If there’s one succinct way to describe Pope Francis’s stewardship of the Catholic Church over the last 12 years, it might best be done with three of his own words: “todos, todos, todos” — “everyone, everyone, everyone.”Francis, who died Monday morning in Vatican City, was both a reformer and a traditionalist. He didn’t change church doctrine, didn’t dramatically alter the Church’s teachings, and didn’t fundamentally disrupt the bedrock of Catholic belief.Catholics still believe there is one God who exists as three divine persons, that Jesus died and was resurrected, and that sin is still a thing. Only men can serve in the priesthood, life still begins at conception, and faith is lived through both prayer and good works.And yet it still feels like Pope Francis transformed the Church — breathing life into a 2,000-year-old institution by making it a player in current events, updating some of its bureaucracy to better respond to earthly affairs, and recentering the Church’s focus on the principle that it is open to all, but especially concerned with the least well off and marginalized in society.With Francis gone, how should we think of his legacy? Was he really the radical progressive revolutionary some on the American political right cast him as? And will his successor follow in his footsteps? To try to neatly place Francis on the US political spectrum is a bit of a fool’s errand. It’s precisely because Francis and his potential successors defy our ability to categorize their legacies within our worldly, partisan, and tribalistic categories that it’s not very useful to use labels like “liberal” and “conservative.” Those things mean very different things within the Church versus outside of it.Instead, it’s more helpful to realize just how much Francis changed the Church’s tone and posturing toward openness and care for the least well off — and how he set up to Church to continue in that direction after he’s gone. He was neither liberal nor conservative: He was a bridge to the future who made the Church more relevant, without betraying its core teachings.That starting point will be critical for reading and understanding the next few weeks of papal news and speculation — especially as poorly sourced viral charts and infographics that lack context spread on social media in an attempt to explain what comes next.Revisiting Francis’s papacyFrancis’s papacy is a prime example of how unhelpful it is to try to think of popes, and the Church, along the right-left political spectrum we’re used to thinking of in Western democracies. When he was elected in 2013, Francis was a bit of an enigma. Progressives cautioned each other not to get too hopeful, while conservatives were wary about how open he would be to changing the Church’s public presence and social teachings.Before being elected pope, he was described as more traditional — not as activist as some of his Latin American peers who embraced progressive, socialist-adjacent liberation theology and intervened in political developments in Argentina, for example.He was orthodox and “uncompromising” on issues related to the right to life (euthanasia, the death penalty, and abortion) and on the role of women in the church, and advocated for clergy to embrace austerity and humility. And yet he was known to take unorthodox approaches to his ministry: advocating for the poor and the oppressed, and expressing openness to other religions in Argentina. He would bring that mix of views to his papacy.The following decade would see the Church undergo few changes in theological or doctrinal teachings, and yet it still appeared as though it was dramatically breaking with the past. That duality was in part because Francis was essentially both a conservative and a liberal, by American standards, at the same time, as Catholic writer James T. Keane argued in 2021.Francis was anti-abortion, critical of gender theory, opposed to ordaining women, and opposed to marriage for same-sex couples, while also welcoming the LGBTQ community, fiercely criticizing capitalism, unabashedly defending immigrants, opposing the death penalty, and advocating for environmentalism and care for the planet. That was how Francis functioned as a bridge between the traditionalism of his predecessors and a Church able to embrace modernity. And that’s also why he had so many critics: He was both too liberal and radical, and not progressive or bold enough.Francis used the Church’s unchanging foundational teachings and beliefs to respond to the crises of the 21st century and to consistently push for a “both-and” approach to social issues, endorsing “conservative”-coded teachings while adding on more focus to social justice issues that hadn’t been the traditionally associated with the church. That’s the approach he took when critiquing consumerism, modern capitalism, and “throwaway culture,” for example, employing the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life to attack abortion rights, promote environmentalism, and criticize neo-liberal economics.None of those issues required dramatic changes to the Church’s religious or theological teachings. But they did involve moving the church beyond older debates — such as abortion, contraception, and marriage — and into other moral quandaries: economics, immigration, war, and climate change. And he spoke plainly about these debates in public, as when he responded, “Who am I to judge?” when asked about LGBTQ Catholics or said he wishes that hell is “empty.”Still, he reinforced that softer, more inquisitive and humble church tone with restructuring and reforms within the church bureaucracy — essentially setting the church up for a continued march along this path. Nearly 80 percent of the cardinals who are eligible to vote in a papal conclave were appointed by Francis — some 108 of 135 members of the College of Cardinals who can vote, per the Vatican itself.Most don’t align on any consistent ideological spectrum, having vastly different beliefs about the role of the Church, how the Church’s internal workings should operate, and what the Church’s social stances should be — that’s partially why it’s risky to read into and interpret projections about “wings” or ideological “factions” among the cardinal-electors as if they are a parliament or house of Congress.There will naturally be speculation, given who Francis appointed as cardinals, that his successor will be non-European and less traditional. But as Francis himself showed through his papacy, the church has the benefit of time and taking the long view on social issues. He reminded Catholics that concern for the poor and oppressed must be just as central to the Church’s presence in the world as any age-old culture war issue. And to try to apply to popes and the Church the political labels and sets of beliefs we use in America is pointless.See More:

Nintendo confirms new Super Mario game for Switch 2 but when is it out? Michael Beckwith Published April 21, 2025 5:41pm Updated April 21, 2025 6:16pm Why is it taking so long for Super Mario Odyssey to get a follow-up? (Nintendo) Nintendo has said that fans should ‘stay tuned’ for news of a new 3D Super Mario but why is taking so long? As the most famous Nintendo character, and star of both the world’s best-selling video game franchise and the highest grossing video game movie (for now at least), it was surprising not to see a new Super Mario game announced, or even teased, at this month’s Nintendo Switch 2 showcase. Yes, Nintendo is launching a new Mario Kart alongside the console, which is still a very smart choice for a killer app, but a traditional 3D platformer starring the portly plumber was presumed to be among the Switch 2’s first wave of games. It always seemed fair to assume one is underway but while Nintendo has now confirmed that it is, it’s still unclear when exactly it’s going to be announced or released. In the wake of the Switch 2 showcase, at the beginning of April, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser sat down with CNN to discuss the new console. When the topic of a new 3D Mario was brought up, Bowser said: ‘Stay tuned. You know, we have a long, long catalogue, and a long list of (intellectual property) that I’m sure will make its way to the platform.’ The fact that there would be a follow-up to Super Mario Odyssey, which sold more than 29 million copies, was never in doubt, but as you can see, Bowser is purposefully not saying any more. Who is the developer for Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2? The uncertainty around the next 3D Mario centres around what developer EPD (Entertainment Planning & Development) is doing at the moment, since Nintendo’s top studio has been behind the series since the early 90s. EPD is split into several different teams and Nintendo doesn’t usual specify which one works on what games (Nintendo’s general attitude towards crediting developers has been shameful in the last year, as they’ve repeatedly withheld the details of who makes their games until the last possible moment). Nevertheless, it’s believed that the Odyssey team, under Yoshiaki Koizumi, hasn’t worked on anything significant since that game was released in late 2017. It was rumoured years ago that the Super Mario Odyssey team was working on a 3D Donkey Kong game and that seemed to be confirmed by the announcement of Donkey Kong Bananza, which will launch on July 17, just over a month after the Switch 2. Nintendo has not said who the developer is, but if it is the Odyssey team then that could mean the next 3D Mario is still many more years away. That seems hard to believe though. Nintendo won’t want the Switch 2 to lack a premiere Mario platformer for too long, especially when Odyssey was such a sales success. And especially because 3D Mario games, as opposed to 2D ones, don’t necessarily always sell that well – Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii sold less than half that of Odyssey, for example. The most likely explanation is that either Donkey Kong is not by the Odyssey team or somehow EPD is managing to churn out two big budget titles in quick(-ish) succession, which is not something they normally do but which they do have the capacity for, in theory. If Donkey Kong Bananza is not by EPD there’s very few other developers that would have the expertise to make a game like that or who Nintendo would be willing to trust with such an important IP. Luigi’s Mansion 3 developer Next Level Games is one possibility, especially as they haven’t announced a new game since 2022’s Mario Strikers: Battle League Football. Although three years doesn’t seem quite enough time to make a game of Bananza’s importance. When is the next 3D Mario for Nintendo Switch 2 out? Before the Switch 2 showcase, most would’ve been confident in predicting that a new 3D Mario would launch for the console by the end of 2025, but it’s looking like that may not be the case. More Trending If it were, you’d think Nintendo would make that known during the showcase. Instead, its big 3D platformer for the year is the aforementioned Donkey Kong Bananza, with other franchises like The Legend Of Zelda, Metroid, and Pokémon padding out the rest of 2025. Nintendo 2025 release schedule - every first party game coming to Switch 2 Mario Kart World – June 5 Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour – June 5 The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – June 5 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – June 5 Donkey Kong Bananza – July 17 Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV – July 24 Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World – August 28 Hyrule Warriors: Age Of Imprisonment – Winter 2025 Drag X Drive – 2025 Kirby Air Riders – 2025 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 2025 Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 2025 The next best guess would be 2026, if only because Nintendo has the second Super Mario Bros. movie locked in for April 3, 2026. Although, Nintendo had no new game to cross-promote with the first movie, when it hit cinemas in 2023, so there’s no evidence that Nintendo considers that important. Doug Bowser’s ‘stay tuned’ comment makes it seem like fans won’t have to wait too long for news to be shared on a 3D Mario, but if Nintendo does have one prepped for the near future, it’d be even stranger that it didn’t show it as part of its big Switch 2 preview. It’s all very puzzling and as the chances of a release in 2025 ebb away, there’s no obvious answer as to why Nintendo didn’t consider the game a priority for the Switch 2’s first year. Mario fans will need to get their 2025 fix from Mario Kart and Mario Party (Nintendo) Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. GameCentral Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content. 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Beginning this Friday, Dungeons & Dragons fans can experience the realms of the tabletop RPG in a new way with Universal Studios Hollywood Fan Fest Nights. The fandom celebration will showcase new participatory entertainment at an after-dark theme park event that will give guests the opportunity to experience their own D&D adventure. Think Halloween Horror Nights but with a fantasy spin and fewer scares, where you’ll be joining a group walk-through in a scaled-up version of Dungeons & Dragons: Secrets of Waterdeep among other immersive experiences inspired by One Piece, Star Trek, and Back to the Future. During a recent behind the scenes tour for media, io9 got to witness the build of the fantasy forests and ruins within Waterdeep along with Stephen Siercks, Director of Entertainment Production at Universal Studios Hollywood. The D&D experience has had its share of interactive RPG popularity that’s lent itself to online campaigns with on-camera geeky talent and live-improv shows like Dungeon Master, which saw costumes and props galore. But this official collaboration with Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast seeks to go a different route. Here, pulsed groups will enter and encounter the Harpers on one of their quests to join their heroic spy network and take down the legendary beholder Xanathar to save the city of Waterdeep while still incorporating elements of gameplay. Attendees will be able to identify with class designations. “We want to have the experience of the role of the dice,” Siercks revealed and added how that will come into play in “terms of having those plot twists and being able to roll that next 20 to establish that final moment here in this space is experiential—and there’s Easter eggs along the way as well, with some dice too.” The final moment he’s referring to is the last act plot twist that happens when you come face to face with Xanathar the Beholder, the quest’s big bad. And trust us, it’s very awesome to see up close. “And this is an exceptionally impressive creature, a puppet that’s a great collaboration with Henson Creature shop. We’ve had the pleasure of working with them before and this has been an amazing collaboration between the Universal Studios Hollywood Entertainment team, Wizards of the Coast, the Hasbro team, and the Jim Henson Creature Company,” Siercks said showing us details only seen during the lights-on tour. In full light, we could see first-hand the level of artistry the Henson Creature Shop put into the monster, with room for a hidden puppeteer during performances. © Universal Studios Hollywood “So seeing this scale of a creature come to life in front of us has that surprise reveal moment where—just when we think we’ve saved the day, he’s here, and he’s not going to let us go that easily,”  Siercks continued. The iconic D&D antagonist sits on a pile of gold and it’s a towering behemoth—think Audrey II’s final form in Little Shop of Horrors or for Horror Nights Fans, the Alien Queen from the Alien vs. Predator house. “So you can see both Xanathar and his goldfish, Silgar, there, and there’s some battle that ensues,” Siercks said. “We’ve worked with Henson on several different occasions, so this is definitely one of the ones that is rising the top.” It’s so cool that it’s not solely a pre-programmed animatronic and brings in that immersive gaming feel with a puppeteer putting on a performance, which almost makes it feel like you’re in a Jim Henson Dungeons & Dragons movie. It just adds to the movie magic of being at an event that’s distinctly Universal Studios. “Xanathar has mouth movement, eye movement, and it fully lights up, so it is quite impressive to work with. We’ll l have something that obscures the visual here, so all of our focus goes in that direction, and then in that surprise moment, and we all turn around and there he is,” Siecks explained. “We’re doing a great job of setting up moments like [where we] can introduce [guests to] Xanathar at the very beginning as the person you’re ultimately looking to see and then when you find them you’re able to connect that dot.” And the level of authentic details doesn’t end there for D&D fans. “The Easter eggs, the characters, the plot twists, the story points really speak to those fans so that they get that much more out of the experience as well,” Siercks said about being able to “create that fan-first experience in [the] fantasy genre. And Dungeons & Dragons just raises to the surface in terms of one that we could both develop an amazing story around [and] develop an amazing experience—and bring to life those environments to drop our guests into. That [is] also something that we knew that guests wanted as well.” Universal Studios Fan Fest Nights begins this Friday at Universal Studios Hollywood and will run select nights through May 18. More info on tickets and pricing here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Ibsen House / Felipe Hess ArquitetosSave this picture!Houses•São Paulo - SP, Brazil Architects: Felipe Hess Arquitetos Area Area of this architecture project Area:  800 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2023 Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers:  Mado – esquadrias & Fechadas, Pedra Limestone Mont Dore, RB PisosMore SpecsLess Specs Save this picture!© Fran Parente Text description provided by the architects. Located in Jardins, Ibsen House stands out as a dense and introspective building. Its adjusted volume defines a striking presence, with facades that close off from the street and reveal, internally, a more fluid path between patios and balconies. The materiality reinforces this interpretation: the dark, austere brick contrasts with the vegetation that spreads throughout the house, from the spring that rests on the open wall to the steel cables that guide the greenery towards the roof.Save this picture!Save this picture!The limited land led to a vertical solution, distributing the uses in a precise manner. On the ground floor, the living, dining and kitchen spaces connect to the backyard garden, while the wine cellar and gym occupy more private areas. On the middle level, four suites and a family room face patios and small balconies, bringing in natural light and ventilation. On the roof, the leisure area opens up to the urban landscape, taking advantage of the view of the city skyline. Flávia's landscaping complements this space, creating an elevated terrace where greenery blends with architectural elements.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!With a strong influence from Mexican architecture, the house is structured in well-defined blocks, marked by recesses and recesses. The materiality, however, moves away from Barragán's vibrant colors and opts for a more sober palette, in tune with the profile of the residents – a young couple with two children. The result is a robust architecture that balances solidity and permeability, creating an urban refuge where greenery gradually takes over the space and envelops it.Save this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less About this office Published on April 21, 2025Cite: "Ibsen House / Felipe Hess Arquitetos" [Casa Ibsen / Felipe Hess Arquitetos] 21 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1029202/ibsen-house-felipe-hess-arquitetos&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

For years, tales of giant squids roaming the ocean depths lived mostly in folklore and maritime legends — dismissed as mythological creatures without solid scientific backing. These elusive beings were long considered cryptids due to the lack of confirmed evidence.That started to change with mounting clues: squid beaks and body parts discovered in the stomachs of sperm whales, and occasional dead specimens snagged by deep-sea fishing vessels. These rare finds confirmed the creature’s existence and earned the colossal squid the title of largest living invertebrate on Earth, even though no human had ever seen one alive (and lived to tell the tale).Now, right on time for the 100-year anniversary of the colossal squid’s official classification, researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) have captured footage of a juvenile colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) alive in its natural habitat for the very first time.“These unforgettable moments continue to remind us that the ocean is brimming with mysteries yet to be solved,” said Jyotika Virmani, the institute’s executive director in a press statement.Deep-Sea Colossal Squid GiantsWhile a few dead adult specimens have been retrieved in the past, verified sightings of live colossal squids are virtually unheard of. Based on available evidence, these deep-sea giants have been said to reach lengths of up to 23 feet from the mantle to the tip of their tentacles and weigh nearly half a ton — around 1,000 pounds.Their massive size isn’t their only claim to fame. Colossal squids also have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, about the size of basketballs. These enormous eyes help them navigate the pitch-black waters of the deep sea and spot their main known predator: the sperm whale.In addition to their eight powerful arms, colossal squids have a longer pair of tentacles tipped with hooks — likely used to secure struggling prey or fend off attackers. Beyond these features, much of the squid’s biology and behavior remains a mystery.When the species was first described a century ago, scientists mostly had to rely on remnants like beaks and scars left on whales to piece together what they could. Decades later, our understanding of their life cycle and habits is still in its early stages.Spotting the Colossal SquidAt a depth of about 2,000 feet near the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic, a remotely operated vehicle named SuBastian recorded the groundbreaking footage: a 12-inch-long transparent juvenile squid calmly gliding through the inky ocean.The research team sent the footage to independent experts Kat Bolstad and Aaron Evans, who identified the species based on its tentacle structure and fin shape — confirming the team's hopes that they had, indeed, spotted a living colossal squid.“It’s incredible that we can leverage the power of the taxonomic community through R/V Falkor (too)’s telepresence while we are out at sea,” said expedition leader Michelle Taylor from the University of Essex in the press release.“For 100 years, we have mainly encountered them as prey remains in whale and seabird stomachs and as predators of harvested toothfish,” added Bolstad. “It’s exciting to see the first in situ footage of a juvenile colossal and humbling to think that they have no idea that humans exist.”Peeking Into the UnknownThis isn't the only squid-related breakthrough this year. On a previous Falkor (too) expedition, scientists also recorded a live glacial glass squid (Galiteuthis glacialis) in its natural environment for the first time.That expedition was investigating a newly exposed seafloor ecosystem — revealed when a Chicago-sized iceberg broke away from the ice sheet, revealing a thriving ecosystem underneath.“The first sighting of two different squids on back-to-back expeditions is remarkable,” said Virmani. “It really shows how little we have seen of the magnificent inhabitants of the Southern Ocean.”Discoveries like this fuel excitement for what lies ahead. They remind us that the ocean still holds so many secrets — and we can’t wait to hear about the next one.Read More: Chicago-Sized Iceberg Breaks Away from Ice SheetArticle 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:Marine Bio: Colossal SquidSchmidt Ocean Institute: First Confirmed Footage of a Colossal Squid—and it’s a Baby!Having 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 she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

On the trails in Tonto National Forest, Pro-4X trims of the Frontier pickup and Armada SUV tackle the terrain.   Image: JAMES LIPMAN/Nissan Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 On a 3,050-acre facility in Stanfield, Arizona—just minutes from the busy metropolis of Phoenix—Nissan built an off-road playground. Here, the automaker pushes its vehicles to their limits at the edges of the hottest places in the country. Cars operate differently in extreme climates, and in Arizona the blazing heat is a factor just as much as any one mechanism. Nissan just unleashed the first Pro-4X version of the Armada, the brand’s full-size SUV. The Pro-4X is Nissan’s off-road-ready trim, and the Armada is fitted with armor in the form of skid plates, a suspension made to smooth the roughest edges of the ride, rubber shoes made for all terrain, and an electronic locking rear differential. A machine like that is made for exploring and adventure, and Americans seem to be increasingly interested in both. But first, the Armada Pro-4X had to be tested as extensively as its Frontier Pro-4X truck was. As the automaker puts its vehicles to the test in this harsh climate, it’s finding repeatable structure for both objective and subjective testing data. At the same time, Nissan is working with local experts to maintain the land and protect Arizona’s abundant natural resources in the desert. At the nearby Tonto National Forest, thousands of miles of trails beckon for a ride, and doing it responsibility is in Nissan’s sights, too.  The Tonto Recreation Alliance erected 3,800 fiberglass route markers to lead riders through the trails safely and responsibly. Image: James Lipman JAMES LIPMAN The non-profit group keeping trails safe for off-roaders The Tonto Recreation Alliance (TRĀL, for short) is a non-profit volunteer group dedicated to keeping trails and roads in the Tonto National Forest open for OHV recreation. The group educates two-wheel and four-wheel riders on responsible OHV recreation. It also maintains trail signage and inspects and monitors all 3000+ miles of trails winding through 3 million areas of national forest land. TRĀL president Rich Smith shows me a map of the massive area on his tablet, explaining how the Tonto ranges from the Sonoran Desert and stretches to the Ponderosa Pine forest. Animals and humans enjoy the area side by side, and it’s an important place to protect. “The Tonto actually is one of the more biodiverse places in the Northern hemisphere,” Smith explains. “There are something like 400 vertebrate species and 2,600 plant species here.” Smith, who has a background in engineering, developed an interest in Geographic Information Systems about a decade ago. He was so fascinated that he bought a license for Esri software and completed a two-year college certification course to get better at it, and he became a one-man GIS department for TRĀL. Now, the organization integrates Forest Services GIS data into a map that’s user-friendly for the public. Smith and the team installed 3,800 fiberglass route markers throughout the forest over the last few years, and TRĀL volunteers inspect the trails on a prescribed rotation.  The maps of the Tonto can be used hand in hand with other mapping apps like onX Off-Road, which welcomes input from crowdsourcing to keep visitors up to date on road closings and new obstacles.  “We kind of have a dual charter,” Smith says. “Part of it is to help the public have an exceptional experience off-roading in the Tonto, help them find great things to do, and have a good time and appreciate the forest. All while trying to help conserve resources and making sure people stay on the trails and don’t do foolish things.”  Within the Tonto, terrain is varied and sometimes challenging. Occasional downpours dig divots in the dirt, and sand shifts in the wind. While an SUV like the Armada Pro-4X can handle quite a bit of adversity, it helps to have trails that are maintained.  Testing by the seat of their pants Nissan engineering manager Matt LaPaglia has a great deal of experience in the ride and handling segment, and now he helps develop the parameters for testing at the Arizona facility. As it relates to the new Armada Pro-4X, the team has been reviewing data for rival vehicles side by side with the Nissan SUV.  “We easily review 300-plus metrics,” LaPaglia says. “We can measure those on the proving ground on very specific, repeatable inputs so that we can validate them 10 years later.”  Those metrics are gathered both objectively and subjectively, and LaPaglia says his team has always tried to drive home the value of subjective testing. Subjectively, you can gather a ton of information whether or not you can verbalize it, he explains. Testing requires a balance, as his Nissan counterparts in Japan are most interested in objective measurements. However, the team can’t ignore subjective input, he states, because there’s so much that can be observed subjectively that can’t be captured or managed objectively. Nissan just launched its first Pro-4X version of the Armada, the brand’s full-size SUV. Image: James Lipman JAMES LIPMAN Subjective vehicle testing sounds a lot like wine tasting with those who have a developed palate. They can identify the differences between notes of tobacco, plum, cherry, leather, and more, while an inexperienced taster isn’t ready to make those distinctions.  “A lot of it is learned through training with a mentor, someone who’s been there and done that within the company,” La Paglia says. “They kind of take you under their wing, you go through the paces and you’re adding to your skillset as you go. Some of it we try to record in a standard way, but again, you can only get so much on that piece of paper. You just need to have someone kind of coaching you through it.” Arizona has very fine particles of dirt, LaPaglia reveals, and Nissan developed a standard for a dust intrusion test, making sure that the door and window seals keep everything out. Because of its extreme heat, Arizona is also an ideal place for Nissan to test its heating and air conditioning units and powertrain cooling performance. As a result, the Armada Pro-4X is more capable and durable on the trails and on the pavement. 

Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08834-1A method, RARE-seq, for sensitive detection of cell-free RNAs in blood is demonstrated to have diverse clinical applications including diagnosing and characterizing human cancers, and tracking response to RNA therapeutics.

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Grigory Perfilev talked to us about Howl's Moving Castle Door, sharing how he captured the Ghibli aesthetic and employed hand-painting techniques for smooth and clean color transitions using Blender, ZBrush, and Substance 3D Painter.Read the interview: https://80.lv/articles/creating-hand-painted-howl-s-moving-castle-door-with-substance-3d/

A bold visual identity designed for Shondo, a Vietnamese footwear brand empowering youth through comfort and style. The rebrand features a vibrant orange palette, rounded logotype, and flexible design system that reflects energy, clarity, and confidence. This project helped reposition Shondo as a lifestyle-driven brand with a fresh voice in Vietnam's fashion market.