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By Category: Research

Abbott shows new pathogen detector

Illinois-based pharmaceutical company Abbott unveiled a new assay system that can accurately detect seventeen different bio-threat pathogens; among different bio-agents targeted in the new test are Bacillus anthracis, E. coli, salmonella, Ebola virus, and avian influenza viruses; the company says the new method provides results in less than eight hours.

February 28, 2011
| Filed under North America, Countermeasures, and Research
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Malcolm Dando – Did we make a huge mistake over dual use?

Given the amount of space they occupy in newspapers, I cannot be the only person fascinated by obituaries. I enjoy reading about real people, their accomplishments, and the different worlds they inhabited. This pastime has led to new discoveries for me — most recently the works of late historian John Burrow.

February 28, 2011
| Filed under North America and Research
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Study examines recurrent wound botulism in injection drug users

Infectious Diseases Society of America – Botulism is a rare disease and recurrent botulism even more rare. However, in California, recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users has been on the rise and makes up three-quarters of reported cases in the United States. A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and currently available online Read More »

February 25, 2011
| Filed under North America, Public Health, and Research
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New Pathogen Detection Test Dramatically Reduces Wait Times

An Illinois based pharmaceutical company, recently introduced Plex-ID, a new detection system that can accurately identify seventeen different dangerous biological pathogens; the system fills a critical gap in detection capabilities as it can analyze direct samples like blood, food, water, or air filters and provide results in less than eight hours; current blood and tissue Read More »

February 24, 2011
| Filed under North America, Countermeasures, and Research
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Boise State Biodefense Research Addresses Serious Threats to National Security

At the intersection of science and technology, there is just as much potential for danger as progress. Bioterrorism has emerged as one of the most significant threats to national security and public health, prompting the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) within the U.S. Department of Defense to invest heavily in research that addresses chemical and Read More »