Recent News

By Region: North America

New Nanobead Approach Could Revolutionize Sensor Technology

(Nanowerk News) Researchers at Oregon State University have found a way to use magnetic “nanobeads” to help detect chemical and biological agents, with possible applications in everything from bioterrorism to medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring or even water and food safety. When fully developed as a hand-held, portable sensor, like something you might see in a Read More »

April 27, 2011
| Filed under North America, Countermeasures, and Research
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Vaccinate livestock against anthrax now, says Vet

Now is the time to have livestock vaccinated against anthrax. “Cattle should to be vaccinated before they’re turned out into the pasture,” says Charlie Stoltenow, North Dakota State University Extension Service veterinarian. “Producers will be working their cattle in the next several weeks, so this is the perfect time to get their livestock protected against Read More »

April 26, 2011
| Filed under North America and Agriculture
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FDA Warns of Lack of Medical Countermeasures

The Food and Drug Administration has created a five year, 50 page plan called the “Strategic Priorities 2011-2015: Responding to the Public Health Challenges of the 21st Century” that reiterates current programs showing opportunities for growth. The agency has promised to support the Obama administration’s plan to invest nearly $2 billion in measures to counter Read More »

April 26, 2011
| Filed under North America, Countermeasures, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
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Proposed destruction of smallpox virus stirs controversy – CBS News

(Livescience.com) After ravaging humanity for three millennia, the virus behind smallpox is facing its comeuppance. In May, at a meeting of the World Health Organization, nations will decide if it’s finally time to sterilize and incinerate into oblivion the known remaining samples of the virus. Smallpox is sometimes described as the most devastating disease in Read More »

April 26, 2011
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, and Research
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Why We Still Need Smallpox – New York Times

In a few weeks, member states of the World Health Organization will consider the destruction of the last known samples of smallpox virus, currently held in secure labs by the United States and Russia. Some have sought to publicly frame this issue as a contentious disagreement between our two countries and the rest of the Read More »