Contamination News and Research

RSS

Major UK retailers, Liverpool scientists partner to reduce incidence of food poisoning

Scientists at the University of Liverpool are working with the major UK food retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and reduce incidence of food poisoning in humans.

15 Sep 2011

Gay blood donations to be allowed soon in UK

Soon the lifetime ban on blood donations by homosexual and bisexual men will be lifted in England, Scotland and Wales. Ministers have agreed to let men who have not had sex with another man in the past 12 months to donate from November.

12 Sep 2011

Innovative UMD-based food safety program to launch on Sept. 15

Amid ongoing concerns about E. coli, Salmonella and other food-borne illnesses, a new facility will take a unique approach to make imports bound for the United States safer: Give foreign technicians who test those foods intensive, hands-on lab training in U.S. government methods, standards and technology, as well as acceptable alternatives.

8 Sep 2011

Tips for packing school lunches for kids

You do everything you can think of to ensure your kids eat a healthful lunch. But do you also consider the safety of the food you pack in their lunch bags each day? "Packing your child's school lunch not only helps you know they're eating healthful fare, it can also save money - an important consideration in the current economy," says food safety expert Dr. Don Schaffner of the Institute of Food Technologists and Rutgers University. "Parents also need to keep in mind, however, the importance of safe handling practices when preparing food for their children's lunch boxes."

8 Sep 2011

IBCRF awards TGen $50,000 to discover genetic origins of inflammatory breast cancer

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation (IBCRF) has awarded $50,000 to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to discover the genetic origins of this rare and most deadly form of breast cancer.

7 Sep 2011

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers siRNA libraries in Labcyte Echo qualified source plates

Labcyte Inc., a leader in miniaturization technologies for liquid handling, announced today that Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, is offering the option for customers to receive siRNA (small-interfering RNA) reagent libraries in Labcyte Echo qualified source plates.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 7 Sep 2011

UCLA develops dual-mode microscope that uses holograms instead of lenses

To serve remote areas of the world, doctors, nurses and field workers need equipment that is portable, versatile, and relatively inexpensive. Now researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have built a compact, light-weight, dual-mode microscope that uses holograms instead of lenses.

31 Aug 2011

An advance toward using stem cells in 'regenerative medicine'

With stem cells so fickle and indecisive that they make Shakespeare's Hamlet pale by comparison, scientists today described an advance in encouraging stem cells to make decisions about their fate.

30 Aug 2011

Genetic analysis of medieval plague skeletons proves the presence of y. pestis bacteria

Genetic analysis of medieval plague skeletons proves the presence of yersinia pestis bacteria. Collaboration between the University of Tübingen and Canadian scientists proves today's plague pathogen has been around at least 600 years.

30 Aug 2011

FDA acts to prevent distribution of food from rodent-infested facility

At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized all FDA-regulated food susceptible to rodent and pest contamination or other filth held at the Durham, North Carolina, warehouse of CFSD, Inc., which does business as Chan's Food Service.

29 Aug 2011

Medical engineers develop sensor chip to monitor cancerous tumors

A surgery is usually one of the first therapy options in cancer treatment. However, some tumors, such as brain tumors, can be difficult to operate on if there is a risk of damaging surrounding nerve tissue.

29 Aug 2011

Nurofen mix up with Seroquel schizophrenia drug warns MHRA

British drug regulators have issued a safety alert on Thursday after discovering packs of the over-the-counter painkiller Nurofen Plus containing the anti-psychotic drug Seroquel XL.

26 Aug 2011

BioSpec Global Solutions commences talks with U.K., Chinese distributors for TOGS product lines

ICBS Ltd., announced today that partner BioSpec Global Solutions Inc. has opened talks with a U.K. , and Chinese distributors for the TOGS product lines.

26 Aug 2011

Cone Health uses Xenex room disinfection systems to reduce HAI rates and costs

Cone Health today announced a dramatic reduction in healthcare-acquired infection (HAIs) rates after implementing an infection prevention program which includes Xenex room disinfection systems.

25 Aug 2011

Researchers develop new methods to identify potential sources of food contamination

Unwanted bacteria, yeasts and moulds can cause major problems for the food industry as well as consumers. Norwegian researchers have developed new methods to identify potential sources of contamination.

22 Aug 2011

High levels of BPA found in paper currencies

The cash register receipts that people place near paper money in billfolds, purses, and pockets has led to a worldwide contamination of paper money with bisphenol A (BPA) - a potentially toxic substance found in some plastics, thermal paper and other products.

12 Aug 2011

Study confirms ability of Tru-D device to decontaminate surfaces in patient rooms

In an original article coauthored by John M. Boyce, MD; Nancy L. Havill, MT; and Brent A. Moore, PhD, "Terminal Decontamination of Patient Rooms Using an Automated Mobile UV Light Unit", the research team from the Hospital of Saint Raphael and the Yale University School of Medicine ". . . demonstrated that an automated, portable UV light device significantly reduced aerobic colony counts on high-touch surfaces in patient rooms.