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Cellulose nanofiber paper filter removes virus particles with high efficiency

Researchers at the Division of Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Uppsala University have developed a paper filter, which can remove virus particles with the efficiency matching that of the best industrial virus filters. The paper filter consists of 100 percent high purity cellulose nanofibers, directly derived from nature.

31 Mar 2014

New high-speed test to identify contamination of drinking water

Every year 300.000 Europeans are falling ill because of contaminated drinking water. A new high-speed test is being developed to identify the contamination of drinking water much faster than today and thus reduce the number of victims considerably.

20 Mar 2014

Study: Chemical processes that break down waste increase mercury levels in ground, water

As towns across Cape Cod struggle with problems stemming from septic systems, a recent study by a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientist focuses on one specific toxic by-product: mercury.

11 Mar 2014

Metallic toys, low-cost jewelry can affect children's health

We know that babies and young children often put non-food items in their mouths, a behaviour that occasionally leads to swallowing of foreign objects. Metallic toys and low-cost jewelry often contain toxic substances such as lead and cadmium.

6 Mar 2014

Medical diagnoses, DNA sequencing can be made faster through gel electrophoresis

Medical diagnoses and DNA sequencing can be made cheaper, faster and more reliable using a new miniaturized technique for gel electrophoresis based on conducting polymer materials, according to researchers at Link-ping University in Sweden.

5 Mar 2014

Study shows SuperMum campaign improves handwashing behaviour

An analysis of a unique “SuperMum” handwashing campaign shows for the first time that using emotional motivators, such as feelings of disgust and nurture, rather than health messages, can result in significant, long-lasting improvements in people’s handwashing behaviour, and could in turn help to reduce the risk of infectious diseases.

4 Mar 2014

Studies indicate that harvested rainwater frequently harbors pathogens

South Africa has been financing domestic rainwater harvesting tanks in informal low-income settlements and rural areas in five of that nation's nine provinces. But pathogens inhabit such harvested rainwater, potentially posing a public health hazard, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals, according to a team from the University of Stellenbosch.

27 Feb 2014

Implants made of nickel-titanium alloy are not dangerous to health, shows study

Jena (Germany) A trousers button, a coin or a watch can be dangerous for people with a nickel allergy. Approximately 1 in 10 Germans is allergic to the metal.

20 Feb 2014

BioFire Diagnostics submits FilmArray GI Panel to FDA for 510(k) clearance

BioFire Diagnostics, LLC today announced that it has submitted the FilmArray Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for 510(k) clearance. The comprehensive FilmArray GI Panel tests for over 20 common bacteria, viruses and parasites that cause infectious diarrhea.

18 Feb 2014

Experts sound alarm about the dangers of industrial chemicals on children’s health

In a Review published in The Lancet Neurology, two of the world’s leading experts on the link between environment and children’s health are sounding the alarm on the dangers of industrial chemicals. They are calling on countries to transform their chemical risk-assessment procedures in order to protect children from everyday toxins that may be causing a global “silent epidemic” of brain development disorders.

18 Feb 2014

Water samples from the Upper Ganges River shed light on the spread of superbugs

The spread of antibiotic-resistance to one of the most pristine locations in Asia is linked to the annual human pilgrimages to the region, new research has shown.

17 Feb 2014

Teleflex announces launch of Rusch DispoLED Single-Use Fiber Optic Laryngoscope Handle

Teleflex Incorporated, a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, has announced the launch of the Rusch® DispoLED™ Single-Use Fiber Optic Laryngoscope Handle — a cost-neutral way to combat cross-contamination infection risk during intubation.

14 Feb 2014

Indoor exposure to radon gas may cause of lung cancer

Pointing to startling statistics on lung cancer risks, child health and other experts in Canada are ramping up calls for families nationwide to test their homes for radon gas contamination.

14 Feb 2014

New online resource centre helps to create better strategies for food risks and benefits

Food scare make authorities uneasy. In previous cases, national food safety agencies have not always known how to react, making the public wary. For example, in 2011, the German health authorities incorrectly linked the deadly E. coli outbreak to cucumbers from Spanish greenhouses.

11 Feb 2014

Rubicon Genomics introduces PicoPLEX DNA-seq Kits for use with Illumina NGS platforms

Rubicon Genomics, Inc. today announced the launch of its PicoPLEX DNA-seq Kits for use with Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms. PicoPLEX's outstanding robustness and reproducibility have made it the worldwide standard for single-cell DNA amplification for microarray and PCR-based pre-implantation genetic screening and diagnosis. PicoPLEX DNA-seq now enables researchers and clinicians to access PicoPLEX technology for analyses conducted on Illumina NGS systems.

10 Feb 2014

New sensor system provides high-quality indoor air without energy losses linked with ventilation

A research consortium being coordinated at Saarland University is developing a novel sensor system for monitoring airborne contaminants that will provide high-quality indoor air without the energy losses typically associated with ventilation.

4 Feb 2014

Third-hand smoke as deadly as first-hand smoke

Do not smoke and do not allow yourself to be exposed to smoke because second-hand smoke and third-hand smoke are just as deadly as first-hand smoke, says a scientist at the University of California, Riverside who, along with colleagues, conducted the first animal study of the effects of third-hand smoke.

30 Jan 2014

Scientists to develop faster method for pathogen screening in food products

The regular appearance of food poisoning in the news, including a recent event that led to the recall of more than 33,000 pounds of chicken, drives home the need for better bacterial detection long before meats and produce make it to the dinner table.

30 Jan 2014

New halal testing method for detecting pig and horse contamination of meat

The mislabeling of meat products sold for human consumption has serious implications from a safety and ethical perspective. With recent news stories of pork and horsemeat contamination in different parts of the world, a renewed need for specialized testing of the food supply has rapidly arisen.

28 Jan 2014

Hot water contamination in hospital taps threatens patient safety

New research finds significantly higher levels of infectious pathogens in water from faucet taps with aerators compared to water from deeper in the plumbing system. Contaminated water poses an increased risk for infection in immunocompromised patients.

22 Jan 2014