Recent News

By Region: North America

Mutation makes H5N1 flu lose its grip

(ScienceNews) A mutation that helped make a laboratory version of the H5N1 bird flu transmissible through the air nearly obliterates the ability of the virus to latch onto avian cells. At the same time, the mutation slightly boosts the virus’s ability to infect human cells, an international team of researchers reports April 24 in Nature.

April 25, 2013
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, and Research
Share

Cost of New Biodefense Facility Prompts Concerns

(GlobalSecurityNewswire) A key lawmaker raised concerns on Tuesday about funding construction of a new biodefense laboratory in Kansas amid fiscal constraints facing other aspects of domestic security infrastructure. Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said, though, she did not question the ultimate need for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

April 25, 2013
| Filed under North America and Policy & Initiatives
Share

Improved Detection Test Developed To Identify Food Contamination, Aid Bioterrorism Defense

(MedicalNewsToday) Sales of chicken products in China plummeted recently during an outbreak of a deadly new strain of bird flu. From bird flu to mad cow disease, numerous food scares have made global headlines in recent years. A technique developed by University of Missouri Professor of Engineering Shubhra Gangopadhyay’s group may make food contamination testing Read More »

April 23, 2013
| Filed under North America and Public Health
Share

Hepatitis C drug nears approval

(Nature) A highly anticipated new drug for treating hepatitis C has sailed through its first phase III clinical trials, according to two papers published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

April 23, 2013
| Filed under North America and Countermeasures
Share

As FDA Seeks Fees to Fund Food Safety, Much of Industry Remains Opposed to Idea

(FoodSafetyNews) While the Obama administration continues to make it clear that it will look to registration, inspection, and import fees to fund food safety efforts at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the future, much of the food industry continues to make it known that they are downright opposed to the idea.