This December, were featuring Direct Relief as our charity of the month at Humble. For over 75 years, Direct Relief has been dedicated to improving health and lives in communities affected by poverty and emergencies. As a long-standing partner, were proud to support their mission and help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.The Vital Role of Disaster ReliefWhen disaster strikes, every moment counts. Our partnership with Direct Relief is vital in ensuring a swift and effective response. Since our collaboration began, the Humble community has raised more than $10 million, directly contributing to life-saving initiatives across the globe. This year, were particularly focused on the Forward-Fund Initiative that we created in partnership with Direct Relief last year. This initiative creates opportunities for our community to contribute funding in advance of emergencies and crises. This proactive approach ensures that Direct Relief can mobilize quickly when urgent needs arise.The funds raised this year have already made a significant impact, supporting critical responses to events like Hurricanes Helene and Milton and wildfires, as well as bringing humanitarian aid to communities across the globe, including Ukraine and Palestine. Yet, we know there is still so much work to be done. Your support is crucial in enabling Direct Relief to continue their vital work during these challenging times.Dr. Byron Scott, Direct Relief COO, noted: For more than a decade, Humble Bundle has stood alongside Direct Relief, helping ensure people in crisis have access to the care they need. And with support from the Forward Fund, Direct Relief is ready for disasters before they even happen, and able to respond whenever they occur. Direct Relief is profoundly grateful for Humble Bundles partnership and to the Humble community.The stories of those who have been touched by Direct Reliefs efforts serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of our collective support:In times of crisis, its often the compassion of total strangers that reminds us of the strength and resilience of our shared humanity, wrote Blue Ridge Community Health Services, a (Direct Relief) grant recipient. Direct Relief also supported the North Carolina health centers response to Hurricane Helene with field medic packs, hygiene kits, tetanus vaccines, and other material aid. Our patients experienced not just relief but the knowledge that people often from many, many miles away cared enough to offer help in their most difficult moments.The Ministry of Health of Ukraine would like to express its gratitude to Direct Relief. Hereby we thank you for your long-standing support of the people of Ukraine, wrote Viktor Liashko, Minister of Healthcare, Ukraine, Please accept our sincere appreciation of all your kind assistance and support. Your efforts contributed substantially to the quality of provided care and still have a huge daily impact on our health care system, patients and their families.Your Role in Making Change HappenHere are ways you can help support Direct Relief this month:Educate and Empower Yourself: Take time to learn about the challenges faced by communities affected by disasters and how Direct Relief is making a difference.Choose Humble Choice: When you purchase Humble Choice in December, 5% of proceeds will go directly to Direct Relief. Your choice helps prepare for future crises before they happen.Engage in Community Initiatives: Check out Direct Reliefs fundraising stream, which runs December 6 through 8, from 8 a.m. 8 p.m. PST each day. Every contribution strengthens our collective ability to respond to global crises and health challenges. And for other ways to support Direct Relief, check out details here.Spread Awareness: Use your social media platforms to share Direct Reliefs mission and work. Highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness can inspire others to join this vital cause.

Image: Bandai NamcoRevealed at today's OTK Games Expo, Bandai Namco has announced that Doronko Wanko, a game which stars the most adorable pomeranian we think we've ever seen, is coming to Switch in Spring 2025.To the British people reading this, yes, okay, stop chuckling in the back. The game's name actually derives from Wan ko, which is an informal or cute way of saying dog or puppy in Japanese. Kids use it a lot. And come on, the puppy in this game is pretty darn cute.Alright, with that out of the way, what is Doronko Wanko? The game launched on Steam back in March 2024 and has received over 3,000 reviews, sitting at "Overwhelmingly Positive". It's entirely free (we don't expect that to be the case on Switch), and was one of three games to be released on the same day from the company's 2023 new recruits training program.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube787kWatch on YouTube Images: Bandai NamcoIt's a sort of sandbox game where you need to make your owner's house as messy as possible, and not just with mud. Juice, ketchup, and paint can add some colour, and you can even use household appliances to spread the muck.Your score is a cleaning and repairs bill, and you can even dress up your little pomeranian in cute cosmetics. Look, butter wouldn't melt in this little one's mouth they can make the house as messy as they want.You won't just be able to play as a pom, either. When the game launches on Switch, you'll have access to a number of dog breeds on day one. Can there be too much cuteness in one game? Have a look at the trailer (at around 23:30) to see what we mean.Images: Bandai NamcoHave you played Doronko Wanko on Steam? Will you be getting this on Switch next year? Bark in the comments and let us know.

Image: Nintendo LifeFortnite is changing all the time. Gone are the days of Dusty Depot, Tomato Town, and Fatal Fields (god, do we sound old?) as the map is shaped and reshaped each and every season, bringing in new mechanics, locations and unexpected crossovers.Diving into a game today had us looking around the place like that one John Travolta Pulp Fiction GIF, but, with 'Chapter 6 Season 1: Hunters' kicking off this week, we were pleased to see one familiar face make a return amongst the newbies: the 'No Emote' sign.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube787kWatch on YouTube These little structures used to be more of a suggestion than an enforcement, with occasional weekly challenges daring the rule-breakers out there to throw some shapes in front of them or turn them into scrap. But not any more. Disobeying the sign's clear instructions in the latest season comes with some sky-high consequences (thanks, Polygon).A new 'No Emote' sign has appeared on the mountain to the west of Foxy Floodgate, clearly marked by its surrounding barriers, and pulling out your finest moves in front of it sends you catapulting off the cliff face to your untimely demise.Being a staple of the game for so long, more than a few players have expectedly fallen into the trap. We won't lie, there's something almost therapeutic with the speed at which the rule-breakers are dispatched:We even dropped into a game and tried it out for ourselves. The elimination part isn't great, but it did bring us a little giggle to see the sign finally getting its revenge on all those who have disrespected its orders in the past.For those after a hit of Fortnite nostalgia, the game's "OG" map is returning this week, with Epic Games promising that it's "here to stay". Sure, there might be some new mechanics to get used to, but at least we'll recognise some of the locales again. Blast to the pastWas that Ariana Grande shooting Spider-Man?Are you still playing Fortnite to this day? Let us know in the comments.[source polygon.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:331 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesRandom: Super Mario 64 GBA Project Showcases "Real Hardware" DemoThe source code will also be releasedThe First Review For Fantasian Neo Dimension Is InFrom the creator of Final Fantasy133 Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's 'Cyber Deals' Switch eShop Sale (North America)Every game we scored 9/10 or higher62 Switch Games You Should Pick Up In Nintendo's Black Friday Sale (Europe)Every Switch game on sale that we rated 9/10+

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, a significant portion of people who experience heart attacks are unaware that they have the underlying condition.Cleerly, a cardiovascular imaging startup, hopes to fix this. By analyzing CT scans of the heart, the companys AI software aims to identify early-stage coronary artery disease, similar to how mammograms and colonoscopies detect breast and colon cancer.The majority of people who will die of heart disease and heart attacks will never have any symptoms, said cardiologist James Min who founded Cleerly in 2017. At some point, we need to start screening the world for heart disease. The company grew out of a clinical program that Min founded in 2003 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine.Cleerly is currently running a large, multi-year clinical trial to prove that its screen can catch heart conditions in people without disease symptoms more accurately than other routine non-invasive methods such as measuring blood pressure and cholesterol levels.If the company succeeds in gaining regulatory approval to screen large populations, it could be a massive boon for the company, significantly expanding its market reach and revenue.Such enormous potential has attracted significant investor interest. On Wednesday, Cleerly announced that it raised a $106 million Series C extension round led by Insight Partners and joined by Battery Ventures. The large capital haul comes a little over two years after Cleerly raised a $223 million Series C led by T. Rowe Price and Fidelity.Image Credits:CleerlyAn extension round is when a company sells off another chunk of itself at the previous rounds price. Although extension rounds are often a sign that the startup is not growing well (if they were, they would raise a new round at a higher valuation), Scott Barclay, a managing director at Insight Partners, said that Cleerlys is growing fast enough. He said by allowing Insight to join a previous round, Clearly gains additional capital to finance future growth and multi-site clinical trials.Min told TechCrunch that while the company did not necessarily need additional capital, given that Cleerlys other backers were healthcare VCs or crossover firms, it was excited to add Insight Partners, one of the largest enterprise software investors, to its cap table.Barclay is confident in Cleerlys potential. While the company awaits full FDA approval for general heart screening, its algorithms have already been cleared for diagnosing symptomatic patients, and in October, Medicare approved coverage for its plaque analysis test. Plaque build-up is a common cause of heart attacks.Until recently, patients who complained of chest pains might have been diagnosed with a stress test, which involves monitoring heart function during physical activity or coronary angiogram, an invasive procedure that measures blood flow to the heart with a catheter and x-ray.Cleerly claims that its AI-driven analysis of the CT scan image is less taxing on the body than a stress test or an angiogram, and by agreeing to pay for the test, health insurers and Medicare seem to agree.The companys software has been available commercially for the last four years, and over that period, Cleerly has had a compounded annual growth of over 100%, Min said. And the company is poised to continue its growth trajectory now that most payers recognize its diagnostic method for approximately 15 million people who present with heart problems each year, he added.Cleerly isnt without competition. Other companies that are working on AI-driven image analysis of heart plaque include HeartFlow and Elucid, but given that they all ultimately want to screen the entire population above a certain age, there is likely room for more than one winner in this market.

Incoming president Donald Trump has nominated Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and private astronaut, to lead NASA through what could be one of the most consequential periods in the agencys history.During the four years of Trumps second term, NASA will need to navigate a number of significant changes and challenges, including the ongoing Artemis program, and the growing commercialization of space, and potentially the de-orbiting of the International Space Station. In all likelihood, it will also the be the period in which SpaceXs Starship starts flying commercial missions and possibly even making its first uncrewed journey to Mars.Isaacman, the founder and CEO of the payment processing platform Shift4, has been one of the most vocal proponents of commercial spaceflight. Under his Polaris Program initiative, he backed two separate missions to orbit that were conducted by SpaceX. During the most recent mission, which took place in September, Isaacman and another member of the four-person crew conducted the first-ever private spacewalk using SpaceXs new extravehicular activity suits.Hes pushed forward a proposal that he said hed fund to launch a private mission to boost the orbit of the aging Hubble Telescope. (NASA did not take him up on the offer.) And hes been a huge supporter of SpaceXs plans to make life multi-planetary.If theres a technical path to ensuring humanitys survival and Starship appears to be the closest weve come it seems irresponsible not to pursue it, he said in a post on X in August.The appointment of Isaacson to this role would almost certainly be of immeasurable benefit to SpaceX and Elon Musk who, coincidentally, is in what is reportedly an influential advisory role with President-Elect Trump.Other public posts on X suggest that Isaacman could help usher in major changes to how NASA manages its nearly $25 billion budget, 18,000-person workforce, and the many ongoing programs it funds. Many of these initiatives have blown past their budgets; some, like the lunar ice prospecting rover Viper, have been canceled as a result. Others, like the next crewed missions under the Artemis program, have merely been severely delayed.Regarding news from last year that the staff of an operational space mission may be trimmed due to budget concerns, Isaacman said, referring to the Artemis program, I am confused how we can fund billions per launch on a disposable mega rocket, fund two lunar landers to prevent hurt feelings but we cant keep New Horizons staff funded at present levels?Isaacman, who also founded defense contractor Drake International, has also called out the need for America to stay competitive with adversary nations, particularly China, in the space arena. He has frequently commented on Chinas domestic spaceflight capabilities, saying last February that if that country lands humans on the moon before the U.S. returns, it will be an immense wake-up call with real domestic and geopolitical ramifications.Like other key appointments to the incoming administration, Isaacman will still need to be confirmed by the Senate in order to take on the role. He would replace former senator Bill Nelson, who took the helm in 2021 after being appointed by President Joe Biden. Isaacman told Shift4 employees that he would remain CEO until hes confirmed.In a statement, Isaacman said that NASA would help usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization.

Breakdown & ShowreelsTwisters: VFX Breakdown by ILMBy Vincent Frei - 04/12/2024 Get swept away by the epic storms of Twisters! The visual effects crafted by ILM turn the screen into a whirlwind of excitement, putting you face-to-face with natures most destructive force. Are you ready to brave the storm?WANT TO KNOW MORE?ILM: Dedicated page about Twisters on ILM website.Ben Snow: Heres my interview of Production VFX Supervisor Ben Snow.WATCH IT ON Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Breakdown & ShowreelsThe Diplomat Season 2: VFX Breakdown by FramestoreBy Vincent Frei - 04/12/2024 Step into the seamless artistry of Framestore in The Diplomat Season 2. From crafting invisible seasonal transitions to subtly enhancing every frame, discover how visual effects breathe authenticity into this gripping political drama!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Framestore: Dedicated page about The Diplomat Season 2 on Framestore website.WATCH IT ON Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Want More?VFX Elements BundleGet Ground Destruction, Destruction Debris, Portals, Blood Hits, Smoke Plumes 1-4, VDB Fire 1-3, Fireworks, Aerial Shockwaves, Ground Shockwaves, Atmospherics 1-2, Smoke Trails 1-3, Wispy Smoke, Smoke Bursts, Sparks and Meteors together and save over 25%! Thats thousands of professional VFX elements for your next project!Learn MoreWant More?VDB BUNDLEIf you want to save 25% off of ALL the VDBs check out our VDB Bundle. It includes everything: VDB Clouds Packs 1-11, Smoke Packs 1-4, Explosions Packs 1-8, and VDB Fire Packs 1-2 with a savings of over 25%.Learn More

Data center cooling and hydrogen production for clean energy are just two applications for the technology developed by 3D Printing Industry Start-up of the Year nominee 3D Architech. This start-up is focused on metal manufacturing based on proprietary gel-based 3D printing technology, enabling scalable production of metal components with exceptionally fine, micron-scale features. This innovation allows for intricate designs and optimized structures that enhance device performance across various industries.Kai Narita, CEO and founder of 3D Architech told 3DPI more about the company.3DA micro-architected nickel lattice for water electrolyzer. Photo via 3D Architech.3DPI: What problem are you solving, and why is it important?Kai Narita: We tackle high electricity costs in data center cooling and inefficiencies in hydrogen electrolyzer output. Cooling consumes up to 40% of data center electricity, creating significant financial and environmental burdens, while hydrogen costs need to drop by 80% for global carbon-neutral adoption. Our gel-based metal additive manufacturing and micro-architected designs achieve up to 60% cooling energy savings and boost electrolyzer output by 30%, delivering substantial cost savings and advancing sustainability goals.3DPI: Who is your target market?Kai Narita: Our target market includes data center hyperscalers, AI chip manufacturers, cooling device manufacturers, and water electrolyzer producers. These sectors demand high-efficiency cooling and energy solutions. Were establishing strategic partnerships in Japan and the U.S. to scale globally.3DPI: Who are the founders and core team members, and what is their experience in this industry?Kai Narita: Our team comprises 15 members, including 8 PhDs from Caltech, Harvard, and MIT, bringing deep expertise in micro-architectures and materials science.3DPI: What technical challenges have you encountered so far, and how did you overcome them?Kai Narita: Achieving 10-micron precision for complex cooling needs was challenging. We developed proprietary gel-based metal 3D printing technology, enabling custom designs with 10-micron features with affordable LCD/DLP 3D printers. This breakthrough allows rapid, cost-effective prototyping and production.3DA copper lattice sheet for cooling. Photo via 3D Architech.3DPI: Who do you consider to be the competition in this market? How does your proposition meet underserved needs or outperform?Kai Narita: Our competition includes cold plate manufacturers and micro-additive technologies for data center cooling, and filter makers in the electrolyzer component market for hydrogen production. With 10-micron resolution and micro-architected design, we deliver unmatched precision and efficiency in both sectors.3DPI: What milestones have you achieved, and what are your next major goals?Kai Narita: We completed our pilot productions, validated device performance, and secured PoC requests from top companies. Our next goals are to expand production and scale distribution. We are building partnerships with chemical companies and metal producers and are open to partnerships with lithography-based 3D printing companies (e.g., LCD, SLA, DLP).3DPI: Is there anything else you would like to add?Kai Narita: We are based in Boston, USA, and Sendai, Japan, both prominent hubs for additive manufacturing and metallurgy, bridging academia and industry to enhance innovation and collaboration.Read more about nominees for the 2024 3D Printing Industry Start-up of the Year, including FIDENTIS and Hyphen Innovations, and dont forget to vote.Subscribe to the3D Printing Industry newsletterto keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us onTwitter, like ourFacebookpage, and subscribe to the3D Printing Industry Youtubechannel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows 3DA micro-architected nickel lattice for water electrolyzer. Photo via 3D Architech.

Farsoon Technologies, a leader in industrial-grade 3D printing systems, has introduced the Flight HT601P-4, a large-format polymer powder bed fusion (PBF) system featuring four 300-watt fiber lasers. Announced shortly after its showcase at Formnext 2024, the Flight HT601P-4 is designed to enhance industrial-scale additive manufacturing by combining high-speed production with advanced automation to maximize yield and reduce costs per part.The new system offers a substantial build volume of 600 600 600 mm (216 liters), enabling the efficient production of large components or high-volume batches. Fiber lasers in the Flight HT601P-4 achieve scanning speeds of up to 20 meters per second, significantly boosting productivity and operational efficiency. Its interchangeable build cartridge design supports continuous production workflows, minimizing downtime and maximizing throughput. Additionally, the compact footprint allows for optimized factory layouts, enhancing production yield within limited floor spaces.Farsoons latest innovation, the HT601P-4, integrates advanced automation and high-speed production for industrial additive manufacturing. Photo via Farsoon Technologies.Farsoons latest model incorporates several advanced features to maintain consistent, high-quality outputs throughout the build process. An innovative powder supply method ensures efficient and uniform recoating, while an advanced control card optimizes process control for stable laser power distribution and superior beam quality. Users can select between Efficiency Mode, which utilizes overlapping laser areas to enhance productivity, and Quality Mode, which employs single-laser scanning for applications requiring precise detailing and industry certifications.The optical cooling system within the Flight HT601P-4 maintains optimal operating temperatures for critical components, ensuring consistent part properties and surface quality across the build cylinder. Capable of handling chamber temperatures up to 220C, the system is suitable for processing high-performance materials such as PA6, PBT, PA11, PA12, and TPU. Farsoons patented multi-zone temperature control and infrared thermal monitoring ensure uniform heat distribution and real-time thermal stability adjustments, providing reliable and consistent results across the entire build surface.The powder management system streamlines workflows with efficient recycling, sieving, and support for continuous production. Photo via Farsoon Technologies.Designed for seamless integration into large-scale production environments, the Flight HT601P-4 offers a streamlined workflow. Its advanced Powder Management System supports powder recycling, mixing, and sieving, allowing multiple Flight HT601P-4 machines to operate simultaneously. Smart production line integration centralizes systems for powder handling, build cylinder transfer, part cooling, and breakout, enabling fully automated and highly efficient manufacturing processes.Embracing an open parameter strategy, Farsoon empowers users to fine-tune material processing for unique applications. This flexibility supports innovation in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical, unlocking new possibilities in polymer additive manufacturing.A high-quality polymer component produced with cutting-edge precision and consistency, showcasing the machines capabilities. Photo via Farsoon Technologies.Research on Powder Spreadability and Market Growth in Metal 3D PrintingA recent study published in Particuology by researchers from the University of Leeds, University of Greenwich, and Cormica Limited evaluated how powder spreadability impacts PBF 3D printing. The review highlights the influence of powder properties, environmental conditions, and spreading systems on final part characteristics. The researchers emphasize the need for standardized characterization methods to improve powder spreadability and quality control in PBF processes.Market intelligence firm CONTEXT reported a 45% growth in Chinese metal 3D printer shipments in the first quarter of 2024, contrasting with a decline in global industrial polymer 3D printer shipments. The report notes that while Chinese vendors experienced strong domestic demand, Western vendors faced challenges due to low capital expenditure and high inflation. The shift toward entry-level 3D printers continued, with professional users recognizing the capabilities of lower-priced models.Top and side profiles of powder spread layers with different spreader geometries. Image via Particuology.Your voice matters in the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards. Vote Now!What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows the he HT601P-4. Photo via Farsoon Technologies.