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
Study calls for better measures of poverty to strengthen tuberculosis research
A new review examines existing methods for assessing socioeconomic status in TB studies and highlights their shortcomings. The authors call for better, standardized poverty metrics to improve research and policy.
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NewsScottish bio-tech company secures £3.4m investment
Scottish biotech engineering company uFraction8 has secured £3.4m in new investment following the completion of a funding round led by Foresight Group.
News1 in 5 older adults get infections after heart surgery, and women have a 60% higher risk
One in five older adults gets an infection up to six months after heart surgery, with women far more likely to develop one, according to two studies which examined thousands of cases of coronary artery bypass grafting.
NewsResearchers ID key immune differences that make one West African ethnic group less susceptible to malaria
Researchers have uncovered how genetic and lifestyle factors influence immune responses to malaria in children from two large West African ethnic groups. Children showed key differences in immune cell activity offering greater protection.
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News
Transforming HIV diagnosis: a low-cost, point-of-care detection solution
A team of researchers has developed an innovative handheld device for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) detection that combines paper-based sample preparation with real-time isothermal amplification.
Rapid diagnostic tests improve diagnosis access to indigenous Paraguayan community for Chagas disease
A study has shown that combining rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) with conventional serological tests proves to be a useful strategy for diagnosing Chagas disease in an indigenous community in the Paraguayan Chaco with its higher prevalence of the disease.
Scientists unveil novel anti-CRISPR protein mechanism
Apart from their counter-defensive function, anti-CRISPR proteins hold great promise for enabling more precise control over CRISPR technologies. Researchers have now further elucidated the function of an important yet so far uncharacterized anti-CRISPR protein.
Monitoring approach could help snuff out Legionella outbreaks
Routine, relatively low-cost monitoring of several factors influencing water safety could ward off Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care settings, a new study suggests.
Researchers engineer biological reaction crucibles to rapidly produce proteins
Biomedical engineers have demonstrated a new synthetic approach that turbocharges bacteria into producing more of a specific protein, even proteins that would normally destroy them, such as antibiotics.
Flexible and resilient: remarkable cell functions of newly discovered algae species
A new species of algae, demonstrating its incredible resilience to extreme environmental conditions including cold and light, is identified in the Baltic Sea and Arctic tundra. Its unique property could be applied to potential cosmetic product manufacturing.
Bacteria, brains, and sugar: scientists uncover new connections
Using a new method to study how carbohydrates modify proteins, scientists have discovered that gut bacteria can alter molecular signatures in the brain.
Study tracks algae species interactions to help predict harmful algae blooms
A study yields new insights into how algae species interact with each other and their environment in coastal waters, aiming to understand how harmful algal species interact with other phytoplankton and environmental factors like temperature and salinity.
Global sisterhood seeks to understand what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome
A study shares insights gleaned from a ’sisterhood’ of thousands of citizen scientists, illuminating gaps in knowledge about the vaginal microbiome, including which bacteria are helpful or harmful and whether microbiomes look different for people across the globe.
Using sugars from peas speeds up sour beer brewing
Researchers have brewed new sour beers in less time using field peas. The experimental beers had fruity flavors and other attributes comparable to a commercial Belgian-style sour, but with shorter, simpler brewing steps.
Scientists develop groundbreaking biosensor for rare earth element detection
A prototype for an innovative biosensor can detect rare earth elements and be modified for a range of applications. Synthetic scientists engineered proteins to create molecular nanomachines that generate easily detectable signals when they selectively bind to Lns.
A new process with zero emissions for truly biodegradable plastics
A new approach to producing biodegradable plastics - polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) - was discovered as a promising alternative that requires minimal organic materials and is naturally produced by photosynthetic microorganisms.
Study explores how preservatives in cosmetics oppose microbes
A study of preservatives added to cosmetics found that they kill the microorganisms rather than inhibiting their growth. The substances investigated affect various substructures of microbial cells, including the cell wall, cell membrane, enzymes involved in metabolism, protein synthesis systems, and genetic material.
Novel nanoreactor CU@G - AMPs: A promising solution for antibacterial therapy
A novel sustainable antibacterial therapy - an antibiotic-free complex, Cu@G-AMPs, has been developed by a team of Chinese scientists to combat drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA.
Global research on hydrothermal pretreatment: A green leap for biorefineries
From a global analysis of the research in hydrothermal pretreatment, a bibliometric study highlights its use as the future of biorefineries for sustainable biomass conversion.
Camel milk udderly good alterative to traditional dairy
In addition to being hypoallergenic, camel milk could potentially protect the gut from harmful enzymes and create healthier digestion. Research has found that camel milk contains more naturally occurring bioactive peptides compared to its bovine counterpart.
New study finds social programs could reduce the spread of HIV by 29%
Researchers have found that addressing barriers to HIV care from depression, homelessness, individual and neighborhood poverty, education disparities, lack of insurance and unemployment could reduce the national HIV incidence by 29% over 10 years.
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.
Global 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.
