Latest news
A borrowed bacterial gene allowed some marine diatoms to live on a seaweed diet
A group of diatom species belonging to the Nitzschia genus gave up on photosynthesis and now get their carbon straight from their environment, thanks to a bacterial gene picked up by an ancestor, a new study shows.
Scientists devise comprehensive resource on microbial cell factories for sustainable chemical production
Scientists evaluated the production capabilities of various industrial microbial cell factories using in silico simulations and, based on these findings, identified the most suitable microbial strains for producing specific chemicals as well as optimal metabolic engineering strategies.
Many TB cases may have gone undetected in prisons in Europe and the Americas during COVID-19
A new study found that reported diagnoses for tuberculosis were consistently lower than expected throughout the pandemic, even though incarceration rates remained largely consistent.
Mpox could become a serious global threat, scientists warn
Mpox has the potential to become a significant global health threat if taken too lightly. Scientists highlight how mpox – traditionally spread from animals to humans – is now showing clear signs of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Deadly antibiotic-resistant ‘superbug’ bacteria spreading in Malaysian hospital
A virulent strain of antibiotic-resistant ‘superbug’ that causes severe disease has been found circulating in a Malaysian hospital - posing significant challenges to global public health, a new study reveals.
MOPEVACLAS vaccine candidate for Lassa fever enters clinical trials
After more than 20 years of research on arenaviruses, researchers have developed an original vaccine platform known as MOPEVAC. A Phase Ia clinical trial is set to begin for the platform’s first vaccine candidate, which targets Lassa fever, a hemorrhagic fever responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide each year.
A borrowed bacterial gene allowed some marine diatoms to live on a seaweed diet
A group of diatom species belonging to the Nitzschia genus gave up on photosynthesis and now get their carbon straight from their environment, thanks to a bacterial gene picked up by an ancestor, a new study shows.
Many TB cases may have gone undetected in prisons in Europe and the Americas during COVID-19
A new study found that reported diagnoses for tuberculosis were consistently lower than expected throughout the pandemic, even though incarceration rates remained largely consistent.
Mpox could become a serious global threat, scientists warn
Mpox has the potential to become a significant global health threat if taken too lightly. Scientists highlight how mpox – traditionally spread from animals to humans – is now showing clear signs of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Updated guidelines for pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection
In light of the rise in antibiotic resistance, new guidelines are released with detailed recommendations of diagnosis and treatment strategies for pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP), along with the means to manage severe complications.
Tecovirimat is safe but ineffective as treatment for clade II mpox
The antiviral drug tecovrimat used without other antivirals did not reduce the time to clinical resolution of clade II mpox lesions or improve pain control among adults in an international clinical trial.
Drug may prevent COVID-19 in exposed people within households, major trial finds
An international clinical trial of the oral antiviral drug, ensitrelvir, which has been proved to prevent COVID-19 cases, was conducted and found to be very effective. The drug will be awaiting for approval before becoming widely available.
AI learns to ‘speak’ genetic ‘dialect’ for future SARS-CoV-2 mutation prediction
Researchers have developed a new method to predict mutations in virus protein sequences called Deep Novel Mutation Search (DNMS), a type of artificial intelligence model that uses deep neural networks.
Researchers develop new DNA test for personalized treatment of bacterial vaginosis
Researchers have developed a simple DNA PCR-based lab test — built on a more detailed genetic analysis of the main group of bacterial organisms that cause bacterial vaginosis — to help clinicians prescribe the right medicine for each patient.
Scientists develop eco-friendly, nylon-like plastic using microorganisms
Scientists have developed microbial strains through systems metabolic engineering to produce various eco-friendly, bio-based poly(ester amide)s from glucose derived from biomass sources such as waste wood and weeds.
Security-relevant research in times of geopolitical polarisation: report
A new report on security-relevant research - including research into pathogens - notes a change within the scientific system due to increased national security interests.
BfR organises three-day conference on food microbiology
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, the German Society for Microbiology and Hygiene (DGHM) and the Association for General and Applied Microbiology (VAAM) are inviting researchers to the 19th Food Microbiology Conference in Berlin from 1 to 3 April.
Measles elimination versus eradication: The difference explained
As of March 13, the CDC has confirmed 301 cases of measles as well as the death of a child in Texas. Amira Roess, an epidemiologist and professor of global health, clarifies the benefits of vaccinating children and adolescents against measles.