Feature Scaling DemystifiedEssential Linear Scaling Techniques in Machine Learning! 0 like February 9, 2025Share this postLast Updated on February 10, 2025 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Harshit Dawar Originally published on Towards AI. Lets understand the most useful linear feature scaling techniques of Machine Learning (ML) in detail!This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Source: Image by NIR HIMI on UnsplashMachine Learning (ML) is a very vast field & requires a proper approach to formulate the solution for every problem, irrespective of the solution or problem being small scale or large scale.Since all ML models expect numeric input, it doesnt signify that passing the numeric features as they are fulfills the use case. Though the model will be trained, but the quality of the model is still the question.Many people who admire being an ML engineer or even existing ML engineers just send the data as it is (without the required processing) to the model for its training, without knowing that its not the optimized way. Its more like a scenario where you are communicating with a person in Hindi who only understands English, though the person can somehow try to understand what you are saying with the help of a translator, but at the end, its not effective. To make it effective, you must communicate with that person in English only.So, instead of following the group of people who are just trying to climb a big ladder with one step, a proper Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

How to Run DeepSeek Locally: A Step-by-Step Guide 0 like February 8, 2025Share this postLast Updated on February 10, 2025 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): MD Rafsun Sheikh Originally published on Towards AI. This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Photo by Solen Feyissa on UnsplashRunning DeepSeek locally ensures privacy, performance, and flexibility. You are in full control of your data right on your device without any dependencies on cloud servers: no API restrictions, much faster responses, and full ownership of your AI environment. Be it coding, data analysis, or experimenting with AI-driven applications, DeepSeek R1 will provide an unparalleled on-device experience.Clap my article 50 times, that will really really help me out and boost this article to others.Follow me on Medium, LinkedIn, and visit my website to get my latest work and article No API limits You own the model with no third-party restrictions.No cloud dependency Everything runs on your machine.Optimized performance Take full advantage of CPU and GPU for peak efficiency.Customizable experience Fine-tune models, tweak parameters, and expand capabilities.Secure and private None of your data ever leaves your system.Offline Availability Work with AI models even without an internet connection.To run DeepSeek R1 locally, well use Ollama (a lightweight runtime for AI models) and Open WebUI (a ChatGPT-style interface). Lets break down the process step by step.Ollama is the engine that runs Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

It is sometimes only a pleasantry when the winner of a major award says they are so surprised to be here while accepting the accolade. Yet that sentiment from Sean Baker seemed genuine Friday night when he accepted the Best Picture prize at the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards. Consider that just moments beforehand, his deceptively layered screwball comedy about a sex worker from Brooklyn, Anora, had been largely shut out by the critics.Up until this moment, Anora failed to pick up the CCAs Best Director award, nor did it get Best Actress for Mikey Madison. Even the one category Anora was viewed as the frontrunner in, Best Original Screenplay, instead went to Coralie Fargeat for The Substance. So Anora triumphing for the biggest trophy of the night was a shock to Baker and plenty of othersincluding perhaps viewers at home whod taken The Brutalist versus Emilia Prez narrative to heart after both films were dubbed Best Picture in differing genres during the Golden Globes last month, and the latter became the most nominated film at this years Academy Awards.Yet unlike the CCAs also curiously giving Best Director to Jon M. Chu for Wicked, Anoras Best Picture win does not look like a one-off or a fluke. In fact, it is quickly taking on the shape of a turning point in momentum that could carry the quirky, R-rated character study all the way to the Academys final winners circle on Oscar night. Indeed, by the time the weekend ended, Anora was essentially dubbed best picture by three different bellwether organizations. By virtue of being televised, the CCAs were probably the most visible, but the most consequential came Saturday night when both the Directors Guild of America and the Producer Guild of America also gave their top cinematic prizes to the Neon-released film.With Baker earning the DGAs Best Director prize and the PGAs David O. Selznick Achievement award going to the whole Anora team, a plausible consensus appears to be coalescing around Anora in the industry as a potential Best Picture winner, particularly because unlike the CCAs or last months Golden Globes, members of the directors and producers guilds are also in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In other words, these are awards guilds who help shape the narrative that often culminates in Oscar wins. Consider that of the previous 15 years of PGA/Selznick achievement winners, only three did not go on to take home Best Picture come Oscar night: 1917, which lost to Parasite, La La Land, which lost to Moonlight, and The Big Short, which lost to Spotlight.The PGAs remain the best bellwether for predicting Oscars Best Picture winners, and the fact that a majority of the members in the DGA seems to agree with their consensusThe takeaway from this newfound frontrunner status around Anora is sure to raise plenty of eyebrows. Both The Brutalist and Emilia Prez have earned their fair share of negative press over the last month: the Brady Corbet American immigrant epic has become controversial in some circles after it was learned AI was used to enhance accent pronunciations in scenes where English-speaking actors were performing in Hungarian. Meanwhile the fallout from revelations about old tweets shared by Emilia Prez star Karla Sofa Gascn has already gone down as one of the greatest awards campaign stumbles in Oscar history.Perhaps that influenced Anoras new emergence as a frontrunner, but then again perhaps not. Full disclosure: as a member of the Critics Choice Association, I can attest that voting closed in early January, well before either media narrative about controversy with The Brutalist or Emilia Prez emerged. Anora is simply a very original comedy with vibrant performances and writing that might benefit from the preferential ballot voting system used by both the CCAs and Oscars for the top prize (i.e. it could be a lot of folks second or third choice unlike other more polarizing films).Plus, well before this past weekend, Anora won the Palme dOr at the Cannes Film Festival last year, the first for an American film in more than a decade. Its a film with a subtle but lacerating satirical edge about class and exploitative gender dynamics, and is clearly delivered in a way appealing to European and international cineaste sensibilities. And the Academy has taken on a lot of new international members in the last decade.Anora has always had qualities that made it seem like a plausible consensus pick, and after this weekend that is becoming self-evident. But well learn more after the Screen Actors Guild has their say on Feb. 23and of course the Academy on March 2.

Feb 10, 2025The Hacker NewsIdentity Security / Data ProtectionGiven Okta's role as a critical part of identity infrastructure, strengthening Okta security is essential. This article covers six key Okta security settings that provide a strong starting point, along with recommendations for implementing continuous monitoring of your Okta security posture.With over 18,000 customers, Okta serves as the cornerstone of identity governance and security for organizations worldwide. However, this prominence has made it a prime target for cybercriminals who seek access to valuable corporate identities, applications, and sensitive data. Recently, Okta warned its customers of an increase in phishing social engineering attempts to impersonate Okta support personnel.Given Okta's role as a critical part of identity infrastructure, strengthening Okta security is essential. This article covers six key Okta security settings that provide a strong starting point, along with how continuous monitoring of your Okta security posture helps you avoid misconfigurations and identity risks.Let's examine six essential Okta security configurations that every security practitioner should monitor:1. Password PoliciesStrong password policies are foundational to any identity security posture program. Okta allows administrators to enforce robust password requirements including:Minimum length and complexity requirementsPassword history and age restrictionsCommon password checks to prevent easily guessable passwordsTo configure password requirements in Okta: Navigate to Security > Authentication > Password Settings in the Okta Admin Console.2. Phishing-Resistant 2FA EnforcementWith phishing attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, implementing phishing-resistant two-factor authentication on Okta accounts is crucial, especially for privileged admin accounts. Okta supports various strong authentication methods including:WebAuthn/FIDO2 security keysBiometric authenticationOkta Verify with device trustTo configure MFA factors: Go to Security > Multifactor > Factor Enrollment > Edit > Set factor to required, optional, or disabled.Also, to enforce MFA for all admin console users, refer to this Okta help doc.3. Okta ThreatInsightOkta ThreatInsight leverages machine learning to detect and block suspicious authentication attempts. This feature:Identifies and blocks malicious IP addressesPrevents credential stuffing attacksReduces the risk of account takeoversTo configure: Enable ThreatInsight under Security > General > Okta ThreatInsight settings. For more, refer to this Okta help doc.4. Admin Session ASN BindingThis security feature helps prevent session hijacking by binding administrative sessions to specific Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). When enabled:Admin sessions are tied to the original ASN used during authenticationSession attempts from different ASNs are blockedRisk of unauthorized admin access is significantly reducedTo configure: Access Security > General > Admin Session Settings and enable ASN Binding.5. Session Lifetime SettingsProperly configured session lifetimes help minimize the risk of unauthorized access through abandoned or hijacked sessions. Consider implementing:Short session timeouts for highly privileged accountsMaximum session lengths based on risk levelAutomatic session termination after periods of inactivityTo configure: Navigate to Security > Authentication > Session Settings to adjust session lifetime parameters.6. Behavior RulesOkta behavior rules provide an extra layer of security by:Detecting anomalous user behavior patternsTriggering additional authentication steps when suspicious activity is detectedAllowing customized responses to potential security threatsTo configure: Access Security > Behavior Detection Rules to set up and customize behavior-based security policies.How SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) can helpOkta offers HealthInsight which provides security monitoring and posture recommendations to help customers maintain strong Okta security. But, maintaining optimal security across your entire SaaS infrastructureincluding Oktabecomes increasingly complex as your organization grows. This is where SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) solutions provide significant value:Continuous centralized monitoring of security configurations for critical SaaS apps like Okta to detect misalignments and drift away from security best practicesAutomated assessment of user privileges and access patterns to identify potential security risksDetection of app-to-app integrations like marketplace apps, API keys, service accounts, OAuth grants, and other non-human identities with access to critical SaaS apps and dataReal-time alerts for security configuration changes that could impact your organization's security postureStreamlined compliance reporting and documentation of security controlsSSPM solutions can automatically detect common Okta security misconfigurations such as:Weak password policies that don't meet industry standardsDisabled or improperly configured multi-factor authentication settingsExcessive administrative privileges or unused admin accountsMisconfigured session timeout settings that could leave accounts vulnerableBy implementing a robust SaaS security and governance solution with advanced SSPM capabilities, organizations can maintain continuous visibility into their Okta security posture as well as other critical SaaS infrastructure and quickly remediate any issues that arise. This proactive approach to security helps prevent potential breaches before they occur and ensures that security configurations remain optimized over time.Start a free 14-day trial of Nudge Security to start improving your Okta security posture and your overall SaaS security posture today.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Feb 10, 2025Ravie LakshmananMalware / Web SecurityThreat actors have been observed targeting Internet Information Services (IIS) servers in Asia as part of a search engine optimization (SEO) manipulation campaign designed to install BadIIS malware."It is likely that the campaign is financially motivated since redirecting users to illegal gambling websites shows that attackers deploy BadIIS for profit," Trend Micro researchers Ted Lee and Lenart Bermejo said in an analysis published last week,Targets of the campaign include IIS servers located in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Brazil. These servers are associated with government, universities, technology companies, and telecommunications sectors.Requests to the compromised servers can then be served altered content from attackers, ranging from redirections to gambling sites to connecting to rogue servers that host malware or credential harvesting pages.It's suspected that the activity is the work of a Chinese-speaking threat group known as DragonRank, which was documented by Cisco Talos last year as delivering the BadIIS malware via SEO manipulation schemes.The DragonRank campaign, in turn, is said to be associated with an entity referred to as Group 9 by ESET in 2021 that leverages compromised IIS servers for proxy services and SEO fraud.Trend Micro, however, noted that the detected malware artifacts share similarities with a variant used by Group 11, featuring two different modes for conducting SEO fraud and injecting suspicious JavaScript code into responses for requests from legitimate visitors."The installed BadIIS can alter the HTTP response header information requested from the web server," the researchers said. "It checks the 'User-Agent' and 'Referer' fields in the received HTTP header.""If these fields contain specific search portal sites or keywords, BadIIS redirects the user to a page associated with an online illegal gambling site instead of a legitimate web page."The development comes as Silent Push linked the China-based Funnull content delivery network (CDN) to a practice it calls infrastructure laundering, in which threat actors rent IP addresses from mainstream hosting providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure and use them to host criminal websites.Funnull is said to have rented over 1,200 IPs from Amazon and nearly 200 IPs from Microsoft, all of which have since been taken down. The malicious infrastructure, dubbed Triad Nexus, has been found to fuel retail phishing schemes, romance baiting scams, and money laundering operations via fake gambling sites."But new IPs are continually being acquired every few weeks," the company said. "FUNNULL is likely using fraudulent or stolen accounts to acquire these IPs to map to their CNAMEs."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Tyler Ditto, Principal Customer Success Manager, ImmutaFebruary 10, 20254 Min Read Panther Media GmbH via Alamy StockEstablishing a data governance framework is essential for any organization, but as technology evolves, so does the process of implementing an effective, future-proof data governance program.Whether youre just beginning to explore data governance or are looking to refine your existing framework for future scalability, heres what you can expect to face throughout your journey and how to keep all stakeholders engaged and productive.Proof of ConceptThe first step is proof of concept (POC). Before signing a contract with a data governance platform provider, you must outline the features and functionality that are must-haves to support your business value and initiatives. This may include the need for a solution that will connect with your cloud storage and compute platforms, or a tool that requires SQL expertise to work with your long-term growth goals.Clearly define the POCs scope and success criteria with decision-making stakeholders to help simplify the evaluation and transition to the next steps. The most successful organizations document their goals, understand who the stakeholders are, and define the long-term business problems they want to solve. This documentation approach helps hold everyone accountable for what needs to be achieved and what the goal line is in order to move forwardRelated:Technical Implementation/DeploymentTechnical implementation/deployment is the next phase, which focuses on designing the architecture to fit your new tool into your data ecosystem, including integrating it with the existing technologies in your tech stack.To implement your data governance solution, its key to have a strong vision of where you want to go. At this stage, its easy to want to pursue a fully integrated, end-to-end platform, but you should instead focus on integrating the technologies that are absolutely necessary to execute a minimum viable product (MVP).Sitting down with decision-makers and stakeholders, as well as the support team, helps to align the vision, roadmap and strategy for rolling out the platform. This ensures that the teams agree on how to successfully deploy a product in terms of instance sizing, integration selection and design, resource planning, and workstream prioritization.Minimum Viable ProductThe MVP phase is the pivotal point in the customer life cycle. This is where you begin to design and validate the people and processes involved in fully deploying and driving the adoption of your data governance platform. This phase determines whether an organization has a strong strategy, is prepared to scale across business units and divisions, and can navigate obstacles that may arise in the following phases.Related:The MVP will highlight any gaps in preparedness or commitment to being able to see your project through to its desired end state. Your teams, as well as the platform support team, must share a strong understanding of how data owners, stewards, governors, engineers and users will interact with data and with each other.At large enterprises, this is often the point at which the data marketplace, mesh or fabric concept is woven into the solution to ensure it is fully integrated into the organizations data strategy. Completing this phase means leveraging the newly established processes to go live with data users in production and then evaluating and optimizing deployment over the coming phases of adoption.Strategy and AdoptionNext, we move to the strategy and adoption phase. This is when you work with your governance platform support team to review your MVP in retrospect, refine processes, close any gaps in your adoption strategy, and then put it all to work.A best practice at this stage is to develop a Center of Excellence (CoE) that creates support lanes for various stakeholder groups and thus avoid bottlenecks as you scale. Your platform support team should help with this by identifying CoE leaders, training processes, and communication strategies for each business unit to build a strong foundation for successful adoption.Related:When your focus shifts to driving adoption, youll naturally start to think more long-term. This includes diligent demand planning to understand which users will adopt the product, when they will do so, and whether that aligns with your product licensing. By focusing your stakeholders and executives attention on demand planning, youll ensure that you have a clear plan for how your platform will be used in the near term and a predictive plan for how the rest of your organization will adopt and begin to realize ROI.Starting Your Data Governance ImplementationThe length of data governance implementation depends on your organization. The more cohesive your team is with your new platforms support team, the better youll be able to plan effectively and move through these phases efficiently. Work with your support team to schedule quarterly planning workshops, business reviews and program incremental planning exercises. This will set you up for long-term success by ensuring your team is aligned in understanding the roadmap and execution strategy. Then you can put your data to work and start seeing results faster and confidently.About the AuthorTyler DittoPrincipal Customer Success Manager, ImmutaTyler Ditto is a seasoned consultant with extensive experience in implementing data governance programs and technologies. Over the past 4 years with Immuta, Tyler has successfully led several projects with Immuta, helping organizations establish robust frameworks for managing, securing, and leveraging their data. With a passion for bridging the gap between business and technology, Tyler specializes in delivering practical, scalable solutions that drive organizational efficiency and compliance.See more from Tyler DittoNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Designs recently put to consultation by the practice and developer Great Portland Estates show scaled-back proposals for the site at 4-26 St Thomas Street.The planning inspector previously refused two earlier designs by AHMM for the same developer one featuring a 37-storey tower and the other a 26-storey tower.Orms emerging proposals, instead, add five storeys to the existing 1980s office building, creating a nine-storey office with 17,000m of commercial floorspace 9,000m more than currently on the site.AdvertisementTwo existing listed Georgian townhouses on St Thomas Street will be restored under the scheme while a 1980s office at the rear of the site will be partly demolished and retrofitted.In consultation documents, Orms adds that the scheme reuses a majority of the existing building structure, with the Georgian terraces earmarked for 900m of affordable workspace catering to SMEs and community groups.A scoping opinion was submitted last month (8 January) for the scheme, which replaces AHMM's two designs for the plot formerly known as New City Court.AHMM first submitted plans to Southwark Council in 2018 for a 37-storey tower. Subsequently, the practice submitted a second shorter scheme in April 2021 after concerns were raised over its height.But the council failed to make a decision on whether it should go ahead and Great Portland Estates took both planning applications to appeal.AdvertisementIn September 2023, then communities secretary Michael Gove backed the planning inspectors rejection of both proposals, stating that they would harm the historic surroundings.The decision notice said Gove had given significant weight to the harms to townscape character and appearance and noted the potential loss of daylight and sunlight to neighbouring blocks.Orms and Great Portland are expected to submit a full planning application soon.

The studio is part of council estate regeneration developer Place Capital Group, which is working as design management partner on the 11,200m project for Lancaster City Council.The scheme will create 93 new flats on the Owen Road site of the former school, which closed in 2014 and will be demolished. The scheme is a companion project to the ongoing retrofit of the neighbouring Mainway Estate.As well as providing sustainable, modern, and low-carbon housing, it also includes new community spaces, changing rooms, substantial play and amenity spaces and a revamp of the schools playing fields.AdvertisementThe flats will be housed in two 'bold' six-storey apartment blocks 'echoing the original school layout' with the houses in terraces following the historical street pattern to the north.Grounded, working with masterplanner MCAU, carried out extensive public consultation leading to a design that it says responds to key tenant feedback, presenting housing choices for a range of housing needs in the layouts and bed space, including fully accessible dwellings.Lancaster City Council leader Caroline Jackson, who is also cabinet member with responsibility for housing, described the approval as a huge step forward in our regeneration efforts for Mainway.She said: Its not just about building new homes but about creating a vibrant community space that people can be proud of, and it will make a real difference to local families and the wider Lancaster community.Im particularly excited about the emphasis on sustainability, which sets the standards that we want others to follow.AdvertisementPhelps, who set up Grounded in 2021, said: It is great to be able to celebrate this milestone in the future of the estate and to take a step towards the homes that people need to live healthy and sustainable lives.Phelps previously founded Croydon Councils in-house practice Common Ground Architecture, which has since closed.In 2022 the studio won a pilot project for the deep retrofit of the vacant Lune and Derby House buildings, a pilot scheme to revamp 16 homes at the southern tip of the nextdoor Mainway estate.A future timeframe for the Skerton High School project is not yet known.Project dataLocationLancasterLocal authority Lancaster City CouncilType of project Affordable housingClientLancaster City CouncilDevelopment manager Place Capital GroupArchitectGroundedDelivery architect MCAULandscape architectShapeSustainability consultantLEDAPlanning consultantTurleysStructural engineerHTSM&E consultantLEDAFire Consultant BB7Arboriculturist M.D.L.Ecology UESQuantity surveyorAnderton GablesPrincipal designerAnderton GablesMain contractorTo be confirmedFundingUndisclosedTender dateTo be confirmedStart on site dateTo be confirmedGross internal floor area11,234mForm of contractTo be confirmed

NAD Plus supplements are seeing a rise in popularity, especially on social media, as people are discovering that there is a possibility that they can "reverse" the aging process. But how true is that?NAD Plus naturally exists in your body and is one of the molecules that helps keep your skin appearing youthful, but as you age, your NAD Plus levels decrease, so it stands to reason that a supplement can help counteract that.However, no anti-aging method is foolproof, which is why we consulted doctors and experts to understand what exactly NAD Plus is, how supplements can help the body's anti-aging process and whether these supplements are safe.What is NAD Plus and what does it do in the body? Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. NAD Plus -- nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide -- is a coenzyme found in all living cells that keeps "everything running smoothly," explains Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich, a New York-based facial plastic surgeon who often discusses aging with patients. It "creates energy and repairs DNA" and also regulates your circadian rhythm."It is also involved in the function of sirtuins, proteins that help regulate cell survival and aging processes," notes Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD, founder of Auro Wellness. The coenzyme slightly differs from NADH, which you may also see while looking for NAD Plus supplements. NAD Plus is oxidized, while NADH is reduced, which basically means NAD Plus has an extra electron, and when it loses it, it becomes NADH. NAD Plus is naturally found in the body, but as you age, your levels drop, which can lead to tiredness and skin aging, Dr. Vasyukevich says. An NAD Plus supplement can help combat this, as can a vitamin B3 supplement. Though vitamin B3 is not the same as NAD Plus, your body converts vitamin B3 into NAD Plus, so these extra supplements can also help your NAD Plus levels. NAD Plus benefitsThe primary benefit of NAD Plus, and, in turn, an NAD Plus supplement, is that it's an energy booster. Studies -- including this one from 2023-- have shown that the coenzyme helps with weight management and balances metabolism, as pointed out by Dr. Vasyukevich."[NAD Plus] can do a few cool things," he says. "It can help with skin health by promoting DNA repair and fighting oxidative stress, which is a big reason skin ages. It can also give you more energy by helping your cells make more [adenosine triphosphate or ATP] -- that's the energy your body runs on." Daniel Llao Calvet/Getty ImagesNAD Plus side effectsDr. Jonathan Jennings, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to Lab Finder, tells CNET that NAD Plus supplements are mostly viewed as safe -- but as with any change to your healthcare routine, you always want to approach with caution. Especially considering that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements."Most data suggests all versions are safe in most populations and side effect profiles depend on the mode of supplementation," he says, noting that side effects for the supplement in pill form can differ from those when you take it intravenously, for example. "Common side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness and flushing."Another common side effect, Dr. Vasyukevich says, is an interruption to your sleeping pattern. He says this can happen if you take the supplement too late in the day, which can generally be corrected by changing when you take it.Both doctors, as well as Dr. Patel, recommend speaking with your healthcare provider before starting an NAD Plus supplement, as well as if you experience any side effects. If you experience any side effects, you should stop taking the supplement immediately. It may be interacting with another one of your medications or you may even have an allergy to it. You may also have an intolerance to it. This will be up to you and your doctor to discuss.Who should avoid NAD Plus supplements?While NAD Plus supplements are largely viewed as safe, Dr. Jennings cautions that they aren't for everyone."It is important to consult your health professional prior to supplementation because safety has not been confirmed for certain populations such as pregnant [people] and children," he says.Dr. Patel also recommends that people who are nursing avoid NAD Plus supplements, as there's not enough research on these products. He also advises anyone interested in taking the supplement to discuss it with their doctor, as he wouldn't recommend it for people on certain medications or with specific medical conditions, though he did not specify which because that should be left up to each patient and their healthcare provider.A 2020 study showed, however, that NAD Plus supplements could have adverse effects on those with existing liver or kidney problems due to the way the supplement is metabolized. Dr. Patel notes, "Factors like age, genetic makeup, diet and health conditions can affect the body's response to supplementation." RealPeopleGroup/Getty ImagesDo NAD Plus supplements actually work to slow down aging?Experts and studies believe these supplements can positively affect people if used properly and at a dose recommended by a medical professional. Dr. Vasyukevich cautions, though, that they're not a "magic fix" to reverse the aging process."NAD Plus supplements can help by boosting the body's repair systems, which may reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging over time," he says. "They won't completely stop aging, but they could help your cells stay healthier and function better, which might slow things down a little."Dr. Patel tells CNET that these supplements are still actively being studied. While some research shows that they can help improve the appearance of skin or give people more energy, he believes more clinical trials are "necessary" to fully establish efficacy in "aging prevention."He also stresses that these supplements should never be used as a replacement for healthy habits, as those are some of the best ways to keep your body youthful as you continue to age. "Exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and stress management are crucial for overall well-being," he says, adding that if you're going to try the supplements, take care in choosing them. They're not all equally effective and it's important to pick one that's high-quality.NAD Plus supplement dosage, and can you take it every day?"There are different methods of supplementation which include oral, nasal, intramuscular and intravenous versions," says Dr. Jennings. Studies have been done on how supplements work in the body, though findings are limited. Dr. Patel tells CNET that nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplements have both been studied and have been shown to improve the aging process but should be approached "with caution." Both NR and NMN, also known as NAD Plus precursors, are natural compounds that can enhance the production of NAD Plus within the body.A 2023 study of NR and NMN oral supplementation reported some improvement in "cardiovascular, metabolic and physical function" in those who participated. This study looked at several groups of people who had been given different doses of a supplement for various periods of time to analyze the efficacy and safety.That being said, the dosage that is right for you largely depends on what you discuss with your healthcare provider. It also depends on the method you choose for supplementation. Most supplements in pill or nasal form can be taken daily, but your doctor can advise you on what's best and adjust as needed. Tetra Images/Getty ImagesOther ways to increase NAD Plus levelsTaking an NAD Plus supplement isn't the only way to boost your body's NAD Plus levels. In fact, medical professionals recommend that you seek other ways to improve your health in addition to taking supplements because it will enhance the efficacy of the supplements themselves."You don't have to rely only on supplements to boost your NAD Plus levels. Things like regular exercise, intermittent fasting or even cutting back on calories can naturally increase NAD Plus in your body," Dr. Vasyukevich says. Do not make any changes to your diet without consulting your doctor first.Dr. Patel seconded that exercise and a generally healthy lifestyle are highly recommended throughout your life, but especially as you age. "Regular exercise has been shown to boost NAD Plus levels by stimulating the production of NAD Plus precursors," he says. "Additionally, lifestyle choices like adequate sleep hygiene and stress management can positively affect NAD Plus levels."What you eat can also affect your NAD Plus levels, especially if you reach for foods rich in vitamin B3 and niacin, which are precursors for NAD Plus (meaning the body turns them into NAD Plus). Foods rich in vitamin B3 and niacin include:BroccoliCabbageFishTurkeyDairyFruitNutsSeedsWhole grainsBeefPeanutsThe bottom lineAs we age, the body's naturally occurring coenzyme NAD Plus decreases, leading to tiredness and skin aging. However, this can be counteracted with a healthy lifestyle of regular exercise and a diet rich in vitamin B3 and niacin. Lifting weights is also a great way to stay healthy as you age. Adding an NAD Plus supplement into your daily routine under the supervision of a medical professional can also help boost NAD Plus levels.Research on NAD Plus supplements is limited, so medical professionals urge people to approach them with caution and under the care of their own doctor. However, these supplements could help tackle signs of aging due to decreased NAD Plus levels.

Diablo creator says speedy player progression in current ARPGs has "cheapened the entire experience""I find it kind of silly."Image credit: Blizzard News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Feb. 10, 2025 Diablo creator David Brevik has shared his distaste for some aspects in current ARPGs, and said that when the journey to levelling up is shortened "you've cheapened the entire experience".Brevik, now head of indie publisher Skystone Games, spoke to VideoGamer about his career and his thoughts on the ARPG genre. Brevik was co-founder and president of Blizzard North and served as lead programmer and senior designer on Diablo, and project and design lead on Diablo 2.In the interview, Brevik criticised the speed at which games today offer player progression, which he believes spoils the pacing.Diablo IV | Season of Witchcraft | The Coven, New Powers, Quality of Life, and MoreWatch on YouTube"I think that RPGs in general have started to lean into this: kill swathes of enemies all over the place extremely quickly," said Brevik. "Your build is killing all sorts of stuff so you could get more drops, you can level up, and the screen is littered with stuff you don't care about."Enemy counts in the original Diablo games were notably high for the time, but Brevik believes modern games have learned the wrong lesson."I don't find that as kind of personal and realistic as like Diablo 2. The pacing on Diablo 2, I think is great," he said. "That's one of the reasons it's endured. I just don't find killing screen-fulls of things instantly and mowing stuff down and walking around the level and killing everything, very enticing. I just don't feel like that is a cool experience. I find it kind of silly."When you're shortening that journey and making it kind of ridiculous. You've cheapened the entire experience, in my opinion."While Brevik's comments apply to the recent Diablo games, it also arguably applies to the likes of Path of Exile 2 and Lost Ark. And MMOs also suffer from similar faults."I think that MMOs have definitely pushed in that direction," said Brevik. "How fast can you level? How fast can you kill everything? It's all about speed and things like that, but, in reality, I just think that makes a kind of a worse experience. And I tend to shy away from that direction."Blizzard has followed the release of Diablo 4 with a number of seasons and major expansion Vessel of Hatred to extend its longevity, while also battling with endgame imbalances. The expansion's launch in October last year was rocky but still led to a boost in Steam players.Path of Exile 2, meanwhile, received a major patch last month after its early access release in December, which made big changes to its endgame.