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U.S. DNA suppliers warned against bioterrorism threat
Analysts have expressed concern that DNA sequences can be abused to terrorize and harm entire populations without so much as a bang; the Department of Health and Human Services issued guidelines for the trade in customized DNA sequencing that, if abused, can lead to bioterrorism, with unforeseeable consequences.
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New guidelines for genetic screening to prevent bioterrorism split scientists
As the production of very accurate and valid scientific results from genetic screening has become more common among synthetic-biology companies, a fear that this ability will allow bioterrorists to exploit the system has arisen; there is a disagreement over the best method of genetic screening.
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Scientific conference in India to focus on explosives and advanced propellants systems
Explosive detection is a pressing issue for military leaders and law enforcement, a challenging issue for scientists and researchers, and a growing and attractive field for businesses and investors; leading Indian research organizations host a major conference on the subject
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Irish government urged to heed entrepreneurs to rebuild economy
An Irish scientist and entrepreneur urges to government must do more to protect investment in research to encourage the creation of ‘‘world class’’ Irish companies; Donald Fitzmaurice said there were three ‘‘key enabling technologies’’ in the world — biotechnology, nanotechnology, and information and communications technology. ‘‘They are important on their own but when they converge, they open up new important possibilities, such as new materials, artificial intelligence, modified biological entities”
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Rio to hire Giuliani as security consultant for 2016 Olympics
Giuliani will serve as a security adviser to the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro; In a meeting with Brazilian officials, Giuliani said he would bring to Rio’s favelas the same zero-tolerance policy he implemented in New York City while mayor.
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U.K. to launch IT skills school next year
The U.K. government has given the green light for launching an IT skills school; the U.K. technology sector requires 140,000 new IT recruits each year; the skills academy aims to turn out the kind of IT pros the industry is crying out for: those with both technical and business skills
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Fake Cisco serial numbers in $1 million Chinese computer parts scheme
Two Kansas men are accused of buying network gear in China, and then attaching fake Cisco serial numbers to the components, placing them in Cisco boxes, and selling them as Cisco products; security experts have warned that counterfeit networking gear could contain back doors that allow spies to conduct industrial espionage on U.S. companies
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Israeli company, Indian forensic institution, to develop and promote behavioral detection solution
Israeli company Suspect Detection Systems will teach behavioral detection technology at India’s elite Forensic Science University; the institute will become a gateway for Israeli technology and future research and development; the company claims its solution has already helped detect more than 150 crimes
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Growing demand for women bodyguards
The last couple of years have seen a rapid growth in demand for female body guards; female CEO’s, celebrities, even domestic violence victims say they want protection without the obvious looming tall, hulking man standing next to them; security professionals say that women bring another dimension — that women’s intuition – to the task
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Growing demand for women bodyguards
The last couple of years have seen a rapid growth in demand for female body guards; female CEO’s, celebrities, even domestic violence victims say they want protection without the obvious looming tall, hulking man standing next to them; security professionals say that women bring another dimension — that women’s intuition – to the task
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Freight forwarders urge TSA to create security standards
A recent DHS inspector general report highlighted weaknesses in TSA’s inspection of air cargo, and mad six recommendation for improvement; professional forwarders agree, but also say that the inspection process should be made more transparent and that inspectors should communicate with forwarders more openly
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DHS procurement office considers contract hybrids
Government agencies are supposed to be using performance-based contracting as much as possible, but this approach is not suitable for all procurements; DHS says it will begin to hybrid contracts which would blend different approaches
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Local entrepreneur starts a new software venture
Behavioral Recognition Systems was founded by Ray Davis, a Houston-based serial entrepreneur who raised $47 million in funding for a start-up which develops behavioral-detection software; the software does not have to be “taught” what is normal and abnormal behavior; the company claims that the software learns what is normal within a few weeks, so there is no need to program rule
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Making food safer offers business opportunities
Recalls, import alerts, and new regulations are all combining to put an increased emphasis on analytical food testing; instrument makers are seeing double-digit growth in the food safety market, even in a poor economy. In the lab, food scientists are working to develop faster, more sensitive methods that can broadly screen for both known and unknown contaminants.
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DHS looks to tamper-proof cargo containers
DHS has been looking into many different technologies to protect U.S. boarders since 9/11. Now, the department is looking to the for ideas to help enhance security where some argue it is needed most — down by the docks.
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More headlines
The long view
Ransomware Attacks: Death Threats, Endangered Patients and Millions of Dollars in Damages
A ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a company that processes 15 billion health care transactions annually and deals with 1 in 3 patient records in the United States, is continuing to cause massive disruptions nearly three weeks later. The incident, which started on February 21, has been called the “most significant cyberattack on the U.S. health care system” by the American Hospital Association. It is just the latest example of an increasing trend.
Chinese Government Hackers Targeted Critics of China, U.S. Businesses and Politicians
An indictment was unsealed Monday charging seven nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their involvement in a PRC-based hacking group that spent approximately 14 years targeting U.S. and foreign critics, businesses, and political officials in furtherance of the PRC’s economic espionage and foreign intelligence objectives.
European Arms Imports Nearly Double, U.S. and French Exports Rise, and Russian Exports Fall Sharply
States in Europe almost doubled their imports of major arms (+94 per cent) between 2014–18 and 2019–23. The United States increased its arms exports by 17 per cent between 2014–18 and 2019–23, while Russia’s arms exports halved. Russia was for the first time the third largest arms exporter, falling just behind France.
LNG Exports Have Had No Impact on Domestic Energy Costs: Analysis
U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) exports have not had any sustained and significant direct impact on U.S. natural gas prices and have, in fact, spurred production and productivity gains, which contribute to downward pressure on domestic prices.