Blog

  • Revisiting the Video for Gwen Stefani’s “Cool,” 20 Years Later

    Revisiting the Video for Gwen Stefani’s “Cool,” 20 Years Later

    It opens with an expanded instrumental intro, requested by Muller to make use of their gorgeous main setting, the 19th-century Villa Erba, built by the Italian director Luchino Visconti’s maternal grandfather. A man and woman walk nervously across its lush gardens toward Stefani, smiling tightly at its doors. After some charged pleasantries, he stumbles into their hostess, triggering brief flashbacks to their younger selves, smiling and in love on a lakeside dock. The song then begins in earnest and the video settles into its impressionistic groove: two timelines constantly collapsing into each other by moments and objects that prompt memories both painful and joyous.

    Below, Muller shares with Vogue her closely held memories of the shoot, and some even closer-guarded on-set photos and storyboard frames.

    On its conception

    I knew that Gwen was a really good actress, but not in a straightforward way, like playing Shakespeare. She’s an amazing video actress. My proof is always this shot in “Don’t Speak,” where she’s holding an orange as she’s being photographed. She sees the band looking at her, pissed off, and she’s smiling for the photographer before her face falls, and you see that she feels terrible and guilty. That closeup of her face is really subtle, and that was what I based the whole concept of the “Cool” video on: her ability to do looks. The emotion comes not so much from the singing, but from her look.

    On its cinematic influences

    My influences are obviously films, especially from the 1950s and ’70s, but there weren’t any conscious references for the video. I wanted to allude to that time when filmmaking language was innocent and soft, not overly sexual. If anything, the person I copy all the time is Hitchcock: the camera work, the colors and the design of his films. That, combined with romantic Italian cinema and a blonde female lead in ’50s suits. But Gwen and I both had a love of The Sound of Music and one shot alludes to that, which is where they’re standing at the gates of the mansion, which looks a bit like the one from the movie.

    On its shoot

    It was a two-day shoot. The whole first day—the past scenes—was shot on 16-millimeter [film] and it was very quick: get on the bike, go in the room, go into the café, run around. The second day, we shot inside, on 35 millimeters, and it was really precise and really hard. There was a lot of, How will we finish? But everyone was literally at the top of their game, right at that moment in time. Lots of people came from Gwen’s world: her brother was there, filming behind the scenes, because that’s what he does, and a photographer came to take pictures of the set. I remember her saying, “I just can’t believe it. I could approve every single one, everything looks amazing.”

    On directing the central trio

    Originally, Gwen was going to have a partner in it. It was gonna be two couples, and you weren’t gonna see her husband—it was going to be just his hand or something. But then we thought, Oh, this is so stupid, let’s get rid of the husband. We wanted to lean into the idea that [the ex] should be an Italian actor, but eventually went with a Spanish one [Daniel González]. And then it was, Well, Erin is an actress, let’s use Erin. They were friendly, and Gwen and Tony were friendly. Having Erin just felt logical, you know? It wasn’t very hard directing them because they knew what they were doing. And Erin was great because all she had to do was be someone who was witnessing it all for the first time.

    On its use of match cuts and gazes

    You can do a lot with a head turn. If someone does that and then you show what they’re looking at, you’ve created a story. The match cuts came from the idea of, How do we portray the past and the present without being crass? My favorite shot—I’m so proud of it, and it’s storyboarded, which is what blew my mind—is when the waiter puts the spaghetti and meatballs down and it cuts with Gwen putting biscuits down in the present. I storyboarded all the connections—the hands, the meatballs, the teacups with their lips on them. I worked with one of the best storyboard artists ever, Glyn Dillon, who no longer does it because he’s so successful doing something else. He helped me come up with all those ideas.

    On its lasting legacy

    I think everyone loved it at the time, but it wasn’t a bigger hit. If you read the comments on YouTube now, it’s really amazing. I don’t really read comments, but these are so profound. People are saying they went to Como on their honeymoon because of the video, and commenting all the things it’s meant to them. I just could not believe it. I know some people really love music videos, but this one touches people in a really weird place. They all cry when they watch it; I didn’t expect that.

    Continue Reading

  • Xavi Valero, Head of first-team goalkeeper coaching

    Xavi Valero returned to Liverpool in the summer of 2025 to take up the position of head of first-team goalkeeper coaching.

    The experienced Spanish coach first enjoyed a stint with the Reds as part of Rafael Benitez’s backroom team, joining in 2007.

    Valero would then follow Benitez to his following managerial reigns at Internazionale, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid.

    He moved to Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune for nearly two years before heading to West Ham United with Manuel Pellegrini.

    Valero left the Hammers at the end of the 2024-25 season after a seven-year spell to form part of Arne Slot’s coaching set-up on Merseyside.

    He was a ‘keeper during a playing career that saw him represent a host of Spanish clubs – including hometown team Castel…

    Continue Reading

  • Ireland’s renewable transport fuel policy provides some clarity for providers and investors

    Ireland’s renewable transport fuel policy provides some clarity for providers and investors

    Garrett Monaghan and Shani Stallard, energy experts at Pinsent Masons, were commenting after the Irish government published its renewable transport fuel policy 2025-27 (27 pages/1 MB PDF), a strategic plan to cut emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles by increasing the use of renewable fuels across the transport sector. The policy, published by the Department of Transport, is part of Ireland’s efforts to meet its national EU climate targets by 2030.

    The policy includes the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO), a legal requirement for fuel suppliers to blend a certain percentage of renewable fuels into their products. Under the new plans, this obligation will increase every year, with aims to ensure a steady rise in the share of renewables in Ireland’s fuel mix.

    The new policy sets out how Ireland will reduce the environmental impact of road, rail, and public transport by blending more biofuels and other renewable alternatives into traditional fossil fuels. It also introduces a series of reforms to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport while supporting the country’s climate action plans and the EU Renewable Energy Directive. 

    While electric vehicles (EVs) are central to Ireland’s long-term climate strategy, the government acknowledges that widespread EV adoption will take time. In the meantime, the government is urging the use of biofuels made from plants, waste, or residues in the vehicles already on the roads.

    Monaghan said: “Using biofuels in our existing vehicles is a quick and cost-effective way to cut emissions right now. It acts as a bridge while cleaner technologies, like electric cars, are being scaled up – meaning we can start lowering transport emissions immediately without waiting for everyone to switch to electric vehicles. That said, we need to always prioritise the importance of a cohesive renewables policy across the lesser developed areas of heat and transport. The government needs to accelerate the publication and delivery of the renewable heat obligation scheme for renewable gas.”

    From 2026, the RTFO will expand to include fuels used in rail transport and will also begin awarding credits for renewable electricity used to charge EVs at public charging points.

    Further, the policy places a strong emphasis on advanced biofuels – those made from waste products or non-food sources – and renewable fuels of non-biological origin, such as green hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels. These ‘next generation’ fuels are seen as essential for decarbonising sectors that are harder to electrify, such as heavy goods vehicles and aviation. By 2027, a growing portion of the RTFO target must be met using these advanced fuels.

    The policy comes with a detailed 19-point action plan, with deadlines between 2025 and 2027 to make sure all goals are achieved. For example, new laws will be passed in the second half of this year to enforce higher blend rates, include rail fuels in the obligation, and give credits for EV charging. There will also be support for industry guidance to improve the quality of fuel application and reduce processing delays as well as quarterly publication of performance data in a bid to ensure transparency and accountability.

    Continue Reading

  • Skakkebæk NE, Lindahl-Jacobsen R, Levine H, Andersson AM, Jørgensen N, Main KM, Lidegaard Ø, Priskorn L, Holmboe SA, Bräuner EV, et al. Environmental factors in declining human fertility. Nat Reviews Endocrinol. 2022;18(3):139–57.

    Article 

    Google Scholar 

  • You YA, Park S, Kwon E, Kim YA, Hur YM, Lee GI, Kim SM, Song JM, Kim MS, Kim YJ et al. Maternal PM2.5 exposure is associated with preterm birth and gestational diabetes mellitus, and mitochondrial OXPHOS dysfunction in cord blood. Environmental science and pollution research international 2024.

  • Thurston GD. Moving beyond PM2.5 mass to more effectively protect health. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2023.

  • Kohlhepp LM, Hollerich G, Vo L, Hofmann-Kiefer K, Rehm M, Louwen F, Zacharowski K, Weber CF. [Physiological changes during pregnancy]. Anaesthesist. 2018;67(5):383–96.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapraun DF, Wambaugh JF, Setzer RW, Judson RS. Empirical models for anatomical and physiological changes in a human mother and fetus during pregnancy and gestation. PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0215906.

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao L, Li T, Wang H, Fan YM, Xiao Y, Wang X, Wang S, Sun P, Wang P, Jiangcuo Z et al. Association of co-exposure to metal(loid)s during pregnancy with birth outcomes in the Tibetan plateau. Chemosphere 2023:140144.

  • Pan SC, Huang CC, Chen BY, Chin WS, Guo YL. Risk of type 2 diabetes after diagnosed gestational diabetes is enhanced by exposure to PM2.5. Int J Epidemiol 2023.

  • Coogan PF, White LF, Yu J, Burnett RT, Seto E, Brook RD, Palmer JR, Rosenberg L, Jerrett M. PM2.5 and diabetes and hypertension incidence in the black women’s health study. Epidemiol (Cambridge Mass). 2016;27(2):202–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koo EJ, Bae JG, Kim EJ, Cho YH. Correlation between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy and congenital anomalies: its surgical perspectives. J Korean Med Sci. 2021;36(38):e236.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Dai XC, Liang DT, Sun F. [PM2.5 exposure-caused damage to male reproductive function: progress in research]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2021;27(4):361–5.

    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou S, Xi Y, Chen Y, Zhang Z, Wu C, Yan W, Luo A, Wu T, Zhang J, Wu M, et al. Ovarian dysfunction induced by chronic Whole-Body PM2.5 exposure. Small. 2020;16(33):e2000845.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Trusz A, Ghazal H, Piekarska K. Seasonal variability of chemical composition and mutagenic effect of organic PM2.5 pollutants collected in the urban area of Wrocław (Poland). Sci Total Environ. 2020;733:138911.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Han L, Zhou W, Pickett ST, Li W, Qian Y. Multicontaminant air pollution in Chinese cities. Bull World Health Organ. 2018;96(4):233–e242.

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Magee LA, Sharma S, Nathan HL, Adetoro OO, Bellad MB, Goudar S, Macuacua SE, Mallapur A, Qureshi R, Sevene E, et al. The incidence of pregnancy hypertension in India, Pakistan, Mozambique, and Nigeria: A prospective population-level analysis. PLoS Med. 2019;16(4):e1002783.

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Grover S, Brandt JS, Reddy UM, Ananth CV. Chronic hypertension, perinatal mortality and the impact of preterm delivery: a population-based study. BJOG. 2022;129(4):572–9.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Sciatti E, Orabona R. Cardiovascular prevention after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: do not forget fetal growth restriction! J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021;78(1):91.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Tita AT, Szychowski JM, Boggess K, Dugoff L, Sibai B, Lawrence K, Hughes BL, Bell J, Aagaard K, Edwards RK, et al. Treatment for mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy. N Engl J Med. 2022;386(19):1781–92.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Çintesun E, Incesu Çintesun FN, Ezveci H, Akyürek F, Çelik Ç. Systemic inflammatory response markers in preeclampsia. J Lab Physicians. 2018;10(3):316–9.

    Article 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedman C, Dabelea D, Thomas DSK, Peel JL, Adgate JL, Magzamen S, Martenies SE, Allshouse WB, Starling AP. Exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy and inflammatory biomarkers in maternal and umbilical cord blood: the healthy start study. Environ Res. 2021;197:111165.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 
    PubMed Central 

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin J, Xia W, Li Y, Guo C, Zhang Y, Huang S, Jia Z, Zhang A. COX-2 mediates PM2.5-induced apoptosis and inflammation in vascular endothelial cells. Am J Translational Res. 2017;9(9):3967–76.

    CAS 

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen CC, Wang YR, Liu JS, Chang HY, Guo YL, Chen PC. Burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 concentration and the cost-benefit analysis for the optimal control level. Sci Total Environ 2023:164767.

  • Fujitani Y, Furuyama A, Hayashi M, Hagino H, Kajino M. Assessing oxidative stress induction ability and oxidative potential of PM(2.5) in cities in Eastern and Western Japan. Chemosphere. 2023;324:138308.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Aguilera J, Konvinse K, Lee A, Maecker H, Prunicki M, Mahalingaiah S, Sampath V, Utz PJ, Yang E, Nadeau KC. Air pollution and pregnancy. Semin Perinatol 2023:151838.

  • Chen H, Chen X, Hong X, Liu C, Huang H, Wang Q, Chen S, Chen H, Yang K, Sun Q. Maternal exposure to ambient PM(2.5) exaggerates fetal cardiovascular maldevelopment induced by homocysteine in rats. Environ Toxicol. 2017;32(3):877–89.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Agrawal A, Wenger NK. Hypertension during pregnancy. Curr Hypertens Rep. 2020;22(9):64.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • La Verde M, Luciano M, Fordellone M, Sampogna G, Lettieri D, Palma M, Torella D, Marrapodi MM, Di Vincenzo M, Torella M. Postpartum depression and inflammatory biomarkers of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio, Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio, and Monocyte-Lymphocyte ratio: A prospective observational study. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2024;89(2):140–9.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Madendag Y, Madendag IC, Sahin E, Aydin E, Sahin ME, Acmaz G. How well do the popular ultrasonic techniques estimate amniotic fluid volume and diagnose oligohydramnios, in fact?? Ultrasound Q. 2019;35(1):35–8.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell AG, Miranda PY. Breastfeeding trends among very low birth weight, low birth weight, and normal birth weight infants. J Pediatr. 2018;200:71–8.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim M, Okunowo O, Ades AM, Fuller S, Rintoul NE, Naim MY. Single-Center comparison of outcomes following cardiac surgery in low birth weight and standard birth weight neonates. J Pediatr. 2021;238:161–e167161.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Edmond K. Introduction to Evidence for Global Health Care Interventions for Preterm or Low Birth Weight Infants. Pediatrics 2022, 150(Suppl 1).

  • Rumbajan JM, Yamaguchi Y, Nakabayashi K, Higashimoto K, Yatsuki H, Nishioka K, Matsuoka K, Aoki S, Toda S, Takeda S, et al. The HUS1B promoter is hypomethylated in the placentas of low-birth-weight infants. Gene. 2016;583(2):141–6.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Nkwabong E, Kamgnia Nounemi N, Sando Z, Mbu RE, Mbede J. Risk factors and placental histopathological findings of term born low birth weight neonates. Placenta. 2015;36(2):138–41.

    Article 
    CAS 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Sharkey K, Xu Y, Cabison J, Rosales M, Yang T, Chavez T, Johnson M, Lerner D, Lurvey N, Corral CMT et al. Effects of In-Utero Personal Exposure to PM2.5 Sources and Components on Birthweight. Research square 2023.

  • Hao Y, Strosnider H, Balluz L, Qualters JR. Geographic variation in the association between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and term low birth weight in the united States. Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124(2):250–5.

    Article 
    PubMed 

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun X, Luo X, Zhao C, Zhang B, Tao J, Yang Z, Ma W, Liu T. The associations between birth weight and exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its chemical constituents during pregnancy: A meta-analysis. Environ Pollution (Barking Essex: 1987). 2016;211:38–47.

    Article 
    CAS 

    Google Scholar 

  • Larrañaga I, Santa-Marina L, Molinuevo A, Álvarez-Pedrerol M, Fernández-Somoano A, Jimenez-Zabala A, Rebagliato M, Rodríguez-Bernal CL, Tardón A, Vrijheid M, et al. Poor mothers, unhealthy children: the transmission of health inequalities in the INMA study, Spain. Eur J Pub Health. 2019;29(3):568–74.

    Article 

    Google Scholar 

Continue Reading

  • Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Assistant coach

    Giovanni van Bronckhorst arrived at Liverpool FC as assistant coach in June 2025.

    Van Bronckhorst – who joined Arne Slot’s backroom staff following the departure of his former Netherlands international teammate, John Heitinga – brings a wealth of coaching experience that has been amassed following a distinguished playing career.

    Like Slot, Van Bronckhorst won both the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup as head coach of Feyenoord, where he came through the youth ranks as a player.

    Having taken charge in his first managerial post ahead of the 2015-16 season, Van Bronckhorst delivered the cup in his maiden campaign at De Kuip, the league title in his second and then the cup again in his third.

    Following one season with Chinese club Guangzhou R&F, Van Bronckhorst took over …

    Continue Reading

  • What is the weather forecast for the 2025 British Grand Prix?

    What is the weather forecast for the 2025 British Grand Prix?

    Great Britain will host Round 12 of the 2025 F1 season this weekend, but what does the weather have in store for the drivers at Silverstone?

    As things stand, it looks like mixed conditions could be on the cards across the three days of action, with sunshine early on making way for potential showers as the weekend progresses.

    McLaren were the team to beat last time out in Austria, where temperatures became increasingly hot throughout the event. The squad will be hoping for more of the same this time around, though the forecast suggests that Silverstone will not be quite as warm.

    Mercedes, meanwhile, are known to prefer cooler weather, with the W16 seeming to go well on occasions where the temperatures have dropped. How will the Silver Arrows fare this weekend?

    Scroll down for a more detailed look at the forecast for the weekend.

    2025 British Grand Prix weekend weather forecast

    FRIDAY, JULY 04 – FP1 AND FP2
    Conditions: Sunny start then clouds building up but dry afternoon expected. Gentle west-south-westerly breeze. FP1: 24°C // FP2: 25°C
    Maximum temperature expected: 25 Celsius
    Minimum temperature expected: 16 Celsius
    Chance of rain: <20%

    SATURDAY, JULY 05 – FP3 AND QUALIFYING
    Conditions: Cloudy but dry at first before a rainy weather front crossing England from late afternoon. Timing and intensity tbc (2-5mm max). Moderate southwesterly wind with gust up to 55kph. FP3: 19°C // Q: 20°C
    Maximum temperature expected: 20 Celsius
    Minimum temperature expected: 15 Celsius
    Chance of rain: 60%

    SUNDAY, JULY 06 – RACE
    Conditions: Behind the front, unsettled with showers sometimes moderate (up to 5mm through the day) driven by a constant westerly wind. Race start: 19°C
    Maximum temperature expected: 19 Celsius
    Minimum temperature expected: 15 Celsius
    Chance of rain: 60%

    Continue Reading

  • New strategy enhances immunotherapy effectiveness against glioblastoma by utilizing gut microbes

    New strategy enhances immunotherapy effectiveness against glioblastoma by utilizing gut microbes

    Advanced treatments, known as immunotherapies that activate T cells—our body’s immune cells—to eliminate cancer cells, have shown limited efficacy as standalone therapies for glioblastoma, the most lethal form of brain tumor. This is due to their minimal response to glioblastoma and high resistance to treatment.

    Now, a KAIST research team has now demonstrated a new therapeutic strategy that can enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for brain tumors by utilizing gut microbes and their metabolites. This also opens up possibilities for developing microbiome-based immunotherapy supplements in the future.

    KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on July 1 that a research team led by Professor Heung Kyu Lee of the Department of Biological Sciences discovered and demonstrated a method to significantly improve the efficiency of glioblastoma immunotherapy by focusing on changes in the gut microbial ecosystem.

    The research team noted that as glioblastoma progresses, the concentration of ‘tryptophan’, an important amino acid in the gut, sharply decreases, leading to changes in the gut microbial ecosystem. They discovered that by supplementing tryptophan to restore microbial diversity, specific beneficial strains activate CD8 T cells (a type of immune cell) and induce their infiltration into tumor tissues. Through a mouse model of glioblastoma, the research team confirmed that tryptophan supplementation enhanced the response of cancer-attacking T cells (especially CD8 T cells), leading to their increased migration to tumor sites such as lymph nodes and the brain.

    In this process, they also revealed that ‘Duncaniella dubosii‘, a beneficial commensal bacterium present in the gut, plays a crucial role. This bacterium helped T cells effectively redistribute within the body, and survival rates significantly improved when used in combination with immunotherapy (anti-PD-1).

    Furthermore, it was demonstrated that even when this commensal bacterium was administered alone to germ-free mice (mice without any commensal microbes), the survival rate for glioblastoma increased. This is because the bacterium utilizes tryptophan to regulate the gut environment, and the metabolites produced in this process strengthen the ability of CD8 T cells to attack cancer cells.

    This research is a meaningful achievement, showing that even in intractable brain tumors where immune checkpoint inhibitors had no effect, a combined strategy utilizing gut microbes can significantly enhance treatment response.”


    Professor Heung Kyu Lee

    Dr. Hyeon Cheol Kim of KAIST (currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Biological Sciences) participated as the first author. The research findings were published online in Cell Reports, an international journal in the life sciences, on June 26.

    This research was conducted as part of the Basic Research Program and Bio & Medical Technology Development Program supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

    Source:

    KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

    Journal reference:

    Kim, H. C., et al. (2025). Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by brain tumors modulates the efficacy of immunotherapy. Cell Reports. doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115825.

    Continue Reading

  • ‘A much more reliable method’

    ‘A much more reliable method’

    Scientists at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have developed a solution that prevents fusion reactors from overheating, Phys.org reported.

    The breakthrough centers on a clever design called the X-point target radiator. This innovation adds a second magnetic control point to tokamak fusion reactors, creating a safety valve that sheds dangerous excess heat before it can damage the reactor walls.

    Fusion reactors face a massive heat management problem. These doughnut-shaped devices, called tokamaks, use powerful magnetic fields to contain plasma heated to over 100 million degrees Celsius. When this superhot plasma touches the reactor walls, it can cause severe damage that shortens the reactor’s lifespan and hurts performance.

    The Swiss research team discovered that adding a secondary X-point along the reactor’s heat exhaust channel creates localized radiation that pulls heat away from sensitive areas. Think of it like adding a second drain to prevent your bathtub from overflowing.

    “Reducing divertor heat loads is a key challenge for future fusion power plants,” Kenneth Lee, first author of the paper, told Phys.org.

    The EPFL team used its TCV tokamak’s unique magnetic shaping abilities to test this concept. Experiments showed the X-point target radiator stays stable across a range of operating conditions, making it much more reliable than previous heat management approaches.

    Watch now: How bad is a gas stove for your home’s indoor air quality?

    “We found that the X-point target radiator is highly stable and can be sustained over a wide range of operational conditions, potentially offering a much more reliable method for handling power exhaust in a fusion power plant,” Lee said.

    Fusion energy could change how we power our world. Unlike coal and gas, fusion creates massive amounts of electricity without producing harmful gases or long-lived radioactive waste. A single fusion plant could power entire cities on fuel extracted from seawater.

    The X-point target radiator makes fusion power plants more practical by solving the overheating problem that has plagued reactor designs. This means fusion plants could run longer and more efficiently, reducing electricity costs for everyone.

    Commonwealth Fusion Systems and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology plan to include the X-point target design in their upcoming SPARC reactor, which looks to demonstrate commercial fusion power.

    Diversifying our energy sources with fusion power would dramatically reduce air pollution from coal and gas plants. Cleaner air means fewer respiratory problems, heart disease cases, and premature deaths in communities near power plants.

    Fusion power could slash electricity bills once the technology scales up. The fuel comes from abundant hydrogen isotopes found in seawater, making long-term operating costs extremely low.

    Cities and companies investing in fusion power could reap major savings compared to volatile coal and gas prices. The stable costs of fusion electricity would help businesses plan budgets and keep energy affordable for residents.

    The SPARC reactor incorporating this heat management technology is scheduled for testing in the coming years. If successful, commercial fusion plants using the X-point target radiator could begin operating in the 2030s.

    The researchers will continue refining their approach with high-power experiments and simulations.

    Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

    Continue Reading

  • ‘Squid Game’ on Fortnite: Learn All About the New Skins and Items

    ‘Squid Game’ on Fortnite: Learn All About the New Skins and Items

    The brutal, dystopian thriller Squid Game is one of the most popular shows Netflix has ever produced, spawning a cottage industry of pop culture merchandise and endless memes. Now the brightly colored styles of Squid Game are colliding with the incredibly popular online fighting game Fortnite.

    As the third season of Squid Games airs on Netflix, learn all about the Squid Game skins, wraps, emotes and back bling that have been added to Fortnite.

    What is Squid Game adding to Fortnite?

    • A new island, Squid Grounds, has been added to the Fortnite battle royale mode, Reload. 
    • Squid Game skins items like back bling, wraps and emotes have also arrived on Fortnite. 
    • Squid Game-themed skins in the shop include the red-clad guards and green-clad competitors. 
    • “You’ll recognize plenty of returning weaponry for the Squid Grounds update, though the Glider and Boogie Bomb are making their first-ever appearance in Reload,” a representative for Fortnite promises in the caption for the YouTube trailer showing off the game additions.

    And on Fortnite.com, the game goes into a bit more detail. 

    “Find familiar playground locations from the games, complete with staged town sets and a hollowed-out labyrinth cutting underneath the island’s rolling hills,” the site says. “You can even play Red Light, Green Light at your own risk.”

    How to win playing Fortnite Squid Game

    After the new map, skins, emotes and other items, there’s still more to come. 

    • Squid Grounds Console Cash Cups, which are Battle Royale Duos tournaments, will be available on July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1,
    • The games are open to players on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. 
    • Top performers earn cash prizes.

    How much do Squid Game skins in Fortnite cost?

    Squid Game game focuses on people so far in debt they must risk their lives. Some Fortnite players are joking about that similarity, because playing with the new skins can be pricey. 

    • The Squid Game main bundle currently costs 3,000 V-Bucks (the game’s currency), although it shows that it has been marked down from 15,000 V-Bucks. Fortnite.com says that the bundle includes the Games Guard outfit, the Ddakji Defender outfit, the Green Light Guardian, Marble Maven, Dalgona Destroyer, Tug of War Titan, Pentathlon Perfector, Jegi Juggler, Flying Stone Fighter, Gong-gi Great, Games Manager outfit and Glass Bridge Survivor outfit.
    • The Squid Accessories bundle currently costs 700 V-Bucks, although it also shows that it has been marked down, this time from 1,600 V-Bucks. The bundle includes the Lil’ Prized Piggy Bank emote, Delicious Dalgona back bling, Ddakji Box back bling and Squid Shapes wrap.
    • Guard and manager skins are both currently selling for 1,500 V-Bucks each, and the male and female player skins cost 1,200 V-Bucks each. Maybe you can find a deadly tournament to enter to win enough … oh, wait.

    Fortnite fans seem excited about the new additions regardless.

    “The fact that we’re getting elimination-based gaming inside elimination-based gaming is peak 2025 meta,” said one X user.

    fortnite-squid-game-red-light-green-light-doll.png

    Remember the deadly version of “Red Light, Green Light” from Squid Game? That game, and a version of its unnerving robot doll, show up in Fortnite, too.

    Fortnite/Screenshot by CNET

    Another user said they’d prefer to see Squid Game take a role in the standard battle royale Fortnite game.

    “This seems like a good idea, but why is Squid Game in Reload and not the Battle Royale game mode?” they asked on X. “I don’t know a lot of people who play Reload, me including [sic]. The last time I played Reload was when the game mode first came out.”

    Another person suggested this might be because the Battle Royale season theme — superheroes — doesn’t fit with Squid Game.


    Continue Reading

  • Turkey shuts livestock markets to control foot and mouth disease

    Turkey shuts livestock markets to control foot and mouth disease

    File photo. [AP]

    Turkey said on Wednesday it will shut down all livestock marketplaces to control the spread of highly contagious foot and mouth disease.

    The Agriculture Ministry said it detected a new serotype of the disease that heightened the outbreak, due to animal movement after the Muslim religious holiday of Eid al Adha, which is typically marked by slaughtering livestock.

    The decision was taken to prevent further spread as teams continue to vaccinate animals against the disease, the ministry said. It will gradually lift the restrictions once the entire livestock population is vaccinated.

    The ministry also said the temporary closure will not disrupt supply and demand for meat and dairy products in Turkey.  [Reuters]


    Continue Reading