GRID SECURITYBlocking Microgrid Cyberattacks to Keep Power Flowing Published 10 February 2022 Detection methods that identify the weaknesses in smart power grids will prevent cyberattacks from disrupting supply to critical infrastructure. Power grids have become far more complex in recent decades due to energy demands, environmental regulations and small-scale renewable energy systems that turn businesses and

CHINA WATCHAfrica embraces Huawei technology despite security concerns By David Ehl Published 10 February 2022 Shunned in the Global North due to privacy and security issues, Huawei is a front-runner in Africa. But the Chinese giant’s data collection methods may also appeal to authoritarian regimes as a way to cling to power. Chinese technology giant Huawei

WILDFIRESIdentifying “Double-Hazard” Zones for Wildfire in the West Published 10 February 2022 Rapidly growing communities in the American West’s forests and shrublands are nestled in zones where local soil and plant traits amplify the effect of climate change on wildfire hazards and lead to bigger burns. Some plants and patches of Earth withstand heat and dry

PERSPECTIVE: NUCLEAR POWERMacron Supports Nuclear in Carbon-Neutrality Push Published 10 February 2022 France will build at least six new nuclear reactors in the decades to come, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, placing nuclear power at the heart of his country’s drive for carbon neutrality by 2050. France will build at least six new nuclear reactors

CLIMATE CHALLENGESComputing Carbon Storage Published 10 February 2022 The road to a stabilized climate is challenging and contentious. A number of solutions will be needed to enable a fast, equitable transition away from fossil fuels: among them the development of sustainable energy sources, greener materials, and methods to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The road to

WATER SECURITYWater Resources Depletion Near Large Urban Areas Published 10 February 2022 Researchers analyzed the spatial distribution of water resources depletion in connection with proximity to large urban areas and defined a model that might prove fundamental to mitigate the impact of urbanization on the ecosystem. The depletion of water resources (e.g. rivers and lakes) is more rapid and

TRUTH DECAYBattling Disinformation Published 8 February 2022 Counterspeech is a strategy to oppose hate speech and falsehoods online. It works by flooding a post that is hateful or misleading with comments that are positive or that reinforce the facts. Citizens are the drivers of counterspeech and can even form special groups to coordinate their efforts. One

DISINFORMATIONU.S. Mired in “Heightened Threat Environment”: DHS By Jeff Seldin Published 8 February 2022 DHS, in its updated National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin released Monday, says that the prevalence of conspiracy theories and bad or misleading information, online and in social media forums, is keeping the United States in a state of heightened alert when

POST-DISASTER TRAUMASSurvivors of Weather-Related Disasters May Suffer Accelerated Aging Published 8 February 2022 What is the toll on the long-term health of the population of the stress caused by major natural disasters? And could exposure to extreme weather events accelerate the aging process? A new study offers sobering insights. When Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico

TRAVEL SAFETYFog Detection Software Helps Keep Travelers Safe Published 8 February 2022 Fog and low stratus clouds over airports can create dangerous travel conditions that result in costly delays and disrupted travel plans. A new fog detection software will help. Fog and low stratus clouds over airports can create dangerous travel conditions that result in costly