life straw to save lives

researchers led by torben vestergaard frandsen in denmark have designed a new straw, called the lifestraw, that may save the lives of people living in areas with unsafe water. the straw acts like an advanced brita filter, processing the drinking water through a chamber of iodine beads which kills viruses, parasites and bacteria, followed by a section of carbon to kill any remaining parasites and filter out the iodine taste. the straw would filter out some of the world's greatest killers, such as typhoid, cholera, e. coli, salmonella, and others. the straw is said to be cost effective for people even in poor countries, and can last for up to a year of use.