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As mixed-reality environments continue rising in popularity, researchers are working to develop safeguards to protect users from nefarious hackers.   

Kennesaw State University assistant professor of computer science Rifatul Islam and a team of researchers from around the country are working to develop these safeguards, aiming to protect against cognitive attacks on mixed-reality systems, which fuse real-world environments with virtual ones.

Islam is collaborating with researchers from higher-education institutions Pennsylvania State University, George Washington University, Northeastern University, the University of Southern California, in addition to industry partner Design Interactive

The three-year, $8.5 million project, Verified Probabilistic Cognitive Reasoning for Tactical Mixed Reality Systems, or VeriPro, is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, a research and development agency within the U.S. Department of Defense.

“We are looking for ways to protect the end user, particularly in the military, where augmented and mixed-reality applications are used for training for different types of combat,” Islam said.

Mixed-reality environments are commonly employed by the military, which uses these systems for training purposes, allowing users to grow accustomed to potential environments they might face during service.

While mixed reality is a useful training tool, it can be vulnerable to cognitive attacks, a type of warfare that seeks to alter people’s thoughts and actions into ones that favor the attacker’s objectives, which can also cause cybersickness, a set of symptoms that are similar to that of motion sickness.

The primary objective of this project is to construct and validate cognitive models to protect users against cognitive attacks during tactical mixed-reality experiences. These models will be used to automatically verify critical mixed-reality system properties, including but not limited to cybersickness, information flow and the prevention of user interface. If a system fails to meet a property, the system will provide diagnostic feedback and suggest modifications.

“One example of something that could occur during an attack is that the user’s perception could be changed. If an object in the real world is 10 meters away, an attacker could make it look like its only 5 meters away, with the change in perspective being very jarring to the user,” Islam said.

Cybersickness can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and other symptoms, but it is caused by time spent using a screen, such as a smartphone or a computer, rather than movement. When a person in mixed reality experiences cybersickness, it can keep them from being able to make decisions in their optimal cognitive state.

Islam’s role on the team stems from his six years of work on cybersickness, during which he has studied how to detect cybersickness in real time and how to mitigate the symptoms.

“I’ve conducted a lot of different types of research around cybersickness and how to ensure user safety and comfort when they are using a mixed-reality device,” Islam said.

Islam’s expertise in cybersickness will help the team achieve their main goal of this project: to understand when a system has been compromised under different attack models and ultimately safeguard the user by observing the risks of mixed reality systems and creating solutions.

How to Become a Creative Travel Writer

Become a Travel Writer? It’s not a stretch to say there are millions of travel writers working today, employed by hotels, travel portals, travel magazines, travel agencies and those producing their own travel blogs. A massive audience, growing travel market, global affluence, and the desirability of travel lifestyles is pulling more into travel marketing.  And travel…

Stanley Martin Homes has acquired a 17.13-acre site located at 1065 Fayetteville Road SE in DeKalb County, Georgia. This development site, known as Sugar Creek, will feature 103 townhomes, catering to new home buyers just 15 minutes from Downtown Atlanta. 

Sugar Creek is 3 miles from the East Lake MARTA train station, 1.6 miles from the Moreland Street MARTA bus station, 1.5 miles from Memorial Drive, and 1 mile to the nearby East Lake Golf Club. The neighborhood will feature a three-story townhome that will appeal to different lifestyles with its open-concept floor plan and home office on the first floor. Stanley Martin will also be offering a larger two-story townhome that will live like a single-family home. 

“We are excited to bring this new community to DeKalb County,” said Mike Walters, Division President at Stanley Martin Homes. “Sugar Creek will provide buyers with contemporary townhomes in an ideal location close to Atlanta’s amenities and transportation options, helping us meet the growing demand for urban housing.” 
Land development and design work are now underway, and Stanley Martin Homes plans to begin home sales by mid-2026. The homes’ price points will reflect a range of options, offering accessibility and variety to meet the needs of different buyers. 

This new addition to Stanley Martin Homes’ portfolio is part of its ongoing commitment to creating communities in convenient locations that combine quality craftsmanship with increasing housing needs. 

The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association hosted the 44th annual Professionalism (OBIE) Awards on Saturday, October 19th, at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Under the leadership of Lori Lane, President and Managing Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division and their builder/developer clients took home an incredible 22 gold and 6 silver awards.

Pictured: Lori Lane, Jim Beveridge, DeAnn Golden, and Liz Treadwell.

The OBIE Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in homebuilding, highlighting excellence in building, marketing, and personal accomplishments across more than 100 categories. This year, the New Homes Division was honored with 14 gold and 2 silver marketing awards, including Best Website – Community, Best Website – Associate, Best Online Banner Ad, Best Interactive Tool, Best Social App, Best Marketing Campaign, Best Brochure, and Best Newspaper Ad.

In addition to their marketing success, the division’s builder clients—Trilith Development, Patrick Malloy Communities, JW Collection, McKinney Builders, Baker Homes, Vision Development Partners, and David Patterson Homes—were also recognized with top honors, solidifying their status as leaders in Atlanta’s homebuilding industry.

Lori Lane, who also serves as Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global, has been a transformative figure in the real estate world. Her innovative strategies for marketing and selling new construction homes have earned her and her team hundreds of industry awards. Lane emphasizes, “True success is a journey fueled by dedication and passion; it’s about building not just homes, but lasting relationships and a legacy of excellence.”

Pictured: (Top): Laura Watkins, DeAnn Golden, Lori Lane, Tim Baldus, Stefanie Bloom, Emiko Yang. (Bottom): Shelley Washer, Anna Bailey, Brooke Feldman

Over the past 18 months, the New Homes Division has consistently held the position of the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in the region. The division has also earned a coveted spot among the top 30 offices in the global Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network, a remarkable achievement reflecting their unwavering commitment to excellence in sales and marketing.

The New Homes Division’s contributions extend beyond awards and sales figures. Lane and her team are reshaping Atlanta’s real estate landscape through innovative marketing strategies and a client-first approach. “We’re fortunate to collaborate with builder and developer partners who inspire us daily. Together, we’ve redefined what’s possible in real estate marketing and sales,” Lane added.

As they continue to elevate standards in both new home and luxury real estate sales, the New Homes Division remains a driving force in the industry.

Associated Credit Union (ACU), a financial institution that serves more than 158,000 members at 18 locations in Georgia, is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at North Springs High School (7447 Roswell Road) on Monday, December 16. Participating North Springs students, along with school and ACU leadership, will officially open the dedicated space for ACU’s Work-Based Learning Program in the school.  

WHAT: The Work-Based Learning Program is part of ACU’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between education and employment. This student program is integrated within the school environment to alleviate transportation concerns typically associated with after-school jobs and effectively connect students with valuable work experience that leads to future careers.

By investing in the growth of future leaders, ACU aims to support their success and enhance their potential within the financial industry and beyond.The North Springs collaboration integrates with ACU’s e-branch department, offering students the opportunity to work as junior interactive service representatives. These students gain valuable hands-on experience by engaging in a range of financial operations, from processing deposits and withdrawals to assisting with loan payments for customers utilizing interactive teller machines (ITMs.)

 The program expansion into North Springs follows the student success last school year experienced at Marietta High School and underscores ACU’s commitment to providing meaningful career pathways for students and supporting community development. 

WHO:               Participating Students: 

• Elizabeth Peddi
• Jayden Austin 
• Zahria Inglis

Representatives from the School:

• Principal Michael Scott Hanson
• Brian Patterson
• Sandy Spring Chamber of Commerce
• Fulton County School System

Representatives from ACU:

• Heiwote Tadesse – EVP of Member Relations
• Raj Subramanian – Business Development Manager
• Michael Huff – VP of Retail Services 

WHEN:             Monday, December 16 @ 8:30am

WHERE:            North Springs High School (7447 Roswell Road)

Emory University is proud to announce the launch of the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst Program, a collaboration between The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation, Goizueta Business School’s Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Techstars, the world’s most active pre-seed investor. This proven pre-accelerator program is designed to empower early-stage entrepreneurs with world-class startup education, mentorship, and opportunities to scale their ventures.

Applications are now open through January 17 for the inaugural cohort of 20 ventures, launching early 2025. 

• The program will culminate in a pitch competition in April, where participating teams will showcase their innovative ideas to investors, mentors, and the entrepreneurial community.

• Participation is open to all members of the Emory community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

• Teams need at least one Emory-affiliated member actively involved with the startup and must commit to weekly in-person sessions. 

• Participation in the Founder Catalyst program is free of charge for all founders, and there is no requirement to share equity in the startups or accept onerous investment terms to participate.

For more information and to apply for the Spring 2025 cohort, visit the Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst webpage or contact entrepreneurship@emory.edu

“Partnering with Techstars, an internationally renowned accelerator, allows us to extend the impact of entrepreneurship across Emory and beyond,” said Ben Garrett, Director of The Hatchery, Emory Center for Innovation. “The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program builds on our commitment to equipping the next generation of founders with the tools, mentorship, and confidence they need to bring their innovative ideas to life, no matter the industry or focus.”

The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has long been at the forefront of entrepreneurship education at Emory. The Techstars Emory Founder Catalyst program will replace its existing Startup Launch Accelerator in 2025, reflecting a strategic evolution in Emory’s entrepreneurship offerings.

“This collaboration with Techstars represents a significant step forward for Emory’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Brian Cayce, Managing Director of The Roberto C. Goizueta Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. “By connecting our community with Techstars’ global expertise, we’re positioning Emory founders for exceptional success on both local and national stages.”

Emory will again turn to Christy Brown as the Lead Facilitator, an experienced entrepreneur and instructor who has guided startups through early growth stages. Brown emphasized the program’s hands-on approach, stating, “Entrepreneurship is all about action. Through this program, founders will not only learn from the best but also actively build and test their ventures, developing the resilience and creativity they’ll need for long-term success.”

Under the leadership of Wilbur Lam, Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship at Emory, the university has focused on enhancing resources and connections for innovators across disciplines. “Emory’s partnership with Techstars exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our entrepreneurial vision,” said Lam. “We are deeply committed to creating opportunities that empower our students, faculty, staff and alumni to turn their ideas into impactful ventures.”

Techstars brings unparalleled expertise to this collaboration. As the world’s leading pre-seed investor, Techstars has helped launch and scale thousands of successful startups worldwide. Katie Smith, Head of Startup Community at Techstars, shared her excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring Techstars’ proven pre-accelerator model to Emory University. This partnership represents a unique opportunity to combine Emory’s incredible talent with Techstars’ resources and global network, creating a launchpad for tomorrow’s leading innovators.”

Vaycaychella, Inc. (OTC Pink: VAYK) (“VAYK”) today announces that it has renewed the joint-venture agreement to renovate and operate Rufus Rose House, the only standing Victorian mansion in downtown Atlanta, which has 123 years of history and is a National Register of Historic Place. The property currently has a cost value of $2.1 million, and is anticipated to reach a market value of $5 – 8 million upon completion of renovation.

20% Sweet Equity on $5-8 Million Airbnb Property

Under the renewed JV agreement, VAYK will continue to manage the renovation of this historic landmark into a boutique, multi-unit short-term rental (Airbnb etc.) property. VAYK is entitled to a 20% “sweet equity” of the JV, and will receive more equity proportionally when it raises capital for the JV. 

“Rufus Rose House is a unique historic treasure and has unrivaled value as a short-term rental, “says Stephanie Anderl, interim CEO of Vaycaychella. “Not only its stunning and aged beauty, both interior and exterior,  will appeal to tourists and vacationists who appreciate its antique value, but also its ideal location — sitting in the busiest street, only one block from the tallest downtown building (the Bank of American Tower), and within walk distance to numerous attractions including the historic Fox Theater –  promises a future for it to become the most sought-after Airbnb place in downtown Atlanta.”

“Most Sought-After Airbnb Place” to Be Completed Prior to FIFA 2026 

In the year 2023, 71.3 million visitors set their feet in downtown Atlanta.

Tourism to Atlanta is expected to explode as the city will host FIFA 2026 world cup. Soccer is the most popular sports in the world and FIFA world cup is the most important event of soccer, held only once every 4 years. VAYK aims to complete the renovation of Rufus Rose House and put it into operation prior to FIFA 2026.

$157 million Federal Funds granted to Nearby Neighborhoods 

In addition, the city of Atlanta has started a grand project with $157 million of federal funds, called “the Stitch”, which is only two blocks from Rufus Rose House. The Stitch (https://thestitchatl.com/) is a transformational civic infrastructure investment committed to reconnect Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Once implemented, the Stitch will create approximately 14 acres of urban greenspace and transportation enhancements atop a new, 3/4-mile platform spanning the Downtown Connector between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue. The Stitch is expected to stimulate $2-3 billion in private real estate investments in surrounding neighborhoods.

Before the launch of the Stitch,  Vaycaychella management estimated that the short-term rental business of Rufus Rose House may generate $500,000 to $700,000 annually.  Now VAYK management believes that “the upside of Rufus Rose House will be much higher” despite that no specific numbers have been provided.

The current owner of Rufus Rose House bought this property in 2021 for $1.65 million, and had since then spent several hundreds of thousands to repair and reinforce its structure. Its original goal was to renovate it into an upscale office building. However, Vaycaychella convinced the owner that this property is more suitable for short-term rental, and was entrusted with the exclusive rights to manage its renovation, and to operate it as an Airbnb after renovation.

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies’ contracts, the companies’ liquidity position, the companies’ ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.