Antibiotic Activity
Articles tagged with Antibiotic Activity
Small dose of antibiotic yields good results in treating panic attacks
A study published in Translational Psychiatry suggests that low-dose minocycline may help treat panic disorder by reducing inflammation in brain cells. The antibiotic was found to have a similar effect to the commonly prescribed medication clonazepam, with lower doses required to achieve similar results.
Fighting oral cancer with bioengineered chewing gum
Researchers have shown that extracts from bioengineered chewing gum reduce levels of three microbes linked to worse outcomes in oral cancers, including HPV and bacteria Pg and Fn. The findings support the value of advancing these therapies to clinical trials as adjuvants or prophylaxis.
A natural molecule present in the human body protects against the flu, Fisabio study reveals
A study reveals dermcidin, a human body natural molecule, exhibits antiviral activity against the influenza virus. Higher baseline levels of dermcidin in individuals who don't develop flu-like symptoms may be associated with lower susceptibility to infection.
Use of controversial weedkiller inadvertently selects for drug-resistant bacteria that can spread to hospitals
Scientists have found evidence that glyphosate, a widely used weedkiller, can select for drug-resistant bacteria that can thrive in agricultural areas and then spread to hospitals. The study revealed that bacterial strains from hospital infections with extreme drug resistance showed high resistance to glyphosate and its byproducts.
Stealth and manipulation: Strategies of bacterial plasmids
Computational analysis reveals two strategies: stealthy plasmids pick up new genes first, while manipulative plasmids help them spread rapidly. This 'stealth-first' process can aid in predicting future resistance threats and tracking their emergence.
Pine bark removes pharmaceutical residues from wastewater – an affordable way to keep antibiotics out of nature
Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed a pine-bark-based water-treatment medium that efficiently removes antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals from wastewater treatment plant effluent. The method uses modified pine bark and combination materials, achieving removal efficiencies in the tens of percent to over 90%.
New test shows which antibiotics actually work
Researchers developed a new method to measure how effectively antibiotics kill bacteria, crucial for treating complex infections. The 'antimicrobial single-cell testing' method predicts treatment success by observing individual bacteria under different conditions.
Why Some Bacteria Survive Antibiotics and How to Stop Them - New study reveals that bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment through two fundamentally different “shutdown modes”
Researchers identify two archetypes of growth arrest that lead to persistence: regulated and disrupted states. The former provides protection from antibiotics, while the latter is marked by vulnerabilities, particularly impaired cell membrane stability. This distinction has significant implications for developing targeted therapies.
Viruses on plastic pollution may quietly accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance
New study reveals that viruses living on plastics can act as drivers of antibiotic resistance dissemination by transferring genetic material between bacteria. Environmental context is crucial in understanding the risks of plastic pollution on public health.
Researchers discover latent antimicrobial resistance across the world
Researchers analyzed 1,240 wastewater samples from 351 cities worldwide and discovered latent antimicrobial resistance genes. The study highlights the need for broader surveillance of resistance in wastewater to curb future pandemics.
Time to act and not react: how can the European Union turn the tide of antimicrobial resistance?
Europe is facing a major public health crisis due to rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates, with estimated deaths of over 35,000 annually. The EU must address this issue through strong action on antibiotic use, innovation in novel treatments and infection prevention and control practices.
New platform for the production of versatile active ingredients
A team of scientists at HIPS has developed a chemo-enzymatic platform to produce large quantities of furanolides, a class of natural products with high structural diversity. The resulting substances have shown promising biological activities against bacterial pathogens and cancer cells.
NTU Singapore and SMART scientists develop safer and more sustainable antimicrobials to prevent infection of cow udders
Researchers create novel compounds that kill bacteria in a new way, reducing the risk of side effects and environmental harm. The compounds have been shown to be effective in preventing bovine mastitis without affecting milk quality.
Penn engineers unveil generative AI model that designs new antibiotics
Researchers at Penn Engineering introduced AMP-Diffusion, a generative AI tool that designed tens of thousands of new antimicrobial peptides with bacteria-killing potential. The most potent AMPs performed as well as FDA-approved drugs without detectable adverse effects.
Common painkillers linked to antibiotic resistance
Research from the University of South Australia finds that ibuprofen and paracetamol drive antibiotic resistance when used individually, but amplifying it when combined. The study also reveals that common bacteria like E. coli become highly resistant to antibiotics and multiple other medications.
AI uncovers new antibiotics in ancient microbes
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania used AI to identify previously unknown compounds in Archaea that could fuel the development of next-generation antibiotics. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that 93% of the identified archaeasins demonstrated antimicrobial activity against drug-resistant bacteria.
Study advances understanding of immune system’s crucial role in phage therapy
Researchers found that immunocompromised animals respond better to phage therapy due to depleted alveolar macrophages, which initially seemed to hinder its efficacy. The study highlights the importance of the immune system in phage therapy and may inform personalized treatment strategies.
Statins may reduce risk of death by 39% for patients with life-threatening sepsis
A large cohort study has shown that supplementary treatment with statins can boost survival chances for critically ill patients with sepsis. The results indicate a 39% lower death rate over 28 days after hospital admission.
Study uncovers the core principles of low-resistance antibiotics
A groundbreaking study has identified a dual-target approach that significantly prevents the development of resistance in bacteria. This approach combines membrane disruption with an additional critical cellular pathway, offering a potential solution to mitigate the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Antibiotics of the future are prone to bacterial resistance
Recent studies have found that new antibiotics are prone to rapid development of resistance, even before they are widely used. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of these treatments in the long run. To address this issue, researchers call for a shift in antibiotic development prioritizing novel modes of action and responsible...
How a middle schooler found a new compound in a piece of goose poop
A middle schooler's unique sample of goose poop contained a bacterium with antibiotic activity, yielding a novel compound orfamide N that inhibits human melanoma and ovarian cancer cell growth. The discovery highlights the potential for combined educational outreach and natural product research.
Tiny heroes and innovative technology are here to fight back against antibiotic-resistant biofilms
Researchers create silver nanoparticles infused with azithromycin that effectively break down biofilms and unveil a new sensing method to assess antimicrobial activity. The novel approach offers a promising solution against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with potential applications in coating medical devices.
Small animals acquire genes from bacteria that can produce antibiotics
Researchers found that rotifers acquire genes from bacteria and produce resistance weapons, such as antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. The team's findings suggest that rotifers could give important clues in the hunt for new antibiotics to treat human infections.
Researchers develop molecules for a new class of antibiotics that can overcome drug resistant bacteria
Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics that can overcome drug-resistant bacteria by targeting the physical and functional integrity of the bacterial cell wall. This could be a game-changer in treating infections, particularly those caused by resistant strains.
Consumption of antibiotics in the community back to pre-pandemic levels in the European Union and European Economic Area
Community antibiotic consumption in the EU increased by 18.8% between 2021 and 2022, reversing a significant decline seen during the pandemic. The resurgence of infections may have contributed to the rebound, but highlights the need for continued prudent use of antibiotics.
New way to count microbes speeds research, cuts waste, could lead to new antibiotics
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder developed a new way to count microorganisms that is 36 times faster than conventional methods and uses 15 times less plastic. This method, called Geometric Viability Assay (GVA), could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and diagnose infections faster.
Images of enzyme in action reveal secrets of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Researchers used cryoelectron microscopy to visualize how ribosome-modifying enzymes squeeze RNA nucleotides and alter them, leading to drug resistance. The discovery may lead to the design of new antibiotic therapies targeting these enzymes.
Synthetic antibiotic could be effective against drug-resistant superbugs
A new antibiotic strategy has been found to defeat gram-negative bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli by interfering with the outer lipid layer of the bacteria. The compound, LPC-233, is a small molecule that works fast and is durable in animal tests, with potentially vital applications against stubborn urinary tract infections.
Novel method to design new peptide therapeutics pioneered
Researchers developed a 'scanning and direct derivatization' method to target polymyxin, an antibiotic of last resort, for treating diseases resistant to conventional drugs. The method generated hundreds of peptide derivatives with varying effects, accelerating drug development.
Hidden genes may be tapped for new antibiotics
Rice University bioscientists have developed a novel approach to control the expression of 'silent' genes in bacteria using CRISPR technology. This strategy could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics and has potential applications in antifungal and anticancer agents, as well as agriculture.
How bacteria adhere to cells: Basis for the development of a new class of antibiotics
Researchers have deciphered the exact bacterial adhesion mechanism using Bartonella henselae, revealing a key role for trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their interaction with fibronectin. Experimental blocking of these processes almost entirely prevents bacterial adhesion.
Nanosilver no ‘silver bullet’ in long-term treatment of infections
Researchers found that nanosilver treatment can increase the risk of recurrent infections when used long-term due to pathogen adaptation. Long-term exposure allows bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa to evolve and resume normal growth upon discontinuation of treatment.
Ground-breaking bacteria-killing viruses unite with antibiotics to fight devastating antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Scientists have developed a new therapy that combines bacteriophages with antibiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, specifically targeting Mycobacterium abscessus. The treatment, using the bacteriophage 'Muddy', showed significant improvement in survival rates and severity of infections when paired with rifabutin, demonstra...