Technologies

Summer Isn’t Done, With Triple-Digit Heat Waves Expected to Hit This Weekend

There’s only two weeks of the season left, but triple-digit temperatures persist.

With just two weeks of summer left, oppressive heat will continue to broil the low-lying deserts of California and Arizona over the next few days. Phoenix, in particular, is expected to set a few ominous records with temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend.

«A period of very hot temperatures, even by local standards, will occur,» reads an urgent excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service Thursday morning.

Temperatures in the sprawling Phoenix metroplex are forecast to push the mercury as high as 114 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. The city has already seen 52 days with highs over 110 degrees in 2023; adding two more to that count would pass the previous record of 53 days over 110 degrees set in 2020.

Earlier this summer, the city endured a 31-day streak of days over 110, shattering the previous record of 18 days.

Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, is also on pace to reach a more grim milestone — a record for annual heat-associated deaths. As of Wednesday the county counted 194 such fatalities in 2023 so far, with 351 more deaths under investigation to determine a link to the heat. At this point in 2022, there had been 153 confirmed deaths from the heat with 238 more still being investigated. Last year’s final tally of 425 heat-associated deaths is the most recorded in a calendar year since the county started keeping track in 2006.

More than half of the heat deaths so far in 2023 are among people who are either experiencing homelessness (44%) or have an unknown living situation (10%).

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department closes popular hiking trails from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on days when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning. Anyone wanting to take a walk at the city’s iconic Camelback Mountain will have to hit it early or later in the evening this weekend.

Not just a single city’s problem

The danger expands beyond Phoenix’s concrete-laden metroplex, with Tucson, Yuma, Palm Springs and places in between also under an excessive heat warning this weekend.

Many heat records in the western US are typically competing with previous marks set in just the past decade or so. Climate change and increasing surface temperatures have accelerated drastically in the 21st century, triggering increased risk of heat waves, drought, wildfire and stronger storms.

Solar physicist Keith Strong noted on Twitter Thursday that record high temperatures around the globe are tripling record lows.

«In the last week the Earth has set 1,178 new daily record high temperatures compared to just 351 new record lows,» Strong said. «If the climate were in climate balance, these two numbers should be statistically equivalent, but they are not.»

RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES OUTPACING RECORD LOWS 3:1 — In the last week the Earth has set 1178 new daily record high temperatures compared to just 351 new record lows. If the climate were in climate balance, these two numbers should be statistically equivalent but they are not.

— Keith Strong (@drkstrong) September 7, 2023

How to stay cool and survive

The National Weather Service urges anyone in a region facing excessive heat to stay hydrated, avoid daytime sun exposure, wear light, loose clothes and seek out air conditioning.

For more on what types of clothing can help you beat the heat, check out our detailed guide to keeping cool.

Forecasters warn that fans may not be enough to cope with temperatures over 110 degrees this weekend, but access to air conditioning isn’t guaranteed for everyone in the Southwest. Fortunately, we’ve compiled 10 ways to get by without AC when temperatures soar.

And if you do have to rely on a fan, the proper placement will be key to get the most out of it and stem the sweating.

Also, fluids without alcohol, sugar and caffeine are more hydrating, as is eating smaller meals more frequently.

Be sure to check in on friends, family, neighbors and pets to see how they’re coping.

Many communities will offer public cooling shelters, including in Phoenix and Arizona’s Heat Relief Network. Check with your local county or municipal government for other resources.

Finally, if you’re in a heat zone, take some time to know the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stroke can be deadly, so check out our guide on the signs, causes and what to do in such a scenario.

Technologies

Stroke Risk Could Be Flagged Early Using Apple Watch Technology, Studies Show

The latest research shows that wearables could soon be a vital part of tracking your heart health.

For millions at risk of stroke, a simple tap on the wrist could one day save lives. New studies from the Amsterdam University Medical Center and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London showed that wearables, such as the Apple Watch, can improve the detection of atrial fibrillation compared to standard care. Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as A-fib, is a heart arrhythmia, which means an irregular or abnormal heartbeat. The condition can cause blood clots and is one of the leading causes of a stroke.

The Amsterdam study enrolled 437 patients aged 65 or older with elevated stroke risk and required 219 of them to wear an Apple Watch to track their heart rate for 12 hours a day for 6 months. The remaining 218 patients didn’t wear a watch and relied on standard care.

The experiment detected heart arrhythmias four times more frequently in patients wearing an Apple Watch versus those who didn’t. Specific versions of the Apple Watch use photoplethysmography, a heart rate-detecting LED light sensor, and have a built-in single-lead electrocardiogram sensor to read your heart rate.

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Wearables that track heart rate and other health markers aren’t new, and previous studies have shown promise in detecting A-fib. Although wearables are known to track this type of data, no prior research has examined how well they detect potential health risks for A-fib.

«We saw that after six months we diagnosed and treated 21 patients in the group wearing the smartwatch, of whom 57% were asymptomatic,» said Michiel Winter, a cardiologist at Amsterdam UMC, in a statement. «This was against just five diagnoses in the group receiving standard care, all of whom experienced symptoms.»

The second clinical study, conducted by St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, showed that the Apple Watch could also be beneficial for detecting A-fib symptoms earlier and for monitoring patients after a standard treatment, such as a catheter ablation. The hospital found that patients could record clinical-grade ECGs on their Apple Watches at home when experiencing symptoms. Similar to the first study, the hospital found that patients using an Apple Watch detected A-fib earlier and more frequently than those receiving standard care. Catching symptoms earlier also reduces anxiousness and the likelihood that a patient will need to be hospitalized.

The findings from these studies show that wearables such as the Apple Watch could be used for long-term heart screening to detect heart health abnormalities and improve patient care for those in treatment. And it can help diagnose those who don’t know they have the condition.

«Using smartwatches with PPG and ECG functions aids doctors in diagnosing individuals unaware of their arrhythmia, thereby expediting the diagnostic process,» said Winter.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Jan. 29

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Jan. 29.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s one of those neat, solid grids with no empty squares. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Employees, collectively
Answer: STAFF

6A clue: The «L» of TTYL
Answer: LATER

7A clue: Slowly lessen, as political support
Answer: ERODE

8A clue: Dunkin’ offering
Answer: DONUT

9A clue: Tricky things to navigate with a stroller
Answer: STEPS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Toys that go on the decline in winter?
Answer: SLEDS

2D clue: Set of fortunetelling cards
Answer: TAROT

3D clue: Make amends
Answer: ATONE

4D clue: Out of patience
Answer: FEDUP

5D clue: Guitar bars
Answer: FRETS

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Technologies

Mobile Internet Without Borders: How Verum E-SIM Is Changing the Game for Travelers and Beyond

In an era when flights take just a few hours, but data boundaries remain very real, a solution has emerged that significantly simplifies life for frequent international travelers. The Verum E-SIM app offers a next-generation virtual SIM card — no plastic, no waiting for delivery, and no traditional roaming charges.

While eSIM technology itself is no longer new, Verum takes it further: the internet works in over 150 countries worldwide under clear, uniform conditions. Connection happens through the app in just a couple of minutes — choose a package (or even a global one), pay, and activate. No need to buy local SIM cards at the airport, hunt for carrier shops, or struggle with explanations in a foreign language.

One of the biggest advantages is the complete absence of hidden fees or billing surprises. Plans are fully transparent: you immediately see how many gigabytes you get and for how long. Speed and reliability are provided by partner operators in each specific country — this isn’t a single “averaged” provider for the entire world.

Another key point for many users is that no VPN is required. As long as your device is using Verum E-SIM traffic, all familiar services and websites open directly, without extra layers or speed loss.

For those traveling with a group or family, portable Wi-Fi routers with Verum eSIM support have become a great option. One profile — and the internet is shared simultaneously across multiple smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It’s convenient on the road, in a hotel, or even in a café where the local Wi-Fi is unreliable.

Payment flexibility is also a plus: the service supports regular bank cards, cryptocurrencies, and various alternative methods — so you can choose whatever feels most convenient and cost-effective for you.

In the end, Verum E-SIM is more than just another data app. It’s a way to make mobile internet as natural and hassle-free abroad as it is at home. The difference becomes especially clear when you compare a roaming bill from one of the major operators with your Verum expenses after two or three trips.

The technology is still gaining popularity, but many travelers are already saying: “For the first time in ages, internet abroad stopped being a source of stress.” Solutions like this are shaping the future of mobile connectivity — without extra cables, borders, or unpleasant surprises.

If you travel often or simply value stable internet without unnecessary hassle — it’s worth giving it a try at least once.

https://esim.verum.im

https://esimglobal.world