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Researchers are beginning recruitment in a trial to see if changing pregnant women’s hygiene habits could reduce the risks of a major cause of childhood disabilities. Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is the most common congenital infection in the UK, affecting around 1000 babies every year. If babies are infected while in the womb it can result…

A study conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has revealed how the bacteria Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) gains a competitive advantage over protective bacteria in the human gut. The bacterium produces a compound called para-cresol that promotes its survival by disrupting the growth of other intestinal microorganisms. The authors…

A virus, the simplest physical object in biology, consists of a protein shell called the capsid, which protects its nucleic acid genome — RNA or DNA. The capsid can be cylindrical or conical in shape, but more commonly it assumes an icosahedral structure, like a soccer ball. Capsid formation is one of the most crucial…

The European Parliament has voted for a wide-ranging ban on single-use plastics, to tackle the increasing amount of plastic pollution that ends up in waterways, the ocean and landfill. Under the plans, many plastic products including disposable plates and cutlery, plastic straws and cotton buds will be eliminated by 2021, with a target of 90%…

Kimberly-Clark Professional is embracing Global Handwashing Day on 15 October, which has a theme this year of ‘Clean Hands – a recipe for health’. KCP is supporting Facilities managers with a range of tools to help them champion hand hygiene, health and wellbeing in the workplace, in relation to snacking and eating. Caroline Stanley, UK…

Worldwide cleaning industry association, ISSA, is offering education and certification for cleaning professionals in the UK via their Cleaning Management Institute (CMI). To stay ahead of the game, companies in the cleaning industry need to see the latest developments, understand their impact, and act on them. However, it doesn’t just come down to the qualifications…

More than 40,000 Singaporean cleaners will benefit from a new law making it mandatory to pay them an annual bonus. From January 2020, permanent residents working as cleaners could receive a payment of up to four per cent of their wages each year. Businesses failing to comply with the requirement may be fined or risk…

In some businesses the ultimate cost of poor hygiene could be death. Yet, it takes convincing to change behavior. “How many do we want to kill before we do something about it?” This sinister rhetorical question was raised by Alan Friis, senior consultant in hygienic design for the food industry, when representatives from the cleaning…

London Metropolitan University and financial comparison website money.co.uk have teamed up and put money under the microscope, and found life threatening bacteria. Dr. Paul Matewele, Professor of Microbiology at London Met, and his students took 36 samples from a random selection of all denominations of coins and notes. The microbiologists studied the bacteria in a…

A new study from Initial Washroom Hygiene has shown that almost three quarters of British families don’t wash their hands before every meal. The survey, which has been released to mark the 11th annual Global Handwashing Day (15 October 2018), found that 73% of British families fail to wash their hands before every meal. Additionally,…