Recent News

By Region: Europe

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

(WHO) The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia has announced an additional three laboratory-confirmed cases, including one death with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The first patient is a 63-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions from the Eastern region, the second patient is a 75-year-old man with underlying medical conditions from Al-Ahsa governorate and Read More »

June 14, 2013
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia, Agents & Toxins, International, and Public Health
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The eighth wonder: developments in synthetic biology

(ScienceOmega) The UK life science industry has become a significant focus area for research and development in recent years, which is hardly surprising given that the industry generates a turnover of just over £50bn. Recognising the significance of the sector, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) published the ‘Strategy for UK Life Sciences’ Read More »

June 14, 2013
| Filed under Europe, North America, Biotechnology, and Research
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Update: Severe Respiratory Illness Associated with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

(CDC) CDC continues to work in consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to better understand the public health risk posed by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), formerly known as novel coronavirus, which was first reported to cause human infection in September 2012 (1–4). The continued reporting of new cases Read More »

June 14, 2013
| Filed under Europe, Middle East, North America, International, and Public Health
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WHO simplifies pandemic alert system after criticism

(Health24) The World Health Organisation on Monday published a new plan on how to alert the world to possible flu pandemics, following harsh criticism of its handling of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009. The UN’s health agency said it had simplified its alert system and redefined what constitutes a pandemic to put more Read More »

June 12, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, Countermeasures, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
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London biomedical hub sets its research agenda

(Nature) Construction is well under way on the Francis Crick Institute. The £650-million (US$1-billion) biomedical super-laboratory, set to open in 2015, is already looming over St Pancras International railway station in central London. The institute is tasked with integrating the wishes of six founders: Britain’s three biggest biomedical funders, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and Read More »