TikTok is veering toward a US shutdown after the Supreme Court upheld a divest-or-ban law.The app is set to leave app stores and may go dark on Sunday if its owner, ByteDance, doesn't divest.TikTok creators and their teams are tired from months of uncertainty, but cautiously hopeful too.TikTok is in trouble.The company is set to disappear from US app stores on Sunday due to adivest-or-ban lawthat requires its owner, ByteDance, to sell the app by January 19 or essentially cease operating in the country. TikTok may stop showing content in the US and "go dark" over the weekend.For TikTok creators and their teams, ongoing uncertainty around the app's US future has sparked frustration and fatigue."We've been dealing with this for months," said Julian Andrews, founder of talent management firm Talentiish. "I just sort of want the situation to be over so we know how to move on."Some in the talent community are cautiously optimistic that a solution will emerge to save TikTok. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to try to rescue the app once in office, though his options could be limited."So many of us are still holding out hope that it will work out," Barbara Jones, CEO of Outshine Talent, said.Others aren't holding their breath and are instead focusing on established alternatives, such as Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, as well as challenger apps like Clapper, Flip, and RedNote."Many of our clients are making accounts on RedNote and Flip as well as downloading their data from the TikTok app," Jones said. "They are trying to be as prepared as possible."Creators may be hesitant to commit to new platforms, however, when the advertising dollars are much more reliable on major players like Instagram.Instagram is, for the most part, the platform of choice among those Business Insider spoke to who are pivoting from TikTok.Fallen Media, which runs TikTok shows like "What's Poppin? With Davis!" said it will be heavily investing in Instagram reels, for example."I have suggested to my clients not to focus on any new platforms and focus on the tried and true," Andrews at Talentiish said.In the meantime, there's still no clear answer as to what happens this weekend."The truth is we don't really know what's going to happen on Sunday, which I think is the crazy part," said Fallen Media CEO Sol Betesh.Creators are exhausted and devastated to say goodbye to TikTokAs news stories around a TikTok ban swing between good news and legal defeats, some creators have sunk into despair. The Supreme Court loss on Friday hit particularly hard for those whose businesses depend on the app."The ruling is truly devastating for me as someone who built their platform starting on TikTok," said Sofia Bella, a TikTok creator with 4.8 million followers. "Losing the majority of my audience is a difficult reality to face, and while I'm doing everything I can to prepare, it's hard not to feel like I'm starting over."Andrews said the job of talent manager has teetered between acting as a therapist and strategist for the creators they manage.Some creators are actively fighting against a TikTok ban, including Vitus Spehar, who runs the news account @underthedesknews. Spehar has been covering breaking news and political developments around the divestment. They said Americans should call their senators and other representatives to demand action against the law.Still, other creators who have experienced burnout from TikTok are welcoming a possible shift if the app goes down."Generally, the tone from most internet creators I've spoken to has been entirely apathetic," said Tati Bruening, a TikTok creator with 2.4 million followers. "The pacing of content creation for TikTok was a recipe for burnout."Building a strategy for doomsdayEven as the creator economy braces for the loss of its favorite corner of the internet, this moment is a lesson for many."Stop building brands on social media that other people own," Jennifer Powell, a talent manager who works with creators like Tezza and Ty French, told BI. "This can and will happen again. Start your website, get newsletters going, blogs, use affiliates, turn it into a brand, and own your own little place on the web."A TikTok ban could also be a gold rush for social media startups as they race to fill the void."There's never been a better time to start a creation or curation company," said Em Herrera, a former investor at Slow Ventures who recently founded a firm called Creator Venture Accelerator.

Health & Beauty Office Space / Shang Interior ArchitectsOffices InteriorsShanghai, ChinaArchitects: Shang Interior ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:298 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 Lead Architects: Gu Xihan, Lu Yingfu More SpecsLess SpecsText description provided by the architects. In this workspace, Shang Interior Architects breaks away from the rigid norms of traditional office layouts by deconstructing and reorganizing the original structure. The goal was to create an unrestricted, fluid, and exploratory environment that fosters interaction between space and its users. By encouraging seamless activity and diverse collaboration, the design also addresses the essential needs of individual productivity.The original site was constrained by inadequate lighting and limited openness due to surrounding buildings and lush greenery. In response, Shang Interior Architects renovated the western faade, introducing windows to break the visual confinement, connecting the space to the terrace, and inviting natural light indoors. The exposed ceiling design mitigates the sense of oppression, enhancing the space's transparency and dynamism. This transformation not only achieves cross-ventilation from three directions but also allows the verdant exterior to flow inward, creating an office atmosphere that resonates with nature and actively engages one's senses.In terms of functionality, the layout balances the dual requirements of experimentation and creativity. Unlike conventional designs that confine laboratories and meeting rooms to separate, enclosed spaces, the brand's operational model leans toward a more flexible, dynamic, and collaborative approach. The design challenge lay in translating this philosophy into a cohesive spatial solution within limited square footage. Shang Interior Architects resolved this by merging seemingly disparate functions into an open, versatile central creative core. The core serves as the engine of innovation and the nerve center for the office, embodying the brand's working methodology in a tangible form.Positioned at the heart of the space, this creative core functions as the nucleus for team research, collaboration, and co-creation. Here, experimentation, discussion, and ideation seamlessly converge. Surrounding the core, all work areas remain open, and even the founder's desk is integrated into the communal zone, eliminating hierarchical barriers and promoting real-time communication and idea exchange. The fluid and open nature of the design disrupts conventional office hierarchies, fostering a shared and equitable work ecosystem.The spatial flow emphasizes freedom and adaptability, challenging the fixed layouts and rigid circulation of traditional offices. Workstations are seen as vessels for thought, accommodating scattered and dynamic workflows while preserving continuity in personal projects. Individuals are encouraged to spread out their work, ensuring better connectivity and progression of ideas. Features like bar-style communal tables in the pantry, window-side niches, and flexible meeting rooms with sliding doors enable diverse working styles. Workers can sit, stand, or lean within the space, maintaining productivity without spatial constraints. This design nurtures a focused, immersive, and calm state, meeting one of the key objectives of the workspace.The external meeting room is no longer a closed space. The four-panel sliding doors can either separate or fully open the area, creating a more dynamic and engaging work environment. This design of freedom and fluidity enables creativity and communication to flourish in every corner.Upon entering the space, visitors are greeted by light-green embossed steel flooring that aligns seamlessly with the brand's aesthetic, paired with metallic ceilings. The partially revealed interior evokes a sense of mystery and intrigue, sparking the curiosity of visitors. Passing through the slightly lowered entrance hall, the space opens up dramatically into expansive work zones interwoven with a multifunctional central island. The greenery visible through the windows creates a serene yet vibrant atmosphere, uplifting the mood and adding a touch of tranquility. Except for the enclosed storage and restroom areas, all other zones are designed with an open layout. The walls and ceilings do not fully meet, fostering a sense of spatial fluidity throughout.The custom-designed mobile storage cabinets, tailored specifically for the brand, cleverly address storage needs. Each shelf's height is meticulously adjusted to accommodate experimental samples. By employing a thoughtful storage design, the cabinets ensure accessibility, internal order, and spatial fluidity, fostering an uninterrupted and seamless workflow experience. Additionally, the storage units serve as spatial dividers, maintaining visual transparency throughout the office. All birchwood panel joints within the space utilize a custom mortise-and-tenon structure, reflecting precision and craftsmanship. Through these ingenious design elements, Shang Interior Architects has created an open space brimming with limitless possibilities, where creativity flows freely in every corner.Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Shanghai, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on January 18, 2025Cite: "Health & Beauty Office Space / Shang Interior Architects" 18 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025705/health-and-beauty-office-space-shang-interior-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save?Health & Beauty / 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

Nature, Published online: 15 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08424-7Nuclear calcium oscillations initiate plantarbuscular mycorrhiza and nitrogen-fixing bacteria symbioses for nutrient acquisition, with a newly discovered autoactive CNGC15 mutant enhancing these partnerships, potentially improving crop nutrition and reducing inorganic fertilizer dependence.

Jan. 18, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Since its debut in 2020, Genshin Impact has done a very good job of convincing players to purchase in-game items and currency with real-world money. Now, Genshin Impact's parent company, HoYoverse, may have to send some of that money back to players following a settlement with Federal Trade Commission.According to Bloomberg, the FTC is near the end of negotiations with HoYoverse to settle a case that began last summer over Genshin Impact's loot box-like currency system. The terms of the deal haven't been disclosed yet, but it's likely going to include a rebate of some amount to players who heavily invested their money into the game.Genshin Impact doesn't have a traditional loot box system. Instead, it utilizes a complex Gacha system that allows players to convert real money into in-game currency, which must then be converted again into another currency before players can "wish" for a specific character or rare item. However, there are no guarantees that the wish will be successful, and this system has drawn comparisons to online gambling.Continue Reading at GameSpot

The world of Storybook Vale has three big biomes with many new regions for Dreamers to unlock. You can find everything in these biomes, from cooking ingredients and flowers to fish and shiny gems. Speaking of gems, this expansion brings a bunch of new ones to the game.

To get units avoid the enemy units by a safe margin I have to bake the enemy units LOS into the obstacle map. First I'm saving the LOS of each unit into a separate layer. Then I'm merging all the layers and save the result into the obstacle map. Ranged units can attack workers from distance. I'm also saving the areas from which a worker can be attacked. One layer per worker. Then I'm merging those too. When a ranged unit has to attack a worker it moves to a tile from which a worker can be

Medallions return in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1, after being first introduced in Chapter 5 Season 1.Two medallions were up for grabs at the start Chapter 6 Season 1 the Wanderer Medallion and the Night Rose Medallion. The Jan. 17 addition of Godzilla, partway through the season, added the Godzilla Medallion as well.In this Fortnite guide, well explain what the medallions do and where to find them in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1.How Fortnite Chapter 6 medallions workMedallions are boss drops that buff you in different ways. The medallions in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1 are:Wanderer Medallion, dropped by Shogun X, grants infinite stamina and invisibility while sprintingNight Rose Medallion, dropped by Night Rose, makes your weapons reload themselvesGodzilla Medallion, dropped by Godzilla, grants a recharging dash abilityMedallions do not take up inventory space, as they have their own respective slot in your bag (like gold does).To get the medallion, youll need to eliminate the boss NPC holding it. As you get closer to them, a large health bar will appear at the top of your screen for the respective boss.Unlike other NPCs who are pretty easy to drop on and eliminate immediately, these NPCs all have respawning lackies thatll fire at you once they see you. That said, it may be easier to loot up around the named locations and then head in to nab a medallion.Luckily, the NPCs shoot like Star Wars Storm Troopers (meaning that they aim very poorly), so you shouldnt have to worry too much about the lackeys. Focus on the boss with a decent gun and you should be able to get a medallion. Note that the boss will replenish its shield frequently, making it an annoying target.If you see an orange or gold circle on the map, this means a player in that vicinity has a medallion, too. You can eliminate that player to take their medallion.Medallion locations in Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1You can see the medallions (or the bosses carrying the medallions) on the map, and are at the following locations:Night Rose has a set location at Demons DojoShogun X spawns randomly around the island at first. Youll need to look for his oni mask icon on the map. Godzilla spawns in a random location after the first Storm Circle begins to shrink. Godzilla is also controlled by another player, so their location will move around the map. Look for the Godzilla icon on the map to track their location.For Night Rose at Demons Dojo, watch out for the ghostly Night Roses Shade a specter that will harass you, but isnt actually the boss.The fight against her is a multi-phase boss fight against both Night Rose and her floating head oni puppeteer. First, you have to step into the circle where shes waiting you wont be able to deal any damage until she attacks you. Defeat her while shes running around, and you can turn your attention to the floating head. Shoot out its glowing red eyes.This will reset the phases keep repeating the process of defeating her and then attacking the onis glowing eyes until she drops the Night Rose Medallion and her Night Rose Veiled Precision SMG.For more details, see our guide on how to beat Night Rose.For Shogun X, who spawns randomly around the island at first (youll need to look for his oni mask icon on the map), know this isnt the final form. The randomly (re)spawning Shogun X only drops a random mythic weapon, not the medallion, while the final boss version has you survive to the fourth storm circle.At that point, Shoguns Arena will appear in a random location first as a red rift icon, and then as a red oni mask icon (once a player gets close enough).Defeating Shogun X here will get you the Wanderer Medallion and Shogun Xs Fire Oni Mask.For Godzilla, who will spawn at a random location around the island (as long as a player enters the special portal), his strength lies in the hands of user.Since Godzilla is controlled by another player, his power can be a little varied, but the King of Monsters abilities are inherently strong. His laser, stomp, and even footsteps can deal a ton of damage to you. Try to stay at a distance from Godzilla, and shoot at the glowing spikes on his back to deal bonus damage.Dealing as much damage as possible is necessary as youll need to be the player who dealt the most damage to get the Godzilla Medallion and the Quad Burst Launcher.For more Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 1 guides, heres our explainer on sprites and sprite shrine locations, where to find oni masks, and how to get the Vault Key (and find Bushranger).

Google hasn't been shy about pushing the Gemini AI bot into just about every app and device it canfrom the Pixel 9 to your video callsand most of the time you get the same experience when you call up the assistant. If you need a more bespoke AI bot, however, you can tailor Gemini by creating your own Gems.Gems are essentially different flavors of Gemini with their own specific instructions and rules. For example, you could create a Gem that explains difficult concepts in a simple way, or a Gem that's specifically geared toward improving your coding skills.These Gems don't bring anything new that you can't already get through the main Gemini AI, but they can be useful because they are more specific and focused. You can also upload files to give your Gems customized "knowledge" beyond Gemini's main training.For the time being ,at least, you can only use Gemini Gems if you're a paid Gemini Advanced subscriber, giving Google $20 a month.(I haven't heard anything yet about if or when the feature might make its way to free users.) Creating new GemsYou can access your Gemini Gems from any device where you're logged into Google, but to create new Gems. you need to be using the Gemini web app. To get started, click the Gem manager link on the left (click the three lines, top left, if the side panel is hidden): You're then shown a number of premade Gems you can already tap into.These cover topics such as coding, writing, and careers advice, and they give you an idea of what's possible with Gemini Gems. Click on any of these Gems to test them out (you'll also see a gallery of suggested prompts), or click the copy button (two rectangles) to duplicate a Gem so you can edit it yourself. There are some premade Gems to get you started. Credit: Lifehacker Opt to copy a premade Gem, and the information used to build it is shown on screen: You can click anywhere to make changes to the instructions that are already there, and give the Gem a new name. You can even get Gemini's help in writing instructions, via the button that looks like a pen with a star next to it.Creating your own Gem is a lot like editing an existing one. From the Gem manager screen, click New Gem. You'll then give your Gem a name, and some instructions. These instructions can cover the subjects the Gem should concentrate on, the type of language and tone it should use, and anything it should definitely not do (like go off on a tangent). Gems can also come with reference documents attached. Credit: Lifehacker In the Knowledge field, you can upload your own documents: So if your Gem is an expert on DNA, for example, you might want to upload some scientific papers on the topic. This also lets you create custom Gems based around any kind of interest or subject, as long as you've got references for the AI to look at.Any documents you add will work on top of Gemini's existing training, and you can test out your Gem using the input box on the right, making further tweaks along the way if necessary. When you're happy with how the Gem is performing and responding to your prompts, click Save.Chatting with your GemsAny Gems you've created can be called up as needed from the Gem manager on the left-hand side of the web interface, and you'll also find them available in the Gemini mobile appsjust make sure you've got the right one selected before you start chatting.Everything works just as it does with the main Gemini AI: You enter your prompts by typing or speaking (via the microphone button), and you get the responses back on screen. As usual, you can rank the quality of the responses with the thumbs up and thumbs down buttons, get Gemini to try again (the circular arrow button), and see the sources the chatbot has used underneath the response. Gems will follow your instructions when producing responses. Credit: Lifehacker If Gemini has made use of documents you've uploaded to it, you'll see this reflected at the top of the response: Click Analysis complete to see a breakdown. You can also specify that your Gem refers to specific documents for specific answers in your prompts, if needed.This ability to upload documents is what can really make Gems useful. For example, you could upload an essay on your favorite music and movies and develop a Gem to make recommendationsall of this information will be retained, and you don't have to enter it each time you use Gemini. You could also upload examples of your own writing, so your Gem writes more like you do. Gems also draw on Gemini's more general training. Credit: Lifehacker These bespoke AI bots are also helpful when you want answers returned in a consistent way, or in a consistent format: Maybe you just want a playlist generator and nothing else, for example, or you need text rewriting in a particular style. Gems can do this without having the same repeated prompt commands used each time.You can use the + (plus) button at the bottom of Gem chats to upload files and images to use with your prompts, just as you can with any Gemini chat. However, you don't have access to the more natural Gemini Live voice interface inside Gemsyou only get the basic voice interaction mode as well as the typing option.