Economic Equality
Across the globe there are huge disparities in access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and economic resources, with the UN estimating over 98 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. It is vital for microbial research to identify those areas which actively maintain cycles of poverty and disparity. In recognising the interconnected nature of human financial systems and environmental health, microbial research can be a leader in working toward Economic Equality.
News
Scientists reveal molecular cause behind “stuck” beer fermentation
Premature yeast flocculation (PYF) is a persistent issue in beer brewing, where yeast settles too early during fermentation. New research identifies multiple differential metabolites and confirmed galangin as a key factor that promotes early yeast aggregation.
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NewsDiphtheria toxin fragment harnessed to fuse lipid vesicles at neutral pH
Researchers have discovered a novel way to fuse lipid vesicles at neutral pH. By harnessing a fragment of the diphtheria toxin, the team achieved vesicle membrane fusion without the need for pre-treatment or harsh conditions, opening the door to new applications.
NewsScientists develop world’s first modular co-culture platform for the one-pot production of rainbow-colored bacterial cellulose
The team engineered Komagataeibacter xylinus for bacterial cellulose synthesis and Escherichia coli for natural colorant overproduction. A co-culture of these engineered strains enabled the in situ coloration of bacterial cellulose.
NewsMaternal health programme cuts infection deaths by 32%
A landmark multi-country clinical trial has shown that a structured, sustainable approach to infection prevention and treatment can save women’s lives, cutting severe maternal infections and deaths by about one-third (32%) compared to usual care.
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News
Researchers diagnose disease with a drop of blood, a microscope and AI
Scientists have developed an automated, high-throughput system that relies on imaging droplets of biofluids for disease diagnosis in an attempt to reduce the number of consumables and equipment needed for biomedical testing.
Drinking water people believe to be safe and clean often contain potentially dangerous bacteria
A study in Guatemala found the sources of drinking water people believe to be safe and clean often contain potentially dangerous bacteria. Bottled water sold in large refillable jugs was the most frequently contaminated with coliform bacteria – an indicator of fecal contamination.
Researchers boost biosynthetic capacity in yeast through extended lifespan
Scientists have demonstrated that combining lifespan engineering strategies with metabolic pathway optimization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables highly efficient sclareol biosynthesis, marking an advance in improving microbial production through lifespan engineering.
Scientist who harnesses bacteria to deliver green solutions is winner in 2025 Tata Transformation Prize
A scientist who harnesses bacteria to deliver green solutions has been named as one of the winners of the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize. Balasubramanian Gopal, PhD, Indian Institute of Science, has been named Sustainability Winner in the awards.
Pride in Microbiology Network: the road so far
Bruno Francesco Rodrigues de Oliveira, a founding member of the Pride in Microbiology Network, reveals how it has developed since it was launched three years ago - and what needs to happen next.
AMI warns that the threat of antimicrobial resistance in viruses and other pathogens cannot be underestimated
Applied Microbiology International (AMI) has urged global policymakers to strengthen the revised Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR), calling for a more inclusive, clear and equitable approach to tackling one of the world’s most urgent health challenges.
Women are three times more likely than men to get severe long COVID: Here’s why
Researchers have identified a distinct immune signature in female long Covid patients versus male patients. They found evidence of ’gut leakiness’ in the women patients, including elevated blood levels of intestinal fatty acid binding protein, lipopolysaccharide, and the soluble protein CD14 — all signs of gut inflammation that can then trigger further systemic inflammation.
Horizon Awards 2025: Microbes and Social Equity Working Group named as team winner of Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Achievement Award
The Microbes and Social Equity Working Group (MSE) has been named as the team winner of the Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Achievement Award.
Bacteria spin and dye rainbow-colored, sustainable textiles
Researchers demonstrate that bacteria can both create fabric and dye it in every color of the rainbow—all in one pot. The approach offers a sustainable alternative to the chemical-heavy practices used in today’s textile industry.
Bacterial spores offer promise of sustainable smart materials
By embedding Bacillus spores within engineered living materials, researchers have created living materials that not only endure harsh environments but can also be programmed to perform specific tasks. These materials may be a sustainable replacement for fossil-based materials.
Missing links for rabies in Peru highlights global threats of health inequity
Researchers found that efforts to track dog-related rabies in poorer areas of Peru’s second largest city were lacking even though more dogs were found to have the disease there than in wealthier neighborhoods.
How are metabolism and cell growth connected? — A mystery over 180 years old
A research team has identified a novel principle in biology that mathematically explains why the growth of organisms slows as nutrients become more abundant—a phenomenon known as “the law of diminishing returns.”
Researchers reveal novel mechanisms for decoding bacterial frequency modulation in signal processing
A study reveals the fundamental physical principles underlying bacterial FM signal processing, and demonstrated that FM decoding mechanisms enable bacteria to increase information entropy by approximately 2 bits compared to traditional AM in three-gene regulatory systems.
New research demonstrates ’living metal’ could bridge the gap between biological and electronic systems
Researchers are pioneering ‘living metal’ composites embedded with bacterial endospores, paving the way for dynamic communication and integration between electronic and biological systems.
Engineered membraneless organelles boost bioproduction in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Scientists have successfully engineered liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS)-driven membraneless organelles (MLOs) within the food-grade industrial strain Corynebacterium glutamicum.
Accessible imaging technique can predict cardiac risks in patients with Chagas disease
A simple imaging exam capable of assessing myocardial deformation during contraction has emerged as a promising tool for predicting the risk of cardiac complications in patients with chronic Chagas disease.
Demographic shifts could boost drug-resistant infections across Europe
The rates of bloodstream infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria will increase substantially across Europe in the next five years, driven largely by aging populations, according to a new paper.
HIV significantly affects sleep, with many living in a state akin to chronic jet lag
A new study describes how people living with HIV experience higher rates of sleep issues even when virally suppressed, which has been associated with a higher risk for heart disease, depression and cognitive decline.
Review probes mechanical and durability properties of microorganism based self-healing concrete
Microorganism-based self-healing concrete, which uses bacteria to induce calcite precipitation for crack sealing, has emerged as a promising solution, but existing studies lack systematic reviews of its mechanical properties and durability performance.