New mechanism controls superbugs by sparing the death sentence

Antibiotics are reaching the limits of their usefulness, as they drive bacteria to evolve into new drug-resistant forms. But a new study has uncovered a mechanism that could make the bugs non-infectious without killing them, reducing the evolutionary p… Continue reading New mechanism controls superbugs by sparing the death sentence

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

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

Microneedle patch designed to sock it to skin infections

Microneedle patches already show a great deal of promise as a painless alternative to hypodermic needles. A new one, however, could find use as a more effective means of treating serious bacterial infections of the skin.Continue ReadingCategory: Medica… Continue reading Microneedle patch designed to sock it to skin infections

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

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

Scientists produce artificial mucus with antimicrobial properties

It may be a bit gross, but mucus plays a key role in our bodies. Now, an MIT team has managed to create an artificial version of the stuff, and shown that it’s an effective antimicrobial – even more so than real mucus.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceT… Continue reading Scientists produce artificial mucus with antimicrobial properties

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

New clues to origin of mysterious deadly antibiotic-resistant pathogen

A new study is offering clues to the origins of a deadly antibiotic-resistant fungal pathogen that mysteriously appeared in hospitals around the world 10 years ago. The study chronicles the discovery of the pathogen for the first time in a remote natur… Continue reading New clues to origin of mysterious deadly antibiotic-resistant pathogen

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