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  • Students convince Medford to install ‘3-D' crosswalks at elementary schools

    April 22, 2019 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Medford, Massachusetts

    In an effort to promote safe driving, a local artist painted a three-dimensional crosswalk near an elementary school. The idea came from school-aged children, noticing the intersection needed improvements, who brought it to City Hall officials. This initiative is part of a larger trend in using optical illusions to bolster traffic safety around the world.

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  • Here's one of the best things schools can do to prevent mass shootings

    March 14, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New Bedford, Massachusetts

    As gun violence continues to threaten schools across the country, school districts have stepped up to put preventative measures in place. One such measure are threat assessment teams, comprised of mental health professionals, teachers, and law enforcement, who work to proactively identify students that may be a potential threat. In doing so, they seek to address issues like bullying or problems at home that may cause students to turn to violence in the first place.

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  • How snow has become a tool in urban planning

    March 08, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    An increasing number of cities are looking to redesign roadways, sidewalks, and intersections based on the way spaces are needed after snow storms. Snow piles left after snowplows carve paths for vehicles are basically unused pavement that could be repurposed for things like wider sidewalks, green spaces, and bike paths. Philadelphia officials have redone an intersection after viewing photos by residents and advocates showing unused portions of pavement.

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  • Some court systems are texting people to get them to show up. Could it work here?

    February 18, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, New York, New York

    When a defendant misses a court date, it can lead to more severe charges for the defendant, more work for justice professionals, and difficulties for people involved in the case such as witnesses. In order to decrease the amount of missed dates, New York City has began texting people providing a reminder about the time and location. While the large percentage of people who own cell phones make this a cheap and—as early results has shown—effective tool, the spread of the idea is hampered by a lack of cell phone numbers on file.

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  • Here's one idea to make ‘Storrowing' a thing of the past

    February 08, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    A persistent problem in Massachusetts of trucks going through tunnels or underpasses that are too low for safe clearance has prompted officials to look to Sydney, Australia for a possible solution. Officials in that city worked with a private company to develop a system where if a truck is too tall, it triggers a warning so officials can activate a sheet of water at the tunnel entrance upon which is projected the holographic image of a giant red Stop sign. It's proven successful in stopping drivers before they enter the tunnel.

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  • It turns out vodka and icy roads can be a good mix

    January 30, 2018 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Although alcohol and driving don't typically go hand-in-hand, researchers found one way to successfully and safely combine the two. By taking the by-products of the distilling process and combining them with the typical road salt that is used to help melt snow during winter conditions, these researchers created a super mixture which enhances the capabilities of melting the ice.

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  • How you can tackle two New Year's resolutions at once

    December 30, 2017 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United Kingdom, London

    An organization called GoodGym combines fitness with voluntarism by having members run from the gym to volunteer sites where they perform physical tasks for community members. These tasks include moving dirt to help build parks, performing chores for the elderly, moving heavy objects for those who can't, etc. This approach motivates people to go to the gym more frequently because they benefit from their own health and giving back to their community.

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  • Trauma group offers a community in pain a place to heal

    November 28, 2017 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    In order to provide a means for people who have experienced trauma to find support and begin to heal, Reverend Liz Walker founded a counseling group for her Roxbury neighbors. Rev. Walker’s post-traumatic healing group differs from others in that the group is run by the participants’ peers, the group is located in Roxbury, and participation is free.

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  • Can optical illusions trick drivers into slowing down?

    November 09, 2017 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    Lead-footed drivers are a problem everywhere, and cities around the world have struggled with ways to get vehicles to slow down, especially in dense areas where the risks to pedestrians are acute. One clever solution is popping up on numerous roads around the world: 3D decals on the pavement that look like floating blocks, speed bumps, or small children. The decals create an optical illusion that is proving to help slow down speedy drivers, and for a fraction of the cost of speed bumps or traffic cops.

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  • Could underwater garages solve Boston's parking shortage?

    August 22, 2017 |

    The Boston Globe |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

    Boston needs more parking spaces, especially in a neighborhood surrounded by water. It is looking to build an underwater parking garage, like the ones being built in Amsterdam, in order to free up street level space and add more parking to decrease car pollution from driving around searching for a parking spot.

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