Despo Fatta-Kassinos

We discovered a new horizontal gene transfer mechanism: tail-less cf-PICIs hijack free phage tails extracellularly, forming infectious chimeric virions that drive both intra- and inter-species transfer among bacteria. @jonaszpatkowski.bsky.social @tcostalab.bsky.social @jrpenades.bsky.social

Assessing antimicrobial resistance connectivity across One Health sectors|Nature Water. Led by T. Zhang & L. Li, our new paper discusses connectivity at ecological, microbial & genetic levels; & advocates for cross-sector studies. www.nature.com/articles/s44... @natwater.nature.com

Αντίο σε έναν θρύλο 💔
Jane Goodall (1934–2025) – η γυναίκα που με επιμονή και γενναιότητα έδωσε φωνή στη φύση και ελπίδα στην ανθρωπότητα. Μια αληθινή έμπνευση για όλες τις γενιές.

Human activities have pushed Earth beyond its Safe Operating Space. www.planetaryhealthcheck.org/wp-content/u...

The first emergence of unprecedented global water scarcity in the Anthropocene. Despite model and scenario uncertainties, consistent DZD (Day Zero Drought) hotspots emerge across the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and parts of North America.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Water pollution: Council and Parliament reach provisional deal to update priority substances in surface and ground waters Today Council and Parliament reach provisional agreement to update EU water rules, adding new pollutants and strengthening monitoring and compliance.

Big News⚡️The proposed directive will amend the water framework & the groundwater directives and the directive on environmental quality standards, and will contribute to the EU’s zero pollution ambition of having an environment free of harmful pollution by 2050 www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...

Today, the SPORE-MED PRIMA Partnership consortium held its Work Package Leaders meeting 🧩 A productive session to align progress, exchange insights, and reinforce collaboration across all teams. Together, we are advancing towards impactful outcomes for the project’s mission.

#ISEC6 instructors - More information: aristeia.us/isec.html

🌍 Apply now: ISEC 2026 (Mar 20–25, Eretria 🇬🇷).
Tuition-free, 40 students, global experts on #ClimateChange, #pollution, #health #sustainability.
Deadline: Sept 15, 2025.
👉 aristeia.us/isec.html
#ISEC2026 #EnvironmentalCrisis

14th IWA Micropol & Ecohazard Conference | trace contaminants The 14th IWA Micropol & Ecohazard Conference explores the latest research on the fate and effects of trace contaminants in water, including technologies for removing these contaminants from water.

Join us in Toronto, Canada in June of 2026 for the 14th IWA Micropol and Ecohazard conference to share the latest research on micropollutants in the environment. Check out the conference website: www.micropol2026to.org
#micropollutants #ecohazard #science 🧪

Graphic promoting EU water resilience. A large blue water droplet contains the text “EU Water Resilience.” Flowing water forms a loop through a metal pipe, accompanied by three messages: “Protect the water cycle,” “Build a water-smart economy,” and “Secure clean water.” The European Union flag is displayed in the bottom right corner.

💧 Water is life. But we can no longer take it for granted.

We’ve adopted the Water Resilience Strategy to ensure that water in the EU is clean, affordable, efficient and protected.

Our future depends on how we manage water today.

Afternoon escape from the lab with Rui Martins, Giada Buso and Paula Ferreira #Cyprus

🦠 «Μηχανισμοί Εμφάνισης και Διάδοσης της Αντιμικροβιακής Αντοχής»
📅 Παρασκευή 23 Μαΐου 2025
🕓 16:00 – 17:30
📍 Αμφιθέατρο LRC 014, Βιβλιοθήκη "Στέλιος Ιωάννου", Πανεπιστημιούπολη
👨‍🔬 Ομιλητές από την ερευνητική ομάδα Γαία:
• Δρ. Στέλιος Χατζημιχαήλ
• Σταύρη Καρασιαλή

thank you for attending our session!

Woman scientist beside her scientific poster

Scientist presenting his research project about the effect of antidepressants on the visual system

Scientist presenting his research project about the effect of micropollutants on prokaryotic communities

Scientist at his plenary talk with a slide showing a cartoon about artificial intelligence, machine learning and ecotoxicology

Here are some impressions of the day at #SETACVienna, including some of the great talks on topics such as the effects of antidepressants on the visual system and the impact of micropollutants on prokaryotes. Also, today I could present my poster on cyanobacterial metabolism 🤩

@setac.bsky.social

Join us to explore together the intricate relationships between environmental stressors and microbial communities. This session will delve into how pollutants disrupt microbiota across ecosystems and hosts, with implications for biodiversity, resilience, and human health.

2/2 in the morning today. Looking forward to new knowledge and days full of new connections, ideas, and inspiration. Since we are here on Mother’s day, we especially celebrate the incredible mothers in science—balancing research, leadership, & care with resilience and dedication.

1/2 The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Europe annual meeting is beginning today, bringing together scientists, professionals, & decision-makers to advance environmental science & sustainability. We have started SETAC Europe Council operations early…

2/2 food, and hospitality that made every moment special. Grateful to professors Dulce Arias, Hugo Olvera Vargas and Rosa Maria Ramirez for the opportunity to share ideas, learn from brilliant colleagues, and be part of such a dynamic academic community. ¡Gracias, México!

1/2 I was honored to be invited to speak at the prestigious Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, to both the main campus in Mexico City & the Temixco campus. The experience was truly top-tier—from inspiring conversations with students and faculty, to the vibrant culture,

Apple’s Water Strategy, March 2025
s203.q4cdn.com/367071867/fi...

Earth Day•Every Day🌿✨

“It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living."

Sir David Attenborough🌿

🚨 Call for Papers – Water Convention Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) 2026 🫧
📅 Submission Deadline: 3 October 2025
📍 Submit your abstract here: events.miceneurol.com/Presentation...
Join us in Singapore! 🇸🇬 #SIWW2026 #WaterConvention #CallForPapers #WaterInnovation

WATCH: Elephants form 'alert circle' during earthquake at San Diego Zoo Safari Park African Elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park instinctively created an “alert circle” during the earthquake.

Elephants form ‘alert circle' during earthquake at San Diego Zoo Safari Park www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/w...

Three million child deaths linked to drug resistance Children in Africa and South East Asia are most at risk from antibiotics medicines no longer working, a study suggests.

Three million child deaths linked to drug resistance, study shows www.bbc.com/news/article...

At Boulders Beach in South Africa, the sight of these tuxedoed little wanderers is pure joy. A reminder that wonder sometimes shows up on a beach just outside the city, wearing flippers & a permanent smile. #JackassPenguins #Spheniscusdemersus #ProtectWildlife

FDA Approves the First New UTI Antibiotic in Nearly 30 Years This antibiotic is the first new FDA-approved medication for urinary tract infections in decades, and meets the need for new treatments in an era of rising antibiotic resistance.

The FDA approved the first new oral antibiotic for uncomplicated UTIs in 30 years, offering a vital treatment option for women and girls aged 12 and up, especially those with #AMR infections. Trials showed mostly mild side effects like diarrhea and nausea.
www.everydayhealth.com/kidney-urina...

How a Y Chromosome Gene May Shape the Course of Heart Valve Disease UC San Diego bioengineers have shed new light on how a type of heart valve disease—aortic valve stenosis—progresses differently in males and females. The research paves the way for treatments that can...

UC San Diego bioengineers reveal how aortic valve stenosis progresses differently by sex, highlighting the need for personalized treatment.

#BehindEveryBreakThrough #HealthcareResearch #ResearchSavesLives

CDC warns drug-resistant fungus is an ‘urgent threat’ as infections spread A deadly, drug-resistant fungus is continuing to spread in hospitals.

Drug-resistant Candida auris fungus is an urgent #AMR threat, spreading rapidly in healthcare facilities. U.S. cases rose from 51 in 2016 to 4,514 in 2023. It poses a serious risk to hospitalized patients, transmitting easily and resisting antifungal treatments.

www.silive.com/health/2025/...