Alcohol Research

If you celebrated Valentine's Day, or Presidents' Day, or Mardi Gras with an adult beverage or two, you may have at least a passing interest in scientific research on the subject of alcohol.  The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism publishes (or possibly published, the latest issue came out in 2013) a journal devoted to the topic entitled "Alcohol Research: Current Reviews:" 

http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/journals-and-reports/alcohol-research

If, on the other hand, you just need to know how to cure a hangover, this page from Medline Plus may be helpful:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002041.htm.

National Institute of Justice

Criminals are getting more sophisticated every day.   The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is trying hard to keep law enforcement one step ahead of the bad guys.  "NIJ was created in 1969 and has been in the forefront of nearly every innovation in criminal justice research and policy ever since. Understanding the nature of criminal careers, the effects of sanctions, the ways technology can improve practice, and the operations of the criminal justice system have all been deeply influenced by NIJ research findings:" 

http://www.nij.gov/Pages/welcome.aspx

In essence, NIJ is where eggheads and gumshoes meet to try to keep John Q. Public safe from the hooligans.

African American History Month

February is Black History Month (or African American History Month, if you prefer).  Several federal agencies, including the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration, have pooled their resources to create a site dedicated to the event:
 
http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/index.html

It not only provides links to the legislative documents that created the commemoration, it also includes a wealth of multimedia materials about black history.  Since February is also American Heart Month, Canned Food Month, and National Cherry Month, you may want to enjoy some heart-healthy canned cherries while you explore.

Measles

Most people who go to Disneyland come home with just mouse ears and a sunburn, but several recent visitors have also come home with the measles.  Measles was "eliminated" from the U.S. in 2000, but it's still common in foreign countries, so international travelers bring it to the U.S. with them.  People who don't have an immunity to measles from a vaccine or from having had the disease can, and do, become infected.  This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about the symptoms of measles, as well as statistics, news about the recent outbreaks, and tips to help you avoid getting the disease:

http://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html

If you do contract the measles and decide to play "connect the dots," please remember not to use a permanent marker.

Project Blue Book Files

"The truth" about the Air Force's Project Blue Book has been out there for some time on microfilm (http://www.archives.gov/foia/ufos.html), but now a lot of it is also available online.  This story from the Air Force Times has all the details:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/01/17/air-force-ufo-files/21812539/

You'd think that since the majority of the population walks around with a camera in their hand all day every day we'd have lots more recent proof of UFOs, but I suppose you can't spot a UFO if you never look up at the sky.

SBA Learning Center

Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own small business?  Or, do you already own a small business and feel like you still have a lot to learn?  If so, the Small Business Administration stands ready to help.  In addition to all the basic information about starting and managing a small business provided on the SBA website, it also includes a "Learning Center" that offers detailed training materials like online courses, videos, and chat sessions: 

https://www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center

Dealing with government rules and taking advantage of government assistance may be some of the biggest challenges you'll face as a business owner, so who better to learn from than the government itself?

Super Tracker

Here at the beginning of a new year many people will be starting new diets or fitness programs.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created the Super Tracker site in order to support those efforts:

https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/default.aspx

It includes a "Food-a-pedia" with nutrition information about more than 8000 foods, a "Food Tracker," a "Physical Activity Tracker," and several other helpful features.  The site allows users to create a profile and track their progress toward meeting their goals.  Best wishes to those who, like me, will be trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle this year.