Accurate, Focused Research on Law, Technology and Knowledge Discovery Since 2002

Daily Archives: March 19, 2012

Census Bureau Launches Interactive 1940 Census Web Page

“In anticipation of the April 2 release of 1940 Census records from the National Archives, the U.S. Census Bureau is launching a new page on its website. Strict confidentiality laws ensure that census records are only unsealed after 72 years have passed, so genealogists, historians and researchers have waited with great eagerness for this release. The site features an interactive overview of the 1940 Census, including questions asked on the census form, history facts, blogs, a 1940 Census video, pictures and a countdown clock. From the site, users will also find a direct link to the National Archives website for looking up individual 1940 Census records. In addition, there is a newly released infographic providing a rich visual depiction of how characteristics of the U.S. population have changed between 1940 and 2010. This is the first in a series of three infographics that will explore topics related to the 1940 Census. For more information, visit http://www.census.gov/1940census. This site will be updated regularly with new interactive features in the days leading up to April 2.”

Pew: Teens, Smartphones & Texting

Teens, Smartphones & Texting – “Texting volume is up while the frequency of voice calling is down. About one in four teens say they own smartphones.” Amanda Lenhart Senior Research Specialist, Pew Internet Project “Teens are fervent communicators. Straddling childhood and adulthood, they communicate frequently with a variety of important people in their lives: friends… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports – Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Electronic Waste, K-12 Education School-Based Sports Programs

Defined Benefit Pension Plans – Recent Developments Highlight Challenges of Hedge Fund and Private Equity Investing, GAO-12-324, Feb 16, 2012 Electronic Waste – Actions Needed to Provide Assurance That Used Federal Electronics Are Disposed of in an Environmentally Responsible Manner, GAO-12-74, Feb 17, 2012 K-12 Education School-Based Physical Education and Sports Programs, GAO-12-350, Feb 29,… Continue Reading

The 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey: Job Insecurity, Debt Weigh on Retirement Confidence, Savings

The 2012 Retirement Confidence Survey: Job Insecurity, Debt Weigh on Retirement Confidence, Savings, March 2012, Employee Benefit Research Institute “Americans’ confidence in their ability to retire comfortably is stagnant at historically low levels. Just 14 percent are very confident they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement (statistically equivalent to the low of… Continue Reading

Congressional Oversight of Agency Public Communications: Implications of Agency New Media Use

CRS: Congressional Oversight of Agency Public Communications: Implications of Agency New Media Use, Kevin R. Kosar, Analyst in American National Government, March 14, 2012 This report intends to assist Congress in its oversight of executive branch agencies’ public communications. Here, “public communications” refers to agency communications that are directed to the public. Many, and perhaps… Continue Reading

World Bank Reports on Light Manufacturing in Africa

Light Manufacturing in Africa “Is there potential for Sub-Saharan Africa to compete in global manufacturing? This study draws on innovative analytical research to show that Sub-Saharan Africa could become competitive in light manufacturing and create millions of productive jobs in the process. Comparisons are made with Asian countries to benchmark Africa’s potential. A focused and… Continue Reading

Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses

Hormones and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Low-Dose Effects and Nonmonotonic Dose Responses – Laura N. Vandenberg, Theo Colborn, Tyrone B. Hayes, Jerrold J. Heindel, David R. Jacobs Jr., Duk-Hee Lee, Toshi Shioda, Ana M. Soto, Frederick S. vom Saal, Wade V. Welshons, R. Thomas Zoeller and John Peterson Myers. Endocrine Reviews March 14, 2012 er.2011-1050 “For decades,… Continue Reading

IRS Creates Online Search Tool for Easier Check on Information About Exempt Organizations

News releases: “The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new online search tool, Exempt Organizations Select Check, to help users more easily find key information about tax-exempt organizations, such as federal tax status and filings. Users can now go to one location on IRS.gov, select a tax-exempt organization, and check if the organization: Is eligible… Continue Reading

Kaiser Comparison of Medicare Premium Support Proposals

“This brief provides a side-by-side comparison of recent proposals to transform Medicare into a premium support program and slow the future growth in Medicare spending. These proposals each would convert Medicare from a defined benefit program, in which beneficiaries are guaranteed coverage for a fixed set of benefits, to a defined contribution or “premium support”… Continue Reading