Massachusetts

Gone are the days of libraries being filled with stern looks, silent corridors, and librarians who walk about saying “shh!” to everyone. A Massachusetts library is making a strong case for this with a whisker of fun and a paw-full of innovation.The Worcester Public Library in Worcester has announced its March Meowness that’s all about bringing readers back to the library, even if they have lost or damaged items. And to claim this offer, the only thing one has to do is present a picture, a drawing, or even a magazine…

Photo: Worldview Films via Vineyard Wind 1 In another US offshore wind milestone, the first five turbines at Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts have powered up. The five 13-megawatt (MW) offshore wind turbines are now delivering around 65 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to the New England grid, enough to power 30,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts.  “This marks a turning point in the clean energy transition. After many decades of advocacy, research, policymaking, and finally…

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new study has found that a long-standing voluntary school desegregation program in Massachusetts has a significant positive impact on the urban students who take part in it. METCO, which facilitates students of color from Boston studying in some 33 suburban communities that surround the city, improved test scores in…

Credit: University of Massachusetts Amherst A new study led by University of Massachusetts Amherst engineers paints a clear picture that people in disadvantaged communities in Massachusetts have poorer road quality and are more likely to need to use more fuel for their vehicles as a result. "Environmental justice communities are populations that have…

Jan. 14, 2024 12:27 pm ETBusiness Insider owner Axel Springer said it stands by the publication after reviewing the reporting process behind stories that alleged plagiarism by Neri Oxman, the designer and former Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor who is married to hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman.The German media company said last week it would review the process and motivations behind the recent BI articles. The review came amid complaints from Ackman, in a series of posts on X, about the publication’s…

Boston Scientific will acquire Axonics for about $3.7 billion in cash.The companies said on Monday that Axonics had agreed to be bought for $71 a share. Boston Scientific said the deal gave Axonics an equity value of $3.7 billion and an enterprise value of $3.4 billion.Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8 Boston Scientific will acquire Axonicsfor about $3.7 billion in cash.The companies said on Monday that Axonics had agreed to be bought for $71 a share.…

However, as cars grow “smarter,” the right to repair them is under siege.As legal scholars, we find that the question of whether you and your local mechanic can tap into your car’s data to diagnose and repair spans issues of property rights, trade secrets, cybersecurity, data privacy, and consumer rights. Policymakers are forced to navigate this complex legal landscape and ideally are aiming for a balanced approach that upholds the right to repair, while also ensuring the safety and privacy of consumers.Understanding…

Meta Platforms Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly dismissed warnings from senior company officials that its flagship social-media platforms were harming young users, according to unsealed allegations in a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts.According to the suit, as early as 2019, Meta’s head of responsible innovation was telling Zuckerberg that mounting evidence showed the net effect of their platforms on user well-being was negative. Around that time, multiple executives, including Instagram head Adam Mosseri, were…

A study led by Boston University School of Public Health found that a Massachusetts community’s tap water frequently exceeded safe levels of manganese, potentially posing a risk to children and other vulnerable groups. The research strengthens calls for enforceable federal standards on manganese levels in drinking water.A new study measured manganese levels in the residential tap water of a Holliston, Massachusetts community and found that the manganese concentrations occasionally exceeded the maximum safety level…

In what would be a legislative first for the country, a proposed law in Massachusetts promises to put a dent in the data brokerage industry by banning the sale of cellular location data. Suffice it to say, it would be really awesome if the bill passes.Teyonah Parris and John Boyega on Working With Jamie Foxx | io9 InterviewCurrently, data brokers can and do sell your cellular location data to whomever they wish. Firms often claimthis data is anonymized but it can easily be de-anonymized and there are firms that…