Recent Articles
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State-run retirement plans are becoming more popular
Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementA huge retirement savings shortfall is underway — and many are calling it a crisis. Consequently, some states are launching their own retirement savings programs for private businesses and workers. Some states have passed legislation which require employers to offer a qualified retirement plan — such as a 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA — either through the state-run program or the private market. A few other states have developed voluntary programs for private-sector businesses and workers.
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Single-use plastic bans, taxes are on the rise around the world
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalOn March 1, New York became the second U.S. state to ban plastic bags. The ban in California, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, has reduced disposable plastic bag usage by as much as 80%. In 2019, Canada did away with single-use plastics and eliminated other plastic pollution. More than 60 other nations are attempting to reduce single-use plastics through bans and taxes, according to the United Nations.
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How lifesaving organs for transplant go missing in transit
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareLosing luggage on a commercial flight is an inconvenience, but losing an organ for transplant could cost a life. Alarmingly, scores of organs are discarded each year because they do not reach their destination in time. Organs for transplant have a relatively short shelf life — ranging from six hours for hearts and lungs to 30 hours for kidneys — and there are frequently hundreds of miles between the donor and the recipient. To get to their destinations while still viable, organs are often flown on commercial airliners. Sometimes, flight delays and mishaps can prevent organs from reaching their recipients in time.
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Heathrow’s future stalled as third runway is ruled unlawful
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotivePlans to build a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport have stalled as the U.K.'s Court of Appeal ruled the government's decision to allow it to be built was unlawful. The decision has been seen as a victory for climate change activists and those living around the airport who faced compulsory land purchase and years of disruption followed by the misery of extra noise and air pollution. However, for Heathrow and the U.K.'s air travel industry, it is a major blow that will mean a complete rethink over future strategy.
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Turmeric: An anti-cancer superfood?
Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied HealthcareTurmeric is an Indian spice. Usually, we find it in curries and curry powder. Research, dating back to at least the 1980s, has noted the powerful effects of turmeric. But why is turmeric good for you, and how much do you need to consume to get its benefits? Read on to find out.
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US higher education funding has a long way to go
Patrick Gleeson EducationThe state of higher education funding in the U.S. was recently described in a carefully documented report released in February. The report comes from a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded organization with the somewhat wonky title, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). What it tells us about education spending in this country is discouraging. Not only does U.S. higher education funding have a long way to go — there’s no obvious way to get there.
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Survey: US workers want pay increases, salary transparency
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWorkers want a fulfilling job, but let’s be clear: compensation is a key factor in attracting and retaining workers. Randstad's 2020 U.S. Compensation Insights survey reveals the importance of both compensation and transparency regarding pay. According to the survey, 74% percent of millennials expect a pay raise every year in order to stay at their companies, versus 62% of baby boomers and 66% overall. Additionally, 40% of employees say they've only ever received a raise if they've asked for one, but this number is higher among younger employees.
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How company complaints can guide your organization’s growth
Candice Gottlieb-Clark Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMaybe it's human nature to complain. Don't we all have moments when we gripe or openly voice our frustration? And, if we're being honest, wouldn't we all agree that venting feels good? It's a release of stress, anxiety, frustration, fear, etc. The problem is we also view complaining as counterproductive to progress. Maybe it is. But have you ever considered that there is an upside to complaining? Consider this: When we complain, we are often viewing a situation from the lens of experience.
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Shipwrecked from a broken moral compass
Debra Josephson Abrams EducationIn "Rest your eyes and listen," we examined how using fables or true, personal stories can achieve any number of educational goals. This month, we're going to look at one particular fable, "Devorah and the Gold Coins." I chose this story for a couple of reasons: As I listened, I couldn't figure out where it was going; each time I thought I knew, my expectations were as twisted as the plot. And when it ended, I was left surprised but moreover, stupefied by the lesson it was teaching. I never saw it coming.
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Getting locked out of your RV: Prevention and action
Connie Ulman Recreation & LeisureGetting locked out of the RV has happened to the best of us. In this article, I will let you know the ways to prevent it from happening and the actions to take if it does happen. Some RV models are known for automatically locking when the door is closed. It is a good idea to ask the dealership or previous owner if your model is one of them and what can be done to avoid being locked out.