CBS News
New technology allows archaeologists to use particle physics to explore the past
Naples, Italy — Beneath the honking horns and operatic yelling of Naples, the most blissfully chaotic city in Italy, archeologist Raffaella Bosso descends into the deafening silence of an underground maze, zigzagging back in time roughly 2,300 years.
Before the Ancient Romans, it was the Ancient Greeks who colonized Naples, leaving behind traces of life, and death, inside ancient burial chambers, she says.
She points a flashlight at a stone-relief tombstone that depicts the legs and feet of those buried inside.
“There are two people, a man and a woman” in this one tomb, she explains. “Normally you can find eight or even more.”
This tomb was discovered in 1981, the old-fashioned way, by digging.
Now, archeologists are joining forces with physicists, trading their pickaxes for subatomic particle detectors about the size of a household microwave.
Thanks to breakthrough technology, particle physicists like Valeri Tioukov can use them to see through hundreds of feet of rock, no matter the apartment building located 60 feet above us.
“It’s very similar to radiography,” he says, as he places his particle detector beside the damp wall, still adorned by colorful floral frescoes.
Archeologists long suspected there were additional chambers on the other side of the wall. But just to peek, they would have had to break them down.
Thanks to this detector, they now know for sure, and they didn’t even have to use a shovel.
To understand the technology at work, Tioukov takes us to his laboratory at the University of Naples, where researchers scour the images from that detector.
Specifically, they’re looking for muons, cosmic rays left over from the Big Bang.
The muon detector tracks and counts the muons passing through the structure, then determines the density of the structure’s internal space by tracking the number of muons that pass through it.
At the burial chamber, it captured about 10 million muons in the span of 28 days.
“There’s a muon right there,” says Tioukov, pointing to a squiggly line he’s blown up using a microscope.
After months of painstaking analysis, Tioukov and his team are able to put together a three-dimensional model of that hidden burial chamber, closed to human eyes for centuries, now opened thanks to particle physics.
CBS News
What seems like science fiction is also being used to peer inside the pyramids in Egypt, chambers beneath volcanoes, and even treat cancer, says Professor Giovanni De Lellis.
“Especially cancers which are deep inside the body,” he says. “This technology is being used to measure possible damage to healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. It’s very hard to predict the breakthrough that this technology could actually bring into any of these fields, because we have never observed objects with this accuracy.”
“This is a new era,” he marvels.
CBS News
Shark killed 16-year-old high school student who was found dead by fishermen, Jamaica police say
A shark attacked and killed a 16-year-old Jamaican high school student whose body was found in waters just north of the island, authorities said.
Police identified the victim as Jahmari Reid from the northern parish of Trelawny, located just east of the popular tourist town of Montego Bay.
The teen apparently went spearfishing alone early Monday, with fishermen finding his body the following day with injuries consistent with a shark attack, police said in a report late Tuesday.
Since 1749, only three unprovoked shark attacks have been reported in Jamaica, according to the International Shark Attack File, which is administered by the Florida Museum of Natural History and the American Elasmobranch Society.
Shark attacks are rare, with a total of 69 confirmed unprovoked attacks worldwide and 14 fatalities reported last year, according to the file. The report noted that a “disproportionate” amount of people died from shark bites in Australia last year when compared with other countries, and Australia accounted for about 22% of the world’s unprovoked shark attacks in 2023.
In July, a surfer lost his leg after a great white shark attacked him in Australia.
The month before that, surfer Tamayo Perry died after sustaining fatal injuries in a shark attack off the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
In January, a young fisherman diving for scallops was killed by a shark off the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Amazon
Whether you’re in the middle of your fitness journey or just starting out, a scale is one of the most important tools you can use to stay on track. They can help offer a comprehensive look at your health, including your muscle mass, body weight, and fat percentage.
Smart scales are usually very simple to use and set up. Many connect to an app, and all you need to do is step on to get a slew of measurements. Many will also connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to your phone and other smart devices so you can track progress with your Fitbit or smartwatch, whatever you happen to be using. You can swap between users, customize the data you’re presented, and use it to help you make decisions.
Below, find some of our top picks for the best smart scales.
The best smart scales in 2024
Best smart scale: Eufy P2 Pro
Amazon
The Eufy Smart Scale P2 Pro can handle just about anything you need when it comes to your weight, body composition and more. It tracks 16 metrics for multiple users, including pets and babies. It also gives you data on your resting heart rate, protein percentage and body age. The accompanying EufyLife app makes it even more useful by letting you log food intake without having to use a third-party app; set goals, generate reports and analyze trends over your custom time periods.
It’s compatible with third-party apps like Apple Health, Google Fit and Fitbit as well, so there are several ways to create synergy throughout all the fitness-centric software you may be using. And at less than $100, the Eufy P2 Pro is a worthwhile investment if you want a feature-rich scale that won’t set you back too much. It’s also quite attractive and would look good in any bathroom.
Best app-based smart scale: Xiaomi Mi Body Composition Scale 2
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If you want to learn as much about your body as possible without going and having a checkup, this smart scale is your best bet. It’s full of data about your muscle mass, BMI, estimated basal metabolic rate and much more. Plus, all of that information syncs with your smartwatch and health-tracking apps so you can keep track of and share it. It’s all in one place, and provides good info that you can use to help inform future plans and doctor visits.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Xiaomi Mi Body Composition Scale 2 is how easy it is to use. While it can be used as a standalone device to check your weight, it also lets up to six users create individual profiles with detailed statistics. Plus, its minimalist design is nice and clean, with a bright and readable display that only appears when in use. And if you’re worried about its glass construction, it’s non-slip, so you won’t go careening into your shower stall.
Best budget smart scale: Wyze X
Amazon
You don’t absolutely need to spend above your budget for a smart scale — not when the cheaper ones are as good as this option. The Wyze X is an affordable smart scale that comes with a very comprehensive set of features. It can measure 13 different metrics, including body fat, muscle mass and body water. Like many other pricier scales, it also has options for pregnancy, babies and pets.
While its app isn’t as sleek or put-together as some of the more expensive smart scales, it’s still a good compromise if you need something fast, easy, and under $50. It’s sleek, compact, and reliable — and if you’re trying to track your weight loss or gain (or how your body is doing overall), this is a solid choice that won’t have you hung up on things you don’t need.
Best premium smart scale: Withings Body Scan
Amazon
On the other hand, if you do want to shell out some cash, this Withings smart scale has a comprehensive set of features. In addition to basic info like basal metabolic rate and body fat, it can offer more details like vascular age and pulse wave velocity. You can use it to set up eight user profiles, each with access to more advanced metrics like segmental body composition analysis, which covers six separate areas, including muscle mass and water mass.
The accompanying Withings Health Mate app is useful for acquiring and retaining information as well, with great guides that explain your measurements. It will also track changes in your stats so you know whether you’re on track or not. It’s all very in-depth and user-friendly. Plus, the scale itself looks great and feels very luxe. You’ll be paying a pretty penny, but it’s your health, so investing may not be a bad idea.
Best fitness-tracking smart scale: Withings Body Cardio Scan Smart Scale
Amazon
Are you a beast at the gym? Want to know more about your workouts? The Withings Body Cardio is a fitness-tracking scale that excels at keeping an eye on your exercises, muscle mass, body fat and other key metrics.
What sets this scale apart is its ability to check your overall cardiovascular health by measuring standing heart rate and pulse wave velocity. A lower heart rate generally indicates better fitness, while pulse wave velocity can give you an idea of your arteries’ flexibility. If they’re too stiff, it can affect how your blood pumps around your body.
You can use the included Withings Health Mate app to learn more about all the tidbits the scale tracks. And although the Body Cardio is a bit heavy, its two-layer design without feet means you can put it just about anywhere in your home, so no more stepping on the cold bathroom tile dreading your next weigh-in. Do it somewhere warm and comfortable and see what your hard work has wrought.
Washington — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spent months battling for ballot access in every state, denying that he would be a spoiler candidate.
Kennedy, a Democrat-turned-independent, is now worried that if his name appears on the ballot in 10 states it could spoil former President Donald Trump’s chances of beating Vice President Kamala Harris.
On Friday, Kennedy suspended his campaign and endorsed Trump. Kennedy said his name would remain on the ballot in many noncompetitive states. But in the seven battleground states and three others that he considers competitive, he would request to have his name removed from the ballot.
“Our polling consistently showed that by staying on the ballot in the battleground states, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues,” he said.
Some of the states have granted Kennedy’s request. Others say he must remain. Here’s where his efforts to get off the ballot in those 10 states stand.
Arizona
Kennedy was set to appear on Arizona’s ballot until he filed the paperwork to withdraw his name a day before he suspended his campaign.
“He won’t appear on any ballot,” a spokesperson for Arizona’s secretary of state told CBS News.
Florida
Florida granted Kennedy’s request to withdraw his candidacy, according to the Florida Department of State’s website.
Kennedy had accepted the Reform Party’s nomination as he fought for ballot access. Minor parties had until Saturday, the day after Kennedy suspended his campaign, to certify candidates’ names with the state.
Georgia
A recent court ruling determined Kennedy was “not qualified” to appear on the ballot in Georgia, citing questions about his New York residency. The secretary of state’s office was reviewing the ruling and would “have a decision as soon as possible,” a spokesperson told CBS News.
Michigan
Kennedy will remain on the ballot in Michigan. A spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office told CBS News that his name would still appear on the ballot because “he cannot withdraw at this point.”
He gained ballot access through the Natural Law Party, a minor party that has ballot access. Doing so allowed him to bypass collecting thousands of signatures, which is required of independent candidates who do not have a party’s backing.
Nevada
Kennedy was removed from the ballot in Nevada, despite missing the Aug. 20 deadline to withdraw his name.
The Nevada Secretary of State confirmed Tuesday that it had received a court order to remove Kennedy from the ballot, ending a lengthy legal battle over his ballot access.
His initial petition was considered invalid because he did not have a running mate when signatures were collected, which is required by state law to be eligible for ballot access. Democrats also sued to boot him from the ballot, arguing that Kennedy’s affiliation with different political parties in other states violates Nevada’s ballot access laws for independent candidates. The lawsuit was dropped Tuesday.
North Carolina
Kennedy is also on the ballot in North Carolina, and it may be too late for him to withdraw because the first absentee ballots go out Sept. 6. More than half of the state’s 100 counties have already printed ballots, according to Patrick Gannon, North Carolina State Board of Elections’ public information director.
Gannon told CBS News that the We The People Party, which nominated Kennedy, “has not informed the State Board of any plans to change its nomination.”
“If We The People officially withdraws his nomination, the State Board would have to consider whether it is practical to remove his name from ballots and reprint ballots at that time,” Gannon said.
Ohio
Kennedy asked to withdraw from the Ohio ballot the same day the state announced he had qualified to appear on it. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose confirmed that Kennedy would be removed. The deadline for LaRose to certify the ballot that will be used in November is Sept. 6.
Pennsylvania
A judge granted Kennedy’s request to withdraw his candidacy on Friday. Before that, Kennedy faced a legal challenge from Democratic activists in the state who questioned the validity of his petition.
Texas
Kennedy withdrew his name from the ballot in Texas on the same day he suspended his campaign, according to the secretary of state’s website.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Elections Commission certified that Kennedy would appear on the ballot on Tuesday, rejecting his request to withdraw.
According to Wisconsin law, “any person who files nomination papers and qualifies to appear on the ballot may not decline nomination. The name of that person shall appear upon the ballot except in case of death of the person.”
Libby Cathey contributed reporting.
contributed to this report.