UMass Amherst’s Kelly N. Haas receives funding to study the hand’s microbiome

AMHERST, Mass. – Skin microbiome researcher Dr. Kelly Haas, of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Biology Department, recently began a research partnership with Akron, Ohio-based GOJO Industries to study the structure, stability, and resilience of the hand microbiome. The collaboration focuses on understanding fundamental aspects of the hand’s microbiome: what microbes are supposed to be…

Research discovers malaria devastating humans far earlier than expected

New bioarchaeological research shows malaria has threatened human communities for more than 7000 years, earlier than when the onset of farming was thought to have sparked its devastating arrival. Lead author Dr Melandri Vlok from the Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, says this ground-breaking research, published today in Scientific Reports, changes the entire understanding…

Using AI to assess surgical performance

More than one million operations are performed in Switzerland every year. A surgeon’s skill has a direct impact on the outcome of the operation. Training and experience, as well as momentary fatigue and other influencing factors all play a role. At present, skill is tested by experts, either directly during an operation or by evaluating…