Winter is unavoidable and for many, the winter blues feel that way, too. If the thought of shorter, colder days fills you with dread, youre not alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, at least 5 percent of American adults experience seasonal affective disorder, or SAD a type of major depressive disorder related to seasonal changes and another 10 to 20 percent feel a milder form of the winter blues. Living in New England, where winters are long and the days are short, I often notice a shift in my clients mood and energy levels during this time, Christie Lebrun, a therapist based in Boston, said in an email. Many report feeling more fatigued, which leads them to stay indoors more often. The lack of sunlight and the colder temperatures contribute to this, making it harder for them to engage with their communities or pursue social activities outside of work.Even though experiencing a declining mood during winter is quite common, it doesnt mean we need to lean into those feelings. Instead of fixating on what winter doesnt offer (like long, sunny days), focusing on whats unique and special about the season can help you break out of the winter doldrums, according to both seasonal experts and winter lovers. If youre in need of some inspiration, consider the following tips.Travel to an even colder city, and take notesIf youre a lifelong hater of winter, you may just need to take a trip to somewhere even chillier. Yes, you read that right. Traveling somewhere cold and snowy like a winter city can be really eye-opening, says Kari Leibowitz, psychologist and author of How to Winter, a book based on her research on inhabitants of extreme climates and her personal experiences living about 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Troms, Norway. Places with more extreme winters almost have no choice but to adapt [and] to figure out how to embrace the season. Its actually the places at more middle latitudes that struggle more and that need to learn from these places.In the case of, say, New Yorkers or Londoners, Leibowitz says, they are not forced to adapt in the same way and rely on a strategy of avoidance in a way that is totally counterproductive.So, if you have some extra vacation time, why not plan a trip where you could learn to look forward to winter days instead of avoiding them? In Magog, Quebec, the tourism department devotes much of its efforts to helping its residents and visitors celebrate the cold. In Magog, youll find commuters skating down a nearly 2-mile-long ice trail to get through town, stopping at a cafe along the way for a warm beverage. There is also a Nordic spa just outside of downtown, where youll see dozens of people dunking their heads in a cold plunge fed by a frozen river, then walking along a snow-surrounded outdoor path to a sauna. A lot of people think they want to retire to the South, he says. I would want to retire in Alaska. Magog is known as a winter city, a term that describes a place that plans its infrastructure, transportation, and recreational opportunities around encouraging public life in the winter. There are winter cities all over the world: In the US, youll find winter wonderlands in Lake Placid, New York; Leavenworth, Washington; and Woodstock, Vermont, to name a few. Sasha Pedro, a photographer and winter fanatic based in Massachusetts, traveled as far as Iceland this winter season to make her snowy dreams come true. Her love of the colder months may be genetic, she thinks, given that both of her parents are from Boston. My parents always talked about if they retired and moved they would go to Maine or Canada, she says. Were all interested in just getting colder. You could convince me to go to Iceland in a heartbeat, but a beach resort vacation would take a little bit of [talking into].Fellow winter-lover Doug Macias, an attorney based in Long Island, New York, agrees: A lot of people think they want to retire to the South, he says. I would want to retire in Alaska. Go outside and get some exerciseIf travel isnt in the budget, picking up a winter hobby that you can look forward to each year, especially one that you can do outside, is another way to take the edge off of the season. People all over the world who do winter well, they find a way to get outside even when it is cold and wet and dark, says Leibowitz. One of the reasons Pedro loves winter is because of fond memories spent ice skating outside with family as a child, especially on her birthday in January. My dad was a recreational hockey player, so I grew up on skates, she says. A lot of my birthdays were spent ice skating. Theres nothing better in my opinion.When someone is feeling down during the winter, I recommend making it a priority to get outside for some sunlight, even if its just for a short walk.Macias also has a nostalgic tie to winter days spent outside. In addition to ice skating, hes found joy in the less glamorous activity of snow shoveling. I really like snow days, he says. They were my favorite as a kid. Me and my brothers would shovel for a few hours, and usually do our whole block and then [have] snowball fights. Ice skating outside isnt always feasible or safe, but even a public indoor rink will do the trick. If youre not feeling confident about your balance on skates, then opt for a walk through your neighborhood.When someone is feeling down during the winter, I recommend making it a priority to get outside for some sunlight, even if its just for a short walk, Lebrun says. A 10- to 30-minute walk can make a noticeable difference. Turn to the tenets of hygge at homeHygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a word to describe a Danish tenet of happiness, all about embracing coziness, slow living, and special moments with family and friends. In the mid-2010s, it became a viral trend in the US. The concept can be especially helpful for bringing some much-needed appreciation to dark and long winter nights. Pedro says her childhood home was designed by her mother according to hygge. She grew up around lots of warm colors, mugs, and cozy blankets. She mirrors this in her own home, where she lives with her partner. Rather than a clean, tidy home, we have a lot of musical instruments. We have a lot of photos of loved ones on my wall. My main view across from the couch is 80 percent artwork associated with my dog, she says. Everywhere I look, something in my home makes me happy, and so its a nice place to be.A full home redesign isnt necessary, but take some inspiration from Pedro and make sure that home is a happy place for you. That way, spending a little more time indoors doesnt have to be a reason to get the winter blues. Hygge for your household can be as easy as lighting more candles indoors, one of Leibowitzs favorite winter habits. Spend more time with (winter-loving) friends and familyThe truth is that winter is only as one-note as you make it. If you allow the weather to limit your schedule, then youll miss out on the fun times that winter does have to offer. Winter is no more monotonous than any other season, Macias says. Winter gets too much flack. Leibowitz agrees: If you talk to somebody who skis or snowboards or a sauna enthusiast, they all look forward to winter because they have special things that they do during the season.When Pedros partner, originally from Phoenix, moved in with her, he was not well-versed in winter. Over the years, shes taken him winter hiking in their area, ice skating outdoors on a trip to Chicago, and on brisk walks with her snow-loving dog, a Chow and Shiba Inu mix built for the winter. Now, they look forward to winter every year. You just have to prepare yourself and have things to do, Pedro said. Lebrun agrees that the best antidote to winter boredom is planning opportunities to socialize, whether indoors or outdoors. She suggests scheduling social activities often, whether its a movie night, dinner, or even a virtual hang out or phone call, to lift your mood.If negative feelings persist despite your best efforts, consider reaching out to a therapist or discussing medication options with a physician for further support, she says.See More:

We've played WWE 2K25, and while it's got the potential to go beyond WWE 2K24 and be the Tribal Chief, we were most impressed by how showcase mode gives the Wise Man time to shineTech12:04, 06 Feb 2025Updated 12:30, 06 Feb 2025WWE 2K25 looks fantastic, and plays well too(Image: 2K)WWE 2K25 is just weeks away at this point, and there's naturally a big focus on the Bloodline. One of the most long-running stables and storylines in WWE history, pulling in heroes and villains from across the WWE universe, it's the focus of this year's Showcase mode.Still, as it turns out, the real star of the mode is none other than Paul Heyman. Last year's Hall of Fame inductee is always an absolute treat to watch on a live broadcast, but in giving him free rein to narrate the interstitial vignettes of showcase mode, we get the 'Wise Man' at his best.As only Paul Heyman can, he chews the scenery when setting the stakes for Nia Jax vs Lyra Valkyria or positing how The Wild Samoans vs The Dudley Boyz in a tables match would play out, but when it comes to Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins at the 2022 Royal Rumble, his tone shifts from hype man to hushed tones.It's a tonal shift that adds the kind of gravitas some prior showcase modes have lacked. A small touch, but an important one, and that's the story of WWE 2K25.Character models are staggeringly detailed(Image: 2K)Whether you're in a single match or Showcase mode, 2K25 looks absolutely fantastic. Character models are so far beyond those of its rivals that it feels like 2K is flexing its proverbial muscles with each passing year, but there's even more chance to see every part of your chosen Superstar.That's thanks to a series of new entrance cameras which let you cycle between the traditional cinematic camera, or view the back of your grappler as they walk down to the ring. It's a nifty way to feel like you're contributing to the broadcast package in some way and showing off the lighting, and I'm curious to see how other arenas change the angles.Entrances now have adjustable camera angles(Image: 2K)There are limits Rollins' Royal Rumble 2022 entry with his Shield attire as he comes through the crowd means the camera remains fixed, while some stages look a little empty from some angles, but it's a great addition that almost feels like it's always been there.There's a return to chain wrestling in the early stages of a match, too, and I'm glad to see it back, allowing for quick pins and shows of strength that feed into the narrative side of the sport.In many ways, it can feel like WWE 2K24 with extra bells on, but given we dubbed that game one of our favourite wrestling games around, it's hard to feel shortchanged and that foundation could see WWE 2K25 take its place at the head of the table.Intergender matches are finally here(Image: 2K)That's to say nothing of The Island, an ambitious social area that wasn't in the build I played, but intergender matches were included. If you've ever wanted to see Nia Jax take on Roman Reigns, now's your chance, and it just helps lean into WWE 2K's nature as a sort of wrasslin' sandbox. We can see why it wasn't included for some time, but now it's here, it'll help set up some dream matches for sure.As if to underline that, WWE 2K25 ditches the 'Slingshot' tech from showcase mode. It was nifty a couple of years back but started to feel like each match was becoming half cinematic. While it won't be to everyone's tastes, it means the mode can have a little more fun, offering matches like the aforementioned Wild Samoans against the Dudley Boyz in a table match.We'll talk about the Underground match at a later date, but perhaps just as fun are new backstage areas including the WWE Archives. If you've ever wanted to wield Triple H's sledgehammer, hurl an opponent into one of Undertaker's tombstones, or see classic props, it's a fun scrap down memory lane.Add to that some nice quality-of-life features like knowing when your superstar will be able to get up or shake off a stun, and everything just feels slicker, more polished, and user-friendly than ever not unlike WWE's move to Netflix.Solo managed to choke me out almost instantly(Image: 2K)It's not quite perfect. Match pacing is a little askew, as Solo Sikoa forced me to tap out with his bearhug literally after the bell, while the aforementioned tag team tables match was a little anticlimactic as my partner threw one of the Dudley's through the wood with relative ease while I was scrapping outside.Still, none of that really matters when you counter Seth Rollins' curb stomp, and follow up with a Roman Reign's spear for the win.Based on the current trajectory of the WWE 2K games, it'll be tricky for 2K25 to eclipse last year's game, but early signs suggest that's exactly what could happen.Article continues belowWe'll need to spend time with The Island and MyFaction nearer to launch, but for now, it's a very exciting time to be a fan of the series.Previewed on Xbox Series X.

What's a console without games? That's what we're asking ahead of Nintendo's Switch 2 reveal on April 2, with a roundup of every rumoured game launching on the systemTech11:22, 06 Feb 2025What will we be playing on Switch 2?While we know that Nintendo's next console is the Switch 2, we won't know an awful lot until April 2 when the company holds a hardware-focused Nintendo Direct.We've got a lot to learn about it, too, so it could end up being a bumper showing, covering price, release date, and those all-important launch games.We've already heard that two surefire hits are still coming to Switch 1 first and foremost, but we thought we'd round up every Switch 2 launch game rumour and leak so you know what to expect, and potentially help you make your mind up on whether the system is for you.Prepare for more Mario KartAccording to reports, there are almost 30 games slated for Switch 2's launch, but we're not so sure. Console launch slates are a tough thing to predict, but the launch window can feasibly extend for months given it's not always easy to grab a console when it first drops.The only game Nintendo has shown us is a Mario Kart title that could mark the first new entry in the series since Mario Kart 8, which launched in 2014 and then got a Switch port and a bunch of DLC.Other than that, we've heard of a few titles aiming to come to Switch 2 early on. Here's the list:Yooka-ReplayeeLittlelandsMy Time At EvershineSecret Forest (Closed Beta)AurascopeBestiarioSynth BeastsWill Breath of the Wild get a Switch 2 update?We've heard plenty about games that could be coming to Switch 2, but we would recommend taking them with a pinch of salt to avoid disappointment.One of the biggest rumours is that the console will see a 3D Mario title. Given the last new 3D platformer was Super Mario Odyssey in 2017 and the movie has catapulted the plumber in popularity, it seems a safe bet.We've also heard suggestions we'll get some kind of Zelda remake or remaster for the new system, but the details are foggy. It could be an older game like Wind Waker brought into the HD era, but it equally could end up being a more polished version of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom that takes advantage of the system's new hardware.It might miss the console's launch, but Bandai Namco and Nintendo are apparently collaborating on a new Super Smash Bros game that could introduce Crash Bandicoot among others, while an Astral Chain sequel is planned for Switch 2 but won't hit at launch.Still, Switch 2 will need third-party titles to help gain an audience, and there's a whole host of them that have been rumoured:Assassins Creed MirageDiablo 4DOOM: The Dark AgesFallout 4Gears of War: Ultimate EditionHalo: The Master Chief CollectionMarvel RivalsMetal Gear Solid Delta: Snake EaterMetaphor: ReFantazioNo Mans SkyStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorTekken 8Visions of ManaThe inclusion of huge Microsoft franchises would have felt surprising a few years ago, but Xbox seems pretty content to go multiplatform and to great success.Given how well Halo, Fallout, Diablo and more play on the Steam Deck, it's perhaps no surprise to see them move to Switch 2.One name that keeps cropping up is a Final Fantasy IX remake. It's been rumoured for some time, but recently we've heard it'll be a Switch 2 launch title. If that's the case, expect it to have a big presence on April 2.For more on Switch 2, be sure to check out this bizarrely plausible release date theory, as well as how to jump the queue and preorder in the UK.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.

Rainbow Six Siege 2 and Apex Legends 2 rumoured as publishers alter sequel plansMichael BeckwithPublished February 6, 2025 11:27amUpdated February 6, 2025 11:27am Rainbow Six Siege itll be 10 years old this December (Ubisoft)Two of the biggest live service games may be about to get sequels, with comments from EA about Apex Legends 2 and rumours of Rainbow Six Siege 2.The forever game is the dream for most publishers nowadays, driven by the success of Fortnite and Roblox. Its why so many have jumped on the live service games bandwagon, hoping to release a game thatll never end and can just be constantly updated with new content.Unfortunately for publishers, most attempts fail and often miserably so. Just this week, Warner Bros. announced itll be winding down support for its free-to-play platform fighter MultiVersus and last year saw the likes of XDefiant, Foamstars, and the disastrous Concord meet similar fates.There have been some long-term successes though, such as EAs Apex Legends and Ubisofts Rainbow Six Siege. Both have previously said that the games will never receive sequels but it seems that attitude is changing at both companies.Live service games typically dont get sequels since it requires convincing an entire playerbase to ditch the game theyve invested time and money into for a newer version theyll potentially dislike and doesnt have any of the content they earned/bought (this is one of the reasons Bungie split with Activision, given their insistence on making Destiny 3).Overwatch 2 is the obvious current example of this situation, which completely replaced its predecessor, quickly proved unpopular, and repeatedly angered players with almost every decision it made particularly by cancelling promised content.It says a lot that Activision Blizzards recent efforts to win over fans has been a throwback mode to the first Overwatch and bringing back 6v6 gameplay.Apex Legends developer Respawn once called a hypothetical Apex Legends 2 its anti-vision and just this past October EA CEO Andrew Wilson seemed disinterested in the idea, telling investors in an earnings call, Typically, what we have seen in the context of live service-driven games at scale is, the version two thing has almost never been as successful as the version one thing (via Eurogamer).A lot mustve changed in the last three months or so because, in EAs latest earnings call, Wilson says, There will be a time where we need to do a more meaningful update of Apex Legends as a broad game experience. And the team is diligently working on that, even referring to it as an Apex 2.0.Its not entirely clear if Apex 2.0 would be treated as a separate product, that supplants the original, or if it would just introduce an overhaul to the current game without requiring players to start from scratch, but this is the first time EA has talked like this about the game.As for what could have spurred this change, Wilson admits theres been a drop in Apex Legends revenue, but the game is still performing within expectations. Although EA is probably spooked by the recent underperformance of EA Sports FC 25 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard and is eager to make up for it elsewhere.Meanwhile, a popular rumour thats spread throughout the Rainbow Six Siege community is that its own sequel (referred to as Siege X) is in the works. Ubisoft has also insisted it has no plans for a sequel, but then it did say it wanted to support Siege for 10 years and it has now been 10 years since the games 2015 release.The rumour comes from dataminer fraxiswinning, who claims the sequel will be announced during the Six Invitational 2025 esports competition next week and will feature a complete engine overhaul, graphical upgrades, and new events.It seems like publishers are becoming more receptive to the idea of live service game sequels, perhaps because building on an already established game and playerbase is easier than promoting something entirely new.More TrendingTheir change in attitude may also simply be because some of these games are getting old and a new generation of consoles is looming. Insisting a game will be supported for at least 10 years seems like forever until time catches up with you.Counter-Strike 2 may also have something to do with the change in attitude, since despite pushback from long-time fans of the original, who were upset that it was being replaced, its easily the most popular game on Steam, regularly attracting nearly a million players every month.All in all, it appears what EA and Ubisoft have decided is that its better to double down on the live service games that are actually doing well rather than invest in making brand new ones.Time will tell if this attitude pervades throughout the rest of the industry. At the very least, EA looks to be walking back its stance on single-player games, since it blames Dragon Age: The Veilguards underperformance on its lack of live service elements, which may also have inspired them to rethink their attitude towards games as a service. Rainbow Six Siege has been running non-stop since 2015 (Ubisoft)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator what an odd idea forgame (Nacon)Its already been a busy year for exciting new games, with a number of highly rated titles, but Ambulance Life is not one of themSimulators are a strange business. While most video games are built with the sole intention of entertaining you (or on mobile, shaking you down for spare change), simulators frequently let entertainment take a back seat to authenticity. That may give them a narrower appeal, but for those obsessed with a particular job or pastime, whether thats pilot, arable farmer, or in this case, paramedic, it gives players a chance to engage in unusually deep role-play.Set in the fictional city of San Pellicano, whose peculiar claim to fame is that its home to some of the worlds finest EMTs, its hills, giant suspension bridge, and bay area suggest its at least loosely based on San Francisco. Access to the city is initially confined to a single district, but as you gain experience and level up you unlock two more.As with most simulators, its focus on its subject matter is total, so while you can choose the cosmetic appearance of your paramedic and their partner from a short list, all youll be doing is shifts of ambulance work, which start out as 15-minute forays into San Pellicano. Running to your vehicle youll receive an emergency call within seconds, leaving you to find its location on a map, and let your sat nav plot a route.Plunging straight into the appalling traffic jams that plague the city at all times of the day, switching on your sirens encourages drivers to edge very slightly out of the lane theyre stuck in, creating narrow gullies, which youll need to follow. For some reason practically every traffic light is stuck on red, so junctions tend to be clear, letting you navigate corners with relative ease, before having to negotiate the next car park-style boulevard.The developers were clearly excited by the possibilities offered by PlayStations DualSense controller, so youll find the adaptive triggers offer a bit of resistance as you accelerate and brake, while the wailing sirens of your ambulance are also broadcast through the controllers speaker. Its a feature that rapidly degenerates from curiosity, through mild irritation, to pestilential torment as you come to realise just how much of that sound youll be listening to.While your siren helps slightly with traffic it also has an effect on pedestrians; for some reason making them run along the pavement in pathetic little herds, even when theyre nowhere near the road. Ironically, on the rare occasion you do have to mount the pavement, even with your sirens blaring youll find single pedestrians strolling along in front of the strobing lights of your ambulance without a care in the world. Thats a particular problem because if you hit one its game over.Having negotiated the clogged streets and cretinous foot traffic, youll arrive at your emergency. Leaping from the ambulance, your first job is to assess the casualties. Although initially there may only be one or two, as you progress there are frequently multiple injured parties and even corpses. That means youll need to triage the wounded, working out whose condition demands the most urgent care.You do that using a couple of techniques. The first is anamnesis, which is paramedic jargon for talking to the patient, asking questions about whats happened and their medical history, before trying to calm them down. It only takes a few patients to realise how completely pointless that process is, with the victims limited range of canned responses telling you absolutely nothing.Far more useful is a visual inspection, undertaken by aiming at a series of white dots on the patients body. Once youve paused to look at every single dot, you can get out your medical iPad, which will then tell you whats wrong with them, ranked by severity. Fairly obviously, breathing difficulties are more urgent than skin abrasions, while spurting arterial blood trumps everything else. Dont worry, the magic iPad will know what to do (Nacon)That requires an immediate tourniquet, but for all other conditions youll need to grab a stretcher from the ambulance and stow the patient inside to stabilise their condition. Once you and the patient are safely in the ambulance, youll need to attach a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter to measure blood oxygenation, and then address any other symptoms they have, which are conveniently listed in an on-screen checklist.Hilariously poor mini-games accompany a clutch of common procedures, so inserting a cannula into a patients arm, so that you can administer drugs, is done using a swinging pointer, a bit like taking a shot in an early 2000s golf game. Applying a bandage requires you to follow a swirly line with the left analogue stick, occasionally hitting a rhythm action-style button when prompted. Its so low effort its actually comedic.Every patient needs a visual inspection, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter, a process that rapidly becomes repetitious. Many also need a cannula and oxygen mask, and even when more exotic conditions start popping up, because your iPad tells you exactly whats wrong and what to do next, every treatment becomes a futile game of Simon Says, as you blandly follow the checklist before hopping back into the drivers seat for another trip through braindead traffic jams to the hospital. The mini-games are all awful (Nacon)Your ambulance can smash through stop signs and fire hydrants, but lamp posts and traffic lights bring you to a grinding halt, something players of Grand Theft Auto will need to get used to. Not that you can use driving skills honed in other video games. Crashing into cars or pedestrians, and making sudden manoeuvres is strictly forbidden.They prompt your partner to intone, Please drive more carefully. Think of our patient, delivered in a flat monotone every time you crest a hill, take a corner too quickly or touch a kerb, which can be on well over half a dozen occasions in a single trip. That and the godawful siren noises issuing from your controller are enough to test even the saintliest patience.More TrendingNumerous conditions and accident varieties only become available as you progress, so if you play long enough you can look forward to getting your latex-gloved hands on patients suffering from ventricular fibrillation, epinephrin overdose, punctured lungs, and venomous spider bites amongst a host of other potentially lethal ailments. Youll also eventually unlock 30 minute shifts, extending the ordeal into the realms of psychological torture.Taxis have ads on the roofs that say AD or place your ad here, as though nobody could be bothered to come up with anything relevant or interesting, so defaulted to dry placeholders. Its a design ethos that echoes through the entire game. That includes the voice acting, which is almost surreally lacklustre, especially amongst the patients who sound universally wooden and mildly apathetic, even when their injuries are catastrophic.Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator is so abjectly terrible it actually manages to trigger nostalgia. Its endless minor glitches and budgetary limitations harken back to a simpler age of PlayStation 2 games, when dross like this used to get pumped out all the time. Its easy to forget how much better games have got over the intervening decades. Or at least most of them.Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator review summaryIn Short: An excruciatingly underdeveloped take on the life of a paramedic in a fictitious American city, ruined by rote action, terrible AI, and lifeless mini-games.Pros: Shifts are initially only 15 minutes long and you will accidentally learn about how to treat a wide range of injuries, albeit only when your medical iPad tells you what they are.Cons: Highly repetitive, boring mini-games, countless minor glitches, poor voice acting, annoying use of the DualSense speaker, and clumsy controls.Score: 2/10Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: 34.99Publisher: NaconDeveloper: Aesir InteractiveRelease Date: 6th February 2025Age Rating: 16 Even turning on the woo-woos gets annoying (Nacon)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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Today, Thursday, February 6, 2025, marks the final hours of Samsungs pre-order phase for the Galaxy S25 Series. As the clock ticks towards midnight, these unprecedented offers will disappear, which coincides with the first deliveries scheduled for tomorrow. These deals surpass anything seen during the Galaxy S24 Series pre-orders last year or even during the Black Friday sales in November.This year, the Galaxy S pre-order deals exceed all expectations: You can combine advantages and instant discounts that can reduce the price of any Galaxy S25 Series device, including the S25 Ultra, to zero. By leveraging the free storage upgrade, instant savings, trade-in offers, and cashback, a Galaxy S25 Ultra, which represents about 70% of all pre-orders according to recent estimates, can drop from $1,419 to nearly $0 (for the 512GB version).See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.comSee Galaxy S25 Series at Samsung.com$1,000+ savings on the Galaxy S25 SeriesSamsungs Galaxy S25 series launch is accompanied by an array of enticing offers: Theres first a double storage for free promotion where you can get the 512GB Galaxy S25 Ultra for the price of the 256GB model at $1,299, down from $1,419. This offer extends to the 1TB version, available at the 512GB price point. No need to buy the 256GB model which doesnt give you free storage at all.Theres also a very generous trade-in program: You can enjoy savings of $500 on the Galaxy S25, $700 on the S25+, and a massive $900 discount on the S25 Ultra. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB drops from $1,419 to $1,299 with the storage upgrade, and further plummet to $399 with an eligible trade-in. To maximize savings, you should trade in recent models like the Galaxy S24 or Galaxy Z Fold 6.See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.comSamsungs generosity for this pre-launch period extends to accessories as well with discounts you couldnt enjoy during last Black Friday. Buyers of the Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB or 1TB models receive the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, valued at $249, at no extra cost. You can also go for the Galaxy Watch Ultra at $240 instead of $649, or the Galaxy Ring for $189, reduced from $399. These accessories can be kept if youre looking to enhance your Samsung ecosystem but also resold to offset your new smartphones cost. Obviously, these discounts across Samsungs product range are also available if you purchase a Galaxy S25 or S25+.If you decide to buy a Galaxy S25 through Samsungs website, you can get some additional perks including 1.5% cashback on all purchases, competitive rates on Samsung Care insurance, and access to exclusive color options (unavailable from other retailers like Amazon or Best Buy). The exclusive colors such as Titanium Jetblack and Pinkgold for the Galaxy S25 Ultra are very popular, which is why delivery dates extend several weeks beyond the official release.As this official pre-order phase concludes at midnight this Thursday, this is the final opportunity for you to secure massive savings on what are considered the three best Android smartphones of 2025. The pricing is very attractive for those with older smartphones to trade in, which potentially reduces the cost of new Galaxy 25 devices to nearly nothing.Make sure you grab yours by midnight.See Galaxy S25 Ultra at Samsung.comSee Galaxy S25 Series at Samsung.com

By Ed Cara Published February 6, 2025 | Comments (0) | The build-up of misfolded amyloid beta in people's brains that helps cause Alzheimer's can start 20 years before symptoms appear. Nur Ceren Demir via Getty A clinical trial has just begun that might take decades to fully complete but could have life-changing results. Researchers are testing out a plaque-clearing drug for Alzheimers disease in young people who are genetically destined to develop the devastating brain disorder. Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine are leading the study, which is testing an experimental antibody developed by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. The drug is being given to people as young as 18 who are at high risk for early onset Alzheimers. Though it may take up to 25 years to truly know whether these drugs can work as hoped, it will take much less time to gain some valuable insights into the nature of Alzheimers, the researchers say. The drug being used in the trial is called remternetug. Its intended to be a successor to Eli Lillys donanemab (brand name Kisunla), which was approved to treat early Alzheimers disease in July 2024. Donanemab, remternetug, and similar drugs try to treat Alzheimers by targeting a misfolded version of the protein amyloid beta. In people with Alzheimers, this misfolded amyloid beta builds up in the brain, eventually forming into hardy clumps known as plaques (another misfolded protein, tau, also plays a key role in causing Alzheimers). While anti-amyloid drugs are the first approved treatments thought to delay the progression of Alzheimers, the current therapies only have a modest effect. Its known that amyloid plaques can start building up in the brain 20 or more years before someone starts to show signs of Alzheimers, however. And thats led to speculation these drugs might be substantially more effective and could even prevent Alzheimers altogether if given to high-risk people during the earlier time framea hypothesis that this newest trial aims to test directly. The study, called the Primary Prevention Trial, will enroll 240 people from families who are known to carry mutations in one of three genes that almost always result in early-onset Alzheimers. It will include people who carry these mutations as well as non-carrier relatives who will act as a sort of control group. People are eligible to be in the study if theyre 11 to 25 years younger than the age they would be expected to develop Alzheimers based on their family history (typically this happens in peoples 30s, 40s, or 50s).The main part of the trial will run for two years, with participants randomized to receive the drug or a placebo every three months. Afterward, people will be able to openly take the drug for another four years if they so choose. Because the volunteers are so young, the researchers dont expect to see any changes in their cognition during the trial. But they will be able to see whether remternetug can noticeably slow down or even stop the build up of amyloid plaque in peoples brains. My grandfather passed away from Alzheimers, and so did his mother and all but one of his brothers, said Hannah Richardson, 24, a participant in the Primary Prevention Trial, in a statement provided by the Washington University School of Medicine. I am happy to be involved in the Primary Prevention Trial and be involved in research because I know how important it is.The researchers say it will take roughly four to five years to report findings from the first placebo-controlled stage of the trial, while the entire study is on track to be completed by 2034. But they plan to keep an eye on these patients for many years afterward. And the lessons we learn from this research are likely to help scientists better understand both early-onset and classic Alzheimers. This innovative study in this special Alzheimers patient population has the potential to significantly impact how we prevent Alzheimers disease, saving individuals and families from the anguish of this fatal disease, said Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimers Association, in a statement.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Ed Cara Published January 19, 2025 By Ed Cara Published January 16, 2025 By Ed Cara Published January 12, 2025 By Ed Cara Published December 4, 2024 By Ed Cara Published December 3, 2024 By Ed Cara Published November 23, 2024

Designing Without a Client: 6 Houses Created by Celebrated Architects for ThemselvesPresented by:Save this picture!Le Corbusier in his apartment. Image FLC/ADAGPExamining the houses that architects designed for themselves can provide insight into their design process, priorities, and philosophy. While often reduced in scale, these personal residences offer a peek into the architects' mindsets and the way in which they translate their ideas into lived spaces without having client-imposed restrictions on the end result. The structures also reflect their creators' personal values, lifestyles, and aesthetic preferences.These projects are often experiments and testing grounds for their own design principles, pushing the boundaries of architectural expression. From Ray and Charles Eames, who ended up spending their lives in an experimental house created for prefabrication, to Frank Gehry, who used his Santa Monica Dutch colonial house to test out the ideas of deconstructivism that would later come to define his career, these projects represent showcase a different face of the design process of world-renowned architects.Read on to discover 6 residential projects designed by internationally recognized architects to serve as their own private homes. Related Article Sketches, Perspectives, Notes, and Drawings by Luis Barragn that Reveal Processes in His Work Los Angeles, United States, 1949Save this picture!Originally known as Case Study House No. 8, the Eames House was initially commissioned as part of the Case Study House Program in Los Angeles' Arts and Architecture Magazine. The program aimed to explore the newest materials and building techniques that became available after World War II. Designed and constructed by husband and wife Charles and Ray Eames, the house served as their home and studio until their deaths in 1978 and 1988, respectively. The project comprises two steel frame boxes, one serving as a residence and the other as a working studio.Save this picture!Clad in transparent and solid-colored panels, the structures are light and airy while also being optimized for prefabrication. Despite the pared-back image of what came to be known as a landmark of mid-20th-century architecture, the house was filled with collections of objects and trinkets collected by the Eames throughout their lives. The house is now owned and managed by the Eames Foundation, who regularly organizes guided tours and events.Apartment Studio in the Molitor Building / Le CorbusierParis, France, 1933Save this picture!The apartment block at rue Nungasser-et-Coli, Paris, was designed and built between 1931 and 1933 in collaboration with Pierre Jeanneret. The architect chose to move in the top two floors of the buildings, which he designed to become his home and studio. He would share this home with his wife, Yvonne Gallis, from 1934 until his death in 1965. The project was an important test for some of Le Corbusier's theories in the field of both architecture and urbanism. Inside, lower ceilings alternate with tall, vaulted rooms, creating a rhythmic use of space.Save this picture!In the living area and studio, the architect left the brick walls exposed, anticipating the expression of his later creation period. The apartment is decorated with Le Corbusier's paintings and is fitted with specially-made furnishings. A small independent staircase leads to the rooftop garden. Following the listing of the apartments as a world heritage site in 2016, the space underwent extensive restoration and is now open to the public.Santa Monica, United States, 1978Save this picture!The house bought by Frank Gehry and his wife in Santa Monica, California, would later become a symbol of deconstructivism. Gehry's unconventional approach involved preserving the existing Dutch colonial home while building a new structure around it. The exterior of the original house remained mostly untouched, while the interior underwent significant changes.Save this picture!Gehry used a mix of materials, including wood, glass, aluminum, and chain-link fencing, creating a visually striking appearance. The house faced criticism from neighbors, but it stood as a powerful statement of art intertwined with architecture. Over time, the residence had to be expanded to accommodate the growing Gehry family, resulting in a more finished aesthetic, which sparked some debate.Villa E-1027 / Eileen GrayRoquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, 1929Save this picture!Gray was previously better known as a designer of furniture and interiors. As her first architectural creation, the house has become recognized as an icon of Modernist architecture. Carefully attuned to its surroundings and landscape, it was created as a retreat for her and partner, Jean Badovici. The interior reflects Gray's commitment to comfort and functional design, incorporating the furniture and lighting to enhance the overall living experience.Save this picture!In the 1930s, the project became known as Le Corbusier's "obsessions," as he unsuccessfully tried to purchase the property several times. In 1938 and 1939, while staying at the house as a guest of Badovici, he painted eight murals on the white walls of the house, some of which were sexually explicit, in a move that was characterized by Gray as a "violation." Despite the house being conceived as a peaceful retreat, the villa has endured a series of subsequent unfortunate events, including being used as a target practice by the Nazis. After extensive renovations by the initiative of the Association Cap Moderne, the villa is now open to the public.Lincoln, United States, 1938Save this picture!The Gropius House, located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, was the residence of Walter Gropius and his family during his tenure at Harvard University. Completed in 1938, it was the architect's first project in the United States. Situated amidst farmhouses, the modern elements ad materials employed, such as ribbon windows and glass blocks, caused a stir in the architectural community as it introduced the International Style to America's residential landscape. After Gropius' death in 1969, the house became a National Landmark, showcasing the lasting impact of his work.Save this picture! As to my practice, when I built my first house in the U.S.A. - which was my own - I made it a point to absorb into my own conception those features of the New England architectural tradition that I found still alive and adequate. This fusion of the regional spirit with a contemporary approach to design produced a house that I would never have built in Europe with its entirely different climatic, technical and psychological background. - Walter Gropius Save this picture!Riihitie 20 House / Aino and Alvar AaltoHelsinki, Finland, 1936Save this picture!After moving to Helsinki, Aino and Alvar Aalto built the house in 1936 to serve as their family home and office. The house exhibits a distinct separation between the office wing and the residential area. While the practice grew and was relocated to another building in Munkkiniemi, Helsinki, the building at Riihitie 20 would be the architect's home for 40 years until his death. The Aalto House showcases elements of the "Romantic Functionalist" style, with abundant use of wood and plastered brick as a finishing material, demonstrating a new direction in the architect's architectural language. The house is now owned by the Alvar Aalto Foundation and is available for visitation.Save this picture!Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 06, 2023, as part of the ArchDaily Topics: Design Process, proudly presented by Codesign, the first purpose-built iPad app for the concept design stage of the architectural process. Related Article Sketches, Perspectives, Notes, and Drawings by Luis Barragn that Reveal Processes in His Work Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Designing Without a Client: 6 Houses Created by Celebrated Architects for Themselves" 06 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1003534/designing-without-a-client-6-houses-created-by-celebrated-architects-for-themselves&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! 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M.I.N.E. Digital Practices and Multi-Use Space / Guillaume Ramillien ArchitectureSave this picture! Charly BroyezArchitects: Guillaume Ramillien ArchitectureAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:695 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Charly BroyezManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Ampack, Gerflor, Noir De Bois, Xlam IndustrieMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Situated across from the train station, the strange prismatic volume of the M.I.N.E. (Maison de l'Innovation Numrique et Ecologique) houses an inclusive training and creative space dedicated to digital tools and the promotion of local resources and know-how. The ground floor is a showcase open to the city. Above, the dark mass of burnt shousugiban wood forms a "cookie-cutter" light filter, with wide openings to the landscape.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The project's bioclimatic architecture makes the most of the site's natural resources - both material and energy. Architecture of the sun; photovoltaic panels power the systems. Architecture of water and soil; the large roof slope irrigates the small garden. Architecture of air; the large windows, protected from the sun by the cladding, naturally renew the atmosphere right up to the sheds.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Neighboring the Morvan and Chtillonnais regions, the project uses wood in all its components. The superstructure combines a solid timber post-and-beam system with large, monolithic CLT bracing walls. Made using digital prefabrication, they feature semicircular holes echoing those of the faade.Save this picture!As a corollary to these industrialized forms, wood is also showcased in its more archaic, artisanal forms. The project incorporates hand-carved solid oak posts from the nearby forest. As for the forecourt, it makes the most of the reuse of ashlar blocks from the site's former buildings.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeMaterialsWoodGlassMaterials and TagsPublished on February 06, 2025Cite: "M.I.N.E. Digital Practices and Multi-Use Space / Guillaume Ramillien Architecture" 06 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1026484/mine-digital-practices-and-multi-use-space-guillaume-ramillien-architecture-sarl&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

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