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
Diabetes worsens long COVID complications
In a study involving 870 participants, people with diabetes took longer to recover from the virus and experienced more severe cardiac complications, as well as greater physical and cognitive difficulties.
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NewsGlobal burden of viral skin diseases rises 36% since 1990: Children and elderly bear the brunt
Global analysis of viral skin diseases underscores the need for equitable policies: while high-income countries have made progress via vaccination and better healthcare, low-resource regions lag behind.
NewsCascading disaster: While U.S. HIV infections have fallen, they are rising among Latinos
From 2010 to 2022, new HIV infections in the United States declined 19% overall but among Latinos, they rose 12%. In 2023, new HIV diagnoses among Latinos jumped 8% in a single year — the largest increase of any racial or ethnic group in the country.
NewsShare your story: Neurodivergent STEM professionals invited to take part in video project
Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is inviting researchers, students and professionals across the STEM community to take part in a new video series exploring the experiences of neurodivergent people working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
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Researcher wins $5.6M NIH Avant Garde Award to prevent HIV, Hepatitis C and overdose
An innovative project will use AI-powered “digital twins” to help public health agencies better prevent HIV, hepatitis C and overdose among people who use drugs.
Oropouche virus has already infected more than 5 million people in Brazil, study suggests
The recent Oropouche virus outbreak in 2023 has drawn attention in Brazil and other Latin American countries because of its scale and rapid spread. Researchers estimate that since 1960, the virus has infected approximately 9.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean.
New study shows near-complete reduction of cervical cancer deaths among HPV-vaccinated adolescents in England
A new study suggests the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine may be responsible for a near-complete protective effect against death from cervical cancer among women under 30 in England who received the vaccine between 12-18 years old.
Biopiracy in microbiology: Who owns nature’s resources?
A growing global debate over “biopiracy” is raising urgent questions for microbiologists, researchers, industry and policymakers alike — and Applied Microbiology International is calling on members to help shape the conversation.
Researchers produce biodegradable bioplastic from potato starch using a modified bacterium
A new study has produced a biodegradable bioplastic from unprocessed potato starch in a single 24-hour step, establishing that the bacterium Bacillus subtilis is a robust platform of great industrial interest for producing polyhydroxybutyrate from a low-cost agricultural by-product.
Pandemic may have reshaped England’s medication use
Medication dispensing patterns in England shifted during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of national primary care dispensing data. The use of some treatments recovered to or exceeded pre-pandemic levels, including medications for cardiovascular disease and diabetes; the use of others remained lower.
Fermentation science may offer new route to better lower-alcohol wine
In addition to finding ways to ferment grape juice without producing as much alcohol, one scientist is exploring novel yeasts and methods to overproduce aromas to compensate for their eventual loss when reducing alcohol through grape juice dilution.
First-in-human clinical trial shows promising results for new Lassa fever vaccine
Researchers have reported encouraging results from an early clinical trial that tested a new dual vaccine against Lassa fever and rabies. The study found that the vaccine was safe and induced immune responses against both viruses. There are currently no vaccines against Lassa fever on the market.
Digital model guides cleaner biohydrogen production
A research team has developed an enzyme-aware digital model that explains why hydrogen-producing microbes often struggle to grow fast and generate hydrogen efficiently at the same time. The study reveals how limited enzyme resources shape the balance between cell growth, by-product formation, and hydrogen generation.
Food insecurity linked to gut microbiome changes in children
A new study shows that food insecurity may leave a measurable impact on the gut microbiome of children. Children in food-insecure households had different gut microbiome profiles, including higher levels of Sutterella, which has been linked to poor dietary quality and intestinal inflammation.
Study reveals core values that drive Black and Hispanic parents’ decisions on vaccinating their kids against COVID-19
Persistently low rates of COVID-19 vaccination in Black and Hispanic children suggest that parents in these communities tend to be hesitant about the vaccine for their kids, even when they have received it themselves. A new study sheds light on the factors influencing decisions about vaccination.
‘Baked’, printed, ready – premiere of architecture made from yeast
Researchers have developed a new, entirely bio-based material from a somewhat unexpected ingredient: yeast. The material is 3D printed and customised for use in architectural and interior design elements that are currently made from non-renewable or fossil-based materials, such as plaster, plastic or synthetic textiles.
Building sector infrastructure: The MLSFF model
Members of the MLSFF Steering Committee explores the sustainability problem that plagues equity initiatives in STEM - and the solutions presented by the infrastructure partnership that delivers Europe’s only conference for minoritised life scientists.
EU project aims to make climate-neutral plastics and cosmetics using bacteria
A European research team is aiming to revolutionize the chemical industry: as part of the CarboNcare project, scientists are developing bacteria that can produce important chemical base materials from sustainable methanol – thereby replacing fossil resources.
Redesigning an elusive bacterial enzyme into an efficient green catalyst
Scientists engineer the CYP107J1 enzyme from Bacillus subtilis into a more practical tool for selective oxidation chemistry.
Asian scientists unveil 10-year roadmap for building synthetic cells
Scientists from six Asian countries have launched an ambitious 10-year effort to build synthetic cells from non-living molecules, marking the region’s first coordinated push to create an artificial single-celled biological system.
Pan-European One Health Network established to bolster infectious disease response
iiCON: the Infection Innovation Consortium has successfully secured funding from COST to establish a unique pan-European COST Action network with over 70 collaborators from 21 countries and international organisations to harmonise the European response to infectious disease threats.
Skin-to-skin care may save newborn lives
Kangaroo mother care, first introduced as an alternative to insufficient incubator care, combines skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, early discharge, and follow-up support. A new review case makes the case for treating iKMC not as an optional add-on, but as a core part of neonatal care for eligible preterm and low-birth-weight infants.
Researchers aim to improve access to high-quality research and biomanufacturing tools in resource-limited settings
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of a suite of low-cost, portable biotechnology tools designed to improve access to laboratory research and diagnostics in resource-limited settings.