News
New report calls for ASPR reforms, greater interagency coordination
A new policy brief released this week by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) assessed the role of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) during the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded that reforms are necessary both within the agency and beyond to improve federal pandemic... Read More »
Two small businesses awarded DHS funding for machine learning technologies
Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), based in Andover, Mass., and Alakai Defense Systems, Inc. (Alakai), based in Largo, Fla., recently announced that they have secured funding from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. The businesses, which... Read More »
Legislation seeks to address Arctic region security
U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Elaine Luria (D-VA) recently joined U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing legislation that focuses on assessing Arctic region security while also establishing Department of Defense (DOD) resources there. The Arctic Security... Read More »
DHS S&T awards more than $105,000 to Florida-based Bloodstone Division to develop longer-lasting COVID-19 disinfectant
A small, veteran-owned business in Florida, Bloodstone Division, LLC, earned a $105,877 award from the United States Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to fund the development of an antiviral disinfectant for COVID-19 and beyond. Traditional disinfecting... Read More »
Senate HELP Committee to oversee three new areas U.S. public health, medical preparedness efforts
Committee leadership for the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced that it would provide oversight and investigation of three new areas to improve the nation’s pandemic preparedness effort. “More than 600,000 Americans have died as a result of... Read More »
Bill targets cybersecurity literacy effort
A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation seeking to increase knowledge and awareness of cybersecurity risks via a cybersecurity literacy campaign. U.S. Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) presented the... Read More »
Marine Corps touts benefits of wargaming venue under construction
Marine Corps officials are espousing the benefits of its Wargaming and Analysis Center currently under construction. The 100,000 square-foot venue will house various capabilities to enhance warfighter preparedness. “This facility is a big deal to us, to the commandant and to those [young... Read More »
Rep. Duncan proposes new office to oversee NTIA cybersecurity efforts
With the introduction of new legislation last week, U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) has proposed the creation of the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity (OPDC) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to advance national cybersecurity... Read More »
FirstNet expands public safety access to more than 100 portable cell sites
The FirstNet network expanded the number of unthrottled, deployable network assets for fire, EMS, law enforcement, and other public safety personnel to more than 100 land-based and airborne portable cell sites as of last week. “When disaster strikes, FirstNet is there to support first... Read More »
EB-5 Regional Center Program reauthorization blocked
The EB-5 Regional Center program, which is slated to expire June 30, will likely remain temporary now that the U.S. Senate blocked a proposed reauthorization and reform bill. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday brought up his EB-5... Read More »
UNC vaccine research targets coronaviruses
University of North Carolina (UNC) Gillings School of Global Public Health researchers are exploring the potential of a universal vaccine protecting mice against other coronaviruses and variants. Scientists noted coronaviruses continue to be a threat after causing the SARS outbreak 18 years ago,... Read More »
HHS leads Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) personnel are touting the benefits of a Puerto Rico hurricane preparedness exercise. The ASPR indicated collaboration with the Department of Health of Puerto Rico would involve... Read More »
First AMR Preparedness Index finds UK, US top charts tackling rising antimicrobial resistance threat
A new report from the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), a first of its kind known as the AMR Preparedness Index, provides an evaluation and roadmap for the 11 largest global economies and their efforts to tackle rising cases of antimicrobial... Read More »
BARDA expands collaboration with Moderna on COVID-19 vaccine trials for children
Under an expanded agreement with Moderna, Inc., the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) announced this week that it will provide program management support and up to $144 million for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial of its COVID-19 vaccine on children. Also known as... Read More »
Rep. Carson introduces bill combating global white supremacist threat
U.S. Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced legislation Tuesday that would uncover the threats posed by white supremacist groups both in America and abroad. Carson, chair of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and counterproliferation, said the groups threaten national... Read More »
Biden administration to invest $3B in COVID-19 antiviral development strategy
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the Biden Administration would invest more than $3 billion from the American Rescue Plan to discover, develop, and manufacture antiviral COVID-19 medicines. The investment is part of the administration’s “whole of... Read More »
Bill initiates COVID-19-related China sanctions
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced the COVID Act of 2021, authorizing sanctions against the Chinese Communist Party should it fail to allow a probe into the origins of COVID-19. The sanctions and restrictions would be applied 90 days after enactment concerning a probe of suspected... Read More »
Laredo AMO details migrant apprehension increase
Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) personnel have detailed how crew detection, surveillance and tracking operations experienced a 143 percent increase in migrant apprehensions. The Laredo Air Branch Air and Marine Operations (AMO) was involved in the apprehension of 12,400... Read More »
Sanofi Pasteur, Translate Bio launch Phase 1 clinical trial for seasonal mRNA flu vaccine
A new phase one clinical trial kicked off this week for an mRNA-based vaccine against seasonal influenza -- specifically the A/H3N2 strain -- cooperatively developed by Sanofi Pasteur and Translate Bio. With interim data expected by the end of the year, the trial will chart both safety and... Read More »
Medical, healthcare organizations press Congress to support $30B pandemic investments offered in American Jobs Plan
While Congress continues its debate of President Joe Biden’s proposed $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, 25 medical and healthcare stakeholder organizations are urging the legislators to support the $30 billion the plan would direct to prepare for future pandemics. In a letter to Congressional... Read More »
WHO support South African consortium to establish first COVID vaccine tech transfer hub
The World Health Organization (WHO) and its COVAX partners announced they are working with a South African consortium to establish a COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. The consortium, comprising Biovac, Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, a network of African universities, and the Africa... Read More »
DHS collaboration highlights research, development initiatives
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials are espousing the benefits of a four-part virtual content series highlighting research and threat preparation collaboration. The Virtual Whole-of-Government R&D Showcase focuses on efforts to mobilize... Read More »
Legislation seeks to bolster nation’s wildfire policy
Three legislators recently introduced legislation designed to enhance national wildfire policy by establishing a commission of federal and non-federal stakeholders addressing prevention and mitigation. U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) in... Read More »
Sotrovimab provides 79 percent reduction in COVID-19 hospitalization in Phase 3 COMET-ICE trial
As a result of phase three COMET-ICE trial data, GlaxoSmithKline plc and Vir Biotechnology, Inc. announced this week that they will push forward with sotrovimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody treatment for SARS-CoV-2. Primary efficacy analysis of 1,057 patients who participated in the... Read More »
CDC, HHS award $200M to 59 jurisdictions supporting disease intervention specialist workers
A combined supplement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week spread $200 million among 59 jurisdiction public health programs to expand the disease intervention specialists (DIS) workforce. This funding is... Read More »
EB-5 Regional Center Program reauthorization: Will it happen this week?
With feet to fire, congressional lawmakers are feverishly working to get bipartisan, bicameral companion bills to reauthorize the EB-5 Regional Center Program ready for a U.S. Senate vote before the program’s June 30 expiration date. There isn’t much time left to get a final bill worked... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate full funding for Byrne JAG program
A group of 48 legislators forwarded correspondence last week calling for full Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program funding. The letter was sent to U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), respective chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,... Read More »
Bill targets law enforcement cybercrime prevention
U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently reintroduced a measure designed to provide law enforcement with resources to enhance cybercrime combating initiatives. The International Cybercrime Prevention Act would update... Read More »
Public-private partnership vaccine effort leads to mRNA vaccine capable of full protection against malaria in mice
A novel mRNA vaccine developed to protect against malaria has demonstrated full defense against the disease in mice, according to the latest research published in npj Vaccines. Developed by joint efforts from Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), the Naval Medical Research Center, the... Read More »
Johns Hopkins study finds two SARS-CoV-2 variants less likely to be asymptomatic, despite increased transmission risk
The results of a Johns Hopkins-led study into the potential causes of increased transmission among certain SARS-CoV-2 variants has determined that at least two of these variants showed no evidence of higher viral loads but less likelihood of carriers presenting as asymptomatic. Utilizing whole... Read More »
Senators introduce bill to create U.S-Israel Artificial Intelligence R&D Center
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation Thursday that would create a U.S.-Israel Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Center to further collaborate in AI and contribute to the field’s advancement.... Read More »
Sens. Merkley, Wyden introduce legislation banning government use of biometric technology
U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) led a group of eight lawmakers who introduced legislation this week banning federal agencies from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act would also prohibit the... Read More »
Bill seeks to bar Chinese military scientists from entering United States
A group of lawmakers recently reintroduced legislation they said would require the government to develop a list of scientific and engineering institutions affiliated with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tommy... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate bolstered education sector cybersecurity
Citing an increased number of cyberattacks, a pair of lawmakers are encouraging bolstered cybersecurity efforts for the K-12 education sector. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the Senate Intelligence... Read More »