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
Microbes linked to oilfield reservoir souring prove remarkably persistent
New research being presented at the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Research Symposium shines a fresh light on the persistence of microbial communities that are linked to the contamination of oilfield reservoirs - a problem that costs the energy sector billions of dollars a year.
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NewsStudy finds X’s community notes provide accurate, credible answers to vaccine misinformation
A new study finds X’s Community Notes has resulted in hundreds of millions of views of accurate and credible COVID-19 vaccine education, suggesting considerable potential for the correction of misinformation.
NewsBacteria can deliver on promise of climate-neutral chemicals of the future
To explore the potential of synthetic methylotrophs for the biotechnological production of industrially relevant bulk chemicals, researchers have equipped the bacteria with additional genes for four different biosynthetic pathways.
NewsDNA vaccine against zika performs well in tests on mice
A Zika vaccine developed in Brazil and tested on mice has been found to be efficacious, inducing an immune response against the virus and protecting the animals appropriately.
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News
Black women hospitalised in USA with blood infection resistant to last-resort antibiotic at increased risk of death
New research finds that the odds of death in black women with a bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by carbapenem-resistant enterobacterales (CRE) was twice that of black men or white women.
DIY beeswax food wraps could be a lifesaver in conflict regions like Ukraine
Home-made antimicrobial beeswax food wraps containing locally sourced herbs could provide low cost food storage in areas of Ukraine where the power supply has been disrupted by the Russian invasion.
Researchers deploy fungus to extract useful proteins from beer-brewing leftovers
Researchers have created a method that extracts over 80 per cent of the available protein in grain leftovers from brewing beer, commonly known as brewers’ spent grain.
A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic
Engineered bacteria can produce a plastic modifier that makes renewably sourced plastic more processable, more fracture resistant and highly biodegradable even in sea water.
Keynote speakers at Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Research Symposium announced
Applied Microbiology International has announced the keynote speakers at the Letters in Applied Microbiology Early Career Scientist Research Symposium
Plastic-free vegan leather that dyes itself grown from bacteria
Researchers at Imperial College London have genetically engineered bacteria to grow animal- and plastic-free leather that dyes itself.
More than 18,000 excess TB cases in the U.S. attributable to structural racism
A robust analysis of national tuberculosis (TB) surveillance data found continuing, persistent disparities in TB incidence among U.S.-born racial and ethnic minorities, despite an overall decrease in cases observed during the analysis period.
Nominations open for Applied Microbiology International Awards 2024
Applied Microbiology International is delighted to announce that its acclaimed awards programme is now open for nominations.
Researchers identify microbes that help plants thwart parasite
Researchers have shown that soil microbes induce changes in sorghum roots that make the plant more resistant to infection by witchweed. They identified specific strains of bacteria that trigger these resistance traits and could be applied as a soil ’probiotic’.
Life-changing and unforgettable: Dami and Jisa report back on ABRCMS
Students Dami Okeyoyin and Jisa Salim report back after attending the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS) 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona in November with AMI trustee Dr Emmanuel Adukwu.
Study reviews valorization of depolymerized lignin using microorganisms
Lignin is an abundant natural polymer which is eliminated as a byproduct in the pulp and paper industry. A recent review article explored different microbial processes available for sustainable lignin valorization, yielding not only environmental, but also economic benefits.
Faster and simpler point-of-care malaria test developed
Researchers have developed a rapid, accurate test for diagnosing malaria that is significantly faster and easier to use than traditional tests. The advancement has the potential to improve patient outcomes, especially in rural regions with limited health care resources.
New disease testing component facilitates lower-cost diagnostics
Biomedical researchers have developed a new, less expensive way to detect nuclease digestion – one of the critical steps in many nucleic acid sensing applications, such as those used to identify COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
IVI to open Africa Regional Office in Rwanda
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an international organization with a mission to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health, and the Ministry of Health of Rwanda have announced that IVI will open its Africa Regional Office in Kigali this year.
Discovery opens new possibilities for maximizing nitrogenase’s potential
Researchers have discovered two essential electron carriers which play a key role in determining the performance of iron (Fe) nitrogenase, thus opening up new possibilities for elucidating and maximizing nitrogenase’s potential.
Mice study suggests metabolic diseases may be driven by gut microbiome, loss of ovarian hormones
The gut microbiome interacts with the loss of female sex hormones to exacerbate metabolic disease, including weight gain, fat in the liver and the expression of genes linked with inflammation, researchers found in a new rodent study.
Biomineralization offers sustainable strategy against microbial corrosion in marine concrete
Researchers have introduced a novel biomineralization strategy, which effectively isolates marine concrete from microbially induced corrosion, contributing to the achievement of sustainable coastal structures.
New nitrogen-fixing bacteria for sustainable agriculture
Discover developments in biological nitrogen fixation technology and research, as sustainable agriculture becomes a hot topic.
Uptake of HIV prevention medication doubles with mix of digital health interventions
A combination of interventions of one-on-one telehealth coaching, peer support forums, and automated text messages more than doubled the use of the HIV prevention strategy, called PrEP, among younger, at-risk Americans.
