Recent News

By Category: International

Deadly Ebola virus outbreak, begun in Guinea now hits Liberia

(Catholic Online) One of the most horrifying diseases known to man – Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever where the victim’s internal organs literally melt away – has picked up speed in West Africa. An outbreak in Guinea has now made its way into Liberia, and medical officials are quick to express their growing alarm.

‘Terror plot’ teen Michael Piggin ‘had poisons book’

(BBC News) Dr Paul Rice, employed at Porton Down since 1987, said fireworks and bleach found in Michael Piggin’s bedroom could be used to make chlorine gas. Mr Piggin, 18, is accused of planning attacks on a mosque and a school. He denies two Terrorism Act charges but has admitted possessing explosives. The Old Bailey  Read More »

Nano-paper filter removes viruses

(Medical News Today) Researchers at the Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Uppsala University have developed a paper filter, which can remove virus particles with the efficiency matching that of the best industrial virus filters. The paper filter consists of 100 percent high purity cellulose nanofibers, directly derived from nature. The research was carried out  Read More »

H7N9 sickens 3 more in 3 Chinese provinces

(CIDRAP) China has reported three new H7N9 influenza cases over the past 4 days from Fujian, Jiangsu, and Hunan provinces, continuing a slow trickle of infections, as Chinese researchers teased out connections between positive market findings and human infections. Two of the cases were announced on Mar 29.

Senate committee critical of biosecurity policy

(Rural) The Federal Government should establish an independent statutory body to oversee quarantine and biosecurity policy and operations, a Senate committee has found. The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee has handed down a report which recommends upholding bans on imports of Fijian ginger, New Zealand potatoes and Malaysian pineapples.