Monthly Archives: October 2022

Watch this penny-sized soft robot paddle with hydrogel fins

Science Robotics Engineers have long been interested in making water-faring robots. We’ve seen robots fashioned after tuna, suckerfish, octopuses and more. Now a new type of aquabot is swimming onto the scene. Researchers from Korea University and Ajou University designed insect-sized robots that can wade through the water employing hydrogel fins and paddles. They describe…

Supreme Court could eliminate affirmative action in university admissions as it considers high-profile challenges against Harvard and University of North Carolina

The Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Students for Fair Admissions wants the Supreme Court to eliminate race as a factor in university admissions. Affirmative-action supporters say such a move would decrease racial diversity on college campuses. The…

I’m a professional pumpkin carver whose creations resemble celebrities, famous artwork, and characters like Paddington. They take up to 20 hours to make and can costs thousands.

Marc Evan, left, with his business partner Chris Soria. Courtesy of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Marc Evan started Maniac Pumpkin Carvers with his childhood friend after graduating from college. Now they run a team of artists out of a warehouse in Yonkers, New York. They got their start at a farmers market and say they work…

Elon Musk is $8 billion poorer after taking control of Twitter, meaning his net worth has fallen by $66 billion this year

Musk is $8 billion less well off after acquiring Twitter. Adrees Latif/Reuters Elon Musk took an $8 billion hit to his net worth after buying Twitter, per Bloomberg wealth index. The world’s richest man finally sealed his $44 billion deal to acquire Twitter on Thursday.  Musk said he bought the social media platform to “try…

Meta has spent $36 billion building the metaverse but still has little to show for it, while tech sensations such as the iPhone, Xbox, and Amazon Echo cost way less

Mark Zuckerberg as an avatar during Connect 2022 Meta Meta has thrown $36 billion at the metaverse but plans to spend many billions more on the project. Wary investors are calling for Meta to focus its effort on its profitable divisions. Insider compiled a list of tech breakthroughs that cost far less than the metaverse…

Are Uggs really back in style? I visited one of the brand’s retail stores and saw why the beloved early 2000s shoes are making a comeback — see inside.

The Ugg store at the Oculus at One World Trade in New York City. Ann Matica/Insider Ugg seems to be making a comeback this fall after originally gaining popularity in the early 2000s.   Deckers Outdoor Corp, which owns Ugg, reported the brand’s sales increased by $28.1 million year-over-year in its most recent quarter.  I visited…

Many Americans are ditching their dreams of owning a house as recession fears flare, says the CEO of one of the nation’s largest homebuilders

Construction worker observing a house. Getty Images Inflation and interest rates have soared throughout 2022. As the economy becomes more volatile, more homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines. It’s a “psychological hurdle” for homebuyers, the president of a large US home-building firm said. As soaring mortgage rates further reduce housing affordability, Ryan Marshall, the president…

Tesla is finally building its Semi truck. Here’s what we know about future models like the Cybertruck, Roadster supercar, and more.

Tesla is working on the Cybertruck pickup, Roadster supercar, and a dedicated self-driving taxi. Tesla Tesla plans to launch several models in the coming years. They’re in various stages of development.  Deliveries of the semi-truck are scheduled to start in December.  Elon Musk says an electric pickup truck, sports car, and self-driving taxi will follow….