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
‘Molecular movie’ captures penicillin being built atom by atom
Scientists have captured the formation of penicillin’s defining β-lactam ring in unprecedented detail, revealing fleeting chemical steps that had remained hidden for decades. Using ultrafast X-ray imaging, the researchers built a molecular movie of the reaction that could help guide future antibiotic and enzyme design.
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NewsMalaria remains the leading cause of hospital admission and in-hospital death in children under two in Sierra Leone
Malaria remains the biggest threat to young children in Sierra Leone, accounting for more than half of hospital admissions in a large two-year study. Researchers also found that children who received all routine vaccinations and preventive malaria treatment had a substantially lower risk of dying.
NewsA natural compound takes aim at C. difficile while sparing the gut microbiome
Researchers identify argyrin B, a promising natural compound that targets the bacterium behind dangerous intestinal infections while leaving beneficial gut microbes largely unharmed. The discovery could pave the way for new treatments with fewer relapses and side effects.
NewsPeople with long Covid have drastically different microbiome in their lungs and mouth
A study of more than 700 people has shown that those with long Covid have distinct differences in the mix of bacteria that live in their mouths and lungs, according to a study. The research also shows that these differences in the lung microbiome are linked to respiratory symptoms, as well as the cognitive and digestive problems known to occur in long Covid.
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A self-disinfecting fabric eliminates bacteria, fungi and viruses in hospital settings
Researchers have developed a new self-disinfecting cotton fabric capable of eliminating bacteria, fungi and viruses in hospital settings using visible light. The material incorporates two photoactive compounds which, when exposed to light, generate a highly reactive form of oxygen that damages the microorganisms adhering to the fabric.
NewsFrom warning signals to action: Closing a critical gap in infectious disease preparedness
Between the first sign of an unusual event and an effective public health response lie several critical steps: verifying the signal, identifying the pathogen, assessing the risk, making a decision, and translating that decision into action. A new Perspective asks: how can infectious disease risk assessment better support timely and actionable public health decisions?
NewsCould a vaccine adjuvant help prepare for future pandemics?
A study in mice shows that K3-SPG can activate innate immunity, offering potential temporary defense against respiratory viruses while vaccines are developed.
NewsValue-aligned messages increased COVID-19 vaccination intentions, study finds
Vaccine-hesitant adults were more likely to consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine when public health messages acknowledged distrust of government and affirmed values such as personal liberty, a new study found.
NewsFungi that colonise human faeces: first scientific study lays the groundwork for myco-sanitation
Filamentous fungi can colonise fresh human faeces, and the choice of fungal species shapes how the material changes, according to a new study. Depending on the species, the fungi accelerated degradation, reduced faecal indicator bacteria, suppressed faecal odour or changed the appearance of the material.
NewsA newly discovered membrane defence help explain antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Scientists have uncovered how Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major multidrug-resistant superbug, helps block antibiotics from entering its cells. The study identifies two proteins that act like plugs inside a membrane channel, revealing a potential new target for treatments designed to weaken bacterial defenses.
NewsUniversity of Stirling secures £2.4M grant for major aquaculture project
Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasing challenge for Vietnam’s vast pangasius catfish industry, where farmers often have few practical alternatives when treatments stop working. A new £2.4 million project will bring scientists, farmers and policymakers together to develop more sustainable ways to control disease and reduce reliance on antibiotics.
NewsWhat makes hantaviruses jump from rodents to humans?
Why do some hantaviruses jump from rodents to humans while others remain largely confined to wildlife? A new study will combine viral genetics, climate data and wildlife ecology to uncover the conditions that drive spillover and help identify where future outbreaks are most likely to emerge.
NewsPooling samples could expand TB testing worldwide
Testing sputum samples in small groups could nearly double access to rapid tuberculosis diagnosis without doubling costs. The largest study of pooled TB testing found that the approach cut molecular test cartridge use by 51%, helping inform new WHO guidance for resource-constrained settings.
NewsA ‘society on a chip’ reveals how viruses spread
Researchers have built a centimetre-scale ‘society on a chip’ that recreates how viruses spread through structured populations. By changing cell density, susceptibility and movement, the platform can mimic transmission, social distancing and even herd-immunity-like effects in real time.
NewsCommon airway bacterium may help prepare lungs to fight pneumonia, study finds
A study found that exposure to Prevotella melaninogenica, a type of bacteria commonly found in healthy airways, changed the behavior of immune cells in the lungs of mice. When the mice were later exposed to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia, their immune systems were better able to recognize, engulf and clear the bacteria.
NewsThe benefits of vaccination extend beyond protection from infection
A study, carried out in mice, shows how after recovering from an acute viral infection, animals experienced a long period of impaired immune responsiveness which compromised their immune system’s ability to effectively respond to future challenges. Prior vaccination prevented these detrimental consequences, preserving immune function.
NewsGut microbes across continents trace ancient human migration
A new study has attempted to answer the question of whether homo sapiens hosted a characteristic and diverse microbiome going back millennia. Gaining insight into which, if any, long-term residents of the microbiome co-evolved with humans could point to ways to investigate how the loss of microbial diversity through industrialization impacts human biology.
NewsStudy may explain why IBD patients react to foods they once tolerated
A new study finds that gut inflammation can change the way gut bacteria break down food — possibly triggering immune reactions to foods that were previously fine to eat. The findings may help explain why so many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) react badly to foods like dairy or gluten, even in remission.
NewsDistinct malaria parasites “hidden in plain sight” may contribute to human disease protection
A new study that investigates the genetics of people and malaria parasites has found that people with the sickle cell variant are almost exclusively infected by a distinct variety of malaria parasites, which might contribute to their lower rates of disease.
NewsResearchers publish clinical data for rapid diagnostic urine test to detect invasive aspergillosis
Through long-standing research, which has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, investigators at Johns Hopkins Medicine have advanced insights into ways to better detect invasive aspergillosis (IA). Caused by mold, the infection is uncommon in the general population but can create significant health risks for people with underlying ...
NewsHPV vaccination before pregnancy linked to lower risk of preterm birth and other major complications
Having received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine before pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of major pregnancy complications including preterm birth, with the greater reduction in risk seen among women vaccinated at an earlier age, finds a large Swedish study.
NewsMaternal vaccines protect babies from serious infections, but unequal access limits benefits across Europe
Europe must act now to strengthen maternal vaccination in pregnancy and ensure all women and babies can benefit from a new generation of vaccines to protect against serious infections, says a new series being launched today.
NewsNew study raises questions about antifungal treatments during pregnancy
A study suggests that common antifungal medicines used during pregnancy may be associated with changes in foetal hormone production. However, the researchers cannot yet say whether the differences observed have consequences for the children later in life.