One health
Communicable diseases remain one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. There are disparities in the numbers of individuals affected by disease between low-and-middle-income countries and those in developed nations. Microbes will play in important role in drug discovery: producing anticancer drugs and antimicrobials. Applying One Health principles, to understand the interaction of pathogens and the human host, development of diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention, applied microbiologists can shape global health and wellbeing outcomes.
News
New viruses discovered in bat kidneys in Yunnan province
The viruses, as well as new bacterial species and a new parasite, were discovered in bats inhabiting orchards near villages in southwestern China, raising concerns about transmission to livestock or humans.
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NewsAntibiotics are failing in many countries in Africa, new study reveals
The largest retrospective study on resistance to antibiotics in Africa highlights the need for major investments to enhance laboratory capabilities and healthcare access.
NewsWith AI, researchers find increasing immune evasion in H5N1
A new analysis suggests that the H5N1 avian influenza virus is evolving clever strategies. Using artificial intelligence tools, researchers analyzed thousands of viral proteins and found that their bonds to protective antibodies have weakened over time.
NewsPandora’s microbes – The battle for iron in the lungs
Newly discovered natural compounds from the little studied Pandoraea bacterium influence the lung microbiome by competing for iron.
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Study links influenza A viral infection to microbiome, brain gene expression changes
Infection with influenza A is found to be associated with disruptions in newborn piglets’ nasal and gut microbiomes and with potentially detrimental changes in gene activity in the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays a central role in learning and memory.
NewsTracking microbial rhythms reveals new target for treating metabolic diseases
Researchers harness the benefits of time-restricted feeding on the gut microbiome — with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies for obesity, diabetes and related diseases.
NewsNew test could save lives from deadly fungal infection that spiked during pandemic
A new lateral-flow test could one day save lives across the world through early detection of a deadly fungal disease which dramatically spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NewsSupercharged HIV vaccine could offer strong protection with just one dose
Researchers have shown that they can generate a strong immune response to HIV with just one vaccine dose, by adding two powerful adjuvants — materials that help stimulate the immune system.
NewsHow a common brain parasite disrupts neural communication
Scientists reveal how the Toxoplasma parasite can significantly disrupt brain function, even when it infects only a small number of neurons. The team found the parasite interferes with essential communication between brain cells.
NewsVaccine disguised as a virus tricks the body into stronger immunity
A simple addition to mRNA vaccines can significantly enhance their effectiveness. Scientists have shown that mice develop a stronger and longer-lasting immune response when the mRNA vaccine is disguised as virus-like particles.
NewsNew RNA test for African trypanosomiasis in livestock aids control efforts
A new state-of-the-art diagnostic test for animal African trypanosomiasis could detect sentinels of infection in domestic animals and aid control efforts.
NewsHerpes virus plays interior designer with human DNA
Researchers have discovered the cold sore virus reshapes the human genome’s architecture, rearranging its shape in three-dimensional space so that HSV-1 can access host genes most useful for its ability to reproduce.
NewsGut microbiome composition and food insecurity linked to risk of cognitive impairment in adults
A new study has found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment (RCI) in adults, underscoring the complex role that both biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity—play in brain health.
NewsFirst systematic review finds gut-brain axis impacts treatment outcomes in bipolar patients
A new review suggests that there is a significant connection between the gut and brain in patients treated for bipolar disorder and that this affects the ways in which a patient responds to treatment.
NewsUnderstanding inflammatory bowel disease: An integrative framework of microbiome, metabolome, and immunological biomarkers
A new review underscores the interconnected roles of microbial, metabolic, and immune biomarkers in IBD. While current biomarkers lack universal specificity, integrative approaches and AI-driven analyses offer transformative potential for precision medicine in IBD care.
NewsLiving near harmful algal blooms reduces life expectancy with ALS
Living close to cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms — which are present US-wide but are more common in coastal and Great Lake states — heightens the rate of dying from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, a study suggests.
NewsNew vaccine works against multiple fungal infections
A vaccine developed by University of Georgia researchers successfully protects against and treats vaginal yeast infections in mice, according to a study.
NewsResearchers establish link between form and function of gut bacterium
New insights into the functional differences between the various morphotypes of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron could open up new possibilities for medicine. A better understanding of their diversity could lay the foundation for novel microbiome-based therapies.
NewsScientists discover key protein that enables ‘shock & kill’ strategy for HIV latent virus clearance
Researchers have identified a specific gene transcription factor, BRD9, as a potential key to unlocking the mechanisms behind HIV-1 latency.
NewsScientists discover a materials maze that prevents bacterial infections
Scientists have discovered surface patterns that can drastically reduce bacteria’s ability to multiply on plastics, which means that infections on medical devices, such as catheters, could be prevented.
NewsPrescribing fewer antibiotics might not be enough to combat threat of superbugs, says new research
Antimicrobial resistance is still spreading in the environment despite a reduction in the amounts of antibiotic drugs prescribed, according to a new study. Multiple approaches will be required to tackle the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance to public health.
NewsImmune ‘dysregulation’ present prior to infection predicts severe responses
A study shows that a common gene signature of immune health or dysfunction predicts severe outcomes from infection, and is present in people with known risk factors such as being a smoker or having a high body mass index, even before they encounter a pathogen.
NewsInternational comparison reveals gender differences in antimicrobial resistance
A recent study analysed the DNA map of more than 14,000 gut metagenomes in a global dataset and found differences in antibiotic resistance between genders. In high-income countries, women had more antibiotic resistance genes than men.