BEIJING, Aug. 30 -- Scientists say they've developed a laboratory method for quickly detecting active anthrax proteins in an infected blood sample at extremely low levels.

    The technique was developed jointly by researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases and the National Cancer Institute.

    Current detection methods rely on injecting live animals or cell cultures with samples for analysis and require up to several days before results are available. The researchers say their new method produces unambiguous results in about an hour.

    The technique is believed to become useful in developing fast, reliable ways to diagnose anthrax infections or to quickly screen large numbers of drugs as possible therapies for blocking the bacteria's toxic effects.

    The technique will appear in the November issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies)