In 2021, the news was dominated by COVID-19. All the new variants and vaccine rollouts seemed to blind most of us to other scientific discoveries throughout the year. So, here is a breakdown of some of the most remarkable findings you probably didn’t hear about.
With the Omicron variant quickly spreading, it's time to upgrade your mask
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As we head into 2022, it’s been roughly two years since the coronavirus arrived in the U.S. As cases are once again on the rise across the country, more safety measures are being put into place.
Just when it looked like certain parts of the pandemic were coming to an end, now many businesses are reinstating mask policies. Tap or click here to clean and sanitize your COVID-19 face mask.
Masking up can certainly help contain the spread — but some masks are better than others. Cloth masks may not be enough to help you get through the next wave of the pandemic unscathed. As the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 ravages the country, medical experts say it’s time to upgrade your face masks.
Why medical leaders say N95 masks are the best
You may remember that N95 respirators were hard to find earlier in the pandemic. Not anymore, as long as you get your hands on the genuine product.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) inspects N95 respirators closely before certifying them for use. As a refresher, the NIOSH is part of the CDC, so these are stringent procedures meant to ensure your safety.
These are made of multiple layers of melt-blown fabric and non-woven fabric, which helps contain airborne particles from slipping into your body through your nose or mouth.
In the past, N95 respirators were reserved for professionals in the medical or construction fields but are now more widely available. Good news: You don’t have to go to any specialized medical suppliers to pick up them up. You can get a large pack on Amazon for less than $50.
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The most widely-available option that still meets certification is the KN95, with are typically cheaper. But whether you choose one of these options or any others, do your research. The CDC says about 60% of KN95 respirators in the U.S. are counterfeit and do not meet NIOSH requirements. Here’s what to look for.
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RELATED: What are your chances of getting COVID? New CDC map charts breakthrough cases
Home security 101: The best and worst places to set up motion sensors
If you want to build a robust home security system, motion sensors are a must. They let you know when an intruder has already breached your defenses so you aren’t taken by surprise. With their help, you can formulate a plan of defense and take action.
True or false: You can use any charger with your phone or tablet
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Your device’s battery life is only as good as the care you put into it. Bad charging habits are common, and while the manual that comes with your phone contains charging tips, you have to read it to understand them.
6 crafty ways thieves will steal your car and parts
If you’re anything like Kim, you’ve poured a ton of time, money and love into your cars. That’s why it’s devastating when you slam the gas pedal and your car refuses to start, screeching instead. When you hear that roar, consider it a calling card from a carjacker.
How the Hoover Dam was built
Nearly 100 years ago, America was in the throes of the Great Depression. Even during these tumultuous times, though, engineers managed to use skill and grit to build something amazing: The Hoover Dam. Situated at the Arizona and Nevada border, this impressive concrete marvel attracts almost 1 million visitors annually. So, how was this feat of engineering accomplished?
How to store a digital copy of your vaccination card on your iPhone or Android
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If you want to enter certain countries or attend some public events, you’ll need proof that you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19. If you’ve already received one or more doses, you know how important that little card is. It’s a record of which COVID-19 vaccine you received and the date and place you got it.
What happens when a baseball hits a gong at over 1,000 mph?
Some professional baseball pitchers can throw a ball around 100 miles per hour. But, what would happen if you built a cannon that could fire the balls faster than the speed of sound? Well, this engineer did just that, and the results are astounding.
How to stop junk text messages and spam for good
Think about just how many times a day your phone, computer, tablet, watch and other gadgets buzz or ding. It gets annoying and distracting.
Much of that is likely because you haven’t taken the time to clean up your notifications settings. It’s easier than you think with this quick tech fix. While you’re adjusting settings, I bet you’ll find apps you haven’t used in ages. Tap or click for 5 apps you should delete right now.
Car warranty robocalls: Here’s why you get so many
Not long ago, I called a friend. After a few rings, her old-school answering machine answered. “Hello,” I said. “I’m calling today with important news about your car’s extended warranty.”
She picked up immediately and yelled, “Stop calling me!” I had a good laugh, and it’s no wonder that set her off. Auto warranty scam calls have to be the most irritating and intrusive in the history of telemarketing.
5 simple ways to protect your home this winter
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Winter months can bring some serious challenges for homeowners. Icy driveways, slick walkways and frozen pipes can cause a lot of damage.
Whether you tough it out or take off to warmer climates, you want to keep your home safe over the winter months. That means you need protection from thieves while you’re away. Protect your home with the security system that protects Kim’s family, SimpliSafe. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today to save 40% on a home security system and get your first month free when you sign up for Interactive Monitoring.
How radar has changed over the last 60 years
The military has used radar since World War II. It lets us detect incoming planes before they attack and allows us to track weather patterns worldwide. Since its inception, though, radar has gained another use: To help us see what’s above us much more clearly.
List: The very worst gifts you can give if you care about privacy
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Anytime you go online or use a connected device, your privacy is at risk. This isn’t to say you should throw away all your tech and live in a cave, but there are ways to minimize exposure.
Let’s start with your choice of browser. This has a significant impact on your online experience. Many browsers share popular features like dark mode, but when it comes to privacy, you’ll find a greater distinction. Tap or click here for the best privacy-focused browsers, ranked.
True or false: You need a streaming gadget to cut the cord
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Many are fed up with the rising costs of cable and satellite. And the more equipment you have, the more that can go wrong, adding to the inconvenience. It’s no surprise that cord-cutting is gaining momentum.
Your mind may stray to countless available streaming options, but an old method of watching TV is making a comeback. You can throw it way back by purchasing a TV antenna, but it won’t resemble anything like the rabbit ears you may remember. Tap or click here to learn about the differences between indoor and outdoor antennas and which is right for you.
5 clever scams making the rounds you need to know about
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Another day, another scam. Or should we say scams? There seems to be no end to discovering crooked schemes that use every means imaginable to trick people out of their information, data and finances.
Everyone’s received text messages from unknown numbers. Sometimes it’s a service or business you use that isn’t in your contacts. It could be your food delivery app letting you know that your grub is on the way. It could also be the first step in a scam. Tap or click here to learn how the scheme works and how to keep from falling victim to it.
Anyone can see the layout of your home and what you paid for it - Do this to stay safe
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There’s more information about you online than you probably realize. Your hacked passwords, your address, even your credit card details.
Details about your home are everywhere, too. Government sites and resources like Zillow and Redfin list everything from what you paid to the very layout of your house.
58% of workers fed up with their computers - Are you?
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Work laptops come with all sorts of problems. At first, you might be excited at the prospect of using tech you didn’t have to pay for. After all, many people can’t afford a laptop, so it can seem like a blessing in disguise.
10 most-stolen dog breeds and 3 smart ways to protect your furry friend
Few things terrify a pet owner more than finding out their furry friend disappeared. In the U.S., around four million dogs go missing each year. Pet owners have a lot to worry about: medication, closing gates, so the dogs don’t get out and even outright kidnappings.
Streaming comparison: Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Fire TV vs. Chromecast
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The pandemic boosted the popularity of streaming as social distancing and remote work caused people to stay home. Online media companies helped fill the void by expanding their libraries and adding new content to stream, including big-budget productions that never made it to theaters.
How to try out a new TV from Hisense for 100 days, no strings attached
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The tricky part about shopping for tech is you never know how it will work once it’s in your home. You can look at a TV and imagine it in your living room, but you can’t be sure about its performance until you’ve used it. There’s nothing worse than buying a costly gadget, only to find out it doesn’t work the way you wanted.