Public health

Somark's inkless RFID tattoos could keep troops safe
Yesterday’s attack in Iraq proves uniforms may not be the best way to distinguish friend from foe; technology intended for tracking cattle could prove a lifesaver for humans; passive RFID is perfectly harmless and does not require line of sight to be read
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ICx acquires bio-sensor firm GHC Technologies
Deal follows an earlier acquisition of Griffin Analytical Technologies; GHC an expert in pathogen detection for both infrastructure and city-wide surveillance; industry consolidation continues
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GlaxoSmithKline wins $63 million flu vaccine contract
Deal supports GSK’s adjuvant plus antigens technology; five-year contract could be worth an additional $44 million; government effort to shore up vaccine supplies continues unabated
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Senate bioterrorism panel to be eliminated
Bioterrorism oversight responsibilities to be transferred to the full Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; security analysts worry that the move may push focus on bioterror to the back burner
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New vaccine production method cuts prices dramatically
University of Central Florida scientist develops new, cheap way to mass-produce vaccines: Plants such as tobacco, lettuce, or carrots are first injected with vaccine genes; the plants are then planted in a greenhouse before being crushed and put into capsules to be taken by patients
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Biocryst wins $102 million HSS contract to develop peramivir treatments
Birmingham-based comapny will explore use of peramivir for the treatment of seasonal and severe influenzas, including bird flu; both intravenous and intramuscular formulations on the agenda
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Cornell researchers find waste treatment kills deadly avian flu
Studies on a similar but less-virulent strain show that UV, chlorine, and digesters are almost equally effective in killing it; avian flu already known to do poorly outside of host; study should lift the hopes of municipal water suppliers
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MedImmune's FluMist vaccine wins FDA approval
Nasal spray flu vaccine has been re-engineered to permit refrigerated storage; previously approved product required freezing, but this made it hard for pharmacies and schools to keep in stock; roll-out expected in August for 2007-08 flu season
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Dutch researchers use laser light to quickly identify pathogens
Device offers a unique approach to the handheld virus detection challenge; laser light interacts with antibodies to create distinctive patterns that indicate high concentrations; prototype to be developed with help from Paradocs Group
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New York researchers use copper and hydrogen peroxide to clean water
Scientists adapt the Fenton reaction to clean contaminated sites; free radicals kill bacteria but leave a lot of unwanted copper behind; resulting water is clean but not drinkable; technology will not be available for at least five years
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CDC awards $3.7 million in Biosense grants
Researchers at New York City’s Department of Health and Hygiene, the University of Utah, and Johns Hopkins University to investigate improved ways of sharing critical health surveillance data
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NYC bioterror center a model in public health planning
Citigroup provides the bulk of the financing for expanded decontamination facility at Downtown Hospital; open-air design, inspired by a similar Israeli center, permits rapid decontamination without compromising the safety of other patients
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DHS releases 2007 state and municipal grant funding levels
Urban Areas Security Initiative and Citizen Corps Program receive mild funding boosts; other programs see minor losses; DHS gives risk assessment the old college try
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Hematech clones prion-free cows
Breakthrough a major step in fighting mad cow disease; cloned animals shown at least partially immune to infection; Hematech hopes to improve the safety of its pharmaceutical line
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CBP and USDA crack down on Canadian lunches
Truckers crossing the border find their salami sandwiches under suspicion; fears of mad caw and other food-borne illness inspire scrutiny; CBP targets those already singled out for further cargo inspection
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