All Editorial articles – Page 9
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CareersFood and innovation: Reflections from FOODMicro 2026
AMI Food Security Advisory Group member Professor Marciane Magnani, a Full Professor of Food Science at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Brazil, reflects on her experiences of FOODMICRO 2026 in Slovenia.
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NewsTiny marine worms shop around for bacterial partners
Like shoppers wandering between market stalls, tiny gutless marine worms appear to pick and change the bacterial partners they depend on for survival. A new study suggests this flexibility may help the worms tap into different sources of food and energy and adapt to changing environments.
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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.
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NewsGut bacteria shape how fiber works
Eating more fiber does not necessarily mean the same thing for every gut microbiome. New research shows that plant-based carbohydrates can favor Segatella copri only when certain other bacteria are already present, revealing how strongly diet depends on the microbial community it enters.
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NewsResearchers built a low-cost system that knows when coughing is on the rise
What if a room could tell when coughing is on the rise without cameras or identifying anyone? Researchers have developed a low-cost sensor system that uses microphones, AI and lightweight computing to count coughs and distinguish between different coughers, potentially helping hospitals spot increases in respiratory illness earlier.
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NewsPetal ‘windows’ affect the abundance of microbes within flowers
Some flowers have petals with small semi-translucent sections. Research reveals that these “windows” alter the amount of light and heat entering the flower and create conditions that influence microbial abundance.
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NewsNobel Prize: Light-seeking algae gave us a switch for nerve cells
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2026 is awarded for optogenetics - a method that makes it possible to show how nerve cells shape memories, feelings and behaviours in the living brain. But the road to the award began when Peter Hegemann wondered how the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas, is able to swim towards a light source.
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NewsTiny organisms play a big role in transporting carbon to the depths of the Baltic Sea
Tiny photosynthetic organisms in the Baltic Sea can contribute substantially to the transport of carbon from surface waters to deeper parts of the sea. A new study shows that their ability to form colonies and aggregates is an important factor determining how much of their biomass sinks.
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NewsStudy reveals how a common hospital pathogen senses iron—opening a new avenue for fighting antibiotic resistance
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common culprit in hospital-acquired bacterial infections and is growing more resistant to antibiotics. New findings show how a two-protein system inside the bacterium operates like a sensitive switch: the pair detects iron both outside and inside the cell and then rewrites large parts of the microbe’s metabolism in response.
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NewsAntimalarial drugs can persist in mosquitoes, exposing malaria parasites, study finds
Antimalarial drugs are designed to protect people from malaria, but they may also affect the mosquitoes exposed to them during blood meals. A new study investigates the impact of these medications on mosquitoes, laying the groundwork for future research into how the drugs may influence the malaria parasites developing within them.
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NewsAMI celebrates accreditation recognising strong EDI culture
Applied Microbiology International is celebrating after being awarded Investors in Diversity’s Silver for Charities accreditation - the highest level of accreditation available for small charities under the small charities scheme.
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NewsWHO response to report of a death of a laboratory worker in Russia of severe pneumonia
The World Health Orgnanization has issued a statement from WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the report of a death of a laboratory worker in Russia of severe pneumonia.
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NewsScientists identify gene signatures in children with severe COVID-19 infection
Researchers have identified patterns of gene activity associated with severe COVID-19 in children that are shared with other serious respiratory infections. They discovered ten groups of genes which were expressed in a similar pattern across the different lower respiratory tract infections.
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NewsArt x Science Calendar created by drag queens, kings and microbiologists
The THIRST 2027 wall calendar is a collaborative art + science project that celebrates the hidden lives of microorganisms and their intimate relationship with water through a series of 12 original photographic art works.Twelve microorganisms are embodied in environments ranging from the Siberian permafrost, freshwater ponds, tropical oceans to geothermal hot springs.
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NewsPatch brings light to wound care
Researchers working on innovative treatment methods for chronic wounds have developed a material that releases active ingredients in a controlled manner when exposed to light, which could improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce its side effects.
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NewsUganda launches Phase I clinical study of Bundibugyo virus disease vaccine
A Phase I clinical study has been launched evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of a candidate vaccine against Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a severe form of Ebola virus disease caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). The study is part of an international effort to develop vaccines against Ebola virus species for which no licensed vaccines are currently available.
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NewsKenya confirms first imported Bundibugyo virus disease case; WHO supports control efforts
Following the confirmation by Kenyan authorities of the country’s first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), the World Health Organization (WHO) is working closely with the Government of Kenya to intensify key control measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
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NewsOncolytic viruses and CAR cells team up against solid tumors
Oncolytic viruses and CAR-T or CAR-NK cells could be engineered together to overcome some of the biggest barriers in solid tumor treatment. A new review outlines how these therapies may be combined into programmable systems that improve tumor targeting, immune-cell infiltration and sustained antitumor activity.
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NewsReading the ocean’s snowflakes: How AI decodes marine snow
A constant snowfall of tiny particles drifts through the ocean, carrying carbon, nutrients and plastic toward the deep sea. Scientists are now developing AI tools that could reveal what this “marine snow” is made of simply by analyzing underwater images.
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NewsRapid genomic test identifies fungal bloodstream infections
Researchers have developed a rapid genomic method that can identify fungal bloodstream infections at the species level in about seven hours. By combining host DNA depletion, whole-genome amplification and real-time nanopore sequencing, the approach could help clinicians select appropriate antifungal treatment much earlier.