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Vortex takes its water purification business across the pond
Norway-based Cool Chili buys the exclusive rights to Vortex’s patented UltraviOzone technology; system catalyzes ozone with ultraviolet light before infusing the water with pure oxygen; DHS funds the technology hoping to develop improved water safety regimes
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Researchers find microinjection efficient at delivering anthrax vaccine
Compared with intramuscular delivery, microneedles are just as effective but require less vaccine; results an important step forward in developing and maintaining a working stockpile
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TFAH cites major problems with state pandemic planning
Shortages of hospital beds and nurses top the list; flu vaccination rates decline in thirteen states, as does public health spending; Trust for America’s Health offers recommendations for improved preparedness
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Researchers locate anthrax's Achilles' heal
Bacteria a master at using siderophores to extract iron from human hosts; researchers identify stealth protein that ovecomes human defenses; discovery could lead to improved drugs and testing
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Frost and Sullivan offers report on WMD detection market
Business is booming, particularly in the federal sector; some end users, however, are shying away from the sometimes unreliable technology; research firm suggests industry needs better PR
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Taiwanese researchers use lasers to weigh viruses
Method could improve identification of deadly pathogens; scientists use ion trap to bombard virus particles with laser light; a chip measures resultant oscillation to determine mass; technique limited to 50 nanometers or larger
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Green onion contamination fuels cry for industry regulation
Complaining that federal oversight is lacking, supermarkets hire their own inspectors and demand growers shape up; in response, growers suggest a marketing order would be appropriate until new rules are drafted
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Synergetics to support Animal Health and Surveillance Management
Coloradan IT company wins a multi-year contract with USDA to “beef” up its livestock health monitoring system; software to undergo vigorous testing and overhaul; new forms for disease reporting
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Aethlon Medical moves forward with Hemopurifier
System removes viral pathogens such as Marburg and smallpox from human circulation; company requests an investigational device exemption under Project BioShield; dengue-related tests to begin in India
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CDC awards $11.4 million in contracts for avian flu diagnostics
Agency hopes for a rapid bedside test that can be used by untrained personnel; winners are Cepheid, IQuum, Meso Scale Diagnostics, and Nanogen; more money forthcoming for successful companies
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Interpol proposes model anti-bioterror law
Agency hopes to encourage states to criminalize the development and transfer of deadly pathogens; many countries limit prosecution to actual use; investigatory restrictions a major problem for some
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GreeneChip offers rapid diagnosis of 30,000 pathogens
Unlike systems that can only test blood samples, new technology can assay tissue, urine, and stool; from Marburg to urinary tract infections, Columbia University’s GreeneChip offers a fast and inexpensive testing regime
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Llama blood to assist in detecting pathogens
Breakthrough effort at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research manipulates antibodies that can survive high temperatures; single-chain molecules do not fold under heat; Marburg and ebola assays first on the agenda
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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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The long view
How Cuts to CDC Are Dismantling Its Capacity to Protect Americans’ Health
CDC’s mission is to protect and improve the health of Americans, which it fulfills by preventing, detecting and controlling disease. CDC also staffs a pool of public health experts who are rapidly deployed to respond to public health emergencies – including disease outbreaks – worldwide. The cuts to CDC put these functions in jeopardy.