‘Achilles Heel’ of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Discovered in Life-Saving Breakthrough
20th November 2024
n the ongoing battle against antibiotic-resistant “superbugs,” researchers have uncovered an unexpected vulnerability that could change how we fight these deadly infections – and it all comes down to a microscopic competition for resources.
The discovery comes at a crucial time. Current estimates paint a grim picture: drug-resistant infections already claim over one million lives annually, with deaths projected to nearly double to two million per year by 2050.
However, a team led by researchers at the University of California-San Diego may have found a new way to tackle this crisis without relying on traditional antibiotics. Their research, published in Science Advances, reveals that antibiotic-resistant bacteria have an inherent weakness – one that might explain why these seemingly unstoppable superbugs haven’t completely taken over.