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Archive for the ‘surveillance’ category: Page 2

May 21, 2024

Pandemic Potential: New Research Shows H5N1 Bird Flu Can Transmit Through Air

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, evolution, surveillance

In March, the United States reported its first detection of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle, with outbreaks spreading to nine states by May. The transmission method among cattle remains unclear. However, a study published in the journal Nature Communications revealed that a similar H5N1 strain, subtype clade 2.3.4.4b, which previously caused an outbreak in farmed mink in 2022, was capable of airborne transmission to a small group of ferrets.

This is the first time that a member of the group of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses has been shown to exhibit this ability. According to the Penn State researchers who led the study, the findings suggest these viruses are evolving to infect mammals and with potentially increased risk to humans.

“While there is no evidence that the strain of H5N1 that is presently affecting dairy cattle is capable of airborne transmission, our study suggests that another member of this family of viruses has evolved some degree of airborne transmissibility,” said Troy Sutton, associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences, Penn State, and corresponding author on the paper. “This finding underscores the importance of continued surveillance to monitor the evolution of these viruses and their spillover into other mammals, including humans.”

May 16, 2024

Low-temperature pulse irradiation technique enables flexible optoelectronic devices

Posted by in categories: military, surveillance

To overcome these obstacles, the research team developed a novel pulse irradiation synthesis method that achieves both a low processing temperature and an ultra-short reaction time, surpassing the capabilities of conventional techniques.

With the new method for preparing metal sulfide thin films at low temperatures, these detectors can now achieve higher performance on suitable . This creates exciting possibilities for thermal imaging applications in security monitoring, fire detection, military surveillance, and other fields.

Additionally, the photothermoelectric effect allows for the conversion of invisible infrared light into , paving the way for applications in high-speed communications and optical signal processing.

May 15, 2024

Gravitas: A new underwater warfare, is India prepared?

Posted by in categories: drones, military, robotics/AI, surveillance

Underwater recon and attack drones are about to enter war zones.


Australia has unveiled ‘Ghost Shark’, an underwater drone that is capable of surveillance, intelligence collection and attacking enemy targets. The U.S. has a ‘Monster Manta’ that can carry a range of payloads, carry out long-range missions. Countries around the world are developing unmanned underwater vehicles for the next war at sea. What about India?

Continue reading “Gravitas: A new underwater warfare, is India prepared?” »

May 5, 2024

Dr. Jaime Yassif, Ph.D. — VP, Global Biological Policy and Programs, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)

Posted by in categories: biological, biotech/medical, health, policy, security, surveillance

Working To Reduce Global Catastrophic Biological Risks — Dr. Jaime Yassif, Ph.D. — VP, Global Biological Policy and Programs, Nuclear Threat Initiative.


Dr. Jaime Yassif, Ph.D. serves as Vice President of Global Biological Policy and Programs, at the Nuclear Threat Initiative (https://www.nti.org/about/people/jaim…) where she oversees work to reduce global catastrophic biological risks, strengthen biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, and drives progress in advancing global health security.

Continue reading “Dr. Jaime Yassif, Ph.D. — VP, Global Biological Policy and Programs, Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)” »

May 3, 2024

How the US is preparing for a potential bird flu pandemic

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, surveillance

As the US grapples with an ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle, the country’s health agencies are ramping up surveillance efforts and working to develop a vaccine if needed.

By Grace Wade

Apr 25, 2024

Combating the Next Pandemic: Experts Call for Global Genetic Warning System

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, evolution, genetics, health, surveillance

Scientists champion global genomic surveillance using the latest technologies and a ‘One Health’ approach to protect against novel pathogens like avian influenza and antimicrobial resistance, catching epidemics before they start.

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In fighting it, one of our most important weapons was genomic surveillance, based on whole genome sequencing, which collects all the genetic data of a given microorganism. This powerful technology tracked the spread and evolution of the virus, helping to guide public health responses and the development of vaccines and treatments.

But genomic surveillance could do much more to reduce the toll of disease and death worldwide than just protect us from COVID-19. Writing in the journal Frontiers in Science, an international collective of clinical and public health microbiologists from the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) calls for investment in technology, capacity, expertise, and collaboration to put genomic surveillance of pathogens at the forefront of future pandemic preparedness.

Apr 24, 2024

Astrophysics research advances understanding of how gamma-ray bursts produce light

Posted by in categories: nuclear energy, physics, surveillance

Two piloted one-seat eVTOLs flew in formation during an exciting premiere by Jetson, opening the road for a wide range of missions in the future.

Mar 26, 2024

How 1990s libertarians laid the groundwork for cryptocurrency

Posted by in categories: bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, encryption, surveillance, transhumanism

The development of Transhumanism / Extropianism in the final two decades of the 20th century also set in motion the creation of digital cash, including the breakthrough killer app: Bitcoin.


The Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek wanted to denationalize money. David Chaum, an innovator in the field of cryptography and electronic cash, wanted to shield it from surveillance. Their goals were not the same, but they each inspired the same man.

Max O’Connor grew up in the British city of Bristol in the 1960s and ’70s. Telling his life story to Wired in 1994, he explained how he had always dreamed of a future where humanity expanded its potential in science-fictional ways, a world where people would possess X-ray vision, carry disintegrator guns, or walk straight through walls.

Continue reading “How 1990s libertarians laid the groundwork for cryptocurrency” »

Mar 21, 2024

Lockheed Martin eyes growth in satellite business through partnerships

Posted by in categories: business, satellites, surveillance

WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin is looking to team up with more commercial space companies as it aims to stay ahead of the curve in areas like intelligence, surveillance, communications, and small satellites, a senior executive said March 19.

“We’re looking for strategic partners,” said Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space. “We’re interested in talking with anyone who has an advantage in those areas from a space perspective.”

Lightfoot spoke with SpaceNews at the Satellite 2024 conference.

Mar 15, 2024

Clever Thieves Using WiFi Jammers to Shut Down Those Crappy Security Cameras You Bought on Amazon

Posted by in categories: habitats, internet, security, surveillance

The Los Angeles Police Department is warning residents that burglars are using WiFi jammers to easily disarm “connected” surveillance cameras and alarms that are available for cheap on marketplaces like Amazon.

As LA-based news station KTLA5 reports, tech-savvy burglars have been using WiFi jammers, which are small devices that can confuse and overload wireless devices with traffic, to enter homes without setting off alarms — a worrying demonstration of just how easily affordable home security devices from the likes of Ring and Eufy can be disarmed.

As Tom’s Hardware reported last month, instances of WiFi jammers being used by criminals go back several years. Jammers are not only easily available to purchase online, they’re also pretty cheap and can go for as little as $40.

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