The U.S. government is researching whether the best defense against a chemical, biological or radiological attack might one day be right in everyone's hands - or on their ears.
Homeland Security and Energy department leaders urge cities vulnerable to terrorism to undergo an inventory of all radioactive material within city limits, so authorities can detect "dirty bombs" terrorists might plant.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have developed a method for training wasps to detect chemicals and other susbstances. The technique could be used to detect explosives or toxins in public areas and could be available for commercial use in 5-10 years.
The federal government is stepping up efforts to stop terrorists from smuggling nuclear or radiological material into the USA, even as critics fault it for poor planning and outdated equipment.
The federal government is deploying high-tech sensors in cities nationwide to detect smallpox, anthrax and other deadly germs that could be used in a bioterrism attack.