Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

AI identifies effective antibiotic against drug-resistant infections

Using machine learning, the scientists examined a vast catalog of 7,000 potential drug compounds to identify one that could inhibit the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii

AI identifies effective antibiotic against drug-resistant infections

Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and McMaster University have utilised machine learning, a branch of Artificial Intelligence (AI), to discover a new antibiotic that shows promise in fighting drug-resistant infections caused by a bacteria called Acinetobacter baumannii.

This bacterium is commonly found in hospitals and can lead to severe infections like pneumonia and meningitis, making it a significant concern for healthcare settings and wounded soldiers.


Using AI, the scientists examined a vast catalog of 7,000 potential drug compounds to identify one that could inhibit the growth of A. baumannii.

“Acinetobacter can survive on hospital doorknobs and equipment for long periods of time, and it can take up antibiotic resistance genes from its environment. It’s really common now to find A. baumannii isolates that are resistant to nearly every antibiotic,” Jonathan Stokes, a former MIT postdoc, said in a statement.

This discovery holds importance because Acinetobacter has developed resistance to numerous antibiotics, making it challenging to treat.

The study, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, highlights how machine learning techniques allow for rapid exploration of chemical space, increasing the chances of finding new molecules with antibacterial properties.

This finding further supports the valuable role of AI in expediting the identification of novel antibiotics.

The AI system was initially trained to identify chemical structures capable of inhibiting the growth of E. coli.

After screening over 100 million compounds, the researchers discovered a molecule named halicin, which demonstrated effectiveness against E. coli and various other bacterial species.

Focusing on Acinetobacter as a priority, the team conducted experiments where they exposed A. baumannii to around 7,500 different chemical compounds in a lab setting. They fed the structural information of each molecule to the AI system to assess their potential.

Eventually, they identified a drug called abaucin, which effectively treated wound infections caused by A. baumannii and exhibited activity against several drug-resistant infections.

Further investigation revealed that the drug kills cells by disrupting a process called lipoprotein trafficking, which is responsible for protein transportation within cells.

The researchers believe that the unique lipoprotein trafficking mechanism of A. baumannii makes abaucin specifically effective against this bacterium, giving it a narrow spectrum of activity.

While the experimental data acquisition is ongoing, the findings so far offer promising prospects for addressing multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, especially those caused by Acinetobacter.

More For You

Amazon Prime Day deals

This year’s event extended to a full 96 hours running

iStock

15 best Amazon Prime Day deals to grab before Friday

Key points

 
     
  • Prime Day 2025 runs from 8–11 July in the UK
  •  
  • Top discounts on tech, beauty, home and essentials
  •  
  • Must-have offers include deals on Dyson, Nespresso, Oral-B, and more
  •  
  • Exclusive to Amazon Prime members (free trial available)

Amazon Prime Day 2025 is well underway, with this year’s event extended to a full 96 hours running from Tuesday 8 July to Friday 11 July. With thousands of products on offer across nearly every category, shoppers in the UK can enjoy steep discounts on everyday essentials, big-ticket tech, and top-rated beauty favourites.

We’ve sifted through the extensive listings to highlight 15 of the best value-for-money deals currently live, with savings of up to 60%. All prices are correct at the time of writing and exclusive to Prime members.

Keep ReadingShow less
5 secret beaches

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

iStock

5 secret beaches in the UK that feel like the tropics

Key points

  • Discover hidden UK beaches with turquoise waters and golden sands
  • Ideal for summer staycations without the cost of long-haul travel
  • Includes lesser-known spots in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and more
  • Perfect for quiet escapes, coastal walks, and Instagram-worthy views

Escape to paradise – no passport required

Think you need to fly halfway across the world for clear blue water and white sand? Think again. The UK is home to a surprising number of secluded beaches that look straight out of the Caribbean – without the crowds or jet lag. From hidden coves in Cornwall to windswept bays in the Scottish Highlands, here are some of the most tropical-looking beaches on British soil.

1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Often dubbed the UK’s answer to the Caribbean, this National Trust-owned gem boasts golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic cliffs. Accessed by a half-mile walk from Stackpole Quay, it remains blissfully untouched by development.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches

The chain had also gained a following for its themed brunches

iStock

Ping Pong restaurant chain shuts all UK branches after 20 years

Key points

  • Chinese dim sum restaurant Ping Pong has closed all its UK locations
  • The chain made the announcement via social media
  • Founded in 2005, the brand thanked customers and staff for their support
  • Loyal diners shared memories and disappointment in the comments

All branches are permanently closed

Chinese restaurant chain Ping Pong has permanently closed all its branches in the UK, the company confirmed in a social media announcement.

Founded in 2005 by restaurateur Kurt Zdesar, the dim sum chain had become popular for its stylish interiors, creative menus, and Asian-inspired cocktails. The company did not provide prior notice of the closure but said the decision marked the end of an “unforgettable” 20-year journey.

Keep ReadingShow less
New Covid strain

Experts have raised concerns about the immune-evasive nature of the Stratus strain

iStock

New Covid strain Stratus spreads in UK with unusual hoarse voice symptom

Key points

  • A new Covid strain known as Stratus is spreading across the UK
  • The variant is marked by a distinctive symptom: a hoarse or raspy voice
  • Sub-variants XFG and XFG.3 now account for 30% of cases in England
  • Experts say there is no evidence of more severe disease
  • Lower immunity levels may make more people vulnerable to infection

Covid variant Stratus on the rise in the UK

A new strain of Covid-19, known as Stratus, is spreading across the UK and drawing attention for its unusual symptom — a hoarse or raspy voice. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Stratus and its two sub-variants, XFG and XFG.3, are responsible for around 30 per cent of Covid cases in England.

Of the two, XFG.3 is currently the more dominant. The UKHSA confirmed that monitoring of all circulating Covid-19 variants is ongoing as part of regular surveillance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Human brain continues forming neurons

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain

iStock

Human brain continues forming neurons well into old age, study finds

Key points

  • New neurons continue forming in the brain’s hippocampus into old age
  • Study confirms presence of neural progenitor cells in adults
  • DNA carbon dating and single-nucleus RNA sequencing were used
  • Research shows variation in neuron production between individuals
  • Findings could aid treatments for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders

Human brain shows ongoing neuron formation into older age

A new study has confirmed that the human brain continues to produce new nerve cells well into late adulthood, challenging previous assumptions about age-related decline in neurogenesis. The findings, published in the journal Science, provide fresh insight into how adaptable the brain remains over a lifetime.

Neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons form in the brain, is known to occur in the hippocampus — a region involved in memory. While previous research has suggested that this process continues throughout life, there has been limited concrete evidence of the presence of neural progenitor cells in the adult brain.

Keep ReadingShow less