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UK asks scientists to serve as bioterror barometers
After a Guardian reporter buys smallpox DNA on-line, the British government asks the Royal Society and other scientific bodies to keep a close look-out for emerging threats
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Colorado researchers produce a better chemical warfare suit
Conventional butyl rubber is blended with polymerizable liquid crystal; water transfer rates and permeability substantially improved, allowing for lighter and safer suits; other applications include filters for brine and contaminated water
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Longwatch to participate in WaterSentinel
Company will install remote video alarm monitoring services; WaterSentinel a major push to secure nation’s water supplies; integration with SCADA protocol a major factor in winning such projects; company looks for installation and integration partners
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Nations review the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
Sponored by the Green Cross, meeting in Geneva takes on biowarfare and natural disease outbreaks; concerns linger over nonsignatories; biotech seen as key line of defense
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Hackensack to deploy three in one mobile medical response unit
Federal funding of $3.2 million makes this unique approach possible; FEMA’s Carolina Med1 unit seen as too large for Hackensack’s streets; a trauma unit, surgery bay, and lab can operate seperately or as a aingle unit
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Canada Foundation for Innovation awards homeland security grants
Research into protecting infrastructure and developing new energy sources receive special attention; hundreds of million of Canadian dollars awarded for a wide range of scientific endeavors; Universities of Toronto and Calgary among winners
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New "gene chip" quickly and inexpensively identifies bird flu
Unlike previous diagnostics, technology developed by researchers at the University of Colorado and the CDC relies on a single isolated virus gene; matric gene a target because it evolves extremely slowly, meaning that test can last a while without being tweaked; researchers currently looking to bring test to market
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USDA and Spanish scientists develop anti-E. coli food wrap
Made from apple puree and oregano oil, product could displace traditional water-based washes; essential oils have natural antimicrobial abilities, but oregano is best against E. coli; sugary coating permits long-term adhesion to fruits and vegetables
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Nanotechnology allows for rapid detection of viruses
Forget waiting anxiously for days for lab test results; a new nanotechnology allows for detection of dangerous viruses within seconds — something which patients will appreciate as much as homeland security and first responders eager to identify a bioterror attack sooner rather than later
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SIGA wins $2.3 million in Air Force biodefense projects
Company is known for its SIGA-246 smallpox drug, but its competencies are far ranging; new contracts call for drugs to counteract Dengue viruses, biowarfare pathogens, and orthopox viruses other than smallopox
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Hawaii set to award flu management contract
With $2.6 million, the custom system must track flu victims, hospital admissions, and drug distribution; due to large numbers of domestic and international visitors, as well as geographic isolation, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to an epidemic; contract is just part of an $11 million pandemic campaign
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MIT researcher creates anti-flu paint
Daubed onto doorknobs or aircraft tray tables, prickly polymer punctures bacterium and virus cells; Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus reduced by a factor of 10,000 within minutes
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Israeli company BioPen offers in-the-field testing for bioagent exposure
Miniaturized technology offers a complete ELISA array for only $15 a test; device can also test for water potability and various cancers; researchers are actively looking for $1-2 million in R&D funding
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New England planners look to athenahealth to track epidemic health outcomes
Exercise at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center will test an Internet-based approach to handling patient care; ability to provide surge capacity and manage patient records key factors; athenaNet platform supports the system
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JMAR warned by NASDAQ it may be delisted
Maker of popular BioSentry and other laser-based and X-ray detection systems receives note from NASDAQ that it is not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement and may be delisted
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The long view
WHO Updates List of Most Dangerous Viruses and Bacteria
The WHO recently published a report outlining the findings of its global pathogen prioritization process that involved more than 200 scientists who evaluated evidence related to 28 viral families and one core group of bacteria, covering 1,652 pathogens.
U.S. Capable of Achieving Seafood Independence, New Study Shows
From lobster to haddock and seaweed, seafood plays an important role in the U.S. economy, diet and culture. The nation is one of the top producers of marine and aquatic foods worldwide, but also the second largest seafood importer.