http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/cholera/index.html

Cholera is a disease which can spread quickly and it has certainly presented some tremendous challenges for public health officials and experts in recent times. This fascinating online collection brings together 221 English language monographs dating from 1817 to 1900 which deal with the cholera epidemics of that period. This project was undertaken by the National Library of Medicine, and the selection of documents was informed and inspired by the 315-page "Bibliography of Cholera" compiled by John Shaw Billings in 1875. First-time visitors would do well to start by reading the "Introduction" section before jumping in to the remainder of the site. After that, visitors can click on the "Read the Books" section to peruse the offerings by author, subject, date, and even location. The "Images" area is even better, as visitors can take in images organized by such thoughtful themes as "Social Commentary", Patients and Victims", and "Urban Outbreaks and Hygiene". [KMG]

http://dels.nas.edu/bls/stemcells/

Stem cells continue to make news headlines on a daily basis, and for research scientists, journalists, and members of the general public, it's important to have access about developments in the field. One particularly fine resource is available on this site provided by the National Academies. Educators and the generally curious may wish to start exploring the site by clicking on the "Stem Cell Basics" area. Here they can download the booklet "Understanding Stem Cells", or just peruse the interactive online version. Moving on, visitors can then look at the amended document titled "Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research", which was first published in 2005, and then amended in 2007. Interested parties can also submit their own comments on these guidelines directly via an email link on the site. Finally, visitors can also sign up for email updates and look at the "Reports" area, which includes six substantive reports dating back to 2002. [KMG]

http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/adult_resources/memory_maps/index.html

The relationship between people and the places they inhabit has always been intriguing. While exploring this relationship, many have also considered the various objects associated with particular geographic areas, such as prints and paintings. This rather engaging project from the Victoria and Albert Museum serves as a way to explore some of these questions. Designed as a collaboration between Professor Marina Warner of the University of Essex and the Museum, the work here currently focuses on an exploration into the city of Essex. Visitors can begin by reading an essay titled "What are Memory Maps?" by Professor Warner and then proceed to read a series of pieces by contemporary writers on Essex. After that, visitors should move on to look over the selected paintings and drawings which depict the city through watercolors, sculpture, and other forms of artistic expression. The site is rounded out by a selection of weblogs created by artists and writers working on this project. [KMG]

http://www.demos.org/pubs/byathread_AA&Latino.pdf

As more policy analysts and academics express concerns about the faltering economy, a number of think tanks and like-minded organizations are offering up research reports on how these changes are affecting various segments of American society. This recent 24-page report released in February 2008 looks at the economic problems faced by African-Americans and Latinos. The report was created by the Demos organization and researchers at Brandeis University, and it finds that one in four African-American and fewer than one in five Latino middle-class families in America are financially secure. The team of researchers came to this finding by measuring the financial security of the middle class by looking at five core economic factors, including housing costs, budget, and health care. Along with describing this situation, the report also offers some significant policy recommendations, which include expanding access to higher education and helping to stop discriminatory lending practices. [KMG]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/kosovo

Kosovo has certainly been in the news quite a bit as of late, as it declared its independence from Serbia in February 2008. Many people may be craving more information and thoughtful commentary on this new country, and they would do well to turn to this helpful site. Created by staff members at the Guardian, the site contains up-to-date news pieces on the country, along with long-form investigative pieces on the country's political climate. Visitors can also view short videos on the site, participate in online forums, and also look through a "Q&A" section. One can imagine that this site would be a fine resource for a political science or world geography class, and it may spark a new interest for some in the affairs of southeastern Europe. [KMG]

http://www.socialwatch.org/en/portada.htm

Taken as a whole, Social Watch as an international network of citizens' groups concerned with the "fulfillment of internationally agreed commitments on poverty eradication and equality." These citizens' groups are also responsible for submitting national reports, promoting dialogue about these development priorities, and developing an inclusive strategy in order to bring other groups into the fold. For persons with an interest in these matters, this site will prove quite indispensable. Along the top of their homepage, visitors can view country reports, learn about development indicators through interactive maps, and also read up on the progress towards these goals. Visitors should also take a look at their annual reports, which provide both an executive summary and detailed regional reports on such matters as gender equity and poverty eradication efforts. The site also contains links to other relevant organizations and conferences, including the World Summit for Social Development and the World Conference on Women. [KMG]

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/index.htm

Over the past several decades, the European Union has grown increasingly concerned about their ever-growing amounts of trash and other assorted rubbish. Ever year, the European Union throws away approximately 1.3 billion metric tons of waste, along with approximately 700 million metric tons of agricultural waste. With that in mind, they established a unified approach to waste management and disposal. This site provides information both on this approach and details about related matters, including the dismantling of ships, sewage treatment, and the incineration of waste. After reading the brief introduction to this topic provided on the homepage, visitors can look over the thematic list of topics along the left-hand side of this page. In each area, visitors can read about various activities, including proposed legislation, working papers, and scientific reports. Two sections which should not be overlooked include the "Sustainable Use of Natural Resources" and the "Integrated Product Policy" area. [KMG]

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/

Started in 1960 by the U.S. Congress, the East-West Center's primary purpose is "to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States." To accomplish this purpose, the Center serves as a functional hub for education, cooperative research, and scholarly dialogue. On their homepage, visitors can look over the latest news from scholars at the Center, look over a list of upcoming events sponsored by the Center, and also learn about some of their most recent publications. Academics visiting the site may wish to click on over to the "Research" area. Here they will find information on their primary areas of interest, which include population and health, environmental change, and politics and governance. Finally, visitors should look at their "Publications" area, as it includes free downloads, abstracts, and access to ordering information. [KMG]