The Anthrax Files Aug 18, 2008
The letter-writer clearly knew my entire background, my training in both chemical and biological agents, my security clearance, what floor I work on, that I have two sons, what train I take to work, and where I live, Assaad told reporter Laura Rozen. Since he was almost immediately cleared, attempting to frame him served no purpose, except to indulge a personal enmity. (The American Conservative)
Anthrax scientist Bruce Ivins slipped under the radar because of ... Aug 15, 2008
The research suite is protected by a maze of controls designed to prevent the escape of deadly biological agents. Genetic analysis by outside scientists published in May 2002 reporting that anthrax powder recovered from the mailings most likely came from Ft. Detrick or was grown from a sample that originated there. (Los Angeles Times)
Connecticut to fight proposal for defense lab Aug 15, 2008
New York's Plum Island is one of six potential sites for a new facility that would study lethal diseases transmitted by animals along with biological agents that could harm food supplies. The facility would be the only biosafety level 4 animal laboratory in the country and could cost as much as $750 million to build. (Reuters)
Feds: MIT Grad Wanted to Poison Presidents Aug 14, 2008
Federal Sources: Siddique Wanted to Use Biological Agents to Contaminate Pres ... Siddique plotted to use weapons that included biological agents to contaminate former president Carter's water, according to multiple federal sources. (ABC News)
'Edible Optics' Could Make Food Safer Aug 12, 2008
The Tufts team embedded three very different biological agents in the silk solution: a protein (hemoglobin), an enzyme (horseradish peroxidase) and an organic pH indicator (phenol red). In the hardened silk optical element, all three agents maintained their activity for long periods when simply stored on a shelf. (Science Daily)
Anthrax Case Raises Doubt On Security Aug 9, 2008
The case sparked calls yesterday in Congress for investigations into whether the labs are physically secure and whether too many scientists have been granted clearances to handle deadly biological agents. "I think we need to tighten up the procedures," Rep. (Washington Post -- Technology)
Anthrax case prompts congressional investigation of biodefense labs Aug 9, 2008
By Josh Meyer, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer August 9, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Calling it "a most urgent public health and national security issue," two ranking lawmakers said Friday that they were expanding their congressional investigation into the risks associated with the nation's biodefense labs to focus on how someone as mentally unstable as accused anthrax killer Bruce E. Ivins could have worked unsupervised with deadly biological agents for so long. ... But Dingell and Stupak said they were... (Los Angeles Times)
U.S.: Ivins Was the Anthrax Killer Aug 7, 2008
Officials disclosed Wednesday they had restricted his access to the biological agents last September. Ivins was described in the documents as the sole custodian of highly purified anthrax spores with "certain genetic mutations identical" to the poison used in the attacks. (Fox News)
After suicide, prosecutors reveal circumstantial anthrax case Aug 7, 2008
"Shortly before his death, prosecutors had sought a meeting with him to spell out the evidence the FBI had gathered, Taylor said.The research institute at Fort Detrick banned Ivins from labs studying biological agents in November 2007, but offered little explanation as to why its monitoring program failed to lead to earlier action.Dena Briscoe, a postal union official who represented employees who were sickened by the anthrax, attended the press conference and said she wasn't convinced that... (Anchorage Daily News)
Experts: Security at Bioweapons Labs a 'Nightmare' Aug 5, 2008
Federal law restricts access to biological agents if scientists have been judged mentally defective or committed to a mental institution. Felons, fugitives, drug users, illegal immigrants and those from countries supporting terrorism are also barred. (Fox News -- Politics)
Anthrax suspect kept top security clearance Aug 4, 2008
WASHINGTON - As an FBI investigation increasingly focused on him as a suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks, Fort Detrick scientist Bruce E. Ivins enjoyed a security clearance that allowed him to work in the facility's most dangerous laboratories, to handle deadly biological agents, and to take part in broad discussions about the Pentagon's defenses against germ warfare. On July 10, the day he was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation, for example, Ivins spent part of the afternoon at a... (Boston Globe)
Killers lurking in U.S. biolabs? Aug 4, 2008
Security concernsUnder federal law, scientists and others are restricted from working on vaccines and treatments for biological agents if they are: under indictment for, or convicted of, a felony; a fugitive; a drug user; an illegal immigrant; were judged mentally defective or committed to a mental institution; came from a country that supported international terrorism; or were discharged dishonorably from the U.S. military. These limitations would not exclude a white supremacist, a radical... (MSNBC -- Terrorism)
Suspicious envelope still a big mystery Aug 1, 2008
Initial lab testing performed by the state Department of Health and Senior Services came up negative for the seven biological agents the testing screened, health department spokeswoman Donna Leusner said ... The seven biological agents for which the DHSS is testing are anthrax, plague, smallpox, tularemia, ricin, brucella and burkholderia, she said. (NJ.com -- Times)
Book: Anthrax Scare Sparked Tough Tactics Jul 15, 2008
White House insiders from that white-knuckle time told author Jane Mayer, who authored "The Dark... White House insiders from that white-knuckle time told author Jane Mayer, who authored "The Dark Side, The Inside Story of How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals," that the scare contributed to Cheney's insistence on hard-line tactics for fighting terror. (Getty/ABC News) White House insiders from that white-knuckle time told author Jane Mayer, who authored "The Dark Side, The... (ABC News)
Frederick County Seeks Review of Fort Detrick Lab Plan Jul 13, 2008
The request reflects concern among some citizens that the approved environmental assessment for the project did not adequately address the risk of deadly biological agents escaping from the lab. The Fort Detrick citizen support group says the review will delay the project and is being sought by people who are anti-military. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Canadian lab working to make buildings "immune" to chemical ... Jul 6, 2008
Biological agents such as viruses and bacteria are recognized by a laser. Different pathogens have different shapes, which the laser uses to identify them, Kozinski said. (Vancouver Sun)
First Pharmaceutical Drug To Improve Survival Amongst Patients With Advanced Hepatocarcinoma Jun 30, 2008
In the rest of the cases, the prognosis is not good but, in the last five years, there have appeared more than ten pharmaceutical medicines known as biological agents or directed pharmaceutical drugs, the use of which in this tumour is currently being actively investigated, giving rise to a real hope for these patients. Of these pharmaceutical medicines, Sorafenib has been the first to demonstrate its efficacy and the European Medicines Agency has recently authorised its use for this tumour,... (Science Daily)
US settles with anthrax mailings subject Steven Hatfill for $5.82 ... Jun 28, 2008
researching how to counter the effects of deadly biological agents. No physical evidence or witnesses ever linked him to anthrax and he long insisted that he had nothing to do with the mailings. (Los Angeles Times)
Bush fails to appointa nuclear terror czar Jun 22, 2008
National security analysts have long advocated for a top presidential adviser focused solely on organizing the government to prevent terrorists from acquiring catastrophic weapons, such as a nuclear device, a radioactive "dirty bomb," or biological agents. They contend that the current arrangement - in which that responsibility is spread across the Departments of Energy, Defense, State, and Homeland Security - is not fully integrated and has gaps in preparedness. (Boston Globe)
Kennedy-Burr Bill Targets Potential Threats From Within Bio-Research Labs Jun 22, 2008
Under the programs regulations, all research institutions, government agencies, universities, manufacturers and others that possess, use, or transfer dangerous biological agents must register and provide information to the CDC and USDA on their research and safety procedures ... The Health and Human Services inspector general in January found in an audit of eight labs between 2003 and 2005 that some of the labs kept incomplete inventories of biological agents, allowed unapproved access or... (Yahoo News -- Terrorism & 9/11)
Vets deserve info on secret weapons tests - Monday, June 16, 2008 Jun 16, 2008
Many of the veterans who took part in top-secret weapons tests more than 40 years ago have long suspected that their unusual health problems are linked to the biological agents and chemicals they were exposed to as part of Project 112 and Project SHAD.. They can't be sure, though, because the Department of Defense won't give them or their doctors any information about the substances they were exposed to. (Missoulian, MT)
High-tech tools keep public safe Jun 16, 2008
Worth about $2 million, the tools and equipment are the technological heart of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office bomb squad and are designed to inspect, contain and safely destroy suspicious devices that might explode or contain chemical or biological agents. The advanced technology and sophisticated techniques used by the squad of about a dozen officers requires lots of training. (Florida Times-Union)
Vets Testify On Cold War Toxins Jun 13, 2008
The Pentagon has finally admitted to using harmful biological agents in a Cold War military project ... Thousands of servicemembers were exposed, sometimes without their knowledge, to real and simulated chemical and biological agents, including sarin and VX.. (CBS News)
Military: Veterans from '60s chemical tests ask help Jun 13, 2008
Thousands of servicemembers were exposed, sometimes without their knowledge, to real and simulated chemical and biological agents, including sarin and VX.. The tests were conducted at sea and above a half-dozen U.S. states from 1962-1973 to see how U.S. ships would withstand chemical and germ assaults and how such weapons would disperse. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Vets question chemical tests Jun 12, 2008
The mood darkens inside, where stacks of documents testify to his days in charge of a fleet of five light tugboats that were sprayed with biological agents and cleaned afterward with solvents, some of which now are considered carcinogenic. During the tests, conducted amid Cold War concerns about Russia's weapons capabilities, the military tested germs such as bacteria that could cause tularemia and Q fever, serious diseases more commonly found in animals. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Dems 'Distort' Iraqi Intel, Leading GOP Senator Says Jun 11, 2008
The Democratic majority on the committee says administration officials were wrong in telling the public the following: that former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was linked to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and al-Qaeda; that Iraq would give terrorist groups chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons; and that Iraq was developing drone aircraft to spread chemical or biological agents over the United States. None of those claims was proven by intelligence, the report states. (CNSnews.com)
Did Lies Get Us Into War? Jun 7, 2008
Also, the Bush team, the Senate report says, claimed would give terrorist groups chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and also charged that Iraq was developing drone aircraft to spread chemical or biological agents over America. There was no intelligence to back any of this. (WNBC.com, NY)
US Senate report contends Bush distorted Iraqi intelligence Jun 6, 2008
The report also faulted American leaders for claiming Iraq would give terrorist groups chemical, biological or nuclear weapons and for saying Iraq was developing drones to spread chemical or biological agents over the United States. None of the claims was borne out by intelligence. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
A Molecular 'Salve' To Soothe Surface Stresses Jun 6, 2008
Zangmeister says that these sensors would use molecular monolayers deposited on metal surfaces that are manufactured to react in the presence of chemical or biological agents in the environment. The activation of the monolayer would provide a proportional response to the amount of the substance it was designed to detect, which would result in a quantifiable decrease in the tension of the cantilever. (Science Daily)
Nation: Senate says Iran intel kept from U.S. agencies Jun 6, 2008
According to the report, officials erroneously linked Saddam to the Sept. 11 attacks and al-Qaeda; claimed Iraq would give terrorist groups chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, and said Iraq was developing drones to spread chemical or biological agents over the United States. None was borne out by intelligence. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Terror and Consent: The Wars for the 21st Century by Philip Bobbitt May 31, 2008
We have eagerly embraced expert opinion, which tells us that it is harder than doomsayers suppose for terrorists to acquire nuclear weapons, or to weaponise biological agents. Yet it seems impossible to dispute that there are ingenious, energetic, lavishly funded people out there who wish to do us harm, and could sooner or later acquire horrible means. (Times Online)
Most Developing Countries Ill-equipped To Ensure Global Biosafety May 29, 2008
However, they cite the lack of technical, policy and enforcement capacities in developing countries as "a potentially contributing factor to the spread of bioterrorism" -- the deliberate release of naturally-occurring or human-modified bacteria, viruses, toxins or other biological agents. Among other points and observations. (Science Daily)
Large-scale Community Protein Annotation -- WikiProteins May 28, 2008
8, 2007) Today's systems of sensors that can detect radiation, chemicals and biological agents are of limited use because there is no clear-cut standard to allow the systems to share data. A new website. (Science Daily)
World Fails To Monitor Biotech Trade-UN Study May 28, 2008
The study said a lack of controls was "a potentially contributing factor to the spread of bioterrorism" -- the deliberate release of naturally-occurring or human-modified bacteria, viruses, toxins or other biological agents. It said just $135 million, a fraction of the amount needed, had been spent on helping developing countries to build up skills to monitor a rising use of biotechnologies in the past 15 years. (Planet Ark, United States)
Event honors the brightest of 2 far-apart generations May 25, 2008
The public was kept in the dark any knowledge of these bombs, which carried biological agents that could destroy woodlands and crops, could have caused a widespread panic. In a country that was still racially segregated, Mayes career choice was quite unusual. (Petersburg Progress Index, VA)
Washing powders cleared of causing rashes May 22, 2008
Scientists from Nottingham and London carried out a review of the evidence, looking at both normal and extreme exposures to the biological agents. advertisement. (Telegraph.co.uk)
First Room-temperature Semiconductor Source Of Coherent Terahertz Radiation Demonstrated May 21, 2008
For example, a device emitting T-rays could be used to image concealed weapons, detect chemical and biological agents through sealed packages, see tumors without causing any harmful side effects, and spot defects within materials such as cracks in the Space Shuttle's foam insulation ... 6, 2005) T-ray sensing and imaging technology, which can spot cracks in space shuttle foam, see biological agents through a sealed envelope and detect tumors without harmful radiation, was the focus of a. (Science Daily)
Weed warriors use beetles to wage war on Patterson's curse May 21, 2008
"Our main focus at the moment is a thing called Weed Warriors, where we use biological agents to control weeds and, in doing so, understand the whole concept of weeds and the environment." ... "The extremely cold winters and hot summers we get here can make establishing a colony of biological agents very difficult, and when we went back to check on the bugs, there was no trace of them," Williams says. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Here's the latest buzz on mosquito control May 20, 2008
The biological agents in the tablets prevent mosquito larvae from maturing. The tablets, called dunks, cost just under 70 cents each. (Albany Times Union)
Liquid Assets May 16, 2008
ITT () is well known as a maker of the technology behind modern warfare, from night-vision equipment to radar that detects low-flying cruise missiles to sensors that pick up chemical and biological agents. Some investors may not realize, though, the company makes 39% of its revenues, or $3. (SmartMoney)
Rehberg bill would help sickened veterans May 2, 2008
Weapons with chemical and biological agents such as VX and Sarin nerve gases and E. coli were tested on unknowing military personnel ... He believes that his health problems are linked to the chemical and biological agents to which he was exposed on an Army tugboat in the Pacific Ocean during the tests ... The military first said the spray was simulated chemical and biological agents, Thompson said, but eventually admitted they were real. (Missoulian, MT)
Prototype Terahertz Imager Promises Advances In Biochemistry Apr 18, 2008
6, 2005) T-ray sensing and imaging technology, which can spot cracks in space shuttle foam, see biological agents through a sealed envelope and detect tumors without harmful radiation, was the focus of a. . (Science Daily)
Researchers bridge the 'terahertz gap' with new tunable metamaterial Apr 16, 2008
Materials undetectable through x-ray scans such as chemicals, biological agents, and certain explosives can provide a unique fingerprint when struck by radiation in the far-infrared spectrum ... In addition to imaging and screening, researchers and high-tech companies are probing the use of terahertz in switches, modulators, lenses, detectors, high bit-rate communications, secure communications, the detection of chemical and biological agents and characterization of explosives, according... (EurekAlert!)
The Pentagon's battle bugs Apr 3, 2008
The 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention outlawed the manufacture and possession of bio-weapons, of "[m]icrobial or other biological agents, or toxins whatever their origin ... that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes" and of "[w]eapons, equipment or means of delivery designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.". In fact, not only did President George W Bush claim that Iraq's supposed production and possession... (Asia Times Online)
Vietnam vet fighting leukemia and the VA Mar 30, 2008
Vietnam veteran Two Bears, formerly James Loveless, discusses on Feb. 28 his three-year battle to get treatment for cancer connected to his service during the war. Two Bears said he is dying of cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange and other chemicals while serving in Vietnam. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Canadian Anti-Terror Plans Found in Garbage Pile Mar 21, 2008
There also is a blueprint for the storage bay for the unit's robots, which are designed to detect chemical and biological agents. There are no "classified" markings, and while the documents are more than a year old, Canadian military officials acknowledged the seriousness of the security breach and immediately launched an investigation. (Fox News)
RA drugs cut cardiovascular events Mar 10, 2008
According to the article published in Arthritis Research py, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Universidad de Las Palmas researchers claim these drugs include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, glucocorticoids, leflunomide and TNF-alpha blockers. (PRESS TV)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs May Lower Heart Attack, Stroke Risk Mar 8, 2008
"Our study demonstrated that the time of exposure both to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents is associated with a reduction of the risk of cardiovascular events," said lead researcher Dr. Antonio Naranjo, of the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in Spain. Those drugs include common RA medications such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, glucocorticoids, leflunomide and biological agents such as TNF-alpha blockers, the researchers noted. (MEDLINEplus)
President Bush Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Mar 7, 2008
We launched Project BioShield -- an effort to speed the development of new vaccines and treatments against biological agents that could be used in a terrorist attack. We've learned from our mistakes to improve our response when disaster strikes. (White House News Releases)
Frisco mother fights to stop postpartum depression bill Mar 7, 2008
The bill encourages postpartum depression research, improved screening and diagnostic techniques, informational and educational programs for doctors and the public, and clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments, including new biological agents. The Philos have the most trouble with the final directive. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Genes Involved In Inflammation May Hold Clue To Age-related Macular Degeneration Mar 5, 2008
If repeated in larger studies, Professor Lotery and his colleagues suggest that their findings might lead to the possibility of genetic screening for AMD and the development of biological agents to control it. The paper 'Interleukin-B promoter polymorphism - 251A/T is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration' is published online, ahead of print, by the British Journal of Ophthalmology. (Science Daily)
BioBlower Closer To Protecting Soldiers From Biological Attack Mar 4, 2008
A prototype produced by Buffalo BioBlower Technologies LLC, a UB spin-off company, destroyed biological agents to a level of better than one part per million in an independent evaluation conducted over a period of four weeks by the Research Triangle Institute for the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program for Chemical and Biological Defense Collective Protection ... "We're removing their current fan and replacing it with our electrical air pump, the BioBlower, which also will instantly kill... (Science Daily)
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE NEWS BUDGET Mar 1, 2008
PROJECT112 (LaPlante, Salt Lake Tribune) -- The Defense Department has made a poor effort to locate thousands of people exposed to chemical and biological agents during a series of secret tests in the 1960s and '70s, which were part of a program known as Project 112, according to a newly released federal report. 500. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
At TED, Venter talks about cell creation Mar 1, 2008
"Fortunately, there's not that many people on this planet wanting to do harm with these tools. Very few biological agents that we work with ... could be weaponized. But it is an important issue. Every new technology has the ability to be abused.". Wherever you come down on the issue, Venter's pioneering work in the field he calls "synthetic genomics" is truly groundbreaking. (San Francisco Chronicle)
U.S. Better Prepared for Health Disaster, CDC Says Feb 22, 2008
And there are many more labs that can detect and process chemical and biological agents. But not a single state can look at a sample from patients and quickly determine if they have been poisoned by various radiological agents - only CDC headquarters can do this, the report found. (MEDLINEplus)
States better prepared for big health emergencies, but ’enormous’ work ahead, US says Feb 21, 2008
The number of state and local health departments able to detect biological agents grew to 110 in 2007, up from 83 in 2002. Labs able to detect chemical agents increased to 47, from zero in 2001, the CDC found. (Somerset Daily American, PA)
'T-ray' Breakthrough Signals Next Generation Of Security Sensors Feb 12, 2008
Researchers believe one of the areas with the most potential to use T-rays is security sensing and scanning, because many of the molecules in explosives and biological agents like anthrax strongly absorb this radiation. If T-rays are tightly confined on surfaces in contact with such molecules then the detection sensitivity is greatly increased. (Science Daily)
Al-Qaida developing WMDs Feb 4, 2008
One international counterterrorism official said there are indications that operatives have been immunized against biological agents. Khabab is believed to have set up rudimentary labs with at least a handful of aides and to have provided a stable environment in which scientists and researchers can do research and experiment with chemicals and other compounds, said several former intelligence officials familiar with al-Qaida's WMD program. (AZCentral -- News)
Two ideas to consider about Bush's war and education Jan 31, 2008
Here's what he said in Feb of 2003 This is from NPR - "Blix does express frustration with Iraq's failure to account for its vast stores of chemical and biological agents it was known to have at one point. Blix says: "This is perhaps the most important problem we are facing. Although I can understand that it may not be easy for Iraq in all cases to provide the evidence needed, it is not the task of the inspectors to find it. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Lab On A Chip Developed For Cheap, Portable Medical Tests Jan 30, 2008
8, 2005) A portable device similar to today's home pregnancy tests that can quickly detect the presence of infectious diseases, including HIV-AIDS and measles,as well as biological agents such as ricin. . (Science Daily (press release))
Our areas dirty jobsPosted 7 hours, 34 minutes ago. Jan 23, 2008
The plant cleans the water through various cleaning processes, including filtering, adding biological agents (bacteria that eat other germs) and exposure to ultraviolet light to kill other biological agents. Once or twice a year, workers at the plant must clean out the sludge storage tanks, Boerger said. (Lima News, OH)
Army unveils new school name, sniffer vehicle for Ft. Wood Jan 14, 2008
Spoehr said the Stryker is an advance from the older Fox in several ways, including packing in a lot more computer power and a university-quality spectrometer able to identify tens of thousands of chemical and biological agents. It also has remote sensors that can detect some threats as far as 3. (Camdenton Lake Sun Leader, MO)
A-Tek awarded homeland security contract Jan 12, 2008
The BioWatch program, conceived in 2001 after the anthrax scares, was instituted in 2003 to monitor cities so the government can take measures if it detects the intentional release of biological agents. Under the program, laboratory technicians inspect particles collected by air quality monitors installed by the Environmental Protection Agency. (Washington Business Journal, DC)
Supergenes Designed to Create Fuel From Sunlight, Devour Waste in VC Labs Jan 10, 2008
Engineered biological agents could be worse than any disease known to man,'' the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency said in a 2003 report. Public Perception. (Bloomberg)
Torrance County Exercise Tests Readiness for a Terror Attack Dec 28, 2007
Team members wear Level A HAZMAT suits that protect against almost all biological agents, chemicals and industrial materials and most radiation except gamma rays. The suits cost about $1,800 each, Jaramillo said. (Cedar Crest East Mountain Telegraph, NM)
