Articles tagged with Security Policy
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that the minimum wage has no discernible 'disemployment' effects on older workers and may even delay retirements. The study suggests that higher minimum wages increase earnings and financial resources for older households, offsetting any potential negative unemployment effects.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a new encryption system called matchmaking encryption, which allows for secure and private communication. The system uses real-time interactions to verify participants' identities, enabling messages to be sent on a 'dead drop' basis and read at a later date.
The number of gonorrhoea cases in the EU/EEA has risen by 17% in 2017, with over 240 cases per day, largely due to antibiotic resistance. The majority of cases are reported among men who have sex with men, and women are increasingly affected as well.
The Columbia Mailman School's John Rowe identifies five principal domains for measuring successful aging: Productivity and Engagement, Well-Being, Equity, Cohesion, and Security. Middle-income elders will face challenges in education, work, retirement, healthcare, and housing.
A new report finds that Arkansas PROMISE has succeeded in increasing services, training, employment, and income for participants. The program increased the likelihood of participating youth having a paid job and decreased their reliance on Social Security payments.
A two-day conference brought together experts in AI, policy, law enforcement, and survivors to tackle human trafficking. Researchers aim to leverage technology to support trained law enforcement in tackling this complex issue, combining data analysis with social policy and political efforts.
A UK consortium of cyber security experts is supporting global businesses to address cyber threats and protect against cybercrime. The project aims to develop interventions to provide guidance and support, with a focus on board decision-making and risk assessment.
The USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute has launched a new predoctoral exchange program to support young scholars working on US-East Asia relations. The initiative aims to enhance understanding of the security environment in East Asia and promote policy issues.
Researchers at UC Davis are studying how international security alliances like NATO break down due to free riding and unequal burden-sharing. The study aims to improve understanding of the conditions that lead to these problems, with implications for policy decisions.
Experts argue that the UK's policy of recruiting children to the Armed Forces is harmful to teen health and causes specific health harms. The UK is one of only two countries in the world to recruit teenagers, with 15-year-olds allowed to begin the enlistment process at age 16.
New research reveals that laptops and desktops are susceptible to hacking through common plug-in devices like chargers and docking stations. Attackers can compromise an unattended machine in seconds, taking complete control of the target computer.
New research by Lancaster University links austerity policies to social murder, citing increased suicides, malnutrition, and homelessness. The study argues that violent proletarianisation creates poverty that is both known and avoidable, highlighting the need for fundamental change in social security policy.
A Dartmouth study finds that US policy messages have a greater impact on foreign public opinion than the person delivering the message. The research, published in Political Behavior, reveals that Japanese public opinion of the US depends largely on whether a policy message is cooperative or uncooperative.
A national data resource, the Sentinel Initiative, has been instrumental in advancing medical product safety. Partnering with over 200 health system leaders, it uses a distributed network of electronic health data from 18 health plans and hospital systems, covering >100 million people.
The Chemical Weapons Convention comprehensively bans development, production, and use of chemical weapons worldwide. The OPCW must address scientific issues to prevent re-emergence, particularly regarding toxic 'non-lethal' or 'incapacitating' chemicals.
A new study finds that hospitals' progress in reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is largely due to preventing less-costly and less-dangerous early-stage HAPUs. The study recommends better data tracking methods, including using the same approach as for infections, to adjust rates and penalties based on patients' underlyi...
The NSF has awarded a $9.98 million grant to Penn State to establish and lead the Center for Trustworthy Machine Learning, aiming to develop rigorous techniques to manage and mitigate machine learning security vulnerabilities. The center will bring together experts from multiple disciplines to advance the science of safe machine learning.
A University of Kent study compared Democratic Republic Congo and Nepal's experiences with Security Sector Reform (SSR) policies based on European templates. The findings highlight the need to acknowledge context-specific factors for successful SSR policies.
The Texas A&M Center for Research Excellence on Dynamically Deformed Solids (CREDDS) will explore advanced manufacturing processes and new materials for nuclear weapon refurbishment. The center will also train the next generation of scientists and engineers to ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of the US nuclear deterrent.
Researchers at Indiana University discovered that requiring longer and more complicated passwords significantly lowers the risk of password reuse. The study analyzed password policies from 22 US universities and found that IU's policy resulted in a 99.98% low rate of password reuse.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security has identified 15 emerging technologies that could help prevent future infectious disease outbreaks from becoming catastrophic events. These technologies include genomic sequencing, drone networks, and medical countermeasure manufacturing, among others.
Lawrence Paul Lewis received the Secretary of Energy's Achievement Award for his work on Puerto Rico's long-term recovery planning after hurricanes. Linda Hansen was also awarded for her leadership in advancing international adherence to the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol. Both researchers were recognized by the...
A Johns Hopkins University study finds that high water bills in low-income areas lead landlords to target vulnerable tenants, increasing eviction rates and restricting affordable housing options. The research reveals how rising water costs and nuisance fees exacerbate the nation's housing crisis.
A new UBC study found that publicizing a firm's security levels can lead to reduced spam and strengthened security over time. The research quantified the security levels of over 1,200 Pan-Asian companies, revealing that firms were more likely to prioritize security improvements when cyberattacks were less likely to directly harm them.
Experts suggest seven innovative approaches to improve Social Security's adequacy in response to demographic trends. The proposals aim to provide greater protections against financial risk for Americans with increasing longevity, low lifetime earnings, and caregiving responsibilities.
A multinational team led by Lehigh University's Y.C. 'Ethan' Yang develops a comprehensive model to manage the complex interplay between food, energy, and water resources. The project aims to provide a flexible framework to address supply challenges and maintain security for farmers, utilities, and households.
A new cryptographic system, AUDIT, is proposed to improve government surveillance accountability while maintaining confidentiality. The system uses a public ledger and cryptographic commitments to ensure transparency and accountability.
A new study by Oregon State University finds that a continuous border wall could fragment the habitats of many animal species, putting them at risk. The authors urge the US government to follow environmental laws and consider the long-term consequences of such a barrier.
Researchers from Cambridge University found no evidence of a trade-off between military spending and public services in the Middle East. The study challenges the 'guns versus butter' hypothesis, which suggested that prioritizing military spending led to neglect of health and education, sparking civil unrest.
Researchers from Virginia Tech found that phishing attacks can spoof email addresses of trusted friends and co-workers, making it easy to obtain sensitive information. Email providers tend to prioritize delivery over security, leaving users vulnerable to phishing campaigns.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security have developed a forward-looking framework for identifying naturally occurring microorganisms that pose a global catastrophic biological risk (GCBR). The report outlines common characteristics of a potential GCBR-level pandemic pathogen, including respiratory mode of transmiss...
Researchers found that more frequent MRSA surveillance in newborns can significantly reduce infections, with weekly checks lowering colonization rates by 80% and hospital stays by 61 hours. However, the study suggests that daily surveillance may be too costly and could disrupt care practices, highlighting the need for balanced infectio...
A new RAND Corporation paper warns that AI's potential to encourage risky behavior and undermine strategic stability poses a significant threat to global security. Improved sensor technologies and the rise of first-strike capabilities could erode mutual assured destruction, making nuclear war more likely.
A new study reveals hostile neighbors use subversion to keep weak countries weak, impacting security, economic growth and human well-being. Lead author Melissa M. Lee's research found that bordering states or outside actors significantly affect a country's ability to govern itself.
Researchers developed an AI-powered tool to extract key information from online privacy policies, enabling users to easily navigate and understand data collection and use. The project's interactive website allows users to compare readability levels of popular websites' privacy policies.
A European study reveals that 80% of popular Android health apps fail to meet security standards, putting users' sensitive data at risk. The research found serious security problems in how applications handle user data, including unauthorized data sharing and insecure data transfers.
Health experts debate the importance of asking patients about their sexual orientation to improve services for non-heterosexual patients. While some argue that it's necessary for fair healthcare, others believe it's an invasion of privacy and should be left up to individual judgement.
A new paper by experts at Rice University's Baker Institute finds geopolitical risks to US oil supply are at their lowest since the 1970s. Climate policies have enhanced oil security through greater fuel efficiency and alternative technologies.
A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that patient education and transparency are crucial in getting patients to share their medical records electronically. By making patients aware of existing privacy policies and security measures, healthcare providers can create an environment where patients feel comf...
A study published in International Studies Quarterly found that countries tend to behave more aggressively in international affairs after experiencing surges of nationalism from international sports. This includes cases such as the 1969 Soccer War and the 2016 English-Russian Euro riots, where military or political conflicts arose betw...
Experts discuss the potential risks and benefits of gene editing, including its applications in human health, agriculture, and the environment. The discussion highlights the need for harmonized policies across national borders to address concerns about misuse and unintended consequences.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $5 million grant to create a multidisciplinary center focusing on cybersecurity and cloud computing. The Center for Security and Privacy Enhanced Cloud Computing (C-SPECC) aims to develop well-trained professionals in the industry and strengthen San Antonio as a cybersecurity hub.
A new study reveals that older workers born in 1960 will face more challenges as they continue to work, seek work, or try to retire due to worsening health issues. The research found that younger cohorts have higher rates of poor cognition and limitations in daily living tasks compared to earlier birth cohorts.
Researchers have developed a solution to a longstanding problem in end-to-end encryption, which ensures only sender and recipient can read a message. The new protocol, called DECIM, forces attackers to leave evidence of any such activity and alerts users to take action.
The spread of hypersonic missiles would increase strategic wars and jeopardize nations, including US, Russia, and China. Researchers recommend joint action to prevent proliferation, proposing export controls and international control of technology.
Researchers developed a predictive model to estimate the number of successful cyber intrusions, which found that internal security policies and network access patterns are strong predictors. The model's accuracy was improved by analyzing regression results and demonstrated the feasibility of constructing a practical predictive model.
A new RAND Corporation report analyzes economic life under Islamic State control, revealing a 23% reduction in GDP of cities under its control. The group's inability to sustain a large-scale prosperous proto-state is attributed to institutional failure and military opposition.
A Dartmouth study finds that Americans are consistently less supportive of refugee resettlement within their own communities than nationally. Negative media frames also decrease public support for resettlement, but proximity to refugees can mitigate this effect.
A UC researcher examines how President Trump's 'hell of a lot worse than waterboarding' rhetoric affects legal norms. The study finds that the Trump administration is breaking from previous administrations' efforts to justify controversial practices.
A recent study by McLean Hospital researchers highlights the need for better security and privacy measures in health apps designed for dementia patients. The paper found that many apps collect user-generated content without adequate protection, posing a risk to patients' sensitive information. Clinicians are urged to educate themselves...
A recent paper analyzes security issues in smart electrical grids, highlighting potential consequences of cyber attacks on advanced metering infrastructures. The report provides crucial keys to ensuring the security of our power supply.
A new USC study found that most US air travelers (60-80%) are unwilling to trade off convenience and wait longer for equal treatment in aviation security screenings. Only about half of respondents would be willing to pay up to $15 or tolerate more contraband on flights.
The US needs a new approach to defeat the Islamic State by addressing root causes of conflicts, reconciling disenfranchised populations with governments. This requires long-term commitment to establish legitimate governance in Iraq and Syria.
The US military could bolster its energy independence by deploying solar-powered microgrids, reducing reliance on vulnerable backup systems and enhancing grid resiliency. The proposed systems would provide localized energy security, decreasing the chance of cascading failures.
A new password meter developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers provides real-time feedback and advice to users, helping them create more secure passwords. The meter uses an artificial neural network to analyze patterns in existing passwords and offers personalized suggestions for improvement.
A RAND report identifies conditions that would help North Korean elites accept unification, including individual safety, wealth, and meaningful contributions. The report recommends actions by the ROK to address these concerns and prepare for potential unification.
A study by Adriana Zuniga-Teran found that traditional neighborhoods encourage more walking, while suburban developments with green spaces contribute to improved mental well-being. Cluster housing communities also foster social interaction among residents. In contrast, enclosed gated communities do not improve feelings of safety.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new form of ransomware that can take over control of simulated water treatment plants, highlighting vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. The attack demonstrates the potential for attackers to compromise programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and hold critical systems hostage.
Researchers now have unprecedented access to space-weather data from 23 GPS satellites, measuring charged particles and their impact on satellite operation. This data helps answer key questions about space weather events, enabling improved forecasting models.
A new study reveals that most IT security managers prefer employees not to bring their own devices to work due to security concerns. The study highlights the risks of BYOD, including viruses, phishing, hacking attacks, identity theft, and corporate espionage.