Navigation Links
Boston subway system to be used to test new sensors for biological agents
Date:8/24/2012

The idea that disease and infection might be used as weapons is truly dreadful, but there is plenty of evidence showing that biological weapons have been around since ancient times.* Bioterrorism, as it is dubbed, is nothing new, and although medicines have made the world a safer place against a myriad of old scourges both natural and manmade, it still remains all too easy today to uncork a nasty cloud of germs.

The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) has scheduled a series of tests in the Boston subways to measure the real-world performance of new sensors recently developed to detect biological agents.

S&T's "Detect-to-Protect" (D2P) Bio Detection project is assessing several sensors (made by Flir Inc., Northrop Grumman, Menon and Associates, and Qinetiq North America) to alert authorities to the presence of biological material. These devices with "trigger" and "confirmer" sensors have been designed to identify and confirm the release of biological agents within minutes.

In 2009, and in early August this year, inert gasses were released in the Boston subway system in an initial study to determine where and how released particulates would travel through the subway network and to identify exactly where to place these new sensors. The current study will involve the release of a small amount of an innocuous killed bacterium in subway stations in the Boston area to test how well the sensors work. After the subway stations close, S&T scientists will spray small quantities of killed Bacillus subtilis in the subway tunnels. This common, food-grade bacterium is found everywhere in soil, water, air, and decomposing plant matter and, even when living, is considered nontoxic to humans, animals, and plants.

S&T's Dr. Anne Hultgren, manager of the D2P project, says, "While there is no known threat of a biological attack on subway systems in the United States, the S&T tes
'/>"/>

Contact: John Verrico
john.verrico@dhs.gov
202-254-2385
US Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. BUSM/VA Boston Healthcare System investigators identify new gene linked to PTSD
2. Boston Healthcare Associates Roundtable Explores Challenges and Opportunities Surrounding the Value of Big Data within the Life Sciences
3. Attendees Save Up To $800 on Boston-area Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Conferences, Early Bird Discounts Expiring April 27
4. Annual Drug Discovery Conferences Being Held in Boston MA, Spring 2012
5. Team receives $22.5 million to shed light on the immune system
6. Chief of Naval Research moderates panel at Unmanned Systems Conference
7. Molecular economics: New computer models calculate systems-wide costs of gene expression
8. $3.2 million to develop battery management system for electric-car batteries
9. Bacteria-immune system fight can lead to chronic diseases, study suggests
10. New milestone book documents changes in the south Florida marine ecosystem
11. Mice have distinct subsystem to handle smell associated with fear
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Boston subway system to be used to test new sensors for biological agents
(Date:5/16/2013)... 16, 2013 The relationship between the heritable ... not been clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with ... are clues that reduced IQ may be linked ... reduced cognitive ability may precede the onset of ... in healthy relatives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... bone marrow in the liver, the spleen or ... that a specific type of immune cell facilitates such ... is essential for the function of the immune system. ... liver and the spleen. Later the process is delegated ... as the sole source of blood cells for the ...
(Date:5/16/2013)... NEW YORK , May 16, 2013 ... market research report is available in its ... Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 ... data protection and old security practises such ... driven the growth of biometric technologies in ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Genetic risk for schizophrenia is connected to reduced IQ 2Herpes infections: Natural killer cells activate hematopoiesis 2Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 2Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 3Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 4Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 5Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 6Global Biometric Systems Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2018 7
... Although the two disorders may seem dissimilar, epilepsy ... likely to have schizophrenia, and a family history of ... not known whether the converse is true, i.e., whether ... for epilepsy. Multiple studies using varied investigative ...
... to be reformed if it is to meaningfully affect ... articles by Stanford writers. The debate over how ... amid taxpayers, $500 million tab for the bankruptcy of ... government budget cuts and plunging U.S. prices for natural ...
... EAST LANSING, Mich. Michigan State University researchers, with ... a clinical trial in Africa they hope will provide ... survive cerebral malaria but are left stricken with epilepsy ... disorders via loss of human potential and lack of ...
Cached Biology News:Evidence of familial vulnerability for epilepsy and psychosis 2America's clean energy policies need a reality check, say Stanford researchers 2America's clean energy policies need a reality check, say Stanford researchers 3America's clean energy policies need a reality check, say Stanford researchers 4Drug could reverse scourge of cerebral malaria for survivors 2Drug could reverse scourge of cerebral malaria for survivors 3
(Date:5/17/2013)... This news release is available in German . ... all too well: with the naked eye, you can see ... bird in the blur of branches through the telephoto lens ... story for researchers who are looking to study proteins, the ... at ETH Zurich,s Institute for Molecular Systems Biology, and her ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... (PRWEB) May 17, 2013 The new ... Photonics21 at the association’s recent annual meeting drew ... EC Vice-President Neelie Kroes, who called the action “a ... and a stimulant to European innovation.” , The Board ... of the new Photonics PPP at its 29 April ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... 2013 New interactive learning ... thought leaders of the medical device industry at ... and expo, from June 18-20 in ... http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130517/613829 ) , These all-new ... professionals practical presentations and implementable solutions on the ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... , May 17, 2013  Yongye International, Inc. ... a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of crop nutrient ... , today announced that, on May 16, 2013, ... of directors (the "Board of Directors") was provided a ... Hong Kong ) Limited ("Abax") to Full ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 2Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 3SPIE Joins in Praise for ‘Huge Step Forward’ for Innovation R&D Enabled by Photonics21 Actions 2SPIE Joins in Praise for ‘Huge Step Forward’ for Innovation R&D Enabled by Photonics21 Actions 3MedTech Innovate Seminars: New Interactive Learning Forums at 2013 MD&M East 2Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 2Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 3Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 4
... Author: , ... Analytical Sciences , 710 Bridgeport Avenue ... Introduction , ... added to gasoline to produce fuel with increased oxygen content. Oxygenated fuel is desirable ...
... Thomas Wampler , CDS Analytical, Inc. ... Oxford, PA 19363-0277 , ... analytical pyrolysis 1 with gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to study the structure of ... elevated temperatures. The utility of the technique is based on the application of thermal energy ...
... In biological research laboratories, filtration techniques are ... solvents and buffers, and separate and purify samples for processing. ... vacuum is applied. , The ... more than 120 to 50 Torr (25 28Hg). A ...
Cached Biology Technology:Analysis of Fuel Oxygenates by U.S. EPA Method 8260B Using Headspace Trap with GC/MS 2Analysis of Fuel Oxygenates by U.S. EPA Method 8260B Using Headspace Trap with GC/MS 3Analysis of Fuel Oxygenates by U.S. EPA Method 8260B Using Headspace Trap with GC/MS 4Polymer Degradation Mechanisms Encountered in Pyrolysis-GC/MS 2Polymer Degradation Mechanisms Encountered in Pyrolysis-GC/MS 3Polymer Degradation Mechanisms Encountered in Pyrolysis-GC/MS 4 Improving the Efficiency of Common Filtration Tasks in your Laboratory 2 Improving the Efficiency of Common Filtration Tasks in your Laboratory 3
These 22x40mm rectangular No.1 Corning cover glasses are made from No. 0211 zinc titania glass and are 0.16 to 0.19mm thick. • Approx. Pcs Oz : 73...
The model 55D Rocking Shaker provides the same Reliable quality as the 55S, but double the value. The 55D gives you an additional platform with a height of 3.25 in....
... Top cover cold rolled steel with stove ... surface polyethylene Front, ... 3 UV lamps Internal ... interlocked with fluorescent light Lighting ...
... Shaker provides the exact agitation needed ... very slow to fast speed and ... a gentle wave motion that lifts ... membranes to achieve faster, more uniform ...
Biology Products: