-
Researchers show method to detect single viruses, nanoparticles in real time
Two innovative researchers develop a new method to detect the properties of the smallest of things — single viruses and nanoparticles
-
-
AppliedBiosystems release avian flu detection kit
Medical giant releases initial version of avian flu detection kit; will be available to the public early next year
-
-
Florida selects multi-threat detection system from MSA Detection Systems
Thirty Florida counties will have greater protection from hazardous materials using MSA’s Safesite Multi-Threat Detection System
-
-
CDC selects ChoiceMakers AI-based solution for NEDSS
Developer of artificial intelligence-based database management tool selected for CDC project to track bioterror attacks and infectious diseases
-
-
Trust for Americas Health receives Pew grant to study pandemic preparedness
Pew gives money to nonprofit monitoring states’ readiness to cope with natural and man-made biological disasters
-
-
New, portable device capable of detecting pictogram-level traces of agents, explosives
The emphasis TSA has placed on airport explosives detection spurs scientific and technological innovation which promises better security
-
-
Do not rely on government in case of pandemic
Nevada health and emergency officials have a blunt message to state citizens: Fend for yourselves
-
-
Ten years after Oklahoma City, Congress moves to regulate sale of ammonium nitrate
During the ten years since Oklahoma City, the NRA and the agricultural lobby have succeeded in keeping America utterly exposed to the next Timothy McVeigh, or another crackpot or terrorist, choosing to use fertilizer as a weapon; finally Congress is saying “Enough!”
-
-
The U.S. National Disaster Medical System in decline
FEMA is not the only agency the decline of which was accelerated by being folded into DHS: NDMS is another sad example
-
-
HHS budget cuts $120 million from pandemic preparation, shifts money to rural health delivery
To overcome House objections to initial HHS budget proposal, money aimed to prepare for avian flu was shifted to other purposes, one hopes this is only temporary
-
-
Surprising state health preparedness ranking
Believe or not: South Carolina ranks first among states on preparedness for medical disaster; Iowa and New Hampshire rank last
-
-
<span style=
Three years ago, Butler claimed that dangerous bioterror pathogens were stolen from his lab; the hoax put the nation on edge, and he went to jail
-
-
-
TSA rationalizes airport security, emphasizing risk-based priorities
TSA emphasizes technology, explosives detection
-
-
<span style=
Direct funding of companies and pipeline approach to BioShield program defy convention
-
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.”