All The Microbiologist articles in Web Issue – Page 219
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NewsDynamics of biofilm in backwashed sand filters
Scientists have uncovered the temporal dynamics of both the concentration of micropollutants and the microbial community in sand filters after backwashing, to indicate the optimal intervals for backwashing slow sand filters for micropollutant removal from drinking water.
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NewsScientists build human lungs in dish to test drugs
Scientists have developed a step-by-step blueprint to create advanced human lung models in the lab, which they say will accelerate the discovery and development of new drugs and reduce reliance on animal testing.
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NewsMicrobes devour mining waste, yielding resources
Researchers have developed a new mining technique which uses microbes to recover metals and store carbon in the waste produced by mining. Adopting this technique of reusing mining waste, called tailings, could transform the mining industry and create a greener and more sustainable future. Tailings are a ...
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NewsAchilles heel is uncovered in Helicobacter pylori
Researchers have discovered a weakness in the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which could be exploited to develop new drugs.
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NewsVietnam hotspot IDed for viral disease emergence
Bat roosting sites, guano harvesting, and pig farms, all in close proximity, coupled with a high diversity of circulating coronaviruses indicates a high risk of CoV spillover, One Health surveillance reveals.
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NewsPhage delivers double whammy against biofilms
A novel bacteriophage isolated from sewage water not only kills its target bacteria in the Klebsiella oxytoca complex but was unexpectedly found to be capable of disrupting biofilms produced by these bacteria.
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NewsNew statistics standards aim to cut out errors
A new paper indicates that the methods researchers use to report on analyses of survey data vary widely and frequently contain mistakes, and proposea new standards to improve the reporting of analyses using complex sample survey data.
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NewsInhaling ethanol may treat respiratory infections
Inhaling low concentrations of ethanol vapour can disable the influenza A virus in mice, without harmful side effects, says a new study by scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST). The scientists believe it may also treat similar viruses such as the one that causes Covid-19. ...
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NewsBCG does not protect health workers against Covid
A world-leading international trial into the immune boosting benefits of the tuberculosis vaccine, BCG, has found it does not protect healthcare workers against COVID-19.
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NewsCyanobacteria membrane proteins similar to animals’
A dynamin-like protein, namely SynDLP, has been identified in the genome of a cyanobacterium.
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NewsSystem targets and degrades viral RNA to treat Covid infection
Researchers have developed a system that directly targets and degrades the viral RNA genome, reducing infection in mice. The method could be adapted to fight off many viruses, as well as treat various diseases.
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NewsmRNA ingredient produced by biocatalytic synthesis
The new and patented method for the production of the important mRNA vaccine component pseudouridine is more efficient, sustainable and cost-effective than the previously used chemical synthesis.
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NewsGlobal prevalence of H. pylori infection declining
Researchers have found that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection around the world has been steadily declining over the past four decades, and that the use of antibiotics against it could alter the micro-organisms and the virus community present in the gut.
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NewsMechanisms may be used to lure viruses into a trap
Researchers have described previously unknown mechanisms of viral penetration by the Influenza A and Ebola viruses, which could lead to new approaches to prevent infections.
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CareersUnloved lab equipment earns new lease of life
UniGreenScheme founder Michael McLeod opens up to The Microbiologist on how a student side hustle trawling car boot sales has evolved into a burgeoning business that trades surplus lab equipment to researchers in need.
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NewsFast and easy method detects antibiotic resistance
Scientists have developed a technique that obtains an antibiogram within 2-4 hours instead of the current 24 hours for the most common germs and one month for tuberculosis.
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NewsBacterial duo feed cuticle in wood-eating beetles
Two bacterial symbionts supply auger beetles with the vital nutrients for the synthesis of a sturdy exoskeleton.
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NewsAntimicrobial use in agriculture can breed bacteria resistant to first-line human defences
A new study has shown that overuse of antimicrobials in livestock production can drive the evolution of bacteria more resistant to the first line of the human immune response.
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NewsStool transplants more effective than antibiotics for treating recurring, life-threatening gut infections
A new Cochrane Review has found that, compared with standard antibiotic treatment, stool transplantation can increase the number of people recovering from Clostridioides difficile infection from 40% to 77%.
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NewsNew biologic effective against major infection in early tests
Researchers have shown in early tests that a bioengineered drug candidate can counter infection with Staphylococcus aureus – a bacterial species widely resistant to antibiotics and a major cause of death in hospitalized patients.