Spanish Auteur José Pozo Unveils ‘Skye,’ an Intimate Road Movie Covering 3,000 Miles Shot With No Crew (EXCLUSIVE)

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Celebrated filmmaker José Pozo, best known for popular major Spanish animated fare such as “El Cid” and “Donkey Xote,” is breaking new ground with “Skye,” a daringly intimate live-action road movie that blurs the line between fiction and reality.
The film has already been shot and edited and will finish with post in the coming weeks, ready for the spring and summer festival seasons.

Stripped of traditional production trappings, “Skye” emerges as a minimalist yet emotionally rich road movie experience that takes viewers deep into the heart of personal transformation.

Related Stories

Shot by Pozo entirely without a technical crew, “Skye” follows the journey of Isolde, a woman in the midst of a personal crisis who travels from Andorra to the remote Isle of Skye in search of her former partner.

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With only her baby and a borrowed camper van, she faces both the challenges of the road and the unresolved truths of her past. The story unfolds organically, shaped by real landscapes, unplanned encounters and a raw authenticity rarely seen in contemporary cinema.

Pozo, who also wrote the script, directed, shot and recorded sound for the film himself, describes the production as “a real journey, both physically and emotionally.” Making it even more personal, his wife Elisabet Terri and their daughter Danna both star in the film.

Pozo’s unique approach created new challenges for the filmmaker. “The camera was always at hand. Sometimes I filmed with one arm while holding our daughter in the other. I didn’t want lights or setups – I wanted honesty, even if it meant exhaustion,” he explains.

Starring alongside Terri are Argentine-Spanish actor Alberto Ammann (“Celda 211,” “Narcos”), Elisabeth Larena (“Eres tú”) and British actors Tom Medcalf and Jennifer Carss.

“Skye” was born from what Pozo calls a “profound loss,” though he emphasizes the film’s universal message. “It’s not a film about tragedy,” he says. “It’s about reconciliation, about reconnecting with life in unexpected ways.”

Filmed across more than 3,100 miles in just 30 days, the production spanned landscapes in Andorra, France, England and Scotland. The Isle of Skye, with its dramatic cliffs and mist-covered mountains, plays a starring role. Iconic locations like the Quiraing, mountain, Old Man of Storr needle and Portree provide the film with both narrative depth and visual poetry.

The project is a co-production between Spain’s Imminent Produccions, David Ortiz at Andorra’s Arlong Productions and Ammann, with support from Andorra Business. Tindaya Pictures is handling sales. Pozo’s recent short film “Plastic Killer” made the Oscar 2023 shortlist, and “Skye” marks a bold continuation of his evolution as a wide-ranging storyteller unafraid to challenge convention.

“Cinema doesn’t always have to be perfect,” Pozo reflects. “Sometimes, it just has to be true.”

“Skye” promises to be one of the most original and emotionally resonant independent films of the year, inviting audiences to embark on a journey where the destination matters less than the courage to move forward.

MP Tourism expects 10 to 15% conversion in the total investment proposals received at GIS 2025

Travel

<img width="590" height="442" class="unveil" loading="eager" src="https://bnsglobalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/upload-1716883813-et-travel-default-14.webp" data-src="https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/120059964.cms" captionrendered="1" alt=" Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board “>Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts & Endowments Department, and Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Tourism was…

Scientists send beans into orbit and make ‘space miso’

Science and Health

Scientists have produced ‘space miso’ for the first time in an attempt to broaden the culinary options for astronauts.The experiment on board the International Space Station (ISS) produced miso paste, which is thought to be the first food deliberately fermented outside Earth.The ‘space miso’ had a similar umami, or savouriness, to miso made on Earth. But according to the researchers who sampled it, there was a key difference: a stronger roasted and nutty flavour.Scientists Maggie Coblentz from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Joshua Evans from the Technical University of Denmark sent a container of cooked soybean paste to the space station back in March 2020, after 30 days fermenting it was returned to Earth as miso.The miso’s temperature, humidity, pressure and radiation levels were closely monitored by sensors on its container, according to a paper released in iScience last week.As part of the experiment, two other miso batches were fermented on Earth for comparison, one in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the other in Copenhagen.“We didn’t know what to expect, fermentation had never been done before in space,” Joshua Evans said.“The space miso one was darker and clearly more jostled, which makes sense, as it had travelled much more than either of the Earth misos. It was exciting to smell and taste the first bite.”His co-author Maggie also said this experiment could show “potential for life to exist in space” by showing how a microbial community could thrive.Miso, the salty fermented bean paste, forms the base of many soups, sauces and marinades.It is traditionally made of soaked soybeans, water, salt and koji (a type of mould), and traditionally takes about six months to develop its distinct umami taste, with the flavors intensifying the longer it ferments.STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Scientists send beans into orbit and make ‘space miso’

Science and Health

Scientists have produced ‘space miso’ for the first time in an attempt to broaden the culinary options for astronauts.The experiment on board the International Space Station (ISS) produced miso paste, which is thought to be the first food deliberately fermented outside Earth.The ‘space miso’ had a similar umami, or savouriness, to miso made on Earth. But according to the researchers who sampled it, there was a key difference: a stronger roasted and nutty flavour.Scientists Maggie Coblentz from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Joshua Evans from the Technical University of Denmark sent a container of cooked soybean paste to the space station back in March 2020, after 30 days fermenting it was returned to Earth as miso.The miso’s temperature, humidity, pressure and radiation levels were closely monitored by sensors on its container, according to a paper released in iScience last week.As part of the experiment, two other miso batches were fermented on Earth for comparison, one in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the other in Copenhagen.“We didn’t know what to expect, fermentation had never been done before in space,” Joshua Evans said.“The space miso one was darker and clearly more jostled, which makes sense, as it had travelled much more than either of the Earth misos. It was exciting to smell and taste the first bite.”His co-author Maggie also said this experiment could show “potential for life to exist in space” by showing how a microbial community could thrive.Miso, the salty fermented bean paste, forms the base of many soups, sauces and marinades.It is traditionally made of soaked soybeans, water, salt and koji (a type of mould), and traditionally takes about six months to develop its distinct umami taste, with the flavors intensifying the longer it ferments.STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Trump is losing the confidence of business leaders, billionaire investor Bill Ackman says

Business News

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman said that America was heading toward a self-inflicted “economic nuclear winter” as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rollout.
“Business is a confidence game. The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe,” said the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management.

Bill Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, speaks during an interview for an episode of “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations,” in New York on Nov. 28, 2023.
Jeenah Moon | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman said that America was heading toward a self-inflicted “economic nuclear winter” as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy rollout.
“By placing massive and disproportionate tariffs on our friends and our enemies alike and thereby launching a global economic war against the whole world at once, we are in the process of destroying confidence in our country as a trading partner,” Ackman, who had endorsed Trump during the elections, wrote on social media platform X.

Trump’s latest tariffs, signed into effect Wednesday, set a 10% baseline levy on all imports, hitting over 180 countries and hammering global markets.
China faces the highest tariffs, with the Trump administration having imposed 54% in duties since January. Beijing has retaliated with 34% tariffs on all goods imported from the U.S.
U.S. equities capped off a vicious week for investors last Friday, down 9.08%, according to data from FactSet, as Trump’s moves stoke fears of a global economic slowdown. J.P. Morgan last week lifted the odds for a U.S. and global recession to 60% by the end of the year, up from 40% previously.
“Business is a confidence game. The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe,” Ackman said.
“The consequences for our country and the millions of our citizens who have supported the president — in particular low-income consumers who are already under a huge amount of economic stress — are going to be severely negative. This is not what we voted for,” the hedge fund manager said.

Trump has the opportunity to call for a timeout for any negotiations to resolve any “unfair” tariff deals.
“Alternatively, we are heading for a self-induced, economic nuclear winter, and we should start hunkering down,” he said.
In a separate tweet, Ackman also took potshots at U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “He profits when our economy implodes. It’s a bad idea to pick a Secretary of Commerce whose firm is levered long fixed income,” Ackman said, adding that it is an “irreconcilable conflict of interest.”
On Sunday, Lutnick told CBS that the Trump administration will remain steadfast in its reciprocal tariffs against key trading partners even in the face of a global stock rout.
The U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

The Peace Boat: A Testimony for Tourism as a Peace Industry

Travel

It’s time for tourism to claim its role as a global peace industry and a force of good in a troubled world. May this story inspire and remind those who are our leaders to fight for a world that does not end within national borders.

Andreas Larentzakis, the Executive Director for the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism in Australia, shares this heart-warming story from 1999 as a testimony on how Travel Promotes Peace – and can put a smile on people in good and bad times.

International Institute For Peace Through Tourism IIPTPeace through Tourism

Brisbane Australia

Andreas slowly walked from his apartment block in Brisbane, Australia, to his travel office. It was just after 9 a.m., and all of his staff were at work, engaged in one of the most exciting projects the company had ever put together. His company had chartered a ship for a Millennium cruise, which would take some 250 Australians, most of them relatives of servicemen, to Anzac Cove at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

National Day of Remembrance

This was to commemorate the 85th Anzac Day anniversary of what Australians consider a National Day of Remembrance, dedicated to those who fought and died during the 8-month campaign, which started with the landing at the Gallipoli Peninsula on the morning of the 25th of April, 1915. Close to 10,000 Australians lost their lives, and more than 90,000 Turks died protecting their country.

Remembrance Day | Australian War MemorialThe Australian War Memorial commemorated Remembrance Day 2024 with the National Ceremony on Monday, 11 November.

The phone was unusually busy this morning of the 17th of August 1999 as Shirley, the office manager, walked into Andreas’ office. “There was a strong earthquake in Istanbul, and lots of people have died. We do not know yet if any travelers were killed or have been affected”, Shirley said in an anxious voice, holding back her tears.

The 7.4 Izmit Earthquake in Turkey

İzmit earthquake of 1999 | Marmara Region, Magnitude 7.4, Aftershocks | Britannicaİzmit earthquake of 1999, devastating earthquake that struck near the city of İzmit in northwestern Turkey on August 17, 1999. Thousands of people were killed, and large parts of a number of mid-sized towns and cities were destroyed. The earthquake, which occurred on the northernmost strand of the

Soon after, all telephone lines were busy with people calling to cancel their holidays to Turkey, while others were inquiring about relatives there.

Later in the afternoon, it was established that no tourists were injured and most of the hotels and the Turkish monuments were unaffected. The epicenter of the earthquake was north of Istanbul and had severely affected the town of Izmit and the surrounding area, where thousands of people had been killed.

Andreas was at a loss trying to reconcile his sadness for the devastation in Turkey and settle his concern about the financial damage to his travel business. “How can you think about business when thousands of people have just lost their lives?” a little voice cried inside him.

When he raised his head again, Jodie, one of his travel consultants, was standing before him with a shy smile. “You know”, Jodie said, “not everybody is cancelling. I had a client who said, ‘I am not cancelling, it is now more than ever Turkey needs Australian tourists’”.

Turkey Needs Australian Peace Tourists

In a flush of inspiration, Andreas picked up his phone to call his PR company. “Please write this title down,” he said to Satu, his PR consultant. It is now more than ever that Turkey needs Australian tourists.

Kompas Holidays commits $10.00 for each person who travels to Turkey in 2000. All monies collected will go towards the people affected by the earthquake. “Please prepare a press release,” he continues with urgency. The next day, Andreas is sitting among 10 other Australian tour operators specializing in Turkey, who have also agreed to make the same offer to their client base.

This was the first time that competitors, instead of fighting for market share, jointly contributed to a PR campaign to benefit people affected by the earthquake. At the same time, they were naturally promoting their travel businesses. The Turkish consul, also present at this meeting, commented with some emotion.

The Greek Australian in Turkey

“Sir, I never expected a Greek Australian to come forward with this initiative.” “You will be pleased to learn,” he continued, “that the first crew who reached and assisted the earthquake victims yesterday in Turkey was also Greek.” The press worldwide commented that the Greek crew’s being the first to reach the disaster area in Turkey was a paradigm shift in the politically strained relationships between the two countries.

Arcadia Cruise Sailed

The Arcadia cruise ship sailed leisurely into the Dardanelles with 240 Australians quietly watching the coast where over 100,000 people lost their lives 85 years earlier.

Their solemn, reflective faces were a poignant contrast to the rugged coastline, which had borne witness to the loss of life of thousands of young soldiers. It was a beautiful spring morning on April 23rd, 2000.

Two days later, on the 25th April, all of the people on board would participate in the Dawn Service marking the 85th Gallipoli Commemorations. However, not everybody was on deck. Franko, Gail, Casilda, Gloria, and Zag, representing a US organization called Airline Ambassadors, were busy filling dozens of colorful plastic bags and boxes.

Toys, Toothpaste, School supplies, and of course cakes

Little toy bears, dolls, pencils, toothpaste, soap cakes, school supplies, and hundreds of T-shirts offered by the Greek captain were among the things being packed away with care and pride.

The next morning, upon arrival in Istanbul, a small van and an army truck supplied by the Red Cross parked at the dock, while the ship’s crew loaded all the plastic bags and boxes.

Soon after, Andreas, his wife Nicolien, and the Airline Ambassadors boarded the van, which was followed by the truck, and headed Northeast of Istanbul to Izmit. They were to deliver the material aid donated by the Australian tourists on board Arcadia to the earthquake victims of Turkey.

The City of Izmit

They all struggled with mixed emotions as they reached the scene of devastation before arriving at the tent city of Izmit.

The small group was greeted by the lieutenant responsible for the logistics of this makeshift village. He explained that close to 1,000,000 people were affected by the earthquake. He was deeply thankful for the visit and proudly explained how the whole operation, of taking care of this many people, was run. On the left wall was a notice board outlining the countries that had provided various levels of material help and assistance.

“Poorer countries like India have given the most!” exclaimed Gail. On the opposite wall, dozens of handmade cards, sent by schoolkids from around the world, were displayed.

“It must be so hard for you there”, one of them read, “we are thinking of you, we love you” – words swimming between little drawn flowers, cute hearts and butterflies. Soon after, it was time to meet the people of Izmit. A soldier pushed the trolley with several plastic bags full of presents, followed by the group of visitors.

Making Turkish Children Laugh

Within seconds, the Turkish kids laughing and jostling, surrounded the group. One little girl tightly hugged a yellow toy duck almost bigger than herself, and a young boy took three teddy bears, waving at his little sisters, reassuring them of their presents.

It took no more than 20 minutes, and the party was over. Kadir explained to the group that the rest of the supplies would be distributed more systematically later.

A Turkish woman waved at Andreas to follow, and soon the group found themselves in the village coffee shop. Half an hour later, the kids reappeared with their local teacher, who explained in English that they had made presents for the visitors.

We have taken away with us so much more than we brought

As the little van pulled away, followed by the kids, everyone was affected and humbled by this experience. “We have taken away with us so much more than we brought,” murmured Franko of Airline Ambassadors, reflecting everybody’s feelings.

That night, as the ship sailed away from Istanbul, Andreas was on deck enjoying the quiet of the evening, and as he gazed at the sky, he remembered what he had read in a book some time ago:

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars!

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The Peace Boat: A Testimony for Tourism as a Peace Industry

Travel

It’s time for tourism to claim its role as a global peace industry and a force of good in a troubled world. May this story inspire and remind those who are our leaders to fight for a world that does not end within national borders.

Andreas Larentzakis, the Executive Director for the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism in Australia, shares this heart-warming story from 1999 as a testimony on how Travel Promotes Peace – and can put a smile on people in good and bad times.

International Institute For Peace Through Tourism IIPTPeace through Tourism

Brisbane Australia

Andreas slowly walked from his apartment block in Brisbane, Australia, to his travel office. It was just after 9 a.m., and all of his staff were at work, engaged in one of the most exciting projects the company had ever put together. His company had chartered a ship for a Millennium cruise, which would take some 250 Australians, most of them relatives of servicemen, to Anzac Cove at the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.

National Day of Remembrance

This was to commemorate the 85th Anzac Day anniversary of what Australians consider a National Day of Remembrance, dedicated to those who fought and died during the 8-month campaign, which started with the landing at the Gallipoli Peninsula on the morning of the 25th of April, 1915. Close to 10,000 Australians lost their lives, and more than 90,000 Turks died protecting their country.

Remembrance Day | Australian War MemorialThe Australian War Memorial commemorated Remembrance Day 2024 with the National Ceremony on Monday, 11 November.

The phone was unusually busy this morning of the 17th of August 1999 as Shirley, the office manager, walked into Andreas’ office. “There was a strong earthquake in Istanbul, and lots of people have died. We do not know yet if any travelers were killed or have been affected”, Shirley said in an anxious voice, holding back her tears.

The 7.4 Izmit Earthquake in Turkey

İzmit earthquake of 1999 | Marmara Region, Magnitude 7.4, Aftershocks | Britannicaİzmit earthquake of 1999, devastating earthquake that struck near the city of İzmit in northwestern Turkey on August 17, 1999. Thousands of people were killed, and large parts of a number of mid-sized towns and cities were destroyed. The earthquake, which occurred on the northernmost strand of the

Soon after, all telephone lines were busy with people calling to cancel their holidays to Turkey, while others were inquiring about relatives there.

Later in the afternoon, it was established that no tourists were injured and most of the hotels and the Turkish monuments were unaffected. The epicenter of the earthquake was north of Istanbul and had severely affected the town of Izmit and the surrounding area, where thousands of people had been killed.

Andreas was at a loss trying to reconcile his sadness for the devastation in Turkey and settle his concern about the financial damage to his travel business. “How can you think about business when thousands of people have just lost their lives?” a little voice cried inside him.

When he raised his head again, Jodie, one of his travel consultants, was standing before him with a shy smile. “You know”, Jodie said, “not everybody is cancelling. I had a client who said, ‘I am not cancelling, it is now more than ever Turkey needs Australian tourists’”.

Turkey Needs Australian Peace Tourists

In a flush of inspiration, Andreas picked up his phone to call his PR company. “Please write this title down,” he said to Satu, his PR consultant. It is now more than ever that Turkey needs Australian tourists.

Kompas Holidays commits $10.00 for each person who travels to Turkey in 2000. All monies collected will go towards the people affected by the earthquake. “Please prepare a press release,” he continues with urgency. The next day, Andreas is sitting among 10 other Australian tour operators specializing in Turkey, who have also agreed to make the same offer to their client base.

This was the first time that competitors, instead of fighting for market share, jointly contributed to a PR campaign to benefit people affected by the earthquake. At the same time, they were naturally promoting their travel businesses. The Turkish consul, also present at this meeting, commented with some emotion.

The Greek Australian in Turkey

“Sir, I never expected a Greek Australian to come forward with this initiative.” “You will be pleased to learn,” he continued, “that the first crew who reached and assisted the earthquake victims yesterday in Turkey was also Greek.” The press worldwide commented that the Greek crew’s being the first to reach the disaster area in Turkey was a paradigm shift in the politically strained relationships between the two countries.

Arcadia Cruise Sailed

The Arcadia cruise ship sailed leisurely into the Dardanelles with 240 Australians quietly watching the coast where over 100,000 people lost their lives 85 years earlier.

Their solemn, reflective faces were a poignant contrast to the rugged coastline, which had borne witness to the loss of life of thousands of young soldiers. It was a beautiful spring morning on April 23rd, 2000.

Two days later, on the 25th April, all of the people on board would participate in the Dawn Service marking the 85th Gallipoli Commemorations. However, not everybody was on deck. Franko, Gail, Casilda, Gloria, and Zag, representing a US organization called Airline Ambassadors, were busy filling dozens of colorful plastic bags and boxes.

Toys, Toothpaste, School supplies, and of course cakes

Little toy bears, dolls, pencils, toothpaste, soap cakes, school supplies, and hundreds of T-shirts offered by the Greek captain were among the things being packed away with care and pride.

The next morning, upon arrival in Istanbul, a small van and an army truck supplied by the Red Cross parked at the dock, while the ship’s crew loaded all the plastic bags and boxes.

Soon after, Andreas, his wife Nicolien, and the Airline Ambassadors boarded the van, which was followed by the truck, and headed Northeast of Istanbul to Izmit. They were to deliver the material aid donated by the Australian tourists on board Arcadia to the earthquake victims of Turkey.

The City of Izmit

They all struggled with mixed emotions as they reached the scene of devastation before arriving at the tent city of Izmit.

The small group was greeted by the lieutenant responsible for the logistics of this makeshift village. He explained that close to 1,000,000 people were affected by the earthquake. He was deeply thankful for the visit and proudly explained how the whole operation, of taking care of this many people, was run. On the left wall was a notice board outlining the countries that had provided various levels of material help and assistance.

“Poorer countries like India have given the most!” exclaimed Gail. On the opposite wall, dozens of handmade cards, sent by schoolkids from around the world, were displayed.

“It must be so hard for you there”, one of them read, “we are thinking of you, we love you” – words swimming between little drawn flowers, cute hearts and butterflies. Soon after, it was time to meet the people of Izmit. A soldier pushed the trolley with several plastic bags full of presents, followed by the group of visitors.

Making Turkish Children Laugh

Within seconds, the Turkish kids laughing and jostling, surrounded the group. One little girl tightly hugged a yellow toy duck almost bigger than herself, and a young boy took three teddy bears, waving at his little sisters, reassuring them of their presents.

It took no more than 20 minutes, and the party was over. Kadir explained to the group that the rest of the supplies would be distributed more systematically later.

A Turkish woman waved at Andreas to follow, and soon the group found themselves in the village coffee shop. Half an hour later, the kids reappeared with their local teacher, who explained in English that they had made presents for the visitors.

We have taken away with us so much more than we brought

As the little van pulled away, followed by the kids, everyone was affected and humbled by this experience. “We have taken away with us so much more than we brought,” murmured Franko of Airline Ambassadors, reflecting everybody’s feelings.

That night, as the ship sailed away from Istanbul, Andreas was on deck enjoying the quiet of the evening, and as he gazed at the sky, he remembered what he had read in a book some time ago:

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars!

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Science explains why plastic containers always come out of the dishwasher wet

Science and Health

If you’ve ever unloaded a dishwasher and found everything sparkling dry, except for that one plastic container still clinging to a puddle of water, well, you’re not alone. It’s one of those everyday mysteries that feels like it shouldn’t be so hard to solve. But as it turns out, there’s some very real science behind why plastics don’t dry as well as your plates and glasses.It all comes down to two main things, researcher Kamil Zuber explained in a post submitted to The Conversation. Those two things are material properties and surface energy.

One key problem is that plastic simply doesn’t retain heat as well as materials like ceramic or metal. Your dishwasher relies on heat to speed up evaporation in the drying cycle, but since plastics stay cooler, the water on them lingers longer. That’s a big reason why plastics don’t dry as quickly—even if everything else comes out bone dry.Image source: vchalup / AdobeBut there’s another factor that helps explain why plastics don’t dry as well, and that is surface energy. Plastics tend to be hydrophobic, which means they repel water. Instead of water spreading out into a thin layer that can easily evaporate, it beads up into droplets. These droplets sit there stubbornly, waiting for either time or a towel. Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice. Ceramics and metals, on the other hand, are usually more hydrophilic. Water spreads out on them, forming thin films that evaporate more quickly. That’s why your mugs and saucepans are usually dry and ready to stack while your Tupperware is holding a tiny indoor pool.
Dishwasher detergents do help, particularly during the main wash cycle, as they contain surfactants, which reduce water’s surface tension and help it spread more easily. And if you’re using a rinse aid, you’re already taking an extra step toward better drying. Rinse aids make water slide off plastics more effectively by tweaking surface tension even further.Still, no drying method is perfect for plastic. The best trick, Zuber says, is to open the dishwasher door when the cycle ends. Letting that steam escape helps avoid condensation that just re-wets everything. It won’t magically dry your plastic containers, but it can make a big difference.So the next time you’re staring at a soggy lid while your plates are dry as the desert, know it’s not just your dishwasher’s drying cycle slacking off. It’s pure, stubborn science. Maybe one day, they’ll make plastic that can hold its heat like self-heating fabric. Or, we’ll just all abandon it and curb our growing plastic waste problem once and for all.

Science explains why plastic containers always come out of the dishwasher wet

Science and Health

If you’ve ever unloaded a dishwasher and found everything sparkling dry, except for that one plastic container still clinging to a puddle of water, well, you’re not alone. It’s one of those everyday mysteries that feels like it shouldn’t be so hard to solve. But as it turns out, there’s some very real science behind why plastics don’t dry as well as your plates and glasses.It all comes down to two main things, researcher Kamil Zuber explained in a post submitted to The Conversation. Those two things are material properties and surface energy.

One key problem is that plastic simply doesn’t retain heat as well as materials like ceramic or metal. Your dishwasher relies on heat to speed up evaporation in the drying cycle, but since plastics stay cooler, the water on them lingers longer. That’s a big reason why plastics don’t dry as quickly—even if everything else comes out bone dry.Image source: vchalup / AdobeBut there’s another factor that helps explain why plastics don’t dry as well, and that is surface energy. Plastics tend to be hydrophobic, which means they repel water. Instead of water spreading out into a thin layer that can easily evaporate, it beads up into droplets. These droplets sit there stubbornly, waiting for either time or a towel. Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice. Ceramics and metals, on the other hand, are usually more hydrophilic. Water spreads out on them, forming thin films that evaporate more quickly. That’s why your mugs and saucepans are usually dry and ready to stack while your Tupperware is holding a tiny indoor pool.
Dishwasher detergents do help, particularly during the main wash cycle, as they contain surfactants, which reduce water’s surface tension and help it spread more easily. And if you’re using a rinse aid, you’re already taking an extra step toward better drying. Rinse aids make water slide off plastics more effectively by tweaking surface tension even further.Still, no drying method is perfect for plastic. The best trick, Zuber says, is to open the dishwasher door when the cycle ends. Letting that steam escape helps avoid condensation that just re-wets everything. It won’t magically dry your plastic containers, but it can make a big difference.So the next time you’re staring at a soggy lid while your plates are dry as the desert, know it’s not just your dishwasher’s drying cycle slacking off. It’s pure, stubborn science. Maybe one day, they’ll make plastic that can hold its heat like self-heating fabric. Or, we’ll just all abandon it and curb our growing plastic waste problem once and for all.

Scientists revived 7,000-year-old algae and it’s still thriving

Science and Health

At the bottom of the Baltic Sea, buried beneath layers of sediment and sealed off from light and oxygen, ancient phytoplankton have been lying dormant for thousands of years. Now, researchers have revived some of these organisms, making them among the oldest known algae ever successfully brought back to life.The algae were retrieved from sediment cores taken 240 meters below the sea surface during a 2021 expedition to the Eastern Gotland Deep. These dormant cells had entered a low-energy state scientists call dormancy.

This is a strategy shared by many life forms, from bacteria to mammals. When conditions become too harsh—too cold, too dark, or too depleted of nutrients—organisms like phytoplankton pause their activity and wait until things get better.
But what’s remarkable isn’t just that these microscopic plants survived 7,000 years. It’s how well they’re functioning today. Once revived in the lab, the researchers say the revived 7,000-year-old algae showed growth and photosynthesis rates nearly identical to modern-day strains. Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice. Even after 7,000 years without light or fresh nutrients, the cells were biologically robust and began dividing at similar rates to modern algae while also actively producing oxygen. This successful reactivation is part of a broader scientific effort known as “resurrection ecology.” We’ve also seen scientists reviving zombie viruses almost 50,000 years old.By reviving dormant organisms like this 7,000-year-old algae, researchers can effectively rewind the ecological clock. Alongside the living algae, sediment samples also offer clues about ancient environmental conditions, such as past oxygen, salinity, and temperature levels.Genetic analysis of the revived algae adds another layer to the story. DNA profiles revealed distinct genetic groups tied to specific periods in the Baltic Sea’s history. This not only confirmed the authenticity of the samples, but it also demonstrated how the algae—known as Skeletonema marinoi,—population has evolved in response to environmental changes over the past 7,000 years.