Recent News

By Category: Public Health

Science Academies Issue ‘G-Science’ Statements to Call World Leaders’ Attention to Global Challenges

(NationalAcademies) Science academies from around the globe issued joint statements today to call world leaders’ attention to the role science, technology, and innovation can play in the pursuit of sustainable development, and to raise their awareness of the emerging threat of drug resistance in infectious agents including tuberculosis. The “G-Science” statements are intended to inform Read More »

May 30, 2013
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Countermeasures, International, Policy & Initiatives, Public Health, and Research
Share

Genetic engineering alters mosquitoes’ sense of smell

(EurekAlert) In one of the first successful attempts at genetically engineering mosquitoes, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have altered the way the insects respond to odors, including the smell of humans and the insect repellant DEET. The research not only demonstrates that mosquitoes can be genetically manipulated using the latest research techniques, but paves Read More »

May 29, 2013
| Filed under Africa, North America, Agents & Toxins, International, Public Health, and Research
Share

New H7N9 bird flu virus easily develops drug resistance

(CBC News) Resistance to the main flu drug Tamiflu seems to develop with some ease in infections with the new H7N9 bird flu, a concerning new study says. The work, published in the journal The Lancet, suggests that if this virus were to become easily transmitted among people, there might be minimal tools with which Read More »

May 29, 2013
| Filed under Asia/Pacific, North America, Agents & Toxins, International, Public Health, and Research
Share

Sugar polymer on cell surface of multiple pathogens could be key to developing broad-spectrum vaccine

(ScienceDaily) Developing new vaccines to protect against diseases that plague humans is fraught with numerous challenges — one being that microbes tend to vary how they look on the surface to avoid being identified and destroyed by the immune system. However, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) have discovered a sugar polymer that is Read More »

May 29, 2013
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Public Health, and Research
Share

Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly closes with concern over new global health threat

(WHO) After seven days of intense discussions, the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded with agreement on a range of new public health measures and recommendations aimed at securing greater health benefits for all people, everywhere. In all, 24 resolutions and 5 decisions were adopted by the nearly 2000 delegates representing the World Health Organization’s Read More »