Tag: bacteria
‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Infections Spiking, Leaving Key Carbapenem Antibiotics Useless, CDC Warns
Infections of Drug-Resistant ‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Are Surging in Hospitals The infection rate of one type of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales bacteria has risen by more than 460 percent in recent years. Scientists say people receiving treatment in hospitals are at highest risk By Lauren J. Young edited by Tanya Lewis Join Our Community of Science Lovers! The…
Bacteria in Spacecraft Clean Rooms Can Go Dormant, Evading Death
This Sneaky Spacecraft Bacteria Can Play Dead to Survive A type of bacteria found in clean rooms has an unexpected method of survival, with implications for planetary protection By Stephanie Pappas edited by Clara Moskowitz NASA’s Curiosity rover is prepared for launch in the clean room at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at NASA’s Jet Propulsion…
Microplastics Could Be Creating Dangerous Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Microplastics Could Be Turning Bacteria into Drug-Resistant Superbugs Microplastics are seemingly everywhere—and now growing research suggests they could be breeding grounds for drug-resistant bacteria By Marta Zaraska edited by Lauren J. Young For bacteria, microplastics are the perfect meetup spot—tiny, intimate surfaces where microbes can cling, huddle close and swap genes. And these crowded bacterial…
Vibrio Bacteria in Beach Water Can Make You Seriously Ill
Deadly Bacteria May Be Moving to a Beach Near You Illnesses from stealthy pathogens known as Vibrio are advancing northward along numerous coasts, potentially ruining your summer vacation By Kyle Brumfield edited by Mark Fischetti On a small, gently rocking research boat anchored just offshore in Chesapeake Bay, I lowered a sterile plastic bottle into the water to…
Human Gut Bacteria Can Gather Up PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
Human Gut Bacteria Can Gather Up PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ When tested on their own and in mice, these bacterial strains from the human microbiome show promise in accumulating PFAS By Nora Bradford edited by Sarah Lewin Frasier Gut microbiome bacteria from humans can absorb PFA. Lurking in our nonstick pans, our rain jackets and even…
Flies in hospital wards may be spreading drug-resistant bacteria to patients
Scientists in Nigeria found the insects carry infections resistant to last-resort antibiotics, adding to fears about superbugs Flies buzzing between beds may be spreading drug-resistant bugs among patients in hospitals, according to new research. Researchers from the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI) found that houseflies in Nigerian hospitals carry bacteria resistant to some…