science @lemmy.world cm0002 @lemmy.world 2w ago

'Achilles Heel' of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Has Been Found, Scientists Say

www.sciencealert.com 'Achilles Heel' of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Has Been Found, Scientists Say

New tactics in controlling infection are sorely needed, with antibiotic-resistant bacteria expected to claim as many as 2 million lives each year by 2050.

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Sensationalised headline.
The finding pertains to an antibiotic resistant strain of B. subtilis with a specific mutation in a gene that encodes a ribosomal subunit.
The finding is that for that specific bacterum, you might be able to fight it by altering your diet
- So the headline would be a lot of better if it had includes an indefinite article.
  
  "An Achilles Heel of..." instead of implying it's the definite article
There is no such thing as a bacteria we can't kill; the only hard part is finding a way to only kill the bacteria and not the patient.

We are locked into a arms race with evolution. One key aspect of this would be to limit any new drugs developed for humans only, and not to be fed to livestock at scale (even when they are not sick). This limits the exposure of bacteria to the adversarial environment so it doesn't have as many chances to evolve counter measures.

Let's not forget that Mitochondria, the power house of the cell, that humans depend on for essential function - are from bacteria.
- the only hard part is finding a way to only kill the bacteria and not the patient.
  
  I think that's why the scientists are worried.
  
  The whole concept of UV light, the way it kills it in one minute - that's pretty powerful. Supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or in some other way?
- That still only deals with zoonotic pathogens. Another mayor problem is the non-metabolized (more than half of ingested) anitbiotics that we flush down and don't filter out.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7kJzvEwmSE (Asionometry: Antibiotics in our wastewater)
Until we create mirror life. I just unlocked a new fear. Maybe a new spin on an old fear.

https://youtu.be/8tKEuHhLmQk
- I've seen this show up a couple times recently and I'm hesitant to think it's as bad as advertised. The linked video basically states mirror bacteria has no weaknesses while laser hitting all existing life's weaknesses. Reporting extremes like that is a red flag and needs some extra scrutiny. Why would it be so one sided like that? Wouldn't they exist in an equally hostile environment but also be seriously outnumbered?
  
  For sure we have to be very careful about what we're making in labs. The warnings I've seen about this so far seem very sensationalized though. I'm not a germologist though someone correct me if I'm way off course please
  
  Because all life has a right turn. When there is a left turn, it's linked with a disease.
Aha! Drug resistant bacteria are weak against bullets! All we have to do is shoot each cell with this 22 rifle and you'll be cured!
.... for now.

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