There can (still) be only one: Highlander at 40 and why its strange, specific myth keeps winning
Highlander turns 40, and its oddball blend of immortal swordfighters, MTV-era style, and ironclad rules still reads like a protocol spec for myth. Here’s why the legend refuses to die—and what to watch next.
Best Merino Wool Clothing (2026): Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets & More — A Practical Field Guide
Merino isn’t just for mountaineers anymore. From travel tees to commuter hoodies, here’s how to choose the right weight, blend, and build—and how to care for it so it lasts.
I tried DoorDash’s Tasks app—here’s what it reveals about the next wave of AI gig work
DoorDash’s new Tasks app pays people to film everyday chores and label data for AI. It’s a glimpse into a growing labor market that blends content creation, data labeling, and precarious gig economics.
A vast body of hidden freshwater lies beneath the Great Salt Lake — and it could reshape the region’s water future
New helicopter-based geophysical mapping reveals an unexpectedly extensive zone of fresh groundwater beneath Utah’s Great Salt Lake—reaching several kilometers deep and extending well past the shore. The find opens scientific, ecological, and policy questions, including whether it can help tame toxic dust blowing off the drying lakebed.
Asteroids keep serving up DNA ingredients. Here’s what that really tells us.
From meteorites to pristine asteroid samples, scientists keep finding nucleobases and other life’s building blocks. That doesn’t mean life began in space—but it does reshape how we think about life’s raw ingredients and Earth’s earliest chemistry.
Aiper Scuba V3 Pool Robot Review: Vision That Hunts Debris
Aiper’s Scuba V3 adds computer vision to the humble pool bot, shifting from random wandering to targeted debris hunting. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and what to consider before buying.
Best Protein Bars (2026): Vegan, Gluten-Free, High Fiber
A smart shopper’s guide to protein bars in 2026—what to prioritize, what to avoid, and how tech, fiber science, and sweeteners are reshaping the aisle.
Beyond the Playlist: What WIRED’s 2026 “Best Podcasts” List Reveals About Audio’s Weird, Wonderful Future
WIRED’s new 71-podcast roundup is more than a recommendation list—it’s a snapshot of a medium mutating in real time. Here’s what it signals about discovery, AI, fiction, ethics, and the next era of listening.
The “brain‑eating” virus most of us carry—and why doctors are rethinking its risks
Most adults silently harbor JC virus. A deadly brain disease, PML, was once tied mainly to profound immune collapse. Emerging evidence shows the risk calculus is broader—and closer to everyday medicine—than many realized.
A jury says Musk’s tweets misled Twitter investors. Here’s what that means—and why it could be costly.
A federal jury concluded that some of Elon Musk’s 2022 tweets about his then-pending Twitter acquisition crossed the line from bluster to securities fraud. The mixed verdict narrows liability but still sets up potentially enormous damages and a high-stakes appeal.
Anthropic, the Kill‑Switch Question, and AI on the Battlefield
A Pentagon allegation that an AI vendor could manipulate models mid-conflict and Anthropic’s denial reignite a core question of modern warfare: who holds the off-switch for software that may guide life-or-death decisions?
Gamers Hate Nvidia's DLSS 5. Developers Aren’t Crazy About It Either
Nvidia’s newest round of AI-assisted upscaling and frame generation promises huge performance gains. Many players say the visuals feel strange, and developers warn about costs, trade-offs, and lock-in—yet the tech may still become standard.
Iran War and the Energy Market’s Nightmare Scenario: How a Regional Conflict Could Upend Oil, Gas, and Global Stability
A sudden escalation involving Iran is flashing red lights across oil and gas supply chains. Here’s why the Strait of Hormuz matters, how weird tech shapes modern energy warfare, and what to watch as prices and policies lurch toward a worst-case scenario.
Best Kids’ Bikes in 2026: Understanding Woom, Prevelo, Guardian, and the New Rules of Tiny Two-Wheels
From balance bikes to trail-ready 24-inch machines, 2026’s kids’ bikes are lighter, safer, and smarter. Here’s how to read WIRED’s new picks—and choose the right ride for your rider.
Newegg’s March Promo Wave: How a “10% Off” Code Fits Into 2026’s PC-Build Economy
A fresh Newegg code advertising up to 10% off drops into a PC market still shaped by volatile component pricing, marketplace caveats, and algorithmic deal-making. Here’s what it really means—and how to use it wisely.
Inside RFK Jr.’s purge of health advisory panels—and what it means for science and policy
Ars Technica reports that under Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health department has dissolved 75 advisory committees—roughly 27%—and reshaped others. Here’s what those bodies do, why they matter, and how their absence could ripple through drug approvals, vaccine policy, hospital cybersecurity, and public trust.
US Dismantles Massive Home-Network Botnets Behind Record Cyber Barrages
US authorities disrupted four sprawling botnets—Aisuru, Kimwolf, JackSkid, and Mossad—that quietly commandeered more than 3 million home devices and powered record-shattering online attacks. Here’s how the networks worked, what the takedown involved, and what it means for your router—and the internet’s stability.
DarkSword and the new reality of iPhone hacking: What we know, why it matters, and how to respond
A newly observed attack technique dubbed DarkSword shows that well‑funded adversaries can still pierce Apple’s defenses at scale. Here’s what happened, what it means for everyday users and organizations, and how to lower your risk right now.
A Message in a Bottle Crosses the Atlantic in Two Years — And What Its Journey Teaches Us
A dog walker on Scotland’s coast discovered a message in a bottle launched near Prince Edward Island, Canada, roughly two years earlier. Beyond the charm, the find is a vivid case study in how the North Atlantic moves — and how our debris does, too.
Boots vs. Trail Runners in 2026: How to Choose for Real-World Hiking
Lightweight shoes now dominate many trails, but classic boots still earn their keep. Here’s a clear, field-tested way to pick the right footwear for your hikes in 2026.
Chaotic US Weather Ahead: Heat Domes, El Niño Hints, and the Tech Trying to Keep Up
A fierce early-season Western heat wave and signs of an El Niño rebound are priming the US for weather whiplash. Here’s the science, the scenarios, and how emerging tech can help.
Dyson’s March 2026 Promo Code: How to Actually Save 25%—And When to Skip the Hype
A rare Dyson promo code is knocking 25% off, alongside steep markdowns on vacuums and $150 off the Airwrap. Here’s how to decide what to buy, what to avoid, and how to make the most of the sale window.
When a translator turns into a comic: Kagi’s AI and the “horny Margaret Thatcher” moment
A translation tool briefly became a persona machine, answering a risqué prompt about Margaret Thatcher—and reminding us that safety, context, and user expectations collide in odd ways when LLMs sit behind everyday apps.
Neanderthals didn’t need Band-Aids: birch tar was their antiseptic and their glue
New experiments and archaeological clues suggest Neanderthals harnessed birch tar not only to haft stone tools but also to seal and disinfect wounds—an ancient, sticky stand‑in for modern dressings.