" width="264" height="165">
  8167.          </td>
  8168.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  8169.            Jasonwell Giant Unicorn Pool Float
  8170.          </td>
  8171.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  8172.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  8173.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8174.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8175.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8176.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8177.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8178.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  8179.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8180.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8181.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8182.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8183.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8184.                                  </div>
  8185.                          </div>
  8186.          </td>
  8187.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  8188.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  8189.                <span>
  8190.                  SEE IT
  8191.                </span>
  8192.            </a>
  8193.          </td>
  8194.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  8195.              <p>Designed to hold up to 400 pounds, this allows for quick inflation.</p>
  8196.  
  8197.            </td>
  8198.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  8199.        </tr>
  8200.              <tr
  8201.          class="ProductTable-product"
  8202.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  8203.        >
  8204.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  8205.            Best for dogs
  8206.          </td>
  8207.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  8208.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Blue, plastic paddle paws pool float" class="wp-image-373455" width="264" height="165">
  8209.          </td>
  8210.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  8211.            SwimWays Paddle Paws Dog Raft
  8212.          </td>
  8213.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  8214.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  8215.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8216.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8217.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8218.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8219.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8220.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  8221.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8222.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8223.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8224.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8225.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  8226.                                  </div>
  8227.                          </div>
  8228.          </td>
  8229.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  8230.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  8231.                <span>
  8232.                  SEE IT
  8233.                </span>
  8234.            </a>
  8235.          </td>
  8236.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  8237.              <p>This model is designed for small to medium dogs and is reinforced with claw-friendly fabric.</p>
  8238.  
  8239.            </td>
  8240.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  8241.        </tr>
  8242.            </tbody>
  8243.    </table>
  8244.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  8245.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  8246.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  8247.    </div>
  8248.  </div>
  8249. </div>
  8250.  
  8251.  
  8252.  
  8253. <p>As we head into another sizzling summer, many of us are gearing up for our favorite hot-weather activities. One of the best ways to have fun and keep cool is to go for a dip in a refreshing pool. However, no poolside hang is complete without a leisurely float to lounge around on. These days, you can find fun inflatable pool toys in just about any shape or size, and some even come with special features. Considering the many options available, here’s a wet, hot guide to help you find your new favorite swimming pool float. Whether you’re searching for the best pool floats for yourself, your friends, your kids, or even your dog, these are the coolest pool inflatables for every sunbather.&nbsp;</p>
  8254.  
  8255.  
  8256.  
  8257. <ul>
  8258. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-AQL14856AZ-Ultimate-Lounge-Caddy/dp/B076SXZPH8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Recliner</a>&nbsp;</li>
  8259.  
  8260.  
  8261.  
  8262. <li><strong>Best foam: </strong><a href="https://shop-links.co/chjc6n8Ch30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Frontgate Resort Pool Float</a>&nbsp;</li>
  8263.  
  8264.  
  8265.  
  8266. <li><strong>Best for pool parties: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Intex Party Island Flamingo</a> </li>
  8267.  
  8268.  
  8269.  
  8270. <li><strong>Best unicorn: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Jasonwell Giant Unicorn Pool Float</a></li>
  8271.  
  8272.  
  8273.  
  8274. <li><strong>Best for babies: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LAYCOL-Swimming-Inflatable-Newest-Protection/dp/B083W788TN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Laycol Baby Pool Float Ring</a></li>
  8275.  
  8276.  
  8277.  
  8278. <li><strong>Best for dogs: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SwimWays Paddle Paws Dog Raft</a></li>
  8279. </ul>
  8280.  
  8281.  
  8282.  
  8283. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-pool-floats"><strong>How we chose the best pool floats</strong></h2>
  8284.  
  8285.  
  8286.  
  8287. <p>We looked at product reviews and consumer impressions to determine what floats a pool-goers boat when it comes to the best pool floats. After reviewing the specs—including dimensions, weight limits, cupholders, and other luxuries—we narrowed down our list to the inflatables that most float our &#8230; boat? Nay, our bodies.</p>
  8288.  
  8289.  
  8290.  
  8291. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-pool-floats-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best pool floats: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  8292.  
  8293.  
  8294.  
  8295. <p>While it may seem like a simple purchase, there are a few things to think about before clicking “add to cart.” First, determine how many people might be using the float at once, then make some executive decisions about size, style, and functionality. After all, there are pool chair floats, unicorn pool floats, and giant pool floats, just to name a few types. Quality, price, and safety—especially for babies, kids, and pets—are a few other very important considerations. </p>
  8296.  
  8297.  
  8298.  
  8299. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-aqua-campania-ultimate-2-in-1-recliner-nbsp"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-AQL14856AZ-Ultimate-Lounge-Caddy/dp/B076SXZPH8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Recliner</a>&nbsp;</h3>
  8300.  
  8301.  
  8302. <div
  8303.    id="the-lounge-aquatic"
  8304.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8305.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8306. >
  8307.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8308.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-AQL14856AZ-Ultimate-Lounge-Caddy/dp/B076SXZPH8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8309.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8310.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/aqua-campania-ultimate-2in1-recliner-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/aqua-campania-ultimate-2in1-recliner-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Navy floral pool float with caddy">
  8311.                      </figure>
  8312.                  </a>
  8313.            </div>
  8314.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8315.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8316.        <p><em>Aqua LEISURE</em></p>
  8317.  
  8318.      </figcaption>
  8319.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8320.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-AQL14856AZ-Ultimate-Lounge-Caddy/dp/B076SXZPH8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000"
  8321.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8322.      </p>
  8323.      </div>
  8324. </div>
  8325.  
  8326.  
  8327.  
  8328. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> This versatile chair can accommodate different lounging vibes.</p>
  8329.  
  8330.  
  8331.  
  8332. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8333.  
  8334.  
  8335.  
  8336. <ul>
  8337. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> Yes</li>
  8338.  
  8339.  
  8340.  
  8341. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 250 lbs.</li>
  8342.  
  8343.  
  8344.  
  8345. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>3.25 x 16.5 x 13.85 inches</li>
  8346. </ul>
  8347.  
  8348.  
  8349.  
  8350. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8351.  
  8352.  
  8353.  
  8354. <ul>
  8355. <li>Detachable caddy</li>
  8356.  
  8357.  
  8358.  
  8359. <li>Adjustable backrest</li>
  8360.  
  8361.  
  8362.  
  8363. <li>Inflates easily</li>
  8364. </ul>
  8365.  
  8366.  
  8367.  
  8368. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8369.  
  8370.  
  8371.  
  8372. <ul>
  8373. <li>Needs pump to fill</li>
  8374. </ul>
  8375.  
  8376.  
  8377.  
  8378. <p>This reclining lounger from Aqua Campania is everything you need for a perfect pool day. The backrest can be positioned at a 60-degree angle for a little support, or lay the back completely flat to achieve a successful full-body tan. The Campania pool chair float comes with a detachable caddy for snacks, extra drinks, or personal items so you won’t be left wanting on the water. It can support up to 250 pounds and is easily inflated with a two-valve locking system.&nbsp;</p>
  8379.  
  8380.  
  8381.  
  8382. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-foam-float-frontgate-resort-pool-float"><strong>Best foam float: </strong><a href="https://shop-links.co/chjc6n8Ch30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Frontgate Resort Pool Float</a></h3>
  8383.  
  8384.  
  8385. <div
  8386.    id="floating-luxury"
  8387.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8388.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8389. >
  8390.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8391.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://shop-links.co/chjc6n8Ch30" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8392.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8393.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/frontgate-resort-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/frontgate-resort-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Sky blue frontage pool float">
  8394.                      </figure>
  8395.                  </a>
  8396.            </div>
  8397.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8398.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8399.        <p><em>Frontage </em></p>
  8400.  
  8401.      </figcaption>
  8402.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8403.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://shop-links.co/chjc6n8Ch30"
  8404.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8405.      </p>
  8406.      </div>
  8407. </div>
  8408.  
  8409.  
  8410.  
  8411. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> This foam float was designed to last more than one pool season. </p>
  8412.  
  8413.  
  8414.  
  8415. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8416.  
  8417.  
  8418.  
  8419. <ul>
  8420. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> No</li>
  8421.  
  8422.  
  8423.  
  8424. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 350 lbs.</li>
  8425.  
  8426.  
  8427.  
  8428. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 74 x 26 x 2 inches</li>
  8429. </ul>
  8430.  
  8431.  
  8432.  
  8433. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8434.  
  8435.  
  8436.  
  8437. <ul>
  8438. <li>Thick</li>
  8439.  
  8440.  
  8441.  
  8442. <li>Resists peeling and cracking</li>
  8443.  
  8444.  
  8445.  
  8446. <li>Incredibly buoyant</li>
  8447. </ul>
  8448.  
  8449.  
  8450.  
  8451. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8452.  
  8453.  
  8454.  
  8455. <ul>
  8456. <li>Expensive</li>
  8457. </ul>
  8458.  
  8459.  
  8460.  
  8461. <p>This pool float is truly top of the line when it comes to peace and relaxation on the perfect pool day. The 2-inch, closed-cell foam is thin enough to keep you afloat but light enough for easy transport. Unlike traditional floats, this product uses PVC coating on top of the foam to reduce erosion caused by chlorine and sun exposure while keeping things plush. This foam pool float is available in eight solid colors, or be bold and select from two fun prints. While this product might be a bit more expensive than other inflatable pool floats, it will last longer and provide additional comfort.&nbsp;</p>
  8462.  
  8463.  
  8464.  
  8465. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-pool-parties-intex-party-island-flamingo"><strong>Best for pool parties: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Intex Party Island Flamingo</a> </h3>
  8466.  
  8467.  
  8468. <div
  8469.    id="the-big-island"
  8470.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8471.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8472. >
  8473.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8474.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8475.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8476.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/intex-party-island-flamingo-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Pink flamingo pool float">
  8477.                      </figure>
  8478.                  </a>
  8479.            </div>
  8480.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8481.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8482.        <p><em>Intex </em></p>
  8483.  
  8484.      </figcaption>
  8485.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8486.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000"
  8487.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8488.      </p>
  8489.      </div>
  8490. </div>
  8491.  
  8492.  
  8493.  
  8494. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> The more really is the merrier when it comes to this party-friendly pool float. </p>
  8495.  
  8496.  
  8497.  
  8498. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8499.  
  8500.  
  8501.  
  8502. <ul>
  8503. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> Yes</li>
  8504.  
  8505.  
  8506.  
  8507. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 880 lbs.</li>
  8508.  
  8509.  
  8510.  
  8511. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 166 x 147 x 73 inches</li>
  8512. </ul>
  8513.  
  8514.  
  8515.  
  8516. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8517.  
  8518.  
  8519.  
  8520. <ul>
  8521. <li>Lots of room for drinks and beverages</li>
  8522.  
  8523.  
  8524.  
  8525. <li>Repair kit</li>
  8526.  
  8527.  
  8528.  
  8529. <li>Boarding platform</li>
  8530. </ul>
  8531.  
  8532.  
  8533.  
  8534. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8535.  
  8536.  
  8537.  
  8538. <ul>
  8539. <li>Need a large pool to use</li>
  8540. </ul>
  8541.  
  8542.  
  8543.  
  8544. <p>This isn’t just a pool float—it’s a pool island, capable of supporting 880 pounds and measuring 166 inches by 147 inches by 73 inches. This Intex pink flamingo float comes with four cup holders, a built-in cooler, a detachable boarding platform, and a mesh bottom to let in cooling water. It’s even equipped with an anchor bag, rope, and repair kit just in case you need some extra support and stability. If the giant pool floats are too big for your pool, consider taking them to a nearby lake.</p>
  8545.  
  8546.  
  8547.  
  8548. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-unicorn-jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float"><strong>Best unicorn: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Jasonwell Giant Unicorn Pool Float</a></h3>
  8549.  
  8550.  
  8551. <div
  8552.    id="fantastical-fun"
  8553.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8554.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8555. >
  8556.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8557.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8558.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8559.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/jasonwell-giant-unicorn-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Girl sitting on a inflatable pool float">
  8560.                      </figure>
  8561.                  </a>
  8562.            </div>
  8563.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8564.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8565.        <p><em>Jasonwell</em></p>
  8566.  
  8567.      </figcaption>
  8568.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8569.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000"
  8570.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8571.      </p>
  8572.      </div>
  8573. </div>
  8574.  
  8575.  
  8576.  
  8577. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> This mystical pool float puts the &#8220;fun&#8221; in &#8220;functional.&#8221;</p>
  8578.  
  8579.  
  8580.  
  8581. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8582.  
  8583.  
  8584.  
  8585. <ul>
  8586. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> No</li>
  8587.  
  8588.  
  8589.  
  8590. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 400 lbs.</li>
  8591.  
  8592.  
  8593.  
  8594. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 114.17 x 55.12 x 47.24</li>
  8595. </ul>
  8596.  
  8597.  
  8598.  
  8599. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8600.  
  8601.  
  8602.  
  8603. <ul>
  8604. <li>Fits two people</li>
  8605.  
  8606.  
  8607.  
  8608. <li>Easy to inflate</li>
  8609. </ul>
  8610.  
  8611.  
  8612.  
  8613. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8614.  
  8615.  
  8616.  
  8617. <ul>
  8618. <li>Leaks air easily</li>
  8619. </ul>
  8620.  
  8621.  
  8622.  
  8623. <p>Make a splash with this giant unicorn pool float, designed to support up to 400 pounds (typically up to two people) at a time. It measures 144 inches by 55 inches by 47 inches when fully inflated, which you can achieve using a hairdryer, hand pump, or electric pump. Make sure you bring out the waterproof camera because you’ll definitely be bombarded with picture requests.&nbsp;</p>
  8624.  
  8625.  
  8626.  
  8627. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-baby-pool-float-laycol-baby-pool-float-ring"><strong>Best baby pool float: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LAYCOL-Swimming-Inflatable-Newest-Protection/dp/B083W788TN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Laycol Baby Pool Float Ring</a></h3>
  8628.  
  8629.  
  8630. <div
  8631.    id="safe-family-swims"
  8632.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8633.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8634. >
  8635.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8636.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/LAYCOL-Swimming-Inflatable-Newest-Protection/dp/B083W788TN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8637.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8638.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/laycol-baby-pool-float-ring.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/laycol-baby-pool-float-ring.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Baby a blue inflatable swimming pool float with sun protection canopy">
  8639.                      </figure>
  8640.                  </a>
  8641.            </div>
  8642.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8643.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8644.        <p><em>LAYCOL</em></p>
  8645.  
  8646.      </figcaption>
  8647.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8648.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/LAYCOL-Swimming-Inflatable-Newest-Protection/dp/B083W788TN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000"
  8649.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8650.      </p>
  8651.      </div>
  8652. </div>
  8653.  
  8654.  
  8655.  
  8656. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> This pool float helps your baby learn to swim while protecting them from the sun. </p>
  8657.  
  8658.  
  8659.  
  8660. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8661.  
  8662.  
  8663.  
  8664. <ul>
  8665. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> No</li>
  8666.  
  8667.  
  8668.  
  8669. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 48 lbs.</li>
  8670.  
  8671.  
  8672.  
  8673. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 10.5 x 10.5 x 2 inches</li>
  8674. </ul>
  8675.  
  8676.  
  8677.  
  8678. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8679.  
  8680.  
  8681.  
  8682. <ul>
  8683. <li>5-point safety protection</li>
  8684.  
  8685.  
  8686.  
  8687. <li>Easy to remove</li>
  8688. </ul>
  8689.  
  8690.  
  8691.  
  8692. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8693.  
  8694.  
  8695.  
  8696. <ul>
  8697. <li>Reviews note flip potential</li>
  8698. </ul>
  8699.  
  8700.  
  8701.  
  8702. <p>Suitable for children under 36 months old, this baby pool float will support your little one’s first ventures into the water this summer. It has a double-layered air chamber, wide sides, a raised front, abdomen/back support, and a five-point safety belt to keep your baby right side up. Buckle in your guppy on their back or front so they can experiment with different ways to “swim.” You’ll be able to pull them around through the water easily while they kick and splash around. This float ring comes in three sizes and colors—each includes a removable canopy to protect little ones’ sensitive, soft skin from the sun.&nbsp;</p>
  8703.  
  8704.  
  8705.  
  8706. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-dog-pool-float-swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft"><strong>Best dog pool float: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SwimWays Paddle Paws Dog Raft</a></h3>
  8707.  
  8708.  
  8709. <div
  8710.    id="designed-for-dogs"
  8711.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8712.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8713. >
  8714.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8715.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8716.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8717.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/06/21/swimways-paddle-paws-dog-raft-pool-float.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Blue, plastic paddle paws pool float">
  8718.                      </figure>
  8719.                  </a>
  8720.            </div>
  8721.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8722.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8723.        <p><em>SwimWays</em></p>
  8724.  
  8725.      </figcaption>
  8726.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8727.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000"
  8728.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8729.      </p>
  8730.      </div>
  8731. </div>
  8732.  
  8733.  
  8734.  
  8735. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> This dog-friendly pool float lets the family pooch cool off in the pool.</p>
  8736.  
  8737.  
  8738.  
  8739. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  8740.  
  8741.  
  8742.  
  8743. <ul>
  8744. <li><strong>Cupholders:</strong> No</li>
  8745.  
  8746.  
  8747.  
  8748. <li><strong>Weight limit:</strong> 200 lbs.</li>
  8749.  
  8750.  
  8751.  
  8752. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 15 x 15 x 16.25 inches</li>
  8753. </ul>
  8754.  
  8755.  
  8756.  
  8757. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  8758.  
  8759.  
  8760.  
  8761. <ul>
  8762. <li>Paw- and claw-friendly</li>
  8763.  
  8764.  
  8765.  
  8766. <li>Reusable carrying bag included</li>
  8767. </ul>
  8768.  
  8769.  
  8770.  
  8771. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  8772.  
  8773.  
  8774.  
  8775. <ul>
  8776. <li>Reviewers note flimsy air valve</li>
  8777. </ul>
  8778.  
  8779.  
  8780.  
  8781. <p>Keep your fur baby happy with this inflatable dog raft from SwimWays. It’s available in two sizes, supporting dogs under and over 65 pounds. Made from claw-friendly mesh, this dog pool float features inserts that allow just enough water to seep in and cool down your pet. An innerspring design around the edge provides extra stability, and reinforced fabric protects the float from popping. Best of all, Fido’s float folds down flat, easily fitting in your pool bag without any hassle. </p>
  8782.  
  8783.  
  8784.  
  8785. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-buying-the-best-pool-floats"><strong>What to consider when buying the best pool floats</strong></h2>
  8786.  
  8787.  
  8788.  
  8789. <p>Imagine yourself on the perfect summer day, dipping your toes into <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-inflatable-pool/">a freshly inflated pool</a> with a frosty beverage in hand, a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-patio-umbrella/">patio umbrella</a> nearby to shade you when you take a break from the sun, a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-waterproof-speakers/">waterproof Bluetooth speaker</a> to soundtrack your fun, and your favorite people by your side. Now, ponder the best pool float to complete this picture. If you’re having trouble visualizing, ask yourself the following questions to help turn this daydream into reality.&nbsp;</p>
  8790.  
  8791.  
  8792.  
  8793. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-number-of-people-on-the-float">Number of people on the float</h3>
  8794.  
  8795.  
  8796.  
  8797. <p>First and foremost, you’ll need to decide how many people you’re hoping to pack on. Are you looking for a relaxing tube for one? A double-wide recliner built for two? Or a massive party float to hold a group of friends? Before you buy, double-check the product&#8217;s size specs to ensure you’re getting the dimensions you need, that way, you can safely select your favorite design and avoid any surprises when unboxing.</p>
  8798.  
  8799.  
  8800.  
  8801. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-statement-pool-toys">Statement pool toys</h3>
  8802.  
  8803.  
  8804.  
  8805. <p>The best thing about pool floats is the veritable feast of eye-catching options. Hello, perfect pool day selfie! While there are several classy, solid-color options, summer is all about fun, and your float should inspire smiles. From llamas to pizza slices, giant pineapples to classic convertibles, there is truly something for everyone—including the fan-favorite unicorn pool float.&nbsp;</p>
  8806.  
  8807.  
  8808.  
  8809. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cupholders">Cupholders</h3>
  8810.  
  8811.  
  8812.  
  8813. <p>If you’re looking to spend an entire day bobbing along the water, you’re going to need sustenance, which in turn means you’ll need a place to put your snacks. Instead of heading towards dry land to get some grub, grab a reclining pool float chair that comes with a food and beverage holder. That way, you won’t have to waste a second of aquatic fun to replenish and rehydrate.&nbsp;</p>
  8814.  
  8815.  
  8816.  
  8817. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety">Safety</h3>
  8818.  
  8819.  
  8820.  
  8821. <p>If you are headed to the pool with your baby in tow, and you know they aren’t ready for arm floaties, think about grabbing an inflatable ring, so you and your little one can enjoy the water together. Safety is of the utmost importance, so look for a no-flip float made from non-toxic material that’s equipped with safety belts to keep your tiny tot securely above water. In addition, make sure your little water bug has enough mobility to stay comfortable, but not so much room to move that they can accidentally fall out of the float. Products with raised edges and multiple straps are a great way to let your water baby splash around safely.</p>
  8822.  
  8823.  
  8824.  
  8825. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foam-vs-inflatable">Foam vs. inflatable</h3>
  8826.  
  8827.  
  8828.  
  8829. <p>Most inflatable pool floats are made from PVC plastic, which is great for buoyancy, dry-time, and easy inflation. However, some find that the material in inflatable pool floats can get too hot if left in the sun or that it irritates their skin over time—this is especially true for classic inner tubes and full-body recliners. Luckily, there are a few solutions. Some companies offer custom covers made from nylon or waterproof fabrics. Also, check out some of the amazing foam floats available. While foam floats tend to be pricier, they don’t require any inflation, are gentle on the skin, and provide soft, squishy support for maximum comfort. Plus, there’s no risk of popping and sinking. Even with an accidental puncture, foam pool floats are not likely to sink.</p>
  8830.  
  8831.  
  8832.  
  8833. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pets">Pets</h3>
  8834.  
  8835.  
  8836.  
  8837. <p>What’s cuter than a puppy lounging on a pool float? Not much! If your dog enjoys the water but isn’t keen to spend the day swimming, think about giving your four-legged friend their very own float as a special summer treat. Essentially a buoyant dog bed, dog pool floats are a fun way for you and your furry best friend to relax on the water. As long as you select a product made from durable material that can support your dog’s weight, nothing should get in the way of a perfect summer day alongside your canine BFF.&nbsp;</p>
  8838.  
  8839.  
  8840.  
  8841. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  8842.  
  8843.  
  8844.  
  8845. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628170952297"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What are pool floats made from? </h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Most pool floats are made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Manufacturers can also list this as vinyl, plastic, or naphthalene. Think of any inflatable water toy—baby pool, beach ball, waterslide—and chances are it’s made from PVC. Some products may have an additional layer of polyester mesh to strengthen the material, but this is more commonly used for inflatable pools. The only other material that is often used is foam. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628170958337"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Why are foam pool floats so expensive?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>Foam pool floats are typically more expensive than PVC floats because of their durability, comfort, weight, and ease of use. Creating a foam float requires manufacturers to develop tiny cells within a plastic layer by putting the plastic inside a gas chamber filled with nitrogen and applying high pressure. As a result, it is highly unlikely that a foam float will sink, even when damaged, plus they provide a soft layer of cushion for peak relaxation. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1628170968360"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What are the best foam pool floats?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer"><meta charset="utf-8"/>If you are looking specifically for a foam pool float, in addition to the Frontgate Resort Float, we recommend the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Recreation-Sunsation-Lounger-Swimming-Tropical/dp/B086R9CTQT?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">TCR Recreation Sunsation</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-63046-Aquaria-Solana-Lounge/dp/B00WTIKXCG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SwimWays Aquaria Luxury Solana Lounge Float</a>. There are many options for foam pool floats out there, and you can use the same list of factors above to help narrow down your selection. </p> </div> </div>
  8846.  
  8847.  
  8848.  
  8849. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final thoughts on the best pool floats</strong></h2>
  8850.  
  8851.  
  8852.  
  8853. <ul>
  8854. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-AQL14856AZ-Ultimate-Lounge-Caddy/dp/B076SXZPH8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Aqua Campania Ultimate 2-in-1 Recliner</a>&nbsp;</li>
  8855.  
  8856.  
  8857.  
  8858. <li><strong>Best foam: </strong><a href="https://shop-links.co/chjc6n8Ch30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Frontgate Resort Pool Float</a>&nbsp;</li>
  8859.  
  8860.  
  8861.  
  8862. <li><strong>Best for pool parties: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Mega-Flamingo-Inflatable-Island/dp/B07V49MRKQ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Intex Party Island Flamingo</a>&nbsp;</li>
  8863.  
  8864.  
  8865.  
  8866. <li><strong>Best unicorn: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jasonwell-Inflatable-Rideable-Swimming-Decorations/dp/B07BMM7JY8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Jasonwell Giant Unicorn Pool Float</a></li>
  8867.  
  8868.  
  8869.  
  8870. <li><strong>Best for babies: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LAYCOL-Swimming-Inflatable-Newest-Protection/dp/B083W788TN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Laycol Baby Pool Float Ring</a></li>
  8871.  
  8872.  
  8873.  
  8874. <li><strong>Best for dogs: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/SwimWays-Spring-Float-Paddle-Paws/dp/B007AADX3O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000373107O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SwimWays Paddle Paws Dog Raft</a></li>
  8875. </ul>
  8876.  
  8877.  
  8878.  
  8879. <p>Finding the best pool float for your perfect summer day shouldn’t be too difficult once you know what you want. First, make sure it can safely support any person or pet who will climb aboard, then think about any additions or aesthetic features. If you’re shopping for kids or preparing for a pool party, look for a silly or fun style. If you are looking for yourself and prioritize comfort above all else, think about purchasing a long-lasting foam float or a reclining pool chair float. Above all, make sure to select the best pool float for bringing a smile to your face whenever you’re ready to take a dip.</p>
  8880.  
  8881.  
  8882.  
  8883. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  8884.  
  8885.  
  8886.  
  8887. <p>Popular Science <em>started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  8888.  
  8889.  
  8890.  
  8891. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  8892. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-pool-float/">The best pool floats for 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8893. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  8897. </item>
  8898. <item>
  8899. <title>Get ready for summer with a $60 discount on Ninja&#8217;s Woodfire Pro XL outdoor grill &#038; smoker</title>
  8900. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/ninja-woodfire-pro-xl-outdoor-grill-smoker-deal-amazon/</link>
  8902. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  8903. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
  8904. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  8905. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  8906. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  8907. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  8908. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611999</guid>
  8909.  
  8910. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  8911.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-Woodfire-Pro-XL-Outdoor-Grill-Smoker-Amazon-Deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Multiple tiled Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill &amp; Smokers on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </span></figcaption></figure><p>The portable outdoor grill is down to its lowest price ever, just in time for cookout season.</p>
  8912. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/ninja-woodfire-pro-xl-outdoor-grill-smoker-deal-amazon/">Get ready for summer with a $60 discount on Ninja&#8217;s Woodfire Pro XL outdoor grill &#038; smoker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8913. ]]></description>
  8914. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  8915.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-Woodfire-Pro-XL-Outdoor-Grill-Smoker-Amazon-Deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Multiple tiled Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill &amp; Smokers on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  8916. </div>
  8917. <p>Summer is just around the corner, which means now is the time to get all the gear you&#8217;ll need for late-night outdoor hangs. Ninja is doing its part by offering the steepest discount yet on its Ninja Woodfire Pro XL. While smaller than a traditional grill, the Woodfire Pro XL excels in other ways—namely portability and price—that help it stay competitive. </p>
  8918.  
  8919.  
  8920.  
  8921. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ninja-woodfire-pro-xl-outdoor-grill-amp-smoker-339-99-was-399-99"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-OG850-Woodfire-Thermometer-Portable/dp/B0C9W5CTX1?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><strong>Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill &amp; Smoker</strong></a> $339.99 (Was $399.99)</h3>
  8922.  
  8923.  
  8924. <div
  8925.    id="ninja-woodfire-pro-xl-outdoor-grill-smoke"
  8926.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  8927.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  8928. >
  8929.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  8930.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-OG850-Woodfire-Thermometer-Portable/dp/B0C9W5CTX1?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  8931.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  8932.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-Woodfire-Pro-XL-Outdoor-Grill-Smoker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/Ninja-Woodfire-Pro-XL-Outdoor-Grill-Smoker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Ninja Woodfire Pro XL Outdoor Grill &amp; Smoker on a plain white background.">
  8933.                      </figure>
  8934.                  </a>
  8935.            </div>
  8936.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  8937.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  8938.        <p><em>Ninja</em></p>
  8939.  
  8940.      </figcaption>
  8941.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  8942.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-OG850-Woodfire-Thermometer-Portable/dp/B0C9W5CTX1?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000"
  8943.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  8944.      </p>
  8945.      </div>
  8946. </div>
  8947.  
  8948.  
  8949.  
  8950. <p>This is an electric grill, which means you won&#8217;t have to lug around a propane tank or charcoal briquettes when you want to use it. Multiple heating elements below the grill&#8217;s grates keep temps consistent, while a knob on the left hand side allows you to switch between grill, smoke, air crisp, and bake settings. If you&#8217;re new to grilling, you can make use of the Woodfire Pro XL&#8217;s meat probes, which allow you to set a desired internal temperature before you insert them into your meat. The grill will beep when the meat has reached its target temperature and is ready to be removed. All of this functionality comes in a grill that&#8217;s small and light enough to be stored in a closet or garage shelf during the off season.</p>
  8951.  
  8952.  
  8953.  
  8954. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-great-deals-for-outdoor-enthusiasts"><strong>Other great deals for outdoor enthusiasts</strong></h3>
  8955.  
  8956.  
  8957.  
  8958. <ul>
  8959. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-GR101-Smokeless-Interchangeable-Dishwasher-Safe/dp/B0C8VHBBZK?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja GR101 Sizzle Smokeless Indoor Grill &amp; Griddle</a> $99.99 (was $139.99)</li>
  8960.  
  8961.  
  8962.  
  8963. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-DG551-Dehydrate-Thermometer-Generation/dp/B0B3S5GWX7?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill</a> $169.99 (Was $279.99)</li>
  8964.  
  8965.  
  8966.  
  8967. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-IG651-Griddle-Dehydrate-Thermometer/dp/B09B82LJ21?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ninja IG651 Foodi Smart XL Pro 7-in-1 Indoor Grill/Griddle Combo</a> $229.99 (Was $369.99)</li>
  8968.  
  8969.  
  8970.  
  8971. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-ThermoPro-TP962-Meat-Thermometer/dp/B0BMLDL5GM?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">ThermoPro Twin TempSpike Wireless Meat Thermometer</a> $109.99 (Was $179.99)</li>
  8972.  
  8973.  
  8974.  
  8975. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Grilling-Carry-System/dp/B0BJ36YY7C?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips Grilling Prep and Carry System</a> $31.99 (Was $39.99)</li>
  8976.  
  8977.  
  8978.  
  8979. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Clean-Grill-Brush/dp/B0BJ366RNF?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips Hot Clean Grill Brush</a> $31.99 (Was $39.99)</li>
  8980.  
  8981.  
  8982.  
  8983. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Grilling-Set-Tongs-Turner/dp/B091KMD5S1?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips Grilling 3pc Set</a> $26.39 (Was $32.95)</li>
  8984.  
  8985.  
  8986.  
  8987. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Stainless-Grilling-Skewers/dp/B086CBV9DN?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611999O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers</a> $11.99 (Was $14.95)</li>
  8988. </ul>
  8989. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/ninja-woodfire-pro-xl-outdoor-grill-smoker-deal-amazon/">Get ready for summer with a $60 discount on Ninja&#8217;s Woodfire Pro XL outdoor grill &#038; smoker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  8990. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  8994. </item>
  8995. <item>
  8996. <title>Greetings, Earth! NASA can understand Voyager 1 again</title>
  8997. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-back/</link>
  8999. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  9000. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:08:21 +0000</pubDate>
  9001. <category><![CDATA[Deep Space]]></category>
  9002. <category><![CDATA[Engineering]]></category>
  9003. <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category>
  9004. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  9005. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  9006. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  9007. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  9008. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=612013</guid>
  9009.  
  9010. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9011.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/voyager-1-probe.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An artist’s concept of NASA’s Voyager 1 traveling through interstellar space–or the space between stars." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s concept of NASA’s Voyager 1 traveling through interstellar space–or the space between stars. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/JPL-Caltech</span></figcaption></figure><p>The 46-year-old space probe is making sense for the first time in five months after remote repairs. </p>
  9012. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-back/">Greetings, Earth! NASA can understand Voyager 1 again</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9013. ]]></description>
  9014. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9015.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/23/voyager-1-probe.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An artist’s concept of NASA’s Voyager 1 traveling through interstellar space–or the space between stars." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s concept of NASA’s Voyager 1 traveling through interstellar space–or the space between stars. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/JPL-Caltech</span></figcaption></figure>
  9016. <p>For the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-computer-issue/">first time since November 2023</a>, NASA is receiving meaningful communication from its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/nasa-voyager-1-final-days/">Voyager 1 probe</a>. The agency has spent months troubleshooting a glitch in why the famed probe was sending home messages that looked like garbled up gibberish and not scientific data. The probe is now coherent, but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-voyager-1-resumes-sending-engineering-updates-to-earth">according to NASA</a>, the next step is to enable Voyager 1 to begin to return usable science information again.&nbsp;</p>
  9017.  
  9018.  
  9019.  
  9020. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-computer-issue/"><strong>Voyager 1 is sending back bad data, but NASA is on it</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  9021.  
  9022.  
  9023.  
  9024. <p>Alongside its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-1-and-2-still-active/">twin Voyager 2</a>, these probes are the only spacecraft to ever fly in <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/deep-space-probe-faster-farther/">interstellar space</a>–or the region between stars beyond the influence of the sun. Both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/carl-sagan-voyager/">launched in 1977</a>. Their mission initially included detailed observations of Jupiter and Saturn, but it continued on exploring the outer reaches of the solar system. Voyager 1 became the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/voyager-1-has-left-solar-system/">first spacecraft to enter interstellar space</a> in 2012. Voyager 2 followed Voyager 1 into <a href="https://www.popsci.com/voyager-2-interstellar-space/">interstellar space in 2018</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  9025.  
  9026.  
  9027.  
  9028. <p>On November 14, 2023, Voyager 1 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-voyager-1-resumes-sending-engineering-updates-to-earth">stopped sending readable science and engineering data</a> back to Earth for the first time. Mission controllers could tell that the spacecraft was still receiving their commands and otherwise operating normally, so they were not sure why it was sending back such incoherent information. In March, the Voyager engineering team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed that the issue was related to one of the spacecraft’s three onboard computers, called the <a target="_blank" href="https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/flight-data-subassembly-bay-voyager-spacecraft/nasm_A19990065001">flight data subsystem</a> (FDS). The FDS packages science and engineering data before it’s sent to Earth so that NASA can use it.</p>
  9029.  
  9030.  
  9031.  
  9032. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  9033. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi, it&#39;s me. &#8211; V1 <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/jgGFBfxIOe">https://t.co/jgGFBfxIOe</a></p>&mdash; NASA Voyager (@NASAVoyager) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NASAVoyager/status/1782454547446890633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
  9034. </div></figure>
  9035.  
  9036.  
  9037.  
  9038. <p>The team pinpointed the code responsible for packaging the spacecraft’s engineering data. The glitch was only on one single chip representing around 3 percent of the FDS memory, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/voyager-1-communications-update-april-2024">according to <em>Space</em></a>. They were unable to repair the chip. On <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-voyager-1-resumes-sending-engineering-updates-to-earth">April 18</a>, JPL engineers migrated the code to other portions of the FDS memory. This required splitting the code up into several sections to store them at multiple locations in the FDS. The code was adjusted to work from multiple locations as one cohesive process and references to its new directories were updated. </p>
  9039.  
  9040.  
  9041.  
  9042. <p>&#8220;When the mission flight team heard back from the spacecraft on April 20, they saw that the modification worked: For the first time in five months, they have been able to check the health and status of the spacecraft,&#8221; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-voyager-1-resumes-sending-engineering-updates-to-earth">NASA wrote in an update on April 22</a>.</p>
  9043.  
  9044.  
  9045.  
  9046. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-retirement-future-space-probes/"><strong>When Voyager 1 goes dark, what comes next?</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  9047.  
  9048.  
  9049.  
  9050. <p>As of now, the usable data returned so far relates to how the spacecraft’s engineering systems are working. The team plans more software repair work in the next several weeks so that Voyager 1 can send valuable science data about the outer reaches of the solar system that is readable once again. As of now, Voyager 2 is still operating normally.</p>
  9051. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/voyager-back/">Greetings, Earth! NASA can understand Voyager 1 again</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9052. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  9056. </item>
  9057. <item>
  9058. <title>Chew on trail mix with these 6 crunchy and tasty recipes</title>
  9059. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/trail-mix-recipes/</link>
  9061. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Vinny Panza]]></dc:creator>
  9062. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  9063. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  9064. <category><![CDATA[Fitness Gear]]></category>
  9065. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  9066. <category><![CDATA[Life Skills]]></category>
  9067. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611874</guid>
  9068.  
  9069. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9070.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/diy_trail_mix.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.72" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a bowl of nuts, dried fruit" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The perfect portable snack. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/organic-dried-fruit-trail-mix-cherries-bananas-210164194.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Indulge in a crunchy and chewy snack that will satisfy cravings and nutritional needs.</p>
  9071. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/trail-mix-recipes/">Chew on trail mix with these 6 crunchy and tasty recipes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9072. ]]></description>
  9073. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9074.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/diy_trail_mix.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.72" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a bowl of nuts, dried fruit" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The perfect portable snack. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/organic-dried-fruit-trail-mix-cherries-bananas-210164194.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  9075. </div>
  9076. <p>Whether you’re planning a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/hiking-essentials/">hike</a>, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/fitness-journey-guide/">hitting the gym</a>, or just trying to get through the midday slump at work, there&#8217;s one snack that has stood the test of time for adventurers and health enthusiasts alike: trail mix. This simple yet versatile blend of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits (sometimes chocolate, too) has cemented its place as a go-to snack for people seeking a convenient source of energy and nutrition. Beyond its reputation as a trailside staple, its crunchy texture and layered flavor profile include an abundance of nutrients, making it not just a tasty treat, but a legitimate nutritional powerhouse. In this DIY trail mix guide, we&#8217;ll talk about ways to customize this classic snack for a variety of needs.</p>
  9077.  
  9078.  
  9079.  
  9080. <p>As a dietitian, I’m also compelled to boast trail mix’s impressive nutritional resume because it checks a lot of boxes. Though probably most well known for addressing hunger while still being very portable (“dry” foods like nuts and seeds are good for that), the blend of ingredients includes the major macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (water is also considered a macronutrient, but we’ll assume <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-water-bottles-for-the-gym/">you’ve already got that covered</a>. Each has its own satiety profile—<a href="https://www.popsci.com/adding-carbs-diet-helped-humans-develop-big-brains/">carbs help calm immediate hunger pangs</a>, while the slower breakdown of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/health/how-much-protein-2/">proteins</a> helps keep you feeling full through a few hours. Fats, with an even longer molecular chain, typically take the longest to break down, so they can satisfy your energy cravings the longest.</p>
  9081.  
  9082.  
  9083.  
  9084. <p>But satiating hunger isn’t the thing trick trail mix can do. Nuts and seeds can be a great source of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium as well as vitamin E and the B complexes. They also provide <a href="https://www.popsci.com/plant-protein-healthier/">plant-based protein</a>, which helps build and restore muscle without adding any saturated fats. Additionally, the dried fruit and granola found in most mixes can provide more vitamins like A, C, and K as well as plenty of fiber, which is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124841/">chronically low in most Americans’ diets</a>.</p>
  9085.  
  9086.  
  9087.  
  9088. <p>Trail mix is also an easy snack to assemble at home and customize at will. You can pick and choose your own ingredients according to your needs and you can save money by buying them in bulk.</p>
  9089.  
  9090.  
  9091.  
  9092. <p>But that’s enough nerding out on the biochemical genius of trail mix. Let’s get down to the fun part: trail mix recipes.</p>
  9093.  
  9094.  
  9095.  
  9096. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-basic-trail-mix"><strong>Basic Trail Mix</strong></h2>
  9097.  
  9098.  
  9099.  
  9100. <p>As described above, basic trail mix is defined by relatively equal parts nuts, seeds, and (typically) granola. The nuts can be anything but often include almonds, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, and pecans, which offer varied flavors and textures. Pumpkin and sunflower are typically the most commonly used seeds, but hemp and sesame also make the list. Granola clusters can be sourced from anywhere and because they’re often held together with honey, you get a nice mix of savory and sweet.</p>
  9101.  
  9102.  
  9103.  
  9104. <p>Additional add-ons can be chocolate morsels, yogurt chips, and pretzels. I like adding pretzels, or other simple, starchy carbohydrates, because they’re a good source of energy and are easy on the stomach compared to the fiber and texture of the other ingredients. Pretzels, specifically, also provide sodium, which is the most important electrolyte used by the body to maintain hydration and intracellular volume.  </p>
  9105.  
  9106.  
  9107.  
  9108. <p>Now, with all of the above, there are variables you tweak however you like. If you struggle with hypertension, which was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2017/11/08/11/47/mon-5pm-bp-guideline-aha-2017">redefined in 2017</a>, consider unsalted nuts to help manage your blood pressure. If allergies or food intolerances are your obstacles, simply swap one ingredient for another. You can really customize the following recipes however you like, but let’s start with a generic template to build from. Here’s my base mix:</p>
  9109.  
  9110.  
  9111.  
  9112. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9113.  
  9114.  
  9115.  
  9116. <ul>
  9117. <li>Nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Happy-Belly-Almonds/dp/B01E60RI6S/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Almonds</a>, cashews, <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-California-Walnuts-Halves/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">walnuts</a></li>
  9118.  
  9119.  
  9120.  
  9121. <li>Seeds: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Terrasoul-Superfoods-Organic-Pumpkin-Sunflower/dp/B08LMBSD8Y/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Pumpkin, sunflower</a></li>
  9122.  
  9123.  
  9124.  
  9125. <li>Fruit: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Thompson-Seedless/dp/B074H5Z5NV/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Raisins</a></li>
  9126. </ul>
  9127.  
  9128.  
  9129.  
  9130. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-runner-trail-mix"><strong>The Runner <strong>Trail</strong></strong> <strong>Mix</strong></h2>
  9131.  
  9132.  
  9133.  
  9134. <p>Running is usually considered an endurance sport, but sprinting definitely has an anaerobic component. In either case, carbohydrates are best suited for powering short or long runs and should be a key part of a runner’s trail mix. Be mindful of adding too much fiber as it could cause GI discomfort when you’re logging those miles. This mix gets most of its carbs from bananas, granola, and pretzels, which will provide energy while being easier on the stomach.&nbsp;</p>
  9135.  
  9136.  
  9137.  
  9138. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9139.  
  9140.  
  9141.  
  9142. <ul>
  9143. <li>Low-fiber nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Brazil-Nuts-Macadamia-16-oz-Bundle/dp/B0B37MY75P?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Macadamia</a>, cashews, <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Belly-Pecan-Halves-16/dp/B089HFR93L?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">pecans</a></li>
  9144.  
  9145.  
  9146.  
  9147. <li>Seeds: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Sunflower-Unsalted/dp/B074H73GBV/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Sunflower</a></li>
  9148.  
  9149.  
  9150.  
  9151. <li>Fruit: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unsweetened-Bananas-Dehydrated-Crisps-Natural/dp/B092N23YL1/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Dried banana chips</a></li>
  9152.  
  9153.  
  9154.  
  9155. <li>Starch: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NSV2NSS?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_GKG47AKWE2ESAVP4NFA4%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Classic rolled oats granola with syrup or honey</a></li>
  9156.  
  9157.  
  9158.  
  9159. <li>Extra: Small pretzel braids</li>
  9160. </ul>
  9161.  
  9162.  
  9163.  
  9164. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gym-trail-mix"><strong>The Gym <strong>Trail</strong></strong> <strong>Mix</strong></h2>
  9165.  
  9166.  
  9167.  
  9168. <p>Any time you’re pushing weight on the bench or in the squat rack, you’ll need to pay extra attention to protein. This mix will be targeted towards a higher count of the muscle-building macronutrient from various sources to ensure you’re hitting all nine essential amino acids. What’s more, the combination of the below ingredients includes a notable amount of <a target="_blank" href="https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/738187139">leucine</a> for signaling the body to start building muscle.</p>
  9169.  
  9170.  
  9171.  
  9172. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9173.  
  9174.  
  9175.  
  9176. <ul>
  9177. <li>High-protein nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Happy-Belly-Almonds/dp/B01E60RI6S/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Almonds</a>, <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-California-Walnuts-Halves/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">walnuts</a>, pistachios</li>
  9178.  
  9179.  
  9180.  
  9181. <li>High-leucine seeds: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Terrasoul-Superfoods-Organic-Pumpkin-Sunflower/dp/B08LMBSD8Y/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Pumpkin and sunflower</a></li>
  9182.  
  9183.  
  9184.  
  9185. <li>Fruit: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Thompson-Seedless/dp/B074H5Z5NV/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Raisins</a></li>
  9186.  
  9187.  
  9188.  
  9189. <li>Starch: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/One-Degree-Granola-Quinoa-Cacao/dp/B073Y94KZ6/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Quinoa-based granola</a> or puffed quinoa</li>
  9190.  
  9191.  
  9192.  
  9193. <li>Extra: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Yupik-Roasted-Unsalted-Edamame-Beans/dp/B07TSJWXP1/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Dried edamame</a> and yogurt chips for extra protein</li>
  9194. </ul>
  9195.  
  9196.  
  9197.  
  9198. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pregnancy-trail-mix"><strong>The Pregnancy <strong>Trail</strong></strong> <strong>Mix</strong></h2>
  9199.  
  9200.  
  9201.  
  9202. <p>What should you expect in your trail mix when you’re expecting? Pretty much the same thing as other trail mixes but with an extra focus on folate, iron, and antioxidants. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/about.html#:~:text=Why%20folic%20acid%20is%20important,and%20spine%20(spina%20bifida)">Folate is important for its role in early fetal development</a>. Infants also get their primary iron stores from their time in the womb, so a mother needs a sufficient amount to share with her child before birth. Lastly, antioxidants are important for everyone, but inflammation can have a more pronounced effect on a developing baby, so keeping it in check is a good idea.&nbsp;</p>
  9203.  
  9204.  
  9205.  
  9206. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9207.  
  9208.  
  9209.  
  9210. <ul>
  9211. <li>Nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Happy-Belly-Almonds/dp/B01E60RI6S/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Almonds</a>, <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-California-Walnuts-Halves/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">walnuts</a>, cashews</li>
  9212.  
  9213.  
  9214.  
  9215. <li>Iron-rich seeds: Pumpkin, <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Manitoba-Harvest-Organic-Shelled-Protein/dp/B00HXIXJJQ/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">hemp</a>, and <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C8RCWXN?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_2RF4YR1Y15CFA29KD0MP%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">chia seeds</a></li>
  9216.  
  9217.  
  9218.  
  9219. <li>Fruit: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Eats-Apricots-10-Oz/dp/B095THSDCP?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Dried apricots</a> and <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Amrita-Foods-Allergy-Cranberry-Unsulfured/dp/B07MQBHYD2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">cranberries</a></li>
  9220.  
  9221.  
  9222.  
  9223. <li>Starch: Any whole grain granola</li>
  9224.  
  9225.  
  9226.  
  9227. <li>Extra: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Viva-Naturals-Organic-Cacao-Nibs/dp/B00MGW81YM/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Dark chocolate nibs</a> </li>
  9228. </ul>
  9229.  
  9230.  
  9231.  
  9232. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vegan-trail-mix"><strong>The Vegan <strong>Trail</strong></strong> <strong>Mix</strong></h2>
  9233.  
  9234.  
  9235.  
  9236. <p><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/if-we-stop-eating-meat/">Going plant-based</a> has become really popular over the last few years, but vegans have been around forever. Trail mix has been a staple for us herbivores because it&#8217;s often difficult to find a meal without any animal products. The mix below is aimed at providing a variety of flavors so that the vegans can enjoy snacking, too.</p>
  9237.  
  9238.  
  9239.  
  9240. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9241.  
  9242.  
  9243.  
  9244. <ul>
  9245. <li>Nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Peanuts-Roasted/dp/B07QMW5Y77/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Peanuts</a>, pistachio nuts, hazelnuts</li>
  9246.  
  9247.  
  9248.  
  9249. <li>Seeds: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Terrasoul-Superfoods-Organic-Pumpkin-Sunflower/dp/B08LMBSD8Y/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Pumpkin and sunflower</a></li>
  9250.  
  9251.  
  9252.  
  9253. <li>Fruit: Dried figs and banana chips</li>
  9254.  
  9255.  
  9256.  
  9257. <li>Starch: Granola with dried berries (made with syrup, not honey)</li>
  9258.  
  9259.  
  9260.  
  9261. <li>Extra: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Enjoy-Life-Semi-Sweet-Dairy-Chocolate/dp/B07GK2JYFN/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Vegan candied chocolate chips</a> (yes, I like chocolate)</li>
  9262. </ul>
  9263.  
  9264.  
  9265.  
  9266. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-allergy-free-trail-mix"><strong>The Allergy-Free Trail Mix</strong></h2>
  9267.  
  9268.  
  9269.  
  9270. <p>There are now nine official foods on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/food-allergies#:~:text=Congress%20passed%20the%20Food%20Allergen,peanuts%2C%20wheat%2C%20and%20soybeans.">FDA’s list of major food allergies</a>, but don’t fret. There’s still a way to make a delicious allergy-free trail mix that will stave off hunger and taste great at the same time. Feel free to swap in or out any foods that you enjoy or swap out any specific items you might have a reaction to. Always check with your doctor first to make sure you’re good to go.</p>
  9271.  
  9272.  
  9273.  
  9274. <p><strong>Ingredients:</strong></p>
  9275.  
  9276.  
  9277.  
  9278. <ul>
  9279. <li>Hypoallergenic nuts: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Organic-Peeled-Tiger-Nuts/dp/B07CPFN7GK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Tiger “nuts”</a> (actually a root vegetable with a nutty taste and texture) and <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sprouted-Pili-Himalayan-Certified-Paleo/dp/B071FVJQPT/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">pili “nuts”</a> (from Southeast Asia)</li>
  9280.  
  9281.  
  9282.  
  9283. <li>Seeds: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/True-Elements-Watermelon-Seeds-250gm/dp/B01MEHGSRK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Watermelon</a> and <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/SUNBEST-Sunflower-Unsalted-Unroasted-Resealable/dp/B018UQAAZ0/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">sunflower</a></li>
  9284.  
  9285.  
  9286.  
  9287. <li>Starch: Puffed corn or quinoa</li>
  9288.  
  9289.  
  9290.  
  9291. <li>Extra: <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GCFS3M4?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_BS9K5TKQ8GCA1R7AYG11%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">Gluten-free pretzel braids</a> and <a rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shredded-Coconut-Unsweetened-Shavings-Shreds/dp/B09RQ8DM7V?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611874O0000000020240426180000">dried coconut flakes</a></li>
  9292. </ul>
  9293. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/trail-mix-recipes/">Chew on trail mix with these 6 crunchy and tasty recipes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9294. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  9298. </item>
  9299. <item>
  9300. <title>Light up every outdoor adventure with this innovative outdoor flashlight &#038; power bank, now $39.99</title>
  9301. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/outdoor-flashlight-flame-simulator-deal/</link>
  9303. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  9304. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  9305. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  9306. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  9307. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  9308. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  9309. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  9310. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611853</guid>
  9311.  
  9312. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9313.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A flashlight that doubles as a campfire simulator sitting on a picnic table outdoors." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Bring the campfire wherever you go while also staying charged.</p>
  9314. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/outdoor-flashlight-flame-simulator-deal/">Light up every outdoor adventure with this innovative outdoor flashlight &#038; power bank, now $39.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9315. ]]></description>
  9316. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9317.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A flashlight that doubles as a campfire simulator sitting on a picnic table outdoors." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  9318. </div>
  9319. <p>Are you prepared to embrace the outdoor adventures that lie ahead? For only $39.99, you can bring the feeling of a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">cozy ambient campfire</a> wherever you go with this outdoor flashlight, which includes a flame simulator and a 2400mAh power bank.</p>
  9320.  
  9321.  
  9322.  
  9323. <p>At first glance, the outdoor flashlight appears to be a typically robust and reliable light source. However, it harbors a delightful twist—a flame simulator that uses <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">advanced LED technology</a> to mimic the flickering glow of real flames. This feature can transform an ordinary night under the stars into a soothing experience, mimicking a campfire&#8217;s soft, mesmerizing dance.</p>
  9324.  
  9325.  
  9326.  
  9327. <p>The realistic fireplace simulator is perfect for those who wish to enjoy the campfire experience without the hassle of building a real fire, whether due to fire bans, environmental concerns, or simple convenience. You can customize the experience with adjustable flame settings depending on the occasion.&nbsp;</p>
  9328.  
  9329.  
  9330.  
  9331. <p>The flashlight also doubles as a power bank with a capacity of 2400mAh, capable of <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">charging smartphones and other small gadgets</a>. This dual functionality ensures that staying connected and powered in remote locations is no longer a concern. </p>
  9332.  
  9333.  
  9334.  
  9335. <p><a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Equipped with solar panels</a>, the flashlight can be recharged by exposing it to sunlight. This feature is excellent for long trips where traditional charging options may be unavailable. Additionally, it comes with a USB port for conventional charging, ensuring flexibility across various scenarios.</p>
  9336.  
  9337.  
  9338.  
  9339. <p>The device&#8217;s sleek and compact design, measuring 9.05 x 7.84 x 3.14 inches, makes it easy to store in your camping kit or car storage space for quick access whenever necessary. As a durable and waterproof tool, this flashlight lets you <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">be prepared for unexpected weather forecasts</a>, ensuring you&#8217;re equipped for any scenario and ready to enjoy any adventure easily. </p>
  9340.  
  9341.  
  9342.  
  9343. <p>Set the mood while powering devices with the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=outdoor-flashlight-with-flame-simulator-2400-mah-powerbank&amp;utm_term=scsf-594370&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pFGLIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Outdoor Flashlight with Flame Simulator &amp; 2400mAh Powerbank</a>, now $39.99 (reg. $62). No coupon code is required.</p>
  9344.  
  9345.  
  9346.  
  9347. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change. </em></p>
  9348. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/outdoor-flashlight-flame-simulator-deal/">Light up every outdoor adventure with this innovative outdoor flashlight &#038; power bank, now $39.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9349. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  9353. </item>
  9354. <item>
  9355. <title>The bombastic 19th-century anti-vaxxer who fueled Montreal&#8217;s smallpox epidemic</title>
  9356. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/19th-century-anti-vaxxer/</link>
  9358. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Sabrina Sholts / MIT Press Reader]]></dc:creator>
  9359. <pubDate>Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  9360. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  9361. <category><![CDATA[Medicine]]></category>
  9362. <category><![CDATA[Vaccines]]></category>
  9363. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611830</guid>
  9364.  
  9365. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9366.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/ross_lead.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Alexander Milton Ross" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Misinformation about diseases is a timeless human challenge. Images: A page out of the 19th-century Anti-Vaccinator magazine; naturalist and anti-vaccination activist Alexander Milton Ross. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">MIT Press Reader</span></figcaption></figure><p>Alexander Milton Ross's tale reveals striking similarities to today's vaccine hesitancy and the enduring challenge of combating misinformation campaigns.</p>
  9367. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/19th-century-anti-vaxxer/">The bombastic 19th-century anti-vaxxer who fueled Montreal&#8217;s smallpox epidemic</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9368. ]]></description>
  9369. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9370.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/ross_lead.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Alexander Milton Ross" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Misinformation about diseases is a timeless human challenge. Images: A page out of the 19th-century Anti-Vaccinator magazine; naturalist and anti-vaccination activist Alexander Milton Ross. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">MIT Press Reader</span></figcaption></figure>
  9371. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-bombastic-19th-century-anti-vaxxer-who-fueled-montreals-smallpox-epidemic/">MIT Press Reader</a>. </p>
  9372.  
  9373.  
  9374.  
  9375. <p><em>This article is excerpted from Sabrina Sholts’s book “</em><a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048859/the-human-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Human Disease: How We Create Pandemics, from Our Bodies to Our Beliefs</a><em>.“</em></p>
  9376.  
  9377.  
  9378.  
  9379. <p class="has-drop-cap">“VACCINATE! VACCINATE!! VACCINATE!!! THERE’S MONEY IN IT!!! TWENTY THOUSAND VICTIMS!!! will be Vaccinated within the next ten days in this City under the present ALARM!!! That will put $10,000 into the pockets of the Medical Profession.” In case all the exclamation points and capitalized letters didn’t do the trick, Alexander Milton Ross embellished his poster with a large drawing of a police officer restraining a mother while Death vaccinated her child. It was terrifying, no doubt. For extra emphasis, the police officer held a piece of paper that read “Vaccination for the Jenner-ation of Disease,” a reference to the English physician Edward Jenner, who developed and promoted vaccination.</p>
  9380.  
  9381.  
  9382.  
  9383. <p>In 1885, Canada had no greater adversary of smallpox vaccination than Ross, an Anglo-Canadian physician and naturalist whose medical training was informed by the sanitary movement of the 19th century. Opposed to the germ theory emerging in Europe (that same year, Louis Pasteur’s rabies vaccine was announced to the world), Ross believed that smallpox was a filth disease and its only antidote was cleanliness. And though it’s true that smallpox could spread through soiled fabrics used by smallpox patients (such as bedding and clothing), its primary route of transmission was virus-laden respiratory droplets. The real danger thus lay in close and prolonged contact with smallpox patients, independent of how clean the setting was.</p>
  9384.  
  9385.  
  9386.  
  9387. <p>Vaccination, in Ross’s mind, was poisonous. He wanted everyone to know it too. Besides papering the city of Montreal with antivaccination posters and pamphlets, writing letters to newspapers and professional journals, and founding a magazine called the <em>Anti-Vaccinator</em>, he formed the Canadian Anti-Vaccination League as part of an international antivaccination crusade. “Though Police and the Profession cry Vaccinate! Vaccinate!! Vaccinate!!! and people in thousands follow their blind leaders, — I still say, DON’T,” Ross urged in a circular that he distributed throughout the city.</p>
  9388.  
  9389.  
  9390.  
  9391. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>Ross believed that smallpox was a filth disease and its only antidote was cleanliness.</p></blockquote></figure>
  9392.  
  9393.  
  9394.  
  9395. <p>At the time, Montreal was struggling to fight off the largest epidemic of smallpox that it would ever face. For almost a century, smallpox vaccination had been widely used to prevent the disease, but many of the city’s inhabitants had refused the procedure.</p>
  9396.  
  9397.  
  9398.  
  9399. <p>Some of the holdouts were surely persuaded by Ross and his English-only propaganda. But most of the unvaccinated population and therefore the bulk of the cases consisted of French Canadians. To convince them of the evils of vaccination, French Canadian physician Joseph Emery Coderre formed the first Canadian antivaccination society in Montreal and published numerous antivaccination pamphlets in French in the 1870s. His ardent antivaccination views fed the fervor of protesters who attacked the city council in 1875, halting efforts to enact mandatory smallpox vaccination in Montreal and leaving the city vulnerable to devastating disease 10 years later. When compulsory vaccination was attempted again in 1885, the riot was even bigger. Shortly thereafter, Coderre and colleagues <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.3138/9781487510404-007/html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">created an antivaccination journal</a>, <em>L’Antivaccinateur canadien-français</em>, the Francophone counterpart to Ross’s magazine.</p>
  9400.  
  9401.  
  9402.  
  9403. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="867" height="1273" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/vaccinate-vaccinate-vaccinate.jpg" alt="Antivaccination poster in 1885. Created by Alexander Milton Ross during the smallpox epidemic in Montreal, the text accuses medical doctors of profiting from smallpox vaccination and urges citizens to refuse it, while the image suggests that the smallpox vaccine is deadly. Source: Michael Bliss, “Plague: The Story of Smallpox in Montreal” (Toronto: HarperCollins, 1991)." class="wp-image-611834"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Antivaccination poster in 1885. Created by Alexander Milton Ross during the smallpox epidemic in Montreal, the text accuses medical doctors of profiting from smallpox vaccination and urges citizens to refuse it, while the image suggests that the smallpox vaccine is deadly. Source: Michael Bliss, “Plague: The Story of Smallpox in Montreal” (Toronto: HarperCollins, 1991).</figcaption></figure>
  9404.  
  9405.  
  9406.  
  9407. <p>The misinformation promoted by Ross, Coderre, and their contemporaries&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-anti-vaxxers-use-the-same-arguments-from-135-years-ago-145592" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">should be familiar</a>&nbsp;to anyone with a social media account in the 21st century. First off, they downplayed the threat of the epidemic in Montreal. Francophone newspapers wrote little about it, except to dismiss the panic, while Ross stressed in one of his pamphlets, “CAUTION. Do not be alarmed by the smallpox.” Simultaneously, they insisted that vaccination was the true danger. In the&nbsp;<em>Anti-Vaccinator</em>,&nbsp;<a href="https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/bookviewer?PID=nlm:nlmuid-101235983-bk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ross explained</a>&nbsp;that vaccination didn’t prevent smallpox and actually infected people with the smallpox virus, along with other equally lethal pathogens. Coderre likewise insisted that victims of vaccination were everywhere.&nbsp;<a href="https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=aeu.ark:/13960/t78s5b18g&amp;view=1up&amp;seq=6&amp;skin=2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">His writings</a>&nbsp;included pages of individuals whom he believed were sickened or killed by the vaccine, either from contracting smallpox or some other malady such as gangrene and syphilis.</p>
  9408.  
  9409.  
  9410.  
  9411. <p>And then, of course, they spouted conspiracy theories. Provaccination doctors were accused of profiting from the practice, as Ross broadcast in his poster. One French Canadian doctor, in an open letter to Coderre published by the medical journal&nbsp;<em>L’Union Médicale du Canada</em>&nbsp;in 1875, laid out the same charge. He also perceived another conspiracy among English physicians in particular, attributing their advocacy of the smallpox vaccine to nationalistic conflicts of interest given that English physician Jenner was associated with it. Coderre replied in agreement, affirming that English doctors and public vaccinators practiced vaccination&nbsp;<em>par intérêt&nbsp;</em>— purely out of self-interest. These beliefs were consistent with a general distrust of the Anglophone elite, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plague-the-red-death-strikes-montreal-feature" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaccines were seen as both poisoning and punishing the French Canadian community</a>, which mostly lived in overcrowded tenements in the poorest quarters of the city.</p>
  9412.  
  9413.  
  9414.  
  9415. <p>Their arguments are reminiscent of misinformation during subsequent epidemics and pandemics, all the way up to the present. It’s also noteworthy that while Ross thought sanitation was the answer to smallpox, Francophone newspapers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.genealogiequebec.com/blog/en/2020/08/03/witnessing-history-through-parish-registers-the-1885-smallpox-epidemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">printed recipes for at-home remedies</a>, such as buckwheat root or mixtures of zinc sulfate, digitalis, and sugar. (A cure was never found for smallpox before its eradication, and treatments generally consisted of cleaning the wounds and easing the pain of the ill.) These ideas are akin to the popularization in the United States of non-FDA-approved treatments for COVID-19, such as ivermectin (an antiparasitic agent used to treat patients with certain worm infections and head lice) and hydroxychloroquine (a medication used for malaria and autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), which many people learned about through the internet, social media, and celebrity testimonials. Despite early hopes, neither of them turned out to be effective for preventing or treating COVID-19. But without any specific treatments for COVID-19 until long into the pandemic, it’s not surprising that some patients opted to take risks with these unproven remedies rather than heed public health warnings against them. Some physicians even&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2789369" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">participated in misinformation</a>&nbsp;about the efficacy of these drugs and continued to prescribe them for COVID-19. And although many studies haven’t observed that ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine cause serious adverse effects in COVID-19 patients, they can still be dangerous if the patients forgo evidence-based COVID-19 treatments or vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 as a result of using them, as editors at the&nbsp;<em>Journal of the American Medical Association</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36805613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pointed out last year</a>.</p>
  9416.  
  9417.  
  9418.  
  9419. <p>To be fair, smallpox vaccination was far from perfectly safe in the late 19th century. Even Jenner himself couldn’t explain how his vaccine worked, and some methods (such as passing infectious material directly from the arm of a vaccinated person to an unvaccinated one) undoubtedly had the potential to introduce other infections. There were also some cases where children may have died as a result of faulty vaccine preparations. Furthermore, even if the vaccination was successful, it didn’t guarantee complete or lifelong immunity. Antivaccinationists, though, were incorrect about the risks and effects of the vaccine. And their dishonesty, at least in the case of Ross, raised questions about their own motives.</p>
  9420.  
  9421.  
  9422.  
  9423. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>
  9424.  
  9425.  
  9426.  
  9427. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>One State Board of Health report called him “a monster in human form who desired that a most terrible disease should decimate his patrons, that he might grow fat on their putrid bodies.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  9428.  
  9429.  
  9430.  
  9431. <p>Ross, the bombastic pamphleteer, was apparently a hypocrite at heart. In October 1885, while the smallpox epidemic was still raging in Montreal, he boarded a train to Toronto. As reported afterward by the&nbsp;<em>Gazette</em>, a medical inspector at the Ontario border asked Ross to show proof of recent smallpox vaccination, either in the form of a certificate or scar. It was a standard policy for travelers, but Ross tried his best to get out of it. Then when he couldn’t produce a certificate, he reluctantly took off his coat, rolled off his sleeve, and revealed “three perfect vaccination marks” on his arm. One of them was relatively fresh, and the others were from infancy and childhood, according to Ross. The article about the incident offered little by way of commentary, except to note the long history of doctors who believed in the efficacy of vaccination but opposed the practice since they would lose a source of revenue if smallpox declined. (Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fox News channel was a top broadcaster of vaccine skepticism in the United States, even though&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/sep/15/fox-news-vaccines-testing-tucker-carlson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nearly all of the corporation’s employees were vaccinated</a>.)</p>
  9432.  
  9433.  
  9434.  
  9435. <p>The news about Ross reached the United States, where it was met with outrage among the public health community. One State Board of Health report called him “a monster in human form who desired that a most terrible disease should decimate his patrons, that he might grow fat on their putrid bodies.”</p>
  9436.  
  9437.  
  9438.  
  9439. <p>By the end of the smallpox epidemic in Montreal in 1886, more than 3,200 people had died from the disease. The city lost almost 2 percent of its total population in 1885 alone, and more than 3 percent of its French Canadian community. Most of them were children. There were numerous blunders that helped the disease spread, as historian Michael Bliss recounts in his book “Plague: How Smallpox Devastated Montreal,” and the large population of unvaccinated children created by fear and ignorance was a major factor. Every one of the deaths could have been prevented, Bliss emphasizes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until the disease ran out of unvaccinated or otherwise vulnerable hosts that the epidemic finally waned.</p>
  9440.  
  9441.  
  9442.  
  9443. <p>Misinformation about diseases is a timeless human challenge. Some opinions offered about the antivaccination riot in Montreal, such as in a&nbsp;<em>New York Times</em>&nbsp;editorial in 1875, ring a bell 150 years later. With shock that anyone would harbor such an&nbsp;<em>absurd</em>&nbsp;preconception against vaccination, a triumph of modern medicine, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1875/08/17/archives/an-absurd-prejudice.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">editorial lamented</a>&nbsp;that “in spite of all our boasted progress, curious revelations of popular ignorance and superstition are constantly showing us how little progress has been made.” But after laying blame on the fortune tellers in large cities, the quacks in medicine that flourished everywhere, and even the scientific research and scholarly writings that went above the heads of the public, there was still optimism: “When knowledge is more evenly distributed, there will be less of this fantastic and ignorant prejudice.”</p>
  9444.  
  9445.  
  9446.  
  9447. <p>Evenly distributed knowledge? That sounds a lot like the internet to me.</p>
  9448.  
  9449.  
  9450.  
  9451. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  9452.  
  9453.  
  9454.  
  9455. <p><em><strong>Sabrina Sholts</strong> is the curator of biological anthropology at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, where she developed the major exhibit “Outbreak: Epidemics in a Connected World.” She is the author of “<a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048859/the-human-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Human Disease</a>,” from which this article is excerpted.</em></p>
  9456. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/19th-century-anti-vaxxer/">The bombastic 19th-century anti-vaxxer who fueled Montreal&#8217;s smallpox epidemic</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9457. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  9461. </item>
  9462. <item>
  9463. <title>The world&#8217;s first successful limb re-attachment is a fascinating story of science and human ingenuity</title>
  9464. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/first-limb-re-attachment/</link>
  9466. <dc:creator><![CDATA[PopSci Staff]]></dc:creator>
  9467. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
  9468. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  9469. <category><![CDATA[Videos]]></category>
  9470. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611551</guid>
  9471.  
  9472. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9473.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/limb_reattachment.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.72" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="photo of young boy on an illustrated backdrop with the words &quot;The boy who lost his arm--and got it back&quot;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">In the November 1962 issue of 'Popular Science,' Eddy's story was told in a double-length feature. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Popular Science</span></figcaption></figure><p>A team of doctors did something in real life that had only ever existed in mythology and science fiction.</p>
  9474. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/first-limb-re-attachment/">The world&#8217;s first successful limb re-attachment is a fascinating story of science and human ingenuity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9475. ]]></description>
  9476. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  9477.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/limb_reattachment.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.72" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="photo of young boy on an illustrated backdrop with the words &quot;The boy who lost his arm--and got it back&quot;" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">In the November 1962 issue of 'Popular Science,' Eddy's story was told in a double-length feature. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Popular Science</span></figcaption></figure>
  9478. <p>On May 23, 1962, 12-year-old little league pitcher Everette &#8220;Eddy&#8221; Woodrow Knowles III <a target="_blank" href="https://books.google.is/books?id=VCEDAAAAMBAJ&amp;lpg=PA71&amp;dq=everette%20knowles&amp;hl=is&amp;pg=PA71#v=onepage&amp;q=everette%20knowles&amp;f=false">survived a traumatic accident that would change the medical world</a>. </p>
  9479.  
  9480.  
  9481.  
  9482. <p>On that sunny spring day in the Boston suburb of Somerville, Eddy was trainhopping—hitching a ride by gripping the side of a moving train car—when his arm was torn from his body right below the shoulder. Eddy couldn&#8217;t remember the details of exactly what happened, but a local store clerk named Alice Chmielewski jumped into action, applying pressure to the wound while another bystander phoned emergency services. In just seven minutes, he arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital where the medical team attempted something unprecedented and more than 30,000 years in the making.</p>
  9483.  
  9484.  
  9485.  
  9486. <p>In the latest <em>Popular Science</em> video, we tell the incredible story of what happened next and how everything aligned perfectly to make history. </p>
  9487.  
  9488.  
  9489. <div><lite-youtube videoid="VyxL9IUDb7c" style="background-image: none;">
  9490.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VyxL9IUDb7c/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="The world&amp;#8217;s first successful limb re-attachment is a fascinating story of science and human ingenuity">
  9491.            </lite-youtube>
  9492.            
  9493.            <noscript>
  9494. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  9495. <iframe loading="lazy" title="The Day We Made Frankenstein&#039;s Monster" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VyxL9IUDb7c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  9496. </div></figure>
  9497. </noscript></div>
  9498.  
  9499.  
  9500. <p>Want more <em>Popular Science</em> videos? Check out “<a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/captain-power-documentary/">The revolutionary toy technology of ‘Captain Power’ that time </a><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/butler-in-a-box-video/">forgot</a>” and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6GMyecp8-A&amp;ab_channel=PopularScience" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Buried Treasure That Took Us To The Moon</a>.” And don’t forget to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@popularscience/videos" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subscribe on YouTube</a>.</p>
  9501. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/first-limb-re-attachment/">The world&#8217;s first successful limb re-attachment is a fascinating story of science and human ingenuity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9502. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  9506. </item>
  9507. <item>
  9508. <title>The best soft coolers for chilling out in 2024</title>
  9509. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-soft-coolers/</link>
  9511. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Abby Ferguson]]></dc:creator>
  9512. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  9513. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  9514. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  9515. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  9516. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  9517. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  9518. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  9519. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  9520. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611890</guid>
  9521.  
  9522. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  9523.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/The-best-soft-coolers-for-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best soft coolers for 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>Here’s the hard sell: Soft coolers are versatile, lightweight options for keeping food and beverages cold on the go. </p>
  9524. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-soft-coolers/">The best soft coolers for chilling out in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  9525. ]]></description>
  9526. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  9527.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/The-best-soft-coolers-for-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best soft coolers for 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  9528. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  9529.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  9530.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  9531.      <tbody>
  9532.              <tr
  9533.          class="ProductTable-product"
  9534.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  9535.        >
  9536.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  9537.            Best overall
  9538.          </td>
  9539.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  9540.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="RTIC Soft Pack Cooler on a plain white background." class="wp-image-611902" width="264" height="165">
  9541.          </td>
  9542.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  9543.            RTIC Soft Pack Cooler
  9544.          </td>
  9545.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  9546.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  9547.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9548.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9549.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9550.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9551.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9552.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  9553.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9554.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9555.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9556.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9557.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9558.                                  </div>
  9559.                          </div>
  9560.          </td>
  9561.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  9562.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  9563.                <span>
  9564.                  SEE IT
  9565.                </span>
  9566.            </a>
  9567.          </td>
  9568.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  9569.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The RTIC cooler offers an ideal balance of price and quality.</span></p>
  9570.  
  9571.            </td>
  9572.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  9573.        </tr>
  9574.              <tr
  9575.          class="ProductTable-product"
  9576.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  9577.        >
  9578.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  9579.            Best backpack
  9580.          </td>
  9581.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  9582.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20-2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="YETI Hopper M Series Backpack on a beach" class="wp-image-611904" width="264" height="165">
  9583.          </td>
  9584.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  9585.            Yeti Hopper M20
  9586.          </td>
  9587.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  9588.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  9589.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9590.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9591.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9592.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9593.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9594.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  9595.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9596.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9597.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9598.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9599.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9600.                                  </div>
  9601.                          </div>
  9602.          </td>
  9603.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  9604.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  9605.                <span>
  9606.                  SEE IT
  9607.                </span>
  9608.            </a>
  9609.          </td>
  9610.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  9611.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The padded backpack straps make this cooler a breeze to carry.</span></p>
  9612.  
  9613.            </td>
  9614.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  9615.        </tr>
  9616.              <tr
  9617.          class="ProductTable-product"
  9618.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  9619.        >
  9620.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  9621.            Best budget
  9622.          </td>
  9623.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  9624.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag on a plain white background." class="wp-image-611909" width="264" height="165">
  9625.          </td>
  9626.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  9627.            Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag
  9628.          </td>
  9629.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  9630.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  9631.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9632.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9633.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9634.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9635.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9636.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  9637.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9638.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9639.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9640.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9641.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  9642.                                  </div>
  9643.                          </div>
  9644.          </td>
  9645.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  9646.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  9647.                <span>
  9648.                  SEE IT
  9649.                </span>
  9650.            </a>
  9651.          </td>
  9652.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  9653.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The budget choice offers a 30 can capacity for $40.</span></p>
  9654.  
  9655.            </td>
  9656.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  9657.        </tr>
  9658.            </tbody>
  9659.    </table>
  9660.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  9661.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  9662.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  9663.    </div>
  9664.  </div>
  9665. </div>
  9666.  
  9667.  
  9668.  
  9669. <p>Gone are the days of only finding small, flimsy, poorly insulated soft coolers. Now, a much wider variety of soft-shelled coolers rival their rigid counterparts in ice retention while offering a much more portable, versatile alternative. They range from compact lunch size to all-day capacity, with various carrying capacities to save your shoulders. So whether you are headed to the beach, keeping groceries cool for the drive home, or out in the woods where you’ll need a camping cooler, the best soft coolers keep your items cool and safe.&nbsp;</p>
  9670.  
  9671.  
  9672.  
  9673. <ul>
  9674. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RTIC Soft Pack Cooler</a></li>
  9675.  
  9676.  
  9677.  
  9678. <li><strong>Best tote: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PMMVY5X/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote</a></li>
  9679.  
  9680.  
  9681.  
  9682. <li><strong>Best backpack: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper M20</a></li>
  9683.  
  9684.  
  9685.  
  9686. <li><strong>Best large capacity: </strong><a href="http://engelcoolers.pxf.io/9go693" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Engel HD30</a></li>
  9687.  
  9688.  
  9689.  
  9690. <li><strong>Most durable: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Flip-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0842BPV35?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper Flip</a></li>
  9691.  
  9692.  
  9693.  
  9694. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag</a></li>
  9695. </ul>
  9696.  
  9697.  
  9698.  
  9699. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-soft-coolers"><strong>How we chose the best soft coolers</strong></h2>
  9700.  
  9701.  
  9702.  
  9703. <p>When selecting the best soft coolers, we aimed to choose various sizes and carrying styles suitable for all sorts of activities and needs. Ice retention and durability were two of the most important factors, as <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-cooler/">a cooler</a> isn’t much good if it doesn’t keep things cold. We also evaluated closure types, opening sizes, and any additional pockets or features that the coolers may offer. Finally, we chose coolers at various price points while still ensuring quality products across the board.&nbsp;</p>
  9704.  
  9705.  
  9706.  
  9707. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-soft-coolers-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best soft coolers: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  9708.  
  9709.  
  9710.  
  9711. <p>A soft cooler is the way to go if you’re looking for a lightweight cooler to keep things cold, whether taking tasty treats to a friend’s party, going <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coolers-for-camping/">short-term camping</a>, or even <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/oru-beach-lt-sport-kayak-review/">taking your foldable kayak out</a>. These options are ideal for various activities and situations, so you can find one below that fits your needs.&nbsp;</p>
  9712.  
  9713.  
  9714.  
  9715. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-rtic-soft-pack-cooler"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RTIC Soft Pack Cooler</a></h3>
  9716.  
  9717.  
  9718. <div
  9719.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  9720.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  9721. >
  9722.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  9723.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  9724.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  9725.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/RTIC-Soft-Pack-Cooler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="RTIC Soft Pack Cooler on a plain white background.">
  9726.                      </figure>
  9727.                  </a>
  9728.            </div>
  9729.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  9730.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  9731.        <p><em>RTIC</em></p>
  9732.  
  9733.      </figcaption>
  9734.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  9735.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000"
  9736.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  9737.      </p>
  9738.      </div>
  9739. </div>
  9740.  
  9741.  
  9742.  
  9743. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  9744.  
  9745.  
  9746.  
  9747. <ul>
  9748. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>12 liters/20 cans (also available in 12, 30, or 40-can capacity)</li>
  9749.  
  9750.  
  9751.  
  9752. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Zipper</li>
  9753.  
  9754.  
  9755.  
  9756. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>2 days&nbsp;</li>
  9757.  
  9758.  
  9759.  
  9760. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>3 pounds</li>
  9761.  
  9762.  
  9763.  
  9764. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>13.5 x 13.75 x 15.5 inches</li>
  9765. </ul>
  9766.  
  9767.  
  9768.  
  9769. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  9770.  
  9771.  
  9772.  
  9773. <ul>
  9774. <li>Good balance of price and quality</li>
  9775.  
  9776.  
  9777.  
  9778. <li>Floats</li>
  9779.  
  9780.  
  9781.  
  9782. <li>Available in multiple colors and sizes</li>
  9783.  
  9784.  
  9785.  
  9786. <li>Lots of handles</li>
  9787. </ul>
  9788.  
  9789.  
  9790.  
  9791. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  9792.  
  9793.  
  9794.  
  9795. <ul>
  9796. <li>Outside pocket is small and tight</li>
  9797.  
  9798.  
  9799.  
  9800. <li>Narrow interior</li>
  9801. </ul>
  9802.  
  9803.  
  9804.  
  9805. <p>The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler earns our top spot because it is reasonably priced while offering plenty of quality. It uses thick walls of closed-cell foam to keep things cool and is effective for a few days if you properly prime it. It features a removable padded shoulder strap, built-in carrying handles, and handles on the sides, offering plenty of ways to move the cooler around.&nbsp;</p>
  9806.  
  9807.  
  9808.  
  9809. <p>This soft-sided cooler is quite durable. The exterior fabric is tear—and puncture-resistant, and the interior is puncture-resistant and waterproof to prevent leaks. The waterproof zipper also prevents leaks while keeping it sealed up tight to keep the cold air inside. The entire cooler floats, making it an ideal choice for any activities on the water. A small pocket on the front is the perfect place to store essentials, though it is a bit tight, so you won’t be able to store bulky things in there.</p>
  9810.  
  9811.  
  9812.  
  9813. <p>We really like the RTIC cooler&#8217;s wide mouth, making it easier to access your food and drinks. Unfortunately, the tall and narrow design takes some away from that easy access, but it’s still better than other options. It comes in four sizes and a range of colors, so you can choose one that best fits your needs and style.&nbsp;</p>
  9814.  
  9815.  
  9816.  
  9817. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-tote-hydro-flask-day-escape-cooler-tote"><strong>Best tote: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PMMVY5X/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote</a></h3>
  9818.  
  9819.  
  9820. <div
  9821.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  9822.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  9823. >
  9824.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  9825.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PMMVY5X/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  9826.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  9827.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/hydro-flask-day-escape-tote2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/hydro-flask-day-escape-tote2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A blue Hydro Flash Day Escape soft cooler sitting on a black truck flatbed">
  9828.                      </figure>
  9829.                  </a>
  9830.            </div>
  9831.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  9832.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  9833.        <p><em>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</em></p>
  9834.  
  9835.      </figcaption>
  9836.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  9837.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PMMVY5X/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000"
  9838.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  9839.      </p>
  9840.      </div>
  9841. </div>
  9842.  
  9843.  
  9844.  
  9845. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  9846.  
  9847.  
  9848.  
  9849. <ul>
  9850. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>26 liters (also available as 18-liter)</li>
  9851.  
  9852.  
  9853.  
  9854. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Zipper</li>
  9855.  
  9856.  
  9857.  
  9858. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>36 hours</li>
  9859.  
  9860.  
  9861.  
  9862. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>3 pounds</li>
  9863.  
  9864.  
  9865.  
  9866. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>10.4 x 23.9 x 14.97 inches</li>
  9867. </ul>
  9868.  
  9869.  
  9870.  
  9871. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  9872.  
  9873.  
  9874.  
  9875. <ul>
  9876. <li>Lightweight when empty</li>
  9877.  
  9878.  
  9879.  
  9880. <li>Fully leakproof</li>
  9881.  
  9882.  
  9883.  
  9884. <li>Laser-cut gear attachment loops</li>
  9885.  
  9886.  
  9887.  
  9888. <li>BPA-Free</li>
  9889.  
  9890.  
  9891.  
  9892. <li>Comfortable strap</li>
  9893. </ul>
  9894.  
  9895.  
  9896.  
  9897. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  9898.  
  9899.  
  9900.  
  9901. <ul>
  9902. <li>Exterior pocket is mesh with no zipper</li>
  9903. </ul>
  9904.  
  9905.  
  9906.  
  9907. <p>You likely know Hydro Flask for its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-insulated-water-bottles/">insulated</a> <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-gallon-water-bottles/">water bottles</a>, but it also makes some excellent coolers. The Day Escape Cooler Tote is a lightweight yet large soft cooler, offering a 26-liter capacity. It’s also available in an 18-liter size if you want something smaller. When empty, it weighs just three pounds. It’s rigid enough that it holds its shape when you are loading or unloading, but it can compress slightly when empty to save space.&nbsp;</p>
  9908.  
  9909.  
  9910.  
  9911. <p>The zipper on the Day Escape Cooler is a <a href="https://www.truzip.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRU Zip</a> zipper, which is toothless, silent, and <a href="https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IP67-rated</a> to prevent leaks. Getting it started the first few times is tricky, but it slides smoothly after that. The interior features a food-grade liner and is <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BPA-free</a>. It’s waterproof and free of any folds or tight corners that might trap debris or liquid, making it easy to clean. There is an exterior pocket, but unfortunately, it’s made of mesh, so it won’t keep debris out, and there’s no zipper to keep things secure.&nbsp;</p>
  9912.  
  9913.  
  9914.  
  9915. <p>The exterior of this cooler bag is made of a 600D polyester shell, which cuts down on weight and is very durable. There are handles on the sides, an adjustable and padded shoulder strap, and carrying handles. I haven’t had to carry it terribly far, but it’s comfortable for a short trek to the beach, at least. Hydro Flask promises 36 hours of ice retention, which isn’t as long as other soft coolers but impressive for its being lightweight. I left stuff in it overnight, and it was still plenty cold the next day, even with a small amount of ice.</p>
  9916.  
  9917.  
  9918.  
  9919. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-backpack-yeti-hopper-m20"><strong>Best backpack: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper M20</a></h3>
  9920.  
  9921.  
  9922. <div
  9923.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  9924.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  9925. >
  9926.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  9927.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  9928.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  9929.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Yeti-Hopper-M20.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Yeti's Hopper M20 on a beach.">
  9930.                      </figure>
  9931.                  </a>
  9932.            </div>
  9933.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  9934.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  9935.        <p><em>Abby Ferguson / Popular Science</em></p>
  9936.  
  9937.      </figcaption>
  9938.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  9939.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000"
  9940.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  9941.      </p>
  9942.      </div>
  9943. </div>
  9944.  
  9945.  
  9946.  
  9947. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  9948.  
  9949.  
  9950.  
  9951. <ul>
  9952. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>20 liters (also available in 12-liter capacity)</li>
  9953.  
  9954.  
  9955.  
  9956. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Magnetic</li>
  9957.  
  9958.  
  9959.  
  9960. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>Not provided&nbsp;</li>
  9961.  
  9962.  
  9963.  
  9964. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>5.6 pounds</li>
  9965.  
  9966.  
  9967.  
  9968. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>9.9 x 15.3 x 18.1 inches</li>
  9969. </ul>
  9970.  
  9971.  
  9972.  
  9973. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  9974.  
  9975.  
  9976.  
  9977. <ul>
  9978. <li>Waterproof</li>
  9979.  
  9980.  
  9981.  
  9982. <li>Unique magnetic closure</li>
  9983.  
  9984.  
  9985.  
  9986. <li>Very comfortable and easy to carry</li>
  9987.  
  9988.  
  9989.  
  9990. <li>Lots of attachment points</li>
  9991. </ul>
  9992.  
  9993.  
  9994.  
  9995. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  9996.  
  9997.  
  9998.  
  9999. <ul>
  10000. <li>Top is challenging to buckle closed</li>
  10001.  
  10002.  
  10003.  
  10004. <li>Expensive</li>
  10005. </ul>
  10006.  
  10007.  
  10008.  
  10009. <p>Even with padded shoulder straps, soft coolers can be a pain to carry. If you need to take a cooler on a hike, you’ll be grateful to have a backpack version. The Yeti Hopper M20 is the best backpack cooler available thanks to its range of features and level of quality. The straps are nicely padded, making it comfortable to carry even when loaded. There’s even a chest strap to keep is secure on your body even during serious hikes. Lots of attachment points allow you to add accessories or clip on keys or bottle openers and handles on the sides and top for extra carrying options.</p>
  10010.  
  10011.  
  10012.  
  10013. <p>One unique feature of the M20 is the leak-resistant magnetic closure instead of a zipper. It makes it easier to open and close without keeping on top of lubrication, and you don’t have to worry about the zipper breaking. It snaps closed audibly, so you can trust it’s sealed up. Then, you fold it and use the two buckles to lock it down. Getting the buckles closed is a little challenging, but pushing the air out of the cooler helps a lot. Plus, the whole thing is extremely durable and can withstand punctures, abrasions, and UV rays.&nbsp;</p>
  10014.  
  10015.  
  10016.  
  10017. <p>As expected from a Yeti, it stays cold for a long time. We forgot to unload it after taking it to the beach and definitely did not properly prime the cooler beforehand (threw in room-temperature items and only two ice packs), yet there was still some ice a few days later. It will definitely stay cold for a long time with proper prep and the correct amount of ice. As you might guess, the Hopper M20 is expensive at around $300. But the durable design, comfortable backpack-carrying style, effective insulation, and magnetic closure make it stand out and worthy of our best splurge.</p>
  10018.  
  10019.  
  10020.  
  10021. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-large-capacity-engel-hd30-nbsp"><strong>Best large capacity: </strong><a href="http://engelcoolers.pxf.io/9go693" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Engel HD30</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>
  10022.  
  10023.  
  10024. <div
  10025.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  10026.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  10027. >
  10028.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  10029.                          <a target="_blank" href="http://engelcoolers.pxf.io/9go693" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  10030.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  10031.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Engel-HD30.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Engel-HD30.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Engel HD30 on a plain white background.">
  10032.                      </figure>
  10033.                  </a>
  10034.            </div>
  10035.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  10036.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  10037.        <p><em>Engel</em></p>
  10038.  
  10039.      </figcaption>
  10040.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  10041.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="http://engelcoolers.pxf.io/9go693"
  10042.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  10043.      </p>
  10044.      </div>
  10045. </div>
  10046.  
  10047.  
  10048.  
  10049. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  10050.  
  10051.  
  10052.  
  10053. <ul>
  10054. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>30 liters</li>
  10055.  
  10056.  
  10057.  
  10058. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Zipper</li>
  10059.  
  10060.  
  10061.  
  10062. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>3 days</li>
  10063.  
  10064.  
  10065.  
  10066. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>4.5 Pounds</li>
  10067.  
  10068.  
  10069.  
  10070. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>22 x 12 x 18 inches</li>
  10071. </ul>
  10072.  
  10073.  
  10074.  
  10075. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  10076.  
  10077.  
  10078.  
  10079. <ul>
  10080. <li>Comfortable shoulder strap</li>
  10081.  
  10082.  
  10083.  
  10084. <li>Large capacity</li>
  10085.  
  10086.  
  10087.  
  10088. <li>Durable</li>
  10089.  
  10090.  
  10091.  
  10092. <li>Vacuum valve aids in keeping things cold</li>
  10093. </ul>
  10094.  
  10095.  
  10096.  
  10097. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  10098.  
  10099.  
  10100.  
  10101. <ul>
  10102. <li>Exterior pocket isn’t waterproof</li>
  10103. </ul>
  10104.  
  10105.  
  10106.  
  10107. <p>The Engel HD30 is the way to go when you need lots of room. This soft cooler offers 30 liters of storage space yet weighs only 4.5 pounds when empty. Of course, as a larger cooler, it isn’t the easiest to carry, especially when packed full. But the shoulder strap is well padded, and the additional grab and side handles also give you carrying options.&nbsp;</p>
  10108.  
  10109.  
  10110.  
  10111. <p>The Engel HD30 offers extremely effective insulation, keeping your food safe for up to three days. That’s partly thanks to the waterproof and air-resistant zipper that keeps the cold air in and warm air out. There’s also a unique vacuum valve, which allows you to use your household vacuum hose to suck out excess air between the insulation and outer waterproof layers.</p>
  10112.  
  10113.  
  10114.  
  10115. <p>The HD30 is incredibly durable and made of 840 denier fibers, which provides abrasion-resistant performance. There are six nylon daisy chains across the bag for attaching keys and other accessories, along with D rings near the top that can be used as tie-down points to keep it secure in the back of a pickup truck. A zippered pocket on the front is the perfect place to store a phone or some extra snacks, though it isn’t waterproof.&nbsp;</p>
  10116.  
  10117.  
  10118.  
  10119. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-durable-yeti-hopper-flip-12"><strong>Most durable: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Flip-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0842BPV35?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper Flip 12</a></h3>
  10120.  
  10121.  
  10122. <div
  10123.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  10124.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  10125. >
  10126.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  10127.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Flip-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0842BPV35?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  10128.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  10129.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/YETI-Hopper-Flip-12.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/YETI-Hopper-Flip-12.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="YETI Hopper Flip 12 on a plain white background.">
  10130.                      </figure>
  10131.                  </a>
  10132.            </div>
  10133.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  10134.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  10135.        <p><em>YETI</em></p>
  10136.  
  10137.      </figcaption>
  10138.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  10139.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Flip-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0842BPV35?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000"
  10140.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  10141.      </p>
  10142.      </div>
  10143. </div>
  10144.  
  10145.  
  10146.  
  10147. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  10148.  
  10149.  
  10150.  
  10151. <ul>
  10152. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>12 liters (also available in 8 or 18-liter versions)</li>
  10153.  
  10154.  
  10155.  
  10156. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Zipper</li>
  10157.  
  10158.  
  10159.  
  10160. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>3 days</li>
  10161.  
  10162.  
  10163.  
  10164. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>3 pounds</li>
  10165.  
  10166.  
  10167.  
  10168. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>14.3 x 10.7 x 12.0 inches</li>
  10169. </ul>
  10170.  
  10171.  
  10172.  
  10173. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  10174.  
  10175.  
  10176.  
  10177. <ul>
  10178. <li>Extremely durable</li>
  10179.  
  10180.  
  10181.  
  10182. <li>Wide opening</li>
  10183.  
  10184.  
  10185.  
  10186. <li>Effective insulation</li>
  10187.  
  10188.  
  10189.  
  10190. <li>Floats</li>
  10191. </ul>
  10192.  
  10193.  
  10194.  
  10195. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  10196.  
  10197.  
  10198.  
  10199. <ul>
  10200. <li>Expensive</li>
  10201. </ul>
  10202.  
  10203.  
  10204.  
  10205. <p>Yeti is well known for its excellent coolers (like <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coolers-with-wheels/">our best overall cooler with wheels</a>), and the Hopper Flip is no exception. Available in 8, 12, or 18-liter capacities in a variety of colors, the Hopper Flip offers a wide opening for easy access and visibility. The wide opening and seamless interior make cleaning easier since there are no nooks or crannies to hide food or liquid.&nbsp;</p>
  10206.  
  10207.  
  10208.  
  10209. <p>Both the interior and exterior are treated to be mildew resistant, extending the life of the cooler even if you forget to clean it out for a few days. The exterior withstands punctures, abrasions, and UV rays so that it will look nicer for longer, even with rugged adventures. It is waterproof and leakproof, with excellent insulation to keep your items cold for up to three days.&nbsp;</p>
  10210.  
  10211.  
  10212.  
  10213. <p>The Hopper Flip features a well-padded shoulder strap for more comfortable carrying, as well as handles on the lid and sides. Daisy chains on the front and back make it easy to attach accessories or tie it down in your vehicle. As is true of all things Yeti, it is a premium product and on the expensive side. But you are getting a lot of quality and durability for that price, so we think it’s worth it for those who want a long-lasting, versatile, soft cooler (and that’s why the 18-liter size is the best overall pick in <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-cooler-bag/">our best cooler bags</a>).&nbsp;</p>
  10214.  
  10215.  
  10216.  
  10217. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-arctic-zone-insulated-tote-cooler-bag"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag</a></h3>
  10218.  
  10219.  
  10220. <div
  10221.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  10222.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  10223. >
  10224.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  10225.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  10226.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  10227.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/Arctic-Zone-Insulated-Tote-Cooler-Bag.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag on a plain white background.">
  10228.                      </figure>
  10229.                  </a>
  10230.            </div>
  10231.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  10232.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  10233.        <p><em>Arctic Zone</em></p>
  10234.  
  10235.      </figcaption>
  10236.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  10237.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000"
  10238.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  10239.      </p>
  10240.      </div>
  10241. </div>
  10242.  
  10243.  
  10244.  
  10245. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  10246.  
  10247.  
  10248.  
  10249. <ul>
  10250. <li><strong>Capacity: </strong>30 liters</li>
  10251.  
  10252.  
  10253.  
  10254. <li><strong>Closure type: </strong>Zipper</li>
  10255.  
  10256.  
  10257.  
  10258. <li><strong>Promised ice retention: </strong>3 days</li>
  10259.  
  10260.  
  10261.  
  10262. <li><strong>Empty weight: </strong>1.78 pounds</li>
  10263.  
  10264.  
  10265.  
  10266. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>22.00 x 10.00 x 14.50 inches</li>
  10267. </ul>
  10268.  
  10269.  
  10270.  
  10271. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  10272.  
  10273.  
  10274.  
  10275. <ul>
  10276. <li>Microban lining prevents odors</li>
  10277.  
  10278.  
  10279.  
  10280. <li>Very lightweight</li>
  10281.  
  10282.  
  10283.  
  10284. <li>More packable than other options</li>
  10285.  
  10286.  
  10287.  
  10288. <li>Affordable</li>
  10289. </ul>
  10290.  
  10291.  
  10292.  
  10293. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  10294.  
  10295.  
  10296.  
  10297. <ul>
  10298. <li>Zipper isn’t leakproof</li>
  10299. </ul>
  10300.  
  10301.  
  10302.  
  10303. <p>You don’t need to spend a small fortune to have a good soft cooler. The Arctic Zone Insulated Tote comes in under $40 but offers a 30-liter capacity with an exterior zip pocket. Despite the large capacity, it only weighs 1.78 pounds, making it the lightest soft cooler on our list. It isn’t rigid like some other options, so is somewhat collapsible, which may benefit some.&nbsp;</p>
  10304.  
  10305.  
  10306.  
  10307. <p>The interior of this Arctic Zone tote measures 16.75 by 7.75 by 13.25 inches, which allows for some larger items. The interior lining is leakproof and features Microban antimicrobial protection to prevent odors should you forget to clean it out right away (or store stinky things in it). The base is extra thick so that the cold air doesn’t seep out, and it promises up to three days of ice retention.&nbsp;</p>
  10308.  
  10309.  
  10310.  
  10311. <p>On the exterior you’ll find a padded shoulder strap with side carrying handles as well. A zippered pocket on the exterior stores keys and other essentials. Unfortunately, the zipper isn’t leakproof, and some report that it isn’t very durable, so it may not last as long as other coolers on our list. But the Arctic Zone Insulated Tote will get the job done if you just need a simple soft cooler that doesn’t take up much room for kids’ sporting events or car <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-camping-gadgets/">camping trips</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  10312.  
  10313.  
  10314.  
  10315. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-shopping-for-the-best-soft-coolers"><strong>What to consider when shopping for the best soft coolers</strong></h2>
  10316.  
  10317.  
  10318.  
  10319. <p>When shopping for a soft cooler, it’s important first to consider what you will be using the cooler for. A quick day trip has quite different requirements than a week-long vacation. Likewise, keeping some drinks cool is a lot different than keeping raw meat cold enough to be safe to eat. Knowing the primary purpose of the cooler will help you narrow in on the most important of the following factors:&nbsp;</p>
  10320.  
  10321.  
  10322.  
  10323. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capacity-nbsp">Capacity&nbsp;</h3>
  10324.  
  10325.  
  10326.  
  10327. <p>Choosing the right cooler capacity will ensure you have plenty of room for your food, drinks, and ice. Cooler capacity is frequently listed in reference to the number of cans it can fit. Some companies also list capacity in terms of quarts or liters. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the shape of the items you need to store in the cooler, as well as the shape of the cooler itself, will impact the practical capacity.&nbsp;</p>
  10328.  
  10329.  
  10330.  
  10331. <p>What size is best depends on what you will be using the cooler for. You can get away with small coolers for short outings or lunch purposes, while multi-day trips will require quite a lot of room.&nbsp;</p>
  10332.  
  10333.  
  10334.  
  10335. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shape-and-structure">Shape and structure</h3>
  10336.  
  10337.  
  10338.  
  10339. <p>Nowadays, most soft coolers offer a rigid structure, keeping their shape even when empty. There are also collapsable coolers that allow you to pack them down. There aren’t a ton of options for these, but they are convenient for road trips or other times when space is limited.&nbsp;</p>
  10340.  
  10341.  
  10342.  
  10343. <p>In terms of shape, some will offer a fully rectangular shape, which can make it easier to pack and access things at the bottom of the cooler. Others may have a narrower top compared to the base, making it difficult to access things at the bottom and limiting the size and shape of containers that can be stored at the top.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  10344.  
  10345.  
  10346.  
  10347. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carrying-style">Carrying style</h3>
  10348.  
  10349.  
  10350.  
  10351. <p>Most soft coolers use a shoulder strap or hand straps for carrying. Ideally, the straps should have some padding, as even smaller coolers can get quite heavy when filled up. The shoulder strap works well for short distances, but can be challenging for walking a ways. If you know you’ll carry the cooler for longer distances, a backpack soft cooler may make more sense, as it distributes the weight more evenly and keeps the cooler out of the way while walking.&nbsp;</p>
  10352.  
  10353.  
  10354.  
  10355. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weight">Weight</h3>
  10356.  
  10357.  
  10358.  
  10359. <p>While the soft cooler will inevitably be heavy when you fill it up, the empty weight is also important to consider. If it’s on the heavy side before you put things in it, that’s not a great sign. Weight becomes more important if you need to hike or walk with the cooler, so, in general, lightweight is better.&nbsp;</p>
  10360.  
  10361.  
  10362.  
  10363. <p>Cutting down on weight does have a downside, though, usually resulting in less insulation or rigidity. There’s a balance to be had, to be sure.&nbsp;</p>
  10364.  
  10365.  
  10366.  
  10367. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-compartments-extra-pockets-and-attachment-points">Compartments, extra pockets, and attachment points</h3>
  10368.  
  10369.  
  10370.  
  10371. <p>Some (though not many) coolers will offer compartments inside to keep your items organized, which is helpful if you have lots of things to store. Certain offerings will also feature exterior pockets, making it easier to store items that don’t need to be in the cooler, such as utensils or even keys and phones. Finally, some utilize attachment points to attach items with straps or to connect accessories that you can purchase separately.&nbsp;</p>
  10372.  
  10373.  
  10374.  
  10375. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-retention">Ice retention</h3>
  10376.  
  10377.  
  10378.  
  10379. <p>Of course, none of the above features matter if the cooler doesn’t keep your items cold. Most manufacturers will promise some ice retention, but remember that those numbers are for very specific conditions. In the real world, how you prep the cooler, how often you open it, if there’s direct sunlight, and the ambient temperature will all impact how long the ice lasts.&nbsp;</p>
  10380.  
  10381.  
  10382.  
  10383. <p>How much ice retention you need depends on what you use the cooler for. If you only use the cooler to transport your lunch to work or groceries home from the store, days&#8217; worth of ice retention is overkill, and you’ll be spending money on something you don’t need. However, if you plan on taking the cooler on long camping trips or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-beach-tent/">beach days</a> in the hot sun, superb insulation for long ice retention will be a must.&nbsp;</p>
  10384.  
  10385.  
  10386.  
  10387. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  10388.  
  10389.  
  10390.  
  10391. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713804788894"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are soft coolers worth it?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Broadly speaking, yes, soft coolers are worth it. However, it depends on what one you choose. Plenty of cheap, poorly made soft coolers are liable to leak or not keep your items. But on the flip side, many robust and effective soft coolers rival hard-sided coolers while offering better portability and versatility.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713804793404"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How long do soft coolers stay cold?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">How long a soft cooler stays cold depends on many factors. To start, each individual cooler and brand offers different levels of ice retention. How you prep your cooler, the ambient temperature and amount of sunlight, and how often you open the cooler all make a difference in how long things will stay cold. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713804798631"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How do I make my cooler hold ice longer?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">To make your cooler hold ice longer, there are some steps you can take ahead of time and while using it. First, prechill your cooler by filling it half full with ice overnight or, ideally, a full day before you need it. Keep it out of the sun and in a relatively cool place while prechilling. Prechilling your food or drinks will also help. Putting warm items in the cooler will melt the ice faster. <br/><br/>When it comes time to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-pack-a-cooler/">pack your cooler</a>, try to use twice the amount of ice as the amount of food and drinks. Big blocks of ice will last longer than small cubes, but you can use small cubes to fill in spaces and minimize airflow. Alternating layers of ice and food or drinks will also help. Finally, be quick about opening and closing the cooler to keep the cold air in and warm air out and, when possible, keep it out of direct sunlight. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713804810016"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What size soft cooler do I need?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">What size cooler you need depends entirely on what you are using the cooler for. If you are just packing a lunch for a short outing or for work, a mini cooler with a six cans-or-less (15 quarts or less) capacity will be plenty. For a casual day outing, anywhere from a 12 to 38 can capacity will be ideal. For a weekend trip, a cooler with a 16- to 50-quart capacity is best. For long weekend trips or large parties, </p> </div> </div>
  10392.  
  10393.  
  10394.  
  10395. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-soft-coolers"><strong>Final thoughts on the best soft coolers</strong></h2>
  10396.  
  10397.  
  10398.  
  10399. <ul>
  10400. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/RTIC-Insulated-Portable-Beverage-Leak-Proof/dp/B07N7RB3DK/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RTIC Soft Pack Cooler</a></li>
  10401.  
  10402.  
  10403.  
  10404. <li><strong>Best tote: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PMMVY5X/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Hydro Flask Day Escape Cooler Tote</a></li>
  10405.  
  10406.  
  10407.  
  10408. <li><strong>Best backpack: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Backpack-Cooler-MagShield/dp/B0CGXZVK43/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper M20</a></li>
  10409.  
  10410.  
  10411.  
  10412. <li><strong>Best large capacity: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Engel-HD30-LG-RED-Heavy-Duty-Cooler/dp/B09XBX8JNS/?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Engel HD30</a></li>
  10413.  
  10414.  
  10415.  
  10416. <li><strong>Most durable: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Hopper-Flip-Portable-Cooler/dp/B0842BPV35?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Yeti Hopper Flip</a></li>
  10417.  
  10418.  
  10419.  
  10420. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Process-5-21309-30-0E/dp/B08L9VXDJ2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611890O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Arctic Zone Insulated Tote Cooler Bag</a></li>
  10421. </ul>
  10422.  
  10423.  
  10424.  
  10425. <p>Gone are the days when your options for keeping things cool were flimsy insulated coolers, brittle styrofoam coolers, or heavy ice chests. There is certainly no shortage of high-quality soft coolers available these days, with options for just about every purpose under the sun. What is best depends on what you intend to store in it, where you need to take it, and how you prefer to carry it.&nbsp;</p>
  10426.  
  10427.  
  10428.  
  10429. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  10430.  
  10431.  
  10432.  
  10433. <p>Popular Science<em> started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  10434.  
  10435.  
  10436.  
  10437. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  10438. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-soft-coolers/">The best soft coolers for chilling out in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10439. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10443. </item>
  10444. <item>
  10445. <title>FAA now requires reentry license to prevent spacecraft getting stuck up there</title>
  10446. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/space-reentry-license-faa/</link>
  10448. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Harri Weber]]></dc:creator>
  10449. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:25:50 +0000</pubDate>
  10450. <category><![CDATA[Private Space Flight]]></category>
  10451. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  10452. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  10453. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611946</guid>
  10454.  
  10455. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10456.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/going-to-space.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="round earth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The FAA said that it won’t allow “reentry vehicles” to launch into space without a license to return back to Earth. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/curvature-earth-real-photo-space-323207802.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>If what goes up must come down, you’ll need a license for that.</p>
  10457. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-reentry-license-faa/">FAA now requires reentry license to prevent spacecraft getting stuck up there</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10458. ]]></description>
  10459. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10460.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/going-to-space.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="round earth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The FAA said that it won’t allow “reentry vehicles” to launch into space without a license to return back to Earth. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/curvature-earth-real-photo-space-323207802.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  10461. <p>What happens if you design a spacecraft to survive reentry, but launch without a green light from regulators to bring it back down?&nbsp;As we saw with Varda Space Industries, which fired a capsule into orbit last spring to make stuff in zero gravity, you might have to <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/15/varda-space-puts-off-orbital-factory-reentry-pending-air-force-and-faa-green-light/">park in orbit</a> until your Federal Aviation Administration paperwork is complete. </p>
  10462.  
  10463.  
  10464.  
  10465. <p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/17/2024-08156/launch-of-a-reentry-vehicle-as-a-payload-that-requires-a-reentry-authorization-to-return-to-earth">new April 17 notice</a> effective immediately, the FAA seems to be <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/faa-to-require-reentry-vehicles-licensed-before-launch/">indicating</a> that it’s looking to avoid repeats of the Varda saga, which successfully <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/varda-capsule-lands-in-utah/">landed its capsule in Utah</a> back in February after a roughly seven-month delay. The company aimed to grow Ritonavir crystals in space, taking advantage of the environment to potentially improve the efficacy of the HIV antiviral drug.</p>
  10466.  
  10467.  
  10468. <div><lite-youtube videoid="BWxl921rMgM" style="background-image: none;">
  10469.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BWxl921rMgM/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Private Space Flight photo">
  10470.            </lite-youtube>
  10471.            
  10472.            <noscript>
  10473. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  10474. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Varda Capsule Reentry - Full Video from LEO to Earth" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BWxl921rMgM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  10475. </div></figure>
  10476. </noscript></div>
  10477.  
  10478.  
  10479. <p><em>Varda Space Industries’ spacecraft, W-1, successfully landed at the Utah Test and Training Range on February 21, 2024. This marks the first time a commercial company has landed a spacecraft on United States soil. Credit: Varda Space Industries</em>.</p>
  10480.  
  10481.  
  10482.  
  10483. <p>Without citing the incident directly, the agency said that it won’t allow “reentry vehicles” to launch without a license to return. In other words, if a company plans to bring its vehicle back, it can’t send one into space in the first place unless the FAA has preemptively deemed its reentry plans safe. The agency said it analyzes the impact vehicles may have on public health, property, and national security before issuing reentry licenses.</p>
  10484.  
  10485.  
  10486.  
  10487. <p>Without pre-approval, the FAA argues critical systems could fail or the vehicle might run out of propellant or power, before regulators and reentry operators get all their ducks in a row.&nbsp; The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-III/subchapter-C/part-450/subpart-B/section-450.43">agency says</a> it reviews numerous details that are self-disclosed by reentry operators, including the payload’s weight, the amount of hazardous materials present, the “explosive potential of payload materials” and the planned reentry site.</p>
  10488.  
  10489.  
  10490.  
  10491. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/VardaSpace/status/1781041900717285455">Varda emphasized earlier this month</a> that it received launch approval last year and complied with all regulatory requirements to do so. In a statement to <a target="_blank" href="https://spacenews.com/faa-to-require-reentry-vehicles-licensed-before-launch/">SpaceNews</a>, FAA associate administrator Kelvin Coleman said the agency learned “some lessons” when it approved the company to launch without a reentry license.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  10492.  
  10493.  
  10494.  
  10495. <p>As spaceflight evolves, returnable vehicles require special attention to mitigate collisions with people and property on the ground, the FAA said in its notice. “Unlike typical payloads designed to operate in outer space, a reentry vehicle has primary components that are designed to withstand reentry substantially intact and therefore have a near-guaranteed ground impact,” the FAA wrote.&nbsp;</p>
  10496.  
  10497.  
  10498.  
  10499. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-junk-crash-florida/"><strong>Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  10500. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-reentry-license-faa/">FAA now requires reentry license to prevent spacecraft getting stuck up there</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10501. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10505. </item>
  10506. <item>
  10507. <title>Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day</title>
  10508. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/vitamix-foodcycler-composter-earth-day-2024-deal-amazon/</link>
  10510. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stan Horaczek]]></dc:creator>
  10511. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
  10512. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  10513. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  10514. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  10515. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  10516. <category><![CDATA[Sustainability]]></category>
  10517. <category><![CDATA[amazon]]></category>
  10518. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  10519. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  10520. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611875</guid>
  10521.  
  10522. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10523.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/vitamix-food-cycler-main.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Vitamix Food Cycler countertop composter with a picture of a hopper full of food on the left and a hopper full of processed mulch on the right." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><p>This simple, silent device makes composting in your kitchen super easy and free of bad smells and mess.</p>
  10524. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/vitamix-foodcycler-composter-earth-day-2024-deal-amazon/">Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10525. ]]></description>
  10526. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10527.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/vitamix-food-cycler-main.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Vitamix Food Cycler countertop composter with a picture of a hopper full of food on the left and a hopper full of processed mulch on the right." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  10528. </div>
  10529. <p>Lots of stuff we throw away could easily go into compost. But getting started with composting can be tricky. Do it wrong, and you&#8217;ll stink up your whole kitchen. Vitamix&#8217;s Food Cycler makes it easy, and right now, it&#8217;s down to $299, which is $100 off of its regular price at Amazon. </p>
  10530.  
  10531.  
  10532.  
  10533. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vitamix-fc-50-sp-food-cycler-foodcycler-fc-50-2-l-299-was-399"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-068051-FoodCycler-FC-50-Capacity/dp/B08BQYXVNT/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vitamix FC-50-SP Food Cycler FoodCycler FC-50, 2 L</a> $299 (was $399)</h3>
  10534.  
  10535.  
  10536. <div
  10537.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  10538.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  10539. >
  10540.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  10541.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-068051-FoodCycler-FC-50-Capacity/dp/B08BQYXVNT/?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  10542.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  10543.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/18/vitamix-food-cycler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2021/07/18/vitamix-food-cycler.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A gray Vitamix Food Cycler against a plain background.">
  10544.                      </figure>
  10545.                  </a>
  10546.            </div>
  10547.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  10548.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  10549.        <p><em>Vitamix</em></p>
  10550.  
  10551.      </figcaption>
  10552.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  10553.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Vitamix-068051-FoodCycler-FC-50-Capacity/dp/B08BQYXVNT/?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000"
  10554.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  10555.      </p>
  10556.      </div>
  10557. </div>
  10558.  
  10559.  
  10560.  
  10561. <p>Chuck food waste and other compostable items into the Food Cycler&#8217;s two-liter canister and then close the carbon lid. When you run the device, it circulates air through the chamber and pulls moisture from the material without creating a smell in your house. Once it&#8217;s done, your waste will be considerably smaller and easy to mix into your garden soil, where it will work as a natural fertilizer. This is a great way to reduce the amount of food byproducts you send to the landfill and improve your garden simultaneously. Plus, it runs almost silently, so you don&#8217;t have to worry about making too much noise in your kitchen—one of the many reasons Vitamix tops <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-compost-bin/">our best compost bins</a>. </p>
  10562.  
  10563.  
  10564.  
  10565. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-composting-deals"><strong>More composting deals</strong></h2>
  10566.  
  10567.  
  10568.  
  10569. <p>Maybe you&#8217;re not ready for a $300 composter on your counter. That&#8217;s cool! Luckily, Amazon has some other composting gear on sale for Earth Day.</p>
  10570.  
  10571.  
  10572.  
  10573. <ul>
  10574. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Small-Compost-Bin-Free-Material/dp/B09GJXDWS5/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">18.5 Gal Tumbling Compost Bin from BPA Free Material &#8211; Outdoor Single Rotating Chamber Composters</a> $47 (was $59)</li>
  10575.  
  10576.  
  10577.  
  10578. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Epica-Stainless-Compost-Gallon-Charcoal/dp/B00AMNCYNQ/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">EPICA Countertop Compost Bin Kitchen | 1.3 Gallon</a> $27 (was $39)</li>
  10579.  
  10580.  
  10581.  
  10582. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-30046-Easy-Fill-Compost-Adjustable/dp/B07KKR731S/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Joseph Joseph Compo 4 Easy-Fill Compost Bin Food Waste Caddy with Adjustable Air Vent, 1 gallon</a> $16 (was $20)</li>
  10583.  
  10584.  
  10585.  
  10586. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hourleey-Compost-Bin-Composting-Composter/dp/B0CMK4ZZ6W/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Hourleey Compost Bin Outdoor, 43 Gallon Dual Chamber Tumbling Composting Bin with Sliding Doors</a> $79 (was $89)</li>
  10587.  
  10588.  
  10589.  
  10590. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marcytop-Assemble-Efficient-Rotating-Composter/dp/B0CDM6Z66T/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Compost Tumbler, Easy Assemble &amp; Efficient Outdoor Compost Bin, 45 Gallon/170 Liter Large Dual Chamber Rotating Composter</a> $109 (with coupon, was $139)</li>
  10591.  
  10592.  
  10593.  
  10594. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/F2C-Compost-All-Season-Heavy-Duty-Composter/dp/B0BL75R2MJ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">F2C 18.5 Gallon Compost Tumbler Compost Bin All-Season Outdoor BPA Free Single Rotating Chamber Composters </a>$35 (with coupon, was $41)</li>
  10595.  
  10596.  
  10597.  
  10598. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Small-Compost-Bin-Free-Material/dp/B09GJXDWS5/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">18.5 Gal Tumbling Compost Bin from BPA Free Material &#8211; Outdoor Single Rotating Chamber Composters</a> $47 (was $59)</li>
  10599.  
  10600.  
  10601.  
  10602. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Gro-Potting-Mix-2-pack/dp/B091ZLJ417/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611875O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, Potting Soil for Indoor and Outdoor Container Plants, Enriched with Plant Food, 2 cu. ft.</a> (2-Pack) $27 (was $35)</li>
  10603. </ul>
  10604. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/vitamix-foodcycler-composter-earth-day-2024-deal-amazon/">Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10605. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10609. </item>
  10610. <item>
  10611. <title>Critically endangered lemur attacked by vulnerable fosa in Madagascar</title>
  10612. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/lemur-madagascar-predator/</link>
  10614. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  10615. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 16:42:55 +0000</pubDate>
  10616. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  10617. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  10618. <category><![CDATA[Endangered Species]]></category>
  10619. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  10620. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  10621. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611876</guid>
  10622.  
  10623. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10624.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/lemur.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an orange, black, and white lemur sits in a tree" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The diademed sifaka lemur is the largest sifaka species. These critically endangered lemurs mostly live in trees in eastern Madagascar’s rainforest and are known for their distinct bright coloring. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p>Scientists say fosas are not 'the bad guy.'</p>
  10625. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/lemur-madagascar-predator/">Critically endangered lemur attacked by vulnerable fosa in Madagascar</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10626. ]]></description>
  10627. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10628.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/lemur.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an orange, black, and white lemur sits in a tree" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The diademed sifaka lemur is the largest sifaka species. These critically endangered lemurs mostly live in trees in eastern Madagascar’s rainforest and are known for their distinct bright coloring. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure>
  10629. <p>Many of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/aye-aye-lemurs-pick-their-noses/">Madagascar’s charismatic lemurs</a> are in big trouble. Slash and burn agriculture has <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/madagascar-mammals-biodiversity-recovery/">destroyed their habitat</a> and made most of its subspecies vulnerable to extinction. Now, critically endangered <a target="_blank" href="https://www.lemurconservationnetwork.org/learn/lemur-species-fact-sheets/diademed-sifaka/">diademed sifaka lemurs</a> (<em>Propithecus diadema</em>) are being attacked by another vulnerable species, a cat-like carnivore called the fosa (<em>Crytoprocta ferox</em>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/fossa-mammal-species">also spelled fossa</a>).&nbsp;</p>
  10630.  
  10631.  
  10632.  
  10633. <p>A <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11248">study published April 9 in the journal <em>Ecology and Evolution</em></a> details very rare observations of how diademed sifaka lemurs at Madagascar’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.madagascarfaunaflora.org/betampona-natural-reserve.html">Betampona Strict Nature Reserve</a> have been attacked by fosas. Fosas are <a target="_blank" href="https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/fossa">reddish brown animals with slender bodies and long tails</a>. They are excellent climbers and are often compared to cougars. However, they are actually <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11248">part of the weasel family</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  10634.  
  10635.  
  10636.  
  10637. <p>The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/5760/45197189">categorizes the fosa as vulnerable and at risk of extinction</a>. Nearly all of the lemurs that fosas have now been observed eating are also at risk of extinction. The fosas also prey on birds and rodents.&nbsp;</p>
  10638.  
  10639.  
  10640.  
  10641. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1300" height="854" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/fosa.jpg" alt="a cat-looking small carnivore called a fosa sits in a tree. it has wide eyes, whiskers, pointy ears, and a long tail. " class="wp-image-611877"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Fosa are Madagascar’s largest predators. They are stealthy hunters related to weasels. CREDIT: Corbis Documentary/Getty</em></figcaption></figure>
  10642.  
  10643.  
  10644.  
  10645. <p>The impact of this new predation by the fosa combined with low reproductive rates and a <a target="_blank" href="https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2021.656168#:~:text=Genetic%20diversity%20is%20important%20because,ability%20to%20adapt%20and%20survive.">potentially high inbreeding</a> in the lemur population of Betampona could affect the survival of this species at this site. Betampona is Madagascar’s first protected reserve. It includes roughly 5,400 acres of rainforest on the island’s east coast, surrounded by agricultural land. This makes it difficult for the lemurs and other animals in the reserve to find other eligible animals to mate with.&nbsp;</p>
  10646.  
  10647.  
  10648.  
  10649. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/madagascar-megafauna-humans/"><strong>Giant beasts once roamed Madagascar. What happened to them?</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  10650.  
  10651.  
  10652.  
  10653. <p>In this <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11248">new study,</a> a team from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar came across one fosa preying on diademed sifaka lemur during the team’s daily behavioral observations.</p>
  10654.  
  10655.  
  10656.  
  10657. <p>“What we saw was very rare. There are other small carnivores in Madagascar, but they are not big enough to be able to prey upon an adult diademed sifaka [lemur] because they are among the biggest lemurs,” study co-author and Washington University in St. Louis biological anthropologist Giovanna Bonadonna <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041939">said in a statement</a>. “There are not so many predators that could actually get them.”</p>
  10658.  
  10659.  
  10660.  
  10661. <p>The team found that this dynamic can be particularly complex when the predation occurs in an isolated or poor-quality habitat without enough resources to go around. Also, fosas are rarely caught in the act since they are <a target="_blank" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11248">stealthy hunters</a>. Previous studies could only gleam what they eat by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041939">examining the bones and other evidence left behind in their droppings</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  10662.  
  10663.  
  10664.  
  10665. <p>“We noticed that a female diademed sifaka [lemur] that we were following after the first attack didn’t run away very far,” study co-author and University of Antananarivo PhD student Onja Ramilijaona <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041939">said in a statement</a>. “Instead she stayed still and remained vigilant, looking at the fosa.”</p>
  10666.  
  10667.  
  10668.  
  10669. <p>Ramilijaona also documented the remains of another lemur that they presumed was killed by a fosa. Hair was scattered around the site and its abdominal contents were found near several bones. The tree branches nearby also indicated signs of a struggle between animals. The study describes other instances over 19 months of observations when the fosa appeared to stalk lemurs, but did not manage to take one of them down.&nbsp;</p>
  10670.  
  10671.  
  10672.  
  10673. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/platypus-genetics-dam-river/"><strong>Dams are hurting this enigmatic Australian species</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  10674.  
  10675.  
  10676.  
  10677. <p>While the Betampona reserve itself is protected, the forest’s relatively small size and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/how-humans-change-evolution/">isolation from other eligible mates</a> can make it difficult for animals like the diademed sifaka lemurs to continue to breed and survive there.</p>
  10678.  
  10679.  
  10680.  
  10681. <p>“This population of diademed sifakas is already in bad shape,” Bonadonna said. “There is a huge predation pressure that was underestimated until we did this behavioral study. We were able to highlight inbreeding and other factors that may be behind the fact that this population cannot thrive at Betampona.”</p>
  10682.  
  10683.  
  10684.  
  10685. <p>Bonadonna stresses that fosas are not “the bad guy.” They are also in need of conservation and face threats from habitat loss, competition for food resources, and a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wired.com/2015/01/creature-feature-10-fun-facts-fossa/">bad reputation among humans</a> who can often consider them pests. The study highlights just how <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/when-planting-trees-is-bad-for-the-planet/#:~:text=Planting%20trees%20is%20%E2%80%9Cactually%20really,can%20easily%20outweigh%20the%20rewards.">difficult conservation can be</a>. Human activities and behaviors can lead to changes within ecosystems and cascading effects on at-risk species, such as more inbreeding and lack of genetic diversity.&nbsp;</p>
  10686.  
  10687.  
  10688.  
  10689. <p>“Despite the effort to conserve one species, it’s really the ecosystem and the balance of that ecosystem that is at stake once the habitat is compromised,” said Bonadonna.</p>
  10690. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/lemur-madagascar-predator/">Critically endangered lemur attacked by vulnerable fosa in Madagascar</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10691. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10695. </item>
  10696. <item>
  10697. <title>Read the last letters by George Mallory, who died exploring Mt. Everest in 1924</title>
  10698. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/george-mallory-letters/</link>
  10700. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  10701. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:09:47 +0000</pubDate>
  10702. <category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
  10703. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  10704. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611849</guid>
  10705.  
  10706. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10707.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/mallory-letters-digitized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a handwritten letter to ruth mallory from george mallory before he died on mount everest" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Several letters from mountaineer and Everest explorer George Mallory are freely available to the public for the first time. This letter to his wife Ruth is dated May 27, 1924, just days before his doomed expedition. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">The Master and Fellows of Magdalene College, Cambridge</span></figcaption></figure><p>'Darling I wish you the best I can.'</p>
  10708. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/george-mallory-letters/">Read the last letters by George Mallory, who died exploring Mt. Everest in 1924</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10709. ]]></description>
  10710. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10711.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/mallory-letters-digitized.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a handwritten letter to ruth mallory from george mallory before he died on mount everest" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Several letters from mountaineer and Everest explorer George Mallory are freely available to the public for the first time. This letter to his wife Ruth is dated May 27, 1924, just days before his doomed expedition. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">The Master and Fellows of Magdalene College, Cambridge</span></figcaption></figure>
  10712. <p>Letters written by famous British mountaineer and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/why-are-so-many-people-dying-on-everest/">Mount Everest</a> explorer George Mallory are now digitized and freely available to the public for the first time. The University of Cambridge’s Magdalene College has digitized its collection of the mountaineer’s correspondence. The <a target="_blank" href="https://magdalene.maxarchiveservices.co.uk/index.php/mallory-george-herbert-leigh">letters can be downloaded here</a> in honor of the upcoming 100th anniversary of Mallory’s final attempt to climb Mount Everest.&nbsp;</p>
  10713.  
  10714.  
  10715.  
  10716. <p>Mallory is <a target="_blank" href="https://ehistory.osu.edu/articles/because-its-there">best known for replying with “because it’s there”</a> when asked why he wanted to risk death and climb Mount Everest. He took part in a reconnaissance expedition to produce the first European maps of the mountain in 1921. His first serious attempt at climbing the mountain was in 1922, with two subsequent attempts at climbing the mountain following. Most of the correspondence is between Mallory and his wife Ruth and was housed at his alma mater Magdalene College following his death on Mount Everest in 1924.&nbsp;</p>
  10717.  
  10718.  
  10719.  
  10720. <p>In his final letter to his wife Ruth before his doomed last attempt to climb the mountain, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041766">George wrote</a>: “Darling I wish you the best I can–that your anxiety will be at an end before you get this–with the best news. Which will also be the quickest. It is 50 to 1 against us but we’ll have a whack yet &amp; do ourselves proud. Great love to you. Ever your loving, George.”</p>
  10721.  
  10722.  
  10723.  
  10724. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1553" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/final-page-final-letter-from-george.jpg" alt="a letter wrtitten by george mallory to his wife from mount everest on may 27 1924" class="wp-image-611850"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Final page of the final letter from George Mallory from Camp I, Everest, to Ruth Mallory, 27 May 1924. CREDIT: The Master and Fellows of Magdalene College, Cambridge.</em></figcaption></figure>
  10725.  
  10726.  
  10727.  
  10728. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-was-george-mallory"><strong>Who was George Mallory?</strong></h2>
  10729.  
  10730.  
  10731.  
  10732. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Mallory">George Mallory</a> (1886-1924) was one of the leading members of the early European teams to explore Mount Everest. At <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Everest">29,032 feet</a>, Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It rises from the Great Himalayas of southern Asia on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It was previously referred to as Peak XV and was renamed for British explorer Sir George Everest in 1865.</p>
  10733.  
  10734.  
  10735.  
  10736. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/why-are-so-many-people-dying-on-everest/"><strong>The increase in Everest deaths may have nothing to do with crowds or waiting</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  10737.  
  10738.  
  10739.  
  10740. <p>In <a target="_blank" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=zigDAAAAMBAJ&amp;pg=PA34&amp;dq=george+mallory+%22popular+science%22&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjhh7aY7dWFAxWvEVkFHbLjAuAQ6AF6BAgMEAI#v=onepage&amp;q=george%20mallory%20%22popular%20science%22&amp;f=false">May 1924, Raymond J. Brown from <em>Popular Science</em> magazine</a> chronicled Mallory’s upcoming expedition which would be his last. Brown wondered, “Nature controls the situation through the physical capacities with which she has invested in man. Can a man at a height of 27,000 feet develop the energy to walk or drag himself higher?”</p>
  10741.  
  10742.  
  10743.  
  10744. <p>On <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Mallory">June 6, 1924</a>, Mallory and a newer climber named Andrew Irvine began an attempt to reach the summit. The last time the pair was spotted alive was June 8, and the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.climbing.com/people/george-mallory-first-to-climb-everest/">debate as to whether or not Mallory reached the summit continues to this day</a>, as he could have reached the summit and died on the way down.&nbsp;</p>
  10745.  
  10746.  
  10747.  
  10748. <p>During the 1930’s, Irvine’s ax was discovered at roughly 27,700 feet. In 1975, a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/lost/search/#:~:text=Finding%20the%20Body,vintage%20clothes%20he%20was%20wearing.">Chinese climber named Wang Hongbao found a body</a>. He said that the body was an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/lost/search/#:~:text=Finding%20the%20Body,vintage%20clothes%20he%20was%20wearing.">old &#8220;English dead&#8221; due to the vintage clothes</a>. At the time, no other English climber was known to have died at that elevation on the mountain, so it was presumed that the body could be George Mallory or Andrew Irvine. In addition, an oxygen canister from the 1920s was later unearthed in 1991.&nbsp;</p>
  10749.  
  10750.  
  10751.  
  10752. <p>With these clues in tow, an <a target="_blank" href="http://html">expedition set out in 1999</a> to search for both Mallory and Irvine. The team found Mallory’s body at 26,760 feet and it’s believed that he died after a bad fall. Irvine’s remains have never been found.&nbsp;</p>
  10753.  
  10754.  
  10755.  
  10756. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-in-this-collection-of-letters"><strong>What is in this collection of letters?</strong></h2>
  10757.  
  10758.  
  10759.  
  10760. <p>Most of the letters in this collection are corespondence between Mallory and his wife Ruth. They date from the time of their engagement in 1914 until his death. The last letter that he wrote and sent in May 1924 before his final Everest attempt is in the collection.&nbsp;</p>
  10761.  
  10762.  
  10763.  
  10764. <p>In addition, three letters that were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041766">retrieved from his body in 1999</a> are included in this new collection. The letters survived 75 years in his jacket pocket before his body was discovered and are included in the collection with his other letters.</p>
  10765.  
  10766.  
  10767.  
  10768. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1554" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/first-page-final-letter-from-george.jpg" alt="the first page of the last letter geoge mallory sent to his wife ruth in may 1924" class="wp-image-611851"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>First page of the final letter from George Mallory from Camp I, Everest, to Ruth Mallory, 27 May 1924. CREDIT: The Master and Fellows of Magdalene College, Cambridge</em></figcaption></figure>
  10769.  
  10770.  
  10771.  
  10772. <p>The collection covers several topics including his <a target="_blank" href="https://magdalene.maxarchiveservices.co.uk/index.php/mallory-george-herbert-leigh">first mission to Everest in 1921</a> to see if it was even possible to get to the base of the mountain. It also includes an account of his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/worst-everest-disasters/">second mission that ended in disaster</a> when eight Sherpas were swept off the mountain and killed in an avalanche. In the letters, Mallory often <a target="_blank" href="https://magdalene.maxarchiveservices.co.uk/index.php/mallory-george-herbert-leigh">blamed himself for the tragedy</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  10773.  
  10774.  
  10775.  
  10776. <p>Mallory also details his service in World War I in the letters, including a detailed account of the deadly Battle of the Somme in 1916. Mallory’s letters even detail a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-09/archive-gallery-secret-science-behind-prohibition/">visit to the United States during Prohibition in 1922</a>. He describes visiting speakeasies, asking to be served milk, and getting whiskey through a secret hatch.</p>
  10777.  
  10778.  
  10779.  
  10780. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/himalaya-mountain-landslide/"><strong>The rocky history of a missing 26,000-foot Himalayan peak</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  10781.  
  10782.  
  10783.  
  10784. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041766">According to the team from Magdalene College</a>, the letters from his wife Ruth are a major source of women&#8217;s social history, as they detail a wide variety of topics about her life as a woman living through World War I.</p>
  10785.  
  10786.  
  10787.  
  10788. <p>In the only surviving letter from the Everest period in the archive, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041766">Ruth wrote</a>: “I am keeping quite cheerful and happy but I do miss you a lot. I think I want your companionship even more than I used to. I know I have rather often been cross and not nice and I am very sorry but the bottom reason has nearly always been because I was unhappy at getting so little of you. I know it is pretty stupid to spoil the times I do have you for those when I don’t.”</p>
  10789.  
  10790.  
  10791.  
  10792. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1526" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/22/final-page-letter-from-ruth.jpg" alt="the final page of a letter from ruth mallory to george mallory in march 1924" class="wp-image-611852"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Final page of letter from Ruth Mallory to George Mallory, 3 March 1924. CREDIT: The Master and Fellows of Magdalene College, Cambridge.</em></figcaption></figure>
  10793.  
  10794.  
  10795.  
  10796. <p>“It has been a real pleasure to work with these letters,” archivist Katy Green <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041766">said in a statement</a>. “Whether it’s George’s wife Ruth writing about how she was posting him plum cakes and a grapefruit to the trenches (he said the grapefruit wasn’t ripe enough), or whether it’s his poignant last letter where he says the chances of scaling Everest are ‘50 to1 against us,’ they offer a fascinating insight into the life of this famous Magdalene alumnus.”</p>
  10797. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/george-mallory-letters/">Read the last letters by George Mallory, who died exploring Mt. Everest in 1924</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10798. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10802. </item>
  10803. <item>
  10804. <title>Join Sam’s Club for $14 (reg. $50) until the end of April</title>
  10805. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/sams-club-membership-april-deal/</link>
  10807. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  10808. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  10809. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  10810. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  10811. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  10812. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  10813. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  10814. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611786</guid>
  10815.  
  10816. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10817.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="1080" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/image.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=1080" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The exterior of a Sam&#039;s Club in the daylight." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>That’s 72 percent off to kick off a year of savings.</p>
  10818. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/sams-club-membership-april-deal/">Join Sam’s Club for $14 (reg. $50) until the end of April</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10819. ]]></description>
  10820. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10821.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="1080" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/image.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=1080" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The exterior of a Sam&#039;s Club in the daylight." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  10822. </div>
  10823. <p>Our time should be just as valued as our wallets, and a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew&amp;utm_term=scsf-594969&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000u8cQIAQ&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sam’s Club membership can help you save in both areas</a>.</p>
  10824.  
  10825.  
  10826.  
  10827. <p>Start with a 72% discount on the membership itself, now only $14 (reg. $50) through the end of April. This offer is only valid for new members or those who haven’t been active for more than six months.</p>
  10828.  
  10829.  
  10830.  
  10831. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hardest-part-is-deciding-what-to-save-on-first"><strong>The hardest part is deciding what to save on first</strong></h3>
  10832.  
  10833.  
  10834.  
  10835. <p>Redemption is simple. After purchase, activate your unique code on this platform, sign up for your membership, and start browsing products online or head to your nearest location.&nbsp;</p>
  10836.  
  10837.  
  10838.  
  10839. <p>Sam’s Club members can find anything, from fresh and frozen grocery items, to take-and-bake meals, fresh baked goods, and maybe even some free samples to try out as they shop. They can also shop for clothes, jewelry, pet supplies, and household supplies.</p>
  10840.  
  10841.  
  10842.  
  10843. <p>Members can also shop for electronics, furniture, or even appliances. You never know what you might find, and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew&amp;utm_term=scsf-594969&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000u8cQIAQ&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sam’s Club backs all purchases with a 100% satisfaction guarantee</a>. </p>
  10844.  
  10845.  
  10846.  
  10847. <p>After filling your cart, you don&#8217;t even have to wait in line if you use the Scan &amp; Go app. Simply scan your items, pay on your phone, and head out the door. Or, grab a snack at the Sam’s Club Café on your way out. We love to snag a slice of pizza, a quarter-pound hotdog, a pretzel, or a cup of frozen yogurt at a bargain price.</p>
  10848.  
  10849.  
  10850.  
  10851. <p>As a Sam&#8217;s Club member, you can also take advantage of savings on gas, hotel bookings, rental cars, live events, and movies.</p>
  10852.  
  10853.  
  10854.  
  10855. <p><a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sams-club-1-year-membership-with-auto-renew&amp;utm_term=scsf-594969&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000u8cQIAQ&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Become a Sam’s Club member for $14 (reg. $50)</a> before this offer ends on April 30 at 11:59 p.m. No coupon is needed for this 72% discount.</p>
  10856.  
  10857.  
  10858.  
  10859. <p><em><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StackSocial</a> prices subject to change.</em></p>
  10860. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/sams-club-membership-april-deal/">Join Sam’s Club for $14 (reg. $50) until the end of April</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10861. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10865. </item>
  10866. <item>
  10867. <title>8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?</title>
  10868. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/e-scooter-experiment/</link>
  10870. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Syris Valentine / Grist]]></dc:creator>
  10871. <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  10872. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  10873. <category><![CDATA[transportation]]></category>
  10874. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611743</guid>
  10875.  
  10876. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10877.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/e-scooter-beach.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/close-up-image-of-a-young-woman-on-an-electric-scooter-during-sunset-334445594.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The climate benefits of shared e-scooters depend upon how companies deploy and manage them, and what steps are taken to keep riders safe.</p>
  10878. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/e-scooter-experiment/">8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10879. ]]></description>
  10880. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10881.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/e-scooter-beach.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/close-up-image-of-a-young-woman-on-an-electric-scooter-during-sunset-334445594.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  10882. <p><em>This story was originally published by <a href="https://grist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grist</a>. Sign up for Grist’s <a href="https://go.grist.org/signup/weekly/partner?utm_campaign=republish-content&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=partner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekly newsletter here</a>.</em></p>
  10883.  
  10884.  
  10885.  
  10886. <p>When the sharing economy took off in the 2010s and upended entire industries, the firmest proponents of the model heralded it as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX3M8Ka9vUA" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">an economic revolution</a>&nbsp;that would help slash emissions. Of all the ideas that emerged and dissolved over the years, shareable electric scooters seemed to possess the most promise for climate. Almost anyone with a smartphone and a credit card could grab one and ride it down the block or across town, eschewing automobiles.</p>
  10887.  
  10888.  
  10889.  
  10890. <p>Yet, as the industry matures and Lime—which, with operations in 280 cities worldwide, is the biggest player—moves further into its eighth year, researchers have shown that the eco-friendly dreams of shared micromobility have not materialized without problems. The true climate benefits of these fleets depends upon how companies deploy and manage them, and safety remains a concern as injuries climb. But industry leaders appear intent on ensuring their scooters are as sustainable and safe as possible.</p>
  10891.  
  10892.  
  10893.  
  10894. <p>“It’s really important as a company that has set a net-zero target by 2030,” said Andrew Savage, Lime’s head of sustainability, “that we walk the walk, and that we do everything we can to inspire the industries around us to decarbonize as well.”</p>
  10895.  
  10896.  
  10897.  
  10898. <p>The sustainability of shared micromobility is an active area of research in a fast-changing industry. Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal.</p>
  10899.  
  10900.  
  10901.  
  10902. <p>A recent survey of the latest research <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad0f00" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">questioned whether the sharing economy is inherently sustainable</a>, including a particular look at e-scooters. The survey found many researchers were repeatedly concerned with the question: “If riders hadn’t rented a scooter, how would they have gotten to their destination?” If someone would have walked instead of ridden, that person increased the emissions associated with that trip. But <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01441647.2021.2015639" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">several studies</a>, including one by the <a href="https://www.isi.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/isi/dokumente/ccn/2022/the_net_sustainability_impact_of_shared_micromobility_in_six_global_cities.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Bureau of Transportation</a> and another, funded by Lime, by a <a href="https://www.isi.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/isi/dokumente/ccn/2022/the_net_sustainability_impact_of_shared_micromobility_in_six_global_cities.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German research institute</a>, have found that though anywhere from a third to well over half of scooter users would have walked instead, enough other trips that would have been taken by car were not. Shared scooters, on the whole, help reduce overall transportation emissions—often preventing 20 grams of CO2 emissions per mile ridden on a scooter.</p>
  10903.  
  10904.  
  10905.  
  10906. <p>The picture in urban landscapes, however, can get slightly more complicated when researchers consider how those providing the scooters retrieve them to charge, repair, or redistribute them to where people are likely to use them. Colin Murphy, director of research and consulting at the Shared Use Mobility Center, said that when operators use big cargo vans to manage their fleets, they can negate some of the emissions savings from users.</p>
  10907.  
  10908.  
  10909.  
  10910. <p>To address this, Savage said the company is improving its fleet logistics to reduce overall emissions. Lime’s scooters and bikes are now equipped with larger, swappable battery packs, which means they need to be charged less often, and when they do, fleet workers can drive around with a trunk full of battery packs rather than taking the scooter back to a warehouse, effectively cutting logistics emissions in half while ensuring scooters are available more often. Savage said the company has also bought over 140 electric vans to support those operations. Though that’s 10 times the number Lime had a few years ago, it’s still only one van for every two cities it operates in.</p>
  10911.  
  10912.  
  10913.  
  10914. <p>Savage said Lime is also working to reduce its impacts in other ways. For instance, in North America, “once vehicles arrive at port,” Savage said, “we are now using emissions-free trucking to get those to our distribution centers.” Beyond that, the company has designed a modular bike that makes it easier to swap out damaged parts, and parts that are beyond repair are often sent for recycling. And it has worked with one company, Gomi, to salvage cells from partially damaged batteries for use in what it says are <a href="https://www.li.me/blog/gomi-upcycles-lime-e-bike-batteries-to-create-zero-waste-portable-speakers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zero-waste Bluetooth speakers</a>.</p>
  10915.  
  10916.  
  10917.  
  10918. <p>But perhaps the most concerning hurdle the industry faces is also the one over which it has, in reality, the least direct control: rider safety. One study, released earlier this year by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that from 2017 to 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.lww.com/journalacs/abstract/9900/national_trends_and_clinical_outcomes_after.797.aspx" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" class="">serious injuries for scooter riders rose threefold</a>, just as revenues for the scooter-sharing industry shot from $10 million to nearly $450 million. This trend only continued into 2021 and 2022, with micromobility injuries increasing an average of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/E-Scooter-and-E-Bike-Injuries-Soar-2022-Injuries-Increased-Nearly-21" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">23 percent every year</a>. And these weren’t just scrapes and bruises. The UCLA-led study found that scooter users were, compared to cyclists, more likely to end up with a broken arm or leg, require surgery, or even end up paralyzed. The researchers suspect that may be due, among other things, to riders often lacking safety gear.</p>
  10919.  
  10920.  
  10921.  
  10922. <p>Lime insists that it places&nbsp;<a href="https://www.li.me/why/safety/safety-report" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">safety first</a>. But with most American cities designed to promote cars over all other forms of transit, the health of scooter users is, like those of pedestrians and cyclists, at risk once wheels hit pavement. Perhaps it should be no surprise that of the 30 people killed in 2018 while riding an e-scooter,&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/80-of-fatal-e-scooter-crashes-involve-cars-new-study-reveals-where-and-why-most-collisions-occur-158609" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">80 percent were struck by a car</a>. This is why, if society wants to move away from cars as the default, Kailai Wang, who studies urban mobility at the University of Houston, believes urban areas need to invest in upgraded infrastructure like protected bike lanes that can make roads safer for non-automotive transport.</p>
  10923.  
  10924.  
  10925.  
  10926. <p>Of course, cars aren’t the only dangers e-scooter users, like cyclists, face. Poor road and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/change-demanded-after-mother-riding-electric-scooter-dies-in-salt-lake-city-sidewalk-crash" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">sidewalk conditions</a>&nbsp;can lead to serious injuries. And sometimes riders are their own enemy. According to some studies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Health/Epidemiology/APH_Dockless_Electric_Scooter_Study_5-2-19.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">first-time riders</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457521004978" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">late-night riders</a>&nbsp;face elevated risks. Murphy, said that these are two areas where scooter-sharing platforms and local policymakers can step in.&nbsp;</p>
  10927.  
  10928.  
  10929.  
  10930. <p>For instance, he said that operators could artificially limit the max speed of a scooter during a user’s first few rides as they grow accustomed to the vehicle. In other cases, many cities prohibit e-scooter rides in the wee hours to prevent misuse. But “to the degree that these vehicles provide a real kind of transportation lifeline for some people,” Murphy said, “that’s almost when they’re at their most important.” For someone who ends a late shift after bus services end, an e-scooter might actually be their best, or only, means of getting home. This reality led the Chicago City Council, for example, to&nbsp;<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2024/04/10/electric-scooters-rental-companies-lime-spin-license-fees-operating-hours-after-midight-city-council" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">consider revising</a>&nbsp;its own late-night prohibition.</p>
  10931.  
  10932.  
  10933.  
  10934. <p>As long as people have access to one of these vehicles when they need one, and a safe lane in which to ride it, shared micromobility can help cities move away from car-dependent transportation, slashing emissions in the process, by shifting transit from something material and energy-intensive to something low-impact and electric.</p>
  10935.  
  10936.  
  10937.  
  10938. <i>  <p>This article originally appeared in <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/">Grist</a> at <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/transportation/8-years-into-americas-e-scooter-experiment-what-have-we-learned/">https://grist.org/transportation/8-years-into-americas-e-scooter-experiment-what-have-we-learned/</a>.</p>
  10939.                  <link href="https://grist.org/transportation/8-years-into-americas-e-scooter-experiment-what-have-we-learned/" rel="canonical"/>
  10940.                  <p>Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/">Grist.org</a></p>
  10941.                  <script id="grist-syndication-pixel" async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=GTM-TG2PKBX" data-source="repub" data-canonical="https://grist.org/transportation/8-years-into-americas-e-scooter-experiment-what-have-we-learned/" data-title="8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?" crossorigin="anonymous"/></i>
  10942. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/e-scooter-experiment/">8 years into America’s e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10943. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  10947. </item>
  10948. <item>
  10949. <title>Should you take vitamin D? Here’s the science</title>
  10950. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/should-you-take-vitamin-d-how-much/</link>
  10952. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katarina Zimmer / Knowable Magazine]]></dc:creator>
  10953. <pubDate>Sun, 21 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  10954. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  10955. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611734</guid>
  10956.  
  10957. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10958.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/vitamin-d-too-much.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Vitamin D capsule in the sun" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Determining who needs vitamin D supplements, and how much, is complicated. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/vitamin-keeps-you-healthy-while-lack-sun-fingers-holding-yellow-359153388.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Some people take too much, and too many get too little. Experts explain who needs D supplements, and why.</p>
  10959. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/should-you-take-vitamin-d-how-much/">Should you take vitamin D? Here’s the science</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  10960. ]]></description>
  10961. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  10962.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/vitamin-d-too-much.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Vitamin D capsule in the sun" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Determining who needs vitamin D supplements, and how much, is complicated. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/vitamin-keeps-you-healthy-while-lack-sun-fingers-holding-yellow-359153388.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  10963. <p><em><em>This article was originally featured on&nbsp;</em></em><a href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/health-disease/2024/should-you-take-vitamin-d-how-much" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knowable Magazine</a>.</p>
  10964.  
  10965.  
  10966.  
  10967. <p class="has-drop-cap">Nutritional science is supposed to chart a course to our healthier selves. But contradictory scientific results and interpretations can muddy the waters—and few nutrients have recently demonstrated that more clearly than vitamin D.</p>
  10968.  
  10969.  
  10970.  
  10971. <p>At one point, it seemed that everyone should be taking vitamin D supplements, and that doing so would protect against a whole host of maladies, from bone problems to heart disease and cancer. More recently, new studies appear to have debunked many of those claims.</p>
  10972.  
  10973.  
  10974.  
  10975. <p>But a closer look at the research reveals a more nuanced message around vitamin D supplements: They can be key to correcting deficiencies, though people who already have enough—which is most of the American public—are generally unlikely to see benefits from taking large doses. Experts have come to worry about supplement enthusiasts overdosing in the belief that more is better or, at the other extreme, some nutrient-deprived people shunning them altogether.</p>
  10976.  
  10977.  
  10978.  
  10979. <p>Ultimately, says&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00010150">Roger Bouillon</a>, an endocrinologist at KU Leuven in Belgium, “it’s like for most things. You need an optimal amount: not too little, not too much.”</p>
  10980.  
  10981.  
  10982.  
  10983. <p>Yet working out who needs vitamin D supplements, how much, and what the specific health benefits are, remains tricky, with questions remaining. Here’s some of what we know.</p>
  10984.  
  10985.  
  10986.  
  10987. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-vitamin-d-do-and-where-does-it-come-from"><strong>What does vitamin D do, and where does it come from?</strong></h2>
  10988.  
  10989.  
  10990.  
  10991. <p>The importance of vitamin D&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nsb0202-77">came to light at the start of the Industrial Revolution</a>&nbsp;in the late 1700s, when people in northern climes crowded in dark, polluted cities and spent more time working indoors. The majority of children in cities like Boston developed rickets, wherein bones soften, weaken and often deform.</p>
  10992.  
  10993.  
  10994.  
  10995. <p>Scientists eventually discovered that exposure to sunlight would cure and prevent the disease. Later, researchers learned that UV light from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/physical-world/2020/elemental-problem-sun">the Sun</a>&nbsp;kick-starts a reaction that generates vitamin D. The vitamin gets converted into its active form in the kidneys and then is shuttled to the intestine, where it stimulates cells to move calcium, a key building block of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/health-disease/2022/fun-facts-about-bones-more-just-scaffolding">bones</a>, into the bloodstream. “The most important thing vitamin D does is intestinal calcium absorption,” says&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://njms-web.njms.rutgers.edu/profile/myProfile.php?mbmid=christak">Sylvia Christakos</a>, a biochemist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.</p>
  10996.  
  10997.  
  10998.  
  10999. <p>Though the effects are most severe in children, vitamin D deficiencies can also cause a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/osteoporosis-vs-osteomalacia#comparison-table">softening of adult bones called osteomalacia</a>, and increase the risk of osteoporosis, where bones become weak, brittle and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1359/JBMR.0301240">more prone to fractures</a>. Though experts debate what exactly constitutes a vitamin D deficiency—and know that healthy levels may vary from person to person—everyone agrees that blood levels should not go below 12 nanograms per milliliter to avoid severe deficiency.</p>
  11000.  
  11001.  
  11002.  
  11003. <p>Such severe deficiencies—and the bone ailments they cause—are still rampant across the world. Surprisingly,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8674774/">more than 30 percent of people in some sunny Middle Eastern countries</a>&nbsp;are severely deficient, which may be partly attributed to skin-covering traditional clothing. By contrast, in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/health-disease/2018/finlands-bold-push-change-heart-health-nation">Finland</a>, a sun-deprived country with dark winters, severe deficiencies are relatively rare, thanks to government policies to fortify dairy products with extra vitamin D.</p>
  11004.  
  11005.  
  11006.  
  11007. <p>In contrast, around&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/1/e038503">20 percent of the United Kingdom’s population is severely deficient</a>&nbsp;by some estimates, due to its northern, cloudy weather and a lack of fortified foods. The United States, where many dairy products, and some juices and breakfast cereals, are fortified, falls somewhere in the middle:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0558-y#:~:text=Prevalence%20rates%20of%20severe%20vitamin,%5B2%5D%20have%20been%20reported.">Around 6 percent of people are severely deficient</a>. “For the most part in the US, we don’t see frank nutrient deficiencies,” says&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iha.tamu.edu/leadership/">Regan Bailey</a>, a nutrition expert at Texas A&amp;M University who recently coauthored a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-nutr-011923-020327">review on supplement use among the public</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<em>Annual Review of Nutrition.</em>&nbsp;(Some research groups have produced much larger deficiency estimates by using blood level thresholds that many experts say are too high to qualify as nutrient deficiencies.)</p>
  11008.  
  11009.  
  11010.  
  11011. <p>Since 2010, the National Academy of Medicine has recommended&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56050/#summary.s5">relatively modest daily doses</a>: 400 international units (IUs) for babies, 600 IUs for everyone up to age 70 and 800 IUs for older people. These doses are designed to achieve levels of 20 nanograms per milliliter—more than enough to avoid severe deficiencies—for otherwise healthy people in the United States.</p>
  11012.  
  11013.  
  11014.  
  11015. <p>Most people should be able to get these doses through brief sun exposure, says John Christopher Gallagher, an endocrinologist at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Measuring vitamin D production in the skin is not an exact science, but five to 10 minutes’ daily exposure without sunblock of just the face, neck, hands and arms should do the trick in the sunnier months, even in temperate places like Boston. While it’s entirely possible to get enough vitamin D this way, the official stance of the American Academy of Dermatology is to not get vitamin D from sun exposure.</p>
  11016.  
  11017.  
  11018.  
  11019. <p>Fortified dairy products and other foods will also provide enough. Foods that naturally contain vitamin D, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, red meat, liver and irradiated or sun-dried mushrooms, which are especially rich in vitamin D due to their increased exposure to UV light, can also help. “If you’re out and about and you have sun exposure during some months of the year,” Gallagher says, “you probably get plenty of vitamin D.” That’s especially true if you have enough dairy in your diet.</p>
  11020.  
  11021.  
  11022.  
  11023. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1240" height="1216" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/g-dietary-sources-vitamin-d.png" alt="A few common food items can deliver a significant portion of your daily vitamin D needs, either because they are naturally rich in it or because they are fortified with the vitamin. Credit: Knowable Magazine" class="wp-image-611735"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A few common food items can deliver a significant portion of your daily vitamin D needs, either because they are naturally rich in it or because they are fortified with the vitamin.<em> Credit: Knowable Magazine</em></figcaption></figure>
  11024.  
  11025.  
  11026.  
  11027. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Does anyone need supplements?</strong></h2>
  11028.  
  11029.  
  11030.  
  11031. <p>Generally, people need supplements only when they’re not likely to get enough from natural or dietary sources, health experts say. Deficiency-prone populations include breastfed infants who don’t get fortified formula, elderly people (whose skin makes vitamin D less efficiently) and pregnant women. People with dark skin tones should also take care to get sufficient vitamin D, because melanin pigmentation in the skin blocks UV light. People in northern latitudes like England “should all take a supplement during the winter,” adds nutritional scientist&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/susan-lanham-new">Susan Lanham-New</a>&nbsp;of the University of Surrey in the UK, although that’s less important in places like the United States that have food fortification.</p>
  11032.  
  11033.  
  11034.  
  11035. <p>Experts worry that it’s often the people already getting enough vitamin D through diet and lifestyle who are the most likely to take supplements, Christakos notes. Meanwhile, communities who need vitamin D supplements the most might not realize their need and may have read news reports suggesting that the supplements aren’t necessary.</p>
  11036.  
  11037.  
  11038.  
  11039. <p>That’s an especially dangerous message in countries where deficiencies are common—for instance in the UK, where physicians still see children with deficiency-related ailments, says&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/metabolism-systems/hewison-martin.aspx">Martin Hewison</a>, a molecular endocrinologist at the University of Birmingham in that country. One of his UK colleagues is struggling to persuade some of her vitamin D-deficient patients to take supplements because they believe it is a waste of time.</p>
  11040.  
  11041.  
  11042.  
  11043. <p>For anyone concerned that they’re not getting enough vitamin D, experts say that up to 1,000 IUs a day would more than suffice. If possible, Lanham-New adds, make sure it’s vitamin D3, a version typically extracted from sheep wool that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://advances.nutrition.org/article/S2161-8313(23)01394-7/fulltext">appears to be better at raising vitamin D blood levels than D2</a>, which is often vegan and mushroom-based.</p>
  11044.  
  11045.  
  11046.  
  11047. <p>But avoid the high doses—of 5,000, 10,000 or 20,000 IUs, or even higher—that can be found in drugstores or online, stresses&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://prevmed.bwh.harvard.edu/joann-e-manson-md-dph/">JoAnn Manson</a>, an endocrinologist and epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Too much vitamin D, even when taken occasionally, can sometimes cause bone health to deteriorate and lead to an overdose of calcium in the blood and urine, resulting in nausea and even kidney failure. There are reports of people in the UK and US&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://casereports.bmj.com/content/bmjcr/15/7/e250553.full.pdf">ending up in the hospital after taking excessive doses</a>.</p>
  11048.  
  11049.  
  11050.  
  11051. <p>Some experts have advised that Black Americans, in particular, take higher doses of supplements—for instance, 2,500 IUs—as they’re especially prone to low levels. But here’s a mystery: Even though 17.5 percent of African Americans have deficient levels of vitamin D, those vitamin-deficient Blacks tend to have better bone health than comparably deficient white Americans, notes biomedical scientist <a target="_blank" href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/About/LaVerne_L_Brown.aspx">LaVerne Brown</a> of the National Institutes of Health. It’s possible, she says, that African Americans need less vitamin D than other populations, perhaps because they’re better at metabolizing vitamin D to its final active form. If that’s true, then high doses may have a greater risk of causing harm in African Americans.</p>
  11052.  
  11053.  
  11054.  
  11055. <p>“We just don’t have the studies that are focusing on these populations in order to come up with definitive answers,” Brown says. In the meantime, an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5954269/">expert panel meeting in 2017</a>&nbsp;concluded that the current recommended intake should be enough for African Americans, the same as everyone else. “Anything above 800 IU, it’s not clear that there’s a real need for that,” Brown says.</p>
  11056.  
  11057.  
  11058.  
  11059. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Could higher doses have benefits?</strong></h2>
  11060.  
  11061.  
  11062.  
  11063. <p>More than two decades ago, scientists began to make observations suggesting that vitamin D at higher doses could have benefits beyond bone health. Dozens of studies described strong correlations between people’s vitamin D levels and a range of diseases like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. The lower someone’s vitamin D levels were, the likelier they were to have these diseases, while higher levels were associated with being healthier.</p>
  11064.  
  11065.  
  11066.  
  11067. <p>Other research showed that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5031366/">many cell types—in the lungs, heart and immune system—have receptors for the vitamin to dock onto</a>, hinting at far-reaching effects across the body. Giving vitamin D to lab mice with conditions mimicking human diseases could often improve their ailments. Vitamin D, it seemed, might help to tackle the major diseases of our time.</p>
  11068.  
  11069.  
  11070.  
  11071. <p>From New Zealand to Europe to North America, scientists launched large clinical trials, enrolling thousands of people over multiple years, to test whether vitamin D supplements would decrease their risk of disease. Importantly, the studies focused on members of the general public, who were largely healthy and had adequate levels of vitamin D. These people then received relatively large doses, of 2,000 or 4,000 IUs or even higher. The studies asked whether there were benefits from getting more than the recommended dietary allowance and ending up with blood levels even higher than 20 or 30 nanograms per milliliter, Manson explains.</p>
  11072.  
  11073.  
  11074.  
  11075. <p>To the disappointment of many scientists, giving these generous doses to healthy people&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-021-00593-z">didn’t change their risk of developing cancer, heart disease</a>&nbsp;or asthma, nor did it significantly prevent the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/health-disease/2021/what-does-mean-have-prediabetes">progression to type 2 diabetes</a>. Extra vitamin D beyond the recommended levels didn’t even do anything to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31923341/">improve bone health</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2202106">reduce the risk of fractures</a>.</p>
  11076.  
  11077.  
  11078.  
  11079. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1540" height="698" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/g-right-dose-vitamin-d.png" alt="Experts recommend relatively modest daily doses of vitamin D supplements. Credit: Knowable Magazine" class="wp-image-611736"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Experts recommend relatively modest daily doses of vitamin D supplements. <em>Credit: Knowable Magazine</em></figcaption></figure>
  11080.  
  11081.  
  11082.  
  11083. <p>There may be a simple biological reason why more vitamin D isn’t necessarily better: The version of vitamin D found in supplements needs to be converted in the liver and kidneys to reach its final, active form—and that process is probably tightly controlled, says Bouillon. “The body regulates that so you have the exact amount, and not more than what you need.”</p>
  11084.  
  11085.  
  11086.  
  11087. <p>The takeaway, many experts agree, is that most healthy people aren’t going to benefit from high doses of vitamin D if they already have enough. The tantalizing associations that led researchers to suspect additional powers of vitamin D could have been an illusion: People with illnesses may end up with lower vitamin D levels because of the diseases themselves, or the unhealthy lifestyles that caused them, says Bouillon.</p>
  11088.  
  11089.  
  11090.  
  11091. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Are larger doses ever helpful?</strong></h2>
  11092.  
  11093.  
  11094.  
  11095. <p>A few of the recent trials hinted that some groups of people may benefit from higher doses, but these possible benefits need to be confirmed in further studies, says Manson, who ran one of the trials, called VITAL, which studied nearly 26,000 US adults over five years and looked at supplements of 2,000 IUs of vitamin D as well as omega-3 fatty acids. In that study, participants&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31733345/">didn’t have a lower risk of developing cancer</a>&nbsp;but they did have a 25 percent lower chance of it metastasizing or becoming fatal. Perhaps, says Manson, vitamin D makes tumors less likely to metastasize and kill. VITAL also reported that high doses of vitamin D made people less likely to develop certain autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and lupus.</p>
  11096.  
  11097.  
  11098.  
  11099. <p>Manson notes that these benefits appeared to be most visible among people with a healthy weight, compared to overweight or obese participants. But she cautions that more research is needed to understand these observations and confirm the observed benefits of larger doses.</p>
  11100.  
  11101.  
  11102.  
  11103. <p>Physicians in clinical practice, of course, have leeway in prescribing higher doses to certain people as they see fit, such as for osteoporosis patients, or people with conditions that hamper the absorption of vitamin D through the diet, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.</p>
  11104.  
  11105.  
  11106.  
  11107. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What don’t we know yet?</strong></h2>
  11108.  
  11109.  
  11110.  
  11111. <p>As they probe potential effects of higher doses in non-deficient people, researchers still don’t know how many roles vitamin D might have. The trouble is that recent trials don’t tell us whether having&nbsp;<em>enough</em>&nbsp;vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy heart function or avoiding cancer, for instance—only that having more than that won’t help in most cases.</p>
  11112.  
  11113.  
  11114.  
  11115. <p>To prove that adequate vitamin D has health benefits beyond keeping bones strong, scientists need more research in which some deficient people receive supplements and the rest receive a placebo. But such studies are hard to conduct in places like the US, where severe deficiencies are relatively rare. It’s also not ethically justifiable to seek out people who are deficient and then deprive half of them of much-needed supplements, because of the risk of poor bone health in vitamin D-deficient people.</p>
  11116.  
  11117.  
  11118.  
  11119. <p>Some scientists believe that having enough vitamin D could be key to maintaining heart and immune system health and preventing diabetes and cancer—and perhaps even be important for brain function, athletic performance and other claims. The evidence is particularly strong in the immune system, says Hewison, whose research points to key roles of vitamin D in immune cells; and indeed, human trials that by chance included some deficient people show benefits of supplementation in warding off infections.</p>
  11120.  
  11121.  
  11122.  
  11123. <p>But there just aren’t enough data yet, Hewison says. “I think this is the issue facing the field as a whole.”</p>
  11124.  
  11125.  
  11126.  
  11127. <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://www.knowablemagazine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knowable Magazine</a>, an independent journalistic endeavor from Annual Reviews. Sign up for the <a href="https://www.knowablemagazine.org/page/newsletter-signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newsletter</a>.</em></p>
  11128.  
  11129.  
  11130.  
  11131. <p><em>Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 23, 2024, to correct editorial style for identifying racial groups.</em></p>
  11132. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/should-you-take-vitamin-d-how-much/">Should you take vitamin D? Here’s the science</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11133. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11137. </item>
  11138. <item>
  11139. <title>Tackle home cleaning effortlessly with this self-cleaning 2-in-1 vacuum, priced at $99.99</title>
  11140. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/2-in-1-robot-vacuum-self-cleaning-sponsored-deal/</link>
  11142. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  11143. <pubDate>Sun, 21 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11144. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
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  11150.  
  11151. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11152.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-5.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A 2-in-1 robovac mopping a floor." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Manage home messes easily and save $100. </p>
  11153. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/2-in-1-robot-vacuum-self-cleaning-sponsored-deal/">Tackle home cleaning effortlessly with this self-cleaning 2-in-1 vacuum, priced at $99.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11154. ]]></description>
  11155. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11156.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-5.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A 2-in-1 robovac mopping a floor." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  11157. </div>
  11158. <p>Designed to cater to the needs of modern households, this 2-in-1 robot device <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594561&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPtZIAU&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">combines vacuuming and mopping capabilities</a> into one compact, sleek package, helping you effectively keep your space clean. With its Wi-Fi connectivity, app integration, and Alexa compatibility, the ZCWA robot offers convenience and control that fit seamlessly into the rhythm of everyday life. Even better, it&#8217;s now $100 off!</p>
  11159.  
  11160.  
  11161.  
  11162. <p>Featuring innovative, smart navigation features that include an <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594561&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPtZIAU&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">advanced 3D precise obstacle avoidance</a> function, the robot vacuum is seamlessly managed and ensures it doesn&#8217;t reach off-limits areas. With two intensity levels, it can be programmed and scheduled to clean various floor types, providing versatility. You can clean specific spots without disrupting your prized furniture or home decor, as the robot vacuum automatically retreats around certain regions with its built-in sensors.</p>
  11163.  
  11164.  
  11165.  
  11166. <p>The device moves in a convenient, quiet motion while traveling. It is equipped with different cleaning modes—vacuum and mop—so you can quickly remove unwanted debris on all sorts of floors and carpeting. With a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594561&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPtZIAU&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">powerful 2500mAh battery and a strong suction of up to 1400 Pa</a>, the robot will clean up dust, dirt, allergens, and more in any sized room or space for up to 100 minutes per charge. Once the vacuum runs low on power, it will automatically return to its charging base.</p>
  11167.  
  11168.  
  11169.  
  11170. <p>Other features include user-friendly integration with its dedicated app and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594561&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPtZIAU&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant</a>, making it easier to schedule and navigate your cleaning assistant to reach every nook and cranny.</p>
  11171.  
  11172.  
  11173.  
  11174. <p>It&#8217;s important to note that the 2-in-1 vacuum is a New-Open Box item. This means the packaging may be slightly distressed, but the vacuum itself is brand new and restored with its original accessories.&nbsp;</p>
  11175.  
  11176.  
  11177.  
  11178. <p>Bring home the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=zcwa-2in1-robot-vacuum-and-mop-combo-with-wifi-app-alexa-black-open-box&amp;utm_term=scsf-594561&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPtZIAU&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">ZCWA 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum &amp; Mop Combo with Wi-Fi/App/Alexa in black (New—Open Box)</a> for $99.99 (reg. $199), with no coupon code required. </p>
  11179.  
  11180.  
  11181.  
  11182. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.</em></p>
  11183. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/2-in-1-robot-vacuum-self-cleaning-sponsored-deal/">Tackle home cleaning effortlessly with this self-cleaning 2-in-1 vacuum, priced at $99.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
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  11188. </item>
  11189. <item>
  11190. <title>Enjoy seamless gaming with these wireless Nintendo Switch controllers, now $30.99</title>
  11191. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/wireless-nintendo-switch-controllers-sale/</link>
  11193. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  11194. <pubDate>Sun, 21 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11195. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
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  11200. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611501</guid>
  11201.  
  11202. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11203.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Untitled-design-29.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Nintendo Switch on a blue background with RGB controller." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>With dynamic RGB lights, your gaming toolbox just got an upgrade.</p>
  11204. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/wireless-nintendo-switch-controllers-sale/">Enjoy seamless gaming with these wireless Nintendo Switch controllers, now $30.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11205. ]]></description>
  11206. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11207.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Untitled-design-29.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Nintendo Switch on a blue background with RGB controller." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  11208. </div>
  11209. <p>An essential part of any gaming console is its controllers; the Nintendo Switch is no exception. These wireless Nintendo Switch controllers are not your average gamepads. They are equipped with RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and aiming to elevate the gaming experience. They also bring sophisticated sensor technology and vibration feedback that provide precision and control in your gaming experiences, <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray_042124&amp;utm_term=scsf-594367&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECGIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">all for under $35</a>.</p>
  11210.  
  11211.  
  11212.  
  11213. <p>Made of sturdy, non-slip ABS material, the controllers support multi-platform connectivity and provide a high-quality experience on various devices, allowing you to enjoy your favorite Nintendo Switch games for hours to come. Moreover, their latest chip technology significantly improves connectivity, ensuring responsive and uninterrupted play. This advanced connectivity is a game changer, allowing quicker response times and a more reliable connection to your Nintendo Switch.</p>
  11214.  
  11215.  
  11216.  
  11217. <p>Designed with 360° joysticks and a 6-axis gyroscope, the Nintendo Switch controllers deliver precise aiming at the joypad for an enticing gaming experience every time. They also come with Turbo (T) buttons, a standout feature perfect for games requiring rapid firing or quick repetitive actions. The controller&#8217;s auto mode is activated with &#8216;Function key + T&#8217; and quickly canceled by pressing and holding the T button while moving the joystick left or right.</p>
  11218.  
  11219.  
  11220.  
  11221. <p>With <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray_042124&amp;utm_term=scsf-594367&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECGIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">up to 30 hours of gameplay on a single charge</a>, these controllers are designed to keep you in the game longer without interruptions. This long battery life ensures you can play through extended sessions with friends and family without frequently recharging. Best yet, its vibrant RGB lighting brings personality to your gaming setup and enhances the controllers during gaming go-time.</p>
  11222.  
  11223.  
  11224.  
  11225. <p>Get the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=wireless-controllers-for-nintendo-switch-with-rgb-lights-gray_042124&amp;utm_term=scsf-594367&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECGIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Nintendo Switch Wireless Controllers with RGB Lights</a> for $30.99 (reg. $42.99), with no coupon code required, and level up your gaming experience today. </p>
  11226.  
  11227.  
  11228.  
  11229. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.  </em></p>
  11230. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/wireless-nintendo-switch-controllers-sale/">Enjoy seamless gaming with these wireless Nintendo Switch controllers, now $30.99</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11231. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11235. </item>
  11236. <item>
  11237. <title>How to hide text messages on iPhone</title>
  11238. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-hide-text-messages-on-iphone/</link>
  11240. <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Nield]]></dc:creator>
  11241. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 19:03:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11242. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  11243. <category><![CDATA[Tech Hacks]]></category>
  11244. <category><![CDATA[Apple]]></category>
  11245. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611372</guid>
  11246.  
  11247. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11248.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/how_to_hide_text_messages_on_iphone.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Horizontal creative photo collage of two hand hold mobile phone with message notification online internet connection on paper background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">There are ways to stop other people seeing the messages on your iPhone. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/horizontal-creative-photo-collage-two-hand-hold-mobile-phone-message-693365002.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Don't let anyone else see your most private and sensitive messages.</p>
  11249. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-hide-text-messages-on-iphone/">How to hide text messages on iPhone</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11250. ]]></description>
  11251. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11252.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/how_to_hide_text_messages_on_iphone.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Horizontal creative photo collage of two hand hold mobile phone with message notification online internet connection on paper background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">There are ways to stop other people seeing the messages on your iPhone. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/horizontal-creative-photo-collage-two-hand-hold-mobile-phone-message-693365002.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  11253. <p>We all carry around a lot of private and sensitive material on our smartphones. That includes text messages—and there might be times when you&#8217;d rather certain messages weren&#8217;t available for public viewing, even if you still want to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/how-to-save-your-text-messages/">save your text messages</a>.</p>
  11254.  
  11255.  
  11256.  
  11257. <p>You may have a robust lock screen mechanism in place, but there&#8217;s always the chance someone else could get access to your phone, or you might voluntarily lend it to a friend or relative. Whatever the case, you don&#8217;t want someone else scrolling through your texts, and here we&#8217;ll focus specifically on how to hide text messages on an iPhone.</p>
  11258.  
  11259.  
  11260.  
  11261. <p>Another reason for hiding text messages on an iPhone without deleting them might be simply to reduce clutter: Maybe you don&#8217;t want to have to sift through a load of messages to find the important ones.</p>
  11262.  
  11263.  
  11264.  
  11265. <p>Whatever the reasoning, this is one of those iPhone message tricks that a lot of people are keen to know how to do. The approach you need to take to hide messages on an iPhone depends on the apps you&#8217;re using most often, and how exactly you want to hide specific text messages on your iPhone. It&#8217;s also worth bearing in mind that these texts can show up in other places where your Apple ID is linked—like iCloud, or your iPad or Apple Watch—so you might want to hide them here too.</p>
  11266.  
  11267.  
  11268.  
  11269. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hide-text-messages-on-the-iphone-lock-screen"><strong>Hide text messages on the iPhone lock screen</strong></h2>
  11270.  
  11271.  
  11272.  
  11273. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/01-hide-text-previews-iphone.jpg" alt="screenshot of an iphone's &quot;show previews&quot; option with &quot;never&quot; selected" class="wp-image-611381"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">You can hide message previews from notifications. <em>Screenshot: Apple</em></figcaption></figure>
  11274.  
  11275.  
  11276.  
  11277. <p>Depending on your iPhone settings, text messages and messages from other apps might show up on your lock screen—not ideal if you get an incoming message that you&#8217;d rather keep private, and someone is looking over your shoulder, or your phone is face up on a table when other people are around.</p>
  11278.  
  11279.  
  11280.  
  11281. <p>To stop this from happening, head to Settings in iOS, and tap <strong>Notifications</strong> then <strong>Messages</strong>. Choose <strong>Show Previews</strong> and change this to <strong>When Unlocked (Default)</strong> to stop the previews from showing up on the lock screen, or <strong>Never</strong> to stop them showing up anywhere—so you&#8217;ll have to go into the Messages app to read them.</p>
  11282.  
  11283.  
  11284.  
  11285. <p>You&#8217;ll find the same <strong>Show Previews</strong> settings in your other messaging apps, from WhatsApp to Google Chat. The other option, which you can find on the same screens, is to turn off notifications for these messaging apps altogether.</p>
  11286.  
  11287.  
  11288.  
  11289. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hide-text-messages-in-iphone-apps"><strong>Hide text messages in iPhone apps</strong></h2>
  11290.  
  11291.  
  11292.  
  11293. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/02-archive-texts-iphone.jpg" alt="screenshot of whatsapp open " class="wp-image-611382"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">WhatsApp is one of the apps that supports message archiving. Screenshot: WhatsApp</figcaption></figure>
  11294.  
  11295.  
  11296.  
  11297. <p>If you know your <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/imessage-tips/">iMessage tips</a> then you&#8217;ll know that both standard SMS text messages and messages using Apple&#8217;s iMessage platform appear in the Messages app on your iPhone. However, there&#8217;s currently no way to hide messages from the main All Messages list, which shows incoming messages in reverse chronological order.</p>
  11298.  
  11299.  
  11300.  
  11301. <p>Your only options, which you can see by long pressing on a conversation, are to delete the message thread entirely, or hide alerts for it—either of those options may match what you&#8217;re wanting to do, but when it comes to the question of can you hide messages on an iPhone, it&#8217;s a no for the main Messages app.</p>
  11302.  
  11303.  
  11304.  
  11305. <p>You do have the option to block contacts, which means their messages will never be delivered to your inbox in Messages (they won&#8217;t know about it): It&#8217;s an extreme way of hiding texts, but it works. In any Messages conversation, tap the name or number at the top, then the info button (the small person icon) and <strong>Block this Caller</strong>. You can see blocked contacts from <strong>Messages &gt; Blocked Contacts</strong> in Settings.</p>
  11306.  
  11307.  
  11308.  
  11309. <p>Other apps work differently though. In WhatsApp, for example, you can long press on a conversation thread (either a one-to-one chat or a group chat), and then choose Archive to dismiss the chat from the main inbox. Archived chats don&#8217;t prompt notifications unless you&#8217;re specifically mentioned or replied to, and you can get at your archived conversations by tapping <strong>Archived</strong> at the top of the Chats window.</p>
  11310.  
  11311.  
  11312.  
  11313. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/03-lock-and-hide-chats-iphone.jpg" alt='screenshot of iphone with "Keep this chat locked and hidden" opened' class="wp-image-611397"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Messages can also be locked and hidden in WhatsApp. <em>Screenshot: Apple</em></figcaption></figure>
  11314.  
  11315.  
  11316.  
  11317. <p>Tap <strong>Settings</strong> and then <strong>Chats</strong>, and you&#8217;ll find the option to archive all your chats at once, leaving you with a clean inbox. There&#8217;s also a <strong>Keep Chats Archived</strong> toggle switch—this is enabled by default, but if you disable it, archived chats will pop back into the main messages list whenever there&#8217;s a new message.</p>
  11318.  
  11319.  
  11320.  
  11321. <p><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/whatsapp-chat-lock/">WhatsApp lets you lock chats too</a>—this is like archiving chats, but lock chats can only be viewed with the passcode for your iPhone, or via Face ID or Touch ID. To lock a conversation, tap on the bar at the top of the chat, then choose <strong>Lock Chat</strong>. To get to these hidden messages, you need to tap <strong>Locked Chats</strong> at the top of the conversation list.</p>
  11322.  
  11323.  
  11324.  
  11325. <p>Facebook Messenger for iOS has an archive feature too, and again you get to it by long pressing on a message then choosing the <strong>Archive</strong> option that pops up. Tap the menu button (the three horizontal lines, top left), to find the Archive folder: Head into the folder to read archived messages and restore them to the main chat list.</p>
  11326.  
  11327.  
  11328.  
  11329. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secret-text-conversations-on-your-iphone"><strong>Secret text conversations on your iPhone</strong></h2>
  11330.  
  11331.  
  11332.  
  11333. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/04-invisible-ink-iphone.jpg" alt='screenshot of iPhone messages with "invisible ink" shown' class="wp-image-611401"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Invisible ink is one of the options inside iOS Messages. Screenshot: Apple</figcaption></figure>
  11334.  
  11335.  
  11336.  
  11337. <p>Another approach you can take to hiding text messages on an iPhone is to<a href="https://www.popsci.com/send-self-destructing-messages/"> send chats that vanish</a> once they&#8217;ve been read, or after a specific period of time. This is something WhatsApp can do, for example: Tap the bar at the top of a one-to-one or group chat, then pick <strong>Disappearing Messages</strong> to set the options.</p>
  11338.  
  11339.  
  11340.  
  11341. <p>You might also have heard of the invisible ink iPhone trick, which works in the default iOS Messages app. When you&#8217;re about to send a chat over iMessage, long press on the blue send button, then pick the invisible ink option before sending it—it means the message won&#8217;t be visible to the recipient(s) until it&#8217;s tapped on. It&#8217;s another way of hiding text messages on the iPhone.</p>
  11342.  
  11343.  
  11344.  
  11345. <p>It&#8217;s worth spending a little bit of time to see what the options are inside your messaging app of choice when it comes to hiding messages, or at least muting their notifications. It&#8217;s not possible to hide text messages on every chat app on the iPhone, but many of these apps do have a few related options you can play around with.</p>
  11346. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-hide-text-messages-on-iphone/">How to hide text messages on iPhone</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11347. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11351. </item>
  11352. <item>
  11353. <title>The algorithmic ocean: How AI is revolutionizing marine conservation</title>
  11354. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-marine-conservation/</link>
  11356. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Karen Bakker / MIT Press Reader]]></dc:creator>
  11357. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11358. <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
  11359. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  11360. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  11361. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  11362. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611727</guid>
  11363.  
  11364. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11365.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/us-coast-guard-cutter-douglas-munro-small-boat-crew-supports-operation-north-45ac2f.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Cutter Douglas Munro and crew searching for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity including high seas driftnet fishing." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Cutter Douglas Munro and crew searching for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity including high seas driftnet fishing. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://nara.getarchive.net/media/us-coast-guard-cutter-douglas-munro-small-boat-crew-supports-operation-north-45ac2f">U.S. Coast Guard</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Driven by a childhood marked by war and environmental devastation, Dyhia Belhabib developed an innovative technology to combat illegal fishing.</p>
  11366. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-marine-conservation/">The algorithmic ocean: How AI is revolutionizing marine conservation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11367. ]]></description>
  11368. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11369.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/us-coast-guard-cutter-douglas-munro-small-boat-crew-supports-operation-north-45ac2f.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Cutter Douglas Munro and crew searching for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity including high seas driftnet fishing." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Cutter Douglas Munro and crew searching for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity including high seas driftnet fishing. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://nara.getarchive.net/media/us-coast-guard-cutter-douglas-munro-small-boat-crew-supports-operation-north-45ac2f">U.S. Coast Guard</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  11370. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-algorithmic-ocean-how-ai-is-revolutionizing-marine-conservation/">MIT Press Reader</a>.</p>
  11371.  
  11372.  
  11373.  
  11374. <p class="has-drop-cap">Dyhia Belhabib’s journey to becoming a marine scientist began with war funerals on TV. Her hometown, on the pine-forested slopes of the Atlas Mountains in northern Algeria, lies only 60 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. But a trip to the beach was dangerous. A bitter civil war raged across the mountains as she was growing up in the 1990s; the conflict was particularly brutal for Belhabib’s people, the Berbers, one of the Indigenous peoples of North Africa. As she puts it: “We didn’t go to the ocean much, because you could get killed on the way there.”</p>
  11375.  
  11376.  
  11377.  
  11378. <p>The ocean surfaced in her life in another way, on state-run television. When an important person was assassinated or a massacre occurred, broadcasters would interrupt regular programming to show a sober documentary. They frequently chose a Jacques Cousteau film, judged sufficiently dignified and neutral to commemorate the deaths. Whenever she saw the ocean on television, Belhabib would wonder who had died. “My generation thinks of tragedies when we see the ocean,” she says. “I didn’t grow to love it in my youth.”</p>
  11379.  
  11380.  
  11381.  
  11382. <p>By the time she was ready for university, the civil war had ended. The Islamists had lost the war, but their cultural influence had grown. Engaged at 13 to a fiancé who wanted her to become a banker, Belhabib chafed at the restrictions. Her given name, Dyhia, refers to a Berber warrior queen who successfully fought off invading Arab armies over a thousand years ago; Queen Kahina, as she is also known, remains a symbol of female empowerment, an inspiration for Berbers and for the thousands of Algerian women who took up arms in the war of independence. In a society where one in four women cannot read, Belhabib realized she didn’t want to go to university only to spend her life “counting other people’s money.</p>
  11383.  
  11384.  
  11385.  
  11386. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“We didn’t go to the ocean much, because you could get killed on the way there.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  11387.  
  11388.  
  11389.  
  11390. <p>One day, her brother’s friend visited their house. He was a student in marine sciences in the capital city, Algiers. When he described traveling out to sea, Belhabib felt a calling for an entirely unexpected path. “It was,” she recalls, “a career I had never heard of, and one that challenged every stereotype of women in Algerian society.” Soon after the visit, she moved to Algiers to study at the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, where she was one of the only women in her program. She also broke off the engagement with her fiancé, so that she could focus full-time on studies. She still vividly remembers her feelings of freedom, fear, and unreality on her first trip out to sea. While other students dove for samples, she floated on top of the water, trying to survive. “I never learned how to swim, and I still don’t know how,” she admits.</p>
  11391.  
  11392.  
  11393.  
  11394. <p>Belhabib graduated at the top of her class, but was repeatedly rejected when she applied to universities overseas. Her luck turned when she met Daniel Pauly, one of the world’s most famous fish scientists, at a conference. Unintimidated by the fact that Pauly had just won the Volvo Prize—the environmental equivalent of a Nobel—she introduced herself and told him she wanted to study with his team. Although she did not yet speak fluent English, Pauly accepted her as a student. When she began her doctoral research, over 90 percent of the world’s wild fisheries had been eradicated, and Pauly was sounding the alarm about a new, global surge in illegal fishing that was decimating marine food webs and depriving coastal communities of livelihoods. He wanted her to work on Africa, where illegal fishing had reached epidemic proportions.</p>
  11395.  
  11396.  
  11397.  
  11398. <p>Belhabib spent the next few years in West Africa. When her research uncovered the extent of illegal fishing to feed Chinese and European markets, she made the front page of the&nbsp;<em>New York Times</em>. “Being African myself, I was able to bring people together to openly share data in a way they never had before,” she explains. It’s not hard to imagine her corralling government officials: Disarmingly frank and engagingly energetic, the whip-smart, hijab-wearing Belhabib stands a little over five feet tall and talks a mile a minute, with a self-deprecating laugh and a talent for gently posed, bitingly direct questions.</p>
  11399.  
  11400.  
  11401.  
  11402. <p>Her startling findings touched a nerve. Tens of thousands of boats commit fishing crimes every year, but no global repository of fishing crimes exists. A fishing vessel will often commit a crime in one jurisdiction, pay a meager fine, and sail off to another jurisdiction, thus operating with impunity. If a global database of fishing vessel criminal records could be created, Belhabib realized, there would be nowhere left to hide. She suggested the idea to a variety of international organizations, but the issue was a political hot potato; national sovereignty, they argued, prevented them from tracking international criminals. Undeterred, Belhabib decided to build the database herself. Late at night, while her infant son was sleeping, she began combing through government reports and news articles in dozens of languages (she speaks several fluently). Her database grew, word spread, and her network of informants—often government officials frustrated with international inaction on illegal fishing—began expanding. She moved to a small nonprofit and began advising Interpol and national governments. The database, christened Spyglass, grew into the world’s largest registry of the criminal history of industrial fishing vessels and their corporate backers. But the registry, Belhabib knew, was useful only if the information made its way into the right hands. So in 2021 she cofounded <a href="https://ncis-tech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nautical Crime Investigation Services</a>, a startup that uses AI and customized monitoring technology to enable more effective policing of marine crimes and criminal vessels at sea. Together with her cofounder Sogol Ghattan, who has a background in ethical AI, she named their core algorithm ADA, in homage to Ada Lovelace—the woman who wrote the world’s first computer program.</p>
  11403.  
  11404.  
  11405.  
  11406. <p>Belhabib is attempting to tackle one of the most intractable problems in contemporary environmental conservation: illegal fishing. Across the oceans, the difficulty of tracking ships creates ideal cover for some of the world’s largest environmental crimes. After the end of World War II, the world’s fishing fleets rapidly industrialized. Wartime technologies that had been developed for detecting underwater submarines were repurposed for spotting fish. The size of nets grew exponentially, and offshore factory ships were outfitted so they could spend months at sea, extending the reach of industrial fishing into the furthest reaches of the ocean. As the world’s population grew, fish protein became an increasingly important source of food. But warning signs soon appeared: crashes in key fish populations, an alarming trend of “fishing down marine food webs,” and a series of cascading impacts that rapidly depleted marine ecosystems.</p>
  11407.  
  11408.  
  11409.  
  11410. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“Being African myself, I was able to bring people together to openly share data in a way they never had before.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  11411.  
  11412.  
  11413.  
  11414. <p>In the wake of depleting stocks, fishers should have responded by reducing their take. Instead, they redoubled their efforts. After the world’s leading fishing nations—China and Europe are the largest markets—overfished their own waters, they began exporting industrial overfishing to the global oceans. China’s offshore fishing fleet of several hundred thousand vessels, which received nearly $8 billion in government subsidies in 2018, is <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/cc0461en/online/sofia/2022/fishing-fleet.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">now the largest in the world</a>.</p>
  11415.  
  11416.  
  11417.  
  11418. <p>Governments of wealthier nations subsidized massive fleets of corporate-backed vessels to fish the high seas, using bottom trawling and drift nets stretching for dozens of miles, killing everything in their path. Artisanal fishers were squeezed out, and as fish stocks collapsed, rising food insecurity generated protests and political unrest. In West Africa, for example, fishing boats from the world’s wealthiest nations have depleted local fisheries to such an extent that waves of migrants—faced with food insecurity and uncertain futures—have begun fleeing their homes in a desperate, risky attempt to reach European outposts such as the Spanish Canary Islands; thousands of migrants have died at sea. The smaller fishing fleet, meanwhile, has struggled to remain solvent; impoverished fishers are increasingly vulnerable targets for criminal organizations seeking mules for hire to transport drugs, or boats to serve as cover operations for human trafficking.</p>
  11419.  
  11420.  
  11421.  
  11422. <p>Over 90 percent of the world’s fish stocks are now&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ipbes.net/global-assessment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fished to capacity or overfished</a>. Despite this, scientists’ calls for reduced fishing have largely fallen on deaf ears. Conventional attempts to manage fisheries are stymied by the limits of logbooks and onboard human observers, and local electronic monitoring systems. Fishing boats that exceed quotas or fish in off-limits areas are rarely caught, operating with impunity in front of local fishermen’s eyes; and even if caught, they are even more rarely punished.</p>
  11423.  
  11424.  
  11425.  
  11426. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="ah0301"><strong>Marine panopticon</strong></h2>
  11427.  
  11428.  
  11429.  
  11430. <p>The world’s oceans are experiencing an onslaught: As fish have become scarcer, illegal fishing has surged. Rather than merely document the decline of fish stock, Belhabib decided to do something about it. Her solution: to combine ADA, her AI-powered database of marine crimes, with data that tracks vessel movements in real time. She began by tracking signals from the marine traffic transponders carried by oceangoing ships—also known as automatic information systems (AIS). AIS signals are detected by land transceivers or satellites and used to track and monitor individual vessel movements around the world. AIS signals are also detected by other ships in the vicinity, reducing the potential for ship collisions. Belhabib and her team then built an AI-powered risk assessment tool called GRACE (in honor of the pioneering coder Grace Hopper), which predicts risks of environmental crimes at sea. When combined with vessel detection devices such as AIS, GRACE provides real-time information on the likelihood of a particular ship committing environmental crimes, which can be used by enforcement agencies to catch the criminals in the act. Belhabib’s database means that criminal vessels—which often engage in multiple forms of crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling, as well as illegal fishing—now find it much harder to hide.</p>
  11431.  
  11432.  
  11433.  
  11434. <p>The high seas are one of the world’s last global commons, largely unregulated. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides little protection for the high seas, two-thirds of the ocean’s surface. The adoption of a new United Nations treaty on the high seas in 2023 will create more protection, but this will require years to be implemented. Even within 200 nautical miles of the coast, where national authorities have legal jurisdiction, most struggle to monitor the oceans beyond the areas a few miles from the coast. And beyond the 200-mile limit, no one effectively governs the open ocean.</p>
  11435.  
  11436.  
  11437.  
  11438. <p>So Belhabib hands her data on human rights and labor abuses over to Global Fishing Watch, a not-for-profit organization that collaborates with the national Coast Guards and Interpol to target vessels suspected of illegal fishing for boarding, apprehend rogue fishing vessels, and police the boundaries of marine parks. The observatory visualizes, tracks, and shares data about global fishing activity in near real time and for free; launched at the 2016 U.S. State Department’s “Our Ocean” conference in Washington, it is backed by some of the world’s largest foundations. Its partners include Google (which provides tools for processing big data), the marine conservation organization Oceana, and SkyTruth—a not-for-profit that uses satellite imagery to advance environmental protection.</p>
  11439.  
  11440.  
  11441.  
  11442. <p>Global Fishing Watch uses satellite data on boat location, combined with Belhabib’s data on criminal activity, to train artificial intelligence algorithms to identify vessel types, fishing activity patterns, and even specific gear types (tasks that would require human fisheries experts hundreds of years to complete). The tracking system pinpoints each individual fishing vessel with laser-like accuracy, predicts whether it is actually fishing, and even identifies what type of fishing is underway. Their reports have revealed that half of the global ocean is actively fished, much of it covertly.</p>
  11443.  
  11444.  
  11445.  
  11446. <p>Fred Abrahams, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/technology/satellites-artificial-intelligence.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explains</a> that this approach is just one example of a new generation of conservation technology that could act as a check on anyone engaged in resource exploitation. His team at Human Rights Watch uses satellite imagery to track everything from illegal mining to undercover logging operations. As Abrahams says: “This is why we are so committed to these technologies . . . they make it much harder to hide large-scale abuses.” Abrahams, like other advocates, is confident that the glitches—for example, AIS tags are not yet carried by all fishing vessels globally, poor reception makes coverage in some regions challenging, and some boats turn off the AIS when they want to go into stealth mode—will eventually be solved. Researchers have recently figured out, for example, how to use satellites to triangulate the position of fishing boats in stealth mode—enabling tracking of so-called dark fleets. These results can inform a new era of independent oversight of illegal fishing and transboundary fisheries. Meanwhile, researchers are developing other applications for AIS data, including assessments of the contribution of ship exhaust emissions to global air pollution, the exposure of marine species to shipping noise, and the extent of forced labor—often hidden, and linked to human trafficking—on the world’s fishing fleets.</p>
  11447.  
  11448.  
  11449.  
  11450. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>Researchers now use satellites to triangulate the position of fishing boats in stealth mode—enabling tracking of so-called dark fleets.</p></blockquote></figure>
  11451.  
  11452.  
  11453.  
  11454. <p>It’s a herculean task for one organization to police the world’s oceans. And Global Fishing Watch’s data is mostly retroactive; by the time the data is analyzed and the authorities have arrived, fishing vessels have often left the scene. What is still lacking is a method for marine criminals to be more effectively tracked in real time, and apprehended locally. This is where Belhabib’s next venture comes in. She is now working with local governments in Africa—where much illegal fishing is concentrated—to provide them with trackers and AI-powered technologies to catch illegal fishing and other maritime crimes in the act. As she notes: “When you ask the Guinean Navy how much of their territorial waters they can actually monitor, it’s only a fraction of a vast area. They simply don’t have the resources.” Belhabib’s system pinpoints vessels that may be committing infractions, and assesses the risk live on screen. This allows the Coast Guard and other agencies such as Interpol to more easily find illegal fishers, while reducing the costs of deployment, monitoring, and interdiction.</p>
  11455.  
  11456.  
  11457.  
  11458. <p>She cautions, however, about the use of similar digital technologies to track illegal migrants. The European Union, for example, has strengthened its “digital frontier” through satellite monitoring, unmanned drones, and remotely piloted aircraft, in some cases relying on private security and defense companies to undertake data analytics and tracking. But&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/isq/article/65/4/1087/6285430" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these technologies are often focused on surveillance</a>&nbsp;rather than search and rescue of migrants stranded at sea. As Belhabib relates: “Recently I spoke with the Spanish Navy and they told me they watched over 100 people die when a boat full of migrants capsized and they could only save a few people. They told me, ‘We take their fish away, they risk their lives to have a better and decent life.’ It’s heartbreaking and avoidable.” In Belhabib’s view, Digital Earth technologies should prioritize ecological and humanitarian goals, rather than surveillance and profit.</p>
  11459.  
  11460.  
  11461.  
  11462. <p>Digital Earth technologies enable more rapid detection and, in some cases, prediction of marine crimes. Digital monitoring, combined with artificial intelligence, allows precise analysis of fishing vessel locations and movements at a global scale. Although this does not guarantee enforcement, it could enable more efficient policing of the world’s oceans. The use of digital technologies enables conservationists to tackle two common flaws that lead to failures in environmental enforcement. First: data is scarce; if available, there is often a time lag, geographical gaps, or data biases. This makes evidence-gathering difficult or impossible. Second, enforcement often comes too late. Environmental criminals can be prosecuted, but legal victories are uncertain, and happen after the damage has been done. These shortcomings of contemporary environmental governance—sparse data, unenforceable regulations, and patchy, sporadic enforcement that punishes but fails to prevent environmental harm—can be overcome by digital monitoring, which mobilizes abundant data in real time to gather systematic evidence and enable timely enforcement.</p>
  11463.  
  11464.  
  11465.  
  11466. <p>These techniques appear to be achieving some success. In Ghana, for example, there has been a long-standing conflict between industrial fishing boats and small-scale, artisanal fishers using canoes and small boats to fish near the shore. Satellite data has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X19300867" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">helped the government’s Fisheries Enforcement Unit</a>&nbsp;track and reduce the incursions of larger fishing boats into near-shore waters. In Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago country with the second-longest coastline in the world, the government has entered into an agreement with Global Fishing Watch data to monitor fisheries and share the data about vessels’ movements publicly online, a major step forward in transparency in fisheries enforcement. The Indonesian partnership is an example of the longer-term aim of Global Fishing Watch: to share its geospatial datasets and online mapping platform with governments around the world.</p>
  11467.  
  11468.  
  11469.  
  11470. <p>Despite these recent gains to combat illegal fishing, digital tech is also exacerbating the underlying problem, as fishers themselves have started taking advantage of digital strategies. One example is the growing use of fish aggregating devices, which use acoustic technology, combined with satellite-linked global positioning systems, to better spot schools of fish. Fishers can effectively assess location, biomass, and even species, allowing them to aggregate and fish more efficiently.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1523908X.2018.1461084" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digitization is ratcheting up the already intensely competitive fishing industry</a>&nbsp;and accelerating the overfishing of endangered species.</p>
  11471.  
  11472.  
  11473.  
  11474. <p>Even if conservationists can win this digital arms race, there is a more fundamental problem: The underlying structural drivers of overfishing—consumer demand, particularly in Asia and Europe, and a lack of adequate governance for the high seas—are not solvable by digital technologies alone. Governance reform and digital innovation must work in tandem. For example, in the absence of government regulation, digital monitoring of fishing on the open ocean would be unlikely to scale up. But the adoption of the new UN treaty on the high seas in 2023 included a significant commitment to creating new Marine Protected Areas, aligned with Global Biodiversity Convention’s commitment to protect 30 percent of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.</p>
  11475.  
  11476.  
  11477.  
  11478. <p>These new developments create an impetus for digital monitoring; and, in turn, digital monitoring will increase the likelihood that Marine Protected Areas will be effective at protecting fish populations. This illustrates two key points about environmental governance in the 21st century: the interplay between digital and governance innovation, and the fact that planetary governance of the environment is possible only with planetary-scale computation.</p>
  11479.  
  11480.  
  11481.  
  11482. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  11483.  
  11484.  
  11485.  
  11486. <p><em><strong>Karen Bakker</strong> was a Guggenheim Fellow, a Professor at the University of British Columbia, and the Matina S. Horner Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. She was the author of “<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691206288/the-sounds-of-life" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sounds of Life</a>” (Princeton University Press) and “<a href="https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048750/gaias-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gaia’s Web</a>,” from which this article is excerpted. Karen Bakker died on August 14, 2023</em>.</p>
  11487. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-marine-conservation/">The algorithmic ocean: How AI is revolutionizing marine conservation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11488. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11492. </item>
  11493. <item>
  11494. <title>Amazon has a bulk snack sale going on just in time for 4/20</title>
  11495. <link>https://www.popsci.com/health/amazon-420-bulk-snack-sale/</link>
  11497. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stan Horaczek]]></dc:creator>
  11498. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11499. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  11500. <category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
  11501. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  11502. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  11503. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611790</guid>
  11504.  
  11505. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11506.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/cookie-ice-cream-sandwich.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An ice cream sandwich made between two cookies with sprinkles on the outside close-up" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amazon</span></figcaption></figure><p>Save on Red Bull, Barilla pasta, Animal Crackers, Perfect Bars, Kodiak Cakes, and more. This is a solid chance to stock up.</p>
  11507. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/amazon-420-bulk-snack-sale/">Amazon has a bulk snack sale going on just in time for 4/20</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11508. ]]></description>
  11509. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11510.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/cookie-ice-cream-sandwich.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An ice cream sandwich made between two cookies with sprinkles on the outside close-up" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amazon</span></figcaption></figure>
  11511. <p>Groceries are expensive right now, which means a bad case of the munchies can really set you back. That&#8217;s bad timing for this 4/20 holiday, which typically involves copious snack consumption. Amazon, however, has decided to be a chill bro and put a bunch of bulk snacks on discount. Even if you&#8217;re not doing any <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-roll-a-joint/">4/20 celebrating</a>, you can appreciate saving a couple bucks on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Bull-Energy-Drink-Pack/dp/B003PFR92E?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">a case of Red Bull</a>, a doomsday-worthy cache of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Newtons-Fig-Fruit-Chewy-Cookies/dp/B000F9XBIE?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Fig Newtons</a>, and enough <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pepperidge-Farm-Goldfish-Cheddar-Ounce/dp/B079LJBZ6V?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Goldfish Crackers</a> to satisfy an entire Kindergarten class for an entire day (those little ones really hammer down the Goldfish). These aren&#8217;t wimpy deals, either. Most of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/deal/3e040693?showVariations=true%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">these prices</a> are the lowest we&#8217;ve seen all year. </p>
  11512.  
  11513.  
  11514.  
  11515. <ul>
  11516. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cookies-Nutter-Butter-Variety-Halloween/dp/B0872ZS2Y2?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">OREO Mini Cookies, CHIPS AHOY! Mini Cookies, SOUR PATCH KIDS Candy &amp; Nutter Butter Bites Cookies &amp; Candy Variety Pack, 32 Snack Packs</a> $17 (was $22)</li>
  11517.  
  11518.  
  11519.  
  11520. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Belvita-Chocolate-Breakfast-Biscuit-Sandwiches/dp/B07NV44P75?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">belVita Breakfast Sandwich Dark Chocolate Creme Breakfast Biscuits, Value Pack, 12 Packs (2 Sandwiches Per Pack) </a>$10 (was $12)</li>
  11521.  
  11522.  
  11523.  
  11524. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Bull-Energy-Drink-Pack/dp/B003PFR92E?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Red Bull Energy Drink, 16 Fl Oz Cans, 12 Pack</a> $32 (was $38)</li>
  11525.  
  11526.  
  11527.  
  11528. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Bull-Sugar-Free-8-4-Ounce/dp/B008EZXD8Y?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Red Bull Sugar Free, 8.4-Ounce Cans 2 pack of 12 (total count 24)</a> $34 (was $39)</li>
  11529.  
  11530.  
  11531.  
  11532. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/StarKist-Premium-White-Chicken-Pouch/dp/B08P3SVWFR?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">StarKist Premium White Chicken &#8211; 2.6 oz Pouch (Pack of 12)</a> $14 (was $22)</li>
  11533.  
  11534.  
  11535.  
  11536. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Newtons-Fig-Fruit-Chewy-Cookies/dp/B000F9XBIE?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Newtons Soft &amp; Fruit Chewy Fig Cookies, 48 Snack Packs (2 Cookies Per Pack, 4 Boxes)</a> $20 (was $25)</li>
  11537.  
  11538.  
  11539.  
  11540. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Links-Sticks-Sugar-Ounce/dp/B08QR1MWHF?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Jack Link&#8217;s Beef Sticks, Zero Sugar, Original – Protein Snack, Meat Stick with 6g of Protein, Made with 100% Beef, No Added MSG – 0.92 Oz (Pack of 20)</a> $18 (was $23)</li>
  11541.  
  11542.  
  11543.  
  11544. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lindt-LINDOR-Chocolate-Truffles-Kosher/dp/B002RBTVC8?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Lindt LINDOR White Chocolate Candy Truffles, Mother&#8217;s Day Chocolate, 25.4 oz., 60 Count</a> $16 (was $19)</li>
  11545.  
  11546.  
  11547.  
  11548. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Barnums-Animal-Crackers-Snack-Packs/dp/B01N5S5CEW?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Barnum&#8217;s Original Animal Crackers, 12 Snack Packs</a> $5 (was $7)</li>
  11549.  
  11550.  
  11551.  
  11552. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Barilla-Cooked-Rotini-Non-GMO-Kosher/dp/B0BN6W1V3Q?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Barilla Ready Pasta, Rotini, 7 oz. Pouch (pack of 7)</a> $10 (was $14)</li>
  11553.  
  11554.  
  11555.  
  11556. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nabisco-Sweet-Treats-Variety-Cookies/dp/B071XHP12B?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Nabisco Sweet Treats Cookie Variety Pack OREO, OREO Golden &amp; CHIPS AHOY!, 30 Snack Packs (2 Cookies Per Pack)</a> $10 (was $12)</li>
  11557.  
  11558.  
  11559.  
  11560. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Adaptogen-Four-Sigmatic-Ashwagandha-Probiotic/dp/B08L3ZMZF4?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee K-Cups with Probiotic, Organic and Fair Trade Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade with Turkey Tail, Chaga, Prebiotics, CFU shelf-stable, Heat Resistant, 24 Count</a> $25 (was $29)</li>
  11561.  
  11562.  
  11563.  
  11564. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nabisco-Team-Favorites-Mix-Crackers/dp/B06XKHNCZW?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Nabisco Team Favorites Variety Pack, OREO Mini, CHIPS AHOY! Mini, Teddy Grahams Honey &amp; Barnum&#8217;s Animal Crackers, 30 Snack Packs</a> $10 (was $12)</li>
  11565.  
  11566.  
  11567.  
  11568. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Bar-Original-Refrigerated-Chocolate/dp/B08PG2HPM8?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Perfect Bar, Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bar, High Protein, Organic, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Non GMO, No Sugar Alcohols, 2.3 Ounce Bar, 10 Count</a> $19 (was $22)</li>
  11569.  
  11570.  
  11571.  
  11572. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kodiak-Cakes-Protein-Flapjack-Buttermilk/dp/B00LHVROIM?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611790O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Power Cakes, Flapjack and Waffle Baking Mix, Buttermilk, 20 Oz, (Pack of 6)</a> $26 (was $32)</li>
  11573. </ul>
  11574. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/amazon-420-bulk-snack-sale/">Amazon has a bulk snack sale going on just in time for 4/20</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11575. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11579. </item>
  11580. <item>
  11581. <title>Snag this complete Raspberry Pi and Arduino developer bundle for only $59.97</title>
  11582. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/arduino-developer-bundle-raspberry-pi-sale/</link>
  11584. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  11585. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11586. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  11587. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  11588. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  11589. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  11590. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  11591. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611484</guid>
  11592.  
  11593. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11594.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-4.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A close-up shot of a green computer module." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Get the best-on-web pricing and save over $350.</p>
  11595. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/arduino-developer-bundle-raspberry-pi-sale/">Snag this complete Raspberry Pi and Arduino developer bundle for only $59.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11596. ]]></description>
  11597. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11598.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-4.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A close-up shot of a green computer module." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  11599. </div>
  11600. <p>Are you aiming to boost your career by learning new skills? The comprehensive 2023 All-In-One Raspberry Pi &amp; Arduino Developer Bundle <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle&amp;utm_term=scsf-594366&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECFIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">simplifies sought-out coding expertise into digestible modules</a> and helps you conquer your goals. And it&#8217;s on sale for $59.97 for a limited time only. </p>
  11601.  
  11602.  
  11603.  
  11604. <p>With nine detailed courses and more than 60 hours of instruction tailored for beginners and intermediate learners, the bundle equips you to apply your skills practically and discover the significant benefits of Raspberry Pi and Arduino.</p>
  11605.  
  11606.  
  11607.  
  11608. <p>Taught by Edouard Renard, a software engineer and entrepreneur with an impressive <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle&amp;utm_term=scsf-594366&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECFIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">4.6 out of 5-star instructor rating</a>, the courses feature detailed, step-by-step lessons designed to help you quickly understand the concepts.</p>
  11609.  
  11610.  
  11611.  
  11612. <p>Covering a broad array of topics, this bundle caters to various skill levels. Beginners can start with foundational courses like Raspberry Pi or ROS2 for Beginners, which thoroughly introduce the essential skills needed to advance your learning.</p>
  11613.  
  11614.  
  11615.  
  11616. <p>As you grow more comfortable, you can progress to more intricate lessons and leverage your new knowledge to create projects, eventually developing programs from scratch and impressing your friends and family.</p>
  11617.  
  11618.  
  11619.  
  11620. <p>With 24/7 access to the lessons, you can learn at your own pace and revisit concepts as needed. You&#8217;ll delve into <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle&amp;utm_term=scsf-594366&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECFIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">creating online simulations, enhancing the readability of your code, incorporating Python into your projects, and more</a>. The courses offer numerous hands-on activities and exercises, providing ample opportunity for extensive practice after introducing each new concept. Available on desktop and mobile, you can also learn on the go. </p>
  11621.  
  11622.  
  11623.  
  11624. <p>Start your path to a successful career or an engaging hobby by learning new skills with <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=the-2023-all-in-one-raspberry-pi-and-arduino-developer-bundle&amp;utm_term=scsf-594366&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECFIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The 2023 All-In-One Raspberry Pi &amp; Arduino Developer Bundle</a>. Available for just $59.97 (reg. $423), it&#8217;s the best price you&#8217;ll find online with no coupon code required. </p>
  11625.  
  11626.  
  11627.  
  11628. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change. </em></p>
  11629. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/arduino-developer-bundle-raspberry-pi-sale/">Snag this complete Raspberry Pi and Arduino developer bundle for only $59.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11630. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11634. </item>
  11635. <item>
  11636. <title>12 handy ways to use dryer sheets beyond laundry</title>
  11637. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/ways-to-use-dryer-sheets/</link>
  11639. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Debbie Wolfe]]></dc:creator>
  11640. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 12:07:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11641. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  11642. <category><![CDATA[Projects]]></category>
  11643. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611290</guid>
  11644.  
  11645. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11646.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/dryer_sheets_for_odors.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="dryer sheet inside a yellow shoe" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Defunk your stinkiest things. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">PopSci</span></figcaption></figure><p>How to extend the utility of these household staples beyond the laundry room.</p>
  11647. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/ways-to-use-dryer-sheets/">12 handy ways to use dryer sheets beyond laundry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11648. ]]></description>
  11649. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11650.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/dryer_sheets_for_odors.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="dryer sheet inside a yellow shoe" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Defunk your stinkiest things. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">PopSci</span></figcaption></figure>
  11651. <p>Most people know dryer sheets offer several benefits, such as softening clothes, reducing static cling, and providing a fresh scent. Here&#8217;s a fact that might make you pause: Some dryer sheets are made from synthetic polyester, which is not <a href="https://www.popsci.com/biodegradable-compostable-bags/">biodegradable</a>. Every time you use one of those fragrant sheets, it ends up in a landfill. Fortunately, if you enjoy using dryer sheets and want to make the most of them, there are unexpected ways to use them that can transform your <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-clean-washer-dryer/">cleaning</a>, maintenance, and personal grooming routines.</p>
  11652.  
  11653.  
  11654.  
  11655. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-dryer-sheets">What are dryer sheets?</h2>
  11656.  
  11657.  
  11658.  
  11659. <p>Dryer sheets are small sheets of fabric softener used in tumble dryers to soften clothes, reduce static cling, and add a pleasant fragrance. They are made from non-woven polyester and coated with a heat-activated softener compound. This compound often contains fatty molecules like stearic acid, which lubricate the fabric to reduce friction and static. How to use dryer sheets around the house</p>
  11660.  
  11661.  
  11662.  
  11663. <p>Dryer sheets can be used for more than softening clothes and reducing static. Used or unused dryer sheets have several alternative applications beyond their intended purpose.</p>
  11664.  
  11665.  
  11666.  
  11667. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pet-hair-grabber">Pet hair grabber</h3>
  11668.  
  11669.  
  11670.  
  11671. <p>If you&#8217;re <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-vacuum-for-pet-hair/">dealing with pet hair</a> on your clothes and furniture, grab a used or unused dryer sheet to wipe away the hair effortlessly. This method will effectively remove the hair and leave your garments smelling fresh and clean. Give it a try next time you&#8217;re struggling with pesky pet hair.</p>
  11672.  
  11673.  
  11674.  
  11675. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bathroom-scrubber">Bathroom scrubber</h3>
  11676.  
  11677.  
  11678.  
  11679. <p>Save used dryer sheets for quick and efficient bathroom cleaning. Their unique texture makes them superior to paper towels in picking up lint and dirt, leaving surfaces polished with minimal effort. Dryer sheets can effectively remove soap scum from shower doors and bathroom fixtures.</p>
  11680.  
  11681.  
  11682.  
  11683. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-residue-loosener">Food residue loosener</h3>
  11684.  
  11685.  
  11686.  
  11687. <p>Dryer sheets can help remove food residue from pots, pans, dishes, and oven racks, making cleaning easier. Place an unused dryer sheet into a pot or pan with baked-on food and add hot water. Leave the pan to soak overnight. The silicone coating on the dryer sheet will help soften the food residue. The next day, the dryer sheet can wipe away the food. The textured polyester woven sheet will gently remove any traces of food without causing any damage to the finish of non-stick surfaces. </p>
  11688.  
  11689.  
  11690.  
  11691. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-remover">Dust remover</h3>
  11692.  
  11693.  
  11694.  
  11695. <p>Dryer sheets excel as dusters for electronics like televisions, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/category/laptops/">laptops</a>, gaming consoles, or any dusty surface in your home. They capture dust and lint and leave behind a protective barrier that reduces static electricity, keeping your surfaces cleaner for longer.</p>
  11696.  
  11697.  
  11698.  
  11699. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cleaning-pads-replacer">Cleaning pads replacer</h3>
  11700.  
  11701.  
  11702.  
  11703. <p>Refill your Swiffer duster or push duster pad without buying new ones. Load the cleaning pad area with two used dryer sheets. This will offer an effective cleaning solution for your home and help you recycle in an environmentally conscious way.&nbsp;</p>
  11704.  
  11705.  
  11706.  
  11707. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deodorant-stain-eraser">Deodorant stain eraser</h3>
  11708.  
  11709.  
  11710.  
  11711. <p>To remove deodorant stains from clothing, gently rub a used dryer sheet on the affected areas. This method is highly effective as the dryer sheet lifts and eliminates the marks without harming the fabric.</p>
  11712.  
  11713.  
  11714.  
  11715. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-freshener">Air freshener</h3>
  11716.  
  11717.  
  11718.  
  11719. <p>Combat musty odors in your room by taping a new dryer sheet over the air conditioning grate. This will infuse a pleasant scent into the circulating air while preventing dust buildup for optimal air quality.</p>
  11720.  
  11721.  
  11722.  
  11723. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scissor-sharpener">Scissor sharpener</h3>
  11724.  
  11725.  
  11726.  
  11727. <p>Cutting through a dryer sheet is an easy and unconventional way to revive dull scissors. This method works by honing the edge of the scissors as they cut through the sheet, making them sharper. Take a dryer sheet, fold it a few times, and cut through it with dull scissors. You should notice an improvement in their sharpness after just a few cuts.&nbsp;</p>
  11728.  
  11729.  
  11730.  
  11731. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-odor-eliminator">Odor eliminator</h3>
  11732.  
  11733.  
  11734.  
  11735. <p>You can quickly eliminate unpleasant odors in shoes and gym bags (or any smelly area) by placing a new dryer sheet in the smelly item overnight. The dryer sheet will absorb the lingering odors, leaving your musty items smelling fresh and clean by the next morning.</p>
  11736.  
  11737.  
  11738.  
  11739. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flyaway-hair-tamer">Flyaway hair tamer</h3>
  11740.  
  11741.  
  11742.  
  11743. <p>Run a dryer sheet through your hair on low-humidity days to combat static-induced flyaways. With this simple trick, say goodbye to unruly hair.</p>
  11744.  
  11745.  
  11746.  
  11747. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-spill-cleaner">Dry spill cleaner</h3>
  11748.  
  11749.  
  11750.  
  11751. <p>A used dryer sheet is ideal for cleaning up dry spills like flour. The fibers attract and hold onto powdery substances, making cleanup a breeze.</p>
  11752.  
  11753.  
  11754.  
  11755. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-windshield-cleaner">Windshield cleaner</h3>
  11756.  
  11757.  
  11758.  
  11759. <p>Use a moist dryer sheet to remove stubborn bugs on your windshield. Follow up with clean water for a spotless finish.</p>
  11760.  
  11761.  
  11762.  
  11763. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-safety-concerns-do-dryer-sheets-pose-nbsp">What safety concerns do dryer sheets pose?&nbsp;</h2>
  11764.  
  11765.  
  11766.  
  11767. <p>Despite their popularity for these benefits, dryer sheets also include various chemicals. They contain several chemicals, including benzyl acetate, linalool, ethanol, limonene, and pentane. Although these chemicals are considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they can cause itching or rashes in people with sensitive skin. <a target="_blank" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z">Studies </a>have shown that the added fragrances are the main reason for these adverse effects. While dryer sheets are not as harmful as some think, the fragrances in laundry products, including dryer sheets, are still being studied for their potential health risks.</p>
  11768. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/ways-to-use-dryer-sheets/">12 handy ways to use dryer sheets beyond laundry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11769. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11773. </item>
  11774. <item>
  11775. <title>These CES-featured earbuds with built-in language translation are now on sale for $89.97</title>
  11776. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/language-translation-earbuds-mymanu-deal/</link>
  11778. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  11779. <pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11780. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  11781. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  11782. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  11783. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  11784. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  11785. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611480</guid>
  11786.  
  11787. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11788.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-3.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A pair of black translation headphones on a green and black background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Save nearly $70 on a pair of Mymanu CLIK S earbuds. </p>
  11789. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/language-translation-earbuds-mymanu-deal/">These CES-featured earbuds with built-in language translation are now on sale for $89.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11790. ]]></description>
  11791. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11792.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-3.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A pair of black translation headphones on a green and black background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  11793. </div>
  11794. <p>Do you need top-notch earbuds and some translation support for your summer travels? The Mymanu CLIK S earbuds <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds&amp;utm_term=scsf-594369&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECIIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">elevate your travel experience by offering real-time speech-to-speech translation in more than 37 languages</a>. Get a pair for only $89.97 during a limited-time price drop. </p>
  11795.  
  11796.  
  11797.  
  11798. <p>These outstanding earbuds have received accolades such as the Red Dot Design Award, and have been <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds&amp;utm_term=scsf-594369&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECIIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">featured at multiple CES tech events</a>. They boast a highly versatile phrasebook and dictionary-saving function, which is essential for providing seamless translation to meet your needs on all your travels.</p>
  11799.  
  11800.  
  11801.  
  11802. <p>Tailored to meet your language requirements, Mymanu&#8217;s CLIK S earbuds offer customization for one-to-one or group conversations through speech and text translation. These earbuds intuitively capture your surroundings in real-time, providing fast, world-class translation and high-quality sound in any meeting or encounter while globetrotting this summer.</p>
  11803.  
  11804.  
  11805.  
  11806. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  11807. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Most versatile smart translation earbuds, for fitness, business and travel" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/361493064?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
  11808. </div></figure>
  11809.  
  11810.  
  11811.  
  11812. <p>These earbuds excel as personal translators and stand out as top-notch audio devices. Featuring Aptx-enabled technology for low latency, high audio quality, and notification capabilities accessible through dual-sided &#8220;CLIK&#8221; buttons, these compact earbuds add a versatile touch to your daily life.</p>
  11813.  
  11814.  
  11815.  
  11816. <p>These earbuds are compatible with iOS and Android devices and include Bluetooth 5.0, passive noise cancellation, privacy features, and location-based tailored advertising. They <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds&amp;utm_term=scsf-594369&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECIIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">enhance productivity as you discover new places or interact with locals</a>. With up to 30 hours of battery life using their charging case, they fit easily into any bag or backpack. Additionally, their ergonomic and water-resistant design ensures a comfortable and secure fit.</p>
  11817.  
  11818.  
  11819.  
  11820. <p>With various 5-star reviews under their belt, the earbuds are gaining traction as a&nbsp;go-to travel accessory.&nbsp;</p>
  11821.  
  11822.  
  11823.  
  11824. <p>Grab the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=mymanu-clik-s-award-winning-translation-earbuds&amp;utm_term=scsf-594369&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECIIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Mymanu CLIK S: Award-Winning Translation Earbuds</a> for only $89.97 (reg. $157) with no coupon code required.</p>
  11825.  
  11826.  
  11827.  
  11828. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.  </em></p>
  11829. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/language-translation-earbuds-mymanu-deal/">These CES-featured earbuds with built-in language translation are now on sale for $89.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11830. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  11834. </item>
  11835. <item>
  11836. <title>Sony’s new TVs take Mini-LED to the max: Here’s what you should know</title>
  11837. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-bravia-mini-led-tv-soundbar-2024-lineup-first-impressions/</link>
  11839. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tony Ware]]></dc:creator>
  11840. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  11841. <category><![CDATA[Audio]]></category>
  11842. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  11843. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  11844. <category><![CDATA[Home Theater]]></category>
  11845. <category><![CDATA[Speakers]]></category>
  11846. <category><![CDATA[Televisions]]></category>
  11847. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  11848. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  11849. <category><![CDATA[sony]]></category>
  11850. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611775</guid>
  11851.  
  11852. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11853.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="960" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-4-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=960.1875" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Sony television with home theater set-up staged in a pretend living room." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Sony</span></figcaption></figure><p>From backlots to TV backlights, soundstages to soundbars, Sony held a premiere for its 2024 BRAVIA lineup and we walked their red carpet.</p>
  11854. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-bravia-mini-led-tv-soundbar-2024-lineup-first-impressions/">Sony’s new TVs take Mini-LED to the max: Here’s what you should know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  11855. ]]></description>
  11856. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  11857.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="960" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-4-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=960.1875" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Sony television with home theater set-up staged in a pretend living room." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Sony</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  11858. </div>
  11859. <p>Sony launched its new TV and soundbar lineup April 17 with the tagline “Cinema is coming home.” But a month earlier, they invited me to travel far from home—from the East Coast to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, Calif.—for a behind-the-screens preview of the philosophy and technology that went into the 2024 models.&nbsp;</p>
  11860.  
  11861.  
  11862.  
  11863. <p><a href="https://ghostbusters.fandom.com/wiki/Ecto-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecto-1</a>. <a href="https://robotics.fandom.com/wiki/Johnny_5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johnny 5</a>. <a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65xr90" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA 9</a>. Our two-day tour of the lot showcased applied science of the past and present. Movie props and filmmakers giving Sony engineers props. Classic characters and new naming conventions. I found myself in <a href="https://www.jeopardy.com/be-on-j/faqs#:~:text=WHERE%20IS%20JEOPARDY!%20TAPED?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JEOPARDY!</a> and on a holodeck. It was a soup-to-nuts, lens-to-living room look at mastering monitors, home theater setups, and the push to narrow the gap between creators and consumers.</p>
  11864.  
  11865.  
  11866. <div
  11867.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  11868.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  11869. >
  11870.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  11871.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&#038;url=https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65xr90" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  11872.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  11873.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-7-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-7-scaled.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Sony's new line of soundbars and televisions displayed on white steps with a red curtain in the background.">
  11874.                      </figure>
  11875.                  </a>
  11876.            </div>
  11877.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  11878.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  11879.        <p><em>Sony</em></p>
  11880.  
  11881.      </figcaption>
  11882.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  11883.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&#038;url=https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65xr90"
  11884.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  11885.      </p>
  11886.      </div>
  11887. </div>
  11888.  
  11889.  
  11890.  
  11891. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-what-we-re-not-seeing"><strong>Seeing what we’re not seeing</strong>  </h2>
  11892.  
  11893.  
  11894.  
  11895. <p>Sony’s new TVs include four models and two important acronyms: BRAVIA and HDR. The “Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture” brand has been part of Sony’s televisions for almost 20 years but is now the unifying label for the BRAVIA 3, 7, 8, and 9 screens, as well as the BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 and Theater Bar 9. For anyone used to Sony’s sets like the X95L, X90L, etc., X no longer marks the spot except on the SKU. (The A80L is also gone—no more separate LED and OLED series—but that didn’t fit the last sentence’s wordplay as well.)&nbsp;</p>
  11896.  
  11897.  
  11898.  
  11899. <p>The BRAVIA 9 is now the Mini-LED flagship, with the most expanded, authentic contrast, while the BRAVIA 8 is a 4K OLED alternative. The BRAVIA 7 is a premium but more approachable 4K Mini-LED, while the BRAVIA 3 is an entry-level 4K 60Hz Direct LED. Is making shopping simpler versus the previous system the rename of the game? Debatable, and it doesn’t help that the flagship A95L will remain on the market. At the very least, the new monikers make it clear that the BRAVIA 9 is the set Sony considers the true peak of this year’s innovations—peak brightness particularly.</p>
  11900.  
  11901.  
  11902.  
  11903. <p>On to that second acronym. The ability to turn off every diode independently allows <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/qled-vs-oled-vs-mini-led/">OLED screens</a> unbeatable black levels and contrast, given a low-light environment to show its best. But when it comes to HDR, or High Dynamic Range, the peak brightness levels achievable by a Mini-LED screen allow for more control over fine highlights and luminance that can stand up to rooms with more natural light.&nbsp;</p>
  11904.  
  11905.  
  11906.  
  11907. <p>Sony’s brightest 4K TV to date (50% brighter with 325% more dimming zones), the BRAVIA 9’s High Peak Luminance sets out to narrow the gap with OLED’s pixel-level control while improving the ability to perform accurately wherever people want (or need) to set up their TV, not just in an optimized home theater or demo den. Sony hosted its product reveal throughout the studio lot, and invited directors and cinematographers to speak to us, to reinforce the part the company plays in every stage of the cinema signal chain—from professional Venice cameras used in aircraft on <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Top-Gun-Maverick-Tom-Cruise/dp/B0B18G8R9B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611775O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Top Gun: Maverick</a></em> to <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gran-Turismo-Based-Story-Bonus/dp/B0CC5KB4V7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611775O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Gran Turismo</a></em>’s object-based sound design to color-grading monitors. And it’s Sony’s belief in the ability of HDR to preserve the detail and intent of every frame that explains why the first, foundational screen we saw was one none of us will ever buy.</p>
  11908.  
  11909.  
  11910.  
  11911. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1920" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/IMG_5675-scaled.jpg" alt="The Sony BRAVIA 9's backlight panel" class="wp-image-611800"><figcaption><i>Tony Ware</i></figcaption></figure>
  11912.  
  11913.  
  11914.  
  11915. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shining-a-light-on-backlighting"><strong>Shining a light on backlighting</strong></h2>
  11916.  
  11917.  
  11918.  
  11919. <p><a href="https://pro.sony/en_CA/products/broadcastpromonitors/bvm-hx3110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The HX3110</a> is an if-you-have-to-ask-you-can’t-afford-it 31-inch 4K reference monitor with a dual-layer LCD panel capable of color grading up to 4,000 nits. To date, most films are mastered to 1,000 nits because of the limitations of previous monitors. With the NX3110, even the smallest highlights can be displayed without clipping, and 2,000/1,000 nits settings allow filmmakers to ensure details translate to any current display scenarios. And the gradients on display were compelling. But it’s that 4,000 nits future that informed the development of the BRAVIA 9’s local dimming and backlight processing.&nbsp;</p>
  11920.  
  11921.  
  11922.  
  11923. <p>Handing out sunglasses, our hosts had us turn to the other side of the darkened room, draped in blackout curtains. On one table was a BRAVIA 9 without its LCD panel, with an intact TV on the floor in front of it. To the side were two sets from a competitor in an identical arrangement [see image below]. Can the BRAVIA 9 reach the brightness levels or shading of a tens of thousands of dollars professional monitor without clipping? No, but it did demo the response time and object recognition of the “XR Backlight Master Drive” and newly developed IC [LED Driver] system [see above], as well as show off the color volume and specular highlights, which emulated some of the HX3110’s vivid reproduction admirably. The naked backlight, well, illuminated the level of definition 22-bit channel control can produce. And a granular grasp of each component and current also means 20% less power consumption, according to Sony.</p>
  11924.  
  11925.  
  11926.  
  11927. <p>This will also come into play in one of Sony’s new partnerships. The BRAVIA 7, 8, and 9 will all feature Prime Video Calibrated Mode—announced at the event by BA Winston, VP, Technology, Amazon Prime Video. A Sony-exclusive feature (at least initially), this algorithm auto-adjusts picture settings for the content streaming (movies, TV, live sports, etc.), screen type, and the light conditions in the room. (Prime Video joins similar processing for Netflix and the Sony Pictures Core app.) IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10 support—plus 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, Auto Tone Mapping, and other “Perfect for PS5” features for gamers—make sure all the picture mode boxes are checked. 4K X-Reality PRO, XR Clear Image, XR Triluminos PRO, XR Motion Clarity (120Hz native refresh rate), and X-Wide Angle with X-Anti-Reflection underlie upscaling, color mapping, etc.</p>
  11928.  
  11929.  
  11930.  
  11931. <p>As for the BRAVIA 8 OLED, it’s 10% brighter while being 30% slimmer than 2023’s A80L. The BRAVIA 7 is 790% brighter than last year’s full-array LED X90L but lacks the flagship&#8217;s precise lighting and peak management. It’s the BRAVIA 9 that’s an upgrade from every angle—including the viewing angle, which exhibited low off-axis desaturation. I look forward to testing one to bring all the shadowy details into the light.</p>
  11932.  
  11933.  
  11934.  
  11935. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-3-scaled.jpg" alt="Two televisions displaying their LED capabilities." class="wp-image-611777"><figcaption><i>Sony</i></figcaption></figure>
  11936.  
  11937.  
  11938.  
  11939. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elevating-more-than-brightness"><strong>Elevating more than brightness</strong></h2>
  11940.  
  11941.  
  11942.  
  11943. <p>Obviously, Sony believes Mini-LED has a &#8230; bright future. But what&#8217;s cinema without being equally saturated in sound? Whereas the BRAVIA 9 operates under a mantra of more is more, the BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 makes a statement that less isn&#8217;t less. The 2024 soundbar, which replaces the HT-A7000 [a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-dolby-atmos-soundbars/">Dolby Atmos soundbar</a> that <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/sony-ht-a7000-review/">impressed our reviewer</a>], is 36% smaller with no decrease in capability thanks to its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-makes-up-a-speaker/">13-driver array</a> and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology filling in the virtual channels for spatial audio. Integrated with a BRAVIA 9 TV and augmented by wireless <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fsoundbars%2Fa-series-soundbars%2Fp%2Fsars5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SA-RS5 satellite speakers</a> and the <a href="https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fsoundbars%2Fall-soundbars%2Fp%2Fsasw5%3Fcid%3Dsem-na-3349%26utm_source%3Dgoogle%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3DAudio_Product_Branded_Phrase_ROAS%26utm_term%3DSA-SW5%26gad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjwrIixBhBbEiwACEqDJd573ZUFIFQw45hQ9EImdqN27OcxEzZscTEsdJxraxuHMwGGLqt4hRoCKvEQAvD_BwE%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SA-SW5 subwoofer</a>, the Theater Bar 9 delivered 7.1.4 channels and plenty of energy. Thanks to AI-powered Voice Zoom 3 and &#8220;Acoustic Center Sync,&#8221; which uses the BRAVIA 9 as the center channel (and the TV now has up-firing Beam Tweeters and Frame Tweeters), dialog stayed anchored and audible even as action swelled. The demo was dynamic, despite the challenges of being in an acoustically treated recording studio full of irregular surfaces. (The Theater Bar 8 offers similar soundfield features but with 11 drivers within a slimmer, less powerful footprint.)</p>
  11944.  
  11945.  
  11946.  
  11947. <p>The real surprise was the BRAVIA Theater Quad system, which maximizes minimalism with four fabric-wrapped panel-like powered speakers with four drivers each (tweeter, mid, woofer, and up-firing). The wireless speakers self-calibrate to adjust volume and create 16 phantom channels based on their placement (and they&#8217;re purpose-built to be wall-mount friendly but also stand-suitable). They&#8217;re also wireless subwoofer compatible. Flanking a BRAVIA 9 hung a touch above eye/ear level, with the other two Quad components behind the sitting area, the Theater Quad system delivered an even more immersive experience than the Theater Bar 9, with audible overhead effects. Flexible positioning plus fluid sound? Yes, thank you. Speakers that stand out by blending in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C122YFKOeDr/?igsh=MTNuNG1id3dxZW90Zw==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">are so hot right now</a>.</p>
  11948.  
  11949.  
  11950.  
  11951. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Individual parts of Sony's soundbar displayed on a table." class="wp-image-611776"><figcaption><i>Sony</i></figcaption></figure>
  11952.  
  11953.  
  11954.  
  11955. <p>There was one last stop on our tour of Sony Pictures and Sony products, and that was to <a href="https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/technology/stories/entries/Talk_PXO_2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pixomondo</a>—a virtual production company/LED soundstage. Combining a modular wall of 1,400 display panels with infrared motion-tracking cameras to render perspective changes in real-time, Pixomondo allows directors to film free-flowing action in virtual environments (like, say, a starship). It also allows journalists to take pictures of the TVs and soundbars staged in multiple suites of varying moods, all without leaving one space [as shown below]. Placed against a towering crescent of monitors, the new BRAVIA setups were visually eclipsed yet still stood out. Colorful screensavers cranked, it was quite the contrast(s) &#8230; talk about heightening the experience.</p>
  11956.  
  11957.  
  11958.  
  11959. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1732" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Image-from-iOS-6-scaled.jpg" alt="Sony's new televisions staged in a large indoor room." class="wp-image-611780"><figcaption><i>Sony</i></figcaption></figure>
  11960.  
  11961.  
  11962.  
  11963. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bravia-tv-and-soundbar-models-and-prices-once-available-nbsp"><strong>BRAVIA TV and soundbar models and prices, once available</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
  11964.  
  11965.  
  11966.  
  11967. <p></p>
  11968.  
  11969.  
  11970.  
  11971. <p><strong><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Ftv-video%2Ftelevisions%2Fall-tvs%2Fp%2Fk75xr90" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA 9 Mini LED</a></strong></p>
  11972.  
  11973.  
  11974.  
  11975. <ul>
  11976. <li>85&#8243; Class (84.6&#8243; diag): $5,499.99 USD MSRP</li>
  11977.  
  11978.  
  11979.  
  11980. <li>75&#8243; Class (74.5&#8243; diag): $3,999.99 USD MSRP</li>
  11981.  
  11982.  
  11983.  
  11984. <li>65&#8243; Class (64.5&#8243; diag): $3,299.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;</li>
  11985. </ul>
  11986.  
  11987.  
  11988.  
  11989. <p><strong><a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Ftv-video%2Ftelevisions%2Fall-tvs%2Fp%2Fk65xr80" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA 8 OLED</a></strong></p>
  11990.  
  11991.  
  11992.  
  11993. <ul>
  11994. <li>77&#8243; Class (76.7&#8243; diag): $3,899.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;</li>
  11995.  
  11996.  
  11997.  
  11998. <li>65&#8243; Class (64.5&#8243; diag): $2,799.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
  11999.  
  12000.  
  12001.  
  12002. <li>55&#8243; Class (54.6&#8243; diag): $1,999.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;</li>
  12003. </ul>
  12004.  
  12005.  
  12006.  
  12007. <p><strong><a href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Ftv-video%2Ftelevisions%2Fall-tvs%2Fp%2Fk75xr70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA 7 Mini LED</a></strong></p>
  12008.  
  12009.  
  12010.  
  12011. <ul>
  12012. <li>85&#8243; Class (84.6&#8243; diag): $3,499.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12013.  
  12014.  
  12015.  
  12016. <li>75&#8243; Class (74.5&#8243; diag): $2,799.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12017.  
  12018.  
  12019.  
  12020. <li>65&#8243; Class (64.5&#8243; diag): $2,299.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12021.  
  12022.  
  12023.  
  12024. <li>55&#8243; Class (54.6&#8243; diag): $1,899.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12025. </ul>
  12026.  
  12027.  
  12028.  
  12029. <p><strong><a href="https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Ftv-video%2Ftelevisions%2Fall-tvs%2Fp%2Fk75s30" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA 3 LED</a></strong></p>
  12030.  
  12031.  
  12032.  
  12033. <ul>
  12034. <li>85&#8243; Class (84.6&#8243; diag): $1,799.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12035.  
  12036.  
  12037.  
  12038. <li>75&#8243; Class (74.5&#8243; diag): $1,299.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12039.  
  12040.  
  12041.  
  12042. <li>65&#8243; Class (64.5&#8243; diag): $999.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;</li>
  12043.  
  12044.  
  12045.  
  12046. <li>55&#8243; Class (54.6&#8243; diag): $849.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12047.  
  12048.  
  12049.  
  12050. <li>50&#8243; Class (49.5&#8243; diag): $699.99 USD MSRP&nbsp;</li>
  12051.  
  12052.  
  12053.  
  12054. <li>43&#8243; Class (42.5&#8243; diag): $599.99 USD MSRP</li>
  12055. </ul>
  12056.  
  12057.  
  12058.  
  12059. <p><strong><a href="https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fsoundbars%2Fall-soundbars%2Fp%2Fhta9m2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA Theater Quad</a></strong> has a suggested retail price of $2,499.99 USD&nbsp;</p>
  12060.  
  12061.  
  12062.  
  12063. <p><strong><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fsoundbars%2Fall-soundbars%2Fp%2Fhta9000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA Theater Bar 9</a></strong> has a suggested retail price of $1,399.99 USD&nbsp;</p>
  12064.  
  12065.  
  12066.  
  12067. <p><strong><a href="https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fsoundbars%2Fall-soundbars%2Fp%2Fhta8000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA Theater Bar 8</a></strong> has a suggested retail price of $999.99 USD&nbsp;</p>
  12068.  
  12069.  
  12070.  
  12071. <p><strong><a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100256718-15268034?sid=PS-NW&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Felectronics.sony.com%2Faudio%2Fspeakers%2Fwearable-speakers%2Fp%2Fhtan7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BRAVIA Theater U</a></strong> has a suggested retail price of $299.99 USD</p>
  12072. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-bravia-mini-led-tv-soundbar-2024-lineup-first-impressions/">Sony’s new TVs take Mini-LED to the max: Here’s what you should know</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12073. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  12077. </item>
  12078. <item>
  12079. <title>Nearly all Cybertrucks recalled over faulty accelerator pedal, misapplied soap</title>
  12080. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/cybertruck-recall/</link>
  12082. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  12083. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:25:17 +0000</pubDate>
  12084. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  12085. <category><![CDATA[Vehicles]]></category>
  12086. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611762</guid>
  12087.  
  12088. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12089.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/cybertruck-recall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Cybertruck recalled" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Cybertruck owners claim an issue with their accelerator pad pedal caused the vehicle is unintentionally keep speeding up. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Tesla</span></figcaption></figure><p>Elon Musks says, 'We are just being very cautious.'</p>
  12090. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/cybertruck-recall/">Nearly all Cybertrucks recalled over faulty accelerator pedal, misapplied soap</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12091. ]]></description>
  12092. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12093.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/cybertruck-recall.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Cybertruck recalled" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Cybertruck owners claim an issue with their accelerator pad pedal caused the vehicle is unintentionally keep speeding up. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Tesla</span></figcaption></figure>
  12094. <p>Tesla is recalling nearly every one of its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/first-tesla-cybertrucks-arrive-delivery-launch-event/">Cybertrucks</a> due to a faulty accelerator pedal that could get stuck in place when pressed down. The mass recall, which will require a physical maintenance fix, comes less than five months after the company began shipping the vehicle.</p>
  12095.  
  12096.  
  12097.  
  12098. <p>In its <a target="_blank" href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V276-7026.PDF">recall notice</a> issued this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the pad on the truck’s accelerator could become “dislodged” if enough force was applied to it. Once the pad was dislodged, the pedal could become “trapped in the interior rim above the pedal.” If that were to happen, the NHTSA notes, the truck could continue accelerating even if the driver were to apply the brakes which could ultimately increase the risk of a crash or collision. The recall blames the malfunction on an unapproved introduction of lubricant to the pad during the manufacturing process. That lubricant, the recall notes, was soap.&nbsp;</p>
  12099.  
  12100.  
  12101.  
  12102. <p>“If the condition [faulty accelerator pad] is present and the driver attempts to apply the accelerator pedal, the driver will detect the condition through immediate compromised performance and operation of the pedal,” the NHTSA wrote. “In addition, if the condition is present when the driver applies the brake pedal, the driver will receive an audible and visual alert that both brake and accelerator pedals are being pressed.”&nbsp;</p>
  12103.  
  12104.  
  12105.  
  12106. <p>Tesla voluntarily agreed to recall the trucks and says it will &#8220;replace or rework” the accelerator pedal free of charge. The recall affects 3,878 Cyber Trucks manufactured between November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024, which likely accounts for nearly all of trucks shipped to customers to date. When reached for comment, the NHTSA pointed <em>PopSci </em>to its <a target="_blank" href="https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V276-7026.PDF">recall notice</a>. Tesla did not immediately respond to <em>PopSci’s </em>request for comment. Elon Musk, who has previously boasted about the vehicle&#8217;s “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-cybertruck-bulletproof-tough-critics-doubts-2023-11#:~:text=Elon%20Musk%20says%20the%20Cybertruck,unlikely%20to%20deter%20anything%20heavier.">bulletproof</a>” durability, acknowledged the recall on X, formerly known as Twitter.&nbsp;</p>
  12107.  
  12108.  
  12109.  
  12110. <p>“There were no injuries or accidents because of this,” <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1780778694535192598?s=61">Musk wrote.</a> “We are just being very cautious.”</p>
  12111.  
  12112.  
  12113.  
  12114. <p>Some Cybertruck owners began sharing their experiences of the accelerator getting stuck on social media last week. One Californian Cybertuck owner named Jose Martinez <a target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@el.chepito1985/video/7357758176504089898">posted a video on TikTok</a> explaining how the pad on his accelerator dislodged and got stuck on the driver-side carpet. Another Cybertruck owner who claims they experienced the issue says his truck continued accelerating even when he pressed on the brake pedal. Eventually, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/brake-malfunction-hit-light-pole.14130/">driver alleged</a>, he hit a light pole.&nbsp;</p>
  12115.  
  12116.  
  12117.  
  12118. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlike-other-tesla-recalls"><strong>Unlike other Tesla recalls </strong></h2>
  12119.  
  12120.  
  12121.  
  12122. <p>Tesla owners over the years have come to expect recall notices with relative frequency. In just three years between 2020 and 2023, Tesla had <a target="_blank" href="https://qz.com/tesla-car-recalls-china-model-y-accidents-autopilot-1851144035">24 recalls of this Model Y SUV</a>. In the past, Tesla has recalled vehicles for <a target="_blank" href="https://gizmodo.com/tesla-recalls-nearly-55-000-cars-over-brake-fluid-issue-1850934943">brake safety concerns</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-recalls-defects/tesla-recalls-cars-due-to-autopilot-concerns-a6186663858/">issues with its assisted driving software</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://gizmodo.com/tesla-recalling-almost-every-car-its-sold-in-the-us-1851221497">illegible warning lights</a>. The sheer volume of the recalls sets the company apart. A 2022 analysis conducted by the price tracking firm iSeeCars.com found Tesla <a target="_blank" href="https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a43625242/tesla-is-the-most-recalled-car-brand/">experienced the most recalls of any car brand</a> that year, and by a wide margin. Tesla is somewhat unique though since the vast majority of those recalls are addressable via internet enabled, over-the-air updates. The Cybertruck recall is a notable outlier. Customers will actually have to physically have the truck serviced to address the accelerator issue.&nbsp;</p>
  12123.  
  12124.  
  12125.  
  12126. <p>This isn’t the first issue Cybertruck owners have experienced in the vehicle&#8217;s brief life-span. Earlier this year, multiple owners said they saw <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/cybertruck-forum-rust/">small orange dots appear</a> on the surface of their vehicles which resembled rust. One owner claims the discoloration occurs almost immediately after driving through a rain just one day after purchasing the car. A Tesla repair technician allegedly told one of the affected drivers they had a “procedure” for dealing with the splotchy red specks.&nbsp;</p>
  12127.  
  12128.  
  12129.  
  12130. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/cybertruck-forum-rust/"><strong>Owners worry Cybertruck of the future rusts after rain</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  12131.  
  12132.  
  12133.  
  12134. <p>Both the rust like spots and the apparent soap-induced accelerator pad issue appear to contradict Tesla’s branding of the Cybertruck as rugged, durable, off-road behemoth. Musk has previously referred to the vehicle as “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aol.com/tesla-cybertruck-elon-musk-surprisingly-151900468.html">badass</a>” and possibly “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-calls-cybertruck-teslas-best-product-ever-here-comes-the-test-42095f45#">the best product ever</a>.”&nbsp;</p>
  12135. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/cybertruck-recall/">Nearly all Cybertrucks recalled over faulty accelerator pedal, misapplied soap</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12136. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  12140. </item>
  12141. <item>
  12142. <title>The best Klipsch speakers in 2024</title>
  12143. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-klipsch-speakers/</link>
  12145. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  12146. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  12147. <category><![CDATA[Audio]]></category>
  12148. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  12149. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  12150. <category><![CDATA[Speakers]]></category>
  12151. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  12152. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  12153. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  12154. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  12155. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  12156. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=609834</guid>
  12157.  
  12158. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  12159.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/The-best-Klipsch-speakers-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best Klipsch speakers of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>The top speakers from a venerable speaker maker since 1946.</p>
  12160. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-klipsch-speakers/">The best Klipsch speakers in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12161. ]]></description>
  12162. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  12163.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/The-best-Klipsch-speakers-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best Klipsch speakers of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  12164. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  12165.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  12166.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  12167.      <tbody>
  12168.              <tr
  12169.          class="ProductTable-product"
  12170.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  12171.        >
  12172.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  12173.            Best overall
  12174.          </td>
  12175.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  12176.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II on a plain white background." class="wp-image-609860" width="264" height="165">
  12177.          </td>
  12178.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  12179.            Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II
  12180.          </td>
  12181.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  12182.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  12183.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12184.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12185.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12186.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12187.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12188.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  12189.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12190.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12191.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12192.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12193.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12194.                                  </div>
  12195.                          </div>
  12196.          </td>
  12197.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  12198.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  12199.                <span>
  12200.                  SEE IT
  12201.                </span>
  12202.            </a>
  12203.          </td>
  12204.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  12205.              <p>Premium, surround sound-ready stereo towers well designed from top to bottom for high-output, highly emotional entertainment.</p>
  12206.  
  12207.            </td>
  12208.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  12209.        </tr>
  12210.              <tr
  12211.          class="ProductTable-product"
  12212.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  12213.        >
  12214.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  12215.            Best Splurge
  12216.          </td>
  12217.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  12218.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Speakers photo" class="wp-image-609861" width="264" height="165">
  12219.          </td>
  12220.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  12221.            The Nines
  12222.          </td>
  12223.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  12224.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  12225.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12226.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12227.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12228.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12229.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12230.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  12231.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12232.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12233.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12234.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12235.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12236.                                  </div>
  12237.                          </div>
  12238.          </td>
  12239.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  12240.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  12241.                <span>
  12242.                  SEE IT
  12243.                </span>
  12244.            </a>
  12245.          </td>
  12246.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  12247.              <p>The ultimate multi-use speakers for analog and digital music lovers alike.</p>
  12248.  
  12249.            </td>
  12250.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  12251.        </tr>
  12252.              <tr
  12253.          class="ProductTable-product"
  12254.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  12255.        >
  12256.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  12257.            Best budget
  12258.          </td>
  12259.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  12260.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Austin.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Klipsch The Austin on a plain white background." class="wp-image-609864" width="264" height="165">
  12261.          </td>
  12262.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  12263.            Klipsch Austin
  12264.          </td>
  12265.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  12266.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  12267.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12268.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12269.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12270.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12271.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12272.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  12273.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12274.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12275.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12276.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12277.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  12278.                                  </div>
  12279.                          </div>
  12280.          </td>
  12281.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  12282.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  12283.                <span>
  12284.                  SEE IT
  12285.                </span>
  12286.            </a>
  12287.          </td>
  12288.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  12289.              <p>A multi-driver $100 speaker that almost fits in a pants pocket.</p>
  12290.  
  12291.            </td>
  12292.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  12293.        </tr>
  12294.            </tbody>
  12295.    </table>
  12296.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  12297.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  12298.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  12299.    </div>
  12300.  </div>
  12301. </div>
  12302.  
  12303.  
  12304.  
  12305. <p>Klipsch speakers have impressed the audio world since the company&#8217;s inception in 1946, and the tradition of continually releasing new, innovative hardware has continued for the past 78 years. In recent years, Klipsch has branched out from passive floorstanding and bookshelf speakers into making powered and portable Bluetooth speakers. The company&#8217;s attention to high-energy acoustics and dual focus on both audio quality and value have helped it stand out even with increased competition from both new and legacy speaker makers. The best Klipsch speakers will extract all the dynamic details of your music, movies, and video games at home and on the go.</p>
  12306.  
  12307.  
  12308.  
  12309. <ul>
  12310. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II</a></li>
  12311.  
  12312.  
  12313.  
  12314. <li><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch The Nines</a> </li>
  12315.  
  12316.  
  12317.  
  12318. <li><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Nashville-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CC2NJ8ML?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Nashville</a></li>
  12319.  
  12320.  
  12321.  
  12322. <li><strong>Best soundbar:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-200-Channel-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV6439SR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Flexus CORE 200</a></li>
  12323.  
  12324.  
  12325.  
  12326. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Austin</a></li>
  12327. </ul>
  12328.  
  12329.  
  12330.  
  12331. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-klipsch-speakers"><strong>How we chose the best Klipsch speakers</strong></h2>
  12332.  
  12333.  
  12334.  
  12335. <p>Klipsch makes an enormous number of speakers, so winnowing down the best required us to take into consideration the most common ways people will use them. After careful consideration we decided on portable speakers for on-the-go listening, passive and active speakers for music listening, and a soundbar for those who want a more compact home theater system. Our recommendations are based on a mix of hands-on testing and research to determine the best choice in each given category. </p>
  12336.  
  12337.  
  12338.  
  12339. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-klipsch-speakers-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best Klipsch speakers: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  12340.  
  12341.  
  12342.  
  12343. <p>Ready to set up a home theater or upgrade from a pair of speakers with toasted tweeters and worn-out woofers? It&#8217;s time to hear what your music, movies, and games really sound like with a set of Klipsch speakers.</p>
  12344.  
  12345.  
  12346.  
  12347. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-klipsch-reference-premiere-rp-8000f-ii"><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II</a></h3>
  12348.  
  12349.  
  12350. <div
  12351.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  12352.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  12353. >
  12354.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  12355.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  12356.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  12357.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-RP-8000F-II.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II on a plain white background.">
  12358.                      </figure>
  12359.                  </a>
  12360.            </div>
  12361.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  12362.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  12363.        <p><em>Klipsch</em></p>
  12364.  
  12365.      </figcaption>
  12366.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  12367.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000"
  12368.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  12369.      </p>
  12370.      </div>
  12371. </div>
  12372.  
  12373.  
  12374.  
  12375. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  12376.  
  12377.  
  12378.  
  12379. <ul>
  12380. <li><strong>Powered:</strong> No </li>
  12381.  
  12382.  
  12383.  
  12384. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 22.04 x 14.96 x 48.42 inches</li>
  12385.  
  12386.  
  12387.  
  12388. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 61.4 pounds</li>
  12389.  
  12390.  
  12391.  
  12392. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $1,198</li>
  12393. </ul>
  12394.  
  12395.  
  12396.  
  12397. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  12398.  
  12399.  
  12400.  
  12401. <ul>
  12402. <li>Triple driver audio system</li>
  12403.  
  12404.  
  12405.  
  12406. <li>Aluminum feet designed to absorb vibrations</li>
  12407.  
  12408.  
  12409.  
  12410. <li>Aesthetically pleasing</li>
  12411. </ul>
  12412.  
  12413.  
  12414.  
  12415. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  12416.  
  12417.  
  12418.  
  12419. <ul>
  12420. <li>Price</li>
  12421. </ul>
  12422.  
  12423.  
  12424.  
  12425. <p>Klipsch&#8217;s Reference Premiere RP-8000F II speakers typify what makes the company&#8217;s audio hardware so impressive and revered. Yes, the floorstanding speakers are large, but each cabinet houses multiple <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-makes-up-a-speaker/">drivers</a>: a pair of eight-inch woofers and one-inch tweeters. These woofers are made from a cerametallic material, which Klipsch says maximizes their efficiency while minimizing the potential for distortion. In addition, specially designed bass ports allow for more extension with less noise. This is especially important because the woofers will be responsible for accurately representing the dynamic width of midrange and low frequencies unless you connect a subwoofer to your home audio system. </p>
  12426.  
  12427.  
  12428.  
  12429. <p>The speakers&#8217; titanium LTS tweeters and vented housings are mounted onto Tractrix horns, a proprietary component designed by Klipsch to ensure detailed, accurate reproduction. The silicone composite horn is flared so that the tweeter&#8217;s sound is properly dispersed outward. Klipsch says this design is an efficient way for treble sounds to always clear the enclosure with deliberate directivity and minimum reverb from wall reflections, lowering the probability of harsh harmonics and sibilant sounds. </p>
  12430.  
  12431.  
  12432.  
  12433. <p>If you like to listen to your music loud, the RP8000F II&#8217;s cast aluminum feet may be a most appealing feature. They keep the speaker from sitting flush on the floor, so vibrations from loud sounds don&#8217;t rattle the cabinet, which causes distortion. While these speakers were designed for stereo listening, each one has a pair of connectors toward the top of the cabinet that allow you to connect one of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RP-500SA-Reference-Premiere-Speakers/dp/B07G3BBXQH?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch&#8217;s RP-500SA</a> upward-firing surround sound speakers to them. This, along with a switchable crossover setting, will allow you to listen to music mixed in Dolby Atmos without hooking those additional speakers up to your <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/">AV receiver</a>. Klipsch includes a pair of &#8220;jumper cables&#8221; with the RP8000F IIs for this purpose. It&#8217;s great to know there&#8217;s a built-in upgrade path if you&#8217;re starting to build <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-home-theater-systems/">a home theater system</a> and are starting with these speakers. </p>
  12434.  
  12435.  
  12436.  
  12437. <p>Yes, they&#8217;re expensive, but there&#8217;s a reason Klipsch has labeled the RP-8000F IIs as reference speakers. They&#8217;re well worth the price if you have enough space for a pair of floor-standing speakers and care about premium sound. </p>
  12438.  
  12439.  
  12440.  
  12441. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-splurge-klipsch-the-nines"><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch The Nines</a> </h3>
  12442.  
  12443.  
  12444. <div
  12445.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  12446.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  12447. >
  12448.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  12449.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  12450.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  12451.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/05/01/Klipsch-TheNines-Outdoors-Pair.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/05/01/Klipsch-TheNines-Outdoors-Pair.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Klipsch The Nines powered speakers outside on a table in the sun">
  12452.                      </figure>
  12453.                  </a>
  12454.            </div>
  12455.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  12456.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  12457.        <p><em>Sarah Jones</em></p>
  12458.  
  12459.      </figcaption>
  12460.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  12461.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000"
  12462.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  12463.      </p>
  12464.      </div>
  12465. </div>
  12466.  
  12467.  
  12468.  
  12469. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  12470.  
  12471.  
  12472.  
  12473. <ul>
  12474. <li><strong>Powered:</strong> Yes</li>
  12475.  
  12476.  
  12477.  
  12478. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 13.38 x 9.5 x 19.13 inches</li>
  12479.  
  12480.  
  12481.  
  12482. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 66 pounds</li>
  12483.  
  12484.  
  12485.  
  12486. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $1,499</li>
  12487. </ul>
  12488.  
  12489.  
  12490.  
  12491. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  12492.  
  12493.  
  12494.  
  12495. <ul>
  12496. <li>Enormous woofers for a relatively compact cabinet (compared to a tower speaker)</li>
  12497.  
  12498.  
  12499.  
  12500. <li>Designed for both analog and digital music listening</li>
  12501.  
  12502.  
  12503.  
  12504. <li>Loaded with inputs</li>
  12505. </ul>
  12506.  
  12507.  
  12508.  
  12509. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  12510.  
  12511.  
  12512.  
  12513. <ul>
  12514. <li>Price</li>
  12515. </ul>
  12516.  
  12517.  
  12518.  
  12519. <p>The Nines is an all-in-one audio system that <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/klipsch-the-nines-powered-speakers-review/">blew us away</a> during our time with them. Klipsch outfitted its powered speakers with a single eight-inch woofer and one-inch tweeter mounted onto a Tractrix horn. While they don&#8217;t have the exact same components as the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Reference Premiere RP-8000F IIs</a>, they share the same DNA, if not the dimensions. You&#8217;ll get enormous sound—both in depth and volume—from speakers just over a foot-and-a-half tall.</p>
  12520.  
  12521.  
  12522.  
  12523. <p>Part of The Nines&#8217; appeal is their versatility. Like the smaller <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Fives-Powered-Speaker-System/dp/B08KYPGC1D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">Fives</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BQNDPDW1?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sevens</a>, these <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-powered-speakers/">powered speakers</a> have an RCA phono input, USB port, HDMI port, optical audio port, and subwoofer output, meaning you can connect them to virtually any component. It&#8217;s conceivable that one could hook up <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-turntables-under-500/">a turntable</a>, TV, and computer up to The Nines simultaneously and use them as home audio, home theater, and computer speakers with the flick of a switch. </p>
  12524.  
  12525.  
  12526.  
  12527. <p>And because The Nines have a built-in phono stage, you won&#8217;t need an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-phono-preamps/">external phono preamp</a> or AV receiver for them to be excellent <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-turntable-speakers/">turntable speakers</a>. Discerning digital music listeners will be able to listen to 24-bit 192kHz natively through any of its digital inputs, or stream compressed audio to the speakers wirelessly over Bluetooth. This is it if you&#8217;re looking for one set of speakers that can fit into any audio system. </p>
  12528.  
  12529.  
  12530.  
  12531. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-portable-klipsch-nashville"><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Nashville-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CC2NJ8ML?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Nashville</a></h3>
  12532.  
  12533.  
  12534. <div
  12535.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  12536.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  12537. >
  12538.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  12539.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Nashville-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CC2NJ8ML?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  12540.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  12541.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Klipsch-Nashville.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Klipsch-Nashville.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Klipsch Nashville amongst other Klipsch Bluetooth speakers.">
  12542.                      </figure>
  12543.                  </a>
  12544.            </div>
  12545.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  12546.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  12547.        <p><em>Tony Ware / Popular Science</em></p>
  12548.  
  12549.      </figcaption>
  12550.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  12551.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Nashville-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CC2NJ8ML?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000"
  12552.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  12553.      </p>
  12554.      </div>
  12555. </div>
  12556.  
  12557.  
  12558.  
  12559. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  12560.  
  12561.  
  12562.  
  12563. <ul>
  12564. <li><strong>Powered:</strong> Yes</li>
  12565.  
  12566.  
  12567.  
  12568. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 3.19 x 3.07 x 7.01 inches</li>
  12569.  
  12570.  
  12571.  
  12572. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 2.4 pounds</li>
  12573.  
  12574.  
  12575.  
  12576. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $149</li>
  12577. </ul>
  12578.  
  12579.  
  12580.  
  12581. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  12582.  
  12583.  
  12584.  
  12585. <ul>
  12586. <li>24-hour battery life</li>
  12587.  
  12588.  
  12589.  
  12590. <li>Can connect to up to 10 additional Klipsch speakers</li>
  12591.  
  12592.  
  12593.  
  12594. <li>Reverse charging</li>
  12595. </ul>
  12596.  
  12597.  
  12598.  
  12599. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  12600.  
  12601.  
  12602.  
  12603. <ul>
  12604. <li>Bluetooth only </li>
  12605. </ul>
  12606.  
  12607.  
  12608.  
  12609. <p>Klipsch&#8217;s Nashville is the mid-sized option in the company&#8217;s &#8220;Music City&#8221; portable speaker series, and it delivers a lot for its small size. The speaker has a pair of 2.25-inch full-range drivers behind its signature copper logo and black grille—one front and one rear-firing so it can be enjoyed from any angle. The <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-bluetooth-speakers/">Bluetooth speaker&#8217;s</a> drivers are augmented by a pair of bass radiators for cleaner low-end response. There aren&#8217;t any onboard tone controls, but you can tweak how the Nashville sounds using the Klipsch Connect app on iOS and Android if you&#8217;d like to dial in different frequencies or adjust its EQ to suit the type of music you like listening to the most. </p>
  12610.  
  12611.  
  12612.  
  12613. <p>The Nashville supports <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/how-does-bluetooth-work/">Bluetooth 5.3</a>, the latest most stable version of the wireless audio protocol, though it only connects to smartdevices and computers via the baseline SBC codec. It does, however, support a feature called &#8220;Broadcast Mode&#8221; that allows you to connect it to up to 10 other Klipsch speakers. This feature will come in handy if you&#8217;d like to create a whole-home wireless audio system or just want to be able to stream the same track to two places during a larger party. Broadcast Mode works over Bluetooth, as the Nashville doesn&#8217;t support Wi-Fi audio streaming. Similarly, there&#8217;s no Aux input on this speaker, which means it&#8217;s Bluetooth or bust. We&#8217;re pleased that the Nashville has an <a href="https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IP67 rating</a>, so it won&#8217;t get damaged when exposed to water or dust. </p>
  12614.  
  12615.  
  12616.  
  12617. <p>Klipsch says the Nashville supports up to 24 hours of music playback per charge, but the amount you get will be dependant on your listening volume and whether Broadcast Mode is engaged. The speaker charges via USB-C, and you can use its charging port to top up the batteries in your other devices by plugging them in. Using the Nashville as a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-chargers/">power bank</a> will deplete its battery a lot more quickly, but the feature is useful in a pinch. </p>
  12618.  
  12619.  
  12620.  
  12621. <p>Of course, none of this is worth a dang if the speaker ain&#8217;t got that twang. Luckily, the Nashville&#8217;s 60Hz to 20kHz frequency response is surprisingly robust for a speaker its size. At 50 to 60 percent volume, the speaker maintains pleasingly throaty dynamics with minimal distortion, thanks to its DSP. Things start getting iffy above that, so if it&#8217;s volume you seek, look to the bigger $299 <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Detroit-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9XJVGL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Detroit speaker</a> (the elongated speaker in the image above). Playback is in mono but there&#8217;s still a good sense of instrument separation, aided by some EQing in the app to bump tight bass and boost treble without tizziness. The Nashville is a speaker that can hold a note and hold up under the conditions of a pool party or beach bash.</p>
  12622.  
  12623.  
  12624.  
  12625. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-soundbar-klipsch-flexus-core-200"><strong>Best soundbar:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-200-Channel-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV6439SR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Flexus CORE 200</a></h3>
  12626.  
  12627.  
  12628. <div
  12629.    id="klipsch-flexus-core-200"
  12630.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  12631.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  12632. >
  12633.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  12634.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-200-Channel-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV6439SR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  12635.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  12636.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Klipsch-Flexus-Core-200.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/Klipsch-Flexus-Core-200.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Klipsch Flexus Core 200 under a TV.">
  12637.                      </figure>
  12638.                  </a>
  12639.            </div>
  12640.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  12641.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  12642.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </em></p>
  12643.  
  12644.      </figcaption>
  12645.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  12646.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-200-Channel-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV6439SR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000"
  12647.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  12648.      </p>
  12649.      </div>
  12650. </div>
  12651.  
  12652.  
  12653.  
  12654. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  12655.  
  12656.  
  12657.  
  12658. <ul>
  12659. <li><strong>Powered:</strong> Yes</li>
  12660.  
  12661.  
  12662.  
  12663. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 4.94 x 44 x 3.1 inches</li>
  12664.  
  12665.  
  12666.  
  12667. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> 22 pounds</li>
  12668.  
  12669.  
  12670.  
  12671. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $499</li>
  12672. </ul>
  12673.  
  12674.  
  12675.  
  12676. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  12677.  
  12678.  
  12679.  
  12680. <ul>
  12681. <li>Built-in subwoofers</li>
  12682.  
  12683.  
  12684.  
  12685. <li>Upward-firing drivers for Atmos height channels</li>
  12686.  
  12687.  
  12688.  
  12689. <li>Can be augmented with a dedicated subwoofer/surround speakers</li>
  12690. </ul>
  12691.  
  12692.  
  12693.  
  12694. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  12695.  
  12696.  
  12697.  
  12698. <ul>
  12699. <li>Requires a wide space.</li>
  12700. </ul>
  12701.  
  12702.  
  12703.  
  12704. <p>The Flexus CORE 200 is Klipsch&#8217;s newest <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-soundbar/">soundbar</a>, and it&#8217;s quickly become one of the best we&#8217;ve ever tested. At 44-inches wide, you&#8217;ll need a large media center to accommodate the home theater speaker, but you&#8217;ll be rewarded handsomely once you hear how music, video games, and movies sound. The Flexus CORE 200 has six 2.25 ceramic drivers (one on the left and one on the right, two in the center, and two facing upward) plus two 4-inch subwoofers. We&#8217;ve never heard better bass response or single-point surround sound from another compact soundbar at this price point (or a bit beyond). </p>
  12705.  
  12706.  
  12707.  
  12708. <p>The low end was shockingly tight when listening to explosions while playing games like <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Zelda-Breath-Wild-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B01MS6MO77?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild</a></em> on the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/nintendo-switch-oled-console/">Nintendo Switch OLED</a> or titles with bombastic bopping soundtracks like <em>Penny&#8217;s Big Breakaway. </em>The Flexus CORE 200 could recreate the ambiance of a theater or hall when watching comedy specials like Neal Brennan&#8217;s <em>Crazy Good</em> and Demetri Martin&#8217;s <em>Demetri Deconstructed</em>. Even casual YouTube videos sound great, with clear separation between voiceovers and sound effects. </p>
  12709.  
  12710.  
  12711.  
  12712. <p>This performance is possible because Klipsch partnered with Onkyo when developing the Flexus CORE 200. The former designed the enclosure and acoustic components, while the latter was in charge of developing the processor inside. Onkyo has a long history of making AV receivers and amps and has brought that expertise to the table in a big way. It&#8217;s no surprise that their technology was able to recreate the experience of listening to a more traditional multi-speaker multichannel setup.  </p>
  12713.  
  12714.  
  12715.  
  12716. <p>On its own, we can recommend Klipsch&#8217;s Flexus CORE 200 as a premium 3.1.2-channel soundbar for anyone who&#8217;s at least a little <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-surround-sound-systems/">surround sound curious</a>. However, we were also able to test it alongside Klipsch&#8217;s new $299 10-inch <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-SUB-100-Subwoofer-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV64NBRR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Flexus Sub 100</a> and $249 wireless <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-SURR-100-Immersive-Technology/dp/B0CV64Y3WY?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Flexus Surround 100 speakers</a>. This trio is a grand slam, offering better-balanced sound and more immersive audio experiences when listening to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-dolby-atmos-soundbars/">Dolby Atmos</a> mixes of albums like The Beach Boys&#8217; <em>Pet Sounds</em> and Pink Floyd&#8217;s <em>Dark Side of the Moon</em>, with <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-is-apples-spatial-audio/">spatial audio</a> ping-ponging off the ceiling and walls around you. </p>
  12717.  
  12718.  
  12719.  
  12720. <p>Whether you use it on its own or with Klipsch&#8217;s optional satellites/sub, we cannot find a major fault with the Flexus CORE 200 system. If you have enough space, it&#8217;s a home theater upgrade you&#8217;ll deserve. </p>
  12721.  
  12722.  
  12723.  
  12724. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-budget-klipsch-austin"><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Austin</a></h3>
  12725.  
  12726.  
  12727. <div
  12728.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  12729.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  12730. >
  12731.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  12732.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  12733.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  12734.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Klipsch-Austin-portable-speaker-cropped.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/Klipsch-Austin-portable-speaker-cropped.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Black Square Klipsch Austin best portable Bluetooth speaker on top of boxes with the Washington Monument and VRE train in the background">
  12735.                      </figure>
  12736.                  </a>
  12737.            </div>
  12738.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  12739.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  12740.        <p><em>Tony Ware / Popular Science</em></p>
  12741.  
  12742.      </figcaption>
  12743.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  12744.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000"
  12745.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  12746.      </p>
  12747.      </div>
  12748. </div>
  12749.  
  12750.  
  12751.  
  12752. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  12753.  
  12754.  
  12755.  
  12756. <ul>
  12757. <li><strong>Powered:</strong> Yes</li>
  12758.  
  12759.  
  12760.  
  12761. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 1.73 x 4.13 x 4.13 inches</li>
  12762.  
  12763.  
  12764.  
  12765. <li><strong>Weight:</strong> .88 pounds</li>
  12766.  
  12767.  
  12768.  
  12769. <li><strong>Price:</strong> $99</li>
  12770. </ul>
  12771.  
  12772.  
  12773.  
  12774. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  12775.  
  12776.  
  12777.  
  12778. <ul>
  12779. <li>12-hour battery life</li>
  12780.  
  12781.  
  12782.  
  12783. <li>IP67 durability rating</li>
  12784.  
  12785.  
  12786.  
  12787. <li>Price</li>
  12788. </ul>
  12789.  
  12790.  
  12791.  
  12792. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  12793.  
  12794.  
  12795.  
  12796. <ul>
  12797. <li>May not get loud enough for certain situations</li>
  12798. </ul>
  12799.  
  12800.  
  12801.  
  12802. <p>If you need an ultra-portable, highly affordable Klipsch speaker, The Austin is the one you&#8217;ll need. This personal speaker retains many of the looks and features that impressed us during our time with its Music City sibling the Nashville, including IP67 water and dust resistance, support for Bluetooth 5.3, Klipsch&#8217;s Broadcast Mode, speakerphone capabilities, and reverse charging. Klipsch says The Austin can last up to 12 hours per charge, which is great for a speaker conceivably fitting in a pair of cargo shorts. </p>
  12803.  
  12804.  
  12805.  
  12806. <p>Despite its small size, Klipsch managed to fit a 2-inch woofer and separate tweeter into its compact square enclosure. This means that even though the Austin is mono, you&#8217;ll get better separation between crisp high and rich mid frequencies than you would with most single-driver ultra-portable speakers. The 10W 70Hz to 20kHz Austin is not going to be a suitable speaker system for a large space or a bass lover, but that&#8217;s not what it was designed for. Klipsch did outfit the speaker with a built-in strap, which you can use to attach it to a bicycle&#8217;s handlebars or on a backpack. Don&#8217;t be fooled by The Austin&#8217;s size and price, Klipsch spent the time to optimize its performance, so you won&#8217;t get a significantly diminished experience when listening to your tunes. We&#8217;ll be including it in our favorite <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-portable-bluetooth-speaker/">portable Bluetooth speakers</a> in the future.</p>
  12807.  
  12808.  
  12809.  
  12810. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-shopping-for-the-best-klipsch-speakers"><strong>What to consider when shopping for the best Klipsch speakers</strong></h2>
  12811.  
  12812.  
  12813.  
  12814. <p>There are many factors to consider when deciding which Klipsch speakers are right for you. Below are the factors we considered most important when writing this guide:  </p>
  12815.  
  12816.  
  12817.  
  12818. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-vs-passive">Active vs. Passive</h3>
  12819.  
  12820.  
  12821.  
  12822. <p>The first consideration you&#8217;ll need to make when deciding which Klipsch speakers to get is whether you&#8217;d like them to be active (with built-in amplification) or passive (without that). Passive speakers require an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-av-receivers/">AV receiver</a> or other amp and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-speaker-wires/">speaker cable</a> for power and to connect to sources like <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/fluance-rt85-review/">a turntable</a> or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/apple-macbook-air-m3-13-inch-2024-review/">computer</a>. Active speakers have built-in amplification (and more and more frequently some sort of DAC and/or wireless streaming capabilities), which allows you to connect components to them using an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-hdmi-cables/">HDMI cable</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Multi-Channel-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B00NH11H38?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">optical audio</a>, or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Speaker-Subwoofer-Gold-Plated/dp/B01D5H8P0G?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RCA cable</a>, as well as Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth. Active speakers are typically heavier, and their power supply and other audio hardware take up space inside each speaker&#8217;s cabinet, leaving less room for audio components. Passive speakers are lighter, only have audio hardware inside, but don&#8217;t have any utility on their own out of the box. </p>
  12823.  
  12824.  
  12825.  
  12826. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-style">Style</h3>
  12827.  
  12828.  
  12829.  
  12830. <p>Traditional Klipsch speakers come in the two classic form factors: bookshelf and floorstanding. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/">Bookshelf speakers</a> are more compact, and can fit more easily on top of a media center or in a smaller space like bedrooms and home offices (assuming you also factor in space for an amp, or you pick a powered pair). Their smaller size does limit how many drivers they can have and the size of those drivers. Floorstanding (aka tower) speakers are significantly taller but have more room for multiple larger drivers, which means more extension and greater separation between frequency bands, resulting in a more dynamic response. These speakers sit directly on the floor—as their name suggests—so you&#8217;ll need space on both sides of your home audio system to make them work.</p>
  12831.  
  12832.  
  12833.  
  12834. <p>In addition, Klipsch has introduced its soundbars and a new line of portable Bluetooth speakers in addition to passive and active bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. These speakers follow Klipsch&#8217;s adherence to strict audio quality, and come in a trio of sizes—all easily taken on the go.</p>
  12835.  
  12836.  
  12837.  
  12838. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connectivity">Connectivity</h3>
  12839.  
  12840.  
  12841.  
  12842. <p>As we outlined earlier, Klipsch has outfitted its powered speakers with several means of connectivity, which will allow you to use them in several ways simultaneously. For example, The Nines speakers have a USB port, HDMI port, and RCA input (with a grounding peg), which means you can conceivably connect them to a computer, TV, and turntable. These active speakers also support Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming.</p>
  12843.  
  12844.  
  12845.  
  12846. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  12847.  
  12848.  
  12849.  
  12850. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1712590380045"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What is Klipsch famous for?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Klipsch is famous for making premium speakers and headphones, particularly loudspeakers featuring the recognizable Tractrix horn-mounted driver for efficient high-frequency transfer and a fleshy, high-fidelity presence across an almost multidimensional soundstage. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1712592841478"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Is Sonos or Klipsch better?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Both Sonos and Klipsch speakers have pros and cons. Klipsch has the advantage when it comes to passive speakers, while <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-sonos-speakers/">Sonos</a> is better known for its Wi-Fi-connected speakers. Both companies make exceptional audio hardware. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1712592868725"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What is Klipsch signature sound?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In a 2014 <a href="https://www.klipsch.com/blog/defining-klipsch-sound" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog post</a>, Mark Cesavent—the company&#8217;s senior vice president of global product development—defined the Klipsch sound as &#8220;&#8230; akin to the live concert experience—powerful, detailed and emotional. Klipsch sound is easy to recognize by the everyday music listener to the ardent audiophile. It is best heard in a stereo, 2-channel HiFi system for playing music.&#8221;</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1712592880961"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How much do Klipsch speakers cost?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Klipsch speakers occupy every price point, but our recommendations cost between $100 and $1,500.</p> </div> </div>
  12851.  
  12852.  
  12853.  
  12854. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-klipsch-speakers"><strong>Final thoughts on the best Klipsch speakers</strong></h2>
  12855.  
  12856.  
  12857.  
  12858. <ul>
  12859. <li><strong>Best overall:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Reference-Premiere-Floorstanding-Cerametallic/dp/B09ZNKFP7Z?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-8000F II</a></li>
  12860.  
  12861.  
  12862.  
  12863. <li><strong>Best splurge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch The Nines</a> </li>
  12864.  
  12865.  
  12866.  
  12867. <li><strong>Best portable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Nashville-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CC2NJ8ML?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Nashville</a></li>
  12868.  
  12869.  
  12870.  
  12871. <li><strong>Best soundbar:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-200-Channel-Powered-Bluetooth/dp/B0CV6439SR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Flexus CORE 200</a></li>
  12872.  
  12873.  
  12874.  
  12875. <li><strong>Best budget:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Austin-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B0CJ9V329D?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000609834O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch Austin</a></li>
  12876. </ul>
  12877.  
  12878.  
  12879.  
  12880. <p>Klipsch&#8217;s continued efforts to make the best-sounding speakers for music listeners and home theater enthusiasts after nearly 80 is laudable. The Flexus CORE 200, a 2024 release, is the perfect example of this. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos—an audio format that wasn&#8217;t even around 10 years ago, much less when the company was founded—yet it adheres to the same fundamentals of Klipsch&#8217;s most traditional passive speakers. By using common connectors like HDMI, RCA, and USB on its powered speakers, Klipsch ensures their longevity and usefulness as you upgrade your current audio components. This commitment to both sustainability by design and audio quality has kept Klipsch as relevant today as it was in the 1940s and will carry the company through into the future. </p>
  12881.  
  12882.  
  12883.  
  12884. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  12885.  
  12886.  
  12887.  
  12888. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  12889.  
  12890.  
  12891.  
  12892. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  12893. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-klipsch-speakers/">The best Klipsch speakers in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12894. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  12898. </item>
  12899. <item>
  12900. <title>Lampreys offer clues to the origin of our fight-or-flight instinct</title>
  12901. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/lampreys-fight-or-flight/</link>
  12903. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  12904. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:31:05 +0000</pubDate>
  12905. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  12906. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  12907. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  12908. <category><![CDATA[Evolution]]></category>
  12909. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  12910. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  12911. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611752</guid>
  12912.  
  12913. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12914.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/lamprey.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a circular lamprey mouth dotted with teeth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">There are 43 known species of lampreys, They are found in coastal and fresh waters in temperate regions around the world, except for Africa. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Moment/Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>In 'water vampires,' scientists find evidence of stem cells that develop into the sympathetic nervous system.</p>
  12915. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/lampreys-fight-or-flight/">Lampreys offer clues to the origin of our fight-or-flight instinct</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12916. ]]></description>
  12917. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12918.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/lamprey.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a circular lamprey mouth dotted with teeth" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">There are 43 known species of lampreys, They are found in coastal and fresh waters in temperate regions around the world, except for Africa. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Moment/Getty</span></figcaption></figure>
  12919. <p>Lampreys look like <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-lampreys-humans/">something out of a horror movie</a>, with their sucky mouths chock full of teeth, eel-like bodies, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/ancient-lamprey-blood-flesh/">parasitic behaviors</a>. These “water vampires” represent a bit of an evolutionary fork in the road between vertebrates and invertebrates, and the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/animals/lamprey-fish-evolution/#:~:text=The%20lamprey%20is%20one%20of,with%20a%20tooth%2Dfilled%20mouth.">scientific debate about just how closely related we are to these carnivorous fish</a> has taken yet another turn. </p>
  12920.  
  12921.  
  12922.  
  12923. <p>Scientists found some evidence that lampreys have a rudimentary sympathetic nervous system–which is believed to control the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/why-do-we-freeze-when-frightened/#:~:text=Once%20the%20brain%20has%20perceived,getting%20away%20from%20the%20threat.">fight-or-flight reaction in vertebrates</a>. The findings are detailed in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07297-0">study published April 17 in the journal <em>Nature</em></a> and could prompt a rethink of the origins of the sympathetic nervous system.</p>
  12924.  
  12925.  
  12926.  
  12927. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/lamprey">Lampreys</a> are the closest living organisms scientists have to studying the fish ancestors that vertebrates evolved from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">some 550 million years ago</a>. They belong to an ancient vertebrate lineage called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/agnatha">Agnatha–or jawless fish</a>. Some scientists believe that they represent the earliest group of vertebrates that is still living and can give us an evolutionary window into all vertebrate ancestors. Other scientists <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/animals/lamprey-fish-evolution/#:~:text=The%20lamprey%20is%20one%20of,with%20a%20tooth%2Dfilled%20mouth.">question the theories</a> due to a lack of lamprey evidence in the fossil record.&nbsp;</p>
  12928.  
  12929.  
  12930.  
  12931. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/ancient-lamprey-blood-flesh/"><strong>Giant prehistoric lamprey likely sucked blood—and ate flesh</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  12932.  
  12933.  
  12934.  
  12935. <p>Scientists previously believed that lampreys did not have sympathetic neurons. These neurons are part of the <a target="_blank" href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23262-sympathetic-nervous-system-sns-fight-or-flight">sympathetic nervous system</a>, a system of nerves that target the internal organs throughout the body including the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">gut, pancreas, and heart</a>. The system works together to respond to dangerous or stressful situations. It also helps an organism’s body maintain <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/homeostasis">homeostasis</a>, making sure that the heart keeps pumping, the digestive system keeps moving, and more. </p>
  12936.  
  12937.  
  12938.  
  12939. <p>In this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07297-0">new study</a>, a team used lampreys to look at how developmental changes may have promoted the evolution of vertebrate traits like fight-or-flight. They found evidence of the types of stem cells that eventually form sympathetic neurons. The presence of these cells in lampreys could revise the timeline of when the sympathetic nervous system began to evolve.&nbsp;</p>
  12940.  
  12941.  
  12942.  
  12943. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="450" height="331" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/lab-lamprey.jpg" alt="a mature lamprey in a laboratory. the long eel-like fish as a circular mouth with teeth and eyes on the side of its body." class="wp-image-611753"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A mature lamprey in the laboratory. CREDIT: Megan Martik</em></figcaption></figure>
  12944.  
  12945.  
  12946.  
  12947. <p>&#8220;Over a hundred years of literature has suggested that lamprey lack a sympathetic nervous system,&#8221; study co-author and California Institute of Technology biologist Marianne Bronner <a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">said in a statement</a>. &#8220;Surprisingly, we found that sympathetic neurons do, in fact, exist in lamprey but arise at a much later time in lamprey development than expected.&#8221;</p>
  12948.  
  12949.  
  12950.  
  12951. <p>Bronner and her team studied <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547700/#:~:text=Introduction,large%20range%20of%20cell%20types.">neural crest cells.</a> These are a kind of stem cells that are specific to vertebrates and give rise to the multiple cell types found throughout the body. Scientists previously believed that lampreys lacked the neural crest-derived precursors, or progenitors, that ultimately build the sympathetic nervous system.</p>
  12952.  
  12953.  
  12954.  
  12955. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">According to Bronner</a>, researchers previously looked for evidence of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/sympathetic-nervous-system">sympathetic nervous system</a> too early in lamprey development compared to other animals. For example, the sympathetic nervous system forms in the first two to three days of development in birds. </p>
  12956.  
  12957.  
  12958.  
  12959. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-lampreys-humans/"><strong>You might have more in common with the sea lamprey than you realize</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  12960.  
  12961.  
  12962.  
  12963. <p>Study co-author and Cal Tech evolutionary biologist Brittany Edens looked at the neural crest–derived progenitor cells in lampreys that ultimately give rise to sympathetic neurons. She found that in lampreys, the neural crest–derived progenitors appear much later than other animals. They can appear as long as one month after fertilization. The cells also do not fully mature into neurons until about four months of development, during the fish’s larval stage.</p>
  12964.  
  12965.  
  12966.  
  12967. <p>It is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">still not known</a> whether the sympathetic nervous system of lampreys controls fight-or-flight-like behaviors similar to other vertebrates. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/debunking-a-decades-long-misconception-about-the-origin-of-the-vertebrate-sympathetic-nervous-system">According to the team</a>, these findings suggest that the developmental program that controls the formation of sympathetic neurons remains across all vertebrates, from lamprey to mammals.&nbsp;</p>
  12968. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/lampreys-fight-or-flight/">Lampreys offer clues to the origin of our fight-or-flight instinct</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12969. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  12973. </item>
  12974. <item>
  12975. <title>Smooth lava lake on Jupiter&#8217;s moon sizzles in NASA aerial animations</title>
  12976. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/laval-lake-io-moon-jupiter/</link>
  12978. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  12979. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:24:44 +0000</pubDate>
  12980. <category><![CDATA[Moons]]></category>
  12981. <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category>
  12982. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  12983. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  12984. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  12985. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611705</guid>
  12986.  
  12987. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12988.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/jupiter-lava-lake.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an artist&#039;s illustration of a lava lake on one of jupiter&#039;s moons. it is primarily black as the magma has cooled with orange lava encircling it" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s concept of a lava lake on Jupiter’s moon Io called Loki Patera. The image was made using data from the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft. Loki is a depression filled with magma and rimmed with molten lava. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS</span></figcaption></figure><p>'Io is simply littered with volcanoes.'</p>
  12989. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/laval-lake-io-moon-jupiter/">Smooth lava lake on Jupiter&#8217;s moon sizzles in NASA aerial animations</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  12990. ]]></description>
  12991. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  12992.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/jupiter-lava-lake.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an artist&#039;s illustration of a lava lake on one of jupiter&#039;s moons. it is primarily black as the magma has cooled with orange lava encircling it" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s concept of a lava lake on Jupiter’s moon Io called Loki Patera. The image was made using data from the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft. Loki is a depression filled with magma and rimmed with molten lava. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS</span></figcaption></figure>
  12993. <p><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jupiter-great-red-spot-storm-deeper/">NASA’s Juno mission</a> scientists have used <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/telescope-images/">complex data</a> collected during <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-juno-jupiter-moon-volcanic/">two flybys of Jupiter’s third largest moon Io</a> to create animations that highlight this moon’s most dramatic features. Io is a <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/moons/io/facts/#hds-sidebar-nav-4">little bit larger than the planet Earth</a> and is also home to a mountain with a smooth lake of lava. Lava lakes like Io’s Loki Patera have a <a target="_blank" href="https://news.berkeley.edu/2017/05/10/waves-of-lava-seen-in-ios-largest-volcanic-crater#:~:text=Lava%20lakes%20like%20Loki%20Patera,that%20propagates%20across%20the%20surface.">cooling surface crust that slowly thickens</a> until it becomes denser than the underlying magma. It then sinks and pulls in the nearby crust.  </p>
  12994.  
  12995.  
  12996.  
  12997. <p>First launched in 2011, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/juno-made-it-to-jupiter/">Juno arrived at our solar system’s largest planet in 2016</a> with a mission to explore the Jovian system. It has <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/moons/">95 known moons</a> and its four largest–Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto–are called the Galilean moons. <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/moons/io/">Io</a> is most volcanically active.</p>
  12998.  
  12999.  
  13000. <div><lite-youtube videoid="lg2Szj_OG_Q" style="background-image: none;">
  13001.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lg2Szj_OG_Q/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Moons photo">
  13002.            </lite-youtube>
  13003.            
  13004.            <noscript>
  13005. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  13006. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Looking Into Io’s Loki Patera (Artist’s Concept)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lg2Szj_OG_Q?start=11&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  13007. </div></figure>
  13008. </noscript></div>
  13009.  
  13010.  
  13011. <p><em>This animation is an artist’s concept of Loki Patera, a lava lake on Jupiter’s moon Io, made using data from the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s Juno spacecraft. With multiple islands in its interior, Loki is a depression filled with magma and rimmed with molten lava. CREDIT: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS.</em></p>
  13012.  
  13013.  
  13014.  
  13015. <p>“Io is simply littered with volcanoes, and we caught a few of them in action,” Juno’s principal investigator Scott Bolton <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/juno/nasas-juno-gives-aerial-views-of-mountain-lava-lake-on-io/">said in a statement</a>. “We also got some great close-ups and other data on a 200-kilometer-long [127-mile-long] lava lake called Loki Patera. There is amazing detail showing these crazy islands embedded in the middle of a potentially magma lake rimmed with hot lava. The specular reflection our instruments recorded of the lake suggests parts of Io’s surface are as smooth as glass, reminiscent of volcanically created obsidian glass on Earth.”</p>
  13016.  
  13017.  
  13018.  
  13019. <p>The observations were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/juno/nasas-juno-gives-aerial-views-of-mountain-lava-lake-on-io/">announced April 16</a> during the European Geophysical Union General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.</p>
  13020.  
  13021.  
  13022.  
  13023. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-juno-jupiter-moon-volcanic/"><strong>See the most volcanic world in our solar system in new NASA images</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13024.  
  13025.  
  13026.  
  13027. <p>Juno conducted very close flybys of Io in <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-juno-jupiter-moon-volcanic/">December 2023</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://phys.org/news/2024-02-nasa-juno-probe-flyby-io.html">February 2024</a>, getting within 930 miles of the surface. The spacecraft obtained first close-up images of Io’s northern latitudes. Maps created with data collected by Juno’s Microwave Radiometer (MWR) instrument show that Io has a surface that is more smooth compared to Jupiter’s other Galilean moons, but also has poles that are colder than their middle latitudes.</p>
  13028.  
  13029.  
  13030. <div><lite-youtube videoid="Gajd3mcYnbA" style="background-image: none;">
  13031.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Gajd3mcYnbA/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Moons photo">
  13032.            </lite-youtube>
  13033.            
  13034.            <noscript>
  13035. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  13036. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Io’s ‘Steeple Mountain’ (Artist’s Concept)" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gajd3mcYnbA?start=14&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  13037. </div></figure>
  13038. </noscript></div>
  13039.  
  13040.  
  13041. <p><em>Created using data collected by the JunoCam imager aboard NASA’s Juno during flybys in December 2023 and February 2024, this animation is an artist’s concept of a feature on the Jovian moon Io that the mission science team nicknamed “Steeple Mountain.” CREDIT: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS</em></p>
  13042.  
  13043.  
  13044.  
  13045. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountains-and-polar-cyclones"><strong>Mountains and polar cyclones</strong></h2>
  13046.  
  13047.  
  13048.  
  13049. <p>With every pass, Juno flies closer to the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-telescope-jupiter-moons-rings/">north pole of Jupiter</a>. Changing the spacecraft’s orientation allows the MWR instrument to improve its resolution of Jupiter’s northern polar cyclones. These storms at the top of the gas giant can reach <a target="_blank" href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/2020/38/4719-Image?Tag=Jupiter">wind speeds of 220 miles per hour</a> and the data collected by Juno reveals that not all polar cyclones are created equal.</p>
  13050.  
  13051.  
  13052.  
  13053. <p>“Perhaps [the] most striking example of this disparity can be found with the central cyclone at Jupiter’s north pole,” Steve Levin, Juno’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/juno/nasas-juno-gives-aerial-views-of-mountain-lava-lake-on-io/">said in a statement</a>. “It is clearly visible in both infrared and visible light images, but its microwave signature is nowhere near as strong as other nearby storms. This tells us that its subsurface structure must be very different from these other cyclones. The MWR team continues to collect more and better microwave data with every orbit, so we anticipate developing a more detailed 3D map of these intriguing polar storms.”</p>
  13054.  
  13055.  
  13056.  
  13057. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/jupiter-cyclone.png" alt="swirling red cyclones on the planet jupiter" class="wp-image-611706" width="836" height="836"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>NASA’s Juno spacecraft captured infrared images that astronomers combined to create this picture of Jupiter’s north pole, showing a central cyclone and the eight cyclones that encircle it. Data indicate that the storms are enduring features at the pole, with each circumpolar cyclone almost as wide as the distance between Naples, Italy, and New York City in the United States. Wind speeds in the storms can reach 220 miles per hour. The colors in this composite represent radiant heat; the yellow (thinner) clouds are about 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the dark red (thickest) are around –181 degrees Fahrenheit. CREDIT: NASA, Caltech, SwRI, ASI, INAF, JIRAM</em></figcaption></figure>
  13058.  
  13059.  
  13060.  
  13061. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Just how much water is on Jupiter? An enduring mystery</strong></h2>
  13062.  
  13063.  
  13064.  
  13065. <p>One of Juno’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.missionjuno.swri.edu/origin/">primary science goals</a> is to collect data that will help astronomers better understand Jupiter’s water abundance. However, the team isn’t looking for liquid water. Instead, they are studying Jupiterl’s atmosphere to quantify the presence of the molecules that make up water–oxygen and hydrogen. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/juno/nasas-juno-gives-aerial-views-of-mountain-lava-lake-on-io/">According to NASA</a>, an accurate estimate of oxygen and hydrogen molecules present in Jupiter’s atmosphere is crucial to unlocking some of the underlying mysteries of how our solar system formed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  13066.  
  13067.  
  13068.  
  13069. <p>Jupiter was likely the first planet to form <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/facts/">roughly 4.5 billion years ago</a>. It also contains most of the gas and dust that wasn’t incorporated into the sun when the solar system formed. Water abundance also has important implications for <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-jupiter-jet-stream/">Jupiter&#8217;s meteorology</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/juno-spots-massive-oddly-geometric-storms-on-jupiter/">internal structure</a>.</p>
  13070.  
  13071.  
  13072.  
  13073. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jupiter-great-red-spot-storm-deeper/"><strong>Juno finally got close enough to Jupiter’s Great Red Spot to measure its depth</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13074.  
  13075.  
  13076.  
  13077. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/galileo-jupiter-atmospheric-probe/">In 1995</a>, NASA’s Galileo probe provided early data on the amount of water on Jupiter, but the data created more questions than answers. It showed that the gas giant’s atmosphere was unexpectedly hot and actually deprived of water—contrary to what computer models had initially indicated.</p>
  13078.  
  13079.  
  13080.  
  13081. <p>“The probe did amazing science, but its data was so far afield from our models of Jupiter’s water abundance that we considered whether the location it sampled could be an outlier. But before Juno, we couldn’t confirm,” said Bolton. “Now, with recent results made with MWR data, we have nailed down that the water abundance near Jupiter’s equator is roughly three to four times the solar abundance when compared to hydrogen. This definitively demonstrates that the Galileo probe’s entry site was an anomalously dry, desert-like region.”</p>
  13082.  
  13083.  
  13084.  
  13085. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jupiter-moons-water-nasa-juice/"><strong>Jupiter’s icy ocean worlds could be cool travel destinations in the future</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13086.  
  13087.  
  13088.  
  13089. <p>The new results support the idea that sometime during the formation of our solar-system, water-ice material may have been the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/life-on-enceladus-phosphorus/">source of heavy element enrichment</a>. These are chemical elements that are heavier than hydrogen and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/helium-earth-solar-nebula/">helium</a> that Jupiter accumulated. The planet’s formation remains puzzling, because Juno’s results on the core of the gas giant suggest that there is very low water abundance. How abundant H<sub>2</sub>0 is on the gas giant remains a mystery that the Juno mission could potentially solve.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  13090.  
  13091.  
  13092.  
  13093. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What’s next for Juno</strong></h2>
  13094.  
  13095.  
  13096.  
  13097. <p>Data during the reminder of Juno’s mission could help determine how much water is on Jupiter in two ways. It could enable scientists to compare Jupiter’s water abundance near the polar regions to the equatorial region. It also may shed additional light on the structure of the planet’s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jupiter-moon-io-magma-ocean/">dilute liquid core</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  13098.  
  13099.  
  13100.  
  13101. <p>Juno’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.missionjuno.swri.edu/junocam/processing?id=16407">most recent flyby of Io was on April 9</a> and the spacecraft came within about 10,250 miles of the moon’s surface. Its 61st flyby of Jupiter is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/juno/nasas-juno-gives-aerial-views-of-mountain-lava-lake-on-io/">scheduled for May 12</a> and it will continue to explore the planet and its moons <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/juno">through September 2025</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  13102. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/laval-lake-io-moon-jupiter/">Smooth lava lake on Jupiter&#8217;s moon sizzles in NASA aerial animations</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13103. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13107. </item>
  13108. <item>
  13109. <title>6 things you didn&#8217;t know had expiration dates</title>
  13110. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/expiration-dates/</link>
  13112. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Pot]]></dc:creator>
  13113. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13114. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  13115. <category><![CDATA[Life Skills]]></category>
  13116. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611262</guid>
  13117.  
  13118. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13119.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/bike_helmet_expiration_date.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.4052026013" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a black bike helmet dangles from the handlebars of a bicycle" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Protect your head and replace your bike helmet. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/bike-helmet-4195685.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>It's not just food that goes bad.</p>
  13120. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/expiration-dates/">6 things you didn&#8217;t know had expiration dates</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13121. ]]></description>
  13122. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13123.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/bike_helmet_expiration_date.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810.4052026013" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a black bike helmet dangles from the handlebars of a bicycle" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Protect your head and replace your bike helmet. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/bike-helmet-4195685.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  13124. <p>Expiration dates on food are something most of us understand. Okay, not quite—<a href="https://www.popsci.com/fda-expiration-best-sell-by-dates/">plenty of us are confused</a>, and that confusion contributes to food waste. Generally, though, we know that food is going to taste better if we eat it before the expiration date, and that long past those dates food might be unsafe.&nbsp;</p>
  13125.  
  13126.  
  13127.  
  13128. <p>What most people don&#8217;t know, though, is that all sorts of other products have expiration dates. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-sunscreen/">Sunscreen</a>, car seats, and even condoms all go bad eventually. Here are a few things you possibly didn&#8217;t know expired, complete with links to reputable sources where you can read more. </p>
  13129.  
  13130.  
  13131.  
  13132. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunscreen"><strong>Sunscreen</strong></h2>
  13133.  
  13134.  
  13135.  
  13136. <p>Sunscreen goes bad over time. This is one I can attest to personally: I used some five-year-old sunscreen and burned really, really badly. Most bottles will have an expiration date and I implore you to take it seriously. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun">According to the FDA</a>, if there&#8217;s no expiration date, the sunscreen &#8220;should be considered expired three years after purchase.&#8221;&nbsp;</p>
  13137.  
  13138.  
  13139.  
  13140. <p>Sunscreen can go back even faster depending on how you store it. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sunscreen-expire/faq-20057957">According to the Mayo Clinic</a>, you should make sure not to leave your sunscreen outside &#8220;in hot weather or in direct sunlight,&#8221; which might be challenging given the contexts in which people typically use sunscreen. They recommend leaving your sunscreen in the shade, when possible, or wrapping it up in a towel or in your cooler at the beach or picnic.&nbsp;</p>
  13141.  
  13142.  
  13143.  
  13144. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-car-seats"><strong>Car seats</strong></h2>
  13145.  
  13146.  
  13147.  
  13148. <p>The materials in a car seat wear down over time, which can make them less effective. The seats are only tested to last an expected lifespan, typically around eight years. This is something to keep in mind if you acquire a used car seat or intend to pass a car seat down from an older sibling to younger child.&nbsp;</p>
  13149.  
  13150.  
  13151.  
  13152. <p>The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the main US government agency that regulates car seats, offers a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/used-car-seat-safety-checklist">used car seat checklist</a> for any not-new car seat. Some of this is obvious: You shouldn&#8217;t use a car seat that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/car-seat-use-after-crash">went through a moderate or severe crash</a>, as the stress of such events means they can&#8217;t be relied on anymore. But a few other things are perhaps less intuitive. The agency says you should only use a car seat if you know the model number and manufacture date, in part so you can determine whether the seat is too old. This information is generally included on a sticker on the seat.&nbsp;</p>
  13153.  
  13154.  
  13155.  
  13156. <p>The companies that manufacture car seats also generally outline a lifespan for the seats. Graco, for example, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gracobaby.com/carseatexpirationpage.html">says this is usually between 7 and 10 years</a>, but you can find the lifespan for your specific car seat model by checking the manual. If you don&#8217;t have the manual, you can usually get a copy by contacting the manufacturer, or by checking the company’s website. </p>
  13157.  
  13158.  
  13159.  
  13160. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bike-helmets"><strong>Bike helmets</strong></h2>
  13161.  
  13162.  
  13163.  
  13164. <p>Bike helmets, much like car seats, wear down over time. The exact time varies—the specific time should be in the manual that came with your helmet. If you don&#8217;t have that on hand, there are some general guidelines to follow. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.consumerreports.org/health/bike-helmets/when-you-really-need-to-replace-your-bike-helmet-a5593905789/">According to Consumer Reports</a>, &#8220;many bike helmet manufacturers recommend replacing your helmet every three to five years&#8221; and the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/sports-fitness-and-recreation-bicycles/which-helmet-which-activity"> Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> says that &#8220;it may be prudent to replace your helmet within 5-10 years or purchase.&#8221;&nbsp;</p>
  13165.  
  13166.  
  13167.  
  13168. <p>That&#8217;s a wide range, granted, but every manufacturer and agency agrees on one thing: You should replace any helmet worn during a crash or if that helmet has any visible cracks.&nbsp;</p>
  13169.  
  13170.  
  13171.  
  13172. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-detectors"><strong>Smoke detectors</strong></h2>
  13173.  
  13174.  
  13175.  
  13176. <p>Most people don&#8217;t give their smoke detectors a second thought until they burn dinner, but those devices don&#8217;t last forever. The compounds these devices use to detect smoke diminish over time, making them less effective over time. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nfpa.org/en/downloadable-resources/safety-tip-sheets/smoke-alarms-at-home-tip-sheet">replace your smoke alarm every ten years</a>.&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.redcross.org/sound-the-alarm.html">So does the American Red Cross</a>. And don’t forget to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.firstalert.com/us/en/safetycorner/time-to-change-smoke-alarm-batteries/#:~:text=Testing%20and%20Changing%20Your%20Smoke,at%20least%20every%20ten%20years.">change the batteries every six months</a>.</p>
  13177.  
  13178.  
  13179.  
  13180. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drugs"><strong>Drugs</strong></h2>
  13181.  
  13182.  
  13183.  
  13184. <p>It&#8217;s easy to put pills in your medicine cabinet and not think about them until you have a headache, fever, or another ailment requiring relief. But drugs lose their potency over time, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/expired-medication-effectiveness/">which can make them unsafe</a>. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/expiration-dates-questions-and-answers">According to the FDA</a>, a degraded drug &#8220;might not provide the patient with the intended benefit because it has a lower strength than intended.&#8221; In some cases the breakdown might create toxic compounds with &#8220;unintended side effects.&#8221;&nbsp;</p>
  13185.  
  13186.  
  13187.  
  13188. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-condoms"><strong>Condoms</strong></h2>
  13189.  
  13190.  
  13191.  
  13192. <p>The material condoms are made from break down over time. I don&#8217;t feel like I need to explain much why this is worrying. <a target="_blank" href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/condom-facts-myths">According to the Cleveland Clinic</a> &#8220;an older condom is more likely to tear during sex&#8221;, which defeats the point of using a condom.</p>
  13193. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/expiration-dates/">6 things you didn&#8217;t know had expiration dates</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13194. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13198. </item>
  13199. <item>
  13200. <title>Stay prepared with this powerful rechargeable 1,300-lumen torch, now $39.97</title>
  13201. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/1300-torch-flashlight-sponsored-deal/</link>
  13203. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  13204. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13205. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  13206. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  13207. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  13208. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  13209. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  13210. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611476</guid>
  13211.  
  13212. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13213.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-2.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person holding a black flashlight." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Save extra through April 21 on this durable emergency tool.</p>
  13214. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/1300-torch-flashlight-sponsored-deal/">Stay prepared with this powerful rechargeable 1,300-lumen torch, now $39.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13215. ]]></description>
  13216. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13217.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-2.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person holding a black flashlight." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  13218. </div>
  13219. <p>Designed for users who demand excellence and durability in their gear, the P80 Rechargeable Pocket Torch offers advanced features that set it apart in the crowded field of <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch&amp;utm_term=scsf-594560&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPrxIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">portable lighting solutions</a>. Moreover, it&#8217;s now price-dropped to $39.97 for a limited time.</p>
  13220.  
  13221.  
  13222.  
  13223. <p>Boasting a mighty OSRAM P9 LED that <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch&amp;utm_term=scsf-594560&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPrxIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">releases up to 1,300 Lumens</a>; the P80 provides the visibility you need in various levels of darkness. Choose from low, mid, high, or strobe outputs and quickly switch settings from each mode through a dual-side switch.</p>
  13224.  
  13225.  
  13226.  
  13227. <p>This illumination level is powerful enough to light up an entire campsite or illuminate distant objects. It is an essential tool for outdoor enthusiasts, emergency responders, and anyone needing reliable lighting in low-light conditions.&nbsp;</p>
  13228.  
  13229.  
  13230.  
  13231. <p>With an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from verified buyers on Amazon, the P80&#8217;s durability has left a strong impression on users. <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch&amp;utm_term=scsf-594560&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPrxIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Made from aerospace-grade 6061-T6 aluminum</a> and reinforced with high-hardness nano-ceramic beads, the P80 is virtually indestructible and capable of even breaking glass in emergencies. The P80 stands ready to serve, regardless of the circumstance.</p>
  13232.  
  13233.  
  13234.  
  13235. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  13236. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Nextorch Duty Flashlight P80 Violence Test" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/93jZSHccA00?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  13237. </div></figure>
  13238.  
  13239.  
  13240.  
  13241. <p>The P80&#8217;s sleek and compact design, measuring 5.90 inches long, makes it easy to store in your emergency kit or car storage space for quick access whenever necessary. A convenient LED battery level indicator also alerts you when it&#8217;s time to recharge. As a durable and waterproof tool, this flashlight lets you be prepared for unexpected weather forecasts, ensuring you&#8217;re equipped for any scenario.</p>
  13242.  
  13243.  
  13244.  
  13245. <p>The <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=p80-rechargeable-1300-lumen-pocket-torch&amp;utm_term=scsf-594560&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPrxIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">P80 Rechargeable 1,300 Lumen Pocket Torch</a> is now $39.97 (reg. $59) through April 21 at 11:59 p.m., and no coupon code is required.</p>
  13246.  
  13247.  
  13248.  
  13249. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change. </em></p>
  13250. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/1300-torch-flashlight-sponsored-deal/">Stay prepared with this powerful rechargeable 1,300-lumen torch, now $39.97</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13251. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13255. </item>
  13256. <item>
  13257. <title>Staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin</title>
  13258. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/energy-transition-metals-garbage/</link>
  13260. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Maddie Stone/Grist]]></dc:creator>
  13261. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13262. <category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
  13263. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  13264. <category><![CDATA[recycling]]></category>
  13265. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611680</guid>
  13266.  
  13267. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13268.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/ewaste.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ewaste" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">'It’s a lot of hassle to collect and separate out' rare-earth magnets for recycling. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Kuni Takahashi/Bloomberg</span></figcaption></figure><p>Recycling more of the copper, aluminum, and other minerals in our old electronics could reduce the need for mining.</p>
  13269. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/energy-transition-metals-garbage/">Staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13270. ]]></description>
  13271. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13272.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/ewaste.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ewaste" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">'It’s a lot of hassle to collect and separate out' rare-earth magnets for recycling. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Kuni Takahashi/Bloomberg</span></figcaption></figure>
  13273. <p><em>This story was originally published by&nbsp;<a href="https://grist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grist</a>. Sign up for Grist’s&nbsp;<a href="https://go.grist.org/signup/weekly/partner?utm_campaign=republish-content&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=partner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weekly newsletter here</a>.</em></p>
  13274.  
  13275.  
  13276.  
  13277. <p>To build all of the solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, and other technologies necessary to fight climate change, we’re going to need&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/mineral-requirements-for-clean-energy-transitions" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">a lot more metals</a>. Mining those metals from the Earth creates damage and pollution that threaten ecosystems and communities. But there’s another potential source of the copper, nickel, aluminum, and rare-earth minerals needed to stabilize the climate: the mountain of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/accountability/discarded-toys-are-creating-an-e-waste-disaster-heres-how-to-stop-it/">electronic waste</a>&nbsp;humanity discards each year.&nbsp;</p>
  13278.  
  13279.  
  13280.  
  13281. <p>Exactly how much of each clean energy metal is there in the laptops, printers, and smart fridges the world discards? Until recently, no one really knew. Data on more obscure metals like neodymium and palladium, which play small but critical roles in established and emerging green energy technologies, has been especially hard to come by.</p>
  13282.  
  13283.  
  13284.  
  13285. <p>Now, the United Nations has taken a first step toward filling in these data gaps with the latest installment of its periodic report on e-waste around the world. Released last month, the new&nbsp;<a href="https://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GEM_2024_18-03_web_page_per_page_web.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Global E-Waste Monitor</a>&nbsp;shows the staggering scale of the e-waste crisis, which reached a new record in 2022 when the world threw out 62 million metric tons of electronics. And for the first time, the report includes a detailed breakdown of the metals present in our electronic garbage, and how often they are being recycled.</p>
  13286.  
  13287.  
  13288.  
  13289. <p>“There is very little reporting on the recovery of metals [from e-waste] globally,” lead report author Kees Baldé told Grist. “We felt it was our duty to get more facts on the table.”</p>
  13290.  
  13291.  
  13292.  
  13293. <p>One of those facts is that some staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin.&nbsp;</p>
  13294.  
  13295.  
  13296.  
  13297. <p>Two of the most recyclable metals found abundantly in e-waste are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/industry/aluminium" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">aluminum</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dnv.com/article/the-role-of-copper-in-the-energy-transition-247342/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">copper</a>. Both are slated to play essential roles in the energy transition: Copper wiring is prevalent in a range of low- and zero-carbon technologies, from wind turbines to the power transmission lines that carry renewable energy. Aluminum is also used in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aluminiumleader.com/application/electrical_engineering/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">some power lines</a>, and as a lightweight structural support metal in electric vehicles, solar panels, and more. Yet only 60 percent of the estimated 4 million metric tons of aluminum and 2 million metric tons of copper present in e-waste in 2022 got recycled. Millions of tons more wound up in waste dumps around the world.</p>
  13298.  
  13299.  
  13300.  
  13301. <p>The world could have used those discarded metals. In 2022, the climate tech sector’s copper demand stood at nearly 6 million metric tons, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/critical-minerals-data-explorer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Energy Agency</a>, or IEA. In a scenario where the world aggressively reduces emissions in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, copper demand for low-carbon technologies could nearly triple by 2030.&nbsp;</p>
  13302.  
  13303.  
  13304.  
  13305. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1028" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/e-waste-metals-demand-1.webp" alt="Credit: Clayton Aldern / Grist " class="wp-image-611692"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Clayton Aldern / Grist </figcaption></figure>
  13306.  
  13307.  
  13308.  
  13309. <p>Aluminum demand, meanwhile, is expected to grow&nbsp;<a href="https://rmi.org/our-work/climate-intelligence/horizon-zero/aluminum-sector/?__hstc=213470795.6b57a472350d0caf6d7d9d9db294f368.1711371263508.1711371263508.1711992550720.2&amp;__hssc=213470795.1.1711992550720&amp;__hsfp=2106842337" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">up to 80 percent by 2050</a>&nbsp;due the pressures of the energy transition. With virgin aluminum production creating&nbsp;<a href="https://rmi.org/sustainable-aluminum-101-how-to-decarbonize-a-critical-material-for-the-energy-transition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over 10 times more carbon emissions</a>&nbsp;than aluminum recycling on average, increased recycling is a key strategy for reining in aluminum’s carbon footprint as demand for the metal rises.</p>
  13310.  
  13311.  
  13312.  
  13313. <p>For other energy transition metals, recycling rates are far lower. Take the rare-earth element neodymium, which is used in the permanent magnets found in everything from iPhone speakers to electric vehicle motors to offshore <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/energy/offshore-wind-turbines-need-rare-earth-metals-will-there-be-enough-to-go-around/">wind turbine generators</a>. Worldwide, Baldé and his colleagues estimated there were 7,248 metric tons of neodymium locked away in e-waste in 2022—roughly three-quarters of the 9,768 metric tons of neodymium the wind and EV sectors required that year, per the IEA. Yet less than 1 percent of all rare earths in e-waste are recycled due to the <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/energy/how-to-recycle-the-giant-magnets-inside-wind-turbines-these-scientists-have-a-few-ideas/">immaturity of the underlying recycling technologies</a>, as well as the cost and <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/technology/can-you-recycle-a-hard-drive-google-is-quietly-trying-to-find-out/">logistical challenges</a> of collecting rare earth-rich components from technology.</p>
  13314.  
  13315.  
  13316.  
  13317. <p>“It’s a lot of hassle to collect and separate out” rare-earth magnets for recycling, Baldé said. Despite the EV and wind energy sectors’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamasintel.com/rare-earth-magnet-market-outlook-to-2040/#:~:text=Following%20a%20latent%20demand%20pop,and%20regional%20pandemic%2Drelated%20challenges." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">fast-growing rare-earth needs</a>, “there is no push from the market or legislators to recover them.”</p>
  13318.  
  13319.  
  13320.  
  13321. <p>The metals present in e-waste aren’t necessarily useful for every climate tech application even when they are recycled. Take nickel. The lithium-ion batteries inside electric vehicles gobble up huge amounts of the stuff—over 300,000 metric tons in 2022. The amount of nickel required for EVs could rise tenfold by 2050, according to the IEA. But while the world’s e-waste contained more than half a million metric tons of nickel in 2022, most of it was inside alloys like stainless steel. Rather than getting separated out, that nickel gets “recycled into other steel products,” said Kwasi Ampofo, the lead metals and mining analyst at energy consultancy BloombergNEF. Some of that recycled steel <a href="https://nickelinstitute.org/en/about-nickel-and-its-applications/nickel-alloys-in-energy-and-power/#:~:text=In%20onshore%20wind%20power%20nickel,protection%20in%20the%20splash%20zone." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">could wind up in wind turbines</a> and other zero-emissions technologies. But it won’t directly help to fill the much larger nickel demands of the EV battery market. </p>
  13322.  
  13323.  
  13324.  
  13325. <p>In other cases, e-waste might represent a significant supply of a specialized energy transition metal. Despite being present in tiny amounts, certain platinum group metals—found on printed circuit boards and inside medical equipment—are already recycled at high rates due to their value. Some of these metals, such as <a href="https://ipa-news.com/index/pgm-applications/automotive/fuel-cells.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">palladium</a>, are used in the production of catalysts for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, said Jeremy Mehta, technology manager at the Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. “Recycling palladium from e-waste could help meet the growing demand for these metals in fuel cell technologies and clean hydrogen production, supporting the transition to clean energy,” Mehta said<strong>.</strong></p>
  13326.  
  13327.  
  13328.  
  13329. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1028" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/19/e-waste-recycle-fractions.webp" alt="Credit: Clayton Aldern / Grist" class="wp-image-611682"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Credit: Clayton Aldern / Grist</em></figcaption></figure>
  13330.  
  13331.  
  13332.  
  13333. <p>For the energy transition to take full advantage of the metals present in e-waste, better recycling policies are needed. That could include policies requiring that manufacturers design their products with disassembly and recycling in mind. Josh Blaisdell, who manages the Minnesota-based metals recycling company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.enviro-chemmn.com/about-us" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Enviro-Chem Inc</a>., says that when a metal like copper isn’t getting recycled, that’s usually because it’s in a smartphone or other small consumer device that isn’t easy to take apart.&nbsp;</p>
  13334.  
  13335.  
  13336.  
  13337. <p>In addition to design-for-recycling standards, Baldé believes metal recovery requirements are needed to push recyclers to recover some of the non-precious metals present in small quantities in e-waste, like neodymium. To that end, in March, the European Council&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/03/18/strategic-autonomy-council-gives-its-final-approval-on-the-critical-raw-materials-act/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">approved</a>&nbsp;a new regulation that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/critical-raw-materials/#0" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">sets a goal</a>&nbsp;that by 2030, 25 percent of “critical raw materials,” including rare-earth minerals, consumed in the European Union will come from recycled sources. While this is not a legally binding target, Baldé says it could “create the legislative push” toward metal recovery requirements.</p>
  13338.  
  13339.  
  13340.  
  13341. <p>Harvesting more of the metals inside e-waste will be challenging, but there are many reasons to do so, Mehta told Grist. That’s why, last month, the Department of Energy, or DOE, launched an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/ammto/electronics-scrap-recycling-advancement-prize" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">e-waste recycling prize</a>&nbsp;that will award up to $4 million to competitors with ideas that could “substantially increase the production and use of critical materials recovered from electronic scrap.”&nbsp;</p>
  13342.  
  13343.  
  13344.  
  13345. <p>“[W]e need to increase our domestic supply of critical materials to combat climate change, respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, and strengthen our energy independence,”&nbsp; said Mehta of the DOE. “Recycling e-scrap domestically is a significant opportunity to reduce our reliance on hard-to-source virgin materials in a way that is less energy intensive, more cost effective, and more secure.”&nbsp;</p>
  13346.  
  13347.  
  13348.  
  13349. <i><p>This article originally appeared in <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/">Grist</a> at <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/energy/staggering-quantities-of-energy-transition-metals-are-winding-up-in-the-garbage-bin/">https://grist.org/energy/staggering-quantities-of-energy-transition-metals-are-winding-up-in-the-garbage-bin/</a>.</p>
  13350.                  <link href="https://grist.org/energy/staggering-quantities-of-energy-transition-metals-are-winding-up-in-the-garbage-bin/" rel="canonical"/>
  13351.                  <p>Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at <a target="_blank" href="https://grist.org/">Grist.org</a></p>
  13352.                  <script id="grist-syndication-pixel" async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=GTM-TG2PKBX" data-source="repub" data-canonical="https://grist.org/energy/staggering-quantities-of-energy-transition-metals-are-winding-up-in-the-garbage-bin/" data-title="Staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin" crossorigin="anonymous"/></i>
  13353. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/energy-transition-metals-garbage/">Staggering quantities of energy transition metals are winding up in the garbage bin</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
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  13358. </item>
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  13360. <title>Transform intricate data into clear visuals with Microsoft Visio Pro 2021, now $19.97 through April 22</title>
  13361. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-visio-pro-2021-april-sale/</link>
  13363. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  13364. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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  13373.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Microsoft Vision Professional 2021 package on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Don't miss our limited-time flash sale on this software that lets you create and share data-linked diagrams. </p>
  13374. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-visio-pro-2021-april-sale/">Transform intricate data into clear visuals with Microsoft Visio Pro 2021, now $19.97 through April 22</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
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  13377.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image-1.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A Microsoft Vision Professional 2021 package on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  13378. </div>
  13379. <p>Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows provides <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows&amp;utm_term=scsf-594559&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPojIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">a wide range of tools, from simple flowcharts to complex network diagrams</a>, designed to elevate the work of individuals and teams to a higher standard. For a limited time, save even further on this top-rated software during our flash sale, paying only $19.97 (reg. $249).</p>
  13380.  
  13381.  
  13382.  
  13383. <p>The 2021 edition of Visio boosts creativity through its vast collection of ready-to-use tools. Thanks to thousands of customizable shapes and the ability to import their shapes and graphics, users can easily create and share data-linked diagrams using a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows&amp;utm_term=scsf-594559&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPojIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">variety of ready-made, customizable templates and designs</a> to fit their exact requirements.</p>
  13384.  
  13385.  
  13386.  
  13387. <p>It offers various options, from simple flowcharts and organizational charts to intricate network diagrams and mind maps. Thanks to its user-friendly interface,&nbsp;creating visually attractive diagrams becomes a seamless process, enabling you to concentrate on delivering your ideas.</p>
  13388.  
  13389.  
  13390.  
  13391. <p>With rave reviews and ratings of <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows&amp;utm_term=scsf-594559&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPojIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">5 out of 5 stars</a> by verified customers, the software integrates seamlessly with the broader Microsoft ecosystem, working efficiently with programs you already use. This feature facilitates the effortless insertion of diagrams into Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets, improving your documents&#8217; visual attractiveness and thoroughness.</p>
  13392.  
  13393.  
  13394.  
  13395. <p>As a verified purchaser reflects, &#8220;When I need to create visual diagrams, Visio is the software to use. Easy and comes with a variety of features.&#8221;</p>
  13396.  
  13397.  
  13398.  
  13399. <p>Visio also provides enhanced capabilities for more experienced users beyond essential diagramming tools. It allows the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows&amp;utm_term=scsf-594559&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPojIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">creation of visual database models through integrated database diagramming</a>, strengthens security with information rights management, and supports sophisticated mapping technologies.</p>
  13400.  
  13401.  
  13402.  
  13403. <p>Additionally, integrating Cloud capabilities simplifies the process for Visio users to save their diagrams on OneDrive or SharePoint, features included with Microsoft 365, enabling access from any location. This feature enhances flexibility and provides a secure way to store and share sensitive information.&nbsp;</p>
  13404.  
  13405.  
  13406.  
  13407. <p>Get <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsoft-visio-2021-professional-for-windows&amp;utm_term=scsf-594559&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000qPojIAE&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows</a> at a low price of $19.97 (reg. $249) through April 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT with no coupon code required.</p>
  13408.  
  13409.  
  13410.  
  13411. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.  </em></p>
  13412. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/microsoft-visio-pro-2021-april-sale/">Transform intricate data into clear visuals with Microsoft Visio Pro 2021, now $19.97 through April 22</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13413. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13417. </item>
  13418. <item>
  13419. <title>Baby sharks stick to the shallows</title>
  13420. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/baby-shark-shallows/</link>
  13422. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  13423. <pubDate>Fri, 19 Apr 2024 04:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13424. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  13425. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  13426. <category><![CDATA[Sharks]]></category>
  13427. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  13428. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611535</guid>
  13429.  
  13430. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13431.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/baby-shark.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a juvenile shark following an autonomous underwater robot" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A juvenile great white shark viewed from the unmanned underwater autonomous vehicle. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Emily Spurgeon</span></figcaption></figure><p>The pups may be avoiding predators by staying where the water is a bit warmer.</p>
  13432. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/baby-shark-shallows/">Baby sharks stick to the shallows</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13433. ]]></description>
  13434. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13435.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/baby-shark.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a juvenile shark following an autonomous underwater robot" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A juvenile great white shark viewed from the unmanned underwater autonomous vehicle. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Emily Spurgeon</span></figcaption></figure>
  13436. <p>The Central California coast is proving to be a playground for baby <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sharks-navigate-magnetic-field-earth/">sharks</a>. Earlier this year, we caught a glimpse of what could be the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/first-newborn-great-white-shark-on-camera/">first images of a newborn great white shark</a>. Now, we&#8217;re learning more about where they like to live during their formative years. Juvenile great white sharks select warm and shallow waters and congregate about half a mile from shore. These findings are described in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1290769/full">study published April 19 in the journal <em>Frontiers in Marine Science</em></a> and could have crucial conservation implications.</p>
  13437.  
  13438.  
  13439.  
  13440. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-water-column-is-too-cold"><strong>This water column is too cold</strong></h2>
  13441.  
  13442.  
  13443.  
  13444. <p>After they’re born, baby great white sharks–called pups–do not get any care from their parents. This new study looked at one of these populations of young sharks off Padaro Beach near Santa Barbara in Central California. Here, pups and juveniles gather together in ‘nurseries’ and are unaccompanied by adults in a sort of shark <a target="_blank" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/never-never%20land">never, neverland</a>, except these fish will eventually grow up.</p>
  13445.  
  13446.  
  13447.  
  13448. <p>“This is one of the largest and most detailed studies of its kind, because around Padaro Beach, large numbers of juveniles share near-shore habitats, we could learn how environmental conditions influence their movements,”study co-author and California State University, Long Beach marine biologist Christopher Lowe <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041283">said in a statement</a>. “You rarely see great white sharks exhibiting this kind of nursery behavior in other locations.”</p>
  13449.  
  13450.  
  13451.  
  13452. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/first-newborn-great-white-shark-on-camera/"><strong>This could be the first newborn great white shark ever captured on camera</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13453.  
  13454.  
  13455.  
  13456. <p>In 2020 and 2021, the team <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1290769">tagged 22 juveniles with sensor-transmitters</a>. Great white sharks can <a target="_blank" href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/White-Shark#:~:text=How%20old%20do%20white%20sharks,for%20the%20first%20several%20years.">live for up to 40 to 70 years</a> and the younger sharks in this study were all females and males between one and six years old.&nbsp;The sensor-transmitters measured local water pressure and temperature in real time. They also tracked each shark’s position by sending out “pings” to several receivers spread out over roughly two miles along the shoreline.&nbsp;</p>
  13457.  
  13458.  
  13459.  
  13460. <p>When the juveniles temporarily left for offshore waters in the winter, the tracking was stopped. The team gathered more information on the temperature distribution with an autonomous underwater vehicle. With this data in hand, they used artificial intelligence to <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2024.1290769">generate a 3D model of the juveniles’ temperature and depth preferences</a>.</p>
  13461.  
  13462.  
  13463. <div><lite-youtube videoid="iYOWOF69Ei4" style="background-image: none;">
  13464.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iYOWOF69Ei4/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Sharks photo">
  13465.            </lite-youtube>
  13466.            <p class="figcaption"></p>
  13467.            <noscript>
  13468. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  13469. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Tracking juvenile and baby great white sharks" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYOWOF69Ei4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  13470. </div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Tracking results for multiple juveniles simultaneously. This data was taken on October 16, 2023. CREDIT: Emily Spurgeon</em></figcaption></figure>
  13471. </noscript></div>
  13472.  
  13473.  
  13474. <p>The juveniles dived to the greatest depths around dawn and dusk. This is likely when they were <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-grass-meadow-tiger-shark-bahamas/">foraging</a> for rays, skates, and schooling fish. They moved closer to the surface–between zero and 13 feet deep–during the afternoon when the sun was warmest. This shift towards the warmer water was potentially to increase their body temperature. They directly altered their vertical position within the water column to stay between 60 degrees and 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Their sweet spot also appeared to be between 68 and 71 degrees.&nbsp;</p>
  13475.  
  13476.  
  13477.  
  13478. <p>“This may be their optimum to maximize growth efficiency within the nursery,” study co-author and California State University, Long Beach research technician Emily Spurgeon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041283">said in a statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  13479.  
  13480.  
  13481.  
  13482. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Keeping to the shallows</strong></h2>
  13483.  
  13484.  
  13485.  
  13486. <p>The temperature distribution in the water changes quite frequently, which means that the juveniles must constantly be on the move to remain within optimal range. They believe that this is why <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041283">juvenile great white sharks spend more time in shallow water than adults tend to</a>. Additionally, adult sharks were rarely observed in the nursery.</p>
  13487.  
  13488.  
  13489.  
  13490. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/shark-tag-twilight-zone/"><strong>With new tags, researchers can track sharks into the inky depths of the ocean’s Twilight Zone</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13491.  
  13492.  
  13493.  
  13494. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041283">According to the team</a>, the results show that the temperature distribution across three dimensions strongly impacted how the juvenile sharks were distributed. They spread out at greater depths when seafloor temperatures were warmer, and moved closer together towards the surface of the water when deeper water was cooler.</p>
  13495.  
  13496.  
  13497.  
  13498. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/shark-shoreline-scaled.jpg" alt="juvenile great white shark viewed from a boat with its fin out of the water. the shoreline is also visible" class="wp-image-611536" width="982" height="552"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Juvenile great white shark viewed from a boat. CREDIT: Emily Spurgeon</em></figcaption></figure>
  13499.  
  13500.  
  13501.  
  13502. <p>However, the team is still not sure what benefits the pups and juveniles have from gathering in nurseries in the first place. It could potentially help them avoid <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/orca-hunts-great-white/">predators like some whales</a>.</p>
  13503.  
  13504.  
  13505.  
  13506. <p>“Our results show that water temperature is a key factor that draws juveniles to the studied area,” said Spurgeon. “However, there are many locations across the California coast that share similar environmental conditions, so temperature isn’t the whole story. Future experiments will look at individual relationships, for example to see if some individuals move among nurseries in tandem.”</p>
  13507.  
  13508.  
  13509.  
  13510. <p>Great white sharks are <a target="_blank" href="https://farallones.noaa.gov/eco/sharks/sharks_conservation.html#:~:text=White%20Sharks%20are%20listed%20on,)%20Red%20List%2C%20as%20Vulnerable%20.">considered vulnerable</a>, with their populations decreasing in some parts of the world. Knowing where baby and juvenile sharks like to hang out can help inform better&nbsp;<a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/shark-week-hurting-conservation/">conservation</a> laws to protect them as a species. It can also help protect the public from <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/great-white-shark-population-increase/">negative shark encounters</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  13511. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/baby-shark-shallows/">Baby sharks stick to the shallows</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13512. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13516. </item>
  13517. <item>
  13518. <title>Oklahoma City plans to have the country&#8217;s tallest skyscraper</title>
  13519. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/oklahoma-city-tallest-skyscraper/</link>
  13521. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  13522. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 20:11:21 +0000</pubDate>
  13523. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  13524. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611569</guid>
  13525.  
  13526. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13527.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/boardwalk-at-bricktown.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The proposed “Legends Tower” in Oklahoma City could stand 1907 feet tall when completed. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The proposed “Legends Tower” in Oklahoma City could stand 1907 feet tall when completed. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">AO Architects </span></figcaption></figure><p>The 1,907-foot, mostly residential 'Legends Tower' would be the sixth tallest in the world.</p>
  13528. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/oklahoma-city-tallest-skyscraper/">Oklahoma City plans to have the country&#8217;s tallest skyscraper</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13529. ]]></description>
  13530. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13531.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/boardwalk-at-bricktown.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The proposed “Legends Tower” in Oklahoma City could stand 1907 feet tall when completed. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The proposed “Legends Tower” in Oklahoma City could stand 1907 feet tall when completed. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">AO Architects </span></figcaption></figure>
  13532. <p>In the near future, the tallest skyscraper in America might not appear in New York, or Chicago, or Los Angeles. Instead, it could jolt upward through the comparably sparse Oklahoma City skyline. If realized, the hulking building proposal referred to as the “Legends Tower” would be more than double the height of the city’s next tallest building.&nbsp;</p>
  13533.  
  13534.  
  13535.  
  13536. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/tallest-building-in-the-world/"><strong>The tallest building in the world remains unchallenged—for now</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  13537.  
  13538.  
  13539.  
  13540. <p>Oklahoma City’s planning commission <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dezeen.com/2024/04/18/oklahoma-city-approves-usas-tallest-skyscraper-height/#:~:text=A%20height%20variance%20request%20for,Tower,%20a%20proposed%20supertall%20skyscraper.">approved a height increase request</a> submitted by the tower’s developer last week, nudging the once <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wthitv.com/news/developers-want-to-build-america-s-tallest-skyscraper-in-an-unlikely-city/article_949c9d06-39c4-5c80-b7cc-469fe865ca0f.html">seemingly unlikely idea</a> close to reality. Designers want the building to soar 1,907 feet high, a number that purposely coincides with the date Oklahoma became a US state. That audacious height would make the Legends Tower more than 200 feet taller than New York’s 1,776-foot One World Trade Center. Globally, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/tallest-buildings-in-the-world-2226971">only five other buildings are taller</a>. Developers previously suggested a 1750 foot tower prior to the height increase. Clearly, that wasn’t tall enough.&nbsp;</p>
  13541.  
  13542.  
  13543.  
  13544. <p>The mixed used tower, as currently proposed, would be mostly residential with 1,750 apartments and a Hyatt hotel with hundreds of rooms. All told, the project, which includes a lagoon and nearby boardwalk, is estimated to cost $1.6 billion. Developers are <a target="_blank" href="https://kfor.com/news/local/the-uss-tallest-tower-could-be-built-in-unlikely-city-under-proposal/">reportedly</a> planning to begin construction on two of the building’s towers this summer and expect the total project to take between 24-30 months to complete.</p>
  13545.  
  13546.  
  13547.  
  13548. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/tallest-building-facts/"><strong>6 architectural facts about history’s tallest buildings</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  13549.  
  13550.  
  13551.  
  13552. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-oklahoma"><strong>Why Oklahoma?</strong></h2>
  13553.  
  13554.  
  13555.  
  13556. <p>To say Oklahoma City is an unusual choice for what would be the world’s fifth largest building is an understatement. New York and Chicago are currently home to all 10 of the US’ tallest buildings. Those two cities each hold around 8 and 3 million people respectively. Oklahoma City, by contrast, has a population hovering at around 700,000 people. That said, it’s ticking up. Oklahoma city <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/05/25/okc-americas-20th-largest-city-one-of-fastest-growing-big-cities/70258029007/">reportedly</a> grew its popularity around 2% between 2020 and 2020, partly thanks to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/04/19/upshot/how-the-pandemic-did-and-didnt-change-moves.html">larger population reorganization</a> that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. The building&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/27/investing/americas-tallest-building-oklahoma-city/index.html">developers are reportedly hopeful</a> these new arrivals could help populate the mostly residential building.</p>
  13557.  
  13558.  
  13559.  
  13560. <p>The Legends Tower isn&#8217;t without its detractors. Members of the city’s planning commission and local residents have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/oklahoma-skyscraper-americas-tallest-eaae69d2">reportedly questioned the practicality</a> of such a large building in a city not known for rows of large towers. Others worry how the building could stand up against the region&#8217;s heavy storms and not all that uncommon tornadoes. AO, the California architecture firm behind the tower, reportedly told the city&#8217;s planning commission the building would have concrete walls between and 5 and 6 feet thick around the elevator shafts as well as windows that can withstand tornado winds without shattering, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/oklahoma-skyscraper-americas-tallest-eaae69d2">according to</a> the <em>Wall Street Journal. </em>Others, including Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, still seem uncertain whether the ambitious tower will actually ever materialize.&nbsp;</p>
  13561.  
  13562.  
  13563.  
  13564. <p>“In my observation private developers often announce plans and some of those plans happen, and some don’t,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/27/investing/americas-tallest-building-oklahoma-city/index.html">Holt told CNN earlier this year</a>. “I have no strong opinion and look forward to following their effort.”</p>
  13565.  
  13566.  
  13567.  
  13568. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-us-still-lags-behind-other-countries-for-tallest-building"><strong>US still lags behind other countries for tallest building </strong></h2>
  13569.  
  13570.  
  13571.  
  13572. <p>The days of US cities topping charts and listicles of “largest skyscrapers” have long since passed. That officially ended in 1998 when the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia took over Chicago’s Sears Tower. Buildings have gotten bigger and bigger since then. A 2021 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newswire.com/news/ctbuh-reveals-84-percent-of-tall-buildings-have-been-constructed-since-21493728">report</a> from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat estimated a staggering 84% of all buildings on Earth over 650 feet have been built since 2001. Now, in 2024 the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/buildings">top five tallest buildings in the world</a> are located in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Mecca, and Shenzhen. If the Legends developers complete their plans “Oklahoma City” could be the next entry on that list.</p>
  13573. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/oklahoma-city-tallest-skyscraper/">Oklahoma City plans to have the country&#8217;s tallest skyscraper</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13574. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13578. </item>
  13579. <item>
  13580. <title>When technology can read your brain waves, who owns your thoughts?</title>
  13581. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/brain-data-privacy/</link>
  13583. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  13584. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:35:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13585. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  13586. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611495</guid>
  13587.  
  13588. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13589.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/data-brain.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Researchers have shown its possible to “decode” data from brain scans and translate it into written text. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Researchers have shown its possible to “decode” data from brain scans and translate it into written text. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/emergence-mind-series-background-human-head-silhouettes-number-grids-subject-448420206.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>New law could limit the ways neurotechnology companies collect and share sensitive brain data.</p>
  13590. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/brain-data-privacy/">When technology can read your brain waves, who owns your thoughts?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13591. ]]></description>
  13592. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13593.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/data-brain.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Researchers have shown its possible to “decode” data from brain scans and translate it into written text. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Researchers have shown its possible to “decode” data from brain scans and translate it into written text. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/emergence-mind-series-background-human-head-silhouettes-number-grids-subject-448420206.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  13594. <p>Brain Computer Interface (BCI) companies are charging ahead with devices and services attempting to understand and manipulate human neural pathways. Some medical focused neurotechnology companies like Synchron are using surgically implanted devices to send signals to paralyzed patients’ brains in order to help them regain function of limbs. Other consumer focused firms are using <a target="_blank" href="https://symbyxbiome.com/products/symbyx-neuro">chunky helmets</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.neurable.io/">relatively normal looking smart headphones</a> to measure their users’ brain signals.&nbsp;</p>
  13595.  
  13596.  
  13597.  
  13598. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/neuralink-first-human-video/"><strong>Neuralink shows first human patient using brain implant to play online chess</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  13599.  
  13600.  
  13601.  
  13602. <p>Though the technology like this is still relatively nascent, neural rights activists and cornered lawmakers want to be ready for when it is more widespread. Critics warn companies may already possess the ability to “decode” consumers’ data presented in brain scans and translate that into written text.&nbsp;</p>
  13603.  
  13604.  
  13605.  
  13606. <p>That decoded data can reveal highly sensitive details about an individual’s mental and physical wellness or their cognitive states. Researchers have already shown they can use AI models to read the brain data of patients watching videos and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140717-i-can-read-your-mind">roughly reproduce the scenes those patients saw</a>. This decoding process could become far easier, and more accurate, with the deployment of ever more powerful generative AI models.&nbsp;</p>
  13607.  
  13608.  
  13609.  
  13610. <p>There’s also little preventing current neurotechnology companies from misusing or selling that data to the highest bidder. All but one (96%) of the neurotechnology companies analyzed in a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.perseus-strategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FINAL_Consumer_Neurotechnology_Report_Neurorights_Foundation_April-1.pdf">report </a>by the Neurorights Foundation appear to have had access to consumers’ neural data, which can include signals from an individual’s brain or spine. The Foundation claims those companies provide meaningful limitations to neural data access. More than half (66.7%) of the companies explicitly mention sharing consumer’s data with third parties.&nbsp;</p>
  13611.  
  13612.  
  13613.  
  13614. <p>A first-of-its kind US law passed in Colorado this week could shift that dynamic by offering stricter, consumer-focused protections for all neural data sucked up by companies. The law, which gives consumers much greater control over how neurotechnology companies collect and share neural data, could add momentum to other similar bills making their way through state legislatures. Lawmakers, both in the US and abroad, are in the middle of a race to set meaningful standards around neural input data before these technologies enter the mainstream.&nbsp;</p>
  13615.  
  13616.  
  13617.  
  13618. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-personal-neural-data-private"><strong>Keeping personal neural data private</strong></h2>
  13619.  
  13620.  
  13621.  
  13622. <p>Colorado law, <a target="_blank" href="https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2024A/bills/2024a_1058_rer.pdf">officially dubbed HB 24-1058</a> will expand the term “sensitive data” in Colorado&#8217;s Privacy Act to include neural data. Neural data here refers to inputs created by the brain, spine, or highway of nerves flowing through the body. In this context, neurotechnology companies typically access this data through a wearable or implantable device. These can range from relatively <a target="_blank" href="https://hypebeast.com/2023/12/master-and-dynamic-mw75-neuro-headphones#">standard looking headphones</a> to wires jacked directly into a patient’s central nervous system. The expanded definition will apply the same protection to this as is currently afforded to fingerprints, face scans, and other biometrics data. Like with biometric data, businesses will now need to obtain consent before collecting neural data and take steps to limit the amount of unnecessary information they scoop up. </p>
  13623.  
  13624.  
  13625.  
  13626. <p>Coloradans, thanks to the law, will have the right to&nbsp; access, correct, or have their neural data. They also opt out of the sale of that data. Those provisions are essential, the bill’s authors write due to large amounts of unintentional or unnecessary neural data likely collected&nbsp; through neurotechnology services. Only 16 of the 30 companies surveyed in the Neurorights Foundation report said consumers can withdraw their consent to data processing under certain conditions.&nbsp;</p>
  13627.  
  13628.  
  13629.  
  13630. <p>“The collection of neural data always involves involuntary disclosure of information,” the Colorado bill reads. “Even if individuals consent to the collection&nbsp; and processing of their data for a narrow use, they are unlikely to be fully aware of the content or quantity of information they are sharing.”&nbsp;</p>
  13631.  
  13632.  
  13633.  
  13634. <p>Supporters of stricter neural data protections, like Neurorights Foundation Medical Director Sean Pauzauskie praised Colorado&#8217;s action during a recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/science/colorado-brain-data-privacy.html">interview</a> with <em>The New York Times</em>.&nbsp;</p>
  13635.  
  13636.  
  13637.  
  13638. <p>“We’ve never seen anything with this power before—to identify, codify people and bias against people based on their brain waves and other neural information,” Pauzauskie said.&nbsp;</p>
  13639.  
  13640.  
  13641.  
  13642. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-else-protects-neural-data"><strong>Who else protects neural data? </strong></h2>
  13643.  
  13644.  
  13645.  
  13646. <p>Colorado’s law could set the standard for other states to follow. On the national level the US currently lacks any federal legislation limiting how consumer companies access or use neural data. Outside of the The Centennial State, similar bills are under consideration in <a target="_blank" href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/brain-scanning-technology-spurs-state-moves-on-neural-privacy#">Minnesota</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/brain-scanning-privacy-protections-get-california-consideration">California</a>. The California legislation stands since many of the biggest names exploring brain computer interfaces, like Neuralink and Meta, are headquartered within that jurisdiction. Other countries have stepped ahead of the US on neural data regulation. In 2021, Chile became the first country to include language legally protecting neural rights after it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latercera.com/que-pasa/noticia/en-historica-votacion-aprueban-proyecto-del-ley-que-regulara-los-neuroderechos-en-chile/4IAQJIVHM5F75GRLAR2GQ27V24/">added them to its national constitution</a>. Since then Brazil, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay, have also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL8N3AH6D6/">passed their own legislation.</a></p>
  13647.  
  13648.  
  13649.  
  13650. <p>All of this simmering regulatory interest may seem unusual for an industry that still appears relatively nascent. BCI users likely won’t be telepathically messaging their thoughts to friends any time soon and medical applications for paralyzed or other injured peoples remain reserved to a select few. But supporters of these relatively early emerging neural regulations hope these preemptive efforts can help set standards and potentially help model the growing neurotechnology industry towards a more privacy-conscious future. And if recent <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/lawsuit-utah-teen-social-media-curfew/">debates over social media regulations</a> are any guide, it’s often easier said than done to try and retroactively apply new regulations to products and services once they’ve already become staples of modern life. When it comes to dystopian tinged mind-reading tech, Pandora’s Box is still mostly closed, but it’s beginning to crack open.</p>
  13651. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/brain-data-privacy/">When technology can read your brain waves, who owns your thoughts?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13652. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13656. </item>
  13657. <item>
  13658. <title>For the first time in one billion years, two lifeforms truly merged into one organism</title>
  13659. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/two-lifeforms-merged-into-one/</link>
  13661. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  13662. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:20:18 +0000</pubDate>
  13663. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  13664. <category><![CDATA[Evolution]]></category>
  13665. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  13666. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611486</guid>
  13667.  
  13668. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13669.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/evo-event.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a cyllinder shaped new organelle called a nitroplast under a microscope" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A light microscopy image shows the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which is a potentially large evolutionary step.  This algae absorbed a bacterium called UCYN-A and formed a new organelle called a nitroplast. The black arrow is pointing to the nitroplast. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Tyler Coale</span></figcaption></figure><p>It is a discovery that’s 'one for the textbooks.'</p>
  13670. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/two-lifeforms-merged-into-one/">For the first time in one billion years, two lifeforms truly merged into one organism</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13671. ]]></description>
  13672. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13673.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/evo-event.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a cyllinder shaped new organelle called a nitroplast under a microscope" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A light microscopy image shows the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii, which is a potentially large evolutionary step.  This algae absorbed a bacterium called UCYN-A and formed a new organelle called a nitroplast. The black arrow is pointing to the nitroplast. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Tyler Coale</span></figcaption></figure>
  13674. <p>Evolution is quite a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/animals/animal-evolution-photos/">wondrous and lengthy process</a>, with some <a href="https://www.popsci.com/animals/earliest-animal-communities-fossils/">random bursts of activity</a> that are responsible for the diversity of life on our planet today. These can happen on large scales like with the evolution of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/shoulder-evolution-primates/">more efficient limbs</a>. They also occur at <a target="_blank" href="https://newatlas.com/biology/life-merger-evolution-symbiosis-organelle/#:~:text=The%20phenomenon%20is%20called%20primary,it%20like%20an%20internal%20organ">microscopic cellular level</a>, such as when different <a href="https://www.popsci.com/see-inside-cell-in-whole-new-way/">parts of the cell</a> were first formed.&nbsp;</p>
  13675.  
  13676.  
  13677.  
  13678. <p>Now, a team of scientists have detected a sign of a major life event that has likely not occurred for at least one billion years. They’ve observed <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34018613/">primary endosymbiosis</a>–two lifeforms merging into one organism. This incredibly rare event occurred between a type of abundant marine algae and a bacterium was observed in a lab setting. For perspective, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/charles-darwin-garden/">plants</a> first began to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/worlds-oldest-plant-like-fossil/">dot our planet</a> the last time this happened. The results are described in two papers recently published in the journals <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(24)00182-X.pdf"><em>Cell</em></a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk1075"><em>Science</em></a>. </p>
  13679.  
  13680.  
  13681.  
  13682. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-the-powerhouse-of-the-cell-and-chloroplasts-come-from"><strong>Where the ‘powerhouse of the cell’ and chloroplasts</strong> <strong>come from</strong></h2>
  13683.  
  13684.  
  13685.  
  13686. <p>Primary endosymbiosis happens when <a target="_blank" href="https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2024/04/17/scientists-discover-first-nitrogen-fixing-organelle/">one microbial organism engulfs another</a>. It then begins to use the swallowed organisms as an internal organ. The host provides the organism–now called an endosymbiont–several benefits including nutrients, energy, and protection. When it can no longer survive on its own, the engulfed endosymbiont becomes an organ for the host called an organelle.</p>
  13687.  
  13688.  
  13689.  
  13690. <p>“It’s very rare that organelles arise from these types of things,” Tyler Coale, a co-author of the <em>Cell</em> study and a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Santa Cruz <a target="_blank" href="https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2024/04/17/scientists-discover-first-nitrogen-fixing-organelle/">said in a statement</a>. “The first time we think it happened, it gave rise to all complex life.”</p>
  13691.  
  13692.  
  13693.  
  13694. <p>Endosymbiosis where the host life form becomes fundamental to another organism&#8217;s function has only happened three known times. All of these instances were a major breakthroughs for evolution, since merging with their hosts became fundamental for the endosymbionts very existence.  </p>
  13695.  
  13696.  
  13697.  
  13698. <p>The first event was roughly 2.2 billion years ago. This is when a single-celled organism called archaea swallowed up a bacterium that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Mitochondria">eventually became the mitochondria</a>. This specialized organelle is what <a target="_blank" href="https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/mitochondrial-function-beyond-serving-as-the-powerhouse-of-the-cell/">every biology student learns is the “powerhouse of the cell”</a> and its formation allowed for complex organisms to evolve.&nbsp;</p>
  13699.  
  13700.  
  13701.  
  13702. <p>“Everything more complicated than a bacterial cell owes its existence to that event,” said Coale. “A billion years ago or so, it happened again with the chloroplast, and that gave us plants,” Coale said.</p>
  13703.  
  13704.  
  13705.  
  13706. <p>This second event occurred when more advanced cells absorbed <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/water-filter-cyanobacteria-3d-print/">cyanobacteria</a>. Cyanobacteria can harvest energy from sunlight and they eventually become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/5623/structure-and-function-of-chloroplasts/magazine">organelles called chloroplasts</a> that can harvest energy from sunlight. The chloroplasts gave us another core principle of&nbsp;biology–<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26819/#:~:text=In%20plants%20and%20algae%2C%20which,to%20produce%20many%20organic%20molecules.">green plants</a> that can <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/ultrafast-spectroscopy-photosynthesis/">make food from the sun</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  13707.  
  13708.  
  13709.  
  13710. <p>With this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426468-a-bacterium-has-evolved-into-a-new-cellular-structure-inside-algae/">latest endosymbiosis event</a>, it&#8217;s possible that the algae is converting nitrogen from the atmosphere into ammonia that it can use for other cellular processes.  However, it needs the help of a bacterium. </p>
  13711.  
  13712.  
  13713.  
  13714. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-organelle"><strong>A new organelle?</strong></h2>
  13715.  
  13716.  
  13717.  
  13718. <p>In the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(24)00182-X.pdf">paper published in <em>Cell</em></a><em>, </em>a team of scientists show that this process is occurring yet again. They looked at a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&amp;id=235922">species of algae called <em>Braarudosphaera bigelowii</em></a>. The algae engulfed a cyanobacterium gives it a bit of a plant superpower. It can <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nitrogen-fixing-bacteria/">“fix” nitrogen straight from the air and combine it with other elements</a> to form more useful compounds. This is something that plants normally can’t do.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  13719.  
  13720.  
  13721.  
  13722. <p>Nitrogen is a <a target="_blank" href="https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/wq259">very important nutrient</a> for life to exist and plants normally get it through mutual relationships with the bacteria that remain separate from the plant or algae. The team first thought that the <em>B. bigelowii</em> algae had this kind of symbiotic relationship with a bacterium called UCYN-A. The relationship had actually gotten much more close and serious.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  13723.  
  13724.  
  13725.  
  13726. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nitrogen-fixing-bacteria/"><strong>You have no idea how much you need these bacteria</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  13727.  
  13728.  
  13729.  
  13730. <p>They found that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cell.com/cell/pdf/S0092-8674(24)00182-X.pdf">size ratio between the algae and UCYN-A bacterium</a> remains similar across different species related to the <em>B. bigelowii </em>algae. The growth appears to be controlled by an exchange of key nutrients, linking up their metabolisms. This synchronization of growth rates led the researchers to call UCYN-A organelle-like.</p>
  13731.  
  13732.  
  13733.  
  13734. <p>“That’s exactly what happens with organelles,” study co-author and UC Santa Cruz microbial oceanographer Jonathan Zehr <a target="_blank" href="https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2024/04/17/scientists-discover-first-nitrogen-fixing-organelle/">said in a statement</a>. “If you look at the mitochondria and the chloroplast, it’s the same thing: they scale with the cell.”</p>
  13735.  
  13736.  
  13737.  
  13738. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-introducing-the-nitroplast"><strong>Introducing the nitroplast</strong></h2>
  13739.  
  13740.  
  13741.  
  13742. <p>To look for more lines of evidence that this bactrium is an organelle, they needed to take a deeper look inside. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk1075">study published in the journal <em>Science</em></a> used advanced X-ray imaging to get a look at the interior of the living <em>B. bigelowii </em>algae cells. It revealed that the replication and cell division was synchronized between both the host algae and the UCYN-A bacterium. It provided even more evidence of this organism merging process of primary endosymbiosis at work.</p>
  13743.  
  13744.  
  13745.  
  13746. <p>“Until this paper, there was still a question of is this still an ‘endosymbiont’, or has it become a true organelle?” Carolyn Larabell, a study co-author and faculty scientist at Berkeley Lab’s Biosciences Area and Director of the National Center for X-Ray Tomography, <a target="_blank" href="https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2024/04/17/scientists-discover-first-nitrogen-fixing-organelle/">said in a statement</a>. “We showed with X-ray imaging that the process of replication and division of the algal host and endosymbiont is synchronized, which provided the first strong evidence.”</p>
  13747.  
  13748.  
  13749.  
  13750. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1683" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/organelle-merge.jpg" alt="These images, generated by soft X-ray tomography performed by Berkeley Lab scientists, show the algae at different stages of cell division. UCYN-A, the nitrogen-fixing entity now considered an organelle, is cyan; the algal nucleus is depicted in blue, mitochondria are green, and chloroplasts are lilac." class="wp-image-611487"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>These images, generated by soft X-ray tomography performed by Berkeley Lab scientists, show the algae at different stages of cell division. UCYN-A, the nitrogen-fixing entity now considered an organelle, is cyan; the algal nucleus is depicted in blue, mitochondria are green, and chloroplasts are lilac. CREDIT: Valentina Loconte/Berkeley Lab</em></figcaption></figure>
  13751.  
  13752.  
  13753.  
  13754. <p>They also <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk1075">compared the proteins of isolated UCYN-A bacteria to the proteins inside of the algae</a>&nbsp; cells. The team found that the isolated bacterium can only make roughly half of the proteins it needs. It needs its algal host to provide it with the rest of the proteins necessary for living.&nbsp;</p>
  13755.  
  13756.  
  13757.  
  13758. <p>“That’s one of the hallmarks of something moving from an endosymbiont to an organelle,” said Zehr. “They start throwing away pieces of DNA, and their genomes get smaller and smaller, and they start depending on the mother cell for those gene products–or the protein itself–to be transported into the cell.”</p>
  13759.  
  13760.  
  13761.  
  13762. <p>The team believes that this indicates that UCYN-A can be considered a full organelle. They <a target="_blank" href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk1075">gave it the name “nitroplast,”</a> and it potentially began to evolve around 100 million years ago. While that sounds long to our human sense of time, it’s a mere millisecond in evolutionary time when compared with mitochondria and chloroplasts.</p>
  13763.  
  13764.  
  13765.  
  13766. <p>Plenty of other questions about UCYN-A and its algal host remain unanswered and the team also plans to figure out UCYN-A and the alga operate and study different strains. Further study of nitroplasts could also determine if they are present in other cells and what their benefits may be. For example, it could have <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/wastewater-sustainable-fertilizer/">wide applications in agriculture</a>.</p>
  13767.  
  13768.  
  13769.  
  13770. <p>“This system is a new perspective on nitrogen fixation, and it might provide clues into how such an organelle could be engineered into crop plants,” said Coale.</p>
  13771.  
  13772.  
  13773.  
  13774. <p>According to Zehr, scientists will likely find other organisms that have similar evolutionary stories as UCYN-A, but this discovery is “one for the textbooks.”</p>
  13775. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/two-lifeforms-merged-into-one/">For the first time in one billion years, two lifeforms truly merged into one organism</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13776. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13780. </item>
  13781. <item>
  13782. <title>Save $100 on the Sony ZV-E10 camera kit (its cheapest price ever) and start your career as an influencer</title>
  13783. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-zv-e10-camera-deal-amazon-best-buy/</link>
  13785. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stan Horaczek]]></dc:creator>
  13786. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:17:13 +0000</pubDate>
  13787. <category><![CDATA[Cameras]]></category>
  13788. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  13789. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  13790. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  13791. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611485</guid>
  13792.  
  13793. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13794.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/sony-zv-e10-camera-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Sony ZV-E10- cameras arranged on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><p>Whether you're shooting stills or 4K video, this tiny camera does everything you need for just $699 right now at Best Buy and Amazon.</p>
  13795. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-zv-e10-camera-deal-amazon-best-buy/">Save $100 on the Sony ZV-E10 camera kit (its cheapest price ever) and start your career as an influencer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13796. ]]></description>
  13797. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13798.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/sony-zv-e10-camera-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Sony ZV-E10- cameras arranged on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stan Horaczek</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  13799. </div>
  13800. <p>Smartphone cameras have gotten exceptionally great in recent years, but hardcore content creators still rely on a dedicated camera to crank up their production value. Right now, Amazon and Best Buy have Sony&#8217;s excellent little ZV-E10 mirrorless camera setup for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-ZV-E10-Interchangeable-Mirrorless/dp/B09BBLH4SG/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">just $699</a>, which is $100 cheaper than the lowest price I&#8217;ve ever seen on it. If you&#8217;re looking to become a YouTube sensation, this camera is your first step (and also maybe some talent).</p>
  13801.  
  13802.  
  13803.  
  13804. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sony-alpha-zv-e10-kit-mirrorless-vlog-camera-with-16-50mm-lens-699-was-799"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-ZV-E10-Interchangeable-Mirrorless/dp/B09BBLH4SG/?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><strong>Sony &#8211; Alpha ZV-E10 Kit Mirrorless Vlog Camera with 16-50mm Lens</strong></a> $699 (was $799)</h3>
  13805.  
  13806.  
  13807. <div
  13808.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  13809.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  13810. >
  13811.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  13812.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-ZV-E10-Interchangeable-Mirrorless/dp/B09BBLH4SG/?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  13813.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  13814.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/sony-zv-e10-camera-card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/sony-zv-e10-camera-card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Sony ZV-E10 camera with the screen flipped around and a person's picture on the screen">
  13815.                      </figure>
  13816.                  </a>
  13817.            </div>
  13818.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  13819.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  13820.        <p><em>Sony</em></p>
  13821.  
  13822.      </figcaption>
  13823.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  13824.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Alpha-ZV-E10-Interchangeable-Mirrorless/dp/B09BBLH4SG/?tag=ps-deals-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611485O0000000020240426180000"
  13825.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  13826.      </p>
  13827.      </div>
  13828. </div>
  13829.  
  13830.  
  13831.  
  13832. <p>This is a full-fledged system camera, which means you can detach the included lens and swap it for higher-end glass as you up your influencer game. It has a 24.2-megapixel sensor inside that&#8217;s much bigger than the chip you&#8217;ll find in a smartphone. That translates into better low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth-of-field effect in which your subject (probably your face) is sharp and the background is blurry. It captures 4K footage with image stabilization and has a powerful built-in microphone for capturing impressive audio. Plus, the screen flips all the way around so you can see what you&#8217;re shooting as you&#8217;re shooting it. Phones require you to use the lousy front camera if you want that feature. This is a very capable little camera that leaves you room to grow along with your skill and follower count.</p>
  13833.  
  13834.  
  13835.  
  13836. <p>It&#8217;s also available for the same price at <a href="https://howl.me/cl4wE2ODnwQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Best Buy</a>.</p>
  13837.  
  13838.  
  13839.  
  13840. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-camera-and-creator-deals"><strong>More camera and creator deals:</strong></h3>
  13841.  
  13842.  
  13843.  
  13844. <ul>
  13845. <li><a href="https://howl.me/cl4wJdEcy7q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Fujifilm Instax 12 Mini Camera Pink</a> $69 (was $79)</li>
  13846.  
  13847.  
  13848.  
  13849. <li><a href="https://howl.me/cl4wLi0TViQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sunpak &#8211; Premium Series 18 Inch Bi-Color Ring Light Kit with BOYA Wireless Microphone and Bluetooth Remote</a> $94 (was $179)</li>
  13850. </ul>
  13851. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-zv-e10-camera-deal-amazon-best-buy/">Save $100 on the Sony ZV-E10 camera kit (its cheapest price ever) and start your career as an influencer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13852. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13856. </item>
  13857. <item>
  13858. <title>Enormous snake in ancient India was longer than a school bus</title>
  13859. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/giant-snake-india-fossil/</link>
  13861. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lauren Leffer]]></dc:creator>
  13862. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  13863. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  13864. <category><![CDATA[Archaeology]]></category>
  13865. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  13866. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  13867. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611363</guid>
  13868.  
  13869. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13870.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/giant-snake-2.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Anterior trunk vertebrae of Vasuki indicus." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Anterior trunk vertebrae of Vasuki indicus. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">IITR/VPL/SB</span></figcaption></figure><p>'The past is full of giant snakes.'</p>
  13871. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/giant-snake-india-fossil/">Enormous snake in ancient India was longer than a school bus</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13872. ]]></description>
  13873. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13874.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/giant-snake-2.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Anterior trunk vertebrae of Vasuki indicus." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Anterior trunk vertebrae of Vasuki indicus. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">IITR/VPL/SB</span></figcaption></figure>
  13875. <p>Another day in science, another massive, ancient snake discovery. Paleontologists in India have unearthed fossilized vertebrae from a snake that slithered around the sub-continent about 47 million years ago and may have grown as long as nearly 50 feet. The newly discovered, extinct species is named <em>Vasuki inidicus</em>, after the mythical serpent coiled around the neck of the Hindu god Shiva, and is described for the first time in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-58377-0">a study</a> published April 18 in the journal <em>Scientific Reports</em>.&nbsp;</p>
  13876.  
  13877.  
  13878.  
  13879. <p>“<em>Vasuki </em>is an important piece of an ancient puzzle. It contributes to our understanding of this extinct group, and also to our understanding of large, apex, top-of-the-foodchain snakes in general,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://thekemplab.com/people/jjjiii">John Jacisin III</a>, a paleontologist at the University of Texas at Austin who researches reptiles but was uninvolved in the new study. Beyond reptiles, the fossil find carries broader clues to India’s climate tens of millions of years ago. “It’s also just a cool snake because it was so big,” he says, comparing its length to longer than that of a yellow school bus. </p>
  13880.  
  13881.  
  13882.  
  13883. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://es.iitr.ac.in/~ES/sunilfes">Sunil Bajpai</a>, co-author of the study and a vertebrate paleontologist at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, first discovered the fossilized snake remains in 2005 at a coal mine in western India. Over the course of a slow and careful excavation, 27 vertebrates–all likely to be from the same individual–were uncovered. By analyzing the size ratios of various parts of the vertebrae and the fossils unique shapes and protrusions, Bajpai and his co-researcher established the remains were that of a new species in the extinct family of Madtsoiidae, which were primitive snakes similar to boas and pythons.&nbsp;</p>
  13884.  
  13885.  
  13886.  
  13887. <p>The fist-sized fossils are second only in girth and width to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07671">those of <em>Tintanoboa</em></a>, another giant snake estimated to have lived about 58 million years ago in what is now present-day Colombia. Based on the age of the rock the newly described vertebrae were found in, the researchers date <em>Vasuki </em>to about 47 million years ago, just a few million years after the Indian tectonic plate began colliding with Eurasia. According to the new study, the timing supports the idea that Madtsoiids originated in India, and later moved to North Africa and southern Eurasia, where other, later fossil specimens have been found.&nbsp;</p>
  13888.  
  13889.  
  13890.  
  13891. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1200" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/other-snake-smaller-1.jpg" alt="Animals photo" class="wp-image-611420"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Titanoboa snake tail. This predatory carnivorous Titanoboa snake lived during the Paleocene Period of Columbia, South America. <em>Credit: Stocktrek Images/Getty</em></figcaption></figure>
  13892.  
  13893.  
  13894.  
  13895. <p>It’s a challenge to accurately deduce total species body size from a single individual’s incomplete skeleton. But using model equations incorporating data on current, living snakes and the known fossil record, Bajpai and his colleague, <a target="_blank" href="https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=pHNcM7wAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Debajit Datta</a>–another vertebrate paleontologist at the same institution, estimate that <em>V. indicus </em>was somewhere between about 36 and and 49.9 feet (10.9 and 15.2 meters) long. The only known snake of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-02/largest-snake-earth-uncovered/">comparable size was <em>Titanoboa</em></a>, currently the record-holder for the largest snake to have ever lived. <em>Titanoboa</em> clocked in at an estimated 35 to 50 feet long, with the mean estimate around 42 feet in length. The relative vertebrate sizes indicate that <em>Titanoboa</em> was a heavier, thicker-bodied snake than <em>V. indicus, </em>yet it’s impossible to know exactly which snake species would’ve won the measuring contest.&nbsp;</p>
  13896.  
  13897.  
  13898.  
  13899. <p>“Based on the data at hand <em>Vasuki </em>was only slightly smaller in length than <em>Titanoboa</em>,” Bajpai and Datta write in a joint email to <em>PopSci</em>. “However, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility of <em>Vasuki</em> being slightly larger than <em>Titanoboa</em>, because the fossil vertebrae in our collection may not have come from the largest individual of <em>Vasuki</em>. The same, however, can also be said for <em>Titanoboa</em>. Since neither of these snakes are known from complete skeletons, we cannot say with certainty whether one was longer or wider than the other.”</p>
  13900.  
  13901.  
  13902.  
  13903. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p> “It’s a running joke [in paleontology], everyone always finds the biggest thing.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  13904.  
  13905.  
  13906.  
  13907. <p>Exact size estimates are liable to change as more fossils are found and more analysis is done. “Everything shrinks when the tape measure comes out,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-howard-281088108/">Alexandra Howard</a>, a paleobiologist and herpetologist at Texas A&amp;M University who was not involved in the new research. “It’s a running joke [in paleontology], everyone always finds the biggest thing,” she adds–and with more discovery and scrutiny the biggest size estimates tend to scale down. Nonetheless, Howard says the new discovery includes some very well-preserved fossils and is an interesting addition to our knowledge of ancient reptiles. “The past was full of giant snakes. That’s really cool,” she says.</p>
  13908.  
  13909.  
  13910.  
  13911. <p><br>And, either way, second place in size isn’t so bad, especially when you’re separated from your closest competitor by about 10 million years. <em>Vasuki</em> was probably a slow-slithering ambush predator that constricted its prey like a python, according to Bajpai and Datta. Based on morphology and the location it was found in, the researchers believe the monstrous snake was either terrestrial or semi-aquatic–living in marsh or coastal swamp. It was found in rock that also contains fossils of rays, sharks, bony fish, turtles, crocodiles, and primitive whales, Bajpai and Datta note–though what it ate is unclear.&nbsp;</p>
  13912.  
  13913.  
  13914.  
  13915. <p>Beyond its massive size, the new paleontological discovery is notable for what it can tell us about our planet 47-50 million years ago. “It’s an important discovery because it shows us another example of extreme gigantism in snakes… and because you can use snakes as a thermometer to reconstruct climates of the past,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-jason-head">Jason Head</a>, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Cambridge in England who was one of the primary researchers involved in discovering <em>Titanoboa</em>.&nbsp;</p>
  13916.  
  13917.  
  13918.  
  13919. <p>We know from geological and paleontological research that the time period, part of the Eocene Epoch, was warm, but <em>Vasuki</em> offers another data point indicating exactly what the climate may have been like where it was found. Snakes are ectotherms (commonly known as “cold-blooded”), so their body temperature and size is closely linked with the ambient temperature. The larger a snake is, the slower its metabolic rate, and so the warmer the climate must be for it to survive, Head explains. Estimates from modeling equations indicate that <em>Vasuki</em>’s<em> </em>habitat averaged around 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 degrees Fahrenheit), which is slightly warmer than the average annual temperature in the same region today.&nbsp;</p>
  13920.  
  13921.  
  13922.  
  13923. <p>The ancient climate data can aid in understanding the present and where we’re headed under current climate change, says Head. “Those are the hottest latitudes and the hottest intervals, that’s going to tell us a lot about what those places might be like in the future.”</p>
  13924.  
  13925.  
  13926.  
  13927. <p>As paleontologists continue to dig into the past, predictions of the future may become clearer. And also, massive, ancient snakes are liable to keep appearing. “We understand so little about the past diversity of life on Earth,” Head notes. “I think there are probably more giant snakes to come.”</p>
  13928. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/giant-snake-india-fossil/">Enormous snake in ancient India was longer than a school bus</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13929. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  13933. </item>
  13934. <item>
  13935. <title>Where do all those colors in space telescope images come from?</title>
  13936. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/telescope-images/</link>
  13938. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Briley Lewis]]></dc:creator>
  13939. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:28:10 +0000</pubDate>
  13940. <category><![CDATA[Deep Space]]></category>
  13941. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  13942. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  13943. <category><![CDATA[Space Telescope]]></category>
  13944. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611438</guid>
  13945.  
  13946. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13947.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/lead-why-telescope-images-are-those-colors.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a supernova remnant located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It spans approximately 10 light-years. This image uses data from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reveal Cas A in a new light. This image combines various filters with the color red assigned to 25.5 microns (F2550W), orange-red to 21 microns (F2100W), orange to 18 microns (F1800W), yellow to 12.8 microns (F1280W), green to 11.3 microns (F1130W), cyan to 10 microns (F1000W), light blue to 7.7 microns (F770W), and blue to 5.6 microns (F560W). " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a supernova remnant located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It spans approximately 10 light-years. This image uses data from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reveal Cas A in a new light. This image combines various filters with the color red assigned to 25.5 microns (F2550W), orange-red to 21 microns (F2100W), orange to 18 microns (F1800W), yellow to 12.8 microns (F1280W), green to 11.3 microns (F1130W), cyan to 10 microns (F1000W), light blue to 7.7 microns (F770W), and blue to 5.6 microns (F560W). <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA, ESA, CSA, Danny Milisavljevic (Purdue University), Tea Temim (Princeton University), Ilse De Looze (UGent) / Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)</span></figcaption></figure><p>How scientists make vibrant spectacles out of grayscale blobs.</p>
  13948. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/telescope-images/">Where do all those colors in space telescope images come from?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  13949. ]]></description>
  13950. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  13951.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/lead-why-telescope-images-are-those-colors.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a supernova remnant located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It spans approximately 10 light-years. This image uses data from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reveal Cas A in a new light. This image combines various filters with the color red assigned to 25.5 microns (F2550W), orange-red to 21 microns (F2100W), orange to 18 microns (F1800W), yellow to 12.8 microns (F1280W), green to 11.3 microns (F1130W), cyan to 10 microns (F1000W), light blue to 7.7 microns (F770W), and blue to 5.6 microns (F560W). " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Cassiopeia A (Cas A) is a supernova remnant located about 11,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It spans approximately 10 light-years. This image uses data from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) to reveal Cas A in a new light. This image combines various filters with the color red assigned to 25.5 microns (F2550W), orange-red to 21 microns (F2100W), orange to 18 microns (F1800W), yellow to 12.8 microns (F1280W), green to 11.3 microns (F1130W), cyan to 10 microns (F1000W), light blue to 7.7 microns (F770W), and blue to 5.6 microns (F560W). <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA, ESA, CSA, Danny Milisavljevic (Purdue University), Tea Temim (Princeton University), Ilse De Looze (UGent) / Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)</span></figcaption></figure>
  13952. <p>We’ve all seen beautiful images of outer space, with vivid swirls and bright stars resting on a black abyss. With how quick it is to snap a color photo on an iPhone, you might think that sophisticated space telescopes churn out color photos automatically, too.&nbsp;</p>
  13953.  
  13954.  
  13955.  
  13956. <p>However, all digital cameras—from your phone to the James Webb Space Telescope—can’t actually see in color. Digital cameras record images as a bunch of ones and zeros, counting the amount of light hitting their sensors. Each pixel has a colored filter over it (either red, green, or blue), which only allows specific wavelengths of light to go through. The filters are arranged in a specific pattern (typically a four-pixel repeating square known as the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/bayer-pattern">Bayer pattern</a>), which allows the camera&#8217;s computing hardware to combine the captured data into a full-colored image. Some digital cameras spread the colored filters out across three individual sensors, the data from which can similarly combine into a full-color image. Telescope cameras, however, have to take images with one filter at a time, such that they have to be combined by experts later into a composite image.</p>
  13957.  
  13958.  
  13959.  
  13960. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>Processing scientific data into beautiful color images is actually a full-time job.</p></blockquote></figure>
  13961.  
  13962.  
  13963.  
  13964. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="757" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/insert1.jpg" alt="Approximate outlines help to define the features in the Sagittarius C (Sgr C) region. Astronomers are studying data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to understand the relationship between these features, as well as other influences in the chaotic galaxy center. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Samuel Crowe (UVA)" class="wp-image-611445"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Approximate outlines help to define the features in the Sagittarius C (Sgr C) region. Astronomers are studying data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to understand the relationship between these features, as well as other influences in the chaotic galaxy center. <em>Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Samuel Crowe (UVA)</em></figcaption></figure>
  13965.  
  13966.  
  13967.  
  13968. <p>In our smartphones, the combination of layers happens incredibly fast—but telescopes are complicated scientific behemoths, and it takes a bit more effort to get the stunning results we know and love. Plus, when we’re looking at the cosmos, astronomers use wavelengths of light that our eyes can’t even see (e.g. infrared and X-rays), so those also need to be represented with colors in the rainbow. There are lots of decisions to be made about how to colorize space images, which begs the question: who is making these images, and how do they make them?</p>
  13969.  
  13970.  
  13971.  
  13972. <p>For the spectacular results we’ve been seeing from JWST, processing scientific data into beautiful color images is actually a full-time job. <a target="_blank" href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/articles/how-are-webbs-full-color-images-made">Science visualization specialists at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore</a> stack images together and stitch observations from different instruments on the telescope. They also remove artifacts, or things in the image that aren’t actually real, but instead just results of the telescope equipment and how digital data is processed. These could be streaks from stray cosmic rays, oversaturation of the brightest stars, or noise from the detector itself. </p>
  13973.  
  13974.  
  13975.  
  13976. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-and-white-to-color"><strong>Black and white to color</strong></h2>
  13977.  
  13978.  
  13979.  
  13980. <p>Before they even think about color, these specialists need to balance out the dark and light values in the image. Scientific cameras are meant to record a wide range of brightnesses beyond what our eyes can pick up on. This means that the raw images from telescopes often look very dark to our eyes, and you have to brighten up the image to see anything.</p>
  13981.  
  13982.  
  13983.  
  13984. <p>Once they have black and white images where the details are visible, they start adding color. “Different telescopes have filters that are made to be sensitive to only certain wavelengths of light, and the colorful space images we see are combinations of separate exposures taken in these different filters” similar to the earlier description of a phone camera, explains <a target="_blank" href="https://lsa.umich.edu/astro/people/graduate-students/kgozman.html">Katya Gozman, an astronomer at the University of Michigan</a>. “We can assign each filter to a separate color channel—red, green or blue, the primary colors of visible light. When stacked on top of each other, we get the spectacular textbook color image that we&#8217;re used to seeing in the media,” she adds.</p>
  13985.  
  13986.  
  13987.  
  13988. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>This is where it becomes a bit of an art, choosing colors based on not only scientific accuracy, but also what looks best. For JWST and Hubble, the usual routine is to use blue for the shortest wavelengths, green for in between, and red for the longest wavelengths.</p></blockquote></figure>
  13989.  
  13990.  
  13991.  
  13992. <p>The end result, of course, also depends on what kind of data the image specialists have to work with in the first place. The team often chooses different colors to highlight the fact that NIRCam and MIRI—two of Webb’s infrared cameras—are looking at different wavelengths (near-infrared and mid-infrared, respectively), and therefore different physical structures. For example, in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant, JWST’s observations revealed a bubble of <em>something</em> emitting a specific wavelength of light, colored as green in the MIRI image and resultantly known as the “Green Monster.” Without this visualization, astronomers may not have noticed such a curious feature that provides insight into how giant stars die—and after some investigation, they figured out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasa-telescopes-chase-down-green-monster-in-stars-debris/">the Green Monster is a region of debris disturbed by the huge blast from the supernova explosion</a>.</p>
  13993.  
  13994.  
  13995.  
  13996. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="673" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/insert2.jpg" alt="This image provides a side-by-side comparison of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) as captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Danny Milisavljevic (Purdue University), Ilse De Looze (UGent), Tea Temim (Princeton University)" class="wp-image-611449"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This image provides a side-by-side comparison of supernova remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A) as captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) and MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument). <em>Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Danny Milisavljevic (Purdue University), Ilse De Looze (UGent), Tea Temim (Princeton University)</em></figcaption></figure>
  13997.  
  13998.  
  13999.  
  14000. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Invisible to visible</strong></h2>
  14001.  
  14002.  
  14003.  
  14004. <p>Generally, image specialists try to keep things as close to reality as possible. For example, if a telescope is observing in visible light, wavelengths can directly map to colors we’re used to seeing. But for those parts of the spectrum invisible to our eyes, they have to make choices about which visible colors to use. This is where it becomes a bit of an art, choosing colors based on not only scientific accuracy, but also what looks best. For JWST and Hubble, the usual <a target="_blank" href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/articles/how-are-webbs-full-color-images-made">routine is to use blue for the shortest wavelengths, green for in between, and red for the longest wavelengths</a>. If there are more than three different filters to choose from (as is often the case with JWST, especially when using more than one of its high tech instruments), sometimes they’ll add in purple, teal, and orange for other wavelengths in between the red, green, and blue.</p>
  14005.  
  14006.  
  14007.  
  14008. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="700" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/insert3.jpg" alt="d" class="wp-image-611453"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Webb’s raw telescope images initially appear almost completely black (left). They are initially transformed by image processors into crisp black-and-white images (center) and then full-color composites (right). <em>Credit: <a target="_blank" href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/articles/how-are-webbs-full-color-images-made">JWST</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  14009.  
  14010.  
  14011.  
  14012. <p>Color images are far more than a pretty picture, though—they’re actually quite useful for science. The human brain is excellent at picking up patterns in color, such as parsing a map with color-coded subway lines or recognizing that “a red light is stop, green is go,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://markpopinchalk.com/">Mark Popinchalk, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History</a>. “These are daily examples where societal information is presented and processed quickly through color. Scientists want to use the same tool,” he adds. “But instead of societal information, it&#8217;s scientific. If X-rays are red, and ultraviolet is blue, we can very quickly interpret energetic light beyond what humans are capable of.” The result is a visual representation of an intense amount of data–much more than can be processed with the naked eye, or in black and white alone.&nbsp;</p>
  14013.  
  14014.  
  14015.  
  14016. <p>For example, Gozman describes how images have helped recognize “where different physical processes are happening in an object, such as seeing where star formation is happening in a galaxy or where different elements are located around a nebula.” Color images with light beyond the visible spectrum have even revealed dark matter around galaxies, such as in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2007/07/The_Bullet_Cluster2">bullet cluster</a>.</p>
  14017.  
  14018.  
  14019.  
  14020. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/uranus-neptune-really-look-like/"><strong>This is what Uranus and Neptune may really look like</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  14021.  
  14022.  
  14023.  
  14024. <p>Another particularly recent and interesting example of image coloration is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/01/05/1222906151/dont-look-so-blue-neptune-now-astronomers-know-this-planets-true-color#:~:text=In%201989%2C%20Voyager%202%20became,also%20visited%20by%20Voyager%202.">the case of Neptune</a>. The dark blue photo of the icy world from the Voyager mission doesn’t actually reflect its true color, as if we were looking at it with our own eyes—instead, it’s more similar to the pale face of Uranus. “Back in the 80s, astronomers actually stretched and modified the images of Neptune to bring out more contrast in some of its fainter features, leading it to have that deep blue hue which made it look very different compared to Uranus,” explains Gozman. “Though astronomers were aware of this, the public was not. This is one good example of how reprocessing the same data in different ways can lead to completely different representations.”</p>
  14025.  
  14026.  
  14027.  
  14028. <p>Image analysis is, and always has been, a huge part of astronomy, finding ways to see the cosmos beyond the limitations of our very limited human eyes. You can even try your own hand at it—JWST data is available to the public from NASA, and they even run <a target="_blank" href="https://www.universe-of-learning.org/resources/projects/nasas-astrophoto-challenge">an astrophotography challenge open to anyone</a>. Now, when you see a beautiful image of space, perhaps you can think of it as a wonderful melding of science and art.</p>
  14029.  
  14030.  
  14031.  
  14032. <p></p>
  14033. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/telescope-images/">Where do all those colors in space telescope images come from?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14034. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  14038. </item>
  14039. <item>
  14040. <title>Match the color of any surface to existing paint shades with this $60 gadget</title>
  14041. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/nix-mini-color-matching-sensor-sponsored-april-deal/</link>
  14043. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  14044. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
  14045. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  14046. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  14047. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  14048. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  14049. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  14050. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611432</guid>
  14051.  
  14052. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14053.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person using a color sensor on to find the exact color match of brick." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>This scanner matches images with a deep database of colors to find your perfect match, and it is $60 off for a limited time.</p>
  14054. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/nix-mini-color-matching-sensor-sponsored-april-deal/">Match the color of any surface to existing paint shades with this $60 gadget</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14055. ]]></description>
  14056. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14057.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/image.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A person using a color sensor on to find the exact color match of brick." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  14058. </div>
  14059. <p>We all dream of having superpowers, whether it’s being able to fly or having x-ray vision, but what if we told you that modern technology is making those fantasies become a reality?</p>
  14060.  
  14061.  
  14062.  
  14063. <p>Meet the Nix Mini 2, a gadget that gives you the power to <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/nix-mini-color-sensor-v2?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=nix-mini-color-sensor-v2&amp;utm_term=scsf-594365&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECEIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">scan any color from the real world and turn it into a matching paint shade</a> or digital color code. Normally $99, it’s on sale for $59.97 right now through April 21.</p>
  14064.  
  14065.  
  14066.  
  14067. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tiny-gadget-with-super-powerful-capabilities"><strong>A tiny gadget with super-powerful capabilities</strong> </h3>
  14068.  
  14069.  
  14070.  
  14071. <p>The Nix Mini 2 uses a highly calibrated LED to evenly illuminate surfaces while blocking out excess light, helping you get precise matches even in direct sunlight or low light conditions.</p>
  14072.  
  14073.  
  14074.  
  14075. <p>Rated 4.8/5 stars on average, the Nix Mini 2 <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/nix-mini-color-sensor-v2?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=nix-mini-color-sensor-v2&amp;utm_term=scsf-594365&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECEIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">works on surfaces like painted walls, vinyl, leather, plastic, and fabric</a>, but you could experiment with others and discover a whole new world of creativity. That’s the true beauty of this gadget.</p>
  14076.  
  14077.  
  14078.  
  14079. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  14080. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Nix Mini 2" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5FJlXFuSJkY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  14081. </div></figure>
  14082.  
  14083.  
  14084.  
  14085. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turn-real-world-colors-into-paint-shades-and-digital-color-codes"><strong>Turn real-world colors into paint shades and digital color codes</strong></h3>
  14086.  
  14087.  
  14088.  
  14089. <p>Here’s exactly how you’ll use the Nix Mini 2 for your next paint touch-up or DIY project:</p>
  14090.  
  14091.  
  14092.  
  14093. <ol>
  14094. <li>Pair the gadget with the Nix Toolkit app on your iPhone or Android.</li>
  14095.  
  14096.  
  14097.  
  14098. <li>Scan the real-world surface you want to color-match.</li>
  14099.  
  14100.  
  14101.  
  14102. <li>View matching name-brand paint shades on your smartphone and browse sRBG HEX, CMYK, and LAB color codes.</li>
  14103. </ol>
  14104.  
  14105.  
  14106.  
  14107. <p>The Nix Toolkit app even allows you to save and organize color palettes for future reference. That’s handy if you’re working on a graphic design or home renovation project with this handy color-matching tool in your pocket.</p>
  14108.  
  14109.  
  14110.  
  14111. <p>Gain a creative superpower with the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/nix-mini-color-sensor-v2?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=nix-mini-color-sensor-v2&amp;utm_term=scsf-594365&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECEIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Nix Mini 2 Color-Matching Sensor on sale for $59.97</a> (reg. $99) through April 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, no coupon is needed.</p>
  14112.  
  14113.  
  14114.  
  14115. <p><em><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">StackSocial</a> prices subject to change.</em></p>
  14116. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/nix-mini-color-matching-sensor-sponsored-april-deal/">Match the color of any surface to existing paint shades with this $60 gadget</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14117. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  14121. </item>
  14122. <item>
  14123. <title>Plunge into an immersive IMAX movie featuring the James Webb Space Telescope</title>
  14124. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-imax/</link>
  14126. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  14127. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:22:11 +0000</pubDate>
  14128. <category><![CDATA[Deep Space]]></category>
  14129. <category><![CDATA[NASA]]></category>
  14130. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  14131. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  14132. <category><![CDATA[Space Telescope]]></category>
  14133. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611355</guid>
  14134.  
  14135. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14136.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/imax-jwst-hourglass.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a galaxy that looks like an hourglass pinched at the center with a shining protostar" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An image of a protostar within the dark cloud L1527, taken with JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). It is embedded within a cloud of material feeding its growth. Ejections from the star have cleared out cavities above and below it, whose boundaries glow orange and blue in this infrared view. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/ESA/CSA</span></figcaption></figure><p>In 'Deep Sky,' JWST comes to the really big screen with an abundance of data and no shortage of tears.</p>
  14137. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-imax/">Plunge into an immersive IMAX movie featuring the James Webb Space Telescope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14138. ]]></description>
  14139. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14140.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/imax-jwst-hourglass.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a galaxy that looks like an hourglass pinched at the center with a shining protostar" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An image of a protostar within the dark cloud L1527, taken with JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). It is embedded within a cloud of material feeding its growth. Ejections from the star have cleared out cavities above and below it, whose boundaries glow orange and blue in this infrared view. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA/ESA/CSA</span></figcaption></figure>
  14141. <p>In the new IMAX film <em>Deep Sky,</em> a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-protostar/">protostar shines from the center of a dark cloud</a>, the phantom galaxy swirls, and the dusty space clouds of the Cosmic Cliffs of Carina tower like <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-telescope-images/">mountain peaks</a>. Also, scientists cry. The film centers on the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/universe-expansion-jwst-hubble-constant/">James Webb Space Telescope</a>’s visual legacy and the people behind it. At one point, <a target="_blank" href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/meetTheTeam/people/straughn.html">NASA astrophysicist Amber Straughn</a> gets to the heart of why seeing the Cosmic Cliffs of Carina is such an emotional journey.<em> </em>“This has always been there. It’s always been out there, but we’re just now able to see it. We now have this new telescope that’s opened up our eyes to let us see something we haven’t seen before.”</p>
  14142.  
  14143.  
  14144.  
  14145. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="416" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/jwst-imax-cosmic-cliffs.jpg" alt="dusty space clouds with shining stars at the clouds peaks " class="wp-image-611356"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Astronomers using JWST combined the capabilities of the telescope’s two cameras to</em><br><em>create a never-before-seen view of a star-forming region in the Carina Nebula. Captured in infrared light by the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), this combined image reveals previously invisible areas of star birth. CREDIT: NASA/ESA/CSA</em><br></figcaption></figure>
  14146.  
  14147.  
  14148.  
  14149. <p>While not quite as challenging as building a space telescope, making <em>Deep Sky</em> posed a novel challenge to the filmmakers, Nathaniel Kahn noted: “&#8230;Every time we’d start to get close to finishing, NASA would release a new amazing image, and we’d have to find a way to work that in!” As the film’s writer, director, and producer, Kahn and team were finishing the project in September of 2023, combining digital cinematography by NASA, ESA, and commercial satellite launch company Arianespace with animations and graphics created specifically for IMAX. If you want to see the stereotypes of the stoic scientists challenged and bask in the glory of space, you can catch the IMAX experience starting Friday, April 19.&nbsp;</p>
  14150.  
  14151.  
  14152.  
  14153. <p>The drive to uncover the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-star-factory-nebula/">secrets of the cosmos</a> propels this new telling of JWST’s unfolding story. Here’s what it took to get there.</p>
  14154.  
  14155.  
  14156.  
  14157. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-was-waving-goodbye"><strong>‘It was waving goodbye’</strong></h2>
  14158.  
  14159.  
  14160.  
  14161. <p>In the almost two years since those <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/first-james-webb-space-telescope-images/">first images were beamed back to planet Earth</a>, it’s easy for casual observers to forget how improbable it was. JWST was initially supposed to launch in 2011 and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/12245-james-webb-telescope-cancellation-scientist-reactions.html">congress even tried to cancel it</a> that same year over budget concerns. It ultimately took 10,000 people from 14 countries, $10 billion, and 20 years to complete.</p>
  14162.  
  14163.  
  14164.  
  14165. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-new-spiral-galaxies/"><strong>JWST images show off the swirling arms of 19 spiral galaxies</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  14166.  
  14167.  
  14168.  
  14169. <p>“I&#8217;ve worked on JWST for 15 years and I&#8217;m sort of one of the younger ones working on this telescope,” Straughn tells <em>PopSci</em>. “We faced a lot of challenges along the way and it was an audacious mission. We had to build this enormous telescope that had to be cold and that had to unfold in space. When you describe it, it sounds impossible.”</p>
  14170.  
  14171.  
  14172.  
  14173. <p>Multiple <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/best-of-whats-new-2022/">technologies needed to be invented</a> to get this game-changer off the ground, including a critical <a target="_blank" href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/sunshield.html">sunshield</a>. Since JWST primarily observes infrared light from faint and very far away objects. It must be kept extremely cold, at about -370 degrees Fahrenheit, to detect these faint signals of heat. The team constructed a <a target="_blank" href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/sunshield.html">five-layer sunshield about the size of a tennis court</a> that protects it from other heat sources like the Earth, sun, and various moons. In the documentary, Amy Lo, the Deputy Director for Vehicle Engineering on JWST for Northrop Grumman, described it as being “SPF one million,” in order to keep it so cold and protected. She noted that there was no “second shot of doing this.”</p>
  14174.  
  14175.  
  14176.  
  14177. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/jwst-diagram.jpeg" alt="a diagram of JWST's science instruments" class="wp-image-611357"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The JWST has a cool side, which faces away from the sun, and a hot side, which faces the sun. CREDIT: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joyce Kang (STScI).</em></figcaption></figure>
  14178.  
  14179.  
  14180.  
  14181. <p>During its <a href="https://www.popsci.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-launch/">launch on Christmas Day 2021</a>, JWST completed over 40 crucial deployments of its various instruments and overcame <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-deployment-points-of-failure">344 “single point failures.”</a> If any one of those single points had failed, the entire mission would have ended.</p>
  14182.  
  14183.  
  14184.  
  14185. <p>The mission overcame all 344 single point failures and even got an added surprise. About 45 seconds into the launch, they caught the telescope&#8217;s power source called the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/solar-system/nasas-webb-powerhouse-solar-array-reconnects-to-the-telescope/">solar array</a> open up. This proved JWST officially had power and the deployment was not something the team planned to be able to see with their own eyes during the launch. Through tears, NASA JWST Program Scientist Eric Smith said, “It was waving goodbye,” in the documentary.&nbsp;</p>
  14186.  
  14187.  
  14188.  
  14189. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Back to the big bang</strong></h2>
  14190.  
  14191.  
  14192.  
  14193. <p>By several accounts, JWST is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-status-update-october-2022">performing better than expected</a>. It’s standing up against the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-hit-micrometeoroid/">micrometeoroids</a>–tiny pieces of space dust that can build up on the telescope’s mirrors. The team had a good idea of how frequently the dust would hit the mirrors, but the size of the impacts was more surprising.</p>
  14194.  
  14195.  
  14196.  
  14197. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-jupiter-jet-stream/"><strong>Why a 3,000-mile-long jet stream on Jupiter surprised NASA scientists</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  14198.  
  14199.  
  14200.  
  14201. <p>“What we&#8217;ve been able to do to help mitigate this is essentially change the way we&#8217;re operating so that as the telescope is facing away from the direction that the micrometeoroids are coming from when we think we could have higher impacts,” Straughn tells <em>PopSci</em>.&nbsp;</p>
  14202.  
  14203.  
  14204.  
  14205. <p>It has also proven to be more stable and more efficient overall. According to Straughn, JWST has delivered more data in even less time than the team anticipated, revealing some of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jwst-spots-two-of-the-most-distant-galaxies-astronomers-have-ever-seen/">most distant galaxies</a> in the universe. These are galaxies that were born just after the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/big-bang-galaxy-formation-james-webb-space-telescope/">big bang about 13.8 billion years ago</a>. JWST has revealed that many are brighter, bigger, and more numerous than astrophysicists previously thought and their black holes are also growing incredibly fast.&nbsp;</p>
  14206.  
  14207.  
  14208.  
  14209. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="746" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/18/jwst-imax-phantom-galaxy.jpg" alt="a swirling galaxy" class="wp-image-611358"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>M74 shines at its brightest in this combined optical/mid-infrared image, featuring data from both the Hubble Telescope and JWST. CREDIT: NASA/ESA/CSA</em>.</figcaption></figure>
  14210.  
  14211.  
  14212.  
  14213. <p>“There&#8217;s an overarching new mystery that&#8217;s arisen of why galaxies are growing so big,” says Straughn. “When we find something that we don&#8217;t expect, that&#8217;s a new problem to solve that will help increase our knowledge about how the universe works.”</p>
  14214.  
  14215.  
  14216.  
  14217. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Towards the future</strong></h2>
  14218.  
  14219.  
  14220.  
  14221. <p>JWST built on the success of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-hubble-string-of-pearls/">Hubble Space Telescope</a> and other observational projects are on our horizon. Scheduled to launch in 2027, the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/roman-space-telescope-spy-satellite/">Nancy Grace Roman Telescope</a> will explore exoplanets and dark matter. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/habex/">Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx)</a> is also in the early stages of development and will be specifically designed to discover life on other planets.&nbsp;</p>
  14222.  
  14223.  
  14224.  
  14225. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/roman-space-telescope-nasa-video-game/"><strong>In NASA’s new video game, you are a telescope hunting for dark matter</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  14226.  
  14227.  
  14228.  
  14229. <p>“I think that this telescope launch and these images came along at a perfect time to present a contrast to the bad things that are going on in the world,” says Straughn. “It really is an example of something that&#8217;s good, of what we humans can do when we put our hearts and our minds into something that&#8217;s for a bigger purpose.”</p>
  14230.  
  14231.  
  14232.  
  14233. <p><em>Deep Sky</em> releases in IMAX theaters nationwide on Friday, April 19.</p>
  14234. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/james-webb-space-telescope-imax/">Plunge into an immersive IMAX movie featuring the James Webb Space Telescope</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14235. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  14239. </item>
  14240. <item>
  14241. <title>Geothermal power heats up</title>
  14242. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/geothermal-power-news/</link>
  14244. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Katarina Zimmer / Knowable Magazine]]></dc:creator>
  14245. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  14246. <category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
  14247. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  14248. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611251</guid>
  14249.  
  14250. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14251.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/geothermal-update-500x288-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Geothermal power has long been popular in volcanic countries like Iceland, where hot water bubbles from the ground." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Geothermal power has long been popular in volcanic countries like Iceland, where hot water bubbles from the ground. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">GRETAR ÍVARSSON / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS</span></figcaption></figure><p>Long confined to regions with volcanic activity, geothermal promises to become a much more versatile energy source thanks to new technologies.</p>
  14252. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/geothermal-power-news/">Geothermal power heats up</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14253. ]]></description>
  14254. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14255.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/geothermal-update-500x288-1.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Geothermal power has long been popular in volcanic countries like Iceland, where hot water bubbles from the ground." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Geothermal power has long been popular in volcanic countries like Iceland, where hot water bubbles from the ground. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">GRETAR ÍVARSSON / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS</span></figcaption></figure>
  14256. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/technology/2024/geothermal-power-heats-up-new-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knowable Magazine</a>.</p>
  14257.  
  14258.  
  14259.  
  14260. <p class="has-drop-cap">Glistening in the dry expanses of the Nevada desert is an unusual kind of power plant that harnesses energy not from the sun or wind, but from the Earth itself.</p>
  14261.  
  14262.  
  14263.  
  14264. <p>Known as Project Red, it pumps water thousands of feet into the ground, down where rocks are hot enough to roast a turkey. Around the clock, the plant sucks the heated water back up to power generators. Since last November, this carbon-free, Earth-borne power has been flowing onto a local grid in Nevada.</p>
  14265.  
  14266.  
  14267.  
  14268. <p>Geothermal energy, though it’s continuously radiating from Earth’s super-hot core, has long been a relatively niche source of electricity, largely limited to volcanic regions like Iceland where hot springs bubble from the ground. But geothermal enthusiasts have dreamed of sourcing Earth power in places without such specific geological conditions—like Project Red’s Nevada site, developed by energy startup Fervo Energy.</p>
  14269.  
  14270.  
  14271.  
  14272. <p>Such next-generation geothermal systems have been in the works for decades, but they’ve proved expensive and technologically difficult, and have sometimes even triggered earthquakes. Some experts hope that newer efforts like Project Red may now, finally, signal a turning point, by leveraging techniques that were honed in oil and gas extraction to improve reliability and cost-efficiency.</p>
  14273.  
  14274.  
  14275.  
  14276. <p>The advances have garnered hopes that with enough time and money, geothermal power—which <a target="_blank" href="https://www.irena.org/Publications/2023/Feb/Global-geothermal-market-and-technology-assessment">currently generates less than 1 percent of the world’s electricity</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&amp;t=3">0.4 percent of electricity in the United States</a>—could become a mainstream energy source. Some posit that geothermal could be a valuable tool in transitioning the energy system off of fossil fuels, because it can provide a continuous backup to intermittent energy sources like <a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/technology/2021/the-dazzling-history-solar-power">solar</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/technology/2023/how-wind-turbines-could-coexist-peacefully-bats-and-birds">wind</a>. “It’s been, to me, the most promising energy source for a long time,” says energy engineer<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/roland-horne"> Roland Horne</a> of Stanford University. “But now that we’re moving towards a carbon-free grid, geothermal is very important.”</p>
  14277.  
  14278.  
  14279.  
  14280. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rocky-start"><strong>A rocky start</strong></h2>
  14281.  
  14282.  
  14283.  
  14284. <p>Geothermal energy works best with two things: heat, plus rock that is permeable enough to carry water. In places where molten rock sizzles close to the surface, water will seep through porous volcanic rock, warm up and bubble upward as hot water, steam or both.</p>
  14285.  
  14286.  
  14287.  
  14288. <p>If the water or steam is hot enough—ideally at least around 300 degrees Fahrenheit—it can be extracted from the ground and used to power generators for electricity. In Kenya, nearly 50 percent of electricity generated comes from geothermal. Iceland gets 25 percent of its electricity from this source, while New Zealand gets about 18 percent and the state of California, 6 percent.</p>
  14289.  
  14290.  
  14291.  
  14292. <p>Some natural geothermal resources are still untapped, such as in the western United States, says geologist<a target="_blank" href="https://newenergyevents.com/geolac2021/speakers/ann-robertson-tait/"> Ann Robertson-Tait</a>, president of GeothermEx, a geothermal energy consulting division at the oilfield services company SLB. But by and large, we’re running out of natural, high-quality geothermal resources, pushing experts to consider ways of extracting geothermal energy from areas where the energy is much harder to access. “There’s so much heat in the Earth,” Robertson-Tait says. But, she adds, “much of it is locked inside rock that isn’t permeable.”</p>
  14293.  
  14294.  
  14295.  
  14296. <p>Tapping that heat requires deep drilling and creating cracks in these non-volcanic, dense rocks to allow water to flow through them. Since 1970, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0375650515001091">engineers have been developing “enhanced geothermal systems” (EGS)</a> that do just that, applying methods similar to the hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—used to suck oil and gas out of deep rocks. Water is pumped at high pressure into wells, up to several miles deep, to blast cracks into the rocks. The cracked rock and water create an underground radiator where water heats before rising to the surface through a second well. Dozens of such EGS installations have been built in the United States, Europe, Australia and Japan—most of them experimental and government-funded—with mixed success.</p>
  14297.  
  14298.  
  14299.  
  14300. <p>Famously, one EGS plant in South Korea was abruptly <a target="_blank" href="https://sustainability.stanford.edu/news/lessons-pohang-solving-geothermal-energys-earthquake-problem">shuttered in 2017 after having probably caused a 5.5 magnitude earthquake</a>; fracking of any kind can add pressure to nearby tectonic faults. Other issues were technological—some plants didn’t create enough fractures for good heat exchange, or fractures traveled in the wrong direction and failed to connect the two wells.</p>
  14301.  
  14302.  
  14303.  
  14304. <p>Some efforts, however, turned into viable power plants, including several German and French systems built between 1987 and 2012 in the Rhine Valley. There, engineers made use of existing fractures in the rock.</p>
  14305.  
  14306.  
  14307.  
  14308. <p>But overall, there just hasn’t been enough interest to develop EGS into a more reliable and lucrative technology, says geophysicist<a target="_blank" href="https://publica.fraunhofer.de/items/3ba56715-c21d-405a-b614-6c64472e9134"> Dimitra Teza</a> of the energy research institute Fraunhofer IEG in Karlsruhe, Germany, who helped develop some of the Rhine Valley EGS systems. “It has been quite tough for the industry.”</p>
  14309.  
  14310.  
  14311.  
  14312. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1300" height="2949" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/g-geothermal-energy-types-1.png" alt="Geothermal electricity has long been limited to volcanic regions where underground heat is easily accessible. But new kinds of power plants are making it possible to derive geothermal heat elsewhere in the world. Credit: Knowable Magazine" class="wp-image-611268"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Geothermal electricity has long been limited to volcanic regions where underground heat is easily accessible. But new kinds of power plants are making it possible to derive geothermal heat elsewhere in the world. <em>Credit: Knowable Magazine</em></figcaption></figure>
  14313.  
  14314.  
  14315.  
  14316. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>New momentum</strong></h2>
  14317.  
  14318.  
  14319.  
  14320. <p>Solutions exist for both safety and technological problems. There are, in fact,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/articles/protocol-addressing-induced-seismicity-associated-enhanced-geothermal">robust protocols for avoiding earthquakes</a>, such as by not drilling near active faults. Long-term monitoring of the operating EGS plants in France and Germany has documented only minor tremors, building confidence in the safety of the technology. Importantly, drilling and fracking methodology has improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to the boom in oil and gas extraction from shale rocks that began in the 2010s. “Since then, we’ve seen a renewed interest in EGS as a concept, because the techniques that are central to EGS were perfected and brought down significantly in cost during that time,” says<a target="_blank" href="https://cpree.princeton.edu/people/wilson-ricks">&nbsp;Wilson Ricks</a>, an energy systems researcher at Princeton University.</p>
  14321.  
  14322.  
  14323.  
  14324. <p>In 2015, for instance, the US Department of Energy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://utahforge.com/">launched a research site in Utah dedicated to advancing EGS technologies</a>. Several new North American startups, including&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/geothermal/this-texas-geothermal-startup-is-storing-energy-in-the-ground">Sage Geosystems</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://e2eenergysolutions.com/projects">E2E Energy Solutions</a>, are developing new EGS systems in Texas and Canada, respectively. The most advanced is Fervo Energy, which has applied several techniques from the shale industry at its Nevada plant, which now supplies a local grid that includes energy-sucking data storage centers owned by Google. (Google partnered with Fervo to develop the plant.)</p>
  14325.  
  14326.  
  14327.  
  14328. <p>Engineers drilled almost 8,000 feet downward into the Nevada rock, reaching temperatures of nearly 380 degrees Fahrenheit, and then, at the bottom, drilled another 3,250-foot horizontal well to expand the area of hot rock that the system touches—a technique used in oil and gas extraction in order to maximize yield. The company also fractured the surrounding rock at several sites along the horizontal well to create a more extensive web of cracks for water to trickle through. Technologically speaking, compared to earlier EGS efforts, “they are, in fact, a big step forward,” says Horne, who is on Fervo’s scientific advisory board.</p>
  14329.  
  14330.  
  14331.  
  14332. <p>It remains to be seen how these new EGS systems perform in the long term. One advantage of systems like Fervo’s is that they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-023-01437-y">can be made more profitable by taking advantage of energy price fluctuations</a>, according to recent research by Ricks, a Princeton colleague and several experts at Fervo Energy. Operators could plug the exit wells, causing water to accumulate inside the system, building up pressure and heat. Then the energy could be extracted during times when it is most valuable—such as during cloudy or windless periods when solar or wind aren’t working.</p>
  14333.  
  14334.  
  14335.  
  14336. <p>Still, such systems would have to be significantly scaled up to be commercially viable, Ricks says. Although Project Red <a target="_blank" href="https://fervoenergy.com/fervo-energy-announces-technology-breakthrough-in-next-generation-geothermal/">claims a larger capacity than any other EGS plant</a>—3.5 megawatts, enough to power more than 2,500 homes—it’s still relatively small; a nuclear or coal plant can easily have an output of 1,000 megawatts, while large solar or traditional geothermal plants often produce several hundred megawatts.</p>
  14337.  
  14338.  
  14339.  
  14340. <p>What the EGS field needs right now, Ricks says, is the funding to build and test more such systems to inspire investor confidence. “This all needs to be very well proven, out to the point where the perceived risk is low,” he says.</p>
  14341.  
  14342.  
  14343.  
  14344. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A turning point for geothermal?</strong></h2>
  14345.  
  14346.  
  14347.  
  14348. <p>To that end, the US Department of Energy recently<a target="_blank" href="https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-invests-60-million-expand-clean-renewable-geothermal-energy"> awarded $60 million in funding</a> to three demonstration projects for EGS and related technologies as part of a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/enhanced-geothermal-shot"> broader initiative to speed up EGS development</a>. One 2019 report from the agency estimated that, with advances in EGS, geothermal power could represent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2019/06/f63/GeoVision-full-report-opt.pdf">around 60 gigawatts (60,000 megawatts) of installed capacity in the United States by 2050</a>, generating 8.5 percent of the country’s electricity—a more-than-20-fold increase from today.</p>
  14349.  
  14350.  
  14351.  
  14352. <p>Even an increase of a few percent could aid in a global energy transition that’s aiming to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “If in fifteen, twenty years, EGS is viable, I think it could play a huge part,” says<a target="_blank" href="https://profiles.stanford.edu/nils-angliviel-de-la-beaumelle">&nbsp;Nils Angliviel de La Beaumelle</a>, who recently coauthored an article on the global outlook for renewable energy in the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-environ-112321-091140">&nbsp;<em>Annual Review of Environment and Resources</em></a>.</p>
  14353.  
  14354.  
  14355.  
  14356. <p>Other geothermal technologies may also help. Some companies are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.quaise.energy/">exploring the feasibility of “super hot rock” geothermal</a>—essentially, a young, extreme variant of EGS that involves drilling down even deeper into Earth’s crust, to a depth where water reaches a “supercritical” vapor-like state that allows it to carry much more energy than either steam or liquid. In southern Germany, the energy company Eavor is <a target="_blank" href="https://eavor-geretsried.de/en/">building the world’s first “closed-loop” geothermal system</a>: Once pipes funnel water into the deep rock, the system fans out into a network of parallel boreholes, without water ever penetrating the rock. That’s a more predictable—albeit less efficient—way of warming water, as it doesn’t involve uncertainties around fracturing the rock in the right way, Teza says. “I’m really excited to see that there’s investment into these technologies,” she says. “I think it can only help.”</p>
  14357.  
  14358.  
  14359.  
  14360. <p>On the whole, it’s an important moment for geothermal energy—and not just for providing carbon-free electricity, Robertson-Tait says. Geothermal brines hauled out of the Earth are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germany-could-use-geothermal-wells-cover-part-lithium-needs-researchers">rich in lithium and other critical minerals</a> that can be used to build green technologies like solar panels and EV batteries. There’s a growing push to use direct geothermal heat to warm buildings, either through <a target="_blank" href="https://knowablemagazine.org/content/article/technology/2023/heat-pumps-becoming-technology-future">shallow heat pumps for residential buildings</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germanys-geothermal-sector-struggling-take">larger systems designed for entire districts</a>—like Paris and Munich already have.</p>
  14361.  
  14362.  
  14363.  
  14364. <p>Some oil and gas companies, recognizing that a change is coming, are increasingly interested in building geothermal systems of various kinds, says Robertson-Tait. “Our Earth is geothermal,” she says, “and so I think we owe it to ourselves to do everything we can to use it.”</p>
  14365.  
  14366.  
  14367.  
  14368. <p><em>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://www.knowablemagazine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knowable Magazine</a>, an independent journalistic endeavor from Annual Reviews. Sign up for the <a href="https://www.knowablemagazine.org/page/newsletter-signup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">newsletter</a>.</em></p>
  14369. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/geothermal-power-news/">Geothermal power heats up</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14370. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  14374. </item>
  14375. <item>
  14376. <title>Our favorite cannabis vape and accessory brands are offering 20% off sitewide for 4/20</title>
  14377. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/420-exclusive-deals-sales-2024/</link>
  14379. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Reed]]></dc:creator>
  14380. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:13:21 +0000</pubDate>
  14381. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  14382. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  14383. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  14384. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611289</guid>
  14385.  
  14386. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14387.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/cannabis-accessory-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A PAX vaporizer in a pattern on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><p>Save some green while you smoke your green with help from Pax, Higher Standards, Session Goods, and more.  </p>
  14388. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/420-exclusive-deals-sales-2024/">Our favorite cannabis vape and accessory brands are offering 20% off sitewide for 4/20</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14389. ]]></description>
  14390. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  14391.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/cannabis-accessory-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A PAX vaporizer in a pattern on a plain background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  14392. </div>
  14393. <p>4/20 is an unofficial holiday celebrating cannabis. You won&#8217;t find it on a calendar like you would Earth Day or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/underrated-national-parks/">National Park Week</a> (celebrations of a different kind of green that happen around the same time). But you <em>will</em> find people at your local parks sitting in a circle <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EwCjXgyhHq7oPNQehPefO?si=d35952f58eb54f04" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">playing &#8217;70s hazy rock</a>. Are the sunglasses they&#8217;re wearing shielding their eyes from the sun, or are they meant to hide bloodshot, glassy eyes? We may never know, but also, who cares?!? Whatever helps you commune with nature, responsibly, is your business. And our business is sharing some great news: If you&#8217;re looking for some <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/cannabis-accessories-guide/">cannabis accessories</a> to celebrate 4/20, many of our favorite brands are offering 20% off their entire site right now.</p>
  14394.  
  14395.  
  14396.  
  14397. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pax-plus-vaporizer-160-was-200"><strong><a href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">PAX Plus Vaporizer</a></strong> $160 (Was $200)</h3>
  14398.  
  14399.  
  14400. <div
  14401.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14402.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14403. >
  14404.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14405.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14406.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14407.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Pax Plus cannabis vaporizer on a rolling tray with some oregano seasoning">
  14408.                      </figure>
  14409.                  </a>
  14410.            </div>
  14411.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14412.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14413.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14414.  
  14415.      </figcaption>
  14416.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14417.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus"
  14418.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14419.      </p>
  14420.      </div>
  14421. </div>
  14422.  
  14423.  
  14424.  
  14425. <p>By far, this is our favorite vaporizer on the market and is essential to have in your stoner arsenal. Smoking from a joint, waterpipe, or bowl is not great for your lungs. Vaporizers, however, use the magic of conduction to release the THC in the flower, giving you fast results without hacking up a lung. You can use the Pax Plus with concentrates or flower, and it comes with raised and flat mouthpieces, a maintenance kit, half-pack oven lid, concentrate adaptor, and a multi-tool for packing and removing material. It&#8217;s an investment, but you definitely get your money&#8217;s worth out of it. </p>
  14426.  
  14427.  
  14428.  
  14429. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-4-20-cannabis-vape-and-accessory-deals"><strong>More 4/20 cannabis vape and accessory deals:</strong></h3>
  14430.  
  14431.  
  14432.  
  14433. <ul>
  14434. <li><a href="https://higher-standard.pxf.io/c/2536217/898898/12394?subId1=-&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fhigherstandards.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Higher Standards: 20% off sitewide</a></li>
  14435.  
  14436.  
  14437.  
  14438. <li><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=147762&amp;afftrack=PS-DL&amp;urllink=www.omura.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Omura: 20% off sitewide</a></li>
  14439.  
  14440.  
  14441.  
  14442. <li><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=95333&amp;afftrack=PS-DL&amp;urllink=sessiongoods.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Session Goods: Up to 50% off</a></li>
  14443.  
  14444.  
  14445.  
  14446. <li><a href="https://marleynatural.pxf.io/c/2536217/1292017/15828?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marleynaturalshop.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Marley Natural: 20% off sitewide</a></li>
  14447.  
  14448.  
  14449.  
  14450. <li><a href="https://www.smokehonest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honest Smokeware: 20% off sitewide</a></li>
  14451.  
  14452.  
  14453.  
  14454. <li><a href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Storz &amp; Bickel: Up to 40% off</a></li>
  14455.  
  14456.  
  14457.  
  14458. <li><a href="https://www.snugbox.co/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snugbox: 25% off every with code 420SALE</a></li>
  14459.  
  14460.  
  14461.  
  14462. <li><a href="https://www.vesselbrand.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vessel: 30% off sitewide</a></li>
  14463. </ul>
  14464. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/420-exclusive-deals-sales-2024/">Our favorite cannabis vape and accessory brands are offering 20% off sitewide for 4/20</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14465. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  14469. </item>
  14470. <item>
  14471. <title>The best cannabis essentials for 2024, tested and reviewed</title>
  14472. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-cannabis-essentials/</link>
  14474. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Reed]]></dc:creator>
  14475. <pubDate>Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
  14476. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  14477. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  14478. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  14479. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  14480. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  14481. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  14482. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  14483. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=534082</guid>
  14484.  
  14485. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  14486.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/cannabis-essentials-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A lineup of cannabis essentials on a white background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Amanda Reed</div></figure><p>Ditch your bar cart for a cannabis cabinet—and pack it with these essentials. </p>
  14487. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-cannabis-essentials/">The best cannabis essentials for 2024, tested and reviewed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  14488. ]]></description>
  14489. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  14490.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/cannabis-essentials-header.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="A lineup of cannabis essentials on a white background" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Amanda Reed</div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  14491. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  14492.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  14493.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  14494.      <tbody>
  14495.              <tr
  14496.          class="ProductTable-product"
  14497.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  14498.        >
  14499.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  14500.            Best grinder
  14501.          </td>
  14502.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  14503.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A Santa Cruz Shredder grinder on a blue and white background" class="wp-image-534085" width="264" height="165">
  14504.          </td>
  14505.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  14506.            Santa Cruz Shredder
  14507.          </td>
  14508.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  14509.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  14510.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14511.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
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  14513.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
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  14515.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 93%">
  14516.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14517.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14518.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14519.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14520.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14521.                                  </div>
  14522.                          </div>
  14523.          </td>
  14524.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  14525.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  14526.                <span>
  14527.                  SEE IT
  14528.                </span>
  14529.            </a>
  14530.          </td>
  14531.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  14532.              <p>This aircraft-grade aluminum grinder granulates the stickiest of the icky.</p>
  14533.  
  14534.            </td>
  14535.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  14536.        </tr>
  14537.              <tr
  14538.          class="ProductTable-product"
  14539.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  14540.        >
  14541.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  14542.            Best infuser system
  14543.          </td>
  14544.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  14545.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="LEVO C" class="wp-image-534489" width="264" height="165">
  14546.          </td>
  14547.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  14548.            Levo C
  14549.          </td>
  14550.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  14551.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  14552.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14553.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14554.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14555.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14556.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14557.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 97%">
  14558.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14559.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14560.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14561.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14562.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14563.                                  </div>
  14564.                          </div>
  14565.          </td>
  14566.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  14567.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  14568.                <span>
  14569.                  SEE IT
  14570.                </span>
  14571.            </a>
  14572.          </td>
  14573.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  14574.              <p>Create cannabis-rich oils for homemade edibles in an easy and low-key process.</p>
  14575.  
  14576.            </td>
  14577.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  14578.        </tr>
  14579.              <tr
  14580.          class="ProductTable-product"
  14581.          data-href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus"
  14582.        >
  14583.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  14584.            Best handheld vaporizer
  14585.          </td>
  14586.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  14587.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="A Pax Plus cannabis vaporizer on a rolling tray with some oregano seasoning" class="wp-image-592593" width="264" height="165">
  14588.          </td>
  14589.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  14590.            Pax Plus
  14591.          </td>
  14592.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  14593.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  14594.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14595.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14596.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14597.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14598.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14599.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 97%">
  14600.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14601.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14602.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14603.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14604.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  14605.                                  </div>
  14606.                          </div>
  14607.          </td>
  14608.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  14609.            <a href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  14610.                <span>
  14611.                  SEE IT
  14612.                </span>
  14613.            </a>
  14614.          </td>
  14615.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  14616.              <p>An intuitive ingestion device that&#8217;s discreet and direct.</p>
  14617.  
  14618.            </td>
  14619.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  14620.        </tr>
  14621.            </tbody>
  14622.    </table>
  14623.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  14624.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  14625.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  14626.    </div>
  14627.  </div>
  14628. </div>
  14629.  
  14630.  
  14631.  
  14632. <p>So you want to smoke weed—either for medicinal or recreational purposes—and you’re looking for a place to start. Sure, you could walk into that headshop down the street, but they most definitely sell counterfeit Puff Bars, and you feel a little claustrophobic surrounded by all that expensive glass. Plus, the college kid behind the counter is a little bit too close in age to your own kid. Thankfully, we at <em>Popular Science</em> share how science shows up in our everyday life, and cannabis and its extracts are <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/health/cbd-effects-pain-anxiety-evidence/">quite scientific</a>. Consider this an essentials list of what you’ll want to keep on hand for your next sesh, or what to buy to get started. Move over bar cart, cannabis cabinet has entered the chat! </p>
  14633.  
  14634.  
  14635.  
  14636. <p>Remember that every state has different laws regarding cannabis use, so <a href="https://disa.com/maps/marijuana-legality-by-state" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check them out</a>&nbsp;before using. Once you can hit &#8220;Add To Cart&#8221; with confidence, we&#8217;ve cultivated Spotify playlist for both <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3EwCjXgyhHq7oPNQehPefO?si=3c622ab0076b44b9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sativa</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wo6lpIddiInf9tCuj3GIp?si=1eecd7485ae144d3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indica</a> strains to help make sure every hit is a hit. </p>
  14637.  
  14638.  
  14639.  
  14640. <ul>
  14641. <li><strong>Best rolling tray: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Rolling-Filling/dp/B09PSKY8KM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Santa Cruz Shredder Hemp Rolling Tray with Spout</a></li>
  14642.  
  14643.  
  14644.  
  14645. <li><strong>Best rolling papers: </strong><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=116036&amp;afftrack=PS-SN&amp;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fshop%2Frolling-papers%2Fpink-rolling-papers%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Blazy Susan Rolling Papers</a></li>
  14646.  
  14647.  
  14648.  
  14649. <li><strong>Best cones: </strong><a href="https://edie-parker.com/collections/smoking-accessories-by-edie-parker/products/crush-cones-in-mint-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Edie Parker Crush Cones in Excite Mint</a></li>
  14650.  
  14651.  
  14652.  
  14653. <li><strong>Best handheld vaporizer: </strong><a href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">PAX Plus</a></li>
  14654.  
  14655.  
  14656.  
  14657. <li><strong>Best for concentrates: </strong><a href="https://www.puffco.com/products/the-peak-pro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Puffco Peak Pro</a></li>
  14658.  
  14659.  
  14660.  
  14661. <li><strong>Best splurge: </strong><a href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/catalog/product/view/id/574" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Storz &amp; Bickel Volcano Hybrid</a></li>
  14662.  
  14663.  
  14664.  
  14665. <li><strong>Best waterpipe: </strong><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=95333&amp;afftrack=PS-RU&amp;urllink=sessiongoods.com%2Fcollections%2Fall%2Fproducts%2Felegant-glass-bong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Session Goods Bong</a></li>
  14666.  
  14667.  
  14668.  
  14669. <li><strong>Best pipe: </strong><a href="https://laundryday.net/collections/all/products/p-007-tanjun-pipe?variant=43342014906600" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Laundry Day Tanjun pipe</a></li>
  14670.  
  14671.  
  14672.  
  14673. <li><strong>Best hemp wick: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Bee-Organic-Natural-Standard/dp/B01D9DWYU8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Twisted Bee 100% Organic Hemp Wick</a></li>
  14674.  
  14675.  
  14676.  
  14677. <li><strong>Best lighter: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clipper-Lighter-Lighters-Refillable-Assorted/dp/B0BWL81C7K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Clipper Lighter</a></li>
  14678.  
  14679.  
  14680.  
  14681. <li><strong>Best joint holder: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joint-Case-Portable-Cigarette-attaches/dp/B08DRCM4LV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Clinger</a></li>
  14682.  
  14683.  
  14684.  
  14685. <li><strong>Best grinder: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Santa Cruz Shredder</a></li>
  14686.  
  14687.  
  14688.  
  14689. <li><strong>Best cleaner: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/GRAND-MASTER-SMOKE-bundle-Cleaner/dp/B01MF4T0BG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Grand Master Smoke</a></li>
  14690.  
  14691.  
  14692.  
  14693. <li><strong>Best 510 battery: </strong><a href="https://www.oozelife.com/products/ooz-1187-grn-battery-twist-slim-pen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ooze Twist Slim Pen 2.0</a></li>
  14694.  
  14695.  
  14696.  
  14697. <li><strong><strong>Best infuser system:</strong> </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Levo C</a></li>
  14698. </ul>
  14699.  
  14700.  
  14701.  
  14702. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-rolling-tray-santa-cruz-shredder-hemp-rolling-tray-with-spout"><strong>Best rolling tray: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Rolling-Filling/dp/B09PSKY8KM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Santa Cruz Shredder Hemp Rolling Tray with Spout</a></h3>
  14703.  
  14704.  
  14705. <div
  14706.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14707.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14708. >
  14709.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14710.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Rolling-Filling/dp/B09PSKY8KM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14711.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14712.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-rolling-tray-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-rolling-tray-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A blue Santa Cruz Shredder Rolling Tray on a blue and white background">
  14713.                      </figure>
  14714.                  </a>
  14715.            </div>
  14716.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14717.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14718.        <p><em>Santa Cruz Shredder</em></p>
  14719.  
  14720.      </figcaption>
  14721.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14722.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Rolling-Filling/dp/B09PSKY8KM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  14723.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14724.      </p>
  14725.      </div>
  14726. </div>
  14727.  
  14728.  
  14729.  
  14730. <p><a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-roll-a-joint/">Learning how to roll a joint</a> is a journey all its own, but procuring a solid rolling tray is an essential first step. You can use it as a surface to stuff your cones and pack handheld vaporizers or bowls without getting cannabis everywhere, thanks to high curved edges that prevent mess. A spout makes it easy to put any leftover ground cannabis back into your grinder or storage container. We like this one from Santa Cruz Shredder that has both, and is made of biodegradable hemp. If you’re looking for rolling tray that doubles as decor, we love this glass <a href="https://higherstandards.com/collections/k-haring-glass-collection/products/k-haring-tray?variant=31513135317050" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Keith Haring rolling tray from Higher Standards</a> that could pass as a catch-all plate in your foyer.&nbsp;</p>
  14731.  
  14732.  
  14733.  
  14734. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best rolling papers: </strong><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=116036&amp;afftrack=PS-SN&amp;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fshop%2Frolling-papers%2Fpink-rolling-papers%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Blazy Susan Rolling Papers</a></h3>
  14735.  
  14736.  
  14737. <div
  14738.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14739.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14740. >
  14741.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14742.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=116036&#038;afftrack=PS-SN&#038;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fshop%2Frolling-papers%2Fpink-rolling-papers%2F" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14743.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14744.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-rolling-papers-blazy-susan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-rolling-papers-blazy-susan.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A booklet of pink Blazy Susan rolling papers on a blue and white background">
  14745.                      </figure>
  14746.                  </a>
  14747.            </div>
  14748.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14749.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14750.        <p><em>Blazy Susan</em></p>
  14751.  
  14752.      </figcaption>
  14753.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14754.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=116036&#038;afftrack=PS-SN&#038;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fshop%2Frolling-papers%2Fpink-rolling-papers%2F"
  14755.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14756.      </p>
  14757.      </div>
  14758. </div>
  14759.  
  14760.  
  14761.  
  14762. <p>The Blazy Susan rolling papers are fun to look at, thanks to their bright pink hue, but they’re also some of the best rolling papers on the market. They’re vegan, non-GMO, and made from high-quality wood pulp. They also burn slowly and evenly, which prevents canoeing. We recommend starting with 1 ¼-inch papers if you’re new to rolling (and we won&#8217;t judge you if you <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=116036&amp;afftrack=PS-RU&amp;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fproduct-category%2Fpre-rolled-cones%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">pick up some pre-rolled cones</a>, in case of difficulties or time constraints). And if you are inviting like-minded friends over for a social smoke, grab one of <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=116036&amp;afftrack=PS-RU&amp;urllink=blazysusan.com%2Fproduct-category%2Fblazy-susans%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the company&#8217;s namesake spinning rolling trays</a> (available in colorful plastic and limited edition woods), with its specialized inserts and cuts for every manner of supplies, accessories, and end products.</p>
  14763.  
  14764.  
  14765.  
  14766. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best cones: </strong><a href="https://edie-parker.com/collections/smoking-accessories-by-edie-parker/products/crush-cones-in-mint-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Edie Parker Crush Cones in Excite Mint</a></h3>
  14767.  
  14768.  
  14769. <div
  14770.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14771.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14772. >
  14773.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14774.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://edie-parker.com/collections/smoking-accessories-by-edie-parker/products/crush-cones-in-mint-1" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14775.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14776.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/edie-parker-flower-cones.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/edie-parker-flower-cones.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Edie Parker Flower cones on a book.">
  14777.                      </figure>
  14778.                  </a>
  14779.            </div>
  14780.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14781.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14782.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14783.  
  14784.      </figcaption>
  14785.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14786.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://edie-parker.com/collections/smoking-accessories-by-edie-parker/products/crush-cones-in-mint-1"
  14787.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14788.      </p>
  14789.      </div>
  14790. </div>
  14791.  
  14792.  
  14793.  
  14794. <p>These aren’t your average cones. These cones from Edie Parker come in a variety of flavors, including peach, grape, strawberry, and banana. We’re personally huge fans of the mint flavor for a cool fresh taste while taking a hit. Simply pack your ground cannabis into the cone, ignite, find the flavor pearl in the filter tip, crush, and inhale. They also are great to pull out and pass around at a party.<strong> </strong>Of course, if you don’t need a fun flavor with your joint, we love Blazy Susan’s cones. We’re fans of the <a href="https://blazysusan.com/shop/pre-rolled-cones/shorty-pink-pre-rolled-cones-50-count/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Shorty</a> size, which makes for a perfect joint for yourself when you’re seshing alone.&nbsp;</p>
  14795.  
  14796.  
  14797.  
  14798. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best handheld vaporizer: </strong><a href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">PAX Plus</a></h3>
  14799.  
  14800.  
  14801. <div
  14802.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14803.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14804. >
  14805.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14806.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14807.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14808.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/11/27/pax-plus-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Pax Plus cannabis vaporizer on a rolling tray with some oregano seasoning">
  14809.                      </figure>
  14810.                  </a>
  14811.            </div>
  14812.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14813.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14814.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14815.  
  14816.      </figcaption>
  14817.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14818.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-DL&#038;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fvapes%2Fpax-plus"
  14819.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14820.      </p>
  14821.      </div>
  14822. </div>
  14823.  
  14824.  
  14825.  
  14826. <p>There are many benefits to vaporizing cannabis compared to igniting it. Vaporizers use convection, conduction, and sometimes even both to heat your weed to release those sweet terpenes and cannabinoids. The result is better for your lungs and provides a more consistent flavor and aroma. It’s also less stinky than other means of ingestion. You can use the already vaped bud (ABV) in edibles since the vaporizing process decarboxylates, or decarbs, the cannabis. The PAX Mini is our favorite handheld vaporizer and one of the easiest to use (and it&#8217;s often <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/420-exclusive-deals-sales-2024/">on sale around a certain time in April</a>). Simply click the top once, wait until the purple light turns green, and inhale. You won’t have to worry about temperature either—the PAX Mini will cool down when not in use and heat up when it’s picked back up. Concentrates might not be your jam (yet!), but the <a href="https://paxvapor.jfki2j.net/c/2536217/408831/7371?subId1=PS-RU&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pax.com%2Fproducts%2Fpax-plus%3Fvariant%3D41004164120687" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">PAX Plus</a> comes with a concentrate chamber to enjoy the wax, shatter, or budder of your choice. Speaking of …</p>
  14827.  
  14828.  
  14829.  
  14830. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best for concentrates: </strong><a href="https://www.puffco.com/products/the-peak-pro" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Puffco Peak Pro</a></h3>
  14831.  
  14832.  
  14833. <div
  14834.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14835.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14836. >
  14837.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14838.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.puffco.com/products/the-peak-pro" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14839.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14840.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/puffco-peak-pro.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/puffco-peak-pro.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Puffco Peak Pro sitting on a pile of books.">
  14841.                      </figure>
  14842.                  </a>
  14843.            </div>
  14844.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14845.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14846.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14847.  
  14848.      </figcaption>
  14849.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14850.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.puffco.com/products/the-peak-pro"
  14851.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14852.      </p>
  14853.      </div>
  14854. </div>
  14855.  
  14856.  
  14857.  
  14858. <p>Dabbing is cool because it involves torches and fire, but it’s also dangerous for just that reason. The Puffco Peak Pro solves that by ditching the fire, making for a more approachable and beginner-friendly device. The <a href="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/5549/files/Peak_Pro_Instruction_Manual_ForWeb.pdf?v=1603907326" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">instruction manual</a> is easy to read and follow—you don’t have to be a dabbing expert to use the Peak Pro. It’s also Bluetooth-app enabled for customized temperature and color settings. If you’re looking for something more handheld that’s less expensive, the company’s <a href="https://www.puffco.com/products/proxy-travel-pipe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proxy Travel Pipe</a> is for you. Its silicone body is shatterproof and comes with a pocket for tools, like a loading tool or a cotton swab for cleaning.&nbsp;</p>
  14859.  
  14860.  
  14861.  
  14862. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best splurge: </strong><a href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/catalog/product/view/id/574" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Storz &amp; Bickel Volcano Hybrid</a></h3>
  14863.  
  14864.  
  14865. <div
  14866.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14867.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14868. >
  14869.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14870.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/catalog/product/view/id/574" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14871.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14872.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/volcano-hybrid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/volcano-hybrid.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Volcano hybrid sitting on a pile of books">
  14873.                      </figure>
  14874.                  </a>
  14875.            </div>
  14876.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14877.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14878.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14879.  
  14880.      </figcaption>
  14881.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14882.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/catalog/product/view/id/574"
  14883.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14884.      </p>
  14885.      </div>
  14886. </div>
  14887.  
  14888.  
  14889.  
  14890. <p>The Rolls Royce of tabletop vaporizers, the Storz &amp; Bickel Volcano Hybrid is absolutely worth its almost $700 price tag, thanks to its high-quality materials and workmanship that gives you a long service life. The <a href="https://www.storz-bickel.com/en-us/volcanoclassic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Volcano Classic</a> is cheaper (and just as good), but the temperature dial doesn’t list the actual temperature. The Hybrid changes that, letting you know exactly when it’s warm enough for use. You can choose to ingest via the included Tube Kit (which is a hookah-type hose) or the classic Valve Balloon. If you have an Android phone, you can control the Volcano Hybrid with your phone using the S&amp;B app. We personally only bring out the Volcano Hybrid on special occasions, and it definitely makes for a conversation starter among stoners.&nbsp;</p>
  14891.  
  14892.  
  14893.  
  14894. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best waterpipe: </strong><a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=95333&amp;afftrack=PS-RU&amp;urllink=sessiongoods.com%2Fcollections%2Fall%2Fproducts%2Felegant-glass-bong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Session Goods Bong</a></h3>
  14895.  
  14896.  
  14897. <div
  14898.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14899.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14900. >
  14901.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14902.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=95333&#038;afftrack=PS-RU&#038;urllink=sessiongoods.com%2Fcollections%2Fall%2Fproducts%2Felegant-glass-bong" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14903.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14904.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-waterpipe-session-goods.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-waterpipe-session-goods.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Session Goods waterpipe on a blue and white background">
  14905.                      </figure>
  14906.                  </a>
  14907.            </div>
  14908.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14909.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14910.        <p><em>Session Goods</em></p>
  14911.  
  14912.      </figcaption>
  14913.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14914.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=95333&#038;afftrack=PS-RU&#038;urllink=sessiongoods.com%2Fcollections%2Fall%2Fproducts%2Felegant-glass-bong"
  14915.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14916.      </p>
  14917.      </div>
  14918. </div>
  14919.  
  14920.  
  14921.  
  14922. <p>Waterpipes are usually … kind of ugly. Not the Session Goods Bong, which is modern, durable, and easy to clean. The included cleaning caps and mouth cover prevent spills when you’re cleaning—just fill it with some isopropyl alcohol and a little salt, shake, and you’re all good. The bong itself is made of sturdy borosilicate glass, and a silicon foot cover hides your nasty bong water, acts as a water line, and protects your piece. Two included bowls—small and large—let you choose how much you want to consume. Plus, nine colors will help you coordinate your bong with your living room color story. And who doesn’t love color coordination?</p>
  14923.  
  14924.  
  14925.  
  14926. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best pipe: </strong><a href="https://laundryday.net/collections/all/products/p-007-tanjun-pipe?variant=43342014906600" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Laundry Day Tanjun pipe</a></h3>
  14927.  
  14928.  
  14929. <div
  14930.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14931.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14932. >
  14933.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14934.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://laundryday.net/collections/all/products/p-007-tanjun-pipe?variant=43342014906600" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14935.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14936.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/laundry-day-tanjun-pipe.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/laundry-day-tanjun-pipe.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A pink Laundry Day Tanjun pipe on a pile of books.">
  14937.                      </figure>
  14938.                  </a>
  14939.            </div>
  14940.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14941.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14942.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  14943.  
  14944.      </figcaption>
  14945.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14946.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://laundryday.net/collections/all/products/p-007-tanjun-pipe?variant=43342014906600"
  14947.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14948.      </p>
  14949.      </div>
  14950. </div>
  14951.  
  14952.  
  14953.  
  14954. <p>Pipes are a great introductory tool for beginners but aren’t always the prettiest. Laundry Day’s Tanjun—and the company&#8217;s other collection of smokeware—is meant to be displayed on your coffee table and ogled when passed among friends. It has all the pipe basics—bowl, carb, mouthpiece—and is made of borosilicate glass for toughness. Use the pipe as an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Folkulture-Incense-Sticks-Insenses-Positive/dp/B09ZF16Z9T?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">incense holder</a> when it’s not in use. </p>
  14955.  
  14956.  
  14957.  
  14958. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best hemp wick: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Bee-Organic-Natural-Standard/dp/B01D9DWYU8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Twisted Bee 100% Organic Hemp Wick</a></h3>
  14959.  
  14960.  
  14961. <div
  14962.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14963.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14964. >
  14965.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14966.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Bee-Organic-Natural-Standard/dp/B01D9DWYU8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14967.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  14968.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-hemp-wick-twisted-bee.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-hemp-wick-twisted-bee.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Twisted Bee hemp wick on a blue and white background">
  14969.                      </figure>
  14970.                  </a>
  14971.            </div>
  14972.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  14973.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  14974.        <p><em>Twisted Bee</em></p>
  14975.  
  14976.      </figcaption>
  14977.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  14978.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Bee-Organic-Natural-Standard/dp/B01D9DWYU8?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  14979.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  14980.      </p>
  14981.      </div>
  14982. </div>
  14983.  
  14984.  
  14985.  
  14986. <p>It’s fine to light a bowl with a lighter, but sometimes you don’t want to breathe in the butane it emits. The smoke is much hotter when using a lighter and burns off more cannabinoids and terpenes. Hemp wicks solve this problem by being a flame conduit, which creates a cleaner flavor and a more flavorful hit. This one from Twisted Bee uses organic hemp with a natural beeswax coating that doesn’t interfere with your flower’s flavor. You can even use it for crafting. Since you get 200 feet of it, you won’t have to worry about running out. </p>
  14987.  
  14988.  
  14989.  
  14990. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best lighter: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Clipper-Lighter-Lighters-Refillable-Assorted/dp/B0BWL81C7K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Clipper Lighter</a></h3>
  14991.  
  14992.  
  14993. <div
  14994.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  14995.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  14996. >
  14997.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  14998.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Clipper-Lighter-Lighters-Refillable-Assorted/dp/B0BWL81C7K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  14999.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15000.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/clipper-lighter.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/clipper-lighter.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A pink and white Clipper lighter sitting in a dish on top of a pile of books.">
  15001.                      </figure>
  15002.                  </a>
  15003.            </div>
  15004.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15005.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15006.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  15007.  
  15008.      </figcaption>
  15009.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15010.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Clipper-Lighter-Lighters-Refillable-Assorted/dp/B0BWL81C7K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  15011.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15012.      </p>
  15013.      </div>
  15014. </div>
  15015.  
  15016.  
  15017.  
  15018. <p>Sure, everyone is familiar with the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/BIC-Classic-Lighter-Fashion-Assorted/dp/B086R3LFBW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">BIC lighter</a> for ignition needs. Step up to a Clipper, which is windproof, water-resistant, and refillable, making it more friendly to the Earth compared to its lighter brethren. You can also replace the flint, and there’s a poking tool for packing down hand-rolled cigarettes. Plus, the Clipper wheel is easier to strike compared to BIC lighters.  </p>
  15019.  
  15020.  
  15021.  
  15022. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best joint holder: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Joint-Case-Portable-Cigarette-attaches/dp/B08DRCM4LV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">The Clinger</a></h3>
  15023.  
  15024.  
  15025. <div
  15026.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15027.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15028. >
  15029.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15030.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Joint-Case-Portable-Cigarette-attaches/dp/B08DRCM4LV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15031.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15032.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/the-clipper-best-joint-holder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/the-clipper-best-joint-holder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Clinger joint holder on a blue and white background">
  15033.                      </figure>
  15034.                  </a>
  15035.            </div>
  15036.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15037.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15038.        <p><em>The Clinger</em></p>
  15039.  
  15040.      </figcaption>
  15041.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15042.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Joint-Case-Portable-Cigarette-attaches/dp/B08DRCM4LV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  15043.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15044.      </p>
  15045.      </div>
  15046. </div>
  15047.  
  15048.  
  15049.  
  15050. <p>I personally have dug into my ludicrously capacious bag, the eyes of the group on me, searching for a lighter that is evading my clutches. It’s a humbling experience—one that you don’t have to go through with The Clinger, which is smell-proof, crush-proof, holds a king-sized joint, and hugs your lighter like it’s their friend. It can hold a BIC or a Clipper lighter and fits easily in your pocket. You won’t have to worry about digging for a lighter or accidentally smashing a joint ever again.</p>
  15051.  
  15052.  
  15053.  
  15054. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best grinder: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Santa Cruz Shredder</a></h3>
  15055.  
  15056.  
  15057. <div
  15058.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15059.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15060. >
  15061.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15062.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15063.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15064.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-grinder-santa-cruz-shredder.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A Santa Cruz Shredder grinder on a blue and white background">
  15065.                      </figure>
  15066.                  </a>
  15067.            </div>
  15068.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15069.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15070.        <p><em>Santa Cruz Shredder</em></p>
  15071.  
  15072.      </figcaption>
  15073.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15074.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Santa-Cruz-Shredder-Grinder-Crusher/dp/B00VQJ5XE2?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  15075.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15076.      </p>
  15077.      </div>
  15078. </div>
  15079.  
  15080.  
  15081.  
  15082. <p>This grinder is made of solid aircraft-grade aluminum and has a scratch-free finish for long-lasting use. Thirty-two diamond-shaped sharp teeth pulverize even the stickiest cannabis to make a fluffy and even grind. We recommend a three-piece grinder that separates the flower from the kief, the potent trichomes that have broken away and separated from the flower. You can use those the add a little zhuzh to your joints and bowls. A magnetic lock system protects your cannabis from moisture and spillage, meaning you can take it to and fro without any worries. It’s a pricey grinder, but it’s absolutely worth it.</p>
  15083.  
  15084.  
  15085.  
  15086. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best cleaner: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/GRAND-MASTER-SMOKE-bundle-Cleaner/dp/B01MF4T0BG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Grand Master Smoke</a></h3>
  15087.  
  15088.  
  15089. <div
  15090.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15091.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15092. >
  15093.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15094.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/GRAND-MASTER-SMOKE-bundle-Cleaner/dp/B01MF4T0BG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15095.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15096.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/grandmaster-smoke-cleaner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/grandmaster-smoke-cleaner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A bottle of Grandmaster Smoke sitting on a pile of books.">
  15097.                      </figure>
  15098.                  </a>
  15099.            </div>
  15100.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15101.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15102.        <p><em>Amanda Reed</em></p>
  15103.  
  15104.      </figcaption>
  15105.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15106.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/GRAND-MASTER-SMOKE-bundle-Cleaner/dp/B01MF4T0BG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  15107.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15108.      </p>
  15109.      </div>
  15110. </div>
  15111.  
  15112.  
  15113.  
  15114. <p>You can use isopropyl alcohol and a little salt to clean your pieces. However, we’re also fond of Grand Master Smoke. This cleaner has taken the crustiest bongs and turned them as good as new. Simply pour the liquid into a large container or leakproof bag, add your piece, wait 1-3 hours (try soaking overnight for heavily used pieces), drain out the excess liquid from the piece, rinse with warm water, and you’re done! It also helps deodorize your pieces so they aren’t so stinky. And no one wants to hit from a stinky bong!</p>
  15115.  
  15116.  
  15117.  
  15118. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best 510 battery: </strong><a href="https://www.oozelife.com/products/ooz-1187-grn-battery-twist-slim-pen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ooze Twist Slim Pen 2.0</a></h3>
  15119.  
  15120.  
  15121. <div
  15122.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15123.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15124. >
  15125.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15126.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oozelife.com/products/ooz-1187-grn-battery-twist-slim-pen" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15127.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15128.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-510-battery-ooze.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/13/best-510-battery-ooze.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A blue Ooze 510 battery on a blue and white background">
  15129.                      </figure>
  15130.                  </a>
  15131.            </div>
  15132.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15133.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15134.        <p><em>Ooze</em></p>
  15135.  
  15136.      </figcaption>
  15137.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15138.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.oozelife.com/products/ooz-1187-grn-battery-twist-slim-pen"
  15139.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15140.      </p>
  15141.      </div>
  15142. </div>
  15143.  
  15144.  
  15145.  
  15146. <p>I’ve certainly used 510 batteries that work but aren’t made of quality materials. And who keeps track of that proprietary charger that they all come with? The Ooze Slim Pen can be charged using this proprietary charger, but you can also use a micro USB cable. (Which you probably have a million of around your house.) You can draw the pen in two ways: by pressing the button down and inhaling, or just by inhaling, thanks to auto draw. It shuts off after 12 minutes of inactivity, saving you battery in the long run. And you can adjust the voltage for a customized experience</p>
  15147.  
  15148.  
  15149.  
  15150. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best infuser system:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Levo C</a></h3>
  15151.  
  15152.  
  15153. <div
  15154.    id="levo-c"
  15155.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15156.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15157. >
  15158.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15159.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15160.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15161.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/17/LEVO-C.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="LEVO C">
  15162.                      </figure>
  15163.                  </a>
  15164.            </div>
  15165.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15166.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15167.        <p><em>Brandt Ranj / Popular Science</em></p>
  15168.  
  15169.      </figcaption>
  15170.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15171.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/LEVO-Botanical-Extractor-Decarboxylator-Tinctures/dp/B0B3Y6V6CL?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000534082O0000000020240426180000"
  15172.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15173.      </p>
  15174.      </div>
  15175. </div>
  15176.  
  15177.  
  15178.  
  15179. <p>One of the knocks against making homemade edibles—beyond the ever-growing number of high-quality premade options—is infusing oil or butter with your flower, which can be a smelly operation. Levo&#8217;s C is a countertop appliance that makes the process easy. All you need to do is fill its herb pod with bud (up to one ounce) and the glass basin with oil or butter (up to one liter). Once your ingredients are set, you place the glass basin onto the Levo C&#8217;s heating pad, select a time and temperature, and wait for the infusion to complete. Making infused oil or butter using this method won&#8217;t be quicker than a traditional method, but the results will be more consistent since the temperature will be regulated. Additionally, you won&#8217;t have to worry about standing around and stirring the flower constantly to ensure a proper result.</p>
  15180.  
  15181.  
  15182.  
  15183. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  15184.  
  15185.  
  15186.  
  15187. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  15188.  
  15189.  
  15190.  
  15191. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  15192. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-cannabis-essentials/">The best cannabis essentials for 2024, tested and reviewed</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15193. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  15197. </item>
  15198. <item>
  15199. <title>New species of extinct marine reptile found with help from 11-year-old child</title>
  15200. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/new-fossil-giant-marine-reptile/</link>
  15202. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  15203. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  15204. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  15205. <category><![CDATA[Dinosaurs]]></category>
  15206. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  15207. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  15208. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  15209. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611291</guid>
  15210.  
  15211. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15212.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/beached-ichthyosaur-illustration.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an illustration of a large marine reptile beached on the sand, surrounded by two two-legged dinosaurs and several flying dinosaurs" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An illustration of a washed-up Ichthyotitan severnensis carcass on the beach. The fossilized remains of this newly named ichthyosaur species was uncovered on a beach in England. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Sergey Krasovskiy</span></figcaption></figure><p>This 82-feet-long titan swam while dinosaurs walked.</p>
  15213. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/new-fossil-giant-marine-reptile/">New species of extinct marine reptile found with help from 11-year-old child</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15214. ]]></description>
  15215. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15216.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/beached-ichthyosaur-illustration.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an illustration of a large marine reptile beached on the sand, surrounded by two two-legged dinosaurs and several flying dinosaurs" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An illustration of a washed-up Ichthyotitan severnensis carcass on the beach. The fossilized remains of this newly named ichthyosaur species was uncovered on a beach in England. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Sergey Krasovskiy</span></figcaption></figure>
  15217. <p>Paleontologists already know that the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/giant-ichthyosaur-evolution/">extinct marine reptile ichthyosaurs </a>were enormous. Some newly described jawbone fossils uncovered in England represent a new ichthyosaur species. The bones indicate that the ocean titan may have been over 82 feet long, and even pushed the possible limits of vertebrate size. The new find is detailed in a <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289">study published April 17 in the open-access journal <em>PLOS ONE</em></a>.</p>
  15218.  
  15219.  
  15220.  
  15221. <p>“This research has been ongoing for almost eight years. It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period,” study co-author and University of Manchester paleontologist Dean Lomax <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040925">said in a statement</a>. “These jawbones provide tantalizing evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found. You never know.”</p>
  15222.  
  15223.  
  15224.  
  15225. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-ichthyosaurs"><strong>Meet the ichthyosaurs</strong></h2>
  15226.  
  15227.  
  15228.  
  15229. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/ichthyosaur">Ichthyosaurs</a> are an extinct group of reptiles that are distant relatives of today’s lizards and snakes. They had long fins and were potentially ambush predators like today’s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/animals/great-white-shark-attack-reason/">great white sharks</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/animals/how-wolves-hunt/">wolves</a>, feeding on fish and other marine dwellers. Ichthyosaurs also may have followed migration patterns that are similar to today’s whales.&nbsp;</p>
  15230.  
  15231.  
  15232.  
  15233. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/giant-ichthyosaur-fossil/"><strong>These ancient, swimming reptiles may have been the biggest animals of all time</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  15234.  
  15235.  
  15236.  
  15237. <p>They lived 228 to 112 million years ago and they were most abundant during the Triassic and Jurassic eras. There are over 100 known ichthyosaur species. Their remains have been found in parts of Asia, North America, and Europe. A fossil deposit in present day Nevada may have even been an <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/ichthyosaurs-whale-birthing-ground/">ichthyosaur birthing ground.</a>&nbsp;</p>
  15238.  
  15239.  
  15240.  
  15241. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-a-prehistoric-jigsaw-puzzle"><strong>Solving a prehistoric jigsaw puzzle </strong></h2>
  15242.  
  15243.  
  15244.  
  15245. <p>Over several years, a team from The University of Manchester has discovered and pieced together<a href="https://www.popsci.com/giant-ichthyosaur-fossil/"> individual fragments of an ichthyosaur jawbone</a>. A jawbone uncovered in 2016 at the Westbury Mudstone Formation in Somerset was similar to one collected from the same rock formation just a few miles away. The team believe that both of these jawbones belong to a previously undescribed species of ichthyosaur.</p>
  15246.  
  15247.  
  15248.  
  15249. <p>In 2020, a father and daughter from Devon named Justin and Ruby Reynolds found the first pieces of the second jawbone to be found in May 2020. Ruby was 11 years-old at the time and found the first chunk of giant bone before searching for more pieces. The family contacted Lomax and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/giant-ichthyosaur-fossil/">fossil collector and study co-author Paul de la Salle, who found the first jawbone in 2016</a>. </p>
  15250.  
  15251.  
  15252.  
  15253. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="1558" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/jaw-bone-fossil.jpg" alt="The nearly complete giant jawbone, along with a comparison with the 2018 bone (middle and bottom) found by Paul de la Salle. " class="wp-image-611292"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The nearly complete giant jawbone, along with a comparison with the 2018 bone (middle and bottom) found by Paul de la Salle. CREDIT: Dean Lomax</em></figcaption></figure>
  15254.  
  15255.  
  15256.  
  15257. <p>“I was amazed by the find. In 2018, my team studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone and we had hoped that one day another would come to light,” said Lomax. “This new specimen is more complete, better preserved, and shows that we now have two of these giant bones–called a surangular–that have a unique shape and structure. I became very excited, to say the least.”</p>
  15258.  
  15259.  
  15260.  
  15261. <p>Over time, several members of the Reynolds family, Paul, and Lomax’s research team visited the site to hunt for more pieces of this rare discovery. They found more pieces of the same jaw which happened to fit together perfectly.</p>
  15262.  
  15263.  
  15264.  
  15265. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/why-kids-make-the-best-amateur-fossil-hunters/"><strong>Why kids make the best amateur fossil hunters</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  15266.  
  15267.  
  15268.  
  15269. <p>“It was so cool to discover part of this gigantic ichthyosaur. I am very proud to have played a part in a scientific discovery like this,” Ruby Reynolds said in a statement. Ruby and her father are both listed as co-authors of the <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289">new study</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  15270.  
  15271.  
  15272.  
  15273. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A new ichthyosaur species</strong></h2>
  15274.  
  15275.  
  15276.  
  15277. <p>The final piece of bone was recovered in October 2022. The research team found that the jaw bones belong to a <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289">new species of giant ichthyosaur they named <em>Ichthyotitan severnensis</em></a>, or “giant fish lizard of the Severn.” It was likely the size of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/blue-whales-upwelling-food-sounds/">blue whale</a>–today’s largest living organism. Comparing the two examples of the same bone with the same unique features from the same geologic time zone helps support the idea that it is a new species. </p>
  15278.  
  15279.  
  15280.  
  15281. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1125" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/swimming-ichthyosaur.jpg" alt="an illustration two reptiles called ichthyosaur swimming with mountains in the distance" class="wp-image-611294"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An illustration showing a pair of swimming </em>Ichthyotitan severnensis’<em>. CREDIT: Gabriel Ugueto/</em> <i>Gabriel Ugueto</i></figcaption></figure>
  15282.  
  15283.  
  15284.  
  15285. <p>The bones are about 202 million years old and date back to the end of the Triassic Period called the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/rhaetian">Rhaetian</a>. During the Rhaetian, gigantic ichthyosaurs swam while dinosaurs walked on land. However, this was when ichthyosaurs’ time on Earth came to a close. They went extinct during the Late Triassic <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/mass-extinction-uv-radiation/">global mass extinction</a> event some 200 million years ago and these bones represent the very last of their kind. Dinosaurs would not go on to live another 134 million years.&nbsp;</p>
  15286.  
  15287.  
  15288.  
  15289. <p>While this new discovery is not the first giant ichthyosaur, these findings are unique among those known to science. These two bones appear about 13 million years after their <a target="_blank" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289">latest geologic relatives</a>. These include <em>Shonisaurus sikanniensis</em> from British Columbia, Canada, and <em>Himalayasaurus tibetensis</em> from Tibet, China. A closer examination of the bones’ internal structures also confirmed that the animal was likely still growing at its time of death.</p>
  15290.  
  15291.  
  15292.  
  15293. <p>“The anomalous periosteal growth of these bones hints at yet to be understood bone developmental strategies, now lost in the deep time, that likely allowed late Triassic ichthyosaurs to reach the known biological limits of vertebrates in terms of size,” Marcello Perillo, a study co-author and a paleobiology master’s student at the University of Bonn in Germany, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040925">said in a statement</a>. “So much about these giants is still shrouded by mystery, but one fossil at a time we will be able to unravel their secret.”</p>
  15294.  
  15295.  
  15296.  
  15297. <p>The ichthyosaur bones will soon be on display at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.</p>
  15298. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/new-fossil-giant-marine-reptile/">New species of extinct marine reptile found with help from 11-year-old child</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15299. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  15303. </item>
  15304. <item>
  15305. <title>Daddy long-legs-inspired robot could one day squirm through Martian caves</title>
  15306. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/spider-robot/</link>
  15308. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  15309. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  15310. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  15311. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  15312. <category><![CDATA[Mars]]></category>
  15313. <category><![CDATA[Moons]]></category>
  15314. <category><![CDATA[Robots]]></category>
  15315. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  15316. <category><![CDATA[Solar System]]></category>
  15317. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  15318. <category><![CDATA[Spiders]]></category>
  15319. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  15320. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  15321. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611312</guid>
  15322.  
  15323. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15324.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/spider-robot.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Close-up photos of ReachBot." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Close-up photos of ReachBot. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">BDML Stanford University</span></figcaption></figure><p>The spiderbot's extendable legs can grasp onto uneven rock surfaces and propel it forward.</p>
  15325. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/spider-robot/">Daddy long-legs-inspired robot could one day squirm through Martian caves</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15326. ]]></description>
  15327. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15328.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/spider-robot.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Close-up photos of ReachBot." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Close-up photos of ReachBot. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">BDML Stanford University</span></figcaption></figure>
  15329. <p>Robotic engineers are no stranger to turning to nature for inspiration. In recent years, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/winged-bird-robot-perch-landing/">birds</a>, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/parkour-robot/">dogs</a>, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/category/robots/page/2/">extinct sea creatures</a>, and even humans themselves have all served as jumping off point for new mechanical designs. Now, researchers from Stanford are citing the Harvestman spider, better known as a daddy long-legs as inspiration for a new robot design they believe could be better equipped at navigating uneven rocky caverns and lava tubes. One day, they hope this spider-like design could even help robots navigate the icy caverns of the moon and Mars. </p>
  15330.  
  15331.  
  15332.  
  15333. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-the-spider-robot-work"><strong>How does the spider robot work?</strong></h2>
  15334.  
  15335.  
  15336.  
  15337. <p>The researchers introduced their new machine called the “ReachBot” in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adi9762?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D79531610571844886470779923236426942892%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1713373705">a paper published today in the journal <em>Science Robotics</em></a>. ReachBot features multiple extendable boom limbs which it can use to reach out for rocks and propel itself forward. Each limb comes attached with a three finger gripper that grabs onto the rocks and uses them as anchor points. The long-legged design means the robot&#8217;s limbs can potentially access the floor, ceiling, and walls of a lava tube or cave, which in turn provide increased leverage. This unique positioning, the researchers write, lets the ReachBot “assume a wide variety of possible configurations, bracing stances, and force application options.”</p>
  15338.  
  15339.  
  15340.  
  15341. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1300" height="866" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/daddy-long-legs.jpg" alt='Harvestman spider, better known as a “daddy long-legs."' class="wp-image-611325"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harvestman spider, better known as a daddy long-legs. <i><a target="_blank" href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/harvestman-5443713.html">DepositPhotos</a></i></figcaption></figure>
  15342.  
  15343.  
  15344.  
  15345. <p>ReachBot attempts to fill in a form-factor gap among existing exploration robots. Small robots, the researchers argue, are useful for navigating through tight corridors but typically have limited reach. Larger robots, by contrast, might be able to reach more area but can get bogged down by their heft mass and mechanical complexity. ReachBot offers a compromise by relying on a small main body with limbs that can expand and reach out if necessary.&nbsp;</p>
  15346.  
  15347.  
  15348.  
  15349. <p>The robot utilizes a set of onboard sensors to scale the area ahead of it and look for concave rocks or other signs suggestive of a graspable area. Like a physical spider. ReachBot doesn&#8217;t immediately assume rock surfaces are flat, but instead seeks “rounded features that the gripper can partially enclose.” Researchers say they tested the robot in simulation to help it improve its ability to correctly identify grippable surface areas and aid in footstep planning. Following the simulation, ReachBot was tested in the real-world in an unmanned lava tube near Pisgah crater in Mojave Desert.&nbsp;</p>
  15350.  
  15351.  
  15352.  
  15353. <p>“Results from the field test confirm the predictions of maximum grasp forces and underscore the importance of identifying and steering toward convex rock features that provide a strong grip,” the researchers write. “They also highlight a characteristic of grasp planning with ReachBot, which is that identifying, aiming for, and extending booms involves a higher level of commitment than grasping objects in manufacturing scenarios.”</p>
  15354.  
  15355.  
  15356.  
  15357. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reachbot-could-help-researchers-explore-deep-caves-and-caverns-on-other-planets"><strong>ReachBot could help researchers explore deep caves and caverns on other planets</strong></h2>
  15358.  
  15359.  
  15360.  
  15361. <p>Researchers believe ReachBot’s arachnid design could have extraterrestrial applications. Lava tubes like in the Mojave Desert where the robot was tested removes some of the area on the surface of the moon and Mars. In the latter example, researchers say ancient subsurface environments on the Red Planet remain relatively unchanged the time when some believe the planet may have been habitable. These sheltered cavern areas, they write, “could provide sites for future human habitation.”&nbsp;</p>
  15362.  
  15363.  
  15364.  
  15365. <p>In theory, future exploratory space robots could use a design like ReachBot’s to explore deeper into areas contemporary robots could find inaccessible. Elsewhere, researchers are <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/spacehopper-zero-gravity/">exploring how three-legged jumping machines</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/parkour-robot/">four-legged, dog inspired robots</a> could similarly help scientists learn more about undiscovered areas of our solar system neighbors.&nbsp;</p>
  15366. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/spider-robot/">Daddy long-legs-inspired robot could one day squirm through Martian caves</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15367. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  15371. </item>
  15372. <item>
  15373. <title>RIP Atlas, the world’s beefiest humanoid robot</title>
  15374. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/rip-atlas-robot/</link>
  15376. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mack DeGeurin]]></dc:creator>
  15377. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:07:22 +0000</pubDate>
  15378. <category><![CDATA[Robots]]></category>
  15379. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  15380. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611248</guid>
  15381.  
  15382. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15383.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/beefy-robot.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="atlas robot goodbye" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Atlas humanoid robot previously showed off its ability to perform impressive acrobatics and choreographed dance routines. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9EM5_VFlt8">YouTube/Boston Dynamics</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>After 11 years, Boston Dynamics is retiring its iconic 330-pound bipedal robot and replacing it with a lighter, all electric little sibling.</p>
  15384. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/rip-atlas-robot/">RIP Atlas, the world’s beefiest humanoid robot</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15385. ]]></description>
  15386. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15387.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/beefy-robot.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="atlas robot goodbye" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">The Atlas humanoid robot previously showed off its ability to perform impressive acrobatics and choreographed dance routines. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9EM5_VFlt8">YouTube/Boston Dynamics</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  15388. <p>Atlas, the hulking 330-pound acrobatic Boston Dynamics robot (that filled us with equal parts awe and horror) is officially going into retirement. The 11-year-old iconic bi-pedal giant will be replaced by a much lighter, all electric successor. The transition marks an end of an era for Boston Dynamics as consumer and investor interest turns increasingly toward <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/openai-wants-to-make-a-walking-talking-humanoid-robot-smarter/">smaller, scalable humanoid robots</a> capable of performing manufacturing tasks.</p>
  15389.  
  15390.  
  15391.  
  15392. <p>Boston Dynamics commemorated the original “hydraulic Atlas,” with a <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/-9EM5_VFlt8?si=og7OLCVpJlC04C7x">farwell video</a> this week. The video shows Atlas sprinting through an obstacle course before clumsily crashing to the ground. What follows is a collection of some of Atlas’ greatest hits over its 11-year-lifespan. Video clips show the robot evolving over the years from a rigid, slow hunk of metal to a powerful robotic athlete capable of performing backflips and hurling large objects with seemingly superhuman strengths. Of course, the video also shows Boston Dynamics engineers mercilessly showing, attacking, and tripping Atlas throughout the years to test its capabilities.&nbsp;</p>
  15393.  
  15394.  
  15395. <div><lite-youtube videoid="-9EM5_VFlt8" style="background-image: none;">
  15396.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-9EM5_VFlt8/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Robots photo">
  15397.            </lite-youtube>
  15398.            
  15399.            <noscript>
  15400. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  15401. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Farewell to HD Atlas" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-9EM5_VFlt8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  15402. </div></figure>
  15403. </noscript></div>
  15404.  
  15405.  
  15406. <p>Atlas was originally <a target="_blank" href="https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/timeline/debut-atlas-robot">produced in&nbsp; 2013</a> for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Agency. At the time, DARPA hearladed Atlas as “one of the most advanced humanoid robots ever built.” The impressive and often imposing machine went viral on the internet with a collection of eye-grabbing videos showing it engaging in everything from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a37338791/boston-dynamics-atlas-parkour-robot-video/">wild acrobatics</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/fn3KWM1kuAw?si=eFADhyEpuU89aVmb">synchronized dance routines</a> to <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/-e1_QhJ1EhQ?si=7fgnjot-splwhIDd">over-the-top construction site work</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  15407.  
  15408.  
  15409. <div><lite-youtube videoid="fn3KWM1kuAw" style="background-image: none;">
  15410.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fn3KWM1kuAw/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Robots photo">
  15411.            </lite-youtube>
  15412.            
  15413.            <noscript>
  15414. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  15415. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Do You Love Me?" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fn3KWM1kuAw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  15416. </div></figure>
  15417. </noscript></div>
  15418.  
  15419. <div><lite-youtube videoid="tF4DML7FIWk" style="background-image: none;">
  15420.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tF4DML7FIWk/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Robots photo">
  15421.            </lite-youtube>
  15422.            
  15423.            <noscript>
  15424. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  15425. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Atlas | Partners in Parkour" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tF4DML7FIWk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  15426. </div></figure>
  15427. </noscript></div>
  15428.  
  15429.  
  15430. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boston-dynamics-pivots-to-lighter-more-commercial-humanoid-robots"><strong>Boston Dynamics pivots to lighter, more commercial humanoid robots&nbsp;</strong></h2>
  15431.  
  15432.  
  15433.  
  15434. <p>In a surprise announcement Wednesday, Boston Dynamics revealed Atlas’ name will actually live on, though in a much different form factor. The company <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/29ECwExc-_M?si=yr2jumXuYoIpAPVQ">released a brief video</a> showing off what looks like a match for a smaller, bipedal robot with a circular head lying on a test room floor.</p>
  15435.  
  15436.  
  15437. <div><lite-youtube videoid="29ECwExc-_M" style="background-image: none;">
  15438.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/29ECwExc-_M/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Robots photo">
  15439.            </lite-youtube>
  15440.            
  15441.            <noscript>
  15442. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  15443. <iframe loading="lazy" title="All New Atlas | Boston Dynamics" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/29ECwExc-_M?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  15444. </div></figure>
  15445. </noscript></div>
  15446.  
  15447.  
  15448. <p>In a <a target="_blank" href="https://bostondynamics.com/blog/electric-new-era-for-atlas/">blog post</a>, the company described this new successor as a “fully electric Atlas robot designed for real-world applications.” The company says the new Atlas will have a broader range of motion than its predecessor. Hyundai, which <a target="_blank" href="https://bostondynamics.com/news/hyundai-motor-group-completes-acquisition-of-boston-dynamics-from-softbank/">acquired Boston Dynamics in 2021</a>, will begin testing the new Atlas in its factories in the coming months, according to the blog post.&nbsp;</p>
  15449.  
  15450.  
  15451.  
  15452. <p>Long-term commercialization and scalability appear to have been primary factors driving the old Atlas’ into retirement. Since the Hyundai question, Boston Dynamics has pushed to widely sell other, more affordable products like its “Spot” quadruped and its “Stretch” warehouse robot. The old Atlas, by contrast, was never sold commercially and may have simply cost too much for any manufacturer to justify buying it. Boston Dynamics hinted towards its commercial plans for the new Atlas in its most recent press release.</p>
  15453.  
  15454.  
  15455.  
  15456. <p>“Given our track record of successful commercialization, we are confident in our plan to not just create an impressive R&amp;D project, but to deliver a valuable solution,” the company said.&nbsp;</p>
  15457.  
  15458.  
  15459.  
  15460. <p>Despite being primarily an R&amp;D tool, the original Atlas still played an important symbolic role, acting as a technical ceiling for what other bipedal robots could achieve. Its prominence helped usher in a new wave of human-like robots from startups like Figure and Agility Robotics, which are looking to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/openai-wants-to-make-a-walking-talking-humanoid-robot-smarter/">combine robotics with large language models</a> to make them more useful at completing tasks in the real world. Ironically, it’s looking like the new Atlas will now compete against the upstarts its predecessor inspired.&nbsp;</p>
  15461.  
  15462.  
  15463.  
  15464. <p><strong>[ Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/openai-wants-to-make-a-walking-talking-humanoid-robot-smarter/"><strong>OpenAI wants to make a walking, talking humanoid robot smarter</strong></a><strong> ]</strong></p>
  15465. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/rip-atlas-robot/">RIP Atlas, the world’s beefiest humanoid robot</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15466. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  15470. </item>
  15471. <item>
  15472. <title>This butterfly hybrid thrived against evolutionary odds</title>
  15473. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/butterfly-hybrid-evolution/</link>
  15475. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  15476. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  15477. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  15478. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  15479. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  15480. <category><![CDATA[Evolution]]></category>
  15481. <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
  15482. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  15483. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  15484. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611231</guid>
  15485.  
  15486. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15487.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/butterfly-heliconius-pardalinus.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an orange and black butterfly lands on a green leaf with purple flowers" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A parent butterfly species called Heliconius pardalinus. These insects are found throughout Central and South America and are known for the variety of wing patterns within the genus. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Andrew Neild</span></figcaption></figure><p>It throws a wrench into old ideas about what it means to be a species.</p>
  15488. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/butterfly-hybrid-evolution/">This butterfly hybrid thrived against evolutionary odds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15489. ]]></description>
  15490. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  15491.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/butterfly-heliconius-pardalinus.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an orange and black butterfly lands on a green leaf with purple flowers" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">A parent butterfly species called Heliconius pardalinus. These insects are found throughout Central and South America and are known for the variety of wing patterns within the genus. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Andrew Neild</span></figcaption></figure>
  15492. <p>Life may <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/jurassic-park-dino-discoveries/">“find a way,”</a> but how <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/why-we-dont-have-tails/">living things evolve</a> is not a neat and orderly process. Instead of a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/crocodile-family-tree/">tidy family tree</a> with straight lines added for each new generation, the birth of a new species is much more tangled in reality. New research into one butterfly genus found in the Amazon shows just how entangled those evolutionary lines may be. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/hummingbird-feather-genetics/">Hybrids</a> between some species can produce new butterfly species that are genetically distinct from both parent species and their earlier ancestors. The findings are described in a <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07263-w">study published April 17 in the journal <em>Nature</em></a>. </p>
  15493.  
  15494.  
  15495.  
  15496. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-third-hybrid"><strong>A third hybrid</strong></h2>
  15497.  
  15498.  
  15499.  
  15500. <p>In the study, the team focused on the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/heliconius-butterfly-spatial-learning/">brightly colored <em>Heliconius</em> genus of butterflies</a> found in Central and South America. They are a common model for studying how butterfly wing patterns evolved due to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/100-years/object/heliconius-butterflies/">wide variety of wings within the group</a>. In an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/henry-walter-bates-amazon-butterflies.html">1861 letter to Charles Darwin</a>, naturalist Henry Walter Bates referred to the <em>Heliconius </em>butterflies found in the Amazon as “a glimpse into the laboratory where Nature manufactures her new species.”</p>
  15501.  
  15502.  
  15503.  
  15504. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/hybrid-speciation-diagram.jpg" alt="a speciation tree diagram that shows how three butterfly species emerged" class="wp-image-611232" width="924" height="585"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A family tree of the parent butterfly species, showing the main hybridization events. CREDIT: Neil Rosser</em></figcaption></figure>
  15505.  
  15506.  
  15507.  
  15508. <p>For a deeper look into <em>Heliconius’ </em>evolution, the team on this new <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07263-w">study harnessed</a> the power of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens/wgs.html#:~:text=If%20you%20know%20the%20sequence,an%20organism%20in%20one%20process.">whole-genome sequencing</a>. All living organisms have DNA that is made of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/content/the-four-bases-atcg-6491969/#:~:text=Adenine%2C%20thymine%2C%20cytosine%20and%20guanine,four%20nucleotides%20found%20in%20DNA.">four nucleotide bases</a>–adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine. If you know the sequence of bases, you can identify the organism&#8217;s unique DNA fingerprint called a pattern. Sequencing determines these patterns and whole genome sequencing in a lab can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens/wgs.html#:~:text=If%20you%20know%20the%20sequence,an%20organism%20in%20one%20process.">determine the orders of these bases in one process</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  15509.  
  15510.  
  15511.  
  15512. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/sea-lampreys-humans/"><strong>You might have more in common with the sea lamprey than you realize</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  15513.  
  15514.  
  15515.  
  15516. <p>The whole-genome sequencing indicated that a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/hybridization-and-gene-flow-34546/">hybridization event</a> occurred about 180,000 years ago between <em>Heliconius melpomen</em>e and the ancestor of today’s <em>Heliconius pardalinus</em> butterflies. This event produced a third hybrid species called <em>Heliconius elevatus</em>. While it is descended from hybrids, <em>H. elevatus</em> is also a <a target="_blank" href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07263-w">distinct butterfly species and has its own individual traits</a>. These include color pattern, wing shape, flight characteristics, how they choose mates, and more. All three of these distinct species now fly together across a wide area of Amazon and indicate more evidence that hybrids are not always sterile as sometimes previously thought.&nbsp;</p>
  15517.  
  15518.  
  15519.  
  15520. <p>“Historically, hybridization was thought of as a bad thing that was not particularly important when it came to evolution,” study co-author and Harvard University biologist Neil Rosser <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040990?">said in a statement</a>. “But what genomic data have shown is that, actually, hybridization among species is widespread. Over the last 10 or 15 years, there&#8217;s been a paradigm shift in terms of the importance of hybridization and evolution.”</p>
  15521.  
  15522.  
  15523.  
  15524. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>An evolutionary surprise</strong></h2>
  15525.  
  15526.  
  15527.  
  15528. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040990?">According to the team</a>, this may alter how we view species and speciation. Scientists had generally believed that hybridization inhibited the generation of new species. Hybrid organisms are often born unhealthy or sterile and can’t reproduce, particularly when they are born with <a target="_blank" href="https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/11/why-are-hybrid-animals-sterile/#:~:text=When%20animals%20of%20two%20different,inherit%20two%20different%20sex%20chromosomes.">two different sex chromosomes</a>. Most species are not perfectly intact tight units, but instead exchange a lot of DNA and can be considered “quite leaky.” The species that are evolving are actually exchanging genes constantly and it can trigger the evolution of new lineages.&nbsp;</p>
  15529.  
  15530.  
  15531.  
  15532. <p>“Normally, species are thought to be reproductively isolated. They can’t produce hybrids that are reproductively fertile,” study co-author and Harvard University biologist James Mallet <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040990?">said in a statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  15533.  
  15534.  
  15535.  
  15536. <p>This is a different case for <em>Heliconius</em>&nbsp; butterflies. They show that <a target="_blank" href="https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00113">hybridization</a> is not only occurring, but has driven the evolution of a new species in itself. While there is now evidence of hybridization between species, confirming if hybridization is involved in speciation has been difficult.&nbsp;</p>
  15537.  
  15538.  
  15539.  
  15540. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/heliconius-butterfly-spatial-learning/"><strong>Butterflies can remember specific flower foraging routes</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  15541.  
  15542.  
  15543.  
  15544. <p>“The question is: How can you collapse two species together and get a third species out of that collapse?” said Mallet.</p>
  15545.  
  15546.  
  15547.  
  15548. <p>This new research provides scientists with a next step in understanding how hybridization and speciation work in evolution. It could also help play a role in the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/biodiversity-loss-ecology-climate-change/">planet’s biodiversity crisis</a>, since fully understanding the question of what we really mean by “species” on a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/new-genetic-tools-have-dramatically-changed-wildlife-conservation/">genetic level is important for conservation</a>. It may also help in understanding the carriers of certain diseases. Multiple species of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/malaria-us-florida-texas-cdc/">mosquitoes carry malaria</a>, and while they are closely related, we still do not know how they interact or create new hybrids the way <em>Heliconius</em> butterflies do.&nbsp;</p>
  15549.  
  15550.  
  15551.  
  15552. <p>As with evolution itself, this area of study will only continue to untangle as biologists learn more about what really makes a species a species.&nbsp;</p>
  15553. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/butterfly-hybrid-evolution/">This butterfly hybrid thrived against evolutionary odds</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15554. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  15558. </item>
  15559. <item>
  15560. <title>The best budget Bluetooth speakers in 2024</title>
  15561. <link>https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers/</link>
  15563. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Carsen Joenk]]></dc:creator>
  15564. <pubDate>Fri, 04 Feb 2022 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  15565. <category><![CDATA[Audio]]></category>
  15566. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  15567. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  15568. <category><![CDATA[Outdoor Gear]]></category>
  15569. <category><![CDATA[Speakers]]></category>
  15570. <category><![CDATA[bluetooth]]></category>
  15571. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  15572. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  15573. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  15574. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  15575. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=423525</guid>
  15576.  
  15577. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  15578.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Best budget Bluetooth speakers on a white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers.jpg 1000w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers-768x481.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" data-dimension="landscape" /></div></figure><p>Get affordable audio for all with the best budget Bluetooth speakers. </p>
  15579. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers/">The best budget Bluetooth speakers in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  15580. ]]></description>
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  15582.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1000" height="626" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers.jpg?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Best budget Bluetooth speakers on a white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers.jpg 1000w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers-768x481.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" data-dimension="landscape" /></div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  15583. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
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  15586.      <tbody>
  15587.              <tr
  15588.          class="ProductTable-product"
  15589.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  15590.        >
  15591.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  15592.            Best overall
  15593.          </td>
  15594.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  15595.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Anker Soundcore 3 on a white background" class="wp-image-423533" width="264" height="165">
  15596.          </td>
  15597.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  15598.            Anker Soundcore 3
  15599.          </td>
  15600.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
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  15615.          </td>
  15616.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  15617.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
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  15623.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  15624.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A well-rounded speaker with a solid build that won’t break the bank.</span></p>
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  15626.            </td>
  15627.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  15628.        </tr>
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  15630.          class="ProductTable-product"
  15631.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  15632.        >
  15633.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  15634.            Best for a party
  15635.          </td>
  15636.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  15637.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/tribit-outdoor-portable-speaker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Tribit Outdoor Portable Speaker on a white background" class="wp-image-423536" width="264" height="165">
  15638.          </td>
  15639.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  15640.            Tribit XSound Mega
  15641.          </td>
  15642.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  15643.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  15644.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15645.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15646.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15647.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15648.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15649.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  15650.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15651.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15652.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15653.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15654.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15655.                                  </div>
  15656.                          </div>
  15657.          </td>
  15658.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  15659.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  15660.                <span>
  15661.                  SEE IT
  15662.                </span>
  15663.            </a>
  15664.          </td>
  15665.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  15666.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A speaker equipped with flashy features for a fraction of the price.</span></p>
  15667.  
  15668.            </td>
  15669.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  15670.        </tr>
  15671.              <tr
  15672.          class="ProductTable-product"
  15673.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  15674.        >
  15675.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  15676.            Best for travel
  15677.          </td>
  15678.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  15679.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="JBL Clip 4" class="wp-image-575108" width="264" height="165">
  15680.          </td>
  15681.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  15682.            JBL Clip 4
  15683.          </td>
  15684.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  15685.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  15686.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15687.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15688.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15689.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15690.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15691.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 75%">
  15692.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15693.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15694.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15695.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15696.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  15697.                                  </div>
  15698.                          </div>
  15699.          </td>
  15700.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  15701.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  15702.                <span>
  15703.                  SEE IT
  15704.                </span>
  15705.            </a>
  15706.          </td>
  15707.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  15708.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A super portable speaker  designed to move with you thanks to its carabiner-like design.</span></p>
  15709.  
  15710.            </td>
  15711.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  15712.        </tr>
  15713.            </tbody>
  15714.    </table>
  15715.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  15716.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  15717.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  15718.    </div>
  15719.  </div>
  15720. </div>
  15721.  
  15722.  
  15723.  
  15724. <p>There is no shortage of Bluetooth speakers under $100, even $50, which can make choosing the right one for your listening needs particularly difficult. While you’d think a less expensive option might not boast outstanding audio quality or unbeatable battery life, there are many models that are going to deliver exactly what you need when it comes to wire-free listening. Hone in on your top priorities and search accordingly. Do you need something waterproof? A speaker that will clip onto a backpack? Or maybe something extra bass to bump at a party? When it comes to the best budget Bluetooth speakers, it’s okay to focus on one or two central features so you get the most bang for your buck. Here are picks for speakers that can fit your needs and your budget.</p>
  15725.  
  15726.  
  15727.  
  15728. <ul>
  15729. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Soundcore 3</a></li>
  15730.  
  15731.  
  15732.  
  15733. <li><strong>Best for bass: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sony SRS-XB100</a></li>
  15734.  
  15735.  
  15736.  
  15737. <li><strong>Best waterproof:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-EARS-WONDERBOOM-Radical-Red/dp/B07NFP6D7Q?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/WONDERBOOM-Bluetooth-360-Degree-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B09KX2M2RS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3</a></a></li>
  15738.  
  15739.  
  15740.  
  15741. <li><strong>Best for travel:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL Clip 4</a></li>
  15742.  
  15743.  
  15744.  
  15745. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Splashproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Radiator/dp/B010OYASRG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Oontz Angle 3</a></li>
  15746.  
  15747.  
  15748.  
  15749. <li><strong>Best party speaker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Tribit XSound Mega</a></li>
  15750.  
  15751.  
  15752.  
  15753. <li><strong>Best for (viewing) parties:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-EarFun-Portable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0B1PJ5SQ7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">EarFun UBOOM L</a></li>
  15754.  
  15755.  
  15756.  
  15757. <li><strong>Best smart speaker:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-4th-Gen-Twilight-Blue/dp/B085HK4KL6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Amazon Echo (4th Gen.)</a></li>
  15758. </ul>
  15759.  
  15760.  
  15761.  
  15762. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>How we chose the best budget Bluetooth speakers</strong></h2>
  15763.  
  15764.  
  15765.  
  15766. <p>Many of the speakers recommended here have been personally tested by myself or our team, which is why we confidently recommend this selection. We retested some of our personal favorites and compared them to new units from other reputable brands with a focus on sound quality. While smaller portable speakers can’t deliver audio that’s as precise as premium stereo or multi-channel models, we made sure to pick products that preserve the integrity of our favorite albums. To further pare down the list, we only looked at speakers that currently retail for under $115, primarily focusing on those around $50, while paying particular attention to durability, portability, and battery life. Then, we considered special features like onboard controls, EQ customization, and connectivity to bring you the best of the best when it comes to affordable Bluetooth speakers. </p>
  15767.  
  15768.  
  15769.  
  15770. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-budget-bluetooth-speakers-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best budget Bluetooth speakers: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  15771.  
  15772.  
  15773.  
  15774. <p>If you visit my apartment, you will immediately see <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-portable-bluetooth-speaker/">a veritable wall of Bluetooth speakers, large and small</a>. I have what some may call a deep enthusiasm for portable sound that doesn&#8217;t require equally deep pockets or corners. And I&#8217;ve found that the best cheap Bluetooth speakers don’t have to sound dinky. In fact, many options provide solid sound for less. While shopping, consider your top priorities for your budget-friendly speaker. Do you emphasize battery life, portability, water resistance, or sound quality? Once you can answer this question, you can pick out an excellent speaker from our picks without spending a fortune.</p>
  15775.  
  15776.  
  15777.  
  15778. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Soundcore 3</a></h3>
  15779.  
  15780.  
  15781. <div
  15782.    id="stellar-all-around"
  15783.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15784.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15785. >
  15786.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15787.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15788.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15789.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/anker-soundcore-3.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Anker Soundcore 3 on a white background">
  15790.                      </figure>
  15791.                  </a>
  15792.            </div>
  15793.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15794.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15795.        <p><em>Anker</em></p>
  15796.  
  15797.      </figcaption>
  15798.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15799.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  15800.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15801.      </p>
  15802.      </div>
  15803. </div>
  15804.  
  15805.  
  15806.  
  15807. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: The Soundcore 3 is a well-rounded, budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker with an impressive 24 hours of battery life and the option to boost the bass without distortion.&nbsp;</p>
  15808.  
  15809.  
  15810.  
  15811. <p><strong>Specs&nbsp;</strong></p>
  15812.  
  15813.  
  15814.  
  15815. <ul>
  15816. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> 24 hours&nbsp;</li>
  15817.  
  15818.  
  15819.  
  15820. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range:</strong> Up to 66 feet</li>
  15821.  
  15822.  
  15823.  
  15824. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> IPX7</li>
  15825.  
  15826.  
  15827.  
  15828. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 6.9 x 2.4 x 2.2 inches &nbsp;</li>
  15829. </ul>
  15830.  
  15831.  
  15832.  
  15833. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  15834.  
  15835.  
  15836.  
  15837. <ul>
  15838. <li>Excellent Battery Life&nbsp;</li>
  15839.  
  15840.  
  15841.  
  15842. <li>Sound Quality&nbsp;</li>
  15843.  
  15844.  
  15845.  
  15846. <li>Bass Up technology&nbsp;</li>
  15847.  
  15848.  
  15849.  
  15850. <li>Customizable EQ&nbsp;</li>
  15851. </ul>
  15852.  
  15853.  
  15854.  
  15855. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  15856.  
  15857.  
  15858.  
  15859. <ul>
  15860. <li>Simplistic design</li>
  15861.  
  15862.  
  15863.  
  15864. <li>Voice assistant capability is lacking</li>
  15865. </ul>
  15866.  
  15867.  
  15868.  
  15869. <p>The Soundcore 3 is a robust, portable Bluetooth speaker that won’t cost an arm and a leg, making it the best budget Bluetooth speaker overall. Available in four colors, this powerful unit utilizes 16 watts of power to push dual 1.5-inch drivers with titanium diaphragms. Meanwhile, dual passive radiators combine with improved BassUp technology to analyze music in real-time and work to punch up the low-end during your favorite bass-driven songs. Alongside BassUp, there are three additional preset EQs you can choose from, or customize your own using the Soundcore app. The treble on the Soundcore 3 stretches all the way up to 40kHz. Bluetooth 5.0 offers a consistently stable connection and PartyCast compatibility means you can link up to 100 Soundcore speakers for a truly impressive array of sound. To get a full battery faster, this speaker charges via USB-C, and the 24-hour battery life beats more expensive models. While $55 isn’t the steepest cost if you needed a replacement, an IPX7 rating means you won’t have to worry about water damage if you get caught in the rain or drop it in the pool. And if you&#8217;re definitely planning to fill a patio with friends, there&#8217;s also the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Customizable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0CFDLM2TH?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Soundcore Glow Mini</a>, an outdoor-friendly speaker that offers 360-degree sound, a pulsing LED halo, and IPX7—all for less than $50.</p>
  15870.  
  15871.  
  15872.  
  15873. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best for bass: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sony SRS-XB100</a></h3>
  15874.  
  15875.  
  15876. <div
  15877.    id="pool-proof"
  15878.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15879.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15880. >
  15881.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15882.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15883.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15884.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/sony-srs-xb13.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/sony-srs-xb13.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Sony XRS-XB13 on a white background">
  15885.                      </figure>
  15886.                  </a>
  15887.            </div>
  15888.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15889.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15890.        <p><em>Sony</em></p>
  15891.  
  15892.      </figcaption>
  15893.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15894.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  15895.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15896.      </p>
  15897.      </div>
  15898. </div>
  15899.  
  15900.  
  15901.  
  15902. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: The SRS-XB100 is a compact, portable waterproof speaker that automatically boosts the bass for party-worthy sound wherever you are. </p>
  15903.  
  15904.  
  15905.  
  15906. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  15907.  
  15908.  
  15909.  
  15910. <ul>
  15911. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> 16 hours&nbsp;</li>
  15912.  
  15913.  
  15914.  
  15915. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range:</strong> Up to 32 feet</li>
  15916.  
  15917.  
  15918.  
  15919. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> IP67</li>
  15920.  
  15921.  
  15922.  
  15923. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 3.43 x 3.43 x 4.41 inches&nbsp;</li>
  15924. </ul>
  15925.  
  15926.  
  15927.  
  15928. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  15929.  
  15930.  
  15931.  
  15932. <ul>
  15933. <li>Removable strap</li>
  15934.  
  15935.  
  15936.  
  15937. <li>UV coating&nbsp;</li>
  15938.  
  15939.  
  15940.  
  15941. <li>Five cool colorways</li>
  15942.  
  15943.  
  15944.  
  15945. <li>Extra Bass&nbsp;</li>
  15946. </ul>
  15947.  
  15948.  
  15949.  
  15950. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  15951.  
  15952.  
  15953.  
  15954. <ul>
  15955. <li>Extra bass isn’t adjustable&nbsp;</li>
  15956. </ul>
  15957.  
  15958.  
  15959.  
  15960. <p>If you’re looking for a compact speaker that weighs less than 1 pound and costs less than $50 but doesn’t sacrifice bass-booming sound, then the SRS-XB100 is the best bass Bluetooth speaker for you. With a 20Hz &#8211; 20kHz frequency response and a dedicated passive radiator to reinforce low-end, your music won’t be found lacking when it comes to heart-thumping beats. An IP67 rating means it’s protected from water and debris, so you can toss it into your beach bag without worrying about sand getting into the speaker grill. Available in five modern colors, each unit comes with a matching multiway strap, so you can easily carry the speaker if you run out of room in your backpack, or hang it up for easy access at a pool party. With an extra XB100 speaker, you can enable stereo mode, and a USB-C port means you can charge quickly to keep the party going all night long. And the integrated microphone means you can have a conference call from the campfire.</p>
  15961.  
  15962.  
  15963.  
  15964. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-waterproof-ultimate-ears-wonderboom-3"><strong>Best waterproof:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/WONDERBOOM-Bluetooth-360-Degree-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B09KX2M2RS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3</a></h3>
  15965.  
  15966.  
  15967. <div
  15968.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  15969.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  15970. >
  15971.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  15972.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/WONDERBOOM-Bluetooth-360-Degree-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B09KX2M2RS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  15973.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  15974.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/04/25/WonderBoom3_1-product-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/04/25/WonderBoom3_1-product-image.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Wonderbom 3 on bathroom counter in front of Mr. Mittens">
  15975.                      </figure>
  15976.                  </a>
  15977.            </div>
  15978.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  15979.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  15980.        <p><em>Tony Ware</em></p>
  15981.  
  15982.      </figcaption>
  15983.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  15984.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/WONDERBOOM-Bluetooth-360-Degree-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B09KX2M2RS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  15985.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  15986.      </p>
  15987.      </div>
  15988. </div>
  15989.  
  15990.  
  15991.  
  15992. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  15993.  
  15994.  
  15995.  
  15996. <ul>
  15997. <li><strong>Battery life: </strong>14 hours</li>
  15998.  
  15999.  
  16000.  
  16001. <li><strong>Bluetooth range: </strong>131 feet</li>
  16002.  
  16003.  
  16004.  
  16005. <li><strong>IP rating:</strong> IP67</li>
  16006.  
  16007.  
  16008.  
  16009. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 3.68 x 3.68 x 4.02 inches</li>
  16010. </ul>
  16011.  
  16012.  
  16013.  
  16014. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  16015.  
  16016.  
  16017.  
  16018. <ul>
  16019. <li>Easily portable&nbsp;</li>
  16020.  
  16021.  
  16022.  
  16023. <li>Can be submerged for up to 30 minutes&nbsp;</li>
  16024.  
  16025.  
  16026.  
  16027. <li>Impressive volume&nbsp;</li>
  16028. </ul>
  16029.  
  16030.  
  16031.  
  16032. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  16033.  
  16034.  
  16035.  
  16036. <ul>
  16037. <li>No microphone&nbsp;</li>
  16038.  
  16039.  
  16040.  
  16041. <li>No USB-C charging</li>
  16042. </ul>
  16043.  
  16044.  
  16045.  
  16046. <p>The WONDERBOOM 3 from Ultimate Ears is a great option for any listener who needs <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-shower-speakers/">the perfect shower speaker</a> or pool-party pal. The unique design is an immediate eye-catcher, and the sound quality is genuinely impressive for its size. Power by two active drivers and two passive radiators, coverage is pretty great with solid reproduction across the lows, mids, and highs. Granted, it doesn’t have the heart-pounding bass a larger speaker would, but will certainly do for poolside, lakefront, or river raft listening.&nbsp; Plus, it can be paired with a second WONDERBOOM for even better stereo sound. An Outdoor Boost button at the bottom of the speaker adjusts the sound to suit your environment better.</p>
  16047.  
  16048.  
  16049.  
  16050. <p>If you’ve ever seen a picture before of the WONDERBOOM 3, chances are it’s bobbing around in a pool or being sprayed with water from a rogue splash. This is, yes, because of target ads, but also because this tiny but mighty speaker is genuinely well-suited for “aquatic” listening. The IP67 rating means it’s essentially waterproof. Specifically, you can submerge this model in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. It’s okay to accidentally drop this speaker in the pool, bathtub, or ocean. This rating also means it’s also protected from dust and debris.&nbsp;</p>
  16051.  
  16052.  
  16053.  
  16054. <p>Build-wise, you get a stable rubber loop at the top of the speaker that can easily clip to a backpack or make for easier carrying. You’ll also get large, easy-to-use onboard controls, so you won’t have to get your pruney wet fingers all over your smartphone just to change the volume or skip a song. The WONDERBOOM 3 comes in four fun colors, including “Hot Pink” and “Performance Blue.” (And, if you dig the aesthetic and budget becomes less of a concern, the new, admittedly much more expensive <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Ears-984-001862-PUCCINI-Black/dp/B0BPC7K89B?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">EPICBOOM</a> brings a <em>lot</em> more bass and even more battery to the party, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw3pCQHuurn/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">while remaining floatable</a>.) </p>
  16055.  
  16056.  
  16057.  
  16058. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best for travel:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL Clip 4</a></h3>
  16059.  
  16060.  
  16061. <div
  16062.    id="jbl-clip-4"
  16063.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  16064.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  16065. >
  16066.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  16067.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  16068.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  16069.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/09/27/JBL-Clip-4.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="JBL Clip 4">
  16070.                      </figure>
  16071.                  </a>
  16072.            </div>
  16073.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  16074.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  16075.        <p><em>JBL</em></p>
  16076.  
  16077.      </figcaption>
  16078.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  16079.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  16080.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  16081.      </p>
  16082.      </div>
  16083. </div>
  16084.  
  16085.  
  16086.  
  16087. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  16088.  
  16089.  
  16090.  
  16091. <ul>
  16092. <li><strong>Battery life: </strong>10 hours</li>
  16093.  
  16094.  
  16095.  
  16096. <li><strong>Bluetooth range: </strong>32 feet</li>
  16097.  
  16098.  
  16099.  
  16100. <li><strong>IP rating: </strong>IP67</li>
  16101. </ul>
  16102.  
  16103.  
  16104.  
  16105. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  16106.  
  16107.  
  16108.  
  16109. <ul>
  16110. <li>Excellent design</li>
  16111.  
  16112.  
  16113.  
  16114. <li>USB-C charging</li>
  16115.  
  16116.  
  16117.  
  16118. <li>Good volume</li>
  16119. </ul>
  16120.  
  16121.  
  16122.  
  16123. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  16124.  
  16125.  
  16126.  
  16127. <ul>
  16128. <li>No fast charge&nbsp;</li>
  16129.  
  16130.  
  16131.  
  16132. <li>No wired connectivity</li>
  16133. </ul>
  16134.  
  16135.  
  16136.  
  16137. <p>The JBL Clip 4 is a small speaker designed to keep you connected wherever your travels take you. Weighing just over half a pound, with an integrated carabiner clip, you can attach this speaker to your backpack, suitcase, bike handle, lunch box, belt loop, etc. There are rubberized grips on the speaker&#8217;s backside to increase stability, and the textured wrap covering most of the speaker is easy to hold onto. All in all, this is the easiest speaker to grab and go if you&#8217;re hiking or cycling; plus, it has an IP67 rating, so you can even attach it to your shower rod, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-beach-tent/">beach tent</a>, or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/oru-beach-lt-sport-kayak-review/">foldable kayak</a> (yes, it&#8217;s a thing).</p>
  16138.  
  16139.  
  16140.  
  16141. <p>Sound quality is pretty solid for such a small unit thanks to an impressive dynamic driver; plus, it can get <em>loud</em> for a 5-watt output (JBL knows how to build <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-party-speakers/">a potent party speaker</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-waterproof-speakers/">sensational shower speaker</a>). Yes, it’s a little lacking in low-end, but that’s par for the course. Overall, this little guy sounds great. Sound can be controlled by five onboard buttons and charges via USB-C. </p>
  16142.  
  16143.  
  16144.  
  16145. <p>If you don’t want to play the $80 market price for the Clip 4,&nbsp;check out early models, like the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Black-Noise-Cancelling-Speakerphone/dp/B07Q6ZWMLR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Clip 3</a>, which are still available for just under $50.</p>
  16146.  
  16147.  
  16148.  
  16149. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Splashproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Radiator/dp/B010OYASRG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Oontz Angle 3</a></h3>
  16150.  
  16151.  
  16152. <div
  16153.    id="the-nice-price"
  16154.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  16155.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  16156. >
  16157.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  16158.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Splashproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Radiator/dp/B010OYASRG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  16159.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  16160.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/OontZ_Bluetooth_speaker_product_card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/OontZ_Bluetooth_speaker_product_card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="OontZ Bluetooth speaker product image">
  16161.                      </figure>
  16162.                  </a>
  16163.            </div>
  16164.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  16165.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  16166.        <p><em>OontZ</em></p>
  16167.  
  16168.      </figcaption>
  16169.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  16170.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Splashproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Radiator/dp/B010OYASRG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  16171.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  16172.      </p>
  16173.      </div>
  16174. </div>
  16175.  
  16176.  
  16177.  
  16178. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: With an impressive connectivity range, solid battery life, and thousands of positive user reviews, the Oontz Angle 3 is one of the best budget Bluetooth speakers for those looking to spend less than $35.</p>
  16179.  
  16180.  
  16181.  
  16182. <p><strong>Specs&nbsp;</strong></p>
  16183.  
  16184.  
  16185.  
  16186. <ul>
  16187. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> 14 hours&nbsp;</li>
  16188.  
  16189.  
  16190.  
  16191. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range:</strong> Approx. 100 feet&nbsp;</li>
  16192.  
  16193.  
  16194.  
  16195. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> IPX5</li>
  16196.  
  16197.  
  16198.  
  16199. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 5.3 x 2.8 x 2.6 inches</li>
  16200. </ul>
  16201.  
  16202.  
  16203.  
  16204. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  16205.  
  16206.  
  16207.  
  16208. <ul>
  16209. <li>Extended Connectivity Range</li>
  16210.  
  16211.  
  16212.  
  16213. <li>Price</li>
  16214.  
  16215.  
  16216.  
  16217. <li>Stereo Drivers</li>
  16218. </ul>
  16219.  
  16220.  
  16221.  
  16222. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  16223.  
  16224.  
  16225.  
  16226. <ul>
  16227. <li>Not fully environment-proof </li>
  16228.  
  16229.  
  16230.  
  16231. <li>Limited onboard controls&nbsp;</li>
  16232.  
  16233.  
  16234.  
  16235. <li>Sound quality is just okay</li>
  16236. </ul>
  16237.  
  16238.  
  16239.  
  16240. <p>While the Angle 3 isn’t touting many bells and whistles, it will have what you need to take tunes with you on the go. It&#8217;s got 10 watts that power acoustic stereo drivers, as well as a passive radiator—all wrapped up in 10 different colorways. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, this wedge-like speaker delivers a strong connection across 100 feet and is compatible with most current devices. With its IPX5 rating, you won’t want to toss this model into the pool, but you don’t need to worry about a few splashes or drops of rain. While the volume is certainly there, don’t expect a lot when it comes to wide stereo, booming bass, or true clarity across mids and highs. It’ll do the trick for lite listening on the go, but it won’t necessarily stand up to other, more expensive models. That being said, if you just need something that&#8217;s far preferable to silence, the Angle 3 should do the trick.</p>
  16241.  
  16242.  
  16243.  
  16244. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best party speaker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Tribit XSound Mega</a></h3>
  16245.  
  16246.  
  16247. <div
  16248.    id="booming-volume"
  16249.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  16250.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  16251. >
  16252.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  16253.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  16254.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  16255.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/Tribit_XSound_Mega_product_card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/02/03/Tribit_XSound_Mega_product_card.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Tribit Speaker on a wooden table.">
  16256.                      </figure>
  16257.                  </a>
  16258.            </div>
  16259.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  16260.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  16261.        <p><em>Carsen Joenk</em></p>
  16262.  
  16263.      </figcaption>
  16264.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  16265.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  16266.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  16267.      </p>
  16268.      </div>
  16269. </div>
  16270.  
  16271.  
  16272.  
  16273. <p><strong>Why it made the cut</strong>: Boosted bass, additional EQ presents, and a veritable light show deliver a high-end listening experience at a reasonable price.&nbsp;</p>
  16274.  
  16275.  
  16276.  
  16277. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  16278.  
  16279.  
  16280.  
  16281. <ul>
  16282. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> 20 hours&nbsp;</li>
  16283.  
  16284.  
  16285.  
  16286. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range:</strong> Up to 98 feet</li>
  16287.  
  16288.  
  16289.  
  16290. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> IPX7</li>
  16291.  
  16292.  
  16293.  
  16294. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 10.66 x 3.42 x 3.14 inches&nbsp;</li>
  16295. </ul>
  16296.  
  16297.  
  16298.  
  16299. <p><strong>Pros:&nbsp;</strong></p>
  16300.  
  16301.  
  16302.  
  16303. <ul>
  16304. <li>3 listening modes&nbsp;</li>
  16305.  
  16306.  
  16307.  
  16308. <li>Dual charging/powerbank ports&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
  16309.  
  16310.  
  16311.  
  16312. <li>Music-activated lighting&nbsp;</li>
  16313.  
  16314.  
  16315.  
  16316. <li>Carrying strap&nbsp;</li>
  16317. </ul>
  16318.  
  16319.  
  16320.  
  16321. <p><strong>Cons:&nbsp;</strong></p>
  16322.  
  16323.  
  16324.  
  16325. <ul>
  16326. <li>Some distortion at high volumes&nbsp;</li>
  16327.  
  16328.  
  16329.  
  16330. <li>Pricier</li>
  16331. </ul>
  16332.  
  16333.  
  16334.  
  16335. <p>If you’re having a gathering with more people you’re going to want more sound, and that may mean spending a little more, so here’s the best Bluetooth party speaker if your budget can stretch slightly above $100. The Tribit XSound Mega, released in early January, follows the waterproof, outdoor-friendly, ultraportable <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-XSound-Bluetooth-Speakers-Built/dp/B07594HZ6Y?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">XSound Go</a> models with a similar form factor but significant upgrades when it comes to sound quality and visual appeal. </p>
  16336.  
  16337.  
  16338.  
  16339. <p>Right out of the box, the Mega feels sleeker than some of its contemporaries with a texturized rubber surface that’s easy to grip, a black speaker grill, a discrete brand label, and smooth, integrated onboard controls. These seven intuitive buttons control power, Bluetooth pairing, play/pause, volume down, volume up, light adjustment, and EQ adjustment. Directly underneath the EQ Mode button are three indicators that will tell you which mode has been triggered: options include XBass, Music, and Audiobooks. At the back of the speaker is a rubber panel housing USB-A and USB-C ports for charging/using the 8000mAh battery as a powerbank to top off other devices, plus an AUX input. The included carrying strap is black and grey with silver hardware and two small carabiners easily clip onto the discrete embedded handles, which certainly helps shoulder the speaker’s 2.2 pounds. The visual pièce de résistance is the frame of LEDs that surrounds the front face of the speaker—a rainbow gradient of light that slowly cycles through colors while you pair your device.&nbsp;</p>
  16340.  
  16341.  
  16342.  
  16343. <p>Bluetooth 5.0 pairing is simple and easy, following the standard protocol of most speakers. The Mega is also equipped with NFC (Near-Field Communication), this is the same technology that allows you to tap your phone at a point-of-purchase to use ApplePay or Android Pay. NFC eliminates the need to push buttons and scroll through settings by allowing you to simply tap your speaker and phone together to establish a secure connection. Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t equipped any of their phones with controllable NFC modes, so you can only take advantage of this function if you have an Android or another device running Windows 10 or higher. The final pairing option you can consider is Broadcast Mode, which will allow you to link more than 100 XSound Megas together for a boost in volume or stereo playback.&nbsp;</p>
  16344.  
  16345.  
  16346.  
  16347. <p>When it comes to sound quality, this Tribit speaker has the thump if not exactly the clarity and soundstage of comparable models, like the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/jbl-charge-5-review/">JBL Charge 5</a>. An impressive 30 watts power a driver with a pure titanium diaphragm, which combines with two passive radiators to reproduce low frequencies to 45Hz and high frequencies up to 14kHz. Audiobook mode successfully isolates the dulcet tones of Jim Dale, who you might recognize as the reader of the <em>Harry Potter</em> series, though the audio can get a little muddy if you are listening to a music- or sound design-heavy podcast. However, Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan’s sultry vocals and staccato keys on “Come Undone” are smooth and clear when Music mode is triggered. The low-end on Subtrakt’s “Wildfire” is big and bold when XBass is engaged, delivering a party-appropriate level of “thump” to get things going without overpowering the vocals. The volume can reach over 100 dB but some distortion does occur when pushed to its max, though that is to be expected from a speaker of this size. </p>
  16348.  
  16349.  
  16350.  
  16351. <p>One of our favorite features is the light display, which flashes in time with the beat of whatever you are playing. You can select from different options: a continuous oval of rainbow lacing glowing around the speaker grill&#8217;s perimeter; colors pulsing rhythmically in a symmetrical left/right or top/bottom pair, almost mimicking the metering you’d see on a recording studio console or DAW; or a circuit traveling the display track changing color, speeding up and slowing down in time with the beat. You can also forgo the light display altogether, but a 20-hour battery life keeps all that flair from fading fast.</p>
  16352.  
  16353.  
  16354.  
  16355. <p>While this model is a bit more expensive than other budget-friendly models, you will certainly get what you pay for when it comes to audio quality and special features.</p>
  16356.  
  16357.  
  16358.  
  16359. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><strong>Best for (viewing) parties:</strong> </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Marshall-Kilburn-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B07H7CZ6BZ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-EarFun-Portable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0B1PJ5SQ7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">EarFun UBOOM L</a></h3>
  16360.  
  16361.  
  16362. <div
  16363.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  16364.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  16365. >
  16366.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  16367.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-EarFun-Portable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0B1PJ5SQ7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  16368.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  16369.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/01/29/image1-3.jpeg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/01/29/image1-3.jpeg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="EarFun UBOOM L speaker from the side">
  16370.                      </figure>
  16371.                  </a>
  16372.            </div>
  16373.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  16374.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  16375.        <p><em>Carsen Joenk</em></p>
  16376.  
  16377.      </figcaption>
  16378.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  16379.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-EarFun-Portable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0B1PJ5SQ7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  16380.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  16381.      </p>
  16382.      </div>
  16383. </div>
  16384.  
  16385.  
  16386.  
  16387. <p><strong>Why it made the cut:</strong> Its wide, rich sound, surprising for a speaker this size, delivers a powerful listening experience at a reasonable price. </p>
  16388.  
  16389.  
  16390.  
  16391. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  16392.  
  16393.  
  16394.  
  16395. <ul>
  16396. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> 16 hours </li>
  16397.  
  16398.  
  16399.  
  16400. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range: </strong>up to 50 feet</li>
  16401.  
  16402.  
  16403.  
  16404. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> IP67</li>
  16405.  
  16406.  
  16407.  
  16408. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 8.27 x 3.07 x 2.83 inches </li>
  16409. </ul>
  16410.  
  16411.  
  16412.  
  16413. <p><strong>Pros&nbsp;</strong></p>
  16414.  
  16415.  
  16416.  
  16417. <ul>
  16418. <li>Video mode&nbsp;</li>
  16419.  
  16420.  
  16421.  
  16422. <li>Aux connection available&nbsp;</li>
  16423.  
  16424.  
  16425.  
  16426. <li>Stereo Pairing</li>
  16427. </ul>
  16428.  
  16429.  
  16430.  
  16431. <p><strong>Cons&nbsp;</strong></p>
  16432.  
  16433.  
  16434.  
  16435. <ul>
  16436. <li>Short charging cable&nbsp;</li>
  16437.  
  16438.  
  16439.  
  16440. <li>Only available in black</li>
  16441. </ul>
  16442.  
  16443.  
  16444.  
  16445. <p>The UBOOM L from EarFun is a budget-friendly Bluetooth speaker that delivers surprisingly impressive sound. While the texturized black grill, rubber trim, and raised buttons resemble its predecessors and contemporaries (like the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/treblab-hd77-review/">Treblab HD77</a> or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/jbl-flip-5-review/">JBL Flip 5</a>), its price:performance helps this compact speaker stand out in the sub-$100 crowd.&nbsp;Two 14-watt, 55mm drivers and dual passive radiators support potent but balanced playback across the full frequency range. Bluetooth 5.0 supports a stable connection for up to 100 feet of distance. Multiple devices can connect to the UBOOM L, so you can easily pass along the party playlist responsibilities; to really kick things up a notch, you can easily create a stereo pair using two UBOOM Ls, widening coverage and essentially doubling volume (great for gatherings). Three listening modes are available: Indoor, Outdoor, and Video—the most unique of the bunch. Using digital signal processing (DSP) technology, Indoor mode focuses on sonic clarity and depth, while Outdoor mode boosts volume and low-end bump. Video mode supports low-latency playback with lag reduced to 150ms, making it an excellent solution to greatly improve sound when watching movies and TV shows from a laptop or other device with smaller internal speakers. A built-in microphone makes hands-free calls an option, and an IP67 rating means the appropriately portable speaker is protected from dirt and water damage when you take it to the pool or on a trek.</p>
  16446.  
  16447.  
  16448.  
  16449. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Best smart speaker:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-4th-Gen-Twilight-Blue/dp/B085HK4KL6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Amazon Echo (4th Gen.)</a></h3>
  16450.  
  16451.  
  16452. <div
  16453.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  16454.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  16455. >
  16456.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  16457.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-4th-Gen-Twilight-Blue/dp/B085HK4KL6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  16458.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  16459.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/01/19/amazon-ech-fourth-gen.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2022/01/19/amazon-ech-fourth-gen.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="The Amazon Echo is the best smart speaker for under $100">
  16460.                      </figure>
  16461.                  </a>
  16462.            </div>
  16463.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  16464.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  16465.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-4th-Gen-Twilight-Blue/dp/B085HK4KL6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000"
  16466.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  16467.      </p>
  16468.      </div>
  16469. </div>
  16470.  
  16471.  
  16472.  
  16473. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>For under $100, the 4th-gen. Amazon Echo is the perfect at-home speaker with a built-in microphone, impressive sound quality, and multiple connectivity options.&nbsp;</p>
  16474.  
  16475.  
  16476.  
  16477. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  16478.  
  16479.  
  16480.  
  16481. <ul>
  16482. <li><strong>Battery Life:</strong> Not rechargeable </li>
  16483.  
  16484.  
  16485.  
  16486. <li><strong>Bluetooth Range:</strong> 30 feet</li>
  16487.  
  16488.  
  16489.  
  16490. <li><strong>IP Rating:</strong> None</li>
  16491.  
  16492.  
  16493.  
  16494. <li><strong>Size:</strong> 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches</li>
  16495. </ul>
  16496.  
  16497.  
  16498.  
  16499. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  16500.  
  16501.  
  16502.  
  16503. <ul>
  16504. <li>Sound quality&nbsp;</li>
  16505.  
  16506.  
  16507.  
  16508. <li>Auxiliary port&nbsp;</li>
  16509.  
  16510.  
  16511.  
  16512. <li>Built-in mic&nbsp;</li>
  16513. </ul>
  16514.  
  16515.  
  16516.  
  16517. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  16518.  
  16519.  
  16520.  
  16521. <ul>
  16522. <li>Not portable&nbsp;</li>
  16523.  
  16524.  
  16525.  
  16526. <li>Not waterproof&nbsp;</li>
  16527. </ul>
  16528.  
  16529.  
  16530.  
  16531. <p>While the Amazon Echo is not a speaker you can take with you on the go, it is the best option for indoor listening if you&#8217;re assembling <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-smart-home-devices/">a smart-home system</a> around Alexa. Like its Echo predecessors, the 4th-generation model is easy to use and compatible with many smart devices, doubling as a smart home hub for those who have smart lights, switches, doorbells, locks, and more. Even without the extra fixtures, Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa can help you set up timers, reminders, check the weather, call your family and friends, or call up your favorite playlists. The built-in microphone and speaker capabilities make for streamlined, hands-free communication. Installing more than one Echo in your home means you can program and sync multiroom music.</p>
  16532.  
  16533.  
  16534.  
  16535. <p>Available in three sleek colorways, the Echo will not only look good but sound good, with dual front-firing 0.8-inch tweeters and surprising bass thanks to a 3.0-inch neodymium woofer. These three drivers combine to deliver a satisfying thump and improved clarity, plus they support Dolby Audio (but not <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-dolby-atmos-soundbars/">Dolby Atmos</a>). Wi-Fi enabled, you can cast music from your phone if you’re on the same network or let it take direct advantage of connected services like Amazon Music HD, Audible, or Spotify Connect if you want to reserve your Bluetooth for another device.  </p>
  16536.  
  16537.  
  16538.  
  16539. <p>The Echo orb is equipped with onboard controls that will allow you to control volume, mute the microphone, or skip tracks. An LED ring at the base of the speakers will illuminate when Alexa has been activated and glow red when the microphone is muted. At the back of the speaker, you’ll find a power input port and an aux port for analog connections. The Echo is not a portable speaker, so it will need to stay plugged in at all times, though the Bluetooth 5.0 connection means you can play from just about any smart device in your home (and most rooms, depending on the layout of your walls).</p>
  16540.  
  16541.  
  16542.  
  16543. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2--strong-other-product-recommendations-strong-"><strong><strong>Here are other options we think sound like a good investment:</strong></strong></h2>
  16544.  
  16545.  
  16546.  
  16547. <ul>
  16548. <li><strong>Best battery life: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-XSound-Bluetooth-Speakers-Built/dp/B07594HZ6Y?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Tribit XSound Go</a></li>
  16549.  
  16550.  
  16551.  
  16552. <li><strong>Best ultraportable:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Bluetooth-Built-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B08KW1KR5H?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL GO 3</a></li>
  16553.  
  16554.  
  16555.  
  16556. <li><strong>Best compact connected speaker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-New-release-Smart-speaker-Charcoal/dp/B09B8V1LZ3?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Echo Dot (5th Gen)</a></li>
  16557.  
  16558.  
  16559.  
  16560. <li><strong>Best to strap on a bike:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-StormBox-Portable-Speaker-Built/dp/B09Q59321N?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Tribit StormBox Micro 2</a></li>
  16561.  
  16562.  
  16563.  
  16564. <li><strong>Best with RGB lights:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/TREBLAB-HD-Mini-Bluetooth-Playtime-Waterproof/dp/B0BWYW4SVV?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">TREBLAB HD-Mini</a></li>
  16565. </ul>
  16566.  
  16567.  
  16568.  
  16569. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Things to consider before buying the best budget Bluetooth speakers</strong></h2>
  16570.  
  16571.  
  16572.  
  16573. <p>In order to find the best budget Bluetooth speaker for you, think about what features will be a defining factor in your final decision. Are you prioritizing battery life? Volume? Portability? When it comes to inexpensive speakers, you might not have all the fancy features of a high-end model at your fingertips, but as long as you know what you want to focus on, you’ll be satisfied.&nbsp;</p>
  16574.  
  16575.  
  16576.  
  16577. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What should a budget Bluetooth speaker sound like?&nbsp;</h3>
  16578.  
  16579.  
  16580.  
  16581. <p>Sound quality is typically a top priority, no matter what <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-makes-up-a-speaker/">kind of speaker</a> you’re looking at. While we cannot expect a 6-inch speaker to carry the same sonic weight as a set of premium monitors, you can still make smart choices if you value sound above the rest. </p>
  16582.  
  16583.  
  16584.  
  16585. <p>First and foremost, if you want better sound you’ll have to sacrifice a little bit of portability. That’s because larger units are generally more equipped to maintain consistent, distortion-free audio even as you turn the volume up (a common critique of compact speakers is that though they can get pretty loud, the audio quality significantly degrades with each decibel). Bigger speakers also have more room for well-designed subwoofers, which provide an accurate low end that won’t totally overpower the mids and highs, making for a more satisfying mix.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  16586.  
  16587.  
  16588.  
  16589. <p>If you really want booming bass but can’t upgrade when it comes to size, many smaller units now come equipped with “bass boosting” technology that uses digital signal processing to put an emphasis on low-end frequencies that bumps without any rattle. While this can be a major pro for parties or at-home workout playlists, beware of speakers that use these boosts to overcompensate for a lack of clarity throughout other frequencies.&nbsp;</p>
  16590.  
  16591.  
  16592.  
  16593. <p>To learn more about where your new speaker will succeed or fall short when it comes to audio quality, look at the frequency response. Measured in hertz and kilohertz, this range lets you know the range of frequencies (lows, mids, and highs) the speaker will support. More often than not, you’ll see a response range from 20Hz &#8211; 20kHz, which are the limits of human hearing for both highs and lows. This is certainly an ideal range; however, just because the model boasts a wide range doesn’t mean it won’t suffer from dips and peaks around specific frequencies. For a really in-depth understanding of the speaker’s success at accurately reproducing audio, you can take a look at a frequency response graph for the product, often created with audio testing by a third party.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  16594.  
  16595.  
  16596.  
  16597. <p>For more information about volume, check out the speaker’s specs to find a maximum decibel level, notated as dB. If you are primarily playing music inside, you won’t need to go over 100 dB and we don’t even recommend listening at that level, as it’s akin to listening to a jackhammer at close range. On the other hand, if you’re hosting an outdoor party with many people in attendance, you could think about increasing the volume to 115 dB, which is concert-level; music at this volume will cover a large area, but you wouldn’t want anyone standing too close. Generally speaking, we are satisfied with Bluetooth speakers that maintain good sound quality at 85 dB for larger gatherings. As I write, I am happily listening to music at 74 dB and really don’t require any more volume.&nbsp;</p>
  16598.  
  16599.  
  16600.  
  16601. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What’s the deal with codecs and connectivity?</h3>
  16602.  
  16603.  
  16604.  
  16605. <p>While options can be limited when it comes to budget speakers, we recommend looking for gear that supports the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/how-does-bluetooth-work/">most recent version of Bluetooth</a> you can find (at the moment that’s anything in the 5.0 range). A Bluetooth 5.1 or 5.2 and especially 5.3 or 5.4 speaker will have a more stable connection, which makes it easier to support brand-specific features like allowing more than one person to connect and control the speaker at a time. Bluetooth 4.0 will still function just fine with most devices, but you may miss out on some range, stability, and special features like multiuser pairing. </p>
  16606.  
  16607.  
  16608.  
  16609. <p>A Bluetooth codec describes the way in which your digital audio data is encoded and decoded from a source device to your speaker or headphones. To get the most from these high-speed transfers both your receiver and transmitter need to be equipped with the same codecs. The most common codec to see is SBC, which is supported by every Bluetooth speaker. While not the highest quality codec, it’s a virtually universal, reliable way to transfer data. If you’re an iOS user looking for higher quality, consider a speaker with AAC, or <a href="https://mpeg.chiariglione.org/standards/mpeg-2/advanced-audio-coding" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Audio Coding</a>. If you have an Android smartdevice, select a speaker with aptX/aptX HD/aptX Adaptive (or LDAC) support for faster transfer rates that preserve more data.&nbsp;</p>
  16610.  
  16611.  
  16612.  
  16613. <p>One final thing to keep in mind when considering connectivity is Bluetooth range. This describes how far you can wander away from your device before the sound starts to get fuzzy and eventually you get disconnected. If you plan to never leave your speaker’s side, you’ll probably be fine with a connectivity range under 30 feet. However, if you’re listening to music outdoors, need to go inside, and you don’t want to leave your phone unattended, then look for a speaker with a range above 35 feet.&nbsp;</p>
  16614.  
  16615.  
  16616.  
  16617. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What kind of special features should you look for?</h3>
  16618.  
  16619.  
  16620.  
  16621. <p>Typically, the best budget Bluetooth speakers lack high-flying special features, though this isn’t always the case. If a Bluetooth speaker provides custom EQ options via an app or onboard control, that is a major win. Custom equalization will give you way more control over your sound and is particularly helpful if you are listening to various types of media—as you certainly won’t need to boost the bass when you’re listening to Terry Gross on “Fresh Air.” Some inexpensive models are starting to roll out visual features first employed by higher-end models, like bold colorways or LED panels that pulse to the beat.&nbsp;</p>
  16622.  
  16623.  
  16624.  
  16625. <p>Another prime feature to look for is the elusive onboard microphone that will let you conduct phone calls or speak to voice assistants like Siri or Alexa without having to pick up your device.&nbsp;</p>
  16626.  
  16627.  
  16628.  
  16629. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is the bare minimum when it comes to battery life?<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>
  16630.  
  16631.  
  16632.  
  16633. <p>Luckily, one of the things budget Bluetooth speakers rarely sacrifice is battery life. Even at a lower price, it’s unlikely you’ll come across a model that has less than a 10-hour charge and many can do even better. For infrequent listening at moderate volume, 10 hours of playback could last you up to a week; however, the louder you play your music, the faster battery life will be depleted. If a speaker boasts 13 hours of consistent playback, you may get something closer to 7-10 hours if you&#8217;re blasting EDM all night long. Party throwers and party-goers should look for a model that boasts a battery that can last over 12 hours. </p>
  16634.  
  16635.  
  16636.  
  16637. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">How do you know if your budget Bluetooth speaker is actually waterproof?<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>
  16638.  
  16639.  
  16640.  
  16641. <p>The only way to guarantee your speaker is waterproof (or dustproof) is to look at its IP rating. If you’ve ever purchased a portable speaker before or checked out one of our other reviews, you’ll know that IP rating is one of the most important specs to check out before buying. This is especially true if you know you want to prioritize outdoor use. If you want a speaker to safely take you to the beach or into the shower—make sure you investigate how well it’s already protected from the elements.</p>
  16642.  
  16643.  
  16644.  
  16645. <p>IP stands for “Ingress Protection,” which tells you just how fortified an electronic device is against dirt, dust, and water. These ratings are typically composed of two numbers, or one number and an X. We often cite the Wonderboom 2, a tried-and-true favorite, when it comes to durability. The Wonderboom 2 has an IP67 rating. The first digit describes particle protection, the second liquid. The “6” indicates it can keep out most dust and dirt particles, while the “7” means it can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes before any damage occurs, making it a great option for poolside tunes. The higher the number, the more protected your speakers will be from debris and water. This is why you can often find the Wonderboom poolside, or hanging off a showerhead.&nbsp;</p>
  16646.  
  16647.  
  16648.  
  16649. <p>You may find an IP that replaces particle protection with an “X,” written as IPX7, for example. An “X” in place of any number means no data is available for that substance, or rather that the unit is not protected from that substance.&nbsp;</p>
  16650.  
  16651.  
  16652.  
  16653. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  16654.  
  16655.  
  16656.  
  16657. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713359037047"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Can cheap speakers sound good?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Yes, cheap speakers can sound good. Of course, the more you can invest, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-bluetooth-speakers/">the more options you’ll have</a> when it comes to special features, more powerful drivers, better frequency response, etc., but you don’t necessarily have to spend thousands to get good sound quality. Generally speaking, smaller speakers can’t carry the sonic load a larger speaker can (hence why portable Bluetooth speakers often lack low-end), but this doesn’t mean you can’t find something inexpensive that will suit your listening tastes. Of course, if you’re an audiophile a cheap Bluetooth speaker isn’t going to live up to your standards. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643919215063"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: What&#8217;s the best Bluetooth speaker brand?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The best Bluetooth speaker brand is widely debated and will certainly depend on your unique needs and preferences. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Bang%20&Olufsen_Bluetooth_speaker=&crid=2PAO01JAXWHR7&sprefix=bang%20&olufsen_bluetooth_speaker%2Caps%2C51=&ref=nb_sb_noss%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bang &amp; Olufsen</a> are known for turning out high-end products with excellent sound quality. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sonos%20Bluetooth%20speaker&crid=250B1ABO8K2TK&sprefix=sonos%20bluetooth%20speaker%2Caps%2C54&ref=nb_sb_noss%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sonos</a> continues to top the charts when it comes to in-home connectivity. For more rugged, portable models our favorite brands have to be <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=UE%20Bluetooth%20speaker&crid=1YZRZMD970W8U&sprefix=ue%20bluetooth%20speaker%2Caps%2C111&ref=nb_sb_noss%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ultimate Ears</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=JBL%20Bluetooth%20speaker&crid=37B00H51AKX23&sprefix=jbl%20bluetooth%20speaker%2Caps%2C77&ref=nb_sb_noss%3Ftag%3Dcamdenxpsc-20&tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL</a>, both of which have products that claimed top spots in this article. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643919222473"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Which speaker is best, JBL or Sony?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">When it comes to finding the best budget Bluetooth speakers, JBL is going to give you more variety. They have a diverse range of budget-friendly options in various sizes, with distinctive features, including the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL Clip 4</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Bluetooth-Built-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B08KW1KR5H?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL Go 3</a>. These JBL models are compact, travel-friendly units designed to move with you. Currently, Sony only has one Bluetooth speaker under $90, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sony SRS-XB100</a>—a model we love, but you might be better off searching elsewhere for inexpensive speakers. Return to Sony if your budget gets a bit higher, or if you start the search for other techy treats, like a new television or game console. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1643919229866"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Which is better, JBL or Bose Bluetooth speaker?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Similar to the JBL versus Sony debate above, JBL continues to come out on top when it comes to affordable options. Bose does not currently have a model, the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundLink-Micro-Bluetooth-speaker/dp/B0748NCPRR?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">SoundLink Micro</a>, that regularly retails for under $119. However, if you plan on looking for a high-end speaker, soundbar, or home system in the future, Bose is certainly a brand worth investigating. </p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713359082679"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: How can I improve my Bluetooth battery life?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">There are a few things you can do to improve the battery life of your Bluetooth speaker. While you can’t magically make it extend its absolute maximum playtime, you can try to prevent an early battery death. The first thing to do is to lower the volume. If you are listening at max volume all day, your speaker is going to die significantly faster. Second, when you’re not using the speaker, ensure it’s off. Some units power down automatically after a certain period of time when nothing is playing; others need to be manually shut off. </p> </div> </div>
  16658.  
  16659.  
  16660.  
  16661. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Final thoughts on selecting the best budget Bluetooth speakers</strong></h2>
  16662.  
  16663.  
  16664.  
  16665. <ul>
  16666. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soundcore-Bluetooth-Diaphragm-Technology-Waterproof/dp/B09945ST5F?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Soundcore 3</a></li>
  16667.  
  16668.  
  16669.  
  16670. <li><strong>Best for bass: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Lightweight-Super-Compact-Extra-Durable-Waterproof/dp/B0C29CMM4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Sony SRS-XB100</a></li>
  16671.  
  16672.  
  16673.  
  16674. <li><strong>Best waterproof:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/ULTIMATE-EARS-WONDERBOOM-Radical-Red/dp/B07NFP6D7Q?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/WONDERBOOM-Bluetooth-360-Degree-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B09KX2M2RS?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3</a></li>
  16675.  
  16676.  
  16677.  
  16678. <li><strong>Best for travel:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/JBL-Clip-Built-Waterproof-JBLCLIP4BLKAM/dp/B08PJ7JMQM?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">JBL Clip 4</a></li>
  16679.  
  16680.  
  16681.  
  16682. <li><strong>Best budget: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enhanced-Splashproof-Portable-Bluetooth-Radiator/dp/B010OYASRG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Oontz Angle 3</a></li>
  16683.  
  16684.  
  16685.  
  16686. <li><strong>Best party speaker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tribit-Outdoor-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker/dp/B09DKGPST6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Tribit XSound Mega</a></li>
  16687.  
  16688.  
  16689.  
  16690. <li><strong>Best for (viewing) parties:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-EarFun-Portable-Waterproof-Dustproof/dp/B0B1PJ5SQ7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">EarFun UBOOM L</a></li>
  16691.  
  16692.  
  16693.  
  16694. <li><strong>Best smart speaker:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-New-release-Smart-speaker-Charcoal/dp/B09B8V1LZ3?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-new-Echo-4th-Gen-Twilight-Blue/dp/B085HK4KL6?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000423525O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Amazon Echo (4th Gen.)</a></a></li>
  16695. </ul>
  16696.  
  16697.  
  16698.  
  16699. <p>You don’t need to go above and beyond your means to find the best budget Bluetooth speakers that will satisfy your sonic needs. There are plenty of options out there that you can take with you to the park, beach, or nearest house party without breaking the bank. Generally speaking, an inexpensive speaker won’t have all the bells and whistles a fancier model might, but you can still tune into your favorite audiobooks, podcasts, and playlists—which, at the end of the day, is all a Bluetooth speaker is designed to do.</p>
  16700.  
  16701.  
  16702.  
  16703. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><em><strong>Why trust us</strong></em></h2>
  16704.  
  16705.  
  16706.  
  16707. <p>Popular Science<em>&nbsp;started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  16708.  
  16709.  
  16710.  
  16711. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  16712. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-budget-bluetooth-speakers/">The best budget Bluetooth speakers in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16713. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  16717. </item>
  16718. <item>
  16719. <title>Beep beep: Fiat charms city drivers with revived all-electric 500e</title>
  16720. <link>https://www.popsci.com/technology/fiat-500e-ev/</link>
  16722. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kristin Shaw]]></dc:creator>
  16723. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  16724. <category><![CDATA[Electric Vehicles]]></category>
  16725. <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
  16726. <category><![CDATA[Vehicles]]></category>
  16727. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611156</guid>
  16728.  
  16729. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16730.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/After_four_years_of_success_in_Europe__the_new_500e_is_back_in_North_America.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="small red car sits in front of a pink wall covered in art" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">After four years of success in Europe, the new 500e is back in North America. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Kristin Shaw/PopSci</span></figcaption></figure><p>Now with a 149-mile range, the tiny car is ready for urban driving, if America will have it. </p>
  16731. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/fiat-500e-ev/">Beep beep: Fiat charms city drivers with revived all-electric 500e</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16732. ]]></description>
  16733. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16734.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/After_four_years_of_success_in_Europe__the_new_500e_is_back_in_North_America.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="small red car sits in front of a pink wall covered in art" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">After four years of success in Europe, the new 500e is back in North America. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Kristin Shaw/PopSci</span></figcaption></figure>
  16735. <p>In 2013, Italian automaker Fiat launched its first EV, the 500e. The car was sold only in California and Oregon and discontinued in 2019. Going back to the drawing board for a European-spec 2000 model, Fiat built a new EV-only platform for its next generation. The small EV has reached American shores once again with a renewed commitment and a slightly larger package; the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/fiat-500e-north-america/">2024 Fiat 500e</a> is 2.2 inches wider and 2.4 inches longer than its predecessor.</p>
  16736.  
  16737.  
  16738.  
  16739. <p>While the 2024 model is bigger, Fiat managed to trim 50 pounds from the overall weight for a total of 2,952 pounds. EVs tend to be heavier, like the 4,861-pound <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/hyundai-ioniq-5-bidrectional-charging/">Hyundai Ioniq 5</a> or 4,000-pound <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/volvo-ex-30/">Volvo EX30</a>, so the 500e is noticeably light on its feet. Maxing out at 149 miles of range, Fiat’s new EV is made for city driving, and it’s right at home in Europe. But can it fit into the American lifestyle? We drove it on the city streets of Miami’s Wynwood art district to find out.</p>
  16740.  
  16741.  
  16742.  
  16743. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-package-big-hopes"><strong>Small package, big hopes</strong></h2>
  16744.  
  16745.  
  16746.  
  16747. <p>In 1957, American cars were getting bigger and bigger. Creased metal adorned the back end of sedans like the Chevrolet Bel Air in the form of stylish fins, and trunks were massive. That wasn’t the case in Italy, where Fiat launched its 500–a tiny, rounded car that seemed to barely encase its occupants.</p>
  16748.  
  16749.  
  16750.  
  16751. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1500" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/A-1961-Fiat-500-next-to-the-new-500e.jpg" alt="older blue fiat in front of a new golden brown fiat on a stage" class="wp-image-611200"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 1961 Fiat 500 next to the new 500e. Image: Kristin Shaw/PopSci</figcaption></figure>
  16752.  
  16753.  
  16754.  
  16755. <p>When the first 500e launched in 2013, EVs weren’t on the fast track they are today. The experiment was carefully controlled, and retracted before the pandemic turned the world upside-down in 2020. When it launched in 2013, the range was considered good; not so much anymore.&nbsp;</p>
  16756.  
  16757.  
  16758.  
  16759. <p>“The 500e boasts an EPA-estimated range of 87 miles, an above-average number for an EV,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.edmunds.com/fiat/500e/2013/review/"><em>Edmunds </em>reported in 2013</a>. “Further, Fiat says its EV hatchback can fully charge in less than four hours from a 240-volt outlet, also a good figure for this class.”&nbsp;</p>
  16760.  
  16761.  
  16762.  
  16763. <p>Things have changed a lot in 10 years, and 87 miles is no longer impressive. Fiat relaunched its 500e in 2020 in Europe with a new platform and more than doubled its range to 199 miles on the European testing cycle. Seeing the diminutive 500e’s success across the pond, Fiat’s hopes were high for the car’s American rebirth.</p>
  16764.  
  16765.  
  16766.  
  16767. <p>“We realized we had magic in a very small package,” Fiat North America Aamir Ahmed says. “When we’re talking electrification, many [cars] lose their character. And now we take an electric battery and power this car that’s filled with charisma.”</p>
  16768.  
  16769.  
  16770.  
  16771. <p>This is a very different message than the one offered by Fiat maestro and chief executive Sergio Macchione a decade ago. Frustrated by federal and state mandates that encourage automakers to build EVs, Marchionne rebelled against the status quo.</p>
  16772.  
  16773.  
  16774.  
  16775. <p>&#8220;I hope you don&#8217;t buy it because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000,&#8221; <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N0O71MS/">he told the audience at the Brookings Institution in 2014</a>. &#8220;I&#8217;m honest enough to tell you that.&#8221;</p>
  16776.  
  16777.  
  16778.  
  16779. <p>Today’s 500e is primed for the current EV appetites, and it’s designed to be a city car for those who drive the average (<a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/09/american-driving-survey/">according to AAA</a>) 30 miles a day. At that rate, one could go nearly a week between charges, and as charging infrastructure ramps up, it could be as easy as charging up at the coffee shop. With 85 kW of DC fast charging capability, the 500e can go from 10 percent to 80 percent in 35 minutes, Fiat says.</p>
  16780.  
  16781.  
  16782.  
  16783. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-engineering-and-andrea-bocelli-influenced-acoustics"><strong>Fresh engineering and Andrea Bocelli-influenced acoustics</strong></h2>
  16784.  
  16785.  
  16786.  
  16787. <p>Chief engineer Paolo Gribaldi has been working on the 500e for the last two years, and he says the time frame was the most challenging piece of this project; it had to be finished in 22 months. The 500e (cinquecento, in Italian) was designed on a purpose-built platform, the first created for EVs. It’s fitted with the same power source as its older cousin in Europe, a 42 kilowatt-hour nickel manganese cobalt battery.&nbsp;</p>
  16788.  
  16789.  
  16790.  
  16791. <p>Sporting 17-inch wheels and lower-profile tires, the previous model’s 15-inch wheels look way too small when compared side by side. Slide behind the wheel, and there is no need for a “start” button. It starts up when it detects the key fob, much like Volkswagen’s ID.4. The flush door handles are lifted from its sibling company Maserati, also owned by Stellantis, which helps with both aerodynamics and economies of scale. Other enhancements are under the surface.</p>
  16792.  
  16793.  
  16794.  
  16795. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1500" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/The-500e-is-equipped-with-a-10.25-inch-screen.jpg" alt="black and red interior of a fiat, showing two front seats, steering wheel, and screen" class="wp-image-611203"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The 500e is equipped with a 10.25-inch screen. Image: Kristin Shaw/PopSci</figcaption></figure>
  16796.  
  16797.  
  16798.  
  16799. <p>“The suspension uses a wider track than the previous generation to fit the larger battery,” Garibaldi explains. “Then there were improvements to the brake system.”&nbsp;</p>
  16800.  
  16801.  
  16802.  
  16803. <p>Also cribbed from the European version is the set of drive modes, which Fiat calls Normal, Range, and Sherpa. Normal mode offers low regenerative braking and a driving experience that feels “normal” to those used to combustion-engine vehicles. Range mode tweaks the regen for typical-EV one-pedal driving, slowing the car to a stop when lifting your foot from the accelerator. Lastly, Sherpa mode optimizes range by reducing power from 117 horsepower to 90 horsepower and turning off the heating and cooling system. Equivalent to what others call “Eco” mode, the maximum speed is set to about 50 miles per hour, which is fine for urban driving.&nbsp;</p>
  16804.  
  16805.  
  16806.  
  16807. <p>I tried it in each mode, and I can say that driving in Miami (or anywhere it’s warm, really) in Sherpa mode is not pleasant with the air conditioning off. Opening the windows is an option, but then you’re altering the aerodynamics and thus, range. I can see how it could be helpful if you’re limping home or into a charging station and need to stretch the miles as far as possible. Most gas-powered car fans will appreciate the seamless transition to EV in Normal range, which feels familiar, and Range mode is handy in stop-and-go traffic.&nbsp;</p>
  16808.  
  16809.  
  16810.  
  16811. <p>Fiat isn’t above having a little fun with its new EV, and it tapped one of the most famous Italian musicians–tenor Andrea Bocelli–to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZJjoA-Ibno">create concert hall-level sound inside</a> its “Inspired by Music” limited edition model. Once the car reaches 20 miles per hour for the first time after starting up, the 500e’s pedestrian alert “sings” a tune called “The Sound of 500” composed by Flavio Ibba and Marco Gualdi. It’s just another way to communicate its unmistakable Italianness to passersby.&nbsp;</p>
  16812.  
  16813.  
  16814.  
  16815. <p>This car is iconic and fun to drive, and it fits perfectly into a city environment. It’s not perfect, nor is any car, but it’s worth a look for those seeking a compact, adorable EV with the ability to park just about anywhere. And it doesn’t hurt that it includes Maserati parts, either: a city car with big aspirations.&nbsp;</p>
  16816.  
  16817.  
  16818.  
  16819. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1537" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/fiat_500e_miami-scaled.jpg" alt="small red car in front of blue building and palm trees" class="wp-image-611197"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">More range and a bigger body. Image: Kristin Shaw/PopSci</figcaption></figure>
  16820. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/fiat-500e-ev/">Beep beep: Fiat charms city drivers with revived all-electric 500e</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16821. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  16825. </item>
  16826. <item>
  16827. <title>Add this Amazon&#8217;s Choice elite radio to your emergency kit and save $100</title>
  16828. <link>https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/emergency-elite-worldwide-radio-deal/</link>
  16830. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stack Commerce]]></dc:creator>
  16831. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  16832. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  16833. <category><![CDATA[Sponsored Content]]></category>
  16834. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  16835. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  16836. <category><![CDATA[sponsored]]></category>
  16837. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=610913</guid>
  16838.  
  16839. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16840.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/image-4.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An emergency radio on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><p>Stay connected during inclement weather and pay only $150.</p>
  16841. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/emergency-elite-worldwide-radio-deal/">Add this Amazon&#8217;s Choice elite radio to your emergency kit and save $100</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16842. ]]></description>
  16843. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16844.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1067" height="800" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/image-4.png?auto=webp" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An emergency radio on a plain background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Stack Commerce</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  16845. </div>
  16846. <p>A dependable communication tool is priceless in emergencies. Unpredictable natural disasters and unexpected incidents can compromise our primary means of communication, accentuating the importance of a reliable alternative. The Elite Executive radio provides an alternate way of staying connected, boasting outstanding features that ensure you <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">stay informed and ready, particularly in times of crisis or adverse weather conditions</a>.</p>
  16847.  
  16848.  
  16849.  
  16850. <p>Integrating the Radio Data System (RDS) is a vital feature of the Elite Executive&#8217;s functionality. <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Equipped with RDS</a>, the Eton Elite Executive offers digital details about the current broadcasts, improving the user experience even in challenging circumstances. Moreover, its ability to capture Single Side Band (SSB) signals expands the range of available frequencies, including those utilized by ham radio enthusiasts. This feature is crucial for maintaining communication when conventional networks fail during natural disasters or other emergencies.</p>
  16851.  
  16852.  
  16853.  
  16854. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  16855. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Get the World on Speed Dial with the Elite Executive from Eton" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/De2eSbgOvMU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  16856. </div></figure>
  16857.  
  16858.  
  16859.  
  16860. <p>With a <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">4.3 out of 5-star rating on Amazon</a>, this top radio provides access to worldwide stations through AM/FM/LW/SW bands. It has multiple tuning options: manual, automatic, memory-based, and auto-tuning storage. It is an excellent option for<a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow"> keeping abreast of current affairs and receiving updates regardless of location</a>. With a built-in antenna for clear AM reception and an extendable one for enhanced FM and SW signal clarity, the radio allows you to fine-tune its orientation based on your whereabouts for optimal reception.</p>
  16861.  
  16862.  
  16863.  
  16864. <p>The radio also packs effortlessly with its compact construction, so you can nester it neatly into any travel bag. Even better, it comes with a beautifully crafted leather case for safekeeping and <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">easy carrying while on the go</a>, so you can easily be prepared for unexpected emergencies. </p>
  16865.  
  16866.  
  16867.  
  16868. <p>You can snag the <a href="https://shop.popsci.com/sales/elite-execute-radio?utm_source=popsci.com&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=elite-execute-radio&amp;utm_term=scsf-594368&amp;utm_content=a0xRn000000pECHIA2&amp;scsonar=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Eton Elite Executive AM/FM/Aircraft Band/SSB/Shortwave Radio with RDS and Custom Leather Carry Cover</a> for $149.99 (reg. $249).</p>
  16869.  
  16870.  
  16871.  
  16872. <p><a href="https://www.stacksocial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>StackSocial</em></a><em> prices subject to change.   </em></p>
  16873. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/sponsored-content/emergency-elite-worldwide-radio-deal/">Add this Amazon&#8217;s Choice elite radio to your emergency kit and save $100</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16874. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  16878. </item>
  16879. <item>
  16880. <title>Low-frequency noise is pervasive. Does that matter?</title>
  16881. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/low-frequency-noise-health/</link>
  16883. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Lourdes Medrano/Undark]]></dc:creator>
  16884. <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  16885. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  16886. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611213</guid>
  16887.  
  16888. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16889.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/sound-waves.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Even sounds that aren’t audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Even sounds that aren’t audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/abstract-wave-musical-sounds-smooth-information-transfer-651910920.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Sounds that are lower pitched are less studied than other types. Some say it’s a health hazard. Others have doubts.</p>
  16890. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/low-frequency-noise-health/">Low-frequency noise is pervasive. Does that matter?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  16891. ]]></description>
  16892. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  16893.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/sound-waves.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Even sounds that aren’t audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. " decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Even sounds that aren’t audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/abstract-wave-musical-sounds-smooth-information-transfer-651910920.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  16894. <p><em>This article was originally featured on </em><a target="_blank" href="https://undark.org/2024/04/15/low-frequency-noise-health/">Undark</a>.</p>
  16895.  
  16896.  
  16897.  
  16898. <p class="has-drop-cap">For two years,<strong> </strong>Erica Walker routinely wore ear plugs to dampen the sound of stomping footsteps penetrating her basement apartment ceiling. Still, the noise from her upstairs neighbors, undetected by sound level meters, rumbled in her chest day and night.</p>
  16899.  
  16900.  
  16901.  
  16902. <p>“The funny thing about it was that the noise wasn’t loud,” she said. But it bothered her, this unwelcome sensation she couldn’t control.</p>
  16903.  
  16904.  
  16905.  
  16906. <p>The pleasant and unpalatable sounds that envelop daily life travel through the air in different frequencies perceived as pitch. In bustling cities, the high-pitched sounds of chirping birds, and emergency sirens mix with the low-pitched thrum of traffic and hum of fans in the still of night.</p>
  16907.  
  16908.  
  16909.  
  16910. <p>Low-frequency, or low-pitched noise, like what Walker experienced, is among the most elusive: Traditional measurement tools don’t capture it well, and it’s mostly absent from official consideration outside occupational contexts. Unlike high-frequency sounds, low frequency waves can penetrate walls more easily and carry farther distances, which is why a neighbor might only hear the heavy bass from a party down the street.</p>
  16911.  
  16912.  
  16913.  
  16914. <p>But even sounds that aren’t audible to everyone have inspired complaints of headaches, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep troubles. And some question whether such symptoms are physiological or psychological. One thing is clear: Low-frequency noise is less studied and less understood than other sounds. And exactly what effects it may—or may not—have on humans is far from settled.</p>
  16915.  
  16916.  
  16917.  
  16918. <p>“We’re not at the point yet where we can make causal inferences about how it’s impacted our health,” said Walker, whose experience with her neighbors—which she said contributed to stress, increased blood pressure, and stomach problems—helped inspire her to research noise, now as an assistant professor of epidemiology and founder of the Community Noise Lab at Brown University. But, she added, scientists need to learn how to measure it and “look at its associations with individual and community health.”</p>
  16919.  
  16920.  
  16921.  
  16922. <p>Most cities and towns have ordinances that regulate noise under nuisance standards focusing on time-of-day violations, such as the blasting music from a neighbor’s late-night party. In instances when noise is measured, a challenge lies with the most common standard used, which fails to fully capture the low-frequency noise that the World Health Organization has identified as an environmental problem.</p>
  16923.  
  16924.  
  16925.  
  16926. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>
  16927.  
  16928.  
  16929.  
  16930. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>Low-frequency noise is less studied and less understood than other sounds. And exactly what effects it may—or may not—have on humans is far from settled.</p></blockquote></figure>
  16931.  
  16932.  
  16933.  
  16934. <p>In fact, much of the noise that people encounter in their everyday world is concentrated in the lower pitched frequencies, said René Gifford, a professor of hearing and speech sciences at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. If lower frequency noise is negatively affecting a critical mass of people, said Walker, then it is worth deciphering its complexities.</p>
  16935.  
  16936.  
  16937.  
  16938. <p>Meanwhile, “by definition, noise is called unwanted sound,” Walker said. “And so that unwanted definition in sound is very much subjective.” While low-frequency noise may bother some people, the same sound can lull others to sleep.</p>
  16939.  
  16940.  
  16941.  
  16942. <p>“It just depends on the individual,” she said. “But I know that there are communities that are inundated with low-frequency sound, and it’s something that we as a country haven’t really grappled with yet.”</p>
  16943.  
  16944.  
  16945.  
  16946. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  16947.  
  16948.  
  16949.  
  16950. <p class="has-drop-cap">Sound ripples from its source like a wave, and its effect depends on various factors: frequency, duration, the environment in which the sound is heard, and the human ear’s subjective perception of its intensity.</p>
  16951.  
  16952.  
  16953.  
  16954. <p>Frequency refers to how many times that wave of sound repeats itself over a particular time, and it “gives you the character of the sound that is a little bit different than how loud it is,” Walker said. “So low frequency and high frequency noises can be very loud or they can be very quiet.” (Decibels, meanwhile, measure loudness; most city noise ordinances are based on decibels.)</p>
  16955.  
  16956.  
  16957.  
  16958. <p>Low-frequency noise is typically perceived as a low-throbbing or deep rumble. When a freight train moves, for example, it produces vibrations that travel through the ground, moving long distances until they are perceived as both a shaking sensation and low pitch. And then there is infrasound, which is usually set below the human hearing threshold.</p>
  16959.  
  16960.  
  16961.  
  16962. <p>In those lower frequencies, the normal variations in human hearing mean that this type of noise can be perceived as vibrations. “The vibratory effects can still impact various physiologic systems within our body,” Gifford said. “It’s just that we’re not processing them through our hearing mechanism.”</p>
  16963.  
  16964.  
  16965.  
  16966. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“We’re not at the point yet where we can make causal inferences about how it’s impacted our health.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  16967.  
  16968.  
  16969.  
  16970. <p>The deep rumbling sound of thunder from a distant lightning bolt, for example, can cause vibrations in the chest and throughout the body as the frequency changes from high to low while traveling. “That would be a combination of the feeling that you feel, and you also have the auditory stimulation,” she said.</p>
  16971.  
  16972.  
  16973.  
  16974. <p>Infrasound generally doesn’t even audibly register. For example, some of the sound produced by natural events, such as earthquakes, avalanches, and tsunamis, along with human inventions such as distant aircraft and machinery, can be below the human hearing threshold. But some evidence suggests that those extremely low pitches can still be felt in the body.</p>
  16975.  
  16976.  
  16977.  
  16978. <p>“Prior to an earthquake, there tends to be infrasound that some research has shown some people can actually feel it or start feeling a little strange, off balance, maybe even nauseated,” Gifford said.</p>
  16979.  
  16980.  
  16981.  
  16982. <p>David Woolworth, an acoustic engineer in Oxford, Mississippi, hears a lot of complaints about booming music, often&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://undark.org/2017/12/27/highway-noise-barrier-science/">emitting from cars</a>. The advent of inexpensive, low-frequency amplification has changed the sound of music that spills into the environment since The Beatles first performed in 1960s New York, Woolworth said. “They had a tiny little system,” he said of the legendary English rock band. “The people were louder than the band.” Since then, “low frequency amplification became much more efficient, and the amplifiers became lighter and smaller. And now you can have cars driving around that shake a whole neighborhood.”</p>
  16983.  
  16984.  
  16985.  
  16986. <p>And while barriers can filter out middle and higher frequencies, those in the lower ranges in general have “thresholds at which windows, walls, and floor ceiling assemblies start to vibrate,” he said.</p>
  16987.  
  16988.  
  16989.  
  16990. <p>Meanwhile, the standard way to measure for environmental noise is through a system known as the A-weighted decibel metric, which de-emphasizes low frequencies over higher frequencies, making it harder to measure. Other variables also can interfere in the lower frequencies, both audible and inaudible. “The sound waves propagate further, penetrate building envelopes more easily, and other factors such as topography, wind, location and the sensor you are using can come into play,” Woolworth said.</p>
  16991.  
  16992.  
  16993.  
  16994. <p>Various studies, some using animals as subjects, suggest a link between frequencies at the lower end of the spectrum and a negative impact on health. But many of those studies include a limited number of participants. And after many years, much of the research on how and to what extent harm can occur continues. “It’s just that the magnitude of the effects is quite varied across studies,” Gifford said.</p>
  16995.  
  16996.  
  16997.  
  16998. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  16999.  
  17000.  
  17001.  
  17002. <p class="has-drop-cap">Research on the health impact of noise, mostly focused on occupational exposure, dates to the early 20th century. But it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that scientists trained their collective lens on the health impact of environmental noise; low-frequency noise didn’t emerge as a focal point until the ’90s and early aughts, when a number of studies emerged on its impact on quality of sleep. Later research focused exclusively on low-frequency noise have linked it to discomfort, stress, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.</p>
  17003.  
  17004.  
  17005.  
  17006. <p>In one of Walker’s early <a target="_blank" href="https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003641/">experiments</a>, for example, ten healthy men were exposed to short-term, low-frequency and high-frequency noise in an acoustics laboratory and then had their acute cardiovascular and stress responses measured. The results showed decreases in heart rate variability, the variation in time intervals between beats, with exposure to low-frequency rate, in particular. A lowered heart rate variability is associated with the body’s reduced ability to cope with stress.</p>
  17007.  
  17008.  
  17009.  
  17010. <p>One of the most notorious sources of low-frequency noise that stirs health-related complaints are electricity-generating&nbsp;<a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/wind-turbines-effects-health/">wind farms</a>. Researchers have investigated whether exposure to the giant, three-pronged turbine blades rotating contributes to sleep disturbances, dizziness, high blood pressure, and chronic health conditions, such as heart disease. And even though wind farms and their potential connection to health harm are among the most studied in the field, results are inconclusive.</p>
  17011.  
  17012.  
  17013.  
  17014. <p>Wind turbines produce a combination of some audible noise and infrasound that some people may be more sensitive to than others, Gifford said. “That’s probably why—and again, this is speculation because we just don’t know why—some people are experiencing issues and reported problems and others don’t,” she said.</p>
  17015.  
  17016.  
  17017.  
  17018. <p>Indeed, some studies point to an association between wind turbine noise that puts people who live nearby at higher risk for ill health, like insomnia and nausea. One couple in France even sued for—and won—more than 100,000 euros for symptoms they said were caused by living near a windfarm. But such claims are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/06/wind-turbine-syndrome/530694/">contentious</a>, and other <a target="_blank" href="https://theconversation.com/why-a-dedicated-research-fund-for-wind-farms-and-health-37469">research</a> suggests that there is no connection.</p>
  17019.  
  17020.  
  17021.  
  17022. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>
  17023.  
  17024.  
  17025.  
  17026. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>Research focused exclusively on low-frequency noise has linked it to discomfort, stress, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.</p></blockquote></figure>
  17027.  
  17028.  
  17029.  
  17030. <p>Robert McCunney, a physician and environmental health expert in Boston, is among those who have concluded that the evidence doesn’t support claims that the low-frequency noise component of wind farms cause direct health effects. He is the main author of a 2014&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25376420/">review</a>&nbsp;of scientific literature on wind turbines and health that found low-frequency noise was more related to annoyance than unique health risks. “As far as I’m aware, the conclusions we drew in that paper are applicable today,” said McCunney, who teaches at Harvard Medical School.</p>
  17031.  
  17032.  
  17033.  
  17034. <p>McCunney’s findings were echoed in another&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-risks-safety/radiation/everyday-things-emit-radiation/wind-turbine-noise/wind-turbine-noise-health-study-summary-results.html">study</a>&nbsp;that the Canadian government published in 2014 on the safety of wind farms. The research, which involved residents living in more than 1,000 dwellings near turbines, found that noise exposure annoyed people but was not associated with sleep disruption, stress, and self-reported health effects.</p>
  17035.  
  17036.  
  17037.  
  17038. <p>Gas-powered leaf blowers—which operate at a lower frequency than their electrical counterparts—are another common nuisance. In several communities, their sound has become so undesirable that their use is being restricted or outright banned. In a 2017 <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31448365/">analysis</a> of leaf blowers, Walker found that the noise the lawn equipment produces can persist at high intensity levels up to 800 feet away.</p>
  17039.  
  17040.  
  17041.  
  17042. <p>“The thing about low-frequency noise is that it travels very long distances, it’s hard to abate, and it can penetrate through walls and structures,” she said. “So not only is it ubiquitous, it is insidious.”</p>
  17043.  
  17044.  
  17045.  
  17046. <p>However, controversy persists over the sources of low-frequency sounds and whether they actually harm health. A 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9999102">review</a>&nbsp;of the literature found that some people who are chronically exposed to low-frequency noise can develop significant health conditions. Research on chronic exposure, including in aircraft technicians, has found effects such as changes in the inner ear, depression, mental health disfunction, cellular and tissue damage, and numerous health complications linked to the circulatory system.</p>
  17047.  
  17048.  
  17049.  
  17050. <p>In other studies, exposure to low-frequency noise from different sources has shown some effects on the health of both animals and humans. In a 2017 study, researchers put nearly 100 rats into chambers where some were exposed to short sessions of low-frequency sound for 13 weeks below 250 hertz and sound pressure levels of up to 150 decibels. Its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5437756/">findings</a>&nbsp;suggested that low frequency noise “may have possible mutagenic effects and cause massive cell death.”</p>
  17051.  
  17052.  
  17053.  
  17054. <p>Meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.140166">a 2014 study</a> involving humans exposed 21 volunteers with normal hearing to 90 seconds of deep, vibrating sound of about 30 hertz in a sound booth. Afterward, fluctuations that recordings captured from the faint sounds flowing from their healthy ears—known as otoacoustic emissions—suggested that the very low frequency sound could be damaging, but reversible, in the short term. It did not show evidence of permanent damage.</p>
  17055.  
  17056.  
  17057.  
  17058. <p>A more recent systematic&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-023-17593-5">review</a>&nbsp;of studies published in January explored low-frequency noise exposure and cognitive function, which allows thinking, learning, and remembering, found no evidence that low frequency noise affected memory or attention levels. However, the findings suggested that it may reduce “higher-order cognitive functions” such as logical reasoning and mathematical calculations.</p>
  17059.  
  17060.  
  17061.  
  17062. <p>Despite the lack of scientific consensus, complaints about low-frequency noises persist. And the most contested of such sounds might be what’s known commonly as the “Worldwide Hum”: For decades, people from North America to Europe and Australia have heard a mysterious, low-pitched noise they describe as a hum, low rumble, or vibration that can annoy them, keep them up at night or induce ill feelings.</p>
  17063.  
  17064.  
  17065.  
  17066. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>
  17067.  
  17068.  
  17069.  
  17070. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“There’s a level at which noise can become excessive and harmful, and that’s what we’re concerned with.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  17071.  
  17072.  
  17073.  
  17074. <p>In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/the-taos-hum-new-mexicos-unexplained-acoustic-phenomenon/">Taos</a>, New Mexico, low-frequency noise has frustrated a small part of the population for years. Theories about the origin of the hum range from industrial equipment to seismic activity and even outer space phenomena. But some speculate that the answer lies within the complexity of the human hearing system. A 2022&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.brummton.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/PDF-Dokument-Franz-G.Frosch-2022-Tinnitus-Journal-.pdf">study</a>&nbsp;that builds on previous research linked the hum to tinnitus, a condition that fills the ears with ringing, roaring, or buzzing sounds heard only by the sufferer.</p>
  17075.  
  17076.  
  17077.  
  17078. <p>Glen MacPherson, a high school science teacher who said he first heard the hum in the spring of 2012 while living in the British Columbia coast of Canada, doesn’t buy the study’s findings. “I’ve got a big problem with that,” he said.</p>
  17079.  
  17080.  
  17081.  
  17082. <p>MacPherson, who was the only member of his family to hear the hum, created the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehum.info/">World Hum Map and Database Project</a> to document the phenomenon. He has tracked numerous reports from people who are able to hear it—an estimated 2 to 4 percent of the world population. Among them are those with tinnitus who also hear the hum, he wrote in an article, and they have described both as distinct sounds.</p>
  17083.  
  17084.  
  17085.  
  17086. <p>While the impact of low-frequency noise from various sources need further exploration, it’s long been well known that prolonged exposure to certain&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html#:~:text=Noise%20above%2070%20dB%20over,immediate%20harm%20to%20your%20ears.">noises</a>, such as leaf blowers, can be hazardous to health, said Jamie Banks, the president of the nonprofit advocacy Quiet Communities.</p>
  17087.  
  17088.  
  17089.  
  17090. <p>“There’s a level at which noise can become excessive and harmful, and that’s what we’re concerned with,” Banks said. “We’re concerned with noise at the point where it becomes harmful to health.”</p>
  17091.  
  17092.  
  17093.  
  17094. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  17095.  
  17096.  
  17097.  
  17098. <p class="has-drop-cap">Noise pollution, particularly low-frequency noise, has long received far less attention than air or water pollution. The task of regulating environmental noise is largely left to states and local governments, which set limits that often go unenforced.</p>
  17099.  
  17100.  
  17101.  
  17102. <p>A growing movement against the ever-increasing noise of all types in daily life is pushing for the federal government to declare it a public health problem. In June 2023, Quiet Communities filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., over the lack of noise pollution regulation.</p>
  17103.  
  17104.  
  17105.  
  17106. <p>Banks said communities are overwhelmed by low-frequency noise and noise in general. The job of ensuring noise stays within healthy levels belongs to the EPA, she said.</p>
  17107.  
  17108.  
  17109.  
  17110. <p>“The EPA has basically turned its back on an entire set of public health problems,” she said. “There are people suffering from noise. Noise is a public health problem and it’s an environmental problem.”</p>
  17111.  
  17112.  
  17113.  
  17114. <p>And while it’s known that low-frequency noise may affect health, she said, it’s vital that its long-term implications be fully explored. “It’s chronic noise that can affect non-auditory health.”</p>
  17115.  
  17116.  
  17117.  
  17118. <p>Woolworth, the acoustic engineer, said it also would take resources—and time—for communities to incorporate additional metrics that capture a wider range of frequencies. The current technique downplays low-frequency sounds over higher frequencies.</p>
  17119.  
  17120.  
  17121.  
  17122. <p>People who are affected by low-frequency noise may not so easily dismiss those unwanted sounds. Even noise-induced annoyance is a factor that “can and does” set up a stress reaction known as the “fight-or-flight” response, Walker said. “If that stress response is constantly being stimulated, can we honestly say it doesn’t cause harm to health?”</p>
  17123.  
  17124.  
  17125.  
  17126. <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"></blockquote>
  17127.  
  17128.  
  17129.  
  17130. <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“The EPA has basically turned its back on an entire set of public health problems.”</p></blockquote></figure>
  17131.  
  17132.  
  17133.  
  17134. <p>And without regulation, Walker said communities are left to handle noise and raise awareness about how people can shield themselves from the impact of low-frequency noise. Her own experience living with the incessant muffled sounds from her upstairs neighbors and finding few resources to deal with the situation, was the catalyst that changed her career path. Now, through her work, she helps communities find ways to manage noise that is affecting their lives.</p>
  17135.  
  17136.  
  17137.  
  17138. <p>“As a researcher, if somebody tells me that noise is bothering them, I’m not going to take it lightly,” she said. “That is information that needs to be investigated.”</p>
  17139. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/low-frequency-noise-health/">Low-frequency noise is pervasive. Does that matter?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  17140. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  17144. </item>
  17145. <item>
  17146. <title>The best coffee machines for offices in 2024</title>
  17147. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coffee-machines-for-offices/</link>
  17149. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Terri Williams]]></dc:creator>
  17150. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  17151. <category><![CDATA[Appliances]]></category>
  17152. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  17153. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  17154. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  17155. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  17156. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  17157. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  17158. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  17159. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=610989</guid>
  17160.  
  17161. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  17162.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/The-best-coffee-machines-for-offices-in-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best coffee machines for offices in 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>From single-serve to automatic espresso, these are the six best coffee makers for quickly filling a mug and seizing the day.  </p>
  17163. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coffee-machines-for-offices/">The best coffee machines for offices in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  17164. ]]></description>
  17165. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  17166.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/The-best-coffee-machines-for-offices-in-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best coffee machines for offices in 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  17167. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  17168.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  17169.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  17170.      <tbody>
  17171.              <tr
  17172.          class="ProductTable-product"
  17173.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  17174.        >
  17175.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  17176.            Best overall
  17177.          </td>
  17178.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  17179.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Breville-Precision-Brewer on a countertop." class="wp-image-611004" width="264" height="165">
  17180.          </td>
  17181.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  17182.            Breville Precision Brewer
  17183.          </td>
  17184.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  17185.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  17186.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17187.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17188.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17189.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17190.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17191.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  17192.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17193.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17194.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17195.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17196.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17197.                                  </div>
  17198.                          </div>
  17199.          </td>
  17200.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  17201.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  17202.                <span>
  17203.                  SEE IT
  17204.                </span>
  17205.            </a>
  17206.          </td>
  17207.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  17208.              <p>The large-capacity coffee maker is durable, easy to use, and looks good in any space.</p>
  17209.  
  17210.            </td>
  17211.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  17212.        </tr>
  17213.              <tr
  17214.          class="ProductTable-product"
  17215.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  17216.        >
  17217.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  17218.            Best single-serve coffee maker
  17219.          </td>
  17220.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  17221.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker on a countertop." class="wp-image-611006" width="264" height="165">
  17222.          </td>
  17223.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  17224.            L’OR Barista 
  17225.          </td>
  17226.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  17227.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  17228.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17229.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17230.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17231.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17232.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17233.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  17234.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17235.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17236.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17237.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17238.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17239.                                  </div>
  17240.                          </div>
  17241.          </td>
  17242.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  17243.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  17244.                <span>
  17245.                  SEE IT
  17246.                </span>
  17247.            </a>
  17248.          </td>
  17249.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  17250.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It uses two capsule sizes and works with Nespresso Original capsules.</span></p>
  17251.  
  17252.            </td>
  17253.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  17254.        </tr>
  17255.              <tr
  17256.          class="ProductTable-product"
  17257.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  17258.        >
  17259.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  17260.            Best value
  17261.          </td>
  17262.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  17263.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Cuisinart Auto Grind and Brew on a countertop." class="wp-image-611007" width="264" height="165">
  17264.          </td>
  17265.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  17266.            Cuisinart Automatic Grind and Brew 
  17267.          </td>
  17268.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  17269.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  17270.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17271.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17272.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17273.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17274.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17275.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  17276.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17277.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17278.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17279.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17280.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  17281.                                  </div>
  17282.                          </div>
  17283.          </td>
  17284.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  17285.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  17286.                <span>
  17287.                  SEE IT
  17288.                </span>
  17289.            </a>
  17290.          </td>
  17291.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  17292.              <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enjoy freshly ground beans each day with the coffee maker’s automatic burr grinder.</span></p>
  17293.  
  17294.            </td>
  17295.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  17296.        </tr>
  17297.            </tbody>
  17298.    </table>
  17299.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  17300.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  17301.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  17302.    </div>
  17303.  </div>
  17304. </div>
  17305.  
  17306.  
  17307.  
  17308. <p>You&#8217;re not alone if you like to jump-start your day at the coffee machine. According to a <a href="https://www.ncausa.org/Newsroom/Celebrate-National-Coffee-Day-with-latest-data-on-Americas-favorite-beverage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> by the National Coffee Association (NCA), 63% of Americans drink coffee daily, making it the most consumed beverage—even more popular than water. The report also reveals that 36% of Americans say they have an in-office coffee station.</p>
  17309.  
  17310.  
  17311.  
  17312. <p>In the past, many offices were limited to commercial coffee brewers with warming plates. However, those models often resulted in bland and/or burnt coffee that didn’t get any better from sitting on a hot plate for too long. These days, however, coffee-maker manufacturers make affordable retail models with many of the bells and whistles you’d find in commercial coffee makers. The best coffee makers for offices can cater to cubicle coworkers&#8217; and C-suite executives&#8217; tastes alike without exceeding space or budget restrictions.&nbsp;</p>
  17313.  
  17314.  
  17315.  
  17316. <ul>
  17317. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville Precision Brewer</a></li>
  17318.  
  17319.  
  17320.  
  17321. <li><strong>Best splurge: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Barista-Impress-Espresso-BES881BSS/dp/B0C1T4W797?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville the Barista Touch Impress</a>&nbsp;</li>
  17322.  
  17323.  
  17324.  
  17325. <li><strong>Best for large groups: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/BUNN-04275-0031-Pourover-Commercial-Warmers/dp/B000BN7W8O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bunn 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer</a></li>
  17326.  
  17327.  
  17328.  
  17329. <li><strong>Best single-serve coffee maker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">L’OR Barista</a>&nbsp;</li>
  17330.  
  17331.  
  17332.  
  17333. <li><strong>Best French Press: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Espro-Coffee-Insulated-Polished-Stainless/dp/B011WTWIPW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Espro P7 French Press</a></li>
  17334.  
  17335.  
  17336.  
  17337. <li><strong>Best value: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart Automatic Grind and Brew</a>&nbsp;</li>
  17338. </ul>
  17339.  
  17340.  
  17341.  
  17342. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-chose-the-best-coffee-machines-for-offices"><strong>How we chose the best coffee machines for offices</strong></h2>
  17343.  
  17344.  
  17345.  
  17346. <p>As a freelance journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed home and tech products for publications including <em>Forbes,</em> <em>CNN Underscored</em>, <em>NBC News Select</em>, <em>Popular Mechanics</em>, <em>Architectural Digest</em>, <em>Tom’s Guide</em>, <em>The Daily Beast</em>, <em>USA Today’s Reviewed</em>, <em>TechRadar</em>, <em>Better Homes &amp; Gardens</em>, <em>Bob Vila</em>, and, of course, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/authors/terri-williams/"><em>PopSci</em></a>. I’ve tested and written several dozen coffee makers and combined this experience alongside interviews with several coffee experts for tips on choosing the best coffee maker(s) for this type of setting.&nbsp;</p>
  17347.  
  17348.  
  17349.  
  17350. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-best-coffee-machines-for-offices-reviews-amp-recommendations"><strong>The best coffee machines for offices: Reviews &amp; Recommendations</strong></h2>
  17351.  
  17352.  
  17353.  
  17354. <p>Giorgio Milos, master barista for <a href="https://www.illy.com/en-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">illy</a>, tells us, “Good and well-prepared coffee at offices is a thing that should be available all the time and independently of who&#8217;s making the coffee.” He admits, however, that people are not born with the skills to make it right; some knowledge and training are necessary to make coffee properly.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  17355.  
  17356.  
  17357.  
  17358. <p>“Filter coffee is easy to prepare and maintain with very little training and knowledge, but making espresso-based drinks properly requires extensive training, practice, and passion,” he says. “On the other hand, single-serve pods or capsules are made to avoid the requirement of skills.”&nbsp;</p>
  17359.  
  17360.  
  17361.  
  17362. <p>For office managers in the market to purchase a coffee maker, these are some NCA stats to keep in mind: Among people who drink coffee, the most popular preparation method is drip coffee (40%), followed by single-cup brewers (27%), cold brewing (16%), and espresso machines (11%). In addition, the most popular espresso-based beverages are lattes (18%), espressos (16%), and cappuccinos (15%). Based on testing, our experience with coffee makers in office settings, and the factors explained by our experts at the end of this roundup, here are the best coffee machines for offices that offer all types of extraction and allow you to leave behind <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coffee-travel-mugs/">that travel mug</a> of homebrew without regrets.</p>
  17363.  
  17364.  
  17365.  
  17366. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-overall-breville-precision-brewer"><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville Precision Brewer</a></h3>
  17367.  
  17368.  
  17369. <div
  17370.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17371.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17372. >
  17373.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17374.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17375.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17376.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Precision-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Breville-Precision-Brewer on a countertop.">
  17377.                      </figure>
  17378.                  </a>
  17379.            </div>
  17380.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17381.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17382.        <p><em>Terri Williams</em></p>
  17383.  
  17384.      </figcaption>
  17385.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17386.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17387.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17388.      </p>
  17389.      </div>
  17390. </div>
  17391.  
  17392.  
  17393.  
  17394. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>The large-capacity coffee maker is durable, easy to use, and looks good in any space.</p>
  17395.  
  17396.  
  17397.  
  17398. <p><strong>Specs&nbsp;</strong></p>
  17399.  
  17400.  
  17401.  
  17402. <ul>
  17403. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>14” x 9” x 16”</li>
  17404.  
  17405.  
  17406.  
  17407. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>3.15 pounds</li>
  17408.  
  17409.  
  17410.  
  17411. <li><strong>Brewing capacity</strong>: 60 ounces</li>
  17412. </ul>
  17413.  
  17414.  
  17415.  
  17416. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17417.  
  17418.  
  17419.  
  17420. <ul>
  17421. <li>Six brewing presets, including fast, strong, and cold brew</li>
  17422.  
  17423.  
  17424.  
  17425. <li>Programmable</li>
  17426.  
  17427.  
  17428.  
  17429. <li>SGA Gold Cup standard certification</li>
  17430.  
  17431.  
  17432.  
  17433. <li>Thermal carafe</li>
  17434.  
  17435.  
  17436.  
  17437. <li>Easy to use</li>
  17438.  
  17439.  
  17440.  
  17441. <li>60-ounce capacity</li>
  17442. </ul>
  17443.  
  17444.  
  17445.  
  17446. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17447.  
  17448.  
  17449.  
  17450. <ul>
  17451. <li>Adapter kit for pour-over option sold separately</li>
  17452. </ul>
  17453.  
  17454.  
  17455.  
  17456. <p>The Breville Precision Brewer leads our list of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-drip-coffee-makers/">best drip coffee makers</a> and is also our top pick for the best office coffee machines. The Breville Precision Brewer can brew 60 ounces (12 cups) of coffee. However, it also has a small cup detection feature for office workers who want to brew a single-serve volume. In addition, the coffee maker has several settings, including SCA Gold Cup, Fast, Strong Brew, Ice Coffee, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-cold-brew-coffee-maker/">Cold Brew</a>. <a href="https://sca.coffee/heritage-coffee-standards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Gold Cup certification</a> is only awarded to a handful of coffee makers, and certification is determined by various factors, including brew basket volume, temperature, uniformity of extraction and performance, holding receptacle and temperature.&nbsp;</p>
  17457.  
  17458.  
  17459.  
  17460. <p>It&#8217;s easy to use, another reason this is a great coffee machine for office use. After pressing the start/cancel button, there’s a select dial, and the selection shows on the display panel. The coffee maker also has a “time since brewed” feature, so anyone walking up to the machine can see how fresh the coffee is.</p>
  17461.  
  17462.  
  17463.  
  17464. <p>It&#8217;s a durable coffee maker made of brushed stainless steel with a thermal carafe. I like thermal carafes because they can keep coffee hot without using a warming plate. In an office setting, a thermal carafe is also a heavy-duty option that won’t break if it’s accidentally dropped on the floor, unlike fragile glass carafes. Also, more manually minded caffiends can use the Breville Precision Brewer with a <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-pour-over-coffee-maker/">pour-over</a> dripper.</p>
  17465.  
  17466.  
  17467.  
  17468. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-splurge-breville-the-barista-touch-impress-espresso-machine-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Best splurge: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Barista-Impress-Espresso-BES881BSS/dp/B0C1T4W797?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville the Barista Touch Impress Espresso Machine</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
  17469.  
  17470.  
  17471. <div
  17472.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17473.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17474. >
  17475.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17476.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Barista-Impress-Espresso-BES881BSS/dp/B0C1T4W797?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17477.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17478.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Barista-Touch-Impress-Espresso-Machine-with-Grinder_2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Breville-Barista-Touch-Impress-Espresso-Machine-with-Grinder_2.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Breville-Barista-Touch-Impress-Espresso-Machine-with-Grinder on a countertop.">
  17479.                      </figure>
  17480.                  </a>
  17481.            </div>
  17482.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17483.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17484.        <p><em>Tony Ware / Popular Science</em></p>
  17485.  
  17486.      </figcaption>
  17487.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17488.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Barista-Impress-Espresso-BES881BSS/dp/B0C1T4W797?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17489.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17490.      </p>
  17491.      </div>
  17492. </div>
  17493.  
  17494.  
  17495.  
  17496. <p><strong>Why it made the cut: </strong>The step-by-step instructions make this great for beginner baristas.</p>
  17497.  
  17498.  
  17499.  
  17500. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  17501.  
  17502.  
  17503.  
  17504. <ul>
  17505. <li><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 14.2” x 13.4” x 16.3”</li>
  17506.  
  17507.  
  17508.  
  17509. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>22 pounds</li>
  17510.  
  17511.  
  17512.  
  17513. <li><strong>Brewing capacity: </strong>12 ounces</li>
  17514. </ul>
  17515.  
  17516.  
  17517.  
  17518. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17519.  
  17520.  
  17521.  
  17522. <ul>
  17523. <li>Onscreen guidance</li>
  17524.  
  17525.  
  17526.  
  17527. <li>9 bar extraction pressure</li>
  17528.  
  17529.  
  17530.  
  17531. <li>Hands-free milk texturing</li>
  17532. </ul>
  17533.  
  17534.  
  17535.  
  17536. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17537.  
  17538.  
  17539.  
  17540. <ul>
  17541. <li>Expensive</li>
  17542. </ul>
  17543.  
  17544.  
  17545.  
  17546. <p>Don’t underestimate your officemates’ ability to use and appreciate high-end coffee makers. Many of them may have high-end espresso machines at home, and others, especially those who visit their favorite barista every day, may be willing to learn how to recreate their favorite drinks at work. Having a proper <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-latte-machines/">latte machine</a> at the office saves them time and money and can help create a sense of camaraderie in the office. And the Breville Barista Touch Impress is actually a beginner-friendly automatic espresso machine with settings for flat white, latte, cappuccino, long black, babyccino, hot chocolate, tea, and more.</p>
  17547.  
  17548.  
  17549.  
  17550. <p>The 12-ounce bean hopper holds whole beans until you want the integrated burr grinder to transform them into ground coffee. Also, the generous 67.6-ounce water tank eliminates having to refill it continuously. The Thermojet heating system heats up quickly, and the automatic steam wand provides a silky microfoam layer on top of the coffee that beats a simple <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-milk-frother/">milk frother</a>. In addition, settings for alternative milk types (almond, oat, soy) can also be selected for latte-based drinks.</p>
  17551.  
  17552.  
  17553.  
  17554. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-large-groups-bunn-12-cup-commercial-coffee-brewer"><strong>Best for large groups: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/BUNN-04275-0031-Pourover-Commercial-Warmers/dp/B000BN7W8O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bunn 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer</a></h3>
  17555.  
  17556.  
  17557. <div
  17558.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17559.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17560. >
  17561.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17562.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/BUNN-04275-0031-Pourover-Commercial-Warmers/dp/B000BN7W8O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17563.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17564.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Bunn-12-Cup-Commercial-Coffee-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Bunn-12-Cup-Commercial-Coffee-Brewer.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Bunn 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer on a plain white background.">
  17565.                      </figure>
  17566.                  </a>
  17567.            </div>
  17568.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17569.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17570.        <p><em>Bunn</em></p>
  17571.  
  17572.      </figcaption>
  17573.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17574.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/BUNN-04275-0031-Pourover-Commercial-Warmers/dp/B000BN7W8O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17575.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17576.      </p>
  17577.      </div>
  17578. </div>
  17579.  
  17580.  
  17581.  
  17582. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  17583.  
  17584.  
  17585.  
  17586. <ul>
  17587. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>8” x 23” x 19.2H</li>
  17588.  
  17589.  
  17590.  
  17591. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>25.6 pounds</li>
  17592.  
  17593.  
  17594.  
  17595. <li><strong>Brewing capacity: </strong>12 cups</li>
  17596. </ul>
  17597.  
  17598.  
  17599.  
  17600. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17601.  
  17602.  
  17603.  
  17604. <ul>
  17605. <li>Three warming stations can keep 36 cups of coffee warm</li>
  17606.  
  17607.  
  17608.  
  17609. <li>Can designate regular or decaf decanters</li>
  17610.  
  17611.  
  17612.  
  17613. <li>Simple, easy-to-use buttons</li>
  17614. </ul>
  17615.  
  17616.  
  17617.  
  17618. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17619.  
  17620.  
  17621.  
  17622. <ul>
  17623. <li>Temperature recovery period</li>
  17624. </ul>
  17625.  
  17626.  
  17627.  
  17628. <p>If you need to make coffee for many people, the Bunn 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer lets you brew up to three carafes (or decanters) of coffee and keep them hot on the three warming stations. The warming stations are each separately controlled. And for large events, like meetings and office parties, you can continue to brew coffee rapidly. In fact, this stainless-steel, easy-to-use commercial brewer makes 3.8 gallons of coffee per hour.</p>
  17629.  
  17630.  
  17631.  
  17632. <p>There’s another advantage to such commercial coffee machines. A Bunn allows you to brew fully leaded and decaf coffee simultaneously and keep them in carafes with a color-coded handle. This allows you to accommodate those who may be trying to cut down on their caffeine consumption. You can brew two carafes of coffee back-to-back, but then there’s a temperature-recovery period before the third carafe can be brewed.</p>
  17633.  
  17634.  
  17635.  
  17636. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-single-serve-coffee-maker-l-or-barista-system-coffee-and-espresso-machine-nbsp-nbsp"><strong>Best single-serve coffee maker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">L’OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
  17637.  
  17638.  
  17639. <div
  17640.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17641.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17642. >
  17643.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17644.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17645.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17646.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="LOR-Barista-single-serve-coffee-maker on a countertop.">
  17647.                      </figure>
  17648.                  </a>
  17649.            </div>
  17650.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17651.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17652.        <p><em>Terri Williams</em></p>
  17653.  
  17654.      </figcaption>
  17655.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17656.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17657.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17658.      </p>
  17659.      </div>
  17660. </div>
  17661.  
  17662.  
  17663.  
  17664. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  17665.  
  17666.  
  17667.  
  17668. <ul>
  17669. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>16” x 7” x 11”</li>
  17670.  
  17671.  
  17672.  
  17673. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>11.02 pounds</li>
  17674.  
  17675.  
  17676.  
  17677. <li><strong>Brewing capacity: </strong>12 ounces</li>
  17678. </ul>
  17679.  
  17680.  
  17681.  
  17682. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17683.  
  17684.  
  17685.  
  17686. <ul>
  17687. <li>Uses a variety of coffee and espresso capsules</li>
  17688.  
  17689.  
  17690.  
  17691. <li>Heats quickly</li>
  17692.  
  17693.  
  17694.  
  17695. <li>40-ounce detachable water tank</li>
  17696. </ul>
  17697.  
  17698.  
  17699.  
  17700. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17701.  
  17702.  
  17703.  
  17704. <ul>
  17705. <li>Single-serve use only</li>
  17706. </ul>
  17707.  
  17708.  
  17709.  
  17710. <p>If you have a small office that enjoys single-serve coffee, they can customize each cup with the L’OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine—a fully automatic machine that is quite easy to use. After pressing the Power button, just press the Small icon for a 5-ounce coffee or a 1.4-ounce espresso. The Medium icon produces 8 ounces of coffee or 2.7 ounces of espresso. The Large button is used for 12 ounces of coffee or 3.7 ounces of espresso.</p>
  17711.  
  17712.  
  17713.  
  17714. <p>The L’OR Barista can accept both large coffee capsules and small espresso capsules, producing a velvety layer of crema on top every time. Some coffee blends offered include Vanilla Flavored Blend, Bonjour Blend, Chateau Blend, Provocateur Blend, Le Tigre Blend, and Decaf Medium Roast. Some of the espresso capsules include Ristretto, Colombia, Ristretto Decaffeinato, Onyx, Profondo, Estremo, Forza, Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, and Papua New Guinea. L’OR single-serve coffee makers are also compatible with Peet’s Coffee capsules and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-nespresso-machines/">Nespresso Original machine</a> capsules (another popular style of office-friendly coffee maker).</p>
  17715.  
  17716.  
  17717.  
  17718. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-french-press-espro-p7-french-press"><strong>Best French Press: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Espro-Coffee-Insulated-Polished-Stainless/dp/B011WTWIPW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Espro P7 French Press</a></h3>
  17719.  
  17720.  
  17721. <div
  17722.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17723.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17724. >
  17725.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17726.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Espro-Coffee-Insulated-Polished-Stainless/dp/B011WTWIPW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17727.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17728.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Espro-P7-French-Press.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Espro-P7-French-Press.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Espro P7 French Press on a countertop.">
  17729.                      </figure>
  17730.                  </a>
  17731.            </div>
  17732.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17733.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17734.        <p><em>Tony Ware / Popular Science</em></p>
  17735.  
  17736.      </figcaption>
  17737.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17738.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Espro-Coffee-Insulated-Polished-Stainless/dp/B011WTWIPW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17739.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17740.      </p>
  17741.      </div>
  17742. </div>
  17743.  
  17744.  
  17745.  
  17746. <p><strong>Specs</strong></p>
  17747.  
  17748.  
  17749.  
  17750. <ul>
  17751. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>3.5” x 4.2” x 9.5”</li>
  17752.  
  17753.  
  17754.  
  17755. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>1.5 pounds</li>
  17756.  
  17757.  
  17758.  
  17759. <li><strong>Brewing capacity: </strong>32 ounces</li>
  17760. </ul>
  17761.  
  17762.  
  17763.  
  17764. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17765.  
  17766.  
  17767.  
  17768. <ul>
  17769. <li>Makes good, strong coffee</li>
  17770.  
  17771.  
  17772.  
  17773. <li>Double filter keeps coffee sediment-free</li>
  17774.  
  17775.  
  17776.  
  17777. <li>Gorgeous, space-saving design</li>
  17778. </ul>
  17779.  
  17780.  
  17781.  
  17782. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17783.  
  17784.  
  17785.  
  17786. <ul>
  17787. <li>Plunger can be tricky</li>
  17788. </ul>
  17789.  
  17790.  
  17791.  
  17792. <p>It’s been said that no coffee tastes better than properly prepared <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-french-press-coffee-makers/">French Press coffee</a>. If there are a few coffee snobs in your office, the Espro P7 French Press can provide the level of flavor that they’re unlikely to get from another brewing method. That’s because you can fully control the brewing process (using the plunger) in a way you can’t with most other types of brewing processes. The Espro P7 has a double micro-filter to ensure that no grit or sludge can make it into your cup—and it brews coffee in 4 minutes. In addition, since the stainless-steel French press has double-walled insulation, it keeps coffee (or tea) hot for hours with no degradation of taste.</p>
  17793.  
  17794.  
  17795.  
  17796. <p>The Espro P7 is available in 18- and 32-ounce sizes. It’s also available in several colors, including matte black, matte white, Aegean blue, cranberry, brushed stainless steel, and polished stainless steel. Of course, you’ll need a good source of hot water for a French Press, like the temperature-controlled <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fellow-Electric-Pour-over-Temperature-Stopwatch/dp/B0BSVQGR71?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Stagg EKG Pro Studio Electric Gooseneck Kettle</a>—one of our top gift suggestions for the hot beverage-obsessed.</p>
  17797.  
  17798.  
  17799.  
  17800. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-value-cuisinart-automatic-grind-and-brew-nbsp"><strong>Best value: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart Automatic Grind and Brew</a>&nbsp;</h3>
  17801.  
  17802.  
  17803. <div
  17804.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  17805.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  17806. >
  17807.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  17808.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  17809.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  17810.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Cuisinart-Auto-Grind-and-Brew.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Cuisinart Auto Grind and Brew on a countertop.">
  17811.                      </figure>
  17812.                  </a>
  17813.            </div>
  17814.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  17815.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  17816.        <p><em>Terri Williams</em></p>
  17817.  
  17818.      </figcaption>
  17819.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  17820.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000"
  17821.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  17822.      </p>
  17823.      </div>
  17824. </div>
  17825.  
  17826.  
  17827.  
  17828. <p>&nbsp;<strong>Specs</strong></p>
  17829.  
  17830.  
  17831.  
  17832. <ul>
  17833. <li><strong>Dimensions: </strong>8.74’ x 16.34” x 11.96”</li>
  17834.  
  17835.  
  17836.  
  17837. <li><strong>Weight: </strong>15 pounds</li>
  17838.  
  17839.  
  17840.  
  17841. <li><strong>Brewing capacity: </strong>12 cups</li>
  17842. </ul>
  17843.  
  17844.  
  17845.  
  17846. <p><strong>Pros</strong></p>
  17847.  
  17848.  
  17849.  
  17850. <ul>
  17851. <li>12-cup carafe</li>
  17852.  
  17853.  
  17854.  
  17855. <li>Programmable</li>
  17856.  
  17857.  
  17858.  
  17859. <li>Bean hopper/grinder</li>
  17860.  
  17861.  
  17862.  
  17863. <li>Grind-off feature</li>
  17864. </ul>
  17865.  
  17866.  
  17867.  
  17868. <p><strong>Cons</strong></p>
  17869.  
  17870.  
  17871.  
  17872. <ul>
  17873. <li>Glass carafe</li>
  17874. </ul>
  17875.  
  17876.  
  17877.  
  17878. <p>Nothing tastes better than freshly ground coffee beans, and the Cuisinart Automatic Grind and Brew can save you the space and expense of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-coffee-grinder/">a dedicated grinder</a>. The bean hopper, which holds half a pound of coffee beans, has a lid to keep the beans fresh, and the built-in burr grinder has a grind control knob to make the ground finer or coarser, as desired. However, there’s also a Grind-Off feature when using pre-ground coffee.</p>
  17879.  
  17880.  
  17881.  
  17882. <p>The coffee maker also has several other convenience features. For example, it can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance so that officemates can arrive to freshly brewed coffee each day. In addition, the brew strength can be controlled, and there’s a Brew Pause feature if someone wants to cheat and grab a cup of coffee before the carafe has finished. (I strongly advise against that since it weakens the remaining coffee.) The 12-cup carafe has a dripless spout. However, the carafe is made of glass, which doesn’t retain heat as well as a thermal carafe. But considering that it’s a 12-cup coffee maker with a built-in grinder, we also consider this the best value when looking for a coffee maker for the office.</p>
  17883.  
  17884.  
  17885.  
  17886. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-consider-when-buying-coffee-makers-for-an-office"><strong>What to consider when buying coffee makers for an office</strong></h2>
  17887.  
  17888.  
  17889.  
  17890. <p>There are many factors to consider when deciding which coffee maker for an office is right for you. Below are the factors we considered most important when writing this guide.  </p>
  17891.  
  17892.  
  17893.  
  17894. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-machine-type">Machine type</h3>
  17895.  
  17896.  
  17897.  
  17898. <p>The type of<strong> </strong>machine you purchase is the most important decision, and our experts had the most comments on this particular topic. “Consider your available budget, the number of employees that will be brewing coffee, the machine’s durability, and the counter space available in your office kitchen,” says Dr. Christina Rahm, founder and CEO at <a href="https://www.rahmroast.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Rahm Roast Coffee</a> in Franklin, Tenn.</p>
  17899.  
  17900.  
  17901.  
  17902. <p>She notes that single-brew coffee machines are popular because they tend to be cost-efficient, require minimal countertop space, and are easy to clean. “Utilizing a pour-over or French press, which is what we use in our office, is undoubtedly one of the finest ways to achieve a fresh and flavorful cup of coffee,” Rahm explains. “In a smaller office setting, this is a great option to consider.”</p>
  17903.  
  17904.  
  17905.  
  17906. <p>Caroline Bell, founder and CEO of <a href="https://cafegrumpy.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cafe Grumpy</a>, agrees you want something easy to use. “However, you also want something that produces a good cup of coffee, so your team will want to take their coffee break in the office,” she says. “After establishing your budget, consider how many people will be using the machine and whether or not you want to have something that allows people to brew one cup at a time or a pot of coffee to share.”</p>
  17907.  
  17908.  
  17909.  
  17910. <p>And Bell recommends just <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/science/coffee-brewing-science/">the right amount of fresh ground coffee</a>. “Although pods allow you to offer different types of coffee one cup at a time, having fresh ground coffee will give your team a better coffee experience, including those nice aromas.”</p>
  17911.  
  17912.  
  17913.  
  17914. <p>If you’re in a small office, Bell says investing in a coffee grinder and some pour-over equipment might be a good idea so people can brew individual cups and try different coffees. “On the other hand, if you have a big budget and a large team, you might want to splurge on an automatic espresso machine,” she says.</p>
  17915.  
  17916.  
  17917.  
  17918. <p>According to Shonali Paul, founder of <a href="https://pauljohncaffeine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Paul John Indian Caffeine Company</a>, “The ideal solution for offices would be an automatic machine that brews at least three different coffees: an espresso, an Americano, and a latte,” she says. “That way, the possibilities are endless and will cater to all your employees&#8217; likes.”</p>
  17919.  
  17920.  
  17921.  
  17922. <p>Paul is also a fan of machines with built-in bean grinders (pro tip: keep a small spray bottle of water handy <a href="https://www.popsci.com/health/chemists-and-volcanologists-want-you-to-make-a-better-espresso/">to cut down on static and stray grinds</a>). “This also gives you the option to try many different roasts and blends—while grinding them on demand, so they stay fresh for longer.”</p>
  17923.  
  17924.  
  17925.  
  17926. <p>If there’s no coffee professional in charge, Milos (master barista for illy) recommends a system that avoids most potential errors in preparation. “Filter coffee is much easier to manage, and it can be set in offices regardless of the skills of the users,” he says. “Assuming all preparation variables are set—water temp, ratio coffee/water, grind size, and more—the two main rules are maximum two hours of consumption time, and the equipment must be cleaned every day.”</p>
  17927.  
  17928.  
  17929.  
  17930. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-settings-nbsp-nbsp">Settings&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>
  17931.  
  17932.  
  17933.  
  17934. <p>When making your choice, consider which coffee machines provide ease and functionality. “Look for coffee makers with settings such as cup size, brew strength, a timer feature, and whether the machine can brew espresso shots or provide hot water for other beverages [don’t forget the tea drinkers in your company],” Rahm says. “Not all settings are created equal, so focus on the settings that would best benefit your team members.”</p>
  17935.  
  17936.  
  17937.  
  17938. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capacity">Capacity</h3>
  17939.  
  17940.  
  17941.  
  17942. <p>Capacity is an important factor, depending on the number of people in your office.<strong> “</strong>Keep in mind the number of employees in your office, and regardless of what you choose, make sure it can provide enough fresh coffee for the number of employees working,” Rahm says.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  17943.  
  17944.  
  17945.  
  17946. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-user-friendly-interface">User-friendly interface</h3>
  17947.  
  17948.  
  17949.  
  17950. <p>Next to the type of machine, Rahm says the second-most important decision to consider is the interface.<strong> </strong>“The last thing anyone wants to do when they want to brew a cup of joe is read an instruction manual,” she says. “Digital interfaces can offer a multitude of settings at a click, while traditional knobs or buttons are more straightforward but still effective at getting the job done.”</p>
  17951.  
  17952.  
  17953.  
  17954. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-tips">Additional tips</h3>
  17955.  
  17956.  
  17957.  
  17958. <p>Whatever you decide, Bell recommends making the coffee station a fun place where people can add their own touches, with options like alternative milks, cinnamon and/or cocoa, fun mugs, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coffee-gifts/">other accessories like the ones you would want to give or get</a>.</p>
  17959.  
  17960.  
  17961.  
  17962. <p>Paul agrees and recommends getting creative. “For example, provide even more of a variety of coffee flavors by having different syrups to add,” she says. “Giving employees the chance to savor different flavors in the workplace can really change their coffee experience throughout the day.”</p>
  17963.  
  17964.  
  17965.  
  17966. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faqs"><strong>FAQs</strong></h2>
  17967.  
  17968.  
  17969.  
  17970. <div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713206502978"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Why are coffee makers important in an office?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">Most Americans drink coffee and many expect companies to provide coffee makers in an office setting. In-office coffee makers provide convenience for employers who don’t have time to stop by a coffee shop during their morning commute. It can also help them save money. Lastly, gathering around the coffee maker provides an opportunity for workers to socialize temporarily.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713206507328"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Are expensive espresso machines better?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">It depends. We provided a variety of <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/reviews/best-coffee-maker/">coffee makers</a> and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-home-espresso-machines/">espresso machines</a>, realizing that people have different tastes. However, I have noticed in numerous office settings that when a high-quality espresso machine is available, people tend to flock toward it and suddenly start drinking espresso-based drinks. Some eventually purchase an espresso machine for their home. However, if, for example, you only have two or three people interested in a high-end espresso machine, it may not be worth the investment.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1713206513248"><h3 class="schema-faq-question"><strong>Q: Which coffee maker is better: automatic or manual?</h3></strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">An automatic coffee maker is easier for most office workers to operate. However, just as companies expect office workers to learn new processes and technology, they can also quickly learn how to use coffee makers. Employees are at work for eight hours a day, and the desire to create the perfect coffee is a task they’re more than up to tackling.</p> </div> </div>
  17971.  
  17972.  
  17973.  
  17974. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-thoughts-on-the-best-coffee-machines-for-offices"><strong>Final thoughts on the best coffee machines for offices</strong></h2>
  17975.  
  17976.  
  17977.  
  17978. <ul>
  17979. <li><strong>Best overall: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Precision-Temperature-Control-Thermal/dp/B07FTXJR4R?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville Precision Brewer</a></li>
  17980.  
  17981.  
  17982.  
  17983. <li><strong>Best splurge: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Breville-Barista-Impress-Espresso-BES881BSS/dp/B0C1T4W797?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Breville the Barista Touch Impress</a>&nbsp;</li>
  17984.  
  17985.  
  17986.  
  17987. <li><strong>Best for large groups: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/BUNN-04275-0031-Pourover-Commercial-Warmers/dp/B000BN7W8O?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Bunn 12-Cup Commercial Coffee Brewer</a></li>
  17988.  
  17989.  
  17990.  
  17991. <li><strong>Best single-serve coffee maker: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOR-Barista-Espresso-Machine-Philips/dp/B0BDGG5N8W?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">L’OR Barista</a>&nbsp;</li>
  17992.  
  17993.  
  17994.  
  17995. <li><strong>Best French Press: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Espro-Coffee-Insulated-Polished-Stainless/dp/B011WTWIPW?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Espro P7 French Press</a></li>
  17996.  
  17997.  
  17998.  
  17999. <li><strong>Best value: </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-800-Grind-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B079NM2ZYN?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610989O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cuisinart Automatic Grind and Brew</a>&nbsp;</li>
  18000. </ul>
  18001.  
  18002.  
  18003.  
  18004. <p>When considering the best coffee machine for an office, the 12-cup Breville Precision Brewer is durable and easy to use. It’s a drip coffee maker that can also be used to make pour-over coffee. However, there are a variety of other coffee makers, some with grinders and others with espresso features, that may also appeal to various team members. If you have the budget for it, consider creating a coffee bar that includes two or three different types of coffee machines.</p>
  18005.  
  18006.  
  18007.  
  18008. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-trust-us"><strong><em>Why trust us</em></strong></h2>
  18009.  
  18010.  
  18011.  
  18012. <p>Popular Science<em> started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.</em></p>
  18013.  
  18014.  
  18015.  
  18016. <p><em>Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.</em></p>
  18017. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-coffee-machines-for-offices/">The best coffee machines for offices in 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18018. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18022. </item>
  18023. <item>
  18024. <title>Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida</title>
  18025. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/space-junk-crash-florida/</link>
  18027. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Harri Weber]]></dc:creator>
  18028. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 19:29:11 +0000</pubDate>
  18029. <category><![CDATA[International Space Station]]></category>
  18030. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  18031. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  18032. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611173</guid>
  18033.  
  18034. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18035.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/iss.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ISS" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">March 11, 2021 - An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries is released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Mission controllers in Houston commanded the Canadarm2 to release the external pallet into space where it will orbit Earth between two to four years before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere. The batteries were removed during previous spacewalks and replaced with newer lithium-ion batteries to continue powering the station's systems. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA</span></figcaption></figure><p>NASA confirmed the origins of the orbital junk that left a homeowner shaken ‘in disbelief.’</p>
  18036. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-junk-crash-florida/">Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18037. ]]></description>
  18038. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18039.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/iss.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="ISS" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">March 11, 2021 - An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries is released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Mission controllers in Houston commanded the Canadarm2 to release the external pallet into space where it will orbit Earth between two to four years before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere. The batteries were removed during previous spacewalks and replaced with newer lithium-ion batteries to continue powering the station's systems. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NASA</span></figcaption></figure>
  18040. <p>The “object from the sky” that pierced through a home in Naples, FL. last month wasn’t a meteorite after all.</p>
  18041.  
  18042.  
  18043.  
  18044. <p>On April 15, NASA <a target="_blank" href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2024/04/15/nasa-completes-analysis-of-recovered-space-object/">said</a> the mysterious metallic cylinder—which tore through homeowner Alejandro Otero’s ceiling and floor—was actually part of a cargo pallet that contained “aging nickel hydride batteries.” The agency jettisoned the pallet from the International Space Station back in 2021, after installing new lithium-ion batteries on the artificial satellite.&nbsp;</p>
  18045.  
  18046.  
  18047.  
  18048. <p>NASA expected the hardware to “fully burn up during entry through Earth’s atmosphere on March 8, 2024,” yet things turned out quite differently for the Otero family.<br>“It was a tremendous sound, and it almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all,” Otero told Florida broadcaster <a target="_blank" href="https://winknews.com/2024/03/15/object-crashes-through-naples-ceiling-floor/">WINK News</a>. After prying the object out from between mangled floorboards, Otero said he suspected it was a meteorite.</p>
  18049.  
  18050.  
  18051.  
  18052. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="900" height="600" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/space-debris.jpg" alt="space debris" class="wp-image-611179"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Recovered stanchion from the NASA flight support equipment used to mount International Space Station batteries on a cargo pallet. The stanchion survived re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere on March 8, 2024, and impacted a home in Naples, Florida.<em> Credit: NASA</em></figcaption></figure>
  18053.  
  18054.  
  18055.  
  18056. <p>According to NASA, the debris was actually made of a nickel- and chromium-based superalloy called Inconel. The object originally functioned as part of a battery mount; after hitting Otero’s home, the surviving cylinder clocked in at 1.6 pounds, 4 inches tall and 1.6 inches in diameter.</p>
  18057.  
  18058.  
  18059.  
  18060. <p>In 2021, NASA <a target="_blank" href="https://images.nasa.gov/details/iss064e041512">anticipated</a> the pallet would “orbit Earth between two to four years before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere.” This week, NASA said the ISS will investigate the incident to “determine the cause of the debris survival,” adding that it’s “committed to responsibly operating in low Earth orbit, and mitigating as much risk as possible to protect people on Earth when space hardware must be released.”</p>
  18061.  
  18062.  
  18063.  
  18064. <p>While a space-junk crisis may sound like science fiction, debris left by humans in low-Earth orbit is rapidly piling up. The European Space Agency estimates there are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers">36,500 debris objects</a> greater than 10 cm in Earth’s orbit. The agency reports that the total mass of all known space objects exceeds 11,500 metric tons (or more than 25 million pounds). Such junk includes everything from paint flecks and bolts to dead satellites and spent rocket boosters. Much of this stuff originates from governmental space programs, but it also comes from private companies, such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html#">Elon Musk’s Starlink</a>.</p>
  18065.  
  18066.  
  18067.  
  18068. <p>Around a dozen objects reenter the atmosphere on a daily basis, Moriba Jah, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, said in a call with <em>PopSci</em>. “It’s not uncommon for these things to survive and make it to the surface,” explained Jah, though typically they crash into the ocean. However, as satellite launches rapidly increase, the professor cautioned that “statistically, [falling debris] will kill somebody at some point.”&nbsp;</p>
  18069.  
  18070.  
  18071.  
  18072. <p>According to Professor Jah, solving this problem will require more reusable and recyclable tech. Today, “we have a linear space economy where the end state of any given satellite is to become junk.” Governments need to embrace a circular approach and “mandate that satellites can&#8217;t be launched if they&#8217;re going to be single use,” Jah argued.</p>
  18073.  
  18074.  
  18075.  
  18076. <p>In a separate call, John L. Crassidis—a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo—argued to <em>PopSci</em> that readers shouldn’t be too worried, for now, about death by space junk. “I think I&#8217;d be a lot more concerned about getting struck by lightning than having a piece of space debris fall on me,” said Crassidis. However, the professor said the risk will grow in the coming decades. The more space junk we have, the greater the chance that “somebody&#8217;s going to be eventually hurt.”</p>
  18077.  
  18078.  
  18079.  
  18080. <p>According to estimates by the nonprofit <a target="_blank" href="https://aerospace.org/article/space-debris-101#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20to%20be,What%20are%20debris%20clouds%3F">Aerospace Corporation</a>, the likelihood of space debris injuring a particular person is less than one in a trillion. However, a 2022 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-022-01718-8?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_term=PID100052171&amp;CJEVENT=a8752f53fc2511ee80211f6d0a1cb829">University of British Columbia study</a> predicts there’s a 10% chance that falling space debris will result in “one or more casualties” by 2032.</p>
  18081.  
  18082.  
  18083.  
  18084. <p><strong>[ Related: <a href="https://www.popsci.com/space/space-garbage-clean-up/">How harpoons, magnets, and ion blasts could help us clean up space junk</a></strong> <strong>]</strong></p>
  18085.  
  18086.  
  18087.  
  18088. <p>To mitigate worst-case scenarios, Crassidis pointed to the need for “hard international treaties” that require space-faring nations to follow UN space debris guidelines. “No matter what anybody tells you, we do not have the technology to take out space debris right now,” argued Crassidis, who acknowledged that Europe has some “nice experiments” in the works.&nbsp;</p>
  18089.  
  18090.  
  18091.  
  18092. <p>In the coming decades, “if our technology can’t catch up to the point of making that reality, and if we keep doing what we&#8217;re doing, then we&#8217;re for sure they are well on our way to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/The_Kessler_Effect_and_how_to_stop_it">Kessler syndrome</a>,” Crassidis said, referring to a worst-case scenario in which space-junk collisions become so likely that they render low-Earth orbit useless for generations.</p>
  18093. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/space-junk-crash-florida/">Yes, a chunk of the space station crashed into a house in Florida</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18094. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18098. </item>
  18099. <item>
  18100. <title>How super resilient tardigrades can fix their radiation-damaged DNA</title>
  18101. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/tardigrades-water-bears-radiation/</link>
  18103. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  18104. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:10:28 +0000</pubDate>
  18105. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  18106. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  18107. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  18108. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  18109. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  18110. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611163</guid>
  18111.  
  18112. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18113.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/water-bear.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a tardigrade floating around" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Tardigrades were first discovered in the Eighteenth Century and are known to survive in some of Earth’s most inhospitable environments. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Science Photo Library/Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p>Scientists piece together new clues about how ‘water bears’ survive extreme conditions.</p>
  18114. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/tardigrades-water-bears-radiation/">How super resilient tardigrades can fix their radiation-damaged DNA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18115. ]]></description>
  18116. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18117.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/water-bear.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="a tardigrade floating around" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Tardigrades were first discovered in the Eighteenth Century and are known to survive in some of Earth’s most inhospitable environments. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Science Photo Library/Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure>
  18118. <p>Microscopic <a href="https://www.popsci.com/animals/tardigrades-move-slime/">tardigrades</a> have fascinated scientists for their incredible toughness since they were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5705745/#:~:text=Water%20bears%20(Tardigrada)%2C%20discovered,deepest%20oceans%20to%20mountain%20tops).">first discovered back in 1773</a>. They can <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/tardigrades-water-bears-extreme-environments/">sense when it’s time to go dormant and enter a tun state</a> under harsh conditions. Tardigrades can even withstand dangerous levels of radiation and a surprising mechanism in the DNA may be why. The process to repair DNA goes into overtime when exposed to the deadly radiation to fix the damaged DNA. The findings are described in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)00316-6?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982224003166%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">study published April 12 in the journal <em>Current Biology</em></a>.</p>
  18119.  
  18120.  
  18121.  
  18122. <p>“What we saw surprised us,” study co-author and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill biologist Bob Goldstein <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041321#:~:text=UNC%2DChapel%20Hill%20researchers%20discover%20new%20clues%20to,tardigrades%20can%20survive%20intense%20radiation&amp;text=University%20of%20North%20Carolina%20at%20Chapel%20Hill%20researchers%20have%20discovered,an%20unusual%20response%20to%20radiation.">said in a statement.</a> “The tardigrades are doing something we hadn’t expected.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  18123.  
  18124.  
  18125.  
  18126. <p>Among the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/survive-nuclear-radiation/">many dangers of excessive radiation exposure</a> is its ability to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-03/fyi-how-does-nuclear-radiation-do-its-damage/">damage DNA</a>. In humans, the DNA damage from excessive radiation is linked to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-health-effects">diseases including various cancers and cardiovascular disease</a>. Tardigrade aka “water bears” can withstand an incredible amount of radiation. In <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/4606494">1963</a>, researchers first discovered that they can survive 1,400 times more intense radiation than humans are known to live through. Now, scientists are getting a glimpse into how their bodies correct the radiation damage in DNA.&nbsp;</p>
  18127.  
  18128.  
  18129.  
  18130. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/tardigrade-gun-survival/"><strong>What you need to know about the tardigrade cannon</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  18131.  
  18132.  
  18133.  
  18134. <p>In this new study, a team at UNC Chapel Hill used lab methods developed over the past 25 years to identify the internal genetic mechanisms tardigrades use to survive radiation exposure. They looked at a <a target="_blank" href="https://cshprotocols.cshlp.org/content/2018/11/pdb.emo102301.full">species of tardigrade called <em>Hypsibius exemplaris</em></a><em> </em>that are not immune to DNA damage from radiation. Instead, they can repair this type of extensive damage. When they are exposed to radiation, tardigrade cells harness the power of hundreds of genes to create new proteins used to repair DNA. These proteins then ramp up the level of DNA repair to levels <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/12/science/tardigrades-moss-piglets.html#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20a%20team%20of,required%20to%20kill%20a%20person.">study co-author and biologist Courtney Clark-Hachtel called “ridiculous.”</a></p>
  18135.  
  18136.  
  18137.  
  18138. <p>“These animals are mounting an incredible response to radiation, and that seems to be a secret to their extreme survival abilities,” Clark-Hachtel <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041321#:~:text=UNC%2DChapel%20Hill%20researchers%20discover%20new%20clues%20to,tardigrades%20can%20survive%20intense%20radiation&amp;text=University%20of%20North%20Carolina%20at%20Chapel%20Hill%20researchers%20have%20discovered,an%20unusual%20response%20to%20radiation.">said in a statement</a>. “What we are learning about how tardigrades overcome radiation stress can lead to new ideas about how we might try to protect other animals and microorganisms from damaging radiation.”</p>
  18139.  
  18140.  
  18141.  
  18142. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/animals/tardigrades-walk-like-insects/"><strong>We’ve seen how tardigrades walk, and it’s mesmerizing</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  18143.  
  18144.  
  18145.  
  18146. <p>As the UNC-Chapel Hill scientists completed the work, a team from France found similar results in their experiments. Museum of Natural History Paris researchers Jean-Paul Concordet and Anne de Cian and their colleagues found that while <a target="_blank" href="https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/92621">gamma rays shattered the DNA</a> of the tardigrades, it didn’t kill them. They also discovered a new tardigrade protein called TRD1 that protects DNA. When it is put into human cells, the protein seems to help them withstand the damage. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/12/science/tardigrades-moss-piglets.html#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20a%20team%20of,required%20to%20kill%20a%20person.">Concordet told <em>The New York Times</em></a> that TRD1 may grab onto the chromosomes and keep them in their correct shape, even as the chromosome strands start to fray. Understanding proteins like these can potentially lead to new treatments for cancer and other medical disorders where DNA is damaged.&nbsp;</p>
  18147.  
  18148.  
  18149.  
  18150. <p>“Any tricks they use we might benefit from,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/12/science/tardigrades-moss-piglets.html#:~:text=In%201963%2C%20a%20team%20of,required%20to%20kill%20a%20person.">said Concordet</a>. Concordet’s&nbsp; findings were <a target="_blank" href="https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/92621">published as a reviewed preprint in the journal <em>eLife</em></a> in January.&nbsp;</p>
  18151. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/tardigrades-water-bears-radiation/">How super resilient tardigrades can fix their radiation-damaged DNA</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18152. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18156. </item>
  18157. <item>
  18158. <title>The 12 most underrated national parks in the US</title>
  18159. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/underrated-national-parks/</link>
  18161. <dc:creator><![CDATA[PopSci Staff]]></dc:creator>
  18162. <pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
  18163. <category><![CDATA[Conservation]]></category>
  18164. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  18165. <category><![CDATA[Photography]]></category>
  18166. <category><![CDATA[public lands]]></category>
  18167. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=536909</guid>
  18168.  
  18169. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18170.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="809" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/16/petrified_national_park.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=809.28" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="the moon over the red plateaus of the Petrified Forest National Park" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NPS/Hallie Larsen</span></figcaption></figure><p>How many have you visited?</p>
  18171. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/underrated-national-parks/">The 12 most underrated national parks in the US</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18172. ]]></description>
  18173. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18174.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="809" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/16/petrified_national_park.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=809.28" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="the moon over the red plateaus of the Petrified Forest National Park" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">NPS/Hallie Larsen</span></figcaption></figure>
  18175. <p>Ever worry that you will run out of places to explore in America? Lucky for you, there are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/national-park-system.htm">63 national parks and 429 national park sites</a> across the country—it will take a long time to work your way through the 85 millions acres they encompass. And with additional sites being earmarked for conservation (West Virginia&#8217;s <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/environment/new-river-gorge-national-park-recreation-visit/">New River Gorge was just designated as a national park</a> in 2021, for example), the list of destinations keeps growing and growing.</p>
  18176.  
  18177.  
  18178.  
  18179. <p>Remember, it <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/national-park-guide/">takes some planning to visit the national parks</a>, though the journey you make of it will be worthwhile. One way to optimize the experience is by targeting the lesser-known parks. Avoid the snaking lines at the Grand Canyon and take in the wrinkly sandstone at Capitol Reef. Skip the tortuous campsite-booking system at Acadia and sleep on the sands of Indiana Dunes. Smaller parks might mean fewer amenities and tour outfitters, but that&#8217;s where the real beauty of wilderness shines through. </p>
  18180.  
  18181.  
  18182.  
  18183. <p>In 2024, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-park-week.htm">National Park Week</a> runs April 20 to April 28. On April 20, entrance fees will be waived to kick off this year&#8217;s celebration and encourage people to sign off of screens and visit a national park in person.</p>
  18184.  
  18185.  
  18186.  
  18187. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voyageurs-national-park-minnesota"><strong>Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota</strong></h2>
  18188.  
  18189.  
  18190.  
  18191. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Voyageurs-National-Park-1-1.jpeg" alt="Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is abundant with lakes and wetlands." class="wp-image-536913"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota has been home to Native Americans, fur traders, homesteaders, miners, and fishermen. Today it’s a 218,054-acre national park with four large lakes and 26 smaller interior lakes. On clear nights, lucky visitors have the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights, from the park. Skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities in the winter, while summer campers can charter a tour boat. <em>Image</em>: <em>USGS</em></figcaption></figure>
  18192.  
  18193.  
  18194.  
  18195. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guadalupe-mountains-national-park-texas"><strong>Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas</strong></h2>
  18196.  
  18197.  
  18198.  
  18199. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Guadalupe-Mountains-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in Texas" class="wp-image-536918"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Guadalupe Mountains is home to the four highest points in Texas and the bright-white Salt Basin. During the Pleistocene Epoch, this Salt Basin was covered by a shallow lake but today it’s dry most of the year. This photo captures one of the rare times when there’s water—this usually happens in the summer. While the Basin is covered in gypsum and salt, the nearby dunes consist of pale red quartz grains. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18200.  
  18201.  
  18202.  
  18203. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-north-cascades-national-park-washington"><strong>North Cascades National Park, Washington</strong></h2>
  18204.  
  18205.  
  18206.  
  18207. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/North-Cascades-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="North Cascades National Park in Washington is known as the American Alps with purple wildflowers" class="wp-image-536921"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">There are more than 300 glaciers in North Cascades National Park. Known for its rugged beauty, this park—just three hours from Seattle, Washington—has earned the reputation of being the American Alps. With over 400 miles of trails, visitors can explore forested valleys, birdwatch, and keep an eye out for grizzly bears. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18208.  
  18209.  
  18210.  
  18211. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lassen-volcanic-national-park-california"><strong>Lassen Volcanic National Park, California</strong></h2>
  18212.  
  18213.  
  18214.  
  18215. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Lassen-Volcanic-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="Lassen National Park in California is where you'll find boiling springs and steam vents." class="wp-image-536927"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The park’s Bumpass Hell Trail will lead to you boiling springs and steam vents. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18216.  
  18217.  
  18218.  
  18219. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capitol-reef-national-park-utah"><strong>Capitol Reef National Park, Utah</strong></h2>
  18220.  
  18221.  
  18222.  
  18223. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Captiol-Reef-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="The red canyons of Capitol Reef National Park in Utah." class="wp-image-536933"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">When you visit Capitol Reef you can see canyons, sandstone structures, and ancient petroglyphs. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service </em></figcaption></figure>
  18224.  
  18225.  
  18226.  
  18227. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biscayne-national-park-florida"><strong>Biscayne National Park, Florida</strong></h2>
  18228.  
  18229.  
  18230.  
  18231. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/biscayne-national-park.jpg" alt="clear waters and small islands" class="wp-image-611143"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Not all national parks are located in remote areas. Biscayne Bay National Park sits not far from Miami on Florida&#8217;s southeast coast and measures 172,971 acres, 95 percent of which is water. The aquamarine waters are home to a large coral reef and a history lesson. Evidence suggests that humans lived in the area 10,000 years ago.  <em>Image: <a target="_blank" href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/boca-chita-key-in-biscayne-national-park-in-florida-united-states-256677948.html">DepositPhotos</a></em></figcaption></figure>
  18232.  
  18233.  
  18234.  
  18235. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-congaree-national-park-south-carolina"><strong>Congaree National Park, South Carolina</strong></h2>
  18236.  
  18237.  
  18238.  
  18239. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Congagree-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="Congaree National Park in South Carolina protects an ancient forest." class="wp-image-536935"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Here you’ll find the largest remaining section of old-growth bottomland forest in the United States. <em>Image</em>: <em>Paul Angelo/National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18240.  
  18241.  
  18242.  
  18243. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-bay-national-park-alaska"><strong>Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska</strong></h2>
  18244.  
  18245.  
  18246.  
  18247. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2160" height="1440" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/adams-inlet-glacier-bay.jpg" alt="Conservation photo" class="wp-image-611130"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Glacier Bay&#8217;s 3.3 million acres include jaw-dropping mountains, glaciers, rainforests, coastlines, and fjords. The park was named for its vast number of tidewater and terrestrial glaciers, totaling 1,045. An abundance of wildlife call Glacier Bay home, including black and brown bears, moose, red fox, marmot, beaver, otter, bald eagle, osprey, orca, minke whale, humpback whale, wolverine, coyote, falcon, and more. Birdwatchers can delight in trying to spot some of the 274 species sighted in the park. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18248.  
  18249.  
  18250.  
  18251. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-river-gorge-national-park-and-preserve-west-virginia"><strong>New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia</strong></h2>
  18252.  
  18253.  
  18254.  
  18255. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/new-river-gorge-national-park-west-virginia-visit.jpg" alt="A purple Catawba rhododendron blooming in New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia." class="wp-image-536939"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">From 1,400 feet above the river at Grandview Main Overlook, visitors are rewarded with one of the most outstanding views in the park. On a clear day you can see directly into the heart of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, including seven miles of the New River and its watershed. From Main Overlook visitors can also get a glimpse of some of the gorge&#8217;s unique cultural history. From here you see an active railway and the town of Quinnimont, where the first coal was shipped out of the gorge in 1873. Grandview is a great place to see the spectacular displays of Catawba rhododendrons that bloom here every spring. The purple Catawba rhododendrons bloom in mid-May, while the white great rhododendrons bloom in July. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18256.  
  18257.  
  18258.  
  18259. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indiana-dunes-national-park-indiana"><strong>Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana</strong></h2>
  18260.  
  18261.  
  18262.  
  18263. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/indiana-dunes-national-park-visit.jpg" alt="Indiana Dunes National Park in Indiana is a refuge of sand dunes, wetlands, and woodlands. Canoes are welcome on the shores too." class="wp-image-536942"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">While the Indiana Dunes maintain a legacy of modern scientific inquiry that began towards the end of the 19th century, this landscape had already been studied by Native Americans for thousands of years. Their vast knowledge of the region reveals an intimate past of research.<em> </em>Indiana Dunes National Park is one of nine parks that are within the federal government&#8217;s Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network. National parks within the boundaries of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are monitored and studied for wildlife and plant populations, changes in the landscape, and effects of pollution on the environment. Great Lakes Network scientists use the parks for science and use the science to make management decisions to help the parks. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18264.  
  18265.  
  18266.  
  18267. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-haleakala-national-park-maui-hawaii"><strong>Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii</strong></h2>
  18268.  
  18269.  
  18270.  
  18271. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2250" height="1500" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/Haleakala-National-Park-1.jpg" alt="HaleakalÄ\x81 National Park in Hawaii is where you'll find a dormant volcano." class="wp-image-536944"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Haleakalā National Park holds more endangered species than any other US national park. <em>Image</em>: <em>National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18272.  
  18273.  
  18274.  
  18275. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h2-petrified-forest-national-park-arizona"><strong>Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona</strong></h2>
  18276.  
  18277.  
  18278.  
  18279. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/04/26/petrified-wood.jpg" alt="Closeup of petrified wood in the Crystal Forest in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona." class="wp-image-536954"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A slice of the Crystal Forest Trail in the Petrified Forest National Park. It was originally called First Forest as it was the first large accumulation of petrified wood reached from Adamana, Arizona. The petrified log segments continue to erode from the 216-million-year-old bed, which caps the exposures in the area, including Blue Mesa, Agate Bridge, and Crystal Forest. The historic access point built in the 1930s was closed in 1965 to reduce illegal petrified wood removal. <em>Image: Hallie Larsen/National Park Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18280.  
  18281.  
  18282.  
  18283. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonus-national-lakeshore-picture-rocks-michigan"><strong>Bonus National Lakeshore: Picture Rocks, Michigan</strong></h2>
  18284.  
  18285.  
  18286.  
  18287. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1707" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/lake-superior-cliffs-scaled.jpg" alt="sandstone cliffs above blue water" class="wp-image-611136"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Located in the UP (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan, Picture Rocks National Lakeshore is most known for its stunning namesake cliffs that rise from Lake Superior. These towering chunks of sandstone get their color from minerals in the groundwater that leak from the cliffs&#8217; surface.<em> Image: National Parks Service</em></figcaption></figure>
  18288.  
  18289.  
  18290.  
  18291. <p><em>This story was originally published in 2023 and updated in 2024.</em></p>
  18292. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/underrated-national-parks/">The 12 most underrated national parks in the US</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18293. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18297. </item>
  18298. <item>
  18299. <title>Stay powered on your adventures with up to 57% off Anker charging accessories</title>
  18300. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/anker-charging-accessories-spring-amazon-deal/</link>
  18302. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Amanda Reed]]></dc:creator>
  18303. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 16:46:11 +0000</pubDate>
  18304. <category><![CDATA[Computers]]></category>
  18305. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  18306. <category><![CDATA[Peripherals]]></category>
  18307. <category><![CDATA[Phones]]></category>
  18308. <category><![CDATA[Tablets]]></category>
  18309. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  18310. <category><![CDATA[deals]]></category>
  18311. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611114</guid>
  18312.  
  18313. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18314.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/anker-charger-amazon-deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An Anker portable charger in a pattern on a blank background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><p>Don't let your phone die when you're far from an outlet with these Anker charging accessory deals at Amazon.</p>
  18315. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/anker-charging-accessories-spring-amazon-deal/">Stay powered on your adventures with up to 57% off Anker charging accessories</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18316. ]]></description>
  18317. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18318.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="959" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/anker-charger-amazon-deal.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=959.76" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="An Anker portable charger in a pattern on a blank background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption"><span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Amanda Reed</span></figcaption></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  18319. </div>
  18320. <p>Warmer weather means frolicking in the great outdoors and soaking up all the sun-derived serotonin. However, all-day high jinks can leave your phone juiceless, between using your favorite GPS apps to find the perfect picnic spot and streaming your favorite hangout album on your <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-portable-bluetooth-speaker/">portable Bluetooth speaker</a>. Don&#8217;t even get us started on <a href="https://www.themuse.com/advice/6-phone-battery-hacks-thatll-save-you-a-panic-attack-when-youre-seeing-red" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warmer temperatures draining your phone battery</a>! Thankfully, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C812422R?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ&linkCode=tr1&tag=ps-deals-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ_1713286036299&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker&#8217;s charging accessories are on sale at Amazon</a>, meaning you can have enough power to get home after your adventure.</p>
  18321.  
  18322.  
  18323.  
  18324. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anker-prime-power-bank-109-99-with-coupon-was-129-99"><strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C812422R?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ&linkCode=tr1&tag=ps-deals-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ_1713286036299&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Prime Power Bank</a></strong> $109.99 with coupon (Was $129.99)</h3>
  18325.  
  18326.  
  18327. <div
  18328.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18329.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18330. >
  18331.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18332.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C812422R?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&038%3BcampaignId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ&linkCode=tr1&tag=ps-deals-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ_1713286036299&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18333.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18334.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/anker-prime-power-bank.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/anker-prime-power-bank.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="An Anker Prime power bank on a plain background.">
  18335.                      </figure>
  18336.                  </a>
  18337.            </div>
  18338.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18339.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18340.        <p><em>Anker</em></p>
  18341.  
  18342.      </figcaption>
  18343.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18344.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C812422R?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&038%3BcampaignId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ&linkCode=tr1&tag=ps-deals-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3SU6JI04LB2MZ_1713286036299&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  18345.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18346.      </p>
  18347.      </div>
  18348. </div>
  18349.  
  18350.  
  18351.  
  18352. <p>Charge your laptop, phone, portable speaker, and more with this powerful <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-portable-chargers/">portable charger</a> that packs 20,000mAh of extra juice. That equates to charging a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CM5BL45N?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">16-inch MacBook Pro</a> to 50 percent in 40 minutes. A smart digital display helps you keep tabs on your remaining charge, input, and output. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, so you&#8217;ll have to find a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Lightning-Certified-Charging-Included/dp/B0BQQDS3KX?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">USB-C to Lightning cable</a> if you still live that previous-gen iPhone life. </p>
  18353.  
  18354.  
  18355.  
  18356. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-here-are-more-anker-deals-to-keep-you-charged-all-day-long"><strong>Here are more Anker deals to keep you charged all day long:</strong></h3>
  18357.  
  18358.  
  18359.  
  18360. <ul>
  18361. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charging-Portable-Charger-Compatible/dp/B0BYNZJ5VV?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) with 100W Charging Base</a> $164.49 (Was $234.99)</li>
  18362.  
  18363.  
  18364.  
  18365. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Delivery-Ethernet-microSD-MacBook/dp/B0BMXQXXMW?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker 552 [USB]-[C] [Hub] (9-in-1) with 100W Power Delivery</a> $29.99 (Was $69.99)</li>
  18366.  
  18367.  
  18368.  
  18369. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charging-iphone13-Extension-Accessory/dp/B0B3HWJNW5?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker 7-in-1 65W USB-C Power Strip and Charging Station</a> $45.99 (Was $65.99)</li>
  18370.  
  18371.  
  18372.  
  18373. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charging-GaNPrime-Detachable-Extension/dp/B09SG31NPT?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker 727 Charging Station (GaNPrime 100W)</a> $65.95 (Was $99.99)</li>
  18374.  
  18375.  
  18376.  
  18377. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerPort-Charger-Ultra-Powerful-Included/dp/B09B33D76V?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">MacBook Pro Charger, Anker 100W Fast Charger</a> $29.99 (Was $45.99)</li>
  18378.  
  18379.  
  18380.  
  18381. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Charger-Charging-Portable-Foldable/dp/B0CFKSJMVJ?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Power Bank USB C Charger Block</a> $29.99 (Was $39.99)</li>
  18382.  
  18383.  
  18384.  
  18385. <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Lightning-Connector-Certified-Compatible/dp/B0BV66TQ3G?tag=ps-deals-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000611114O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Anker Nano Portable Charger for iPhone</a> $17.99 (Was $25.99)</li>
  18386. </ul>
  18387. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/anker-charging-accessories-spring-amazon-deal/">Stay powered on your adventures with up to 57% off Anker charging accessories</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18388. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18392. </item>
  18393. <item>
  18394. <title>This gnarly fungus makes cicadas hypersexual</title>
  18395. <link>https://www.popsci.com/environment/cicada-fungus/</link>
  18397. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  18398. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:54:54 +0000</pubDate>
  18399. <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
  18400. <category><![CDATA[Biology]]></category>
  18401. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  18402. <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
  18403. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  18404. <category><![CDATA[Wildlife]]></category>
  18405. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611122</guid>
  18406.  
  18407. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18408.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/infected-cicada.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an infected periodical cicada with a white fungal plug on its abdomen" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">White fungal plugs that look like gumdrops covered in chalk dust are a telltale sign of a Massospora cicadina infection. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Matt Kasson</span></figcaption></figure><p>'We probably wouldn’t attempt to mate. We would just feel awful, lay down, and die.'</p>
  18409. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/cicada-fungus/">This gnarly fungus makes cicadas hypersexual</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18410. ]]></description>
  18411. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  18412.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/infected-cicada.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an infected periodical cicada with a white fungal plug on its abdomen" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">White fungal plugs that look like gumdrops covered in chalk dust are a telltale sign of a Massospora cicadina infection. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">Matt Kasson</span></figcaption></figure>
  18413. <p>As we wait for this <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/cicada-facts-2024/#:~:text=Cicadas%20come%20up%20to%20mate,the%20whole%20process%20over%20again.">spring and summer’s “cicadapocalypse,”</a> when trillions will emerge across the Southern and Midwestern United States, some of the bugs may face a predicament that sounds <a href="https://www.popsci.com/technology/unconventional-computing-lab-mushroom/">straight out of science fiction</a>. A sexually transmitted fungal pathogen exclusive to these periodical insects called <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-19813-0"><em>Massospora cicadina</em></a> can control them like “a puppet master.” It causes the infected cicadas to act hypersexual and infect other bugs before they eventually die.</p>
  18414.  
  18415.  
  18416.  
  18417. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abdomens-pierced-open-by-a-fungus"><strong>Abdomens pierced open by a fungus</strong></h2>
  18418.  
  18419.  
  18420.  
  18421. <p><em>Massospora cicadina </em>can affect both broods of periodical cicadas set to emerge in the coming weeks and months. <a target="_blank" href="https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_13/">Brood XIII</a>–the Northern Illinois Brood–will emerge for the first time since 2007 and stretches across parts of Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and northern Illinois. Some of <a target="_blank" href="https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_19/">Brood XIX</a>–the Great Southern Brood–will overlap with Brood XIII. The Great Southern Brood last emerged in 2011 and is primarily located in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, and southern Illinois.</p>
  18422.  
  18423.  
  18424.  
  18425. <p>When they emerge, the cicadas <a target="_blank" href="https://askabiologist.asu.edu/cicada-life-cycle">molt into adults</a>. Within a week to 10 days, this fungus opens up the backs of their abdomens. Scientists are still not sure when in their life cycle cicadas can initially become infected with <em>Massospora cicadina</em>, but the prevailing hypothesis is that they are infected on their way up from the ground.&nbsp;</p>
  18426.  
  18427.  
  18428.  
  18429. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/zombie-fungus-real-life-diseases/"><strong>This parasite deploys mucus slime balls to make ‘zombie ants.’</strong></a><strong>]</strong></p>
  18430.  
  18431.  
  18432.  
  18433. <p>According to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.davis.wvu.edu/faculty-staff/directory/matthew-kasson">West Virginia University mycologist Matt Kasson</a>, the infected cicadas look like they have “a gumdrop that’s gotten wet and dropped in chalk dust,” on them.</p>
  18434.  
  18435.  
  18436.  
  18437. <p>“If you look at a fungus infected cicada, you’ll see that basically, the backside of the body has been replaced by this chalky white fungal plug,” Kasson tells <em>PopSci</em>. “Now, if you or I had our abdomens pierced open by a fungus or a third of our body was replaced by some parasite, we probably wouldn’t feel well. We probably wouldn’t attempt to mate. We would just feel awful, lay down, and die.”</p>
  18438.  
  18439.  
  18440.  
  18441. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="portrait"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1165" height="1801" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/infected-cicada-underside.jpeg" alt="infected cicada with a chalky white fungal plug on its abdomen" class="wp-image-611124"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>An infected Brood X 17-year cicada collected in Woodbridge, Virginia in 2021. CREDIT: Matt Kasson.</em></figcaption></figure>
  18442.  
  18443.  
  18444.  
  18445. <p>However, infected cicadas continue to fly around as if nothing is wrong with them even as their genitalia have been consumed by a fungus. They can do this because the fungus has sent them into a period of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1746809422000519#:~:text=Acute%20sleep%20deprivation%2C%20defined%20as,%5D%2C%20%5B11%5D%5D.">prolonged wakefulness–a time of increased stamina</a>.</p>
  18446.  
  18447.  
  18448.  
  18449. <p>“A <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31768192/">hypothesis for that prolonged wakefulness</a> is that the fungus is producing an amphetamine called <a target="_blank" href="https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/synthetic-cathinones/">cathinone</a>,” says Kasson. Kasson says it is similar to one of the synthetic stimulants commonly found in “illegal bath salts that were banned because of the aggressiveness that [they] would cause.”&nbsp;</p>
  18450.  
  18451.  
  18452.  
  18453. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A quiet fungal ‘puppet master’</strong></h2>
  18454.  
  18455.  
  18456.  
  18457. <p>It makes the cicadas act hypersexualized, where males will continue to try to unsuccessfully mate with females and also mimic female behaviors to attract other males to mate with them. This then doubles the number of cicadas that will eventually become infected and is why it can be considered sexually transmitted.&nbsp;</p>
  18458.  
  18459.  
  18460.  
  18461. <p><em>Massospora cicadina’s </em>ability to keep the host alive long to maximize the number of cicadas infected makes it a biotroph. It does not work like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3204140/#:~:text=Ophiocordyceps%20unilateralis%20(Ascomycota%3A%20Hypocreales),predominantly%20in%20tropical%20forest%20ecosystems."><em>Ophiocordyceps unilateralis</em> fungus</a> that <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/mind-controlling-zombie-parasites-are-real/">takes over ants and makes them act like zombies</a> or the fictional <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/zombie-fungus-real-life-diseases/">fungi from the television show and video game <em>The Last of Us</em></a><em> </em>that pops out in a dramatic fashion.&nbsp;</p>
  18462.  
  18463.  
  18464.  
  18465. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/cicada-facts-2024/#:~:text=Cicadas%20come%20up%20to%20mate,the%20whole%20process%20over%20again."><strong>The Cicadapocalypse is nigh. 7 cicada facts to know before it hits</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  18466.  
  18467.  
  18468.  
  18469. <p>“It&#8217;s a trick of the fungus and it’s like a puppet master,” says Kasson. “It&#8217;s pulling the strings to maximize its own survival.”</p>
  18470.  
  18471.  
  18472.  
  18473. <p>Infection rates can reach 20 percent of a cicada if the environmental conditions are perfect, but some older studies suggest that it affects about five percent of cicadas in a given brood.&nbsp;</p>
  18474.  
  18475.  
  18476.  
  18477. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Optimizing its genome</strong></h2>
  18478.  
  18479.  
  18480.  
  18481. <p><em>Massospora cicadina </em>was first discovered in the <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31768192/">mid to late 1800’s</a>. Since periodical cicadas only emerge every 13 or 17 years, studying this fungus is difficult. It also can’t be cultured on a petri dish, so mycologists have a limited window to study them and are still not really sure where it comes from.&nbsp;</p>
  18482.  
  18483.  
  18484.  
  18485. <p>In 2016, <a target="_blank" href="https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_05/">Brood V</a> emerged near Kasson’s office in West Virginia and some of his graduate students suggested they look for signs of this fungus. They were able to <a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31768192/">sequence parts of its genome </a>to see what makes it special. What they found was the largest genome ever sequenced for a fungus at about 1.5 billion bases.</p>
  18486.  
  18487.  
  18488.  
  18489. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1300" height="866" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/infected-cicada-outside-1.jpg" alt="a periodical cicada standing on a leaf. the bug has a white fungal plug showing it is infected" class="wp-image-611125"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A periodical cicada infected with the fungal pathogen </em>Massospora cicadina. <em>CREDIT: Matt Kasson.</em></figcaption></figure>
  18490.  
  18491.  
  18492.  
  18493. <p>“It’s about 20 times bigger than the average human genome and it&#8217;s mostly filled with these repetitive sequences called transposable elements,” says Kasson.</p>
  18494.  
  18495.  
  18496.  
  18497. <p>They indicate that <em>Massospora cicadina </em>has essentially spent millions of years <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/pangenome-human-diversity-dna/">optimizing its genome</a> right alongside the cicada. The fungus and insect appear to have coevolved so that it can manipulate its host in a specific way to not kill it, but ensure its own survival. According to Kasson, their data on this coevolution hasn’t been published yet, but shows some interesting evolutionary dynamics.&nbsp;</p>
  18498.  
  18499.  
  18500.  
  18501. <p>“What we see is a pattern where basically cicadas evolved in parallel to the fungus all together,” says Kasson.&nbsp;</p>
  18502.  
  18503.  
  18504.  
  18505. <p><em>Massospora cicadina </em>is not transmissible to humans, but&nbsp; it would be smart to avoid <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/cicada-cooking-guide/">eating</a> any cicadas that have the white, chalky plugs on their abdomens. The infected bugs will not come with any sort of high or buzz, but do have several toxins that could be dangerous if eaten.&nbsp;</p>
  18506.  
  18507.  
  18508.  
  18509. <p>“We found 1,000 other chemical compounds, some of which are known mycotoxins,” says Kasson. “So proceed with caution if you&#8217;re thinking about consuming one of these cicada fungi.”</p>
  18510. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/cicada-fungus/">This gnarly fungus makes cicadas hypersexual</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18511. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  18515. </item>
  18516. <item>
  18517. <title>The best turntable accessories for Record Store Day 2024</title>
  18518. <link>https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-turntable-accessories/</link>
  18520. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brandt Ranj]]></dc:creator>
  18521. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:55:00 +0000</pubDate>
  18522. <category><![CDATA[Audio]]></category>
  18523. <category><![CDATA[Gear]]></category>
  18524. <category><![CDATA[Gift Guides]]></category>
  18525. <category><![CDATA[Home]]></category>
  18526. <category><![CDATA[Commerce]]></category>
  18527. <category><![CDATA[evergreen]]></category>
  18528. <category><![CDATA[nota]]></category>
  18529. <category><![CDATA[reviews]]></category>
  18530. <category><![CDATA[roundup]]></category>
  18531. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=610821</guid>
  18532.  
  18533. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  18534.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/The-best-turntable-accessories-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best turntable accessories of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><p>Planning to pick up some fresh wax this Record Store Day? Augment your turntable with accessories to keep your vinyl clean and system finely tuned.</p>
  18535. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-turntable-accessories/">The best turntable accessories for Record Store Day 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  18536. ]]></description>
  18537. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--productTable">
  18538.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="936" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/The-best-turntable-accessories-of-2024.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=936" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="The best turntable accessories of 2024 on a plain white background." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><div class="orgnc-SingleImage-creditTop">Brandt Ranj / Popular Science </div></figure><div class="Article-disclosure"><p><em>We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/affiliate-disclosure/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn more ›</span></a></em></p>
  18539. </div><div class="ProductTable ProductTable--slider">
  18540.  <div class="ProductTable-tableWrap">
  18541.    <table class="ProductTable-table">
  18542.      <tbody>
  18543.              <tr
  18544.          class="ProductTable-product"
  18545.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  18546.        >
  18547.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  18548.            Best powered speakers
  18549.          </td>
  18550.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  18551.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/08/Klipsch-The-Nines.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Audio photo" class="wp-image-609861" width="264" height="165">
  18552.          </td>
  18553.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  18554.            Klipsch The Nines
  18555.          </td>
  18556.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  18557.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  18558.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18559.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18560.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18561.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18562.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18563.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 100%">
  18564.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18565.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18566.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18567.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18568.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18569.                                  </div>
  18570.                          </div>
  18571.          </td>
  18572.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  18573.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  18574.                <span>
  18575.                  SEE IT
  18576.                </span>
  18577.            </a>
  18578.          </td>
  18579.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  18580.              <p>Uncompromised sound from a set of powered speakers perfect for both analog and digital music listening.</p>
  18581.  
  18582.            </td>
  18583.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  18584.        </tr>
  18585.              <tr
  18586.          class="ProductTable-product"
  18587.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  18588.        >
  18589.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  18590.            Best record brush
  18591.          </td>
  18592.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  18593.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Anti-Static Record Brush on a plain white background." class="wp-image-610847" width="264" height="165">
  18594.          </td>
  18595.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  18596.            Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Anti-Static Record Brush
  18597.          </td>
  18598.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  18599.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  18600.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18601.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18602.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18603.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18604.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18605.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 90%">
  18606.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18607.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18608.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18609.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18610.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18611.                                  </div>
  18612.                          </div>
  18613.          </td>
  18614.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  18615.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  18616.                <span>
  18617.                  SEE IT
  18618.                </span>
  18619.            </a>
  18620.          </td>
  18621.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  18622.              <p>This brush keeps your vinyl&#8217;s grooves free from hair, dust, and static.</p>
  18623.  
  18624.            </td>
  18625.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  18626.        </tr>
  18627.              <tr
  18628.          class="ProductTable-product"
  18629.          data-href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed"
  18630.        >
  18631.          <td class="ProductTable-award">
  18632.            Best turntable cartridge
  18633.          </td>
  18634.          <td class="ProductTable-image">
  18635.            <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp" srcset="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=330 330w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=360 360w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=382 382w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=800 800w,https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;width=1440 1440w" alt="Ortofon 2M Bronze Moving Magnet Cartridge on a plain white background." class="wp-image-610860" width="264" height="165">
  18636.          </td>
  18637.                    <td class="ProductTable-title">
  18638.            Ortofon 2M Bronze Moving Magnet Cartridge
  18639.          </td>
  18640.          <td class="ProductTable-ratingWrap">
  18641.            <div class="ProductTable-rating">
  18642.                                                <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18643.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18644.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18645.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18646.                                  <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18647.                                <div class="ProductTable-rating--inner" style="width: 80%">
  18648.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18649.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18650.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18651.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18652.                                      <span><i class="fa fa-star"></i></span>
  18653.                                  </div>
  18654.                          </div>
  18655.          </td>
  18656.          <td class="ProductTable-cta">
  18657.            <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer sponsored">
  18658.                <span>
  18659.                  SEE IT
  18660.                </span>
  18661.            </a>
  18662.          </td>
  18663.                      <td class="ProductTable-summary">
  18664.              <p>Ortofon&#8217;s 2M Bronze was designed from diamond-tip to tail to extract the best sound from your albums.</p>
  18665.  
  18666.            </td>
  18667.                                        <a target="_blank" class="ProductTable-productUrl" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed" rel="sponsored noopener noreferrer nofollow"></a>
  18668.        </tr>
  18669.            </tbody>
  18670.    </table>
  18671.    <div class="ProductTable-slideControlsWrap">
  18672.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-left"></i></button>
  18673.      <button><i class="fa fa-caret-right"></i></button>
  18674.    </div>
  18675.  </div>
  18676. </div>
  18677.  
  18678.  
  18679.  
  18680. <ul>
  18681. <li><strong>Best powered speakers:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch the Nines</a></li>
  18682.  
  18683.  
  18684.  
  18685. <li><strong>Best preamp:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Moving-Magnet-Preamplifier/dp/B0793363RG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cambridge Audio Alva Solo</a></li>
  18686.  
  18687.  
  18688.  
  18689. <li><strong>Best record weight:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Andover-Audio-AAMD1WGTWN01NA-Record-Damping/dp/B0BNNYSLV4?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Andover Record Damping Weight</a></li>
  18690.  
  18691.  
  18692.  
  18693. <li><strong>Best record cleaner:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-MKII-Complete/dp/B002UKSZUU?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Spin-Clean Record Washer Complete Kit</a></li>
  18694.  
  18695.  
  18696.  
  18697. <li><strong>Best turntable slipmat:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Spin-Precision-Technology-Turntable-Audiophile/dp/B07912DZK7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Pro Spin Cork Turntable Mat</a></li>
  18698.  
  18699.  
  18700.  
  18701. <li><strong>Best record brush:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Anti-Static Record Brush</a></li>
  18702.  
  18703.  
  18704.  
  18705. <li><strong>Best turntable cartridge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ortofon 2M Bronze Moving Magnet Cartridge</a></li>
  18706.  
  18707.  
  18708.  
  18709. <li><strong>Best power conditioner:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AC-Power-Filter-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B08QZ8ZXF7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">WAudio AC Power Filter Power Conditioner</a></li>
  18710.  
  18711.  
  18712.  
  18713. <li><strong>Best vinyl subscription:</strong> <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=145354&amp;afftrack=-&amp;urllink=www.vinylmeplease.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vinyl Me, Please</a></li>
  18714. </ul>
  18715.  
  18716.  
  18717.  
  18718. <p><a href="https://recordstoreday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Record Store Day 2024</a> is this coming Saturday, April 20, and to enjoy your limited-edition slabs of wax to their fullest, you&#8217;ll need a few accessories. (If you need help finding the right turntable, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-turntables-under-500/">we have recommendations</a>, too.) Add-ons for your record player typically fall into a couple of categories: maintenance and audio fidelity improvements. The former will keep your treasured grooves in tip-top shape to avoid creating scratches that can result in unwanted clicks and pops. The latter are components to add to your analog audio system to help your albums sound their best. Having a few turntable accessories from both categories will ensure your vinyl gives you maximum enjoyment for a lifetime—if not multiple lifetimes.</p>
  18719.  
  18720.  
  18721.  
  18722. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-powered-speakers-klipsch-the-nines"><strong>Best powered speakers:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Klipsch the Nines</a></h3>
  18723.  
  18724.  
  18725. <div
  18726.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18727.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18728. >
  18729.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18730.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18731.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18732.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/05/01/Klipsch-TheNines-Outdoors-Pair.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2023/05/01/Klipsch-TheNines-Outdoors-Pair.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Klipsch The Nines powered speakers outside on a table in the sun">
  18733.                      </figure>
  18734.                  </a>
  18735.            </div>
  18736.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18737.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18738.        <p><em>Sarah Jones</em></p>
  18739.  
  18740.      </figcaption>
  18741.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18742.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Heritage-Inspired-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0BBWJLYR7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18743.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18744.      </p>
  18745.      </div>
  18746. </div>
  18747.  
  18748.  
  18749.  
  18750. <p>The Nines topped our list of the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-turntable-speakers/">best turntable speakers</a>, and they&#8217;re an incredible upgrade for turntable owners looking for an audiophile-grade all-in-one system. In our <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/klipsch-the-nines-powered-speakers-review/">full review</a>, our author praised The Nines for the presence of an internal preamp, which will allow you to quickly plug any turntable with a moving magnet cartridge into it. Many modern turntables come with a built-in preamp, but older models and lots of high-end record players don&#8217;t. Using an external preamp will always yield better results, but it&#8217;s nice to be able to use The Nines with a turntable out of the box. Additionally, The Nines have a grounding peg for your turntable&#8217;s <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Golden-Gate-Turntable-1-5m/dp/B09VCPZ4JJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">RCA cables</a>.</p>
  18751.  
  18752.  
  18753.  
  18754. <p>The Nines are stacked on the audio hardware side: Each <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/what-makes-up-a-speaker/">speaker</a> has an eight-inch long-throw woofer, one-inch tweeter, custom DSP, and an amp that delivers up to 480 watts of power. In addition to a turntable function, The Nines supports native playback of 24-bit digital audio files up to 192kHz when connected to a source using its optical audio or USB port. Yes, you can connect The Nines directly to a computer using the included USB-B to USB-A cable or optionally pick up a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Printer-Braided-Compatible-Printers/dp/B086ZGYK6K?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">USB-B to USB-C</a> cable, depending on your computer&#8217;s ports. The Nines also sport an HDMI port to use them as home theater speakers with a television. </p>
  18755.  
  18756.  
  18757.  
  18758. <p>This versatility makes The NInes&#8217; $1,499 price tag easier to justify. You can use them as a pair of incredible speakers for your turntable while pulling double or even triple duty as the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/how-does-bluetooth-work/">Bluetooth</a> wireless audio system and home theater setup in a living room. Just make sure you have enough space for the speakers because at 19 inches tall and 13.38 inches wide, you&#8217;ll need a fairly large entertainment center. </p>
  18759.  
  18760.  
  18761.  
  18762. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-preamp-cambridge-audio-alva-solo"><strong>Best preamp:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Moving-Magnet-Preamplifier/dp/B0793363RG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Cambridge Audio Alva Solo</a></h3>
  18763.  
  18764.  
  18765. <div
  18766.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18767.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18768. >
  18769.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18770.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Moving-Magnet-Preamplifier/dp/B0793363RG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18771.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18772.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Cambridge-Audio-Alva-Solo-Phono-Preamp.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Cambridge-Audio-Alva-Solo-Phono-Preamp.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Cambridge Audio Alva Solo on a plain white background.">
  18773.                      </figure>
  18774.                  </a>
  18775.            </div>
  18776.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18777.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18778.        <p><em>Cambridge Audio</em></p>
  18779.  
  18780.      </figcaption>
  18781.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18782.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Moving-Magnet-Preamplifier/dp/B0793363RG?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18783.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18784.      </p>
  18785.      </div>
  18786. </div>
  18787.  
  18788.  
  18789.  
  18790. <p>A phono preamp sits between your turntable and amplifier (or <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/best-powered-speakers/">powered speakers</a>) and boosts its signal so that you&#8217;ll be able to actually hear your music. Cambridge Audio&#8217;s Alva Solo works with turntables outfitted with moving magnet cartridges, and we like it for both its understated look and powerful features. Its all-aluminum enclosure houses a 10-watt preamp with 39dB of gain, <a href="https://sessionville.com/articles/what-is-the-riaa-curve" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIAA equalization</a>, and a built-in subsonic filter that can reduce the sound of some subtle sonic imperfections from your albums. Critically, the Alva Solo&#8217;s power supply is built inside its relatively svelte box, so you can connect it to the wall with a single clean cable. The preamp&#8217;s relatively small footprint (just under seven inches wide and two inches tall) means it&#8217;ll fit in any turntable setup, either beside or below your deck. Our favorite touch is that Cambridge Audio labeled each input and output above and below the RCA jacks, so you can easily identify them if you&#8217;re looking at them upside down (aka from in front of the equipment).</p>
  18791.  
  18792.  
  18793.  
  18794. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-record-weight-andover-record-damping-weight"><strong>Best record weight:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Andover-Audio-AAMD1WGTWN01NA-Record-Damping/dp/B0BNNYSLV4?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Andover Record Damping Weight</a></h3>
  18795.  
  18796.  
  18797. <div
  18798.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18799.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18800. >
  18801.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18802.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Andover-Audio-AAMD1WGTWN01NA-Record-Damping/dp/B0BNNYSLV4?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18803.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18804.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Andover-Record-Damping-Weight.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Andover-Record-Damping-Weight.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Andover Record Damping Weight on a plain white background.">
  18805.                      </figure>
  18806.                  </a>
  18807.            </div>
  18808.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18809.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18810.        <p><em>Andover Audio</em></p>
  18811.  
  18812.      </figcaption>
  18813.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18814.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Andover-Audio-AAMD1WGTWN01NA-Record-Damping/dp/B0BNNYSLV4?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18815.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18816.      </p>
  18817.      </div>
  18818. </div>
  18819.  
  18820.  
  18821.  
  18822. <p>The purpose of a record weight is to help keep vinyl from moving vertically as it spins around; even a visually imperceptible amount of movement can cause distortion. Andover&#8217;s Record Damping Weight weighs 9.35 ounces and fits right on top of your vinyl&#8217;s label, with a cutout that fits over the turntable&#8217;s spindle. The company says using this weight can result in less distortion, improved dynamics, righter bass, and a deeper sound stage, among other benefits. </p>
  18823.  
  18824.  
  18825.  
  18826. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-record-cleaner-spin-clean-record-washer-complete-kit"><strong>Best record cleaner:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-MKII-Complete/dp/B002UKSZUU?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Spin-Clean Record Washer Complete Kit</a></h3>
  18827.  
  18828.  
  18829. <div
  18830.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18831.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18832. >
  18833.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18834.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-MKII-Complete/dp/B002UKSZUU?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18835.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18836.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-Complete-Kit.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-Complete-Kit.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Spin-Clean Record Washer Complete Kit on a plain white background.">
  18837.                      </figure>
  18838.                  </a>
  18839.            </div>
  18840.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18841.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18842.        <p><em>Spin Clean</em></p>
  18843.  
  18844.      </figcaption>
  18845.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18846.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-MKII-Complete/dp/B002UKSZUU?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18847.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18848.      </p>
  18849.      </div>
  18850. </div>
  18851.  
  18852.  
  18853.  
  18854. <p>If we could only recommend one vinyl maintenance tool, it&#8217;d be this record-washing kit from Spin Clean. Here&#8217;s how it works: the spin clean&#8217;s basin gets filled with a mixture of water and the included record cleaning solution, at which point you submerge your album inside. The water only gets high enough to reach the innermost groove, so your vinyl&#8217;s label won&#8217;t get damaged. Once it&#8217;s submerged, you&#8217;ll physically rotate the vinyl clockwise a few times. Soft brushes on the inside of the spin clean will get the gunk out of your record&#8217;s grooves, which can reduce the album&#8217;s surface noise and the number of clicks and pops you&#8217;ll hear. Once it&#8217;s been cleaned, wipe off your album with the included cleaning cloth. It won&#8217;t turn your VG- mono copy of <em>The Kinks Are the&nbsp;<em>Village Green Preservation Society</em></em> into an NM-sounding album, but the difference will be noticeable. </p>
  18855.  
  18856.  
  18857.  
  18858. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-turntable-slipmat-pro-spin-cork-turntable-mat"><strong>Best turntable slipmat:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Spin-Precision-Technology-Turntable-Audiophile/dp/B07912DZK7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Pro Spin Cork Turntable Mat</a></h3>
  18859.  
  18860.  
  18861. <div
  18862.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18863.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18864. >
  18865.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18866.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Spin-Precision-Technology-Turntable-Audiophile/dp/B07912DZK7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18867.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18868.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Pro-Spin-Cork-Turntable-Mat.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Pro-Spin-Cork-Turntable-Mat.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Pro Spin Cork Turntable Mat on a plain white background.">
  18869.                      </figure>
  18870.                  </a>
  18871.            </div>
  18872.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18873.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18874.        <p><em>Pro Spin</em></p>
  18875.  
  18876.      </figcaption>
  18877.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18878.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Spin-Precision-Technology-Turntable-Audiophile/dp/B07912DZK7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18879.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18880.      </p>
  18881.      </div>
  18882. </div>
  18883.  
  18884.  
  18885.  
  18886. <p>Static buildup is one of the reasons you&#8217;ll hear clicks and pops on your albums, but you can eliminate this issue by switching to a cork turntable mat instead of using the felt mat that comes with most record players. There&#8217;s no increased risk of scratching your albums using a cork mat, and you&#8217;ll ensure the grooves of your records won&#8217;t accumulate stray stands of felt in them. This cork turntable mat from Pro Spin was designed to fit both 12-inch and 7-inch vinyl and is thick enough to absorb a few stray vibrations to reduce overall distortion. </p>
  18887.  
  18888.  
  18889.  
  18890. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-record-brush-mobile-fidelity-sound-labs-anti-static-record-brush"><strong>Best record brush:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Anti-Static Record Brush</a></h3>
  18891.  
  18892.  
  18893. <div
  18894.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18895.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18896. >
  18897.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18898.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18899.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18900.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static-Record-Brush.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Anti-Static Record Brush on a plain white background.">
  18901.                      </figure>
  18902.                  </a>
  18903.            </div>
  18904.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18905.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18906.        <p><em>Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab</em></p>
  18907.  
  18908.      </figcaption>
  18909.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18910.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Fidelity-Sound-Lab-Anti-Static/dp/B0BY218JCJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18911.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18912.      </p>
  18913.      </div>
  18914. </div>
  18915.  
  18916.  
  18917.  
  18918. <p>Another way to reduce static clicks and pops from your albums is using an anti-static brush like this one from Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs each time you play a record. Its fine plastic bristles will clean your album&#8217;s grooves while removing static simultaneously. To use this brush most effectively, start your turntable and gently place the brush&#8217;s bristles over your spinning record. Repeat this process each time you flip the album for the best results. </p>
  18919.  
  18920.  
  18921.  
  18922. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-turntable-cartridge-ortofon-2m-bronze-moving-magnet-cartridge"><strong>Best turntable cartridge:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Ortofon 2M Bronze Moving Magnet Cartridge</a></h3>
  18923.  
  18924.  
  18925. <div
  18926.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18927.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18928. >
  18929.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18930.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18931.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18932.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="Ortofon 2M Bronze Moving Magnet Cartridge on a plain white background.">
  18933.                      </figure>
  18934.                  </a>
  18935.            </div>
  18936.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18937.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18938.        <p><em>Orofon</em></p>
  18939.  
  18940.      </figcaption>
  18941.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18942.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Bronze-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B002SDY2OC?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18943.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18944.      </p>
  18945.      </div>
  18946. </div>
  18947.  
  18948.  
  18949.  
  18950. <p>If you&#8217;re using a turntable that lets you upgrade its cartridge, we highly recommend stepping up to the Ortofon 2M Bronze <a href="https://ortofon.com/pages/what-is-moving-magnet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moving magnet cartridge</a> to get the most out of your record collection. It&#8217;s a level up from the already excellent Ortofon 2M Red and 2M Blue (found on excellent turntables like <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fluance-Reference-Turntable-Cartridge-Vibration/dp/B07KGL56XJ?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">the Fluance RT85</a>, which <a href="https://www.popsci.com/reviews/fluance-rt85-review/">our reviewer loved</a>). Its Nude fine line diamond-tipped stylus was specifically cut to a profile optimized to stay inside the groove of a record even if it&#8217;s wobbling a little bit, and it uses split pole technology to send a clean signal from the needle to the tone arm using a copper wire. The Dutch-made cartridge we&#8217;re recommending has been premounted, which means it can plug directly into the tone arm of a record player rather than requiring you to futz with removing and replacing an entire needle. A turntable&#8217;s needle is the literal point of contact between your vinyl and the rest of your audio system. A weak or lackluster signal cannot be improved as it moves through your chain, so having a strong piece of hardware right up front is the best way to ensure you get the best possible sound from your albums.</p>
  18951.  
  18952.  
  18953.  
  18954. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-power-conditioner-waudio-ac-power-filter-power-conditioner"><strong>Best power conditioner:</strong> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AC-Power-Filter-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B08QZ8ZXF7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">WAudio AC Power Filter Power Conditioner</a></h3>
  18955.  
  18956.  
  18957. <div
  18958.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18959.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18960. >
  18961.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18962.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/AC-Power-Filter-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B08QZ8ZXF7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18963.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18964.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/WAudio-AC-Power-Filter-Power-Conditioner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/14/WAudio-AC-Power-Filter-Power-Conditioner.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="WAudio AC Power Filter Power Conditioner on a plain white background.">
  18965.                      </figure>
  18966.                  </a>
  18967.            </div>
  18968.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  18969.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  18970.        <p><em>WAudio</em></p>
  18971.  
  18972.      </figcaption>
  18973.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  18974.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://www.amazon.com/AC-Power-Filter-Conditioner-Protector/dp/B08QZ8ZXF7?tag=camdenxpsc-20&038%3Bascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000&asc_source=browser&asc_refurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popsci.com%2Ffeed&ascsubtag=0000PS0000610821O0000000020240426180000"
  18975.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  18976.      </p>
  18977.      </div>
  18978. </div>
  18979.  
  18980.  
  18981.  
  18982. <p>If you&#8217;re incredibly sensitive to any noise when listening to a new or mint album, turn to WAudio&#8217;s AC Power Filter Power Conditioner. The truth is that some noise can come from the quality of the electricity coming from your wall due to old or low gauge wiring. You can eliminate this by plugging your turntable (and other audio accessories) into a power conditioner, which will pick up and eliminate this noise before it hits your system. WAudio says its power conditioner can restrain interference above 1kHz and will up to 10dB of digital noise between 2MHz and 100MHz. This power conditioner has 10 outlets—six of which are filtered—and also provides overload and voltage protection to avoid electrical spikes from damaging your equipment. </p>
  18983.  
  18984.  
  18985.  
  18986. <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-vinyl-subscription-vinyl-me-please"><strong>Best vinyl subscription:</strong> <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&amp;u=1507094&amp;m=145354&amp;afftrack=-&amp;urllink=www.vinylmeplease.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Vinyl Me, Please</a></h3>
  18987.  
  18988.  
  18989. <div
  18990.    class="ProductCardSimple"
  18991.  data-id="ProductCardSimple"
  18992. >
  18993.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-image">
  18994.                          <a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=145354&#038;afftrack=-&#038;urllink=www.vinylmeplease.com%2Fpages%2Fjoin-the-club" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">
  18995.                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large">
  18996.            <img decoding="async" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Vinyl-Me-Please-Subscription.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" data-image="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/Vinyl-Me-Please-Subscription.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=800&amp;crop=16:10,offset-x50" loading="lazy" width="800" height="auto" alt="A copy of Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats on a turntable.">
  18997.                      </figure>
  18998.                  </a>
  18999.            </div>
  19000.  <div class="ProductCardSimple-content">
  19001.          <figcaption class="ProductCardSimple-contentDescription">
  19002.        <p><em>Vinyl Me, Please</em></p>
  19003.  
  19004.      </figcaption>
  19005.              <p class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtnWrap">
  19006.        <a class="ProductCardSimple-contentBtn btn" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=999&#038;u=1507094&#038;m=145354&#038;afftrack=-&#038;urllink=www.vinylmeplease.com%2Fpages%2Fjoin-the-club"
  19007.         target="_blank" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener noreferrer">SEE IT</a>
  19008.      </p>
  19009.      </div>
  19010. </div>
  19011.  
  19012.  
  19013.  
  19014. <p>So, you got the taste for premium pressings of classic albums but don&#8217;t want to wait till the next RSD to flesh out your collection. Well, look no further than Vinyl Me, Please. The site allows you to join a &#8220;club&#8221; and will send you one LP per month. Clubs are broken down by genre (country, hip-hop, rock) plus essentials (covering soul, blues, and jazz) and a generalist essentials option for listeners who want a little bit of everything. A subscription costs $46 per month, with discounts if you subscribe for three, six, or 12 months. Albums and box sets are also available a la carte for varying prices. Finding original pressings of albums in near-mint quality can be difficult, and Vinyl Me, Please takes the hassle out of crate digging with the hopes of striking gold.</p>
  19015. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-turntable-accessories/">The best turntable accessories for Record Store Day 2024</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  19016. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  19020. </item>
  19021. <item>
  19022. <title>How YOU can prevent wildfires</title>
  19023. <link>https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-prevent-wildfires/</link>
  19025. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alisha McDarris]]></dc:creator>
  19026. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
  19027. <category><![CDATA[DIY]]></category>
  19028. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  19029. <category><![CDATA[Life Skills]]></category>
  19030. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611043</guid>
  19031.  
  19032. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  19033.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="811" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/wildfire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=811.84592296148" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="smoke from a fire in front of the sun and over forests" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Wildfire in Montana. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/stunning-view-montana-national-forests-fire-giant-smoke-going-sky-532794044.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>On his 80th birthday, Smokey Bear is still urging fire safety.</p>
  19034. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-prevent-wildfires/">How YOU can prevent wildfires</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  19035. ]]></description>
  19036. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  19037.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="811" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/wildfire.jpg?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=811.84592296148" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="smoke from a fire in front of the sun and over forests" decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">Wildfire in Montana. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit"><a href="https://depositphotos.com/photo/stunning-view-montana-national-forests-fire-giant-smoke-going-sky-532794044.html">DepositPhotos</a></span></figcaption></figure>
  19038. <p><em>Only you can prevent <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/wildfire-home-safety-plan/">wildfires</a></em>. It’s a phrase nearly everyone who grew up in the U.S. is familiar with, uttered by a friendly shirtless bruin in blue jeans and a ranger hat: <a target="_blank" href="https://smokeybear.com/">Smokey Bear</a>, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year.</p>
  19039.  
  19040.  
  19041.  
  19042. <p>It’s the longest-running PSA campaign in U.S. history, but even after 80 years, “Smokey’s focused prevention message always remains incredibly relevant and important,” says Tracy Danicich, vice president and campaign director at Ad Council. That’s the national nonprofit—in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters (NASF)—that helped bring Smokey to life in the 1940s to educate and raise awareness about wildfire prevention.</p>
  19043.  
  19044.  
  19045. <div><lite-youtube videoid="sR3U_JB_jDE" style="background-image: none;">
  19046.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sR3U_JB_jDE/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Life Skills photo">
  19047.            </lite-youtube>
  19048.            
  19049.            <noscript>
  19050. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  19051. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Smokey Bear- Bambi and Smokey (1982)" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sR3U_JB_jDE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  19052. </div></figure>
  19053. </noscript></div>
  19054.  
  19055.  
  19056. <p>Here are a few often overlooked ways to be fire safe and help prevent human-caused forest fires this season. Do Smokey proud this year.&nbsp;</p>
  19057.  
  19058.  
  19059.  
  19060. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-facts"><strong>Wildfire facts</strong></h2>
  19061.  
  19062.  
  19063.  
  19064. <p>While wildfires can be devastating, it’s important to understand that some fire is beneficial for many landscapes. In fact, many areas around the country implement <a target="_blank" href="https://smokeybear.com/en/about-wildland-fire/benefits-of-fire">prescribed burns in parks or natural areas</a> to maintain the health of native plant species, promote biological diversity, and curb the disastrous effects of uncontrolled and unplanned wildfires. <a href="https://www.popsci.com/environment/forest-service-prescribed-burns-wildfires/">Prescribed burns</a> also help eliminate excess downed wood and leaf litter, which not only make for excellent fuel for wildfires, but can make it difficult for healthy forests to flourish.</p>
  19065.  
  19066.  
  19067.  
  19068. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2047" height="1365" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/15/prescribed-fire.jpg" alt="smoke and flames seen above trees" class="wp-image-611069"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Prescribed fire at Fishlake National Forest, Utah. <em>Image: Forest Service/John Smith</em></figcaption></figure>
  19069.  
  19070.  
  19071.  
  19072. <p>When these <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/environment/how-why-prescribed-burns-work/">prescribed burns</a> aren’t implemented, if a wildfire does start, often catastrophic loss of entire swaths of forest, homes, and lives can be suffered, and woodland can take decades to recover.</p>
  19073.  
  19074.  
  19075.  
  19076. <p>In the U.S. in 2023, there were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NICC/2-Predictive%20Services/Intelligence/Annual%20Reports/2023/annual_report_2023_0.pdf">3,036 individual homes destroyed by wildfire</a>, an annual average of 7.7 million acres burned over the last 5 years, of which 8 out of 10 were caused by humans. And while year-to-year numbers may fluctuate, <a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/earth/natural-disasters/wildfires/a-drier-future-sets-the-stage-for-more-wildfires/">climate change leads to longer</a>, drier weather patterns, which in turn open the door for longer and more severe wildfire seasons and more fire-prone wilderness areas.</p>
  19077.  
  19078.  
  19079.  
  19080. <p>Fortunately, agencies like the forest service and state foresters are getting better about predicting when and where fires will start that are caused by natural events like lightning, but human-caused occurrences are impossible to predict. What’s more, “It’s surprising how quickly and unintentionally they can happen,” says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.westernforesters.org/blog/meet-forester-kacey-kc">Kacey KC</a>, Nevada state forester, NASF fire committee vice chair and former NASF president. Fortunately, many are preventable with an extra dose of caution.</p>
  19081.  
  19082.  
  19083.  
  19084. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keep-campfires-under-control"><strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/build-put-out-campfire-guide/">Keep campfires under control</a></strong></h2>
  19085.  
  19086.  
  19087.  
  19088. <p>Wildfires are often the result of improperly managed <a href="https://www.popsci.com/story/diy/build-the-ultimate-campfire/">campfires</a>. So when starting a blaze at the campground to <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-make-smores/">roast marshmallows for s’mores</a>, do so carefully. And if there’s a burn ban in effect, follow posted rules and do without.</p>
  19089.  
  19090.  
  19091.  
  19092. <p>If you are allowed to build a fire, clear an area at least 10-feet in diameter around the fire pit of excess debris like leaf litter, twigs, and wood. Have enough water on hand to fully drown the fire and any stray embers, then ensure there are no low-hanging branches that could catch. Store flammable items away from open flame, and keep your blaze to no more than a few feet high.</p>
  19093.  
  19094.  
  19095.  
  19096. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="640" height="640" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/DrownStirDrown.jpg" alt="infographinc showing how to properly put out a campfire" class="wp-image-611220"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Image: Ad Council</em></figcaption></figure>
  19097.  
  19098.  
  19099.  
  19100. <p>After it’s lit, never leave a fire unattended. And when you’re ready to turn in for the night or are heading away from the campsite for the day, <a href="https://www.popsci.com/how-to-leave-no-trace-outdoors/">Leave No Trace</a> principles dictate that you should thoroughly extinguish the fire so that the coals are soupy and cool to the touch. “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave,” Danicich says, repeating Smokey’s sage advice. KC agrees: “Even the tiniest ember can start a fire.”</p>
  19101.  
  19102.  
  19103.  
  19104. <p>If you don’t have enough water, bury what’s left of the embers under a thick layer of dirt. Neglecting to do so could result in one warm coal easily reigniting and starting the fire back up or sending up rogue embers, which can travel up to five miles if caught by the wind.</p>
  19105.  
  19106.  
  19107.  
  19108. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-careful-when-you-burn-backyard-debris"><strong>Be careful when you burn backyard debris</strong></h2>
  19109.  
  19110.  
  19111.  
  19112. <p>If you live in a place that permits the backyard burning of yard waste and natural debris like leaves and vegetation, check to see if you need a permit before doing so. If you’re allowed, proceed with your burn on a non-windy day, preferably not long after a rain when the landscape won’t be dried to a crisp, making it more likely to ignite with your burn pile. Select a spot—ideally on a durable surface like gravel—far from power lines, tree limbs, vehicles and other equipment where there’s at least three times the clearance of the pile on all sides, including above.</p>
  19113.  
  19114.  
  19115.  
  19116. <p>Then clear the immediate area of other flammable debris and loose vegetation and have plenty of water or a garden hose within reach. Water, in conjunction with a shovel for burying the remaining coals and ashes later, helps ensure no embers will reignite the fire. As with campfires, don’t leave your debris pile unattended while it’s burning.</p>
  19117.  
  19118.  
  19119.  
  19120. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grill-smart"><strong>Grill smart</strong></h2>
  19121.  
  19122.  
  19123.  
  19124. <p>One lesser known wildfire cause: improper disposal of hot coals. If you’re <a href="https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-gas-grills-under-1000/">grilling</a> with charcoal briquets, when the cookout is over, don’t throw them in the garbage can right away. Drown the briquets in enough water to fully cover them, then let them soak for several minutes to ensure they’re completely cool before you dispose of them.</p>
  19125.  
  19126.  
  19127.  
  19128. <p>Similarly, if placing hot ash or coals from your living room fireplace outside, wait to do so until they’re completely cool to the touch.</p>
  19129.  
  19130.  
  19131.  
  19132. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-careful-where-you-put-your-butt"><strong>Be careful where you put your butt</strong></h2>
  19133.  
  19134.  
  19135.  
  19136. <p>Smokers should be cautious when smoking outdoors or disposing of smoked cigarettes, tobacco, and <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-roll-a-joint/">joints</a>. Use an ashtray or bare dirt, not dry grass or logs, to put out smoking butts and never toss a lit cigarette into the grass or out a car window. Even the act of smoking while hiking or camping can result in an errant ember catching the wind, landing on dry debris, and igniting.&nbsp;</p>
  19137.  
  19138.  
  19139.  
  19140. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-caution-with-equipment-and-maintenance"><strong>Use caution with equipment and maintenance</strong></h2>
  19141.  
  19142.  
  19143.  
  19144. <p>There are plenty of ways heavy equipment, machinery, and maintenance tools can cause wildfires. Sparks can easily fly from dragging tow chains, hot exhaust pipes can catch dry grass on fire, and lawn mower blades that hit rocks can do the same.</p>
  19145.  
  19146.  
  19147.  
  19148. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="square"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="843" height="843" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/17/TowChains.jpg" alt="an illustration of chains towing a trailer with a crossed out 'no' sign" class="wp-image-611223"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Check your tow chains and avoid mowing when it&#8217;s hot and dry. <em>Image: Ad Council</em></figcaption></figure>
  19149.  
  19150.  
  19151.  
  19152. <p>So make sure nothing metal is dragging from your car while driving; avoid mowing when it’s excessively hot, dry, and windy; and if using grinding or welding equipment or other tools that send sparks flying, it’s a good idea—and sometimes required—to have at least 10 feet of clearance between you and anything flammable. Also avoid parking a vehicle with a hot exhaust pipe on dry grass or foliage.</p>
  19153.  
  19154.  
  19155.  
  19156. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-it-to-an-indoor-range"><strong>Take it to an indoor range</strong></h2>
  19157.  
  19158.  
  19159.  
  19160. <p>According to KC, target shooting was one of the biggest causes of accidental fires in 2023. They’re often caused when bullets hit metal or ricochet and cause sparks near dry foliage. So when it’s dry, take it to an indoor range instead.</p>
  19161.  
  19162.  
  19163.  
  19164. <p>However you’re enjoying the outdoors as fire season approaches, recreate responsibly, and do your part to prevent forest fires. Call it a birthday present for Smokey.</p>
  19165.  
  19166.  
  19167. <div><lite-youtube videoid="xgFruhmjy7s" style="background-image: none;">
  19168.                <img decoding="async" class="lty-image-thumbnail" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xgFruhmjy7s/hqdefault.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Life Skills photo">
  19169.            </lite-youtube>
  19170.            
  19171.            <noscript>
  19172. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  19173. <iframe loading="lazy" title="Smokey Bear Says (1995)" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xgFruhmjy7s?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  19174. </div></figure>
  19175. </noscript></div><p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-prevent-wildfires/">How YOU can prevent wildfires</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  19176. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
  19180. </item>
  19181. <item>
  19182. <title>Humongous stellar-mass black hole is the biggest ever found in Milky Way</title>
  19183. <link>https://www.popsci.com/science/biggest-stellar-mass-black-hole/</link>
  19185. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Baisas]]></dc:creator>
  19186. <pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:27:33 +0000</pubDate>
  19187. <category><![CDATA[Black Holes]]></category>
  19188. <category><![CDATA[Deep Space]]></category>
  19189. <category><![CDATA[Science]]></category>
  19190. <category><![CDATA[Space]]></category>
  19191. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.popsci.com/?p=611103</guid>
  19192.  
  19193. <description><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  19194.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/stellar-mass-black-hole.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an illustration of a black hole with a companion star. the star is bright with a blue line indicating where the black hole is." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s impression of the largest stellar black hole in the Milky Way galaxy. The illustration shows the orbits of both the star and the black hole around their common center of mass. The stellar-mass black hole was found due to the wobbling motion it induces on a companion star. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">ESO/L. Calçada</span></figcaption></figure><p>Gaia-BH3's mass is 33 times bigger than our sun and it's only 2,000 light years from Earth.</p>
  19195. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/biggest-stellar-mass-black-hole/">Humongous stellar-mass black hole is the biggest ever found in Milky Way</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  19196. ]]></description>
  19197. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="Article-thumbnail orgnc-SingleImage orgnc-SingleImage--center orgnc-SingleImage--hasCaption">
  19198.                    <div class="orgnc-SingleImage-wrapper"><img width="1440" height="810" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/stellar-mass-black-hole.png?auto=webp&amp;width=1440&amp;height=810" class="orgnc-SingleImage-image webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="an illustration of a black hole with a companion star. the star is bright with a blue line indicating where the black hole is." decoding="async" loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin: auto; margin-bottom: 5px;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="" data-dimension="landscape" /></div><figcaption class="orgnc-SingleImage-caption">An artist’s impression of the largest stellar black hole in the Milky Way galaxy. The illustration shows the orbits of both the star and the black hole around their common center of mass. The stellar-mass black hole was found due to the wobbling motion it induces on a companion star. <span class="orgnc-SingleImage-credit">ESO/L. Calçada</span></figcaption></figure>
  19199. <p>Scientists have discovered an enormous stellar-mass <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/very-far-black-hole/">black hole</a> in our <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/youth-stealing-stars-could-explain-missing-giants-at-the-milky-ways-center/">Milky Way galaxy</a> that’s roughly 33 times more massive than our sun. This black hole designated as Gaia-BH3 was observed with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/gaia-esa-data-release-3/">Gaia space telescope</a> and is pretty close to Earth in space-terms at only 2,000 light years away. It is described in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.aanda.org/component/article?access=doi&amp;doi=10.1051/0004-6361/202449763">paper presented April 16 in the journal <em>Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</em></a>.</p>
  19200.  
  19201.  
  19202.  
  19203. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-stellar-mass-black-hole"><strong>What is a stellar-mass black hole?</strong></h2>
  19204.  
  19205.  
  19206.  
  19207. <p><a target="_blank" href="https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/types/">Stellar-mass black holes</a> like Gaia-BH3 are formed when a large star runs out of gas and then collapses. They are generally about 10 times as massive as our sun. Data from the European Southern Observatory’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/">Very Large Telescope</a> and other ground-based observatories verified its large mass of 33 times bigger than the sun. The stellar-mass black hole <a target="_blank" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cygnus-X-1">Cygnus X-1</a> is only 21 solar masses, making Gaia-BH3 “exceptional.”</p>
  19208.  
  19209.  
  19210.  
  19211. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full" data-dimension="landscape"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.popsci.com/uploads/2024/04/16/black-hole-comparison.jpg" alt="This artistâ\x80\x99s impression compares side-by-side three stellar black holes in our galaxy: Gaia BH1, Cygnus X-1, and Gaia BH3, whose masses are 10, 21, and 33 times that of the sun respectively. Gaia BH3 is the most massive stellar black hole found to date in the Milky Way. The radii of the black holes are directly proportional to their masses, but note that the black holes themselves have not been directly imaged. CREDIT: ESO/M. Kornmesser" class="wp-image-611104"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This artist’s impression compares side-by-side three stellar black holes in our galaxy: Gaia BH1, Cygnus X-1, and Gaia BH3, whose masses are 10, 21, and 33 times that of the sun respectively. Gaia BH3 is the most massive stellar black hole found to date in the Milky Way. The radii of the black holes are directly proportional to their masses, but note that the black holes themselves have not been directly imaged. CREDIT: ESO/M. Kornmesser</em></figcaption></figure>
  19212.  
  19213.  
  19214.  
  19215. <p>However, both are considered small compared with the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/black-hole-milky-way-center/">supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy–Sagittarius A*</a>. Its mass is 4.2 million times that of the sun. Enormous black holes like Sagittarius A* are created by <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/m87-black-hole-jets/">progressively larger and larger black holes merging together,</a> and not by the death of large stars.&nbsp;</p>
  19216.  
  19217.  
  19218.  
  19219. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>A landmark discovery</strong></h2>
  19220.  
  19221.  
  19222.  
  19223. <p>This new discovery is considered a landmark by scientists because it’s the first time that a large black hole with this kind of origin story has been found so close to Earth. One of the clues that tipped off the Gaia mission team was an odd ‘wobbling’ motion occurring on the <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/types-of-stars/">companion star orbiting the black hole</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  19224.  
  19225.  
  19226.  
  19227. <p>Gaia-BH3 is 2,000 light-years away in the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/constellation-aquila">constellation Aquila</a> and is Earth’s second-closest known black hole. It was also an unexpected find while an international team of scientists were reviewing Gaia observations ahead of a full data drop planned for next year.</p>
  19228.  
  19229.  
  19230.  
  19231. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/fastest-growing-brightest-black-hole/"><strong>Fastest-growing black hole eats the equivalent of one sun a day</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  19232.  
  19233.  
  19234.  
  19235. <p>“No one was expecting to find a high-mass black hole lurking nearby, undetected so far,” Pasquale Panuzzo, an astronomer at the Observatoire de Paris, part of France&#8217;s National Centre for Scientific Research and Gaia collaboration member, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041090">said in a statement</a>. &#8220;This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life.&#8221;</p>
  19236.  
  19237.  
  19238.  
  19239. <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mass rich, metal-poor</strong></h2>
  19240.  
  19241.  
  19242.  
  19243. <p>Astronomers have found similarly large black holes <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041090">outside of the Milky Way galaxy</a>. The prevailing theory is that they may form from the collapse of stars that do not have many <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/milky-way-galaxy-insights/">elements heavier than helium and hydrogen</a> in their <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/study-reveals-metal-atoms-in-motion/">chemical makeup</a>. These stars are considered “metal-poor” and are believed to lose less mass over their lifetimes, so they have more material left over to produce these high-mass black holes after they die. Evidence directly linking metal-poor stars to high-mass black holes has been lacking until these new observations.&nbsp;</p>
  19244.  
  19245.  
  19246.  
  19247. <p>Stars that come in pairs tend to have similar chemical compositions, so Gaia BH3’s companion star holds some important clues to how the star collapsed to create this giant black hole. Data from the Very Large Telescope’s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/vlt-instr/uves/">Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph</a> instrument showed that the companion star was very metal-poor. This means that the star that collapsed to form Gaia BH3 was also metal-poor, as the theories predicted. </p>
  19248.  
  19249.  
  19250.  
  19251. <p><strong>[Related: </strong><a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/black-hole-ringdown-simulations/"><strong>Black hole collisions could possibly send waves cresting through space-time</strong></a><strong>.]</strong></p>
  19252.  
  19253.  
  19254.  
  19255. <p>“We took the exceptional step of publishing this paper based on preliminary data ahead of the forthcoming Gaia release because of the unique nature of the discovery,” astronomer Elisabetta Caffau, a study co-author from the CNRS Observatoire de Paris also a Gaia collaboration member, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041090">said in a statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  19256.  
  19257.  
  19258.  
  19259. <p>According to the team, making this data available early will allow other astronomers to study Gaia BH3 immediately without waiting for the complete Gaia data release. The full release from the space telescope is planned for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1041090">late 2025 at the earliest</a> and additional observations could reveal more about the black hole’s history.</p>
  19260. <p>The post <a href="https://www.popsci.com/science/biggest-stellar-mass-black-hole/">Humongous stellar-mass black hole is the biggest ever found in Milky Way</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.popsci.com">Popular Science</a>.</p>
  19261. <p style="color: #444444; font-style: italic;"><em data-renderer-mark="true">Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
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