October 17, 2024

In the 1980s, record companies started releasing music on compact discs after a century of producing vinyl albums. Driven by new digital technology, the music business soon exploded into a billion dollar industry. But with big budgets came big fights over profits between record companies and recording artists. For example, the R&B group TLC blamed an unfair contract with their record label when they filed for bankruptcy in the 1990s despite selling 65 million records. Musical innovator Prince temporarily changed Continue reading

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October 15, 2024

Since the discovery of DNA’s structure in the 1950s, scientists have predicted a future where doctors could analyze a patient’s genes to identify and even prevent certain diseases. The medical industry seemed to be moving closer to that goal in 2007 when 23andMe became the first company to release a direct-to-consumer genetic test. Named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes in human DNA, 23andMe analyzed saliva samples from customers to show their ancestry and predispositions to diseases like cancer and Continue reading

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October 11, 2024

Over the last few months, companies around the globe kept a close eye on American ports as a key union agreement neared its expiration date. The International Longshoremen’s Association, a union representing 50,000 members, demanded wage increases that met resistance from management. Unable to reach an agreement, the union went on strike at the beginning of last week. 

But not for long. Just three days after longshoremen at East and Gulf Coast ports walked out on their jobs, employers represented Continue reading

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October 2, 2024

While Microsoft is staking the future of Xbox on cloud gaming, Nintendo has long depended on iconic properties like Mario and Pokémon to drive sales of its video game consoles. In fact, the Japanese company has been infamous for filing lawsuits to protect its intellectual property for about as long as video games have been around. In one notable example from the 1980s, Nintendo sued Blockbuster for copyright infringement after the video rental chain added games to its lineup Continue reading

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September 25, 2024

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the disruption of global supply chains sent car prices soaring as auto deliveries became erratic and spare parts went scarce. Now that worldwide logistics networks are largely back to normal, however, the cost of cars has been steadily going down. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), used car prices fell by 10 percent over the past year while new vehicles are about 4 percent cheaper compared to 2023. Rental cars costs have dropped as well, Continue reading

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August 27, 2024

Just like movie studios, video game makers need actors and animators to bring their creations to life. While voice actors perform sound effects and dialogue, motion capture actors wear special suits with markers to record movements like walking, running, climbing, and fighting. Animators then link those sounds and images together to create an immersive and engaging environment for the player. 

But all that’s starting to change with AI, which can use actors’ previous performances as digital reference points to generate Continue reading

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August 21, 2024

For decades, many big businesses have tried to go green by reducing their carbon emissions. Companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Nike have made “net-zero” pledges over the years that promise to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they put into it. While some firms try to go carbon-neutral by reducing their emissions directly, others pay for carbon removal projects — such as planting trees or building solar panels — to offset emissions. 

But carbon dioxide isn’t the Continue reading

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August 14, 2024

The stock market is known for its rapid rises and unpredictable falls, but last week’s brief meltdown was extreme even by those standards. When the markets opened last Monday, numbers were falling and traders were selling off their stocks in panic. Japan’s stock exchange fell more than 12 percent, the biggest plunge in 37 years. The S&P 500 — which tracks the stock performance of 500 of the largest U.S. companies — lost $1.3 trillion in value, or 3 percent, Continue reading

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August 9, 2024

Last month, we wrote about the global technology meltdown that impacted more than 8.5 million computers and caused at least $10 billion in financial damage. Triggered by the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, a faulty software update crashed Microsoft products around the world and in the process revealed how fragile our global technology infrastructure can be. Air transportation was one of the sectors affected most by the outage as airlines were unable to scan boarding passes or track crew members. Carriers canceled Continue reading

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July 19, 2024

From grocery stores to fast food drive-throughs, today’s consumers pay a lot more for food than they did just a little while ago. In the years following the pandemic, food and beverage companies steadily increased prices to compensate for soaring commodity and labor costs and to please investors looking to boost profit margins. For example, the average price for a bag of potato chips in June 2020 was $5.09. These days, though, that same bag of chips goes for Continue reading

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