Recent News

By Region: North America

New study defines powerful bacterial immune response

(Medical News Today) T-cells, the elite guard of the immune system in humans and other mammals, ignore normal biologic protocol and swing into high gear when attacked by certain fast-moving bacteria, reports a team of researchers led by a UC Davis immunologist.

February 10, 2014
| Filed under North America and Research
Share

Jury finds two men guilty in ricin plot

(The Marietta Daily Journal) A jury found two Georgia men guilty on Friday of plotting to make the poison ricin in what prosecutors described as a plan to target federal government officials. The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before finding Ray Adams, 57, and Samuel Crump, 71, guilty on two counts against them. The verdict Read More »

February 10, 2014
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, and Bioterrorism
Share

HHS Taps Rempex for Biothreat, Antimicrobial Defense Drug

(HHS) The Department of Health and Human Services will invest up to $90 million over five years in a partnership with Rempex Pharmaceuticals to further develop an experimental drug against biothreat pathogens and drug-resistant bacteria. HHS’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority will initially put forth $19.8 million to support Rempex’s research and development of Read More »

February 8, 2014
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Bioterrorism, Countermeasures, and Research
Share

Researchers gear up to battle bug that’s devastating U.S. citrus crop

(The Fresno Bee) In a secure Biosafety 3 containment facility at the University of California at Davis, researchers are required to de-robe, pull on scrubs and pass through negative pressure doors — something like an airlock — before they can begin their work. Leaving requires a shower and more airlocks.

February 8, 2014
| Filed under North America, Agriculture, Biosafety, and Research
Share

U.S. Seeks New Tools to Fight Hardiest Bacteria

(National Journal) The U.S. Defense Department is seeking scientists to pursue new drug technology for fighting the hardiest bacteria with bioterrorism potential, USA Today reports. The Pentagon’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency this week issued a request for information on the possible creation of “small organic molecules inhibitors” to fight multiple-drug-resistant bacteria, including those designated as Read More »