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A few good technologies
DHS’s S&T Directorate helps the IEEE in a conference aiming to explore next-generation technologies capable of deployment within three to five years
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Scientific exchanges in the age of terrorism
How do we reconcile heightened security measures adopted in the wake of 9/11 with the open and free international exchange of scientific experts and ideas? That is the question
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Canada to use UAVs to patrol the arctic circle
Canada plans on buying a fleet of UAV to patrol the arctic ice and water; move but the latest sign of countries bordering the arctic claiming stake to portions of it
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Massive sensor network to monitor Hudson River
The Hudson to become the world’s largest environmental-monitoring system; system may be used to monitor cities’ water systems
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Team MIT invited to race its modified Land Rover in Urban Challenge 2007
Land Rover donated a modified Land Rover LR3 to MIT, and Team MIT has been invited to second qualifying round of DARPA Urban Challenge 2007; final will be held 3 November
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U.S. Air Force moves forward cyber warfare
Fly and fight in cyberspace: U.S. Air Force aims to achieve “global decision superiority” by integrating warfighting command and control systems
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Coast Guard freezes funds for Eagle Eye UAV
The Coast Guard was interested in the rotary wing surveillance UAV as part of the Deepwater program, and the deal was estimated to be worth up to $1 billion for Bell Helicopter; Coast Guard is now rethinking its interest in Eagle Eye
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More than 5,000 U.S. patents are now state secrets
The U.S. military and intelligence agencies can impose a gagging order on any U.S. patent; 128 have been imposed so far during the first ten months of 2007, bringing the total number of secret U.S. patents to 5,002
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Miniscule solar cells would enable ultramicroscopic technology
Harvard team develops solar cells 200 hundred times thinner than a human hair; source of power for ultramicroscopic technology now available; team leaders says one of the first application would be in monitoring bioterrorism
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Water is key to the hydrogen economy
The hydrogen economy is one way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move toward cleaner technology; trouble is, the hydrogen economy requires a lot of water; investors supporting innovative water production technologies will benefit
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New wind turbines harvest energy from swirling wakes around buildings
Young Cal Tech researchers shows that just as fish use their bodies to get an energy boost from surrounding vortices, we can design devices which would harvest energy from swirling wakes surrounding buildings
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Irish company claims wave power success
A quarter-scale prototype wave energy converter is successfully harnessing electricity from Atlantic Ocean waves off the west coast of Ireland
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Laser Avenger shows counter-IED capabilities
Boeing adds laser capabilities to its Avenger system, and demonstrates its effectiveness against IEDs and UXOs
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NEC develops world's first portable DNA analyzer
The size of an attaché-case, the portable DNA analyzer can be carried to the crime scene; it completes the five-step DNA analysis process in about 25 minutes
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A drone able to carry out a long range flight of more than ten hours
South Korean researchrs build a UAV which uses hydrogen fuel cell to stay a loft for more than ten hours; drone relies on sodium borohydride rather than compressed hydrogen gas
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The long view
How AI Bots Spread Misinformation Online and Undermine Democratic Politics
As we navigate this era of digital discourse, awareness of blind spots in our social psychology is our best defense. Understanding how cues or triggers affect us can reduce their influence over time. The more aware we are of bots and how they work, the more able we are to protect ourselves from misleading rhetoric, ensuring our democratic processes remain robust and inclusive.
Data Privacy After Dobbs: Is Period Tracking Safe?
Many people think all health care information is protected under the federal privacy law, known as HIPAA. But menstrual cycle tracking apps, along with other health care technologies, like texting platforms that patients can use with doctors, are not. There haven’t been any cases where a menstrual tracking app’s data has been subpoenaed yet, but that’s probably due to the slow speed of which cases proceed through the court system.
States Strike Out on Their Own on AI, Privacy Regulation
There’s been no shortage of AI tech regulation bills in Congress, but none has passed. In the absence of congressional action, states have stepped up their own regulatory action. States have been legislating about AI since at least 2019, but bills relating to AI have increased significantly in the last two years.
Not Just Beijing’s Doing: Market Factors Are Also Hitting Rare Earths Prices
Have depressed rare earths prices been engineered by the Chinese state to snuff out non-Chinese rivals before they get going? Or do they simply reflect a weak market, with demand rising more slowly than was expected by the promotors of a slew of new projects?
The Case for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Climate change is making weather harder to predict, and creating new risks in places that never faced them before. And as hurricanes, floods, extreme heat and wildfires intensify, most infrastructure will need to be retrofitted or designed and built anew for future climate resilience.
Quantifying Global Earthquake Risk to Mineral Supplies
Earthquakes could impact the supplies of mineral commodities like copper and rhenium around the world. A new scientific mechanism for assessing the potential risk to worldwide mineral commodity supplies from seismic activity has been developed by USGS scientists.