Scientists closer to cracking antibiotic resistance

  • Breaking
  • 01/07/2014

The theme of this week's Firstline science chat is adaptation. 

In the past week there have been major breakthroughs in our understanding of antibiotic resistance, the secrets of drought-resistant trees and how to control the spread of malaria.

AUT Applied Ecology Institute director Steve Pointing says a new study shows how bacteria have learned to shut themselves off when an antibiotic dose is delivered – essentially going to sleep and ignoring the medicine.

What's more worrying, as the doses are changed the bacteria are able to respond. Because bacteria reproduce so quickly, they are quick to adapt to changing medicines.

And Kiwi researchers have found the key to drought-resistant trees – and it's sugar. It's been long suspected, but has now been proven.

Watch the video for the full interview with Steve Pointing.


source: newshub archive