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One-time passcode generator for mobile devices unveiled
The safest password in the world is one which is used only once, then discarded; California company launches a one-time pass code genrator
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Airwave emergency communication radios "seriously flawed"
In 2002 London launched a £3 billion emergency communication service; 7/7 highlighted shortcomings in the system, and a new study finds that two years later the system is still flawed
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Many 7/7 attack victims are still dealing with its repercussions
Those who survive a terrorist attack have many problems to cope with, and government bureaucracies set up to help vitims are often not as nimble as we would hope
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The day of smart CCTV nears
Developments in observational techniques, when married with remote surveillance cameras, will allow CCTVs not only to identify perpatrators after the fact, but identify them before they commit the terrorist or criminal act
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Surveillance society: CCTVs in the U.K.
The United Kingdom has 1 percent of the world’s population, it occupies 0.2 percent of the world’s inhabitable land mass, but it accounts for more than 20 percent of the world’s CCTV cameras
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Terrorists' tactics may be shifting
In addition to its signature operations, which emphasize long planning and preparation for spectacular attacks, al-Qaeda appears to have launched a parallel track, involving quick-hit strikes against soft Western targets
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Vibration energy harvesting moves forward
The periodic replacement of batteries is not feasible for embedded applications and is highly unattractive in wireless sensor networks containing hundreds of sensor nodes; harvesting vibration energy is the answer
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It could be worse: Doctors may use knowledge, access in plots
The eight suspected arrested in the U.K. after last week’s terror attacks are either doctors or members of the health profession
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Making fertilizer safer
Timothy McVeigh showed how destructive common ferilizers can be; University of Kentucky researcher is trying to make them safer
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State-owned Dubai fund buys stake in EADS
Dubai fund acquires stake in EADS; fund will not seek seat on board or role in management
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DARPA looks to launch UAVs with ballistic missiles
UAVs are used more and more for both intelligence gathering and attack missions; the problem is to bring them on station, and DARPA wants to use ballistic missiles for that
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The day of smart garments nears
Embedding monitoring devices and transmitters in garments would allow for continuous monitroing of one’s vital signs and location
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U.S., coalition armies examine new ways to reduce friendly fire accidents
U.S. and coalition militaries test new technologies, operational concepts to reduce instances of friendly fire
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Fighting terrorism with high-tech
Study argues that old-fashioned collective punishment measures are not effective in the campaign against terrorism; high-tech is
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The U.K. attacks: First thoughts
Intelligence sources warn that the U.K. attacks signal a hot terrorist summer in Europe; terrorists appear to prefer spectacular mass-casualty attacks to economic disruption
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The long view
Aliens can’t reach Earth because of gravity
If there are aliens out there, on large planets like Jupiter or on slightly smaller planets called super-Earths, why have they not yet come to visit us? Scientists say aliens living on distant planets can’t cruise the cosmos because of gravity. To launch the equivalent of an Apollo moon mission, a rocket on a super-Earth would need to have a mass of about 440 000 tons because of fuel requirements.
Ambulance drones a reality in five years
Would you hop into a driverless drone and let it fly off with you? In a few years you may have the chance to do just that. Autonomous drones with room for passengers could become a reality within five years. They have many potential uses. Taxi drones are now being tested in Dubai. In Norway, researchers are working on developing ambulance drones.
Resilience vs. retreat in the face of climate change
More than 250 million people will be displaced by climate change by 2050. No nation will be able to escape the consequences of climate change, but Small Island Developing States (SIDS)—such as the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, and the Bahamas—will be some of the hardest hit. “Retreat” is a word that frequently comes up in this context: the idea being that people will need to move out of the lands that are most at risk.
Helping banking industry address climate-related risks, opportunities
Sixteen leading banks from four continents, convened by the UN Environment Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), have published a jointly developed methodology to increase banks’ understanding of how climate change and climate action could impact their business.
Water security key to unlocking African prosperity
There is mounting evidence of the risks posed by water scarcity to business and economic growth. A 2012 projection by the International Food Policy Research Institute says 45 percent of total GDP — $63 trillion — will be at risk due to water stress by 2050. With coordinated action, better water provision in Africa will strengthen economic growth and unlock the path to prosperity for millions, according to SABMiller’s Chief Executive Alan Clark.
Freshwater vulnerability threatens developing nations' stability
Many nations and regions already facing uncertain political futures must contend with a growing threat to stabilization: freshwater vulnerability. An analysis of 119 low-income countries finds common challenges that could inform broad solutions.