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President Donald Trump unveiled what he called “our Declaration of Economic Independence” on Wednesday at his “Liberation Day” event, announcing reciprocal tariffs on other countries in order to bring back the “American dream.” Speaking in the White House Rose Garden to members of Congress and the Senate, labor union groups, and the press, Trump said…
Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) continued his fight to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by using an X post on Wednesday to remind Americans, “The ATF is not your friend.” Burlison’s post also stated, “A free country doesn’t need a gun control enforcement agency”: His post represents the most recent in…
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
I rarely get sick. Maybe once a year, I’ll have a quick 24-hour bug, shake it off and get right back to business. But this time was different. What started as a simple head cold turned into a full-blown fever that lasted a full seven days. Seven days of feeling drained, foggy and unable to think clearly, let alone work.I took my hat off in a Brooklyn subway station, thinking I’d be okay. Well, no, my shaved head of a few hours ago got really cold, and there it was — I got sick.At first, I assumed I’d bounce back quickly, but as the days stretched on, I realized something unsettling: My business, my income and my financial preparedness were not as solid as I thought. This forced me to ask some hard questions about how I operate, and I want to share them with you.
To make things even worse, we’re a single-income family, and I don’t have a side-hustle business. What I do as a motivational keynote speaker and SMB brand influencer is full-time, 24/7.Here are a few things that will help you think about changes you might need to make in your business, as I’m thinking about it too:Related: 5 Ways You Can Become More Financially Stable1. Can your business survive without you?As entrepreneurs, we love to believe we’re invincible. We push through exhaustion, handle everything ourselves and convince ourselves that things will be fine. But what if we’re out of commission for a week? A month? Longer?Ask yourself:Do you have systems in place that allow money to come in without you working every day?Can your team or assistants keep things moving if you’re unavailable?Do you have automated revenue streams, like courses, digital products or recurring memberships?If the answer is no, your business might not be as secure as you think.2. Do you have at least three months of savings?A financial cushion isn’t just for personal emergencies — it’s also for business. Could you survive three months without income? If not, it might be time to start building that safety net.
It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by setting aside a small percentage of your earnings each month. Over time, it will add up and provide peace of mind for unexpected situations, like getting sick for longer than you anticipated.3. Who are the key people on your team?If you’re a solo entrepreneur, your “team” might just be a virtual assistant or an offshore freelancer. But having someone who can step in, check emails, handle basic tasks and keep operations running is crucial.Do you have a trusted assistant who knows your business well?Have you trained anyone to handle urgent matters if you’re unavailable?Are there key contractors, partners or freelancers who can help fill the gaps?The goal is to make sure your business doesn’t fall apart if you’re out for a few days or longer.4. Do you have a list of warm leads?When you return to work after being sick (or dealing with any emergency), having a warm list of leads ready to go makes a huge difference.If your pipeline is constantly dry, it means every time you take a break, your income stops. Instead, focus on maintaining relationships and keeping a steady list of potential clients you can follow up with when you’re back in action.
Related: Learn How to Build a Business or Brand That Grows Without You5. Do you have strong client relationships?A transactional business is fragile. But a business built on relationships is resilient.Think about it: If you have strong relationships with your clients, they’re more likely to:Be patient if you’re unavailable for a few daysTrust you enough to wait for your returnContinue working with you even after a brief absenceTake the time to nurture real connections with your clients — it pays off when life throws unexpected challenges your way.6. Do you have access to emergency funds?Even if you have savings, do you have additional ways to access money in an emergency?Some options include:A line of credit for your businessA solid relationship with your bankTrusted family or business connections who could offer support if neededHaving a plan in place ensures that if things get tight, you’re not scrambling for financial relief.7. Are you living below your means?One of the biggest financial mistakes entrepreneurs make is spending based on today’s success — without considering the unexpected.Ask yourself:Are there any unnecessary expenses you could cut?Are you overspending on things that don’t truly bring value to your business?If income stopped for a few months, could you still afford your current lifestyle?Simplicity and financial discipline create long-term stability, especially when business gets unpredictable.8. Are you setting aside enough for taxes?Let’s be real — taxes can be a financial trap if you’re not careful. I’ve personally been caught off guard multiple times by not setting aside enough.If you’re self-employed, every dollar you make isn’t truly yours — a chunk of it belongs to the IRS. Make it a habit to:Set aside at least 25-30% of your earnings for taxesPay quarterly estimates to avoid big surprisesWork with an accountant to stay ahead of tax liabilitiesThis is one of the easiest ways to avoid financial stress, yet so many entrepreneurs (myself included) overlook it until it’s too late.Related: 5 Tips for Running a Business While You Are on the MendBeing sick for seven days was a wake-up call. It reminded me that my business needs to be stronger than just me.We never know when life will throw us a curveball — whether it’s a health issue, a family emergency or something else unexpected. The best thing we can do is prepare now, before it’s too late.
Take a moment to assess your situation:Is your business set up to run without you?Do you have savings and financial backups?Are you keeping strong relationships with clients?Are you managing your expenses wisely?If any of these are a weak point, now is the time to fix them. Because at some point, life will test your business — and you want to be ready when it does.What’s your plan for income preparedness?
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
The year 2024 was a rollercoaster ride for entrepreneurs around the globe. From economic uncertainty to AI-driven breakthroughs, businesses faced rapid shifts that required adaptability and resilience. While some ventures thrived under changing conditions, others struggled to survive. As we move further into 2025, reflecting on the key entrepreneurial successes and failures of the past year can provide valuable insights.Here are ten crucial lessons from 2024 that can help shape a successful business strategy moving forward.Related: 6 Lessons I Wish I’d Known Before My Business Failed
1. AI-powered businesses thrived, but not without controversySuccess story: The rise of AI-powered tools, such as ChatGPT, MidJourney, and AI-driven SaaS platforms, revolutionized various industries. Companies that integrated AI into their operations improved efficiency, enhanced customer experiences and cut costs significantly.Failure: However, some startups faced backlash due to ethical concerns around AI-generated content, job displacement and data privacy.Lesson: While AI can be a game-changer, businesses must prioritize responsible and ethical AI adoption.2. The return of offline experiencesSuccess story: Despite the dominance of digital commerce, businesses that blended online and offline experiences saw increased customer engagement. Pop-up stores, in-person networking events and hybrid workspaces gained popularity as people sought real-world interactions.Failure: Companies that focused solely on digital strategies without human connection saw diminishing engagement rates.Lesson: The future of business is hybrid — balancing digital convenience with offline authenticity.
3. Niche markets outperformed generic businessesSuccess story: Entrepreneurs who targeted specific audiences, such as AI-driven fitness plans or sustainable pet products, achieved higher brand loyalty and profitability.Failure: Broad, unfocused businesses struggled to differentiate themselves in saturated markets.Lesson: Specialization is key — find a niche and dominate it.4. Bootstrapped startups showed more resilience than VC-funded onesSuccess story: Self-funded businesses with lean models and financial discipline navigated uncertainties better than those reliant on external funding.Failure: Many venture-backed startups with aggressive spending collapsed under the pressure of unrealistic growth expectations.Lesson: Sustainable growth and profitability should be prioritized over reckless expansion.Related: 10 Years, 10 Lessons — Key Insights From a Decade of Entrepreneurship5. The ecommerce market shifted againSuccess story: Social commerce platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping became dominant forces in ecommerce, enabling small businesses to reach audiences more effectively.
Failure: Businesses that depended solely on traditional Facebook and Google Ads struggled with increasing acquisition costs.Lesson: Adaptation is crucial — businesses must diversify their marketing strategies.6. Employee retention became a bigger challengeSuccess Story: Companies that implemented flexible work models, competitive compensation and strong workplace cultures retained top talent.Failure: Businesses that ignored employee well-being faced high turnover rates.Lesson: Investing in workplace culture and employee satisfaction is just as important as acquiring customers.7. Sustainability was no longer optionalSuccess story: Brands that genuinely incorporated sustainability, such as eco-friendly packaging and carbon offset initiatives, gained customer trust and loyalty.Failure: Companies that engaged in “greenwashing” (false sustainability claims) faced consumer backlash and loss of credibility.Lesson: Authenticity in sustainability efforts is key.
8. The creator economy redefined entrepreneurshipSuccess story: Individual entrepreneurs leveraging platforms like YouTube, Substack and LinkedIn created sustainable businesses without relying on traditional business models.Failure: Brands that neglected content marketing and personal branding missed opportunities to connect with audiences.Lesson: Content is no longer just marketing — it’s a business model in itself.9. Global expansion wasn’t as easy as it seemedSuccess story: Startups that localized their marketing strategies and adapted to cultural differences successfully expanded into new markets.Failure: Companies that underestimated regulatory challenges and failed to conduct market research struggled abroad.Lesson: Expanding globally requires deep localization and strategic planning.Related: 21 Lessons I Swear By After 21 Years as an Entrepreneur10. The importance of agility in crisis managementSuccess story: Businesses that quickly pivoted their offerings during economic downturns — such as restaurants embracing cloud kitchens — managed to stay afloat.
Failure: Companies that were slow to adapt or resistant to change suffered financial setbacks or closures.Lesson: Adaptability is the most critical entrepreneurial skill in uncertain times.2024 proved that entrepreneurship is a constant learning process. The businesses that succeeded were those that embraced innovation, adapted to change and prioritized their customers. As we move further into 2025, these lessons serve as a blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to navigate uncertainties and build sustainable, thriving ventures.
Open this photo in gallery:Actress Emma Myers stars an an influencer whose backstory the movie doesn’t bother fleshing out.Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/The Associated PressSave for laterA Minecraft MovieDirected by Jared HessWritten by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James and Chris GallettaStarring Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Jennifer CoolidgeClassification PG; 101 minutesOpens in theatres April 4If Minecraft is the game where kids exercise their creativity by building new digital worlds full of tunnels and fortresses, A Minecraft Movie is where that creativity goes to die.The movie, scrapped together by Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess, is a jumbled mess of video-game-to-movie tropes and self-deprecating gags so lazily rehashed they tend to whimper toward the punchline. That didn’t prevent my own young teens – who were flattered by all the callbacks to their childhood experiences in the game’s so-called “Overworld” – from enthusiastically declaring A Minecraft Movie “a nine out of 10,” which just makes me question whether I’ve been raising them right.The problems with this latest attempt at mining a popular franchise begin with its very conception. Minecraft, one of the best-selling video games of all time (falling just behind Tetris), allows players to enter an earthy unspoiled landscape, where everything from the trees and concrete to llamas are blocky by design. The cubed aesthetic turned the pixelated look of decades-old video game graphics into a feature instead of a bug, while nodding to its tactile predecessor: Lego. And like Lego’s sandbox style of play, Minecraft left kids free to design their own intricate 3D worlds and roam their imaginations. That’s the core to its appeal.An unimaginative movie that narrows down those joys to a linear and derivative plot, aiming for the same appeal as Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, runs counter to Minecraft’s very soul. And this one even lifts a key ingredient from those aforementioned blockbuster adaptations: Jack Black. But his performing monkey routine, complete with the occasional break into song, is missing actual gags this time around.Open this photo in gallery:From left, Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Sebastian Hansen.Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/The Associated PressHe stars as Steve, the blue shirt human avatar players can choose to adopt when building to their heart’s desire. In Minecraft’s exhausting opening minutes, Black’s Steve introduces us to the Overworld and its inhabitants, which include everything from sheep to zombies, and the magical orb that lands him in the Nether, a fire-and-brimstone underworld lorded over by a vengeful pig (voiced by Kate McKinnon).The prologue, which ends with Steve imprisoned in the Nether and tucking away the orb so a pig army can’t use it to destroy the Overworld, is so busy with plot and visual noise it feels like it’s cramming an entire abandoned first draft of the script into its setup. Six writers are credited to A Minecraft Movie, which, over the past decade, passed through the hands of three different directors (including Canada’s Shawn Levy of Night at the Museum fame) before landing with Hess.You can catch glimmers where Hess attempts to make this his own. Sebastian Hansen’s tween inventor Henry awkwardly trying to fit in at a new small-town school, while making a hobby out of building rocket-propelled jet packs, has a welcome Napoleon Dynamite vibe to it; especially when he befriends a has-been video game celebrity played by Jason Momoa. His Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, styled in a pink leather jacket with frills like Macho Man Randy Savage, is as out of time and place as any of Hess’s characters (including Jack Black’s Nacho Libre).I wouldn’t have minded seeing how Henry and Garrett’s dynamic would have developed in that small-town setting, with Momoa (signing up for Dwayne Johnson duties) trying his darndest with a knowing comic performance. But this wouldn’t be a Minecraft movie if they didn’t stumble across the hidden orb and follow it into the Overworld, where they proceed to pay stamp duties to the franchise by cycling through its digital realms and familiar characters.They’re joined by Henry’s guardian (Emma Myers), an influencer whose backstory the movie doesn’t bother fleshing out like so many abandoned subplots and gags, and a real estate agent played by Danielle Brooks. The latter, an Oscar-nominee for The Color Purple, puts on her best reaction faces while likely wondering what she’s even doing here, often dangling on the edge of the frame in dreck that couldn’t care less about utilizing her talents.The only actor to come out of this unscathed is Jennifer Coolidge. She basically grafts her White Lotus character into this movie, playing a preening school principal who hits a wayward villager from the Minecraft universe with her car. Drawn to his enormous blocky head, she proceeds to wine and dine him, while uttering those trademark nonsensical laugh-out-loud observations we love Coolidge for.Her scenes are tucked safely away from the main action, which is just a chaotic and laboured tour through the franchise, with the occasional chuckle-worthy bit often drowned out by the virtual designs or Black, who is giving loud YouTube gamer energy as our guide. There’s none of the wit or even pop cultural awareness here that helped The Lego Movie or Barbie both embrace and subvert their corporate trappings, nor the creative energy that Black’s Steve keeps paying lip service to.“It’s harder to create than destroy,” says Steve, in a movie that proceeds to take its pickaxe down the easy road.
Open this photo in gallery:Actress Emma Myers stars an an influencer whose backstory the movie doesn’t bother fleshing out.Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/The Associated PressSave for laterA Minecraft MovieDirected by Jared HessWritten by Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener, Gavin James and Chris GallettaStarring Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Jennifer CoolidgeClassification PG; 101 minutesOpens in theatres April 4If Minecraft is the game where kids exercise their creativity by building new digital worlds full of tunnels and fortresses, A Minecraft Movie is where that creativity goes to die.The movie, scrapped together by Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess, is a jumbled mess of video-game-to-movie tropes and self-deprecating gags so lazily rehashed they tend to whimper toward the punchline. That didn’t prevent my own young teens – who were flattered by all the callbacks to their childhood experiences in the game’s so-called “Overworld” – from enthusiastically declaring A Minecraft Movie “a nine out of 10,” which just makes me question whether I’ve been raising them right.The problems with this latest attempt at mining a popular franchise begin with its very conception. Minecraft, one of the best-selling video games of all time (falling just behind Tetris), allows players to enter an earthy unspoiled landscape, where everything from the trees and concrete to llamas are blocky by design. The cubed aesthetic turned the pixelated look of decades-old video game graphics into a feature instead of a bug, while nodding to its tactile predecessor: Lego. And like Lego’s sandbox style of play, Minecraft left kids free to design their own intricate 3D worlds and roam their imaginations. That’s the core to its appeal.An unimaginative movie that narrows down those joys to a linear and derivative plot, aiming for the same appeal as Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, runs counter to Minecraft’s very soul. And this one even lifts a key ingredient from those aforementioned blockbuster adaptations: Jack Black. But his performing monkey routine, complete with the occasional break into song, is missing actual gags this time around.Open this photo in gallery:From left, Jack Black, Jason Momoa and Sebastian Hansen.Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures/The Associated PressHe stars as Steve, the blue shirt human avatar players can choose to adopt when building to their heart’s desire. In Minecraft’s exhausting opening minutes, Black’s Steve introduces us to the Overworld and its inhabitants, which include everything from sheep to zombies, and the magical orb that lands him in the Nether, a fire-and-brimstone underworld lorded over by a vengeful pig (voiced by Kate McKinnon).The prologue, which ends with Steve imprisoned in the Nether and tucking away the orb so a pig army can’t use it to destroy the Overworld, is so busy with plot and visual noise it feels like it’s cramming an entire abandoned first draft of the script into its setup. Six writers are credited to A Minecraft Movie, which, over the past decade, passed through the hands of three different directors (including Canada’s Shawn Levy of Night at the Museum fame) before landing with Hess.You can catch glimmers where Hess attempts to make this his own. Sebastian Hansen’s tween inventor Henry awkwardly trying to fit in at a new small-town school, while making a hobby out of building rocket-propelled jet packs, has a welcome Napoleon Dynamite vibe to it; especially when he befriends a has-been video game celebrity played by Jason Momoa. His Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, styled in a pink leather jacket with frills like Macho Man Randy Savage, is as out of time and place as any of Hess’s characters (including Jack Black’s Nacho Libre).I wouldn’t have minded seeing how Henry and Garrett’s dynamic would have developed in that small-town setting, with Momoa (signing up for Dwayne Johnson duties) trying his darndest with a knowing comic performance. But this wouldn’t be a Minecraft movie if they didn’t stumble across the hidden orb and follow it into the Overworld, where they proceed to pay stamp duties to the franchise by cycling through its digital realms and familiar characters.They’re joined by Henry’s guardian (Emma Myers), an influencer whose backstory the movie doesn’t bother fleshing out like so many abandoned subplots and gags, and a real estate agent played by Danielle Brooks. The latter, an Oscar-nominee for The Color Purple, puts on her best reaction faces while likely wondering what she’s even doing here, often dangling on the edge of the frame in dreck that couldn’t care less about utilizing her talents.The only actor to come out of this unscathed is Jennifer Coolidge. She basically grafts her White Lotus character into this movie, playing a preening school principal who hits a wayward villager from the Minecraft universe with her car. Drawn to his enormous blocky head, she proceeds to wine and dine him, while uttering those trademark nonsensical laugh-out-loud observations we love Coolidge for.Her scenes are tucked safely away from the main action, which is just a chaotic and laboured tour through the franchise, with the occasional chuckle-worthy bit often drowned out by the virtual designs or Black, who is giving loud YouTube gamer energy as our guide. There’s none of the wit or even pop cultural awareness here that helped The Lego Movie or Barbie both embrace and subvert their corporate trappings, nor the creative energy that Black’s Steve keeps paying lip service to.“It’s harder to create than destroy,” says Steve, in a movie that proceeds to take its pickaxe down the easy road.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed sweeping 10% tariffs on all imports, vowing his historic “Liberation Day” strike would rebalance global trade, reduce the national debt and “supercharge” the U.S. economy to the benefit of long-suffering American workers. “American steel workers, auto workers, farmers and skilled craftsmen,” Trump told a Rose Garden ceremony at the…
Billboard Women in Music 2025
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2025 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 12 to June 23, with the official Emmy nominations announced Tuesday, July 15. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 18 and ends the night of August 27. The 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 14, and air live on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT.
The State of the Race
Looking at the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie Emmy race in recent years, it’s notable that the last two winners starred in the show that also won the Emmy for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. And those series also happen to be two shows on Netflix that premiered in the spring. That would dictate the streaming service’s latest breakout hit “Adolescence” as a frontrunner in all Limited Series categories that apply, but the difference here is lack of clarity on who is the actual lead of the engrossing British crime drama.
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Is it creator/star Stephen Graham or newcomer Owen Cooper? Both are missing from entire episodes of a series that has only four installments, yet with both their performances being so lauded, it would benefit them to split categories so that they each have a chance of winning for their performances. One could argue that this being the category for leads, with several contenders that have either won an Oscar or been nominated for one, it would be smartest to put Graham here, as he is the more established actor. But the past decade has seen younger breakouts like Riz Ahmed, Darren Criss, Jharrel Jerome, and even Richard Gadd all win this category, so Cooper could better fit the criteria for what voters are looking for here.
That said, “The Penguin” star Colin Farrell is more undeniably the lead of his HBO limited series, and has already won several awards for it. “Adolescence” already being one of Netflix’s biggest hits of all time is intimidating, but “The Batman” TV spinoff also was a huge hit for its network under more traditional metrics. Farrell has never won an Emmy, or even been nominated before, fitting the mold of more recent winners like Mark Ruffalo, Ewan McGregor, and Michael Keaton, who all were primarily known for their film work beforehand.
This category will presumably have five nominees, so outside of the aforementioned frontrunners, Netflix still is coming on strong with Aaron Pierre in his breakthrough lead role in “Rebel Ridge” and the two leads from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (Cooper Koch being the bigger focus). But Apple TV+ is not to be counted out, with Kevin Kline, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Bryan Tyree Henry being major contenders for their respective series “Disclaimer,” “Presumed Innocent,” and “Dope Thief,” which have all been success for the streamer.
However, the real dark horse is Peacock, which boasts Kevint Hart in crowdpleaser “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” as well as Colin Firth in “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth,” which could also appeal to the increasingly anglophilic TV Academy.
Current Contenders (In Alphabetical Order):Anthony Boyle, “Say Nothing” (FX)Nicholas Alexander Chavez, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (Netflix)Robert De Niro, “Zero Day” (Netflix)Colin Farrell, “The Penguin” (HBO)Colin Firth, “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” (Peacock)Paul Giamatti, “Black Mirror” (Netflix)Stephen Graham, “Adolescence” (Netflix)Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent” (Apple TV+)Kevin Hart, “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock)Bryan Tyree Henry, “Dope Thief” (Apple TV+)Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer” (Apple TV+)Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (Netflix)Aaron Pierre, “Rebel Ridge” (Netflix)Josh Andres Rivera, “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” (FX)Jimmy O. Yang, “Interior Chinatown” (Hulu)
More Limited Series and TV Movie Category Predictions:Outstanding Limited or Anthology SeriesOutstanding TV MovieOutstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a MovieOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a MovieOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie
View IndieWire’s full set of predictions for the 77th Emmy Awards.Last Year’s Winner: Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”Still Eligible: No.Hot Streak: Overall, Netflix is on a big hot streak, with Steven Yeun winning for “Beef” and Richard Gadd winning for “Baby Reindeer.” But specifically, if one of the stars of “Adolescence” wins the category, it would signal that Netflix has landed on a winning campaign model, as all three shows launched in the spring as talk of the Emmys started building up.Notable Ineligible Series: Taron Egerton, “Carry-On” (the film was not submitted for Emmys consideration); Orlando Bloom, “Deep Cover” (the film will not premiere in time to be eligible); Mark Ruffalo, “Task” (the season will not air in time to be eligible); Alexander Skarsgård, “Murderbot” (the season will not air in time to be eligible); Matthew Rhys, “The Beast in Me” (the season will not air in time to be eligible); Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen, “Death by Lightning” (the season will not air in time to be eligible).
In the realm of wearable technology, revolutionary innovations often raise the bar for health monitoring devices. Researchers from the University of Missouri have taken a significant leap forward by introducing a starfish-inspired wearable device designed to track heart health in real time. This innovative device is born from the astute observation of how starfish maneuver their bodies, leveraging their unique five-arm structure as a model for improving stability and accuracy in physiological signal monitoring.
The influence of biological designs in engineering, known as biomimicry, is not new; however, the application seen in this wearable device exemplifies how nature can directly inspire cutting-edge technology. The physiological dynamics of the starfish’s movement—its ability to flip and align itself using its arms—have given rise to a new paradigm in heart monitoring. In their research, Sicheng Chen and Zheng Yan, alongside their fellow collaborators in Mizzou’s College of Engineering, have developed a model that utilizes multiple contact points to ensure that the device remains fixed against the skin near the heart.
This characteristic ability to maintain surface contact translates into enhanced data accuracy while individuals engage in physical activities. Unlike conventional wearables that encapsulate sensors in a single design—such as smartwatches—this starfish-shaped device boasts several arms, each outfitted with unique sensors. These sensors are capable of measuring both electrical and mechanical activities of the heart concurrently, providing users with a comprehensive insight into their cardiovascular health.
One of the critical benefits of this device is its integration with a smartphone application that not only facilitates user-friendly interaction but also empowers individuals to understand their heart health better. The application offers health insights and alerts users to potential heart issues based on data gathered by the device. This immediacy of information transforms the user experience from passive monitoring to proactive health management, allowing individuals to stay abreast of their cardiac condition.
In a remarkable development, the research team has harnessed artificial intelligence to refine the device’s functionality further. By analyzing an extensive dataset of heart signals collected from both healthy patients and individuals suffering from heart disease, the AI system can effectively filter out disturbances caused by movement. This capability enables the device to provide reliable data about the heart’s condition, accurately identifying heart issues over 90% of the time. Remote monitoring by healthcare professionals is made possible through the device’s Bluetooth capabilities, making it an optimal choice for users who prefer to keep track of their health from the comfort of their homes.
The innovation behind traditional heart tests, such as Doppler ultrasounds, is challenged by this device, which operates seamlessly irrespective of the user’s movement. This significantly alleviates the discomfort associated with conventional testing environments where patients are often required to remain still to obtain accurate readings. The starfish-inspired wearable device promises to change the narrative surrounding heart health monitoring while emphasizing flexibility and user convenience.
An equally important aspect of wearability is the comfort that this starfish-shaped device offers users. The research team, aware of common complaints regarding skin irritation caused by long-duration wear, has prioritized user comfort in their design process. Currently employing a special gel to adhere to the skin, future iterations of the device are expected to incorporate breathable, skin-friendly materials that will enhance comfort during extended usage. Attention to comfort details aims to improve adherence to wearables, ultimately aiding long-term health tracking and facilitating more thorough monitoring.
Moreover, the convenience of continuous operation is expanded by the device’s ability to charge wirelessly while being worn. This remarkable feature negates the need for users to remove the device to recharge it, ensuring that health monitoring is incessant and unobtrusive. The focus on continuous wear elevates the user experience by integrating seamlessly into daily routines, making it an indispensable tool for heart health management.
As promising as the prototype appears, it remains in the early stages of development. Nevertheless, the potential of this starfish-inspired wearable device encapsulates a harmonious blend of nature, engineering, and artificial intelligence, paving the way for a paradigm shift in heart health management. This technology could ultimately empower individuals to take charge of their cardiovascular health with unprecedented ease and reliability.
Pending further testing and refinement, the research team’s findings reflect the transformative impacts of interdisciplinary collaboration. Their work was published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, showcasing how innovative engineering solutions can emerge from profound insights into biological systems. This endeavor is set against the backdrop of a broader trend in healthcare continuously seeking out technologies that leverage both intelligence and convenience for improved patient outcomes.
The marriage of biological understanding with technological application in the scope of this wearable device represents a burgeoning domain for future exploration. The implications extend far beyond just heart health, hinting at a world where wearable technologies can adapt and cater to a variety of health conditions, much like the adaptability showcased in nature itself. Researchers see this as just the beginning, as the possibilities for future iterations of wearable devices are virtually limitless.
Looking forward, the starfish-inspired device serves as not only a tool for health monitoring but as a testament to the potential of integrated technologies in improving life quality through innovative problem-solving. With this approach paving the way, it is exciting to contemplate how these scientific advancements will shape future medical devices and the very nature of patient care.
In the ever-evolving landscape of wearable technology, the intersection of inspiration from the natural world and technological ingenuity heralds a new era. As individuals increasingly prioritize detailed and accurate health oversight, devices like this starfish-inspired thermal device might just become a staple in personal healthcare arsenals. The implications could reshape lifestyle paradigms, potentially leading us into an era defined by empowered, informed individuals proactively managing their health.
In conclusion, the starfish-inspired wearable device stands not only as a breakthrough in heart health monitoring but also as a beacon for future innovations across various health sectors, highlighting the fundamental necessity of personalized and continuous health monitoring. As research progresses, it will be fascinating to witness the advancements in technology shaped by the simple yet profound mechanics found in nature.
Subject of Research: Wearable device inspired by starfish for heart health monitoringArticle Title: Starfish-Inspired Wearable Bioelectronic Systems for Physiological Signal Monitoring During Motion and Real-Time Heart Disease DiagnosisNews Publication Date: 2-Apr-2025Web References: DOIReferences: None providedImage Credits: Credit: Courtesy of Zheng YanKeywords: Wearable devices, heart health, artificial intelligence, biomimicry, cardiovascular health, medical technology
Tags: bio-inspired engineering solutionsbiomimicry in engineeringcutting-edge health devicesenhanced accuracy in health monitoringmulti-contact wearable technologyphysiological signal monitoring innovationsreal-time heart health trackingstarfish-inspired medical devicesUniversity of Missouri researchwearable devices for fitnesswearable heart monitoring technology
President Donald Trump is serious about promoting manufacturing in the United States. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has signaled he could withhold CHIPS Act funding promised to companies like Micron Technology as he pushes the firms for bigger projects in the U.S., according to Bloomberg.
What is the CHIPS Act?
The CHIPS Act, signed into law in August 2022, aims to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The law seeks to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, especially for critical industries like defense, technology, and telecommunications. By providing grants, subsidies, and incentives, the CHIPS Act encourages U.S. companies to build and expand semiconductor manufacturing facilities domestically.
In addition to increasing production, the law allocates funds for research and development to advance semiconductor technologies. This is designed to help the U.S. remain competitive in the global tech industry.
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The CHIPS Act also addresses national security concerns by ensuring a stable and secure domestic supply of semiconductors, which are vital for modern infrastructure. By revitalizing the semiconductor industry, the law aims to create high-tech jobs and strengthen the U.S. economy while securing the supply chain against potential disruptions.
Here is a brief overview of the White House statement regarding the matter:
On March 31, President Donald Trump signed an order to establish the “United States Investment Accelerator.” The purpose is to make it easier to bring investments into the U.S. by streamlining regulations and speeding up processes.
This new office, led by the Secretary of Commerce, will assist both U.S. and international businesses with navigating complicated rules, securing permits, and managing large projects, particularly those involving investments above $1 billion. It will work alongside federal agencies, state governments, and national labs to reduce barriers and encourage economic growth.
Additionally, the office will focus on improving the CHIPS program, which aims to expand semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. While national security will remain a key priority, the main goal is to secure better deals for taxpayers than in previous administrations.
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The order also makes clear that it doesn’t grant any enforceable legal rights to individuals or groups. Ultimately, the aim is to strengthen the U.S. economy by attracting investment from both small businesses and large corporations.
Lutnick wants companies that won CHIPS funding to pledge bigger investments. The goal is to generate billions more in commitments without increasing the size of the grants, Bloomberg said.