Articles tagged with Weaponry
A new report suggests increasing the U.S. nuclear arsenal could lead to more nuclear crises, as adversaries may feel less deterred. The study highlights the importance of enhancing survivability and resilience over expanding the arsenal, with a focus on strengthening nuclear submarine capabilities and defending against cyberattacks.
A brief conversation about firearm safety can significantly increase gun owners' willingness to consider temporarily storing their firearms outside the home, a step that could help reduce suicide risk. Researchers found that participants who received Project Safe Guard became more willing to store guns elsewhere during times of crisis.
A Dartmouth study maps the interplay of personal choice and social networks contributing to the US being one of the world's most heavily armed countries. The researchers describe how individual incentives can lead to overarming, a phenomenon where collective costs outweigh individual benefits of firearm ownership.
Hospital-based shootings in the US have increased over 25 years, with large hospitals and urban areas being high-risk settings. The study emphasizes the need for hospital-specific prevention strategies, including weapons screening technology, to address rising firearm violence.
A blueprint for reducing firearms harms has been presented, suggesting investments in community-based initiatives and advancements in firearm technologies. The experts also recommend reframing gun violence as a public health issue and supporting coordinated action at federal, state, and local levels.
The DEEP Institute at ESMT Berlin is expanding CDL with a new Defense Stream to address the gap between innovation and practical application in the defense sector. The program supports science-based startups developing dual-use technologies, providing access to an international network of experts.
A new study found that firearm suicides are rising sharply among older women, with nearly 40% of suicides involving firearms in 2014-2023. The trend outpaces older men, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to mitigate firearm suicides among all older adults.
A recent study by Chris O'Meara from the University of Exeter Law School argues that existing laws can be used to limit when and how states may lawfully target satellites using ASAT technologies. This could help address pressing international concerns regarding space militarization and the fear of wars between states.
This study found that handguns were the most common firearm present in publicly targeted fatal mass shootings. Assault weapons' presence during such incidents was associated with slightly increased injuries and deaths.
A new laser vibration sensing technology can detect landmines in the ground much faster than previous techniques, reducing costs and improving safety. The technology uses a combination of laser and acoustic sensing to detect buried objects with greater accuracy.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that people are more likely to assume unknown bystanders are enemy combatants than civilians, leading to a higher acceptance of collateral damage. The research suggests that this bias can result in civilian deaths and highlights the need for decision-makers to carefully evaluate their targets.
Researchers found 9 hospitals within lethal range of bomb craters and 30 within injury range, highlighting concern for indiscriminate bombing in Gaza Strip
Researchers at University of Göttingen studied Bronze Age spear combat using multi-stage experiments to understand fighting styles and mark formation on spearheads. The study provides insights into wear formation, trauma, and combat contexts, benefiting future research and museum curation.
A new study from Ohio State University found that virtual reality technology can accurately record shooting performance and track individuals' progress over time. The research team used the VirTra V-100 simulator to measure 21 relevant variables, including accuracy, decision-making, and reaction time.
Researchers recruited Hellenic Marine volunteers to test the Dendra armor's combat suitability. The experiment revealed that the armor did not limit a warrior's fighting ability or cause severe strain on the wearer.
A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals remaining in Ukraine during the ongoing war are more likely to experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Exposure to blasts and loss of community, housing, and economic resources contribute to these mental health issues.
A study of emergency department visits reveals that most injuries from conducted energy devices, such as TASERs, involve young Black and white males from low-income areas. This finding is consistent with existing research on police violence and racial disparities in the US population.
A study found increased brain inflammation and structural changes in special operations personnel exposed to blasts, potentially increasing the risk of long-term brain-related disease. The research suggests that repetitive exposure to low-level blasts may cause brain injuries and highlights the need for better protective measures.
This study analyzed data from 262 adolescents who discharged firearms in 253 school shootings over 26 years. The most common source of these firearms was family members or relatives of the perpetrators, highlighting the importance of secure firearm storage to reduce adolescent access.
The study highlights substantial heterogeneity in NICS reporting requirements for mental health prohibitions and a lack of clarity around processes. This raises questions about the ability of NICS to prevent firearm purchases or possession by individuals with court-identified risk of violence.
The Ukraine War is a turning point in modern warfare, as new technologies like AI, drones, and cyberweapons are being used to devastating effect. Researchers like Jordan Richard Schoenherr warn that our understanding of warfare is outdated, and we need to rethink the role of sociotechnical systems in strategic thinking.
A Lancaster University academic argues that AI and algorithms contribute to polarization, radicalism, and political violence, posing a threat to national security. The paper examines how AI has been securitized throughout its history, highlighting the need for better understanding and management of its risks.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that female giant African pouched rats can undergo 'unusual' reproductive organ transformations. The study, published in Current Biology, explores how traits once considered fixed in adult animals may become variable under specific pressures.
An international research team applied a new dynamical model and exceptional historical data to examine major explanations for cultural complexity evolution. The study found little support for many influential theories, including the transition to agriculture and conflict theories.
A study of 9.5 million California women found that acquiring a handgun by a cohabitant sharply increased the risk of suicide among women living in handgun-free homes. Women who lived in households without handgun owners had a significantly lower rate of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared to those with cohabitants owning firearms.
Researchers found that green spaces were used as a tool for control and social cohesion, reducing instability in regions. The study highlights the potential of landscape design as a nonviolent means of subduing resistance from local populations.
Australian researchers have mapped the visual systems of hoverflies to detect drones' acoustic signatures, showing a 30-49% improvement in detection rates compared to traditional methods. The technology has potential applications for aviation safety and combatting IED-carrying drones.
A study by UMass Amherst researchers reveals a negative correlation between birds' ability to fly and their willingness to fight. The findings suggest that developing wings instead of bony spurs was driven by both sexual and natural selection, leading to the remarkable diversity of bird species we see today.
A new study reveals that animals use cheap tissues like chitin to build their weapons, allowing them to deceive opponents and gain advantages in battles. This tactic is used by species such as snapping shrimps and fiddler crabs, which can exaggerate their size and strength through clever deception.
A new study reveals that medieval warhorses were bred for success in various functions, including tournaments and long-distance raiding campaigns. The research, published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, found that breeding and training were influenced by biological and cultural factors.
The study of medieval gunpowder recipes reveals that the evolution of the perfect powder was a slow trial-and-error process. Researchers analyzed energies released during combustion and found that certain additives made gunpowder stronger, while others had no energetic advantages but might have served other purposes.
The study describes a range of eye injuries resulting from the Port of Beirut blast, including conjunctival lacerations and foreign body injuries. Researchers highlight the need for emergency care and medical attention for those affected.
In a recent study, scientists from Okayama University found that male G. cornutus beetles adopt different survival strategies depending on the size of their mandibles. Males with larger mandibles were more prone to exhibit tonic immobility when stimulated, while smaller mandibles were associated with escape behavior.
Researchers are using Cold War spy satellite images to detect environmental changes, including deforestation in Romania and ecological damage from bombs in Vietnam. The study reveals previously unseen changes in the environment and provides new findings on the extent of large-scale deforestation in Romania.
A University of Michigan study examining 3.8 million federal inventory records found little evidence that seizing military weapons increases violent crime or puts police at risk. Previous data analyses supporting the use of military equipment to reduce crime were unreliable due to data problems.
The VENUS system uses a pulsed magnetic field to stimulate small metal parts in landmines, detecting vibrations that distinguish them from other buried objects. This technology has the potential to upgrade conventional systems and reduce false alarm rates, benefiting humanitarian operations and road mobility.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a method for detecting dangerous 'butterfly' landmines using low-cost commercial drones and infrared cameras. The new research uses convolutional neural networks to automate landmine detection, providing faster and more accurate results than human-eye scanning.
Researchers used AI to detect bomb craters from satellite images, increasing true detection by over 160%. The study suggests 44-50% of the area's dropped bombs may still be unexploded, posing a risk to local farmers. This method could help identify high-priority areas for demining efforts.
A new study published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology reveals that exposure to life-threatening situations results in fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms for soldiers compared to witnessing others' suffering. Non-danger-based stressors, such as moral challenges, lead to increased symptoms of psychological distress.
A new study finds radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb tests has reached the deepest parts of the ocean, contaminating crustaceans' muscle tissues and affecting their longevity. The study suggests human pollution can quickly enter the food web and make its way to the deep ocean.
A new study reveals that chromium on bronze weapons of the Terracotta Army is likely contamination from a nearby lacquer coating, not an ancient anti-rust technology. The excellent preservation of the bronze weapons may be attributed to the soil's moderate alkaline pH and low organic content.
Researchers found WWII bombing raids produced shockwaves strong enough to weaken the ionosphere above the UK, 1000km away. The blasts released energy equivalent to 300 lightning strikes, affecting modern technologies like radio communications and GPS systems.
Children are dying from the indirect impact of armed conflicts in Africa, which is three to five times greater than direct casualties. This burden remains elevated over years and even after a conflict has ended, raising the risk of death for infants by over 30 percent.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a method to detect 'butterfly' landmines, which are difficult to locate due to their small size and design. The use of low-cost commercial drones and infrared cameras can rapidly identify these mines and reduce costs and labor required for mine clearing operations.
A team of researchers at the University of Delaware is developing an augmented reality system that can spot explosive hazards precisely and from a safe distance. The technology uses traditional cameras, thermal infrared sensing, and ground penetrating radar to detect IEDs up to 30 meters away.
A study covering 300 million years of evolutionary history found that only a few extinct animals developed tail weaponized features. The researchers identified four essential traits: large body size, armor, herbivory, and thoracic stiffness. These conditions are rarely seen in living animals, explaining the rarity of modern tail weaponry.
Researchers discovered dodder's sophisticated gene manipulation system, which operates like a computer virus, allowing the parasite to silence specific genes in its hosts. This finding has implications for engineering parasite-resistant plants.
The study highlights that since 2011, the conflict has claimed an increasing number of civilian child deaths due to the systematic use of aerial bombing on populated areas. The majority of civilian deaths were men, followed by children and women, with barrel bombs causing a high proportion of civilian deaths.
Research published in BMJ Open found that improvised explosive devices (IEDs) cause more severe injuries than landmines, particularly among children. IED victims are more likely to suffer multiple amputations, genital/gluteal injuries, and pelvic fractures.
A University of Kansas study found that US grant programs providing training to international military and civilian personnel since 1995 are tied to fewer conflict-related civilian casualties. In contrast, arms-sales programs have no effect on improving human rights in foreign countries.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have found that sea scorpions likely used their serrated tail spines to kill ancient early vertebrates. The study suggests that these prehistoric predators could slash their tails from side to side, using a horizontal slashing motion to capture and dispatch their prey.
Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem develop novel system combining lasers and bacteria to remotely map location of buried landmines. The system detects explosive vapors emitted by mines, which are then recorded and quantified from a remote location.
Researchers developed a miniature tabletop test device to study explosions with unprecedented accuracy, revealing key dynamics of hot spots. The new instrument helps control hot spots, crucial for safer explosives.
A new technique to remotely detect radioactive materials in dirty bombs or other sources has been proposed by researchers at the University of Maryland. The method uses low-power and high-power lasers to create a cascading breakdown of air, which is reflected back when the critical point is reached, indicating the presence of radioacti...
Researchers found that ancient Rapa Nui mata'a artifacts were likely used as general-purpose tools for cultivation and ritual tasks rather than weapons in warfare. This analysis contradicts the widely-held belief of the island's collapse due to war and instead supports a more sustainable, productive society.
A Veterans Affairs study of 738 Iraq war veterans found that those who fought during the insurgency phase were more than twice as likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to those who served in other phases. The finding holds true even after adjusting for demographic and deployment-related risk factors.
Researchers investigate the effects of shock waves on the brain to design helmets that can withstand penetrating blasts from IEDs. The goal is to develop specifications guiding the development of new personal protection systems for soldiers.
A study found that children with military parents or caregivers are more likely to experience substance use, violence, and harassment. The research suggests that war-related stressors can contribute to these struggles, emphasizing the need for social support programs in schools and communities.
Researchers have discovered that three of King Richard III's injuries had the potential to cause death quickly, including two to the skull and one to the pelvis. The forensic analysis used modern techniques such as CT scans and micro-CT imaging to analyze trauma to the skeleton and determine which wounds might have proved fatal.
Scientists used CT scans and micro-CT imaging to analyze the King's skeletal remains, revealing three injuries that could have caused death quickly. The most likely causes of his death are two skull injuries from a sword or staff weapon, and a penetrating injury from an edged weapon.