antibiotic resistance

The University of Kansas has been awarded a $5.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund research into antibiotic resistance, one of the most pressing threats to global public health. The funding will support efforts to develop new ways to combat drug-resistant bacteria, a problem the World Health Organization ranks among the top threats to modern medicine.

Researchers report that an extract from a plant native to Brazil's Cerrado savanna can restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria. The finding suggests the extract works alongside existing drugs to overcome resistance mechanisms in so-called superbugs, offering a potential new lead in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health threat.

Researchers report that nanoparticles derived from plants can strip MRSA of the adhesive weapons the antibiotic-resistant bacterium uses to cling to tissue, offering a potential new way to fight infections without conventional antibiotics. The approach targets bacterial adhesion rather than killing the microbes directly, a strategy seen as promising amid rising antimicrobial resistance.

Veterinary experts say personalised microbiome interventions are set to become 'the future' of animal healthcare. The approach involves analysing and adjusting the balance of gut bacteria in individual animals, rather than relying on broad treatments like antibiotics. Supporters say targeted microbiome therapies could improve outcomes for pets and livestock while helping reduce antimicrobial resistance concerns in veterinary practice.