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How a custom Microsoft app is helping the Caribbean rebuild after hurricanes

Gregory Scruggs

December 17, 2017 |

GeekWire |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Antigua and Barbuda, Codrington

Bringing data analysis technology into post-disaster scenarios can improve methods of allocating funding for disaster relief and reconstruction projects. The UN and Microsoft have partnered to develop the Building Damage Assessment app. Teams on the ground can use the software package to collect and analyze data, which can then be easily disseminated and shared with policymakers.

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The New Technologies That Could Slow the Slaughter of Sharks

Matthew O. Berger

November 20, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami, Florida

Each year millions of sharks are inadvertently slaughtered by long-line fishing gear, and the decimation of top predator populations has detrimental effects on the greater ocean ecosystem. New tracking technology that allows researchers and institutions to follow the movements of sharks and overlay the data with that of commercial fishing boats is proving a promising way to help prevent bycatch as well as illegal fishing, and better protect shark populations.

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The Missing Maps

Charlotte Pritchard

November 07, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Malawi

In Malawi and other countries around the world, thousands of towns are not mapped. There is often no financial incentive to do so. However, unmapped areas face many challenges, especially because they are harder to reach after a natural disaster. Missing Maps is trying to help. The project holds map-a-thons in cities such as Beirut and London, and these events use the power of communities to map the world on a massive scale. Over 45,000 volunteers have mapped the homes of over 50 million people in less than three years.

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Beyond the GPS, Mapping Every Place, Everywhere

Tina Rosenberg

October 17, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: England

Across the world, lack of a precise address has created issues for communities, whether it be in terms of medical treatment, resource drop off, or even simple package deliver. Attempting to address this problem, this piece looks at What3words, a company that will generate a precise address for any location.

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GPS darts help stop high-speed police chases

Tara Molina

September 28, 2017 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Lucas County, Ohio

With the help of a grant, the sheriff’s department in Lucas County is using GPS-enabled darts to catch criminals who run. Instead of engaging in a dangerous high-speed chase, officers can tag the car with a dart, watch where the car goes on a computer, and meet it when it stops.

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Bound to Pay

Gus Bova

September 26, 2017 |

Texas Observer |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

Libre by Nexus helps immigrants get out of jail, and makes more than $30 million a year doing it. In exchange for providing collateral to bondsmen, the company charges clients, including asylum seekers in desperate situations, huge upfront fees and a $420 monthly rental charge for a required ankle monitor. Multiple lawsuits accuse the company of profiteering off vulnerable people.

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‘Fingerprinting' the Ocean to Predict Devastating Sea Level Rise

Erica Cirino

September 18, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

As temperatures continue to steadily and consistently rise because of climate change, the warming ocean has become an increasing threat to the livelihoods of those living near any shore. From Hurricane-force winds to rising sea levels that threaten floods, the potential for future storm surges is only becoming more apparent. In an effort to mitigate and potentially minimize loss, scientists from around the world are "fingerprinting" sea level rise by the use of satellites in an attempt to predict which coastal areas are most at risk from these impending storms.

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Network Effect: The Robots, Sensors and Satellites Digitizing the Ocean

Paul Tullis

September 11, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sunnyvale, California

Despite advancements in technology in most sectors of life leading to an increase to access of information about practically anything, little is still known about the ocean and its behavioral patterns. Liquid Robotics – a Silicon Valley-based company – is trying to change that. Engineers here have created the "Wave Glider," which essentially acts as a router within the ocean powered by wave energy and solar panels. This invention can transmit data on tectonic activity that has the potential to predict tsunamis.

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No Room on a Bike Rack? Not a Problem for These Smart Bikes

Winnie Hu

August 28, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Bike share programs have helped decrease pollution and traffic in urban areas. However dockless city bike programs are now threatening bike docking stations because they are cheaper and more accessible. Dockless bike programs rely on apps for users to find the nearest available bikes. This new technology and dockless system of bike-share still need to prove that they are a better alternative.

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How Louisville Crowdsourced a Treatment For Asthma Attacks

Laura Bliss

August 09, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisville, Kentucky

The Kentucky metro area has some of the worst air quality in the country, leading to concerning rates of asthma and respiratory disease well above the national averages. But a group called AIR Louisville has implemented a creative, crowdsourced solution that utilizes GPS-enabled inhalers to help patients identify and address asthma patterns based on numerous factors such as avoiding heavily-polluted parts of town, and identifying the best treatments based on lifestyle needs.

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