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Daily Archives: April 21, 2021

We know a lot about Covid-19. Experts have many more questions

STAT: “Less than a year and a half ago, the world was blissfully, dangerously ignorant of the existence of a coronavirus that would soon turn life on earth on its head. In the 16 months since the SARS-CoV-2 virus burst into the global consciousness, we’ve learned much about this new health threat. People who contract the virus are infectious before they develop symptoms and are most infectious early in their illness. Getting the public to wear masks, even homemade ones, can reduce transmission. Vaccines can be developed, tested, and put into use within months. As they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way. But many key questions about SARS-2 and the disease it causes, Covid-19, continue to bedevil scientists. STAT was curious which questions topped scientists’ lists. So, we asked a bunch. More than two dozen virologists, epidemiologists, immunologists, and evolutionary biologists shared with us their top question.. There was surprising diversity in the questions, though many cluster around certain themes, such as the nature of immunity or the impact of viral variants. Knowing what scientists still want to learn shows us how far we’ve come — and how far we have left to go to solve the mysteries of SARS-2 and Covid-19…”

The linked legal data landscape: linking legal data across different countries

Filtz, E., Kirrane, S. & Polleres, A. The linked legal data landscape: linking legal data across different countries. Artif Intell Law (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10506-021-09282-8 “The European Union is working towards harmonizing legislation across Europe, in order to improve cross-border interchange of legal information. This goal is supported for instance via standards such as the European Law… Continue Reading

Climate change and the 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals

Climate.gov: “As soon as the 2021 New Year’s celebrations were over, the calls and questions started coming in from weather watchers: When will NOAA release the new U.S. Climate Normals? The Normals are 30-year averages of key climate observations made at weather stations and corrected for bad or missing values and station changes over time.… Continue Reading

How to get your daily servings of vegetables and fruit: A visual guide

CNET – “We get it, eating enough fruits and veggies every day is tough. This photo guide makes it easier. Most people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables each day to best support their health. Even though eating fruits and vegetables sounds simple, it’s not always easy, especially for those affected by high food prices… Continue Reading

Axios – Chauvin trial prosecution worked with strategic communications firm

Axios: “For most of the past year, a strategic communications firm with deep Washington ties has played an integral role for the prosecution in the State of Minnesota v. Derek Chauvin — operating without pay and so under-the-radar that most of its own staff had no idea. The big picture: Finsbury Glover Hering — formerly… Continue Reading

Tips for Researching International Human Rights Case Law

Via Lyonette Louis-Jacques From the Reference Desk: Tips for Researching International Human Rights Case Law By Jonathan Pratter -“In the universe of international human rights documentation, case law has a special place. Human rights case law is human rights in action. It confronts general norms with concrete facts and requires a decision about whether or not… Continue Reading

CDC – Federal Agencies Can Require COVID-19 Testing for Employees

NextGov – “The Biden administration has issued guidelines for agencies to test their workers for COVID-19, spelling out when widespread testing is appropriate and confirming that federal offices can mandate employee testing.  Federal employees who have a testing requirement to enter their workplace and refuse can face “consequences,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said,… Continue Reading

The Library’s Furniture

Library Barbarian – Discourses in Academic Librarianship and Higher Ed – The Library’s Furniture – “…It is a not-so well-hidden truth that many makers of institutional furniture–including that which will replace the destroyed and vandalized desks of congress from the January 6 attack–comes from the underpaid and coerced labor of inmates in prison facilities. The… Continue Reading