REACT Public Safety

11/13/2025

11/12/2025

11/03/2025

The guidance released by the NSA and CISA, titled "Microsoft Exchange Server Security Best Practices," provides a detailed blueprint for network defenders to harden on-premises Exchange servers against persistent exploitation by malicious actors. The guidance emphasizes a "prevention posture" and the adoption of zero-trust principles to minimize the significant risk associated with running unprotected or misconfigured Exchange servers.
Key Recommendations
The guidance outlines several proactive security measures:
Maintain Security Updates: The most effective defense is ensuring all Exchange servers are running the latest version and all Cumulative Updates (CUs) and security patches as soon as possible.
Migrate End-of-Life (EOL) Servers: Organizations are strongly encouraged to decommission any EOL on-premises or hybrid Exchange servers. Retaining EOL servers leaves them highly vulnerable to ongoing exploitation.
Restrict Administrative Access: Implement the principle of least privilege and use role management and split permissions to limit administrative control.
Harden Authentication and Encryption:
Enforce strong network encryption and configure Strict Transport Security (STS).
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and configure Modern Authentication.
Configure Kerberos and SMB instead of NTLM where possible.
Configure Extended Protection (EP) to secure authentication.
Minimize Attack Surface: This involves general cybersecurity guiding principles such as "deny-by-default" and minimizing the number of services running.
Enable Built-in Protections: Ensure the Exchange Emergency Mitigation Service is enabled and functioning to automatically apply temporary mitigations for newly discovered threats.
Apply Security Baselines: Use vendor-provided security baselines to ensure secure configurations.
Evaluate Cloud Migration: CISA specifically recommends that organizations consider transitioning to cloud-based email services (like Microsoft 365) to reduce the complexity and management overhead associated with hosting their own email infrastructure.

09/15/2025

Studies have revealed that polyphenols in plums can cause cancer cells to kill themselves by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death), inhibiting cell proliferation and modulating signaling pathways involved in cancer development.

Also, specific compounds like chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids found in plums and peaches have shown promise in selectively killing cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

To elaborate further, polyphenols are natural plant-based compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have linked polyphenols to a reduced risk of cancer and even chemopreventive effects.

Research has shown that plum polyphenols specifically can induce apoptoses particularly in lung cancer cells.

Plum extracts have also been shown to inhibit proliferation of cancer cells, meaning they slow down or stop the growth of cancerous cells.

Some studies have demonstrated that plum extracts can selectively target and kill cancer cells without affecting normal cells. This is a crucial advantage in cancer treatment, as conventional chemotherapy often harms healthy cells as well.

Additionally, researchers have identified specific phenolic acids, such as chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acids, as chemopreventive agents with the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth.

PMID: 36675194

06/05/2025

05/24/2025

02/15/2025

What's the difference between X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI, and more?

1) X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to produce images of bones and dense structures within the body. They are commonly used to detect fractures, infections, tumors, and other abnormalities. X-rays are fast, relatively affordable, and widely available.

2) CT scans utilize X-rays combined with advanced computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. Unlike traditional X-rays, CT scans can capture bones, organs, blood vessels, and soft tissues, making them valuable for diagnosing internal injuries, tumors, infections, and blood clots.

3) MRI employs a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to generate highly detailed images of soft tissues, organs, and internal structures. It offers excellent contrast between different tissue types and is particularly useful for imaging the brain, spinal cord, joints, and muscles. Since MRI does not use ionizing radiation, it is a safer imaging option, especially for pregnant women and children. However, MRI scans take longer, are more expensive, and may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical implants or metal objects in their bodies.

4) A PET scan measures how active different areas of the brain are by detecting how much sugar they consume for energy. The scan highlights areas of high activity in bright colors, as regions using more sugar appear more intensely lit. Since cancer cells consume large amounts of sugar to fuel their rapid, uncontrolled growth, they appear as the brightest areas on a PET scan. This imaging technique is commonly used to detect cancerous cells in the body.

5) MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) scans visualize blood flow within the brain's vascular system. It helps identify vessel narrowing, blockages, or other abnormalities in blood circulation.

Learn more: https://sdbif.org/whats-the-difference-between-all-the-different-head-scans/

Image: San Diego Brain Injury Foundation