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
Study suggests some maternal HIV infections may be missed during pregnancy
Newborns exposed to HIV during pregnancy or birth should receive antiretroviral medication immediately after delivery - but a study finds more than half of infants diagnosed with HIV in their first year of life had not received this essential postnatal treatment.
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NewsBacterial genomes hold clues for creating personalized probiotics
A new study demonstrates the ability to predict the nutritional adaptations of Bifidobacterium strains by analyzing the distribution of hundreds of metabolic genes in thousands of Bifidobacterium genomes.
NewsModel can calculate the often hidden costs of fungicide resistance
An international research team has developed a mathematical model that can be used to calculate the economic and often hidden costs of fungicide resistance. They used a model that can be used to calculate the spread of fungal diseases in several fields.
NewsAvian flu has major economic costs for dairy industry
A new paper shows that the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus causes severe mastitis and decreased milk production in dairy cows, a drop-off that may extend beyond the clinical outbreak period.
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News
Antibiotic resistance predicts higher mortality risk in 17-year follow-up
A population-based study finds that in addition to antibiotic use, diet, sex, living environment, income level and certain gut bacteria are associated with a higher burden of resistance.
Novel open-source diagnostic tool offers affordable, reliable pathogen detection for resource-limited settings
Researchers have developed an open-source reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay that is lyophilized for heat stability and uses non-proprietary components, making it an affordable tool for pathogen detection in diverse settings.
Hepatitis C treatment is not reaching some at-risk populations, studies show
Studies reveal that two vulnerable populations — children and recently pregnant women — face disparities in access to treatment for hepatitis C infection. Without treatment, they are at risk of long-term adverse health outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.
Electrochemiluminescence boosts flexible displays in wearable devices
A new review details the design, preparation, and applications of electrochemiluminescence devices, offering the potential for the development of lightweight and intelligent wearable devices.
Clove oil offers promise as antimicrobial alternative that could target healthcare-associated infections in low-income countries
A research study presented at MLS Future Forum 2025 has revealed that clove essential oil could offer potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional antimicrobials. While clove oil showed antibacterial and antifungal effects, turpentine oil had little antimicrobial activity.
Fecal samples from bowhead whales link ocean warming to rising algal toxins in Arctic waters
Rising toxins found in bowhead whales, harvested for subsistence purposes by Alaska Native communities, reveal that ocean warming is causing higher concentrations of algal toxins in Arctic food webs.
Cohort data from Denmark show real-world evidence of stable protection against HPV-related cervical cancer
Denmark has been offering free vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) to girls since 2008. New data show vaccination has effectively reduced infections with cancerogenic HPV 16/18 types covered by the vaccine, indicating population immunity.
Global trends and cross-country inequalities of acute hepatitis E in the elderly, 1990–2021
Acute hepatitis E (AHE) in the elderly can lead to severe complications including liver failure and mortality. A new study aimed to assess the trends and health inequalities of AHE among the elderly over the past three decades, and predict its changes by 2030.
Researchers develop superstrong, eco-friendly materials from bacteria
Scientists have developed a scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials. Their biosynthesis technique aligns bacterial cellulose fibers in real-time, resulting in robust biopolymer sheets with exceptional mechanical properties.
Protecting the most vulnerable: ECDC recommendations to address ongoing local transmission of diphtheria
A new ECDC Rapid Risk Assessment highlights how ongoing circulation of diphtheria caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae may affect some populations who are more vulnerable to infection and issues recommendations to protect those most at risk.
Engineers develop electrochemical sensors for cheap, disposable diagnostics
Electrodes coated with DNA could enable inexpensive tests with a long shelf-life, which could detect many diseases and be deployed in the doctor’s office or at home.
Antibiotics are failing in many countries in Africa, new study reveals
The largest retrospective study on resistance to antibiotics in Africa highlights the need for major investments to enhance laboratory capabilities and healthcare access.
Align announces new collaboration with ATCC to bring AI-ready microbial datasets to life
The Align Foundation has announced a collaboration with ATCC to create the world’s largest public, AI-ready microbial phenotyping dataset.
Gut microbiome composition and food insecurity linked to risk of cognitive impairment in adults
A new study has found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment (RCI) in adults, underscoring the complex role that both biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity—play in brain health.
Coveted lac pigment may have a fungal origin
The colourful pigment extracted from the lac insect may actually be produced by a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect, a new study has found. The yeast-like organism exclusively harbours genes coding for key ingredients in the pigment synthesis pathway.
Researchers deploy yeast platform to turn urine into high-value bio-implant material
Researchers have engineered a yeast platform that converts human urine from wastewater into hydroxyapatite, a high-value, biocompatible substance for use in dental and bone implants, restoration of archaeological artifacts and other applications.
Mushrooms could be the key to developing better materials
Researchers are studying the cell structure of fungi to learn how it determines their mechanical properties and what science can learn from that to create better materials. They analyzed their cell structures and tested them to calculate the stress loads they could handle.
International comparison reveals gender differences in antimicrobial resistance
A recent study analysed the DNA map of more than 14,000 gut metagenomes in a global dataset and found differences in antibiotic resistance between genders. In high-income countries, women had more antibiotic resistance genes than men.
Paper-based devices diagnose malaria in asymptomatic people
Devices made with cheap strips of paper have outperformed two other testing methods in detecting malaria infection in asymptomatic people in Ghana – a diagnostic advance that could accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease, researchers say.