A bandage is seen on a child's arm after she received a Pfizer-BioNtech Covid19 vaccine on November 3, 2021 in Shoreline, Washington. CREDIT: Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images. Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 When it comes to getting the most out of a vaccine, arm consistency can make a difference. Some studies suggest that getting a booster in the same arm as the initial shot can boost the immune system’s response. Now, we’re getting clues as to why using the same arm for initial and booster doses might be better for activating the immune system’s response to a vaccine.  In a small study published April 28 in the journal Cell, researchers from Australia found that when a vaccine is given, specialized immune cells called macrophages prepare to fight  inside lymph nodes. The macrophages then direct where memory B cells go to more effectively respond to the booster when it is given in the same arm.  According to the team, the findings were made in mice and validated in human participants and offer enough evidence to refine how we approach vaccines.  “A unique and elegant aspect of this study is the team’s ability to understand the rapid generation of effective vaccine responses,” Anthony Kelleher, a study co-author and clinician scientist at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and the Kirby Institute at University of New South Wales Sydney, said in a statement. “We did this by dissecting the complex biology in mice and then showed similar findings in humans. All this was done at the site of the generation of the vaccine response, the lymph node.” Matters of site During immunization, a harmless version of a pathogen called a vaccine antigen is introduced into the body. The antigen is then filtered through the lymph nodes. These work like immune system boot camps that train the body to fight off the real pathogen when and if they are confronted with it.  Previously, the team from the study looked at memory B cells. These cells are crucial for generating antibody responses when infections return. They found that memory B cells tend to stay on the lymph node closest to the injection site. They migrate to the outer layer of the local lymph node and interact closely with the macrophages–those specialized immune cells primed for battle in the lymph nodes–that reside there. When a booster was given in the same location, those already-on-alert macrophages captured the antigen and activated the memory B cells more efficiently. In turn, this made high quality antibodies. “Macrophages are known to gobble up pathogens and clear away dead cells, but our research suggests the ones in the lymph nodes closest to the injection site also play a central role in orchestrating an effective vaccine response the next time around. So location does matter,” study co-author and immunologist Rama Dhenni said in a statement. Activating antibodies In this new study, the team conducted a clinical study with 30 volunteers receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Ten of the participants received their booster dose in the same arm as their first dose. The other 10 were given the second shot in the opposite arm. According to the results, the group who received both doses in the same arm began producing neutralizing antibodies against the virus within the first week after the second dose. They also showed to be more effective against the potent Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants. After four weeks, both groups had similar antibody levels. However, that early protection could be important during an outbreak.  Memory B cells (red) interacting with macrophages (white) inside a lymph node (blue). CREDIT: Rama Dhenni. “If you’ve had your COVID jabs in different arms, don’t worry – our research shows that over time the difference in protection diminishes,” study co-author and immunologist Mee Ling Munier said in a statement. “But during a pandemic, those first weeks of protection could make an enormous difference at a population level. The same-arm strategy could help achieve herd immunity faster – particularly important for rapidly mutating viruses where speed of response matters.” Nature’s ‘brilliant system’ It’s important to note that this study included a small sample size and other studies have found benefits in switching arms. In future research, the team hopes to build on this work to refine vaccination guidelines and enhance the effectiveness of vaccines. “If we can understand how to replicate or enhance the interactions between memory B cells and these macrophages, we may be able to design next-generation vaccines that require fewer boosters,” Tri Phan, a study co-author and clinical immunologist, said in a statement. “This is a fundamental discovery in how the immune system organises itself to respond better to external threats – nature has come up with this brilliant system and we’re just now beginning to understand it.”

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Kids say and draw the darndest things. The Earth Science Division at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley recently held an Earth Science Showcase, meant to highlight the center’s work and their families. As part of the event, kids were invited to share something that they like about their home planet. This is what these youngsters had to say through their art. Eight-month-old Brooks P. drew these enchanting blue and green lines in Squiggles. While open to interpretation, the blue could represent the abundant water and plant life that makes life on Earth possible. ‘Squiggles’ by Brooks P. CREDIT: NASA A similar blue and green motif was used by 2.5-year-old artist Wesley P. in this work, titled Pale Blue. The name could be a reference to the famous Blue Marble photograph taken during Apollo 17. ‘Pale Blue’ by Wesley P. CREDIT: NASA An older artist, who wishes to remain anonymous, created this tableau of flora and fauna titled eARTh. New life is represented by three eggs in a bird’s nest in the tree. “eARTh” by anonymous. CREDIT: NASA. In Hawaii, 5-year-old artist Kira U. depicts the beautiful Aloha State. Its signature aquatic life and rainbows feature prominently in the piece. “Hawaii “by Kira U. CREDIT: NASA. An important conservation message is shared in 9-year-old Sora U.’s work, titled Wildlife. The artist uses trees, an owl, tiger, butterflies, flower, and the internet-famous capybara to advocate for their protection. “Wildlife” by Sora U. CREDIT: NASA NASA’s Earth Science Division is organized around four areas: flight, research, applied sciences, and technology. These research areas provide NASA with programs and projects that aim to advance scientific understanding of Earth as a system, collect new observations, develop new technologies and computational models, and build on the capacity to develop new applications of Earth science observations.

Kosmos 482 was intended as a successor to Soviet probe's like Venera 4, seen above. Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group via Getty Images Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 In 1972, the Soviet Union launched a pair of space probes destined for Venus. While the USSR’s Venera 8 successfully reached its destination, a malfunctioning Soyuz rocket ensured its sibling Kosmos 482 craft never made it past Earth’s orbit. The long-dead probe’s remains have subsequently circled the planet for over 53 years—but according to a Dutch satellite tracker, its fiery (and uncontrolled) demise is finally on the horizon. Marco Langbroek posted about the impending reentry to his blog SatTrackCam Leiden on April 24. Based on calculation models co-designed by space engineer Dominic Dirkx, Kosmos 482 is due to begin its descent on or around May 10. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint where it might happen at the moment, thanks to the sun’s ongoing active phase and its influence on atmospheric conditions. That said, Langbroek believes Kosmos 482’s orbital inclination of 51.7 degrees means it could reentry between the 52N and 52S latitudes (basically anywhere as far north as the United Kingdom and as far south as New Zealand). It will also achieve a velocity of around 150 miles per hour in the moments before impact. An illustration of Soviet space probe Venera 5 or 6 the film, ‘The Storming of Venus’ from 1969. Credit: Sovfoto/Universal Images Group via Getty Images “With a mass of just under 500 kg [1,102 pounds] and [its] 1-meter size, risks are similar to that of a meteorite impact,” explained Langbroek, although this likely isn’t cause for much concern. “The risks involved are not particularly high, but not zero,” Langbroek added. It’s also possible that the Soviet space probe debris could burn up during atmospheric reentry, but that’s not entirely a given thanks to the probe’s  original mission goals. “As this is a lander that was designed to survive passage through the Venus atmosphere, it is possible that it will survive reentry through the Earth atmosphere intact, and impact intact,” Langbroek said. The small titanium globe containing a medallion which was delivered to the surface of planet Venus by the Soviet space probe Venera 1 in 1961. Credit: Sovfoto / Universal Images Group via Getty Images There’s also an (extremely) small chance that Kosmos 482’s landing parachute may somehow still deploy during its last moments. “I wouldn’t bet on that working now,” Langbroek cautioned. “[I] would assume that, if it survives reentry, it would come down hard.” The satellite tracker and his colleagues plan to continue gathering data and observations during the final days of Kosmos 482 to better pinpoint a date, time, and region of reentry.

NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover has traveled over 21.33 miles since it first landed on the Red Planet in 2012. That might not seem like very far, but it’s an impressive trek considering the vehicle only averages about 98 feet per hour and mission engineers must remotely steer it from over 140 million miles away.  Curiosity’s most recent journey began on February 2, when it started inching away from the Gediz Vallis channel towards a region with honeycomb-like boxwork formations potentially created billions of years ago by groundwater. On February 28—Curiosity’s 4,466th Martian day—another NASA mission orbiting far overhead managed to snap what is believed to be the first image of the rover actively driving across the Red Planet. Taken by the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the black-and-white picture shows the desolate planetscape interrupted by a small, dark speck trailed by a weaving line of tire tracks. According to NASA, the path stretches back roughly 1,050 feet to chart Curiosity’s estimated 11 drives while en route to the boxwork formations. Curiosity was preparing to ascend a steep slope at the time of the latest satellite photo, which NASA says it has since scaled. “By comparing the time HiRISE took the image to the rover’s commands for the day, we can see it was nearly done with a 69-foot drive,” said Doug Ellison, Curiosity’s planning team chief at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. HiRISE is one of six observational instruments on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter that are used to document the planet’s surface in high detail. The camera primarily produces black-and-white images with a colorized strip running down the middle to ensure optimal spatial resolution. It previously spotted Curiosity in color in 2023. NASA’s rover is making the most of the ground it’s covering on Mars. Earlier this month, researchers announced that sediment samples collected by Curiosity and analyzed in its onboard mini-lab contained a key ingredient required for life to once exist on the planet. In March, another study confirmed the rover had detected the largest-ever organic molecules inside what is likely a dried lakebed. Curiosity’s mission team expects it to reach its next intended destination within the next month, depending on conditions on Mars. Once it arrives, Curiosity’s most recent tracks will remain embedded in the terrain for a few months–until Martian winds erase them completely. The post NASA satellite spies Curiosity chugging along on Mars appeared first on Popular Science.

Excavated artifacts included this toucan beak decorated with green and brown beads. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Peru Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 An ancient woman’s recently discovered, richly adorned gravesite is helping archeologists better understand the complex gender relationships in South America’s oldest known civilization. Excavations at the fishing settlement of Áspero are yielding some of the best looks yet at the Caral civilization, an Andean society established around the same time as the rise of ancient Egypt. And judging from the 5,000-year-old body, it appears the society fostered a comparatively egalitarian culture that included women in positions of power. Long before the Incas, there were the Carals. Named after its capitol city, the first known South American culture flourished between 3000 and 1800 BCE in present-day Peru. The Caral civilization is particularly known for its immense, architecturally complex cities, and at one time likely featured the most densely populated areas in the world. One of those settlements was Áspero, which operated as a satellite fishing hub for the city of Caral about 112 miles north of Lima. Áspero also included a number of huacas (or temples) such as Huaca de los Ídolos, which functioned as a burial site for prominent community members. In 2016, archeologists discovered the remains of a high society individual later known as the “Lady of the Four Tupus.” While the funerary items and burial accessories hinted at an egalitarian society, more evidence was needed if experts hoped to strengthen the theory. The woman’s remains still featured skin, nails, and hair. Credit: Ministry of Culture of Peru That additional proof appears to have been found just a few feet away, according to Peru’s Ministry of Culture. In their recent update, archeologists announced the excavation of another, similarly adorned woman buried at the Huaca de los Ídolos. The remains appear to have belonged to a 20–35 year old woman who stood around 5 feet tall. Unlike other skeletal remains of the region at that time, the woman is remarkably well-preserved and still includes portions of skin, nails, and hair. The body’s exceptional condition is likely due in part to how it was interred. Before her burial, attendants wrapped the woman in layers of cotton fabric and handwoven rush mats, as well as an embroidered mantle crafted using colorful macaw feathers. Funerary offerings included weaving tools, a bone needle, handmade vessels, a snail shell likely originating from the Amazon basin, as well as a toucan beak inlaid with green and brown beads. The grave also contained over 30 sweet potatoes, further hinting at the woman’s high societal standing. The Ministry of Culture explained the characteristics of her funerary treatment and burial offerings reinforce previous theories of a “leading female role” in Caral society. “It was generally thought that rulers were men, or that they had more prominent roles in society,” archeologist David Palomino told the AFP. With both the recent discovery and the Lady of the Four Tupus, Palomino believes it’s evident that women also “played a very important role in the Caral civilization.” Following her excavation, archeologists and colleagues plan to conduct a detailed examination of the remains and artifacts to better understand the woman’s health, diet, cause of death, as well as the cultural contexts surrounding her burial.

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  Image: Lamborghini Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Is it time for a friendlier Lamborghini? The Italian supercar brand is known for brash, angular styling and invigorating engine sound, but the new $258,636 hybrid-electric Urus SE softens those traits while still delivering the performance that Lamborghini drivers (and aspiring drivers) expect. That means that for my trip over the mountains between Bologna and Florence and across the fields of Tuscany, the rumbling twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine’s thrust was augmented by an electric motor that provides additional urgency while accelerating out of switchback curves. And while trundling through sleepy villages, the electric motor can take over, letting the Urus whisk by with as little notice as possible when driving a Lamborghini. Images: Lamborghini The numbers are impressive: the hybrid-electric powertrain combines combustion with electricity to deliver 800 horsepower and 700 lb.-ft. of torque. This allows 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 194 mph. That speed makes it faster than the Urus S, which is discontinued along with the Urus Performante in favor of just the Urus SE for 2025. The SE’s debut completes Lamborghini’s electrification of its product line, with hybrid electric drivetrains in all three of its models and a plan to offer a battery-electric crossover coupe model called the Lanzador by 2030. An aspect of this shift toward electrification is a greater focus on aerodynamic efficiency, so the Urus SE features cleaned-up styling that reduces drag but that also eliminates some of the traditional Lamborghini flourishes.  Those might have struck skeptics as being over the top, but they underscored the company’s dedication to edginess. One detail among the changes to the front and rear facias around the grille and the taillights is a longer hood that stretches all the way to the grille opening. This eliminates a cutline that cluttered the styling with a break between the hood and the fascia surrounding the grill previously. Now the Urus SE features softened, less aggressive styling and power delivery that remains authentically muscular while providing the potential to hush the car’s voice when driving in EV mode. Lamborghini says that the 25.9 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack will power the Urus SE for an estimated range of 37 miles, though it only went about 25 miles for me while slicing through the esses of mountain roads. Image: Lamborghini You might think that running on electric power alone that the Urus could seem underpowered for rural highway running, considering the peak power rating of 192 horsepower. But the electric motor produces 356 lb.-ft. of torque, which is plenty for maintaining a brisk-but-legal pace while also trying to minimize your co-pilot’s battle with motion sickness. The Urus SE has four driver-selectable electric performance strategy settings: EV, which runs the car as a battery-electric, Hybrid, which optimizes it for efficiency, Recharge, which uses the combustion engine to top off the battery for later use, and Performance, which depletes the battery to maximize the combined performance of the combustion and electric motors. In addition to electric performance modes, the Urus has driving modes for normal driving (Strada), sporty driving (Sport), track driving (Corsa), sand (Sabbia), dirt (Terra), and snow or ice (Neve). These make adjustments to the powertrain, stability control system, and suspension to better suit the conditions. While the Urus feels great in Strada mode, selecting Sport shifts more of the power to the rear wheels, giving the feeling of a rear-drive car with the ability to induce power oversteer exiting corners. Corsa amps this up further, so it should be used at the track.  [Related: 3 ultra-rare Lamborghini Miuras unearthed at junkyard. They could sell for millions.] The Urus SE replaces the previous all-wheel drive system with a center transfer case and a limited-slip rear differential to provide torque vectoring that uses engine power to help turn the car. “The advantage [compared to the old all-wheel-drive system] is that we can control the distribution of the torque, front to the rear, but also manage the locking rate on the rear axle,” explained Lamborghini’s chief technical officer, Rouven Mohr. Alas, I encountered no off-road or winter weather conditions during my day behind the wheel, leaving no chance to test the modes designed to address those situations. The Urus SE’s cabin retains the gadget-heavy theme that is a Lamborghini signature, with a dramatic red flip-up switch cover on the Start button. Pull back on a steering wheel-mounted shift paddle to engage Drive to get underway. Climate control and comfort functions like seat heaters are all on the lower of the two center-mounted touch screen displays, while the top one handles the usual infotainment functions. Thankfully there is a physical volume knob on the console at the base of the center display and control stack and you can change stations using that same knob.  The curious tuning decision by the Urus engineering team is the car’s steering. The Urus SE’s steering effort is very light, with too much power assistance. This seems out of place for a vehicle with a Lamborghini’s character and heritage. The light steering is reminiscent of that of American luxury cars of old. Even Cadillacs, Lincolns, and Buicks have firm, direct-feeling steering now. But the Urus SE’s steering is so light that it provides little feedback to the driver about the front tires’ grip or the road surface. It is likely that the customers buying a hybrid-electric crossover SUV will prefer this, just as they may prefer the less aggressive styling. But it seems like Lamborghini’s best bet would be to lean into the characteristics on which the brand has built its image, in a global market of recent brands that are vying for some of the same customers.

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According to data from the Allergy and Asthma Network, 1 in 5 Americans have been diagnosed with environmental allergies, and over 50 percent of allergy sufferers say allergies impact their daily quality of life. Environmental allergies can include pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and poor air quality. Your home should be a sanctuary, but allergens can make it a house of horrors. We rounded up a team of experts who provide practical tips and advice to help you allergy-proof your home and turn it into a comfortable and healthy place that you and your family can enjoy. Consider your flooring According to Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd., flooring is one of the largest surfaces in your home and can significantly influence your indoor air quality (IAQ)—especially if you have allergies. He explains that different types of flooring materials can either contribute to the buildup of allergies and pollutants or help maintain a cleaner environment. “Flooring can trap dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold, which can become airborne when disturbed, and if not regularly and thoroughly cleaned, these allergens can accumulate and negatively affect IAQ.”  McKeon notes that hard-surface flooring, like wood, tile, or vinyl, may not trap allergens as easily, but says it’s still important to select materials that are easy to clean and maintain. “Also, sticky allergen particles can be more difficult to remove from some types of flooring during cleaning,” McKeon warns. Here’s something else to consider: MeKeon says many flooring products and any associated adhesives or chemical treatments can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. “Exposure to these compounds can cause respiratory irritation and trigger allergic asthma.”  And if your flooring absorbs moisture, it can encourage mold and mildew. “Mold spores are a major concern for individuals with allergies and asthma, as they can easily become airborne and trigger allergic reactions or asthma symptoms,” McKeon says. However, he admits that the lack of strict regulations around health claims on household products has led to a flood of marketing terms, such as “eco-friendly,” “green,” and “low VOC,” making it difficult to know which products actually support better indoor air quality (IAQ). “I recommend choosing flooring that has been independently tested and verified,” McKeon says. Encourage shoe-free zones Studies show that it’s a good idea to take your shoes off when you come inside, and Lisa Sternfeld, interior designer, environmental health and wellness expert, and founder of WLLW, tells me there’s a good reason why.  “Shoes carry a wide range of contaminants, including pollen, dirt, and dust,” Sternfeld says. ”By removing shoes at the door, you’ll keep allergens out and prevent them from spreading to other areas.”  Tribesigns Shoe Cabinet Tribesigns Put this Tribesigns Shoe Cabinet near the entryway. It holds two dozen pairs of shoes and also has storage space for keys and other items on top.  Consider the impact of paint Paint can affect the appearance of your home, but it can also impact your IAQ. “The release of VOCs can irritate the respiratory system and exacerbate allergy symptoms,” McKeon warns. “It is advised that people with sensitivities to certain chemicals and those impacted by asthma and allergies limit exposure to VOCs as much as possible.”  However, considering their potentially harmful effects, McKeon says everyone should limit exposure to these chemicals. Even paint products that claim to be ‘low-VOC’ or ‘non-toxic’ may not necessarily meet the requirements to ensure safety. “Third-party certification is crucial because many paint manufacturers don’t fully disclose their ingredients, often to protect intellectual property,” McKeon explains.  However, the lack of transparency makes it difficult to make smart decisions. “A trusted certification label helps bridge that gap, guiding consumers toward wiser choices for better IAQ,” McKeon says. Step up your laundry game Washing your bedding, clothing, and soft toys can play a crucial role in reducing allergens, especially dust mite allergens and pet dander. We at PopSci firmly believe in saving money and energy, and washing laundry in cold water is one way to save both. However, if you need to allergy-proof your home, you may need to turn up the heat.  “The most effective allergen removal occurs when washing is done at high temperatures [at least 131°F/55°C], as this temperature kills dust mites and removes their allergens from fabrics,” McKeon says.   LG washing machines LG However, McKeon warns that not all washing machines can maintain a consistently high temperature throughout the wash cycle effectively. If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, he recommends one that has undergone third-party testing to ensure that it can reach and maintain those high temps.   Also, McKeon recommends fragrance-free laundry detergents. “Many fragrance chemicals are sensitizers and increase the VOC emissions off-gassed by the detergent,” he explains. “An effective laundry detergent should have the ability to remove allergens from fabrics, any chemicals present should be non-sensitizing and non-allergenic, and VOCs should be at such low levels as to not be a concern.”   Tide Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent Tide Melanie Carver is the chief mission officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). She recommends changing and washing any clothes that are worn during outdoor activities. “And dry your clothes in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line,” she advises. Change your shower routine You may be the type of person who likes to shower in the morning. However, if allergies are a concern, Carver recommends showering daily before you go to bed. “This will remove pollen from your body and hair and keep it off your bedding,” she explains. Use air purifiers We’re big fans of air purifiers because we know how important they are in maintaining a healthy living space. From the best air purifiers for asthma to the best air purifiers for smoke, we continually research and evaluate models. “Surprisingly, the air inside our homes can often be more harmful to our health than the air outside, as it contains a variety of pollutants and irritants that may cause allergies,” McKeon says.  “Everyday activities like cooking, VOCs emitted from paint and cleaning products, and even burning fuel (and candles) release particles and chemicals into the air.” And when you add common allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mite allergen, he says it’s clear that IAQ can have a serious impact on your health. Levoit Core 600 Air Purifier Levoit The Levoit Core 600 Air Purifier is one of the best air purifiers we’ve tested. Keep in mind that an air purifier with a higher clean air delivery rate (CADR) can clean the air faster than one with a lower CADR. In addition, Sternfeld recommends air purifiers with HEPA filters, such as the Levoit. They are effective at trapping airborne pollen, dust, and mold spores. “Place air purifiers in the bedroom or living area, or near high-traffic areas for maximum impact,” she says. Vacuum and clean with HEPA filters Sternfeld recommends regularly vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter. “HEPA filters trap microscopic particles, including pollen, pet dander, and dust mites, she says, adding that the American Lung Association also recommends using vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. Clean high-traffic areas more frequently and vacuum more often, especially if you have pets, to reduce dander buildup. Shark Status Upright Vacuum Shark The Shark Status Upright Vacuum has a HEPA filter and can clean hard floors, carpet, upholstery, ceiling fans, and more.  Damp-clean surfaces regularly If you tend to dust and clean with dry materials, here’s another change you may need to make.  “Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to capture pollen, rather than allowing it to become airborne,” Sternfeld advises. “Research shows that dusting with a damp cloth is more effective at trapping allergens compared to dry dusting, and this is particularly important for surfaces like furniture, counters, and window sills.”  Make bedding a priority Bed linens are a prime place for dust mites and pollen to accumulate, according to Sternfeld. She recommends laundering sheets weekly in hot water to help wash away irritants.  “Encase pillows and mattresses in dust-mite-proof covers, and wash sheets weekly on hot water as it helps wash away irritants more effectively than cold or lukewarm water,” Sternfeld advises.  Investing in bedding and mattress protection can also provide allergy relief. “Dust mites, which thrive in the warm, humid environment of bedding, produce waste that is a key allergen,” McKeon warns.  To reduce exposure to these allergens, he recommends using scientifically validated dust mite-proof encasings for mattresses, pillows, and duvets. “These encasings prevent dust mites from passing through, and thus minimize allergen exposure.” In addition, McKeon recommends quality, breathable bedding products that are tightly woven with no weak points at the seams or zippers. “Furthermore, the fabric must be able to withstand frequent washing, as regularly washing bedding in hot water (130°F/55°C) further reduces allergen levels.” SIJO AiryWeight Tencel Sheet Set Stay cool and dry when sleeping on the SIJO AiryWeight Tencel Sheet Set, which is also hypoallergenic. Wash soft furnishings frequently In addition to washing sheets, blankets, and pillows regularly, Sternfeld says you should also wash cushion covers and other soft surfaces regularly, as they can trap allergens and harbor dust mites. “A weekly wash in hot water can help eliminate allergens,” she says.  In fact, McKeon recommends choosing either non-fabric furniture or covering fabric furniture with slipcovers that can be removed and washed weekly. Maintain your HVAC filters  While your HVAC keeps your home at a comfortable temperature, HVAC filters keep you comfortable in another way. “HVAC filters play a crucial role in improving indoor air quality by trapping airborne particles like dust, pet dander, and pollen, McKeon explains. “These particles can circulate throughout the home if not effectively captured by the HVAC system’s filter, exacerbating allergy symptoms.”  He recommends a higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, as this indicates the filter is more effective at capturing airborne particulate matter. It’s also important to change your air filters regularly, which can be anywhere from 1 to 3 months, since dirty filters will recirculate dust and other allergens.  Filtrete Allergen Defense Filters Filtrete Filtrete Allergen Defense Filters capture a variety of allergens for cleaner air. (And don’t forget your furnace filters, either.) Control humidity If you keep your home’s humidity levels under 50 percent, Sternfeld says this can help prevent mold and mildew from thriving. “Place dehumidifiers in areas like basements and bathrooms to help control moisture,” she advises. Mold thrives in damp environments, and keeping humidity in check can significantly reduce mold-related allergy triggers.  Carver notes that those warm and moist bathrooms are also prime growing spaces for mold. “Run your bathroom’s exhaust fan or open windows during showers and for 15 to 20 minutes after to allow moisture to escape,” she says.  And here’s another tip from Carver: Don’t let damp towels pile up. Allow them to dry completely when you step out of the shower or bathtub.  On the other hand, don’t let humidity levels get too low. McKeon warns that low humidity can lead to respiratory irritation and trigger allergic asthma or dry skin, which could make your symptoms worse. Frigidaire 50-Pint Humidifier Frigidaire Keep humidity levels within a safe range with the Frigidaire 50-Pint Humidifier, which features three speed settings. Avoid attracting insects If you leave water and food sources out at night, Carver warns that you may be attracting cockroaches.  “A cockroach allergy is a common trigger of year-round allergy and asthma—if you are allergic to them, they can trigger asthma attacks,” she warns. Rubbermaid Brilliance 14-Piece Food Storage Container Set Rubbermaid Keep insects at bay with the Rubbermaid Brilliance 14-Piece Food Storage Container Set, which is airtight and stackable.

I just mowed my lawn for the first time this season. I don’t mow all that often, but my shoulder hurts from pull-starting my ancient gas-powered mower. It’s time for an upgrade. Right now, Amazon has a ton of Greenworks yard tools including blowers, trimmers, mowers, and even multi-tool combo kits on-sale for their lowest prices of the year. Greenworks makes some of the best outdoor tools period, so it’s a great time to buy into their battery system, which is compatible with more than 75 different tools. Greenworks 40V 16" Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower + Blower, 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included — $262 (was $349) Greenworks See It If you don’t have a huge yard, a smaller mower provides a much better overall mowing experience. The 16-inch deck allows for precise control so you can mow around trees and garden beds with more precision than with a bigger model. The 40-volt battery (which is included) gets up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge, which is plenty of time to cover most typical lawns. I have a half-acre in my backyard and it never takes me more than 35 minutes with a similar model. This kit also includes a battery-powered leaf blower, which can generate gusts up to 100 mph. This is an electric model model that’s much quieter than the old gas-powered blower your neighbor rudely uses at 7 AM every weekend in the fall. Greenworks 40V 18" Brushless Cordless Chainsaw — $279 (was $379) Greenworks See It It has been exceptionally windy this year in Upstate New York and that has led to a ton of downed trees. I got an electric chainsaw last year and it has made removing fallen lumber much simpler. This 18-inch model is burly enough to handle full-on trees. But, it weighs roughly 15 pounds, so it’s easy to handle. You don’t have to worry about pull-starting it or mixing fuel like with many gas-powered saws. Greenworks electric saw deals Greenworks 8-Inch Cordless Battery Pole Saw PS40L210 $144 (was $180) 82V 24″ Brushless Cordless Short Pole Hedge Trimmer, 2.5Ah Battery and Dual Port Rapid Charger $250 (was $350) Greenworks 82V 18″ Brushless (2.7 kW) Cordless Chainsaw (210 Cuts Per Charge), 4.0Ah Battery and Dual Port Rapid Charger $400 (was $500) Greenworks 60V 10″ Brushless Cordless Pole Saw, 14.5 Ft. 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Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 In the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda, two young gorillas playfully taunt each other during a game of chase. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed mountain gorillas as endangered since 2018, but conservation efforts have brought hope for the species. The gorillas are the only great ape species whose population is growing. The balance of cautious hope and realistic awareness is at the center of the celebrated Remembering Wildlife photography book series. Since launching in 2016 with Remembering Elephants, the collection has raised awareness and funds to support endangered animals. In October, the series will release 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife, the first multi-species book in the series. ‘Gama, the beach huntress’ “Gama, a desert adapted lioness and part of a small group of lions that have learned to navigate this unforgiving landscape, venturing to the ocean’s edge to hunt seals. in a place where survival is a constant battle, Gama embodies the resilience and adaptability of nature’s most elusive predators.”Species: LionessCredit: Griet Van Malderen / Remembering Wildlife The new book will feature 20 stunning wildlife images (seen here on Popular Science) selected from 4,500 entries alongside photographs from previous editions. “Remembering Wildlife exists to raise awareness of the plight facing wildlife, as well as funds to protect species at risk,” a statement reads. “More than 55,000 books have been sold worldwide since its first title, Remembering Elephants, was published in 2016. All profits from the books go to conservation and more than £1.2m GBP/$1.55m USD has been donated to 79 projects in 34 countries.” ‘Clash of Titans’ Illegal poaching of rhinos for their horns means they remain under huge threat. Remembering Wildlife has donated funds to several rhino protection units and conservation projects, helping to provide smart phones fitted with cameras and GPS systems, fuel for patrol vehicles and clothing for rangers.Species: RhinosCredit: Alessandro Marena / Remembering Wildlife ‘A Touching Moment’ “A young Asian Elephant calf asking for a drink, as mother drinks water from Ramganga river, during hot summer afternoon.”Species: ElephantsCredit: Jagdeep Rajput / Remembering Wildlife @Jagdeep Rajput ‘Age of Innocence’ “Baffin Island is one of the most majestic & pristine environments in the world to see polar bears, especially in March & April when the sea ice has frozen. However, with temperatures between-30 to -40 it is also one of the most challenging to ensure you keep your hands warm to press the shutter. We had spent most of the morning & part of the afternoon with this mother & her COYS (Cubs of the year) which were likely a week or so out of their den. However, just as they were settled the mother got spooked & she & the cubs ran off towards a nearby iceberg. We set off to see if we could spot them & when we got to this iceberg I couldn’t believe my eyes. The mother & cubs were huddled together on top of the iceberg. To witness such intimate moments, such as this one, between the cubs whilst their mother sleeps is something that is a once in a lifetime sighting.”Species: Polar bearsCredit: Julie Oldroyd / Remembering Wildlife ‘In the Arms of Eternity: A Mother’s Timeless Promise’ “A mountain gorilla mother cradles her infant – a portrait of tenderness etched in shadows and light. Here, where Dian Fossey’s legacy still whispers through the bamboo, every touch is a lesson, every gaze a vow. Her quiet strength shields not just her child, but the fragile future of species reborn from the brink.”Species: Mountain Gorilla and her babyCredit: Kim Paffen / Remembering Wildlife Kim Paffen ‘Tiger reflection’ Weighing up to 260kg and measuring up to 3 metres in length, the tiger is the largest of the big cats. It is found in Asia, from India – where two-thirds of all wild tigers live – through to the Russian Far East and into China.Species: TigerCredit: Bircan Harper / Remembering Wildlife BIRCAN HARPER ‘Mbili bora in the rain’  “The famous coalition of 5 cheetahs that ruled the Masai Mara, during a storm.”  Species: CheetahsCredit: Xavier Ortega / Remembering Wildlife ‘Cold Callers Welcome’  “Sloth Bear making use of an abandoned building.”Species: Sloth bearCredit: Mark Meth-Cohn / Remembering Wildlife ‘Thirst’ Remembering Wildlife supports several elephant conservation projects in Kenya, including the funding of ‘bee fences’, an effective elephant deterrent that landowners can install (elephants hate bees); and anti-poaching teams.Species: ElephantCredit: Tom Way / Remembering Wildlife ‘Enjoying the sunrise’ Margot Raggett MBE, founder and producer of Remembering Wildlife said: “It’s an oft-quoted fact that there are more tigers in captivity in the U.S. than there are left in the world, a stark reminder of how the future of tigers might end if conservationists do not continue their focus and their fight. Tigers are a bellwether for the health of an ecosystem. For every tiger protected in the forest, there are plants, trees, insects, birds and other mammals who thrive.”Species: TigersCredit: Mark Meth-Cohn / Remembering Wildlife ‘Puppy love’ Projects that Remembering Wildlife supports include vaccinating domestic dogs to help prevent the spread of rabies to African wild dogs; GPS collars to track their movements and even helped facilitate the translocation of 14 African wild dogs from South Africa and Mozambique to Liwonde National Park and Majete Wildlife Reserve, in a historic project to reintroduce this endangered species to Malawi. Since the successful translocation, pups have been born.Species: African Wild Dog puppiesCredit: Marcus Westberg / Remembering Wildlife ‘Fire of Creation’ “Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of rhino poaching – much of Botswana’s rhino population was wiped out during the covid-related absence of tourists – I wanted to create an image that conveyed a sense of hope – a new beginning almost – as if these were the first rhinos being forged in a fire of creation. Having waited at a waterhole in the hope that these rhino would come to drink, I positioned myself on the route I anticipated they would exit in order to shoot into the sun. The effect of the backlit dust, which created a blurred shadow image, added to the ethereal effect.”   Species: RhinosCredit: James Gifford / Remembering Wildlife James Gifford ‘Carried Away’ “A lioness carries one of her two little ones to a new hiding spot in early morning. Taken in 2021 when vehicle traffic was light and we were able to follow without impacting her movements.” Location: Maasai Mara Species: Lioness and her cubCredit: Vicki Jauron / Remembering Wildlife ‘Entourage’  “One very early morning we found the painted dogs on the road, and they looked like they just woke up. We pulled to the side and got out of the car to photograph the dogs coming towards us. They didn’t disappoint. We gave them their space, but they chose to approach us. They would walk toward us and then pass us very calmly and casually. It was an incredible moment to capture the pack coming straight at me. A moment I will never forget.”Location: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Species: Wild dogsCredit: Torie Hilley / Remembering Wildlife Torie Hilley ‘A Majestic Union!’  “A three year wait bears fruit as I managed to get an exclusive sighting of this ever-elusive Melanistic Leopard and his lady.”Species: LeopardsCredit: Kaustubh Mulay / Remembering Wildlife ‘5 at Blue hour’ “Five cheetahs at the Shompole Hide at blue hour.”Species: CheetahsCredit: Johann du Toit / Remembering Wildlife Johann du Toit ‘African Black Bellied Pangolin’ The landmark book 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife has a special focus on pangolins – also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet. Species: Black bellied pangolinCredit: Alessandra Sikand / Remembering Wildlife ‘Leopard Enjoying Morning Sun Break’ “After three days of heavy downpour this leopard took the opportunity to enjoy the first morning sun break.”Species: LeopardCredit: Ifham Raji / Remembering Wildlife ‘Sunset Scales’“The vibrant colours of a winter dusk highlight the gentle spark of life in our planet’s most trafficked mammal.”Species: PangolinCredit: Armand Grobler / Remembering Wildlife

Forget a weekend Netflix binge-watching session. The Cornell Bird Cams have some of the best reality programming around, with important science and conservation knowledge about our feathered friends from around the world.  Owl attempts to eat a turtle Owls have a unique way of eating. They eat and digest what they can from their prey and then regurgitate pellets that look a bit like the lint from a clothes dryer. These owl pellets usually contain bones, beaks, and other indigestible organic material. The Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owl Cam caught a male barred owl delivering a very interesting treat to his female nest mate. On April 20, he dropped off a juvenile turtle as an afternoon snack. She has an (understandably) difficult time swallowing the shelled reptile and does not even try to feed it to her chicks. Barred owls eat a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, but this is the first time the team has ever seen a turtle delivered to the nest in over 12 years.  White-faced heron wiggles its neck in New Zealand Some birds can be really big hams, including a white-faced heron in New Zealand. While we can’t know the full intentions behind it, the large bird wobbles its neck side-to-side to side right in front of the RoyalCam on the southeast tip of New Zealand’s South Island. Herons use their flexible dinosaur-like necks to strike prey from a distance.   Baby owl head-bobbing (no music required) Maybe this owl somehow picked up the ear worm “Baby Shark”? A barred owl owlet was seen bopping its head back and froth, all while looking up at the Barred Owl Cam. This head-bobbing is a common behavior for owls. They have forward-facing eyes, which are fixed in one spot and can’t move around. In order to zero in on the position and distance of a target, they bob their heads to take in their surroundings better.  American kestrel lays an Easter surprise Spring is often nesting season for birds and the Easter holiday weekend had a surprise in store for one American kestrel in Wisconsin. She laid her fifth and likely final egg of the season on April 19. By April 21, she returned from an incubation break and the five speckled eggs came into view of the camera. The American kestrel cam is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Raptor Resource Project. The young birds typically hatch after roughly one month of incubation. Over three to four weeks, they will lose those downy feathers and become a bit more sleek. After fledging, the parents will continue to take care of them and they will remain close to the nest as they learn two very important survival skills: flight and hunting.   The osprey nest defense system Don’t mess with ospreys. These master anglers nicknamed “sea hawks” will fight back. In this clip, a female osprey named Iris defends her nest against an intruder. The unknown osprey intruder attempts to land on the nest, but she thwarts the landing. She eventually pauses her defensive tactics to hunker down and enjoy a nice meal.  This osprey nest is located at Hellgate Canyon near Missoula, Montana. While it is near a very human-heavy location, the birds are only about 50 feet away from the Clark Fork River, so they have plenty of fish. With their impressive six to seven foot wingspans, ospreys soar above the water looking for fish to eat. They can then dive as deep as three feet for their prey. Adult ospreys usually weigh three to four pounds, and they can carry prey up to 50 percent of their own body weight.  Gazing at sun gems  If you prefer speedy birds that look more like floating jewels glistening in the sun, we recommend the Panama Hummingbird Feeder Cam. You can see a colorful array of tropical hummingbirds including violet-bellied hummingbird, snowy-bellied, blue-chested hummingbird, and white-necked jacobin. Hummingbirds are currently migrating in parts of the United States and you can use Audubon’s Bird Migration Explorer to track them. The Panama Hummingbird Cam at Canopy Tower is a collaboration between the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Canopy Family, and explore.org. It is about 35 miles north of Panama City, Panama, in a vibrant tropical rainforest. The post Watch an owl try to eat a turtle whole appeared first on Popular Science.

Old memories deserve a second life. If you’ve got negatives or slides lying around, let the Kodak Slide N Scan bring them back to life. This clever gadget enables you to turn film into digital photos you can share, save, and relive. Right now, you can score this memory-preserving tool for just $179.99 (reg. $224) and bridge the gap between old and new media.  Give your old film memories a new digital life Your old film rolls and slides weren’t meant to collect dust. The Kodak Slide N Scan makes sure they don’t. This scanner helps you rediscover forgotten photos and easily turn them into digital files you can enjoy. And you can even enhance the original images with color adjustments, rotations, or even a resolution boost from 14 to 22 megapixels. Compatible with 35mm, 110, 126, and Monochrome film and slide types, the Kodak Slide N Scan is an easy way to rescue your photos from storage boxes and bring them back into your everyday life—no darkroom required. If you’re shooting on film because you’re not the biggest fan of technology, don’t worry. The Kodak Slide N Scan is super easy to use—just load your negatives or slides into the quick-feeding tray and watch your memories flash on the large 5-inch LCD screen as they scan.  Want to make a night out of this trip down memory lane? The scanner can connect to your TV, PC, or Mac and watch the film like a slideshow.  Protect your precious memories with the Kodak Slide N Scan Film and Slide Scanner, now just $179.99 (reg. $224).  StackSocial prices subject to change. Kodak Slide N Scan Film & Slide Scanner – $179.99 See Deal

Zombie cells are those that have outlived their usefulness, but don’t really die. CREDIT: Natthawat via Getty Images. Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Your skin is crawling with zombies. Zombie skin cells, that is. This sci-fi sounding term is used to describe senescent skin cells that have outlived their usefulness, but don’t ever really die. While some senescent cells can cause problems like inflammation and speeding up aging elsewhere in the body, others can help the immune system heal wounds.  Now, we may know why zombie skin cells have this double agent-esque existence. Not all senescent skin cells are the same. There are actually three subtypes, with distinct shapes, biomarkers, and functions. Understanding the differences could help scientists target the harmful types of cells while leaving the helpful ones. The findings are described in a study published April 25 in the journal Science Advances. “We’ve known that senescent skin cells are different from senescent immune cells or senescent muscle cells. But within a cell type, senescent cells are often considered the same—in essence, skin cells are either senescent or not, for example,” Jude Phillip, a study co-author and biomedical engineer at Johns Hopkins University, said in a statement. “But we’re finding that when a skin cell goes into senescence, or a zombie-like state, the cell could go down one of three different paths, each leading to a slightly different subtype.” Comparing skin cells In the new study, the team used machine learning and imaging technology to compare skin cell samples. The samples came from 50 healthy donors between the ages of 20 and 90 who participated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. This NIH-funded project is the longest ongoing study of aging in the United States. The team extracted cells called fibroblasts from the skin. Fibroblasts produce the internal scaffolding that give skin tissues their structure. They pushed the fibroblasts towards senescence by damaging their DNA, which happens with aging. Senescent cells build up naturally as people grow older, so the aged samples in the lab eventually contained a mixture of healthy/nonsenescent and senescent fibroblasts.  Next, they used specialized dyes to capture images of the cells’ shapes and stained the elements that are known to indicate senescent cells. The algorithms developed for the study then analyzed the images, measuring 87 different physical characteristics for each cell, and sorting the fibroblasts into groups. Skin-related fibroblasts with nuclei stained green and f-actin stained red. CREDIT: Jude Phillip, Johns Hopkins University. The three types of ‘zombie cells’ They found that fibroblasts come in 11 different shapes and sizes. Three of these are distinct to senescent skin cells and the researchers labeled them C7, C10, and C11. Only one subtype of senescent fibroblast–C10–was more prevalent in older donors.  To look closer, the team placed each subtype into petri dishes and exposed them to the existing drug regimens designed to target and kill zombie cells. Each subtype responded differently when exposed to these therapeutics. For example, Dasatinib + Quercetin, a drug currently being tested in clinical trials, most effectively killed C7 senescent fibroblasts. However, Dasatinib + Quercetinbut was more limited in killing the age-associated C10 senescent fibroblasts.  While more research is needed to verify which fibroblast subtype is harmful and which is helpful, the results here show that drugs can target one subtype and not the others. More harmful zombie cells can contribute to aging-related diseases including dementia, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes as well.  “With our new findings, we have the tools ready to develop new drugs or therapies that preferentially target the senescence subtype that drives inflammation and disease as soon as it is identified,” Phillip said. Applications in cancer treatments In the future, more precise targeting of senescence could benefit cancer treatments. Researchers are tailoring certain therapies to trigger senescence in cancer cells, by converting the uncontrollably replicating cancer cells into zombie cells. These types of therapies could stop tumor growth, but leave senescent cells in their wake.  Conventional chemotherapies also move cells like fibroblasts towards senescence as a side effect. For patients, this buildup of senescent cells can be problematic, as those cells may promote inflammation when the immune system is at its most vulnerable.  Patients can also benefit from drugs given after chemotherapy that works like a precise zombie cell broom and sweeps up the messy cells, while leaving the more helpful ones behind. These types of treatments are called senotherapies. The team from this study plans to look at senescence subtypes in tissue samples beyond the lab to see how those three subtypes might be associated with skin diseases and age-associated diseases. “We hope, with some more development, our technology will be used to help predict which drugs might work well for targeting senescent cells that contribute to specific diseases,” Phillip said. “Eventually, the dream is to be able to provide more information in a clinical setting to help with individual diagnoses and boost health outcomes.”

I was an electric kettle skeptic for a long time. After all, I could just use the stove. Then I got one as a gift, and I couldn’t believe how much better it was than the old-fashioned approach, especially when making pour-over coffee. Right now, Amazon has Bodum’s high-class electric kettle for just $25, which is down from its normal price of $55. I have seen it on sale for $40, but this is by far the cheapest I have seen. It looks way fancier than that $25 price tag suggests. Bodum 27oz Melior Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle — $25.19 (was $55) Bodum If you like coffee or tea, you should be familiar with Bodum. The company makes coffee, tea, and kitchen accessories that look great. This 27-ounce Gooseneck water kettle has a stainless steel exterior that’s easy to clean and won’t deteriorate with use. The cork handle is easy to grip and stays cool to the touch for easy pouring. The real draw, however, is the gooseneck spout. It’s designed specifically for a smooth pour that’s easy to control. The kettle fits easily onto the base, which has indicator lights to let you know when your water is heating up and when it’s fully done. The auto-shut-off feature prevents overheating, and the whole boiling process takes just a few hassle-free minutes. This is a simple device that’s built to save you a few minutes every single day. That really adds up over time. And if it encourages you to drink more tea, that could have a real health benefit. Bodum Bistro Electric Conical Burr Coffee Grinder — $51 (was $80) Bodum If you want to get the best out of your coffee beans, you need to grind them yourself. That process can be a pain, but this conical burr grinder makes it simple and quick. Stainless steel burrs mash up beans for a preset amount of time. The device offers up 12 different grind modes to accommodate your beans and tastes. It holds just under a half pound of beans at a time, and the glass canister is dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean up those pesky grounds. As with the kettle, this is the cheapest I have ever seen this grinder, which rarely dips below its $80 retail price.

Debate rages as to why the artist chose to include all the anatomical details. Credit: Deposit Photos / Popular Science Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 The Bayeux Tapestry is a remarkable example of medieval art. The embroidery piece depicts events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and spans nearly 230 feet. It is believed to have been completed soon after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 CE. But even as a renowned and intricately detailed artifact, it’s not without its controversy. Namely: How many penises are on it? In 2018, University of Oxford professor George Garnett said that the number stands at 93 male genitalia—88 on horses and five on men. But tapestry expert Christopher Monk believes one more penis deserves some extra scrutiny. In this case, a running soldier near the tapestry’s lower border who features a noticeable accessory hanging from beneath his tunic. The mystery appendage, highlighted in red. Credit: BBC / Creative Commons “I am in no doubt that the appendage is a depiction of male genitalia–the missed penis, shall we say?” Monk said on a recent episode of the podcast HistoryExtra. Garnett, however, remained doubtful about Monk’s evidence. The Oxford scholar instead contended the mystery shape is actually a scabbard, and pointed to a gold orb that he believes is the pommel’s brass cap. “If you look at what are incontrovertibly penises in the tapestry, none of them have a yellow blob on the end,” argued Garnett. Either way, one needs to examine the original embroidery still housed in Bayeux, France, to properly analyze the total penis count. Although an 18th century replica exists at the UK’s Reading Museum, the era’s social standards necessitated a censored version of the tapestry that omits most of the genitalia. But why include all those penises in the first place? Like their total count, the official explanation remains elusive. Medieval art is laden with symbolism (including everything from colors, to flowers, to animals), and the Bayeux Tapestry is no exception. According to some historians, the appendages may have been meant to convey “manliness” and virility. Case in point: the artwork’s largest equine penis belongs to the horse gifted to Duke William preceding the Battle of Hastings, thus symbolizing his right to the throne. Meanwhile, others contend the anatomical inclusions allude to Aesop’s Fables and other classical and satirical tales of the era. “There are lots of interesting theories—we don’t know really, to be honest,” historian David Musgrove said on the podcast. “But it’s very interesting that they’re there.”

Electric vehicles generally include a lot of bells and whistles as selling points, but a startup called Slate Auto is hyping up an alternative. Earlier this week, the Jeff Bezos-backed company unveiled the Slate Truck—a bare-bones EV pickup with a purported base price of around $20,000 to $25,000. Major hurdles remain before these EVs are cruising (at moderate speeds) down roads, but if successful, the new trucks could help many drivers make the switch from gas to electric. While the base model lacks accessories, Slate says it will offer a number of upgrade options. Credit: Slate Auto Slate’s selling point is its simplicity. The Slate Truck base models lack a stereo, infotainment system, power windows, and other now-standard accessories. These allegedly can be installed as upgraded features (for additional costs). However the off-the-lot EV will still aim for a 5-star crash rating with forward collision warnings, up-to-eight airbags, and active emergency brakes. Slate will also offer upgrades like a do-it-yourself “flat-pack accessory SUV kit” to transform the EV from an open-air truck to a five-seat ride. The base truck will include a 57.2 kWh battery pack with rear-wheel drive and a 150-mile target range. An additional 84.3 kWh battery pack option that aims for a 240-mile range will also be included. The inclusion of an NACS charging port allows for easier recharge options, along with the ability to reach 80 percent battery charge in under 30 minutes. The Slate Truck lacks an infotainment system, and instead relies on a smartphone hookup. Credit: Slate Auto That said, don’t expect powerhouse performance from the minimalist EV.The Slate Truck will offer 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds, while topping out at only 90 mph. Some real-world factors might also complicate the Slate Truck’s rollout. While the company vows to manufacture the vehicle’s basic components in the US, its motor, wheels, battery, and other parts may be liable to the Trump administration’s ongoing tariff war. Slate vows much of the manufacturing will take place in a “reindustrialized” Midwest factory that Ars Technica suspects will be located in Troy, Michigan. Again, the administration’s chaotic tariffs stances and EV opposition may prove more difficult for Slate to navigate. But in terms of a concept, it’s hard to not to get at least a little excited about a throwback utility truck with EV sensibilities. The post Minimalist EV pickup truck has no stereo and a $20,000 price tag appeared first on Popular Science.

The project is expected to finally finish in 2027.   Credit: CFOTO / Future Publishing via Getty Images Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 A 117-story skyscraper in the Chinese port city of Tianjin has stood unfinished and empty for nearly a decade—but according to China’s state media, construction on Goldin Finance 117 may resume as early as next week. If plans stay on schedule this time, the nearly 1,960-foot-tall supertall structure will open its doors in 2027. Goldin Finance 117 has remained the world’s tallest unoccupied building since 2015, when financial fallout from the Chinese stock market crash forced the liquidation of its Hong Kong-based real estate developer. The skyscraper is just one of numerous similar abandoned projects across the country that have since become symbols of China’s ongoing real estate problems. In 2020, the country’s housing ministry and National Development and Reform Commission released guidelines banning any new buildings over 1,640 ft. As CNN Goldin Finance 117 will be among the world’s tallest buildings once completed. Credit: Mahmut Resul Karaca / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Groundbreaking on Goldin Finance 117 began in 2008. The tower relies on “mega columns” to strengthen it against earthquakes and high winds, while its overall aesthetic is intended to draw comparisons to a walking stick. Once completed, the supertall skyscraper will include apartments, a luxury hotel, and businesses—all topped by a diamond-shaped atrium level featuring an observation deck and swimming pool. It’s unclear if the project will retain its original name. Its new, $78 million construction permit no longer lists the now-defunct Goldin Properties Holdings, which implies Goldin Finance 117 will officially receive another title at some point. China still has numerous unfinished skyscrapers located across the country. Credit: Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images This isn’t the only revitalization effort underway for China’s abandoned skyscrapers. On April 20, Greenland Group announced construction would soon resume on the 1,535-foot-tall Chengdu Greenland Tower after a nearly two-year pause. Such projects aren’t generally seen as particularly profitable, but it’s often more about what they represent to investors and the public. “By having [these projects] revived and completed, the government at least hopes it can increase people’s confidence,” Duke University law professor and Chinese real estate expert Qiao Shitong told CNN on Thursday. A diamond-shaped atrium featuring a swimming pool will top the the building. Credit: Costfoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images These delays have had consequences on bragging rights, as well. Since its pause, Goldin Finance 117 was surpassed in height by Shanghai Tower and Ping An Finance Center. If finally completed, the skyscraper will become China’s third tallest, as well as the world’s sixth tallest structure. Even so, the nation is still home to 91 buildings over 656 feet tall—the most of any country in the world.

Scanners are slow. Printers are dramatic. And neither is easy to use when you’re in a rush. So we, the StackCommerce deals team, tested an app that claims to do it all—scanning, signing, saving, and even faxing documents—right from your phone.  After one week, we forgot any other methods existed. The SwiftScan document scanner and PDF editor app swept us off our feet. Plus, this weekend only, you can save an extra $18 on a lifetime subscription to the iOS and Android apps with code TAKE30 at checkout, dropping the price from $59.99 to $41.99 through Apr. 27. We scanned everything from receipts to handwritten notes, and the app delivered crisp, professional-looking PDFs each time. The auto-capture feature was a game-changer—just point your smartphone camera at the page, and SwiftScan handles the rest, automatically cropping and optimizing the image.  The mobile PDF editing tools were another highlight. Being able to annotate, sign, and even redact documents right on our phones saved us so much time. We found ourselves using it for everything from signing contracts on the go to highlighting key points in meeting notes.  And when it came to sharing, the one-tap export to email and cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox made sending files a breeze. We even tried the fax feature, and it worked flawlessly for times when we needed an old-school sharing method. But what really made SwiftScan indispensable was the OCR technology. It’s already a major convenience to digitize paper documents and receipts, but being able to search for a specific date, word, or passage can help you stay even more organized. You have less than 48 hours left to get a SwiftScan lifetime subscription for $41.99 with code TAKE30 at checkout (reg. $59.99). This coupon code expires on Apr. 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. What makes this deal special In a world where most productivity tools keep moving to the cloud, many people are still stuck juggling clunky office equipment just to send a quick scan. The SwiftScan app for iOS and Android offers a way out, with a tool that brings scanning, editing, and even faxing into the 21st century. And unlike most modern apps that charge monthly or yearly fees, this deal gives you lifetime access for a one-time payment.  StackSocial prices subject to change. SwiftScan VIP: Lifetime Subscription See Deal

Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Imagine you’re a spider nestled comfortably in your messy cobweb built into the dark nook of a rotted log. You live in a humid forest on a mountainside in Hawai’i. Insects stumble their way into your nexus of sticky silk fibers. You trap them, poison them, and wrap them up for later. You’re in a beautiful tropical paradise, though you do not know it. Life is simple.  But lately, something seems off. You’ve been feeling more forgetful. You’ll sense a vibration, follow it through the tangle, and then find yourself face to face with… yourself. It’s your own exoskeleton shed yesterday. Or sometimes, it’s the remains of an ant you know you ate last week. There’s a heap of trash where you swear you didn’t leave it. Then there’s the other times. You’ll return to your prey, freshly liquified, ready to snack and find that large parts are gone– already eaten, though you can’t remember the meal. You must be losing it, you think. Your mind is turning to mush like the arthropod guts that feed it.  Or, more likely, there’s a bone collector in your midst. A newly discovered moth species spends its caterpillar days squatting in spiderwebs, fastidiously camouflaging itself in the cast-off parts of other creepy crawlies. The carnivorous “bone collector,” as the scientists have dubbed it, is entirely unique among known lepidoptera (the order of insects that includes butterflies and moths). No other species lives quite like it, according to a study published April 24 in the journal Science. Daniel Rubinoff, lead study author and an entomologist at University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, tells Popular Science.  A Flair for Fashion In their naked state, bone collector caterpillars don’t look particularly impressive. They’re small–only about five millimeters long–pale and maggot-like. The adult moths are similarly tiny and drab. Their most notable feature are the spots ringed with white against the background of their gray forewings.  But let a bone collector caterpillar dress itself and it really starts to stand out. First, the insect spins a silk case, like many other species in its genus, Hyposmocoma. Then, it ambles slowly around its adopted spiderweb home and carefully selects bug bits out of the detritus to weave onto its back. It doesn’t settle for just any old piece of exoskeleton.  [ Related: Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death.] Bone collectors size up each body part they scavenge from corpses or spider sheddings. The caterpillars “examine everything they come across,” says Rubinoff. They poke and prod at the husks of abdomens and insect skulls with their jaws and front legs, deciding if or how they might incorporate each part into their growing collection. Bone collectors will even chew a piece down to fit perfectly amid the other remains. Given the option of other types of construction materials in the lab, like bits of leaves and dirt, the caterpillars ignore them. They are singularly focused on amassing their grisly trophies. The bone collector is here only to collect bones.   Adorned in their macabre attire, the caterpillars can safely navigate spiderwebs undetected. They use their camouflage to feed on trapped prey: both living and freshly dead. Bone collectors will target and kill weakened or slow-moving insects, even hunting and cannibalizing their own kind. In each spiderweb, there can only be one.  A bone collector caterpillar resting on a clump of webbing next to a non-native spitting spider with its egg sac. Image: Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa Hunting for a Hunter  Meat-eating caterpillars are exceptionally rare. Among the nearly 200,000 documented moth and butterfly species, less than 0.13 percent hunger for flesh. And none aside from the bone collector are known to cohabitate with spiders or build their cases exclusively from carcasses.  It’s such a singular way of life that, initially, Rubinoff and his colleagues didn’t believe what they were seeing. “We thought it might have been a mistake,” says Michael San Jose, study co-author and an entomologist at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Perhaps it was just one odd caterpillar choosing body parts for its case based on circumstance. Maybe the caterpillar itself had gotten snared in a spider’s web.  But then, over years of insect surveys (more than two decades in Rubinoff’s case), the scientists kept finding the odd moth larvae. In cobwebs housed in tree holes, under rocks, and inside rotting logs, they’d stumble upon caterpillars cloaked in bones, an apparent predator in an environment where it should more reasonably be prey.  “Rather than having a eureka moment, which is the way people like to think about science, it was more like the sun slowly rising,” says Rubinoff. “There’s this sense of disbelief… when the conclusion is something you wouldn’t have even imagined, it’s really hard to jump to.”  The scientists have now found 62 individuals, all from a single mountainside in the Wai’anae Range on the island of Oahu. Everywhere else they’ve looked, including the mountain range next door, they’ve come up empty. Bone collectors seem to inhabit patches encompassing only about six square miles of forest. Which means, as soon as they’ve been discovered, they’re already in danger of dying out. “They’re really precariously poised,” says Rubinoff.  Sweep-netting plants on a collecting trip. A bone collector attacking another native moth caterpillar. Images: Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa Bone Collecting is a Lonely Life Hawai’i is home to an incredible amount of endemic species, animals like those in the genus Hyposmocoma, which aren’t found anywhere else in the world. But the archipelago is also host to many invasive species, brought there by humans since colonization. Those invasive species have transformed the islands’ ecosystems, and pose a continued major threat to native species. Though bone collectors have been found hanging out in the webs of invasive spiders, it’s possible they’ve proven so hard to find because their preferred, unknown native host is less common than it once was (or altogether extinct).  Additionally, climate change is shifting where and how species can survive. Bone collectors seem to prefer a particular elevation zone in their mountain home. As temperatures and rainfall patterns change, their area of suitable habitat is liable to shrink, suggests San Jose. “We’re trying to study a system as it disappears,” he says. And every disappearance is a tragedy for the forest ecosystem and the humans that depend on it to filter their water and air. Losing the bone collectors wouldn’t just mean losing a single funky caterpillar, but also an entire, ancient branch of evolution. Pinned adult female (left) of the bone collector caterpillar and portable case (right) in which the larva resides decorated with body parts from ants, bark beetles, weevils, and flies. Unlabeled parts are all host spider integument that has been shed. Image: Rubinoff lab, Entomology Section, University of Hawaii, Manoa The entomologists reared some of their 62 collected caterpillars into adults in the lab, where they exposed them to different types of prey and environments to observe how they behave. Through DNA analysis, the scientists determined that the bone collectors are their own distinct branch on the Hyposmocoma family tree, of which they seem to be the only remaining species. Its closest genetic relatives are another group of carnivorous, case-builders, but the bone collector lineage diverged at least 5 million years ago, making it older than the island it now lives on.  Likely, bone collectors evolved on Kaua’i or nearby on another volcanic island that’s since eroded away. The population living on Oahu most probably made it there by luck, hitching a ride on the wind or waves, and now remains the only known vestige of the species. “So many things have happened in 5 million years that have made these bone collectors unique,” Rubinoff says. It would be a shame to not protect them. Though perhaps the spiders would be happier living alone. 

Browse Facebook Marketplace and you’ll encounter an assortment of odd finds: vintage lamps, used socks, a car engulfed in flames. Dom Robinson found a 3,300-ton, 330ft long cargo ship that sank off the Cornish coast during World War I. And it was a bargain: only £300 ($400 USD). Robinson purchased the wreck of the SS Almond Branch from someone who bought the wreckage from the British government in the 1970s. He told BBC Radio Cornwall that the original owner hoped to uncover something of value, but found it to just be a “big pile of rusting iron.” That didn’t bother Robinson, who is an hobbyist diver and had already done a dive visit to the site before acquiring the sunken pile of rusty iron. The SS Almond Branch. Screenshot: Dom Robinson/YouTube The SS Almond Branch was a British defense-armed merchant ship built in 1896 that a German submarine torpedo took down on November 27, 1917. The ship came to a rest in the waters near Dodman Point off South Cornwall. In the UK, private individuals can purchase shipwrecks. Thousands of wrecks sit in the waters around the UK, and owners need to follow a set of guidelines set by the government to ensure safety and historical preservation. Robinson took cameras along for his first dive of the wreck since finalizing his purchase. You can watch his dive, which took place in January 2025, in the video above. Happy exploring, Dom. Screenshot: Dom Robinson/YouTube The post Man buys WWI shipwreck for $400 on Facebook Marketplace appeared first on Popular Science.

The vegan dish includes five percent more protein than actual calamari. Credit: Credit: ACS Food Science & Technology (2025) Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 In 2023, researchers at the National University of Singapore unveiled their early attempts at realistic, nutritious 3D-printed vegan calamari rings. While results at the time tasted similar to the real thing, its inventors conceded that the texture didn’t quite work. That might seem like a minor caveat, but designing alternative cuisines that closely resemble their source dishes will be necessary if society wants to transition towards a more sustainable food industry.  After two years of trial and error, the researchers have returned with an updated fried calamari recipe they say finally matches the real thing. Not only that, but it actually provides 5 percent more protein than actual squid. Their results were recently published in the American Chemical Society. The new 3D-printed recipe still starts as plant-based paste made from isolated mung bean protein and powdered microalgae. But researchers also determined a precise mixture of extra ingredients to give their faux-calamari its familiar textural springiness. In addition to 10 percent powdered microalgae, the improved mixture also includes 1.5 percent gellan gum for thickening and 2 percent canola oil for fat content. To make the meal, each calamari is 3D printed in rings about 1.8 inches wide. Unlike previous trials, the team this time allowed the uncooked rings to freeze overnight. The following day, the researchers battered and quickly deep-fried their vegan calamari before proceeding to the taste tests. Microscopic imaging of the rings indicated another key factor that helped improve the meal. Inside the cooked paste resided small structural voids that modified its overall softness in ways that better resembled actual seafood. “This research showcases the potential of 3D printing to transform sustainable plant proteins… into seafood analogs,” said study lead author Poornima Vijayan. Moving forward, Vijayan says it’s just a matter of scaling their product—and convincing hungry diners to give it a try.

You may not even pay attention to what your T-shirt is made out of. I don’t blame you; checking tags can be boring. But, cotton shirts reign supreme over poly blends and other synthetic fabrics. They fade better, feel nicer, and don’t make you stink after two minutes on the treadmill. They can be a little pricier, though. Right now, Amazon has Hanes T-shirts made of 100 percent cotton in a four-pack for just $11.92. That’s less than half the regular price and more than $5 cheaper than I’ve ever seen them. You could even print a letter “T” on it to make yourself more attractive. Hanes Men's Short Sleeve Essentials Crewneck Cotton T-Shirt, Black Multipack — $11.92 (was $26) Hanes T-shirts are a summer staple, and these are great for the warm months. They’re made from 100 percent mid-weight cotton (as long as you get the black or the green, which are the only colors on sale), which comes with several advantages. They hold up over time and get a great-looking fade rather than falling apart like some synthetics. They have double-needle stitching and burly seams to keep them sturdy. This is a semi-full-cut T-shirt, so it offers a little more room in the torso than some other shirts. They will likely ship with an actual tag attached, rather than a screen-printed one, so I recommend cutting it out before wearing. They do go up to size 4XL, which is great because cotton T-shirts will tend to shrink a little after the first wash.

NASA's .50 caliber gas guns can fire at nearly 23,000 feet per second. Credit: Sierra Space / Trevor Thompson Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Sierra Space continues to put its Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) habitat designs through the wringer. After multiple stress tests that filled the inflatable space station modules with water until they burst like balloons, the private startup has transitioned to shooting their latest prototypes with hypervelocity light gas guns. And like the previous trials, the intense tests served an important purpose—in this case, making sure the shields coating LIFE habitat modules will withstand any hazardous micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts. The possibility of a large meteorite strike is a terrifying scenario with dramatic and deadly consequences, but a space station is far more likely to encounter run-ins with much smaller bits of space rock. Because of this, any current and future orbital structures must be designed to endure the occasional pummeling from tiny meteorites and space junk traveling at incredibly fast speeds. Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat modules are constructed with a unique softgoods material called Vectran made from chemically-woven synthetic liquid crystalline polymers. Although light and flexible when not in use, Vectran modules can inflate to form a rigid structure stronger than conventional steel. But those structures must also be resilient to MMOD strikes, and that requires designing an additional composite shield layer. For NASA and any would-be contractors like Sierra Space, this means a trip to its Remote Hypervelocity Test Laboratory (RHTL) at the White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico. RHTL operators have overseen around 600 test firings every year since the lab opened in 1993, and currently rely on four two-stage light gas guns placed in a vacuum-sealed chamber to simulate MMOD conditions in space. To achieve such cosmic speeds, NASA’s guns combine an initial stage relying on gunpowder that is subsequently boosted by a second stage of highly compressed hydrogen gas. One of Sierra Space’s shield options after being shot by NASA’s .50 caliber gas gun. Credit: Sierra Space Sierra Space’s recent tests involved a pair of .50 caliber guns built to replicate orbital debris impacts by firing projectiles at a speed of nearly 23,000 feet per second (fps). For reference, the fastest bullet on Earth—a .222 Remington round—travels at 3,167 fps. “Historically, whipple shields or stuffed whipple shields have been used,” said Sierra Space mechanical engineer Zack Masciopinto, referring to the metallic structures used on the International Space Station.  Masciopinto and colleagues are instead exploring flexible multi-shock shields. These use layers of ballistic fabrics to function as “sacrificial walls” that absorb the shock of projectiles while breaking them down into fragments. “By the time it gets to our rear wall, no damage is going to occur,” he explained. A view down the barrel of one of NASA’s two-stage gas guns. Credit: Sierra Space Sierra Space’s experiment involved two phases to determine the best ballistic fabric options. In the first phase, operators fired at various softgoods materials with .50 caliber guns kept at a fixed set of parameters to simulate MMOD events. After determining the most promising options, researchers then adjusted the guns to calculate an equation focused on a shield stack’s efficacy and performance. A total of 40 shots were fired at the materials to confirm the optimal configuration. Finally, the team subjected the final selection to another 19 shots in order to gather as much data as possible for future refinements. “After many tests… we were able to come away with something that performs really well and is super efficient,” said Masciopinto. Moving forward, Sierra Space will spend the next year-and-a-half finalizing its entire softgoods module system to submit for NASA certification. If all goes according to plan, future low-Earth orbit space stations could feature their inflatable LIFE habitats shielded from any pesky cosmic debris.

Ready to take your outdoor gear to the next level? These Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars let you see in the dark, and in any low-light situation, giving you the advantage whether you’re tracking wildlife, scouting your next adventure, or securing your perimeter. These handy binoculars are now only $79.97 through April 27, with no coupon code required.  See in the dark and record videos of your adventures with these binoculars Planning an outdoor adventure after dark? Whether hiking at dusk, on a hunting expedition, or camping under the stars, these Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars let you see up to 300 meters in total darkness. Don’t let their compact size fool you. These pocket-sized binoculars may weigh less than half a pound, but they deliver impressive 10x optical magnification for a detailed, close-up view. An 850nm infrared illuminator also lets you see animals or plants clearly in total darkness.  Do you want proof of your late-night escapades? With a 2.4-inch 1080p HD display and 4x digital zoom, you can capture stunning photos and videos even in low-light conditions. Perfect for capturing memorable nighttime moments with the included 32GB TF card. There are seven adjustable brightness levels to choose from, and you can also see the world via four color effects—color, black and white, luminous green, or infrared. And you won’t have to worry about constantly recharging your Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars thanks to their built-in rechargeable lithium battery with a 2,260mAh capacity. Take these Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with you on any nighttime adventures now for 50% off and just $79.97 through April 27 (no coupon code required!).  StackSocial prices subject to change. Mini Digital Night Vision Binoculars with 1080p HD Recording – $79.97 See Deal

The record-breaking Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) has captured another stunningly close look at the surface of our sun. DKIST has collected incredibly detailed images of the sun from its perch on the Haleakalā volcano in Maui since 2022, but the largest observational tool of its kind only managed its latest look thanks to a recent major milestone described as its “technical first light.” Using its newly installed spectro-polarimeter visible tuner filter (VTF), DKIST has offered a stunningly close look at the sun’s surface photosphere featuring a gigantic sunspot. “The instrument is, so to speak, the heart of the solar telescope, which is now finally beating at its final destination,” VTF project scientist Matthias Schubert said in a statement. Each pixel in the original version of the image corresponds to 10 km (or 6.2 miles) on the Sun. Credit: VTF / KIS / NSF / NSO / AURA VTF’s primary goal is to image the sun at the absolute highest spatial, spectral, and temporal resolutions possible. Doing so will help experts gain a better understanding of the sun’s dynamic and complex behaviors, particularly the powerful particles, solar energy, and stellar radiation it ejects across the solar system. These solar storms routinely produce colorful atmospheric auroras on Earth, but especially intense events can wreak havoc on satellites and global communications systems. Studying the sun’s photosphere and chromosphere will allow researchers to examine how plasma flows and shifting magnetic fields interact to trigger surface eruptions.  DKIST’s VTF is specifically designed to help determine attributes like magnetic field strength, temperature, pressure, and plasma flow velocity. It is a massive addition to what is already a giant observational installation. At around the size of a small garage, the 5.6 ton instrument occupies two floors at the National Solar Observatory. The VTF was developed and constructed at Germany’s Institute for Solar Physics over the last 15 years—nearly as long as the time spent on DKIST itself. The painstaking installation process began at the beginning of 2024, and took months of work to complete before it could be utilized for the first time.  VTF’s first public image also showcases one of our star’s ever-changing sunspots, which are linked to comparatively strong magnetic fields that prevent plasma from escaping the star’s interior. To record the event, the VTF relied on sunlight with a wavelength of 588.9 nanometers, and also depicts the sunspot’s penumbra over a region measuring approximately 15,535-square-miles. “The Inouye Solar Telescope was designed to study the underlying physics of the Sun as the driver of space weather,” said Christoph Keller, Director of the National Solar Observatory, which is responsible for operating DKIST. “In pursuing this goal, the Inouye is an ideal platform for an unprecedented and pioneering instrument like the VTF.” The post World’s largest solar telescope shows off its full force with new image appeared first on Popular Science.

When it comes to ‘reading the room,’ humans still have a leg up.   Image: Richard Drury / Getty Images Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 AI models have progressed rapidly in recent years and can already outperform humans in various tasks, from generating basic code to dominating games like chess and Go. But despite massive computing power and billions of dollars in investor funding, these advanced models still can’t hold up to humans when it comes to truly understanding how real people interact with one another in the world. In other words, AI still fundamentally struggles at “reading the room.” That’s the claim made in a new paper by researchers from Johns Hopkins University. In the study, researchers asked a group of human volunteers to watch three-second video clips and rate the various ways individuals in those videos were interacting with one another. They then tasked more than 350 AI models—including image, video, and language-based systems—with predicting how the humans had rated those interactions. While the humans completed the task with ease, the AI models, regardless of their training data, struggled to accurately interpret what was happening in the clips. The researchers say their findings suggest that AI models still have significant difficulty understanding human social cues in real-world environments. That insight could have major implications for the growing industry of AI-enabled driverless cars and robots, which inherently need to navigate the physical world alongside people. “Anytime you want an AI system to interact with humans, you want to be able to know what those humans are doing and what groups of humans are doing with each other,” John Hopkins University assistant professor of cognitive science and paper lead author Leyla Isik told Popular Science. “This really highlights how a lot of these models fall short on those tasks.”  Isik will present the research findings today at the International Conference on Learning Representations. Though previous research has shown that AI models can accurately describe what’s happening in still images at a level comparable to humans, this study aimed to see whether that still holds true for video. To do that, Isik says she and her fellow researchers selected hundreds of videos from a computer vision dataset and clipped them down to three seconds each. They then narrowed the sample to include only videos featuring two humans interacting. Human volunteers viewed these clips, and answered a series of questions about what was happening, rated on a scale from 1 to 5. The questions ranged from objective prompts like “Do you think these bodies are facing each other?” to more subjective ones, such as whether the interaction appeared emotionally positive or negative. In general, the human respondents tended to give similar answers, as reflected in their ratings—suggesting that people share a basic observational understanding of social interactions. The researchers then posed similar types of questions to image, video, and language models. (The language models were given human-written captions to analyze instead of raw video.) Across the board, the AI models failed to demonstrate the same level of consensus as the human participants. The language models generally performed better than the image and video models, but Isik notes that may be partly due to the fact that they were analyzing captions that were already quite descriptive. The researchers primarily evaluated open-access models, some of which were several years old. The study did not include the latest models recently released by leading AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Still, the stark contrast between human and AI responses suggests there may be something fundamentally different about how models and humans process social and contextual information. “It’s not enough to just see an image and recognize objects and faces,” John Hopkins University doctoral student and paper co-author Kathy Garcia said in a statement. “We need AI to understand the story that is unfolding in a scene. Understanding the relationships, context, and dynamics of social interactions is the next step, and this research suggests there might be a blind spot in AI model development.”  The findings come as tech companies race to integrate AI into an increasing number of physical robots—a concept often referred to as “embodied AI.” Cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin have become test beds of this new era thanks to the increasing presence of driverless Waymo robotaxis sharing the roads with human-driven vehicles. Limited understanding of complex environments has led some driverless cars to behave erratically or even get stuck in loops, driving in circles. While some recent studies suggest that driverless vehicles may currently be less prone to accidents than the average human driver, federal regulators have nonetheless opened up investigations into Waymo and Amazon-owned Zoox for driving behavior that allegedly violated safety laws. Other companies—like Figure AI, Boston Dynamics, and Tesla —are taking things a step further by developing AI-enabled humanoid robots designed to work alongside humans in manufacturing environments. Figure has already signed a deal with BMW to deploy one of its bipedal models at a facility in South Carolina, though its exact purpose remains somewhat vague. In these settings, properly understanding human social cues and context is even more critical, as even small misjudgments in intention run the risk of injury. Going a step further, some experts have even suggested that advanced humanoid robots could one day assist with elder and  child care. Isik suggested the results of the study mean there are still several steps that need to be taken before that vision becomes a reality.  “[The research] really highlights the importance of bringing neuroscience, cognitive science, and AI into these more dynamic real world settings.” Isik said.