Xconomy Boston’s Top 20 Stories of Q2 2012: Editor’s Picks

You know the drill. Half of 2012 is in the books, and it’s time now to look back on our editor’s picks for top stories of Q2. Because I said so, that’s why.

As usual, these aren’t always the highest-traffic stories (though in some cases they are). They are the stories that exemplify the reporting, writing, and editing that we do, day in and day out, as we cover the business of technology and life sciences across our network of cities. These stories remind us of what types of journalism stand the test of time—and help us stand out from the pack. In all cases, we strive to bring you stories and insights you won’t find elsewhere.

Without further ado:

Top 10 Tech Stories of Q2:

Nara Pockets $4M for Neuroscience-Driven Personalized Web Discovery

Juliet Marine’s “Ghost” Ship Emerges from Stealth Startup, Gears Up for War

Ministry of Supply Puts MIT Engineering Cred Into Dress Shirts

TiE Angels Boston, Now in Second Year, Looks to Make More Deals

Massachusetts’ New Big-Data Initiative to Include MIT, Intel, and HackReduce

From MIT Entrepreneur to Tea Party Leader: The Thomas Massie Story

What TechStars’ Progress in Boston Really Means for Innovation

Reid Hoffman: Not All Tech Is Social (Think Toilets); Being Better Humans Is the Key

Google, ITA, and the Future of Travel: It’s All About Data, Not Search

From Internet Plumbing to Tweeting With Zappos: The Dyn Story

Microsoft Research’s Jennifer Chayes: 5 Projects for the Future of Computing

 

Top 10 Life Sciences and Healthcare Stories of Q2:

After Big Oops, Vertex Plows Ahead With Cystic Fibrosis Drug Combo

Roche Deal Gives Seaside a Leg Up in Autism Race

Gamification Hits Healthcare as Startups Vie for Cash and Partners

Ready or Not, Genomics Is Coming to a Hospital Near You

Why Would a Biotech Company Go to the Trouble of Changing Its Name?

Xconomist of the Week: Tom Maniatis on Prize4Life and ALS Research

N-of-One Names CEO, Forms Pact With Foundation Medicine

New Data on Genzyme MS Drug Shows Improvement in Disability

Progress for Pervasis and InVivo: A Boost for Regenerative Efforts?

Author: Gregory T. Huang

Greg is a veteran journalist who has covered a wide range of science, technology, and business. As former editor in chief, he overaw daily news, features, and events across Xconomy's national network. Before joining Xconomy, he was a features editor at New Scientist magazine, where he edited and wrote articles on physics, technology, and neuroscience. Previously he was senior writer at Technology Review, where he reported on emerging technologies, R&D, and advances in computing, robotics, and applied physics. His writing has also appeared in Wired, Nature, and The Atlantic Monthly’s website. He was named a New York Times professional fellow in 2003. Greg is the co-author of Guanxi (Simon & Schuster, 2006), about Microsoft in China and the global competition for talent and technology. Before becoming a journalist, he did research at MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Lab. He has published 20 papers in scientific journals and conferences and spoken on innovation at Adobe, Amazon, eBay, Google, HP, Microsoft, Yahoo, and other organizations. He has a Master’s and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT, and a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.