Latest news with #Bionic
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Business Standard
26-07-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
Musk's Neuralink joins study working on bionic eye with UC Santa Barbara
The goal of the study is "to address fundamental questions that will allow the development of a Smart Bionic Eye," according to an online description Bloomberg
Buzz Feed
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Fake 'Lafufus' Are Flooding The Labubu Market – Here's How To Spot One
Chances are you've heard of Labubu by now – after all, celebs like Cher, Rihanna, David Beckham, Kim Kardashian, RuPaul (he dubbed his the 'LaRuRu,' of course), and Dua Lipa have been seen with the toy. Invented by artist Kasing Lun as part of his 'monsters' collection, the little toothy creatures are most often worn as a bag charm. Though 'Blind Box' Labubu pendants can sell for less than £20, choosing a specific version of the grinning gremlin is more pricey – one on Pop Mart's site will run you £164, while limited-edition collabs caused 'Bedlam' at Art Basel and have sold for hundreds of thousands at auction. No wonder fake Labubus, sometimes called 'Lafufus,' have flooded the market. This month, for instance, hundreds of fakes were seized in Ayrshire. But why are the toys so popular, and how can you spot a fake? Why are Labubus so popular? Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Mandy Saven, a content director at consumer trends publication Stylus, said, 'The 'lottery' style of acquisition – what's in my blind box? Will I get the doll I desperately want? – provides a hit of dopamine that consumers are craving.' The limited runs and one-off collabs also provide 'a sense of rarity and exclusivity.' Then, there's social media 'hype' to consider – this 'turbocharged the Labubu appeal, and then algorithms did the rest,' Savern told us. Lastly, 'Labubu can tap into consumers' desire for nostalgia, reassurance and joy in these troubled times.' In other words, Beanie Baby-style collector frenzies combined with TikTok virality and simply the toothy-chic appeal of the charms have made them popular. How can I spot a fake Labubu? According to business insurance comparison site Bionic, there are four signs a Labubu is fake: 1) Packaging quality 'Genuine Labubu figures come in high-quality packaging with sharp printing, embossed logos, and secure seals,' Bionic told us. 'Poorly printed or flimsy boxes are a major red flag.' 2) Finish and detail 'Authentic Labubu figures have clean, precise detailing and consistent paintwork,' Bionic continued. Watch out for sloppy paint, uneven edges, or 'off' proportions. 3) Branding and stamps 'Check for the official Pop Mart and Kasing Lung markings, including serial numbers or authenticity stamps typically located on the base or packaging,' the insurance experts added. You should expect a 'Pop card' with the character name and illustration, along with a QR code and serial number, in the pack. 4) Pricing If the price sounds too good to be true, especially for a limited-edition Labubu, the pros say it's likely a fake. How many teeth does a Labubu have? All real Labubus have exactly nine fang-like teeth. If yours have more or less, that might also be a sign it's fake. Where can you buy an authentic Labubu in the UK? Pop Mart's official site is the most straightforward way to get a legit Labubu. But the company also works with TikTok on their own shop, Which? shared, while the consumer advocacy publication says you may also be able to nab yours from the 'Pop Mart Robo Shop pop-up on the fourth floor of Selfridges London.' The brand has also opened a new flagship store at 262 Oxford Street in London, while Pop Mart outlets are also available in Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Cambridge. The company's official vending machines, also known as Robo Shops, are in London and Reading. Pop Mart also has an Amazon storefront.
Scottish Sun
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Households told to put fans in one place in their home this weekend
We've explained some others way to keep cool without breaking the bank BEAT THE HEAT Households told to put fans in one place in their home this weekend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUN-loving Brits are set to enjoy scorching temperatures of up to 34°C today. But as the mercury rises, keeping cool indoors is proving tricky for many. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Energy expert Les Roberts from Bionic has shared a simple trick to beat the heat, using fans and natural ventilation Credit: Getty The Met Office has confirmed that large parts of the UK have officially met heatwave criteria. A heatwave is declared when a location experiences three consecutive days of temperatures meeting or exceeding 25°C in the north and west, and 28°C in Greater London and the Home Counties. Energy expert Les Roberts from Bionic has shared a simple trick to beat the heat, using fans and natural ventilation. He said: "Open opposite windows or doors to create airflow. "Place a fan facing outward at one opening to push hot air out, and another fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air in. "This creates a strong cross-breeze." He says this works best in the evening, overnight or early morning, when outdoor temperatures are cooler than indoors. Les added: "The temperature difference enhances airflow, helping fans push hot air out and pull cooler air in. "It's a simple trick that can make a big difference, especially at night when temperatures drop." This cooling hack has already gone viral on TikTok, with user Zilovesscience racking up thousands of views for her demonstration. Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend In the clip, Zilovesscience shows her fan pointing outward at an open window, saying: "The key is air circulation. "A fan pointing outward pushes warm, stale air out while pulling cooler air in from shaded areas or other parts of the house." One viewer commented: "Life-saving tip." Before using an old fan during the heatwave, make sure it's clean and functioning properly. Dust on the blades can reduce efficiency and blow particles around, potentially causing congestion if left running overnight. A quick clean will improve performance and help keep your space fresh. For the best cooling results, opt for an oscillating fan, which moves from side to side to circulate air evenly throughout the room. Most fans, even budget options, come with this feature, so check for it when buying a new one. How to stay safe in hot weather The UK Health Security Agency advised you follow these tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity like exercising or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and slather on sun cream Drink plenty of fluids but limit booze Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Source: UKHSA Other ways to keep cool in the heat Want to keep cool without breaking the bank? Try out these free hacks... Mop the floor Clean the house and keep cool at the same time by mopping the floor. The hack boils down to simple science. The water will absorb heat from the floor when it evaporates - and hey presto, your floor is cooler. It's just like you sweat when it's hot - it's your body's way of keeping your skin cool. TV presenter Kevin McCloud is reportedly a fan of this little-known hack. He told the Radio Times in 2022 that he learned the tip from "little old Italian men" who mopped their stone floors during hot temperatures. Defrost the freezer It may not be top of your list of fun things to do this weekend, but defrosting the freezer is a great way of cooling down. The cold air from the freezer will be a welcome relief, and will circulate around the room, helping to bring down the temperature. Experts estimate that not defrosting your freezer regularly could be costing households as much as £150 a year. So it's a win for your temperature and a win for your wallet too. Closing curtains will stop sunlight streaming through into your property and warming up the inside. The best time to do it is during the hottest parts of the day, between 10am and 4pm. Use this fan trick You can create a DIY "ice fan" by putting a container or bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan. This will make sees the air passing over the ice cooler. This hack isn't the most effective for larger rooms, but can work in smaller rooms like your bedroom. Little-known new build home rule If you live in a new build home, the good news is that it may have been designed to keep below a certain temperature. Building regulations state that bedrooms in new build homes must not exceed temperatures above 26C overnight. That means window and door openings will be designed to close if temperatures start to soar. Unfortunately, you won't benefit if you're not in one of these new builds - but there are other ways to keep cool. For example, you can close the curtains during the day, which will help to keep your home cool into the night.
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Households told to put fans in one place in their home this weekend
SUN-loving Brits are set to enjoy scorching temperatures of up to 34°C today. But as the mercury rises, keeping cool indoors is proving tricky for many. 1 The Met Office has confirmed that large parts of the UK have officially met heatwave criteria. A heatwave is declared when a location experiences three consecutive days of temperatures meeting or exceeding 25°C in the north and west, and 28°C in Greater London and the Home Counties. Energy expert Les Roberts from Bionic has shared a simple trick to beat the heat, using fans and natural ventilation. He said: "Open opposite windows or doors to create airflow. " Place a fan facing outward at one opening to push hot air out, and another fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air in. "This creates a strong cross-breeze." He says this works best in the evening, overnight or early morning, when outdoor temperatures are cooler than indoors. Les added: "The temperature difference enhances airflow, helping fans push hot air out and pull cooler air in. "It's a simple trick that can make a big difference, especially at night when temperatures drop." This cooling hack has already gone viral on TikTok, with user Zilovesscience racking up thousands of views for her demonstration. Six items every UK driver should remove from cars this weekend In the clip, Zilovesscience shows her fan pointing outward at an open window, saying: "The key is air circulation. "A fan pointing outward pushes warm, stale air out while pulling cooler air in from shaded areas or other parts of the house." One viewer commented: "Life-saving tip." Before using an old fan during the heatwave, make sure it's clean and functioning properly. Dust on the blades can reduce efficiency and blow particles around, potentially causing congestion if left running overnight. A quick clean will improve performance and help keep your space fresh. For the best cooling results, opt for an oscillating fan, which moves from side to side to circulate air evenly throughout the room. Most fans, even budget options, come with this feature, so check for it when buying a new one. How to stay safe in hot weather The UK Health Security Agency advised you follow these tips to reduce your risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity like exercising or walking the dog, plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you go outside, cover up with light clothing, a hat and sunglasses and slather on sun cream Drink plenty of fluids but limit booze Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Source: UKHSA Other ways to keep cool in the heat Want to keep cool without breaking the bank? Try out these free hacks... Mop the floor Clean the house and keep cool at the same time by mopping the floor. The hack boils down to simple science. The water will absorb heat from the floor when it evaporates - and hey presto, your floor is cooler. It's just like you sweat when it's hot - it's your body's way of keeping your skin cool. TV presenter Kevin McCloud is reportedly a fan of this little-known hack. He told the Radio Times in 2022 that he learned the tip from "little old Italian men" who mopped their stone floors during hot temperatures. Defrost the freezer It may not be top of your list of fun things to do this weekend, but defrosting the freezer is a great way of cooling down. The cold air from the freezer will be a welcome relief, and will circulate around the room, helping to bring down the temperature. Experts estimate that not defrosting your freezer regularly could be costing households as much as £150 a year. So it's a win for your temperature and a win for your wallet too. Closing curtains will stop sunlight streaming through into your property and warming up the inside. The best time to do it is during the hottest parts of the day, between 10am and 4pm. Use this fan trick You can create a DIY "ice fan" by putting a container or bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan. This will make sees the air passing over the ice cooler. This hack isn't the most effective for larger rooms, but can work in smaller rooms like your bedroom. Little-known new build home rule If you live in a new build home, the good news is that it may have been designed to keep below a certain temperature. Building regulations state that bedrooms in new build homes must not exceed temperatures above 26C overnight. That means window and door openings will be designed to close if temperatures start to soar. Unfortunately, you won't benefit if you're not in one of these new builds - but there are other ways to keep cool. For example, you can close the curtains during the day, which will help to keep your home cool into the night.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
People are just realising the right way to use your fan to get hot air out of the house – and there zero faff involved
A FAN has become a staple for millions of households across the UK, as scorching temperatures are reaching 35C. But while many of us may blow the cool air directly at us, turns out there's another way to use the fan - and it may be more beneficial. 2 Savvy TikTokers have discovered the 'right' way to use a fan to cool down in the heat Credit: @alexthecleaner 2 To effectively use a fan to remove hot air from a room, position it to exhaust hot air out of a window Credit: TIKTOK/@simonj2013 According to savvy TikTokers, there's a 'right' way to use the apparatus in the sweltering weather - and many have dubbed it ''a game-changer''. Rather than blasting the cold air at your body, some social media users advise to place the fan by an open window, facing away from the room. This, one savvy man, Simon Johnson, recently explained will ''suck the hot air out of the room''. To effectively use a fan to remove hot air from a room, position it to exhaust hot air out of a window, while simultaneously opening a second window on the opposite side of the room to draw in cooler air. For the ultimate cooling effect, you could also snap up an extra fan - and have its cool air blow directly at you. ''I'm definitely not melting tonight,'' said Simon, from South Wales. And it's not just the Welsh lad who's been raving about this easy hack - another TikToker, Alex The Cleaner, shared how she was keeping cool thanks to simply repositioning her fan. She said in the video: ''Whoever posted this hack - thank you. ''I feel like I can breathe the air again. ''UK heat is no joke,'' she chuckled. I transformed my garden patio into summer haven for less than £100 with cheap B&M buys including gadget to keep bugs out ''This feels so wrong but it works so well the fan sucks the hot air out of the room and honestly it works.'' Les Roberts, an energy expert from Bionic, agreed, telling Mail Online: ''For even better airflow, you can place a second fan facing inward at the opposite opening to pull cooler air into the room, creating a strong cross-breeze.'' The method is most effective in the evenings or early morning, he explained. How to keep cool in hot weather Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. ''It works best when it's cooler outside than inside - usually in the evening, overnight, or early morning - as the temperature difference creates a natural flow of air,'' the whizz said. ''The temperature gradient enhances the movement of air, allowing the fan to more effectively push hot air out and pull cooler air in, resulting in a more comfortable indoor environment.'' This approach can significantly cool your living space without air conditioning, through natural ventilation enhanced by fans. On average, portable air-conditioning units cost around £8.40 to run per day, whereas a fan could cost you as little as 71 pence - so it's certainly a more affordable option for millions of cash-strapped Brits. Stay cool this summer And a doctor has revealed the exact time to shower to keep cool in the hot weather. Plus, six methods for keeping cool in the hot summer conditions, including repurposing your hot water bottle. Or there are savvy steps you can take to keep your space cool without breaking the budget.
