First alerts

advertisement advertisement advertisement Plants don’t usually say much. So, it can be harder to understand what they need compared to more vocal organisms such as humans. But, just like us and our nerves, plants send important messages from cell to cell via electrical signals. Now, with technology that helps analyze those signals, we may better understand what’s really eating at our greener brethren. advertisement advertisement When plants get stressed because of hunger, thirst, or insect attacks, they relay signals about that stress between cells. Roots may send signals when the plant is thirsty, for instance. Until now, farmers have relied solely on secondary indicators for finding problems with their crops, for instance by checking under roots for insects or looking for signs of drought, which can be labor-intensive. A new technology, PhytlSigns , pairs this electrophysiological knowledge with artificial intelligence to … [Read more...] about These plants can alert their owners when they’re thirsty

advertisement advertisement advertisement Information about the COVID-19 vaccine is coming at us fast and furiously. Updates about availability, eligibility, and other factors determine who can get it soon and who has to wait. Multiply that out by 50, because each state is handling their own vaccine distribution. advertisement advertisement And what you have is a hodgepodge of facts and rumors that could drive any person crazy. Comcast NBCUniversal has launched a new website to end the confusion by helping people find exactly what they need to know in their own state. PlanYourVaccine.com also provides distribution timelines and the closest vaccination site to you, plus you can sign up for alerts. The site is in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most up-to-date data , almost 33.7 million people have received one or more doses of the COVID vaccine and 10.4 … [Read more...] about This handy state-by-state COVID vaccine planner lets you see when you can get your shot

advertisement advertisement advertisement One morning, I sat down in our company conference room for what was to be an hour-long meeting with several colleagues to discuss a product-related matter. Since I had strong feelings and also had overheard a few corridor talks about the issue, I was sure I had the right solution. So I didn’t intend to stay long. advertisement advertisement “Listen, everyone,” I said. “This meeting shouldn’t be any longer than five minutes. Here’s what we need to do.” Spoiler alert: The meeting didn’t end happily. As the cofounder and chief technology officer of our cybersecurity company, I figured I had all the answers, and so I thought I was being helpful by cutting to the chase and saving us all time. But did I seem open to other ideas? Did those in the room feel empowered to express them? Did they leave the meeting feeling motivated? Of course not. As I now know, I was suffering from a … [Read more...] about I was a control freak. Here’s how I let it all go and became a better leader

advertisement advertisement advertisement Yemi Adewunmi is co-founder and chief product officer at Civic Eagle. She spoke to Doreen Lorenzo for Designing Women , a series of interviews with brilliant women in the design industry. advertisement advertisement Doreen Lorenzo: How did you first get interested in design? Yemi Adewunmi: I actually didn’t realize I was interested in design until my mid-20s. When I was younger I was really into problem-solving, which I now recognize as the foundation of design-thinking. I originally aspired to become a lawyer and I went to college for political science with a prelaw focus. During college, I realized I didn’t necessarily want to be a lawyer, but I was really interested in policy, so I started my career as a policy researcher and analyst for the New York State Legislature, and then pursued a master’s in public administration. DL: What inspired you to enter the product design … [Read more...] about This app is helping Sierra Club, Fair Fight, and America Votes influence public policy

advertisement advertisement advertisement The world is filled with billions of smartphones, and they have enhanced our lives in countless ways. But they have also been responsible for the creation of hundreds of millions of smartphone zombies: people so hypnotized by the screen in the palm of their hands that they experience the real world around them in a shambling, dream-like state. advertisement advertisement Now available for iPhone, Moment is an iOS app that aims to wake people up from their smartphone fugue state by the power of awareness. Designed to be largely invisible, the app does just one thing: track how much time you spend every day on your iPhone, and warn you when you’re going overboard. The way Moment works is simple. After installing it on your iPhone, Moment will begin tracking how much you use the device minute by minute. This can be done manually by tapping a button, but by design, Moment is meant to work … [Read more...] about Moment: The Invisible App Designed To Cure iPhone Zombies