06/02 — 2025 by abduzeedo Explore how andstudio created a unified, nature-inspired branding and visual identity for Mana Hotels, blending luxury with authentic connection. Hey fellow creatives! Ever dive into a project that just clicks? Where the core idea shines through every design choice? That’s exactly what happened with Mana Hotels' unified brand identity, a beautiful piece of work by andstudio. It's a masterclass in how thoughtful branding and visual identity can truly elevate an experience. Mana Hotels isn't just another luxury escape. It’s an apartment-style hotel and wellness retreat, redefining relaxation by blending nature with well-being. Think seaside tranquility in Palanga or spa serenity in Druskininkai. The challenge for andstudio was clear: how to create a unified brand identity that resonates across diverse locations and audiences, while still feeling authentic and personalized. The Sun's Embrace: A Core Inspiration The design team at andstudio found their anchor in the rhythm of the sun. This natural cycle, from dawn to twilight, became the central inspiration. It's a smart move. The sun-inspired logo isn't just pretty; it represents vitality, blending luxury with approachability. This focus on a natural, constant element grounds the entire visual language. Color Palettes: Reflecting Local Soul One of the standout elements in this branding and visual identity project is the use of distinct color palettes for each location. For Palanga, the branding reflects the sunlit coast, evoking a bright, airy feel. In contrast, Druskininkai's palette captures the shift from day to night, aligning with the spa's focus on tranquility and restful sleep. You can see this subtle yet impactful differentiation in the visual identity artifacts. It’s a clever way to maintain unity while celebrating local character. Beyond the Logo: A Holistic Experience The branding extends far beyond a simple logo. It’s a comprehensive system that includes motion design, signage, and stationery. Look at the subtle branding on the stationery, like the "Hey Hepy, see you at the pool!" note, or the refined packaging elements. Even the robes feature the Mana logo. This consistent visual language, paired with authentic photography of peaceful moments, highlights a retreat centered on genuine human connection and relaxation. It’s about creating an overall soothing and luxurious experience that nurtures mind, body, and soul. Mana’s approach to branding and visual identity truly emphasizes human connection and a deep understanding of modern-day stresses. They’ve successfully bridged the gap between a service-oriented approach and a family-oriented atmosphere, creating a unique value proposition. This project by andstudio reminds us that great design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about understanding the core essence of a brand and translating that into a cohesive, meaningful visual story. It's about creating a feeling, an experience, and a connection that resonates deeply with the audience. Want to see more of their inspiring work? Check out andstudio's portfolio directly on Behance. Branding and visual identity artifacts Tags branding

The USB-C port on today’s laptops can connect to accessories, transmit power to your PC, and even support an extra display. The only problem? Not every USB-C port will necessarily support data, power, or an additional display. Microsoft is trying to change that by enforcing new standards for PC vendors. In a blog post, the company revealed that many users have been encountering USB-C inconsistency issues in laptops built with USB4, the latest version of the interface.  “Windows Diagnostics Data shows that 27% of PCs with USB4 have encountered a limited functionality notification, meaning that a customer plugged a USB-C device in, but a feature (alternate mode) that device needs was not implemented on the PC and Windows notified the user,” wrote Ugan Sivagnanenthirarajah, a technical product manager at Microsoft. That’s a problem, especially if the consumer expects that a USB-C port will support everything, including charging, data, and displays. Sivagnanenthirarajah mentions a case where the user plugged in an external display into a laptop’s USB-C port only to wonder why it didn’t work. “PC manufacturers can implement ports that look identical but differ wildly in functionality,” he added. “One may charge your laptop and run a 4K display; another might only deliver USB 2.0 data speeds. The USB specification allows this, and without clear enforcement, the consumer experiences frustration, guesswork, and endless troubleshooting.”  Recommended by Our EditorsIn response, Microsoft is implementing a “minimum bar for USB-C port capabilities on PCs,” that’ll require them to support data, power charging, and a display through each connection. The company will enforce the requirement through Microsoft’s “Windows Hardware Compatibility Program,” which PC vendors can use to certify that their products have been designed to run the Windows OS. (Credit: Microsoft)The goal is to turn optional features into mandatory ones, and “ensure a consistent level of performance you can count on,” Sivagnanenthirarajah said. “Your favorite USB 1, USB 2, and USB 3 peripherals, chargers, and displays will work exactly as advertised on any USB-C port on your WHCP-certified Windows 11 device,” he added.  Specifically, a USB-C port must offer USB Power Delivery charging and DisplayPort Alt-Mode. That said, the requirements permit each USB-C ports to differ in their data transfer speeds and display resolution support. In addition, Microsoft is enforcing a requirement for laptops that advertise USB4 40Gbps or 80Gbps ports. The same laptops “must “sustain full speed 40Gbps links on all USB-C ports,” the company says. The ports also need to offer full Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, support for up to two 4K monitors at 60Hz and feature “PCI Express tunnelling that allows external GPUs and NVMe enclosures to work seamlessly.”Still, the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program is both voluntary and not widely known among consumers. So it's unclear if PC vendors will commit to the requirements. Still, Microsoft’s blog post notes: “PC manufacturers are on track to achieve WHCP compliance across most systems in the coming years.”

If you’ve ever wondered whether the food on your plate could shape your brain’s future, the science is starting to say: yes, it might. While healthy eating has long been linked to better brain health, new research is getting more specific about which diets help, and when you should start following them.At this year’s annual Nutrition conference in Orlando, Florida, researchers presented findings that add weight to the growing link between diet and dementia. According to a news release, study author Song-Yi Park of the University of Hawaii at Manoa said, “Our study findings confirm that healthy dietary patterns in mid to late life and their improvement over time may prevent Alzheimer’s and related dementias. This suggests that it is never too late to adopt a healthy diet to prevent dementia.”The research focused on nearly 93,000 U.S. adults from the long-running Multiethnic Cohort Study. Participants were between 45 years and 75 years old when they entered the study in the 1990s. Over time, more than 21,000 developed Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias — but those who closely followed a specific eating plan, the MIND diet, were significantly less likely to be among them.Combining the Mediterranean Diet and DASH DietThe MIND diet (short for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) blends the best elements of two established eating plans: the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet.The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the traditional cuisines of countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. It focuses on plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains), healthy fats like olive oil, and moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, with red meat eaten sparingly. It’s been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and is also environmentally friendly.The DASH diet, originally designed to lower blood pressure, shares many similarities but puts extra emphasis on limiting sodium and increasing intake of nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. It includes low-fat dairy and lean protein sources and doesn’t rely on any hard-to-find foods.The MIND diet specifically promotes brain-healthy foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil, combining benefits of both approaches with a focus on protecting cognitive health.Read More: Is the Mediterranean Diet Healthy?The MIND Diet Over TimeAccording to Park and her team, people who scored highest in MIND diet adherence at the study’s start had a 9 percent lower risk of developing dementia. That number was even higher with around 13 percent for African American, Latino, and White participants. Looking at those who improved their adherence to the MIND diet over time, showed a 25 percent reduction in dementia risk compared to those whose dietary habits declined, which was consistent no matter the age or racial background.“We found that the protective relationship between a healthy diet and dementia was more pronounced among African Americans, Latinos, and Whites, while it was not as apparent among Asian Americans and showed a weaker trend in Native Hawaiians,” Park said in the press release. “A tailored approach may be needed when evaluating different subpopulations’ diet quality.”Interestingly, Asian Americans also tend to have lower dementia rates overall, which researchers believe could mean other cultural eating patterns might offer similar protection than the MIND diet for that group.The Best Time to Start Is NowOne of the most encouraging findings was that starting late still helped. Participants who began following the MIND diet more closely over a 10-year period, regardless of how old they were when they began, saw benefits. This suggests that even if you didn’t grow up eating brain-boosting foods, it’s not too late to change course.It’s worth noting that the study is observational, so, by itself, it can’t prove this specific diet causes better brain health. Study author Park notes that the next step is conducting interventional studies to verify these promising results.Still, the evidence is mounting. Whether you're 45 or 75, choosing greens over greasy snacks could make a real difference when it comes to aging with or without dementia.This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:National Institute of Aging. What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease?Harvard Health Publishing. A practical guide to the Mediterranean dietNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Following the DASH Eating PlanHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard.

F1 25 is a near-perfect mix of realism and playability that offers much of the drama from the real-life sport and a sprinkling of fiction and, uh, Brad Pitt just becauseTech18:11, 02 Jun 2025This year's game looks better than everIn many ways, writing an F1 25 review should be the easiest of this year’s critical assessments. Codemasters is legendary for its commitment to digital recreations of automotive competition (I’ve been playing its games since TOCA on the PS1 ), and having the F1 licence means it’ll always be cutting-edge in terms of racers, tracks, and more.If you’re an F1 fan, you’ve almost certainly already bought it, and while non-fans of sports games will baulk at paying for a “roster update” each year, Codemasters simply refuses to coast, keeping its foot firmly on the gas and moving from last year’s podium finish to Championship-winning form with this year’s entry.‌Conditions can be treacherous‌Last year’s F1 24 was easily one of the most impressive games to look at on PS5 Pro, and while Codemasters had talked a good game about visual fidelity , I wasn’t sure it would be able to take much of a realistic step beyond.And yet, F1 25 is frequently stunning. In motion, it’s hard to see anything wholly new, but that’s more down to the speed at which you’ll be taking corners of meticulously detailed tracks. Slow things down a tad, though, and you’ll find things a little less sterile than they had been.Whereas F1 24 circuits felt a little too clean at times, there’s a little more dirt here and there, more wear on the track, and even correctly identified tree species in tracks that have been scanned via LiDAR.Article continues belowIt’s likely an ongoing process, with Bahrain, Miami, Melbourne, Suzuka and Imola getting the scanned treatment so far, but it’s an impressive taste of what’s to come and could mean upcoming games look even better.On track, the handling model feels much breezier. You can still crank up the difficulty by leaving the assists in the pits, but cars feel more responsive than ever.You’ll need that, too, because some tracks can be driven in reverse (complete with mirrored pit lanes).‌You can still race, but you'll pick one of your stars to "follow" for the weekendThe crown jewel of this year’s entry, however, is My Team. The mode has always been solid, but lacking in ambition, but this year sees Codemasters really go to town on its underlying machinery.While you’ll no longer be some team owner/driver hybrid superstar like Tony Stark in Iron Man 2, that adds an interesting new flavour to the mode. You’ll start as boss of an existing team or form your own, and then hire drivers, work to improve your car, and try to woo sponsors.‌Because you’re no longer racing yourself, there are more magnanimous decisions to be made about car parts. Research costs time, manufacturing costs money, and then you’re left to decide which of your racers gets the added boost.Consistently upsetting one can see them look elsewhere, while you can plan for next season’s drivers right from the off, making a Lewis Hamilton-esque switch to a rival a pressing concern throughout the year.While much of My Team takes place in menus, they all feel dynamic enough to feel much more enjoyable than you might expect, and while it doesn’t get quite as deep as F1 Manager, it’s still full of potential.‌You can even sneak some star power onto the grid, too, taking the reins of Brad Pitt’s racing team from the upcoming F1 movie , or signing iconic former drivers to build a dream lineup.As an aside, I love that EA is experimenting with things like this in its career modes, especially since EA FC added Icons to its own version. Long may it continue.Konnersport are now vying for titles(Image: EA)‌Another big return this year comes from Braking Point , marking its third instalment. The mode that essentially condenses a season’s worth of drama into playable chunks with a healthy dose of inspiration from Netflix ’s Drive to Survive is back as part of its “one season off, one season on” cadence.It’s packed with sporting cliches and no small amount of cheese, but it humanises a sport that can sometimes feel more focuses on cutting seconds off a lap than it can the drivers doing that work.After years of building a team, Konnersport is finally competing for the Championship, and players can switch between their driver roster to achieve different objectives, and there’s an alternative ending for those willing to commit.Article continues belowF1 25 is the best entry in years, with changes big and small piling up to offer a truly immersive and feature-packed title.My Team will get the plaudits (and rightfully so), but Braking Point’s return and Codemasters’ continued commitment to realism shouldn’t be forgotten.Reviewed on PS5 Pro. Review copy provided by the publisher.‌‌‌

The Digital Manufacturing and Cybersecurity Institute (MxD) has released its Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for 2025-2027, presenting a detailed roadmap to bolster the competitiveness, resilience, and cybersecurity of U.S. manufacturing.  Shaped by insights from manufacturers, technology providers, academic institutions, and government partners, the plan lays out a targeted investment strategy in digital engineering, factory modernization, supply chain resilience, and workforce development.  Published on March 19, 2025, the SIP identifies core areas for MxD’s focus over the next three years: digital engineering and design, future factory systems, supply chain visibility, and cybersecurity integration. These initiatives aim to address persistent challenges within the industrial base, particularly among small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) that often lack the resources needed to adopt and scale digital manufacturing solutions. “We will continue to prioritize projects and proposals designed to meet the evolving needs of the industrial base, relying on your insights and involvement throughout. Our collaborative approach has proven to be effective during MxD’s first decade and continues to be the model driving this SIP and MxD forward,” Berardino Baratta, CEO at MxD. Illustration of the product lifecycle and how the flow of data represents a complex interconnected web among all aspects. Image via MxD. Data lifecycle framework and investment focus At the center of the SIP is a technical framework called the data lifecycle. This framework maps the flow of data across the various stages of a product’s lifecycle, from development and manufacturing to deployment and support. MxD underscores the importance of seamless data movement and high-fidelity data collection, which are vital for unlocking capabilities such as predictive maintenance, quality control, and secure information sharing throughout supply chains. MxD’s data lifecycle approach has already been applied in 189 research, cybersecurity, and workforce development projects totaling $415 million in public-private investments. One example, Project 22-06-01, titled “Proactive Worker Safety for Industry 4.0 Using AI,” employed artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to reduce worker fatigue, addressing a $136 billion annual challenge for US employers. For the 2025-2027 period, MxD plans to prioritize projects that promote technology adoption across supply chains, supported by new playbooks and guides to help manufacturers modernize, close digital gaps, and apply lessons from pilot programs. This approach aims to foster coordinated, sector-wide adoption. Another central pillar of the SIP is interoperability and data standards. MxD is working on a Machine-to-X Data Standards Playbook to consolidate and harmonize data standards used by manufacturers. This effort addresses the challenge of fragmented data formats and standards across different systems, which can hinder consistent data flows and semantic interoperability. To support digital engineering and design, MxD is updating model-based definition assessments to address the shortcomings of current evaluations and provide clearer guidance for manufacturers aiming to improve digital maturity. These updates will bolster MxD’s broader goal of enhancing collaboration and data sharing across product lifecycles, enabling better designs, improved performance, and reduced costs. Future factory development is another key emphasis of the SIP. MxD’s projects in this area aim to build digital environments that support real-time process optimization, data-driven decision-making, and production lines that can adapt quickly to disruptions and new customer demands. Initiatives around digital twins, 5G/6G integration, and cybersecurity best practices will help shape these future factories. In terms of supply chain resilience, the SIP outlines plans for new risk assessment tools and visibility platforms. These tools will rely on secure data-sharing practices and advanced analytics to reduce disruptions and improve the agility of domestic manufacturing in a volatile global landscape. Cybersecurity is also a core focus of the SIP, reflecting MxD’s role as the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing. With manufacturing identified as the most targeted sector for cyberattacks in recent years, MxD’s cybersecurity projects aim to enhance protections for both operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments.  Two engineers walking through a manufacturing facility. Photo via MxD. The Digital Education, Resilience, and Innovation for Supply Chain (DERISC) initiative, carried out with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), is an example of how MxD is equipping U.S. manufacturers with the tools and protocols needed to secure their supply chains against digital threats. Workforce training and capability roadmaps On the workforce development front, MxD’s Virtual Training Center (VTC) offers around 20,000 courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of manufacturers.  These courses include advanced role-based training programs in data analytics, cybersecurity, and extended reality applications. As an affordable and scalable learning platform, the VTC aims to close the gap in workforce training for SMMs that often lack access to comprehensive learning management systems. MxD’s training programs, such as the Curriculum and Pathways Integrating Technology and Learning Program (CAPITAL) and Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology (CyMOT) initiatives, are designed to prepare workers for digital manufacturing roles while also supporting national defense efforts by delivering specialized cybersecurity training for supply chain participants. The SIP identifies these workforce initiatives as critical, noting that 1.9 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled by 2033 without targeted upskilling efforts. Beyond individual projects, the SIP features an Appendix of Capability Advancement Roadmaps. These roadmaps chart technical progress across multiple domains, emphasizing that data standards, architecture, and interoperability are essential to enabling future-ready manufacturing.  For instance, roadmaps for digital twin deployment and supply chain visibility outline clear timelines and performance milestones, providing a transparent view of how MxD plans to scale its impact. MxD’s structured approach and technical framework are designed to help manufacturers adopt secure, data-driven practices that align with broader economic and defense objectives. As digital manufacturing influences operational practices and product standards, the SIP provides a framework that supports a more adaptable and resilient US manufacturing sector. Take the 3DPI Reader Survey — shape the future of AM reporting in under 5 minutes. What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025? How is the future of 3D printing shaping up? To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook. While you’re here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays. Featured image shows illustration of the product lifecycle and how the flow of data represents a complex interconnected web among all aspects. Image via MxD. Ada Shaikhnag With a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

Facing huge fines, Apple on Monday began a legal challenge to the European Commission’s “unreasonable” demand that it open up its platforms to rivals, arguing any such move threatens the foundations of its platforms with a costly process that also undercuts its ability to serve customers. The company is, in a word, furious. It argued that it has cooperated with the Commission’s demands under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and points to the investments it has already made in complying with that act. What Apple said “At Apple, we design our technology to work seamlessly together, so it can deliver the unique experience our users love and expect from our products,” the company said in a statement. “The EU’s interoperability requirements threaten that foundation, while creating a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation. These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies’ sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users.” The company also noted that there is a real risk that people’s most sensitive information could be accessed, partially because it becomes so much harder to defend. These attempts are already taking place, Apple said. “Companies have already requested our users’ most sensitive data — from the content of their notifications to a full history of every stored Wi-Fi network on their device — giving them the ability to access personal information that even Apple doesn’t see. In the end, these deeply flawed rules that only target Apple — and no other company will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers. We are appealing these decisions on their behalf, and in order to preserve the high-quality experience our European customers expect.” A one-sided approach What seems to really upset Apple is that some aspects of the demands mean the company will effectively be forced to hand its innovations out to businesses with which it is in direct competition — at no charge. That means Apple does not get to draw the full benefits of its work and makes it far more difficult to introduce products in Europe. What makes matters worse is that while Apple is being forced to open up in ways that advantage competitors, quite literally at its expense, it is not being given the opportunity to do the same back. Apple is the only company that these demands have been made of, meaning it is being forced to give its intellectual property away to others who do not need to play by the same rules. Some data hungry companies are already attempting to exploit the DMA to gain unfettered access to sensitive customer data. All the while, Apple is left alone and isolated in its quest to ensure user privacy consistent with GDPR regulation. It’s attempts to protect privacy are about protecting customers. Compliance? We are compliant While critics will continue to sneer and jeer at the company in their quest to rid the world of the “Apple Tax” only the world’s largest developers actually pay, Apple would argue that it has been making serious efforts to comply with the DMA. The company has opened up a portal developers can use to request additional interoperability with hardware and software features inside iPhones and iPads. Apple consistently opens up API access to iPhone, including opening up SMS messaging to RCS, HomeKit features and messaging services support. It has also put in place numerous other enhancements in response to the DMA, and while the warning messages it places when using third-party stores may be stark, this makes them no less true. Europe seems to want customers to use third-party stores with no warning at all that this is what is going on, which seems weird. Malicious regulatory compliance There is a degree to which much of the situation seems to reflect political, rather than economic or moral pressures. The fact that Europe is using Apple as a high profile example, while also refusing to be totally transparent about what it wants before levying any fines, suggests that the Commission is not so much deciding on facts as implementing a political decision using a set of laws that seem designed almost solely to punish one company. That’s the kind of malicious regulatory compliance Apple is furious about — a compliance regime that will now be tested in the courts. Will it make a difference?  Who knows? But the existential battle will decide the future of technology in Europe, and if the market is worth doing business in when compared to the cost of doing so. It will also determine the future of Apple, which will use its considerable resources to find some way to change the nature of the game. One group it seems unlikely to help will be those of Apple’s European customers who are happy and accustomed to the Apple ecosystem, and don’t particularly want to use third-party services, as Apple’s right to offer that “pure Apple” experience seems a likely sacrifice to Europe’s politically-driven zeal. That is, unless cooler heads do curtail the Commission’s attacks. You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky,  LinkedIn, and Mastodon.

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Jeff and Fernando talk about Apple’s impressive history with accessibility, including our favorite accessibility tips and tricks, and upcoming accessibility features in iOS 26! Sponsored by Bitwarden: Check out Bitwarden Password Manager, featurin

Protect your skin by kicking these common sunscreen myths to the curb.