Innovation Trail

Summer school for science teachers

Daniel Robison — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:22:39 +0000

Educators across the country agree schools need more students to excel in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet hooking students on these subjects remains a challenge, especially for generally low performing schools with few resources.

A century later, Park School stays true to its roots

Daniel Robison — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 14:48:58 +0000

One hundred years ago, a group of parents in Buffalo gathered to form a new school that would adopt the ideals of a progressive educational reformer and teach students in new ways.

Preventing high school dropouts – in kindergarten?

Daniel Robison — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 14:24:00 +0000

The Buffalo Public Schools received good news last year: its four-year graduation rate rose by seven percent. Still, nearly half the district’s high school students failed to earn a diploma. The struggling urban school system continues to look for dramatic fixes. This year, the district is starting in Kindergarten.

WNY startups target $25 million in sales to China

Daniel Robison — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:44:27 +0000

Western New York is home to more than 200 growing startup companies catering to specific medical and life science needs.

Buffalo Cleans Up From Dirty Industrial Past

Daniel Robison — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 05:03:20 +0000

Along the shore of Lake Erie, the rusting relics of Buffalo, N.Y.'s industrial days have long blocked access to the water and posed risks to residents. Now, after decades of inaction, the city is finally clearing a path for the public to return to the waterfront.

Buffalo's approach has been dubbed "lighter, faster, cheaper." Tom Dee has led this effort as president of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp., a special state agency in charge of city waterfront property.

Controversy still simmers over SUNY Buffalo Shale Institute

Daniel Robison — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Shortly after opening its doors at this spring, the Shale Resources and Society Institute (SRSI) ignited a controversy that persists several months later.

Innovation Trail to feature “Dropout Nation”

WBFO Newsroom — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:01:14 +0000

According to statistics, every nine seconds in the U.S. a student drops out of school.

An urban waterway's comeback

Daniel Robison — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:41:00 +0000

In the late 1960’s, the Buffalo River was so polluted it caught fire. Now, a $50 million cleanup is scooping out the river’s bottom, still contaminated with countless chemicals.

Local startup succeeds in research, struggles in business

Daniel Robison — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:41:32 +0000

Humans have always been vulnerable to airborne illnesses – especially given the developments in chemical and biological warfare. That vulnerability led two professors in upstate to pioneer a solution for sterilizing air.

CoworkBuffalo crafts community with office space

Daniel Robison — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:52:23 +0000

Working from home can be lonely or full of distractions. And taking a laptop or tablet to the coffee shop has drawbacks, too. Ever try finding an electrical outlet amongst all the tables and chairs? Now, CoworkBuffalo is offering a solution by inviting telecommuters to gather together in one office space.

Scientists uncover hidden history of polar bears

Daniel Robison — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 18:40:47 +0000

The study determined the polar bears species to be about four to five million years old – more than seven times older than previously thought.

Buffalo's roster of incubators grows by one

Daniel Robison — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:54:36 +0000

Buffalo’s latest business incubator is on the hunt for small tech companies who are long on ideas, but perhaps short on cash, office space and personnel.

SUNY Buffalo launches $120 million push to replace rare earths

Daniel Robison — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:14:40 +0000

With China largely cornering the market for rare earth metals, domestic researchers are trying to create synthetic replacements.

Voyage studying plastic waste in Great Lakes sets sail

Daniel Robison — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:49:09 +0000

Until now, scientists could only guess at the amount of plastic waste in the Great Lakes.

This week, a team of researchers sets sail to conduct the first-ever survey of plastic pollution in the world’s largest fresh water system.

Sensor startup senses golden opportunity

Daniel Robison — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:23:54 +0000

Are we on the verge of a “sensor revolution?” Buffalo-based startup Sensorcon hopes so. The company envisions a world where the average person is empowered with a small device that reads temperature, carbon monoxide levels, dew point and more.

Cow manure helps keep the lights on

Daniel Robison — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:37:29 +0000

New York State is home to more than 600,000 dairy cows, which generate millions of pounds of manure.

In 'Sponge Candy Crescent,' Addicts Hoard 'Heaven'

Daniel Robison — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:44:09 +0000

The eastern shore of Lake Erie is known as the "Sponge Candy Crescent." During the region's long winter months, this crunchy, chocolatey candy is a mainstay — especially for large gatherings and holidays. But come hot weather, you can't get the temperamental treat.

Ko-Ed Candies sells a lot of chocolate Easter bunnies, candy bars and other sweets, but co-owner Sandy Whitt says her customers mostly crave sponge candy.

"It's crunchy, crispy in the center, melts very quickly in your mouth," she says.

Niagara Falls offers to pay student debt of new residents

Daniel Robison — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:35:13 +0000

Niagara Falls, New York is testing novel approach to attract new residents. City leaders are offering to pay the student debt of 20 recent graduates in exchange for two years of residency.

Report: NY biotech sector needs help from Albany

Daniel Robison — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:29:23 +0000

Although New York's legislative session wrapped up last week, angling for new public policy hasn't ceased. Tuesday, the Business Council of New York State tried to regain traction for its agenda by re-releasing a report from May.

Reading Rainbow launches new iPad app

Daniel Robison — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:40:24 +0000

Reading Rainbow is back - but not on TV. Host LeVar Burton has revived the popular franchise, which ran for 26 years on PBS, as an app for tablets. The medium may be different, but the mission is the same: promoting children's literature.

How much economic impact will Wallenda generate?

Daniel Robison — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00:28 +0000

Niagara Falls, N.Y. sees Nik Wallenda’s Friday night wirewalk as its best chance in decades to revive tourism and spark economic development. But measuring Wallenda’s long-term impact may be tough - assuming there’s an impact at all.

Refugees in Buffalo use literacy to start anew

Daniel Robison — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Immigrants have always played a key role in creating communities in the United States and in Rust Belt cities like Buffalo, they’re now helping reinvigorate neighborhoods ravaged by the loss of manufacturing jobs.

New $300 million medical building opens downtown

Daniel Robison — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:42:36 +0000

The newest addition to Buffalo’s skyline has opened its doors.

The 10-story, $300 million Gates Vascular Institute/Clinical and Translational Research Center houses a state-of-the-art surgery center, research labs and a business incubator.

Startup companies seek exposure, funding at investor conference

Daniel Robison — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:23:21 +0000

A week ago, dozens of promising local start-up companies aimed to make a good impression on investors to secure funding and leapfrog their competition. WBFO and AM 970 followed one of those small businesses through the process.

Eclectic atmosphere buds around Wallenda walk

Daniel Robison — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:01:35 +0000

Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda concludes his public practices Tuesday in Niagara Falls. Over the last week, Wallenda has invited spectators to watch him prepare for his June 15 wire walk over Horseshoe Falls.

Nik Wallenda acts as tourism magnet for Niagara Falls

Daniel Robison — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:50:24 +0000

Thousands of spectators have flocked to Niagara Falls in recent days to watch wirewalker Nik Wallenda.

IDA reform bill stuck in neutral

Daniel Robison — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

In recent years, donut shops, car dealerships and doctor’s offices have received tax breaks from industrial development agencies in western New York.

IBM supercomputers speeding up MS research

Daniel Robison — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:14:36 +0000

Research into multiple sclerosis has accelerated rapidly in the last few years - and doctors in Buffalo are at the forefront.

Information about how MS progresses in patients has long been out there, but it wasn’t being synthesized or analyzed effectively.

SUNY toots own horn during "showcase"

Daniel Robison — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:59:25 +0000

SUNY has stepped up its self-promotional efforts.

In an attempt to paint the university system in a better light - and perhaps to justify its $10.8 billion budget in tight economic times - SUNY staged a regional “showcase” in Buffalo Tuesday. It was one of ten similar events thrown over the past year.

University at Buffalo unveils DNA-shaped "Solar Strand"

Daniel Robison — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:22:32 +0000

New solar panels at the University at Buffalo double as an art installation.