Articles tagged with Terrorism
A new approach to tackling terrorism suggests using public health measures to prevent radicalisation, focusing on education, addressing social isolation and promoting inclusion. Researchers argue that the current criminal justice system has failed to prevent terrorism and may have alienated vulnerable individuals.
The American Chemical Society is developing new crime-fighting tools to deter and catch terrorists, utilizing chemical forensics to trace weaponized toxic substances. The research aims to send a message to would-be terrorists that science is prepared to stop them.
A review of the Mumbai hospital's response to the 2008 terrorist attack highlights the importance of meticulous planning, effective casualty assessment, and efficient teamwork in medical management. The study also emphasizes the need for safe on-site assessment and training civilian doctors by military personnel.
A new test, 'impurity profiling,' identifies impurities in nerve gas samples at crime scenes and matches them to source chemicals, pinpointing likely sources. This technique may help track down perpetrators of chemical attacks.
The article highlights the importance of pharmacists' knowledge of toxic agents and treatment methods in event of a chemical weapons attack. Pharmacists can provide valuable expertise to healthcare facilities and government agencies, and are also essential in managing biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
In a surprising finding, firefighters are more likely to be injured while exercising than during firefighting activities. This is according to research that analyzed data from 21 fire stations in Tucson, Arizona between 2004 and 2009.
Awareness of mortality increases support for heroic figures and punitive policies. Psychological research reveals how 'mortality salience' can bias voters toward emotions over rational decision-making, leading to polarization and demonization of opposing views.
A new study by Keisha Cutright found that consumers who feel a lack of control over their lives seek tangible boundaries to restore order and structure. This includes aesthetic elements like frames around paintings or fences around yards, which provide a sense of comfort and control.
A special digital issue featuring 150-page four-volume reports from first-person accounts of responders who were thrust into the world spotlight on September 11, 2001. The report highlights the devastating effects of 9/11 on responders' lives and relationships, as well as their reluctance to seek counseling.
The essays argue that 9/11 did not bring about a new world order but rather built upon existing structures and power dynamics. The real significance lies in the connections between people and places, past and present.
A 10-year analysis of national intelligence reforms finds that a groundbreaking plan was hindered by budgetary and structural limitations. UC researchers argue that the DNI office created an anchor for the US Intelligence Community, but organizational culture and bureaucracy have slowed transformational change.
The RAND book examines America's response to terrorism since 9/11, outlining successes like al Qaeda's degradation and improved intelligence systems. However, it also critiques mistakes such as the US involvement in Iraq and detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib prison.
Research examines the long-term psychological effects of 9/11 attacks on Americans, including increased prejudice and anxiety, as well as charitable donations and civic engagement. The study also explores how psychology is helping people understand and cope with the enduring impacts of terrorism.
A survey of 89 junior doctors in three NHS hospital trusts in Wales found that nearly all were unaware of their roles and responsibilities during a major incident. The knowledge gap has sparked concerns about the preparedness of healthcare professionals to respond effectively in emergency situations.
A new study argues that female suicide bombing is a military tactic used by terrorist groups to justify acts that deviate from mainstream Islam. The study's findings suggest that the use of female suicide bombers is not based on Islamic doctrine, but rather on strategic and military utility.
Researchers from US and Iran develop framework to identify cyber-terrorists through web mining and honeypot traps. The framework aims to trace cyber terrorists in real-time, making arrests before debilitating attacks occur.
A new spray-on material can detect and neutralize terrorist explosives, including peroxide-based substances like TATP. The ink-like material changes color and becomes a non-conducting material when exposed to explosives.
The British depiction of Egyptians as weak and subservient led to a shift towards masculine ideals, including physical health and bodybuilding. This, in turn, contributed to the formation of an anti-colonial nationalist movement that reversed the colonial narrative and created a new sense of national identity.
Researchers argue that racial profiling is fundamentally flawed and no more effective than standard uniform random sampling techniques. It can lead to false assumptions, unfair detention of innocent individuals, and even radicalization.
A mathematical analysis suggests that isolating terrorist network hubs is more effective than targeting the entire network. The study uses complex systems tools to analyze and model terrorist networks, finding that soft targets are not worth pursuing. Instead, focusing on the key hubs can lead to successful defeat.
Researchers analyzed text messages sent on September 11, 2001 to track emotional reactions. They found spiking anxiety in the morning and increasing anger throughout the day. The study suggests that anger dominated immediate reactions, which may explain consequences of the attacks.
A new study suggests that people with a strong fusion of identity with their group will take extreme actions to protect others within the group, but not outsiders. Researchers found that those who identified as fused were more likely to sacrifice themselves for their own group members.
A new Northwestern University study has developed a technology that can detect imminent terrorist attacks by correlating P300 brain waves with guilty knowledge in mock terrorism scenarios. The test was accurate in identifying critical concealed information, even without prior knowledge of the planned crime.
A comprehensive study reveals that prison-based de-radicalization programs can be effective in reducing terrorism, particularly when individual approaches are taken. The report highlights the importance of promoting positive influences inside prisons and investing in staff training to combat radicalization.
A new symposium investigates the link between terrorism and human rights, finding that restricting citizens' rights can fuel terrorism. The research also suggests that governmental repression in response to terrorism is limited, highlighting the need for alternative approaches to curbing terrorism.
The US military has developed a set of ultra-strength cleaners that can effectively neutralize toxic chemicals, including nerve gas and mustard gas. The new decontamination agents are non-toxic and based on ingredients found in foods, cosmetics, and other consumer products.
A study published in BMC Public Health found that stress caused by the 9/11 attacks led to a spike in male fetal deaths and lower birth rates for boys in December 2001. The research suggests that societal shock may affect male pregnancies, potentially due to a mechanism conserved by natural selection.
A Tel Aviv University security expert has identified serious security drawbacks in US passports, credit cards, and e-voting systems. The researcher, Prof. Avishai Wool, found that hackers can access the chip embedded in passports using simple devices, while smart card vulnerabilities allow for easy jamming of radio frequencies.
Researchers found that US stock markets remained stable despite European terrorist attacks in 2001, 2004, and 2005. The Eurozone markets were more affected, with larger price fluctuations following the attacks.
The CSIC's project analyzes the makeshift altars created after the Madrid bombings, revealing their performative nature as a form of political participation. The investigation highlights the importance of collective trauma, mourning, and social action in response to collective events.
A new mental health outreach programme has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors of the 2005 London bombings, strongly suggesting similar programmes need to be included in disaster response plans. The programme highlighted a significant gap in traditional GP referrals for mental healthcare after terrorist attacks.
The study analyzed 54,679 violent events in various countries and found a common statistical distribution for insurgency attacks, which is significantly different from traditional wars. The model can be used to create scenarios, make predictions, and assess risks for present and future insurgent wars.
Researchers from Berkeley Lab are measuring gas dispersion in Boston's subway system as part of a DHS study. The data will help develop next-generation biological and chemical agent detector systems, as well as inform planning for fires and other emergencies.
The UCLA School of Public Health has received a grant to establish a center focused on strengthening public health agency preparedness for natural and human-induced disasters. The new center will explore interorganizational cooperation, community-based partnerships, and environmental health emergency resilience.
A new CU-Boulder study found that people tend to view their immediate emotions as more intense and important than previous ones when assessing risks. This can lead to overlooking more mundane threats like global warming in favor of highly publicized dangers.
A study by Alan Krueger and Jitka Malečková found that negative public opinion toward a country's leadership and policies is associated with an increased likelihood of terrorist acts. The research analyzed data from 143 pairs of countries and linked opinions to terrorist attacks between 2004 and 2008.
A study published in Sociological Inquiry examines why people form false beliefs, such as the link between Saddam Hussein and 9/11, despite a lack of evidence. Researchers found that motivated reasoning, a cognitive theory, plays a significant role in shaping these beliefs.
A new study by psychologists at the University at Buffalo finds that individuals' stories about national trauma are linked to their emotional distress. The researchers found that those who described traumatic events with a sense of closure and redemption had lower levels of distress and higher well-being.
The EUREKA project has developed a high-tech polyvalent rescue vehicle that can carry up to four patients while providing easy and safe operation, as well as simple cleaning and disinfection. The new design surpasses current safety standards significantly, offering a weight reduction of up to 50% compared to previous products.
Blast injuries are physically and psychologically devastating, with conservative estimates showing a four-fold increase in events and an eight-fold increase in injuries. The authors emphasize the need for every physician involved in emergency care to understand blast injury patterns and management, highlighting the importance of carefu...
A new video 'perfection tool' from Tel Aviv University can enhance raw video images to identify suspects, improving the odds of locating terrorists or identifying criminal suspects. The tool uses algorithms to stabilize images, allowing objects that are really moving to be distinguished from chaotic atmospheric changes.
Researchers suggest two-tiered scanning-protocol to inspect all containers, reducing risk of bottlenecks and costs. The current inspection regime is deemed inadequate due to limited capacity and high logistical requirements.
Researchers found nearly one in 12 people reported increased alcohol consumption, with similar rates for drugs and cigarettes. The study suggests a potential behavioral health effect of man-made disasters like terrorism on substance misuse.
A new analytical approach can reveal latent connections and patterns in terrorist networks, potentially helping investigators gather information on associates and bring perpetrators to justice sooner. The technique uses graph theory and computational data processing to analyze networks and identify critical nodes.
The article examines how the Columbine High School shootings were originally portrayed in the media and how those messages changed after 9/11. The author argues that framing the event as 'terrorism' contributed to a broader discourse of fear, legitimating the war on terror and expanding social control.
Researchers analyzed potential peroxide-based explosives using computer simulations and found that a supposed new, more lethal relative to TATP is unlikely to exist due to instability. They consider previous reports of its creation to be Internet myths with no basis in reality.
Researchers at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a virtual simulation tool that assesses the impact of crowd formation patterns on survival and injury rates during a suicide terrorist attack. The study suggests that following specific crowd formation patterns can reduce fatalities by 12% and injuries by 7%.
A study on humor in geopolitics found that disposition theory helps understand who finds certain content funny and how it shapes global worldviews. The analysis of comedian Jeff Dunham's skits on Achmed the Dead Terrorist reveals the impact of internet communication technologies on humor dissemination.
The ALADDIN project has created software that can acquire and process real-time data from sensor networks, supporting situational awareness and operational decision-making in emergency response situations. The information agents will enable emergency responders to access and distribute up-to-the-minute data via various devices.
According to UCLA behavioral ecologist Daniel T. Blumstein, biology and evolution offer valuable lessons on managing security threats. By studying species' risk management strategies, we can learn how to allocate energy to defense versus other things, and how not to overreact.
A RAND Corporation study recommends that the US and its allies in East Africa address radical Islamist groups beyond al Qaeda to create long-term stability. The report highlights existing counterterrorism programs as a starting point for stronger regional collaboration.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) showcased its technology investments to reduce the weight of Marine Corps equipment by up to 30%. New technologies aim to improve body armor, helmets, vehicles, and communications equipment. ONR's goal is to increase mobility and survivability for Marines.
The September 11 attacks caused heightened levels of stress and anxiety, particularly among those closest to the World Trade Center. This stress impacted day-to-day behaviors like driving, leading to a significant increase in traffic fatalities in the Northeast region.
A new study found that marginalized groups fare worse in the aftermath of natural disasters and experience greater terrorism-related fears. Researchers discovered that these groups tend to overestimate the threat of terrorism and make more behavioral changes based on those fears.
Since 1970, India has faced over 4,100 terrorist attacks, resulting in 12,539 fatalities. The Global Terrorism Database reports that these incidents peaked in 1991 and 1992, with a total of 360 fatalities per year.
A University of Warwick professor argues that the former James Bond villains have become eerily relevant in today's world, mirroring modern security threats. Their tactics, such as exploiting globalization and secrecy, are now employed by real-world enemies like terrorist groups, arms smugglers, and warlords.
A new NC State University study reveals that ordinary people can work together to oppose the government's definition of a crisis and show how its actions undermine their American way of life. The study shows that defined as patriotic, common-sense citizens, opponents built a more credible connection to a patriotic American ethos.
The book, 'In Their Own Words: Voices of Jihad,' provides an unusual window into the thinking of Islamic terrorists. It includes translations of writings and speeches from notable jihadis like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.
Paranoia is on the increase, with one in four people experiencing regular paranoid thoughts. Urbanization, poverty, and wealth inequality are linked to poor health and mental illness, fuelling a culture of paranoia. Dr Freeman calls for urgent action to stem the rise in paranoia at both individual and societal levels.
Hospital emergency room doctors and nurses express concerns about radiological event management and patient care after a terrorist attack. They prioritize protecting themselves and loved ones over decontamination protocols, highlighting the need for better preparedness training and guidelines.