Researchers from the United Kingdom and France have identified four separate biochemical subgroups in a selection of cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The study, published March 14th in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, suggests that these subgroups could represent distinct prion strains in what is the most common human prion disease.

UK and French researchers have identified four separate biochemical subgroups in a selection of cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The study, published March 14th in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens, suggests that these subgroups could represent distinct prionstrains in what is the most common human prion disease.

A nano-sensor for better detection of Mad Cow Disease agentIn an advance in food safety, researchers in New York are reporting development of a nano-sized sensor that detects record low levels of the deadly prion proteins that cause Mad Cow Disease and other so-called prion diseases.

The largest recall of beef in U.S. history - over 143 million pounds - and the solid evidence that USDA has failed to enforce its own ban against downer cattle being used in the nation's school lunch program, demand immediate action by Congress says food safety attorney William D. Marler.

Seven former medical officials are on trial in France following a 17 year investigation into over 100 deaths from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) of young patients treated with contaminated growth hormones.The defendants, retired doctors and pharmacists in their 70s and 80s, are accused of manslaughter, aggravated deception and causing unintentional injury, said Reuters news agency.

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) has killed a 39 year old woman in the UK and triggered renewed fears that a new surge of mad cow disease is on the way. However, experts are saying there is no need to panic and there is no evidence of a new wave of BSE or mad cow disease.