Archive | July 31, 2009 | Armed with Science

Navy Assessing Effects of Climate Change on Maritime Security

Filed under Earth Sciences by molly.burgess on July 31, 2009 at 11:50 am {no comments}

“Task Force Climate Change was initiated … to assess the Navy’s preparedness to respond to emerging requirements, and to develop a science-based timeline for future Navy actions regarding climate change,” Rear Adm. David Titley, the Navy’s senior oceanographer, explained in a July 28 interview on Pentagon Web Radio’s audio webcast “Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military.”

To listen to the full audio broadcast, click here.

To read the full article on DefenseLINK click here.

Podcast #27: Using Virtual Worlds and Characters for Soldier Support

Filed under Podcast, Social Sciences, Technology by John Ohab on July 29, 2009 at 2:06 pm {no comments}

Dr. Jacquelyn Morie of the USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) will discuss the Transitional Online Post-Deployment Soldier Support in Virtual World, or Coming Home. This is a project that is creating a space within Second Life dedicated to providing camaraderie, support and resources for helping returning soldiers reintegrate into civilian life. The project incorporates some of ICT’s core strengths in using immersive games, virtual worlds expertise and virtual human intelligence. This virtual world will be populated with artificial intelligence driven virtual characters who can aid veterans in finding support and therapies that will help them function in the real world.

USC Institute of Creative Technologies
Morie, 2009 – Re-Entry: Online virtual worlds as a healing space for veterans

Transitional Online Post-Deployment Soldier Support in Virtual Worlds

Podcast #26: Assessing the Arctic – the U.S. Navy Responds to a Changing Climate

Filed under Earth Sciences, Podcast by John Ohab on July 28, 2009 at 2:04 pm {no comments}

Rear Admiral Dave Titley, the Oceanographer of the Navy, joins us from Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city of the United States, as he prepares for a flight to the Arctic coast. Admiral Titley will be visiting the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Healy, a light icebreaker primarily used for scientific research in the Arctic. The ship is also capable of the full range “cutter” responsibilities, including search and rescue, ship escort, environmental protection and law enforcement. Admiral Titley will discuss the issue of climate change and why the Department of Defense is interested in it.

Listen to the interview!

Podcast #25: Preparing for a Bio-Attack on the Pentagon

Filed under Life Sciences, Podcast, Technology by John Ohab on July 22, 2009 at 2:04 pm {no comments}

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency is testing their response procedures and decontamination methods in the event of a bio-attack on the Pentagon. Mr. Paul Benda and Dr. Christina Murata, Director and Deputy Director of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives Directorate at the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA), will discuss a recent test that took place at the Pentagon, how they simulated a bio-attack using a commercial garden powder, and what they hope to learn from their findings. Over 200 individuals participated in the test, including over 100 volunteers who were exposed to the garden powder and washed down. Tests were also conducted in 2005 and 2007, and PFPA has drawn from lessons learned and developed an extremely effective testing program. The results from their tests will be able to help local and Federal first responders across the Nation prepare for and respond to a bio-attack.

Listen to the interview!

Pentagon Force Protection Agency

Podcast #24: The Neuroscience of Deception Detection

Filed under Podcast, Social Sciences, Technology by John Ohab on July 15, 2009 at 2:03 pm {no comments}

Dr. Sujeeta Bhatt, research scientist (IPA), at the Defense Intelligence Agency, will discuss deception detection methodologies and research. In particular, Dr. Bhatt will discuss the use of neuroimaging techniques to detect deception.

Listen to the interview!

Defense Intelligence Agency
Bhat et al. 2009 – Lying about facial recognition: An fMRI study

Podcast #23: Mountain Medicine for the Warrior

Filed under Earth Sciences, Life Sciences, Podcast by John Ohab on July 8, 2009 at 2:02 pm {no comments}

Dr. Stephen R. Muza, Thermal & Mountain Medicine Division, U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, will discuss the impact of the thin air of high altitude on conducting mountain operations and explain how the Army is using science to improve Warrior health and performance at high altitudes.

Listen to the interview!

Read transcript(pdf)

US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
Thermal & Mountain Medicine Division at USARIEM
USARIEM Publications and Downloads
US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Ft. Detrick, MD
Natick Soldier Systems Center, Natick, MA
Natick Soldier Research Development & Engineering Center, Natick, MA

Podcast #22: Non-Lethal Weapons Systems and the Optical Distractor

Filed under Physical Sciences, Podcast, Technology by John Ohab on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 pm {one comment}

Kelley Hughes, strategic communications officer, and Alicia Owsiak, deputy chief of the Technology Divsion, at the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, will discuss non-lethal weapon systems with a range of capabilities across the full spectrum of threats and crises. Ms. Hughes will be joined by subject matter experts who will specifically address optical distracters that are currently in use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Listen to the interview!

Read transcript(pdf)

Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program