Number: 251
Exportation of Industry
Description:
Documents will report the exportation of some part
of U.S. Industry to another country.
Narrative:
Relevant documents will identify the type of industry
being exported, the country to which it is exported; and as well
will reveal the number of jobs lost as a result of that exportation.
Number: 252
Topic: Combating Alien Smuggling
Description:
What steps are being taken by governmental or
even private entities world-wide to stop the
smuggling of aliens.
Narrative:
To be relevant, a document must describe an effort
being made (other than routine border patrols) in any
country of the world to prevent the illegal penetration
of aliens across borders.
Number: 253
Topic: Cryonic suspension services
Description:
Status report of the cryonic suspension industry-background
and future prospects.
Narrative:
Cryonics suspension is the practice of quick-freezing a human body
immediately upon death and its preservation in a nitrogen
environment for possible resuscitation in the event that a
cure is found for the cause of death. There was a rush by
some to have this done when it first became feasible, but only
by those wealthy enough to afford the freezing and long-term
storage fees. This search seeks to determine where the
industry is today; is it viable?
Number: 254
Topic: Non-invasive procedures for persons with heart ailments
Description:
The document will discuss all those cases in which medications and
procedures were used instead of or prior to heart surgery.
Narrative:
A relevant document will report/discuss those cases in which
persons diagnosed with heart ailments were treated with
medications and/or techniques such as angioplasty, stents, lasers,
arthrectomy (roto router) etc., in place of surgery. Also advantages
of non-invasive procedures over surgery and comparative studies
which show any disparity in longevity when either procedure is used.
Number: 255
Topic: Environmental Protection
Description:
Name countries that do not practice or ignore
environmental protective measures.
Narrative:
Nations that do not practice or ignore environmental
protective controls degrade the progress other nations
have made in this vital area. There are international
efforts to protect the environment. The actions of some
countries are of some concern, however, because they
may be ignoring efforts to conserve and protect
the world's resources. The objective of this topic is to
identify countries that do not have environmental controls.
Number: 256
Topic: Negative Reactions to Reduced Requirements
for College Undergraduate Core Studies
Description:
Colleges for a long time have been reducing their requirements
in such core subjects as history, literature, philosophy, and
science. Criticism of this trend has occurred. What are
those criticisms.
Narrative:
To be relevant, a document will provide negative
opinions/facts concerning the fact that colleges
have reduced their basic requirements for the granting
of degrees to undergraduates.
Number: 257
Topic: Cigarette Consumption
Description:
What data is available on cigarette consumption by country?
Narrative:
If cigarette smoking is a causative factor in
lung cancer, then countries with higher cigarette
consumption per capita might experience a higher incidence
of lung cancer. This topic would provide basic data for
such a comparison.
Number: 258
Topic: Computer Security
Description:
Identify instances of illegal entry into sensitive computer
networks by non-authorized personnel.
Narrative:
Illegal entry into sensitive computer networks is a
serious and potentially menacing problem. Both 'hackers'
and foreign agents have been known to acquire unauthorized
entry into various networks. Items relative this
subject would include but not be limited to instances of
illegally entering networks containing information of
a sensitive nature to specific countries, such as defense or
technology information, international banking, etc.
Items of a personal nature (e.g. credit card fraud, changing of
college test scores) should not be considered relevant.
Number: 259
Topic: New Kennedy Assassination Theories
Description:
A relevant document will provide new theories about
the 1960's assassination of President Kennedy.
Narrative:
Documents must provide new theories about the assassination
of President Kennedy that are contrary to the findings of
the Warren Commission. This does not mean the new theory
must indicate more than one assassin but merely dispute
any part of the Warren commission findings.
Number: 260
Topic: Evidence of human life
Description:
Evidence of the existence of human life 10,000 years ago.
Narrative:
To be relevant a document would show evidence that humans
existed in the New World 10,000 and more years ago.
The evidence could range from human hairs, tools, fossils,
etc. to bones of animals indicating human presence.
Relevant documents would have to specify the
evidence and the age suspected, as well as the basis for
any theory presented. Information on the Clovis Culture
would be relevant. Archaeology digs would probably be
related in some way to each relevant document.
Number: 261
Topic: Threat posed by Fissionable Material
Description:
Does the availability of fissionable material in the
former states of the Soviet Union and its susceptibility
to theft, pose a real and growing threat that terrorist
groups/terrorist states will acquire such
material and be able to construct nuclear weapons?
Narrative:
Under the terms of the strategic disarmament treaty with
the U.S., the states of the former Soviet Union have been
dismantling 2000 warheads each year. From each warhead a
shiny sphere of plutonium is extracted. These spheres,
called "pits", are the elemental cores of a bomb. In addition,
other forms of plutonium are scattered over the former Soviet
Union in institutes, laboratories, plants, shipyards and
power stations. Disgruntled employees, who are often underpaid
or paid irregularly have access to the plutonium. This worries
leaders in other countries. Enriched uranium, an alternate fuel,
is harder to come by because it is stored in well-guarded military
facilities, but it is easier to turn into a bomb. The Russians
have denied that it came through or from their country, but German
authorities believe that it did. Any item which speaks to failures
in the safeguarding of nuclear material or to black-market operations
in nuclear material, or to efforts of terrorist groups or terrorist
states to acquire such material would be relevant.
Number: 262
Topic: Seasonal affective disorder syndrome (SADS)
Description:
Is seasonal affective disorder syndrome (SADS), (also known
as seasonal absence of daylight syndrome), a worldwide disorder?
Narrative:
Relevant documents would contain any information that is discovered
on SADS in general. Of particular interest would be articles
of information on the person(s), type environment, location, social
class, etc. The overall desire is to know if this disorder affects
more people that live in areas where more dark hours are prevalant
over light hours or does it apply largely to people who are more used
to daylight and sunny hours versus dark and dreary hours.
Number: 263
Topic: Algae as Food Supplement
Description:
What is the value of algae as a food supplement?
Narrative:
A recent product that has come on the market is
Blue-Green Algae, grown in Klamath Lake in Oregon by the
Cell Tech Company. It is being promoted as a powerful food
supplement with many beneficial effects, and marketed through
direct sales in a pyramid-style company. That is, individual
dealers both sell the product directly to other individuals
and also recruit their customers to become dealers themselves,
and receive a commission on all sales made by their recruits,
and their recruits' recruits, etc. What is the opinion of
the scientific and health community about this product's value?
Is algae used as a food supplement anywhere else in the world?
Number: 264
Topic: U.S. Citizens in Foreign Jails
Description:
Identify instances where U.S. citizens have been or
are being held in foreign jails since the year 1900.
Narrative:
With International travel becoming more commonplace,
many travelers, whether due to ignorance of the law or
with criminal intent, are ending up in foreign jails.
Of interest is the country involved, the reason for the seizure
and jailing, and the sentence, if convicted. U.S. intervention,
if any, would also be of interest.
Number: 265
Topic: Domestic Violence
Description:
Document will report on domestic violence in the U.S.
Narrative:
A discussion of domestic violence and the amount of
sanctioned violence in American culture. Spousal abuse. Repeat
offenders. It has been noted that immigrant women
are especially vulnerable to domestic violence. The
cultures of their home countries often prevent these
women from seeking help.
Number: 266
Topic: Professional Scuba Diving
Description:
Where and for what purpose is scuba diving done professionally?
Narrative:
What are some jobs that involve scuba (self-contained
underwater breathing apparatus) diving? Where do scuba divers
work frequently? Who hires scuba divers?
Number: 267
Topic: Firefighter Training
Description:
Should U.S. firefighters incorporate training in procedures
and equipment utilized by foreign firefighters to improve
capability of coping with ever-changing firefighting
conditions?
Narrative:
Many firefighting associations have expressed the need for
U.S. personnel to share their training and technical abilities
with similar foreign personnel and organizations in order to
amalgamate foreign skills and experiences into U.S. procedures.
Is this possible under austere governmental funding where
substantial money would be required? This exchange of
information would significantly benefit U.S. firefighting
personnel who are under pressure to cope with new and changing
problems in the urban areas.
Number: 268
Topic: Cost of national defense
Description:
Compare the amount of money spent by the U.S. for
national defense with the amount of money spent by
another country.
Narrative:
To be relevant a document should show cost figures for
national defense by a country and compare that figure
with cost figures for the U.S. It can be the cost for
the total defense or a cost for a portion of the defense,
such as the cost for just the ground forces, a fleet of ships,
intelligence services, etc. Dollar figures can be rounded off
such as "four billion" or "4.5 billion". The cost of one defense
item would also be relevant, such as a nuclear submarine or an
antitank weapon.
Number: 269
Topic: Foreign Trade
Description:
Define instances of the use of foreign trade as an instrument
to achieve national and foreign policy objectives.
Narrative:
Objective is to determine the frequency of the use of
foreign trade by nations in order to achieve national
or foreign policy objectives. Such actions run counter to
the goal of free trade. Relevancy factors are to identify
any nation which uses trade to achieve a foreign policy
objective.
Number: 270
Topic: Control of Food Supplements
Description:
Should the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercise
more stringent control over the labelling and sale of
food supplements.
Narrative:
Food supplements include vitamins, herbal preparations,
minerals and amino acids. It is estimated that nearly
half of all Americans take some dietary supplement every day.
Until recent years there has been little concern that there
has been no federal rules covering this four billion dollar
a year industry. The government has become concerned with the
purity of the products, and points to deaths and injuries which
have occurred because of the contamination of certain
supplements. The government is also concerned about
the exaggerated claims made for some products, and the
lack of warning labels on the products. Those who take
the opposite side of the argument say that the FDA wants
to eventually control supplements as if they were drugs.
Any item which addresses either side of the argument would be
relevant.
Number: 271
Topic: Solar Power
Description:
To what extent is solar power used as an alternative to
fossil fuels in various countries worldwide?
Narrative:
Although the development of solar power as a major energy
source has progressed slowly, in some parts of the world
it is used extensively. Where and for what purposes?
Number: 272
Topic: Outpatient Surgery
Description:
Medically, is outpatient surgery more prevalant now than
ever before?
Narrative:
Relevant documents would contain information on who employs
this practice (info can be on a worldwide basis); what does
it cover; has it been a cost effective measure; is it driven
by the hospital insurance industry; and also of interest
would be any legal actions that may have arisen from this practice.
Number: 273
Topic: Volcanic and Seismic activity levels
Description:
This topic seeks to determine if there has been a
significant, noticeable increase in volcanic and
seismic (earthquake) activity.
Narrative:
The scientific community and the new age writers
are converging on the phenomena of increased levels
of volcanic eruption (and of greater magnitude) and
higher levels of seismic (earthquake) activity.
The study will examine reporting to seek to determine if these
perceptions are valid.
Number: 274
Topic: Electric Automobiles
Description:
What are the latest developments in production of electric
automobiles.
Narrative:
The economic feasibility of electric automobiles
appears to be limited by the limited range of operation between
recharges of batteries. What progress has been made?
Number: 275
Topic: Herbal Food Supplements/Natural Health
Care Products
Description:
Evidence indicating that herbal food supplements or
nature products has caused harm to humans.
Narrative:
To be relevant the product must be identified as to
the type of herb, natural product, or commercial name.
The document should show some evidence of the harm
suffered by an individual who consumed the product.
Products are usually sold by "nature" stores and used
as dietary supplements or medicines and are not regulated.
These products are sometimes labeled as "health care products".
They are used worldwide and sometimes prescribed by doctors
and people associated with alternative medicine research.
Number: 276
Topic: Imposition of a school uniform or dress code
Description:
The document will discuss the pros and cons of students
wearing a school uniform or adhering to a dress code.
Narrative:
A relevant document will report on the value or positive gains
in schools which have a school uniform or dress code in terms
of department and educational gains, positive gains, i.e.,
less crime and better scholastic achievement in schools which have
recently adopted a uniform/dress code. Alternatively the article
could discuss the negative effects of school uniforms or dress codes.
Number: 277
Topic: Civilian Deaths from Land Mines
Description:
How many civilian deaths have been caused
by land mines (by country and year).
Narrative:
Sentiment has been growing for an international
prohibition of land mines because of the difficulty of
removing these weapons after cessation of hostilities.
How serious is this problem?
Number: 278
Topic: DNA Information about Human Ancestry
Description:
A relevant document will discuss geneticists findings
concerning the ancestry of the world's peoples.
Narrative:
To be relevant, a chosen item will discuss the genetic
code research currently being done to determine the
mysteries of mankind's origins and migrations.
Number: 279
Topic: Earth magnetic pole shifting
Description:
This topic will explore reporting on the
possible shifting of the earth's magnetic poles.
Narrative:
Some current literature, scientific and popular, is
reporting evidence of the shifting of the earth's
magnetic poles. The degree of shifting is in dispute
as well as whether this shifting will continue and
the possible consequences of such shifting. Besides
the obvious effect on navigational aids, a major shift
could bring about a realignment of earth's axis and a
rotation of the earth on its axis with dire consequences.
Number: 280
Topic: Ban on Ivory Trade
Description:
How effective has the ban on ivory trade been in
protecting the elephant from extinction?
Narrative:
An international agreement banning trade in ivory was
reached in 1990. What effect has this had on the elephant
population, if any? Have other steps been taken?
Number: 281
Topic: Genetic code of yeast
Description:
To be relevant a document must identify some benefit that
scientists hope to gain from deciphering the genetic code
of yeast.
Narrative:
This benefit should relate to human cells since yeast cells
are so closely related to human cells. Researchers have
been using yeast to study the fundamentals of genetics and
scientists have long recognized that yeast provided insights
into ways human cells work. Relevant documents should answer
questions such as: What genes found in yeast have the same
relative functions as genes found in humans? Identify the
full genetic sequence or pattern of yeast. Identify a gene
that reacts the same way on a yeast cell and a human cell.
Number: 282
Topic: Violent Juvenile Crime
Description:
Is violent juvenile crime a global issue?
Narrative:
A relevant document would contain information on violent
juvenile crime (murder, rape, armed robbery etc.) occurring
throughout the world.
Number: 283
Topic: China Trade
Description:
Has the China trade policy had a positive effect on
U.S. consumers?
Narrative:
Chinese manufacturers' exploitation of the labor force
and poor working conditions have brought criticism from
the U.S. and some European organizations, particularly
organized labor unions. They contend that U.S. consumers
are being offered products inferior in both quality of
material and workmanship. U.S. companies allege that,
with using foreign manufacturers, consumer costs remain
relatively stable with minimal degradation in quality and
workmanship of the product involved.
Number: 284
Topic: International Drug Enforcement Cooperation
Description:
Identify instances where it is shown that international cooperation
is taking place in an effort to combat the worldwide drug problem.
Narrative:
Drugs are a critical problem being experienced throughout
the world. International Cooperation will be required if this
problem is to be alleviated. Examples of relative documents would
be those related to shared information regarding shipments
across international borders as well as sharing of information with
various prosecutors and other law enforcement personnel.
Number: 285
Topic: World submarine forces
Description:
Determine the number of submarines, both nuclear-
powered and conventional, presently in the inventories
of all the countries in the world.
Narrative:
We are looking for a count of operable submarines in
any country that currently has a navy with submarines.
To be relevant a document should give a specific number
of submarines, but not necessarily its entire fleet of
submarines (although, that is our ultimate goal).
A report of a French submarine suffering a mishap
in the North sea would not be relevant. However, a report
of a new submarine being built in Shanghai that contains
other valuable information, such as "this is the third
reported unit constructed at this base" would be relevant.
Any information that would be considered useful as an
intelligence tool in determining a country's submarine
order of battle would be relevant.
Number: 286
Topic: Paper Cost
Description:
Why is the cost of paper rising?
Narrative:
In the last year or so the publishing industry is said
to have faced a 40% increase in the cost of paper. What
factors have led to this price rise? Is there a shortage of
materials? Has the cost of processing risen? Have higher
taxes been imposed?
Number: 287
Topic: Electronic Surveillance
Description:
Individual privacy rights vs electronic surveillance
Narrative:
Does electronic surveillance by an organization of
its employees violate that individual's privacy rights.
Need information where electronic surveillance is being
used and to what degree by an organization. Also require
documents which reveal laws and regulation governing the
rights of an organization to electronically survey its
employees. Reports which indicate the circumstances which
caused the organization to start electronic surveillance
are relevant. Other relevant documents may reflect
information on an employee suing over his right to privacy
and the circumstances of the event. Look for what are
most of the verdicts in these cases. Also a relevant
report would be one where other approaches are being
considered to offset this growing problem between an
individual's right to privacy and the security of an organization.
Number: 288
Topic: Weight Control/Diets
Description:
Document will report on weight control and diets in
the U.S.
Narrative:
Sports nutrition leaders say the key to controlling weight,
while fueling yourself properly for activity, is to eat the
right kind of foods at the optimum time. More than a third
of U.S. women and nearly a quarter of U.S. men are trying to
lose weight at any one time, according to a report by the NIH.
Evidence presented at an NIH Conference showed that diets
fail the majority of time. Some therapists believe that
overweight people need to learn to accept themselves, forget
their obsession of losing weight and get on with their lives.
Number: 289
Topic: For-profit hospitals
Description:
How will the emergence of chains of for-profit hospitals
affect the hospital industry and the provision of health
care?
Narrative:
Over the past several years some community hospitals have
been forced to close, and others have seen their bed
occupancy rate drop to low levels. Entrepreneurs have
bought up inefficiently operated hospitals, and have
formed them into large chains. The Columbia Healthcare
Corporation has been very active in this area, and by
October 1993 it had created a chain of 190 hospitals. Critics
of these chains argue that they could limit consumer choice and
eventually raise costs as the chains became more powerful. They also
say that the concentration on the bottom line could have an adverse
effect on health care, particularly if doctors are offered an equity
stake in the operations. Any item which discusses the formation and
management of hospital chains, or which discusses how the chains
affect other hospitals or the provision of health care would be
relevant.
Number: 290
Topic: Foreign automobile manufacturers in U.S.
Description:
What is the impact of foreign automobile manufacturers
locating their plants in the United States?
Narrative:
Relevant documents would contain information on the impact
on the economies within the U.S. locations; impact on foreign
locations such as the increase/loss of revenue and/or employment;
and/or increase or decrease in the cost of the vehicles.
Number: 291
Topic: Source of taxes
Description:
Source of taxes for major countries of the world excluding
the U.S.
Narrative:
To be relevant a document would examine, explain or otherwise
identify taxes paid by citizens of a major country other than
the United States. The revenue gained from the taxes would
be intended for the government to be used for the benefit
of all citizens. They would include but not be limited to
such taxes as income tax, sales tax, property tax, etc.
A relevant document should include some evidence of a
percentage rate, amount, or other measure indicating how
much revenue is involved.
Number: 292
Topic: Worldwide Welfare
Description:
Identify social programs for poor people in
countries other than the U.S.
Narrative:
To be relevant a document would identify a welfare
program in a foreign country and explain how it works
to aid citizens who have little or no income. It would
include those who can't work because of a disability and
people who have the extra burden of small children.
The document should indicate how these people are
supported or not supported. A relevant document
should identify the source of the monies used to
support such welfare programs.
Number: 293
Topic: Evacuation of U.S. Citizens by U.S. Military
Description:
Evacuation of U.S. Citizens by U.S. Military since the
year 1900
Narrative:
The U.S. Military has many times been called upon to evacuate
non-combatant U.S. personnel from Foreign Countries. Identify
instances where U.S. military personnel have been called on
to evacuate non-military U.S. citizens from possible chaotic
and dangerous situations around the world.
Evacuation of military personnel should not be considered
relevant unless accomplished in concert with the evacuation
of civilians.
Number: 294
Topic: Animal husbandry for exotic animals
Description:
This topic will seek out reporting on the commercial
growth of animal husbandry relating to "different"
or "exotic" animals as opposed to the usual poultry,
cattle, pigs, sheep, etc.
Narrative:
This study will attempt to discover the viability and
economic prospects of commercial attempts to raise "exotic"
animals. Some of the animals currently being raised are:
llamas, emus, ostriches, mohair goats, alpacas, buffalo,
catfish, crawfish, reindeer, rhea, trout, salmon, oyster,
and shrimp.
Number: 295
Topic: Deaths from Scuba Diving
Description:
What deaths have resulted from scuba diving?
Narrative:
I am looking for actual examples of people who have
died while they were scuba diving, or of deaths that
have occurred later but were the result of scuba diving.
Quantitative reports of the number of deaths are relevant.
Deaths from natural causes such as heart or asthma attacks
are relevant if the attack occurred while the person was
scuba diving.
Number: 296
Topic: Trash TV
Description:
Has the popularity of trash TV in the USA led to the
spread of such "entertainment" in other countries?
Narrative:
To be relevant, a document will discuss foreign (to the U.S.)
TV programming that is similar to the daytime, sensational
and weird type of TV programming now popular in the U.S.?
Number: 297
Topic: Right To Die - Pros and Cons
Description:
Right To Die - Pros and Cons
Narrative:
Circumstances surrounding death have changed in the
last 30 years. Even dying has become an ordeal, especially
for patients and families who are not well informed about
their choices. Look for relevant documents which reflect
legal and ethical issues and current thinking about death.
Documents which reveal how nursing homes are prolonging
life through artificial means because of possible legal
problems are relevant. Documents on euthanasia are relevant.
Reports which reflect types and definition of euthanasia are
also relevant. Look for articles which report on the laws
and regulation governing when medical treatments may be
discontinued thereby causing death and laws which grant
patients the right to refuse medical treatment. Some form of
euthanasia is currently acceptable in some countries throughout the
world, these are all relevant.
Number: 298
Topic: Gun Control
Description:
What countries have enforced strict gun control
measures since 1950?
Narrative:
There is much controversy over whether "gun control"
is effective in reducing violent crimes. Inspecting
the experience of countries that have enforced such
restrictions over a period of years should help answer
the question.
Number: 299
Topic: Impact on local economies of military downsizing
Description:
What has been the impact on local economies caused by U.S.
Military downsizing and base closure at U.S. and Foreign
soil locations?
Narrative:
Relevant documents would contain information on the financial
impact (revenue lost); employment impact (jobs lost); real
estate impact (use of facilities); as well as any gains derived
through continued use of the facilities for other purposes.
Number: 300
Topic: Air Traffic Control Systems
Description:
To be relevant, an item will concern a commercial airline
accident anywhere in the world and consider, if not outright
attribute, the casualty to a difficulty (either mechanical
or human) with an air traffic control system.
Narrative:
The U.S. National Air Traffic Controllers Association
frequently warns that air traffic control systems around
the world are inadequate and that personnel are frequently
overworked. Is there evidence in investigation data that
the mechanical and human systems worldwide frequently
contribute to airliner casualties?