Looking for the most recent Strands answer?Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Connections puzzles.Todays NYTStrandspuzzle isn't terribly tough if you've been to a movie theater in the last 30 years. The theme even gives away the studio name, and it's a studio whose films are pretty famous. Note that some of the film titles are super short (four letters!) but a few are really long (one is 11 letters long). If you need hints and answers, read on.Also, I go into depth about therules for Strands in this story.If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visitCNET's NYT puzzle hints page.Read more:NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So FarHint for today's Strands puzzleToday's Strands theme is:Pixar thisIf that doesn't help you, here's a clue: To infinity, and beyond!Clue words to unlock in-game hintsYour goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints, but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:DONE, ROSE, MAIL, SCAR, EMAIL, TILT, LIME, TOUT, TILL, NOSE, DRONE, LINE, CONE, CONES, WARD, DRAW, DRAWS, TOILAnswers for today's Strands puzzleThese are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you've got all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers:CARS, SOUL, BRAVE, ONWARD, ELEMENTAL, RATATOUILLEToday's Strands spangramToday's Strands spangram isANIMATION.To find it, start with the A that's three letters down on the furthest row to the left, and wind across. The completed NYT Strands puzzle for Jan. 22, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNET

January 21, 20254 min readWhy the Paris Climate Agreement Matters in 5 GraphicsOne of President Trumps first executive orders withdraws the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement. These graphics show why the pact is crucial to curbing the worst effects of global warmingBy Andrea Thompson Amanda MontaezHours after he was sworn into office, President Donald Trump signed an executive orderamong a flurry of such decreesto once again pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, the international pact aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to stave off their worst impacts on Earths climate.The move comes just after the planet experienced its first year on record in which the average global temperature exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the preindustrial period. Under the landmark 2015 Paris climate accord, countries agreed to try to limit warming to under 1.5 degrees C and well below two degrees C (3.6 degrees F).Trump's executive orderentitled Putting America First in International Environmental Agreementscalls for immediately notifying the United Nations of the U.S.s withdrawal and states that the pullout is effective immediately. Under the agreement, countries cannot fully withdraw until one year after notification. Trump removed the U.S. from the agreement during his first term as well, and that departure took effect in November 2020. Former president Joe Biden brought the U.S. back into the agreement in February 2021.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.Because of the discrepancy in timing in Trumps order and the terms of the agreement, it remains unclear exactly how the withdrawal will play out. The order also calls for an end to U.S. contributions to international climate finance, howeverand it is clear from this directive and other orders issued by Trump that the new administration seeks to undo much of Bidens work on climate action and to further encourage already soaring levels of U.S. oil and gas production.Numerous climate scientists and advocates have decried the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and have warned of the dire consequences of failing to act on the climate crisis. This short-sighted move shows a disregard for science and the well-being of people around the world, including Americans, who are already losing their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones as a result of climate change, said Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, a nonprofit organization focused on climate solutions, in a recent news release.Below are five graphics that show why the Paris Agreement and its goals matter.Amanda Montaez; Source: Copernicus Climate Change Service (data)The year 2024 was the first on record in which global temperatures registered 1.5 degrees C above the preindustrial period (generally defined as the second half of the 19th century). This marks how much temperatures have risen as humans have continued to burn fossil fuels, sending heat-trapping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. And it shows how close the world is to breaching the Paris climate accords goal. That threshold hasnt yet been officially surpassed, though, because the agreement considers the average global temperature over many years. So there is still time to limit warming as much as possible if countries and industries can act quickly and ambitiously enough.Amanda Montaez; Source: Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (data)We are already feeling the sting of climate change from the heat that has built up in Earths atmosphere, and that is most clearly seen in extreme heat events. In the U.S. alone, residents have gone from experiencing two heat waves each summer in the 1960s to more than six todayand those heat waves now average four days instead of three. The heat wave season has also lengthened from 20 days in the 1960s to more than 70 days now.Extreme heat is the deadliest weather phenomenon in the U.S., and the public health threat will only grow as global temperatures rise. So every additional bit of warming the world can avoid has a tangible effect.Other disasterssuch as hurricanes, floods and wildfiresare also being exacerbated by climate change. In combination with changes in where people live and build infrastructure, the costs of disasters are steadily rising and contributing to an insurance crisis.When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began tracking disaster cost data in the 1980s, a disaster that caused at least $1 billion in damage occurred about every three months in the U.S. Now such a disaster happens about every three weeks. And the dollar values of these events costs are almost certainly underestimatesunderscoring how political rhetoric often points out the price of transitioning to cleaner energy while overlooking the ballooning costs of not acting.Amanda Montaez; Source: Intergenerational Inequities in Exposure to Climate Extremes, by Wim Thiery et al., in Science, Vol. 374; September 26, 2021 (data)Those costs, and the pain of the disasters that drive them, will be borne by todays younger generationswho will experience many more heat waves, droughts, floods, wildfires and other deadly, destructive disasters over their lifetime than their parents or grandparents did. But how much that risk rises very much depends on how much warming societies allow. Meeting the Paris Agreement targets would demonstrably lessen the risks.Amanda Montaez; Sources: Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis: Working Group I Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC, 2021 (carbon budget); Supplemental Data of the Global Carbon Budget 2022. Global Carbon Project, 2022 (emissions data); World Bank (country populations and per capita emissions data); Data analysis by Amanda Montaez and Piers ForsterU.S. involvement in international climate negotiationsthe Paris accord in particularhas long been seen as crucial, both because it pressures other countries to be more ambitious and because the U.S. has overspent its portion of the worlds carbon budget. Along with other countries nations that led the Industrial Revolution, the U.S. has gained substantial wealth but it has been responsible for more than its fair share of the amount of carbon that humans can release into the atmosphere and still meet the Paris Agreement goals. It remains to be seen how the U.S.s exit from the Paris accord will affect the actions and goals of other countries.

January 21, 202512 min readHow Neandertal DNA May Affect the Way We ThinkDNA inherited from Neandertals may influence modern human cognitionBy Emily L. Casanova & F. Alex Feltus edited by Kate Wong Sam FalconerWhen Neandertals were first discovered nearly 170 years ago, the conceptual gap between their lineage and thatof modern humans seemed vast. Initially scientists prejudicially believed that the Neandertals were primitive brutes hardly more intelligent than apes and that their lack of advanced thinking had doomed them to extinction. Since that time, researchers have amassed evidence that they shared many of the cognitive abilities once considered unique to our species, Homo sapiens. They made complex tools, produced staples such as flour, treated their ailments with plant-based medicines, used symbols to communicate and engaged in ritual treatment of their dead.The divide between their lineage and ours narrowed even further in 2010, when researchers published the first Neandertal genome sequence. Comparison of that ancient DNA with modern human DNA showed that the two species had interbred and that people today still carry the genetic fingerprint of that intermixing. Since then, numerous studies have explored the ways in which Neandertal DNA affects our modern physiology, revolutionizing our understanding not only of our extinct cousins but of ourselves as a hybrid species.This area of research, clinical paleogenomics, is still in its infancy, and there are many complexities to unravel as we explore this new frontier. We therefore must take the findings from these studies with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, the research conducted to date raises the fascinating possibility that Neandertal DNA has wide-reaching effects on our speciesnot only on general health but on brain development, including our propensity for conditions such as autism. In other words, DNA from our extinct relatives may, to some extent, shape the cognition of people today.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.It seems that every few weeks a new study expands our understanding of how Neandertal DNA affects modern human health and physiology. Researchers have found that some Neandertal DNA makes carriers more vulnerable to various immune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Crohns disease, and some gene variants affect an immune molecule known as interleukin-18, which plays a role in predisposition to autoimmune disorders. Some Neandertal DNA variants are implicated in increased risk for severe COVID, whereas others appear to be protective factors. Still other Neandertal-derived variants may be instrumental in determining whether we develop allergies. And there is some evidence to suggest that our ancient cousins DNA may even be implicated in asthmaa subject of ongoing research.Scientists have also documented a number of effects of Neandertal DNA beyond the immune system. Neandertal DNA may affect the color of our skin and hair, how readily our blood clots, our propensity for heart disease, and how our cells respond to various environmental stressors such as radiation. It can also help determine how prone we are to certain skin cancers, thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, obesity and diabetes.The notion that Neandertal DNA might significantly influence our brains and behavior, however, is actually a bit counterintuitive. Previous research has shown that this ancient DNA tends to be underrepresented in the brain-related genes of modern humans, primarily because these types of genes are very sensitive to change, and anything new gets weeded out fairly quickly. These regions of the genome are known as Neandertal DNA deserts. Yet studies published over the past decade have shown that some Neandertal DNA has in fact persisted in and around some brain-related genes in modern humans.The effects of Neandertal DNA are apparent throughout the brain and associated structures in people today.The effects of this DNA are apparent throughout the brain and associated structures. Philipp Gunz of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and his colleagues found that people with higher percentages of Neandertal DNA are more likely to have skull shapes that are modestly elongated and reminiscent of the Neandertal skull, particularly around the parietal and occipital regions toward the back of the cranium. This skull elongation is sometimes associated with Neandertal variants that are located near the genes UBR4 and PHLPP1, which are involved in neuron production and the formation of myelin, the fatty sheath that insulates the axons of larger neurons, allowing them to communicate more reliably over longer distances. The skull elongation is also associated with Neandertal variants located near GPR26. This gene is still poorly understood, but it appears to have antitumor effects and is therefore probably also involved in regulating the production of neurons and other nervous systems cells called glia.In another study, Michael D. Gregory of the National Institutes of Health and his colleagues observed differences in the structure of the brain in regions related to visual processing and socialization. Specifically, people with more Neandertal DNA tend to have increased connectivity in visual-processing tracts but reduced connectivity in nearby tracts that are implicated in social cognition. This intriguing finding suggests there could be trade-offs between visual processing and social skills in the Homo lineage.Of particular importance, Neandertal DNA also seems to influence the structure and function of the cerebellum. Although most neuroscientists have tended to think of this brain region as functionally dedicated to motor memory and coordination, it is also involved in attention, emotional regulation, sensory processing and social cognition. The cerebellum seems to be vital for systems involved in mentalizing, which underlies many aspects of our ability to infer the mental states of other people. In 2018 Takanori Kochiyama of Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto and his colleagues published a study in which they reconstructed the crania of Neandertals and those of early modern humans and compared them. Their research showed that the cerebellum was significantly smaller in our extinct cousins than in members of our own lineage. These data suggest that there could be significant variability in the structure and function of the cerebellum (and therefore in social cognition) in modern humans as a result of the DNA we have inherited from Neandertals.When it comes to the inheritance of genetic variations, the overall size of a population has a dramatic effect on whether a particular DNA mutation is passed on, especially if its somewhat deleterious or harmful. In a large population, a modestly deleterious mutation is likely to get weeded out relatively quickly just by sheer probability. But in a small, isolated population, such a mutation is far more likely to spread as if it were neutral, and it may even become permanently retained in the population. Small groups tend to accumulate more mutations over time than larger populations do, which may reduce the number of children that individuals in those populations can raise, putting the groups at risk of dying out. Its for this reason that most modern human cultures consider it taboo to marry a close relation such as a first cousin. Cultures that still allow this practice often have unusually high rates of so-called recessive diseases, which arise when an individual inherits the same genetic susceptibility factor from both parents.Research into the Neandertal genome has indicated that our extinct relatives underwent a significant and somewhat protracted reduction in their population size, an event known as a genetic bottleneck. Between 50,000 and 40,000 years ago, their population dwindled to perhaps as few as 5,000 individuals. Because of that genetic bottleneck, the Neandertal genome contains an overabundance of potentially harmful mutations, which most likely led to reduced reproductive fitness and high rates of recessive disease in their population. There is evidence of this bottleneck event and its consequences in Neandertal fossils from the site of El Sidrn in Spain, where 13 closely related individuals exhibit evidence of 17 different skeletal birth defects.Neandertals had a braincase that was long and low in shape (left), in contrast to the globular braincase of Homo sapiens (right). People today with higher percentages of Neandertal DNA are more likely to have an elongate skull reminiscent of Neandertals.Philipp Gunz/MPI EVA LeipzigOur species probably inherited some of these unfavorable genetic variants when our ancestors interbred with Neandertals tens of millennia ago. Is it possible that some of the harmful Neandertal-derived variants that have stuck around in our genomes now influence not only the sizes and shapes of some of our brain structures but also our propensity for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions?The accumulation of evidence to date suggests that this may well be happening. For instance, some Neandertal variants have been linked with the presence of major depression. Perhaps not coincidentally, these variants have also been implicated in determining chronotypethat is, whether someone is a morning or night person. Some scientists posit that the effects of Neandertal DNA on our chronotype, which is determined by our circadian rhythms, might predispose us toward depression because many mood disorders have a significant seasonal component (to wit: seasonal affective disorder, a type of mood disorder in which symptoms come and go with the changing of the seasons).Neandertal DNA has also been associated with substance use such as drinking and smoking. Other genetic variants seem to increase pain sensitivity and prompt people to consume more pain medications. And a subset of Neandertal DNA variants may increase some peoples likelihood of developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although these variants are slowly disappearing from the modern human genome.One particularly intriguing connection that the two of us have been investigating is the possible link between Neandertal ancestry and autism. We first became interested in this link when we learned of the parallels between some of the brain connectivity patterns in visual- and social-processing pathways in nonautistic people who have more Neandertal DNA and people on the autism spectrum. People with autism often have enhanced visuospatial abilitiesfor instance, they tend to excel at picking out a target shape from a sea of distracting shapes in cognitive tests. At the same time, challenges with social cognition are typically central to the autistic experience and call to mind the reduced connectivity in those same neural pathways in nonautistic people with more Neandertal DNA. We also knew that just as Neandertals had smaller cerebellums than early modern humans did, which may have influenced their social cognitive abilities, people with autism consistently exhibit reduced volume in subregions of the cerebellum.This wealth of data from genetics, neuroimaging and brain reconstruction prompted the two of us to question whether Neandertal DNA could be influencing autism susceptibility in modern human populations. Our laboratories set out to address this important question together, accessing genetic data on both autistic and nonautistic people from several large, well-established databases. We were also interested in looking at Neandertal DNA according to ethnic background because there is a lot of variability across modern populations. For instance, people of African ancestry tend to have less Neandertal DNA than Asian and European people. Thus, it was important to match our groups of autistic and nonautistic people according to ethnicity.When studying Neandertal DNA in the modern human genome, scientists typically investigate single points in the DNA that vary across populations. These points of variation are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced snips). We were very interested in studying common and rare Neandertal SNPs separately because the rarer a DNA variant is, the more likely it is to be harmful and the less likely it is to be passed down to offspring. What we found was that autistic people tend to have more rare Neandertal SNPs than ethnically matched nonautistic people have. Its important to note that autistic people dont necessarily have more Neandertal DNA in generaltheyre not more Neandertal than the next person. Its just that the Neandertal DNA they carry includes more of the rare variants than nonautistic people tend to have.Neandertal DNA variants appear to be influencing development of autism in measurable ways across ethnicities.We also investigated SNPs that specifically influence gene activity in the brain. We were able to identify 25 of these Neandertal-derived expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), as they are known, that were overrepresented in our autism groups. For example, about 80 percent of white Hispanic autistic males with epilepsy carried a particular Neandertal SNP in the USP47 gene, compared with 15 percent of those in the nonautistic control group. Although the function of USP47 is poorly understood, this gene has tentative links with epilepsy, which often co-occurs with autism.In addition, we found a mutation in the COX10 gene that occurred more frequently in Black people with autism than in Black people without autism. Animals genetically engineered so that their COX10 is inactive tend to have a functional imbalance between the activity of excitatory neurons and inhibitory ones in the brain that is very characteristic of conditions like autism.We dont yet have a clear idea of what all these Neandertal SNPs are doing in people with autism. They appear to be influencing development of the condition in measurable ways across all ethnicities studied. And our research suggests that many of the rare Neandertal-derived SNPs, which are associated with autism, help to orchestrate neural connectivity, which in turn may affect how neurons communicate with one another. But precisely how these variants are affecting brain development remains to be determined. In all likelihood, there is no single answer.Genetics is an extremely complicated field of study. Although the human genome was sequenced more than 20 years ago, our understanding of molecular networks and how they influence organ development and function is still relatively rudimentary. As we dig deeper into how Neandertal DNA is influencing our genes, it is important to accept the complexity of the problem. There are more than 78,000 modern human genes that have mixed with nearly the same number of Neandertal genes. Humans can wrap their minds around a three-dimensional problem, but a 78,000D problem is rather more difficult! Fortunately, modern computers executing artificial-intelligence code can handle the analytical burden that our brains cannot.Our initial study tagged Neandertal DNA in partial genome sequences that constitute just 1 percent or so of the entire human genome. In the next phase of our research we will scan recently available complete genome sequences from modern human families with a propensity for autism. By expanding our search area for ancient DNA from genes to regions between genes, we will be able to investigate millions of additional eQTLs, which regulate the intensity of gene expression much as a dimmer switch controls the amount of light coming from a bulb. Once we map these eQTLs to Neandertal-derived DNA variations in a modern human genome, we will be able to infer whether some Neandertal DNA is measurably altering gene expression.A complete genome search will allow us to identify eQTLs from the Neandertal lineage that are involved in the function and development of not only the brain as a whole but also specific brain tissues and regions, such as the cerebellum. We may find that H. sapiens inherited entirely new neurodevelopmental traits from Neandertals that did not exist in our lineage until the two groups interbred. A more likely scenario, however, is that the introduction of Neandertal DNA into H. sapiens modified, but did not override or replace, genetic control mechanisms for extraordinarily complex brain conditions such as autism, ADHD and depression.If we can identify the exact neurodevelopmental pathways controlled by mixed Neandertal/H. sapiens gene regulatory networks, we may be able to figure out how ancient DNA reconfigured gene expression in the brain at the point of hybridization. This type of knowledge would have a variety of potential therapeutic applications within the burgeoning field of personalized medicine.We arent interested only in Neandertal DNA. It may be that hybridization in general, not just DNA inherited from Neandertals specifically, contributes to autism susceptibilitythe result of a type of genetic mismatch, if you will. If thats the case, we might also expect to see DNA from other cousins, the Denisovans, who also interbred with early H. sapiens, playing roles in autism and other neurological conditions in ethnic groups of people today who carry Denisovan DNA (primarily people of Asian and Native American ancestry). We will be looking for signs of Denisovan influence in the next phase of our research.Like the ADHD-related Neandertal variants that are gradually getting winnowed out of the modern human genome, the rare Neandertal variants that autistic people have may be getting weeded out of the gene pool, too. Some rare Neandertal DNA is probably fading away simply as a result of what population geneticists call the law of large numbers, which predicts that uncommon and rare DNA, regardless of its effects on the organism, will tend to slowly disappear from a large breeding population over time. But other Neandertal DNA may be rare because it is modestly harmful, affecting an individuals ability to have children and pass down their DNA.We know from research that, on average, people with autism are significantly less likely than the general population to have children, although there are certainly some who do have kids. But we dont know whether their reproductive rates are lower because people on the autism spectrum face challenges with romantic relationships or because they are more likely to have certain health-related disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome that affect fertility. The answer is probably multifactorial. But regardless of the reasons, fewer offspring means fewer genetic variants associated with autism get passed down over time. So, if these variants arent getting passed down as often, why are they still sticking around in the human genome, albeit in low numbers?When it comes to autism, the medical community has traditionally focused on the deficits and challenges that people with the condition may experience. This approach is rooted in the medical model of disability, which in the case of neurodevelopmental differences holds that they should be treated medically with a focus on fixing or managing the condition and a goal of normalizing the persons behavior. But the autism spectrum is also associated with traits that may have been adaptive during more recent human brain evolutionenhanced visuospatial processing, high intelligence, exceptional memory and creativity, among others. Multiple genetics studies have found that many of the common genetic variants associated with autism are also associated with high intelligence, enhanced cognitive ability and educational attainment.In addition, family members of people on the spectrum are more likely to have careers in fields related to science and technology and, according to our recent study, are also likely to carry some of these same rare Neandertal variants. Therefore, although autistic people have lower reproductive rates on average, their nonautistic (though potentially still neurodivergent) family members may also be helping to keep this DNA in the gene pool. In other words, even as some evolutionary factors are working to push these autism-related Neandertal-derived genetic variants out of the human genome, other factors are working to retain them.Although we dont yet know whether the Neandertal DNA associated with autism is also linked to intelligence, savantism or general creativity, we are slowly connecting the dots. If such a relation exists, it suggests that intermixing with Neandertals has affected multiple aspects of brain evolution in our species. In this way, Neandertal DNA is not only a part of the story of autism and other neurodevelopmental and psychological conditions; its central to the story of all of us.

If you happen to be on the lookout for your favorite coastal grandma button-down linen top in the quilt form, Brooklinens Linen Quilt in White Diamond is for you. As someone who is very sensitive to certain fabric textures, I found this 100% linen quilt to be softer to the touch than most linen products Ive come across. One of my biggest pet peeves is falling asleep feeling warm, especially in the summer months, and I was hesitant to use this product, thinking it might be on the heavier side. To my surprise, the quilt was very lightweight, super cooling, and breathable. And the high-quality elements dont end there. The stitching showed no signs of pulling on the threads, which is always a green flag. Since the crisp white color of this simple yet stylish quilt is very neutral, I can definitely imagine it being versatile when fitting into a specific decor aesthetic. From a French country farmhouse to a prewar city apartment, this quilt is bound to look good in any space.Best Cotton Quilt: Schoolhouse Channeled Cotton QuiltSchoolhouse Channeled Cotton QuiltSpecsSizes: Twin, Full/Queen, KingColors: Alder, channeled blue, channeled ochre, channeled greyTester: Mel Studach, AD PRO senior editorTheres something about a channeled quilt that brings to mind swinging open the linen closet door come fall and picking through the stacks of collected blankets for one more layer. Despite the styles longevity, it still feels incredibly classic to this day. Theres just one difference with Schoolhouses iteration: Its far too prettywith its wide channeling and subtly ruched textureto ever want to hide it away in the closet. Luckily, its light enough to cover the bed year-round and reversible, should you want to flip the pigment-rich side for a quieter heather-gray option as seasons change. Made of 100% cotton, the layer is nicely breathable (great news for those who sleep at a warm body temperature but still desire a quilted topper) and machine washable. Both sides are also wonderfully softso much so that it could double as a cozy layer on the sofa for movie nights.Best Splurge-Worthy Quilt: European Flax Linen Box Stitch QuiltWest Elm European Flax Linen Box Stitch QuiltSpecsSizes: Twin, Full/Queen, KingColors: White, natural flax, frost gray, slate melange, graphite, dark olive, cedar, celadon, silver mist melange, ocean, midnight, lilac melange, adobe rose, shell pink, terra-cotta melange, amber, dijonTester: Megan Wahn, former associate commerce editorAfter a lifetime of duvets and comforters, West Elms European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt converted me into a quilt purist. Needless to say, I havent looked back since. I bought this when I moved to New York about a year ago and, like your favorite pair of jeans, its only gotten more comfortable in that well-loved kind of way. Its the optimal softness and weight for all seasonswarm enough when paired with a throw blanket during the winter, but also light enough to keep me pleasantly cool in the summerthat Ive never had to dedicate any space or time to the arduous bedding-change process whenever the weather turns. Though its shown very little wear over the last year, it does seem to have a few small pulls in the fabric (although, in my opinion, it kind of adds to the overall lived-in feel and look of the quilt). The quilt comes in a few earth-toned color options, and you can also purchase a bedding set that comes with matching shams. To me, this quilt isnt just some big glorified blanketits the safe haven I look forward to hugging around me at the end of every night, 365 days of the year.Best Budget Quilt: Jungalow Kahelo Quilt SetJungalow Kahelo Quilt SetSpecsSizes: Full/Queen, KingColors: CoralTester: Lizzie Soufleris, visuals editorLizzie SouflerisAfter seeing her incredible cover story come together, it came as no surprise that interior designer Justina Blakeney knocked it out of the park with this quilt from her brand, Jungalow. Its light, breathable and, of course, looks adorable in my plant-filled bedroom. The faded dusty-salmon hue is the optimal neutral-without-being-boring solid color and paired up perfectly with one of my favorite sage green linen sheet sets. Inspired by tiles from all over the world, the gauzy fabric is laced with intricate stitching. Upon closer inspection, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the details, especially for such an affordable price. As a die-hard duvet user (and clumsy bedside coffee drinker), I must admit that I was a little concerned about cleaning a quilt. But my trepidation turned out to be unnecessary because this one is machine washable, and you can even throw it in the dryer.Best Fashionable Quilt: Dusen Dusen Check BeddingDusen Dusen Check BeddingSpecsSizes: Twin, Queen, KingColors: Blue, beige checkTester: Audrey Lee, commerce editorAudrey LeeI would gladly have Ellen Van Dusen design my entire worldso it should come as no surprise that Dusen Dusens green check coverlet takes a top spot among my favorite bedding Ive tried (and trust me, Ive tried a lot!). Since this coverlet set makes a statement on its own, Ive been outfitting it with some simple and elegant linen sheets (though the brand has plenty of patterned sets that would also match beautifully). The coverlet has a lightweight design and an airy quality thats been perfect for spring-to-summer weather, but its also super cozy on chillier nights when paired with a nice fuzzy throw (like this one from Kassatex). As for the textile pattern, Ive never been more eager for bedtime. The cream-and-sea-foam palette provides just the right pop of color, while the checkerboard itself feels like a chic update on a classic motif (not to mention the delightful matching shams really tie the whole look together). The cotton material was already supremely soft straight out of the bag, but since tossing it into the laundry for a wash (just make sure you follow the care instructions!), its even softer and gauzier than before, making me excited to sleep with this bedding for years to come.Best Eco-Friendly Option: Buffy Linen QuiltBuffy Linen QuiltSpecsSizes: Full/Queen, King/California KingColors: White, oatTester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce directorIts been smooth sailing with this quilt since day one. I washed it straight out of the box and felt it soften immediately. I had intended to layer it over my duvet but have ended up favoring the quilt on its own. Its softness and breathability from the hemp fibers are really pleasant, and I still feel sufficiently bundled up. This quilt has a neat box-quilted pattern that feels visually interesting and almost veers into checkerboard territory. Its available in white or oat (I chose the latter, which feels sophisticated and not too flashy if your bedroom leans more minimal, as mine does). Its also a pretty thin layer, which I appreciate, and doesnt feel overly heavy or suffocating. If youre looking for a visually striking quilt, there are definitely bolder options on this list, but this is perfect for a serene setup. Looks and functionality aside, I love that hemp linen specifically has outstanding sustainability cred. I think its a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their bedding without sacrificing the planet.Other Quilts and Coverlets We Recommend:Brooklinen Organic Cotton Quilt SetSpecsSizes: Full/Queen, King/Cali KingColors: Vanilla or blue marinaTester: Melissa Studach, senior AD Pro editor

Picture this: Youre sitting in front of a warm fireplace, enjoying the crackling sounds of the flames. Make that dream a reality with the best electric fireplaces on Amazon. Sure, you can pull out a space heater to make your space more toasty, but an electric fireplace provides an opportunity to get warm and make an aesthetic choice at the same time.Unlike tending to real flames or gas fireplaces, these require virtually zero maintenance and often just need an outlet to work. Plus, many boast 3D flames that often resemble the ones youll see in a wood-burning fireplace and have adjustable flame colors for a personal touch. Even when the weather isnt chilly outside, you can turn the heat setting off most electric fireplaces and just keep the flames going for a cozy aesthetic. To create our list, we pulled picks with positive, thorough reviews from Amazon shoppers. So, grab your throw blanket and curl up on the couch in front of one of these Amazon electric fireplaces this season.Our Top Picks for the Best Electric Fireplaces on Amazon:Best Overall: Duraflame Freestanding Electric Fireplace, $300 $230Best Mantel: Ameriwood Home Mateo Electric Mantel Fireplace, $300 $225Best Design: TerraFlame Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace $700Best TV Stand: OKD Luxury Fluted Fireplace TV Stand, $600 $540Best Portable: Shinic Portable Electric Fireplace Heater, $70 $60Best Hybrid Space Heater: Comfort Zone Electric Mini Fireplace Space Heater, $50Best Wall Mounted: Northwest Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace $200Best Overall: Duraflame Freestanding Electric FireplaceDuraflame Freestanding Electric FireplaceSpecsDimensions: 13.07"D x 24"W x 23.4"HWeight: 29 poundsWattage: 1500 wattsType: FreestandingHeat Output: 5200 BTUsRoom Size: 1,000 square feetSafety featuresAutomatic timed shut-offIf youre looking for an electric fireplace on Amazon with all the best bells and whistles, consider this Duraflame pick. Mirroring a wood stove, it features lifelike 3D fire-burning logs that will add flare to a farmhouse-style space or make any home cozier. It also has glass panels and a glass door (that actually opens!) to bring an even more authentic feel to your home. While this infrared fireplace doesnt skimp on heat, you can adjust its controls to turn it off and relish in the flames and glow no matter the weather.Best Mantel: Ameriwood Home Mateo Electric Mantel FireplaceAmeriwood Home Mateo Electric Mantel FireplaceSpecsDimensions: 9.72"D x 29.69"W x 45.24"HWeight: 54 poundsWattage: N/AType: MountedHeat Output: 5100 BTUsRoom Size: 400 square feetSafety featuresWall anchorWelcome the mantel of your dreamsno renovation requiredwith the help of this electric fireplace. We give it extra style points for its clean lines (great for minimalists) and spacious design to show off all your treasured trinkets. Thanks to its low noise levels, you can keep the fire going without interrupting movie nights or dinner parties.Best Design: TerraFlame Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel FireplaceTerraFlame Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel FireplaceSpecsDimensions: 26"D x 26"W x 44"HWeight: 31 poundsHeat Output: 5000 BTUsType: FreestandingHeat Output: 5000 BTUsRoom Size: 200 square feetSafety featuresSmoke-free burningOkay, so this isnt actually an electric fireplace, but wed be remiss if we didnt share this fun pick to set the mood at your next alfresco dinner party. For starters, its mid-century modern aesthetic proves that even bulky appliances can deliver on style. And with its clean burning gel fuel instead of a wood-burning design, you wont have to worry about smoke billowing or excess upkeep.Best TV Stand: OKD Luxury Fluted Fireplace TV StandOKD Luxury Fluted Fireplace TV StandSpecsDimensions: 15.2"D x 70"W x 32"HWeight: 156 poundsWattage: 150 wattsType: FreestandingHeat Output: 5000 BTUsRoom Size: 500 square feetSafety featuresAuto-heat turn off safety featureWe like the idea of a fireplace TV stand for a few key reasons: You can adjust the temperature in your space with ease, and the stand can double as a console table or entertainment center for your living roomit also provides an additional surface for displaying your wares. This one hits the mark on all fronts, plus, it boasts a chic, fluted design for more contemporary spaces. Bingeing your favorite shows will get a major upgrade since its designed to hold TVs up to 80 inches and features cable management in the back of the piece to keep cords out of sight.Best Portable: Shinic Portable Electric Fireplace HeaterShinic Portable Electric Fireplace HeaterSpecsDimensions: 5.9"D x 11.8"W x 14.6"HWeight: 10 poundsWattage: 1500 WattsType: FreestandingHeat Output: 5,118 BTUsRoom Size: 200 square feetSafety featuresTip-over protectionAuto-shut off when overheatingThe shell stay is cool to the touchFor those searching for an electric fireplace that can move from room to room, this portable pick is just what you need. The small but mighty option is strong enough to heat up 200 square feet and weighs just 10 pounds so you can easily carry it to any area that could use a little extra heat. Thanks to the 3D fire and log set, it also provides a flame effect for those looking to keep the vibes right.Best Hybrid Space Heater: Comfort Zone Electric Mini Fireplace Space HeaterComfort Zone Electric Mini Fireplace Space HeaterSpecsDimensions: 6.1"D x 9.45"W x 13.46"HWeight: 4 poundsHeat Output: 1500 wattsType: FreestandingHeat Output: N/ARoom Size: 64 square feetSafety featuresTip-over protectionAuto-shut off when overheatingShell stays cool to the touchWith this electric heater, youll get the best of a space heater and fireplace all in one. The hybrid model has a thermostat up top to adjust heating to a low or high setting. Overheat protection aside thats featured in the most reliable space heaters, this one has other safety features that most will appreciate like tip-over protection and a shell that stays cool to the touch.Best Wall Mounted: Northwest Wall Mounted Electric FireplaceNorthwest Wall Mounted Electric FireplaceSpecsDimensions: 3.86"D x 50"W x 18.11"HWeight: 47 poundsWattage: 1500 wattsType: MountedHeat Output: N/ARoom Size: 400 square feetSafety featuresAuto-heat kill to prevent overheatingCool-to-touch glassWant to free up floorspace and add a touch of elegance to your interiors? You can mount this recessed electric fireplace in any modern space to check both of these boxes. While it doesnt come with a fireplace log or crackling sound, you can adjust the fire using its 10 ambiance-enhancing LED flame color options and three background settings. Simply use its manual controls or remote control to customize it to your liking. We love the design of this for any elevated home style, but if youre looking for something really modern, try the R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace out for size.

A Delaware judge has sanctioned Sheryl Sandberg, Metas former COO and board member, for allegedly deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal.The decision arises from a case Meta shareholders brought against Sandberg and another former Meta board member, Jeff Zients, late last year. The plaintiffs alleged that Sandberg and Zients used personal email accounts to communicate about issues relating to a 2018 shareholder lawsuit that accused Facebook leaders of violating the law and their fiduciary duties in failing to protect users privacy.Plaintiffs also alleged that Sandberg and Zients deleted emails from their personal inboxes despite being instructed not to do so by a court. In a decision Tuesday, the Delaware judge overseeing the case found the accusations to be convincing.The defendants disclosed Sandbergs personal Gmail account, maintained under a pseudonym, that she used to communicate about matters potentially relevant to the claims and defenses in this action, the judges decision reads. Counsels failure to give a straight answer in Sandbergs interrogatory responses or when answering plaintiffs questions supports an inference that Sandberg was not using an auto-delete function but rather picking and choosing which emails to delete.In sanctioning Sandberg, the judge raised the legal standard for Sandbergs affirmative defense, the defense based on facts other than those in support of the plaintiffs claim.Now, Sandberg must prove her defense by clear and convincing evidence not merely a preponderance of evidence, a burden thats easier to clear.The judge has also awarded plaintiffs certain expenses.At the root of the courtroom battle are allegations that Meta officials violated a 2012 FTC order under which the company agreed to stop collecting and sharing Facebook users personal data without their consent. Facebook allegedly later sold the data to commercial partners, including political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, and allegedly removed disclosures from privacy settings that were required under the FTCs order.In 2019, Meta agreed to pay the FTC $5 billion to settle charges that the company violated the 2012 order. The company has also paid penalties from regulators in Europe.

Microsoft was once the exclusive provider of data center infrastructure for OpenAI to train and run its AI models. No longer. Coinciding with the announcement of Stargate, OpenAIs massive new AI infrastructure deal with SoftBank, Oracle, and others, Microsoft says it has signed a new agreement with OpenAI that gives it right of first refusal on new OpenAI cloud computing capacity. That means that, going forward, Microsoft gets first choice over whether to host OpenAIs AI workloads in the cloud but if Microsoft cant meet its needs, OpenAI can go to a rival cloud provider.OpenAI recently made a new, large Azure commitment that will continue to support all OpenAI products as well as training, Microsoft said in a blog post. To further support OpenAI, Microsoft has approved OpenAIs ability to build additional capacity, primarily for research and training of models.OpenAI hasblameda lack of available compute for delaying its products, and compute capacity has reportedly become a source oftensionbetween the AI company and Microsoft, its close collaborator and major investor. In June, Microsoft, under shareholder pressure, permitted OpenAI to ink a deal with Oracle for additional capacity.In the blost post, Microsoft reiterated that key elements of its longstanding partnership with OpenAI remain in place through 2030, including its access to OpenAIs IP, revenue sharing arrangements, and exclusivity on OpenAIs APIs.That assumes, of course, that OpenAI doesnt achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI) under the two companiesagreed-upon definitionbefore then. When OpenAI develops AI systems that can generate at least $100 billion in profits, Microsoft will lose access to the companys technology, according to a reported agreement between the firms.OpenAI is said to be considering nullifying the agreement in a possible bid to secure more Microsoft funding.The OpenAI API is exclusive to Azure, runs on Azure and is also available through the Azure OpenAI Service, the blog post reads. This agreement means customers benefit from having access to leading models on Microsoft platforms and direct from OpenAI.Weve reached out to OpenAI and Microsoft for more information and will update this post if we hear back.

When the railroads serving Boston were first laid out and built, each line stopped at its own terminal which created a dysfunctional and cumbersome travel experience for those entering or leaving the city. The Boston Terminal Company, established in 1897, was charged with the task of consolidating service from the four terminalsat a single terminal, a union station (similar to North Station), for routes south of the city. South Station was designed by architects wereShepley, Rutan and Coolidgeof Boston and quickly became New Englands busiest transportation center.The five-story Classical Revival style stationbuilt of stone is an architectural landmark with three-story Ionic colonnade crowned by a clock surmounted by an eagle, stands above the triple-arched brick masonry lower level corner entrance.While the station handled 125,000 passengers each day during World War II, post-war passenger rail traffic declined in the US. South Station was sold to the Boston Redevelopment Authority in 1965 and (surprise!) they demolished portions of the building and later developed plans to demolish the rest of the station and replace it with a multi-use development including a new train and bus station with large parking garage. Luckily for everyone, the BRA failed in this endeavor and the building remained to the point where public transportation is again invested in and beloved and the building has since been restored. Recently, a glass crown, known asSouth Station Tower, a 51-story designed by Pelli, Clarke & Partners, with new office space, luxury residences, and a redesigned, arched interior concourse(which in my opinion, is the best part). The redevelopment is a push towards transit-oriented development and blends new and old in an innovative way.What do you think of it?

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is just a day away from its official launch, but Honor is jumping into the ring early to challenge Samsung with its Magic 7 Pro. I've been daily-driving the flagship phone and it's packed to the brim with features, making it a serious competitor.Also: 4 surprise products we could see at Samsung Unpacked 2025 - and are worth getting excited aboutWith a refined design, a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, Snapdragon 8 Elite performance, and a silicon-carbon battery, the Honor Magic 7 Pro positions itself as a formidable alternative to the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here's how the Honor stacks up to the current Galaxy S24 Ultra, and what more Samsung will need to deliver this week to surpass them both.1. A mighty camera system Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Honor Magic 7 Pro features a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with an f/2.6 aperture and a 1/1.4-inch sensor, which is larger than both telephoto cameras on the current Galaxy S24 Ultra. I appreciate the larger sensor especially, which provides more natural bokeh and finer details in shots. That's accompanied by a 50MP Super Dynamic Falcon main camera and a 50MP ultra-wide lens.I recently took a trip the Slovenia, with the Magic 7 Pro in hand, and the results I got from the cameras were impressive. 3x zoom (left) and Ultrawide shot (right) Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe 3x zoom captures a sufficient amount of detail, as evident in the photo above. See the dog's face, for example, which is sharp on both sides, with sunlight making her right eye pop while retaining details in the shadowed areas.Also: What to expect from Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25 Ultra, AI features, and moreI've been just as satisfied with the ultra-wide-angle camera as it's produced equally superb results with accurate white balance and tone. The second shot was captured against the sun on the ultra-wide camera and it demonstrates the excellent dynamic range of the sensor, with vivid yet natural colors. 6x zoom shots Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe phone's 6x lossless zoom also performs brilliantly, maintaining clarity and detail. In comparison, when I used the Galaxy S24 Ultra earlier this year, it couldn't capture as much detail. The colors remain consistent across lenses and it's better than Samsung at capturing fast-moving subjects.While the Honor Magic 7 Pro's camera system is better than the Galaxy S24 Ultra's, it does have some occasional inconsistencies. For example, it tends to overexpose shots in direct sunlight. Portrait shots clicked on the Honor Magic 7 Pro Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETOne unique image feature with the Magic 7 Pro is the Harcourt profiles in Portrait mode, which come in three flavors: Vibrant, Colour, and Classic. Each has a distinct feel, but all deliver detailed shots with accurate edge detection.Also:The best Android phones to buy in 2025Naturally, there's a new AI toggle in Portrait mode that optimizes details in your portraits. I found the feature to work well occasionally. Fortunately, you can compare the AI-enhanced shot with the raw shot side-by-side before saving one.2. A media powerhouse that lasts all day Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Honor Magic 7 Pro features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 5,000 nits of peak brightness for supported HDR content and a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. The vibrant colors and excellent contrast make it a treat for content consumption. It certainly helps that the screen is now less curved, reducing glare on the sides.That said, the Galaxy S24 Ultra's anti-reflective Corning Gorilla Armor -- a feature likely to appear on the S25 Ultra -- offers a better visual experience. The reduction in reflections is a big win. However, Honor's 4320Hz PWM dimming makes its display less burdening on the eyes. A high PWM dimming rate means the display flickers faster, causing less eye strain than Samsung's slower alternative.Also: I held the world's thinnest foldable phone, and it made my iPhone 16 Pro Max feel outdatedPowering the Honor Magic 7 Pro is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, paired with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. From my testing, the device handles demanding tasks like heavy gaming without any issues, and the stereo speakers sound great. In day-to-day use, it's hard to find faults in the performance, seriously.The phone, with its 5,270mAh silicon-carbon cell, easily lasts a full day on a single charge, even under heavy use. That's compared to Samsung's 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery. You also get 100W fast charging (charger sold separately) and 80W wireless charging with a proprietary charger. I'd take those numbers over Samsung's 45W wired charging any day of the week.3. Samsung still has one big advantage Prakhar Khanna/ZDNETThe Honor Magic 7 Pro runs MagicOS 9.0 based on Android 15, and while I like some parts of it, it's simply not as polished as Samsung's OneUI.One positive includes home screen folders that can be expanded into a column or row view while remaining inside a box, offering better usability than traditional folders. You can directly access apps without needing to tap the folder and expand it -- or pull up an app drawer.Also: I'd ditch my Pixel 9 Pro for the next Nothing phone, so long as it prioritizes these featuresAnother standout feature is Honor's Magic Portal, which lets you transfer text, links, or images between apps seamlessly. It's easier to access now, as all you need to do is circle anything on-screen with your knuckle to pull up actionable tasks.Despite these software tricks, though, there are some longstanding bugs that I've noticed over the years. For instance, switching from a standard home screen with installed apps to an app drawer resets your widget and app placements.Bottom lineThe Honor Magic 7 Pro is relatively expensive at 1,300 euros in Europe, which translates to roughly $1,340 in the US. (Keep in mind that these conversions are almost always inaccurate of what actual market prices would look like.) Going by the European pricing, the Honor phone is still more affordable than the Galaxy S24 Ultra (launched at 1,450 euros) and I expect it to remain that way when the Galaxy S25 Ultra launches tomorrow.The big takeaway from testing the Honor Magic 7 Pro is that while Samsung has the software going for itself, it'll need to adopt better camera hardware and silicon-carbon battery tech to compete with flagship phones in 2025.Samsung Unpacked

An artist's reconstruction of the newly named dinosaur whose remains were destroyed in a 1944 WWII ... [+] air raid.Joshua Knppe, in 2025 Kellermann et al.Paleontologists have identified a new species of dinosaur from a fossil destroyed during a World World II air raid not by examining ancient remains, but by poring over photos of them.The dinosaur, which the scientists named Tameryraptor markgrafi, is a giant Egyptian predator from the Cretaceous period. It measured around 32 feet long when it roamed, had symmetrical teeth and a prominent nasal horn.Presumably, the dinosaur fauna of North Africa was much more diverse than we previously thought, Oliver Rauhut, a dinosaur specialist from the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology, said in a statement. This work shows that it can be worthwhile for paleontologists to dig not only in the ground, but also in old archives.Rauhut is co-author of a peer-reviewed study on the find published last week in the journal Plos One. The fossil that led to the discovery has a dramatic backstory.The beasts remains were originally excavated in 1914 during an expedition to Bahariya Oasis, a site in Egypts western desert known for yielding other dinosaur bones, as well as ancient mummies and architectural treasures. Shortly thereafter, Munich paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach studied the partial skeleton and assigned it to the genus Carcharodontosaurus, a large, carnivorous theropod that lived in Northwest Africa between 100 and 94 million years ago.The remains were stored with other Egyptian dinosaur fossils at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology, which at that time was located in a building in central Munich. On July 21, 1944, however, an allied air raid hit the paleontological museum, destroying many of the fossils within, including Tameryraptor. Skeletal remains of Tameryraptor markgrafi in a Munich exhibition before a bomb destroyed the bones.University of Tbingen Archive, recoloredDuring new research all these decades later, Maximilian Kellermann, a master's student at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, came across previously unknown archival photos of the dinosaur from the Huene Archive at Germanys University of Tbingen, which displayed them in the 1940s. The images capture parts of the original skull, spine and hind limbs before the skeleton was obliterated in the World War II bombing.Kellermann evaluated the photos with Rauhut and Elena Cuesta, an LMU paleobiologist, focusing on features such as the nasal cavities, jaw and tooth curvature.In some parts of the images, low exposure and fuzzy details made it difficult to discern certain features. But other elements, such as the angles of bones, were clear enough that the photos together with Stromers old notes and illustrations made it clear to the researchers the dinosaur pictured differs significantly from another Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco in 1996 and officially named in 2007.Through these comparisons, they concluded that Stromers original classification was incorrect and that theyd identified a completely different, previously unknown predatory dinosaur species.We took great care to not overinterpret things that were not 100 percent visible from the photos, Kellermann said in an interview. We left out any uncertainties for the codings in our dataset, treating them simply as missing data, and indicated them in our description as such. Still, even with these uncertainties, it was clear that this was a different animal from Carcharodontosaurus.The first word in Tameryraptor markgrafi means thief from the beloved land, combining an informal ancient Egyptian name for Egypt (ta-mery), which translates to beloved land, with raptor, the Latin word for thief. Markgrafi honors fossil collector Richard Markgraf, who originally excavated it.The rediscovery of interesting anatomical features from photographs of long-lost specimens is rare and a bit unusual, but in some cases there are no better options for putting those specimens into scientific context, Jack Tseng, a professor of integrative biology at the University of California at Berkeley who was not involved with the research, said in an interview.Can A Species Reliably Be Named From Photos?Paleontologists rarely name new species without directly studying fossils.In exceptional cases where the specimen in question is documented with an abundance of images and associated information, there may be a strong basis for erecting a new fossil species, Tseng said. In all other cases, there will always be a certain layer of uncertainty between the defining characteristics of new species identified from photographs and how trustworthy they might be when used in evolutionary analyses.In the new study, the researchers put their case in the exceptional category, detailing the reasons this dinosaur warranted a new nomenclature based on the available evidence. Chief among them is that Stromers descriptions and illustrations are highly accurate when compared with specimens that can still be studied firsthand, suggesting his data is a reliable complement to the photographs.The material described by Stromer has played a pivotal role in understanding carcharodontosaurid anatomy, phylogeny and evolution, they say, making it all the more important the samples collected in 1914 are accurately categorized.Kellermann said hes excited that Egyptian colleagues are now working on collecting new fossils that could add to the scientific record and understanding of dinosaurs in the region.There is clearly a lot that we still don't know about the dinosaurs in that area, Kellermann said. While there is still a bit of information to gather from studying the old literature and photographs, only new material will help shed a better light on this fascinating ecosystem.Paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach's original drawings of the Egyptian dinosaur's remains. ... [+] BSPG