Lindsay SalazarEvery item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.From marble and concrete to zellige and subway, there are limitless possibilities when it comes to tile. While the material’s popularity has waxed and waned over the years, we’re currently entering a tile renaissance. No longer limited to just your floors or shower stalls, tile is covering everything from side tables to skylights, drenching bathrooms and kitchens in a glossy new light. “Clients aren’t defaulting to the standard white subway tile anymore,” says interior designer Sarah Stacey. “There’s a lot more interest in making intentional, expressive choices with tile now, whether it’s through color, pattern, or texture. People are much more willing to take creative risks than they were even a few years ago.” Interestingly enough, the biggest tile trend of the season is being anti-trend. Personality and joy-driven interiors are being prioritized instead of property value and neutral finishes. “Clients are less interested in safe, resale-driven choices and more open to statement moments, ” says interior designer Michelle Murphy of DEMI RYAN. “They want spaces that reflect them, not just trends—a dramatic shower wall, patterned floors, or jewel-box powder rooms.” Whether your aesthetic leans more towards color-drenching or pattern mixing, there’s a creative use of tile just begging to be a part of your next renovation or remodel. Below, 16 top experts reveal the tile trends they’re most excited about right now—alongside images showing how they used them to stunning advantage.See more current design trends we’re obsessed with:1Scalloped EdgesTrevor Tondro“I'm loving scalloped designs! This spring, we are seeing lots of scalloped edges in dinnerware, furniture, soft goods, and now in tile! We are thrilled to launch our Ashton Meadows collection with Studio McGee, which features a scalloped edge that is tailored yet whimsical. ” —DeeDee Gundberg, Chief Designer, Ann Sacks2Retro RevivalCourtesy of Tile of Spain“From kaleidoscopic patterns to '70s palettes, there is a marked nod towards a retro revival lately. A true hint of nostalgia can be seen with zesty colourways taking centre stage, while striking patterns create visual focal points, allowing interiors to celebrate bygone design eras in a new, contemporary fashion.” —María D Arráez, Director of Tile of Spain UKAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Color-DrenchingCourtesy of Ceramics of Italy“After attending Coverings 2025—the largest international tile and stone exhibition in North America—we’ve noticed a palpable shift towards playful and expressive tile designs. Italian ceramic manufacturers are leading the charge with small-format tiles featuring whimsical patterns and vibrant colors, ideal for both walls and floors in the bathroom. Notably, the trend of “color drenching,” and in the tile world, “mineral drenching," is gaining traction, where entire spaces are enveloped in rich tones and textures reminiscent of marble, onyx, or travertine, to fully immerse a space.”—Brittney Harmond, representative of Ceramics of Italy 4Natural MaterialsCourtesy of Vitale Design Group“The revival of earthly natural stones in 2025 truly brings sophistication and romance to the bathroom. This trend creates the perfect ambiance and enhances the mood through the use of warm tones in travertine, limestone, and bold vein marbles. Our second favorite trend is Zellige tiles. Zellige tiles are handmade Moroccan tiles that are multi-tonal, and the hand-glazing allows the colors to truly feel alive. These tiles bring timeless elegance & versatility to any space.”—Alexis Vitale, Vitale Design GroupAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Custom ConfigurationsJoseph Bradshaw“Mosaics offer such exciting possibilities, and we’re seeing a significant rise in the use of custom mosaics, especially. Designers are leveraging the versatility of mosaic tile to craft completely personalized designs, whether that’s a fully branded tile wall or an ancient Greece-inspired residential bathroom floor.” — Jamie Chappell, VP of Brand and Marketing at Fireclay Tile63D MotifsL'ANTIC COLONIAL“The 3D relief tile trend is particularly captivating. Tiles with dimensional surfaces play with light and shadow, adding depth and dynamism to spaces. This tactile quality not only enhances the visual appeal but also contributes to the overall sensory experience of the bathroom, aligning with the broader trend of creating spa-like, restorative environments at home.” —Jordana Moche, NYC Managing Director at PorcelanosaAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Rare PairingsLauren Miller“I like the mash-up of the unexpected—it used to be that limestone and marble weren’t really materials you mixed, but I like the recent departure from matching to something a little more freeform. I also like the exploration of deeper tones like oxblood marbles and green onyx.” —Sam Sacks, Sam Sacks Design8Sidestep ShinyGieves Anderson“My favorite trend is tile having a more natural and organic look, rather than the crisp modern look that has been popular. This is why I am using more ceramic tile and opting for more matte and honed pieces rather than the polished style we’ve been using for so long now. This allows the tile to have more warmth and dimension. It makes for a calming space to shower and get ready in, something I think everyone wants.”—Emily Del Bello, Emily Del Bello InteriorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below9Patterned LayoutsBrittany Dawn Short“I love that people are playing with tile patterns—using different colors to create checks, stripes, or more abstract layouts. It’s not about printed tiles, but about creating a pattern through placement and color. While it’s something that’s been around for a while, it feels exciting to see it coming back in fresh, modern ways.” Sarah Stacey, Sarah Stacey Interior Design10Handmade SlabsKate Leichhardt“I’m really drawn to anything that feels a little handmade and imperfect; it gives a space so much soul. I’m loving the trend of mixing shapes and patterns using the same tile, especially when it’s done with mosaics or geometric layouts. It feels creative without being chaotic. It brings in so much more personality and warmth than using a single stone alone.” —Amanda Jacobs, Amanda Jacobs DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11 Subtle TexturesCourtesy of Dart Studio“Earthy, sun-faded tones, like terracotta, muted sage, and chalky whites, are at the top of my list for this season. I’m also loving dimensional, sculpted tiles that add texture and warmth. They have a subtle mid-century edge that feels both nostalgic and modern. Clients are so much braver, mixing materials, playing with pattern and color, and treating bathrooms like real design moments, not just utility spaces. It’s about personality now, not just practicality.” —Olivia Botrie, Creative Director of Dart Studio12Playful StripesLindsay Brown“I’m happy to see clients embracing color and pattern more and more over the past few years. There has been less focus on resale value and aesthetics, and more design for the individual. This allows clients to take the pressure off of making choices for anyone other than themselves, which makes room for much more play. I am loving all-over tile, especially in bold patterns like stripes or checkerboard. I’m so ready to have fun with tile and am excited that there is more buy-in from clients currently!” —Avery Cox, Avery Cox DesignAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Grounding ColorsMargaret Larson“After living with an 80s-era color-blocked shower wall in a New York City rental, it’s a look I find hard to embrace fully. It tends to date a space much faster than you'd hope, especially in a bathroom. Instead, I prefer bringing color in more timeless ways. In a recent renovation, we used a deep evergreen tile on the floor—a rich, grounding pop that feels vibrant without sacrificing longevity.” —Kelsey Matyas, Kelsey Deirdre Designs14Bolder BacksplashesCourtesy of LIVDEN“We are excited to see more bold and unique kitchens this spring! We are hoping that eye-catching tile patterns make their way to kitchen backsplashes and not just powder baths. It’s time for kitchens to breathe more personality and style into the home, so we are excited that more homeowners seem to be open to adding a bold patterned tile to their backsplash.”—Hilary Gibbs and Georgie Smith, Founders of LIVDEN Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Timeless MaterialsRoss Group Creative“We try to push clients towards classic selections that won’t look too trendy down the line. Tile is so difficult to remove and replace, so we like to make sure we are installing timeless options. Marble is our go-to in all shapes—hexagons, basketweaves, mosaics, and even classic subway all make for beautiful floors, shower walls, and backsplashes.” —Katie Figler, Kate Figler Interiors16Ribbon TilesKeyannaBowen“One of our favorite tile trends right now is the use of ribbon tiles and fluted formats to bring a new kind of texture to bathrooms [seen in the top border of the tile in this bathroom]. Their slim profiles and subtle ridges add quiet architecture to a space, layering in rhythm and movement without relying on bold decorative patterns. It is a more dimensional approach to bringing energy into a room while keeping the overall feeling elevated and restrained.” —Genevieve Webb and Ashley Mutch, Feather Hill Interiors

This Duster review contains no spoilers. Would you look at that? Actor Josh Holloway and creator J.J. Abrams have reunited for the first time since Lost crash-landed onto ABC 20 years ago. I have slight memories of the series — I was more of a Heroes watcher — but never felt inclined to revisit. Nonetheless, I can understand the joy in seeing them collaborate on a new project after all these years. But this time, they’re trading vehicles and genres. Abrams and LaToya Morgan’s Max period crime thriller series, Duster, in which Holloway portrays a getaway driver tapped to be a mole by the FBI, bears a pulpy and cartoonish exterior, though its constant tonal whiplash prevents its engine from roaring as loud as it should. Jim Ellis (Holloway) is the quintessential getaway driver men don’t want to mess with and women want to be with. He’s a cool, alluring, charming dude whose business varies between wheelman, courier, and blackmailer. Most of his jobs are for his crime lord boss, Ezra Saxton (Keith David), who has the Southwest crime strip on lock and whom he’s loyal to thanks to the friendship his dad Wade (Corbin Bernsen) shared with him. Whenever he’s not under Saxton’s thumb, he’s a supportive uncle to his fellow courier driver ex-girlfriend Izzy’s (Camille Guaty) daughter Luna (Adriana Aluna Martinez). Although Jim leads a low-key lifestyle, it’s evident that he is going through a transition brought on by the unresolved death of his beloved brother, Joey who was also a wheelman in the past and died in an explosion.  Enter the driven and hard-working Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson), who makes it into the FBI as the first Black woman agent. Because it’s the ‘70s, all the white males within her unit, whether it be her peers or superiors, do their best to belittle her. The sole person she establishes a friendship with is Awan (Asivak Koostachin), a comic book-loving Navajo nation-based agent who is assigned as her partner.  Hayes and Ellis’ worlds collide, and she propositions him to be her mole for the FBI to take down Saxton and his entire crime syndicate. Unknown to her FBI allies, Hayes has additional motivations for wanting to bring Saxton down. Jim’s loyalty to his boss is frequently put to the test during the season’s perilous assignments, causing him to question his loyalty to Saxton. Hayes faces the same moral compass challenge as she is compelled to work outside the law and actively pursue information.  Despite the serialization of the plot, Duster bears a high-spirited eccentricity that works in its favor for most of the series. At least on Jim Ellis’ part, where it adopts the “mission of the week” episodic format. Every episode follows Jim going job to job for Saxton, which results in him either facing off against assassins or crime lords straight out of an ‘80s animation. Jim’s quests get unabashedly cartoonish to the extent that one episode features a stunningly animated dream sequence where Jim envisions himself in a Looney Tunes cartoon. When he’s not fighting in his orange Plymouth Duster, Jim’s wheelman missions involve him interacting with icons of 1970s pop culture, such as Colonel Tom Parker and Adrienne Barbeau. Abrams and Morgan’s use of campy worldbuilding is largely attributable to the charismatic supporting actors who confidently embellish their roles, as opposed to the straight-laced nature of the two leads. Jim’s smooth persona, in particular, bounces off quirky characters, resulting in strong comedic moments. Some of my favorite scenes are when Jim fights with his stepmother Charlotte (Gail O’ Grady), who despises him to no end even though they both have a close bond with Wade the patriarch. Duster‘s heart simply lies in how Jim and Nina navigate this kooky, crime world and their reliance on each other to thrive in their paths. Holloway’s smooth wit and personable bravado contribute to the show’s welcoming gravitas. Hilson on her part excels with a tough, self-assured backbone that adds so much charm to the conventional cop-criminal dynamic she and Holloway share.  It’s clear that Duster is a different engine from Lost, but Holloway hasn’t lost his star touch. The series thrives on being brainless, fast-food TV that is often wildly entertaining, accompanied by stylish and cool action sequences. Whether it be combat or car chase sequences with adrenaline-inducing practical crashes, it feels like a remnant of pulpy action thrillers with an adult edge not often around in modern television. Much of that credit is attributed to director Steph Green, who keeps the energy buoyed throughout each episode despite elements of the overarching investigation Nina and Awan feeling like a chore to get through.  Some episodes have trouble keeping a consistent tone. Mostly when it tries to make timely social commentary about workplace diversity, racial identity, and equality, especially within Nina and Izzy’s subplot. It’s a good attempt, if not absolutely necessary, especially since many studios are cutting back on diverse content in a Trump 2.0 administration. But it all contradicts the ridiculous scenes that follow, like Jim facing an assassin whose shtick is throwing projectile blades or a ceiling fan landing on a racist patron’s crotch. Duster is an all-around enjoyable and engaging historical thriller, supported by a warm, campy energy and wit, incredible action scenes, and strong performances from Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox! The first episode of Duster premieres Thursday, May 15 at 9 p.m. ET on Max. New episodes debut Thursdays at the same time, culminating with the finale on July 3.

Complementary colors, positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, can produce some of the most vibrant and visually compelling images in photography. By understanding and strategically using them, photographers can create striking, balanced compositions that immediately captivate viewers. Here’s how to effectively harness this to infuse your photographs with drama and visual tension. Understanding Complementary Colors Complementary colors—like red and green, blue and orange, or yellow and purple—create powerful visual contrasts. When placed together, these colors enhance each other’s intensity, leading to dynamic and eye-catching images. Understanding the emotional impact of complementary colors can significantly improve your photographic storytelling: Red and Green: evoke passion and vitality Blue and Orange: provide depth and warmth Yellow and Purple: suggest creativity and vibrancy Creating Balance and Visual Tension with Complementary Colors The key to successfully using complementary colors lies in achieving visual harmony. Allow one color to dominate the scene while using its complementary counterpart as a strategic accent. Thoughtful placement of these colors can effectively guide the viewer’s attention and create powerful visual interest without overwhelming the frame. Utilizing Lighting to Enhance Color Contrasts Lighting significantly influences how colors interact and appear in photographs: Natural Lighting: During golden hour or blue hour, natural lighting emphasizes color contrasts, enhancing warmth or coolness. Artificial Lighting: Controlled artificial lighting, such as colored gels or studio lights, can intensify color relationships and dramatize your compositions. Composition Techniques Effective complementary color photography involves intentional composition: Simplify your frame by removing unnecessary distractions to help colors stand out clearly. Use neutral or uncluttered backgrounds to make colors truly pop. Thoughtfully integrate complementary colors within your background to further enhance your subject. Refining Your Image in Post-Processing Post-processing plays an important role in finalizing the visual drama of your complementary color images: Adjust contrast, saturation, and color balance to strengthen color relationships. Enhance the overall aesthetic appeal and cohesiveness of your composition through careful editing. Harnessing complementary colors effectively is a dynamic skill that enables photographers to convey vivid emotions, highlight intriguing narratives, and produce unforgettable imagery. By thoughtfully balancing composition, lighting, and post-processing, you can utilize colors contrast to create powerful and visually captivating photographs that resonate deeply with viewers. Explore the potential of complementary colors and elevate your photographic vision with bold, impactful compositions. Extended reading: Transforming ordinary scenes with vibrant colors The post Harnessing Complementary Colors for Visual Drama appeared first on 500px.

Unveiled at a Berlin launch event under the theme “Fashion Next,” the new lineup balances high-precision health tracking, expressive industrial design, and a more universal approach to platform compatibility. The headline announcement is the Huawei WATCH 5, now joined by a re-engineered FIT 4 Series, all built to run on both Android and iOS devices. Designer: Huawei TruSense and the Rise of Fingertip Biometrics Central to the WATCH 5 is the introduction of Huawei’s TruSense System, anchored by the Multi-sensing X-TAP module. Rather than relying on wrist-bound photoplethysmography alone, X-TAP brings health interaction directly to the fingertip. It provides faster and more granular readings through a gesture-based input system. The device supports quick-tap gestures like Double Tap and Double Slide. This reduces the need for menu-diving or screen tapping during workouts or daily routines. These are not just shortcuts. They are structured interactions that keep the wearable experience fluid without compromising data access. The hardware reflects a deliberate balance of elegance and performance. Sapphire glass curves over aerospace-grade titanium and 904L stainless steel, a pairing typically reserved for luxury watches. For the first time, the WATCH 5 ships in two sizes, 46mm and 42mm. This brings comfort to a broader user base without diluting the design language. Rebuilding the FIT Platform The FIT 4 Pro stands as a complete rework of Huawei’s entry-performance tier. At just 9.3mm thin, it trades visual weight for technical density. New water-resistance support extends tracking to diving depths of up to 40 meters. A reworked air pressure sensor now delivers elevation data tuned for trail running and mountain climbs. Offline map support and sport-specific modes such as golf, diving, and trail training turn this into a multi-condition training device. Build materials signal a shift in direction. Aviation-grade aluminum and titanium alloy bezels bring FIT 4 Pro closer to the sophistication of the WATCH 5. Sapphire glass has also been added for enhanced durability, especially in high-contact outdoor use. Interoperability and Expanded Harmony Both the WATCH 5 and FIT 4 Series operate independently of a Huawei smartphone. iOS and Android support remains intact. Gesture controls and activity syncing are supported across Huawei’s broader ecosystem. The launch also included FreeBuds 6, which work seamlessly with the wearables. Open-fit audio now enters a higher fidelity tier thanks to new dual drivers and refined voice call algorithms. The MatePad Pro 12.2 was also introduced. Its value lies in its role as an accessory-level companion, especially with the tandem OLED PaperMatte display and Huawei Glide keyboard. Battery longevity has been improved across the entire range. Huawei is targeting users who expect multiple days of uptime without sacrificing display brightness or connectivity. These are not devices designed to stay tethered to a charger. Pricing and Availability Pre-orders are now open. The Huawei WATCH 5 starts at £399.99. The FIT 4 and FIT 4 Pro are priced at £149.99 and £249.99 respectively. FreeBuds 6 will be available at £139.99. All product lines will be available from the Huawei Store, with retail launch scheduled for May 26. Huawei’s wearables are no longer treated as a secondary category. With TruSense and X-TAP, the brand is defining a new path in user-driven health technology. Everything is wrapped in high-finish industrial craft. This is not a spec war. It is a recalibration of what daily smartwear should feel like when hardware and wellness are developed as part of the same conversation.The post Huawei Redefines Its Wearable Future with WATCH 5 and FIT 4 Series first appeared on Yanko Design.

NimueIntroductionFor three semesters, our student team has been hard at work on the prototype for Nimue, a 3D platformer in which you play an enchanted princess who lost her memories. She needs to find her way through the castle ruins on a misty lake to uncover her past. Water is a visual core element of this game prototype, so we took extra care in its development. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the design and technical implementation of a lake water material.The first prototype of Nimue can be played on itch.io soon. A link to our shader for use in your own projects can be found at the end of this article.Taxonomy of WaterBefore we dive into the design decisions and technical implementation, we present a simplified taxonomy of visual water components to better understand the requirements of its representation:RiMEWind WavesWaves generated by wind, which form on an open water surface, can be divided into capillary waves and gravity waves. Capillary waves, or ripples, are small, short-wavelength waves caused by weak winds affecting surface tension in calm water. They can overlap longer and larger gravity waves. How these physically complex wave types are represented in stylized video games varies depending on the respective style. Both types are usually heavily simplified in form and motion, and capillary waves are sometimes omitted entirely to reduce detail.Sea of ThievesFoam PatternsFoam patterns refer to white foam crests that form on a water surface without breaking against an obstacle or shoreline. In reality, this effect occurs when different water layers collide, and waves become steeper until their peaks collapse, and the resulting bubbles and drops scatter the sunlight. Stylized foam patterns can be found in many video game water representations and can easily be abstracted into patterns. Such patterns contribute to a cartoon look and can sometimes even replace waveforms entirely.The Legend of Zelda: The Wind WakerFoam LinesFoam lines are a very common water element in video games, represented as white graphical lines surrounding shorelines and obstacles like rocks. They typically reference two different water phenomena: foam forming around obstacles due to wave breaking, and foam along shorelines, resulting from wave breaking and the mixing of algaes with organic and artificial substances.Foam lines can have different visual appearances depending on the surface angle: The shallower the angle, the wider the foam effect. Due to the weaker waves, distinctive foam lines are rarely observed on natural lakes, but they can be included in a stylization for aesthetic purposes. Animal Crossing: New HorizonsReflectionsWhen light hits a water surface, it can either be reflected (specular reflection) or transmitted into the water, where it may be absorbed, scattered, or reflected back through the surface. The Fresnel effect describes the perceived balance between reflection and transmission: at steep angles, more transmitted light reaches the eye, making the water appear more translucent, while at shallow angles, increased reflection makes it appear more opaqueIn stylized video games, implementations of water reflections vary: RiME, for example, imitates the Fresnel effect but does not reflect the environment at all, only a simple, otherwise invisible cube map. Wind Waker, on the other hand, completely foregoes reflection calculations and renders a flat-shaded water surface.RiMETranslucencyAs an inhomogeneous medium, water scatters some of the transmitted light before it can be reflected back to the surface. This is why water is described as translucent rather than transparent. Some scattered light is not reflected back but absorbed, reducing intensity and shifting color toward the least absorbed wavelengths, typically blue, blue-green, or turquoise. Increased distance amplifies scattering and absorption, altering color perception. Modern real-time engines simulate these effects, including absorption-based color variation with depth. However, stylized games often simplify or omit transmission entirely, rendering water as an opaque surface.RiMERefractionAn additional aspect of water transmission is refraction, the bending of light as it transitions between air and water due to their differing densities. This causes light to bend toward the normal upon entering the water, creating the apparent distortion of submerged objects. Refraction effects also commonly appear in stylized water rendering. Kirby's Forgotten Land, for example, showcases two key visual characteristics of refraction: distortion increases with steeper viewing angles and is amplified by ripples on the water's surface.Kirby and the Forgotten LandCausticsCaustic patterns form when light rays are focused by a curved water surface (caused by waves and ripples), projecting bundled light patterns onto underwater surfaces or even back to surfaces above water. These patterns are influenced by the clarity of the water, the depth of the water, and the strength of the light source. They contribute greatly to the atmosphere of virtual worlds and are often found in stylized games, although only as simplistic representations.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DDesign DecisionsDue to the fact that the setting of Nimue is a lake with a calm overall atmosphere, the decision was made to use very reduced gravity waves, as a calm water surface underlines this atmosphere. Capillary waves have too high a level of detail for the stylistic requirements of Nimue and were, therefore, not implemented.NimueShapesThe mood in Nimue can be summarized as calm and mystical. The design language of Nimue is graphic, rounded, and elegant. Shapes are vertically elongated and highly abstracted. Convex corners are always rounded or have a strong bevel, while concave corners are pointed to prevent the overall mass of objects from becoming too rounded.ColorsNimue uses mostly broken colors and pastels to create a serene, reflective mood and highlight the player's character with her saturated blue tones. Platforms and obstacles are depicted with a lower tonal value (darker) to increase their visibility. Overall, the game world is kept in very unsaturated shades of blue, with the atmospheric depth, i.e., the sky and objects in the distance, falling into the complementary orange range. Shades of green and yellow are either completely avoided or extremely desaturated. The resulting reduced color palette additionally supports the atmosphere and makes it appear more harmonious.Color gamut & value/tone tests Hue, Tone & SaturationSince the color of the water, with its hue, tone, and saturation, is technically achieved by several components, a 2D mockup was first designed to more easily compare different colors in the environment. Here it could be observed that both the low and the high tonal value formed too great a contrast to the rest of the environment and thus placed an undesirable focus on the water. Therefore, the medium tone value was chosen.The hue and saturation were tested in relativity to the sky, the player character, and the background. Here, too, the color variant that harmonizes the most with the rest of the environment and contrasts the least was chosen.Foam LinesFor the design of the foam lines, we proceeded in the same way as for the color selection: In this case, a screenshot of the test scene was used as the basis for three overpaints to try out different foam lines on the stones in the scene. Version 3 offers the greatest scope in terms of movement within the patterns. Due to this, and because of the greater visual interest, we opted for variant 3. Following the mockup, the texture was prepared so that it could be technically implemented.ReflectionThe reflection of the water surface contributes to how realistic the water looks, as one would always expect a reflection with natural water, depending on the angle. However, a reflection could also contribute to the overall appearance of the water becoming less calm. The romantic character created by the reflection of diffuse light on water is more present in version 1.In addition, the soft, wafting shapes created by the reflection fit in well with the art style. A reflection is desirable, but the reflections must not take up too much focus. Ideally, the water should be lighter in tone, and the reflections should be present but less pronounced. Reflection intensityRefraction & CausticsEven though most light in our water gets absorbed, we noticed an improvement in the believability of the ground right underneath the water's surface when utilizing refraction together with the waveforms. When it comes to caustics, the diffuse lighting conditions of our scene would make visible caustic patterns physically implausible, but it felt right aesthetically, which is why we included it anyway (not being bound to physical plausibility is one of the perks of stylized graphics).Technical Realization in Unreal Engine 5When building a water material in Unreal, choosing the right shading model and blend mode is crucial. While a Default Lit Translucent material with Surface Forward Shading offers the most control, it is very costly to render. The more efficient choice is the Single Layer Water shading model introduced in Unreal 4.27, which supports light absorption, scattering, reflection, refraction, and shadowing at a lower instruction count. However, there are some downsides. For example, as it only uses a single depth layer, it lacks back-face rendering, making it less suitable for underwater views. And while still quite expensive by itself, its benefits outweigh the drawbacks of our stylized water material.WaveformsStarting with the waveforms, we used panning normal maps to simulate the rather calm low-altitude gravity waves. The approach here is simple: create a wave normal map in Substance 3D Designer, sample it twice, and continuously offset the samples' UV coordinates in opposing directions at different speeds. Give one of the two samples a higher speed and normal intensity to create a sense of wind direction. This panning operation does not need to run in the fragment shader, you can move it to the vertex shader through the Vertex Interpolator without quality loss and thereby reduce the instruction count.Texture RepetitionTo reduce visible tiling, we used three simple and fairly efficient tricks. First, we offset the UVs of the Wave Samplers with a large panning noise texture to dynamically distort the wave patterns. Second, we used another sampler of that noise texture with different tiling, speed, and direction to modulate the strength of the normal maps across the surface. We sampled this noise texture four times with different variables in the material, which is a lot, but we reused them many times for most of the visual features of our water. Third, we sampled the pixel depth of the surface to mask out the waves that were far from the camera so that there were no waves in the far distance.Vertex DisplacementWhile these normal waves are enough to create the illusion of altitude on the water surface itself, they are lacking when it comes to the intersections around objects in the water, as these intersections are static without any actual vertex displacement. To fix that, two very simple sine operations (one along the X-axis and the other on the Y-axis) were added to drive the World Position Offset of the water mesh on the Z-axis. To keep the polycounts in check, we built a simple blueprint grid system that spawns high-res plane meshes at the center in a variable radius, and low-res plane meshes around that. This enables the culling of non-visible planes and the use of a less complex version of the water material for distant planes, where features like WPO are not needed.ColorThe general transmission amount is controlled by the opacity input of the material output, but scattering and absorption are defined via the Single Layer Water material output. The inputs Scattering Coefficients and Absorption Coefficients, which are responsible for reproducing how and how far different wavelengths travel through water, are decisive here. We use two scattering colors as parameters, which are interpolated depending on the camera distance. Close to the camera, the blue scattering color (ScatteringColorNear) dominates, while at a distance, the orange scattering color (ScatteringColorFar) takes over. The advantage is a separation of the water's color from the sky's color and, thus, higher artistic control.Reflections & RefractionReflections in the Single Layer Water shading model are as usual determined by the inputs for Specular (reflection intensity) and Roughness (reflection diffusion). In our case, however, we use Lumen reflections for their accuracy and quality, and as of Unreal 5.4, the Single Layer Water model’s roughness calculation does not work with Lumen reflections. It forces mirror reflections (Roughness = 0), no matter the value input, leaving the specular lobe unaffected. Instead, it only offsets the reflection brightness, as the specular input does.For our artistic purposes, this is fine, and we do use the roughness input to fine-tune the specular level while having the specular input as the base level. A very low value was set for the specular value to keep the reflection brightness low. We further stylized the reflections by decreasing this brightness near the camera by using the already mentioned masking method via camera to interpolate between two values (RoughnessNear and RoughnessFar). For refraction, the Pixel Normal Offset mode was used, and a scalar parameter interpolates between the base refraction and the output of the normal waves.CausticsFor the caustic effect, we created a Voronoi noise pattern by using Unreal's Noise node and exporting it with a render target. In Photoshop, the pattern was duplicated twice, rotated each, colored, and blended. This texture is then projected on the objects below by using the ColorScaleBehindWater input of the Single Layer Water Material output. The pattern is dynamically distorted by adding one of the aforementioned panning noise textures to the UV coordinates.FoamlinesWe started by creating custom meshes for foam lines and applied the earlier texture pattern, but quickly realized that such a workflow would be too cumbersome and inflexible for even a small scene, so we decided to do it procedurally. Two common methods for generating intersection masks on a plane are Depth Sampling and Distance Fields. The first works by subtracting the camera's distance to the water surface at the current pixel (i.e., the "PixelDepth") from the camera's distance to the closest scene object at that pixel (i.e., the "SceneDepth"). The second method is to use the node "DistanceToNearestSurface" which calculates the shortest distance between a point on the water surface and the nearest object by referencing the scene's global distance field. We used both methods to control the mask width, as each alone varies with the object's surface slope, causing undesirable variations. Combining them allowed us to switch between two different mask widths, turning off "Affect Distance Field Lighting" for shallow slopes where narrower lines are wanted.The added mask of all intersections is then used for two effects to create the foam lines: "edge foam" (that does not depart from the intersection) and "edge waves" (which go outwards from the edge foam). Both are shaped with the noise samplers shown above to approximate the hand-drawn foam line texture.Foam PatternsThe same noise samplers are also used to create a sparkling foam effect, loosely imitating whitecaps/foam crests to add more visual interest to the water surface. Since it only reuses operations, this effect is very cheap. Similarly, the wave normals are used to create something like fake subsurface scattering to further distinguish the moving water surface. Interactive RipplesA third type of foam is added as interactive waves that ripple around the player character when walking through shallow water. This is done through a Render Target and particles, as demonstrated in this Unity tutorial by Minions Art. The steps described there are all easily applicable in Unreal with a Niagara System, a little Blueprint work, and common material nodes. We added a Height to Normal conversion for better visual integration into our existing wave setup. Finally, here are all those operations combined for the material inputs:NimueBest PracticesUse Single Layer Water for efficient translucency, but note it lacks back-face rendering and forces mirror reflections with Lumen;For simple low-altitude waves, pan two offset samples of a normal map at different speeds; move panning to Vertex Shader for better performance;Break up texture tiling efficiently by offsetting UVs with a large panning noise, modulating normal strength, and fading distant waves using pixel depth;Sampling one small noise texture at different scales can power this and many other features of a water shader efficiently;If high-altitude waves aren't needed, a simple sine-based WPO can suffice for vertex displacement; implement a grid system for LODs and culling of subdivided water meshes;Blend two scattering colors by camera distance for artistic watercolor control and separation from sky reflections;Combining depth sampling and distance fields to derive the foam lines allows for more flexible intersection widths but comes at a higher cost. Further ResourcesHere are some resources that helped us in the shader creation process:General shader theory and creation: tharlevfx, Ben Cloward;Interactive water in Unity: Minions Art;Another free stylized water material in Unreal by Fabian Lopez Arosa;Technical art wizardry: Ghislain Girardot.ConclusionWe hope this breakdown of our water material creation process will help you in your projects.If you want to take a look at our shader yourself or even use it for your own game projects, you can download the complete setup on Gumroad. We look forward to seeing your water shaders and exchanging ideas. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want to connect.Kolja Bopp, Academic SupervisorLeanna Geideck, Concept ArtistStephan zu Münster, Technical Artist

If I were an avocado, how would I move? Or a strawberry? A spring onion, maybe? These are questions most of us seldom ponder, but they were front of mind for illustrator and animator Emily Redfearn as she created a charming new campaign for one of the UK's biggest supermarket chains. Lidl Foodies is a project that has put groceries in motion, encouraging kids to eat healthily and showing them how to grow their own fruit and veg. It all began with a pitch to create a set of simple yet impactful fruit- and veg-based characters for kids. Emily mocked up the imagery along with some straplines, which opened the door to an extensive animation project. Collaborating closely with Lidl via the campaign agency, Accenture Song, and her talent agency, Roar, Emily then developed the characters further and applied the Lidl colour palette. It happens to be full of primary colours, which are ideal for children. All the while, she kept in mind that the strawberry, lemon, pepper, avocado, spring onion and tomato would come to life in short animations. "We wanted to make sure they all had their own vibe," says Emily. "It was important that we played off the natural shape of the characters. The avocado is very clunky and heavy, so we knew the action would need to reflect that, whereas the strawberry felt very springy and bouncy – both in taste and look – which we reflected in the bouncy movements we gave it." Whenever she needed inspiration for the project, Emily could step out into her garden, where she already grows lots of veggies—including ones in the animations. Using her hands-on experience, she was able to storyboard the instructional content, which some of the art directors tested on their own children. Propagating strawberries is actually trickier to explain than you might think, as Sheffield-based Emily explains: "We debated how literally to take some of the instructions. For example, normally, you shave a piece off a strawberry in order to plant the seeds, as they are so small. In practice, it almost looked gory to have the strawberry peel off its own skin! So, we creatively solved a lot of problems like this by simplifying it down to just a single seed being plucked." WIP: Line work and frames from the storyboard. Initially titled Lidl Growers, Emily developed an impactful logotype for the campaign. While her logotype may not have been deployed, she still had fun creating it, and there may yet be scope for her to expand the Lidl Foodies world. "The amount of work involved in the project was a challenge," says Emily. "There were many moving parts happening at once, with the animations and logo all being developed. It was a dream project in that way – everyone involved, from Lidl to the Accenture Song agency to my own agents Skye Kelly-Barrett and Sally Paley, were all so on the ball that it made the workload run so smoothly."

Posted on : May 15, 2025 By Tech World Times Education  Rate this post Research should be fair, honest, and accurate. But sometimes, bias enters and ruins the results. One common bias is selection bias. It happens when certain people or data are left out. Let’s explore the meaning, causes, examples, and solutions of selection bias in simple words. Define Selection Bias Let’s first simply define selection bias. Selection bias happens when a sample does not represent the full population. It affects research accuracy and leads to wrong or unfair conclusions. If the data selected is not random or fair, bias can occur. To define selection bias clearly: It is a type of error that happens when certain groups are more likely to be included or excluded. As a result, the study does not reflect the full picture. Causes of Selection Bias Let’s look at common causes of selection bias. These are often simple mistakes but with big effects. 1. Non-Random Sampling This happens when participants are chosen on purpose. For example, a survey is only for people in one city. It leaves out others and does not reflect the entire population. 2. Self-Selection Sometimes people decide whether to join a study. This means only people with strong opinions may take part. It creates an unfair sample and leads to bias. 3. Loss to Follow-Up In long studies, some participants stop responding. If many drop out, the remaining group may no longer represent the original group. 4. Exclusion Criteria Researchers sometimes exclude certain data or people. This may be needed, but it can cause bias if not handled carefully. 5. Sampling from a Special Group If you only pick people from a school, hospital, or gym, it may not represent the general population. Examples of Selection Bias Let’s make the meaning more clear with real-life examples. Example 1: Health Study A study on exercise includes only gym-goers. This group is likely healthier than others. So, the results do not apply to everyone. Example 2: Online Poll A poll about internet use is shared only on Twitter. Older people or non-users are left out. This leads to biased answers. Example 3: School Survey A survey about education includes only top-performing schools. It ignores schools with fewer resources. This makes the results unfair. Example 4: Medical Research A drug test only includes young adults. It skips older or sicker patients. The drug may not work the same for everyone. Why Selection Bias Matters Selection bias leads to wrong findings. It can harm real-life decisions, like health, law, or policies. Biased studies may waste time, money, and even risk lives. That’s why it’s important to fix it early. Solutions to Avoid Selection Bias Now that we have defined selection bias and seen its causes, let’s solve it. 1. Use Random Sampling Random sampling means everyone has an equal chance to be selected. It makes the sample more fair and balanced. 2. Ensure Large Sample Size A bigger sample reduces the effect of bias. Try to include as many different people as possible. 3. Keep Participants Engaged In long-term studies, follow up regularly. Use emails, calls, or visits to reduce dropouts. 4. Pre-Test Your Method Before the main study, test your sample plan. See if some groups are missing or over-represented. 5. Be Transparent Always explain how your sample was chosen. Mention any limitations in your study report. 6. Use Weighting Methods If some groups are over- or under-represented, adjust the weight of their data. This helps balance the results. Conclusion To get accurate results, we must avoid bias. Selection bias is a major cause of poor research. It happens when the sample does not represent the whole group. We have discussed what it is, how it happens, and how to fix it. To define selection bias simply: It is when your study misses some parts of the population. This leads to false, unfair, or misleading results. Always choose samples wisely. Avoid shortcuts. Use fair methods and stay honest in your research. This will help you get real, helpful, and trustworthy results. FAQs 1. What does “define selection bias” mean? It means to explain what selection bias is. Selection bias is when the chosen sample is unfair or unbalanced. 2. What is a real-world example of selection bias? A survey shared only online may miss people without the internet. This makes the sample biased. 3. Can selection bias be removed completely? It can be reduced but not always removed fully. Using random sampling and large groups helps a lot. 4. How does selection bias affect research? It makes the results unreliable. You may draw wrong conclusions from the study. 5. Is self-selection a form of selection bias? Yes, when people choose to join a study, it may lead to bias. 6. Why is it important to define selection bias in reports? It helps readers understand the study’s quality and limits. It also shows honesty from the researcher. Tech World TimesTech World Times (TWT), a global collective focusing on the latest tech news and trends in blockchain, Fintech, Development & Testing, AI and Startups. If you are looking for the guest post then contact at techworldtimes@gmail.com

Hackers have been stealing Coinbase customer information by bribing the company’s overseas support agents for access. The scheme affects a "small subset of customers," the popular cryptocurrency platform said on Thursday. "Their aim was to gather a customer list they could contact while pretending to be Coinbase—tricking people into handing over their crypto,” the company wrote in a blog post. Fortunately, the hackers had no access to user passwords, two-factor authentication codes, or the private keys for any cryptocurrency accounts. Still, in some cases, the cybercriminals successfully phished affected customers using stolen data, which included names, addresses, phones, email addresses, the last four digits of Social Security numbers, “masked bank account numbers,” government ID images such as driver’s license, along with balance snapshots and transaction histories. Unsuspecting victims then sent their cryptocurrency to the scammers, believing them to be official Coinbase representatives. In addition, the hackers even tried to extort Coinbase itself, demanding a $20 million payment from the cryptocurrency company to cover up the incident. However, Coinbase refused to pay and instead disclosed the hacking activity to warn users.    The scheme risks endangering customers who regularly use Coinbase for cryptocurrency transactions. “Less than 1% of our monthly transacting users had their records accessed,” CEO Brian Armstrong said in a video, without mentioning a firm number. Recommended by Our EditorsIn some good news, Coinbase plans on reimbursing users who fell for the phishing attempts. The company is also bolstering its security around customer support to prevent a repeat. “We’re actually relocating some of our customer support operations as a result of this,” Armstrong added. Coinbase is also offering a $20 million reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the culprits. “For these would-be extortionists, or anyone seeking to harm Coinbase customers, know that we will prosecute you and bring you to justice,” Armstrong said.Still, the hackers could use the stolen data to commit identity theft and other malicious schemes against the impacted users. Hence, victims should take measures to protect themselves. Coinbase says it already sent alert notices to affected customers, though details on the reimbursement process are scant. For now, the blog post merely says: “Coinbase will voluntarily reimburse retail customers who mistakenly sent funds to the scammer as a direct result of this incident prior to the date of this post, following a review to confirm the facts.”In the meantime, the company says it's working with law enforcement to ID the scammers.

Paroni Member Dec 17, 2020 4,769 Expectation: Reality: There has also been a documented case of a headless Shadowheart, without a doubt a victim of very vicious paintbrush. News on the subject: Baldur's Gate 3 companions got official $50 D&D minis, and I am casting Vicious Mockery because what in the Nine Hells is this Gale, you feeling all right? www.gamesradar.com The Baldur's Gate 3 cast got a new set of pre-painted minis and—oh, oh no, oh no no no Maybe the mind flayer tadpoles finally got to 'em. www.pcgamer.com Paint a lock if old.  MangoUltz "This guy are sick" Member Mar 24, 2019 4,087 Oof. Brutal paint job.   hydro94530 Chicken Chaser Member Oct 27, 2017 8,159 Bay Area Man those are butt ugly lol.   nsilvias Member Oct 25, 2017 29,963 whose kid did they pay to paint these?   Jawmuncher Crisis Dino Moderator Oct 25, 2017 44,753 Ibis Island Got two of these for a friend, sadly we did not get any of the main cast. The paint jobs on them weren't this bad though.   tapdancingFreak Member Dec 12, 2017 4,854 Charlotte, NC Lmfao!   Nostalgic Feeling Member Oct 19, 2024 511 LMAO 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣   y0shizawa Member May 3, 2021 635 Good lord that's awful   MadJosh04 Member Nov 9, 2022 2,734 Good lord that's bad lol   Foolhardy Member May 4, 2024 3,301 Pre-painted paired with D&D Minis have long been a recipe for hilarity and I am so happy the tradition has continued.   Derkon Member Oct 25, 2017 3,609 yikes   MadMod Member Dec 4, 2017 4,791 Like a 5 year old painted them from their mums nail polish draw.   onibirdo Member Dec 9, 2020 3,559   Pepsimaaan Member Oct 20, 2023 757 Shadowheart is missing her head in the packaged picture.....   LewieP Member Oct 26, 2017 19,790 The smart move here for Larian would be to immediately 3D scan these figures and then add them to the game as characters.   Sai Prophet of Truth The Fallen Oct 25, 2017 6,977 Chicago holy lol. incredible work.   shodgson8 Shinra Employee Member Aug 22, 2018 5,233 EDIT: Ninja'd  Spacejaws "This guy are sick" of the One Winged Slayer Member Oct 27, 2017 8,828 Scotland Yi-fucking-ikes Top is the press release. Bottom is the pic from the store webpage. Something went wrong here lol.  Banjo_ Member Mar 16, 2025 64 what have they done to my girl shadowheart 😭   jph139 One Winged Slayer Member Oct 25, 2017 15,666 Hoenstly, that's par for the course with pre-painted mass produced plastic minis - I feel like the quality standards have dropped considerably over the past 10-20 years. Back in the day you'd be spending $1-2 per mini and they'd look consistently good. Not hand-painted quality, but solid. Now to get anything near quality it's like $10 a mini? Maybe? (And with D&D minis you're spending that much and still getting garbage.) Like, I used to play Heroscape, and the Master Set with 30 miniatures and a shitton of terrain was only $40. The rebooted version that came out last year is 20 unpainted miniatures and like half the terrain for $125... or the version with painted minis for $225. It's crazy. I've just learned to settle for unpainted.  Takamura-San Member Oct 25, 2017 1,235 I haven't opened mine, and just looked up close and ooffff lol   Yerffej Prophet of Regret Member Oct 25, 2017 29,351 Poor Gale had his eyes scooped out. Shame.   Feral Gingy Member Oct 30, 2017 434 Finland Absolutely disgusting!   DanteMenethil Member Oct 25, 2017 8,972 FIFTY BUCKS HAHAHA   Nostalgic Feeling Member Oct 19, 2024 511 It's Tomb Raider all over again   Takamura-San Member Oct 25, 2017 1,235 Here's mine View: https://imgur.com/a/dzkTguT   Harmen Member Aug 30, 2023 1,372 Hahahaha, I love it   Brawly Likes to Brawl Member Oct 25, 2017 16,464 Ryohei Suzuki's bedroom Boulder's Gape 3   DiceHands Member Oct 27, 2017 4,783 someone tell them to thin their paints before applying   Apath Member Oct 25, 2017 3,493 That is worse than fast food promo pics vs the real thing. Hopefully they are giving refunds.   Jubilant Duck Member Oct 21, 2022 9,189 It's possibly confirmation bias but I don't think I've ever seen a mass-market pre-painted figure line that wasn't messy as fuck? There's just no way to ensure the quality across so many figures.   SpellSwordFoxx Member Feb 27, 2025 317 whoever they paid to do the pain jobs really didn't give a fuck XD   Ring Dings and Pepsi Member Jan 23, 2024 1,537 Spacejaws said: Yi-fucking-ikes Top is the press release. Bottom is the pic from the store webpage. Something went wrong here lol. Click to expand... Click to shrink... The colors don't even remotely match, wow  OP OP Paroni Member Dec 17, 2020 4,769 DiceHands said: someone tell them to thin their paints before applying Click to expand... Click to shrink... View: https://youtu.be/m3p_VuPIS2c   dreamfall Member Oct 25, 2017 7,330 Beyond hideous ! Paint job looks insane!   Praxis Sausage Tycoon Member Oct 25, 2017 8,141 UK Shadowheart shall be avenged   Anoregon Member Oct 25, 2017 16,115 texture and definition are crutches used by weak artists   Alvis Saw the truth behind the copied door Member Oct 25, 2017 12,089 EU That's pathetic lmao   Mandos Member Nov 27, 2017 39,102 Welcome to prepainted minis! This is why you do it yourself. Even if you can't do details you can do a fun shaded look   Stabi Member Oct 25, 2017 2,033 France / san francisco Tsk'va! My most regretted purchase ever. I'm first time i bought dnd pre painted because the press release pictures looked amazing. Never again. 

The bird above is not your typical charismatic species. It’s no bald eagle, no peregrine falcon. It’s a groundbird known as the lesser prairie-chicken that lives in the southern Great Plains. It’s not even the greater prairie-chicken, another, related avian species, that’s a bit larger. Today, however, this bird is very much worth paying attention to. In 2023, lesser prairie-chickens — which are actually fascinating birds, not least for their ridiculous mating rituals — were granted protection under the Endangered Species Act, the country’s strongest wildlife law. Scientists say this protection is justified: The population of lesser prairie-chickens has crashed since the last century from hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of birds to roughly 30,000 today. Now the Trump administration is trying to axe those extinction-thwarting protections. In a motion filed earlier this month in a Texas court, the administration argued that federal officials made an error when listing prairie-chickens under the Endangered Species Act. The listing — which makes it illegal to kill or harm the birds, with a number of exceptions — should be tossed out, the administration said. The move isn’t totally unexpected. Prairie-chickens overlap in some areas with oil and gas drilling. And President Donald Trump has signaled that he will prioritize drilling over environmental safeguards. Yet it reveals that his administration will take extreme steps to undo wildlife protections if they stand in the way of his agenda. If his administration is successful in delisting the bird, it will signal that no endangered species is safe — especially those, like these chickens, that happen to live where fossil fuels are buried.Send us a tipDo you have a story idea or a tip to share? Reach Benji Jones at benji.jones@vox.com or at the secure encrypted address benjijones@protonmail.com. You can also find him on Signal at @benji.90.The dance of the prairie-chickenMale lesser prairie-chickens are extremely extra.Each spring, they come together in breeding grounds called leks to dance for females, hoping to attract them as mates. They inflate large sacs on their neck, flare yellow combs above their eyes, and raise wing-like feathers behind their heads. Then they stomp their feet and start booming, producing a noise that sounds like sped-up yodeling. (These are not to be confused with the greater sage-grouse, a bird in the same family that has a similarly spectacular display.)The Great Plains were once filled with these unusual dancing birds, which play important roles in grassland ecosystems: They provide food for raptors, spread seeds, and control insects. But in the last few centuries, prairie-chickens lost most of their habitat — largely to the expansion of oil and gas, commercial farming, housing developments, and, more recently, wind energy. Scientists estimate that the range of lesser prairie-chickens has shrunk by 83 percent to 90 percent since European settlement.“Grasslands are the most threatened ecosystem on the continent and in the world, and nowhere more so than in the southwestern Great Plains,” said Ted Koch, executive director of the North American Grouse Partnership, a bird conservation group. Facing extinction as a result of powerful industries, the prairie-chicken has been caught up in a game of political ping pong. The government first granted them federal protection in 2014. Then, in response to a lawsuit filed by an oil-industry trade group and several counties in New Mexico, the Texas court tossed out the listing in 2015. They were officially delisted in 2016. The suit argued that in granting federal protections the government didn’t adequately consider existing voluntary efforts, such as habitat conservation, to conserve the birds.Shortly after, the Interior Department — the government agency that oversees endangered species listings — reevaluated the bird and once again determined, under the Biden administration, that it is at risk of extinction, even with those voluntary efforts in place. In 2023, Interior added the chickens back on the endangered species list. That brings us to the present day, when these forsaken birds could once again lose protection. Trump moves to strip endangered species protections on a technicalityThe Trump administration is arguing that the Interior Department made a mistake when it recently listed the birds again. It comes down to a somewhat wonky technicality. Briefly, the Endangered Species Act allows the government to grant formal protection to a species or to a population of a species — if those populations are important on their own, and at risk. That’s what the Biden administration did: It determined that there were two distinct populations of lesser-prairie chickens and it granted each of them slightly different protections. One of the populations is in the northern end of the birds’ range, including Oklahoma and Kansas, and the other is in the southern reaches of its range, in Texas and New Mexico. Under the Trump administration, Interior claims that it didn’t provide enough information to show that the two bird populations are distinct. That’s reason enough to delist the birds, the administration argues, while it reviews their status over the next year. If the species is delisted — even temporarily — the government would be able to permit activities, such as energy projects, even if they might harm the bird and the endangered grasslands it’s found in. Male lesser prairie-chickens fight for territory at a lek in Edwards County, Kansas. Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty ImagesAvian experts, meanwhile, say the reasoning behind the original listing — which was the result of months of work and more than 30,000 public comments — is sound, and these birds are very clearly in trouble. “The North American Grouse Partnership agrees completely that listing of chickens is warranted,” said Koch, a former biologist with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the division within Interior that implements the Endangered Species Act.The move to delist prairie-chickens appears to be an effort by the Trump administration to skirt wildlife regulations that some perceive to stand in the way of the oil industry, said Jonathan Hayes, executive director of Audubon Southwest, a regional office of the National Audubon Society, a large environmental nonprofit. “Whether it’s true or not, this chicken symbolizes a challenge, or an impediment, to oil and gas development for industry,” Hayes told Vox. “We would expect this administration to push back on regulations that may or may not impact oil and gas. That’s what it feels like is happening here.” In a statement to Vox, the Interior Department said it has an “unwavering commitment to conserving and managing the nation’s natural and cultural resources…and overseeing public lands and waters for the benefit of all Americans, while prioritizing fiscal responsibility for the American people.”The new administration can quibble with the technical points of the listing, Koch said, but that will do nothing to change the reality: The bird is at risk of extinction and needs to be protected. “Whether somebody wants to engage in debate on technicalities is up to them, but simply and fundamentally lesser prairie-chickens are threatened with extinction,” Koch said. “Delisting lesser prairie chickens on a technicality is going to do nothing to address the underlying threat to these ecosystems.”The future for threatened species in the US There’s no guarantee that prairie-chickens will lose protection. The Trump administration’s motion to delist the birds came in response to a pair of lawsuits filed by both the state of Texas and groups representing the oil and livestock industries. The suits allege that the Interior Department made a mistake in splitting the birds into two distinct populations and failed to follow the best available information. (Interior’s spokesperson told Vox they will not comment on ongoing litigation.)Before Trump took office, the government was planning to defend its decision to protect the birds — and to split them up — in court, in response to those lawsuits. Now it’s reversing course and agreeing with Texas and the oil industry to toss out the listing.It’s possible that the judge overseeing this case could agree to remove protections, said Jason Rylander, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. In that case, groups like his would try to appeal to block the delisting. The court could also tell the government to review the bird’s status while keeping existing protections in place, Rylander says. What’s key here is that the decision to list lesser prairie-chickens involved a formal rulemaking process with public input. It’s not clear that the government can simply reverse its decision and yank federal protections without going through that process again.“The government can’t act in a capricious way,” Hayes of Audubon said. “It can’t just blow with the wind, and that’s exactly what it did here. They just changed their minds when the administration changed. I’m not sure how they will legally defend their complete 180.”But no matter how this plays out, this effort to delist lesser prairie-chickens puts other threatened species in an even more precarious spot, especially those that live in regions with oil and gas.One example is the endangered dunes sagebrush lizard. It’s a small, scaly reptile that lives in the Permian Basin of Texas, the largest oil-producing region in the country, and nowhere else on Earth.The state of Texas similarly sued the government after it listed the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered last year. The suit — which asks the court to vacate the endangered listing — alleges, among other things, that the government didn’t rely on the best available data to evaluate the lizard’s extinction risk. That case is still pending, though environmental advocates fear that the Trump administration could side with Texas and claim it made a mistake when listing the lizard. Then there’s the beloved monarch butterfly. Following decades of population decline, the government proposed federal protections for the iconic insect late last year. Monarch habitat similarly overlaps with the oil and gas industry, as well as commercial farmland. Fossil-fuel groups have already asked the Trump administration to reconsider the listing. “As the Trump administration is in power, we can expect that endangered species protections are going to be under attack,” Rylander said. “I think there’s a chance we can stop this in court,” he said of efforts to delist the prairie-chicken, “but I think if we don’t, we will see more efforts to remand and vacate listings that they [the Trump administration] don’t want to have in place anymore.” It’s important to remember that wildlife protections benefit people, Koch said. And prairie-chickens are a good example. Most of the remaining birds live on sustainably managed, private ranchlands in the Great Plains, he said. Those lands — those working grassland ecosystems — are under threat from energy development and other industries that are more profitable. Saving prairie chickens means saving those lands. And saving those lands benefits the ranchers that live on them, he said.“The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to conserve the ecosystems upon which we and all other species depend,” Koch said. “People depend on grassland ecosystems, and so do lesser prairie-chickens. We need to save grasslands for both of us.”See More: