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U.K. unveils broad counterterrorism measures
Prime Minister Gordon Brown unvelis broad counter-terrorism measures, including unified border police, electronic exit controls at U.K. borders, biometric visas, better critical infrastructure protection, and more
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New quantum key system combines speed, distance
Detection stage of the NIST prototype quantum key distribution system: Photons are “up-converted” from 1310 to 710 nm by one of the two NIST-designed converters at right, then sent to one of two commercial silicon avalanche photo diode units to the left. Credit: NIST
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Day of robot cops nears
Robots of various types — think of bomb disposal robots — are already being depolyed by law enforcement; next generation robots will be more versatile and autonomous
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InRob Tech, Frontline Robotics to collaborate
Two robotics specialists — one Canadian, one Israeli — agree to collaborate in marketing and joint bidding on defense-related robotics projects
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DHS big projects offer opportunities for nimble contractors
Some of DHS’s big projects — EAGLE and non-EAGLE — are underway and they offer opportunities for specialists
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Old screening technique allows probing terrorists' unconscious
SSRM Tek, a psychological screening tool, has been around for a while, but DHS believes it will allow interrogators identify which suspects have truly been engaged in terrorism
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Not lost in translation
The war on terrorism will take U.S. soldiers to every corner of the world where, to be effective, these soldiers will have to mingle with foreign populations in towns and villages; NIST, DARPA want to help
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Extremely thin sheet exhibits extreme strength
University of Chicago and Argonne Lab scientists discover amazing strength in a sheet of nanoparticles that measures just 50 atoms in thickness
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Harvard researchers develop robotic fly for use in surveillance, spying
Researchers develop an artificial fly whic h may be used in surveillance of battlefields, urban environments; the robot’s small size and fly-like appearance are key: “You probably wouldn’t notice a fly in the room, but you certainly would notice a hawk,” team leader says
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U.S. House says modeling, simulation is crtitical technology
Hampton Roads, Virginia, is a national hub for the modeling and simulation industry, and alocal congressman, who heads the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, persuades House of industry’s importance
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Wisconsin DHS security grants cut
Unhappy Badgers contemplate effect of receiving only one-third of $12.8 million in security funding requested from DHS
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A first: FBI installs policeware remotely to trace bomb threat
FBI electronically installs spyware — or, rather, policeware — to MySpace account of a suspect in e-mailing bomb threats to school; suspect nabbed
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Piezoceramics allow for embedded structural monitoring sensors
The integrity of highly stressed materials — helicopter rotors, wind turbine blades — must be regularly checked for structural damage; German research institute develops embedded piezoceramics sensors to do just that
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Attack UAV squadron deployed to Iraq this week
The U.S. hints that it would take more aggressive action against terrorists hiding in Pakistan’s northwest territories; Pakistanis should note first-ever deployment of attack UAV squadron to Iraq this week
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U.S. VCs invest in clean energy, but cautiously
U.S. VCs suffered a blow during the dot.com bubble burst; they were supposed to reclaim their market position by riding the clean energy wave; they may do so yet, but very cautiously
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The long view
Are We Ready for a ‘DeepSeek for Bioweapons’?
Anthropic’s Claude 4 is a warning sign: AI that can help build bioweapons is coming, and could be widely available soon. Steven Adler writes that we need to be prepared for the consequences: “like a freely downloadable ‘DeepSeek for bioweapons,’ available across the internet, loadable to the computer of any amateur scientist who wishes to cause mass harm. With Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 having finally triggered this level of safety risk, the clock is now ticking.”
A Brief History of Federal Funding for Basic Science
Biomedical science in the United States is at a crossroads. For 75 years, the federal government has partnered with academic institutions, fueling discoveries that have transformed medicine and saved lives. Recent moves by the Trump administration — including funding cuts and proposed changes to how research support is allocated — now threaten this legacy.
Bookshelf: Preserving the U.S. Technological Republic
The United States since its founding has always been a technological republic, one whose place in the world has been made possible and advanced by its capacity for innovation. But our present advantage cannot be taken for granted.
Autonomous Weapon Systems: No Human-in-the-Loop Required, and Other Myths Dispelled
“The United States has a strong policy on autonomy in weapon systems that simultaneously enables their development and deployment and ensures they could be used in an effective manner, meaning the systems work as intended, with the same minimal risk of accidents or errors that all weapon systems have,” Michael Horowitz writes.
Ukraine Drone Strikes on Russian Airbase Reveal Any Country Is Vulnerable to the Same Kind of Attack
Air defense systems are built on the assumption that threats come from above and from beyond national borders. But Ukraine’s coordinated drone strike on 1 June on five airbases deep inside Russian territory exposed what happens when states are attacked from below and from within. In low-level airspace, visibility drops, responsibility fragments, and detection tools lose their edge. Drones arrive unannounced, response times lag, coordination breaks.
Shots to the Dome—Why We Can’t Model US Missile Defense on Israel’s “Iron Dome”
Starting an arms race where the costs are stacked against you at a time when debt-to-GDP is approaching an all-time high seems reckless. All in all, the idea behind Golden Dome is still quite undercooked.