No Ride Home: How Ride Sharing Must Improve in the Wake of Tragedy

By Julian Mendoza and Becky Wandel On March 29, University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, was killed by a man she mistook for her Uber driver, throwing the transportation service company into the spotlight. The murder brings into question the effectiveness of Uber’s safety policies. “Since 2017, we’ve been working with local law [...]

Do You Take Tech With Your Coffee? Shiru Cafe Looks to Pioneer a Tech-Savvy Future

By Julian Mendoza If you’re an average Amherst resident that happens to stumble across Shiru Cafe while walking downtown, you might be disappointed when they deny your business. If you’re a student or university affiliate, though, stopping by Shiru is a glimpse into the future of coffee shops. The interior of Shiru Cafe, a popular [...]

Young Adults May Be More “Adult” Than We Thought: How One Lab at UMass Might Change Our Outlook on Adolescence

By Julian Mendoza In their most recent study, the Neuro-Learning and Performance Lab at the University of Massachusetts looks to show that despite popular belief, adolescents aren’t as reckless as society makes them out to be. “The hypothesis is that the adolescents process the given information more truthfully and more down-to-earth, counter to what people [...]

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver unveils the “smart jersey,” which can digitally transform with the push of a button

By Julian Mendoza The NBA’s main attraction this weekend might be the high-flying slam dunks and dazzling plays of the 2019 All-Star festivities, but one spectacular feature requires viewers to focus not on the hoop in front of their favorite player, but on what’s on their back. Image via NBA. On February 15th, the Friday that held the first [...]

The Nike Adapt BB and the Questionable Future of Auto-Lacing Sneakers

By Julian Mendoza Last month, NBA stars like Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, and Kyle Kuzma took us “Back to the Future” with some fancy footwear straight out of a science fiction movie: laceless basketball sneakers with technology to tighten themselves. Dubbed the “Adapt BB” by Nike, the new innovation looks to challenge the norm for [...]