Free Republic

Harvard Professor Raj Chetty and a group of other researchers have performed a much-discussed study (via Gene Expression) that looks at what factors really affect things like income, your likelihood to own a home, and odds of getting married. The most startling thing they found? Your score on a very basic kindergarten test is a HUGE predictor. Other educational factors like class size and the quality of your teachers aren't nearly as important. Given the renewed interest in educational policy in America right now, it's fascinating.

Video: Precision Urban Hopper leaps over fences, makes enemies cringe by Darren Murph posted Sep 15th 2009 at 10:46AM It's only been a few months since we heard from the whiz kids over at Boston Dynamics, and honestly, we've been waiting on pins and needles to see what miracle would emerge from its labs next. Said outfit has just been awarded a contract by Sandia to build the next generation of the Precision Urban Hopper, which will be a four-wheeled jumping robot that can navigate autonomously.