-
Tularemia detected in St. Louis
DHS’s BioWatch sensors identified the rabbit fever near Busch Stadium; officials discount terrorism; tulermia common in Missouri in the summer and fall; though outbreak was benign, BioWatch proves its mettle
-
-
SIGA Technologies announces small pox drug breakthrough
Not a vaccine, the company’s once a day, orally administered treatment succesfully stops a smallpox infection after exposure; an excited NIH provides $16.5 million for further development
-
-
The Volunteers launch center to train farmers and food producers to guard against terrorism
As the fear of agroterrorism grows, DHS and other U.S. government agencies fund a University of Tennessee center to educate farmers and communities on how to prepare for and cope with terrorism against the U.S. food supply
-
-
New record-keeping requirements coming for beef product users
Starting 9 January 2007, food processors and cosmetic manufacturers will have to document that they do not use prohibited beef products such as the small intestine, brain, and spinal cord; new rules a response to mad cow fears; specific documentation practices to be announced soon
-
-
Canada reports botulism cases connected to carrot juice
Food Inspection Agency joins FDA in warning against Bugs Bunny’s favorite drink; a sad story, but an opportunity to take a second look at two companies trying to help stop outbreaks; focus on anthrax makes botulism poisoning a low priority for federal planners
-
-
USDA researchers develop nee methods for detecting listeria
USDA scientists develop a new method to detect L. monocytogenes infection; it is a good thing, too, as the disease kills about 500 people and disables 2,500 every year in the U.S. alone
-
-
New biosecurity encyclopedia available
Irish research group offers a comprehensive encyclopedia with valuable information about all aspects of bioterrorism and biodefense; you may want to keep it on your desk
-
-
Purdue researchers attack food contamination with lasers and gas
University quickly establishes itself as a go-to center for homeland security technology; Bacteria Rapid Detection Using Optical Scattering Technology can identify bacteria by its scatter pattern; investors show early interest in a chlorine gas approach to produce contamination
-
-
Blood transfusions may serve as stop-gap during flu epidemics
Therapy from the 1918 Spanish flu outbreak is reconsidered as health officials worry about vaccine supplies; recovering patients could transfer antibodies to the sick; studies will continue to test applicability to avian flu
-
-
Public health scientists lobby to put children at the head of innoculation line
Officials have long struggled with whether to give vaccines first to the elderly or to infants; new study finds the best way to break chains of transmission is to focus on school-aged children instead
-
-
Nanotechnology proves an effective barrier against anthrax infection
Clemson University chemist uses carbon nanotubes to attract anthrax spores; once bound, particles are too large to lodge in the lungs; aerosol spray, gel, and foam are likely commercial applications
-
-
Patent awarded for cell phone-mounted airborne particle detector
Bio and chemical terrorism detection one possible application; allergy suffers will benefit from pollen alerts
-
-
CDC warning system proves itself during E. coli outbreak
PulseNet allows public health authorities to compare DNA signatures and trace outbreaks; CDC officials took only one day to find similarities between Oregon and Wisconsin strains before they warned the public
-
-
E. coli lawsuits spread faster than infection
Seattle firm Marler Clark takes the lead in bringing spinach companies to court; Natural Selection and Dole head to the dock, but settlement is the name of the game; liabilities range from $25,000 to $15 million
-
-
New anthrax vaccine passes first round of tests
Avecia, working with $71 million in DHS dollars, looks to step in where VaxGen stumbled; research based on Army efforts in coordination with British Ministry of Defense; long-term trial currently underway
-
The long view
Huge Areas May Face Possibly Fatal Heat Waves if Warming Continues
A new assessment warns that if Earth’s average temperature reaches 2 degrees C over the preindustrial average, widespread areas may become too hot during extreme heat events for many people to survive without artificial cooling.