"ERC Consolidator Grants" are awarded by the European Research Council (ERC) to outstanding researchers with an excellent research project and provide two million euros for a period of five years. Mirko Kovac is developing metamorphic drones for use in complex ecosystems at the Materials and Technology Center of Robotics at Empa and the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London. His project "Proteus Drone" will be a new class of "soft materials drones", i.e. drones made of flexible materials. The drones should be able to change their shape - similar to the sea god Proteus from Greek mythology, who is considered a master of transformation. This could enable the use of drones in difficult (and changing) environments such as the Arctic for climate change research.

"Flying robots can already observe the environment from the air, but they can't move underwater or on the water's surface to collect valuable environmental data," Kovac says, adding that while there are some air/water bimodal vehicles; none have yet been able to demonstrate a full operational cycle, including energy-efficient locomotion in the air, in the water and on the water's surface. With the "Proteus Drone" the robotics expert now aims to make fundamental scientific advances in mobile robotics and advance innovative technologies for better sensors for robots in hard-to-reach aquatic ecosystems.

"This grant is a wonderful support for our work on robot metamorphosis and will be a tremendous boost to the development of new technologies in my team," said Kovac, who will collaborate with international experts in computer vision and evolutionary biology on the project. One potential application for the shape-shifting drones is in environmental protection, for example, when multimodal robots can collect data to study climate change in vulnerable ecosystems such as the Arctic.

Source: Empa

A bicycle is involved in every third accident at a traffic traffic circle. However, the bicycle is the main cause in only four percent of accidents. Against this background, Suva launched a pilot study last year in collaboration with the city of Lucerne and Swisstraffic.

The study showed that passenger cars are more likely to push bicycles away than trucks. If, on the other hand, two bicycles are riding behind each other, an imitation effect can be observed: For example, if the bicycle in front is riding correctly, the bicycle behind will follow it through the traffic circle in the middle of the lane. However, the reverse is also true.

Different driving behavior on different days of the week

The evaluation of the pilot study further shows that on Mondays a particularly large number of bicycles ride through the traffic circle correctly in the middle of the lane. The other days of the week also show a similar picture. On weekends, it is noticeable that the bicycles ride less correctly through the traffic circle.

The time of day also plays a role: "The measurements show that cyclists tend to ride more in the middle in the early morning and in the evening than at other times of the day," Andrea Lenz, Suva's cycling expert, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Conclusion: All road users are required in a traffic circle situation with the entries, exits and passages so that no collisions can occur. The bicycle clearly has its place in the middle of the lane: "Ride your bicycle in the middle of the traffic circle, make yourself visible with clear hand signals as early as possible before the planned exit and, above all, do not allow yourself to be squeezed out - these are the most important rules of conduct," Lenz confirms.

Source: Suva

Swiss telecommunications networks are to be made more secure. One of the measures proposed by the Federal Council includes, for example, a reporting obligation in the event of unauthorized manipulation. The industry association Digitalswitzerland welcomes the direction proposed by the Confederation, but mentions suggestions for improvement in individual points.

Four Federal Council measures

In summary, the Federal Council proposes four measures to ensure the network security of 5G mobile networks and to combat the misuse of telecommunications equipment. For example, providers of Internet access should be required to filter spoofing attempts, improve the security of the devices made available to customers, and inform customers about the blocking of Internet access or addressing elements, as well as report unauthorized manipulation of telecommunications equipment and take appropriate defensive measures within a reasonable period of time.

The majority of Digitalswitzerland agrees with the proposed revision. agree. However, when it comes to incident reports, the association recommends reporting them to the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC). This is because the upcoming Information Security Act also provides for the NCSC to be the reporting point for cyber incidents involving critical infrastructure. However, the term "end of life" should be used consistently in the provisions on protective measures for equipment provided to customers.

Source: Digitalswitzerland/Bakom

At the beginning of 2021, the Lucerne Psychiatry together with Support and partner organizations the "Sero" project (Suicide Prevention Uniformly Organized Regionally). Lucerne Psychiatry evaluates the first year of the project as positive.

In collaboration with people who have experience of suicidal crises and specialists, a safety plan was developed in the first half of the project in which those affected can define individual courses of action for coping with a suicidal crisis.

Self management app development

The first-aid talks on suicidal ideation are offered mainly in central Switzerland. The regional group meetings and information events organized for this purpose have already met with lively interest, according to their own information. The prevention courses are currently offered to professionals in the city of Lucerne and agglomeration, and in the third stage (fall 2022) to the regions of Willisau, Wolhusen and Entlebuch, as well as the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden.

A self-management app for suicidal people and their relatives is also currently being developed. This is currently still in the programming phase. The free app should be available for download at the end of 2022.

Source: lups.ch

Researchers of the Flinders University from Australia have developed an early detection system for dangerous drones based on the visual filtering system of the hoverfly brain. According to the Australian scientists, in the best case scenario, this system can precisely identify the small flying objects at a distance of four kilometers.

More and more dangerous situations

Drones are increasingly becoming a danger. If they are steered into the restricted air regions of airports, for example, they can endanger landing and taking-off aircraft. Increasingly, drones are also being used to deliver explosive devices to take out enemy weapons, as is currently happening in the war in Ukraine. In all these cases, it is vital to detect and localize the approach of drones at an early stage so that countermeasures can be taken, it says.

"Our research aims to significantly improve early detection as the use of drones in civilian and military space increases," says Russell Brinkworth of Flinders University. He worked with colleagues at the University of South Australia (UniSA) and a defense contractor to create the biologically inspired detection system. The researchers have practically packaged the hoverfly's visualization technique into an algorithm that can sort sounds. The method is up to 50 percent more sensitive than techniques previously used at airports, for example.

Signals from great distances

According to Anthony Finn, UniSA professor of autonomous systems, insect brains have been mapped for some time to improve camera-based detections. But this is the first time bio-vision has been applied to acoustic data, he said. "We have shown that we can capture clear and sharp acoustic signatures from drones, including very small and quiet ones, using an algorithm based on the hoverfly's visual system," Finn concludes.

(pressetext.com)

The security gap Log4shell in the Java library is not only an IT vulnerability, but also has an impact on machine controls. This can be a threat to many employees who work with networked machines and controls. The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) also warns of this. The statement is still relevant, however, as the vulnerability will continue to preoccupy the entire industry for some time to come.

What many people don't know is that "the security vulnerability enables attacks on industrial control systems and thus poses a direct threat to the safety and health of industrial workers," Jonas Stein, a security expert at the IFA and head of the German Social Accident Insurance's Security Working Group, was quoted as saying.

All operators and manufacturers of machines are urgently advised to check their systems and clarify whether the systems could be affected. Affected parties should take the necessary security precautions of the BSI (in Switzerland of the NCSC) note. Also the IFA has since a FAQ list put online. It can also be assumed, for example, that many control panels and remote maintenance systems for machines could also be affected.

Source: DGUV

An increasingly interconnected world also poses numerous security and economic challenges. Not only past crisis events, but also the current war in Ukraine are giving the global security industry new food for thought. The importance of forward-looking evacuation planning for multinational companies, for example, is shown by an assessment of the globally active International Security League. According to the International Security Association, there are five lessons companies have learned in light of current crisis events.

For example, greater global risks and interdependencies can cause companies to build their capabilities in different management areas. For example, according to the association, after a global manufacturer was caught in a regional conflict, it had to build both its internal capabilities and its external security partnerships.

There are various aspects to consider, such as:

• Contingency management planning (global)
• Protection of executives and services for international travel risks
• The type of services, the duration of the services and the cost point of the services.
• The scalability of the corporate ethics program for other countries
• Global environmental risk assessments
• A geopolitical profiling in case the company is considering expansion into unknown global regions.

Political instability and social unrest also increase the threat level of a facility requiring protection and can endanger the safety of personnel, which is why a rapid evacuation and/or the suspension of production or services may be necessary.

However, higher investments in risk monitoring and management services are likely to pay off. Since recent repressions, increased intelligence services at the global level are helping to better analyze risks and developments, making it also more feasible for multinational companies to temporarily maintain their business operations under difficult conditions, despite regional tension.

Indispensable: local knowledge

If companies worth protecting lack the criticality and sufficient understanding of threat situations, this can also lead to unnecessary evacuations.

As a matter of principle, the International Security League concludes, every site should be prepared to manage foreseeable crises. A company that advocates this approach has recognized that while it can centralize strategic planning, disaster response must be local to address employee needs in a timely and effective manner. In each case, when corporations sought to plan for a crisis without competent local crisis officers at each site, a task force often found itself in the untenable position of having to design timely evacuation measures for facilities it had never visited before. Local expertise and better communication with field offices can help multinational companies implement better security policies.

In the event of an emergency, it is worth considering how assets can be protected. Companies should be able to make arrangements with private security to supplement their staff if they need help securing and defending buildings and assets after an evacuation. However, as with a data backup, companies should establish a relationship with a company outside of their immediate catchment area or one with a regional/national reach, as a local security company may face the same staffing shortfall.

There is a lot of physical work in the construction and cleaning industries. However, one-sided stress can quickly lead to incorrect strain and musculoskeletal problems. To reduce back strain, employers should therefore invest more in ergonomic aids. For example, lifting and carrying on construction sites and in building cleaning often results in forced postures. This is caused, for example, by working in a kneeling, over-the-shoulder or extreme trunk-bending posture.

According to the BG Bau trade association, there were more than 900 cases of such illnesses being reported in Germany alone last year. "This needn't be the case, because a lot can be avoided with the right work equipment," Bernhard Arenz, head of the Prevention Department at BG BAU, was quoted as saying in a statement.

The German prevention agency has published on a Information platform many occupational safety media and information on various stress factors are summarized. The various ergonomic solutions for the respective industries are also explained in a visually well-designed overview.

Source: BG Bau

In a statement, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) warns against the use of antivirus products from the Russian manufacturer Kaspersky. The current events of intelligence forces in Russia as well as the current threats against the EU, NATO and the Federal Republic of Germany are reason to believe that the risk of successful IT attacks from the Russian side could also increase. Antivirus software and the associated cloud services could, under certain circumstances, maintain a permanent, encrypted and unverifiable connection to the manufacturer's servers via far-reaching system authorizations, according to the BSI's official statement. Therefore, anti-virus software poses a particular risk to an infrastructure worth protecting.

BSI advises switching to alternative products

The software manufacturer with Russian roots could theoretically carry out offensive operations, be forced to attack target systems against its will, or become a victim of a cyber operation itself without being aware of being misused as a tool for attacks against its own customers, it continues. Companies and authorities with special security risks or operators of critical infrastructures are particularly at risk, the BSI emphasizes. Such companies and organizations should plan to replace their antivirus products, even if the changeover may involve temporary losses in convenience and functionality.

Kaspersky appeases

In a statement on Kaspersky's corporate website, the Russian software manufacturer writes that it does not believe that the BSI's decision was based on a technical assessment, but was made for political reasons. It said it would continue to work with partners and the BSI to convince them of the quality and integrity of its products. The data processing infrastructure has been moved to Switzerland since 2018. Malicious and suspicious files reaching users of Kaspersky products in Germany are processed in two data centers in Zurich, which Kaspersky said have "world-class facilities" in accordance with current industry standards to ensure the highest level of security. The security and integrity of the data services as well as the technical procedures are confirmed by independent third-party assessments, Kaspersky's statement said.

Source: BSI/Kaspersky

One According to Reuters report Clearview proposed to Ukraine that it use its facial recognition technology to match refugees with family members, combat misinformation, and more quickly verify the identity of specific individuals at checkpoints. The software, meanwhile, is also used by the Ukrainian military to check Russian soldiers or dead people. According to the tech portal "Engadget" the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense had already considered using the facial recognition software in the war.

Clearview AI already has several data protection fines on its hands. In countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Austria, corresponding proceedings are underway. The use of the technology has so far been limited to the area of video surveillance. disputed.

Clearview's database is said to contain more than ten billion images that have been collected unsolicited by many people on the web. In addition, the recognition tool is also said to have over two billion photos from the Russian social media service VKontakte.

Source: Reuters

Work in the health sector has been dominated by the pandemic in recent years. Against this background, a project to reform the Coordinated Medical Service (KSD) has been underway since 2020 under the leadership of the Delegate for the Swiss Security Network (SVS). At the end of 2021, the Final Report presented to the head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). This contains six reform proposals that are to be implemented in the coming months.

Analysis of the activities of the KSD in special situations

In future, a distinction will be made between tasks in normal situations (crisis preparation) and tasks in special or extraordinary situations. There will no longer be a dual function as Federal Council Commissioner for the CSD and as Chief Surgeon of the Armed Forces. In addition, the partners of the CSD are to be involved in the future within the framework of an accompanying committee. In addition, the DDPS is examining whether a medical service coordination body (Sanko) should be retained. In the event of a crisis, a divisional organization of the Federal Civil Protection Staff (BSTB) for the health service is to be involved instead in order to integrate its tasks into the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC). However, the KSD is to continue to be financed by the federal government in the future, with the legal basis for the medical service to be adapted in accordance with the proposals.

Viola Amherd has approved the proposals, according to the DDPS statement. Above all, it is important that the KSD assumes a supporting and coordinating role at the national level in the future. The body will therefore no longer be part of the Defense Group, but will be integrated into the Federal Office for Civil Protection (Babs).

Source: VBS

People living in regions with high levels of air pollution are at higher risk of mental disorders, researchers from the University of St Andrews in Scotland have shown. Mary Abed Al Ahad and her team have used data from the UK household Longitudinal Study evaluatedwhich measures well-being with the twelve-point GHQ12 scale. The experts then compared this with people's living environment. This in turn was classified according to four criteria: Pollution with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and two different particle sizes of fine dust caused by industry, traffic, power plants and heating systems.

Data from over 60,000 subjects

The GHQ12 scale includes twelve questions about a person's experience of twelve symptoms related to psychological well-being. They relate to ability to concentrate, sleep habits, self-esteem, decision-making ability, stress levels, problem-solving ability, enjoying normal activities, being able to face problems, feeling unhappy and depressed, losing confidence; seeing oneself as worthless; and feeling somewhat happy. The researchers collected data from 60,146 people (older than 16 years) and 349,748 responses.

The relationship between air pollution and poor psychological well-being can be explained by four factors. The first lies in the biological mechanisms of air pollutants on the human central nervous system and neurobehavioral processes. Particulate matter is capable of triggering oxidative stress and producing inflammatory cytokines that infiltrate the blood-brain barrier and cause brain damage.

The second explanation lies in the aesthetic and odor nuisance of air pollution, which leads to avoidance behavior and inhibition of psychologically supportive outdoor activities and sports. This, in turn, causes decreased happiness and life satisfaction as well as increased stress, anxiety, loneliness, and ultimately poor psychological well-being.

Fear for your own health

The third explanation relates to experiential anxiety and worrisome feelings about physical health and the future. People living in highly polluted areas may experience stress and fear of physical illness, which is reflected in poorer psychological well-being. The last explanation manifests itself in the indirect effect of air pollution on psychological well-being.

Source: Press text.com