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Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici

Is Shakespeare’s DNA Hiding in the Folger Library’s Vault?

Washingtonian – “Project Dustbunny” Aims to Find Out – That extremely unlikely outcome is just one aspect of an intriguing scientific effort – “The Folger Shakespeare Library’s underground storage facility stretches a full block beneath the building, protected by a nine-inch-thick steel bank-vault door. It houses about 260,000 historically significant books, along with manuscripts, documents,… Continue Reading

Draft UN Report – One million species risk extinction due to humans

Agence France Presse: “Up to one million species face extinction due to human influence, according to a draft UN report obtained by AFP that painstakingly catalogues how humanity has undermined the natural resources upon which its very survival depends. The accelerating loss of clean air, drinkable water, CO2-absorbing forests, pollinating insects, protein-rich fish and storm-blocking… Continue Reading

You Can Virtually Visit 31 National Parks This Week With Google Earth

Adventure Journal: “In honor of National Parks Week, which runs through April 28, Google Earth has launched a stunning virtual tour of 31 parks. Obviously, you’d rather be in those parks, but if you can’t, this is a pretty novel use of eye-opening technology to bring you there. The tours are part of Google Earth’s… Continue Reading

MIT Technology Review dedicates entire issue to global climate change

May/June 2019 issue: “Welcome to climate change – Time to start talking less about the technology for preventing global warming and more about the technology we’ll need to live with it….This issue of MIT Technology Review rests on the premise that while one should never give up on mitigation, it’s time to start talking more… Continue Reading

WH may seek to prevent McGahn from complying with House subpoena

CNN – “…Apparently recognizing the potentially devastating impact of McGahn’s testimony, the White House reportedly may assert executive privilege in an effort to block it. But executive privilege — the notion that certain communications between the President and his advisers should remain confidential — seems inapplicable here. First, under the legal “crime-fraud exception,” testimonial privileges… Continue Reading

U.S. War Costs Casualties and Personnel Levels Since 9/11

CRS report via FAS – U.S. War Costs Casualties and Personnel Levels Since 9/11, April 18, 2019 “Seventeen years have passed since the U.S. initiated major military operations following the September 11, 2001,terrorist attacks. In the intervening period, operations first classified as Global War on Terror (GWOT) and later Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) have varied in… Continue Reading

Google – Expanding ways to find authoritative information in Europe

Google Blog: “Providing useful and trusted information online is a complex and important responsibility, especially around elections. Our aim is to build helpful tools that get you to the information you’re looking for. As we get closer to the EU Parliamentary elections, alongside our broader package of support, we’re making it easier to help you… Continue Reading

USPS releasing ‘Sesame Street’ stamps as series turns 50 this year

USPS – “The Postal Service honors Sesame Street as one of the most influential and beloved children’s television shows. For the last 50 years, it has provided educational programming and entertainment for generations of children throughout the country and around the world. The stamp art features photographs of 16 Muppets from Sesame Street — Big… Continue Reading

Textio’s New Tool Will Take the Words Right Out of Your Mouth—and Maybe Improve Them

Fortune: “Words matter, and they often matter in different ways to different people. That’s why, for the past five years, text analytics startup Textio has studied—and helped to augment—the way companies in search of more diverse candidates communicate with prospective hires. Now, the company is launching a new product that takes that mission one step… Continue Reading