Recent News

By Category: Bioterrorism

Was FBI too quick to judge anthrax suspect the killer?

WASHINGTON — Scouring the anthrax-laced mail that took five lives and terrorized the East Coast in 2001, laboratory scientists discovered a unique contaminant — a tiny scientific fingerprint that they hoped would help unmask the killer.

April 21, 2011
| Filed under North America and Bioterrorism
Share

New terror-alert system announced; colored warnings scrapped

WASHINGTON – The government is adopting a simple, two-tiered alert system to warn the public of terrorist threats and possible attacks, Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano announced Wednesday. The new warning system to be put in place by next week will replaces the color-coded alert system that was adopted shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks Read More »

April 20, 2011
| Filed under North America, Bioterrorism, and Policy & Initiatives
Share

New National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Released

The National Terrorism Advisory System, or NTAS, replaces the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). This new system will more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. It recognizes that Americans all share responsibility for Read More »

April 20, 2011
| Filed under North America, Bioterrorism, and Policy & Initiatives
Share

Genetic Mutations Were Key Clue in Anthrax Mailings Case

Abnormal bacteria colonies presented scientists the clue they needed to decipher the genetic “fingerprint” of the anthrax spores used in the 2001 mailings, the Washington Post reported on Saturday (see GSN, March 9). Researchers working at a private facility in Rockville, Md., achieved a scientific breakthrough in decoding the genetic blueprint of the anthrax samples Read More »

April 19, 2011
| Filed under North America and Bioterrorism
Share

Sandia Designs Border Security Training Game

The Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico has developed a video game to aid U.S. border security efforts, including the prevention of smuggling of weapons of mass destruction into the United States, KOAT television reported on Monday (see GSN, Dec. 8, 2009). “We’re concerned about people trying to smuggle nuclear, chemical and biological weapons across Read More »