• Pocket Power: The Game Boy's Legendary Journey
    www.techspot.com
    Two generations of gamers have vastly different memories of the Nintendo Game Boy. While it may not technically be the first handheld console depending on how you define "console" it was the first portable device capable of playing games comparable to those on contemporary home systems.For those who grew up in the 1980s, the Game Boy was a bulky but powerful device with a battery life that could last for days. In contrast, '90s kids remember it as a simple yet iconic gadget not a replacement for home consoles, but the go-to platform for the one game everyone was talking about.Before phones could download games, the Game Boy dominated handheld gaming for well over a decade. Its success laid the foundation for Nintendo's dominance in the handheld market by combining simplicity with groundbreaking games. This clever design philosophy established the blueprint for future handheld consoles, including the Nintendo Switch.TechSpot's Legends of Tech SeriesThe iconic tech gadgets that shaped our world. From groundbreaking gaming consoles to revolutionary mobile devices and music players, discover the legends of technology.Not Black and WhiteThroughout the 1980s, Nintendo found success with its handheld Game & Watch devices, each dedicated to a single game. These used calculator-like displays with pre-drawn shapes rather than pixels. By the late 1980s, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) had become synonymous with home consoles in the U.S., after doing the same in Japan under the name Famicom.The Game Boy was the brainchild of Gunpei Yokoi, a legendary Nintendo R&D director and engineer who believed in "lateral thinking with withered technology." This philosophy emphasized using simple, proven technology in innovative ways to keep costs low and reliability high.The technology that made the Game Boy possible was the dot-matrix LCD, which enabled flat displays for laptops, personal digital assistants, and later TVs and desktop monitors. Nintendo's R&D1 division began developing a new device under the codename "Dot Matrix Game" (DMG).Yokoi initially envisioned the device as a multi-game successor to the Game & Watch series he had previously designed (pictured above), but assistant director Satoru Okada eventually persuaded him to create a portable NES-like system with swappable cartridges.The idea for the pocket devices came when Yokoi noticed a fellow commuter on a train passing time with a pocket calculator. This sparked the vision of a portable gaming system that could entertain people on the go.The team agreed on one crucial feature: the display had to be monochrome. An RGB display with three sub-pixels per pixel would have drastically reduced battery life.Image credit: Lander DenysWhen the prototype was presented to Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, he was disappointed by the Sharp TN display's (twisted nematic) poor viewing angles and canceled the entire project. Refusing to give up, Yokoi secured a new super-TN display with superior angles, which won Yamauchi's approval. The blue pixels appeared black against the screen's reflective yellow-green background.To this day, DJs around the world use modified Game Boys to create music.The Game Boy featured a mono speaker but could output stereo sound through its headphone jack. Its audio quality bridged the gap between the beep-heavy sounds of the 8-bit era and the more advanced music of later consoles. To this day, DJs around the world use modified Game Boys to create music.The name "Game Boy" may have been inspired by a Japanese magazine of the same name that was never trademarked, but the true rationale likely lies elsewhere. In a world where everyone had a Sony Walkman or one of its clones, the name Game Boy clearly defined the device's purpose and target audience. The Game Boy aimed to change gaming the way the Walkman changed listening to music.Short-Lasting CompetitionThe Game Boy debuted in Japan in April 1989 alongside four games, the most successful of which was Super Mario Land. The idea of playing a Mario game on a handheld device was so novel that players forgave its short length and its rough adaptation to the Game Boy's 160 x 144 resolution, where Mario appeared just 12 pixels tall.This was later fixed in later platformers like Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which adopted a zoomed-in perspective compared to their NES equivalents. That game was the first to showcase Wario, Mario's arch-nemesis. Another popular character that debuted on the Game Boy was Kirby.Retro Gaming Nostalgia: A colorful glimpse into the Super Mario Land Game Boy manual. Click for a video gameplay walkthrough of the 1989 title.When the Game Boy arrived in the U.S. the following July for $90 (about $230 today), it was bundled with one of the first and most popular versions of Tetris. The inclusion of the game was a stroke of genius. Nintendo managed to secure the rights to the game in a dramatic series of negotiations with the Soviet Union, where Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov. Henk Rogers, a Dutch entrepreneur, played a key role in helping Nintendo win the rights over competitors like Atari.With no story or playable characters, Tetris appealed to all ages, and expanded the console-playing demographics like Wii Sports did for Nintendo in the late 2000s. It even became the first video game played in space in 1993, thanks to cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov.First Lady Hillary Clinton would play on her daughter Chelsea's Game Boy before getting her own device.Nintendo's marketing for the Game Boy targeted not just kids but also teenagers and adults. Commercials often showed people of all ages playing the Game Boy in different settings, such as airports, offices, and even on dates. This clever strategy broke down stereotypes that gaming was only for children and made the console a cultural phenomenon.The Game Boy's first competitor was the Atari Lynx, featuring a backlit color screen, pseudo-3D capabilities and an ambidextrous design. The original model cost twice as much as the Game Boy at launch, and had a pocket-unfriendly, bone-like shape. Worst, it could only provide about four hours of gameplay with six AA batteries, compared to 30 hours with four batteries on the Game Boy. The Lynx's lack of popularity and games were feeding each other, and only 73 games were ever released for it.The closest competitor the Game Boy ever had was the Sega Game Gear, which shared most of its game library with the Master System, the most popular home console in Europe at the time.The Game Gear was slightly cheaper than the Lynx at $150 and had a more compact shape, but with the same battery issues it remained a niche product, selling about 11 million units. The NEC TurboExpress, known in Japan as the PC Engine GT, played the same cartridges as the TurboGrafx-16 at a 400 x 270 resolution. It cost $250, had a three-hour battery life and only sold 1.5 million units.One of the most famous anecdotes about the Game Boy's durability involves a U.S. medic who brought his Game Boy to the Gulf War in the early 1990s. The handheld device survived a tent fire and was left charred and melted. Amazingly, the Game Boy still worked and continued to function despite its disfigured exterior. This incident became a testament to the console's toughness and was even showcased in Nintendo's World Store in New York for many years.By the mid-1990s, the Game Boy had transcended gaming to become a cultural icon. Celebrities like Madonna and Michael Jackson were seen playing Game Boy, and it made appearances in movies and music videos. Its distinctive shape and simplicity also inspired artists and designers, becoming a symbol of 1990s pop culture.With no real competition, Nintendo didn't need to release a complete successor to its console. The Super Game Boy, launched in 1994 for $60, was a screen-less Game Boy that used the Super NES to connect to the TV.While the Game Boy could only show four shades of green, the Super Game Boy could replace them with any four colors the SNES could show. Games created with the Super Game Boy in mind could also use different 4-color palettes for different objects.Monster in a PocketThe Game Boy Pocket was released in 1996, using just two AAA batteries for 10 hours of gameplay. The screen had the same 2.5-inch size, but used a film-compensated STN panel to display true grey. In the U.S., it sold well by default. In Japan, it was for a different reason.That same year, Pocket Monsters Red and Green launched in Japan, followed by the enhanced Blue version. These RPGs combined surprising depth with 151 collectible creatures, and utilized a Game Boy feature rarely used before: moving data between cartridges with the same Game Link Cable used for local multiplayer.An original Nintendo Game Boy Pocket modded with a RetroSix semi transparent shell.Each version of the game had several missing monsters, so in order to "catch 'em all," you'd need to physically meet someone with the other version and trade. By early 1998, the Game Boy surpassed the NES as the best-selling console of all time with 64 million units.The Game Boy's popularity spawned numerous accessories, from magnifying glasses with built-in lights to stereo speaker attachments. Standing above the rest was the Game Boy Camera, one of the first consumer digital cameras, which attached to the Game Boy like a game cartridge and could rotate 180 degrees to take selfies.The Game Boy could take selfies, and print them too. Image credit: GlaucaaIn 1998, Pokmon Red and Blue were released in the U.S., sparking an unprecedented commercial phenomenon known as Pokmania. By then, Japan had already got the Yellow version, based on the anime series following the games. Combined, all versions sold 46 million copies.Pokmon became a global phenomenon, extending the Game Boy's lifecycle and ensuring it remained relevant even as newer consoles entered the market.Nine years after its original launch, the Game Boy Color debuted in 1998. It had a marginally smaller 2.3-inch screen and the same battery life as the Pocket with two AA batteries. The new model packed more video memory to support the extra colors, and could overclock its CPU to twice its speed when playing Color-exclusive games.It was hard-coded with 4-color palettes for the most popular monochrome games, and players could set one of 12 palettes by pressing a button or two at startup.Not surprisingly, the most popular games created with the Color model in mind were Pokmon Gold, Silver, and the Color-exclusive Crystal, selling 29 million units. With Pokmania in full swing, the SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color had no chance to gain a significant market share, despite its 40-hour battery life and quality selection of fighting games.Boys at HeartAt the height of its success, the Game Boy was succeeded in 2001 by the Game Boy Advance, with much more powerful hardware, a wider screen and shoulder buttons. The original Game Boy series was discontinued two years later, having sold nearly 119 million units.The Game Boy Advance was eventually replaced by the Nintendo DS in 2004. Featuring a second touchscreen, the DS drew a vast audience of casual gamers and became Nintendo's best-selling console with 154 million units.Image credit: ayrtonallenBy the time the Nintendo 3DS launched in 2011, casual gamers had shifted to smartphones and it became clear that the second screen was no longer needed. The most popular games on the 3DS were the same type of games that found success on the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.The Nintendo Switch was released with a single screen in 2017 as a "hybrid" console that could do both portable and TV gaming, and the cheaper Switch Lite dropped the TV-connected dock two years later. With its continued success, the Game Boy's influence lives on, and the Nintendo Switch 2 promises to carry on its legacy.Masthead credit: Arwen_7
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  • An icy vent line may have caused Blue Origin to scrub debut launch of New Glenn
    arstechnica.com
    Hold Hold Hold An icy vent line may have caused Blue Origin to scrub debut launch of New Glenn Such issues are totally expected and normal with large, new rockets. Eric Berger Jan 13, 2025 3:45 am | 15 New Glenn rocket undergoes a hot-fire test in Florida in late December. Credit: Blue Origin New Glenn rocket undergoes a hot-fire test in Florida in late December. Credit: Blue Origin Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreCOCOA BEACH, Fla.With 45 minutes left in a three-hour launch window, Blue Origin scrubbed its first attempt to launch the massive New Glenn rocket early on Monday morningThroughout the window, which opened at 1 am ET (06:00 UTC), the company continued to reset the countdown clock as launch engineers worked technical issues with the rocket.Officially, both on its live webcast as well as on social media following the scrub, Blue Origin was vague about the cause of the delayed launch attempt."Were standing down on todays launch attempt to troubleshoot a vehicle subsystem issue that will take us beyond our launch window," the company said. "Were reviewing opportunities for our next launch attempt."According to sources, the primary problem was likely ice clogging one of the vent lines that carry pressurized gas away from the vehicle. Several attempts were made to melt the ice, but these efforts were not successful, necessitating the scrub. Hopefully Blue Origin will provide more information about the cause of the scrub in the coming days.To land, or not to land?Additionally there appears to have been a problem with at least one of the auxiliary power units that provide power to the rocket after the engines shut off. One of the primary purposes of these APUs is to power the deployment of landing legs needed to make a soft touchdown on the company's droneship, Jacklyn. It was not immediately clear early Monday whether Blue Origin would have pressed ahead with the launch, should they have had to land the first stage in the ocean, rather than attempting a barge landing.In its statement, Blue Origin did not set another launch date. Because the company got deep into the countdown on Monday morning, it is likely that there will be at least a 48-hour turnaround time. This is due to the need to resupply propellant at Launch Complex-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida.However, there are other factors at play as well. The company has been watching sea states all week for the droneship landing in the Atlantic Ocean, and some forecasts indicate they start to worsen a couple of days from now. How long it takes to address the technical problems with the rocket will also depend on how accessible they are on the launch pad. Finally, the current launch period for New Glenn closes on January 16.Although it may be disappointing that New Glenn did not lift off on Monday morning, technical issues are totally expected and normal with large, new rockets. It's not a slight on Blue Origin. The company certainly got some great data during the several hours of countdown, and will now correct a couple of minor problems with the rocket before trying again soon.Eric BergerSenior Space EditorEric BergerSenior Space Editor Eric Berger is the senior space editor at Ars Technica, covering everything from astronomy to private space to NASA policy, and author of two books: Liftoff, about the rise of SpaceX; and Reentry, on the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon. A certified meteorologist, Eric lives in Houston. 15 Comments
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  • Inside the strange limbo facing millions of IVF embryos
    www.technologyreview.com
    Lisa Holligan already had two children when she decided to try for another baby. Her first two pregnancies had come easily. But for some unknown reason, the third didnt. Holligan and her husband experienced miscarriage after miscarriage after miscarriage. Like many other people struggling to conceive, Holligan turned to in vitro fertilization, or IVF. The technology allows embryologists to take sperm and eggs and fuse them outside the body, creating embryos that can then be transferred into a persons uterus. The fertility clinic treating Holligan was able to create six embryos using her eggs and her husbands sperm. Genetic tests revealed that only three of these were genetically normal. After the first was transferred, Holligan got pregnant. Then she experienced yet another miscarriage. I felt numb, she recalls. But the second transfer, which took place several months later, stuck. And little Quinn, who turns four in February, was the eventual happy result. She is the light in our lives, says Holligan. Holligan, who lives in the UK, opted to donate her genetically abnormal embryos for scientific research. But she still has one healthy embryo frozen in storage. And she doesnt know what to do with it. Should she and her husband donate it to another family? Destroy it? Its almost four years down the line, and we still havent done anything with [the embryo], she says. The clinic hasnt been helpfulHolligan doesnt remember talking about what to do with leftover embryos at the time, and no one there has been in touch with her for years, she says. Holligans embryo is far from the only one in this peculiar limbo. Millionsor potentially tens of millionsof embryos created through IVF sit frozen in time, stored in cryopreservation tanks around the world. The number is only growing thanks to advances in technology, the rising popularity of IVF, and improvements in its success rates. At a basic level, an embryo is simply a tiny ball of a hundred or so cells. But unlike other types of body tissue, it holds the potential for life. Many argue that this endows embryos with a special moral status, one that requires special protections. The problem is that no one can really agree on what that status is. To some, theyre human cells and nothing else. To others, theyre morally equivalent to children. Many feel they exist somewhere between those two extremes. There are debates, too, over how we should classify embryos in law. Are they property? Do they have a legal status? These questions are important: There have been multiple legal disputes over who gets to use embryos, who is responsible if they are damaged, and who gets the final say over their fate. And the answers will depend not only on scientific factors, but also on ethical, cultural, and religious ones. The options currently available to people with leftover IVF embryos mirror this confusion. As a UK resident, Holligan can choose to discard her embryos, make them available to other prospective parents, or donate them for research. People in the US can also opt for adoption, placing their embryos with families they get to choose. In Germany, people are not typically allowed to freeze embryos at all. And in Italy, embryos that are not used by the intended parents cannot be discarded or donated. They must remain frozen, ostensibly forever. While these embryos persist in suspended animation, patients, clinicians, embryologists, and legislators must grapple with the essential question of what we should do with them. What do these embryos mean to us? Who should be responsible for them? Meanwhile, many of these same people are trying to find ways to bring down the total number of embryos in storage. Maintenance costs are high. Some clinics are running out of space. And with a greater number of embryos in storage, there are more opportunities for human error. They are grappling with how to get a handle on the growing number of embryos stuck in storage with nowhere to go. The embryo boom There are a few reasons why this has become such a conundrum. And they largely come down to an increasing demand for IVF and improvements in the way it is practiced. Its a problem of our own creation, says Pietro Bortoletto, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF in Massachusetts. IVF has only become as successful as it is today by generating lots of excess eggs and embryos along the way, he says. To have the best chance of creating healthy embryos that will attach to the uterus and grow in a successful pregnancy, clinics will try to collect multiple eggs. People who undergo IVF will typically take a course of hormone injections to stimulate their ovaries. Instead of releasing a single egg that month, they can expect to produce somewhere between seven and 20 eggs. These eggs can be collected via a needle that passes through the vagina and into the ovaries. The eggs are then taken to a lab, where they are introduced to sperm. Around 70% to 80% of IVF eggs are successfully fertilized to create embryos. The embryos are then grown in the lab. After around five to seven days an embryo reaches a stage of development at which it is called a blastocyst, and it is ready to be transferred to a uterus. Not all IVF embryos reach this stage, howeveronly around 30% to 50% of them make it to day five. This process might leave a person with no viable embryos. It could also result in more than 10, only one of which is typically transferred in each pregnancy attempt. In a typical IVF cycle, one embryo might be transferred to the persons uterus fresh, while any others that were created are frozen and stored. IVF success rates have increased over time, in large part thanks to improvements in this storage technology. A little over a decade ago, embryologists tended to use a slow freeze technique, says Bortoletto, and many embryos didnt survive the process. Embryos are now vitrified instead, using liquid nitrogen to rapidly cool them from room temperature to -196 C in less than two seconds. Vitrification essentially turns all the water in the embryos into a glasslike state, avoiding the formation of damaging ice crystals. Now, clinics increasingly take a freeze all approach, in which they cryopreserve all the viable embryos and dont start transferring them until later. In some cases, this is so that the clinic has a chance to perform genetic tests on the embryo they plan to transfer. An assortment of sperm and embryos, preserved in liquid nitrogen.ALAMY Once a lab-grown embryo is around seven days old, embryologists can remove a few cells for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), which screens for genetic factors that might make healthy development less likely or predispose any resulting children to genetic diseases. PGT is increasingly popular in the USin 2014, it was used in 13% of IVF cycles, but by 2016, that figure had increased to 27%. Embryos that undergo PGT have to be frozen while the tests are run, which typically takes a week or two, says Bortoletto: You cant continue to grow them until you get those results back. And there doesnt seem to be a limit to how long an embryo can stay in storage. In 2022, a couple in Oregon had twins who developed from embryos that had been frozen for 30 years. Put this all together, and its easy to see how the number of embryos in storage is rocketing. Were making and storing more embryos than ever before. When you combine that with the growing demand for IVF, which is increasing in use by the year, perhaps its not surprising that the number of embryos sitting in storage tanks is estimated to be in the millions. I say estimated, because no one really knows how many there are. In 2003, the results of a survey of fertility clinics in the US suggested that there were around 400,000 in storage. Ten years later, in 2013, another pair of researchers estimated that, in total, around 1.4 million embryos had been cryopreserved in the US. But Alana Cattapan, now a political scientist at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and her colleagues found flaws in the study and wrote in 2015 that the number could be closer to 4 million. That was a decade ago. When I asked embryologists what they thought the number might be in the US today, I got responses between 1 million and 10 million. Bortoletto puts it somewhere around 5 million. Globally, the figure is much higher. There could be tens of millions of embryos, invisible to the naked eye, kept in a form of suspended animation. Some for months, years, or decades. Others indefinitely. Stuck in limbo In theory, people who have embryos left over from IVF have a few options for what to do with them. They could donate the embryos for someone else to use. Often this can be done anonymously (although genetic tests might later reveal the biological parents of any children that result). They could also donate the embryos for research purposes. Or they could choose to discard them. One way to do this is to expose the embryos to air, causing the cells to die. Studies suggest that around 40% of people with cryopreserved embryos struggle to make this decision, and that many put it off for five years or more. For some people, none of the options are appealing. In practice, too, the available options vary greatly depending on where you are. And many of them lead to limbo. Take Spain, for example, which is a European fertility hub, partly because IVF there is a lot cheaper than in other Western European countries, says Giuliana Baccino, managing director of New Life Bank, a storage facility for eggs and sperm in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and vice chair of the European Fertility Society. Operating costs are low, and theres healthy competitionthere are around 330 IVF clinics operating in Spain. (For comparison, there are around 500 IVF clinics in the US, which has a population almost seven times greater.) Baccino, who is based in Madrid, says she often hears of foreign patients in their late 40s who create eight or nine embryos for IVF in Spain but end up using only one or two of them. They go back to their home countries to have their babies, and the embryos stay in Spain, she says. These individuals often dont come back for their remaining embryos, either because they have completed their families or because they age out of IVF eligibility (Spanish clinics tend not to offer the treatment to people over 50). An embryo sample is removed from cryogenic storage.GETTY IMAGES In 2023, the Spanish Fertility Society estimated that there were 668,082 embryos in storage in Spain, and that around 60,000 of them were in a situation of abandonment. In these cases the clinics might not be able to reach the intended parents, or might not have a clear directive from them, and might not want to destroy any embryos in case the patients ask for them later. But Spanish clinics are wary of discarding embryos even when they have permission to do so, says Baccino. We always try to avoid trouble, she says. And we end up with embryos in this black hole. This happens to embryos in the US, too. Clinics can lose touch with their patients, who may move away or forget about their remaining embryos once they have completed their families. Other people may put off making decisions about those embryos and stop communicating with the clinic. In cases like these, clinics tend to hold onto the embryos, covering the storage fees themselves. Nowadays clinics ask their patients to sign contracts that cover long-term storage of embryosand the conditions of their disposal. But even with those in hand, it can be easier for clinics to leave the embryos in place indefinitely. Clinics are wary of disposing of them without explicit consent, because of potential liability, says Cattapan, who has researched the issue. People put so much time, energy, money into creating these embryos. What if they come back? Bortolettos clinic has been in business for 35 years, and the handful of sites it operates in the US have a total of over 47,000 embryos in storage, he says. Our oldest embryo in storage was frozen in 1989, he adds. Some people may not even know where their embryos are. Sam Everingham, who founded and directs Growing Families, an organization offering advice on surrogacy and cross-border donations, traveled with his partner from their home in Melbourne, Australia, to India to find an egg donor and surrogate back in 2009. It was a Wild West back then, he recalls. Everingham and his partner used donor eggs to create eight embryos with their sperm. Everingham found the experience of trying to bring those embryos to birth traumatic. Baby Zac was stillborn. Baby Ben died at seven weeks. We picked ourselves up and went again, he recalls. Two embryo transfers were successful, and the pair have two daughters today. But the fate of the rest of their embryos is unclear. Indias government decided to ban commercial surrogacy for foreigners in 2015, and Everingham lost track of where they are. He says hes okay with that. As far as hes concerned, those embryos are just cells. He knows not everyone feels the same way. A few days before we spoke, Everingham had hosted a couple for dinner. They had embryos in storage and couldnt agree on what to do with them. The mother wanted them donated to somebody, says Everingham. Her husband was very uncomfortable with the idea. [They have] paid storage fees for 14 years for those embryos because neither can agree on what to do with them, says Everingham. And this is a very typical scenario. Lisa Holligans experience is similar. Holligan thought shed like to donate her last embryo to another personsomeone else who might have been struggling to conceive. But my husband and I had very different views on it, she recalls. He saw the embryo as their child and said he wouldnt feel comfortable with giving it up to another family. I started having these thoughts about a child coming to me when theyre older, saying theyve had a terrible life, and [asking] Why didnt you have me? she says. After all, her daughter Quinn began as an embryo that was in storage for months. She was frozen in time. She could have been frozen for five years like [the leftover] embryo and still be her, she says. I know it sounds a bit strange, but this embryo could be a child in 20 years time. The science is just mind-blowing, and I think I just block it out. Its far too much to think about. No choice at all Choosing the fate of your embryos can be difficult. But some people have no options at all. This is the case in Italy, where the laws surrounding assisted reproductive technology have grown increasingly restrictive. Since 2004, IVF has been accessible only to heterosexual couples who are either married or cohabiting. Surrogacy has also been prohibited in the country for the last 20 years, and in 2024, it was made a universal crime. The move means Italians can be prosecuted for engaging in surrogacy anywhere in the world, a position Italy has also taken on the crimes of genocide and torture, says Sara Dalla Costa, a lawyer specializing in assisted reproduction and an IVF clinic manager at Instituto Bernabeu on the outskirts of Venice. The law surrounding leftover embryos is similarly inflexible. Dalla Costa says there are around 900,000 embryos in storage in Italy, basing the estimate on figures published in 2021 and the number of IVF cycles performed since then. By law, these embryos cannot be discarded. They cannot be donated to other people, and they cannot be used for research. Even when genetic tests show that the embryo has genetic features making it incompatible with life, it must remain in storage, forever, says Dalla Costa. There are a lot of patients that want to destroy embryos, she says. For that, they must transfer their embryos to Spain or other countries where it is allowed. Even people who want to use their embryos may age out of using them. Dalla Costa gives the example of a 48-year-old woman who undergoes IVF and creates five embryos. If the first embryo transfer happens to result in a successful pregnancy, the other four will end up in storage. Once she turns 50, this woman wont be eligible for IVF in Italy. Her remaining embryos become stuck in limbo. They will be stored in our biobanks forever, says Dalla Costa. Dalla Costa says she has a lot of examples of couples who separate after creating embryos together. For many of them, the stored embryos become a psychological burden. With no way of discarding them, these couples are forever connected through their cryopreserved cells. A lot of our patients are stressed for this reason, she says. Earlier this year, one of Dalla Costas clients passed away, leaving behind the embryos shed created with her husband. He asked the clinic to destroy them. In cases like these, Dalla Costa will contact the Italian Ministry of Health. She has never been granted permission to discard an embryo, but she hopes that highlighting cases like these might at least raise awareness about the dilemmas the countrys policies are creating for some people. Snowflakes and embabies In Italy, embryos have a legal status. They have protected rights and are viewed almost as children. This sentiment isnt specific to Italy. It is shared by plenty of individuals who have been through IVF. Some people call them embabies or freezer babies, says Cattapan. It is also shared by embryo adoption agencies in the US. Beth Button is executive director of one such program, called Snowflakesa division of Nightlight Christian Adoptions agency, which considers cryopreserved embryos to be children, frozen in time, waiting to be born. Snowflakes matches embryo donors, or placing families, with recipients, termed adopting families. Both parties share their information and essentially get to choose who they donate to or receive from. By the end of 2024, 1,316 babies had been born through the Snowflakes embryo adoption program, says Button. Button thinks that far too many embryos are being created in IVF labs around the US. Around 10 years ago, her agency received a donation from a couple that had around 38 leftover embryos to donate. We really encourage [people with leftover embryos in storage] to make a decision [about their fate], even though its an emotional, difficult decision, she says. Obviously, we just try to keep [that discussion] focused on the child, she says. Is it better for these children to be sitting in a freezer, even though that might be easier for you, or is it better for them to have a chance to be born into a loving family? That kind of pushes them to the point where theyre ready to make that decision. Button and her colleagues feel especially strongly about embryos that have been in storage for a long time. These embryos are usually difficult to place, because they are thought to be of poorer quality, or less likely to successfully thaw and result in a healthy birth. The agency runs a program called Open Hearts specifically to place them, along with others that are harder to match for various reasons. People who accept one but fail to conceive are given a shot with another embryo, free of charge. These nitrogen tanks at New Hope Fertility Center in New York hold tens of thousands of frozen embryos and eggs.GETTY IMAGES We have seen perfectly healthy children born from very old embryos, [as well as] embryos that were considered such poor quality that doctors didnt even want to transfer them, says Button. Right now, we have a couple who is pregnant with [an embryo] that was frozen for 30 and a half years. If that pregnancy is successful, that will be a record for us, and I think it will be a worldwide record as well. Many embryologists bristle at the idea of calling an embryo a child, though. Embryos are property. They are not unborn children, says Bortoletto. In the best case, embryos create pregnancies around 65% of the time, he says. They are not unborn children, he repeats. Person or property? In 2020, an unauthorized person allegedly entered an IVF clinic in Alabama and pulled frozen embryos from storage, destroying them. Three sets of intended parents filed suit over their wrongful death. A trial court dismissed the claims, but the Alabama Supreme Court disagreed, essentially determining that those embryos were people. The ruling shocked many and was expected to have a chilling effect on IVF in the state, although within a few weeks, the state legislature granted criminal and civil immunity to IVF clinics. But the Alabama decision is the exception. While there are active efforts in some states to endow embryos with the same legal rights as people, a move that could potentially limit access to abortion, most of the [legal] rulings in this area have made it very clear that embryos are not people, says Rich Vaughn, an attorney specializing in fertility law and the founder of the US-based International Fertility Law Group. At the same time, embryos are not just property. Theyre something in between, says Vaughn. Theyre sort of a special type of property. UK law takes a similar approach: The language surrounding embryos and IVF was drafted with the idea that the embryo has some kind of special status, although it was never made entirely clear exactly what that special status is, says James Lawford Davies, a solicitor and partner at LDMH Partners, a law firm based in York, England, that specializes in life sciences. Over the years, the language has been tweaked to encompass embryos that might arise from IVF, cloning, or other means; it is a bit of a fudge, says Lawford Davies. Today, the officialif somewhat circularlegal definition in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act reads: embryo means a live human embryo. And while people who use their eggs or sperm to create embryos might view these embryos as theirs, according to UK law, embryos are more like a stateless bundle of cells, says Lawford Davies. Theyre not quite propertypeople dont own embryos. They just have control over how they are used. Many legal disputes revolve around who has control. This was the experience of Natallie Evans, who created embryos with her then partner Howard Johnston in the UK in 2001. The couple separated in 2002. Johnston wrote to the clinic to ask that their embryos be destroyed. But Evans, who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001,argued that Johnston had already consented to their creation, storage, and use and should not be allowed to change his mind. The case eventually made it to the European Court of Human Rights, and Evans lost. The case set a precedent that consent was key and could be withdrawn at any time. In Italy, on the other hand, withdrawing consent isnt always possible. In 2021, a case like Natallie Evanss unfolded in the Italian courts: A woman who wanted to proceed with implantation after separating from her partner went to court for authorization. She said that it was her last chance to be a mother, says Dalla Costa. The judge ruled in her favor. Dalla Costas clinics in Italy are now changing their policies to align with this decision. Male partners must sign a form acknowledging that they cannot prevent embryos from being used once theyve been created. The US situation is even more complicated, because each state has its own approach to fertility regulation. When I looked through a series of published legal disputes over embryos, I found little consistencysometimes courts ruled to allow a woman to use an embryo without the consent of her former partner, and sometimes they didnt. Some states have comprehensive legislation; some do not, says Vaughn. Some have piecemeal legislation, some have only case law, some have all of the above, some have none of the above. The meaning of an embryo So how should we define an embryo? Its the million-dollar question, says Heidi Mertes, a bioethicist at Ghent University in Belgium. Some bioethicists and legal scholars, including Vaughn, think wed all stand to benefit from clear legal definitions. Risa Cromer, a cultural anthropologist at Purdue University in Indiana, who has spent years researching the field, is less convinced. Embryos exist in a murky, in-between state, she argues. You can (usually) discard them, or transfer them, but you cant sell them. You can make claims against damages to them, but an embryo is never viewed in the same way as a car, for example. It doesnt fit really neatly into that property category, says Cromer. But, very clearly, it doesnt fit neatly into the personhood category either. And there are benefits to keeping the definition vague, she adds: There is, I think, a human need for there to be a wide range of interpretive space for what IVF embryos are or could be. Thats because we dont have a fixed moral definition of what an embryo is. Embryos hold special value even for people who dont view them as children. They hold potential as human life. They can come to represent a fertility journeyone that might have been expensive, exhausting, and traumatizing. Even for people who feel like theyre just cells, it still cost a lot of time, money, [and effort] to get those [cells], says Cattapan. I think its an illusion that we might all agree on what the moral status of an embryo is, Mertes says. In the meantime, a growing number of embryologists, ethicists, and researchers are working to persuade fertility clinics and their patients not to create or freeze so many embryos in the first place. Early signs arent promising, says Baccino. The patients she has encountered arent particularly receptive to the idea. They think, If I will pay this amount for a cycle, I want to optimize my chances, so in my case, no, she says. She expects the number of embryos in storage to continue to grow. Holligans embryo has been in storage for almost five years. And she still doesnt know what to do with it. She tears up as she talks through her options. Would discarding the embryo feel like a miscarriage? Would it be a sad thing? If she donated the embryo, would she spend the rest of her life wondering what had become of her biological child, and whether it was having a good life? Should she hold on to the embryo for another decade in case her own daughter needs to use it at some point? The question [of what to do with the embryo] does pop into my head, but I quickly try to move past it and just say Oh, thats something Ill deal with at a later time, says Holligan. Im sure [my husband] does the same. The accumulation of frozen embryos is going to continue this way for some time until we come up with something that fully addresses everyones concerns, says Vaughn. But will we ever be able to do that? Im an optimist, so Im gonna say yes, he says with a hopeful smile. But I dont know at the moment.
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  • PS Plus Extra January 2025 predictions AAA megahit tipped for free release
    www.dailystar.co.uk
    PS5 owners have big expectations for the Extra and Premium PS Plus games for January 2025, with best-seller Hogwarts Legacy and Star Wars: Jedi Survivor among themTech09:35, 13 Jan 2025Hogwarts Legacy is tipped, yet again, for PS Plus(Image: Still)PlayStation gamers already have new PS Plus Essentials titles to download (headlined by a game that's well worth a look), but if you have one of the higher subscription tiers you have even more to come.Alongside a varied trio of titles, the new PS Plus games are expected to be revealed on January 15 (that's Wednesday), and fans are hoping to kick the year off with a winner.Some were disappointed in the Essential games on offer, and while the following are only predictions, we'd certainly love to add these to our library here's hoping the community has guessed correctly.Could Hogwarts Legacy come to PS Plus this month?(Image: Avalanche Software / Shiver Entertainment)Over on the PS Plus subreddit, fans are placing their bets. After a whole host of users predicted Suicide Squad, there's every chance they get it right again.Hogwarts Legacy is one of the frontrunners, with players hoping to play the Harry Potter sort-of-prequel. It's one of the best-selling games in years, and has a PS5 Pro patch, so it'd be a great way to show off Sony's new console.Sadly, it's not the first time it's been predicted, so we won't hold our breath.Elsewhere, Star Wars Jedi Survivor gets plenty of votes, while Resident Evil 4 Remake also appears. That's not to say we'd get all of them, or any, but that would certainly be a stacked lineup.Final Fantasy 16 is now old enough to go to PC after being a PS5 exclusive, so some are suggesting that could be included, along with first-party console exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok.Some are predicting Deathloop, too, with Arkane Lyon's first-person adventure getting plenty of plaudits at launch, while others are keen for the Ubisoft trifecta of Assassin's Creed: Mirage, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown the latter of which deserved much better having launched a year ago.Naturally, we'll have all the PS Plus updates as and when we get them, so be sure to stay tuned.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED
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  • Sony opens door to PS3 games on PS5 as studio admits it's 'dreaming about' it
    www.dailystar.co.uk
    Implicit Conversions has suggested it's looking into native PS3 emulation on the PlayStation 5, admitting it's "dreaming about" running classic games on the consoleTech09:27, 13 Jan 2025The PS3 has a fantastic collection of titles(Image: Future via Getty Images)The PS5 is great, but there's one area where the Xbox Series X has it beat backward compatibility.While Microsoft's console can run all four generations of Xbox games, the PS5 is missing one the PlayStation 3. Infamously tricky to develop for, and apparently challenging to emulate, Sony's current solution involves streaming PS3 games from the cloud for PlayStation Plus subscribers.Still, the studio that handles many of those PS3 ports appears to have loftier ambitions, as spotted by the Gaming Leaks and Rumours Reddit.Could we soon get PS3 titles played natively on PS5?(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)Implicit Conversions, the team tasked with porting many classics from earlier PlayStation generations to the PS5 via PlayStation Plus, has a Kanban-style board on its website.This 'roadmap' mentions a "PlayStation 3 Emulator" in the "Dreaming About" column, with the description reading "Researching and prototyping the possibility of a PlayStation 3 emulator package for Syrup".PS3 emulation has proven challenging, but not impossible. Users have got PS3 titles running on PC and Mac in recent years, and it's just as well as there are some phenomenal titles still locked away on Sony's third console.The PS3 recently appeared in our list of the worst console launches of all time, and while it finally outgrew that poor start (namely by shedding its colossal price tag), it built a huge library of exclusives.Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Infamous, Motorstorm and many of the Ratchet and Clank titles are still stuck on PS3, as well as Sony's Smash Bros. rival, All-Stars Battle Royale.Interestingly, Implicit Conversion's PS1 emulator, dubbed Pancake, is currently being worked on for Nintendo Switch, Steam, and Xbox Series X according to the roadmap page.Here's hoping we can get PS3 emulation on PS5 one day if not, I'll take a remaster of Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, thanks.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED
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  • Philippine Pavilion for Expo 2025 Explores Interconnectedness Through Nature, Culture, and Community
    www.archdaily.com
    Philippine Pavilion for Expo 2025 Explores Interconnectedness Through Nature, Culture, and CommunitySave this picture! Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc.The Philippines has unveiled the design of its pavilion for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. Designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy and titled "Woven," the pavilion reflects the country's connections to nature, its cultural heritage, and its community values. With the theme "Nature, Culture & Community: Woven Together for a Better Future," the pavilion aims to highlight the Philippines' creativity, diversity, and aspirations for sustainable development while inviting visitors to engage with its cultural and environmental priorities.The pavilion's design draws inspiration from the art of Filipino weaving, which aims to symbolize interconnection and resilience. Its architecture mirrors the structure of "warp and weft," representing unity, strength, and progress. The faade features over 200 woven rattan and textile panels created by local artisans from communities across the Philippines. These panels, made from indigenous materials, sway with the wind and reflect the country's adaptability. By scaling traditional weaving techniques to an architectural level, the pavilion aims to showcase the relevance of Filipino craftsmanship in a contemporary context.Save this picture!The pavilion explores the theme "Nature, Culture & Community" through its design and exhibits, seeking to highlight the country's rich biodiversity by incorporating natural materials and interactive displays that promote environmental awareness. Its cultural exhibits focus on Filipino creativity and resourcefulness, featuring sustainable products made using natural resources, waste materials, and emerging technologies. The pavilion's design also emphasizes collaboration, incorporating contributions from various weaving communities to reflect the diverse and interconnected nature of the Filipino people. Inside, visitors can experience cultural performances, traditional dances, and storytelling exhibits, offering insights into the country's traditions and creativity. Related Article Kengo Kuma Designs Portugal Pavilion for Expo 2025 Osaka as a Tribute to the Ocean The design prioritizes sustainability, using renewable and reusable materials to minimize waste and environmental impact. After the Expo, modular components of the pavilion will be transferred to the National Museum of the Philippines, reflecting an effort to extend its cultural and educational value. This approach aligns with the Philippines' broader efforts to respond to global sustainability challenges and promote environmentally conscious practices.Save this picture!As preparations for Expo 2025 Osaka continue, other nations have also unveiled their pavilion designs, each reflecting their unique themes and priorities. The United Kingdom's pavilion explores artificial intelligence as a tool for humanity, showcasing how it can address global challenges. Switzerland's pavilion highlights the theme of nature and innovation, focusing on sustainability and its mountainous landscapes. Meanwhile, The Netherlands' pavilion emphasizes clean energy and circular design, presenting solutions for a sustainable future. Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorNour FakharanyAuthorCite: Nour Fakharany. "Philippine Pavilion for Expo 2025 Explores Interconnectedness Through Nature, Culture, and Community" 13 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025612/philippine-pavilion-for-expo-2025-explores-interconnectedness-through-nature-culture-and-community&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
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  • The Evolution of Modernism in Asian Architecture: Key Figures and Landmark Projects
    www.archdaily.com
    The Evolution of Modernism in Asian Architecture: Key Figures and Landmark ProjectsSave this picture!St. Stephens College Special Room Block / Tao Ho. Image Kevin Mak, courtesy of Brutalism Hong Kong Research GroupModernism in architecture emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century, fueled by advancements in science and engineering and a deliberate departure from historical styles. It championed a focus on social equity, urban development, efficiency, and functional design, marking a significant shift in architectural philosophy. Originating primarily in Europe and the United States, modernism captivated the global imagination with its innovative redefinition of space and architecture. Its spread to Asia was facilitated by cross-cultural exchangesEast Asian architects who studied under prominent modernists and European architects working in East Asia through international collaborations or colonial-era influences.Modernism has profoundly shaped the development of Asian cities, aligning well with the region's high population densities and rapid urbanization during the period. Some Asian cities, particularly newly developed ones, became testing grounds for modern architectural and urban design principles. The movement's signature emphasis on efficiency and reliance on materials such as concrete, steel, and glass are clearly visible in urban planning and architectural language even today in the region. Le Corbusier's concept of the Radiant City, for instance, shares parallels with transit-oriented developments in cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Taipei.As we examine the development of modernism in East Asia, its influence can be traced through key figures and landmark projects that have left a lasting impact, shaping the architectural identity and urban fabric of these cities. Related Article Personalized and Ornamental Modernism: The Story of the Lithuanian Opera and Ballet Theater in Vilnius Kenzo Tange: An Iconic Figure of ModernismKenzo Tange remains one of the most influential figures in Asian modernist architecture. His early works, rooted in wooden structures and single-family homes, such as the Tange House in Seijo, showcased his mastery of traditional forms and materials. However, his architectural vision transformed as he shifted towards public buildings. The Kagawa Prefectural Government Hall, for instance, reflects this evolution. While echoing the wooden structural aesthetic of his earlier works, the building embraces modernist principles through the use of reinforced concrete, open-plan layouts, and a strict adherence to structural grid logic. These elements, coupled with a subtle nod to traditional Japanese wooden structure expression, make the project a hallmark of early modernism, akin to his contemporaneous work on the Hiroshima Peace Peace Center and Memorial Park.Save this picture!As Tange's portfolio expanded, so did his influence. Perhaps drawing inspiration from Eero Saarinen's thin-shell concrete forms, Tange began to explore a hybrid approach, merging thin-shell concrete with tensile structures. This innovation culminated in some of his most iconic works: the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium (now under threat of demolition) and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. These projects not only established a new architectural language but also paved the way for a wave of concrete-tensile structures across Asia.Tange's contributions continue to resonate in contemporary architecture. The Yoyogi National Gymnasium, for instance, remains a celebrated venue, hosting events and concerts and serving as the handball venue during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympicsnearly 60 years after its completion. Meanwhile, the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium has become a focal point of debates surrounding heritage preservation and adaptive reuse, highlighting the enduring impact of Tange's modernist legacy on the architectural and cultural landscape across Asia.AD Classics: Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium / Kenzo TangeSave this picture!AD Classics: Yoyogi National Gymnasium / Kenzo TangeSave this picture!Kagawa Prefectural Government Hall / Kenzo TangeSave this picture!I M. Pei: Bridging Modernism Across AsiaPracticing during the same era as Kenzo Tange and drawing mutual inspiration, I. M. Pei similarly played a pivotal role in shaping modernist architecture. While much of his work is concentrated in the United States, Pei's contributions to Asia are equally noteworthy, if not more iconic. These projects helped to disseminate modernist principles across the continent and adapted them to local climates, cultural contexts, and architectural practices, creating a unique bridge between Western modernism and Asian sensibilities.Pei's early works in Asia, developed around the same period as Tange's iconic gymnasiums, reveal a similar exploration of curvilinear and catenary forms. A prime example is the Luce Memorial Chapel at Tunghai University, created in collaboration with Chen Chi-Kwan. Its striking design, characterized by monumental and meticulously controlled curvatures, parallels other structural experiments within the modernist movement. Yet, even in its organic form, the Luce Chapel hints at a recurring theme in Pei's portfolio: the emphasis on strong geometric shapes, particularly the triangle, which would become a hallmark of his architectural expression.Save this picture!This commitment to modernist geometry persisted throughout Pei's later works in Asia, shaping some of the region's most iconic landmarks. The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, the Miho Museum in Japan, and the Suzhou Museum in China all exemplify his pursuit of clean, geometric architectural forms. Each project reflects Pei's ability to adapt his modernist principles to distinct cultural contexts while maintaining an unwavering focus on precision and simplicity. This geometric rigor became central to Pei's design language, profoundly influencing modern architecture in Asia. His impact can be seen in the work of architects like Tao Ho, whose contributions will be explored later in the discussion.AD Classics: Luce Memorial Chapel / I.M. PeiSave this picture!AD Classics: Bank of China Tower / I.M. PeiSave this picture!Miho Museum / I.M. PeiSave this picture!AD Classics: Suzhou Museum / I.M. Pei + Pei Partnership ArchitectsSave this picture!Modernism and Post-War Influence: Western Architects in AsiaModernism in Asia found another avenue of development through the spread of colonialism, where Western architects brought their training and modernist ideals to regions under colonial control. These architects often designed not only modern but also timeless structures, leaving a legacy that continues to serve both elite and public communities in the region to this day.One notable example is the Murray Building in Hong Kong, designed by Ron Phillips while he was with the Public Works Department during British rule. Despite being situated on a challenging, sloped site, its modular and cohesive facade design made it a standout example of modernist high-rise architecture. Its influence is apparent in later structures, such as Jardine House, which adopted similar facade and ground strategies. Its meticulous response to Hong Kong's hot and humid climate sets the Murray Building apart. Each window, in collaboration with its brise-soleils, was angled precisely to minimize direct sunlight, reducing glare, overheating, and reliance on HVAC systems. Initially serving as a government office, the building was recently rehabilitated into a hotel by Norman Foster in collaboration with Phillips, ensuring its continued relevance in contemporary Hong Kong.Save this picture!Another landmark of colonial modernism is the Choi Hung Estate, developed by Palmer & Turner for the British Hong Kong government as part of a public housing initiative. Le Corbusier's Radiant City heavily influenced the estate's architectural and urban design principles, creating a township model where high-rise residential blocks were integrated with essential social services such as markets, schools, healthcare, and transit. This approach addressed immediate housing needs and set a precedent for urban residential planning in Hong Kong. The township concept evolved into a dominant model for public housing and private condominium developments, shaping the city's urban landscape well beyond the estate's era, even as it now faces impending demolition.Murray Building / Ron Philips (Public Works Department)Save this picture!Choi Hung Estate / Palmer & TurnerSave this picture!The Concourse / Paul RudolphSave this picture!Quiet Modernism: Local Architects and Timeless Contributions in AsiaThe principles of modernist architecture have often made their way into Asian societies in more understated yet enduring ways. While less celebrated, these contributions have given rise to humble yet timeless buildings that continue to serve their communities. Many local architects, influenced by their exposure to Western modernist practices or through direct mentorship, made localized contributions that shaped their architectural landscapes.Tao Ho's St. Stephen's College Special Room Block in Hong Kong stands as a prime example of late modernist architecture. Arguably predating I. M. Pei's exploration of strong geometries, Ho designed this campus extension with four interconnected concrete structures, distinguished by their bold, sloping facades. These strong triangular geometries respond thoughtfully to the lush, green site and frame an expansive communal courtyard. The sloping facade plays a dual role, reducing the perceived mass of the building and maintaining the openness of the courtyard while ensuring access to ample daylight from every floor. This seemingly bold and intrusive design, in fact, sensitively merges functionality with elegance in the surrounding environment.Save this picture!In Taiwan, modernism also reached local architects through joint ventures and international cooperation. The Old Main Library of National Cheng Kung University exemplifies this interplay. Built with U.S. aid and in collaboration with Purdue University after World War II, the library's subdivided facade, ribbon windows, and slightly recessed columns adhere strictly to modernist principles. The elevated entry, accentuated by a grand stairway, creates a visual impression of the building being lifted from the ground, even though the ground plane remains occupied.This project paved the way for other modernist pursuits in Taiwan, such as the Taipei Fine Arts Museum by Kao Erh-pan. Influenced by Kunio Maekawa, under whom Kao briefly worked, the museum expands upon the controlled rectilinear massing traditions in the NCKU library. Modular rectangles are cantilevered and suspended, evoking a sense of detachment and lightness. This design evolution demonstrates a lineage of modernist thinking while introducing metabolic influences, reinforcing a continuity of innovation in modern Asian architecture.Old Main Library, National Cheng Kung University / Wang Jichang, Wu Meixing, Chen Wanrong, Fu LierSave this picture!St. Stephen's College Special Room Block / Tao HoSave this picture!Taipei Fine Arts Museum / Kao Erh-panSave this picture!This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: 100 Years of Modernism. Every month we explore a topic in-depth through articles, interviews, news, and architecture projects. We invite you to learn more about our ArchDaily Topics. And, as always, at ArchDaily we welcome the contributions of our readers; if you want to submit an article or project, contact us.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorJonathan YeungAuthorCite: Jonathan Yeung. "The Evolution of Modernism in Asian Architecture: Key Figures and Landmark Projects" 13 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025603/the-evolution-of-modernism-in-asian-architecture-key-figures-and-landmark-projects&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
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  • Clarification Post on Comparing the RTX 5070 to the RTX 4090

    We’d like to share an important clarification regarding the comparison between the performance of the RTX 5070 and the RTX 4090. Initially, we thought this statement applied to all areas, including gaming and professional industries like design and rendering. However, it seems the comparison is specifically related to gaming.

    The Difference Between Gaming and Industry Use:
    In Gaming:
    With DLSS 4.0, the RTX 5070 can deliver performance very close to the RTX 4090 in supported games. This is because DLSS relies on AI to enhance display quality while reducing the load on processing power.

    In Industry and Design (such as Unreal Engine or 3D design software):
    Performance depends on the raw power of the GPU (number of cores, VRAM capacity, and heavy computation performance). Here, the RTX 4090 clearly outperforms due to its higher capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale professional projects.

    Conclusion:
    When comparing the RTX 5070 to the RTX 4090, we must understand that this efficiency comparison is limited to gaming and does not extend to professional design or industry tasks.

    We apologize for any confusion caused by our earlier interpretation, and we always strive to provide accurate information to benefit the gaming, tech, and professional communities.

    Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on the difference in performance between gaming and professional use!
    Clarification Post on Comparing the RTX 5070 to the RTX 4090 We’d like to share an important clarification regarding the comparison between the performance of the RTX 5070 and the RTX 4090. Initially, we thought this statement applied to all areas, including gaming and professional industries like design and rendering. However, it seems the comparison is specifically related to gaming. The Difference Between Gaming and Industry Use: In Gaming: With DLSS 4.0, the RTX 5070 can deliver performance very close to the RTX 4090 in supported games. This is because DLSS relies on AI to enhance display quality while reducing the load on processing power. In Industry and Design (such as Unreal Engine or 3D design software): Performance depends on the raw power of the GPU (number of cores, VRAM capacity, and heavy computation performance). Here, the RTX 4090 clearly outperforms due to its higher capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale professional projects. Conclusion: When comparing the RTX 5070 to the RTX 4090, we must understand that this efficiency comparison is limited to gaming and does not extend to professional design or industry tasks. We apologize for any confusion caused by our earlier interpretation, and we always strive to provide accurate information to benefit the gaming, tech, and professional communities. 😊 Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on the difference in performance between gaming and professional use! 🎮💻
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  • A new vision for how evolution works is long overdue
    www.nature.com
    Nature, Published online: 13 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00054-xThe idea that evolution is driven by an organisms development not just the natural selection of its genes challenges a dearly held orthodoxy among evolutionary biologists.
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  • Why a silly-sounding name suits the serious mission of our biotech spin-off
    www.nature.com
    Nature, Published online: 13 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03941-xHow do you choose what to call your company? Wobble Genomicss chief executive, Richard Kuo, explains.
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