Latest news
Forest soils increasingly extract methane from atmosphere
Researchers evaluated the world’s most comprehensive data set on methane uptake by forest soils. They discovered that under certain climate conditions, which may become more common in the future, their capacity to absorb methane actually increases.
Blood test may give insights into a person’s infection history
Which infections have you already come into contact with? In the future, a simple blood test may be all you need to answer that question. Researchers intend to investigate the sensors the immune system uses to identify pathogens.
Green chemistry: Friendly bacteria can unlock hidden metabolic pathways in plant cell cultures
Co-culturing plant cells with harmless bacteria can expand the diversity of obtainable plant-derived compounds for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals, a new study shows.
Sugar molecules point to a new weapon against drug-resistant bacteria
Researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognise a sugar found only on bacterial cells – an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant hospital-acquired infections.
Previously unknown viruses discovered in groundwater
Researchers have created a comprehensive picture of viral diversity and function in a groundwater system. They identified over 257,000 viral operational taxonomic units, i.e. viruses at species level, 99 % of which were previously unknown.
Gut microbe–derived butyrate activates immune cells to enhance vaccine efficacy
Researchers have uncovered a new mechanism showing how butyrate—a short-chain fatty acid produced by gut commensal bacteria—enhances T follicular helper (Tfh) cell activity to promote antibody production and strengthen mucosal vaccine efficacy.
Forest soils increasingly extract methane from atmosphere
Researchers evaluated the world’s most comprehensive data set on methane uptake by forest soils. They discovered that under certain climate conditions, which may become more common in the future, their capacity to absorb methane actually increases.
Green chemistry: Friendly bacteria can unlock hidden metabolic pathways in plant cell cultures
Co-culturing plant cells with harmless bacteria can expand the diversity of obtainable plant-derived compounds for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals, a new study shows.
Sugar molecules point to a new weapon against drug-resistant bacteria
Researchers have developed a powerful new way to target deadly, drug-resistant bacteria by designing antibodies that recognise a sugar found only on bacterial cells – an advance that could underpin a new generation of immunotherapies for multidrug resistant hospital-acquired infections.
PIXL Max: Automated colony picker breaks records for speed and accuracy
With the latest innovation from the team at Singer Instruments, a new standard for speed and repeatability in microbial colony pickers has been achieved through the integration of cutting edge AI technologies.
NexaBiome accelerates development of novel diabetic foot treatment with Scottish Enterprise funding
UK biotechnology company NexaBiome Life Sciences Ltd has received continued funding from Scotland’s national economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, to accelerate its breakthrough bacteriophage technology for the treatment of diabetic foot infections (DFIs).
UK Centre for Mould Safety launches national training academy
The UK Centre for Mould Safety (UKCMS) National Training Academy has today opened its doors to upskill and improve competence, consistency and safety across all industries that serve homes and buildings, in a drive to support public health outcomes.
From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms
A surface capable of responding to chemical signals generated by microorganisms and automatically producing biocidal substances – a description of how the B-STING silica nanocomposite works. The new material acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating only when necessary.
Nasal vaccine combats bird flu infection in rodents
Researchers have developed an intranasal H5N1 vaccine that elicited strong immune responses when tested in hamsters and mice and prevented infections in exposed animals. The team also confirmed their vaccine remained effective regardless of prior flu exposure.
A rapid test using a mobile phone will be able to identify the most severe cases of imported malaria within minutes
A new malaria tool uses a mobile phone to combine rapid diagnostic tests with video analysis and is capable not only of detecting the infection in under six minutes but also of predicting which patients may develop severe forms of malaria.
Blood test may give insights into a person’s infection history
Which infections have you already come into contact with? In the future, a simple blood test may be all you need to answer that question. Researchers intend to investigate the sensors the immune system uses to identify pathogens.
Launch of clinical trial of investigative nasal spray medicine to prevent illnesses from respiratory viruses
A new clinical trial will test a new experimental intranasal spray designed to boost immune defenses and reduce illness from respiratory viruses.
Six years after COVID-19’s global alarm: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic?
Six years ago, the Director-General of the World Health Organization sounded the highest global alarm available under international law at the time, declaring the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease. As we cross this six-year mark, WHO asks: Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic?