E. Coli can survive in streambed sediments for months

E. Coli can survive in streambed sediments for months

Studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have confirmed that the presence of Escherichia coli pathogens in surface waters could result from the pathogen’s ability to survive for months in underwater sediments. Most E. coli strains don’t cause

Water in India’s Goa region ‘unfit for bathing’

Water in India’s Goa region ‘unfit for bathing’

Scientists warned that water off the famed beaches of the Indian holiday state of Goa was unfit for bathing and fishing due to high levels of bacteria from untreated sewage. The National Institute of Oceanography, which is based in the former Portuguese colony, said…

Fukushima residents’ urine now radioactive

Fukushima residents’ urine now radioactive

More than 3 millisieverts of radiation has been measured in the urine of 15 Fukushima residents of the village of Iitate and the town of Kawamata, confirming internal radiation exposure. Both are about 30 to 40 km from the Fukushima No. 1 power plant, which has

Bihar’s encephalitis outbreak claiming more lives

Bihar’s encephalitis outbreak claiming more lives

The mystery disease that has rocked Bihar and killed six more children by Thursday morning, has at last been identified. It is encephalitis, an official on Thursday said. The latest deaths have pushed the toll in the state to 41 children in the past ten days.”It is

Deadly E.coli outbreak killing people in Europe

Deadly E.coli outbreak killing people in Europe

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that a two-year-old boy was the latest victim to die after being infected with enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC).The child died in hospital in the northern German state of Lower Saxony overnight on Tuesday. Previously the youngest victim

Secret GM wheat experiments begin in Australia

Secret GM wheat experiments begin in Australia

Australia's first trial of genetically modified wheat and barley is under way near Narrabri, New South Wales in the south-eastern area of the country. The goal of the GM wheat is said to be more nutritious bread (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/gm-wheat-…).How exactly t

Aggressive fungus zygomycosis strikes Joplin tornado victims

Aggressive fungus zygomycosis strikes Joplin tornado victims

It would seem this city has already suffered enough – after 151 people were killed and 6,000 homes destroyed by a fatal twister. But now health officials say flying debris from last month’s deadly tornado is to blame for an outbreak of a potentially deadly fungal

Carbon Monoxide pollution over the United States and Canada

Carbon Monoxide pollution over the United States and Canada

Hazy skies greeted many Americans on June 8, 2011, as poor air quality dominated from the Midwest to the Atlantic Seaboard. There were several causes, but Arizona’s Wallow Fire was a major contributor. Thick bands of smoke were visible in satellite images of the

Bean sprouts may be behind E. coli outbreak

Bean sprouts may be behind E. coli outbreak

German-grown bean sprouts have been identified as the most likely potential source of the deadly E. coli outbreak in the north of Germany, authorities said on Sunday. There was no definite proof as yet but "a connection has been found involving all the main…

New type of MRSA in hospitalized patients discovered

New type of MRSA in hospitalized patients discovered

A distinctly new type of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is not detected by traditional genetic screening methods has been discovered in patients in Irish hospitals according to research to be published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and