"Cockroaches may really be superbugs (UKPA) - 7 hours ago Cockroaches have long been regarded as an unwanted pest but in fact they could hold the secret to treating the most resilient of superbugs, scientists have said. Tests have found tissue from the brains and nervous systems of the insects can kill off more than 90% of MRSA and E.coli infections without harming human cells. Until now, cockroaches have been seen as a health hazard, to be found in dank and dingy hotels. But Simon Lee, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Nottingham, says they hold powerful antibiotic properties after discovering nine different molecules in their tissues which are toxic to bacteria. He said: "We hope that these molecules could eventually be developed into treatments for E.coli and MRSA infections that are increasingly resistant to current drugs. "These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects." He added: "Insects often live in unsanitary and unhygienic environments where they encounter many different types of bacteria. It is therefore logical that they have developed ways of protecting themselves against micro-organisms." Mr Lee's research has focused on the study of specific properties of the antibacterial molecules which are now being tested on numerous superbugs. According to the Society for General Microbiology, the pharmaceutical industry is generating fewer and fewer new antibiotics due to lack of financial incentives, resulting in a high demand for alternative sources of new drugs. Mr Lee presented his findings to fellow scientists at the society's autumn meeting at the University of Nottingham. Dr Naveed Khan is supervising Mr Lee's work. He said: "Superbugs such as MRSA have developed resistance against the standard therapies and treatments that we throw at them. They have shown the ability to cause untreatable infections, and have become a major threat in our fight against bacterial diseases. Thus, there is a continuous need to find additional sources of novel antimicrobials to confront this menace.""
Posts: 47 | From Yorkshire, UK | Registered: May 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I just can't get over the "ick" factor here. But I'm glad that some scientists can look at all the options.
However: Allicin can be effective against MSRA. That's been proven in studies done in U.K. hospitals, etc. But no one will go forward with that as it's just too simple, smelly or not profitable to pharmaceutical companies as garlic cannot be trademarked.
IV Garlic has been used for a very long time in China. That would be very good for many if we'd only use that here. Some NDs, do, though (ND = naturopathic doctor).
We have so much at our fingertips from the plant world. Colloidal Silver, too, is very powerful.
But.. it's sort of funny to think that if we get a disease from a bug, that another bug's brains could make us better!
Pretty 'tongue in cheek' don't you think?
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
Very gross but interesting. There is the lizard blood too.
I wouldn't go for ingesting roasted cockroaches but, it might not be so horrible if in little capsules.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
"the pharmaceutical industry is generating fewer and fewer new antibiotics due to lack of financial incentives, resulting in a high demand for alternative sources of new drugs".
That makes me so mad. Financial incentives? Well, it's pretty obvious that the financial aspect of manufacturing drugs has shifted to treating the symptoms relentlessly, without providing a cure. That's disgusting, especially when we are limited by physicians as to what we can use under the pretense of drug immunity, not generation of fewer and fewer antibiotics due to lack of financial incentives.
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Frightening when I hear that drug companies aim at treating symptoms over finding cures - but unfortunately it will make financial sense to them I guess if they go unregulated in this aspect of business
I think a cure for Lyme could well be out there in nature. Be it an evolved natural defence of an animal or insect against tough bugs or something, like the article above is suggesting.
Does anyone know if deer get Lyme or do they have inherent natural defences!?
Posts: 47 | From Yorkshire, UK | Registered: May 2009
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Rivendell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19922
posted
That is an interesting question about deer and Lyme. I often wonder if they get it. Do cows get it. I think it is sad if they do.
Keebler, I have been very interested in coloidal silver, but I have heard that you can turn gray. Some say that isn't true. Do you have any info on this that can clear this up?
I have heard that people with Lyme have gotten good results with it, and I would like to try it, but I am leary.
posted
That may not be such a stretch on the roach thing. They can live in any environment regardless of bacterias viruses ect.
It has been said many times that in the event of a nuclear holocaust scientists predict everything would become extinct except cockroaches.
Many poeple aren't aware but the blood thinner coumadin which helps so many was derived from rat poison. So who knows.......
D Bergy we've been looking for a cereal forever that stays crunchy in milk. You may have something there lol
-------------------- If you play at the beach, expect to get some sand in your shorts Posts: 223 | From central pa | Registered: May 2010
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