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Daily Archives: May 3, 2016

Climate-Driven Water Scarcity Could Hit Economic Growth by Up to 6 Percent in Some Regions

“Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, could cost some regions up to 6 percent of their GDP, spur migration, and spark conflict, according to a new World Bank report released today. High and Dry: Climate Change, Water and the Economy, says the combined effects of growing populations, rising incomes, and expanding cities will see demand for water rising exponentially, while supply becomes more erratic and uncertain. Unless action is taken soon, the report says, water will become scarce in regions where it is currently abundant – such as Central Africa and East Asia – and scarcity will greatly worsen in regions where water is already in short supply – such as the Middle East and the Sahel in Africa. These regions could see their growth rates decline by as much as 6 percent of GDP by 2050 due to water related impacts on agriculture, health, and incomes. The report also warns that reduced freshwater availability and competition from other uses – such as energy and agriculture – could reduce water availability in cities by as much as two thirds by 2050, compared to 2015 levels. Water insecurity could multiply the risk of conflict, the report adds. Food price spikes caused by droughts can inflame latent conflicts and drive migration. Where economic growth is impacted by rainfall, episodes of droughts and floods have generated waves of migration and spikes in violence within countries, it says…”

Federal Reserve Board proposes rule to support U.S. financial stability by enhancing the resolvability of very large and complex financial firms

“The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday proposed a rule [May 3, 2016] to support U.S. financial stability by enhancing the resolvability of very large and complex financial firms.  The proposal would require U.S. global systemically important banking institutions (GSIBs) and the U.S. operations of foreign GSIBs to amend contracts for common financial transactions to prevent… Continue Reading

Addressing the Challenges with Organizational Identifiers and ISNI

Via OCLC – Addressing the Challenges with Organizational Identifiers and ISNI – “Organizational affiliations of the creators of works are important to a variety of stakeholders, including academic administrators, funders, publishers, repository managers, software developers, rights agencies, and individual researchers. Identifying and tracking these affiliations can be challenging, as organizations may be known by a… Continue Reading

Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): A Primer

CRS report via FAS – Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs): A Primer, John J. Topoleski, Analyst in Income Security. April 27, 2016. “In response to concerns over the adequacy of retirement savings, Congress has created incentives to encourage individuals to save more for retirement through a variety of retirement plans. Some retirement plans… Continue Reading

Judge Merrick Garland: His Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court

CRS Report via FAS – Judge Merrick Garland: His Jurisprudence and Potential Impact on the Supreme Court. Andrew Nolan, Coordinator, Legislative Attorney; Kate M. Manuel, Coordinator, Legislative Attorney; Brandon J. Murrill, Coordinator, Legislative Attorney. April 27, 2016. “On March 16, 2016, President Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the… Continue Reading

Ineffective Inspection, Maintenance Practices, Oversight Led to Washington Metrorail Fatal Accident

NTSB news release: “A short circuit on Washington’s Metrorail system that caused thick smoke to fill a stranded train, killing one passenger and injuring 91 people on Jan. 12, 2015, was the result of WMATA failing to follow its own safety procedures and inadequate safety oversight by the Tri-State Oversight Committee and the Federal Transit… Continue Reading

Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 presented to President Obama

Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 – “This bill amends the federal criminal code to create a private civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation. Specifically, the bill authorizes a trade secret owner to file a civil action in a U.S. district court seeking relief for trade secret misappropriation related to a product or… Continue Reading

Ovarian Cancers: Evolving Paradigms in Research and Care

The National Academies Press – Ovarian Cancers: Evolving Paradigms in Research and Care (2016). Committee on the State of the Science in Ovarian Cancer Research; Board on Health Care Services; Institute of Medicine; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine “In an era of promising advances in cancer research, there are considerable and even alarming… Continue Reading

100% clean and renewable wind, water, and sunlight all-sector energy roadmaps for the 50 United States

Via Vox – Here’s what it would take for the US to run on 100% renewable energy – Updated by David Robert – “The road maps show how 80 to 85 percent of existing energy could be replaced by wind, water, and solar by 2030, with 100 percent by 2050.” Energy Environ. Sci., 2015,8, 2093-2117:… Continue Reading