Contamination News and Research

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CDC closes labs after anthrax, flu accidents

Federal government labs in Atlanta were temporarily shut after it was discovered they had improperly sent potentially deadly pathogens, including anthrax, botulism and virulent bird flue virus, to other labs.

15 Jul 2014

First Edition: July 14, 2014

Today's headlines include coverage of Medicare, the health law and veterans' care policy issues as well as reports from the campaign trail.

14 Jul 2014

Independent testing organization confirms VSL#3 formulation as probiotic product

Probiotics have gained in popularity in recent years and consumers now have many to choose from. However, only 14 of 19 successfully tested through Consumer Lab's quality certification program probiotics.

9 Jul 2014

Mice exposed to low doses of arsenic in drinking water develop lung cancer

Mice exposed to low doses of arsenic in drinking water, similar to what some people might consume, developed lung cancer, researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found.

8 Jul 2014

Simple and hygienic measures can prevent campylobacter infections

In Switzerland, between 7000 and 8000 persons fall ill with a campylobacter infection annually. This makes it the most frequent bacterial disease transmitted through food.

4 Jul 2014

ECsafeSEAFOOD project assesses priority contaminants present in seafood

Significant progress towards improving seafood safety in Europe is being made by the EC-funded ECsafeSEAFOOD project.

4 Jul 2014

Anesthesia providers missing to clean their hands during surgical procedures, shows study

Anesthesia providers are missing opportunities to clean their hands during surgical procedures, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

1 Jul 2014

New less expensive method to enrich stable isotopes

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have devised a new method for enriching a group of the world's most expensive chemical commodities, stable isotopes, which are vital to medical imaging and nuclear power, as reported this week in the journal Nature Physics. For many isotopes, the new method is cheaper than existing methods. For others, it is more environmentally friendly.

30 Jun 2014

Xenex testifies before U.S. House of Representatives on effectiveness of UV disinfection system in reducing HAI rates

Xenex Disinfection Services, the world leader in UV room disinfection systems, testified yesterday before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; Subcommittee on Research and Technology; and Subcommittee on Oversight.

28 Jun 2014

Now, hospitals can safely contain HCAI with Howorth Air Technology's BioSphere

Howorth Air Technology, known globally for its Exflow ultra clean ventilation canopy, has added a relocatable permanent or semi-permanent “isolation room” to its portfolio of products - BioSphere.

19 Jun 2014

Scientists advise caution with regard to artificial insemination method

Mitochondria are cell organelles located within animal and human cells. They produce energy for the organism, possess their own genetic material - mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) - and are transmitted exclusively by the mother. Depending on their activity and tasks, different numbers of mitochondria are present in a cell - usually a few hundred to a thousand per body cell.

18 Jun 2014

Using placental cells to repair damaged tissues: an interview with Zami Aberman, CEO, Pluristem Therapeutics

We start with birth and we collect the cells after C-section. The reason for that is we have to have the mother sign a consent letter that she is donating the placenta and, on top of that, we have to have a blood sample from the mother to test for any viral contamination.

16 Jun 2014

NSF awards nearly $200,000 to make environmentally friendly field analyzer

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 to two University of Texas at Arlington researchers teaming with a private company to make an affordable, environmentally friendly field analyzer for arsenic levels in water.

13 Jun 2014

Infection prevention and control guidance prioritizes strategies to combat MRSA

New guidelines aim to reduce the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), improve patient safety and prioritize current prevention efforts underway in hospitals. This drug resistant bacterium is a common source of patient morbidity and mortality in U.S. hospitals, causing nearly twice the number of deaths, significantly longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs than other forms of the bacteria.

11 Jun 2014

New device designed to detect foodborne bacteria

A new device designed to sample and detect foodborne bacteria is being trialled by scientists at the University of Southampton.

11 Jun 2014

New methods for detection of fecal pollution in Norwegian watercourses

The Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Bioforsk, has tested and implemented a set of methods for the detection of fecal pollution in Norwegian watercourses.

9 Jun 2014

Disinfection caps, 'scrub-the-hub' regimens reduce bloodstream infections, cut costs

Whether through the use of alcohol-containing caps or basic cleaning of the injection port of the central line, infection preventionists at three hospitals are finding successful ways to stop germs from entering central line catheters and causing bloodstream infections in patients.

6 Jun 2014