Japan develops 30-minute Ebola virus test

Japanese researchers said on Tuesday that they had developed a new method for Ebola virus that detects the disease in 30 minutes. Professor Jiro Yasuda and his team at Nagasaki University say their process is also cheaper than the system currently in use in West Africa where the virus has already killed more than 1,500 people. “The new method is simpler than the current one and can be used in countries where expensive testing equipment is not available,” Yasuda was quoted as telling to AFP. He said they are yet to receive any questions or requests, but are pleased to offer the system, which is ready to go. The team developed what they called a “primer”, which amplifies only those genes specific to the Ebola virus found in a blood sample or other bodily fluid. Using existing techniques, ribonucleic acid (RNA)- biological molecules used in the coding of genes- is extracted from any viruses present...