Category: Technology

Peculiarities and Quarks celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, looking back at half a century of science and looking ahead to the next 50 years.

In 1975, when David Suzuki presented the first episode of Peculiarities and QuarksThe excitement of the Moon landings had subsided and North America faced a new challenge – the effects of the 1973 disaster. energy crisis.

Oil supplies from the Middle East have been disrupted. The price of gasoline skyrocketed overnight, gas stations ran out of fuel, and those that had supplies had lines that stretched for blocks.

The keywords at the time were fuel economy and energy efficiency, as scientists and engineers were tasked with stretching limited oil reserves to the maximum, while also looking for alternative energy sources.

Consumers were switching from traditional, large, gas-guzzling North American cars to more efficient models, often from Japan and Europe. The U.S. auto industry followed suit with smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic vehicles powered by small engines capable of covering every possible mile on a gallon of gasoline.

Research dollars have been invested in renewable energy, which has led to the development of alternatives such as clean hydrogen fuel, improved solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal energy and biofuels.

Homeowners were encouraged to insulate their homes, and eventually high-efficiency heat pumps and furnaces became available, which reduced heating bills.

At the same time, industries began to be held more responsible for air and water pollution. Car manufacturers have been forced to install catalytic converters in exhaust pipes to capture emissions, while large industries have been forced to clean up effluents and limit discharges of waste and harmful chemicals into rivers and lakes.

The 1970s were a time when science began to turn its focus to caring for planet Earth, thanks in part to photos of Earth taken from the Moon by Apollo astronauts and the influence of Rachel Carson’s groundbreaking 1962 book, Silent Spring. We have come to think of our planet as a small oasis of life in a vast and indifferent universe.

In other words, science was increasingly focused on the environment. It highlighted problems such as carbon emissions, but also presented solutions such as green energy.

During this period, a revolution began at home with the arrival of personal computers, which ended up changing the way we communicate, do business and connect with everyone in the world.

In medicine, the Human Genome Project emerged in the 1990s to sequence all human DNA, leading to a deeper understanding of human biology and the evolution of life.

So here we are, 50 years later, and a lot has changed. In the developed world, we are largely healthier and live longer than ever before. More food is being produced to feed a population that has doubled and we are surrounded by technology that provides information at our fingertips. We can travel almost anywhere on the globe.

Science and technology have turned humans into a superspecies. We explore every domain on the planet and beyond. We discover our place in an unimaginably huge and expanding universe, investigate the mysteries of life down to the molecular level, and discover connections between all living things. Our knowledge has never been greater.

But all this progress came at a cost. Scientists have repeatedly warned us that the enormous environmental stress on our planet is unsustainable. Our technological advances have often brought paradoxical results. For example, vehicles today are cleaner and more efficient. But many of them have grown back to enormous size – so efficiency has fueled consumption, rather than reducing it.

The natural world is under extraordinary pressure. Scientists have calculated that species are disappearing at a rate not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs. There are a range of causes, from human pollution and pesticides, to habitat loss due to human activity, to climate disruption.

Every summer, more and more hectares of our forests catch fire. Water scarcity and droughts are becoming more common and impactful; stocked through warmer oceans, storms became stronger.

Despite ambitious international agreements, we have not met our commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate concerns often seem to take a backseat to economic interests. And many researchers point to positive environmental policies that are being obstructed by those trying to maintain business as usual.

The human impact on the planet has even been given a new geological name by some scientists: the Anthropoceneperiod defined by the permanent mark that we are making in the geological record.

It may seem like we live in dark times, but there is hope.

Many of the technological innovations that began to be developed in the 1970s to address oil shortages are now mature and realizing their enormous potential. The technologies to produce electricity from the free energy of the sun, the wind, the heat of the Earth or the energy of the atom are there for us.

We know how to keep the lights on, the wheels turning, and the food on the plate without burning the planet. Science and technology, researchers consistently say, are there for us to use.

However, it can be challenging to distinguish between real science and pseudoscience, between evidence-based research and self-appointed experts who claim that climate change is a hoax, that vaccines or painkillers cause autism, that the moon landings were faked, that the Earth is flat, and that alien civilizations live on Mars.

However, this distinction is vital because the issues we face, such as climate change, energy production, food and drinking water supplies, all involve scientific principles. And a scientifically literate society can make intelligent decisions about how to proceed from here.

Peculiarities and Quarks has been contributing in small ways to this scientific literacy for half a century, and I am extremely proud to have been a part of it.

Construction robots are no longer a distant idea. They are already changing their workplace, facing repetitive, heavy and often dangerous tasks. The latest robot comes from Australia, where a spider-like machine named Charlotte is making headlines.

Charlotte is designed to 3D print an entire 2,150 square foot home in just one day. This is equivalent to the speed of more than 100 bricklayers working simultaneously. This offers a glimpse into how the future of housing can be built.

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AUSTRALIA DEBUTS FIRST MULTI-STORY 3D PRINTED HOME – BUILT IN JUST 5 MONTHS

How the Charlotte robot works

Charlotte is a collaboration between Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology. The robot is not limited to stacking bricks or tying rebar. Instead, it uses a giant extrusion system that lays down layers of environmentally friendly material.

This material comes from sand, crushed brick and recycled glass, all locally sourced. The result? A fireproof, flood-proof structure created with a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional construction methods.

3D PRINTED SUSTAINABLE HOME BUILT MAINLY FROM THE GROUND

Why Charlotte the Robot Stands Out

This 3D printing construction robot stands out for its unique combination of speed, strength, versatility and affordable price.

• Speed: Print a house in 24 hours.
• Strength: Uses durable and sustainable materials.
• Versatility: It can stand on spider legs to continue building higher walls.
• Accessibility: Eliminates many of the expensive construction steps.

Although Charlotte is still in the development phase, a scaled-down prototype has already been presented. Researchers believe this could help solve housing shortages where labor is scarce and construction costs are skyrocketing.

The Future of 3D Printed Moon Bases Outside Earth

Charlotte’s creators are also keeping an eye on the stars. They envision future versions of the robot building lunar bases for research and exploration. With its compact design and autonomous operation, Charlotte could adapt to the extreme environments of space as well as the challenges on Earth.

THE NEW ROBOT THAT COULD MAKE TASKS A THING OF THE PAST

What does this mean for you

If Charlotte lives up to its promise, it could reshape the way homes are built around the world. Faster construction means faster housing availability. Lower costs and sustainable materials mean more affordable homes with a lower environmental impact. For anyone facing rising housing prices or construction delays, technology like Charlotte can bring a ray of hope.

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AMERICA’S LESSONS FROM THE WORLD’S LARGEST 3D PRINTED SCHOOLS

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Charlotte may be years away from building its first large-scale home, but its prototype already points to a future where robots take on critical roles in construction. From solving housing crises on Earth to building shelters on the Moon, Charlotte shows how robotics and 3D printing can work together to solve real problems.

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While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are still almost a year away, there are already rumors of some new features and changes for the devices.

Below, we recap some of the early iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far.

Minor Dynamic Island

The standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be equipped with a slightly smaller Dynamic Island, but the devices will not feature Face ID under the screen, according to the Instant Digital Weibo Account.

There have been conflicting rumors about whether the iPhone 17 Pro models would have a smaller Dynamic Island, but its size has not changed. Now, the rumor is back on the table for the iPhone 18 series, and there’s a good chance it’s true this time, as it would be a stepping stone towards the rumored all-glass 20th Anniversary iPhone.

Under-screen Face ID, however, is no longer expected until iPhone 19 Pro models or later.

Instant Digital has about 1.5 million followers on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media platform. The account has accurately leaked information about future Apple products in the past, such as the iPhone 17 Pro models with a vapor chamber cooling system, the yellow finish for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s Titanium Milanese Loop. However, the account doesn’t have a perfect track record and some of the other iPhone 17 rumors it has shared in recent months have not panned out. achieved.

‘Translucent’ MagSafe area

Overall, the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a similar design to the iPhone 17 Pro models, according to digital chat stationa previously accurate leaker with more than three million followers on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.

The leaker said the devices will have the same rear camera system design as the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a “plateau” housing three lenses in a triangular arrangement. They also expect the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screen sizes used since the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Notably, the leaker claimed that the Ceramic Shield area on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a “slightly transparent design,” without giving further details.

Perhaps this just means that the Ceramic Shield cutout on the back of the iPhone 18 Pro models will have a more matte appearance than on the iPhone 17 Pro models, but we’ll have to wait for additional rumors to surface for clarification.

Variable Opening

The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on all models from iPhone 14 Pro to iPhone 17 Pro have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always wide open and shooting at this wider aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.

A variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro models should give users greater control over depth of field, which refers to the sharpness of an object in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size constraints, it’s unclear exactly how significant this improvement would be.

None of the iPhone 17 Pro cameras offer variable aperture.

Other rumors

Read our iPhone 18 roundup for more information.

A team of MIT researchers thinks they may have lowered one of the main barriers to achieving large-scale nuclear fusion—putting us one step closer to making an abundant form of energy a reality.

By harnessing the same processes that power stars, we would have access to a clean, safe and virtually unlimited source of energy. Scientists have built reactors to try to tame fusion, one of the most explored being the tokamak. Essentially a donut-shaped tube that uses strong magnets to confine the plasma needed to power fusion reactions, the tokamak has shown great potential. But to fully realize this, scientists must first navigate the potential pitfalls this energy brings with it, including how to slow down a fusion reaction once it’s underway.

That’s where the new search enter: Using a combination of physics and machine learning, researchers predicted how the plasma inside a tokamak reactor would behave given a set of initial conditions—something researchers have long puzzled over (after all, it’s difficult to look inside a fusion reactor mid-run). The article was published Monday in Nature Communications.

“For fusion to be a useful energy source, it will have to be reliable,” said Allen Wang, lead author of the study and graduate student at MIT. MIT News. “To be reliable, we need to be good at managing our plasmas.”

With great power comes great risk

When a tokamak reactor is fully functioning, the plasma stream inside it can circulate at speeds of up to about 100 kilometers per second and at temperatures of 180 million degrees Fahrenheit (100 million degrees Celsius). That’s hotter than the Sun’s core.

If the reactor has to be shut down for any reason, operators begin a process to “reduce” the plasma current, slowly de-energizing it. But this process is complicated and the plasma can cause “scratches and scars inside the tokamak – minor damage that still requires considerable time and resources to repair,” the researchers explained.

“Uncontrolled plasma terminations, even during deceleration, can generate intense heat fluxes damaging the internal walls,” explained Wang. “Often, especially with high-performance plasmas, slowdowns can actually drive the plasma closer to some instability limits. So it’s a delicate balance.

In fact, any misstep in the operation of fusion reactors can be costly. In an ideal world, researchers would be able to run tests on working tokamaks, but because fusion is not yet efficient, running one of these reactors is incredibly expensive, and most facilities will only use them a few times a year.

Looking into the wisdom of physics

For their model, the team found a delightfully clever method to overcome limitations in data collection – they simply went back to the fundamental rules of physics. They paired their model’s neural network with another model that describes plasma dynamics, and then trained the model with data from the TCV, a small experimental fusion device in Switzerland. The dataset included information about variations in the initial temperature and energy levels of the plasma, as well as during and at the end of each experimental run.

From there, the team used an algorithm to generate “trajectories” that showed reactor operators how the plasma would likely behave as the reaction progressed. When they applied the algorithm to real TCV runs, they found that following the model’s “trajectory” instructions was perfectly capable of guiding operators to safely slow down the device.

“We’ve done this several times,” Wang said. “And we did things much better across the board. So we had statistical confidence that we improved things.”

“We are trying to address the scientific questions to make fusion routinely useful,” he added. “What we’ve done here is the beginning of a journey that’s still long. But I think we’ve made some good progress.”

Se você assiste regularmente a vídeos on-line sobre as rotinas de cuidados com a pele das pessoas, provavelmente já as viu usar dispositivos de microcorrentes. Supõe-se que esses dispositivos produzam colágeno, esculpem o rosto, melhorem a textura da pele e muito mais. Dispositivos domésticos de marcas populares como NuFace, ZIIP e Therabody podem custar centenas de dólares. Mas eles realmente funcionam? Para descobrir, pedimos aos dermatologistas mais informações sobre os prós e contras dos dispositivos de microcorrentes e como eles se comparam aos tratamentos profissionais.

 

Os dispositivos de microcorrente funcionam?

Dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos não são baratos – custam centenas de dólares. Se você está pensando em investir em um, você deve estar se perguntando se eles na verdade trabalhar. O que dizem os especialistas?

“Sim, os dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos podem fornecer benefícios visíveis, embora geralmente sejam menos poderosos do que os tratamentos de nível profissional”, disse Hannah Kopelman, dermatologista da Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. “Esses dispositivos fornecem correntes elétricas de baixo nível projetadas para estimular os músculos faciais e aumentar a circulação. Com o tempo, isso pode criar um efeito lifting temporário e proporcionar uma leve melhora no tom da pele.”

Embora a eficácia dos dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos não tenha sido exaustivamente testada, alguns estudos mostram que eles podem fornecer resultados reais. Em um Estudo de 202456 pessoas foram instruídas a usar o aparelho de microcorrente Slendertone Face e 52 pessoas foram colocadas em um grupo controle. Depois de usar o dispositivo Slendertone Face cinco dias por semana durante 12 semanas, os participantes relataram um tom de pele significativamente melhor, brilho e menos rugas em comparação com o grupo de controle.

Mas antes de começar a usar um dispositivo de microcorrente doméstico, é importante definir expectativas realistas.

“Os dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos podem ser uma parte benéfica da sua rotina de cuidados com a pele, mas funcionam melhor para melhorias e manutenção leves, em vez de mudanças dramáticas”, disse Kopelman. “Para indivíduos que buscam resultados mais imediatos ou pronunciados, os tratamentos profissionais continuam sendo o padrão ouro”.

Não perca nenhum de nossos conteúdos técnicos imparciais e análises baseadas em laboratório. Adicionar CNET como fonte preferencial do Google no Chrome.

 

 

Benefícios do dispositivo de microcorrente

Quando você usa um dispositivo de microcorrente doméstico de forma consistente, ele pode trazer uma ampla gama de benefícios para sua pele. “Os principais benefícios incluem leve lifting e firmeza da pele, melhora da circulação e melhora da drenagem linfática, o que pode reduzir o inchaço. Alguns usuários também relatam que sua pele parece mais renovada e radiante após o uso consistente”, disse Kopelman.

No entanto, para rugas mais profundas e flacidez significativa, Kopelman disse que esses dispositivos provavelmente não terão o mesmo efeito que tratamentos profissionais ou procedimentos mais invasivos em consultório.

Embora esses dispositivos domésticos possam ser eficazes, os resultados não são únicos. Robyn Gmyrek, dermatologista da UnionDerm, com sede em Nova York, “os benefícios dos dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos variam de pessoa para pessoa com base na idade, estado de saúde e escolhas comportamentais, como exposição ao sol, tabagismo, dieta e dispositivo específico usado”.

Como acontece com a maioria dos tratamentos e procedimentos de cuidados com a pele, você não deve esperar resultados imediatos. “Com dispositivos domésticos, consistência é tudo”, disse Gmyrek. “Eu recomendo usar um dispositivo de microcorrente diariamente, ou pelo menos três a cinco vezes por semana. Pense nisso como uma academia – se você não continuar a frequentar, perderá os benefícios.”

Potenciais efeitos colaterais do dispositivo de microcorrente. Eles estão seguros?

De modo geral, os dispositivos de microcorrente domésticos são seguros quando usados ​​conforme as instruções. E como as microcorrentes são pequenas, os tratamentos não devem ser dolorosos. Alguns efeitos colaterais são possíveis, no entanto.

“Algumas pessoas podem sentir uma leve vermelhidão ou sensação de formigamento durante o uso, mas isso geralmente é temporário. No entanto, o uso inadequado – como aplicar pressão excessiva ou usar o dispositivo por mais tempo do que o recomendado – pode causar irritação na pele ou fadiga muscular”, disse Kopelman.

No estudo de 2024 mencionado acima, apenas alguns participantes apresentaram vermelhidão leve na pele durante os tratamentos. Nenhum dos participantes teve quaisquer outras reações adversas, sugerindo que estes dispositivos são na sua maioria seguros.

Embora existam dezenas de dispositivos domésticos que fornecem microcorrentes, nem todos são criados iguais. Cada dispositivo funciona de maneira diferente e tem vantagens e desvantagens exclusivas. Se você está procurando um dispositivo de microcorrente doméstico, há algumas coisas que você deve procurar, de acordo com Gmyrek. Ela recomenda comprar um aparelho com autorização do FDA, múltiplos níveis de intensidade e diversas funções, como a opção de uso de fototerapia LED. Você também deve procurar um dispositivo que venha com ou exija um gel condutor para transmitir adequadamente a microcorrente. Escolha um dispositivo de uma marca bem estabelecida com avaliações positivas de usuários e especialistas.

 

 

Como usar um dispositivo de microcorrente em casa

Antes de usar um dispositivo de microcorrente doméstico, leia as instruções do fabricante. Cada dispositivo pode ser um pouco diferente, mas aqui está uma visão geral de como esses dispositivos devem ser usados:

1. Lave o rosto: Você deve sempre começar com a pele limpa e seca antes de usar um dispositivo de microcorrente.
2. Aplicar condutivo: A maioria dos dispositivos de microcorrente requer um gel condutor que permite que o dispositivo deslize sobre o rosto e ajuda a distribuir a corrente nas camadas mais profundas da pele.
3. Selecione o nível de intensidade: Se o seu aparelho tiver múltiplas configurações de intensidade, selecione aquela que melhor se adapta à sua pele no momento do uso. Comece devagar e aumente gradualmente à medida que se acostumar com as diferentes configurações.
4. Deslize o dispositivo sobre seu rosto: Usando uma leve pressão, mova suavemente o dispositivo pelo rosto em um movimento para cima e para fora. Você pode usar o dispositivo na linha do queixo, nas maçãs do rosto, na testa e nas laterais do pescoço (certifique-se de evitar a tireoide no centro).
5. Remova o gel do rosto e do dispositivo: Quando terminar, lave o gel do rosto. Siga as instruções do fabricante para limpar o dispositivo – geralmente, você pode limpar o gel com um pano macio e limpo. Depois, você pode continuar com as próximas etapas de sua rotina de cuidados com a pele.
6. Repita com base na recomendação do fabricante: A maioria dos dispositivos de microcorrente domésticos só deve ser usada cinco vezes por semana, durante 3 a 5 minutos, mas alguns dispositivos podem ser usados ​​diariamente. Verifique as instruções para ver com que frequência seu dispositivo deve ser usado para obter os melhores resultados.

Os melhores dispositivos de microcorrente que testamos

Para descobrir quais dispositivos de microcorrente são os melhores, a editora de bem-estar da CNET, Anna Gragert, testou seis dispositivos ao longo de dois meses. Com base no preço, modos, acessórios, recursos, autorização da FDA, instruções de limpeza, compatibilidade de aplicativos e gel condutor necessário, ela encontrou o NuFACE TRINITY+ ser o melhor dispositivo de microcorrente em geral.

O NuFACE TRINITY+ custa US$ 395. Ele ajuda você a controlar o tempo com bipes sonoros, possui tutoriais úteis em seu aplicativo e é fácil de carregar com o suporte incluído.

Se você está procurando um dispositivo com mais recursos, como massagem e terapia de luz LED, o preço de US$ 420 TheraFace Pro é recomendado. Este dispositivo também pode limpar o rosto. Os anéis quente e frio são vendidos separadamente, mas podem ser usados ​​com o dispositivo. A única desvantagem potencial é que os tutoriais do aplicativo são mais longos e seriam melhores com instruções de voz.

Você pode exagerar com um dispositivo de microcorrente?

Os dispositivos de microcorrente domésticos apresentam riscos e usá-los com muita frequência pode fazer mais mal do que bem. “O uso excessivo pode causar inflamação na pele, vermelhidão e inchaço”, disse Gmyrek. Se isso acontecer, você deve parar de usar o dispositivo imediatamente até que os efeitos colaterais desapareçam.

“Usar um dispositivo de microcorrente doméstico com muita frequência também pode causar fadiga muscular, deixando os músculos faciais doloridos ou excessivamente tensos. Seguir o cronograma de uso recomendado pelo fabricante pode ajudar a evitar esse problema”, acrescentou Kopelman.

Antes de começar a usar um aparelho de microcorrente doméstico, leia as instruções sobre a frequência de uso, que varia de acordo com o produto. Por exemplo, o Foreo Bear foi projetado para ser usado todos os dias. No entanto, o NuFace Trinity Plus e Varinha de microcorrente SkinGym deve ser usado cinco vezes por semana durante 60 dias e depois até três vezes por semana para manutenção.

Não fique tentado a usar o dispositivo com mais frequência do que o recomendado. Os especialistas concordam que o uso excessivo não proporcionará melhores benefícios ou resultados mais rápidos. Além disso, você pode acabar danificando sua pele no processo.

Quem não deve usar um dispositivo de microcorrente?

Embora os dispositivos de microcorrente domésticos sejam normalmente seguros, nem todos são bons candidatos.

“Indivíduos com certas condições médicas, como epilepsia, marca-passo ou outros dispositivos elétricos implantados, devem evitar o uso de dispositivos de microcorrentes, pois as correntes elétricas podem interferir no seu funcionamento”, disse Kopelman.

Dispositivos de microcorrente também devem ser evitados durante a gravidez, a menos que sejam aprovados por um profissional de saúde.

 

 

Dispositivos de microcorrente profissionais vs. domésticos

A microcorrente é uma oferta popular em muitos spas médicos e clínicas de cuidados com a pele como tratamento independente ou como complemento de outros serviços. De acordo com especialistas, os tratamentos em consultório oferecem mais retorno para seus investimentos.

“Os dispositivos profissionais de microcorrentes usados ​​em ambientes clínicos são muito mais potentes e podem proporcionar um efeito lifting mais significativo e duradouro em um período mais curto de tempo”, disse Kopelman.

Além disso, os tratamentos profissionais podem ser mais bem personalizados de acordo com as suas necessidades, potencialmente proporcionando melhores resultados com mais rapidez.

“Os profissionais licenciados também são treinados para ajustar as configurações de acordo com as necessidades da sua pele, o que torna o tratamento mais personalizado”, disse Kopelman. “Os dispositivos domésticos, por outro lado, são projetados para serem seguros para uso geral, por isso fornecem níveis de corrente mais baixos e exigem tratamentos mais frequentes para manter os resultados”.

 

 

 

Dispositivos de microcorrentes domésticos também não são baratos. Os dispositivos aprovados pela FDA podem custar entre US$ 150 e mais de US$ 400. A maioria dos dispositivos também exige um gel condutor, vendido separadamente.

No entanto, os dispositivos domésticos tendem a ser um pouco mais baratos do que os procedimentos profissionais. Os tratamentos de microcorrentes no consultório geralmente custam entre US$ 250 e US$ 500 por sessão, mas isso depende de vários fatores, incluindo o tipo de tratamento, a duração do tratamento e sua localização.

O resultado final

Os dispositivos de microcorrentes caseiros podem ser um ótimo complemento à sua rotina de cuidados com a pele se você deseja melhorar a firmeza da pele, reduzir o inchaço e esculpir o rosto. Mas é importante ter expectativas realistas sobre os resultados. Embora os dispositivos domésticos funcionem, eles não são tão eficazes quanto os tratamentos profissionais.

Se você está em dúvida sobre a compra de um dispositivo de microcorrente em casa, há algumas coisas que você pode considerar. Primeiro, pense nos objetivos da sua pele. Um dispositivo de microcorrente caseiro não elimina rugas profundas e não é uma alternativa ao Botox, preenchimentos dérmicos ou lasers cutâneos.

Você também deve determinar com que frequência usará o dispositivo de forma realista. Aqui estão alguns conselhos de Gmyrek: “Seja honesto consigo mesmo – se você não vai usar um dispositivo doméstico de forma consistente, não se preocupe em gastar dinheiro com ele. Em vez disso, gaste esse dinheiro em tratamentos no consultório que são mais eficazes.”

Oct/2025

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How do you convince yourself to pay over $400 for a pair of headphones when they look and operate almost identically to the previous generation? That’s a question I hope to answer, and a question Bose hopes its second-generation flagship headphones will answer based on their performance alone.

Also: Best headphones of 2025

I spent two weeks working, traveling and resting in QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2)which I’ll call the QC Ultra 2, looking like Bose spent two years making them more “ultra” than their predecessor. With no major design updates, speaker drivers, or noise-canceling performance, I’ll have to dig deeper.

It’s easy to position the Sony WH-1000XM6 as a direct competitor to the QC Ultra 2, but I wonder: is the QC Ultra 2 competing with its predecessors as much as other brands? Let’s find out.

Same look, smarter details

The defining theme of the QC Ultra 2 is that it doesn’t attempt to rewrite Bose’s legacy, but rather to organize it. They look identical to the first generation, except for the yokes, which swap the matte aluminum finish for shiny polished metal.

The ear cups on the QC Ultra 2 are slightly shallower than those on its predecessor, which may cause fit issues for people with larger heads and ears. Otherwise, the QC Ultra 2’s look, feel, and fit don’t bring any notable changes, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

More significant updates are in the smaller details, including USB-C audio support, available at up to 16-bit/44.1kHz or 48kHz. Thus, the QC Ultra 2 is better suited for gaming or more faithful listening than the first generation. Unlike the Sonos Ace and Apple AirPods Max, the QC Ultra 2 retains its 3.5mm headphone jack. And unlike the Sony XM6, you can listen through the QC Ultra 2’s USB-C port while charging it.

Also: 7 Smart iPhone USB-C Port Tricks Every User Should Know

While USB-C audio support in 2025 seems more like an expectation than a new feature to celebrate, it rounds out the QC Ultra 2’s audio capabilities.

Beauty is in the ears of the beholder

The QC Ultra 2 has a great sound profile if you like exaggerated bass response, slightly dialed-back mids, and louder highs. It provides great reproduction of bass lines and center vocals on pop tracks such as One Direction’s “Stockholm Syndrome”,“ and ’90s rap like Craig Mack’s “Flava in Ya Ear.”

Plus: Why I Keep Four Pairs of Headphones With Me at All Time (and the Unique Role Each Plays)

On the other hand, the QC Ultra 2 isn’t as strong with layered ambient post-rock like Ben Howard’s “Time Is Dancing.” Songs with more subtle musical textures aren’t as easy to listen to, but turning down the bass helps. Overall, the tuning of the QC Ultra 2 is warmer and more spacious sounding, providing an extended and more accurate bass response than the first generation. Their sound should be fun for most people.

Bose continues with its version of spatial audio, Immersive Audio, and introduces a new spatial adjustment for podcasts, TV shows, movies and other dialogue-heavy media. The feature works – you can hear your media expanding around your head. Personally, I’d prefer Bose to adopt Dolby Atmos support.

Still the ANC gold standard

Bose’s marketing conveys to me that noise cancellation is no longer considered a feature of a pair of headphones – it’s a lifestyle choice. Noise cancellation not only silences the world around you, but also helps create a private listening space when you’re out in public.

Bose follows this philosophy, as noise-canceling upgrades haven’t been at the forefront of the headphone launch. Despite little fanfare surrounding noise cancellation improvements, the QC Ultra 2 is slightly better at noise cancellation than its predecessor. Additionally, the QC Ultra 2’s ANC better covers high-pitched noises like keyboard clicks and low-pitched noises like the roar of an airplane engine than the first generation.

When the headphones’ active noise cancellation (ANC) is turned on, even when no audio is playing, there is virtually no noise. This feat is highly impressive and comparable to Sony’s WH-1000XM6. The difference between Sony and Bose’s high-end ANC is negligible; you will have to find another category to help you choose one brand over another.

Also: I tried the AI ​​noise cancellation of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and can’t go back to normal ANC

Bose has also refined its AI-powered adaptive noise cancellation feature, ActiveSense. This feature maintains transparency mode and activates noise cancellation when the environment becomes too noisy. ActiveSense is my favorite feature on the QC Ultra Earbuds 2 and it works so well on the earbuds.

The best feature is the most unexpected

For me, the QC Ultra 2’s standout feature is related to its improved power management. In addition to increasing battery life from 24 hours in the first generation to 30 hours in the second, Bose also made its product’s power button obsolete.

You can use the power button on the headphones to turn them on and off, but it’s not necessary. Instead, you can take the headphones off your head and place them horizontally – headphones up or down – and they will immediately disconnect from your devices, disable Bluetooth, and start saving power. Just pop them back in and they’re ready to use.

Also: Bose took my favorite AirPods Max power feature — and did it better

I love this feature because headphone on/off buttons are the bane of my existence. If you don’t press the button long enough, the earbuds won’t turn off, but if you press it long enough, they will enter pairing mode. You need to time the long press perfectly for the headphones to cooperate.

The Bose’s startup was particularly confusing and faulty, causing the company to deliver the first-generation QC Ultra’s only firmware update to specifically address the issue. For me, not having to use the power button is a lifesaver.

A well-made companion app

Many headphone brands are notoriously known for their lackluster companion apps. Problematic features and boring user interfaces keep me away from them. Bose’s app is the best, offering a reliable, pleasant, and easy-to-use experience.

The app highlights the QC Ultra 2’s improved customization features, giving users the ability to completely disable the headphones’ noise cancellation and touch control strip, one of my least favorite features of the first-generation QC Ultra. You can now completely disable ANC, which was previously impossible with Bose headphones.

The only issue I have with the Bose app is the limited equalizer. Instead of allowing users to adjust the headphones’ EQ by frequency bands, Bose only offers boosts and decreases for overall bass, mids, and treble, without specific, granular, quantifiable measurements.

ZDNET Buying Advice

THE Bose QC Ultra 2 offer subtle upgrades to the headphones’ noise cancellation, design, sound profile, power management, and user customization. They’re not a particularly exciting, headline-grabbing second-gen launch. Instead, Bose focuses on what it does best, offering smaller but significant refinements to address its few blind spots.

If you already own the first-gen QC Ultra, hold on to them until the wheels fall off or wait for what Bose does next, which could be a major overhaul of the product. If you have the Bose NC700, QuietComfort 35, or 45, and they’re at the end of the road, the QC Ultra 2 would be a significant upgrade for you.

Plus: Your Sony headphones have new tricks in a free update – but there’s a catch

In short, between Sony and Bose, Bose offers a sleeker design, less cheap plastic build materials, a more relaxed fit, and USB-C audio. However, Bose’s sound profile leans heavily toward warmth and sweetened highs to account for strong ANC processing and long-term listening sessions, especially when traveling or working.

The Sony’s sound profile is also warm, but its equalizer allows for more customization. THE WH-1000XM6 they have more accurate bass response, clearer mids, crisper highs, and a more spacious soundstage. Its sound is more analytical, but it can become tiring after a few hours of listening.

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