New Zika test boasts speed, high specificity
A Brazilian-designed test shows great potential in identifying Zika, being capable of discriminating it from dengue infections with high accuracy, while doing so with an estimated cost of just $3 - $3.70 per patient. The test detects antibodies against Zika virus in samples of blood serum,... Read More »
Poland agrees to purchase Patriot air and missile defense system from U.S.
The government of Poland recently signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) agreement to purchase Raytheon's Patriot integrated air and missile defense system from the U.S. Army. This LOA is for Phase I of Poland's two-phase medium-range Integrated Air and Missile Defense procurement and... Read More »
Rep. McCaul highlights need to restructure DHS cybersecurity functions
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) highlighted the need to reform U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) on Wednesday. Legislation introduced by McCaul to restructure and rename the NPPD the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure (CISA) agency... Read More »
Senators call on State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda
A group of senators called on Wednesday for the U.S. State Department to counter anti-Semitic Russian propaganda, train diplomats to recognize disinformation and collaborate with U.S. allies to advance a unified response on Wednesday. In a letter to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan,... Read More »
Technology to bolster army vehicle protections
The Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) recently awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to help bolster army vehicle protections. Officials said Lockheed Martin would continue developing the Modular Active Protection Systems (MAPS), which is designed to... Read More »
New study concludes antiviral drug may be Ebola-effective in high doses
Countering previous tests conducted in low doses, a study published by INSERM, France’s Jeremie Guedj and international colleagues concluded that high doses of the antiviral favipiravir may ward off Ebola’s deadly capabilities. Tests were undertaken on 26 non-human primates infected with... Read More »
Alliance for Biosecurity applauds historic increase in project BioShield funding
The Alliance for Biosecurity recently commended congressional leaders for a “historic increase” to Project BioShield as well as significant increases to accounts such as the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Pandemic Flu, and the Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority... Read More »
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mexican officials enter trade and customs agreements
During a trip by Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen to Mexico City, Mexico, the United States and Mexico entered three agreements regarding trade and customs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kevin McAleenan and the Tax Administration Service (SAT) signed a... Read More »
DHS, EPA recap four-year project to improve response to bioterrorism subway attacks
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently highlighted a four-year Underground Transport Restoration project conducted with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism attacks on subway systems. Conducted by the DHS Science and Technology... Read More »
AT&T launches dedicated network core for FirstNet public safety communications
AT&T and the First Responder Network Authority announced the launch of the FirstNet network core on Tuesday, a critical step in establishing the first dedicated public safety communications platform for first responders. Serving as the brain of Firstnet, the LTE evolved packet network core... Read More »
Lawmakers laud missile defense program funding boost
A pair of lawmakers recently touted the benefits of an increase in the U.S. – Israeli missile defense programs federal funding bill. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said the omnibus spending bill provides $705.8 million in funding to the... Read More »
Raytheon eyes small drone swarms as tactical future
New technology under development by Raytheon BBN Technologies could unleash swarms of small, autonomous air and ground vehicles, working in tandem and under the control of remote operators. As part of DARPA’s Offensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics program, the company is developing technology to... Read More »
Sen. Blumenthal, Rep. Wasserman Schultz introduce legislation to require instant background checks for ammunition purchases
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced Monday the Ammunition Background Check Act of 2018, which would require instant background checks for the purchase of gun ammunition. “Ammunition sales should be subject to the same legal requirements... Read More »
New technology, legislation could help CBP stop opioids at the border
New technology acquired by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as well as draft legislation introduced by Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), could help CBP prevent opioids from entering the United... Read More »