Nanotechnology is playing an increasing role in the manufacturing sector. GAO recently held a forum on the future of nanomanufacturing and its potential effects on U.S. competitiveness.
Listen to a podcast with GAO Chief Scientist Tim Persons on the highlights of the forum.
Hot drinks, fireplaces, space heaters—as people try to beat the cold, it makes sense to ensure that they’re ready to treat potential burn injuries. That’s why the first week in February is National Burn Awareness Week, an annual observation to promote awareness of burn injuries and to provide information on preventing burns. Each year, more than 500,000 people in the United States receive medical treatment for burn injuries. For Burn Awareness Week, we wanted to call attention to our work on preparing for large-scale burn emergencies, when possibly hundreds to thousands of people may need some type of burn care all at once. Continue reading
Heck of a lot of weather we’re having lately, with the polar vortex and record cold temperatures across the country. People rely on the weather forecast to determine how to be safe outdoors. This can also be important during hurricane season, as it was in October 2012 with Hurricane Sandy. As the hurricane was forming over the Atlantic Ocean, weather scientists were able to track the unusually large storm as it approached the U.S. Eastern seaboard and predict its path. Government authorities used this information to disseminate warnings and evacuation notices that likely saved countless lives. However, we have found that potential gaps in the availability of weather satellite data jeopardize the nation’s ability to accurately predict future weather events. Continue reading
Sexual abuse by school personnel is a matter of particular concern because of the trust placed in school employees.
Listen to our podcast with Director Kay Brown on GAO’s recent report on federal, state and school district efforts to prevent and address sexual abuse.
GAO’s workforce is organized largely by subject area, with most employees working in 1 of 14 mission teams. Today we’ll be putting the spotlight on the International Affairs and Trade (IAT) team, which works on a broad range of international topics assisting the global community in addressing challenging issues through objective research and oversight in order to improve global prosperity and peace. Continue reading
As an independent nonpartisan agency that reports to Congress, our work comes from 3 main sources:
As an agency, we focus on improving the operations of a large, complex federal government that is responsible for trillions of dollars. In 1990, we started a program to report on government operations that we identified as “high risk” due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or their need for fundamental transformation. Continue reading
Planning a vacation this winter? Each year, millions of people board cruise ships departing from U.S. ports. We have done work on the security and safety requirements for cruise vessels that may give you a better understanding of how cruise lines and U.S. agencies are supposed to protect you, the passenger. Continue reading
Tax filing season will begin soon and the Federal Trade Commission has named January 13-17th Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week to raise awareness and provide people with tips on how to protect themselves. We have done work on tax-related identity fraud, including a 2013 report on the extent of the problem. While the number of taxpayers with tax problems caused by identity theft represent a small percentage of the expected 140 million individual returns filed, for those affected, the problems can be quite serious. Continue reading
People frequently use financial planners for help with such things as selecting investments and insurance products, and managing tax and estate planning. Entrusting someone with your money can be risky. What steps can you take to mitigate that risk? We reviewed oversight of financial planners after the financial crisis. Continue reading