The Homeland Defense (HD) Digest is a curated bi-weekly news summary from worldwide sources, showing headlines of innovative, emerging technologies in HDIAC's eight focus areas.

HDIAC ANNOUNCEMENTS:

In Case You Missed It – Weaponizing Brain Science: Neuroweapons – Parts 1 & 2 - HDIAC.org

In part one of this two-part podcast, HDIAC analyst Mara Kiernan interviews Dr. James Giordano, a Professor in the department of Neurology and Biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center. The discussion begins with Dr. Giordano defining neuroweapons and explaining their applied technologies. He provides insight into the manner in which international weapons conventions govern the use neuroweapons and discusses the threats presented by neuroweapons in today's environment. Dr. Giordano goes on to review the need for continuous monitoring, including his views regarding challenges and potential solutions for effectively understanding global developments in neuroweapon technologies. In the second installment of this podcast, analyst Mara Kiernan continues the conversation with Dr. Giordano on the implications of weaponizing brain science. He concludes by describing ethical frameworks that could regulate future policies for biotechnology as the world moves forward in this dynamic area.

RECENT HEADLINES:

Many Kinds of Disaster Help are Available - FEMA

There are many kinds of assistance available to Puerto Rico residents after the earthquakes that continue to rattle southern municipalities.

Army Researchers Pursue Tactical Edge in Electronic Warfare - Army.mil

In the age of technology, the Army's ability to dominate the electromagnetic spectrum can significantly influence the outcome of future conflicts on the battlefield.

National Museum USAF adds new GPS and DSP Satellite Exhibit - NMUSAF

The new GPS exhibit, titled "Global Positioning System and its Impact!" occupies nearly 700 sq. ft. of floor space and takes the shape of a full-size current replica GPS satellite. Displayed on a very large floor graphic of the Earth, the central satellite unit includes eight interpretive panels where the satellite's solar panels would be.

AFRL Engineer Earns First Place in COVID-19 Virtual Hackathon - AFMC

This graphic represents an Agent-Based Model (ABM) which provides a framework to understand the behavior of individuals in an environment.The goal of this model is to quantify individual worker exposure and infection locations for various office layouts to mitigate exposure.

Long-acting Injectable Form of HIV Prevention Outperforms Daily Pill in NIH Study - NIH

A pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen containing an investigational long-acting form of the HIV drug cabotegravir injected once every 8 weeks was more effective than daily oral Truvada at preventing HIV acquisition among cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men in a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. While both methods were highly effective for HIV prevention in the study population, the final data analysis indicated that cabotegravir had a superior protective effect. Findings from the Phase 2b/3 study, called HPTN 083, will be discussed in an online press conference and oral presentations during the 23rd International AIDS Conference.

EPA Approves First Surface Disinfectant Products Tested on the SARS-CoV-2 Virus - EPA

Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked to provide the American public with information about how to safely and effectively kill the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, on surfaces. Last week, EPA approved two products, Lysol Disinfectant Spray (EPA Reg No. 777-99) and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist (EPA Reg No. 777-127), based on laboratory testing that shows the products are effective against SARS-CoV-2.

Strength of the Nation Assists Wildland Firefighting Operations - DVIDS

The primary mission of U.S. Army North is homeland defense, however, when requested, their forces may deploy to provide Defense Support to Civil Authorities for disasters and emergencies, such as wildland fires.

NPC Completes First Operational Patient Movement - AFMC

Less than 100 days from an idea on a napkin to its first real-world, aeromedical evacuation, the Negatively Pressurized Conex completed its first operational mission July 1, moving 12 patients from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to receive higher level of care at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

CDC’s Diagnostic Test for COVID-19 Only and Supplies - CDC

The CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Panel detects the SARS-CoV-2 virus in upper and lower respiratory specimens. It is designed to be used with an existing RT-PCR testing instrument commonly used to test for seasonal influenza virus.

U.S. Army Signs Lease for Novel Energy Resilience Project on Fort Sill - Army.mil

The U.S. Army and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) signed a long-term lease to allow PSO to construct, own, and operate a 36 megawatt (MW) natural gas power plant, and up to 14 MW of solar on Fort Sill in Oklahoma. This Fall, PSO will seek approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to proceed with the project. If approved, as in-kind consideration for the lease value, Fort Sill would have first right to draw power from the generation equipment during grid outages.

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