Topic: Los Alamos

CBS News anchor Nora O'Donnell reported on a "more powerful mutant strain" of the coronavirus, which the hosts criticize as sensationalist fear-mongering. A study from the Los Alamos National Laboratory suggests a mutation that emerged in Europe may be more contagious than the original strain from China. The findings, which have not been peer-reviewed, were released early to assist vaccine developers in tracking the virus's evolution.

The current intelligence climate is compared to the 1950 conviction of Klaus Fuchs, a physicist who supplied Manhattan Project secrets to the Soviet Union. The discussion references the Venona project, which intercepted communications between Moscow and the United States during World War II.

A PBS NewsHour segment featuring a former State Department official is criticized for claiming North Korea refuses to engage in diplomacy. This is contrasted with statements from a Los Alamos scientist who notes that North Korea views its nuclear program as a deterrent against U.S. "hostile policies." The U.S. government is accused of lying about diplomatic efforts to justify weapons sales in the region.

A former Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist and his wife face federal indictment for allegedly attempting to sell nuclear secrets to a person they believed was a Venezuelan official. The hosts characterize the Washington Times report by Jerry Seeper as a planted piece of propaganda designed to associate Hugo Chavez with nuclear threats. They compare the media tactics to those used against Iraq and Iran, noting that Venezuela is likely being targeted for its oil interests.

Research from Los Alamos National Laboratory suggests that terahertz radiation used in airport scanners may cause damage to human DNA. The hosts highlight the lack of long-term health studies on millimeter-wave technology and the difficulty in accessing ANSI safety standards. They note that existing safety guidelines often focus on the operators of the machinery rather than the passengers being scanned.