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Delaware scientists use iron to remove viruses from water
The target of new EPA regulations, viruses are mainly invulnerable to chlorinization; elemental, non-valent iron destroys 99 percent of E. coli, rotavirus, and others; inexpensive filtration method relies on the byproduct of iron and steel production
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E. coli found to exhibit lefthandedness
Bacteria with flagella move to the left in order to advance through the human body; unusual movement allows E. coli to find crevices in cells and hitch a ride; catheterization infections explained
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Emergency official suspended for asasaulting photographer
Columbia County, New York coordinator George Sharpe earns a thirty-day rest after attempting to destroy images of a pandemic response drill; HSDW demands a more creative punishment
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Researchers find human-chimp E. coli transmission
Study at a safari park in Uganda is the first to show a link between humans and a controlled animal population; many chimps found resistant to antibiotics
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Agriculture Department to focus inspections on chronic violators
New risk-based approach will consider type of meat being processed, plant size, and history of food safety violations; move comes in response to recent E. coli outbreaks; daily inspections will continue
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Meridian Bioscience receives FDA approval for Shiga-detecting test
Rapid diagnostic tool is first to distinguish between Shiga toxin producing E. coli and other 0157 strains; partnership with Merck pays off; only twenty minures needed to make a diagnosis
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Scripps researchers identify botulism-fighting molecules
One compound extends survival time by thirty-six percent; sixteen percent of mice treated with the second molecule survived with no obvious symptoms
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University of Portsmouth to test antibacterial gown
Hospital garb is coated with an anti-microbial coating known as Permagard; effort intended to mitigate MRSA transmission; unique design also minimizes contact with nurses
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FluMist found to reduce childhood infections by 55 percent
Report comes soon after FDA approves Medimmune’s refrigerated vaccine; heightened asthma risks for infants cited; company looks poised to run away with the novel flu vaccine market, especially if deal with Iomai goes through
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Air Force deploys mobile bioweapons detection labs
Equipped with $100,000 in equipment, the trailer can quickly identify fourteen biological agents; McConnell Air Force Base plays host; mobile testing marches on
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DHS to consolidate Centers of Excellence program
Three centers focussing on biological and chemical weapons will merge; four new centers to come on line; decision prompted by congressional criticism and threatened budget cuts
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Arkansas researchers develop new avian flu sensor
Swab samples from birds’ throats are exposed to micofluidic biochips; resulting complex is measured with a microelectrode array; researchers currently looking for funding
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Universal Detection receives Army anthrax detection order
Early warning BSM-2000 anthrax kits will be tested at the Dugway Proving Ground; the British government has already purchased two, but deal is the first with DoD; systems “pops” spores to measure the release of dipicolinic acid
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Nunn-Lugar appropriations come under fire
Senator Lugar slams the administration for cutting the overall budget by 7 percent and shortchanging efforts to secure biological weapons in the former Soviet Union; projects in Ukraine and Armenia to be delayed under proposd budget; Lugar will attempt to reinstate funding
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Polonium poisoning creates a market need for treatment
Few treatments exists for curing alpha particle damage; Litvinenko’s death sends companies scrambling; Ovation Pharmaceuticals, Biolabs Protectan, and Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals all make claims
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The long view
What We’ve Learned from Survivors of the Atomic Bombs
Q&A with Dr. Preetha Rajaraman, New Vice Chair for the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Combatting the Measles Threat Means Examining the Reasons for Declining Vaccination Rates
Measles was supposedly eradicated in Canada more than a quarter century ago. But today, measles is surging. The cause of this resurgence is declining vaccination rates.
Social Networks Are Not Effective at Mobilizing Vaccination Uptake
The persuasive power of social networks is immense, but not limitless. Vaccine preferences, based on the COVID experience in the United States, proved quite insensitive to persuasion, even through friendship networks.
Vaccine Integrity Project Says New FDA Rules on COVID-19 Vaccines Show Lack of Consensus, Clarity
Sidestepping both the FDA’s own Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), two Trump-appointed FDA leaders penned an opinion piece in the New England Journal of Medicine to announce new, more restrictive, COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Critics say that not seeking broad input into the new policy, which would help FDA to understand its implications, feasibility, and the potential for unintended consequences, amounts to policy by proclamation.
Are We Ready for a ‘DeepSeek for Bioweapons’?
Anthropic’s Claude 4 is a warning sign: AI that can help build bioweapons is coming, and could be widely available soon. Steven Adler writes that we need to be prepared for the consequences: “like a freely downloadable ‘DeepSeek for bioweapons,’ available across the internet, loadable to the computer of any amateur scientist who wishes to cause mass harm. With Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 having finally triggered this level of safety risk, the clock is now ticking.”
“Tulsi Gabbard as US Intelligence Chief Would Undermine Efforts Against the Spread of Chemical and Biological Weapons”: Expert
The Senate, along party lines, last week confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National intelligence. One expert on biological and chemical weapons says that Gabbard’s “longstanding history of parroting Russian propaganda talking points, unfounded claims about Syria’s use of chemical weapons, and conspiracy theories all in efforts to undermine the quality of the community she now leads” make her confirmation a “national security malpractice.”