Recent News

By Region: North America

Frankenskeeters: Scientists Using Genetically Altered Mosquitoes to Battle Disease

(RYOT) They’ve been called “suicide mosquitoes,” dead-end bugs and even Frankenskeeters. They’re gene-altered mosquitoes, and Panama is among a growing list of countries that are testing to see whether they have a place in the public health arsenal in the war against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever. Dengue, which isn’t well-known outside tropical regions,  Read More »

Biological weapons experts warn of deteriorating US readiness

(StarsandStripes) A quartet of biological weapons experts painted a chilling picture of a United States unprepared for a biological or chemical weapons attack — and currently squandering the opportunity to do so — before a congressional panel Friday. Testifying before the Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, the four  Read More »

Bioterrorism Fear Led Scientists to Withhold Botulinum Toxin Info

(NationalJournal) Researchers have uncovered a new breed of Botulinum toxin, however, they are withholding certain information about the neurotoxin out of concern it could be misused by individuals seeking to develop a biological weapon, National Public Radio reported on Wednesday. Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which is present in soil all  Read More »

Salmonella outbreak shines harsh light on government meat safety policies

(Politico) The shutdown might be making it more difficult for the government to respond to a massive Salmonella outbreak, but experts say the incident shines light on a more critical problem: major gaps in meat safety. Public health authorities have known since July that chicken produced by Foster Farms was contaminated with antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg  Read More »

Don’t let fear of bioweapons kill off science

(NewScientist) IT IS autumn in the northern hemisphere. Somewhere in Asia, a winter flu virus is evolving that will make millions miserable in a few months. Other microbial threats are less predictable: a deadly new virus called MERS, two kinds of emerging bird flu, and a planetful of other evolving infections. We have a fighting  Read More »

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