Disaster Factory: Engineering the Storm
In an unassuming corner of South Carolina, a team of engineers is conjuring hurricanes, hurling fire, and pelting buildings with high-speed hail—on purpose. At the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), researchers simulate natural disasters at full scale to help communities survive them. Their lab features 105 high-powered fans capable of producing Category …
Creatives Rally to Protect IP
In an effort to safeguard creative rights, over 400 Hollywood actors, directors, writers, and musicians have united to urge the U.S. government to uphold existing copyright laws in the face of advancing artificial intelligence technologies, per Variety. This collective action underscores the entertainment industry’s growing concern over AI’s potential to infringe upon intellectual property rights …
AI in Play: MLB’s Robo-Strike Debate
Artificial intelligence has permeated various facets of our lives—from composing poetry to generating art and delivering eerily precise targeted advertisements. Now, it is stepping onto the baseball field. During 2025 Spring Training, Major League Baseball (MLB) introduced its latest innovation: the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS). This isn’t a robot umpire vocally calling strikes and balls …
The Rise and Reality of 3D-Printed Homes
3D-printing technology is reshaping the construction industry, offering faster build times, less waste, and more design flexibility than traditional methods. What once seemed experimental is now a viable solution for affordable housing, sustainable architecture, and even large-scale urban development. At its core, 3D-printed construction relies on giant robotic printers that layer a mix of concrete, …
Reelection Over Progress: the Immigration Impasse
Immigration reform in the U.S. has been stuck in a holding pattern for decades. The last major legislation addressing the issue was the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), signed by President Reagan. While that bill aimed to curb illegal immigration and grant legal status to millions, it failed to create long-term solutions. Since …
Swift, Shakespeare, and the Art of Staying Power
The notion that popularity diminishes the value of art has long been a point of contention. Modern icons like Taylor Swift, however, challenge this idea. Swift’s current Eras tour, which is on track to be the highest-grossing concert tour ever, defies the old-fashioned belief that popular art lacks substance. While some argue that commercial success …
Beneath the Games: Exploring Paris’ Underworld
While the 2024 Paris Olympics captivate the world above ground, there’s an equally fascinating world lying beneath the city streets—the Paris Catacombs. This vast underground ossuary houses the remains of over six million Parisians, a stark reminder of the city’s history. Originally created in the late 18th century, the catacombs were a solution to the …
Fighting Food Waste
In a move that’s both ambitious and essential, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have renewed their vows to tackle food waste and loss together—but this time, they’ve brought in reinforcements. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is joining the party, …
Cats and Coffee: a Purrfect Combo
Amid the hustle of everyday life, soothing purrs and wagging tails can be a whole lot more than just cute. Exploring the intersection of animal welfare and mental health reveals major implications for both humans and animals alike. As shelters across the country grapple with an overwhelming influx of animals, the reciprocal benefits of pet …
D.I.Y. Biology
A once niche subculture, “biohacking” has become a fast growing movement of people looking to optimize themselves. Through a combination of technology, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle choices, biohackers experiment with diet, exercise, sleep, and various other interventions in order to enhance physical and cognitive performance, improve health, and prolong life. While many biohacking practices are …
