Nanoparticles and novel drug combine in breakthrough acne treatment

For the estimated 800 million people worldwide – and 45 million in the US alone – battling personal wars with acne, a new, broadly successful mode of treatment would have a profound impact on quality of life.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Unive… Continue reading Nanoparticles and novel drug combine in breakthrough acne treatment

Even new antibiotics losing effectiveness as bacteria quickly adapt

As more and more bacteria develop resistance to the drugs designed to kill them, a new study has found that even a relatively new antibiotic isn’t immune. Researchers have uncovered a gene amplification mechanism that causes bacteria to become increasi… Continue reading Even new antibiotics losing effectiveness as bacteria quickly adapt

“Molecular wedge” renders superbugs vulnerable to antibiotics again

We’re locked in an arms race with bacteria – and worryingly, it looks like we’re losing, as they increasingly develop resistance to our best drugs. Now, scientists at the University of Oklahoma have identified a new class of molecules that disable a ma… Continue reading “Molecular wedge” renders superbugs vulnerable to antibiotics again

This drug can give us an edge in the bacteria-antibiotics arms race

The arms race in nature, usually a battle between predator and prey, is one of the most fascinating phenomena in evolutionary biology. But one arms race that isn’t looking too good for humans is the tussle between bacteria and the antibiotics we have t… Continue reading This drug can give us an edge in the bacteria-antibiotics arms race

Bad drug, good weedkiller: “Failed” antibiotic repurposed as herbicide

Just as antibiotic resistance is a problem for human health, herbicide resistance represents a huge problem for the agricultural sector. Researchers have devised a novel strategy to address the issue by repurposing a “failed” antibiotic as a herbicide…. Continue reading Bad drug, good weedkiller: “Failed” antibiotic repurposed as herbicide

New antibiotic trial shows promise against dangerous pneumonia superbug

A new antibiotic combo has proven promising in a clinical trial for treating an often-deadly form of pneumonia. The experimental drug was found to be at least as effective in preventing death as the current standard, but with far milder side effects.Co… Continue reading New antibiotic trial shows promise against dangerous pneumonia superbug

Hang in there: Sloths could be our surprise superbug superheroes

Ever since French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, first described the sloth in 1749, the planet’s slowest moving mammal has had its work cut out for it.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Superbugs, Antibiotic-resistant b… Continue reading Hang in there: Sloths could be our surprise superbug superheroes

Population’s antibiotic use can affect individual health, study shows

Antimicrobial resistance, particularly resistance to antibiotics, is a worldwide problem. A new study has, for the first time, shown how the consumption of antibiotics by an entire population can affect an individual’s health.Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading Population’s antibiotic use can affect individual health, study shows