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
Study confirms effectiveness of medicinal plant against SARS-CoV-2 virus
A study has revealed that galloylquinic acids extracted from the leaves of Copaifera lucens Dwyer, a tree endemic to Brazil primarily found in the Atlantic Forest, have a multi-targeted effect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
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NewsPet cats that roam outdoors carry similar disease risk as feral cats, global study finds
A new study has found that pet cats allowed to roam outside unsupervised carry infectious diseases at rates comparable to feral cats, even when they receive veterinary care, regular meals and shelter.
NewsSouth American camelids: Potential carriers of the zoonotic pathogen Campylobacter
A comprehensive investigation has identified a previously underappreciated source of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in South American camelids (SACs)—alpacas and llamas kept in Germany. The findings underscore the importance of expanding epidemiological surveillance beyond traditional livestock.
NewsSignificant rise in valley fever cases in El Paso linked to extreme weather and dust
A new study has identified a significant rise in Valley fever cases in El Paso over the past decade and found strong connections between the disease and extreme weather, wind and airborne dust.
More One Health
News
Team discovers gene pattern that could help doctors identify Ebola faster and more accurately
Researchers have made an important discovery that could help doctors tell Ebola apart from other infections more quickly. The overlap of response by Ebola and other pathogens had made it difficult to find markers that are truly unique to Ebola.
NewsYour nose is a battlefield
Scientists have discovered that FluMist can trigger an immune response directly in nasal tissue in adults. The vaccine trains immune cells in the upper nasal passages to recognize and fight influenza virus infection. This immune response stays in the upper airways and can’t be detected via blood samples.
NewsComparing veterinary antimicrobial stewardship: Why Brazil needs stronger monitoring systems
A new comparative analysis reveals critical gaps in antimicrobial monitoring frameworks across three major economies, with significant implications for global public health and food security.
NewsPortable TB test matches lab accuracy in just minutes
A portable device called MiniDock MTB can deliver accurate TB test results in less than half an hour. Researchers show the device is as effective as a laboratory test and can detect cases even among people who have trouble producing phlegm samples from deep within their lungs.
NewsNew study shows antibodies need a strong core — not just grip — to fight SARS-CoV-2
Researchers used advanced computer simulations to investigate how antibody–virus complexes respond to mechanical forces across multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the original 2019 strain and Omicron subvariants BA.4 and JN.1.
News“Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”
New research reveals that when microbes live together, they can sense one another and actively reduce competition by shifting toward different roles instead of all doing the same thing. It shows that microbes do not just respond to their environment, they respond to each other.
NewsVaccine strategy induces broadly neutralising HIV antibodies
Researchers have developed a new vaccine strategy that has generated antibodies capable of neutralising highly divergent HIV variants. The study provides new insights into how the immune system can be guided towards a particularly protected part of the virus.
NewsResearch gaps and regional disparities revealed in global Lassa virus research landscape
A comprehensive bibliometric analysis spanning 55 years of Lassa virus (LASV) research has uncovered significant disparities in scientific output between high-income and endemic countries, while revealing a persistent shortage of studies addressing environmental factors influencing viral spread.
NewsFrom gut to brain: scientists engineer bacteria to treat severe liver-related brain dysfunction
In vivo studies showed that programmable “living medicines” could reduce brain toxins and prevent neurological symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, offering distinct advantages over a widely prescribed antibiotic.
NewsNew study suggests seasonal flu vaccines may reduce severity of H5N1 bird flu infections
Researchers have found that seasonal influenza vaccines in routine global use may significantly reduce the risk of death from H5N1 infection. The findings that readily available tools may offer protection while the world races to develop more targeted solutions.
NewsThe handbook that can prepare countries for the next pandemic
A new handbook has been published to pave the way for better decision-making and greater preparedness for the next pandemic. It provides practical guidance on how mathematical models can be used to inform decision-making, and how the results can be communicated in times of crisis.
NewsScientists source anti-cancer treatment in bacteria
Researchers have developed an anti-cancer therapy inspired by bacteria found in cancer tumors. The therapy is made from a fragment of a bacterial protein, a peptide called aurB. In cancer tumors in the animal models, aurB prevented energy production in the tumor cells’ mitochondria, essentially cutting off the tumor’s fuel.
NewsTracking a persistent threat: How antibiotic-resistant bacteria travel from poultry farms to fresh produce
A new study develops an integrated quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model to trace the pathway of ESBL-producing E. coli from broiler farms to lettuce consumption, quantifying human health risks and identifying effective intervention strategies.
NewsPlasmodium uses its own PI3K to suppress eat-me signal and evade host immune clearance
A study finds that Plasmodium PI3K actively suppresses the externalization of phosphatidylserine on the surface of infected erythrocytes. When the activity of parasite PI3K was chemically inhibited or genetically disrupted, phosphatidylserine exposure on infected red blood cells increased markedly.
NewsHow the immune system battles lifelong viral infections acquired at birth
Millions of people worldwide carry viral infections they acquired at birth, often for life. For a long time it was assumed that the immune system hardly fights these pathogens. Researchers show that the body’s defenses do indeed act against the virus.
NewsLifestyle, diet, and clinical factors shape the gut microbiome in cancer patients
Lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and dietary modifications can beneficially modulate the gut microbiome of cancer patients - however their effects are often shaped by non-modifiable variables.
NewsTick threats in the context of climate change: One Health response strategies in the Middle East and North Africa region
A new study examines the multifaceted dimensions of tick-borne disease management in the MENA region through the lens of the One Health approach. The research synthesizes insights from a symposium that brought together experts to assess current threats and identify pathways forward.
NewsBeyond outbreaks: zoonotic disease prevention at the human–animal interface in China
A study synthesizes evidence on 93 zoonotic diseases currently monitored by China’s public health, agricultural, and forestry sectors, and argues that meaningful risk reduction will require shifting from reactive outbreak response toward earlier prevention at the human–animal–environment interface.
NewsKnowledge gaps expose vulnerable populations to tick-borne disease risks in northern China
While awareness of tick biology is relatively high in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia, a new study reveals alarming gaps in public knowledge about preventing tick-borne diseases—with rural residents and high-risk groups paradoxically showing the lowest protective awareness.