Today’s Very Merry Deals: Sony WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 Headphones, Twinkly Strings 400 Smart LED Light, Hangry Kits Christmas Man Kit Care Pack, and MORE!

Sony WH-1000XM5 DealSony WH-1000XM5 Deal

For today’s edition of “Deal of the Day,” here are some of the best deals we stumbled on while browsing the web this morning! Please note that Geeks are Sexy might get a small commission from qualifying purchases done through our posts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Headphones$348.00 $198.00
Sony WH-1000XM5 The Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones$399.99 $298.00

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition$39.99 $14.66 (Clip Coupon at the Link!)

Twinkly Strings 400 Smart LED RGB (105ft)$179.99 79.00 (Clip Coupon at the Link!)

The Hardest Hidden Pictures Book Ever: 1500+ Tough Hidden Objects to Find$9.95 $3.73 (Clip Coupon at the Link!)

Transformers Toys Studio Series Deluxe One 112 Optimus Prime$24.99 $15.99 (Clip Coupon at the Link!)

Voniko Premium Grade AAA Batteries – 24 Pack$15.99 $7.99, or $6.79 with Prime!

BOSCH GLL50-20 50 Ft Self-Leveling Cross-Line Laser$64.99 $44.99

Hangry Kits Christmas Man Kit Care Pack – Sweet & Savory & Protein Snack Gift Box – Variety of Chocolates, Chips & Classic Snacks$49.99 $29.99

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows – $32.97

1minAI: Lifetime Subscription – Why choose between ChatGPT, Midjourney, GoogleAI, and MetaAI when you could get them all in one tool? – $234.00 $39.99

Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + FREE $45 Digital Costco Shop Card – $65.00



This Alien Queen Wall Lamp Will Give You Nightmares at Night

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This gorgeous (and totally terrifying) Alien queen lamp was built by Etsy user Kreatworks using scrap metal parts and a little bit of nightmare stuff. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’d but that thing on one of my bedroom’s walls. It’s just a really bad idea. Kreatworks also has plenty of other amazing creations built from scrap metal, so be sure to check these out as well!

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[Recycled Metal Queen Monster Lamp – $580]

Should I worry about mold growing in my home?

Mold growths are common in homes, and unless the damage is widespread, they usually aren’t harmful. AP Photo/Matt Rourke

Nicholas Money, Miami University

Mold growth in your home can be unsettling. Blackened spots and dusty patches on the walls are signs that something is amiss, but it is important to distinguish between mold growth that is a nuisance and mold growth that may be harmful.

There are more than 1 million species of fungi. Some are used to produce important medications. Others can cause life-threatening infections when they grow in the body.

Microscopic fungi that grow in homes are a problem because they can trigger asthma and other allergies. In my work as a fungal biologist, however, I have yet to encounter robust scientific evidence to support claims that indoor molds are responsible for other serious illnesses.

What are molds?

Molds are microscopic fungi that grow on everything. This may sound like an exaggeration, but pick any material and a mold will be there, from the leaves on your houseplant to the grain in your pantry and every pinch of soil on the ground. They form splotches on the outside of buildings, grow in crevices on concrete paths and roads, and even live peacefully on our bodies.

Molds are important players in life on Earth. They’re great recyclers that fertilize the planet with fresh nutrients as they rot organic materials. Mildew is another word for mold.

A petri dish covered in several types of moldA petri dish covered in several types of mold
Mold colonies on a culture dish. Jonathan Knowles/Stone via Getty Images

Fungi, including molds, produce microscopic, seed-like particles called spores that spread in the air. Mold spores are produced on stalks. There are so many of these spores that you inhale them with every breath. Thousands could fit within the period at the end of this sentence.

When these spores land on surfaces, they germinate to form threads that elongate, and they branch to create spidery colonies that expand into circular patches. After mold colonies have grown for a few days, they start producing a new generation of spores.

Where do indoor molds grow?

Molds can grow in any building. Even in the cleanest homes, there will be traces of mold growth beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks. They’re also likely to grow on shower curtains, as well as in sink drains, dishwashers and washing machines.

Molds grow wherever water collects, but they become a problem in buildings only when there is a persistent plumbing leak, or in flooded homes.

A corner of a wall damaged by black mold.A corner of a wall damaged by black mold.
Mold can grow in damp or poorly ventilated areas of your home. Urban78/iStock via Getty Images Plus

There are many species of indoor molds, which an expert can identify by looking at their spores with a microscope.

The types of molds that grow in homes include species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, which are difficult to tell apart. These are joined by Cladosporium and Chaetomium, which loves to grow on wet carpets.

Stachybotrys is another common fungus in homes. I’ve found it under plant pots in my living room.

When does mold growth become a problem?

Problematic mold growth occurs when drywall becomes soaked through and mold colonies develop into large, brown or black patches. If the damaged area is smaller than a pizza box, you can probably clean it yourself. But more extensive mold growth often requires removing and replacing the drywall. Either way, solving the plumbing leak or protecting the home from flooding is essential to prevent the mold from returning.

A hallway covered in splotches of mold on the walls and ceiling.A hallway covered in splotches of mold on the walls and ceiling.
A home with a serious mold problem caused by a plumbing leak. Nicholas Money

In cases of severe mold growth, you can hire an indoor air quality specialist to measure the concentration of airborne spores in the home. Low concentrations of spores are normal and present no hazard, but high concentrations of spores can cause allergies.

During air testing, a specialist will sample the air inside and outside the home on the same day. If the level of spores measured in indoor air is much higher than the level measured in the outdoor air, molds are likely growing somewhere inside the home.

Another indication of mold growth inside the home is the presence of different kinds of molds in the outdoor and indoor air. Professional air sampling will identify both of these issues.

Why are indoor molds a problem?

Indoor molds present three problems. First, they create an unappealing living space by discoloring surfaces and creating unpleasant, moldy smells. Second, their spores, which float in the air, can cause asthma and allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

Finally, some molds produce poisonous chemicals called mycotoxins. There is no scientific evidence linking mycotoxins produced by indoor molds to illnesses among homeowners. But mycotoxins could cause problems in the most severe cases of mold damage – usually in flooded homes. Irrespective of mycotoxin problems, you should treat mold growth in these more severe situations to prevent allergies.

The head of a fungus, zoomed in under a microscope.The head of a fungus, zoomed in under a microscope.
The black mold Stachybotrys is a common indoor mold. Nicholas Money

The mold called Stachybotrys has been called the toxic black mold since its growth was linked to lung bleeding in infants in Cleveland in the 1990s. This fungus grows on drywall when it becomes soaked with water and produces a range of mycotoxins.

Black mold spores are sticky and are not blown into the air very easily. This behavior limits the number of spores that anyone around will likely inhale, and it means that any dose of the toxins you might absorb from indoor mold is vanishingly small. But the developing lungs of babies and children are particularly vulnerable to damage. This is why it is important to limit mold growth in homes and address the sources of moisture that stimulate its development.

Knowing when indoor molds require attention is a useful skill for every homeowner and can allow them to avoid unnecessary stress.The ConversationThe Conversation

Nicholas Money, Professor of Biology, Miami University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Festive Cosplay Shines at Montreal Comiccon: Holiday Edition!

Montreal Mini Comiccon 2024: Holiday EditionMontreal Mini Comiccon 2024: Holiday Edition

The holiday season has arrived, and what better way to celebrate than by combining the magic of pop culture with festive cheer? This year’s holiday edition of Montreal Comiccon brought a super fun mix of creativity and holiday spirit to the Montreal Convention Centre. From superheroes sporting Santa hats to beloved characters decked out in holiday hues, the energy was infectious. And, of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to capture the magic. We were on-site, camera in hand, to photograph the incredible cosplay on display.

Without further ado, here’s our gallery of the best cosplays from Montreal Comiccon: Holiday Edition (2024). Scroll through to see your favorite characters as you’ve never seen them before—brimming with holiday spirit!

Happy holidays, and enjoy the pictures!

Next up, Quebec Comiccon: Carnival Edition, from From February 22 to February 23, 2025, at the Quebec Convention Center! See you there!

Today’s Very Merry Deals: New Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, PlayStation DualSense Controller, Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals, and A LOT MORE!

Very Merry DealsVery Merry Deals

For today’s edition of “Deal of the Day,” here are some of the best deals we stumbled on while browsing the web this morning! Please note that Geeks are Sexy might get a small commission from qualifying purchases done through our posts. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

New Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet$99.99 $54.99

PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller$74.99 $54.00

Logitech G923 Racing Wheel and Pedals, TRUEFORCE up to 1000 Hz Force Feedback, Responsive Driving Design, Dual Clutch Launch Control, Genuine Leather Wheel Cover, for PS5, PS4, PC, Mac$349.99 $234.17

Acer KB272 G0bi 27″ IPS Full HD (1920 x 1080) Zero-Frame Gaming Office Monitor$149.99 $89.99

Logitech M240 Silent Bluetooth Mouse with 18-Month Battery$19.99 $9.99

LEGO Minifigures Dungeons & Dragons 6 Pack$29.94 $23.95

LEGO Roses Building Kit$14.99 $10.79

Nerf Pro Gelfire Ignitor Blaster, 1000 Gelfire Rounds, 60 Round Capacity, T-Pull Priming, Up to 150 FPS, Eyewear$9.99 $3.99

Govee RGBIC Smart LED Strip Lights (16.4ft)$14.99 $8.99 (Clip Coupon at the Link!)

Energizer X1200 Rechargeable LED Lantern (1200 lumens)$32.69 $13.51

Harry Potter Comfy Throw Blanket with Sleeves, 48 x 71 Inches, Gryffindor Rules27.99 $14.90

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows – $32.97

1minAI: Lifetime Subscription – Why choose between ChatGPT, Midjourney, GoogleAI, and MetaAI when you could get them all in one tool? – $234.00 $39.99

Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + FREE $45 Digital Costco Shop Card – $65.00