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Signs That It’s Time to Upgrade Your Phone

recycle your old device when acquiring a new one. The indicators that it’s time to take that step are evident across various phone platforms and manufacturers, so whether you’re using an iPhone or a device powered by Android, let’s examine some signs that suggest it’s time to phase out that aging phone and invest in something new to create fresh memories with.

It operates slowly

Expert Opinions on the Longevity of OLED TVs

other kinds of displays like LCD.

There are additional aspects that impact your television’s lifespan that go beyond the screen itself. To make your TV endure longer, it’s wise to select a brand renowned for reliability, along with a model that isn’t infamous for breakdowns. While this doesn’t ensure longevity, certain TV models have anecdotal indications of elevated failure rates. It’s also crucial to be cautious of the burn-in issue with OLED screens, which can be activated by leaving them displaying the same image for extended durations. By taking these two factors into account, you can gauge how long your particular TV may last.

OLED displays and burn-in

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Effects of Nuclear Radiation on the Human Body

dogs in the vicinity of Chernobyl mutating and advancing more rapidly. Nuclear radiation doesn’t simply manifest itself with fire or a loud explosion. It operates quietly and imperceptibly from the inside.

After years of diligent research and trials, scientists have discovered a substantial amount about radiation. We now comprehend its movement through food, which organs it primarily targets, and why children might be more susceptible. Although advancements in medicine have been made, emergency response systems have enhanced, and treatments have become more intelligent, our knowledge regarding the impact of nuclear radiation on human beings remains incomplete. However, here is what we currently understand.

How nuclear radiation harms the human body

Moss Thrives on the Surface of the ISS for Several Months: Research Findings

Researchers recently attached moss spores to the outer surface of the International Space Station during the Tanpopo 4 mission for 283 days (approximately nine months). The aim was to determine if life from Earth could endure the extreme conditions of space, and the survival of “Physcomitrium patens” indicates that it certainly can.

Moss experiences various transformations throughout its life cycle, but the researchers specifically selected moss that was still within their sporophyte structures, as these were the most durable in this phase. These enclosed spores were up to 1,000 times more resistant to UV radiation than the moss’ brood cells. In laboratory simulations, the spores exhibited an 80% germination rate after 30 days at -80 degrees Celsius (-112 degrees Fahrenheit), and a 36% rate after 30 days at 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit).

The outer layers of the sporophyte serve as a protective shield against desiccation, radiation, and extreme temperatures. Mosses are recognized as among the earliest land plants, but transitioning from a water-saturated environment to terrestrial life entails adjustments to the scarcity of available water. This adaptation illustrates the evolutionary advancements that enabled bryophytes to inhabit land environments.

The little moss that could

Following a nine-month period attached to the ISS, the moss spores demonstrated an 86% germination rate (in contrast to 97% for the control moss cultivated on Earth). These outcomes highlighted the moss’s resilience, withstanding the most extreme conditions encountered in space.

Among various factors that could harm the moss, researchers identified UV radiation as the primary threat. Surprisingly, extreme temperatures and the vacuum of space had minimal impact on germination rates. However, UV radiation resulted in an 11% decrease compared to the control specimens. All samples, regardless of UV exposure, exhibited approximately 20% chlorophyll degradation.

Even the samples shielded by UV filters showed comparable degradation, implying that the intense visible and infrared light of space (not filtered by any atmosphere) was responsible. The findings emphasize the photosensitivity of these plants in non-terrestrial settings. Furthermore, this experiment represents the first occasion that scientists have verified bryophyte survival following actual space exposure and subsequent return to Earth.

Space agriculture may be possible

By utilizing the nine-month observation period and extrapolating, researchers constructed a model suggesting that the moss could potentially endure for around 5,600 days in space, but this model has its limitations. It relies on just two data points (pre-exposure and nine months post-exposure), indicating that further investigations are necessary for a more accurate estimate.

The results carry practical implications for prospective Moon and Mars missions. Mosses serve as “pioneer” species, meaning they are the initial organisms that aid in soil development for later, more complex lifeforms, much like peat moss functions on Earth. Scientists have pointed out that bryophytes like these are promising candidates for bio-regenerative life support systems on space stations or planetary bases. Mosses provide numerous advantages over traditional crops or simpler plants such as algae. Their capacity to survive and even flourish in low-light settings makes them suitable for space stations or colonies located far from sunlight. Their ability to generate oxygen while sequestering carbon dioxide addresses two environmental issues simultaneously.

The experiment transitions space agriculture from merely a theoretical concept to something that may realistically occur. Tackling food security beyond Earth, one of the critical challenges in long-term space habitation, has become a little more feasible.

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The risks of sleeping with headphones for the entire night

“Budget-Friendly Gadget Allows Offline Film Watching on Roku TV”

Amazon Basics 256GB should function adequately. Just load it with films you’ve extracted from your physical library or obtained from other sources, then connect it to your Roku TV. This is among the top methods to enhance your device via the TV’s USB port. Moreover, it’s straightforward and won’t break the bank. We’ll guide you through the precise steps to view movies offline on your Roku TV using your affordable USB drive.

Utilizing a USB drive for offline movie viewing on your Roku TV

To watch movies offline on your Roku TV using your USB stick, you only require one hidden feature of Roku: the Roku Media Player. This built-in app allows you to play media files such as movies, music, and images from an external drive like your thumb drive. It may not be pre-installed on every Roku device, so ensure you download it from the Roku Streaming Store beforehand. After that, follow the steps listed below to utilize the Roku Media Player for viewing movies from your USB drive:

  1. Connect your USB stick to the back of the TV.
  2. Select Allow.
  3. Choose Launch.
  4. Open Roku Media Player.
  5. Navigate to Video.
  6. Select your flash drive.
  7. Locate the movie you wish to watch.
  8. Press OK on your Roku remote.
  9. Select Play, or press the Star button on the remote for playback options.

While enjoying your movie, use the Roku remote to manage playback as you typically would. Keep in mind that only video files in MP4, MKV, MOV, and WEBM formats are recognized. Other formats won’t show up in the list.

You can add subtitles when watching an MKV video file, as it is the only format that supports them. Just ensure your USB stick contains a folder with both the MKV and the subtitle file in SRT or VTT format. The subtitle file must share the same name as the MKV. To enable subtitles on your Roku, press the Star button on your remote during video playback. If moving through the menus is too sluggish, you can adjust your Roku TV settings to increase speed.

Steps to take if your Roku TV fails to detect your USB stick

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Begin Your 2026 Wellness Objectives Today for Achievement

Failing to achieve New Year’s resolutions has become a beloved custom. Individuals devise grand, unclear aspirations like “learn a language” or “shed pounds.” They indulge in decadent foods throughout the holidays, then return to January feeling exhausted, bloated, and back to their jobs. The majority of people make a lukewarm attempt for a week before reverting to their previous habits by what’s known as “Quitter’s Day.”

As for me, while 2025 is still ongoing, I have successfully completed (or will finish) 32 out of my 40 resolutions for the year. I wish I could have achieved more; my goals related to cycling, push-ups, and novel writing didn’t progress as I’d hoped. However, resolutions should not be viewed as insurmountable obstacles.

I can assist you in strategizing your New Year’s resolutions so you can achieve success. It’s not enough to simply purchase a fitness smartwatch or install a nutrition app, hoping that an algorithm will push you into better health. You need to personalize your plans and do it now, rather than waiting until January 1.

Five strategies for successful New Year’s resolutions:

1. Craft resolutions around activities you already engage in

There’s a reason you haven’t started volunteering, dropped pounds, or picked up knitting yet. Our time and mental energy outside of work are limited, and introducing new endeavors requires you to forgo others.

Before you embark on ambitious plans for 2026, initiate resolutions that align with your existing routine and hobbies, just slightly modified or more challenging. This way, you position yourself for success, and as you accomplish these goals, you’ll feel prompted to pursue your tougher resolutions.

– If you completed 20 books in 2025, set a goal for 25 books this year, or 20 books but include five from a different genre.
– If you’re a runner, you might run additional miles, achieve a new race personal record, engage in a certain number of track or trail workouts, or participate in specific running clubs or events.
– Chefs and bakers could consider trying one new recipe monthly or crafting side dishes that complement favorite meals.
– If you commute daily, commit to more audiobooks, podcasts, or journaling for at least one segment of your journey.

2. Divide resolutions into monthly objectives

Suppose you aspire to walk 10,000 steps daily in 2026, or increase your workouts; how can you hold yourself accountable? It only takes a single poor week to derail your routine, leaving you without motivation to continue since you’ve already stumbled.

Instead, segment your resolutions by month. Spread them out so that you can recover if you begin to falter, or keep track of your advancement toward a long-term goal.

For instance: rather than “Three visits to the gym weekly,” rephrase it as “twelve times monthly.” Offset missed days by attending more frequently the following week. If you manage only six visits in January, it doesn’t mean you should quit; target eight visits in February, then ten in March.

The ultimate aim is to establish a consistent routine, but transforming your lifestyle can be challenging, and accounting for lost days or weeks reduces the likelihood of total abandonment.

– Aiming for 10,000 steps daily? That totals 300,000 steps for the month, so incorporate days where you exceed 10,000 steps, such as weekends, to make up for lower activity on certain days.
– For more ambiguous targets like “Consume less alcohol,” track each drinking night against your monthly total. By January’s conclusion, if you drank ten times, that establishes your baseline, with the objective to lower this number in the months ahead.
– Similarly, if you desire to “lose weight,” monitoring your last weigh-in each month allows you to observe your progress, or determine if you’re regressing.

3. Set stretch and backup goals for yourself

Whatever objectives you set for 2026, establish simpler backup goals for when you aim too high and stretch goals for times you exceed your expectations.

The previous screenshot illustrates my resolution of 8K steps daily. Some months, I really fell short, but having the easier targets of 6K and 7K still motivated me to get outside toward the end of the month instead of completely giving up. In other months, I continued pursuing further after reaching the 240K total because I could set a higher target.

– Looking to read more? Perhaps five books per month is your aim, but allow yourself to strive for two (bronze) or three (silver) in those months when you don’t pick up a book for three weeks and need a nudge to finish strongly.
– Aiming for 10 gym or HIIT workouts monthly? Your monthly targets could include five workouts (bronze), eight (silver), ten (gold), and twelve (stretch).
– Dreaming of weight loss? Your bronze goal could simply be

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Benefits and Drawbacks of Acquiring a New Phone from Costco

Costco’s savings on consumer technology, were you aware that you can purchase your new phone at Costco?

If you’ve spent any amount of time looking around in Costco, chances are you’ve been approached by a lively sales representative at a wireless kiosk at some point. While this can be somewhat irritating, it might be advantageous for you to hear out the sales pitch and evaluate what you’re currently using for a wireless plan.

Costco does provide the newest devices through these plans, and you can frequently discover Costco-exclusive pricing on the devices themselves, along with line and activation charges. Additionally, there are usually Costco shopping cards available, commonly for adding lines, devices, initiating plans, and more.

Costco provides great pricing and additional incentives with their phones

Essentials Clear Plastic Desktop Organizer Drawers

Even with a notably spacious desk, leaving your files and thumb drives strewn everywhere will quickly deplete your usable area. If you’re short on horizontal room, maybe the solution is to build upwards instead. You can achieve that with the Essentials Clear Plastic Desktop Organizer Drawers, priced at $1.50 each at Dollar Tree.

These organizer drawers are perfect for keeping your desk items secure and organized. Each features a five-inch sliding drawer with transparent walls, allowing you to easily view the contents of the compartment. The appealing aspect is that these drawers are designed to stack neatly on top of one another, so you can purchase several and create a delightful little stack. They measure just 5x5x1.75 inches, so they won’t occupy too much space themselves.

Kris Osborne from Simply Recipes stated that these organizers were so beneficial, she

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