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Codex Alimentarius Commission approves new standards to protect consumers' health

The UN food standards body Codex Alimentarius has agreed on new standards to protect the health of consumers worldwide. These include standards on fruit, vegetables, fish and fishery products and animal feed.

9 Jul 2013

Research develop new methods, technologies for reducing deliberate drinking water contamination

An international project has developed a response programme for rapidly restoring the use of drinking water networks following a deliberate contamination event.

6 Jul 2013

Study reveals strain of V. cholerae in Haiti cholera outbreak originated from single source

The strain of cholera that has sickened thousands in Haiti came from a single source and was not repeatedly introduced to the island over the past three years as some have thought, according to a new study published in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

2 Jul 2013

Research: Clean water and cattle grazing can coexist on national forest lands

Cattle grazing and clean water can coexist on national forest lands, according to research by the University of California, Davis.

30 Jun 2013

Report alerts clinicians, public about catastrophic dangers of contaminated epidural injections

Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describe pathologic findings from 40 case reports of fungal infection in patients who had been given contaminated epidural, paraspinal, or intra-articular (into joints) steroid injections and correlate these findings with clinical and laboratory data.

26 Jun 2013

Panasonic’s CO2 cell culture incubators deliver outstanding environmental reliability

Increasingly stringent regulation and the need for absolute sample security when working with human materials heightens the need for laboratory instrumentation that performs to the highest standards. Panasonic MCO-19 CO2 cell culture incubators deliver outstanding environmental reliability.

From PHC Europe B.V. 25 Jun 2013

Researchers identify factors influencing E. coli contamination of spinach prior to harvest

A team of researchers from Texas and Colorado has identified a variety of factors that influence the likelihood of E. coli contamination of spinach on farms prior to harvest. Their research is published in the July 2013 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

21 Jun 2013

Thirdhand smoke causes significant genetic damage in human cells

A study led by researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has found for the first time that thirdhand smoke-the noxious residue that clings to virtually all surfaces long after the secondhand smoke from a cigarette has cleared out-causes significant genetic damage in human cells.

21 Jun 2013

Spinal infection at contaminated drug injection site detected using contrast-enhanced MRI screening

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the site of injection of a contaminated lot of a steroid drug to treat symptoms such as back pain resulted in earlier identification of patients with probable or confirmed fungal spinal or paraspinal infection, allowing early initiation of medical and surgical treatment, according to a study in the June 19 issue of JAMA.

19 Jun 2013

Scientists genetically engineer E. coli bacteria addicted to caffeine

The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series describes bacteria that are "addicted" to caffeine in a way that promises practical uses ranging from decontamination of wastewater to bioproduction of medications for asthma.

14 Jun 2013

Cerus enrolls patient in two European clinical trials for INTERCEPT System for RBCs

Cerus Corporation announced today that it has initiated patient enrollment in two European Phase III clinical trials for the INTERCEPT System for red blood cells.

11 Jun 2013

Brain circuits involved in compulsive behavior reveal a surprising connection with obesity

What started as an experiment to probe brain circuits involved in compulsive behavior has revealed a surprising connection with obesity.

11 Jun 2013

3 out of 20 GI endoscopes used for screening harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt"

Three out of 20 flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes used for screening were found to harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt" - cells and matter from a patient's body that could pose potential infection risk -- according to a study of endoscopes used at five hospitals across the U.S.

10 Jun 2013

Wayne researchers analyze lead content in local urban garden, evaluate results of several sampling strategies

The local food movement is gaining traction in cities across America, with urban gardens contributing a healthy source of fresh produce for local citizens as well as providing a social outlet for gardeners and creating open spaces for residents to enjoy.

7 Jun 2013

Viewpoints: Kasich on what would Reagan do about Medicaid; The need for more doctors

Leaders in the states that have decided against expanding (Medicaid) have often invoked Reagan conservatism as the reason to oppose extending Medicaid health care coverage to more people. After all, doesn't (Ronald) Reagan embody modern conservatism? He cut taxes, cut government red tape and fought the growth of entitlements. Yes, he did all those things. However, he also expanded Medicaid, not just once but several times (Ohio Gov. John Kasich, 6/2).

6 Jun 2013

Novel approach to create unlimited number of human red blood cells, platelets in vitro

A study led by Boston University School of Medicine has identified a novel approach to create an unlimited number of human red blood cells and platelets in vitro. In collaboration with Boston University School of Public Health and Boston Medical Center, the researchers differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells into these cell types, which are typically obtained through blood donations.

31 May 2013

Highly-infectious sickness bug can be killed by copper and copper alloys

New research from the University of Southampton shows that copper and copper alloys will rapidly destroy norovirus - the highly-infectious sickness bug. The virus can be contracted from contaminated food or water, person-to-person contact, and contact with contaminated surfaces, meaning surfaces made from copper could effectively shut down one avenue of infection.

28 May 2013

New app for iPhone helps detect toxins, proteins, bacteria and viruses

Researchers and physicians in the field could soon run on-the-spot tests for environmental toxins, medical diagnostics, food safety and more with their smartphones.

27 May 2013

Senate immigration bill would ease restrictions on foreign health workers; Measure advances to increase scrutiny on compounding pharmacies

On Capitol Hill, several legislative efforts are moving forward on health issues. Among them is an effort by the Massachusetts delegation to keep bonus Medicare payments for the state's hospitals, while House Republicans are looking for another way to deal with a bill to fund high-risk insurance pools.

24 May 2013

RyMed's InVision-Plus neutral connector reduces CRBSIs by 33.3% at Johns Hopkins center

Research on different types of IV connectors led a Johns Hopkins cancer center to pilot a "neutral pressure" IV connector, according to a scientific presentation at the annual meeting of the Oncology Nursing Society.

22 May 2013