时间:2024-09-20 06:25:44 来源:网络整理编辑:百科
There is a version of the near future where antibiotic resistant bacteria become more deadly than ca
There is a version of the near future where antibiotic resistant bacteria become more deadly than cancer.
A study released back in 2016 predicted that, if left unchecked, these types of bacteria could claim more than 10 million lives a year by 2050. Cancer currently kills 8 million people annually.
In the U.S. alone, antibiotic resistant bacteria already kills 20,000 people per year and infects millions more, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
SEE ALSO:In the fight against measles, UNICEF has found an unexpected ally – mobile phonesIt’s obvious that something needs to be done to mitigate the potential catastrophe, but so far an answer has been out of reach.
But a team of scientists, led by David Brenner of Columbia University, believes they have found a partial solution, and it’s been hiding in plain sight.
“We’ve known for a long time that UV [ultraviolet] light has the potential to reduce surgical site infections, because UV can efficiently kill all bacteria, including drug-resistant bacteria and even so-called superbugs,” Brenner said in a interview.
However, conventional UV light is a direct health hazard because of its ability to cause skin cancer and other health problems. Because of that, UV's germicidal properties have been largely dismissed until now.
In February, Brenner's team released a study that found a small range within the ultraviolet spectrum that might be safe around humans and also kill at least some harmful bacteria.
According to Brenner and his team, this wavelength is too short to penetrate even the outermost layer of skin while still possessing all the same germicidal qualities as conventional UV light.
If proven safe, the research team envisions three potentially life saving applications of the light.
They hope it could kill “airborne viruses such as influenza, in public spaces,” Brenner said.
Though the light wouldn't be able to fight all diseases, it would be very effective in the battle against more common viruses such as influenza, measles, tuberculosis bacteria, or pandemic-causing viruses like the Asian flu.
A second use would be to reduce surgical site infections, one of the most common ways superbugs spread.
“The idea is to kill [the airborne superbugs] as they float down onto the wound,” he said.
The third way is to disinfect highly susceptible parts of the body, like where catheters are inserted.
While the new research is promising, this type of light doesn’t completely eliminate the superbug threat by any means.
Many of the most deadly superbugs aren’t airborne, CDC infectious disease specialist Alexander Kallen explained.
This infographic explains the purpose of the AR Lab networkCredit: CDC"There are always going to be challenges when developing new technology," Kallen said.
Brenner's research could help protect people from their environment, but how do we treat them once they are infected?
"It's just too early to know," he said.
While the battle continues in developing new ways to combat tricky pathogens, groundwork needs to be done to see that we are minimizing infections now.
The CDC is funneling its efforts into providing hospitals with the funding to ensure that all suspected superbugs are tested in a lab, free of charge through what is known as the Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network.
But another really important factor to combating antibiotic resistance is convincing people that something can be done.
“Buy in,” Kallen said. "Before it was, 'We are never going to get rid of AR [antibiotic resistance].' But now people are starting to realize that we can reduce the impact that it has and reduce the mortality rates,."
There is a huge difference between now and eight years ago, and Kallen believes that's because people like Brennan feel empowered to do something.
TopicsHealth
Cat gets stuck in the most awkward position ever2024-09-20 06:22
2023年世界羽聯巡回賽賽程表2024-09-20 06:12
大滿貫第17冠!德約32024-09-20 06:07
毫無辦法!盤點NBA最難防守的十名球星:科比與詹姆斯上榜!(詹姆斯不僅是球員)2024-09-20 05:57
Ivanka Trump's unpaid interns share cringeworthy financial advice2024-09-20 05:35
德約科維奇奪得澳網第十冠、大滿貫第22冠,重回世界第一(德約大滿貫勝場數)2024-09-20 05:18
毫無辦法!盤點NBA最難防守的十名球星:科比與詹姆斯上榜 !(詹姆斯不僅是球員)2024-09-20 05:02
英超:十億豪陣 !切爾西誓取富勒姆重回正軌 桑德豪森VS達姆施塔特2024-09-20 04:35
This chart shows just how high Simone Biles can jump2024-09-20 04:03
勇士3連敗 ,不敵西部最弱球隊!普爾27+6證明:他沒庫裏真不行(庫裏32分勇士終結掘金連勝)2024-09-20 03:54
Is Samsung's Galaxy Note7 really the best phone?2024-09-20 06:22
【波盈足球】 足球PSG迎壞消息 !姆巴佩因傷缺席3周 梅西恐獨自帶隊戰拜仁 ( 傷勢,聯賽 )2024-09-20 06:19
今日賽事 :英超(布倫特福德vs利物浦)2024-09-20 06:17
國羽結束一月征程 ,印尼賽兩冠一亞成績尚可,雙打帶來驚喜男單成為老大難2024-09-20 06:03
These glasses hide a fitness tracker on your face2024-09-20 05:28
本澤馬米利唐傷退 ,皇馬22024-09-20 05:13
難以限製!盤點NBA得分能力最強的十大球星 :科比與詹姆斯上榜!(詹姆斯場均幾個三分)2024-09-20 05:05
世界羽聯巡回賽超級1000賽事馬來西亞公開賽今日開賽 泉州國手黃東萍衝擊混雙冠軍2024-09-20 04:58
Pole vaulter claims his penis is not to blame2024-09-20 04:51
現役球員除詹姆斯之外 ,還有誰有望突破3萬分大關 ?(詹姆斯得分會超過第一)2024-09-20 04:28