Asteroid samplesfetched by NASAhold not only the pristine building blocks for life but also the salty remains of an ancient water world, scientists reported Wednesday.The findings provide the strongest evidence yet thatasteroidsmay have planted the seeds of life on Earth and that these ingredients were mingling with water almost right from the start.Thats the kind of environment that could have been essential to the steps that lead from elements to life, said the Smithsonian Institutions Tim McCoy, one of the lead study authors.NASAs Osiris-Rex spacecraft returned 122 grams (4 ounces) ofdust and pebblesfrom the near-Earth asteroid Bennu, delivering the sample canister to the Utah desert in 2023 before swooping off after another space rock. It remains the biggest cosmic haul from beyond the moon. The twoprevious asteroid sample missions, by Japan, yielded considerably less material.Small amounts of Bennus precious black grains leftovers from the solar systems formation 4.5 billion years ago were doled out to the two separate research teams whose studies appeared in the journals Nature and Nature Astronomy. But it was more than enough to tease out the sodium-rich minerals and confirm the presence of amino acids, nitrogen in the form of ammonia and even parts of the genetic code.Some if not all of the delicate salts found at Bennu similar to whats in the dry lakebeds of Californias Mojave Desert and Africas Sahara would be stripped away if present in falling meteorites.This discovery was only possible by analyzing samples that were collected directly from the asteroid then carefully preserved back on Earth, the Institute of Science Tokyos Yasuhito Sekine, who was not involved in the studies, said in an accompanying editorial.Combining the ingredients of life with an environment of sodium-rich salt water, or brines, thats really the pathway to life, said McCoy, the National Museum of Natural Historys curator of meteorites. These processes probably occurred much earlier and were much more widespread than we had thought before.NASAs Daniel Glavin said one of the biggest surprises was the relatively high abundance of nitrogen, including ammonia. While all of the organic molecules found in the Bennu samples have been identified before in meteorites, Glavin said the ones from Bennu are valid real extraterrestrial organic material formed in space and not a result of contamination from Earth.Bennu a rubble pile just one-third of a mile (one-half of a kilometer) across was originally part of a much larger asteroid that got clobbered by other space rocks. The latest results suggest this parent body had an extensive underground network of lakes or even oceans, and that the water evaporated away, leaving behind the salty clues.Sixty labs around the world are analyzing bits of Bennu as part of initial studies, said the University of Arizonas Dante Lauretta, the missions chief scientist who took part in both studies.Most of the $1 billion missions cache has been set aside for future analysis. Scientists stress more testing is needed to better understand the Bennu samples, as well as more asteroid and comet sample returns. China plans to launch an asteroid sample return mission this year.Many are pushing for a mission to collect rocks and dirt from the potentially waterlogged dwarf planet Ceres in the main asteroid belt. Jupiters moon Europa and Saturns moon Enceladus also beckon as enticing water worlds. Meanwhile, NASA has core samples awaiting pickup at Mars, but their delivery is on hold while the space agency studies the quickest and cheapest way to get them here.Are we alone? McCoy said. Thats one of the questions were trying to answer.Marcia Dunn, AP aerospace writerThe Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Nike is introducing the 24.7 collection as a defining moment in its approach to athleisure, positioning it as a step forward in the evolution of performance-driven lifestyle wear that merges comfort, versatility, and contemporary fashion. The sportswear giant is shifting gears, moving beyond performance-driven apparel and moving into a more refined approach to athleisure. With consumers demanding more from their wardrobes, Nikes answer is a lineup that blends technical innovation with everyday style.Designer: NikeNikeUnlike past releases that leaned into high-energy branding and performance-driven marketing, 24.7 adopts a more sophisticated direction, focusing on subtlety and versatility in its design language. The pieces are made to be worn beyond the gym, on the move, at work, or even while winding down. It is a calculated shift, signaling that Nike sees the future of sportswear as something that seamlessly integrates into daily life. And if I am being honest, I do not understand why it took Nike so long to recognize this shift. Athleisure has been evolving for years, with brands refining the intersection of sport and lifestyle, yet Nikearguably the most influential force in the industryhas only now begun fully embracing this transition.The Design Philosophy Behind 24.7At first glance, the 24.7 collection doesnt immediately resemble what many have come to expect from Nike. The oversized swooshes, aggressive graphics, and high-contrast designs that have defined many of the brands past collections are noticeably absent, signaling a shift in aesthetic direction. Instead, the collection embraces minimalism, tonal branding, and subtle details that feel more at home in a high-end boutique than a sports store.This departure from traditional Nike aesthetics is not incidental but a deliberate choice to align with a more polished and adaptable approach to performance-driven fashion. The locker-loop details, internal heat-pressed tags featuring Nikes Total Orange stripe, and muted color palette reference the brands deep-rooted history in sportswear while signaling a refined aesthetic.NikeFrom my perspective, this shift is a long-overdue evolution in Nikes approach to sportswear. The emphasis on structured silhouettes, refined materials, and tonal branding marks a significant departure from the brands past reliance on bold graphics and oversized logos. This shift highlights the versatility Nike is pushing with 24.7, proving that performance apparel can be understated yet impactful.These pieces arent confined to performance wear, nor are they purely casual. They are designed to exist in a space where movement and sophistication come together effortlessly, allowing wearers to transition through different parts of their day without compromise. The adaptability of these garments is what sets them apart, ensuring that they feel just as natural in an active setting as they do in a social or professional environment.NikeNike has taken a distinct step away from its historically bold branding, opting instead for subtle imprints like the tonal Nike 24.7 logo discreetly placed on garments such as chinos. This minimalist approach speaks to the collections refined direction, proving that performance apparel does not need to rely on loud graphics or oversized logos to make an impact. The confidence of the design lies in its restraint.Versatility is the priority, with structured silhouettes that emphasize precision in tailoring rather than attention-grabbing branding. This shift mirrors the rise of quiet luxury in fashion, where understated design and premium materials work together to create apparel meant to be worn throughout the entire day without feeling out of place in any scenario.Fabric Innovation and Market PositioningNike isnt solely relying on design to distinguish this collection, as fabric innovation plays an equally significant role in defining the overall experience of wearing these garments. The introduction of ImpossiblySoft and PerfectStretch materials marks a leap into premium technical wear.NikeImpossiblySoft: A Spacer-knit fabric with four-way stretch designed to feel effortless on the skin while maintaining structure. Found in the collections crewnecks, joggers, and half-zips, it creates a balance between softness and function.PerfectStretch: A tailored fabric engineered for movement. Used in pleated skirts, wide-leg pants, and woven shirts, it brings a refined look to traditionally sporty pieces.Both materials use Nikes signature Dri-FIT technology, which helps regulate moisture and temperature, ensuring that comfort and performance go hand in hand. This pairing allows the garments to maintain breathability and sweat-wicking properties while ensuring an elevated look that doesnt compromise on mobility. Sweat-wicking, breathable, and adaptivethese fabrics allow 24.7 to blur the line between performance gear and premium leisurewear.NikeNikes messaging surrounding the 24.7 collection is carefully crafted to reflect a broader lifestyle shift. The phrase From sport to life, from mindset to movement encapsulates the idea that athletic wear is no longer just about training or competing but is instead becoming an integral part of daily wardrobes for individuals who prioritize both performance and personal style.NikeThe decision to feature British sprinter Dina Asher-Smith in the campaign reinforces the collections emphasis on adaptability. She describes the fabrics as soft and luxurious, praising the tonal branding for its refined aesthetic. For her, the pieces in this collection stand out because they seamlessly blend performance and style in a way that feels natural and effortless. Whether shes training, traveling, or making public appearances, she needs apparel that adapts. Thats the exact ethos Nike is building into 24.7.Nike isnt the first brand to embrace the concept of elevated athleisure, as the market has already been shaped by key players who have blurred the line between functional sportswear and high-end fashion. Brands like Lululemon have long merged performance and luxury, while Represent has pushed technical apparel into the premium space. Even luxury fashion houses have started experimenting with sport-inspired silhouettes.NikeWhat sets Nike apart is its deep-rooted performance credibility. While other brands focus on aesthetics first, Nike builds from function. 24.7 is a response to shifting consumer expectationsclothes need to perform, but they also need to look good outside of the gym.What This Means for Nikes FutureNikes introduction of the 24.7 collection signals a long-term commitment to reshaping its approach to lifestyle and performance apparel. It hints at a broader evolution in the brands approach to apparel. If this collection gains traction, we could see Nike doubling down on technical lifestyle wear and expanding its Sportswear line with even more refined offerings.NikeThat raises a few questions. Will Nike lean further into high-end athleisure? Could we see collaborations that push this aesthetic even further? More importantly, will consumers embrace this understated approach, or will they still gravitate towards Nikes more traditional bold branding?One thing is clear: 24.7 marks a new direction for Nike. Whether its a turning point or just a strategic play remains to be seen, but the brand is making it clearperformance and style no longer exist in separate lanes.The post Nike 24.7 Marks the Biggest Shift in the Brands Performance Wear Yet first appeared on Yanko Design.

The modern office has a peculiar way of clinging to inefficiencies. Lights stay on in empty conference rooms, HVAC systems blast cool air over unoccupied desks, and hybrid work schedules turn entire floors into ghost towns. Logitechs Spot sensor claims to fix thatan unassuming puck-shaped device packed with mmWave radar, designed to detect human presence and optimize energy consumption. It sounds like a pragmatic upgrade, but when a device is built to track movement at all times, the question isnt just what it can do, but who it ultimately serves.In essence, Spot is a spatial awareness tool (not the kind of spatial that Apple talks about). Unlike traditional motion sensors, which rely on infrared or basic heat detection, mmWave radar allows Spot to detect even the smallest movementsbreathing, slight shifts in posture, the restless tapping of fingers on a desk. This makes it vastly more accurate than older tech, which often misfires when someone sits too still. The device feeds this data into Logitechs office management platform, providing real-time insights about occupancy. Lights, ventilation, and other smart systems can then adjust dynamically, reducing waste in spaces that arent actually being used.Designer: LogitechIn theory, this is great. Offices hemorrhage money on unused space, and anything that reduces waste is a win. The hardware itself is sleek, unobtrusive, and entirely wireless, running on Bluetooth and Thread, with a promised battery life of up to four years. It doesnt use cameras or microphones, which makes it less invasive than the surveillance tools that companies quietly deploy under the guise of productivity tracking. But heres where things get murkyjust because a device isnt *overtly* spying on you doesnt mean it isnt feeding data into a broader ecosystem that can be used in ways employees might not fully grasp.The rise of smart offices often parallels a rise in employer oversight. The same infrastructure that powers energy efficiency can easily be repurposed for monitoring work habits. If a system knows when a meeting room is occupied, it also knows how long people spend in it. If it tracks desk occupancy, it can reveal attendance patterns. Even if Logitech swears up and down that Spot is about sustainability and nothing else, data has a way of becoming useful to those looking for patternsmanagers, landlords, HR departments.This is where corporate efficiency starts to blur into something else. On one end, a company might use Spots data to adjust real estate investmentsscaling down leased space based on actual occupancy. Thats a rational use case. On the other, the same data could be weaponized against employees, subtly influencing return-to-office policies or flagging underutilized desks. Its easy to imagine a scenario where your absence from a workstation becomes a point of discussion, not because a boss is watching you, but because the system quietly logs every fluctuation in space usage.The irony is that the same technology that promises to streamline workspaces could also contribute to their slow demise. If hybrid work continues to dominate, sensors like Spot might end up proving that offices are redundant. Real estate firms are already bracing for a reckoning as occupancy rates stagnate, and if data-driven insights confirm that companies dont need the square footage they once did, landlords will be the ones scrambling for solutions. In that sense, Spot could be an accelerantgiving businesses the justification they need to downsize for good.To Logitechs credit, the company has positioned Spot as a tool for efficiency, not surveillance. There are no direct integrations with employee monitoring software, no granular tracking tied to individuals. The fact that it relies on radar instead of cameras is a crucial distinctionone that at least suggests a baseline respect for privacy. But technology rarely exists in a vacuum. Even if Spot itself doesnt cross ethical lines, it contributes to a broader culture where data collection is increasingly normalized, where presence detection subtly shifts from convenience to expectation.If you strip away the corporate implications, Spot is an objectively solid product. Its compact, well-designed, and technologically impressive. It does what its supposed to do, and it does it better than most alternatives. And if companies deploy Spot responsibly (thats a big IF) transparently sharing its purpose, keeping employee data anonymized, and using it strictly for resource management it could be a meaningful step toward making offices more sustainable without compromising trust. The push for efficiency doesnt have to come at the cost of autonomy, and in the best-case scenario, tools like this could help build smarter workplaces that respect both people and privacy. Whether businesses choose to use it that way is another question entirely.The post Logitechs New Sensor Helps Offices Save Energy By Tracking Their Employees first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bringing forward the return of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams would leave just a single astronaut operating the US portion of the International Space Station.

The tech giants revenue was up 12 percent to $69.6 billion, but investors are showing their nerves after a long boom for tech stocks.

Apple Maps has seemingly taken a half step in addressing the United States Gulf of Mexico renaming, but it isn't clear if this is the permanent solution or a placeholder.Apple Maps showing search results for 'Gulf of America'When President Trump took office on January 20, 2025, one of the first executive orders he signed changed the names of multiple locations in and out of the United States. The most controversial was the change from Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.Politicians were quick to question Apple and Google on when the change would be reflected in their respective mapping apps. Google responded by stating Google Maps would be updated when the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was updated it still shows the Gulf of Mexico. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architectural historian and SCI-Arc faculty member Erik Ghenoiu lost his home to the Eaton Fire despite proactive fire mitigation efforts. Now, Ghenoiu is leading a faculty research initiative at SCI-Arc to study why certain structures survived while others didntand what architects and policymakers can do to create more fire-resistant communities.In a conversation with KCRWs Press Play with Madeleine Brand, Ghenoiu described how he and his wife, architect Scarlett Esion, took extensive precautions, from replacing vegetation with hardscape to reducing flammable materials. Yet, their home still succumbed to the fire, revealing the limitations of individual efforts in the face of extreme climate events.His research team at SCI-Arc is analyzing the role of building materials, urban planning, and wildfire-resistant design in fire-prone areas. He is advocating for policies that support rebuilding with ignition-resistant construction while maintaining community accessibility in the fa...

The University of Kentucky College of Designs Lectures, Exhibitions and Publications Committee in partnership with the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environments Department of Landscape Architecture is offering a dynamic lineup of events for the Spring 2025 semester.Speakers for the term include Professor Carol Mason (January 29); Sung Ho Kim (March 3);Deborah Schneiderman(March 5); Brian Kelly (April 4);6: and James Timberlake of KieranTimberlake (April 16). Several exhibitions are also being hosted throughout the spring, and be sure not to miss theFuture of Sport Summit (March 3); Timber Construction Symposium (March 14); and Shaker Village Work Weekend (March 29), as well.Want to share your school's lecture series? Send us your poster and details toconnect@archinect.com.

Insomniac Games and Nixxes have revealed PC requirements for Marvels Spider-Man 2, including the whopping 140 GB of installation space required.The requirements are split between enabling or disabling ray tracing. Those playing at High settings and 1440p/60 FPS will require an Intel Core i5-11400 or AMD Ryzen 5 5600, 16 GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800. Theyre not unreasonable, especially with how well it scales on the lower end.For the Ultimate Ray Tracing experience, running at Very High quality and 4K/60 FPS, nothing less than a Core i9-12900K or Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 32 GB RAM and a GeForce RTX 4090 will do. Given the propensity of upcoming titles like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Assassins Creed Shadows that mandate ray-tracing, its nice to have options.Check out the full requirements below. Marvels Spider-Man 2 launches on January 30th. Head here for more details on its features, including the addition of the latest model of DLSS Ray Reconstruction for RTX 40 series GPUs.

One day before launch, Insomniac Games has finally provided details for Marvels Spider-Man 2 on PC. A new trailer briefly outlines what players can expect with its features. Check it out below.As with previous PS5 ports, Nvidia DLSS 3, AMD FSR 3.1, and Intel XeSS are supported alongside frame generation. Ray-traced reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion are also available alongside DLSS Ray Reconstruction. In a separate PlayStation Blog post, Nixxes programmer Menno Bill revealed that Ray Reconstruction utilizes the DLSS 3.5 and new RTX 40 series models. The latter offers a more temporally stable image, further improving the visual quality of raytracing. Those with older GPUs can still benefit, though, with options like dynamic resolution scaling not requiring the same.Triple monitor configurations and Ultra-wide monitors with 16:9, 16:10, 21:9, 32:9, and 48:9 resolution are supported. Of course, you can use the DualSense via USB cable (complete with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers) or a mouse and keyboard. Marvels Spider-Man 2 is available on January 30th for PC. Check out our review of the PS5 version here.