Decontamination News and Research

RSS

'Bug Zapper' decontaminates N95 masks with UV-C light

Right around the time in mid-March when Lehigh University moved to remote learning and researchers began to shut down on-campus labs, Nelson Tansu, the Daniel E. '39 and Patricia M. Smith Endowed Chair Professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering, received an email from Dr. Christopher Roscher, an anesthesiologist at St. Luke's University Health Network.

11 May 2020

Talking and breathing can contribute to COVID-19 spread, shows study

Current knowledge about the role of aerosols in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 warrants urgent attention.

7 May 2020

Eco-friendly technique could enable hospitals to produce hydrogen peroxide

A team of researchers has developed a portable, more environmentally friendly method to produce hydrogen peroxide. It could enable hospitals to make their own supply of the disinfectant on demand and at lower cost.

4 May 2020

Researchers retrofit diving snorkel mask to make reusable PPE

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv in April 2020 reports an innovative adaptation of a standard snorkel mask with a few custom-built parts and a filter, for use by hospital personnel as a reusable protective mask.

30 Apr 2020

Trump says N95 masks can be sterilized for reuse. Only in a pinch, experts warn.

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, front-line health care workers are decrying unsafe working conditions — in particular, describing inadequate access to personal protective equipment, or PPE.

29 Apr 2020

Novel disinfection process could extend usage of N95 masks during shortage

Amid shortages of personal protective equipment due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a St. Louis health care system has implemented a process to disinfect disposable N95 respirator masks that allows health care workers to reuse their own mask for up to 20 cycles.

28 Apr 2020

Experts explain how to decontaminate N95 masks from SARS-CoV-2

Amid the coronavirus global pandemic, the world is facing a shortage of medical supplies, especially those intended to protect health workers. With the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), including surgical masks and N95 masks, many people are left with no choice but to try and decontaminate this equipment for extended use. Now, a new study by experts shows how N95 masks can be adequately decontaminated for further use.

16 Apr 2020

Recommendations for keeping cancer patients, providers safe during COVID-19 pandemic

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network--an alliance of leading cancer centers--is continuing to share new resources for optimal cancer management amid new and changing challenges related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

10 Apr 2020

Robots can play a major role in COVID-19 battle

Robots can significantly help in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that is spreading across the globe. As the number of cases tops one million, and the death toll reaching 53,000, scientists race to develop a drug or vaccine for the infectious disease. Now, robots are playing a major role in this fight, improving the health and safety of individuals and patients.

2 Apr 2020

Web portal provides information on how to decontaminate used N95 masks

As health workers and first responders in the United States try to stem a pandemic without adequate protective gear, health officials are forced to consider a stopgap - decontaminating and reusing N95 masks to shield those whose jobs expose them to the virus that causes COVID-19.

2 Apr 2020

Phoseon’s KeyPro products use high-intensity UV light to fight against pathogens

Phoseon’s KeyPro™ family of products uses high-intensity, deep ultraviolet light to disinfect and decontaminate laboratory equipment and surfaces. Independent testing has shown efficacy of KeyPro against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and biomolecules like ribonuclease.

From Phoseon Technology 1 Apr 2020

Purdue scientists working to speed up diagnostic, therapeutic solutions for COVID-19

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads across the U.S. and the world, Purdue University scientists are working to move solutions to diagnose and treat the virus to the marketplace as soon as possible.

1 Apr 2020

Mobile apps for instant contact tracing could slow the rate of coronavirus transmission

A team of medical researchers and bioethicists at Oxford University has published results today in Science that furthers our understanding of coronavirus transmission.

31 Mar 2020

Robots and drones can help curb the coronavirus pandemic

Can robots provide an effective method to combat the COVID-19 pandemic? A team of robotic leaders, including Henrik Christensen, the director of UC San Diego’s Contextual Robotics Institute, believes that healthcare systems can use robots for a variety of purposes.

26 Mar 2020

Chest CT shows COVID-19 damage to the lungs

A new study presents peer-reviewed cases of COVID-19 in order to ensure that the disease is diagnosed as rapidly as possible, and thus help prevent an overwhelming spike in infections in any one place during the course of the current pandemic. Much interest has been shown in the possibility of using chest X-rays, and computed tomography (CT) scans to screen for and diagnose patients with this illness, whether suspected or confirmed.

15 Mar 2020

Reusing masks may increase your risk of coronavirus infection, expert says

Panic buying and the hoarding of face masks to protect from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may not be a good idea, says a health expert. It puts you at an increased risk of contracting the virus.

15 Mar 2020

Blood test for microbial DNA could warn of cancer

A new study published in the journal Nature on March 11, 2020, could transform the currently held views on cancer causation and diagnosis. The researchers have come up with a new technique to detect the presence and type of cancer by looking at microbial DNA circulating in the blood of the person being screened.

11 Mar 2020