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
Ship sliming study could enable lower costs and emissions in ocean transport
A model was recently developed to find out the correlation between the speed and extent of biofilm growth and the shear stress of the ship hull. Thus, it helps save fuel consumption by preventing fluid friction from slime fouling.
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NewsGlobal trust in science remains strong after pandemic
A post-pandemic global survey reveals that the general public remains to perceive scientists as trustworthy. They are also encouraged to actively engage in public communication and address the areas researches should prioritize in.
NewsExtreme rain heightens E. coli risks for communities of color in Texas
New research shows that communities of color in Texas face pronounced risks of E. coli exposure in nearby waters following storms that dump abnormally high amounts of rain.
NewsBioactive compounds with possible industrial applications are identified in extremophilic bacteria from the Andes
Researchers isolated a strain of Pseudomonas alcaligenes that can withstand temperatures as high as 44 °C from a hot spring in Chile, and characterized the substances produced by the bacterium that help it survive extreme conditions.
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News
Child undernutrition may be contributing to global measles outbreaks
A study of fully vaccinated children finds a link between stunted growth and weakened immunity, suggesting combatting child hunger could help prevent the disease’s spread.
Changes in microbiome predict risk for sexually transmitted disease
Researchers have found that bacterial vaginosis consists of two subtypes—one of which significantly increases the risk of developing chlamydia infections.
Biorefinery innovation: Transforming waste into high-value products
A new study showcases a cutting-edge biorefinery capable of converting sewage sludge and food waste into valuable volatile fatty acids (VFAs). The research evaluates the environmental impact of this biorefinery, located in Galicia, Spain.
New research provides insight into reduced COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in lupus patients
A recent study provides new insights into why the mRNA vaccines developed to fight COVID-19 in 2021 are less effective in patients with autoimmune diseases, highlighting that lupus patients may require tailored vaccination strategies.
Microbial cell factories may help get to the root of understudied plant molecules
A team of researchers has developed a method to produce a special class of plant hormones, known as strigolactones, at unprecedented levels using microbial cell factories.
A new way to make microbial fuel cell - a 3D-printed fungal battery
Researchers have developed a full functional, non-toxic and biodegradable fungal battery, with enough to power a temperature sensor, which can be used in agriculture or in environmental research for several days.
Scientists engineer substrates hostile to bacteria but friendly to cells
Researchers have created nanostructured alumina surfaces which are strongly antibacterial but can be used to culture cells.
Bacteria produce molecules that help viruses infect competing bacteria
In a new study, researchers have discovered a new way that bacteria can kill their competitors in complex microbial communities, revealing novel approaches to leverage viruses to kill harmful bacteria.
Harnessing AI to respond to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance
An international team of researchers has created an AI tool to bridge critical gaps in knowledge needed for informal policy development in AMR and to assist in the preparation of National Action Plans.
Canceling effect of genetics and environmental changes on bacterial growth
In this study, high-throughput biological experiments and machine learning data analysis were conducted to investigate the impact of gene-chemical interactions on bacterial growth.
Scientistis develop photonic nanojet-regulated soft microalga-robot
Scientists used the microalga, Euglena gracilis, with deformation and motion capabilities in nature as the main body to construct a soft microalgae robot (saBOT) using a photonic nanojet (PNJ) generated by a TiO₂ microsphere lens.
Study links vaginal microbiome differences to higher cervical cancer rates in Native American women
Researchers found that protective microorganisms were present at higher rates in non-Native women compared with Native American women.
Study reveals the fabrics most vulnerable to fungi attack during shipping - and the culprits
A new study could help consumer goods manufacturers to predict the likelihood of mold growth during shipping, enabling them to make informed decisions and mitigate economic losses.
Application of heavy-ion irradiation mutagenesis to improve the production efficiency of the antifungal drug micafungin
Scientists have used heavy-ion irradiation to improve efforts to produce the semisynthetic echinocandin antifungal agent micafungin which derives from fungal natural product FR901379 produced by Coleophoma empetri.
Microbial oxidation in glacial rivers and lakes could help mitigate methane emissions
A new study suggests microbes in glacial rivers and lakes may play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that recent studies have shown emerging as glaciers melt in warming global temperatures.
Yeast as food emulsifier? Easily released protein as strong as casein
Researchers looking at yeast proteins as emulsifiers have found emulsifying proteins that can be easily freed from the yeast.
Study finds widening inequalities in child vaccination rates across England
Vaccine uptake was found to be consistently lower among children in areas of higher deprivation, while the number of children susceptible to measles at age 5 increased 20-fold in the most deprived areas.
‘Superman’ bacteria offer a sustainable boost to chemical production
A new study is focused on making industrial bacteria more robust and useful by reducing the energy, time, and unwanted chemicals required to maintain bacteria, while also making them reusable so they can work longer before needing to be replaced.
Study reveals how ‘Conan the Bacterium’ withstands extreme radiation
Deinococcus radiodurans can withstand radiation doses thousands of times higher than what would kill a human - and scientists have uncovered the secrets of the antioxidant that confers this protection.
