Long-range Taser reignites safety debate

THE manufacturer of the Taser stun gun is sparking new controversy with the commercial launch of a long-range version that can be fired from a 12-bore shotgun.

Government-funded tests on initial versions of the new Extended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP) have revealed possible health risks to people on the receiving end, New Scientist has learned. The manufacturer, Taser International of Scottsdale, Arizona, says the issue has been addressed in redesigned devices, but these have yet to be independently tested.

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Discovery of natural odors could help develop mosquito repellents

Entomologists at the University of California, Riverside working on fruit flies have discovered a novel class of compounds that could pave the way for developing inexpensive and safe mosquito repellents for combating West Nile virus and other tropical diseases. Carbon dioxide emitted in human breath is the main attractant for the Culex mosquito to find people. The researchers identified odorants present in ripening fruit that prevent carbon dioxide-sensitive neurons in fruit fly antennae from functioning.

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Missile tracking satellites said ready for launch next month

After more than a decade of program difficulties, two demonstration satellites of the Space and Tracking Surveillance System (STSS) will be launched in mid-September, reports Colin Clark in DOD Buzz.

It will be a moment of both excitement and anxiety for employees of Northrop Grumman Corp. If the satellites perform as intended, it could mean billions of new business if similar projects are funded.

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IBM uncloaks eight core Power7 processor

Big Blue has officially uncloaked its nascent Power7 processor. According to William Starke of IBM, the 8-core chip is expected to feature 1.2B transistors and will be capable of achieving 20,000 coherent operations in flight.

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Solar-Hydrogen a single technology that Can Supply World’s Energy Needs

As you are aware the world’s oil supply continues to dry out every day. At the present rate of consumption, coal will run out in 130 years, natural gas in 60 years and oil in 42 years.

As a solution to this problem Derek Abbott, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University in Australia states that a solar-hydrogen economy is more sustainable and provides a higher total power output potential. He argues about the major non-renewable and renewable energy sources.

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Aircraft Worth More Dead Than Alive

AMARC (Aerospace Maintenance and Recovery Center). This facility, out in the Arizona desert, stores nearly 5,000 military aircraft no longer needed for active service. Every year, some are recalled, refurbished and sent back to work. But most get "harvested" for spare parts, until what's left is sold for scrap.

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Researchers grow nanowire crystals for 3-D microchips

The scientists added tiny germanium crystals in the shape of nanowires to a sheet of silicon, and then topped it with a layer of germanium. With heat, the nanowires and the germanium topping took on the crystal structure of the silicon. This process is a potential solution to the difficult task of layering germanium onto silicon, a step toward fabricating three-dimensional integrated circuits, or microchips.

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Using fiber optics to detect sound

QinetiQ has perfected a technique that transforms a fiber optic cable into a highly sensitive microphone capable of detecting a single footstep from up to 40 km away.

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2 In 3 IT Managers Have Cloud Funding

IT managers disagree on a definition of cloud computing, but they agree that it's either already in their budgets or soon will be. And they expect to share responsibility for cloud computing with application developers and business stakeholders.

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Man with 25 IDs nabbed by face-recognition tech

Helms allegedly had all the correct paperwork and then posed for his photograph. However, in the evening after his application was approved, the photograph passed through the new facial recognition system, which spotted an allegedly remarkable similarity with 10 other licenses, according to the report.

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Who Owns Unix?

In an unexpected ruling, the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the 2007 summary judgment decision by Judge Dale Kimball of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah that found that Novell owned the Unix and Unixware copyrights, according to a news report in ComputerWorld.

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Method for using bluetooth module to process non-bluetooth signals

An electronic device having a communications module with a first set of data rates can be enabled to use the communications module to process signals received from a source that uses a second set of data rates. The device may generate packets, frames, etc. at the first set of data rates using the communications module from the signals received from the remote source by sampling signals at one or more of the first set of data rates.

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“Never-Out-of-Touch” On-the-Move Communications

HUGHES and Ultra Electronics Partner to Demonstrate an Integrated “Never-Out-of-Touch” Tactical Communications Solution for Coalition Forces.

SATCOM Capabilities with High Capacity Line-of-Sight Tactical Communications Provide Seamless Connectivity and Range Extension While On-The-Move

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Ultra Hi-Res Surveillance Technology for US Army

Ultra hi-resolution US military images covering large expanses of battlefield may soon be available, in light of the US Army's newly-announced search for new military imaging technology to be carried aloft by manned aircraft or pilotless UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). The US Army's desire is to have cameras capable of capturing 2.3 gigapixel images - which would be supremely detailed - and weight is an issue too, since the requirement is for them to be lightweight and small-scale.

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Fixed Communication Systems

Fixed Communication Systems are connected to a remote station, in which acts as a server to cater the call, it is also wired or connected to a terminal in which performs the communication itself, so when a certain number or address is dialed in, it goes and basically connects to the station and on to the terminal, to make it happen. It is a basic structure that simply initiates the conversation and from there information is transferred.

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Air Force Organizes Cyberspace Units Under One Command

Air Force Space Command activated a new unit yesterday to better organize space and cyberspace capabilities and to keep pace with the rapid changes in information technology, the Space Command’s top military officer said.

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Cruise missile defense capabilities within reach

The U.S. Army's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Sensor (JLENS) System, which uses aerostats to elevate sensors for long-range target detection and tracking for superior land-attack cruise missile defense, demonstrated its first flight today during a ceremony in Elizabeth City, N.C.

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Boeing SLAM ER Modified To Engage Moving Targets On Land

Boeing has modified the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER) to engage land-based moving targets (LMT). The U.S. Navy declared the missile system, with its enhanced targeting software, operationally effective against LMTs on July 2 following a successful Operational Evaluation.

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Safety is not enough for bullet-proof wear

It's been called the Armani of armor, and the client list includes presidents, politicians, industry leaders and extraordinary folk with fat files in law enforcement agencies.

Miguel Caballero, the bulletproof wear specialist, is on the trail of whoever needs protection against death by gunshot but nonetheless is conscious of the latest fashion in street and party wear.

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$48.5M to Alion for Torpedo Detection System R&D and Testing

Alion Science and Technology in McLean, VA received a task order (N00178-04-D-4066) from the US Navy valued at $48.5 million to research, design, develop, prototype, integrate and test a new torpedo detection system in conjunction with the Navy’s anti-torpedo countermeasure technology effort.

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