Trained viruses wipe out bacterial infections by anticipating evolution

Bacteria have a nasty ability to rapidly evolve, allowing them to evade antibiotics in short order. But now, scientists at UC San Diego have used evolution against them, by “training” bacteria-killing viruses to anticipate their next moves.Continue Rea… Continue reading Trained viruses wipe out bacterial infections by anticipating evolution

Experimental vaccine forces bacteria down an evolutionary dead end

Pathogens like bacteria and viruses are extremely good at evolving in response to drugs, which can render vaccines ineffective. But now, researchers at ETH Zurich have found a way to weaponize that ability against them, forcing the bugs down harmless e… Continue reading Experimental vaccine forces bacteria down an evolutionary dead end

New drug target makes superbugs choke on their own toxic molecules

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, or “superbugs,” pose one of the most dangerous looming threats to public health. Now, researchers at the University of Georgia have found a new potential weakness in some of the worst strains, which could make them choke … Continue reading New drug target makes superbugs choke on their own toxic molecules

Molecular tweezers pick apart the defenses of drug-resistant bacteria

The rise of drug-resistant bacteria, which are superbugs that are evolving the ability to evade the defenses offered by our best medicines, is a growing threat to human health. Combating these dangers is going to take some inventive solutions, and rese… Continue reading Molecular tweezers pick apart the defenses of drug-resistant bacteria

Last-resort antibiotic found to pop superbugs like balloons

By turning modern scientific tools on an antibiotic discovered 70 years ago, researchers have unearthed a previously unknown mechanism it uses to pierce and pop superbugs like balloons. Promisingly, the scientists have also demonstrated how this approa… Continue reading Last-resort antibiotic found to pop superbugs like balloons

Black phosphorus coating kills superbugs then self-destructs

Bacteria are becoming more and more dangerous, as they evolve resistance to our best drugs. New weapons against these so-called “superbugs” are desperately needed. Now, researchers at RMIT have developed a coating that quickly kills bacteria and fungi,… Continue reading Black phosphorus coating kills superbugs then self-destructs

Bacterial “homing missiles” could unlock new antibiotic treatments

Microscopic wars are constantly raging all around, on and inside us, as bacteria fight for resources and room. They’ve developed some crafty weapons in the process, such as tailocins, which act somewhat like “homing missiles” against their enemies. Now… Continue reading Bacterial “homing missiles” could unlock new antibiotic treatments

Single dose antibiotic clears multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea in mice

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are among the most urgent threats to public health. Now a team of scientists has developed a new single-dose drug that works on a different mechanism to most existing antibiotics, and showed in tests in mice that it can be… Continue reading Single dose antibiotic clears multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea in mice

Wastewater microplastics help superbugs share dangerous genes

Microplastics are increasingly found to be polluting oceans and waterways and causing unknown damage to the health of animals and humans. Now, a new study provides evidence there’s cross over with another looming public health threat – antibiotic-resis… Continue reading Wastewater microplastics help superbugs share dangerous genes

IBM develops AI to invent new antibiotics – and it’s made two already

Hiding behind the current COVID-19 pandemic, another serious public health threat is looming – the rise of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” New antibiotics are needed to help turn the tide, but developing them takes time. Now, IBM Research has put AI … Continue reading IBM develops AI to invent new antibiotics – and it’s made two already