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Thanks, Neanderthals: How our ancient relatives could help find new antibiotics

Thanks, Neanderthals: How our ancient relatives could help find new antibiotics

FromShort Wave


Thanks, Neanderthals: How our ancient relatives could help find new antibiotics

FromShort Wave

ratings:
Length:
13 minutes
Released:
Oct 30, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Antibiotics have changed the world. They've made it possible to treat diseases that used to mean anything from discomfort to death. But no new classes of antibiotics have made it to the market since the 1980s. What if humans' closest, ancient relatives held the answer to antibiotic resistance? Some scientists want to discover new antibiotics using machine learning ... and some very, very old relatives of humans. Host Aaron Scott talks to César de la Fuente about using computers to discover the first therapeutic molecules in extinct organisms. Have a question? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Released:
Oct 30, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, every weekday. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.