Sanitization News and Research

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Electric multicookers could be used for sanitization of N95 respirator masks

Owners of electric multicookers may be able to add another use to its list of functions, a new study suggests: sanitization of N95 respirator masks.

6 Aug 2020

Advantech launches POC-624 high-performance, medical-grade terminal for diverse healthcare applications

Advantech, a leading provider of industrial computing solutions, is pleased to announce its POC-624 24” medical-grade point-of-care terminal (POC) designed for diverse healthcare applications. Featuring an 8th gen Intel® Core™ i5/i7-8665UE processor, POC-624 is a high-performance, ultra-thin terminal that enables improved operational efficiency in hospitals, clinics, and care homes. Compliant with IEC 60601 safety standards for medical devices, the POC-624 terminal is user friendly and offers a reduced time-to-market with its compliance with relevant healthcare regulations.

From Advantech 16 Jul 2020

Silk useful as face mask and PPE in COVID-19

As many people are resorting to face coverings improvised from common fabrics, researchers from the University of Cincinnati looked to determine what fabrics were the most effective. The team examined the hydrophobicity of fabrics (silk, cotton, polyester), as measured by their resistance to the penetration of small and aerosolized water droplets, an important transmission avenue for the virus causing COVID-19.

30 Jun 2020

Researchers search for SARS-CoV-2 fomites on an operational Italian bus

A new study reports the results of a viral detection study carried out in buses used for public transport across the final week of lockdown, as travel restrictions were being lifted step by step. This study by Italian researchers and published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in June 2020, may help to understand how a virus can spread within a city bus during normal operation and how effective are the measures used to protect against such transmission.

30 Jun 2020

Deep UV LED inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 - fast and effective

The ongoing pandemic has aroused considerable effort to find methods to prevent and control the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19 disease. Rapid inactivation devices would be of great help in this area, to prevent viral transmission through aerosols and contact with infected surfaces.

9 Jun 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

Study: Direct and repetitive irradiation with 222nm UVC does not cause skin cancer

Joint research between Kobe University and Ushio Inc. has provided proof for the first time in the world that direct and repetitive illumination from 222nm ultraviolet radiation C (UVC), which is a powerful sterilizer, does not cause skin cancer.

7 Apr 2020

How do viruses mutate and jump to humans?

Zoonotic spillover events like the current novel coronavirus pandemic present threats to human health. But what is zoonotic spillover and how do they occur?

7 Apr 2020

Sanitization error might possibly have exposed hundreds to HIV at Indiana hospital

An Indiana hospital is in the news for all the wrong reasons. An accidental failure by one of the seven sterilization technicians working at the hospital was recently discovered. The technician failed to carry out a single step in a protocol concerning the sanitization of surgical equipment at Goshen Hospital, over a period from April 1 to September 30.

26 Nov 2019

Hand washing encouraged as hand sanitizer shown to be ineffective at killing the flu

A new study has found that hand sanitizer may not be as effective as previously thought at preventing the spread of influenza A, the common flu virus.

24 Sep 2019

OnMed launches first interactive telemedicine station

OnMed, an innovative health technology company whose OnMed Station allows patients a virtual life-sized consultation with a physician and automated pharmaceutical services, is today announcing the official launch of the station after six years of development.

12 Mar 2019

Manage Your Risk: Monitoring the Environment of Aseptic Processes

Lisa G. Lawson has over 25 years’ experience in supporting large and small pharmaceutical companies in contamination control, including cleaning and disinfection strategies, aseptic manufacturing and use of risk-based approaches to microbiological quality challenges

From Particle Measuring Systems 15 Feb 2018

Condition of hands impacts quality of life and job satisfaction for nurses, survey finds

Overworked. Undervalued. Less encounters that bring joy. This is a glimpse at what nurses are up against in today's healthcare landscape. With 43 percent of respondents to a recent RNnetwork nurse survey saying their workplaces also don't support a healthy work/life balance, new thinking and approaches to drive clinician well-being are required to keep quality nurses in healthcare.

31 Oct 2017

Intense sanitization effort as Hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego claims 16 lives

An outbreak of hepatitis A in San Diego is being investigated by the Public Health Services Division, in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Most of the people affected with hepatitis A are the illicit drug users and homeless individuals. The spread from one person to another through fecal contamination.

14 Sep 2017

Potentially lethal listeria bacteria can persist inside tissue of romaine lettuce, study shows

A Purdue University study shows that the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes can live inside the tissue of romaine lettuce, suggesting that conventional post-harvest sanitization practices might not be sufficient to kill the potentially lethal pathogen.

29 Mar 2017

Socioeconomic factors in the U.S. make large-scale Zika outbreaks unlikely, new analysis suggests

Is the United States at risk for a large-scale outbreak of Zika or other mosquito-borne disease? While climate conditions in the U.S. are increasingly favorable to mosquitos, socioeconomic factors such as access to clean water and air conditioning make large-scale outbreaks unlikely, according to new analysis of existing research--but small-scale, localized outbreaks are an ongoing concern.

3 Jan 2017

Study examines how ApoE gene may function differently in infectious environment

You've likely heard about being in the right place at the wrong time, but what about having the right genes in the wrong environment? In other words, could a genetic mutation (or allele) that puts populations at risk for illnesses in one environmental setting manifest itself in positive ways in a different setting?

30 Dec 2016

Experts confirm high risk of famine in northeast Nigeria

Multiple experts, including Action Against Hunger, have validated new analysis confirming an elevated risk of famine in Nigeria's Borno State among populations cut off from humanitarian assistance due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

22 Dec 2016

How can we tackle antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance happens when bugs, like bacteria, fungi or viruses, change, or evolve, when they’re exposed to drugs, like antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals. Bugs that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as ‘superbugs’.

20 Dec 2016

Rensselaer receives additional support to address childhood stunting in developing nations

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a grant of $993,384 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for continuing work on a novel data visualization platform that will harness and accelerate the analysis of vast amounts of data for the foundation's Healthy Birth, Growth, and Development Knowledge Integration initiative.

8 Dec 2016