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What are superbugs?

Superbugs are strains of bacteria that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics, making infections much harder to treat. This resistance develops when bacteria evolve, often due to overuse or misuse of antibiotics. The story highlights how AI and viruses are being used to combat these dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, offering new hope against a growing global health threat.

Stories that explain this

AI and viruses are fighting superbugs by targeting bacteria precisely Sexually transmitted shigella cases growing faster and resisting antibiotics

Questions this opens up

How do bacteria get resistant? What are antibiotics? Are all bacteria bad?

Related explainers

How does AI help fight superbugs? Why are antibiotics failing? What are bacteriophages? Who is most affected? What is Shigella? Why is this a 'threat'? Why is this technology new? Can AI fight superbugs?

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