All articles by Linda Stewart – Page 3
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NewsTracking infectious disease spread via commuting pattern data
Researchers have introduced a Commuter Metapopulation Model (CMPM) to simulate the spread of COVID-19 with actual commuting data provided by the country’s second-largest telecommunication network, revealing it could better capture spatial variety in outbreak patterns.
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NewsHow AMI prioritises wellbeing for its staff
Applied Microbiology International’s own Emma Prissick has shared how the learned society prioritises the health and wellbeing of staff.
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NewsYeast survives Martian conditions, study shows
Life on Mars would have to contend with challenging conditions including shock waves from meteorite impacts and soil perchlorates. Scientists subjected Saccharomyces cerevisiae to these conditions, finding those that survived had assembled RNP condensates.
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NewsWhen faucets rest: hidden microbial risks emerge in hours
Stagnant water in building plumbing systems is a well-known driver of microbial growth and contamination, including L. pneumophila. A new study highlights a short “microbial safety window” of 2–4 hours, after which risks increase significantly.
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NewsData-guided bioelectrodes pave way for greener remediation
There is an urgent need to develop data-driven strategies that can accelerate and scale up microbial dechlorination for contaminated environments. Researchers report a new machine learning framework that integrates experimental features with microbial biofilm data to optimize bioelectrodechlorination.
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NewsScientist invents MICROCAP, an algae-based oxygen generator that removes CO₂ and purifies indoor air
A lecturer in Thailand has invented the MICROCAP air purifier, which uses photosynthetic algae to absorb carbon dioxide and produce 20 times more oxygen than trees.
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NewsWHO upgrades its public health intelligence system to boost global health security
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched version 2.0 of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, used globally for the early detection of public health threats.
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NewsMaldives is first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
The World Health Organization has validated the Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, while maintaining its earlier validation for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis. This makes the Maldives the first country in the world to achieve ‘triple elimination’.
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NewsWHO warns of widespread resistance to common antibiotics worldwide
One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report.
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NewsMeasles immunity 90% in BC’s Lower Mainland
In British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, 90% of people have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection, according to a new study.
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NewsTwo-dose recombinant shingles vaccine is effective even accounting for prior receipt of live shingles vaccine
A target trial emulation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) accounting for prior receipt of live zoster vaccine (ZVL) and immunocompetence. The results suggest individuals vaccinated with ZVL should be revaccinated with two doses of RZV.
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NewsPioneering gut health testing with a simple finger prick
Zinzino, the Scandinavian health and wellness company, has announced the launch of its innovative Gut Health Test. With a simple at-home finger prick, this is the first commercial test to measure what gut bacteria produce and how the body responds.
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NewsToxoplasmosis: how the pathogen exploits its own envelope
Researchers have developed a novel imaging technique that allows reliable visualization of the process of endocytosis in Toxoplasma for the first time. The material enters the pathogen through a micropore in its cell membrane.
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NewsSped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome
A genetic mechanism inserts mutations into key DNA hotspots that enable bacteria to adapt to new environments, a new study finds.
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NewsClimate change may increase the spread of neurotoxin in the oceans
Climate-driven oxygen loss in the Black Sea thousands of years ago triggered the expansion of microorganisms capable of producing the potent neurotoxin methylmercury. That is shown in a new study which suggests that similar processes could occur in today’s warming oceans.
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NewsRevolutionizing bioplastics: a microbial platform for fully bio-based long-chain polyesters
Researchers have developed a scalable, end-to-end microbial process transforming plant oils into sustainable polyesters comparable to petroleum-based plastics.
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NewsScientists develop safer and more sustainable antimicrobials to prevent infection of cow udders
A new study has unveiled an alternative class of potent antimicrobial compounds that could be used in the agriculture industry to combat multi-drug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis.
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NewsExpanding the genetic toolkit: nitrogen-response promoters developed for Bacillus licheniformis
Promoters are crucial expression elements in synthetic biology, and Bacillus licheniformis serves as an excellent chassis cell for industrial production, but is restricted by a lack of nitrogen source-responsive promoters.
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NewsMolecular bodyguard helps infections persist
Researchers have identified a key molecular player that helps bacteria survive the hostile environment inside the body. Their study reveals how the protein RfaH acts as a protective shield for bacterial genes — and points to new strategies for fighting persistent infections.
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NewsEarth’s oxygen boom: a fresh perspective for a billion-year-old problem
A new study examines nickel and urea in early microbial habitats, showing how ancient cyanobacteria adapted to their chemical surroundings. By recreating Archean conditions in the lab, researchers uncovered clues about the delicate balances that shaped early cyanobacterial life.