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With an adaptable fastener designed at CSAIL, pitching a tent or adjusting the cast for a broken bone could be almost as easy as zipping your coat. The researchers, led by associate professor Stefanie Mueller, were inspired by an abandoned prototype for a three-sided zipper that William Freeman, PhD ’92 (now an MIT professor), patented in the mid-1980s. With software they created, people can design customized versions of this fastener to be 3D-printed in plastic. Its three flexible “arms” can then form different types of rigid objects when zipped together. Users can select the strips’ length and the direction and angle at which they’ll bend. They can also choose whether the zipped-up device will appear straight, bent, coiled, or twisted. A tent making use of the zipper takes just 80 seconds to set up. A wrist cast that incorporates it can be tightened and loosened as desired. A motor can even be added so that, for example, a robot’s leg heights could change with the push of a button. “A regular zipper is great for closing up flat objects, like a jacket, but Freeman ideated something more dynamic,” says MIT postdoc Jiaji Li, a lead author on a paper presenting the project. “We’ve developed a process that builds objects you can rapidly shift from flexible to rigid, and you can be confident they’ll work in the real world.”

Looking for a different day?A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 23 (game #842).Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.NYT Strands today (game #843) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Just chillNYT Strands today (game #843) - hint #2 - clue wordsPlay any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.STEELMOVEZEROMUCHTEARBARDNYT Strands today (game #843) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?• Spangram has 15 lettersNYT Strands today (game #843) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?First side: left, 5th rowLast side: right, 5th rowRight, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.NYT Strands today (game #843) - the answers(Image credit: New York Times)The answers to today's Strands, game #843, are…BEERSELTZERKOMBUCHAJUICEWATERSODASPANGRAM: BEVERAGECOOLERSMy rating: EasyMy score: PerfectThe weather is scorching hot in the UK, so my mind automatically went to words connected with staying cool. However, I realized after spotting BEER that we were instead looking for cooling beverages — or BEVERAGECOOLERS according to the lengthy spangram.My cooling beverage of choice — iced tea — didn’t make the cut, but as a second best I’d go with a KOMBUCHA, which is a bit of an upgrade on a regular tea drink but part of the same family, like a distant fancy auntie.Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, June 23, game #842)FOODBLOCKARMORBUILDINGPORTALSTORAGETOOLSPANGRAM: MINECRAFTWhat is NYT Strands?Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Review shows majority of procedures offered alongside standard IVF not backed by reliable evidence Most IVF “add-on” treatments sold to people hoping to boost their chances of having children are not backed by reliable evidence, fail to boost fertility and may be a complete waste of money, the largest study of its kind has concluded.There has been a surge in extra procedures, medicines or techniques offered to patients in addition to standard IVF with bold claims they will increase the probability of success. Take-up is widespread, with more than 70% of IVF patients in the UK, Australia and New Zealand paying for one or more add-on during IVF treatment.Acupuncture – inserting thin needles into points on the body.Corticosteroids – medication to reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity.Endometrial receptivity testing – a biopsy of the uterine lining to assess gene expression patterns.Intralipid infusion – a liquid containing fats that is administered into the blood.Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma – injecting platelet-rich plasma into the ovaries.Intrauterine infusion of platelet-rich plasma – insertion of platelet-rich plasma into the uterus.Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy – a screening test to check whether embryos have the expected number of chromosomes.EmbryoGlue – an embryo transfer medium containing hyaluronic acid. The evidence review found it may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth; however, the effect on live birthrates was not robust.Endometrial scratching – a minor procedure undertaken to scratch or disturb the lining of the uterus. The review found this may increase the probability of pregnancy and live birth.Physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) – a technique used to select sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. There was weak evidence this may lower the risk of miscarriage. Continue reading...

The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is an outstanding color ereader — in our review, we awarded it four and a half stars, calling the scrolling and zooming "kind of amazing" and declaring it "the fastest, smoothest e-reader [we'd] ever used, whether reading in color or just black and white text". Right now, the standard version has a tasty 36% discount in the Amazon Prime Day sales (and the Colorsoft Signature version, with twice as much storage, has 21% off), but before you hit that buy button, maybe you want to check if this is truly the best ereader for your needs? If so, you've come to the right place. • View the full Amazon Prime Day saleIf you're intent on a color ereader, the biggest competitor is probably Kobo. At regular prices, the Kobo Clara Colour would have the budget-friendly edge over the Colorsoft, but it's pricier right now. However, if you're in the market for something more feature-rich, check out the Kobo Libra Colour. This one earned a perfect five stars in our review, and it has the edge over the standard Colorsoft because you can use it for scribbling down notes as well as reading (although you will need to purchase a stylus). If you wanted to do that on a Kindle, you'd need the Colorsoft Scribe, which is — spoiler — the priciest option in this guide, by a significant margin, and almost the same price as buying a Kindle, a Kindle Scribe and a Kindle Colorsoft separately.Another option is the Boox Go Color 7 Gen II, but we'd struggle to recommend it because the display just isn't quite up to scratch — it has a yellow tinge, and the text lacks sharpness, which is unforgivable given the high price. Read on for the best prices on all the key color ereader options, or hop to the bottom of the page for a specs comparison table, so you can see how they match up.Take it technicolor Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB — No Ads Kobo Libra Colour Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition 32GB Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft 64GB Kobo Clara Colour ProsResponsive color displayCompact and lightweightGood battery lifeRelatively affordableCons6 inches can be too small for some usersBlack-and-white text lacks contrast PocketBook Verse Pro Color BOOX Go Color 7 Gen II Specs comparedMore Prime Day deals in the US Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair toolsCheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & SamsungLaptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothingVacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34More Amazon Prime Day deals in the UKAmazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trialAmazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £21.99Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low priceAppliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & SageEssentials: household goods from under £10Laptops: from £149.99Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125TVs: from £129.99

We're in the midst of (a very hot) summer, and I'm sure many of you out there are raring to go on your travels this season. But if you're about to jet off on your vacation, then it's best to be as prepared as possible. And you know what you need to make your travels as seamless and enjoyable as possible? Some top-tier tech.I'm a Senior Reviews Writer here at TechRadar, and have tested hundreds of gadgets over the years, from premium noise-cancelling headphones through to power banks and misting fans. So, I've got the lowdown on all the travel tech essentials you need to make this summer one to remember — for all the right reasons, of course.I've included seven must-haves, with a small speaker, travel chargers, and even a compact clothes steamer on the list. Everything here has either been tested by me, or someone on the TechRadar team, so I'm confident that each item will serve you well on your adventures this summer and beyond. So, without further ado, let's dive right into my top picks!1. Noise cancelling headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6Oh look, it's me wearing the Sony WH-1000XM6! (Image credit: Future)Ah, Sony WH-1000XM6, my beloved. These are, in my view — and the view of many at TechRadar — the best headphones you can buy right now.The XM6 have it all. Class-leading active noise cancellation works great, even on flights with jet rumbles and screaming children. They sound incredible, with brilliant balance across the frequency range, as well as plenty of low-end punch and excitement to make energetic tunes sound their best. And they're foldable too, making them incredibly compact when you're on the move.These come with a handy magnetic carry case, 30 hours of battery life, and excellent touch controls. Sony's Sound Connect app also makes it easy to tailor sound to your liking and make any subtle changes you need. They're simply the best, but I'll let you find that out for yourself.2. Small speaker: JBL Go 5This small speaker is ideal for getting ready or listening to tunes by the beach (Image credit: Future)The JBL Go 5 launched recently, and when I reviewed it, the speaker genuinely took my breath away.It's exactly how to do an upgrade right, offering better sound, a more flashy design, and even better durability than its already impressive predecessor, the JBL Go 4. I love its edge lighting, its well-balanced sound with clean bass and rich mids, and also its broad feature set, which includes EQ options and multi-speaker pairing.Despite improving on what its predecessor had to offer, the Go 5 is available at a very similar price, typically coming in at around the $55 / £40 mark, and if you need excellent sound, solid battery life, and high level (IP68) waterproofing on a budget, then it's the best small Bluetooth speaker to buy right now.3. Power bank: Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45WWith an integrated cable and speedy charging, this power bank is ideal for on-the-go use (Image credit: Future)I genuinely bring this Anker power bank with me everywhere. It's the definitive portable battery for travel for a few key reasons.The first is its size. This model is absolutely tiny and can easily slip into a pocket or small bag, no problem. Second, it's incredibly practical. There's an integrated USB-C cable, making charging on the go totally seamless. And finally, it's a fantastic performer. That 45W max wattage means fast-charging is easily accessible on even some of the best phones.A 10,000mAh capacity should also mean it can charge a pair of wireless headphones as well as your handset, so if you want an ultra-practical, lightweight power bank to bring on the go, the Anker Nano Power Bank 10K 45W is my number one recommendation.4. Travel charger: Anker Nano Charger 45W with USB-C CableIt's compact, high-performing, and even comes with a USB-C cable (Image credit: Future)If you need a travel charger for your phone, tablets, and wireless earbuds, then look no further than the Anker Nano Charger 45W, which comes with a USB-C cable in the box — a nice touch!I've used this one a lot myself, and it's great for travel. Why? Well, it's incredibly compact and packs in quite a bit of power, meaning you can make use of fast charging without lugging a massive brick around. If you're using a travel adapter, the model's low weight also means it won't awkwardly get weighed down or stick out, which is a huge plus.This charger is well-built, foldable — helping it to slide into your pocket — and highly affordable. It really has it all, so if you're still using a slow charger, then take things up a notch with this awesome Anker alternative.5. Portable fan: Shark ChillPillTake a ChillPill with this awesome portable fan (Image credit: Future)In the UK, it's absolutely scorching right now. It feels like I'm fighting for my life here with the combination of high humidity and near record-breaking temperature. And when you're on your summer travels, I'd wager that it will be similarly blazing in a number of countries. What you need, then, is a portable fan.We're big... fans... of the Shark ChillPill here at TechRadar, and awarded it a 4.5 star review recently. It has good battery life, is filled with a range of cooling options, and even has a mister for when you need a healthy blast of cold.The build and design quality is strong here too, and the straightforward controls make it a joy to use. Yes, it's a little expensive, but we've seen it pop up on sale from time to time, so if you want to stay chilled on the move, then I'd strongly suggest picking this lil' gadget up.6. Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige(Image credit: Future)OK, so not everyone will need this, but if, like me, your facial hair seems to grow back in the blink of an eye, the Philips Shaver S9000 Prestige will be a great addition to your travel tech arsenal.With multiple speed settings to suit your desired sensitivity, wet and dry shaving versatility, interchangeable heads (including a beard trimmer), and spectacular handling, the S9000 Prestige is a true all-rounder.This model also has solid battery life and I rarely need to juice it up. But it comes with a wireless charging pad for when you're running low on power. There's also a cleaning device thrown in the box, and a carry case for whenever you're on the move.I've found that the S9000 Prestige is kind on my skin, which is pretty prone to razor burn, and its flexible foil shaver is great at getting into those hard to reach areas around the nose, for instance. It launched at a fairly high price, but you can regularly swipe it up on sale now, so why not give it a go?7. Clothes steamer: various optionsOK, in all honesty, I've not actually got a travel clothes steamer, but when some colleagues of mine heard that I was writing this piece, they were clear that it's a must have. After all, how many times have you been on holiday or out on a business trip and realized that our garments look a little creased? For me, it's a few times too many. With a compact clothes steamer, you can wave goodbye to pesky creases and wrinkles in a flash.So, I have a few recommendations from the team that I'm here to share with you. For our US readers, Managing Editor of News & Deals, Jacob Krol, suggests the Conair Handheld Garment Steamer. This affordable model boasts "turbo steam power," comes with a 3-in-1 attachment, and has a water tank that's good for 20 minutes of steaming. Not bad, eh?Over the pond, our Managing Editor of Social & Engagement, Josephine Watson, had a couple of recommendations. The first, the Tefal Pure Pop Slim Handheld, is cheap, comes in a range of funky colors, and heats up in just 15 seconds for super speedy action. Josephine told me that her bridesmaid friend bought this model in order to save a wedding dress disaster — and luckily, it worked. Talk about coming in clutch. Josephine also recommended the Russell Hobbs Steam Genie 2in1 Handheld, even claiming she would trade her firstborn for it. Pretty high praise. This model has a 150ml water tank, can heat up nice and swiftly, and claims to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria within 60 seconds.

The gaming monitor market is filled with high-quality displays that offer enough features to provide the most immersive gaming experience. OLED monitors are right at the forefront of monitors in achieving the latter, with exceptional deep black levels thanks to their high contrast ratio.It's not all just about the panel type, though. The display resolution, refresh rate, response times, and brightness levels all play a significant part in allowing monitors to blossom, and all of those aspects also determine pricing (outside of potential market condition changes).That's exactly where the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B comes into play. It's a 5K2K ultrawide OLED monitor, which means its display resolution is 5120x2160, with even sharper image quality than a 4K display. It's easily one of the best gaming monitors in 2026, and is the kind of monitor that would define an 'ultimate endgame' gaming experience in terms of visuals.Despite the obvious and eventual GPU upgrade I'll have to make when using a 5K monitor, it hasn't stopped me from keeping my eyes peeled for it, particularly whenever it receives a significant price drop.The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is one of the most immersive gaming monitors on the market, and arguably the best OLED ultrawide money can buy, with an immersive 800R curvature and 5K2K resolution,View DealExpand your gaming immersion with the LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B 5K2K OLED ultrawide, ready to completely enhance gaming experiences across the board, thanks to its 800R curvature and 5K display resolution.View DealFortunately, it's Prime Day, which means you can find it for $1,429.69 (was $1,999.99) on Amazon in the US, and for £1,472.49 (was £1,649) in the UK. However, the competition on the horizon is enough to make you consider waiting a little while before jumping all in on the UltraGear display.Having used the LG UltraGear 45GS95QE OLED ultrawide — which is very similar to the GX9, with the only difference being its 3440x1440 resolution — I can say that the step up in resolution would make LG's 5K2K display worth every cent, despite its high price.(Image credit: Dell / Alienware)With the new Alienware AW3926QW 5K2K OLED ultrawide slated for launch by the end of June, LG's top-of-the-line monitor might have its money's worth. Thanks to the AW3926QW's 39-inch display size, there's a higher pixel density at 5K2K, meaning image quality will be much sharper than what the LG GX9 has to offer.It is an RGB stripe tandem OLED panel, which reduces text fringing and provides significantly higher and more consistent brightness compared to other OLED monitors.Most importantly, the big takeaway is that the AW3926QW's price is rumored to be at $1,100 (around £824 / AU$1,572). That's a very generous and affordable price tag, since other monitors with the same specifications are far more expensive.The great thing is that more details on pricing should be coming very soon, so there's a good reason to weigh the options between the two monstrous displays.