(AP) -- An outbreak of one of the most contagious animal diseases from any of five locations the White House is considering for a new high-security research laboratory would be more devastating to the U.S. economy than from the isolated island laboratory where such research is now conducted, says a report published Friday.
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Canine influenza was around as early as 1999
The canine influenza virus, first identified in 2004, had been circulating in the greyhound population for at least five years prior to its discovery and may have been responsible for numerous outbreaks of respiratory disease among dogs at racing tracks during that period, according to research presented today (March 18) at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia.
Researchers create first chikungunya animal model
Researchers have developed the first animal model of the infection caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an emerging arbovirus associated with large-scale epidemics that hit the Indian Ocean (especially the French Island of La Réunion) in 2005, later spreading to India, and Italy in 2007. Using this mouse model, scientists of the Institut Pasteur and INSERM determined which tissues and cells are infected by the virus in both the mild and severe forms of the disease it causes. They detail their findings in an article published February 15 in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens.
Discovery unlocks tree genetics, gives new hope for pine beetle defense
UBC researchers have discovered some of the genetic secrets that enable pine and spruce trees to fight off pests and disease, uncovering critical new information about forests’ natural defense systems.
Mumps in Maine came from Canada
An outbreak of mumps in Maine appears to be a Canadian import.
'Sundried tide' -- silent, natural disaster
Australian researchers have studied and documented the effect of the "sundried tide", a force of nature that can silently wipe out coral reefs.
Second dengue fever patient dies in Taiwan
Taiwanese officials say dengue fever has claimed its second life this year in the southern city of Kaohsiung.
E. coli outbreak in Oklahoma kills 1, sickens 200
(AP) -- An E. coli outbreak linked to a restaurant in northeastern Oklahoma has sickened more than 200 people and killed at least one person, state health officials said Tuesday.
Black-footed ferrets sired by males that died 8 years ago
Two black-footed ferrets at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have each given birth to a kit that was sired by males who died in 1999 and 2000. These endangered ferrets—part of a multi-institutional breeding and reintroduction program—were artificially inseminated in May with frozen semen from the two deceased males, each giving birth to a kit on June 20 and 21 respectively.