• Keeping First Responders Safe by Detecting Cyanide Poisoning after Fires

    When first responders rush to a burning building to subdue the fire and save lives, it is not just the flames that are dangerous and potentially lethal, but also toxic fumes like cyanide that are released when certain materials are incinerated. These fumes, mixed with smoke, are so toxic that even in very low quantities may pose more risk than the fire itself. Chemists at DHS S&T have invented a test to indicate possible toxic cyanide exposure at the fire scene.

  • UGA: Hiring Initiative in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence

    Data science and artificial intelligence transform a range of fields, and the University of Georgia aims to recruit 50 faculty members over the next two years who will educate students and advance research in data science and AI.

  • Empathy Helps Teach Students about Cybersecurity and AI Ethics

    People generally agree that empathy is important in almost every aspect of daily life, but for many it has not been a priority in the development of technology, especially technology using artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers say it is a mistake, and are working to address this gap by using empathy to teach high school students about cybersecurity and AI ethics issues.

  • Training Next Gen AI, Cybersecurity Professionals

    With experience in preparing professionals for careers in cybersecurity, Indiana University has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation for a new project to train the next generation of the nation’s cybersecurity workforce to address vulnerabilities and identify threats using artificial intelligence.

  • Cybersecurity education to Help Communities Become More Cyber-Secure

    The NSA helps fund programs aiming to develop a community-wide K-12 cybersecurity program, support local industry and government to be more cyber resilient, and help local academic institutions to develop cybersecurity programs for students.

  • APL, UTSA: Collaborating on Cybersecurity, Resilience

    Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) has earned a reputation as one of the U.S. leading centers of research on public health, with an emphasis on national security. But one of the APL’s core competencies is cybersecurity and advanced analytics, focused on security concerns of the nation’s military. This dovetails with the UTSA National Security Collaboration Center’s (NSCC) mission. The two institutions are exploring collaboration options.

  • Hurricane Ida Shows the Increasing Impact of Climate Change Since Katrina

    While no two disasters are the same, looking at differences between past and present disasters can help us to better understand what is needed to prepare for future disasters. Given the scope of the emerging impacts of Hurricane Ida, we see that while this is not a repeat of a Katrina disaster, questions are being raised about the effect of climate change and the resiliency of lifeline infrastructure like electricity.

  • Queen’s University Belfast's Cybersecurity Education Program

    Queen’s University Belfast has been named as one of the U.K.’s first Academic Centers of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE). The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) – a part of GCHQ – awarded the University silver recognition from the NCSC’s ACE-CSE program after Queen’s demonstrated that it is delivering a high-quality cybersecurity education on campus and promoting cyber skills in its community.

  • Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education

    Purdue University Global has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education through academic year 2025 for its Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity. The Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence program. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and expertise in cyber defense.

  • Future Solutions for Spent Nuclear Fuel

    Nuclear technology has been used in the United States for decades for national defense, research and development, and carbon-free electric power generation. Nuclear power is a key element of the U.S. response to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, nuclear energy, as an essential form of electricity production, generates radioactive waste in the form of spent nuclear fuel. Spent nuclear fuel must be handled, stored, and ultimately disposed of in a manner that won’t harm the environment.

  • DOD Imagery Information Aids Wildland Firefighters

    With continuing significant fire activity in the western United States this year, the Department of Defense (DoD) is delivering requested personnel, equipment, and facilities, to assist our Federal, State, and local partners fighting wildland fires. One of the tools provided by the DoD is the Firefly system pilot program (Firefly), a capability from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). 

  • Future Flooding in Venice: Facing Sea Level Rise

    A new assessment of flood risk in Venice indicates that the impact of higher emissions on relative sea level rise during this century will be critical in planning future defense infrastructure for Venice and other coastal cities.

  • RadSecure 100 Radiological Security Initiative Launched in 100 U.S. Cities

    The RadSecure 100 Initiative focuses on removing radioactive material from facilities where feasible and improving security at the remaining facilities located in 100 metropolitan areas throughout the United States. Partnerships with local medical facilities, industrial firms, and law enforcement will be key to the project.

  • More Weather-Related Disasters Over Past 50 Years, Causing More Damage but Fewer Deaths

    A disaster related to a weather, climate, or water hazard occurred every day on average over the past 50 years – killing 115 people and causing $ 202 million in losses daily. But while the number of climate change-driven disasters has increased by a factor of five over the 50-year period, the number of deaths decreased almost three-fold. thanks to improved early warnings and disaster management.

  • As Western U.S. Is Experiencing a 1,000 Year Drought, Desalination Could Be a Solution

    The Western United States is currently experiencing what one paleoclimatologist called “potentially the worst drought in 1,200 years.” The region has had many droughts in the past, including “megadroughts” that last decades, but climate change is making dry years drier and wet years wetter. One possible solution is the desalination of seawater, but is it a silver bullet?