This story first ran in The Logoff. Sign up here to get stories like this delivered to your inbox every weekday. Good evening, and welcome to the first edition of The Logoff the newsletter that gives you the Trump news you need so that you can log off and get back to the rest of your life.Theres so much going on today, but I want to focus on the legal fight over birthright citizenship, as its outcome will affect millions of people.What did the law say before Trump? Under the Constitution (the 14th Amendment, to be precise), almost everyone born on US soil automatically becomes a US citizen, no matter their parents immigration status. Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday that would change that: It would deny automatic citizenship to babies born to parents who are both immigrants in cases where neither parent is a naturalized citizen or legal permanent resident. (My colleague Ian Millhiser has more details here.)So what happened today? Eighteen states filed a federal lawsuit to block the order from taking effect, and the case seems destined to go all the way to the Supreme Court. There, most legal observers expect the justices to side with the states (and with 125 years of legal precedent) that birthright citizenship is constitutional. There are no guarantees (particularly not with this Court) but its likely that this executive order is destined for failure.So where does this leave us? Barring something unexpected, birthright citizenship will likely survive. You should pay attention for two reasons: First, theres always a chance of a shock result in court. And second, the order itself is an indication of how thoroughly Trump has dragged once outlandish ideas into the GOP mainstream. Whats the larger lesson here? Trump opened his presidency with a barrage of policy changes, and nowhere were the changes bigger than on immigration. Almost all of it will be challenged. Some orders will survive; others will be the subject of lengthy legal battles. Where those battles end up will determine whether Trump succeeds in a radical overhaul of the immigration system or just a series of changes to it. And itll be a long time before we have final answers.And with that, its time to log off Juanita Escobar for VoxThis is a crimson-rumped toucanet. And birds like these are a big reason why Colombia has a thriving ecotourism industry. My colleague Benji Jones wrote all about it here.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More: Politics

At this point, its probably more realistic to lay out what franchises and brands Fortnite hasnt crossed over with. Epics Battle Royale shooter is a melting pot of licensed absurdity, where Luke Skywalker and Hatsune Miku and perform an array of memetic dances on the virtual corpses of everyone from Goku to Ariana Grande. The homogenized ur-brand of it all makes it hard for the latest in a long line of announced crossovers to stand out at this point, but its latest with the world of Legendarys Monsterverse is definitely a cut above the rest and not just because it involves monsters taller than most things on Fortnites island map. Late last week Epic and Legendary kicked off a big new collaboration as part of Fortnites latest season, bringing skins inspired byGodzilla vs. Kong and The New Empire to the shooter. But beyond that Godzilla (himself a bit of a crossover queen, as of late) now has a physical presence on Fortnites map. Randomly at some point in a game, a massive portal can pop up somewhere on the island, and the first player to run through is transformed into Godzilla to lay waste to their foes. If youre not Godzilla, you can ping bullet after bullet at the kaiju to try and deplete his healthbar, getting rewards if you end up doing the most damage. If youare Godzilla, you get to spend as much time as youve got slowly but surely stomping, heat-beaming, and skree-onking your way through the map, leaving a trail of smashed buildings and dead players in your wake. Whats genuinely impressive about it all is that being on either end of this apocalyptic scenario is fun as hell. Godzilla is unwieldy and slow, but in a way that emphasizes the strength and scale youre playing with, and the sheer carnage he can enact tearing through scenery or by melting players with blasts of his breath walks the fine line between feeling powerful enough to be threatening, but not so overwhelming as to be impossible to fight back against. But its when youre on the ground that is the most fun, arguably: whether youre miles away from Godzilla or perilously close to his ample stomping feet, Fortnite has absolutely nailed the feeling of scale youd want out of such an encounter. The look is on point (well, in terms of replicating Legendarys version of Big G), the sound design is on point, but its definitely the size and scope, almost unlike anything elseFortnite has done in years, that makes Godzilla feel so special. You can see him almost across the map, as tall as some of the highest mountains on the island. Your screen judders as he moves closer, or when a neon-pink jolt of energy screeches past you. Regardless of which version ofFortnites battle royale youre in theres a certain level of destructibility thats part of the games dynamic, and Godzilla changes that entirely, capable of taking down whole buildings worth of cover in a blast. And again, as chaotic as it can be, there feels like a fairness to it all: the beams are potent, but slow enough that you can dramatically try to outrun the path they burn across the ground. Getting stomped by Godzilla is less about immediately squelching you and more about the displacement of it, sending you and anyone else nearby flying back, all the better to bask in the scale of it. It doesnt feelunfair to go up against Godzilla, but he likewise doesnt feel like a pushover as people vie to do the most damage to him, weaving yourself between their gunfire and Godzillas own irradiated bolts of heat ray in equal measure. Fortnites Godzilla has a sense of weight to him that jars with a lot of the breezy movement that otherwise defines the shooter (especially this season, which has re-implemented a lot more movement mechanics to make players feel brisker and capable of smoother traversal). Hes disruptive in the best sense: he might only be around for a few minutes in a match, if he has the chance to appear at all, but regardless of where you are, when hedoes show up, he commands attention. And what else should the King of All Monsters do, but demand that by his mere presence? Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

After premiering at Fantastic Fest way back in 2023, the Troma re-do starring Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, and Kevin Bacon is finally oozing into release.

Innovative technology linked with the brain is already helping restore the quality of life for many disabled individuals, such as one paralyzed patient who piloted a virtual drone by simply thinking. This breakthrough in neurotechnology, detailed in a recent study, demonstrates the exciting possibilities becoming available for those with motor impairments who want to enjoy recreational activities like playing video games.The study, published in Nature Medicine, was founded on paralyzed individuals' desire to engage in hobbies like sports or gaming, activities that may normally be difficult due to loss of movement in the body. By designing a brain-computer interface (BCI) to address this issue, researchers have made tremendous progress in showing how people who have developed physical impairments can enjoy games and socialize with friends in unprecedented ways.Implementing a Brain-Computer Interface The BCI created in the study was tested on a research participant with tetraplegia (or paralysis in all four limbs) caused by a spinal cord injury. The BCI separated the hand into three finger groups: the thumb and two pairs of fingers (the index and middle fingers and the ring and little fingers). To link this technology to the brain, electrodes are attached to the motor cortex and then exit the skin to be connected to a computer.It takes the signals created in the motor cortex that occur simply when the participant tries to move their fingers and uses an artificial neural network to interpret what the intentions are to control virtual fingers in the simulation, said Matthew Willsey, a University of Michigan professor of neurosurgery and first author of the study, in a statement.The signals are then sent to the computer and control the movement of a quadcopter through a virtual obstacle course. The participant involved in the study was tasked to complete the course, which involved maneuvering the drone through multiple rings as quickly and as accurately as possible.A Chance to Rise UpThe research was conducted as part of the BrainGate2 clinical trials, which intend to determine how people with tetraplegia can use a neural interface to control assistive devices and navigate communication software. The trials represent a critical opportunity for those with neurological injuries or diseases that inhibit the ability to use both hands: this includes cervical spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, muscular dystrophy, and ALS among other conditions.The paralyzed participant has worked with researchers as far back as 2016, and expressed a particular interest in flying the virtual drone. A major theme of the study's results was the sense of enablement that the BCI gave the participant. He voiced his enthusiasm to complete the quadcopter sessions, as they made him feel like he could figuratively rise up out of his bed or chair. New Possibilities for Disabled PatientsPrevious BCIs have tested movement through point-and-click cursors and robotic arms that can grasp objects, but this newly developed BCI targets more complex finger control that could allow a paralyzed individual to perform activities like playing a musical instrument or using a digital video game controller.The possibilities for BCIs to give disabled patients access to a wider range of activities are growing as neurotechnology evolves. A noteworthy outcome of this development is that these people will feel more connected with others, fostering a healthy level of socialization and helping them overcome barriers related to their disability that sometimes go unnoticed.People tend to focus on restoration of the sorts of functions that are basic necessities eating, dressing, mobility and those are all important, said Jaimie Henderson, a professor of neurosurgery at Stanford University and a co-author of the study. But oftentimes, other equally important aspects of life get short shrift, like recreation or connection with peers. People want to play games and interact with their friends.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Brain Gate. Clinical TrialsJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine.

A new paper published in Current Biology suggests a novel twist on an old saying: Instead of "monkey see, monkey do," the paper proposes "chimp see, chimp pee." Well, not in so many words. But the study, which involved 20 captive chimpanzees at the Kumamoto Sanctuary at Kyoto University, does suggest that when one chimp urinates, others urinate too. In humans, urinating together can be seen as a social phenomenon, said Ena Onishi, a study author and a doctoral student at Kyoto University, in a press release. This behavior, which is called tsureshon in Japanese, is represented in art across centuries and cultures and continues to appear in modern social contexts. Our research suggests that this phenomenon may have deep evolutionary roots.Contagious PeeingWhen researchers at the Kumamoto Sanctuary saw something strange in the behavior of their captive chimpanzees, they set out to study it. Instead of urinating alone, the chimps appeared to urinate together, at around the same time, with one chimp initiating the behavior and other chimps continuing it. Calling the behavior contagious urination, the researchers wanted to see whether it was at all similar to contagious yawning, whereby a chimpanzee or a human yawns, causing onlooking chimps or humans to do the same.Since there were no prior studies on contagious urination in any species, we drew parallels to contagious yawning, another semi-voluntary physiological behavior, said Onishi in the release.Observing the Kumamoto chimpanzees for over 600 hours, then documenting the almost 1,330 urinations that occurred during that time, the researchers determined whether the chimpanzees urinations were synchronized. They also determined whether the chimps urinations were influenced by their physical proximity and their social closeness.We found that chimpanzees, our closest relatives, tend to urinate in response to the urination of nearby individuals, Onishi said in the release.According to the researchers, the results reveal important insights into the social groupings of chimps, helping us understand how they get and stay together, through cohesion, connection, and, apparently, urination. Read More: Are Chimpanzees Capable of Empathy?Synchronized Peeing PatternsAfter analyzing their observations, the researchers concluded that the chimps urinations were synchronized, occurring at around the same time much more frequently than if they were randomized. But their analysis also identified other trends in the chimpanzees urination, too. For instance, the chimps urinations were more synchronized when the chimpanzees were closer together in terms of their physical proximity, though not in terms of their social closeness.We initially expected that any social influences might resemble those seen in yawning such as stronger contagion between socially close pairs, Onishi said in the release. However, our results showed no evidence of effects related to social closeness.Instead, the researchers revealed a strong influence of social hierarchy, with higher-status chimps urinating alone and lower-status chimps urinating in response to the higher-status individuals.We observed a clear influence of social rank, with lower-ranking individuals being more likely to follow the urination of others, said Onishi in the release. We were surprised to discover that the contagion pattern was influenced by social rank.Though the purpose and mechanisms of contagious urination remain a mystery, the researchers say that their results are unprecedented, representing the first formal study of contagious urination in any species.This was an unexpected and fascinating result, as it opens up multiple possibilities for interpretation, said Shinya Yamamoto, another study author and an associate professor at Kyoto University, in the release. These findings raise intriguing questions about the social functions of this behavior. Article Sources:Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Current Biology. Socially Contagious Urination in ChimpanzeesProceedings of the Royal Society B. Contagious Yawning in ChimpanzeesSam Walters is a journalist covering archaeology, paleontology, ecology, and evolution for Discover, along with an assortment of other topics. Before joining the Discover team as an assistant editor in 2022, Sam studied journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

A screenshot of the game display shows the quadcopter following a green path around the rings. The inset shows a hand avatar. The neural implant records from nearby neurons and algorithms determine the intended movements for the hand avatar. The finger positions are then used to control the virtual quadcopter. Credit: University of Michigan / Nature MedicineShareMultiple brain-computer interface (BCI) projects are currently underway, but BrainGate is one of the first aimed at motor restoration in users affected by neurodegenerative disorders and spinal cord injuries. Researchers have spent years working through the devices clinical trial phases, but their most recent breakthrough isnt focused on physical accomplishments. Instead, the latest achievements could pave the way for people with disabilities to more easily utilize complex computer software, communicate with loved ones, work remotely, and even make music.According to a study published by BrainGate engineers on January 20 in the journal Nature Medicine, a volunteer with quadriplegia can now maintain unprecedented control over a virtual object using their surgically implanted BrainGate BCI device. To demonstrate the ability, the patient guided a virtual rotocopter through hoops in a digital obstacle course by simply thinking about moving the fingers on one of their hands.This is a greater degree of functionality than anything previously based on finger movements, Matthew Willsey, study first author and a University of Michigan assistant professor of neurosurgery and biomedical engineering, said in an accompanying announcement.Noninvasive BCI technology already exists to help users with physical restrictions operate computer software and video games, often relying on electroencephalography (EEG) signals. Willsey and his colleagues, however, note that these methods require analyzing larger regions of the brain beyond the motor cortex. Because of this, the engineers believe placing microthin electrode wiring closer to the actual neurons allows for the restoration of more precise motor control.[BrainGate2] takes the signals created in the motor cortex that occur simply when the participant tries to move their fingers and uses an artificial neural network to interpret what the intentions are to control virtual fingers in the simulation, said Willsey.The updated BrainGate BCI system works by analyzing the users hand in three partsthe thumb, then the index and middle fingers, followed by the ring and pinky fingers. Each section is also defined by its horizontal and vertical movements. To guide a virtual quadcopter through its digital obstacle course, the BCI user only needs to think about moving those hand groupings as needed to fly the vehicle through the floating hoops.The volunteer, who cannot move their limbs after sustaining a spinal cord injury many years ago, has worked with Willseys team since 2016. But unlike some of the previous trials, this one was specifically tailored to their interests. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.The quadcopter simulation was not an arbitrary choice, the research participant had a passion for flying, added Donald Avansino, study co-author and a computer scientist at Stanford University. While also fulfilling the participants desire for flight, the platform also showcased the control of multiple fingers.According to the teams results, the BrainGate array wired directly to motor neurons offered a sixfold improvement on the users quadcopter piloting when compared to an EEG system. This digital precision may soon extend much further than copter steeringit could allow for greater connectivity between the BCI user and their friends and loved ones.People tend to focus on restoration of the sorts of functions that are basic necessitieseating, dressing, mobilityand those are all important, explained Jaimie Henderson, a neurosurgery professor at Stanford and study co-author. But oftentimes, other equally important aspects of life get short shrift, like recreation or connection with peers. People want to play games and interact with their friends.Henderson said there are also practical implications to the BCI improvements showcased in the quadcopter trialsthe ability to control multiple virtual fingers allows for multifactor control schemes for all kinds of things, including using CAD software and composing music.

Nature, Published online: 21 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00197-xThe new president signed decrees designed to shift the US governments stance on climate and public health.

Nature, Published online: 21 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00168-2For open communication, give researchers a permanent e-mail alias

Take a look at this clip shared by a Reddit user known as SwekC137, comparing the viewport and the rendered versions of the same scene made in Blender.The viewport version highlights real-time playback and interactivity and provides a preview of the final variant, showing the composition and movements of the scenes elements. The viewport already shows the creators high-level expertise in 3D animation, despite lacking details like lighting, shadows, and textures.The rendered version, on the other hand, already includes the textures and complex lighting, transforming the WIP version into a cinematic take. The lifelike water visualization, in combination with the dynamic lighting, creates a unique and detailed setup.SwekC137shared that the sim made by Gleb Alexandrov was used for the artwork, and the baked assets are available onCreative Shrimp Patreon.Check out other amazing artwork showcased by the artist:A Blender-made short film:WIP for the film:Animations WIP versions compared to the finalized ones:Dont forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Check Out This Comparison of WIP & Rendered Water Animation Made with Blender appeared first on CG SHARES.

Nosferatu 4K Limited Edition Steelbook $38 Preorder at Amazon Robert Eggers Nosferatu is a chilling remake of F.W. Murnaus iconic horror film, and it pulled in positive reviews from both fans and critics when it hit theaters late last year. And if youre interested in bringing it to your home theater, preorders for the Nosferatu Limited Edition Steelbook are now open at Walmart ahead of the film's February 18 release on 4K Blu-ray. This release includes the original theatrical version as well as a new extended cut. The Limited Edition Steelbook has already sold out at least three times at Amazon, so you'll want to secure your preorder soon.Preorder Nosferatu Steelbook Edition at:Walmart -- $40Amazon -- $38 | Sold outGruv -- $38 Continue Reading at GameSpot