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
Biochar as an “electron bridge” unlocks hidden power of energy‑saving wastewater treatment
New research reveals how a charcoal‑like material triples electron transfer capacity in ammonia‑removing microbes, cutting wastewater treatment costs by up to 90%.
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NewsSimple diet changes help microbes produce higher-quality biomaterials
Feeding bacteria a cheap agricultural by-product enables the production of high-value biomaterials with promising biomedical and industrial applications.
NewsModeling social inequality in epidemics
New study introduces a metric into disease-transmission models which quantifies the degree to which social determinants of health — like neighborhood, access to healthcare, or economic status — cause outbreaks.
NewsClimate change predicted to drive changes in diarrheal disease prevalence in several countries in Africa
Researchers have identified key social and environmental factors that influence how climate change affects childhood diarrheal diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
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News
MIT engineers connect bacteria to create living transistors
Researchers have engineered bacteria in such a way as to build circuits that can perform complicated calculations.
Doctoral student aims to detect insect-borne viruses sooner
A biomedical engineering doctoral student at the University of Nebraska is developing generative foundation models to forecast the emergence of arboviruses before they spill over into humans.
New water freeze-drying sample preparation method allows for the capture of a near-native ultrastructure of bacteria
A collaborative research team has successfully applied Water Freeze-Drying method to bacterial specimens, allowing them to capture the ultrastructure of bacteria in near-native form via scanning electron microscopy.
Preventive TB treatment for individuals with HIV shown to be effective in real-world settings
A new study has evaluated the real-world impact of TB preventive treatment in six countries with high TB and HIV rates and highlights the importance of preventive treatment in reducing deaths caused by a curable disease.
Genome-scale model-guided microbial engineering converts agricultural waste into biodegradable bioplastics
Researchers develop a genome-scale model-guided microbial engineering platform that converts kimchi industry waste into biodegradable bioplastics.
Industrial-scale biotech production of proteins and vitamins economically viable
Researchers are developing biotechnological methods called “power-to-protein” and “power-to-vitamin” processes which use microbes to produce proteins and vitamins for human consumption using basic chemical ingredients – entirely bypassing livestock farming and agriculture.
Barley discovery reveals nitrogen cycling pathway that could offer a nature-based solution to fertilizer loss
A new study reveals the presence of a nitrogen cycling pathway in barley that could prove valuable in cutting fertilizer requirements as the cost to farmers rises.
Fungi enhance hydrogels for stronger, safer materials
New research uses a natural substance from fungi, called chitin, to create hydrogels that are both significantly stronger and tougher.
Corn stalks. It’s what’s for dinner … If you’re a microbe
Engineers have developed a strain of a common bacterial species, Pseudomonas putida, that can feed exclusively on the three major sugars present in corn stalks, with broader implications for the future of biomanufacturing.
Your next handbag could start with mycelium
Researchers create durable, biodegradable vegan leather from fungal fibers using a manufacturing process designed for large-scale production.
Protein-enriched ketchup gets a boost from algae extracts
Added protein is showing up in foods from breakfast cereal to pasta, but not many condiments … yet. Researchers have now developed an enriched tomato ketchup by incorporating protein extracted from microalgae.
New platform speeds bacterial gene mapping for better biotech design
A new platform pinpoints genetic triggers that turn microbes into efficient factories for new chemicals and materials.
Biofortified millet benefits toddlers without supplement side effects
Toddlers who ate iron- and zinc-biofortified pearl millet for nine months did not experience adverse effects typically associated with increased iron intake and developed gut microbiomes with distinct and potentially beneficial changes.
Free webinar: The secret world of the vaginal microbiome
A fascinating free webinar will shine a light into the secret world of the human microbiome and how it influences gynecological health. It will focus on what the vaginal microbiome can reveal about health, disease, and the gaps in care we still need to address.
New Mexico measles outbreak estimated to cost $5.4 million
A cost analysis of the 2025 measles outbreak in New Mexico found that the outbreak carried an estimated societal cost of $5.4 million, or more than $53,000 per case.
Redistributing sunlight boosts algae biomass productivity sixfold
Researchers have developed a low-energy way to distribute sunlight more evenly throughout algae cultivation systems. The technology increased algae biomass productivity by as much as six times in outdoor testing.
New discovery could hold key to making microbes more resistant towards industrial processes
In the bacterium Pseudomonas putida, the membrane protein CrcB pumps harmful fluoride ions out of the cells. Researchers investigated how P. putida adapts to a fluoride-containing environment, when it is deprived of the ability to produce the CrcB protein.
Floating colonies: engineering three-dimensional microbial architectures in liquid cultures
Researchers develop an innovative platform for engineering three-dimensional microbial structures while preserving molecular diffusion, microbial motility, and growth.