Additionally, the integration of bioprinting techniques enables the construction of stable biofilms on electrodes. By meticulously controlling the architecture and composition of these biofilms, researchers can optimize interactions between microbes and electrodes, further boosting MES efficiency. These breakthroughs address existing design limitations and unlock new possibilities for sustainable applications in wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. Dr. Yifeng Zhang, the study’s senior author, said, “The integration of 3D printing technology into MES represents a major breakthrough. It provides the precision and flexibility needed to optimize reactor designs and electrode structures, which are critical for enhancing system performance. “This innovation not only accelerates the development of sustainable environmental technologies but also opens up new avenues for addressing global challenges in energy and waste management. The potential applications are vast, and we are excited to see how this technology will continue to evolve and impact the field.” The application of 3D printing in MES promises far-reaching implications for multiple sectors, including environmental management and renewable energy. In wastewater treatment, optimized MES reactors could lead to more efficient pollutant degradation, mitigating the environmental impact of industrial and municipal waste. For energy generation, advanced electrode designs could boost the power output of microbial fuel cells, positioning them as a viable alternative for sustainable energy production. Moreover, the scalability and customization of 3D printing allow for tailored MES solutions across a wide range of applications, from small-scale settings to large industrial operations. This technology holds the potential to contribute to a more sustainable future by enhancing resource utilization and reducing carbon footprints.

More than half of all adults and a third of children, teenagers and young adults around the world are predicted to be overweight or obese by 2050.

The findings come in a new study of global data published in The Lancet journal, covering more than 200 countries.

Researchers warn that obesity levels are predicted to accelerate rapidly during the remainder of this decade, particularly in lower-income countries.

However, experts say that if governments take urgent action now, there is still time to prevent what they describe as a “profound tragedy”.

By 2021, almost half the global adult population – a billion men and 1.11 billion women aged 25 or older – were overweight or obese.

The proportion of both men and women living with these conditions has doubled since 1990.

If trends continue, global rates of overweight and obese adults would rise to about 57.4% for men and 60.3% for women by 2050.

In terms of raw numbers, China (627 million), India (450 million) and the USA (214 million) will be the countries with the biggest populations of overweight or obese people in 2050.

However, population growth means that forecasters are predicting the number in sub-Saharan Africa will rise by more than 250% to 522 million.

Nigeria, in particular, stands out, with the predicted number projected to more than triple – from 36.6 million in 2021 to 141 million in 2050. That would make it the country with the fourth-largest population of adults who are overweight or obese.

The authors acknowledge the study does not take into account the impact that new weight loss medications might have – and they could play a significant role in the future.

Experts say if governments take urgent action now, there is still time to prevent what could be a disaster for vulnerable healthcare systems.

The research was led by Prof Emmanuela Gakidou, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), at the University of Washington in the US.

She said: “[Governments] can use our country specific estimates on the stage, timing, and speed of current and forecasted transitions in weight to identify priority populations experiencing the greatest burdens of obesity who require immediate intervention and treatment, and those that remain predominantly overweight and should be primarily targeted with prevention strategies.

“The unprecedented global epidemic of overweight and obesity is a profound tragedy and a monumental societal failure,” she added.

A surge in rates of obesity is happening right now, particularly among young people.

Rates of obesity in children and younger teenagers (from 8.8% to 18.1%) and younger adults (those under 25 – from 9.9% to 20.3%) more than doubled between 1990 and 2021.

However, by 2050 one in three young people will be affected.

The co-lead author of the report, Dr Jessica Kerr of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia, says the figures present a real challenge to health care systems in the coming years.

“But if we act now, preventing a complete transition to global obesity for children and adolescents is still possible,” she said.

“Our estimates identify children and adolescents in much of Europe and south Asia living with overweight who should be targeted with obesity prevention strategies.

“We have also identified large populations, particularly adolescent girls, in North America, Australasia, Oceania, North Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America that are expected to tip over to obesity predominance and require urgent, multifaceted intervention and treatment.

“This is essential to avoid intergenerational transmission of obesity and to prevent a wave of serious health conditions and dire financial and societal costs for future generations.”