Multiple studies present new findings on microbiota and environmental impacts: research links cervicovaginal microbiome changes in HIV-positive women under antiretroviral therapy in Peru and identifies microbiota-derived peptides accelerating kidney fibrosis through aging mechanisms. Ecologically, investigations reveal how smoke-altered mouth-to-gut bacterial migration influences inflammatory bowel disease, while studies on insects near industrial sites document arsenic exposure trends. These interdisciplinary results deepen understanding of microbiome contributions to health and environmental interactions.