Jean Thompson, Author at Dual Cow

Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research

Jul

Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research

More news - Breaking news In Japan, engineers are working to create robots that can mimic human expressions, particularly smiles. They developed a face mask using human skin cells, which they attached to robots using a new technique that hides the bond and is flexible enough to form expressions such as a grimace or a slight smile. The look is a mix between the disturbing Hannibal Lecter mask and the claymation character Gumby. However, scientists believe that these prototypes could lead to more advanced robots. These robots would have a durable, elastic outer layer that protects the machine while making…

How Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Could Affect Europe’s Economy

Jul

By Jean Thompson

Investments and Business

How Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Could Affect Europe’s Economy

Related media - Breaking news It's not just Taylor Swift fans who are keeping an eye on her Eras Tour dates. One of Europe's leading economists is well aware that the singer will spend the summer touring European stadiums. Philip Lane, chief economist at the European Central Bank, had the pop star in mind when he spoke at an event on Monday. The interviewer had asked him about the risk that persistent inflation in the services sector could intensify, especially as Europe heads into a particularly busy summer with the Paris Olympics and the Euro 2024 football championship in Germany.…

The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation shows signs of cooling

Jun

By Jean Thompson

Investments and Business

The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation shows signs of cooling

Related media - Breaking news The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge continues to show signs of cooling, accompanied by moderate growth in consumer spending - good news for central banks as they aim to control rising prices and curb demand. In May, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index rose 2.6% from a year earlier, meeting economists’ expectations and down slightly from April’s 2.7% increase. Excluding the more volatile food and fuel prices, core inflation also rose 2.6% year-over-year, down from April’s 2.8%. On a monthly basis, inflation remained remarkably subdued, with overall prices not showing any significant increases. The Federal…

More and more women in Africa are using long-acting contraceptives, changing their lives

Jun

By Jean Thompson

Health

More and more women in Africa are using long-acting contraceptives, changing their lives

More news - News 24 hours Countries with limited budgets usually choose to pay for health services considered more essential, such as vaccines, rather than for reproductive health, Dr. said. Ayman Abdelmohsen, head of the family planning division of the UNFPA Technical Division, because they produce more immediate results. But a recent push by UNFPA for low-income countries to shoulder more of the costs has led 44 governments to sign a new financing framework that commits them to increasing their contributions to reproductive health each year. Despite this, there was a significant global shortfall of approximately $95 million in product…

Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case

Jun

By Jean Thompson

Science and Technology

Supreme Court sides with Biden administration in social media case

Related media - Breaking news The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Biden administration in a case involving social media, scoring a significant practical victory. The ruling rejected a Republican challenge to block the government from communicating with social media platforms to combat misinformation. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the plaintiffs, including states and individuals, had not suffered direct harm that would have entitled them to sue. This decision leaves unanswered broader questions about the First Amendment's limits on government influence over tech companies, which control much of the flow of information online. The case…

In the United States, hiring is on the rise, as are salaries

Jun

By Jean Thompson

Investments and Business

In the United States, hiring is on the rise, as are salaries

Related media - Latest news Employers created 272,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department reported Friday, well above what economists had expected as hiring had gradually slowed. That's an increase from the average of 232,000 jobs over the previous 12 months, muddying the picture of an economy that is relaxing to a more sustainable pace. What most concerns the Federal Reserve, which meets next week and again in July, is the 4.1% increase in wages over last year, a sign that inflation may not yet have been defeated. “For those who thought they were going to see a rate cut…