Scientists observed how people reacted to frustrating computer games in the presence and absence of the molecule, known as hexadecanal. Female players took more retaliatory action against their opponents while sniffing the chemical, while men showed the reverse pattern. The team also noted differences between how brain activity changed in men and women during exposure. The experiments indicate that chemical signals we aren’t consciously aware of may influence our behavior in certain contexts....

Let sites analyze an item for you Fake reviews tend to share certain characteristics: They often contain specific repeated phrases, appear at the same time as a large influx of positive reactions, or come from users who have reviewed multiple products from the same brand. Thankfully, when you set out to detect these traits, you don’t have to read every single review yourself. However, neither site is perfect—and they both admit as much....

As with many another modern cookbook that has a lengthy list of equipment in the back, not every reader is going to have the gear or inclination to follow all of Conigliaro’s deep-in-the-lab recipes entailing vacuum distillation of essences. But, as with many another such, this is at least as much a document of an aesthetic as it is a practical manual. Personally, I have a centrifuge and a Buchner funnel and even so I think this book will serve more as a beautifully designed tome of glossy inspiration than a step-by-step guide....

The AKG Ara is the pared-down sibling of the higher-priced AKG Lyra ($122 MSRP). Both USB-C condenser mics have a camera-friendly modernized take on AKG’s vintage style (just one factor making the Lyra one of our favorites). Both are visually inspired by certain models of AKG classics, like the C414 and C12, then upgraded with features such as onboard no-latency monitoring through a built-in headphone output. However, the Ara has a lower maximum audio resolution of 24-bit/96 kHz (compared to 24-bit/192 kHz on the Lyra) and two pickup (polar) patterns compared to the Lyra’s four....

Beats Fit Pro $159 (Was $199) My personal favorite workout buds perform a lot like AirPods Pro, which makes sense since they employ Apple’s H1 chip inside. So, if you have an iPhone, they connect quickly and seamlessly while granting quick access to Siri. The Beats Fit Pro earbuds offer active noise canceling and even Spatial Audio. That means watching a movie on the treadmill may actually sound better than it would at home if you’re still using your TV’s built-in speakers....

That mission, NASA’s first direct search for Martian microbes, resulted in an inconclusive shrug, finding both signs of lifelike activity as well as an absence of the ingredients that such life would presumably need. Most researchers concluded that an errant chemical reaction could explain the conflicting results, but some remain convinced that the Viking landers detected life on Mars in 1976. Gilbert Levin in particular, one of Viking’s principle investigators, has long advocated for a follow-up mission to carry out a more advanced version of the original experiment, as he recently argued in Scientific American....

As with most products out of Cupertino, little is known about the Apple Watch 2. Release date and spec info have yet to be unveiled, but there are many directions the company could take with their sophomore effort. Numerous other wearables on the market currently offer circular displays, better fitness measuring and better battery life. Knowing Apple leans on the side of iteration rather than making drastic changes, the Apple Watch 2 could bring a device that’s largely similar with a few key differences....

While space-based energy may sound a little out there, they aren’t the only major organization looking to outer space for our ever-growing clean energy needs. NASA has also taken an interest in generating space-based power. This unique technology might sound like science fiction, but it’s something that could become a significant source of energy in the not-too-distant future. How space-based solar power works Before rocketing off into space, here’s a quick recap of how photovoltaic panels work....

Capitol Hill, First Hill, the Central District, and the International District – four of Seattle’s most thriving neighborhoods – haven’t enjoyed regular streetcar service since the early forties, when, at the behest of the American automotive industry, the city abandoned its electric lines in favor of buses. Since then, some streetcars have returned to Seattle, but not in these busy neighborhoods. From 1982 until 2005, the Waterfront Streetcar serviced Seattle’s waterfront along Alaskan Way....

Then something surprising happened: it taught another parrot to do the same. And another, and another, until the suburbs around Sydney were full of parrots that could open trash cans. That learning process, documented between 2018 and 2019 via a citizen science initiative, the “Clever Cockie Project,” is the latest example of cultural evolution in the animal world. On some level, parrots—in this case, sulfur-crested cockatoos—are exactly the kind of animal that you’d expect to develop culture....

Last week’s NFL screening had mixed results, with some viewers complaining that the broadcast was better for showing off the technology than showing fans the game. Basketball moves a lot faster than football, which could make it more challenging for camera operators to follow the action, but a basketball court is also a much smaller space to cover than an entire football stadium. Joseph Piexoto, president of RealD, which has equipped most of the country’s 3-D capable theaters, had hinted at last week’s NFL game that a bigger, public event would soon follow....

To that end, there are several dedicated anime streaming services out to deliver the content fans old and new crave. There are even more general-entertainment streaming services that have given anime a prime position within their platforms—the only exception would be the U.S. version of Disney+, since the also-Disney-owned Hulu platform houses all their anime. Choices abound, but are they any good? Will you get your daily dose of body-switch comedy, high-school dramedy, or high-octane sports stories?...

Here are the best cooperative games to play with a partner or a group of friends. In Pandemic, your team of two to four players has to work together to prevent the world from succumbing to a global health catastrophe. Each specialist has a unique set of skills—medic, scientist, researcher—and gameplay involves splitting time between treating infections and gathering the resources you need to invent a cure. Travel the world, expand your research, and eradicate all four diseases....

Best mug: Koolkatkoo Cute Ceramic Cat Coffee MugBest for movie buffs: Ann Arbor T-Shirt Co. The Catfather T-shirtBest socks: Leotruny Women’s Colorful Cute Cat Crew Socks with Gift BoxBest for self-care: Mellia 3-Piece Cat HeadbandBest hoodie: KangaKitty Hoodie Best for saving your couch: Primens Heavy-Duty Cat Scratch Furniture ProtectorsBest hat: Hatphile 6-Panel Embroidery Dad HatBest for your kitchen: AGRIMONY Cat Hand TowelBest for wine lovers: Too-arts Cat Wine Holder with Cork StorageBest for the cat: Tuft and Paw Nuzzle Cat BedBest practical gift: Scotch Brite Lint Roller...

The best patio heaters can enable you to not only stay outside later during nice weather but also extend outdoor sessions into the colder seasons without worrying about your guests’ comfort. Even in wintery weather, you can get together outdoors with friends if you have ways to take the chill out. So here’s our suggestion for how to do just that: Just pick the best outdoor heater below that matches your budget, preference for the type of heat, availability of an electrical outlet, how much output you need, and desired appearance....

The best thing about a portable unit is that it does what it says: provides all the frigid satisfaction of an AC but requires zero installation; plus, you can move it from room to room. The downside: Most portable air conditioners are not cheap, sometimes they can be noisy, they’re most effective in small spaces, and they likely will not compare to central air or window units. Having said all that, if you live someplace where the heat gets unbearable and actually affects your quality of life—you can’t sleep, you can’t get comfortable, you have to take constant cold showers—the best portable air conditioner is a wise investment that’ll serve you for years to come....

While straws account for less than one percent of the plastic waste in our seas, even incremental changes to our daily routines can have an impact. No need to resort to sometimes-soggy paper alternatives or drink your coffee sans-straw because there is a range of easy-to-clean, durable, and versatile straws to suit your beverage of choice. Just be sure that you clean your straws regularly and keep track of them because ordering more can defeat the purpose of making this sustainable swap....

Best for Alexa or Google Nest: Wyze PlugBest for HomeKit: Wemo Smart PlugBest power strip: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power StripBest for outdoors: Wyze Plug OutdoorBest dimmable: TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug-In Dimmer How we selected the best smart plugs We combined our own experiences, those of tech-savvy friends and colleagues, and testimonials from the most trustworthy sources. We have also had first-hand experience with many of the products on this list....

How we selected the best smart speakers To select the best smart speakers, we considered about two dozen units, exchanging opinions based on our team’s own experiences with speakers in our homes and putting new units through the paces where possible. We also investigated the most recent developments in each category—considering some models debuting just weeks before publication. Our evaluations started with sound performance: While smart speakers aren’t designed to deliver the power and expansiveness of large stereo or multichannel sets, even the smallest should reproduce speech and music with clarity....