Contamination News and Research

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New device lab-on-a-chip sensor to detect milk contamination

Whitaker investigator David Beebe, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has developed a process to make on-demand, miniature sensors for a wide variety of poisons, including naturally occurring contaminants and intentionally introduced toxins.

15 May 2004

Baby food companies exposed as evidence presented to UK Parliament and Lancet study reinforces list of health risks of artificial feeding

The Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules 2004 monitoring report analyses the promotional practices of 16 transnational baby food companies and 14 bottle and teat companies between January 2002 and April 2004. The benchmark standards used for measuring marketing practices are the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolutions.

14 May 2004

Baby food companies to be exposed as international monitors present evidence at UK Parliament

Members of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) will be presenting evidence gathered through monitoring of baby food companies in 69 countries at the House of Commons on 13 May from 10.30 to 11.30 am. The evidence shows how companies aggressively promote their products and undermine breastfeeding, thereby contributing to the unnecessary death and suffering of infants around the world.

12 May 2004

Researchers investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply

UW-Madison will use its share of a three-year, $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HS) to investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply.

5 May 2004

Sanitation measures are critical to preventing an outbreak of avian influenza

People with small backyard flocks including those who raise chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and other fowl can play an important role in protecting the state's commercial poultry industry. Mike Hackett, Washington State University Snohomish County Extension educator, says strict sanitation measures are critical to preventing an outbreak of avian influenza.

30 Apr 2004

Nasal fungi in newborn babies sheds light on eosinophilic chronic sinusitis

Researchers have recently claimed that eosinophilic chronic sinusitis is an immune disorder caused by the body’s reaction to fungus.

29 Apr 2004

Philippines tightens SARS screening at all entry points

The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) is assuring the public that there is no immediate threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the country despite the new cases found in neighboring China.

28 Apr 2004

SARS experts head to China

At the request of the Chinese Ministry of Health, WHO is today sending the first members of an international team to help investigate the source of SARS cases recently reported in Beijing and the eastern province of Anhui. The team, which is expected to begin work on Wednesday, will include experts in epidemiology, virology, infection control, and laboratory biosafety.

26 Apr 2004

New ion exchange resin will help people with thyroid gland problems

Rohm and Haas Company has introduced Amberlite® PWA2 ion exchange resin, the first resin specifically designed for the selective removal of perchlorate from drinking water.

26 Apr 2004

Schools failing to support teens who are pregnant or new mothers

But another group of girls, also guaranteed educational equality through Title IX, have seen little benefit, says Wanda Pillow, a professor of educational policy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

23 Apr 2004

76 million people get sick in US, 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die from foodborne illness

Foodborne illnesses have a major public health impact in the United States. It is estimated that each year in the United States, 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die as a result of foodborne illnesses, primarily the very young, elderly, and the immunocompromised.

18 Apr 2004

Microbiologists have characterised the DNA in bacteria responsible for vomiting

James Cook University microbiologists have characterised the DNA in bacteria responsible for one of the world's most common forms of food poisoning.

16 Apr 2004

Muscle stem cells morph to resemble nerve cells

Taking a major step forward in stem cell biology, researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have turned muscle progenitor cells — stem cells that are “committed” to becoming muscle tissue — into cells that look and act like neurons (nerve cells).

14 Apr 2004

FDA claims high levels of lead in Mexican candy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is aware of a problem associated with lead contamination of some Mexican candy products being sold in the United States and is suggesting that parents, care providers and other responsible individuals do not allow children to eat these products at this time.

11 Apr 2004

New AMA guide on treating foodborne illness

In partnership with a national nursing organization and several federal agencies, the AMA released an educational guide on April 7 about how health care professionals should identify and treat foodborne illnesses. "Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses: A Primer for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals" contains charts, scenarios and a continuing medical education section. It is free to health care professionals.

8 Apr 2004

New center enables genetic treatments and advances

A new state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to helping produce modified cells for treatment of cancer and other diseases recently opened at the Siteman Cancer Center.

1 Apr 2004

Super glue and vascular graft surgery

Got a broken teacup, an art project, or a leaky blood vessel? “Super glue” it. Surgeons at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston are studying whether a liquid sealant, similar to common household “super glue,” forms a tight seal around blood vessels used in vascular graft surgery.

25 Mar 2004