I love it when seemingly esoteric research turns out to be very promising. That’s why I was intrigued by the story from Washington State University that a young researcher examining animal hair, among other things, was incorporating AI to produce big data. It turns out that these fallen strands contain a lot of information. Learn how this research could extend to helping humans manage their health in “Splitting Hairs” (page 20).
Another seemingly small idea with great potential is the story of Matt’s Place (“The Home Team,” page 10). After Theresa Whitlock-Wild’s husband, Matt Wild, was diagnosed with ALS, the medical obstacles were obviously immense. But Whitlock-Wild quickly realized that one of the most pressing issues facing newly diagnosed people was finding housing. This idea started a process that has now led to the construction of not only Matt’s Place, but now Matt’s Place 2.0, a modular, accessible home prototype that demonstrates a new way of thinking about residential construction.
And in our People profile, writer Eliza Billingham talks with Stephaine Courtney about her path to becoming a mother (“The Mother of Invention,” page 50), a journey that revealed distinct obstacles for women of color than Courtney just couldn’t ignore. So she launched the Shades of Motherhood network to search for solutions.
All of these stories show how a moment of curiosity and insight, combined with perseverance and dedication, can actually initiate change that reverberates. So start this new year small and see where it takes you.
Cheers!