Articles tagged with Anthrax
Researchers at Kansas State University have received a $1.4 million grant to develop semiconducter ultraviolet light sources, including LEDs and laser diodes, for detecting bioagents like anthrax. The team aims to create chip-scale and remote detecting devices that can be used in portable devices.
A new device produced high-energy electron beams to break down harmful organic molecules and kill bacteria such as anthrax, providing a more affordable alternative to existing technology. The Coupled Multiplier Accelerator (CMA) has been licensed for commercial use to treat contaminated water and food.
A new method by USF researchers can detect anthrax spores in under 8 hours, reducing turnaround time from days. This breakthrough enables more laboratories to test samples, alleviating backlog and anxiety caused by long wait times.
Emory University is conducting a clinical trial to evaluate an improved anthrax vaccine regimen with reduced injections and muscle administration. The study will enroll 1,560 volunteers across six sites and aim to simplify the existing dosing schedule while providing more data on safety.
The model simulates the mail-borne anthrax outbreak in the US, demonstrating that six original letters contaminated up to 5,000 other pieces of mail, primarily affecting elderly recipients. The analysis highlights the greatest risk to society came from postal workers and recipients of cross-contaminated letters.
Researchers have identified 60 new genomic markers that can help distinguish between various anthrax isolates, enabling faster identification of outbreak strains and potentially deterring future biological attacks. The discovery is part of a comprehensive database project aimed at analyzing natural variation in all major pathogens.
Scientists have sequenced the whole genome of Bacillus anthracis, revealing areas of genetic variability between different isolates. The study suggests that a Florida anthrax strain is derived from the Ames strain and has not been genetically modified.
A study by Kansas State University researchers has linked anthrax vaccination to poor health outcomes in Gulf War veterans, suggesting that the combination of vaccinations and medications may have adverse effects on susceptible individuals. The research also found that falsified or destroyed medical records made it difficult to assess ...
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified human antibodies that can recognize spore surfaces, enabling the detection of anthrax and other bacterial spores. These antibodies could be used to passively immunize individuals exposed to anthrax, providing a simple and inexpensive treatment option.
Methyl bromide fumigation is a better option than current treatments for killing anthrax, according to UF researchers. The method could have saved $23 million in cleanup costs compared to estimated methods.
Researchers analyzed data from people who received a 60-day antibiotic regimen after exposure to potentially contaminated mail and handling facilities. They found that twice as many people may have contracted inhalational anthrax without receiving the treatment, suggesting the risk is very small.
University of Michigan scientists have identified a protective mechanism that allows anthrax spores to remain dormant in soil for decades. The study found that germination requires the coordinated activity of multiple genes, receptor proteins, and amino acids in two simultaneous signaling pathways.
The study reveals the structure of edema factor, a toxin that causes fluid accumulation and disrupts immune function. The researchers found that calmodulin binds to edema factor, changing its shape and making it more potent, providing an ideal drug target for developing anti-anthrax drugs.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory are testing the effectiveness of ozone technology to sterilize mail by delivering high concentrations of ozone through potato conveyor belts. Preliminary results indicate that a 60-minute exposure to high levels of ozone inactivates anthrax spores, providing a potential tool against terrorism.
A new nuclear medicine procedure has received preliminary approval for a clinical trial to diagnose inhalation anthrax in its earliest stages. The technique uses a 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody to detect the infection before other diagnostic tests can, enabling early treatment and reducing long-term antibiotic use.
A study of two recent anthrax cases among postal workers highlights the urgent need for better disease detection capacities in public health and clinical communities. The cases demonstrate the importance of rapid lines of communication between medicine and public health to diagnose and treat patients timely.
The Sandia-developed decontamination formulation has been selected to help rid Capitol Hill buildings of anthrax contamination. It is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally friendly cocktail that neutralizes both chemical and biological agents in minutes.
A researcher has developed a new detector that can identify airborne anthrax and other biological particles in under 30 minutes. The device uses lasers and acoustic sensors to detect the presence of microorganisms, offering significant improvements over existing methods.
Two groups of researchers identify how anthrax toxin destroys cells and how to prevent it. They discovered a protein on the surface of animal cells that acts as a receptor for the toxin, and a way to attach the toxin to its target molecule inside cells, leading to cell death.
Researchers have identified the anthrax toxin receptor, a single protein that allows the toxin to enter host cells. The discovery may lead to the development of new treatments for anthrax infection by blocking the toxin from entering cells.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant in mice that provides immunity to anthrax, shedding light on the early stages of infection and potential therapies. The Kif1C protein may play a crucial role in protecting macrophages from self-destruction, and boosting its activity could be an effective approach to treating human anthrax.
The article highlights the risk of biological warfare, citing the existence of frozen stocks of smallpox virus and conventional biological agents. Genetic engineering also poses a threat, as microbiologists' knowledge could be used to create novel, deadly pathogens.
Research on a monkey vaccine for anthrax suggests that while vaccinated individuals may survive an attack, they could become severely ill, posing a burden on the military. The US Army Medical Research Institute's 1991 test found that monkeys given the vaccine became sick for up to two weeks after inhaling anthrax spores.
Researchers have developed a new anti-microbial agent that can destroy anthrax spores while remaining non-toxic to humans and animals. The material, BCTP, has shown promise as a post-exposure decontamination agent in animal studies.