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Precepting with Purpose: Rachael Tikum Reflects on the Mobile Health T
One preceptor reflects on the powerful impact of mentoring future nurse practitioners while delivering care to Newark’s most underserved patients.
Redefining health and value as we age
Explore Mayo Clinic’s Aging Forward podcast with Sir Muir Gray on healthy aging—fitness, prevention, self-care, and community support for longevity and purpose.
Apple Releases Second iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5 Public Betas
Apple today provided public beta testers with the second releases of upcoming iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and tvOS 26.5 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come a day after Apple provided the betas to developers. After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.
What Is Business For? The Question Strategic Management Has Never Answered
The field of strategic management has grown more rigorous – and less relevant – as it avoids the question of business purpose.
How a Florida State University student entrepreneur is building a bakery business for good
A Florida State University student in the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship is turning a lifelong health challenge into a purpose-driven business that
Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Betas to Developers
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after Apple released updated first betas. Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update. iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any Siri updates are being held until iOS 27.
Lee Health: Volunteers make a difference every day
From boosted moods and happiness to a deep sense of accomplishment and purpose, volunteering offers countless benefits to those who give their time.
UK employees invited to submit to the 12th annual Arts in HealthCare art call
In continued celebration of the many talents of the faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare, Arts in HealthCare is issuing the 12th annual juried call for art. The purpose of this call is to encourage employees to think about and experience the healing power of art and understand how art enhances the healing environment.
2026 Greenville Heart Walk shines spotlight on survivors and heart health
“The purpose, the meaning of this Heart Walk is just community.”
'Not about politics': Miami Beach unveils repurposed rainbow crosswalk installation
Pride is back on display in Miami Beach, as city leaders unveiled a new installation repurposing the bricks from the former Ocean Drive rainbow crosswalk.
“AI polls” are fake polls
A few weeks after Donald Trump’s second presidential win, I took the train up from London (where I was living at the time) to Oxford to attend a conference on polls and forecasts of the 2024 election. Most of the attendees were pollsters or academics, but I also watched presentations from Aaru and Electric Twin, two companies that do what is interchangeably called synthetic sampling, silicon sampling, or synthetic audiences. Stripped of startup jargon, that means they use large language models (LLMs) to simulate responses to public opinion polls by having AI agents take on the role of survey respondents. I had already heard of Aaru thanks to some articles with eye-catching headlines like “No people, no problem: AI chatbots predict elections better than humans” in the months leading up to Election Day. The founders were making some big, some might even say far-fetched claims, such as: “within two years, we will simulate the entire globe — from the way crops are grown in Ukraine to how that impacts production of oil in Iraq, trade through the strait of Malacca, and elections for the mayor of Baltimore.” When Semafor asked Aaru’s cofounders — Cameron Fink and Ned Koh — about my boss, they said “we respect all those who came before us.” Nate (as he so often does) shared his thoughts on Twitter: Fink and Koh were relatively good-natured about this back-and-forth when we spoke at Oxford. They even offered to mail me one of the t-shirts featuring Nate’s quote they apparently had made. I never took them up on the offer, which I now somewhat regret. These synthetic sampling companies fell off my radar for a while, but they do still exist. In fact, Aaru recently received a $1 billion valuation. Is what they’re doing anywhere close to the most important frontier in AI development? Not by a longshot, especially when Anthropic just developed a model so adept at exploiting software vulnerabilities that it’s only being released to 40 companies. Still, silicon sampling is increasingly finding its way into public polling. Axios reported in March that “a majority of people trust their own doctors and nurses” based on findings from Aaru — without mentioning that the “people” in that sentence were actually LLMs. Around the same time, the Public Sentiment Institute “boosted” their online sample of 373 real survey respondents with 114 AI agents.1 (Spoiler alert: even the co-founder of Electric Twin doesn’t think that’s a particularly defensible approach.) Polling companies like Qualtrics and Ipsos are also developing synthetic data panels. So, what should we make of these … “polls”? Let’s get one thing out of the way: whatever they are, they’re not polls in the way that term is usually defined. Subscribe You can’t replace polls with AI On one hand, using LLMs to essentially make up fake survey respondents sort of sounds like the dumbest idea ever, one that will at best imperfectly replicate real polls while introducing all sorts of biases. On the other hand, with LLMs improving at a remarkable, perhaps even alarming rate, maybe that means I’m a dinosaur at the ripe old age of 24 because I still want to rely on polls that talk to actual people. I’m not going to argue that synthetic samples are completely useless. In fact, as I’ll return to later, there is evidence that some techniques can replicate topline survey results quickly and cheaply. But the marketing from certain companies can be slightly optimistic. “No traditional poll will exist by the time the next general election occurs,” said Fink in 2024. We’re just 206 days away from the midterms, and based on the fact that I still have to collect a bunch of polls every day, I’d say he should have run that prediction by a sample of AI agents before the interview.2 To see why synthetic samples can’t replace polls, here’s a quick primer on how they work. The simplest version of these models involves taking a LLM (like ChatGPT or Claude), giving it a demographic profile (e.g., a white, college-educated woman who lives in Utah and makes $70k a year), and then asking it to respond to a survey question. You repeat that process a few thousand times using different demographic profiles and end up with a sample of synthetic survey responses. The actual models used by private companies are more sophisticated than this, usually because they incorporate more hypothesized demographic characteristics for each agent and provide them with extra information. Aaru, for example, feeds agents a diet of news and information they’d be likely to consume, while Electric Twin incorporates their customers’ proprietary data about the audience they’re trying to replicate. The way Ben Warner, the co-founder of Electric Twin, explained it to me was “we have a large amount of data on […] for instance, 5,000 people. Can we make an accurate prediction of how they would respond to another question?” Still, it should be obvious why synthetic samples can’t replace polls. Polling is fundamentally a data collection process. We might use surveys to make predictions by feeding them into election forecasts, but the main purpose of a poll isn’t prediction, it’s gathering new data about what people think and how they feel. Silicon sampling, on the other hand, produces no new data. It’s simply a model: you input LLM training data, demographic prompts, and a bunch of other information, and it spits out a prediction for what a poll would say. We love models here, but models aren’t polls. That difference is an important philosophical sticking point for most pollsters I talk to. “I think politics should stay away from [synthetic sampling], because we’re trying to […] represent the voice of the people,” said Natalie Jackson, a vice president at GQR Insights. Democratic pollster John Hagner told me: “I think I’m just incredibly skeptical of this idea. I don’t think it’s research. At that point, you’re asking the machine to tell you what you already believe.” Hagner has seen some presentations of early synthetic sampling experiments, but so far, “if it’s being used in a campaign, people are keeping it incredibly quiet.”3 But Eli, I hear you saying, aren’t polls themselves increasingly governed by modeling decisions? Indeed they are: pollsters’ choices on which sampling method to use, how to define their likely voter models, and how to weight their samples can and do lead to dramatic differences in the results they publish. Aaru even referenced these limitations in the methodology statement included with that maternal mortality “poll” — although I’m using the term “methodology statement” loosely here, because it doesn’t really explain how the model works at all. We can ignore the (frankly preposterous) implication that synthetic sampling isn’t subject to a separate set of biases. The important point is that there’s still a meaningful difference between using weighting and other statistical techniques on actual polling data and using a model to predict what a poll would say. The latter is far closer to election forecasts or techniques like MRP — potentially useful models, but not a replacement for polls.4 To be fair, other synthetic sampling companies are perfectly happy with the distinction between polls and models. Warner compared polling and synthetic sampling to different tools in a toolbox. “The mistake I think we make is we think that these new tools should either work in exactly the same way or somehow replace these old tools,” he said. “Rather than thinking of it as, okay, so we’ve always had the hammer, we’ve always had the screwdriver, now we’ve got a saw. But don’t use a saw to try [to] do the job of a hammer.” A quick comment from Nate Eli didn’t ask me for a comment — rather rude of him, don’t you think? But since I’m editing this story, I figured I’d add a few quick thoughts rather than putting words in his mouth. Beyond the frequently misleading marketing, what bothers me about the AI “poll” hype is that as AI tools make statistical inference cheaper and/or better (note that these are not synonyms) that actually increases the comparative value of collecting original data. You might be able to train a model to make a reasonable estimate of what some hard-to-reach poll respondent would say — say, a young Black man who voted for Trump. (Such a person checks a number of boxes for a voter who is usually hard to reach in surveys.) Indeed, this is closely related to what models like the Silver Bulletin forecast already do. They essentially smooth out the kinks in noisy survey data by making inferences based on past voting patterns or national polls or surveys of other states. But you don’t actually know what these voters think unless you’re reaching them directly. If there’s a shift in opinion among this subgroup, you’re not going to detect it. So if I were running a campaign, I’d invest more in going the extra mile to find a representative sample of those voters. And then I’d hire some smart quants — or Claude? — to figure out the implications for campaign strategy based on proprietary data that my competitors didn’t have access to. -Nate Silver Are these models any good? If synthetic surveys are just a new type of model, the next obvious question is whether the models are at least accurate. The answer very much depends on who you ask. On one end of the spectrum, you have the maximalist argument that synthetic sampling is more accurate than actual polls. “It’s an incredibly challenging problem to go to someone and say ‘hey, we’re going to be more accurate at predicting human behavior than you, even when you talk to your customers directly’,” Koh recently told CNBC. In his view, synthetic sampling isn’t a saw to polling’s hammer, it’s “magic.” There’s certainly evidence that synthetic samples can replicate certain survey toplines. But if Aaru does have any examples of their approach outperforming the polls, they’re keeping those to themselves.5 Aaru’s 2024 election model, for example, had Kamala Harris leading in Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on November 4th. And although they’ve since taken down their forecast page, they gave Harris a 50.5 percent chance of winning the race on November 2nd.6 After the election, Fink told Semafor he was happy enough with those results because they were “within margin of error,” a term that is completely meaningless when applied to a “sample” of AI agents. And of course, Aaru says their models have improved since 2024, so supposedly now they’d be more accurate than the polls? Still, their stronger argument is on cost: “We are significantly faster and cheaper than traditional polling, and still more accurate,” said Fink. The first two claims are undeniably true, but the third brings us to the opposite end of the spectrum. Both Jackson and Hagner are skeptical that these models are reliable for anything beyond replicating common survey toplines. “I just […] don’t think the machines are what we want when we’re looking for nuanced views. My example on this is people in Arizona and Nevada in 2024 who voted for Trump and voted for expanding abortion in their states on ballot initiatives,” said Jackson. Hagner identified another issue. Maybe the synthetic respondents, like sycophantic LLMs, are inhuman in one important way: they’re too nice. “The reports that have come through at the meetings that I’ve been at are that the early experiments on this, they cannot get respondents to be as racist or sexist or, frankly, as negative as human respondents,” he said. Academic research mostly agrees on this point. While there are some papers that show promising results when using LLMs to replicate polling data, most show that LLMs suffer from various quirks like producing too few “don’t know” responses and can seriously overpredict the favorability of politicians like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They also seem to struggle with too little variation between demographic subgroups, so the difference in predicted opinion between Democrats and Republicans, for example, is too small. When I asked Warner about these studies, his response to these papers was that just because academics can’t get synthetic sampling to work doesn’t mean that the technique doesn’t work in general. “Actually, the argument is, okay, yours does not [work]. That does not mean […] for this complex set of machinery, which uses a lot of investment, a lot of time, a lot of money, you can’t get it to work.” Cards on the table, I’m somewhat sympathetic to this argument because academics aren’t exactly great at making election forecasts. Usually, the people with skin in the game are the most accurate. Warner’s argument is that the approach Electric Twin takes — which includes, for example, making multiple predictions for each synthetic respondent using different models and prompts and subsequently averaging those to get a final prediction in a sort of ensemble forecast — produces better results than the simpler academic models. Warner shared a comparison between his method and the method from a recent academic paper with me, and Electric Twin was indeed able to get more accurate replication. But even still, he acknowledged that synthetic sampling “is not a crystal ball.” “If you asked me, do I think using other data sources will be more accurate than asking somebody who they will vote for, I would probably say no. But if you asked me ‘would your system be useful for our turnout modeling today?’ I would say yes.” For better or worse, it looks like the method is already getting more popular in the market research world. Most of the clients Aaru touts these days are businesses like EY and McDonald’s. And AI will probably begin to pop up in other parts of the political polling process. Pollsters are already using it to code open-ended survey responses, and some firms, like YouGov, are testing using LLMs to ask survey respondents questions. More worryingly, one danger to actual polls is that AI agents can be used to infiltrate online surveys. Most online polls use various checks to prevent that from happening, but there’s conflicting evidence on how effective those filters are and how prevalent AI agents currently are in online panels. If those agents ever become impossible to detect, it might spell the end of online polling, but the solution isn’t to replace all of your respondents with ChatGPT. Silver Bulletin is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a subscriber. Subscribe 1 That particular poll obviously doesn’t meet Silver Bulletin standards for aggregation. But we exclude all Public Sentiment Institute polls from our averages because we classify them as an amateur polling firm. 2 You could argue that Fink meant the next presidential election, but (a) I’m also confident we’ll still have real polls in 2028 and (b) in that case he should have asked an LLM to define “general election.” 3 Quick caveat: that’s reporting from a Democratic pollster. It’s possible that Republicans are more willing to use AI in political campaigns. 4 Indeed, Silver Bulletin does not include “polls” produced by MRP in our forecasts or averages, and we think it’s extremely misleading when their practitioners describe them in a way that suggests original data had been collected among a large number of states or Congressional districts. 5 A recent report from Aaru and EY did show two examples of a synthetic estimate being closer than a survey to a real-world benchmark — but I’d take those findings with a grain of salt because the report reads more like an ad and didn’t involve any sort of prediction being made ahead of time. 6 For comparison, our odds for Harris on the same day were 48.2 percent.
A Big, Moving Party for Better Lung Health
Peggy shares her experience with the Trek Across Maine and how one bike ride has expanded into a lifelong purpose.
Sports Playbook for Business: Leading with Speed, Clarity, and Purpose
Novo Nordisks Aleksandar Ciric writes that leaders can apply sports principles such as speed of action, clarity, and responsiveness to be successful in life sciences.
‘Showing the upside to Down syndrome’: Columbia woman’s business giving back and inspiring others
Jewelry can hold meaning far beyond what meets the eye. For Columbia creator Lucy Graham, each bracelet and necklace is made with a purpose: showing “the upside to Down Syndrome.”
New Charter Allows RFK Jr. to Reclaim Vaccine Policy Despite Court Ruling
The charter, published on Thursday, alters the makeup and purpose of the panel, opening the door for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reclaim his revision of national vaccine policy.
Microsoft Mocked for Terms of Service That Admit Copilot Is for “Entertainment Purposes Only”
Microsoft admitting in its own Copilot terms of service that the tool should only be used for "entertainment purposes only."
Microsoft says Copilot AI is intended for 'entertainment purposes'
Microsoft's terms of service call Copilot entertainment-only, but the company has been pushing it as much more than that.
Microsoft plans tweaks to Copilot terms claiming chatbot is for ‘entertainment purposes only’
Sharp-eyed users spotted Microsoft describing its Copilot AI as "for entertainment purposes only"
Microsoft: Copilot AI is for 'entertainment purposes only,' not 'important advice'
The company has baked its AI assistant into everything from Word to Windows, but it's apparently only for fun.
Microsoft says Copilot isn't just 'for entertainment purposes'
Microsoft said it will update the terms of use for Copilot after they went viral.
Microsoft says Copilot isn't just 'for entertainment purposes'
Microsoft said it will update the terms of use for Copilot after they went viral.
AI Giant Anthropic Leans Into Life Sciences With $400M Coefficient Bio Catch
Anthropic in October last year iterated its Claude AI model to better cater to biopharma purposes. Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, AbbVie and others already use Claude in their operations.
We students need mental health counselors not empty promises
'We' are the many Kentucky students drowning in mental health crisis, staring at a counselor’s door that, for all intents and purposes, is locked.
Copilot is ‘for entertainment purposes only,’ according to Microsoft’s terms of service
AI skeptics aren’t the only ones warning users not to unthinkingly trust models’ outputs — that’s what the AI companies say themselves in their terms of service.
Copilot is ‘for entertainment purposes only,’ according to Microsoft’s terms of service
AI skeptics aren’t the only ones warning users not to unthinkingly trust models’ outputs — that’s what the AI companies say themselves in their terms of service.
Microsoft calls Copilot ‘entertainment only’ while charging $30 a month for it
Microsoft's Copilot Terms of Use label it "for entertainment purposes only", yet the company charges up to $30/user/month and has spent $80bn on AI. Only 3.3% of users are paying.
Microsoft spent years pushing Copilot, but now it says don’t rely on it
Microsoft says Copilot is for “entertainment purposes only,” despite deep integration into Office and Windows, sparking criticism over mixed messaging.
Microsoft Warns Copilot AI Is For 'Entertainment Purposes' Only: 'Use At Your Own Risk'
Microsoft updates Copilot terms and conditions, warning that the AI tool is for entertainment only and users assume all risks.
Microsoft quietly buried 'for entertainment purposes only' in Copilot's Terms of Use
It's not what the ads want you to think.
Microsoft says Copilot is for entertainment purposes only, not serious use — firm pushing AI hard to consumers tells users not to rely on it for important advice
These might be boilerplate disclaimers, but they kind of contradict the company's ads and marketing.
How the Chattanooga INCubator became a powerhouse for small business growth and innovation
In 2025, the Chattanooga Chamber's INCubator program solidified its role as one of the Chattanooga region's most powerful engines for small business growth, innovation, and economic resilience. As a flagship program of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and manager of the 127,000-square-foot Hamilton County Business Development Center, the INCubator exists for one clear purpose: to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the economic heartbeat of the region. The programs progress in 2025 demonstrated that mission in action -- through expanded programming, deeper engagement, and measurable impact across the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Stephen Colbert says Trump's speech was 'concise, intelligent, and brought the nation together'
Stephen Colbert had a surprising take on Trump's address to the nation: 'It was concise, intelligent, and brought the nation together with shared purpose.'
Perturabo’s grand plan revealed
The Daemon Primarch of the Iron Warriors has a new purpose – the greatest siege in history.
Top End Sports brings sports-based wheelchairs to life
Inside a Pinellas Park warehouse, precision engineering meets purpose. Top End builds equipment that helps athletes around the world compete at the highest level.
This cow uses tools like a primate—and scientists are stunned
A cow named Veronika has stunned scientists by using tools in a flexible and purposeful way. She chooses different ends of a brush depending on the part of her body and adjusts her movements accordingly. This level of tool use is incredibly rare and was previously seen mainly in primates. The finding hints that cows may be much smarter than we assume.
How a Healthy Mind-Set Influences Longevity
A few qualities, including a sense of purpose, seem to have real benefits — especially as you age.
Political Science Graduate Finds Her Path and Passion in Purpose-Driven Research
After losing a job and starting over, Ginny Adorador found purpose, strength, and a new career path in education.
Broncos restructure Jaylen Waddle's contract for salary cap purposes
The Broncos converted Jaylen Waddle's option bonus into a signing bonus for salary cap purposes, according to KPRC-TV.
An ode to Olympic sports
Under the current cash-grabbing model, universities are harmfully disregarding the fundamental purpose of collegiate athletics.
Science diplomacy, research and global health
Nature Microbiology - As a young scientist from the global south, engaging in science diplomacy has brought greater purpose and meaning to my career, writes Delfina Fernandes Hlashwayo.
Science diplomacy, research and global health
Nature Microbiology - As a young scientist from the global south, engaging in science diplomacy has brought greater purpose and meaning to my career, writes Delfina Fernandes Hlashwayo.
Hegseth Invokes Divine Purpose to Justify Military Might
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has imbued U.S. military actions with a Christian moral underpinning that suggests they are divinely sanctioned.
'Anthony's purpose.' Canton mother remembers son with tribute art show
Monica Ramos of Canton is honoring her late son with an art show. And she wants to help others who struggle with mental health like her son did.
Hermès Now Sells $1,250+ MagSafe Chargers Wrapped in Calfskin Leather
Luxury brand Hermès has a new series of MagSafe-compatible chargers for the iPhone and Apple Watch, with prices that are higher than the cost of an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The $1,250 Paddock Solo Charger is a magnetic charger that works with a single device, while the $1,750 Paddock Duo can charge an Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time. The $1,750 Paddock Yoyo is also a dual charger, but it has a USB-C cable that wraps around the charger for travel purposes.
The White House Is Lost in the ‘Weave’
The Trump administration has a coherence problem. This issue starts at the top with a fabulist president who is increasingly unfiltered and unfocused, offering up ping-ponging thoughts with little purpose or explanation. His approach to governing and to waging a war has itself become “the weave,” his term for the random asides that pepper his speeches. For much of his political life, Trump, 79, understood the importance of a simple and repetitive story, the need to keep the main thing the main t
Alumna supports students through sports
Alumna Chrystal Starling has built a dynamic career combining sports, education, and youth development. From Hokie student athlete to professional basketball player to assistant principal at a New York charter school, Starling credits writing and the influence of Nikki Giovanni for helping her find her voice and her purpose.
The next business advantage isn’t AI. It’s thriving workers
Research shows companies that invest in employee well-being, purpose and growth outperform those focused only on short-term gains.
Madison County considers rezoning along scenic byway near Marshall
Lonesome Mountain Market owner Johnny Moore purchased the building in 2022 with the purpose of operating a general/convenience store, he said.
AGU and Content With Purpose announce new digital series exploring science in action
“Our World, Our Future” will connect scientific discovery with lived experience and demonstrate how research directly affects people and communities everywhere.
Geffen Playhouse 2026-27 season: world and L.A. premieres
Geffen Playhouse Artistic Director Tarell Alvin McCraney aims to deliver 'world-class theater at your friendly neighborhood playhouse.'
SKF announces new business segments and releases restated figures
SKF today announces the introduction of a new segment reporting structure, effective from Q1 2026. The purpose of these changes is to reflect the Group's strategic focus and to provide increased transparency ahead of the planned separation of the Automotive business. SKF is also publishing restated financial information for the new segments for 2024 and 2025.
How Paris Hilton turned a persona into a global business empire
Paris Hilton, often called the “original influencer,” takes Tania Bryer to a New York hotel steeped in history and shares how she turned personal pain into purpose — building a brand that has generated billions in sales.
'Cater to those who want to express themselves': UNO student balances course work and business ownership
Lydia Okuku's business, Crazy Unicorn, focuses on bright, bold and repurposed pieces.
Judge quashes Justice Department subpoena of Federal Reserve
Judge James Boasberg said that a "mountain of evidence suggests" that the purpose of the subpoenas was simply to pressure the Fed to cut its key interest rate
Do Middle-earth and Westeros make sense? Climate scientists modelled them to find out
It’s a seemingly whimsical exercise, but it serves serious purposes.
Gwinnett Regional Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair showcases Gwinnett’s emerging STEM leaders
The 48th Annual Gwinnett Regional Science, Engineering + Innovation Fair brought together students from across Gwinnett County to present their talented and purposeful work.
Mental health solutions for the digital age
Ask the digital natives of Gen Z about the source of their biggest mental health challenges, and most will say social media and AI.Several of the nearly 400 guests at the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit, presented by the Friends of Semel Teen Advisory Council at UCLA on March 8, explicitly named the endless stream of content on their phones as serious stressors. “Everybody is addicted to (Tik Tok) as if they were addicted to substances,” said Jantin Asmar, 17, a senior at Virtual Academy in Antelope Valley. “We’re always chasing that dopamine. We’re expecting that dopamine rush and it’s really decaying our interactions with others.” High school student Jantin Asmar was among nearly 400 people who attended the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) Even young teens feel pressure to be on social media constantly, both to consume content and collect “likes,” said 13-year-olds Chloe and Sophia, both students at Brentwood School. “Everyone’s always on, and you miss stuff if you’re not on it,” Chloe said, adding that social media’s emphasis on appearances is leading to eating disorders: “That’s a big thing for our generation.”The incessant influx of images and updates creates expectations that “weigh teenagers down,” said Linda Kou, 16, a junior at San Gabriel High School.Even though digital spaces allow people to connect with others beyond their immediate surroundings, it doesn’t always translate to real-life community, said Kelah Morgan, 17, a senior at Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School. High school students Kelah Morgan, left, and Linda Kou, shared about the challenges presented by social media. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) “Even if you see people saying that they relate to you online, it might be hard to find people in your personal life who you see every day who you feel comfortable enough to say, ‘You see me online, but this is me in real life and what I’m actually going through,’” she said.Solutions for our digital timesThe Gen Z Wellness Summit was intentionally designed as a free, in-person gathering where young people interested in mental health from across the southland could meet in person. “Peer support is the most important element of maintaining our mental health in community,” said Helena Hansen, MD, PhD, director of UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.Keynote speakers at the summit addressed AI, social connection and self-empowerment, while breakout sessions included discussions about eating disorders, dating, substance use, phone detox and breathwork. Here are some of the day’s top takeaways:Beware of FOPO: Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, a psychology professor at Columbia University, said that rather than FOMO, or fear of missing out, we ought to be more aware of FOPO: fear of people’s opinions. “Just think about how much your FOPO might be holding you back in your life,” Dr. Kaufman said. “And just that inner contemplation should be enough for you to change your life, because there’s so many things we don’t go after because we have debilitating FOPO.”We don’t need to feel like we’re the best – or what he called “narcissistic self-esteem” – but it’s helpful to acknowledge our own worth, recognize our good qualities and develop self-belief in the skills and talents we’ve cultivated. When we have that – dignity and self-respect, without needing everyone to like us – FOPO is less of a concern.Self-reflection is most effective in community: “When we try to self-reflect alone, we sometimes ruminate,” said Ira Bedzow, PhD, executive director of the Emory University Purpose Project. “But when we self-reflect with people that we trust … (it) allows us to hold ourselves accountable to different ways of seeing and different ways of hearing and different ways of being.”Opening up about our experiences and listening to others are skills we can develop, Dr. Bedzow said.He invited students to participate in what he called a “fishbowl exercise,” where four students sat in a small circle, surrounded by a dozen or so students forming a larger circle. Those in the inner circle answered such questions as: “What stops you from being you today?” and “What helps you feel most like you?”Within minutes, the group in the small circle (the fishbowl), were sharing intimately about their life challenges as those in the outer circle nodded in understanding.After the exercise, one participant said, “I felt like I wasn’t alone, that it wasn’t just me who feels that way.”Another remarked on how “personal” it felt to share face-to-face with others, even strangers.Don’t let AI crush your creativity: Theoretical neuroscientist Vivienne Ming, PhD, has been studying artificial intelligence for more than 20 years. And while she said “it’s reasonable to be concerned” about the fast-growing technology, it can also help humans become better problem-solvers when used strategically.“The smartest thing on the planet today are humans and machines working together creatively,” Dr. Ming said. “What gets more valuable in humans as machines get smarter? Our ability to explore the unknown.“Your unique voice is literally your value to the world … but most of us for most of our lives have been taught to not be unique,” she continued. “Be your own person. Celebrate being different. It is genuinely, measurably, truly valuable.”In a breakout session called “Phone Detox? IYKYK: Living Your Story IRL” led by Don Grant, PhD, students shared their frustrations with AI compromising academic work, art and creativity.“Art is a translation of human experience,” one participant said. “When people use AI, they diminish their own human experience.”Dr. Grant urged them, as “the last generation to remember a world before AI,” to remember the power of imagination and creativity – and to act on it.Remember that social media distorts perceptions: Stuart B. Murray, PhD, PsyD, who directs the Eating Disorders Program and Translational Research in Eating Disorders Program at UCLA, asked the students in his breakout session to take a spontaneous selfie and edit it to conform with society’s beauty standards. All 20 girls in the room immediately got to work, thickening their hair, slimming their faces, plumping their lips.“The pressure to look like what we present on social media can be crippling,” Dr. Murray said. “We now know that social media use is part of a causal pathway into an eating disorder.”Adolescents and young adults are most at risk of developing an eating disorder, he said, with one in three students on college campuses exhibiting clinically meaningful eating-disorder symptoms. More than 4 million people in California will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.Even for those who don’t develop anorexia or bulimia, the ubiquity of modified images online distorts what we consider normal, making us feel worse about ourselves. Remembering that, he and other speakers said, might inspire us to log off occasionally and spend time in the real world with people who love us as we are.
Evolution Keeps Reinventing The Appendix. Here's Why It May Be Important.
It's no spare part.
Purpose, dignity, and joy through supported employment: connecting Vermonters experiencing mental health and substance use challenges with meaningful employment in their communities
Clara Martin Center’s IPS-supported employment program helps Vermonters with mental health or substance use challenges return to meaningful work by integrating clinical care, partnering with local employers, and restoring purpose, confidence, and community connection through individualized, community‑based support.
Business for Good 2026
Maine companies are increasingly recognizing that success is measured by more than profit alone. Research shows that people value businesses that operate responsibly by protecting the environment, supporting their communities, and fostering workplaces built on shared purpose. Business for Good spotlights the Maine organizations, large and small, that are driving positive change through community involvement, responsible growth, and purpose-driven leadership.
In Russia’s Former Capital, Restoring the Past to Survive the Present
With political activism off-limits, residents of St. Petersburg are finding purpose and community in the “politics of small deeds,” repairing and cleaning architectural treasures.
Trump has privately shown serious interest in U.S. ground troops in Iran
The president’s private comments have not focused on a large-scale ground invasion of Iran, but rather on the idea of a small contingent of U.S. troops that would be used for specific strategic purposes, sources say.
California’s Problematic Attempt To Add Age-Verification To Software
Last year California’s Digital Age Assurance Act (AB 1043) was signed into law, requiring among other things that operating system providers implement an API for age verification purposes. Wi…
Gordon Brown: Power with Purpose – ‘illuminating’ biography of ‘towering’ politician
James Macintyre’s work explores ‘simmering tensions’ with Tony Blair, and Brown’s ‘ever-active retirement’
Civility, Federalism, and the Future of American Politics
In a week that could easily have been defined by division, the penultimate session of the 2026 NGA Winter Meeting offered something increasingly rare in American public life: two politicians, from opposite ends of the political spectrum speaking candidly about friendship, shared purpose, and the urgent need to rebuild trust in democratic institutions. Moderated by Laura Collins, Director of the […]
#dubai #expatexperience #dubailife #expat #expatcommunity
The thought of leaving Dubai fills Kiran Ali with dread. Ali, a Washington, DC, import, moved to Dubai in March 2024. Speaking to Business Insider on Tuesday, she said she'll only leave Dubai if it becomes dangerous for her two young kids. "Dubai is the most fulfilled and happy I have been in my adult life," she said. "I have an incredible career, a purpose in community organizing, and great work life balance." For more than two decades, Dubai has marketed itself as a safe haven for expats with zero income tax, high salaries, and a luxury lifestyle. But the US and Israel's strikes on Iran over the weekend have thrown the Middle East into turmoil and raised questions about Dubai's future as a business, tourism, and expat hub. Read more about how expats on the ground aren't giving up on their expat dream so easily on Business Insider: https://lnkd.in/eM_ARYRU (Credit: Getty Images) #dubai #expatexperience #dubailife #expat #expatcommunity
Apple's Studio Display XDR Supports DICOM Medical Imaging for Diagnostic Radiology
The new Studio Display XDR is designed for all kinds of professional work, and it is uniquely suited for use in the medical field. The Studio Display XDR supports DICOM medical imaging presets and a Medical Imaging Calibrator so it can be used for diagnostic radiology. Radiologists will be able to view images right on the Studio Display XDR without the need to use a single-purpose medical imaging display.
Progress made on Jefferson County Innovation Center, bringing health care, education hub
Construction is moving forward on a new multipurpose facility in Jefferson County that leaders say will expand access to walk-in health care while also supporti
Leaked Apple Documents Detail MacBook Neo Features Ahead of Launch
Accidentally leaked Apple documents that reveal the "Neo" name of the upcoming low-cost MacBook also reference some of the features that will be included. The MacBook Neo will feature two USB-C ports, and it will also include a MagSafe port for charging purposes. Apple's latest Macs use a magnetic MagSafe cable, and in the case of the Neo, it will likely be color matched to the chassis. Rumors suggest the Neo will come in fun colors like pink, blue, and yellow.
NovaBridge to Host Business Update Call to Review Phase 2a Data for VIS-101 in Wet AMD on Monday, March 9, 2026
VIS-101, purpose-designed to be a best-in-class dual VEGF-A/ANG-2 inhibitor, has the potential to provide more effective and durable treatment than the current standard of care for patients with wet AMD, DME and RVO Visara, a NovaBridge Majority-Owned Subsidiary, Holds Global Rights to VIS-101 Outside of Greater China and Certain Asian Territories ROCKVILLE, Md., March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovaBridge Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBP) (NovaBridge or the Company) a global biotechnology platform co
Jim Hanson: Those who say the Iran mission is undefined are just 'playing politics'
Former U.S. Army Special Forces Jim Hanson dissects the purpose of the Iranian conflict on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'
Iran after 48 hours: Tactical success, strategic uncertainty
During a crisis like what is now unfolding in the Middle East, a president receives a net assessment prepared from intelligence and military sources. It might evaluate the balance of forces, leadership dynamics and strategic calculations — without making policy recommendations. Its purpose is clarity: a baseline from which decisions can be made.
How a WA man turned his mental health pain into a life's purpose
Bellevue's Jay Michael Martin Jr. shares his hard-earned wisdom through his Talks With Jay on social media and Cooking with Jay live presentations.
TAB in D.C.: Texas Business Leading Where It Matters
The Texas Association of Business (TAB) returned to Washington, D.C. this week with a clear purpose: ensuring federal policymakers understand what Texas employers need to remain competitive and economically strong. As the Texas State Chamber of Commerce and the premier business organization in the state, TAB represents employers who are actively building, hiring, exporting, and…
Scientists Are Setting Off Earthquakes. On Purpose.
At the Bedretto Underground Laboratory deep in the Swiss Alps, scientists are inducing tiny earthquakes along a natural fault zone in the hopes of understanding what can trigger—and prevent—a deadly earthquake.
Trump Declared Victory in Minneapolis. But What Did He Accomplish?
The Trump administration came under fire for an operation that turned lethal and politically toxic. But the show of force may also have had a bigger purpose: to serve as a warning.
Springfield business owner pleads guilty to COVID-19 loan fraud, money laundering
Springfield business owner pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering after fraudulently obtaining $316,062 in Paycheck Protection Program loans under the CARES Act and using the funds for unauthorized purposes, including personal benefit.
Integrated Partners Launches Integrated Private Wealth to Guide Business Owners Through High-Stakes Transitions
BOSTON, February 24, 2026--Integrated Partners ("Integrated"), a national financial planning and registered investment advisory (RIA) firm serving more than $25 billion in assets under advisement (AUA), has announced the launch of Integrated Private Wealth, a new private wealth brand purpose-built to guide business owners and their families through complex, high-stakes liquidity events and regret free transitions.
From jail cells to exam rooms: St. George facility transformed into health clinic
A building that once served as a women’s detention center in St. George is now set to serve a very different purpose – healthcare.
Large banner of Trump unfurled at Justice Department headquarters
The DOJ has traditionally operated with a degree of separation from the White House to prevent the department's powers from being abused for political purposes.
KHSAA aims to level private vs. public playing field in football, other sports
Beginning in 2027, enrollments at private schools will count more than public schools for the purposes of placing teams in competitive classes.
Building a Business, Fulfilling a Dream
Mina Marsow ’11 credits Brooklyn College with helping her build the foundation that ultimately allowed her to launch a business rooted in purpose and passion.
FCC is investigating ABC's 'The View' over 'equal time' rule, chairman says
The Trump administration has taken steps to clamp down on talk shows, which the FCC has suggested may be “motivated by partisan purposes.”
A message from Keyes Dean of Business Administration Andrew DeGuire
Dear Marquette Business community, This season always brings a renewed sense of purpose. While February can be grey and cold, our spring semester already feels alive with possibility. The campus energy shifts when our students return, and with them comes a new wave of curiosity, hope and determination. Every day, I’m fortunate to witness that energy in action. Our students lean into their…
Seattle Reign FC Announces Multi-Year Sponsorship with CVS Health
Purpose-driven sponsorship unites two organizations in advancing health and wellbeing through sport; CVS Health to serve as the club’s right sleeve partner and exclusive retail and community pharmacy partner of Seattle Reign FC Seattle Reign FC today announced a new multi-year sponsorship with
Business Restructuring Review
In This Issue: The Year in Bankruptcy: 2025 A brief chronicle of the year's notable developments in corporate bankruptcy and restructuring, including business bankruptcy filings, significant court rulings, and legislative developments. [read more …] U.S. Bankruptcy Court Denies Chapter 15 Recognition of Maltese Liquidation Absent Evidence of Meaningful Activities Supporting Finding of COMI or Establishment in Malta In In re Geden Holdings, Ltd., No. 25-90138, 2025 WL 2484883 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Aug. 28, 2025), stay pending appeal denied, No. 25-90138, 2026 WL 97993 (Bankr. S.D. Tex. Jan. 13, 2026), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that, for purposes of recognition under chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code, although a foreign debtor may have had its center of main interests ("COMI") or an establishment in Malta when a liquidation proceeding was commenced for it in a Maltese court in 2017, the absence of any meaningful activity by the debtor's liquidator from that time until the liquidator filed a chapter 15 petition in the United States more than five years later meant that the debtor had neither a COMI nor an establishment in Malta on the chapter 15 petition date. The court accordingly denied the petition for recognition. [read more …] The Ninth Circuit's Expansive Reading of "Financial Accommodations" that Cannot Be Assumed or Assigned in Bankruptcy It is generally well understood that agreements to extend credit or provide financing to a debtor cannot be assumed or assigned in bankruptcy. Even so, the provision of the Bankruptcy Code that precludes assumption or assignment—section 365(c)(2)—also extends to "financial accommodations," a term that is not defined in the Bankruptcy Code and has been the subject of relatively few bankruptcy and appellate court rulings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit examined the meaning of the term in In re Svenhard's Swedish Bakery, 154 F.4th 1100 (9th Cir. 2025). The court of appeals ruled that a deeply discounted settlement of pension plan withdrawal liability is a "financial accommodation" that cannot be assumed or assigned, thereby extending the reach of section 365(c)(2) well beyond conventional lending arrangements. [read more …] Pennsylvania District Court Applies "Hypothetical Test" in Determining that Patent License Agreement Is Assignable in Bankruptcy In Crivella Holdings Ltd. v. Mesearch Media Technologies Ltd., No. 2:25-cv-333, 2025 WL 2443400 (W.D. Pa. Aug. 25, 2025), the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania affirmed a bankruptcy court ruling denying a software licensor's motion for relief from the automatic stay to terminate the license agreement. The court found the license was assumable in bankruptcy under the Third Circuit's hypothetical test as a result of language in the agreement stating that it could be assigned to a "successor in interest" of the debtor without the licensor's further consent, thereby overriding federal patent law's general prohibition against the assignment of patents. [read more …] New York Bankruptcy Court Denies Motion to Terminate Chapter 15 Recognition and Dismiss Chapter 15 Case In In re Oi S.A., No. 23-10193 (LGB), 2025 WL 2806591 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. Oct. 1, 2025), the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York considered whether chapter 15 recognition of a debtor's Brazilian restructuring proceeding should be terminated and the case dismissed due to the debtors' financial deterioration and inability to satisfy its restructuring plan obligations after entry of the recognition order. The court denied the motion, concluding that recognition of the Brazilian proceeding and a court-approved restructuring plan for the debtors should not be terminated under section 1519(d) of the Bankruptcy Code—according to the court, the sole authority for revocation of chapter 15 recognition—because, among other things, the restructuring proceeding was still pending, the debtors might still need relief authorized under chapter 15, and the debtors' prospects for reorganizing under a hypothetical chapter 11 case were uncertain at best. It also found that no provision of the Bankruptcy Code authorizes the dismissal of a chapter 15 case. [read more …] Newsworthy Effective January 1, 2026, Jones Day welcomed Isel M. Perez (Miami), Andrew M. Butler (New York), Sid Pepels (Amsterdam), and Anna C. Bretting (Munich) to the partnership in the Business Restructuring & Reorganization Practice. Sid Pepels (Amsterdam) has been nominated for the Future Leader Award by the Global Restructuring Review, an organization that acknowledges and honors excellence within the global restructuring and insolvency sector. This award is designed to recognize exceptional contributions made by both individuals and firms in the field. The 2026 edition of Chambers UK recognized Ben Larkin (London) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency and Adam R. Brown (London) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency: Litigation. The 2026 edition of Chambers Asia-Pacific ranked Roger Dobson (Sydney) in the practice area Restructuring/Insolvency. An article written by Corinne Ball (New York) titled "Backstop Fees for Lenders in Chapter 11 Plans: Absent Market Test, Equality of Treatment Now Required in Fifth Circuit After 'ConvergeOne'" was published on November 12, 2025, in the New York Law Journal. An article written by Oliver S. Zeltner (Houston) titled "Delaware Bankruptcy Court: No Legal Authority for Chapter 11 Plan Gatekeeping Provision" was published on November 20, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Daniel J. Merrett (Atlanta) titled "First Impressions: Eleventh Circuit Rules that Annulment of Automatic Stay Does Not Violate U.S. Supreme Court's Prohibition of Nunc Pro Tunc Orders" was published on November 21, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Genna Ghaul (New York) titled "Iowa District Court: Avoidance Claims Cannot Be Encumbered by Pre-Bankruptcy Liens" was published on November 20, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. An article written by Dan T. Moss (Washington/New York), Corinne Ball (New York), David S. Torborg (Washington), and Ben Rosenblum (New York) titled "New York Bankruptcy Court Rejects Challenge to Barnet Rule Permitting Foreign Debtors to Obtain Chapter 15 Recognition With Only Minimal U.S. Assets" was published on November 21, 2025, by Lexis Practical Guidance. The M&A Advisor has recognized the Silvergate Capital Corporation Bankruptcy case as the Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year (over $5 billion) during its 20th Annual Turnaround Awards. Jones Day is listed among the professionals for the representation of Exploration Capital, which was led by Joshua M. Mester (Los Angeles). Lawyer Spotlight: Sid Pepels Sid Pepels, a partner in Jones Day's Amsterdam Office, litigates and advises clients on commercial and international insolvency matters, with a focus on complex restructurings and insolvencies. He has advised and litigated high-profile cases, including: the cross-border WHOA (Wet Homologatie Onderhands Akkoord) proceedings concerning Vroon Group and Diebold Nixdorf; proceedings on behalf of expropriated SNS Reaal bond holders against the Dutch State; the bankruptcy of Intertoys, the leading Dutch toys retailer; the restructuring of Oi, the Dutch finance vehicle of the Brazilian telecom giant; and Blokker, the leading Dutch home appliances retailer. Sid holds a Ph.D. in European insolvency law and regularly publishes in academic journals on topics of cross-border insolvency. He has been recognized in The Legal 500 Netherlands and was noted by his peers for being client-minded and a creative thinker with a "strong grasp of the law and strong interpersonal skills." Sid was also nominated for the "Future Leader" award at the Global Restructuring Review Awards 2025. He is a board member for the Netherlands Association for Comparative and International Insolvency Law and a NextGen member of the International Insolvency Institute.
Groups sue over Trump effort to ‘erase’ history, science in national parks
The coalition behind the lawsuit argues the litany of alterations, or potential changes, at various parks undermine their very purpose to educate and enlighten Americans.
Farm use of PFAS-laden sludge raises health concerns. But, some ask, where else can it go?
A resourceful solution to repurpose waste and nourish farmland, or a poisonous and permanent mistake? Depending on whom you ask, the practice of spreading treated sewage, or sludge, on New Hampshire farmland might be either.
Opinion: For a meaningful retirement, stay engaged by substitute teaching
Retirement sounds perfect — no meetings, no deadlines, no office politics. I first tried it at 65. That was a decade ago. I failed — repeatedly.Short-term projects were too interesting to pass up. And while my breaks between assignments were relaxing, I wasn’t ready to disengage entirely. I enjoyed the freedom retirement offered, yet I still craved structure, purpose, and a sense of contribution.Now I’ve found an option that comes surprisingly close to the best of both worlds: substitute teaching.
Secondhand retailer to repurpose former adult entertainment store in Springfield
A secondhand furniture, home goods and clothing retailer is expanding into the Fairfax County market with a future location in Springfield. Last week, Remix Market signed a five-year lease at 6909 Old Keene Mill Road, according to real estate firm Boosalis Properties, which represented the tenant in the transaction. The 6,250-square-foot standalone Springfield Executive Building
Celebrating Women in Science Day 2026 at CERN
Every year, on 11 February, CERN celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In an effort to amplify diverse voices in STEM, six women scientists from CERN open up about their careers and the lessons they hope to pass on to the next generation. Francesca is an Italian biomedical engineer pursuing her PhD at CERN, working in the robotics team of the Beams Department. She’s currently working on the MARCHESE project, in affiliation with Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, focusing on contactless monitoring of physiological parameters. Despite choosing a scientific career and often volunteering in scientific outreach initiatives, Francesca continues to nurture her passion for the humanities and arts. “I firmly believe that collaboration and inclusion are the right paths to improve the world together. I’m driven by a strong curiosity about everything around me.” Berare is a Turkish experimental physicist who worked with the ATLAS experiment during her MSc and PhD on searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. During her PhD, she became a Support Scientist for the Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition, which marked the beginning of her journey combining research with science communication. She now works for both BL4S and ELISA, the mini proton accelerator at CERN’s Science Gateway. She fondly remembers the moment when the BL4S 2022 winners arrived at the experimental zone: “I felt incredibly lucky to share my passion with young, curious and really passionate people. We spent two weeks of beam time together watching their ideas turn into reality. All the intricate details of running an experiment, we accomplished them as a team.” Mia is a Canadian research fellow in the Accelerator Systems Department, working on beam developments for fundamental physics with radioactive molecules. Mia pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering before moving to Vancouver for a master’s degree in engineering physics. Her interest in radioactive ion beam production brought her to CERN, where she studied actinide beams for three years as a PhD student in the Marie Curie European Training network “LISA” (Laser Ionisation and Spectroscopy of Actinides) at ISOLDE – a facility at CERN where scientists study the properties of atomic nuclei, with further applications in fundamental studies, astrophysics, and material and life sciences. Laura is a German mechanical engineer at CERN working on research and development to produce cavities for future accelerators. She studied mechanical and aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich. She joined CERN four years ago as a technical student for her master’s thesis and continued as a fellow working on collimators. Laura says that “as a child, I took part in girls’ day initiatives, which sparked my fascination for astrophysics and engineering. Later, it felt natural for me to give something back by organising workshops for young students to make STEM seem less intimidating and more accessible.” She particularly enjoys being close to the CERN Main Workshop and understanding how design ideas become real components. Paraskevi is a Greek physicist working at CERN’s HiRadMat (High-Radiation to Materials) facility, designed to deliver high-intensity beams to an irradiation area where material samples, as well as accelerator component assemblies, can be tested. She studied physics at NKUA, specialising in nuclear and particle physics, and is now pursuing her PhD at HiRadMat in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, studying novel materials for high-intensity beam diagnostics. “Continuous learning is one of my biggest motivators, and I am looking forward to exploring the limits of our knowledge on beam-material interactions,” says Paraskevi. Silvia is a Spanish physicist and deputy project manager for the Muon Drift Tube of the CMS detector, a general-purpose detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). She started her career at CERN more than 20 years ago as a technical student, working on prototypes of the first dipoles for the LHC. “My first motivation came in high school, from my teacher,” says Silvia about what made her pursue a career in STEM. “My favourite part about my job is learning. You can learn something new every day.” In parallel to this initiative, like every year since 2017, from 2 to 6 February 66 women scientists and engineers visited schools in Geneva, Switzerland, and in the Haute-Savoie and Ain regions of France to meet with students. Organised in collaboration with CERN, the University of Geneva, EPFL, LAPP and LAPTh, this event allowed more than 4200 students between 6 and 17 years old to meet a woman scientist, discuss their profession and career path, ask questions and participate in classroom activities.
Kid Rock's 'Rock the Country' festival cancels several dates after artists drop out
Kid Rock has canceled several of his 'Rock the Country' tour dates in South Carolina after multiple artists dropped out. One band says its 'purpose is to unite, not divide,'
4 Best Uses For Your Old Audio System
You can repurpose an old audio system as a Bluetooth music setup, PC speaker upgrade, TV sound solution, or budget home theater alternative.
Does Purpose Drive Growth? Evidence From Family Businesses Says It Does
A survey of 1,325 family businesses across 62 countries found that the 25% of family business growth were those focused on purpose.
Record-Breaking One-Off Bugatti Brouillard Could Become the Most Expensive Bugatti Ever
A one-off aimed at a historic record Bugatti’s latest one-off, the Brouillard, steps onto the hypercar stage with the quiet confidence of a record-breaker. The brand’s tradition of bespoke excellence meets a bold new aesthetic, positioning this unique commission to potentially become the marque’s most expensive creation. Built on the proven underpinnings of the Chiron/Mistral architecture, yet transformed by distinctive craft, the Brouillard is both homage and innovation. A name born from equestrian legend More than a century ago, a striking white horse captivated Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim. That equine myth now informs the car’s name and its sensory identity. The result is an automotive portrait of athletic grace—surfaces that read like muscle, curves that suggest motion, and details that quietly speak of discipline and heritage. Embroidered horse motifs on door panels and seat backs echo the story, while a miniature glass sculpture of the steed crowns the shifter. Sculptural design with purpose The Brouillard’s silhouette favors sinuous surfaces over hard creases, allowing light to glide over its form like a tendon under skin. Aerodynamics inform elegance: an integrated ducktail replaces a deployable wing, cleansing the airflow and boosting stability at speed. Its stance is athletic, its volumes taut, and its visual language unmistakably Bugatti. “Sculptural, organic forms—like a tendon beneath the skin—hide immense power behind noble simplicity,” said design chief Frank Heyl, capturing the car’s philosophy in a single stroke. Craft elevated to an art The cabin embraces craftsmanship at an uncommon level. Custom-woven textiles from Paris introduce a discreet tartan pattern, while green-tinted carbon fiber nods to the exterior’s hue. A glazed roof creates a cathedral atmosphere, bathing the cockpit in natural light. A central spine appears to flow from exterior to interior, emphasizing continuity and structure. Highlights include: Custom textiles with subtle tartan motifs Green-tinted carbon fiber matched to the exterior finish A “cathedral” glass roof that elevates cabin ambience A sculptural centerline linking outside to inside Bespoke embroidery and glass equine detail W16 power at its absolute apex Under the sculpted skin, the final evolution of Bugatti’s 8.0‑liter, quad‑turbo W16 delivers a thunderous 1,600 hp at 7,050 rpm and 1,600 Nm of torque. This represents the pinnacle of nearly two decades of Bugatti engineering, honed to an ultimate state. The lightweight monocoque blends carbon fiber with aluminum, holding mass to around 1,900 kg for poise and control. Experts suggest the Brouillard could surpass the 282 mph (454 km/h) achieved by the Mistral, aided by more aerodynamic bodywork and the fixed ducktail. Whether or not it sets a new benchmark, its intent is clear: relentless speed paired with refinement. Exclusivity with an exacting timeline The commissioning process is intensive, with roughly 18 months of development leading to a 2027 delivery. Bugatti’s program limits itself to no more than two creations per year, ensuring focus and rarity. Each example leaves the atelier as a singular vision, shaped to the client’s collection and the brand’s ethos. An unveiling is planned for Monterey Car Week 2025, placing the Brouillard amid the world’s most discerning enthusiasts. Its patron is a European collector deeply invested in the Bugatti universe, from historic and modern cars to Carlo Bugatti furniture and Rembrandt Bugatti bronzes. A valuation poised to make history While Bugatti has not disclosed an official price, informed estimates place the Brouillard between €10 million and €30 million. Context matters: a series Mistral begins near €5 million, while the Brouillard adds profound personalization, sculptural changes, and a pace of production that keeps scarcity front and center. In an arena where uniqueness drives value, the path to a brand record is unmistakably open. What it signals for the marque The Brouillard crystallizes Bugatti’s dual identity: traditional savoir‑faire intertwined with boundary-pushing performance. It exhibits a narrative soul—the white horse of Molsheim—woven into modern materials and world-class aerodynamics. As a rolling statement, it reaffirms that the Bugatti idea is larger than speed alone; it is about story, craft, and the courage to pursue an ideal to its logical limit.
Whistleblower complaint centers on sharing of classified intelligence and reporting of a potential crime, watchdog says
A complaint filed last year by a US intelligence community whistleblower that is now being scrutinized by lawmakers includes claims that the distribution of a highly classified intelligence report had been “restricted for political purposes” and that an intelligence agency lawyer had failed to report a potential crime to the Justice Department, a government watchdog told lawmakers earlier this week.
National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Natalie Thomas
MARQUETTE, Mich. -- "To me, representing women in sports means competing every day with purpose and pride."
The McLaren Artura Spider just became a rolling trophy celebrating its 10th Constructors’ Championship with only 10 ultra rare cars
The McLaren Artura Spider has been revealed for a very special purpose, and only a handful of people will ever get to see it in the metal
How GoCab Built A Business With Purpose In Africa And Beyond
GoCab enables drivers in Africa and other emerging markets to purchase their own vehicles so they can build sustainable businesses such as taxi and courier services
From nutrition student to women’s health, a winding path finds purpose
Sydney Heck '21 found her way to the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M, and eventually, her calling to be a women's health nurse.