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Genes and Ancient Remedies May Help Fight Antibiotic Resistance
szczys writes: We've been hearing about it for years; bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics and evolving into what are called superbugs. Some forecast the end of our ability to combat infection, but humanity has a knack for making breakthroughs that carry everyone forward. Dan Maloney looked at what is being done to combat antibiotic-resistance and the answer combines new technology with old remedies. It turns out that there are many ancient cures that successfully combat infections (video); they're just mixed in among a lot of cruft. More modern efforts focus on attacking bacteria on the genetic level which is a research area just getting itself up to speed now.
So is this like the old Russian remedy of soaking an itchy, STD-infested penis in vodka?
Antibiotics are basically selective poisons, but there are many non-selective metal salts that kill almost everything such as copper, gold, silver, potassium, manganese, sulphur, zinc and titanium. If salts of these metals are used at a level low enough that it doesn't kill a big fat human being, then it can still kill the little bugs. So there are lots of treatments in our arsenal.
This is a good example of why all forms of information should be retained and studied.
We have history going back ever further. Who know what might be found in ancient maths, astronomy, cooking, animal husbandry or whatever.
What other useful things might be pulled out when the right to people sit down together in the cafeteria. It is the best of blue sky thinking and a great reason to keep those non STEM subjects going.
Lets see about stopping the destruction of ancient history in Syria. Maybe we can find again how to make Damascus steel. (Something to keep the conservatives feeling positive there.)
I'll see your Constitution and raise you a Queen.
The ancient cure was covered here on /. about six months ago; it's a poison so of course it kills bacteria (among other things).
Regarding the genetic research, it is indeed a major area of diagnosis and treatment. At this point it's mostly diagnosis - if you can identify the resistance genes a bacteria has you can select the appropriate antibiotic much sooner.
"the answer combines new technology with old remedies"
Where is this combining ?
The links mention using old remedies OR using the genetics. Not combined.
Slashdot Editors: EIDT ! FFS !
Then a very smart lady told me about hydrogen peroxide. A bit of that in your ear for a day or so would knock those little buggers on their ass.
It was very interesting the first time you put some in your ear - tickles a little and is loud as it releases the oxygen it kills the germs with.
21st century US litigation disclaimer:
This is not medical advice. Do not ever do this. Always consult a trained medical professional with the proper certifications for any and all medical treatments including antiseptics and band-aids. Do not use any other treatments than prescribed medicine. Always visit a trained professional for every physical ailment.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
“The greatest harm can result from the best intentions.” Stone of Tears: Chapter 63, page 886 and Legend of the Seeker: Marked If you artifically mess with genetics of an organism, it no longer is that organism. There will be unintended consequences.
Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Sola Gratia Sola Christus
“After you have stitched it, you should bind fresh meat upon it the first day. If you find the stitching of the wound is loose, draw it together and treat it with grease and honey every day until the patient recovers.” http://www.surgerysupplements....
Sola Scriptura Sola Fide Sola Gratia Sola Christus
Equals, "Hey, there's stuff here that actually works! How did we miss that? Ah well, we'll "invent" this now and go back to demonizing everything else we haven't bothered looking closely at yet."
I'm sure there were things that were practiced in medicine in the past that worked to some degree and have been abandoned. That really can't be doubted. However, there was also a lot of well-intentioned snake oil and many potentially dangerous treatments. It's very hard to distinguish a legitimate treatment from the snake oil, and now a huge business has sprung up around peddling mostly snake oil (supplements, homeopathy, etc...). My concern is people turning to alternative medicine when they really need to seek medical treatment.
About antibiotics, there are some bacteria that have evolved to be antibiotic resistant through no fault of our own. However, abuse of antibiotics is a big problem, both in terms of overprescribing them and giving them unnecessarily to animals. Furthermore, people don't always finish a course of antibiotics, which can lead to the bacteria that are left developing resistance. People need well-developed immune systems, through generally healthy habits and not being unnecessarily clean. Within reason, some exposure to germs is good! The other thing we can do is develop more vaccinations that protect against bacterial infections, make them cheap and affordable, and remove exemptions that allow children to not be vaccinated. If we vaccinate more, we won't have to use antibiotics as frequently. Gene therapy is also a promising avenue for eliminating antibiotic resistant bacteria.
I'm not opposed to alternative remedies being supervised by a doctor when antibiotics aren't required. That's a good thing because it prevents overuse. But I don't want people to think they can avoid vaccines and treat themselves by shopping in the homeopathy aisle at whole foods. We also need to properly study these treatments with rigorous clinical trials. It's a great idea if done right, but I don't think it will be as long as people can't tell the difference between legitimate treatment supervised by a doctor and over snake oil.
Seriously people, stop giving the creationists ammo. It has been shown multiple times that antibiotic resistance was around before the development of modern antibiotics. The use of antibiotics is a form of artificial selection that eliminates the portion of a population that is susceptible and leaves the rest. No super bugs, no new genetic information, a reduced gene pool; in short no evolution.