Linda Stewart
News and Current Affairs Editor
Linda studied Pure & Applied Biology BA at St Anne’s College, Oxford, before completing an MSc in Conservation at UCL. After two years in a Water Service lab in Northern Ireland, she switched to a career in newspaper journalism, working as a general reporter at the Belfast Telegraph before becoming the regional daily’s first Environment Correspondent from 2008 until 2016. She was named Environment Correspondent of the Year 2011 and Feature Journalist of the Year in 2014 at the NI Media Awards. After serving as editor on a number of retail sector magazines, she is enjoying turning her journalism skills to delivering fresh and fascinating scientific news content in The Microbiologist.
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NewsBroader antibiotic use could change the course of cholera outbreaks, research suggests
Disease modeling research suggests that, for some cholera outbreaks, prescribing antibiotics more aggressively could slow or stop the spread of the disease and even reduce the likelihood of antibiotic resistance.
NewsNational-level actions effective at tackling antibiotic resistance
National-level policies can reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance across diverse countries, according to a new study. The comparison of countries found that national action was consistently associated with improved indicators of antibiotic resistance.
NewsA hidden control center: How bacteria regulate their attack strategies
Researchers have discovered that a key bacterial protein, CsrA, gathers in a droplet-like structure inside cells to control when and how bacteria activate their disease-causing genes.
NewsHuman protein HSF2 helps wake up sleeping cancer-linked viruses
A new study demonstrates the ability of the human protein HSF2 to remodel the viral DNA to enable the transition from dormant viral latency to active lytic reactivation.
NewsCOVID-19 vaccinations are metabolically safe, research finds
New research confirms that multiple doses of COVID-19 vaccines do not cause significant metabolic changes, offering reassurance for those concerned about potential long-term side effects of vaccination.
NewsNow is the time to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) programs in healthcare facilities
A joint position paper urges United States healthcare facilities to elevate the standards and effectiveness of their Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programs.
NewsHow math helps to protect crops from invasive disease
New research demonstrates how mathematical modeling can predict outbreaks of toxic fungi in Texas corn crops—offering a potential lifeline to farmers facing billions in harvest losses.
NewsMeasles may be making a comeback in the US, research finds
If immunization rates drop further over a prolonged period of time, measles and even other wiped-out diseases — such as rubella and polio — could one day make a comeback in the United States, according to a new study.
NewsBacteria’s mysterious viruses can fan flames of antibiotic damage, according to new model
Researchers built a model that allows them to diminish phage communities from a mouse gut microbiome — and then bring them back — without affecting the bacteria. A test run found evidence that phages may increase gut bacteria’s sensitivity to antibiotics.
NewsGlobal virus network issues urgent call to action to mitigate the rising threat of H5N1 avian influenza
The Global Virus Network (GVN) has issued a call-to-action, calling on world governments to address the threat of H5N1 avian influenza by enhancing surveillance, implementing biosecurity measures, and preparing for potential human-to-human transmission.
NewsEvery dose counts: Safeguarding the success of vaccination in Europe
Marking European Immunization Week (EIW) 2025, a new report highlights the risks of suboptimal vaccination coverage in Europe and publishes a set of operational tools that public health authorities can use to improve vaccination acceptance and uptake.
NewsInfluenza virus hacks cell’s internal system
The influenza virus manipulates the body’s gene regulation system to accelerate its own spread, according to researchers. Their study shows that an already approved drug could help strengthen immune defenses—though its effect in humans remains to be confirmed.
NewsAntibiotic resistance: Towards drugs to disarm bacteria
Researchers have identified the mutation frequency decline (Mfd) protein, a virulence factor produced by all bacteria and essential for them to resist the host immune system. This protein has the additional function of promoting spontaneous and random mutations.
NewsEuropean Immunization Week 2025: Inequalities in immunisation against measles could contribute to outbreaks
Research reveals inequalities in MMR vaccination that may contribute to measles outbreaks and epidemics, emphasising the importance of socioeconomic and demographic data in driving public health efforts.
NewsUpdated recommendations to prevent infections through effective sterilization and high-level disinfection of reusable medical devices
New comprehensive guidance has been released in the US to help healthcare facilities prevent the transmission of infections through improved practices in sterilization and high-level disinfection (HLD) of reusable medical devices.
NewsBNT162b2 vaccine not only targets COVID-19 virus, but may also help control innate inflammation
New findings suggest the BNT162b2 vaccine may reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators to bacterial, fungal or viral infections by reprogramming innate immune cells to regulate inflammation.
NewsNew pests and diseases will cut UK tree growth
The arrival of new plant pests and diseases is likely to severely damage UK trees and woodlands in the coming decades, new research shows.
NewsBirds hold remarkable clues to fighting human and animal infections
Researchers have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary adaptation in birds that could hold vital clues for combating avian flu and respiratory infections in humans, including pneumonia and COVID-19.
NewsTick researchers identify new strain of rickettsia bacteria that causes spotted fever infections in humans
In a residential backyard in Maine, researchers stumbled upon a surprise finding: rabbit ticks harboring a new type of bacteria related to a group of pathogens that can cause sometimes life-threatening spotted fever rickettsioses (SFR) infections in humans.
NewsStudy identifies how malaria can lead to childhood cancer
New data has uncovered the role of Plasmodium falciparum infection (malaria) in the development of Burkitt lymphoma (BL), the most common childhood cancer in equatorial Africa and New Guinea.