The Energy Habits That Cause The Most Family Arguments

According to a recent survey, leaving the lights on in empty rooms is the most contentious family issue, with 44% of households saying they’ve argued about it. Four in 10 households argue over leaving gadgets on, and leaving the television blaring while no one is watching. The cost of heating and the temperature of the thermostat also causes arguments in 39% of homes. When it comes to couples, 36% say they’ve argued over what to set the thermostat at. These "thermostat wars" often involve secret adjustments, with 27% to 64% of spouses changing settings behind the other's back. The conflict often stems from biological differences in metabolism (basal body temperature), where one partner feels too hot while the other is freezing. Solutions include buying a smart thermostat, which uses technology to maintain a compromise range, such as 68-73°F. Another solution is to "heat the person, not the room by utilizing sweaters, blankets, or heating pads for the colder spouse. Of course, there's always compromise — acknowledging the spouse 's comfort needs and making minor, agreed-upon adjustments. Research suggests that these arguments often represent deeper underlying needs for comfort, respect, or control in the relationship.

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Fold-Flat Mouse Snaps Flat For Easy Storage

In an era of ultra-thin laptops and lightweight technology, the computer mouse remains one of the last bulky accessories...........until now. GoFold is an origami-inspired mouse that snaps from a flat sheet into a full-size device in a second. Turning it into a full-size device is simple: with a quick snap, the flat surface arches into a curved, ergonomic shape. The body is made from vegan leather with a fabric-like texture. Because there are no traditional joints, the device can withstand thousands of folds. It features all the same functions as a traditional mouse, including left and right mechanical buttons and a scroll pad. GoFold charges via a USB-C port in about two hours and provides up to 50 hours of continuous use – essentially a full workweek on a single charge. It can connect to up to three devices simultaneously and switch between them quickly. The mouse is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android devices that support Bluetooth or USB-A/C connectivity. Early backers can secure one for a pledge of $49 – assuming the Kickstarter campaign is successful.

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Scientists Create Tomatoes That Smell Like Popcorn

Scientists have developed gene-edited tomatoes that produce a distinctive popcorn-like aroma. Researchers used gene-editing technology to modify key genes responsible for aroma in tomatoes, creating what they described as “extraordinary aromatic tomato plants.” The work aims to improve flavor and scent, which often decline after tomatoes are harvested and transported. The popcorn-like smell comes from increased levels of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, a natural compound associated with the scent of fragrant rice and buttered popcorn. Researchers used the gene editing process to disable two tomato genes known as SlBADH1 and SlBADH2, which normally suppress the production of aromatic compounds. By blocking these genes, the tomatoes accumulated higher levels of the aroma compound, resulting in fruit with a noticeably stronger fragrance without major changes to yield or nutritional content. The team said the approach could eventually be applied to commercial tomato varieties to improve taste and market appeal. Scientists noted that further work is underway to introduce the fragrance into widely grown cultivars, potentially creating new tomato varieties with more complex flavors for consumers.

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People Are Meditating Inside Coffins

What started as a quirky offer from a funeral home in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture has blossomed into a full-blown trend among zen-seekers. “Coffin-lying” — the practice of meditating inside a coffin — is giving people safe, although claustrophobic, space to contemplate their mortality or to just recharge. While coffin lounges might sound gimmicky to Americans, the concept of kuyō, which translates to “memorial service,” is a well-established part of Japanese culture, and helps explain the national tradition of embracing the fragility of life and the beauty of death. Businesses promoting their coffin-lying services have said this kind of meditation is useful for people who want to spend time alone to ease their nerves. The trend has officially grown big enough that there are different coffin options to accommodate different personalities. If a plain, wooden box doesn’t calm your nervous system, perhaps you’ll find the “cute coffins” at a newly opened Tokyo spa, Meiso Kukan Kanoke-in, more soothing. Designed by a company called Grave Tokyo, these colorfully decorated caskets are meant to facilitate “a meditation experience where you can gaze at life through being conscious of death” in style. Customers have options for how they want their 30-minute, $13 session to go. Naturally, there’s the choice between an open or closed casket, but they can also opt for “healing” tunes, a video projected on the ceiling, or total silence and stillness. “Before choosing a death that cannot be reversed, I want them to experience a death that can be reversed,” said custom coffin-maker Mikako Fuse.

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