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
Green hydrogen production and storage using alcohols, iron, and baker’s yeast
A new recyclable system uses baker’s yeast to store H₂ in organic molecules and iron ions to release it when needed - offering a promising route toward more sustainable hydrogen production and storage.
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NewsCreating yeast strains that aren’t picky eaters
Scientists have engineered yeasts that can simultaneously use different sugars in biomass crops.
NewsAn oil-accumulating yeast could help make next-generation aviation fuels
New research suggests that bio-based advanced aviation fuels produced by yeast could help meet the demand for domestically produced aviation fuels.
NewsBiochar as an “electron bridge” unlocks hidden power of energy‑saving wastewater treatment
New research reveals how a charcoal‑like material triples electron transfer capacity in ammonia‑removing microbes, cutting wastewater treatment costs by up to 90%.
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News
Simple diet changes help microbes produce higher-quality biomaterials
Feeding bacteria a cheap agricultural by-product enables the production of high-value biomaterials with promising biomedical and industrial applications.
Modeling social inequality in epidemics
New study introduces a metric into disease-transmission models which quantifies the degree to which social determinants of health — like neighborhood, access to healthcare, or economic status — cause outbreaks.
Climate change predicted to drive changes in diarrheal disease prevalence in several countries in Africa
Researchers have identified key social and environmental factors that influence how climate change affects childhood diarrheal diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
MIT engineers connect bacteria to create living transistors
Researchers have engineered bacteria in such a way as to build circuits that can perform complicated calculations.
Doctoral student aims to detect insect-borne viruses sooner
A biomedical engineering doctoral student at the University of Nebraska is developing generative foundation models to forecast the emergence of arboviruses before they spill over into humans.
New water freeze-drying sample preparation method allows for the capture of a near-native ultrastructure of bacteria
A collaborative research team has successfully applied Water Freeze-Drying method to bacterial specimens, allowing them to capture the ultrastructure of bacteria in near-native form via scanning electron microscopy.
Preventive TB treatment for individuals with HIV shown to be effective in real-world settings
A new study has evaluated the real-world impact of TB preventive treatment in six countries with high TB and HIV rates and highlights the importance of preventive treatment in reducing deaths caused by a curable disease.
Genome-scale model-guided microbial engineering converts agricultural waste into biodegradable bioplastics
Researchers develop a genome-scale model-guided microbial engineering platform that converts kimchi industry waste into biodegradable bioplastics.
Industrial-scale biotech production of proteins and vitamins economically viable
Researchers are developing biotechnological methods called “power-to-protein” and “power-to-vitamin” processes which use microbes to produce proteins and vitamins for human consumption using basic chemical ingredients – entirely bypassing livestock farming and agriculture.
Barley discovery reveals nitrogen cycling pathway that could offer a nature-based solution to fertilizer loss
A new study reveals the presence of a nitrogen cycling pathway in barley that could prove valuable in cutting fertilizer requirements as the cost to farmers rises.
Fungi enhance hydrogels for stronger, safer materials
New research uses a natural substance from fungi, called chitin, to create hydrogels that are both significantly stronger and tougher.
Corn stalks. It’s what’s for dinner … If you’re a microbe
Engineers have developed a strain of a common bacterial species, Pseudomonas putida, that can feed exclusively on the three major sugars present in corn stalks, with broader implications for the future of biomanufacturing.
Your next handbag could start with mycelium
Researchers create durable, biodegradable vegan leather from fungal fibers using a manufacturing process designed for large-scale production.
Protein-enriched ketchup gets a boost from algae extracts
Added protein is showing up in foods from breakfast cereal to pasta, but not many condiments … yet. Researchers have now developed an enriched tomato ketchup by incorporating protein extracted from microalgae.
New platform speeds bacterial gene mapping for better biotech design
A new platform pinpoints genetic triggers that turn microbes into efficient factories for new chemicals and materials.
Biofortified millet benefits toddlers without supplement side effects
Toddlers who ate iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet for nine months did not experience adverse effects typically associated with increased iron intake and developed gut microbiomes with distinct and potentially beneficial changes.
Free webinar: The secret world of the vaginal microbiome
A fascinating free webinar will shine a light into the secret world of the human microbiome and how it influences gynecological health. It will focus on what the vaginal microbiome can reveal about health, disease, and the gaps in care we still need to address.
New Mexico measles outbreak estimated to cost $5.4 million
A cost analysis of the 2025 measles outbreak in New Mexico found that the outbreak carried an estimated societal cost of $5.4 million, or more than $53,000 per case.