Η ΓΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΟ
A couple of years ago, popular YouTube guitar nerd Paul Davids visited a nuclear power station in search of the ultimate guitar reverb. Now an effects pedal inspired by these sonic discoveries has been launched.
Category: Music, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Guitar Effects
A newly discovered receptor switch that boosts bone growth could transform how we treat osteoporosis, by stimulating the body’s own bone-building machinery using a targeted drug and even mechanical force.
Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Bones, Osteoporosis, Personalized medicine, Leipzig University
To keep solar power stations from getting lazy, Sandia National Laboratories scientist John Sandusky is looking to give heliostat mirrors a side hustle. At the National Solar Thermal Test Facility he's experimenting with getting them to hunt for asteroids at night.
Tags: Sandia Labs, Solar Power, Asteroid
Byproducts from gut bacteria breaking down tryptophan, a dietary amino acid, can restore hormone-secreting gut cells reduced by obesity, a new study found. It opens the door to a natural, side-effect-free alternative to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic.
Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Gut Bacteria, Obesity, Amino Acids, GLP-1 receptor agonists, Marshall University
The preserved lung of an 18-year-old Swiss man has been used to create the full genome of the 1918 "Spanish flu," the first complete influenza A genome with a precise date from Europe. It offers new insights into the deadly pandemic that claimed the lives of up to 100 million people.
Category: Infectious Diseases, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind
Tags: University of Basel, Influenza, pandemic, Virus, RNA, Evolution
At just 26 ft (7.9 m) in length, you could be forgiven for assuming the Vettel Haus is too compact to be comfortable. However, thanks to some clever space-saving design, the tiny house offers a surprisingly capable interior and even makes space for a porch.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home, Building and Construction
If you regularly change lenses on your camera, dust or debris will eventually end up on your sensor. There are things you can do to mitigate that, but any time you expose your camera's interior to the surrounding environment, you risk particles entering, resulting in sensor spots. Dealing with that is simply a normal part of camera maintenance, so there's no need to panic. Here's what to do if you notice a dirty sensor in your camera.
Edit them out The Adobe Camera Raw "Visualize Spots" feature makes it easier to quickly see and edit out those dark specks.First and foremost, you don't need to delete all the images you just took that have spots. Editing software like Adobe Photoshop makes it easy to edit them out. Of course, if your sensor is filled with debris, it may be quite time-consuming, but a few here and there will be quick and easy.
Adobe Camera Raw even has a feature specifically for editing out those pesky specks. If you navigate to the Remove Tool, there is a check box for Visualize Spots. Photoshop will apply a filter that makes it easier to identify them, with a slider to adjust the sensitivity. Then, you can use the brush tool to quickly edit them out. If you open multiple images in Camera Raw at once, you can even edit them all at once, since the spots will be in the same place every time.
Start with the camera's sensor cleaning function Many cameras have a cleaning mode that tries to shake debris off the sensor.If you don't want to deal with editing out those annoying marks, there are multiple ways to clean your sensor. Many modern cameras feature a built-in sensor cleaning mode, which is a good place to start. When activated, it vibrates the sensor to help shake off loose dust. In some cases, that can be enough to leave you contaminant-free. That's not always the case, though.
Use a bulb blower Bulb blowers are very useful tools for photographers.If the sensor cleaning function wasn't enough, the next step is to use a bulb blower. It's safe, easy, only requires an affordable item and may completely take care of the problem. For mirrorless cameras, simply remove your lens, point the lens opening towards the ground to use gravity, and squeeze some air towards it.
With DSLRs, use the "mirror lock-up" or "sensor cleaning" mode in your settings menu to raise the mirror and access the sensor. Then, as with a mirrorless camera, point the camera down so that the dust you blow off doesn't fall back onto the sensor. For both types of cameras, it's also a good idea to blow off the rear element of the lens before reattaching it.
The key here is that you choose the right type of blower. Using your mouth to blow into the camera can just introduce more debris, while canned air and similar products can severely damage your sensor. A bulb blower is safe and effective. Just be sure to keep the tip at a safe distance.
Try a sensor brushSometimes, debris can be a little stubborn, and a blower may not always cut it. If that's the case, you could try a sensor brush. These look similar to paintbrushes, but to be clear, you shouldn't use just any old brush you have lying around. Those will only introduce more dust or other contaminants. Sensor brushes are specifically designed to use static charge to attract and lift dust. They are also reusable, so you don't need to buy disposable products, which is always a plus for your wallet and the planet.
Wet cleaning for stubborn spotsStubborn contaminants or seriously dirty sensors call for wet cleaning.
Photo: Nurma Agung Firmansyah / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Finally, if you've tried the above methods and still have spots, you may need to do some wet sensor cleaning. Sometimes sensors may have oil spots or stubborn dust that a bulb blower won't remove. In those cases, wet cleaning is necessary.
When wet cleaning, only use purpose-made sensor cleaning fluid. To be clear, this is not the same as lens cleaning fluid. You will also need purpose-made sensor cleaning swabs that are designed for your sensor size. Using a smaller swab on a larger sensor could add streaks, so make sure you have the right size.
Each kit will have specific directions. Generally speaking, you will put a few drops of fluid onto the swab and gently wipe all the way across in one fluid motion. Many will have you wipe in each direction after you rotate the swab to use the fresh side.
What to do about compact camerasWhile sensor spots are more common in interchangeable lens systems, compact cameras aren't immune. Dust can find its way into odd places. For compact cameras, start by checking if the camera is still under warranty. If so, you may want to send it back to the manufacturer for a proper cleaning. If it's not, your only real course of action is to use a vacuum pointed at the lens attachment point.
What you shouldn't use to clean your sensorA photography student cleaned this sensor, which resulted in permanent damage because they used products not meant for sensors.
Photo: Myra Holt
We've touched on what you should use to clean your sensor, but it's also worth pointing out what you shouldn't use. As mentioned (though it can't be said enough), do not use canned air or other spray-type blowers. These can cause all sorts of problems, including residue from the liquid propellants, freezing and moisture risks.
You should also never use lens cleaning liquid or general-purpose screen cleaners. Sensor cleaning liquids are purpose-made to ensure they don't damage any special coatings. They are also made to evaporate rapidly, contain minimal dissolved solids and use pure solvents that won't leave streaks or spots. That's not the case for lens cleaning liquid and screen cleaners, which could leave your sensor in worse shape than before, potentially causing permanent damage.
You should also never use lens cleaning liquid or general-purpose screen cleaners.While it can be tempting to use a microfiber cloth, especially for a quick touch-up, these can trap dust and grit that could scratch your sensor's protective glass. Similarly, lens pens, while perfect for lenses, can transfer grease and particles to your sensor, potentially resulting in scratches or smears.
Finally, general cleaning products like cotton buds (Q-tips), cleaning brushes and household cleaners should also be kept away from your sensor. These will only introduce more debris and can cause permanent damage.
When in doubt, send it outCleaning your sensor can be intimidating. There's always a risk of adding more spots or, even worse, damaging your sensor. Although there is a protective layer of glass over your sensor to help prevent damage, tackling more robust cleanings can still be nerve-wracking.
If you're nervous about cleaning it yourself, or your sensor is exceptionally dirty, you can send it out to let professionals handle it. Most camera companies have service centers that will do this, or you may be able to find a local camera shop that offers cleaning. Just be aware that you may need to be without your camera for a while.
The Carretera Austral is a remote highway in Chile that runs through the rugged landscape where the Andes Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Although it looks like a major highway on many maps, it's very rural and in many places remains unpaved. I captured this photo on a road trip along the Carretera – one of many times I had to stop for... local traffic.
Photo: Dale Baskin
The theme for our August Editors' photo challenge is "Road Trip."
It’s summer, and we’re ready to celebrate one of its great traditions: the road trip. Show us your favorite moments from the open highway – whether it’s epic highway vistas, quirky roadside attractions, spontaneous detours, or even views from the car. Share your best road trip photos and help us capture the essence of the classic road trip!
Photos can be submitted between Sunday, August 10, and Saturday, August 16 (GMT). It is open to photos taken at any time.
Important: Images MUST include a title and a caption of at least 25 words to be eligible. We need to be able to share the story behind your photo. We will consider both photos and captions when selecting our winners, so make sure to tell us that story!
Visit the challenge page to read the full rules and to submit your photos for consideration as soon as the challenge opens.
Researchers have discovered a secret super power that cancer cells exhibit while squeezing themselves through our bodies. The finding now gives scientists the chance to discover the kryptonite that will sap them of this extra boost of strength.
Category: Cancer, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind
Tags: Cancer, Cells, Breast cancer, Tumors
Scientists have identified the first brainwave biomarkers for OCD, opening the door to personalized, on-demand brain stimulation that targets distressing compulsive behaviors as they arise.
Category: Brain Health, Body & Mind
Tags: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Deep Brain Stimulation, Biomarkers, Brain activity, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
The human body is teeming with microbes, especially in the gut, and they're not just freeloaders. To coexist smoothly, our bodies need to know what these tiny residents are up to. We already know that the brain receives signals when specific nutrients reach the intestine, which in turn guides appetite and cravings. But can our bodies sense gut microbe activity in real-time and shift behavior accordingly?
Category: Body & Mind
Tags: Gut Bacteria, Gut health, Food
In some ways, the humble door handles we use to open our vehicles haven’t changed much in over five decades. In others, today’s modern handles represent a leap forward in technology.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Door handles, Automotive, Design Engineering
In a groundbreaking development, French scientists have identified the world’s rarest blood group, known as Gwada-negative. It's a blood group so rare that only one woman in the world is known to have it.
Category: Body & Mind
Tags: Blood
Drones are going full Die Hard as researchers from Inria, CNRS, the University of Lorraine, and Aix-Marseille University work on how to help quadcopters fly through ventilation ducts without getting lost or banging into the walls like a bean in a can.
Category: Science
Tags: drones, Artificial Intelligence
Believe it or not, it's been five years since Ford dropped the new Bronco onto the rough-and-rowdy 4x4 scene to give Jeep a run for its money. And yet, we still don't have a means of using it as an amazingly capable overland camper more sophisticated than folding the seats or bolting on a rooftop tent. That officially changes this year with the launch of the all-new Ursa Minor Bronco B30 pop-up roof that swaps in for the factory hard or soft top and brings along a double bed. It's compatible with even the most extreme Bronco variants, promising a 4x4 adventure camping experience like little to nothing else out there.
Category: Campervans, Adventure Vehicles, Outdoors
Tags: Ford, Campervan, Off-road, SUV, RV, Camping, Outdoors and Camping
Not too long ago, General Motors (GM) revealed the first of its three Corvette concepts – a pristine white beauty with gull-wing doors – designed by its UK design team. Now, just a couple of months later, out comes the second concept, and it comes from GM’s Advanced Design studios in Pasadena, on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Chevrolet, General Motors, Concept Cars, Corvette, Electric Vehicles
Ever wonder what happens to those old Teflon-coated frying pans? Not a lot. Most get chucked into landfills. However, a new recycling technique developed by Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) promises 100% effectiveness.
Category: Environment, Science
Mercedes-Benz has once again updated its most gloriously impractical vehicle: the G-Class. The 2025 model sees subtle evolutionary changes, but the real eyebrow-raiser this year is the all-new G 580 – the first fully electric G-Wagen. Yes, Mercedes put batteries in a barn door and somehow made it work.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Mercedes-Benz, SUV, Electric Vehicles
This video is part of our Intro to Photography series, where we break down some of the fundamental concepts of the image-making process. You can find a written version below.
Intro to Exposure What is aperture?Aperture value is one of the fundamental aspects of exposure and perhaps the most intimidating, but it needn't be. The easiest way to think about it is as the name of the size of the hole through which your camera sees the world. A bigger hole lets in more light, and a smaller hole lets in less.
Why are aperture numbers in that sequence? At first, it can be hard to grasp the aperture scale, since it goes 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, etc.The naming system can seem confusing at first: aperture settings are named for what fraction of the focal length the diameter of the hole is. This risks being confusing in two ways: firstly, a smaller number represents a larger hole, and, secondly, the pattern relates to the square root of 2. Most people won't be able to spontaneously think in terms of root 2, so your best bet will be to memorise them.
How does aperture affect exposure?The key thing to learn is that changing your aperture value by a whole'stop' lets in double or half the amount of light, in just the same way that doubling or halving your shutter speed does. With time, you'll come to remember that F2 is a whole stop brighter than F2.8 and that F4 is another stop less bright.
F2 F2.8 F4This is why lenses with very large apertures are typically so much larger and more expensive than lenses that aren't as bright.
As well as letting in more light, to give you better image quality in low light conditions, a wide aperture will also give you shallower depth-of-field, and blurrier backgrounds. But that's a story for another day.
Intro to ExposureWe recently posted our review of the Fujifilm X-E5 and, as always, we took a lot of pictures with the camera while writing it. The look is pretty much what you'd expect from a modern Fujifilm camera, as it has the 40MP APS-C sensor that's shared among many of its X-series cameras, like the X-T5, X-T50 and X-H2.
Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.There's also a separate sample gallery taken using a few "recipes"; custom JPEG settings shared among the Fujifilm community. The X-E5 supports saving recipes to its Film Simulation dial, so we made sure to use the feature while working on the review.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.