logo
A Search for New Antibiotics in Ancient DNA

A Search for New Antibiotics in Ancient DNA

Buried in the DNA of the long extinct woolly mammoth is a compound that scientists hope will one day yield a lifesaving antibiotic.
In experiments, mammuthusin, as the compound is called, has eradicated superbugs—bacteria that are resistant to today's antibiotics and cause infections that are hard to treat—says César de la Fuente, the bioengineer who helped discover the molecule.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Statins can reduce sepsis deaths, study suggests
Statins can reduce sepsis deaths, study suggests

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Statins can reduce sepsis deaths, study suggests

People who are critically ill with sepsis may be more likely to survive if they are given statins, a new study suggests. Researchers wanted to explore whether the cholesterol-busting drugs may bring additional benefits for patients. The new study examined information on sepsis patients who received statins during a stint in intensive care and compared it with patients in a similar situation who did not receive statins. Sepsis can be life-threatening, but knowing the signs can save lives. Symptoms differ in adults, children, & infants under 5. Learn more: — The UK Sepsis Trust (@UKSepsisTrust) January 7, 2025 Some 14.3% of 6,000 sepsis patients who were given statins died within 28 days. This is compared with 23.4% of 6,000 patients who did not receive statin therapy. The research team from China said that this equates to a 39% reduced risk of death within a month. The research, based on data from thousands of patients at a hospital in Israel between 2008 and 2019, also found that 7.4% of statin patients died while in the intensive care unit compared with 13.6% of those who did not receive statins. And during their overall hospital stay, some 11.5% of sepsis patients who were given statins died, compared with 19.1% of sepsis patients who did not take statins. However, it appeared that those who were not prescribed statins had a slightly shorter hospital stay compared with those who did receive them – an average of eight days compared with almost 10 days. 'We found that statin users exhibited decreased 28-day all-cause mortality,' the authors wrote in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that occurs when the immune system overreacts and starts to damage the body's tissues and organs. In the UK, 245,000 people are affected by sepsis every year. UK sepsis experts said that 'anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored' as they called for larger trials to confirm the findings. Statins are known as cholesterol-busting drugs because they can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. But experts said that they also have other benefits, including reducing inflammation and antibacterial effects. The research team called for larger trials to confirm their findings. 'Our large, matched cohort study found that treatment with statins was associated with a 39% lower death rate for critically ill patients with sepsis, when measured over 28 days after hospital admission,' said Dr Caifeng Li, the study's corresponding author and an associate professor at Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in China. 'These results strongly suggest that statins may provide a protective effect and improve clinical outcomes for patients with sepsis.' Commenting on the study, Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, said: 'It has been known for some time that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins confer a survival benefit on those who take them if they develop sepsis. 'Whilst previous studies have failed to show a similar survival benefit in treating people with sepsis with statins, this new study supports calls for a large, multi-country, randomised control trial. 'Anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored.'

Bayer subsidiary Vividion secures rights to Werner helicase inhibitor
Bayer subsidiary Vividion secures rights to Werner helicase inhibitor

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Bayer subsidiary Vividion secures rights to Werner helicase inhibitor

Bayer subsidiary Vividion Therapeutics has secured exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise VVD-214, the Werner helicase (WRN) covalent inhibitor, enhancing its oncology pipeline. Roche and Vividion discovered and developed VVD-214 through a global partnership and licence agreement. In 2020, the companies agreed to discover and develop small molecules for a range of therapeutic targets. The acquisition of VVD-214 rights by Vividion complements its portfolio of investigational therapeutics aimed at treating cancers and immune disorders. Preliminary data from a Phase I trial indicated that the therapy is well-tolerated and exhibits signs of activity. The trial is assessing VVD-214 as a single agent and in conjunction with pembrolizumab for those with various solid tumours showing microsatellite instability (MSI), such as endometrial, colorectal, gastric and ovarian cancers. WRN is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair enzyme and a synthetic lethal target for cancers with MSI. VVD-214's mechanism aims to induce lethal DNA damage in these cancers while sparing healthy cells. This approach could offer a new treatment avenue for patients with limited options, particularly those who relapse or become refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Vividion Therapeutics CEO Aleksandra Rizo stated: 'Bringing VVD-214, the only clinical-stage covalent inhibitor of WRN in development worldwide, into our portfolio marks an incredibly exciting moment for Vividion. 'We are eager to progress development of this compound, building on the encouraging clinical data we've seen to date, as part of our mission to transform treatment for patients with cancer and other serious diseases.' Vividion has Phase I trials for other potential oral cancer therapies, including a Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) activator, a RAS-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase alpha (PI3Kα) inhibitor and a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor. The company is progressing the discovery of several drug programmes towards the clinic and has a pipeline of early discovery opportunities in immunology and oncology, utilising its chemoproteomics platform. "Bayer subsidiary Vividion secures rights to Werner helicase inhibitor" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

ERA 2025
ERA 2025

Medscape

timea day ago

  • Medscape

ERA 2025

Semaglutide Significantly Improves Chronic Kidney Disease The landmark FLOW study shows the benefits extend to kidney, cardiovascular, and mortality outcomes in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD. Medscape Medical News , May 24, 2024 Semaglutide Significantly Improves Chronic Kidney Disease Antinephrin Autoantibodies: Biomarker for Kidney Disease? Using an innovative analysis technique, researchers identified antinephrin autoantibodies as markers of difficult to diagnose kidney diseases. Medscape Medical News , May 26, 2024 Antinephrin Autoantibodies: Biomarker for Kidney Disease? SGLT2 Inhibitors Add to GLP-1s' Cardio, Kidney Benefits The largest analysis to date details added effects of SGLT2 inhibitors among those with type 2 diabetes when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Medscape Medical News, Jun 03, 2024

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store