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Three Items That Were Previously Prohibited Now Permitted by the TSA

electronics prohibited in both carry-on luggage and checked baggage, with guidelines changing as new technologies and security challenges arise.

Although the majority of travelers concentrate on what is presently prohibited or which TSA electronics regulations have been updated this year, there exists a select few items that were once restricted by the TSA but are no longer. Today, we will highlight these familiar products and devices, which encompass liquids, printer ink cartridges, and personal electronics exceeding the size of a smartphone. Each of these prohibitions has an intriguing backstory, so without further delay, let’s explore the specifics.

Liquids, gels, and aerosols

WhatsApp Now Accessible on Apple Watch: List of Compatible Models

WhatsApp has introduced in-app translation for 19 languages on iPhone. These recent Apple-specific enhancements appear to be part of WhatsApp’s broader strategy to entice iMessage users to transition.

Although WhatsApp on Apple Watch lacks some of the features found in its mobile or desktop counterparts, it still encompasses many key functionalities. As we highlighted in our initial review of WhatsApp for Apple Watch, the app allows users to send and receive messages, and it also supports message reactions, voice messages, photos, stickers, and notifications. Additionally, you can receive call notifications on your watch, identify who’s calling, and decline the call if necessary. Furthermore, accessing your chat history is possible.

Sadly, there is no current option to make or take calls, and other message types beyond text, photos, and voice messages are unsupported. Nonetheless, WhatsApp mentions that this is merely the beginning for the Apple Watch version, with plans for ongoing improvements driven by user feedback.

Which Apple Watch models are compatible with WhatsApp?

WhatsApp seems determined to provide compatibility for as many Apple Watch models as possible. The app can be installed on any Apple Watch from Series 4 onward, including the Apple Watch SE and SE 2, as long as your smartwatch is operating on watchOS 10 or later. This indicates that the original Apple Watch, Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 are excluded from support, which is expected considering each model is over eight years old and has not been receiving software updates from Apple.

To facilitate smooth interaction between WhatsApp on your phone and the Apple Watch,

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The Reasons Behind Bioluminescent Waves

experiencing the aurora borealis is certainly an attraction worth exploring for any tourist from Southern California. 

The ocean is already home to numerous astonishing phenomena, including the scientific wonders occurring at the convergence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These luminescent waters often appear alien-like, resembling a sea charged with electricity, yet the cause of this phenomenon is surprisingly biological. The illumination actually originates from minuscule marine life, frequently plankton known as dinoflagellatesthat emit light when they are disturbed by movement, such as waves rolling or the motion of fish and boats. 

This natural luminescence is thought to serve as a defense mechanism; when the plankton detect movement, it is believed they illuminate to startle their predators and drive them away. The chemical process that produces the light involves a compound referred to as luciferin and an enzyme known as luciferase, which is the same process responsible for the glow of fireflies on land.

Bioluminescent waves are more frequently seen in warm coastal regions and typically emerge during specific seasons when plankton populations surge, often following periods of warm weather or nutrient-rich upwelling. Locations such as Mosquito Bay in Puerto Rico, beaches in California, and the Maldives are renowned for their displays of bioluminescent waves. Despite appearing constant in photographs, the glow is transient, with the vibrant blue light enduring only a few seconds before dissolving into darkness. Gaining an understanding of the factors behind these waves can serve as a reminder of how even the tiniest marine organisms, such as plankton, contribute to transforming the ocean into a luminous tapestry of light and motion.

What is bioluminescence?

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6,000-Year-Old Remnants May Uncover the Story of an Extinct Tribe

a surprising turn in the narrative of human evolution. For many years, researchers have assembled the tale of how the initial humans arrived in the Americas through groundbreaking archaeological and genetic studies. Nevertheless, bones found in Colombia have complicated the timeline for South America. These remains are believed to belong to a tribe that inhabited the Bogotá Altiplano area for millennia. DNA extracted from these bones does not exhibit any distinct genetic relationship to either contemporary or ancient Colombians.

This investigation was published in a 2025 edition of the ScienceAdvances journal under the title “A 6000-year-long genomic transect from the Bogotá Altiplano reveals multiple genetic shifts in the demographic history of Colombia.” It assembled a global team of scientists to uncover what transpired with this enigmatic tribe.

Up until this point, researchers had surprisingly limited knowledge regarding the ancient genetic background of Colombia. Although some studies had examined mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited from mothers, a comprehensive analysis of complete genomes from this area had yet to be undertaken. The team examining these remains, dated to be as old as 6,000 years, aimed to thoroughly reconstruct the genetic history of this locale, including the origins of these people and their connections to the modern inhabitants of South America.

The investigation into these Colombian remains

10 Captivating Instances of the Viral Nano Banana 2 AI Model

**Nano Banana 2: A Groundbreaking Advancement in AI Image Creation**

The Nano Banana 2 model has recently drawn the interest of AI aficionados and technological circles. This cutting-edge model unveils a revolutionary multi-phase generation process that boosts the precision and quality of AI-generated visuals. Unlike earlier models, Nano Banana 2 carefully plans the output, creates an image, performs an integrated image evaluation, detects and rectifies mistakes, and iterates as necessary before delivering the final output to the user. This all-encompassing methodology signifies a notable progression in AI image creation technology.

Initially showcased for a limited preview on Media IO, the model acknowledged its origin as a Google development. However, it was quickly taken down from the platform, igniting curiosity and speculation among users. Testing Catalog, a major source for technological news, observed the model’s removal, which has only intensified interest in its functionalities and possible uses.

During its fleeting availability, users noted that Nano Banana 2 was devoid of certain safety measures, permitting the generation of images featuring celebrities and political figures. Notably, one image illustrated the outcomes of the 2027 presidential elections, showcasing Trump expected to secure a third term. Other instances included AI-generated Windows screenshots that closely imitated Microsoft’s operating system, complete with text generation.

The model’s competency in generating highly intricate and precise images has been evident through various user-submitted examples. These consist of images that successfully completed complex tests, such as showing a specific time on a clock along with a full wine glass. The model’s reasoning abilities prior to image creation have been emphasized as a crucial element in its success.

Despite its short-lived presence, Nano Banana 2 has made a significant impact on the AI community. Users are enthusiastically anticipating its official launch, alongside other forthcoming models like Gemini 3.0 Pro and GPT-5.1. As AI technology continues to progress, Nano Banana 2 embodies a critical advancement in the quest for more advanced and dependable image generation models.

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Two-Year Study Uncovers Effects of Rapid Charging on Mobile Battery Longevity

**Does Fast Charging Damage Your Phone Battery? Insights from a Two-Year Study**

In the constantly changing realm of smartphones, maintaining battery health is a vital issue for users. The discussion regarding whether fast charging negatively influences battery lifespan has been ongoing. To investigate this, the YouTube channel HTX Studio initiated a thorough two-year study involving 40 smartphones to reveal the facts.

**The Experimental Design**

HTX Studio’s study was carefully crafted to mimic actual usage scenarios. The research focused on both iPhone 12 and iQOO 7 models, categorized into fast and slow charging groups. The fast-charging group utilized 20W for iPhones and 120W for iQOO devices, whereas the slow-charging group employed standard chargers. The study included uninterrupted charge and discharge cycles, with devices being drained from 100% to 5% and then automatically recharged. Additional tests involved charging between 30% and 80%.

**Primary Results**

Following 167 days and 500 charge cycles, which equate to roughly 1.5 years of average smartphone usage, the findings were notable:

– **iPhone 12 Slow Charging**: Experienced an 11.8% battery capacity reduction
– **iPhone 12 Fast Charging**: Experienced a 12.3% battery capacity reduction
– **iQOO Slow Charging**: Experienced an 8.8% battery capacity reduction
– **iQOO Fast Charging**: Experienced an 8.5% battery capacity reduction

The results imply that fast charging does not substantially affect battery health in comparison to slow charging. In fact, charging between 30% and 80% revealed even less effect on battery health.

**Battery Performance and Replacement Considerations**

HTX Studio also examined battery deterioration when devices were idle at various charge levels. Keeping iPhone 12 units at 1%, 50%, and 100% for a week displayed no significant change in battery capacity, indicating that brief storage at full charge poses no risk to the battery.

Nevertheless, after numerous cycles, battery health inevitably declines. Performance remains stable until the battery health drops to about 85%. When below this level, throttling becomes more apparent, and battery life further diminishes once health falls below 79%. These observations suggest that replacing the battery at this juncture can restore performance and battery life.

**Final Thoughts**

HTX Studio’s extensive study provides significant insights into smartphone battery health. Contrary to common belief, fast charging does not severely diminish battery lifespan compared to slow charging. Users can use fast chargers with confidence, without fearing substantial effects on battery health. However, tracking battery health and contemplating replacement when it declines notably can help maintain optimal performance and extend your device’s longevity.

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Factors Contributing to Microsoft’s Termination of Skype Following an $8.5 Billion Investment

However, in May 2025, Microsoft terminated what once was one of the primary platforms for telecommunications. The key factor behind the Windows empire’s choice to discontinue Skype? The emergence of Microsoft Teams.

Officially introduced in 2017, Teams entered the arena to compete with Slack, yet numerous core functionalities of Skype were integrated into the Teams framework. Video conferencing and instant messaging constituted Skype’s main strengths, but Teams incorporated file sharing and extensive Office 365 integrations that quickly rendered Skype antiquated. As COVID-19 emerged, there was a pressing demand for dependable video conferencing solutions worldwide.

This is where names like Zoom and other challengers stepped in to capitalize on the opportunity while Skype struggled to make an impact. The signs had been evident for some time. After Microsoft utilized Skype to substitute Windows Live Messenger in 2012, the company took minimal action to ensure Skype remained significant or user-friendly.

Transition from user-friendly to problematic: The decline of Skype’s interface

Five Costco Electronics Items with Largely Adverse Customer Feedback

electronics selections, such as televisions. However, this does not imply that all Costco electronics are a good investment. Browsing the Costco online shop, you can discover countless electronics that have not been well-received by customers. This compilation includes some of the most poorly rated electronics available on the site. 

Not every product on this compilation has numerous reviews. At first glance, three adverse reviews for a product might not appear to be substantial, but when considering there are only six reviews total, that results in a 50% positive satisfaction rate. This list features a variety of electronics with ratings beneath three out of five stars, encompassing a camera, headphones, and an EV charger.

Nonetheless, a few of these items could be worth experimenting with yourself. Costco is known for its liberal return policy that allows members to return many products hassle-free. It’s also possible that Costco has rectified an issue mentioned by customers regarding these products since the negative reviews surfaced. Here’s what customers found unsatisfactory about each product so you can understand the concerns better.

Sony WH1000XM5/SA

The Sony WH1000XM5/SA is an over-ear Bluetooth headphone featuring two 30 mm dynamic drivers with a frequency response range of 4 to 40,000 Hz. A major advantage of this device is its noise-cancelling functionality. With eight microphones, the headphones’ Auto NC Optimizer captures sound and eliminates unwanted noise. Additionally, you can use the microphones to take phone calls with Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which is designed to capture your voice even in noisy settings.

Sony states that the headphones can provide around 40 hours of uninterrupted music playback on a single charge, or 30 hours if the noise-cancelling feature is activated. You can

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Effectiveness of Autonomous Vehicles in Wintry Conditions

Driverless vehicles might be drawing nearer to widespread adoption, yet one barrier still proves challenging for even the most advanced algorithms — snow. When the roadways are blanketed in white during winter, the cameras, lidar, and radar systems that navigate autonomous cars suddenly encounter an environment they can’t easily decipher. Snow can obscure lane markings, create unpredictable light reflections, and even imitate physical objects, bewildering the perception systems that driverless vehicles rely on.

As reported by The Verge, Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous car branch, has been discreetly testing its robotaxis in snowy conditions to assess their performance when visibility declines and traction is lost. The objective is straightforward: to ensure autonomous vehicles are just as adept in sleet and snow as they are on dry roads. However, the challenge is substantial, posing a dilemma for companies eager to deploy their robotaxis in various U.S. cities and beyond.

The sensors that identify pedestrians and road edges can become encrusted in slush, leading to diminished GPS accuracy, particularly during heavy snowfall, and icy surfaces complicate braking predictions. Nonetheless, self-driving car firms like Waymo remain undeterred. According to The Verge, they are equipping their vehicles through thousands of simulated snow scenarios and actual tests in frigid cities to educate their AI on managing the unforeseen. The findings so far indicate that autonomous cars can operate in snowy conditions, albeit not perfectly, at least for now. Let’s explore why winter driving poses such a challenge for autonomous systems and what the industry is doing to make all-weather robotaxis a reality.

How snow confounds self-driving sensors