Holiday Mattress Deals Save big this holiday season on your next mattress. Our team of mattress experts have gathered all the best mattress deals from your favorite brands happening right now. See at Nectar Nectar Save up to 50% off mattresses See at NectarSee at DreamCloud DreamCloud Save up to 50% off mattresses See at DreamCloudSee at Nolah Nolah 35% off sitewide + two free pillows See at NolahSee at Mattress Firm Mattress Firm Save up to $500 on select adjustable mattress sets and up to 60% off queen beds. See at Mattress FirmSee at Brooklyn Bedding Brooklyn Bedding 30% off sitewide See at Brooklyn BeddingSee at Helix Helix 25% off sitewide + free bedding bundle with a Helix Luxe or Elite mattress purchase See at HelixSee at Purple Purple Up to $1,000 off a mattress and a base See at PurpleSee at Casper Casper Up to 30% off all mattresses See at CasperSee at Serta Serta Save up to $800 off select mattresses and adjustable bases See at SertaSee at Bear Bear 35% off sitewide + two free pillows See at BearSee at Titan Titan 30% off sitewide See at TitanSee at Avocado Avocado Up to $1,540 off certified organic mattresses See at AvocadoSee at Dreamfoam Dreamfoam 30% off sitewide See at DreamfoamSee at Plank Plank 30% off sitewide See at PlankSee at Leesa Leesa 30% off select mattresses + free pillow and sheet set See at LeesaSee at Big Fig Big Fig Get $500 off any mattress + 15% off all other items See at Big FigSee at Puffy Puffy Save up to $1,350 See at PuffySee at Amerisleep Amerisleep Take $500 off any mattress See at AmerisleepSee at Sleep Number Sleep Number Save up to. 50% off smart beds See at Sleep NumberSee at Layla Layla Up to $200 off mattresses + 2 free Layla pillows See at LaylaSee at WinkBeds WinkBeds Take $300 off the WinkBed See at WinkBedsSee at Tuft and Needle Tuft and Needle Up to 25% off mattresses, bedding & accessories See at Tuft and NeedleSee at Beautyrest Beautyrest Save up to $1,000 on select mattress + adjustable base sets See at BeautyrestSee at Zinus Zinus Up to 50% off best-selling mattresses See at Zinus7.4 /10 SCORE Our Verdict Our Verdict Best for: Score Breakdown Performance 9 /10 Policies 8.5 /10 Durability 7 /10 Features 7 /10 Pros and Cons Pros Gel memory foam offers body conforming qualities Two support options make it versatile for all body types Cooling features are nice for hot sleepers Accommodating firmness for all sleeper types Cons Not as affordable as the other Nectar beds Not the softest option for side and combination sleepers Not the most "active cooling" option Table of Contents Being sweaty and hot in bed is uncomfortable. If you struggle with overheating at night, the Nectar Premier Copper Mattress might be just what you need. It comes with several innovative cooling features and supportive memory foam, which makes it great for anyone who wants a refreshing and comfortable nights sleep. Because it's a premium mattress with a premium price tag, we set out to test the Nectar Premium Copper and find out whether it's really worth your money. The mattress has been recently discontinued by Nectar, but you can still get it online through Amazon and several online mattress retailers. Editor's Note: The Nectar Premier Copper mattress has been discontinued. For the most comparable bed in the remodeled Nectar lineup, check out our Nectar Luxe mattress review. We also recommend checking out our DreamCloud Premier Rest mattress review for a similar alternative to the Nectar Premier Copper. First impressions of the Nectar Premier Copper mattressNectar sent this bed for free to review, but it still arrived at the office the way anyone else would get it, inside of a large cardboard box. I dragged it into the space, began ripping off all the packaging, and within about 10 minutes, I had a brand new mattress to test out. Black Friday Mattress Deals Ready to replace that mattress? Score huge savings on great mattresses with these Black Friday discounts. See now Since this is an all-foam mattress, it looked slightly misshapen right after the unboxing. The bed didn't quite look like itself, almost like it was depressed. I always experience this with foam mattresses, so you should know it's a completely normal part of the process. I gave it a night to expand on the frame. Dillon Payne/CNETWhen I returned in the morning, it was mattress testing time. The bed looked properly inflated and right as rain. Upon testing responsiveness, I noticed its cover was cool to the touch; maybe some of those copper fibers at work here.It's a bit different from the feel and firmness of the flagship Nectar bed. That option is more affordable, but it has a specific firmness and feel that might not be right for everyone. Dillon Payne/CNETVideo: Nectar Premier Copper mattressNectar Premier Copper mattress firmness and feelWhat does Nectar Premier Copper feel like?Compared to the flagship Nectar, the Premier Copper presents more of a responsive memory foam feel. Its top layer of gel memory foam provides some sink-in quality, but I found it to be not as viscous as what's found on the original Nectar. This type should still appeal to memory foam lovers, without excluding those who maybe aren't the biggest fan of the material. The type of responsive memory foam feel here is comparable to options like Layla or Amerisleep AS3. However, keep in mind that the feel of any mattress is going to depend on your body type. If you are on the petite side, mattresses will feel firmer to you. If you are on the heavier side, mattresses will feel softer. How firm is the Nectar Premier Copper mattress?Based on my tests, I found this bed to sit in between a medium and a medium-firm on our scale. It's a bit softer than the flagship Nectar bed but slightly firmer than Nectar Premier. This firmness makes it a viable option for all sleep styles, but best for back and stomach sleeping given its slightly firmer profile.We rank firmness based on the size of an average person, which is around 180 pounds. Heavier people could find this bed to be softer at a flat medium, while smaller individuals could go the other way and find it to be at a proper medium-firm. If you're of a normal build this bed's firmness should work for you, unless you're looking for a much softer bed for side sleepers.Nectar Premier Copper mattress construction

November 27, 20246 min readWhat to Know about Walking Pneumonia in KidsMilder cases of pneumonia, dubbed walking pneumonia, are on the rise in young children this yearBy Meghan Bartels Catherine McQueen/Getty ImagesThe temperature is dropping, and rates of a whole host of respiratory illnesses are doing the opposite. Among them is so-called walking pneumonia, a relatively mild form of pneumonia that has been unusually common in young children this year.Pneumonia can be caused by dozens of different pathogens, but walking pneumonia is most commonly caused by a bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Traditional pneumonia can require hospitalization. Walking pneumonia, however, can feel like a bad cold and is sometimes not even serious enough to force people to rest at home. This year experts are particularly concerned about the infection because it appears more prevalent than usual in young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this past October, about 7 percent of children and adolescents between two and 17 years old who had pneumonia-related emergency room visits were diagnosed with a M. pneumoniae infection. The proportion of M. pneumoniae cases increased between March and October, and the increase was higher in children between two and four years old than it was in older children. That is especially striking because, traditionally, infections have been highest among children between age five and 17.Scientific American spoke with Eberechi Nwaobasi-Iwuh, a pediatric hospitalist at Atlantic Health Systems Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers in New Jersey, about walking pneumonia trends and what parents should know.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]What is walking pneumonia?The reason its referred to as walking pneumonia is that you can be infected with Mycoplasma and develop pneumonia from it, and even though you have pneumonia, you wont have the typical symptoms. You may have some fatigue and fever and cough, but it doesnt make you typically as ill as one would expect from pneumonia. That said, recently were seeing some kids who are coming in who are fairly sick with it.How would you characterize walking pneumonia rates this year compared with previous years?Usually its more common in school-aged kids, adolescents and young adults, but this year were seeing it in very young children and even infants. Sometimes they may be symptomatic, or sometimes were just catching it when were swabbing them for microbes with other presentations. Were just seeing it distributed more widely across more age groups than we typically do.Are there also more cases this year than usual, or is it just that unusual age pattern?Oh, definitely more cases. In my experience, weve probably seen a two- to threefold increase in the number of cases you ordinarily see for this time of year.Are there any theories about whats driving the age shift, with more young kids getting sick?Since COVID, all the regular seasonal variations with viruses and bacteria really dont follow the same patterns they used to. Some degree of decrease in immunity may have occurred, or the cause may be a more virulent strain thats just a little bit more transmissible than usual. But I think its kind of hard to say what exactly is spurring the age shift.Some viruses have episodic increases, so every five to seven years, youll see an increase in cases. Mycoplasma bacteria also follow that pattern sometimes, so this may just be the typical increase that we would have expected overall, historically.How seasonal is walking pneumonia in general?Usually its more common during the fall and winter months, but even in August we started seeing somewhat increased cases, and thats continued. Even during the early summer and late spring we were seeing some Mycoplasma, but it was manifesting differently.How do experts diagnose walking pneumonia?The only way to really track it is if you get tested for it, but not every pediatrician or physician office is going to have the ability to test for it. A lot of physicians will be able to see a patient and, based on their symptoms and how long theyve been sick and if they have been on other antibiotics beforehand and not improved, be able to say, Its probably Mycoplasma; Im just going to treat you [for it].What are the symptoms of walking pneumonia?A lot of times, youll have respiratory symptomsso sore throatbut not much nasal congestion. But now were seeing a lot of kids with rhinorrheacongestion and a runny nosesore throat, chest pain, some fatigue, poor appetite. That can progress to difficulty with breathing. Its usually kind of consistent with cold symptoms that dont really get better, that may progress and worsen. For most colds, usually youre going to have symptoms for maybe five, seven days, and then youre going to get better or worse. Its definitely important to see your doctor if you have symptoms that are nagging after about five to seven days or worsening after that time period.Mycoplasma can also cause inflammation of the lining around the brain. You can have encephalitis [swelling of the brain]. You can also have mucositis [swelling of the mucous membrane lining your mouth and intestinal tract] and a rash, where you can get sores in the mouth, on the lips, and some redness and sores on the skin and around the eyes.What should parents look for, and when should they call their doctor?If you feel you child is sick with respiratory symptoms, fever, not eating well, not urinating as much as they should be or even just has really prolonged cold symptoms that arent getting better after five to seven days, thatd be a reason to call their pediatrician and have them checked out. Even before that five-to-seven-day mark, if your child is worsening to the point that theyre not able to eat and drink, theyre not behaving like themselves or theyre working harder to breathe, those are all indications to call the pediatrician as well.What treatments are available for walking pneumonia?Typically, Mycoplasma is treated with an antibiotic called azithromycin, or a Z-Pack [Zithromax]. Most people get better after treatment with that for about five days. In very rare instances, if someone doesnt get better, there are additional antibiotics one can give.In addition, if youre hydrated and well rested, youll be able to get through any illness better; if you're dehydrated and fatigued, your immune system will be less robust in helping you fight things off. So if you start feeling sick, getting more rest, keeping hydrated, eating as much as youre able to keep your nutrition up all definitely help.Are there any ways people can avoid catching it in the first place?If you are really concerned or will be in crowded places, you could definitely wear a mask. Hand washing is always one of the best, most effective and consistent way to prevent infection. Avoid touching your face when youre out and aboutthats usually one of the most direct ways people get sick. And then, most importantly, if youre feeling ill or sick, you should try to avoid going out and infecting other people.How long should we expect walking pneumonia to be circulating?Its hard to say. Most respiratory illnesses start increasing around late September or October, pick up through the winter months, and usually start ramping down around early to mid-March. Its very possible we may see the same thing with Mycoplasma as we see with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the flu and other respiratory illnesses.What will you be watching for in the coming weeks?Right now, in hospitals, were seeing some sick kids, but a lot of children are being treated on an outpatient basis and getting better. I think if you start to see high numbers consistently, that would be a little concerning. But again, Mycoplasma is a fairly self-limited illness for most people: once they get started on the right antibiotics, they get better fairly rapidly. I think as long as we still see that pattern, were okay.Is there anything else you want people to know about walking pneumonia?Its a very well-known bacterium that causes illness in kids and adults, and there are good treatments for it. Be aware of it, and if your child is sick and not getting better, have them evaluated for it clinically by their pediatrician. But for the most part, most kids will get better, even if they dont get treated for it. So I dont think theres a reason to be excessively worried about it.

November 27, 20244 min readWhat Makes the Eastern U.S. Drought Different from the WestsDrought is more synonymous with the western U.S., but the eastern part of the country can descend into such conditions surprisingly quicklyBy Andrea ThompsonThe Manasquan Reservoir in New Jersey, which supplies drinking water to 1.2 million people, dropped below half empty in mid-November. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty ImagesWater levels are dropping in reservoirs. Multiple wildfires have ignited tinder-dry brush, exposing people across the region to harmful air pollution levels. It has barely rained for weeks.This time were not talking about the frequently drought-plagued western U.S. but rather the typically wetter eastern portion of the countrywhere an unusually severe drought has triggered water restrictions, damaged crops and fed as many fires in six weeks as New Jersey typically sees in six months. Some of the effects resemble those of dry periods out West, but drought in the East is a bit of a different beast.The two halves of the country have very different climates. Much of the West has distinct wet and dry seasons: rain and snow fall from late autumn through early spring, and thats mostly it for the year. Snow on the high western mountain peaks gradually melts during spring and summer, keeping streams topped up and vegetation sufficiently watered when all goes well. But when winter precipitation is paltry or a hot spring and summer cause rapid snowmelt, there is less to keep reservoirs filled. Western states manage these resources to help gird against a dry year, but repeated years of failed rains and hot weather can usher in disastrous drought. This happened in California a decade ago, when hot weather officially pushed more than half the state into exceptional drought statusthe highest category used by the U.S. Drought Monitor.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Much of the East Coast, on the other hand, canand usually doessee precipitation every month of the year. Dry periods there tend to be shorter-lived and not these same major disasters as in western North America, says Benjamin Cook, a climate scientist at Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, who studies drought.The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC.But when a few weeks go by between rainstorms, drought can develop very quickly. This has particularly been the case this fall in the Northeast. After an extremely wet winter and spring, many areas there saw six weeks with very little or no rain and unusually warm temperatures. And hotter temperatures increase evaporation, drying out the ground and plants even faster. Whats wild is how far weve fallen down in terms of water in the Northeast, says David Boutt, a hydrologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. All these lakes and streams are feet lower than theyre supposed to be.Wells are running dry in Connecticut. Officials in Philadelphia are closely monitoring the Delaware Rivers salt frontwhere its fresh river water meets the salty water of the oceanin case the ocean water pushes farther up the lowered river and threatens drinking water supplies. New York City has declared its first drought warning in 22 years, asking residents to take various steps to voluntarily cut back on water use. Its just not something that the Northeast typically deals with, so its shocking to read about, says Denise Gutzmer, a drought impact specialist at the National Drought Mitigation Center.It could be worse. The drought of record in southern New England hit in the 1960s after years of below-normal rainfall. If those same conditions occurred now, with all the population and infrastructure growth since then, we would be in really bad shape, Boutt says. Most places would be out of water or barely hanging on.The East Coasts current dry conditions have also made fall wildfires much worse than usual; they are igniting more readily, and they are burning hotter and longer. Were used to having some kind of reliable rain, and that helps put our fires out, says Michael Gallagher, a U.S. Forest Service research ecologist, who studies wildfires. This year, though, the fires keep popping up in more and more atypical places, including Prospect Park in the heart of Brooklyn, N.Y., and small green spaces in Manhattan.One small thing that is keeping the drought from being worse is that it is happening in the fall, when both people and plants need less water and there is generally less evaporation than in the heat of summer. But the seasonal timing is also contributing to other wildfire-worsening factors: for example, deciduous trees are dropping leaves, adding more potential fuel for any spark.A few storms have brought a small amount of rain and snow to the region last week and this week, tamping down on fires and reducing the risk of further blazes. But they wont end the drought; it will still take time for those rains to add up to enough to erase the current deficit. Were not just one rainstorm away from everything being better again, Gallagher says. Boutt concurs, saying, The soils are just so dry that its probably going to take precipitation amounts of 10 inches, distributed over the next few months, to get water levels back up to normal.Exactly what the weather will bring for the rest of the fall and winter is uncertain. Reliable weather forecasts only extend about seven days into the future, and seasonal forecasts just give the relative odds of what the weather over the next few months will be. For the Northeast, the odds currently favor warmer-than-normal weather but roughly equal chances of wetter or drier conditions.Looking ahead even further, as the climate continues to change with rising temperatures, the work Boutt and others have done suggests that vacillations between wet and dry periods in the Northeast are occurring more frequently, on the order of every two to four years.For the rest of this year, the wildfire risk should at least diminish a little as the days get shorter and nights get colder. It just doesnt burn as well when its really cold out, Gallagher says. This is particularly so when there is an overnight frost because it takes time for that frosts moisture to evaporate when the sun rises. Gallagher does caution, though, that major Northeast wildfires have occurred in every season. If a dry, windy weather pattern takes hold again, fire activity could resume.And even if there is some rain and snow in the next few months and fire danger remains low, there is a certain amount of memory in the water table, streams, rivers and lakesit takes time for them to recover, Boutt says. Were going to be feeling this into spring and summer, he adds.

Here's everything Devolver Digital is delaying into 2025Baby Steps! Skate Story! More!Image credit: Devolver Digital News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Nov. 27, 2024 Trust Devolver Digital to turn a bunch of sad-faced delay announcements into an evening of glitzy fun for all the family. And as per the publisher's freshly aired 15th Annual Devolver Delayed Awards 2024, we now know precisely which of its titles have missed their most recent release windows, gliding effortlessly into 2025.First up is Baby Steps - created by Getting Over It developer Bennett Foddy, alongside Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch - in which players take adult man-baby protagonist Nate on an adventure of (possibly) self-discovery, literally one step at a time. It's got a fully simulated physics-based walking system and a "fully dynamic onesie soilage system", and you'll now be able to get your awkward totter on sometime next year.Also careening beyond its previously announced 2024 release window is Stick it to the Stickman from Broforce studio Free Lives. This "groin-kicking, staple-gunning, chainsaw-wielding roguelike brawler" promises "high-impact, physics-based combat, copious amounts of coffee, and weaponized farts" - and while that's probably an average morning for most people, Stick it to the Stickman's take now won't be available until 2025.Baby Steps is now coming to PlayStation 5 and PC next year.Watch on YouTubeAND THE DELAYS KEEP COMING! Developer Sam Eng's striking demonic skateboarding game Skate Story (which features music from New York experimental indie band Blood Cultures) continues its delay streak after missing its initial 2023 launch window with the news it's now saying farewell to 2024 too. Skate Story - what with the pattern emerging here and everything - is now launching next year.And finally for the 15th Annual Devolver Delayed Awards 2024 is Volvy's Adventure DX. This one's only delayed in as much as Devolver says it is, seeing as it wasn't previously announced and never had a release date to begin with. As to what it actually is, that's also unclear; on paper it's an 8-bit side-scrolling platformer starring Devolver's horrifying rat-like mascot Volvy, but seeing as its "award" was accepted by Inscryption developer Daniel Mullins - a master of the video game rug pull - who can say for sure? Mullins, of course, is currently working on Pony Island 2: Panda Circus, and seeing as his Delayed Awards appearance mostly consisted of him saying, "I didn't make [Volvy]", who even knows what's real anymore.Alongside everything now definitely not launching this year, Devolver also took a moment to pay tribute to its titles that did manage to squeak into the world in 2024. All these (and more!) are currently on sale through Steam with some pretty hefty discounts. There's 50 percent off Cricket Through the Ages, 40 percent off Pepper Grinder and Children of the Sun, 30 percent off Anger Foot, 25 percent off Crush House and The Plucky Squire, 20 percent off Neva, and 34 percent off the excellent Sumerian Six. And for everything else seen tonight, see you next year!

Leaked image suggests Valve's rumoured new Steam Controller taking design cues from Steam DeckTwo sticks! Twin track pads! More!Image credit: Valve News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Nov. 27, 2024 Following last week's report Valve is working on a new iteration of its brilliant (if divisive) Steam Controller, a fresh leak has offered what might well be a first look at its refreshed design - and it's probably not a complete surprise to see it taking plenty of cues from Steam Deck.Valve's original Steam Controller was initially unveiled in 2013, accompanying chatter of third-party Steam machines. But while the latter initiative eventually floundered, the controller lived on, eventually releasing in November 2015. Sadly, it was time to say farewell just four years later, amid a patent infringement lawsuit relating to its paddle-like rear buttons.Valve initially lost that case and was ordered to pay $4m USD in damages, but it successfully appealed the verdict in August 2021, paving the way for a Steam Controller 2. All of which brings us to last week, when knowledgeable Valve source Brad Lynch claimed that not only was a new Steam Controller in the works, it was "being tooled for a mass production... right now".A Steam Controller hands-on from back in the day!Watch on YouTubeLynch also reported the new device's "biggest change will be the shape/size of the trackpads", with Valve edging toward a more traditional "gamepad-y form". And, again thanks to Lynch, we've now got a much better idea of what the new Steam Controller might look like, thanks to a low-quality image squirrelled in Valve's SteamVR drivers. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.And it seems Valve is taking many of its design cues from Steam Deck this time around - which seems entirely appropriate given how much the handheld PC owes to the original Steam Controller. Assuming the newly discovered render is accurate, Valve's second iteration could, like the Steam Deck, feature a more traditional twin analog stick set-up alongside twin track pads, all packed into what appears to be a much more ergonomic design.The original Steam Controller's single analog stick set-up wasn't universally loved, but it's been a staple of my couch/PC set-up ever since launch thanks to those track pads. This newly uncovered design, then, is definitely encouraging, promising the best of both worlds.Officially, of course, Valve's Steam Controller 2 remains nothing more than a rumour at present, but an exciting one nonetheless (although I'll readily admit I probably love the original controller more than most). And it's not the only new hardware rumoured to be in the works at Valve: the company is also said to be working on a new standalone hybrid VR headset known as "Deckard", which'll apparently feature new wand-like controllers, codenamed Roy.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe Steam Autumn Sale is closely approaching, very closely, and a whole host of deals are about to go live. Just prior to the sales start time, Warframe developer Digital Extremes has made one of its older, more unknown titles free for all on Steam.Grab Warframe devs Dark Sector for freeReleased in 2009, Dark Sector was one of the last games Digital Eclipse made before the release of Warframe. Released to decent reviews, the game has since earned itself a cult fanbase due to its unique combat system over-the-top gore.In our review of the game in 2009, reviewer Tom Orry said: Dark Sectors had a long development cycle and at times we were more than a little worried about how itd turn out, but Digital Extremes debut next-gen release has been well worth the wait. Its not going to set the world alight like Gears of War and it doesnt revolutionise survival horror like Resident Evil 4, but its thrilling combat and sensational visuals make it well worth adding to your collection.Available to grab right here on Steam, Digital Eclipse has made Dark Sector free for a few days. Youll have until November 30, 2024 at 9AM Pacific Time to grab the game for your account. Unfortunately, the game is listed as Unknown for Steam Deck compatibility, however, gamers have reported a flawless locked 60[fps] in their testing.Via ProtonDB, Steam Deck users have all reported the game as being playable on Steam Deck, albeit with a caveat. While the game does run well on Valves portable, you will need to make sure youre using Proton 7.0-6 to stop the game from crashing on startup.Coming before Warframe, Digital Eclipse actually reused a lot of ideas for its popular free-to-play game after the failure of Dark Sector. For example, the Tenno in the free-to-play game draw their name from Dark Sectors protagonist Hayden Tenno and multiple enemy designs are even pulled straight from the pages of the mostly forgotten game.While not an amazing game, Dark Sector is undoubtedly a hidden gem for gamers who love third-person action games, and definitely for fans of Digital Extremes massively popular free hack-and-slash game. If you havent given this game a go in the past, nows the time to finally give it a shot. Dark SectorPlatform(s):PC, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360Genre(s):Action, Shooter8VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide The Baldurs Gate 3 Patch 8 update is here, and its an absolutely massive addition to the game. After teasing an awesome update earlier this week, Larian Studios has delivered, bringing a number of additions to the already-massive RPG.Baldurs Gate 3 Patch 8 announcedAnnounced in a surprise blog post, Larian Studios confirmed the arrival of Baldurs Gate 3 Patch 8 in January 2025. Alongside the addition of the long-awaited Photo Mode and cross-play, players will also be able to use 12 new subclasses in the game, bringing even more variety to the game.Cross-play will allow PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC and Mac players to all play together in BG3. Available from a new menu in the game, players will be able to invite their games or even find random multiplayer lobbies to join on the Larian Network. Its a full multiplayer implementation, and it looks incredible.As for the Photo Mode, players will be able to click on a new icon near the mini-map, or simply press F9/click both analogue sticks in, to activate the new mode. Youll be able to frame your partyincluding summons and Wild Shapesand take a quick snap, or use a menu to take the perfect shot. You can even add depth-of-field, or pose your party in a series of fun poses. Yes, Larian has even added a selfie mode for players to use. Beautiful.12 New SubclassesAlongside the new features, Larian Studios has added 12 new subclasses to Baldurs Gate 3 that will massively expand gameplay options for players. The new subclasses are as follows:Bard College of GlamourBarbarian Path of GiantsCleric Death DomainDruid Circle of StarsPaladin Oath of the CrownFighter Arcane ArcherMonk Drunken MasterRanger SwarmkeeperRogue SwashbucklerSorcerer Shadow MagicWarlock HexbladeWizard BladesingingAll of these classes add a host of new abilities and ways to play through the Sword Coast adventure. While Larian will soon be closing the book on Baldurs Gate 3 to focus on its next project, this update is adding a tonne of content for players to delve into.For more BG3 content, read about the mod that re-introduces cut content to the massive RPG. On the other hand, you could read about how Neil Newbon ad-libbed Astarions best moment in the game.Baldurs Gate 3Platform(s):macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series XGenre(s):Adventure, RPG, Strategy10VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

Editors Note: If youd like to read more about how we selected and tested the trees, you can jump straight to Testing Notes and Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.Best Overall Tree: Balsam Hill Fraser Fir TreeBalsam Hill Fraser Fir TreeThis big, beautiful tree is inspired by the Fraser Fir. Known for its rich, dark green coloring and full silhouette, this tree is native to the Appalachian Mountains and has the distinction of being the type of tree most often used as the official White House Christmas tree.To be honest, we cant tell the difference between Balsam Hills faux version and the real thing. BH's impressive true needle foliage features 40 variations of branch types throughout and the effect is incredibly realistic.The tree is available just about any height and light variation you could want, all of which feature an easy plug system. Easy plug trees have all the light strands plugged into the center pole, so all you have to do is place the three sections together and plug the tree into an outlet. Theres no need to ever unplug or take off any light strands.The style pictured above is color + clear, which allows you to switch between multicolored lights and white lights via remote. For pre-lit trees with a single lighting style, there is an attached foot pedal to turn the lights on and off. The Twinkly light style features built-in app-controlled smart lights from Twinkly.SpecsDiameter: 60"Weight: 63 poundsBranch tips: 3,272Additional heights: 5.5', 6.5', 9', 10', and 12'Warranty: 3 yearsLightingLight type: LEDLight count: 1,180Additional lighting options: Unlit, clear, Twinkly, multicolor, and candlelight clearOur Contributors ReviewCourtesy of Divya Viswanathan

Lavaforming is a speculative project to harness lava flow as it is flowing after an eruption and use it as an architectural building material.Photo: Courtesy of S.ap ArchitectsWe know lava has structural integrity because we have built columns from lava rocks to support whole houses, says Plmadttir, adding that 90% of Icelandic concrete is basalt. Lavaforming cuts out the climate-harming concrete processingwhich causes at least 8% of global carbon dioxide emissionsand goes straight to nature for solid building materials that are currently not being utilized. [The idea] came from the reality of architecture not being part of the solution but more of the problem because we dont have that many possibilities for building materials that are not emitting CO2, she explains, especially for an island nation like Iceland, where more eco-friendly products like clay and wood are not naturally plentiful or viable.Icelandic architect Arnhildur Plmadttir.Photo: Courtesy of S.ap ArchitectsWhile Iceland is Plmadttirs initial case study, Lavaforming imagines its practice perfected in 2150, and by then able to be applied to any volcanic nation in the world with slow-flowing lava, from Hawaii to the Galpagos Islands. In general, I think the project should be an inspiration for designers and architects to look at what can they do with the extreme conditions where they are located, she says. The average eruption of Hawaiis Kilauea Volcano, for example, produces between 110 and 130 million cubic yards of lava per year. Sub it in for traditional poured concrete and the foundations of an entire city [can] rise in a matter of weeks without harmful mining and nonrenewable energy generation, Lavaforming claims. Lavas unique properties would also make for a new vernacular of architecture, from the bulbous shapes of a cooled field to the glass quality of obsidian or mass and opaqueness of basalt.However, like any Earth-made material, there is a question of ownership. At the moment in Iceland, there is no regulation on whether lava can be privatized, like oil. Its mostly because there hasnt been a clear and manageable use for it. Molten lava can range in temperature from 1,300 to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Protective gear-donning geologists collect samples by pulling it into buckets of cooling water. Aside from the trench methodology Iceland is using to preserve its significant power plant, others havent thought yet about how to approach the material, especially at its massive scale.

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