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By Category: Research

New Protein Could be Used Against Anthrax

Wichita State University researchers have prepared a protein that someday could be used as a defense against anthrax, the Kansas institution announced on Friday (see GSN, Nov. 18, 2010). In laboratory testing, chemistry professor Jim Bann and his team of scientists used the amino acid fluorohistidine to shield cells from the anthrax pathogen’s ability to Read More »

January 25, 2011
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, and Research
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WHO supports U.S. in retaining smallpox

Members of the World Health Organization recently supported the efforts of the United States and Russia to hold onto the last known stockpiles of the smallpox virus in order to help combat potential terrorist efforts to acquire the disease.

January 24, 2011
| Filed under Research
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Dr. Kavita Berger, biosecurity expert

Project BioShield, launched in 2004 with a $5 billion funding from Congress, aims to encourage the development of vaccines against bioterror agents; the project has divided the scientific community with regard to the direction of R&D effort funded by the project; some scientists in the field argue that the development and stock-piling of vaccines for Read More »

January 18, 2011
| Filed under Research
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Prions could be source for new bioweapons

Prions, the cause of neurodegenerative disorders like mad cow disease, may be in their most lethal form when sprayed into the air, raising fears that they may be used as bioweapons.

January 17, 2011
| Filed under Research
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Wastewater treatment lowers pathogen levels

New analysis shows that pathogens levels in municipal water have dropped since the implementation of federal regulations on treating sewage in 1993; these treatment guidelines have proven to be extremely effective with 94 percent to 99 percent of all pathogens in biosolids eliminated after wastewater treatment