Popular Science

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Wolfbox

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Prepare to see space like never before. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is a groundbreaking US-funded project that will capture the most detailed, dynamic map of the night sky ever made. Using the world’s largest digital camera, it will capture a time-lapse of the entire sky every few nights to reveal billions of objects and catch fast-changing events like supernovae and near-Earth asteroids. Its massive dataset will help scientists better understand dark matter, dark energy, and the structure of the universe while also improving planetary defense.

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The 3,200-megapixel Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera is the size of a small car and twice as heavy, tipping the scales at 6,000 pounds. The sensor’s huge number of megapixels is equivalent to 260 modern cell phone sensors. The camera is so powerful, it could snap a clear image of a golf ball from 15 miles away.

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By making its data widely available, the observatory will also open new doors for discovery for researchers, students, and citizen scientists around the world.

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Riblet-shaped coating on 787 by Japan Airlines: Stabilizing airflow, reducing turbulence, and increasing fuel efficiency

This 4-in-1 unit combines a portable jump starter, tire inflator, and power bank into one glovebox-friendly package. Pairing it with a dash cam gives you both incident footage and a way to get rolling again if a dead battery or low tire tries to derail your trip.

WOLFBOX G900Pro 12MP WiFi Touch Screen Smart Rear View Mirror Dash Cam $294(was $419)

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Wolfbox

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Deployed on Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting in January, the coating uses tiny, sharkskin-like grooves called riblets to guide airflow smoothly along the aircraft’s surface. By keeping the air more organized and reducing small pockets of turbulence, the riblets cut aerodynamic drag, which normally wastes energy. That reduction in drag translates directly into better fuel efficiency, lowering operating costs and reducing the plane’s carbon emissions. Overall, this smart surface technology gives the 787 a quieter, cleaner, and more efficient ride without changing the aircraft’s shape or engines.

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Blue Ghost lunar lander by Firefly Aerospace: First commercial company to soft land on the moon

This mirror-style dash cam adds a wide touchscreen over your existing rearview mirror and gives you high-resolution front and rear coverage in a single, OEM-style package. It is the most broadly appealing option here for everyday drivers who want a clean install, easy controls, and app-friendly sharing.

WOLFBOX G900 TriPro Bumper Version 3-Channel Rearview Mirror Dash Cam $293 (was $418)

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Wolfbox

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The Blue Ghost lander was the first commercial vehicle to soft-land on the Moon, marking a major milestone in the shift from government-only lunar missions to public–private exploration with its March 2 touchdown. Over the summer, Firefly Aerospace was awarded a NASA contract to deliver science and technology instruments to the Moon’s south polar region, an area crucial for studying water ice and future human exploration. Successful delivery will help NASA gather data needed for future Artemis missions while proving that commercial companies can reliably operate on the lunar surface, demonstrating the Blue Ghost lander to be a major step toward a more sustainable, commercially driven lunar economy.

The TriPro Bumper Version takes things further with three-channel recording, adding a dedicated bumper-mounted camera to the usual front and rear views. It is ideal for drivers who park on crowded streets or spend a lot of time in busy traffic and want more complete coverage around the vehicle.

Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine by Venus Aerospace: Powering future flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo in under two hours

All WOLFBOX deals

WOLFBOX G900Pro 12MP WiFi Touch Screen Smart Rear View Mirror Dash Cam $294(was $419)

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WOLFBOX G900 TriPro Bumper Version 3-Channel Rearview Mirror Dash Cam $293 (was $418)

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WOLFBOX G900 TriPro Cabin Version 3-Channel Rearview Mirror Dash Cam $338 (was $419)

Venus Aerospace’s Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) is a new type of rocket propulsion that creates continuous spinning shockwaves to burn fuel far more efficiently than traditional rocket engines. This technology is targeted to enable aircraft to travel at speeds of Mach 4 to Mach 6 (3,069 to 4,603 mph), making routes like Los Angeles to Tokyo possible in under two hours. Because the engine produces more thrust with less fuel, it opens the door to faster, lighter, and potentially more affordable high-speed travel. In short, the RDRE is a key step toward turning ultra-fast, global point-to-point flight from science fiction into realistic transportation.

WOLFBOX G840S Mirror Dash Cam $141(was $188)

BepiColombo by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) & European Space Agency (ESA): Exploring Mercury closer than ever

WOLFBOX Megavolt 24Air 4-in-1 Jump Starter with Air Compressor & Tire Inflator $139 (was $185)

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WOLFBOX Megavolt 24 Jump Starter $133.50 (was $178)

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WOLFBOX MF200 Compressed Air Duster (Swappable Battery Cartridge) $135

BepiColombo is the most ambitious mission ever sent to study Mercury, a planet that’s hard to reach because of the sun’s intense gravity. The spacecraft carries two orbiters—one built by the European Space Agency (ESA) and one by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)—that will map Mercury’s surface, study its thin atmosphere, investigate its magnetic field, and analyze its interior structure. These measurements will help scientists understand how rocky planets form and evolve, including Earth-like worlds in other star systems. By working together, JAXA and ESA are tackling one of the toughest destinations in the solar system and filling in major gaps in our understanding of the innermost planet.

The post Wolfbox dropped the prices on its auto accessories by up to 30%: Save on dash cams, jump starters, and more appeared first on Popular Science.

19 hilarious and delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Award winners

Popular Science Team — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:38:49 -0500

Nature can be captivating, awe-inspiring, and downright metal. It can also be hilarious. Case in point: The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards, a delightful dive into the silliness of the animal kingdom.

The preeminent wildlife photography competition for wacky and whimsical animals announced its winners and the results don’t disappoint. UK-based photographer Mark Meth-Cohn earned top honors for his photograph “High Five” (seen below) that documents the silly escapades of a young male gorilla in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda.

Entertainment

“High Five”
Overall Winner
Credit: Mark Meth-Cohn / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

The smartphone era has brought about an era of convergence when it comes to consumer electronics. Tons of devices we used to rely on—small cameras, calculators, flashlights, music players, etc.—have rolled up into our phones. Entertainment has experienced a similar move toward a small-screen singularity. In 2024, users collectively watched more than 4 billion minutes of TikTok content on their phones every single day. Still, big screens persist. This year’s list includes a pair of new TV technologies built to be enjoyed from feet away, not inches from your face. A pair of clever earbuds use magnetic fluid to let you hear familiar music with a fresh sound. And, while it’s already perhaps too easy to start a podcast, the industry standard microphone has gotten a very useful upgrade that makes high-quality content creation even more accessible.

“We spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home,” Meth-Cohn recalls. “On this particular day, we came across a large family group known as the Amahoro family, they were gathered in a forest clearing where the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing. One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair: pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and I’m thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image.”

Grand Award Winner, Entertainment

The image topped more than 10,000 other entries from 109 countries, a record-setting amount of submissions for the contest. Other winners include wrestling frogs, annoyed birds, and a chimpanzee snacking on boogers. If you’d like to vote in the People’s Choice category, pick your favorite by March 1, 2026.

Micro RGB TV by Samsung: A TV that creates color in a totally different way

“Baptism of the Unwilling Convert”
Reptile, Amphibian & Insect Category Winner
This photo was taken in early spring of 2023. The male frogs all come out to start establishing territory in the pond. I took my camera and lay on my belly, watching them and taking shots. It wasn’t until I got back to the house and looked at the pictures that I saw this one and realized how much I liked it. I showed it to my parents and they loved it too and it became one of my favorites. We all thought it looked like one frog was trying to baptize the other! I started getting interested in photography about 3 years ago at the age of 10. My favorite subjects are chipmunks becuase they are so curious and cute. Winning these category awards has been awesome. It’s great to be considered along side so many amazing entries and photographers. As a young photographer, it is affirming and inspiring to continue shooting! I really appreciated the opportunity to be a part of this!
Credit: Grayson Bell / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

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Pictures of Samsung’s Micro RGB TV don’t do it justice. When I saw it in person earlier this year, I was shocked by the vibrant colors and brightness it offers. Even compared to typical OLEDs (which are renowned for their color reproduction), it created a tangibly more vivid viewing experience. Each sub-100-micron RGB emitter sits directly behind the panel and is driven on its own, which lets the set hit unusually wide color gamuts while maintaining extremely high brightness and contrast at a 115-inch, 4K size. True Micro LED tech remains exclusive to commercial installations, but Micro RGB provides an extremely similar experience without the need for complex professional installation. A screen this large that can still show deep blacks and highly saturated color in a bright room reshapes what home theater looks like—if you can afford it—and sets expectations for what premium displays should do over the next decade.

Magnetic Fluid Driver by Technics: Earbuds that tune the driver with liquid, not just magnets

“Digging for Gold”
Portfolio Category Winner
A young female chimpanzee picking her nose and eating it!
Credit: Maggie Hoffman / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

“Smile, You’re Being Photographed”
Highly Commended Winner
When I was photographing bears, this one year old bear cub saw it and started smiling at me. Apparently he had already had to pose in front of photographers.
Credit: Valtteri Mulkahainen / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 Valtteri Mulkahainen

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“Hit the Dance Floor”
Nikon Young Photographer Category Winner
“This shot was taken quite at the beginning of my wildlife photography “”journey””. I always enjoyed nature, but usually only photographed my dog, until I observed foxes for an essay I wrote for biology lessons in school and decided I want to try to photograph and learn even more about foxes.
The photo was taken in a nature reserve. They don’t get hunted there and therefore are seen during the day as well. Something I found true with all areas with low hunting pressure that I’ve been to so far.
I’m not the biggest fan of camouflaging. While I do use it occasionally, the best way I have found to photograph them, especially young ones, is just being present. If you put in the time, I found that the foxes usually get either curious or see you as something natural, not dangerous. Either way, they come close eventually. I had several foxes nipping at my shoes already like this, as well as foxes catching mice just a couple meters away from me!
This was my tactic with these foxes too. Like this, I could follow and document them for several months while they grew up. Their den lied in a sandy valley. Sometimes I found one or two sleeping in that area during the day, but when dawn set, they met up at this spot, got really active and often played a lot together, just like in the image.
The time with them taught me a lot about their social behavior. I saw them fight, hunt, sleep, groom – and of course play, which is always my favorite to watch! You really have to giggle a lot watching foxes play with their quirky personalities.
Since then, I had been photographing and following fox cubs every spring/summer and had much more amazing encounters with foxes and also other wildlife. “
Credit: Paula Rustemeier / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 Nico Dreier

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“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”
Highly Commended
I’ve always been fascinated by the complex social lives of lions, and there’s no better place to observe them than Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. I captured this image in September 2024, during the dry season, when dwindling food and water can heighten family tensions. One morning near the Semetu Kopjes, we found a pride locked in a lively standoff – hungry cubs clamoring for milk, mothers giving in briefly before retreating in exhaustion. Life in the dry season is no picnic—lions are anxiously waiting for the Great Migration and the feast it promises—but it makes for some incredible wildlife behavior and these cubs were the stars of the show. For over an hour, they followed their mother around a famous Serengeti kopje—those iconic rocky outcrops that dot the landscape—alternating between trying to suckle and play. Each time the mother, already in a foul mood from the sweltering heat, would give a quick roar of disapproval and escape the circus. But the cubs, like any persistent little ones, would chase her down, nipping at her and yelping for more attention. This back-and-forth drama played out again and again Roaring in protest, the lionesses leapt onto the kopje for a moment’s peace, only to be followed by their relentless offspring. As the chaos peaked, the entire pride erupted in a chorus of roars and wails, giving me the perfect instant to press the shutter.
Credit: Bret Saalwaechter / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

Technics’ EAH-AZ100 earbuds use a dynamic driver with magnetic fluid—an oil-like liquid loaded with magnetic particles—between the voice coil and the diaphragm. Instead of just cooling the driver, the fluid damps and centers its motion, cutting distortion and stabilizing the stroke, especially at low frequencies. That’s important because most earbud upgrades lately have come from digital signal processing and software tricks. Here the transducer itself gets an upgrade. Extending clean bass response down to a claimed 3 Hz while maintaining detail in the mids and highs shows there’s still headroom in single-driver designs, and it hints that more weird physics materials may show up inside everyday audio gear.

“Smiley“
Fish & Other Aquatic Animals Category Winner
Whilst on a scuba dive in the Philippines, this little fish kept popping its head out of its home, a hole in the patterned coral. I took a few photos and I loved its cheeky face smiling back at me. What an expressive looking face! This cheerful looking species, the bluestriped fangblenny is around eight centimeters and actually has a rare defence mechanism, where it can bite an attacking predator and inject venom when it is threatened. The venom causes dizziness and disorientation, weakening the predator’s ability to pursue and eat the fangblenny. I took the image at 10 meters deep, in the Philippines. I used an underwater housing around my mirrorless camera, and two underwater flash guns to illuminate the subject.
Credit: Jenny Stock/ Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

Atmos FlexConnect by Dolby: Room-aware surround sound that starts from the TV

“Now, Which Direction Is My Nest?
Highly Commended
Taken on a Nikon School UK Photo Trip to Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, England in July 2023 using a Nikon Z6II with the 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 with 2x teleconverter at 460mm, 1/1000s, ISO 360 and f10.4. Bempton Cliffs are well known as a breeding site for Gannets, Razorbills and Puffins and the Nikon School visit was to photograph these birds. The cliffs are on the East coast of England and usually have an offshore wind, but unusually there was a strong onshore breeze making the gannets’ take offs and landings more dynamic than usual as the wind hit the cliffs and was pushed straight up into the air. Whilst collecting nesting grass from one spot on the top of the cliffs the wind was blowing the grass across their eyes making take off and direction finding even more challenging, hence ’Now which direction is my nest?’ as the title I picked for my photograph.
Credit: Alison Tuck / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

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“Landing Gear Down”
Highly Commended
This photograph came about as a hard-won victory of patience. I have been photographing Red-throated Loons for several years. I lie on the edge of a bond under a camouflage net and photograph their spring courtship displays from my hide. The ground is wet and cold. That morning, an unseasonable early-spring snowfall caught me by surprise, making photography almost impossible. Lying there on the cold shore of the bond, I found myself thinking there was no sense in being there. I was already about to leave. However, I decided to stay, and the snowfall faded into quiet, beautiful drifting flakes, and a thin mist rose from the surface of the lake.
Another Red-throated Loon on the lake had turned white from the snowfall. From its behaviour I noticed that its mate was arriving at the lake, and I managed to get it in my camera’s focus against the grey sky. I lost it for a moment, but caught it again just before it landed on the water.
The Red-throated Loon is quite a “poor” flier, and its landing is usually very wobbly: it seeks balance with its legs stretched backwards and then belly-lands to glide. I like to say they use the water as their runway. This time the bird came straight towards me and was so steady you might imagine it had taken flying lessons.
The photograph has travelled with me in my exhibitions, and it always elicits a chuckle from viewers. There is something funny about it. I thought it would be perfect for this competition to bring joy to its viewers.
Credit: Erkko Badermann / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 Erkko Badermann

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“Fonzies Advertising”
Highly Commended
This moment happened after the tourists had left Nosy Komba (Madagascar). I stopped, letting the silence fall around me, and turned my attention to a group of crowned sifakas (Propithecus deckenii). It was then that he appeared, staring at me with wide, curious eyes, as if questioning my presence… or perhaps my clothing choices.
Then, with the grace of a stage actor and the timing of a comedian, he raised his hand, licked it thoughtfully, and then paused mid-gesture, as if he knew exactly what he was doing.
The photo immediately reminded me of that old snack commercial:
“If you don’t lick your fingers… you’re only half enjoying it!”
Ultimately, this is why I love nature photography so much: sometimes nature’s sense of humor is better than our own; you just have to be ready to catch it..
Credit: Liliana Luca / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

Even the fanciest home audio system won’t sound good if it’s not set up correctly. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect uses the TV as a hub that listens for wireless speakers, figures out where they are in the room, and then assigns channels and levels automatically instead of forcing you to figure out symmetrical layouts and manual calibration. The system identifies each speaker’s capabilities and position, then divides Atmos height, surround, and dialogue information between the TV’s own drivers and any paired satellites. TCL’s 2025 QD-Mini LED TV sets and matching Z100 speakers are the first to ship with it, which makes Atmos-style setups closer to “plug it in and listen” than “learn to be your own installer.” It’s still a closed ecosystem for now, but it points toward surround systems that adapt to cluttered apartments and real furniture instead of demanding a perfect demo room.

“Headlock”
Bird Category Winner
These guillemots were nesting on a small rocky cliff ledge where space was at a premium. The nests all crammed in close together which isn’t a good recipe for being good neighbours, as guillemots are fiercely territorial. Aggression and battles are frequent over nesting space and I captured this image of this bemused looking bridled guillemot, its head firmly clamped in his/her neighbours beak. I liked the way the guillemot was looking directly into my lens, its white eye-liner eyes highlighting its predicament! Sometimes you just want to bite your neighbours head off..literally !
Credit: Warren Price / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

MV7i two-channel mic by Shure: A podcast mic with an audio interface built in

“Bad Hair Day”
Highly Commended
For my image “Bad Hair Day” I was in a local park in downtown Victoria when I saw a grey blur run by. When I looked closer I saw a mother grey squirrel was relocating her babies to a new nest. The grass was dewy that morning so she was getting a wet tail as she ran through the grass. As she entered her new nest her tail was sticking out so when she turned around to leave, for a short second her head was covered by her wet tail. When I saw her it made me smile thinking I know that moment where you have just washed your hair and the doorbell goes! I also loved the textures and colours of the bark of the arbutus tree surrounding her and her “bad hair”
Credit: Christy Grinton / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

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“Aaaaawww Mum”
Highly Commended
This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda earlier this year, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home. On this particular day, we came across a large family group gathered in a forest clearing, the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing. Doing well in any competition shows that the images you are producing are working. The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards are one of the major competitions of the year, easy to enter and fun but with a seriously committed underlying ethos and, after reaching the finals last year, I’m absolutely delighted to have gone one step further and win the competition this year
Credit: Mark Meth Cohn / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

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“Monkey Circus”
Highly Commended
My wife, Nellie and I were on our honeymoon in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, known for its vast landscapes and its huge elephant herds. We were there right in the beginning of the rainy season and witnessed how nature wakes up after the first rains in many months. Although animals had dispersed and were harder to see, we could feel the excitement brought by the rains everywhere. One evening on our way to the camp we bumped into a troop of baboons playing in a huge tree. One of the baboons was sitting on a big brunch and the others were running up and down the tree in circles. Every time they passed by the sitting baboon it was trying to catch them in a funny way. This play continued for more than 15 minutes and the baboons seemed to really enjoy it.
Credit: Kalin Botev / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 KALIN BOTEV

If you watch podcast content, streamers, or pretty much any kind of interview content online, you’ve seen the Shure MV7 microphone. It’s the industry standard, and now it works as its own stand-alone podcast studio. Plug it into a computer via USB-C and you get the mic plus a combo XLR/ ¼-inch input on the back for a second microphone or instrument, with both channels appearing separately in Shure’s MOTIV Mix software or your digital audio workstation. That lets a solo creator record a host and guest, or voice and guitar, without hauling around an extra interface box, power supply, and cabling. Dual-channel recording directly from a single desktop mic lowers the barrier to making more polished shows and music from small spaces, and it shows how much traditional studio hardware can collapse into a single device.

“Go Away”
Highly Commended
In February 2025 I flew from my home in South Australia where the summer temperatures ranged from mid 20’s to mid-40 degrees Celsius to the island of Hokkadia in Japan, where temperatures were minus degrees, the coldest day being minus 18 Celsius.
I experienced a winter wonderland so vastly different from my arid hot home environment. A highlight was visiting Rausa on the Shirenhoka Peninsula and Nemuro Straits, where the Steller’s Sea Eagle gather in the winter to fish from drift ice. With fewer than 5000 left in the world they are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species. The female can weigh up to 9.5kg, making it the heaviest eagle in the world. Their wingspan, up to 2.5 metres is of the largest of any living eagle. In Japan they are protected and classified as a national treasure.
They indeed are a national treasure and so entertaining to watch and photograph as they fight to protect their catch. A favourite place for them to perch is on the sea wall protecting the fishing fleet at Rausa. They wait watching the boats come into the harbour hoping for a free feed of fish. I captured this photo of the Steller’s Sea Eagle as it sat in a deep hole in the snow. It had a fish and had flown on the sea wall and found a hole in the deep fresh snow. Other birds were flying above and as they came closer, I captured the look it gave them. There was no way it was parting with its catch. As it had made its intentions clear to other competitors, it stayed alert but managed to enjoy its catch.
Credit: Annette Kirby / Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025

The post 19 hilarious and delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Award winners appeared first on Popular Science.

NASA astronaut comes home after circling Earth 3,920 times

Andrew Paul — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:31:22 -0500

After 245 days in orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS), one NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts have safely returned to Earth. NASA’s Jonny Kim along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on December 9, and are now undergoing the standard post-mission health screenings.

G5 Evo by LG: An OLED TV that belongs in bright rooms

Kim officially became an astronaut in 2017. Expedition 72 and Expedition 73 marked Kim’s first visit to the ISS, where he served as a flight engineer and flight surgeon for eight months while helping to conduct a number of scientific and technological research projects. By the time he undocked from the ISS on December 8, the U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander had completed 3,920 orbits of Earth, totalling a distance of nearly 104 million miles.

During Kim’s two-years of NASA astronaut candidate training, he learned the ISS systems’ technical and operational instructions, received flight training, wilderness survival training–all while studying robotics, field geology, as well as Russian. Prior to his NASA tenure, Kim completed over 100 combat operations as a Navy SEAL, and earned a doctorate of medicine from Harvard Medical School.

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NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is carried to a medical tent shortly after he, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky, landed in their Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. The trio returned to Earth after logging 245 days in space as a members of Expeditions 72 and 73 aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA / Bill Ingalls (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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NASA astronaut Jonny Kim is seen outside the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft, with a gifted Matryoshka Doll, after he landed with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. The trio returned to Earth after logging 245 days in space as a members of Expeditions 72 and 73 aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA / Bill Ingalls
(NASA/Bill Ingalls)

LG’s G5 Evo OLED overcomes one of the biggest limitations of this particular type of digital display: overall brightness. A new tandem RGB OLED stack, revised light-emitting structure, and brightness booster drive peak HDR highlights above 2,000 nits while still keeping the near-perfect black levels that made OLED appealing in the first place. Paired with the α11 AI Gen2 processor and support for 4K at up to 165 Hz, the panel can handle both bright daytime viewing and high-frame-rate gaming without falling back to washed-out LCD tricks. It’s a reminder that OLED is still evolving as a technology—and that the next few years of TV design will be less about inventing new acronyms and more about making self-emissive panels viable in real, sunlit living rooms.

In a video posted to social media shortly before his departure from the ISS, Kim said, “When I think about what was most important during the mission, I don’t think about the science.It kind of goes back to that old saying, ‘It’s the people you’re with that’s really important.’”

The post NASA astronaut comes home after circling Earth 3,920 times appeared first on Popular Science.

Tumbleweeds inspire this rolling, resilient robot

Andrew Paul — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:27:40 -0500

A robot inspired by desert tumbleweeds may be the first of a new generation of energy-efficient explorers rolling into future disaster zones. While the Hybrid Energy-efficient Rover Mechanism for Exploration Systems (HERMES) described in the journal Nature Communications recalls the desert ramblers, its creator initially envisioned the idea while watching humans enjoy wind simply for the thrill of it.

“The inspiration struck on a windy winter afternoon along the shores of Lake Neuchâtel [in western Switzerland],” said Sanjay Manoharan, a study co-author and researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). “I was watching kite surfers harness the wind to carve sweeping arcs and achieve effortless lifts…Yet, I realized nature had already perfected this art long before us.”How do tumbleweeds work?

Personal Care

The tumbleweed is as iconic as they are efficient. Despite appearing like a seemingly random mass of twigs, the nomadic plant husks harness ambient wind to travel large distances. However, these desert staples aren’t pointless plant byproducts. Tumbleweeds often disperse seeds as they mosey along on their journeys. In fact, they’re so good at what they do that ecologists are trying to rein them in due to their propensity to turn into wildfire hazards.

In a market saturated with wellness products that promise to fix your whole life but rarely deliver much of anything, this year’s personal care winners stand out for actually solving real problems. The 2025 class represents genuine inclusivity and thoughtful design—from a breast pump that goes old school to level up its wearability, to world-class headphones that double as hearing aids and workout coaches. These products aren’t just chasing trends or throwing around pseudoscientific buzzwords. Instead, they address overlooked challenges with smart engineering: making fragrance bottles easier to grip, transforming sleep routines for exhausted parents, and rethinking recovery gear so athletes can soothe strained muscles while on the move. Each winner proves that meaningful innovation happens when companies consider users’ actual needs—and use that knowledge to make good products great.

Intrigued by these aerodynamics, Manoharan and his research group investigated how the twiggy formations were so maneuverable, despite generating more drag than a solid sphere. From there, they conducted wind tunnel experiments based on computational fluid dynamics to analyze these dynamics.

Grand Award Winner, Personal Care

Willow Wave Manual Breast Pump by Willow: Modern mobility meets manual pumping

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The results revealed an unexpected, previously undocumented structural facet to tumbleweeds. Simply put, the plant remnants are more porous on the “top” than they are on their “bottom.” This asymmetry changes the wake dynamics, while also enhancing the pressure drag on a tumbleweed. Once tipped over, the denser section of the tumbleweed directs air across its exterior. This works similarly to how a solid sphere rolls, but the porosity in the tumbleweed still produces two wakes.

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“In the upright position, the upper half, being more porous, allowed airflow to pass through freely. In contrast, the lower half was denser and thus offered greater resistance,” the study’s authors explained.

The wearable breast pump market has exploded in recent years, allowing parents to pump without tethering to a plugged-in device or getting tangled in tubing. Some options now fit the whole pumping mechanism into a form that can slip into your bra, promising a level of discretion that would have been unthinkable just a decade ago. But most come with a significant caveat: They’re loud. Motor noise can make pumping that might be otherwise undetected during a video call or in a quiet office practically impossible. The Willow Wave solves this problem by replacing a humming motor with an old-school, manual pump mechanism—but without sacrificing the mobility that makes wearable pumps so appealing in the first place. Building on the company’s experience creating the first fully in-bra wearable electric pump, Willow has reimagined what a manual pump can be. The Wave fits completely inside a standard nursing bra. Its ergonomic handle prevents hand fatigue while pumping and connects via 34 inches of adjustable tubing, giving users genuine freedom of movement and total control over their device’s hospital-strength suction. The result is a wearable pump that’s finally quiet enough to use anywhere—even during that morning video meeting.

HERMES on a roll

Hyperboot by Nike × Hyperice: Recovery that keeps up with you

Engineers incorporated these findings into a robotic design printed using 3D laser molding. The final product involves a lightweight shell that features an asymmetrical porosity. In the end, the final iteration of their creation dubbed HERMES was far more efficient than either natural tumbleweeds or artificial spheres. Even with a higher drag force, HERMES easily rolled along with only a 3.28 mile per hour breeze.

In field testing, the robot successfully navigated steep inclines and mapped GPS networks. HERMES moved around this terrain, while simultaneously transmitting geotag data at long range.

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Wind isn’t a guaranteed fuel source, however. There are plenty of times when breezes dissipate to leave tumbleweeds—and their robotic imitators—at a standstill. To address this inevitability, Manoharan’s team installed a lightweight quadcopter inside the sphere designed to run in four modes: reorientation tumbling, directional spinning, gliding, and even a hopping aerial.

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The end result is a robot that builds from one of nature’s most elegant designs. During maze tests, HERMES not only used 48 percent less energy than a robot requiring constant control,it finished the maze 37 faster than its counterpart. Even when it required quick, motorized course corrections, the robot still saved 90 to 95 percent of the energy used in the continually powered control machine.

Compression boots have rightfully become a trendy recovery tool, but most require you to sit still for treatment. The Hyperboot offers an on-the-go alternative in the form of a battery-powered shoe. It combines Hyperice’s Normatec dynamic air compression with targeted heat therapy, all in a wearable form that lets you recover while standing, walking, sitting, or traveling. The air compression pushes heat deeper into the tissue of the ankle and Achilles tendon for more effective treatment. Whether you’re getting a walk in between meetings or traveling from one marathon to the next, the Hyperboot delivers professional-grade recovery without making you stop and sit. It’s the kind of multitasking recovery tool that busy athletes and weekend warriors alike have been waiting for.

“If the wind is blowing and the robot is rolling, it remains perfectly passive, spending zero energy. If motion stops for a set period, it attempts a low-energy nudge—a quick motor pulse to reposition. Flight is always the last resort,” said Manoharan.

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With additional advancements and fine tuning, robots like HERMES could one day be deployed in hazardous disaster zones, deadline minefields, and even on windy neighboring planets like Mars.

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“The guiding philosophy is beautifully simple and energy-aware,” Manoharan explained.

The post Tumbleweeds inspire this rolling, resilient robot appeared first on Popular Science.

Who built Scandinavia’s oldest wooden plank boat? An ancient fingerprint offers clues.

Laura Baisas — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Archaeologists examining an ancient boat discovered in Denmark over a century ago are getting some help from a clue usually associated with crime scenes. A human fingerprint left on the Hjortspring Boat brings archeologists closer to figuring out which ancient European group sailed on this 2,400-year-old boat. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal PLOS One, and are helping scientists understand where shipbuilders of the oldest plank-built vessel in northern Europe may have come from.

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“Finding a fingerprint on the tar fragments from the boat was a big surprise for us. Fingerprints like this one are extremely unusual for this time period,” the study’s authors wrote in a statement.

Most perfume bottles prioritize aesthetics over accessibility, leaving people with limited hand mobility to overcome delicate caps and stiff spray mechanisms. Rare Beauty founder Selena Gomez, who lives with lupus-related arthritis, wanted her brand’s first foray into scent to do better. The bottle features an easy-grip shape and a low-force spray mechanism that makes application simple for people with limited mobility or strength. The oversized pump can be pressed down with any part of your hand or even your arm, eliminating the need for precise finger pressure. Beyond accessibility, the perfume itself offers unusual versatility: Wear it solo or combine it with the brand’s Fragrance Layering Balms to customize the scent to your mood or occasion.

Comparison of Hjortspring boat (Above, 3D model by Richard Potter) with securely dated Bronze Age art (Rørby sword and Sagaholm rock art) as well as an example of early Iron Age art from Brastad. Thousands of other examples of Bronze Age boat depictions exist. Note the continuity in form and design evident in these different boat depictions. Image:
Fauvelle et al., 2025, PLOS One.

AirPods Pro 3 by Apple: The world’s most capable earbuds can also keep you feeling your best

What is the Hjortspring Boat?

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The Hjortspring Boat is considered northern Europe’s oldest known plank-built vessel. At about 65-feet-long and over 1,000 pounds, it could carry 24 people along with their weapons and other gear. Builders used lime wood to add flexibility to the boat and made the paddles from maple trees. According to the National Museum of Denmark, the Hjortspring Boat is evidence of shipbuilding with roots dating back to at least the Bronze Age (roughly 3300 BCE to 1200 BCE).

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“The boat was used by a small army of invaders who attacked the island of Als in southern Denmark over 2,000 years ago,” the team wrote. “The invaders were defeated and the local defenders sunk the boat into a bog as an offering to give thanks for their victory.”

Apple’s latest AirPods Pro would probably earn a spot somewhere on the BOWN list for their upgraded Active Noise Cancellation and improved acoustic seal alone. But the earbuds’ health and wellness features made it a shoo-in for personal care. Apple’s smallest-ever heart rate sensor pulses invisible light into the ear at a rate of 256 times per second to deliver accurate workout metrics without a chest strap. The Apple Intelligence-enabled Workout Buddy feature delivers personalized motivational messages mid-session, while sensor fusion from the built-in accelerometers, gyroscope, and custom photoplethysmography sensor tracks heart rate, calories burned, and progress across up to 50 types of workouts. The AirPods Pro 3 also offer an end-to-end hearing health experience. Users can take a scientifically validated hearing test, then use the Hearing Aid feature to adjust for mild to moderate hearing loss. Meanwhile, Hearing Protection uses machine learning to prevent further hearing damage, reducing environmental noise 48,000 times per second. These aren’t just exceptional earbuds; they’re a comprehensive health companion that also happens to deliver pristine audio.

The boat was first excavated in a bog on the Danish island Als in the early 1920s and has remained a mystery ever since. Archaeologists have not previously determined where these warriors came from and when.

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“The boat was excavated before modern dating methods were available and most of the material from the boat was immediately conserved using chemicals that make radiocarbon dating impossible,” said the team. “Going through the archives, however, we were able to find some original cordage that had not been conserved. We obtained a radiocarbon date from the cordage that returned a date range of between.”

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CREDIT: Lund University.

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Pine pitch and prints

Sleep-tracking devices are everywhere, but most just give you data. Ozlo Sleepbuds take a different approach by combining comfort-first hardware with advanced noise-masking technology and genuinely useful insights. Designed to stay comfortable all night—even for side sleepers—the tiny buds let you stream calming content, audiobooks, meditations, or your favorite playlist as you drift off. Using built-in biometric sensors to detect when you’ve fallen asleep, they automatically switch to noise-masking audio that blocks out snoring, traffic, and other disruptions. The charging case also acts as an environmental sensor, detecting changes in light, temperature, and noise throughout the night. In the morning, the accompanying app’s Sleep Patterns feature shows exactly how you slept, tracks progress toward your personalized goals, and reveals how environmental factors shaped your rest.

In this new study, a team from Lund University in Sweden, searched for more clues about the boat’s origins. Over the past 100 years, several boat origin theories have been proposed, namely that the invaders came from northern Germany or a different part of present-day Denmark.

“The weapons they used, which were found in the boat, were quite common for the time and were used throughout Northern Europe, giving us few instructions as to their origins,” the authors said.

Health

The team carbon-dated and analyzed some previously unstudied caulking and cord materials found with the boat. The caulk used to seal the boat was likely made up of a mixture of pine pitch and animal fat.

For years, needing reading glasses to correct farsightedness seemed like an inevitable part of aging. This year, the visual accessories might officially be a thing of the past. VIZZ eyedrops by LENZ Therapeutics offer a new tool against age-related farsightedness. The newly approved drops are powerful enough to improve vision by three or more lines on an eye chart within only 30 minutes.

According to the team, that pine pitch is the first major new clue in over a century. When the boat was built, Denmark itself had few pine forests. While it is possible that the pine pitch made its way to Denmark via trade, other coastal areas east of Denmark along the Baltic Sea did have pine forests.

That wide-ranging impact is why Popular Science chose the drops as the 2025 Health category winner. This year’s list also includes ground-breaking improvements to pediatric heart transplants, a potential cure for a deadly blood cancer, and a minimally invasive way to treat prostate cancer.

Photo of caulking fragment showing fingerprint on the left and high-resolution x-ray tomography scan of fingerprint region on the right. Image: Fauvelle et al., 2025, PLOS One/Photography by Erik Johansson, 3D model by Sahel Ganji.

Grand Award Winner, Health

The team believes that it is possible that the boat may have been built here and its warriors came to Als from the east. If true, the boat sailed over the open ocean to reach southern Denmark. Traveling such a long distance potentially indicates that the attack was well organized and premeditated.

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Based on carbon dating the cords and caulk, the boat was likely built somewhere 381 and 161 BCE, confirming that the boat was built in the pre-Roman Iron Age. This timeline also lines up with earlier estimates of the wood from the Hjortspring site.

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However, there was one other clue of note: the partial human fingerprint in the caulking material used to waterproof the boat. While they could not determine exactly who left it the way that modern fingerprint analysis can, it likely was left by one of the crew members of the vessel, “providing a direct link to the seafarers of the ancient vessel.”

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With pine pitch clues and now some fingerprints, we are inching closer to solving this Iron Age boat mystery.

The post Who built Scandinavia’s oldest wooden plank boat? An ancient fingerprint offers clues. appeared first on Popular Science.

Neanderthals harnessed fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought

Andrew Paul — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Evidence uncovered in a field in Suffolk, England indicates that ancient humans intentionally harnessed fire more than 350,000 years earlier than previously believed. According to a British Museum-led study published on December 10 in the journal Nature, our Paleolithic Neanderthal ancestors utilized technology like hearths and campfires as much as 400,000 years ago.

Presbyopia, age-related farsightedness that makes people need reading glasses, affects 128 million people in the US, and close to 2 billion people worldwide. It’s one of the few conditions that is basically guaranteed if you live long enough. Now, an eye drop called VIZZ, developed by LENZ Therapeutics, offers presbyopic patients vision correction for 10 hours at a time.

“The implications are enormous,” British Museum project curator and study coauthor Rob Davis said in a statement. “The ability to create and control fire is one of the most important turning points in human history, with practical and social benefits that changed human evolution.”

The aceclidine eye solution got FDA approval for treatment of presbyopia in July. Aceclidine, previously known in Europe as an unremarkable treatment for glaucoma, works on the iris by making the pupil smaller. The smaller the pupil, the greater the depth of focus. In trials that included 1,059 participants, aged 45 to 75, VIZZ improved people’s near vision by three or more lines on eye charts within 30 minutes. Investigators reported that participants could read phones and tablets without reading glasses, and had no loss to their distance vision. Results lasted up to 10 hours.

Excavation of the ancient campfire, removing diagonally opposed quadrants. The reddened sediment between band B’ is heated clay. Credit: Jordan Mansfield / Pathways to Ancient Britain Project

Previously, other presbyopia drops that worked on a different part of the eye—the ciliary muscle, which is behind the iris—caused brow pain for some users. For users of VIZZ, the most commonly reported adverse reactions are eye irritation, dimming of vision, redness, and headache. The company also recommends consulting an ophthalmologist before starting these, as miotics like VIZZ could heighten the risk of retinal tears.

The evolution of intentional fire use

On-Table Reanimation of a Pediatric Heart from Donation after Circulatory Death by Duke University Medical Center: Widening the donor pool for children in need of a heart

Early hominins first started utilizing fire over one million years ago, but the instances were sporadic and subject to the environment around them. Without knowing how to create sparks using flint and stone materials, our forebearers likely relied on leveraging wildfires and other small flames created by natural events like lightning strikes. This has made it difficult to find evidence of early fires and determine when early humans made the leap from opportunistic to intentional flame wielders.

“Archaeological evidence for early fire use is limited and often ambiguous, typically consisting of associations between heated materials and stone tools,” the study’s authors wrote.

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Nevertheless, understanding when and where this transition first occurred around the world is vital to seeing the bigger picture of human evolution. Producing fire at will would have necessitated social coordination and more complex divisions of labor within hominin communities. Sustained warmth would have improved survival rates, while also providing a way to craft stronger, more resilient tools. Meanwhile, cooked food was easier to digest and more nutritious, freeing crucial calories from the gut to fuel brain power. Simply put, the first humans to figure out fire flourished while their evolutionary competitors fell by the wayside.

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In 2018, paleoanthropologists presented the first evidence of intentional firemaking by Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago uncovered at sites in northern France. But after decades of intermittent excavation work at a location known as the Barnham site in southern England, British Museum researchers say they are confident the timeline can be pushed back much, much further.

Babies are far more likely than adults to die waiting for a heart transplant. In 2022, a study from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients found that more than 1,100 children were on the waitlist, with hundreds more being added every year. Due to a small donor pool and lack of devices usable in pediatric transplants, up to 20% of those children will die while waiting. The most common type of heart donation is donation after brain death (DBD). However, a way to widen the donor pool would be to include heart donations following circulatory death (DCD), or after the donor’s heart stops beating. A known technique called normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) reanimates a DCD heart in order for it to be donated. However, NRP has raised ethical concerns surrounding the definition of death and restoring blood flow to a dead body. As a result, the technique faces bans at many institutions, and viable donor hearts—including pediatric hearts—frequently go unused.

In an attempt to bypass the fierce NRP debate and increase the donor pool for infants in need, a team at Duke University Medical Center developed the on-table reanimation technique, a system with a special circuit that reanimates the DCD heart outside of the body right on the surgical table. Because all of this happens outside the body, the new technique sidesteps many of NRP’s restrictions. Using the new technique, the team successfully transplanted a heart from a 1-month-old donor to a 3-month-old recipient. According to Dr. Joe Turek, a pediatric cardiac surgeon at Duke University, the recipient baby has been healthy and well ever since.

Iron pyrite’s potential

The Duke team is now presenting the technique to colleagues around the country. A wide adoption of it could increase the donor pool for pediatric heart transplants by up to 20% and save countless children’s lives. According to the Duke team, this method could be applied to adult heart transplants as well, offering a less expensive way of getting donor hearts to patients in need.

The team on this new study used geochemical analysis to confirm the location’s heated clay remnants weren’t the results of wildfires. Instead, the artifacts were created after exposure to temperatures over 1,292 degrees Fahrenheit (700 degrees Celsius) through repeated fire-use at the same location. This suggests that local early humans worked at a campfire or hearth on multiple occasions to manufacture their flint axes.

Carvykti by Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson: Possible cure for deadly blood cancer

Further evidence comes from the iron pyrite uncovered at the site. The naturally occurring mineral creates sparks when struck against flint to make tinder. However, iron pyrite is not common to southern England. The team believes that the area’s hominins who understood pyrite’s utility sourced it elsewhere before bringing it to the Barnham site.

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Although archaeologists have not recovered any hominin remains at Barnham, researchers believe the residents were probably early Neanderthals based on similarly aged fossil morphology taken from Swanscombe in Kent (about 100 miles south of the Barnham site) and at the Atapuerca site in northern Spain.

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“It’s incredible that some of the oldest groups of Neanderthals had the knowledge of the properties of flint, pyrite, and tinder at such an early date,” said British Museum paleolithic collections curator and study coauthor Nick Ashton. “This is the most remarkable discovery of my career, and I’m very proud of the teamwork that it has taken to reach this groundbreaking conclusion.”

The post Neanderthals harnessed fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought appeared first on Popular Science.

The space billboard that nearly happened

Mark Hay — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

In 1993, Mike Lawson, an aerospace entrepreneur based in Roswell, Georgia, unveiled his vision for a brave new future of advertising: space billboards.

Multiple myeloma has long been considered incurable. The deadly blood cancer, a disease that 36,000 Americans develop each year, eats away at bones, creating holes that weaken the skeleton. In a milestone study published this year, Carvykti, a CAR-T immunotherapy, has yielded long-term remission and survival for multiple myeloma patients. Out of 97 treated patients, one-third had their cancer disappear. This is a striking outcome for people who were facing death after trying everything prior to the treatment. With some patients as of today going on five, or even seven, years post-treatment completely disease-free, researchers are encouraging colleagues to consider using cancer medicine’s forbidden four letter word: cure.

This wasn’t a half-baked scheme: Lawson had meticulous plans for a proposed 1996 launch: His team of engineers would shoot a package of tightly-wound mylar into orbit about 180 miles above the Earth. Once there, the material would unfurl into a thin, reflective sheet up to a mile long and a quarter mile tall, bordered by a series of mylar tubes which would inflate to create a rigid frame holding the mega-banner taut. The sheet would catch the sun’s rays, amplified by a series of small mirrors attached to the platform, and reflect them into the atmosphere. This would create a roughly moon-sized image in the sky of whatever single design the team printed on the banner. It would probably just be a big company logo, Lawson admitted, as the visual would be a little too low-res to read any ad copy without the aid of a telescope. But as it orbited the Earth, the image would reach every corner of the globe, about 10 minutes a day per location.

Developed in China by Legend Biotech, which then teamed up with Johnson & Johnson, Carvykti works by extracting a patient’s own white blood cells, retraining them to fight against the cancer, then reinfusing them back into the body. Unsurprisingly, it can be a physically grueling process.

When the Associated Press, the first outlet to report on the proposal, ran Lawson’s plan past NASA, the agency said it didn’t see any technical flaws. “It’s very feasible,” Lawson told San Francisco Examiner science reporter Keay Davidson a couple days later. “We could fly [McDonald’s] Golden Arches in space.”

The FDA approved the therapy in 2022, and it’s now causing a stir as follow-up research uncovers its astounding long-term effects. Researchers say the results would likely be even better if Carvykti was used as an earlier line of treatment, and not only as a last resort.

The history of space advertising

Remote Patient Monitoring program for blood pressure by UC Davis Health: A personalized, widely accessible program to resolve hypertension

The general concept of advertising in space was already well established by 1993. Sci-fi authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke sketched out visions of extraterrestrial ad campaigns in the 1950s. The entrepreneur Robert Lorsch pitched Congress on using corporate sponsorships on rockets and crew uniforms to facilitate NASA’s work in 1980. And in 1990, the Tokyo Broadcasting System launched a reporter into space on a Soviet rocket, festooned with ads from nine corporations, to promote the Japanese station’s service through nightly transmissions from the Soviet Mir Space Station.

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Even before Lawson’s space billboard idea came about, his company, Space Marketing Inc. (SMI), founded in 1989, was already working on advertising campaigns with NASA and the Russian Federal Space Agency—including one for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Action Hero, slated to launch (literally) in 1993. Arnie’s flick outbid Jurassic Park, paying SMI and NASA an estimated $500,000 (about $1.12 million in 2025 dollars) for the right to plaster ads on a Conestoga, the first privately-funded launch rocket model, and its boosters, and do a press event at the launch.

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The Conestoga, shown here in a photo taken in Matagorda Island in Texas, was the first-ever privately-funded launch rocket model. Image: Eric Grabow – Space Vector Corporation/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Hypertension is a chronic disease that affects nearly half of Americans over age 20, according to the American Heart Association. High blood pressure can put someone at risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Getting high blood pressure under control can not only lengthen a person’s life, but also improve their ease and enjoyment of everyday activities. UC Davis Health recently pioneered an at-home patient monitoring program using take-home technology to help hypertension patients lower their blood pressure.

Some folks weren’t wild about the idea of commercializing the noble endeavor of space exploration. But in the twilight of the “greed is good” era of Reaganite privatization, the world seemed to accept a degree of space-based PR.

The Remote Patient Monitoring program for blood pressure is six months long, but patients can extend their participation in the program for up to a year. The program includes education, medication, and blood pressure cuffs for at-home monitoring. Each patient is given an orientation, group classes, and individual coaching about best practices for their health, all while working remotely with a full medical team. Combined, over 150 patients are either currently in or have gone through the program.

The public’s reaction to a space billboard

Now, over a year in, UC Davis Health is declaring triumph, citing an average drop in people’s blood pressure from 150/80 mmHg to 125/74 mmHg in only a matter of months, significantly reducing patients’ risk of heart disease. And participants are maintaining their progress even after graduating from the program.

Still, Lawson’s idea of putting a moon-sized advert into the sky seemingly crossed a line, as the proposal sparked a substantial wave of backlash against him and the eleven firms he claimed had expressed interest in advertising on his rig. Much of the pushback flowed from a gut-level distaste for the idea of spoiling the night sky with something so commercially crass—and in the process creating a world where ads are so large and pervasive they become unavoidable.

UC Davis Health currently has several remote patient monitoring programs in place and wants to use new technology to make care more accessible. For many reasons—such as distance, age, mobility, or pregnancy—a patient may not be able to easily come in to see the doctor as often as they need to. UC Davis’ model could be useful for rural and urban medical centers alike. According to the program leaders, they are working to not only continue the program, but expand it in years to come.

“A lot of people want to look at the night sky and not see an ad for soda,” explains Joanne Irene Gabrynowicz, an expert on space law who’s written about issues with space advertising.

NanoKnife by AngioDynamics: A minimally invasive intervention for prostate cancer

Astronomers like Carl Sagan, who called the billboard “an abomination,” took particular issue with the light pollution it would create. Sagan and other researchers and environmentalists argued the billboard would render ground-based optical research functionally impossible.

As a coalition of activists formed, proposing boycotts and picketing Lawson’s Space Marketing Inc., company reps tried to push back on this outrage, stressing that their plan was actually, above all else, an environmental venture. The rigid mylar tube platform, conceptualized alongside a team of academics, would contain instruments designed to monitor atmospheric ozone levels; the ads were just a means of defraying costs. (As the platform would cost $15 to $30 million, they reportedly planned to charge $1 million per day for an ad—a bargain for a brand to rival the moon.) The billboard would only stay in orbit for 30 days, they added, before detaching from the frame. It would burn away as it fell back to Earth, while the ozone-monitoring component would circle the planet, unobtrusively gathering data, for another 11 months.

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When the U.S. almost nuked Alaska—on purpose

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Reps also seemed to walk back Lawson’s earlier ballyhoo, floating the idea of projecting only conservation messages rather than symbols of corporate greed and ambition. “We will not allow it to be giant beer cans or golden arches,” one spokesperson promised. “Our hope is it will be some sort of environmental symbol,” like a pale green dot reflecting a tree-hugging message to Earth.

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One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. Treatment can include surgery or radiation, but these interventions can damage the nerves surrounding the tumor, leading to complications like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

The end of Lawson’s space billboard

Developed by AngioDynamics and cleared by the FDA in December 2024, NanoKnife sends localized electrical pulses directly to the cancerous tissue with a precision that avoids damage to neighboring tissues. Just like some breast cancer patients are given the option of a more targeted lumpectomy instead of treating the entire breast, eligible prostate cancer patients now have a more focused, radiation-free alternative that doesn’t require treating the entire gland.

But despite SMI’s best efforts at spin, the project fell apart within a year. Technical issues likely contributed to this failure. “We didn’t have access to the low-cost launch platforms that exist now,” explains John C. Barentine, an astronomer and prominent anti-light pollution activist. Barentine stresses that he’s not an engineer and never saw any concrete plans for the billboard. But he’s also pretty sure that “even at the time, the amount of space debris in orbit around the planet would have shredded the reflective material [it used] in short order.”

The NanoKnife System offers men with prostate cancer that hasn’t yet spread a minimally invasive solution with limited quality-of-life side effects before doctors turn to other, more aggressive treatments. It is now being used in hospitals around the country.

However, retrospective assessments suggest that public backlash forced potential advertisers to rethink the balance of brand exposure versus reputational risk inherent in the project. The loss of potential funding made it functionally impossible for Lawson to take even a wild stab at the project.

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How lawmakers protected space from ads

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Determined to make sure no one would ever try to deface the stars with ads again, America’s legislators slowly crafted a law banning “obtrusive space advertising.”

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“What should we say to the parents of this nation when they have to explain to their children why the hemorrhoid ointment advertisement is next to the moon or the sun?” Susan Molinari, a member of the House of Representatives and a proponent of a space advertising ban, quipped during a 1993 hearing. “There will be no more romantic moonlit strolls or breath-taking sunrises…And no longer could we look to the heavens for unadulterated inspiration and comfort.”

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Lawmakers settled on a rule banning launch licenses to anyone who planned to send an ad platform into space. Bill Clinton signed the proposal into law in 2000, and a United Nations resolution echoing similar sentiments, albeit with fewer enforcement mechanisms, passed in 2001.

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However, the furor around Lawson’s space billboard didn’t stop his extraterrestrial advertising career. He later worked with companies like Pizza Hut on a series of stunts and commercials, most created in collaboration with Russian space missions. Most (in)famously, he helped the Hut film the first-ever pizza delivery (of “a six-inch salami pie”) to the International Space Station in 2001. He also worked on space education exhibits and outreach programs well into the late 1990s, before pivoting into blimp tech.

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In 2001, Mike Lawson helped Pizza Hut deliver a six-inch salami pie to astronauts at the International Space Station. Video: Pizza delivered to International Space Station/ AP Archive

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Dreams of a space billboard live on

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But Lawson’s failure didn’t kill the wider dream of a space billboard. Notably, in 2019, StartRocket, a small Russian space firm, claimed it was working on a new version of the concept, with plans to project an ad for a gamer-targeted Pepsi energy drink into the sky. Rather than use a giant mylar sheet, the firm explained, they’d deploy a constellation of tiny “CubeSats”— hopefully by 2021. Each would act like a 30-foot sunlight-reflecting pixel, and maneuver into formations as they orbited Earth to create a series of simple visual displays, similar to those you might see at a drone light show.

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Pepsi quickly claimed this was all a big misunderstanding, and they never had any such plans—and then the Ukraine war disrupted StartRocket’s operations for a time. But in 2022, the startup touted a feasibility study suggesting they could offer ad space for less than the cost of a Super Bowl spot. Their ads will only be visible at dawn and dusk in areas that already have high levels of light pollution, the firm swears, and will only stay in orbit for a few months for minimal impact. As of 2025, StartRocket is still looking for investors—but claims it’s actively assembling its satellite array at a site in Malaysia, and hopes to launch in the near future.

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“Given the comparatively low cost of launches and the amount of venture capital circulating in the space economy, I think something like a billboard project akin to the Space Marketing design is certainly more feasible now than it was 30 years ago,” acknowledges Barentine.

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And Gabrynowicz, the space law expert, points out that America’s anti-space advertising law left space for new attempts—by failing to fully define the term “obtrusive.” International law’s restrictions on space ventures, she adds, leave it to each individual nation to actually implement those rules.

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Over the last year, astronomers have again mobilized to try to quash StartRocket’s new space billboard project—and put even more stringent space ad restrictions in place. They argue the risks of generating space debris and interfering with astronomical observations and instruments have only grown more dire with time.

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“Because of the consequences of the increase in space traffic,” argues Piero Benvenuti, an astronomer and steadfast critic of space advertising proposals, “the only rational decision should be to use space only for applications that offer a unique benefit to humanity.”

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“We—or at least those of us who still have a sense of responsibility—know that space is a precious resource for the benefit of society,” he adds. “And as such, it must be protected.”

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Unfortunately, Barentine admits, “some believe there is a high return-on-investment to be realized” in a space billboard, potentially beyond Lawson’s wildest dreams circa 1993.

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“The lure of that money is so great that, certainly, someone will eventually try it.”

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In That Time When, Popular Science tells the weirdest, surprising, and little-known stories that shaped science, engineering, and innovation.

The post The space billboard that nearly happened appeared first on Popular Science.

The 50 greatest innovations of 2025

Popular Science Team — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

At Popular Science, we’ve published our prestigious Best of What’s New list since 1988. Our enthusiasm for ground-breaking innovations dates back even further than that—all the way to May 1872. For 153 years, we’ve celebrated the science and technology that shapes our everyday lives and launches humanity forward.

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A collection of Best of What’s New winners from 1989-1991. Images: Popular Science

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Innovation doesn’t follow a straight path, and the detours, stumbles, and dead ends force great minds to pioneer change. Looking back at the early days of our Best of What’s New lists, we see technologies that now seem quaint or have been completely forgotten, but we also see the roots of future greatness.

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Our list this year is the culmination of countless hours of debate, hands-on testing, and expert conversations. This is the Best of What’s New 2025.

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Aerospace
Entertainment
Personal Care
Health
Gadgets
Emergency Services
Auto
Home
Sports & Outdoors
Engineering

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Gadgets

Aerospace

Deep down, we want to be cyborgs. We spend huge chunks of time interacting with technology every day, but the friction created by devices and interfaces persists. This year, we got closer than we have been to tech that truly augments reality. Meta took its smart glasses beyond its beginning as a simple content creation tool. The rest of the innovations run the gamut from a drone that captures aerial images in a new way to a grand platform designed to help AI systems navigate the physical world. Ultimately, all of these devices are designed to help humans do more of the things humans already like to do. That’s the way it should be.

2025 was full of efficiency innovations and bold initiatives in the world of aerospace. From the most detailed movie of the night sky ever made to the first commercial soft landing on the moon, this year has been an inflection point for exploring and understanding the vast expanse above our heads. We also saw breakthroughs in small changes to commercial airliners that improve efficiency, as well as a new type of rocket engine that might be the future of extremely high speed air travel, plus the closest view of Mercury we’ve ever seen!

Grand Award Winner, Gadgets

Innovation of the Year

Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses and Neural Band by Meta: The first true face computer

Vera C. Rubin Observatory by U.S. National Science Foundation & Department of Energy: World’s largest digital camera to conduct 10-year survey of the night sky

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Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses and Neural Band represent the first successful attempt to make “face computing” feel like a feasible tool rather than a demo. A tiny display in the right lens overlays simple interfaces, captions, directions, and AI answers into your field of view, as the built-in microphones, speakers, and camera handle audio and capture in the background. The paired wristband reads small electrical signals from your forearm muscles so subtle finger movements act as clicks and scrolls, instead of relying on loud voice commands or big mid-air gestures. The near-eye display, on-body sensing, and assistant-like software fit into familiar-looking frames in a way that feels like it could exist in the real world. It makes routine tasks—translation, navigation, quick queries—possible without pulling out a phone, while forcing new conversations about what it means to have nearly invisible cameras and always-on AI in social spaces.

Cosmos by Nvidia: A “world model” stack for physical AI

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By making its data widely available, the observatory will also open new doors for discovery for researchers, students, and citizen scientists around the world.

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Riblet-shaped coating on 787 by Japan Airlines: Stabilizing airflow, reducing turbulence, and increasing fuel efficiency

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Cosmos is Nvidia’s toolkit for AI systems that have to deal with the physical world, like robots and autonomous vehicles. Video models can generate realistic scenes and short “futures” so machines can practice in simulation, while data tools clean and search huge logs of real sensor recordings for specific situations. Instead of each developer building their own patchwork of simulators and datasets, Cosmos offers a shared set of models and utilities tuned to Nvidia’s robotics and computing platforms.

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More infrastructure and logistics are being handed off to automated systems, which need reliable ways to learn about rare or dangerous edge cases without causing real harm. If platforms like Cosmos work as intended, they make it easier to prototype and test those systems in synthetic worlds before they interact with actual streets, warehouses, and people.

Antigravity A1 by Insta360: A 360-degree drone for photo-first flying

Blue Ghost lunar lander by Firefly Aerospace: First commercial company to soft land on the moon

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Antigravity’s first drone, developed with action camera maker Insta360, is built around a 360-degree camera instead of a forward-facing one. Rather than aiming a single lens during flight, the drone records everything around it; you decide on the framing later when you edit, turning the same flight into wide landscape shots, vertical clips, or immersive views. By separating “flying” from “camera work,” it lowers the skill barrier for getting usable aerial footage and gives experienced pilots more flexibility in tight or unpredictable environments. It’s a rare case in which a product drastically lowers the learning curve for beginners while substantially expanding creative options for experienced users.

Pioneer Na by BLUETTI: A sodium-ion power station that works in real cold

Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine by Venus Aerospace: Powering future flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo in under two hours

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BLUETTI’s Pioneer Na portable power station swaps common lithium-based cells for sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion packs generally store a bit less energy per kilogram but offer several important upgrades. For users, the sodium cells can charge and discharge in cold weather conditions where many lithium units either lock out charging or lose much of their effective capacity. Cold tolerance matters for cabins, unheated garages, winter storms, and field work in colder regions, where backup power often fails right when it’s needed most. As a consumer product, Pioneer Na demonstrates how sodium-ion chemistry is moving from lab prototypes into real devices, suggesting a future mix of storage technologies instead of a single, lithium-only path. The sodium-based cells are built from much more abundant raw materials than their traditional competition.

UV Printer E1 by Eufy: A desktop UV printer that adds texture to objects

BepiColombo by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) & European Space Agency (ESA): Exploring Mercury closer than ever

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The eufyMake UV Printer E1 is a compact UV printer meant for objects, not paper. It uses UV-curable inks and repeated passes to build up millimeters of raised texture on plastics, metals, glass, and other materials, which are handled by fixtures that can hold flat panels, bottles, and long flexible pieces in the same machine. Alignment lasers, an onboard camera, and automatic printhead cleaning are there to keep that process predictable instead of fussy. Bringing this kind of textured, multi-material printing down to a desktop footprint lets small shops and serious hobbyists produce innumerable artistic and practical projects.

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Emergency Services

Entertainment

The role of advanced technology in emergency services continued to expand in 2025, as new innovations have been applied to real-world and life-saving applications, along with significant upgrades to existing systems. Whether it’s a firefighting foam without harmful chemicals or a thrown tactical camera that first responders can use in dangerous situations, novel solutions are being deployed to address safety threats. Also, as natural disasters become potentially more dangerous, and climate change continues to alter our world, updates to satellite detection and emergency reporting released this year couldn’t have come at a more beneficial time.

Grand Award Winner, Emergency Services

Grand Award Winner, Entertainment

NISAR satellite by NASA: Mapping entire land and ice-covered surface of Earth every 12 days

Micro RGB TV by Samsung: A TV that creates color in a totally different way

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The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is important because it will provide the most detailed, consistent, and global measurements ever made of how Earth’s surface is changing. Using two powerful radar systems (L-band and S-band), NISAR can detect ground movement as small as a few millimeters, even through clouds and darkness. This allows scientists to track earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, glacier movement, coastal erosion, and changes in forests and agriculture with unprecedented precision. By monitoring these changes over time, NISAR will help improve disaster preparedness, support climate research, and give countries better tools to manage natural resources and protect vulnerable communities.

SoyFoam TF 1122 by Cross Plains Solutions: Fighting fires without PFAS forever chemicals

Magnetic Fluid Driver by Technics: Earbuds that tune the driver with liquid, not just magnets

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SoyFoam TF 1122 is the first firefighting foam to combine PFAS-free, fluorine-free chemistry with the highest level of independent safety certification and sustainability credentials. Made largely from highly biodegradable soy-based ingredients, it offers strong fire-suppression performance while being far safer for firefighters, communities, and the environment. Its biodegradability and top-tier GreenScreen Gold certification show that it meets strict health and environmental standards, meaning it provides a cleaner, safer, and future-ready alternative as regulations increasingly move away from dangerous PFAS-containing products.

Pit Viper 360 by Bounce Imaging: World’s first 360° thermal tactical throwable camera

Atmos FlexConnect by Dolby: Room-aware surround sound that starts from the TV

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The Pit Viper 360 by Bounce Imaging gives first responders a safe way to see dangerous spaces before entering them. The device is a throwable camera that captures 360-degree video and thermal images, letting police, firefighters, and rescue teams assess rooms, collapsed buildings, or hazardous areas in real time. By revealing threats such as armed suspects, structural dangers, or trapped victims, it dramatically reduces risk during high-stress operations. Overall, Pit Viper 360 improves situational awareness, speeds up decision-making, and helps keep both responders and civilians safer.

National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) by U.S. Fire Administration: Replacing legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), offering advanced analytics and seamless interoperability

MV7i two-channel mic by Shure: A podcast mic with an audio interface built in

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The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) modernizes how fire departments and emergency services across the U.S. collect, analyze, and share incident data. It replaces older, inconsistent reporting tools with a real-time, cloud-based system that gives agencies a clearer picture of trends like fires, medical calls, hazardous materials incidents, and disasters. With more accurate data on emergencies, from more sources available faster, communities can improve training, resource planning, and emergency response strategies, ultimately making people safer. NERIS also standardizes data across jurisdictions, creating a stronger national understanding of risks and helping guide federal support and policy decisions for the future.

Power X2 Ambulance Cot and Power F2 Fastening System by Ferno Norden: Advancing the future of emergency medical services

G5 Evo by LG: An OLED TV that belongs in bright rooms

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The Power X2 Ambulance Cot and Power F2 Fastening System by Ferno Norden greatly improve safety, efficiency, and ergonomics in emergency medical transport. The Power X2 is a powered, lift-assist ambulance cot that reduces the heavy lifting normally required of EMTs, helping prevent back injuries and speeding up patient loading. Paired with it, the Power F2 Fastening System automatically locks and secures the cot inside the ambulance, ensuring stable, crash-tested transport without extra manual steps. Together, these systems make patient handling smoother, safer, and faster for both caregivers and patients—an important upgrade for modern EMS operations.

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Auto

Personal Care

The automotive industry seems to have taken an interesting turn in 2025, meandering along a side road with unclear signage toward the future. Automakers are still making EVs, though some have slowed plans and production. Concepts are still emerging with gas, hybrid, and battery-electric power. In turn, technology is shifting in innovative and unexpected ways. Who had a road testing app on their bingo card? Others, like Volvo, are coming up with ways to improve what’s already in the field with engineering it helped pioneer. Coming up in 2026 and beyond, we expect to see more from automakers like Scout and powersport manufacturers like Can-Am and Polaris on the recreational front. Meanwhile, here’s our list of automotive innovations worth a look.

Grand Award Winner, Auto

Grand Award Winner, Personal Care

Greentell Brakes by Brembo: Bye bye, brake dust. Hello, longer-lasting brakes

Willow Wave Manual Breast Pump by Willow: Modern mobility meets manual pumping

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Probably for as long as brakes have been in existence, the resulting dust created by friction has been a problem. Brake particulate emissions are a target of the European Union, with the new Euro 7 standards to cap brake particle emissions with a range of 3 to 11 milligrams per kilometer, with a plan in place to drop itto 3 milligrams per kilometer by 2035. Brembo’s Greentell system adds a proprietary layer on its rotors that the company says can reduce particle emissions by up to 90 percent compared to uncoated cast-iron rotors. The manufacturer etches its logo or the automaker’s logo on the disc, which helps drivers see when it’s time for maintenence—when the etching fades away, a new rotor is required.

Adaptive seat belts by Volvo: At long last, seat belts that truly fit

Hyperboot by Nike × Hyperice: Recovery that keeps up with you

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Sweden-based automaker Volvo is well versed in the world of seat belts. After all, Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin perfected the modern three-point safety belt in 1959 and the patent was shared with other automakers to use. This year, the company launched a brand-new “multi-adaptive safety belt” that adjusts to the driver/passenger by height, weight, and seating position, to be included in the upcoming EX60 EV. By expanding the load limiter on the seat belt, Volvo says there will be fewer injuries. Further, the company can continue to update the technology via over-the-air updates to the vehicle. Hopefully, other manufacturers will take the hint.

Automated Road Test System (ARTS) by QTPIE: No more riding with strangers to get a driver’s license

Rare Eau de Parfum by Rare Beauty: Fragrance designed for everyone

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The dreaded road test for new drivers is getting a new twist for 2025 with another Sweden-based company called QTPIE. This firm’s Automated Road Test System (ARTS) is designed using advanced eye movement analysis combined with the basic principles of an autonomous car, using a smartphone as a guide. Using both cameras on a smartphone, AI instructs the driver at each step, objectively measuring driving skill based on preset metrics and generating a driver safety score, report, and collection of video segments showing driver error. ARTS is currently used in an extended pilot program in Virginia, and eventually, QTPIE CEO Ravi Chadalavada says, new drivers will learn how to drive properly through the app even before the test itself. Of course, then they won’t have to sweat it out next to a sometimes-intimidating DMV examiner.

Flexible manufacturing by Honda: A smart pivoting option as America weighs its powertrain direction

AirPods Pro 3 by Apple: The world’s most capable earbuds can also keep you feeling your best

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Recently in the US, consumers have displayed an off-again, on-again love affair with electric vehicles. Whipsawing tariffs and the elimination of an attractive tax incentive for EV buyers have turned the spigot to lukewarm for the time being, and some automakers are scrambling to adjust. Not Honda, however. The company has invested more than $1 billion in its Marysville, Anna, and East Liberty plants in Ohio to build its internal combustion vehicles on the same line as its EVs and hybrids. In August, Honda senior managing executive officer Katsushi Inoue said the brand is planning to increase hybrid and ICE models to meet the needs of its customers. With an assembly line designed to pivot quickly, Honda and Acura are less likely to see a shortage, or possibly worse—overproduction.

The Donut Motor by Donut Lab: Enabling lighter, cheaper, and more powerful electric machines

Ozlo Sleepbuds by Ozlo: The sleep tracker that actually helps you sleep

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Finland-based technology company Donut Lab’s claim to fame is that its Donut Motor is the world’s most efficient in-wheel electric motor. Who cares? For starters, the power-to-weight ratio is comparable—even better, on paper—than Koenigsegg’s “Dark Matter” motor. Ultimately, the bakery-treat-shaped motor is integrated directly with the tire, which results in lighter, more economical, and easier to manufacture vehicles. Verge Motorcycles (of which Donut Labs is a subsidiary) is using Donut Motors in its all-electric motorcycles. Donut plans to scale up and down from there, using its motors in machines as small as a drone or as large as a semi-truck.

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Home

Health

When you live with small annoyances, frustration can build over time. You can only catch your belt loop on a drawer handle so many times before you hit your limit. Several of this year’s home innovations address those seemingly small hurdles that can make a big difference in your home life. The monthly chore of replacing an air filter and the seemingly simple task of finding a place to store the lawn mower when not in use get clever solutions. Our grand award winner adds an unprecedented level of accessibility to dishwashers without requiring an entirely new appliance. Living life as usual in your home is a privilege and these innovations help ensure that’s possible.

Grand Award Winner, Home

Spin&Load rack by Whirlpool: A dishwasher lower rack that actually comes to you

Grand Award Winner, Health

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Whirlpool’s Spin&Load rack replaces the typical fixed lower dishwasher rack with a platform that rotates a full 360 degrees, so every plate and pot remains reachable from any side. The accessory drops into standard 24-inch built-in dishwashers across Whirlpool’s brands and spins on a central hub, which means users no longer have to lean deep into the machine or shuffle around the open door just to grab the pan in the back. The rack was developed with the United Spinal Association as well as Whirlpool’s internal advocacy group. The final product was tested with wheelchair users, aiming to make loading and unloading realistic for people with limited reach or balance, not just idealized demo kitchens. It’s also compatible with most of the brand’s standard dishwasher models manufactured after 2018, which makes a much more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to replacing an entire appliance.

RMA 448 V lawn mower by Stihl: A one-sided handle that simplifies bagging and storage

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On-Table Reanimation of a Pediatric Heart from Donation after Circulatory Death by Duke University Medical Center: Widening the donor pool for children in need of a heart

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Stihl’s RMA 448 V battery mower uses a unique-looking handle: instead of the usual two bars, it has a single offset post that leaves the back of the deck completely open. That small change makes it easier to lift out the 13.7-gallon grass bag, flip the integrated mulch flap, or adjust the cutting height without threading your arms around metal tubing. More importantly, the handle folds flat for storing the mower against a wall in tight storage spaces. Despite its foldable stature, It’s still a full-size, self-propelled 19-inch mower with weather-resistant construction and ECO mode to stretch runtime. But the real advantage comes in its streamlined ease of use, because accessories and features aren’t worth having if they’re too annoying to use.

Dyson HushJet Purifier Compact: Jet-style airflow without the jet-engine noise

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Carvykti by Legend Biotech and Johnson & Johnson: Possible cure for deadly blood cancer

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The HushJet Purifier Compact shrinks Dyson’s bladeless air-multiplier idea into a purifier small enough for a bedroom or home office, then reworks the nozzle to keep things extremely quiet. The uniquely shaped port pulls in room air and pushes it through an electrostatic HEPA filter plus activated carbon, capturing 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns and common gases. It’s strong suction, but, in night mode, noise drops to around 24 dBA. That’s about as loud as a typical whisper. It’s sized for roughly 200 square feet, runs off about 7 pounds of hardware, and uses a sealed filter rated for up to five years, which cuts down on replacement waste and recurring cost. It’s quiet enough and requires so little maintenance that you don’t have to think about it and that’s the way we like it.

Solar Roof Tiles by Jackery: Curved crystalline panels that behave like actual roofing

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Remote Patient Monitoring program for blood pressure by UC Davis Health: A personalized, widely accessible program to resolve hypertension

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Jackery’s Solar Roof replaces bolt-on panels with curved tiles that function as both roofing and photovoltaics. Each XBC tile uses a 0.13 mm-thick crystalline silicon cell bent into a 150-degree “smile” shape, delivering over 25% efficiency and around 38 watts per tile—about 170 watts per square meter—while matching the profile of clay or concrete tiles in black or terracotta. The system is rated for hail, high winds, and temperatures from –40°F to 185°F, with a 30-year warranty and integration into Jackery’s home storage gear for whole-house backup. By treating solar as part of the building envelope instead of a separate rack, it aims to make the system acceptable to homeowners’ associations and aesthetics-conscious owners who would otherwise skip rooftop solar—an important barrier if residential rooftops are going to contribute meaningfully to decarbonizing the grid.

Refillable Air Filter Kit by Filtrete: A reusable HVAC frame with collapsible refills

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NanoKnife by AngioDynamics: A minimally invasive intervention for prostate cancer

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Filtrete’s Refillable Air Filter Kit replaces the usual one-piece furnace filter with a rigid frame designed to live in your HVAC system for up to 20 years and thin “refill” elements that slide in and out. Each MPR 1550 refill lasts up to 12 months, comes folded to take up 75 percent less space, and captures substantially more fine particles than basic filters while generating about 20% less waste over the frame’s life. The kit ships in curbside-recyclable packaging, and Filtrete’s app can nudge you when it’s time to swap the media, which addresses the very human tendency to forget about filters until airflow drops. Given how many homes now rely on forced-air systems for both heating and cooling, a design that cuts bulk trash and encourages longer, more consistent filtration is a small but concrete improvement in how we manage indoor air and HVAC waste.

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Sports & Outdoors

Gadgets

It’s no big secret that spending time in the great outdoors is good for our bodies and minds. For 2025, our Sports & Outdoors innovations make getting outside more accessible and safer. Our top prize winner Mimikai insect repellant is a safe and effective way to keep dangerous insects like ticks and mosquitoes from biting you while on that hike, without the harmful chemicals. Other exciting developments this year include a compostable sneaker, a screen that makes working on a computer outside during the day much easier, a highly versatile kit for mountain climbing, and a new bike helmet that can help prevent dangerous concussions.

Grand Award Winner, Sports & Outdoors

Grand Award Winner, Gadgets

Mimikai Insect Repellent by Mimikai: The first biomimicry insect repellent

Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses and Neural Band by Meta: The first true face computer

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Most spray-on bug repellents are a sticky cocktail of nasty chemicals. Mimikai is different. The first new EPA-registered insect repellent in 25 years, the biomimicry-based Mimikai mosquito and tick-repelling spray and mist is free of harsh chemicals. But it’s as effective as DEET. After seven years of testing, not only does it meet the highest safety standards, but it’s effective for hours, and it doesn’t feel sticky on your skin. Mimikai blends methyl nonyl ketone, aka 2-undecanone, a naturally occurring compound found in wild tomatoes, bananas, cloves, ginger, and guava, with oil of lemon eucalyptus, soybean oil, and other skin-friendly ingredients. We’ve been testing it against biting bugs and insects in Vermont all summer, and we’re impressed with this non-toxic, effective alternative to traditional pesticides.

Fade 101 by Solk: A sneaker that’s beautiful, holds up, and won’t poison the planet

Cosmos by Nvidia: A “world model” stack for physical AI

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Footwear is notoriously toxic, both when it’s made and when its useful life is over. Foams and leathers don’t break down once shoes and boots are discarded. Eco-friendly alternatives lack structure and durability, and most don’t look stylish or feel comfortable. Veteran footwear designers David Solk and Irmi Kreuzer started Solk to make shoes that wouldn’t cause harm to the environment. Designed and built with a combo of traditional crafting and AI, every fiber, stitch, material choice, and end-of-life consideration has one goal: to be harmless to our environment. There is no rigorous zero-impact certification, so Solk created its own stringent standard that tests for 200 toxins. Materials include a 100% compostable foam midsole—other shoes use EVA, which won’t decompose for millennia—and leathers tanned without toxic forever chemicals that can decompose in a landfill. The shoes are beautiful, durable, and compostable.

Advanced Mountain Kit by The North Face: The most versatile high alpine clothing

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Antigravity A1 by Insta360: A 360-degree drone for photo-first flying

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High-altitude mountaineers have historically dressed in cumbersome, Gumby-like down suits for summiting 8000-meter peaks. They were sweaty on the approach, expensive, and task-specific. The North Face’s new 24-piece Advanced Mountain Apparel Collection, which is part of a 31-piece Advanced Mountain Kit–provides elite athletes with the same extreme weather protection for climbing the world’s highest peaks, in a kit that can be used comfortably for mountain missions, including 8000-meter peaks, in a variety of weather in a range of altitudes. The kit is comprised of layers purpose-built for technical alpine climbing and mountaineering in all weather, including high-altitude environments. It’s a modular system. Each layer enhances the performance of others to help elite athletes succeed, whatever their objective. Lightweight, compressible to take up minimal packed space, and tough, the kit is built with cutting-edge fabrics, construction, and design, including Spectra yarns that are stronger than steel yet lightweight, and continuous baffle Cloud Down that eliminates cold spots and optimizes packability. DotKnit fabric marries the thermal and odor benefits of wool with active moisture transfer. The shell jacket and pants use an electrospun breathable membrane, and the down layers are infused with titanium and aluminum that reflects body heat.

Daylight DC-1 by Daylight Computer: The first computer designed to be used outdoors

Pioneer Na by BLUETTI: A sodium-ion power station that works in real cold

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Staring into our phones, tablets, and computers produces a lot of stress on our eyes and brains, whereas e-readers like the Kindle offer a gentler option for screentime. However, these e-readers generally don’t have the processing power necessary to make them as useful as a regular tablet or computer. The Daylight Computer splits the difference. Its monochrome tablet uses transflective LCDs in a patented fastest e-paper display ever that unlocks full computer functionality with the glare-free reflective display, which makes it ideal for working outdoors. The tablet is low-stimulation because there are no bright and saturated colors, fast-paced flashing, or brain-agitating blue light, so it’s not addictive like other phones, tablets, and computers. It won’t disrupt your sleep or put you in a negative feedback dopamine desensitization loop. The display stack feels paper-like, and it’s fast enough to be used for anything on the internet. That makes this a great tablet for kids, who are especially susceptible to the addictive properties of other devices.

Deflectr RLS Bike Helmet by Canyon: The most effective brain-protective helmet system is on the outside

UV Printer E1 by Eufy: A desktop UV printer that adds texture to objects

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Most bike helmets use expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam to absorb blunt impacts, but EPS is bad at dispersing the rotational forces that cause traumatic brain injury in a crash. RLS is a pioneering safety breakthrough that diffuses the rotational forces that can cause traumatic brain injury through exterior panels that slide on ball bearings, then release in a crash, taking stress off a cyclist’s brain. The outer shell panels rotate on 1500 tiny polycarbonate bearings on a vinyl sticker shell base. In a crash, mechanical fasteners release, allowing the bearings to roll freely and the outer shell to slide away, dissipating energy with concussion-level force applied to the shell. Then the bearings can roll freely, and the outer shell can slide away. That allows the brain time to decelerate inside the skull, minimizing internal damage when the helmet contacts the ground. Eventually, the RLS technology will be available for motorcycle, industrial, equestrian, snow, American football, and other sports and activities in entry-level to advanced helmets. According to Virginia Tech testing, the gold standard for cycling helmets, the tech works. This helmet is currently rated #1 safest cycling helmet you can buy.

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Engineering

Emergency Services

Grand Award Winner, Engineering

Superwood by InventWood: Stronger than steel and 6 times lighter, no blast furnace required

Grand Award Winner, Emergency Services

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NISAR satellite by NASA: Mapping entire land and ice-covered surface of Earth every 12 days

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Steel is responsible for roughly 8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, but is so reliable that builders don’t want to go without.

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Researcher Liangbing Hu found a new approach to this problem through serendipity. As a young researcher at UCLA and then Stanford, Hu was trying to figure out how to assemble batteries out of carbon nanotubes—but finding that constructing at the nanoscale was challenging and expensive. He had an “aha!” moment looking at wood fibers, realizing that the nanofibers within wood cells are about 100 times as strong as regular wood. And in terms of scaling up efficiently and in a way that sequesters carbon? Just grow a tree.

SoyFoam TF 1122 by Cross Plains Solutions: Fighting fires without PFAS forever chemicals

Hu devised a chemical bath to remove the lignin that holds the cellulose in wood together. By then heating the resulting fibers, he was able to compress the wood by roughly 80 percent of its original thickness, using his knowledge of the nanoscale. He collapsed the internal structure in a way that eliminated weaknesses and strengthened bonds. (You can think of it as getting rid of all of the space inside the wood fiber.) His process also darkens the wood, and renders the material stronger than steel, not to mention six times lighter. The result is Superwood.

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Experts question whether the famously risk-averse construction industry will embrace such a radical replacement for steel, and not without reason. If you’re building a $2 billion skyscraper, would you want to tell your lender that you’re rolling the dice on treated wood without a decades-long safety record?

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But Alex Lau, CEO of InventWood, the company that licensed Hu’s discovery, says that once the company scales up, he aims to sell Superwood at half the price of steel. But for now, he will win hearts and minds in the construction industry by first targeting the wood-friendly markets for decking and roof materials, before moving in on structural elements and Superwood-optimized buildings. And then there are the environmental benefits. Superwood can be made out of many different kinds of tree—you can even make the stuff out of the roughly 10 to 20 percent of forestry products that are discarded as the wrong species, or the 40 percent of sawmill wood deemed non-premium that would otherwise be chipped or burnt. Lau says he can displace half of US steel demand, or 50 millions tons, with just 12.5 million tons of Superwood. That sounds like a lot, but he points out we send that much waste wood to the landfill each year—and there are 14 million tons of excess capacity wood in Southern lumber mills.

Sand Battery by Polar Night Energy: An industrial-scale thermal battery out of sand to avoid fires and mining pollution

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Pit Viper 360 by Bounce Imaging: World’s first 360° thermal tactical throwable camera

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Industrial-scale batteries provide one way to keep renewable power going when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining. But manufacturing batteries from lithium, cobalt, or iron has a significant greenhouse gas footprint and can also lead to metal and water pollution.

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A Finnish company called Polar Night Energy is tackling the intermittency problem by upcycling crushed soapstone, a byproduct from a local fireplace factory, to create the largest sand battery in the world. Instead of storing electricity, this thermal battery stores heat in a roughly 43-by-49-foot insulated steel cylinder. The system takes excess electricity from the grid to heat up the sand. Then, pipes built into the battery direct cold air in, allow heat to transfer from the sand, and then send hot air out, at temperatures between 140 and 752 degrees F. The hot air can then be used to make steam for industrial processes, or to warm up buildings or water. Unlike conventional batteries that become less efficient over time, the sand does not degrade, and the battery has an expected useful life of 30 years. And unlike lithium-ion batteries (or oil refineries), the sand will never catch on fire.

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Though using hot sand as a battery is an ancient idea, the tool is modern and industrially rated, storing up to 100 MWh of energy for months at a time. This is enough for a month of heat demand in the battery’s small hometown of Pornainen, and a week during the icy Finnish winter.

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And this is just the first industrial-scale project from Polar Night Energy; the company plans to compete with lithium-ion batteries for certain industrial applications at smaller sizes—between 2 MW and 10 MW—across Europe. The cost per stored kilowatt hour is lower too, though high upfront costs and builders who don’t like unfamiliar tech are obstacles. Nearly 40 percent of industrial applications for heat are in the sand battery’s temperature range.

Willow Quantum by Google: A chip that actually makes fewer errors as the number of physical qubits increases

National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) by U.S. Fire Administration: Replacing legacy National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), offering advanced analytics and seamless interoperability

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Error correction is a crucial feature in any computer chip, and it’s even more important in quantum computers. That’s because minor material glitches, changes in temperature, and even cosmic rays can alter the way the computing entities known as qubits store or transmit information.

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Google logged a major milestone in the road to an actually practical quantum computer with a new approach to quantum-error correction. With a new machine called Willow, Google has created a 105-qubit machine with the unprecedented ability to reduce errors even as the number of qubits in operation increases. Because qubits are inherently error-prone, traditionally, the more qubits in a chip, the greater the likelihood of a glitch. By placing qubits assigned to store data in a grid with error-correcting qubits, the Google research team was able to actually make the number of errors go down even as the number of qubits increased. That means that the 7-by-7 array had better error correction than the 3-by-3—an unprecedented achievement. Google reports that Willow completed a benchmark number test in five minutes that would have taken a conventional “classical” supercomputer 10 septillion years—that’s older than the age of the universe. And that points to the power of unleashing quantum effects on problems.

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It’s not all puppies and rainbows in quantum land, however, where research computers typically start at a million dollars yet can’t solve any real problems. But they won’t be able to without robust error correction, and so Willow is a dramatic step forward.

Populus Hotel by Urban Villages/Studio Gang: an Eco-Hotel That Takes Sustainability Seriously and Looks Like an Aspen Tree

Power X2 Ambulance Cot and Power F2 Fastening System by Ferno Norden: Advancing the future of emergency medical services

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With windows inspired by the black “eyes” in white Aspen trees made when branches fall off, Populus is more than just a curvilinear visual feast: The shading also helps reduce the amount of heat the building takes in the summer.

The ample use of timber in construction reduces (but doesn’t eliminate) the need for carbon-intensive concrete in construction. The builder used a special lower-carbon concrete containing the coal waste product known as fly ash, which resulted in 30 percent less emitted carbon than conventional concrete. There is an on-site digester that converts food waste into compost. Plus, there is no on-site parking, both to reduce the need for cement and reinforced steel, and to incentivize the use of transit and ride-sharing.

The hotel has sponsored the planting of 70,000 thousand trees in Colorado to offset the carbon footprint of materials, and then purchased other carbon offset. (In part, because most of the tree seedlings died due to drought and a beetle infestation). They also buy wind energy credits from their electric company. In an online dashboard, the hotel says it has already sequestered 116 percent of the carbon that was released during construction and ongoing operations.

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University of Colorado environmental studies professor Joel Hartter is not sure all of the claims pencil out. For example, he points out that offsets are like paying someone else to eat vegetables so that you can keep eating fast food. After all, the lowest-footprint solution would be to not build a beautiful wintry destination heated with methane to have people fly in to visit. But he doesn’t want to make the perfect the enemy of the good. He says the Populus Hotel helps show the tourism industry, which is badly in need of improvement, of what a commitment to sustainability requires. In comparison with a typical luxury hotel, it’s like looking at apples and oranges.

Delivery Zip by Zipline: An autonomous drone system safely winching burritos down into the front of Dallas homes

Grand Award Winner, Auto

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Greentell Brakes by Brembo: Bye bye, brake dust. Hello, longer-lasting brakes

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Drone-based delivery in a crowded urban area has long seemed too complicated and dangerous to undertake—but now it’s real, and starting to feel, well, normal. Beginning in April, Zipline began a service in which a 5-propeller drone copter collects a burrito or a smartwatch from retailers like Chipotle or Walmart by reeling up a wheeled rectangular cargo vehicle called a “Delivery Zip.” The copter then flies autonomously to the customer location and winches down the Delivery Zip for delivery. Sounds like sci-fi, but Dallas-area senior citizens and single parents in particular love the new service. (The company reports serving “tens of thousands” of DFW customers). Around the world, Zipline has made over 1.85 million drone deliveries, and flown more than 120 million miles without a single serious injury. Those delivery numbers leave deep-pocketed competitors funded by Google and Amazon in the dust.

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Zipline began delivering blood transfusions and then other medication in Rwanda in 2016, from the capital of Kigali to far-flung rural regions where roads were inaccessible. Among the results was 51 percent fewer deaths from postpartum hemorrhaging in facilities served by Zipline. Today, after expanding service to the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, and with medical trials in the UK and the US, the company has delivered more than 25 million doses of vaccines. Zipline is rolling out retail and food delivery to various sub-regions of the Dallas-Fort Worth area—there are 20 and counting as of press time. The first-generation Zipline platform used a fixed wing drone that dropped medical supplies by parachute; the team invented the second-generation P2 platform with the Delivery Zip given the more precise landing requirements of a crowded city.

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BOWN 2025 Credits:

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Package Leads and Judges: Annie Colbert and Stan Horaczek

Adaptive seat belts by Volvo: At long last, seat belts that truly fit

Editors, writers, and researchers: Laura Baisas, Berne Broudy, Annie Colbert, Julia Daye, Rachel Feltman, Alan Haburchak, Stan Horaczek, Jenni Miller, Andrew Rosenblum, Kristin Shaw

Fact checker: Alex Schwartz

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Art Director: Tag Hartman-Simkins

The post The 50 greatest innovations of 2025 appeared first on Popular Science.

Save hundreds on EF ECOFLOW solar generators and portable power stations with this limited Amazon deal

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:10:22 -0500

Black Friday may be over, but the next black out is on its way (great pun, right?) Right now, Amazon has EF EcoFlow portable power stations and solar generators on sale at or below Cyber Week prices. These are powerful units, some of which can store enough juice to fuel an entire home when the grid goes down. Go grab one now and stick it in your emergency kit so you’ll have access to your devices when you need them.

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Editor’s picks: Standout EF ECOFLOW power deals

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 1024Wh Portable Power Station $399 (was $479)

Automated Road Test System (ARTS) by QTPIE: No more riding with strangers to get a driver’s license

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This model packs a 1024Wh LiFePO4 battery and up to 1800W of AC output, which is plenty for essentials like a fridge, router, lights, and laptop during a short outage. It also supports fast charging and solar input, making it a compact, flexible option for both home backup and weekend camping.

EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro Ultra 6144Wh + Smart Home Panel 2 $4,999 (was $7,499)

Flexible manufacturing by Honda: A smart pivoting option as America weighs its powertrain direction

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EF ECOFLOW

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Get serious whole-home backup. With a massive 6144Wh LiFePO4 battery and 120/240V, 7200W AC output, it can run big loads like well pumps, AC units, and kitchen appliances. Paired with the Smart Home Panel 2, you can wire it directly into critical circuits so it kicks in when the grid goes down.

EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank $89 (was $139)

The Donut Motor by Donut Lab: Enabling lighter, cheaper, and more powerful electric machines

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With 25,000mAh of capacity and up to 170W total output (including high-watt USB-C), it can fast-charge laptops, tablets, phones, and more from one hub—ideal for flights, commuting, or working remotely without hunting for a wall outlet.

Home backup & large solar generators

EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro 3.6kWh + 400W Solar Generator Kit $1,898 (was $4,199)

Home

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Ultra 3072Wh + 400W Solar Generator Kit $1,598 (was $2,599)

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator with 400W Panel $1,098 (was $1,799)

Grand Award Winner, Home

EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro Ultra 6144Wh with Smart Home Panel 2 $4,999 (was $7,499)

Spin&Load rack by Whirlpool: A dishwasher lower rack that actually comes to you

EF ECOFLOW 3200W Dual-Fuel Smart Generator (Gas/LPG) $1,258 (was $1,798)

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EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro 3 4000Wh Extra Battery $1,898 (was $2,599)

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Portable power stations & solar kits

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 1024Wh Portable Power Station $399 (was $479)

RMA 448 V lawn mower by Stihl: A one-sided handle that simplifies bagging and storage

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Max 2048Wh Portable Power Station $798 (was $1,199)

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EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 Max 499Wh Portable Power Station $263 (was $449)

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EF ECOFLOW TRAIL 300 288Wh DC Power Station $147 (was $249)

EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 Pro 768Wh Solar Generator Kit (160W Panel + Bag) $499 (was $589)

Dyson HushJet Purifier Compact: Jet-style airflow without the jet-engine noise

Rapid power banks & compact chargers

EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank (Silver, Built-In Cables) $95 (was $149)

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EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank (Black, Dual 140W USB-C) $89 (was $139)

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EF ECOFLOW Rapid Pro 10,000mAh 3-in-1 Power Bank with 67W AC Plug $69 (was $89)

EF ECOFLOW Rapid Pro 27,650mAh 300W 4-Port Power Bank $159 (was $219)

The post Save hundreds on EF ECOFLOW solar generators and portable power stations with this limited Amazon deal appeared first on Popular Science.

Female Galápagos birds flaunt their sexual partners. The males don’t seem to mind.

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:48:27 -0500

A Galápagos bird species is stunning behaviorists with their “freewheeling” lifestyles. Described in the journal PLOS One, female Nazca boobies (Sula granti) will openly mate with potentially dozens of males before settling on a parenting partner. What’s more, the conspicuous behavior doesn’t appear to bother their final suitors.

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“You don’t expect to see females just running back and forth trying to copulate with so many males. So yeah, that’s a huge surprise,” study coauthor and Wake Forest University biologist David Anderson said in a statement.

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Birds like swans, geese, and albatross are famous for their monogamous partnerships, but the behavior is far from the norm. In fact, ornithologists have observed extra-pair fertilizations in most avian species. In these instances, a female clandestinely has sex with an interloper, while her chosen male partner ultimately helps raise the offspring.

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Despite this, Anderson explained most researchers traditionally view seabirds as “models of monogamy,” and often use them as cornerstone case studies for avian social hierarchies. But over 74 days of observation, biologists documented female Nazca boobies freely selecting multiple sexual partners, with one topping the list at 16 different males.

The findings are only the second known example of female birds displaying total reproductive control aside from lek-mating birds. Lek mating refers to when certain animal species’ males congregate and compete for female attention via elaborate courtship displays.

Refillable Air Filter Kit by Filtrete: A reusable HVAC frame with collapsible refills

“That’s just mind-blowing for a seabird,” said Anderson. “Many of these female boobies are really freewheeling it when it comes to sexual behavior.”

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The Nazca boobies’ trysts aren’t constant occurrences, however. Interestingly, Anderson’s team confirmed a female booby will eventually have more sex with their chosen breeding mate. The extra-relation encounters also dwindle to almost zero whenever they’re ovulating.

“She’s copulating with other males in the lead up to the breeding season, but genetic data showed that they’re never the father of her children. This reconciles evidence that females are shopping around, but it never results in fertilized eggs in the end,” Anderson said. “These flings are sex, but not reproduction.”

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So, why the permissiveness among male Nazca boobies? According to the study’s authors, the answer can be phrased as its own question: What choice do the male Nazca boobies have?

Males are generally physically larger in most bird species, which often allows them to intimidate or injure females. This doesn’t end the outside sexual meetings, but it does lead to greater concealment. In contrast, male boobies are much smaller and weaker than the females.

This means the females can engage in “whatever sexual behavior is best for them, and there’s nothing the males can do about it,” said Anderson. “The males are afraid of the females, and also won’t risk alienating a female since there are so few of them.”

Sports & Outdoors

As to the benefits of such a free spirited lifestyle, the biologists are still searching for an explanation.

“Why are these females doing it, if it’s not leading to a fertilized egg?” said Anderson. “We would very much like to know the answer to that.”

The post Female Galápagos birds flaunt their sexual partners. The males don’t seem to mind. appeared first on Popular Science.

2025 holiday gift guide: 40+ editor-approved presents for everyone on your list

Popular Science Team — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:20:22 -0500

Your friends and family deserve the best possible gifts. But shopping can be tricky. You don’t want to give them something impersonal, like a gift card, but you also can’t resort to drawing them a card with a Christmas tree on it again. It’s our job to find the best products and deals, so we’ve spent way too much time digging up a ton of products that pretty much anyone would like. There’s something to fit most budgets and tastes. We’ll be regularly updating this list until the last possible moment, so get your shopping done now and save yourself the last-minute stress. Also, feel free to send us any of these items because they’re all great and we’ve been really, really good this year. Promise.

Grand Award Winner, Sports & Outdoors

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Mimikai Insect Repellent by Mimikai: The first biomimicry insect repellent

Aura Mason 9-inch HD Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame

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Anyone invited by this digital picture frame’s owner can send photos and videos directly to it from their phone. It’s Instagram for that relative who is perpetually OFFline. Simply connect the frame to Wi-Fi and use the Aura app to set up access and other preferences. For instance, it’s how our managing editor in D.C. and his brother in Japan regularly send pictures to their mother in Alabama. A 1600 x 1200 HD display gives stunning clarity to phone camera photos, and there’s no limit on how many photos you can upload to the frame. There’s also a built-in speaker for video playback, allowing you to watch babies crawl and cats snuggle like you’re there. The frame also includes other smart features like automatic screen brightness and cropping, and auto turn-off at night. The Aura is one of the best digital picture frames and will bring a smile to a (grand)parent’s face. (And there are a bunch of other frame sizes, colors, and vertical orientations—like the Carver, the Aspen, and the Walden.)

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Fade 101 by Solk: A sneaker that’s beautiful, holds up, and won’t poison the planet

Logitech Alto Keys K98M

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This wireless 98-key mechanical board uses a UniCushion gasket structure to damp vibrations for a softer feel and cleaner sound. Hot-swappable linear switches, durable PBT keycaps, and white backlighting make it easy to tune the typing experience without diving into mods. It pairs with up to three devices via Bluetooth or the included Logi Bolt receiver and can run for months with backlighting off across Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS, and more.

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Advanced Mountain Kit by The North Face: The most versatile high alpine clothing

WOLFBOX MF100 Compressed Air Duster

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Canned air will clean your car’s dashboard and center console, but it’s terrible for the environment and lacks the power necessary to get every last crumb. This rechargeable blower has a fan inside that spins at 150,000 RPMs to create wind speeds up to 190 MPB. It offers three speeds, so you don’t need to go full hurricane mode all the time. Despite all that power, it operates relatively quietly so it won’t bother your coworkers or roommates. The 6,000 mAh battery provides up to 100 minutes of airflow on a single charge, so it won’t give up when you’re trying to inflate your favorite pool toy or hide the evidence after eating the last of the tortilla chips after everyone else went to bed. You’re literally giving the gift of cleanliness.

Use code: POPsci10 and get $10 off any order through the end of 2025.

Daylight DC-1 by Daylight Computer: The first computer designed to be used outdoors

Kaleidescape Strato V & E Movie Players

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Kaleidescape will make it hard to go back to lowly streamed movies ever again. The company’s Strato V and Strato E movie players provide high-bitrate 4K video output with SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision. Kaleidescape movies are downloaded, not streamed, so there is never buffering or degradation. That allows for the highest possible fidelity across the board. All Kaleidescape movie players support lossless multi-channel and spatial object-based audio, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Strato V stores roughly 10 Kaleidescape 4K movies while Strato E stores about 6, and both can be grouped with Terra movie servers for more storage. There are thousands of titles available for purchase or rent from the Kaleidescape movie store.

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Deflectr RLS Bike Helmet by Canyon: The most effective brain-protective helmet system is on the outside

Red Wing IRON RANGER Men's 6-Inch Boot in Black Harness Leather

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Not all hiking trails involve dirt. Have you ever had a connection in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport? Spent a weekend in Manhattan? OK, these are heritage boots, not hikers, but they’re worth going through airport security barefoot, even with TSA PreCheck. And they can handle a scenic overlook in between coffee shops and saloons. Originally designed for Minnesota miners, the Iron Ranger is made with full-grain Black Harness leather, a double-layer toe, nickel hardware with speed hooks, Goodyear welt, and Vibram 430 mini-lug sole that can grip gravel and shake off city grime. And they look so good with raw denim. Like many relationships, things start stiff but break in beautifully.

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OKAPA 17 Oz. Water Bottle

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Grand Award Winner, Engineering

The OKAPA is functionally a durable, vacuum-tight water bottle. The OKAPA (shown here in Goldie Samba, one of six high-gloss/glamour colorways) is visually a conversation starter. It’s medical-grade materials, precision-machined and assembled with Swiss-watch obsessiveness. OKAPA poured eight years and 10,000 prototypes into this bottle, which opens with a satisfying thump to reveal its pleasingly moulded mouthpiece. We pour filtered water or steaming tea into the borosilicate glass carafe, cradled in laser-carved anodized aluminum. It’s pro-luxury, as at home sitting on a drafting table or ergonomic computer desk as it is next to a yoga mat or glampfire, giving hygienic hydration with overkill energy.

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Superwood by InventWood: Stronger than steel and 6 times lighter, no blast furnace required

Saris SuperClamp G4 2-Bike Hitch Rack

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Saris

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There comes a point when the cyclist in a household graduates from neighborhood loops to “let’s drive somewhere with actual elevation,” and that’s when a real hitch rack matters. The Saris SuperClamp G4 steps in as a slim, 45-pound rack that still carries two bikes up to 60 pounds each—ebikes included. Spring-loaded, lockable arms secure the tires (even with fenders), and rear-wheel straps flip out of the way, turning bike loading/unloading into a quick, low-drama operation. The SuperClamp’s real strength is flexibility: it fits wheelbases up to 52 inches, tire diameters from 20 to 29 inches, and widths up to 3 inches. It works with both 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers using the included adapter. Some ebikes do exceed the 60-pound limit, and fat-tire bikes won’t fit, but for many setups, this rack hits the sweet spot between capacity, convenience, and not totally taking over the back of the car. Pro tip: Saris is offering 20% bike racks and home storage solutions through Dec. 22.

Steel is responsible for roughly 8 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, but is so reliable that builders don’t want to go without.

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Castelli PERFETTO RoS 3 JACKET

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If you’re like us, you (or someone you plan to gift to) are a weekend warrior who wants to feel pro vibes but may find it hard to establish a rhythm for tempo rides. If someone doesn’t have time to wait for the perfect time, the Castelli Perfetto RoS 3 jacket makes sure crisp, messy days don’t get in the way of (wide) shoulder-season saddle time. Built from Polartec AirCore, a brand-new PFAS-free laminate, this “jacket” is a nano-fiber force field. It’s more like a die-hard race jersey—stretchy, close, with long sleeves, drop tail, and big rear pockets—featuring an electrospun membrane that’s windproof, highly water-resistant, but breathable so it won’t leave you with a boil-in-the-bag feel. Rated for about 39-57 degrees Fahrenheit, you can switch from lightweight base layer to thermal underneath and be covered for fast fall spins or flirting with freezing.

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Sand Battery by Polar Night Energy: An industrial-scale thermal battery out of sand to avoid fires and mining pollution

RUX Waterproof Tote Bag 30L

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Meet the modern Mary Poppins bag. The RUX Waterproof Tote is built for anyone whose tote quietly works as a grocery hauler, gym bag, work carryall, and “toss it all in, we’re leaving” bin. It brings expedition-level durability to an everyday silhouette, standing upright instead of collapsing into a sad puddle thanks to a foam base and a fully welded 840D TPU-coated nylon body. Discreetly tucked inside is a 420D TPU-coated roll-top liner that turns the tote into a dry bag, delivering true waterproof protection without leaky zippers. This 30L workhorse hits the sweet spot for daily life: big enough for laptops, kids’ sports gear, or a chaotic market haul, but still manageable on crowded sidewalks and trains. Multiple lash points make it equally at home strapped into trucks, boats, or roof racks when the agenda shifts from errands to adventure. Sustainability is baked into the design, too. Every strap and handle is replaceable, and a lifetime guarantee backs the entire kit.

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BACKBONE Pro Multiplatform Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone 15/16/17 & Android – USB-C or Bluetooth

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The Backbone is the easiest, most seamless way to turn your phone into a legit handheld console. Snap it on, and mobile games from Apple Arcade to Genshin Impact, Fortnite, or Blops gain responsive face buttons with low-latency controls and proper analog sticks. (For a limited time, new Backbone Pro purchases and current Backbone Pro owners can unlock the Clyde Outfit in Fortnite.) It also unlocks the real power of remote play for PlayStation and Xbox, so you can stream your console games to your phone when the TV is held hostage by movie night. Even if you don’t want to attach your phone, you can connect the Backbone Pro via Bluetooth to any iOS, Android, or PC device. Versatile and compact, the Backbone will make touch controls feel like just a bad dream you once had. Go Pro for more features and better buttons, but the One is also fun for a snap-on spine to make mobile gaming stand on its own.

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Willow Quantum by Google: A chip that actually makes fewer errors as the number of physical qubits increases

Bartesian Duet Compact Home Bartender Cocktail Machine

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Bartesian

@@ -2819,37 +2662,42 @@ - - See It + + Learn More

The Bartesian Duet is like having a bartender who never judges your pour or your playlist. Drop in a pod from one of many flavourful spirit-specific variety packs, pick your strength, and watch your glass fill with something bright and balanced without bar math. This one comes with two glass bottles, but there’s a version with four (as well as one with five) if you like to vary your vibe more. It’s sleek, compact, and dangerously convenient … perfect for pregaming or maybe just having friends over for a party that never has last call. You know you’re spending too much money on TouchTunes, anyway.

+ + + +

Populus Hotel by Urban Villages/Studio Gang: an Eco-Hotel That Takes Sustainability Seriously and Looks Like an Aspen Tree

Bushnell Wingman HD Golf GPS Speaker

- +

Bushnell

@@ -2858,37 +2706,46 @@ - - See It + + Learn More

Bushnell’s been helping golfers find flags since before half the foursome on the tee box was born, so appealing to the Bluetooth everything generation is more than a gimmick. It’s the logical next step. The Wingman HD’s GPS brain puts critical data from thousands of courses on the 3.5-inch color HD touchscreen and essential audio accompaniment on the 2x15W speakers with two passive radiators. All the front/center/back yardage, hole layouts, hazard info, and 360-degree sound fits in a rechargeable IP67 brick that clamps conveniently to the cart magnetically. It’s a legacy of reliability upgraded with a volume knob, great for a buddy trip, so you can sing along over the distance and the chorus.

+ + + +

Delivery Zip by Zipline: An autonomous drone system safely winching burritos down into the front of Dallas homes

L.A.B. Golf Putters

- +

- Don’t settle for boring mobile games when you’re on the move. + This is a sweet spot for users who want to keep something on-hand for emergencies. -

LAB Golf

@@ -2897,36 +2754,72 @@ - - See It + + Learn More

Know a golfer who has tried “feel,” watched every YouTube tip video, switched grip multiple times, and still complains about putting? Introduce them to L.A.B., or Lie Angle Balance, and let physics take over for a while. These hand-balanced putters may look weird (like asking a CAD file how it would improve its short game), but the zero-torque tech is like an exoskeleton that stops the head from twisting open and closed during your wobbly lil stroke. The mallet just wants to stay square and roll the ball on line. Fitting feels more like a personality test than a club demo, but the payoff is brutal consistency from 10 feet and in. Sure, it’ll start “What is that?!?” conversations, but you’ll have more time to explain because you have less three-putts.

Drone-based delivery in a crowded urban area has long seemed too complicated and dangerous to undertake—but now it’s real, and starting to feel, well, normal. Beginning in April, Zipline began a service in which a 5-propeller drone copter collects a burrito or a smartwatch from retailers like Chipotle or Walmart by reeling up a robotic rectangular cargo vehicle called a “Delivery Zip.” The copter then flies autonomously to the customer location and winches down the Delivery Zip for delivery. Sounds like sci-fi, but Dallas-area senior citizens and single parents in particular love the new service. (The company reports serving “tens of thousands” of DFW customers). Around the world, Zipline has made over 1.85 million drone deliveries, and flown more than 120 million miles without a single serious injury. Those delivery numbers leave deep-pocketed competitors funded by Google and Amazon in the dust.

+ + + +

BOWN 2025 Credits:

+ + + +

Package Leads and Judges: Annie Colbert and Stan Horaczek

+ + + +

Editors, writers, and researchers: Laura Baisas, Berne Broudy, Annie Colbert, Julia Daye, Rachel Feltman, Alan Haburchak, Stan Horaczek, Jenni Miller, Andrew Rosenblum, Kristin Shaw

+ + + +

Fact checker: Alex Schwartz

+ + + +

Art Director: Tag Hartman-Simkins

The post The 50 greatest innovations of 2025 appeared first on Popular Science.

Save hundreds on EF ECOFLOW solar generators and portable power stations with this limited Amazon deal

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 16:10:22 -0500

+ + + +

Editor’s picks: Standout EF ECOFLOW power deals

+ + + +

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 1024Wh Portable Power Station $399 (was $479)

ROG Xbox Ally X & ROG Xbox Ally

- +

ROG

EF ECOFLOW

@@ -2936,7 +2829,7 @@ - + See It @@ -2944,28 +2837,31 @@ -

This handheld gaming PC puts your library in your hands and plays nicely with Xbox services. Dock it to a TV for couch co-op, or keep it portable for Game Pass on the go. You can dock it to a TV for couch co-op or keep it portable for full PC titles on the road. Upgradable storage and broad accessory support make it feel more like a tiny console than a phone.

+ + + +

EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro Ultra 6144Wh + Smart Home Panel 2 $4,999 (was $7,499)

Oakley Meta HSTN with Prizm Ruby

- +

- Let your fans see what you see. + There’s enough juice in there to power an entire home. -

Oakley X Meta

EF ECOFLOW

@@ -2975,7 +2871,7 @@ - + See It @@ -2983,67 +2879,196 @@ -

Oakley and Meta collaborated to make sunglasses that blend Oakley’s HSTN frame and Prizm lenses with hands-free photo capture, calls, and voice assistance. On-board controls and a straightforward companion app make setup and daily use simple. The design looks like proper shades while quietly packing Meta’s connectivity and camera features.

+ + + +

EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank $89 (was $139)

AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe

- Don’t pay for in-flight WiFi anymore. + Chuck one in your bag and never go running for an outlet at the airport again. -

AirFly

EF ECOFLOW

- - See It - -

This tiny 3.5mm Bluetooth adapter lets you use wireless headphones with seat-back screens, gym machines, older TVs, and more. It can connect two pairs at once for shared watching, and it switches into receiver mode to add Bluetooth to a car or stereo you already own. The long battery life and simple one-button pairing make it easy to toss in a carry-on and forget about until you need it.

Home backup & large solar generators

- -

Blueair PetAir Pro

- - + + +

EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro 3.6kWh + 400W Solar Generator Kit $1,898 (was $4,199)
EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Ultra 3072Wh + 400W Solar Generator Kit $1,598 (was $2,599)
EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator with 400W Panel $1,098 (was $1,799)
EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro Ultra 6144Wh with Smart Home Panel 2 $4,999 (was $7,499)
EF ECOFLOW 3200W Dual-Fuel Smart Generator (Gas/LPG) $1,258 (was $1,798)
EF ECOFLOW DELTA Pro 3 4000Wh Extra Battery $1,898 (was $2,599)

+ + + +

Portable power stations & solar kits

+ + + +

EF ECOFLOW DELTA 2 1024Wh Portable Power Station $399 (was $479)
EF ECOFLOW DELTA 3 Max 2048Wh Portable Power Station $798 (was $1,199)
EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 Max 499Wh Portable Power Station $263 (was $449)
EF ECOFLOW TRAIL 300 288Wh DC Power Station $147 (was $249)
EF ECOFLOW RIVER 2 Pro 768Wh Solar Generator Kit (160W Panel + Bag) $499 (was $589)

+ + + +

Rapid power banks & compact chargers

+ + + +

EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank (Silver, Built-In Cables) $95 (was $149)
EF ECOFLOW Rapid 25,000mAh 170W Power Bank (Black, Dual 140W USB-C) $89 (was $139)
EF ECOFLOW Rapid Pro 10,000mAh 3-in-1 Power Bank with 67W AC Plug $69 (was $89)
EF ECOFLOW Rapid Pro 27,650mAh 300W 4-Port Power Bank $159 (was $219)

The post Save hundreds on EF ECOFLOW solar generators and portable power stations with this limited Amazon deal appeared first on Popular Science.

Female Galápagos birds flaunt their sexual partners. The males don’t seem to mind.

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:48:27 -0500

+ + + +

Despite this, Anderson explained most researchers traditionally view seabirds as ��models of monogamy,” and often use them as cornerstone case studies for avian social hierarchies. But over 74 days of observation, biologists documented female Nazca boobies freely selecting multiple sexual partners, with one topping the list at 16 different males.

+ + + +

“That’s just mind-blowing for a seabird,” said Anderson. “Many of these female boobies are really freewheeling it when it comes to sexual behavior.”

+ + + +

So, why the permissiveness among male Nazca boobies? According to the study’s authors, the answer can be phrased as its own question: What choice do the male Nazca boobies have?

+ + + +

As to the benefits of such a free spirited lifestyle, the biologists are still searching for an explanation.

+ + + +

“Why are these females doing it, if it’s not leading to a fertilized egg?” said Anderson. “We would very much like to know the answer to that.”

The post Female Galápagos birds flaunt their sexual partners. The males don’t seem to mind. appeared first on Popular Science.

2025 holiday gift guide: 40+ editor-approved presents for everyone on your list

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:20:22 -0500

+ + + + +

+ +

Aura Mason 9-inch HD Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame

+ +

- +

- You love your pet, but you don’t need to sneeze. + -

Blueair

Aura Frames

@@ -3053,7 +3078,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3061,28 +3086,28 @@ -

If fur and dander are part of daily life, this purifier focuses on capturing pet pollutants while running quietly in the background. It is easy to live with in a bedroom or living room and helps with odor control during shedding season. A multi-stage filter and a low-profile design make it practical for apartment dwellers and multi-pet households alike.

Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL

Logitech Alto Keys K98M

- +

- It looks cool and sounds great. + Fill the holiday air with the sound of clicking and clacking. -

Govee

Logitech

@@ -3092,7 +3117,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3100,28 +3125,28 @@ -

This cordless smart lamp doubles as a JBL speaker, so it handles bedtime playlists and ambient lighting from the same spot on your nightstand. It syncs light to music, supports Matter for simple control, and includes preset scenes for study sessions or wind-down time. The rechargeable battery keeps the setup cable-free for desks, dorms, and side tables.

Leatherman Signal

WOLFBOX MF100 Compressed Air Duster

- +

- It’s a gift that could literally save a life. + Those snack crumbs don’t stand a chance. -

Leatherman

WOLFBOX

@@ -3131,7 +3156,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3139,28 +3164,32 @@ -

This multi-tool brings everyday essentials plus backcountry extras like a ferro rod and blade sharpener. It is the kind of “fix almost anything” pocket gear that earns a permanent place in a pack, glovebox, or tackle box. One-handed access and a solid pocket clip make it useful even when you are mid-task.

+ + + +

Use code: POPsci10 and get $10 off any order through the end of 2025.

Satechi FindAll Smart Glasses Case

Kaleidescape Strato V & E Movie Players

- +

- Never lose a glasses case again. + Your movies and eyeballs deserve it. -

Satechi

Kaleidescape

@@ -3170,7 +3199,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3178,29 +3207,23 @@ -

You will lose your glasses less often with this rechargeable case that works with Apple Find My for pings and left-behind alerts. It folds flat in a bag, plays a loud chime when you are hunting around the house, and fits most everyday frames and many XR/AR glasses. A built-in battery powers the locator features without relying on disposable cells.

Theragun Mini Plus

Red Wing IRON RANGER Men's 6-Inch Boot in Black Harness Leather

- +

- - The PopSci.com editors use a Theragun every day. - -

Therabody

@@ -3209,7 +3232,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3217,29 +3240,23 @@ -

This palm-size massager adds soothing heat to quick percussive sessions, which helps loosen stiff shoulders and calves after travel or workouts. It is quiet, easy to toss in a carry-on, and turns five minutes on the couch into real relief. Multiple attachments and speed settings let you target different muscle groups without guesswork.

ROLL Recovery R8 Plus

OKAPA 17 Oz. Water Bottle

- +

- - That looks like it feels awesome. - -

Roll

@@ -3248,7 +3265,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3256,30 +3273,32 @@ -

The spring-loaded arms clamp around your legs to deliver deep pressure to quads, hamstrings, and IT bands without a floor routine. Adjustable tension lets you go gentle for warm-ups or dial it in after long runs and hikes. The portable design fits in a gym bag so you can recover right after a workout.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Saris SuperClamp G4 2-Bike Hitch Rack

- +

- Your giftee can get a head start on their New Year’s resolution. + -

Shokz

Saris

+ + ON SALE NOW @@ -3287,7 +3306,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3295,30 +3314,30 @@ -

Open-ear bone-conduction headphones keep you aware of traffic while still delivering punchy sound for runs and rides. They are sweat-resistant, stable on sprints, and include a reflective strip for visibility during early-morning or after-work miles. The quick-charge feature adds juice for a workout when you are headed out the door.

YETI 16 oz Insulated Food Jar

Castelli PERFETTO RoS 3 JACKET

- +

- Keep your Spaghetti-Os hot all day. - -

Yeti

+ We don’t look like this, but maybe you could …

+ + ON SALE NOW @@ -3326,7 +3345,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3334,31 +3353,28 @@ -

Pack hot chili or cold yogurt and trust it to hold temperature until lunch. You could also pack hot yogurt, I guess, but that would probably be pretty weird. The wide mouth makes it easy to fill and clean, and the leak-resistant design stands up to daily commutes and trail time. A durable exterior resists chips and dings so it looks good after a season of use.

- - - -

Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger with Qi2 25W

RUX Waterproof Tote Bag 30L

- +

- Nobody likes a messy nightstand. + -

Belkin

RUX

@@ -3368,7 +3384,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3376,28 +3392,28 @@ -

This compact stand powers your phone, earbuds, and watch from a single outlet, then folds flat for a tidy bag or nightstand. Magnetic alignment keeps your phone in place, which is helpful for video calls or StandBy mode. A single cable simplifies travel and reduces charger sprawl on the desk.

Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife

BACKBONE Pro Multiplatform Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone 15/16/17 & Android – USB-C or Bluetooth

- +

- I carry one of these every day. + -

Victorinox

Backbone

@@ -3407,7 +3423,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3415,28 +3431,28 @@ -

This 91 mm Swiss Army Knife adds a real wood saw to everyday essentials like the blade, scissors, can and bottle openers, and tweezers, so it is equally useful in a camp kit or desk drawer. The slim profile still fits a pocket organizer, but the corkscrew, awl, and parcel hook give you handy tools you will actually use. The durable build and easy-to-clean scales make it a reliable multitool you can keep for years.

REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover

Bartesian Duet Compact Home Bartender Cocktail Machine

- +

- You can blend in with the ficus at your office. + -

REI

Bartesian

@@ -3446,7 +3462,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3454,28 +3470,28 @@ -

This midweight pullover uses soft recycled fleece that feels cozy on its own and layers cleanly under a shell. The snap-neck lets you dump heat on the move, and the kangaroo pocket keeps hands warm while holding keys or a trail pass. It works as an everyday layer for cool commutes, camp mornings, and weekend chores.

Patagonia Men’s Work Hoody Sweatshirt

Bushnell Wingman HD Golf GPS Speaker

- +

- This hoodie looks great and will last for years. + -

Patagonia

Bushnell

@@ -3485,7 +3501,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3493,28 +3509,28 @@ -

This heavy-duty hoodie handles job-site scuffs and weekend projects while staying warm and comfortable. Reinforced details and durable fabric mean it can take real wear without retiring early. The roomy fit layers easily over base layers and under a shell.

Epson Lifestudio Flex Full HD Portable Lifestyle Projector

L.A.B. Golf Putters

- +

- Turn your home into a movie theater with cheaper popcorn. + -

Epson

LAB Golf

@@ -3524,7 +3540,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3532,28 +3548,28 @@ -

This portable smart projector includes built-in Android TV, so you can stream from popular apps without hooking up a separate device. The long-life LED light source starts quickly and delivers consistent brightness, while keystone and focus adjustments help you get a sharp, square image in different rooms. Its compact design and built-in speakers make it easy to move from living room viewing to backyard movie nights.

Chrome Urban Ex Backpack 30L

ROG Xbox Ally X & ROG Xbox Ally

- +

- You can transport your cargo without getting it wet. + Don’t settle for boring mobile games when you’re on the move. -

Chrome

ROG

@@ -3563,7 +3579,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3571,28 +3587,28 @@ -

This weatherproof rolltop is made for bike commutes and unpredictable forecasts. It protects a laptop, swallows gym gear, and shrugs off downpours with welded seams and a tough, minimalist shell. The structured back panel and quick-access pockets keep essentials organized.

Darn Tough Men’s ABC Cushioned Hiking Boot Socks

Oakley Meta HSTN with Prizm Ruby

- +

- You’ll probably still want to wear both boots when you go out. + Let your fans see what you see. -

Darn Tough

Oakley X Meta

@@ -3602,7 +3618,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3610,28 +3626,28 @@ -

Merino wool regulates temperature and manages moisture, while underfoot cushion keeps feet happy on long days. The lifetime guarantee is a huge plus for people like me who abuse footwear. The durable knit resists pilling and holds its shape after repeated washes.

ororo Men’s 5-Zone Insulated Heated Bomber Vest

AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe

- +

- This guy is warmer than he looks. + Don’t pay for in-flight WiFi anymore. -

ororo

AirFly

@@ -3641,7 +3657,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3649,28 +3665,28 @@ -

Five heat zones warm your core without adding bulky layers, which makes dog walks and sideline time more comfortable. You can pick your heat level, pop in the battery, and slide it under a jacket when temperatures drop. The water-resistant shell and hand-warmer pockets make it practical even without the heater turned on.

Dickies Tradebuilt Shirt Jacket

Blueair PetAir Pro

- +

- What’s he looking at? Not a cooler jacket, that’s for sure. + You love your pet, but you don’t need to sneeze. -

Dickies

Blueair

@@ -3680,7 +3696,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3688,31 +3704,28 @@ -

This durable shacket handles cool mornings and shop chores better than a hoodie. It layers easily, resists scuffs, and gives you pockets you will actually use. The snap-front closure speeds up on-and-off when you are bouncing between tasks.

- - - -

Grillo’s x P.F. Candle Co. Pickle Candle

Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro x Sound by JBL

- +

- Cinnamon has officially been replaced as the holiday scent. + It looks cool and sounds great. -

Grillo’s x P.F. Candle Co.

Govee

@@ -3722,7 +3735,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3730,28 +3743,28 @@ -

It smells like a fresh jar of pickles, which makes it a perfect kitchen gift for the person who adds brine to everything. The clean-burning wax and quality jar make it more than a novelty. It’s a unique smell that will cover up the acrid stench you created while trying to roast your own chestnuts.

HexClad Griddle Tool Set (8-pc)

Leatherman Signal

- +

- Smash your burgers in style. + It’s a gift that could literally save a life. -

Hexclad

Leatherman

@@ -3761,7 +3774,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3769,28 +3782,28 @@ -

Heat-resistant handles and rigid blades on these high-class griddle tools give you control when you are flipping or scraping. It comes with a pair of tongs that open and lock closed with one hand. You also get an extremely burly burger smasher and four silicon egg rings so you can make epic breakfast sandwiches with minimal mess.

Gozney Tread Portable Pizza Oven

Satechi FindAll Smart Glasses Case

- +

- You’ll never order takeout pizza again. + Never lose a glasses case again. -

Gozney

Satechi

@@ -3800,7 +3813,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3808,28 +3821,28 @@ -

This compact oven heats fast and bakes blistered pies wherever you set up. A pair of burly handles on top make it easier to lug around than a typical cooler. Plus, it can hit the same super-high temperatures as larger pizza ovens so you can have the classiest possible camping grub you could ever want.

Superfeet Best Sellers Bundle

Theragun Mini Plus

- +

- It’s the next best thing to walking on sunshine. + The PopSci.com editors use a Theragun every day. -

Superfeet

Therabody

@@ -3839,7 +3852,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3847,28 +3860,28 @@ -

Trying supportive insoles can be the fastest route to happier feet during long shifts or travel days. This bundle makes it easy to dial in fit and alignment without guessing at the store wall. The trim-to-fit design and arch options let you customize support for different shoes.

Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle

ROLL Recovery R8 Plus

- +

- Cooking inside is boring. + That looks like it feels awesome. -

Traeger

Roll

@@ -3878,7 +3891,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3886,28 +3899,28 @@ -

Three independent heat zones let you run eggs, smash burgers, and veggies at once without juggling pans. The broad surface and grease management keep a crowd fed and the cleanup sane after weekend cookouts. The thick plate holds heat evenly so you can sear and sauté without hot spots.

Native Union Pocket Cable

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

- +

- Put it on your keychain because you can always use a cable. + Your giftee can get a head start on their New Year’s resolution. -

Native Union

Shokz

@@ -3917,7 +3930,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3925,28 +3938,28 @@ -

This short, tangle-free charging cable lives in a hard case so it stays clean in pockets and sling bags. It is the dependable backup you forget about until the moment you really need it. The integrated keeper prevents frayed ends and mangled connectors.

Anker Prime Charger (250W, 6 Ports, GaNPrime)

YETI 16 oz Insulated Food Jar

- +

- The built-in display lets you track how fast your gadgets charge. + Keep your Spaghetti-Os hot all day. -

Anker

Yeti

@@ -3956,7 +3969,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3964,28 +3977,31 @@ -

This desktop hub shares up to 250W across four USB-C and two USB-A ports, with USB-C1 delivering up to 140W for fast laptop top-offs. PowerIQ 4.0 and adjustable modes balance output intelligently, while the LCD and app controls let you see and fine-tune distribution at a glance. The compact GaN build keeps heat in check and replaces a mess of bricks with one travel-friendly unit.

+ + + +

Belkin UltraCharge 3-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Charger with Qi2 25W

Dremel 8150-N/20 Brushless USB-C Rechargeable 8V Rotary Tool

- +

- Think of all the projects you could do. + Nobody likes a messy nightstand. -

Dremel

Belkin

@@ -3995,7 +4011,7 @@ - + See It @@ -4003,37 +4019,28 @@ -

A cordless rotary tool unlocks sanding, cutting, polishing, and small fixes without dragging a cord around the bench. The included accessories help beginners jump straight into repairs and craft projects. Variable speeds and a compact grip give you control for delicate jobs.

- - - -

The post 2025 holiday gift guide: 40+ editor-approved presents for everyone on your list appeared first on Popular Science.

The latest Polaroid instant film camera is down to just $99 at Amazon making it a killer holiday gift

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:14:04 -0500

Did you know you’re not supposed to shake a Polaroid picture? There’s actually a chemical process going on inside of each Polaroid print and shaking it won’t help it turn out any better. In fact, it might ruin the emulsion required for the picture to form. You can drop this tidbit on a lucky recipient when you give them a new Polaroid camera on sale for just $99 right now at Amazon. If you want to bundle it with a few packs of film, you can save $30 and get the kit for $129. This is the same or better pricing when compared to Black Friday, so order one now and make someone’s day when it’s time to unwrap presents.

Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Film Camera – Black – Camera Only $99 (was $129)

Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife

- +

- The lens is surprisingly sharp and accurate for an instant camera at this price. + I carry one of these every day. -

Polaroid

Victorinox

@@ -4043,7 +4050,7 @@ - + See It @@ -4051,36 +4058,28 @@ -

This camera has the classic Polaroid look and shoots on the modern I-Type film packs. They’re easy to load thanks to the cartridge-style packaging. Once the film is in place, simply point and shoot. The integrated lens offers sharp images with handy autofocus, so you don’t have to worry about blurry shots.

- - - -

It even offers some clever creative shooting modes, like double exposure, which lets you take two images on the same negative to create a unique overlaid effect.

- - - -

Sure, you could go out and buy a vintage Polaroid camera, but they often run into issues, the worst of which involves flat spots on the film rollers, which leads to ruined photos.

Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle $129 (was $159)

REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover

- +

- Two boxes of film will give you a good start on your picture taking journey. + You can blend in with the ficus at your office. -

Polaroid

REI

@@ -4090,7 +4089,7 @@ - + See It @@ -4098,276 +4097,462 @@ -

The person receiving the camera will eventually need to buy their own film, but this kit includes two packs of Polaroid film to get them started. It’s full-color film that looks great when shot in bright light or with a flash. It gives a very authentic look that you want out of these little square prints.

The post The latest Polaroid instant film camera is down to just $99 at Amazon making it a killer holiday gift appeared first on Popular Science.

Rare 19th century pistol used to rob Tulsa liquor store

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:21:07 -0500

This article has been updated to include additional source commentary.

- +

It’s difficult to resist raising an eyebrow at an Oklahoma robbery suspect’s alleged recent weapon-of-choice. According to several Oklahoma news outlets including WKTUL, a 24-year-old man was arrested on December 6 by Tulsa police after allegedly robbing a liquor store using what employees described as an “old-timey musket.”

+ +

Patagonia Men’s Work Hoody Sweatshirt

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + This hoodie looks great and will last for years. + +

Authorities soon apprehended and charged the suspect before providing some additional details about the weapon.

Patagonia

+ + Turn your home into a movie theater with cheaper popcorn. + +

+ + + + See It + +

“For those who are curious, the firearm is likely from the mid-1800s and is a single-shot percussion Derringer. It was also called the ‘Muff Pistol’ or ‘Pocket Pistol,’” Tulsa police posted to social media on December 8.

Definitely not a derringer

According to firearms historian Michael Helms, law enforcement’s initial assessment is slightly off target—regardless of whether you spell “Derringer” with one “r” or two.

+ +

Epson Lifestudio Flex Full HD Portable Lifestyle Projector

+ + + + +

+ +

Epson

+ + You can transport your cargo without getting it wet. + +

+ + + + See It -

“‘Derringer’ properly refers to a gun made by Henry Deringer, who was a Philadelphia gunmaker that developed a reputation for his compact percussion pistols,” Helms tells Popular Science. “Deringer’s name came into widespread use when one of his pistols was used to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Over time the ‘Derringer’ name became a genericized term for small percussion pistols.”

+ +

While cautioning that it’s difficult to assess a historical firearm from a single photo, Helms didn’t see any immediate evidence to suggest the weapon is a replica. Tulsa police were correct in designating it a percussion pistol. These types of guns are loaded from the muzzle with a ball and powder and primed using a percussion cap. At the same time, there is also something striking about the crime scene evidence.

“This pistol is something a bit different and somewhat rarer; this is an ‘underhammer’ pistol,” said Helms. Conventional mid-19th century weapons usually featured hammers located on either the top or side of the gun. As the name suggests, underhammers have the hammer positioned underneath the gun barrel.

+ +

Chrome Urban Ex Backpack 30L

+ + + + +

+ +

Chrome

“In this case, the hammer is attached to the forward trigger, which was used to ‘cock’ the gun. The trigger behind it would have released the hammer and fired the gun,” he added.

+ + + + See It + +

Underhammer guns aren’t traceable to a single person or era, but firearm historians do credit its popularization to Nicanor Kendall. The gunmaker lived in Vermont during the 1840s and 1850s, and developed his own underhammer safety lock after his own pistol misfired while attempting to shoot a squirrel.

While he said the weapon’s overall design is “pretty generic,” Helms theorizes it could have been produced by Ethan Allen. Not to be confused with the furniture company or the leader of the Green Mountain Boys during the American Revolution, this Ethan Allen was a prominent 18th century arms maker who patented numerous single- and multi-shot pistols.

+ +

Darn Tough Men’s ABC Cushioned Hiking Boot Socks

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + You’ll probably still want to wear both boots when you go out. + +

A likely suspect

Darn Tough

+ + This guy is warmer than he looks. + +

+ + + + See It + +

However, after examining the available photo, firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky believes that the answer is pretty clear.

“It looks like a Bacon & Co. Underhammer Pistol,” she tells Popular Science. Although Hlebinsky admits it’s hard to conclusively determine the maker without examining the markings in person, the gun “looks identical” to firearms produced between 1850 and 1857 by the Connecticut-based company.

Hlebinsky’s theory is further strengthened by the fact that Thomas Bacon himself previously worked with Ethan Allen. The Bacon & Co. underhammer pistols were .34 caliber weapons featuring either a 4- or 5-inch barrel and broad, floral decorative engravings. If corroborated, then the Tulsa robbery weapon is one of only 500 ever manufactured, and has recently sold for as much as $850.

+ +

ororo Men’s 5-Zone Insulated Heated Bomber Vest

+ + + + +

+ +

ororo

+ + What’s he looking at? Not a cooler jacket, that’s for sure. + +

+ + + + See It -

In the end, there are a few reasons why only a handful of the guns were produced, with technological innovation being the primary explanation.

+ +

“With the development of the metallic cartridge revolver in the late 1850s, the architecture of guns changed considerably, and by the 1860s and 1870s the underhammer design (and the percussion lock in general) was largely obsolete,” said Helms.

Today, underhammer firearms are often considered collector’s items. Helms noted while many American and like some European gunmakers “dabbled with these designs,” they arrived late in the percussion pistol’s development and didn’t affect wider arms production.

+ +

Dickies Tradebuilt Shirt Jacket

+ + + + +

+ +

Dickies

“All the same, this is an interesting antique pistol,” Helms conceded.

The post Rare 19th century pistol used to rob Tulsa liquor store appeared first on Popular Science.

Pompeii’s ruins challenge Rome’s famous concrete recipe

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

For once, new research on the ruins of the Roman city of Pompeii is not focusing on the destructive aftermath of the infamous Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE. Instead, it centers on the creative acts preceding it. After taking a closer look at the city’s construction projects, a team from MIT believes that ancient Rome’s legendary concrete recipe might need a major historical revision.

+ + + + See It + + -

When ancient Roman architecture comes to mind, the columns and coliseums are generally the first things that pop into your head. These structures were often built using Roman concrete—and that material traces back to a single man named Vitruvius. The 1st century BCE engineer is widely credited for authoring De Archtectura, the only architectural treatise to survive from antiquity, and his recipe for concrete helped construct some of the empire’s most iconic buildings.

A hot-mixing hot take

Grillo’s x P.F. Candle Co. Pickle Candle

In 2023, MIT engineer Admir Masic and colleagues published the results of their research into surviving Roman concrete. They confirmed that the composite was manufactured by first mixing lime fragments with volcanic ash and other dry materials. Adding water to this blend then produced heat at a chemical level in a process known as “hot-mixing.” As the concrete set, it preserves bits of the reactive lime as tiny, gravel-like stones. When the concrete inevitably cracked over time, the lime then redissolves and fills in the fissures—granting the material its famous self-healing properties.

+ + + + + +

+ +

While the team’s conclusions were sound, there was a glaring conundrum: this isn’t the recipe offered by Vitruvius. According to De architectura, the best concrete requires first making a paste from lime and water before combining it with other ingredients.

“Having a lot of respect for Vitruvius, it was difficult to suggest that his description may be inaccurate,” Masic said in a statement. “The writings of Vitruvius played a critical role in stimulating my interest in ancient Roman architecture, and the results from my research contradicted these important historical texts.”

Nevertheless, a follow-up study published on December 9 in the journal Nature Communications reinforces Masic’s potentially Vitruvius-contradicting argument. The evidence resides at an ancient Roman construction site preserved in great detail by the Mount Vesuvius eruption.

- - - -

“We were blessed to be able to open this time capsule of a construction site and find piles of material ready to be used for the wall,” said Masic. “With this paper, we wanted to clearly define a technology and associate it with the Roman period in the year 79 CE.”

- - - -

- -

+ + Cinnamon has officially been replaced as the holiday scent. + +

Grillo’s x P.F. Candle Co.

+ + +

+ +

- -

- Related Pompeii Stories

- -

DNA reveals new stories about Pompeii’s victims

After Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii’s ruins housed survivors, wanderers, and treasure hunters

Pompeii’s archaeological puzzles can be solved with a little help from chemistry

- - - -

A volcanic secret ingredient

- - - -

Isotopic analysis confirmed that the workers in Pompeii relied on hot-mixing when making their concrete. Samples from the site contained both the lime clasts Masic previously described in 2023, as well as the dry composite materials needed before hot-mixing.

- - - -

“These results revealed that the Romans prepared their binding material by taking calcined limestone (quicklime), grinding them to a certain size, mixing it dry with volcanic ash, and then eventually adding water to create a cementing matrix,” Masic explained.

- - - -

The team also concluded that the volcanic additives(known as pumice)weren’t only selected because of their local convenience. Chemical observations confirmed that pumice particles reacted over time with the porous solution surrounding them. The results from this reaction are new mineral deposits that reinforced the concrete even more.

- - - -

Although the construction materials are over 2,000 years old, they remain as important as ever. Today, engineers are frequently re-evaluating the uses of self-healing cement methods in their own projects.

- - - -

“This is relevant because Roman cement is durable, it heals itself, and it’s a dynamic system,” said Masic. “The way these pores in volcanic ingredients can be filled through recrystallization is a dream process we want to translate into our modern materials. We want materials that regenerate themselves.”

- - - -

But when it comes to Vitruvius, Masic promised that his team’s latest discoveries won’t erode the architect’s legacy. While Vitruvius may have simply misinterpreted the era’s primary concrete recipe, De architectura still describes a strategy that strongly echoes the hot-mixing method seen in the authors’ studies.

- - - -

“We don’t want to completely copy Roman concrete today,” said Masic. “We just want to translate a few sentences from this book of knowledge into our modern construction practices.”

The post Pompeii’s ruins challenge Rome’s famous concrete recipe appeared first on Popular Science.

The best solar generators for 2026, tested and reviewed

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:45:05 -0500

- - -

Solar generators can make your life a little easier on a good day or save you on a bad day. These powerful power packs offer huge battery capacity that can fuel large devices and even appliances in a pinch. They’re great in an emergency, but they’re also essential tailgating and camping equipment. We chose the Bluetti Elite 200v2 as our best overall pick, but there are tons of options out there on the market to meet your needs.

- - - -

Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2
Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus

+ See It

Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator

Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus
Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300

+ +

HexClad Griddle Tool Set (8-pc)

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + Smash your burgers in style. + +

Hexclad

+ + You’ll never order takeout pizza again. + +

+ + + + See It -

Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000

+ +

Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000

Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na

+ +

Gozney Tread Portable Pizza Oven

+ + + + +

+ +

Gozney

Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

+ + + + See It + + -

How we chose the best solar generators

As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve had the opportunity to test an extremely wide range of outdoor gear, including mobile and off-grid electrification equipment like solar-powered generators, as well as inverter and dual-fuel generators. These became particularly essential when the pandemic forced my travels to become domestic rather than international, which prompted me to outfit a van for long-term road-tripping.

+ +

Superfeet Best Sellers Bundle

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + Cooking inside is boring. + +

To bring my work along for the ride, I needed a constant portable power source to charge my laptop, a portable fridge, lighting, and a myriad of devices and tools … even electric bikes. As a result, I’ve tried all the leading portable power stations (and plenty that aren’t leading, too), so I know precisely what separates the best from the blah. I’ve written all about it (and other outdoor tech) for publications, including the Daily Beast, Thrillist, the Manual, Popular Science, and more. There were cases when my own opinion resulted in a tie, and I, therefore, looked to reviews from actual customers to determine which solar generators delivered the most satisfaction to the most users.

+ + It’s the next best thing to walking on sunshine. + +

Superfeet

+ + + + +

+ + + + See It + +

When to buy a solar generator

If you’re thinking about dropping big money on a solar generator, consider shopping on big shopping holidays like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. These are expensive devices, and they experience their largest discounts around those times. That said, they’re rarely the full prices below, even when it’s not a retail holiday, so click through to find out.

The best solar generators: Reviews & Recommendations

+ +

Traeger Flatrock 3 Zone Griddle

+ + + + +

+ +

Traeger

- + Put it on your keychain because you can always use a cable. -

+ + + + See It -

The solar generators on this list span a wide range of budgets, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. They span several use cases, from camping to a backup for your home. Only you know all the factors that make one of these the best solar generator for you, but we think that one of these will get the job done.

+ +

Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200 v2

Native Union Pocket Cable

- +

Nick Hilden

Native Union

- - ON SALE NOW @@ -4375,138 +4560,77 @@ - + See It +

+ + + +

+ + + + +

- Pros

Anker Prime Charger (250W, 6 Ports, GaNPrime)

Exceptionally portable
High output
Plenty of ports
Sleek design
Excellent build quality
One of the most usable apps out there

- Cons

Not large enough for RV or whole home backup
A few pounds heavy for its size

- Specs

- - Storage capacity - - - 2,073Wh -
- - Input capacity - - - 1,800W -
- - Output capacity - - - 2,600W (3,900W surge) -
- - Dimensions - - - 13.8 × 9.8 × 12.7 in -
- - Weight - - - 53.4 pounds -
- - Price - - - $1,699 -

- - - -

Why it made the cut: No other solar generator delivers such an excellent balance of portability, capacity, and performance.

- - - -

There are a lot of excellent solar generators on this list, many of which are competitive rivals for the top spot, but none offer such an excellent fusion of capacity, portability, and well-considered design as the Bluetti Elite 200 v2. With a capacity of 2,073 watt-hours, it hits the sweet spot that will deliver on the needs of the vast majority of users.

- - - -

At the same time, with its just-over-shoebox dimensions and relatively light weight, it’s as portable as can be. This makes it the perfect pick for packing in a trunk while heading outdoors, storing in a closet for backup power, or simply having around for a convenient, mobile power source.

- - - -

It also offers surprisingly oomphy output for a power box of its size. Its 2,600W running output was already hefty enough, but surge capacity up to 3,900W means it can handle the startup draw of larger electronics and appliances. Its 1000W solar input capacity equips it for a large solar panel array, and its 1,800W wall input capacity will charge from zero to full in just over 90 minutes.

- - - -

While power station apps are notoriously glitchy, the Bluetti app is user-friendly and allows for remote monitoring and adjustment. Most users will find it has plenty of ports, including four AC ports, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 120W car port, though there is no 30A or 50A RV plug.

- - - -

I’ve found that its perfectly squared off design is ideal for fitting into a tight storage space or building into a small van conversion. The LiFePO4 battery has a lifespan of over 6,000 cycles, and the whole unit feels plenty durable. Indeed, I have knocked my test unit around more than a little. It seems no worse for wear.

+ +

+ + The built-in display lets you track how fast your gadgets charge. + +

Anker

+ + + + See It -

For most mid-sized portable power purposes, the Bluetti Elite 200 v2 does pretty much everything right.

+ + -

Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

Dremel 8150-N/20 Brushless USB-C Rechargeable 8V Rotary Tool

- +

+ + Think of all the projects you could do. + +

Dremel

- - ON SALE NOW @@ -4514,130 +4638,45 @@ - + See It - -

- Pros

- -

Charges quickly
Very high output that can run power-hungry devices
Built-in wheels and handle
Clear display
Four AC outlets
Expandable with extra batteries
Long life batteries

- Cons

- -

Heavy
Slightly less capacity than our previous pick

- Specs

- -

- - Storage capacity - - - 2,042.8Wh (expandable up to 24,000Wh) -
- - Output capacity - - - 6,000w -
- - Dimensions - - - 18.6 x 14.7 x 14.1 inches -
- - Weight - - - 61 pounds -
- - Price - - - $1,999 -

- - - -

Why it made the cut: It offers just about everything you’d want, with the added benefits of LiFePO4 battery power.

- - - -

As new solar generators hit the market, many come toting new lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries instead of the familiar lithium-ion batteries that came before. LiFePO4 offers a few advantages, including a much longer lifespan as you charge and discharge them. They’re also safer and often faster to charge. They do typically add some weight, however. Just about all of those modifiers apply here in the form of our former best overall, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus.

- - - -

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus can power current-hungry devices at up to 6000W, so even if you want to power a welder, you can. The battery will only last you about half an hour doing this (we tried it), but it does work, and that’s more than many other models can say. I also got to test the Explorer 2000 Plus during a real power outage. It kept our router running for several hours to maintain connectivity.

- - - -

This model has 2kWh of storage built in, but you can expand that capacity with extra external daisy-chained batteries. It gives a total max storage of up to 24kWh—enough for a serious off-grid job. The optional solar panels charge the battery quickly and efficiently. Jackery claims roughly two hours of charging time via the optional solar panels, and I found it took more like 2.5 hours, but that includes battling some passing clouds. With two straight hours of direct sun, it could likely get the job done.

- - - -

At 61 pounds, this is considerably heavier than the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro, which weighs nearly 20 pounds less. But the integrated wheels, handle, and chunky grips on either side of the box make it very easy to lug around. Everyone in my family could easily set it in the back of my wife’s Honda Civic.

+ -

The switch to LiFePo4 also means that this unit will last a long time before the battery degrades beyond its usable range. The company claims it will take 4,000 cycles before the battery life degrades to 70 percent. We obviously haven’t had time to test that yet, but that is the nature of LiFePo4, so it will almost certainly last longer than a lithium-ion model at least.

Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus

The post 2025 holiday gift guide: 40+ editor-approved presents for everyone on your list appeared first on Popular Science.

The latest Polaroid instant film camera is down to just $99 at Amazon making it a killer holiday gift

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:14:04 -0500

Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Film Camera – Black – Camera Only $99 (was $129)

- +

- + The lens is surprisingly sharp and accurate for an instant camera at this price. -

Nick Hilden

Polaroid

@@ -4647,132 +4686,46 @@ - + See It - -

- Pros

- -

High capacity and expandable
High output
Super fast charging
Love the smart design features

- Cons

- -

Heavy
Pricey, especially with expansion batteries

- Specs

- -

- - Storage capacity - - - 3,072Wh (expandable up to 11KWh) -
- - Input capacity - - - 1,800W -
- - Output capacity - - - 3,600W (4,600W X-Boost, 7,200W surge) -
- - Dimensions - - - 24.14 x 12.9 x 15.5 in -
- - Weight - - - 74.2 pounds -
- - Price - - - $1.599 -

- - - -

Why it made the cut: The EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus itself is high-capacity, high-output, and exceptionally well-designed, and can expand as much as you need it to.

- - - -

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus is a solid contender for “best overall,” and the only reason it didn’t get it is because it’s more of a power station than most people need. But if you do need more power station, it delivers.

- - - -

The standalone unit’s 3,072Wh capacity is plenty for powering an RV or van conversion, an off-grid worksite, or a home during a blackout. 3,600W output is more than enough to power an average assortment of devices, small, and even larger appliances, the X-Boost allows it to temporarily up its running wattage to 4,600W, and its 7,200W surge capacity means it can handle spikes in draw from an AC, appliance, or power tool switching on. Its six charging options allow you to top it off lightning quick—as fast as 89 minutes if you’re readying for a storm or trip—and Storm Guard Mode will monitor the weather and charge the unit automatically if severe weather is coming.

+ -

All that’s great, but what I really like about it is how much consideration went into various design elements. For example, whoever thought of having the rear port doors slide into protective slots is a genius. It’s a heavy unit, but the sturdy handle and telescoping wheels make it easy to move around. It’s equipped with a 30A outlet so it can plug directly into an RV, and a good number of other ports.

Excellent all around. If you need a larger, potentially expandable solar generator that offers a good dose of portability, it can’t be beat.

It even offers some clever creative shooting modes, like double exposure, which lets you take two images on the same negative to create a unique overlaid effect.

Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator

Sure, you could go out and buy a vintage Polaroid camera, but they often run into issues, the worst of which involves flat spots on the film rollers, which leads to ruined photos.

Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle $129 (was $159)

- +

- The Anker Power Station 767 solar generator’s high capacity and fast charging make this long-lasting battery a solid everyday driver. + Two boxes of film will give you a good start on your picture taking journey. + +

Polaroid

- - ON SALE NOW @@ -4780,251 +4733,260 @@ - + See It - -

- Pros

- -

Charges up to 80% in less than two hours
Solid output and storage capacity
Optional battery pack doubles capacity
LiFePO4 batteries survive more charge cycles than traditional models
Plenty of ports
Built-in handle and wheels for transport

- Cons

- -

Heavy for its capacity
No USB-C in for charging

- Specs

- -

- - Storage capacity - - - 2,048Wh -
- - Input capacity - - - 1440W Max (1000W Max Solar) -
- - Output capacity - - - 2,400W -
- - Dimensions - - - 20.67 x 9.84 x 15.55 inches -
- - Weight - - - 67.3 pounds -
- - Price - - - $1,999 -

+ -

Why it made the cut: High capacity and fast charging make this long-lasting battery a solid everyday driver.

The post The latest Polaroid instant film camera is down to just $99 at Amazon making it a killer holiday gift appeared first on Popular Science.

Rare 19th century pistol used to rob Tulsa liquor store

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:21:07 -0500

This article has been updated to include additional source commentary.

Anker has equipped its massive portable power station with LiFePO4 batteries, which stand up much better to repeat charging and discharging over the long term than common lithium-ion cells. Anker claims it can charge and discharge up to 3,000 times before it reaches 80% battery health compared to 500 in a similar lithium-ion setup. While I haven’t had the chance to run it through 3,000 cycles, LiFePO4 batteries have a well-earned reputation for longevity.

Regarding overall performance, the Anker 767 does everything you’d want a unit with these specs to do. The bad weather has given me [Executive Gear Editor Stan Horaczek] ample chances, unfortunately, to test it in real-world situations.

Authorities soon apprehended and charged the suspect before providing some additional details about the weapon.

The built-in battery offers a 2048Wh capacity and pumps out up to 2,400W. It does so through four standard AC outlets, an RV outlet, two 120W car outlets, two 12W USB-A ports, and three 100W USB-C ports.

I used it during a blackout to keep our Wi-Fi running while charging my family’s devices. Filling a phone from zero barely makes a dent in the power station’s capacity, and it ran the router for several hours with plenty of juice left.

Definitely not a derringer

In another instance, it powered our small meat freezer for four hours before the power came back on with some juice still left in the tank. It does what it promises.

According to firearms historian Michael Helms, law enforcement’s initial assessment is slightly off target—regardless of whether you spell “Derringer” with one “r” or two.

There are a few nice extra touches as well. Built-in wheels and an extendable handle allow it to roll like carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, those are necessary inclusions because it weighs a hefty 67.3 pounds. It’s manageable but definitely heavy compared to its competition.

The Anker 767 is compatible with the company’s 200W solar panels, which fold up for easy transportation. I mostly charged the unit through my home’s AC power, a surprisingly quick process. The 767 Portable Power Station can go from flat to more than 80% charge in less than half an hour with sufficient power. It takes about two hours to get it fully juiced.

Anker also offers a mobile app that connects to the power station via Bluetooth if you want to control it without actually going over and touching it.

Best for car camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus

“In this case, the hammer is attached to the forward trigger, which was used to ‘cock’ the gun. The trigger behind it would have released the hammer and fired the gun,” he added.

- - - - - -

- -

Nick Hilden

DNA reveals new stories about Pompeii’s victims

- - - - See It +

+ + +

A likely suspect

+ + + +

However, after examining the available photo, firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky believes that the answer is pretty clear.

+ + + +

In the end, there are a few reasons why only a handful of the guns were produced, with technological innovation being the primary explanation.

+ + + +

“All the same, this is an interesting antique pistol,” Helms conceded.

The post Rare 19th century pistol used to rob Tulsa liquor store appeared first on Popular Science.

Pompeii’s ruins challenge Rome’s famous concrete recipe

Andrew Paul — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

+ + + +

A hot-mixing hot take

+ + + +

+ +

+ + +

+ Related Pompeii Stories

- -

- Pros

- -

Very compact
Good capacity and output
Variable-setting camp lamp

- Cons

- -

Way too small for RV needs

- Specs

- -

- - Storage capacity - - - 768Wh -
- - Input capacity - - - 1,440W -
- - Output capacity - - - 1,200W (1,600W surge) -
- - Dimensions - - - 14.61 x 8.07 x 9.96 in -
- - Weight - - - 24 lbs -
- - Price - - - $649.99 -

After Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii’s ruins housed survivors, wanderers, and treasure hunters

Pompeii’s archaeological puzzles can be solved with a little help from chemistry

Why it made the cut: Thanks to its small size, decent specs, fast charging, and innovative lantern, it’s perfect for camping.

A volcanic secret ingredient

Say you need a solar power generator for a few days of camping, over the course of which you’re hoping to power a few small devices, a string of lights, and maybe even a small electric cooler—the Anker Solix C800 Plus is the perfect little unit. About the size of a shoebox and just 24 pounds, it’s as portable and compact as can be. At the same time, the 768Wh capacity and 1,200W output are surprisingly good for such a small box. And with a 300W solar panel and good sunlight conditions, it can charge in about three hours.

All good stuff, but what really sets it apart is the integrated lamp, which attaches magnetically and then hides away in the body of the unit when not in use. It has three light modes and makes for an excellent addition to any campsite.

Still good for van-living: Goal Zero Yeti 1000

+ + + +

“We don’t want to completely copy Roman concrete today,” said Masic. “We just want to translate a few sentences from this book of knowledge into our modern construction practices.”

The post Pompeii’s ruins challenge Rome’s famous concrete recipe appeared first on Popular Science.

The best solar generators for 2026, tested and reviewed

Nick Hilden — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:45:05 -0500

+ + +

+ + + +

Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2
Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus
Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator
Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus
Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300
Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000
Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000
Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na
Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

+ + + +

How we chose the best solar generators

+ + + +

When to buy a solar generator

+ + + +

The best solar generators: Reviews & Recommendations

+ + + +

Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200 v2

@@ -5036,11 +4998,19 @@

- +

Nick Hilden

+ + ON SALE NOW @@ -5048,7 +5018,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5060,10 +5030,12 @@ Pros

Highly portable
Incredible durability
Rapid recharge rate
Plenty of plugs
Exceptionally portable
High output
Plenty of ports
Sleek design
Excellent build quality
One of the most usable apps out there

@@ -5071,7 +5043,8 @@ Cons

Expensive for its size/capacity
Not large enough for RV or whole home backup
A few pounds heavy for its size

@@ -5085,42 +5058,42 @@ Storage capacity - 983Wh + 2,073Wh

Input capacity - 600W + 1,800W

Output capacity - 1,200W (2,400W surge) + 2,600W (3,900W surge)

Dimensions - 9.86 x 15.25 x 10.23 inches + 13.8 × 9.8 × 12.7 in

Weight - 31.68 lbs + 53.4 pounds

Price - $1,198.95 + $1,699

@@ -5130,31 +5103,35 @@ -

Why it made the cut: Thanks to its outstanding portability, high storage capacity, and Yeti’s famous durability, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is great for packing along for camping or van-living.

Why it made the cut: No other solar generator delivers such an excellent balance of portability, capacity, and performance.

Yeti is long-renowned for making some of the best outdoor gear money can buy, so when the company launched its Goal Zero line of solar generators, it was no surprise that they turned out to be awesome. While the whole line is great, the 1000 Core model’s balance between capacity and portability makes it perfect for taking on the road and going camping.

While the 1000 Core has a third less capacity than our top pick, it charges up faster, making it a great option for rapid solar replenishment. That said, its capacity is no slouch, offering 82 phone charges, 20 for a laptop, or upwards of 15 hours for a portable fridge (depending on wattage). Suffice to say, it’s more than capable of powering your basic camping gear.

Beyond its charging capabilities, the Goal Zero 1000 Core excels at camping thanks to its hearty build quality. Built super tough—like pretty much everything Yeti makes—its exterior shell provides solid protection.

The biggest issue it presents is the cost. Like pretty much everything Yeti produces, its price tag isn’t small. While there are other 1000-level solar generators for less, this one offers a great balance of power storage and portability.

For more on the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core, check out our full review.

Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300

For most mid-sized portable power purposes, the Bluetti Elite 200 v2 does pretty much everything right.

+ + + +

Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

@@ -5166,17 +5143,13 @@

- +

Nick Hilden

+ + ON SALE NOW @@ -5184,7 +5157,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5196,9 +5169,13 @@ Pros

One of the largest expansion capacities out there
Huge input/output rates
SolarX accessory is a solar game-changer
Charges quickly
Very high output that can run power-hungry devices
Built-in wheels and handle
Clear display
Four AC outlets
Expandable with extra batteries
Long life batteries

@@ -5206,8 +5183,8 @@ Cons

Very expensive
Very heavy
Heavy
Slightly less capacity than our previous pick

@@ -5221,42 +5198,35 @@ Storage capacity - 5,529.6Wh (expandable up to 58KWh) - -

- - Input capacity - - - 1,800W (expandable up to 30KW) + 2,042.8Wh (expandable up to 24,000Wh)

Output capacity - 3,800W (expandable up to 11.5KW) + 6,000w

Dimensions - Inverter 20.67 × 12.87 × 12.6 in / Battery 20.67 x 12.87 x 8.23 in + 18.6 x 14.7 x 14.1 inches

Weight - Inverter 83.78lbs / Battery 65.4 lbs + 61 pounds

- Price: + Price - $3,499 + $1,999

@@ -5266,19 +5236,31 @@ -

Why it made the cut: Huge expandability, excellent performance, and unsurpassed solar capability make the Bluetti Apex 300 a must for reliable off-grid power.

Why it made the cut: It offers just about everything you’d want, with the added benefits of LiFePO4 battery power.

Bluetti’s Apex 300 does everything you can find in the best off-grid solar generators, then takes it a step further. It has huge storage capacity that gets bigger and bigger depending on your needs (and budget—all those batteries certainly aren’t cheap). You can scale up its output wattage to handle pretty much anything you throw at it. While it’s definitely very heavy, once you’ve got it in place, it’s also very intuitive to operate.

But where the Apex 300 truly excels is in its solar input capacity. Its standard dual 1,200W solar input is already great in its own right, but when you add on the SolarX 4K, it boosts that solar input to 4,000W. When chained with multiple SolarX, Apex, and battery units, it jacks up the input as high as a whopping 30,000W. That’s serious solar capability meant for an equally serious solar array, used by serious off-grid enthusiasts.

Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000

+ + + +

Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus

@@ -5290,9 +5272,9 @@

- +

@@ -5308,7 +5290,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5320,9 +5302,10 @@ Pros

ZeroDrain ensures it works when you need it
Excellent capacity
Very compact
High capacity and expandable
High output
Super fast charging
Love the smart design features

@@ -5330,8 +5313,8 @@ Cons

Pricey
Somewhat heavy
Heavy
Pricey, especially with expansion batteries

@@ -5345,42 +5328,42 @@ Storage capacity - 3,072Wh + 3,072Wh (expandable up to 11KWh)

Input capacity - 1440W + 1,800W

Output capacity - 3,600W (7,200W surge) + 3,600W (4,600W X-Boost, 7,200W surge)

Dimensions - 16.4×12.8×12 in + 24.14 x 12.9 x 15.5 in

Weight - 59.52lbs + 74.2 pounds

Price - $2,499 + $1.599

@@ -5390,19 +5373,27 @@ -

Why it made the cut: Great specs and portability, plus Jackery’s ZeroDrain reliability, make the HomePower 3000 a safe bet for outages.

Why it made the cut: The EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus itself is high-capacity, high-output, and exceptionally well-designed, and can expand as much as you need it to.

From my experience, the most important thing you need from a solar generator for home backup is reliability. I’ve been disappointed more than once to find that my power station hasn’t held its charge while in storage. To that end, the Jackery HomePower 3000, equipped with its ZeroDrain tech, ensures that you have power when you need it. The HomePower series is a new divergence from Jackery’s already popular Explorer series, and it moves the brand forward in terms of offering not only the aforementioned ZeroDrain, but an improved size to capacity to performance ratio.

Slightly smaller and lighter than Jackery’s Explorer 2000 Plus, it nevertheless has 1,000Wh more capacity, and it’s significantly smaller than the 3000 Pro while delivering comparable capacity and performance. That, combined with its ZeroDrain shelf life, makes it ideal for burying in the closet or garage for a rainy day.

Fastest charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max

+ + + +

Excellent all around. If you need a larger, potentially expandable solar generator that offers a good dose of portability, it can’t be beat.

+ + + +

Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator

@@ -5414,10 +5405,14 @@

- +

+ + The Anker Power Station 767 solar generator’s high capacity and fast charging make this long-lasting battery a solid everyday driver. +

ON SALE NOW @@ -5428,7 +5423,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5440,12 +5435,12 @@ Pros

Very fast charging over solar or mains
Relatively compact
Not as heavy as we might have expected
Long-lasting batteries
Scalable by connecting two extra batteries
Advanced temperature management for safety
Charges up to 80% in less than two hours
Solid output and storage capacity
Optional battery pack doubles capacity
LiFePO4 batteries survive more charge cycles than traditional models
Plenty of ports
Built-in handle and wheels for transport

@@ -5453,8 +5448,8 @@ Cons

Solar panels are pricy
Still heavier than non-LiFePo4 models
Heavy for its capacity
No USB-C in for charging

@@ -5465,38 +5460,45 @@

- Storage capacity: + Storage capacity - 2048Wh (expandable to 6,000Wh) + 2,048Wh
- Output capacity: + Input capacity - 3,400W + 1440W Max (1000W Max Solar)
- Dimensions: + Output capacity - 19.8 x 9.5 x 12.01 + 2,400W
- Weight: + Dimensions - 50.71 lbs + 20.67 x 9.84 x 15.55 inches
- Price: + Weight - $2,000 + 67.3 pounds +
+ + Price + + + $1,999

@@ -5506,27 +5508,43 @@ -

Why it made the cut: Whether it’s solar or AC power, you can get 80% of a charge in an hour or less.

Why it made the cut: High capacity and fast charging make this long-lasting battery a solid everyday driver.

Plug this 2048Wh battery pack into up to 1,000 watts of solar panels, and you can get an 80 percent charge in just 43 minutes. That’s blisteringly fast compared to other models. Plug the unit into the wall and you’ll go from zero to 80 percent in just 1.1 hours, which is still fairly speedy when it comes to soaking up electricity. That extra time can make a huge difference if you only have limited opportunities to top off your solar generator. We managed to get above 80 percent in just under an hour without perfect sun conditions here in Upstate New York.

In addition to its quick charging skills, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max offers an impressive array of connectivity, including six AC outlets, which is more than many larger models offer. That’s good if you want to run many devices or chargers simultaneously. If you need more capacity, you can add two extra external batteries to give it a total storage of 6Wh.

At 51 pounds, this isn’t the lightest solar generator in its category, but like the other EcoFlow generators, it has chunky handles on top that make it easy to lug around. Everyone in my family could easily get it in and out of the back of our Honda CR-V without issue. It doesn’t have wheels, though, so you will have to actually carry it around or put it on a cart.

Ultimately, this feels like a very high-end device. The fast charging is wonderful. The display is clear and relatively bright (though it could be brighter). And it offers a wide array of connectivity.

Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000

In another instance, it powered our small meat freezer for four hours before the power came back on with some juice still left in the tank. It does what it promises.

+ + + +

Anker also offers a mobile app that connects to the power station via Bluetooth if you want to control it without actually going over and touching it.

+ + + +

Best for car camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus

@@ -5538,9 +5556,9 @@

- +

@@ -5556,7 +5574,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5568,9 +5586,9 @@ Pros

Plenty of ports for phones, drones, and devices
Output packs a punch
Good portability
Very compact
Good capacity and output
Variable-setting camp lamp

@@ -5578,7 +5596,7 @@ Cons

Subpar battery lifespan
Way too small for RV needs

@@ -5592,42 +5610,42 @@ Storage capacity - 2,048Wh + 768Wh

Input capacity - 1,800W + 1,440W

Output capacity - 3,000W + 1,200W (1,600W surge)

Dimensions - 17.6 x 8.9 x 12.8 in + 14.61 x 8.07 x 9.96 in

Weight - 48.5lbs + 24 lbs

Price - $1,299 + $649.99

@@ -5637,19 +5655,19 @@ -

Why it made the cut: If you have an abundance of devices to charge, the DJI Power 2000 offers ports galore and excellent performance to boot.

Why it made the cut: Thanks to its small size, decent specs, fast charging, and innovative lantern, it’s perfect for camping.

If you tend to use a lot of drones, cameras, and other equipment for content creation or whatever reason, it’s not uncommon to run into issues charging everything at once. The DJI Power 2000 offers a solution in the form of four AC, four USB-A, and four USB-C ports, plus a 30A plug, all backed by 3,000W of running wattage, meaning it packs plenty of power for simultaneous charging. Its 2,048Wh capacity will charge a phone over 100 times, a laptop over 15, a drone over 20, or power a photography lighting setup for over two hours. Its compact size and relatively light weight also make it decently portable.

Its only real drawback is the somewhat subpar battery lifespan. Its capacity drops to 80% after 4,000 charging cycles, versus the 6,000 cycles offered by most leading brands. But if your priority is plenty of simultaneous charging power, it delivers.

Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na

Still good for van-living: Goal Zero Yeti 1000

@@ -5661,16 +5679,10 @@

- +

- The Jackery Explorer 300 offers lots of power in a little, easy-to-lug package. + + +

Nick Hilden

@@ -5679,7 +5691,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5691,9 +5703,10 @@ Pros

Cold weather performance and storage
Fast charging
Good output wattage
Highly portable
Incredible durability
Rapid recharge rate
Plenty of plugs

@@ -5701,7 +5714,7 @@ Cons

Sodium chemistry means it’s slightly larger and heavier than its lithium counterparts
Expensive for its size/capacity

@@ -5715,42 +5728,42 @@ Storage capacity - 900Wh + 983Wh

Input capacity - 1,900W + 600W

Output capacity - 1,500W (2,500W surge) + 1,200W (2,400W surge)

Dimensions - 13.4 x 10 x 12.5 in + 9.86 x 15.25 x 10.23 inches

Weight - 35.3 lbs + 31.68 lbs

Price - $1,299 + $1,198.95

@@ -5760,19 +5773,31 @@ -

Why it made the cut: Its innovative sodium battery—the first of its kind—allows the Bluetti Pioneer Na to operate and store at lower temperatures than any other model.

Bluetti has been making some of the best lithium-ion batteries out there, and now they’ve changed the game by releasing the first-ever sodium-ion solar power generator. Typically, power stations operate poorly in cold temperatures, and store in the cold even worse. The Pioneer Na, however, can charge as low as 5 degrees, discharge as low as -13, and store reliably as low as -20. That’s a huge improvement on lithium-ion, which can’t really be used at all below 4 degrees.

At the same time, the performance is good. While the 900Wh capacity isn’t massive, it’s plenty for smaller-scale uses like camping or short-term backup power during an outage. And the 1,500W output is more than enough to power a fridge, TV, and a handful of devices at once. I’m also a big fan of its zippy charging, as it will race from zero to full in as few as 45 minutes. For weathering the cold, there literally is no competition.

Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

+ + + +

For more on the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core, check out our full review.

+ + + +

Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300

@@ -5784,17 +5809,17 @@

- +

Nick Hilden

- - ON SALE NOW @@ -5802,7 +5827,7 @@ - + See It @@ -5814,10 +5839,9 @@ Pros

Affordable
Durable
Portable
Reasonable capacity
One of the largest expansion capacities out there
Huge input/output rates
SolarX accessory is a solar game-changer

@@ -5825,8 +5849,8 @@ Cons

No flashlight
Slower input capacity
Very expensive
Very heavy

@@ -5837,45 +5861,45 @@

- Storage capacity: + Storage capacity - 293Wh + 5,529.6Wh (expandable up to 58KWh)
- Input capacity: + Input capacity - 90W + 1,800W (expandable up to 30KW)
- Output capacity: + Output capacity - 300W (500W surge) + 3,800W (expandable up to 11.5KW)
- Dimensions: + Dimensions - 9.1 x 5.2 x 7.8 in + Inverter 20.67 × 12.87 × 12.6 in / Battery 20.67 x 12.87 x 8.23 in
- Weight: + Weight - 7.1 lbs + Inverter 83.78lbs / Battery 65.4 lbs
Price: - $250 + $3,499

@@ -5885,293 +5909,912 @@ -

Why it made the cut: With its reasonable capacity, compact size, and solid build quality at a low price, the Jackery Explorer 300 is a great budget pick.

- - - -

Though it isn’t quite as impressive as our top picks for best overall and best high-capacity, Jackery’s smaller Explorer 300 solar generator is super compact and lightweight with a decent power capacity for its price. Less a mobile power station than an upscale power bank, the 7-pound Jackery Explorer 300 provides plenty of portable recharges for your devices when you’re camping, on a job site, driving, or just need some power and don’t have convenient access to an outlet. Its modest 293Wh capacity isn’t huge, but it’s enough to provide 31 phone charges, 15 for a camera, 6 for the average drone, 2.5 for a laptop, or a few hours of operation for a minifridge or TV. A built-in flashlight would have upped its camping game somewhat, but at $300 (and often considerably less if you catch it discounted), this highly portable little power station does a lot for a little.

- - - -

We tested this portable power station for several months, and it came in handy numerous times, especially during the winter when power outages abound. At one point, we had it powering two phones, a MacBook, and a small light.

- - - -

The built-in handle makes it very easy to lug around. It feels like carrying a lunchbox. The screen is easy to read, and the whole package seems fairly durable. Our review unit hasn’t taken any dramatic tumbles yet, but it has gotten banged around in car trunks, duffel bags, and other less-than-luxurious accommodations with no issues. If you catch one of these on sale, get it and stick it in a cabinet. You’ll be extremely glad to have it around when the need arises.

- - +

Why it made the cut: Huge expandability, excellent performance, and unsurpassed solar capability make the Bluetti Apex 300 a must for reliable off-grid power.

What to consider before buying the best solar generators

Over the past few years, solar generators have exploded onto the market. There are now dozens of different brands that largely look more or less the same at a glance. The fact is, there are only a few standouts amidst a sea of knockoffs. Here’s what to look for to ensure you’re getting a great one:

How much power can it store?

Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000

A portable solar generator comes in an extremely wide range of sizes, but a generator’s size doesn’t automatically make it capable of storing a lot of power. In fact, most are disappointingly limited and unable to store much more juice than a portable charger.

To properly check a generator’s storage, you must look at its capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). One watt-hour is the equivalent of 1 watt flowing over the course of an hour. The best solar generators offer capacities of several hundred and sometimes several thousand watt-hours. That doesn’t mean, however, that it will provide power for several hundred or several thousand hours. Any generator will ultimately last a different amount of time, depending on what’s plugged into it.

+ + + + + +

+ +

Nick Hilden

+ + + + See It -

It’s easy to predict how long a generator will last when you use it to power one thing. For example, if you were to power a 100-watt bulb using a power station with a capacity of 500 watt-hours, it would stay lit for five continuous hours. Add a portable fridge that requires 50 watts per hour, your phone, which uses 18, a mini-fan that uses three … you get the picture. The more capacity, the better.

+ + +

+ Pros

+ +

ZeroDrain ensures it works when you need it
Excellent capacity
Very compact

+ Cons

+ +

Pricey
Somewhat heavy

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Storage capacity + + + 3,072Wh +
+ + Input capacity + + + 1440W +
+ + Output capacity + + + 3,600W (7,200W surge) +
+ + Dimensions + + + 16.4×12.8×12 in +
+ + Weight + + + 59.52lbs +
+ + Price + + + $2,499 +

Charging capability

Why it made the cut: Great specs and portability, plus Jackery��s ZeroDrain reliability, make the HomePower 3000 a safe bet for outages.

No solar generator will hold a charge forever, so you want one capable of charging as quickly and easily as possible. This is where we put the “renewable” into “renewable energy.”

All of the power stations included in this roundup can be charged by connecting them to solar panels (hence the designation “solar generators”). Still, you also want to look for the ability to charge via other sources like wall outlets and your vehicle’s 12-volt plug. This ensures that you can charge up whether you’re off-grid in the sun, plugged in while preparing at home, or using your dash socket on the go.

You must also monitor a model’s charging input capacity, measured in watts (W). For example, a solar-powered generator with a max input of 100W can take in a continuous flow of up to 100 watts, which is about the minimum that you’ll reasonably want to look for. Most of the generators below have input capacities of at least a few hundred watts when charging via solar, so a few 50- to 200-watt solar panels will max them out.

Fastest charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max

Output capability

+ + + + + +

+ +

Solar generators need to keep the power coming in and going out. The best solar generators can simultaneously charge all your intended devices via whatever plugs are necessary.

- - - -

Any portable power station worth your money will have a high output capacity so you can charge many devices, even if they require a lot of juice. A generator’s maximum output should be much higher than its max input. While a particular model might only be capable of taking in a few hundred watts at any given moment, it will usually put out exponentially more. At a minimum, you’ll want a generator that can put out 300 watts at a time, though you’ll want at least 500 for larger tasks.

- - - -

The best solar generators should also offer a variety of output plugs, including AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and even 12-volt DC outlets like the one in your vehicle dash. This ensures you can charge several devices simultaneously regardless of their plug. The number of ports you’ll need will vary depending on how many devices you need to power, but it should have at least a couple of AC outlets and a few USB-A ports.

- - - -

Portability

- - - -

While portable battery sources have been around for a while now, over the past several decades, they’ve been pretty heavy, unwieldy things. One of the most exciting aspects of the latest generation of solar generators is that they’ve become much more physically compact.

+ + + + See It + + +

+ Pros

+ +

Very fast charging over solar or mains
Relatively compact
Not as heavy as we might have expected
Long-lasting batteries
Scalable by connecting two extra batteries
Advanced temperature management for safety

+ Cons

+ +

Solar panels are pricy
Still heavier than non-LiFePo4 models

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Storage capacity: + + + 2048Wh (expandable to 6,000Wh) +
+ + Output capacity: + + + 3,400W +
+ + Dimensions: + + + 19.8 x 9.5 x 12.01 +
+ + Weight: + + + 50.71 lbs +
+ + Price: + + + $2,000 +

Suppose you plan on taking a generator camping or working it into a van conversion where every square inch matters; well, size and weight become major considerations. All of the products we’ve recommended are about the size of one or two shoeboxes—three at the most. The lightest is about the weight of a 24-pack of soda, while the heaviest is 100 pounds. Most fall somewhere between 30-60 pounds.

Why it made the cut: Whether it’s solar or AC power, you can get 80% of a charge in an hour or less.

If you’re using your generator as a more or less stationary source of backup power at home, portability isn’t a huge issue. Still, we generally recommend keeping weight and size in mind; You never know when you’ll need it for something other than a backup. (Plus, who wants to lug around something heavy and awkward if they don’t have to?)

Another consideration regarding portability involves the necessity for accessories, which can impact how easy it is to move and use your generator. Some generators, for example, require a lot of removable battery packs, which can be a hassle when you’re on the go or packing a vehicle. All of the inclusions on our list require some accessories—you can’t get solar power without connecting cables and solar panels—but they work well with minimal add-ons.

Durability

As with any product you expect to last, durability and all-around quality craftsmanship are essential. This is especially true if you plan on lugging your generator around on camping and road trips. Many subpar power stations are made from cheap components and flimsy plastic that doesn’t feel like it will hold up under the rigors of the road.

Durability isn’t something you can determine by reading a spec sheet off the internet. You’ve actually got to take the generator out, use it a bunch, and see how it holds up. I’ve verified the durability of these recommendations via a combination of my own actual field tests and reviews culled from countless real product owners.

Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000

Related: Best electric generators

+ + + + + +

+ +

FAQs

Nick Hilden

+ + + + See It -

Q: What size solar generator should I get?

It’s easy to underestimate how much capacity you need. A 1,000 watt-hours might sound like a lot, but if you’re going to power a converted van with a portable fridge, lights, and occasional phone and laptop top-off, that 1,000 watt-hours will go faster than you expect. I used a setup like this and know from personal experience that you should always overestimate how much power you’ll need.

A generator with a capacity under 1,000Wh can keep electronics charged. A larger one with 1000-1500Wh should be the minimum for road trips where you’ll need it to last multiple days between full charges. For a house or worksite where you expect to use some serious energy—like a full-sized refrigerator or power tools—you’re going to want to start looking at the biggest possible power stations that can be daisy-chained to external batteries.

If you want to get precise, there is an equation:

1. Estimate how many hours you’ll need to power various devices. For example, if you want to power two light bulbs for 2 hours: you need 4 hours of operation.

2. Add up the total wattage necessary: the two bulbs are 60 watts each, so you need 120 watts.

3. Multiply these together to find the total watt-hours needed: 4 x 120 = 480. So, in this case, you’d need at least a 500Wh solar generator.

That might sound like a lot for two lightbulbs, but remember that, in most situations, you won’t really be powering 60-watt light bulbs for hours on end. You’ll be charging phones and laptops for an hour here or there, cooling a fridge that kicks on and off every once in a while, using power tools in short bursts, and whatnot.

Q: How many years will a solar generator last?

Most modern generators are rated to last upwards of 25 years. The best-designed power stations are pretty sturdy, with few to no moving parts, so they should likely keep kicking for a long time, provided that you care for them properly. I’ve been pretty rough with a few of mine, and they show no signs of stopping.

Q: Can I run my house on solar power only?

Yes and no. While it’s absolutely possible to power your house with solar power, you’re unlikely to do so with a portable solar generator unless you use several at once while limiting your power usage. The largest of our recommendations—the EcoFlow Delta Pro—will come fairly close when bolstered with extra batteries. If the power goes out, you’ll be able to keep your fridge cold and use basic electronics for a couple of days without recharging. With quality solar panels, good sunlight, and smart energy usage, your power should theoretically go uninterrupted.

+ + +

+ Pros

+ +

Plenty of ports for phones, drones, and devices
Output packs a punch
Good portability

+ Cons

+ +

Subpar battery lifespan

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Storage capacity + + + 2,048Wh +
+ + Input capacity + + + 1,800W +
+ + Output capacity + + + 3,000W +
+ + Dimensions + + + 17.6 x 8.9 x 12.8 in +
+ + Weight + + + 48.5lbs +
+ + Price + + + $1,299 +

Final thoughts on the best solar generators

- - - -

Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2
Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus
Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator

Why it made the cut: If you have an abundance of devices to charge, the DJI Power 2000 offers ports galore and excellent performance to boot.

Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus

Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300

Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000

Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na

Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000
Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na

+ + + + + +

+ +

Nick Hilden

+ + + + See It -

Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

+ + +

+ Pros

+ +

Cold weather performance and storage
Fast charging
Good output wattage

+ Cons

+ +

Sodium chemistry means it’s slightly larger and heavier than its lithium counterparts

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Storage capacity + + + 900Wh +
+ + Input capacity + + + 1,900W +
+ + Output capacity + + + 1,500W (2,500W surge) +
+ + Dimensions + + + 13.4 x 10 x 12.5 in +
+ + Weight + + + 35.3 lbs +
+ + Price + + + $1,299 +

We’re living in a “golden age” for portable solar generators. When I was a kid, and my family was playing around with solar gear while camping in the ‘90s, the technology couldn’t charge many devices, so it wasn’t all that practical.

Why it made the cut: Its innovative sodium battery—the first of its kind—allows the Bluetti Pioneer Na to operate and store at lower temperatures than any other model.

By contrast, the solar generators we’ve recommended here are incredibly useful. I’ve relied on them to power my work and day-to-day needs while road-tripping nationwide. They’re also great when the power goes out. When a windstorm cut the power at my house for a couple of days, I was still working, watching my stories, and keeping the lights on.

We haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of the potential offered by portable, reliable, renewable, relatively affordable power. What we can do now is already incredible. The potential for what may come next, though, is truly mind-blowing.

The post The best solar generators for 2026, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Elizabethan era gold coin sold for record-breaking price

Laura Baisas — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:27:01 -0500

A coin minted during the reign of one of Great Britain’s most famous monarchs recently fetched a record price at auction. The officially designated Elizabeth I (1558-1603) gold “Ship” Ryal of 15 Shillings ND (1584-1586) MS63 NGC sold for $372,000 by Heritage Auction in November. The sale set a world record for an Elizabeth Ship Ryal sold at auction.

A ryal was a gold coin typically from Scotland, but is not currently minted in the United Kingdom. One ryal was generally equivalent to 60 shillings and a former silver coin equal to 30 shillings. One of the most well-known ryals in coin history is the Rose Ryal. It was struck originally during the reign of King James I of England (1603–1625), the Stuart monarch who followed Elizabeth I’s reign. The Tower Mint describes the Rose Ryal as “a bold proclamation of power, prestige, and divine right.” Today, a rial is the standard unit of money used in Iran, Oman, and Yemen.

Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

+ + + + + +

+ +

CREDIT: Heritage Auctions.

+ + The Jackery Explorer 300 offers lots of power in a little, easy-to-lug package. +

+ + + ON SALE NOW + + + + + + + + See It + + +

+ Pros

+ +

Affordable
Durable
Portable
Reasonable capacity

+ Cons

+ +

No flashlight
Slower input capacity

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Storage capacity: + + + 293Wh +
+ + Input capacity: + + + 90W +
+ + Output capacity: + + + 300W (500W surge) +
+ + Dimensions: + + + 9.1 x 5.2 x 7.8 in +
+ + Weight: + + + 7.1 lbs +
+ + Price: + + + $250 +

+ -

Only a few of these English Ship ryals were minted between 1584 and 1586 and were typically low grade. Scholars believe that it was made in response to the gold that was captured from the Spanish galleons during English privateer (or a pirate, depending on who you ask) Sir Francis Drake’s days. The designs and symbols on the coin include a likeness of Elizabeth I on a ship, wearing a ruff and gown and holding a scepter and orb. This image of the monarch is believed to represent England’s dominance of the seas at the beginning of American colonization and the eventual defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Why it made the cut: With its reasonable capacity, compact size, and solid build quality at a low price, the Jackery Explorer 300 is a great budget pick.

The coin’s reverse depicts a cross with floral designs at the center, with a rose on a radiant sun, and crowned lions. The Latin text encircling the center images reads, “IHS AVT TRANSIENS PER MEDIV ILLORVM IBAT.” According to the Royal Mint Museum, this inscription was printed on many Tudor half-sovereigns and is a biblical reference to Luke 4:30. It translates to “But Jesus, passing through the midst of them, went His way.”

CREDIT: Heritage Auctions.

“This is an incredible coin from an incredible collection, and it’s only appropriate that it produced a record result,” Heritage’s Managing Director of World & Ancient Coins Kyle Johnson said in a press release. “It is one of the most coveted and eagerly pursued pieces among British numismatics collectors and among the last coins struck in this medieval design style. These types are incredibly rare, one of the greatest numismatic rarities of the Elizabethan era.”

The post Elizabethan era gold coin sold for record-breaking price appeared first on Popular Science.

Supermassive black hole belches 30,000-miles-per-second winds

Laura Baisas — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

A never-before-seen blast from a supermassive black hole was spotted by two sophisticated X-ray space telescopes. This giant black hole about 130 million light-years away from Earth whipped up powerful winds, flinging material out into space at 37,282 miles per second.

This particular supermassive black hole is lurking within the spiral galaxy NGC 3783. Initially, astronomers spotted a bright X-ray flare erupt from the black hole before the flare quickly faded away. The fast winds emerged as it faded, raging about one-fifth of the speed of light.

What to consider before buying the best solar generators

“We’ve not watched a black hole create winds this speedily before,” lead researcher Liyi Gu at Space Research Organisation Netherlands (SRON) said in a statement. “For the first time, we’ve seen how a rapid burst of X-ray light from a black hole immediately triggers ultra-fast winds, with these winds forming in just a single day.”

This unique black hole wind is detailed in a study published today in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

How much power can it store?

To observe NGC 3783 and its black hole, Gu and the team simultaneously used the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton and the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM). XRISM is a mission led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA participation.

This black hole is about as large as 30 million of our suns. As it is gorging on nearby material, the black hole powers a very bright and active region at the heart of NGC 3783. This region, called an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN), shoots out all types of light, and hurls powerful jets and winds out into space.

“AGNs are really fascinating and intense regions, and key targets for both XMM-Newton and XRISM,” added Matteo Guainazzi, ESA XRISM Project Scientist and co-author of the discovery. “The winds around this black hole seem to have been created as the AGN’s tangled magnetic field suddenly ‘untwisted’—similar to the flares that erupt from the Sun, but on a scale almost too big to imagine.”

For space weather enthusiasts, the winds coming from the black hole may resemble large solar eruptions of material called coronal mass ejections. These form as the sun shoots out streams of superheated material out into the cosmos. In this way, the study shows that supermassive black holes will sometimes act like our sun, making these mysterious objects seem a little more familiar. A coronal mass ejection following an intense flare on November 11 had initial winds associated with that event clocked in at 950 miles per second.

Charging capability

“Windy AGNs also play a big role in how their host galaxies evolve over time, and how they form new stars,” added Camille Diez, a team member and ESA Research Fellow. “Because they’re so influential, knowing more about the magnetism of AGNs, and how they whip up winds such as these, is key to understanding the history of galaxies throughout the Universe.”

No solar generator will hold a charge forever, so you want one capable of charging as quickly and easily as possible. This is where we put the “renewable” into “renewable energy.”

The XMM-Newton space telescope first launched in 1999 and has been exploring the hot and extreme universe ever since. XRISM launched in September 2023, with the goal of learning more about how matter and energy move through the cosmos. Both of these X-ray space telescopes worked together on this unique black hole event. XMM-Newton tracked the initial flare’s evolution using its Optical Monitor, and assessed the extent of the winds with the European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC). XRISM spotted the flare and winds using its Resolve instrument, also observing the winds’ speed, structure, and determining how they were launched into space.

“Their discovery stems from successful collaboration, something that’s a core part of all ESA missions,” concluded ESA XMM-Newton Project Scientist Erik Kuulkers. “By zeroing in on an active supermassive black hole, the two telescopes have found something we’ve not seen before: rapid, ultra-fast, flare-triggered winds reminiscent of those that form at the sun. Excitingly, this suggests that solar and high-energy physics may work in surprisingly familiar ways throughout the Universe.”

The post Supermassive black hole belches 30,000-miles-per-second winds appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon dropped Ororo’s heated jackets, vests, and gloves to prices lower than Black Friday

Nick Hilden — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:53:19 -0500

If you’re staring down a few more months of cold commutes, dog walks, or pretending to have fun at an outdoor holiday market that charged you $18 for a hot chocolate , heated layers can make winter feel a lot more survivable. ORORO’s battery-powered vests, jackets, and accessories hide built-in heating elements to warm your core (and even your hands and legs) at the press of a button, and a bunch of their most popular pieces are on sale at Amazon right now.

Whether you want a low-profile heated vest to slip under a coat or a fully insulated jacket with multiple heat zones and dual controls, these discounts cover just about every style. Grab this heated gear now before the temperatures drop even more.

Output capability

Editor’s picks

Solar generators need to keep the power coming in and going out. The best solar generators can simultaneously charge all your intended devices via whatever plugs are necessary.

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ORORO Men’s 5-Zone Dual Control Heated Jacket $189.99 (was $249.99)

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Ororo

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Durability

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Related: Best electric generators

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FAQs

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Q: What size solar generator should I get?

Q: How many years will a solar generator last?

Q: Can I run my house on solar power only?

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Final thoughts on the best solar generators

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Best overall: Bluetti Elite 200v2
Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
Best high-capacity: EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus
Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator
Best for camping: Anker Solix C800 Plus
Best for off-grid living: Bluetti Apex 300
Best for home backup: Jackery HomePower 3000
Best for lots of ports: DJI Power 2000
Best for extreme cold: Bluetti Pioneer Na
Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

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The post The best solar generators for 2026, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Elizabethan era gold coin sold for record-breaking price

Laura Baisas — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:27:01 -0500

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CREDIT: Heritage Auctions.

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CREDIT: Heritage Auctions.

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The post Elizabethan era gold coin sold for record-breaking price appeared first on Popular Science.

Supermassive black hole belches 30,000-miles-per-second winds

Laura Baisas — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 03:00:00 -0500

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This unique black hole wind is detailed in a study published today in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

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The post Supermassive black hole belches 30,000-miles-per-second winds appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon dropped Ororo’s heated jackets, vests, and gloves to prices lower than Black Friday

Margherita Bassi — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:53:19 -0500

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Editor’s picks

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ORORO Men’s 5-Zone Dual Control Heated Jacket $189.99 (was $249.99)

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What is shivering? Why our bodies shake when it’s cold.

Andrew Paul — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

You’re walking down a Chicago street on a blustery winter day, when a particularly strong wind almost whips you off of your feet. Despite your many layers, as well as a wool hat, gloves, and a scarf, you start shivering. Are you simply underdressed, or could this involuntary movement be the sign of something more serious? We talked to a couple of experts to find out the science behind why we shiver.

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Like sneezing and goosebumps, shivering is involuntary. It’s a type of protective, physiological response to keep your body comfortable. According to Dr. Romina Sifuentes Palomino, a family medicine specialist with Keck Medicine of USC, the hypothalamus, which is a part of the brain that regulates bodily functions, can sense even a tiny drop in our body’s internal temperature. The hypothalamus “then triggers rapid muscle activity to help maintain stability.”

Like sneezing and goosebumps, shivering is involuntary. It’s a type of protective, physiological response to keep your body comfortable. According to Dr. Romina Sifuentes, a family medicine specialist with Keck Medicine of USC, the hypothalamus, which is a part of the brain that regulates bodily functions, can sense even a tiny drop in our body’s internal temperature. The hypothalamus “then triggers rapid muscle activity to help maintain stability.”

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When it comes to the temperature at which our bodies start shivering, “it really kind of varies,” says Palomino. Overall, she says, most people will start to shiver when their core temperature drops below a normal body temperature. Normal body temperature varies from person to person, but on average it’s between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to the temperature at which our bodies start shivering, “it really kind of varies,” says Sifuentes. Overall, she says, most people will start to shiver when their core temperature drops below a normal body temperature. Normal body temperature varies from person to person, but on average it’s between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Factors such as age, body fat, medical conditions, and even your ability to acclimate to the cold can also shift that threshold,” says Palomino. For instance, a seven-year-old child might start shivering quickly when she’s cold because her body’s small size is less efficient at regulating temperature.

“Factors such as age, body fat, medical conditions, and even your ability to acclimate to the cold can also shift that threshold,” says Sifuentes. For instance, a seven-year-old child might start shivering quickly when she’s cold because her body’s small size is less efficient at regulating temperature.

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Feelings of anxiety or awe (like when you’re looking out over the Grand Canyon and marveling at its enormity) can cause a person to shiver. It’s also often a sign that you’re sick. “The interesting thing is that the same brain pathways that regulate temperature also respond to stress and illness,” says Palomino. So, for example, a fever-related shiver means that the body is trying to raise its set point—basically its internal thermostat setting—to fight off an infection.”

Feelings of anxiety or awe (like when you’re looking out over the Grand Canyon and marveling at its enormity) can cause a person to shiver. It’s also often a sign that you’re sick. “The interesting thing is that the same brain pathways that regulate temperature also respond to stress and illness,” says Sifuentes. So, for example, a fever-related shiver means that the body is trying to raise its set point—basically its internal thermostat setting—to fight off an infection.”

According to Palomino, when shivering is extreme or persistent despite warming up, especially among older adults, it may be a sign of something more serious. Look for other clues, such as fatigue, body aches, or fever, which can signal a medical issue like an infection.

According to Sifuentes, when shivering is extreme or persistent despite warming up, especially among older adults, it may be a sign of something more serious. Look for other clues, such as fatigue, body aches, or fever, which can signal a medical issue like an infection.

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“In general shivering is protective,” says Palomino, “but it’s really important to understand the context around it. That’s what really matters.”

“In general shivering is protective,” says Sifuentes, “but it’s really important to understand the context around it. That’s what really matters.”

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- Related 3I/ATLAS Stories

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Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers

New NASA images confirm comet 3I/ATLAS is not aliens

Fastest comet ever recorded comes from beyond our solar system

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3I/ATLAS’ impressive speed is also a testament to its age. To attain such a rate, the comet would have required multiple gravitational slingshots as it passed stars, planets, and other galactic objects. Given the universe’s immensity, such events aren’t frequent occurrences. This likely means 3I/ATLAS is billions of years old, possibly forming in some distant corner of the galaxy after breaking off from a proto-planet.

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3I/ATLAS will soon pass by the sun and likely continue its journey out of our solar system. Although its orbital path will eventually take it back towards Earth, it won’t happen for thousands of years. This means that every new look at the comet adds to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

The post Hubble Space Telescope caught a second glimpse of comet 3I/ATLAS appeared first on Popular Science.

Ruby the turtle needs a new greenhouse. Dance companies are stepping up.

Laura Baisas — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Ruby the Burmese roofed turtle (Batagur trivittata) might not be fighting crime like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but this very real turtle is beginning to make her own mark on culture. The critically endangered reptile living at a top secret turtle sanctuary in New Jersey is inspiring professional dance companies to choreograph conservation into their work.

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Burmese roofed turtles are among the most rare turtle species on Earth, and almost went extinct in the early 2000s. Five females and three males were found and placed together to form the first captive assurance colonies for the species. Assurance colonies keep animals at risk of extinction in zoos, aquariums, or semi-wild conditions so that they can one day breed. Ruby is one of those reptiles that the Turtle Conservancy is working to keep alive.

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But conservation costs money. Ruby is the centerpiece of The Ruby Initiative, a photo exhibition presented in the lobby of New York Live Arts ahead of a Dancing For Our Wonderful World. Presented by vildwerk., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and environmental awareness through dance, the upcoming performance features eight newly choreographed dance pieces that fuse the arts with a call to environmental action.

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“Everyone who supports vildwerk. must be an animal and a ballet lover somehow, or climate change activist. It sort of goes hand in hand,” vildwerk. founder and Turtle Conservancy volunteer Chiara Gorodesky tells Popular Science. “It’s a very specific crowd, but it’s a big crowd.”

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A performance of Moss Anthology#5 for Buglisi Dance Theatre. Image: Hisae Aihara.

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The organization includes dancers from major dance companies including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Alvin Ailey, and Martha Graham Dance Company to educate and raise critical funds for animal conservation organizations including the World Wildlife Foundation and Turtle Conservancy.

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“During the creation process, the environmentalists and conservationists speak to the artists, so that they’re really informed of what’s going on in their programs and in the field,” explains Gorodesky. “In the theater, I’d like the audience to be inspired by beautiful dance work, but also then be able to take action from there.”

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Gorodesky, who grew up around tortoises and has been volunteering with the Turtle Conservancy for several years, formed a bond with Ruby when she began helping to clean her tank.

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“Some of these confiscated animals, they come and go, they’re then being placed in other parts of the world,”she explains. “But Ruby is sort of a constant.”

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Photographs of Ruby will appear in the lobby at New York Live Arts ahead of a Dancing For Our Wonderful World, which features eight newly choreographed dance pieces. Image: Samantha Bass.

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The Turtle Conservancy is currently using the arts to help raise $250,000 to build a new greenhouse for Ruby and the other turtles living at the rural New Jersey sanctuary. Ruby lives alongside critically endangered Burmese narrow-headed softshell turtles (Chitra vandijki), Indian spotted turtles (Geoclemys hamiltoni), and Mata Mata Turtles (Chelus fimbriata) from the Amazon. Many of the turtles here were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, while Ruby came from a veterinarian and taxonomist who passed away, leaving her in the care of the conservancy. A bigger space will allow them more elbow room and potentially space to breed.

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“My back porch is sort of a temporary holding. It’s a mess and it’s cramped, but it’s what I have for now,” Turtle Conservancy co-founder Maurice Rodrigues tells Popular Science. “I’m excited to work with wild work with Chiara’s team to raise money to get the greenhouse built. We’ll get these animals more spacious enclosures, and a more naturalistic setting.”

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Chiara Gorodesky poses with Ruby the Burmese roofed turtle. Image: Stephanie Diani.

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According to Gorodesky, the team has raised $65,000 and already has the structure of the greenhouse. However, they still need to fund a “hugely sophisticated pumping system” that will ensure that the temperature is just right for the animals to thrive. Along with amphibians, turtles are among the most threatened groups of vertebrates due to the continued pressures of habitat loss and climate change. Those continued threats help fuel the team taking care of Ruby and her compatriots, preserving their precious DNA and keeping species going.

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While dance may not seem the most natural way to highlight their plight, these reptiles and the way we move do share something crucial.

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“Both dance and turtles have been there from the beginning of mankind. Movement, dancing, cave drawings, music, all these things that fill the soul are essential things,” says Gorodesky. “Turtles have been around always. For millions of years, they’ve been basically unchanged. They’re like fairy tale animals.”

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Fairy tale animals that are in very real danger, but still can be saved.

The post Ruby the turtle needs a new greenhouse. Dance companies are stepping up. appeared first on Popular Science.

A pilot turned an old plane into a two-bedroom apartment

Laura Kiniry — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

When flight instructor and former commercial airline pilot Jon Kotwicki happened upon a DC-6 air freighter for sale in 2022, he knew it was the perfect plane to transform into an overnight rental. However, once he made the purchase, “my first thought,” says Kotwicki, “was, ‘My God, what have I done?’”

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Built in 1956, the 117-foot-wide, 108-foot-long cargo plane had spent its days carrying freight and fuel to remote villages in Alaska before retiring from flight. Now it sits on Kotwicki’s 115-acre property in Big Lake, Alaska, as a two-bedroom, one bath Airbnb unit. It’s also used by students at Kotwicki’s FLY8MA flight school, which he runs onsite.

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Kotwicki says the decision to turn an airplane into accommodations came pretty out of the blue. “I didn’t start off with a ton of construction experience,” says Kotwicki, “so building a runway and cabins for students undergoing training was a steep learning curve for me. Still, the airplane was a totally different kind of ball game. Suddenly I’m working inside of a metal tube that’s round instead of square.”

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Finding the right plane

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It took six months of calling around until Kotwicki finally found a plane available for purchase: a piston-powered DC-6. This type of aircraft is known for its ruggedness and reliability—an ideal fit for Alaska’s extreme and unforgiving environment.

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“There were other opportunities where someone would say, ‘You can have this plane for free—it crashed on a remote island in the Aleutians [an archipelago spread among the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea] 40 years ago and is completely corroded,’” he says. “But this is the first plane offered to us that made any sort of sense.”

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The piston-powered DC-6 aircraft wasn’t in great shape when and former commercial airline pilot Jon Kotwicki purchased it in 2022. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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So Kotwicki and his girlfriend, Stephanie Blanchard, made the five-hour drive north to its location in Fairbanks, then spent four days disassembling the aircraft and loading its parts onto trailers. For the dismantling process, he’d loaded his truck with a good socket set for tightening and untightening nuts and bolts; some DeWalt power tools; a generator and air compressor to power his equipment; and a plasma cutter, reciprocating saws, and grinders for slicing through material.

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How to insulate a plane house

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Once he got the deconstructed plane back to his Big Lake property, Kotwicki had the winter to test out different insulation methods, a crucial aspect in Alaska’s unforgiving environment. First, he spent an enormous number of hours watching YouTube videos pertaining to “Building Science,” the study of how buildings are designed and how their components interact with the environment. For example, how to best control mold, deal with indoor air quality, and handle moisture in -20 degrees Fahrenheit. These were some of his biggest hurdles.

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One of the biggest challenges in converting a plane into a working apartment was figuring out how to insulate the aircraft. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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From there, it was a lot of trial and error. Since fiberglass is fairly inexpensive compared with other materials, he tested this out first, but found that it didn’t seal up tight around the plane’s ribs, which give the wing its curved shape, and rivets, the pin-like fasteners that hold together its many metal parts. In turn, moisture would be able to pass through and condense on the aircraft’s aluminum, eventually creating what Kotwicki calls a corrosive and mold-conductive “rainforest or water” in its walls.

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Ultimately, Kotwicki decided to use a combination of spray foam (which expands to fill cracks and cavities, preventing air leakage), Reflectix (a form of insulation that improves energy efficiency by reflecting radiant heat), and lots of plastic PVC trim to cover up the plane’s curved, aluminum ribs.

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To manage any moisture in the air caused by showering, cooking, and breathing, Kotwicki installed a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system. “It’s basically a really fancy bathroom exhaust fan system that pulls in fresh air from the back of the plane towards the cockpit and then takes any warm, moist air that’s in the aircraft and pushes it back towards the exhaust.”

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The two bedroom, one bathroom apartment still has the plane’s original cockpit. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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Converting a freight carrier into a two bedroom apartment

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With the help of 20 laborers, Kotwicki worked from approximately eight a.m. until midnight daily throughout an entire Alaskan summer to turn his DC-6 into lodging, trying to preserve much of the aircraft’s interior while transforming it into a place where people would want to stay. The six-guest home looks just like a plane from the outside, and sits on a 100-acre private lot with trails for scenic summer walks and cross-country skiing in winter. Guests enter via the structure’s cargo loading door. Its two bedrooms and bathroom are situated in the far back, with the cockpit in front and a kitchen, dining room, and living room in the middle. There’s even an al fresco dining patio on the wing.

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Kotwicki kept the interior’s industrial look by using regular sheet metal on the walls. He also utilized shiplap, a type of wooden planking with overlapped edges that was originally used to create watertight joints on ships. “It works well in a curved space,” he says. For the floors—which are heated—Kotwicki went with Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP), a durable and water-resistant flooring made to mimic the look of wood.

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Original features include the front cockpit area, where both the captain and co-pilot chairs remain intact (along with many of its retro switches and original flight controls). The aircraft’s dome-shaped pressure bulkhead, which was once used to help maintain cabin pressure, serves as the headboard for its master bedroom’s king-size bed. There’s a washer and dryer onboard, and guests can even sip coffee and watch the morning sunrise right from the airplane’s fight deck.

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The completed DC-6 aircraft apartment features heated floors, a king size bed, and an onboard washer and dryer. Video: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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Open for lodging

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Kotwicki opened his vintage airplane house to visitors in August 2022, and it was an instant hit. The accommodation is especially popular throughout summer, when couples and families come to experience what has been called the area’s “most unique lodging” and revel in the midnight sun.

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“Kids just start sprinting up and down between the cockpit and the back, opening up doors and running back and forth,” says Kotwicki. “They’re excited to stay here and just go crazy. It’s pretty cool to watch.” Lodging starts at about $349 per night, not including taxes and fees.

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More planes, more business

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In the years since he first started transforming the DC-6, Kotwicki has become a certified aircraft mechanic and has acquired two more planes that he’s turned into lodging: a DC-9 from Fairbanks and a 727 that FedEx had donated to the local university. “They just weren’t sure what they were gonna do with the 727 in the long term,” says Kotwicki, “so I jokingly said I’d buy it.” In addition to the flight school and overnight stays, FLY8MA also offers scenic flight tours amid the region’s glacier-filled mountain surrounds.

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Kotwicki also converted this yellow DHL DC-9 aircraft into a three bedroom and two bathroom apartment. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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Kotwicki says that building a house out of aluminum in Alaska—a place where the sun beats down from directly overhead 20 hours a day during summer and in winter, negative air temperatures, and endless darkness are par for the course—is the “worst idea that a person could possibly have.” But it hasn’t stopped him from acquiring more aircraft. “I still didn’t know what I was getting into when I brought back the next two,” he says.

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Turning a plane into a motor home

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But rather than building another stationary unit, he’s planning to turn a fourth plane (a C-119) into a motorhome to drive around the lower 48. “The idea is to get an old school bus or motor home and pull the body off of it,” he says. “Then to basically drop the airplane on top of the engine transmission chassis, and connect all the controls in the cockpit so I can drive it down the highway from there.”

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It may be a lofty goal but, for Kotwicki, turning high-flying ideas into reality has become second nature.

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In The Workshop, Popular Science highlights the ingenious, delightful, and often surprising projects people build in their spare time. If you or someone you know is working on a hobbyist project that fits the bill, we’d love to hear about it—fill out this form to tell us more.

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- Related Stories from 'The Workshop'

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Philly’s ‘transit vigilante’ created a real-time bus tracker for his neighbors

Teen turns his suburban home into elaborate haunted house every October

A dedicated son brings Fenway Park to his dad’s backyard

In Vermont, one man is bringing pay phones back to life

Illinois man has spent 40 years rebuilding a WWII-era B-17 bomber

A life-long car lover recreated the Griswold’s famous station wagon

Amateur paleontologist opens fossil museum in rural Minnesota

The post A pilot turned an old plane into a two-bedroom apartment appeared first on Popular Science.

Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat?

Andrew Paul — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Fossils may reveal what type of animal died millions of years ago, but they rarely depict exactly how they perished. Even rarer are the examples that clearly showcase an animal’s exact cause of death. In fact, a 120-million-year-old bird specimen housed at China’s Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature may be the only fossilized remains of its kind.

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“There are thousands of bird fossils at the Shandong Tianyu Museum, but on my last trip to visit their collections, this one really jumped out at me,” Chicago’s Field Museum associate curator of fossil reptiles Jingmai O’Connor said in a statement. “I immediately knew it was a new species.”

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Although its physiology and large teeth resembled a larger bird known as Longipteryx, the mystery avian was only about as large as a present-day sparrow. And then there was also the surprising discovery found while analyzing the fossils under a microscope, as O’Connor described in a study published on December 5 in the journal Palaeontologica Electronica.

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“I noticed that it had this really weird mass of stones in its esophagus, right up against the neck bones,” said O’Connor. “This is really weird, because in all of the fossils that I know of, no one has ever found a mass of stones inside the throat of an animal.”

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An illustration showing Chromeornis in life. Credit: Sunny Dror

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That this ancient bird swallowed stones wasn’t surprising on its own. Multiple species throughout the evolutionary timeline are known gastroliths, meaning they either intentionally or accidentally consume small rocks while they eat. Chickens store tiny stones in their gizzard that help grind the food they ingest. Biologists have also documented similar behavior in crocodiles, ostriches, and even sea lions.

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But was the mystery bird a previously undiscovered gastrolith? To figure that out, O’Connor and colleagues reviewed their work using CT scans of fossils from birds who definitely relied on gizzard stones.

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“We had quantified the average volume of the stones, the number of stones that these other fossil birds had in their gizzards, the size of the gizzard stone mass compared to the total size of the bird,” O’Connor said.

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After examining a wide array of bird fossils, the paleontologists surprisingly uncovered that over 800 small stones in the specimen’s throat weren’t gizzard stones. Some were not even stones at all.

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“They seemed to be more like tiny clay balls,” explained O’Connor. “With these data, we can very clearly say that these stones weren’t swallowed to help the bird crush its food.”

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With one question answered, another immediately arose: If the bird didn’t eat them as gizzard stones, then why did it ingest them at all? Luckily, O’Connor’s team already has a solid theory.

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“When birds are sick, they start doing weird things,” she said.

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They now believe the ill animal started eating stones, then tried to regurgitate them as one large mass. Unfortunately, the mass was simply too big at that point, causing it to get stuck in the bird’s esophagus.

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“Even though we don’t know why this bird ate all those stones, I’m fairly certain that regurgitation of that mass caused it to choke, and that’s what killed that little bird,” said O’Connor.

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After theorizing on the fossilized bird’s cause of death, the paleontologists decided on the new species’ name: Chromeornis funkyi. It might not roll off the tongue, but Chromeornis is still an ode to one of O’Connor’s favorite bands, the techno-funk duo Chromeo.

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“We’ve been doing this for 20 years but this is the first time someone’s called us a dinosaur,” Chromeo said in a statement. “Jokes aside, this is an incredible honor to add to a career full of surprises. We’re glad to bring a little fossil funk to the great science of paleontology.”

The post Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat? appeared first on Popular Science.

The Sans holiday sale drops prices on these editor-approved air purifiers and water purifiers

Stan Horaczek — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:38:29 -0500

If your New Year’s resolution involves breathing cleaner air, drinking cleaner water, or just cutting down on the general funk that builds up in your home and body, Sans air and water purifiers can help. These are high-end devices that don’t typically get discounts, so these holiday sale prices are worth grabbing before they end.

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Featured products

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Sans Air Purifier – HEPA 13 Filter, Activated Carbon and UV-C Light Save $140

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- - The glow lets you know how clean your air is. - -

Sans

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I have been testing this Flagship HEPA filter in my home for the past several weeks and I have been very impressed with how it performs. It’s extremely easy to set up and maintenance. The filter is easy to pull out to clean or replace. It operates nearly silently, even when it’s blowing at high power.

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The simple design fits in well with pretty much any decor and you can fully turn the lights on the display off if you’re using it in a bedroom. That’s a very thoughtful feature. As far as cleaning power goes, this model keeps the air clean throughout my entire house. Even when I had an air fryer mishap and burned some chicken fingers, it took just minutes to pull the burnt smell out of the air.

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This is a high-end model with an extremely simple interface and that’s a good thing.

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Sans Water Purifier – Countertop Reverse Osmosis with UV Save $140

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- - This is one of the best-looking air purifiers around. - -

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This countertop everse-osmosis system offers UV purification that strips out a wide range of contaminants. Systems like this often require full professional installation, but this is a movable device with a relatively small footprint. Setup couldn’t be simpler. Put the pitcher in place, Fill up the tank. Plug in the machine, and it starts purifying.

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I have extremely hard water at my house so I like using this filter for drinking water. But, it’s also great for putting in my clothing steamer and developing film, both of which typically require me to use bottled water if I don’t want sediment deposits.

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Sans Air Mini Purifier Bundle Save $220
A smaller-format air purifier that’s sized for bedrooms, nurseries, home offices, or any smaller space where you still want HEPA-level filtration and odor control.

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Whole-home and multi-room air bundles

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Bundle: The Healthy Home Bundle – Sans Save $470
A multi-piece kit built to overhaul the main living areas in one shot, pairing Sans air purifiers for high-traffic rooms and key spaces that collect dust, dander, and everyday pollutants.
Bundle: The Apartment Essentials Bundle – Sans Save $200
Designed with smaller footprints in mind, this bundle gives apartment dwellers coverage for living rooms, bedrooms, or studio layouts without overkill hardware.
Bundle: The Ultimate Home Bundle – Sans Save $530
The everything-at-once option, combining multiple purifiers to cover large homes or multi-story layouts so you can address bedrooms, common areas, and high-use rooms together.

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Sans Air Mini multi-packs

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Bundle: Two Sans Air Purifier Minis Save $100
A pair of Minis that’s perfect for hitting two bedrooms, or splitting between a bedroom and a home office.
Bundle: Three Sans Air Purifier Minis Save $200
A three-pack that makes it easy to cover kids’ rooms, a nursery, and a primary bedroom without juggling a single unit between spaces.
Bundle: Four Sans Air Purifier Minis Save $300
A four-pack of Minis for whole-apartment or smaller-home coverage—or to outfit multiple rooms at once in a larger house.

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Air + water and hydration bundles

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Bundle: Sans Air + Water Save $290
A straightforward pairing of a Sans air purifier and the countertop water purifier so you can address what you breathe and what you drink in one go.
Bundle: Two Sans Self-Cleaning Water Bottles Save $40
A two-pack of self-cleaning bottles that use built-in tech to help keep your on-the-go water fresher between washes—ideal for commuters, gym-goers, or kids.
Bundle: Sans Water Purifier + Two Self-Cleaning Water Bottles Save $180
Pairs the countertop reverse-osmosis system with two self-cleaning bottles so you can purify at home, then take that cleaner water with you all day.

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Want to see everything in one place? You can also browse the broader bundle lineup here: All Sans bundles

The post The Sans holiday sale drops prices on these editor-approved air purifiers and water purifiers appeared first on Popular Science.

Why using a donkey to treat whooping cough makes sense

Laura Baisas — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:45:00 -0500

Rubbing a black snail on a wart and impailing the creature with a thorn will make the bumps go away. Giving a donkey some bread will treat whooping cough. Mumps can be cured if you rub your head on the back of a pig. They may sound a bit strange now, but folk remedies like these are an important part of human history. Folk treatments can help explain more about everyday life in the past and how belief systems evolve.

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In rural Ireland, using pigs to cure mumps and snails for warts are just some of the hundreds of remedies once believed to be cures. To learn more, a team from Brunel University of London combed through a rare archive of 3,655 folk cures first collected in the 1930s in order to test an anthropological theory: People are more likely to turn to religious or supernatural remedies when the cause of the illness is vague. Their findings are detailed in a study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

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Building a folklore archive

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In 1937, the Irish Folklore Commission began a project to document and collect forgotten Irish lore with the help of some young researchers. Partnering with the Irish Department of Education, the commission asked primary school students to document the folklore in their own communities. About 50,000 schoolchildren were given notebooks and asked to interview their parents, grandparents, and neighbors all about local history, beliefs, and cures.

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“You’ve got kids going and interviewing older people,” Dr. Mícheál de Barra, a study co-author and psychologist said in a statement. “Then these notebooks were brought back and transcribed by the teachers… and they were recently digitized. It’s a real kind of treasure trove.”

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The children ended up collecting stories of folklife spanning 55 topics covering everything from how butter was churned to games to the devastating impacts of the Irish famine and sectarian violence. They wrote down these remedies in both Irish and English and gathered almost three-quarters of a million pages’ worth of documentation.

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A child’s account of various local cures for whooping cough. Image: Brunel University of London.

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‘These weren’t random traditions’

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In this new study, the team focused on 35 diseases. “We wanted to know whether the logic of folk medicine followed psychological patterns and it does,” said de Barra. “The more uncertain or mysterious the illness, the more likely the cure involved magic or religion.”

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They asked two doctors to rate each of these 35 diseases according to how understandable it would have seemed to a common person at the time, in terms of what caused the illness, and what was happening in the body. Obvious cases such as cuts and sprains were marked as certain. Conditions like tuberculosis, warts, or epilepsy were labeled more mysterious.

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“We find that diseases with uncertain causes were about 50% more likely to attract religious or magical treatments,” added study co-author and psychologist Dr. Ayana Willard.

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Infectious diseases including mumps, whooping cough, and scrofula (a neck swelling, often caused by tuberculosis) are more frequently associated with supernatural cures. This could be because illnesses with unclear causes like these do not leave many obvious ways to act or intervene.

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As far as cures, treatments range from religious actions—prayers over bleeding wounds, holy wells, and sacred stones—to more magical methods. One particular remedy instructed parents to place a sick child under a donkey three times and then feed them bread that was first breathed on by the donkey. Another cure claimed that a seventh son could heal anything, as long as a worm had been placed in his infant hand and was held there until it died.

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“These weren’t random traditions,” said de Barra. “They reflected people’s need to understand and influence their health, especially when real answers weren’t available.”

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The need for a solution

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This study builds on earlier anthropology research that found ritual behavior flourished under uncertainty, such as fishermen saying prayers when heading into dangerous seas. In these often frightening situations, the team argues that belief systems fill in gaps when nothing quite explains what is going on around us. While these beliefs are rooted in history and may seem quaint by modern standards, the team feels that they can still apply.

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“It’s pretty unsatisfying just not having a solution of any form,” said de Barra. “When there aren’t particularly good medical solutions, I expect people will keep searching for something that makes sense.”

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In future work, the team hopes to examine the geographic spread of these beliefs using the original school records from the districts that participated in the Irish Folklore Commission’s project to trace how folk medicine traveled, clustered, or faded away.

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“This is such a rich resource and there’s still more to uncover,” said de Barra.

The post Why using a donkey to treat whooping cough makes sense appeared first on Popular Science.

REI is blowing out coats, jackets, and tons more clothing for clearance prices during its winter sale

Stan Horaczek — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:39:14 -0500

You don’t need to be an outdoor enthusiast or weather researcher to appreciate a good winter jacket. Whether you’re waiting for a bus, shoveling the driveway, or doing winter sports, you’ll want to stay warm and dry. Right now, REI is throwing its annual winter sale, which has dropped prices on just about every piece of clothing you could ever want. That includes high-end down jackets and simple base layers. You won’t get another shot at these prices this year, so get them now and stay warm all season.

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Men’s editor’s picks

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REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie – Men's $89.39 (was $149.00)

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REI Co-op

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This is the classic do-everything puffy: light enough to stuff into a daypack, warm enough for frosty dog walks and shoulder-season hikes, and simple enough to wear as an everyday winter jacket around town.

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Patagonia Jackson Glacier Down Parka – Men's $418.83 (was $599.00)

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Patagonia

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This long, insulated parka leans into cold, wet city winters—think slushy sidewalks, long commutes, and nights standing on the sidelines at a game—while still looking clean and streamlined enough to wear to work or out to dinner.

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Men’s down & insulated jackets, parkas & vests

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Men’s $77.39 (was $129.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka – Men’s $137.39 (was $229.00)
REI Co-op 650 Down Vest – Men’s $59.89 (was $99.95)
Rab Valiance Down Jacket – Men’s $311.19 (was $415.00)
REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie – Men’s $89.39 (was $149.00)
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Down Parka – Men’s $418.83–$599.00 (was $599.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Quilted Down Jacket – Men’s $88.93 (was $119.00)
Marmot Guides Down Hoody – Men’s $119.73 (was $275.00)
Helly Hansen Odin Stretch Insulator Jacket 2.0 – Men’s $149.73–$181.73 (was $250.00–$260.00)
The North Face Jacket 2000 Insulated Jacket – Men’s $149.73 (was $200.00)
Arc’teryx Thorium Down Jacket – Men’s $315.09–$360.09 (was $450.00)
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody – Men’s $239.99 (was $320.00)
Helly Hansen Isfjord Insulated Shacket – Men’s $123.73 (was $180.00)
Boulder Gear Voyage Insulated Puffy Jacket – Men’s $69.73–$82.73 (was $100.00–$110.00)
Mountain Hardwear Deloro Down Vest – Men’s $120.73 (was $190.00)
Smartwool Smartloft Hooded Insulated Jacket – Men’s $176.73 (was $295.00)

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Men’s rain jackets & running shells

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Marmot PreCip Eco Pro Rain Jacket – Men’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
Brooks Canopy Jacket – Men’s $94.73 (was $130.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Men’s $94.93 (was $159.00)
Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket – Men’s $269.73 (was $450.00)
Boulder Gear Stratus Rain Jacket – Men’s $52.73–$59.73 (was $70.00–$80.00)
REI Co-op Swiftland Pack Running Anorak $65.93 (was $94.95)

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Men’s fleece, sweaters & flannel midlayers

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Fjallraven Singi Flannel Overshirt – Men’s $112.49 (was $150.00)
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover – Men’s $104.73 (was $139.00)
The North Face TKA Glacier Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $59.73 (was $80.00)
Arc’teryx Delta Pullover Hoody – Men’s $145.73 (was $180.00)
Patagonia Retro Pile Half-Snap Pullover – Men’s $113.73–$139.73 (was $189.00)
KUHL Dillingr Flannel Shirt – Men’s $68.93–$99.00 (was $99.00)
KUHL Ryzer Quarter-Zip Sweater – Men’s $73.93–$99.00 (was $99.00)
The North Face Gordon Lyons Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $89.73 (was $120.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover – Men’s $53.89 (was $89.95)
Fjallraven 1960 Logo Badge Sweater – Men’s $49.83–$100.00 (was $100.00)
Free Country Easywear Flannel Shirt – Men’s $59.73 (was $90.00)
Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Big Grid Hoody – Men’s $82.49 (was $110.00)
Patagonia R1 Pullover – Men’s $73.83–$149.00 (was $149.00)
VISSLA Eco-Zy Long-Sleeve Polar Flannel Shirt – Men’s $56.73 (was $74.95)
Smartwool Sparod Crew Sweater – Men’s $74.73 (was $105.00)
Mountain Hardwear Glacial Trail Pullover Hoody – Men’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
Helly Hansen Maridalen Fleece Pullover – Men’s $82.73–$86.73 (was $120.00)
The North Face Tekware Grid Hybrid Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $97.73 (was $130.00)
Topo Designs Vista Quarter-Zip Lightweight Fleece Pullover – Men’s $48.83–$99.00
Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan – Men’s $146.73 (was $180.00)
Smartwool Intraknit Active Jacket – Men’s $158.73 (was $220.00)
Patagonia Re-Tool Jacket – Men’s $137.73 (was $199.00)
Sherpa Adventure Gear Ranga Button Mock-Neck Sweater – Men’s $83.73–$99.73 (was $140.00)
The North Face Lightrange Sunriser Quarter-Zip – Men’s $59.73 (was $80.00)

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Men’s base layers & thermal bottoms

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REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Men’s $62.89 (was $89.95)
REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Men’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
REI Co-op Lightweight Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top – Men’s $27.93–$39.95 (was $39.95)
Icebreaker 260 Merino Tech Thermal Leggings with Fly – Men’s $93.69 (was $125.00)
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Base Layer Leggings with Fly – Men’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
Icebreaker Merino 260 Tech Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Men’s $93.69 (was $125.00)
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top – Men’s $92.73 (was $130.00)
Free Country Force Grid Fleece Base Layer Top – Men’s $29.73 (was $45.00)
Arc’teryx Rho LT Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s $79.73 (was $100.00)
Helly Hansen LIFA Tech Lite Pullover Hoodie – Men’s $61.73 (was $100.00)

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Men’s performance shirts, sun shirts & running layers

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REI Co-op Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Men’s $23.93–$34.95 (was $34.95)
REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Men’s $29.93 (was $39.95)
Arc’teryx Cormac Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $55.93–$63.93 (was $80.00)
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt – Men’s $35.93–$45.00 (was $45.00)
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic T-Shirt – Men’s $43.93 (was $55.00)
Arc’teryx Cormac Hoody – Men’s $62.93–$71.93 (was $90.00)
NRS Silkweight Baja Sun Shirt – Men’s $56.73 (was $79.95)
REI Co-op Campwell Henley Shirt – Men’s $36.93–$49.95 (was $49.95)
REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt – Men’s $16.83 (was $34.95)
REI Co-op Swiftland Running T-Shirt – Men’s $27.93–$44.95 (was $44.95)
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $51.93 (was $65.00)
Arc’teryx Cormac Logo Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $55.93–$63.93 (was $80.00)
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Vest – Men’s $48.93 (was $69.95)
VISSLA Twisted Long-Sleeve Rashguard – Men’s $26.83 (was $55.00)
Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $37.83–$55.00
Smartwool Active Ultralite T-Shirt – Men’s $48.73 (was $65.00)
REI Co-op Swiftland Grid Running T-Shirt – Men’s $30.93–$49.95

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Men’s pants & everyday bottoms

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REI Co-op Trailmade Pants – Men’s $51.93–$69.95 (was $69.95)
KÜHL Deceptr Pants – Men’s $73.93 (was $99.00)
REI Co-op Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants – Men’s $49.83 (was $99.95)
REI Co-op Campwell Pants – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Vuori Maverick Volley Shorts – Men’s $36.83–$50.93 (was $74.00)
REI Co-op Active Pursuits 6″ Shorts $14.83–$49.95
Patagonia Powder Town Pants – Men’s $186.73 (was $249.00)
The North Face Easy Wind Pants – Men’s $66.73 (was $90.00)
Patagonia Hydropeak Board Shorts – Men’s 18″ Outseam $36.83 (was $75.00)
Roark Alta 5″ Shorts – Men’s $24.83–$85.00

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Socks & accessories

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Icebreaker Ski+ Medium OTC Socks – Men’s $23.73 (was $31.00)
Woolrich Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks – Men’s $17.73 (was $20.00–$22.95)
Icebreaker Multisport Light Mini Socks – Men’s $14.73 (was $19.00)

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Women’s editor’s picks

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Women's $77.39 (was $129.00)

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- - The down makes it warm but super light. - -

REI Co-op

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This is a go-to everyday puffy that punches way above its price, with warm 650-fill down, a clean look for town, and enough packability to live in your daypack all winter.

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Arc'teryx Thorium Down Hoody – Women's $350.09–$400.09 (was $500.00)

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Arc’teryx

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The Thorium is a premium down hoody built for serious cold, combining lofty down with strategic synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas so it stays warm even when conditions get messy.

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Outdoor Research Aspire 3L Jacket – Women's $186.69–$249.00

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Outdoor Research

Why don’t I have to think about breathing?

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This 3-layer waterproof shell is made for truly wet weather, with breathable fabric, pit zips, and a longer cut that works for everything from all-day hikes in the rain to commuting through downpours.

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Women’s down & insulated jackets, parkas & vests

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Women’s $77.39 (was $129.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka – Women’s $137.39 (was $229.00)
Arc’teryx Thorium Down Hoody – Women’s $350.09–$400.09 (was $500.00)
REI Co-op 650 Down Vest – Women’s $59.89 (was $99.95)
REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Jacket – Women’s $113.83–$229.00
The North Face Sequoia Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket – Women’s $262.73 (was $350.00)
Patagonia Lost Canyon Insulated Vest – Women’s $132.73 (was $189.00)
Helly Hansen Verglas Backcountry Jacket – Women’s $239.73 (was $400.00)
REI Co-op Swiftland Insulated Running Jacket – Women’s $69.93–$99.95
Patagonia Re-Tool Hybrid Jacket – Women’s $179.73 (was $299.00)
Columbia Silver Falls II Insulated Jacket – Women’s $75.73 (was $110.00)
Patagonia Corduroy Overshirt Jacket – Women’s $134.73 (was $179.00)
Arc’teryx Allium Insulated Jacket – Women’s $239.73 (was $300.00)
The North Face ThermoBall Eco Insulated Jacket 2.0 – Women’s $172.73 (was $230.00)

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Women’s rain jackets & technical shells

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REI Co-op Activator Soft-Shell Hoodie – Women’s $69.83 (was $169.00)
Outdoor Research Aspire 3L Jacket – Women’s $186.69–$249.00
REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Women’s $94.93 (was $159.00)
Marmot PreCip Eco Pro Rain Jacket – Women’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket – Women’s $374.73 (was $499.00)

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Women’s fleece, hoodies & midlayers

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Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0 – Women’s $77.93–$98.00
Patagonia Glorya Hooded Long-Sleeve Top – Women’s $63.73 (was $85.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover – Women’s $53.89 (was $89.95)
Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Big Grid Hoody – Women’s $82.49 (was $110.00)
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover – Women’s $104.73 (was $139.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Jacket – Women’s $59.89 (was $99.95)
Patagonia R1 Jacket – Women’s $117.93–$169.00
Free Country UltraFill Knit Cowl Neck Top – Women’s $48.73 (was $70.00)
prAna Wooly Bird Fleece Half-Zip Jacket – Women’s $79.73 (was $155.00)
The North Face Osito Lux Jacket – Women’s $51.73 (was $130.00)
REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket – Women’s $49.83–$99.95
Patagonia Re-Tool Hybrid Pullover – Women’s $161.73 (was $269.00)
The North Face Half Dome Pullover Hoodie – Women’s $39.73 (was $55.00)
The North Face Tekware Grid Hybrid Full-Zip Jacket – Women’s $90.73 (was $130.00)
Smartwool Edgewood Mock Neck Sweater – Women’s $74.73 (was $105.00)
Vuori Elevation Track Jacket – Women’s $87.83 (was $148.00)
Helly Hansen Imperial Printed Pile Snap Jacket – Women’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
Royal Robbins Urbanesque Sherpa Fleece Half-Zip Top – Women’s $78.73 (was $105.00)
Marmot Retro Rocklin Half-Zip – Women’s $64.73 (was $90.00)
Mountain Hardwear Glacial Trail Pullover Hoody – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody – Women’s $122.73 (was $150.00)
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody – Women’s $159.73 (was $200.00)
Marmot Leconte Full-Zip Fleece Hoody – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
Patagonia Retro Pile Marsupial Fleece Pullover – Women’s $109.73 (was $149.00)

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Women’s base layers & thermal leggings

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REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Bottoms – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Women’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
tasc Performance Elevation Merino T-Shirt – Women’s $54.73 (was $79.00)
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top – Women’s $96.73 (was $130.00)
Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Half-Zip Top – Women’s $114.73 (was $175.00)
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings – Women’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
Icebreaker 125 ZoneKnit Long-Sleeve Crewe Base Layer Thermal Top – Women’s $93.73 (was $125.00)
Icebreaker 260 ZoneKnit Long-Sleeve Crewe Base Layer Top – Women’s $119.73 (was $165.00)
Kari Traa Edith Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight 2-In-1 Base Layer Hoodie – Women’s $86.73 (was $120.00)
Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Balaclava Hoodie – Women’s $106.73 (was $150.00)
Icebreaker 260 Tech Base Layer Leggings – Women’s $93.69 (was $125.00)

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Women’s performance tops, sun shirts & running layers

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REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt – Women’s $16.83–$34.95
REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Half-Zip Pullover – Women’s $44.83–$89.95
REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Solid Shirt – Women’s $16.83–$69.95
REI Co-op Swiftland High-Low-Hem Long-Sleeve Running T-Shirt – Women’s $21.83 (was $44.95)
Arc’teryx Taema Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt – Women’s $39.83–$63.93 (was $80.00)
The North Face Arroyo Lightweight Flannel Shirt – Women’s $63.73 (was $85.00)
Brooks Notch Thermal Long-Sleeve 2.0 Shirt – Women’s $59.73 (was $90.00)
Patagonia ’73 Skyline Easy-Cut Responsibili-Tee – Women’s $33.73 (was $45.00)
Free Country Microtech Chill V-Neck T-Shirt – Women’s $32.73 (was $50.00)
Icebreaker Merino 125 Cool-Lite Sphere III T-Shirt – Women’s $56.19 (was $75.00)

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Women’s pants, tights & joggers

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Mountain Hardwear Basswood Pull-On Pants – Women’s $58.73 (was $79.00)
Free Country Trail 2 Town Tights – Women’s $39.73 (was $60.00)
REI Co-op Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants – Women’s $49.83 (was $99.95)
REI Co-op Trailmade Tights – Women’s $39.83 (was $79.95)
REI Co-op Campwell Pants – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught in the Midi High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings – Women’s $66.93–$110.00
REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights – Women’s $36.83–$74.95
Free Country Get Out There Joggers – Women’s $49.73 (was $75.00)
Black Diamond Notion Pants – Women’s $69.73 (was $95.00)
prAna Melrose Pants – Women’s $76.73 (was $110.00)
Arc’teryx Gamma Utility 5″ Shorts – Women’s $96.73 (was $120.00)
Vuori Birch Shorts – Women’s $50.93 (was $74.00)
Arc’teryx Gamma Tapered Pants – Women’s $163.73 (was $200.00)
REI Co-op Take Your Time 7/8 Leggings – Women’s $20.83 (was $69.95)
prAna Stretch Zion Halle Shorts – Women’s $46.93 (was $68.00)
FP Movement In The Wild Skort $50.93 (was $68.00)
The North Face Alpine Polartec 100 Pants – Women’s $66.73 (was $90.00)

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Socks, gloves & accessories

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Farm to Feet Pinnacle Light Cushion Socks $14.73 (was $20.00)
Icebreaker Hike Medium Crew Socks – Women’s $17.73 (was $23.00)
Smartwool Outdoor Light Cushion Crew Socks $12.99 (was $22.00)
The North Face Canyonlands Gloves $33.73 (was $45.00)
Brooks Ghost Midweight Socks – 2 Pairs $9.73 (was $20.00)
Icebreaker Ski+ Medium OTC Socks – Women’s $23.73 (was $28.00)
Icebreaker Multisport Light Micro Socks – Women’s $14.73 (was $19.00)
Woolrich Big Woolly Mid-Calf Socks $18.73 (was $25.00)
Icebreaker Hike Cool-Lite 3/4 Crew Socks – Women’s $18.73 (was $23.00)
Smartwool Hike Clear Canyon Pattern Ankle Socks – Women’s $14.73 (was $22.00)
The North Face Etip Indi Gloves – Women’s $27.73 (was $40.00)
Woolrich Lightweight Technical Hiker Socks $14.73 (was $20.00)
Stance Tendencies Crew Socks – Women’s $10.73 (was $19.99)
Stance Icon No-Show Socks – 3 Pairs $9.83
Brooks Run-In No Show Socks – Package of 3 $15.73 (was $22.00)
Smartwool Ski Full Cushion Tie Dye Print Over the Calf Socks – Women’s $22.73 (was $31.00)
Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 240 Headband $17.73 (was $25.00)

The post REI is blowing out coats, jackets, and tons more clothing for clearance prices during its winter sale appeared first on Popular Science.

Robot dog with Elon Musk’s head poops out AI generated art

Mack DeGeurin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:01:11 -0500

Robot dogs are already a bit creepy. But slap on a hyper-realistic image of a tech billionaire’s face and have them literally crap out a piece of AI-generated art and you’re left with something that would make Black Mirror producers shudder.

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That’s exactly what’s on display at Art Basel Miami, one of the world’s most prodigious art fairs. In Regular Animals, the event space is crowded with six flesh-toned robotic dogs, each bearing a detached, photorealistic head of Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, or the installation’s creator, digital artist Beeple. Every few moments, the dogs stop, lean back on their hind legs, and pinch off a Polaroid-like print from their rear ends. A small LED screen on each dog’s back flashes “POOP MODE” while this performance art occurs.

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Beeple's REGULAR ANIMALS debut at Art Basel today
with Elon + Zuck finally in the ring, and Bezos too pic.twitter.com/DsGwg8vj8H
— Steve Jurvetson (@FutureJurvetson) December 3, 2025

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BUCKLE UP pic.twitter.com/SuLwQizLxj
— beeple (@beeple) December 4, 2025

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“What if the act of looking at art were no longer a one-way encounter, but part of a feedback loop in which the artwork observes, learns, and remembers us in return?” Beeple said in an artist statement accompanying the installation.

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Each of the human-dog hybrids has cameras located around its head, continuously capturing photos of the surrounding environment. That data is used (presumably with the help of an AI image generator) to create the prints that the dogs “poop” out. Much like AI-generated slop flooding the internet, these digital creations are voluminous. The New York Post reports that the robots will collectively produce 1,028 prints over the course of the exhibit, 256 of which are verifiable NFTs (non-fungible tokens) that can be listed on cryptocurrency marketplaces. Each image is labeled “Excrement Sample.” Unlike an actual dog’s daily sample, these will likely rack up monetary value over time.

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But while the end products are appropriately crappy, no two photos are exactly alike. The piles of prints each carry an aesthetic that reflects the personality of the human head attached to the dog. The Picasso images appear geometric, while those pushed out of the Zuckerberg dog’s rectum look like a clip from a low-budget Matrix knockoff. More examples of the prints, which Beeple refers to as “memories,” are viewable on the installation website.

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The human-dog hybrids featured at Art Basel Miami. Image: Beeple Studios.

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‘Beyond disturbing’

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Each artist or billionaire inspired robot dog has its own “temperament.” For example, Elon Musk’s is described as a “cognitive blueprint,” while Picasso’s is “proto-cubism.” (Beeple’s dog, for what it’s worth, has a temperament of “dystopic futurism”). Each also has its own speed setting—slow, medium, or fast. Maybe unsurprisingly, the tech billionaires all fall into the fast category.

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This dystopian fever dream is the brain-child of Mike Winkelmann, (aka Beeple) an artist best known for his oddball NFT images created at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He gained mainstream attention in 2021after a collection of 5,000 of his images sold for $69.3 million at Christie’s in its first-ever NFT auction.

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Beyond fueling nightmares, Beeple says the bigger point of this robodog project is to draw attention to how more and more of the observable world consists of benign design, created to fulfill the vision of a select few techno-billionaires. That, he says, contrasts with past eras, when artists played a greater role in shaping reality.

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A robot dog featuring the face of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg is part of an exhibition at Art Basel Miami. Image: Beeple Studios.

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“It used to be that we saw the world interpreted through the eyes of artists, but now Mark Zuckerberg and Elon, in particular, control a huge amount of how we see the world,” Beeple told The New York Post. “We see the world through their eyes because they control these very powerful algorithms that decide what we see.”

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Reactions to the installation, at least so far, seem notably less highbrow. Commentators online have described the event as “terrifying,” “absurd,” and “beyond disturbing.”

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One Instagram user, conversely, said they “want one” referring to the dog-human hybrid. Apparently, they aren’t alone. The Post notes that all of the robots on display have already sold, for $100,000 each. While it’s unclear who the dogs’ new owners are, plenty of deep-pocketed Silicon Valley titans and artists attended Art Basel.

The post Robot dog with Elon Musk’s head poops out AI generated art appeared first on Popular Science.

Pond frogs devour murder hornets, stinger and all

Andrew Paul — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:55:00 -0500

In hindsight, the North American “murder hornet” (Vespa mandarinia) scare of 2020 was probably a bit overblown (not to mention culturally problematic). Of course, you still want to avoid the venomous sting from a northern giant hornet, as they’re now known. According to entomologist Masato Ono, receiving a dose of the insect’s potent, neurotoxic venom felt “like a hot nail being driven into my leg.” And while not necessarily as painful, it’s still best to keep clear of similar yellow hornets like V. analis or V. simillima.

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However, some animals have no fear of a hornet’s stinger. What’s more, certain birds and spiders willingly seek the insects out as meals. Some frog species also have an appetite for hornets.

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“Although stomach-content studies had shown that pond frogs sometimes eat hornets, no experimental work had ever examined how this occurs,” Kobe University ecologist Sugiura Shinji said in a statement.

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The venomous stinger of an northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia). The venom injected by this stinger can cause sharp, intense pain as well as local tissue damage and systemic effects such as destruction of red blood cells and cardiac dysfunction, which may even be fatal. Credit: Shinji Sugiura / Ecosphere

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One of the most pressing mysteries is whether or not these amphibians devour hornets in a way that avoids their stingers, or if they simply tolerate the venom. To fill in this knowledge gap, Suguira and fellow researchers recently offered all three hornet species (V. mandarinia, V. analis, and V. simillima) to hungry black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus). The team only used each frog once, and paired them with the hornet species that corresponded to their size. The largest frogs received a roughly 1.75-inch-long northern giant hornet. They then recorded how the amphibians reacted to their potential snacks.

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The results detailed in the journal Ecosphere were unambiguous. Frogs attacked and consumed V. simillima, V. analis, and V. mandarinia at a respective rate of 93, 87, and 79 percent. They didn’t avoid the stingers, either. In some cases, the frogs were even stung in the mouths and eyes.

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“While a mouse of similar size can die from a single sting, the frogs showed no noticeable harm even after being stung repeatedly,” explained Suigiura. “This extraordinary level of resistance to powerful venom makes the discovery both unique and exciting.”

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Frogs may have evolved to tolerate both the hornet venom and its resulting pain. Credit: Shinji Sugiura, Ecosphere

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Prior studies have indicated there isn’t always a connection between pain and lethality in a venomous insect’s sting. A single sting from a bullet ant (Paraponera clavata), may make you feel like you’re dying, but you’ll most likely survive an encounter with the world’s most notoriously painful insect. Meanwhile, a common bee sting may be enough to kill someone allergic to their venom. Knowing this, Suigiura theorizes that the pond frogs used in his study may have evolved a double tolerance to both the hornet venom’s pain and toxicity.

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“This raises an important question for future work,” he said. “Namely, whether pond frogs have physiological mechanisms such as physical barriers or proteins that block the pain and toxicity of hornet venom, or whether hornet toxins have simply not evolved to be effective in amphibians, which rarely attack hornet colonies.”

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With the confirmation that certain frogs are more than happy to dine on stinging hornets, researchers may soon study the amphibians in the hopes of identifying their mechanisms of venom tolerance. Once better understood, the information could inform new antivenoms, as well as medical treatments tailored towards pain resistance.

The post Pond frogs devour murder hornets, stinger and all appeared first on Popular Science.

Afraid your fish is too fishy? Smart sensors might save your nose

Mack DeGeurin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:03:00 -0500

A new biosensor made out of needles most commonly seen in dermatology clinics and medspas could make the fresh fish “smell test” seem antiquated.

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For as long as humans have eaten fish, we’ve identified rot or spoilage by looking for a handful of physical signs. Cloudy eyes, bruised gills, and the unmistakable “fishy” smell are all signs that a piece of salmon might lead to gastric distress or worse. Though relatively effective, these observable signs take time to develop, time during which the fish may already be decomposing. A far more accurate method involves detecting faint traces of metabolic compounds that appear during the earliest stages of spoilage. While that is possible now, these methods typically require large, controlled laboratory settings.

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Researchers at the American Chemical Society believe their new “microneedle based freshness sensors” device could make that process much more efficient. Detailed this week in the journal ACS Sensors, the team describes a small device made from an array of microneedles that inserts into a dead fish (or fillets) and continuously measures hypoxanthine (HX), a key compound closely associated with spoilage.

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This new sensor determined exactly how fresh a piece of fish was within two minutes. Image:
Khazaei et al., ACS Sensors, 2025.

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In their experiment, the researchers tested fish samples at varying levels of decay and found that the device could deliver a highly accurate freshness reading in under two minutes. They are hopeful the sensor could bring laboratory-level freshness evaluations to more fish markets—and possibly spare some unwilling victims from having to take a whiff of rotting seafood.

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“The ability of the biosensor to monitor HX levels directly in fish samples without extensive pretreatment makes it a valuable tool for assessing fish freshness and quality in real-time,” the researchers write in the paper. “Its portability, fast response time, and ease of use make it ideal for on-site applications in fish markets, processing facilities, and food safety inspections.”

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Scientist poked rancid fish with needles

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The device is a four-by-four, 3D-printed microneedle array coated with gold nanoparticles. These particles carry an enzyme that can break down any HX compound present when they come into contact with fish. The sensors then measure the resulting changes in the manipulated molecules, a process the team says corresponds to levels of freshness. Some of those early indicators of decomposition notably appear before any physical signs are noticeable to the human eye (or nose).

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Several microneedle sensors attached to the fish immediately begin emitting an enzyme that disturbs molecules associated with rot. Image: Khazaei et al., ACS Sensors, 2025.

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In the testing phase, the sensor was inserted into fish samples that had been left at room temperature for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours, the last of which is more than enough time for spoilage to occur. Overall, the researchers observed a, “progressive increase in HX levels over time,” with concentrations rising steadily throughout the entire test period. That consistent uptick mirrors already established results from controlled laboratory studies. At the lower end, the microneedle sensors detected HX concentrations below 500 parts per billion, which is considered “very fresh.” In other words, keeping the sensor in the fish allowed the researchers to pinpoint the moment the sample began to deteriorate.

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‘Smart sensors’ could reshape industrial-scale food safety

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Sensors of various shapes and sizes are becoming common staples in the increasingly industrialized and high-tech world of global food production. Two years ago, engineers at Koç University in Turkey designed a battery free, smartphone controllable sensor device that can be applied directly to the surface of protein-rich meats like beef to remotely monitor their spoilage rates. Meanwhile, over at MIT, researchers developed Velcro-like food sensors (also made with microneedles) designed to attach to plastic food packaging and detect signs of contamination. In this system, the needles were coated with a bioink that changes color when they encounter fluids with pH levels associated with spoilage. For example, the sensors shift from blue to red when they come into contact with E. coli and other harmful bacteria.

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More recently, researchers at the University of Connecticut developed a machine-learning AI model that analyzes data continuously collected from 12 sensors measuring dairy samples and used it to identify patterns associated with the presence of pathogens. In testing, the model was able to detect eight different pathogens and bacteria that cause spoilage in milk in under two hours, with 98 percent accuracy.

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As for the fish sensor, the chemists and engineers developing the device are hopeful it could make a real-world impact in the seafood industry, though it’s not quite ready for commercial use. For now, it is also limited primarily to measuring fish, because the HX spoilage thresholds at the core of its detection method can vary significantly between animal species.

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Until then, it looks like the smell test inevitably remains an unpleasant but necessary fallback for most home cooks.

The post Afraid your fish is too fishy? Smart sensors might save your nose appeared first on Popular Science.

Medieval volcanoes may have ignited the Black Death

Andrew Paul — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

While fleas, rats, and global trade played a major role, no single organism or action allowed the bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) to wreak havoc during the 14th century. Understanding the complex network of preceding events and their consequences is the only way to get a clearer picture of the Black Death’s infamous devastation. Now, researchers say newly analyzed evidence suggests an additional, unexpected reason for the plague’s medieval resurgence.

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Writing in the journal Communications Earth & Environment, a team from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and Germany’s Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) say one or multiple volcanic eruptions around 1345 helped usher in the pandemic that ultimately killed 30 to 50 percent of the population across Africa, Central Asia, and Europe.

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“This is something I’ve wanted to understand for a long time,” Ulf Büntgen, a University of Cambridge geographer and study coauthor, said in a statement. “What were the drivers of the onset and transmission of the Black Death, and how unusual were they? Why did it happen at this exact time and place in European history? It’s such an interesting question, but it’s one no one can answer alone.”

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Close-up of tree ring samples taken from the Pyrenees, showing ‘blue rings.’ Credit: Ulf Büntgen

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Tree rings tell a story

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To investigate these lingering questions, Büntgen’s team collaborated with GWZO medieval climate and epidemiology historian Martin Bausch to collect high-resolution data and documentary evidence from the years before the Black Death’s arrival. Researchers were particularly interested in examining food security systems and famines during that time to better contextualize what they describe as a “perfect storm” for the plague.

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However, the breakthrough came in the form of a comparatively innocuous dataset: centuries’ old trees in Spanish Pyrenees. Each ring in a tree trunk tells the story of a particular year. Many of the rings hinted at unusually cold and wet summers in 1345 to 1347. A single cooler summer isn’t particularly telling, but it’s far rarer to see multiple consecutive summers with similarly cold temperatures.

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Researchers then corroborated these summers to written primary sources, which noted oddly cloudy skies and dark lunar eclipses. Taken together, the written sources and tree rings imply nearby volcanic activity around 1345. This was further supported by documentary evidence of poorer crop yields, weak harvests, and resultant famines. By 1347, the Italian republics of Genoa, Pisa, and Venice began importing grain from the Mongols living near the Sea of Azov.

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“For more than a century, these powerful Italian city states had established long-distance trade routes across the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, allowing them to activate a highly efficient system to prevent starvation,” Bauch explained. “But ultimately, these would inadvertently lead to a far bigger catastrophe.”

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The study’s authors believe that these grain ships arrived with stowaways: plague-infected fleas. Once in Europe, the fleas transferred to rodents and the Black Death began its infamous spread.

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A warning for today

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The effects of the Black Death in Europe famously weren’t uniform. Instead, the plague also tells a story of class, resources, and privilege.

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“In so many European towns and cities you can find some evidence of the Black Death, almost 800 years later…And yet, we could also demonstrate that many Italian cities, even large ones like Milan and Rome, were most probably not affected by the Black Death, apparently because they did not need to import grain after 1345,” said Büntgen. “The climate-famine-grain connection has potential for explaining other plague waves.”

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Büntgen added that while such a unique set of cascading effects may sound like a rare occurrence, the chances may be increasing due to climate change .

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“The probability of zoonotic diseases emerging under climate change and translating into pandemics is likely to increase in a globalised world,” he said. “This is especially relevant given our recent experiences with COVID-19.”

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Faster and more effective sustainability strategies remain crucial to staving off the worst effects of the climate crisis and its effect on health. But by better understanding climate-induced crises of the past, researchers like Büntgen and Bauch are helping plan for the future.

The post Medieval volcanoes may have ignited the Black Death appeared first on Popular Science.

Why we have two nostrils instead of one big hole

Sarah Philip — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:01:00 -0500

If you close one eye or put a finger to your ear, there’s an immediate sense of loss. Two eyes help us see the world while two ears enable us to locate sounds. But there’s not the same dramatic sense of loss if you block one nostril. Unlike the eyes or ears, they’re in almost the exact same position on our face. So why don’t we just have a large hole like the mouth? Why do we have two nostrils?

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It turns out that each nostril behaves differently to the other nostril throughout the day. This is known as the nasal cycle, and it plays a vital role in our overall health. At a certain point, one nostril takes in air more rapidly. Later the dominant nostril shifts. Throughout the day, which nostril is dominant keeps swapping. This alternating airflow seems to help us breathe and smell more effectively.

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How our nostrils take turns breathing

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We’re wired to breathe through our nose. Mouth breathing is only really required when we need more air during exercise or respiratory distress, or when the nose is blocked. Unlike the mouth, the nose does more than just draw air into and out of the lungs. One of its core functions is to prepare the air for the lungs, something the mouth cannot do. The nose filters out dust and pollutants, warms the air to body temperature, and adds the right amount of moisture so that the air is at 100 percent humidity before it gets to the lungs. Without this process, the air would be colder and drier, which irritates and constricts the airways and can lead to inflammation.

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Having two nostrils helps the nose cope with this demanding task of preparing air for the lungs. “The fact that we have two nostrils is not unusual, as we have two eyes and two ears,” says Ronald Eccles, an emeritus professor at Cardiff University who founded its Common Cold Centre. “What is unusual is that the nostrils alternate airflow from one side to the other. This may allow one side of the nose to rest.”

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Breathing through your nose is better for you than breathing through your mouth. Video: Why you should breathe through your nose with James Nestor / BBC Maestro

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Studies have shown that at no point do both nostrils draw in the same amount of air. Every few hours one side of the nose is more open and handles most of the airflow while the other processes less air, enabling it to recover moisture.

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How each nostril smells differently

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Smell is closely linked to breathing. As we breathe, odor molecules enter the nostrils, dissolve into the mucus lining and bind to neurons that send signals to the brain. Thanks to the nasal cycle, air flows into the nostrils at different speeds and so each nostril handles odors differently.

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When we breathe, one nostril is more closed than the other and so has a slower rate of airflow. That slower flow of air means that there’s more time for slowly-absorbing chemicals to dissolve into the mucus lining. Experiments suggest that people smell slowly absorbed chemicals more strongly through a resting, or more closed, nostril.

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However, the more closed nostril is not as good at detecting quickly-dissolving odor chemicals. Meanwhile, the more open nostril’s faster airflow means that quickly-dissolving chemicals can reach more of the smell-detecting tissue in your nose and send more signals to the brain. So basically each nostril smells slightly differently.

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“It’s not one blunt odor that’s hitting you,” says Thomas Hummel, the head of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Smell and Taste at Dresden University of Technology.

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“You perceive chemicals differently because they are absorbing differently.” This usually happens without our conscious awareness. The alternating airflow ensures that each nostril gives the brain different inputs. The brain then combines these inputs together to get more information and a richer sense of smell.

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Two nostrils improve our ability to locate smell

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The distance between our two nostrils is not as large as the distance between the eyes or ears. But having two nostrils can still help us locate smells. “The brain is good at using even small inputs,” says Matthew Grubb, a professor of neuroscience at King’s College London, who focuses on the olfactory system. “There’s pretty good evidence that one of the things nervous systems can do is to use information from the two nostrils to figure out where a smell is coming from.”

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- Related Ask Us Anything Stories

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Is crossing your eyes really bad for you? We asked an optometrist.

Why smelling a pine tree can instantly lift your mood

Why does food by the campfire taste better?

Is sleeping outside good for you? Science has a clear answer.

The science behind the smell of rain

Why are some cities worse for allergies than others?

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In one experiment, scientists asked blindfolded participants to sniff out a 33-foot chocolate trail through grass. Participants wore a device that fits onto the nose and mixed odors from the outside world so that there was no difference in what each nostril smells. This made participants slower and less accurate at locating and tracking the chocolate scent than when they didn’t wear the device.

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Two nostrils might give us an advantage against colds

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Two nostrils could even bring other benefits besides breathing and smell: They may help us fight viral infections. When you have a cold, one nostril is a lot more congested while the other manages most of the breathing. Having a severely blocked nostril causes the temperature of the nasal passage to increase. This may repel cold viruses since viruses don’t reproduce well at high temperatures.

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Having two nostrils is far from redundant. We might not notice the nasal cycle, but it’s still a key part of the way the nose functions. The nostrils work together to enhance the way we breathe and smell. So next time you take a deep breath or smell a delicious pie, don’t take your two nostrils for granted.

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In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

The post Why we have two nostrils instead of one big hole appeared first on Popular Science.

Goodbye, finger pricks? Diabetes patients could monitor glucose with lightwaves.

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:26:00 -0500

A new, noninvasive blood-glucose monitoring system may allow people with diabetes to finally ditch their painful finger pricks and under the skin sensors. Although the current iteration is comparatively bulky, MIT scientists writing in the journal Analytical Chemistry say they are well on their way to scaling down their invention. In time, their light-based approach could even fit on a device the size of a watch.

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Diabetes management requires a person to regularly monitor their glucose levels. For decades, this almost always required multiple, daily finger pinpricks to obtain blood samples. While wearable glucose monitors have risen in popularity in recent years, they still have their own issues. These types of wearables provide constant analysis via interstitial fluid, but only after inserting a sensor wire under the skin. Even then, wearers must replace their sensors every 10 to 15 days, and they still frequently cause irritation.

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“Nobody wants to prick their finger every day, multiple times a day,” MIT research scientist and study co-author Jeon Woong Kang said in a statement, adding that this issue goes beyond someone’s pain tolerance. “Naturally, many diabetic patients are under-testing their blood glucose levels, which can cause serious complications.”

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An illustration of what an early version of the commercial device may look like. Credit: Christine Daniloff, MIT

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For this new way to monitor blood sugar without the pinpricks, Kang and colleagues are building on research stretching back over 15 years. Biomedical engineers at MIT Laser Biomedical Research Center (LBRC) medical engineers first demonstrated they could noninvasively calculate glucose levels in 2010 using Raman spectroscopy, a technique that uses light particles to examine and identify molecules. In this instance, scientists used a device that shined near-infrared and visible light on organic tissues. They then compared the resultant Raman wave signals bouncing off skin cells’ interstitial fluid to reference glucose levels. While accurate, the method wasn’t practical for daily use.

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The possibility of harnessing Raman signals became much more viable after researchers designed a workaround to their problem. In 2020, the LBRC announced that they could pinpoint glucose signals by simultaneously firing Raman signals at tissue while also shining near-infrared light from a different angle. This approach filtered out the signals from unrelated skin molecules, allowing engineers to locate and monitor glucose information.

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Although the original Raman glucose monitor was about the size of a printer, they have since shrunk the overall device down to the proportions of a shoebox. To do this, they identified only the Raman bands that are needed to measure glucose in the blood.

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“By refraining from acquiring the whole spectrum, which has a lot of redundant information, we go down to three bands selected from about 1,000,” explained researcher and study co-author Arianna Bresci. “With this new approach, we can change the components commonly used in Raman-based devices, and save space, time and cost.”

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Each measurement scan takes slightly more than 30 seconds to complete. The device also shows an accuracy comparable to two commercially available, wearable glucose monitors.

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“If we can make a noninvasive glucose monitor with high accuracy, then almost everyone with diabetes will benefit from this new technology,” said Kang.

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As they continue scaling down their Raman glucose scanner, researchers will also focus on additional clinical and larger study tests to ensure the technology’s feasibility, as well as its ability to scan across all skin tones.

The post Goodbye, finger pricks? Diabetes patients could monitor glucose with lightwaves. appeared first on Popular Science.

Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:15:40 -0500

As comet 3I/ATLAS continues its exciting journey through our solar system, scientists are still learning everything they can about this special space rock. It is only the third interstellar object ever tracked through our solar system and is among the fastest comets ever observed.

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As the 3I/ATLAS nears its closest distance to Earth, an international team of astronomers now says the space rock may be covered in active, icy cryovolcanoes. If true, the evidence detailed in their pre-print study may force researchers to reconsider how comets form–not only in deep space, but our own solar system.

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What is 3I/ATLAS?

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Astronomers first detected the 3I/ATLAS in July and the comet has gripped global attention ever since. Since then, researchers around the world have aimed their telescopes and sensitive equipment arrays at it as the comet continues its 130,000 mile-per-hour journey through our stellar neighborhood. 3I/ATLAS offers us a never-before-seen glimpse at ancient, deep space comets. What’s more, the icy rock has never passed close enough to a star to be altered by its heat and radiation. This essentially makes it an untouched cosmic artifact dating back billions of years.

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Apart from being the fastest comet ever observed (and also assuredly not an alien spacecraft), 3I/ATLAS also appears to display some unexpected surface activity. After monitoring the visitor for months, astronomers recorded a “sharp and lasting surge” in brightness as it reached around 2.5 astronomical units from the sun (roughly 185.9 million miles). The sustained level of brightness captured by their analysis indicates that 3I/ATLAS didn’t withstand a sudden explosion, but what appears to be an eruption across the comet’s entire water-ice surface layer.

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Comet cryovolcanoes

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They argue the most likely explanation for this brightness is cryovolcanism. Although volcanism on Earth is traditionally associated with scorching lava and fiery eruptions, cryovolcanism essentially operates similarly, but with the opposite materials. During cryovolcanism, liquid and vaporous water as well as other materials are ejected from inside a cosmic body. Astronomers have seen this type of behavior on moons like Jupiter’s Europa and Saturn’s Enceladus, but if confirmed, it represents a rarely seen event on comets.

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The cryovolcanism on 3I/ATLAS is even more unique given the object’s origins. While eruptions are usually more acute, 3I/ATLAS lacks the protective, dusty mantle seen in our solar system’s comets. This would explain why its entire surface erupted in such a noticeable way.

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Further examination of light reflected from the comet surface revealed that 3I/ATLAS likely resembles a rare type of meteorite called a carbonaceous chondrite. A carbonaceous chondrite is one of the universe’s oldest meteorites, and is heavy in metals such as nickel and iron. This composition could explain the comet’s cryovolcanism.

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The study is still awaiting peer review, but its authors theorize that as 3I/ATLAS warmed and its surface ice began to melt, liquid corroded microscopic metal grains inside the rock. This would subsequently release more energy and gases like carbon dioxide, causing the frigid eruption.

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Challenging the standard model

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If true, 3I/ATLAS contradicts the standard model of comet formation. Instead of a more uniform amalgamation of rock, ice, and low amounts of metal, comets may begin their lives under a much more diverse set of circumstances.

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“Interstellar visitors like 3I/ATLAS continue to challenge and refine our understanding of planetary-system formation and the chemical evolution of small bodies,” the study’s authors wrote, adding that, “each newly discovered object reveals unexpected properties that test and expand current models.”

The post Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers appeared first on Popular Science.

Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health

Laura Baisas — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

It’s old news that having a dog provides a lot of benefits. Playing with a pooch can help our brains concentrate and relax, a family dog can help prevent food allergies in children, and even fulfill our primal need to nurture. They also may have some sway over some of the tiniest organisms around—the microbes that live in our bodies. A study published December 3 in the journal iScience found that the family dog prompts changes in our gut microbiome that result in better mental health.

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“Raising dogs has beneficial effects, especially for adolescents, and these effects may be mediated through symbiosis with microorganisms,” Dr. Takefumi Kikusui, a study co-author and animal behaviorist at Azabu University in Japan, said in a statement.

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Living inside of all of our intestines is a bevy of bustling natural bacteria and other microorganisms working together called the gut microbiome. Most of these microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship with us, meaning we both benefit from the relationship. Our bodies provide food and shelter, while they help out bodies in return. The gut microbiome helps our bodies digest important nutrients, train our immune system, and can even stimulate the production of important neurotransmitters in our brains. Importantly, these organisms also help to keep potentially harmful microorganisms in check.

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Some studies have found that dogs also have important differences in their gut microbiomes, including greater microbial diversity. Kikusui’s team previously found that young people have a dog from a young age and then continue to have dogs later in life have better levels of social support and companionship.

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A middle-school boy and his dog, relaxing together after settling a friendly sofa showdown. He’s been raised with dogs from day one, and the dog by his side is the family’s second dog. And to him, having a four-pawed brother feels just as natural as having a human one. Image: Ai Tsujimura.

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For this new study, the team explored if some of the beneficial effects that dogs have on adolescent mental health might also be tied to these differences in the microbiome.

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“Adolescent children who keep dogs exhibit higher mental well-being, and we also found that dog ownership alters the gut microbiota,” said Kikusui. “Since the gut microbiota influences behavior through the gut-brain axis, we conducted this experiment.”

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Initially, they found that a person’s dog-owning status at age 13 could predict their future mental health and behavioral scores. Adolescents with a dog at home reported fewer social problems than those without a dog.

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The team then collected saliva microbiome samples from 247 non-dog owning and 96 dog-owning adolescents. After sequencing the microbes, they saw similar species diversity and richness between the both groups of teens. However, the composition of the microbiome composition was different in dog owners. According to the team, this means that having a dog in the house might shift the abundances of some mouth bacteria—potentially bacteria that might correlate with the adolescents’ psychological scores.

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To test that psychological hypothesis, the team treated laboratory mice with the microbiota found in dog-owning teens to see whether and how it affected their social behavior. The mice with this new microbiome spent more time sniffing the other mice in their cages. These animals also showed a more social approach toward a trapped cage-mate—a behavior test that is often used to test prosocial behavior in mice.

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“The most interesting finding from this study is that bacteria promoting prosociality, or empathy, were discovered in the microbiomes of adolescent children who keep dogs,” Kikusui said. “The implication is that the benefits of dog ownership include providing a sense of security through interaction, but I believe it also holds value in its potential to alter the symbiotic microbial community.”

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According to the team, more research is needed to weed out how other variables affect the adolescent microbiome. For example, poverty can negatively affect the gut microbiome diversity, as it can lead to malnutrition and make accessing regular healthcare difficult.

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Still, these results suggest that a family dog can change the microbiome in ways that support prosocial behavior, empathy, and mental health in general. We can thank the tens of thousands of years of human-canine coexistence for this very special relationship inside and out.

The post Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health appeared first on Popular Science.

Escaped lab monkey finds new home at New Jersey animal sanctuary

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:36:29 -0500

A rhesus macaque who spent a week on the lam in Mississippi in late October is finally settling into a new home over 990 miles from the original site of his escape. Popcorn Park Animal Refuge in Forked River, New Jersey, is now caring for Forrest, a young monkey from the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Covington, Louisiana.

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“The secret is out!” Popcorn Park posted to social media on December 2.

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Forrest’s stressful saga began on October 28, 2025, when a transport truck crashed along Interstate 65 while carrying 21 monkeys from the Tulane Primate Research Center destined for a Florida biomedical research facility. Although initial reports suggested the animals were carrying hepatitis C, herpes and COVID-19, Tulane later clarified that none of the monkeys were infectious. Regardless, rhesus macaques can grow as large as 40 pounds and are often aggressive towards humans. Nearby residents were advised to stay as far away from the monkeys as possible.

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Forrest is healthy and recovering from a small injury to his nose. Credit: Popcorn Park Animal Refuge

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While eight of the 21 macaques escaped their enclosures during the collision’s aftermath, authorities located and euthanized all of them except for a monkey initially designated “NI 62” within hours. NI 62 proceeded to spend about a week on the loose in southeast Mississippi before being located and safely recovered. Now named Forrest, the monkey has spent the weeks since his recapture recovering from a small wound sustained on the bridge of his nose during the ordeal.

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“Because he had spent so much time outside of the facility, he could not return to the research program,” Popcorn Park explained in their announcement. “That’s when our team stepped in to offer him lifelong sanctuary.”

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In addition to acclimating to his new surroundings, refuge officials wrote that Forrest has discovered he enjoys grapes and has started vocalizing, “a good sign that he is becoming more comfortable and confident in his new surroundings.”

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Aside from grapes, Forrest reportedly is also a fan of peanuts.

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“He will come over and take those peanuts from us very nicely,” Popcorn Park executive director Cory Scott told NJ.com.

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The Mississippi rhesus macaque escape was reminiscent of a similar situation last year. In November 2024, 43 monkeys managed to flee a biomedical animal housing facility in South Carolina nicknamed the “Monkey Farm.” In that instance, all escapees were eventually recaptured.

The post Escaped lab monkey finds new home at New Jersey animal sanctuary appeared first on Popular Science.

Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows

Popular Science Team — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

What’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci’s hit podcast. -The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.

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FACT: Vintage anti-vaxxers thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows

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By Rachel Feltman

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In this week’s episode of The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week, I explore the origins of the first anti-vaccine movement. Edward Jenner was able to formulate a makeshift smallpox vaccine all the way back in 1798, but even back then, people weren’t very normal about it. Skeptics spread alarming propaganda, claiming the medicine (which did protect many people from falling dangerously ill) would turn children into cow-like demon creatures and make them very sick.

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It’s quite a heartening parallel to the anti-vaxxers we see even still today. Tune in to hear the full story, which includes some hilarious political cartoons and the complex legacy of vaccine skepticism.

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FACT: This bat ate a meal on the go

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By Sara Kiley Watson

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Bats are some of the strangest and most interesting creatures that fly and roost across the planet. Most of them spend a decent chunk of time nibbling on beetles, moths, mosquitoes, and the like. In the past, scientists thought this was the case for the greater noctule bat, a rare tree-dwelling creature with a wingspan of 16–18 inches that lives all across the European continent from the Iberian Peninsula to the Bosporus region of Turkey. But recently, scientists in Spain got a gruesome reminder that nature doesn’t play by our rules. In this case, our understanding of an on-the-go meal is pretty tame compared to what one greater noctule bat got up to while flying at some 4,000 feet up in the air. This hungry little creature snagged a snack in the form of a small robin, chewed on it for a whopping 23 minutes while still moving through the night sky, and thanks to a tiny backpack of sound equipment, scientists (and you, if you dare) can listen to the whole thing.

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FACT: Horror movie fans are actually some of the most empathetic people you’ll meet

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By Coltan Scrivner

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If you had to take a guess, would you think horror enthusiasts would be more or less empathetic? The research might surprise you.

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While early studies and meta analyses pointed to a link between horror fandom and low empathy, a deeper look shows that horror enthusiasts actually score higher in cognitive empathy and compassion. Horror movies, at their core, explore vulnerability and fear. If viewers can empathize with characters facing terrifying situations, they’re bound to find the films more scary, and ultimately enjoy them more. Additionally, many horror fans experience higher anxiety levels but seek out these films to confront and overcome their fears in a safe environment. Check out this week’s full episode to get the full deep dive into the brain of the horror genre enthusiast!

The post Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows appeared first on Popular Science.

What happens to your body during a panic attack?

Julia Daye — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

It happens all at once—your heartbeat becomes a jackhammer, your body closes in on you like a corset. The dizziness, shortness of breath, and catastrophic thoughts are so formidable, you think you might be dying, even though you’re in perfect health.

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Up to one third of people experience at least one panic attack in their lifetimes. At its core, a panic attack is an overreaction of the body’s normal response to perceived danger. Sometimes the cause is obvious—like a real threat or a big change—but other times, it seems to appear out of the blue.

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“This is our fight-flight-freeze response,” clinical psychologist Dr. Reid Wilson, author of Don’t Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks, tells Popular Science. “Your body and mind are trying to protect you as a reaction to [a] perceived threat.”

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What happens in your body when you panic

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When we perceive an external threat through our five senses, the senses’ ambassador in the brain—the thalamus—fires off a message. This message is sent deep inside the brain to the amygdala, a tiny bundle of nerves that serves as our chief arbiter of curiosity and avoidance. The amygdala interprets that message and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus, the command center for involuntary bodily functions, like breathing. The hypothalamus then sends a chemical S.O.S. to the adrenals, prompting them to dump cortisol and adrenaline into the bloodstream.

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When we perceive a threat, our senses first alert our thalamus, our senses ambassador in the brain. The thalamus then relays the message to the amygdala, which controls our flight-fight-freeze response. Lastly, the amygdala warns the hypothalamus in charge of unconscious bodily functions, like breathing. Image: DepositPhotos

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“This continues as a cascade of changes throughout the body,” Wilson says. We’ve switched to an automatic part of ourselves. “The conscious mind is not in control.” If a lion is charging you and milliseconds are the difference between life and death, there’s no time to weigh options. Your body makes decisions for you.

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Your pupils dilate. Your breathing and heart rate increase. Your mind hyperfocuses. Your blood re-routes to de-prioritize less essential areas like fingers and toes.

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For a long time, this outside-trigger fear chain was thought to be applicable to all panic, with the amygdala seen as the engine of all fear. But recently, researchers like clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Justin Feinstein, Director of the Float Research Collective in Maui, have found that the amygdala’s behavior is actually context-dependent. According to Feinstein, fear triggered by bodily sensations, like suffocation, is another cause of panic attacks. This could account for panic attacks that seem to start “out of the blue.”

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How holding your breath can trigger panic

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Have you ever had a busy day and suddenly notice that you haven’t taken a deep breath in awhile? In some instances, the amygdala is doing the opposite of kindling fear—instead, trying to quell fear, and in doing so, inhibits breathing.

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This phenomenon is called amygdala-driven apnea, where people hold their breath without even realizing it, provoking an avalanche of panic symptoms as their bodies try to protect them from suffocation. “The amygdala could cause your breathing to completely stop and you will have no awareness that it has stopped,” Feinstein tells Popular Science.

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This reaction is part of the freeze response. Evolution gave humans the ability to unknowingly hold our breath when we need to focus on survival. Think about it: If you’re an ancient primate about to get eaten by a predator and you’re trying to hide by playing dead, what would give you away immediately? That pesky breathing thing.

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But what happens when you’re holding your breath in multiple mini-crises throughout the day, like when you’re late for a meeting, then stuck in traffic, then you open your email and there are 80 urgent messages that need your attention? While none of these alone are inducing an attack, these bouts of apnea add up.

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“Different types of triggers are setting [a person’s] amygdala off throughout the day, and at the same time, causing their breathing to stop, their CO₂ to go up, and then their chemoreceptive system to be all out of balance,” Feinstein says. “The chemoreceptive system is a key part of panic attacks.”

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Chemoreceptors are sensory cells that detect changes in the composition of your blood and send information to your brain to keep your cardiovascular and respiratory systems balanced. Think of them as tiny pH meters. An uptick in CO₂ from inadvertently holding your breath throughout the day could be enough to prompt the chemoreceptors to send an alarm to the brain, inducing a panic attack.

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How to deal with panic

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While it may be a good idea to drink less caffeine, exercise, and sleep at night, most of the recommended strategies for panic aren’t related to lifestyle, but to retraining your thoughts.

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Mindfulness can make a big difference. Feinstein recommends paying more attention to your breathing. “One of the most important things we could all do is learn how to be better, conscious breathers. We breathe so unconsciously throughout the day and night, having no awareness at all whether our breathing has stopped. You don’t want CO₂ levels too high, you don’t want CO₂ levels too low. Both could create big problems, and both could create anxiety. You want the CO₂ to be right in the middle of where the chemoreceptors are calibrated.”

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- Related Ask Us Anything Stories

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Above all, don’t change your life to avoid panic attacks. The greatest danger for people who experience regular panic is agoraphobia, experts say. Panic disorder with agoraphobia is a condition that people can actually unwittingly give themselves if they try to manage their panic by avoiding situations they think might trigger them. It’s easy to blame your circumstances when you feel panic, but this can cause people to shrink their world.

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Both Feinstein and Wilson have seen this countless times. “Your brain is trying to attribute these operations of fear to things in the environment. And this is where panic disorder actually becomes extremely, extremely debilitating,” says Feinstein. If you have a panic attack while driving to a friend’s house, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t see that friend anymore.

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That’s why what you tell yourself in moments of stress is another major piece of the puzzle. Anger at yourself for feeling anxious only makes it worse. The goal here isn’t to “prevent all future attacks,” but instead to grow your confidence in stressful situations.

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“Acceptance of physical sensations during panicky times is a therapeutic intervention,” Wilson says. “Develop a willingness to experience the symptoms instead of avoiding them.” This may sound simplistic, but there’s science behind this strategy.

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“We want to train your neurology,” he says. “The tendency to resist symptoms of panic is, of course, automatic. But we add a new conscious message. Your brain needs to experience you purposely and voluntarily greeting and accepting the symptoms.” You can do this by doing the things that make you nervous, while simultaneously swapping out the self-talk happening in your mind.

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“The stance of ‘I can’t handle this’ encourages anxiety and avoidance,” Wilson says. “Arriving at a stance of ‘I don’t like it, but I can handle it’ is your best disposition.”

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The post What happens to your body during a panic attack? appeared first on Popular Science.

A long lost silver dollar may be worth $5 million

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:53:00 -0500

One of the country’s rarest coins is slightly rarer than even expert coin collectors believed. After the surprise discovery of a long-lost 1804 dollar (aka the “King of American Coins”), the rarity’s total known count now stands at 16. Regardless of its ranking, the silver coin is expected to fetch significantly more than its original worth when it hits the auction block on December 9.

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This 1804 dollar isn’t only famous for its rarity, but its history. According to auctioneers at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, the story begins with former President Andrew Jackson. In 1834, his administration solicited sets of these dollar coins to give as gifts to various heads of state around the world. But since it had been around 30 years since the United States Mint produced any new silver dollars, the Department of Treasury simply made a new die cast for another small run of coins dated 1804.

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However, there was one problem. Officials at the time weren’t aware that 1804 coins didn’t technically exist. Instead, the original “1804 dollars” were actually made using the prior year’s die cast. This meant that any coins minted in 1804 still featured 1803 on their front side. Thanks to the oversight, the diplomatic gifts technically became the only silver dollars ever made to feature the year of 1804. Numismatists (or coin experts) soon tried their best to obtain the originals from recipients including the King of Siam in present-day Thailand, as well as the Sultan of Muscat in what is now Oman. No one ultimately managed to convince the world leaders.

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To fulfill the collectors’ requests, the US government subsequently struck an additional, small set of off-the-books 1804 dollars for direct sale. Various historical inaccuracies spun out of the confusing mint mistake and multiple books have since been dedicated solely to the coin’s story. Until recently, experts knew of only eight examples minted around 1834, as well as another seven that likely date to the 1860s or 1870s. Since the first resale of an 1804 dollar in 1867, the coin has routinely ranked as the most valuable currency ever sold at auction. In 2021, the aforementioned Sultan of Muscat coin ultimately bid for $7.68 million.

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So, where did the 16th example come from? After the death of a New York collector named James Stack in 1951 (no relation to the auction firm), his coins passed into the hands of his heirs. For whatever reason, knowledge of its existence has remained hidden until only recently. Stack’s Bowers, who oversaw the last 1804 dollar auction, will bring the historical piece to bid next week.Given that it somewhat lessens the coin’s overall rarity, it’s likely to sell for less than the 2021 example–somewhere between $3 and $5 million.

The post A long lost silver dollar may be worth $5 million appeared first on Popular Science.

How to tell time on Mars

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:21:00 -0500

Tracking the first astronauts’ visit to Mars won’t be as simple as watching a clock or marking days off of a calendar. Thanks to relativity, time actually moves faster on the Red Planet than it does here on Earth. For years, scientists have wondered about the exact temporal difference between planets, but physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finally have an answer. Their calculations published on December 1 in The Astronomical Journal not only answer a longtime question, but help advance humanity’s future beyond Earth while also improving our understanding of physics itself.

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It’s all relative

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For all intents and purposes, humans on Earth experience time uniformly. One hour in Omaha, Nebraska, is essentially the same as spending an hour in Shanghai, China. But as Einstein famously demonstrated in his theory of general relativity, linear time directly relates to the strength of gravity. It’s why travelers on a theoretical roundtrip to a black hole would return home to find themselves far younger than their own children.

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Earth’s gravity is significantly weaker than the gravity of a black hole, but physicists now possess tools sensitive enough to detect the miniscule differences around the planet. Someone living at the top of Mount Everest will ultimately age faster than someone at sea level, even if it’s only a matter of microseconds. But these effects aren’t solely hypothetical. At around 12,544 miles above Earth, GPS satellites run 45.7 microseconds faster than terrestrial clocks—an important lag to consider while maintaining telecommunication systems.

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A four-body problem

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While the gravity on Mars is around five times weaker than on Earth, that’s not the only factor contributing to the passage of time on our cosmic neighbor. Its velocity velocity and the masses of nearby planets also need to be taken into consideration. And while a Martian day is 40 minutes longer than Earth’s, its 687-day eccentric orbit around the sun is particularly tricky for calculations. It’s especially difficult compared to measuring the largely stable orbital velocity relations between the Earth, the moon, and the sun—an example of what’s known as the three-body problem.

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“A three-body problem is extremely complicated. Now we’re dealing with four: the sun, Earth, the moon and Mars. The heavy lifting is more challenging than I initially thought,” NIST physicist and study co-author Bijunath Patla confessed in a statement.

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To reach a solution, Patla and NIST physicist Neil Ashby started by choosing a reference point on the Martian surface similar to sea level at Earth’s equator. They then factored in all of the cosmic influences on Mars into their calculations, and eventually arrived at an exact answer: Time on the Red Planet moves 477 microseconds faster than it does on Earth. That’s about a thousandth of the time it takes to blink your eyes.

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Tiny numbers, major consequences

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While immensely small by most standards, these delays can add up. For example, in order for 5G networks to function properly, they must maintain an accuracy down to one-tenth of a microsecond. Today, it often takes over 24 minutes to send or receive communications with a Martian visitor like NASA’s Curiosity rover. In the future, established network relays could dramatically reduce this lag between the millions of miles separating astronauts and mission control.

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“If you get synchronization, it will be almost like real-time communication without any loss of information. You don’t have to wait to see what happens,” said Patla.

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Patla concedes that it’s likely decades before humans will be regularly visiting Mars, but that won’t delay other advancements thanks to their work.NIST even released a plan for lunar timekeeping just last year. These newer Martian calculations may help improve the nascent system, as well as develop similar methods for other planets or moons.

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“The passage of time is fundamental to the theory of relativity: how you realize it, how you calculate it, and what influences it,” said Patla. “This is the closest we have been to realizing the science fiction vision of expanding across the solar system.”

The post How to tell time on Mars appeared first on Popular Science.

Quieter dental drills may be on the horizon

Laura Baisas — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:20:00 -0500

If the thought of going to the dentist makes your teeth chatter with fear, you’re not alone. At least 15 to 20 percent of adults are believed to have odontophobia—aka dental anxiety—which prevents them from maintaining regular cleanings and dental check-ups.

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One of the biggest sources of this anxiety comes from the high-pitched, eardrum-piercing sound of a dental drill used to cut into the teeth.

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“I repeatedly saw patients—including my own child—become anxious or uncomfortable with the sound of the dental drill,” Dr. Tomomi Yamada, a dentist and professor at the University of Osaka in Japan, tells Popular Science. “At some point, I realized that someone needed to take this problem seriously.”

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Today, Yamada is presenting new research on how to reduce the noise in dental tools at the Sixth Joint Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and Acoustical Society of Japan, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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“Because this challenge involves both human psychology and the mechanics of the device, I knew it could not be solved by dentistry alone,” she says.

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To better understand the aerodynamics of the drill, Yamada and her collaborators from the University of Osaka, Kobe University, and National Cheng Kung University used Japan’s main supercomputer to conduct large-scale aeroacoustics simulations. They studied the internal and external airflow of the dental drill, which is powered by compressed air and rotates at roughly 320,000 revolutions per minute.

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Using these computer simulations, the team visualized how air moves through and around the drill to create that signature unpleasant noise. They analyzed the airflow and also the sound pressure inside and outside the dental drill to pinpoint exactly where the noise is generated.

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“The most surprising part was being able to visualize the ultra-fast airflow inside the dental drill, Yamada says. “Inside the turbine, the compressed air can reach speeds of about 135 meters per second―roughly Mach 0.4 [about 306 miles per hour].”

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The simulations revealed that just making the drill quieter is not enough to make that sound less piercing. The sound quality must also be improved. To address this, the team is working on optimizing the blade geometry and exhaust port of the drill to minimize the noise, while maintaining its performance.

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A dental drill being used in a patient’s mouth. Image: Tomomi Yamada.

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Additionally, Yamada and the team wanted to ensure that their research is “human-centered,” and takes the patient experience into consideration. They tested the psychological effects of the dental drill’s high-pitched sounds. Younger listeners have different reactions to the drill, perceiving its sounds as louder and more unpleasant.

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“If a child says the dental drill ‘hurts’ or ‘sounds scary,’ it’s not just their imagination,” Yamada says. “Children truly hear and perceive high-frequency sounds differently from adults—often louder and more unpleasant.”

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The team’s next steps involve working with dental tool manufacturers to create working prototypes for testing. According to Yamada, completely eliminating the sound would not work for safety reasons, since the sound of the drill itself signals to patients that the instrument is active and helps them stay still.

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They also plan to explore creating a more pleasant sound design that feels more calming and reassuring for patients.

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“Although many challenges remain, we are committed to improving the sound environment in dental care,” Yamada concludes. “Creating a more comfortable sound environment may encourage people to receive regular dental care, helping them maintain oral health and ultimately contributing to overall well-being and healthy longevity.”

The post Quieter dental drills may be on the horizon appeared first on Popular Science.

Sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to save their colony

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Ants are some of nature’s most selfless animals. They practice social distancing when ill, consistently act for the good of the colony, and will die to protect their queen from outsiders. This evolutionary drive is so strong that at least one ant species will even willingly sacrifice themselves before they leave their cocoons. The evidence, documented in a study published on December 2 in the journal Nature Communications, highlights a particular form of ant altruism.

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While a single ant is a comparatively simple creature, things quickly grow more complex as you increase the total number of insects. An ant colony is one of the best examples of a superorganism—a population whose individuals function solely to serve the greater population. Some ant colonies reach upwards of 500,000 ants. In this sense, the colony operates as a form of collective intelligence similar to the various cells in the human body.

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Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) recently witnessed a new example of ant superorganism behavior. After introducing Lasius neglectus ants to the fungal pathogen Metarhizium brunneum, the team monitored the insects as individuals and in group scenarios. Even before hatching from their cocoons, infected worker pupae exposed to the fungus began releasing a modified chemical body odor that informed nearby adult ants to kill them. What’s more, the subtle signalling only occurred when adult worker ants were close to the pupae.

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When the young insects were not exposed to the pathogen, they didn’t emit the same chemical. This suggests the signal isn’t an unavoidable side effect of their immunoresponse system.

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“By warning the colony of their deadly infection, terminally ill ants help the colony remain healthy and produce daughter colonies, which indirectly pass on the signaler’s genes to the next generation,” Erika Dawson, an animal behavioralist at ISTA and study co-author, said in a statement.

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Additionally, this type of chemical warning must be incredibly precise in order to keep innocent bystander ants from dying. After analyzing the odor’s chemical composition, Dawson and colleagues found that the scent is tailored to the emergency at hand.

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“The scent cannot simply diffuse through the nest chamber but must be directly associated with the diseased pupa,” explained Thomas Schmitt, a study co-author and a chemical ecologist at Germany’s University of Würzburg. “Accordingly, the signal does not consist of volatile compounds but instead is made up of non-volatile compounds on the pupal body surface.”

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This signal didn’t apply to every type of ant, however. Queen pupae possess stronger immune defenses than their workers, which often allows them to limit the spread of their fungal infection. During lab observations, researchers didn’t document examples of any queens-to-be emitting the same warning signals.

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“This precise coordination between the individual and colony level is what makes this altruistic disease signaling so effective,” added ISTA ecologist and study co-author Sylvia Cremer.

The post Sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to save their colony appeared first on Popular Science.

The Canon T7 DSLR camera is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon for a limited time

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:44:49 -0500

Smartphone cameras are amazing, but if you’re truly passionate about taking pictures, they can’t replace the feel of a dedicated camera. The Canon T7 is a fantastic entry-level DSLR camera and it’s cheaper than I have ever seen it right now at Amazon in the post-Cyber Monday glow. The interchangeable lens system makes it a great option for people who want to learn and grow with their camera.

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Canon T7 DSLR with 18-55mm kit lens $329 (was $579)

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This is a DSLR, which means it accepts Canon’s massive lineup of EF-series and EF-S series autofocus lenses. You get full manual control over all of the functions as well as fully automatic modes so beginners can grow as they improve their skills. The 24.1-megapixel resolution is a sweet spot. It’s plenty of resolution, even for large prints, but the files are still manageable for editing and you can get a ton of pictures on a single card.

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The included 18-55mm lens is a great starting point and travel lens. It offers a full range of focal lengths, so you can zoom from a true wide-angle field of view to a telephoto setup that’s great for portraits.

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If you or someone you know is getting into photography, then this is a fantastic kit that makes a wonderful gift.

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Here are the camera’s specs in case you’re a nerd like me.

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Category	Spec
Camera type	Digital APS-C DSLR with built-in flash
Sensor	24.1MP APS-C CMOS (22.3 × 14.9mm), 3:2 aspect ratio
Image processor	DIGIC 4+
Max image size	6000 × 4000 pixels
Lens mount	Canon EF / EF-S; kit lens: EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (approx. 28.8–88mm equivalent)
ISO range	100–6400 (expandable to 12800)
Autofocus	9-point phase-detection AF system, center cross-type point
Continuous shooting	Up to 3 fps
Shutter speed range	1/4000–30 sec, Bulb; flash sync at 1/200 sec
Viewfinder	Optical pentamirror, approx. 95% coverage, 0.80× magnification
Rear LCD	3.0-inch fixed TFT, approx. 920k dots, non-touch
Video	Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps; HD 720p up to 60 fps; MOV format
Storage media	SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), NFC, USB 2.0, mini-HDMI (Type C)
Flash	Built-in pop-up flash with E-TTL II support; hot shoe for external Speedlite
Battery	LP-E10 rechargeable Li-ion; approx. 500 shots per charge (CIPA, viewfinder use)
Dimensions (W × H × D)	Approx. 129.0 × 101.3 × 77.6 mm
Weight	Approx. 475 g with battery and card; 427 g body only

The post The Canon T7 DSLR camera is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon for a limited time appeared first on Popular Science.

What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains.

Laura Baisas — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Understanding the weather forecast can sometimes feel like reading tea leaves. Do I need a heavier coat? Should we move our plans inside because of rain? Will it be safe to drive?

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With at least nine types of precipitation and constantly changing dynamics in the atmosphere, predicting the chance of precipitation can be a particular challenge for both civilians and meteorologists alike. But it’s not impossible.

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What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean?

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Precipitation is simply when water falls down to Earth’s surface as part of the natural water cycle. Precipitation can take several forms, including rain, snow, ice, and sleet and is forecast using satellite data and mathematical formulas.

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When it comes to looking at the chance of precipitation in the forecast, it helps to first understand what chance of precipitation isn’t, says meteorologist Cyrena Arnold.

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“If it says 30 percent, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to rain for 30 percent of the area,” Arnold tells Popular Science. “It also doesn’t have an indication of how heavy the rain will be. It’s not like 30 percent necessarily means light rain and 100 percent is heavy rain.”

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There are several different types of forecasting models meteorologists use to predict weather, including the Global Forecast System (GFS), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and more regional models including North American Mesoscale (NAM). They all use satellite data and mathematical formulas to track weather fronts and predict when and where precipitation might occur. Seeing a 30 percent chance of precipitation in your weather app means if meteorologists run the same weather forecasting model 10 times with some slightly different variables, precipitation will show up in three out of the 10 model runs.

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“You also do have to remember that if it says, there’s a 30 percent chance of rain, that means there’s a 70 percent chance that it won’t,” Arnold explains.

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The chance of precipitation also doesn’t predict how long the rain will last, how much will fall, or how intense it will be. For example, the forecast could say that there is a 100 percent chance of precipitation, but that could mean it will be in a squall line thunderstorm where it rains incredibly hard for only 15 minutes in a given area, or a steady drizzle that lasts all day.

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“A percentage has absolutely zero indication of how long that rain is going to last, how severe is that rain,” says Arnold.

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What is a heat dome?

What is dew point? A meteorologist explains that sticky air.

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Does the type of precipitation impact the forecast?

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Generally speaking, all forms of precipitation start out as snow because our atmosphere is so much colder than the ground.

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“It doesn’t matter if it’s summer in New York City [rain] is starting [as] snow,” says Arnold.

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Regardless of how high or low a cloud is, clouds are always colder than the ground temperature. “If your cloud bases are at 10,000 feet, the temperature will drop 50 degrees. So, if it’s 80 [degrees Fahrenheit] down here, it’s 30 up there.”

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Those variations in atmospheric temperature make forecasting rain easier than forecasting sleet, freezing rain, or, in some cases, snow.

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“If it’s cold up there and it’s cold down here, we know that it’s going to be snow,” says Arnold. “Where things get really interesting is in this middle area when you look at sleet and freezing rain.”

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Sleet occurs when snowflakes partially melt as they fall through a shallow layer of warm air. Those slushy drops refreeze as they go through a deep layer of freezing air above the surface, and will eventually reach the ground as frozen rain drops that bounce.

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Image: National Weather Service.

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By comparison, freezing rain does not fall as an icy pellet, and freezes upon impact with a surface. It begins as snow, but when the water drop falls through a warmer and more shallow pocket of air, it melts and changes it from a solid to a liquid. The water drop will then expand and freeze if it hits a deeper and colder air pocket and if the ground’s temperature is below freezing. The result is an icy layer that is dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and snow shovelers alike.

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Forecasting these icy weather events “is incredibly difficult and incredibly nuanced, especially the freezing rain,” Arnold says.

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With all of that interaction between warm air, cold air, deeper air pockets, and shallow air pockets, the freezing rain forecast can change on a dime.

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“If you have one of these variables move slightly by a couple degrees, you have a completely different situation. It’s just a very volatile forecast,” says Arnold.

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Trying to predict freezing rain is especially important since this kind of precipitation can be very dangerous, bringing down tree limbs, power lines, and increasing car accidents. Even a 0.01 inch of freezing rain and ice is enough for walking and driving to be unsafe.

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“Sleet isn’t so bad because it’s not as catastrophic, and you just need a deeper pool of cold air at the surface to allow that drop to to be snowflake, melt into a water drop, and then freeze again,” says Arnold. “If it’s a deep cold, it will freeze again and fall with a little ice pellet.”

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When is the weather forecast most accurate?

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While we all would love to know exactly what the weather is going to be during our beach vacation, those 10-day forecasts are not always the best to follow. The closer you are to the timeframe, the better the information.

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Arnold explains that one way to understand forecasting is to imagine that you are driving down a long dirt road that stretches for miles. You then notice a swirl of dust, so you know that there is something on the road, but don’t know if it’s a car, a truck, a horse, or something else entirely.

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“As it gets closer, the picture gets clearer and clearer. You see that it’s blue, which you didn’t know before,” says Arnold. “As it gets closer, you can see if it’s a car or truck and eventually you can see the make and model of the vehicle.”

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Unfortunately, there is no perfect threshold for knowing when the forecast will be the most accurate. The best guidance is that the closer we get, the better we know what the weather will look like.

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What meteorologists do know farther in advance are temperature patterns. “There are very good forecasts one to two weeks out that help us understand if temperatures are going to be above or below normal,” says Arnold. “We’re very good at that.”

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And remember, meteorology is very difficult. It combines extremely high-level math and physics that most of us can’t even compute with constantly shifting variables. So please be nice to your local meteorologist.

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The post What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains. appeared first on Popular Science.

Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:01:00 -0500

At roughly the length of a small school bus, anacondas are famously some of the world’s largest snakes. Now fossil evidence proves that these enormous reptiles are also glimpses of an ancient world. According to a study published on December 1st in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, anacondas reached their maximum length around 12.4 million years ago—and have remained giants ever since.

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Some of today’s largest animal species are puny compared to their Middle-to-Upper-Miocene megafauna ancestors. South America’s black caiman crocodile (Melanosuchus niger) grew up to 21 feet long, but about 16 million years ago, its Purussaurus genus relatives averaged a length of around 34 feet. Meanwhile, the freshwater turtles of the Stupendemys genus from nine million years ago featured over 10-foot-wide shells.

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A number of factors contributed to the Miocene growth spurt, such as warmer and wetter climates as well as plenty of food to support large animals. But while evolution often eventually favored (relatively) smaller species, one group of snakes has stayed the same for millions of years.

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“Other species like giant crocodiles and giant turtles have gone extinct since the Miocene, probably due to cooling global temperatures and shrinking habitats,” University of Cambridge zoologist and study co-author Andrés Alfonso-Rojas said in a statement. “But the giant anacondas have survived–they are super-resilient.”

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Anacondas can sometimes reach up to 30 feet in length and thrive in semi-aquatic environments like the Amazon region’s marshes, large rivers, and swamps. But while the rainforest basin encompasses around 2.7 million square miles today, essentially all of northern South America featured similar habitats that allowed the snakes to flourish.

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Anacondas can have more than 300 vertebrae in their backbones, and measurements of the size of individual fossilised vertebrae can provide a reliable indication of how long a snake was. Credit: Jorge Carrillo-Briceño

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Knowing this, Alfonso-Rojas and colleagues examined 183 fossilized anaconda vertebrae from at least 32 different snakes collected in Venezuela. Combined with additional fossil data gathered across South America, the team determined Miocene anacondas routinely reached 13 to 16.5 feet long. This is virtually identical to adult anacondas of the present-day Eunectes genus. Prior to the new study, paleontologists weren’t entirely sure when in Earth’s history that the snakes first reached their imposing sizes.

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The team also uncoiled an unexpected twist in the snake’s evolutionary trajectory. Basically, anacondas have always been the megafauna they are today.

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“This is a surprising result because we expected to find the ancient anacondas were seven or eight meters [22.9 or 26.2 feet],” said Alfonso-Rojas. “But we don’t have any evidence of a larger snake from the Miocene when global temperatures were warmer.”

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Anacondas have remained apex predators for over 12 million years and aren’t considered endangered, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily safe. Tropical rainforests may still support their size, but climate change and deforestation pose major threats. Without conservation efforts, the megafauna may finally meet their match in the near future.

The post Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years appeared first on Popular Science.

2025 holiday gifts guide: 20+ editor-approved presents for the hikers on your list

Tony Ware — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:15:00 -0500

I enjoy being outdoors. But not like Norwegians do. I’ve made it a pastime, while they’ve made it a philosophy: friluftsliv, or “open-air living.” Given the opportunity to visit Norway in June, however, I was open to deeply appreciating their deep appreciation of nature. Oslo eased my big city brain in with cute cafes and sculpture gardens. So by the time I got to Bergen, an even more compact harbour city folded into the landscape, I was ready. Mentally prepared to be physically challenged. Heading into the fjords, I embraced various conditions and a heritage of technical workwear and recreational fabrics to make the following reliable recommendations for anyone getting or gifting day-hike essentials for 2026.

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Months later, in September, I accepted another invitation to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where town and mountains are separated by minutes, not miles. On the one hand, you have folks like the Fine Dining Restaurant Group dialing in locally sourced comfort at spots such as Bin22. And down the street, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar casts its glow on antler arches as you pull up a saddle and sip Jackson-based Wild Common tequila or a pour of Wyoming Whiskey. While just across the Snake River (which you can, and I did, raft), lift lines and trailheads branch out, the Great Teton mountain range beckons, and a good layering system is put to the test from walking off a carb load to navigating the wilderness. Against this backdrop, as well as outings in my own backyard and a rendezvous with retailers in New York, I tried out the following selections and suggestions. The goal was to confirm the quality of these giftable garments that make the outdoors more accessible.

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Helly Hansen Men's Cascade HELLY TECH® Waterproof Mid Cut Hiking Boots

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On a stair-stepped trail above Bruvik, the Cascade Mid HT feels less like a boot and more like a friendly sherpa. These kicks (shown on my actual feet at the top of this post) quietly handle the slick, sloping bits so I can focus on the views. The HELLY TECH waterproof membrane and PFC-free Durable Water Repellency lets me slosh through streams (and later North Sea drizzle) with dry feet intact, but without turning my socks into a sauna. The firm-but-forgiving Power-Stride midsole keeps my feet in an all-day comfort zone, while the stabilizing frame and beefed-up Pro-Guard toe cap quietly handle the stubbed-rock scenarios. And the silhouette doesn’t scream total “thru-hiker,” so I feel comfortable wandering city cobblestones (almost as ankle-threatening as a talus slope). But they’re still shoes that could age into hut-to-hut companions.

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Helly Hansen Men's Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator 2.0

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This is the kind of (mid)layer that feels just as at home on a wet wander along the waterfront to a Bergen coffee shop as it does scrambling between boulders. On those moody, misty climbs above the fjords, the Odin Stretch Hood Insulator 2.0’s PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation feels like a politely warm hug, stuffing a lot of warmth into a low-profile package that fits underneath a shell on wind-whipped ridges. The stretchy, breathable nylon ripstop shell (featuring PFC-free DWR treatment and available in multiple colorways) moves cleanly under a backpack or over a T-shirt, so it can be a commuter jacket on the tram or accompany you into the clouds.

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Helly Hansen Men's Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell Jacket

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If you’re going to name a shell after the nine realms, it should be able to hold up when the weather goes full Ragnarök. While I haven’t had to endure any mythology-level drama in my jacket (yet), the 3-layer HELLY TECH Professional construction with its PFC-free DWR, fortress of a helmet-ready hood, and drop-tail hem laughed at some horizontal rain along the ferry docks. And it comes equipped with big pit zips and a built-in RECCO reflector if the adventure gets more epic (and the summit more remote). Developed with the insight of professional mountain guides, it’s got plenty of pack-friendly toggles and pockets, plus a waterproofness range of +20000 mmH2O. This combination (available in multiple colorways, not just ALERT RED!) makes it a four-season forcefield ready for some bushwhacking.

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Helly Hansen Men's Brono Softshell Pants

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A hike won’t go well if you’re not comfortable in both the gusts and the gusset, so I appreciated the four-way stretch and articulated knees of the Brono Softshell Pant on every inch of the rooty, rocky fjord trails. Light and comfortable 90% Polyamide, 10% Elastane fabric, with a PFC-free water-repellant, wind-resistant face to shrug off light spray, the Brono could transition from occasional awkward creek crossing to puddles in a crosswalk on the way to a post-hike dinner. And there are boot hooks on the front leg hem for longer route choices.

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This is me …

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Paka Hoodie

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Back across the Atlantic, over in Teton Village, Wyoming, a PAKA hoodie makes me feel like a local, with a laid-back, quietly technical vibe that doesn’t scream total Jerry. Woven in Peru by artisans who literally sign your garment’s Inca ID, this piece leans on Traceable Alpaca fiber—three times lighter than sheep’s wool, with micro air pockets to balance heat retention and breathability—plus recycled nylon mixed in for durability. PAKA Apparel, from socks and underwear to base layers and sun hoodies, is like a portable cabin: cozy, structured enough, tough. It’s also naturally stretchy and softer than cashmere.

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Danner N45 GTX LOW Trail Shoe

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From bagel shop to switchbacks, the Danner N45 Low GTX trail shoe and its abrasion-resistant nylon/poly upper (available in two colorways) can handle slushy sidewalks to scree. The GORE-TEX Invisible Fit lining keeps me from soaking my socks without feeling like I’m wearing a rubber boot. The Vibram Megagrip outsoles with Traction Lug bite into the Wildflower Trail from the Gondola Summit. And the nitrogen-infused EnduroFoam midsole and TPU rock plate provide stability and rebound shock absorption, ensuring I can handle a laidback lake loop to a spicier line. Plus, like many of the proudly Oregon-based, almost-century-old brand’s shoes, they’re Recraftable (able to be rebuilt in Portland, rather than junked). Which is great, in case I become a Teton lifer.

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Houdini Pace Flow Half Zip

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Burgeon Outdoor Alpha Direct 90 Hoodie

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OBERMEYER M Explorer Tech Crew

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66˚North Snæfell Shell Jacket

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The four layering pieces above are very different styles for very different circumstances, but they share one thing in common: some type of Polartec fabric. The Pace Flow Half Zip, a Polartec Power Dry mesh, is 100% recycled polyester that wicks hard when you want to up the tempo or your trail run or need a turbo midlayer for touring days. The Alpha Direct 90 Hoodie is fuzzy, fast-drying, high-loft insulation that dumps excess heat when you’re grinding the contours or keeps you warm when you stop on the moraine. It’s absurdly light yet might be overkill for walking the dog on a fall day (but I regret nothing). The Explorer Tech Crew, made of Polartec Power Air, traps warmth in little pockets to boost efficiency over regular fleece, making it great for blustery days on the chairlift, braving the winds for waffles, or with jeans at the Mangy Moose after.

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As for the crinkle-free Snæfell Shell from Icelandic brand 66˚North, it features Polartec’s breathable, waterproof, non-PFAS plant-based Power Shield Pro membrane. And like anyone who has taken the Ring Road out from Reykjavik will tell you, packing it is an acknowledgement that “bad” weather is just one minor personality trait of shifting terrain. Combine any of these (and/or add in some PAKA, as I did up Rendezvous Peak) to bridge baselayer and needing something burlier. Now you’ve got an all-season armor system suited to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond.

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Atlas A2 Adventure Stretch Belt

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This is the kind of belt you forget you’re wearing until you realize your pants haven’t threatened to fall off all day. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of sagging at inopportune times. Made of low-profile performance stretch webbing with a slim, patented three-piece buckle, the A2 flexes and relaxes with you, making it perfect to fit under a hipbelt but still comfortable on the long drive to the trailhead. It won’t poke or pinch, and it also clears TSA without drama. Plus, this unsung hero is machine-washable, which is good because mud happens.

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KUHL REACTIV GRID FULL ZIP HOODY

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Made of a graphene-infused fabric, Reactiv Grid is what happens when someone looks at a classic fleece and decides it’s time for a much-needed upgrade. A material made of an atomically thin layer of carbon atoms in a hexagonal pattern, graphene makes an excellent conductor, working to move heat away when you’re power-hiking and holding it when you stand to admire the vistas. Soft to the skin and odor-resistant, the Reactiv Grid can sit over a T-shirt and/or slide under a shell without bunching, comfortable whether you’re kicking up trail dust or winding down at happy hour.

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3BIRD Switch Insulated Jacket

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Designed in Wilson, Wyoming (making 3BIRD Jackson Hole’s neighbor), the Switch is the epitome of trail-to-town versatility. Reversible (and available in three color combinations), it can go from just set up camp to just showered with a flip. Toss it over any of the hoodies above if you’re on a mellow mission, or wear it alone if you’re all-in on après. The exterior on one side is quilted NetPlus, 100% post-consumer recycled nylon from commercial fishing nets, while on the other it’s soft, stretchy 100% polyester. Sandwiched between is 60g of SeaWool, an insulation made from recycled oyster shells and polyester. Perfect for hanging out with friends, sharing sloshies during shoulder season. And it packs into its own pocket if you’re between seasons or campsites.

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Smith Optics (Rx) Sunglasses

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Grand Teton views are already ridiculous, and Smith Optics ChromaPop dials in the contrast. Made in the company’s Utah lab, the in-house lenses of their sunglasses filter out confusing wavelengths so color, well, pops, helping roots to ice patches stand out instead of being just another shade of beige. There are also lightweight bio-based frames that pair ChromaPop tints with polarization so they can handle everything from bright alpine sun to afternoon thunderstorms, or just wandering out into the surprisingly blinding snow-on-asphalt streets of the ski village. Plus, Megol nose/temple grips keep them from sliding down as sweat builds up, ensuring you don’t midjudge a rocky step or miss a 4K skyline.

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Bushnell H2O 8×42 Waterproof Binoculars (among others)

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The Bushnell H2O 8x42s are what you want hanging around your neck when you hit a quiet stretch of the Snake River and something rustles in the willows. With eight-power magnification and 42mm objectives, these binoculars help you catch moose in the brush and bald eagles hunched over driftwood. Whether you’re exploring the backwoods or waterways in and around a national park, the IPX7 waterproofing, nitrogen purging, and grippy rubber armor mean they don’t care if the scenic route turns splashy or a squall rolls through mid-view. The fully multi-coated optics and BAK-4 prisms keep elk in the meadows and osprey overhead crisp, even as the magic hour light goes soft. And Bushnell has a large selection if specific activities call for other specs.

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Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Water Bottle

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Sunscreen and sodium are essential to higher-elevation success. I’m a big fan of Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop! (Note that sunscreen is often FSA-eligible … but check your plan.) But I’m really here to talk about hydration (so we don’t have to talk about muscle cramps). When I want to pack light but load up on electrolytes, I fill up this ultralight, seam-free, admittedly fancy 800ml Titanium bottle made in Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan. It’s only 5.2 ounces and comes in a variety of anodized finishes (Aurora, shown above, is in demand and often out of stock). Admittedly, it’s 1mm-thick single-wall, so it will sweat from ice water (or potentially burn from hot beverages). But it ensures there’s no weird aftertaste after a quick rinse between Mortal Hydration Salty Margarita and cold brew. It also tucks snugly in (or clipped to) a pack and can shrug off being dropped.

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BOGS Boga Slip-On

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The Boga is absolutely not a summit shoe, but it’s definitely a basecamp buddy. While your real boots are caked in mud, these water-friendly slip-ons are there when your feet are in recovery mode … or, if you’re like me, you just need to take a quick dog walk around the block. The seamless BioBased EVA upper and midsole keep things feather-light and shrug off condensation (though you can always opt for more watertight BOGS rainboots if you’re dealing with serious precipitation). And the dual-density insole and grippy outsole ensure you get to the hot tub without incident. And the Boga can be worn as a slide or a more secure sandal, once you click a strap into “sport mode.” Snake River rafting, anyone?

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Columbia ROC Tech Chino Pants

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Norway and Wyoming are enchanting, but most of the year, I live in Arlington, VA … Crystal City to be exact, where it feels like Metro escalators offer more elevation change than anywhere within 75 miles. But just because there’s nothing highly technical doesn’t mean we don’t like to get outside with the dog. Featuring high-abrasion nylon-blend stretch fabric, a comfort waistband, and loops for that Atlas A2 belt up above, Columbia’s ROC pants have become a default on those weekends when let’s just go around the block might become one section of the Billy Goat Trail. ROC stands for Rugged Outdoor Chino, and they’ve got a vibe that’s comfortable in the pub of scrambling along the Potomac thanks to the regular fit and rain & stain-repelling Omni-Shield treatment.

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Columbia Men's Konos TRS OutDry Mid Shoe

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When I want something to accompany the ROC pants from muddy canal towpath to Sunday brunch, I reach for an equally between-worlds “boot.” The Konos TRS OutDry Mid is that shoe: light enough for a quick lap, engineered enough for tougher terrain. I’ve trusted them from the glaciers of Iceland to the rocky spurs of Great Falls. They feature a lightweight upper wrapped in an OutDry waterproof-breathable membrane, so I don’t worry about surprise Mid-Atlantic downpours. The Omni-Max Plus / Techlite+ midsole uses cushioning “domes” to absorb the impact of roots and rocks. Meanwhile, the Adapt Trax outsole bites into gravel and wet leaves but never feels blocky on city pavement. I even wore them for a week during the stress test that is CES. And I survived (barely).

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Columbia BUGABOOT 1 Limited Edition

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I love my Konos, but Columbia really made its name with far more rugged footwear. I was reminded of this in October, when I was lucky enough to get a pair of Bugaboot 1 Limited Edition, well, reboots. Limited to 1,993 individually numbered pairs (I’m 303, acieeed), they revive the company’s first weather-defying hybrid: a collab between Columbia’s Gert and Tim Boyle and designer Peter Moore (of Air Jordan 1/Adidas fame) that mashed up a duck boot with sneaker-like comfort. It’s been updated with Techlite cushioning, Omni-Grip traction, and fresh insulation underneath retro swagger. The entire run got vacuumed up quickly by sneakerheads and nostalgia-driven hypebeasts, but the DNA lives on in the company’s winter boots. I don’t know if my pair will ever touch wintry mix (Mid-Atlantic weather is weird, man), but I know they’re overqualified in the event of. And who knows what/when the next special-release Drop will be, so I recommend keeping an eye on the Columbia website …

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Smartwool Cozy Cabin Hat

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If you catch me in the tram line or waiting for my Americano, I’ve probably got a Smartwool cap on my cranium. This season, it’s the Cozy Cabin Hat in Mink. A double-layer beanie, it’s a Merino-recycled poly blend that’s soft, warm, moisture-wicking, not remotely itchy, and tougher than it looks. It goes as well with goggles and a shell on a bluebird day as it does a flannel and steamy mug of something to fight the cloud cover. If you’re going to spend winter in the woods, you should spend on one of these.

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YETI Crossroads 35L/22" Carry-on Luggage + Ranchero 22L Everyday Carry Backpack

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Obviously, YETI is known for coolers and drinkware, among other containers. But it’s the brand’s bags that I’m celebrating here. The YETI Crossroads carry-on and Ranchero everyday carry were my mobile closet through many of my 2025 adventures (from Paris to LA). The Crossroads eats the boots, pants, hoodies, fleeces … (too) many midlayers, yet still slides into the overhead like it always belonged there. And the TuffSkin fabric shrugs off rainy sidewalks and hard corners running through concourses. The Ranchero rides under the seat packed with the good stuff: headphones, snacks, laptop, toiletries, a shell, and whatever bottle I’m currently obsessed with. It can stand on its own thanks to a TPU-coated “Ground Control” base, and it slides securely onto the Crossroads handle. This little gear vault opens ultra-conveniently, letting you dig out just what you want thanks to a clever three-zipper, Y-shaped design. And its 700D Cordura body is durable enough to go from airport delay to day hike with a repack.

The post 2025 holiday gifts guide: 20+ editor-approved presents for the hikers on your list appeared first on Popular Science.

The darkest fabric ever made is now a dress

Laura Baisas — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:08:00 -0500

There is black, and then there is ultrablack. The shade defined as a black that reflects less than 0.5 percent of the light that hits it, is used on everything from telescopes to cameras. This uniquely dark color is not easy to produce and may appear less black when it is viewed at an angle.

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To find a better way to reproduce this cool color, a team at Cornell University looked to nature. Specifically, a bird called the magnificent riflebird. The result is the darkest known fabric ever created and it is detailed in a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications.

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A bird of a different color

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The magnificent riflebird is a large songbird and member of the bird-of-paradise family found in New Guinea and Australia. Male riflebirds are almost completely black, with a green and blue metallic sheen on their belly, throat, and crown feathers.

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With the help of Mary M. Ferraro and Vanya Rohwer from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the team studied the riflebird’s black feathers. Their plumage comes from melanin pigment paired with tightly bunched filaments called barbules that deflect light inward. This combination of pigment barbules means that the feathers absorb nearly all the light that hits it, making the bird look extraordinarily black. However, the feathers are only ultra-back when it is viewed straight on. When looked at from an angle, the plumage appears shiny.

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A paradise riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus) in Queensland, Australia. This species has similar plummage to the magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus). Image: Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images.

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Dyeing and etching

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Researchers in the university’s Responsive Apparel Design (RAD) Lab dyed a white merino wool knit fabric with polydopamine, a compound that can be used as a dark dye.

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“Polydopamine is a synthetic melanin, and melanin is what these creatures have,” Dr. Larissa Shepherd, a study co-author and materials scientist, said in a statement. “And the riflebird has these really interesting hierarchical structures, the barbules, along with the melanin. So we wanted to combine those aspects in a textile.”

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Simply coating the surface of the wool with polydopamine was not enough to create an ultrablack fabric. The polydopamine needed to completely penetrate the fibers of the fabric, so that every square inch became black. To do this, they etched the fabric in a plasma chamber to create spiky nanoscale growths called nanofibrils.

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“The light basically bounces back and forth between the fibrils, instead of reflecting back out – that’s what creates the ultrablack effect,” added study co-author and doctoral student Hansadi Jayamaha.

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The nanofibrils ultimately were a way to mimic how the riflebird’s ultrablack feathers trap light and absorb most of the light that hits them. By using this combination of polydopamine dye and the nanofibrils, the team created the darkest known fabric. In their new study, the team reports that the fabric has an average total reflectance of 0.13 percent, making it the darkest known fabric ever reported. It also remained ultrablack across a 120-degree angular span, so appears the same at up to a 60-degree angle either side or straight on.

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“From a design perspective, I think it’s exciting because a lot of the ultrablack that exists isn’t really as wearable as ours,” Shepherd added “And it stays ultrablack even from wider angles.”

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From the runway to solar panels

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The fabric has several applications in both fashion design and the tech world. According to study co-author and doctoral student Kyuin Park, their ultrablack fabric could help solar panels convert and use absorbed light into thermal energy. “We could actually use the ultrablack fabric for thermo-regulating camouflage,” he said.

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Additionally, fashion design major and recent graduate Zoe Alvarez created a black strapless dress inspired by the riflebird last fall. The ultrablack material was the centerpiece, with a splash of iridescent blue. Images of this dress were used to confirm ultrablack’s true “blackness.” When the image’s contrast, hue, vibrance, or brightness were all adjusted, the other colors changed, but the ultrablack remained the same.

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The researchers have applied for patent protection and hope to create a company that dyes fabrics with their process. It can be used on natural materials, including cotton, wool, and even silk.

The post The darkest fabric ever made is now a dress appeared first on Popular Science.

How to glimpse a pre-AI internet

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:15:12 -0500

A sizable portion of the internet has devolved into an AI-contaminated wasteland. While an easy solution remains elusive, a browser extension called Slop Evader offers a glimpse at what the internet used to be only a few short years ago.

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While always prone to innumerable hazards, the online ecosystem is degrading largely due to the misuse of generative artificial intelligence content. Increasingly referred to as AI slop, this digital pollution often takes the form of torrents of uncannily realistic, wholly fake images and videos. These have inundated some of the most commonly used social media platforms, while countless shell websites push untrustworthy articles and blog posts penned by AI programs. Often trained on uncompensated human labor, these sites routinely game popular search engines that now prioritize AI results. This allows unverified AI slop to rise to the top of many queries while simultaneously burying actually legitimate websites underneath a mountain of garbage links.

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It wasn’t always like this. In fact, you can arguably trace the shift back to a single date: November 30, 2022. That’s the day OpenAI debuted ChatGPT to the public, likely forever changing how we interact with the online world. Barely three years since its rollout, and it’s already hard to remember the relative ease with which you could find answers to a search query—or even simply trust the images and videos displayed in front of you.

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To help raise awareness to just how bad it’s gotten, environmental engineer and artist Tega Brain created Slop Evader. After installing the extension on Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome, users can employ it to search pre-AI archives on a handful of websites including Reddit and YouTube.

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“This sowing of mistrust in our relationship with media is a huge thing, a huge effect of this synthetic media moment we’re in,” Brain told 404 Media in an interview published last week. “I’ve been thinking about ways to refuse it, and the simplest, dumbest way to do that is to only search before 2022.”

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The AI slop’s deteriorative effects may not only be affecting the internet itself. Earlier this year, an MIT Media Lab study suggested that large language model (LLM) products like essay writing assistants are actually rewiring users’ brains. The resultant “cognitive debts” may even include weakened neural connectivity and damage memory retention, as well as wider “long-term educational implications.”

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Slop Evader’s capacities will likely remain extremely limited, not to mention it’s impossible to provide any up-to-date information from after 2022. Even still, it starkly illustrates generative AI’s disorienting effects on an internet-reliant society. If nothing else, you can be relatively confident that searching for recipes on Reddit via Slop Evader won’t result in something like glue-laced pizza sauce.

The post How to glimpse a pre-AI internet appeared first on Popular Science.

It’s last call on Cyber Monday desktop speaker deals, so don’t miss out

Tony Ware — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:26:12 -0500

Ready to retire your tinny TV speakers and sad little laptop drivers? Powered speakers are the easiest way to upgrade your listening station, whether you’re streaming playlists, watching movies, or spinning vinyl. And with the right connections, there’s no receiver required. Many of the picks below echo standouts from our Popular Science guide to the best powered bookshelf speakers and our best speakers for turntables roundup, so you’re getting deals on gear we’d happily park on our own desks and record cabinets. And it’s cheaper than ever to upgrade your audio if you take advantage of these Cyber Monday deep discounts, featuring the lowest prices of the year.

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Whether you want a compact nearfield setup for your desktop, a sleek system that can pull double duty for movies and music, or a one-stop solution with HDMI ARC and phono support for your turntable, there’s something here that can slot right into your space and sound better than it has any right to at this size.

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Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers — $127.49 (was $139.99)

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If you’ve ever looked at our powered speaker coverage, you’ve seen Edifier earn its stripes as a go-to starter set—and this R1280DB configuration is the sweet spot. You get optical and coaxial inputs for cleaner digital audio from a TV or streamer, classic RCA for analog gear, and Bluetooth for casual couch control, all in a compact cabinet that still feels substantial on a shelf. The included remote and simple onboard controls make it easy to tweak volume and tone, and the mix of black baffle and wood-grain wrap keeps things looking more hi-fi than “PC speaker,” whether they’re flanking a monitor or framing a turntable.

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If you want to grow your setup later, consider the closely related R1280DBs variants below—those models add a subwoofer line-out for $15 more, so you can drop in a dedicated bass box when you’re ready to rattle the room.

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Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC Powered Speakers — $279 (was $349)

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Want a compact hi-fi hub instead of just a pair of speakers? The Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC packs the kind of connectivity we call out with glee: HDMI ARC for TV audio, USB-C for laptops, optical for consoles and streamers, plus line/phono inputs so you can plug in a record player—no separate amplifier required. A 4-inch woofer, soft-dome tweeter, and tuned porting give you full-bodied sound that can move from lo-fi playlists to blockbuster movie night without breaking a sweat.

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Bluetooth 5.3 makes quick work of streaming from your phone, while the included remote and subwoofer output mean you can build this out into the nucleus of a living room or small studio system. If you’re looking for one set of speakers to handle your TV, desktop, and deck, the GX-30ARC (available in black or white) is built for exactly that modern mash-up.

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More Edifier Cyber Monday deals for every desk and shelf

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Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers w/ Subwoofer Out (Wood Grain) — $142.49 (was $199.99)
Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers w/ Subwoofer Out (Black) — $142.49 (was $199.99)
Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (66W RMS) — $160.59 (was $219.99)
Edifier R1700BTs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (66W RMS) with Sub Out — $167.89 (was $229.99)
Edifier QR65 Desktop Active Monitor (70W) with Lighting Effects — $269.99 (was $369.99)
Edifier MR3 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers — $99.99 (was $149.99)
Edifier S2000MKIII Coaxial Tri-Amped (130W) Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (Walnut) — $549 (was $699)

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More editor-approved powered bookshelf and desktop speaker Cyber Monday deals

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KRK Kreate 5 Powered Studio Monitor — $152 (was $169)

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From one of the most recognizable names in studio monitors, the KRK Kreate 5 brings the same mix of punchy low end and detailed mids we shout out in our best powered bookshelf speakers coverage, but in a more living-room-friendly wrapper. A 5-inch woofer and tuned porting keep beats and basslines feeling lively, while front-panel controls and flexible inputs mean they can pull duty at a production desk by day and soundtrack movie night by night.

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Kanto REN 200W Powered Speaker System with HDMI ARC — $449 (was $699)

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If you want powered bookshelf speakers that could potentially replace a soundbar, Kanto’s REN system delivers. You get 200W of power, HDMI ARC for one-cable TV hookup, USB-C and Bluetooth 5.3 for modern devices, and a high/low-pass filter plus sub out for building a 2.1 system. They’ve been a standout in our powered bookshelf coverage for how effortlessly they jump between daily TV duties and more attentive music listening.

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Compact and creative desktop contenders, plus turntable- and TV-friendly Cyber Monday speaker deals

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Audioengine A2+ Limited Edition Wireless Bluetooth Desktop Speakers — $223 (was $279)
PreSonus Eris Accent BT Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers — $127.99 (was $159.99)
Klipsch R-51PM 120W Horn-Loaded Powered Bluetooth Speakers — $349.99 (was $599)

The post It’s last call on Cyber Monday desktop speaker deals, so don’t miss out appeared first on Popular Science.

Medieval shipwreck mistaken for underwater ‘rubbish’

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:55:00 -0500

After centuries at the bottom of the English Channel, remnants from one of England’s oldest surviving shipwrecks are finally back on shore. Yet the reason it took maritime archaeologists this long to retrieve items from the 13th century Mortar Wreck was not because of its depth or the ravages of time. The shipwreck was mistaken for modern construction debris.

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“Our skipper said ‘Have you ever dived this mark? We said, ‘No, because it’s rubbish, there’s nothing there,’” Bournemouth University maritime archaeologist Tom Cousins recently told the BBC.

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However, a subsequent inspection in 2019 showed the opposite. Instead of a pile of discarded quarry fragments, Cousins and his colleagues found portions of the oldest known surviving medieval English ship hull, along with a cargo of stone tools used to grind food. Named after its contents, experts soon determined that the Mortar Wreck dates back to around 1250.

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The Mortar Wreck contained tons of stone cargo, including cooking tools like cauldrons. Credit: Bournemouth University

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Located about a mile off the coast of Dorset and roughly 93 miles southwest of London, the vessel built from Irish oak was also hauling a pair of grave slabs carved from Purbeck stone. Medieval architects prized this heavy construction material because masons could polish it to resemble marble. Quarried solely from the Isle of Purbeck in southern England since the days of the Roman Empire, Purbeck stone was used in historic sites like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Archaeologists have located other examples of this stone as far away as Denmark.

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“The 13th century is the heyday of the marble industry–you won’t find a church or cathedral that doesn’t have Purbeck marble in it,” added Cousins.

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The maritime archaeologist believes this intense demand may explain the Mortar Wreck’s demise. While documenting and recovering portions of the ship and its cargo, researchers noted a crack in the hull. Cousins suggests that this “souped-up” variant of a Viking ship likely succumbed to its estimated 29.5 tons of cargo stone.

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Many of the artifacts are now on display at the Poole Museum, including one of the grave slabs whose ornate masonry resembles the art seen on the tomb of Stephen Langton, who served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1207 until 1258.

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“When we first heard about the discovery of the Mortar Wreck, we were just so excited to play our part in the whole story,” museum collections officer Joe Raine said in a recent exhibit announcement, adding that the display can now inform visitors “who may know nothing about the trade in Purbeck stone, or medieval seafaring.”

The post Medieval shipwreck mistaken for underwater ‘rubbish’ appeared first on Popular Science.

Roman military helped bring cats to Europe

Laura Baisas — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:40:00 -0500

Our pet dogs have been by our side for at least 20,000 years, evolving right along with us. True to their more elusive nature, the timeline of when cats domesticated is more murky. Our homespun feline friends appear to be a more recent arrival in some parts of the world, likely only arriving in Europe about 2,000 years ago. Their spread was assisted by the Roman military, with house cats ultimately reaching Britain by around 100 CE. The findings are detailed in a study recently published in the journal Science.

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A brief history of housecats

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Initially, archaeologists believed that humans began to live with cats about 9,500 years ago in the Levant—parts of the present-day eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. This timeline coincides with the beginning of the Neolithic era, when agriculture started to spread. The grains used in farming attracted rodents, which then enticed the wildcats to come and eat the rodents. Neolithic humans then likely kept the wildcats around to keep the rodents away, paving the way for domestication. Cat remains dating back to about 7500 BCE have been discovered in present-day Cyprus, indicating that the animals were a part of daily life by then.

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Cats then became a staple in Ancient Egypt roughly 3,500 years ago. Unlike the more murky history during the Neolithic Age, Ancient Egyptian culture is full of cat references. Numerous cat remains have been found in tombs, as well as drawings of cats eating near humans. Bastet was a feline goddess typically associated with protection, fertility, and domesticity, and daughter of the sun god Ra.

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Earlier studies using cats’ mitochondrial DNA indicated that they may have made it to Europe from Turkey via Neolithic farmers about 6,000 years ago and later from Egypt. Genetically speaking, modern house cats are also different from the African wildcat native to both Egypt and Turkey. Still, a lack of archaeological evidence and problems with distinguishing domestic cats from their wild counterparts based on the DNA in their bones have left some major gaps in the house cats’ history.

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Genes and military roads

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In this new study, a team analyzed the genomes of 70 ancient cats, dating back over the last 11,000 years (from about 9000 BCE to 19th century CE). The genomes were taken from bones found in archaeological sites in Europe and Turkey, along with 17 modern wildcats from parts of North Africa, Italy, and Bulgaria.

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The genetic evidence indicates that modern cats did not arrive in Europe until roughly 2,000 years ago—much more recently than they expected. This means that they were not brought over by those Neolithic farmers from Turkey or Egypt. After North African domestic cats were introduced, they spread in Europe via Roman military routes. Soldiers likely used the felines as a form of rodent control, just as Neolithic farmers did thousands of years earlier. Domestic cats eventually reached Roman Britain by the 1st century CE.

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Additionally, these earlier cats from Europe and Turkey were genetically European wildcats. Hybridization—where two genetically distinct parents create fertile offspring—was likely behind this genetic split and not domestication.

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Both ancient and modern Sardinian wildcats are also more closely related to North African wildcats than domestic cats. This indicates that they are not the descendants of a feral population of early domestic cats. Instead, humans brought wildcats to these Mediterranean islands where they did not naturally occur.

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This study is part of Project FELIX, a European Union-funded effort to analyze over 800 archaeological samples of cats dating back 10,000 years, in order to gain insights into the cat-human relationship.

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In a commentary on the study’s findings, evolutionary biologist Jonathan Losos concluded, “Ever sphinxlike, cats give up their secrets grudgingly. Yet more ancient DNA is needed to unravel these mysteries of long ago.” Losos was not an author on this study.

The post Roman military helped bring cats to Europe appeared first on Popular Science.

Walmart’s Cyber Monday deals drop dozens of Lego sets to clearance prices

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:37:54 -0500

Legos are fun no matter who you are. They make great gifts, they encourage imagination, and they’re almost all on sale at Walmart for Cyber Monday. This collection of deals runs the gamut from massive sets to basic beginner collections. You get Marvel, Star Wars and tons of other IP options as well. If you’re going to buy Legos as a gift this holiday season (and you probably should), this it the time to buy them.

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LEGO Icons Bonsai Tree – $39.98 (was $49.99)

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This 878-piece set lets you build a detailed bonsai tree complete with adjustable branches and a choice between green leaves or pink cherry blossoms. It’s a surprisingly meditative build that results in a display piece sophisticated enough for your desk or bookshelf. The included planter and decorative pebbles add an extra layer of zen—no watering required.

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LEGO Technic McLaren Formula E Race Car – $34.98 (was $49.99)

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This 330-piece Formula E racer captures McLaren’s electric racing machine with working steering, suspension, and a pull-back motor. The Technic line delivers mechanical authenticity that appeals to engineering minds, and this particular model showcases the aerodynamics and design philosophy behind modern electric motorsport. It’s a solid introduction to Technic building without the thousand-piece commitment.

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LEGO City 4×4 Fire Truck – $19.00 (was $34.99)

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At nearly half off, this 455-piece fire truck offers serious value. The set includes a deployable ladder, working hose, and a detailed cab interior, plus three minifigures. While it’s marketed toward kids, the build quality and functional features make it a respectable display piece or gift. The 4×4 design gives it a more rugged aesthetic than your typical fire engine.

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More LEGO Deals at Walmart

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Botanicals & Display Sets

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LEGO Botanicals Tiny Plants – $39.95 (was $49.99)
LEGO Creator Flowers in Watering Can – $23.95 (was $29.99)
LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid – $23.95 (was $29.99)
LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo – $23.95 (was $29.99)
LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants – $18.39 (was $22.99)
LEGO Icons Chrysanthemum – $29.97
LEGO Icons Plum Blossom – $29.97
LEGO Icons Kingfisher – $39.97 (was $49.99)
LEGO Wednesday Black Dahlia Flower – $22.39 (was $27.99)

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Speed Champions & Racing

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LEGO Speed Champions Lamborghini Revuelto & Huracán STO – $42.49 (was $49.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes G63 & SL63 – $25.00 (was $44.98)
LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin Safety Car – $25.00 (was $44.98)
LEGO Speed Champions BMW M4 GT3 & Hybrid V8 – $25.00 (was $44.96)
LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Honda S2000 – $24.97 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Porsche 911 GT3 RS – $23.97 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat – $22.94 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 – $21.55 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Red Bull RB20 – $21.59 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes F1 W15 – $21.59 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin AMR24 – $21.99 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Visa RB VCARB 01 – $22.56 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Sauber C44 – $21.55 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Williams FW46 – $21.55 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari F40 – $21.99 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Next Gen Camaro – $21.55 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Centodieci – $21.99 (was $26.99)
LEGO Speed Champions Nissan GT-R – $19.97 (was $24.99)

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Technic

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LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie – $52.70 (was $64.99)
LEGO Technic Surface Space Loader – $27.95 (was $34.99)
LEGO Technic Mack LR Garbage Truck – $26.49 (was $32.99)
LEGO Technic Bush Plane – $22.35 (was $27.99)
LEGO Technic Monster Jam DIGatron – $22.39 (was $27.99)
LEGO Technic Monster Jam ThunderROARus – $22.49 (was $27.99)
LEGO Technic McLaren Extreme E – $21.55 (was $26.99)
LEGO Technic Off-Road Race Buggy – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Technic Backhoe Loader – $9.97
LEGO Technic Skid-Steer Loader – $4.97

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Star Wars

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LEGO Star Wars Clone Wars & Mandalorian Gift Set – $45.00 (was $62.97)
LEGO Star Wars Acclamator – $39.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka Interceptor – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO Star Wars Clone Troopers Battle Pack – $35.95 (was $44.99)
LEGO Star Wars Jedi Bob’s Starfighter – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Star Wars Clone Trooper Battle Pack – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Star Wars Ambush on Mandalore – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Star Wars Paz Vizsla Battle – $19.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Star Wars Microfighter Jedi Starfighter – $9.40 (was $10.49)
LEGO Star Wars Death Trooper Battle Pack – $18.39 (was $22.99)
LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker X-Wing Mech – $11.18 (was $15.99)
LEGO Star Wars Rex Y-Wing Microfighter – $8.79 (was $12.99)

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Harry Potter

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LEGO Harry Potter Knight Bus Adventure – $39.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Harry Potter Herbology Class – $39.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Harry Potter Dobby – $28.00 (was $34.97)
LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Boathouse – $24.99 (was $37.99)
LEGO Harry Potter Fawkes – $18.39 (was $22.99)
LEGO Harry Potter Flying Ford Anglia – $9.59 (was $14.99)

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Minecraft

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LEGO Minecraft Gift Set – $45.00 (was $60.95)
LEGO Minecraft Trial Chamber – $31.95 (was $39.99)
LEGO Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fight – $41.49 (was $49.99)
LEGO Minecraft The Creeper – $31.95 (was $39.99)
LEGO Minecraft Nether Portal Ambush – $30.35 (was $37.99)
LEGO Minecraft TNT Jungle House – $25.49 (was $29.99)
LEGO Minecraft Mooshroom House – $42.49 (was $49.99)
LEGO Minecraft Armadillo Mine – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Minecraft Cherry Blossom Garden – $22.49 (was $27.99)
LEGO Minecraft Baby Pig House – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Minecraft Warden Encounter – $15.95 (was $19.99)
LEGO Minecraft The Armory – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Minecraft Illager Desert Patrol – $11.19 (was $14.00)
LEGO Minecraft Steve’s Desert Expedition – $7.35 (was $10.99)

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Marvel & DC

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LEGO Marvel Captain America vs Thanos – $31.95 (was $39.99)
LEGO Marvel Captain America Figure – $29.93 (was $34.98)
LEGO Marvel Hulk Truck vs Thanos – $27.99 (was $34.99)
LEGO Marvel Iron Man & War Machine vs Hammer Drones – $18.39 (was $22.99)
LEGO DC Superman Mech vs Lex Luthor – $11.99 (was $14.99)

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Super Mario

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LEGO Mario Interactive Mario Vehicle – $41.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Mario Kart Wario & King Boo – $39.95 (was $49.99)
LEGO Mario Interactive Peach Vehicle – $36.95 (was $49.99)
LEGO Mario Party at Toad’s House – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Mario Kart Donkey Kong – $23.49 (was $34.99)
LEGO Mario Kart Standard Kit – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Mario Captain Toad’s Camp – $10.00 (was $14.99)

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LEGO City

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LEGO City Built For Speed Gift Set – $25.00 (was $39.96)
LEGO City Donut Truck – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO City Lifeguard Rescue Truck – $19.99 (was $24.99)
LEGO City Burger Truck – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO City Train Switch Tracks – $12.80 (was $15.99)
LEGO City Go-Karts & Race Drivers – $8.49 (was $9.99)
LEGO City Police Motorcycle Chase – $7.99 (was $9.99)
LEGO City Airplane vs Hospital Bed Race Car Pack – $6.79 (was $9.00)

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LEGO Friends & Animal Crossing

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LEGO Friends Explore Outdoors Gift Set – $25.00 (was $44.98)
LEGO Friends Vintage Fashion Store – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO Animal Crossing Able Sisters – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Friends Pet Accessories – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Bluey Beach & Family Car Trip – $24.00 (was $29.99)
LEGO Friends Candy Store – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Animal Crossing Dodo Airlines – $23.00 (was $37.99)
LEGO Animal Crossing Goldie’s Cozy House – $18.39 (was $22.99)
LEGO Friends Ice Cream Truck – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Bluey Playground Fun – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Friends Road-Trip Travel Car – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Friends Archery Range – $11.19 (was $14.99)
LEGO Animal Crossing Stargazing with Celeste – $6.39 (was $9.00)

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Disney & Other Licensed Sets

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LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar – $24.00 (was $44.99)
LEGO DUPLO Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday Party – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Wicked Glinda’s Wedding Day – $33.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Cinderella’s Dress – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Moana 2 Heihei – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Wicked Elphaba’s Retreat – $23.79 (was $27.99)
LEGO Disney 101 Dalmatians – $19.96 (was $24.99)
LEGO ONE PIECE Windmill Village Hut – $24.96 (was $29.99)
LEGO Fortnite Supply Llama – $31.95 (was $39.99)
LEGO Horizon Adventures Aloy & Varl – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO Sonic Egg Crusher Mech – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO Sonic Campfire Clash – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Jurassic World Baby Dinosaur Dolores – $22.39 (was $27.99)
LEGO Jurassic World Raptor Off-Road Escape – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO DUPLO Cars Doc’s Garage – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO DUPLO Bluey Ice Cream Trip – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig Camping Trip – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Minifigures Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – $4.97 (was $14.95)

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LEGO Creator & NINJAGO

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LEGO NINJAGO Dragonian Village – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO NINJAGO Spinjitzu Temple – $33.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Creator Retro Camera – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd Pull-Back Car – $21.24 (was $24.99)
LEGO Creator Pink Flamingo – $21.24 (was $24.99)
LEGO NINJAGO Race Car Duel – $19.59 (was $22.99)
LEGO NINJAGO Forest Dragon – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Creator Exotic Parrot – $15.98 (was $19.99)
LEGO Creator Tropical Toucan – $14.39 (was $17.99)
LEGO Creator Red Dragon – $8.49 (was $9.99)
LEGO Creator Magical Unicorn – $6.79 (was $9.99)
LEGO NINJAGO Zane’s Battle Suit – $6.31 (was $9.86)

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LEGO DUPLO & Classic

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LEGO DUPLO Buildable People – $39.95 (was $49.99)
LEGO DUPLO Hopsy’s Castle Game – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO DUPLO 3-in-1 Animals on Wheels – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Classic Brick Box – $29.95
LEGO DUPLO My First Shape Sorter – $29.74 (was $34.99)
LEGO DUPLO Airport – $27.99 (was $34.99)
LEGO Classic Creative Pets – $27.99 (was $34.99)
LEGO DUPLO Big Feelings – $23.95 (was $29.99)
LEGO DUPLO Fire Engine – $23.95 (was $29.99)
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box – $17.99 (was $34.99)
LEGO DUPLO Animal Train – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO DUPLO My First – $16.19 (was $29.99)
LEGO DUPLO Caring for Bees – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO DUPLO Floating Animal Train – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Creative Suitcase – $15.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO DUPLO Bath Time Routine – $10.08
LEGO Classic Blue Baseplate – $6.69 (was $7.99)

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Small Sets & Stocking Stuffers

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LEGO Christmas Table Decoration – $23.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO DREAMZzz Logan Mighty Panda – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Technic Lush Cave Fight – $12.95
LEGO Animal Crossing Julian Painting – $14.39
LEGO Spring Animal Playground – $7.50 (was $12.99)
LEGO Botanicals Field Flowers – $4.97

The post Walmart’s Cyber Monday deals drop dozens of Lego sets to clearance prices appeared first on Popular Science.

The best DAPs for 2026, tested and reviewed by experts

Chris Coke — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:59:46 -0500

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Ask any audiophile, and they’ll tell you the same thing: premium sound quality still comes from wired headphones—and if you want to get the most out of your investment while out and about, you should look into DAPs, a.k.a. digital audio players. With the headphone jack’s death on smartphones, getting an optimized on-the-go listening experience isn’t as easy as it used to be. It doesn’t matter if you have access to lossless audio if you’re just going to degrade it using Bluetooth. If you’re looking for that old-school iPod Touch experience given fresh life with the latest high-resolution technology, there’s only one way to go: tap into a DAP like our best overall, the FiiO M23. Whether you’re looking for the most versatile portable player, a desktop music streamer that can be the centerpiece of a home setup, or the best budget device, these are the best DAPs for every type of user.

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Best overall: FiiO M23
Best desktop: FiiO R9
Best under $500: HiBy R5 Gen 2
Best budget: Hidizs AP80 Pro-X

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How we chose the best DAPs

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Over my years working in tech journalism, I’ve developed a passion for great sound. As an apartment dweller until 2019, I was limited to in-ear monitors and headphones, so I skipped right over loudspeakers and dove deep into personal audio equipment. I’ve been lucky enough to test dozens of different headphones, earphones, and speakers that drive them. I’ve learned and experienced far more than I ever expected to, but the depths of my audio geekery allowed me to develop a discerning eye to sort the stupendous from the snake oil.

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For this article, I researched the major digital audio players released over the last several years. I began with an eye toward features and components: the on-paper specs that made certain options stand out from others. I then compared those early choices with real user impressions on audio enthusiast sites like Head-Fi and r/headphones, smaller communities like Facebook’s ChiFi Audio Reviews, and retailers like Amazon. This refined the list because what looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily translate into a great product. Finally, I relied on my own first-hand experience, the opinions of fellow enthusiasts, as well as the pedigree of the brands producing each DAP.

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The best DAPs: Reviews & Recommendations

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These standalone devices have a sole purpose: playing music. Some portable music players do this with audio files you need to load yourself. Others come with operating systems (most often Android-based) and support streaming services like Spotify or TIDAL. They can also range widely in cost, some focusing on accessible budget pricing and others taking the form of genuine luxury items. However, they all strive to deliver the highest sound quality, exceeding what you could hope for from a smartphone and headphone adapter. If you’re on the hunt for an aural upgrade, we’re here to help and have collected top-tier options.

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Even with those considerations in mind, settling on one of the best portable players can be confusing without doing lots of research—which is exactly what we’re here for. We’ve done the digging, so you don’t have to. Here are the best digital audio players available today that offer far more features than the MP3 players they call ancestors.

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Best overall: FiiO M23

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- Pros

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Great balance of features and price
Snappy performance
Supports balanced and single-ended headphones
High power output

- Cons

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Slightly less battery than the last generation
Rather bulky

- Specs

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- - Price: - - - $699.99 -
- - Screen size: - - - 5.5-inch HD (1440×720) IPS panel -
- - Connectivity: - - - Balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC/AAC/aptX HD/LDAC) -
- - Music streaming: - - - Yes -
- - Output power: - - - 1000mw per channel -
- - DAC: - - - AKM AK419EQ + AKM AK4499EX DAC -
- - Battery life: - - - 10.5 hours -

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Why it made the cut: The FiiO M23 is the successor to the M11Plus (our previous best overall pick) and offers major improvements without any increase in price. It’s a killer value.

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The FiiO M23 is the successor to the M11Plus, released in 2021. That model was our pick for the best overall DAP, and the M23 one-ups it in more ways than one. It’s more powerful, more stylish, has a better DAC, global EQ, and more, all without raising the price.

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If you’re looking for the best balance of price and features, the M23 is easily the best pick right now under $1,000. In fact, you could easily spend more and get less. This digital audio player massively increases the power from the last generation. Its total output is an impressive 1000mW, enough to drive even the most demanding headphones. Because it has multiple gain modes, it works just as well with sensitive in-ear monitors.

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This model also comes with enhanced components for better audio than ever before. FiiO is again working with AKM, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of digital-to-analog converters, following an unfortunate fire that limited its production. The M23 uses the same combination of dual DACs found in FiiO’s high-end K9 desktop DAC/amp and Q15 portable DAC: the AK4191EQ and AK4499EX. These DACs can reproduce audio up to 32-bit, 384kHz, and DSD up to DSD256. It also comes with AKM’s new DWA Routing Technology to decrease any potential background noise for improved dynamic range.

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Its amplifier circuitry is also improved. While the M11Plus utilized a THX AAA 78 amplifier, the M23 features the upgraded THX AAA 78+, opening the door to its higher power output. THX’s AAA amplifier series is renowned for its incredible cleanness. Zero hiss, zero background noise, and utter neutrality describe its sound profile. This DAP will not color your listening experience unless you take advantage of its system-wide EQ.

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And since it runs Android, you’ll also have access to all of your favorite streaming apps, including Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, and more. Its Snapdragon 660 processor is unchanged from the last generation and is admittedly getting long in the tooth. However, music listening and web browsing are still responsive enough to deliver a satisfying experience. You can get more power and features if you pay more, but in most cases, it’s well into the realm of diminishing returns beyond the M23. Just like the M11Plus, it’s a fantastic value that balances sound quality, features, responsiveness, and, most importantly, price with ease.

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Suppose you don’t need more power and the latest chipsets. In that case, there is the Chinese personal audio specialist’s even more budget M11S for those looking to really stretch that performance-to-price ratio. Or, for a real steal, the company’s sub-brand Jade Audio offers the Snapdragon 680/Android 13 JM21, a slim, surprisingly snappy DAP that uses Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs and only costs $150-$180 on average. If you’re just powering some IEMs on the go, this is a top choice. On the other end of the spectrum, FiiO offers a fancier flagship worth exploring if you only own hard-to-drive summit-fi headphones—the $1,799 flagship M17, a handheld that packs the power of a desktop amp into a transportable form.

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Best desktop: FiiO R9

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Tony Ware

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- Pros

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Fantastic connectivity
Works great for headphones or full speakers
Convenient touch interface
Massive power output

- Cons

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Large footprint
Not portable

- Specs

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- - Price: - - - $1,499.99 -
- - Screen size: - - - 6-inch IPS FHD (2160 x 1080) portrait panel -
- - Connectivity: - - - Balanced (4.4mm/XLR), single-ended (6.35mm), Bluetooth 5.1 (AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC), RCA, Optical, Coaxial, HDMI in, HDMI out (ARC), USB-A, USB-C, 100M Ethernet, -
- - Music streaming: - - - Yes -
- - Output power: - - - 7300mW -
- - DAC: - - - Dual ES9038Pro DACs -
- - Battery life: - - - N/A -

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Why it made the cut: This flagship media streamer transcends traditional players by becoming a desktop device, complete with a powerful amp, great DAC, and tons of connectivity.

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The FiiO R9 is one of the more unique digital audio players you can buy. It’s a hybrid, an aluminum monolith with colorful LED accents that blurs the lines between a traditional audio player and an exceptionally powerful, high-resolution DAC/amp. This network player features a six-inch touchscreen (shown above with its protective shipping panels still intact) and an Android 10 operating system that can connect to the internet for streaming services and apps, like most portable players, but it’s not designed to be portable. The media streamer is made to live on your desktop near your computer or wherever you plan to listen to music, and it will connect to and drive just about anything—including your soundbar (via ARC), a preamp/AV receiver, or an existing powered speaker setup. And—with a trio of headphone outputs (two of them balanced) delivering punchy lows, textured mids, and quick, controlled transients—it ensures that any cans can.

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While it might seem counterintuitive to put an Android player on your desktop, the magic of the R9 lies in how well-designed it is. Just like portable players, having a separate device dedicated purely to music is naturally appealing for its dedication to pristine sound quality. Being able to tap and swipe instead of changing windows (and destroying your workflow) winds up feeling more convenient and intuitive. And if you prefer to set it up away from physical sources or use it when the Wi-Fi router is down, you can simply stream to it from your smartphone using your choice of high-res codecs. We already enjoy using an ASUS Zenfone 10 when testing Bluetooth devices (because what is an inexpensive, easily pocketed Android smartphone if not a DAP itself), and the R9 experience is equally intuitive and efficient, but with added levels of All-to-DSD and Parametric EQ music-first processing. Conversely, you can use the R9 to connect to AirPlay devices (like an iPhone) as a source, as well as Bluetooth devices as a destination.

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FiiO took the “kitchen sink” approach to the R9, and it’s a better product because of it—offering both a polished look and sound. If there’s a feature you can think of, it probably has it. Between its tremendous power and connectivity, as well as its dual top-tier ES9038Pro DACs and eight-channel THX-788+ amplifier (featuring five levels of gain), it’s designed with circuit boards full of discrete components that allow it to be the centerpiece of your home listening experience. You can connect a Blu-ray player for advanced resolution audio via HDMI, play hi-rez downloads and rips off a MicroSD card, use the device as an endpoint to access a Roon music server, or opt for (semi-)analog with a turntable that offers USB output. And that’s just some of the I/O. Really, the only thing the R9 can’t do is power passive speakers. If the R9 sounds appealing but it’s out of your budget, the FiiO R7 is a great alternative. Coming in at around half the price, its screen is small, it drops power output to a still respectable 3.6 watts, and it loses the HDMI ports but maintains all of the same appeal otherwise. Both the R7 and R9 are destined to impress with linear performance in versatile packaging.

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Still consider a handheld DAP the best splurge for you, and open to splashing out a few thousand to lug around some luxury? If it’s refined industrial angles you crave, the Astell&Kern A&ultima remains one of the most distinctive DAP lines with the best design, and the SP3000 continues the company’s tradition of high-resolution listening and the best high-end builds. And if it’s sheer power, the iBASSO DX340, with its exchangeable amps (sold separately), offers multiple flavors to savor.

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Best under $500: HiBy R5 Gen 2

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- Pros

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Unique sound tuning that’s very accessible
Good power output
Good connectivity
Compact and convenient size

- Cons

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Slower processor
Aging specs

- Specs

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- - Price: - - - $349.99 -
- - Screen size: - - - 4.7-inch (1280×720) IPS panel -
- - Connectivity: - - - Balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.2 (SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX HD/UAT/LDAC), -
- - Music streaming: - - - Yes -
- - Output power: - - - Up to 475mW -
- - DAC: - - - Dual ES9219C DACs -
- - Battery life: - - - 35 hours (10 hours in Class A mode) -

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Why it made the cut: The HiBy R5 Gen II is a killer value, combining good power output, connectivity, and features for well under $500.

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If you’re looking for a quality DAP that won’t break the bank, the HiBy R5 Gen II is well worth considering. At only $349 and sometimes less (we’ve seen it as low as $279 after a $70 instant coupon), this player offers audiophile-grade sound quality and some truly fantastic features. It combines support for up to 32-bit/768kHz files with an impressively low 130dB signal-to-noise ratio for complete clarity across its 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm connections. If you’d rather stream your music, it also supports MQA so you can enjoy TIDAL to its fullest or simply download Spotify and other streaming apps through the Google Play Store.

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The R5 Gen II is compact, with a size that’s pocketable but still easy to use. Despite its stature, it offers a surprising amount of power with up 320mW in its default mode or 475mW in Class A mode. The first setting nets you the best battery life at 28 to 35 hours, while Class A mode instantly enhances the sound with added fullness and headroom.

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What’s especially nice about the R5 is HiBy’s unique approach to equalization. Rather than rely on confusing frequency band sliders like most EQs, the R5 uses sound characteristics to describe what you’re adjusting. Want your sound brighter and more detailed or bassy and dark? There’s a slider for that. Want more texture and detail in the bass or vocals to be more forward or back in the mix? There are sliders for those too and more besides. It’s a much more accessible and fun approach to customizing your sound. The R5 isn’t without its downsides. The technology driving it and its OS version are getting old, so you shouldn’t plan on much more than listening to music or checking the occasional email with this device. But as a DAP, it’s responsive enough, fun, and sounds great—making it our best value pick.

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Best budget: Hidizs AP80 Pro-X

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- Pros

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Supremely pocketable
Good output power at this price
Very user-friendly EQ
8x MQA decoding
Built-in step counter and ebook reader, if you want to leave your smartwatch and Kindle at home

- Cons

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Plays local files only in normal mode
Comparatively low battery life
No onboard storage

- Specs

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- - Price: - - - $189.99 -
- - Screen size: - - - 2.5-inch -
- - Connectivity: - - - Balanced (2.5mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.1 (including AAC, aptX, LDAC, UAT codecs) -
- - Music streaming: - - - No -
- - Output power: - - - 190mW (balanced), 70mW (single-ended) -
- - Battery life: - - - 9 hours (balanced), 13 hours (single-ended) -

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Why it made the cut: The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X can’t stream music, but it offers a highly customizable sound with lots of versatility.

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The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X is unlike any other DAP on this list and is excellent value for its budget price. Coming in at $189, it is the only portable music player we feature that is unable to connect natively to major streaming services. But don’t let that fool you, as the AP80 Pro-X has a lot going for it that makes it well worth considering for music lovers on a budget.

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Much of the magic of the AP80 Pro-X comes from its simplicity. It runs the HiBy OS, which does not have access to the Google Play Store but is fast and responsive, avoiding the pitfall of sluggishness plaguing so many digital audio players. It can accept MicroSD cards up to 512GB, holding up to a couple of thousand albums (including files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256). And it delivers those files with plenty of power across its 3.5mm single-ended (70mW) and 2.5mm balanced (190mW) connections.

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If you want to listen to streaming services, you’ll need a smartphone or computer. When connected to an internet-enabled source, the AP80 Pro-X can act as a DAC, receiving that audio and sending it through (complete with 8x MQA decoding) to your headphones. It functions similarly to a dongle DAC or a wireless Bluetooth receiver (supporting AAC, aptX, LDAC, UAT codecs) but with all the features and enhanced sound quality of this much more sophisticated player. It also offers expansive sound customization with sliders dedicated to specific descriptors, like “bass extension” and “note thickness.” It’s a unique, user-friendly touch other DAP manufacturers could learn from.

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At $189, the AP80 Pro-X offers quite a lot, but it’s not without its sacrifices. It doesn’t come with onboard storage to begin uploading your files immediately. The battery life is also only so-so. But with a one-hour complete recharge time, downtime shouldn’t be much of an issue, and the AP80 Pro-X (shown above with the equally approachably priced MP145 planar-magnetic IEMs) offers far, far more than the cheap digital music players of old and lets you relish all the details.

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Things to consider before buying one of the best DAPs

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Like most things within the audio hobby, choosing the right DAP isn’t as simple as finding what’s popular and assuming it will work for you. Prices scale into thousands of dollars; unsurprisingly, those expensive products tend to get rave recommendations. Based on positive feedback alone, you might assume you must spend $1,000 for a great experience. Instead, the much wiser choice is to work backward from the features you need and find the best digital audio player that fits your budget. Here’s what to look for before committing to a purchase:

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Connectivity

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The first thing to consider with any DAP is its connectivity options. Some DAPs are limited solely to single-ended (standard 3.5mm) connections. Others offer 4.4mm or 2.5mm balanced connections—ports that split the signal into left and right channels for reduced distortion, improved clarity, and increased power delivery. Even if your current headphones use a standard 3.5mm jack, it’s worth considering whether a balanced earphone may be in your future. Since balanced outputs tend to offer more power, it is a useful option if you’re listening to harder-to-drive headphones.

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One important thing to remember is that, due to their size, the best hi-res players typically lack support for the large 6.35mm jacks common to over-ear headphones. Using a DAP with cans like these is still possible, but you’ll need an adapter to make the connection. This flexible option from Sennheiser is an excellent choice and comes in at just under $20.

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Connectivity doesn’t stop at the wire, however. Some DAPs also support Bluetooth to send and/or receive audio, as well as Wi-Fi for higher-resolution/bandwidth audio. If you want your device also to drive true wireless earbuds or the best portable speakers, you’ll need to be sure it supports Bluetooth as a feature. It’s important to acknowledge that, while convenient, Bluetooth isn’t the highest-fidelity option. However, pairing earbuds and a DAP that supports the LDAC codec is a solid listening experience, and Snapdragon Sound with aptX Lossless, while on very few components currently, has potential.

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Output power

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Right up there with connectivity options is how much power the portable DAP can produce. This isn’t usually an issue for small, easy-to-drive in-ear monitors, but it is a major consideration if you’re considering over-ear headphones. Audiophile-grade cans often require the extra power of a dedicated headphone amplifier to sound their best, and a DAP that doesn’t produce enough power to drive them is bound to disappoint.

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This information is usually found on the specification list for most players and is rated in milliwatts (mW) or volts RMS (VRMS). It is typically rated against a certain resistance measured in ohms: 70mw@32Ω, for example. The amount of output power can also vary between the balanced and single-ended (3.5mm) outputs. So, it’s important to consider which port you’ll be using and not just assume the highest possible output power is what you’ll be getting.

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Since headphones have an incredibly wide range of power demands, offering specific advice without knowing which will be used is impossible. Generally, 50mW of output power is sufficient for most earphones. Headphones can be more demanding. To be safe, run your headphones through a headphone power calculator to find out exactly how much power output you should be targeting.

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If you plan to listen to a mix of in-ear and over-ear headphones, consider looking for a DAP with high- and low-gain modes for less hiss and more fine-tuned volume adjustment. A very high-output player may work great for a demanding pair of audiophile headphones but could make listening to sensitive multidriver earbuds difficult with very touchy volume controls. Being able to swap between low- and high-gain modes can be game-changing to the versatility of a DAP.

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Support for streaming services and file types

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Digital audio players come in two varieties: simple music-file players and smart devices supporting online streaming. If you’re a die-hard fan of lossless audio with a deep catalog of hi-res audio files, you’ll probably be happy with a standard “dumb” DAP that has the sole job of making your music sound great.

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If you’re a fan of TIDAL or Spotify, you’ll need a DAP that can connect to the internet and has a display capable of navigating these apps. That means running some version of Android and, usually, a more complicated and expensive device.

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Smart audio players often feel like smartphones designed around playing music, which can be both good and bad (if you’re looking for that kind of convergence device, check out something with an upgraded integrated DAC/amp, like the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro). On the plus side, DAPs that support streaming services give you access to huge music libraries and the ability to pick up where you left off across different devices. The downside is that, since the focus is on audio quality, the actual computer side of the device is often several generations old, including the operating system. Many smart DAPs feel sluggish compared to similarly priced smartphones.

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The other thing to consider is what file formats the device can play back. To stream the highest quality tracks from TIDAL, your DAP must support decoding those files. TIDAL’s top streaming tier features FLACs that use a high-resolution compression algorithm that only some players can fully decode, usually at an additional cost. Likewise, if you’re playing local files, you’ll want to be sure the device supports the format of your library (FLAC, ALAC, DSD, WAV, etc.).

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Battery life

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Finally, the last thing to consider when purchasing a DAP is how long you can expect it to play between recharges. Somewhat counterintuitively, the fancier DACs often offer worse battery life due to their large screens, Android operating systems, and more powerful digital signal processing options/amplifier output. Any DAP worth investing in will last at least through a workday of listening. If you don’t mind plugging in overnight, this will likely be sufficient.

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Along with this, look closely at how long the player takes to recharge. The Hidiz AP80 Pro-X comes in on the low end for battery life but takes only an hour to fully recharge, which means a quick plug-in throughout the day will likely close the gap in usability for extended listening sessions. If you anticipate having to plug in, also check if the device can still be used while charging.

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FAQs

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Q: What is a DAP?

The acronym “DAP” stands for Digital Audio Player. These standalone devices aim to play your music back at the highest quality. While many audiophile products pair with a smartphone via USB, DAPs remove your phone from the equation entirely. Instead, they’re entirely built around sound quality, including components and designs engineered to maximize the listening experience.

The best-known DAP is probably the original Apple iPod. Since those small MP3 players, many listeners have become content with the ease of listening wirelessly through their smartphones. This isn’t a great solution for audio enthusiasts and music fans with favorite wired headphones. A DAP can be the perfect answer for them, creating a portable hi-fi system that allows them to carry a top-tier listening experience everywhere they go.

Q: Are DAPs worth it?

If you love music, it makes sense to have a device dedicated to it. While it’s certainly possible to listen through your smartphone, it’s an incredibly complex device trying to do multiple things simultaneously. Audio performance is important to smartphone engineers, but it’s hardly the top concern when compared to everything else a modern smartphone is responsible for: operating system performance, multiple radios, adaptive refresh rates, complex camera systems, running apps at once, notifications, and, of course, call quality. This is also reflected in the components and, well, the lack of a headphone jack.

A DAP, on the other hand, is designed entirely around sound quality. They often feature high-quality DACs (digital-to-analog converters) and higher output power. These improved components make an audible difference in sound quality, improving clarity and dynamic range and allowing it to drive a wide range of headphones. Like a desktop computer, removing the audio processing from the electrically noisy circuit board of a smart device can also remove a potential source of interference.

Ultimately, one of the key reasons many buy a DAP is to invest in a portable “foundation” for their listening experience. Investing in a dedicated portable audio player is rarely “necessary” in this day and age, the same way it’s not necessary to buy the $899 Bluesound SOUNDBAR+ when you can buy one of the best soundbars under $500 and get many of the same features—unless you’re specifically slowly working up to a full music-centric wireless surround sound system. Rather than purchase a tethered DAC that will let your phone do the heavy lifting, a DAP becomes a touchstone to the audio hobby that’s personal to each listener.

Q: How much do DAPs cost?

Digital audio players span the gamut in price. Basic Bluetooth MP3 players can be found on Amazon for close to $50. Others, like the premium Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000, can cost several thousand dollars. It’s not usually necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a digital audio player. Still, they can become quite expensive, easily reaching $3,000-$5,000 with more advanced features and luxuries like copper enclosures.

As a rule, DAPs that support Android will be more expensive than those that do not. Likewise, DAPs that support more connectivity options, like balanced versus just single-ended headphones, will also be more expensive. Within this framework, there can be a wide range of prices, so it’s important to look at what features you need and desire most and choose the option that works for you.

It’s important to remember that hi-fi can be an expensive hobby. The cost ceiling stretches far higher than most listeners would ever consider spending. Just because a DAP is twice as expensive does not mean it’s twice as good.

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Final thoughts on the best DAPs

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Best overall: FiiO M23
Best desktop: FiiO R9
Best under $500: HiBy R5 Gen 2
Best budget: Hidizs AP80 Pro-X

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Deciding on a DAP can be intimidating. With prices extending into hundreds of dollars and beyond, the pressure to make the right decision is high. But, with a focus on features, it’s possible to find the right fit that will let you enjoy your music to the fullest on the go. The best DAPs provide room to grow and explore the hobby even further. With care, they even tend to retain resale value, giving you a one-up on that next inevitable upgrade.

The post The best DAPs for 2026, tested and reviewed by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on HexClad cookware allow you to splurge responsibly

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:12:37 -0500

It’s fun to get new pots and pans, but it’s also important. Using old non-stick cookware can be harmful to your body, so it’s important to replace them as soon as they start to deteriorate. HexClad pans are built extremely tough and maintain their non-stick surface, but they come with a hefty price tag. That’s where these Amazon Cyber Monday deals come in. Whether you want a single pan or a whole set, it’s all on sale for this shopping holiday.

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Editor’s picks

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Fry Pan Set (8", 10", 12") $318.00 (was $399.00)

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HexClad

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This three-pan set covers 90% of your stovetop cooking: the 8-inch for eggs and grilled cheese, the 10-inch for everyday sautés, and the 12-inch for searing steaks or tossing big pans of veggies. HexClad’s hybrid surface gives you a hard-searing stainless feel with the easy release of nonstick, and all three pans are induction-compatible and dishwasher-friendly. If you’re starting from scratch or finally ready to replace mismatched hand-me-downs, this is the no-brainer buy.

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Qt Sauté Pan / Chicken Fryer with Lid $179.00 (was $229.00)

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- - This is a great do-it-all pot if you don’t want a big collection. - -

HexClad

What would a dinosaur taste like?

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Think of this as the one-pan solution for feeding a crowd. The 7-quart capacity and high sides make it perfect for fried chicken, big batches of Bolognese, braised short ribs, or ultra-hearty one-pot pastas. You get tons of surface area for browning plus enough depth to keep sauces and oil contained. It can go from stovetop to oven and then straight into the dishwasher when you’re done, which is exactly what you want after an all-day cook.

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HexClad Steak Knife Set, 4-Piece Damascus Stainless Steel $178.00 (was $229.99)

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If you’re going to invest in better pans, you might as well upgrade how you eat the finished product. This four-piece steak knife set uses Japanese Damascus stainless steel blades with full-tang construction and Pakkawood handles, so they look as sharp as they cut. They’ll glide through thick ribeyes and pork chops instead of shredding them, and the presentation is gift-worthy for the steak lover in your life—or for dressing up your own dinner table.

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HexClad cookware sets & bundles

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Fry Pan Set (8″, 10″, 12″) $318.00 (was $399.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Pot Set (2, 3, 8-Qt + 2 trivets) $303.00 (was $379.00)

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HexClad frying pans, sauté pans & woks

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 3.3-Qt Deep Sauté Pan with Lid $105.00 (was $179.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Qt Sauté Pan / Chicken Fryer with Lid $179.00 (was $229.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $89.00 (was $129.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan $64.00 (was $109.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 8-Inch Frying Pan $96.00 (was $129.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 8-Inch Frying Pan with Tempered Glass Lid $111.00 (was $149.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $126.00 (was $169.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $149.00 (was $199.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan $134.00 (was $179.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5.5-Qt Deep Sauté Pan with Lid $156.00 (was $209.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 4.5-Qt Deep Sauté Pan with Lid $141.00 (was $189.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Inch Wok $94.00 (was $119.00)

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HexClad pots, stockpots & Dutch ovens

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Qt Stockpot with Lid $153.00 (was $219.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Qt Stockpot with Lid $149.00 (was $199.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 3-Qt Saucepan with Lid $119.00 (was $149.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5-Qt Saucepan with Lid $134.00 (was $179.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5-Qt Dutch Oven with Stainless Lid $159.00 (was $199.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6.5-Qt Oval Dutch Oven with Stainless Steel Lid $160.00 (was $229.00)

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HexClad grill & griddle gear

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HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 13-Inch Griddle Pan $111.00 (was $159.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Double Burner Griddle $119.00 (was $199.00)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick BBQ Grill Pan $94.00 (was $159.00)
HexClad 8-Piece Griddle Tool Set with Smash-Burger Press, Spatulas, Tongs & Egg Rings $111.00 (was $139.00)

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HexClad knives & sharpening tools

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HexClad Santoku Knife, 7-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $89.00 (was $129.00)
HexClad Utility Knife, 5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $69.00 (was $99.00)
HexClad Boning Knife, 6-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $69.00 (was $129.00)
HexClad Bread Knife, 8-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $96.00 (was $139.00)
HexClad Nakiri Knife, 6.5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $88.00 (was $149.00)
HexClad Cleaver Knife, 7-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $128.00 (was $199.00)
HexClad Steak Knife Set, 4-Pieces Damascus Stainless Steel Blades $178.00 (was $229.99)
HexClad Paring Knife, 3.5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $59.00 (was $79.00)
HexClad Honing Rod, 9-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel $48.00 (was $69.00)

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HexClad prep & serving accessories

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HexClad 4-Piece Bistecca Wooden Steak Plate Set with Juice Channel $69.00 (was $99.00)
HexClad Extra Large Beechwood Cutting Board, Reversible (24×18) $76.00 (was $109.00)
HexClad Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, 3-Piece with Vacuum Seal Lids (1.3, 3, 5 Qt) $79.00 (was $99.00)
HexClad HexMill Salt Grinder, Professional Grade $89.00 (was $129.00)
HexClad Hexagon Silicone Trivets, 2-Pack, Nonslip and Heat-Resistant $22.00 (was $29.00)
HexClad Silicone Oven Mitt Set, 2-Pack, Heat-Resistant to 500 °F $22.00 (was $29.00)

The post Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on HexClad cookware allow you to splurge responsibly appeared first on Popular Science.

Were there any venomous dinosaurs?

Andrew Coletti — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

It’s one of the most memorable scenes in the original Jurassic Park movie: the dinosaur Dilophosaurus spreads the frill around its neck and sprays deadly venom from its jaws. The frill (inspired by Australia’s frilled lizard) is pure Hollywood fantasy. But paleontologists did formerly speculate that Dilophosaurus spat venom, or at least had a toxic bite. Sam Welles, who described the Arizonan dinosaur in 1984, identified a structure in the jaw as a potential venom gland, and suggested that its jaws were too fragile to dispatch prey with brute force alone.

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Today, more complete fossil evidence has rewritten these early assumptions. Scientists now believe that Dilophosaurus’s jaws were much stronger than previously thought, and what was thought to be a venom gland was just a misidentified part of the jawbone. So Dilophosaurus is no longer believed to have been venomous; but what about other dinosaurs?

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In 2009, a small, feathered carnivore from Cretaceous China called Sinornithosaurus was also speculated to be venomous. Researchers noted grooves in Sinornithosaurus’s teeth that might have been channels for the flow of toxins. This claim initially generated media attention, but subsequent studies have called it into question. Today, most paleontologists do not believe there is sufficient evidence that Sinornithosaurus was venomous either. While some paleontologists think there could still be venomous dinosaurs out there, we only have evidence for venom in just a handful of prehistoric reptiles that lack the defining anatomical features of dinosaurs.

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This small, feathered Cretaceous dinosaur, Sinornithosaurus, was once speculated to be venomous. Image: Nobumichi Tamura/Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

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The difference between venom and poison

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The terms “venomous” and “poisonous” are often confused with each other, but they actually refer to different ways that animals transmit organic poisons (toxins). Poisonous animals, such as poison dart frogs, passively deliver toxins when touched or bitten. Venomous animals have to actively sting or bite to deliver toxins, either to defend themselves, like bees, or to kill or immobilize prey, like spiders. While poisonous animals may store toxins throughout their bodies, venomous animals usually have specialized organs for producing and injecting venom.

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How modern biology informs paleontology

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When looking for evidence of venom production in prehistoric reptiles, paleontologists generally look for telltale venom-producing structures such as grooves or tubes in the teeth. “We have to use what we know in the modern world to inform what we can observe from the fossil record,” says Helen Burch, a PhD candidate in paleobiology at Virginia Tech University.

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However, some modern venomous reptiles like the komodo dragon lack the clearly visible tube structures seen in snakes. Furthermore, “a lot of the reptiles that we see today have their venom glands positioned subdermally, or just below the skin,” says Burch, rather than in a depression in the bone. This means that “if we were looking for a venomous dinosaur, the structures that we would look for might not even be showing up in the bone,” she adds. So while there is no conclusively known venomous dinosaur, there’s a possibility that evidence simply wouldn’t show up clearly in the fossil record.

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Burch explains that a prehistoric reptile called Uatchitodon, which lived in North America in the Late Triassic about 220 million years ago, “has a very definitive venom structure that looks pretty much exactly like what we see in modern snakes,” says Burch. “We have an opening at the base of the tooth and an enclosed tube, and then an opening at the tip of the tooth.” Without any remains of Uatchitodon beyond these remarkable teeth, we can’t say precisely where it fits on the reptilian family tree, so we can’t call it a venomous dinosaur.

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However, it’s notable that “Uatchitodon had serrated teeth,” says Burch, and “at the time when we find Uatchitodon, the only animals that have serrated teeth are archosauromorphs,” a very large and diverse grouping that includes the dinosaurs, as well as pterosaurs, crocodilians, and more. So despite the venom-bearing structures in its teeth, Uatchitodon was likely more closely related to dinosaurs than to modern lizards and snakes, even though Uatchitodon was not a dinosaur.

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Venomous prehistoric reptiles aren’t the same as venomous dinosaurs

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Despite their incredible variety, all dinosaurs share certain skeletal characteristics. The presence or absence of these can help to diagnose a fossil as being from a dinosaur or not. For example, the legs of dinosaurs were positioned directly under their bodies, giving them an upright stance. In most other groups of reptiles, the legs sprawl out to the sides and the body may lie flat against the ground.

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Burch was involved in the discovery of Microzemiotes sonselaensis, another of the few known reptiles with venom-producing features from the Mesozoic era, when the dinosaurs thrived. Microzemiotes‘ relation to other reptiles is unclear from existing remains.

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- Related Ask Us Anything Stories

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How do snakes move? It’s not all slithering.

Why are there so many birds?

Which animals can and can’t fart?

Without humans, what would happen to Earth?

Why do turtles do the ‘Superman pose’?

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However, we know where to place another early venomous reptile, Sphenovipera: Rather than being a dinosaur, it belonged to a group whose only living representative is the tuatara, a lizardlike creature that lives on rocky beaches in New Zealand. The examples of these two species and Uatchitodon show us that venomous reptiles did live at the same time as the earliest dinosaurs, and that some fell within the same clade, or genetic grouping, as the dinosaurs themselves. But this doesn’t mean that there were actually venomous dinosaurs as Jurassic Park would have you believe.

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Venom has evolved many times, in different ways

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Burch points out that, while all modern venom-bearing reptiles are grouped together in the clade Toxicofera, “these animals that we’re seeing in the fossil record, that are reptiles that are hypothesized to be venomous, don’t fall inside this clade. So that is where it gets more interesting.”

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The presence of venom structures across so many different groups suggests that venom has evolved multiple times in reptiles, just as it also evolved repeatedly in fish, mammals, and many other animals. Toxins are a useful evolutionary tool with many applications.

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Burch points out that “we see venom used in super different ways” across different species, as well as a large variety of different toxins, including some meant to cause pain to an attacking predator, and others meant to immobilize prey long enough for it to be swallowed whole.

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So, what’s the verdict on poisonous dinosaurs?

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When it comes to the possibility of a venomous dinosaur, there’s not enough evidence to say for sure. “It is notable that we don’t have any modern birds which are venomous, which are the surviving lineage of dinosaurs,” says Burch. However, we do see dinosaurs—in this case, living birds—that store toxins as defensive poisons if we turn again to the modern world.

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The jungles of New Guinea are home to several species of pitohui, the world’s only known poisonous birds. Pitohuis store built-up toxins from the insects they eat in every part of their bodies, even their bones and feathers, making them toxic enough to irritate the skin of humans who handle them. It’s certainly possible that some prehistoric dinosaurs did the same. In fact, genetic studies of pitohuis have shown that their toxic defense evolved multiple times independently, rather than once in a common ancestor. Perhaps it also evolved at least once in prehistoric dinosaurs.

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The hooded pitohui (Pitohui dichrous) is the only known poisonous bird in the world. Image: DepositPhotos

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While distinct structures like grooves in the teeth can point to an animal’s being venomous, no skeletal features can tell us if a creature was poisonous without organic material to examine. This means it would be impossible to know if an animal was poisonous “in the deep fossil record, when we lose all organic material,” says Burch. “I mean, we had frogs in the Triassic; we could have had poisonous frogs. But there’s simply no way to know, right?”

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The post Were there any venomous dinosaurs? appeared first on Popular Science.

The best heating pads

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:59:10 -0500

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Many people assume heating pads are only for injuries, but these versatile devices offer tons of health benefits on which you might be missing out. They stimulate blood flow, help muscles relax, and offer fast pain relief. They come in different shapes and sizes to fit various areas of the body. We’ve chosen the Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad as our best overall pick. It’s pricier than some others on the list, but it’s versatile and very effective, so we think it’s worth the investment. This will be your favorite piece of fitness gear. So get ready for some heat, and look at the best heating pads, along with tips on choosing the right one for your aching body.

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Best overall: Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad
Best for cramps: Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad
Best for arthritis: Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad
Best for neck and shoulders: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder
Best moist: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief
Best weighted: Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth 2-in-1 Weighted Body Pad
Best budget: Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap

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How we chose the best heating pads

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At PopSci, we have an affinity for products that help keep readers warm, from the best heated clothing to the best electric garage heaters to the cousin of heating pads, the best heated blankets. In compiling our list of the best heating pads, we looked for options that served various needs, from arthritis and neck and back pain, to heating pads that just help keep people warm. We looked for heating pads from trusted brands like Sunbeam and Carex. We also considered user reviews in making our recommendations.

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The best heating pads: Reviews & Recommendations

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Both heat and cold can help soothe aches and pains. Heat attracts more blood flow and nutrients to the affected areas, helping to provide relief, according to WebMD. Heating pads can offer different types of heat, control features, and designs that make some pads more helpful under certain circumstances. For example, there’s dry heat, and there’s moist heat. Both types of heat are helpful, but there’s evidence that moist heat’s ability to penetrate soft tissue faster can boost the pad’s effectiveness. So, if you’re looking for the best heating pad for cramps, arthritis, neck and shoulders, or general muscle pains, our recommendations have you covered.

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Best overall

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Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad

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- Pros

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Cozy
Six temperature settings
Provides dry and moist heat therapy
Automatic shutoff after 2 hours

- Cons

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Some users said it stopped working consistently

- Specs

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- - Material: - - - Microplush polyester, plastic -
- - Heat range: - - - 105-140℉ -
- - Size: - - - 24 inches L x 20 inches W -
- - Weight: - - - 1.9 pounds -

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Pure Enrichment’s PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad is a cross between a super comfy blanket and a heating pad you can fine-tune to your preferences. Made of microplush, this heating pad provides six heat levels, which you can adjust using an ergonomic LCD controller. It’s designed to heat up instantly, and you can select between 105-140℉ of heat. You can also switch between dry and moist heat by dampening the pad. And automatically shuts off after 2 hours, should you doze off.

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At just 1.9 pounds, this heating pad is lightweight, but its dimensions of 20 by 24 inches provide plenty of coverage for neck, shoulders, back, and legs. It provides plenty of warmth and relief for muscle soreness and joint pain. Plus, it’s machine-washable.

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Best for cramps

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Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad

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- Pros

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Portable
Modern design
Operates at 60 hertz
Works on multiple parts of the body
Machine-washable cover

- Cons

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Battery may run out

- Specs

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- - Material: - - - Micromink (double-sided polyester), lithium-ion battery -
- - Heat range: - - - Low to high -
- - Size: - - - 12 inches L x 9.5 inches W -
- - Weight: - - - One pound -

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Looking for targeted relief from cramps? Sunbeam’s Cordless Heat Pad is designed with a microplush covering that measures 12 inches by 9.5 inches, and strap that adjusts up to 55 inches. This heating pad provides three levels of heat and is battery-powered so that you can wear it around your home. The lithium-ion battery also runs for up to 4 hours on a single charge and runs at a frequency of 60 hertz. You can also use it on your back, neck, shoulders, and legs. Once you’re feeling better, the cover is removable and machine-washable.

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Best for arthritis

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Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad

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- - This heating pad offers three heat settings and provides deep, moist heat without adding water. -

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- Pros

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Temperature goes higher than some other options
Shuts off after 25 minutes
Easy to clean

- Cons

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Some users say you can’t return it

- Specs

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- - Material: - - - Fleece, plastic -
- - Heat range: - - - 50 to 165°F -
- - Size: - - - 14 inches W x 27 inches L -
- - Weight: - - - N/A -

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The Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad heats quickly and reaches temperatures between 150 to 165°F. The intense, moist heat is delivered by a large 14- by 27-inch pad. With three heat settings and an automatic 25-minute shutoff feature, this portable heating pad relieves pain but keeps you safe, too.

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Best for neck and shoulders

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Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder

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- - The Sunbeam’s extra tall, adjustable collar cradles the neck and drapes over the shoulders for quick relaxation. -

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- Pros

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Fits to your shoulders and neck
Very soft
Close fit

- Cons

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Some users say the heat is uneven
Cord is bulky

- Specs

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- - Material: - - - Micromink, plastic -
- - Heat range: - - - Max of 176°F -
- - Size: - - - 22 inches L x 19 inches W -
- - Weight: - - - 2.7 pounds -

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The Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder features an extra-tall, adjustable collar to cover the entire back of the neck and into the scalp. In total, this pad measures 22 by 19 inches, making it large enough for men and women. The Sunbeam also includes four heating settings and a removable, washable cover made of soft micromink. Meanwhile, you can keep your feet warm with some of the best heated insoles or best heated slippers.

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Best budget

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Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief

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- Pros

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Affordable
Lightweight
Easy to clean

- Cons

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May not cover as much of the body as other options
Not as cozy as other picks

- Specs

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- - Material: - - - Polyester, vinyl -
- - Heat range: - - - 110 to 160°F -
- - Size: - - - 12 inches x 15 inches -
- - Weight: - - - One pound -

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive heating pad that provides moist heat, consider the Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief. At 12 inches by 15 inches, this electric heating pad can help provide relief to a smaller area than some other heating pads. But you can adjust the temperature in the three settings, ranging from 110 to 160°F. Designed to help with arthritis, shoulder, neck, and back pain, this heating pad is also equipped with a sponge insert to provide moist heat in addition to dry heat. Plus, you can remove the cover to wash it.

- - - - -

Best weighted

- -

Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth 2-in-1 Body Pad

- - - - -

- -

- - This weighted pad’s non-toxic beads help it conform to the body for a custom fit and better heat application. -

Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers

- - - - - See It - - - -

- Pros

- -

Weighted blanket and heating pad in one
Plush
Non-toxic
More attractive than other options

- Cons

- -

Some users had problems getting it to heat up
Glass beads may bunch

- Specs

- -

- - Material: - - - Micromink, glass beads -
- - Heat range: - - - 105-140℉ -
- - Size: - - - ‎32 inches L x 21 inches W -
- - Weight: - - - 6 pounds -

+ + +

+ Related 3I/ATLAS Stories

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New NASA images confirm comet 3I/ATLAS is not aliens

Fastest comet ever recorded comes from beyond our solar system

The Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth 2-in-1 Body Pad is made of a diamond quilted mink. Each diamond contains non-toxic beads that help the pad conform to the shape of your shoulders, leg, or back. The quilting maintains an even distribution of the beads, so there’s no pooling. That also maintains the pad’s contouring so it can better reach tight, sore muscles. Want to explore the psychological benefits of weighted blankets minus the heat? We’ve got a guide for that, too.

The post Hubble Space Telescope caught a second glimpse of comet 3I/ATLAS appeared first on Popular Science.

Ruby the turtle needs a new greenhouse. Dance companies are stepping up.

Laura Baisas — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap

- -

Best budget

- - - - -

- -

- - This pad provides moist heat or chilly contentment with its organic filling and soft fabric. -

- - - - See It +

- - -

- Pros

- -

Comes in four versions (unscented, Balance Orange, Bliss Pink, Fresh Green)
Provides both hot and cold therapy
Inexpensive

- Cons

- -

May not provide heat and cold consistently

- Specs

- -

- - Material: - - - Nylon handles, natural filling (herbs, flowers) -
- - Heat range: - - - N/A -
- - Size: - - - ‎23 inches L x 4.25 inches W -
- - Weight: - - - 2 pounds -

The Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap contains an organic filling of grains and herbs that holds heat or cold. Pop it in the microwave to create moist heat, or store it in the freezer for a cooling wrap to treat swelling or injury. Handles on either end help it stay in place, or press the heating pad into the skin for deeper heat penetration.

What to consider before buying a heating pad

Whether you’re looking for a comfy heating pad to wrap your tired muscles in after a long, cold run, or you’d like to reduce tension in your neck, our recommendations can help address your needs. To find the option that’s the best for you, consider these factors:

A performance of Moss Anthology#5 for Buglisi Dance Theatre. Image: Hisae Aihara.

Levels of heat

Heating pads with multiple or adjustable heat settings give you more control over your heat therapy. Areas of the body that don’t have a lot of soft tissue, like the ankle, may need less heat than the thigh, for example, where there’s ample soft tissue to disperse the heat. Of course, there are also comfort preferences and heat tolerance that may necessitate temperature adjustment. And those with a single heat setting may need closer monitoring to ensure the temperature stays comfortable.

Location of pain and fit

Gorodesky, who grew up around tortoises and has been volunteering with the Turtle Conservancy for several years, formed a bond with Ruby when she began helping to clean her tank.

Back pain, specifically low-back pain, causes more global disability than all other pain sources. Heat can help, whether that pain comes from overuse or stems from a chronic condition. Heating pads designed for back pain may be a simple rectangle shape that molds to the body. This type works for the back, but also for general pain in other areas of the body.

“Some of these confiscated animals, they come and go, they’re then being placed in other parts of the world,”she explains. “But Ruby is sort of a constant.”

Other designs fit like a vest or jacket, allowing freedom of movement with the arms. These electric heating pads aren’t usually battery-powered. Consequently, you can’t walk around while wearing one, but the pad will fit and stay in place better. However, these close-fitting designs can cause overheating, so pay attention to how you feel. Red skin, lightheadedness, or an upset stomach could indicate that you or your skin are overheating, and it’s time to take the pad off.

Photographs of Ruby will appear in the lobby at New York Live Arts ahead of a Dancing For Our Wonderful World, which features eight newly choreographed dance pieces. Image: Samantha Bass.

That said, a rectangle isn’t always the best shape for the body’s curves. Shoulder and neck pain are common complaints that may not get the heat they need from a standard rectangular heating pad.

To address that need, neck-and-shoulder heating pads are made in the shape of the neck and/or shoulders with a collar and body that drapes across the shoulders and partially down the back. Some are for the neck only, and others are shoulders only. However, the magical ones do both at once. Look for a model that fits your body size and drapes far enough down the body to reach your problem areas.

Moist vs. dry heat

Chiara Gorodesky poses with Ruby the Burmese roofed turtle. Image: Stephanie Diani.

Heat is heat, right? Wrong. Moisture can help the heat penetrate deeper into the soft tissues and amplify the effects. The most efficient and consistent moist heating pads absorb moisture from the air, heat it, and let it penetrate the body. They don’t run out of moisture and keep heat exposure consistent.

Look for models with adjustable temperature settings. Moist heat feels hotter and can easily burn the skin. Moist heating pads can also welcome mold and mildew if they aren’t maintained properly. Make sure that it is completely dry before putting it away.

While dance may not seem the most natural way to highlight their plight, these reptiles and the way we move do share something crucial.

Electric vs. microwaveable

Microwavable heating pads have two key benefits. First, they don’t require an electrical cord. You can manipulate the pad and adjust it to the body without wrestling with a cord. A lack of cord also lets you walk around with it in place.

Fairy tale animals that are in very real danger, but still can be saved.

The post Ruby the turtle needs a new greenhouse. Dance companies are stepping up. appeared first on Popular Science.

Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat?

Andrew Paul — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

The second benefit is that some microwaveable heating pads offer moist heat. Some models allow you to put a small bowl of water in the microwave with the heating pad. The water releases steam, which the pad absorbs. It then releases that moisture against your body, letting the steam penetrate deeper into the tissue.

The downside of these pads is that you have to be careful with them initially as they may be very hot, but they lose their heat relatively quickly. At that point, you’ll have to reheat them, but it’s a small price to pay for mobile heat.

Safety

It’s important to note that heating pads, when not used properly, can cause a burn or be a fire hazard. Safety features like an automatic shut-off and an internal thermometer prevent heating pad burns and fire. Some models feature a timer that shuts the heat off after 20 to 30 minutes, while others turn off once they reach a certain temperature. However, safety also requires that the user follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

An illustration showing Chromeornis in life. Credit: Sunny Dror

As far as safe use, don’t lay on a heating pad, which can trap heat against your body and potentially cause a burn or start a fire. Do not place the pad directly on your skin, and make sure you don’t fall asleep with one, even if it has an automatic shut-off feature.

Weight

Weighted heating pads do a couple of things that other models don’t. First, they offer a better fit against the body. If there’s a gap between the pad and the body, heat cannot penetrate as well, and you might not get all of the benefits. Weighted models mold to the body and stay in place more readily, so you get a good fit no matter the pad’s placement.

Second, weight and pressure have also been shown to help relieve anxiety. These heating pads can act as a mini weighted blanket while providing relaxing heat. It’s kind of a win-win situation—a better fit and relaxing heat all in one. If you’re looking for a DIY heating pad, you can fill an old sock with rice and heat it in the microwave, or warm towels. Just be careful of the heat when you first handle a homemade heating pad.

FAQs

Q: How much does a heating pad cost?

Heating pads range in price from about $85 for a higher-tech portable option like the Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad to under $10 for the microwaveable Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap.

Q: Are heating pads good for shoulder pain?

Heating pads are an excellent option for shoulder pain. The trick is getting a good fit to the part of the shoulder that hurts. Rectangular models can work. However, you’ll get better relief with one designed to fit around the neck and shoulders. Weighted models can also help the pad mold to your shape for a closer fit and better heat application.

Q: Are heating pads 100% safe?

You should exercise care when using a heating pad. Some can reach temperatures more than 175°F on the highest settings and microwaveable options can be very hot when initially heated. Many of the electric heating pads are designed with automatic shutoffs, but you should limit the time you use one at high settings.

Q: Can I use a heating pad while pregnant?

Yes, you can use a heating pad while pregnant to help alleviate back pain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you use the lowest temperature setting and wrap the heating pad in a towel to protect against burning. You should also limited the time you use a heating pad. Using the cold function of a heating pad can also provide relief for back pain.

Q: Is it OK to sleep with a heating pad every night?

No. You should not sleep with a heating pad every night. Even with a timer, there’s a risk of falling asleep, getting a burn, or potentially starting a fire. It’s OK to use a heating pad in bed as long as you’re awake, then take it out of bed when you’re done, and turn it off.

Q: Is there a heating pad that you can lay on?

Laying on a heating pad is a universal no-no. It traps heat and can potentially cause a burn or pose a fire hazard.

“They seemed to be more like tiny clay balls,” explained O’Connor. “With these data, we can very clearly say that these stones weren’t swallowed to help the bird crush its food.”

Final thoughts on the best heating pads

With one question answered, another immediately arose: If the bird didn’t eat them as gizzard stones, then why did it ingest them at all? Luckily, O’Connor’s team already has a solid theory.

Best overall: Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad

“When birds are sick, they start doing weird things,” she said.

Best for cramps: Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad

Best for arthritis: Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad

Best for neck and shoulders: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder

Best moist: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief

The post Why did this ancient bird die with tiny rocks in its throat? appeared first on Popular Science.

A pilot turned an old plane into a two-bedroom apartment

Stacey L. Nash — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Best weighted: Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth 2-in-1 Weighted Body Pad

Best budget: Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap

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Sweet relief is only a button touch away when you’ve got the best heating pad waiting for you. Whether it’s a moist heating pad, electric model, or microwavable, there’s a model that will fit your body and budget. Make sure it’s got safety features, even heat distribution, and the coverage your aching body needs. Now, it’s time to sit down, turn on the heat, and relax.

The post The best heating pads appeared first on Popular Science.

The best telescopes for astrophotography

Laura Kiniry — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:49:30 -0500

Finding the right plane

When you take up photography, there are lots of subjects you can photograph, but astrophotography requires a special breed. You need patience, skill, and a passion for observing the night sky. You also need the right gear. We’ve chosen the Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope as our best overall telescope for astrophotography, but there are also more affordable versions that can help you create celestial masterpieces. Here are our picks.

Best overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

Best budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

The piston-powered DC-6 aircraft wasn’t in great shape when and former commercial airline pilot Jon Kotwicki purchased it in 2022. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

Best portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor

Best for beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

How to insulate a plane house

How we chose the best telescopes for astrophotography

We’re camera nerds and into telescopes, so we know a thing or two about the “photography” part of “astrophotography.” We looked at critical reviews and user recommendations and conducted heavy research to ensure we got the “astro” part down.

One of the biggest challenges in converting a plane into a working apartment was figuring out how to insulate the aircraft. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

We picked telescopes based on their build quality, optics, field of view, and focal ratio, with a few specific parameters in mind. We avoided models with plastic pieces and cheap housing, except when looking at budget models, as build quality can affect the ability of the telescope to stay aligned and with viewing quality. Everything from the aperture to the included eyepieces was factored into the optics. Field of view affects the kind of objects you can photograph, and we have those with a narrow field of view for closer objects and wider fields of view for deep-sky objects. Finally, we have models on both ends of the focal ratio spectrum, including middle-of-the-road options for those who want an all-purpose telescope for astrophotography.

The best telescopes for astrophotography: Reviews & Recommendations

Stars can move at 500,000 per hour. Thanks to modern tech, we can take incredibly detailed photos of them in the sky. One of our picks should make you feel like Galileo or Copernicus, minus the death threats from the Catholic Church.

Best overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

The two bedroom, one bathroom apartment still has the plane’s original cockpit. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

Best overall

- -

Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

- - - - -

- -

Converting a freight carrier into a two bedroom apartment

- - - - See It - - -

- Pros

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Bright clear views of in-solar system objects
Capable of deep-sky viewing and images
Relatively compact for the viewing power
Includes 1.25-inch adapter

- Cons

- -

Doesn’t come with a mount

- Specs

- -

- - Focal ratio: - - - f/15 -
- - Weight: - - - 17.1 pounds -
- - Optical design: - - - Maksutov-Cassegrain -

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The completed DC-6 aircraft apartment features heated floors, a king size bed, and an onboard washer and dryer. Video: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

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Open for lodging

The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope is a compound telescope that offers a long focal length in a relatively compact design. It weighs 17 pounds, and you get excellent, clear views of the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects.

A 1.25-inch adapter comes with the telescope, so you can directly attach a DSLR camera and get snapping once you’ve located the desired object. The f/15 focal ratio does mean it’s considered a slow telescope, so taking deep-sky shots is a little harder. However, as long as those objects are bright, this telescope can capture the images.

Keep in mind that this model doesn’t come with a mount. You’ll have to purchase one separately. Depending on the type you choose, they can be pricey.

More planes, more business

It’s harder but not impossible to find a telescope under $500 for astrophotography, and the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope is one of the best below that price point. While the quality of the build and accessories can sometimes reflect the low price, users get excellent views of the moon and planets. That’s also where this telescope shines when it comes to astrophotography: closer objects. A red dot finder, which shines a red dot on the lens, helps users hone in on their target, too.

You can use this telescope for viewing deep-sky objects, but your chances of getting a good photo at those longer distances aren’t great with this model. However, this value pick is perfect if you’re just getting started.

Kotwicki also converted this yellow DHL DC-9 aircraft into a three bedroom and two bathroom apartment. Image: The FLY8MA Team/ Jon Kotwicki

Best portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor

Best portable

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Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor

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Philly’s ‘transit vigilante’ created a real-time bus tracker for his neighbors

Turning a plane into a motor home

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- Pros

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Impressive optical image quality
Lets you delve into professional-quality astrophotography
CA stays controlled with the doublet and moderate focal ratio

- Cons

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Not a good choice for beginners
Expensive
Includes only the tube with a few accessories

- Specs

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- - Focal ratio: - - - f/7.5 -
- - Weight: - - - 7.3 pounds -
- - Optical design: - - - Refractor -

The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor offers an impressive array of optics that create vivid detail and image quality. However, attaining that quality may require the purchase of a few extra accessories. Consequently, this isn’t a model for beginners.

It may be a lofty goal but, for Kotwicki, turning high-flying ideas into reality has become second nature.

However, for advanced beginners, intermediate, and even some advanced astrophotographers, the EvoStar 80 provides the quality and ability to travel with the telescope. At only 7.3 pounds, you can take it to the local mountaintop for a broader range of spectacular views as you escape light pollution. The optical specs—including a 1.45 Dawes limit, 1.75 Rayleigh limit, and 12 limiting magnitude—squeeze every last ounce of optical quality, especially in a tube this size.

If you know what you’re doing and you’re serious enough in astrophotography to know the difference between good and great optical quality, this is a portable telescope that will not disappoint.

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The post A pilot turned an old plane into a two-bedroom apartment appeared first on Popular Science.

The Sans holiday sale drops prices on these editor-approved air purifiers and water purifiers

Stan Horaczek — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:38:29 -0500

Best for beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

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Best for beginners

Sans Air Purifier – HEPA 13 Filter, Activated Carbon and UV-C Light Save $140

Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

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- - - - - See It + - - -

- Pros

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Quick, straightforward assembly
Computerized mount makes it easier to identify and target objects
Includes Sky Tour button to get familiar with the night sky

- Cons

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Cannot take deep-sky images

- Specs

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- - Focal ratio: - - - f/9 -
- - Weight: - - - 13.2 pounds -
- - Optical design: - - - Newtonian Reflector -

+ + The glow lets you know how clean your air is. + +

Sans

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The Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope not only lets beginners start taking photographs right away but also introduces them to the night sky. The included mount even has a Sky Tour button that takes users on a guided journey through the heavens. While it doesn’t have the optics to do deep-sky astrophotography, you can connect a webcam, astrophotography camera, or mobile phone to start taking photos.

You don’t have to be an expert to assemble the telescope and get started right away, which is key for beginners. This model is also relatively lightweight and portable.

Best budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

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This is a high-end model with an extremely simple interface and that’s a good thing.

Best budget

Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

Sans Water Purifier – Countertop Reverse Osmosis with UV Save $140

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+ + This is one of the best-looking air purifiers around. + +

Sans

@@ -14622,313 +8488,199 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It - -

- Pros

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Good views of solar system and moon for the price
Red dot finder makes it easier to target
Affordable price for a telescope that can be used for basic planetary and moon photography

- Cons

- -

Mount can be difficult to adjust
Parts feel cheap

- Specs

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- - Focal ratio: - - - f/5 -
- - Weight: - - - 28 pounds -
- - Optical design: - - - Newtonian Reflector -

+ -

What to consider when buying the best telescopes for astrophotography

You don’t have to wait for the moon to reach a certain phase to get a good look at the sky. Sometimes, you just want to capture the brief moment where Jupiter was in your view. Here are the features and specs you should look for when searching the galaxies of the internet for a telescope for astrophotography:

Mount type

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Before you invest in a telescope, consider what type of mount you already have or the mount that comes with the telescope. The mount is especially important for taking long exposure (slow) images.

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Mount importance comes down to the fact that the Earth is rotating, which alters the object’s location as you take a photo. Without the right mount, you can end up with blurred images or images with a visible trail.

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One of the best options for astrophotography is the equatorial mount. These mounts require only one axis adjustment to follow the object. In comparison, an alt-azimuth mount requires adjusting two axes while you’re trying to track the object. Mounts can be manual or automatic. Automatic equatorial mounts are more expensive, but they leave you free to change eyepieces or take photos.

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Remember that although a telescope may come with one kind of mount, you can buy a different mount separately.

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Focal ratio

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The focal ratio is the telescope’s focal length divided by the aperture. The resulting number is the f/number, such as f/4 or f/11. A smaller focal ratio, those below f/5, indicates a faster telescope in that it gathers light at a faster rate than a model with a slower focal rate. These models are fast and have a wider field of view, making them more suited to deep-sky photography. They have shorter focal lengths (the distance between the eyepiece and the lens), which also makes them lighter and easier to carry.

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Slow telescopes have a focal ratio of f/8 or higher. Their longer focal lengths require slower shutter speeds to gather the same amount of light as a slow telescope. They have a narrower field of view but capture greater detail, making them a better choice for images within our solar system, like the moon or planets.

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Optical design

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There are many types of telescopes, but those most pertinent to astrophotography include:

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Refractor telescopes: Refractor telescopes are one of the most popular astrophotography telescope types. They give you more ability to correct chromatic aberration. Chromatic aberration is when light rays focus at different points, creating different colors around the object’s borders. Refractor telescopes provide more adjustments to fix this problem. They come in APO (apochromatic) and semi-APO design, with APO offering the best chromatic aberration correction.

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Reflecting telescopes: Newtonian and Gregorian telescopes fall into this category. They have mirrors instead of lenses. The Newtonian Dobsonian telescopes are among the most affordable and easiest telescopes to use, making them a good choice for beginners. However, depending on the targeted object, they don’t typically offer the best optical quality as some of the other types of telescopes.

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Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain: Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are both catadioptric (also called compound telescopes) models. They’re a hybrid between refractor and reflector telescopes, having both lenses and mirrors. These models offer great optical correction features like refractor telescopes and provide long focal lengths in a relatively short tube for greater detail (and photographs) with a smaller telescope.

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FAQS

Q: What is the best telescope for astrophotography?

The Sky-Watcher Skymax provides a balance between size and weight, focal length and ratio, and price. This model’s f/15 focal ratio provides better views of the planets and the moon than deep-space objects. However, the design gives it a wider field of view than similar telescopes, allowing for impressive deep-space images for those with the skill to acquire their target. This telescope is a great option for someone who wants to dabble in both deep space and in-solar system astrophotography

Q: Do you need a special telescope for astrophotography?

You don’t necessarily need a special telescope for astrophotography. Many telescopes that aren’t designed specifically for astrophotography have connectors or accessories that connect the telescope to a DSLR camera or mobile phone for photography purposes. Several of the telescopes on our list fall into this category. However, other models are designed specifically for astrophotography. These models range from those that are basically a camera lens that acts like a telescope to telescopes that connect directly to a DSLR camera. You can go either route. Beginners typically begin with a general telescope that can be used for astrophotography, while astrophotography veterans opt for specialty equipment.

Q: Which telescope is best to see galaxies?

The Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope is the best telescope for seeing and photographing galaxies. The f/7.5 focal ratio, however, also makes it a great option if you want to take shots of closer objects too. It’s a large telescope that offers incredible views both near and far, but it’s hard to beat its deep-sky abilities.

Q: What size telescope do I need to photograph galaxies?

The size of the telescope’s field of view, which you’ll find on models with small focal ratios, makes a bigger difference for photographing galaxies than the telescope’s overall size. A wide field of view makes it easier to track and find deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas. Having said that, a telescope with an eight-inch or higher aperture will help you see and photograph galaxies better, too.

Q: Can you use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography?

You can use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography if the object is bright and clear. Dim, faint objects won’t produce very good photos with these telescopes. They’re better suited for photographing the moon on a bright night or for capturing bright planets.

Q: What is a good starter telescope for astrophotography?

Both the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope and the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great starter telescopes. Celestron is also well known for its customer service, which can be helpful for beginners. These models will still take some getting used to, but the computerized 114LCM can help newbies find and track objects much faster than a manual mount. The AstroMaster offers good optics for the price, giving beginners a chance to decide if they want to invest in a more expensive telescope later on.

Want to see everything in one place? You can also browse the broader bundle lineup here: All Sans bundles

The post The Sans holiday sale drops prices on these editor-approved air purifiers and water purifiers appeared first on Popular Science.

Why using a donkey to treat whooping cough makes sense

Stacey L. Nash — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:45:00 -0500

Final thoughts on the best telescopes for astrophotography

Best overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

Building a folklore archive

Best portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor

Best for beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

Best budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

Maybe you got your first telescope as a kid and have been fascinated by the skies ever since. Or maybe you got a point-and-shoot camera and have slowly widened your exposure to celestial subjects. However you got here, here you are, scrolling through our top telescopes for astrophotography. The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope offers the best blend of quality with image quality. Its price makes it more feasible for experienced astrophotographers, but you’ll get images with quality that are well above the price. If you’re on a budget, the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope or Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great options. The 114LCM’s SkyTour and automatic mount make it a great choice for beginners.

The post The best telescopes for astrophotography appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon just unleashed thousands of Cyber Monday deals: These are the 170+ best

Laura Baisas — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:33:08 -0500

Cyber Monday is here, and so are the best deals on the biggest online shopping day of the year. And there are a lot of them—so many they may seem overwhelming, even impenetrable. Luckily, you don’t have to worry. We’ve spent the entire weekend digging up the best deals across just about every category, from electronics to home improvements. We’ll be updating this list constantly until the last deal is done, so keep coming back and bring money.

A child’s account of various local cures for whooping cough. Image: Brunel University of London.

Remember, if you don’t have an active Amazon Prime subscription, you can sign up at this link.

‘These weren’t random traditions’

Editor’s Picks

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TheraGun Prime (5th Gen) — $199.99 (was $319.99)

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- - This high-end massager has all the features you want. - -

Therabody

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“We find that diseases with uncertain causes were about 50% more likely to attract religious or magical treatments,” added study co-author and psychologist Dr. Ayana Willard.

If you’ve been waiting for a “real” Theragun that doesn’t feel like a splurge, this is it. The TheraGun Prime (5th Gen) hits the sweet spot between power, quiet operation, and price. You get deep-tissue relief, multiple speed settings, and app-guided routines for about $120 off the usual cost. It’s a solid everyday massage gun for runners, lifters, and desk workers alike. And it’s just one of the brand’s deeply discounted devices, up to 50% off for Cyber Monday.

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NETVUE by Birdfy Pro Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Solar Panel (Blue) — $129.99 (was $199.99)

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- - The integrated solar panel makes charging infrequent. - -

Birdfy

- - Even if you have a full-sized snow blower, this electric shovel is great for walkways and other tighter spaces. - -

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“These weren’t random traditions,” said de Barra. “They reflected people’s need to understand and influence their health, especially when real answers weren’t available.”

At its core, this is the classic Birdfy experience: a smart bird feeder with a built-in camera that lets you see every visitor up close without scaring them. Mount it on a window or pole, connect it to the app, and you’ll get a steady stream of videos and snapshots you can save or share. But instead of forcing you to climb a ladder every few weeks to recharge a battery, this Birdfy Pro model with an included solar panel is the one to beat. You still get the camera-equipped feeder and app connectivity, but the solar panel helps keep the system topped up so you can treat it like a tiny autonomous research station in your yard. It’s a great pick if you’re planning to run the camera through every season.

The need for a solution

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Greenworks 40V 12" Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel with LED Light — $195 (was $279)

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Greenworks

- Grab a TV that will make your friends jealous. + The 650 down makes it extremely warm. -

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This 40V brushless snow shovel is built to save your back (and buck) on quick clearings, chewing through up to 8 inches of snow and chucking it up to 25 feet with a 12-inch clearing path. The handy LED light illuminates early-morning or late-night cleanups. It runs on Greenworks’ 40V battery platform and comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger, so you’re ready to go right out of the box and can exchange power packs with other Greenworks yard tools.

“This is such a rich resource and there’s still more to uncover,” said de Barra.

The post Why using a donkey to treat whooping cough makes sense appeared first on Popular Science.

REI is blowing out coats, jackets, and tons more clothing for clearance prices during its winter sale

Stan Horaczek — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:39:14 -0500

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Men’s editor’s picks

Samsung 65-inch S90F OLED 4K TV — $1,248 (was $1,999)

REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie – Men's $89.39 (was $149.00)

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Samsung

REI Co-op

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Samsung’s S90F is the kind of TV that makes you suddenly care about picture quality. The OLED panel serves up inky blacks and punchy highlights, while the 4K AI upscaling and high refresh rate keep movies and games looking sharp and smooth. It’s packed with gaming-friendly features, but it’s just as good for binging shows with the lights off and a pile of leftovers on the coffee table. And while you’re at it, get a discounted Samsung HW-Q990F wireless surround sound system for an amazing immersive experience.

Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty — $142.99 (was $229.99)

Patagonia Jackson Glacier Down Parka – Men's $418.83 (was $599.00)

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Coway

Patagonia

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The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty is a top pick thanks to its mix of performance, footprint, and ease of use. And Cyber Monday cuts the regular $229 price 40% down to $142. Designed for rooms up to about 361 square feet, it uses a 4-stage filtration system (pre-filter, deodorization filter, True HEPA filter, and Coway’s Vital Ion) to capture allergens, pollutants, and other common asthma triggers. Real-time air quality feedback via a color LED ring makes it easy to see when your air is actually improving, and the auto mode adjusts fan speed based on pollutant levels—dropping into Eco mode when the air has been clean for a while to save power. It’s light enough to move between rooms when you need to keep your “clean air bubble” with you, which is exactly why it rose to the top of PopSci’s portable picks in the best air purifiers for asthma roundup.

Men’s down & insulated jackets, parkas & vests

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Apple Watch Ultra 2 — $599 (was $799)

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Apple

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Men’s $77.39 (was $129.00)

REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka – Men’s $137.39 (was $229.00)

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is overkill in the best way. It’s built for long runs, cold hikes, and saltwater swims, but the giant screen, loud siren, and extra-long battery life also make it a great everyday watch if you just want something tough that won’t die halfway through the day. If you’ve been eyeing one but couldn’t get past the price, a solid Cyber Monday discount makes this feel more like an investment than a splurge.

REI Co-op 650 Down Vest – Men’s $59.89 (was $99.95)

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Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 open-ear bone-conduction headphones — $124.95 (was $179.95)

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Tony Ware

Rab Valiance Down Jacket – Men’s $311.19 (was $415.00)

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REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie – Men’s $89.39 (was $149.00)

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 are the “I guess I live in these now” upgrade for runners and cyclists who want spatial awareness without sacrificing hype. Their 10th-gen bone-conduction tech beams surprisingly full sound through your cheekbones, while your ears stay open to cars, bikes, and course marshals. A featherweight wraparound frame, IP55 sweat resistance, 12-hour battery life, and physical buttons you can actually hit mid-interval make them the kind of set-it-and-forget-it workout partner that won’t bail before you do. And they’re available in four colorways at a 31% price drop.

Patagonia Jackson Glacier Down Parka – Men’s $418.83–$599.00 (was $599.00)

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Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) — $749 (was $999)

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REI Co-op Campwell Quilted Down Jacket – Men’s $88.93 (was $119.00)

- - This is still one of the best laptop deals around for Cyber Monday. - -

Apple

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Marmot Guides Down Hoody – Men’s $119.73 (was $275.00)

This is the kind of laptop upgrade that can carry you for years. The 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M4 chip is built for the new wave of on-device AI features while still giving you the usual Air perks: a bright Liquid Retina display, long battery life, and a chassis that’s light enough to toss in a backpack all day. If you’ve been limping along on an older Intel MacBook or a creaky Windows ultrabook, this Cyber Monday deal is the excuse to finally move on.

Helly Hansen Odin Stretch Insulator Jacket 2.0 – Men’s $149.73–$181.73 (was $250.00–$260.00)

The North Face Jacket 2000 Insulated Jacket – Men’s $149.73 (was $200.00)

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Sony WH-1000XM6 flagship noise-canceling wireless headphones — $399 (was $459)

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Sony

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Arc’teryx Thorium Down Jacket – Men’s $315.09–$360.09 (was $450.00)

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Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody – Men’s $239.99 (was $320.00)

If you’re looking for active noise cancellation to beat, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are top-tier ANC headphones with a dedicated QN3 processor and 12-mic inside-out system to attack noise and keep transparency mode lifelike. A wider headband and reinforced hinges boost comfort and durability for long hauls. Tuning is lush but controlled: bass has more glide than thump, mids sit back slightly, and treble stays smooth for a wider soundstage and fatigue-free listening. USB-C convenience, 30H battery life, and a 10-band EQ in the app let you fine-tune everything every day, whether for work, travel, or just a few minutes of serenity. Released in May 2025, this is the first sale for this flagship, one of our top travel headphones.

Helly Hansen Isfjord Insulated Shacket – Men’s $123.73 (was $180.00)

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Boulder Gear Voyage Insulated Puffy Jacket – Men’s $69.73–$82.73 (was $100.00–$110.00)

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Mountain Hardwear Deloro Down Vest – Men’s $120.73 (was $190.00)

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Smartwool Smartloft Hooded Insulated Jacket – Men’s $176.73 (was $295.00)

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Men’s rain jackets & running shells

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Marmot PreCip Eco Pro Rain Jacket – Men’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
Brooks Canopy Jacket – Men’s $94.73 (was $130.00)
REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Men’s $94.93 (was $159.00)
Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity Shell Jacket – Men’s $269.73 (was $450.00)
Boulder Gear Stratus Rain Jacket – Men’s $52.73–$59.73 (was $70.00–$80.00)
REI Co-op Swiftland Pack Running Anorak $65.93 (was $94.95)

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Men’s fleece, sweaters & flannel midlayers

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Fjallraven Singi Flannel Overshirt – Men’s $112.49 (was $150.00)
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover – Men’s $104.73 (was $139.00)
The North Face TKA Glacier Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $59.73 (was $80.00)
Arc’teryx Delta Pullover Hoody – Men’s $145.73 (was $180.00)

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Aura Mason 9-inch HD Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame — $159 (was $199)

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Aura Frames

Patagonia Retro Pile Half-Snap Pullover – Men’s $113.73–$139.73 (was $189.00)

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KUHL Dillingr Flannel Shirt – Men’s $68.93–$99.00 (was $99.00)

Anyone invited by this digital picture frame’s owner can send photos and videos directly to it from their phone. Simply connect the frame to Wi-Fi and use the Aura app to set up access and other preferences. For instance, it’s how our managing editor in D.C. and his brother in Japan regularly send pictures to their mother in Alabama. A 1600 x 1200 HD display gives stunning clarity to phone camera photos, and there’s no limit on how many photos you can upload to the frame. There’s also a built-in speaker for video playback, allowing you to watch babies crawl and cats snuggle like you’re there. The frame also includes other smart features like automatic screen brightness and cropping, and auto turn-off at night. The Aura is one of the best digital picture frames and will bring a smile to a parent’s face. (And there are a bunch of other frame sizes, colors, and vertical orientations—like the Carver, the Aspen, and the Walden—also on sale.)

KUHL Ryzer Quarter-Zip Sweater – Men’s $73.93–$99.00 (was $99.00)

Featured deals under $100

The North Face Gordon Lyons Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $89.73 (was $120.00)

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Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Pad (Qi2 15W) $57 (was $80)

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REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover – Men’s $53.89 (was $89.95)

- - Keep all your devices charged with one hub. - -

Belkin

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Fjallraven 1960 Logo Badge Sweater – Men’s $49.83–$100.00 (was $100.00)

This 3-in-1 Qi2 pad is built for the person whose nightstand or desk is a mess of cables. Drop your iPhone on the magnetic pad, set your Apple Watch on its charging puck, and park your AirPods in the third spot, and everything tops up at once. Qi2 15W fast charging keeps newer iPhones moving quickly, and the low-profile design of this clean all-in-one charging pad for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods looks more like a piece of desk gear than a clunky charger. It’s just one of many Belkin deals for Cyber Monday.

Free Country Easywear Flannel Shirt – Men’s $59.73 (was $90.00)
Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Big Grid Hoody – Men’s $82.49 (was $110.00)

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Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000 mAh Triple 100W USB-C $87 (was $134)

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Anker

- - Keep one in your travel bag so you’re never subjected to bad hotel TV ever again. - -

- - - - Get this deal +

Patagonia R1 Pullover – Men’s $73.83–$149.00 (was $149.00)

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VISSLA Eco-Zy Long-Sleeve Polar Flannel Shirt – Men’s $56.73 (was $74.95)

This flight-approved brick is built for travel and hybrid work, with enough capacity to top up a laptop once or twice, plus your phone and headphones. Three 100W USB-C ports and built-in retractable cables mean you can power multiple devices at full speed without digging for extra wires, and the price has dropped to $87.99 (was $134.99)—just one of many great Anker deals through Cyber Monday.

Smartwool Sparod Crew Sweater – Men’s $74.73 (was $105.00)
Mountain Hardwear Glacial Trail Pullover Hoody – Men’s $81.73 (was $110.00)

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Fire TV Stick 4K Select $20 (was $40)

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Amazon

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Helly Hansen Maridalen Fleece Pullover – Men’s $82.73–$86.73 (was $120.00)

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The North Face Tekware Grid Hybrid Full-Zip Jacket – Men’s $97.73 (was $130.00)

If you still have an older TV kicking around, a cheap streaming stick will do more for it than almost any other upgrade. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Select plugs straight into an HDMI port and gives you fast 4K streaming, the same Fire TV interface you’ll find built into newer sets, and full Alexa voice control from the remote. It’s an easy under-$100 gift that immediately makes a bedroom or guest-room TV feel new again.

Topo Designs Vista Quarter-Zip Lightweight Fleece Pullover – Men’s $48.83–$99.00

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JBL Tune 520BT $30 (was $60)

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JBL

Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan – Men’s $146.73 (was $180.00)

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Smartwool Intraknit Active Jacket – Men’s $158.73 (was $220.00)

The JBL Tune 520BTs are the definition of “good enough” in the best way. They’re light, fold flat into a backpack, and pump out punchy Bluetooth audio with battery life measured in days instead of hours. They don’t have fancy features like active noise canceling, but that’s kind of the point—you’re getting basic wireless headphones that can survive a commute, a gym session, or a kid’s tablet binge without you stressing if they take a beating.

Patagonia Re-Tool Jacket – Men’s $137.73 (was $199.00)

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MEATER Plus $70 (was $100)

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- - Drink water. Look adorable. - -

Sherpa Adventure Gear Ranga Button Mock-Neck Sweater – Men’s $83.73–$99.73 (was $140.00)

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Meater

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The North Face Lightrange Sunriser Quarter-Zip – Men’s $59.73 (was $80.00)

Holiday cooking is a lot less stressful when you’re not guessing whether the turkey is actually done. The MEATER Plus is a completely wireless probe that sits in your meat and sends temperature readings to an app, so you can track internal temp and rest time without opening the oven or smoker every five minutes. It’s one of those gadgets that quietly becomes a staple for anyone who grills, smokes, air-fries, or just wants fewer overcooked roasts.

Men’s base layers & thermal bottoms

The perfect gift

REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)

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Owala FreeSip 24 oz $24 (was $30)

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Owala

+ + The down makes it warm but super light. + +

REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Men’s $62.89 (was $89.95)

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REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)

Owala’s FreeSip bottles are all over social feeds for a reason. The lid lets you either sip through a built-in straw or tilt the bottle back and chug, and the insulated stainless steel body actually keeps drinks cold instead of just sweating all over your bag. It’s a simple, nice-feeling upgrade over the beat-up bottle most people are carrying around, and it’s an easy, under-$100 gift that doesn’t require you to know someone’s clothing size or gadget ecosystem.

Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Men’s $78.69 (was $105.00)

Amazon device and smart home Cyber Monday deals

REI Co-op Lightweight Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top – Men’s $27.93–$39.95 (was $39.95)

Amazon Echo Spot (2024 release) $50
Icebreaker 260 Merino Tech Thermal Leggings with Fly – Men’s $93.69 (was $125.00)
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) $55
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Base Layer Leggings with Fly – Men’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
Icebreaker Merino 260 Tech Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Men’s $93.69 (was $125.00)
Echo Dot (5th Gen, Charcoal) $32
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top – Men’s $92.73 (was $130.00)
Fire TV Stick 4K Select streaming device $20
Free Country Force Grid Fleece Base Layer Top – Men’s $29.73 (was $45.00)
Kindle Paperwhite 16 GB $124
Arc’teryx Rho LT Base Layer Bottoms – Men’s $79.73 (was $100.00)
New Kindle Colorsoft $170
Helly Hansen LIFA Tech Lite Pullover Hoodie – Men’s $61.73 (was $100.00)
New Kindle Scribe (10.2-inch) $280

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet $105

Men’s performance shirts, sun shirts & running layers

Blink Outdoor 4 – 2 camera system $52

REI Co-op Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Men’s $23.93–$34.95 (was $34.95)
Ring Battery Doorbell $49
REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve T-Shirt – Men’s $29.93 (was $39.95)
Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) $25
Arc’teryx Cormac Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $55.93–$63.93 (was $80.00)
eufy Security SoloCam E30 4-Cam Pack Kit $299
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Shirt – Men’s $35.93–$45.00 (was $45.00)
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 (100 ft) $199
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic T-Shirt – Men’s $43.93 (was $55.00)
Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp Basic $55
Arc’teryx Cormac Hoody – Men’s $62.93–$71.93 (was $90.00)
Philips Hue Lily Outdoor Smart Spotlight Base Kit (3-pack) $209
NRS Silkweight Baja Sun Shirt – Men’s $56.73 (was $79.95)
Skylight Calendar 15-inch Wall Planner $249

REI Co-op Campwell Henley Shirt – Men’s $36.93–$49.95 (was $49.95)

TV and monitor Cyber Monday deals

REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt – Men’s $16.83 (was $34.95)

Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED S90F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model) $1,247
REI Co-op Swiftland Running T-Shirt – Men’s $27.93–$44.95 (was $44.95)
Samsung 55-Inch Class The Frame LS03F 4K QLED Smart TV (2025 Model) $797
Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $51.93 (was $65.00)
Samsung 40-Inch Class Full HD F6000 Smart TV (2025 Model) $148
Arc’teryx Cormac Logo Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $55.93–$63.93 (was $80.00)
Fire TV 4-Series 55-inch 4K TV $329
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Vest – Men’s $48.93 (was $69.95)
VISSLA Twisted Long-Sleeve Rashguard – Men’s $26.83 (was $55.00)
INSIGNIA 50-Inch Class F50 Series 4K UHD Fire TV $170
Columbia PFG Tamiami II Long-Sleeve Shirt – Men’s $37.83–$55.00
Philips 221V8LB 22-inch Full HD Monitor (100Hz) $59
Smartwool Active Ultralite T-Shirt – Men’s $48.73 (was $65.00)
ASUS ROG Swift 32-inch 4K OLED Gaming Monitor (PG32UCDM) $900
REI Co-op Swiftland Grid Running T-Shirt – Men’s $30.93–$49.95
ASUS ROG Strix 27-inch 1440P OLED Gaming Monitor (XG27AQDMG) $549

Laptop, tablet, and storage Cyber Monday deals

Men’s pants & everyday bottoms

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip $749
REI Co-op Trailmade Pants – Men’s $51.93–$69.95 (was $69.95)
Dell 15 Touchscreen Business Laptop (2025) $900
KÜHL Deceptr Pants – Men’s $73.93 (was $99.00)
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6-inch 165Hz QHD+ Gaming Laptop $1,369
REI Co-op Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants – Men’s $49.83 (was $99.95)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 128GB WiFi Android Tablet $324
REI Co-op Campwell Pants – Men’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Vuori Maverick Volley Shorts – Men’s $36.83–$50.93 (was $74.00)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet $105
REI Co-op Active Pursuits 6″ Shorts $14.83–$49.95
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB PCIe 5.0 M.2 $189
Patagonia Powder Town Pants – Men’s $186.73 (was $249.00)
Samsung T9 Portable SSD 1TB $95
The North Face Easy Wind Pants – Men’s $66.73 (was $90.00)
Samsung P9 Express microSDXC Card 512GB $75
Patagonia Hydropeak Board Shorts – Men’s 18″ Outseam $36.83 (was $75.00)
Seagate Portable 2TB External Hard Drive (USB 3.0) $65
Roark Alta 5″ Shorts – Men’s $24.83–$85.00
TurboTax Desktop Deluxe 2025 (PC/Mac Download) $46

Anker Portable power banks & laptop batteries Cyber Monday deals

Socks & accessories

Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000 mAh Triple 100W USB-C Portable Charger — $87.99 (was $134.99, 35% off)
Icebreaker Ski+ Medium OTC Socks – Men’s $23.73 (was $31.00)
Anker Prime Power Bank, 20,100 mAh 3-Port (220W Max) — $119.99 (was $179.99, 33% off)
Woolrich Merino Wool Hiking Crew Socks – Men’s $17.73 (was $20.00–$22.95)
Anker Prime Power Bank, 26,250 mAh 3-Port (300W Max) — $159.99 (was $229.99, 30% off)
Icebreaker Multisport Light Mini Socks – Men’s $14.73 (was $19.00)

Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000mAh Portable Charger with Triple 100W USB-C — Multi-device portable charger with built-in retractable cables; check the product page for current pricing and any limited-time discounts.

Women’s editor’s picks

Anker MagGo Power Bank, Ultra-Slim 10,000mAh Magnetic Battery Pack (Qi2) — Slim MagSafe-compatible 10,000mAh pack that snaps to the back of recent iPhones for cable-free top-ups; see the listing for the latest sale price.

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Women's $77.39 (was $129.00)

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REI Co-op

Anker 737 Power Bank, 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Portable Charger (140W) — High-capacity 24,000mAh bank with 140W fast charging and a smart display for keeping tabs on power usage; check the product page for current deal pricing.

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Anker Power Bank Power Station 60,000mAh (PowerCore Reserve 192Wh) — Rugged 60,000mAh outdoor-focused battery with 87W output, built-in lighting, and SOS mode for camping or emergency kits; see Amazon for the latest sale price.

This is a go-to everyday puffy that punches way above its price, with warm 650-fill down, a clean look for town, and enough packability to live in your daypack all winter.

Gaming and VR Cyber Monday deals

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Arc'teryx Thorium Down Hoody – Women's $350.09–$400.09 (was $500.00)

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PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle $299

PlayStation 5 Pro Console $648

+ + This is a burly winter jacket that will keep you warm no matter what. + +

Arc’teryx

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The Thorium is a premium down hoody built for serious cold, combining lofty down with strategic synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas so it stays warm even when conditions get messy.

PlayStation Portal Remote Player $179

PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller – Volcanic Red $60

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Outdoor Research Aspire 3L Jacket – Women's $186.69–$249.00

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+ + The bright color is great for exploring and skiing in the back country. + +

Outdoor Research

PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller – Chroma Teal $60

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Madden NFL 26 – Nintendo Switch 2 $29

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Headphones, earbuds, and speaker Cyber Monday deals

Women’s down & insulated jackets, parkas & vests

Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear ANC Headphones $399
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Women’s $77.39 (was $129.00)
Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 SE Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones $249
REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka – Women’s $137.39 (was $229.00)
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 open-ear bone-conduction headphones $124.95
Arc’teryx Thorium Down Hoody – Women’s $350.09–$400.09 (was $500.00)
Technics EAH-AZ100 Reference Class wireless earbuds $219.99
REI Co-op 650 Down Vest – Women’s $59.89 (was $99.95)
Sonos Ace wireless noise-canceling headphones $279
REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Jacket – Women’s $113.83–$229.00
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones (2nd Gen, Driftwood Sand) $399
The North Face Sequoia Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket – Women’s $262.73 (was $350.00)
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds $129
Patagonia Lost Canyon Insulated Vest – Women’s $132.73 (was $189.00)
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Over-Ear Headphones (Sand Gray) $149
Helly Hansen Verglas Backcountry Jacket – Women’s $239.73 (was $400.00)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds $199
REI Co-op Swiftland Insulated Running Jacket – Women’s $69.93–$99.95
JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless Earbuds $40
Patagonia Re-Tool Hybrid Jacket – Women’s $179.73 (was $299.00)
JBL Tune 520BT Wireless On-Ear Headphones $30
Columbia Silver Falls II Insulated Jacket – Women’s $75.73 (was $110.00)
JLab JBuds Lux ANC Wireless Headphones $40
Patagonia Corduroy Overshirt Jacket – Women’s $134.73 (was $179.00)
Raycon Fitness Bluetooth True Wireless Earbuds $84
Arc’teryx Allium Insulated Jacket – Women’s $239.73 (was $300.00)
The North Face ThermoBall Eco Insulated Jacket 2.0 – Women’s $172.73 (was $230.00)
SHOKZ OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones $90
Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) $119

Best fitness, wearables, and home gym Cyber Monday deals

Women’s rain jackets & technical shells

Oura Ring 4 – Silver $249
Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] $600
REI Co-op Activator Soft-Shell Hoodie – Women’s $69.83 (was $169.00)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (41mm, LTE) $349
Outdoor Research Aspire 3L Jacket – Women’s $186.69–$249.00
Garmin fēnix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar Multisport GPS Smartwatch $439
REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Women’s $94.93 (was $159.00)
Garmin vívoactive 5 Health and Fitness GPS Smartwatch $184
Marmot PreCip Eco Pro Rain Jacket – Women’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker $70
Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket – Women’s $374.73 (was $499.00)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 (2025) 40mm Bluetooth Smartwatch $249

WHOOP Peak – 12-Month Membership + Wearable $199

Women’s fleece, hoodies & midlayers

Peloton Exercise Cross Training Bike+ $1,995

Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie 2.0 – Women’s $77.93–$98.00
PLKOW Dumbbell Weight Rack and Home Gym Storage $80
Patagonia Glorya Hooded Long-Sleeve Top – Women’s $63.73 (was $85.00)
Callaway Golf Men’s Strata Complete 12 Piece Package Set $399
REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Pullover – Women’s $53.89 (was $89.95)
AG1 Athletic Greens Travel Packs (15 Count) $52

Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Big Grid Hoody – Women’s $82.49 (was $110.00)

Home, kitchen, and comfort Cyber Monday deals

Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover – Women’s $104.73 (was $139.00)

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum (NV360) $119
REI Co-op Campwell Fleece Jacket – Women’s $59.89 (was $99.95)
eufy C10 Robot Vacuum Self Emptying $198
Patagonia R1 Jacket – Women’s $117.93–$169.00
dreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo $399
Free Country UltraFill Knit Cowl Neck Top – Women’s $48.73 (was $70.00)
Shark NeverChange Compact Pro Air Purifier (HP071BRN) $119
prAna Wooly Bird Fleece Half-Zip Jacket – Women’s $79.73 (was $155.00)
Dyson Hot+Cool AM09 Jet Focus Heater and Fan $299
The North Face Osito Lux Jacket – Women’s $51.73 (was $130.00)
De’Longhi Rivelia Automatic Espresso Machine $1,199
REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket – Women’s $49.83–$99.95
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer $349
Patagonia Re-Tool Hybrid Pullover – Women’s $161.73 (was $269.00)
The North Face Half Dome Pullover Hoodie – Women’s $39.73 (was $55.00)
Keurig K-Express Single Serve K-Cup Coffee Maker $60
The North Face Tekware Grid Hybrid Full-Zip Jacket – Women’s $90.73 (was $130.00)
MEATER Plus Smart Bluetooth Wireless Meat Thermometer $70
Smartwool Edgewood Mock Neck Sweater – Women’s $74.73 (was $105.00)
Queen Size 4 Piece Sheet Set $21
Vuori Elevation Track Jacket – Women’s $87.83 (was $148.00)
Casper Sleep Element King Mattress $589
Helly Hansen Imperial Printed Pile Snap Jacket – Women’s $119.73 (was $160.00)
YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler $280
Royal Robbins Urbanesque Sherpa Fleece Half-Zip Top – Women’s $78.73 (was $105.00)
Amazon Basics Portable Propane Fire Pit (19-inch) $101
Marmot Retro Rocklin Half-Zip – Women’s $64.73 (was $90.00)
DedCool Room + Linen Spray (01 Taunt) $32
Mountain Hardwear Glacial Trail Pullover Hoody – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
AstroAI 27-inch Snow Brush and Ice Scraper $13
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody – Women’s $122.73 (was $150.00)
Skylight Frame – 10-inch WiFi Digital Picture Frame $109
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody – Women’s $159.73 (was $200.00)
Aura Digital Picture Frame – 10.1-inch HD Mat Display $139
Marmot Leconte Full-Zip Fleece Hoody – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
REACHER Wood Grain Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine $33

Patagonia Retro Pile Marsupial Fleece Pullover – Women’s $109.73 (was $149.00)

Beauty, grooming, and self-care Cyber Monday deals

Touchland Glow Mist Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer Spray (Rosewater) $11

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30 $98

Women’s base layers & thermal leggings

ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads $47

REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm $50
REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Bottoms – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer $25
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long-Sleeve Crewe Thermal Top – Women’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
Torriden DIVE IN Hyaluronic Acid Facial Mask (10 sheets) $20
tasc Performance Elevation Merino T-Shirt – Women’s $54.73 (was $79.00)
Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream $20
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top – Women’s $96.73 (was $130.00)
Living proof Perfect hair Day Dry Shampoo (9.9 oz) $32
Smartwool Intraknit Merino Tech Half-Zip Top – Women’s $114.73 (was $175.00)
TYMO ROVY Beach Waves Curling Wand $40
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings – Women’s $78.69 (was $105.00)
Icebreaker 125 ZoneKnit Long-Sleeve Crewe Base Layer Thermal Top – Women’s $93.73 (was $125.00)
TYMO Flat Iron Hair Straightener and Curler 2-in-1 $38
Icebreaker 260 ZoneKnit Long-Sleeve Crewe Base Layer Top – Women’s $119.73 (was $165.00)
Shark FlexFusion Hair Straightener & Dryer with Fusion Hair Brush $299
Kari Traa Edith Half-Zip Base Layer Top – Women’s $81.73 (was $110.00)
Charlotte Tilbury Holiday Kit – Setting Spray, Powder, and Lip Duo $87
Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight 2-In-1 Base Layer Hoodie – Women’s $86.73 (was $120.00)
r.e.m. beauty by Ariana Grande Wicked: For Good Glinda Makeup Set $45

Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Balaclava Hoodie – Women’s $106.73 (was $150.00)

Toys, games, and kid-friendly Cyber Monday deals

Icebreaker 260 Tech Base Layer Leggings – Women’s $93.69 (was $125.00)

LEGO Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees Building Set (10373) $45

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Wild Animals: Majestic Rhino (31171) $42

Women’s performance tops, sun shirts & running layers

LEGO Harry Potter Thestral Family Building Toy (76458) $49

REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt – Women’s $16.83–$34.95
MAGNA-TILES Classic 100-Piece Magnetic Construction Set $84
REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Half-Zip Pullover – Women’s $44.83–$89.95
Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Noodle Party Playset $14
REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Solid Shirt – Women’s $16.83–$69.95
Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy $60
REI Co-op Swiftland High-Low-Hem Long-Sleeve Running T-Shirt – Women’s $21.83 (was $44.95)
Monster Jam Mini Holiday Advent Calendar $50
Arc’teryx Taema Crew Long-Sleeve Shirt – Women’s $39.83–$63.93 (was $80.00)
Bentgo Kids Bento-Style 5-Compartment Lunch Box $19
The North Face Arroyo Lightweight Flannel Shirt – Women’s $63.73 (was $85.00)
I should have known that! – Trivia Game $14

Brooks Notch Thermal Long-Sleeve 2.0 Shirt – Women’s $59.73 (was $90.00)

Travel, luggage, and everyday carry Cyber Monday deals

Patagonia ’73 Skyline Easy-Cut Responsibili-Tee – Women’s $33.73 (was $45.00)

Away Large Checked Luggage, 29-inch Hardside Suitcase $281
Free Country Microtech Chill V-Neck T-Shirt – Women’s $32.73 (was $50.00)
Amazon Basics 30-inch Hardside Large Checked Luggage $71
Icebreaker Merino 125 Cool-Lite Sphere III T-Shirt – Women’s $56.19 (was $75.00)
Amazon Essentials 4-Piece Packing Cubes Travel Accessories Set $12

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle (24 oz, Candy Store) $24

Women’s pants, tights & joggers

Owala FreeSip Twist Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle (24 oz, Scream Green) $20

Mountain Hardwear Basswood Pull-On Pants – Women’s $58.73 (was $79.00)
Owala SmoothSip Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Tumbler (20 oz) $18
Free Country Trail 2 Town Tights – Women’s $39.73 (was $60.00)
Coach Signature Canvas Slim Wrap iPhone 16 Pro Max Case $45
REI Co-op Sahara Stretch Convertible Pants – Women’s $49.83 (was $99.95)
PopSockets Phone Grip for MagSafe with Kickstand (Alum Radial Olive) $25
REI Co-op Trailmade Tights – Women’s $39.83 (was $79.95)
OCTOBUDDY Classic MAX Silicone Suction Phone Case Mount $14
REI Co-op Campwell Pants – Women’s $55.89 (was $79.95)
Amazon Essentials Women’s Mid Calf Heeled Chelsea Boot $18
Beyond Yoga Spacedye Caught in the Midi High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings – Women’s $66.93–$110.00
The Original Cashmere Crewneck Sweater (Men’s) $78
REI Co-op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights – Women’s $36.83–$74.95
Nike Men’s Air Max Excee Shoes $76
Free Country Get Out There Joggers – Women’s $49.73 (was $75.00)
Black Diamond Notion Pants – Women’s $69.73 (was $95.00)
Nike Men’s Revolution 8 Road Running Shoes $42
prAna Melrose Pants – Women’s $76.73 (was $110.00)
New Balance Men’s 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer $61

Arc’teryx Gamma Utility 5″ Shorts – Women’s $96.73 (was $120.00)

Cameras, printers, and creator gear Cyber Monday deals

Vuori Birch Shorts – Women’s $50.93 (was $74.00)

DJI Osmo 360 Camera Standard Combo $358
Arc’teryx Gamma Tapered Pants – Women’s $163.73 (was $200.00)
GoPro HERO13 Black Extended Power Bundle $349
REI Co-op Take Your Time 7/8 Leggings – Women’s $20.83 (was $69.95)
ROVE R2-4K DUAL Dash Cam Front and Rear $99
prAna Stretch Zion Halle Shorts – Women’s $46.93 (was $68.00)
Polaroid Now 3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle $135
FP Movement In The Wild Skort $50.93 (was $68.00)
Liene M100 4×6 Photo Printer (100 Sheets & 3 Cartridges) $139
The North Face Alpine Polartec 100 Pants – Women’s $66.73 (was $90.00)
KODAK Dock Plus 4PASS Instant Photo Printer $110
Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 1) Wayfarer Smart Glasses $262

Portable power, automotive, and tool Cyber Monday deals

Socks, gloves & accessories

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station $349
Farm to Feet Pinnacle Light Cushion Socks $14.73 (was $20.00)
Anker SOLIX C200 DC Power Bank Station (192Wh) $99
Icebreaker Hike Medium Crew Socks – Women’s $17.73 (was $23.00)
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station $349
Smartwool Outdoor Light Cushion Crew Socks $12.99 (was $22.00)
NOCO Boost GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter $80
The North Face Canyonlands Gloves $33.73 (was $45.00)
NOCO Boost GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter $159
Brooks Ghost Midweight Socks – 2 Pairs $9.73 (was $20.00)
WOLFBOX 4000A Jump Starter with 160 PSI Air Compressor $123
Icebreaker Ski+ Medium OTC Socks – Women’s $23.73 (was $28.00)
DEWALT Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor 20V MAX (Tool Only) $104
Icebreaker Multisport Light Micro Socks – Women’s $14.73 (was $19.00)
Tile by Life360 Mate – Bluetooth Tracker 4-Pack $40
Woolrich Big Woolly Mid-Calf Socks $18.73 (was $25.00)
Anker Laptop Power Bank, 25,000mAh Portable Charger (Triple 100W USB-C) $88

The post Amazon just unleashed thousands of Cyber Monday deals: These are the 170+ best appeared first on Popular Science.

These Bose noise-canceling headphones have never been cheaper, just $179 for one day only

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Bose ANC headphones and earbuds are one of the things I never travel without because they let you remember what your own thoughts sound like. Whether you’re on a red-eye or running a remote-work coffee-shop marathon, Bose QuietComfort offers mute-the-world magic in an all-day-wear build. And right now, you can take 50 percent off the Bose QuietComfort Headphones for Cyber Monday.

Icebreaker Hike Cool-Lite 3/4 Crew Socks – Women’s $18.73 (was $23.00)

Smartwool Hike Clear Canyon Pattern Ankle Socks – Women’s $14.73 (was $22.00)

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Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Headphones

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- - $359 - $179 -

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Tony Ware

The North Face Etip Indi Gloves – Women’s $27.73 (was $40.00)

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Woolrich Lightweight Technical Hiker Socks $14.73 (was $20.00)

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Stance Tendencies Crew Socks – Women’s $10.73 (was $19.99)

There’s noise cancellation, and then there’s Bose noise cancellation. If you want to make an open office optional or banish HVAC hum, Bose QuietComfort Headphones bring the kind of quiet that turns an office into an iso booth or an airplane cabin into a reflection room. And with Aware mode plus customizable listening profiles, you can go from “cone of silence” to “hear the boarding call” with a tap. Plus, you can add Wind Block so that calls sound serene, not like you’re a storm chaser.

Stance Icon No-Show Socks – 3 Pairs $9.83

An optional cable with an in-line mic keeps you plugged into meetings or in-flight entertainment where Bluetooth isn’t invited, and you get up to 24 hours of battery life so you don’t have to raw-dog half your long-haul. And with half off the regular price of $359 for one day only, you can save $180 this Cyber Monday on select colorways.

Brooks Run-In No Show Socks – Package of 3 $15.73 (was $22.00)

The $179 promotion is for Ice Blue, Petal Pink, Twilight Blue, Moonlight Grey, and Sandstone, while Black, White, and Cypress Green are $199 (still $160 off).

Smartwool Ski Full Cushion Tie Dye Print Over the Calf Socks – Women’s $22.73 (was $31.00)

More of the best Bose noise-canceling headphones and earbuds deals

Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 240 Headband $17.73 (was $25.00)

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $129 (was $179)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones $299 (was $429)

The post REI is blowing out coats, jackets, and tons more clothing for clearance prices during its winter sale appeared first on Popular Science.

Robot dog with Elon Musk’s head poops out AI generated art

Tony Ware — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:01:11 -0500

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen.) $249 (was $299)

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen.) $399 (was $449)

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The post These Bose noise-canceling headphones have never been cheaper, just $179 for one day only appeared first on Popular Science.

Save 50% off Eddie Bauer First Ascent winter jackets, hoodies, and more for Cyber Monday

Mack DeGeurin — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:23:27 -0500

Eddie Bauer’s First Ascent outdoor gear might be the most underrated line in the industry. These are durable technical garments and they look good to boot. Right now, everything on on the Eddie Bauer site is half-off, which is ridiculous. If you’re looking for some new winter or hiking gear, don’t miss out on these Cyber Monday deals.

Beeple's REGULAR ANIMALS debut at Art Basel today
with Elon + Zuck finally in the ring, and Bezos too pic.twitter.com/DsGwg8vj8H
— Steve Jurvetson (@FutureJurvetson) December 3, 2025

Editor’s picks

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Eddie Bauer Men's MicroTherm 2.0 Packable Down Hooded Jacket $134 (was $269)

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- - A good puffer is a truly versatile garment. - -

Eddie Bauer

- - The snug hood is an essential piece of a rain jacket. - -

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BUCKLE UP pic.twitter.com/SuLwQizLxj
— beeple (@beeple) December 4, 2025

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Down hoodies are the MVP of a winter kit because they work as a standalone jacket around town or as a midlayer under a shell on truly frigid days. At $134.50 (was $269.00), this packable puffer is an easy grab if you want one do-it-all piece for travel, trail days, and commuting.

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Eddie Bauer Women's Super Sevens Waterproof Packable Rain Jacket $99 (was $199)

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Eddie Bauer

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The human-dog hybrids featured at Art Basel Miami. Image: Beeple Studios.

A fully waterproof, packable shell is the kind of layer you never regret owning. This one stuffs down small enough to live in a backpack, then earns its keep when the forecast turns nasty, whether you’re hiking, traveling, or walking the dog. It’s down to $99.50 (was $199.00), which is a solid price for a true rain jacket from a trusted outdoor brand.

‘Beyond disturbing’

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Eddie Bauer Men's Guide Pro Lined Pants $49 (was $99)

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- - It’s like a rain jacket for your legs. - -

Eddie Bauer

- - Look how comfortable they look. - -

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Guide Pro pants are already a staple hiking and travel pant; this lined version adds a bit of extra warmth for shoulder-season hikes and cold-morning dog walks. At $49.50 (was $99.00), they’re a relatively low-cost upgrade that you’ll probably reach for more than your everyday jeans once the temperature drops.

Men’s jackets, vests, and shells

A robot dog featuring the face of Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg is part of an exhibition at Art Basel Miami. Image: Beeple Studios.

Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm 2.0 Packable Down Jacket $124.50 (was $249.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm 2.0 Packable Down Vest $89.50 (was $179.00)

Reactions to the installation, at least so far, seem notably less highbrow. Commentators online have described the event as “terrifying,” “absurd,” and “beyond disturbing.”

Eddie Bauer Men’s Omnitude 3L Stretch Waterproof Ski Shell Jacket $184.50 (was $369.00)

The post Robot dog with Elon Musk’s head poops out AI generated art appeared first on Popular Science.

Pond frogs devour murder hornets, stinger and all

Andrew Paul — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:55:00 -0500

Eddie Bauer Men’s Astro-Air Insulated Hooded Hybrid Jacket $109.50 (was $219.00)

However, some animals have no fear of a hornet’s stinger. What’s more, certain birds and spiders willingly seek the insects out as meals. Some frog species also have an appetite for hornets.

Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm FreeFuse Stretch Down Jacket $129.50 (was $259.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Astro-Air Insulated Vest $79.50 (was $159.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm FreeFuse Stretch Down Hooded Jacket $139.50 (was $279.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Omnitude 3L Stretch Bib $174.50 (was $349.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Sandstone Grid Shell Jacket $64.50 (was $129.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s MicroTherm 2.0 Packable Down Hooded Jacket $134.50 (was $269.00)

Frogs may have evolved to tolerate both the hornet venom and its resulting pain. Credit: Shinji Sugiura, Ecosphere

Eddie Bauer Men’s Sandstone Grid Hoodie $74.50 (was $149.00)

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Women’s jackets, vests, and shells

Eddie Bauer Women’s Astro-Air Insulated Stretch Hoodie $120.00 (was $240.00)

The post Pond frogs devour murder hornets, stinger and all appeared first on Popular Science.

Afraid your fish is too fishy? Smart sensors might save your nose

Mack DeGeurin — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:03:00 -0500

A new biosensor made out of needles most commonly seen in dermatology clinics and medspas could make the fresh fish “smell test” seem antiquated.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Sandstone Backbone Grid Shell Jacket $64.50 (was $129.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s Omnitude 3L Stretch Waterproof Ski Shell Jacket $184.50 (was $369.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s MicroTherm 2.0 Down Vest $89.50 (was $179.00)

This new sensor determined exactly how fresh a piece of fish was within two minutes. Image:
Khazaei et al., ACS Sensors, 2025.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Sandstone Backbone Grid Hoodie $74.50 (was $149.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s Super Sevens Waterproof Packable Rain Jacket $99.50 (was $199.00)

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Guide Pro pants, shorts, and capris

Scientist poked rancid fish with needles

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Lined Pants $49.50 (was $99.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Capris $37.50 (was $75.00)

Several microneedle sensors attached to the fish immediately begin emitting an enzyme that disturbs molecules associated with rot. Image: Khazaei et al., ACS Sensors, 2025.

Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Lined Pants $49.50 (was $99.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Pants $42.50 (was $85.00)

‘Smart sensors’ could reshape industrial-scale food safety

Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro High-Rise Pants $42.50 (was $85.00)

Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Shorts $35.00 (was $75.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Pants $45.00 (was $90.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Shorts $37.50 (was $75.00)

Gloves and mittens

Until then, it looks like the smell test inevitably remains an unpleasant but necessary fallback for most home cooks.

The post Afraid your fish is too fishy? Smart sensors might save your nose appeared first on Popular Science.

Medieval volcanoes may have ignited the Black Death

Stan Horaczek — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Lite Gloves $55.00 (was $110.00)

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Gloves $94.50 (was $189.00)

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro EverTherm Mittens $45.00 (was $90.00)

Close-up of tree ring samples taken from the Pyrenees, showing ‘blue rings.’ Credit: Ulf Büntgen

Footwear and camp gear

Tree rings tell a story

Eddie Bauer Flying Squirrel 40 Sleeping Bag $174.50 (was $349.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s High Jinx Sneakers $60.00 (was $120.00)

The post Save 50% off Eddie Bauer First Ascent winter jackets, hoodies, and more for Cyber Monday appeared first on Popular Science.

Almost everything on the Eddie Bauer website is on clearance for 50% off (or more) right now

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:20:48 -0500

Eddie Bauer outdoor gear and apparel is underrated. It can get overlooked because its gear isn’t as expensive or jargon-laden as other brands. But, the truth is, Eddie has some of the best values in the outdoor game. Right now, the site is offering 40 percent off just about everything, including men’s apparel, women’s apparel, and tons of outdoor gear. Right now, the brand still has most styles and colors in stock, but grab what you want before your size sells out or the sale ends.

Men’s apparel deals

Editor’s picks

The study’s authors believe that these grain ships arrived with stowaways: plague-infected fleas. Once in Europe, the fleas transferred to rodents and the Black Death began its infamous spread.

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Eddie’s Down Camp Suit $209.40 (was $349.00)

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Eddie Bauer

Why don’t I have to think about breathing?

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A warning for today

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The effects of the Black Death in Europe famously weren’t uniform. Instead, the plague also tells a story of class, resources, and privilege.

This is basically a wearable sleeping bag. Put it on and chill out in the coolest piece of camping gear you’ve ever seen.

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants — $54 (was $90)
Beloved hiking/travel pants with two-way stretch and a slim-but-mobile cut. They’re durable enough for the trail but look clean for travel days and office-casual. At 40% off and tons of colors/sizes, these are a perennial bestseller that readers search for year-round.

Büntgen added that while such a unique set of cascading effects may sound like a rare occurrence, the chances may be increasing due to climate change .

Eddie Bauer MicroTherm® 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket — $161.40 (was $269)
A lightweight, packable down layer that punches above its weight for shoulder-season warmth. It’s trim enough to layer under a shell for winter but works solo most days; the 40% cut is one of the best we see outside of peak holidays.

Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket — $77.40 (was $129)
A budget-friendly puffer with real down insulation—great everyday warmth without the bulk. It’s often the value pick I recommend for readers who want a dependable daily jacket under $100.

The post Medieval volcanoes may have ignited the Black Death appeared first on Popular Science.

Why we have two nostrils instead of one big hole

Sarah Philip — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 09:01:00 -0500

Pants & Joggers

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Pants $54.00 (was $90.00)

How our nostrils take turns breathing

Eddie Bauer Men’s Guide Pro Lined Pants $59.40 (was $99.00)

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Breathing through your nose is better for you than breathing through your mouth. Video: Why you should breathe through your nose with James Nestor / BBC Maestro

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How each nostril smells differently

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“It’s not one blunt odor that’s hitting you,” says Thomas Hummel, the head of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Smell and Taste at Dresden University of Technology.

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Two nostrils improve our ability to locate smell

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Jeans

+ +

+ Related Ask Us Anything Stories

+ +

Is crossing your eyes really bad for you? We asked an optometrist.

Why smelling a pine tree can instantly lift your mood

Why does food by the campfire taste better?

Is sleeping outside good for you? Science has a clear answer.

The science behind the smell of rain

Why are some cities worse for allergies than others?

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Two nostrils might give us an advantage against colds

Shorts

Eddie Bauer Men’s Top Out Ripstop Shorts $36.00 (was $60.00)

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The post Why we have two nostrils instead of one big hole appeared first on Popular Science.

Goodbye, finger pricks? Diabetes patients could monitor glucose with lightwaves.

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:26:00 -0500

Shirts

Eddie’s Favorite Flannel Classic Fit Shirt – Solid $48.00 (was $80.00)

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An illustration of what an early version of the commercial device may look like. Credit: Christine Daniloff, MIT

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Each measurement scan takes slightly more than 30 seconds to complete. The device also shows an accuracy comparable to two commercially available, wearable glucose monitors.

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“If we can make a noninvasive glucose monitor with high accuracy, then almost everyone with diabetes will benefit from this new technology,” said Kang.

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The post Goodbye, finger pricks? Diabetes patients could monitor glucose with lightwaves. appeared first on Popular Science.

Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:15:40 -0500

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What is 3I/ATLAS?

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Comet cryovolcanoes

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Eddie Bauer Men’s Short-sleeve Camano Shirt – Solid $39.00 (was $65.00)

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Challenging the standard model

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Eddie Bauer Men’s Striped Rugby Shirt $51.00 (was $85.00)

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The post Infamous 3I/ATLAS comet is covered in ice volcanoes, surprising astronomers appeared first on Popular Science.

Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health

Laura Baisas — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

T-shirts

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Eddie Bauer Men’s Resolution Short-sleeve T-shirt $24.00 (was $40.00)

Eddie Bauer Men’s Legend Wash 100% Cotton Short-sleeve Slim T-shirt $16.80 (was $28.00)

For this new study, the team explored if some of the beneficial effects that dogs have on adolescent mental health might also be tied to these differences in the microbiome.

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Sweaters

Signature Merino Wool 1/4-zip Sweater $69.00 (was $115.00)

The post Pet dogs can help teens’ mental health appeared first on Popular Science.

Escaped lab monkey finds new home at New Jersey animal sanctuary

Andrew Paul — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:36:29 -0500

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“The secret is out!” Popcorn Park posted to social media on December 2.

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Forrest is healthy and recovering from a small injury to his nose. Credit: Popcorn Park Animal Refuge

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Fletcher Bay Crew Sweater $57.00 (was $95.00)

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Aside from grapes, Forrest reportedly is also a fan of peanuts.

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“He will come over and take those peanuts from us very nicely,” Popcorn Park executive director Cory Scott told NJ.com.

Signature Roll Neck Sweater – Goose $69.00 (was $115.00)

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The post Escaped lab monkey finds new home at New Jersey animal sanctuary appeared first on Popular Science.

Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows

Popular Science Team — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:00 -0500

What’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci’s hit podcast. +The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.

Fleece & Midlayers

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FACT: Vintage anti-vaxxers thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows

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By Rachel Feltman

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High Route Grid Fleece Half-zip Mock Neck $77.40 (was $129.00)

Mountain Trek 1/2-zip Mock $48.00 (was $80.00)

FACT: This bat ate a meal on the go

Hoodies & Sweatshirts

By Sara Kiley Watson

Vintage Soft Crew Sweatshirt $48.00 (was $80.00)

Vintage Soft Pullover Hoodie $48.00 (was $80.00)

FACT: Horror movie fans are actually some of the most empathetic people you’ll meet

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By Coltan Scrivner

Vintage Soft Faux Shearling Fleece-lined Full-zip Sweatshirt $65.40 (was $109.00)

If you had to take a guess, would you think horror enthusiasts would be more or less empathetic? The research might surprise you.

Stratify Hoodie $69.00 (was $115.00)

The post Vintage vaccine skeptics thought medicine would turn kids into demon cows appeared first on Popular Science.

What happens to your body during a panic attack?

Julia Daye — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

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Quilted 1/4-zip $59.40 (was $99.00)

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Down & Insulated Jackets

What happens in your body when you panic

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Your pupils dilate. Your breathing and heart rate increase. Your mind hyperfocuses. Your blood re-routes to de-prioritize less essential areas like fingers and toes.

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How holding your breath can trigger panic

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Rain & Weather Shells

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How to deal with panic

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While it may be a good idea to drink less caffeine, exercise, and sleep at night, most of the recommended strategies for panic aren’t related to lifestyle, but to retraining your thoughts.

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Cloud Cap Stretch Waterproof Rain Jacket $101.40 (was $169.00)

Insulated Cloud Cap Stretch Waterproof Rain Jacket $137.40 (was $229.00)

+ +

+ Related Ask Us Anything Stories

+ +

Is fear contagious?

Which body parts do humans not need?

Can bad smells harm you?

How does anesthesia work? Experts still have questions.

Does ashwagandha actually help with anxiety and sleep?

Why do some people need less sleep?

Does St. John’s wort really increase serotonin?

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Parkas & Coats

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“The stance of ‘I can’t handle this’ encourages anxiety and avoidance,” Wilson says. “Arriving at a stance of ‘I don’t like it, but I can handle it’ is your best disposition.”

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The post What happens to your body during a panic attack? appeared first on Popular Science.

A long lost silver dollar may be worth $5 million

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:53:00 -0500

Vests

EB Stretch Down Vest $101.40 (was $169.00)

Shaw Down Vest $77.40 (was $129.00)

Footwear

Shearling-lined Moccasin Slippers $60.00 (was $100.00)

Update, December 10, 2025, 9:15 a.m. ET: Stack’s Bowers announced the ‘King of American Coins’ sold for $6 million.

The post A long lost silver dollar may be worth $5 million appeared first on Popular Science.

How to tell time on Mars

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:21:00 -0500

Shearling Scuffs $60.00 (was $100.00)

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It’s all relative

Accessories

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A four-body problem

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Suits & Special

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Tiny numbers, major consequences

Sleep & Lounge

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“If you get synchronization, it will be almost like real-time communication without any loss of information. You don’t have to wait to see what happens,” said Patla.

Women’s apparel deals

Editor’s Picks

The post How to tell time on Mars appeared first on Popular Science.

Quieter dental drills may be on the horizon

Laura Baisas — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:20:00 -0500

One of the biggest sources of this anxiety comes from the high-pitched, eardrum-piercing sound of a dental drill used to cut into the teeth.

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Eddie Bauer Women's MicroTherm® 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket — $161.40 (was $269)

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Eddie Bauer

+ + This is still one of the best entry-level cameras on the market. + +

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A perennial best-seller with premium 800-fill down and slim, layerable baffles. It’s warm enough for most winter days yet packs small for travel or commuting. Great color selection and a deep discount make this a crowd-pleaser.

“Because this challenge involves both human psychology and the mechanics of the device, I knew it could not be solved by dentistry alone,” she says.

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City-friendly style meets weatherproofing. The seam-sealed shell and light insulation make it a go-to for cold, wet commutes without the bulk of a parka. Versatile for fall through early spring.

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A reader-favorite hiking pant with two-way stretch, DWR, and UPF 50+. They’re tough enough for trails but polished enough for travel days. The 40% off price hits a sweet spot.

Women’s parkas & insulated coats

Eddie Bauer Girl On The Go® Insulated Waterproof Trench Coat $137.40 (was $229.00)

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A dental drill being used in a patient’s mouth. Image: Tomomi Yamada.

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They also plan to explore creating a more pleasant sound design that feels more calming and reassuring for patients.

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The post Quieter dental drills may be on the horizon appeared first on Popular Science.

Sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to save their colony

Andrew Paul — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0500

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When the young insects were not exposed to the pathogen, they didn’t emit the same chemical. This suggests the signal isn’t an unavoidable side effect of their immunoresponse system.

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Waterproof rain & shell jackets

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“This precise coordination between the individual and colony level is what makes this altruistic disease signaling so effective,” added ISTA ecologist and study co-author Sylvia Cremer.

The post Sick baby ants sacrifice themselves to save their colony appeared first on Popular Science.

The Canon T7 DSLR camera is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon for a limited time

Stan Horaczek — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:44:49 -0500

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+ +

Canon T7 DSLR with 18-55mm kit lens $329 (was $579)

+ + + + +

+ +

Canon

Why 60 degrees in fall feels different than in the spring

+ + + + See It -

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Eddie Bauer Rainfoil® Waterproof Trench Coat $90.00 (was $150.00)

Eddie Bauer Rainfoil® Storm Insulated Waterproof Trench Coat $119.40 (was $199.00)

Eddie Bauer Rainfoil® Storm Insulated Trench Coat $119.40 (was $199.00)

If you or someone you know is getting into photography, then this is a fantastic kit that makes a wonderful gift.

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Here are the camera’s specs in case you’re a nerd like me.

Category	Spec
Camera type	Digital APS-C DSLR with built-in flash
Sensor	24.1MP APS-C CMOS (22.3 × 14.9mm), 3:2 aspect ratio
Image processor	DIGIC 4+
Max image size	6000 × 4000 pixels
Lens mount	Canon EF / EF-S; kit lens: EF-S 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6 IS II (approx. 28.8–88mm equivalent)
ISO range	100–6400 (expandable to 12800)
Autofocus	9-point phase-detection AF system, center cross-type point
Continuous shooting	Up to 3 fps
Shutter speed range	1/4000–30 sec, Bulb; flash sync at 1/200 sec
Viewfinder	Optical pentamirror, approx. 95% coverage, 0.80× magnification
Rear LCD	3.0-inch fixed TFT, approx. 920k dots, non-touch
Video	Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps; HD 720p up to 60 fps; MOV format
Storage media	SD, SDHC, SDXC memory cards
Connectivity	Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), NFC, USB 2.0, mini-HDMI (Type C)
Flash	Built-in pop-up flash with E-TTL II support; hot shoe for external Speedlite
Battery	LP-E10 rechargeable Li-ion; approx. 500 shots per charge (CIPA, viewfinder use)
Dimensions (W × H × D)	Approx. 129.0 × 101.3 × 77.6 mm
Weight	Approx. 475 g with battery and card; 427 g body only

The post The Canon T7 DSLR camera is down to its lowest price ever at Amazon for a limited time appeared first on Popular Science.

What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains.

Laura Baisas — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Understanding the weather forecast can sometimes feel like reading tea leaves. Do I need a heavier coat? Should we move our plans inside because of rain? Will it be safe to drive?

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What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean?

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Down & insulated jackets / vests

When it comes to looking at the chance of precipitation in the forecast, it helps to first understand what chance of precipitation isn’t, says meteorologist Cyrena Arnold.

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“You also do have to remember that if it says, there’s a 30 percent chance of rain, that means there’s a 70 percent chance that it won’t,” Arnold explains.

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“A percentage has absolutely zero indication of how long that rain is going to last, how severe is that rain,” says Arnold.

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Eddie Bauer Ketchum Short Down Vest $95.40 (was $159.00)

+ +

+ Related Weather Stories

+ +

Lightning can kill you even if it’s sunny

What is a heat dome?

What is dew point? A meteorologist explains that sticky air.

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Does the type of precipitation impact the forecast?

Ski & technical shells / pants

Generally speaking, all forms of precipitation start out as snow because our atmosphere is so much colder than the ground.

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“It doesn’t matter if it’s summer in New York City [rain] is starting [as] snow,” says Arnold.

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Eddie Bauer Powder Search 3-in-1 Waterproof Ski Jacket $215 (was $359)

Those variations in atmospheric temperature make forecasting rain easier than forecasting sleet, freezing rain, or, in some cases, snow.

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Eddie Bauer Powder Search Insulated Waterproof Ski Bib $137 (was $229)

Eddie Bauer Omnitude 3L Stretch Waterproof Ski Shell Jacket $221 (was $369)

Image: National Weather Service.

Performance pants & joggers

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Forecasting these icy weather events “is incredibly difficult and incredibly nuanced, especially the freezing rain,” Arnold says.

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With all of that interaction between warm air, cold air, deeper air pockets, and shallow air pockets, the freezing rain forecast can change on a dime.

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“If you have one of these variables move slightly by a couple degrees, you have a completely different situation. It’s just a very volatile forecast,” says Arnold.

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When is the weather forecast most accurate?

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Jeans & casual bottoms

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Unfortunately, there is no perfect threshold for knowing when the forecast will be the most accurate. The best guidance is that the closer we get, the better we know what the weather will look like.

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Eddie Bauer Authentic Everyday High-Rise Cropped Jeans $51 (was $85)

The post What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains. appeared first on Popular Science.

Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:01:00 -0500

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Flannels, shirts & tops

The team also uncoiled an unexpected twist in the snake’s evolutionary trajectory. Basically, anacondas have always been the megafauna they are today.

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The post Anacondas have been huge for over 12 million years appeared first on Popular Science.

2025 holiday gifts guide: 20+ editor-approved presents for the hikers on your list

Tony Ware — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:15:00 -0500

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Eddie Bauer Hyperlayer Long-Sleeve Crew $36 (was $60)

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Tees & thermals

Helly Hansen

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Eddie Bauer Favorite Long-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt $18 (was $30)
Eddie Bauer Favorite Short-Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt $15.00 (was $25.00)

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Helly Hansen Men's Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator 2.0

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Helly Hansen

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Eddie Bauer Favorite Short-Sleeve V-Neck T-Shirt $15.00 (was $25.00)

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Eddie Bauer Infinity Thermal Henley $30 (was $50)

Eddie Bauer Infinity Thermal Crew $30.00 (was $50.00)

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Helly Hansen Men's Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Shell Jacket

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Helly Hansen

Sweaters & cardigans

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Eddie Bauer Signature Johnny Collar Sweater $54.00 (was $90.00)

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Helly Hansen Men's Brono Softshell Pants

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Eddie Bauer Signature V-Neck Sweater $48.00 (was $80.00)

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Helly Hansen

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Eddie Bauer Signature Crewneck Sweater $48.00 (was $80.00)

Eddie Bauer Alpine Route Cardigan $78 (was $130)

Eddie Bauer Heirloom Shawl Collar Cardigan $84 (was $140)

This is me …

Fleece & hoodies

Eddie Bauer Quest Fleece 2.0 Full-Zip Jacket $48 (was $80)

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Paka Hoodie

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Eddie Bauer Radiator 2.0 Full-Zip Jacket $50 (was $80)

+ +

Eddie Bauer Quest 300 Fleece Jacket $54 (was $90)

Eddie Bauer Quest 300 Fleece Parka $78 (was $130)

+ +

Danner N45 GTX LOW Trail Shoe

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Chill Out Fleece Full-Zip Jacket $54 (was $90)

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Chill Out Fleece Hoodie $54.00 (was $90.00)

Shorts, skorts & capris

+ +

Houdini Pace Flow Half Zip

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Departure Performance Skort $39.00 (was $65.00)

+ + This is not me … +

+ ON SALE NOW

+ +

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Departure Amphib Shorts $33.00 (was $55.00)

Eddie Bauer Horizon High-Rise Straight Leg Cropped Pants $42 (was $70)

+ +

Burgeon Outdoor Alpha Direct 90 Hoodie

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + + + See It -

Eddie Bauer Horizon Bermuda Shorts $40 (was $65)

+ +

Eddie Bauer Rainier Bermuda Shorts $40 (was $60)

- +

+ +

OBERMEYER M Explorer Tech Crew

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + This is not me … +

Dresses

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Departure Midi Dress $54 (was $90)

+ +

66˚North Snæfell Shell Jacket

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Field Flex Flannel Shirt Dress $66 (was $110)

+ + This is me, I’m just invisible … J/K, this is not me … +

+ + + ON SALE NOW + + + + + + + + See It + + -

Footwear

Eddie Bauer Bellingham Chelsea Boots $99 (was $165)

Eddie Bauer Lucia Mid Cold-Weather Boots $54.00 (was $90.00)
Eddie Bauer Lola Short Wedge Boots $78.00 (was $130.00)

+ +

Atlas A2 Adventure Stretch Belt

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + + + See It -

Eddie Bauer Hannah Short Side-Zip Boots $78.00 (was $130.00)

+ +

Eddie Bauer Shearling Mini Boots $78.00 (was $130.00)

Eddie Bauer Faux Shearling Booties $41.40 (was $69.00)

+ +

KUHL REACTIV GRID FULL ZIP HOODY

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + This is not me … +

Eddie Bauer Colville Clogs $51.00 (was $85.00)

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Shasta Slip-On Boots $39.00 (was $65.00)

Eddie Bauer Liberty Sandals $36 (was $60)

+ +

3BIRD Switch Insulated Jacket

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Suede Clogs $51 (was $85)

+ + + ON SALE NOW + + + + + + + + See It + + -

Accessories: hats, gloves, socks & more

Eddie Bauer Mount Hood Convertible Fleece Gloves $28.80 (was $48.00)
Eddie Bauer On-The-Move Fleece Gloves $30.00 (was $50.00)

+ +

Smith Optics (Rx) Sunglasses

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + + + See It -

Eddie Bauer Superior Down Pro Mittens $45.00 (was $75.00)

+ +

Eddie Bauer Roxhill Down Mittens $36.00 (was $60.00)

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Gloves $113 (was $189)

+ +

Bushnell H2O 8×42 Waterproof Binoculars (among others)

+ + + + +

+ +

Bushnell

Eddie Bauer Adventure System Gloves $48 (was $80)

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Storm Waterproof Baseball Cap $24 (was $40)

Eddie Bauer Storm Waterproof Sombrero $31.20 (was $52.00)

+ +

Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Water Bottle

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Reflective Cuffed Beanie $22.80 (was $38.00)

+ + + ON SALE NOW + + + +

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Thermal Watchman Beanie $21.00 (was $35.00)

Eddie Bauer Adventure COOLMAX® Lightweight Low Socks (2-pack) $10.80 (was $18.00)
Eddie Bauer Adventure COOLMAX® Lightweight Crew Socks (2-pack) $12.00 (was $20.00)

+ +

BOGS Boga Slip-On

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + Absolutely not me … I’m the beardy guy in the montage near the top, weren’t you paying attention? +

+ + + + See It -

Eddie Bauer Adventure COOLMAX® No-Show Liner Socks (2-pack) $10.80 (was $18.00)

+ +

Eddie Bauer Super No-Show Liner Socks (2-pack) $9.00 (was $15.00)

Sunglasses & eyewear

+ +

Columbia ROC Tech Chino Pants

+ + + + +

+ +

Eddie Bauer Preston Polarized Sunglasses $35 (was $59)

+ See It

Eddie Bauer Seabeck Polarized Sunglasses $41.40 (was $69.00)

Eddie Bauer Newport Polarized Sunglasses $35.40 (was $59.00)

- +

+ +

Columbia Men's Konos TRS OutDry Mid Shoe

+ + + + +

+ +

Gear deals

+ + + + See It + +

Editor’s Picks

Eddie Bauer Oversized Down Throw: A cozy, packable throw filled with down that’s perfect for couch season or cabin weekends. It’s lightweight but warm, and it compresses easily so it won’t hog storage space.

Eddie Bauer Expedition 30 2.0 98L Wheeled Duffel: Big-capacity rolling duffel with rugged fabric and beefy wheels that can swallow winter gear, ski clothes, or a week-long road-trip loadout without complaining.

+ +

Columbia BUGABOOT 1 Limited Edition

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + + + See It -

Eddie Bauer Eddie’s Favorite Portuguese Flannel Sheets: Soft, brushed flannel woven in Portugal—great for cold bedrooms and shoulder seasons. If you like that toasty “first-night-at-the-cabin” feel, these nail it.

+ +

Throws & Bedding

Eddie Bauer Oversized Down Throw $77.40 (was $129.00)

+ +

Smartwool Cozy Cabin Hat

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + Still not me … +

Eddie Bauer Eddie’s Favorite Portuguese Flannel Sheets $119.40–$167.40 (was $199.00–$279.00)

+ + + + See It + +

Eddie Bauer Eddie’s Favorite Flannel Portuguese Duvet Cover $131.40–$179.40 (was $219.00–$299.00)

Eddie Bauer EB Cabin Fleece Throw $45.00 (was $75.00)

+ +

YETI Crossroads 35L/22" Carry-on Luggage + Ranchero 22L Everyday Carry Backpack

+ + + + +

+ +

Duffels & Luggage

- This is the cheapest price I have ever seen on this feeder. + -

+ + + + See the Crossroads + + + See the Ranchero -

Eddie Bauer Expedition 22 2.0 45L Wheeled Duffel $167.40 (was $279.00)

Eddie Bauer Expedition 30 2.0 98L Wheeled Duffel $209.40 (was $349.00)

The post 2025 holiday gifts guide: 20+ editor-approved presents for the hikers on your list appeared first on Popular Science.

The darkest fabric ever made is now a dress

Laura Baisas — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:08:00 -0500

Eddie Bauer Expedition 34 2.0 129L Wheeled Duffel $227.40 (was $379.00)

Eddie Bauer Traverse 22 Wheeled Duffel $83.40 (was $139.00)

- +

A bird of a different color

Backpacks, Slings & Bags

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 20L Backpack $24.00 (was $40.00)

Eddie Bauer Cargo 30L Backpack $65.40 (was $109.00)

Eddie Bauer Ripstop Crossbody Crescent Sling Bag $20.40 (was $34.00)

Dyeing and etching

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel Bag $33.00 (was $55.00)

Researchers in the university’s Responsive Apparel Design (RAD) Lab dyed a white merino wool knit fabric with polydopamine, a compound that can be used as a dark dye.

Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 30L Backpack $33.00 (was $55.00)

Eddie Bauer Highpoint 30L Backpack $54.00 (was $90.00)

Lighting & Small Tools

Eddie Bauer 500 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp $27.00 (was $45.00)

Eddie Bauer Bottle Opener Zoom Flashlight $7.80 (was $13.00)

Travel Accessories & Umbrellas

Eddie Bauer Auto Open/Close Umbrella $18.00 (was $30.00)

From the runway to solar panels

Eddie Bauer Expedition Dopp Kit $35.40 (was $59.00)

Eddie Bauer 4.5L Waterproof Pouch $23.40 (was $39.00)

Sunglasses

The researchers have applied for patent protection and hope to create a company that dyes fabrics with their process. It can be used on natural materials, including cotton, wool, and even silk.

The post The darkest fabric ever made is now a dress appeared first on Popular Science.

How to glimpse a pre-AI internet

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 14:15:12 -0500

Eddie Bauer Preston Polarized Sunglasses $35.40 (was $59.00)

Outdoor & Stadium

Eddie Bauer Trekking Poles $33.00 (was $55.00)

Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 Stadium Seat $27.00 (was $45.00)

Travel Comfort

Eddie Bauer Travel Down Throw/Pillow $59.40 (was $99.00)

The post Almost everything on the Eddie Bauer website is on clearance for 50% off (or more) right now appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon slashed Birdfy smart bird feeder cameras to their lowest prices ever for Cyber Monday

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:13:13 -0500

Birds are difficult to photograph. They move quickly, arrive sporadically, and have an uncanny knack for avoiding the camera. Birdfy’s smart bird feeders make it easy to capture photos and videos of your feathered friends with a connected camera. Right now, you can score a smart bird feeder for the cheapest prices we have seen during Amazon’s Cyber Monday sale. They make fantastic gifts.

The post How to glimpse a pre-AI internet appeared first on Popular Science.

It’s last call on Cyber Monday desktop speaker deals, so don’t miss out

Tony Ware — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:26:12 -0500

Editor’s picks

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Blue) $119.99 (was $249.99)

Edifier R1280DB Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers — $127.49 (was $139.99)

- +

Birdfy

Edifier

@@ -17804,7 +11844,7 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It @@ -17812,28 +11852,32 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / -

This is the classic Birdfy experience: a smart bird feeder with a built-in camera that lets you see every visitor up close without scaring them. Mount it on a window or pole, connect it to the app, and you’ll get a steady stream of videos and snapshots you can save or share.

+ + + +

NETVUE by Birdfy Pro Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Solar Panel (Blue) $129.99 (was $199.99)

Onkyo Creator Series GX-30ARC Powered Speakers — $279 (was $349)

- +

- The integrated solar panel makes charging infrequent. + -

Birdfy

Onkyo

@@ -17843,7 +11887,7 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It @@ -17851,164 +11895,195 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / -

If you’d rather not climb a ladder every few weeks to recharge a battery, the Pro model with an included solar panel is the one to beat. You still get the camera-equipped feeder and app connectivity, but the solar panel helps keep the system topped up so you can treat it like a tiny autonomous research station in your yard. It’s a great pick if you’re planning to run the camera through every season.

- -

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Camera Lite $49.99 (was $69.99)

- - - - -

- -

- - Bring your own bird feeder. - -

Birdfy

- This high-end massager has all the features you want. + The pink flowers really pop. -

- - - - See It +

More Edifier Cyber Monday deals for every desk and shelf

+ + + +

Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers w/ Subwoofer Out (Wood Grain) — $142.49 (was $199.99)
Edifier R1280DBs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers w/ Subwoofer Out (Black) — $142.49 (was $199.99)
Edifier R1700BT Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (66W RMS) — $160.59 (was $219.99)
Edifier R1700BTs Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (66W RMS) with Sub Out — $167.89 (was $229.99)
Edifier QR65 Desktop Active Monitor (70W) with Lighting Effects — $269.99 (was $369.99)
Edifier MR3 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers — $99.99 (was $149.99)
Edifier S2000MKIII Coaxial Tri-Amped (130W) Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers (Walnut) — $549 (was $699)

+ + + +

More editor-approved powered bookshelf and desktop speaker Cyber Monday deals

+ + + +

KRK Kreate 5 Powered Studio Monitor — $152 (was $169)

+ + + +

- -

Kanto REN 200W Powered Speaker System with HDMI ARC — $449 (was $699)

+ -

The Lite version keeps the core idea—a smart feeder with a camera and app support—but trims things down to make it much more budget-friendly. It’s a solid starter option for apartment balconies, small yards, or anyone who just wants to see who’s been raiding the seed without going all-in on a premium setup.

+ +

Smart bird feeders with cameras

Compact and creative desktop contenders, plus turntable- and TV-friendly Cyber Monday speaker deals

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Blue) $119.99 (was $249.99)
Audioengine A2+ Limited Edition Wireless Bluetooth Desktop Speakers — $223 (was $279)
PreSonus Eris Accent BT Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf Speakers — $127.99 (was $159.99)
NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Yellow) $119.99 (was $189.99)
Klipsch R-51PM 120W Horn-Loaded Powered Bluetooth Speakers — $349.99 (was $599)

The post It’s last call on Cyber Monday desktop speaker deals, so don’t miss out appeared first on Popular Science.

Medieval shipwreck mistaken for underwater ‘rubbish’

Andrew Paul — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:55:00 -0500

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Blue, Alt Version) $119.99 (was $189.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy AI Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Yellow) $119.99 (was $199.99)

NETVUE Birdfy Hummee Smart Hummingbird Feeder with Camera $128.99 (was $199.99)

The Mortar Wreck contained tons of stone cargo, including cooking tools like cauldrons. Credit: Bournemouth University

NETVUE by Birdfy Pro Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Solar Panel (Blue) $129.99 (was $199.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Pro Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Solar Panel (Yellow) $139.99 (was $199.99)

“The 13th century is the heyday of the marble industry–you won’t find a church or cathedral that doesn’t have Purbeck marble in it,” added Cousins.

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Camera Lite $49.99 (was $69.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Upgraded Smart Bird Feeder Camera Solar Powered $69.99 (was $99.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Blue) $99.99 (was $199.99)

The post Medieval shipwreck mistaken for underwater ‘rubbish’ appeared first on Popular Science.

Roman military helped bring cats to Europe

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:40:00 -0500

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera (Yellow) $99.99 (was $199.99)

A brief history of housecats

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with AI Camera Solar Powered $119.99 (was $199.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Battery & Solar Powered $119.99 (was $199.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Solar Power $119.99 (was $199.99)

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Bamboo Solar Powered $199.99 (was $249.99)

Genes and military roads

NETVUE by Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder Bamboo Permanent AI $218.48 (was $299.99)

- +

Birdfy accessories on sale

NETVUE by Birdfy Bird Feeder Pole with Squirrel Baffle $149.99 (was $209.99)

NETVUE Solar Panel for Bird Feeder Camera $23.99 (was $29.99)

The post Amazon slashed Birdfy smart bird feeder cameras to their lowest prices ever for Cyber Monday appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon is blowing out Therabody massage guns and recovery gear for clearance prices on Cyber Monday

Laura Baisas — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:41:04 -0500

If your 2025 goals include sleeping better, moving more, or simply not feeling like a pile of sore muscles, check out these Cyber Monday Therabody deals from Amazon. A whole lineup of Theragun percussion massager, SmartGoggles, JetBoots compression boots, TheraFace devices, and other high-tech recovery tools are marked down by as much as 50% off.

Below, we’ve broken down the best Therabody device deals by category so you can quickly jump to what you need: massage guns, face tools, sleep tech, heat/cold therapy, and more.

Editor’s picks: the standout Therabody deals to grab first

The post Roman military helped bring cats to Europe appeared first on Popular Science.

Walmart’s Cyber Monday deals drop dozens of Lego sets to clearance prices

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:37:54 -0500

TheraGun Prime (5th Gen) — $199.99 (was $319.99, ~38% off)

LEGO Icons Bonsai Tree – $39.98 (was $49.99)

- +

Therabody

Lego

@@ -18018,7 +12093,7 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It @@ -18026,31 +12101,28 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / -

If you’ve been waiting for a “real” Theragun that doesn’t feel like a splurge, this is it. The TheraGun Prime (5th Gen) hits the sweet spot between power, quiet operation, and price. You get deep-tissue relief, multiple speed settings, and app-guided routines for about $120 off the usual cost. It’s a solid everyday massage gun for runners, lifters, and desk workers alike.

- - - -

SmartGoggles (1st Gen) — $99.99 (was $199.99, 50% off)

LEGO Technic McLaren Formula E Race Car – $34.98 (was $49.99)

- +

- I could really use these after weeks of deal hunting. + Just try to resist saying “vroom, vroom” when you put it together. You can’t. -

Therabody

Lego

@@ -18060,7 +12132,7 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It @@ -18068,1878 +12140,2157 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / -

The viral eye mask-meets-massage device is down to double digits. SmartGoggles (1st Gen) combine gentle eye and temple massage with heat and vibration to help you wind down, reduce eye strain from screens, and actually relax before bed.

- - - -

TheraFace PRO – White — $299.99 (was $419.99, ~29% off)

LEGO City 4×4 Fire Truck – $19.00 (was $34.99)

- Erase the effects of your Thanksgiving decisions. + Get some gravel from outside and take this thing off-roading. -

Therabody

Lego

+ + See It + +

This tool gets you several treatments in a single device. The TheraFace PRO – White combines percussive massage, microcurrent, LED light therapy, and more in one handle. If you’re curious about professional-style facial treatments at home, this discount knocks about $120 off the price of entry.

Theragun massage gun deals

More LEGO Deals at Walmart

Whether you’re battling DOMS from leg day or just trying to unkink your neck after eight hours at a laptop, a Theragun is the classic fix. This sale covers everything from entry-level models to pro-grade gear.

Botanicals & Display Sets

TheraGun Relief Handheld Percussion Massage Gun — $109.99 (was $159.99, ~31% off). A great starter massage gun with enough power for everyday soreness and warmups without the premium price tag.
LEGO Botanicals Tiny Plants – $39.95 (was $49.99)
TheraGun Relief – Quiet Deep Tissue Therapy Massage Gun — $109.99 (was $159.99, ~31% off). Similar idea but tuned for quieter operation—ideal if you share a small space or like to use it while watching TV.
LEGO Creator Flowers in Watering Can – $23.95 (was $29.99)
TheraGun PRO Plus – 6-in-1 Deep Tissue Massage Gun — $548.88 (was $649.99, ~16% off). Built for serious athletes and heavy users, with extra attachments, advanced routines, and more power than you’ll likely ever need.
LEGO Botanicals Mini Orchid – $23.95 (was $29.99)
TheraGun Mini Plus Massage Gun — $237.99 (was $279.99, ~15% off). A compact option with more features than the standard Mini—easier to toss in a backpack or gym bag.
LEGO Botanicals Lucky Bamboo – $23.95 (was $29.99)
TheraGun Prime (6th Gen) — $259.99 (was $329.99, ~21% off). The newest mid-range Prime with upgraded ergonomics and tuning. Great if you want the latest model without jumping to the PRO.
LEGO Botanicals Happy Plants – $18.39 (was $22.99)
TheraGun Mini (3rd Gen) – Black — $168.00 (was $219.99, ~24% off). A pocket-size Mini that’s excellent for travel, office drawers, or keeping in your everyday carry bag.
LEGO Icons Chrysanthemum – $29.97
TheraGun Mini (3rd Gen) – Desert Rose — $169.99 (was $219.99, ~23% off). Same compact design in a softer colorway that makes a great gift.
LEGO Icons Plum Blossom – $29.97
TheraGun Relief (color variant) — $109.99 (was $159.99, ~31% off). Same Relief hardware in a different colorway—handy if you’re picky about aesthetics or gifting.
LEGO Icons Kingfisher – $39.97 (was $49.99)
TheraGun Prime (5th Gen) — $199.99 (was $319.99, ~38% off). A last-gen Prime with very similar performance to the 6th-gen but a much better discount, making it a strong value pick.
LEGO Wednesday Black Dahlia Flower – $22.39 (was $27.99)

TheraGun Sense (1st Gen) — $199.99 (was $299.99, ~33% off). Adds biometric and guided features aimed at helping you actually relax, not just hammer sore muscles.

- +

Speed Champions & Racing

TheraFace devices: skincare plus tech

LEGO Speed Champions Lamborghini Revuelto & Huracán STO – $42.49 (was $49.99)

These devices stack multiple skincare and massage tools into one handle so your bathroom counter isn’t covered in gear.

LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes G63 & SL63 – $25.00 (was $44.98)

TheraFace Depuffing Wand – White — $135.99 (was $169.99, ~20% off). Designed to help reduce morning puffiness and tension in your face and jaw.
LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin Safety Car – $25.00 (was $44.98)
TheraFace Depuffing Wand – Indigo — $135.99 (was $169.99, ~20% off). Same tech in an indigo colorway for a more distinctive look on your counter.
LEGO Speed Champions BMW M4 GT3 & Hybrid V8 – $25.00 (was $44.96)
TheraFace PRO – White — $299.99 (was $419.99, ~29% off). The full-featured unit that adds microcurrent and LED therapy to the percussive massage head for more advanced routines.

LEGO Speed Champions 2 Fast 2 Furious Honda S2000 – $24.97 (was $26.99)

SmartGoggles & sleep tech

LEGO Speed Champions Porsche 911 GT3 RS – $23.97 (was $26.99)

If your “recovery” problem is less sore calves and more “I can’t shut my brain off at 1 a.m.,” these are worth a look.

LEGO Speed Champions Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat – $22.94 (was $26.99)

SmartGoggles (2nd Gen) — $179.99 (was $219.99, ~18% off). Newer version with refined modes and fit for relaxation breaks and bedtime routines.
LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 – $21.55 (was $26.99)
SmartGoggles (1st Gen) — $99.99 (was $199.99, 50% off). Same core idea—heat, gentle massage, and vibration around your eyes—at half the usual price.
LEGO Speed Champions Red Bull RB20 – $21.59 (was $26.99)
Therabody Sleep Mask — $89.99 (was $109.99, ~18% off). A weighted-style mask with smart features aimed at blocking light and helping you relax faster.

LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes F1 W15 – $21.59 (was $26.99)

JetBoots wireless compression boots

LEGO Speed Champions Aston Martin AMR24 – $21.99 (was $26.99)

If you’ve ever eyed the massive compression stations in pro locker rooms, this is the Therabody version you can use on your couch.

LEGO Speed Champions Visa RB VCARB 01 – $22.56 (was $26.99)

JetBoots Prime — $459.99 (was $549.99, ~16% off). Completely wireless compression boots—no awkward hoses. Great for runners, cyclists, or anyone logging lots of miles on their feet.
LEGO Speed Champions Sauber C44 – $21.55 (was $26.99)
JetBoots PRO Plus — $999.99 (was $1,149.99, ~13% off). Higher-end version with more modes and adjustability aimed at serious athletes and heavy recovery users.

LEGO Speed Champions Williams FW46 – $21.55 (was $26.99)

RecoveryTherm heat & cold therapy

LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari F40 – $21.99 (was $26.99)

Targeted temperature therapy without constantly swapping ice packs or microwaving heat pads.

LEGO Speed Champions Next Gen Camaro – $21.55 (was $26.99)

RecoveryTherm Cube — $129.99 (was $159.99, ~19% off). A compact, wearable unit that can deliver hot or cold therapy to specific areas like knees, elbows, or shoulders.
LEGO Speed Champions Bugatti Centodieci – $21.99 (was $26.99)
ThermBack LED – 4-in-1 Back Wrap — $269.99 (was $329.99, ~18% off). Built for your lower back with heat, vibration, and LED features—very tempting if your main “sport” is sitting at a desk all day.
LEGO Speed Champions Nissan GT-R – $19.97 (was $24.99)

RecoveryPulse compression sleeves

Technic

LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie – $52.70 (was $64.99)

For days when your arms or calves feel like cement, these sleeves combine compression and vibration to keep things moving.

LEGO Technic Surface Space Loader – $27.95 (was $34.99)

RecoveryPulse Arm — $119.99 (was $159.99, ~25% off). Helpful for people who stand all day, lift frequently, or type nonstop and need some focused recovery.
LEGO Technic Mack LR Garbage Truck – $26.49 (was $32.99)
RecoveryPulse Calf — $119.99 (was $159.99, ~25% off). A more portable option than full-leg compression boots when you want easier everyday use.

LEGO Technic Bush Plane – $22.35 (was $27.99)

Wave Series vibrating foam rollers

LEGO Technic Monster Jam DIGatron – $22.39 (was $27.99)

Think foam roller, but smarter—and less likely to be abandoned in the corner after two uses.

LEGO Technic Monster Jam ThunderROARus – $22.49 (was $27.99)

WaveRoller — $149.99 (was $179.99, ~17% off). A full-size vibrating roller for quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
LEGO Technic McLaren Extreme E – $21.55 (was $26.99)
WaveDuo — $99.99 (was $119.99, ~17% off). Peanut-style roller that hugs your spine or calves for more targeted work.
LEGO Technic Off-Road Race Buggy – $15.99 (was $19.99)
WaveSolo — $89.99 (was $99.99, ~10% off). A palm-sized vibrating ball that’s perfect for feet, glutes, and between-shoulder-blade knots.

LEGO Technic Backhoe Loader – $9.97

TheraCup cupping and PowerDot TENS/NMES

LEGO Technic Skid-Steer Loader – $4.97

If you’re ready to go beyond standard massage guns, these are the more “lab gadget” side of the Therabody lineup.

Star Wars

TheraCup — $149.99 (was $199.99, ~25% off). A modern spin on cupping with controlled suction and heat, so you’re not juggling glass cups and open flames.
LEGO Star Wars Clone Wars & Mandalorian Gift Set – $45.00 (was $62.97)
LEGO Star Wars Acclamator – $39.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Star Wars Ahsoka Interceptor – $35.99 (was $44.99)
LEGO Star Wars Clone Troopers Battle Pack – $35.95 (was $44.99)
LEGO Star Wars Jedi Bob’s Starfighter – $31.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Star Wars Clone Trooper Battle Pack – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Star Wars Ambush on Mandalore – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Star Wars Paz Vizsla Battle – $19.99 (was $39.99)
LEGO Star Wars Microfighter Jedi Starfighter – $9.40 (was $10.49)
LEGO Star Wars Death Trooper Battle Pack – $18.39 (was $22.99)
PowerDot 2.0 Uno — $189.99 (was $249.99, ~24% off). Uses electrical stimulation (TENS and NMES) to help manage soreness and keep muscles activated on one side of the body.
LEGO Star Wars Luke Skywalker X-Wing Mech – $11.18 (was $15.99)
PowerDot 2.0 Duo — $299.99 (was $399.99, ~25% off). Same concept with dual pods so you can target both legs, both arms, or opposing muscle groups at the same time.
LEGO Star Wars Rex Y-Wing Microfighter – $8.79 (was $12.99)

However you like to recover—quick percussive massage after a workout, eye masks that make screen-strained eyes feel human again, or a full-on compression-boot session while you scroll—we’re in a rare window where you can build a legitimately pro-level setup for a lot less than usual. Just don’t wait too long; Therabody discounts like these don’t tend to hang around.

The post Amazon is blowing out Therabody massage guns and recovery gear for clearance prices on Cyber Monday appeared first on Popular Science.

Walmart just dropped the lowest prices of the year on Greenworks electric yard tools with its Cyber Monday deals

Stan Horaczek — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 23:13:36 -0500

If you’ve been thinking about ditching gas-powered gear for something quieter, more efficient, and easier to maintain, Cyber Monday is the time to do it. Walmart has chopped prices across a huge range of Greenworks tools, from compact 24V drills and trimmers to powerful 60V and 80V mowers, blowers, and snow blowers. You can also save on bundles that get you multiple tools on the same battery platform.

Harry Potter

Editor’s picks

LEGO Harry Potter Knight Bus Adventure – $39.99 (was $49.99)
LEGO Harry Potter Herbology Class – $39.99 (was $49.99)

- -

Greenworks 60V 20-inch Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower (5.0Ah battery, 6A charger) — Only $329 (was $449)

- - - - -

- -

- - Ditch that old gas-powered model for something a lot easier to start. - -

Greenworks

- - - - See It +

LEGO Harry Potter Dobby – $28.00 (was $34.97)

+ - -

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Boathouse – $24.99 (was $37.99)

Winter’s coming, and this is the snow blower to grab before it hits. The 60V system has enough grunt to handle typical driveways and sidewalks without the hassle of gas, oil changes, or pull-starts in freezing weather. The 20-inch clearing width is practical for most residential jobs, and the included 5.0Ah battery plus 6A fast charger means you’re ready to go out of the box. At $120 off, it’s a solid entry point into cordless snow removal.

LEGO Harry Potter Fawkes – $18.39 (was $22.99)

- -

Greenworks 60V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw (4.0Ah battery & charger) — Only $180 (was $399)

- - - - -

- -

- - Grab a mower and a trimmer for one low price. - -

LEGO Harry Potter Flying Ford Anglia – $9.59 (was $14.99)

+ + + +

Minecraft

+ + + +

LEGO Minecraft Gift Set – $45.00 (was $60.95)

- - Everybody loves a powerful chainsaw - -

Greenworks

- See It

LEGO Minecraft Trial Chamber – $31.95 (was $39.99)
LEGO Minecraft Woodland Mansion Fight – $41.49 (was $49.99)

This is the steepest discount in the entire Greenworks sale—55% off a serious 18-inch chainsaw. That’s enough bar length to handle downed branches, firewood duty, or small tree removal without dragging out a gas saw. The 60V brushless motor keeps things quiet and low-maintenance, and the 4.0Ah battery delivers solid runtime for weekend projects. At $180, it’s cheaper than most gas chainsaws and you’ll never buy bar oil or mix fuel again.

LEGO Minecraft The Creeper – $31.95 (was $39.99)

- -

Greenworks 60V 17-inch Brushless Push Mower & 60V 13-inch String Trimmer Combo (4.0Ah battery, 3A charger) — Only $374 (was $499)

- - - - -

- -

Greenworks

- - This is a great option for users at any level. - -

LEGO Minecraft Nether Portal Ambush – $30.35 (was $37.99)

- - - - See It - -

LEGO Minecraft TNT Jungle House – $25.49 (was $29.99)

If you want to jump into battery-powered yard care in one shot, this combo is the sweet spot. You get a 17-inch mower for smaller to mid-size yards plus a 13-inch trimmer for edging and cleanup, all on the same 60V platform. Greenworks rates the kit for up to about a quarter-acre on a charge, with around 40 minutes of mowing and up to an hour of trimming from the 4.0Ah battery. That’s plenty for typical suburban lawns, and it’s an easy “one cart, two tools” upgrade for $125 off.

LEGO Minecraft Mooshroom House – $42.49 (was $49.99)

Greenworks cordless lawn mowers

LEGO Minecraft Armadillo Mine – $23.99 (was $29.99)
LEGO Minecraft Cherry Blossom Garden – $22.49 (was $27.99)

Greenworks 24V 13-inch Battery-Powered Push Walk-Behind Mower (4Ah USB battery, charger included) $219 (was $239)
LEGO Minecraft Baby Pig House – $16.99 (was $19.99)
LEGO Minecraft Warden Encounter – $15.95 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40V 14-inch Cordless Walk-Behind Lawn Mower (4.0Ah battery, charger included) $189 (was $269)
LEGO Minecraft The Armory – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40V 16-inch Battery-Powered Push Lawn Mower (4.0Ah battery, charger included) $189 (was $279)
LEGO Minecraft Illager Desert Patrol – $11.19 (was $14.00)
Greenworks 40V 20-inch Brushless Push Lawn Mower (4.0Ah battery, quick charger) $178 (was $218)
LEGO Minecraft Steve’s Desert Expedition – $7.35 (was $10.99)

Greenworks 40V 21-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (5.0Ah battery, charger included) $459 (was $499)

Marvel & DC

Greenworks 48V 20-inch Brushless Battery-Powered Lawn Mower (two 4.0Ah USB batteries, charger) $309 (was $329)

LEGO Marvel Captain America vs Thanos – $31.95 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 80V 21-inch Brushless Push Lawn Mower (4.0Ah battery, charger included) $349 (was $499)
LEGO Marvel Captain America Figure – $29.93 (was $34.98)
Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (4.0Ah battery, rapid charger MO80L410) $399 (was $509)
LEGO Marvel Hulk Truck vs Thanos – $27.99 (was $34.99)
Greenworks 80V 21-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (LED headlight, 4.0Ah battery, rapid charger) $399 (was $449)
LEGO Marvel Iron Man & War Machine vs Hammer Drones – $18.39 (was $22.99)
Greenworks 60V 21-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (two 4.0Ah batteries, dual-port charger) $428 (was $649)
LEGO DC Superman Mech vs Lex Luthor – $11.99 (was $14.99)

Greenworks snow blowers

Super Mario

Greenworks 40V 20-inch DigiPro G-MAX Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower (5.0Ah battery, charger included) $269 (was $369)
LEGO Mario Interactive Mario Vehicle – $41.99 (was $49.99)
Greenworks 60V 20-inch Cordless Single-Stage Snow Blower (5.0Ah battery, 6A charger 2608702) $329 (was $449)
LEGO Mario Kart Wario & King Boo – $39.95 (was $49.99)
Greenworks SN60L02 Pro 60V 22-inch Single-Stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower (tool only) $299 (was $379)
LEGO Mario Interactive Peach Vehicle – $36.95 (was $49.99)
Greenworks 60V 24-inch Cordless Brushless Two-Stage Self-Propelled Snow Blower (two 8.0Ah batteries, dual-port charger) $1,499 (was $1,999)

LEGO Mario Party at Toad’s House – $23.99 (was $29.99)

Greenworks leaf blowers & backpack blowers

LEGO Mario Kart Donkey Kong – $23.49 (was $34.99)

Greenworks 24V Cordless Axial Blower (90 MPH, 320 CFM) with 2Ah USB battery & charger $71 (was $109)
LEGO Mario Kart Standard Kit – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40V Axial Blower (120 MPH, 450 CFM) with 2.5Ah battery & charger $105 (was $157)
LEGO Mario Captain Toad’s Camp – $10.00 (was $14.99)

Greenworks 40V TruBrushless Axial Blower (160 MPH, 700 CFM) with 8.0Ah battery & charger $190 (was $279)

LEGO City

Greenworks 60V Cordless Leaf Blower (125 MPH, 450 CFM) with 2.0Ah battery & charger $110 (was $199)

LEGO City Built For Speed Gift Set – $25.00 (was $39.96)
Greenworks 60V 610 CFM Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower with 2.5Ah battery & rapid charger $130 (was $179)
LEGO City Donut Truck – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 60V Leaf Blower (170 MPH, 630 CFM) with 2.5Ah battery & 3A charger $164 (was $198)
LEGO City Lifeguard Rescue Truck – $19.99 (was $24.99)
Greenworks 60V Leaf Blower (180 MPH, 750 CFM) with 4.0Ah HC battery & 6A charger $248 (was $278)
LEGO City Burger Truck – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 80V Brushless Leaf Blower (145 MPH, 580 CFM) with 2.5Ah battery & charger $159 (was $180)
LEGO City Train Switch Tracks – $12.80 (was $15.99)
Greenworks 80V 610 CFM Brushless Backpack Blower with 2.5Ah battery & charger $215 (was $349)
LEGO City Go-Karts & Race Drivers – $8.49 (was $9.99)
Greenworks 80V 750 CFM Backpack Leaf Blower with 4.0Ah battery & rapid charger $299 (was $399)
LEGO City Police Motorcycle Chase – $7.99 (was $9.99)
Open Box Greenworks 80V 800 CFM Cordless Battery Leaf Blower with 4.0Ah battery & charger $195 (was $223)
LEGO City Airplane vs Hospital Bed Race Car Pack – $6.79 (was $9.00)

Greenworks string trimmers & edgers

LEGO Friends & Animal Crossing

Greenworks 40V 12-inch String Trimmer with 2.0Ah battery & charger (2101602) $78 (was $139)
LEGO Friends Explore Outdoors Gift Set – $25.00 (was $44.98)
Greenworks 40V 12-inch Straight Shaft Cordless String Trimmer (tool only 2101602A) $61 (was $139)
LEGO Friends Vintage Fashion Store – $35.99 (was $44.99)
Greenworks 40V 13-inch String Trimmer/Edger (Gen 2, tool only) $79 (was $99)
LEGO Animal Crossing Able Sisters – $31.99 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 80V 16-inch Brushless Attachment-Capable String Trimmer (2.0Ah battery & charger) $209 (was $349)
LEGO Friends Pet Accessories – $31.99 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 80V 8-inch Brushless Cordless Edger (tool only) $159 (was $199)
LEGO Bluey Beach & Family Car Trip – $24.00 (was $29.99)
Greenworks 40V 8-inch Brushless Edger (tool only) $129 (was $199)

LEGO Friends Candy Store – $23.99 (was $29.99)

Greenworks chainsaws, hedge trimmers & pruner saws

LEGO Animal Crossing Dodo Airlines – $23.00 (was $37.99)

Greenworks 40V 20-inch Battery-Powered Power Hedge Trimmer (5/8-inch cutting capacity) $105 (was $149)
LEGO Animal Crossing Goldie’s Cozy House – $18.39 (was $22.99)
Greenworks 80V 26-inch Brushless Hedge Trimmer (2.0Ah battery & 2A charger) $169 (was $239)
LEGO Friends Ice Cream Truck – $16.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 80V 26-inch Brushless Hedge Trimmer (2.0Ah battery & 4Ah charger 2203902) $159 (was $249)
LEGO Bluey Playground Fun – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Brushless Chainsaw (4.0Ah battery & charger 20312) $144 (was $249)
LEGO Friends Road-Trip Travel Car – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 80V 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw (2.0Ah battery & charger 2004502) $189 (was $279)
LEGO Friends Archery Range – $11.19 (was $14.99)
Greenworks 48V (2x24V) 14-inch Brushless Chainsaw (two 4.0Ah USB batteries, dual-port charger) $189 (was $259)
LEGO Animal Crossing Stargazing with Celeste – $6.39 (was $9.00)

Greenworks 48V (2x24V) 16-inch Brushless Chainsaw (two 4.0Ah USB batteries, dual-port charger) $209 (was $279)

Disney & Other Licensed Sets

Greenworks 60V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw (4.0Ah battery & charger 2019302) $180 (was $399)

LEGO Disney Frozen Advent Calendar – $24.00 (was $44.99)
Greenworks 24V 6-inch Brushless Pruner Saw (tool only) $59 (was $99)

LEGO DUPLO Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday Party – $15.99 (was $19.99)

Greenworks combo kits & multi-tool bundles

LEGO Wicked Glinda’s Wedding Day – $33.99 (was $39.99)

Greenworks 60V 17-inch Brushless Push Mower & 60V 13-inch String Trimmer Combo (4.0Ah battery, 3A charger) $375 (was $499)
LEGO Cinderella’s Dress – $31.99 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 24V 12-inch Cordless String Trimmer/Edger & Leaf Blower Combo Kit (3 bonus spools, 2.0Ah battery & charger) $109 (was $163)
LEGO Moana 2 Heihei – $31.99 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 60V 16-inch Front Mount Carbon Fiber String Trimmer & 750 CFM Blower Kit (2.5Ah battery, 3A charger) $214 (was $272)

LEGO Wicked Elphaba’s Retreat – $23.79 (was $27.99)

Greenworks drills, drivers & impact tools

LEGO Disney 101 Dalmatians – $19.96 (was $24.99)

Greenworks 24V 1/2-inch Cordless Brushless Hammer Drill Kit (2.0Ah battery & charger 3706602) $69 (was $99)
LEGO ONE PIECE Windmill Village Hut – $24.96 (was $29.99)
Greenworks 24V Brushless Cordless Impact Driver Kit (1/4-inch hex, 1900 in./lbs, two 2.0Ah batteries) $59 (was $69)
LEGO Fortnite Supply Llama – $31.95 (was $39.99)
Greenworks 24V 310 in./lbs Brushless Drill Kit (two 2.0Ah batteries, charger, 8-piece bit set & tool bag) $59 (was $69)
LEGO Horizon Adventures Aloy & Varl – $35.99 (was $44.99)
Greenworks 24V Cordless Brushless 400 in.-lbs Drill/Driver Kit (USB-C battery, 12,000mAh power bank, 30W USB-C charger) $69 (was $79)
LEGO Sonic Egg Crusher Mech – $35.99 (was $44.99)
Greenworks 24V 3/8-inch Brushless Cordless Impact Wrench (2.0Ah battery & compact charger 3808102) $69 (was $99)
LEGO Sonic Campfire Clash – $15.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40-piece Impact Rated Driving Bit Set with case $12 (was $16)

LEGO Jurassic World Baby Dinosaur Dolores – $22.39 (was $27.99)

Greenworks batteries & chargers

LEGO Jurassic World Raptor Off-Road Escape – $31.99 (was $39.99)

Greenworks 24V 4A Dual Port Charger (charges two batteries, LED diagnostic indicator) $32 (was $85)
LEGO DUPLO Cars Doc’s Garage – $23.99 (was $29.99)
Greenworks PRO 80V Rapid Battery Charger (single-port, GCH8040) $70 (was $91)
LEGO DUPLO Bluey Ice Cream Trip – $23.99 (was $29.99)
Greenworks G-MAX 40V 4.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery (high-performance, fade-free power) $97 (was $139)
LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig Camping Trip – $16.99 (was $19.99)
Greenworks 40V 8.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery (genuine Greenworks pack) $205 (was $237)
LEGO Minifigures Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – $4.97 (was $14.95)

Greenworks pressure washer & other outdoor power

LEGO Creator & NINJAGO

Greenworks 13A 1500-PSI, 1.2-GPM Electric Pressure Washer (5120902) with power accessories & wand $69 (was $109)

The post Walmart just dropped the lowest prices of the year on Greenworks electric yard tools with its Cyber Monday deals appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on Celestron Telescopes make this a perfect time to start stargazing

Stan Horaczek — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 21:42:02 -0500

Whether you’re finally ready to point a telescope at the Moon or you want to upgrade to a more powerful rig for deep-sky objects, these Celestron telescope and accessory deals cover just about every level of backyard astronomer.

- - +

LEGO NINJAGO Dragonian Village – $31.99 (was $39.99)

- -

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope $182 (was $259)

- - - - -

- -

Celestron

LEGO NINJAGO Spinjitzu Temple – $33.99 (was $39.99)

- - - - See It - -

LEGO Creator Retro Camera – $23.99 (was $29.99)

If you want your first “real” telescope but don’t want to spend your nights guessing which fuzzy blob is which, this is the one to grab. The 114mm reflector pulls in enough light for sharp views of the Moon, planets, and bright nebulae, and the StarSense app turns your phone into a sky tour guide—no star charts, no homework. You drop your phone in the dock, follow the on-screen arrows, and suddenly you’re actually looking at the objects you’ve always scrolled past in astronomy apps.

LEGO NINJAGO Lloyd Pull-Back Car – $21.24 (was $24.99)

- -

Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope $562 (was $749)

- - - - -

- -

- - Keep all your devices charged with one hub. - -

LEGO Creator Pink Flamingo – $21.24 (was $24.99)

- - SkyAlign makes finding objects easy. - -

Celestron

- - - - -

- - - - See It - -

LEGO NINJAGO Race Car Duel – $19.59 (was $22.99)

This is the step-up pick for the person who knows they’re going to get hooked. The compact 127mm Maksutov-Cassegrain design is easy to handle but still powerful enough for detailed lunar views and crisp looks at Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons. Once you run through the quick SkyAlign routine, the GoTo mount does the hard work—punch in what you want to see and the scope slews there and tracks it, so you can spend more time observing and less time nudging knobs in the dark.

LEGO NINJAGO Forest Dragon – $16.99 (was $19.99)

StarSense Explorer app-enabled telescopes

LEGO Creator Exotic Parrot – $15.98 (was $19.99)

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ App-Enabled Telescope
LEGO Creator Tropical Toucan – $14.39 (was $17.99)
Celestron StarSense Explorer 130AZ App-Enabled Telescope (Tabletop Dobsonian)
LEGO Creator Red Dragon – $8.49 (was $9.99)
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ App-Enabled Telescope
LEGO Creator Magical Unicorn – $6.79 (was $9.99)
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ App-Enabled Telescope
LEGO NINJAGO Zane’s Battle Suit – $6.31 (was $9.86)

Computerized GoTo telescopes

LEGO DUPLO & Classic

Celestron NexStar 127SLT Computerized Telescope
LEGO DUPLO Buildable People – $39.95 (was $49.99)
Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

LEGO DUPLO Hopsy’s Castle Game – $35.99 (was $44.99)

Manual and travel telescopes

LEGO DUPLO 3-in-1 Animals on Wheels – $31.99 (was $39.99)

Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope
LEGO Classic Brick Box – $29.95
Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope
LEGO DUPLO My First Shape Sorter – $29.74 (was $34.99)
Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope

LEGO DUPLO Airport – $27.99 (was $34.99)

Binoculars and accessories

LEGO Classic Creative Pets – $27.99 (was $34.99)

Celestron Cometron 7×50 Astronomy Binoculars
LEGO DUPLO Big Feelings – $23.95 (was $29.99)
Celestron 1.25″ Eyepiece and Filter Kit
LEGO DUPLO Fire Engine – $23.95 (was $29.99)
Celestron 8–24mm Zoom Eyepiece
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box – $17.99 (was $34.99)
Celestron 94308 Observer’s Accessory Kit

The post Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on Celestron Telescopes make this a perfect time to start stargazing appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon just dropped Cyber Monday prices on dozens of Belkin charging accessories during its Cyber Monday sale

Stan Horaczek — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:50:35 -0500

Belkin makes a ridiculous number of chargers, power banks, and cables, which is great when you’re trying to dial in the perfect everyday carry or desk setup. To save you from scrolling through endless product pages, we pulled standout Belkin deals into one organized list—starting with a few editor’s picks that cover desk charging, travel, and all-day battery backup.

LEGO DUPLO Animal Train – $16.99 (was $19.99)

Editor’s picks

LEGO DUPLO My First – $16.19 (was $29.99)

LEGO DUPLO Caring for Bees – $15.99 (was $19.99)

- -

Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Pad (Qi2 15W) $57 (was $80)

- -

A clean all-in-one charging pad for iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods

- - - -

- -

Belkin

- - Keep everything plugged in and powered up. - -

- - - - See It +

LEGO DUPLO Floating Animal Train – $15.99 (was $19.99)

- -

LEGO Creative Suitcase – $15.99 (was $19.99)

This 3-in-1 Qi2 pad is built for the person whose nightstand or desk is a mess of cables. Drop your iPhone on the magnetic pad, set your Apple Watch on its charging puck, and park your AirPods in the third spot and everything tops up at once. Qi2 15W fast charging keeps newer iPhones moving quickly, and the low-profile design looks more like a piece of desk gear than a clunky charger.

LEGO DUPLO Bath Time Routine – $10.08

- -

Belkin 200W 4-Port USB-C GaN Charger Block $99 (was $129)

- -

One brick to power a full desk setup

- - - -

- -

Belkin

- - You’ll never want to fly again without this thing. - -

LEGO Classic Blue Baseplate – $6.69 (was $7.99)

+ + + - - - - See It +

Small Sets & Stocking Stuffers

- -

LEGO Christmas Table Decoration – $23.99 (was $44.99)

If your power strip is full of random bricks, this 200W GaN charger is a huge upgrade. Four USB-C ports share enough wattage to fast-charge a laptop, tablet, phone, and accessories from a single wall outlet. It’s especially handy for travel or coworking: toss this in your bag and you’ve basically packed a tiny charging station instead of four separate power bricks.

LEGO DREAMZzz Logan Mighty Panda – $23.99 (was $29.99)

- -

Belkin 10,000mAh Qi2 MagSafe Wireless Power Bank with Kickstand

- -

A snap-on battery pack that doubles as a stand

- - - -

- -

Belkin

Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Magnetic Qi2 Charging Station for iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods (version 1)

LEGO Technic Lush Cave Fight – $12.95

- - - - See It - -

LEGO Animal Crossing Julian Painting – $14.39

This 10,000mAh MagSafe-compatible power bank snaps to the back of your phone for cable-free charging and has enough juice for multiple top-ups. The built-in pop-up kickstand props your phone up in landscape or portrait while it charges, which is great for watching videos on a flight or keeping an eye on notifications at a coffee shop.

LEGO Spring Animal Playground – $7.50 (was $12.99)
LEGO Botanicals Field Flowers – $4.97

The post Walmart’s Cyber Monday deals drop dozens of Lego sets to clearance prices appeared first on Popular Science.

The best DAPs for 2026, tested and reviewed by experts

Chris Coke — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:59:46 -0500

+ -

MagSafe & wireless charging stands, pads, docks, and car mounts

Belkin 3-in-1 Qi2 15W Convertible Wireless Charging Station (MagSafe-compatible)
Best overall: FiiO M23
Best desktop: FiiO R9
Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Station (Qi2, 15W, non-slip base, 40W PSU, Black)
Best under $500: HiBy R5 Gen 2
Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Station (Qi2, 15W, non-slip base, 40W PSU, Black – variant listing)
Best budget: Hidizs AP80 Pro-X

How we chose the best DAPs

Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Foldable Magnetic Qi2 Charging Station for iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods (version 2)

Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 15W (Black)

Belkin 3-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 15W (White)

The best DAPs: Reviews & Recommendations

Belkin 2-in-1 MagSafe-Compatible 15W Wireless Charging Pad (Sand)

Belkin 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe 15W (Orange, iPhone & AirPods)

Belkin 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 15W + Extra USB-C Port (MagSafe-compatible, Black)

Best overall: FiiO M23

Belkin 2-in-1 Qi2 15W Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone & AirPods (Sand, PSU included)

+ + + + + +

+ +

Belkin 2-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charging Dock 15W Fast Charge for iPhone & MagSafe devices (Black, PSU included)

+ + + + See It + + +

+ Pros

+ +

Great balance of features and price
Snappy performance
Supports balanced and single-ended headphones
High power output

+ Cons

+ +

Slightly less battery than the last generation
Rather bulky

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Price: + + + $699.99 +
+ + Screen size: + + + 5.5-inch HD (1440×720) IPS panel +
+ + Connectivity: + + + Balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC/AAC/aptX HD/LDAC) +
+ + Music streaming: + + + Yes +
+ + Output power: + + + 1000mw per channel +
+ + DAC: + + + AKM AK419EQ + AKM AK4499EX DAC +
+ + Battery life: + + + 10.5 hours +

Belkin 2-in-1 Magnetic Charging Travel Pad 15W (MagSafe-compatible, foldable, Qi2-certified, Black)

Why it made the cut: The FiiO M23 is the successor to the M11Plus (our previous best overall pick) and offers major improvements without any increase in price. It’s a killer value.

Belkin MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand 15W (White, 36W PSU included)

Belkin MagSafe-Compatible 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand 15W (Black, 36W PSU included)

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand (2nd Gen, 33% faster for Apple Watch, White)

Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand for iPhone & AirPods (White)

Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand for iPhone & AirPods (Black)

Belkin Quick Charge 15W Wireless Charging Stand (Black, no PSU)

+ + + + + +

+ +

Belkin 15W Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand (Black, Qi-certified, no PSU)

+ + + + +

+ + + + See It + +

Belkin Quick Charge 15W Wireless Charging Stand 2-Pack (Black, no PSU)

Belkin Quick Charge 10W Wireless Charging Stand (White, AC adapter included)

Best desktop: FiiO R9

Belkin 15W Wireless Charging Pad (2-Pack, Black, 5 ft cable included)

Belkin Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad 15W (MagSafe-compatible, Qi2, 2-Pack, Black, no PSU)

+ + + + + +

+ +

Tony Ware

Belkin Magnetic Wireless Charging Pad 15W (MagSafe-compatible, Qi2, White, PSU included)

+ + + + See It -

+ + +

+ Pros

+ +

Fantastic connectivity
Works great for headphones or full speakers
Convenient touch interface
Massive power output

+ Cons

+ +

Large footprint
Not portable

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Price: + + + $1,499.99 +
+ + Screen size: + + + 6-inch IPS FHD (2160 x 1080) portrait panel +
+ + Connectivity: + + + Balanced (4.4mm/XLR), single-ended (6.35mm), Bluetooth 5.1 (AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC), RCA, Optical, Coaxial, HDMI in, HDMI out (ARC), USB-A, USB-C, 100M Ethernet, +
+ + Music streaming: + + + Yes +
+ + Output power: + + + 7300mW +
+ + DAC: + + + Dual ES9038Pro DACs +
+ + Battery life: + + + N/A +

Belkin Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charging Stand 15W (MagSafe-compatible, Qi2, White, PSU included)

Why it made the cut: This flagship media streamer transcends traditional players by becoming a desktop device, complete with a powerful amp, great DAC, and tons of connectivity.

Belkin Magnetic Foldable Wireless Charging Stand 15W (MagSafe-compatible, Qi2, Black, PSU included)

Belkin Convertible Magnetic Charging Stand 15W (MagSafe-compatible, Qi2, Black, no PSU)

Belkin MagSafe-Compatible Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W (Vent mount, PSU included)

Belkin MagSafe-Compatible Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W (Vent mount, no PSU)

Belkin MagSafe Vent Mount Pro (Magnetic car mount for iPhone, Gray)

- +

Best under $500: HiBy R5 Gen 2

Wall chargers & multiport GaN bricks

+ + + + + +

+ +

Belkin 112W 4-Port GaN Charger Block (USB-C PD + USB-A)

Belkin 12-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip with 8 ft cord (3,940 Joules)

+ See It

+ Pros

+ +

Unique sound tuning that’s very accessible
Good power output
Good connectivity
Compact and convenient size

+ Cons

+ +

Slower processor
Aging specs

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Price: + + + $349.99 +
+ + Screen size: + + + 4.7-inch (1280×720) IPS panel +
+ + Connectivity: + + + Balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.2 (SBC/AAC/aptX/aptX HD/UAT/LDAC), +
+ + Music streaming: + + + Yes +
+ + Output power: + + + Up to 475mW +
+ + DAC: + + + Dual ES9219C DACs +
+ + Battery life: + + + 35 hours (10 hours in Class A mode) +

Why it made the cut: The HiBy R5 Gen II is a killer value, combining good power output, connectivity, and features for well under $500.

Belkin 4-Port USB-C 200W GaN Multi-Port Charger (Black, desktop with 5 ft cord)

Belkin 4-Port USB-C 200W GaN Multi-Port Charger (White, desktop with 5 ft cord)

Belkin 4-Port 108W GaN Multi-Port Desktop Charger (USB-C PD + USB-A, White)

Belkin 4-Port 140W GaN Charger Block (USB-C PD + USB-A, White)

Best budget: Hidizs AP80 Pro-X

Belkin Dual USB-C 60W Charger Block (2-Pack, PPS fast charging, White)

+ + + + + +

+ +

Belkin Dual Port USB-C 68W GaN Fast Charger (USB-C PD, White)

+ + + + +

+ + + + See It + + +

+ Pros

+ +

Supremely pocketable
Good output power at this price
Very user-friendly EQ
8x MQA decoding
Built-in step counter and ebook reader, if you want to leave your smartwatch and Kindle at home

+ Cons

+ +

Plays local files only in normal mode
Comparatively low battery life
No onboard storage

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Price: + + + $189.99 +
+ + Screen size: + + + 2.5-inch +
+ + Connectivity: + + + Balanced (2.5mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.1 (including AAC, aptX, LDAC, UAT codecs) +
+ + Music streaming: + + + No +
+ + Output power: + + + 190mW (balanced), 70mW (single-ended) +
+ + Battery life: + + + 9 hours (balanced), 13 hours (single-ended) +

Belkin 65W Dual USB-C Charger Block (GaN, White)

Why it made the cut: The Hidizs AP80 Pro-X can’t stream music, but it offers a highly customizable sound with lots of versatility.

Belkin 65W Dual USB-C Charger Block (GaN, Black)

Belkin 45W Dual USB-C Charger Block (GaN, White)

Belkin 45W Dual USB-C Charger Block (GaN, Black)

Belkin 45W Dual USB-C Charger Block (2-Pack, GaN, Black)

Belkin 42W Dual Port USB-C + USB-A Super Fast Charger Block (Black)

Things to consider before buying one of the best DAPs

Belkin 42W Dual Port USB-C + USB-A Super Fast Charger Block (White)

Belkin 37W USB-C + USB-A Charger Block (25W USB-C + 12W USB-A, White)

FAQs

Belkin 24W Dual Port USB Wall Charger with USB-C Cable Included (White)

- +

Q: What is a DAP?

Q: Are DAPs worth it?

Q: How much do DAPs cost?

Portable power banks & battery packs

Final thoughts on the best DAPs

MagSafe & Qi2 wireless power banks with kickstands

- - - -

Belkin 15W 5,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Pop-Up Kickstand (Black)
Belkin 15W 10,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Kickstand (Black)
Belkin 15W 10,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Kickstand (Blue)
Belkin 15W 5,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Kickstand (White)
Belkin 15W 8,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Kickstand (Black)

The post The best DAPs for 2026, tested and reviewed by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on HexClad cookware allow you to splurge responsibly

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:12:37 -0500

Belkin 15W 8,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2, MagSafe-Compatible & Kickstand (White)

Editor’s picks

Belkin 10,000mAh Wireless Power Bank with Qi2 & Kickstand (White)

+ +

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6-Piece Fry Pan Set (8", 10", 12") $318.00 (was $399.00)

+ + + + +

+ +

Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Wireless Power Bank 7.5W with Kickstand (Pink)

+ + + +

HexClad

+ + + + +

+ + + + See It + +

Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Wireless Power Bank 7.5W with Kickstand (Purple)

Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Wireless Power Bank 7.5W with Kickstand (Black)

Belkin 5,000mAh MagSafe Wireless Power Bank 7.5W with Kickstand (White)

- +

+ +

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Qt Sauté Pan / Chicken Fryer with Lid $179.00 (was $229.00)

+ + + + +

+ +

+ + This is a great do-it-all pot if you don’t want a big collection. + +

HexClad

+ + + + See It -

USB-C hubs, docks & splitters

+ +

Belkin Connect 4-Port USB-C Hub (USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 10Gbps, 100W PD passthrough)

Belkin 11-in-1 Pro GaN USB-C Docking Station 150W (USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, Ethernet, SD/MicroSD, audio)

HexClad Steak Knife Set, 4-Piece Damascus Stainless Steel $178.00 (was $229.99)

Belkin USB-C Splitter Dual-Port Hub (USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 + 100W PD passthrough, White)

Charging cables (USB-C, USB-A, Lightning & eco options)

HexClad cookware sets & bundles

High-watt USB-C to USB-C cables

HexClad frying pans, sauté pans & woks

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Qt Sauté Pan / Chicken Fryer with Lid $179.00 (was $229.00)

240W USB-C to USB-C cables (laptop-ready)

HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $89.00 (was $129.00)

Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 240W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 7-Inch Frying Pan $64.00 (was $109.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 240W (White, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 8-Inch Frying Pan $96.00 (was $129.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft, 240W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 8-Inch Frying Pan with Tempered Glass Lid $111.00 (was $149.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft, 240W (White, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $126.00 (was $169.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft 2-Pack, 240W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan with Lid $149.00 (was $199.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft 2-Pack, 240W (White, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan $134.00 (was $179.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 9.9 ft, 240W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5.5-Qt Deep Sauté Pan with Lid $156.00 (was $209.00)
Belkin BoostCharge USB-C to USB-C Cable (3.3/6.6 ft, 240W, braided nylon)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 4.5-Qt Deep Sauté Pan with Lid $141.00 (was $189.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 240W (White, fast-charging, non-braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Inch Wok $94.00 (was $119.00)

Eco braided cables & 2-in-1 options

HexClad pots, stockpots & Dutch ovens

Belkin Eco Braided USB-A to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 15W (White, USB 2.0)
Belkin Eco Braided USB-A to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft 2-Pack, 15W (White, USB 2.0)
Belkin Eco Braided USB-A to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft, 15W (Black, USB 2.0)
Belkin Eco USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 60W (White, braided)
Belkin Eco USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 60W (Black, braided)
Belkin Eco USB-C to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 60W (Pink, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 12-Qt Stockpot with Lid $153.00 (was $219.00)
Belkin Eco USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft, 60W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 10-Qt Stockpot with Lid $149.00 (was $199.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 9.9 ft 2-Pack, 60W (White, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 3-Qt Saucepan with Lid $119.00 (was $149.00)
Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft 2-Pack, 60W (Black, braided)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5-Qt Saucepan with Lid $134.00 (was $179.00)
Belkin USB-A to USB-C Cable 3.3 ft, 15W (White, braided – earlier listing)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 5-Qt Dutch Oven with Stainless Lid $159.00 (was $199.00)
Belkin USB-A to USB-C Cable 6.6 ft 2-Pack, 15W (Black, braided – alt listing)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 6.5-Qt Oval Dutch Oven with Stainless Steel Lid $160.00 (was $229.00)

Lightning & combo cables

HexClad grill & griddle gear

Belkin USB-C Cable with Lightning Connector 6.6 ft (White, fast charging for older iPhones/iPad 9th gen)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 13-Inch Griddle Pan $111.00 (was $159.00)
Belkin USB-C Cable with Lightning Connector 6.6 ft (Black)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick Double Burner Griddle $119.00 (was $199.00)
Belkin BoostCharge Braided 2-in-1 USB-C Cable with USB-C & Lightning Connectors (1.5 m, Black)
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick BBQ Grill Pan $94.00 (was $159.00)
Belkin BoostCharge Braided 2-in-1 USB-C Cable with USB-C & Lightning Connectors (1.5 m, White)
HexClad 8-Piece Griddle Tool Set with Smash-Burger Press, Spatulas, Tongs & Egg Rings $111.00 (was $139.00)

Audio & kid-friendly gear

HexClad knives & sharpening tools

- +

HexClad Santoku Knife, 7-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $89.00 (was $129.00)

Trackers & accessories

HexClad Utility Knife, 5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $69.00 (was $99.00)

The post Amazon just dropped Cyber Monday prices on dozens of Belkin charging accessories during its Cyber Monday sale appeared first on Popular Science.

Huckberry dropped prices on Hoka sneakers, camping slippers, and other outdoor footwear for Cyber Monday

Stan Horaczek — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 18:57:41 -0500

Huckberry’s Cyber Monday sale is stacked with everything from cozy Greys slippers to XTRATUF deck boots and trail runners from hOka. We combed through the deals to surface the standouts—including pairs hitting around 60% off—and organized them so you can quickly scan for slippers, everyday sneakers, trail shoes, and dressier leather options. Here are the best Huckberry Cyber Monday shoe deals to shop while sizes last.

HexClad Cleaver Knife, 7-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $128.00 (was $199.00)

Editor’s picks

HexClad Steak Knife Set, 4-Pieces Damascus Stainless Steel Blades $178.00 (was $229.99)

- -

Greys Ripstop Slipper Boot — Now $47 (was $118)

- - - - -

- -

- - Get a comfortable pair of everyday kicks. - -

HexClad Paring Knife, 3.5-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel Blade $59.00 (was $79.00)

- - These are serious slippers worthy of the outdoors. - -

Greys

- - - - -

- - - - See It - -

HexClad Honing Rod, 9-Inch Japanese Damascus Stainless Steel $48.00 (was $69.00)

+ -

These are basically insulated camp booties built for couch season. Greys’ Ripstop Slipper Boots wrap your feet in quilted warmth with a grippy outsole that can actually handle quick runs to the mailbox or coffee shop. At roughly 60% off, they’re an easy add-to-cart gift for you and whoever keeps stealing your slippers.

HexClad prep & serving accessories

HexClad 4-Piece Bistecca Wooden Steak Plate Set with Juice Channel $69.00 (was $99.00)

- -

Hoka Transport Sneaker — Now $105 (was $150)

- - - - -

- -

Hoka

What would a dinosaur taste like?

- - - - See It +

HexClad Extra Large Beechwood Cutting Board, Reversible (24×18) $76.00 (was $109.00)

- -

HexClad Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set, 3-Piece with Vacuum Seal Lids (1.3, 3, 5 Qt) $79.00 (was $99.00)

The Hoka Transport is the rare commuter sneaker that actually feels good after a full day on your feet. You get Hoka’s big, cushioned midsole, a grippy outsole for bad-weather walks, and a clean upper that doesn’t scream “gym shoe.” With multiple colorways on sale, it’s a strong pick for anyone who racks up serious steps.

HexClad HexMill Salt Grinder, Professional Grade $89.00 (was $129.00)

Cozy slippers & clogs

HexClad Hexagon Silicone Trivets, 2-Pack, Nonslip and Heat-Resistant $22.00 (was $29.00)

Greys Wool Outdoor Mule Slipper — Now $52 (was $88)
HexClad Silicone Oven Mitt Set, 2-Pack, Heat-Resistant to 500 °F $22.00 (was $29.00)

The post Amazon’s Cyber Monday deals on HexClad cookware allow you to splurge responsibly appeared first on Popular Science.

Were there any venomous dinosaurs?

Andrew Coletti — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Greys Wool Outdoor Mule Slipper (Oat-Gum) — Now $52 (was $88)

Greys Wool Outdoor Slipper Boot — Now $64 (was $108)

Greys Wool Outdoor Slipper Boot (Charcoal) — Now $64 (was $108)

This small, feathered Cretaceous dinosaur, Sinornithosaurus, was once speculated to be venomous. Image: Nobumichi Tamura/Stocktrek Images / Getty Images

Greys Ripstop Slipper Boot (Navy) — Now $47 (was $118)

The difference between venom and poison

Greys Ripstop Slipper Boot (Olive) — Now $47 (was $118)

Greys Ripstop Mule Slipper (Olive) — Now $43 (was $108)

How modern biology informs paleontology

Luca Drift Outdoor Mule — Now $87 (was $125)

Luca Drift Outdoor Mule (Cognac) — Now $87 (was $125)

- +

Everyday sneakers & commuters

Hoka Transport Sneaker — Now $105 (was $150)

Luca Leather Terra Low Sneaker — Now $146 (was $195)

Venomous prehistoric reptiles aren’t the same as venomous dinosaurs

Luca Suede Terra Low Sneaker — Now $156 (was $195)

Saucony Shadow 5000 Sneaker — Now $86 (was $115)

Saucony Shadow 5000 (Black/Grey) — Now $86 (was $115)

Saucony 586i Sneaker (Cypress) — Now $76 (was $120)

+ +

+ Related Ask Us Anything Stories

+ +

How do snakes move? It’s not all slithering.

Why are there so many birds?

Which animals can and can’t fart?

Without humans, what would happen to Earth?

Why do turtles do the ‘Superman pose’?

Saucony 586i Sneaker (Grey) — Now $76 (was $120)

Trail, hiking & performance shoes

Venom has evolved many times, in different ways

Lems Trailhead Sneaker — Now $108 (was $145)

Lems Trailhead Sneaker (Alt color) — Now $108 (was $145)

Lems Trail Blazer — Now $108 (was $145)

Lems Primal Zen — Now $97 (was $130)

So, what’s the verdict on poisonous dinosaurs?

Altra Escalante 4 Running Sneaker — Now $104 (was $130)

Altra Olympus 6 Max Cushion Trail Sneaker — Now $140 (was $175)

Danner Mountain 600 ID GTX — Now $180 (was $240)

The hooded pitohui (Pitohui dichrous) is the only known poisonous bird in the world. Image: DepositPhotos

Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX — Now $195 (was $260)

Saucony Grid Peak GTX — Now $105 (was $140)

The post Were there any venomous dinosaurs? appeared first on Popular Science.

The best heating pads

Stan Horaczek — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:59:10 -0500

Boots & wet-weather protection

Lems Chelsea Boot Waterproof — Now $142 (was $190)
Best overall: Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad
Best for cramps: Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad
Lems Waterproof Boulder Grip Boot — Now $150 (was $200)
Best for arthritis: Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad
Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot — Now $233 (was $275)
Best for neck and shoulders: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder
XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot 6″ — Now $93 (was $125)
Best moist: Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief
XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot 6″ (Outdoorsman) — Now $93 (was $125)
Best weighted: Pure Enrichment WeightedWarmth 2-in-1 Weighted Body Pad
XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot 6″ (Out of the Ordinary) — Now $101 (was $135)
Best budget: Carex Bed Buddy Heat Pad and Cooling Neck Wrap

XTRATUF Ankle Deck Boot 6″ (Sport) — Now $86 (was $115)

How we chose the best heating pads

XTRATUF Sport 6″ (Stormy Blue) — Now $86 (was $115)

- +

Dress shoes, loafers & chukkas

The best heating pads: Reviews & Recommendations

Astorflex Patnoflex Loafer – Previous Season — Now $118 (was $225)

Astorflex Redflex Derby (Brown) — Now $198 (was $275)

Best overall

+ +

Pure Enrichment PureRelief Ultra-Wide Microplush Heating Pad

+ + + + +

+ +

Astorflex Redflex Derby (Black Leather) — Now $198 (was $275)

+ + + + +

+ + + + See It + + +

+ Pros

+ +

Cozy
Six temperature settings
Provides dry and moist heat therapy
Automatic shutoff after 2 hours

+ Cons

+ +

Some users said it stopped working consistently

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Material: + + + Microplush polyester, plastic +
+ + Heat range: + + + 105-140℉ +
+ + Size: + + + 24 inches L x 20 inches W +
+ + Weight: + + + 1.9 pounds +

Astorflex Redflex Derby (Black Nubuck) — Now $198 (was $275)

Astorflex Redflex Derby (Tobacco) — Now $198 (was $275)

Astorflex Samaflex Woven Venetian Loafer — Now $178 (was $298)
Astorflex Samaflex Venetian (Ebano) — Now $178 (was $298)

Best for cramps

+ +

Sunbeam Cordless Heating Pad

+ + + + +

+ +

- The extra screen space really comes in handy. - -

+ + + + See It -

Astorflex Hestaflex Boat Shoe — Now $122 (was $245)

The post Huckberry dropped prices on Hoka sneakers, camping slippers, and other outdoor footwear for Cyber Monday appeared first on Popular Science.

Amazon just unleashed its Cyber Monday laptop deals and it’s dropping prices on MacBooks, gaming PCs, and more

Stacey L. Nash — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:23:11 -0500

A laptop is a big investment. Not only do they typically cost a lot of money, but you’re committing a machine you’ll stare at while you shop, do homework, remote work, game, and pretty much everything else in your online life. Amazon just dropped its Cyber Monday deals on laptops and these are some of the lowest prices we have seen all year. They include big, reputable brands with machines ranging from basic Chromebooks, to full-on gaming and video-editing machines. Go grab a new rig.

+ + +

+ Pros

+ +

Portable
Modern design
Operates at 60 hertz
Works on multiple parts of the body
Machine-washable cover

+ Cons

+ +

Battery may run out

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Material: + + + Micromink (double-sided polyester), lithium-ion battery +
+ + Heat range: + + + Low to high +
+ + Size: + + + 12 inches L x 9.5 inches W +
+ + Weight: + + + One pound +

+ -

Editor’s picks: the best Cyber Monday laptop deals at a glance

Best for arthritis

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M4 chip

Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad

- +

Apple

+ This heating pad offers three heat settings and provides deep, moist heat without adding water.

@@ -19949,36 +14300,94 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It -

+ +

+ Pros

+ +

Temperature goes higher than some other options
Shuts off after 25 minutes
Easy to clean

+ Cons

+ +

Some users say you can’t return it

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Material: + + + Fleece, plastic +
+ + Heat range: + + + 50 to 165°F +
+ + Size: + + + 14 inches W x 27 inches L +
+ + Weight: + + + N/A +

+ -

Prefer more screen real estate? The 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 keeps the same lightweight design but stretches things out to a 15.3-inch panel that’s fantastic for split-screen multitasking, editing timelines, or just having Netflix running while you work. You still get long battery life, Apple Intelligence support, and that “throw it in a bag and forget it’s there” feeling—just with more pixels.

Best for neck and shoulders

Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) 15-inch Copilot+ PC $1,389 (was $2,099)

Sunbeam Heating Pad for Neck & Shoulder

- +

- The touchscreen is one of the best on the laptop market. - -

Microsoft

+ The Sunbeam’s extra tall, adjustable collar cradles the neck and drapes over the shoulders for quick relaxation.

@@ -19988,37 +14397,92 @@ rain never refreeezes" class="wp-image-719052" style="width:850px;height:auto" / - + See It -

+ +

+ Pros

+ +

Fits to your shoulders and neck
Very soft
Close fit

+ Cons

+ +

Some users say the heat is uneven
Cord is bulky

+ Specs

+ +

+ + Material: + + + Micromink, plastic +
+ + Heat range: + + + Max of 176°F +
+ + Size: + + + 22 inches L x 19 inches W +
+ + Weight: + + + 2.7 pounds +

+ -

On the Windows side, the latest 15-inch Surface Laptop with a Snapdragon X Elite chip is a great “do-everything” machine if you live in Microsoft’s world. It’s a Copilot+ PC, so you get the new AI-powered Windows features, plus a sharp touchscreen, quiet design, and solid battery life for office work, video calls, and day-to-day browsing. Think of it as the Windows answer to the MacBook Air—especially appealing while it’s marked down for Cyber Monday.

Best budget

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gaming Laptop (RTX 5070 Ti) $1,899 (was $2,099)

Sunbeam Heating Pad for Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain Relief

- +