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By Category: Public Health

Scientists create first mouse model of typhoid fever

(EurekAlert) Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have created the first true mouse model of typhoid infection. The development promises to advance the study of typhoid and the creation of new vaccines against the infection, which remains a major health threat in developing countries. The paper was published today in the online edition of the Read More »

October 26, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
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Hacking the President’s DNA: When Synthetic Biology Meets National Security

(Forbes) I have a new article out in the month’s Atlantic Monthly. Co-written with synthetic biology expert Andrew Hessel and global security expert Marc Goodman, the story examines the dawning of the era of personalized bio-weapons and the incredible threat these pose to national security. Here’s a sneak peek: “This is how the future arrived. Read More »

October 26, 2012
| Filed under North America, Biotechnology, and Public Health
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DHS issues updated guidance for responding to a wide-area anthrax attack

(GSN) DHS has issued an updated version of its previously-published guidance for protecting first responders during the first week following a wide-area aerosol anthrax attack. “Protective measures addressed in the guidance include medical countermeasures (i.e., drugs, vaccine), personal protective equipment (PPE), and other possible work practices,” explains a Federal Register notice published by DHS on Read More »

October 25, 2012
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Policy & Initiatives, and Public Health
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Migratory birds can spread haemorrhagic fever

(EurekAlert) A type of haemorrhagic fever that is prevalent in Africa, Asia, and the Balkans has begun to spread to new areas in southern Europe. Now Swedish researchers have shown that migratory birds carrying ticks are the possible source of contagion. The discovery is being published in the US journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Read More »

October 24, 2012
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, North America, Agents & Toxins, International, Public Health, and Research
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Four Districts Put On High Risk Marburg Alert

(All Africa) Musanze, Gicumbi, Nyagatare and Burera districts that border Uganda are on high alert over the Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Efforts are being intensified to ensure that the outbreak of the highly contagious deadly disease doesn’t spread to Rwanda. Therese Mujawamariya, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs in Gicumbi District, yesterday said the Read More »