Recent News

By Region: North America

Bacteria hijack host cell process, create their own food supply to become infectious

(EurekAlert) Bacteria that cause the tick-borne disease anaplasmosis in humans create their own food supply by hijacking a process in host cells that normally should help kill the pathogenic bugs, scientists have found. This bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap), secretes a protein that can start this process. The protein binds with another protein produced by white Read More »

November 30, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
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Army Opens New Proteomics Core Lab for CBRNE Research

(Global Biodefense) The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC), and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) last month officially opened a new Proteomics Core Facility at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The organizations collaborated to design a shared working space to meet expanding requirements for proteomics and genomics research at each institution. “Rather than duplicate Read More »

November 30, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biological Weapons, and Research
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2500 Pigs Culled to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease in China

(The Epoch Times) At least 43 pigs infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have died at a large pig farm near Dalian City in Liaoning Province, China. The remaining pigs on the farm in Erdao Village were slaughtered by the police on order of local authorities to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. “The Read More »

November 29, 2012
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, North America, Agents & Toxins, Agriculture, and International
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Chemical Stunts Growth of Bacteria-Carrying Flies

(Food Safety News) A chemical that inhibits insect growth may help combat the spread of foodborne bacteria carried by house flies, according to new research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Scientists at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service have found that pyriproxyfen – a pesticide that’s been shown to stunt mosquito growth – has the same Read More »

November 29, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
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Study Looks At Possible Vaccines Developed From Canine Virus

(Red Orbit) Dogs are known to be man’s best friend. However, on closer inspection, canines could provide even more than friendly companionship and become a gateway to infection protection. In particular, researchers from the University of Georgia (UGA) recently revealed that a common virus found in dogs could possibly help develop novel vaccines to treat Read More »