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Melamine concentrations in eggs do not exceed FDA limits

Eggs from chickens that consumed extremely high levels of melamine in their feed still did not contain levels of the potentially toxic contaminant that exceeded U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits.

16 Apr 2010

Thermo Fisher Scientific opens global food testing laboratory in Dreieich, Germany

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today opened a global food testing laboratory devoted solely to helping contain costly and life-threatening chemical contamination crises. The Food Safety Response Center, located in Dreieich, Germany, is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by world-class chemists who will quickly mobilize to aid governments and businesses facing an unknown food safety threat involving chemical contaminants.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 15 Apr 2010

Tapeworm infections of brain increasing in Mexico and bordering southwestern states

Tapeworm infections of the brain, which can cause epileptic seizures, appear to be increasing in Mexico and bordering southwestern states, Loyola University Health System researchers report.

15 Apr 2010

Health care professionals urge Congress to support nation's chemical regulatory reform

On the eve of legislation slated to be introduced this month to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act, almost two dozen organizations representing health care professionals, along with health sector businesses sent letters to Congress urging the passage of strong reform of our nation's chemical regulatory system.

13 Apr 2010

Automated UV radiation helps decontaminate healthcare-associated pathogens

Attendees of the Fifth Decennial International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infection were offered a record 37 presentations on the critical role of contaminated environmental surfaces in the transmission of pathogens in healthcare settings.

12 Apr 2010

Level of bacteria on fresh produce can vary according to income level: Study

No one wants a mixed salad tossed with extra bacteria, mold and yeast, but those are just what you might find when you try to eat a healthier diet in poorer neighborhoods. A new study shows that the level of bacteria found on the fresh produce can vary according to the income level of the neighborhoods where it is for sale.

9 Apr 2010

FDA updates website with information about triclosan

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today updated its website www.fda.gov with information about triclosan, a common ingredient added to many consumer products to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It may be found in antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes and some cosmetics—products regulated by the FDA.

9 Apr 2010

Hospital TV remotes are potential reservoir of bacteria

According to RID (Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths) over thirty billion dollars is spent each year in the US on hospital-acquired infections. (Infections caught while hospitalized). These very preventable infections cost an additional $15,000.00 on average per patient infected and kill more people in this country than AIDS, breast cancer and car accidents combined.

8 Apr 2010

Astrogenetix narrows in on MRSA virulence onboard space shuttle Discovery

Astronauts on board Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-131) activated an experiment this morning as part of the ninth scientific payload for Astrogenetix, an Austin, Texas-based commercial biotech company. Astrogenetix is conducting the International Space Station National Laboratory Pathfinder Vaccine (NLP-V) missions to take advantage of the unique conditions of microgravity to uncover changes in bacteria that can be targeted to create new vaccines and therapeutics.

6 Apr 2010

Biotech reports record financial results for 2010 first quarter

Biotech racked up impressive gains for both the month of March and the first quarter of 2010. The Burrill Biotech Select Index posted a 3.7 percent jump in value in March and an 8 percent overall gain for Q1 '10.

2 Apr 2010

Bile secretions in small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria

Bile secretions in the small intestine send signals to disease-causing gut bacteria allowing them to change their behavior to maximize their chances of surviving, Montana State University research associate Steve Hamner told the Society for General Microbiology during its spring meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1 Apr 2010

Marijuana must not be legalized in California, says opposition to the legalization initiative

The Opposition to the California Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2010) has learned that the ballot measure for The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 has officially been certified by the State of California to qualify for the November ballot.

26 Mar 2010

Researcher extracts natural scaffold for tissue growth

It frequently happens in science that what you throw away turns out to be most valuable. It happened to Deepak Nagrath, but not for long.

26 Mar 2010

AOAC Research Institute validates MicroSEQ Salmonella spp. Detection Kit

Life Technologies Corporation today announced that its Applied Biosystems MicroSEQ® Salmonella spp. Detection Kit has been validated by the AOAC Research Institute for detection of the bacteria Salmonella.

23 Mar 2010

Temporary suspension of Rotarix – a rotavirus vaccine for kids

The US FDA after deliberation has come up with a warning to the nation’s pediatricians to stop giving children a vaccine that prevents diarrhea causing Rotavirus vaccine. There is reportedly a contamination with a harmless pig virus in this vaccine called Rotarix and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

23 Mar 2010

Two scientific poster presentations on InVision-Plus connectors featured at SHEA meeting

Two scientific poster presentations that demonstrate the infection prevention capabilities of InVision-Plus® with Neutral Advantage™ technology were featured at the annual conference of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

22 Mar 2010

Team Consulting to provide Oval Medical Technologies new funds in exchange for equity

Leading medical technology firm Team Consulting has joined the consortium of investors that is providing seed funding to Oval Medical Technologies, a developer of proprietary medical pre-filled syringes and autoinjectors.

22 Mar 2010

E. coli scare ends with assurance of safe dinking water

Amidst a water contamination scare people in Nerang, QLD were warned last Friday to boil their drinking water. The contaminating agent was a bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. The scare involved nearly 2,500 families.

22 Mar 2010

New device detects bacterial and fungal contamination

Microorganisms are everywhere and most of them are harmless, but they can do a lot of damage in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals or in tissue transplants. With the aid of a new device, germs can be detected in artificial cartilage within a few hours.

20 Mar 2010

LiftSeat to distribute Hygie Hygienic Cover Systems in the U.S.

LiftSeat Corporation, a leading healthcare toileting solutions company, is now the exclusive distributor in the United States of the Hygie Hygienic Cover System, which is proven to help prevent the spread of potentially fatal healthcare-associated infections. The joint announcement was made today at the Fifth Decennial International Conference on Healthcare-Associated Infections 2010.

20 Mar 2010