Daily Business Report: March 18, 2024
Visual Capitalist
What are America’s Most Disappointing Cars in 2024?
Cars are such a fundamental part of American life, that certain brands or models can attract abject tribalism from their fans and blind judgment from critics.
Meanwhile, there are some car owners who simply do not jive well with their auto of choice, and would not be hitching their wagon to the brand any time soon.
We rank the 10 most disappointing cars to own, based on the results from an annual survey by Consumer Reports which asked 330,000 members whether they would buy or lease their same vehicle again.
The Infiniti QX50 is the least satisfying car to own, according to those polled at Consumer Reports. An overwhelming three quarters polled said they would not buy or lease their car again.
The QX50 is Infiniti’s compact crossover offering, currently in its second generation (introduced in 2019). Major criticisms from auto reviewers revolve around the car’s fuel economy and loud engine, especially compared to rival cars from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
For a car priced between $42,000–$60,000, these fundamental flaws explain why most owners would not want to buy again.
At second place, more than 60 percent of respondents said they would pass on purchasing the Volkswagen Taos if given the chance. While the 2024 model is reasonably reviewed, previous models appear to be mired with engine issues, including stalling and acceleration lag.
Between August 2021 and March 2023, a total of six recalls were issued for the Taos.
Top photo: The Infiniti QX50 was ranked as one of the least satisfying car to own.
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General Atomics launches new Full Spectrum
Imaging System for crime scene evidence capture
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today the launch of the new Full Spectrum Imaging System (FSIS) Crime Scene Examiner (FSIS-CSE), the latest addition to the company’s line of crime scene latent evidence detection and image capture systems.
FSIS-CSE is a compact, lightweight, and portable system featuring the company’s powerful FSIS II camera mounted on a 13-inch tablet. FSIS-CSE detects and captures high resolution images of latent biological, chemical, pattern, and trace evidence within confined crime scene spaces such as vehicles and small office areas.
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Study illuminates the protective role
of fluorescent in neon-colored anemones
For the first time, a team of researchers at Stanford University and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography has uncovered a direct genetic link between fluorescence and color in sea anemones — those soft and tentacled tide pool creatures often encountered by beachgoers.
In a comprehensive paper, the team illuminates the mysterious role of fluorescent proteins and color variation within a group of sea anemones living in the intertidal zones of the Pacific coast of North America. These sea anemones — belonging to the genus Anthopleura and commonly referred to as sunburst sea anemones — exhibit a genetic color variation that ranges from vibrant neon-green to more subdued olive or gray-green hues.
Photo: This neon-green sea anemone was documented by citizen scientists through the platform iNaturalist, aiding researchers in a new study. (Photo: iNaturalist users Chloe and Trevor van Loon)
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Report: California’s minimum wae isn’t enough
to keep up with workers living costs
By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde | CalMatters
California’s $16-an-hour minimum wage may be much higher than a “poverty wage” by federal standards, but high housing costs still make it difficult for low wage workers to live and make ends meet in the state, according to a new report by the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The report paints a pictur of who low wage workers are and whether the state’s minimum wage is sufficient to address poverty and inequality.
Many workers move on from low wage work to higher paying jobs as they transition from their 20s to their 30s, but that mobility slows significantly when workers enter their early 30s, according to the report.
“As a result, half of low-wage workers are over 35 and one-quarter are 50 or older,” the report states. “The state’s economic policies should reflect the fact that many workers hold relatively low-wage jobs through middle age and beyond.”
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FASHIONPHILE purchases assets of Two Authenticators
FASHIONPHILE announced it has purchased the assets of Two Authenticators Inc., a Montreal-based wholesale distributor of authenticated, pre-owned luxury vintage. Following the acquisition, Fred Mannella, co-founder and CEO of 2a and former co-founder and chief development officer of LXRandCo Inc., will assume the role of senior vice president of wholesale at FASHIONPHILE, reporting to Ben Hemminger, co-founder and CEO.
Music Box selects Alternative Strategies for PR work
Alternative Strategies, a full-service marketing agency based in North Park, has been selected for public relations and creative services by Music Box, a live music and private events venue in Downtown San Diego. Alternative Strategies Principal William Lopez made the announcement. The three-story venue now hosts an average of 260 concerts per year. Corporations have also brought in artists for private shows.
Sweetwater Private Equity honors Geoffrey Chaiken
Sweetwater Investment Management is holding its fifth annual investor meeting at Torrey Pines Lodge where it will announce Geoffrey Chaiken, co-founder and CEO of Blink Health, as the 2023 recipient of the Sweetwater Leadership and Innovation Award. Each year, Sweetwater selects one of the most innovative and inspiring leaders from its portfolio companies for this honor. Prior recipients have included Chad Robbins (2019), CEO of Adaptive Biotechnologies.
San Diego to host event honoring poet Robert Frost
Final preparations are underway in Downtown San Diego for the unprecedented event marking the 150th birthday of the beloved poet Robert Frost. This once-in-a-lifetime event
will take place March 20-24, 2024, transforming San Diego into a poetic hub where creativity, inspiration, and passion converge. The response has been enthusiastic, and space is filling up, but there are still seats available.
Tequila and Taco Music Festival returns to San Diego
The 8th annual Tequila and Tacos Music Festival returns to San Diego at its new venue in Thrive Park at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Festival goers will enjoy an enticing array of tequila tastings, delectable tacos, artisan vendors, and an exciting lineup of live music performances. This annual festival has etched itself as a regional highlight, drawing thousands of attendees from across the state.
SDSU’s Marta Miletic wins NASA Space Tech Catalyst prize
Marta Miletic, student at San Diego State University, has been named one of the first winners of NASA’s Space Tech Catalyst prize. Each of the 20 winners will receive $25,000. Each winner was selected for proving their ability to engage and develop underrepresented groups in space technology development, broaden NASA’s outreach efforts to diverse sources of developers, and build a community of emerging innovators equipped to compete for the agency’s technology development opportunities.
Jack Leunig and Larry Beck join leadership of Wildcat Discovery Technologies
Battery materials pioneer Wildcat Discovery Technologies announced two renowned chemical materials production leaders to advance the scale-up and operations of the company’s new manufacturing capability. Jack Leunig joins as chief operating officer, and Larry Beck has been retained as a senior adviser.
Ambow Education to host open house at NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Ambow Education Holding Ltd., an AI-driven educational technology company, announced that it will host an open house at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design Campus to showcase the company’s innovative HybriU AI education technology and solutions. The event will be held on April 14-16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 705 Park Blvd. in San Diego.
IFG expands its partnership with Envestnet
Independent Financial Group LLC, a San Diego-based independent broker-dealer, in keeping with its mission to provide best-in-class resources and support for unrivaled service, has strengthened its ongoing partnership with Envestnet empowering its network of more than 600 independent financial professionals with increased access to Envestnet’s ecosystem of wealth management solutions. IFG also recently implemented the Envestnet Credit Exchange, powered by the Advisor Credit Exchange (ACE), into its network.
Kazia announces presentation of new data at AACR annual meeting
Kazia Therapeutics, a biotechnology company specialising in oncology, will present new data for both its pipeline molecules, paxalisib and EVT801, at the upcoming annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in San Diego April 5-10. There will be three presentations in total at AACR, including data from the phase 1 study of EVT801 in advanced solid cancers.
Surglogs announces strategic collaboration with AAAHC
Surglogs, a leading regulatory and accreditation platform for health care facilities, has announced a strategic collaboration with the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This collaboration enables Surglogs users to access AAAHC accreditation standards through the digital platform, facilitating real-time monitoring of compliance with AAAHC standards.
Todd Dickinson joins Armonica Technologies board
Armonica Technologies, Inc., a pioneer in sample-prep free direct optical DNA sequencing, today announced the appointment of life science leader Todd Dickinson to the board of directors. Dickinson, an experienced leader in life sciences technology, holds dual degrees in chemistry and theology from St. Olaf College, and a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from Tufts University under Professor David Walt’s mentorship.
Shield AI selected by NAVAIR PMA-281
Shield AI, the defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilot, announced it has been selected by NAVAIR PMA-281 to integrate its AI Pilot onto the Kratos BQM-177A to enable advanced AI-based autonomy. Shield AI will work closely with the original equipment manufacturer, Kratos, to contribute to the U.S. Navy’s objective of increasing capabilities to provide fleet protection by utilizing AI-powered crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities.
Danae Van Oene joins Element Biosciences
Element Biosciences, Inc., developer of pioneering technologies to empower science, announced the appointment of Danae Van Oene as senior vice president of global sales and support. In her new role, Danae will spearhead Element’s commercial sales initiatives, overseeing regions including North America, Asia Pacific, EMEA, Latin Americaand others worldwide. She he will work with Element customers and distributors internationally to maximize operational excellence and translate feedback into product innovations.
