A nano-sensor for better detection of Mad Cow Disease agent (PhysOrg) In 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 sensor, which detects binding of prion proteins by detecting frequency changes of a micromechanical oscillator, could lead to a reliable blood test for prion diseases ... [News Source]

Put some meat into food regulations. Nauseating as it was, last week’s record-setting beef recall and the apparent feeding of meat from crippled "downer" cattle to our nation’s children and others should come as little surprise. [News Source]

Meat industry needs greater oversight. By now, if you could stomach it, you've seen the Humane Society of the United States' undercover video of California-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. workers kicking, forklifting and dragging sick cows to their slaughter. [News Source]

American Chemical Society’s weekly PressPac — Feb. 27, 2008 (EurekAlert!) Scientists report a new device to detect prion proteins that cause Mad Cow Disease and other prion diseases. The finding could lead to a reliable blood test for those illnesses... [News Source]