Antibiotic

Researchers have made progress against citrus greening disease by developing hybrid citrus trees that produce desirable orange-like fruit and resist the disease. Through genetic analysis, they’ve created tools for early flavor profile screening, marking a significant step in ensuring future hybrids combine disease tolerance with the essential sweet orange flavor.Antibiotic-resistant infection is projected to catch up to cancer as the leading cause of death by 2050, making understanding and limiting the spread of…

Your dog’s poop might be a dangerous source of bacterial superbugs. In a new study, researchers in China detail evidence that dogs experiencing diarrhea are commonly carrying multi-drug resistant strains of Escherichia coli—around 50%, in their study.Prepping the Sandworm Scenes in Dune: Part TwoThe research was led by scientists at Sichuan Agricultural University. According to lead author Zhijun Zhong, an increasing number of studies have found that dogs can be a reservoir of E. coli superbugs, including strains…

An agar plate containing colonies of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria, one of the drug-resistant strains the synthetic compound cresomycin has shown to combat. Credit: Myers Research GroupCresomycin, a groundbreaking antibiotic developed by Harvard scientists, targets drug-resistant bacteria with improved binding to ribosomes, offering hope against global antimicrobial resistance.A new antibiotic created by Harvard researchers overcomes antimicrobial resistance mechanisms that have rendered many modern drugs ineffective and…

Scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago and Harvard University have developed a new antibiotic, cresomycin, as a potential tool against drug-resistant bacteria. This achievement stems from research into how antibiotics interact with the bacterial ribosome and strategies to overcome bacterial defenses, like ribosome modification. Cresomycin’s effectiveness against multidrug-resistant strains in animal studies signals its promise for human applications, highlighting the crucial role of structural biology in…

Researchers from the University of British Columbia have discovered a link between micronutrient deficiencies in early life and changes in gut microbiomes, which may contribute to the rising global antibiotic resistance. The study shows that deficiencies in vital nutrients like vitamin A, B12, folate, iron, and zinc lead to an increase in opportunistic pathogens and genes linked to antibiotic resistance in the gut. This finding challenges the traditional view that antibiotic resistance is primarily due to antibiotic…

Sweat, heavy breathing, warm temperatures and lots of people — the gym is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in, which is why wiping equipment down is a normal part of gym etiquette. But does a quick wipe really eliminate all those germs? CBC's Marketplace swabbed equipment at several popular national gym chains to find out which surface harbours the most bacteria. With training and supplies from an accredited laboratory in Mississauga, Ont., Marketplace visited some of the largest for-profit gym chains: three…

Researchers have identified an entirely new class of antibiotic that can kill bacteria that are resistant to most current drugs.Zosurabalpin is highly effective against the bacterium carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab), which is classified as a "priority 1" pathogen by the World Health Organization due to its growing presence in hospitals.Crab can kill up to 60% of people infected with it. It commonly causes infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract and blood stream, potentially leading to…

Research on φX174, a bacteriophage, unveils potential in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Historically significant in phage therapy and molecular biology, φX174’s unique cell-lysing mechanism could pave the way for innovative antibiotics.φX174, a bacteriophage studied for its potential in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offers new insights into developing alternative antibiotics.In the age of COVID-19, the word “virus” stirs up thoughts of contagion, sickness, and even death. But what if there were a…

Under a microscope, this drug-resistant superbug looks as benign as a handful of pebbles. Yet carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, or CRAB, is a nightmare for hospitals worldwide, as it kills roughly half of all patients who acquire it.Identified as a top-priority pathogen by both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CRAB is the most common form of a group of bacteria that are resistant to nearly all available antibiotics. Victims are typically hospitalized…

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are poised to become a global health concern in the coming decades. In the race to develop new weapons, scientists from Texas A&M have created a novel family of antibacterial polymers that can kill 'superbugs' in a way they can't evolve resistance to.The discovery of penicillin was one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century. Suddenly infections were far more survivable, with antibiotics opening up more surgical and medical treatments to more people. But the…