Heathrow Airport, the fourth busiest in the world, was temporarily closed after a fire broke out causing a major power outage and hundreds of flight disruptions.Read the original article on Business Insider

Xbox is betraying the entire concept of video game consoles Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished March 22, 2025 1:20am The next Xbox probably wont be a traditional console (Microsoft)A reader reacts angrily to suggestions that the next gen Xbox is a PC in a box and argues Xbox is trying to destroy the whole concept of video game consoles.Theres been a lot of people lately lamenting the current state of Xbox, and for obvious reasons given how bad console sales are getting. What annoys me though is the way they talk about Microsoft, as if theyre some kind of loveable loser who you should pity. Microsofts attempts at dominating the games industry are pitiable but their actions are hardly that of a helpless underdog.Theyre the biggest company in the history of mankind and while theyve been entirely incompetent in the way theyve used their colossal $3 trillion bank balance theyve also been extremely destructive. At some point in the Xbox One generation they mustve decided that if they cant beat Sony fairly then theyll just tip the table over and ruin the game(s industry) for everyone.Almost $100 billion later and they now own Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and a bunch of others and theyve completely failed to put their stamp on them. Nothing has changed about how these companies are run, or what games they make, but suddenly Phil Spencer and his cronies have started talking about what we are going to do, when discussing them. As if he or anyone else has had any impact on their success and/or failures.We know from the court cases that the original plan was to make all Bethesda games exclusives, just like Starfield, but clearly someone higher up, probably Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, told them that wasnt going to work. Theyve spent all this money and theres no way theyre going to get any of it back by only selling games as Xbox exclusives.Theyve not tried that with any Activision games, because the message had already sank in by then, and instead they pivoted to their multiformat plan (which theyve lied about and tried to underplay the entire time, even with petty things like not releasing the games physically).And now we learn that their big plan for the next gen is a PC in a box, a PC handheld, and AI. So they not only no longer make consoles theyre trying to make the entire concept of consoles go away, so that they can pretend that actually theyre irrelevant now and it doesnt matter that nobody bought theirs.What gets me though is that the first two things have already been proven not to work. Valves Steam Machines concept flopped horribly and the entire concept is fundamentally doomed to be the worst of both worlds. Not only that but the latest rumour suggests it wont even be properly backwards compatible only through emulation!We also know that PC handhelds are extremely niche concept, that have only sold a few million in the entire lifetime of the concept. Presumably Xbox thinks they can make theirs more successful but what is that based on? The Xbox brand being so super popular theyll go from Steam Deck numbers (4 million) to Nintendo Switch numbers (150 million). If they really do think that theyre more delusion than they seem.And then theres AI, which for no reason other than its an investor buzzword, theyre now going to use to make games. They know its only going to make bad games. They know its going to do talented people out of a job, but theyre going to push it anyway because theyve got loads of money and Sony hasnt.Theyre just going to do everything Sony cant, no matter how stupid or destructive it is, as they flail about, throwing everything at the wall and hoping that finally, for the first time in two generations, something sticks.More TrendingNot only is Microsoft betraying the whole concept of consoles, theyre doing it on purpose in an attempt to make Sony obsolete. If I was Sony I wouldnt be too worried, given Xboxs track record, but if they do succeed what will the future of gaming be under Microsoft? AI slop and PCs in a box. I hope they fail utterly, for the sake of all gaming.By reader Korbie Xbox accidentally leaked that theyre pushing for Steam integration (Microsoft)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Pregnancy is an incredibly special and delicate time for all parents. In those early stages of development, the environment, both inside and outside the body, can drastically impact fetal and long-term health.A recent study has identified a new area that can be influenced, diagnosed, and treated before birth: neuropsychiatric disorders.The Placenta and Psychiatric DisordersThe key to understanding the genetic risk of neuropsychiatric disorders is in the placenta. The international research team, composed of 28 researchers from across Europe and the U.S., has identified the placenta as playing an important role in neuropsychiatric development.According to the study published in Nature Communications, particular modifications in the placenta can impact the expression of the genes associated with certain psychiatric disorders. This finding confirms that certain types of genetic risk can appear and be identified during the prenatal stage.The psychiatric disorders most commonly linked to the environment of the placenta are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. However, there is some indication that other neuropsychiatric disorders, like ADHD and autism, may also be impacted.These findings reinforce the hypothesis that schizophrenia and other disorders have a neurodevelopmental origin and that the placenta plays a fundamental role in this process, said Nora Fernandez-Jimenez, in a press release.What Does the Placenta Do?It is well known that all different kinds of stressors can affect the quality and safety of a babys first home. Stress during pregnancy is related to a myriad of health problems, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and behavioral issues.The placenta plays a large role in creating the perfect environment for a fetus to develop and thrive. It acts as the primary link and boundary between parent and child during pregnancy as the short-lived organ controls the transport of nutrients, oxygen, waste, and endocrine signals.Due to this vital job, the placenta plays a major role in the neurodevelopment of the fetus.DNA ModificationsThe focus of this study is on epigenetic modifications occurring within the placenta. Epigenetic modifications are chemical changes in DNA and associated proteins. These changes manage gene activity but dont alter the DNA sequence.DNA methylation is one of the most common types of modifications studied. In this process, small molecules are added to specific regions of a DNA sequence.This type of modification is important to study because it is essential for fetal development, environmental adaptation, and disease predisposition. It is also highly influenced by genetics and can be altered or intensified based on external factors such as diet, stress, and exposure to pollutants.By discovering the connection between the genetic risk of psychiatric disorders and DNA methylation in the placenta, researchers have unlocked the possibility of new intervention methods for the prevention and treatment of these disorders.A New Path ForwardThe impact of having the ability to identify and treat psychiatric disorders at the prenatal stage is staggering.If we could identify risk factors at the prenatal stage, we could intervene before symptoms appear, adjusting treatments or designing personalized preventative strategies, explained Ariadna Cilleros-Portet, a postdoctoral researcher at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, in a press release.The discovery represents a crucial advance in the understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders and their biological basis. Thanks to this information, researchers hope to open new lines of investigation for the early detection of these disorders, which will also allow for the development of more effective therapies.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:As the marketing coordinator at Discover Magazine, Stephanie Edwards interacts with readers across Discover's social media channels and writes digital content. Offline, she is a contract lecturer in English & Cultural Studies at Lakehead University, teaching courses on everything from professional communication to Taylor Swift, and received her graduate degrees in the same department from McMaster University. You can find more of her science writing in Lab Manager and her short fiction in anthologies and literary magazine across the horror genre.

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08702-yRaman spectroscopy measurements of water at the interface with oil droplets show a perturbed hydrogen-bond network and evidence for a strong interfacial electric field.

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00748-2A description of the terminology and methodology used in this supplement, and a guide to the functionality that is available free online at natureindex.com.

Motion Designer Sun Somei, whose work weve previously featured on 80 Level, has unveiled a new creation that, as always, showcases a striking, realistic cinematic quality achieved with Blender. In this latest piece, the artist presented a graceful human figure adorned with intricate bird feathers, dancing within an ethereal environment.Sun Somei credited the collaboration of an entire team of artists behind this project and offered a detailed look at the feather simulation, the central element of this shot, made possible with Geometry Nodes:Follow Sun Someis X/Twitter page for more amazing works, and check out some of their recent stuff:Dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Stunning Mythical Feathered Dancer Cinematic Animation Powered By Blender appeared first on CG SHARES.

Want to know what a room box looks like in a time-lapse? Then check out this cozy bathroom diorama created by Alisa Blenderlis in Blender.The room gets assembled smoothly, piece by tiny piece, in a very pleasant motion and turns into a beautiful, magical place you might love to visit one day.If you enjoy Blenderliss style, take a look at her earlier works: a painterly bedroom, a small bakery, and other projects, which you can find on her Instagram and Reddit.We also have more stunning dioramas from various artists to enjoy on our website.Quackles3DJoin our 80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Cute Animated Diorama of Bathroom Made in Blender appeared first on CG SHARES.

Thinking about unlocking the best skills for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows? This mountain of a man might be a stranger in a strange land, but he has heart, honor, and unswerving loyalty. He's also a peerless warrior who can clear out a whole room full of hostile fighters. Our guide has all the information you need if you want to select some top-tier perks and abilities for Yasuke.Best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed ShadowsCompared to Naoe, Yasuke isn't quite as light on his feet. In fact, you'll probably notice him struggling with traversal and exploration, since he's unable to climb higher walls or cross tightropes. On the bright side, he's an absolute powerhouse who can survive taxing battles even when facing numerous foes. Yasuke has the following skill trees:Main archetype: Samurai - Has offensive and defensive perks, as well as assassination functions.Melee weapons: Long Katana, Kanabo, and Naginata - Certain skill trees will only appear once you've obtained a weapon of that particular type.Ranged weapons: Bow and Teppo - Similar to melee weapons, you also need to acquire a teppo (firearm) or bow to access their respective skill trees.Note that you must amass enough Knowledge Points from various activities. These allow you to unlock perks from higher tiers using your Mastery Points (i.e. skill points). Samurai: Best skillsAbility: Impenetrable Defense/Unbreachable Guard/Absolute Perfection - This is one of the best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows since it combines both defense and offense. Once activated, you're able to counter every enemy hit (up to five hits) for the whole 20-second duration.Passive: Regeneration - Restores Yasuke's HP whenever he kills an enemy. This is an absolute necessity for most of the campaign.Passive: Brutal Assassination/Assassination Damage tree - This is Yasuke's own way of performing assassinations and taking out a chunk of a target's HP.Passive: Vigor I/II/III - Have more adrenaline so you can keep fighting in great condition. Long Katana: Best skillsPassive: Combat Expert and Melee Weapon Armor Damage - These have utilitarian effects when it comes to dealing damage and armor piercing.Passive: Adrenaline Builder - Increases adrenaline gains.Passive: Riposte/Energizing Defense/Defensive Strike - Improves your counter so that you can perform a riposte, with bonus health restoration, too. Kanabo: Best skillsPassive: Devastation/Turmoil/Infinite Devastation and Forward Momentum/Constant Pressure/Power Surge - These are some of the best Yasuke skills in Assassin's Creed Shadows, especially if you prefer wielding a kanabo. The weapon itself has slow but powerful attacks, often breaking an enemy's guard as well. As such, it's often a good idea to keep swinging until your targets are eliminated.Passive: Combo Ender Damage - Increases the damage of your combo enders regardless of your equipped weapon. Naginata: Best skillsAbility: Crescent Strike/Deep Cut/Disabling Strike - Among all the weapon-based abilities in the game, we feel that the naginata's Crescent Strike is the most devastating. It cuts through a wide arc, allowing you to hit multiple enemies around you.Passive: One Man Army - Increases damage when hitting multiple enemies.Passive: Far Reach/Lethal Reach/Fatal Reach - Improves your damage throughput, critical hit chance, and adrenaline generation when wielding a naginata. Bow: Best skillsAbility: Clear Mind/Effective Mindset/Level-Headed - Slows down time when activated, allowing you to land more headshots.Passive: Marksman's Shot/Stance/Touch - A posture shot to the head also allows you to fire another arrow by pressing the attack button.Passive: Critical Damage and Headshot Damage - More damage with your armaments, so what's not to like?Large Quiver I/II/III - Increases the maximum capacity for all your arrow types. Teppo: Best skillsAbility: Explosive Surprise/Barrage/Warfare - If you prefer to use a teppo (i.e. musket) instead of a bow, then the Explosive Surprise ability is one to watch out for. With it, you can blast clustered groups of enemies, before following up with a deadly melee strike.Passive: Teppo Tempo/Target Vulnerability - Aiming down sights can be risky when you're surrounded by several enemies. That's why you need a handy dodge, made even better if it inflicts vulnerability on advancing hostiles.Passive: Larger Pouch I/II/III - Increases the maximum capacity for all ammo types.That's all you need to know about the best skills for Yasuke in Assassin's Creed Shadows. If you want to learn about the more stealth-focused ninja protagonist, you can read our best Naoe skills guide.Do you need more help as you continue your adventure throughout Sengoku Jidai era Japan? We've got you covered, so just take a look at our Assassin's Creed Shadows guides hub.

Netflix was working on a AAA multiplayer shooter with a team that included Halo and Destiny veteran Joe Staten, but the game and the studio were scuttled in 2024. Why? One of Netflix's top gaming bosses, Alain Tascan, said in an interview that this project did not align with the company's goals."I don't want this move to be seen as, 'We're not going to do big ambitious games,'" Tascan told Bloomberg. "It was just the genre of the game... I don't think was matching the platform. This team was really good at what they were doing, but we wouldn't have been the best partner for them to express their skills and their expertise."The shift away from this game came amid a wider shakeup at at Netflix's film and TV divisions that calls for fewer, less-expensive releases that aim for higher quality. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Nintendois one of the biggest names in the video game industry, and it's responsible for some of the most iconic IPs out there. Nintendo's franchises run deep, and they've had a lot of time to iterate and improve over the years. Founding games like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros. remain iconic pieces of video game history, but they've also opened the door for sequels and successors that are just as revolutionary.