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Scientists: weight of water in reservoir may have triggered China quake
The May 2007 magnitude-7.9 quake in Sichuan province killed 70,000 and forced 5 million to be relocated; Just 550 yards from the fault line and 3.5 miles from the epicenter stands the 511-foot-high Zipingpu dam; scientists say that the immense weight of Zipingpu reservoir’s waters — 315 million tons — likely affected the timing and magnitude of the quake
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Bolstering cyber defense
Against the backdrop of tens of thousands of reported attacks and breaches of government and private computer systems each year, Cobham’s subsidiary awarded a $8.6 million contract to develop cybersecurity test and evaluation technology
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Doubling the service life of concrete
NIST researchers double the service life of concrete The key to the idea is a nano-sized additive that slows down penetration of chloride and sulphate ions from road salt, sea water, and soils into the concrete
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Cybersecurity contractor's network hacked
A large U.S. government contractor specializing in providing cybersecurity and privacy services, has warned its employees their personal information may have been stolen after hackers planted a virus on its computer network
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Data loss cost companies $6.6 million per breach
Customers lose faith in organizations that cannot keep data safe and take their business elsewhere; study of data breaches show that negligent companies lose on average more than $6 million per breach
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Breakthrough: New nuclear fusion-fission hybrid reactor
High power Compact Fusion Neutron Source (CFNS) would provide abundant neutrons through fusion to a surrounding fission blanket that uses transuranic waste as nuclear fuel; the fusion-produced neutrons augment the fission reaction, imparting efficiency and stability to the waste incineration process
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Decision on U.K. site for next generation nuclear reactor nears
The U.K. government has given the nuclear industry two months to choose a site for the next generation nuclear reactor; from 2010, developers will be able to apply for development permits for the sites chosen
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ASCE assigns Grade of D to U.S. infrastructure
Civil engineers association assigns a D grade to U.S. infrastructure, and says $2.2 trillion in repairs needed
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Bomb-proof concrete developed
Liverpool University researchers develop blast-resistant concrete; the Ultra High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete is able to absorb a thousand times more energy than conventional mixtures
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The five considerations in advancing video surveillance in security
Video surveillance has become an integral part of security; more CSOs are finding it is necessary to integrate video into overall IT security; Eric Eaton offers a good discussion of the five criteria that should be considered in an effective integration of video surveillance and IT security
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How long will the world's uranium deposits last?
At current consumption rates, the planet’s economically accessible uranium resources could fuel reactors for more than 200 years; further exploration and improvements in extraction technology are likely to at least double this estimate over time; if we extract uranium from seawater, and build breeder reactors, then supplies will last 30,000 to 60,000 years
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Check Point releases impressive FY2008, Q4 2008 financial results
IT security company Check Point release financial results for Q4 2008 and FY 2008; revenue increase 11 percent to $808.5 million; GAAP operating income was $356.5 million
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Certicom agrees to takeover by VeriSign
VeriSign’s $92 million bid is 40 percent higher than RIM’s failed hostile offer of $66 million
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Napolitano issues additional action directives
DHS secretary Napolitano issues additional Action Directives on cyber security and northern border strategy
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Smiths Detection shows active mm-wave detection system
Passive mm-wave detection systems pick up the mm-wave heat energy emitted by the body, which is used as a background reference point; active systems transmit mm-wave into the detection area to boost the level of energy overall, give a better return and a more detailed image
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More headlines
The long view
Falling Space Debris: How High Is the Risk I'll Get Hit?
An International Space Station battery fell back to Earth and, luckily, splashed down harmlessly in the Atlantic. Should we have worried? Space debris reenters our atmosphere every week.
Using Drone Swarms to Fight Forest Fires
Forest fires are becoming increasingly catastrophic across the world, accelerated by climate change. Researchers are using multiple swarms of drones to tackle natural disasters like forest fires.
Strengthening the Grid’s ‘Backbone’ with Hydropower
Argonne-led studies investigate how hydropower could help add more clean energy to the grid, how it generates value as grids add more renewable energy, and how liner technology can improve hydropower efficiency.
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.