Plesiosaurs like this one were evolutionarily suited to aquatic hunting. Credit: Deposit PhotosShareScaly or smooth? That has long been one of paleontologys enduring questions about the plesiosaur. While experts know details about its diet, size, and general habitat, the aquatic reptiles skin characteristics have remained a mystery. But for the first time ever, researchers at Swedens Lund University have analyzed a rare plesiosaur specimens fossilized soft tissue samples, and now believe they can finally answer the decades old question: In actuality, the 183-million-year-old dinosaur relatives skin had a bit of both.The classic life reconstruction of plesiosaurs (Plesiosauria), incorporating a long neck, compact body, and four propulsive flippers, has not changed for nearly 200 years. However, the actual external appearance of these famous Mesozoic reptiles is largely unknown, explained the team in their paper published on February 6th in the journal, Current Biology.MH7 and various microscopic imaging scans taken of its fossilized soft tissues. Credit: Marx, et al. Paleontologists have previously examined fossilized soft tissues from other prehistoric marine reptiles, including ancient sea turtles and ichthyosaurs. With only around eight known fossil tissue samples to date, plesiosaurs have proven much more difficult to study. As New Scientist explained on Thursday, this is especially true given that most examples belong to museums that prohibit the use of potentially destructive imaging tools. But paleontologists finally got their chance with a fossil set known as MH7although it took years to get to that point.MH7s 85-year-journey from excavation to laboratory analysis began in 1940, when German paleontologists first discovered its fossils inside a quarry. Due to the ongoing dangers of World War II, MH7 was subsequently reburied in a garden to protect it from accidental damage. Researchers exhumed the fossils yet again after the end of the war, but this time transported them into safekeeping at Urwelt-Museum Hauff in the nearby town of Holzmaden.In 2020, the Lund University paleontologists finally arranged to assemble and prepare the 183-million-year-old, 11.5-foot-long MH7 for its first-ever detailed tissue examination. Researchers first treated and sterilized thin sections of fossil using a mixture of ultrapure water and ethanol. They then placed the demineralized samples onto slides, and examined the selections using techniques including transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and infrared microspectroscopy. 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 team originally theorized the skin might possess the dolphinlike, scaleless qualities of an ichthyosaur, but were surprised at what they found: areas of both scaly and smooth skin. More specifically, it appears that its flippers featured scaly sections, while the rest of its body and tail was scaleless. Researchers theorize the textured flippers allowed the animal to better move along the seafloor while hunting for prey, and the smoother portions reduced drag while swimming. Taken altogether, its likely that plesiosaur skin looked like a mixture of what can be found on todays green sea and leatherback turtles.Its a combination that paid off for the plesiosaur. Although the tail skin suggests a smooth body, the scales along the trailing edges of the flippers undoubtedly fulfilled some functional role, the team wrote, adding that the overall anatomy conferred a selective advantage for plesiosaurs during their protracted evolution as one of the most successful ancient flippered reptiles.

ShareWe may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more You deserve the best sex toy to treat yourself and your partner. Masturbation plays a big role in your sexual healthits even good for your mental and physical health! Your body releases endorphins (hormones that block pain and make you feel good) when you orgasm. Orgasms also help you sleep better, reduce stress, and can strengthen your pelvic and anal muscles. Plus, sex toys and masturbation are an excellent way to be in touch with your body and embrace what gives you pleasure. Weve picked the Womanizer OG as the best overall sex toy, and its not just for women. Keep reading to find a device that fits your specific taste and budget.Best overall: Womanizer OGBest for phalluses: The HandyBest for vulvas: Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Air Pulse ToyBest for couples: We-Vibe ChorusBest rated: Magic Wand Rechargeable MassagerBest for beginners: MysteryVibe PocoBest discreet: Womanizer WaveBest budget: plusOne Fluttering ArouserHow we chose the best sex toysIn order to find the best sex toys, we looked at reviews, recommendations, and did lots and lots of personal testing. Ive written about salacious things in the past, so I have no shame in my coworkers knowing too much about my personal life. Someones gotta do the testing, after all! Additionally, we looked at versatility in both features, use, and the kinds of bodies they can be used on. In this case, we do believe a toy that is a jack of all trades might be best, but theres also nothing wrong with being a master of none.Also, everything on this list is body-safe, meaning it is non-toxic and non-porous. You dont want any bacteria going near the thin, delicate skin around your genitals and in your body.The best sex toys: Reviews & RecommendationsAstroglide Sexologist Dr. Jess OReilly says, Sex toy use is associated with a range of benefits, including increased sexual functioning and sexual pleasure. Those who use sexual accouterments, such as sex toys and lube, report higher sexual functioning and greater sexual satisfaction. Masturbation is also a great way to relieve stress and help relieve period cramps.Everybody (and every body) is different when it comes to pleasureone of our recommendations should butter your biscuit (get your mind out of the gutter, its a real turn of phrase!).Best overallProsWaterproofCan be used for multiple kinds of stimulationQuietConsLimited flexibilityControls can be finickyWhy it made the cut: This feature-packed vibe has lots of intensity levels, can be used for clitoral stimulation or on your G-spot, and its Smart Silent tech keeps things discreet.SpecsSettings: 12 intensity levels; 3 vibration levelsWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: Clitoral, G-spotBattery life: 2 hoursThe Womanizer OG takes all that is good in a bullet vibrator and all that is good in a clit stimulation toy and combines it into a versatile, wunderbar vibrator that you can use on multiple erogenous zones. Yes, its marketed as a G-spot stimulation, but we also loved its capabilities as a clit suction toy. Being able to control the 12 levels of Pleasure Air intensity and three vibration modes separately can lead you to all kinds of new highs when other toys only scratch the surface. The Afterglow featurewhich senses your orgasm and gradually reverts back to its lowest settingis a lovely touch, and helps bring you down from a potentially intense body high, like your lover rubbing your back and holding you after well, you get it.The vibe itself isnt super flexible, meaning you cant change the angle of the head, and the controls can be a little confusing the short and long presses are super important in changing the features, and its easy to go into a different mode than you wanted. However, this is a small qualm when you consider the multitude of possibilities on howand whereyou can use this toy.HANDY ProsEasy to cleanIntuitive controlsMultiple sleeve optionsConsRequires AC PowerWhy it made the cut: The Handy helps you achieve maximum phallic stimulation.SpecsSettings: 8 intensity levelsWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: PhallusBattery life: N/AWhen you think of phallus masturbators, an analogue device tends to come to mind. The Handy automates the process by doing the stroking for you. The device comes with a silicone sleevemultiple sleeves of varying lengths and interior patterns are availablewhich literally gets strapped onto The Handy itself. A control panel on the devices allows you to adjust the vertical length and speed of the stroke with relative ease. The Handy doesnt have a built-in battery, which means youll only be able to use it when youre near an outlet. This is less than ideal for a discrete device, but is fine for solo play. While not required, you can connect The Handy to your homes Wi-Fi network and sync the strokers movements to videos available on different services, including many VR options. When youre done, the Handys sleeves are easy to flip inside out for thorough cleaning, which is a must every time you use the device. If youre new to using a stroker, try out a Tenga Egg, which is an analog stroker (you power it, buddy). If you like it, step up to the Handy.Best for vulvasProsEasy-to-clean siliconeApp controlGreat cost for featuresConsNeed to change Bluetooth settings so neighbors dont know your businessWhy it made the cut: Its like oral without the oral (and you can actually get somewhere when using it).SpecsSettings: 11 pressure wave settings; 12 vibration programsWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: ClitoralBattery life: 90 minutesSure, using a good ol bullet vibrator will get the job done, but what about something that blows the project out of the water? The Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Air Pulse Toy has a long name, but it yields fast-acting feel-good feelings. In fact, you might even be done using it after saying the name. Air-pulse stimulation and vibration simulate oral sex, and Liquid Air technology mimics pulsing water. Put it together and you get a device that makes reviewers say, It couldnt be named any better because it will definitely satisfy!We love that it also comes with a Bluetooth app to customize vibration patterns, access remote controls, or play music. However, one reviewer notes that the name of the toy pops up on the list of available Bluetooth devices. Some may be none the wiser, but do take time to change the devices name in the Bluetooth settings.Best for couplesProsComes with a remote controlQuietSleek charging caseConsHard to get clitoral stimulation in some positionsApp interface wonkyWhy it made the cut: G-spot, clitoral, and phallus stimulation all at once? Heck yes.SpecsSettings: 10 pattern modesWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: G-spot, clitoral, phallicBattery life: 90 minutesThe Beatles Come Together makes great points about coming together. Achieve that harmony with the WeVibe Chorus, which stimulates the G-spot, clitoris, and penis. A remote control means you dont have to reach anywhere to change the settings, and it also allows someone else to control it in the bedroom or over long distances (were enthusiastic advocates of exploring sex toys for couples). Touch-sense modes let your movements control the vibrations, and Squeeze Remote tech lets you use your own body to change intensitythe vibration gets stronger as you squeeze.With all new things, there is a bit of a learning curve. It can be hard to get a good angle on your G-spot while trying to get the toy to touch your clitoris. It may also achieve a different kind of premature exit based on positioning. The app interface can be a little confusing, and leaving it could stop the vibrator from doing its thing, which is a bummer in the heat of the moment. After futzing around, WeVibe Chorus should be a welcome addition to your sex life.Best ratedProsGreat battery lifeA classic made rechargeableDoubles as a percussion massagerConsNot everyones cup of teaNot waterproofWhy it made the cut: The classic remains a classic thanks to buzzy vibration modes and a bevy of separate attachments, making it a true multi-hyphenate.SpecsSettings: 4 speeds, 4 patternsWaterproof?: NoPleasure point: AnywhereBattery life: 180 minutesWhen you think of sex toy, the Magic Wand most likely comes to mind. This wand has been around since 1968, and with that history comes with great responsibility. Considering that the Magic Wand has been used in scientific studies, weve come to the conclusion that, yeah, its pretty legit. And its also pretty no-nonsense. You only get four vibration speeds and four vibration patterns. But it lasts for a marathon 180 minutes, which blows the battery life out of every single sex toy on this list.The Magic Wand might not be everyones cup of tea: it can be a little too intense for you if you dont like big, buzzy, bed-vibrating sex toys. But, you can always use it for its original use: as a percussion massager.Best for beginnersProsDesigned to mimic fingersEasy-to-use appSuper customizableConsHave to keep app on in order to stay connected to the vibeWhy it made the cut: A foldable design and easy-to-press buttons make this a great buy for someone looking for their first sex toy.SpecsSettings: 8 presets; 16 intensitiesWaterproof?: Only showerproofPleasure point: G-spot, but can be used for clitoral stimulationBattery life: 90 minutesThe MysteryVibe Pocos small size (under 6 inches in length and 1.5 inches at the base) makes it an excellent choice for beginners who are looking for something they can use by themselves, with a partner, and on different parts of the body. Its designed to mimic fingersan ode to the OG way of getting offand includes 16 different intensities for all kinds of moods. Its showerproof and also super portable, making it perfect to bring on a trip with your lover or pack on a sleepover. Like other Bluetooth-connected toys, your vibe might turn out when you try to leave the app.Best discreetProsLooks like a regular showerheadSaves waterEasy installationConsNot for anyone who doesnt want to incorporate toys into daily life.Why it made the cut: Instead of your regular showerhead, this showerhead and clitorial stimulator in one was designed for erogenous zones.SpecsSettings: N/AWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: All overBattery life: N/ADiscovering masturbation via the showerhead is a common trope in coming-of-age movies, but its also one that many of us have done in real life. Its an easy, cheap, accessible way to experiment with masturbation. The showerhead has grown up, thanks to the Womanizer Wave, which is made for water-pressure clitoral stimulation. Believe it or not, it also saves water thanks to EcoSmart tech without sacrificing performance. The Wave is also easy to hold in your hand (you cant say the same for your heavy showerhead). You can change between the three different water jetsPowderRain, PleasureJet, and PleasureWhirlwith the touch of a button. The Womanizer Wave system is easy to swap in and outhowever, it might be even easier to accept that your showerhead was made for masturbation and let no one be none the wiser.Best budgetProsEasy to cleanCheap and good qualityRechargeableConsMight not scratch the itch for those who are suction toy stansWhy it made the cut: You dont have to spend $100 to invite a little pleasure into your life.SpecsSettings: 10 vibration speedsWaterproof?: YesPleasure point: ClitoralBattery life: 1.5 hours of useCheap tends to get lumped with poor quality. And, vibrators under $50 may not be rechargeable. The plusOne rejects those notions with soft, smooth high-quality silicone that yields 1.5 hours of power on a single charge. It combines a fluttering tongue with vibration for extra stimulation and arousal. You just need some warm water and mild soap to clean. And, its truly waterproof, so you dont have to worry about damaging the device when using it in the shower.However, if suction toys are your jam, you might not get your rocks off with the Fluttering Arouser, since it uses a silicone tongue and vibration.In that case, we recommend the Lovehoney X ROMP Switch Clitoral Suction Stimulator, which has six intensity levels and is less than $35. What to consider when buying the best sex toysThe world is your oyster when sex toy shopping. However, all sex toys are not built the same. And, like the partnered sex many of us had in college, when a sex toy is bad, its bad! Heres what to look for when looking for a sex toy.What do you like?Where do you like to be touched? And howExperimentationWith this said, sex toys are a great way to try something new. Check to see if the site youre buying from has a money-back guarantee. Sometimes, you can get a refund if you decide that a toy isnt making you see fireworks and enter a new dimension.What if the vibe isnt your vibe? Aka, sex toy recyclingMost retailers wont accept your used sex toys if you change your mind, however. The good news is, theres a way to not let it sit sad and unused in your nightstand drawer.Should you need to dispose of a product with a lithium-ion battery, the battery should be disposed of in accordance with the local laws and regulations, Connell says.This means its final resting place is not in your home trash can.If possible, please recycle it, adds plusOne Director of Industrial Design Emily Gasta. Users should not take out or replace the battery by themselves; doing so may damage the product.You also dont want to recycle a used sex toy. Read up on how to clean your sex toys based on what theyre made out of. And if you really want to get rid of it, you can gift it to a treasured and trusted friend (after sanitizing and sterilizing, of course), or you can gift it away on a site like Squeaky Clean Toys, which is like eBay for sex toys.Lube upNot all lubes are made the same, either. Youll want to use silicone lube like the Shine Silicon lube from Maude on glass toys, when youre getting frisky in the water, or when youre just using your hands. However, do not use silicone lube with silicone toysthat will damage them. Instead, use a water-based lube like tried-and-true-blue Astroglide. We also have to recommend Astroglide because of its rocket-science roots.FAQsQ: Can you get an STI from a sex toy? Short answer: yes. If youre only using it on yourself or you have a long-term monogamous partner, youre all good. However, if you share a sex toy with another person with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and use it on yourself, you are at risk of catching an STI. Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting sex toys before and after use can keep dangerous germs and bacteria at bay (see below to learn how.) For additional protection, put a condom on the toy to prevent STI spread when using toys with a new person or a different partner. Q: How do I properly clean a sex toy? Sanitization and sterilization are a different beast, but if youre not selling it or giving it to a friend, mild soap and water is perfect to clean your sex toy. You can also buy cleaners like these plusOne Personal Wipes. Q: How do I warm up a sex toy? If youre using a silicone toy, its best to warm it up with your handsany extreme temperatures could damage the toy. However, you can experiment with temperature play with glass toys or metal toys. You can use a bowl with warm water to take the chill off safely. Never use the microwave, boiling water, or freezing temps when adding the elements into your bedroom happenings. You can also indulge on a lube warmer, like this one from Pulse. Final thoughts on the best sex toysBest overall: Womanizer OGBest for phalluses: The HandyBest for vulvas: Satisfyer Pro 2 Gen 3 Air Pulse ToyBest for couples: We-Vibe ChorusBest rated: Hitachi Magic Wand Rechargeable MassagerBest for beginners: MysteryVibe PocoBest discreet: Womanizer WaveBest budget: plusOne Fluttering ArouserSex toys are fun to use, but theyre also an important part of sexual wellness and building confidence. Theres something for everybody when looking for the best sex toysand the majority of them can be used on almost every body. Shut the blinds, clear 20 minutes off your schedule, and get to work!

The same version of the bird flu that has caused the most serious human illnesses in North America has now turned up in dairy cows. Cattle in Nevada tested positive for the H5N1 viral variant D1.1, which has been circulating in poultry and wild birds. Its the first time this version has been detected in dairy cattle, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced February 5.What [experts] are concerned about is that it could indicate another independent spillover event into dairy cows, says veterinarian and environmental epidemiologist Meghan Davis of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The risk of H5N1 still remains low for most people, she notes.For about a year, a different H5N1 variant called B3.13 has been wreaking havoc among dairy cattle in the United States. Nearly 1,000 herds across 16 states have tested positive for H5N1.Cow infections led to 40 of the 67 confirmed human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States since early 2024, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. None were caused by human-to-human transmission.Most human infections have been in farm workers who presented mild symptoms, such as pink eye, fever and a cough. Two serious cases arose late last year, in a Louisiana man over the age of 65 and a Canadian 13-year-old girl. The Louisiana man became the first person in the U.S. to die with H5N1, while the Canadian teen is now in recovery. Both patients caught the D1.1 version of the virus, the one newly identified in cows.Science News spoke with Davis to learn more about the implications of finding a second H5N1 variant in dairy cows. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.SN: What does finding the H5N1 variant of bird flu called D1.1 in dairy cattle mean?Davis: For the past year, the hypothesis has been that there was a single spillover event in late 2023 and subsequent cow-to-cow spread. If we now have a new spillover event, there are two things that we immediately need to think about.The first is its happening more often than we think. Are we going to see these erratic cases on dairy farms? These would be on farms that might not have risk factors that weve been working to identify to date. We may need to be thinking far more seriously about improving the level of biosecurity on dairy farms.Another concern I have is that when we are looking at disease related to [B3.13], this has been by and large mild. But we have seen more severe human illness with the D1.1. I do worry that the clinical presentation in [dairy] workers and other people exposed to the dairy cows or their products could be different and potentially more severe.SN: What does this finding mean for H5N1 spread in humans?Davis: Were talking about a strain that we have seen in poultry, so we have had exposures in poultry workers.We dont know yet what kind of presentation were going to see in the cows. If [many copies of the D1.1 virus are] in the milk, then we could have those same splash exposures in the milking parlor [as seen with the B3.13 version]. There could be other ways in which dairy worker exposure could be different than poultry worker exposure. That could influence not only whether theyre exposed, but the route of exposure that could influence disease.Sponsor MessageSN: What are viral variants, and how can different versions of a virus act differently?Davis: When we think about genetic relatedness, [D1.1 and B3.13] are very close, like siblings. There are some ways in which theyre going to behave the same, and some ways they may behave differently. Even within a strain, if you have mutations, that could set up new characteristics.These changes [can] set up a selective advantage for the virus so its good for the virus, in terms of transmission, or is bad for us in terms of antiviral resistance or the ability to cause more severe disease. If there is a competitive advantage, these strains could become more dominant, and thats a problem.SN: What do we need to do to stay on top of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle?Davis: The identification of [D1.1 in cattle] was through an enhanced surveillance program thats just come online relatively recently. Through [the USDAs National Milk Testing Strategy], there is testing by states of bulk milk tanks and sometimes of individual farm bulk milk. This is a way to do high-level screening of your herds.I think what this shows us is that if we can get new spillover events, then we need to maintain much more rigorous active surveillance and passive surveillance programs for this so that we are able to identify new spillover events as they occur.

Mantis shrimp are famous for their ultrafast, powerful punches used to dispatch prey. They can land volley after shell-splintering volley, without major injury to their own nerves or flesh.Thats because the exoskeleton of their club-like forelimbs is built to filter out the most damaging pressure waves caused by a strike, researchers report in the Feb. 7Science.Though small enough to fit in your hand, peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) strike so fast that they create imploding bubbles. The impact and implosions work in concert to inflict forces that can exceed 1,000 times the mantis shrimps body weight. Yet, the predators unleash this power repeatedly without injuring themselves or breaking their clubs.Scientists thought this resilience might come directly from the architecture within the clubs armor. There, layers of mineral-hardened chitin a long chain of sugars that is the primary component of arthropod exoskeletons rest above deeper stacks of chitin bundles. Those deeper layers are rotated slightly with respect to the layers above and below, much like a stack of paper thats been twisted, creating a helix-like corkscrewing shape called a Bouligand structure.It was suspected that this design might act as a shield of sorts, manipulating how high energy waves moved through it. But it hadnt been thoroughly experimentally tested.It was mostly theoretical calculations, says Hortense Le Ferrand, a material scientist and engineer at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore who was not involved with the study. Some bioengineers, she says, note that there was not really any proof of it a lot of negative doubt.So Horacio Espinosa, an engineer at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and his colleagues systematically tested the idea in the lab. To mimic the pressure waves experienced by the mantis shrimp, researchers fired laser pulses at aluminum-coated cross sections of the club exoskeleton, causing them to heat up and rapidly expand. They then measured how the high-energy waves created by that expansion moved through the material.The experiments show that the mineralized outer layers control the spread of tiny cracks from the strike impact itself, while the deeper helix-like layers can dissipate or neutralize the highest energy waves. That prevents shear waves from damaging soft tissue within the club, Espinosa says.The helix-like structure inside the club appears to be a natural version of engineered materials designed to manipulate the propagation of sound waves. Such materials are traditionally thought of as artificial, says Federico Bosia, a physicist at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy.This adds to the growing body of evidence that shows that they also naturally appear in biological systems, where they have developed through evolution for wave and vibration control purposes, Bosia says.The wing scales of some moths also have wave dampening properties, for instance, absorbing sound waves as a form of acoustic camouflage against their bat predators echolocation.The exoskeleton architecture could inspire materials such as impact-resistant armor, protective coatings and aerospace structures, Espinosa says.Materials scientist David Kisailus of the University of California, Irvine already has been developing applications for the helix structure inside the mantis shrimps club, using the design to enhance the toughness of airplane wings, wind turbine blades and hockey sticks. Kisailus studies other species with promise for inspiring high-performance materials and wagers the new findings are the tip of the iceberg. There are millions of species that have had to adapt to ever-changing conditions, Kisailus says. I know that there are many, many blueprints out there just waiting to be revealed in natures plethora of organisms.

Nature, Published online: 06 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00363-1Two brain regions work together when mice learn to override the instinct to run and hide from a potential threat.

Nature, Published online: 06 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00377-9The model produces cited, pages-long reports that might be helpful for generating literature reviews.

Jupiter and Mars will appear to make ultraclose approaches to the moon on two nights this week. Here's how to get the best view, starting tonight.

3D Generalist Ika Meskhi has created an entire series of Houdini works in collaboration with Julian Rossi, whose music adds an instant polished, high-end motion design touch to the visuals.As the artist explained, hes been experimenting with replicating various effects hes found intriguing from professional reels and tutorials. For example, when it comes to these particles, Ika was inspired by Maxim Zhestkovs work:View this post on InstagramA post shared by Maxim Zhestkov (@zhestkov)View this post on InstagramA post shared by Maxim Zhestkov (@zhestkov)View this post on InstagramA post shared by Maxim Zhestkov (@zhestkov)You can check out more of Ikas Houdini R&Ds below and see more on his Instagram page:Dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Take A Look At This Houdini-Made Grain Exploration appeared first on CG SHARES.

Thx4Stock team/ShutterstockWith layoffs haunting the 3D industry, desperation can force people to make bad decisions. Unfortunately, some scammers use this in their own interests.Senior 3D artist Thomas Pasieka warns other professionals about suspicious emails with job interview proposals from individuals claiming to be employees of well-known companies. He received such a letter from someone named Patrick Ridgeway, who said he was from the game studio Light & Wonder but was not actually affiliated with it.I personally contacted Light & Wonder to inform them of this issue and hope they take appropriate action. Its frustrating that, on top of everything else happening in the industry, we now have to deal with scammers targeting artists.But how can you tell if an offer is legit? First of all, check if you really applied for a position at the company. Pasieka also noted that there were grammatical errors and inconsistencies in the PDF Ridgeway sent, no contact information or address, but the most important part, what any scammer always wants, is money: Ridgeway asked Pasieka to buy some equipment promising to reimburse him later, which is a major red flag.Im sure you know this, but remember: the company must pay you, not the other way around. Any decent place provides all the necessary equipment and software and never asks workers to buy anything using their own money.Have you ever faced similar scams? Share with us and join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads,where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post 3D Artists, Beware of Fake Job Offers! appeared first on CG SHARES.

PlayStation is hosting a pretty awesome limited-time sale for PS Plus subscribers on accessories. Subscribers who spend at least $100 on two or more PS5 accessories at PlayStation Direct will receive a 20% discount on their order. The promotion extends to all currently available products, including the brand-new Helldivers 2-themed DualSense Controller, Fortnite-themed DualSense Controller, and DualSense Edge. That means you could get the two newest Limited Edition DualSense Controllers for $68 each and the DualSense Edge for $160. The PlayStation Portal qualifies as an accessory, too, so you can buy the handheld for $160 when paired with another accessory.The sale does not apply to preorders, such as the the upcoming Midnight Black Collection. See all accessories at PS Direct Get two Limited Edition DualSense Controllers for 20% offSale price is only available when purchasing two accessories that eclipse $100 total.Continue Reading at GameSpot