The team of researchers working for the United States reportedly succeeded in creating a bird flu virus (H5N1) malignant version that can be transmitted between humans. For security reasons, the researchers asked not to divulge details of his research.
Research to create a vicious version of the H5N1 virus has been stuck since November 2011. At that time, scientists from the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) has suggested the existence of research to create the virus.
"I think there is nothing more frightening than a virus on this one. I think antrax though not nothing compared to this virus," says Paul Keim of the NSABB when it's in an article in the journal Science, as quoted by Reuters on Wednesday (21 / 12 / 2011).
(Reuters) - A U.S. scientific advisory board on Tuesday asked two scientific journals to leave out data from research studies on a lab-made version of bird flu that could spread more easily to humans, fearing it could be used as a potential weapon.
The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has asked the journals Nature and Science to publish redacted versions of the studies by two research groups that reportedly created forms of the H5N1 avian flu that could easily jump between ferrets -- typically considered a sign that the virus could spread quickly among humans.
Both journals said in separate statements they are working with the advisory board and taking the matter seriously, but they chafed at the notion of scientific censorship.
The bird flu virus is extremely deadly in people who are directly exposed to infected birds, but so far, it has not mutated into a form that can pass easily from person to person.
According to the journals, two research labs have submitted papers showing how to make the virus more transmissible in humans, and the NSABB, an independent expert committee that advises the Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies, wants to keep this information from falling into the wrong hands.
The articles involved work done by Yoshihiro Kawaoka, a University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist, and Dr. Ron Fouchier and colleagues from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam.
The National Institutes of Health said in a statement the HHS agreed with the panel's assessment and provided the journals with non-binding recommendations to withhold key elements of the studies, but said the government is working out a system to allow secure access to the information to those with a legitimate need to see it.
The journals are objecting to the request, saying it would restrict public access to information that might advance the cause of public health.
"It is essential for public health that the full details of any scientific analysis of flu viruses be available to researchers," according to a statement issued by Dr. Philip Campbell, editor in chief of Nature.
"We are discussing with interested parties how, within the scenario recommended by NSABB, appropriate access to the scientific methods and data could be enabled."
Dr. Bruce Alberts, editor in chief of Science magazine, said in a statement the advisory board asked the journal to delete details on the scientific methods and specific mutations of the virus before publishing an article by Fouchier and colleagues.
"The NSABB has emphasized the need to prevent the details of the research from falling into the wrong hands," Alberts said in a statement.
He said many scientists who study influenza have a need to know the details of the research in order to protect the public. He said the editors at Science are evaluating how best to proceed.
"Our response will be heavily dependent upon the further steps taken by the U.S. government to set forth a written, transparent plan to ensure that any information that is omitted from the publication will be provided to all those responsible scientists who request it, as part of their legitimate efforts to improve public health and safety."
Other researchers said the mutations described in the papers were not unusual or unexpected, and several voiced concerned over government-imposed censorship on science.
"It is a very worrying idea that information from this type of work may be restricted to those that 'qualify' in some way to be allowed to share it," Professor Wendy Barclay, chairwoman in influenza virology at Imperial College London, said in an e-mailed statement.
"Who will qualify? How will this be decided? In the end is the likelihood of misuse outweighed by the danger of beginning a Big Brother society?"
(Editing by Eric Beech)
(This story corrects to scientific journals from medical journals in first paragraph)
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
New Planet : Kepler-22b, Similar To Earth
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
New Planet : Kepler-22b, Similar To Earth a trend of the most sought after today. You are one of the people who are looking for this new planets information : Kepler-22b. Why new planet: Kepler-22b is a trend today? yeah, because new planet: Kepler-22b is new discoveries that make a lot of curious people including of you.
This information about new planet Kepler-22b:
Kepler-22b, the newly discovered planet that’s been proclaimed “eerily similar” to Earth, is sitting just outside our solar system, in the habitable zone of a sun-like star, some 600 light years away. The discovery has been called “thrilling,” and “a great gift ... like a Christmas planet.” But how close is the new Earth really?
Since one light year is the equivalent nearly six trillion miles, it would take 22 million years to travel 600 light years on a space shuttle and visit Kepler 22-b with our current technology.
The following diagram from NASA indicates just how far our closest near-“solar twin” really is:
But while we won’t be able to visit this Kepler-22b, scientists say another planet like it and closer to it could be discovered in this lifetime. The Kepler telescope has already detected hundreds of new planets.
Source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/
In addition you can also see a new planet Kepler-22b in the information below :
NASA scientists have identified a new planet they believe to have several similarities to Earth.
Kepler-22b, named for the Kepler planet-hunting telescope it was spotted with, is the first planet to be confirmed beyond our solar system in what the Guardian called the "Goldilocks zone:" not too hot, not too cold, and therefore possibly habitable.
The planet is 2.4 times the size of Earth. It orbits a star similar to the Earth's sun and is believed to have a surface temperature of around 22 degrees Celsius, according to NASA.
Astronomers say Kepler-22b's temperate climate makes it possible that it possesses liquid water, CNN reported.
More from GlobalPost: Double sun "Star Wars" planet discovered by NASA
Kepler program scientist Douglas Hudgins described the discovery as "a major milestone on the road to finding Earth's twin."
NASA still does not know what the planet is made of, however; it could be predominantly rock, gas or liquid. Scientists have "no idea" about the typical composition of planets of this size, Kepler deputy science team lead Natalie Batalha said, since there is no precedent in our own solar system.
Since Kepler-22b is about 600 light years - or 3,600 trillion miles - from Earth, the chances of any earthlings ever making it there are slim.
Kepler uses the "transit method" to detect new planets, MSN said: it monitors stars' brightness and searches for minute dips in light levels when a planet crosses in front of the star.
The $600-million observatory has detected 2,326 planets since it began operating in May 2009. Scientists will extrapolate its findings to estimate how many stars have potentially habitable planets orbiting them, Reuters said.
Its astronomers are currently preparing a bid for more funding to extend their mission, which is due to end in November 2012.
Source : http://www.globalpost.com
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| New Planet : Kepler-22b position, Image by http://www.globalpost.com |
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