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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.
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 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
Ah yes, "salubrious pus". A massive infection is always the best treatment for an injury; unless it kills you.
You have correct, wrong, and not even wrong statements in your comment, which is sort of rare - congrats!
First, yes, antibiotic resistance was around before humans used modern antibiotics. However, it was much less common and much less strong.
Second, artificial selection is still evolution. Eliminating a less fit portion of the population is Evolution 101, regardless of whether it's artificial or natural selection.
Lastly, new antibiotic resistance genes are showing up; sometimes they're heavily modified versions of the ones that already existed, but in other cases they seem not to be. However, more effective resistance genes are selected for, which definitely qualifies as new genetic information.
Examine even your most deeply held beliefs. Nobody is always right.
Um, unless you have a hole in your eardrum, that doesn't work; or at least it cannot work by disinfection.
Peroxide in your ear can help get rid of earwax, but the kind of earache you get that needs antibiotics is on the other side of the eardrum, which is sealed from that side.
Unless the earwax was building up to the point it blocked your Eustachian tube or unless the tickling on your eardrum cleared your Eustachian tube then it could just be a coincidence.
-WolfWithoutAClause
"Gravity is only a theory, not a fact!"