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Solving the cognitive-radio problem in the analog domain
Georgia Tech researchers awarded $3.5 million to develop tiny analog chips to scan RF bands for open channels
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NYC bus camera plan hits a snag
Integrian’s cameras suffer gaps in video coverage; road conditions and software offered as explanations
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Canadian Senate finds widespread airport security problems
Lax screening and access control procedures cited; Toronto airport noted as a hub of gang activity
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DHS releases chemical plant safety rules
DHS declares that 7,000 U.S. chemical plants are at high risk of catastrophe from either an accident or terror
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Administration to allow state to set chemical safety rules
Defeat for the chemical industry: States to be allowed more lattitude in setting chemical plant safety standards; DHS practically gives up on preemption
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Qwest, AT&T, and Verizon win deal of the decade
Three telecoms win the Networks Universal contract, worth up to $48 billion over ten years; Sprint Nextel big loser
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IT security firms ready for an IPO boom
Lackluster market shows signs of life with four large companies preparing to go public; “public exit opportunities” available for the right firms, say experts
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Feinstein cracks down on banking-related ID theft
Proposed law would require financial institutions to disclose all security breaches; American Bankers Association, fearful of regulation, calls measure a waste of time; synthetic identity theft at issue
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AlliedBarton offers chemical compliance training
Democratic takeover presents opportunities for those in the compliance industry; company offers coursework and certifications in vehicle inspection techniques, MARSEC, and CFATS procedures
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NICE Systems to protect Belgian railways
Video analytics deal with Siemens follows similar successes in China, France, and the United States
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New York City plans subway cameras (again)
After an aborted attempt in 2000, transit authorities ask two subway car manufacturers to propose ways of installing digital cameras
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IXEurope finishes strong at Data Centre Europe Awards 2007
Company recognized as best in disaster recovery service, datacenter management; Attenda and BladeLogic received much-deserved recognition
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Policymakers said unprepared for subduction earthquakes
A lack of historical data makes it impossible to predict when these rare disasters will occur; 2004 Indonesian tsunami an object lesson in being unprepared
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Orlando airport to spend $7 million on additional security measures
Faced with mounting criticism, aviation authorities only need three minutes to approve its biggest security overhaul since 9/11; baggage screening, vehicle inspection, and voice stress analysis under consideration
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Battle over allocation of the 700MHz band looms
TV operators will soon vacate the 700 MHz band, and the FCC is getting set to auction it; pressures grow to allocate portion of the band for public safety uses
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The long view
Urban Street Networks and Building Density Shape Severity of Floods
Cities around the globe are experiencing increased flooding due to the compounding effects of stronger storms in a warming climate and urban growth. Researchers’ new analytical model can assess neighborhood-level hazards globally.
Could We Use Volcanoes to Make Electricity?
It is challenging, but tapping into the Earth’s natural heat can create a renewable, reliable and clean source of energy. As technology improves, more places around the world will turn to geothermal energy to light up people’s lives. Volcanoes are reminders of a great powerhouse deep underground that’s waiting to be harnessed.
To Get Off Fossil fuels, America Is Going to Need a Lot More Electricians
To cut greenhouse gas emissions on pace with the best available science, the United States must prepare for a monumental increase in electricity use. Burning fossil fuels to heat homes and get around isn’t compatible with keeping the planet at a livable temperature. Appliances that can be powered by clean electricity already exist to meet all of these needs. The problem is, most houses aren’t wired to handle the load from electric heating, cooking, and clothes dryers, along with solar panels and vehicle chargers. And a shortage of skilled labor could derail efforts to “electrify everything.”
New Gels Could Protect Buildings During Wildfires
Researchers have developed a sprayable gel that creates a shield to protect buildings from wildfire damage. It lasts longer and is more effective than existing commercial options.
As Tornado Alley Shifts East, Bracing for Impact in Unexpected Places
Experts say the causes are still unclear, but the change is consistent with a warming world. The effects on the ground could be devastating.
U.S. Water Reservoirs Are Shrinking and Becoming Less Reliable, New Study Finds
Major water reservoirs across the continental United States are experiencing longer, more severe, and more variable periods of low storage than several decades ago, a new study reports. The problems are most severe in the western and central United States, but reservoirs in the eastern and southeastern United States are not immune.