usatoday24

Hadrian’s toilet reveals a new secret about the durability of Roman concrete

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One of the best kept secrets of the Roman Empire is What was special about your concrete? so that Agrippa’s Pantheon has been there for 2,000 years (and what remains). From time to time science and archeology believe you have discovered the secret and for example, a button: this half-finished work in Pompeii left clues. We have found the umpteenth attempt to explain why concrete is no longer made like it used to be in an emperor’s toilet. The discovery. To date the explanation for the resistance of Roman concrete is in the reaction between lime and volcanic ash (a pozzolanic reaction), but a new study adds one more ingredient to the recipe: natural carbonation and the progressive formation of calcite were also important for this construction material to withstand the passage of time so well. In addition to the ingredient, the curious thing is where they took the sample from: from the concrete collector located under one of the seats of one of the common latrines in the western complex of the Canopus, in Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli. From a toilet. Why is it important. Because beyond the pozzolanic reaction, what really holds concrete together over the centuries is calcite. So the formation of calcite over centuries also helps the structures of these latrines to remain standing two millennia later. Knowing this mechanism opens the doors to the design of modern cements that are more durable. Context. Before we thought that all the merit fell on the reaction between the lime and the ash and be careful, that explanation is still valid, but it is not the only one. Furthermore, previous research such as this MIT study from 2023 pointed out that the white fragments of lime present in the concrete were proof that the Romans used a “hot mix” technique, which gave this construction material the ability to self-heal when cracks appeared. In detail. From 3D images, the team rebuilt in detail the internal composition of the material and what chemical processes it underwent over the centuries. Thus, they verified that calcite was formed through a slow reaction between lime, humidity and carbon dioxide in the air (carbonation) and that mineral progressively filled cracks and pores, making the concrete denser and blocking the passage of potentially harmful substances or even water. The volcanic rock fragments also reacted with the lime in the edge area, which strengthened the bond. Yes, but. The main limitation of this study is that it is based in a single sample from an indoor environment, so the conclusions obtained cannot be directly extrapolated to other Roman concretes studied outdoors or in marine environments, where Different self-repair mechanisms have been described with salt water. We will have to wait for the results to be replicated in other samples and sites before reaching a general conclusion. In Xataka | Almost 2,000 years ago a Celtiberian soldier visited the most remote frontier of the Roman Empire. Then he returned to Soria with a souvenir In Xataka | The latest victim of mass tourism (and perhaps Game of Thrones): Hadrian’s Wall Cover | Jl FilpoC and Mineralized carbonates contribute to the millennial durability of Roman concrete. Advanced Science

It is one of the most enigmatic books in the world and it was written by a schizophrenic who never left the asylum.

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In 1921, a Swiss psychiatrist published a book with a title that sounded like a contradiction: one of his inmates, a mentally ill patient, was an artist. And from that oxymoron an entire discipline was founded. The man in question, Adolf Wölfli, never knew it: he had been locked up in the Waldau asylum for more than two decades when he was labeled, and he would die there without knowing that André Breton would place his work among the three or four most important of the 20th century. Who was it? Wölfli was born on February 29, 1864 near Bern and died on November 6, 1930 in the aforementioned Waldau psychiatric clinic, where he entered in 1895 after being convicted of sexual assault on minors. There he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and he also remained there for thirty-five years, without ever going out on the street again. He almost always worked in a cell of just seven square meters: the result There were 1,460 drawings, 1,560 collages and some 25,000 pages of writings with all kinds of creations, from texts to invented music, and all often bound by himself. The obrón The autobiographical fantasy that started his legend, ‘Von der Wiege bis zum Graab’ (‘From the cradle to the grave’), takes up just over 3,000 of those pages and was created between 1908 and 1912. Then came the geographical and algebraic notebooks (1912-1916), the song and dance notebooks (1917-1922, about 7,000 pages) and the dance and march album notebooks (1924-1928). He even created a funeral march that he left unfinished when he died. To the heavens In that narrative he promoted himself in stages: first he was the boy Doufi, then the Knight Adolf, then the Emperor Adolf and finally, Saint Adolf II. Each drawing also incorporated its own musical notation, with a staff of six lines instead of five, which Wölfli interpreted by rolling up a sheet of paper. He did not simply improvise: he also made small pieces that he called “bread art”, expressly designed to sell to doctors and visitors. The good doctor. None of this would have come out of Waldau without Walter Morgenthaler. The doctor arrived at the hospital in 1907 and, unlike his colleagues, did not treat Wölfli’s graphic impulse as a symptom that had to be contained, but as a production that would give free rein to many aspects of his illness. In 1921 he published ‘Ein Geisteskranker als Künstler’ (‘A mentally ill person as an artist’), a monograph that took Wölfli out of clinical anonymity and turned his work into an object of interest for two very different circles of thinkers: psychiatry and the artistic avant-garde. Brute art. Jean Dubuffet discovered Wölfli’s work in 1945 and called him “the great Wölfli”, according to herself. foundation that manages his legacy. Three years later, Dubuffet and Breton founded the Compagnie de l’Art Brut, thus creating the label that would bring together artists with no academic training or intention to exhibit. In 1965, in the catalog for a surrealist exhibition in Paris, Breton described Wölfli’s work as one of the three or four most important of the century. The definitive accolade came in 1972: the Swiss curator Harald Szeemann brought his drawings and writings to the influential art exhibition Document 5 of Kassel, along with a reconstruction of his cell. There are those who compare today the whole of his work with ‘In the Realms of the Unreal’, the equally excessive manuscript by the American Henry Darger. Both Wölfli and Darger unintentionally earned a space in history: someone outside of them decided, after their death or imprisonment, that it deserved to be contemplated as an artistic work. Since then, there have been exhibitions about Wölfli, some huge, like the one in Japan in 2017, which included the collective efforts of three museums. Where is. A good part of Wölfli’s 25,000 pages are still distributed among archives and private collections, as well as in partial catalogs published since the 1970s. The foundation maintains an open inventory and continues to incorporate pieces that reappear at auctions or donations. He also continues to receive inquiries from private collectors who locate loose sheets and want to confirm their provenance within the original notebooks. With no expected closing date for this documentation work, each piece that appears forces us to rewrite, even if just a little, the map of what Wölfli managed to produce in those seven square meters. A whole world. In Xataka | Someone has discovered the biggest mystery of Rembrandt’s work: why a Muslim ended up becoming an old Dutchman

review with features, price and specifications

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At home, I have already mentioned on occasion that I have quite a few smart speakers distributed throughout different rooms. Therefore, when they asked me if I wanted to try a classic Bluetooth speakerI didn’t doubt it. After all, I use my speakers primarily for listen to musicand this model focuses precisely on that. In this case, it is an LG speaker, specifically the xboom Rock. It is a small and compact model, ready to take anywhere during your vacation, as it is designed to resist bumps and splashes. I have not subjected it to military tests, but I have used it intensively these days to tell you what I thought. ✅ Buy it if… You want an affordable speaker that can accompany you to the pool or the beach (but without disturbing the towel-clad neighbors, eh?). You are looking for a speaker capable of withstanding bumps and splashes, and that you can also hang from your backpack or attach to your bicycle. You use Apple Music, they have integrated it very well. ❌ Don’t buy it if… You are looking for a lightweight Bluetooth speaker, because this one weighs more than usual. You want a speaker with a lot of sound power. The essentials in 30 seconds I am going to tell you in a few paragraphs what I thought of this speaker and clarify the main doubts. At first, its robust and resistant appearance draws attention. Even the cord makes it clear that it is designed to withstand intense use. The sound quality is quite high if we take into account its price and size, although we cannot demand much more from it. If you have an Apple Music account, this model may be especially interesting for you, since includes a configurable smart button which allows one-touch access to Apple Music or its own alternative such as LG Radio+. If you don’t want to complicate things, you can simply connect it via Bluetoothlike any other device, and send the music without further ado. However, to get the most out of it and take advantage of the equalizer functions or the artificial intelligence options to adjust the sound, you will have to download the corresponding application. LG xboom Rock by will.i.am | Bluetooth Speaker | Exclusive xboom Sound with Resistant and Compact Design | Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Our experience with Xboom Rock LG xboom Rock | Image: Xataka A speaker that attracts attention. When you take it out of the box, the first thing that attracts you is its youthful appearance. With rubber edges and a lanyard (which LG calls the Magic Strap), you won’t be afraid of it slipping through all your friends’ hands at summer gatherings. Accident proof. It complies with the MIL-STD-810H standard and offers resistance to impacts and splashes, so there is no fear of possible impacts or water. In my tests, it has withstood use in the pool, the shower and some falls without problems, although this robustness makes it heavier than other speakers of a similar size. The interesting thing begins when you turn it on. When you turn it on, the simple sound of turning on already denotes a certain power, considering the size. And it’s not complicated to use: you can do it simply by connecting it via Bluetooth and, if you want to get more out of it, using the LG ThinQ app. From there we can control the sound effects and access more settings. Among them, there are three that stand out: The Party Link function, which allows you to connect several speakers that, of course, must be LG and compatible with Auracast. The My function, designed to play music quickly by simply pressing the Smart button on the speaker. The FYI.AI mode, which allows you to use voice commands from the app by holding down the Smart button on the speaker. A nice sound. The first time I turned it on, I have to admit that the sound caught my attention: good bass and clear sound. Of course, don’t be willing to turn it to the maximum because it starts to sound a bit canned. For outdoors, the sound is relatively powerful, but if there is too much ambient noise you will have to increase the volume, and there you will lose quality. In this sense, being able to connect two speakers without cables is of great help. For a whole day at the beach. The manufacturer claims that it has ten hours of autonomy and it has lasted almost nine for me: more than enough for a good day of music, without worrying about having to charge it. And if you run out of battery, charging it won’t be a problem because it’s USB-C compatible. LG advertises a charging time of three hours, but I have used a 100W charger and it took much less. It will depend on the charger you use. LG xboom Rock technical sheet Lg xboom rock power 6W endurance It is IP67 certified, making it resistant to dust and brief immersion in water. Has military grade durability (MIL-STD-810H) other functions AI Sound Clear Voice EQ by App Bass Boost Connectivity Bluetooth 5.4 USB C measures 94 x 98 x 46mm Battery Charging Time 3 hours autonomy Up to 10 hours of continuous playback Price 58.99 euros LG xboom Rock by will.i.am | Bluetooth Speaker | Exclusive xboom Sound with Resistant and Compact Design | Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LG xboom Rock, Xataka’s opinion After a few days of testing, I have to admit that this little speaker has convinced me. Taking into account the limitations typical of its size and price, it offers quite good bass and also stands out for the clarity of the sound but as long as you do not abuse the power: from a high volume it sounds canned and that is when its older (and more expensive) brothers make more sense. … Read more

A group of astronauts without medical training has taken the world’s first X-ray in orbit: it is a brutal advance

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For more than sixty years, astronauts have only had one tool to diagnose possible injuries in orbit: the ultrasound machine. Now, for the first time, a crew has managed to take diagnostic X-rays of their own bodies while orbiting Earth, a milestone that completely changes what will be possible on future missions to the Moon and Mars. We tell you all the details. Why it is important. Until now, if an astronaut suffered a fracture or internal injury in space, ultrasound was the only option available, a technology that requires a lot of prior training and depends on a physical medium to transmit sound waves. The problem is that as the duration and distance of space missions increase, so does the risk of serious medical problems occurring. For this reason, having X-rays in space would allow, for example, to confirm a fracture in a matter of minutes, something that until now was not possible, according to explained to ScienceAlert Dr. Sheyna Gifford, aerospace medicine researcher at the Mayo Clinic and promoter of the project. In detail. The experiment was carried out during Fram2a private SpaceX mission that in March 2025 took four first-time astronauts to circle the Earth above the poles for three and a half days aboard a Crew Dragon capsule. None of them were medical personnel, since They received only four hours of training before takeoff to learn how to operate a portable, commercial X-ray machine, about the size of a beach cooler. Before leaving they took x-rays of a hand, forearm, chest, abdomen and pelvis for reference. In orbit they repeated those same images, and also added another of a smart watch. The test was a success. Back on Earth, three independent radiologists compared the images taken in orbit with those before the flight, according to the study. published in Radiology magazine. The verdict was positive, because although the x-rays captured in Earth’s gravity had somewhat higher quality, those taken in space were perfectly valid for diagnosing injuries such as fractures. The images of hands and arms, which are easier to keep still, came out better than those of the chest, abdomen or pelvis, areas where it was more difficult to achieve a good body position. The device also survived the trip with only superficial damage to its exterior after landing, and the entire crew agreed that it was easy to use despite the little training received. And now what. The next step, according to Giffordinvolves further reducing the size of this equipment and making it more resistant for future missions, since although it may be compact in itself on Earth, as long as the technology can be miniaturized in space missions, the better. Portable X-rays would not only be used to diagnose astronauts. And they could also be used to check hidden damage in space suits, electronics or damaged satellites, and even be installed in future vehicles that explore the lunar surface. The researcher herself also aims to bring this technology to rural areas far from large hospitals, where an autonomous and low-cost system could improve access to rapid diagnoses. Images | Radiology In Xataka | Julia de Marines, astrobiologist: “Any planet that has developed intelligence should have noosignatures, a physical history of cognitive activity”

The wasp that hunts bees to feed its young is already present throughout Andalusia, and it is not the only one

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Andalusia, land of (invasive) wasps. As if the fearsome asian wasp (vespa velutina) and the bicolor hornet (Vespa bicolor), the eastern hornet joins the triad (Vespa orientalis) as the CSIC explains and it has done so in record time: it did not take even six to colonize the eight provinces of the community since its first detection in Algeciras and has already been seen in the Valencia area and on the central plateau. He is reddish, with a yellow face and has a voracious hunger for bees. The question is not whether the eastern hornet is here to stay, but how far it can go. Habemus new wasp. This invasive wasp native to South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa has been colonizing southern Europe for the last few decades. The first sighting of the eastern hornet dates back to 2018 in Algeciras and since then has settled in urban and agricultural areas throughout Andalusia, although the provinces of Cádiz, Málaga, Seville and Córdoba are the most affected. The Junta de Andalucía estimates the growth in records between 2023 and 2024 at 30% and it does not seem that it will stop there: an analysis with data from 2024 counted 695 sightings of the species in Spain as a whole. As explains the researcher at the Doñana Biological Station – CSIC Jairo Robla“they are resistant and very competitive species, capable of dealing with everything” and the success of their expansion lies in their great capacity to adapt to new ecosystems. The habits ofthe eastern hornet. In Córdoba there is a surveillance program that documents the annual biological cycle of the species: appearance of founding queens in mid-March, first workers in June and end of the cycle around November, with nests usually installed in holes in human buildings. From there the colony grows until summer and autumn, which is when there are more wasps. In November the colony almost entirely dies. This is an omnivorous and opportunistic species: first the queen feeds on plant sources such as flowers or molasses and also hunts other insects such as flies, bees, birds or butterflies, to provide protein for her larvae. Hives are a real feast: an easy way to feed your young. How to distinguish it from the European wasp. The simplest way is the color: the eastern hornet has a reddish-copper body with two wide yellow stripes on the abdomen, each with two black dots. On the face, a characteristic yellow spot. It measures between 25 and 35 millimeters. The European hornet (Vespa crabro), the only native species of the genus in Spain, is somewhat larger (queens reach 4 centimeters), has a brown thorax and a yellow abdomen with black stripes more marked than that of the eastern one. Another way to differentiate them is where they nest: while the European hornet usually settles in trees, slopes or natural cavities, the eastern one has a predilection for urban environments, nesting in gaps in facades, blind boxes, roofs or walls, as documented by the IAS-CSIC monitoring in Córdoba. In case of doubt, the IAS-CSIC research team recommends not intervening and contacting the competent municipal services. Early detection of founding queens is essential: eliminating them at this stage prevents the formation of large colonies. In detail. The map of the expansion prepared by Robla’s team shows a progressive advance from the initial focus in Cádiz towards the interior and south of Andalusia, with Córdoba as one of the provinces where new detections have been recorded in recent years. By the end of 2024, the eastern hornet was already established in all provinces, with doubts only about its definitive establishment in Granada. To prepare them, they use photos and videos that people upload to platforms such as Observation.org or iNaturalist and subsequent validation by the research team, which allows them to cover a much broader territory. Map A shows the spread of the oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis). The colors indicate the year of registration: until 2021 (black), 2022 (blue), 2023 (green) and 2024 (red). Why is it important. That oriental hornets feed on honey bees and other pollinators is a real ecological and economic problem, as warns Robla for Canal Sur: When the density of hornets is high, damage to hives and the biodiversity of nearby areas can be serious. Selective predation on pollinators can have a cascading effect on agriculture, since crop pollination is reduced, and on beekeeping, a relevant economic sector in Andalusia. In Xataka | From pest in Southern Spain to “super food” for fish: we already know what to do with 60,000 tons of invasive Asian algae In Xataka | The Ebro is filling with brown prawns, an invasive species that we are going to find more and more on our plates. Cover | Gideon Pisanty and Buzzworthy invasions: new data on alien Vespa (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) hornets in southern Spain

Your body has been regulating temperature on its own for thousands of years. Until the air conditioning arrived and told him “calm down, I’ll take care of it” (it doesn’t turn out well)

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Air conditioning is our best friend in summer. However, just as we are not attached 24/7 to our best friends, We shouldn’t do it with the air conditioning either.. With your friend it is not good because you would run out of gossip to tell him, but with air conditioning the problem is that it can be dangerous for your health. And for your pocket, logically. Thermoregulator, what for? As explained in an article by Meteoredone of the biggest problems with overusing air conditioning is that our natural thermoregulation system becomes a little lazy. Human beings are homeothermic animals. This means that we remain at a stable temperature, around 36.5ºC, regardless of whether it is 0ºC or 42ºC outside. To do this, we have mechanisms such as sweating in the heat or shivering in the cold. However, we usually make these adaptations with natural temperature fluctuations. If we spend the day at 19ºC air conditioning, when we go outside, our body will have a harder time adapting as it normally would. It is something that also seen during sleep. Thanks to circadian rhythms, our body temperature drops little by little during the night to help us fall asleep. However, if we lower it artificially and suddenly, it will be much more difficult for us to rest. dry mucous membranes. Air conditioning not only lowers the temperature. It also dries out the air. And if the air dries out, so do our mucous membranes. We have all noticed that dry nose and throat feeling when we spend a lot of time with the air conditioning. In fact, it is especially noticeable at night. The big problem with this is that one of our protective barriers against the entry of respiratory pathogens is precisely the humidity of the mucous membranes, which allows the movement of structures, called cilia, that keep viruses and bacteria at bay. The cold does not cause colds, it is a widespread myth. Viruses are what cause colds, so if there is none in the environment we will not get sick. However, if the cold of the air conditioning has dried out our mucous membranes and there is a virus lurking around, it will be much more difficult for us to defend ourselves. Muscle pain. When we spend a lot of time under air conditioning, our muscles cool down and tend to shrink to better generate and retain heat, so it is common for us to hurt. No more than 12 ºC difference. Logically, air conditioning is necessary. However, we should neither abuse it nor put it too cold. As explained to EFE Health Dr. Sandra Dorado, coordinator of the area of ​​Respiratory Diseases of Occupational and Environmental Origin (EROM) of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR), more than 12 ºC of difference when moving from one room to another is already considered unhealthy. We must try not to exceed this difference and, if possible, acclimatize before going out suddenly. Furthermore, it is important clean air conditioning filters regularly. This will prevent asthma problems and respiratory infections from breathing poor quality air. That being said, keep using the air conditioning, just like you would hang out with your best friend. But allow time without seeing each other for gossip to arise between you, and when you are together, treat it well. Image | Magnificent In Xataka | These days I’m having a hard time falling asleep because of the heat. But put this device on and sleep soundly

We’ve been using sunscreen for thousands of years, even though we didn’t know we needed it at first.

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Nowadays We are quite aware of the importance of sunscreen. In the past they were not so clear about it, but they used it anyway. Normally, substances were used to lighten the skin or prevent it from darkening, since dark skin was associated with the lower classes of society. The upper classes did not want to appear from the lower classes and some people from the lower classes did not want to be noticed, so all kinds of concoctions were devised aimed at maintaining their whitish complexion. Over time, and with all the knowledge we have today, some scientists have dedicated themselves to analyzing those formulas and the truth is that, although some were anything but healthy, others were safe and even effective. Does that mean we should use them today? Logically not. We have much better studied options. But for the times in which they were developed, some were not bad at all. When it was worth it with the melanin itself. The first humans they lived in Africaso their skin was prepared to be intensely exposed to solar radiation, thanks to very high levels of melanin. Over time, as he Homo sapiens It was distributed to other parts of the world, so much melanin was no longer necessary, so the skin became lighter. The problem is that less solar radiation does not mean any, so little by little people found themselves having to look for a replacement for the melanin they had lost. They didn’t know why they needed it, but they were looking for it. The Egyptians and their cosmetics manufacturing skills. In ancient Egypt, cosmetics played a very important role. Makeup and creams and oils were used to moisturize the skin, improve physical appearance or as a status symbol. Even some cosmetic products had religious and ritual purposes. For all this, it is not strange that among the Egyptians there were great formulators. Many of their mixtures were useless, but some did have interesting and understandable applications with the science we know today. In this last drawer is found sunscreen based on jasmine, rice and lupine (the plant from which lupins are obtained). The goal of this mixture was to keep the skin as white as possible. They did not know that solar radiation can be harmful. However, they were protecting themselves from them, since today we know that rice bran absorbs ultraviolet light, jasmine helps repair DNA, and lupine lightens the skin. They weren’t just protecting themselves. They also repaired any damage that may have already occurred and kept the skin clearer. From the Greeks to the Romans. The Greeks used olive oil to protect yourself from the sun and, above all, to care for your skin after exposure. Although they were not aware of the magnitude of the problem, they did see that the skin was suffering from sun exposure, so they made their own aftersun. Today we know that olive oil has an SPF of 8. Too low, but better than later options and certainly better than not wearing anything at all. As for the Romans, They were among the first to use zinc oxide to prevent their skin from darkening. This substance is still used today as a physical filter in many sunscreens, so they aimed their shot very well. They were also used in India and China. Beware of lead. In Japan, white skin was a clear symbol of status and female beauty. For this reason, women smeared themselves with lead powder. It was also used by European women in the 16th and 17th centuries, usually mixed with water and vinegar, in a mixture known as venetian ceruse. In both cases, it was used because, being a thick, white powder, it gave them a mask effect that imitated the appearance of a very white complexion. Therefore, there was no protection at all. On the contrary, since lead It is highly toxic. The first sunscreens. In 1801, the chemist Johan Wilhem Ritter discovered UV radiation, although its harmful effects on the skin were not known until 1820, when a doctor named Sir Everard Home determined that these radiations, coming from the Sun, are harmful and that the skin itself defends itself through pigmentation. As a result of this last discovery, an attempt was made to make sunscreen with tannins, such as those of red grapes. However, the dark effect it left on the skin was not very well received. Over time, different options were tested, including zinc oxide from the Romans. Nowadays we know much better about the effects of the sun and sunscreen. In the end, many of these formulas from ancient civilizations were not so wrong. Nowadays we know the effects of this and other physical filters, as well as chemical ones, which do not create a barrier on the skin, but rather absorb radiation. All of them, deep down, are the result of thousands of years of curiosity and research. Because it’s true that the first humans to make sunscreen weren’t even making it for the right reason. But the fact is that, for whatever reason, they did it. We have instinctively protected ourselves forever. That a tanned footballer Don’t make us go back to the past. Images | Magnificent In Xataka | Science warns of the dangerous success of anti-suncream hoaxes on TikTok: “Despite being a minority, this content is influential”

This is the new Garmin CIRQA, a screenless activity bracelet that does not require a subscription

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Without screen: Garmin has already made its new CIRQA official. This activity bracelet arrives to compete directly with Whoop and Google’s FitBit Air in a sector that is increasingly gaining momentum. Its proposal plays with a very interesting advantage compared to its rivals and can now be purchased in Spain: it costs 199.99 euros. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A bracelet without a screen that has no subscription These devices have the clear objective of helping us measure our health or our workouts, but without the need to have a screen that can distract us with notifications. In this way, as with the proposals from Google or Whoop, we will always have to consult the information on our mobile phone. With more or less differences compared to its rivals, subscription is once again the way to fit this CIRQA among its rivals. In that sense, This new bracelet is closer to Google’s Fitbit Air: You can buy it without a mandatory subscription and use a lot of functions, but if you want everything it offers, then you have to check out with Garmin Connect+ subscription. On the other hand, without any subscription, we have other bracelets like the Polar Loop. And what is Garmin CIRQA for? As we say, it is an activity bracelet that can help us measure many parameters. There we can enter the heart rate, something that is constantly measured (in fact, notifies us if it measures an irregular frequency). In addition, also respiratory rate, stress, sleep, hydration, feminine health and even skin temperature, among many other things. To all of the above we must add that it can also help us control our workouts using GPS (it depends on the mobile connection for this). It has up to 10 days of autonomy and is available in two different sizes and four colors. ⚡ IN SUMMARY: garmin cirqa ✅ THE BEST Ideal if you want to avoid distractions: It is an ideal device if you want something to help you measure your health or your workouts that is discreet and does not have a screen. Measures a lot of parameters: From women’s health to heart rate or sleep. This bracelet can be an ally if you want to control your daily life. Up to 10 days of autonomy: The brand promises that its battery is capable of lasting up to 10 days without a charge. ❌ THE WORST Subscription if you want all its functions: It is true that subscription is not mandatory as it is with the Whoop bracelet, but it is necessary if you want all its functions. 💡 BUY IT IF… You are looking for an activity bracelet without a screen and you already have other Garmin devices at home. ⛔ DON’T BUY IT IF… Do you prefer a cheaper option or one that does not have any type of subscription, not even optional. You may also be interested WHOOP One – 12 Month Subscription, Health and Fitness Wearable 5.0 – 24/7 Activity Tracking with VO2 Max, Sleep Tracking, Personalized Training, Menstrual Cycle Information The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Google Fitbit Air – Activity Bracelet with physical activity, heart rate and sleep monitoring – Personalized AI-based advice – up to 7 days of battery life – Obsidian The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | Garmin In Xataka | Best activity bracelets. Which one to buy and most recommended models from 25 euros In Xataka | Best smartwatch in quality price. Which one to buy based on use and seven recommended models

they know the exact day of his death

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The image you see above these lines is the Basilica of Santa Eulalia in Mérida and, next to it, the early Christian crypt that it houses inside. Next to her they have just found a funeral tombstone. It is not strange: the surroundings of churches have always been places of cemetery. The strange thing is something else: we know that it is a 10-year-old Christian girl, whose name was Pascentia, and who died on May 18. Knowing the exact day of a death today, or even a century ago, is normal. That there is evidence of this for more than 1,500 years, no. The discovery. In an urgent archaeological excavation prior to some renovation works that are going to be carried out in a private home on the Rambla de Santa Eulalia, approximately 30 – 40 meters from the basilica, the research team has found that tombstone of the girl and between seven and eight burials of adults. The tombstone in question is made of marble and is practically complete, which allows us to know the exact day of the girl’s death, called Pascentia: “15th day between the calends of June”, the equivalent of May 18 in the Roman calendar. The year has not yet been determined precisely, but it points to 509 or 519 AD. c. Why it is important. Gilberto Sánchez, archaeologist of the Consortium of the Monumental City of Mérida, explains that the tombstone is a true rarity because it combines several peculiarities: the first, the magnificent state of conservation of the tombstone. Then, let it be that of a girl, since similar tombstones had already appeared in the area, but belonging to bishops and illustrious people, not a minor. Finally, because it shows that in the 6th century there were still Christian burials in that area of ​​Mérida. Context. The archaeological excavation has also allowed us to reconstruct how the place has changed over time. Thus, remains of a Roman road with its sewer have appeared under that funerary area, which was later abandoned to build a Christian necropolis on it. Later, this enclave became a humble neighborhood of Islamic Mérida in the 8th-9th centuries, with a mixed population of Muslims and Mozarabic Christians. In detail. The tombstone has ornamental motifs such as a laurel wreath, two doves facing each other and what appears to be a chrismon, symbols of Christianity. It also includes expressions such as “famula Dei” (“servant of God”) and “requiescat in pace” (“rest in peace”). According to the archeology team, Pascentia probably belonged to a noble family, as denoted by the mere fact of her burial there, the design and materials of the tombstone, and the fact that it was made by a specialized workshop. Yes, but. In the absence of knowing the exact year of her death and more details about her identity, after the discovery of this girl buried in the surroundings of the Basilica of Santa Eulalia in Mérida, it is inevitable to relate her to another famous Mérida girl from ancient times: Santa Eulalia, the one after whom the Basilica is named. However, as the research archaeologists have explained, there is no relationship between the two: the martyr lived two centuries earlier, in Roman times, while Pascentia is from the Visigoth period. In Xataka | They thought they were fishing for Roman scrap metal, but some fishermen from Benicarló found the largest batch of medieval helmets in Spain In Xataka | We have unraveled one of the greatest mysteries of archeology in Spain: the Roman “step” of Elda Cover | Ángel M. Felicísimo and Juanje 2712

two plants in Portugal and Scotland are about to change that

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While there are renewable energies such as solar or wind that are accelerating decarbonization, there are others that remain a melon to be opened, such as wave drive. The potential of waves is enormous, as you well know. island countries like Japan and places known for how brave their coast is like Galicia. It is true that some installation already exists, such as Mutriku’sbut its size and performance is rather discreet. To take wave power to another level, you need technology reliable enough to create a large plant and someone external to attest to it. There is the fence comes down to two places and one company: Portugal and Scotland, both from the Swedish company CorPower Ocean. The invention. CorPower Ocean’s C4 power converter measures nine meters in diameter, 18 meters in height and about 100 tons in mass. Since 2023, it has been installed and operational in the testing phase four kilometers off the coast of Aguçadoura, in the north of Portugal, at a depth of 45 meters. The device has achieved a historic milestone for wave energy: its C4 has received the first prototype certificate from Det Norske Veritas, the world reference entity in offshore energy. What does this mean? In short: that the technology meets the requirements of resistance, reliability and safety. In addition to reviewing and approving the conceptual development, detailed engineering, structural resistance and fatigue analysis, manufacturing, assembly, dry testing, installation, the most striking thing is that they have approved its performance in storms with waves of up to 18.5 meters. Why it is important. Because wave energy has been the unfinished business of renewables for more than half a century, far behind in performance (and obviously, also in exploitation of others such as wind or solar). That an independent certifying entity has given the go-ahead means that the technology is ready to make the leap to commercial production in terms of performance and safety, which opens the door to materializing projects once the necessary investment arrives. Here is the crux of the matter: if the technology is reliable, it is easier to convince financial and investment entities that it is worth betting on it. Context. Since the first prototypes will be patented in 1981 by engineers Laithwaite and Salter, other states such as Japan, Spain and Italy They have tried it without much success: wave power is still stuck in the experimental phase without making the commercial leap. Among the problems they have to deal with is the unpredictability of the waves: there may be some, but they are variable in height, pace and direction. On the other hand, the harsh marine environment also does not help in the design and maintenance of the devices. In detail. Certification is not the final stage, but rather the beginning of its commercial implementation: CorPower is already preparing its first two commercial parks, in Portugal and Scotland, with the stated objective of placing wave energy as the third major renewable source next to wind and solar. If everything goes according to plan, they will come into operation between 2027 and 2029. At that time, wave energy will finally be able to contribute its grain of sand to the electrical grid. And the Swedish company does not stop there: its next C5 is already pending certification. Yes, but. What has been certified is a prototype, not a device already manufactured in series, which is the next necessary step to produce on a large scale. And older plants such as Mutriku in Gipuzkoa (in operation since 2011), demonstrate This energy produces much less electricity than expected compared to wind or solar (its efficiency is 11%), so it remains to be known if these new parks will meet expectations. In Xataka | Twelve years of work, three winters at sea and a 42-meter buoy: this is the Basque project that wants to convert waves into cheap electricity Xataka | For years, wave energy was the ugly duckling of renewables. AI and data centers have taken a turn More information and cover | CorPower Ocean

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