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Hackers of U.S. electrical grid left behind "sleeper" software programs
The U.S. electrical grid has been penetrated by sophisticated hackers who left behind “sleeper” software programs which could be remotely activated to disrupt the system; the intelligence community says it is the work of Russian and Chinese government operatives
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Post-Ike ideas for defending Galveston include extending sea wall
Texas A&M oceanographer proposes extending Galveston’s seawall to the island’s West End, building a similar structure along Bolivar Peninsula, and constructing massive Dutch-like floodgates at the entry to Galveston Bay; oceanographer says his proposed wall and gate system could repel most surges
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New concept for New York, New Jersey storm barriers
With worries about rising sea level and more intense storm, British engineering firm Harlow offers a new concept for protecting New York City and parts of the new Jersey coast against storm surges
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Aussie company targets CCTV market for its encryption technology
Melbourne-based network encryption company Senetas Corporation, a leading developer of encryption products, said the growing CCTV market, still in its infancy as far as security is concerned, offers its encryption solutions an attractive opportunity
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Composite materials extend life of existing bridges
The Obama administration’s stimulus package directs large amounts of money toward rehabilitating the aging U.S. infrastructure; Jayhawks researchers are testing a new class of devices that could double the life of America’s existing bridges using composite materials
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U.S. cybersecurity law to give feds unprecedented Internet control
Lawmakers draft legislation giving the U.S. government unprecedented authority over the U.S. critical infrastructure, including the power to shut down or limit traffic on private networks during emergencies; the legislation is intended to protect a broad range of the U.S. infrastructure — including networks for the country’s banking industry, utilities, transportation, and telecommunications — from cyber attacks
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U.S. legislators supports creation of cybersecurity czar
Vowing to prevent Cyber Katrina, U.S. senators propose cyber czar
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Disinfectants create toxic by-products
Using disinfectants to keep water drinkable was one of the major achievements of the twentieth century; a recent study now shows that the chemicals used to purify the water we drink and use in swimming pools react with organic material in the water yielding toxic consequences
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FLIR: stimulus makes company an even more attractive investment
FLIR’s thermal technology is used in both defense and energy conservation applications; the stimulus package-related large investments in energy efficiency and continued robust defense and homeland security budgets combine to make the company an attractive target for investors
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Dubious distinction: U.S. produces most cybercriminals -- and victims
Cybercriminals defrauded victims out of an estimated $265 million, with the average victim losing about $1,000; two out of three cybercriminals — and 93 percent of victims — were Americans
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New DHS security tool to detect Conficker worm
Conficker had been programmed to reach out to 250 Web sites daily to download commands from its masters — but tomorrow it will begin connecting with 50,000 Web sites daily for instructions
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Chemical company wants to limit disclosure on plant explosion
An explosion in a chemical plant in West Virginia plant killed two employees and raised fears about the safety of chemical plants located near residential areas; the plant owner, citing a terrorism-related federal law, is trying to limit what the federal chemical safety agency can disclose to the public
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Cold fusion is enjoying a rebirth
Researchers presented new evidence for the existence of this promising — and controversial — energy source’ papers discussed last week at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society
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U.K. consortium to build nuclear fusion reactor
U.K. companies have formed a consortium to bid for construction of the main reactor vacuum vessel of the €5 billion (£4.6 billion) International Tokamak Experimental Reactor (ITER) nuclear fusion reactor
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Researchers test straw house for earthquake resilience
There is a growing realization that we need a different construction method for buildings in earthquake-prone regions — especially if these regions are poor and cannot enjoy the latest in engineering; University of Nevada test straw houses as the solution
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The long view
Water Wars: A Historic Agreement Between Mexico and US Is Ramping Up Border Tension
As climate change drives rising temperatures and changes in rainfall, Mexico and the US are in the middle of a conflict over water, putting an additional strain on their relationship. Partly due to constant droughts, Mexico has struggled to maintain its water deliveries for much of the last 25 years, deliveries to which it is obligated by a 1944 water-sharing agreement between the two countries.
Trump Is Fast-Tracking New Coal Mines — Even When They Don’t Make Economic Sense
In Appalachian Tennessee, mines shut down and couldn’t pay their debts. Now a new one is opening under the guise of an “energy emergency.”
Smaller Nuclear Reactors Spark Renewed Interest in a Once-Shunned Energy Source
In the past two years, half the states have taken action to promote nuclear power, from creating nuclear task forces to integrating nuclear into long-term energy plans.
Keeping the Lights on with Nuclear Waste: Radiochemistry Transforms Nuclear Waste into Strategic Materials
How UNLV radiochemistry is pioneering the future of energy in the Southwest by salvaging strategic materials from nuclear dumps –and making it safe.
Model Predicts Long-Term Effects of Nuclear Waste on Underground Disposal Systems
The simulations matched results from an underground lab experiment in Switzerland, suggesting modeling could be used to validate the safety of nuclear disposal sites.