Early Warning Systems

Google Uses Searches to Track Flu’s Spread

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:10:58 -0800

A new Google tool that tracks user searches for "flu symptoms" has given rise to a new early warning system for fast-spreading flu outbreaks that test indicate may be able to detect regional outbreaks of the flu a week to 10 days before they are reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Israel Developing Nuke-Hunting Drone

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:38:24 -0800

The Israeli military is working on "a high-flying, long-endurance unmanned infrared sensor" that can tell the difference between nuclear warheads amid dozens of decoys sent to confound national missile defenses and would mark the first use of an unmanned platform for nuclear warhead hunting.

Radiation Detectors' Value Is Questioned

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:43:20 -0700

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security have overstated the performance of costly new radiation detectors designed to prevent the importation of radiological materials that could be used in bombs, according to an unreleased government report.

Japan to Get Tsunami Warnings From Nuclear Monitor

Greg Schnippel — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:10:13 -0700

Japan yesterday signed a deal to receive data on possible tsunami activity from seismic and hydroacoustic sensors operated by an international nuclear detonation monitoring organization, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Jan. 3, 2005).

"We will have access to more accurate and more rapid information to enable us to issue a tsunami alert," said Yukiya Amano, Japanese envoy to U.N. organizations in Vienna. Amano signed the agreement with the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization.

Costly Weapon-Detection Plans Are in Disarray, Investigators Say

Greg Schnippel — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:46:17 -0700

Bush administration initiatives to defend the nation against a smuggled nuclear bomb or a biological outbreak or attack remain poorly coordinated, costing billions of tax dollars while basic goals and policies remain incomplete, according to new reports by congressional investigators.

Plan for Quake 'Warning System'

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:35:01 -0700

Pentagon wants laser attack warnings for satellites

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:35:01 -0700

Laptops as Earthquake Sensors

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:35:01 -0700

Phones studied as attack detector

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:29:46 -0700

Satellite antenna can detect nuclear tests

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:29:38 -0700