One health
Communicable diseases remain one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. There are disparities in the numbers of individuals affected by disease between low-and-middle-income countries and those in developed nations. Microbes will play in important role in drug discovery: producing anticancer drugs and antimicrobials. Applying One Health principles, to understand the interaction of pathogens and the human host, development of diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention, applied microbiologists can shape global health and wellbeing outcomes.
News
National-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.
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NewsFungi dwelling on human skin may provide new antibiotics
Researchers have uncovered a molecule produced by yeast living on human skin that showed potent antimicrobial properties against a pathogen responsible for a half-million hospitalizations annually in the United States.
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.
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News
COVID-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.
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.
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.
NewsHospital-based outbreak detection system saves lives
An infectious diseases detection platform has proved over a two-year trial that it stops outbreaks, saves lives and cuts costs. The results make the case for adoption in hospitals nationwide and the development of a national early outbreak detection database.
NewsGlobal study finds single-dose baloxavir reduces household influenza transmission
A landmark study reveals that a single oral dose of baloxavir marboxil (baloxavir) significantly reduces the transmission of influenza within households, marking a major advancement in influenza management.
NewsSuccess of agile COVID-19 pan-Canadian research network highlights how to tackle future pandemics
The operations of CoVaRR-Net, a national interdisciplinary research network initiated to study COVID-19 variants and enhance Canada’s preparedness for future pandemics, have concluded following the expiration of funding.
NewsScientists repurpose gene editing tool to help uncover hidden microbial diversity
Pioneering research has repurposed a gene editing tool to help shed light on the true biodiversity present in natural environments. The study could help pave the way for more productive soils and improved health.
NewsAtomic imaging and AI offer new insights into motion of parasite behind sleeping sickness
Researchers applied leading-edge atomic imaging and AI-driven modeling to create the most detailed 3D map yet of the flagellum on Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness.
NewsNo more copy-pasting: DNA base editing for better Lactobacillus strains
Scientists were able to edit the DNA of Lactobacillus strains directly without a template from other organisms. This technique is indistinguishable from natural variation and enabled them to create a strain that doesn’t produce diabetes-aggravating chemicals.