Virtual platform replicates how human eyes track stimuli from conversations to art galleries.A person's eye is tracked in a callout box as they play a simple video gameRather than collecting actual eye movement data, as seen here, Duke engineers have developed a set of “virtual eyes” that simulate the data well enough to train new metaverse applications.Computer engineers at Duke University h...

Institutional investors were late to realize the alpha potential of clean tech and other environmental investments. They should avoid making the same mistake with social impact.A decade ago, few institutional investors believed that their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds could generate meaningful alpha—at least not in comparison with other classes of funds. But that mindset ha...

SleepLoop detects brain waves associated with the deep sleep cycle, then emits a clicking audio signal to help its wearer maintain that state.As we get older, it becomes more difficult not just to get to sleep, but also to reach and maintain a state of deep sleep. The experimental new SleepLoop device is designed to help, by emitting noises into the wearer's head.SleepLoop is currently in devel...

As lockdowns shutter regions in China, luxury brands are exploring new ways of reaching high-value customers during this difficult time.Waves of infections and lockdowns have shuttered regions in China, and as Shenzhen emerges from the restrictions, the nation’s financial hub Shanghai finds itself in shackles. Under a two-stage lockdown sealing off different districts at a time, 26 million res...

Constantly expanding his collection of innovative watercraft concepts, Pierpaolo Lazzarini has unveiled Pearlsuite, a floating unit designed to revolutionize the seaside hospitality market. Measuring 7m in diameter, the Pearlsuite offers up to 22 sqm of interior space as well as a walkable external deck. The concept is targeted to both existing and future beach resorts, providing them with the...

Art Basel and UBS present The Art Market, an annual global art market analysis. Topping $65.1 billion, the art trade roared back in 2021 while NFTs exploded into an $11.1 billion market.Rising wealth and collectors’ vast appetite for the digital were the hallmarks of a strong recovery, finds the 2022 Art Market ReportAfter experiencing its worst downturn since 2009 due to lockdowns brought abo...

Absolut Vodka is bringing its Coachella space to the metaverse in a mix of virtual and real-life experiential marketing.The liquor brand will recreate its festival experience in Decentraland, allowing players and festival attendees to interact with each other. The metaverse experience, known as Absolut.Land, will have three floors with ten interactive elements. Those include allowing players to...

Research from the Babraham Institute has developed a new technique for rejuvenating skin cells. This technique has allowed researchers to rewind the cellular biological clock by around 30 years according to molecular measures, significantly longer than previous reprogramming methods.The partially rejuvenated cells showed signs of behaving more like youthful cells in experiments simulating a ski...

2021 was another good year for the music industry. According to IFPI’s latest Global Music Report, worldwide recorded music revenues totaled $25.9 billion last year, up 18.5 percent from the previous year’s total of $21.9 billion. This marks the seventh consecutive year of growth for the global music industry after nearly two decades of gradual decline.Interestingly, the transition to digital...