Clean water
UNICEF estimates that over 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. Micro-organisms are responsible for a host of waterborne diseases, but simultaneously offer solutions in purifying water and improving sanitation. Biofertilizers offer promising solutions for reduced nutrient runoff and wastewater recycling. As well as applying microbes to combat the problem, applied microbiologists can use their knowledge of health and disease to reduce cases of waterborne disease.
News
River drinking water sources may face greater antibiotic resistance risks than reservoirs, study finds
A basin-wide study of 13 drinking water sources in China’s Poyang Lake region shows that water source type can strongly shape the occurrence and spread of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, and resistant bacteria.
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NewsMicroplastics may act as pollutant shuttles, carrying chemicals, pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes
A new review reveals how microplastics transport multiple pollutants across ecosystems and proposes a framework for identifying when these vector effects become serious ecological threats.
NewsPreliminary wastewater bioremediation by photosynthetic Chlorobium genus isolated from pond water
Researchers have isolated naturally occurring light-driven bacteria from local pond water and shown that, within just one week, these microorganisms can substantially reduce the levels of organic pollutants in raw sewage.
NewsAnti-fouling materials protect against slimy incursions
Researchershave received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop materials that incorporate soft robotics and nontoxic polymers to fight biofouling, or the buildup of aquatic organisms in wet environments.
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First results published from major algal gene sequencing project
A new study reveals that different species of microscopic algae can behave in strikingly different ways because of their genetics.
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NewsSwimming in rivers and lakes linked to higher risk of stomach bugs and rashes
Researchers have found that people swimming in rivers and lakes were more than twice as likely to develop skin problems, while higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution were associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs.
NewsReview explores the presence, fate, and effects of pharmaceutical compounds in soil and air
Pharmaceutical contamination in soil and air has become a critical environmental concern due to its widespread sources, complex behavior, and long-lasting ecological impacts.
NewsBiochar as an “electron bridge” unlocks hidden power of energy‑saving wastewater treatment
New research reveals how a charcoal‑like material triples electron transfer capacity in ammonia‑removing microbes, cutting wastewater treatment costs by up to 90%.
NewsAdding iron to the ocean can remove CO2 – but at what cost to nature?
Adding iron to the ocean can cause plankton to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere. However, the effect depends on where in the world the method is used, and it can have far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and food chains.
NewsDolphin blow may reveal the health status of these marine mammals
An international team of researchers has developed a new methodology to identify potential pathogens in dolphin blow.
CareersA day in the life: Discovering the hidden microbes of Britain’s historic waters
PhD student Wewerly Fernandes outlines her investigations into the microorganisms living in Britain’s historic wells and natural springs - once believed to hold healing properties and linked to legends of Merlin and renowned figures like Robert Burns.
NewsNew AI-driven technology could help combat harmful algal blooms
Researchers are developing an innovative technology that could help stop harmful algal blooms before they spread.
NewsMachine learning turns routine water quality data into early warnings for pathogen health risks
Researchers have developed a data-driven framework that uses routinely measured water quality indicators to predict pathogen concentrations and estimate their potential health risks.
NewsMicrobial keystone taxa stabilize nutrient cycling in deep-water reservoirs
A research team has found that microbial communities in a large, thermally stratified reservoir changed more strongly from year to year than between surface and deep waters, while their overall metabolic functions remained comparatively stable.
NewsAntibiotic-resistant seafood bacterium found in Vietnam fish farming waters near popular island destination
A multi-drug resistant bacterium linked to seafood-related illness has been detected in fish-farming waters near Cat Ba Island, Vietnam.
NewsNew coastal pathogen database maps microbial risks across global waters
A new platform allows better mapping of global coastal environments to help track pathogens and associated risk factors.
NewsTiny predatory bacteria help protect endangered Caribbean corals
New research suggests a microscopic predator may offer a new way to protect some of the Caribbean’s most endangered corals.
NewsA tiny pore identifies cyanobacteria toxins in lake water
Scientists have developed a new nanopore sensor that detects microcystins, toxins released by cyanobacterial blooms, one molecule at a time.
NewsHospital wastewater controls help contain antibiotic resistance in nearby waters
A new study of hospital wastewater reports that geography, rather than hospital proximity, primarily shaped resistance-gene profiles where wastewater controls were well established.
NewsBloomNet turns lake data into early algal bloom warnings
A research team has developed BloomNet, an interpretable deep-learning framework that forecasts harmful algal blooms at hourly resolution up to 72 hours ahead while also showing how risk changes over time.
NewsMultidisciplinary framework bridges earth science and environmental engineering to combat waterborne pathogens
Waterborne pathogens remain a leading cause of infectious disease globally, responsible for 24% of all deaths and over 10 million fatalities each year.
NewsHigh-resolution map reveals where veterinary antibiotics enter China’s environment
A new study has developed a high-resolution, county-level inventory of veterinary antibiotic emissions across China, offering researchers and policymakers a clearer picture of where these pollutants originate and where they may accumulate.
NewsSelf-powered system turns wastewater into water and fertilizer
A new study reports a self-powered platform that links electrically assisted forward osmosis (eFO) with a microbial desalination cell (MDC), allowing electricity produced by wastewater-fed microbes to drive nutrient and water recovery.