CSS grid with Galaxy layout: now available in FigmaHow I used Grid on a client website sometime ago, and share creative ideas to spark your imagination, whether you’re a designer, developer, or both.1. The history of CSS gridBack in 2005, Bert Bos published the CSS3 Advanced Layout draft. After nearly two decades of work by the CSS Working Group and passionate advocates, CSS Grid has evolved into one of the most powerful layout systems for the web and developers have been using it in production for years.Now, in 2025, designers can finally experience CSS Grid directly in Figma. Hopefully, Figma will continue evolving to support all CSS properties, functions, data types, and values, so design and code can align even more seamlessly. 🤝✨2. Observe: bringing installation Art to the webTo show what’s possible, I will show you through how I used CSS Grid to recreate a large scale installation artwork on the web from concept to implementation. Galaxy (2016) is one of the signature works by Korean contemporary artist Kim Eull, consisting of 1,450 individual drawings. The moment I saw it, I knew it could be reimagined with CSS Grid.Galaxy, Installation, Kim Eull, 2016Galaxy, Installation, Kim Eull, 2016When I saw it, I thought it could be quite easy to re-create and visualise it using CSS Grid. 😎In summer © 2023 Disney and related entities. All Rights Reserved.But it was more complicated than I expected making the Galaxy layout in CSS Grid with 1,450 drawings 😅.The first draft grid drawingMy first draft involved sketching a rough grid layout inspired by the installation. From there, I defined the following design goals:🎯 Design GoalsThe grid container should resemble the Galaxy installation.It should be flexible and responsive across screen sizes.Each grid item should have a hover effect and link to its own content page.Each item must match the exact shape ratio (vertical, horizontal, square) of the original artwork.Specified properties and values for each grid item in WordPress so the client can easily choose and upload artwork for each grid item if he wishes to change it.⚙️ Image configurations in WordPressImage size: small, medium, largeShape: vertical rectangle, horizontal rectangle, square3. Research: CSS grid capabilities① Understand the CSS grid structureLet me briefly explain the basics of CSS Grid. Think of CSS Grid like an IKEA IVAR shelf: the container is the outer frame, and the items are the individual cells. Define the frame, decide the rows and columns, and then neatly arrange your content, just like organising your favourite shelf.IKEA IVAR © Inter IKEA Systems B.V. 1999–2023I hope this cheat sheet I made for this article helps you understand the CSS grid structure. 🧙🏻CSS Grid container and itemIVAR outer frame = grid container = parentEach cell = grid item = childCSS Grid TerminologyLine: horizontal or vertical divider (used to position items)Cell: the smallest unit of the gridTrack: the space between two lines (a row or a column)Area: a group of cells defined using grid-area② Find suitable propertiesAs you can see from the CSS Grid cheatsheet below, CSS Grid has many properties and values as well as various features. It was important to find suitable properties and values of CSS Grid for the Galaxy layout. I tried all properties and found grid-template containers and grid-area items worked best for the Galaxy layout.CSS Grid properties4. Make: Prototyping & Iterating① Sketch the layout by hand (now in Figma!)CSS Grid prototypingTo define grid-area values visually, I printed a grid and sketched the Galaxy layout by hand. Back then, Figma didn’t support grid layouts like it does now so I had to draw by hand. But now, thanks to Figma’s new Grid feature, you can map and plan layouts much more easily 🙌CSS Grid prototyping in FigmaThat said, while I really enjoyed using Figma Grid, I noticed a few limitations that made it tricky to recreate the Galaxy layout precisely.🚧 A Few Limitations in Figma GridRow and column gapsNo variable support for row/column gapsFigma only allows fixed px values for grid gaps, but I need to use primitive values from our design system library to ensure consistency across components and patterns. It would be great if Figma supported variables or design tokens for this.⚠️ Note: Gaps in CSS can use any length unit or percentage — but not fr.No visible line numbers in FigmaNo visible line numbersWhen placing images based on grid-area, it’s hard to know the exact row/column without indicators. This made it difficult to match my CSS layout precisely.Elements shift randomly when adding new imagesEvery time I added a new image, other elements jumped around unexpectedly. I had to manually re-align everything — bug or feature?Limited support for CSS grid propertiesEspecially for parent-level properties like justify-items, align-items, place-content, etc. Figma currently only supports basic alignment and fixed units. This limits the full expressive potential of CSS Grid.🙏 If you’ve found any tricks or tips for these challenges, I’d truly appreciate it if you shared them!Despite these challenges, I believe Figma will continue to evolve and support more CSS properties, functions, data types, and values, aligning design and code even more seamlessly. If you have tips for that, please share!Now, let’s go back to the process of building the Galaxy layout.② Numbering the grid linesI labeled each row and column in the sketch, these line numbers help define each grid item’s position using the grid-area shorthand.Numbering the grid linesAlso, we can inspect these numbers in the Chrome DevTools like below.CSS grid in Chrome DevTools③ Set the grid containerSet the grid container using grid-templateHere is the CSS code for the container. I used the repeat CSS function to create a certain number of columns and rows, grid-template shorthand with repeat() to create a 25×21 grid..container { display: grid; grid-template: repeat(25, 1fr) / repeat(21, 1fr);}Set the Grid Container: Repeat CSS function④ Define Grid ItemsNow I had 525 grid cells. To specify the grid item’s size and location for the Galaxy layout, I defined grid-area shorthand property for 29 items.grid-area value: row-start / column-start / row-end / column-endDefine grid itemsHere is the CSS code for the 29 items.//item position.item1 { grid-area: 2/6/8/9;}.item2 { grid-area: 3/9/6/11;}.item3 { grid-area: 1/11/6/14;}.......item27 { grid-area: 22/18/24/19;}.item28 { grid-area: 7/4/12/6;}.item29 { grid-area: 21/7/25/10;}Responsive CSS Grid test on CodePenThe grid-area CSS shorthand property specifies a grid item’s size and location within a grid by contributing a line, a span, or nothing (automatic) to its grid placement, thereby specifying the edges of its grid area. -MDNgrid-area - CSS: Cascading Style Sheets | MDN⑤ Insert Images into HTMLAs the final step, I selected artwork images that matched each grid item’s shape to avoid awkward cropping. One day, I hope we’ll have a CSS algorithm smart enough to auto-pick image ratios. 😉https://medium.com/media/7ffea08b5878827140665a540845a2e3/href5. Reflect: 3 Key LearningsAfter building the Galaxy layout with CSS Grid, I took a moment to reflect, just like in any good design process. Looking back helped me identify what worked, what surprised me, and what I’d do differently next time. Here are three insights that stood out:① Implicit grid vs Explicit gridAn implicit grid is automatically generated by the browser when items extend beyond the defined structure.An explicit grid is one you define manually using grid-template-columns and grid-template-rows.Understanding the difference helps you take full control of your layout.Comparing implicit and explicit grids in CSShttps://medium.com/media/25b574bf51ba75b81f31a1435d74c649/href👉 Watch: Wes Bos — Implicit vs Explicit Tracks② How height works in CSSThe height CSS property specifies the height of an element. By default, the property defines the height of the content area. -MDNThe height property controls an element’s vertical size.By default, it matches the height of the content inside.No content = no height100px content = 100px heighthttps://medium.com/media/2cf58e34fbb0c76baaee2454c9cc9c46/href③ fr units need explicit height💡 Height doesn’t update automatically like width does.Unlike columns, which adjust to screen width, rows using fr units don’t respond the same way. If the container has no defined height, the browser can’t calculate row heights, causing layout issues like the one shown below.fr units need explicit heightThe browser can’t calculate row heights, which can cause the layout to break unexpectedly, as shown bwhelow.The browser can’t calculate row heightsHeight doesn’t get updated automaticallyWhereas, even if there is no explicit width value in the block-level element specified, the browser automatically calculates the width value of the element by the browser size.Width gets updated automaticallyFor this reason, if you wanted to use fr unit in the grid-templage-rows property and takes up the entire height of the screen, you should put an explicit height on the container.Use fr unit in the grid-templage-rows property and takes up the entire height of the screen.container { height: 100vh; grid-template-row: repeat(6, 1fr);}https://medium.com/media/0d0238775bbfbe8ae34cf66acc89bcff/hrefEven now, I often forget CSS Grid properties when revisiting projects 😅. That’s why I created a CSS Grid Cheatsheet, a quick reference to help me remember and apply the right values fast.CSS Grid cheatsheet6. Resources to spark your imaginationDisclaimer: Parody of “I Can Be Anything” by Shinsuke Yoshitake, created by @nanacodesign for non-commercial, educational use. Original artwork © Shinsuke Yoshitake and/or its publishers.CSS Grid is far more powerful than just card layouts. Developers have explored it for years to create animations, 3D effects, and interactive designs with ease.To help you see what’s possible, I’ve collected some brilliant CodePen demos that show CSS Grid in action. These are real examples that you can explore, learn from, or adapt directly into your own projects:🕹️ CSS grid codepen collectionCSS grid codepen collection3D CSS Grid Exploding Stack by JheyIsometric eCommerce CSS Grid by Andy BarefootLayout Demo #10 — Rounded grid layout stacked: Rainbow by Mandy MichaelGenerative Kong Summit Patterns by Adam KuhnCountdown with grid css By Sergio AndradeKALEIDOSCOPE by LiamCSS Grid Ribbon layout by Andy BarefootAnimated CSS Grid (grid-template-rows / grid-template-columns) by BramusCSS Grid: Monopoly (Harry Potter Edition) by Olivia NgCSS Grid Responsive Perspective layout by Andy BarefootTriangle Grid with nth-child #CodePenChallenge by Stephen LeeResponsive Mondrian Art with CSS Grid by Ryan Yu📚 ResourcesConfig 2025: Structure your designs with Figma Grid, a new way to use auto layoutFigma’s new grid — you must understand CSS Grid as a designer by Christine VallaureA Complete Guide to CSS Grid | CSS-Tricks by Chris HouseCSS Grid Course by Wes BosGrid by example by Rachel AndrewCSS Grid Basics by Jen SimmonsWeb.dev > Learn CSS > GridMozilla > CSS Grid LayoutInspect CSS grid layoutsResponsive Card Grid Layout by Ryan YuInteresting Layouts with CSS Grid by Miriam SuzanneBuild a Classic Layout FAST in CSS Grid by Miriam SuzanneAn Interactive Guide to CSS Grid by Josh Comeau🙏 A huge thank you to all the creators and advocates who’ve shared these valuable resources. Your work continues to inspire and empower the community.💌 Any feedback or just say Hi!I’d love to hear how I can improve this article for everyone. Drop me a comment below, or reach out on Bluesky or LinkedIn.If you enjoyed it, feel free to show some love (👏) and stay tuned for more. Thank you!💜 🧙🏻‍♀️CSS Grid with Galaxy layout: now available in Figma was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

May 20, 2025Ravie LakshmananCybersecurity / Malware Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered malicious packages uploaded to the Python Package Index (PyPI) repository that act as checker tools to validate stolen email addresses against TikTok and Instagram APIs. All three packages are no longer available on PyPI. The names of the Python packages are below - checker-SaGaF (2,605 downloads) steinlurks (1,049 downloads) sinnercore (3,300 downloads) "True to its name, checker-SaGaF checks if an email is associated with a TikTok account and an Instagram account," Socket researcher Olivia Brown said in an analysis published last week. Specifically, the package is designed to send HTTP POST requests to TikTok's password recovery API and Instagram's account login endpoints to determine if an email address passed as input is valid, meaning there exists an account holder corresponding to that email address. "Once threat actors have this information, just from an email address, they can threaten to dox or spam, conduct fake report attacks to get accounts suspended, or solely confirm target accounts before launching a credential stuffing or password spraying exploit," Brown said. "Validated user lists are also sold on the dark web for profit. It can seem harmless to construct dictionaries of active emails, but this information enables and accelerates entire attack chains and minimizes detection by only targeting known-valid accounts." The second package "steinlurks," in a similar manner, targets Instagram accounts by sending forged HTTP POST requests mimicking the Instagram Android app to evade detection. It achieves this by targeting different API endpoints - i.instagram[.]com/api/v1/users/lookup/ i.instagram[.]com/api/v1/bloks/apps/com.bloks.www.caa.ar.search.async/ i.instagram[.]com/api/v1/accounts/send_recovery_flow_email/ www.instagram[.]com/api/v1/web/accounts/check_email/ "Sinnercore," on the other hand, aims to trigger the forgot password flow for a given username, targeting the API endpoint "b.i.instagram[.]com/api/v1/accounts/send_password_reset/" with fake HTTP requests containing the target's username. "There is also functionality targeting Telegram, namely extracting name, user ID, bio, and premium status, as well as other attributes," Brown explained. "Some parts of sinnercore are focused on crypto utilities, like getting real-time Binance price or currency conversions. It even targets PyPI programmers by fetching detailed info on any PyPI package, likely used for fake developer profiles or pretending to be developers." The disclosure comes as ReversingLabs detailed another malicious package named "dbgpkg" that masquerades as a debugging utility but implants a backdoor on the developer's system to facilitate code execution and data exfiltration. While the package is not accessible anymore, it's estimated to have been downloaded about 350 times. Interestingly, the package in question has been found to contain the same payload as the one embedded in "discordpydebug," which was flagged by Socket earlier this month. ReversingLabs said it also identified a third package called "requestsdev" that's believed to be part of the same campaign. It attracted 76 downloads before being taken down. Further analysis has determined that the package's backdoor technique using GSocket resembles that of Phoenix Hyena (aka DumpForums or Silent Crow), a hacktivist group known for targeting Russian entities, including Doctor Web, in the aftermath of the Russo-Ukrainian war in early 2022. While the attribution is tentative at best, ReversingLabs pointed out that the activity could also be the work of a copycat threat actor. However, the use of identical payloads and the fact that "discordpydebug" was first uploaded in March 2022 strengthen the case for a possible connection to Phoenix Hyena. "The malicious techniques used in this campaign, including a specific type of backdoor implant and the use of Python function wrapping, show that the threat actor behind it is sophisticated and very careful to avoid detection," security researcher Karlo Zanki said. "The use of function wrapping and tools like the Global Socket Toolkit show that the threat actors behind it were also looking to establish long-term presence on compromised systems without being noticed." The findings also coincide with the discovery of a malicious npm package called "koishi‑plugin‑pinhaofa" that installs a data‑exfiltration backdoor in chatbots powered by the Koishi framework. The package is no longer available for download from npm. "Marketed as a spelling‑autocorrect helper, the plugin scans every message for an eight‑character hexadecimal string," security researcher Kirill Boychenko said. "When it finds one, it forwards the full message, potentially including any embedded secrets or credentials, to a hard-coded QQ account." "Eight character hex often represent short Git commit hashes, truncated JWT or API tokens, CRC‑32 checksums, GUID lead segments, or device serial numbers, each of which can unlock wider systems or map internal assets. By harvesting the whole message the threat actor also scoops up any surrounding secrets, passwords, URLs, credentials, tokens, or IDs." Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

Something to look forward to: Tech companies may prefer everyone rely exclusively on cloud storage and online services, but many users prefer sharing files over local networks. In a nod to these stubborn "offline" holdouts, Microsoft is reintroducing a feature that first appeared in the Windows ecosystem sixteen years ago. There was a time when Windows 7 users could easily transfer files and folders between PCs using the "Windows Easy Transfer" tool. Microsoft later removed this useful feature – along with many others – in newer versions of Windows. Instead, the company shifted its focus to favor OneDrive and other cloud storage platforms for handling file and data migration. However, the Easy Transfer tool may be poised for a comeback in an upcoming Windows 11 update. Prolific Windows Insider build explorer "phantomofearth" recently shared screenshots of a new Windows Migration flow in the Backup app, which now includes an option to transfer files to a new PC over a local network. Windows Backup can now transfer files, apps, settings, and even credentials to another PC over a local WiFi network, helping users set up new machines more quickly. The process requires entering a passcode on the receiving PC – a common sense security safeguard on any platform. Phantomofearth notes that the latest Windows Dev build (26200.5600) includes the new migration flow. The option also appears in Beta 26120.3964. Longtime Windows users – especially Windows 7 enthusiasts – have welcomed the return of this Windows Backup feature, which closely resembles the original Easy Transfer utility. // Related Stories The current Windows Backup app supports migration to OneDrive, which provides just five gigabytes of free storage. Adding an option to transfer files and settings directly to a local PC will please many users, though it still lacks an offline alternative. Some users want the ability to copy data via an external USB drive since local networks can sometimes be unreliable. Of course, there are third-party backup tools for transferring data between systems. While Macrium Reflect Free is now limited to trialware, alternatives like Veeam Agent, Paragon Backup & Recovery, and Hasleo Backup offer all the features of Windows Backup – only much better.

Nature, Published online: 19 May 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01557-3The observation of bonding behaviours in wild chimpanzees suggests that some aspects of human attachment have a deep evolutionary origin.

May 19, 2025Ravie LakshmananMalware / Supply Chain Attack The official site for RVTools has been hacked to serve a compromised installer for the popular VMware environment reporting utility. "Robware.net and RVTools.com are currently offline. We are working expeditiously to restore service and appreciate your patience," the company said in a statement posted on its website. "Robware.net and RVTools.com are the only authorized and supported websites for RVTools software. Do not search for or download purported RVTools software from any other websites or sources." The development comes after security researcher Aidan Leon revealed that an infected version of the installer downloaded from the website was being used to sideload a malicious DLL that turned out to be a known malware loader called Bumblebee. It's currently not known how long the trojanized version of RVTools had been available for download and how many had installed it before the site was taken offline. In the interim, users are recommended to verify the installer's hash and review any execution of version.dll from user directories. The disclosure comes as it has come to light that the official software supplied with Procolored printers included a Delphi-based backdoor called XRed and a clipper malware dubbed SnipVex that's capable of substituting wallet addresses in the clipboard with that of a hard-coded address. Details of the malicious activity were first discovered by Cameron Coward, who is behind the YouTube channel Serial Hobbyism. XRed, believed to be active since at least 2019, comes with features to collect system information, log keystrokes, propagate via connected USB drives, and execute commands sent from an attacker-controlled server to capture screenshots, enumerate file systems and directories, download files, and delete files from the system. "[SnipVex] searches the clipboard for content that resembles a BTC address and replaces it with the attacker's address, such that cryptocurrency transactions will be diverted to the attacker," G DATA researcher Karsten Hahn, who further investigated the incident, said. But in an interesting twist, the malware infects .EXE files with the clipper functionality and makes use of an infection marker sequence – 0x0A 0x0B 0x0C – at the end to avoid re-infecting the files a second time. The wallet address in question has received 9.30857859 BTC (about $974,000) to date. Procolored has since acknowledged that the software packages were uploaded to the Mega file hosting service in October 2024 via USB drives and that the malware may have been introduced during this process. Software downloads are currently only available for F13 Pro, VF13 Pro, and V11 Pro products. "The malware's command-and-control server has been offline since February 2024," Hahn noted. "So it is not possible that XRed established a successful remote connection after that date. The accompanying clipbanker virus SnipVex is still a serious threat. Although transactions to the BTC address stopped on March 3, 2024, the file infection itself damages systems." Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter  and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post. SHARE    

A Washington DC-based think tank claims it has discovered evidence of a covert network of digital front companies operated by the Chinese intelligence services that are targeting laid-off US government employees. Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, thousands of people have been let go across the US government – including many in cyber security threat intel and research functions – following audits by the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). The mass lay-offs, which the White House says are being done in the name of saving money, have dramatically slowed and even halted many government functions. In some places – such as at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are being reversed. Now, the Federation for the Defence of Democracies (FDD), a research institute that focuses primarily on America’s national security and foreign policy, says that Beijing is moving to try to exploit the lay-offs for its own intelligence-gathering purposes. FDD senior analyst on emerging threats Max Lesser said these fraudulent organisations were posing as geopolitical risk consultancies and headhunting firms that appeared to be based in Japan, Singapore and the US. “The tactics employed by this network closely resemble previous Chinese intelligence operations targeting US government officials and other high-value targets across the US, Europe and beyond,” said Lesser. “Despite the network’s efforts to create the illusion that several separate firms outside of China are seeking to recruit laid-off federal employees, the network’s technical features point both to its Chinese origins and the role of a single entity in creating all of its components,” he said. Read more about nation state threats UK cyber security chief warns of ‘direct connection’ between Russian cyber attacks and physical threats to the UK. Two spyware variants are being used to target the mobile devices of persons of interest to Chinese intelligence, including individuals in the Taiwanese, Tibetan and Uyghur communities. Advanced persistent threat group UNC3886 deployed custom backdoors on end-of-life Juniper Networks routers, underscoring the need for timely patching and advanced security monitoring. The FDD named the companies as Smiao Intelligence, Dustrategy, RiverMerge Strategies, Tsubasa Insight and Wavemax Innov. Of these, said Lesser, only Smiao Intelligence appears to be a real company. The others are alleged to be little more than digital fronts operating cloned websites, with artificial intelligence (AI)-generated text and clearly fake customer references. Lesser said it was likely that individuals associated with Smiao created the network themselves for intelligence-gathering purposes, because they all rely on the same China-hosted Tencent server to run their websites, and all but one of them are using – or once did – a China-based email service called chengmail. Additionally, he said, four out of five of the sites share the same SSL certificate. The FDD was also able to ascertain Smaio was likely the nexus of the covert operation. It has the oldest domain in the group, dating back eight years, and its homepage directs to an apparent parent company, Beijing Simiao Intelligent Information Technology Co Ltd, which is apparently a trademark application agency, officially recognised by China’s State Intellectual Property Office, and was registered as a company in 2012. Notably, one of the companies, RiverMerge, appeared for a while to have an office in the US – the state of Colorado, to be precise – as well as Singapore, although these references were scrubbed from its website some time before 26 March 2025. US registries do show a company called RiverMerge Strategies LLC, formed in 2024, with a domain registered in Beijing and evidence of a shared phone number with Smiao. The Chinese state has form dating back the best part of a decade when it comes to using recruitment websites to gather intelligence on US targets. Back in 2020, a Singapore national, Jun Wei Yeo, was sentenced to jail after obtaining more than 400 resumes, 90% of them from American military and government officials with some level of security clearance, and passing them to Beijing. Nor have European targets been immune – a German intelligence report from eight years ago revealed how China was able to obtain data on 10,000 German citizens as potential intelligence sources, while in 2019, the French told a similar story. Two years ago, in 2023, British intelligence chief Ken McCallum revealed that 20,000 Britons had been approached in a similar manner. In many cases, this targeting was conducted using legitimate job websites, including social network LinkedIn, which has been described as the “ultimate playground” for intelligence gathering. It is not known if the operation targeting laid-off federal workers was successful, but the effort certainly comes at a dangerous time for the US, and an opportune moment for China as it seeks to exploit Trump’s unique approach to government and policymaking. “This threat is heightened at a time when thousands of former and current federal workers are seeking new employment,” said Lesser. “If the public and private sectors do not act quickly to address these vulnerabilities, China and other adversaries will continue preying on former public servants who may not be aware of the threat and face pressure to find new jobs quickly.” He called on the US government to take more active measures to raise awareness of this gathering cyber threat – such as sending representatives to discuss the issue in the media. It should also proactively work with the likes of LinkedIn and other networking sites to monitor potentially suspicious activity, such as job postings that explicitly seek out ex-government employees. LinkedIn could also implement more stringent Know Your Customer policies for people creating company pages on its site. Lesser also called for Congress to exercise additional oversight through the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Finally, Washington could also turn the situation to its advantage by creating sock puppet accounts to bait Chinese intelligence operatives into coming out of the shadows to make contact.

May 19, 20252 min readFor Fruit Seeds, Humans Are Modern-Day DinosaursBy physically engineering their environments, megafauna such as dinosaurs curbed fruit seed sizes—a role that now may be filled by humansBy Gayoung Lee edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Thomas FuchsWhat do humans have in common with the dinosaurs that trampled through ancient forests? It turns out that both may have a surprising impact on the size of seeds in the fruits growing around them. When researchers mapped the evolution of seed sizes onto that of land animals, they observed that when land animals got bigger, so did fruit seeds—with a few outsize exceptions. A recent study in Palaeontology illustrates how, over the course of natural history, gigantic megafauna such as dinosaurs curbed the growth of seed sizes by physically altering the ecosystem, influencing forest light levels. Today that role may be filled by a much tinier species: humans.The idea that land animals can alter their environments is “fairly straightforward and well substantiated in a variety of scales,” explains Clive G. Jones, an ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, N.Y., who was not involved in the new study. For instance, savanna elephants push down trees and tear at shrubs, transforming the plant landscape. But even this elephantine influence is minor in comparison to that of prehistoric creatures.The researchers’ new model suggests dinosaurs caused a level of destruction that suppressed an evolutionary tendency for seeds to grow bigger, says study lead author Christopher E. Doughty, an earth system scientist at Northern Arizona University. Bigger seeds tend to attract bigger animals for dispersal and to sprout taller plants, Doughty explains; both factors can give plants better access to sunlight in crowded conditions. But this was generally not the case when there were “big lumbering dinosaurs knocking things down, opening up the environment” and thinning forests, Doughty says.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.After dinosaurs went extinct, forest understories became about 20 percent darker. This change “reset the slate” for plants and other animals, Doughty says. And “during this time the canopy became more closed,” notes Brian Atkinson, a University of Kansas paleobotanist not involved in the study. This growth would have placed evolutionary pressure on seeds to get larger again, Atkinson says, which is also reflected in fossil data. Another dip in seed size occurred with the emergence of early giant mammals and persisted until they died out.But even though we’re far from megafauna-sized, humans’ influence on forests—particularly via logging—resembles that of those long-extinct giants, Doughty says. If we continue at this rate, our effect on fruit seeds might someday rival that of dinosaurs.Jones notes that humans influence plant life in many other ways as well. “Agriculture [is] one obvious example,” he says, along with “introducing exotic species, clearing forests to make suburbia, to make cities, and so on.”That complexity is one reason it could be difficult for the model to predict future fruit seed sizes, Doughty says. Another important factor to consider is the rapid pace at which human technology tends to develop in realms such as farming. Although the model provides a good analytical comparison of forest density alterations by megafauna and by humans, developments such as agriculture mean “normal ecological rules don’t really apply anymore.”

When looking for extraterrestrial life, scientists found something odd — two bizarre electromagnetic pulses coming from a distant constellation that cannot be explained.In a new study published in the journal Acta Astronautica, researchers from NASA and CalTech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory admitted they could not rule out the chance that the twin star pulses they detected within Ursa Major, some 100 light-years away, were related to alien life.The star in question, HD 89389, is slightly larger and brighter than our Sun and was the focus of observation for veteran NASA scientist Richard Stanton. In 2023, Stanton detected an unexpected signal emanating from the star: two identical and fast pulses roughly 4.4 seconds apart that made it flash brightly, dim, and then flash again."The star gets brighter-fainter-brighter and then returns to its ambient level," Stanton told Universe Today. "This variation is much too strong to be caused by random noise or atmospheric turbulence. How do you make a star, over a million kilometers across, partially disappear in a tenth of a second? The source of this variation can't be as far away as the star itself."This signal had never been detected before, but to make sure it wasn't something else, the researcher spent an estimated 1,500 hours, which is the equivalent of about two months straight, comparing it to everything from planes and lightning to meteors and system malfunctions.When none of those searches yielded anything similar, Stanton told Universe Today that he felt confident that what he was seeing had not been observed for that Ursa Major star before. However, it did resemble another surprise twin pulse observation from 2019 that emanated from a hot gas giant now named Dimidium located about 50 light-years from Earth.The electromagnetic pulses emitted from Dimidium were initially dismissed as having been caused by birds, as Universe Today notes.To avoid a similarly false conclusion, Stanton began positing all manner of explanations related to the strange signals, including atmospheric conditions on Earth or even an anomalous reading due to our planet's gravity — but none of them "are really satisfying at this point," he said."We don't know what kind of object could produce these pulses or how far away it is," the scientist said. "We don't know if the two-pulse signal is produced by something passing between us and the star or if it is generated by something that modulates the star's light without moving across the field."It's way too soon to tell what's going on with those strange signals from Ursa Major — but it seems certain that something weird is going on there, and that whatever is causing it will be fascinating indeed."Until we learn more," Stanton concluded, "we can't even say whether or not extraterrestrials are involved!"Share This Article

In Osaka, a new chapter in global innovation has begun as World Expo 2025 officially welcomes visitors from around the globe. With 160 countries and regions showcasing their achievements, sustainability takes centre stage through groundbreaking exhibits, eco-friendly technologies, and visions for a better tomorrow. Sustainability takes centre stage, with initiatives and exhibits focusing on eco-friendly solutions, renewable energy, and sustainable development. The Expo aims to unite people and ideas from around the world to tackle pressing global challenges. Spanning six months from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the Expo is expected to welcome around 28 million visitors from across the globe. In this spirit of innovation, several pavilions are pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and creativity, reimagining how architecture and technology can serve the planet. From plant-covered structures to recycled materials and carbon-neutral designs, here are the standout pavilions leading the charge towards a greener future. The Grand Ring The Grand Ring is a gridded wooden structure encircling the Expo, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, covering 61,035 square metres. This 2-kilometer ring on Yumeshima island blends traditional Japanese joinery, such as nuki joints, with modern engineering. Reflecting the Expo’s theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” it embodies “Diversity in Unity.” With an inner diameter of 615 meters, an outer diameter of 675 meters, and heights ranging from 12 to 20 meters, it seamlessly merges cultural heritage with innovation. Designed with sustainability in mind, the modular structure can be dismantled, repurposed, or preserved after the Expo to minimize waste. France Pavilion The France Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is guided by the theme “A Hymn to Love,” offering a sensory journey that engages all five senses. Its sleek, modern façade, facing the Expo’s main entrance, resembles an open theatre stage, inviting visitors to explore freely. The side façades are fully screened, and every space reinforces the Pavilion’s core message. Sustainability is central to the design, with the plant-covered roof, visible from the surrounding Grand Ring, creating a natural microclimate, improving rainwater management, and helping reduce the urban heat island effect. Built with a focus on low environmental impact, the Pavilion showcases how architecture and nature can work together for a more sustainable future. German Pavilion The German Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, “Wa! Germany,” highlights sustainability, smart design, and the circular economy. Built entirely from reusable materials, the LAVA Architects-designed pavilion features six round exhibition spaces with green roofs, using 132 tonnes of steel and 140 tonnes of wood for easy disassembly and future use. Eco-friendly materials like fungal mycelia, loam, and hempcrete add to its sustainable character. Through four exhibition areas and a rooftop garden, visitors are invited to experience and actively engage with ideas of circular living and innovative climate-conscious design. Netherlands Pavilion The Netherlands Pavilion at Expo 2025, themed “Common Ground: Creating a New Dawn Together,” is an open and inclusive space that encourages connection, collaboration, and innovation. Designed by RAU Architects, its circular structure features a striking “man-made sun,” symbolizing a hopeful future powered by clean, accessible energy. The pavilion is fully circular and acts as a material bank, with all building components registered in Madaster—a digital platform that tracks and documents materials for future reuse, making it a sustainable structure. Showcasing eco-friendly technologies, including water-based energy solutions, it highlights how smart design can tackle climate change, food security, and global health. Philippines Pavilion The Philippines’ Woven pavilion, designed by Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc. with Cat Inc., highlights sustainability through tradition and innovation. Inspired by Filipino weaving, the pavilion uses over 1,000 rattan threads and 212 handwoven panels crafted by local artisans, symbolizing resilience and unity. Emphasizing Nature, Culture & Community, it showcases the country’s mega biodiversity and promotes the transformation of natural and waste materials into sustainable products. Blending eco-conscious design, sustainable materials like rattan and bamboo, and engaging exhibits, the pavilion honours Filipino creativity and inspires a commitment to protecting the environment for generations to come. Portugal Pavilion The Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025, designed by Kengo Kuma, honors the ocean through sustainable design. Using recycled nets and suspended ropes, the pavilion forms a dynamic, wave-inspired structure that symbolizes Portugal’s strong bond with the sea. The design incorporates natural elements like sunlight and wind, showcasing the country’s commitment to the circular economy and minimizing waste. With the theme “Ocean, The Blue Dialogue,” the pavilion underscores the ocean’s vital role in sustainability, supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). It offers an immersive experience that highlights Portugal’s dedication to a sustainable future. Saudi Arabia The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025, designed by Foster + Partners, blends cultural storytelling with a strong focus on sustainability. Situated on the Yumeshima waterfront, its design draws inspiration from traditional Saudi urban landscapes, featuring winding streets, a central courtyard, and immersive installations that reflect the Kingdom’s heritage and future vision. Built with low-carbon materials, energy-efficient lighting, and rooftop solar panels, the pavilion is designed for easy disassembly and reuse—minimising environmental impact. Targeting the highest CASBEE S rating- Japan’s top green building certification, the pavilion will operate at net zero carbon, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s dedication to sustainable innovation and lasting legacy. Singapore Pavilion Designed by DP Architects with Kingsmen Exhibits, the Singapore Pavilion is thematically centred around “Where Dreams Take Shape.” The pavilion explores Singapore’s culture, culinary traditions, and innovations for a sustainable future. Shaped as a 17-metre-high Dream Sphere clad in vibrant Dream Discs made from recycled materials, it symbolizes Singapore’s collective spirit and commitment to sustainability. Located on a 900-square-metre plot on Yumeshima Island, the pavilion spans three levels, featuring immersive multimedia art by artists Ashley Yeo, Jerrold Chong, Melissa Tan, and Zul Mahmod. At the top, the Dream Forest features dense native planting, inspired by ecological restoration and celebrating Singapore-Japan ties. Inspired by Singapore’s nickname, the Little Red Dot, the pavilion invites visitors on a multi-sensory journey of hope, dreams, and positive change. Swiss Pavilion The Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025, themed “From Heidi to High-Tech,” showcases Switzerland’s journey from Alpine traditions to global innovation. Heidi, a well-loved figure in Japan, serves as the mascot, connecting heritage and progress. Designed by Manuel Herz Architekten, NUSSLI, and Bellprat Partner, the pavilion features four lightweight, connected spheres with a membrane structure for sustainable construction. Inside, five zones — Augmented Human, Life, Planet provide a sensory experience that showcases Switzerland’s creativity, technology, and innovation. A rooftop viewing platform adds a social space. The design aligns with the Expo’s theme, focusing on a sustainable future. Blue Ocean Dome The Blue Ocean Dome champions marine conservation through sustainable architecture and innovation. Supporting the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision to eliminate additional marine plastic pollution by 2050, the pavilion features three interconnected domes built with eco-friendly materials. Dome A uses laminated bamboo, a durable, carbon-sequestering material, and serves as the pavilion’s media hub. Dome B, the largest, is the world’s first structure made entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Dome C, crafted from recycled paper tubes, offers a fully recyclable space for live broadcasts and interaction. The pavilion highlights ocean conservation, sustainable marine industries, and the urgent need for environmental action to protect future generations. Osaka Expo 2025 stands as a remarkable showcase of sustainability in action, where eco-innovations from around the world converge to inspire and shape the future. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable architectural designs, the Expo exemplifies how global collaboration and forward-thinking solutions can address the pressing environmental challenges of our times.The post Eco-Innovation in Action: Sustainability Stars of Osaka Expo 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.