Recent News

By Region: North America

New technique identifies pathogens in patient samples faster, in great detail

(Eurekalert) A team of Danish investigators has shown how to identify pathogens faster, directly from clinical samples. The research, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology appears in the journal’s January 2014 issue.

December 3, 2013
| Filed under Europe, North America, Agents & Toxins, Biotechnology, Public Health, and Research
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What makes the deadliest form of malaria specific to people?

(Eurekalert) Researchers have discovered why the parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria only infects humans. The team recently showed that the interaction between a parasite protein called RH5 and a receptor called basigin was essentially required for the invasion of red blood cells by the parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria. Read More »

December 3, 2013
| Filed under Europe, North America, Public Health, and Research
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Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – update

(WorldHealthOrganization) On 1 December 2013 WHO was informed of an additional three laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the United Arab Emirates.

December 3, 2013
| Filed under Middle East, North America, International, and Public Health
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Vaccinations have prevented at least 103 million cases of contagious disease since 1924

(TheVerge) Vaccinations have been credited with some of humanity’s greatest health technological triumphs over disease, including drastically reducing polio around the globe and almost eliminating smallpox entirely. But how many people have been spared life-threatening infections thanks to the introduction of vaccines? At least 103.1 million children in the US alone since 1924, according to Read More »

December 2, 2013
| Filed under North America, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
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CDC using Army scientists in ricin detection project

(ArmyTimes) Researchers at Army Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center say they have been tasked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate breakthrough technology that would detect ricin, which is deadly even at tiny doses.