According to The Scientist Magazine, UCSF’s J. David Gladstone Institutes is the best US academic institution to work for in 2008. The San Francisco university is immediately followed by Princeton University and the Trudeau Institute.

Some researchers are already feeling the pinch, with budget crises looming at many institutions. But thankfully, a few organizations are finding interim funding solutions. For many scientists, feeling good about their workplace isn’t only about funding and support, but it’s also about giving back to the community. Continue reading »

According to City Data, New York was the biggest city in the United States, in terms of housing and population, in 2006. It was followed by Los Angeles (California) - with almost four million people - and Chicago (Illinois) - with almost three million.

The rankings show an uneven distribution across North America. New York is by far the most populated city in the United States. With over eight million people, the city  attracts more than the double of the people looking for a home in any other part of the country. Continue reading »

According to September 2008 data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), lower unemployment rates in the United States can be found in Bismarck (North Dakota). The following US cities not very affected by the recession are Casper (Wyoming), Logan (Utah) and Sioux Falls (South Dakota). All of these cities registered some of the lowest unemployment rates in September 2008, at only 2.5%.

So if you are looking to find a job during these troubled times, you can avoid the largest cities and try finding something in smaller areas. Unemployment rates were higher in most metropolitan areas surveyed. More than 90% of cities have seen an increase in their unemployment rates. The national unemployment rate in September 2008 was 6%, up 1.5% from September 2007. Continue reading »

About.com presented a list of top ten Spanish cities for visitors, as recommended touristic destinations. Barcelona tops the list, followed by Madrid and Granada.

These are just some of the most popular cities to visit in Spain. Cities of Spain have gained recognition in terms of cultural diversity, economy and weather. Architectural marvels, such as Gaudi’s Sagrada in Barcelona, will simply amaze you. People are friendly and nightlife exciting. The cities of Spain are well connected by railways. The metro rails also operate in the metropolitan cities. Continue reading »

About.com presented a list of top ten Italian cities for visitors, as recommended touristic destinations. As expected, Rome tops the list, followed by Venice (Venezia) and Florence (Firenze).

Travel to these Italian cities by train, because driving in Italy may be very difficult and the extensive Italian train system is inexpensive and large Italian cities generally have good public transportation. Italy has many beautiful and historic cities worth a visit. Most city centers are well-suited to walking and parts of the city centers may be closed to transportation. Continue reading »