Learning the lessons of COVID-19, experts testify resources still inadequate to fight pandemics
State funding for public health departments has dropped by 16 percent since 2010, and these same departments have lost a quarter of their workforce in the last decade. How can the United States adequately prepare for the next pandemic when the public health infrastructure is woefully... Read More »
Opteev debuts plug-in ViraWarn COVID-19 detector to screen indoor airspace
In a first for virus detection, the company Opteev this week launched a plug-in airborne virus detector known as ViraWarn to scan for COVID-19, flu, and other virus particles in the air indoors and then warn those who might be affected. Meant as prevention rather than confirmation of infection,... Read More »
CEPI expands Lassa fever study to four more West African countries
What is already the largest ever Lassa fever assessment study will expand to reach Benin, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, thanks to an additional $10.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI). “There have been a number of positive developments in the Lassa... Read More »
Biden administration unveils critical infrastructure protection initiative
Biden administration officials said efforts are underway to bolster critical infrastructure protections in the wake of expanding and continuous cyber threats. President Joe Biden's recent signing of a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure... Read More »
Sen. Padilla advocates wildfire combating resources
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) is imploring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the solicitation of resources to combat California wildfires. During a recent Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, Padilla questioned Secretary of Homeland... Read More »
Battelle pursues predictive monitoring technology to identify epidemic security threats
A new, Battelle-developed system known as TechAware Search Continuous Automated Scanning for Technology Transformation (CASTT) proposes to help identify epidemic threats through a mix of text data analysis, behavioral change prediction, and creation of a graph neural network. The project is... Read More »
Senate confirms Kendall as Air Force Secretary
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Frank Kendall as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force, with officials lauding his decades-long record of service amid efforts to navigate global challenges. Kendall previously served in various Department of Defense senior capacities, including the Pentagon’s... Read More »
Lawmakers seek to end military draft registration
U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) joined U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) in urging the rejection of efforts to expand military draft registrations. “Our professional, all-volunteer military is the finest fighting force in the world,” the legislators... Read More »
BARDA partnering with Cepheid to develop two new COVID-19 diagnostics
With the COVID-19 pandemic entering a new phase, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) continues to emphasize testing in addition to the growing number of vaccines, and as such, has entered a new agreement with Cepheid, Inc. to develop two additional... Read More »
Measure targets FFL gun thefts
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) recently reintroduced the Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) Protection Act of 2021, which seeks to address the rising number of smash-and-grab thefts targeted at federally licensed gun dealers venues. The lawmakers cited a Bureau of Alcohol,... Read More »
Resolution urges EU designation of Hezbollah as terrorist organization
U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Kathy Manning (D-NC), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced Monday a resolution designed to encourage the European Union's (EU) full designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The EU solely includes Hezbollah's military wing - separate... Read More »
DHS S&T launches third virtual segment in whole-of-government R&D showcase
For the launch of the third series of the Virtual Whole-of-Government Research and Development (R&D) Showcase this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is looking to address upcoming scientific fields changing the world and how it handles... Read More »
University of Washington scientists develop statistical model shows severe undercounting of COVID-19 cases
Recognizing that many data sets are needed to tell the full story of the COVID-19 pandemic and understand if herd immunity can be achieved, two scientists from the University of Washington have created a statistical model of key COVID-19 data to model the disease’s true prevalence in the United... Read More »
DHS to cancel two Laredo border barrier contracts
Aligning with its Plan for Use of Border Barrier Funds, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is terminating two Laredo Sector border barrier contracts. CBP officials said the contracts are unnecessary to address any life, safety,... Read More »