North Macedonian, U.S. Officials Unveil Flag in Pentagon's NATO Corridor > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

North Macedonia's Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska and Laura K. Cooper, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, unveiled the red and yellow flag representing the Republic of North Macedonia in the NATO Hallway in the Pentagon.

DOD: August 29 Strike in Kabul 'Tragic Mistake,' Kills 10 Civilians > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

The strike by a Hellfire missile in Kabul, August 29, which was launched in an effort to kill ISIS-K planners, instead killed 10 civilians, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. said.

DOD Policy Chief Kahl Discusses Strategic Competition With Baltic Allies > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

The Defense Department's undersecretary for policy explained how the strategic competition between the United States, China and Russia should be approached.

FDA panel recommends limiting Pfizer booster shots to Americans 65 and older, and those at high risk of severe COVID-19

Biden urges countries to slash methane emissions 30% – here's why it's crucial for protecting climate and health, and how it can pay for itself

Are COVID-19 boosters ethical, with half the world waiting for a first shot? A bioethicist weighs in

COVID patients face risk for self-attacking antibodies

At least 1 in 5 hospitalized COVID-19 patients develops autoantibodies, antibodies that attack their own tissue within a week of admission, research finds.

'Tax the rich'? Democrats' plans to make the wealthy pay a little more will barely dent America's long slide from progressive taxation

4 strategies for a global breakthrough on energy and climate change

Why mRNA vaccines won't replace all others

mRNA vaccines have proven highly effective for COVID-19. But that doesn't mean they're ready to replace all others, experts explain.

Race and position may be factors in football player heart risks

Research indicates some college football players may be at risk for heart-related complications, based on race, the position they play, and more.

DOD: Best Time to Take Military Spouse Survey is Now > U.S. Department of Defense > Story

Through late October, all spouses of active-duty military members — more than 600,000 of them — can visit the Office of People Analytics survey portal and tell the Pentagon what they think about being 'married to the military.'

Biden, EU urge 30% methane emissions cuts – a move crucial for protecting climate and health, and it can pay for itself

Water fleas show surprising hydra effect in action

Scientists propose that ecological systems exhibit something akin to a hydra effect. In other words, what does kill you makes you more abundant.

Implant eases hip pain for dogs with osteoarthritis

An implant that contains cartilage derived from stem cells eases pain and restores function in dogs with moderate osteoarthritis. Can it work for people?

Austin Swears in Pentagon's New Special Operations Chief > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III swore in Christopher Maier as the Defense Department's new assistant secretary for special operations and low-intensity conflict.

Directed energy weapons shoot painful but non-lethal beams – are similar weapons behind the Havana syndrome?

How to make comparing prices of an MRI or colonoscopy as easy as shopping for a new laptop

The fall armyworm invasion is fierce this year – and scientists are researching how to stop its destruction of lawns, football fields and crops

Scientists at work: We use environmental DNA to monitor how human activities affect life in rivers and streams

A direct recommendation from a doctor may be the final push someone needs to get vaccinated

Nurses are leaving the profession, and replacing them won’t be easy

'Blue' food may be a green way to feed more people

Five new papers offer evidence that aquatic food, aka "blue food," could fight malnutrition while increasing sustainability.

Andrew Cuomo’s initial refusal to resign echoes executive harassment dilemmas for employers

How many satellites are orbiting Earth?

Invest in research to save Africa’s agriculture

Actions are urgently needed to prevent COVID-19 from hurting Africa’s agriculture, writes Gilbert Nakweya.

Defense Department Observes National POW/MIA Recognition Day > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

National POW/MIA Recognition Day — which usually falls on the third Friday in September — was established in 1979 to honor those service members who were held captive and returned, as well as those who remain missing.

Australia, U.S. Alliance Is Stronger, Deeper Than Ever, Officials Say > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

The Australia-U.S. alliance is stronger today than it ever has been, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said, and the steps taken during the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations at the State Department are aimed at keeping it that way.

Drought drives plant diversity more than temp

The effects of drought on plant variety around the world could change our understanding of future diversity in a warming world.

Severe Winds Cause Ship Breakaway, Damage at Port in New Orleans

​WASHINGTON (Sept. 16, 2021) — Severe, unforecasted winds caused a containership to breakaway from a pier and damaged equipment at the​ Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal in New Orleans on Aug. 2, 2020, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s Marine Accident Brief 21/18, issued today.As longshoremen loaded and unloaded cargo from containership CMA CGM Bianca a sudden, localized thunderstorm passed through the area. Ten of the vessel’s 16 mooring lines parted in the high winds, and the ship moved away from the pier. Containers lifted by shoreside gantry cranes struck the ship. One damaged container dropped in the water spilling a cargo of plastic pellets, known as nurdles. A crane operator suffered a minor injury. Damages totaled approximately $15.1 million. In its report, NTSB said the crane operators and CMA CGM Bianca’s crew reported extreme high winds that came on “in seconds” during heavy rains. Rains were heavy enough to completely obscure the visibility of security cameras at the terminal. Although the closest official weather station recorded winds peaking at 31 mph, a vessel located very close to the accident reported a wind gust at 73 mph. The CMA CGM Bianca’s master said that the storm was, “in the form of a tornado.” According to the report, the evidence suggests that the CMA CGM Bianca was struck by outflow winds from a downburst. The National Weather Service classifies downbursts as “powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and spread out quickly once they hit the ground. These winds can easily cause damage similar to that of a EF0 (65–85 mph winds) or even EF1 (86–110 mph winds) tornado and are sometimes misinterpreted as tornadoes.” Investigators determined the probable cause of the accident to be the sudden onset of unforecasted severe winds likely originating from the outflow of a thunderstorm generated downburst. Marine Accident Brief 21/18 is available online at https://go.usa.gov/xMBKr.(Security camera footage of the Napoleon Avenue Terminal pier during the Aug. 2, 2020, accident. The rain increased steadily while visibility decreased, completely obscuring the camera view. Photo courtesy of Ports America)​​