doubts Archives - usatoday24

China has just resolved one of the biggest doubts about going to Mars with the birth of six space mice

January 9, 2026 by usatoday24

For years, the great doubt of space biology It has not been whether we can have tomatoes and lettuce in orbit to be able to populate other planets, but whether our bodies will remain functional after returning from the vacuum of space. Something that above all interests us in order to reproduce. And in order to solve it, China sent a mouse who was in the Tiangong station to see if she was later capable of having babies and if they came with any serious alteration. Some babies for history. The result of this trip to Tiangong Station The truth is that it has been a successsince on December 10, 2025, a laboratory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) witnessed an apparently everyday but scientifically extraordinary event: the birth of nine baby mice. The special thing, logically, was not the birth, but the fact that his mother had been in space for several weeks (although with some problems) subjected to microgravity and cosmic radiation. Now, six of these babies have survived and are growing normally. It was not without incident. The experiment was a priori quite simple: launch four mice (two males and two females) into space on October 31 and leave them there for two weeks. All this accompanied by adequate food for the duration of the mission. But in the end there were major problems that forced extend the stay in space. And this was a huge inconvenience, since the critical shortage of solid food for the mice could literally cause the mice to die and the mission to be a disaster. And that is why on Earth they began to look for the most suitable food to feed these animals and the result was liquid soy milk, which was the only thing available at the station. Completely monitored. In order to have good traceability of what the mice do in space, scientists kept the mice monitored with artificial intelligence at all times. In this way, it was possible to know at the moment what they ate and even the stress patterns they presented, circadian rhythms and possible anomalies in real time. And everything was taken care of in detail, to the point that the soy milk was supplied with a negative pressure pumping system to prevent liquid bubbles from floating around the cabin. The progression. Once this problem was resolved, on November 14, 2025, the animals returned to earth and natural conception occurred. The result was that 9 calves were born and only six survived in good health. The problem of microgravity. Until this experiment, there was a well-founded fear in the scientific community: that ionizing radiation and the absence of gravity would “break” something in the hormonal axis or in the integrity of the DNA of the gametes. Something that would prevent us from reproducing normally, which would prevent, for example, the colonization of Mars. Precisely, cosmic radiation acts as a shower of high-energy particles that can cause double-strand breaks in DNA. On Earth, our atmosphere protects us, but at 400 km altitude, mice (and humans) are exposed to a much higher dose. Researcher Wang Hongmei highlights that the fact that the offspring are viable suggests that the cellular repair mechanisms of mammals are capable of compensating for the damage suffered during short-duration flights. A competition. As with everything related to space, there is a great rivalry between the United States and China. In this way, if we look back we see that China He had already managed to partially develop mouse embryos in space in 2020. Subsequently, NASA in 2019 conducted researchers on the International Space Station to analyze the bone density loss and muscle in space. What’s next. The experiment does not end with childbirth. Now, scientists monitor what they call “second-generation effects.” The aim is to determine if these six mice will develop health problems in the medium term or if their fertility will be affected when they reach maturity. In this way, if these mice do not present infertility, we can see that space travel is not a sentence of sterility. China’s next big step will be to attempt the reproductive cycle in orbit: conception, gestation and birth without setting foot on Earth. Something that will be fundamental for to be able to understand if humans in space can have some kind of possibility of reproducing without the protection of our beloved atmosphere. Images | Frenjamin Benklin POT In Xataka | Thinking that we are alone in the universe is arrogant. The question is why the aliens haven’t contacted us yet

what should be clear between controversies and doubts about the norm

January 1, 2026 by usatoday24

A breakdown on a secondary road, a car stopped on the shoulder and the doubt that arrives before help: what do I do now to signal it correctly. For years, the response was almost automatic and involved looking for the triangles in the trunk. That gesture is no longer the obligatory reference. Starting today, January 1, the regulations change and force us to rethink how we warn other drivers when something goes wrong. The change is no longer a future promise and is now in effect. The General Directorate of Traffic establishes that the V-16 beacon connected It is the only legal danger pre-signaling device in the country. This is not just a symbolic replacement for the triangles, but a clear redefinition of what is considered valid to comply with the obligation to signal an immobilized vehicle. It’s not just a light. The key to the connected V-16 beacon is not only that it emits a light signal visible from afar, but also in what happens at the same time and without driver intervention. When activated, the device automatically communicates the vehicle’s location to the platform DGT 3.0which integrates this information into traffic management systems. This “virtual visibility”, as defined by the DGT itself, allows other road users to be notified through variable message panels and browsers, before the incident becomes evident to those approaching. Who takes her and where she goes. The regulations establish that the connected V-16 beacon must be part of the equipment of passenger cars, buses, adaptive mixed vehicles, vehicles intended for the transport of goods and sets of non-special vehicles. Regarding its placement, the recommendation is clear: place it at the highest possible point of the vehicle, preferably on the roof, to maximize visibility. When this is not feasible, it can be placed in the highest area of the driver’s side, taking advantage of the built-in magnet to fix it to metal surfaces. Fines for using the triangle, yes or no? Part of the noise around the V-16 stems from a misunderstanding about the concept of substitution. The fact that the connected beacon becomes the mandatory device does not imply that the triangle has become a sanctionable element in itself. DGT Instruction 2025/20 clarifies that a triangle placed specifically is not considered an obstacle on the road and, therefore, will not be the subject of a complaint. From here it is advisable to separate the scenarios well, because not all of them lead to the same result. Using only the triangle no longer serves to comply with the legal pre-signaling obligation, because the required device is the connected V-16 beacon. The case is different for those who correctly activate the beacon and, in addition, decide to place a triangle in a complementary manner, something that the aforementioned instruction frames as an element that, if placed punctually, will not be the subject of a complaint for being considered an obstacle. The problem appears when a beacon that is not approved or that does not meet the required connectivity requirements is used, since in that case the driver would not be using a legally valid device. Without vocation to fine. In this context, the DGT itself has tried to reduce the feeling of immediate threat. In an interview on Hora 14 on Cadena SERthe deputy director of the DGT, Ana Blanco, assured that “there is no vocation to fine,” when asked about the sanctions from day one, although she insisted that the important thing is that drivers get the mandatory device. The message does not eliminate the sanctioning framework, but does point to an approach focused on adaptation and the connected V-16 beacon being available and used correctly when necessary. Be careful with the ‘connected’ label. One of the main sources of confusion is in the market. Just because a beacon is announced as connected does not guarantee that it meets the requirements demanded by the DGT. The organization maintains an official and updated list of certified brands and models.and only the devices that appear in it have legal validity. Checking this list is key, because from today it is not enough for the beacon to emit light or have a connection, but it must have the current approval and the corresponding technical certificate. Four models that were left out at the last minute. In December 2025, The DGT updated its list of certified devices and marked four specific models as “not valid.” This qualification does not imply that they stop working or that their use is automatically punishable, but rather that they have lost the administrative validity of their original technical certificates. For this reason, these products can no longer be marketed, although, according to the criteria that accompanies this update, those who purchased them before the withdrawal can continue using them. Its validity is linked to the useful life of the device, in particular to the operating period of the associated data plan. Quick checklist. After so much explanation, it’s time to go ashore. Today is not a different day from the rest when you get into the car, except for that small change that should be well secured to avoid doubts and waste of time if a breakdown occurs. This is the minimum checklist to know that you are wearing the right thing and know how to use it. Check that the beacon is included in the official catalog of models approved by the DGT. Make sure the battery or batteries are in good condition. Keep the beacon in an accessible place inside the vehicle. Verify that the magnet allows a firm fixation in a metal area. Always place it at the highest possible point in the car when it is activated. Images | Netun Solutions | DGT (1, 2) In Xataka | What to look for in a V16 beacon: requirements and how to check if the one you have or want to buy works for you In Xataka | The DGT’s great plan does not end with the V16 beacons: it … Read more

There is an obsession with protein to gain more and more muscle. Science has more and more doubts that it works

December 25, 2025 by usatoday24

Until not so long ago, protein was a technical term, linked to clinical nutrition and sports. Today it has become a cultural symbol. Under what some have called the era of Protein Chicprotein is no longer just a nutrient, but a promise: for health, body control and active aging. Eating well has come to mean, almost automatically, eating “with protein.” The market pushes. This change has consolidated an idea that is as simple as it is deceptive: that if protein is good, the more it is, the better. However, while the market push this logic Without nuances, the human body continues to function with very specific limits. And there arises the question that rarely accompanies packaging and slogans: how much protein do we really need to age well, and at what point does it stop adding up? What does science really say? This is where the noise of marketing collides with the evidence. In an extensive report published by The Washington PostProfessor Stuart Phillips, leading researcher in protein metabolism, muscle health and aging at McMaster University (Canada), issues a clear warning: “Consuming more and more protein is not necessarily better. There are no infinite benefits associated with higher intake.” Phillips is not a marginal voice in this debate. He has been studying for decades how nutrition and exercise interact to slow age-related loss of muscle mass —sarcopenia—and he is one of the scientists most cited in this field. His message dismantles much of the dominant narrative. So, let’s get to the data. The classic recommendation of 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight —the well-known recommended daily intake (RDA)— is usually interpreted as an objective to achieve. In reality, it is designed as a minimum to avoid malnutrition. According to Stuart Phillipswhen the focus is on aging healthily and preserving muscle mass, the evidence points to somewhat higher ranges, always combined with strength training. This approach fits with what was published by harvard and Mayo Clinicpoint out that exceeding intakes close to 2 grams per kilo of body weight rarely provides clear advantages to the general population. Instead, they insist on the need to adapt the amount of protein to age, physical activity and health status. Protein: necessary, but not miraculous. It is worth remembering something basic that is often lost in public conversation: the body does not store protein. Once the needs are met, the excess is used as energy or transformed into fat. Eating more protein, by itself, does not build muscle. As they remember from Mayo Clinic: “Muscle is built by strength training, not by shaking.” From 40 or 50 years old, the equation changes slightly. The progressive loss of muscle mass begins and here protein takes on a strategic role, but always in combination with resistance exercise. Spreading the protein throughout the day (between 15 and 30 grams per meal) and not concentrating it only at dinner seems more effective in stimulating muscle synthesis, a point that also underlines the McMaster University researcher. The word of the year: protein. At least in the nutritional field, because – for those who want to know – the word of the year has been “tariff”, and no wonder. But getting back to the topic at hand, protein has sneaked in on social networks, in cafes and in viral morning routines. And going further, the new ritual of well-being involves coffees protein, clear protein, functional supplements and smoothies that promise sculpted bodies. This obsession coexists with other contemporary phenomena: the fear of aging, the cult of the “perfect” body and the popularization of weight loss drugs like Ozempic. In this context, protein is sold almost as a talisman: it satisfies, slims, tones and protects against aging. Nutritionists, however, are more cautious. Many agree that we are paying a premium for ultra-processed products that do not provide more benefits than the real food that we already have at home: eggs, legumes, fish or natural yogurt. The origin of the protein. Another important turn in this debate. We come to a meta-analysis that shows that following patterns like the Planetary Health Dietrich in plant proteins, is associated with both lower mortality and a lower climate footprint. It is not about eliminating animal protein, but about moving it from the center of the plate and prioritizing legumes, nuts and whole grains. The experts introduce a key concept here, widely cited by Harvard: he protein package. It’s not just the protein that matters, but what comes with it. It is not the same to obtain it from an ultra-processed “high in protein” food than from a dish of lentils with fiber, minerals and antioxidants. The nutritional context matters as much as the isolated macronutrient. So who really needs more protein? Protein deficiencies are not common in the general population. They appear especially in older people, patients with illnesses, very restrictive diets or chewing problems. In these cases, supplements can be a useful tool, never a universal shortcut. Alma Palau, dietician-nutritionist and manager of the General Council of Official Colleges of Dietitians-Nutritionists, warned in an interview in CuídatePlus that excess protein is not harmless. “Proteins that the body does not need are metabolized and eliminated, but this process involves making organs such as the kidney or liver work unnecessarily,” he explained. Palau insists that consuming more protein than necessary does not translate into more muscle or more health if it is not accompanied by sufficient carbohydrates, a varied diet and physical activity. In other words: without context, the protein loses its meaning. Along the same lines, Carlos Andrés Zapata, nutritionist interviewed by La Vanguardiawarns that protein has been overstated in current discourse and remembers that it is not more important than other macronutrients such as carbohydrates or fats, nor does it replace a balanced diet or strength training. Less obsession, more balance. Protein matters, a lot. It is essential to maintain muscle, autonomy and quality of life with age. But science does not support the idea that it is infinite or magical. … Read more

The DGT confirms that there were doubts with the arrival of the V-16 beacon

December 23, 2025 by usatoday24

In just over a week, the triangles will have said goodbye forever on our roads. Or they should have said it if we take the regulation literally because the DGT itself has warned that we will have a grace period to have the V-16 beacon in our car. An element that arrives with controversy and that has been close to being delayed, according to Pere Navarro, director of Traffic. “We are considering delaying it”. That is what Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, stated in statements to the program Better Late of La Sexta. The head of Traffic confirmed that they considered delaying the beacon “to July 31, but nothing would have changed.” According to Navarro, delaying the entry of the V-16 beacon would have led to the same problems and debates but six months later. Come on, we would be talking about the convenience and necessity of beacons in the summer instead of doing it now at Christmas. “Flexible”. In his statement to the La Sexta program, Navarro confirmed that there will not be any type of extension. It is a position in which Tráfico has remained firm in recent months and of which They already announced in November. “This comes from a Royal Decree of 2021,” Navarro now recalled. However, according to the Director of Traffic, “agents will be flexible”so a certain grace period is expected before the Civil Guard fines us for not having a connected V-16 beacon. Of course, in his statements Navarro has not said how long this period will last and the truth is that, if an agent fines us, the regulations protect him. Same, same… In his statements, Navarro suggests that if the implementation of the V-16 beacon had been delayed until next summer, the situation would be exactly the same as at the moment. However, the DGT could have made some kind of communication campaign to the drivers by then, something he has completely omitted this time. One of the most repeated criticisms. In fact, Montserrat Estaca, head of the Telematics Area of the DGT, in an interview with 20Minutes recognized that there was room to better inform drivers. “We should sing a little mea culpa, either we have not done the job well or we have not sufficiently informed the citizens of this new measure,” Estaca acknowledged. So? The question is… what will we find on the road on January 1, 2026? According to Pere Navarro, the agents will not start fining immediately for not having a V-16 beacon connected but the truth is that if we only put the emergency triangles we will not be correctly signaling a fault and they can fine us 80 euros for it. The procedure is clear: we must activate the connected V-16 beacon, place it on the roof of the vehicle and only leave it if there is a safe place to stay. However, there are those who resist throwing away the triangles and we ourselves choose to use it depending on what occasions. This decision will not entail a fine, according to the DGT. In Xataka We have asked Traffic who assure us that the driver will be able to go out and put up the triangles “at his own risk” but that the Civil Guard will not fine him for it. Photo | DGT In Xataka | The “made in China” business of the DGT’s V-16 beacons: homologating the same product 24 times and selling it under different brands

direct aid for the purchase of electric cars with doubts to clear up

December 3, 2025 by usatoday24

New year, new help. That is what the Government has presented with the Auto Plus Plana project that replaces the MOVES III Plan and the discomfort with which the consumer has encountered until now if he wanted to receive aid to buy an electric or plug-in hybrid car. The aid plan is part of the Spain Auto 2030 Plana broader and more ambitious project in which 300 million euros in aid are also contemplated to promote the installation of charging points and the confirmation that another 580 million euros will be available to launch industrial activities with the PERTE VEC designed to promote the production of vehicles and automotive-related components in our country. Regarding aid, the Government will make up to 400 million euros available to buyers starting next January 1, 2026. It will do so with direct intervention in them, so this time the budget will not go through the Autonomous Communities, one of the main criticisms that consumers and manufacturers have been making for some time. What can we expect from the new Auto Plus Plan With almost two years of delay, it seems that we finally have a date for the electric car buyer in Spain to receive a discount just at the time of formalizing the purchase of the vehicle. And it is that in February 2024the Government committed to having this new deal available in the next aid package to be approved. In December of that year, without reaching an agreement, the Executive confirmed that MOVES III Plan funds were expanded with the same conditions as until now. In January 2025 the scare came: the omnibus decree that contemplated aid fell and the funds with him. days later would be reactivated with a new vote in the Congress of Deputies. Now, the Government assures that from January 1, 2026buyers of an electric car will have the funds available at the time of purchase. That is, at the promotional price they can discount the help they should receive for buying an electric or plug-in hybrid car. The presentation has not mentioned what the discounts will be, which, until now, are the following: Electric cars and plug-in hybrids with 90 or more kilometers of autonomy: 4,500 euros guaranteed discount and an additional 2,500 euros if a car that is more than seven years old is scrapped. Plug-in hybrid cars with more than 30 and less than 90 kilometers of autonomy: 2,500 euros guaranteed discount and an additional 2,500 euros if a car that is more than seven years old is scrapped. It has also not been confirmed if these aids will be available for kilometer 0 and pre-owned cars, a modification that applies from 2023. Or the price ceiling to which these aids are applied, which, until now, has been 45,000 euros before the application of VAT. What is certain is that the funds will not be transferred to the Autonomous Communities, such as It had been happening with the successive MOVES Plan. In that case, each region received some funds, which caused a buyer to find that their Autonomous Community lacked them and in other cases there was availability. But, also, bureaucratic obstacles are eliminated that required documentation to be presented in each region in a different way (in some areas it was mandatory for the beneficiary to present it and in others it was allowed for the concessionaire to manage it). Likewise, waiting times to receive aid should be completely eliminated, in some cases reaching 18 months and which have taken manufacturers to advance aid to the buyer with credits of up to 7,000 euros at 0% that had to be returned as part of a last installment or an intermediate installment after 18 months. Photo | European Union on Wikimedia In Xataka | An electric car is 54% cheaper to maintain than a combustion car. And it may not compensate because the data has a trick

We thought that sleeping in 90 -minute blocks improved rest and energy when you woke up. Science has its doubts

September 26, 2025 by usatoday24

As so many other viral trends In social networks, in recent years a seemingly simple formula has run like gunpowder for improve nighttime rest and wake up fresh like a lettuce: Calculate the dream in 90 -minute blocks To wake up just when one ends those blocks. This technique ensures that, when you wake up just when a complete sleep cycle ends, people They will feel more rested and with greater energy to face the day. However, scientific evidence questions the reliability of this method. The myth of exact 90 minutes cycles A survey of 2024 made by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine He revealed that almost one in ten American adults (9%) had tried this technique to determine what time they had to go to bed and wake up and have even been created Online calculators To make this calculation easier. The basis of this technique is based on Natural sleep cycles that are part of the set of cycles that regulate our body known as Circadian cycles. These cycles are the ones that determine the time of sleeping, of waking up, of eating, etc. According to this technique, a person who wants to wake up at 7:00 in the morning should go to sleep at 22:00 to complete six full -minute sleep cycles, or 23:30 to complete five sleep cycles. The concept is based on the idea that awakening at the end of a complete cycle, in phase V or REM, When the dream is lighterwould avoid the feeling of morning stun that occurs when we wake up in the middle of one of these cycles. Sleep cycles were first identified in the 1950s, when researchers They discovered These patterns called Ultradian cycles. During the night, the alternate brain between different phases: light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep (characterized by the most intense dreams). Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, Medical Director of Sentara Rockingham Memorial Sleep Center, explained in Popular Science that each of these phases fulfills specific functions for physical and mental recovery. However, the popularization of this scientific knowledge has led to excessive simplifications that They do not reflect the real complexity of human sleep. The most important of them: that the sleep cycles last exactly 90 minutes. That is the biggest problem of this theory. Scientific reality dismantles promises Recent studies They have shown that the duration of sleep cycles is not a constant but a variable. That is, its duration varies depending on each personand even the same person You can record more or less long cycless during the same night or vary according to the day. An investigation He analyzed more than 16,000 nights of sleep in 573 different people found that the median duration of sleep cycles was not 90 minutes but 110 minutes, with 75% of the cycles ranging between 95 and 130 minutes. Another study based on 2,312 nights of polysomnography data determined that the average duration of the cycles was 116.9 minuteswith a standard deviation of 39.7 minutes. In other words, establishing the 90 minutes as a basis for calculating sleep cycles not only is not an inaccuracy, but in practice it can be counterproductive since there is also the risk of interrupting the sleep cycle before it ends. Dr. Andrea Matsumura, specialist in Sleep Medicine and founder of Sleep Goddesss Method, said In the article of Popular Science that “factors such as stress, Alcoholdiseases or even bedtime, impact on the sleep cycle, so this method does not really guarantee that you wake up less stunned. “ In addition, the studies identified that as night progresses, sleep cycles They tend to elong in a natural wayso that the former can last between 70 and 100 minutes, while the later range between 90 and 120 minutes. Making it impossible to predict at what point in the cycle You will find yourself when it is time to wake up. On the other hand, in a standard sleep session of a healthy person, it is very unlikely be ahead of a deep phase of sleep since phase 3 of sleep, the deepest and repairinglasts between 20 and 40 minutes and usually occurs in the middle of the sleep session, and then move back to phase 2 which is a relaxing but lighter dream. Therefore, unless you are sleeping very few hoursthe awakening occurs from that lighter phase, and not from a deep phase as the 90 -minute block theory supports, which would leave a greater feeling of stunning. That is, this theory is based on two real facts: that awakening from phase 3 leaves you more stunned and that sleep cycles last around 90 minutes, to set up an alleged infallible technique to wake up as a rosto. The problem is that sleep It is not an exact science And the only thing that really works is Ensure the Descaso Hours that the body needs … and there are not even certainties about How long is needed. In Xataka | I put myself in the hands of some “sleep headphones” in the hope of reconciling sleep. It has come out regular Image | Unspash (Shane, Greg Pupas)

We have been submerged in “High Protein” food fever. Science has enough doubts that it is useful

September 17, 2025 by usatoday24

In a quick visit to the supermarket, it is observed how the shelves no longer compete in flavors, compete in promises: High Protein, extra protein, muscle. We see it in yogurts, breads, tuna and even water, under the promise of the protein. Today we are immersed in the Era of chic proteinwhich turned an essential nutrient into an aspirational banner that jumped from the gym to the purchase cart. However, meanwhile container and slogans emerges the question that many ask ourselves: do we really need so much protein? No more is better. To begin with, protein matters, since it participates in the construction and repair of tissues, immunity and hormonal regulation, among other functions, as explained in the MedlinePlus Medical Portal. In addition, it has a satiating effect, which helps control intake, provided it does not derive in hyperproteic diets, Andrea Jarque nutritionist warns. However, to understand the jump to the shelves of the supermarket responds rather to a market logic. The industry, As always happenshe detected a “reef” in the protein claim and extended it from the cultural niche to the general public, with visual codes and messages that They associate protein By force, aesthetics and performance. Do we need “more protein”? It all depends on the person, but there is something in which almost all coincide Clinical guides: The reference figures change little. In an average and sedentary adult, the daily recommendation is around 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight per day. From the age of 40 or 50 – and especially in menopause – it is convenient to slightly raise the intake up to 1 and 1.2 grams per kilo. In other words, a 70 kilos person would need between 70 and 84 grams of daily protein to curb the loss of muscle associated with age: Sarcopenia. Athletes play in another league. Those who train strength or practice resistance regularly may need more: between 1.2 and 1.7 grams per kilo. Above 2 grams per kilo, the benefits are more than doubtful and, in predisposed people, problems could even appear, as they warn in May Clinic. In practice, most arrive – or even pass – from those amounts. In Spain it is not different: meat intake It is still very high. Hence the nutritionist Jorge Jaldón summarize it with irony in the zero habit podcast: “Shortly after breakfasts, lunch and cenes, you have plenty of protein.” Its example is clear: an egg (6 grams of protein), 100 grams of chicken (22 grams) and a plate of lentils (15–18 grams) are enough to meet the needs of an adult in one day. In other words, a combined dish already covers what many are looking for in a container with the High Protein label. Deficit and excess, the two faces. The shortcomings are unusual in the general population. They appear in cases of aggressive caloric restriction, eating disorders either use of slimming drugs that lead meals. Alert signals They are clear: Little satiety between meals and worse recovery after exercise or disease. At the opposite end, the body does not store protein. Once the needs are covered, the excess is used as energy or becomes fat. “The muscle is built by strength training, not the shake”, Clinic point out in May. In the long term, the effect of excessive chronic intake It is a reason for debate. Specialists from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) They advise caution in people with kidney or liver disease. And what happens to supplements? And this is where the great parallel industry appears. It is not the same to train strength than to lead a sedentary life. Protein supplements can be useful in specific situations: greater with chewing problems, clinical contexts, recovery after training or simply by logistics. Three nutritionists They coincided in a report of this house: They are a tool, not universal shortcut. The Basic Council: Check labels. A good product should provide at least 70–80% real protein by ration, low in sugars, with few additives and reliable brand. And it should not forget the obvious: a shake also adds calories. In addition, many of these products cost more than their equivalent in real food. As some experts ironize, a surcharge is often paid so they already provide lentils or egg. The boom of the plant protein. The other great change is of origin. For decades the recommendation was to replace red meat with chicken or fish. Today the focus is in legumes, nuts, tofu or quinoa. A meta -analysis Confirm that following The so -called Planetary Health Diet (rich in plant proteins) is associated with 21% less mortality and lower carbon footprint. “The more the dish looked like this diet, the lower the risk of dying and the environmental impact,” summarizes the study. Along the same lines, vegetable proteins are also beginning to prioritize food guides, As Stanford professor, Christopher Gardner details: “The beans, peas and lentils would head the list.” Now, the vegetable protein has less bioavailability. “Those who follow exclusively vegetable diets need more quantity and combine different sources,” Remember dietitian Marie Spano. Despite this, as Isabel Martorell, dietitian-nutritionist of Nootric: “No deficits have been observed in vegans with well -planned diets.” Here enters a key concept, that of the Package protein, Popularized by Harvard: The important thing is not only the protein, but the set of nutrients that accompany it. It is not the same to obtain it from a fillet with saturated fats than from a dish of chickpeas with fiber, minerals and antioxidants. Beyond fashion. The evidence points to a simple route (and less expensive): it distributes the protein of the day, prioritizes quality sources – better if they are vegetables -, trains strength and distrust of the Atheat powder. The muscle is built by the gym and constancy. The rest is noise and labels. Image | Pexels Xataka | The greatest study on sustainable food confirms it: the vegetable protein wins the game

China is selling us a future full of humanoid robots. We have (many) doubts

September 14, 2025 by usatoday24

The first “Olympic Robots Games” Humanoids in Beijing held last month put the focus on one of China’s most aggressive technological bets. And it is that between sports exhibitions and industrial demonstrations, the Asian giant demonstrated Your muscle in the creation of robots Humanoids However, we are at a point where robotics faces various problems that must be solved to count on the market with a reliable solution and worthwhile. And not everything is valid with promises. The strategy from China. Beijing has converted humanoid robotics into state priority. Its five -year plan for the robotic industry set at 2021 An annual growth greater than 20%, backed by a state fund of 140,000 million dollars for technological startups. The objective is none other than leading a sector that they consider “the next great technological revolution” after smartphones and electric vehicles. This year They hope to produce more than 10,000 robots Humanoids, with cities such as Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing concentrating investment and development. The perfect showcase. The recent “Olympic Games” for robots served as a demonstration of strength. One of the most prominent moments was when Unitree’s H1 robot completed 1,500 meters In 6 minutes and 34 seconds, reaching 4.78 m/Sy surpassing the Atlas of Boston Dynamics. But the detail that many overlooked is the fact that these robots did not operate autonomously, but were controlled by human operators. The blow of reality. While China exhibits records and opens “robot mall” in Beijing, The first 4S store For humanoids that promise in the same place sales, spare parts, service and monitoring, many experts prefer to be cautious. “I don’t think anyone has found an application for humanoids that requires several thousand robots by installation,” Point out Melonee Wise, former product director in Agility Robotics, for IEEE. There is a real lack of demand, and that is the first obstacle to large -scale manufacture of humanoid robots. Rpending technical etos. Energy autonomy remains another problem. Agility Digit Robot You need 9 minutes of charge For every 90 minutes of operation, and in practice you must stop every 30 minutes to maintain a security reserve. Industrial reliability requires levels of 99.99%, far from current standards in multipurpose applications. And in terms of security, unique problems arise in this segment, since if for example we disconnect the feeding of a bípedo humanoid robot, which collapse an armatos of several tens of kilos complicates things. A market that It still does not exist. Although signatures like Bank of America Global Research They have predicted that 18,000 units will be sold in 2025 or that the figure reaches 1,000 million robots by 2050 in a 5 billion market, according to Morgan Stanley Researchthe reality is that today there are barely real commercial deployments. Even the most advanced companies in the sector only have a handful of robots that work in very controlled pilot tests. The applications that would justify these figures are, for now, speculative. The closest commercial launch of Europe. Faced with Chinese optimism, the European Neura Robotics also has an approach in that segment with 4ne1a domestic robot that the firm intends to launch for about 60,000 euros and is scheduled for 2026. Its CEO speaks of “doing robotics what the iPhone did for smartphones.” The domestic market, of course it is the one that until now could benefit from this type of robots, but an investment of that caliber is not something that anyone does. Known companies that bet in the long term. Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Honor They already diversify Towards the humanoid robots segment following the Amazon model: Lose money now to dominate later. Given a sector as saturated as that of smartphones, it is a strategy that makes all the meaning, although it requires that promises end up materializing in useful and profitable products. Hype or revolution? China is massively investing in creating a market that still does not exist, trusting that artificial intelligence will solve the problems of autonomy, reliability and practical utility of robots. “The reality is that AI is not robust enough to meet market requirements”, assures Wise It is clear that today the ability of humanoid robots is very limited, but time will say if its evolution will end up awakening a current market. Cover image | China Daily In Xataka | You cannot climb to the Madrid subway with an electric scooter. In China’s, robots are already a passenger

At greater depth, doubts arose

August 17, 2025 by usatoday24

In theory, endures 15 meters underwater. In practice, we put it in the sea with a mobile of 1,000 euros inside. What happened next is just what one wants to know before buying it. On this 24/7 of the Xataka YouTube channelAmazon’s best selling aquatic housing faces real use: pressure, photos, submerged time … and background fear to run out of mobile in the middle of the holidays. Angela Blanco He has used it during his holiday in El Hierro, in full formation for the Open Water course for underwater. Between snorkeling sessions and a drop to 8 meters deep, it has tried the housing in different real scenarios: salt, pressure, photos, touch handling and long periods underwater. “It’s very easy to use, it’s a pleasure to throw photos with your mobile.” From there, the analysis focuses on the physical limits of the accessory, the usability under pressure and the tranquility it offers … or not. The assembly is intuitive. The closure can be opened with a plastic accessory, but the most natural thing is to do it with your fingers. The phone is embedded by internal tabs that must coincide with the buttons of volume if you want to wear the mechanical shot. It also includes sponge to improve adjustment on certain models. It is compatible with most market smartphones, provided they have a screen between 4.7 and 6.9 inches. When there is not too much depth, the experience is quite good. The housing allows you to shoot, check photos and move through the interface with relative ease. Of course, it is convenient to remove the air well with the valve, because if it is trapped, the flexible film that covers the screen is swelled and hinders tactile control. To snorkel or move in areas where the mobile gets wet but does not immerse itself so much, the balance between usability and security is reasonable. Where do you put the limit between comfort and protection? “I’m not so happy today, I’m going to tell you what happened.” Thus the most delicate section of the test starts. It was when the first alert signals appeared seriously. 8 meters, the screen stopped responding and the mobile was practically useless inside the housing. The pond endured, but the control of the device disappeared at the key moment. Could it have avoided whether the camera had left open from the beginning? To what extent did the pressure or the design of the case influence? In the video we tell you in detail what happened and what conclusions we take. There are contexts where this housing fits well and others where it raises more doubts. Not everything was as we expected, and that is why This 24/7 has more crumb than usual. To snorkel it is an absolute yes: easy to use, comfortable, and gives enough peace of mind. If you are considering a case like this, the video can help you decide. It is on the Xataka YouTube channel. Images | Xataka In Xataka | For years I have a “holiday mode” on my phone: that is how they do not bother me

The dramatic is not that Aemet doubts the measurement of 43ºC in the Aragonese Pyrenees: it is that the possibility

August 11, 2025 by usatoday24

The heat wave is leaving us some amazing records. And worrying, such as notices, oranges and reds (due to important risk and extreme risk respectively) due to temperatures that could exceed 40º today. It is striking, but it is not the strangest case we have seen these days. Broking the 43º? Undoubtedly one of the unique views during this heat wave is that of the municipality of Torla-Aordesa. According to the data compiled by the State Meteorology Agency (Aemet), the Pyrenean municipality station was placed between the three meteorological stations with higher maximums throughout the country: 42.9º Celsius yesterday, day 10. But there is a problem: perhaps everything was an error in the measurement. The data that could be consulted this morning through the agency’s website indicated that the daytime maximum at the Torla-Aorda station had been ascending in recent days: 41.3º on the 8th, 42nd on the 9th and, 42.9º on Sunday. In Xataka The Mediterranean temperature has dropped more than two degrees in less than two months. The worst: continues above the average Something did not fit. However, something did not fit. The fact that a station located at a height of 1,076 meters in the Pyrenees Oscense offered considerably higher readings than others located in its environment was certainly strange. As a contrast, the station Sabiñánigolocated something further south already 775 m, registered a maximum of 40.3º. That of Ordesa ParadorOrdesa and Monteperdido National Park, at 1,206 meters, registered a maximum of 36.9º; and that of Torla-Aordesa, the onion He collected 30.4 to 1,905 meters above sea level. A striking record. What is happening? Something did not fit and Aemet has taken measures and the latest data of the station are not available, which perhaps does not avoid certain confusion since the data had been reproduced in numerous media. The question is now what happening. From the Twitter account The North Meteo They offered a possible explanation, a non -conjunctural but structural. Through a threadthe account pointed out a few days ago that the location of the station, near a water treatment plant (a heat source) and the vegetation of the environment, could be affecting the station’s records. {“Videid”: “X8rsa6e”, “Autoplay”: False, “Title”: “Why don’t we convert the salt water into sweet to combat drought?”, “Tag”: “Webedia-prod”, “Duration”: “294”} A heat wave. The data surprised some, but not everyone. After all, cone or without measurement errors, the province of Huesca and those of its surroundings are going through a complicated situation. We pointed out the more than 40º in Sabiñánigo, but this is not alone to exceed the temperature. As explained he HERALDO DE ARAGÓNFraga, Ballobar, or Sariñena are some of the localities that exceeded this temperature. For example, at the Cabdella Tower station, in the Leridano Pyrenees, at 1,273 meters, on Saturday, 32.8º were recorded; while In Isaba/leftto 838 and in Navarra, the maxims reached 38.4 on Friday and again on Saturday. The controversy shows us a background problem, and that is that the data has lost, at least, their ability to surprise us. In full heat wave and in a context of climate change it is difficult to be surprised by temperatures that in principle would seem crazy but that are less and less. The work of experts is doubly important in this situation, it is the human eye that allows us to realize the possible errors in the data. In Xataka | Every summer fires ravage to Spain. There is a usual guilty that goes unnoticed: old tractors Image | Turol Jones (Function () {Window._js_modules = Window._js_modules || {}; var headelement = document.getelegsbytagname (‘head’) (0); if (_js_modules.instagram) {var instagramscript = Document.Createlement (‘script’); }}) (); – The news The dramatic is not that Aemet doubts the measurement of 43ºC in the Aragonese Pyrenees: it is that the possibility It was originally posted in Xataka by Pablo Martínez-Juarez .

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