Tom/Flickr
Simple and inexpensive gene-editing technology such as CRISPR has made the creation of genetically modified organisms much easier. But could nature still keep the upper hand?
Drug-resistant strains of gonorrhoea, once easily dispatched with penicillin, are spreading across the globe resulting in chronic pain and sterility.
(Shutterstock)
Without leading edge innovations and coordination, Canadians will die from the epidemic of antibiotic resistant infections.
Antibiotics Staphylex, used to treat the infection Golden Staph.
TONY PHILLIPS/ AAP
Speaking with: Dr Mark Blaskovich on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the threat of superbugs
The Conversation , CC BY-ND 45.2 MB (download)
William Isdale speaks with Mark Blaskovich about his research into antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the threat these superbugs pose to communities.
We’re increasingly seeing bugs in Australia resistant to many antibiotics. We’re yet to see one resistant to ALL antibiotics.
from www.shutterstock.com.au
In the last decade we’ve seen a ten-fold increase in the number of bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics.
Our study suggests setting targets for antibiotic prescribing is the next step to curb their overuse.
from www.shutterstock.com
A study that shows GPs are prescribing about five million too many antibiotic scripts a year means we have to take a radical new approach to reducing use of these drugs.
Modern diets are changing the compositions of our gut microbiota, and with that, our personalities.
from shutterstock.com
For most of the twentieth century, we were at war with microbes, leading to substantial changes in our body’s ecosystem. This has changed our diets, disease profile, moods and even personalities.
Antibiotics are administered to surgery patients to prevent infections.
shutterstock
Infection of wounds for surgery patients is on the rise in developing countries. A shorter dose of antibiotics is appropriate.
Some of the notable additions to the PBS include drugs to treat eye and HIV infections, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.
from shutterstock.com
An independent expert provides his pick of the most notable drugs added to the PBS on May 1, 2017.
shutterstock
Eat less meat, save the world
Many in the Western Front contracted haemorrhagic dysentery.
Wellcome Library, London
When commemorating our troops, doctors and nurses this Anzac Day, consider also tipping your hat to the discovery of bacteriophages. In the post-antibiotic era, our health might just depend on them.
Open wide … the mouths of crocodiles like this contain bacteria that cause potentially lethal infections in people they bite.
from www.shutterstock.com
Until recently we didn’t know much about which antibiotic is best for people who have been attacked by a crocodile.
Shutterstock/one photo
Both GPs and patients need to wake up to the immediate risk that antibiotic misuse poses.
A recipe for an eyesalve from ‘Bald’s Leechbook.’
© The British Library Board (Royal MS 12 D xvii)
A team of medievalists and scientists look back to history – including a 1,000-year-old eyesalve recipe – for clues to new antibiotics.
QiuJu Song/Shutterstock
Taxing meat may be unpopular, but an urgent problem calls for an urgent solution.
Reining the mind back from fearful things.
Shutterstock
A cheap antibiotic may help prevent the formation of fearful memories.
TB most commonly causes pneumonia. Sick people experience cough, fever, sweats and weight loss, usually over weeks to months.
from shutterstock.com
In Australia, there are around 1200 to 1300 cases of tuberculosis each year which means we are among the lowest-risk countries in the world.
Science is stepping up – what about you?
Shutterstock
Resistance is growing but there are ways that hospitals – as well as the public – can stem the tide.
Soils play an important role in the nutritional value of our food.
We’re in danger of losing the health benefits of soils faster than they are replaced.
Bacterial colonies on a petri dish.
Shutterstock
This research could provide an answer to some of the problems posed by antibiotic resistance.
Shutterstock
Antibiotics are wrongly being prescribed for infections where they won’t work and cutting this down could help combat resistance. But change isn’t as easy as just providing the means.