For movie fans, this line may bring back memories of a popular 1950’s science fiction movie starring the late great actor Steve McQueen called “The Blob”. In this creature feature a grey slimy glob of space goo from outer space falls to earth with a voracious appetite and proceeds to eat on the denizens of small town USA. As the creature consumes its unwilling victims it takes on the form of a big red glob of goo, hence the making of the creative title. This cosmic space sludge would slowly and methodically ooze its way through floorboards, sink drains, walls and air vents allowing it to sneak up on its unsuspecting victims, cover them up and ingest them. What’s interesting about ‘The Blob’ is that it uses the same exact modes of home invasion as does toxic Black Mold.  Areas in homes that have been damp for long periods of time are susceptible to Black Mold spores taking root and settling in and spreading throughout a household as quietly and efficiently has ‘The Blob’. And since it is not a big red glob with molecular stability issues but microscopic airborne spores that can be everywhere and not even be seen, the idea of Black Mold could even be considered more threatening. This concept was not lost on Hollywood either, other such fungi infested features sprung to life in those no to distant days of Hollywood, The classic British yarn “Day of the Triffids” featured cannibalistic space plants that grew out of a space based fungus and the popular “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” were also banking on the fear of the unseen flesh devouring microbes to bring home the box office shivers.

Most recently in the film “The Happening” a mysterious ‘Red Fungus’ comes out of nowhere to cause entire populations of individuals to suddenly have a desire to commit suicide. This of course wrecks havoc on the day-to-day activities of it’s bewildered cast and a ten-dollar hole in the wallets of the unlucky masses that filed in to see this drama play out on a big screen. Unlike the cosmic invaders of yester year, this time the threat is explained as a defense mechanism built into the earth’s eco-system to help maintain a natural balance to human over population, making it an even greater ‘Inconvenient Truth’. 

Although we may never see a horror film from Hollywood featuring the horrifically nasty black crawling slime known as “BLACK MOLD” (music builds to crescendo), the amount of damage that this primordial black substance can bring to an unsuspecting household, or an unknowing bystander can be just as horrific. Sometimes reality can be stranger then fiction and the devastation that can come from simple environmental fungi is no exception. Aside from the harsh impact it can have on health and finances, Black Mold has been known to take out more buildings then a man in a rubber Godzilla suit. Millions of dollars are lost every year to buildings that have to be destroyed because no one realized until it was too late that Black Mold, hiding behind walls, growing under floorboards and crawling through vents, had been growing undetected in the dark places. Now, thanks to Hollywood, we all know about those dark places, and it knows what scares you.

Then there’s the innocent victims who sit quietly at home watching a large fish consume unsuspecting beach goers in “Human Sushi II” while microscopic mold spores are unknowingly inhaled into their lungs and up their nostrils causing their immune systems to go to defcon 5. Then after several days, they find themselves short of breath, congested, sore throat, nausea, and suffering from memory loss or screen writer’s block. Many of them will make costly medical visits and consume large amounts of over the counter medications that will at best temporarily alleviate the symptoms but never really cure anything. But then a select few may discover the cause of their woes and respond, but countless others will be trapped in a vicious cycle of ongoing health conditions and over medicated futures.

Then, suddenly, ‘in a world’ where all seems lost, one hero takes the stage, armed with a small plastic device; he single handedly takes on the unseen perpetrator and exposes it for what it is. AdVnt Biotechnologies’ new INFORMANT Black Mold Detection Test as the power to turn innocent victims into well informed problem solvers. With one simple device that can expose the villainous Black Mold Spores in the privacy and comfort of one’s own home, you can now take back control of your health, and save your home from uncertain destruction and save the day with a simple and easy to use tool designed to give rapid results within the time it takes to turn off a cell phone. The INFORMANT is a Hand Held Assay, not unlike a pregnancy test, specifically test positive for the presence of the three types of Black Mold spores and their subspecies that are known by the CDC to create health issues. Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. Using patented antibodies, each test can show reactivity within 15 minutes or less and can be stored for up to 2 years. AdVnt Biotechnology is one of the leading manufactures of Hand Held Assays used by Home Land Security and First Response Teams worldwide. Rapid Biowarfare Detection is what they do. For years they have helped save countless lives from the biowarfare agents such as Anthrax, Ricin, and Botulinum released by terrorist on unsuspecting civilians in devious plots more sinister then anything dreamed up on a soundstage. Now they have applied their expertise to a different kind of threat on the home front with their new INFORMANT 15 Minute Black Mold Detection Test. Now we won’t need another hero.

It is 184BC and you are a soldier on a Pergamene Ship headed to Carthage to confront the opposing forces of that mega barbarion superstar known as Hannibal.  As you near your destination and prepare to put all the years of your razor sharp warfare training and barbarian bashing expertise to the test, your only thoughts are focused in on how you are going to show this tyrant what a real warrior is all about.  Suddenly, and most certainly without warning, off in the corner of your eye something blocks out the sun for just a brief tic, then in seconds there is a large CRASH, you and your crew are distracted only for a moment has a large object shatters on the deck of your ship. Your crewmates stop and stare in stunned silence. Your first reaction is to grab some water or a blanket fearing the enemy has attacked your vessel with a pot of burning coal or oil. Instead of flames and smoke spreading on the deck of the ship, you are shocked to discover that lying among shards of broken clay fragments are hundreds of poisonous snakes of various varieties swarming all over the deck, sliding under the feet of those chained to the oars, wrapping themselves around post, and disrupting the afternoon tea. These vermin are angry and not feeling very loved, and why should they after being packed in a cramped pot like moldy roman grain and tossed through the air like the heads of slaves at a gladiator free for all, these snakes have a serious attitude problem. Fast and vicious, within seconds they have already bitten more then half the crew, the remaining stoic warriors have decided, purely out of shear panic, to take their chances in the shark infested ocean waters and have bravely taken it upon themselves to jump overboard. However; before you can join in this decision to run away, you find yourself surrounded by a swarm of fanged attitude and you do the only thing you know to do besides scream like a banshee, you start beating these misplaced reptilians with your trusty blanket, three of them have already gotten a few bites in on your sandal-clad ankles, others are squirming closer. Then as confusion and frustration starts to slowly give way to that not so good sinking feeling swimming around in your head as venom courses through your veins and nausea and pain start to register shades of Elysian Fields; you begin to realize why you hate snakes. Let there be no doubt about it, Biowarfare is a nasty business and not for the mortally challenged.

With the passage of time comes change, instead of clay pots, biowarfare can come in the form of a dirty bomb, a discarded package, a letter sent by Mel the mailman, the happy fellow you have known since high school or placed in a clay pot sitting unnoticed in a busy public park. Some things never change. Although most modern bioterrorist find bravery in not being seen, it is safe to say they too are afraid of snakes and you won’t find them out in the fields trying to prove to Allah that they can lift up serpents, not even for a room full of vestal vogue virgins. Though proven to be a formidable weapon, snakes have now slithered aside and have been replaced by prayer books and lab coats. Clay shards now look like powders or toxic gasses and instead of a few hundred crewmembers on a long wooden war vessel; the victims can number in the tens of thousands. Let there be not doubt about it, these are not the good times.

Now lets take a look at that blanket and the improvements that can only come with the blessings of time. Back in the day, the blanket would have held back a few of the vermin, but even the craftiest mite ridden tarp swinger would have found himself at a great disadvantage. Now days the 3-foot by 4-foot flinging snake swapper as been replaced by a simple 2-inch by 3-inch plastic hand held device and an easy to use plastic buffer bottle that can test suspicious bio threat residuals with given results in less then ten minutes. With that type of knowledge in hand, first responders will be able to make valued decisions that can save the lives of millions, making it better then a blanket and easier to carry.

 Though not designed to ward off a pot full and angry vipers, AdVnt Biotechnologies newly extended line of Bio Warfare detection devices are both time and field tested to support bio threat first responders with rapid need to know information that many of us rather not know. Weather the threat be for Anthrax, Ricin, SEB, Botulinum, Plaque or Tularemia, AdVnt’s BADD single test are the tools to have when confronted with a real-time biowarfare situation. And with the addition of the new Tularemia test device, the blanket of threat detection as spread even wider.

Flooding in the Country Music capital of the world has reached catastrophic proportions for many of the residence of Nashville Tennessee. As many homeowners try to restore their homes back to their former glory, many are finding themselves faced with another natural catastrophe literally growing beneath their floorboards, behind cabinets and in their drywalls. Taking advantage of the longstanding waters and wet materials that often remain for days during the clean-up and restoration process of flood remediation, Nashville residence find themselves deeply immersed in trying to prevent their homes from being overrun with the fast growing, disgusting presence of black mold. For months after a major flood, the lingering damp, humid conditions that hover over a flood plain provide the perfect Petri-dish like environment that mold thrives in and spreads at alarmingly exponential rates. The high cost of this infestation can easily run in the thousands of dollars for the average homeowner and upwards in the millions of dollars on the city and state levels. In Phoenix Arizona, one of the nations most dry and arid climates there are at least 20 listings for mold remediation crews alone.

Recently reported that in Antlers OK. US congressman Dan Boren announced that the Antlers Public school system would be receiving a large 3 million dollar portion of a federal grant to build a new elementary school to replace the severely water damaged and mold infested Brantley Elementary.

Soon homeowners and city officials will have a new tool on their side to help them in the early detection and remediation battle to offset the damages caused by black mold. Thanks to the creation of AdVnt’s soon to be released ‘In Home Mold Detection Kit’, the rapid and early detection and elimination can begin long before the spores have a chance to proliferate. Using a simple Hand Held Assay, and a small sample from a suspected area, a person can determine in 10 minutes or less weather or not immediate remediation action will need to be taken. No special unit will need to be called out to the house, no samples will need to be sent to the lab, the simple easy to follow instructions will allow for a quick private assessment of the situation before one phone call needs to made.

The 2001 anthrax event, which resulted in 5 deaths and more than 20 illnesses, was the “worst case of bioterrorism in U.S. history”1 thus far, Homeland Security reports that the 2001 anthrax attack that killed 5 people and left 20 more with serious illnesses was the worst case of bioterrorism the US as experienced to date. Then taking into consideration the current geo-political climate, the threat of another more severe event happening becomes more relevant. Add to that the revelation that “only 7-10% of the cargo that enters US ports are scanned for illegal drugs or chemicals.” The chances of another bioterrorism threat grow exponentially. Now more then ever, first responders need to be properly prepared with the most reliable and trustworthy technologies the current marketplace as to offer. AdVnt Biotechnologies prides itself on being the leading provider of first responder’s hand held assays. Our products are specifically designed with the professional Emergency Response Team in mind. From proactive real-time training kits to reliable real-time on the job test results in less the 10 minutes, the AdVnt first response line of products including BADD, Attak and Prostrips are ready to go into affirmative defensive action 24/7.

Mold is a functioning part of an environmental ecosystem, playing an important part in the breakdown and decay of dead organic matters such as fallen leaves or dead trees. But when mold manages to grow indoors, it can place a serious strain on both human health and household finances. Mold spreads by producing tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye. These microscopic spores float through the air and are then ingested or inhaled. When these tiny spores locate a moist area they take root and start to grow. There are many types of mold, none can survive without a constant source of water.

Once Mold sets in and begins to proliferate in the home environment. Black Mold is a type of  mold that has been proven to have serious effects on human health. Black Mold is a mycotoxin, during the digestion of organic matter, the fungi secrete enzymes into nutrients in order to break down complex compounds into simpler compounds that can be ingested by the mold and used as nutrition.  These digested nutrients produce secondary metabolic waste called mycotoxins that are released to give the mold a competitive edge over other organisms. Inhaling or coming into contact with black mold or black mold spores can produce severe cold or flu like symptoms, including running nose, itching, red or watery eyes, fatigue, memory loss, excessive mucous discharge, dermatitis, skin rash, stomach upset, harsh allergic reactions and more. Symptoms may be immediate or build up slowly over a period time. Those who already have taxed immune systems or are asthmatic may be at a higher risk of infections but healthy individuals are in no way immune. Research is still being done to determine just how far reaching exposure to black mold has on human health, but studies show that the negative effects are far reaching. For more detailed information consult a health professional or your state and local health departments.

Once it is discovered that there is black mold in your living environment, it is important to totally eradicate it. Floating, airborne spores come from outdoors, on pets, or on hair and clothing of individuals who enter in from outside. Ventilation systems and open windows are also open pathways and allow for spore invasion. However, these spores will not take root and become active unless there is a source of longstanding moisture present in the home. If there is black mold found growing in a home, repair the source of the moisture and clean the affected area and allow it to dry thoroughly. Dispose of any infested materials such as wood, porous tiles and drywall. If the moisture is not removed black mold can grow back. Molds can grow on cloth, carpets, leather, wood, sheetrock, insulation and pantry foods. It is a myth that mold can only grow in dark places. All molds that appear black are not of this dangerous variety, it’s hard to differentiate among them without  The InFormant 15 Minute Black Mold Detection Kit (Formerly known as AdVantage). Regardless of the type of mold you may have, the Center for Disease Control recommends removing it as soon as possible from your living or working environment. The ‘Informant’  Black Mold Detection kit currently being developed by AdVnt Biotechnologies is specifically designed to detect Black Mold in your home in an easy to use hand held device that can detect the presence of Mold in 15 minutes or less. AdVnt Biotechnologies is currently wrapping up development of the Informant Mold detection system and is looking to launch this exciting new product sometime in the middle to late June.  Be sure to visit http://www,advnt.org and stay InFormed.

Bioterrorism can come at us in ways we can’t imagine. From that pesky geo-political terrorist to the silent enemies hiding within our own home, the threat of global biowarfare has become an ongoing ever-changing organism. In the wake of the nations crippling healthcare crisis, the need to be concerned for ones health is now more then ever more important for individuals to do all that they can to ensure their own personal well being as well as that of their own families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as reported that the presence of black mold in a home can cause a multitude of health related illness beginning with but not limited to respiratory illnesses, memory loss, chronic fatigue, dizziness, the list goes on. Those who have Asthma, HIV, or have challenged immune systems are at an even greater risk. Add to this the understanding that Mold can be undetected in your home, hiding in vents; behind walls and under floorboards, the infestation becomes even more life threatening. Soon AdVnt Biotechnologies will bring its bioterrorism expertise closer to the home front with its new ‘Informant’ in home mold detection system. Informant is a personal, easy to use mold detection kit that will allow the concerned homeowner a way to reliably and safely test for the presence of black mold in their living environment. Expected for release in mid to late May, Informant could be the first line of defense against the ever-increasing cost of healthcare.

Re-printed from Homeland Security Newswire

A terrorist in Saudi Arabia tried to kill the Saudi antiterror chief by carrying explosives inside his body; experts say there are “tremendous implications for airport security with the potential of making it even more complicated to get on to your plane”

HSNW wrote two weeks ago about a terrorist using explosives concealed inside his body who blew himself up on receipt of a mobile phone signal (9 September 2009). The terrorist passed through several checks undetected. The attack has security experts very worried that this method is likely to become a real threat.

The intention was to kill a Saudi prince, who happened to be the chief of antiterrorism operations in Saudi Arabia in a complex plot involving the terrorist gaining access to the target by pretending to defect.

An important point to glean from this unbelievable attempted murder/suicide has got to be that the enemy we are battling in this war will resort to anything to martyr themselves for the cause.  Do any of us in the west really think that our way of life is not in jeopardy? (Oh yeah, I forgot, we are no longer involved in that conflict, therefore a majority of Americans are being lulled into a false sense of security.)

We better believe that any weapons of mass destruction these zealots come upon will be used against the most innocent among us.  Thus the need for preventative measures throughout our communities.  We at AdVnt BioTechnologies feel that our biological agent detection devices are just what the doctor orders for simple, fast and accurate screening devices that can be properly operated by any twelve year old. I know, my twelve year old, Jake has proven it time and time again.

If you want to be prepared for the inevitable bioweapons event to come our way, then visit AdVnt’s website and see what it will take for you to become a viable bio-sensor for your community, neighborhood and family.

Anthrax looks to be a terrorist’s best friend.  Yet our current national circumstances seems to be preoccupying all of us that there are other, more important, worries for the USA in our short-term future.

Well, I don’t know what a real terrorist thinks about anthrax, but I can share with you what the progressive elite of Kuwait are willing to lecture in public. Please click the link to view.

After viewing that video, I am trying to visualize myself entertaining ideas of western democracies establishing friendly relations with the radicals of the Islamic world.

While watching the inflammatory rhetoric of the speaker remembering that this is not a Jihadists from Iran but a professor from Kuwait - a country with every reason to be grateful to the USA for liberating it from the tyranny of Saddam Husseins invasion. That would be Desert Storm in the early 90’s. I can only say, WOW. I guess being prepared makes some sense, ya think?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

It’s been pretty evident that swarming the enemy with technology, saturating the theater of engagement, overwhelming their “in-play” strategies has been somewhat effective.

For CBRNe targets, two of the keys are to saturate our living and working areas with efficient, effective and affordable screening devices for wide area bio-sensor coverage and being vigilant daily.

I believe that Advnt Biotechnologies has created and patented just such a product. That would be our ProStrips Rapid Screening System™.  Truly an affordable, efficient, effective product that can actually detect anthrax at less than an infectious dose, in less than 15 minutes, for less than $70.00 USD.

The best way to discourage a specific attack requires the deployment model to include easy and early detection with prompt and appropriate treatment.

Faulty gadgets foiling city’s bio-threat project

Wednesday, May 13th 2009,

A pilot program to detect biological threats had to be scrapped because the new experimental gizmos didn’t work, officials acknowledge.

The high-tech monitors were supposed to take air samples and analyze them automatically, compared to conventional monitors where samples are sent to a lab. Federal sources said five of the six monitors started registering odd anthrax signals, even though no agent was present.

The faulty signals started in December. The main engineering firm tried unsuccessfully to fix and clean the machines.

The NYPD shut them down at the end of March. The risk of false positives and the possibility of a panic was behind the move, a police spokesman acknowledged.

The malfunctioning prototypes, along with conventional air monitors, were installed four years ago as part of a $120 million federal BioWatch program.

The plan is to fix the problematic devices and get them back online in six months.

In the mean time, we at Advnt Biotechnologies recommend that maybe considering a fool proof bio-agent detection system that costs less than $70.00 USD and is a DHS ” Approved Product For Homeland Security” under the “SAFETY ACT OF 2002” might make cents! (I know, “sense” might be asking too much, but when you print money just because you have the ink and paper, oh well)

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