News
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 »
Sen. Menendez praises Trump Administration move to expel Russian agents
The Trump Administration’s announcement on Monday that 60 Russian diplomats would be expelled from the country, and the Russian consulate in Seattle would be closed, in response to chemical weapons attacks on British soil met applause from U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). The United Kingdom has... Read More »
Federal spending bill maintains funding for key homeland security programs
The federal spending bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday maintains or increases funding for a number of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant programs that help protect against and respond to terrorist threats and natural disasters at the state and municipal levels.... Read More »
Protecting Americans includes keeping first responders safe, says ASPR’s Kadlec
United States preparedness against terrorist attacks from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) agents includes prep and planning for the public, as well as for the first responders who will be on the front lines during a catastrophic emergency event. Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant... Read More »
Largest Lassa Fever outbreak ever to hit Nigeria shows signs of wavering
The World Health Organization (WHO), in reporting on Nigeria and the massive case of Lassa Fever currently infecting the country, notes that the outbreak shows signs of lessening while stressing further caution. While Lassa Fever is endemic to Nigeria and a number of other African nations, an... Read More »Nuclear forensics investigation pilot training course held in Georgia
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre recently held a pilot training course in Tbilisi, Georgia, to further develop technical capabilities to support nuclear forensics investigation. The four-day program covered crime-scene... Read More »
Sessions announces proposed rulemaking to define machine guns to include bump stocks
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently announced a proposed rulemaking from the Department of Justice that would clarify that bump stocks fall within the definition of “machinegun” under federal law. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would amend the regulations of the Bureau of... Read More »
Nine Iranian nationals charged with taking part in four-year cyberattack campaign
Nine Iranian hackers have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) with leading a four-year campaign of cyberattacks on universities and professors, private businesses, and the U.S. government on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to an indictment unsealed on... Read More »
House committee approves eight homeland security bills
The U.S. House Homeland Security Committee approved eight bills last week that seek to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity, surface transportation security, and air travel and cargo security. U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the committee’s chairman, said America must “continue to evolve... Read More »
DSI Event: DoD Information Warfare Symposium on March 28-29 in Alexandria, Va.
The DoD Information Warfare Symposium presented by the Defense Strategies Institute will take place on March 28-29 at the Mary M. Gates Learning Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Designed for members of the Department of Defense, federal government, private industry, academia, and other stakeholders,... Read More »
Medical associations offer infectious disease, opioid epidemic recommendations
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and HIV Medical Association (HIVMA) have released policy and research recommendations regarding infectious diseases and the opioid epidemic. IDSA and HIVMA members said they are encouraging Congress and the Trump Administration to pursue... Read More »
Antimicrobial found in common toiletries may inhibit malaria genes
A study conducted by the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil shows that triclosan, an antimicrobial compound, may inhibit deadly enzymes and fight otherwise resistant parasites. Triclosan is a compound used in basic bathroom items like soap, toothpaste, and deodorant. The new study showed... Read More »
NNSA to deliver next generation of nuclear detection capabilities
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recently said that it will soon deliver the next generation of Global Burst Detector (GBD) payloads, the latest space-based nuclear explosion sensors, to the U.S. Air Force. Following delivery to the U.S. Air Force, GBD payloads will continue... Read More »
Omnibus spending bill delivers increased homeland security funding
The U.S. House of Representatives recently advanced an omnibus spending bill, which includes the largest increase in defense funding in 15 years. The bill, advanced with a vote of 256 to 167, includes funding to fight terrorism, secure borders, enhance first responder capabilities, improve... Read More »
Senate bill would enhance penalties for fentanyl distribution
Penalties for distributing the synthetic opioid fentanyl would be enhanced under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) would be given new tools to intercept drug shipments from overseas. The bill would lower the amount of fentanyl or fentanyl... Read More »
Federal spending bill includes increased support for border security, firefighters
The omnibus federal spending bill that gained approval in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday contains provisions that would increase support for border security, local police departments, and firefighters. U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AK) secured $85 million in... Read More »
Program credited with expediting Ugandan virus detection
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report is touting the benefits of a program credited with expediting Ugandan virus detection. The CDC-UVRI Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Surveillance and Laboratory Program was lauded in a CDC report published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. The... Read More »
Georgetown University signs collaboration agreement with CEPI for scientific training
The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) U.S. announced collaboration this week with Georgetown University through a cooperative academic and research agreement, focusing on training potential for future students and scientists. "It's exciting to collaborate with CEPI U.S. to... Read More »
Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist invents “lighthouse” radiation detector
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) recently unveiled a new smaller radiation detector invented at the lab that uses a sweeping beam to quickly pinpoint a radiation source to reduce radiation exposure risks for workers. The detectors use directional sensors to scan through a narrow angle... Read More »
Customs and Border Protection to hold Global Entry mobile enrollment events in Indianapolis
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Wednesday that it will hold two Global Entry mobile enrollment events in Indianapolis where it will conduct interviews for conditionally approved applicants. Global Entry is a voluntary expedited clearance program for pre-approved low-risk... Read More »
Senate approves bill cracking down on online sex trafficking
With U.S. Senate approval of a bill that would end civil and criminal protections under current law for websites that take part in online sex trafficking on Wednesday, the measure will advance to the president’s desk. The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), S. 1693, would amend the... Read More »