Image by Andrew BrodheadResearchers have developed a novel device that literally spins away the clots that block blood flow to the brain and cause strokes.As Stanford explains in a blurb, the novel milli-spinner device may be able to save the lives of patients who experience "ischemic stroke" from brain stem clotting.Traditional clot removal, a process known as thrombectomy, generally uses a catheter that either vacuums up the blood blockage or uses a wire mesh to ensnare it — a procedure that's as rough and imprecise as it sounds. Conventional thrombectomy has a very low efficacy rate because of this imprecision, and the procedure can result in pieces of the clot breaking off and moving to more difficult-to-reach regions.Thrombectomy via milli-spinner also enters the brain with a catheter, but instead of using a normal vacuum device, it employs a spinning tube outfitted with fins and slits that can suck up the clot much more meticulously.Stanford neuroimaging expert Jeremy Heit, who also coauthored a new paper about the device in the journal Nature, explained in the school's press release that the efficacy of the milli-spinner is "unbelievable.""For most cases, we’re more than doubling the efficacy of current technology, and for the toughest clots — which we’re only removing about 11 percent of the time with current devices — we’re getting the artery open on the first try 90 percent of the time," Heit said. "This is a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people."Renee Zhao, the senior author of the Nature paper who teaches mechanical engineering at Stanford and creates what she calls "millirobots," said that conventional thrombectomies just aren't cutting it."With existing technology, there’s no way to reduce the size of the clot," Zhao said. "They rely on deforming and rupturing the clot to remove it.""What’s unique about the milli-spinner is that it applies compression and shear forces to shrink the entire clot," she continued, "dramatically reducing the volume without causing rupture."Indeed, as the team discovered, the device can cut and vacuum up to five percent of its original size."It works so well, for a wide range of clot compositions and sizes," Zhao said. "Even for tough... clots, which are impossible to treat with current technologies, our milli-spinner can treat them using this simple yet powerful mechanics concept to densify the fibrin network and shrink the clot."Though its main experimental use case is brain clot removal, Zhao is excited about its other uses, too."We’re exploring other biomedical applications for the milli-spinner design, and even possibilities beyond medicine," the engineer said. "There are some very exciting opportunities ahead."More on brains: The Microplastics in Your Brain May Be Causing Mental Health IssuesShare This Article

Microplastics from clothes are polluting oceans and human bodies. Discover the hidden dangers and what fashion choices can make a real impact.

Fast food is often ultra-processedShutterstock/siamionau pavel Two of the biggest health concerns of the modern age – ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and microplastics – have one thing in common: we don’t actually know if or how they harm our health. But researchers are proposing a bold new idea: that these problems are actually linked, and UPFs contain especially high levels of microplastics that worsen mental health. “We know ultra-processed foods have microplastics. We know that ultra-processed foods are also associated with depression and anxiety. We thought that it would be helpful to put out the hypothesis that potentially microplastics could be mediating that association, with the caveat…

Memorial Day weekend isn’t just for barbecues and beach trips — it’s also a chance to score some of the best tech deals you’ll find all season. And despite the fact the holiday isn’t until Monday, May 26th, multiple retailers are already offering steep discounts on some of our favorite gadgets, from big-ticket items to everyday essentials.RelatedBelow, we’ve rounded up a few highlights, from LG’s C4 OLED and the Sonos Move 2 to the Garmin Forerunner 265, all of which are down to their best price to date. We’ve also included practical (and affordable) finds like video doorbells and Bluetooth trackers, so you can keep your valuables safe while you’re off on summer adventures. Our miscellaneous section is full of surprises, from discounted laptops and tablets, to affordable trinkets that’ll make life a little better. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or hunting for a last-minute graduation gift, there’s a little something for everyone, so let’s dive in.In this articleSpeaker dealsSonos Move 2$336$44925% off$336With double the battery life of its predecessor and better-sounding stereo audio, the Sonos Move 2’s improvements don’t stop there. It supports line-in audio, can stream Bluetooth audio to other Sonos speakers, and more.The second-gen Sonos Roam is available for an all-time low of $134 ($45 off) from Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Sonos. Unlike its predecessor, the portable speaker is ready to use right out of the box and features a dedicated button for Bluetooth pairing. It isn’t as powerful as the Move 2 — and it doesn’t offer line-in support — but it still sounds great and integrates well with the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, which makes it relatively easy to switch music between the company’s speakers.Anker’s tiny Soundcore Select 4 Go is matching its all-time low of $19.99 at Amazon, down from $49.99. Along with IPX67 waterproofing, the Bluetooth speaker offers up to 20 hours of battery life and can be paired with a second Select 4 Go for stereo sound.Sony SRS-XB100$38$6037% off$38Sony’s adorable SRS-XB100 speaker offers USB-C charging, a built-in strap, and great sound for the price, rendering it a terrific travel speaker or home office companion. Read our review.The Beats Pill is on sale for around $99.95 ($50 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, which is $2 shy of its best price to date. The portable speaker offers noticeably improved sound over the previous model, along with support for lossless audio via USB-C. It also offers twice as much battery life, adds IP67 water and dust resistance, and includes native Find My support on both Android and iOS. Read our review.You can buy the JBL Clip 5 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for around $49.95 ($30 off), which nearly matches its best price to date. The Bluetooth speaker offers a built-in carabiner so you can easily attach it to, say, a backpack, along with IP67 water resistance. The Clip 5 also offers Auracast support, so you can pair it with compatible JBL speakers for a stereo sound.Bose SoundLink Max$299$39925% off$299Bose’s SoundLink Max improves on the smaller flex with true stereo sound — and very powerful sound at that. It’s got a removable handle for easy transport, and there’s an aux input for playing audio when you want to listen at a higher quality than what Bluetooth can deliver.$299 at Amazon$299 at Best BuyAirPods Max (USB-C)$480$54913% off$480The revised AirPods Max are much like the original model from 2020, but now with new color options and a USB-C port instead of Lightning.If Sony’s new $449 WH-1000XM6 headphones are out of your budget, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 are on sale starting at $298 (about $100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of their better prices to date. While they don’t fold down for easy storage, they still deliver top-tier noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. The new model does offer some improvements, but the upgrades aren’t significant, making the XM5 a good option at this price. Read our review.Right now, you can pick up Bose’s QuietComfort Headphones from Amazon, Best Buy, and Bose for $229 ($120 off), which is one of their best prices to date. They’re foldable and exceptionally comfortable — much like their predecessor, the Bose QC 45 — and they retain lengthy battery life. However, the newer headphones sport adjustable noise cancellation and custom modes, though they lack support for higher-quality Bluetooth codecs and the immersive audio mode found on the QC Ultra Headphones.The Beats Studio Pro are available at Amazon in white starting at $169.99 ($170 off) or for $30 more at Best Buy and Target. The comfortable headphones offer improved noise cancellation and sound over their predecessor, with support for lossless playback over USB-C. They also work well with both iOS and Android devices, providing native support for each platform’s fast pairing and FindMy features. Read our review.Samsung Galaxy Buds FE$65$10035% off$65Samsung’s Galaxy Buds FE offer very good sound and noise cancellation for the money. They also feature a return of the wing tip design from the older Galaxy Buds Plus, the fit of which some may prefer. Read our review.Sony WH-CH520$38$6037% off$38The Sony WH-CH520 offer a lot for very little. The on-ear Bluetooth headphones provide 50 hours of battery life and support hands-free voice assistants, including Google Assistant and Siri. They also offer multipoint Bluetooth support and can tap into Google’s Find My Device network.Does a gaming headset count as headphones? SteelSeries’ Arctis Pro Nova Wireless for the PlayStation, Switch, mobile, and PC platforms is steeply discounted at Amazon, costing $226.71 (normally $349.99). We adore this model, having called it “close to the be-all, end-all gaming headset” in our 2022 review. Despite being a couple of years old, it’s still worth a buy, especially at this price.TV and streaming device dealsLG C4 OLED TV$797$150047% off$797The LG C4 is a 4K OLED TV that’s great for gaming, with a max 144Hz refresh rate and support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync variable refresh rate tech. It has a brighter panel and overall better picture quality than its predecessor.The latest Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $39.99 ($20 off), which is $7 shy of its best price to date. The 4K streaming device is faster than the previous model, with double the storage and support for Wi-Fi 6E. When not in use, it can also act as an Echo Show display of sorts, so you can use it to see reminders, check the weather, and view other useful widgets. You can also have it display famous artwork or your own custom AI-generated images.You can also buy the latest Amazon Fire TV Cube at Amazon, Best Buy, and The Home Depot for $99.99 ($40 off), which is just $10 shy of its all-time low. The third-gen Cube functions as both a traditional Echo speaker and a Fire TV streaming device with support for Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR. The 4K device also integrates well with Amazon Alexa for extensive hands-free voice control.You can buy the standalone Amazon Fire TV Remote for $27.99 ($7 off) at Amazon, which is $3 shy of its all-time low. The remote offers a pair of programmable buttons and backlighting, along with a useful remote finder feature that lets you quickly find it using your voice or by pressing a button in the app.Hisense U65QF TV (2025)$530$80034% off$530The Hisense U65QF TV boasts a 144Hz QLED display with full-array local dimming. It also comes with Google’s TV software built in, along with Dolby Atmos support.Smart home dealsRing Battery Doorbell Plus$100$15033% off$100This wireless Ring doorbell has great video quality, head-to-toe view, and speedy response times for a battery doorbell. It works with Amazon Alexa and can send alerts for people and packages with a Ring Home subscription.The Blink Mini 2 has returned to its all-time low of $19.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. If you want to use the 1080p wired camera outside, you can also grab it with the weather-resistant power adapter for $29.98 ($20 off) at Amazon. The camera offers improved image and audio over the prior model, along with a wider 143-degree field of view and USB-C. It also retains useful features like two-way audio and motion alerts in an easy-to-mount design.Mill is selling its Mill Food Recycler for $874, down from $999. That’s not quite on par with its all-time low of $799, but it’s still a small way to save on the high-tech trash can, which can transform kitchen scraps into a compost-like material for your garden overnight. It helps keep your kitchen from smelling bad, cuts down on food waste, and reduces the trash you generate. Read our review.iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max and Autowash Dock$779$139944% off$779Through 5/24 at midnight, Verge readers can get a big discounts on this model by using the code VERGE620 at checkout. Read more about this model in our in-depth coverage.$779 at WellbotsThe Meross Outdoor Smart Plug is on sale for $20.99 ($10 off) at Amazon, which is just a few cents shy of its lowest price to date. The IP44-rated waterproof plug features a pair of independently controlled AC outlets and support for Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings, allowing you to schedule and control your outdoor gadgets with just your voice.SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher$21$3030% off$21If you’ve ever wished you had a robot that could push a button for you, that’s precisely what the SwitchBot Bot does. It’s simple, smart, and works on anything with a button. Stick it on the device you want to turn on or off, and you’re set.$21 at Amazon (with on-page coupon) $24 at SwitchBot (with code LMTM20)You can currently buy Coway’s Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty from Amazon and Coway for $169.99, down from $229.99, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen in recent months. The small HEPA air purifier features a four-stage filtration system that’s ideal for smaller rooms, and it automatically powers down after 30 minutes once it detects the air is clean.The weatherproof Blink Outdoor 4 is 50 percent off at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, where you can pick it up for $49.99 for a limited time. The 1080p security camera includes upgrades like person detection, improved image quality, and a wider field of view than prior models, all while retaining support for motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio. It can also last up to two years on a pair of AA batteries.Amazon is selling a single Eero Pro 7, which can cover up to 2,000 square feet, for $549.99 ($150 off); you can also grab a pair for $799.99 ($150 off) or three units for $949.99 ($150 off). The dual-band mesh router supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering speeds up to 3.9Gbps. Each unit also includes two 5Gbps ethernet ports and can function as a smart home hub with Matter support, a Zigbee radio, and a Thread border router.Blink Video Doorbell with Sync Module 2$35$7050% off$35Blink’s Video Doorbell is the best if you’re looking a budget-friendly buzzer that offers motion-activated recording and alerts, night vision, two-way audio, and up to two years of battery life.The Shark AI Ultra is on sale at Amazon for $349.99 ($249.99), which is about $55 shy of its all-time low. The robot vacuum navigates your home using lidar and uses Matrix Clean navigation to clean in a grid pattern for a more thorough and precise clean. It also comes with a self-cleaning brush roll, which is useful for cleaning up pet hair, along with a bagless, self-emptying base that can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris.The second-gen Ring Indoor Cam is available at Amazon and Best Buy for $34.99 ($25 off), which is $5 shy of its best price to date. The wired camera features a physical privacy cover that lets you block the camera and microphone, while its redesigned mount lets you easily adjust the camera’s angle. It also retains a number of features from its predecessor, including 1080p resolution, color night vision, and two-way audio.Smartwatch and wearable dealsGarmin Forerunner 265 (42mm)$350$45022% off$350Garmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds a new OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.Garmin’s 41mm Venu 3S is on sale at an all-time low of $349.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and REI. The Venu 3S is our favorite Garmin smartwatch, one that combines contactless payments and other smart features with a broad swath of health tools, including period tracking, abnormal heart rate alerts, and fall detection. It features a microphone and speaker for taking calls, too, though you’ll need your phone to take advantage of said feature since the 3S lacks built-in cellular connectivity. Read our review.The 49mm Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on sale for $739 ($60 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is one of the better prices we’ve seen this year. The rugged wearable offers the brightest display of any Apple wearable, along with the longest battery life. It also packs Apple’s S9 SiP and second-gen ultra wideband chips, allowing you to take advantage of Apple’s handy double tap feature. Read our review.Google Pixel Watch 2 (41mm, Wi-Fi)$150$25040% off$150The Pixel Watch 2 lasts a reliable 24 hours on a single charge with the always-on display enabled. It offers the same Qualcomm processor as the newer Pixel Watch 3, along with a multipath health sensor, Wear OS 5 compatibility, and a host of welcome safety features. Read our review.Best Buy is selling the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in the 40mm / Wi-Fi configuration starting at $219.99 ($80 off) with an extra Samsung band. The latest Samsung wearable is faster than its predecessor and can track your location even more accurately courtesy of its new dual-frequency GPS. It also sports a host of new features, like FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection and irregular heart rate notifications. Read our review.Garmin Fenix 8$800$100020% off$800The Garmin Fenix 8 adds smart features like the ability to take calls on the wrist, and an on-board voice assistant.Outdoor and travel dealsGarmin inReach Mini 2$300$40025% off$300Garmin’s palm-size inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator provides off-the-grid contact with subscription plans starting at $14.95 a month.The LifeStraw Peak Series Straw — which can filter bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from water — is on sale at Amazon and REI starting at $17.58 ($7 off), one of its best prices to date. You can use the handy outdoor gadget to drink directly from streams or rivers, yet the convenient design also allows you to attach it to bottles or connect it to gravity hose systems. The Peak Series model also features a more durable design and faster flow rate than earlier models, which is a boon for anyone in the backcountry.You can buy the Epicka Universal Travel Adapter starting at $19.54 at Amazon. The all-in-one adapter sports a single USB-C port and four USB-A ports, so you can power up a wide range of gadgets in more than 200 countries, including the UK, Japan, Australia, Italy, and more.Best Buy is selling the Starlink Mini for $499.99 ($200 off). The DC-powered Mini comes with a built-in Wi-Fi 5 router that’s integrated directly into the portable satellite dish. It delivers speeds over 100Mbps and takes just minutes to set up, offering quick and easy internet access while on the go (with a qualifying internet plan starting at $50 a month). Read our review.Tile Mate$20$2520% off$20The latest Tile Mate helps you keep track of your personal belongings from up to 350 feet away, which is 100 feet wider than its predecessor’s range. It’s also platform-agnostic, and can send SOS alerts if you pay for the $14.99 monthly Life360 Gold subscription.You can buy the AeroPress Original for around $31.95 ($8 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Target right now. The 3-in-1 coffee maker is one of our favorite coffee gadgets, as it easily brews 10 ounces of regular coffee or multiple espresso-style shots in about a minute. It’s also easy to clean and comes with accessories like a scoop, stirrer, and paper macro filters, so brewing up a cup of coffee on the go is even easier.The Thermacell E90 Mosquito Repeller is available for $42.49 (about $7 off) at Amazon. The rechargeable device repels bugs within a 20-foot radius for up to nine hours at a time using its built-in battery. It also comes with a nine-hour cartridge, though 40-hour refills are also available.BioLite FirePit Plus$300$40025% off$300BioLite’s portable FirePit Plus cuts back on unwanted smoke, functions either as a charcoal or wood-fueled grill, and fans the flames via a large battery pack and built-in fan.Other miscellaneous dealsDell’s 16 Plus Windows laptop that released earlier this year is seeing steep discounts when you buy directly through Dell itself. We’re particularly impressed with the discount on the model that has a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution screen (instead of FHD+ in the base configuration), 16GB of RAM, Intel’s Core Ultra 7 256V processor, and 1TB of NVMe storage for $799.99 (normally $1,149.99).2024 iPad Mini$399$49920% off$399The seventh-gen iPad Mini comes with Apple’s A17 Pro chip and support for Apple Intelligence. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro and offers faster Wi-Fi and USB-C speeds. Read our review.Amazon’s latest Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for $174.99 ($50 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. The slate is the most powerful and capable in Amazon’s current lineup of budget-friendly Fire tablets. It sports a bright 11-inch display and support for optional accessories like a keyboard and stylus, though it’s still better suited for entertainment than real work. Read our review.You can buy an Anker 341 USB-C Hub for $25 ($14 off) at Amazon, which is just $2 shy of its best price to date (Anker is also matching the price when you use promo code WS7DV2R8BLKO). The 7-in-1 hub packs a variety of ports into a compact, travel-friendly design, including two USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C data port, a USB-C power port with up to 100W passthrough charging, and both SD and microSD card slots.Belkin’s older MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand is down to $73.99 ($17 off) at Amazon, which is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen. It delivers up to 15W of power to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, with a pad that can also charge a pair of AirPods or a second Qi-enabled device, all while propping up your phone at a convenient viewing angle.Glocusent book light$20$229% off$20Glocuscent’s book light hangs around your neck to illuminate whatever you’re reading, while offering adjustable brightness and warmth settings.$20 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)You can pick up PowerA’s Enhanced Wireless Controller starting at $35.62 ($25 off) at Amazon, which is $3 shy of its best price to date. A number of designs are on sale, too, ranging from an Animal Crossing-inspired option to Mario-themed ones. Overall, the colorful gamepad is a good budget model for the Nintendo Switch, complete with support for Bluetooth, remappable buttons, and motion controls.Anker’s 610 Magnetic Phone Grip is on sale for $12.79 (about $3 off) at Amazon. The sturdy donut-shaped ring attaches securely to MagSafe-compatible iPhones while also doubling as a kickstand.Hoto 3.6V Screwdriver Tool Set$70$11036% off$70Hoto’s tool set is an exercise in practical minimalism. The handy starter kit includes a variety of starter tools aimed at small- to medium-sized jobs, including pliers, a claw hammer, a self-locking tape measure, and — of course — Hoto’s classic LED-lit electric screwdriver.$70 at Amazon$80 at HotoIf the mere prospect of summer already has you sweating, Jisulife’s adorable handheld fan is on sale at Amazon in an assortment of colors starting at $14.39 (about $4 off), matching its all-time low. Jisulife’s bag-friendly option is a pretty no-frills affair, though it does pack a built-in stand and can charge via USB-C; it also doubles as a 4,800mAh battery pack, as if its base functionality and the adorable bear ears weren’t enough.The Slice Auto-Retractable Box Cutter is on sale for $14.60 (about $5 off) at Amazon, which is its best price so far this year. The ceramic blade automatically retracts, making it a safe tool for opening packages around the house or office.Update, May 23rd: Checked prices and added the iRobot Combo 10 Max, the Dell 16 Plus laptop, the Bose SoundLink Max, and the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless.See More:

Image by Getty / FuturismNeuroscience/Brain ScienceEach of our brains is swimming in enough microplastics to form a plastic spoon, scientists discovered earlier this year. Since then, medical researchers have been scrambling to understand how that could affect our neurological health.Now, ominous data is starting to trickle in, with new research comprising four papers published in the journal Brain Medicine suggesting that microplastics could be contributing to rising rates of depression, dementia, and other mental health ailments across the globe. And for exposing us to these brain-invading microplastics, a clear culprit emerged in the work: ultra-processed foods, or junk food, which make up a huge part of many Americans' diets."We're seeing converging evidence that should concern us all," said Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa, who led one of the studies, in a statement about the work. "Ultra-processed foods now comprise more than 50 percent of energy intake in countries like the United States, and these foods contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods."If true, it would mean that microplastics were the missing link in the correlation between junk food consumption and brain disorders. One study cited by the researchers found that people who ate ultra-processed meals had a significantly higher risk of depression, anxiety, and poor sleep. On the flip side, randomized control trials have demonstrated that weaning someone off junk food led to significant improvements in mental health.Implicating the role of microplastics in this, other research has revealed that junk foods are absolutely riddled with plastic particles. Meals like chicken nuggets, for example, have been shown to contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts, likely absorbed as a result of how they're manufactured and packaged."This hypothesis is particularly compelling because we see remarkable overlap in biological mechanisms," Wolfgang Marx from Deakin University's Food & Mood Center who coauthored one of the studies, said in a statement. "Ultra-processed foods have been linked to adverse mental health through inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions to neurotransmitter systems. Microplastics appear to operate through remarkably similar pathways."These findings are the latest to illustrate the potential grim health effects caused by microplastics, which have been found everywhere from human bone marrow to clouds to the most remote regions on Earth.So far, though, there's no definitive evidence, including human trials, that prove they're harmful to our health. But the fact that microplastics can easily bypass the blood-brain barrier — our gray matter's last line of defense against harmful substances — has unsettled medical experts. Beyond mental ailments, some research has found that microplastics could cause blood clots in the vessels of the brain, potentially inducing a stroke."What emerges from this work is not a warning. It is a reckoning," wrote Ma-Li Wong, a distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate Medical University, in an accompanying editorial. "The boundary between internal and external has failed. If microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, what else do we think remains sacred?"It's impossible not to intake some amount of microplastics every time we eat, but you can take steps to reduce your exposure. And the evidence so far, the researchers argue, makes an increasingly compelling case for cutting ultra-processed junk out of your diet."After all," said Fabiano, "you are what you eat."Share This Article

Image by Getty / FuturismCancerOn Sunday, The New York Times reported that former president Joe Biden, 82, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.What, exactly, does that mean? A bunch of Americans have apparently been trying to figure that out.Google search queries for the phrase "what is a prostate" drastically spiked following news about the former president's cancer diagnosis, as flagged on Bluesky by The Onion writer June Sternbach.The trend suggests that the sad news about America's 46th president didn't just spark inquiry over prostate cancer and what it means, but that a surprising number of US citizens are unclear on what a prostate even is, which may unfortunately be a glaring indictment of American health education.Because many citizens are clearly looking for some answers, we shall provide them. The prostate, according to the National Institutes of Health, is a "gland about the size of a chestnut" that sits below men's bladders and above their pelvic floors. It's a component of the male reproductive system, and a key function includes providing an essential fluid used by the male body to create sperm.Doctors recommend that men, especially as they age, get regular prostate exams. As men get older, most will experience prostate enlargement, which may cause some irritation to the bladder. Prostate cancer, meanwhile, is the leading cancer for men, according to the American Cancer Society, and is most common in patients over the age of 65.As NPR noted this week, prostate cancer can be effectively treated, and has a five-year relative survival rate of about 97 percent. Those odds go down, however, if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, as Biden's has. His cancer has progressed to Stage 4 and has metastasized to the bone.The former president "has a very bad version" of prostate cancer, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine urologist Ben Davis told NPR, "probably the worst version you can get."Still, Davies added, advancements in treatment mean that "it's not all doom and gloom, to be honest.""He can easily live ten years with this disease," the urologist continued.Biden's team has said that the former president's cancer "appears to be hormone-sensitive," which may make it more manageable, per the NYT.It's an unfortunate situation for Biden — whose son, Beau Biden, died in 2015 of brain cancer at the age of just 46 — and his family.So, maybe, now that we all know what a prostate is, if you have one: please consider getting it regularly checked out, and all of us should tell our loved ones to consider doing the same.More on the male reproductive system: Microplastics Found in Human PenisesShare This Article

Just in time to make the most of the warmer weather, REI is slashing prices on a bunch of our favorite outdoor gadgets and goods as a part of its annual anniversary sale. Now through May 26th, the outdoor retailer is taking up to 30 percent off a large number of items, from Garmin watches and water filters to stoves, satellite communicators, and one of the best camping / backpacking chairs around.RelatedBelow, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals to help you gear up for your summer adventures. In some instances, other retailers like Amazon are matching REI’s pricing, giving you additional ways to save. Also, keep in mind that REI members can save an additional 20 percent on one REI Outlet item or get 20 percent off on one qualifying full-price item when they use coupon ANNIV2025 at checkout.Garmin Forerunner 265 (42mm)$350$45022% off$350Garmin’s midrange Forerunner watch adds a new OLED display, a week’s worth of battery life, and dual-frequency GPS for better accuracy. Read our review.Many of our favorite Garmin smartwatches are also on sale right now, including the Garmin Forerunner 265, which is our top pick for runners. Normally $450, you can buy the smartwatch in either its 42mm or 46mm sizing at REI and Amazon for $349.99 ($100 off), which matches its best price to date. The 265 features a vibrant OLED display, up to 15 days of battery life, and multi-band GPS for more accurate tracking. It also provides insight into a number of running metrics, including stride length and cadence, while supporting Garmin’s PacePro, Training Readiness, and Race Predictor features.Garmin’s Fenix 8, our top pick for endurance athletes, is available in its 43mm configuration from REI, Amazon, and Garmin starting at $799.99 ($200 off). The platform-agnostic Fenix 8 is an excellent training watch with exceptional battery life that easily surpasses rivals like the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Garmin’s rugged, top-of-the-line wearable also includes a sharp OLED display and a built-in speaker / mic, so you can make calls or carry out voice commands using the onboard voice assistant (you can also connect it to your phone’s voice assistant for more complex queries). That being said, the Fenix 8 doesn’t offer built-in LTE, so your phone will need to stay within Bluetooth range for those features to work. Read our review.Garmin Fenix 8$800$100020% off$800The Garmin Fenix 8 adds smart features like the ability to take calls on the wrist, and an on-board voice assistant.Garmin’s 41mm Venu 3 is currently available for an all-time low of $349.99, down from its regular price of $449.99, at Amazon and REI. The Venu 3 is our favorite Garmin smartwatch, one that offers a mix of smart features and advanced health tracking at an affordable price. You can make and receive calls when paired with your phone, use your phone’s voice assistant via Bluetooth, and pay with contactless payments. It also includes a broad range of health features, including heart rate monitoring, period tracking, abnormal heart rate alerts, fall detection, and more. Just note: there’s no cellular connectivity, so you’ll need your phone nearby for full functionality. Read our review.Garmin inReach Mini 2$300$40025% off$300Garmin’s palm-size inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator provides off-the-grid contact with subscription plans starting at $14.95 a month.If your summer plans involve hiking or backpacking, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 can provide some peace of mind. And right now, it’s available from REI, Amazon, and Garmin for $299.99 ($100 off), which is just $15 shy of its all-time low. The rugged, palm-sized satellite communicator — which requires a monthly subscription — allows you to send texts, share your location, check the weather, and even trigger SOS alerts. It can easily outlast your average smartphone with satellite connectivity, too, so you’re free to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about running out of power.The Helinox Chair Zero — a personal favorite of several Verge staffers — is on sale at REI and Amazon for $104.98 ($35 off), which is its best price to date. Weighing just a pound, the collapsible backpacking chair is exceptionally lightweight and easy to pack. It’s also built to support up to 265 pounds and is both comfortable and stable, despite its portable design.LifeStraw Peak Series Straw$18$2528% off$18LifeStraw’s basic filter removes unwanted viruses, bacteria, and microplastics as you drink, giving you a safe way to hydrate no matter where you are.LifeStraw’s portable water filters make for helpful travel companions, regardless of whether you’re heading into the backcountry or touring cities with questionable tap water. Thankfully, Verge favorites like the LifeStraw Peak Series Straw are on sale at Amazon and REI starting at $17.58, down from $24.95. The standalone straw is perfect for filtering out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from streams and rivers. The Peak Series model features an improved flow rate and a more durable design than earlier models as well, and thanks to its versatile build, you can drink directly from a water source, attach it to a water bottle, or connect it to a gravity hose system.If you’re looking for a more convenient, all-in-one solution, the 22-ounce LifeStraw Go Series Water Bottle is also on sale for an all-time low of around $34 ($11 off) at REI and Amazon. The BPA-free bottle features a built-in two-stage filtration system, including a carbon filter that’s designed to reduce odors and improve taste, making it a solid pick for everything from travel to your daily commute.The MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove is on sale for $44.89, down from $55.95, at REI. The single-burner canister stove can boil water in just 3.5 minutes. It’s also lightweight, foldable, and compatible with most isobutane-propane fuel canisters, making it a great pick for backpackers looking to shed weight.Black Diamond Spot 400$37$5026% off$37Black Diamond’s Spot 400 headlamp offers great battery life and simple, easy-to-use controls. Best off all, it’s plenty bright, making it a great option for both indoor and outdoor use.$37 at REIIf you’re looking for a reliable and comfortable headlamp, Black Diamond’s Spot 400 is great for everything from camping to hiking to late-night reading sessions. It’s currently available from REI for $37.39 (about $13 off), which remains one of its better prices to date. The 400-lumen headlamp offers adjustable brightness, a red night vision mode, and an IPX8 waterproof rating, so it can handle rainy nights. It’s also dual-fuel compatible, meaning you can use standard AAA batteries or use it in tandem with Black Diamond’s rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery for more flexibility.The pocket-sized Black Diamond Moji Lantern is down to $18.69 (about $6 off) at REI in multiple colors. The rugged Moji lantern offers 200 lumens of warm, dimmable light and adjustable lightness, along with an IPX4 rating for water resistance. It features a double-hook design, too, so you can use it as a table lantern or hang it up. The JBL Flip 6 is selling for $99.99 at REI and Amazon, down from $129.95 and about $20 shy of its all-time low. The portable Bluetooth speaker delivers powerful, clear sound and an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. The Flip 6 also offers up to 12 hours of playtime and features JBL’s PartyBoost feature, which allows you to pair multiple JBL devices together for a more powerful audio experience.Garmin’s Varia RTL515 Radar Taillight is on sale at REI and Amazon for $149.99 ($50 off), nearly matching its lowest price to date. The headlight combines a bright LED light with a rearview radar that, when paired with a compatible device, warns you of cars approaching from behind from up to 153 yards away.Coleman Cascade Classic Camp Stove$97$13025% off$97Coleman’s basic Cascade Classic Camp Stove features enough cooking power for most meals, two burners, and a matchless igniter.$97 at Coleman$97 at REIIf you want a straightforward stove that gets the job done, Coleman’s Cascade Classic Camp Stove is a good option that starts at $96.99 (about $33 off) when purchased directly from Coleman or at REI. The compact stove is pretty basic, but it offers everything you need for simple, reliable camp cooking. It’s got enough cooking power to handle most meals and two burners, so you can cook multiple things at once. It also features a matchless push-button igniter, along with built-in wind guards for better flame control and adjustable heat knobs for more precise cooking. It’s easy to carry and set up as well, with a durable steel cooktop and a removable chrome-plated grate for easy cleanup.You can buy MSR’s TrailShot Pocket-Sized Water Filter for $48.69, down from $64.95, at REI. The squeeze-and-sip filter removes bacteria, protozoa, and particulates, so you can drink directly from natural water sources or refill bottles. The filter is highly portable at just 5.2 ounces, too, and can easily fit in your pocket.The BioLite SolarHome 620 Plus kit is on sale for $139.93, down from $199.95, at REI. The compact, solar-powered system is designed to bring lights, charging, and audio to off-grid locations. Along with a 6W solar panel, it features an integrated FM radio / MP3 player, three hanging 120-lumen LED lights, and a pair of USB ports for charging various devices.See More:

Receipts often contain the chemical BPS. LordHenriVoton/Getty Images 2025-05-15T10:34:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Receipts often contain bisphenols, which are chemicals linked to reproductive toxicity and cancer. That's because receipts are coated in a plastic polymer for heat-based printing. Dr. Leonardo Trasande from NYU Langone says he opts for email and text receipts when possible. Plastics and the chemicals they carry are everywhere, from our air, water, and blood to the products we use every day.Researchers like Dr. Leonardo Trasande know the unexpected places where these chemicals sneak into our lives, like the receipts you get at grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and clothing outlets."We don't think of thermal paper receipts as plastic, but that shiny coating is a polymer on top," Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and environmental health researcher at NYU Langone, told Business Insider. Trasande's main complaint about receipts is what that plastic polymer puts into human skin.Where there is plastic, he added, "chemicals of concern come along for the ride."When it's an option to receive his receipt by email or text, Trasande goes for that.Toxic chemicals on store receiptsReceipts are usually made of thermal paper, which is designed to print using heat-sensitive inks. That makes for cheap and easy on-the-spot printing in restaurants and businesses.The problem is that this thermal paper usually contains bisphenols, a class of chemicals used to manufacture plastics. Receipts are usually printed on thermal paper using heat. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls The most famous bisphenol, called BPA, has been linked to heart disease, decreased fertility, breast and prostate cancers and, in children, asthma and neurodevelopmental issues. BPA has been phased out of US products over the past decade, including receipts.However, studies have found that many receipt manufacturers have replaced the BPA with its cousin BPS, which is banned in Europe for use in food containers, considered a reproductive toxin by the state of California, and has been associated with breast cancer.If you touch a receipt that's coated in BPS, the toxic chemical can quickly enter your body by absorbing through your skin, according to recent research.This year, the nonprofit watchdog Center for Environmental Health tested receipts from 32 major retailers and found that touching one for 10 seconds would expose someone to enough BPS to legally require a warning in California. Under the state's Proposition 65, businesses must provide warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer or reproductive harm. The CEH delivered a legal notice to those 32 retailers in April."Chemicals used in plastic materials need to be properly vetted for safety," Trasande said. "Insofar as chemicals are identified to be toxic to human health, we have safer alternatives that should be considered."He called electronic receipts "an important positive step forward." Microplastics in receiptsUnderlying the bisphenols, of course, is plastic. Though Trasande said there is much more definitive research on the health effects of many chemicals in plastics, emerging science about the proliferation of plastics themselves throughout the human body is not comforting.The plastic items that surround us all in our homes, workplaces, schools, and even the outdoors are shedding tiny particles called microplastics — or, when they get really tiny, nanoplastics.These minuscule plastics build up in our bodies. They've been found in almost every human body tissue researchers have checked, from the brain to the lining of the arteries. Their health impacts are not yet clear, but they've been linked to chronic inflammation, lung and colon cancers, reproductive health issues, and heart attack and stroke risk."There are limits to what I can control," Trasande said. "At the same time, there are so many steps we can take to reduce our exposure to chemicals of concern and particularly micro- and nanoplastics."Declining paper receipts is one of them. On the whole, though, Trasande said the world needs to reduce its plastic production.If business as usual continues, plastics production is expected to triple by 2060, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.Trasande said a global plastics treaty would help. According to Reuters, the United Nations is set to resume negotiations for such a treaty in August. Recommended video

All images courtesy of Ana Brecevic, shared with permission Recycled Materials Draw Attention to Ocean Plastics in Ana Brecevic’s Assemblages May 14, 2025 Kate Mothes As the climate crisis worsens around the globe, its effects are no more apparent than in our oceans and the communities that rely on them. Delicate coral reefs, for example, face stresses from not only rising sea temperatures but the residue of human presence—plastics, castoff fishing equipment, and other waste. Warm water is typically the culprit in coral bleaching events, characterized by algae leaving the organisms and turning them a ghostly white. The algae provides a food source and helps to protect the coral from disease, but when it goes, the host is left much more vulnerable. For Ana Brecevic (previously), this phenomenon inspires work that draws attention to this urgent issue. Her recent series, Plasticum, reflects on the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution in the earth’s oceans while contrasting the beauty of marine ecosystems with their vulnerability to human impact. The artist meticulously cuts silhouettes of bleached corals and gorgonians—also known as sea fans—and ornaments them with baubles reminiscent of debris. “I live along the Atlantic coast, where I collect marine waste that inspires and feeds into this body of work,” Brecevic says. “Everything is made from recycled paper, upcycled fabrics, and natural dyes.” The artist describes Plasticum as “a quiet echo of a reality slowly settling in,” where microplastics and waste continually threaten underwater habitats and biodiversity. She says, “Through this work, I hope to spark questions about our connection to living ecosystems and what we choose to see—or overlook.” Find more on Brecevic’s website and Instagram. Photo by Marion Saupin Photo by Marion Saupin Photo by Marion Saupin Next article

Feeding Flamingos Create Underwater Tornado-Like Vortices to Capture Their Prey, Study Finds Rather than passively filter-feeding, the birds use their heads, beaks and feet to generate motion in the water that funnels invertebrates into their mouths A new study reveals how Chilean flamingos are so adept at finding food. Victor Ortega Jiménez / UC Berkeley Flamingos have a natural ability to filter out food, like shrimp and worms, from the surrounding water, even in the most food-poor environments. Now, a new study published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how the birds use the power of physics to nab their elusive prey. Victor Ortega Jiménez, an integrative biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and lead author of the study, first became interested in flamingos’ eating behavior after a visit to Zoo Atlanta in 2019. The pink birds stomped their feet and submerged their beaks, but from the surface, he saw only ripples. The researcher wanted to know what was happening underwater. “We don’t know anything about what is happening inside,” he says in a statement. “That was my question.” Flamingo model tornado vortex Watch on So, Ortega Jiménez and his team took a closer look with the help of three Chilean flamingos at the Nashville Zoo. They trained the animals to feed from a water-filled tray over several weeks and used high-speed cameras and lasers to monitor the process. Then, the researchers created 3D printed models of the birds’ heads, feet and bills to more closely study how they make the water and particles move. The final step of the work involved attaching a real flamingo beak to a machine that snaps it open and shut, with a small pump to simulate the bird’s tongue. The researchers found that the flamingos use the motion of water to their advantage, combining techniques to funnel water—and the invertebrates within it—to their mouths. They’ll stomp their feet in dance-like motions to bring food up to the surface. Then, they’ll quickly bob their heads up and down to create tornado-like underwater vortices that help catch their prey more efficiently. The birds also snap or “chatter” their beaks and move their tongues in and out—and that chattering allows flamingos to capture seven times more brine shrimp. “We are challenging the idea that flamingos are just passive filter feeders,” says Ortega Jiménez to Rachel Nuwer at the New York Times. “Just as spiders produce webs, flamingos produce vortices.” Tornado flamingo chattering Watch on The team calculated just how quickly the flamingos chattered their beaks and bobbed their heads. To create a tornado-like vortex, a bird would retract its head in a short burst of speed at nearly 16 inches per second. The chattering motion involved the lower beak snapping about 12 times per second. The study is “an outstanding demonstration of how biological form and motion can control the surrounding fluid to serve a functional role,” adds Sunghwan Jung, a biophysicist at Cornell University who was not involved in the study, to the New York Times. Flamingo brine filtering foot Watch on Flamingos’ feeding prowess can even benefit other birds: A 2018 study found that Wilson’s phalaropes can double their food intake by following behind a stomping flamingo. Next, Ortega Jiménez wants to study what goes on inside flamingos’ beaks during feeding, in hopes that it can inspire new technologies that harness the strength of vortices to capture toxic algae or microplastics from water. “These behaviors that look kind of silly are generating these really useful water flows,” Elizabeth Brainerd, a functional morphologist at Brown University who was not involved with the study, told Elizabeth Pennisi at Science when the work was presented at a conference in 2023. “That’s unexpected … and quite elegant.” Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.