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Today’s essential reads

What Your Earwax Can Reveal About Your Health

From Alzheimer’s to cancer, earwax can contain valuable indicators to a person’s health. Now scientists are analysing its chemistry in the hope of finding new ways of diagnosing diseases. It’s orange, it’s sticky, and it’s probably the last thing you want to talk about in polite conversation.

What Does ‘Remastering’ an Album Actually Mean?

Everything you wanted to know about (re-)mastering audio, but were afraid to ask. Audio engineers help explain the art and science.

As Trump Clamps Down, Harvard Finds Evidence of Antisemitism, Islamophobia on Campus

As the federal government's scrutiny of Harvard University intensifies, internal reviews released April 29 by the Ivy League school found evidence of Islamophobia and antisemitism on its campus.

“I Want to Show Girls There Is Space for Them”

SailGP is one of the only leagues in the world where women and men compete on a level playing field. Here, three of its female athletes open up about their successes and the challenges they’ve experienced.

How Liverpool’s Title Win Has Completed a Mysterious Fibonacci Sequence

Liverpool FC’s victory at the weekend has produced a strange series of numbers in the league’s record books.

Fascinating stories

The Man Whose Discovery Changed What We Know About Human History

Archaeologist Michael Collins waited sixteen years to buy the land that he knew held 20,000-year-old secrets.

The Most Effective Way to Organize Your Suitcase Using Packing Cubes

Marie Kondo and other experts explain how to make the most of the packing accessory.

Industrial Waste Is Turning Into Rock in Just Decades, Study Suggests

Researchers warn that current land management models don’t account for accelerated, human-driven rock formation processes.

The “I’m Bored” Trend on TikTok Will Help You Get Over Your Ex

TikTok’s “I’m bored” trend is the best place to read about relationships gone awry — and get some unhinged advice.

I Tried to Make Healthier Muddy Buddies As an Exercise of Free Will

Sometimes, you see a ‘healthier’ Muddy Buddies recipe on TikTok and think “I’m going to make that just because I can.”

Discover More Topics

This Strategy Makes Procrastination Impossible

Excitment about a new habit or routine is like a sugar rush. Here’s how to stop the crash.

The End of Chicken-Breast Dominance

The price of boneless chicken thighs is finally catching up with the price of white meat.

FDA Appears to Be Slow-Walking Vaccine Approvals

The Covid vaccine from Novavax was expected to be approved earlier this month. Now, the FDA is requiring the company to complete a new clinical trial.

What Magic Reveals About the Brain – and How Magicians Sometimes Fool Themselves

We love to believe we’re rational thinkers, but we’re often guided by invisible hands.

Big Junk Food’s Campaign to Get You Eating Doritos and Oreos for Dinner

Meanwhile, the multibillion-dollar industry is telling the anti-processed foods movement to chill out.

The New Jersey Fire Signals a New Era for the Northeast

The worst fire in New Jersey’s history is a warning that “there’s no reason that what has happened in the western U.S. can’t happen here.”

China’s Chipmakers Are Catching up to Nvidia and TSMC. Here’s How They Compare

Restrictions on U.S. chips have pushed the Chinese government to invest billions into its domestic supply chain.

Ex-‘MythBusters’ Host Adam Savage Says Taking a Gap Year May Be the Right Move for Your Career

The former MythBusters host-turned-Youtuber said college should be more than just the next step in the educational “pipeline.”

The Rise and Fall of Adobe Flash

We talk its legacy with those who built it.

The Multimillion-Dollar Race: Behind the Scenes of the Most Exhilarating Sport on Water

High-tech boats fly above water at speeds of up to 60 mph. This is SailGP, the fastest, most competitive, and most exciting new racing event in decades.