Indian electric motorcycle upstart Ultraviolette has just unveiled the X-47, a versatile tourer and commuter with a raft of tech features, comfy ergonomics, seriously impressive range, and an ungodly 450 lb.ft (610 Nm) of torque for a spirited ride.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Electric Motorcycles, Ultraviolette, India, Radar
A study examining nearly 1,500 river sites in the US between 1980 and 2022 has shown that river heatwaves are happening up to four times faster than air heatwaves and lasting nearly twice as long. The finding has major implications for aquatic life.
Category: Environment, Science
Tags: Heating, Global Warming, Climate Crisis, River, Pennsylvania State University, Fish
When you spend enough time in the EDC (Everyday Carry) community, you develop a certain reverence for titanium. It’s the material of choice for high-end pocket knives, ultra-light pry bars, and pens that cost more than your first car. We love it for its incredible strength-to-weight ratio, its resistance to corrosion, and its understated, industrial aesthetic.
Category: Sponsored Content
Scientists have engineered Salmonella bacteria to self-destruct inside tumors, releasing signals that spark powerful immune hubs and shrink colon cancer in mice, opening the door to “living medicines” against deadly cancers.
Category: Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind
Tags: Colorectal cancer, Genetic engineering, Salmonella, Microbiome, National University of Singapore
The science community has pushed back at the latest claims that acetaminophen (aka paracetamol) is a key factor in the increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, cautioning that existing research remains inconclusive and often excludes genetics, comorbidities and a suite of other factors, including increased awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Category: ADHD & Autism, Brain Health, Body and Mind
Tags: Autism spectrum disorder, Pregnancy, Neuroscience, Genetics, Diagnosis, Diagnostic tools, Brain
Sony has once again increased the prices of many of its imaging products in the US. This follows an increase in US prices across most of its lineup in May and July due to tariffs.
The recent price increase for US customers isn't across the board, but it does impact many of the company's cameras, as Sony rumors initially spotted. The a7CR, which was a great deal at launch, is now $3400 at Sony's website. That's up $400 from its launch price and $200 from the price increase earlier this year. The a9 III also got substantially more expensive, with a $400 increase from July, now coming in at $6800.
It's not just high-end models that are more expensive, either. The Sony ZV-E10 II is now $1200, or $200 pricier than the launch price. The Sony ZV-1 II didn't see as substantial an increase, but it now costs $1050.
Lenses weren't left out of the latest round of pricing adjustments, either.Lenses weren't left out of the latest round of pricing adjustments, either. The Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II is now $350 more expensive than in July, coming in at $2650. The Sony FE 50mm F1.2 GM was also impacted with a new price of $2300, up $300 from July. Not all lenses saw increases this time around, though. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is still priced the same as it was in July (though it was part of the first increase), as is the 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS and many of the company's more budget-focused lenses.
The latest adjustment aligns with the 19% tariff rate that took effect on August 7th on imports from Thailand, where Sony makes many of its US-bound cameras.
When Sony adjusted the rates in July, the tariffs were set at a temporary 10% rate, so it seems to be adjusting now that the higher rates have gone into effect. Sony isn't the only company raising US prices in light of the updated rate. Both Nikon and Fujifilm have already done so a second time, and Canon said that it's considering another price increase later this year.
Despite the fact that they bang their heads against trees on a daily basis, woodpeckers don't suffer brain injuries. Inspired by the tough-headed birds, scientists have developed a fixed-wing drone that can survive frontal collisions.
Category: Drones, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: EPFL, Biomimicry, Flight, Fixed-wing drones, Birds
The year is 2019. The Bugatti Chiron Supersport 300+ has just hit 304.772 mph (490.484 km/h) on a test track in Germany. The world looks on in awe and disbelief, wondering if there will ever be a proper production car that could break this feat.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: BYD, World Records, World's Fastest, Nurburgring, Bugatti Chiron, Electric Vehicles
When you're one of the premiere watchmakers in the world, you can push the boat out for your 270th anniversary. Case in point is Vacheron Constantin, which has rolled out its La Quête du Temps haute chronologie clock complete with an automaton astronomer.
Category: Good Thinking, Technology
Tags: Vacheron Constantin, Clock
Our last 'Question of the week' asked the members of our forum community which phone they prefer from a photography perspective. We wanted to know which phones you're drawn to, not necessarily because of operating systems, but because of the cameras or photography-related features. Here's what you all had to say.
Most referenced smartphonesNaturally, many of you mentioned a small handful of phones. Clearly, there are crowd favorites among photographer-friendly phones.
Apple iPhone Pro series: iPhones were the most common among those who commented, with a preference for the Pro models. Many of you said that the connectivity with the broader Apple ecosystem is a primary reason, though there's also a preference for the iPhone image quality.
Google Pixel series: Pixel phones were also very common. You value Pixel phones for their quality out-of-camera results that don't require additional post-processing and integration with Google Photos.
Samsung Galaxy S Ultra series: Though slightly less common, Galaxy users praised the image quality of the series, especially from the JPEG files.
Sony Xperia 1 IV / V: The Xperia lineup is popular with many of you who want camera-like controls on a phone with more natural, less processed-looking photos.
Vivo X series: You like this series because of its Zeiss optics and strong image quality that looks more natural than other phones.
Many of you pointed out that the brand of the phone is only part of the process. There are other critical features and considerations that make a smartphone ideal (or not) for photography.
Wide-ranging focal lengths: The range of camera focal lengths is an important consideration on smartphones, with preferences for getting closer with optics rather than relying on digital zoom. Manmachine242 said, "For me, 4..5x zoom is unacceptable if the main camera has to solve this important range with digital zoom."
Existing ecosystems: Integration with other ecosystems is also important to many of you. Whether it's being able to transition from phone to tablet to laptop or using familiar editing programs across devices, you want a phone that can seamlessly connect with other ecosystems. Pavel Vishniakov said "Maybe some Android phones have better cameras, but given that I'm fully in Apple ecosystem, I see no reason to switch phones for a 'maybe'."
Raw capture: A number of you seek phones that allow for robust Raw capture or editing and the ability to use third-party camera apps, particularly Adobe's Project Indigo or Halide. Robgendreau is among those, explaining that "I often use Lightroom to shoot raw, if I need a good photo. If I am more serious then Halide, and their raw. But lately it's been Adobe's Project Indigo, which does some major stacking magic. It's in beta, so it heats my phone up like crazy, but worth it."
As always, some of you shared some entertaining answers and anecdotes. For example, A74Me shared about how most will have a smartphone on them, but cameras get left behind. "Your going to have a laugh at this one, the other night it was our Photography club AGM and the new committee was asked up for a group photo, No one had a camera with them and the image was shot on a phone. times are changing," they said.
Many of you expressed a dislike for smartphone photography in general. For example, Dem Bell said "It is a bit like asking 'what's your favourite Microsoft Office application?' I don't really like any of them but I have to use them."
If you haven't had a chance to answer yet, or just want to see what others had to say, the post is still open. Head on over to the forums to share your opinion on smartphones for photography!
A new chef's knife with sophisticated vibration tech built in promises to cut the effort you put into chopping ingredients in half.
Category: Around The Home, Lifestyle
Tags: Cooking, Kitchen, Knife, Ultrasonic
A new study reveals that much of the confidence people have in the health benefits of supplements might not come from science, but from clever wording on labels. Phrases like “boosts brain function” are enough to make consumers believe that a supplement can prevent serious conditions like dementia.
Category: Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: Dietary supplements, Health, Cognitive functioning, Heart attack, University of Texas
Moving note-taking from good ol' pen and paper to the digital realm can already be quite a pricey endeavor for consumers. But luxury pen maker Montblanc is aiming even higher with its Digital Paper e-note.
Category: Mobile Technology, Consumer Tech, Technology
Used gear is more affordable, but it comes with risks.
Photo: tupungato / iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
If you're in the market for new photography gear, you'll have to decide between buying new, used or refurbished. Each option has advantages and drawbacks, and which is best comes down to a balance of cost, reliability and your individual needs. Understanding the differences between new, used and refurbished can help you make a purchase that fits your budget and long-term needs.
New gear Photo: Extreme-Photographer / E+ via Getty ImagesMany people prefer new gear because it comes in pristine shape with no wear and tear. You don't have to worry about how the person who previously owned the camera or lens treated it, as it's never been used before. That means that you can, in theory, get the maximum lifespan and optimal performance.
New gear also comes with all the original packaging and accessories, which is a draw for some. Additionally, buying new means you get the benefit of warranties, giving you some protection if something goes wrong.
However, purchasing brand-new gear comes with a higher upfront cost. The higher expense can be a limiting factor for many. Additionally, there may be limited availability for some new models, making it harder to get your hands on it.
Used gear Photo: zoranm / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty ImagesUsed gear usually comes at a much lower cost than new, making it a more affordable option for building out your kit. The more affordable prices could mean that higher-end items are now accessible, whereas they wouldn't be if buying new. It also opens up the options of what's available. You'll have access to discontinued or vintage models that simply aren't available new. Likewise, high-demand products may only be available used, even if they are still in production.
However, there are risks when buying used gear. Those risks vary based on where you are shopping, as purchasing from a flea market or Facebook Marketplace is much different than a camera-specific marketplace like KEH, Adorama or MPB (our sponsor). With the former, you don't know if the item will be as described, and could end up with a non-functional piece of gear. Most camera-specific marketplaces will at least inspect gear to ensure it is listed accurately. With all used marketplaces, though, you never know how the camera or lens was treated before your purchase, which adds risks related to longevity.
Depending on where you purchase, there may be no protections or guarantees in place, leaving you out of your hard-earned money if the item isn't as listed. You also won't get the warranties that come with new equipment. Some of the third-party camera-specific marketplaces may offer limited warranties on the used gear they sell, but you'll usually pay a bit higher price than what's available on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. That added cost may be worth it, though, as it takes some of the risk out of buying used.
Refurbished gear Photo: onuma Inthapong / E+ via Getty ImagesRefurbished gear gives you the benefit of the lower cost of used gear, but with some added guarantees in place. Refurbished gear is inspected and repaired by the manufacturer or a reseller, giving you better peace of mind that what you are purchasing is as described and it will be in working order. Plus, many companies selling refurbished gear will have some sort of warranty (though not as extensive as that of new equipment). That way, you have protection if something goes wrong soon after your purchase.
Refurbished gear also has drawbacks, naturally. Like used gear, it likely won't come in the original packaging or with original accessories. You also still don't know the original usage or history, which could lead to a shorter lifespan, no matter how good the refurbishing was. Finally, while some third-party refurbishers will do work up to the quality of the original manufacturer, that won't be the case for all of them. So do your research before buying refurbished from a third-party company.
Shop smartThere's no right or wrong answer when it comes to shopping new or used, as it simply comes down to your budget, needs and preferences. For some, shopping for used or refurbished equipment is always the best option, whereas others will prefer to only buy new. Either way, make sure you are doing your research to ensure you are getting the best deal and only purchasing expensive items from trusted sources.
The last time I talked about a Kymco scooter was when the Taiwanese manufacturer came up with a maxi-scooter, adventure bike CV-R5 crossover concept. It was everything most folks would want from a scooter, except it was only a concept.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Kymco, Scooter, urban transport, Touring
There's new evidence that cruciferous vegetables blunt spikes in blood sugar levels, which could be particularly important for those with type 2 diabetes or are at risk of developing the condition. It's another feather in the health cap of these foods, which have been shown to fight colon cancer and high blood pressure.
Category: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: Edith Cowan University, Type 2 diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Heart health, Diet, Vegetables, Colorectal cancer, Cancer
A super-secret Lockheed Martin Skunk Works project is no longer a secret after the company revealed its Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) – an autonomous stealth fighter drone developed entirely in-house with company funds.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Lockheed Martin, drones, Skunk Works, Aircraft
The Little Lodge provides a simple cabin-like experience on wheels. Sleeping up to two people, the compact home comes with multiple options, including off-grid functionality, and is fronted by a small porch.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home
While Ozempic and other drugs like it have proven effective in helping people lose weight, many gain it back when the injections stop. A new drug targets weight loss differently, leading to a more permanent fat-shedding solution.
Category: Obesity, Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind
Tags: Weight Loss, Weight, Semaglutide, Ozempic, metabolism, Diet
A fermented food that has been a staple on plates in Korea for thousands of years has gone global in the past decade, with new research revealing that kimchi can lower triglycerides and blood pressure and regulate fasting glucose levels.
Category: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind
Tags: University of Connecticut, korea, Fermentation, Probiotic, Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, Hypertension, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, blood-glucose
