All articles by Linda Stewart
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NewsMedications leave lasting mark on the gut microbiome, even years after use
Analysing stool samples and prescription records from over 2,500 Estonian Biobank participants, researchers found that the majority of drugs studied were linked to microbiome changes, with a substantial number of them also showing long-term effects detectable years after patients stopped taking them.
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NewsMicrobial allies: Bacteria help fight against cancer
An international team of scientists have discovered that microbes associated with tumours produce a molecule that can control cancer progression and boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
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NewsScientists probe how microbial communities and environmental factors impact cotton development
Soil microbial communities play a vital role in plant health, influencing root development, disease resistance, nutrient and soil water uptake and more.Scientists are investigating how these microbial communities impact cotton development and overall yield across diverse climates, agricultural practices and environmental stressors.
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NewsHow an immune cell receptor dampens the fight against fungal infection
People are constantly exposed to fungal spores, including those of Aspergillus fumigatus, but individuals with weakened immune systems may develop life-threatening infections. In a recent study, researchers clarified the mechanisms by which the dendritic cell immunoreceptor (Dcir) suppresses neutrophil activity during infection with A. fumigatus.
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NewsAI uncovers hidden rules of some of nature’s toughest protein bonds
Scientists have shown how artificial intelligence can reveal the hidden rules of one of biology’s strangest phenomena: catch-bonds – molecular interactions that get stronger when pulled. Their findings shed light on how bacteria cling to surfaces, how tissues resist tearing, and how new biomaterials might be designed to harness force.
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NewsNew conservation committee led by Applied Microbiology International calls on science community to get on board with microbial conservation
The team behind a new world-leading conservation committee headed by Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is calling on global scientific and conservation communities to get on board to protect microbial life.
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NewsMethod probing dark matter uncovers hundreds of new bacteria, and two potential antibiotics
A new approach to exploring untapped soil resources circumvents the need to grow bacteria in the lab by extracting very large DNA fragments directly from soil to piece together the genomes of previously hidden microbes, and then mines resulting genomes for bioactive molecules.
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NewsUS COVID-19 school closures were not cost-effective - but other non-pharmaceutical interventions were
School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic imposed enormous long-term costs while other measures delivered better health outcomes for far less money, according to new research analysing non-pharmaceutical interventions in the United States.
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NewsAcross eight Amazon countries, forests on Indigenous lands reduce spread of 27 diseases
New research finds that municipalities in the Amazon region closest to healthy forests on Indigenous lands face less risk from rising cases of two categories of disease: cardiovascular and respiratory diseases due to forest fires and illnesses.
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NewsIt’s not hopeless: Scientists want to learn lessons from climate change communication to save our soil
Soil scientists have urged us all to play our part in protecting our soil and to heed the lessons learnt from those who have been championing actions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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NewsMolecular Sustainable Solutions receives investment from BeAble Capital to boost disinfection and sterilization methods
Molecular Sustainable Solutions, a spin-off from the Universitat Jaume I of Castelló (UJI), secures €186,000 investment from BeAble Capital, a leading Science Equity fund specializing in disruptive scientific technologies.
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NewsSwitching disease on and off: How a gene switch could help against bacterial infections
Researchers show how bacteria actively switch off their disease-causing mechanisms at high cell density and evade the immune system – a potential key to fighting infections better.
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NewsAMI invites applications to become its next President
Applied Microbiology International (AMI) has kicked off the process that will result in the election of its next President. The new President will take up their position in July 2026 and will be appointed for a three-year term of office. The position is appointed by the Trustees and ratified by AMI’s members at the Annual General Meeting.
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NewsJames Hutton Limited awarded almost £39,000 to develop innovation campus
James Hutton Limited, the commercial wing of The James Hutton Institute, has been awarded £38,881 from the Scottish Government to progress a clima-tech and agri-tech innovation campus at its Invergowrie site.
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NewsLiving cement: scientists turn bacteria-infused cement into energy-storing supercapacitors
By integrating electricity-generating microbes into cement, researchers have created a living supercapacitor that can store electricity and regenerate its capacity. The technology could pave the way for energy-autonomous buildings and infrastructure.
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NewsDiet rich in vegetable protein and fiber helps maternal and infant health during pregnancy and breastfeeding
A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fibre, vegetable proteins and healthy fats, benefits maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It prevents fat accumulation and optimizes the composition of the microbiota in the digestive system.
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NewsFrom Miami to Berlin: stowaway rat delivers valuable pathogen lessons
in 2017, a Miami–Berlin flight took an unexpected turn when passengers spotted a rat on board. The incident underscored how easily pathogens can spread across continents—and why standardized testing of animal stowaways is so important.
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NewsYour genes could prune your gut bugs and protect you from disease
Researchers uncover genetic peptides that shape gut bacteria and protect against obesity and diabetes, revealing gut health is influenced by more than just diet and opening doors to personalised treatments.
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NewsSwitch on, switch off: the dynamic defense of a deadly plant disease
Even strains of Phytophthora infestans considered sensitive to mefenoxam can rapidly develop resistance after a single exposure to a low dose. Researchers have uncovered the dynamics of this defense mechanism, revealing a foe that is more adaptable than previously thought.
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NewsResearchers uncover how COVID-19 may linger in cancer patients and affect treatment outcomes
New research is providing important insights into how COVID-19 persists in cancer patients even long after testing positive. Researchers studied three cancer patients who had undergone transplant therapies and were hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infections.