This review examines the current literature on the application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to cancer mechanophenotyping, with particular emphasis on cellular Young's modulus and its potential diagnostic significance. A structured electronic search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies published between 1999 and 2025 reporting AFM‐based measurements of cellular Young's modulus in cancer‐related models. Across multiple malignancies, reduced cellular stiffness is frequently observed in malignant compared with non‐malignant cells and is associated with cytoskeletal remodelling, increased deformability and altered cell–matrix interactions. However, the relationship between Young's modulus and malignancy is not universally monotonic. Nanomechanical properties may vary across different pathological states and malignant phenotypes rather than following a simple monotonic trajectory, while invasive and metastatic cells can dynamically remodel their cytoskeleton and modify their stiffness in response to environmental and mechanical constraints. Young's modulus should therefore not be regarded as an isolated universal cancer biomarker, but rather as one component of a dynamic mechanophenotype influenced by disease stage, cellular region, microenvironment and measurement methodology. Recent advances in automated force acquisition, optical cell recognition, artificial intelligence and high‐throughput AFM are beginning to address traditional limitations in measurement efficiency and operator dependence. The future diagnostic value of AFM may therefore lie in integrating Young's modulus with complementary parameters, including spatial mechanical heterogeneity, viscoelasticity, adhesion, deformation‐energy characteristics and nanotopography, to define multidimensional cancer mechanophenotypes. Standardised acquisition and analysis protocols, together with validation in patient‐derived specimens, will be essential for translating AFM nanomechanics from an experimental measurement into a clinically informative biomechanical biomarker.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as a significant global health threat, yet research, surveillance and intervention strategies remain largely focused on clinical and veterinary settings, with limited attention to environmental reservoirs and transmission pathways. Growing global evidence, including from Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), points to a clear link between dominant sources of AMR entering the environment (such as wastewater) and its dissemination in receiving environments. Once in these environments, a wide range of microorganisms, both environmental and introduced, interact in complex ways, with their associated resistomes contributing to potential human exposure pathways. However, clear attribution of environmental AMR contributions to human (and animal) health outcomes remains limited and represents a critical next step for research and surveillance. This viewpoint highlights global and regional evidence on environmental contributions to AMR transmission and dissemination, with emphasis on co-selective pressures including antibiotics, heavy metals, biocides and plastics that promote resistance selection, persistence and horizontal gene transfer. We identify key gaps in NZ, notably the lack of integrated, cross-sector monitoring, robust attribution approaches and quantitative assessment of risks to human health. We conclude that effective mitigation requires integrated cross-sector frameworks linking environmental surveillance, genomic data, microbial source attribution and quantitative risk assessment to inform targeted, risk-based interventions. These interventions need to be based on a deeper understanding of the interactions between environmental reservoirs, co-selective pressures and the key drivers and pathways of AMR, including broader environmental influences such as co-contaminants and climate change.
Dry-year electricity shortfalls are a defining energy security challenge in Aotearoa New Zealand. Low hydro inflows and ongoing hydro releases deplete seasonal energy storage, increasing reliance on thermal generation, particularly during winter. Amid declining domestic gas reserves and tightening climate commitments, debate persists over how best to maintain system reliability. Our viewpoint provides quantitative modelling evidence, using the open-source PyPSA-NZ framework, on whether renewable energy projects in late stages of development can provide reliable electricity during a dry year within the next 5 years. These projects would add 3200 MW of solar photovoltaics, 500 MW of wind power, 130 MW of firm geothermal and 1050 MW of battery storage providing short-duration flexibility. Because solar and wind are dispatched ahead of hydro, this capacity would displace hydro generation year-round and raise reservoir storage entering winter. Reliability is secured primarily by this additional stored energy. Using the 2012 hydrological dry year as a stress test, we show that, if these projects are delivered, the modelled system maintains reliable supply without further investment in firm capacity or fuel supply. This suggests the main near-term risk to electricity reliability is not a shortfall of generation, but constraints on integrating new renewables, including transmission capacity and financing. We propose that near-term energy security policy prioritises the timely delivery of planned renewable energy projects.
The rise of antimicrobial resistance has marked ESKAPE pathogens as a serious global health threat, primarily due to the limitations and frequent failures of broad‐spectrum antibiotic‐based treatment. Moreover, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have further complicated the management of bacterial infections by enhancing the risk of secondary infections. Despite traditional antibiotic development, there is a need for novel strategies to tackle the rising menace of ESKAPE pathogens. During the past few decades, various cellular and molecular‐level investigations based on multidrug‐resistant bacterial species have emerged. These investigations have played a major role in unraveling the intrinsic pathways that are involved in conferring AMR to ESKAPE pathogens. The molecular mechanisms of AMR in ESKAPE involve expression of efflux pumps, persistent biofilms, enzymatic drug inactivation, alterations in antibiotic targets, genetic mutations, and horizontal gene transfer. This review highlights the major molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens. By understanding these mechanistic pathways, more specific/targeted diagnostics and therapeutic approaches may be developed. This review outlines key findings from recent research studies on AMR trends in ESKAPE pathogens. This comprehensive review also provides current research gaps and future directions for combating AMR.
Human health antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in New Zealand has demonstrated substantial value in detecting, monitoring and responding to emerging threats. AMR is an escalating global problem and strengthening surveillance systems will be critical for ensuring New Zealand remains equipped to address this growing threat. This paper provides an overview of the current human health AMR surveillance system in New Zealand, describing its structure, data sources and key components. Using selected case studies, we demonstrate the value of integrated laboratory, epidemiological and genomic data in detecting emerging threats, monitoring trends and informing public health and clinical responses. We also highlight work underway to strengthen AMR surveillance in New Zealand including improvements to data standardisation, laboratory information systems and national coordination, alongside increasing engagement with international surveillance initiatives. Finally, we highlight the need to progress toward a more integrated AMR surveillance approach that incorporates human, animal and environmental surveillance to better respond to AMR.
