Biosecurity News and Research

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Biosecurity is a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, quarantined pests, invasive alien species, living modified organisms.

Increased number of Americans infected with chikungunya, say researchers

In just two weeks, the number of Americans infected with the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya has almost doubled and the virus has now been found in mosquitoes in the United States, something that is very concerning to a Kansas State University professor who is a leading researcher of the virus.

24 Jul 2014

Leopoldina, DFG present joint recommendations for handling security-relevant scientific research

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina presented their joint recommendations on "Scientific Freedom and Scientific Responsibility" on 26 June 2014 in Berlin.

27 Jun 2014

First Edition: June 20, 2014

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about a new poll of showing a majority of those signing up for marketplace plans had been uninsured before and the Obama administration's decision to extend marriage benefits, including family leave, to same-sex couples.

20 Jun 2014

Air, surface sampling techniques used by US government effective in fighting bioterrorism, says study

Air and surface sampling techniques currently used by the US government are effective in fighting bioterrorism and potentially saving lives, a Saint Louis University researcher finds.

7 May 2014

Researcher reveals the secrets of Francisella tularensis bacterium that causes tularemia

Tularemia, aka "rabbit fever," is endemic in the northeastern United States, and is considered to be a significant risk to biosecurity -- much like anthrax or smallpox -- because it has already been weaponized in various regions of the world.

17 Feb 2014

Seward highlights effectiveness of Stomacher technique and sponge swabs for hygiene monitoring

Seward Ltd., manufacturers of the world leading range of Stomacher paddle blenders and Stomacher® accessories used in sample preparation for microbiological analyses, have highlighted the highly effective use of its Stomacher technology in combination with sponge swabs for hygiene monitoring and biosecurity applications.

28 Jan 2014

Kansas State University's research shows promise to fight novel avian H7N9 influenza virus

The novel avian H7N9 influenza virus has caused more than 130 human infections with 43 deaths in China. New research, conducted under the supervision of Kansas State University's Juergen Richt, is showing promise in helping to fight this deadly virus.

17 Jan 2014

New research shows promise in helping combat novel drug-resistant H7N9 influenza virus

16 Jan 2014

Neogen acquires the stock of Chem-Tech

Neogen Corporation announced today that it has acquired the stock of Chem-Tech Ltd., a manufacturer of insecticides for the animal and food industries. The 35-year-old company, which is wholly owned by Pat and Kelle Rolfes, operates an extensive manufacturing and distribution facility in Pleasantville, Iowa.

2 Jan 2014

SLU nursing faculty, students receive special training to operate Closed Point of Dispensing

In the case of a bioterror attack, Saint Louis University will operate a medication dispensing station for students, faculty, staff and their families, offering quick access to medicines and easing the burden on local health departments so they can serve residents who lack similar access to lifesaving drugs.

22 Dec 2013

Chemical attacks in Syria can pose threat to US, says Homeland Security medical officer

The chemical attacks in Syria could lower the bar for use of chemical weapons by terrorist organizations or rogue nations that could eventually pose a threat to the United States, says Alexander Garza, M.D., former assistant secretary of health affairs and chief medical officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

31 Aug 2013

SIgN discovers strategy that cripples ability of dengue virus to escape host immune system

A new strategy that cripples the ability of the dengue virus to escape the host immune system has been discovered by A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN). This breakthrough strategy opens a door of hope to what may become the world's first universal dengue vaccine candidate that can give full protection from all four serotypes of the dreadful virus.

14 Aug 2013

SLU assistant professor receives grant to identify policies that improve health of African-American men

An assistant professor at Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice has received a $100,000, two-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to determine which behaviors and policies are most likely to improve the health of African-American men.

31 May 2013

WHOI deploys new robotic sensor in Gulf of Maine coastal waters to monitor HABs

A new robotic sensor deployed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Gulf of Maine coastal waters may transform the way red tides or harmful algal blooms are monitored and managed in New England.

8 May 2013

H7N9 flu virus found to transmit from birds to humans but not person-to-person

Scientists in China have confirmed for the first time that the influenza A H7N9 virus has transmitted from birds—specifically, chicken at a wet poultry market—to humans, according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet.

25 Apr 2013

National Foundation for Infectious Diseases to host 16th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases will host the 16th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, April 22-24, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD.

22 Apr 2013

New report focuses on strengthening U.S. response to illness outbreaks

The Center for Biosecurity of UPMC today released online ahead of print a new report, When Good Food Goes Bad: Strengthening the US Response to Foodborne Disease Outbreaks. The authors analyzed existing data and studies on foodborne illness outbreak response, identified emerging trends, and interviewed dozens of federal and state-level officials and experts from industry, professional organizations, academia, and relevant international organizations.

6 Mar 2013

Researchers describe novel antiviral property of cholesterol-25-hydroxylase

A team of UCLA-led researchers has identified a protein with broad virus-fighting properties that potentially could be used as a weapon against deadly human pathogenic viruses such as HIV, Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, Nipah and others designated "priority pathogens" for national biosecurity purposes by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

13 Feb 2013

Meeting participants discuss HHS framework for funding H5N1 avian influenza research

CIDRAP News reports on a two-day meeting at the National Institutes of Health during which "researchers, biosecurity experts, and others" discussed the "crafting of a framework for funding H5N1 avian influenza gain-of-function studies." The meeting "is the latest chapter in an intense scientific controversy that was triggered by the publication of two recent studies involving lab-engineered H5N1 strains that showed signs of being transmissible in mammals," according to the news service.

19 Dec 2012

U.S. government's draft guidance on funding for H5N1 research receives 'mixed reception,' Science reports

"Researchers are giving a mixed reception to a draft U.S. government plan to do more stringent funding reviews of certain kinds of H5N1 avian influenza research -- and perhaps even require some studies to be kept secret," Science reports.

8 Dec 2012