Nature, Published online: 08 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01009-yThe 50th anniversary of a landmark biosafety conference is an opportunity to ensure its spirit lives on in today’s scientists.

The dinosaurs were not in decline before the asteroid hit, a new study finds. Instead, poor fossilization conditions and unexposed late Cretaceous rock layers mean they're either not preserved or hard to find.

I love Blender’s open source nature. My career is built on me getting free training over the internet when I was a teen. It started everything! That’s why I publish training for free online. I spend more than full-time hours to try and make it great. I don’t want a financial barrier to someone growing up with little opportunities. I want them to express their creativity. To make their game/film. I tailor my tutorials to people with lower end hardware, and use older graphics cards so I can show what can be achieved on a budget rig. Some countries charge a fortune in taxes just for basic hardware! I barely survive on donations I get (far less than minimum wage in my country). In your opinion, am I wrong for plugging my Patreon in my free courses? Does this annoy you? I mention it briefly over a 6.5 hour training. I could just never mention it ever, but if I make less than I do now, I stop making videos (probably should already, if I was responsible). 🙃 submitted by /u/RileyBrown3D [link] [comments]

Game developer @artem_sini39436 showcased a multiperspective system he created for his retrofuturistic action game Chrome Shift, combining top-down and 2.5D gameplay using Unity.See more: https://80.lv/articles/developer-combines-top-down-2-5d-gameplay-in-their-unity-game/

RT HUXLEY®Cool guys don't look at explosions

RT Unreal EngineUnreal Engine 5 helped solo dev Matt Newell create the photography-themed game Lushfoil Photography Sim 📷Using Megascans, Distance fields, Contact Shadows and Virtual Textures, Newell was able to create an experience that rewards curiosity and allows for the capture of stunning photos in beautifully crafted environments: https://epic.gm/game-profile-lushfoil

Check Out my Multiplayer Courses:https://smartpoly.teachable.comHello guys welcome back to another video. In this video we'll be showing you how to setup this FREE blocky character inside of unreal engine 5. I'll show you first where to download this FREE character that you can use commercially. I'll be showing you how to setup the animations, and finally how you can setup the character blueprint. DOWNLOAD IT FREE HERE: https://quaternius.com/packs/cubeworldkit.htmlLINKS:---------------------------------------------------------------------------My Courses: https://smartpoly.teachable.com Survival Game Course: https://smartpoly.teachable.com/p/ue5-multiplayer-steam-survival-game-course-remasteredChannel Membership: https://www.youtube.com/@SmartPoly/joinSupport Me on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/smartpolyBuy My Complete Projects: https://smartpoly.gumroad.comDonate: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smartpoly---------------------------------------------------------------------------MY PC SPECS & AFFILIATE LINKS---------------------------------------------------------------------------Mouse: https://amzn.to/46WMdjNKeyboard: https://amzn.to/3M11SpVLaptop: https://amzn.to/3M7kjJQCPU: https://amzn.to/3tKTK6ERAM: https://amzn.to/45yvWjWGPU: https://amzn.to/3rUGMmmSSD 2TB: https://amzn.to/46QcGPSSSD 4TB: https://amzn.to/46T10f9Primary Monitor 4K: https://amzn.to/3RZxqk5Secondary Monitor 1080p: https://amzn.to/3M6X16VMicrophone: https://amzn.to/3S0aLnxAudio: https://amzn.to/3S5z5VmHeadset: https://amzn.to/45BeWJP

Binance has announced a partnership with Worldpay, a leading payment processing company based in Ohio, US. As part of the collaboration, users will be able to purchase cryptocurrencies on Binance using Apple Pay and Google Pay, with transactions routed through Worldpay. The initiative is aimed at making digital assets more accessible by leveraging familiar and widely used payment platforms. Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, emphasised that both on-chain and off-chain ramps play a vital role in accelerating crypto adoption.Commenting on the development, Binance said that fiat gateways are crucial to get new users onto the crypto ecosystem. As part of the deal, Worldpay will let Binance users process card-to-crypto transactions using their Apple Pay and Google Pay accounts.As per Statista, Apple Pay has over 500 million global users. Meanwhile, Google Pay reportedly has a global userbase of around 150 million. Binance noted that apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay can solidify the merger of traditional financial systems with Web3."The addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay is more than just a technical update. It reflects our commitment to meeting users where they are, bringing Web3 to them on their terms," the exchange said in its announcement post.Meanwhile, Worldpay has been working on its crypto-focussed partnerships for some years now. As per its website, the platform can help crypto exchanges navigate the "complexities of global payment processing". The platform that started as an online multi-currency payment system in 1997, currently accepts 135 currencies through cards, mobile wallets, and other payment systems. It claims to offer accurate fraud prevention services to crypto exchanges along with a full chargeback indemnification.Nabil Manji, Head of FinTech Growth at Worldpay has predicted that this integration with Binance will likely be impactful in allowing users to explore crypto with a familiar ease."Digital wallets have emerged as the preferred payment method for millions of consumers globally, and in many parts of the world, they are already the primary way people engage with financial services and trusted e-commerce experiences," Manji stated.Worldpay has also partnered with Vanar Chain to upscale the network's financial services. The blockchain firm called Binance's partnership with Worldpay "huge" in a tweet.Given their massive userbase and elaborate global presence, both Apple Pay and Google Pay have drawn the attention of crypto firms to explore integration possibilities.In 2021, for instance, Coinbase partnered with Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling users to link their Coinbase cards to these platforms and pay for utilities via crypto. Later in 2022, the CryptoCom exchange announced an integration with Google Pay to let individuals purchase cryptocurrencies through the online payment app.That being said, both Apple and Google have remained distant from directly exposing users to volatile crypto assets that may pose a financial risk.

From Idea to App: Building a React App with ChatGPT, GitHub, Free APIs and Bolt.new8 min read·Just now--What if building a React app didn’t require writing code from scratch or memorizing CLI commands?With a little help from ChatGPT and a powerful tool called Bolt.new, you can go from an idea to a working web app — entirely through your browser.This article walks you through that process: generating a fresh app idea with ChatGPT, creating a GitHub repository via the GitHub UI, and connecting that repo to Bolt.new to bring the concept to life. No command line. No setup headaches. Just your idea, a few clicks, and a smart assistant to do the heavy lifting.What Is Bolt.new?Bolt.new is a browser-based development environment powered by StackBlitz’s WebContainers. It lets you build full-stack applications using natural language prompts, edit files, run Node.js servers, and even deploy your apps — all in-browser.When you connect it to a GitHub repository, it can read your files and build your app based on what it finds — like an idea stored in a .txt file.Create a GitHub Repository (No CLI Needed)Start by going to GitHub and logging in. Click the + icon in the upper-right corner and choose New repository.Name your repository something like react-ai-dog-recommender and check the box to initialize it with a README. Leave everything else as default. Click Create repository.You now have a place to store your app idea — and soon, your app itself.Use ChatGPT to Generate a React App IdeaNow visit ChatGPT and use a prompt like this:“Give me an idea for a React-based application that uses AI to give personalized dog recommendations based on user preferences. What is the best dog for a users personality? Please be verbose with the requirements.”You’ll get a detailed response, possibly something like:Copy the entire idea — don’t edit it yet. That raw inspiration is going straight into your repo.Upload the App Idea to GitHubBack on GitHub, open your new repository and click Add file > Upload files. Choose Create new file if you prefer typing it in directly.Name the file app_idea.txt.Paste the full ChatGPT output into this file.Scroll down and click Commit new file.Now your app idea is stored in GitHub, and Bolt.new will be able to find it.Connect Bolt.new to Your GitHub RepoIn your browser’s address bar, enter the following (replacing placeholders with your actual info):https://bolt.new/~/github.com/your-github-username/react-ai-dog-recommenderBolt.new will automatically clone your repo and open a browser-based IDE with your app_idea.txt visible in the file tree. (The assumption is that you setup Bolt.new using your GitHub — which is the preferred way).Tell Bolt.new to Build the AppClick on app_idea.txt to review your idea. Then go to the prompt bar at the bottom of the Bolt.new interface and type:Build a React application based on the description in app_idea.txt.Bolt.new will begin scaffolding your app. Depending on your description, it may create multiple components, set up a project structure, and even add mock data or routing. It probably won’t try to add APIs or databases until you explicitly tell it to.If anything is missing, you can guide Bolt.new further by adding prompts like:Add a homepage with a “Rate Your Favorites” form or Implement a simple login screenRefine, Test, and LaunchOnce your basic app is generated, you can interact with it in the live preview panel. Make adjustments using prompts or edit the files manually in the file tree.Bolt.new lets you run the app, preview it, and deploy it without leaving the browser. When you’re happy with it, hit deploy or push it back to GitHub.ConclusionThis flow — from idea to app — is a glimpse into the future of development. By combining GitHub for storage, ChatGPT for ideation, and Bolt.new for build-and-deploy power, you can shortcut the traditional dev cycle and focus on what really matters: great ideas and functional user experiences.If you’re an educator, a founder, or just someone with an idea and no time to code — it’s never been easier to make it real.Addendum: How to Use APIs with Bolt.new (The Right Way)Bolt.new is powerful, but it’s not psychic.If you want to integrate an external API, you need to give it the full picture — including the API documentation. That means you go to the API site, you copy the docs, and then you paste them directly into Bolt.new before prompting it.Let’s walk through a real example to show how this works.Step One: Choose an APIWe’ll use the Dog CEO API, which returns random dog images.Go to this URL in your browser: https://dog.ceo/dog-api/Look for the section titled “Random Image from All Dogs Collection”. You’ll see documentation like this:Endpoint:https://dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/randomMethod: GET Description: Returns a random dog image from the full collection of all dogs. Response Example:{ "message": "https://images.dog.ceo/breeds/hound-afghan/n02088094_1003.jpg", "status": "success"}Step Two: Paste the Docs into BoltInside your Bolt.new project, open the prompt bar. Before you write any prompt, paste the API documentation you just copied.You should paste the actual JSON response and include the endpoint link. Bolt needs to “see” what the API returns in order to use it.It should look like this:API: Dog CEO – Random Dog ImageEndpoint: https://dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/randomMethod: GETResponse:{ "message": "https://images.dog.ceo/breeds/hound-afghan/n02088094_1003.jpg", "status": "success"}Step Three: Prompt Bolt to Use the APINow, right after the docs, give Bolt a plain-language instructiBuild a new page that shows a random dog photo using the API above. Add a “Show Another Dog” button that fetches a new image when clicked.That’s it. Bolt will read the documentation, understand the endpoint and the response, and wire up everything automatically — from the API call to the display logic and even the layout.Here is another API:That’s the PatternPick an APICopy the docs and example responsePaste them into Bolt.newFollow it with a clear, simple prompt describing the feature you wantThis one technique unlocks all API-based functionality in Bolt. Whether you’re building dashboards, forms, trivia games, or dog browsers, this is how you give the AI what it needs to work.You bring the data. Bolt builds the app.Here are some free APIs to try:Here’s a list of free APIs you can use or call for various purposes. These APIs are either completely free or offer a generous free tier, making them accessible for testing, learning, or building projects. I’ve included a brief description of what each one does:1. JSON Placeholder — Provides fake JSON data for testing, such as users, posts, and comments. Great for prototyping. — Endpoint example: `https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts`2. OpenWeatherMap — Offers current weather data and forecasts for locations worldwide. Free tier includes 60 calls/minute and 1,000 calls/day. — Requires an API key (free signup).3. REST Countries — Provides information about countries, like name, capital, population, and currencies. No API key required. — Endpoint example: `https://restcountries.com/v3.1/all`4. PokeAPI — A comprehensive Pokémon API with data on Pokémon, moves, abilities, and more. Completely free, no key needed. — Endpoint example: `https://pokeapi.co/api/v2/pokemon/ditto`5. Dog CEO’s Dog API — Returns random dog images or images by breed. Free and no authentication required. — Endpoint example: `https://dog.ceo/api/breeds/image/random`6. Cat Facts — Delivers random cat facts. Simple, free, and no key needed. — Endpoint example: `https://catfact.ninja/fact`7. Bored API — Suggests random activities to combat boredom. Free and open, no key required. — Endpoint example: `https://www.boredapi.com/api/activity`8. Agify.io — Predicts a person’s age based on their name. Free for up to 1,000 requests/day, no key needed. — Endpoint example: `https://api.agify.io?name=john`9. Genderize.io — Predicts gender based on a name. Free for up to 1,000 requests/day, no key required. — Endpoint example: `https://api.genderize.io?name=john`10. Nationalize.io — Predicts nationality based on a name. Free for up to 1,000 requests/day, no key needed. — Endpoint example: `https://api.nationalize.io?name=john`11. Chuck Norris API — Returns random Chuck Norris jokes. Free and no authentication required. — Endpoint example: `https://api.chucknorris.io/jokes/random`12. IPify — Retrieves your current IP address. Free, no key needed, and simple to use. — Endpoint example: `https://api.ipify.org?format=json`13. Random User Generator — Generates random user data (names, emails, addresses, etc.). Free and no key required. — Endpoint example: `https://randomuser.me/api/`14. Advice Slip API — Provides random pieces of advice. Free and open, no key needed. — Endpoint example: `https://api.adviceslip.com/advice`15. Open Trivia Database — Supplies trivia questions across various categories. Free, no key required. — Endpoint example: `https://opentdb.com/api.php?amount=10`Notes:- Some APIs (like OpenWeatherMap) require a free API key, which you can get by signing up on their website. Most of the others listed here are completely open and don’t need any authentication.- Rate limits may apply, so check the documentation for each API if you plan to use it heavily.- These are great for learning, testing, or small projects. For production use, always review the terms of service.

The UK government has announced the first meeting of a new AI Energy Council aimed at ensuring the nation’s AI and clean energy goals work in tandem to drive economic growth. The inaugural meeting of the council will see members agree on its core objectives, with a central focus on how the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower can support its commitment to advancing AI and compute infrastructure. Unveiled earlier this year as part of the government’s response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the council will serve as a crucial platform for bringing together expert insights on the significant energy demands associated with the AI sector. Concerns surrounding the substantial energy requirements of AI data centres are a global challenge. The UK is proactively addressing this issue through initiatives like the establishment of new AI Growth Zones. These zones are dedicated hubs for AI development that are strategically located in areas with access to at least 500MW of power—an amount equivalent to powering approximately two million homes. This approach is designed to attract private investment from companies looking to establish operations in Britain, ultimately generating local jobs and boosting the economy. Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, said: “The work of the AI Energy Council will ensure we aren’t just powering our AI needs to deliver new waves of opportunity in all parts of the country, but can do so in a way which is responsible and sustainable. “This requires a broad range of expertise from industry and regulators as we fire up the UK’s economic engine to make it fit for the age of AI—meaning we can deliver the growth which is the beating heart of our Plan for Change.” The Council is also expected to delve into the role of clean energy sources, including renewables and nuclear, in powering the AI revolution. A key aspect of its work will involve advising on how to improve energy efficiency and sustainability within AI and data centre infrastructure, with specific considerations for resource usage such as water. Furthermore, the council will take proactive steps to ensure the secure adoption of AI across the UK’s critical energy network itself. Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented: “We are making the UK a clean energy superpower, building the homegrown energy this country needs to protect consumers and businesses, and drive economic growth, as part of our Plan for Change. “AI can play an important role in building a new era of clean electricity for our country and as we unlock AI’s potential, this Council will help secure a sustainable scale up to benefit businesses and communities across the UK.” In a parallel effort to facilitate the growth of the AI sector, the UK government has been working closely with energy regulator Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to implement fundamental reforms to the UK’s connections process. Subject to final sign-offs from Ofgem, these reforms could potentially unlock more than 400GW of capacity from the connection queue. This acceleration of projects is deemed vital for economic growth, particularly for the delivery of new large-scale AI data centres that require significant power infrastructure. The newly-formed AI Energy Council comprises representatives from 14 key organisations across the energy and technology sectors, including regulators and leading companies. These members will contribute their expert insights to support the council’s work and ensure a collaborative approach to addressing the energy challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Among the prominent organisations joining the council are EDF, Scottish Power, National Grid, technology giants Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and chip designer ARM, as well as infrastructure investment firm Brookfield. This collaborative framework, uniting the energy and technology sectors, aims to ensure seamless coordination in speeding up the connection of energy projects to the national grid. This is particularly crucial given the increasing number of technology companies announcing plans to build data centres across the UK. Alison Kay, VP for UK and Ireland at AWS, said: “At Amazon, we’re working to meet the future energy needs of our customers, while remaining committed to powering our operations in a more sustainable way, and progressing toward our Climate Pledge commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2040. “As the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for the fifth year in a row, we share the government’s goal to ensure the UK has sufficient access to carbon-free energy to support its AI ambitions and to help drive economic growth.” Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, added: “AI will play an increasingly important role in transforming our energy system to be cleaner, more efficient, and more cost-effective for consumers, but only if used in a fair, secure, sustainable, and safe way. “Working alongside other members of this Council, Ofgem will ensure AI implementation puts consumer interests first – from customer service to infrastructure planning and operation – so that everyone feels the benefits of this technological innovation in energy.” This initiative aligns with the government’s Clean Power Action Plan, which focuses on connecting more homegrown clean power to the grid by building essential infrastructure and prioritising projects needed for 2030. The aim is to clear the grid connection queue, enabling crucial infrastructure projects – from housing to gigafactories and data centres – to gain access to the grid, thereby unlocking billions in investment and fostering economic growth. Furthermore, the government is streamlining planning approvals to significantly reduce the time it takes for infrastructure projects to get off the ground. This accelerated process will ensure that AI innovators can readily access cutting-edge infrastructure and the necessary power to drive forward the next wave of AI advancements. (Photo by Vlad Hilitanu) Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.