Amanda Driscoll, 26, is a mom of two living in Florida.She was inspired to prepare for her second child with a "nesting party" after seeing a TikTok about one.Family and friends helped with tasks like putting together a crib and making freezer meals.This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Amanda Driscoll. It has been edited for length and clarity.I didn't originally plan to have a nesting party. I held a typical baby shower in June of last year with 30 of my family and friends. I have a huge family, and they're really fun to hang out with. Then, a month later, I saw a TikTok about a nesting party, where people help you clean your house and set up the nursery, and I was super inspired. By that point, I was already 38 weeks pregnant, and it had just dawned on me that I still had so much to do to prepare for the new baby.I already had a toddler and was still working as a pet sitter for my mom's pet-sitting business at the time. I decided that having a nesting party would relieve me of organizing all those tasks I'd whirling around in my head.When I gave birth to my first son in 2021, my sister-in-law, mom, and godmother helped me assemble furniture and fold the baby clothes, but it wasn't as involved as a nesting party.I started by sending a group text to my closest friends to say, "Hey, I'm having a nesting party." I admit I was nervous to ask them to come and help me, but I needn't have worried. All my friends said yes.I looked to TikTok for advice on throwing my nesting partyA nesting party feels so much more intimate than a baby shower. I invited five of my closest friends, my mom, and my godmother. At a baby shower, there are usually more people and activities. My nesting party was smaller, and I spent more one-on-one time with everyone.I took tips from TikTok on what to do during my nesting party. I started by making a list of the tasks I needed help with in my notes app. The tasks were separated into rooms on the checklist, and I shared the list with my friends so they could choose which task they wanted to do before they arrived. It was a shared list, so they could check off tasks when they'd finished them to avoid miscommunication.When my friends arrived at my house, we socialized first. My mom brought a rotisserie chicken and some sides for everyone to eat, and I bought wine and soft drinks. My husband Christian took our toddler to the park to keep him occupied for about 90 minutes, then when they got back, he started cooking meals we could put in the freezer. My friends also brought postpartum meals with them. One friend brought a stir-fry, another a lasagna, and one of my friends, who says she's not a cook, gave me a restaurant gift card, which was lovely.My friends and family helped me get crucial tasks done before I had my babyOne friend washed and sterilized the baby bottles, another put up the crib, and another folded the baby clothes I received at the baby shower and put them in the drawers of the new changing table. They also placed a caddy in the nursery filled with wipes and diapers, snacks, and supplements. One task that was a huge help was when my friend got my car cleaned and then installed the infant car seat for me. As I live in Florida and had a summer pregnancy, I was dreading doing this in the heat.While there were more people in the house than usual, it wasn't stressful at all, because I knew they were there to help me. My friends stayed until everything was done, for over three hours.Though I had both, a nesting party would be a perfect substitute for a baby shower, if you have to choose one. I don't know what I would have done without all that help. From that moment until after I'd given birth, I was able to relax. Going into my postpartum period, I didn't have to worry as I knew that everything was clean, and I didn't have to worry about where things were as every item had been stored neatly and was within my reach.Being pregnant can feel really isolating. I urge mothers to reach out to friends or family because they want to be a part of these important times. If you don't live close to your family or friends, I'd recommend contacting mom groups on Facebook to see if other moms would be willing to come to your nesting party. Community in parenting is important, and it's never too early to get started building one.

Elon MuskThe world's richest man, Elon Musk, leads various tech companies with government contracts. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Trump's pick for: Co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Background: Elon Musk is the world's richest person and the founder of several major companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and xAI.Musk, who spent at least $277 million supporting Trumpand the Republican Party during the 2024 cycle, has said his super PAC will remain active in the midterms. In the months since the election, Musk has remainedclose to Trump's sideand waded into political issues beyond his capacity as the DOGE co-head, like congressional budget negotiations. Vivek RamaswamyRamaswamy founded an anti-woke investment firm. AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File Trump's pick for: Co-leader of the Department of Government EfficiencyBackground: Vivek Ramaswamy founded the pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences and Strive Asset Management, an investment fund supported by conservative tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Though he ran for the Republican presidential nomination, Ramaswamy will join Musk in overseeing DOGE. Ramaswamy has said that he expects "certain agencies to be deleted outright."Musk has said he wants to slash some $2 trillion from the federal budget, and the DOGE co-heads outlined their cost-cutting agenda in a lengthy opinion piece. Federal outlays hit $6.75 trillion in 2024, so the proposed cuts could run up against mandatory spending for entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Ramaswamy and Musk have criticized overregulation and the size of the federal workforce in particular. JD VanceVance worked at VC firms before launching his own in 2019. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Trump's pick for: Vice PresidentBackground: Before rising in Republican politics, JD Vance worked in Silicon Valley, including at Peter Thiel's venture capital firm, Mithril Capital. He eventually started his own VC firm in 2019, Narya Capital, whose early backers included Thiel and venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. According to his vice president and senate disclosure forms, Vance still has a stake in Narya Capital Fund I, Narya Capital Fund II, and Rise of the Rest Seed Fund. David SacksDavid Sacks is a member of the PayPal Mafia. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty Images Trump's pick for: White House AI and crypto czarBackground: The venture capitalist and former PayPal COO founded the enterprise social networking platform Yammer, acquired by Microsoft for $1.2 billion in 2012. He now works at the VC firm Craft, which he co-founded in 2017. Sacks was also an angel investor in companies such as SpaceX, Uber, and Palantir. As a member of the "PayPal Mafia," Sacks has worked with other tech titans like Musk and Thiel. The "All-In" podcaster will develop a framework for digital currency as the chair of Trump's Presidential Council of Advisers for Digital Assets. Scott KuporScott Kupor has spent years working for Andreessen Horowitz. Andreessen Horowitz Trump's pick for: Director of the Office of Personnel ManagementBackground: Scott Kupor is a partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and was one of the company's first employees. Kupor has said he looks for "egomaniacal" founders. He managed a16z's growth from $300 million in assets under management to more than $40 billion, according to the firm's website. Before joining a16z, Kupor worked in various capacities at Hewlett-Packard, the software company Opsware, and in M&A at Credit Suisse First Boston and Lehman Brothers, according to a16z's website. Sriram KrishnanSriram Krishnan was a general partner at VC powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz. YouTube Trump's pick for: Senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology PolicyBackground: Most recently, Sriram Krishnan was a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Before joining a16z, he ran product and engineering groups at X, Meta, and Snap, according to a16z's website. The firm said he began his career at Microsoft as a founding member of Windows Azure. Krishnan was a16z's main contact with Twitter after Musk bought it in 2022, and he interviewed the Tesla CEO on a pandemic-era audio show.Trump wrote on X that Krishnan would work closely with David Sacks to focus on "ensuring continued American leadership" in AI and help coordinate government policy about the technology. Ken HoweryKen Howery (left) co-founded PayPal. Jemal Countess/Getty Images Trump's pick for: US ambassador to the Kingdom of DenmarkBackground: A cofounder of PayPal and Founders Fund, Ken Howery was the US ambassador to Sweden under the first Trump administration. In announcing Howery's appointment, Trump wrote on Truth Social that for "purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."Trump proposed the same idea in 2019 which the island and Denmark rejected. Greenland is an autonomous dependent territory of Denmark, a member of NATO, and a US ally. Jacob HelbergJacob Helberg is a senior advisor to Palantir's CEO. Christian Oth Trump's pick for: Undersecretary forBackground: Jacob Helberg is a senior advisor to Palantir CEO Alex Karp. Palantir, a data mining company co-founded by Thiel, has several government contracts and counts the US federal government as one of its biggest clients. Helberg is a member of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission. He has propelled the effort toban TikTokin the US and is also the author of "The Wires of War: Technology and the Global Struggle for Power." Michael KratsiosThe managing director at a tech startup, Kratsios also served as Trump's Chief Technology Officer. Web Summit/YouTube Trump's pick for: Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology PolicyBackground: Michael Kratsios is a managing director at Scale AI.Politico.Trump wrote on X that Kratsios will work closely with Sacks and also serve as an assistant to the president for science and technology. He also said that Kratsios had received a Distinguished Public Service Medal from the Defense Department. Emil MichaelEmil Michael has invested in or advised multiple startups. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers/YouTube Trump's pick for: Undersecretary of Defense for research and engineeringBackground: Emil Michael was the chief business officer at Uber and COO of Klout, a now-defunct social media company that ranked users' online social influence. Previously he served as special assistant to the Secretary of Defense. He built several companies during his career, the first being Tellme Networks in 1999, according to his website. Microsoft acquired Tellme Networks in 2007. Michael has invested in or advised various companies, including Stripe.While at Uber, Michael led the company's work in China and built its Uber for Business unit, according to his bio. Lynne ParkerLynne Parker previously served as Trump's deputy Chief Technology Officer. Keegan Barber/The White House via Associated Press Trump's pick for: Executive director of the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and TechnologyBackground: Parker previously served as Trump's deputy Chief Technology Officer and was the founding director of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office. She has served as associate vice chancellor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and as director of the AI Tennessee Initiative, according to the university's website. UT credited her with leading development of several "landmark" national AI polices, including some concerning federal use of the technology. Paul AtkinsTrump tapped Paul Atkins to lead the SEC. AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File Trump's pick for: Chairman of the Securities and Exchange CommissionBackground: Paul Atkins, a vocal crypto supporter, is the founder and CEO of risk management consultancy Patomak Global Partners and has been the co-chair of the Digital Chamber's Token Alliance, an industry group, since 2017. He served as an SEC commissioner under President George W. Bush.Trump wrote on Truth Social that Atkins "recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before." If confirmed, Atkins will replace the current chair of SEC, Gary Gensler, who has drawn the ire of much of the crypto industry over his regulatory efforts. Jared IsaacmanJared Isaacman has commanded space missions for Musk's company SpaceX. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Trump's pick for: Administrator of NASABackground: The billionaire SpaceX astronaut founded Shift4 Payments, a payment processing firm. His nomination comes only months after he completed the first commercial spacewalk. Isaacman, who dropped out of high school and started two companies, has commanded several space missions for Musk's SpaceX.He flew twice to space in SpaceX's Crew Dragon for flights he commissioned, funded, and commanded, as BI previously reported. Jim O'NeillJim O'Neill is the former CEO of the Thiel Foundation. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Trump's pick for: Deputy Secretary for the Department of Health and Human ServicesBackground: Jim O'Neill is a Silicon Valley investor who served as acting CEO of the Thiel Foundation, helping to found the organization's fellowship. In 2012, he worked with Thiel to launch Mithril Capital Management, the VC fund that eventually hired Vance, and worked there until 2019. He was briefly the CEO of the health organization SENS Research Foundation and sits on the board of ADvantage Therapeutics, which focuses on therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Gail SlaterGail Slater has worked for various tech companies. MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images Trump's pick for: Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division at the Department of JusticeBackground: A known tech advisor, Slater has worked for various tech companies, including as a lawyer at the Internet Association, a defunct lobbying group representing companies including Google, Facebook, and Amazon. She also worked at the streaming platform Roku.

Stella Shon experienced burn-like wounds all over her body from an allergic reaction to medication.One insurance provider paid almost $900K for the ICU. Her follow-up claims have been rejected.Shon has paid over $20,000 out of pocket for related medical expenses since her hospitalization.Editor's note: Business Insider has verified all medical expenses and payments mentioned in this article.I'll never forget the day I opened my UnitedHealthcare app and saw nearly $900,000 in hospital charges.In August 2022, what started as flu-like symptoms rapidly escalated into a life-threatening emergency, and I was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a rare and severe allergic reaction to medication.After taking over-the-counter pain relievers and antibiotics, a rash spread across my body, and I was rushed to the ER with burn-like wounds, requiring immediate intubation in the burn ICU.Discharge day nearly a month later was a turning point in my life not because I'd survived the ICU, but because the battle was far from over.Longterm complications come with a costOver 26 harrowing days in the hospital, I suffered blindness and developed raw wounds from my head to my torso. Just as my condition began to improve, I developed sepsis. Ironically, the treatment included a monthlong course of IV antibiotics the same type of medication that likely triggered this nightmare.In the first year of my illness, I attended over 50 follow-up appointments with specialists in ophthalmology, dermatology, gynecology, and infectious diseases and received a deluge of medical bills.Overall, I was extremely fortunate that UHC fully covered the $885,855 cost of my hospital stay, except for my $5,100 out-of-pocket maximum. However, my ICU stay was only the beginning of the costs I would face in managing the long-term complications of the disease.Prior to this incident, I had a flawless medical record. In the two years since I left the ICU, I've spent an average of $8,500 each year on health insurance, $11,000 on lenses to protect my damaged corneas, around $1,400 on prescription eye drops, $3,000 on glaucoma surgery, and more than $5,000 on follow-up appointments with various specialists.$17,000$11,000$1,400$3,000$5,000I've realized the cost of ongoing medical appointments and necessary treatments will become a lifelong financial burden.My eyes were permanently damagedTwo weeks into my ICU stay, which happened to be my 24th birthday, I was taken off of a ventilator. I vividly recall the first time I tried to open my eyes and had to shut them immediately due to unbearable, searing pain. The condition left permanent scars on my corneas and meibomian glands, which are responsible for tear production. As my vision gradually returned a miracle in itself, given that many SJS survivors lose their sight permanently my doctor delivered a sobering prognosis: the damage to my eyes was permanent, with little hope for improvement. Shon's SJS diagnosis led to permanent scars on her face and upper torso and damage to her corneas. Courtesy of Stella Shon I refused to give up on my eyesight. Fortunately, my cornea specialist referred me to an optometrist who offered a glimmer of hope: scleral lenses. Unlike regular contact lenses, these dome-shaped lenses are filled with saline, creating a protective fluid layer over the eye. This design helps treat corneal and ocular surface conditions like SJS and costs $11,000 for both eyes.In addition to the initial cost for the lenses, there were ongoing expenses to consider. Supplies, such as preservative-free saline and cleaning solutions, became a monthly cost of around $100 in my budget.Insurance providers denied coverage for my treatmentThe next hurdle? UnitedHealthcare did not consider these lenses to be a medically necessary emergency and denied coverage. If I wanted a chance at reclaiming my life, I had to shoulder the entire cost upfront.I called customer service many times to appeal my claim, with documented proof from my optometrist and the cornea specialists who treated me, saying I needed these scleral lenses. Weeks passed, and I remained in pain. I felt my only choice was to pay for the full cost of the lenses while continuing to fight my insurance ultimately without success.It's not just a UnitedHealthcare issue, though.DeniedDeniedDeniedDeniedDeniedMy friends created a GoFundMe to help me cover living and medical expensesI'm deeply grateful for the support of my best friends, who stood by my side every day in the ICU and started a GoFundMe while I was intubated. This fund became a crucial lifeline, covering my out-of-pocket maximum and the cost of the life-altering scleral lenses that now allow me to live a relatively normal life.The financial strain was unimaginable and extended far beyond medical bills rent payments, along with other living expenses, continued to pile upI spent a few months on long-term disability leave before leaving my corporate job by the end of the year. At the beginning of 2023, I shifted to a freelance writing and editing career instead, which afforded me greater flexibility to attend follow-up appointments and address my long-term needs. The main drawback, however, was losing employer-sponsored health insurance.I'm self-employed now, and it's clear the healthcare system needs to changeMy experience raised the question of whether coverage denials are specific toI'm now a self-employed writer and no longer have employer-sponsored insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Over the past few years, I've been covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and now the University of Utah Health Plans through the Affordable Care Act, which comes with substantial out-of-pocket costs. And I've continued to face coverage denials for a variety of reasons. For example, my autologous serum eye drops derived from my own blood and providing significant relief for my dry eyes aren't covered by insurance because they lack FDA approval and are labeled "experimental." I pay $660 for a three-month supply. Shon has lasting scars all over her torso from SJS. Courtesy of Stells Shon While most of the scars have faded with time, many are still visible on my face and upper body. Earlier this year, I underwent a series of laser treatments at the dermatologist, each costing me $250. These claims were denied by my new plan highlighting that this issue isn't unique to one insurer.After my experience, I understand why so much anger and frustration toward healthcare companies has bubbled up online since the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. It was a shocking crime, but the conversations it has raised have helped me process the desperation and powerlessness I've felt in my two-year struggle to appeal my claims.I recognize how fortunate I am to have regained my vision and avoided financial debt from my ICU stay. However, one thing is abundantly clear: meaningful changes to the healthcare system are long overdue.Business Insider reached out to UnitedHealthcare for comment and did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

Cross Works Unveils Masterplan for New Tashkent Expansion in UzbekistanSave this picture! Cross WorksCross Works just unveiled the plans for New Tashkent, a large-scale expansion of Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent. The project covers 25,000 hectares to the east of the existing city, located between the Chirchiq and Karasu Rivers. Designed to accommodate an estimated 2.5 million people in the coming decades, the development aims to address population growth in a sustainable manner. The initiative follows an international design competition held in early 2023, which was won by London-based design and technology firm Cross Works. Following their selection, the firm has taken the lead on masterplanning, digital twin development, and coordination of a multidisciplinary team.Save this picture!The first phase of the project, covering about 6,000 hectares, focuses on District 1, which constitutes the majority of the initial development. Preliminary site work has started, and design processes are advancing toward construction documentation. The concept of New Tashkent involves developing neighborhoods or "mahallas" to establish mixed-use communities. The plan includes local community facilities within walking distances of homes, aiming to reduce reliance on private vehicles and encourage more sustainable transport modes. Additionally, 20% of the city's area is allocated to green spaces, and a network of canals fed by nearby mountain ranges will contribute to the city's water system and public spaces.Cross Works has also developed a digital twin for the project: a data-driven, dynamic replica of the masterplan hosted on an online platform. This tool allows real-time updates, aiding in project management and collaboration among designers, stakeholders, and eventually the public. In fact, the digital twin includes urban analyses, design guidelines, virtual walk-throughs, and geolocated 3D renderings. Related Article Zaha Hadid Architects Reveals Design for New Scientific Research Centre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Save this picture!Alongside masterplanning, Cross Works is involved in designing specific plots within the project. This work is carried out in collaboration with local and international architecture firms to establish a unified architectural identity that supports diverse functions and designs. The New Tashkent project aims to balance population growth with environmental and urban sustainability. Furthermore, it focuses on accessible community resources, open spaces, and integrated infrastructure to meet the needs of residents and visitors while supporting a reduced environmental footprint. Save this picture!In other similar news, Dubai has just unveiled an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian mobility in the city and promoting sustainable urban development. Additionally, Foster + Partners have revealed their proposal for the Bilaj Al Jazayer Beach master plan, a new development aiming to introduce a new touristic destination along Bahrain's southwest coast. Finally, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and GAD have been chosen to design the Hangzhou Science and Technology Innovation Central Business District (CBD) in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, China. Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorNour FakharanyAuthorCite: Nour Fakharany. "Cross Works Unveils Masterplan for New Tashkent Expansion in Uzbekistan" 07 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025409/cross-works-unveils-masterplan-for-new-tashkent-expansion-in-uzbekistan&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?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

Heritage in Syria: Independent Groups Documenting the Countrys Historic ArchitectureSave this picture!Deir Ez-Zor Heritage Library team on site. Image Courtesy of Deir Ez-Zor Heritage LibraryIt is common for states to have legislation and institutions that protect their built heritage. It is also common for there to be gaps in the laws themselves or their implementation while certain circumstances may place a country's heritage under specific vulnerabilities. Thus, alongside state institutions, there are locally based architects and researchers establishing independent initiatives to document and conserve aspects of their built heritage. Syria is one example of a place with an extensive history of monuments and buildings of interest as well as active groups of independent conservators.Deir Ez-Zor Heritage Library (DZHL) is a voluntary initiative focused on the built cultural heritage of the city and province of Deir Ez-Zor in eastern Syria. The project was founded by Lamis Bakjaji, a native of Deir Ez-Zor, in collaboration with Bahaa Abdallah. Both founders are architects and conservators who volunteer their expertise to safeguard heritage damaged during the armed conflict in the region. The primary goal of DZHL is to establish an accessible digital heritage library, comprising an archive of architectural data to support potential rebuilding efforts in the city. The initiative began in 2018, operating initially through social media platforms and without external funding.Save this picture!Deir Ez-Zor is a historic city whose cultural importance is less widely recognized compared to other Syrian cities in the west. According to Bahaa Abdallah, the city boasts numerous Ottoman-era buildings and architectural landmarks from the French Mandate period in the early twentieth century. However, extensive destruction during the war displaced most of its residents, leaving historic structures increasingly susceptible to neglect and environmental damage. The 2023 earthquake that struck northern Syria and southern Turkey exacerbated the deterioration of these buildings. Related Article Somali Architecture Students Digitally Preserve Their Country's HeritageBefore It's Too Late Specializing in heritage documentation and photogrammetry, Bahaa Abdallah joined DZHL after meeting Lamis Bakjaji in Damascus. Another architect, Hazem al-Khleaf, also works with them on 3D documentation. Following the partial stabilization of the situation in Deir Ez-Zor, the team secured permits to conduct fieldwork in the city. However, the fragile security conditions and limited access to specialized equipment necessitated the use of mobile phones and laptops for documentation. Advances in software and proficiency in photography and videography allowed the team to achieve detailed results. Some structures documented during these surveys sustained further damage afterward, underscoring the critical importance of these records.Save this picture!Save this picture!The team's work encompassed surveys of various building types, including residential structures, religious monuments, and the woodworking market, as well as an extensive study of the Main Street. In addition to architectural documentation, the initiative engaged with the local community to research intangible heritage, collecting oral histories and other cultural narratives from city residents.Another independently initiated group is the Archive of Modern Architecture in Syria (AMASyria). Whilst DZHL focuses on a specific location heavily affected by conflict, AMASyria's area of study is modern architecture, which sits outside of governmental heritage protection processes. According to its website, it "is an initiative to research, document, and share the Syrian architectural experience of the 20th century and discuss it within its historical context as part of the broader cultural landscape in the region and the world while highlighting its intersection with political, economic, and artistic spheres." Part of the initiative's goal is also to contextualize modern Syrian architecture within global discourse.Save this picture!Save this picture!AMASyria was founded by architects Ahmad Salah and Mirma Alwareh as a personal initiative. Its presence was originally on social media, where positive feedback encouraged the founders to continue developing their research. In 2020, the founders had access to the drawings archive of acclaimed architect Nizar Al-Farra as well as the archives of the magazine of the Engineers Association, which triggered their work in digitization. Grants were obtained to help with this and the team expanded to digitize the work of multiple architects as well as public competition entries. The founders noted that some documentation was found in archives abroad, hence the importance of a digital repository that makes these documents available in one place.Save this picture!The archive, which is an ongoing project, includes notable Modernist projects such as the Center for Marine Research in Latakia by architect Bourhan Tayara of the firm Arab Engineers and Architects. It includes architectural documents and drawings, old and recent photographs, competition booklets, sketches, official project descriptions, and oral histories as told by architects or their families and acquaintances.Save this picture!Other groups undertaking conservation and documentation work in Syria include Turathuna Foundation, based in the city of Homs. Established by architect Lama Abboud, it works within disaster risk management where it aims to raise awareness, preserve, rescue, and revive Syrian Cultural Heritage. Its teams have helped restore and preserve several historic buildings in the city, known for its distinctive dark stone. Another is Rafekatuna, based in the city of Raqqa. Like Deir Ez-Zor, the city suffered considerable damage during ISIL/Daesh rule and the battles that ensued. Projects under Rafekatuna included the protection and restoration of several buildings, documentation, and a digital museum. All these initiatives illustrate the resilience of individuals. With their architecture and built heritage facing vulnerabilities due to war, natural disasters, or neglect, they have organized voluntarily and with limited resources.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Mohieldin Gamal. "Heritage in Syria: Independent Groups Documenting the Countrys Historic Architecture" 07 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025348/heritage-in-syria-independent-groups-documenting-the-countrys-historic-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?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

Discussing adaptive reuse involves exploring multiple fields of action and disciplines, interpreting opposing perspectives and opinions from various stakeholders, and even sparking the reactivation or revitalization of certain spaces in favor of communities. In recent years, notable projects have emerged, such as the conversion of factories and industrial warehouses, as well as the transformation of industrial structures into modern offices. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings has continued to evolve and expand globally throughout 2024, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents while also contributing to environmental sustainability.

NewsHealth & MedicineAI boosts breast cancer detection in nationwide screening study in GermanyThe results show AI could streamline the screening process AI rivals doctors ability to interpret mammograms, a real-world study with nearly 500,000 participants in Germany suggests.Tom Werner/Getty ImagesBy McKenzie Prillaman17 seconds agoBreast cancer detection could get a boost from artificial intelligence.When AI helped examine mammograms, doctors caught one more cancer case per 1,000 screened individuals compared with when they didnt use the technology, researchers report January 7 in Nature Medicine. The largest real-world study on AIs potential for breast cancer screening, which included nearly 500,000 women in Germany, suggests that the software could streamline the screening process without affecting the rate of false alarms.AI in mammography screening is at least as good as a human reader, and our study shows its even better, says cancer epidemiologist Alexander Katalinic of the University of Lbeck in Germany.

Nature, Published online: 07 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00018-1Researchers: concentrate on bread-and-butter issues to get political buy-in

Nature, Published online: 07 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00017-2Biodiversity credits are more problematic than carbon credits

Nature, Published online: 07 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00019-0Science communication has a problem communication