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Tracing Illegal Guns

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

May 23, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Albuquerque, Pennsylvania

A publicly available online platform launched by the New York Attorney General fills in big data gaps on guns being used in crimes and trafficked from elsewhere. “We were able to get a snapshot really quickly of where the worst guns are ending up and where they started.” The data can establish groundwork for interstate trafficking cases and also inform policy decisions and New York is happy to share the technology other communities can build their own databases.

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Despite Many Threats, Some Coral Reefs Are Thriving

Paul Tullis

May 23, 2018 |

bioGraphic |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Cook Islands, Rarotonga

The 100 Island Challenge is a project through the University of California, San Diego to use photos and complex mapping programs to assess the health of coral reefs. Despite media attention declaring the demise of reefs, early stages of this research has shown that protective factors, like areas with less pollution, can help preserve reefs. By getting buy-in from local governments and working with local fisheries, the 100 Island Challenge is working to use new knowledge around coral reefs to lessen the effects of climate change on these precious ecosystems.

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The women's health advocates pitching the end of cervical cancer

Catherine Cheney

May 22, 2018 |

Devex |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Uttar Pradesh

90 percent of cervical cancer deaths occur in countries where preventative care is unavailable. An organization called TogetHER is leading the charge to eradicate cervical cancer deaths by raising funds to distribute HPV vaccinations worldwide and integrating cervical cancer screenings into women's health clinics as part of routine care.

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Irrigation at the Ute Farm and Ranch is State of the Art. But Nature Has to Provide the Water

Austin Cope

May 22, 2018 |

KSJD |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Colorado

When faced with a water shortage due to the lack of snowfall and rain in the region, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe had to get creative in order to improve irrigation methods for their ranch and farm. Although not without limitations, the Ute farm has implemented a series of high-tech measures to conserve water and other resources.

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Switzerland's new algorithm could get up to 30% more refugees into work

Jack Graham

May 18, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Switzerland, Bern

Switzerland will soon be piloting a new algorithm to help refugees find jobs. The algorithm uses "machine learning to match geographic employment outcomes with refugees’ personal characteristics, such as gender, age and nationality." Researchers found that using the algorithm would have helped 41% more refugees to be employed between 2011 and 2016, but "real world" impact is yet to be measured. However, there are concerns about transparency and fairness.

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Paint the Town with Data in Boston's New 3D Model

Sandra Larson

May 16, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

A newly developed 3D smart model of the city of Boston will be accessible to the public, allowing anyone to look at projects being built, areas prone to flooding, and even how shadows affect the city. Different map views also show zoning, public transportation lines, schools, and more. The openness of this model is providing groundbreaking access to information that will help both citizens and the local government plan better for Boston’s future.

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Adaptation to Global Water Shortages

Raisa Scriabine

May 16, 2018 |

KCET-TV |

Video |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Morocco, Id Soussane

Two very different part of the world – California’s Central Valley and Western Morocco – are learning to adapt to water shortages. In the Central Valley, finding and treating water in a notoriously drought-ridden state has been challenging, but a series of connected water districts experimenting with processes like reverse osmosis has showed promise. Halfway across the world, they’ve been using fog collection as a non-traditional method of capturing water so that the rural villages in Morocco can have access to water after decades of water shortages.

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Treating violence like a disease helped cut Colombia's murder rate by 82%

Edward Siddons

May 15, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Cali

Colombia used a public health model of prevention to attack violent crime and has seen the homicide rate drop by 82 percent. The approach required the work of numerous public sectors, not just law enforcement, and a reliance on data to drive strategy. The country still has a higher-that-average murder rate, but the experience of several cities taking this approach offers key lessons for others to follow.

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How Healthy Soil Practices Balance Anecdotal and Scientific Observation

Christopher Biddle

May 15, 2018 |

KSJD |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Gunnison, Colorado

There's a movement rising to promote better cattle farming practices through the use of healthy soil, which means introducing more carbon into the land. Farmers throughout the agriculture industry are finding that by feeding cattle in carbon poor pastures, they are able to rejuvenate the land through leftover carbon-rich hay and manure.

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Games in government: How to get public servants excited about work

Jennifer Guay

May 15, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London

Games can help government employees feel more engaged in their work. The United Kingdom’s Department of Work and Pensions uses a game called Idea Street to encourage innovation, and the City of Louisville, Kentucky, awards digital badges for creativity and collaborations. Sustaining staff interest in games can be a challenge. It helps to have clear rules and to align games with the top motivations of employees.

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