Some of the top 10 technology trends for 2019 are making inroads in the classroom, according to Gartner. Autonomous machines, augmented analytics and smart spaces are among the emerging trends, with some educators already using them for engaged learning.
⋅ Quartz
Amazon plans to evenly split 50,000 jobs that come with a second headquarters between Crystal City in Arlington County, Va., and Long Island City in Queens, N.Y. The company has chosen the sites based on proximity to public transportation and to airports with direct flights to Seattle, home of Amazon's main headquarters.
A report highlights the importance of liberal arts skills and degrees in the workforce and how colleges can best teach such skills and employers can improve recruitment of such students. Rob Sentz, chief innovation officer at Emsi and co-author of the report, says the research shows "the integration of human and technical skills" will best prepare students to succeed in the workplace.
The death toll from the Camp Fire in Northern California has risen to 42, making it the deadliest fire in state history, with many of the deaths in the town of Paradise, where up to 90% of homes were destroyed. President Donald Trump has approved a "major disaster declaration" in the state, and combined with the Woolsey Fire in Southern California, which killed two, the fires have destroyed more than 7,000 structures and burned 325 square miles.
Albertsons is investing in sustainability including the purchase of 10 semi-trucks from Tesla, according to the company's report on green initiatives. "We're excited to pilot this expansion of our transportation program with trucks that help us limit our overall carbon footprint," said Tom Nartker, vice president of transportation for Albertsons.
Even two minutes of any physical activity -- taking the stairs, walking the dog or carrying out the trash -- can add up to significant health benefits, such as improved blood pressure, enhanced brain function and reduced risk of cancer and weight gain, according to the updated physical activity guidelines published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The guidelines also recommend at least three hours of physical activity daily for children up to age 5 and at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity for those ages 6 to 17, while pregnant and postpartum women should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.
Executives discuss Facebook's gradual expansion of advertising into WhatsApp, which will culminate with ads being displayed in the messaging app's Status feature next year. "Without specifics, it's hard to tell how consumers will react to ads in the WhatsApp's Status feature, but if they're highly personalized, they could offer a new, communication element to a brand's overall social advertising plan," says SteelHouse's David Simon.
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Amazon announced Tuesday that it will split its planned second headquarters between Long Island City, N.Y., and the Crystal City area of Arlington, Va. The selection of the sites, which will create a total of about 50,000 new jobs and bring $5 billion in new investment, comes after a search that took more than a year and began with 238 competing cities.
Sony may be developing a PlayStation controller with a touch screen, based on a patent application filed in 2017. The present controller has a touch-enabled center button for menu navigation, and the screen might replace that button and offer a better interface for console information.
⋅ eMPR
Merck's Keytruda, or pembrolizumab, was approved by the FDA to treat patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following treatment with sorafenib. In a clinical trial, patients who received Keytruda achieved a partial response rate of 16% and a complete response rate of 1%.
The White House has issued a memorandum calling for reports and recommendations related to wireless technology, setting in motion a process intended to produce a national 5G connectivity strategy. At the same time, it made a blog post headlined "America Will Win the Global Race to 5G."
Local roofing contractors, along with suppliers and manufacturers, routinely help veterans struggling with roof repair or replacement needs throughout the year. Many contractors donate time and labor while suppliers offer materials to assist veterans, including through programs such as Rebuilding Together.
Trump administration efforts to roll back regulations related to oil and natural gas drilling likely will face increased scrutiny after Democrats take control of the House. "We don't see them rolling President Trump, but the pace of deregulation at EPA will probably slow down because officials will be much busier dealing with subpoenas," said Robert McNally, president of consulting firm Rapidan Energy Group.
The airline industry is an example of how offering clear pricing tiers, starting with a cheap option that offers little or no perks, sets customer expectations and helps them decide whether to spend more, write Thomas A. Stewart and Patricia O'Connell. "By creating a class of service many passengers shun, basic economy appears to have made ordinary service seem less bad," they write.
Travelers who want to fly wine home for Thanksgiving can consider Alaska Airlines' "Wine Flies Free" program, which allows members of its frequent-flyer program to check a case of wine for free on flights to 29 cities in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.