The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) has launched a pilot, the Incident Management Information Sharing (IMIS), to harness the capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve first responders' situational awareness during emergencies, with new types of low-cost, data sharing, wireless sensors.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office announced it has awarded $48 million for 53 new projects. Research will be conducted by NOAA laboratories and operational centers, universities, and other agency and research partners to advance the understanding, modeling, and prediction of Earth's climate system and to improve decision making.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched its first major redesign of the Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM) website. REMM provides key information about the diagnosis and treatment of radiation injuries and access to interactive clinical tools and data. The redesigned site now includes behavioral health resources and additional material.
New funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than doubled the number of CDC prevention epicenters. Six new U.S. academic institutions join the five existing epicenters working to identify possible new and improved ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like Ebola in healthcare facilities.
As part of an effort to develop new medical products to protect health and safety during chemical, radiological, or nuclear emergencies, a novel skin substitute called the Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix will take the next development steps under a contract awarded by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate's First Responders Group (FRG) is developing the X-Ray Scanning Rover (XSR) to be a responder's eyes. It quickly and accurately scans packages and bags for leave-behind improvised explosive devices (LBIED) while keeping responders out of harm's way.
Researchers from five laboratories and a private company recently spent two days in blistering 100 degree heat testing radiation detection technologies amidst cargo containers. The 15 researchers demonstrated the feasibility of using gamma-ray and neutron imaging detectors to identify radioactive materials using the laboratory's cargo container stack testbed.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) "Think and Do Challenge." This prize competition seeks ideas to leverage NBAF resources in order to conduct research to protect the nation's animal agricultural industry and public health.
With BARDA support, First Light Biosciences, Inc. of Bedford, Massachusetts will pursue the development of an anthrax diagnostic test for use in a doctor's office, hospital, clinic or field setting that will provide results within 20 minutes. In addition, the platform will also have the ability to test for multi-drug resistant anthrax infections.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange features resource materials, a help line, just-in-time suggestions, and tools to share information gleaned from real-life experiences in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters.
