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Virginia Tech's in-house development of novel SARS-CoV-2 test shows the power of academic labs

In the early days of the pandemic, scientists at Virginia Tech created a COVID-19 testing laboratory and novel test for the virus from scratch.

21 Jul 2021

Human coronaviruses need organic materials to transfer efficiently between surfaces

This study, published in the journal Viruses, indicated that human coronaviruses do not transfer effectively from contaminated hands to contact surfaces without the presence of any organic material.

21 Jul 2021

Novel coronavirus found in UK horseshoe bats

A coronavirus related to the virus that causes Covid-19 in humans has been found in UK horseshoe bats - according to new collaborative research from the University of East Anglia, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), and Public Health England (PHE).

19 Jul 2021

Researchers conduct molecular dynamic study of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and human skin model interactions

Currently, there is a lack of understanding of the physico-chemical features of the interaction between coronaviruses and different surfaces. However, new research has been published on the bioRxiv* preprint server that documents the molecular details of the interaction between the human skin and SARS-CoV-2.

19 Jul 2021

Human waste contamination in urban surface waters is driving the spread of 'superbugs'

Contamination of urban lakes, rivers and surface water by human waste is creating pools of 'superbugs' in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) - but improving access to clean water, sanitation and sewerage infrastructure could help to protect people's health, a new study reveals.

15 Jul 2021

Latin American communities heavily affected by mercury and lead contamination

Intervention programmes are vitally needed to support Amazonian communities exposed to mercury contamination in Latin America, and children who are among those most affected by lead poisoning.

13 Jul 2021

Colonization by SARS-CoV-2 not synonymous with infection, screening study highlights

A new study released as a preprint on the medRxiv* server throws cold water on this notion, however, by demonstrating that in a set of asymptomatic cases, less than a tenth actually had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This finding has serious implications for the practices mentioned above, since they may be neither justifiable nor cost-effective as means to break the chain of viral transmission.

13 Jul 2021

Novel cold-tolerant bacterium produces a red bio-pigment with germ-killing properties

A team of researchers from Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India have discovered a psychrophilic bacterial strain, called Rhodonellum psychrophilum GL8, at the high altitude Pangong Tso Lake in the Himalayas.

12 Jul 2021

German-Austrian Cornet project focuses on detection and prevention of microplastics in food

High-tech methods for detecting microplastics in food and suitable prevention measures are the focus of the joint German-Austrian Cornet project "MicroplasticATfood", which kicked off on 1 July 2021.

9 Jul 2021

Mother-to-baby SARS-CoV-2 transmission in pregnancy possible but rare, says study

A new meta-analysis, released on the medRxiv* preprint server, suggests that, though possible, the virus is rarely transmitted to the newborn in real life. A scientific brief from the World Health Organization (WHO) in February 2021 describes three mechanisms by which the virus might be transmitted from the mother to the fetus or newborn.

7 Jul 2021

SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands, study finds

In Brazil, researchers at the University of São Paulo's Medical School (FM-USP) have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in the salivary glands.

6 Jul 2021

Forensic Discrimination of Contamination from Food Wrap Plastics

BioChromato report how their ionRocket sample preparation device, used in combination with Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART®-MS) provides a powerful new method capable of identifying and discriminating between different sources of plastic films used for food processing and packaging.

From BioChromato Inc. 6 Jul 2021

FDA's new Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan released

As part of our ongoing efforts to combat foodborne illness and aligned with our New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative, today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released the Cyclospora Prevention, Response and Research Action Plan.

1 Jul 2021

FDA releases results of ongoing testing efforts to assess the occurrence of PFAS in food supply

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its ongoing sampling and testing efforts designed to better understand the occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the food supply.

30 Jun 2021

Improving Yield and Quality of SARS-CoV-2 Isolated Nucleic Acid

Porvair Sciences has further expanded its range of high-performance microplate products for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid purification.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 30 Jun 2021

Study finds minimal SARS-CoV-2 viral load in vaginal secretions

The virus has also been observed to be present in blood, urine, feces, and tears, though not in semen. Vaginal secretions have not been consistently shown to be positive for the virus in most studies. The authors of a new study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine affirm that the presence of the virus in the vagina is rare, irrespective of pregnancy.

28 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virus sequences could be identified from hospital surface swabs

A new study by UC Davis researchers confirms the low likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 contamination on hospital surfaces is infectious.

25 Jun 2021

Dedicated cGMP Facility for Porous Plastic Components

Porvair Sciences reports investment in a dedicated clean area for manufacturing Vyon® porous plastic components for healthcare, pharmaceutical and life science products.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 24 Jun 2021

$1 million grant awarded to eliminate the need for drug refrigeration

COVID-19 vaccines have been tested, validated and administered to millions of people around the world. But in some countries, the vaccines have yet to arrive in great enough numbers.

16 Jun 2021

Bioactive packaging can keep strawberries fresh for up to 12 days

Québec produces more strawberries than any other Canadian province. Strawberries are delicate and difficult to keep fresh. In response to this challenge, Monique Lacroix, a professor at at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, and her team have developed a packaging film that can keep strawberries fresh for up to 12 days.