A planned adaptation of Disneys 2010 animated hit Tangled has reportedly hit the brakes as the studio rethinks its Disney Princess live-action strategy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, sources close to Disney say the film has been put on pause and that theres uncertainty in regards to whether Tangled will move forward down the road or undergo a creative rethink. Its concerning to see after Snow Whites middling receptionits currently at 40% for critics, 73% for audiences on Rotten Tomatoesdue to critically panned casting for the Evil Queen and mixed results on CG dwarfs. Rachel Zeglers performance was unanimously praised in most reviews as the films biggest strength. The actress overcame racist online bullying over her casting with audiences and a smear attempt over political posts even before the films release in an apparent move to pin the films struggle on her. So far, Snow White has made a modest $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide against its $270 million budget, which was inflated due to the 2023 labor strikes, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Tangled also briefly faced similar online culture war discourse to Snow White and The Little Mermaid when Mean Girls musical star Avantika was rumored to be in the running for the role of Rapunzel. It was never confirmed she was being seen for the part and yet she still faced internet attacks and harassment from those against the idea. The reaction to this summers Lilo & Stitch may determine how Disney will handle its live-action adaptations moving forward. It will be curious to see how Snow White does on Disney+, as it could be much like Encanto and find its audience on the streamer. Perhaps this pause on Tangled, rather than outright shelving, might be a way of waiting to be informed on what to do between the box office and home streaming performances of both live-action films released in 2025. Still in the pipeline are the live-action Moana, which is now in production, and Hercules, which isin pre-production. For now well keep waiting for Rapunzel to let down her live-action hair. io9 reached out to Disney for comment and will update this post if we hear back. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Superbugs are pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that present serious threats in hospitals, exposing vulnerable patients to higher risks of infections and even death. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths annually are caused by microbe strains that have developed resistance to multiple drugs one of the most significant global public health threats of this century.Unfortunately, hospitals, where the most vulnerable patients are concentrated, also serve as breeding grounds for these superbugs, fostering pathogens like the well-known MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). This strain can cause serious bloodstream infections or pneumonia.A relatively new and dangerous fungal pathogen, Candida auris, is also on the rise, prompting researchers to quantify these fungal infections and study how they manifest in patients. Their research, which included clinical cultures of C. auris collected between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, was published in the American Journal of Infection Control.The Danger of Candida auris SymptomsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified C. auris as an "urgent antimicrobial resistance threat" for hospitals, following its first appearance in the U.S. in 2016. Discovered in Japan in 2009, the pathogen has spread worldwide, with health professionals fighting to contain it.C. auris is closely related to C. albicans, a common cause of candidiasis, including fungal infections like thrush and vaginal yeast infections. These infections tend to take hold in people with weak immune systems, such as the elderly, infants, and those with immune deficiencies.However, C. auris can cause more invasive forms of candidiasis that can spread into the bloodstream, central nervous system, and other internal organs posing a more significant threat to health. The challenge with treating this pathogen is its ability to be misidentified as other, less harmful types of candida, and its multidrug resistance. Many common antimicrobial drugs are ineffective against superbugs, partly due to the overuse of antibiotics in healthcare settings.C. auris Cases Are RisingA study focused on the health care system in Miami, Florida, highlights a troubling rise in C. auris infections, from just 5 cases in 2019 to 115 in 2023. Most infections were found in the bloodstream, but there has also been an increase in cases involving cerebrospinal fluid (the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord), as well as soft tissue and bone infections.The fungus primarily spreads through medical equipment such as catheters, as well as breathing and feeding tubes. The CDC has issued a comprehensive list of recommendations to curb the spread of C. auris, which includes strict cleaning protocols for surfaces and devices, and using single-patient rooms when possible.Additionally, all C. auris samples from the study showed resistance to fluconazole, a commonly used antifungal drug for treating serious fungal and yeast infections. Aside from its resistance to regular medical treatment, C. auris also shows resilience against common cleaning products and disinfectants.Low Risk to the General PublicIn 2023, there were already concerns about C. auris, with warnings about its spread across half of the U.S. states, indicating that authorities have been monitoring the issue for some time.Although C. auris can lead to severe or fatal illnesses, at present it doesnt pose much risk to the general public. Most healthy individuals are unlikely to contract the infection since they arent as exposed to C. auris, and their immune systems can typically fight it off. However, for people who are already ill and hospitalized, the growing threat is very real.In terms of preventing the spread of C. auris, isolation and contact precautions are critical. According to the researchers in a press release, "Our findings suggest that early identification of patients colonized with C. auris and the prompt deployment of infection prevention strategies can potentially reduce the incidence of bloodstream infections."This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.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:Centers for Disease Control: Antimicrobial Resistance Facts and StatsCenters for Disease Control: Infection Control Guidance: Candida aurisHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When shes not immersed in a popular science book, youll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

Researchers have successfully created solar cells from simulated moon dust that could fuel power. The cells the scientists developed should convert sunlight into energy efficiently and withstand radiation damage, they report in the Cell Press journal Device.The technique kills two space logistics birds with one stone: it could create electricity without involving heavy payloads. Building a solar power electrical plant with existing technology would likely require multiple expensive trips to ferry heavy components to the satellite.The solar cells used in space now are amazing, reaching efficiencies of 30 percent to even 40 percent, but that efficiency comes with a price, Felix Lang, a researcher with the University of Potsdam, Germany, and an author of the study, said in a press release. They are very expensive and are relatively heavy because they use glass or a thick foil as cover. Its hard to justify lifting all these cells into space.Turning Moon Dust into PowerVision of future solar cell fabrication on the Moon, utilizing raw regolith. Shown are robots that source raw regolith and bring it to a production facility, which fabricates perovskite-based moon solar cells. Later automated rovers or astronauts install the produced solar cells to power future Moon-habitats or even cities. (Image Credit: Sercan zen)Langs team developed a technique to create glass for the solar cells out of the Moons loose surface debris, called lunar regolith. Since glass for solar cells represents the heaviest, bulkiest component, creating the material on the lunar surface could reduce a spacecrafts launch mass by 99.4 percent, cut 99 percent of transport costs, and pave the way for lunar settlements.To test the idea, the researchers melted simulated Moon dust into moonglass, then paired it with a cheap and easily made crystal called perovskite. The combo proved very efficient; the technique replaces every gram of material that would need to be sent via space, and the new panels produced up to 100 times more energy than traditional solar panels.If you cut the weight by 99 percent, you dont need ultra-efficient 30 percent solar cells, you just make more of them on the Moon," Lang said in the press release. "Plus, our cells are more stable against radiation, while the others would degrade over time.Moonglass and Solar PanelsThe team tested that proposition by zapping both their version and conventional solar panels with radiation. The moonglass versions outperformed the Earth-made ones likely because standard glass slowly browns in space, losing efficiency. The moonglass, already with a brown tilt essentially built in due to chemical impurities, doesnt degrade further.The team wrote that making moonglass in space should be relatively easy since the ingredients dont require purification. Concentrated sunlight alone should provide enough heat to transform lunar regolith into glass.There are still challenges the scientists must overcome to make cells on the Moon rather than on Earth. They arent clear how the process will work in lower gravity. The solvents now used to process the perovskite are ineffective in a vacuum. And they are unsure how drastic swings in the Moons surface temperature could impact the materials stability.To address these issues, the team aims to launch a small-scale experiment to the Moon to test the technique in lunar, not laboratory, conditions.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:Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.

A few years ago, I picked up a Carhartt Mens Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt during a sale much like the one currently happening on Amazon. Since then, I havent found much reason to wear any other t-shirt. This is Carhartts bread-and-butter shirt, so it rarely goes on sale. Right now, however, every size and color is 25 percent off. That makes most sizes $15 and the extended sizes (of which Carhartt makes a ton) roughly $18. You can choose between the loose fit and the relaxed fit (see below for the difference). These shirts last forever and come in a ton of different hues, so grab the one that works for you and live in it. Then maybe grab one of the companys classic work jackets that it recently re-engineered.Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt $15 (was $20)This is how a T-shirt should be. Its made from 100 percent jersey knit cotton, so it wont pill or stink like polyester blends. The color will also patina much better than a synthetic fabric. It has a ribbed neckline that resists stretching and the pocket on the front is basically indestructible. I crammed my heavy tape measure in there for more than an hour and it went right back to the right shape without distorting. Compared to the Relaxed Fit shirt below, the Loose Fit is boxier with more room through the chest, shoulders, and body, giving it a more traditional workwear shape. Its designed to be roomy and has a drop shoulder. Its available in every size from extra-small up to 5X with tall versions of each size. These run a little big, so consider sizing down one if you dont want a baggy shirt.You can find the womens size and color options here. Carhartt Men's Relaxed Fit Heavyweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt $15 (was $20)Carhartt This shirt is made from the same burly materials with toughness in mind. The only real difference is the fit. The relaxed fit still has some room to it, but it tapers slightly more through the sides and arms, making it feel a bit more modern and closer to a standard t-shirt fit without being tight. This is a more common look for people buying it purely for fashion. Its available up to size 4XL with tall versions thrown in as well.

Researchers believe this 3D-printed structure will react to chemicals similarly to human skin.Credit: Manisha Sonthalia, Vellore Institute of Technology Chances are, you or someone you know has used a cosmetic product that was tested on animals. Though once a common practice, it has faced fierce backlash from animal welfare organizations, who argue that animal testing is unnecessarily cruel. At least 44 countries and 12 U.S. states have already passed legislation banning the practice, with some also prohibiting the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. At the same time, testing on animal cells can be particularly useful in determining whether microparticles found in creams, gels, and other common products might seep into human skin and potentially pose health risks.Researchers from Graz University of Technology and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India are working on what they believe could be a compromiseoffering the reliability of animal testing without the suffering. Their proposed solution: artificial skin made of 3D-printed hydrogel layers held together by living human cells. Though still in the early stages of development, the researchers believe this bioengineered solution could mimic human skin accurately enough to one day help replace animals in cosmetic testing experiments. In theory, the same approach could also be expanded beyond cosmetics to applications such as drug testing and wound healing.Image: Manisha Sonthalia, Vellore Institute of Technology Building artificial skin with room to growThe researchers initially sought to create a skin imitation that could accurately mimic the three layers in human skin: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Karin Stana Kleinschek, a researcher at the Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems, said in a statement that they ultimately chose hydrogel as the base for their artificial skin due to its high water content. According to the researchers, this high water concentration creates optimal conditions for integrating living human cells, allowing them to grow and multiply more effectively over a shorter period.A video demonstration of the process shows a 3D-printing machine globing on layers of hydrogel skin substitute onto a square surface. In another image, the hydrogel skin scaffold is arranged in a checkered pattern across a circular platform, resembling a Chex Mix-like design. In theory, these coin-sized constructs should react to cosmetics and other foreign substances in ways similar to human skin.The researchers are currently working toward a goal of keeping their bioengineered material viable for two to three weeks. Once they achieve that milestone, the artificial skin will be considered durable enough for cosmetic testing.All of this could be welcome news for opponents of animal testing. Though precise figures are difficult to pin down, the Humane World for Animalsa group advocating against the practice estimates that around 500,000 animals globally suffer or die each year due to cosmetic testing. Advocates argue that some of the most common procedures, such as applying potentially harmful chemicals directly to animals skin and eyes, are particularly inhumane. In most cases, test animals are euthanized after experiments. But the issue also extends far beyond cosmetics. An estimated 20 million animals die each year in the U.S. alone due to testing related to pharmaceutical drugs and medical research.Researches are 3D-printing everything from kidneys to blood vesselsThe crossroads between 3D-printing and bioengineering is already having an impact on the medical industry and will likely play a much larger role in the coming years. Scientists have experimented with 3D-printed human livers composed of real human cells with the idea that they could one day be used to address a shortage of viable organ donors. Theres signs that vision is well on its way to reality. Last year, a South Korean woman became the first person to benefit from a 3D-printed organ transplant after she received a printed windpipe following surgery to address thyroid cancer. More recently, researchers at Harvard developed 3D-printed blood vessels which they say could make manufacturing a wide range of implantable organs much more viable.

Nature, Published online: 03 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01029-8After cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, Trumps team instructs the US biomedical agency to study negative consequences of transitioning.

Nature, Published online: 02 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00976-6Innovative experimental and computational techniques have been developed to study the interface of oil droplets suspended in water, a model system of hydrophobic interaction. These techniques reveal greater water structural disorder than in bulk water and an intense electric field at the wateroil interface.

Has the sun already reached solar maximum? New data suggests Solar Cycle 25 may have peaked earlier than expected. Find out what this means.

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.@sherif_a_dawoud returned to 80 Level to discuss his realistic coast material crafted in Substance 3D Designer and Marmoset Toolbag, with animation done in DaVinci Resolve.Read the interview: https://80.lv/articles/creating-realistic-animated-water-with-substance-3d-designer-marmoset-toolbag/