Public healthIs it a Virus or Bacteria? New Tech Rapidly Tests for Pathogens Published 25 June 2021 The first line of defense against pandemics is the ability quickly to detect the presence or absence of previously unknown pathogens. DHS S&T is exploring a new technology that can discriminate between bacterial and viral infections using only

Miami building collapseWhy Did the Miami Apartment Building Collapse? And Are Others in Danger? By Trivess Moore and David Oswald Published 25 June 2021 It is too early to tell what caused the collapse of the Champlain Towers South Tower, but the following causes are now being examined: a progressive collapse as a result of

SuperbugsCountries’ Shortcomings in Tackling Antibiotic Resistance Spotlighted By Chris Dall Published 25 June 2021 A new report indicates that while the world’s leading economies have been talking a good game when it comes to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), they have yet to translate that talk into substantive action. At the conclusion of a meeting this month

Water securityNew Irrigation Tool Promotes Efficient Water Use and Environmental Stewardship Published 25 June 2021 Irrigation technology has developed to the point where pressurized pipes can deliver water for irrigation while generating in-conduit hydropower that can be used to power electric pumps that currently rely on diesel, and in the future, also power electric tractors

China watchIslamic World “Actively Collaborating” with China’s Global Campaign against Uyghurs: Researchers By Reid Standish Published 24 June 2021 A new report documents how governments — predominantly from Muslim-majority countries across the Middle East and Asia — have cooperated with Beijing to surveil, detain, and repatriate Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities from China who have

ARGUMENT: Research SecurityRethinking Research Security Published 24 June 2021 How can or should the United States protect the gains of innovation without damaging the very research base it wants to protect? Ainikki Riikonen and Emily Weinstein write that the U.S. government has rightfully identified the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as an adversary intent on

PandemicPandemic Drives Largest Decrease in U.S. Life Expectancy Since 1943 Published 24 June 2021 U.S. life expectancy decreased by 1.87 years between 2018 and 2020, a drop not seen since World War II, according to new research. The numbers are even worse for people of color. On average, whereas life expectancy among white Americans decreased

PandemicSocial Media Use One of Four Factors Related to Higher COVID-19 Spread Rates Early On Published 24 June 2021 Researchers showed that, in the early stages of the pandemic, there was a correlation between social media use and a higher rate of COVID spread. The researchers compared 58 countries and found that higher social media

Guns“Red Flag” Gun Laws and State Efforts to Block Local Legislation Published 24 June 2021 “Red flag” gun laws—which allow law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from a person at risk of harming themselves or others—are gaining attention at the state and federal levels, but are under scrutiny by legislators who deem them unconstitutional. Legal

CybersecurityMaking Our Computers More Secure Published 24 June 2021 Corporations and governments rely on computers and the internet to run everything, but security hacks just this past month —  including the Colonial Pipeline security breach and the JBS Foods ransomware attacks  — demonstrated, yet again, how vulnerable these systems are. Researchers presented new systems to