Yes this is the answer – National Geographic January 2016 – This Is Your Brain on Nature – When we get closer to nature—be it untouched wilderness or a backyard tree—we do our overstressed brains a favor. “When we slow down, stop the busywork, and take in beautiful natural surroundings, not only do we feel… Continue Reading
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Monthly Archives: December 2015
Investigative Reporting in 2015: GIJN’s Top 12 Stories
Global Investigative Journalism Network: “As 2015 nears an end, we’d like to share our top 12 stories of the year — the stories that you, our dear readers, found most compelling. The list ranges from free data tools and crowdfunding to the secrets of the Wayback Machine. Please join us in taking a look at… Continue Reading
Happy Holidays
Be well. Wishing you joy and peace, and thank you for reading and supporting beSpacific. Continue Reading
The Federal Circuit as an Institution
Vacca, Ryan G., The Federal Circuit as an Institution (December 21, 2015). Akron Research Paper No. 15-07. Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2706849 “The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is a unique institution. Unlike other circuit courts, the Federal Circuit’s jurisdiction is bound by subject area rather than geography, and it was created… Continue Reading
Majority of web traffic goes to these 10 sites
Today’s “Big 10” Domains via Mozcast Metrics en.wikipedia.org www.amazon.com www.facebook.com www.youtube.com www.yelp.com www.webmd.com www.walmart.com www.tripadvisor.com allrecipes.com www.foodnetwork.com Continue Reading
Engaging the International Community on Cybersecurity Standards
White House: “U.S. companies are most effective when they can rely on the same cybersecurity standards overseas as they do in the United States. Not only do common standards make it easier for product development and sales, companies can more easily maintain and enhance network defense and resilience, which are vital in today’s world of… Continue Reading
Study – inequality can reduce generosity in charitable giving
Via Greater Good: “The study, recently published online in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, first looked at data from a national survey of about 1,500 United States residents that asked about their household income and home state, among other details. The survey also used a technique that prior research has found… Continue Reading
Report documents taxpayer cost for extracting natural resources
Via POGO – “For the first time, U.S. residents will have access to data that documents how much individual companies are paying for the extraction of natural resources from public lands, as well as a more accurate picture of job creation and economic impact in the 18 states with the most drilling and mining activity… Continue Reading
FAA Issues Fact Sheet on State and Local UAS Laws
December 17, 2015 – “The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new fact sheet on state and local regulation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) provides information for states and municipalities considering laws or regulations addressing UAS use. The document outlines FAA’s safety reasons for federal oversight of aviation and airspace, and explains federal responsibility in this area.… Continue Reading
CBO – H.R. 2843, TSA PreCheck Expansion Act
CBO Cost Estimate – “H.R. 2843 would require the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to undertake efforts to expand enrollment in the PreCheck program. Through that program, air travelers voluntarily apply to be prescreened using biographic and biometric information to determine whether they qualify for expedited screening at airport security checkpoints. The act would direct TSA… Continue Reading
Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions: Third Quarter 2015
Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions: Third Quarter 2015, December 23, 2015. Release Number: CB15-TPS.11 – “The survey provides national summary data on the revenues, expenditures and composition of assets of the largest defined benefit public employee pension systems for state and local governments. This report produces three tables: Tables 1 and 3 include data on… Continue Reading
GAO Report – DOD Civilian and Contractor Workforces
Civilian and Contractor Workforces: Complete Information Needed to Assess DOD’s Progress for Reductions and Associated Savings, GAO-16-172: Published: Dec 23, 2015. Publicly Released: Dec 23, 2015. “The Department of Defense’s (DOD) September 2014 and February 2015 reports did not fully address most statutory requirements identified in section 955 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)… Continue Reading
