Technology Policy
Radio conference approves bandwidth for ocean current tracking
February 27, 2012 3:10 am | News | CommentsThe International Telecommunication Union, which coordinates global radio spectrum use, recently came to an agreement that provides specific radio frequency bands for ocean radars, which until now operated only on an informal basis and were subject to immediate shut-down if they caused interference with other radio systems. The new technology may eventually make real-time detection of tsunamis and oil spills possible.
When (and where) work disappears
February 24, 2012 7:11 am | by Peter Dizikes, MIT News Office | News | CommentsA new study from Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that the rapid rise in low-wage manufacturing industries overseas has had a significant impact on the United States. The disappearance of U.S. manufacturing jobs frequently leaves workers unemployed for years, if not permanently, while creating a drag on local economies and raising the amount of taxpayer-borne social insurance necessary to keep workers and their families afloat.
NASA says Russian space woes no worry
February 7, 2012 3:20 am | by Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsNASA says it still has confidence in the quality of Russia's manned rockets, despite an embarrassing series of glitches and failures in the Russian space program. The Soyuz is still consider by NASA officials to be the world’s most reliable space system.
Experts say Gingrich moon base dreams not lunacy
January 31, 2012 10:53 am | by Seth Borenstein, Associated Press | News | CommentsRepublican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich wants to create a lunar colony that he says could become a U.S. state. This, along with his plan to figure out the human brain and warnings about electromagnetic attacks have led some to cry science fiction. But mostly these ideas rooted in solid scientific foundations.
Litigator publishes guide to nanotech health law
January 30, 2012 3:49 am | News | CommentsJohn Delaney, an attorney with experience in toxic and environmental torts and a founding member of the law firm Delany & O’Brien in Philadelphia, has recently published guide to the legal implications of nanotechnology. He pays particular attention to carbon nanotubes and nanometal oxides, and notably argues for tort reform in anticipation of potential legal actions.
Report: Electronic health records still need work
January 27, 2012 10:41 am | by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press | News | CommentsAccording to a report developed by medical professionals and technology experts and released by the Bipartisan Policy Center last Friday, the effort by hospitals and doctors’ office to go increasingly digital is being hampered by the lack of progress in allowing computer systems to exchange data the way financial companies do.
Portable PET scanner moves closer to market, medical applications
January 26, 2012 7:46 am | News | CommentsSynchroPET, a Long Island startup company, has entered into an option agreement to commercialize a new small-scale, portable brain-imaging device invented by scientists at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.
DOE to spur construction of small modular nuclear reactors
January 20, 2012 12:04 pm | News | CommentsThrough a draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) announced Friday, the U.S> Department of Energy plans to establish cost-shared agreements with private industry to support the design and licensing of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). About one-third the size of current nuclear plants, SMR are expected to both safer and cheaper to build and operate.
S & T report: Asian countries rapidly closing rank with U.S.
January 18, 2012 2:39 pm | News | CommentsIn supporting science and technology (S&T), no country outranks the United States. But the margin is closing quickly as Asian nations invest heavily in knowledge-based economies, according to a new report from the National Science Board.
Protest exposes Silicon Valley-Hollywood rivalry
January 18, 2012 1:42 pm | News | CommentsInternet users quickly learned about the standoff between technology companies and Hollywood on Wednesday. Google blacked out its name, Reddit shut down for 12 hours, and Wikipedia blacked out its main site for the full day. At issue are two congressional proposals intended to limit online piracy of movies and TV programs.
Countries consider time out on the 'leap second'
January 18, 2012 5:33 am | by Frank Jordans, Associated Press | News | CommentsAfter a long decade of deliberation, United Nations member countries will cast their vote this week on an issue that lasts literally just a second. Leap seconds are necessary to prevent atomic clocks from speeding ahead of solar time, but the United States and other countries want to abolish it for all time.
Sandia helps IT pros visualize complex network vulnerabilities
January 11, 2012 5:14 am | News | CommentsAddressing the complexity of Domain Name System Security (DNSSEC), Sandia National Laboratories computer scientist Casey Deccio has developed a new visualization tool known as DNSViz. DNSSEC is a standard security feature at high-level government offices, but it is extremely complex and Deccio’s tool helps simplify implementation.
Ford to open Silicon Valley lab
January 6, 2012 1:23 pm | by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP Auto Writer | News | CommentsThe company said Friday that it plans to open the lab near Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., in the first few months of this year. It will employ around 15 people, including some recruited locally and others who will rotate in from Ford's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.
New operating system for space: High-tech tycoons
December 13, 2011 4:21 pm | by Donna Blankinship and Seth Borenstein, Associated Press | News | CommentsThe tycoons of cyberspace are looking to bankroll America's resurgence in outer space, reviving "Star Trek" dreams that first interested them in science. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen made the latest step Tuesday, unveiling plans for a new commercial spaceship that, instead of blasting off a launch pad, would be carried high into the atmosphere by the widest plane ever built.
Congress reaches deal on SBIR reauthorization
December 13, 2011 7:14 am | News | CommentsThe Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs were both set to expire on Dec. 16, 2011. But on Monday evening, Congress successfully negotiated a long-term reauthorization.
DOE to remove commercialization barriers between industry, labs
December 9, 2011 12:38 pm | News | CommentsThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it intends to begin a new pilot initiative, called the Agreements for Commercializing Technology, to reduce some of the hurdles that prevent innovative companies from working with the DOE’s national laboratories.
Fuels expert: put practicality before policy
December 8, 2011 6:35 pm | News | CommentsA transportation fuels expert from Sandia National Laboratories says policy makers should consider such practical issues as the number of gas stations selling ethanol and how long it takes to get new transportation technologies to market as they introduce aggressive federal and state energy policies.
U.K. spy agency asks hackers to crack code
December 2, 2011 3:56 am | by Cassandra Vinograd, Associated Press | News | CommentsBritain's electronic listening agency, GCHQ, quietly launched a cryptic Website last month featuring a box of code made up of numbers and letters. There is no branding on the site, only the phrase "Can you crack it?" and a box to type in an answer.
Thomson Reuters publishes list of top global innovators
November 16, 2011 8:03 am | by R&D Editors | News | CommentsThe 100 top innovators have been ranked this week by the Thomson Reuters’ intellectual property (IP) consulting arm. The U.S. continues to lead this list with a large share of innovators, and Asia and Europe place second and third, respectively. However, China is not yet ranked because of its practices regarding protecting IP and commercializing products globally.
Wanted: Astronauts; Missing: U.S. rocket to fly them
November 16, 2011 4:33 am | by Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsEven without it’s own manned launch vehicle, NASA is afraid it will soon not have enough astronauts. The space agency needs about 55 astronauts, and currently has 58, but with veteran astronauts leaving the space agency NASA has begun its biggest effort yet to find recruits.
Report sees safety risks in computerized medical records
November 9, 2011 8:12 am | by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press | News | CommentsComputerized medical records have been sold as a powerful tool to improve patient safety, for example by automatically alerting a doctor to potential allergic reactions to a medication prescribed to a patient. But a report by a panel from the Institute of Medicine said such benefits shouldn't be taken for granted.
U.S. report blasts China, Russia for cybercrime
November 3, 2011 12:00 pm | News | CommentsFor years, experts and officials have complained about cyberattacks emanating from China. Now, U.S. intelligence agencies have published a report that offers the first detailed public accusations from U.S. officials, saying computer attacks by foreign governments and corporate hackers are on the rise and represent a "persistent threat to U.S. economic security."
Genia Photonics, IQT enter strategic partnership
November 1, 2011 7:47 am | News | CommentsGenia Photonics Inc. announced a strategic partnership and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT). The partnership will promote Genia's fiber-based laser technology development to a higher level and provide new opportunities for Genia's product applications.
Can Kodak rescue itself via a patent bonanza?
October 31, 2011 7:58 am | by Ben Dobbin, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsPatents have become highly valuable to digital device makers who want to protect themselves from intellectual property lawsuits, and Kodak, which is facing the worst crisis of its 131-year history, is banking on this trend to save itself from ruin.
Survey finds public support for geoengineering research
October 24, 2011 11:54 am | News | CommentsThe first international survey by a peer-reviewed journal on the public perception of geoengineering and solar radiation management has found that 72% of respondents approved research into these climate-manipulating techniques.
