Recent News

By Category: Agents & Toxins

Biosecurity board asked to review bird flu research

(USA TODAY) Federal officials have asked a biosecurity scientist panel to broadly review bird flu transmission research for public health concerns. The review follows the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity’s (NSABB) last month calling for withholding of details of two potentially-dangerous bird flu studies. An expert panel under the National Institutes of Health, the Read More »

January 11, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Anthrax found in 26 places

(Deccan Herald) CCMB confirms Palamur University students’ discovery in AP The enthusiasm of Palamur University students in the Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, 170 km from here, led to chance finding of deadly anthrax in ground water of more than 26 …

January 9, 2012
| Filed under South Asia, Agents & Toxins, Agriculture, and Public Health
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Debate Persists Over Publishing Bird Flu Studies

(NPR) A federal advisory board has urged scientific journals not to publish the research from two labs that have developed an airborne flu virus. Microbiologist Vincent Racaniello discusses why the move sets a bad precedent. Biosecurity expert D.A. Henderson talks about the risks of publishing the research. This is SCIENCE FRIDAY. I’m Ira Flatow. Our Read More »

January 9, 2012
| Filed under Europe, North America, Agents & Toxins, International, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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Recently Discovered Compound Can Curb Pox Virus Duplication

(Global Security Newswire ) Researchers have pinpointed a new compound that has the ability to curb virus duplication, which could promote development of new countermeasures for smallpox and other pox viruses, Asian News International reported on Wednesday. Smallpox, which is considered a potential bioterrorism agent, and other pox viruses spread through the body via replication.

January 6, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Countermeasures, and Public Health
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Experts say US needs better tracking of lab accidents

(CIDRAP) Except for requirements in the CDC’s Select Agent Program, which covers certain dangerous biological agents and toxins, such as Bacillus anthracis, there is no national system for reporting medical laboratory exposures and resulting infections, …