I'm a bedding expert and these are my 5 sure-fire tips for choosing a mattress protector in the Memorial Day sales
Even the best mattresses need protection against dust, dirt, bed bugs, and accidental spills and stains, so that they can deliver a clean environment for sleep. And yet, a mattress protector is one of the most underrated bedding essentials out there.
While all the recommendations in our best mattress protector guide are designed to keep your bed safe, there are a few key considerations to help ensure you choose the right one for your preferences and environment.
Right now, the Memorial Day mattress sales are running: they're one of the best times of year to grab a top deal on all bedding items, including mattress protectors. But don't just pick a random one off the shelf — ask yourself these five questions first...
Not all mattress protectors are waterproof — many are water-resistant, which means that heavy spillages will seep through unless you deal with them quickly — so consider your risk level.
No one is immune from accidental mishaps like spills, leaks or stains, but if you have a toddler or pet at home, it's even more important to choose a waterproof mattress protector that will prevent liquids from seeping into your bed.
Mattress protectors are generally made waterproof with the help of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) backing between the layers. Cheap models are often noisy when you move around, so it's worth choosing a model that's been independently tested and proven to be noiseless. We recommend the Coop Home Goods Ultra Tech mattress protector, which we gave 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review.
While it's unlikely that a mattress protector will cause you to overheat, it could certainly make you a little warmer — particularly if you're a hot sleeper, and particularly if you use it on a cheaper memory foam mattress, because these can retain heat.
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If you're prone to overheating while you sleep, look for a cooling mattress protector. These are crafted from breathable materials that are designed to wick away moisture and transfer any excess heat trapped on the mattress surface. A good example is the Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus mattress protector. It's made from plant-derived Tencel-Lyocell fibers, which are known to be naturally soft, breathable, and cool-to-touch.
If you're constantly triggered by dust or pollen, you need a hypoallergenic mattress protector. These work by creating a barrier against common allergens like dust mites, pet dander and pollen, helping reduce sneezing, itching and other symptoms. They're especially beneficial for anyone suffering from asthma and other respiratory health conditions, which can worsen with constant exposure to dust.
Look out for protectors made from tightly woven and naturally hypoallergenic fabrics, such as organic cotton and bamboo, or those that incorporate additional layers to prevent allergens from getting into your bed. A good option is the Brooklyn Bedding Luxury Cooling mattress protector, which has 30% off for Memorial Day and currently starts at around $70.
A mattress encasement is similar in look, feel and design to a protector — but it works slightly differently. As the name suggests, it completely envelops your mattress and is zipped up to provide 360-degree protection to help prevent bed bugs, dust mites and other allergens from entering into your mattress.
No matter how hard you try, bed bugs can still make their way through to your mattress, unless you use an encasement. So if a bed bug infestation is something you're particularly concerned about, a mattress encasement is a better investment than a protector.
Mattress protectors come in a wide range of prices, so if you can, it's important to balance affordability with long-term value.
You can find basic mattress protectors below $20, such as the Utopia Bedding Waterproof Bamboo mattress protector. It performed well in our tests - but the material was so silk it came loose every night we slept on it.
You'll generally pay more for mattress protectors that provide a better experience. For example, waterproof options that use double TPU backing to reduce any crinkling noise, or cooling mattress protectors with breathable materials, will be more expensive.
However, you can get good discounts during major retail events like the Memorial Day sales. The top-recommendation in our mattress protector guide is the Purple Mattress Protector, which has 20% off for Memorial Day (it starts from $63 at Purple, down from $79 —but some sizes have sold out).
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Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck Pillow review 2025: Soothing neck support for side and back sleepers
The Tempur-Neck stands out from most other bed pillows on the market thanks to its unique design, which follows the natural curve of the neck and head. It's designed for back and side sleepers in particular, and comes in three sizes (small, medium and large) so you can pick the one best suited to your sleep position and body shape. Type: Tempur material (foam)Best for: Side and back sleepersSizes: Small (20" x 12.5" x 3.5"), medium (20" x 12.5" x 4") and large (20" x 12.5" x 4.75")Trial: N/AWarranty: 5-year limitedPrice: From $119 MSRP at Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Pedic mattresses are hugely popular, and the brand has used its signature pressure-relieving Tempur-Material (essentially high-end memory foam), which is both firm yet comfortable, in this best-selling pillow. We felt it strikes the right balance between sturdy support and cushioning comfort — which can help minimize the risk of exacerbating any existing conditions. As a combination sleeper, our tester found the Tempur-Neck to be the most comfortable when lying on her back. This way, her neck felt instant pressure relief that she described as being akin what she'd feel after a neck massage at a spa. She slept on the pillow for over two weeks and was comfortable all night long, never waking up with aches or pains. She even felt that it reduced any muscle tension she experienced. In addition to sleeping on it during the testing period, we also put the Tempur-Neck pillow through other performance tests (more on that below) in which it scored well. Overall, we rate the Tempur-Neck a 4 out of 5 stars considering the various parameters like comfort, support, temperature regulation and durability. Keep reading to find out more… In terms of the cost, Tempur-Pedic pillows are not exactly budget purchases in comparison to some of the other best pillows out there. At MSRP, the Tempur-Neck retails at $119 for a small size, $129 for a medium and $159 for a large, and is in the mid-range bracket for the brand (their most expensive pillow, the Tempur-Cloud Dual Cooling Pillow, starts from $199 for queen when at full price). However, you can snag excellent deals on the pillow during Tempur-Pedic sales. These don't come around as regularly as you'll find at other sleep brands, but when they do, particularly around events like Black Friday and Memorial Day, you'll find that you could save up to 50% or more. The brand also occasionally runs 'buy one get one free' sales, which is the perfect time to stock up on two of your favorite Tempur-Pedic pillows, letting you sleep better for less. Two pillows that are similar to the Tempur-Neck in terms of design and functionality are the Nest Bedding Easy Breather (from $119) and the Sleep Number NaturalFit Ultimate (from $169 to $199) — the first at a similar set of price points and the second coming in a little more expensive. Tempur-Neck pillow: from $119 at Tempur-PedicThe Tempur-Neck pillow is available in three sizes: small, medium and large. A small is priced at $119, a medium at $129 and a large pillow is $159. This price includes a 5-year warranty and free shipping. While the Tempur-Neck is currently full price for a single pillow, you will get 30% off when you buy two. The Tempur-Neck is comprised of a single block of the brand's signature Tempur-Material. Described as having an 'extra firm feel' it is designed specifically for back and side sleepers, delivering pressure relief and relaxing your muscles while still keeping them supported. Unlike regular bed pillows, you don't have to spend your time and effort adjusting the Tempur-Neck to contour your neck and shoulders, since its design follows the natural curvature of your neck and head. As such, it's designed to always give solid support to your neck, without ever compromising on neutral spinal alignment, whether you're sleeping on your side or your back. You can choose between the three sizes, and Tempur-Pedic even provide a handy chart and instructions on the pillow's product page so you can find the ideal Tempur-Neck for your body type. The Tempur-Material is encased in a hypoallergenic knit cover made from 100% polyester, and handily it's both removable and machine washable. Hot sleeper? You have the option of upgrading your Tempur-Neck to include cooling technology, in the form of heat-wicking cooling yarns woven into the breathable cover. This costs $20, but if sleeping hot is a big problem for you we'd recommend a dedicated cooling pillow such as the Casper Hybrid with Snow Technology. That's the basics covered, so now let's take a closer look at how the Tempur-Neck fared across a range of specific performance parameters. This will help you make an informed decision on whether the Tempur-Neck will work for your sleeping style and needs. The Tempur-Neck is one of the few pillows we've found that does not require any additional steps to be set up fully. It arrives in a fuss-free cardboard box, wrapped in plastic film. You don't have to wait for it expand or adjust the loft or firmness by adding or removing fill. Simply tear the plastic off and it's all ready to be slept on. Score: 5 out of 5 I found the Tempur-Neck largely delivered on what it claims. I'm a combination sleeper (side and back) and I specifically loved the instant pressure relief of the foam, which mimics the soothing relaxation of a neck massage or spa. It is on the firmer side and hence is suitable for anyone who needs that extra sturdy support to keep their neck aligned or to reduce the risk of worsening their aches or pains. To test its comfort and support, we put it through a sink-in test by placing a kettlebell weighing 10lb (roughly the average weight of an adult head) on the pillow and leaving it for 5 minutes. As soon as we removed the kettlebell, the foam sprung right back up without even a dent to show that a weight had been placed on it. I also found the Tempur-Neck to be most comfortable for back sleeping since this truly gave my neck and shoulders the feeling that tension was melting away. Since I tend to prefer a pillow with a softer feel and do not particularly suffer from neck aches or shoulder pains, I found the curved design to be slightly distracting after a week. Similarly, if you're someone who wants a pillow that conforms to your neck and head, giving you a cradling effect (like you're sleeping on a cloud), the Tempur-Neck might not work as an everyday pillow. Score: 4 out of 5 Apart from the optional cooling upgrade, the Tempur-Neck doesn't include any cooling features. Since it is made from a type of memory foam (which is known to trap heat), we expected it to cause overheating, but this never happened while testing the Tempur-Neck, although it should be noted that the reviewer is not a hot-sleeper. I was sleeping on the Emma Hybrid Airgrid mattress and used an ordinary department store microfiber duvet during the Tempur-Neck testing period. The knit cover which wraps the Tempur-Neck, however, is not a light breathable material of the type you might find on other pillows. If you're a hot sleeper, you'd be advised to opt for the cooling upgrade or to go for the Tempur-Cloud Dual Cooling pillow, which comes in a breathable cotton cover with cooling gel on either side. Score: 4 out of 5 A pillow may be comfy enough to sleep on but is it easy to clean? This is why we consider maintenance and durability to be key factors when judging the performance of a pillow. Tempur-Pedic is a popular mattress and bedding brand in the US and one of the reasons why it's so well-regarded is its consistent quality. Compared with other memory foam pillows, the Tempur-Neck does not sag or require any fluffing to maintain its shape, comfort and support. Score: 5 out of 5 As per Tempur-Pedic's care guidelines, only the outer cover is removable and can be washed and dried on a cold setting. Air-drying is recommended. Tempur-Pedic also suggests that you should avoid over-drying it or using chlorine or harsh products for cleaning. Score: 4 out of 5 The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck definitely lives up to the expectations. Finding a pillow that strikes the perfect balance of comfort and support is a tricky task for those struggling with neck pains or shoulder aches, and the last thing you need is a pillow that's either too soft or too firm and increases the risk of worsening the pain. If this sounds familiar to you, we believe that Tempur-Neck would be a good choice thanks to its ergonomic curved design and it's firm but instantly pressure relieving Tempur-material. While it's not one of Tempur's most affordable pillows, it sits around the middle of the Tempur-Pedic price range. Temperature control clearly isn't the Tempur-Neck's priority, and this is surely where it falls down compared with similarly-designed pillows such as the Nest Bedding Easy Breather and the Sleep Number NaturaFit Ultimate. The curved shape and the extra firmness also makes it an unsuitable option for stomach sleepers who require a low-loft model or one with a customizable fill like the Coop Home Goods Original pillow. ✅You suffer from neck pains or aches: The Tempur-Neck provides the right combination of cushioning and firm support to soothe any aches or pains. ✅You're a back or side sleeper: The ergonomic design follows the natural curve of the neck and is therefore perfect for side and back sleepers. ✅You need instant pressure relief for your neck: The Tempur-Material used in the pillow gives you instant relaxation which melts away the built-up tension in your neck and shoulder muscles. ❌You prefer a softer pillow: Tempur-Neck is the firmest Tempur-Pedic pillow and its cushioning won't appeal to sleepers who need a fluffy or plush model. ❌You need a more affordable pillow: Tempur-Pedic pillows are not exactly cheap compared to more budget-friendly options in the market. ❌No sleep trial included: Unlike most brands, Tempur-Pedic does not provide a sleep trial or returns for its pillows. 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It is also a great budget purchase (and hence the top affordable choice in our pillow guide) since you're paying for not one but two pillows. There's currently 25% off, which means a set of queen pillows is now $59.99 (was $79.99).
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
This AI system found a potential cure for blindness
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. People developing frontier AI models often speculate about how amazing the world will be once AGI and AI superintelligence are available. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's recent essay is the latest example of that. Once superhuman intelligence is reached, the AI will make scientific discoveries that are beyond our reach for now, significantly improving our lives and well-being. There's also the possibility of AI taking over the world, of course. But we don't like to entertain it too much. Once that age of AI superintelligence arrives, we might see cancer eradicated, or a cure for diabetes and other types of illnesses that impact hundreds of millions of people. One can hope that AI will lead us there, at least. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 But we don't have to wait for one AI firm or another to proclaim that AGI is here to see meaningful developments in the field of medicine driven by AI. AGI, by the way, is the intermediate AI step we need to reach before superintelligence. Researchers from FutureHouse designed an AI system to automate scientific discovery. Called Robin, it's a scientist's companion that has several AI models to assist with the various stages of a discovery. Robin AI helped the researchers find a potential cure for a condition called dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD) that can lead to irreversible blindness in the elderly. As many as 200 million people suffer from dAMD. The Robin AI system helped the scientists come up with a potential treatment by repurposing a drug called ripasudil, which is also used to treat glaucoma. Robin AI isn't just one large language model. It has three components, each made of separate LLMs that handle specific aspects of the research process: Crow, Falcon, and Owl perform literature searches and synthesis Phoenix is responsible for chemical synthesis design Finch does complex data analysis The way Robin works is actually brilliant. First, Crow analyzed the relevant literature for dAMD (around 550 studies) and proposed a hypothesis for the study. Crow suggested that enhancing retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) phagocytosis could be a potential treatment for dAMD. Robin's Falcon then looked at candidate molecules that might be able to achieve the goal above. The RPE layer of cells eats debris from the photoreceptors. RPE failure leads to dAMD. Falcon found 10 candidates that the scientists tested in the lab. Finally, Finch analyzed the data from the tests that humans ran in the lab. This AI agent found a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor called Y-27632 would increase RPE phagocytosis in cell cultures. The research didn't stop here. The scientists had Robin look at the data and propose a new round of testing based on the previous findings. This time, the AI co-scientist system proposed a genetic experiment. It suggested an RNA-sequencing test to see if the ROCK inhibitor found during the previous stage could induce gene expression changes that would convince the RPE layer to eat more of the debris that builds up. The new experiment ended with Finch discovering that Y-27632 upregulated ABCA1, a gene that acts as a pump for lipids (cholesterol) in RPE cells. The ROCK inhibitor practically told cells to eject more fat. Robin looked at the data from the first round of testing and then proposed a second set of drug candidates. The list included ripasudil, a drug that's already approved to treat eye conditions (glaucoma). Ripasudil raised phagocytosis 7.5 times. That is, the drug might increase the rate at which RPE destroys debris significantly. Preventing that accumulation would prevent blindness. The entire process took only two and a half months, allowing researchers to discover a potential cure for blindness much faster than traditional methods that do not involve AI models. The scientists picked the dAMD project to put the Robin AI to the test, but they could have used any disease that impacts a large number of people. That's not to say that ripasudil will become the standard dAMD treatment to prevent blindness. But it's very likely that doctors will consider the therapy once additional tests prove the AI's hypothesis and solution are correct. Only after human trials are successful will the drug be used for dAMD. What's great about this process is that Robin found a drug that's already approved for use rather than discovering a new molecule that might need years of additional testing. The Robin experiment isn't the first to use AI for repurposing existing drugs to treat other conditions. But this system is more complex than having an AI read massive amounts of studies to find side effects in existing drugs that might treat illnesses other than the conditions they were made for. Here, one of Robin's LLMs does the reading and suggests solutions. The other AI models in Robin come up with molecules and then analyze the data from lab experiments. The humans are needed only to run the experiments, verify the output from AI models, and tweak algorithms and prompts. I wouldn't be surprised if similar research leads to the discovery of brand-new therapies for all sorts of conditions in the future. Also important is the researchers' decision to release Robin as an open-source project. Others might use it to run similar experiments or build their own AI systems that can act as co-scientists. The following clip does a great job explaining this AI breakthrough. You'll find the full study at this link. Don't Miss: Today's deals: Nintendo Switch games, $5 smart plugs, $150 Vizio soundbar, $100 Beats Pill speaker, more More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Miami Herald
‘I almost lost my family in one day.' Survivor recounts horror of boat explosion
Cassandra Rivera remembers every detail of the Memorial Day boat ride that led her and her two young sons to be hospitalized with severe burns after the boat burst into flames. 'I was giving my little one, Kash, water, and he looked at me and said 'Mommy, I think something bad is going to happen,'' she said. 'All I could hear on the other side [of the boat] was my husband screaming 'I smell fuel, I smell fuel. Please stop!' A few moments later, the 39-foot Sea Ray exploded in the Intracoastal Waterway off Fort Lauderdale, sending 11 of the 15 passengers on board to the hospital. The boat's operator, 29-year-old Joshua Fifi, died in the hospital days later. Rivera's two sons — 5 year-old Kash and 7-year-old Anthony — were badly burned. Kash has burns on 40% of his body while Anthony has 80%. Rivera sustained burns to roughly 20% of her body. On Wednesday, two weeks after the tragedy, she spoke up about the boat explosion at a press conference at Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she and her children have been treated. 'I can't thank them enough. I mean, Jackson saved our lives,' she said. Kash is progressing smoothly in his recovery, with Rivera mentioning he has bouts of delirium due to his young age and trauma left from the explosion. He is expected to be discharged within the next two weeks. Anthony, while conscious and alert, remains intubated. For burns as severe as his, surgeons perform skin transplant surgeries, among other procedures. 'But sometimes the skin is damaged to the point of not being able to heal itself, and then we have to do skin grafting, which is basically a transplant,' said Jackson burn care expert and trauma surgeon Dr. Carl Schulman. 'In extremely, extremely serious cases, there are companies and labs that grow thin layers of skin cells . . . We use those in some of the more severe cases.' Rivera has been discharged from her week-and-a-half stay at Ryder's intensive care unit, and her burns, covering her shoulders, hands, thighs and toes, are healing steadily. She and her husband, Antonio Rivera, who sustained minor burns in the boat explosion, spend most of their days at their sons' bedsides at Ryder. 'I sleep on a cot beside my son's bed. If he needs anything, I get up,' said the mother. 'I'm glad I'm going through [rehab] before my boys are . . . I can relate to them, and I know exactly how they're feeling, so I can comfort them a little bit more.' Rivera said she and her husband knew the owner of the boat, who had invited them to on the excursion. She didn't name the boat's owner. 'It was a private boat. We knew the owner of the boat, and we thought when we were going out, it was just going to be us, the owner and the captain of the boat,' she said. 'The captain of the boat invited all his friends, so all the other victims and burn survivors are not our friends. We met them that day.' Gas vapors likely cause of explosion: Fire Rescue Fort Lauderdale fire officials say fuel vapors in the engine compartment of the inboard-engine boat were the likely culprit of the fire. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state police agency investigating the blast, said the explosion happened when Fifi started the port, or left, engine around 5:45 p.m. that day. The incident remains under investigation, according to the FWC. The Rivera family says they are exploring their legal options as they wait for more information from the agency. Unfortunately, cases like Rivera's are the extreme end of a larger string of boat fires in South Florida. The Sea Ray was the second boat to go up in flames in Fort Lauderdale that week. A 30-foot boat caught fire just off the beach in Fort Lauderdale two days later, on May 28. There was one person on board, who jumped off the vessel and swam to shore before paramedics took him to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Also on Memorial Day, a 48-foot fishing yacht caught fire off Jupiter Inlet. The cause of that fire remains under investigation. And, last Friday, six boats, including a 90-foot vessel, burned up at a Sunny Isles Beach condominium dock. No one was injured in the fire, which was triggered by one boat going up in flames and spreading to five other boats. Boat fires this year Florida averages about 35 boat fires every year, according to data released by the FWC. So far this year, there have been six boat fires in Fort Lauderdale, according to the city's Fire Rescue Department. Last year, there were 15 boat fires in Fort Lauderdale, up from four in 2021, with 11 each in 2022 and 2023, the department said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue released data to the Herald this week showing it has responded to 11 vessel fires so far this year. Last year, there were 32 boat fires, compared to 27 the year before, and 26 each in 2022 and 2021, according to the department. 'You never know what's going to happen. I didn't expect to get on a boat, after boating my whole entire life, and for it to just explode on me,' said Rivera. She said that while she doesn't plan on boycotting boats anytime soon, it's important to practice safe boating habits to prevent 'fluke accidents' like hers. She also reflected on how her near-death experience has changed her views on the importance of life's moments. 'I almost lost my whole family in one day. It opens up your eyes, and you just have to realize each day is granted to you.'
