Lab Link

Vol. 10, No. 9

Sept. 2018

Archive

April 2019

Thank you, Peter Ma

Peter Ma, a SHL laboratory technician, passed away on Sept. 16 at the age of 63 in his Iowa City home following an extended illness.

SHL issues guidance for flu surveillance testing

The State Hygienic Laboratory this month issued guidance for influenza surveillance testing during the 2018-2019 flu season. This guidance helps clinical laboratories collect and send specimens to SHL for molecular testing.

Is your well water safe to drink?

Nearly 10 percent of Iowans receive their drinking water from private wells. Unlike water from municipal systems, there are no regulations that require private well owners to test their drinking water.

Officials issue advisory for sorghum

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Johnson County Public Health Department, and the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA) on Sept. 4 issued a consumer advisory for sorghum made by Pure Missouri Ozark Country Sorghum in Dunnegan, Mo.

Take simple steps for preparedness

The State Hygienic Laboratory, and other state and national agencies are recognizing September as National Preparedness Month to highlight how easy it is to be prepared.

Science and art meet in Petrie dishes

Students and scientists from around the world used agar and live microbes in Petri dishes as the medium to create unique works of art for the American Society for Microbiology Agar Art contest. The organization announced winners of its 2018 contest on May 23. Agar is commonly used by microbiologists to test for the presence of bacteria. From 156 entries, 10 winners were chosen, including those highlighted in the Lab Link Photo Feature. Photos courtesy of American Society of Microbiology