Bethany Stevens will be moving to Spain with her husband and two kids.They've been planning the family "gap year" for five years.Preparations include taking care of their pets, getting medications, and seeking professional advice.This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bethany Stevens. It has been edited for length and clarity.On July 3rd, my family will leave our home in upstate New York and fly to Madrid, where we'll live for a year. We've been dreaming about taking a family gap year or sabbatical to Europe for a long time, so we're planning up front to get the most out of the experience. Here's how we're making it work.We started talking and planning long agoMy kids are now 8 and 10, but we went on a trip to Disney as a family when they were much younger. I was entirely unimpressed and thought, "This can't be it" for family travel. Shortly after, we took the kids to Paris. It was a total disaster in every sense of the word no one was sleeping, our stroller was too big for Parisian streets but I loved it. My husband and I knew that's the type of travel we wanted to do as a family.We started traveling more internationally, and five years ago, we set a goal of spending a year in Europe. We chose Madrid for its culture and location. We had actually never visited before we picked the city, but we loved it during a December scouting trip.My husband is the CEO of an investment advisory firm, and he told his coworkers his plan to take a year off. They've known it's coming, which has made it easier for the company to plan for. We've had time to save for the trip, and our family and kids have had plenty of time to get used to the idea.We are keeping our lives stable at homeRight now, we only plan to be abroad for a year. Because of that, we're keeping as much as possible normal at home. We're not selling belongings. A family member is going to move into our home for a year. We'll continue to pay the mortgage, but they'll pay for utilities and other costs, like having the grass cut.One of the biggest challenges is our pets. We have three dogs, a cat, a few reptiles and guinea pigs, and a flock of chickens. Family and friends are helping us by volunteering to watch them for the year. We may bring our smallest dog. The kids would like to have that piece of home, but I'm not sure the logistical challenges will be worth it.We're settling in in SpainTo me, there's a difference between living somewhere and visiting. My husband and I are still talking about how we'll balance those while we're abroad. We want to see more of Europe, but also really feel we're living in our Madrid neighborhood.Because of that, we've enrolled the kids in school. It's a British school teaching English, but about 70% of the students are Spanish. We're already working with a language tutor in Madrid, and learning the language will be a major focus for us while we're in Spain.We're packing very lightWe're not taking much with us on the move. I'm very excited to move toward a more minimalist lifestyle. As a mom, I want fewer things to manage so I have more time for myself. The kids will each have a backpack they can fill with toys and other items they want to bring. They're used to traveling this way on vacations, making them a lot more intentional about using their toys.We're being fluid with the budgetThis is the experience of a lifetime for our family, and we've been planning for it for a long time. Because of that, we're not focused on minimizing costs. We want to have the best experience possible and know that will mean more costs than a typical year.We're budgeting about $3,000 to $5,000 for an apartment each month. We'll pay about $2,600 for health insurance and are keeping our US plan, so there are no gaps in coverage. We're also paying for private school tuition.In addition, we've spent money on consulting with professionals. I paid about $1,000 to an immigration consultant who helped handle the filing and translation of our paperwork. We've also talked with US and Spanish tax professionals to understand the tax implications of our move.There are some things I can't take care of yetWhile I've been planning for a long time, there are many things I can't do until closer to our departure. Most apartments, for example, are only listed a month or so before they're free. That's tough on my type-A personality, so I'm keeping a checklist and doing what I can, like booking doctor and vet appointments right before our departure. Beyond that, I'm looking forward to the day we actually land in Madrid.

My three oldest boys hate their names, saying each one is boring.They don't understand that I had a lot to consider, including family legacy and popularity.It hurts when they complain about their names, but I know they're exploring their identities."Hey Maverick, Ja'Maar, Grayson come eat!!"It's a common refrain in my house around dinner time. Except I don't have a son named Maverick nor do I have a Ja'Maar or a Grayson.Instead, these are the names my three older sons ages 10, 8, and 6 wish I had chosen for them all those years ago when I so obviously failed them in their first days of life.These days, I act like it's no big deal when my oldest, Graham, decides his name is fodder for bullying (apparently, the "graham cracker" thing is still a battle). My next son, James, is so bored by his name he could "fall asleep." Luckily, my third son, Ford, is only bored enough by his first name to swap it with his second (Grayson).But what they don't know is the immense amount of time, thought, obsession, consideration, and research that went into choosing baby names. So when it so clearly misses the mark in their minds, I can't help but get a bit sad.I was under a lot of pressure to find the perfect namesTheir grievances have led me to reexamine the naming process. When my kids ask, "Mom, why did you pick such a weird name?" I'm forced to think back to my nine months of pondering and worrying about choosing just the right name. I took a lot into consideration.Graham was named after his dad's middle name. James was named after a relative, while his middle name, John, was for my grandfather, who got to meet him for a few short months before passing. And then, there was Ford after two days of birthing, it just seemed like a fun random name.But kids don't care about legacy or family names, so they insist on changing their name to that of their favorite NFL player (Ja'Maar Chase).I also felt obligated to pick a name that screams leadership in the boardroom but fits them at each stage from cute squishy babyhood to a first date to wise old men.I also had to ensure the names were common enough that they wouldn't be too unusual but not so common that they just blended in with the pack.I wish my kids understood all that pressure I was under.I remind myself that their complaints are not personalWhen my kids see a YouTuber with a "sweet" name and a sweet life to go with it, they revert to their complaints.As a younger parent, I have been pretty emotional about it. After all, I considered so many things to help pick the perfect name for them without knowing them yet an impossible job.As a more experienced parent, bracing for my fourth and fifth kids to come at me with the same vengeance, I'm prepared. I've realized that not only is it not personal, but it's totally normal as they explore their identities.Now, when they say they hate their names, I just ask what they want to be called instead. Typically, after Ja'Maar has done the dishes and Maverick gets his homework done, they forget it ever happened and wake up the next morning as themselves again.

The England vs France rugby match is shaping up to be exciting. Both teams are gearing up for a big clash, which will take place on February 8th as part of the Six Nations Championship.Not long ago, we did a tutorial on how to stream the Six Nations live for free. There, we explained that channels like ITVX and BBC iPlayer will essentially split the bill and broadcast different matches. This one will be broadcast on ITVX.Wondering how to watch England vs. France live from outside the UK? Keep reading.Watch England vs France with NordVPNEngland vs France Live Stream: How to Access It Abroad?To watch France vs England online for free, youll have to use ITVX.ITVX is a free streaming service, which allows you to watch ITVs shows, series, and live sports events.As England faces France in this Six Nations duel, ITVX will officially broadcast the match on February 8th at 4.45 pm.Unfortunately, ITVX works exclusively in the United Kingdom.Users abroad will face a geo-restriction problem due to the lack of a UK IP address. ITVX determines your location based on your IP address. If its abroad, youll see a blank, black screen.If its within UK borders, you have access to the England vs. France broadcast.People online have found a way to unblock ITVX and watch England vs. France online for free outside the UK. They reported using a VPN, such as NordVPN, which is efficient at overcoming geo-blocks and allowing swift access to ITVX.NordVPN is also risk-free for 30 days, which many users love.It allows them to stream England vs France live outside the UK and get refunded as soon as the match ends. Not to mention, it offers fast speeds for HD streaming, unlimited bandwidth, and apps for all devices.Once people sign up for NordVPN and set it up, all they have to do is connect to a UK server. In return, the original IP will be swapped for the UK one, providing uninterrupted access to ITVX.Where to Watch Other Six Nations Matches?If youre craving more rugby action, this free England vs. France stream is just the beginning. As mentioned, you can watch all the Six Nations matches on ITVX and BBC iPlayer.BBC iPlayer also works outside the UK with NordVPN using the same method.For example, the next match, Scotland vs. Ireland, will be broadcast on BBC. After that, England vs. Scotland will be broadcast on ITV. We recommend checking the official Rugby World Cup website for the full Six Nations broadcast schedule. Rugbyworld.comAs the championship progresses, youll find out which match is broadcast on which streaming platform. That way, you can use NordVPN, obtain a UK IP address, and tune in to the right one.Dont forget that ITVX and BBC require a free account to work.However, theres no need for a TV license, credit cards, or anything similar. With the trick that people online use, you can make an account in seconds and watch England vs France live for free no matter where you are.Change your IP address with NordVPN

By Isaac Schultz Published February 8, 2025 | Comments (0) | The LISA prototype at NASA Goddard on May 20, 2024. Photo: NASA/Dennis Henry LISA, a $1.6 billion gravitational wave observatory set to launch next decade, will revolutionize the way we see gravitational wavesthe infinitesimal perturbations of spacetime first predicted over a century ago and only detected eight years ago. In the fall, we published a deep-dive into LISAs design and the engineering hurdles that must be overcome to get the futuristic craft into space. Now, weve asked scientists about the actual data LISA will collectwhat insights that data could yield and how those insights stand to change our understanding of the universe, from the sources of its gravitational ripples to the way those reverberations shape the cosmos. LISA: Simple yet precise LISA stands for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, and comprises three spacecraft orbiting the Sun in a fixed triangular formation. LISA is an interferometer, meaning that the mission will sniff out gravitational waves using laser interferometrymeasuring the distances between masses using incredibly precise laser beams about 5 million miles (8 million kilometers) long, with each arm of LISAs triangle comprising about 1.6 million miles (2.5 million km) of that length. The lasers are crucial but only one part of LISAs designtheyrejust the measuring sticks for distances between three metal cubes, one in each of the three LISA spacecraft. The cubes are made of a gold-platinum alloy to minimize the magnetism that could act on them. Again, the goal of LISA is to cruise through space with positively nothing touching these cubes but spacetime and the gravitational ripples that ride on it. The basic idea behind the design is that were launching these cubes, said Saavik Ford, an astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, in a call with Gizmodo. We just want them to sit there and experience the joy of spacetime with no other forces acting on them, and its that last part thats the hard part.You need to maneuver the craft as the masses [the gold-platinum cubes] are falling, to make sure the spacecraft itself doesnt drift into the masses and whack them, which would be terrible, Ford added. As far as grasping the complexity of LISA, Fords then-graduate student Jake Postiglione has an analogy: The technical challenge is akin to firing a laser from New York to LA (if the Earth was flat), and trying to hit a fruit flys eyeball with it. And both the laser and the fruit fly are moving as that operation unfolds.The scale of the engineering challenge is frankly mind-blowing, Ford said, and I am so glad that it is not my department. NASA is providing several elements of LISAs instrumentation, including its laser system, telescope systems, and the devices that will manage levels of electric charge on the test cubes. Gold-platinum cubes will be used as LISAs test masses. Image: ESA The frequency of orbiting objects is determined by how often they complete a full orbit around each other. Our gravitational wave detectors are good at detecting certain frequencies for a variety of reasons, but every existing detector has one major limitation: Theyre stuck on Earth.A space-based oracle for ancient black holes Gravitational wave detectors vary in the types of orbital frequencies they detect. Ground-based detectorsnamely the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaborationare great at detecting high frequencies, which correspond to smaller masses like black holes the size of stars. But when those masses get a little largersay, more than two hundred times the mass of our Suntheir orbital frequencies are a similar range to the noise produced by our own planet. There is basically a frequency where the Earth itself is just so noisy that the ground is your problem, Ford said. You literally cant do it. You have to go to space, one way or another.In space, pulsar timing arrays make for a useful measuring stick for the largest black holes, though Earth is still part of the equation. In that setup, observatories on Earth monitor the reliable flashes of light from rapidly spinning objects (pulsars); when the timing of that light to Earth is slightly delayed or hastened, its an indication that spacetime was stretched or compressed by gravitational waves. In 2023, a group of pulsar timing array collaborations found strong evidence of a gravitational wave background in pulsar data. The black holes seen by pulsar timing arrays are typically billions of times the mass of the Sun and reside at the center of monster galaxiesthey even dwarf Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, which clocks in at roughly four million solar masses. If black holes were porridge, LISA would be Goldilocks. The mission will sniff out low frequency gravitational waves that are nigh impossible to differentiate from noise in Earth-based detectors. That said, the space-based observatory may be able to detect massive black hole mergersstar-sized black holes falling into supermassive onesalong with intimate binaries of compact objects and other astrophysical bursts and backgrounds.Pulsar timing arrays give us information about the stochastic background for massive black hole binaries at very low frequencies, and LIGO has basically set bounds on the rates from the different families of stellar-mass compact object mergers, said Emanuele Berti, a theoretical physicist at Johns Hopkins University, in a video call with Gizmodo. The thinking has changed in various ways, but I would say that the most interesting science that we can do with LISA is centered around massive black hole binary mergers, because thats something that we just cannot probe on the ground. Dodging noise in space Though LISA will have far fewer disturbances in space than on Earthideally zerothe observatory will have to sift through cosmic noise. There are objects in the universe that make black holes much harder to see because they also emit gravitational waves. The most vexing form of these compact interlopers are white dwarf binaries: compact shells of former stars that orbit one another and eventually merge, stirring up spacetime in the process like whisks in a mixer. The exception to this noise will be when the binaries are so pronounced that they can be picked out individually and recognized for what they are. A cosmic double-edged sword, these verification binaries will help astronomers confirm LISAs capabilities once the mission is in position. An artists concept of a white dwarf binary. Illustration: Tod Strohmayer (GSFC), CXC, NASA, Illustration: Dana Berry (CXC) LISA will simultaneously detect noise from millions of sources, many of which are within our galaxy, according to NASA. Scientists will separate the wheat from the chaff with the help of a tremendous amount of data processing and fitting the data to existing theories and models of the universes known objects. With over a decade until LISA is expected to launch, scientists are working on mock data challenges to prepare for the real deal. Tracing cosmic evolution There are actually only two questions in astrophysics, and they are how did we get here? and are we alone?' Ford said. Every single thing that we do is geared towards answering some small piece of one or the other, and occasionally both, of those questions.We are not in the black holes game generally speaking to answer anything to do with are we alone?,' Ford added. But the how did we get here is pretty important to understand these black holes. Understanding the birth, life, and death of starsand the role of these nuclear fusion furnaces in producing the elementsis inextricably tied to the presence of black holes. Furthermore, the types of stars formed by galaxies and the quantity in which they form may be connected to the mass and behavior of the black holes at those galaxies cores. Black holes can be messy eatersoften burping up stellar material and flinging it out into spacemaking them active participants in the evolution of the universe around them.There are several papers about the so-called Little Red Dots that point out that there are faint AGNs [active galactic nucleithe glowing cores of galaxies powered by supermassive black holes] that are probably coming from accreting massive black holes, Berti said. All of this evidence once again points out that massive black holes must have existed pretty early on in the history of the universe. It has always been a puzzle, but its becoming even more of a puzzle. Webb Space Telescope observations of the Little Red Dots see the splotches of light as they were when the universe was between 600 million years old and 1.5 billion years old. Though recent research indicates the dots are signs of previously obscured black hole growth in the early universeand cosmological models arent broken as headlines suggestedLISA observations would help reveal the exact nature of the puzzling light sources.LISA will observe the churning of black holes and better characterize the array of compact objects in our universe. That information can also be applied to existing cosmological models and prevailing theories, such as Einsteins general relativity. The ground-truth data (so to speakwe are talking about space here) will be a compelling stress test for those ideas about the universe, one of which was famously validated when LIGO first detected gravitational waves in 2015. There are plenty of known unknowns in the inky black yonder of spacetime, but LISA scientists are determined to pull back the curtainif only a biton some of the universes most foundational mysteries.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Passant Rabie Published February 7, 2025 By Margherita Bassi Published February 7, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published February 6, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published February 6, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published February 5, 2025 By Passant Rabie Published February 4, 2025

Flakstad School / LINK arkitekturSave this picture! Hundven-Clements PhotographySchoolsRamberg, Lofoten, NorwayArchitects: LINK arkitekturAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1800 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Hundven-Clements PhotographyManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: GRAPHISOFT, Master Top, Nordan, Norges vindu, Renholdssoner, Sapa, Silvertex, Nevotex, Swedoor Lead Architects: Nicole Stobbe More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. With its location in the rugged Lofoten landscape, the building is exposed to wind and all the forces of nature. The weather conditions were a key consideration in the design of the building to create a school with a strong focus on local climate adaptation.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The school building has an elongated design with a bend that defines different rooms around the school and creates sheltered outdoor areas irrespective of the direction of the wind in the landscape.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The building has been organized with an emphasis on easy orientation with defined areas for the different age levels. The central areas have been given a distinctive and defined character and a location where pupils experience a real difference between their academic years. The school has been designed for maximum shared use and has flexible solutions such as folding walls between classrooms.Save this picture!The heart of the school is located centrally in the building with an amphitheater, music room, and a range of different seating areas. A spacious and warm common area greets visitors, and the space catches the light from the outside. With Lofoten's green initiative, the developer has had ambitious environmental goals. Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officePublished on February 08, 2025Cite: "Flakstad School / LINK arkitektur" 08 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026510/flakstad-school-link-arkitektur&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Free Webinar: Open Source Data & QGIS: A Starter Guide for UrbanistsCurious about GIS or looking to enhance your urban data skills?Join our free webinar to learn simple, practical techniques for integrating OpenStreetMap (OSM) data into your projectswhether you're an experienced urban professional or just starting out.What is OpenStreetMap (OSM)?OSM is the world's most ambitious and largest open-source spatial database, collaboratively built by contributors worldwide. It provides detailed and up-to-date information on everything from roads, buildings, and cycleways to parks, public spaces, and amenities. This makes it an invaluable resource for urban professionals working on projects in areas such as urban design and planning, mobility, heritage, or green space analysis.This session is designed for all levels, focusing on accessible, actionable steps to help you unlock the power of spatial data and make data-driven decisions in your urban work.What to Expect:Part 1: Practical SessionGIS expert and our course professor Juan Pablo Corral will guide you step-by-step through: Installing and using two essential plugins: QuickOSM for querying OpenStreetMap (OSM) data and OSM Info for exploring details of map features. Understanding how OSM tagging works and how vector layers are structured to effectively query and analyze spatial data. Real-world examples: Learn practical applications of OSM data, including:How much public space is available in a specific area?What's the total length of cycling infrastructure in a city?Where are specific amenities, like retail stores, distributed across a neighborhood?Part 2: Our GIS Course OverviewDiscover how our GIS and Spatial Analysis for Urban Practitioners course equips you with the right tools for urban work, covering everything from the basics to advanced spatial analysis.Interactive Q&AAsk questions about the course or GIS in general no question is too basic or advanced! Date: Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 Time: 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST/ 5 PM CET Location: Online (Zoom)Registration is required, and space is limited. Secure your spot now and gain practical GIS skills, no matter your current level of familiarity.Can't join live? A recording will be available to all registered participants.TitleFree Webinar: Open Source Data & QGIS: A Starter Guide for UrbanistsTypeWorkshopWebsitehttps://www.allthingsurban.net/visit/event/www/659?OrganizersAll Things UrbanFromFebruary 11, 2025 05:00 PMUntilFebruary 11, 2025 06:00 PMVenueOnlineAddressOnlineThis event was submitted by an ArchDaily user. If you'd like to submit an event, please use our "Submit a Event" form. The views expressed in announcements submitted by ArchDaily users do not necessarily reflect the views of ArchDaily.Cite: "Free Webinar: Open Source Data & QGIS: A Starter Guide for Urbanists" 08 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026650/free-webinar-open-source-data-and-qgis-a-starter-guide-for-urbanists&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Stack CommerceShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more Ill be honest. For years, I was a self-proclaimed Apple fan. Seriously,I wouldnt buy any tech that didnt have the shiny Apple logo on it! But in recent years, Ive had to take a step back and consider something: the fact that, well, there are cases in which PCs outshine any MacBook.Wondering how I came to this conclusion? It happened the moment I saw my friendsLenovo IdeaPad, which seriously put my MacBook Air to shame. This laptop is not only bigger than mine, but it has a 2-in-1 design and touchscreen display for a fraction of the cost of my device. It was only natural that I hopped online and bought my own, especially since its been price-dropped by 31 percent and is now only $579.99 (reg. $849).The PC that makes me question my old MacBookYes, Ive been a longtime fan of Apples MacBook, but lets get into why Ive turned my back on it for this Lenovo IdeaPad.For starters, its 2-in-1 design means I have customization options for how I want to work. If Im watching a Zoom presentation, I cantransform my Lenovo into tablet mode with the 360 hinge. If Im just typing up reports or punching in Excel functions, Ill usually keep it in laptop mode!Check out what else this IdeaPad continues to impress me with:Its 14-inch touchscreen display lets me view graphs and charts in clear resolution, and I can interact with data and other visuals easily with just a quick pinch of my fingers.I can have 20+ Chrome tabs open since it comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor for uninterrupted multitasking.Windows 11 Home, Microsofts latest operating system, seriously upgrades my user experience and security.Not to mention, the savings on this laptop are incredible. Instead of paying $999+ for a MacBook, I can get way more featuresand savingswith this Lenovo since its refurbished. But dont worry. I did the research, and this model is Grade A refurbished, which basically means I got a like-new device at an awesome discount.Ready to make the switch to PC?Grab your own14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad for$579.99 before it sells out!StackSocial prices subject to change.Lenovo IdeaPad 5, 14 Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop (2024) AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM 1TB SSD Windows 11 Home Cosmic Blue (Refurbished)Only $579.99 at Popular Science

Our dog, Eddy Sandwich, who, depending on the angle, can resemble a bat, lemur, or Dobby from Harry Potter, took a dump on the floor.My fiance, who was eating a bowl of noodles a couple of feet away, put her fork down. Her meal was ruined. She asked if poop particles had traveled across the room and landed on her soup. I said they wouldnt make her sick.That was not the question, she reiterated. She wanted to know: Was there poop in her soup?After much research, I must conclude that, yes, molecules from the poop could have been present in her soup. Eating the noodles or smelling said dookie, however, was safe. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.The belief that smell, in and of itself, can cause sicknessknown as miasma theorylingered from Ancient Greece until the late 1800s. All smell is, if it be intense, immediate acute disease, said public health reformer Edwin Chadwick to a British parliamentary committee in 1846, after London had suffered through multiple cholera epidemics. As the 19th Century wound down, the more accurate germ theory, which blamed microorganisms for disease, became ascendant.While it doesnt make people sick on its own, the foul odor from feces is a powerful and potent warning sign, said Danielle Reed, chief science officer of the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Theres a reason, biologically and evolutionarily, that poop is so unpleasant, right? Because its not good for us and it carries all sorts of nasty things potentially.You get sick by touching feces and ingesting E. coli, not by smelling it. But sniffing some substances can harm you. Take enough whiffs of mustard gas or hydrogen cyanide and you might die. Viruses and bacteria can travel through the air, too, causing you to catch COVID-19, tuberculosis, and other dangerous diseases. In those cases, its not a smell that harms youits inhaling contaminated liquid particles expelled when people do things such as laugh and cough.For the most part, nasty smells are CAUTION signs, not the cause of harm. Thats because odorant molecules are tiny, consisting of a few atomstoo small for germs to hitch a ride. When an object sheds those molecules, some of them make their way into your nose, where there are typically six to 10 million odorant receptor cells, said Richard Doty, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Among those, there are about 400 different types of cells, each one of which expresses a unique protein. An odorant molecule stimulates multiple olfactory receptors. Like notes make a chord, the combination of cells that are stimulated determine a smell. Our brain interprets some of those combos as pleasant and some as foul.Not all of those molecules venture into your nose, however. Some land on your skin, which, like your nasal cavity, is equipped with odorant receptors. (They should really be called chemical detectors, Reed said, as theyre not associated with smell when located outside of the nose.) And they land on other surfaces, such as clothes, carpet, and food.As for how long those odorant molecules stick around, it depends on the surface area of the object. Certain materials will just hold on to things more than others, said Doty, who is also the founder of Sensonics, which creates tests for smell. A rug, for example, retains odor for longer than a slick piece of cellophane because it has more nooks and crannies for the molecules to get stuck in. With certain types of odorant molecules, and with enough exposure, there are musks that can linger for years.When it comes to stinky carpets and dog doo, it might be nice to mute your sense of smell. But be careful what you wish for. In 2021, nearly 60 percent of people infected with COVID-19 experienced some loss of smell, according to a study from a Harvard teaching hospital. To Reed, thats just one reason why researchers like her need more resources.The pooper himself: Eddy Sandwich. Image: Keith Wagstaff/Popular Science We know 10 times more about vision than we know about smell, said Reed, yet we get about 10 percent of the funding to study it as vision and hearing. And it could be the key to understanding some pressing medical issues.Loss of smell is an early sign of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinsons and Alzheimers, and thats touched my family very closely, said Reed. I had my husband lose his sense of smell when he was a young-ish man, and I didnt understand. That [turned out to be] a harbinger for a very, very tough diagnosis.Doty agreed that more resources should be spent studying smell. I think the major misconception is that its not a very important sensory system, he said. It warns us when were near dangerous substances, such as rotten food and feces, as well as leaking gas and smoke from fires. And it brings us simple joys. If you like food or the pleasure of eating yeah, its very important.In the grand scheme of things, the ability to enjoy a bowl of delicious noodles is worth suffering through an errant dog poop. Those nasty smells protect youand youd probably miss them if they were gone.This story is part of Popular SciencesAsk Us Anything series, where we answer your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the ordinary to the off-the-wall. Have something youve always wanted to know?Ask us.

A new form of black hole archeology, linking spin to gas and dust, has revealed that these cosmic titans spin faster than expected.

The 8-inch, bright pink slug has been isolated in a "sky island" for millions of years.