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15 stone circles that are even more beautiful than Stonehenge

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Machrie Moor Stone Circles

Stonehenge in the west of England is undoubtedly the king of stone circles — stone monuments originally set out in a way to form a circle or ellipse.

However, it's easy to overlook the dozens of other stone circles which can be found across the British Isles and even as far afield as Israel.

There are more than 1,300 stone circles in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany alone. Their purpose is often mysterious, but it is believed that many were used for religious rituals.

We gathered 15 other stone circles — one of which is underwater — that demonstrate the diversity of neolithic monuments.

SEE ALSO: 20 resorts and villas where you can have a private island practically all to yourself

Everyone knows that Stonehenge is incredible.



But have you heard of the Calanais I Stones? Not much is known about the 5,000-year-old stone circle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. The group is made up of 50 stones, the most impressive of which is 4 metres tall.

Source: Calanais Visitor Centre.



Nearby, Calanais II is the smaller brother of Calanais I, but its beauty is undeniable. The site was first recorded in 1846 after a clearance of peat.

Source: Megalithic.



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We went to the top of New York's latest skyscraper to find out how it's being built

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42 East 22nd Street Luxury Skyscraper 31

Bruce Eichner very much enjoys showing off his latest building.

We're in rarefied air, 777 feet above Manhattan's Beaux-Arts Flatiron District — well higher than the golden tops of the Metropolitan Life Tower and New York Life Building a few blocks north.

"We're actually looking down on Rupert Murdoch's three floors at the top of that tower there," said Eichner, founder of the real estate development firm The Continuum Company, with a rather professional smile.

He's pointing down to the top of One Madison, which, until about a month ago, owned the airspace above Madison Square Park.

No more.

All photos by Hollis Johnson unless noted.

SEE ALSO: Pilots reveal what it's like to fly an incredible solar-powered airplane around the world



In his late 60s, Eichner is a thin man in a pinstripe suit, round tortoise shell glasses, and a local's accent. His company is already responsible for several New York skyscrapers, two condominium towers in Miami, and a casino in Las Vegas.

He likes to share the big numbers surrounding his newest project, throwing around phrases like "five hundred thousand tons of rebar," or "two thousand yards of concrete," or "a one-million-pound tuned-mass damper" at an unsuspecting reporter.

He takes great joy in watching me copy them down. 



The skyscraper — like hip-hop or the hot dog — is one of New York's great contributions to the world. 

It may not have had its genesis in New York, but here — with the iconic Flatiron Building blocks away from us — the skyscraper was developed into what would become the defining feature of just about every modern city.

And since then, New York has demanded continuous change to the shape of its newest towers, thanks to ever-increasing zoning restrictions and property values. Today, developers must build higher and in smaller footprints than ever before.

"Each generation has spawned a taller and thinner series of buildings," Eichner said.

Since the millennium, tall, slender luxury residential buildings like One57 or the nearly 1,400-foot-tall 432 Park Ave. have joined the list of the tallest structures in Manhattan.

45 E. 22nd St., which squeezes into a roughly square footprint of about 75 feet wide and slowly expands into a 105-foot-wide octagon at the top, is an excellent example of these forces at work.

From some angles, the building can look like a baseball bat standing on its handle.

 



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This is what a $20,000 collection of 100 sneakers looks like in a tiny NYC apartment

JPMorgan just relaxed its office dress code in a huge way

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James Diamon

In the continuously relaxing American workplace, three industries have largely resisted the tides of casual dress: legal, banking, and government.

One of those pillars is starting to crack — that is, at least according to an internal JPMorgan memo seen by Business Insider.

The memo, which went out to all employees, detailed a new office dress code for the bank. It said business casual dress would be expanded "firmwide," which "reflects how the way [JP Morgan works] is changing."

In general, suit-and-tie dress is usually still required for banking professionals for a simple reason: Many workers interact with clients for much of their day, which demands a certain formality. Over the years this has morphed into a custom, which has remained distinct from other companies' dress codes both culturally and geographically.

But no longer can JPMorgan ignore the changing tides of office formality.

"More clients are dressing informally, and many parts of our company are already business casual," the memo reads.

Client-facing employees like investment bankers won't necessarily receive much benefit from the new edict, however, as the memo also notes that "if you're seeing a client you should dress for that client."

"While it may not be possible to dress business casual at all times or in all areas, we believe having a firmwide guideline is the right thing to do," the memo reads.

The memo also cautioned employees against interpreting the new dress code as "weekend casual." According to the company dress code obtained by The Wall Street Journal, athletic shoes, flip flops, sweatpants, leggings, yoga pants, hats, hoods, halter tops, or anything else "distracting, tight, revealing or exceptionally loose or low-cut" isn't allowed.

JPMorganDresscodeskitch

What is allowed: polo shirts, casual pants, capris, and dress sandals. Jeans are also not considered business casual, according to the dress code.

The move comes after CEO Jamie Dimon returned from Silicon Valley, where he met with companies working on financial technology, cybersecurity, and social media. Dimon's observations led him to conclude that JPMorgan's dress code was significantly out of date. Dimon has already apparently been spotted sans tie, The Journal noted.

JPMorgan's move is certainly in line with relaxing dress codes around the US and the world, which some company leaders see as an attempt to lure a millennial workforce that desires informality. Millennials especially desire to work for a company they see as reflecting their values, according to The Washington Post, and a relaxed dress code could be interpreted as proof of that.

Portia Crowe contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: A menswear expert reveals the biggest problem with office dress codes today

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19 tech titans who are giving away their billions instead of leaving it to their families

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Pierre Omidyar

Some entrepreneurs who have made billions off of their tech ventures like to spend their fortunes in pretty extravagant ways, whether it be on private planes, summer homes, or even an entire island. 

Others turn to more-philanthropic efforts, choosing to donate their wealth to different causes through foundations and trusts. 

We've rounded up some of the most generous people in tech, all of which have decided to donate large portions of their wealth to charity rather than leave all of it to their children. 

SEE ALSO: These Instagram users show life from inside secretive North Korea

Tesla CEO Elon Musk

Musk may have five young boys from his first marriage — one set of twins and one set of triplets — but he's already donated much of his $12.9 billion fortune to renewable energy, science and engineering education, and pediatric health. 

He signed the Giving Pledge in 2012, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. He receives only $1 a year for his work with Tesla. 



Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates

Gates has been open about his decision not to leave his $84.9 billion fortune to his three children. They will reportedly inherit just a small slice, about $10 million each.

"I definitely think leaving kids massive amounts of money is not a favor to them," he said in a Reddit AMA in February. 

He founded the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 1994, and it currently has more than $36 billion in assets. Gates also teamed up with longtime friend Warren Buffett to start a campaign called "The Giving Pledge," which encourages other billionaires to donate at least half of their fortune to charity. 



Oracle founder Larry Ellison

Even with his lavish lifestyle, Larry Ellison has committed to giving away 95 percent of his wealth to charitable causes, especially to his medical foundation

"Warren Buffett personally asked me to write this letter because he said I would be 'setting an example' and 'influencing others' to give. I hope he's right," his letter to the Giving Pledge said in August 2010.

Despite committing the majority of his wealth to charity, he also gave his children Oracle stock when they were still babies (and the company was also young). Now that both the stock and company are worth a lot more, he is reported as to wanting to teach them charitable giving too. 



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's how each state voted in every presidential election since the Civil War

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The citizens of the United States have elected 44 presidents in 57 elections since the Constitution was adopted in 1789. Since the Civil War, presidential contests have been dominated by America's two major political parties – the Republicans and the Democrats. But over the last 150 years, state allegiance to these two parties has shifted greatly. Watch to see how the states voted in every presidential election since 1860. 

Produced by Alex Kuzoian

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There's a trick to staying cool in a suit jacket in the summer

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seersucker bike ride

In general, men's clothing is far simpler than women's, and I find little reason to feel sorry for men when they complain about the minimal thought they have to put into dressing.

However, there is one exception to this, and it is summer. More specifically, summer suiting.

Jackets are warm. Summer is hot. Sweat is gross. There's no getting around this. But there is a way to significantly mitigate this problem.

It's the unlined or half-lined suit jacket.

Obviously, less lining means less suit. Less suit means less sweat.

"Most suits feature a lining which is typically silky in texture in order to facilitate slipping your arms in/out of the jacket," said stylist Jessica Cadmus, founder of Wardrobe Whisperer. "However, a lining can trap heat, as often they are constructed with some (if not all) synthetic fibers like viscose or polyester."

These synthetic fabrics are particularly dreadful in the summer, as they don't breathe as well as natural fabrics.

Now you will pay more for less in this case. While an unlined suit has less fabric, it also means there's less room for error for your tailor.

"In fact it is more difficult and costly to make a half-lined or unlined suit jacket because all of the seams are visible and need to be sewn perfectly," Cadmus said.

On a half-lined jacket, the lining will be over the shoulder and upper back of the jacket.

And so you know what we're talking about, here's a half-lined jacket from Zegna right below:

zegna half lined suit

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Why I left my Fitbit for a Pebble  —  and I’m never going back

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pebble vs fitbit boxingThe modern race for the smartwatch began in 2011, when a startup named Pebble closed a record-breaking 11 million dollar Kickstarter to build the greatest tech product of our time….a watch. But not just any watch — the smartwatches everyone dreamed about as kids. Talk to your wrist and cool stuff happens. A wrist calculator on steroids. For the most part, people collectively groaned at an idea that’s been tried so many times. But this time was different — Pebble was created for the people, and the people showed how badly they wanted it with 11 million dollars to be first to the wearables party.

Problem was — what did they want it for? And in the vacuum that question left unanswered, Fitbit came in and dominated the industry. They knew their market — wearable devices for the health-conscious advocate in all of us. They started small — wear this thing and it’ll track your steps. We all knew it was important to walk more, and that golden buzzword of 10,000 steps (via the American Heart Association) became a metric for the world to stick to. So came the Fitbit line: from the simple Zip, to the Charge, the fashionable Alta and full-featured Blaze. The key message: more functionality centered around fitness, and more metrics to track like sleep, heart rate, & on-screen workouts.

Falling in love with Fitbit

So, I bought a Fitbit Charge HR. I bought my mom a Flex, then an Alta. My girlfriend and most of my friends either have a Fitbit, or some other tracking device like a Garmin, Misfit (all hail Fossil), or Jawbone (R.I.P.).

fitbit charge

They couldn’t have come at a more perfect time — the trendier part of our nation is obsessed with being healthy. After generations of bad habits like smoking and poor dietary choices, we wanted something better. Millennials, including me, are down with doing whatever it takes to look good naked.

After having a Fitbit for so long, I was starting to get curious. Now that it didn’t seem dorky to wear something that wasn’t a watch on my wrist, I wanted to get something new. But I didn’t know what.

The wearables craze had invaded my life in an even bigger way: I answered an online ad and found myself working at Count.It, a NYC tech start-up that powers corporate wellness programs. My boss didn’t just have one device on his wrist, he had three. I needed to up my game, and I wanted something smart, but not too dorky.

So I poked around at the other Fitbits, like the Blaze and the Surge.

fitbit charge hr and surgeThe Surge looked hardcore, like a minicomputer on my arm. Looked like I could dial into Mars on that shit. And the Blaze seemed cool, but again overkill on the fitness stuff and I didn’t love the design. I go to the gym every morning and run a few times a week, but how many more fitness related things could I need? Music control and notifications were a big plus, but I needed something more in tune with my taste.

The Apple Watch? Yes, the design is impeccable. I’ve watched the ads just to admire the watch and the cool lighting. But the price tag was up there. Plus I wondered, as I do with every Apple product, will I need to buy the new version in six months? All the issues people have with the current edition might be answered. So not worth the price commitment.

I needed something that had more functionality than a Fitbit but still tracked my fitness stuff like steps, running, & sleep. And it did more than controlling music. For a solid price.

Sometimes where you start is where you finish.

Rediscovering the Pebble

I came across Pebble again, and I loved their style. I didn’t like the Pebble Time Steel because it seemed dorky and square, and the original one didn’t do much. After buying the Pebble Time Round, I couldn’t be any happier. But with really awkward timing for me they’ve just announced that they’re updating the entire Pebble line with a new Kickstarter.

pebble 2_family_blue_crop

Here's what they sold me on: the timeline.

On the Pebble you get an incoming timeline of events going on in your Calendar. As someone that resisted using a calendar for the longest time, it’s a game changer. Every time I add new things on my Google Calendar — I get them on my watch. I don’t have to dive into my apps. It tells me what’s going on during my day — including emails, texts, & phone calls. It does that on top of the fitness stuff — and the best part is that it looks like a modern watch.

It’s even lighter than my Timex Weekender, which I still love with a passion.

The stream of information is exactly the update I needed for my Fitbit — without the fancy overkill. For $200 bucks I got something different, and not too dorky. I work in SoHo, so I have to stunt a little bit.

So to sum it up — why I’d ditch my Fitbit?

I found something that did everything I really needed — tracking my steps, runs, & sleep. Plus notifications, and the coup d’état of the timeline of my calendar events in a small device that looks just as stylish as any other watch.

Pebble may not be the powerhouse that Fitbit is — but I’d definitely recommend checking out the Round.

Alexander Green  is  a web developer and designer from Brooklyn, New York who works at fitness company Count.It. This article was originally published on Medium and has been reprinted on Tech Insider with the author's permission.

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The 15 best doughnut shops in America, ranked

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Doughnut Plant

There's no better way to start your day than with a fresh, delicious doughnut.

In honor of National Doughnut Day, an important holiday celebrated annually on June 3, we've teamed up with city-guide app Foursquare to find the top-rated doughnut shops across America.

Foursquare determined the rankings by taking into account the number of likes, saves, and other ratings on its app.

From Brooklyn to San Francisco, these sweet treats are sure to please.

SEE ALSO: The 100 best US restaurants for eating outdoors, according to OpenTable

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15. Bob's Donut & Pastry Shop — San Francisco, CA

1621 Polk Street

This 24-hour doughnut shop is the perfect place to grab a fresh pastry before work or after a night out. The apple fritters are especially popular for splitting among friends.

If you're up for the challenge, eat any one of Bob's doughnuts in three minutes or less and win a T-shirt and Hall of Fame recognition. Any volunteers?



14. DISTRICT. Donuts. Sliders. Brew. — New Orleans, LA

2209 Magazine Street 

At this New Orleans shop, you can grab both a made-fresh-to-order slider and a sweet doughnut made from scratch. And yes, that does include the sprinkles.



13. Sugar Shack Donuts — Richmond, VA

1001 North Lombardy Street

Check out the artistic beauty in these doughnuts. Every pastry is hand-rolled, hand-cut, and handcrafted at Sugar Shack. 

Too pretty to eat? Nope. But definitely worth an Instagram post. 

 



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Meet the first ever fan-voted Miss USA contestant, 26-year-old Alexandra Miller, who's shaking up the competition

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miss usa alexandra miller

Alexandra Miller wasn't supposed to be here.

The 26-year-old contestant in Sunday's Miss USA competition (airing on Fox) is its first ever "Miss 52." Instead of entering as a winner of a state pageant, she was picked by people on social media to stand alongside the 51 other women. She's the first ever fan-voted Miss USA contestant.

When WME/IMG bought the Miss Universe organization from Donald Trump last year, following his controversial election comments, the company set about making some changes to how the pageants work. A big one has been bringing in the voices of people who aren't insiders in the pageant world.

Though Miller was twice a first runner-up for Miss Oklahoma, she never made it to the Miss USA stage until fans rallied around her in the Miss 52 voting. Now she has a shot at winning the Miss USA title and going on to Miss Universe.

"This is absolutely my last chance," Miller told Business Insider this week as she prepared for Miss USA. "It feels incredible."

Get to know Alexandra Miller and how she made it to the Miss USA competition below:

SEE ALSO: Everything Miss Universe gets when she wins the pageant — a luxury apartment, free clothes, and more

Alexandra Miller has spent years in pageants and was twice first runner-up in Miss Oklahoma. When the 2015 Miss Oklahoma Olivia Jordan was crowned Miss USA, Miller got to fill her shoes (and crown).

Instagram Embed:
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That meant she wasn't able to compete for Miss Oklahoma again, in her last year of eligibility (you must be under 27). "It’s been a dream for several years, but to be honest with you, I thought that dream was long gone," Miller told Business Insider.



But she got another shot, thanks to the #FindingMiss52 campaign. When Miller found out about the contest through friends in the pageant world, she applied, and fans voted on social media. Here she is finding out she would compete in Miss USA after all.

 



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10 things to try before you're 30

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tough mudder

In case you haven't heard, you only live once.

Your young-adult years will slip through your fingers before you know it.

It shouldn't depress you — it should empower you to take charge of your life and pursue your dreams.

To help you get started, we checked out a bunch of Quorathreads and found some potentially life-changing experiences that you can put on your 20s bucket list. 

Read on and start checking things off.

SEE ALSO: 10 things you'll regret doing in your 20s

1. Living in a big city

Quora user Dylin Redling says he moved to Manhattan when he was 24 and then to San Francisco when he was 26. "They were the two best moves I ever made," he says. "I highly recommend living in a city with a lot of diversity where you can meet people from all over the world."

If you've never made a move like that before, we've got you covered with these roundups of everything you need to know before moving to New York City and San Francisco.



2. Challenging yourself physically

"While you're young, train for and complete a marathon, a Tough Mudder, a triathlon, or something similar," Redling says. "It'll help you physically and mentally to push through boundaries and go for goals."

As Bernie Michalik writes on 99U, training for a marathon teaches you some key life lessons, like the importance of tracking your efforts and results as you’re working toward a goal.

These skills will help pave the way for your personal and professional success down the line.



3. Learning to meditate

Redling recommends starting a meditation practice as a way to manage stress. He writes:

"You're going to experience A LOT of stress over your lifetime, so it's best to learn how to effectively deal with it as soon as possible. One of, if not, the best ways is through meditation. Take a class, read a book, or do some research on the basics, and make it part of your life."

You might want to explore mindfulness meditation, which involves focusing on the intake and outtake of breath.

If you find that this type of meditation helps you stay calm and focused, it’s a practice you can use whenever and wherever.



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Help! My mom embarrassed me in front of a big-time CEO

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ashley lutz ask the insider

Ask the Insider columnist Ashley Lutz answers all of your work-related questions, including the awkward, sensitive, and real-world ones. Have a question? Email asktheinsider@businessinsider.com.

Dear Insider,

My mom is my business partner and we went to an interview together with the CEO of a major corporation. 

I introduced her as my business partner, but then she told them, "I'm her mother, and as her parents we're just here to support our daughter in her dreams."

It was so awkward! What could we have done differently so we don't diminish my standing as CEO of my company?

Sincerely,

Daughter Working With Mom

***

Dear Daughter:

What an embarrassing moment! I imagine you must have felt like a sheepish elementary school student instead of a CEO with your own company. 

Having your mom as your business partner isn't something to hide. There's a reason the term "family business" tends to connote a reliable and trustworthy institution. When potential clients hear you're working with mom, they're probably going to think you are more dedicated to your company. It's also a great conversation starter. 

To avoid awkward situations in the future, however, it's important for you and your mom to establish a script — and stick to it.

Your mom's touchy-feely comments were over the line, making you and the client uncomfortable. Go over what you will say next time so no one is caught off guard. 

And consider joining The National Association of Mothers & Daughters in Business, which is full of reports and resources on navigating this unique situation. 

***

Ashley Lutz is a senior editor at Business Insider answering all of your questions about the workplace. Send your queries to asktheinsider@businessinsider.com for publication on Business Insider. Requests for anonymity will be granted, and questions may be edited.

SEE ALSO: Help! My coworkers' eating habits are driving me insane

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The 30 most fun colleges in America

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Syracuse University fans

College may be laden with papers, exams, and long nights in the library, but for many, it's also chock-full of raging parties, intense school spirit, and unforgettable memories with friends. 

To determine which schools have nailed the formula for fun, we looked at 12 categories from The Princeton Review's 2016 college rankings, including lists like "Party Schools" and "Lots of Beer." Since alcohol isn't the only way to have fun, we also included schools that placed on lists like "Happiest Students" and "Best Quality of Life." We then combined these rankings to determine which schools are the most fun overall. You can read the full methodology here.

Based on our results, the typical "fun" school is a large public university with a strong Greek system and competitive athletics. However, several smaller schools with close-knit communities earned spots on the list as well.

Read on to see which 30 schools across the US know how to have the most fun. 

SEE ALSO: The 50 colleges where students work the hardest

DON'T MISS: The best college in every state

30. Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount's Los Angeles location puts students at the forefront of LA culture — not to mention prime access to the beach as well. The warm climate makes hiking, tanning, and enjoying the sun possible year-round.

The school also has strong showings in both Greek life and community-service organizations, with students eager to get involved in their community. 



29. Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington

Despite a rainy climate, Gonzaga students find plenty of ways to have fun, both indoors and out. During the winter, skiing and snowboarding become popular pastimes, either nearby at Mount Spokane or further away in Montana or Canada.

Nothing's bigger than basketball season, however. Students race across campus and camp out for days to secure tickets, packing the McCarthey Center during every home game. 



28. Wabash College

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Sports are a huge part of life at Wabash College— more than half of the student body plays on one of the school's Division III athletic teams. In return, the all-male campus exudes school spirit for both NCAA and intramural games. 



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This four-inch cube is the world's smallest DNA tester

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Spartan Cube 01

DNA testing is getting smaller, faster, and more convenient. In 2014, scientists unveiled a sequencer the size of a brick, and now a biotechnology company has built one the size of a coffee cup.

On May 31, Spartan Bioscience, which is based in Ottawa, unveiled a portable DNA tester called the Spartan Cube. The cube measures 4 inches in all directions, which makes it the world's smallest genetic testing device. The company says it can yield results in less than half an hour.

The machine can test for a range of human diseases, and can also be used to detect infectious bacteria in foods, find harmful microbes in water, or see if your dog has kennel cough. 

Here's how it works: Users place the sample they want to test — be it saliva, water or another substance — into a small tube and place it inside the cube. The device comes with a variety of test kits that correspond to the specific diseases and bacteria that users might want to test for. Each kit has a barcode, and when you scan it, the machine runs the appropriate program to test the sample.

The cube uses a polymerase chain reaction system to see if there's a match. if you took high school biology, you probably did this with cheek swabs — think of it like searching for a specific term in a body of text on a computer, except with DNA. 

Users can connect the cube to a tablet or laptop via WiFi, and the results will show up there once they're ready. 

So if you want to find out whether you have Strep throat, for example, you can insert a throat swab into a test tube, place it in the cube, scan the pre-programmed kit for Strep, and get a yes or no answer on your computer in less than 30 minutes.

Spartan Cube 04

Spartan CEO Paul Lem tells Tech Insider in an email that the device is meant to be used as a "detector," not a full sequencing service.

"It's not a genome sequencer that provides millions of data points. It's a portable DNA testing system that provides several data points. This device is ideal when you want a quick and accurate yes or no answer," Lem says.

Spartan Bioscience has a prototype ready, but has not disclosed a timeline for a wider market release. The company plans on making the initial "assays," or scannable test kits, available at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry's Clinical Lab Expo in Philadelphia on July 31. 

In an interview with ResearchGate, Lem said that he's aiming for the product to be "affordable." Though no specific price has been announced yet, Lem said he hopes the Spartan Cube will make DNA testing available to mainstream consumers in the same way that Microsoft's PCs turned computers into household products.

Other companies are also bringing DNA testing technology — which has been used in forensics and hospital labs since the early '90s— to mainstream consumers. Genetics testing company 23AndMe, for example, allows customers to send saliva samples into a lab to be sequenced and scanned for hereditary diseases and health conditions. Ancestry.com, which helps users learn about their heritage and find potential relatives, also provides a similar mail-in test kit.

Direct-to-consumer genetics testing comes with several privacy concerns, however. 23AndMe has been criticized for making genetic data too easily available to law enforcement and for collecting its customers' genetic data. But Spartan Bioscience says this won't be a concern for the Cube, since any data generated will be kept on the user's tablet rather than in a centralized database.

Soon, you won't have to lug yourself to a lab or even mail in a sample to get tested for STDs or staph infections. You'll be able to do it in the privacy of your home.

SEE ALSO: You can try Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer killer 'Project Spartan' on mobile now

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Here's how much sex you should be having as you get older


20 amazing things you can do with Pebble's new $70 device

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pebble core

When Pebble announced its new Core fitness device, we immediately recognized it could be one of the best products of the year so far.

Pebble markets it as a fitness device since it can track your steps, distance and pace. But it's also so much more, especially now that that it's compatible with Amazon's excellent voice-enabled assistant Alexa, the same tech that powers the Amazon Echo.

Pre-orders for the Pebble Core via Kickstarter are currently all gone, but the device will go on sale in January 2017 for $99.

There's many reason to be excited about the Pebble Core. Check out everything you can do with it.

SEE ALSO: Pebble just unveiled two new smartwatches and a special fitness device — check it out

It tracks your steps.

RAW Embed

Every step counts, even those you take to get out the door when you go for a walk.

Source: Boston Dynamics/YouTube



It tracks your speed and distance with built-in GPS.



It works with the new Pebble 2 and Time 2 smartwatches if you want to see your fitness data in real-time without bringing your phone.



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38 photos that show how darn romantic it can still be to ride a train around the US

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First, let's recognize that plenty of people have had a gripe with Amtrak in the past. It has an aging (and underfunded) system of trains, and passengers often face delays and high prices.

But there is still something darn romantic about traveling by train — stretching out your legs, gazing out the window as the forest or sea slips by you. It can be casually luxurious in a way flying or driving just can't compete with.

And the beauty you can see out the window as you cut your way across the US can be breathtaking, as evidenced by Amtrak's Instagram account, which showcases the best photos taken by its passengers. The photos span from Seattle to Florida, and from snow to sunshine.

Here are our favorite Amtrak photos that show the enduring romance of trains:

"There's something enchanting and romantic about chugging your way through snow covered Oregon forest, kissing Redding, curving around the Bay, speeding down the I-5 and surfing down the coast."

A photo posted by Amtrak (@amtrak) on



"The Empire Builder heading off to Northwest."

A photo posted by Amtrak (@amtrak) on



A photo posted by Amtrak (@amtrak) on



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Here’s what really happens to your body when you swallow gum

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You might have heard the rumors as a kid: Swallow gum and it’ll sit stubbornly in your stomach for seven long years.

But what does science have to say about that? Reactions, a video series from the American Chemical Society, traced the steps taken by our body's digestive system to find out that while some of the gum we chew can survive digestion, it "doesn’t mean the gum you swallowed in grade school is still there." 

Phew.

Turns out there are three basic components of digestion: The first includes the mechanical processes that are required to process your food when you first ingest it, i.e. chewing. The second focuses on the enzymes or proteins in your saliva and stomach that help break down that food. Last but not least are acids, which dissolve what's left into something your body can comfortably pass through your intestines.

Traditionally when you eat, your teeth and tongue work together to munch the food into small bits. Then your muscle movements push the food through the digestive tract until it is emptied into the stomach and churned with digestive juices, as shown below:

While this is happening, the enzymes in your saliva, stomach juices, and intestines drive chemical processes that allow you to convert that food into nutrients your body can use.

Then, the acids in your stomach get to work, dissolving what’s left of that food into a mush that your body can comfortably pass through your intestines and, eventually...dispose of.

But gum isn’t designed to be smoothly digested by your body like regular food. That’s because it contains either a natural or synthetic rubber base, which is what gives it its gummy consistency. Butyl rubber, commonly used in gum (as well as tires and basketballs, mm!), is a synthetic rubber that provides it with an ideal chewiness.

You’ve probably noticed that gum is unaffected by the crushing of your teeth — that’s kind of the point. So when you swallow the gum, it moves through your digestive tract into your stomach as one giant wad.

While your enzymes are able to break down the carbohydrates, oils, and alcohols in the gum as they would with regular food, the rubber base in the gum is basically immune to these enzymes.

Even the “harsh brew” of acids in your stomach is no match for this rubber base. (Remember that rubber is so resilient that we use it in gloves for protection.) As a result, part of your gum survives all of your digestive system's attempts to break it down.

But so do parts of a lot of other things you eat, like sunflower seeds or corn. So while that gum you swallowed is rebellious enough to stand up to your digestive processes, that doesn’t stop your muscles from eventually ushering it through your body and out the other end within a couple days.

To learn more, check out Reaction's video below:

SEE ALSO: How bubble gum is made

DON'T MISS: How giant slabs of rubber become thin rubber bands

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NOW WATCH: How bubble gum is made

I transformed my Jeep into a moving house to travel around Africa for 2 years — here's what it was like to build

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02   New Jeep

Hi, I'm Dan. A few years ago, I drove a Jeep from Alaska to Argentina.

I learned a lot on that trip about where I want to go and what kind of vehicle I want to live in.

After years of saving and planning, I bought a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (4 door) Rubicon to turn into a house on wheels to drive around Africa for two years.

My build focused on interior living space, strong 4x4, and it had to fit inside a standard 20-foot shipping container.

Here's what it was like:

You can follow me on InstagramFacebookTwitter, or visit me over at my website or YouTube channel. I also wrote an e-book, "Work Less to Live Your Dreams."

SEE ALSO: Jeep just unveiled one of the most exciting concept vehicles we've ever seen

First, the finished project: My house on wheels completed.



The beginning: My new Jeep



I started by stripping the entire interior. No backseat for me.



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Here's what it takes to make $100,000 a year as a waiter in NYC

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marea

In New York City, sometimes you do not have to be a banker, a lawyer, or a doctor to make a six-figure salary.

Sometimes, very few times, you can be a waiter.

"Most of ours are more like $75,000, though there are certainly restaurants that have $100,000," said John Meadow, founder and president of LDV Hospitality.

The company owns restaurants across the country, including popular New York City spots Scarpetta and American Cut.

"If you're a waiter at Scarpetta, American Cut, or American Cut Midtown, you're making that money," he said.

And if you're a waiter at Marea, the Central Park South restaurant known for serving lunch and dinner to the global elite, then you certainly have a shot at that $100,000 salary. But a few things have to come together, though.

Rocky Cirino, managing director at Altamarea Group, which counts Marea among its properties, broke it down for us like this. The restaurant has to have:

  1. A high price point. The average check needs to be a solid $95 or more per person.
  2. A high volume. The room must turn all tables at least once, meaning a full two seatings or more.
  3. Waiters work, but they often have other concerns, like school, artistic pursuits, kids, etc. The waiter must work at least five dinners and perhaps a lunch or two.

Naturally, if the restaurant has a super-high volume, then the check average can be lower and vice versa.

Also, "New wage rules eliminating the tip credit — the former rule that you could pay tipped employees less than minimum wage — has made working more than 40 hours far less likely," Cirino said.

So that means the checks have to be larger still. It also helps if the staff is as lean as possible, especially if the waitstaff shares tips in what the industry calls "a pooled house."

There are benefits to the pooled system, though.

Cirino said:

Typically making $100,000 means that the house sells a lot of booze, ideally wine. Though as salesmen, servers, and sommeliers can influence guest behavior, the guest is going to buy a bottle that they want. If that means it's $80 or $2,000, it's typically where they [the customer] want to end up. By pooling all tips and sharing equally, all benefit from these occurrences rather than one or two lucky people each night.

american cut steakhouse

And then there's the intangible

Not all of this is simply being at the right house at the right time, though. Some of it is about the culture of waiting tables at a specific restaurant and in this specific cultural moment.

"How do we hire you? Why do we hire you? We have a very eclectic labor force. We don't hire a look. We don't hire a skill set. We hire a personality type, I would say," Meadow told Business Insider.

He continued: "Genuine, outgoing, own your persona — that's our whole approach at the table. I don't care your race, your sexuality, your gender ... I don't care, whatever it is, do one thousand."

What Meadow means is that the classic style of French restaurant service is very impersonal. For example, if you are given a cup of coffee and add milk without sugar and start to sip, then if you follow the classic school, your waiter should silently, and immediately, take the sugar off your table. They should be invisible.

Meadow said:

That whole approach where the service is in the background and not engaged or part of the process — that's not what I want as a consumer and it's not what we want in our restaurants ... Today in 2016, I definitely believe that's what the core customer base wants.

The definition of luxury is changing ... they [customers] want to have an experience. The luxury that is convenience is falling out of fashion.

Now everyone has to sing for supper, especially if you want to make $100,000 doing it.

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NOW WATCH: The ultimate guide to tipping in almost any situation

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