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Next Pandemic May Come From Super Bacteria Unleashed by Melting Permafrost

Scientists in Antarctica have discovered "superpower" germs that could potentially cause a pandemic, warns Newsweek. As climate change accelerates the melting of permafrost, these super bacteria could be released into the environment, posing a significant threat. The built-in antibiotic resistance of these bacteria makes conventional therapies ineffective, raising concerns about their potential spread beyond polar zones. This alarming finding highlights the urgent need for climate change research and the development of new medicines to combat emerging infectious diseases.

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Newsweek says that scientists in Antarctica have uncovered "superpower" germs that might cause a pandemic. Climate change might defrost the ice reserve, releasing super germs.

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The bacteria's built-in antibiotic resistance might make conventional therapies ineffectual. Chilean researchers discovered the germs while studying how climate change will effect their spread.

Researchers cautioned that climate change might enable the pathogen to spread beyond polar zones.

Andres Marcoleta, a University of Chile scholar, led the March study.

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Resistance gene superpowers

Marcoleta says Mobile DNA has "superpowers" that can resist harsh settings and be given to other bacteria.

He said that the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the polar locations most devastated by melting ice, has a broad range of bacteria, and some of them might be a source of ancient antibiotic-resistant genes.

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Researchers collected Antarctic Peninsula samples between 2017 and 2019.

Many microbes were almost indestructible, according to their research.

The samples displayed astonishing adaptations and abilities, including resistance to antibiotics and other dangerous compounds.

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Pseudomonas, a common microbe on the peninsula, is not harmful, researchers found. The bacteria can produce "resistance genes" resistant to copper, chlorine, and quaternary ammonium.

Polaromonas bacteria, which are widespread in polar environments, may deactivate beta-lactam medicines, which cure many ailments.

The researcher wondered whether climate change affects infectious illnesses.

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Climate change's effects

Marcoleta cautioned that newly found genes might exit the frozen reserve, causing infectious disease outbreaks.

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The researcher said that resistant genes might reach germs that cause human or animal illnesses. This would make it harder to safeguard people or animals against disease-resistant bacteria.

Marcoleta said the discovery might lead to new medicines and the prediction of emerging resistance mechanisms in infectious illnesses.

Some of these bacteria's traits might have biotechnological uses, he said.

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Marcoleta said the COVID-19 pandemic showed society that microbes, especially viruses, may have international ramifications, making climate change research a vital aim.

Melting North and South Poles is a well-known effect of climate change.

Anillo mBioClim will continue the study.

AQ
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