Blog
Experts Weigh in On the Evolving Age of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnostics
A new article in Clinical Microbiology Newsletter reviews the current role of emergent Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies in microbiology diagnostic testing. The authors of the article examined the increasingly prevalent use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our day-to-day lives and explored the role of AI in digital image analysis of parasitology samples, gram stains, and bacterial culture. The article also reviews the state of AI technologies in fields of MALDI-TOF mass spectral data analysis and genome sequencing.
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COVID-19 Sample Collection Kits for Upper Respiratory Tract Specimens Resource Page
Updated: 04/17/20 Due to the recent 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we have been receiving many inquiries about which types of swabs, media, and kits should be used for COVID-19 sample collection prior to testing. Below we have a short…
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COPAN Streamlines Production to Yield Maximum Output of Viral Transport Kits for Collection of Upper Respiratory Samples, Including COVID-19
Brescia, Italy February 28, 2020 – With the surging demand for sample collection kits for diagnosing COVID-19 and other upper respiratory tract pathogens, COPAN is concentrating its efforts on strategic items to maximize product output and supply during the ongoing…
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Do My Microbes Love You? How Your Bacteria Affect Your Love Life
In November, we explored how our microbes have a tremendous influence on our nutrition, immunity, and overall well-being (Click to read the article in case you missed it). In honor of Valentine’s Day, we take a more in-depth look into…
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Best Practices for Sample Collection for Respiratory Specimens, Including Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
With the current rise in flu cases and possible spread of emerging respiratory viruses, like the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), laboratories and healthcare providers can expect another very busy flu season. The 2019-2020 flu season is on track to be one…
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CDC Recommends Nasopharyngeal Swabs AND Oropharyngeal Swabs as Suitable for Upper Respiratory Tract Specimens for Investigations of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
On January 30th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its second meeting in Geneva of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). During the meeting the committee agreed that the outbreak constitutes a…
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Providers, Trainers, and Defenders: The Hidden Role of Your Microbes to be Thankful For
Halloween has come and gone, shifting our attention to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to celebrate together with friends and family and to reflect on the relationships we are grateful for in our lives. Yet few people recognize some…
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The Spooky Microbe Monsters Among Us
It’s nearly Halloween, a time to celebrate by donning costumes, carving pumpkins, and watching horror films. The Fall Season is a perfect time to gather around a warm fire and tell spooky stories about our favorite monsters. Although monsters like…
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Preparing for the 2018 – 2019 Influenza Season
Preparing for the 2018 – 2019 Influenza Season
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Liquid Based Microbiology is the Key to Optimal Automation Utilization
Laboratories can optimize their automation utilization with COPAN LBM products
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Candida auris, An Emerging Superbug Fungus Quickly on the Rise?
Candida auris is a new superbug fungus on the rise.
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The Preanalytical Phase of Microbiology is Paving the Way to Improved Patient Care
Specimen collection and transport for laboratory testing are the initial steps in determining diagnosis and treatment.
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Dishing Up Food Safety for Thanksgiving: Keep the Meal Safe and Tasty
Food poisoning is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind as they tuck into some tasty turkey smothered in gravy and savory stuffing.
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The Spooky Truth About the Gut
It’s Halloween and while ghosts, ghouls and skeletons are on the mind, do you know what’s really spooky? That what lies in your gut may be a predicator of your health.
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A United Front and Optimistic Spirit is Helping Puerto Rico Heal After Hurricane Maria
With hashtags like #VamoArribaPR and #VamosPaArribaPorPuertoRico, residents of this island are announcing to the world that “Puerto Rico will rise above” the devastation brought upon their home by Hurricane Maria.
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September Means Fall and Babies, Lots of Babies
Apparently, many Americans spend the holidays doing more than hanging up stockings and trimming the tree. September happens to wear the noteworthy title of “most popular birth month in the United States”. Count back nine months and … you get the point.
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Experts Say Australia’s Influenza Epidemic is Bad News for the North
As Australia continues to fight a record-breaking flu epidemic, many individuals are left wondering what this means for the rest of the world. Will those living in the Northern Hemisphere also suffer a similar plight? The short answer is: yes.
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To Phub or Not To Phub: How Dirty is Your Cell Phone?
The smart phone, it’s an adult’s security blanket. The clear majority of adults, and increasingly kids and teens, rarely part with their cell phones. We drag them everywhere, apparently even, into that most private of areas: the restroom.
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Is Australia’s Early Flu Epidemic a Predictor for the Northern Hemisphere 2017-2018 Season?
The flu is hitting down under much earlier and harder this year. More than 94,000 confirmed cases of influenza have already been reported in Australia. That’s a record breaking number for the country more well-known for beautiful beaches, kangaroos, and Steve Irwin than snotty noses, coughs and fevers.
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From Space to Surface! SRK® Sticks the Landing with Surface Sampling Simplified!
In a recent study, researchers used COPAN’s Swab Rinse Kit (SRK) to assess the microbial levels in the International Space Station and discovered some potentially hazardous pathogens.
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Optimizing Workflow in a Post-WASPLab® World
A recent study reveals that COPAN’s automation will decrease costs and errors, while increasing efficiency and employee satisfaction in the clinical Microbiology lab.
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Mycoplasma genitalium: The Guest You Don’t Want to Bring Home…
COPAN flocked swabs can help with the detection of M. genitalium
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Have You Heard that Sitting is the New Smoking? Get up and Move with WASPLab’s Clever Canister Plate Delivery System
A pack of Camels or a day spent sitting down? Those hours clocked in chairs are maybe just as deadly as that pack of Camel cigarettes.
Multiple studies point out that time in the chair can lead to a whole host of medical problems. COPAN designed its automation with a canister system for more mobility and to give labs more flexibility to grow.
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Ask ESwab: Is Having Money a Health Hazard?
Study investigates the microbes left on New York City currency using COPAN ESwab and metagenomic sequencing
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I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
Unlike other bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses, Listeria monocytogene thrives and survives in cold environments.
Listeria infection, or listeriosis, caused by eating items contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, is the third leading cause of food poisoning death in the United States.Regular sampling of surfaces, equipment and ingredients are essential to maintaining a safe food supply.