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Uniloc offers StrongPoint to protect critical infrastructure
U.S. critical infrastructure is controlled by Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) networks; in the innocent pre-9/11 years, emphasis had been placed on performance, reliability, and safety, leaving these networks prone to attack; Uniloc shows physical device “fingerprint”-based solution to make SCADA networks more secure
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Chevron, Weyerhaeuser to develop fuels from non-food sources
Using food crops such as corn to produce fuel may not be such a good idea after all, as the contribution to pushing up the price of corn-based fuel would likely be greater than the contribution to reduce oil dependence or clean up the environment; two companies offer a way out
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Planning ahead in Scotland
Building infrastructure — roads, bridges, tunnels, dams — is expensive; Abertay University Ph.D. student develops virtualization software which allows infrastructure planners to produce 3D models of developments before a single brick is laid
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Storing wind energy in batteries
Integrating variable wind and solar power production with the needs of the power grid is a major problem of these two alternative sources of energy; a Minnesota company will test technology to to store wind energy and move it to the electricity grid when needed
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Maryland leaders worry about shift in DHS priorities after elections
Because of its proximity to the nation’s capital, the Baltimore metro area and Washington suburbs are particularly vulnerable to terrorist activity, Maryland leaders say; they want attention to security increased, not decreased
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Israeli clean-car project largest recipient of VC clean-tech funding in 2007
Israeli electric car venture raises $200 million in first round financing — the largest single recipient of VC cleantech funding in 2007; total VC 2007 investment in cleantech: More than $3 billion
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Three new wind farms in U.K.
Three new wind farms will have a combined output of 215 MW, which is enough to supply renewable energy to 109,000 homes; next year U.K. will overtake Denmark in percentage of national power generated by wind
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Water shortages lead Saudis to end grain production
Growing wheat takes a lot of water; Saudi Arabia never had much water, and its rapidly growing population puts more pressure on whatever water resources there are; Saudi Arabia’s decision: The kingdom will begin reducing production annually by 12.5 percent from next year and will use imports to bridge the domestic consumption gap
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More than $3 billion lost in 2007 in phishing attacks
New survey shows the 3.6 million U.S. adults lost an average $886 each to phishing schemes, totaling in $3.2 billion loss; the good news: More victims were able to recover some of their losses relative to previous years; phishing and malware attacks will continue to increase through 2009 because it is still a lucrative business for the perpetrators
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NSF, Google, IBM in strategic relationship on Internet-scale computing
To bridge the gap between industry and academia, it is important that academic researchers are exposed to the emerging computing paradigm behind the growth of Internet-scale applications
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Experts: Australia must take lead on climate change
Australia is more economically vulnerable than any other wealthy nation to the effects of global warming; new report says: “Australia would be a big loser — possibly the biggest loser among developed nations — from unmitigated climate change”
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Study: Costs of solar panels far exceeds benefits
There is growing interest in solar power, but the cost of solar panels still exceeds their benefits, a University of California economist says; even under the most extreme assumptions — a 5 percent annual increase in electricity costs and 1 percent interest rate — the cost of solar PV is about 80 percent greater than the value of the electricity it will produce
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BlastGard shows new airport security tool
A mobile suspect package removal unit with blast-mitigating bomb receptacle will help hold and remove suspected explosive packages until the bomb squad arrives; new system would make it unnecessary to shut down an airport for long periods, which is a good thing, since it is estimated that an airport incurs losses of approximately $150,000 for every minute it is shut down
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How to protect corporate secrets from outsiders -- and insiders
A secret can be lost in the blink of an eye, but getting information back under wraps can take forever; John Edwards offers a few useful tips on how corporations can become more secure
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Toshiba tests liquid sodium fast reactor
Toshiba notices the growing interest in nuclear power, and opens high temperature liquid-sodium test loop at its Yokohama Complex; company says it will enhance its sodium-related technology in readiness for future business expansion in this promising market
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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.